.:End of Days Night 4/ AWF Prestige 41:.
Oct 20, 2019 12:03:19 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Dave D-Flipz, and 4 more like this
Post by ForeverKuroi on Oct 20, 2019 12:03:19 GMT -5
.::The XHF Network and The Ascension Wrestling Federation Present::.
The End of Days Tournament
Night 4 and Prestige 41
October 20th, 2019
The Old Hospital, AKA the Union Workhouse in Wexford, Ireland
The cameras open up on The Old Hospital in Ireland. The crowd is going wild.
Taylor: Folks, welcome to a very special edition of AWF Prestige!
Romano: That's right, Taylor. Tonight, we're jointly hosting the show with the XHF Network as we build towards End of Days.
Taylor: We've got a loaded show for you, so let's get started--
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall...
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
"Careless" by Royal Blood comes on a second "Guttertrash" Greg Adkins walks out from the back with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He looks around at the crowd before dropping the cigarette and stomping it out. He heads down to the ring without even bothering the audience, which is sort of unnerving when you think about it.
Jessie Love: Introducing first... from Tuscola, Illinois... weighing in at 165 pounds... GGREEEEGGGGG ADKINSSSSSS!
NOTORIOUS, SO NOTORIOUS...
SO NOTORIOUS...
Jordan Cassidy walks down to the ring, slapping the odd hand and flashing big smiles to the crowd.
Jessie Love: And his opponent... from Greenville, Ohio... weighing in at 180 pounds.... JORDAAAAAAAAAAAAAN CASSSIIIIDDDYYYYY!
The End of Days Tournament
Night 4 and Prestige 41
October 20th, 2019
The Old Hospital, AKA the Union Workhouse in Wexford, Ireland
The cameras open up on The Old Hospital in Ireland. The crowd is going wild.
Taylor: Folks, welcome to a very special edition of AWF Prestige!
Romano: That's right, Taylor. Tonight, we're jointly hosting the show with the XHF Network as we build towards End of Days.
Taylor: We've got a loaded show for you, so let's get started--
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall...
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
"Careless" by Royal Blood comes on a second "Guttertrash" Greg Adkins walks out from the back with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He looks around at the crowd before dropping the cigarette and stomping it out. He heads down to the ring without even bothering the audience, which is sort of unnerving when you think about it.
Jessie Love: Introducing first... from Tuscola, Illinois... weighing in at 165 pounds... GGREEEEGGGGG ADKINSSSSSS!
NOTORIOUS, SO NOTORIOUS...
SO NOTORIOUS...
Jordan Cassidy walks down to the ring, slapping the odd hand and flashing big smiles to the crowd.
Jessie Love: And his opponent... from Greenville, Ohio... weighing in at 180 pounds.... JORDAAAAAAAAAAAAAN CASSSIIIIDDDYYYYY!
Singles Match
Greg Adkins vs. Jordan Cassidy
The bell rings and the two competitor circle around one another. The two stare a hole through one another and the two begin to go at one another with a lock up. Greg Adkins and Jordan Cassidy vie for control. Jordan immediately crouches down and throws down an ax handle, but Cassidy has a different idea in mind. He goes for a double leg takedown! Adkins tries to sprawl down, but he misses the timing! Jordan takes him down. Adkins is in a side headlock, but Cassidy plants his hand down on the mat. He rolls forward and slips his head out in the roll. Jordan Cassidy goes up to get back on him, but Greg gets at him with a heavy kick. Cassidy staggers back. Adkins tries to get back up, but Cassidy gets at him first, shoving him down to the floor. But then Greg Adkins lifts up his legs and ensnares his opponent into a headscissors! He takes him down and immediately has him in the choke hold! The Bethesda hometown hero is immediately in trouble!
Taylor: This match starts off on the ground, and Jordan Cassidy isn't comfortable there!
Romano: And Greg Adkins seems very comfortable there. ...Too comfortable there.
Jordan Cassidy is a generic wrestler, forced to the ground. His hand is around Adkins' legs, trying to free himself. But Adkins isn't always someone who cares about giving his opponent a fair shake. His face is getting red. He finds the bottom rope within arm's length - but that means taking his hands away from his throat. That's something psychologically terrifying. Still, he takes the chance. He feels himself almost being strangled, but the referee begins to count: ...One! ...Two! ...Three! ...Four! ...Fiv-Adkins lets go. At this point, Cassidy's face is nearly violet. Referee Steve Tyrell looks at him in surprise, that he has gotten this far. Jordan Cassidy rolls outside of the ring, in an attempt to give himself a moment or two to relax.
Taylor: He nearly had five! Is he TRYING to get himself disqualified?
Romano: To skirt the rules, you got to know the rules. Greg Adkins here knows the rules.
Cassidy wipes his face off as he begins to get some yellow hues in his complexion. But he hears some commotion from the crowd. He turns around to see what's going on. He looks in the ring and sees no one. Then he sees something up high from the corner of his eye. What does he see? Why, it's Greg Adkins up top! Jordan Cassidy isn't even quite sure how he was able to dodge it, but his instincts threw himself to the side. And the former champion was able to land with a roll, reducing the burn as much as humanly possible. Adkins gets up and looks at Cassidy. He isn't giving him the time to recover. He charges at him, but the perpetual match-loser again uses his instincts to his advantage. Drop toe hold!
...TO THE STEEL STEPS!
Taylor: OUCH!
The face of Greg Adkins lands right against the steps and he rolls to his back. He begins to cover his face. Cassidy sees the opportunity and won't let it go to waste. He grabs his opponent by the shoulder and throws him into the ring. As he gets rolled into the center, he lies on his back. Jordan Cassidy quickly goes for the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...Kickout!
Taylor: Nearly bloodied and still is kicking out!
Romano: It only takes one bad fall for a match to end. Greg had a bad fall, but he's still in this. This just shows how hard Jordan will have to work in order to keep him down. He's done it once, but can he do it again?
Adkins kicks out, and like he means it too! Jordan Cassidy gets up and tries to bring his opponent to his feet. He gets up to his feet before Cassidy gets a fist greeted to his stomach. Cassidy doubles over. Adkins begins to rise as he throws another stomach. He goes for a third before the youngster leaves an ax handle that forces him back onto a knee. Cassidy turns around to the other side of Adkins. The former/current? druggie begins to climb to his feet. He doesn't know where Jordan Cassidy is. He turns around to a...
Romano: And here's the CassiDDT!
Jordan Cassidy's finisher implant DDT hits! ...It hits Junior Referee Steve Tyrell! He goes down! Greg Adkins takes advantage of this while Cassidy looks down and checks to see the damage on the mandated official. He looks back up to Adkins who unleashes a burst of ...some sort of liquid into the face of the youngster, blinding him! The crowd begins to boo, it's a clearly cheap move that's only going to get by since the referee can't see this himself.
Taylor: Is that whiskey? Isn't he trying to get clean?
Romano: Could be whiskey, but it's Greg Adkins. It could be anything.
Greg Adkins capitalizes on this. He reaches down to his junk and then grabs Cassidy with the mandible claw! Cassidy is completely overloaded by everything! He begins to tap out! HE TAPS OUT!
...but the referee is still out. He doesn't see this happening and so, the match continues! Greg Adkins is holding onto this move, and still the tapping continues. This goes on for a moment or two, before Greg is getting frustrated with the referee being out. He lets go of Cassidy, walks over to the referee and beginning to slap him across the back of the head for a moment or two. Nothing happens. He doesn't even stir. Adkins stops. He gets an idea. He goes to the center of the ring, spreads his legs shoulder-width and nods at the camera.
Taylor: He knows where the camera is, which specific camera is being filmed live?
Romano: Of all the things Greg does, this is the question you ask?
That's when Greg Adkins begins to yell. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" He looks incredibly determined. He looks ready to change who he is. He begins pushing his body to the limits. Everyone is looking around each other. This is even making the referee, Steve Tyrell begin to stir back into consciousness. Everyone looks around.
Taylor: This power...
Romano: Huh?
Taylor: Don't you feel that?
Romano: The uncomfortable feeling of a grown adult screaming in the ring for no good reason? Yes, I do.
Taylor: That raw power! It's just unreal!
Romano: Huh?
Taylor: He just might be...
Romano: ...No.
Taylor: A SUPER SAIYAN!
The colors change... And that's when Greg Adkins does it! And by it, I mean he falls down. His face when pink to blue to violet and then he hits the floor. By this time, Jordan Cassidy begins to climb to his feet. He looks around and doesn't see Greg Adkins behind him, but only one man is up and it's the one seen as the youngster with a gold heart but a novice skill set.
Romano: Jordan's about to do it! He's about to win his biggest match yet!
Taylor: FINISH THIS.
That's when Greg Adkins is trying to recover. He comes from behind Jordan. He tries to use Jordan's tights for leverage, but accidentally pulls down the young lad down to the ground. Greg's not too sure what happens but accidentally lands on top of him, as he's still deprived of oxygen but during all this nonsense, Steve Tyrell conducts the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...THREE!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner of the match - "GUTTERTRASHHHHH" GREG ADKINS!
Taylor: Greg Adkins did it! He won the match through pure perseverance and nearly became a super saiyan!
Romano: One, there is no such thing as a super saying, whatever that is. Secondly, all Greg did was in what could be a drunken stupor, took advantage of our good friend, Jordan! What is this!?
Jessie Love: The following is a tag team contest scheduled for one fall...
Crowd: ONE FALL!
The hard electronic beats of "Good L_ck (Yo_'re F_cked)" start up around the arena while purple and white beams of light shine on the entrance gate As the opening scream sounds out, Card steps through the gate and surveys the crowd. Card takes a slow walk down to the ring and steps through the ropes, followed by the beams. The lights change from beams to spinning spotlights as the music gets lower just before the chorus...
ONE MILLION VOICES CALL FROM THE OTHER SIDE
IF YOU COULD HEAR THEM YOU WOULD BE TERRIFIED...
The lights go back up and puple and white pyro fires off from the ring ropes as the chorus begins
GOOD LUCK!
YOU'RE FUCKED!
AND WE HATE TO SEE YOU GO MAN, BUT EVERYONE KNOWS YOU'RE SCREWED!
Card poses in the center of the ring, crossing his thumbs over where his heart would sit. The lights go up and Card moves over to his own corner and relaxes, the referee checking him over and finding nothing wrong.
"Kung Fu Fighting" hits and the crowd cheers as the former XHF Phoenix Champion, Xiaolong, comes out at the top of the ramp. He flashes a smile to the crowd and hustles down to the ring.
Jessie Love: Introducing first... the team of Xiaolong and CHRISSS CAAAARD!
Romano: This is a chance here for Chris Card to prove his ways.
Taylor: How so?
Romano: He's labeled himself as the defender of the fresh faces... and now he's got one of the hottest up and coming talents in his corner.
"Undeniable" by Seckond Chaynce begins to play as the lights dim. As the music kicks up, Michael Storm breaks through from behind the curtain. As he jumps out, he takes a moment to have a full view of his audience. He jumps up and down with the balls of his feet as he soaks up the energy. Michael Storm takes off his shirt and throws it on the ground as he turns back to the ring in front of him. Storm runs down the line toward the ring. As he does, ZARDONIC and VOICIANS' "Bring Back The Glory" begins to play as the lights begin to strobe along the stage as Kenneth Robertson steps out onto the stage and makes a quick pace to the ring. He rolls into the ring and shouts at the crowd, with Storm watching him skeptically the whole time.
Jessie Love: And their opponents... the team of Kenneth Robertson and MICHAEELLLL STOOOOORM!
Taylor: Quite the match to debut in for Kenneth.
Romano: I'll say. He's stepping in the ring in the middle of a war between Card and Storm.
Taylor: Let's just hope he's not collateral damage.
Tag Match
Chris Card & Xiaolong vs. Kenneth Robertson & Michael Storm
The referee rings the bell, and the match is on. Both of the competitors stare at each other for a few minutes before locking up in the center, with “Technical Perfection” Chris Card getting the upper hand on the inexperienced rookie, Kenneth Robertson. Card twists Kenneth’s arm as the crowd appreciates the experienced veteran toying with the rookie. Kenneth tries to show his own MMA background but can’t seem to create an opening to break free, at least until he plants a boot in Card’s midsection. Card, a technical wizard, releases his grasp just in time to catch his opponent’s foot, but is immediately met with an enzuigiri to the back of his head for his troubles.
Taylor: The younger competitor, Kenneth Robertson, taking it to Chris Card in the earlygoings here!
Romano: He’s got an MMA background. He may be just 19, but that doesn’t mean he’s some slouch from off the street!
Kenneth ignores his more experienced partner, the former X-Crown Champion Michael Storm, asking for the tag on the outside as he looks to take down the former Prestige Champion. He drives a hard knee into Card’s head, then again, and a third knee even opens up the back of his opponent’s head. The camera zooms in to reveal a gash that begins to trickle blood as the crowd boos the aspiring newcomer, who waits for his opponent to rise to his feet to deliver another hard shot.
Taylor: Really laying it into Card with those knees!
Romano: Robertson is in full control!
Robertson gives a full spin before attempting to strike down Card with a spinning elbow, but the elder technician maneuvers out of the way and strikes back with a roundhouse kick to Robertson’s ribs, staggering him backwards. Card lines up for a Teep Kick and connects, leaving Robertson opening for the third strike in his Gathering Storm set, a spinning backfist, but Robertson counters by catching Card’s arms and sending him for a ride across the ring with an exploder suplex. He makes it back to his feet, having shown what he’s worth in the early going, and reveling in the booing as he takes full advantage of Card underestimating him in the earlygoing. He turns his attention to Card’s partner, Xiaolong, who has been trying to stomp on the ringsteps to get the crowd behind his partner. He blindsides Xiaolong with a running palm strike, knocking the former AWF Phoenix Champion off the apron and onto the floor.
Taylor: What a cheapshot from Kenneth!
Romano: Xiaolong gets floored by Robertson protecting his own interests there! Card was still down in the corner!
This infuriates Card, who was unable to protect his younger tag team partner after hitting his head hard against the turnbuckles as a result of the exploder suplex. He charges in and doesn’t strike at Kenneth with a series of technical kicks or lock him in a brilliant submission hold, as instead he settles on the old classic: punching him in the face as hard as he can. Robertson goes down as Card wails away and the crowd cheers.
Taylor: Not technically perfect, but it will do! Lefts and rights from the former Prestige Champion!
Romano: He’s fired up now!
Soon enough, Xiaolong gets back to his feet, shaking off the impact of the palm strike and his annoyance at getting blindsided as he notices that Card has dragged Robertson into the corner and is waiting for him for the tag. Xiaolong steps up back onto the apron and tags in, climbing to the top rope immediately. Card keeps their opponent pinned down for a few seconds by placing a boot on his chest before peeling off right as Xiaolong leaps off the ropes, crashing down onto him with the Dragon Spinner.
Taylor: An impressive flurry of offense from the former Phoenix Champion! A win here tonight would do wonders for his chance of getting a rematch!
Romano: Here’s the pin!
Xiaolong immediately hooks the leg upon landing.
...ONE…
...TW-Kickout!
He gets back up and rallies the crowd to get involved, getting the crowd excited for the Desolator. He is then immediately struck from behind by Michael Storm, who delivers a brutal elbow right to the back of Xiaolong’s head! The former champion goes down as the crowd boos loudly. The referee scolds Storm, missing a hard cheap knee to Xiaolong’s downstairs region by Kenneth.
Taylor: A cheap shot from Storm, and a low blow from Kenneth to boot! These two are taking advantage of every rule in the book!
Romano: They’re savvy in-ring competitors, Tommy! Xiaolong’s goody-two-shoes techniques can only last so long in today’s world!
The crowd boos even louder as Kenneth hooks the leg.
...ONE…
...TW-Kickout!
Taylor: A kickout! He’s still got fight left in him!
Kenneth argues with the referee about how slow the count was before returning to the upright position and dragging Xiaolong over to his corner. Michael Storm tags in and immediately locks Xiaolong into the Bad Blood, his version of the Crippler Crossface!
Taylor: The former X-Crown champion tags in and begins to make Xiaolong’s life hell!
Romano: Bad Blood! This could be over fast if Xiaolong can’t figure out a way to escape!
Xiaolong immediately tries to get back to his feet, but the larger Storm uses his strength to keep him grounded. He reaches out his arm as Storm keeps shouting at him to tap, and the crowd grows increasingly concerned for the champion. Xiao reaches out his arm, looking like he might tap!
Taylor: No Card in sight to protect his partner! This might be it!
Romano: Xiaolong has to fight for himself here! He has to find the ropes if he has a chance of surviving this hold!
But instead, Xiaolong finds the ropes! He reaches out and grabs the ropes, but Storm doesn’t let go! The referee begins his count!
Taylor: Xiaolong reaches the ropes, but Storm’s intent to hold that crossface as long as he can!
Romano: You can see the frustration building in the former Little Dragon! Storm and Robertson are putting him through the wringer with every trick in the book tonight!
...ONE…
...TWO…
...THREE…
...FOUR…
..FI-Michael Storm releases the hold!
Taylor: Storm has to be careful, that was almost a disqualification!
Storm gets back up as the referee chews him out for almost holding onto the hold a few seconds too long as Xiaolong chokes up air, trying to recatch his breath, coughing.
Taylor: The former champ’s in a bad way, here!
Romano: He looks pretty pissed off, but it’s hard to do anything if you can’t breathe!
He feels the anger coursing through him, having been the victim of cheap tactics and cheating throughout the match. He looks to be in a bad way mentally and he looks down as he gets back to his feet, shaking his head. The head shaking starts slowly, but then gets more fierce, as if Xiao’s fighting something deeper. Xiao stops shaking his head very suddenly, completely stopping in his tracks. A look of pure anger overcomes him instead.
Taylor: What is happening with Xiaolong?
Romano: I don’t know, but this doesn’t look like a good sign for Storm!
Xiaolong explodes off the ropes like a man possessed, nearly kicking Storm’s teeth in with a bicycle kick. He keeps running, delivering a roaring elbow off the ropes, knocking over Storm, but he just keeps going, letting out a primal scream as he finishes with a flying roaring spinning Kung-Fu kick to Storm’s skull. He stops running for a few seconds but is still under the influence of this new energy, waiting for Storm to make it back to his feeth. Kenneth tries to get involved and immediately eats a nasty superkick for his troubles.
Taylor: Xiaolong is tearing through his competition like a madman!
Romano: He has a whole different aura to him right now, Tommy, and I’d hate to be on the other side of it!
Looking down at his opponent with bad intentions, Xiaolong climbs the top rope. His fans are cheering the flurry of offense, but there is something very different about the man himself as he prepares to put away the former X-Crown Champion. Michael Storm finally makes it back to his feet and turns around. Xiaolong doesn’t look before he leaps…
...and leaps right into the Termination Projectile by Michael Storm! Xiaolong goes down as the crowd boos hard! Storm immediately drops down, going for the cover!
Taylor: Termination Projectile out of nowhere!
Romano: Storm not only just saved the match for his team, but I’m pretty sure he just won it for them!
...ONE…
...TWO…
...THR-Chris Card saves the match!
Taylor: Nope! Card barely saves the match there!
Romano: But just barely! Another second and that would have been a victory for Storm!
Card strikes back with a stiff kick to Storm’s back. The two men lock eyes in the center of the ring as the phone cameras begins to flash, but Kenneth Robertson interjects, knocking Card to the outside with a front kick!
Romano: Robertson punching above his weight class tonight, or I guess I should say kicking!
Taylor: Whatever it is, it knocked Card out of the ring! I was excited to see Card and Storm finally square off!
Storm looks over at his partner, screaming at him to get out of the ring. Robertson, expecting praise for his move, shakes his head and immediately peels out of the ring and back onto the apron, but sticks his arm out asking for the tag. Storm isn’t done with Xiaolong though, looking down at his battered, beaten, and pissed off opponent. A smile creeps onto Storm’s face as he kicks at his prey, knowing he has mentally broken his opponent.
Taylor: A sick smile from Storm there.
Romano: For everything that Storm preaches, he might just be right after all, Tommy. It’s a scary thought.
Instead of going for the 52 Seconds of Hell, Storm takes the time to deliberately stomp on each part of Xiaolong’s body, testing the spirit of his downed opponent. The crowd boos as each stomp is just as methodical at the last. Xiaolong responds to each kick with another sharp shout, unable to pull himself back into the match, but deeply angered by seemingly every kick. Storm looks around for Card, who is nowhere in sight, unable to defend the young competitor. His smile gets even larger.
