The AWF Presents: Prestige Fifty Two - LIVE from Topeka, KS
May 5, 2020 16:37:30 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Kira Izumi, and 1 more like this
Post by ForeverKuroi on May 5, 2020 16:37:30 GMT -5
Ascension Wrestling Federation Presents:
Live at the The Landon Arena in Topeka, KS.
5/09/2020
Capacity: 10,000
In Attendance: 0
Somewhere in the myriad of backstage hallways Graysie Parker strides with a purpose. Not yet dressed to work the Iron Butterfly sports an AWF babydoll tee and a black pair of workout tights over running shoes. She rounds a corner and comes to a stop in front of a closed door marked Cross/Dakota. Taking a deep breath she absently wonders how much bigger that Cross and Dakota’s dressing room is than her own. Rolling her eyes at the temarity of her own inner-thoughts she raises her right hand to knock at the door.
”Can I help you?”
Startled, Graysie nearly jumps out of her skin. She turns on the voice, aware of Eric Dane’s lessons about not getting caught with her guard down at any time while at a venue where a wrestling show is taking place. Cross Recoba stares back at her with a curious look on his face.
Recoba: You wouldn’t be about to start a fight with my Dakota, now, would you?
That being the farthest thing from her mind it takes Graysie a moment to totally grasp the concept. Her thoughts wander right back to Dane’s words about backstage scraps and it all comes together. She blurts an answer in an attempt to assuage the awkwardness of the situation.
Graysie: Oh! No! Of course not!
Recoba’s eyebrow raises skeptically.
Recoba: Really? Then what pray tell are you doing here?
She hesitates.
Recoba: Come on then, spit it out.
Graysie: Would you believe me if I told you I came to bury the hatchet?
Recoba makes a face, this isn’t at all what he expected when he walked up on Graysie. He brushed an errant hair out of his face before pressing the young Suplex Siren further.
Recoba: Come on now, Eric Dane’s Great White Hype wants to make nice-nice with Dakota? You got some swampland in Texas you wanna sell us, too?
Parker sighs, she contemplates just giving up. It doesn’t last.
Graysie: Look around, Cross, do you see Eric anywhere? No? Good, then maybe you wanna talk to me instead of guessing what he might want, mmkay?
Cross tries to say something, Graysie cuts him off.
Graysie: No, seriously, drop the cool guy act for five seconds and hear me out.
She crosses her arms over her chest indignantly.
Recoba: Fine.
Graysie: Things got real personal real fast between me and Dakota. And, to be honest, there wasn’t any need for it. Eric, being Eric, and doing his job, got under her skin. And she got super mad at me, and I got super mad at her, blah blah blah you know what happened. The point is, I don’t want this to end up turning into some kind of a thing that goes on forever. I…
She hesitates again, trailing off…
Graysie: Look. I don’t exactly have any friends here. Eric and I aren’t what you’d call friendly, I mean we get along and he’s my manager and all of that, but… well I mean look at you. You’ve got Card, and now you’ve got Dakota… I just… I don’t-
The door to the dressing room opens and out bursts Dakota Jennings.
Dakota: Hey! What’s all the racket out-
Jennings takes a moment to take in the scene. She eyeballs Cross, then turns her glare on Graysie and every bit of the smile that she had melts off of her face. The tension is palpable.
Dakota: What. The. FUCK! Do you think you’re doing talking to MY man? Are you tryin’ ta get yourself fucked up AGAIN?!
‘Kota steps toward Graysie, who backs away in an attempt to not appear threatening. Cross Recoba steps between his woman and Graysie, but Jennings screams over his shoulder.
Dakota: YEAH YOU BETTER BACK UP, BITCH!
Graysie backs further away, clearly at a loss of what to do. She turns and speeds away back to where she came from, all the while listening to Dakota Jennings cussing her for everything that she’s worth.
Jessie Love: The following match is a singles contest scheduled for one fall!
”Super Dragon’s here and I’m ready for a fight!” The arena hypes up in anticipation as “Kung Fu Fighting” hits the arena speakers and Xiaolong steps onto the stage. He stretches and looks out at the crowd soaking in the atmosphere before sprinting down the ramp. He springs over the top rope and somersaults to his feet and into his dragon stance. He soaks in the crowd reaction as he backs into a corner to await his foe.
Jessie Love: Entering first, from Hong Kong at 6 feet and 225 pounds … XIAOLONG!
Taylor: And here is Xiaolong, looking to get back on track and gain some momentum as we head towards Clash of the Icons.
Romano: An interesting style mix in this match with the striking style of Sniper against the more technical assault of the former Little Dragon.
*
”Johnny Sniper” by Enter Shikari blasts over the AWF speakers. Sniper appears on stage holding an American flag before placing it in a holder on the stage he salutes it then turns around and salutes the audience after running down the ramp and sliding in under the bottom rope he takes a knee and performs a hand gun gesture at his opponent. He backs into the corner as the referee, Steve Tyrell, checks both men for illegal objects.
Jessie Love: And his opponent, from Parris Island, South Carolina at 6 feet 2 inches and 217 pounds, JOHNNY SNIPER!
Romano: Sniper is back with some momentum following the XHF Rumble in which he put on an admirable performance after returning from injury.
Taylor: He managed to eliminate former AWF Prestige Champion, Chris Card! What a huge momentum boost for Johnny!
Singles Match
Johnny Sniper vs. Xialong
The two men stride to the center of the ring and begin feeling each other out as Tyrell calls for the bell. The bell rings and the two men circle around the ring, looking for an opening. They lock up in a collar and elbow tie-up and begin to jostle around the ring. Sniper gets his right arm free and sends a forearm to the head of Xiaolong. Xiaolong breaks the tie-up and sends a slap to the face of Sniper followed by a chop. Sniper shrugs it off and sends a right hand to the head. Xiaolong recoils and Sniper takes advantage to push Xiaolong onto the corner. Xiaolong springs out and is met with a jab to the face. Sniper lays in a few more quick punches before Xiaolong catches one and torques the arm into an arm wrench. He transitions it into a wrist lock and around into a hammerlock. Sniper is more caught off guard than anything. He swings his right elbow back to hit Xiao in the head. Xiao ducks the second strike and Sniper spins out of the hammerlock. Xiao hits a few quick palm strikes to the chest then sets up a roaring elbow but Sniper ducks it and runs off the ropes. He hits a shoulder barge knocking Xiao down. He runs off the ropes and Xiao rolls on the mat causing him to hurdle him and return off the ropes again. Xiao catches him with a drop toe hold and kips up.
Taylor: What an brilliant display by these two seasoned AWF competitors. They are really trying to impress with their early strikes and technical work.
Romano: Well that’s how it has to be, neither one of them has a clear size or power advantage. It becomes a question of who adjusts to the other the best.
Sniper pushes back to his feet and shakes out the cobwebs. The two lunge in for another grapple and Sniper hits a snap mare. Xiao aches back and catches Sniper with a head kick from the ground allowing him to roll to his feet and hit a dropkick. Sniper stumbles to the ropes but comes back with a series of haymakers. As they hit the ropes Sniper whips Xiao and drops for a back body drop but Xiao rolls over his back and continues off the next ropes and springboards off with a bicycle kick to the torso. Sniper falls to the mat but kips up himself and the two begin to exchange punches before Sniper ducks a martial arts round house kick and boots Xiao in the stomach and hits a heart punch. Xiao drops to his knees holding his chest allowing Sniper to hit a Shining wizard. He pins.
ONE!
Kickout by Xiaolong.
Romano: Good sequence from the former armed forces man but it’s far too early to put away a fighter as well versed and experienced as Little Dragon.
Taylor: Yeah Sniper’s striking prowess is on display early but Xiao doesn’t seem to fazed by it.
Sniper gets to his feet and pulls Xiao up by his head before unloading with a flurry of left and right jabs. Xiao sends a pair of kicks to the left shin and hip of Sniper to break it up then whips him off the ropes. Sniper leaps up and tries for the Headshot springboard enzuigiri but Xiao forward rolls underneath it and springboards himself. As Sniper turns he is crushed by a roaring spinning kung fu kick to the head. Sniper goes down in a heap and Xiao dives on for a crippler crossface. Sniper howls in pain as Steve Tyrell asks if he wants to continue. After about five seconds Sniper is able to push with his right hand and roll on top of Xiaolong.
ONE!
Xiao breaks the hold and kicks Sniper off of him.
As Sniper slowly stands Xiao catches him with a Japanese arm drag. Sniper is quick to his feet but hit with another before Xiao tries to lock in the stepover arm lock. Sniper however is able to grab the bottom rope and pull away. Steve Tyrell tells Xiao to back off. Xiao waits as Sniper pulls up on the ropes to stand but then lunges in with a dragon screw sending him to the mat. He sits Sniper up and kicks him square in the back. He follows with a kick to the chest sending Sniper to the mat. He then hooks the leg with a jackknife pin.
ONE!
Sniper fights free just before two.
Taylor: Xiaolong starting to take control with those martial arts moves of his.
Romano:Don’t count out Sniper, he is a skilled fighter and can easily bring this back his way.
Xiao runs to the ropes and springboards off for a plancha but Sniper gets to his knees and catches him on his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. He then falls back with a samoan drop. Both men stay down briefly before Sniper rolls into a mount and rains head punches and body blows on the wily tactician. The ref tells Sniper to break it up so he does. He pulls Xiao up and hits a knee to the gut before adding a double axe handle to the back. Xiao stumbles to the ropes. Sniper charges in with a splash but Xiao moves out of the way and on the rebound hits a roaring discus punch and a sling blade. Xiao starts to get pumped up from the crowd getting into it and starts stomping the chest of Sniper. Sniper catches the fourth stomp and torques the ankle before pulling Xiao to the mat with a leg grapevine and a knee bar. He rolls to his feet and runs off the ropes with a boot to the side of the head on his kneeling opponent. He then locks in a dragon sleeper yelling to the crowd.
Romano: What a nice counter maneuver to get into that sleeper hold by the former US Champ.
Taylor: Neither one of these men is disappointing so far Cassius.
Steve Tyrell asks Xiaolong if he wants to submit. Xiao shouts no! Sniper torques the hold back harder and pulls Xiao to a standing position so he can then grapevine the body and fall back to the mat with the hold locked in tighter. Xiao is flailing to try and break free. He rolls slightly so he is on top of Sniper.
ONE!
Sniper rolls back onto his side keeping the hold synched in tight. Xiao inches towards the ropes then rolls back onto the pin.
ONE!
TWO!
Sniper again forces him off but still keeps the sleeper locked in. Xiao this time rolls the other way and is able to splay his arm over the rope.
The ref forces the hold to be broken and Sniper wastes no time picking up Xiaolong and hitting a flurry of punches and forearm shots. He backs Xiao into the corner and hits a few shoulder tackles to the gut before climbing the turnbuckle and raining punches down. The crowd counts along.
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! S—no!
Xiaolong headbutts Sniper in the chest stopping the flurry then goes low between the legs. Sniper turns on the turnbuckle and Xiaolong hits him with the Dragon Spinner!
Taylor:Monkey flip off the middle rope!
Romano: That has to put Sniper in a world of hurt.
Xiao crawls into a pin.
ONE!
TWO!
Sniper rolls the shoulder.
Xiaolong takes a few seconds to catch his breath and pulls Sniper to a sitting position before hitting a basement dropkick. Sniper uses the momentum to roll back to his feet but is hit with a discus lariat for his trouble. Xiaolong goes for a pin but Sniper rolls him into a cradle and Xiao has to roll the package again into the ropes breaking the whole thing up. Both men move to their feet and Sniper grabs Xiao and whips him into the corner and chases. Xiao however runs up the turnbuckles and backflips over Sniper. Sniper returns the favor by leaping to the middle turnbuckle and springboarding off catching Xiaolong with the enzuigiri!
Romano: Whoa what a Headshot from Sniper.
Taylor: Both men’s acrobatic prowess is now coming out and I love every second of it!
Sniper goes up to the top rope and taunts to the crowd. He calls for Xiaolong to stand and when he does, Sniper leaps and hits a diving European Uppercut to Little Dragon sending him back to the mat. He stands and hits a rolling senton onto Xiaolong and hooks the leg.
ONE!
TWO!
Xiaolong kicks out.
Sniper pulls Xiaolong up but Xiao grabs the tights and pulls as he falls back sending Sniper tumbling through the middle and lower ropes to the floor. Xiaolong is able to catch his breath for a minute as Sniper crawls to the barricade and pulls to his feet. Xiaolong springs off the opposing ropes and comes back with a springboard plancha. The crowd roars in approval. Xiao pops to his feet and roars in approval. He climbs the apron and springboards off with a moonsault. Sniper is down again holding his ribs in agony. Steve Tyrell is beginning his count.
ONE!
Xiaolong lock in a stepover ankle lock. Sniper howls in pain!
TWO!
THREE!
Sniper uses the barricade to pull himself out of the hold. Xiao reacts with a roaring elbow. Sniper is breathing heavily and grimacing in pain. Xiao again lines him up but as he charges for a discus elbow, Sniper hooks the arm and drops Xiao with a float over DDT.
FOUR!
Romano: These men need to get back in the ring!
FIVE!
Taylor: Neither one is moving yet.
SIX!
Sniper begins to stir. He climbs to his feet.
SEVEN!
Sniper rolls into the ring then back out resetting the count. He picks up Xiaolong and whips him into the barricade spine first. Xiao arches his back in agony but Sniper waits for him to move off the barricade before hitting the Lock’n Load shotgun dropkick sending Xiao crashing into the steel steps with a sickening thud.
ONE!
TWO!
Sniper takes a bit to catch his breath and slowly approaches Xiao. Xiao kicks him in the shin and Sniper crashes face first off those same steps as Xiao crawls away.
THREE!
FOUR!
Xiao stomps on the right hand of Sniper which he has placed on the steps. Sniper recoils in pain. Xiao steps back for a move but Sniper roars to life with a massive clothesline sending both men to the padding outside the ring.
FIVE!
SIX!
Sniper pushes to his hands and knees. He grabs Xiao by his mask and whips him into the ring. He then climbs the steps.
SEVEN!
Sniper now steps one leg through the ropes but Xiao springs to life with a knee trembler to the ribs and hip as Sniper spills into the ring. Xiao hits a standing senton before pulling Sniper into the drop zone. He climbs the turnbuckles.
Taylor: Looks like Xiaolong is going high risk again here.
Romano: Both men have got to be tired. This may not pay off.
Xiaolong waits as Sniper moves to his knees and then drops a huge diving leg drop right across the spine. He then immediately transitions into a bow and arrow lock. Sniper is writhing in agony as his back is contorted. Sniper reaches out in every direction looking for salvation. Xiaolong yells at him to tap out. Referee Steve Tyrell is right there asking if Sniper quits.
