The AWF Presents: Clash of the Icons - LIVE from Houston,TX!
May 18, 2020 5:57:01 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Steele, and 5 more like this
Post by Cross Recoba on May 18, 2020 5:57:01 GMT -5
Live from The Toyota Center in Houston, Texas
May 23rd, 2020
Capacity: 18,300
Attendance: 0
As we cut to the rear parking lot of the Toyota Center, we get a shot of a black SUV pulling up to the talent entrance area. The vehicle stops, but keeps its engine running as we await the passenger to reveal themselves. A moment goes on before the door opens, and a looming figure emerges... Hyperion.
Romano: (speaking over the shot) And here he is folks, we’ve heard rumors and seen some footage but if you didn’t believe it, now is the time! Hyperion is back on AWF soil!
Taylor: I am pumped to see him back, but his appearance comes with more questions and confusion than anything else. I mean, how? Like, HOW?
Romano: If you think a man like Hyperion was going to spend any more time behind bars than he already has, then you are more dumb than I had thought. He’s nothing if he’s not resourceful.
Taylor: I guess having your own mini-army comes with some perks. What comes next for Hyperion though, that is what has me tickled pink.
Hyperion exits the vehicle, wearing torn jeans, heavy boots, a white t-shirt and a leather waistcoat over the top. A far cry from the usual armour-esque attire he’s known to wear. He taps the window of the SUV and the vehicle pulls away, leaving Hyperion to just look at the arena before.
Hyperion: Ascension Wrestling Federation...
Hyperion exhales.
Hyperion: Ahhh... feels good to be home.
He starts his walk towards the building, and enters through the talent entrance doorway before the scene cuts back to the announcers.
Fading out from Hyperion as he walks into the arena. The official Clash of the Icons 2020 theme "Feel Invincible" by Skillet plays.
A teenager around seventeen appears on-screen looking into what appears to be a webcam. He wears an LGBTKO t-shirt and we see posters of Jackson Steele and Seth Dillinger in the background.
Teenager: I’m Taylor from Bethesda, Ohio and I’m watching Clash of the Icons!
The shot of Taylor zooms away and is replaced by a family gathered on a couch, two boys sit with their father. What we presume is their mother comes into shot and talks into the camera.
Mom: We’re the Kane’s from Toronto, Canada and we’re all in for COTI!
They join Taylor in being zoomed away to the backdrop.
Next is a female, mid-twenties with reddish hair. She’s wearing a Dakota Jennings Smash ‘Em All tee.
Woman: I’m Sarah from London, England...and I’m watching Clash of the Icons!
She zooms to the back as the next shot flicks forward of a guy with long hair and a bandana.
Mexican Man: ¡Soy Alejandro y estoy viendo Choque de los iconos!
He strikes a Tommy Strychnine pose as he zooms out. He’s replaced by a grizzled face of a man in his forties. He looks into his webcam.
French Man: Je suis Guillaume et je suis regarde Clash des icônes!
Guillaume swoops out and now the videos pick up as we hear a gaggle of different languages announcing where they’re from, five become twenty-five as the wall of viewers builds and builds as the song picks up until finally the noise is faded away and we see the imposing frame of the CEO of Ascension Wrestling, Felix Ziko, sitting at his desk. He looks straight into the camera.
Ziko: I’m Felix Zico and YOU’RE watching Clash of the Icons!
He joins the throng of pictures that now are beyond counting. The collage of people dissolves into the Clash of the Icons Logo.
The logo fades away to a shot of Cassius Romano and Tommy Taylor who beam with pride.
Taylor: WELCOME FANS TO CLASH OF THE ICONS 2020!
Romano: We’re in for a historic night with a stacked card destined to go down in XHF history as one of the greatest cards we’ve ever seen!
Taylor’s smile is now open. The screen shows the graphic for the opening match.
Taylor: That’s right, we have ALL the titles on the line tonight alongside matches that, Cassius, I can’t even begin to work out who will come out on top!
Romano: We’ll see the Around the Clock Title being defended in a twenty-minute Scramble match where any of the competitors can walk out with the title!
Taylor: Except Copycat!
The two share a laugh. The picture now changes to Aiden Merric and Rob Garcia.
Romano: Even Copycat has a chance at leaving the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas with that title! We’ll find out whether money talks or hard graft wins through as Aiden Merric defends his XHF Phoenix Title against Rob Garcia!
Taylor: Garcia has made no bones about his desire to take home that title but I can’t see the Australian surrendering it so easily!
The shot is replaced by The Awesome Bastards and The Nukeamaniacs.
Taylor: We’ll be seeing the AWF in-ring debut of The Awesome Bastards as they take on the team of Feargal Nukebuster and Uncle Hogan!
Romano: They ran roughshod over them at Prestige 52 and you can bet that The Nukeamaniacs have been taking their vitamins and saying their prayers ahead of tonight’s match!
The graphic fades away and instead, we get a video clip of Dakota Jennings teeing off on Graysie Parker with a chair as Natasha can be seen at the top of the ramp.
Romano: History will be made as we see three women go toe-to-toe in a Triple-Threat Chairs match that we know will not be for the faint-hearted!
Taylor: You just know Eric Dane will have prepped Parker for this within an inch of her life!
Romano: How do you even prepare for a challenge like Natasha?
Taylor: Parker’s no slouch, if this were purely a wrestling match then you’d put the smart money on her!
Romano: Maybe so but it’s not and instead she gets Natasha and The Chairwoman of the AWF, Dakota Jennings, to deal with!
Taylor: I’d still be worried about The Goddess in this one!
The video switches to Jackson Steele addressing the crowd at Prestige 52.
Romano: We say that Clash of the Icons is our biggest show of the year and what better occasion is there to see what Jackson Steele is saying is most likely his last-ever match?