Taylor: He’s just toying with him now, knowing he has the smaller opponent trapped in his anger with nowhere to go, nowhere to run, and no one to save him.
Romano: Storm’s ideologies are on full display tonight, and so is his in-ring prowess. I would hate to be on his bad side.
His smile errodes when he hears Robertson on the outside, jawing at him to just pin his opponent already. When Storm doesn’t do this fast enough for the rookie’s liking, Kenneth decides to tag himself in. Storm gives Kenneth a look that could kill, but he’s already going for a pin and completely ignores the look.
Taylor: A quick pin from Robertson! This might be it!
...ONE…
...TWO…
...THRE-NO! Xiaolong kicks out!
Taylor: Xiaolong kicks out just before three!
Romano: His inner power keeps him in this match!
Robertson immediately gets back up and looks at his opponent, waiting for him to get in just the right position. Once Xiaolong is crawling, he bounces off the ropes…
Taylor: Robertson is looking for that Death Brand Kick!
Romano: If he hits it, it’s over!
...but Xiaolong is too fast, sliding out of the way. He makes it back to his feet and channels the anger once more, striking back with lefts and rights, a series of rainmakers raining down on his opponent. He delivers the hard superkick at the end of the combo, the Desolator, before pinning the upstart.
Taylor: Desolator! Xiaolong with another fierce flurry of offense, putting Robertson away!
Romano: Not so fast! Storm’s right in position to save the match for their team! The cover and the count!
...ONE…
...TWO....
...Michael Storm tries to interject, but Chris Card protects the pinfall, nailing Storm with The Calling Card!...
...THREE!
Jessie Love: Here are your winners, the team of ‘Technical Perfection’ Chris Card, and XIAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLOOOOONNNNNG!
Taylor: Xiaolong and Chris Card with a big win there!
Romano: Storm tried to save Robertson after Xiaolong’s dominant offensive display, but Card managed to protect the pinfall when it mattered most!
Xiaolong makes it back to his feet and seems to come down from his increased mental state all at once, almost losing his ability to stand as he grabs at his head. Card smiles as the referee raises both of their arms.
Taylor: Xiaolong tonight unleashed an inner dragon, an inner demon. We’ve heard it talked about for weeks, but he allowed his rage to get the better of him, and it got his team the win tonight! A powerful showing as Xiaolong looks to get himself another shot at the man who took his title, Bloodied Fox!
Romano: But embracing that anger and hatred is the exact thing that Storm lives for, Tommy. He may have lost the match tonight, but if he managed to corrupt a man of high moral character like the former AWF Phoenix Champion, his message may be more powerful than we can imagine.
Taylor: Chris Card certainly has his work cut out for him! It’s clear that these two men have a score to settle!
A promo for the End of Days PPV airs.
Jessie Love: This next match is scheduled for one fall and is a round three match in the End of Days tournament. Featuring first the challenger…”God’s Gift” Jeremiah Vastrix!
“Down Low” by R.Kelly begins playing as “God’s Gift” Jeremiah Vastrix walks out from the back to the entrance stage. He does a little dance as his eyes glimmer blue that brings out a cheering from the female members of the audience. He makes his way down to the ring, slapping a few high fives on the way. He rolls into the ring and poses for the fans before settling into a corner to wait on Rocco Rose.
Taylor: Jeremiah looks ready to move onto the next round!
Romano: Pity he won’t get by Rocco Rose.
Taylor: He has that chance. Jeremiah made it by Rajiv Khan and Fukushima Zombie to get to this point.
Romano: Rocco Rose made it past Caden Yung and Sang-Hyun Lee. A better quality of opponent. Rose has been honed by the tournament. Jeremiah has made it by luck alone. Besides, Rocco is AWF? You should support your company, man.
Taylor: I do support my company. My company would want the best man to win!
Jessie Love: And his opponent... Rocco Rose!
The lights in the arena blink with the beat of the intro to Fozzy's "Sandpaper", then are brought up in a blinding momentary flash as the lyrics kick in and Rocco Rose steps through the curtain to a hail of boos. He has a swagger in his step as he walks the aisle, daring the fans behind the barricade to throw a punch, knowing full well that they are unable to get to him. He walks the steps slowly and deliberately, wiping his feet on the apron before stepping through the ropes. In the middle of the ring, he circles round and goads all sides of the audience before going into his corner and removing his jacket, teasing throwing it into the crowd before just tossing it to the floor out of their reach.
Romano: The tournament champion walking right here.
Taylor: You don’t know that. It would be nice, mind you, but you don’t know that for sure.
Romano: I know what I know.
End of Days Tournament
Semifinal Match
Jeremiah Vastrix (UOW) vs Rocco Rose (AWF)
As the bell rings to start the match, Rocco Rose crosses the ring with a soda from a fan in hand. He throws the liquid into Jeremiah’s face and waits with a smirk. Jeremiah blinks at Rocco, but otherwise seems to be unaffected by the drink.
Taylor: I think Rocco was hoping that this would have shorted out Jeremiah’s cybernetics.
Romano: Or he was just being an asshole.
That having done nothing, Rocco throws the cup at Jeremiah as a distraction and does to throw a punch. Jeremiah ducks a little so that Rocco strikes the upper part of the eye socket/forehead where Jeremiah’s skull is metal. Rocco draws his hand back with his eyes wide, shaking the hand that just struck Jeremiah.
Jeremiah responds with a stunning headbutt and whipping Rocco into the ropes so he can inflict a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Jeremiah backs away as Rocco gets to his feet. He goes in for a drop kick, but Rocco deflects. When Jeremiah gets back to his feet, he is hit by a running knee to the gut that doubles him over. Rocco goes for the one armed bulldog, but Jeremiah lifts Rocco up and hits the atomic drop! Jeremiah goes for the reverse neckbreaker, but Rocco reverses it to hit one of his own!
Taylor: Rocco on the reversal train tonight!
Romano: There’s no way that he’ll lose to a mere playboy like Jeremiah.
Rocco goes for a standing leg drop, but Jeremiah rolls out of the way and to his feet. He kicks Rocco square in the chest, sending him to the mat. Jeremiah drops a quick elbow and goes for the pinfall!
One
Tw-Rocco kicks out!
Jeremiah pulls Rocco to his feet, whips him into the corner hard enough for Rocco to fall to a seated position. Jeremiah runs across the ring, hitting a bronco buster! Jeremiah smashes Rocco a few times before doing a back roll away from the corner before the ref can protest. Rocco stands up with a sneer.
The sneer doesn’t last long as Jeremiah stuns him with another metallic headbutt and grabbing him up to hit a Michinoku Driver! Jeremiah goes for the cover!
One
Two
Thr-Rocco kicks out!
Jeremiah stands up, pulls Rocco to his feet. Rocco feels his right temple where a trickle of blood streams down the side of his face from the last headbutt. Rocco wipes a hand through the blood and smacks at Jeremiah’s face to wipe the blood there. Jeremiah backs away from the gross assault, but it just gives Rocco the room to apply an armbar. He holds the pressure on while Jeremiah uses his free hand to try to clear his face from the blood smeared there as if it was more important. Rocco turns the armbar into a slingblade, bringing Jeremiah down to the mat!
As Jeremiah goes to stand back up, Rocco slips behind him, and applies a sleeper! He doesn’t hold it for long as Jeremiah hits a jawbreaker and then applies a brain claw in the middle of the ring. Rocco tries to pry Jeremiah’s hand off of him, but cannot. He tries to reach for the ropes, but cannot. He drives a thumb into Jeremiah’s eye, but there’s no effect. Rocco is down as he begins to lose strength and the ref gets into position to count the pinfall since Rocco refuses to give up.
One
Two
Thre-Rocco gets a shoulder up!
Taylor: Rocco looks to be in real trouble now. Think he can get out?
Romano: He is the Technical Professor!
Rocco sticks two fingers into Jeremiah’s nostrils and pulls upward. This gets Jeremiah to break the brain claw and back away real quick. He sneezes a few times while Rocco stands up with a smile.
Romano: See? He escaped the hold.
Taylor: A rather unorthodox way of doing it, but it did work.
Jeremiah doesn’t have the time for recovery before Rocco brings him down with a cross body block! He hooks a leg for a pinfall!
One
Two
Thr-Jeremiah kicks out!
Rocco pulls Jeremiah up into a fireman’s carry! He starts to throw Jeremiah down for the GTS, but Jeremiah catches him around the head instead and brings him down for a ddt!
Jeremiah and Rocco both get to their feet and begin exchanging punches. Jeremiah looks like he’s going to take the advantage when Rocco kicks him square in the junk!
Romano: I bet Jeremiah’s wishing that he had cybernetic nuts right about now!
Taylor: That was a low blow!
Romano: Duh?
Rocco picks Jeremiah up, hitting an inverted atomic drop (though it was really a second nut shot) and then clotheslines him to the mat. He hefts Jeremiah back up into a fireman’s carry, but this time Jeremiah drops behind Rocco and hits a German suplex! Jeremiah doubles over in pain while on the mat while Rocco lays on the mat.
Romano: See? Repeated blows to Jeremiah’s weak points keeps him down.
Taylor: Repeated illegal blows!
With both men down, the ref begins to count them both out.
One
Two
Three
Four
Fiv-Jeremiah stands up.
Jeremiah pulls Rocco up, grabs him up in a front face lock, and begins to shimmy his hips. Rocco brings Jeremiah down with a double leg takedown! He does a quick flip for the cover!
One
Two
Thre-Jeremiah kicks out!
Romano: Just like one of Jeremiah’s trainers had told him. He stops to showboat and things go wrong!
Taylor: But the fans eat it up!
Romano: They can eat up what they want, but that doesn’t win matches!
Rocco gets to his feet, pulls Jeremiah up, and applies a sleeper hold! The ref checks to make sure it isn’t a choke hold by checking to make sure the arm is where it belongs. Jeremiah fights to escape the hold, but finds that he cannot.
Romano: Jeremiah might be able to shut off his pain receptors, but he can’t reroute blood flow to his brain.
Taylor: That’s true.
The ref checks Jeremiah’s arm as his strength begins to drain from him.
The ref lifts his arm once and it drops.
Lifts a second time and it drops again.
The ref lifts Jeremiah’s arm a third time. It falls halfway and stops! He lifts both arms up into the air.
Unable to simply break out of the hold, Jeremiah reaches up and drives two thumbs into Rocco’s eyes to loosen the hold. He then hits a jawbreaker to the metallic part of his head! Rocco is laid out on the mat while Jeremiah is on his knees and shaking his head to clear it as blood flows back to his brain.
Romano: Now would be the time to act on instinct and go for the pinfall. Jeremiah is no real wrestler.
Taylor: He’s a skilled wrestler! He’s made it this far in the tournament!
Romano: By luck and luck alone.
Jeremiah stands up and pulls Rocco to his feet. He gets a side headlock applied and hits a headlock driver! He goes for the pinfall!
One
Two
Thr-Rocco kicks out!
Jeremiah pulls Rocco to his feet and whips him into the ropes. On the rebound, Jeremiah sends Rocco out of the ring with a back drop! It doesn’t take Rocco long to get back to his feet, but Jeremiah knocks him back down with a baseball slide drop kick!
Taylor: Both Jeremiah and Rocco on the outside of the ring.
Romano: This could get interesting!
Jeremiah stands up, pulling Rocco to his feet. Rocco reacts quickly, shoving Jeremiah backwards to knock him off balance. Then grabbing him and whipping him gut first into the ring apron. He pulls Jeremiah back into a German suplex onto the concrete floor!
Rocco pulls Jeremiah back up into a fireman’s carry, but Jeremiah drops behind Rocco and hits a reverse neckbreaker!
Taylor: Shouldn’t the ref be counting right about now?
Romano: It’s the End of Days tournament. No one wants a count out victory or worse yet, a double count out.
Jeremiah stands up slowly, watching as Rocco starts to rise. He punt kicks Rocco in the face, sending blood splattering in a high arc into the crowd! Jeremiah watches Rocco fall back to the floor and rolls into the ring. Rocco uses the ring apron to get to his feet, blood spilling from his nose onto his chest. He rolls into the ring, Jeremiah giving him enough space to get in.
Rocco is working his way to his feet when Jeremiah runs at him and clotheslines him down with a leg!
Romano: I thought Jeremiah was going to be foolish and let Rocco have some breathing room. I see that is not the case.
Taylor: Right? He is working toward victory. Especially after that brutal kick!
Rocco uses the ropes to stand up. He wipes blood from his face with a snarl, flicking the blood across the ring. Jeremiah settles into a Kung fu fighting stance, hitting a palm strike to the side of Rocco’s head to stun him. He grabs Rocco, doing a back roll throw to toss Rocco head first into the corner. He jumps to his feet and comes at Rocco, who sits in the corner.
Rocco lunges out of the corner, hitting a low blow on the leaping Jeremiah, who was clearly going for another bronco buster. Jeremiah lands in the middle of the ring, curling up into a ball. Rocco stands up and returns the punt kick to the face favor done him! Jeremiah rolls away from the kick to his hands and knees. Blood rains from the side of his face to the mat as he slowly stands up. The glimmer of steel is seen at Jeremiah’s temple where a cut is open wide enough to see the metal beneath. Rocco smiles at the damage done, but his face turns into one of pain as his foot begins to throb.
Taylor: Sure looks like that kick did more harm to Rocco than it did Jeremiah!
Romano: That’s because Jeremiah cheats with all of that metal in his head.
Taylor: He did have to rebuild his face after most of it was torn off by Belial in North Korea.
Romano: I don’t follow that weird shit. Life and death tournaments. It’s a bunch of hoojoo.
Rocco waits for Jeremiah to stand up and aims a superkick at Jeremiah’s face! Jeremiah catches the leg and does a dragon screw to bring Rocco down! Rocco tries to bounce back up, but is grabbed by Jeremiah in a front face look. He does a swinging neckbreaker without the fanfare of shimmying his hips!
Taylor: There. A minimalist Down Low. Happy?
Romano: No.
Jeremiah goes for the cover!
One
Two
Three!
Jessie Love: The winner of this match and going on to the finals for the End of Days tournament... Jeremiah Vastrix!
Romano: I suppose I’m glad I didn’t bet money on this one!
Taylor: I would have been glad to have won that bet! Coming up next, the LGBTKO take on Dylan Black, Kuroi, and Tommy Strychnine!
The cameras cut backstage, where Charles Akiyama is waiting. The door to the locker room swings open and out walks Esmur, fresh off his loss in the End of Days tournament.
Charles Akiyama: Esmur! Mr. Esmur! We were hoping to get an interview with you about what comes next!
Esmur stops and stares down at Akiyama, emotionless.
Charles Akiyama: Esmur, fresh off a hard-fought loss at End of Days, what exactly do you have planned next?
Esmur stares at him blankly and then just walks past him, leaving Akiyama stammering and confused. He scratches his head.
Charles Akiyama: ...I thought we would get an interview...
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall..
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Jessie Love: …and is a six man tag match.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, at a combined weight of six hundred and thirty-two pounds, Seth Dillinger, Ryan Young, Bloodied Fox, LGBTKOOOOOOOOOOO!
The lights in the arena begin to rotate between all the colors of the rainbow, focusing down on the entry ramp in unison, where LGBTKO walk out, drenched in a sea of rainbow light. Dillinger wears his cheeky sunglasses, Fox follows along, grinning broadly and pumping up the crowd with a some expansive arm gestures while Young walks out, a fury in his eyes, glaring down at the ring. The two of them stand and soak up the light for a moment, the crowd going bananas for them. Ryan eventually starts marching down the ramp, eyes focused on the ring. Seth and Fox follow behind him, grinning and sauntering down the aisle, high-fiving the crowd along the way.
Taylor: LGBTKO. One of the more interesting creations in the history of the AWF.
Romano:: The power of positivity. It makes me sick. No one should be that happy, Taylor.
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. To his right, Dylan Black, keeping maybe a safe distance from Kuroi.
SINCE THE DAY YOU WERE BORN THE WHEELS ARE IN MOTION
TURNING EVER FASTER
PLAY YOUR PART IN THE BIG MACHINE!
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. Then the camera wings round a disturbance in the crowd, as Tommy Strychnine is crowd surfing his way down to the ringside area, guitar in hand. With tis not being Strychnine’s music, he’s not brought his guitar today but as Kuroi and Dylan pose on adjacent corners, Strychnine takes a slug of Jack from his hip flask and sprays it into the air, Great Muta style from the ring apron.
Jessie Love: And their opponents, at a combined weight of six hundred and fifty three pounds, DYLAN BLACK, TOMMY STRYCHNINE AND KUUUUUUROOOI.
Taylor: Three very disparate talents. Three very different people. Can they work together to defeat the team forged by the fires of Fired Up?
Romano:: If, and this is a big if, they can stay on roughly the same page they have more than the class between them to do this. IF.
Six Man Tag Match
LGBTKO (Dillinger & Fox & Young) vs. Dylan Black & Kuroi & Tommy Strychnine
Kuroi steps over the top rope as the bell rings, not waiting to see if either of his partners want to start the match. Seth Dillinger hops into the ring to face off with the beast. Seth charges at Kuroi but the beast swats an attempt at a dropkick away, sensing Dillinger flying across the ring. Dillinger rolls towards his corner and tags in Bloodied Fox. Fox charges in and fires off a dropkick of his own and Kuroi swats HIM away as if he was being bothered by flies at a picnic. Fox retreats and tags in Young and this time the three of them charge as one and hit Kuroi with a TRIPLE dropkick, sending Legion’s enforcer staggering backwards towards his corner. Dylan Black tags himself in.
Taylor: It takes a lot of force to even stagger a monster like Kuroi.
Romano: Sometimes you have to use all of your resources at once.
The rest of LGBTKO back up on the referee’s orders. Ryan Young lets Dylan Black enter the ring and the pain square off. The Bounty Hunter throws a couple of kicks, trying to judge range. God’s Gift uses Dylan’s second whiff to close in a smash Dylan with an elbow. Black staggers back towards the ropes, rebounds carefully back and takes the momentum to fire off a forearm of his own. Young mirror Dylan’s last move and hits an elbow smash. Black stands up to this one and fires a forearm back immediately. Elbow from Young! Forearm from Black! Both men grab the other round the back of the head and fire off a massive flurry of strikes! There is a brief pause in the action as both men stop and catch their breath before Young delivers a HUGE Californian uppercut. Black staggers and young fires off a second uppercut forearm. A third one sends Black stumbling towards his own corner and Tommy Strychnine tags in.
Taylor: Ryan Young is a classy striker,
Romano: When that guy hits you, you stay hit, Taylor.
Tommy Strychnine swaggers in the ring and points towards Seth Dillinger. He obviously wants a piece of the former champion. Young gives him this askew glance, almost asking, “Are you sure?” Tommy grins and Young tags out. Seth Dillinger hops over the ropes and closes in, looking to grab a free arm. Strychnine throws an overhand right which Seth smartly grabs at the wrist. Seth turns the arm over, wringing it out and looking to lock a standing arm bar. Tommy is an agile cat and forward rolls, reversing the pressure. Tommy steps across Seth’s back and reaches round as if he’s about to go for a waistlock… AND THEN PLAYS AIR GUITAR WITH SETH DILLINGER AS AN INSTRUMENT! Dillinger breaks free and then flashes Tommy a look of, “REALLY?” Strychnine responds by STICKING HIS TOUNGE OUT AND THROWING THE DOUBLE HORNS!
Taylor: WHOAH!
Romano: YEAH!
This is not the sort of party that Seth Dillinger likes to be invited to and he backs off and tags in Bloodied Fox. Fox looks eager to get into the action. He jumps into the ring and closes in on Strychnine. Channelling his partner Ryan Young, Fox leads with a knee to Tommy’s sternum, sending the Glammy Gladiator staggering towards his own corner. Fox follows in and springboards off the ropes adjacent to the corner, getting just above the height of a clumsily thrown leg height lariat from Kuroi and landing on Tommy’s shoulders. Dylan tries to grab for Fox but Fox Huracanranas Strychinine out of the corner before either of his partners can save him. Fox hooks both legs…
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. Strychnine kicks out. Tommy backs off and tags Dylan back in. Dylan attempts to capitalise quickly by diving at Fox, but Bloodied Fox rolls out of the way. Dylan scrambles to grab Fox’s leg but Fox kicks out and stands quickly. Dylan stats to get to his feet but Fox circles and CRACKS a kick into the base of the kneeling Dylan’s spine.
Taylor: PEEEEEEEEEEEE KAAAAAAAAAAY!
Romano: Fox looking like Owen Farrell against the Australians there.