Romano: Serious damage being done to the back of Sniper here.
Taylor: Xiaolong may be setting up a later move.
Sniper is able to wriggle free of the hold and roll under the bottom rope. Xiao sprints off the opposing ropes with a baseball slide dropkick sending Sniper spilling to the floor and landing on his back. He rolls onto his stomach and arches his back in agony as Xiao refuses to let up. He grabs the top rope and flips over it with a double foot stomp to the back. Xiao taunts to the crowd before grabbing Sniper and rolling him into the ring. Sniper tries to take advantage by immediately reaching through the ropes but gets a Pele kick for his troubles. Xiao again climbs to the apron and springboards off with an attempt at a roaring superman punch but Sniper drops to the mat to avoid it. Xiao lands on his feet and turns around into a boot to the gut and a cradle piledriver. Both men are down on the mat.
ONE!
TWO!
Sniper begins to stir. He rolls over onto his stomach and starts to push to his feet.
THREE!
Romano: It’s amazing these men have anything left to give!
FOUR!
Sniper crawls and drapes an arm over Xiaolong.
ONE!
TWO!
THR-Kickout by Xiaolong. Sniper pounds the mat in frustration.
Taylor: Sniper almost had it.
Sniper slowly climbs to his feet as Xiaolong looks dazed. He sets up for his signature killshot superkick. Xiaolong slowly is to his feet and ducks the kick and kicks out the plant foot of Sniper. Sniper crashes to the mat. Xiao stumbles trying to catch himself after the piledriver and reaches down to grab Sniper. Sniper however pulls him in and locks in the Full Metal Jacket! Rings of Saturn applied and Xiao is crying out in pain. Sniper is wincing as well as the damage to his back is starting to take its toll on his strength. Xiaolong fights and squirms and gets a foot onto the ropes. Sniper breaks the hold. He pulls Xiao to his feet and hits a short arm clothesline. He maintains the hold and pulls him up again. He whips him into the corner and barrels in with a clothesline before whipping him again. This time Xiaolong leaps to the middle rope and then to the top before backflipping over Sniper and catching him on the way down with a backstabber!
Taylor: THERE IT IS! DSD FROM XIAOLONG!
Romano: Surely it’s over now.
Xiaolong locks his Sniper into a grounded full nelson with his own legs and slides forward into the pin combination!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Steve Tyrell calls for the bell as Sniper forces himself free just after the three. Tyrell holds up Xiaolong’s arm in victory.
Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen your winner … XIAOLONG!
Sniper holds his head in disbelief.
Romano: Well a counter attack is what it took to put Sniper down. Surely a big boost to the former Phoenix Champ going into Clash of the Icons.
Taylor: Where does this leave Sniper though. He surely wanted to make a big impression here and he showed he still can bring it, he just came up short.
We find ourselves in a studio setting, director style seats, spotlights above and screens behind silhouettes. The lights slowly raise revealing Charles Akiyama sitting across from Neo James Carner, a recent AWF signing that has all the XHF a buzz and he hasn't even wrestled a single match. Neo is dressed and adorned in a very expensive high fashion outfit, almost like a violet Elvis suit made out of snake skin. His hair is flat iron pressed, his beard immaculately groomed. He sits with his hands tented as Charles begins the interview.
Charles: Hello and greetings, I'm Charles Akiyama and I'm here with recent AWF signing Neo James Carner who has agreed to this sit down interview with us here today so we can get the scoop on who this man is, and what the Ascension Wrestling Federation has to look forward to. Neo, thank you for being here.
Neo sits with his hands remaining in a tent position as his expression doesn't change. He looks unamused and totally void of any kind of interest. His eyes scan Charles up and down as he gives a shrug.
NJC: That's Neo James Carner, you will refer to me by my full name and if you're the monosyllabic type, you can just refer to me as NJC if that's easier for your knuckle dragging mind.
Charles goes to speak but Neo James Carner interrupts him.
NJC: Pardon me.
Neo begins to clear his throat and adjusts his jumpsuits.
NJC:Alright, you can continue.
Neo says as he places his elbow on the arm rest as he rests his fist under his chin looking like he was posing for the back of a novel for an author photo.
Charles: Uhm, right, okay. So it appears you're getting a lot of attention despite not even wrestling a single match in the AWF, with your wealth of experience, debuting in Reading, England nearly 17 years ago. What can AWF expect from a man who collects titles and turns heads in nearly every company he's worked in before?
Neo reaches forward and grabs the cue card and looks it over.
NJC: What do you know, it really does say that. That's some kind of flattery, you guys really do your research. I think I'm going to like it here.
Carner returns the card back to Charles who looks for an answer but Neo sits silently.
Charles: Uhm, Neo? Erm, I mean, Neo James Carner?
Neo arches both of his eyebrows.
NJC: Hmm? What?
Charles: The question?
Neo's expression turns to realization.
NJC: Oh right, you were asking a question. AWF? It's a fine oyster that I'm looking to enjoy the fine succulent morsels within. I've been off in the world of fashion, being a merchant spokesperson for the Clove Feather Brand cigarettes, being a genius advertising mogul for Five Star Hotels but my first love... Professional Wrestling. I wouldn't be where I am today were it not for the advancements I made in the world of professional wrestling, and I wanna stress that. I'm not an entertainer, I may dress the part in expensive forty five hundred dollar snakeskin jumpsuits, three thousand dollar rolexes or the fact I took a private jet to be here and rode in a privately owned limousine I had shipped here before my arrival. That's always been my mantra: dress for success and the rest is sure to follow.
Neo brushes his hair out his face as he sits back more into his chair, relaxing a bit.
Charles swaps over to his next cue card.
Charles: Who is someone you're most looking forward to competing with?
Neo lets a sly grin crawl across the corner of his mouth.
NJC: Isn't it obvious?
Charles arches a single brow.
Charles: Excuse me?
NJC: Don't play droll with me chuckle fuck, I'm Neo James Carner. You saw the magazine cover. You know how much it cost to get that whole cover? To slap Icon on a magazine and call yourself the king of them? You think I chose King Of Icons on a lark? You don't make a name for yourself targeting the sheep in the valley, you go for the wolves at the top of the hill.
Neo extends his hands to either side and puts them behind his head.
NJC: They should feel honored! I got them free publicity. Icon is a highly respected El Paso magazine. They don't care about things like matching your kerchief with your shoes. Stuff Icon wouldn't know about. It's all in good fun, I'm sure they've got bigger fish to fry and they're cowards who will let anyone talk shit about them and let it slide. They give that vibe, you know?
Charles looks vastly confused.
Charles: I don't think that sounds like them at all…
NJC gives a deadpan reply.
NJC: Sure it does. Come on Charlie, ask another question. That's enough free press for Icon for today. Obviously I'm the real king of Icons, and I'll always be the King Of Icons, so that makes me The King Of Infinity. A far superior title, wouldn't you agree Charlie. I can call you Charlie right?
Charlie: I'd prefer if you didn-
NJC: Sure you like it, it's cool Charlie. You wanna be a cool guy, right? Who doesn't wanna be cool? You wanna go fly around in my private jet and see this building we're in from thirty thousand feet? We can have some Ace Of Spades champagne. Have ever had a bottle of champagne out of a gold plated bottle?
Charlie goes to answer but is cut off.
NJC: Of course you haven't, and of course you wanna go around jet flying in the jetset life with the one and only true infinite king, Neo James Carner. Also, Charlie. I haven't technically signed that AWF contract as we haven't come to certain arrangements that we've approved. But I've been guaranteed that an approval can be met...next week. Which is where we will finish this interview. Because that's what I'm about, that's what I do.
Neo pulls out a wad of cash and throws it at Charlie.
NJC: I changed my mind, I don't want you on my private jet. Go buy something expensive and get a haircut. You wanna ride in style, you gotta look the part. You know any good call girl numbers? What I'm saying, of course you don't. See you next week Charlie.
Neo stands up and looks at Charles' shoes in disgust, grabbing another wad of cash from his breast pocket and tosses it at Charles.
NJC: and get some God damn shoes not made of pleather for Christ's sake, you're a man not a beast.
Real American bursts out into the arena through the PA as the crowd go wild for the sensational under-doggy known as Feargal! We cut to backstage where we see Feargal's mother walk to the door of his room down in her basement, a "GAMERZ ZONE" sign dangling to one side, on a nail half connected to the chipped door. She knocks on it, a red laundry basket in her right hand. The door SWINGS open and smashes her against the wall. Out-steps Feargal, in his brown suit and tie combo, glasses tilted to one side on his solemn face. His fingers, covered in orange Cheetos, his suit, covered in spilt lemonade and energy drink. He walks up the stairs out of his mother's basement, as we cut back to the arena. Then, from the stage, comes Feargal. He slowly makes his way onto the ramp, very shy and confined, waving timidly, a little smile creeps across his face, like his favorite meme, Pepe or whatever it's called. Within his hand is a bottle of Monster energy drink, and without any hesitation at all, he guzzles it into his mouth and drops the can. He heads straight to the ring and walks up it using the ring-steps, standing on the outside of the ropes. The lights shut off and only a spotlight remains on Feargal, he SPITS the Monster energy right into the air - then he grabs his suit and RIPS it clean off - revealing bright yellow spandex and a ripped frame! Uncle Hogan claps!
Romano: Your former Around the Clock Champion is here Taylor!
Taylor: I think he was the longest ever Around the Clock Champion as well!
The lights in the area go out and red glow comes from the ramp as Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones begins to play through the speakers. As the words come through, the light gets darker.
Please allow me to introduce myself
Im a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Stole many a mans soul and faith
And I was around when Jesus christ
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Shadows mix in with the red glow now.
Made damn sure that pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game
Rat Bastard steps through the curtain, a cocky smug look upon his face, with a toothpick hanging from his mouth.
I stuck around St. Petersburg
When I saw it was a time for a change
Killed the czar and his ministers
Anastasia screamed in vain
Rat takes a deep breath and runs his hands through his greasy black hair.
I rode a tank
Held a generals rank
When the blitzkrieg raged
And the bodies stank
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name, oh yeah
Ah, what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah
Rat begins his stalk to the ring, shooting dirty looks of disgust towards the cameras following him to the ring, and the fans at home.
I watched with glee
While your kings and queens
Fought for ten decades
For the gods they made
I shouted out,
Who killed the Kennedys?
When after all
It was you and me
Rat climbs the stairs the ring, slowly climbing inside he begins to point toward the mat, lipping to the fans at home that he owns this place.
Let me please introduce myself
Im a man of wealth and taste
And I laid traps for troubadours
Who get killed before they reached Bombay
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah, get down, baby.
Romano: Rat Bastard seems angry the the entire AWF as of late, including management.
Taylor: Ehh, maybe it's just alcohol withdrawals.
Singles Match
Rat Bastard vs. Feargal Nukebuster
Both men stare each other down from there respective corners. Rats' attention suddenly breaks away, and towards the still clapping Uncle Hogan, as he shouts out "Shut it, old man".
Romano: Thats no way to treat your elders.
Taylor: I think Uncle Hogan is whatever level us after elder, Romano.
Feargal steps toward the center of the ring, drawing Rats' attention again, Rat begins to walks towards Feargal.
"REGRETS I'VE HAD MINE!!!!!!”
Taylor: No way!
Romano: Steve Awesome is here at AWF Prestige 52! The rumors are true!
Taylor: I still don’t believe it. The IWF World Champion appears on another XHF Network show!
The lights in the arena explode to life as they flash green and black to the beat as Steve Awesome comes running out with intensity to the hyped-up chorus of "Full of Regrets" by Danko Jones.
Lonely nights
and a whole lot of wasted time!
If you see her won't you tell her for me
It's better this way to avoid all the misery
The chorus plays again as Steve walks down to the ring. The guitar starts soloing and Steve hops into the ring and he provocatively slips off his jacket and then spins and drops into a kneel and he flexes his arms. He gets a slow-motion effect as pyro sprays behind him.
Rat and Steve Awesome lock eyes, as Feargal takes a step back, appearing to be happy with letting these two settle their differences.
Taylor: Oh man. Romano, things are about to get intense. These two have been sending insults and threats back and forth on social media.
Romano: Now these two XHF legends are face to face in the middle of an AWF Prestige Ring!
Rat and Steve get nose to nose, there is intensity in both of there eyes, as they jaw jack back and forth. Rat pushes Awesome square in his chest, Awesome, gathers himself, and pushes Rat right back. Feargal is still looking on, he looks to Uncle Hogan who just shrugs.
Taylor: Oh man, they are shoving each other and talking trash. Feargal may want to just leave this one alone.
Romano: This is a moment in time, Taylor. Two former X Crown Champions. Rat and Steve are gonna explode. We may need security!
Awesome raises his fist toward Rats face, threatening to hit him, but Rat shoves Awesome hard in his chest, sending him backward, Awesome is able to get his balance in just enough time to land a perfectly placed Jaw Breaker Superkick right onto the chin of Nukebuster, who falls flat onto his back.
Taylor: Wait what? Jawbreaker superkick to Feargal?
Romano: It’s like you said, Feargal should have stayed out of it. This fight is between Steve Awesome and Rat Bastard!
Taylor: Maybe you are right. I don’t know something seems weird….wait a minute!
Rat and Awesome glare at each other from across the ring, but slowly the glare turns into smiles from both men, with Rat walking over and giving Awesome a high five. Awesome points towards the closest turnbuckles, directing Rat to get on the top rope, as Awesome goes and scoops Nukebuster up from the canvas.
Taylor: Wait a minute! They are working together!?
Romano: Steve has Feargal!
Awesome delivers a few knees to the body of Nukebuster, then sets him up for a picture perfect Awesome-Plex. Awesome then points towards Rat, who is perched on the top rope, as he dives off, connecting with the Drop of a 1000 Bastards, driving his head into the sternum of Nukebuster. Rat then covers Nukebuster, and Awesome counts.
...One!
...Two!
...Three!
Rat pops up with a smug look in his face, as Awesome raises his hand, and slaps him across the chest. Uncle Hogan slides into the ring to check on his nephew, as the newly formed duo call for a microphone.
Taylor: You have got to be kidding me!!
Romano: It was a ruse, Taylor! Steve Awesome and Rat Bastard just pulled a fast one here!
Taylor: That May not be a good thing for everyone else!
Rat: Say hello to the new bad guys on the block. Two global superstar. Too many championship reigns between us to even count, and clearly to bad ass for Federal Funkcusturd to handle. Fuck it, tell 'em, Steve.
Rat tosses the mic and Steve snatches it from the air with one hand.