Taylor: He’s been medically cleared but when he made that open challenge the last person he’d expect or want to take it is Hardcore Harry!
The video changes to a collection of clips showing Harry taking apart his opponents and leaving them lying on the floor.
Romano: He made a name for himself in the early days of the XHF and it seems that Steele could be regretting his decision to return.
Taylor: You can never discount the inaugural AWF Champion, Cassius, this match will be a war!
The scene changes to highlights from Strychnine’s attempt to dethrone Draven at Prestige 51.
Romano: That leads us into our last three matches, any of which you could argue could headline tonight’s proceedings!
Taylor: It’s time for Draven vs Strychnine, Act Three!
Romano: Draven got a decisive win against Tommy to qualify for the final of the tournament to crown a new United States Champion at Road to Victory Three!
We see Draven lifting the title aloft at RTV3.
Taylor: But it’s what happened when they met again for the title that put tonight’s match in motion!
We switch back to the Prestige 51 match, this time focusing on Strychnine’s offense on Draven.
Romano: Coming off a match against Cross Recoba, Draven’s ribs were his weak point-
Taylor: Something Tommy was only too sure of when delivering a vicious attack throughout the match that pinpointed them,
Now shots of Draven reacting on an animalistic instinct show.
Romano: Draven’s talked about having to contain the beast that resides within and Tommy pushed him to his limit on that one!
The highlights show them outside the ring as the referee continues his count.
Taylor: The US champion retained the title only though guile and wits that night resulting in the match going to a double count-out!
The screen stops on the still graphic for the match.
Romano: Tonight though, the two men take to the ring for the title in a match where Falls Count Anywhere!
Taylor: This surely plays into Tommy’s hands more?
Romano: The Prince of Darkness isn’t a stranger to these matches, what we do know is there is a cigarette paper that splits the odds on the Vegas line!
The graphic is replaced by Storm vs Diamond I at the first-ever Clash of the Icons.
Taylor: Just before the main event we have this match, which sees Jack Diamond put his pride on the line in return for the chance to end Michael Storm’s career!
Romano: There’s no love lost between them.
A clip from a Storm promo.
Storm: On Saturday, it'll be you and me in the ring. No one else. Not Bobby. Not anyone on my team, not that there are any. Beat me, be me. Or lose, and I will take all that you are. And I will destroy you.
Then one from Diamond.
Diamond: You will be a shell of a broken human being. You will not have your health. You will not have your career. You will not have your soul. When I beat you, I will right a wrong you set in motion two years ago. I will have my pride back. After our match, you go away for good and I finally get back to normal.
We then see the fallout from Recoba vs Storm as Diamond and The Prince of Pain go hell for leather as road agents try to keep the two apart.
Romano: We’ve seen Michael Storm put his body on the line repeatedly in Ascension and now that the stakes are this high, it’s difficult to doubt that he won’t be willing to go above and beyond what we’ve seen him do before!
Taylor: But Jack has repeatedly said in the build-up tonight that he CAN’T take another loss that he WON’T take another loss and it won’t be at the hands of his rival, Michael Storm!
Romano: With XHF’s Call to Arms right around the corner, you wonder about the mental state of Jack Diamond in agreeing to this match with just eight days to recover!
Taylor: Trying to put rational thought to an irrational man isn’t worth trying to do!
Finally, we get a shot of the main event. The scene turns to A Very AWF Christmas with the finish of the War Games.
Romano: It all leads us to this! A match that people have clamoured for since LGBTKO became a thing. Ryan Young looks to try and dethrone Seth Dillinger and take away the Prestige Title!
Taylor: It’s more than that, some would argue the team’s greatest triumph kick-started the downfall that got us to where we find ourselves now!
Natasha showing Dennis joining Legion is shown before going straight to Road to Victory 3 where Dillinger hits the South Philly Stunner to be met with laughs from Natasha and then running through the vicious chair shots delivered by Dillinger, each one interspersed with the growing horror that shows on Ryan Young’s face.
Romano: If WarGames was where the pin was pulled, Road to Victory was where the grenade went off!
Taylor: Ryan’s gone back to this moment repeatedly to try and show Dillinger the error of his ways.
Dennis leaves Seth at Prestige 49 and Ryan, for his troubles, is met with a superkick that floors him from Dillinger!
Romano: No matter what Ryan has tried all he has succeeded in doing is making the rift between the pair grow larger and larger!
Seth takes a step back and laughs.
Seth: Isn't it, though? You've been distant ever since I won this title.
Seth holds up his Prestige Championship for Ryan to see.
Ryan: Stop it, Seth. We're friends.
Seth: Are we? Or were you just eyeing my title the whole time, lying in wait.
Ryan closes his eyes, the words stinging more than he thought they would.
Ryan: This isn't you, Seth.
Seth: You want my title, Ryan?
Ryan: This isn't ABOUT the title!
Seth: Do what Selena wanted you to do, then. Get her the fame and glory she desperately craves.
Ryan: STOP!
Ryan shouts. Seth moves really close into Ryan's face.
Seth: Be that bitch's bitch and stop living in my shadow.
Ryan suddenly explodes, blasting Seth with a right hand. Seth drops the title as he stumbles backwards, carrying the momentum forward and tackling Ryan to the ground. Seth gets in a few punches on Ryan, who manages to get an arm up to block most of them before throwing Seth off of him.
Taylor: This is chaos!
Romano: LGBTKO appears to be in full-blown civil war!
Seth tumbles a few feet away and scrambles back up to his feet, turning back to Ryan. As he spins around, Ryan catches him off guard, having picked up the dropped AWF Prestige Championship and just clocks him in the jaw with it. Seth goes down, out from taking the belt to the face. The shot freezes on the down champion.
Romano: What we have here is an early favorite for the match of the year! Ryan Young got the best of his LGBTKO stablemates in that Ultimate X match last year and you just know that Dillinger isn’t going to want to have a repeat of that at the biggest show on the AWF calendar when it’s biggest prize is on the line!