As Dylan grabs at his back, the Psycho Scavanger has his target in his sights. He positions himself behind Dylan Black and locks in a Full Nelson, SNAPPING Dylan to the mat with a dragon suplex delivered with pace and fire. Fox covers Dylan again…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… Dylan kicks out.
Taylor: FOX TRAP SUPLEX! But it’s not enough.
Romano: Dylan is on wobbly legs here.
Fox gets to his feet first, waits patiently for Dylan to do the same. The wrist clutch is locked in. Fox spins Dylan Black out… AND KUROI JUST STOMPS INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING AND BOOTS FOX IN THE BACK CAUSING HIM TO LOSE GRIP ON DYLAN. Kuroi grabs Dylan and BIEL TOSSES HIS OWN PARTNER INTO HIS CORNER. Kuroi stares a hole though the ref as he steps over the top rope, SLAPS Dylan across the back and steps back into the ring.
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Taylor: FOX WAS GOING TO FINISH DYLAN BLACK OFF THERE! KUROI HAS NO RESPECT FOR THE RULES!
Romano: Look, he tagged in legally at the end. That’s him following the rules, right there.
Rolling clear, Fox reaches out for a tag and Ryan Young enters the match. Young comes in with a blitz of strikes, sweat flying off Kuroi’s cheeks with each connection of Young’s hand. Kuroi ROARS and just starts clubbing down at Young. Young is forced to cover up and Kuroi grabs him firmly around the waist and heaves Young over his own head with a release belly to belly suplex. Walking over to to Young, Kuroi just boots at him a couple of times before flipping Young over with the toe end of his boot and pinning him with a foot on the chest.
ONE!
T… nowhere near a two count.
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Taylor: An arrogant cover from Kuroi there.
Romano: Strength above all. I don’t think Kuroi rates Young’s strength as worthy.
Picking Young up off the mat, Kuroi picks God’s Gift up and pushes him up into a military press. One full press. Two full presses. Ryan Young is being hauled up and down like a strongman with a bar bell. Three. Four. Five… and Kuroi takes a step forward and drop Young to the canvas with a massive SPLAT! Kuroi drops to cover…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Young kicks out.
Romano: There’s a huge problem you have to overcome fighting Kuroi.
Taylor: Enlighten me.
Romano: Kuroi.
Strength above all is on show again as Kuroi stands behind a standing Young. Kuroi locks in a tight back waistlock, holding onto it for a good five seconds, attempting to drive any air out of Ryan Young’s lungs. Kuroi grunts and falls backwards, flinging Young across the ring with a NASTY looking German Suplex. Young looks stunned as he gasps for air on the mat.
Taylot: That landing looked painful.
Romano: All landings off of a Kuroi suplex look painful.
Stomping on Young’s chest, Kuroi looks to totally deplete any supply of oxygen that Young has left. Grabbing Young by the hair, Kuroi hauls Young up to his feet. Kuroi grabs firm hold of Young by the wrist and slings him hard into the unfriendly corner. With a head of steam, Kuroi charges in and arches his boot up into the air and connects it solidly witn the side of the slumping Young’s face!
Taylor: KUROI KUT! KUROI KUT!
Young takes three steps out of the corner and faceplants on the mat. Kuroi goes over to cover… but the referee waves him off. TOMMY STRYCHNINE HAS BLIND TAGGED HIMSELF IN! STRYCHNINE DIVES ACROSS TO MAKE THE COVER HIMSELF!
ONE!
TWO!
TH.. YOUNG KICKS OUT AGAIN! KUROI LOOKS PISSED OFF AS ALL HELL!
Crowd: RY-AN YONG! RY-AN YOUNG!
Romano: It’s teamwork like that which loses you matches.
Tommy stands, looks down at Young and grins, feeling the energy of the occasion. He snatches Young off the mat and up into a Fireman’s Carry. With minimal effort, just a tiny shift in bodyweight, Tommy flips Young over and crashes The Messiah Of The Kneestrike’s neck and upper back into Tommy’s knee.
Taylor: TOMMYKNOCKER!
Without a moment’s hesitation, Tommy charges up to a neutral corner, looks backwards over his shoulder and TAKES A LEAP OF FAITH, LANDING BACK FIRST ONTO THE PRONE RYAN YOUNG!
Taylor: STAGE DIVE! STAGE DIVE!
Tommy hooks the legs for a back press.
ONE!
TWO!
THR… BLOODIED FOX DIVES IN THE RING TO BREAK UP THE COVER!
Crowd: RY-AN YONG! RY-AN YOUNG!
Taylor: And it’s teamwork like that which WINS you matches.
Romano: Provided Young can get out of the ring. He’s taken a lot of punishment.
As if he can hear the commentary team, or at least isn’t too tired to keep his wrestling smarts, Young starts crawling for his own corner. Seth reaches a hand out for his stablemate, Fox too after he’s scampered back but Kuroi isn’t having any of that and enters the ring, again ignoring the referee’s protests and charges the full diagonal, extending both his arms and CLOTHESLINING BOTH OF THE OTHER LGBTKO MEMBERS OFF THE APRON. Kuroi raises his arms in triumph and walks back slowly to his own corner, stopping to throw a glare at Strychnine.
Taylor: Kuroi didn’t appreciate Tommy tagging himself in earlier.
Romano: Apart from the sounds of an opponent’s bones breaking,
Dylan Black is jumping up and down on the apron, extending an arm for the tag. Strychnine walks over to his own corner and tags out, heated words being exchanged between him and Kuroi. Dylan walks over to Ryan Young and kicks away at his rib cage. Black lifts young up and drops him with a sharply delivered inverted suplex. Young bounces and flips over, his ribs being targeted again as Black sees an opportunity to end this match with a flourish. He rushes up to the top turnbuckle and LEAPS OFF, SPINNING AND FLIPPNG IN THE AIR AND BRINGING HIS LEG DOWN ACROSS RYAN YOUNG’S CHEST!
Taylor: UNCALCULATED RISK!
Black holds for a cover…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… SETH BREAKS THE COVER UP!
Crowd: RY-AN YONG! RY-AN YOUNG!
From his own corner, Dylan hears a shouted command from Strychnine. After taking a couple of seconds to recover from the impact on his own body that the Uncalculated Risk causes, Dylan can see Tommy calling for Ryan Young to be brought over. Not knowing what Tommy has planned, Dylan decides to get on the same page with at least one of his teammates and he grabs a back waistlock on Young and bundles him towards Tommy. Strychnine grins and pulls out a branded Motley Crue hip flask, taking a generous swig and spitting it… RIGHT INTO DYLAN BLACK’S FACE AS RYAN YOUNG ESCAPES HIS GRIP AND SITS DOWN TO AVOID THE ALCOHOLIC MIST!
Taylor: WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!
Romano: Turns into a complete Foxtrot Uniform.
Dylan Black wheels away, blinded. Ryan Young gets the hell out of dodge, clutching his ribs. Kuroi with his massive strides, catches hold of Young’s boot to prevent him from reaching out for a tag Young somehow contorts his body around and swings his other leg round into an improvised shin kick to the side of Kuroi’s head. Kuroi staggers a little as Young leaps, reaching out and…
DOUBLE TAGS IN BOTH OF HIS LGBTKO COMPANIONS!
Crowd: YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!
Kuroi comes thundering in towards to two men entering the ring. DOUBLE DROPKICK stops that in its tracks. Young leans against the ropes, recovering but spots Kuroi being grabbed by both arms and flung towards the ropes by Fox and Dillinger and pulls the old “low bridge,” sending Kuroi clattering to the outside. Dillinger runs across the ring to plant an Enzuigiri onto Strychnine that sends him to the floor as well. Seth and Fox meet in the middle of the ring, exchange a glance and head off to opposite sides of the ring, HITTING KUROI AND STRYCHNINE WITH STEREO TOPE CON HILOS!
Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!
Taylor: It’s breaking down here!
Seth and Fox are on their feet and back in under the ropes in a heartbeat. Dylan Black is just about gaining his sight back and he looks around to see Bloodied Fox. What he doesn’t see is Seth Dillinger, who grabs one of his arms and Irish Whips him into Bloodied Fox… WHO SMASHES DYLAN’S CHIN INTO HIS SHOULDER!
Taylor: A DOUBLE TEAM HUSTLE, SWEETHEART!
Fox gets up quickly, looks across at Ryan Young who seems to have a little of his wind back again, STEREO SLINGSHOT PLANCHAS ONTO STRYCHNINE AND KUROI! SETH GOES FOR THE TOP ROPE! DYLAN BLACK IS DOWN FROM FOX’S FINISHER! FOUR-FIFTY SPLASH!
Taylor: ACIIIIIIIID RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN!
Seth covers..
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: The winners of this match. LGBTKO!
Taylor: LGBTKO! They’re thinking with one mind already.
Romano: It remains to be seen how they’ll fare against The Cure or Legion who are a more coherent unit, however.
Cameras pan out to show Anthony Craig's state of the art food truck sitting in the parking lot of the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, AWF security has the area around the food truck blocked off as fans gather around to watch the premiere of his new segment.
The Chef: Welcome to "The Sampler" with me Anthony Craig here on AWF television where you will be given just a sample of the five-star cuisine you can get at "Taste of Hong Kong". Now today I will be showing you just how to prepare and cook an Asian Style Roasted Quail. While I show you how to prep this dish I will explain just how this dish compares to our current Ascension Wrestling Federations Phoenix Champion and it's top contenders.
The cameras zoom out moving around showing the faces of the fans in the crowd around the food truck as the cheer "The Chef" Anthony Craig.
The Chef: Let us start off with a shortlist of ingredients that it will take to make this incredible Asian dish. We will start off with the main key ingredient 6 very moist and fresh young Quails. Just like in the AWF's Phoenix division where everyone is new and ripe to the company the Phoenix championship would be considered the Quail of it. Then let us gather up some of the spices and sauces that we will use to marinade our dish
Anthony Craig can be seen gathering up a few different bottles and jars of seasonings and sauces placing them on the counter in front of him as he continues to speak into the cameras. The faces of the fans show them with a look of hunger some almost look to be salivating already.
The Chef: So we will add all these ingredients into a large zip lock bag I will explain that a little later, so let us begin. 2 tbsp BBQ sauce I used honey garlic, 2 tbsp sesame seeds, 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce, 3 tbsp sesame oil dark, 2 tbsp honey,3 cloves garlic minced, 1 tbsp ginger fresh, minced, 1/4 cup white wine, 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. You see all of these ingredients no matter how minor or how little they maybe are key to bringing out the wondrous flavor that is within the Quail itself. Just like every member of the AWF's Phoenix division Xiaolong, Tommy Strychnine is just a couple of the members that make the division burst with flavor. When we place all of these components together and allow them to marinade we get a Five-Star dish.
The crowd can be heard chanting "CHEF, CHEF, CHEF, CHEF" as Anthony Craig continues his quick sampling of his dish.
The Chef: You all see I will allow the Quail to marinade in these seasonings just as I have been allowing the XHF Phoenix division to marinade and soon I will finish the recipe and creating a dish worthy of a Master Chef as I claim the Phoenix championship.
The cameras move about showing the fans standing around the barricade holding signs up for "The Chef" as they cheer him.
The Chef: But for now that's all I'm giving you, AWF fans, you simply get a Sample of what's to come from a "Taste of Hong Kong" and from 'The Chef" Anthony Craig inside an AWF ring.
Anthony Craig drops the takeout window on the Food truck as the cameras go black...
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a round three match in the End of Days tournament! Featuring first the challenger... Ai Moe!
Kill the Virgin by SCANDAL begins playing throughout the speakers as Ai comes out from the back. She blows kisses to the fans before she makes her way down the rampway. She shakes hands with fans and walks around the ring before she enters and blows more kisses to her fans.
Romano: I don’t even really know how Ai Moe was able to defeat Lynn Brewster, much less have half a chance against Death Trap.
Taylor: It’s true that Death Trap is almost three of her, but she is extremely talented. I’m sure that she can find a way to win like she did before.
Jessie Love: And her opponent... Death Trap!
The haunting vocal intro for "The Hard Sell" by Coheed and Cambria hits the speakers and the lights dim and blue and gold spotlights strobe around the arena. The XtremeTron lights up with a familiar theme as it reads, "Main Attraction ... Showing Once Again" A foot shatters the screen and we cut to images from DT's matches in MCCW against the likes of Nelly Angel, Weaselpop, and Eichi Yamaguchi. The first verse sets in as the screen shows DT landing on the floor of the arena and being handed the MCCW World title.
"I'm paranoid, and sick of this world's misconception of things I did. My language poured across this wrist in a metaphoric disaster."
DT slowly walks into a red spotlight on the stage with his head down hidden under a hoodie. It's black and has his custom interlocking DT logo with an italian flag and mariners compass on it on the back. He stands in the spotlight and slowly looks up showing off his signature bowler hat and sunglasses under the hood.
"My guess, I'm missing out the punchline, unless this hanging noose is fitted to be all mine. I stood by everything I loved, while you never understood me much..."
He flips the hood back and throws his hands up into a cross over his head before dropping them into his signature pose (the orton one, you know it.). The strobe blue and gold spotlights move faster around the arena as he soaks in the adoration of fans from two generations.
"Cuz there's only one ... of me. And too many of you, fighting over nothing. There's never enough cool for everyone and before you know it you're selling out to be in."
He unzips the hoodie and tosses it into the crowd and starts marching to the ring pointing to the MCCW World Heavyweight title around his waist and high fiving fans. He rolls into the ring and climbs the far corner and poses as gold pyro showers down from the overhead area. He leaps down and takes off the belt, kissing it and hands it to the referee before stretching on the ropes and waiting for the bell to ring to start the match.
Romano: Death Trap is a mountain of power standing next to the diminutive Ai Moe. This can’t end well for Ai.
Taylor: I disagree. I think that skill and talent can overcome sheer power.
Romano: Death Trap has skill, talent, AND power. She may as well lay down and save her a beating!
Taylor: This match is going to be closer than you think.
Romano: Death Trap has about fifteen inches on Ai Moe in height alone. It’s crazy!
Taylor: What’s he doing?
Romano: He’s challenging Ai Moe to a test of strength? How crazy can one get?
End of Days Tournament
Semifinal Match
Ai Moe (LXW) vs Death Trap (MCCW)
Death Trap holds his hands high overhead in an open challenge to Ai Moe for a test of strength. She gets in front of him, nearing her small body to his larger one. She reaches up to accept the challenge, but finds that Death Trap’s hands are out of her reach. Death Trap grins and gets down to his knees so that she can reach.
At first Ai Moe is insulted by the move, but she accepts the test of strength. Death Trap quickly begins to overpower her, rising to his feet as Ai Moe bends backwards in pain. Ai releases one hand and focuses on the other, turning the test of strength into an arm wringer that flips Death Trap to the mat. She continues to apply pressure with an armbar.
Death Trap works his way to his feet and breaks out of the armbar, tossing Ai Moe into the ropes. On the rebound, Ai ducks under a clothesline. She puts on the brakes and hits a side kick to the gut as Death Trap turns around. She follows this up with a heart palm strike that stuns him. She slips around behind him, hooks the arms, and hits a Tiger suplex for the cover!
One
Two
Th-Death Trap kicks out!
Ai Moe gets to her feet and is met by Death Trap. She goes for the Shoutei palm strike, but Death Trap catches her wrist. He pulls her into a short arm clothesline, sending her to the mat. Death Trap applies a wrist lock for a hot minute before pulling Ai Moe up and hurling her at the ropes.
Taylor: You see her feet leave the ground in that move?
Romano: Death Trap is that much bigger and stronger than her.
On the rebound, Death Trap hits a crane kick that flips Ai Moe over backwards to the mat, clutching at the side of her face. Death Trap picks Ai Moe up bodily and goes for a body slam, but just straight drops her on her head! He goes for the cover!
One
Two
Thr-Ai Moe kicks out!
Death Trap locks in a Seattle Stretch, cranking the pressure on. The ref checks to see if she will submit, but she refuses. She does however, get a foot on the ropes to make the ref break up the hold.
Romano: See? Death Trap has the greater strength and size. It’s making all of the difference.
Taylor: She’s a plucky little devil. I’m sure that she can make a comeback.
Death Trap stands up, watching Ai Moe stand up. He goes for a cutter, but Ai Moe seizes him instead, and hits an atomic drop. Ai jumps up, grabs Death Trap by the head, and pulls him backwards so that the back of his neck hits her on the knee. She hits a moonsault axe kick as Death Trap starts to sit back up! She gets Death Trap up and then onto her shoulders for an airplane spin into a tornado kick!
Taylor: How the heck did she get him onto her shoulders like that? Amazing! Or as the move is called “Love in Action”.
Romano: She must have some crazy martial arts strength.
As Death Trap starts to get up, Ai Moe applies the gedo clutch for the pinfall!
One
Two
Thr-Death Trap kicks out!
Ai Moe jumps to her feet, going for a roundhouse kick as Death Trap rises. He ducks under the kick, hitting a palm strike to the chin with enough force to send little Ai Moe flying through the air. She lands a few feet away in a heap as Death Trap gets to his feet.
Taylor: You see the impact on that palm strike?
Romano: It was crazy hard! See? Sheer power!
Death Trap picks Ai Moe up and drops her in a cradle ddt, the Main Attraction! He hooks a leg for the cover!
One
Two
Three! NO! Ai Moe gets a shoulder up!
Death Trap looks to the ref with a bit of a growl, but then just shakes his head when the ref points out that it was a two count. He stands up, pulls Ai Moe up, and throws her into the corner. He runs at her to hit a running roundhouse kick, but Ai Moe moves out of the way at the last moment! Death Trap kicks the middle turnbuckle, springboards from there, and misses a second kick aimed at Ai Moe’s head. Ai Moe catches him from behind and hits a German suplex!
Ai Moe gets back to her feet, waits for Death Trap to get up, and hits a spinning elbow into the midsection before hitting a snap mare to send Death Trap back down to the mat into a seated position. Ai hits a palm strike to the back of the neck, causing Death Trap to kink over to the side. Ai Moe picks Death Trap up to his knees, grabs him by the arms, and aims a kick for his head! Death Trap uses his brute strength to yank his arms away from Ai Moe, catching the foot. Ai Moe hops for a second and then jumps to kick Death Trap in the side of the head!
Ai Moe jumps up, grabbing Death Trap, and applying a rolling boston crab also known as Lover’s Clutch. Ai Moe keeps the hold on for a few moments, but runs into the ropes, and has to break the hold. She gets back up, goes to stand on her head onto the top rope, falls to bounce off of the ropes, and hits nothing but mat as Death Trap rolls out of the way!
Taylor: Ai Moe with the Influencer, but Death Trap was having none of it!
Romano: Not a lick!
Ai Moe gets up to one knee and Death Trap hits the shining wizard, Breakdown, and goes for the pinfall!
One
Two
Three! NO! Ai Moe gets a shoulder up!
Death Trap kneels up, grabs her by the hair in frustration, and slams the back of her head into the mat a few times before going for the pinfall again.
One
Two
Thre-Ai Moe kicks out!
Taylor: Ai Moe certainly has a lot of heart!
Romano: Also known as she doesn’t know when to give it up.
Death Trap gets to his feet and waits for Ai Moe to stand up. He kicks her in the gut and hits a cutter, Cutting the Strings! He applies the dragon clutch!
Romano: Death Trap with the Death Trap locked in!
Taylor: This one could be all over, folks!
It isn’t long before Ai Moe motions that she gives up.
Jessie Love: Winner of the match and moving on to the finals of the End of Days tournament... Death Trap!
Taylor: We are going to have one great final match for the tournament!
Romano: This is true. Any match with Death Trap in it has to be good.
Singles Match
If The Stormcrow wins, he's added to the United States Championship match.
Johnny Sniper vs. Stormcrow
Romano: Welcome back folks, and up next we have a very exciting match. Johnny Sniper will face off against the StormCrow in a contendership match for the US Title. Sniper recently took the strap from StormCrow, but with Danny Ray coming back to claim his shot StormCrow is left fighting for his chance.
Taylor: StormCrow held the title for only one bout, losing it due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
Romano: And what circumstances were those Tommy?
Taylor: ...intoxication, pretty much. Crow has let himself fall into his old path it seems, with Hyperion’s influence sending him back to the dark side. I’m a StormCrow fan so I’m hoping tonight goes better for the wrestling legend.
Romano: Well Johnny Sniper isn’t one to go down lightly, so he had better bring his A-game. And here he comes!