Awesome: You’re Damn right, Rat! Here is the thing I want to make crystal clear to everyone watching at home. You thought I came here to fight Rat Bastard, but the fact of the matter is you only know what you are supposed to know! I do whatever the hell I want to do, and just when you think you are close enough to figure out what that’s gonna be…….”
Steve walks over and places his arm around Rat.
Awesome: You realize you don’t know shit.
Rat and Steve give the camera some smug grins.
Awesome: What you are looking at right here are two legends of this business. Two men that have the talent to not only be good in the past but be legendary in the present. Two men that have the ability to kick your ass, fuck your mom and beat up your dad. And there is nothing you can do about it. Two men that…
Suddenly Uncle Hogan has heard enough and he clobbers Steve in the back of the head! Steve drops his mic and stumbles forward and to a knee from the blow.
Taylor: Oh look! Uncle Hogan is there to stand up to these jerks!
Romano: Ah but Rat Bastard cuts him off!
Rat nails a couple right hands onto Hogan and shove him back into the ropes. Rat lifts Hogan up for a back body drop off the rebound and Steve suddenly hops into position behind Rat. He reaches up and yanks Hogan’s body straight downward and he spikes into the mat right on his face in brutal fashion!
Taylor: Oh my god!! Hogan got spiked into his face! What the hell was that move!
Romano: Something other teams in the Global Tag Division should watch out for.
Hogan is now laid out next to Feargal and Steve and Rat scoop up microphones.
Awesome: What you are looking at, is the formation of The Awesome Bastards! Tell ’em why, Rat...
Rat: Because Fuck your fucking face. That’s why.
Rat flicks a toothpick and Steve does the crotch chops to the hard camera. They celebrate for a few moments before rolling out of the ring and heading to the back.
Taylor: Man. Steve Awesome and Rat Bastard are a tag team? That seriously can’t be good. And that finisher move, Romano!
Romano: I think the debut of the “Awesome Bastards” just changed the landscape of the global tag team division. And yeah, that finishing move of theirs, looks brutal.
Following the last match, Morricone’s “The Ecstacy of Gold” hits and the camera focuses on the entranceway as AWF Commissioner Jackson Steele walks out into the stage. He walks the aisle and approaches the ring, a crew member goes to hand him a microphone but Steele turns it down, pulling his own microphone from his blazer pocket. He climbs into the ring and waits for his music to fade out before he starts speaking.
Steele: A little under three years ago I was just beginning my professional wrestling career, when I received a phone call. A phone call that would end up changing my life. I’d worked a few dates on the independent circuit at that point, a former porn star turned wrestler who, quite honestly, thought that was going to be my lot in this business. But you know what, I was happy. Despite the way I presented myself in my promos, I really didn’t get into this game for fame and fortune - I already had that. No, I... I just wanted to do what I’d seen my childhood heroes do. Whether that was on top of the card in the biggest promotion in the world or jerking the curtain in front of twenty-five people in a rec center, I just wanted to see what it was like to be a pro wrestler.
Steele: Despite being a greenhorn with barely five matches under my belt, one man saw potential in me. One man picked up the phone and told me, “Jackson, I think you’re somebody that I can build my company around.” That man was Felix Ziko.
Steele: Before I knew it, I was a part of the AWF. My first match in the big leagues was against Bray Wyatt - and I won. It was right when that bell rang that I knew I’d made the right decision coming here. Felix told me that he wanted me to be part of a tournament to crown the first-ever Heavyweight Champion here in AWF. I couldn’t believe it - I was barely two months into my career and now here I was, a contender to one of the top titles in the world.
If you know your history, you know what happened next. Within two months I was the first ever AWF Heavyweight Champion. AWF was on the rise - and so was I. I was undefeated for four months and I won the End of Days tournament.
Steele pauses to take his shades off and look into the hard cam.
Steele: You know I wanted so badly to come out here and ham it up and day that I was the one who made AWF what it is today...
He shrugs.
Steele: I mean, OK, I guess I was...
A wink to the fans at home.
Steele: But really, it was YOU who made me. It was you guys who drove me on - I came into this company as a bad guy but you couldn’t seem to get enough of me! And you pushed me on to win two AWF titles, the End of Days, and become AWF’s first hall-of-famer.
Steele: For that, I thank you.
Jackson smiles as he continues to look into the camera.
Steele: Now we all know that my career was cut far too short by injuries. My one regret is that I ended my career in the doctor’s office instead of the ring. But...
Steele: For YOU guys...
Steele: I think I can manage one more match! One more match to say thank you to the people who made me what I am! One more match for the people who made this company! One more match to put right a wrong that’s been bugging me for over a year! So at Clash Of The Icons, Jackson Steele will step into the ring one more time! I’ve faced some of the biggest names in this business - and beaten them all! Bobby Barratt! Hyperion! Kira Izumi! Assinator! I want somebody I’ve never faced before, someone I’ve never beaten! I don’t care who - the first person to walk through that curtain gets the match!
Jackson Steele looks to the entranceway.
Steele: So, who’s it gonna be?
Taylor: The commissioner is back for one more match! Clash of the Icons, we'll see the Commissioner out of retirement for one more match.
Romano: It could be anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole locker room is scrambling. Being able to beat the commissioner is nothing to sneeze at. It'd be a prize worth having, for sure.
That's when the music of Pat Benatar hits out of nowhere. And it seems like the challenge is going to be met by someone not only immortal but INVINCIBLE. Through the smoke and uncertainty, we are met with the one and only hardcore harry. Harry emerges sporting a scratchy beard and the usual crazy eyed look. Blinking trying to adjust his vision or see through all the smoke. He pulls a megaphone out from his vest and starts screaming into it...
Taylor: I thought he was dead! Could it really be!?
Romano: Oh, you're not seeing things! It's really him! It's...
Harry: DO NOT ADJUST YOUR TELEVISIONS. THIS ISN'T A RE-RUN FROM 20 YEARS AGO.
Someone hands him a microphone, so he doesn't need to strain his voice much longer.
Harry: You can pinch yourself all you want, America. You will not be waking up from a dream. It is real life, I am real life. What you see standing before you right now is the real deal, it's not a stand in. There's no stunt double. I'm the original. Many have come along the way over the years trying to be like me or do what I did. BUT NO ONE COULD MAKE A STATEMENT LIKE ME. I feel like over the past few years that was lost in translation. I will NOT be the joke I was made out to be. I REFUSE to be known as the joke my career became over the past few years. That's not my final nail in my proverbial coffin. That's not how this old dog gets put out. I didn't kill myself for years to have it all washed away because I lost... let's just say I lost my way in the ring. We will not recognize what I have lost to along the way.
Harry annoyingly clears his throat into the microphone.
Harry: Jackson... Steele? is it? I'm sorry if I didn't give you the attention you seek off the bat. You seem like a patient man, me I'm not so patient. I'd rather come down there right now and punch you in the face than wait for an actual match. Get the upper hand and send a statement that words don't do justice. I can tell you are a man who appreciates accomplishments and making "breaks" in the business. Deep down I bet you can even recognize me, a man with a history longer than the fucking bible... that this match with me could do more than any title could do for you. AWF world champion? I wipe my ass with that accomplishment. That championship is probably the standard everyone gets a medal championship. It's probably seen more action than the woman you slept with on camera. Means nothing to me. If you consider that your big break... sorry to say, it's going to break your heart when you can't elevate past that. Life as you know it... it all goes down from here, Steele, I'm here to steal your spotlight. Simply because I can. Simply because you opened your mouth and even entertained the idea of taking a challenge like you never had before. I'm going to stain your career. BREAK YOU STEELE... I will lose no sleep over it because I DON'T SLEEP NO MORE. It is what is, it has to be this way. I don't care for you... I just want to see the end of you. There's one thing true in wrestling, one never retires. Unless they're forced to that is. I will never retire because there will always be someone like you, whom I'm willing to walk straight up to and drop on their GOD DAMN HEAD.
Harry is putting so much intensity and emotion into his ramblings, that he's actually sweating.
Harry: And when I'm done with you... I'm going to find that man who saw potential in you. I'm going to walk straight up to him with your limp body and drop it right at his feet. Tell him to try again.
Harry winks.
Harry: In case you're too stupid to understand my English... I'm not lost and stumbling out here by accident. I'm accepting your challenge. I'd say good luck but I don't give a fuck about you.
Harry flips the microphone down and leaves.
Taylor: Oh my! It's real! It's actually real!
Romano: It looks that way! Hardcore Harry is back for one night, just like Jackson Steele. It looks like the Battle of the Legends. AWF Legend vs. XHF Legend.
The arena is plunged into darkness as "When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin echoes out of the speakers, triggering the attention of those in attendance to the stage where dark blue lights have started to flash in rhythm to the music.
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
When the levee breaks I'll have no place to stay
When the levee breaks I'll have no place to stay
As the tempo of the song picks up, it can barely be seen that someone has made their way out in the pitch black, planting themselves in the middle of the stage. The lights return and we're shown the back of Keith Williams as he's pointing at what's on his clothing. He's noticeably wearing a black denim vest with patches of bands on the front, the words "Paragon of Sleaze" printed on the back in a death metal/black metal stylized font, and directly below this is a giant mustache graphic.
Jessie Love: Making his AWF debut -- From Raleigh, North Carolina and weighing in tonight at two hundred and sixty-three pounds… The Paragon of Sleaze; KEIIIIIIITH WILLLLLLLIAMMMMMMS!
Williams spins around, stroking his mustache and gleefully taking a look out at the crowd. He slowly saunters his way down the rampway to ringside, taking his time to taunt fans on either side of him. As he reaches the ring, Keith goes to enter by rolling under the bottom rope, but hesitates for a moment to thrust against it to the beat of the song, eventually getting to his feet and treating everyone with another round of mustache strokes for good measure. He mounts the turnbuckle nearest to him, hopping up to the middle rope and posing with his arms spread wide. As the music dies down, KW abandons his post and tosses his vest to a company stooge on the outside, taking to practicing his elbows in the corner before the match begins.
As the word “Firecracker” appears on the large screen, red and green laser lights spin around the arena as Lzzy Hale begins to sing the opening to the song. Then the word fades and is replaced by the name “Dakota” as the redhead makes her way out to the stage area, a look of sheer scorn etched across her beautiful features. She looks out around the crowd and turns her nose up at them before making her way down the aisle.
Jessie Love: And her opponent -- From Scottsdale, Arizona and weighing in tonight at one hundred and fifteen pounds… The Firecracker; DAKOTAAAAAA JENNNNINGGGGGS!
Reaching the ring, she confidently strides up the steps before stepping under the second rope before climbing up one of the turnbuckles, flipping the bird to the fans as they boo and jeer in earnest.
Singles Match
Keith Williams vs. Dakota Jennings
As the bell rings for the match to begin, Dakota stands in her corner as Keith walks into the middle and extends his arm out for Dakota to shake his hand but Dakota slaps Keith across the face and he stumbles back into his corner. Dakota goes to work on Keith by laying in the Roundhouse Kicks to the abdomen, she walks out of the corner and lets out a roar before turning back to Keith who’s leapt onto the second rope and comes flying through the air with the Off With Their Head lariat but Dakota ducks out of the way as Keith rolls and gets back to his feet, Dakota grabs Keith from behind and lands a perfect German Suplex. Dakota pounces onto Keith and lays in the hammerfists to The Paragon of Sleaze, she gets back to her feet and continues to stomp down onto Keith until a referee pulls her back and away from Keith who crawls back into his corner. Dakota waits for Keith to get back to his feet before she can go back in for the kill- Roaring Lariat out of the corner by Keith knocks off her feet! Keith’s eyes are widened open, still shook from the assault that Dakota handed out to him. Keith kicks into his more serious side to him and picks Dakota up and onto her feet, grabbing both arms and dropping Dakota on her neck with a Tiger Suplex, the referee counts the bridging pin attempt but gets a one count. Now it’s Dakota that crawls to the corner to escape from Keith, who has grabbed her ankle to pull her away from the corner, but Dakota begins to kick at Keith’s head to push him off but he places his head between her legs and deadlifts her up into a Powerbomb position, crashing her into the turnbuckles before turning around and connecting a Sit-Out Powerbomb!
Taylor: A nice powerbomb by Keith Williams, he sure wasn’t expecting that flurry of assault by Dakota early on but he seems to have it all under control for now.
Romano: Dakota is all about showing Keith some respect, but he took quick control of the match from that lariat. Keith is showing off amazingly in his debut, Tommy.
Keith picks up Dakota and brings her to her feet, delivering a Snap Suplex down onto the mat. Keith rolls her over, bringing her back onto her feet and delivering another Snap Suplex. Keith goes for the trifecta, getting Dakota back to her feet for a third but Dakota wraps her left leg around Keith’s and stops his trifecta of Suplexes. Dakota begins to beat down onto his back, hammerfists, and then into some Axe Handles to the spine of Keith Williams. She hooks one arm and sends him across the ring with a Half Butterfly Suplex! Keith is quick to get back to his feet, looking for the same lariat as before but Dakota matrixes her way under the arm, bringing her body to a vertical stance before connecting a Pele Kick to the head of Keith Williams. Keith fires back with a Bicycle Kick to the jaw of Dakota, she fires back with a Spinning Hook Kick to the head of Williams who comes back at Dakota with a European Uppercut, Dakota shakes off the uppercut and connects a Step Up Knee Strike. Keith goes for the lariat and Dakota ducks it, but she doesn’t duck the Spinning Back Elbow that catches her right on the nose and knocks her right onto her back. Keith smirks at his cunning actions as he crawls away from Dakota, her nose spouting blood from the impact of the elbow.
Taylor: Dakota is bleeding from that wicked elbow from The Paragon of Sleaze, I don’t know if that was an intentional elbow but it sure as hell was effective enough.
Romano: Looking at Keith’s face, it might have looked intentional but then again, he might just look impressed by something he didn’t even know he done until it happened.
The blood drips down onto the ring as Dakota turns over onto her hands and knees; Keith, being the ultimate opportunist, goes for a Punt Kick but Dakota spots it out of the corner of her eye and moves out of the way of the kick, she gets the roll-up on Keith but he kicks out almost immediately. Keith lands a charging elbow strike to the jaw of Dakota and knocks her down once again, he drags her back to her feet and connects a Stiff Headbutt to Dakota before rebounding off the ropes with a Running Bicycle Kick, Keith grabs Dakota before she could fall and connects a Gourdbuster, Dakota is up to her knees as Keith bounces off the ropes and connects Queen Anne’s Revenge to the back of her head. The Sleazy Threesome is completed. Keith turns her over and hooks both legs…
ONE
TWO
Dakota kicks out just after the two-count is made. Keith Williams grabs Dakota by her hair and grabs both arms, looking for the Tiger Suplex into the Cattle Mutilation finish but Dakota breaks free and keeps a wristlock on Keith as she goes behind and spins him around with a Ripcord Knee Strike to the nose! Keith falls down onto his behind from the impact of the knee, Dakota bounces off the ropes and charges at Keith with It Came From Scottsdale! The Shining Wizard stuns Williams enough for Dakota to stalk her opponent in the corner, eyeing up Keith for the DKO… Mark One locks and lo- Keith catches the foot, Exploder Suplex across the ring goes Dakota! She helps herself up to her feet and rolls away from a European Uppercut- BICYCLE KICK BY KEITH!