The video resumes, this time with the end of the XHF Tag-Team match where miscommunication causes Bloodied Fox and Ryan Young to lose the titles. It changes to the Rumble where after a brief period of cooperation Young and Dillinger go to war resulting in Seth being upended, then lastly in Fox eliminating Young.
Taylor: We haven’t even touched on the ramifications of Bloodied Fox, the third member of LGBTKO who finds himself in the unenviable position of having to call the match between two men he regarded as not just friends but brothers!
Romano: What factor, if any, he’ll play in the match is anyone’s guess!
The camera switches back to the two men.
Taylor: What we do know is the card is stacked!
Romano: I can’t tell you how honored you must feel, Tommy, to call this night!
Taylor: That’s not all. I found out earlier today that Cross Recoba is set to host an interview with a new signing today as part of ‘The Box Office’!
Romano: Great, unless Ziko has dropped the ball and he’s not getting paid scale.
Taylor: What would Chris Card do?
Romano: [inaudible]
Taylor: My thoughts exactly!
Romano: And, fans, as you saw as we opened - HYPE IS IN THE BUILDING!
Taylor: With Natasha and Hyperion both in attendance I can only imagine a locker-room that is on notice!
Romano: It begs the question though, where is Kuroi?
Taylor: That’s a question we hope we don’t get an answer to!
Romano: Coming up next, we kick-off the biggest night of the XHF calendar with the first-ever Scramble match for the Around the Clock Title!
Jessie Love: The following match is for the AWF Around The Clock Title! There is a Twenty Minute Time Limit, you can only win the match by pinning the CURRENT Title Holder and at the end of the twenty minutes, the wrestler with the belt WILL be declared the winner!
The spinning face of Copycat appears on the AWFTron as Copycat makes his way to the ring. He waves to the crowd... who aren't there and waits for the start of "Knights Of Cydonia (Copycat remix)" to play.
COP-Y-CAAT, COP-Y-CAT- COOOOP,
Y-CAT COOOOP, Y-CAT COP-YYYYYYY
Jessie Love: Introducing first, from...
Jessie reads her notes and stifles a giggle
Jessie Love: The Double Cat Ranch in El Gato Copiar, Texas, COOOOPYCAAAAT
Copycat rushes the ring, sliding under the bottom rope at high speed, all the way across the ring and falling out the other side. Copycat dusts himself off and gets back into the ring, posing.
Taylor: It's everyone's favourite unsuccess story, Copycat!
Romano: This goof. I mean can't he be quarantined or something? Just in case being a loser is infective.
As "BLACKJACK" by Anime begins to play throughout the crowd, the arena's lights switch to a golden hue. The AWFtron shows the words "BOOM SHACKA LACKA" pulsing in time to the music.
"I just bought a new grill
Shining like a new whip
Adam got a new drip
I'm a nappy-headed black lil cool kid
Yeah, I stack that, make that, break that, take that
Got a hundred ways I can flip that, get back
All up in the money just to get back
Bitch, back up
No, you probably need a Tic Tac, it's that (huh)"
The man of the hour walks out from behind the curtain, his custom black and gold skateboard under his arm as he places it down at the top of the stage. André walks around on the stage with a smile on his face, lowering his sunglasses to see the crowd cheering him on. He hops onto the skateboard and rolls down to the ring
Jessie Love: And his first opponent, from Harlem, New York, weighing in at two hundred and thirty two pounds, "The King of Harlem," ANDRÉ CRAAAAAWFOOOORD
André leaps off of the skateboard and dances around the ring before leaping onto the apron and then over the ropes to enter his corner and await his opponent.
Taylor: The man of a hundred nicknames and a thousand high flying moves.
Romano: This guy comes with a great reputation. I can't wait to see him in action, Taylor.
The arena is plunged into darkness as "When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin echoes out of the speakers. 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
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: And the third competitor, Weighing in at two hundred and sixity three pounds and fighting out of Raleigh, North Carolina, "The Paragon of Sleaze" KEEEEITH WIIIIIILIIIAMS
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 his opponents. 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.
Taylor: The Paragon of Sleaze.
Romano: This guy is a sexual harassment suit waiting to happen. But if it help him win, I'm fine with it.
The sound of a revving motorcycle and the Christian Rock stylings of Michael Sweet fire up around the arena as Sylvester Calvin makes his way down to the ring. His hair flows magnificently behind him as he heads down to the ring in perfect control (albeit at a speed those unused to a motorbike would be allowed to get away with indoors).
Jessie Love: And the fourth competitor, weighing in at three hundred and twenty five pounds and standing SEVEN FEET TALL, from Patmos Island City, Greece, The Prophesiser, SYLVEEEEESTER CAAAAAAAAAALVIN.
Calvin dismounts his hog and steps over the top ring ropes and into the ring, crossing himself and staring up to the heavens for some brief guidance.
Taylor: A strong man, both in physique and faith.
Romano: I never had much time for religion. When I was active I would rather convert people from wrestlers to losers.
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 audience at home's reaction.
Jessie Love: And finally, your reigning and defending Around The Clock Champion, weighing in at two hundred and twenty seven pounds, ORIIIIIIIIIIONNNN!
Taylor: And there's your champion.
Romano: And the guy with the target on his back. Let's start this madness.
Around The Clock Championship 20-Minute Scramble
ORION © vs. Sylvester Calvin vs. Copycat vs. Keith Williams vs. Andre Crawford
Gabe Valentine rings the bell and immediately EVERYONE ELSE heads straight for ORION, throwing lefts and rights and chops and kicks and whatever. ORION takes the blows and gains back a bit of control, elbowing Copycat away with ease, then spinning around into a rolling elbow on Crawford. Williams ducks out of the action before he can be connected with any meaningful offense and finally, ORION turns to face Calvin. He lands a stiff elbow to the big man's face, then a second, then a third. Calvin cocks his head to a side and there's this sudden look of "Oh, Fuck!" on ORION'S face as Calvin stands there with a look of grim conviction on his face as he PUNCHES ORION SO HARD HE GOES FLYING INTO A CLUSTER OF THE OTHER INVOLVED WRESTLERS!