As Rage Against the machine starts to blast StormCrow’s familiar tune, the lights dim down and the tron glares a noir image of a desolate wasteland. Slowly building up the opening chords, the song fully erupts into a guitar riff...but with no StormCrow on stage. His music continues to play, but there is still no sign of him.
Romano: Looks like StormCrow is delayed backstage. Hopefully not dealing with another ‘unforeseen circumstance’.
The music continues to play until it is obvious StormCrow is not showing, and promptly gets cut. ‘Enter Shikari’ starts to blast as the US Champion walks out on stage, not too sure of what is happening. His US Title is strapped to his waist and he is holding his classic American flag, waving it around despite the weird start.
Romano: If Sniper is smart, he’ll go ahead as if the match is official. A no-show by StormCrow is a DQ, and it will make his End of Days fight one-on-one with Danny Ray.
Taylor: Yeah, but it would have been nice to see Crow at least make the effort to fight back for his belt. This is a shame if it goes to that point.
Sniper places his flag into a holder on stage and points at the stage, starting into a brisk jog. As he nears the end of the ramp, a fan leaps the barricade from the audience and takes him out in a flash with a hard spear! Sniper hits the ramp hard, immediately grabs the back of his skull. The fan, wearing a black hoodie and his face concealed, starts to wail down hard on the Champion, dropping hard kicks and boots into Sniper.
Taylor: Who the hell is that!
Romano: No idea, but he’s laying the hurt into Johnny Sniper!
The fan continues to beat down on Sniper, eventually picking him up and grabbing him from behind for a back suplex into a pile driver right onto the hard ramp platform!
Taylor: That’s ‘Death Becomes You’, Crow’s finisher! Is that…
The fan pulls off his hood to reveal himself as the StormCrow, a look of pure rage on his face. No face paint, no gimmicks, just sheer revenge and fury.
Romano: StormCrow is here, and this looks like we can officially have our match. But this is a hugely unfair start to the bout!
Taylor: Sniper is laid out to rest on that ramp, and Crow doesn’t seem to even hear the crowds disapproval.
Crow picks up Sniper and slides him into the ring, but he flops on the mat and can’t even move. Crow circles the ring and grabs a microphone from the announcers table.
Crow: Hey...hey! Shut the fuck up will ye! This punk took advantage of me when I was whacked out of my gourd, and now I’m repaying the favour. Jessie Love, make the call… I’m cashing in my rematch right now! Me and Sniper for that US belt.
The crowd goes wild in a mixture of reactions, as Crow has a dispute with Jessie. She doesn’t know what to do, and is unsure of whether she can even make this match legal.
Crow: What’s the damn hold-up, get on your mic and make it official. StormCrow and Sniper, US Title match. Right here and right fucking now!
Barely stirring in the ring, Sniper is in no condition to defend his belt right now but Crow isn’t having any of it, still fighting with Jessie on the outside. That’s when…
‘Family Man’ starts to hit the PA, and the namesake himself marches out on stage holding his own microphone. Danny Ray starts on his way to the ring, microphone held up.
Danny: Whoa whoa whoa there Tommy, it doesn’t work that way. I’m owed my rematch first and foremost, there won’t be any skipping the line going on around me. You just back up there and know your place.
Crow: Fuck you Ray, your time has past. I beat you fair and square, then I lost. You rematch went out the window when this piece of trash robbed the belt from me.
Danny: That’s too bad man, but I don’t give a shit. I’m owed a rematch, and if anyone is facing Sniper tonight...it’s me!
Danny drops the microphone and runs to the ring, sliding in to stand across from Crow who has slid in on his side. Both men stand over the downed Sniper, staring at each other.
Taylor: Well this has suddenly become explosive!
Romano: You can say that again, all three men in the ring are hungry for that gold and Sniper, the man wearing the belt, can’t even stand up!
Taylor: This looks like it is ready to go off- I’ve spoken too soon!
Without delay, Crow and Danny Ray start exchanging hard blows to one another, bashing each other with wild hay-makers and driving each other to the corner. They scramble over one another, punching and slapping but showing zero caution to the world especially Sniper. As they are entirely distracted, Sniper gets up and cleans then both out with a double-diving clothesline!
Crowd: WOO!
Sniper, Crow and Danny all entangled in a hard brawl, lashing out at one another without regard for what comes next. The referee rings the bell looking for some control but doesn’t get it. The crowd is loving this when suddenly;
Steele: OK enough is enough! Security, get those men out of my ring... now!
At the command of the commissioner, a group of security run towards the ring and help to break up the brawl inside. After some wild hits and kicks, they finally pull all three men apart, leaving the middle of the ring empty...except for the US title sitting on the mat.
Steele: All of this for a piece of gold...you guys are giving me ire. Well fine, Crow you wanted your rematch against Sniper? You got it!
The crowd pops, cheers for both sides.
Steele: And Danny you want your rematch against Crow? You got it too!
Another pop from the crowd.
Steele: And Sniper...well, you got yourself into this mess, so you get to have fun working it out… End of Days, that US Championship will be up for grabs… Johnny Sniper, Danny Ray and the StormCrow… Triple Threat! Boom, there it's done. Now… security, please escort these men back to where they belong and empty my damn ring. We’ve a show to put on.
The crowds cheer and shout as the three fighters are dragged out of the ring, all being lead away in different directions. Sniper gets his title back with enough time to hold it up in the air and yell at the competitors, which only rises their blood higher.
Romano: Well I guess that make it official then! We will have a triple threat at the End of Days! Johnny Sniper versus Danny Ray, versus StormCrow! Three US Champions in one squared circle.
Taylor: I for one cannot wait for that, if the energy tonight is anything to go by that match is going to be dynamite! We’ll take a quick break now folks to clear up this mess, and be right back after these few words from our sponsors.
Jessie Love: The following is a tag team match scheduled for one fall...
Crowd: ONE FALL!
The lights in the arena blink with the beat of the intro to Fozzy's "Sandpaper", then are brought up in a blinding momentary flash as the lyrics kick in and Rocco Rose steps through the curtain to a hail of boos. Rocco doesn't quite have the swagger he had earlier in the night. He storms down the aisle with a scowl on his face, fuming over his loss to Vastrix. He walks the steps slowly and deliberately, wiping his feet on the apron before stepping through the ropes.
Jessie Love: Introducing first... from Venice Beach, California... weighing in at 224 pounds... ROCCOOOOO ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!
Romano: You can see that Rocco is taking his loss in the End of Days tournament hard.
Taylor: It was a hard-fought match. For all my misgivings towards Rocco, he put on an impressive showing.
"Be Legendary" by Pop Evil starts playing over the sound system. The fans start to cheer in anticipation as purple lights swirl around the arena. When the lyrics come in, all of the house lights come up, illuminating the entire arena in a swathe of Purple and the spotlights converge on the entrance way as Bobby Barratt appears on the stage. The fans go crazy as he allows their cheers to wash over him for a second before heading down to the ring. He heads down to the ring with a plodding intensity that sees him walk past the fans, focused on the match ahead. Bobby hops to the apron and wipes his feet before springing over the top rope and taking in the adoration of the fans.
Jessie Love: ...and his partner... from Walsall, United Kingdom... weighing in at 203 pounds... BOOBBBBYYYYY BARRRAAATTTTTTT!
Bobby looks over at Rocco, who is still visibly upset about the match earlier. He raises an eyebrow, wary of his partner's mental state.
Taylor: Well, Bobby looks like he's unsure about Rocco.
Romano: Rocco requested this match to prove himself to Bobby, but he's probably not in the right headspace after that loss earlier.
Taylor: We'll see if he holds up his end of the bargain.
The arena goes dark. For a few moments, the sound of only the song beginning with nothing else.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
The knocking goes on for a few moments. Until the sudden sound of a harsh electronic melody plays. The first riff goes on, and on cue- a spotlight shines down- on Drago Santiago. He has his arms stretched out, seemingly engulfing the light. Then another riff, another light shining down Dreadvan beside him- standing still as both men began to look towards the ring. The third riff goes off, and Vincent Draven appears. Also behind Drago as the mini-trons flicker with static until it shows two words;
The Cure.
Don't fret precious I'm here
Step away from the window
And go..
Back to sleeeeep..
The three begin making their way to the ring with a slow pace as the spotlights follow them.
Jessie Love: ...and their opponents... at a combined weight of 595 pounds... THE CUUUUUUURE!
Safe from pain
And truth
And
choice
The other poison devils?
See, they don't give a fuck about you
Like I do
As the three climb in. They climb up the turnbuckles and raise their arms. Soaking up the energy of the night with arrogance and vicious intentions.
Counting bodies like sheep
Counting bodies like sheep
Counting bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums
Counting bodies like sheep
The trip climb down from their positions. The lights began to turn back on as the three go to their respective positions. Dreadvan takes his place at ringside as Draven and Drago hand off the XHF Tag Team belts to an official.
Taylor: Seeing Dreadvan in an AWF ring is surreal.
Romano: The Cure shocked the world last week by adding Dreadvan to their ranks.
Taylor: This week, he's standing guard at ringside.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
The Cure (Drago & Draven) (c) vs. Bobby Barratt & Rocco Rose
DING DING DING!
The bell rings and the match starts. Bobby Barratt and Draven start off in the ring together. Bobby runs at Draven to lock him in to a front hold, but Draven slips around behind him and wraps him up for a German suplex. Bobby throws an elbow to get out, but Draven ducks it, dropping low and sweeping Bobby's legs out from under him. Bobby hits the mat, back-first, staring up at the lights. Draven quickly strikes Bobby with a knee to the shoulder while he's on the ground, then another for good measure. Bobby rolls away and gets back up to his feet, staring down the Vampire Prince.
Taylor: Some impressive offense on display from Draven.
Draven runs at the standing Bobby and lunges for a running knee strike. Bobby quickly dashes out of the way, and Draven eats nothing but rope, getting his knee caught up in the middle rope. Bobby moves behind him as he struggles to get free and wraps him up from behind, then sends him FLYING with a release German suplex! Draven tumbles on the mat a bit and skids to a stop. Bobby is quick to follow up as Draven tries to scramble to his feet, but Bobby drives him back into the corner. He winds up and CHOPS him hard across the chest, earning a WOOOO! from the crowd. Bobby leans in with a forearm, pressing Draven against the corner and holding his neck there. The referee counts him off...
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
F--
Bobby steps away, taking up his mandated five seconds and giving Draven some room. The referee checks on him, and he's okay. Meanwhile, in the corner, Rocco is asking for the tag to prove himself. Bobby looks at him skeptically.
Romano: Rocco wants to redeem himself from earlier.
Taylor: Bobby has things under control, and plus, he's still not sure about Rocco!
Bobby turns back to Draven, who EXPLODES out of the corner with a lariat. Bobby eats a faceful of forearm as the back of his head hits the mat. Bobby rolls over to his hands and knees as Draven spins back around and runs, punting him in the ribs. Bobby clutches at his chest and gasps for air, the wind knocked out of him. Draven licks his lips and glances over at Drago, who holds out his hand. Draven grabs Bobby's arm and drags him over to the Cure's corner, dragging him up and pressing him against the corner. He reaches over and slaps Drago's hand, who enters the ring. Draven grabs Drago by the arm and begins to whip him towards the opposite corner, then they use their leverage as momentum to reverse course, whipping Drago HARD into Bobby! Draven climbs out to the apron, satisfied.
Romano: The Cure are showing they know how to work as a tag team, putting a little extra hurt on Bobby.
Drago wastes no time in continuing the assault, unleashing a flurry of kicks to Bobby's legs. Bobby eventually gives way to the assault, dropping to his knees. Drago takes a few steps back and squares him up, then straight up slams his foot into the side of Bobby's head. Bobby is lights out! Drago grabs one of Bobby's legs and drags him out of the corner a bit, stomping down on them. He smiles at the crowd, who shower him with jeers. With Bobby positioned near the ropes, Drago starts to hammer away, holding onto the ropes for balance, with STOMP after STOMP after STOMP after STOMP on his legs.
Taylor: Drago is fully fresh and is putting the hurt on Bobby!
Romano: Well, this is a tag team match. If Bobby would just tag his partner in, he could get a breather too.
Drago finally drops down and puts on an ankle-lock on Bobby, who easily reaches out and grabs the ropes. The referee IMMEDIATELY calls for Drago to stop. The referee eventually gets up in Drago's face, forcing him to break the assault and let go of the ropes. Drago proceeds to argue with the referee, who isn't backing down, getting even more in Drago's face. While the referee is turned away, Dreadvan reaches under the ropes and grabs Bobby's leg, dragging him to the corner and SLAMMING his leg against the corner post! Jeers come raining down from the crowd and Dreadvan takes a few steps away. By the time the referee turns around, he isn't sure what happened. Rocco Rose starts to get into the ring to help, but the ref turns and forces him back out to try and maintain control of the match.
Taylor: I'm honestly shocked Rocco tried to help!
Romano: You keep doubting him, Taylor.
Rocco relents and steps back out to the apron, frustrated. Bobby is writhing in the corner, clutching at his leg. He starts to climb towards the middle of the ring. Drago watches him and just laughs mockingly at him. Bobby nearly makes it to the center and Drago stops him short, then grabs his leg and spins to the mat, locking in a kneebar! Drago goes to pull Bobby's leg out, but Bobby locks in his knee, holding firm to stop him. Drago struggles and pulls and Bobby grits his teeth, letting out a warcry. He JUST manages to get his other leg locked over his ankle in a figure four, prevent Drago from fully locking in the kneebar! Bobby uses his elbows to push himself up and over top of Drago, which is actually a pin...
ONE!
TWO!
Drago releases the knee and gets his shoulder up.
Taylor: Just impressive resilience from Bobby here.
Bobby crawls towards his corner where Rocco waits. Rocco leans over, Bobby leaps... AND DRAGO STOPS HIM AGAIN! Drago catches a foot and drags Bobby away. Frustrated, Rocco finally just gets in the ring. He beelines straight for Drago, but the Bringer of Death sees him coming and ducks away! The referee gets involved and tries to escort Rocco back out of the ring, but he isn't having it. He's standing his ground. Now, Dreadvan, at ringside, peels up the ring apron and begins dragging out some steel chairs. The referee sees THIS and turns his attention away from Rocco, warning them not to get involved. Dreadvan tosses a chair to Draven and one to Drago, who both catch them. With that, Dreadvan and Draven step into the ring alongside Drago, all three member of the Cure brandishing chairs.
Romano: This is going to get ugly.
Taylor: The Cure have had enough, and if they can't put Bobby down the legal way, they'll do it with chairs.
The three members of the Cure surround Rocco, who stands in between them and Bobby. Rocco glances at all three of them, squaring up, then turns and looks down at Bobby, then back to the Cure. He looks at the biggest man in the group, Dreadvan, and walks right up to him, getting in his face.
Romano: The BALLS on Rocco to stand up to Dreadvan!
Draven and Drago look ready to pounce. Rocco looks up at Dreadvan, then down at the chair in his hand... HE RIPS THE CHAIR AWAY FROM DREADVAN! He spins, turning to face Drago and Draven, who look at him with an evil smirk, then turn to look down at Bobby Barratt.
Taylor: Stop them, Rocco!!
Draven and Drago step up to Bobby, chairs in hand... then take a step back. They both graciously gesture towards Bobby, still lying on the mat, and Rocco Rose steps forward...
WHAM
Rocco cracks the chair down over Bobby. The boos from the arena are DEAFENING.
Taylor: What the hell!?
Rocco smirks and glances over at the rest of the Cure. Draven steps up.
WHAM
Drago's next.
WHAM
Rocco takes another turn.
WHAM
Dreadvan stomps up and just CRUSHES Bobby with a stomp to the gut. Bobby is crumpled into a heap. Drago, Draven, Rocco, and Dreadvan take a step to the side, lining up side by side... and they all raise each other's hands in the air, soaking in the uproarious boos from the crowd.
Taylor: Did... did Rocco just...
Romano: I think he did. Rocco is part of the Cure, now.
Taylor: Why!? All because he lost to Vastrix?
Romano: We'll have to hear him explain himself to be sure.
After soaking it up for a moment, the foursome break formation and surround Bobby on all sides to continue the beatdown. Rocco takes point, holding the chair above his head, and bringing it down--
"Sometimes you've gotta... close a door... to open a window..."
The thick rolling bassline from "NEW MAGIC WAND" by Tyler the Creator thumps out over the arena. The crowd EXPLODES as three men dart out of the entryway and down the ramp. Bloodied Fox hits the ring first, sliding in and ducking a standing clothesline from Dreadvan to tackle Rocco Rose. Ryan Young dives through the second rope at Drago, knocking him down. Draven turns just in time to see Seth Dillinger running up the steps, hopping the top rope, and flying off with a missle dropkick, sending him to the mat as well.
Taylor: LGBTKO IS HERE!
Romano: Not a moment too soon.
Ryan Young is tearing into Drago with mounted punches, but he's suddenly lifted up off of him. Dreadvan carries him high in the air with ease, lifting him up in a gorilla press, before simply letting him fall to the mat and eat canvas. Seth Dillinger is down, checking on Bobby, trying to get him safely out of the ring. He calls over Bloodied Fox, who looks at him increduously. Seth shouts for help to get Bobby to safety. Fox is confused, and can be seen asking "HIM!??". Seth nods frantically and Fox finally runs over to help. They both take Bobby by a shoulder and help him to his feet, trying to get him to safety. Dreadvan turns and sees this and charges at them like a freight train, bowling over all three of them.
Romano: LGBTKO's rescue attempt may have gone awry.
Drago and Draven are back up to their feet, along with Rocco. The three of them begin to approach the trio that Dreadvan just bowled over... BUT RYAN YOUNG IS BACK UP, AND HE'S GOT A CHAIR! Young cracks Draven over the back of the head. Rocco turns and Young drives the tip of the chair into his gut, keeling him over. Draven and Rocco both roll out of the ring, nursing their chairshot wounds. Young keeps the chair positioned up in front of him as Dreadvan and Drago turn and start to approach. Young starts backing away, his mind racing, thinking of a way to get out of this. Meanwhile, Fox manages to slide out of the ring, grabbing Bobby's legs and trying to drag him to safety. Seth helps by pushing Bobby out of the ring. Bobby gets to the floor and Fox holds him up until he's able to stand on his own two feet. Seth stands up and sees Ryan Young in trouble.
Taylor: LGBTKO need to think fast!
Dreadvan runs at Ryan like a freight train again, attempting to impale him against the corner... but Ryan manages to somersault underneath him! Dreadvan heads into the corner face-first and Ryan cracks him over the back with the chair. Seth follows up with a running dropkick to the upper part of Dreadvan's back, sending him tumbling over the top rope to the floor.
Romano: You feel that!? I swear Dreadvan just shook the arena.
Drago responds by jacking Ryan in the jaw with a mean elbow, then slamming his head against his nose. Ryan busts open, blood flowing freely, clutching at his face. Drago finishes by grabbing Ryan's hair and unceremoniously tossing him out of the ring. He turns and finds himself alone in the ring with Seth Dillinger.
Taylor: Oh boy...
Romano: This has been a long time coming.
Drago smirks at Seth and the two circle each other. Drago asks for a microphone and is handed one.
Drago: Typical Seth. You just had to insert yourself where you don't belong. Can't go five minutes without the world seeing you in the spotlight, right?
Seth jaws off at him, responding with something inaudible. Drago stares him down.
Drago: The Cure has gained a new member tonight. Someone who values what we value. We are unstoppable. You and the rest of your wannabe "good guys" want to stand in our way? Then we'll mow you down. Your time is coming, Seth. One day, sooner than you think, you'll get the chance to feel your metacarpals SNAP in my hands. But... not yet.
Drago paces around. At ringside, Fox and Bobby have made it to the ramp, now checking on Ryan, who is still bleeding profusely. Drago laughs.
Drago: I suggest you pay close attention at End of Days. Because what I'm about to do to Hyperion... if I can do that to a titan, imagine what I can do to a whiny, privileged, entitled piece of shit like you. I'm starting to see why your precious Daddy gave up the ghost all those years ago. He couldn's stand the shame of having you as a kid!
The crowd just fucking erupts. Seth's collected demeanor immediately disappates and the rage takes over. He charges the ring at Drago. And just as the two are about to clash--
LIGHTS OUT
Confused shrieks and shouts from the crowd are the only audible thing. Then, a single spotlight flashes back on. The only thing illuminated is the center of the ring where Seth is held high in the air, with a titan's hand around his throat. Hyperion stands, AWF Prestige Championship over his shoulder, holding Seth Dillinger up in the air while staring lasers through Drago. Seth claws at his throat, trying to break free, but it's no use. Hyperion shows no emotion as he plants Seth on the mat with The High One. Another three spotlights flash on behind Hyperion in the ring, where Natasha, Kuroi, and Stormcrow stand. Another spotlight flashes on, illuminating Drago. Hyperion produces a microphone and takes a single step towards Drago.