Taylor: WOW! Dakota got turned inside out again, could this be another Sleazy Threesome?
Romano: It might be, and this could be the ending of Dakota Jennings if he does complete it.
Keith stalks Dakota as she gets back to her feet, another Running Bicycle Kick by Keith connects to the side of her head! He grabs Dakota and goes for the Gourbuster- DKO MKII! The RKO from outta nowhere by Dakota drops Keith onto the flat of his stomach, Dakota forces Keith back onto his feet and lands It Came From Scottsdale! II: The Unnecessary Sequel!! Shiranui drops Keith on his head and he flips onto his knees- DKO MK I! SUPERKICK OUTTA NOWHERE! THE COVER AND THE COUNT…
ONE
TWO
THREE!
DING DING DING
Jessie Love: Here is your winner… DAKOTA JENNNNNNINGS!
The scene fades in from the most recent match. We are outside of Felix Ziko's office backstage. Copycat is right next to Terry Bradshaw, completely confused.
Copycat: Mr. Bradshaw, why would ORION even be in this room!? This is Mr. Ziko's office!
Bradshaw: Come on, Copycat. Don't be such a bitch. I saw ORION come in here. He's trying to go into the personnel files and give himself a big pay bump. I just know it.
Copycat: Please! Why am I even in here!? Can't you just leave me in the cardboard box so I can just die peacefully?
Bradshaw: Copycat, my boy! You are meant for so much greater! You are just one step from being the AWF Around The Clock Champion! All you have to do is just go in, surprise the heck out of ORION and take the gold!
Copycat gulps.
Copycat: OK... If you say so.
Copycat jiggles the handle, but the door is locked.
Copycat: Mr. Bradshaw, how could ORION lock the door?
Bradshaw: That sneaky son of a bitch. He must have knew we were coming to take the belt away from him. No worries. You know what they say... When one door closes...
Copycat: ...Another opens?
Bradshaw:
Terry Bradshaw lights up a cigar and kicks down the door. He rushes in and finds ORION sitting in the chair behind the desk.
Bradshaw: Hey, ORION! You son of a bitch! Your reign of terror is over now!
He grabs Copycat and HURLS him at ORION, beginning to knock him over. Terry Bradshaw finishes the job by running to the desk and stepping over it, hurling himself to them both. He crushes Copycat as he rams into him and plops him over ORION. Terry slaps on the mat:
...One!
...Two!
...THREE!
Bradshaw: Copycat! You're the new Around The Clock Champion!
That's when a voice calls out from underneath him.
Voice: Terry, you idiot!
Terry Bradshaw looks underneath him.
It's not ORION.
Ziko: I'm not ORION! I'm Felix Ziko! How could you get us mixed up!?
Bradshaw: Ziky! What are you doing here?
Ziko: What am I doing here... IN MY OFFICE?
Bradshaw: Yeah!
Ziko: ...
Copycat: How could you get those two mixed up, Mr. Bradshaw? ORION is black!
Bradshaw: WOAHHHHHHH! Let's not be racist, Copycat.
Copycat: How am I being rac-
Bradshaw: When I looked at Feliz Navidad and ORION, I didn't see black and white. I saw two men, who strived to be the very best. Like no one ever was. To catch them is my real test. To train them is my cause. I will travel across the land. Searching far and wide. Each pokem-
Ziko: Terry, racism isn't about pretending our skins aren't the same. It's learning to accept us all despite that. And not does ORION not have the same skin color as me, he's half my weight and like a foot and a half shorter than me.
Bradshaw: Yeah, whatever. Maybe if you didn't fuck up so much, you'd be champion by now. Good going, Copycat.
That's when Terry Bradshaw gets up and walks out the room. Felix yells toward him as he does so.
Ziko: Hey! You're also paying for that door!
The scene fade for the new match.
As "Fearless" by Josh A begins to play throughout the building, all the house lights shine a bright purple hue as they circulate around the stage area. A figure emerges from the smoke with his hands raised up high, signalling the arrival of ORION. With Tasha Pierce by his side, they both make their way slowly to the ringside area as ORION walks around the ring, he climbs the steps and brushes his feet onto the apron, climbing up onto the turnbuckles and raising his arms up high, with the Around The Clock Championship in his hands, to soak in the crowd's reaction.
Taylor: These two are in the ring again! This is for the number one contendership for the XHF Phoenix Championship!
Romano: Fun fact. If ORION beats Garcia and then beats Merric, ORION will be the first double champion since Seth Dillinger beating Jack Diamond for the X*Crown Championship, simultaneously holding the AWF Prestige Championship at the same time.
🎶HARD🎶 by Tay-K and BloccBoy JB erupts over the sound system throughout the arena and a roar of boo's and jeers explodes from the crowd. The beat drops and out from the curtain walks Rob Garcia wearing what looks to be a mink coat. He stops and stands at the entrance ramp, staring at the crowd with a smug look upon his face. As he stands there, his manager, Jeff Noon then makes his way out holding a clipboard and he then stands to the right of Rob. Rob turns his head to look at Jeff, and they both nod, Rob then slowly makes his way down towards the ring, Jeff following behind. Rob stops half way and starts trash talking a fan, Jeff then uses his clipboard to block the fans face when they try to react and he then moves his hand forward to escort Rob to the ring. Rob jumps up on the ring apron, as Jeff runs up the steps, he walks to the turnbuckle, climbs it and raises his hand in the air holding up his index finger. The crowd continues to boo and yell insults and vulgar remarks at Rob as he yells "I'm the man! I'm number one! I'm the king of extreme!" He then jumps down off the turnbuckle and makes his way over to Noon.
Taylor: Oh boy, Rob doesn't look happy.
Romano: Nor should he. Last time he was in the ring with ORION, he swept the win right from underneath his feet. He has a lot to prove tonight.
Number One Contendership to the XHF Phoenix Championship
ORION vs Rob Garcia
The bell rings. ORION and Rob Garcia are opposite one another. Looking at each other in their eyes, there is obvious tension there. In the last match that happened at Prestige 51, ORION was able to get ahead of Garcia with a win, but the referee didn't see Rob Garcia already there with the pin. ORION flashes a cocky grin, but Rob's not going to let that disrespect go. With the potential energy being kinetic, the two join together with a thunderous lockup.
Taylor: These two come together again for a big move! This time, without Sylvester Calvin.
Romano: Also with Senior Referee Gabe Valentine instead of Steve Tyrell. He messed up on it. This is honestly the least we could do.
Rob Garcia breaks up the lock up as he moves forward with a body slam. But the speed ORION lands on his feet behind him as he manages ton slip out. He pushes Garcia to the ropes and on the rebound, pulls him into a quick pin with a roll up! Gabe Valentine is quick with the pin count:
...One!
...Tw-Kickout!
Taylor: Did ORION really think he could get a win THAT early?
Romano: You never know. Matches have been won quickly before and if you're able to get an early win, you'd be a fool to pass that up.
Rob Garcia doesn't just kick out. He powers out, using his muscular physique to his advantage. He's telling ORION that this isn't a mistake that will happen twice. There's no third party this time. He plans on pinning ORION personally. Rob Garcia moves forward for a punch, but ORION ducks it and spins around to the back. But Rob Garcia shoots back with an elbow. It hits ORION in the face! The Around The Clock Champion staggers back. Garcia turns around and captures the temporarily incapacitated opponent into a belly to belly suplex! What distance! ORION lands diametrically on the opposite corner!
Taylor: Rob Garcia wants to win this match!
Romano: Well let's not forget what this match means. It's not just about revenge. It's about our XHF Phoenix Championship! The winner of this match gets to face its champion, Aiden Merric, at Clash of the Icons!
Rob Garcia moves forward for the pin, but ORION knows better than to stick around. He rolls out of the ring and devises a new strategy. ORION is looking for a new plan, but Garcia does some taunting of his own. He gestures the belt and pointing it to his waist, showing that he will defeat ORION and then become the next XHF Phoenix Champion. ORION did not like that. He rushes into the ring. As he slides in, Garcia begins kicking and fighting amid the resistance that his opponent gives him. He keeps struggling to deal with the pain and that's when during a quick second when Garcia's foot is up, ORION brings him horizontal with a double leg takedown! Rob Garcia hits the floor! ORION doesn't stop. He uses the momentum to roll off and runs to the turnbuckle. He actually runs UP it and jumps off with a moonsault!
BOOM! Rob Garcia has his knees up in time! ORION feels every bit of that! Rob Garcia rolls over and takes advantage with the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...Thr-Kickout!
Taylor: Quick thinking by ORION! He realizes ORION is going to do some high flying action and defended himself properly.
Romano: He knows he can't keep up with ORION's speed so he decided to let ORION come to him. That's called playing to your strengths.
ORION grasps his stomach and rolls away. Rob Garcia takes a single deep breath, thinking about how to move forward as he knows that he has to conserve his energy. He gets back onto his feet. He looks left. He looks right. Usually, fans would be out there. But knowing that his first win in the AWF being fan-less is a sacrifice he'll have to make. He's here now and he's here to win. He crouches down and stretches out his knee. The referee knows what's coming. He allows ORION to take his time and get up to his feet. He turns around. Rob Garcia moves forward. Boston Knee Party! ORION DUCKS! ...Rob Garcia actually didn't go for the moves, but as ORION gains his bearings from the duck, he finds Rob for a split second before being taken down by a clothesline!
Taylor: Rob Garcia didn't actually go for the move! He faked it!
Romano: He's really playing a good game here. He knows ORION is fake. He has to use a little bit of psychology and so far, he's got this! We have to eventually ask this question - will it be Rob Garcia going for the XHF Phoenix Championship? ...Or can ORION turn things around?
ORION ironically sees stars as Rob Garcia goes in for the pin count. Senior Referee Gabe Valentine is quick with the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...Thr-ORION kicks out!
Taylor: Where is ORION getting all that energy from?
Romano: He ate his Wheaties. Sometimes, we all have different body types and different strengths. For ORION, endurance is every bit of what makes him so good. It's why he's a champion.
Rob Garcia didn't like that. He's getting aggravated now. Really aggravated. He shoves ORION's shoulders back on the mat and goes for the pin count.
...One!
...Two!
...Kickout!
Nope. Not good enough for him. Garcia SLAMS his shoulders down and goes for another one.
...One!
...Kickout!
He didn't even gets to the second count that time. Garcia shoves ORION's upper half one more time, hard enough to echo through the empty stadium. He goes for the pin count but BAM! As Garcia moves down, ORION throws a HEAVY hand, which knocks the opponent firmly from off of him. And with a push, ORION has no one over him. He climbs back to his feet with some understandable effort.
Taylor: ORION has regained control!
Romano: Garcia has lost his cool. That's the problem. You need to be able to have patience. Let your opponents make the mistakes. That's what the Around The Clock Champion did. That's why he's the one on his feet.
ORION looks down at Rob Garcia. Like a football game, he runs forward and lays a killer punt into the stomach of Rob Garcia! It forces him to flip over and land onto his back! ORION has it all. He has the upper hand and he isn't afraid to show it. He poses off to the pained and downed Rob Garcia. If the fans were in attendance, he'd pose to them. Instead, the only people actually there to watch it in the area are the commentators, Tommy and Cassius, and Jessie Love. He poses to them. He wants them all to know who the best truly is. He pops off the turnbuckle, sees Rob Garcia getting to his feet and BOOM! Baseball slide! Rob Garcia becomes a crumpled mess by and hitting the turnbuckle.
Taylor: Cassius! I think ORION looked at me!
Romano: ...There's only three of us in his eye sight. He probably was.
What Garcia would love more than anything in the world right now is to be left alone to rest. But this is the AWF! Even though the fans might be asleep, but he can't! ORION gets back to his feet and doesn't waste too much time before he grabs his opponent. The champion grabs his opponent and goes behind him. POISON HURRANCANRANA! ORION is bringing the energy. He's building it up. He then brings Garcia back up and over his shoulders. Tommy Taylor is on his feet.
Taylor: I know this, Cassius! He's getting ready for his Supernova Crash! His awesome corkscrew shooting star press!
Romano: That's right. He hit his poison hurracanrana and is going to finish preparing with his rolling death valley driver he loves to do.
ORION lifts Rob Garcia and brings him atop the shoulders. Rolling death valley driver! Wait! Rob Garcia slipped out and landed on his feet! Wait! Not exactly! He falls back... to the ropes! He bounces back with increased speed and BOOM! BOSTON KNEE PARTY! A running knee to the face of ORION! ORION goes down! Garcia falls down at the right spot for the pin count! Gabe Valentine makes that count:
...One!
...Two!
...THREE!
The bell rings.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner and the #1 contender for the XHF Phoenix Championship... Roooobbbbb Garciaaaaaaa!
Taylor: He did it! He was able to pull out that win by digging deep!
Romano: You could make a case to argue that ORION had his number before but make no mistake, Garcia evened the score tonight and his reward for that is the chance to go up against the champ, Aiden Merr-
Cassius Romano gets interrupted as "Ain't No Rest For the Wicked" by Cage the Elephant plays throughout the speaker system. The cameras and light shine around the XHF Phoenix Champion himself, Aiden Merric. He walks out with his hunter gear and in one hand, holding the XHF Phoenix Championship over his left shoulder. In his right hand, a knife. He twirls and plays with it a little bit, showing just how dangerous he truly is. Garcia, the new XHF Phoenix contender lifts his head up, full of sweat. He's tired, but refuses to show weakness as he stares back. The two have a moment before the cameras turn to the commentators.
Taylor: And now we have the champion out here! Make no mistake, he's showing Rob Garcia that he became a croc that just stepped to the outback!
Romano: Well this is the AWF. Not just that, but it's the title scene. If our new number one contender wants the prize, he'll have to realize just what he'll have to do to get it. Ladies and gentlemen, in two weeks, these two forces with collide. Will it be the champion, the hunter? Or will it be the challenger, the man who considers himself the hardcore specialist? Tune in when we get to the Clash of the Icons!
Segment
Jessie Love: The following match is scheduled for one fall…
Taylor: ONE FALL!
Romano: You’ve always wanted to do that, haven’t you.
Taylor: Yes, yes I have.