Taylor: Calvin is hella strong, that's for sure.
Romano: Should that be heavena strong?
Taylor: Possibly.
Williams sizes up the situation and takes a powder as Calvin wades into the thick of things. A big boot takes Crawford off his feet, spending the athletic superstar wheeling away through the air. Copycat fruitlessly charges The Prophesier and almost dismissively Calvin lifts him with one arm, rudely dumping the unlucky Cat on the mat with a thud. Finally Calvin catches ORION, grabs his wrist to control the arm out of the way and punches ORION RIGHT IN THE HEART. Orion slumps to the canvas and Calvin pins him...
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THREE!
Jessie Love: Your NEW Around The Clock Champion, SYLVESTER CALVIN!
Taylor: The first title change of the match!
With the bullseye on him, the other competitors look towards Calvin. ORION shakes the cobwebs out, annoyed at losing his belt and has the first crack at the whip. He charges in, leaping into a high arc and showing amazing agility to hoist his leg high enough to wrap it round the back of Calvin's head. Calvin staggers for a couple of steps. He follows up with a backflipping dropkick that almost unbalances Calvin. Finally he backs off a few steps and charges in, soaring to the skies and trying to wrap his arm around Calvin's neck, looking to make the big man Fade Away... but Calvin steadies himself and flips the much lighter ORION around in midair, dropping the former champion across his knee. ORION rolls away in pain. Keith Williams... is chatting to a female camera crew operator.
Taylor: Calvin is such a large, scary powerhouse. He's so hard to take down.
Romano: Sometimes in wrestling it's not about all the flash you can manage. Sometimes it's about being big and scary.
Crawford decides to have a go next. Being slightly heavier, though no less athletic than ORION, The Man of the Hour rushes at Calvin and wheels his body over, connecting flush on Calvin's jaw with a roundhouse kick. Again, the behemothal Calvin is briefly staggered. Crawford rushes the ropes and bounces off the top rope, springing off with a beautiful dropkick. Copycat, still on the ground, proves a dangerous obstacle as Calvin actually staggers over him and falls backwards. Overjoyed at this stroke of luck, Copycat covers...
ON... not even a ONE count as Calvin LAUNCHES COPYCAT INTO THE STRATOSPHERE PUSHING HIM OFF!
Romano: That is NOT going to work.
Looking down at Copycat, Calvin decides to deal with the little irritant and furiously stomps down on the poor Cat until he rolls his miserable ass out the ring to escape. Crawford and ORION are exchanging knowing glances as they recover. Keith Williams... has pulled out his... phone. And is trying to get a set of digits.
Taylor: The King of Sleaze living up to his name.
ORION and Crawford line up on either side of Calvin, still making sure Copycat has gone out of the way. ORION hits a high ganmengiri, connecting his boot solidly into Calvin's face. Crawford follows with a running dropkick. Then ORION connects with a dropkick of his own. Then the pair look at each other and coil their legs back, hold a hand up each and count "One, Two, Three!" before BLASTING CALVIN IN THE FACE WITH STEREO SUPERKICKS! CALVIN DROPS TO HIS BUTT!
Taylor: How's THAT for an alignment of stars for ya?
Crawford rushes the ropes and punt kicks Calvin in the ribs at full speed!
Taylor: PEEEEE-KAAAY!
ORION rushes the ropes and does the same!
Taylor: PEEEEEE-KAAAAAY!
Crawford doesn't slow down and bounces off the far ropes, passing ORION as he lands his kick, then as ORION hits the far ropes, he hits the near and charges into ANOTHER punt kick!
Taylor: PEEEEEEEEEEE-KAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
And then ORION completes his circuit and charges in and HE HITS ANOTHER PUNT KICK TO THE RIBS!
Taylor: PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
AND THE COPYCAT JUMPS INTO THE RING AND RUNS AT CALVIN AND SWINGS HIS LEG AT CALVIN, WHO HAS DROPPED TO HIS BACK. COPYCAT TOTALLY OVERBALANCES AND ACCIDENTALLY LANDS ON CALVIN WITH A SENTON!
Romano: OK, four out of five is usually good enough for a shootout.
Copycat now has a back press. By accident.
...ONE!
...T- Calvin presses Copycat off him. Crawford rushes up the ropes and up to the top turnbuckle with cat like agility on one side of the ring. ORION, takes a look at what Crawford has done and decides to outdo him, climbing the ropes in the same way but adding a half twist to the end so he is facing into the ring. With Calvin's huge body forming a huge and easily hit target, both men jump off at the same time.. BENDING AND TWISTING AND CORKING THEIR BODIES IN MID AIR AND LANDING ON THE HUGE CALVIN AT THE SAME TIME!
Taylor: WILDIN' OUT! SUPERNOVA CRASH!
Calvin looks stunned by the impact! Crawford covers...
...ONE!
...TWO!
...TH- ORION pushes him off and covers...
...ONE!
...TWO!
CRAWFORD PUSHES HIM OFF AND COVERS....
...ONE!
...TWO!
...TH- ORION PUSHES HIM OFF AND COVERS!
...ONE!
...TWO!
CRAWFORD PUSHES HIM OFF! THE PAIR STAND AND START SHOVING EACH OTHER!
COPYCAT COVERS!
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THREE!
*BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ*
Jessie Love: The winner of this match and NEW AWF Around The Clock Champion... COPYCAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!