Hyperion: Foolish. While I prepare to wage war inside a cage with you, you waste your time with battles against meager foes who are preoccupied with childish concepts like virtue and justice.
Hyperion motions back to his Legion stablemates.
Hyperion: We achieve strength through solidarity. At End of Days, you and I will be locked inside a cage. No cheap tactics. You will not have your precious Cure to help you seize victory. You will have only yourself. But I...
Hyperion turns back to Drago.
Hyperion: I will have the strength of a god flowing through me. I will have the collective power of dozens of Legion loyalists and the support of my brothers Kuroi and Stormcrow, and my sister, Natasha. Pray that our match is over quickly, Drago. Pray that it may not be your last.
Drago now charges towards Hyperion. But...
LIGHTS OUT
After a moment, they come back up. Legion are gone. Drago is left in the ring with an unconscious Seth Dillinger. Drago starts to scream out into the void, telling Hyperion to come back and face him. Medical attendants rush down to check on Seth and Ryan Young as the screen fades to black.
Greg Adkins vs. Jordan Cassidy
The bell rings and the two competitor circle around one another. The two stare a hole through one another and the two begin to go at one another with a lock up. Greg Adkins and Jordan Cassidy vie for control. Jordan immediately crouches down and throws down an ax handle, but Cassidy has a different idea in mind. He goes for a double leg takedown! Adkins tries to sprawl down, but he misses the timing! Jordan takes him down. Adkins is in a side headlock, but Cassidy plants his hand down on the mat. He rolls forward and slips his head out in the roll. Jordan Cassidy goes up to get back on him, but Greg gets at him with a heavy kick. Cassidy staggers back. Adkins tries to get back up, but Cassidy gets at him first, shoving him down to the floor. But then Greg Adkins lifts up his legs and ensnares his opponent into a headscissors! He takes him down and immediately has him in the choke hold! The Bethesda hometown hero is immediately in trouble!
Taylor: This match starts off on the ground, and Jordan Cassidy isn't comfortable there!
Romano: And Greg Adkins seems very comfortable there. ...Too comfortable there.
Jordan Cassidy is a generic wrestler, forced to the ground. His hand is around Adkins' legs, trying to free himself. But Adkins isn't always someone who cares about giving his opponent a fair shake. His face is getting red. He finds the bottom rope within arm's length - but that means taking his hands away from his throat. That's something psychologically terrifying. Still, he takes the chance. He feels himself almost being strangled, but the referee begins to count: ...One! ...Two! ...Three! ...Four! ...Fiv-Adkins lets go. At this point, Cassidy's face is nearly violet. Referee Steve Tyrell looks at him in surprise, that he has gotten this far. Jordan Cassidy rolls outside of the ring, in an attempt to give himself a moment or two to relax.
Taylor: He nearly had five! Is he TRYING to get himself disqualified?
Romano: To skirt the rules, you got to know the rules. Greg Adkins here knows the rules.
Cassidy wipes his face off as he begins to get some yellow hues in his complexion. But he hears some commotion from the crowd. He turns around to see what's going on. He looks in the ring and sees no one. Then he sees something up high from the corner of his eye. What does he see? Why, it's Greg Adkins up top! Jordan Cassidy isn't even quite sure how he was able to dodge it, but his instincts threw himself to the side. And the former champion was able to land with a roll, reducing the burn as much as humanly possible. Adkins gets up and looks at Cassidy. He isn't giving him the time to recover. He charges at him, but the perpetual match-loser again uses his instincts to his advantage. Drop toe hold!
...TO THE STEEL STEPS!
Taylor: OUCH!
The face of Greg Adkins lands right against the steps and he rolls to his back. He begins to cover his face. Cassidy sees the opportunity and won't let it go to waste. He grabs his opponent by the shoulder and throws him into the ring. As he gets rolled into the center, he lies on his back. Jordan Cassidy quickly goes for the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...Kickout!
Taylor: Nearly bloodied and still is kicking out!
Romano: It only takes one bad fall for a match to end. Greg had a bad fall, but he's still in this. This just shows how hard Jordan will have to work in order to keep him down. He's done it once, but can he do it again?
Adkins kicks out, and like he means it too! Jordan Cassidy gets up and tries to bring his opponent to his feet. He gets up to his feet before Cassidy gets a fist greeted to his stomach. Cassidy doubles over. Adkins begins to rise as he throws another stomach. He goes for a third before the youngster leaves an ax handle that forces him back onto a knee. Cassidy turns around to the other side of Adkins. The former/current? druggie begins to climb to his feet. He doesn't know where Jordan Cassidy is. He turns around to a...
Romano: And here's the CassiDDT!
Jordan Cassidy's finisher implant DDT hits! ...It hits Junior Referee Steve Tyrell! He goes down! Greg Adkins takes advantage of this while Cassidy looks down and checks to see the damage on the mandated official. He looks back up to Adkins who unleashes a burst of ...some sort of liquid into the face of the youngster, blinding him! The crowd begins to boo, it's a clearly cheap move that's only going to get by since the referee can't see this himself.
Taylor: Is that whiskey? Isn't he trying to get clean?
Romano: Could be whiskey, but it's Greg Adkins. It could be anything.
Greg Adkins capitalizes on this. He reaches down to his junk and then grabs Cassidy with the mandible claw! Cassidy is completely overloaded by everything! He begins to tap out! HE TAPS OUT!
...but the referee is still out. He doesn't see this happening and so, the match continues! Greg Adkins is holding onto this move, and still the tapping continues. This goes on for a moment or two, before Greg is getting frustrated with the referee being out. He lets go of Cassidy, walks over to the referee and beginning to slap him across the back of the head for a moment or two. Nothing happens. He doesn't even stir. Adkins stops. He gets an idea. He goes to the center of the ring, spreads his legs shoulder-width and nods at the camera.
Taylor: He knows where the camera is, which specific camera is being filmed live?
Romano: Of all the things Greg does, this is the question you ask?
That's when Greg Adkins begins to yell. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" He looks incredibly determined. He looks ready to change who he is. He begins pushing his body to the limits. Everyone is looking around each other. This is even making the referee, Steve Tyrell begin to stir back into consciousness. Everyone looks around.
Taylor: This power...
Romano: Huh?
Taylor: Don't you feel that?
Romano: The uncomfortable feeling of a grown adult screaming in the ring for no good reason? Yes, I do.
Taylor: That raw power! It's just unreal!
Romano: Huh?
Taylor: He just might be...
Romano: ...No.
Taylor: A SUPER SAIYAN!
The colors change... And that's when Greg Adkins does it! And by it, I mean he falls down. His face when pink to blue to violet and then he hits the floor. By this time, Jordan Cassidy begins to climb to his feet. He looks around and doesn't see Greg Adkins behind him, but only one man is up and it's the one seen as the youngster with a gold heart but a novice skill set.
Romano: Jordan's about to do it! He's about to win his biggest match yet!
Taylor: FINISH THIS.
That's when Greg Adkins is trying to recover. He comes from behind Jordan. He tries to use Jordan's tights for leverage, but accidentally pulls down the young lad down to the ground. Greg's not too sure what happens but accidentally lands on top of him, as he's still deprived of oxygen but during all this nonsense, Steve Tyrell conducts the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...THREE!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner of the match - "GUTTERTRASHHHHH" GREG ADKINS!
Taylor: Greg Adkins did it! He won the match through pure perseverance and nearly became a super saiyan!
Romano: One, there is no such thing as a super saying, whatever that is. Secondly, all Greg did was in what could be a drunken stupor, took advantage of our good friend, Jordan! What is this!?
Jessie Love: The following is a tag team contest scheduled for one fall...
Crowd: ONE FALL!
The hard electronic beats of "Good L_ck (Yo_'re F_cked)" start up around the arena while purple and white beams of light shine on the entrance gate As the opening scream sounds out, Card steps through the gate and surveys the crowd. Card takes a slow walk down to the ring and steps through the ropes, followed by the beams. The lights change from beams to spinning spotlights as the music gets lower just before the chorus...
ONE MILLION VOICES CALL FROM THE OTHER SIDE
IF YOU COULD HEAR THEM YOU WOULD BE TERRIFIED...
The lights go back up and puple and white pyro fires off from the ring ropes as the chorus begins
GOOD LUCK!
YOU'RE FUCKED!
AND WE HATE TO SEE YOU GO MAN, BUT EVERYONE KNOWS YOU'RE SCREWED!
Card poses in the center of the ring, crossing his thumbs over where his heart would sit. The lights go up and Card moves over to his own corner and relaxes, the referee checking him over and finding nothing wrong.
"Kung Fu Fighting" hits and the crowd cheers as the former XHF Phoenix Champion, Xiaolong, comes out at the top of the ramp. He flashes a smile to the crowd and hustles down to the ring.
Jessie Love: Introducing first... the team of Xiaolong and CHRISSS CAAAARD!
Romano: This is a chance here for Chris Card to prove his ways.
Taylor: How so?
Romano: He's labeled himself as the defender of the fresh faces... and now he's got one of the hottest up and coming talents in his corner.
"Undeniable" by Seckond Chaynce begins to play as the lights dim. As the music kicks up, Michael Storm breaks through from behind the curtain. As he jumps out, he takes a moment to have a full view of his audience. He jumps up and down with the balls of his feet as he soaks up the energy. Michael Storm takes off his shirt and throws it on the ground as he turns back to the ring in front of him. Storm runs down the line toward the ring. As he does, ZARDONIC and VOICIANS' "Bring Back The Glory" begins to play as the lights begin to strobe along the stage as Kenneth Robertson steps out onto the stage and makes a quick pace to the ring. He rolls into the ring and shouts at the crowd, with Storm watching him skeptically the whole time.
Jessie Love: And their opponents... the team of Kenneth Robertson and MICHAEELLLL STOOOOORM!
Taylor: Quite the match to debut in for Kenneth.
Romano: I'll say. He's stepping in the ring in the middle of a war between Card and Storm.
Taylor: Let's just hope he's not collateral damage.
Tag Match
Chris Card & Xiaolong vs. Kenneth Robertson & Michael Storm
The referee rings the bell, and the match is on. Both of the competitors stare at each other for a few minutes before locking up in the center, with “Technical Perfection” Chris Card getting the upper hand on the inexperienced rookie, Kenneth Robertson. Card twists Kenneth’s arm as the crowd appreciates the experienced veteran toying with the rookie. Kenneth tries to show his own MMA background but can’t seem to create an opening to break free, at least until he plants a boot in Card’s midsection. Card, a technical wizard, releases his grasp just in time to catch his opponent’s foot, but is immediately met with an enzuigiri to the back of his head for his troubles.
Taylor: The younger competitor, Kenneth Robertson, taking it to Chris Card in the earlygoings here!
Romano: He’s got an MMA background. He may be just 19, but that doesn’t mean he’s some slouch from off the street!
Kenneth ignores his more experienced partner, the former X-Crown Champion Michael Storm, asking for the tag on the outside as he looks to take down the former Prestige Champion. He drives a hard knee into Card’s head, then again, and a third knee even opens up the back of his opponent’s head. The camera zooms in to reveal a gash that begins to trickle blood as the crowd boos the aspiring newcomer, who waits for his opponent to rise to his feet to deliver another hard shot.
Taylor: Really laying it into Card with those knees!
Romano: Robertson is in full control!
Robertson gives a full spin before attempting to strike down Card with a spinning elbow, but the elder technician maneuvers out of the way and strikes back with a roundhouse kick to Robertson’s ribs, staggering him backwards. Card lines up for a Teep Kick and connects, leaving Robertson opening for the third strike in his Gathering Storm set, a spinning backfist, but Robertson counters by catching Card’s arms and sending him for a ride across the ring with an exploder suplex. He makes it back to his feet, having shown what he’s worth in the early going, and reveling in the booing as he takes full advantage of Card underestimating him in the earlygoing. He turns his attention to Card’s partner, Xiaolong, who has been trying to stomp on the ringsteps to get the crowd behind his partner. He blindsides Xiaolong with a running palm strike, knocking the former AWF Phoenix Champion off the apron and onto the floor.
Taylor: What a cheapshot from Kenneth!
Romano: Xiaolong gets floored by Robertson protecting his own interests there! Card was still down in the corner!
This infuriates Card, who was unable to protect his younger tag team partner after hitting his head hard against the turnbuckles as a result of the exploder suplex. He charges in and doesn’t strike at Kenneth with a series of technical kicks or lock him in a brilliant submission hold, as instead he settles on the old classic: punching him in the face as hard as he can. Robertson goes down as Card wails away and the crowd cheers.
Taylor: Not technically perfect, but it will do! Lefts and rights from the former Prestige Champion!
Romano: He’s fired up now!
Soon enough, Xiaolong gets back to his feet, shaking off the impact of the palm strike and his annoyance at getting blindsided as he notices that Card has dragged Robertson into the corner and is waiting for him for the tag. Xiaolong steps up back onto the apron and tags in, climbing to the top rope immediately. Card keeps their opponent pinned down for a few seconds by placing a boot on his chest before peeling off right as Xiaolong leaps off the ropes, crashing down onto him with the Dragon Spinner.
Taylor: An impressive flurry of offense from the former Phoenix Champion! A win here tonight would do wonders for his chance of getting a rematch!
Romano: Here’s the pin!
Xiaolong immediately hooks the leg upon landing.
...ONE…
...TW-Kickout!
He gets back up and rallies the crowd to get involved, getting the crowd excited for the Desolator. He is then immediately struck from behind by Michael Storm, who delivers a brutal elbow right to the back of Xiaolong’s head! The former champion goes down as the crowd boos loudly. The referee scolds Storm, missing a hard cheap knee to Xiaolong’s downstairs region by Kenneth.
Taylor: A cheap shot from Storm, and a low blow from Kenneth to boot! These two are taking advantage of every rule in the book!
Romano: They’re savvy in-ring competitors, Tommy! Xiaolong’s goody-two-shoes techniques can only last so long in today’s world!
The crowd boos even louder as Kenneth hooks the leg.
...ONE…
...TW-Kickout!
Taylor: A kickout! He’s still got fight left in him!
Kenneth argues with the referee about how slow the count was before returning to the upright position and dragging Xiaolong over to his corner. Michael Storm tags in and immediately locks Xiaolong into the Bad Blood, his version of the Crippler Crossface!
Taylor: The former X-Crown champion tags in and begins to make Xiaolong’s life hell!
Romano: Bad Blood! This could be over fast if Xiaolong can’t figure out a way to escape!
Xiaolong immediately tries to get back to his feet, but the larger Storm uses his strength to keep him grounded. He reaches out his arm as Storm keeps shouting at him to tap, and the crowd grows increasingly concerned for the champion. Xiao reaches out his arm, looking like he might tap!
Taylor: No Card in sight to protect his partner! This might be it!
Romano: Xiaolong has to fight for himself here! He has to find the ropes if he has a chance of surviving this hold!
But instead, Xiaolong finds the ropes! He reaches out and grabs the ropes, but Storm doesn’t let go! The referee begins his count!
Taylor: Xiaolong reaches the ropes, but Storm’s intent to hold that crossface as long as he can!
Romano: You can see the frustration building in the former Little Dragon! Storm and Robertson are putting him through the wringer with every trick in the book tonight!
...ONE…
...TWO…
...THREE…
...FOUR…
..FI-Michael Storm releases the hold!
Taylor: Storm has to be careful, that was almost a disqualification!
Storm gets back up as the referee chews him out for almost holding onto the hold a few seconds too long as Xiaolong chokes up air, trying to recatch his breath, coughing.
Taylor: The former champ’s in a bad way, here!
Romano: He looks pretty pissed off, but it’s hard to do anything if you can’t breathe!
He feels the anger coursing through him, having been the victim of cheap tactics and cheating throughout the match. He looks to be in a bad way mentally and he looks down as he gets back to his feet, shaking his head. The head shaking starts slowly, but then gets more fierce, as if Xiao’s fighting something deeper. Xiao stops shaking his head very suddenly, completely stopping in his tracks. A look of pure anger overcomes him instead.
Taylor: What is happening with Xiaolong?
Romano: I don’t know, but this doesn’t look like a good sign for Storm!
Xiaolong explodes off the ropes like a man possessed, nearly kicking Storm’s teeth in with a bicycle kick. He keeps running, delivering a roaring elbow off the ropes, knocking over Storm, but he just keeps going, letting out a primal scream as he finishes with a flying roaring spinning Kung-Fu kick to Storm’s skull. He stops running for a few seconds but is still under the influence of this new energy, waiting for Storm to make it back to his feeth. Kenneth tries to get involved and immediately eats a nasty superkick for his troubles.
Taylor: Xiaolong is tearing through his competition like a madman!
Romano: He has a whole different aura to him right now, Tommy, and I’d hate to be on the other side of it!
Looking down at his opponent with bad intentions, Xiaolong climbs the top rope. His fans are cheering the flurry of offense, but there is something very different about the man himself as he prepares to put away the former X-Crown Champion. Michael Storm finally makes it back to his feet and turns around. Xiaolong doesn’t look before he leaps…
...and leaps right into the Termination Projectile by Michael Storm! Xiaolong goes down as the crowd boos hard! Storm immediately drops down, going for the cover!
Taylor: Termination Projectile out of nowhere!
Romano: Storm not only just saved the match for his team, but I’m pretty sure he just won it for them!
...ONE…
...TWO…
...THR-Chris Card saves the match!
Taylor: Nope! Card barely saves the match there!
Romano: But just barely! Another second and that would have been a victory for Storm!
Card strikes back with a stiff kick to Storm’s back. The two men lock eyes in the center of the ring as the phone cameras begins to flash, but Kenneth Robertson interjects, knocking Card to the outside with a front kick!
Romano: Robertson punching above his weight class tonight, or I guess I should say kicking!
Taylor: Whatever it is, it knocked Card out of the ring! I was excited to see Card and Storm finally square off!
Storm looks over at his partner, screaming at him to get out of the ring. Robertson, expecting praise for his move, shakes his head and immediately peels out of the ring and back onto the apron, but sticks his arm out asking for the tag. Storm isn’t done with Xiaolong though, looking down at his battered, beaten, and pissed off opponent. A smile creeps onto Storm’s face as he kicks at his prey, knowing he has mentally broken his opponent.
Taylor: A sick smile from Storm there.
Romano: For everything that Storm preaches, he might just be right after all, Tommy. It’s a scary thought.
Instead of going for the 52 Seconds of Hell, Storm takes the time to deliberately stomp on each part of Xiaolong’s body, testing the spirit of his downed opponent. The crowd boos as each stomp is just as methodical at the last. Xiaolong responds to each kick with another sharp shout, unable to pull himself back into the match, but deeply angered by seemingly every kick. Storm looks around for Card, who is nowhere in sight, unable to defend the young competitor. His smile gets even larger.
Taylor: He’s just toying with him now, knowing he has the smaller opponent trapped in his anger with nowhere to go, nowhere to run, and no one to save him.
Romano: Storm’s ideologies are on full display tonight, and so is his in-ring prowess. I would hate to be on his bad side.
His smile errodes when he hears Robertson on the outside, jawing at him to just pin his opponent already. When Storm doesn’t do this fast enough for the rookie’s liking, Kenneth decides to tag himself in. Storm gives Kenneth a look that could kill, but he’s already going for a pin and completely ignores the look.
Taylor: A quick pin from Robertson! This might be it!
...ONE…
...TWO…
...THRE-NO! Xiaolong kicks out!
Taylor: Xiaolong kicks out just before three!
Romano: His inner power keeps him in this match!
Robertson immediately gets back up and looks at his opponent, waiting for him to get in just the right position. Once Xiaolong is crawling, he bounces off the ropes…
Taylor: Robertson is looking for that Death Brand Kick!
Romano: If he hits it, it’s over!
...but Xiaolong is too fast, sliding out of the way. He makes it back to his feet and channels the anger once more, striking back with lefts and rights, a series of rainmakers raining down on his opponent. He delivers the hard superkick at the end of the combo, the Desolator, before pinning the upstart.
Taylor: Desolator! Xiaolong with another fierce flurry of offense, putting Robertson away!
Romano: Not so fast! Storm’s right in position to save the match for their team! The cover and the count!
...ONE…
...TWO....
...Michael Storm tries to interject, but Chris Card protects the pinfall, nailing Storm with The Calling Card!...