The pounding beats of “Baby’s On Fire” by Die Antwoord fire up around the arena as Graysie Parker emerges from the entrance gate. Parker slowly struts onto the ramp and pauses for the music to give her cue…
BAY-BAY BAY-BAY
BAY-BAY BAY-BAY-BAY
BAY-BAY-BAY BAY-BAY=BAY
BAY-BAY-BAY-BAY-BAY
BAY-BAY-BAY-BAY-BAY BBBBBBB…
BABY’S ON FIRE!
Graysie flexes her bicep as pyro fires off beside her and begins to pick up the pace as she walks down to the ring.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, she weighs one hundred and fifty pounds and fights out of New Orleans, Louisiana, The Suplex Siren, GRAAAAAAAAAAAAYSIE PAAAAAAAAAAARKER!
Taylor: Coming off a heartbreakingly close loss last time out, what can we expect from Parker this week?
Romano: Parker is all power, all the time. I expect suplexes. Lots of suplexes.
The heavy drums and guitars blast over the PA system speakers like a series of machine gun fire, the light strobing and flashing white and red, through the darkness and decay of light comes Roy “The Sorrow” Harlowe, his face shrouded in a bloody hockey mask. Roy makes swift motions as he comes traipsing through the back curtain with a devious manner about his body language. He slowly circles his way around the stage before he slowly slithers his steps down the ramp towards the ring.
Jessie Love: And her opponent, he hails from the Winding Road. Weighing in at two hundred and twenty three pounds, ROOOOOOY “THE SORROW” HAAAAAAAAAAARLOWE!
Roy launches onto the apron in a single leap and bounds onto the apron. Swiftly Roy begjns kneeling as he serpentines and slithers over the bottom rope and rolls onto his back. Sitting up and then kicking up in a very fluid motion. Roy circles his hands over his face, removing his bloodied hockey mask and then revealing a menacing twisted grin on his face with a set of wild eyes glaring fiercely into the lens.
Taylor: Roy Harlowe. A twisted man but a very dangerous competitor.
Romano: Those two things are very much linked, Taylor. Harlowe is unhinged and that gives him the freedom to be as twisted as he wants in the ring.
Singles Match
Graysie Parker vs. Roy Harlowe
The bell rings and the match begins. Parker and Harlowe circle, The Suplex Siren remaining her power stance, low and squat. Harlowe is less technical, his movements erratic and loose limbed. They close in on each other and lock up. Harlowe attempts to use his height advantage to leverage Parker backwards but The Iron Butterfly is unshiftable as she uses her low position to dig in. Harlowe quickly adapts to this and transitions quickly into a side wristlock, then smoothly into a top wristlock. Harlowe wrings out Parker’s arm but the New Orleans native steps through and reverses the hold. The Sorrow uses his athleticism to reverse the hold again with a forward roll and transitions into a waistlock. Harlowe goes for a standing switch, looking to set something up from a back waistlock but Parker reverses the hold and almost casually flicks Harlowe over her head with a German Suplex but Harlowe does a full backflip with the momentum of the suplex and lands on his feet. Parker turns and the pair return to facing off.
Romano: Harlowe is such a high energy athlete. It’s hard to get him off his feet because if you give him a chance to land standing, he will.
Taylor: Parker, however, is crazy strong. It’s power versus agility in this match and it makes for a great contest.
Harlowe stares a hole through Parker and rears back his arm, firing a huge forearm into the face of The Iron Butterfly. Parker just soaks up the blow and fires off one of her own. Harlowe is taken aback by the ferocity of the strike. Backing off, Harlowe takes a run up and blasts Parker again with a forearm. This time Parker has to take a step backwards but she still looks more annoyed than hurt. Parker goes for another return strike but Harlowe dodges to a side and grabs Parker’s other arm, flinging her against the ropes. Parker rebounds and attempts to square up as she heads back towards Harlowe but The Sinister Sorcerer sees the oncoming shoulder and gracefully leapfrogs over The Suplex Siren. Parker heads past Harlowe and hits the far ropes. Harlowe flattens himself to the mat but Parker has managed to regain enough control to slow her pace and she just boots Harlowe in the ribs to slow herself down. Parker stands over Harlowe and reaches down, easier because of her build and hoists Harlowe off the mat INTO A DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX!
Taylor: Look at the power of Parker. It doesn’t matter where you are or where she is, anything can turn into a Suplex!
Romano: Parker reminds me of a running back. It’s all about low centres of gravity. It lets her get all the extra leverage she needs.
With Harlowe flat on the mat, Parker adds a couple of solid stomps to The Sorrow’s back before lifting him up. Parker whips Harlowe against the ropes and as he comes careering back, Parker lowers her head and flips Harlowe over with a backdrop that sends Anarchy’s Child sailing into the air and crashing hard into the mat. Parker follows up quickly by lifting Harlowe up, locking him in a waistlock and hurling him over her head with a powerful Overhead Belly to Belly. Again Parker is quick to follow up, lifting The Sorrow up again, twisting his arm into a hammerlock, locking in a half Nelson with her other arm and DUMPING HARLOWE ON HIS HEAD WITH A HALF AND HALF SUPLEX! Graysie drops to cover…
ONE!
TWO!
T.. Harlowe kicks out.
Taylor: Well Cassius, you were right in your prediction of suplexes. Parker is throwing Harlowe around like a rag doll.
Romano: And that’s why I’m the best color commentator on the network.
Annoyed at the two count, Parker stands and waits on Harlowe to regain a vertical base. She beckons Harlowe up with a hand gesture and grabs for an arm, whipping The Sorrow into the corner, Harlowe’s back crashing into the ringpost echoing around the arena. Graysie charges, lowering her shoulder and driving it into Harlowe’s ribcage. The Suplex Siren hoists Harlow up onto the top turnbuckle and stands on the second rope herself. She grabs Harlowe and holds him for a vertical superplex but as she lifts him up, she hold Harlowe in the air, stalling out the suplex. Harlowe’s face begins to turn beet red as Parker holds the Superplex for TEN WHOLE SECONDS before finally sending Harlowe crashing down into the mat! Parer covers…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Harlowe kicks out!
Taylor: What strength! Parker looks like she could have held him up forever!
Romano: I’ve seen a lot in this industry. I’m often jaded by performers. But that, Taylor, that was impressive.
Parker lifts Harlowe up one more time, grabbing a wrist and flinging him towards the ropes. Parker squares up and powers Harlowe up with a MASSIVE flapjack. Harlowe is sent flying into the sky and Parker looks to catch him on the way down… BUT HARLOWE GRABS GRAYSIE’S HEAD AS HE FALLS AND SNAPS OFF AN IMPROVISED TORNADO DDT! Both combatants are down, Harlowe having been suplexed the hell out of and Parker having just been spiked on her head. Parker stands first, a little stunned, and grabs at Harlowe’s arm, hauling The Sorrow to his feet. Parker looks to lock in another suplex clutch but Hatlowe, taking any advantage he can, goes for a desperation eye rake. Graysie holds her face and staggers backwards but Harlowe, given a small chance to take control of the match, flings his body at Parker and connects flush with her head with his boot. Parker drops to the mat and Harlowe rolls over to cover…
ONE!
TWO!
T.. Parker kicks out!
Romano: Roy Harlowe has two big advantages to his game. One, he’s unpredictable. Two, he’s a great improviser.
Taylor: Three, he’s not afraid to cheat.
Romano: I count that as part of two. You cheat when it’s necessary.
Still moving a little slower than usual, Harlowe stand and casually boots Graysie a couple of times in the side of her head. Harlowe circles Parker as she stands, slithering round her to get the best angle to attack. The Sinister Sorcerer slides round to a position behind his female opponent and smashes his forearm into the back of Parker’s head, staggering her. Harlowe rushes the ropes and gracefully bounces off, springboarding off and grabbing The Suplex Siren’s head as he falls, dropping her to the mat with an inverted DDT. Harlowe opts not to pin, locking in a tight grounded Cobra Clutch that leaves Graysie gasping for breath. A sinister smile crosses Roy Harlowe’s face as he controls The Iron Butterfly, looking to wear her down.
Taylor: Harlowe slowing the pace down.
Romano: Harlowe loves to dictate the pace of a match. He works slow when he needs to and fast when he doesn’t. Few wrestlers have the ability to change pace like Roy Harlowe can.
Parker struggles in the hold, trying to worm her way free from Harlowe’s grip. With a grunt escaping her lips she manages to power the pile over, leaving her in a pinning position…
ONE!
TW… Harlowe kicks out. Not even a two count. Harlowe gets to his feet first after throwing Parker off, waiting patiently for Parker to get to one knee. Parker is seriously sucking wind as Harlowe rushes in, using Parker’s knee as a launching platform to get some height onto a MASSIVE SHINING LARIAT!
Taylor: SHINING LINING!
Harlowe covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. NO! Graysie kicks out!
Taylor: That was close! Roy Harlowe is on the brink of winning this match!
Harlowe hauls Parker up and grabs her around the neck, dropping Graysie to the mat with a sharply delivered Gator Roll!
Taylor: EVENFLOW EFFECT!
Harlowe covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THRE.. Graysie kicks out again!
Now looking positively angry, Harlowe drags Graysie’s body towards the corner and rushes up the ropes with amazing agility. He bounces off the second rope, then the top rope, his cat like body control in full show before SPRINGBOARDING OFF, DOING A BACKFLIP IN MIDAIR AND DRIVING BOTH HIS FEET INTO GRACIE PARKER’S CHEST!
Taylor: DUALITY DROP!
Romano: Gracie keeps kicking out and Harlowe is not gonna take it!
Harlowe covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THRE… GRAYSIE KICKS OUT AGAIN!
Taylor: MY GOD! THAT WAS SO CLOSE!
Romano: Roy Harlowe is on a roll!
Looking down at The Suplex Siren, Harlowe does some quick mental math and calculates he’s on the brink of winning the match. Graysie is already in position, prone on the mat and near enough to the corner. The Hellion climbs the turnbuckles one more time, takes a quick look over his shoulder at Graysie’s position and LEAPS OFF, ROTATING A FULL EIGHT HUNDRED AND TEN DEGREES IN THE AIR…
AND GRAYSIE, USING WHATEVER DEEP RESERVES OF ENERGY SHE HAS ROLLS OUT THE WAY! HARLOWE SPLATS ON THE CANVAS!
Taylor: DARK PARTICLE PRESS! BUT THERE’S NO WATER IN THE POOL!
Both fighters are breathing heavily. But a fire deep within Graysie Parker is burning and with Harlowe now supine on the mat, near the corner. The Iron Butterfly gets up and goes for the ropes herself, PUSHING HER BODY OUT FLAT AND THEN FALLING STRAIGHT DOWN SO HER FULL BODY WEIGHT LANDS ON ROY HARLOWE’S BACK!
Taylor: GRAYSIE BOMB! GRAYSIE BOMB!
The Iron Butterfly doesn’t even stop to cover. She just stands, slowly and waits for Harlowe to get to his feet. When Harlowe is up, Graysie forces Harlowe into a standing headscissors. She powers Harlowe up onto her shoulders and turns towards the corner. She steps into it and POWERBOMBS ROY HARLOWE STRAIGHT INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!
Taylor: BUCKLE BOMB!
Harlowe staggers out of the corner, right into Graysie Parker’s clutches. Parker grabs Harlowe around the waist and Gutwrench Suplexes him out of the corner and into the center of the ring.
Taylor: UNO!
Parker pops her hips and pivots up to a standing position, never releasing the hold on Harlowe, just dragging him up with her. Parker dumps Harlowe with a second Gutwrench Suplex.
Taylor: DOS!
Again Parker doesn’t let Harlowe free, getting the pair back up standing and delivering her THIRD GUTWRENCH SUPLEX!
Taylor: TRES! LOS TRES MUHARES!
Parker covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. HARLOWE KICKS OUT! With both competitors down on the mat, Parker floats round, amateur style so she has a back mount. Parker slides her arms into position, locks in a tight chinlock and sits up, straddling Harlowe.
Taylor: GRAYSIE LOCK! GRAYSIE LOCK!
Romano: This could be it for Roy Harlowe.
Suddenly, from the entrance ramp, DAKOTA JENNINGS COMES STEAMING DOWN TOWARDS THE RING, WIELDING A PERSONALIZED STEEL CHAIR! Harlowe resists tapping out as Dakota slides under the bottom rope. Parker is too focused on her hold on Harlowe to react in time and JENNINGS NEAR DECAPITATES GRAYSIE PARKER WITH A CHAIRSHOT! The referee calls for the bell instantly.
Jessie Love: YOUR WINNER, BY DISQUALIFICATION, GRAYSIE PAAAAAAAARKER.
Romano: She doesn’t look like much of a winner to me.
Taylor: This was looking like a great match and then Dakota Jennings comes out of nowhere to ruin it.
As Harlowe slinks away, Jennings holds her chair up high and swings it downwards into Graysie’s unprotected head. Graysie is stunned. Another chair shot. AND ANOTHER. AND ANOTHER!!! Parker is bleeding, thick globs of viscous red fluid rolling down her face. Jennings hauls Graysie to her knees and swings the chair RIGHT INTO GRAYSIE’S FACE!
Taylor: OH MY GOD! THAT’S GONNA RE-BREAK GRAYSIE’S NOSE!
Parker collapses prone on the mat, bloodied and battered. Jennings hauls Parker towards the corner and places the chair across Graysie’s face and runs to the ropes. She hops up and leaps off with a BEAUTIFUL MOONSAULT ONTO THE CHAIR THAT’S ON GRAYSIE’S FACE! Jennings grabs the chair again and lifts it high above her head. As Jennings poses and Parker leaks blood all over the canvas… THE LIGHTS GO OUT.
Taylor: It’s happening again…
AND WHEN THEY COME BACK UP, NATASHA IS STANDING IN THE ENTRANCE GATE.
Taylor: NATASHA! SHE HASN’T BEEN SEEN IN MONTHS!
Romano: But why is she here?
Natasha stares at the ring, an utterly blank expression on her face. Jennings stares back, clutching her chair confidently in case The Goddess of Death wants to rush the ring. Natasha cocks her head to a side as Dakota stares at her. Graysie Parker slowly begins to stir and Jennings spots this and SWINGS THE CHAIR DOWN AGAIN, CRACKING PARKER IN THE SKULL ONE MORE TIME!
Natasha… almost smiles. Almost.
Taylor: We have to go to commercial! But this has been a crazy ride.
Romano: Somebody call the EMTs. Graysie Parker is gonna need a LOT of stitches.
Taylor: A ruthless attack by the Chairwoman of the AWF. The reappearance of The Goddess Of Death. And Graysie Parker left bloody. ANYTHING can happen in the AWF.