Copycat grabs the belt and hoists it high into the air, filled with the joy of his victory. Crawford and ORION are having a heated argument over the end of the match.
And Keith Williams sneaks into the ring and rolls up Copycat.
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THREE!
Williams rushes off up the ramp with the belt, being far too fresh for the other men to chase him.
Taylor: At the last second, Keith Williams wins! That sleezeball!
Romano: And he took from Copycat the closest thing to a victory ever. What an amazing beginning to Clash of the Icons. It only gets better from here, folks!
The scene fades in backstage.
No frills.
No bullshit.
Eric Dane is dressed down in a cornflower blue button-down with the sleeves rolled up that’s tucked into gunmetal grey slacks. The boots are basilisk-skin cobalt blue wingtips. Graysie, on the other hand, is dressed to fight. Instead of her usual gear she rocks a cut-off AWF-branded Iron Butterfly tee that’s been tied off at the back and a pair of denim Daisy Duke style shorts. Her hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail and carefully wrapped for minimal distraction.
Dane: Let me be exceptionally clear.
The Only Star is all business tonight.
Dane: While the accepted currency around here more often than not is slander and hearsay, understand that Graysie Parker is the truth. Ineffectual little boys and girls talk and talk but when it comes to walking the walk they’re all of a sudden tripping over two left feet.
He allows that to sink in for a moment.
Dane: That is to say, some of you out there like to write checks with your mouth knowing good and well that your ass is in fucking debt. But that’s plenty of pontification from an “out of touch” old man for one night, am I right?
Scoffing, he nods over to the Suplex Siren.
Dane: This is my Iron Butterfly.
Graysie gives a smirk.
Dane: She’s been struggling, like a caterpillar scratching and clawing its way through the maturation process. There have been mistakes. There have been just as many successes. More, even, but that’s not what Dakota Jennings wants to focus on. The fact is that here we are at Clash of the Immortals, her third match on that national scene, and she stands across from Dakota as an equal. And what does that tell you?
The answer isn’t coming and he knows it.
Dane: It tells me that she’s not as good as she would have us believe.
Shrug.
Dane: And then there’s Natasha.
A smile develops on Eric’s face. Graysie nods.
Dane: My dear, sweet, psychotic goddess; Natasha.
His widening grin is paired with a wink.
Dane: Graysie here may not know why you’ve picked tonight, but you can bet your perky little tits that Eric Dane does. If you think I’d let my girl go to war tonight without a good long lesson on how to outsmart and embarrass people with your particular disorder then you haven’t been paying attention.
The young Miss Parker steps in.
Parker: At the end of the day, this whole thing is about one thing.
Eric nods in agreement.
Dane: Respect.
Parker: Maybe you’ve got some for me, maybe you don’t. Tonight when this is all said and done, I guarantee you that I will have bought some whether anybody likes it or not.
She chuckles. Eric’s smile widens into a knowing smirk.
Dane: And what currency will you be dealing in tonight?
Parker: The only one that matters.
The look on her face is not one that the AWF is used to. Gone is the scared little girl that Eric Dane pushed too hard and too fast. In her place is the Iron Butterfly, steadfast in her cause. Confident in her skills. Confident in her mentor’s direction. She is ready.
Parker: Blood.
The scene cuts to the next match at the one and only Clash of the Icons.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL! And is for...THE XHF PHOENIX CHAMPIONSHIP!
“🎶HARD🎶” by Tay-K and BloccBoy JB erupts over the sound system throughout the Toyota Center. 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.
Jessie Love: First, introducing the challenger! Coming down the ramp, standing at six-feet and one-inch, and weighing two-hundred-and-forty-four pounds!...THE SELF-PROCLAIMED KING OF EXTREME….ROB!!! GARCIA!!!
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.
Taylor: We’ve seen a lot of this guy in the last few shows and now he gets his first shot at tasting gold in Ascension Wrestling.
Romano: Earning his shot tonight by beating Orion, he’ll be confident of building up a streak, starting with this match tonight!
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. Rob yells "I'm the man! I'm number one! I'm the king of extreme!" to the hard camera. He then jumps down off the turnbuckle and makes his way over to Noon.
Taylor: Now, it’s time to see how his opponent looks going into the match.
*"Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" hits the arena as an imitation sandstorm is created in the entranceway and Aiden Merric emerges from it chewing nicotine gum.
Jessie Love: Now! Introducing THE XHF PHOENIX CHAMPION! HAILING FROM COOBER PEDY, AUSTRALIA! He is THE WONDER FROM DOWN UNDER, THE EXPERT POACHER, THE BIG GAME HUNTER….AIDEN MERRIC!!!
He spits the gum and puts a patch on his arm before stretching and walking to the ring with a purpose. He rolls into the ring and stretches on the ropes.
Romano: Merric’ll be wary tonight, he knows Rat Bastard is in the building and is claiming to be the first in line for any title shot involving the Phoenix Championship.
Taylor: I disagree, Cassius, look at what Aiden does outside of the ring, what he does for fun - he hunts!
The referee stops him and removes his various blades, ropes and other hunting equipment as he smirks.
Romano: This’ll be a different challenge for Merric tonight, how far will Garcia push him to get what he wants?
XHF Phoenix Championship Match
Aiden Merric © vs. Rob Garcia
Aiden Merric stands in his respective corner, staring all the way to Rob Garcia. They both look ready as Merric hands over the Phoenix Championship to the referee. The referee then shows it to Garcia, who wears a smug grin. The referee then raises it in the air and hands it off to the timekeeper table.
Taylor: Merric has been one of the most dominant Phoenix Champions in AWF history. He's definitely not a joke, what do you think of Garcia's chances?
Romano: I think he just has to play his cards right, move fast - keep out of the way of those fists of Merric.
The bell then rings. They both move closer toward each other and grapple up. Merric begins to get overpowered as Garcia backs him up into a corner.