...THREE!
Jessie Love: Here are your winners, the team of ‘Technical Perfection’ Chris Card, and XIAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLOOOOONNNNNG!
Taylor: Xiaolong and Chris Card with a big win there!
Romano: Storm tried to save Robertson after Xiaolong’s dominant offensive display, but Card managed to protect the pinfall when it mattered most!
Xiaolong makes it back to his feet and seems to come down from his increased mental state all at once, almost losing his ability to stand as he grabs at his head. Card smiles as the referee raises both of their arms.
Taylor: Xiaolong tonight unleashed an inner dragon, an inner demon. We’ve heard it talked about for weeks, but he allowed his rage to get the better of him, and it got his team the win tonight! A powerful showing as Xiaolong looks to get himself another shot at the man who took his title, Bloodied Fox!
Romano: But embracing that anger and hatred is the exact thing that Storm lives for, Tommy. He may have lost the match tonight, but if he managed to corrupt a man of high moral character like the former AWF Phoenix Champion, his message may be more powerful than we can imagine.
Taylor: Chris Card certainly has his work cut out for him! It’s clear that these two men have a score to settle!
A promo for the End of Days PPV airs.
Jessie Love: This next match is scheduled for one fall and is a round three match in the End of Days tournament. Featuring first the challenger…”God’s Gift” Jeremiah Vastrix!
“Down Low” by R.Kelly begins playing as “God’s Gift” Jeremiah Vastrix walks out from the back to the entrance stage. He does a little dance as his eyes glimmer blue that brings out a cheering from the female members of the audience. He makes his way down to the ring, slapping a few high fives on the way. He rolls into the ring and poses for the fans before settling into a corner to wait on Rocco Rose.
Taylor: Jeremiah looks ready to move onto the next round!
Romano: Pity he won’t get by Rocco Rose.
Taylor: He has that chance. Jeremiah made it by Rajiv Khan and Fukushima Zombie to get to this point.
Romano: Rocco Rose made it past Caden Yung and Sang-Hyun Lee. A better quality of opponent. Rose has been honed by the tournament. Jeremiah has made it by luck alone. Besides, Rocco is AWF? You should support your company, man.
Taylor: I do support my company. My company would want the best man to win!
Jessie Love: And his opponent... Rocco Rose!
The lights in the arena blink with the beat of the intro to Fozzy's "Sandpaper", then are brought up in a blinding momentary flash as the lyrics kick in and Rocco Rose steps through the curtain to a hail of boos. He has a swagger in his step as he walks the aisle, daring the fans behind the barricade to throw a punch, knowing full well that they are unable to get to him. He walks the steps slowly and deliberately, wiping his feet on the apron before stepping through the ropes. In the middle of the ring, he circles round and goads all sides of the audience before going into his corner and removing his jacket, teasing throwing it into the crowd before just tossing it to the floor out of their reach.
Romano: The tournament champion walking right here.
Taylor: You don’t know that. It would be nice, mind you, but you don’t know that for sure.
Romano: I know what I know.
End of Days Tournament
Semifinal Match
Jeremiah Vastrix (UOW) vs Rocco Rose (AWF)
As the bell rings to start the match, Rocco Rose crosses the ring with a soda from a fan in hand. He throws the liquid into Jeremiah’s face and waits with a smirk. Jeremiah blinks at Rocco, but otherwise seems to be unaffected by the drink.
Taylor: I think Rocco was hoping that this would have shorted out Jeremiah’s cybernetics.
Romano: Or he was just being an asshole.
That having done nothing, Rocco throws the cup at Jeremiah as a distraction and does to throw a punch. Jeremiah ducks a little so that Rocco strikes the upper part of the eye socket/forehead where Jeremiah’s skull is metal. Rocco draws his hand back with his eyes wide, shaking the hand that just struck Jeremiah.
Jeremiah responds with a stunning headbutt and whipping Rocco into the ropes so he can inflict a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Jeremiah backs away as Rocco gets to his feet. He goes in for a drop kick, but Rocco deflects. When Jeremiah gets back to his feet, he is hit by a running knee to the gut that doubles him over. Rocco goes for the one armed bulldog, but Jeremiah lifts Rocco up and hits the atomic drop! Jeremiah goes for the reverse neckbreaker, but Rocco reverses it to hit one of his own!
Taylor: Rocco on the reversal train tonight!
Romano: There’s no way that he’ll lose to a mere playboy like Jeremiah.
Rocco goes for a standing leg drop, but Jeremiah rolls out of the way and to his feet. He kicks Rocco square in the chest, sending him to the mat. Jeremiah drops a quick elbow and goes for the pinfall!
One
Tw-Rocco kicks out!
Jeremiah pulls Rocco to his feet, whips him into the corner hard enough for Rocco to fall to a seated position. Jeremiah runs across the ring, hitting a bronco buster! Jeremiah smashes Rocco a few times before doing a back roll away from the corner before the ref can protest. Rocco stands up with a sneer.
The sneer doesn’t last long as Jeremiah stuns him with another metallic headbutt and grabbing him up to hit a Michinoku Driver! Jeremiah goes for the cover!
One
Two
Thr-Rocco kicks out!
Jeremiah stands up, pulls Rocco to his feet. Rocco feels his right temple where a trickle of blood streams down the side of his face from the last headbutt. Rocco wipes a hand through the blood and smacks at Jeremiah’s face to wipe the blood there. Jeremiah backs away from the gross assault, but it just gives Rocco the room to apply an armbar. He holds the pressure on while Jeremiah uses his free hand to try to clear his face from the blood smeared there as if it was more important. Rocco turns the armbar into a slingblade, bringing Jeremiah down to the mat!
As Jeremiah goes to stand back up, Rocco slips behind him, and applies a sleeper! He doesn’t hold it for long as Jeremiah hits a jawbreaker and then applies a brain claw in the middle of the ring. Rocco tries to pry Jeremiah’s hand off of him, but cannot. He tries to reach for the ropes, but cannot. He drives a thumb into Jeremiah’s eye, but there’s no effect. Rocco is down as he begins to lose strength and the ref gets into position to count the pinfall since Rocco refuses to give up.
One
Two
Thre-Rocco gets a shoulder up!
Taylor: Rocco looks to be in real trouble now. Think he can get out?
Romano: He is the Technical Professor!
Rocco sticks two fingers into Jeremiah’s nostrils and pulls upward. This gets Jeremiah to break the brain claw and back away real quick. He sneezes a few times while Rocco stands up with a smile.
Romano: See? He escaped the hold.
Taylor: A rather unorthodox way of doing it, but it did work.
Jeremiah doesn’t have the time for recovery before Rocco brings him down with a cross body block! He hooks a leg for a pinfall!
One
Two
Thr-Jeremiah kicks out!
Rocco pulls Jeremiah up into a fireman’s carry! He starts to throw Jeremiah down for the GTS, but Jeremiah catches him around the head instead and brings him down for a ddt!
Jeremiah and Rocco both get to their feet and begin exchanging punches. Jeremiah looks like he’s going to take the advantage when Rocco kicks him square in the junk!
Romano: I bet Jeremiah’s wishing that he had cybernetic nuts right about now!
Taylor: That was a low blow!
Romano: Duh?
Rocco picks Jeremiah up, hitting an inverted atomic drop (though it was really a second nut shot) and then clotheslines him to the mat. He hefts Jeremiah back up into a fireman’s carry, but this time Jeremiah drops behind Rocco and hits a German suplex! Jeremiah doubles over in pain while on the mat while Rocco lays on the mat.
Romano: See? Repeated blows to Jeremiah’s weak points keeps him down.
Taylor: Repeated illegal blows!
With both men down, the ref begins to count them both out.
One
Two
Three
Four
Fiv-Jeremiah stands up.
Jeremiah pulls Rocco up, grabs him up in a front face lock, and begins to shimmy his hips. Rocco brings Jeremiah down with a double leg takedown! He does a quick flip for the cover!
One
Two
Thre-Jeremiah kicks out!
Romano: Just like one of Jeremiah’s trainers had told him. He stops to showboat and things go wrong!
Taylor: But the fans eat it up!
Romano: They can eat up what they want, but that doesn’t win matches!
Rocco gets to his feet, pulls Jeremiah up, and applies a sleeper hold! The ref checks to make sure it isn’t a choke hold by checking to make sure the arm is where it belongs. Jeremiah fights to escape the hold, but finds that he cannot.
Romano: Jeremiah might be able to shut off his pain receptors, but he can’t reroute blood flow to his brain.
Taylor: That’s true.
The ref checks Jeremiah’s arm as his strength begins to drain from him.
The ref lifts his arm once and it drops.
Lifts a second time and it drops again.
The ref lifts Jeremiah’s arm a third time. It falls halfway and stops! He lifts both arms up into the air.
Unable to simply break out of the hold, Jeremiah reaches up and drives two thumbs into Rocco’s eyes to loosen the hold. He then hits a jawbreaker to the metallic part of his head! Rocco is laid out on the mat while Jeremiah is on his knees and shaking his head to clear it as blood flows back to his brain.
Romano: Now would be the time to act on instinct and go for the pinfall. Jeremiah is no real wrestler.
Taylor: He’s a skilled wrestler! He’s made it this far in the tournament!
Romano: By luck and luck alone.
Jeremiah stands up and pulls Rocco to his feet. He gets a side headlock applied and hits a headlock driver! He goes for the pinfall!
One
Two
Thr-Rocco kicks out!
Jeremiah pulls Rocco to his feet and whips him into the ropes. On the rebound, Jeremiah sends Rocco out of the ring with a back drop! It doesn’t take Rocco long to get back to his feet, but Jeremiah knocks him back down with a baseball slide drop kick!
Taylor: Both Jeremiah and Rocco on the outside of the ring.
Romano: This could get interesting!
Jeremiah stands up, pulling Rocco to his feet. Rocco reacts quickly, shoving Jeremiah backwards to knock him off balance. Then grabbing him and whipping him gut first into the ring apron. He pulls Jeremiah back into a German suplex onto the concrete floor!
Rocco pulls Jeremiah back up into a fireman’s carry, but Jeremiah drops behind Rocco and hits a reverse neckbreaker!
Taylor: Shouldn’t the ref be counting right about now?
Romano: It’s the End of Days tournament. No one wants a count out victory or worse yet, a double count out.
Jeremiah stands up slowly, watching as Rocco starts to rise. He punt kicks Rocco in the face, sending blood splattering in a high arc into the crowd! Jeremiah watches Rocco fall back to the floor and rolls into the ring. Rocco uses the ring apron to get to his feet, blood spilling from his nose onto his chest. He rolls into the ring, Jeremiah giving him enough space to get in.
Rocco is working his way to his feet when Jeremiah runs at him and clotheslines him down with a leg!
Romano: I thought Jeremiah was going to be foolish and let Rocco have some breathing room. I see that is not the case.
Taylor: Right? He is working toward victory. Especially after that brutal kick!
Rocco uses the ropes to stand up. He wipes blood from his face with a snarl, flicking the blood across the ring. Jeremiah settles into a Kung fu fighting stance, hitting a palm strike to the side of Rocco’s head to stun him. He grabs Rocco, doing a back roll throw to toss Rocco head first into the corner. He jumps to his feet and comes at Rocco, who sits in the corner.
Rocco lunges out of the corner, hitting a low blow on the leaping Jeremiah, who was clearly going for another bronco buster. Jeremiah lands in the middle of the ring, curling up into a ball. Rocco stands up and returns the punt kick to the face favor done him! Jeremiah rolls away from the kick to his hands and knees. Blood rains from the side of his face to the mat as he slowly stands up. The glimmer of steel is seen at Jeremiah’s temple where a cut is open wide enough to see the metal beneath. Rocco smiles at the damage done, but his face turns into one of pain as his foot begins to throb.
Taylor: Sure looks like that kick did more harm to Rocco than it did Jeremiah!
Romano: That’s because Jeremiah cheats with all of that metal in his head.
Taylor: He did have to rebuild his face after most of it was torn off by Belial in North Korea.
Romano: I don’t follow that weird shit. Life and death tournaments. It’s a bunch of hoojoo.
Rocco waits for Jeremiah to stand up and aims a superkick at Jeremiah’s face! Jeremiah catches the leg and does a dragon screw to bring Rocco down! Rocco tries to bounce back up, but is grabbed by Jeremiah in a front face look. He does a swinging neckbreaker without the fanfare of shimmying his hips!
Taylor: There. A minimalist Down Low. Happy?
Romano: No.
Jeremiah goes for the cover!
One
Two
Three!
Jessie Love: The winner of this match and going on to the finals for the End of Days tournament... Jeremiah Vastrix!
Romano: I suppose I’m glad I didn’t bet money on this one!
Taylor: I would have been glad to have won that bet! Coming up next, the LGBTKO take on Dylan Black, Kuroi, and Tommy Strychnine!
The cameras cut backstage, where Charles Akiyama is waiting. The door to the locker room swings open and out walks Esmur, fresh off his loss in the End of Days tournament.
Charles Akiyama: Esmur! Mr. Esmur! We were hoping to get an interview with you about what comes next!
Esmur stops and stares down at Akiyama, emotionless.
Charles Akiyama: Esmur, fresh off a hard-fought loss at End of Days, what exactly do you have planned next?
Esmur stares at him blankly and then just walks past him, leaving Akiyama stammering and confused. He scratches his head.
Charles Akiyama: ...I thought we would get an interview...
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall..
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Jessie Love: …and is a six man tag match.
SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA CLOSE A DOOR… TO OPEN A WINDOW.
The thick rolling bassline from "NEW MAGIC WAND" by Tyler the Creator thumps out over the arena. Six letters fade into view on the jumbotrons.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, at a combined weight of six hundred and thirty-two pounds, Seth Dillinger, Ryan Young, Bloodied Fox, LGBTKOOOOOOOOOOO!
The lights in the arena begin to rotate between all the colors of the rainbow, focusing down on the entry ramp in unison, where LGBTKO walk out, drenched in a sea of rainbow light. Dillinger wears his cheeky sunglasses, Fox follows along, grinning broadly and pumping up the crowd with a some expansive arm gestures while Young walks out, a fury in his eyes, glaring down at the ring. The two of them stand and soak up the light for a moment, the crowd going bananas for them. Ryan eventually starts marching down the ramp, eyes focused on the ring. Seth and Fox follow behind him, grinning and sauntering down the aisle, high-fiving the crowd along the way.
Taylor: LGBTKO. One of the more interesting creations in the history of the AWF.
Romano:: The power of positivity. It makes me sick. No one should be that happy, Taylor.
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. To his right, Dylan Black, keeping maybe a safe distance from Kuroi.
SINCE THE DAY YOU WERE BORN THE WHEELS ARE IN MOTION
TURNING EVER FASTER
PLAY YOUR PART IN THE BIG MACHINE!
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. Then the camera wings round a disturbance in the crowd, as Tommy Strychnine is crowd surfing his way down to the ringside area, guitar in hand. With tis not being Strychnine’s music, he’s not brought his guitar today but as Kuroi and Dylan pose on adjacent corners, Strychnine takes a slug of Jack from his hip flask and sprays it into the air, Great Muta style from the ring apron.
Jessie Love: And their opponents, at a combined weight of six hundred and fifty three pounds, DYLAN BLACK, TOMMY STRYCHNINE AND KUUUUUUROOOI.
Taylor: Three very disparate talents. Three very different people. Can they work together to defeat the team forged by the fires of Fired Up?
Romano:: If, and this is a big if, they can stay on roughly the same page they have more than the class between them to do this. IF.
Six Man Tag Match
LGBTKO (Dillinger & Fox & Young) vs. Dylan Black & Kuroi & Tommy Strychnine
Kuroi steps over the top rope as the bell rings, not waiting to see if either of his partners want to start the match. Seth Dillinger hops into the ring to face off with the beast. Seth charges at Kuroi but the beast swats an attempt at a dropkick away, sensing Dillinger flying across the ring. Dillinger rolls towards his corner and tags in Bloodied Fox. Fox charges in and fires off a dropkick of his own and Kuroi swats HIM away as if he was being bothered by flies at a picnic. Fox retreats and tags in Young and this time the three of them charge as one and hit Kuroi with a TRIPLE dropkick, sending Legion’s enforcer staggering backwards towards his corner. Dylan Black tags himself in.
Taylor: It takes a lot of force to even stagger a monster like Kuroi.
Romano: Sometimes you have to use all of your resources at once.
The rest of LGBTKO back up on the referee’s orders. Ryan Young lets Dylan Black enter the ring and the pain square off. The Bounty Hunter throws a couple of kicks, trying to judge range. God’s Gift uses Dylan’s second whiff to close in a smash Dylan with an elbow. Black staggers back towards the ropes, rebounds carefully back and takes the momentum to fire off a forearm of his own. Young mirror Dylan’s last move and hits an elbow smash. Black stands up to this one and fires a forearm back immediately. Elbow from Young! Forearm from Black! Both men grab the other round the back of the head and fire off a massive flurry of strikes! There is a brief pause in the action as both men stop and catch their breath before Young delivers a HUGE Californian uppercut. Black staggers and young fires off a second uppercut forearm. A third one sends Black stumbling towards his own corner and Tommy Strychnine tags in.
Taylor: Ryan Young is a classy striker,
Romano: When that guy hits you, you stay hit, Taylor.
Tommy Strychnine swaggers in the ring and points towards Seth Dillinger. He obviously wants a piece of the former champion. Young gives him this askew glance, almost asking, “Are you sure?” Tommy grins and Young tags out. Seth Dillinger hops over the ropes and closes in, looking to grab a free arm. Strychnine throws an overhand right which Seth smartly grabs at the wrist. Seth turns the arm over, wringing it out and looking to lock a standing arm bar. Tommy is an agile cat and forward rolls, reversing the pressure. Tommy steps across Seth’s back and reaches round as if he’s about to go for a waistlock… AND THEN PLAYS AIR GUITAR WITH SETH DILLINGER AS AN INSTRUMENT! Dillinger breaks free and then flashes Tommy a look of, “REALLY?” Strychnine responds by STICKING HIS TOUNGE OUT AND THROWING THE DOUBLE HORNS!
Taylor: WHOAH!
Romano: YEAH!
This is not the sort of party that Seth Dillinger likes to be invited to and he backs off and tags in Bloodied Fox. Fox looks eager to get into the action. He jumps into the ring and closes in on Strychnine. Channelling his partner Ryan Young, Fox leads with a knee to Tommy’s sternum, sending the Glammy Gladiator staggering towards his own corner. Fox follows in and springboards off the ropes adjacent to the corner, getting just above the height of a clumsily thrown leg height lariat from Kuroi and landing on Tommy’s shoulders. Dylan tries to grab for Fox but Fox Huracanranas Strychinine out of the corner before either of his partners can save him. Fox hooks both legs…
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. Strychnine kicks out. Tommy backs off and tags Dylan back in. Dylan attempts to capitalise quickly by diving at Fox, but Bloodied Fox rolls out of the way. Dylan scrambles to grab Fox’s leg but Fox kicks out and stands quickly. Dylan stats to get to his feet but Fox circles and CRACKS a kick into the base of the kneeling Dylan’s spine.
Taylor: PEEEEEEEEEEEE KAAAAAAAAAAY!
Romano: Fox looking like Owen Farrell against the Australians there.
As Dylan grabs at his back, the Psycho Scavanger has his target in his sights. He positions himself behind Dylan Black and locks in a Full Nelson, SNAPPING Dylan to the mat with a dragon suplex delivered with pace and fire. Fox covers Dylan again…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… Dylan kicks out.
Taylor: FOX TRAP SUPLEX! But it’s not enough.
Romano: Dylan is on wobbly legs here.
Fox gets to his feet first, waits patiently for Dylan to do the same. The wrist clutch is locked in. Fox spins Dylan Black out… AND KUROI JUST STOMPS INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING AND BOOTS FOX IN THE BACK CAUSING HIM TO LOSE GRIP ON DYLAN. Kuroi grabs Dylan and BIEL TOSSES HIS OWN PARTNER INTO HIS CORNER. Kuroi stares a hole though the ref as he steps over the top rope, SLAPS Dylan across the back and steps back into the ring.
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Taylor: FOX WAS GOING TO FINISH DYLAN BLACK OFF THERE! KUROI HAS NO RESPECT FOR THE RULES!
Romano: Look, he tagged in legally at the end. That’s him following the rules, right there.