Romano: And it usually does.
Romano: And welcome back, next up is a match I personally am looking forward to, some of the best talent in AWF are clashing tonight to put their mettle to the test.
Taylor: That’s right Cassius, next up we get to watch the ever-improving talen-
Their microphones are cut off, along with the main lights of the arena. The entire empty room is plunged into complete darkness, with the only light coming from the big screen. A low-light imagine begins to appear on screen, that resembles a cage. The scene paints the cage to be outside, in a rough looking field, storming weather clouds above. Slowly the door swings open, and a low, familiar bell begins to chime.
Taylor: Is this what I think it is, Cassius?!
Romano: I know that bell, I know who this is!
The chiming of the bell continues a little more, then stops to focus on the scene. The sound of wind blows and howls from the speakers, followed by a low raspy voice.
“You cannot cage... a God...
“Ascension... will be mine..."
The scene continues to play, the image of the opened cage in a dull, dreary field. The storm clouds above look more aggressive, and finally a bolt of lightning strikes and the scene cuts out, as the arena lights slowly return.
Romano: Well there has been talk all week, since we got that clip on XHF.com, and this confirms it. The Mad Titan, Hyperion, sounds like he is getting released from prison.
Taylor: I can’t wait! But how did he get out so fast? I thought he was given twenty fives years?
Romano: A man like Hyperion? It’s dumb to think he would have been locked up for longer, I’m sure he has lot of strings he can pull.
Taylor: Or families to threaten... either way, the Mad Titan is set to return to the AWF and I am excited! What does this mean for the roster? Does he have anyone in his sights? I’m sure Dillinger and that Prestige title are two of his priorities at least.
Romano: Only time will tell, Tommy. But, without further adieu, let’s get onto our scheduled match.
Jessie Love: The following match is a singles contest scheduled for one fall!
"Undeniable" by Seckond Chaynce begins to play as the lights dim. The crowds cheer as they know The Prince of Pain is about to come out. 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.
Jessie Love: Coming to the ring, hailing from Brooklyn, New York...standing at six feet and two inches and weighing in at two-hundred-and-twenty-one pounds….HE IS THE HARDCORE ICON…..THE PRINCE OF PAIN…..MICHAEL STORM!!!
Romano: Storm knows that a win here, combined with his showing in the Rumble will put in a prime position!
Taylor: I can't wait to find out what we've missed here on Prestige!
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 into the crowd as he turns back to the ring in front of him. Storm runs down the line toward the ring. He circles around the ring once and slaps hands to in the front row. He then enters the ring and jumps up and down once more, waiting for the match to begin.
Turn To Stone by Joe Walsh fills the arena as the lights dim and a single spotlight illuminates the stage. Out from the curtain steps Cross Recoba, a titanium cane with a golden lion's head handle in one hand, touching the crucifix with the other. The HCW Diamond title is draped over his shoulder. The crowd responds with a chorus of boo's for The Fox while Cross uses the handle of the cane to push his shag hair cut from his face, flicking his head back confidently as he grins out at the audience obnoxiously. He holds up the cane that has caused so much trouble in the past to an even more venomous response from the fans, and he begins down the ramp still holding it aloft.
Jessie Love: His opponent! Coming to the ring, standing at six foot one and one inch, and weighing in at 230 pounds, hailing from New York, New York. and the self-proclaimed 'Box Office Smash of AWF'..., 'THE FOX' CROSS RECOBBBAAA!!
Recoba reaches ringside and holds the lions head handle of the cane up to his lips and kisses it for luck.
Romano: Cross has put the blame for why Ascension didn't get the belt back on Storm, Rat Bastard and Diamond.
Taylor: You wonder if he's going to alter his gameplan after stepping toe-to-toe with his opponent in the Rumble...
He sets the cane to rest against the ring steps and then climbs them up onto the apron, and with a wipe of his feet slips between the ropes. He pops up with both hands out at his side, walking forward as if putting his glory on display, and delivers an over-exaggerated bow that causes the fans to crow even louder in disdain. Cross stands to his full height and smirks, stepping over to the far corner to await the beginning of the match.
Singles Match
Michael Storm vs. Cross Recoba
The bell rings and both men tear out of their respective corners to meet in the middle with clubbing shots that interchange in order!
Taylor: They’re firing away at each other!
Romano: We knew this one wasn’t going to be a scientific clinic for wrestling!
The Prince of Pain blocks an overhand right and fires back with an uppercut that sends spit visibly flying out of Recoba’s mouth as he reels backwards!
Romano: Storm gets an early advantage!
Taylor: Recoba won’t want to have Storm get the upper-hand two in a row!
The Illinois native tries to fight back but Storm uses all his years of experience on his opponent to make sure that he stays on top, each blow pushing Cross back towards the turnbuckle.
Taylor: He’s got him trapped!
Romano: We’ve seen Storm do this before, his ring awareness and footwork cut people’s escape routes off before they’ve even thought of them!
Finally, a knee to the gut and a swiftly delivered headbutt send Cross into the corner. His arms are spread across the ropes either side as he slumps against the turnbuckles.
Romano: Cross, coming off a stand-out performance in the Rumble looks to be in trouble here!
Taylor: Going toe-to-toe with Storm isn’t the best move!
Romano: Recoba might have let his emotions come into play here!
The Hardcore Icon measures him and lands an open-handed uppercut that lifts his opponent off the ground!
Taylor: That punch sent his legs high in the air!
Another measured uppercut!
Romano: He’s teeing off on him here.
One more for good measure that leaves The Fox’s head hanging down.
Romano: If Cross doesn’t think fast this could end up with a knock-out finish.
Wasting no time, the man from Brooklyn sends Recoba to the opposite turnbuckle with enough force that he spins over the turnbuckle and walks the apron…
Taylor: Clean off his feet!
A running dropkick takes him to the floor!
Romano: Cross is sent to the outside.
Taylor: That could play right into the Prince of Pain’s hands!
Cross gets to his feet but Storm has him scouted as he uses the apron to claw himself back up.
ONE....
A BASEBALL SLIDE SENDS CROSS BACK TO THE FLOOR!
Taylor: Storm hasn’t been seen on Prestige since January but he’s not missing a step!
Romano: With no fans to play to inside the arena he’s putting on a spectacle for the fans at home!
TWO…
Romano: Storm’s giving Cross a breather, whether he should be piling on the pressure now is debatable
Cross gets to his feet and looks to the ring. Storm leans over the ropes and shouts something to him but it’s inaudible on the feed.
Taylor: The Hardcore Icon is goading the upstart!
THREE…
Cross shakes his head at whatever was said and starts to circle the ring, trying to find a way back inside.
FOUR...
Romano: This has got to be frustrating for Recoba. Storm has him scouted and there is no chance for him to start landing offense on the outside, let alone building up some momentum!
Keeping his opponent on the outside, Storm matches each step to the apron by Recoba with one of his own.
FIVE…
Taylor: Surely, Cross won’t get himself counted out.
Romano: He looks to be searching for the most advantageous position but I’m not entirely certain there is one!
Growing tired of the game, much to his opponent’s pleasure. Cross fakes to go up in one step before dashing to the apron to break the count.
Romano: The fake-out buys him some time!
The camera catches a shit-eating grin from Recoba at Storm. The Prince of Pain charges at his opponent with a clothesline but finds no-one is home as The Man Worth a Thousand Bullets ducks before openly laughing at his opponent.
Taylor: Could the taunting come back to haunt him?
A stiff right-hand shuts him up!
Romano: There’s part one of your answer...
Using the ropes for leverage, Storm catapults Cross into the ring!
Romano: ...and the final part of the solution!
No sooner has Recoba hit the mat than Storm follows up with an elbow to the sternum to keep him down. He tries to follow up but Cross rolls out the way. He tries a third time but Cross has gotten back to his feet.
Taylor: The Fox is having to use all his ring cunning tonight!
Storm rushes back to his feet but an attempt at an overhand right is caught and turned into an arm-drag. Cross holds on, working the arm to slow down the pace and try to dictate the tempo.
Romano: Finally...Recoba uses his brains to slow down the tempo and get himself back into the match.
Taylor: What’s your thinking behind the strategy?
Romano: Storm caught him in 52 Seconds of Hell at The Rumble, if he can work that arm he’ll be taking away that threat!
Ending in a sitting position, Storm tries to grab the arm but finds the hold is in tight. He props himself up and takes Recoba back to his feet. Recoba tries to place his body weight onto Storm but is too slow. The Prince of Pain leaps to the top-rope and falls backwards to unhook the arm before planting a foot on the knee of Recoba...a rana takes him down!
Romano: The more experienced wrestler managed to throw that plan out the window!
Cross tries to roll back up but Storm rushes him and tries to grab a front-facelock, Recoba scrambles backwards before the Hardcore Icon can get it cinched in.
Taylor: Storm knows he’s wary of the submission, Cross backed out of Dodge as quick as he could!
Cutting him off before he can attack, Storm delivers a kick to the gut and throws his arm over his shoulder…
Romano: The quick hands and feet of Storm are dictating the match tonight.
In a last-ditch attempt to get back into the match, Recoba levels the former X-Crown Champ with a Ranhei!
Taylor: Emergency measure from Recoba!
Romano: He’s got to do something because so far, Storm has had the better of the fight.
The camera pick-up Cross as he sits up, clearly glad to have avoided any threat of a chokehold. Storm is down but gets to his feet before Recoba can lay the boots into him.
Romano: What can The Fox do to turn the tide?
As he reaches a vertical-base Recoba gives him no chance to attack...Storm hits the ropes and is met with a kick to the ribs followed by a swinging neck-breaker. Cross again tries to capitalize but his elbow drop misses.
Taylor: Great agility on show from Storm!
Storm grabs Recoba as he rises and looks to lift him up for a pancake but the Vegas resident rolls over his shoulder and to his feet….Saito Suplex!
Romano: Cross seemingly trying to bring a technical aspect to the match, picture-perfect side-suplex.
Grabbing an arm, Cross steps over and locks in a figure-four necklock, trying to extend the arm of Storm.
Taylor: Have we seen Recoba use this before?
Romano: No, but we did see against Draven that he’ll mix it up where he needs to!
The referee asks Storm if he wants to give in but he shakes his head. Recoba takes advantage of the referee’s position and grabs the rope for extra leverage.
Taylor: C’mon, ref!
Without the crowd to alert him he remains oblivious, Storm uses his strength to wheel round and the camera picks up Cross’ face of horror as he realizes what’s coming…
Romano: Recoba realizes a second too late what happens when your opponent slips out of the hold...
Hammerfist blows to the face!
Taylor: Two quick hammerfists have caused him to release the submission!
The hold broken, Storm tries to lift up Recoba but eats a low blow for his troubles, doubling him over. The referee starts to admonish Cross but misses the mule-kick that strikes home-plate and sends Storm back to the mat.
Romano: It’s not pretty but it’s keeping Cross on top for now!
Cross throws up his hands in innocence and turns back towards his opponent. He pulls him up and pushes him against the ropes…
Taylor: Can you believe the front on Recoba for feigning innocence?
Romano: All the fans will be joining in if this is what I think it is...
One knife-edge chop!...
Romano: High-pitched squeals are echoing around the Network!
Two knife-edge chops!...
Taylor: You can see the air escaping from Storm, look at that handprint!
Rearing back, he rushes Storm and lifts a knee into his stomach pushing the former X Crown Champion through the ropes to the apron.
Romano: Cross needs to stay on him. Storm’s a veteran and we’ve seen the heights he can hit here in the AWF!
Recoba steps through the ropes and comes down with a clubbing forearm to the neck of Storm. He hooks a front-facelock and lifts him up...LIFTING DDT to the apron!
Taylor: STATEN ISLAND DROP!
ONE…
Storm starts to get up from the ringside mat.
Romano: Is Storm going to take his time and stall the offense of Recoba?
TWO….
Cross charges off the ropes and sails over…
Taylor: We know what this means...
THREE...
MILLION LIRA DROPKICK!
Romano: Recoba sailed through the air and landed that high-risk maneuver!
FOUR…
Taylor: Was the damage caused to Storm worth the damage that it must cause to Recoba in landing it?
Cross gets back to his feet and rolls Storm into the ring. He follows quickly after to break up the count.
Romano: Cross seems to be in control after a less than stellar opening.
Starting to lay the boots in, Recoba changes tact and lifts up Storm to deliver a kick to the midsection. He lifts him up…
Taylor: Another move we’ve not seen yet!
...into a crucifix lift and drops him into a neckbreaker! The pin…
Romano: This is a different challenge to Draven and Diamond, they were tough but Storm’s frustrating Cross at every turn.
ONE..
TW-KICKOUT!
Taylor: The Prince of Pain’s got plenty of gas left in the tank!
Cross bolts to his feet to accuse the referee of a slow count but abandons his protest as Storm starts to get to his feet. He turns round and into a snap-powerslam from Storm!
Romano: Explosive move from The Hardcore Icon and he doesn’t look finished!
Storm holds on and starts to get the hooks in…
Taylor: He’s looking for 52 SECONDS OF HELL!
Cross flails but can do little as Storm’s body covers his arms from doing too much…
Romano: He’s got it!
It’s in!
Taylor: Gut check time for Cross, he’s made no secret of training to defend it, now we’ll see!
Recoba thrashes, trying to make sure he doesn’t see his match end with the same move that got him the last time the two were in the ring.
Romano: This could be it! He’s nowhere near a turnbuckle...
HE GETS A FOOT ON THE ROPES!
Taylor: LUCKY ESCAPE FOR RECOBA!
Storm is reluctant to break the hold but does so before the ref starts the count.
Romano: Each millisecond longer that hold is in will keep Storm on top in the match!
Taylor: He breaks the hold with little protestation.
Recoba uses the ropes to get up, Storm tries to grab hold of him but The Fox swings his upper body through the middle rope to avoid him.
Taylor: Cowardly move from Recoba!
Romano: It’s ring-smarts, Tommy.
Storm backs off and makes a mistake in turning his back. Cross swings a forearm to the back of the head and follows up with a one-handed bulldog.
Romano: Cheap shot from The Man Worth a Thousand Bullets gets him where he needs to be!
Sensing victory, Cross lifts up the Brooklyn native and places him between his legs...he finds the hard camera and points to it defiantly…
Taylor: He’ setting him up for it
Romano: Mugging for the camera won’t get the job done though...
Storm takes advantage and pulls his legs from under him. He rushes against the ropes...TERMINATION PROJECTILE!!!
Romano: The AWF veteran showing why he got the X-Crown in the first place! We’ve seen this move lead to the end countless times!
Taylor: Maybe not now though, look!
Using his own momentum, Recoba rolls through to the apron.