Taylor: Garcia does have a 24-pound weight advantage, however.
Romano: He has superior speed and strength, I believe he can get it done.
Garcia begins pushing Merric into the corner! The referee walks over and demands a clean break! Garcia slowly, slowly pulls away from Merric- then SHOVES the Big Game Hunter disrespectfully. Merric has none of it as he explodes out of the corner with a STIFF LARIAT.
Taylor: OH!
Romano: That wasn't a very smart move on Garcia's behalf!
Merric lifts Garcia up by the hair which the ref berates him for. He obviously doesn't care as he lands a closed fist punch RIGHT to Garcia's cheek!
Taylor: DID YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF THAT?!
Romano: He could knock him right out at this rate!
Merric lifts him up and begins a combo - A right fist to the side that causes Garcia to keel over! A left fist to the gut to wind him! Merric then winds up a FOREARM- GARCIA DODGES AND COMES BEHIND HIM, LOCKING MERRIC INTO A FULL-NELSON BRIDGING DRAGON SUPLEX!
Taylor: Dragon Suplex with the Bridge!
Romano: That can't be good for Merric's neck!
Taylor: And for the pin!
The ref drops to the mat.
ONE!
T- KICKOUT!
Merric manages to lift himself back onto his feet while raising Merric up- LIFTING INVERTED DDT!
Taylor: Innovative counter!
Merric mounts onto Garcia and begins laying into him with some right hooks! But Garcia quickly jabs him in the eye- Merric falls over while Garcia scrambles to get back up!
Taylor: Oh come on, did the ref not see that?!
Romano: This isn't a match about integrity and sportsmanship. These men are clearly wanting to beat the @#$! out of each other.
Garcia runs toward Merric - STANDING TORNADO DDT THAT SPIKES MERRIC!
Taylor: WHAT A DDT! OVERDOSE!
Romano: Again, landing more pain on that head/neck area! He should go for the pin!
Garcia scrambles for the pin and hooks a let.
ONE!
TWO!
THR- KICKOUT!
Taylor: Was that a three?!
Romano: Doesn't seem so!
Garcia can't believe it! He begins to argue with the ref about the count! The ref insists that it was only a two!
He turns around and lifts Merric up onto his knees! Garcia rebounds off the ropes and goes for that Boston Knee Party! Merric ducks and grabs his behind him into a ripcord!
Taylor: GOING FOR HIS TRADEMARK RIPCORD LARIAT!
The Wonder from Down Under spins the King of Extreme and swings his right arm for that lariat - GARCIA COUNTERS WITH ONE OF HIS OWN, TURNING MERRIC INSIDE OUT! HE REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES FOR THAT DANGEROUS, EXTREME, TOO VIOLENT FOR TV LEG DROP! MERRIC POPS UP, SUPERMAN PUNCH TO THE DOME AND THEY BOTH GO DOWN!
Taylor: STUN GUN! STUN GUN!
Romano: HE ABSOLUTELY ROCKED 'EM!
Merric quickly throws an arm over Garcia's chest!
ONE!
TWO!
THR- NO! KICKOUT!
Taylor: KICKED OUT OF THE STUN GUN SUPERMAN PUNCH!
Romano: The momentum has shifted multiple times already!
Merric gets up and puts Garcia in a headlock, raining down his left fist onto Garcia's forehead! The referee tells him to stop it! Begins the count of five! One! Two! Three! Fou- GARCIA LIFTS MERRICK UP, DROPS HIM DOWN WITH A BACKDROP SUPLEX!
Garcia gets up and backs himself up into a corner! RUNS IN FOR THAT KNEE AGAIN! Merric trips him over with a swift lariat to the leg!
Merric backs up and rebounds off the ropes, himself, but gets CAUGHT WITH A BELLY TO BELLY RIGHT INTO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF RING ROPES!
Taylor: Garcia showing off that amazing strength!
Romano: Looks like he's about to show us his athleticisim too!
Garcia climbs up to the top rope after pulling Merric's body near the corner! He jumps down for that 450 SPLASH! IT CONNECTS!
Taylor: THE 450!
Romano: If that isn't enough, what will be?!
ONE!
TWO!
T- KICKOUT!
Taylor: I don't know, Cassius!
Garcia sits up with his hands in his hair out of pure disbelief. He gets up slowly and lifts Merric up, sends him to the ropes with an Irish Whip! Merric throws a tired fist but misses! Garcia rebounds off the ropes and goes for a FLYING FOREARM- MERRIC CATCHES HIM WITH A BOOT TO THE CHEST MID-AIR!
Taylor: SENT THE AIR OUT OF HIS LUNGS WITH THAT BIG BOOT!
Romano: I don't think he's finished, Taylor!
Merric waits slowly for Garcia to get up on one knee - CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL WITH THE STIFFEST SOUND POSSIBLE, GARCIA GOES DOWN SO HARD HIS LEGS SPRING INTO THE AIR AS MERRIC HOOKS ONE!
Taylor: CONTRACT FUFILLED!
Romano: IT'S OVER! GARCIA'S OUT LIKE A LIGHT!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Merric tiredly gets up as the bell is rung, using the ropes for leverage.
Jessie Love: AND STILL XHF PHOENIX CHAMPIONNN….. AIDEN MEEEERRRRICCCCCCCCCCCC!
The referee hands Merric his championship as he looks down at Garcia, spitting right next to his unconscious his body as he climbs out of the ring.
Taylor: What a fast paced match!
Romano: Fast indeed. Though as fast as it may be, all it takes is one good shot from Merric's entire arm for it to all be over.
We cut back to ringside where the camera shows a beaming Taylor and a more stoic Cassius Romano.
Taylor: We’ve got a host of new stars who will be looking at that belt and seeing it as their ticket to making a name for themselves right off the bat here in Ascension Wrestling!