Rolling clear, Fox reaches out for a tag and Ryan Young enters the match. Young comes in with a blitz of strikes, sweat flying off Kuroi’s cheeks with each connection of Young’s hand. Kuroi ROARS and just starts clubbing down at Young. Young is forced to cover up and Kuroi grabs him firmly around the waist and heaves Young over his own head with a release belly to belly suplex. Walking over to to Young, Kuroi just boots at him a couple of times before flipping Young over with the toe end of his boot and pinning him with a foot on the chest.
ONE!
T… nowhere near a two count.
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Taylor: An arrogant cover from Kuroi there.
Romano: Strength above all. I don’t think Kuroi rates Young’s strength as worthy.
Picking Young up off the mat, Kuroi picks God’s Gift up and pushes him up into a military press. One full press. Two full presses. Ryan Young is being hauled up and down like a strongman with a bar bell. Three. Four. Five… and Kuroi takes a step forward and drop Young to the canvas with a massive SPLAT! Kuroi drops to cover…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Young kicks out.
Romano: There’s a huge problem you have to overcome fighting Kuroi.
Taylor: Enlighten me.
Romano: Kuroi.
Strength above all is on show again as Kuroi stands behind a standing Young. Kuroi locks in a tight back waistlock, holding onto it for a good five seconds, attempting to drive any air out of Ryan Young’s lungs. Kuroi grunts and falls backwards, flinging Young across the ring with a NASTY looking German Suplex. Young looks stunned as he gasps for air on the mat.
Taylot: That landing looked painful.
Romano: All landings off of a Kuroi suplex look painful.
Stomping on Young’s chest, Kuroi looks to totally deplete any supply of oxygen that Young has left. Grabbing Young by the hair, Kuroi hauls Young up to his feet. Kuroi grabs firm hold of Young by the wrist and slings him hard into the unfriendly corner. With a head of steam, Kuroi charges in and arches his boot up into the air and connects it solidly witn the side of the slumping Young’s face!
Taylor: KUROI KUT! KUROI KUT!
Young takes three steps out of the corner and faceplants on the mat. Kuroi goes over to cover… but the referee waves him off. TOMMY STRYCHNINE HAS BLIND TAGGED HIMSELF IN! STRYCHNINE DIVES ACROSS TO MAKE THE COVER HIMSELF!
ONE!
TWO!
TH.. YOUNG KICKS OUT AGAIN! KUROI LOOKS PISSED OFF AS ALL HELL!
Crowd: RY-AN YONG! RY-AN YOUNG!
Romano: It’s teamwork like that which loses you matches.
Tommy stands, looks down at Young and grins, feeling the energy of the occasion. He snatches Young off the mat and up into a Fireman’s Carry. With minimal effort, just a tiny shift in bodyweight, Tommy flips Young over and crashes The Messiah Of The Kneestrike’s neck and upper back into Tommy’s knee.
Taylor: TOMMYKNOCKER!
Without a moment’s hesitation, Tommy charges up to a neutral corner, looks backwards over his shoulder and TAKES A LEAP OF FAITH, LANDING BACK FIRST ONTO THE PRONE RYAN YOUNG!
Taylor: STAGE DIVE! STAGE DIVE!
Tommy hooks the legs for a back press.
ONE!
TWO!
THR… BLOODIED FOX DIVES IN THE RING TO BREAK UP THE COVER!
Crowd: RY-AN YONG! RY-AN YOUNG!
Taylor: And it’s teamwork like that which WINS you matches.
Romano: Provided Young can get out of the ring. He’s taken a lot of punishment.
As if he can hear the commentary team, or at least isn’t too tired to keep his wrestling smarts, Young starts crawling for his own corner. Seth reaches a hand out for his stablemate, Fox too after he’s scampered back but Kuroi isn’t having any of that and enters the ring, again ignoring the referee’s protests and charges the full diagonal, extending both his arms and CLOTHESLINING BOTH OF THE OTHER LGBTKO MEMBERS OFF THE APRON. Kuroi raises his arms in triumph and walks back slowly to his own corner, stopping to throw a glare at Strychnine.
Taylor: Kuroi didn’t appreciate Tommy tagging himself in earlier.
Romano: Apart from the sounds of an opponent’s bones breaking,
Dylan Black is jumping up and down on the apron, extending an arm for the tag. Strychnine walks over to his own corner and tags out, heated words being exchanged between him and Kuroi. Dylan walks over to Ryan Young and kicks away at his rib cage. Black lifts young up and drops him with a sharply delivered inverted suplex. Young bounces and flips over, his ribs being targeted again as Black sees an opportunity to end this match with a flourish. He rushes up to the top turnbuckle and LEAPS OFF, SPINNING AND FLIPPNG IN THE AIR AND BRINGING HIS LEG DOWN ACROSS RYAN YOUNG’S CHEST!
Taylor: UNCALCULATED RISK!
Black holds for a cover…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… SETH BREAKS THE COVER UP!
Crowd: RY-AN YONG! RY-AN YOUNG!
From his own corner, Dylan hears a shouted command from Strychnine. After taking a couple of seconds to recover from the impact on his own body that the Uncalculated Risk causes, Dylan can see Tommy calling for Ryan Young to be brought over. Not knowing what Tommy has planned, Dylan decides to get on the same page with at least one of his teammates and he grabs a back waistlock on Young and bundles him towards Tommy. Strychnine grins and pulls out a branded Motley Crue hip flask, taking a generous swig and spitting it… RIGHT INTO DYLAN BLACK’S FACE AS RYAN YOUNG ESCAPES HIS GRIP AND SITS DOWN TO AVOID THE ALCOHOLIC MIST!
Taylor: WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!
Romano: Turns into a complete Foxtrot Uniform.
Dylan Black wheels away, blinded. Ryan Young gets the hell out of dodge, clutching his ribs. Kuroi with his massive strides, catches hold of Young’s boot to prevent him from reaching out for a tag Young somehow contorts his body around and swings his other leg round into an improvised shin kick to the side of Kuroi’s head. Kuroi staggers a little as Young leaps, reaching out and…
DOUBLE TAGS IN BOTH OF HIS LGBTKO COMPANIONS!
Crowd: YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!
Kuroi comes thundering in towards to two men entering the ring. DOUBLE DROPKICK stops that in its tracks. Young leans against the ropes, recovering but spots Kuroi being grabbed by both arms and flung towards the ropes by Fox and Dillinger and pulls the old “low bridge,” sending Kuroi clattering to the outside. Dillinger runs across the ring to plant an Enzuigiri onto Strychnine that sends him to the floor as well. Seth and Fox meet in the middle of the ring, exchange a glance and head off to opposite sides of the ring, HITTING KUROI AND STRYCHNINE WITH STEREO TOPE CON HILOS!
Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!
Taylor: It’s breaking down here!
Seth and Fox are on their feet and back in under the ropes in a heartbeat. Dylan Black is just about gaining his sight back and he looks around to see Bloodied Fox. What he doesn’t see is Seth Dillinger, who grabs one of his arms and Irish Whips him into Bloodied Fox… WHO SMASHES DYLAN’S CHIN INTO HIS SHOULDER!
Taylor: A DOUBLE TEAM HUSTLE, SWEETHEART!
Fox gets up quickly, looks across at Ryan Young who seems to have a little of his wind back again, STEREO SLINGSHOT PLANCHAS ONTO STRYCHNINE AND KUROI! SETH GOES FOR THE TOP ROPE! DYLAN BLACK IS DOWN FROM FOX’S FINISHER! FOUR-FIFTY SPLASH!
Taylor: ACIIIIIIIID RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN!
Seth covers..
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: The winners of this match. LGBTKO!
Taylor: LGBTKO! They’re thinking with one mind already.
Romano: It remains to be seen how they’ll fare against The Cure or Legion who are a more coherent unit, however.
Cameras pan out to show Anthony Craig's state of the art food truck sitting in the parking lot of the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, AWF security has the area around the food truck blocked off as fans gather around to watch the premiere of his new segment.
The Chef: Welcome to "The Sampler" with me Anthony Craig here on AWF television where you will be given just a sample of the five-star cuisine you can get at "Taste of Hong Kong". Now today I will be showing you just how to prepare and cook an Asian Style Roasted Quail. While I show you how to prep this dish I will explain just how this dish compares to our current Ascension Wrestling Federations Phoenix Champion and it's top contenders.
The cameras zoom out moving around showing the faces of the fans in the crowd around the food truck as the cheer "The Chef" Anthony Craig.
The Chef: Let us start off with a shortlist of ingredients that it will take to make this incredible Asian dish. We will start off with the main key ingredient 6 very moist and fresh young Quails. Just like in the AWF's Phoenix division where everyone is new and ripe to the company the Phoenix championship would be considered the Quail of it. Then let us gather up some of the spices and sauces that we will use to marinade our dish
Anthony Craig can be seen gathering up a few different bottles and jars of seasonings and sauces placing them on the counter in front of him as he continues to speak into the cameras. The faces of the fans show them with a look of hunger some almost look to be salivating already.
The Chef: So we will add all these ingredients into a large zip lock bag I will explain that a little later, so let us begin. 2 tbsp BBQ sauce I used honey garlic, 2 tbsp sesame seeds, 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce, 3 tbsp sesame oil dark, 2 tbsp honey,3 cloves garlic minced, 1 tbsp ginger fresh, minced, 1/4 cup white wine, 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. You see all of these ingredients no matter how minor or how little they maybe are key to bringing out the wondrous flavor that is within the Quail itself. Just like every member of the AWF's Phoenix division Xiaolong, Tommy Strychnine is just a couple of the members that make the division burst with flavor. When we place all of these components together and allow them to marinade we get a Five-Star dish.
The crowd can be heard chanting "CHEF, CHEF, CHEF, CHEF" as Anthony Craig continues his quick sampling of his dish.
The Chef: You all see I will allow the Quail to marinade in these seasonings just as I have been allowing the XHF Phoenix division to marinade and soon I will finish the recipe and creating a dish worthy of a Master Chef as I claim the Phoenix championship.
The cameras move about showing the fans standing around the barricade holding signs up for "The Chef" as they cheer him.
The Chef: But for now that's all I'm giving you, AWF fans, you simply get a Sample of what's to come from a "Taste of Hong Kong" and from 'The Chef" Anthony Craig inside an AWF ring.
Anthony Craig drops the takeout window on the Food truck as the cameras go black...
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a round three match in the End of Days tournament! Featuring first the challenger... Ai Moe!
Kill the Virgin by SCANDAL begins playing throughout the speakers as Ai comes out from the back. She blows kisses to the fans before she makes her way down the rampway. She shakes hands with fans and walks around the ring before she enters and blows more kisses to her fans.
Romano: I don’t even really know how Ai Moe was able to defeat Lynn Brewster, much less have half a chance against Death Trap.
Taylor: It’s true that Death Trap is almost three of her, but she is extremely talented. I’m sure that she can find a way to win like she did before.
Jessie Love: And her opponent... Death Trap!
The haunting vocal intro for "The Hard Sell" by Coheed and Cambria hits the speakers and the lights dim and blue and gold spotlights strobe around the arena. The XtremeTron lights up with a familiar theme as it reads, "Main Attraction ... Showing Once Again" A foot shatters the screen and we cut to images from DT's matches in MCCW against the likes of Nelly Angel, Weaselpop, and Eichi Yamaguchi. The first verse sets in as the screen shows DT landing on the floor of the arena and being handed the MCCW World title.
"I'm paranoid, and sick of this world's misconception of things I did. My language poured across this wrist in a metaphoric disaster."
DT slowly walks into a red spotlight on the stage with his head down hidden under a hoodie. It's black and has his custom interlocking DT logo with an italian flag and mariners compass on it on the back. He stands in the spotlight and slowly looks up showing off his signature bowler hat and sunglasses under the hood.
"My guess, I'm missing out the punchline, unless this hanging noose is fitted to be all mine. I stood by everything I loved, while you never understood me much..."
He flips the hood back and throws his hands up into a cross over his head before dropping them into his signature pose (the orton one, you know it.). The strobe blue and gold spotlights move faster around the arena as he soaks in the adoration of fans from two generations.
"Cuz there's only one ... of me. And too many of you, fighting over nothing. There's never enough cool for everyone and before you know it you're selling out to be in."
He unzips the hoodie and tosses it into the crowd and starts marching to the ring pointing to the MCCW World Heavyweight title around his waist and high fiving fans. He rolls into the ring and climbs the far corner and poses as gold pyro showers down from the overhead area. He leaps down and takes off the belt, kissing it and hands it to the referee before stretching on the ropes and waiting for the bell to ring to start the match.
Romano: Death Trap is a mountain of power standing next to the diminutive Ai Moe. This can’t end well for Ai.
Taylor: I disagree. I think that skill and talent can overcome sheer power.
Romano: Death Trap has skill, talent, AND power. She may as well lay down and save her a beating!
Taylor: This match is going to be closer than you think.
Romano: Death Trap has about fifteen inches on Ai Moe in height alone. It’s crazy!
Taylor: What’s he doing?
Romano: He’s challenging Ai Moe to a test of strength? How crazy can one get?
End of Days Tournament
Semifinal Match
Ai Moe (LXW) vs Death Trap (MCCW)
Death Trap holds his hands high overhead in an open challenge to Ai Moe for a test of strength. She gets in front of him, nearing her small body to his larger one. She reaches up to accept the challenge, but finds that Death Trap’s hands are out of her reach. Death Trap grins and gets down to his knees so that she can reach.
At first Ai Moe is insulted by the move, but she accepts the test of strength. Death Trap quickly begins to overpower her, rising to his feet as Ai Moe bends backwards in pain. Ai releases one hand and focuses on the other, turning the test of strength into an arm wringer that flips Death Trap to the mat. She continues to apply pressure with an armbar.
Death Trap works his way to his feet and breaks out of the armbar, tossing Ai Moe into the ropes. On the rebound, Ai ducks under a clothesline. She puts on the brakes and hits a side kick to the gut as Death Trap turns around. She follows this up with a heart palm strike that stuns him. She slips around behind him, hooks the arms, and hits a Tiger suplex for the cover!
One
Two
Th-Death Trap kicks out!
Ai Moe gets to her feet and is met by Death Trap. She goes for the Shoutei palm strike, but Death Trap catches her wrist. He pulls her into a short arm clothesline, sending her to the mat. Death Trap applies a wrist lock for a hot minute before pulling Ai Moe up and hurling her at the ropes.
Taylor: You see her feet leave the ground in that move?
Romano: Death Trap is that much bigger and stronger than her.
On the rebound, Death Trap hits a crane kick that flips Ai Moe over backwards to the mat, clutching at the side of her face. Death Trap picks Ai Moe up bodily and goes for a body slam, but just straight drops her on her head! He goes for the cover!
One
Two
Thr-Ai Moe kicks out!
Death Trap locks in a Seattle Stretch, cranking the pressure on. The ref checks to see if she will submit, but she refuses. She does however, get a foot on the ropes to make the ref break up the hold.
Romano: See? Death Trap has the greater strength and size. It’s making all of the difference.
Taylor: She’s a plucky little devil. I’m sure that she can make a comeback.
Death Trap stands up, watching Ai Moe stand up. He goes for a cutter, but Ai Moe seizes him instead, and hits an atomic drop. Ai jumps up, grabs Death Trap by the head, and pulls him backwards so that the back of his neck hits her on the knee. She hits a moonsault axe kick as Death Trap starts to sit back up! She gets Death Trap up and then onto her shoulders for an airplane spin into a tornado kick!
Taylor: How the heck did she get him onto her shoulders like that? Amazing! Or as the move is called “Love in Action”.
Romano: She must have some crazy martial arts strength.
As Death Trap starts to get up, Ai Moe applies the gedo clutch for the pinfall!
One
Two
Thr-Death Trap kicks out!
Ai Moe jumps to her feet, going for a roundhouse kick as Death Trap rises. He ducks under the kick, hitting a palm strike to the chin with enough force to send little Ai Moe flying through the air. She lands a few feet away in a heap as Death Trap gets to his feet.
Taylor: You see the impact on that palm strike?
Romano: It was crazy hard! See? Sheer power!
Death Trap picks Ai Moe up and drops her in a cradle ddt, the Main Attraction! He hooks a leg for the cover!
One
Two
Three! NO! Ai Moe gets a shoulder up!
Death Trap looks to the ref with a bit of a growl, but then just shakes his head when the ref points out that it was a two count. He stands up, pulls Ai Moe up, and throws her into the corner. He runs at her to hit a running roundhouse kick, but Ai Moe moves out of the way at the last moment! Death Trap kicks the middle turnbuckle, springboards from there, and misses a second kick aimed at Ai Moe’s head. Ai Moe catches him from behind and hits a German suplex!
Ai Moe gets back to her feet, waits for Death Trap to get up, and hits a spinning elbow into the midsection before hitting a snap mare to send Death Trap back down to the mat into a seated position. Ai hits a palm strike to the back of the neck, causing Death Trap to kink over to the side. Ai Moe picks Death Trap up to his knees, grabs him by the arms, and aims a kick for his head! Death Trap uses his brute strength to yank his arms away from Ai Moe, catching the foot. Ai Moe hops for a second and then jumps to kick Death Trap in the side of the head!
Ai Moe jumps up, grabbing Death Trap, and applying a rolling boston crab also known as Lover’s Clutch. Ai Moe keeps the hold on for a few moments, but runs into the ropes, and has to break the hold. She gets back up, goes to stand on her head onto the top rope, falls to bounce off of the ropes, and hits nothing but mat as Death Trap rolls out of the way!
Taylor: Ai Moe with the Influencer, but Death Trap was having none of it!
Romano: Not a lick!
Ai Moe gets up to one knee and Death Trap hits the shining wizard, Breakdown, and goes for the pinfall!
One
Two
Three! NO! Ai Moe gets a shoulder up!
Death Trap kneels up, grabs her by the hair in frustration, and slams the back of her head into the mat a few times before going for the pinfall again.
One
Two
Thre-Ai Moe kicks out!
Taylor: Ai Moe certainly has a lot of heart!
Romano: Also known as she doesn’t know when to give it up.
Death Trap gets to his feet and waits for Ai Moe to stand up. He kicks her in the gut and hits a cutter, Cutting the Strings! He applies the dragon clutch!
Romano: Death Trap with the Death Trap locked in!
Taylor: This one could be all over, folks!
It isn’t long before Ai Moe motions that she gives up.
Jessie Love: Winner of the match and moving on to the finals of the End of Days tournament... Death Trap!
Taylor: We are going to have one great final match for the tournament!
Romano: This is true. Any match with Death Trap in it has to be good.
Singles Match
If The Stormcrow wins, he's added to the United States Championship match.
Johnny Sniper vs. Stormcrow
Romano: Welcome back folks, and up next we have a very exciting match. Johnny Sniper will face off against the StormCrow in a contendership match for the US Title. Sniper recently took the strap from StormCrow, but with Danny Ray coming back to claim his shot StormCrow is left fighting for his chance.
Taylor: StormCrow held the title for only one bout, losing it due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
Romano: And what circumstances were those Tommy?
Taylor: ...intoxication, pretty much. Crow has let himself fall into his old path it seems, with Hyperion’s influence sending him back to the dark side. I’m a StormCrow fan so I’m hoping tonight goes better for the wrestling legend.
Romano: Well Johnny Sniper isn’t one to go down lightly, so he had better bring his A-game. And here he comes!
As Rage Against the machine starts to blast StormCrow’s familiar tune, the lights dim down and the tron glares a noir image of a desolate wasteland. Slowly building up the opening chords, the song fully erupts into a guitar riff...but with no StormCrow on stage. His music continues to play, but there is still no sign of him.
Romano: Looks like StormCrow is delayed backstage. Hopefully not dealing with another ‘unforeseen circumstance’.
The music continues to play until it is obvious StormCrow is not showing, and promptly gets cut. ‘Enter Shikari’ starts to blast as the US Champion walks out on stage, not too sure of what is happening. His US Title is strapped to his waist and he is holding his classic American flag, waving it around despite the weird start.
Romano: If Sniper is smart, he’ll go ahead as if the match is official. A no-show by StormCrow is a DQ, and it will make his End of Days fight one-on-one with Danny Ray.
Taylor: Yeah, but it would have been nice to see Crow at least make the effort to fight back for his belt. This is a shame if it goes to that point.
Sniper places his flag into a holder on stage and points at the stage, starting into a brisk jog. As he nears the end of the ramp, a fan leaps the barricade from the audience and takes him out in a flash with a hard spear! Sniper hits the ramp hard, immediately grabs the back of his skull. The fan, wearing a black hoodie and his face concealed, starts to wail down hard on the Champion, dropping hard kicks and boots into Sniper.
Taylor: Who the hell is that!