Romano: Cross is trying to get some breathing space or distance or anything to keep that hold from being a threat!
Not giving up easily, The Prince of Pain hits a running forearm to his head and hooks him for a suplex back in the ring…
Taylor: Storm wants to finish this here and now!
CROSS SLIPS DOWN THE BACK OF STORM...DRAGON SUPLEX!!!
Romano: Last resort move from Recoba...
Rolling across the ring, Storm comes to a stop against the ropes. RECOBA NAILS A KNEE TO THE FACE!
Taylor: Followed by that vicious strike!
Romano: Storm’s taken him out of his comfort zone tonight but has Recoba adapted enough to put him away?
Scooping up his opponent, Recoba looks for the finish…
Taylor: UP ALL NIGHT IN DAKOTA!
STORM TWISTS OUT OF IT AND NOW HAS CROSS SET-UP…
Romano: STORM REVERSES IT, WILL HE USE HIS OWN MOVE AGAINST HIM?
HE DROPS HIM FORWARD!!
Taylor: THUNDER STRIKE!
THE NORTH/SOUTH CHOKE!!!
Romano: BANG CENTER OF THE RING AND HE’S FINALLY GOT 52 SECONDS OF HELL LOCKED IN! CROSS IS HELPLESS!
“LEGENDARY” BY SKILLET BOOMS ACROSS THE ARENA!
Taylor: WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?
Jack Diamond rushes to ringside!
Romano: Diamond has history with both of them, he’s here to settle a score with either one...or both!
The action in-ring remains undisturbed as The Icon member steps on the apron. Cross struggles in the hold causing Storm to crank down harder. The camera picks up Diamond watching in the background, waiting to see how it will play out.
Taylor: Cross is holding on..
Romano: For how much longer?
The referee lifts the arm of Recoba as he becomes motionless…
Romano: It looks like Cross has gone to sleep!
It drops.
Taylor: This could be a great victory for Storm going into Clash of the Icons...
Diamond puts a foot through the ropes and steps in as Cross’ arm is raised once more…
Romano: Diamond looks like he wants to have a say in the matter!
It drops again!
Taylor: If he’s going to make a move he needs to do i-
DIAMOND HITS A RUNNING 450 SPLASH ON CROSS!!
Romano: Diamond just settled this match for us!
The ref calls for the bell, Cross grabs the bottom rope to get to his feet but the camera cuts to Storm and Diamond. The Ace of Spades whips Storm into the corner and looks to hit a corner splash…
Taylor: Storm’s not going to be pleased with Diamond granting him defeat in the face of victory!
The Prince of Pain avoids it and the two men start to exchange blows. Diamond knocks Storm through the ropes and follows him to the outside
Romano: No love lost between the two!
Cross has gotten back to his feet, the referee holds his arm aloft.
Taylor: Recoba looks like he doesn’t know where he is!
Romano: If he’s not careful, a warzone he might want to stay out of!
Jessie Love: The winner of this match as a result of a disqualification...CROSS!!!...RECOBA!!!!
Cross raises a quick smile in his daze but knows when it’s time to bail out to the back.
Oblivious to the announcement, Storm and Diamond are still trading punches on the outside. Road agents storm from the back and get in-between them.
Romano: They’re going to earn their paycheck tonight!
Taylor: They’re punching through the agents!
As they’re pulled apart, Storm grabs a microphone.
Storm: You asshole. It's so simple why you Icons come in day in and day out, trying to fuck up my life. You're trying to make me lose because you know that you can't beat me! Jack! You know that you're a failure! You don't have the gall to come back in here and face me yourself because you can't stand to lose to me yet another time! I'm sick of this! I'm sick of you butting in here and screwing me over. No more of this Bobby and Jack donkey show you're playing. So I'm challenging you right here right now. For the second but last year, you and me at Clash of the Icons!
Michael Storm roars out that challenge. If there was a crowd, they'd be on their feet.
Storm: And no, I won't throw in some sort of cage or whatever to keep Bobby out of here. I'll put something else on the line. Your fucking pride. It's all that you have left. You give me your word that your backup Bobby will stay out of this, else everyone around here know that you can't succeed without him. For fuck's sake, you already tried at the XHF Rumble and you failed. So I won't attack you now. I'll save my anger. You'll get that later. What I want now is you to accept. Accept or walk out of here with your tail between your leg you pile of refuse.
The road agents relax as the distance between the two of them. Storm stares intently.
Diamond: You think I'm doing this for my pride? You think I NEED Bobby to stand on my on? Oh Mikey, you clearly haven't been watching. What I do... What the Icons do.. we DO WHAT WE WANT. We don't need to buddy up to destroy you, you've done a good job of that yourself. You want me one on one? Done. Michael Storm versus Jack Diamond... one more time and Clash of Icons. But I want something too, Mikey.
Storm looks on, intrigued.
Diamond: I want to end you. It should have happened at the first Clash of Icons. You were never supposed to make it out of that match. I'm not going to lie, it took a piece of me away when you came out of that match with my titles. You barely escaped with your life though and your career should have been over. No, you just had to come back, didn't you? Well, enough. I want my sanity back. I want my piece of mind back. I WANT YOU OUT OF THIS BUSINESS! So what do you say, Mikey? Diamond Storm II. My pride verses YOUR CAREER!
Storm thinks about it for a second, then brings the mic back up.
Storm: You know, I have no reason why I should take this challenge up. I've beaten you before. Even at the Rumble, i proved you srill don't have a candle to me. A match for your pride? Bitch, I already have it. But the fact of the matter is I can't stand to look at you. You nauseate me. You make me sick.
Storm's nose snarls just in front of Jack.
Storm: But the truth of the matter is I need this match. I need the closure. So if I can't beat you, I can't stomach being in this ring and continue calling myself a wrestler. And if you want me to hammer the final nail in that coffin, YOU GOT IT! CLASH OF THE ICONS. JACK DIAMOND VERSUS MICHAEL STORM. PRIDE VERSUS CARRER. CONSIDER THIS MATCH ACCEPTED.
Michael Storm drops the microphone right in front of Jack's face. Undeniable by Seckond Chaynce plays and Storm walks out of the ring.
Taylor: SWEET MOTHER OF GOD!
Romano: Storm might be looking for revenge but does he realize the price of failure?
We find Roy Harlowe walking around backstage, angry and still pumped up from his match. As he heads to the locker room area he turns a corner and finds Rob Garcia standing right there waiting for him. Jeff Noon is hiding behind Rob, looking over his shoulder trying to get a good look at Roy. Roy goes to walk around Rob, but Rob steps in front of Roy with a very cocky expression.
Rob: Hey, look Jeff. It's Roynald! How are you doing Roynald?
Harlowe grits his teeth and lets out a slight growl before responding.
Roy: Get the hell out of my way, you poster child for adult abortion! I've got things to do, like be relevant!
He says with a stern voice. Rob with a smile turns to Jeff and nods his head not taking the situation seriously.
Rob: Jeff, maybe we shouldn't have sent a donation to Sylvester Calvin. Maybe we should have donated money to this homeless man here. Hahaha! You smell that? Know what that smells like? Bitch.
Rob laughs obnoxiously, Jeff laughs a bit but seems too scared of Roy to enjoy the joke.
Rob: Roy, I don’t know wh-
Roy has grown past his boiling point, seems he's in no mood tonight to put up with Rob's shenanigans.
Roy: Get the FUCK out of my way, Garcia! Or you'll be crawling out of here with your vertebrates wrapped around your ankles!
Rob leans back with a chortle, completely no selling Roy's inflamed aggression.
Rob: Yeah, yeah, Troy. You can go by. I guess you've earned it. I don’t want to stand next to you for too long, do you even bathe? And what's up with that forehead? Blom blom blom, you'll never find a forehead quite like mine!
Rob sings as he touches Roy on the forehead mockingly. Roy seems infuriated but he doesn't let the trickster Garcia get under his skin.
Rob: My buddy always told me you were a bitch just like your dad.
Rob starts to laugh and turns around to look at Jeff. Just as Rob is getting ready to leave, turning his back on Roy when Jeff’s eyes widen.
Jeff: ROB LOOK OUT!
Roy sends the stiff edge of his elbow into the back of Rob's head, sending him crashing into Jeff. Both Rob and Jeff go veering down to the floor. Roy rips off his leather jacket as he kicks over a nearby table.
Roy: I warned you, Rob! I warned you! But you just don't stop! Do you! You just gotta have a conniption fit until someone pays attention to you! Like a blabbering baby boy!
Roy stomps down onto the back of Rob and then picks him up into piledriver position, looking to go for the Front Flip Piledriver Dark Void Driver. Rob snaps out the daze and pushes forward. Both men crashing Roy into nearby sound equipment. The two begin brawling as speakers start tumbling over.
Rob: Big leaguing bitch! You don't want no smoke! Bring it!
Both men exchange bombing lefts and rights. Rob stands up and starts nailing Roy in the face with tightly closed right hands! Roy is able to block a few hits as he spears Garcia in the gut and the two crash to ground. Roy mounts over Rob and starts firing off left hand shots of his own!
Jeff: HEY, ROY!
While wrestling with Rob, Roy turns his attention to Jeff Noon, who is standing there holding a decent sized can of pepper spray. Roy's facial expression changes to fear as he throws his hands up but it's too late!
Jeff: TAKE THIS!
Jeff presses down on the button on top of the can, the mace sprays out a little stream and then explodes out into the hallway, covering Roy, Rob and even himself! Jeff drops to his knees screaming in pain. Roy and Rob roll away from each other coughing hard. Just then security runs in to break up the fight, but instantly start coughing themselves. Roy gets to his feet and stumbles away clawing at his own eyes. Rob gets to his feet as well, squinting his eyes and coughing he walks over to Jeff who is crying hysterically and screaming his lungs out and tries to help him up.
Rob: Jeff that mace was meant for bears! Roy! This isn't over!?! You hear me!? Come back here! I'm not finished with you! DAAAAAAMNNNNN!
Rob roars out in pain as he rubs his eyes. The coughs and howls of pain escaping from Jeff fill the halls as AWF staff and security try to make sense of all of this nonsense.
Graysie Parker is a bloody mess.
The on-site medical team have been examining her since she was brought to the trainers room backstage at the Landon Arena. Eric Dane has a scowl on his face as he paces back and forth and barks orders at the EMTs and trainers.
Dane: GODDAMMIT somebody stop that bleeding! She’s gonna pass out! Keep her neck immobilized, she could have a spinal trauma! Are you people even listening to me?
The EMTs, used to working in a hostile environment, have been ignoring Dane the entire time. The one time he got more than a little bit animated he was told to either calm the fuck down or go wait outside. He’s doing his best to keep a level head and let the medics do their work when a small voice from behind him pulls his attention away from his charge momentarily.
“Excuse me, Mr. Dane?”
The voice belongs to AWF ace reporter and all-around backstage interviewer type, Charles Akiyama. He has a cameraman in tow and quickly sticks a microphone in Danes face.
Akiyama:: Is there any chance I can get a word with Grays-
And that right there is where Eric Dane’s patience ran out.
Dane: ARE YOU OUTTA YOUR FUCKING MIND?
The reporter flinches back, but he’s as used to a hostile workplace as the medics are and he sticks to his guns.
Akiyama:: What about you, then? Any comments?
Eric’s eyes go wide, his lips curl into an ugly snarl and his voice drops low, gravelly like fresh asphalt on a hot day.
Dane: No. Fucking Comment. Charles. Now if you don’t get that stick outta my face I’m gonna shove it all the way up your a-
Graysie speaks up from behind Eric. Her voice trembles from the loss of blood and the fact that she may or may not be concussed from the brutal attack that she’d suffered only a few minutes ago.
Graysie: Let him through.
Eric turns his head, Graysie’s face is a mess of dried and congealed blood. Her nose, broken last week at the hands of Dakota Jennings, had been smashed again. Not only that but there was a clear gash just inside her hairline. Eric, having had his fair share of gashes in his time, knew that stitches weren’t gonna touch that. Graysie Parker was in store for six or seven staples before she would ever get to leave this room.
Dane: Come on, kid, you need to get that wound closed and-
She cuts him off again.
Graysie: I said let him through!
The exertion causes her to cough, she spits a wad of red goo on the floor beside her as Eric throws his hands up in frustration and takes his leave. Akiyama edges in close, finding the best spot that he can in the crowded triage room. He gives the cameraman the iggy and then turns to Graysie with the microphone up to his lips.
Akiyama:: I’m backstage with Graysie Park-
He doesn’t get to finish as Graysie grabs his arm and brings the mic to her own bleeding face. The cameraman gets in as close as possible, her face is a mess and will probably be blurred out for the reruns.
Graysie: Dakota… I hope you’re proud of yourself! I tried to do right by you, I tried to come and apologize to you like a grown ass woman, and this is what I get for it?!
She points at her own mangled forehead.
Graysie: Fine. Great. That’s how you wanna be, that’s how we’ll be. If you want a fight with me, then bring your trailer park ass to Texas for Clash of the Titans! You and me are gonna finish this thing once and for all!
She smiles, it doesn’t look right on her bloodied face.
Graysie: And if that bitch Natasha wants to get involved, she can come get some too! And I ain’t talkin’ about no rasslin’ match either ladies, MAKE IT A STREETFIGHT! Make it a TEXAS DEATHMATCH! Hell, make it a Dumb Bitch on a Pole match for all I care, just MAKE THE MATCH!
The head EMT pipes up.
EMT: Ms. Parker, I’m gonna have to ask you to calm down! We’ve got to get this closed up or you’re gonna end up losing more blood! And you…
The medical tech turns to Akiyama.
EMT: That’s enough questions, we’ve got to get this wound closed and get her to a medical facility, so if you don’t mind...
The arena lights pulse red as 'Riot' starts up. Bloodied Fox steps through the curtain, holding looking focused on what is about to go down inside the squared circle.
Romano: Well here comes Bloodied Fox!
Taylor: Announced as the commentator for this match... he'll call the action before entering the eye of the storm at Clash of The Icons.
He salutes the camera and then heads to the ring, taking a seat at ringside.
Jessie Love: The following contest is a tag-team match, scheduled for one fall and IS OUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING!!!
The lights go down and the sound of people cheering starts to play. Spotlights come up in pairs, focused on the stage until Stagefright starts to play as fog covers the stage and strobing purple lights play along with the song.
Jessie Love: First! Coming to the ring from New Orleans, Louisiana and weighing in at one-hundred-and-seventy-five pounds, standing at five-feet and ten inches….TOMMY….STRYCHNINE!!!!