Romano: Well, talking of new stars - we’ve just got word that Charles Akiyama has an interesting development on that front...Charles, over to you!
The shot cuts to backstage where a man with what look like hipster glasses and spiked up hair is standing behind intrepid AWF reporter, Charles Akiyama. The reporter looks amped at his seemingly exclusive news.
Man: Look, Adrien, you’ve got this - you are the Dropkick King, dammit! And I wouldn’t be afraid to put you toe-to-toe with anyone. But anyway, I got business to take care of. See you in a bit, good sir.
Akiyama: Thanks, Cassius! Clash of the Icons is bigger than better this year and I’m standing here with Eddie Walker, a man who has guided countless wrestlers to glory within the industry. Mr. Walker!
Walker’s phone call wrapped up, he puts it away and turns towards Charles. He gives a wide grin
Akiyama: With rumors flying around about the continuing drive from AWF management to grow their roster with talent from all over the world - what brings yourself to Clash of the Icons 2020?
Walker: What brings me here? What brings Eddie Walker, manager extraordinaire to Clash of the Icons? Well let me tell you what I am doing here. It’s Charles, right? I have a wide pool of some of the best competitors this industry has ever seen. Nine of them have been World Champions. Three have been inducted into a company Hall of Fame. But let me tell you something about those spectacular individuals that I represent… one of them is in the building...
Akiyama: Can you even give us a name?
Walker: Oh boy. You see, I can’t do that. Asking a question like that puts me in an awkward position because I am not one to spoil the surprise. Catch you later!
Walker walks out of shot, leaving Akiyama with a puzzled look.
Akiyama: I’m going to keep on top of this one, fans! We could be seeing the debut of someone huge!
The camera cuts back to ringside as Jessie Love stands in the middle of the ring.
Jessie Love: This next match is a tag team match scheduled for one fall! Featuring first the challengers, weighing in at a combined weight of five hundred and twenty-three pounds... Steve Awesome and Rat Bastard. They are the Awesome Bastards!
The intro riff of Flying High Again by Ozzy tips through the speakers.
“Oh No. Here We Go Now”
Rat Bastard and Steve Awesome come strutting out into the stage. Rat has a beer in his hand and is trash talking the crowd on his side. Steve is crotch chopping and showing off his abs to taunt the fans watching at home.
“Momma's gonna worry
I been a bad bad boy
No use sayin' sorry
It's something that I enjoy”
If you could be inside my head
You'd see that black and white is red
Flying high again
Flying high again
Both men hit their entrance poses in the ring as pyro spray from the turnbuckle. Steve provocatively strips down to his ring gear and Rat chugs the rest of his beer. The Awesome Bastards wait for their opponents.
Taylor: So these guys think that they’re sexy or something.
Romano: They sure think they are, and why not? Women might like them. I’m not a woman to know for sure.
Taylor: Well, this crowd is not loving them. Especially that guy whom Steve flirted with his wife. He’s real pissed.
Romano: Then I’m sure he can come down to the ring and make something of it. No?
Taylor: He’s no pro wrestler, so no.
Jessie Love: And their opponents, weighing in at six hundred and twenty-four pounds... Feargal Nukebuster and Hulk Hogan!
“Real American” begins playing as Feargal Nukebuster and Hulk Hogan walk out from the back. Feargal’s eyes go wide as everyone in the crowd stand up and cheer for him and his Uncle Hogan.
Hulk Hogan poses for the camera and motions for Feargal to pose as well. Feargal flexes his muscles alongside his Uncle.
They make their way down to the ring where they pose once more.
Romano: Does Feargal even know how to act with his Uncle being around?
Taylor: He says his prayers and takes his vitamins, brother! He knows exactly what to do!
Romano: Oh boy. You’ve drank the kool-aid, haven’t you.
Taylor: Some Vitamin Water, brother!
Tag-Team Match
The Awesome Bastards (Rat Bastard and Steve Awesome) vs. Nukemaniacs (Feargal Nukebuster and Uncle Hogan)
Rat Bastard and Feargal Nukebuster start the match in the ring. They begin circling around one another as the bell sounds to start the match. Rat Bastard begins saying something that the mice can’t pick up. Feargal can evidently hear what’s being said very well as he looks angry. Feargal swings at Rat, who easily dodges, and strikes Feargal with several body blows before whipping him into the ropes. He catches Feargal on the rebound, hitting a belly to belly suplex.
Rat Bastard jumps to his feet, kicking Feargal square in the chest as he sits up to lay him out.
Romano: Yowsa! That was a punt kick heard around the world!
Taylor: What did he say to Feargal to get him fired up, I wonder?
Romano: Probably talking about his mother.
Taylor: Maybe.
Rat Bastard pulls Feargal Nukebuster up and whips him into the corner where Steve Awesome waits with an elbow to the side of the head. Rat tags in Steve, who steps into the ring. Rat and Steve reach for Feargal, who headbutts Steve and clotheslines Rat over the top rope. Feargal picks up the stunned Steve and bodyslams him in the middle of the ring! Feargal crosses the ring and tags in Uncle Hogan.
Taylor: Ohhhhh here we go, brother!
Romano: I’m not your brother.
Hulk Hogan grabs the rising Steve Awesome and whips him into the ropes. Hogan bounces off the other side and meets Steve in the center of the ring with a shoulder charge that takes Steve off of his feet.
Hulk Hogan takes a moment to pose for the fans at home, but doubles over when Steve brings a foot up and stomps Hogan right in the no-no place.
Taylor: Oh that was uncalled for!
Romano: Sometimes your face is uncalled for.
Steve grabs Hogan with a side headlock, bringing him down to the mat with a quick bulldog. He shifts his grip with the headlock, doing a handstand while he’s at it.
Romano: Look at the impressive balance that Awesome has! He’s like awesome!
Taylor: Take you all night to come up with that?