Romano: No idea, but he’s laying the hurt into Johnny Sniper!
The fan continues to beat down on Sniper, eventually picking him up and grabbing him from behind for a back suplex into a pile driver right onto the hard ramp platform!
Taylor: That’s ‘Death Becomes You’, Crow’s finisher! Is that…
The fan pulls off his hood to reveal himself as the StormCrow, a look of pure rage on his face. No face paint, no gimmicks, just sheer revenge and fury.
Romano: StormCrow is here, and this looks like we can officially have our match. But this is a hugely unfair start to the bout!
Taylor: Sniper is laid out to rest on that ramp, and Crow doesn’t seem to even hear the crowds disapproval.
Crow picks up Sniper and slides him into the ring, but he flops on the mat and can’t even move. Crow circles the ring and grabs a microphone from the announcers table.
Crow: Hey...hey! Shut the fuck up will ye! This punk took advantage of me when I was whacked out of my gourd, and now I’m repaying the favour. Jessie Love, make the call… I’m cashing in my rematch right now! Me and Sniper for that US belt.
The crowd goes wild in a mixture of reactions, as Crow has a dispute with Jessie. She doesn’t know what to do, and is unsure of whether she can even make this match legal.
Crow: What’s the damn hold-up, get on your mic and make it official. StormCrow and Sniper, US Title match. Right here and right fucking now!
Barely stirring in the ring, Sniper is in no condition to defend his belt right now but Crow isn’t having any of it, still fighting with Jessie on the outside. That’s when…
‘Family Man’ starts to hit the PA, and the namesake himself marches out on stage holding his own microphone. Danny Ray starts on his way to the ring, microphone held up.
Danny: Whoa whoa whoa there Tommy, it doesn’t work that way. I’m owed my rematch first and foremost, there won’t be any skipping the line going on around me. You just back up there and know your place.
Crow: Fuck you Ray, your time has past. I beat you fair and square, then I lost. You rematch went out the window when this piece of trash robbed the belt from me.
Danny: That’s too bad man, but I don’t give a shit. I’m owed a rematch, and if anyone is facing Sniper tonight...it’s me!
Danny drops the microphone and runs to the ring, sliding in to stand across from Crow who has slid in on his side. Both men stand over the downed Sniper, staring at each other.
Taylor: Well this has suddenly become explosive!
Romano: You can say that again, all three men in the ring are hungry for that gold and Sniper, the man wearing the belt, can’t even stand up!
Taylor: This looks like it is ready to go off- I’ve spoken too soon!
Without delay, Crow and Danny Ray start exchanging hard blows to one another, bashing each other with wild hay-makers and driving each other to the corner. They scramble over one another, punching and slapping but showing zero caution to the world especially Sniper. As they are entirely distracted, Sniper gets up and cleans then both out with a double-diving clothesline!
Crowd: WOO!
Sniper, Crow and Danny all entangled in a hard brawl, lashing out at one another without regard for what comes next. The referee rings the bell looking for some control but doesn’t get it. The crowd is loving this when suddenly;
Steele: OK enough is enough! Security, get those men out of my ring... now!
At the command of the commissioner, a group of security run towards the ring and help to break up the brawl inside. After some wild hits and kicks, they finally pull all three men apart, leaving the middle of the ring empty...except for the US title sitting on the mat.
Steele: All of this for a piece of gold...you guys are giving me ire. Well fine, Crow you wanted your rematch against Sniper? You got it!
The crowd pops, cheers for both sides.
Steele: And Danny you want your rematch against Crow? You got it too!
Another pop from the crowd.
Steele: And Sniper...well, you got yourself into this mess, so you get to have fun working it out… End of Days, that US Championship will be up for grabs… Johnny Sniper, Danny Ray and the StormCrow… Triple Threat! Boom, there it's done. Now… security, please escort these men back to where they belong and empty my damn ring. We’ve a show to put on.
The crowds cheer and shout as the three fighters are dragged out of the ring, all being lead away in different directions. Sniper gets his title back with enough time to hold it up in the air and yell at the competitors, which only rises their blood higher.
Romano: Well I guess that make it official then! We will have a triple threat at the End of Days! Johnny Sniper versus Danny Ray, versus StormCrow! Three US Champions in one squared circle.
Taylor: I for one cannot wait for that, if the energy tonight is anything to go by that match is going to be dynamite! We’ll take a quick break now folks to clear up this mess, and be right back after these few words from our sponsors.
Jessie Love: The following is a tag team match scheduled for one fall...
Crowd: ONE FALL!
The lights in the arena blink with the beat of the intro to Fozzy's "Sandpaper", then are brought up in a blinding momentary flash as the lyrics kick in and Rocco Rose steps through the curtain to a hail of boos. Rocco doesn't quite have the swagger he had earlier in the night. He storms down the aisle with a scowl on his face, fuming over his loss to Vastrix. He walks the steps slowly and deliberately, wiping his feet on the apron before stepping through the ropes.
Jessie Love: Introducing first... from Venice Beach, California... weighing in at 224 pounds... ROCCOOOOO ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!
Romano: You can see that Rocco is taking his loss in the End of Days tournament hard.
Taylor: It was a hard-fought match. For all my misgivings towards Rocco, he put on an impressive showing.
"Be Legendary" by Pop Evil starts playing over the sound system. The fans start to cheer in anticipation as purple lights swirl around the arena. When the lyrics come in, all of the house lights come up, illuminating the entire arena in a swathe of Purple and the spotlights converge on the entrance way as Bobby Barratt appears on the stage. The fans go crazy as he allows their cheers to wash over him for a second before heading down to the ring. He heads down to the ring with a plodding intensity that sees him walk past the fans, focused on the match ahead. Bobby hops to the apron and wipes his feet before springing over the top rope and taking in the adoration of the fans.
Jessie Love: ...and his partner... from Walsall, United Kingdom... weighing in at 203 pounds... BOOBBBBYYYYY BARRRAAATTTTTTT!
Bobby looks over at Rocco, who is still visibly upset about the match earlier. He raises an eyebrow, wary of his partner's mental state.
Taylor: Well, Bobby looks like he's unsure about Rocco.
Romano: Rocco requested this match to prove himself to Bobby, but he's probably not in the right headspace after that loss earlier.
Taylor: We'll see if he holds up his end of the bargain.
The arena goes dark. For a few moments, the sound of only the song beginning with nothing else.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
The knocking goes on for a few moments. Until the sudden sound of a harsh electronic melody plays. The first riff goes on, and on cue- a spotlight shines down- on Drago Santiago. He has his arms stretched out, seemingly engulfing the light. Then another riff, another light shining down Dreadvan beside him- standing still as both men began to look towards the ring. The third riff goes off, and Vincent Draven appears. Also behind Drago as the mini-trons flicker with static until it shows two words;
The Cure.
Don't fret precious I'm here
Step away from the window
And go..
Back to sleeeeep..
The three begin making their way to the ring with a slow pace as the spotlights follow them.
Jessie Love: ...and their opponents... at a combined weight of 595 pounds... THE CUUUUUUURE!
Safe from pain
And truth
And
choice
The other poison devils?
See, they don't give a fuck about you
Like I do
As the three climb in. They climb up the turnbuckles and raise their arms. Soaking up the energy of the night with arrogance and vicious intentions.
Counting bodies like sheep
Counting bodies like sheep
Counting bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums
Counting bodies like sheep
The trip climb down from their positions. The lights began to turn back on as the three go to their respective positions. Dreadvan takes his place at ringside as Draven and Drago hand off the XHF Tag Team belts to an official.
Taylor: Seeing Dreadvan in an AWF ring is surreal.
Romano: The Cure shocked the world last week by adding Dreadvan to their ranks.
Taylor: This week, he's standing guard at ringside.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
The Cure (Drago & Draven) (c) vs. Bobby Barratt & Rocco Rose
DING DING DING!
The bell rings and the match starts. Bobby Barratt and Draven start off in the ring together. Bobby runs at Draven to lock him in to a front hold, but Draven slips around behind him and wraps him up for a German suplex. Bobby throws an elbow to get out, but Draven ducks it, dropping low and sweeping Bobby's legs out from under him. Bobby hits the mat, back-first, staring up at the lights. Draven quickly strikes Bobby with a knee to the shoulder while he's on the ground, then another for good measure. Bobby rolls away and gets back up to his feet, staring down the Vampire Prince.
Taylor: Some impressive offense on display from Draven.
Draven runs at the standing Bobby and lunges for a running knee strike. Bobby quickly dashes out of the way, and Draven eats nothing but rope, getting his knee caught up in the middle rope. Bobby moves behind him as he struggles to get free and wraps him up from behind, then sends him FLYING with a release German suplex! Draven tumbles on the mat a bit and skids to a stop. Bobby is quick to follow up as Draven tries to scramble to his feet, but Bobby drives him back into the corner. He winds up and CHOPS him hard across the chest, earning a WOOOO! from the crowd. Bobby leans in with a forearm, pressing Draven against the corner and holding his neck there. The referee counts him off...
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
F--
Bobby steps away, taking up his mandated five seconds and giving Draven some room. The referee checks on him, and he's okay. Meanwhile, in the corner, Rocco is asking for the tag to prove himself. Bobby looks at him skeptically.
Romano: Rocco wants to redeem himself from earlier.
Taylor: Bobby has things under control, and plus, he's still not sure about Rocco!
Bobby turns back to Draven, who EXPLODES out of the corner with a lariat. Bobby eats a faceful of forearm as the back of his head hits the mat. Bobby rolls over to his hands and knees as Draven spins back around and runs, punting him in the ribs. Bobby clutches at his chest and gasps for air, the wind knocked out of him. Draven licks his lips and glances over at Drago, who holds out his hand. Draven grabs Bobby's arm and drags him over to the Cure's corner, dragging him up and pressing him against the corner. He reaches over and slaps Drago's hand, who enters the ring. Draven grabs Drago by the arm and begins to whip him towards the opposite corner, then they use their leverage as momentum to reverse course, whipping Drago HARD into Bobby! Draven climbs out to the apron, satisfied.
Romano: The Cure are showing they know how to work as a tag team, putting a little extra hurt on Bobby.
Drago wastes no time in continuing the assault, unleashing a flurry of kicks to Bobby's legs. Bobby eventually gives way to the assault, dropping to his knees. Drago takes a few steps back and squares him up, then straight up slams his foot into the side of Bobby's head. Bobby is lights out! Drago grabs one of Bobby's legs and drags him out of the corner a bit, stomping down on them. He smiles at the crowd, who shower him with jeers. With Bobby positioned near the ropes, Drago starts to hammer away, holding onto the ropes for balance, with STOMP after STOMP after STOMP after STOMP on his legs.
Taylor: Drago is fully fresh and is putting the hurt on Bobby!
Romano: Well, this is a tag team match. If Bobby would just tag his partner in, he could get a breather too.
Drago finally drops down and puts on an ankle-lock on Bobby, who easily reaches out and grabs the ropes. The referee IMMEDIATELY calls for Drago to stop. The referee eventually gets up in Drago's face, forcing him to break the assault and let go of the ropes. Drago proceeds to argue with the referee, who isn't backing down, getting even more in Drago's face. While the referee is turned away, Dreadvan reaches under the ropes and grabs Bobby's leg, dragging him to the corner and SLAMMING his leg against the corner post! Jeers come raining down from the crowd and Dreadvan takes a few steps away. By the time the referee turns around, he isn't sure what happened. Rocco Rose starts to get into the ring to help, but the ref turns and forces him back out to try and maintain control of the match.
Taylor: I'm honestly shocked Rocco tried to help!
Romano: You keep doubting him, Taylor.
Rocco relents and steps back out to the apron, frustrated. Bobby is writhing in the corner, clutching at his leg. He starts to climb towards the middle of the ring. Drago watches him and just laughs mockingly at him. Bobby nearly makes it to the center and Drago stops him short, then grabs his leg and spins to the mat, locking in a kneebar! Drago goes to pull Bobby's leg out, but Bobby locks in his knee, holding firm to stop him. Drago struggles and pulls and Bobby grits his teeth, letting out a warcry. He JUST manages to get his other leg locked over his ankle in a figure four, prevent Drago from fully locking in the kneebar! Bobby uses his elbows to push himself up and over top of Drago, which is actually a pin...
ONE!
TWO!
Drago releases the knee and gets his shoulder up.
Taylor: Just impressive resilience from Bobby here.
Bobby crawls towards his corner where Rocco waits. Rocco leans over, Bobby leaps... AND DRAGO STOPS HIM AGAIN! Drago catches a foot and drags Bobby away. Frustrated, Rocco finally just gets in the ring. He beelines straight for Drago, but the Bringer of Death sees him coming and ducks away! The referee gets involved and tries to escort Rocco back out of the ring, but he isn't having it. He's standing his ground. Now, Dreadvan, at ringside, peels up the ring apron and begins dragging out some steel chairs. The referee sees THIS and turns his attention away from Rocco, warning them not to get involved. Dreadvan tosses a chair to Draven and one to Drago, who both catch them. With that, Dreadvan and Draven step into the ring alongside Drago, all three member of the Cure brandishing chairs.
Romano: This is going to get ugly.
Taylor: The Cure have had enough, and if they can't put Bobby down the legal way, they'll do it with chairs.
The three members of the Cure surround Rocco, who stands in between them and Bobby. Rocco glances at all three of them, squaring up, then turns and looks down at Bobby, then back to the Cure. He looks at the biggest man in the group, Dreadvan, and walks right up to him, getting in his face.
Romano: The BALLS on Rocco to stand up to Dreadvan!
Draven and Drago look ready to pounce. Rocco looks up at Dreadvan, then down at the chair in his hand... HE RIPS THE CHAIR AWAY FROM DREADVAN! He spins, turning to face Drago and Draven, who look at him with an evil smirk, then turn to look down at Bobby Barratt.
Taylor: Stop them, Rocco!!
Draven and Drago step up to Bobby, chairs in hand... then take a step back. They both graciously gesture towards Bobby, still lying on the mat, and Rocco Rose steps forward...
WHAM
Rocco cracks the chair down over Bobby. The boos from the arena are DEAFENING.
Taylor: What the hell!?
Rocco smirks and glances over at the rest of the Cure. Draven steps up.
WHAM
Drago's next.
WHAM
Rocco takes another turn.
WHAM
Dreadvan stomps up and just CRUSHES Bobby with a stomp to the gut. Bobby is crumpled into a heap. Drago, Draven, Rocco, and Dreadvan take a step to the side, lining up side by side... and they all raise each other's hands in the air, soaking in the uproarious boos from the crowd.
Taylor: Did... did Rocco just...
Romano: I think he did. Rocco is part of the Cure, now.
Taylor: Why!? All because he lost to Vastrix?
Romano: We'll have to hear him explain himself to be sure.
After soaking it up for a moment, the foursome break formation and surround Bobby on all sides to continue the beatdown. Rocco takes point, holding the chair above his head, and bringing it down--
"Sometimes you've gotta... close a door... to open a window..."
The thick rolling bassline from "NEW MAGIC WAND" by Tyler the Creator thumps out over the arena. The crowd EXPLODES as three men dart out of the entryway and down the ramp. Bloodied Fox hits the ring first, sliding in and ducking a standing clothesline from Dreadvan to tackle Rocco Rose. Ryan Young dives through the second rope at Drago, knocking him down. Draven turns just in time to see Seth Dillinger running up the steps, hopping the top rope, and flying off with a missle dropkick, sending him to the mat as well.
Taylor: LGBTKO IS HERE!
Romano: Not a moment too soon.
Ryan Young is tearing into Drago with mounted punches, but he's suddenly lifted up off of him. Dreadvan carries him high in the air with ease, lifting him up in a gorilla press, before simply letting him fall to the mat and eat canvas. Seth Dillinger is down, checking on Bobby, trying to get him safely out of the ring. He calls over Bloodied Fox, who looks at him increduously. Seth shouts for help to get Bobby to safety. Fox is confused, and can be seen asking "HIM!??". Seth nods frantically and Fox finally runs over to help. They both take Bobby by a shoulder and help him to his feet, trying to get him to safety. Dreadvan turns and sees this and charges at them like a freight train, bowling over all three of them.
Romano: LGBTKO's rescue attempt may have gone awry.
Drago and Draven are back up to their feet, along with Rocco. The three of them begin to approach the trio that Dreadvan just bowled over... BUT RYAN YOUNG IS BACK UP, AND HE'S GOT A CHAIR! Young cracks Draven over the back of the head. Rocco turns and Young drives the tip of the chair into his gut, keeling him over. Draven and Rocco both roll out of the ring, nursing their chairshot wounds. Young keeps the chair positioned up in front of him as Dreadvan and Drago turn and start to approach. Young starts backing away, his mind racing, thinking of a way to get out of this. Meanwhile, Fox manages to slide out of the ring, grabbing Bobby's legs and trying to drag him to safety. Seth helps by pushing Bobby out of the ring. Bobby gets to the floor and Fox holds him up until he's able to stand on his own two feet. Seth stands up and sees Ryan Young in trouble.
Taylor: LGBTKO need to think fast!
Dreadvan runs at Ryan like a freight train again, attempting to impale him against the corner... but Ryan manages to somersault underneath him! Dreadvan heads into the corner face-first and Ryan cracks him over the back with the chair. Seth follows up with a running dropkick to the upper part of Dreadvan's back, sending him tumbling over the top rope to the floor.
Romano: You feel that!? I swear Dreadvan just shook the arena.
Drago responds by jacking Ryan in the jaw with a mean elbow, then slamming his head against his nose. Ryan busts open, blood flowing freely, clutching at his face. Drago finishes by grabbing Ryan's hair and unceremoniously tossing him out of the ring. He turns and finds himself alone in the ring with Seth Dillinger.
Taylor: Oh boy...
Romano: This has been a long time coming.
Drago smirks at Seth and the two circle each other. Drago asks for a microphone and is handed one.
Drago: Typical Seth. You just had to insert yourself where you don't belong. Can't go five minutes without the world seeing you in the spotlight, right?
Seth jaws off at him, responding with something inaudible. Drago stares him down.
Drago: The Cure has gained a new member tonight. Someone who values what we value. We are unstoppable. You and the rest of your wannabe "good guys" want to stand in our way? Then we'll mow you down. Your time is coming, Seth. One day, sooner than you think, you'll get the chance to feel your metacarpals SNAP in my hands. But... not yet.
Drago paces around. At ringside, Fox and Bobby have made it to the ramp, now checking on Ryan, who is still bleeding profusely. Drago laughs.
Drago: I suggest you pay close attention at End of Days. Because what I'm about to do to Hyperion... if I can do that to a titan, imagine what I can do to a whiny, privileged, entitled piece of shit like you. I'm starting to see why your precious Daddy gave up the ghost all those years ago. He couldn's stand the shame of having you as a kid!
The crowd just fucking erupts. Seth's collected demeanor immediately disappates and the rage takes over. He charges the ring at Drago. And just as the two are about to clash--
LIGHTS OUT
Confused shrieks and shouts from the crowd are the only audible thing. Then, a single spotlight flashes back on. The only thing illuminated is the center of the ring where Seth is held high in the air, with a titan's hand around his throat. Hyperion stands, AWF Prestige Championship over his shoulder, holding Seth Dillinger up in the air while staring lasers through Drago. Seth claws at his throat, trying to break free, but it's no use. Hyperion shows no emotion as he plants Seth on the mat with The High One. Another three spotlights flash on behind Hyperion in the ring, where Natasha, Kuroi, and Stormcrow stand. Another spotlight flashes on, illuminating Drago. Hyperion produces a microphone and takes a single step towards Drago.
Hyperion: Foolish. While I prepare to wage war inside a cage with you, you waste your time with battles against meager foes who are preoccupied with childish concepts like virtue and justice.
Hyperion motions back to his Legion stablemates.
Hyperion: We achieve strength through solidarity. At End of Days, you and I will be locked inside a cage. No cheap tactics. You will not have your precious Cure to help you seize victory. You will have only yourself. But I...
Hyperion turns back to Drago.
Hyperion: I will have the strength of a god flowing through me. I will have the collective power of dozens of Legion loyalists and the support of my brothers Kuroi and Stormcrow, and my sister, Natasha. Pray that our match is over quickly, Drago. Pray that it may not be your last.
Drago now charges towards Hyperion. But...
LIGHTS OUT
After a moment, they come back up. Legion are gone. Drago is left in the ring with an unconscious Seth Dillinger. Drago starts to scream out into the void, telling Hyperion to come back and face him. Medical attendants rush down to check on Seth and Ryan Young as the screen fades to black.