Slowly a platform rises from the center of the stage, revealing a figure in an elaborate velvet robe, with "Tommy Strychnine" signed on the back in flickering LEDs. Tommy spins around when the lyrics start ans shrugs off the robe, lip-synching along to the song and imitating playing guitar. He makes his way down the ramp, ready to put Vincent Draven down ahead of the Clash of the Icons match.
Romano: How much focus do you think Tommy has on Draven tonight... as much as he should for Clash?
Taylor:
When he gets to the ring, he poses on the turnbuckle with his guitar, pretending to play along with the song, before handing off the guitar to the ring crew and doing a flip off the turnbuckle into a powerslide as pyro goes off from the corners of the ring.
Taylor: Holy shit! What pyro!
"Timebomb" by Beck blasts into the arena and all the lights change to a cool shade of neon blue. Seth Dillinger struts out to the top of the ramp wearing sunglasses, jeans, and a button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone, showing off just a bit of his pecs.
Jessie Love: His partner! Hailing from the City of Brotherly Love! Standing at an even six-feet and tipping the scales at two-hundred-and-fifteen pounds! He is the Flashy Party Boy and the CURRENT AWF PRESTIGE CHAMPION! SETH!!!! … DILLINGER!!!
Romano: Here comes the champ!
Taylor: Still continuing that cocky swagger in his step...
Fox: He'll always have that cocky swagger to him.
After the countdown timer hits zero, Seth starts to stroll down to the ring, focused and confident in his look. When he reaches the bottom of the ramp, he rolls into the ring under the bottom rope, then paces around the ring as his partner watches on.
The lights and titantron go pitch black for a few moments as the sound of recording about the play goes through the speakers. Suddenly, the lights come back on- albeit in a royal purple, tinting the arena in purple light.The soft, distorted synth echoes for a few moments. The guitar and drums kick off as the purple lights fade into black, and a single spotlight falls on Draven as he heads down to the ring.
Jessie Love: AND NOW, FOR THEIR OPPONENTS! Coming to the ring, again standing at an even six feet, and weighing two-hundred-and-three pounds...He is THE CURRENT AWF UNITED STATES CHAMPION! THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS! VINCENT….DRAVEN!!!
I'm looking at a face, a pointed chin
Towards the sky in arrogance
It easily betrays the closest friend
A moment lost, no consequence
His eyes surveying the crowd quietly as he undoes his cloak. A glare resting on his face as he climbs up the steel steps, standing on the apron while throwing his cloak onto the floor. He places his hands on the top rope and walks to the side of the ring facing the hard camera. Suddenly looking up and spitting a red mist into the air, as a wicked grin slowly grows on his pale features as he wipes the blood from his lips.
A circle starts again, away from you
Deception pulls us in, away from you
Away from you, away from you
Finally, Draven goes under the top rope and climbs into the ring.
Imitation, a fabrication
A pretty fake, but counterfeit
An empty carcass behind the artist
Is there a trait of innocence?
A pretty fake, but counterfeit
An empty carcass behind the artist
Is there a trait of innocence?
Draven moves to his corner, kneeling down as he holds onto the middle rope with one hand. He slowly takes in his surroundings- before standing back up, slowly, ready for the fight.
The lights go for a light shade of pink as "Save That Shit" by Lil Peep begins to play for everyone to hear.
Fuck my life, can't say that girl
Don't tell me you can save that shit
All she want is payback for the way I always play that shit
You ain't getting nothing, now I'm saying
Don't tell me you is
Nothin' like them other motherfuckers
Ryan Young walks out from behind the curtain and is followed by his girlfriend, Selena. He stands atop of the stage and looks out to the ring, bending over, adjusting his kneepads before shooting up and stretching his arms out.
Jessie Love: Finally, his tag-team partner! From Anaheim, California. He is ‘THE MESSIAH OF THE KNEESTRIKE’!...GOD’S LAST GIFT….RYAN YOUNG!
I can make you rich (I can make you rich)
I can make you this, baby, I can make you that
I can take you there, but baby, you won't make it back
Growing sick of this and I don't wanna make you sad
Do I make you scared? Baby, won't you take me back?
Romano: Any words on such a pairing, Fox?
Fox: Nope... they could be a good team, I think.
Taylor: Well, Ryan looks to give a nice preview to Seth for Clash of The Icons tonight, only a matter of if he can do that...
Young makes his way down the ramp and to ringside where he runs at the ring apron and slides along it on one knee, entering the ring and climbing up to the second rope where he unstraps the belt from his waist and holds it in his right hand, raising it up high before beating his chest with his free hand and giving a smirk to Seth Dillinger who watches on disdainfully.
Tag Team Match - featuring Bloodied Fox at Ringside
Tommy Strychnine and Seth Dillinger vs. Vincent Draven and Ryan Young
The bell rings and instantly Tommy Strychnine goes right after Ryan Young, trying to get the big splash in the corner but Ryan moves out of the way just in time, Ryan connects the Bicycle Kick to Tommy before rebounding off the ropes and a Discus Elbow lands right on the jaw of Tommy. Ryan pushes him out of the corner, leaping onto the second rope and lands a Missile Dropkick to Tommy that pushes him into his corner. Seth and Ryan lock eyes, tension already building up after weeks of constant arguing and attacks, but no tag in for Seth as he orders Strychnine to “continue what he’s doing”. Tommy springs to his feet and connects a Step Up Enzugiri to Ryan’s head, and then an Axe Kick to the back of his head before deadlifting Ryan up with a Release German Suplex. Ryan rolls out of the ring to catch a breather as the referee begins his count. He makes it up to four as Ryan leaps onto the apron but Tommy was waiting, he goes for the Big Boot but Ryan moves out of the way and lands a Rope Aided Gamengiri, followed by a Slingshot DDT that spikes Tommy’s head into the mat. Ryan goes for the pinfall but Tommy’s foot is under the rope, Ryan pulls him away from the ropes but Tommy goes for a Small Package pin- Ryan instantly kicks out before the referee gets to count the pin.
Romano: Such a strong set of offence already kicking off this huge Main Event match tonight.
Taylor: Strychnine and Young are setting a huge standard for their tag partners and their opponents for Clash of The Icons.
Fox: Ryan is also trying to impress me too...
Ryan gets back to his feet and is met with a Superkick from Tommy! Ryan stumbles back- Bicycle Kick from Ryan! Tommy is caught off guard with the kick- Enzuigiri! Ryan’s shaken but he grabs Tommy by the waist as he’s down and sends him down onto his neck with a Bridging German Suplex! The referee counts… but only barely a two count was made. Tommy is already back to his feet as he rebounds off the ropes and connects a sickening Penalty Kick! Tommy leaps onto the top rope, attempts the Stage Dive but Ryan leaps CATCHING TOMMY IN MID AIR AND CONNECTING A BACKSTABBER! Tommy is wrenching in pain from the backstabber as Ryan gets back to his feet, dropping the knee onto the head of Tommy, and then another before heading onto the apron and leaping over the ropes with a Rolling Senton. Ryan runs the ropes and hits a Basement Dropkick onto Tommy, sending him out of the ring. Ryan grabs the ropes and watches Tommy get back to his feet, he slingshots himself over and connects a Meteora onto Tommy!
Taylor: Oh wow! Ryan is on a roll right now, he’s attacking Tommy in any way possible.
Romano: You know exactly who he’s sending that message to, he’s looking right at him with a smile on his face!
Fox: Don't get too cocky, Ryan.
Ryan does indeed look at Seth with a grin on his face as he grabs Tommy and throws him into the ring, Ryan slides under the bottom rope and takes notice to Tommy crawling over to Seth, but Ryan leaps into the air and Curb Stomps his head into the mat! Ryan grabs the head of Tommy and sits on his back as he locks in a Dragon Sleeper in the middle of the ring, Tommy tries to struggle his way out of the hold, trying to crawl but with Ryan sitting on his back, he cannot move. Seth tries to enter the ring but Ryan stands up and stares down Seth, keeping him in place. Ryan takes a few steps forward, mouthing something off to Seth but then he’s rolled up from behind! Tommy goes for the School Boy pin, Ryan kicks out AND IS DROPPED WITH A SUPERKICK! TOMMY TAGS OUT AND IN COMES SETH WITH A SPRINGBOARD FROG SPLASH! SETH ROLLS OFF OF RYAN AND LEAPS ONTO THE SECOND ROPE, THEN ONTO THE TOP ROPE AND LEAPS WITH A CORKSCREW MOONSAULT!
Romano: Oh boy! Here we go!
Taylor: A preview of what’s to come at Clash of The Icons, something we’ve waited a very long time for!
Fox: A very long time indeed.
Seth drags Ryan up to his feet, taking a few steps back and going for the Neon Crash but Ryan pushes him off and leaps to tag in Vincent Draven! The tag is made as Draven comes running in, slamming Seth down with a Saito Suplex! Draven doesn’t let go and slams Seth down with another Saito! Draven tries for the trifecta of Saito’s but Seth is able to over flip and land on his feet, Draven rolls onto his shoulders and his head, using his legs to grab Seth by the head and send him across the ring with a Headscissors Hurricanrana. Seth slides under the bottom rope as Draven goes over the ropes with an Over The Top Rope No-Handed Corkscrew Moonsault Plancha! Tommy tries to dive onto Draven but he moves out of the way and Tommy lands back first onto the floor, Draven tosses Seth under the bottom rope and begins to climb up to the top rope, setting his sights on Seth in the ring who is getting back up to his feet. Draven dives onto Seth with a Meteora and hooks the legs for a pinfall, only getting a one count.
Romano: Everyone is on fire tonight, this has been the moment people are paying good money to see.
Taylor: Yes sir, and if you’re watching this illegally with those highly legal streams that are totally legit then go subscribe to the XHF Network for a grand price of $9.99!
Fox: Cheap plug, much?
Draven slithers his way into the corner and watches Seth get back to his feet, once he does, Draven comes running in hot with a Single Leg Dropkick- MUSHROOM STOMP BY SETH! DRAVEN CRASHES INTO THE MAT WITH SUCH FORCE HE LANDS ON HIS NECK! Seth tries to catch his breath, as does Draven as both of them use opposite ropes to pull themselves back up to their feet. Seth runs at Draven but he is caught with a hard Lariat that turns Seth inside out, Draven drags Seth to the corner and runs to the opposite corner, hitting his back off the buckles and charging at Seth with a Hesitation Dropkick- Tommy drags Seth out of the ring just in time. Ryan runs towards the ropes and leaps over with a Tope Con Hilo- Ryan’s caught by both men and powerbombed onto the ring apron! Draven slingshots himself over but Tommy catches him, Seth leaps onto the apron as Tommy elevates Draven up from the waistlock and superkicks Draven as Tommy connects a German Suplex onto the apron! Seth rolls Draven back into the ring and patiently waits on the apron for Draven to get back to his feet, once he does, Seth leaps but he’s pulled back down by Ryan! Seth’s jaw hits the ropes and he falls back onto the floor, Ryan runs away as Tommy chases him off. Seth recovers quickly and enters the ring, but he’s caught with a Roundhouse Kick to the head by Draven and then a Superkick from the Vampire before dropping Seth onto his neck with the Vamplex!
Taylor: The Half Nelson and Half Tiger Suplex, known better as the Half and Half Suplex, by Vincent Draven!
Romano: Another Vamplex? YES! No way-- A THIRD VAMPLEX! DRAVEN IS SENDING A MESSAGE TO THE PRESTIGE CHAMPION!
Fox: Those Vamplexes are no joke, Seth getting three in a row will do something to his neck
A trifecta of Vamplexes has Seth dazed and out of it, Draven looks to end the match quickly with the Low Roundhouse Kick but he misses Draven’s Inferno as Seth collapses and inadvertently ducks the kick. Draven stalks Seth but his foot is grabbed by Tommy, but Ryan tackles him to the ground and makes Tommy let go of Draven’s ankle. Draven walks over- NEON CRASH! The Slingblade knocks Draven down, and Seth quickly makes his way out onto the apron and crawls up onto the top ro- CALIFORNIAN DREAM! RYAN YOUNG DROPS SETH DILLINGER DOWN ONTO THE APRON WITH A STEP UP V-TRIGGER! Ryan pushes Seth back into the ring and points to the top rope for Draven. Of course, Draven takes the advice of Ryan and begins the climb to the top, he goes for Diabolus ex Machina but his foot is caught by Tommy as he’s pulled by his ankle down, landing awkwardly on the top rope. Tommy climbs to the top with Draven still in the seated position, Ryan comes in to push him off but Tommy kicks him down, he turns his back on Ryan and leaps with the Stage Dive- RYAN DIVED OUT OF THE WAY AND TOMMY LANDS BACK FIRST ONTO THE RING APRON!
Romano: OH MY GOD!
Fox: JESUS WEPT.
Taylor: STRYCHNINE LANDED HORRIFICLY ON THE APRON!
Draven still sits on the top rope as Seth runs in and leaps up, POISON HURRICANRANA OFF THE TOP ROPE! Draven’s head spikes the mat as he stands up- SOUTH PHILLY STUNNER BY SETH! HE HOOKS THE LEGS, THE COVER AND THE COUNT…
ONE!
TWO!
THR-
RAIN OVER ANAHEIM!!!! RYAN YOUNG CRASH LANDS ONTO DRAVEN AND DILLINGER WITH THE FROG SPLASH!
Taylor: My lord! This match’s intensity has picked up from zero to a hundred in the span of a minute!
Romano: Lord only knows how this will end- If it will end!
Fox: It's coming... Ryan sees an opening, just don't choke it.
Ryan drags Draven over to their corner and tags himself in, climbing onto the top rope and leaps for another Rain Over Anaheim but Seth raises the knees, he kicks him up into a standing position before kipping up into the Hurricanrana and spiking Ryan on the top of his head, Poison Hurricanrana spikes Ryan again on his head… Superkick to the jaw of Ryan!! Seth drops toe holds Ryan and leaves him resting on the second rope, Seth rebounds off the opposite ropes and Tommy enters from the side that Seth rebounds from… STRYCH-ONE-NINE AND TWO-ONE-NINE!! Both Tommy and Seth stand on the apron and watch Ryan get back to his feet, Kiss Me Deadly from Strychnine and the South Philly Stunner by Seth drops Ryan as Seth makes the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Taylor: Seth pinned Ryan! He pinned his challenger for Clash!
Romano: Good lord!
Fox stands up from his seat.
Jessie Love: Here are your winners… Tommy Strychnine and the AWF Prestige Champion, Seth Dillinger!
The bell rings as Seth looks down onto the fallen Ryan Young, Fox rolls into the ring and get in between both Seth and Ryan. Seth shrugs Fox off and exits the ring with the AWF Prestige Championship resting on his shoulder, the final shot we see if of Fox looking over the ropes at Seth walking away with a smirk on his face before the feed cuts to black.