Romano: Just a few short hours.
Steve Awesome comes back down, bringing one of his knees into the small of Hogan’s back. He pulls Hulk Hogan up and shoves him backwards. He begins to mime an old man using a walker to get around and laughing at his own joke like he were a hyena.
Hulk Hogan doesn’t take kindly to the joke, punching Steve Awesome in the jaw a few times, and bringing him to the mat with a drop toe hold. Hogan hops up and tags in Feargal Nukebuster, who hops over the top rope and grabs Steve Awesome as he rises up, and hits a German suplex!
Feargal rips Awesome up off of the mat and throws him into the ropes. Steve holds onto the ropes as Feargal goes for a big boot to avoid the move. Feargal doesn’t have the time to grab Steve as he tags in Rat Bastard.
Feargal rushes at Rat Bastard, sending him straight back into the corner that he came out of with a shoulder charge. Feargal hits a belly to belly suplex out of the corner to get Rat Bastard into the center of the ring.
Taylor: Uncle Hogan lookin’ proud there, brother!
Romano: I’m not your brother!
Feargal drops in the center of the ring, going for the pinfall! The ref gets into position and counts.
...One!
...Two!
...T-Rat Bastard kicks out!
Taylor: The Awesome Bastards almost lost it right there, brother!
Romano: Rat Bastard still has some funk in the trunk.
Feargal pulls Rat Bastard up and gets him into a press slam position. Rat Bastard wiggles his way back down to the mat where he falls to his feet behind Feargal and hits a reverse neckbreaker! Rat Bastard and Feargal Nukebuster both quickly get to their feet, Rat going for the eyes with both thumbs. While Feargal is blinded, Rat whips him chest first into the corner where Steve Awesome is.
Rat Bastard crosses the ring and slams Hulk Hogan with a hard right hand to the jaw. A pissed off Hogan steps into the ring and begins exchanging punches with Rat bastard as the ref tries hard to get Hogan back out of the ring.
While the ref is distracted, Steve Awesome uses the tag rope to choke Feargal, wrapping it around his throat.
Taylor: C’mon, ref! The Awesome Bastards are clearly cheating!
Romano: He can’t see what’s going on with that bonehead Hogan getting into the ring when it’s not his time!
Hulk Hogan gets back into his corner, allowing the ref to get back to his duties. It’s about this time that Steve Awesome stops choking Feargal Nukebuster so the ref doesn’t see it. Rat Bastard runs across the ring to hit a spear, but Feargal manages to get out of the way just in time for Rat to spear the ringpost! Feargal Nukebuster starts making his way across the ring, falling halfway as a result from the damage taken from being choked. He begins crawling his way across the ring to try to reach Hogan, who is stretched out as far as he can to try to make the tag.
Rat Bastard recovers and tags in Steve Awesome, who steps into the ring to try to drag Feargal back, but Feargal makes a last second lunge to tag in Uncle Hogan!
Taylor: Hogan gonna come bring in the fire, brother!
Romano: For the last time, I am not your brother!
Hulk Hogan leaps into the ring and immediately, Steve Awesome begins to beg him off. Hogan looks to the fans to see what to do when Steve attacks him with several right hands. However, Hulk Hogan will not be affected by this sneak attack! He looks at Steve Awesome with his eyes wide and his cheeks puffing in and out. Steve looks like he’s done crapped himself and begins begging Hogan off again.
Hulk Hogan doesn’t buy it this time and begins laying into Steve with punches before picking him up and laying him out with the mother of all bodyslams! Hogan goes to the ropes, the crowd getting to their feet to watch, as Hogan hits the BIG LEGDROP! He goes for the pinfall!
...One!
...Two
...Thr-Rat Bastard breaks the pinfall!
Taylor: What low tactics! Those...those...bastards!
Romano: I think you mean Awesome Bastards!
Hogan stands up, clearly angry as he looks right at Rat Bastard, who begins backing up to his corner.
Taylor: There’s no escape, brother!
Romano: He could just leave the ring since he’s not the legal man.
Hulk Hogan gets Rat Bastard up into the air and bodyslams him to the mat! He goes to the ropes and hits ANOTHER BIG LEG DROP! This time instead of going for the pinfall again, Hulk Hogan tags in Feargal Nukebuster.
Feargal steps into the ring and ignores the downed Rat Bastard. He picks Steve Awesome up to his feet and into the air for a power bomb! Steve moves, managing to fall behind Feargal to his feet. Feargal turns around and gets leveled from a superkick! Steve tags in Rat.
Rat Bastard picks Feargal Nukebuster up near the corner as if going for the Plague (Razor’s Edge) as Steve Awesome climbs to the top rope. Steve hits the Wrath of the Dragon (moonsault double foot stomp) over Rat and onto Feargal as he lands on the mat.
Romano: Wrath of the Bastards in play!
Taylor: Oh no!
Rat Bastard goes for the pinfall while Steve Awesome runs across the ring to spear the incoming Uncle Hogan.
...One
...Two
...Three!
Jessie Love: Winners of the match via pinfall... THE AWESOME BASTARDS!
Taylor: This sucks a big one, brother.
Romano: I swear to god that I will have you written up if you can’t stop calling me brother.
Taylor: Fine!
Rat Bastard and Steve Awesome celebrate their win in the middle of the ring while Hulk Hogan helps Feargal Nukebuster to the back, giving him encouraging words.
Backstage, we see a long hallway adorned with doorways and names upon then. We go past one that simply says Jennings, another with the name Harry, another bigger room with the letters LGBTKO upon it but the door is open, nobody inside. As we progress towards the far end of the hallway, a slight trek from the other rooms we come across a new locker room, and the name upon it is obvious. ‘Legion’. The camera stops on the door, focusing on the name as another figure approaches, stopping to stand outside… Hyperion. He takes a moment to gather himself, before pushing the door open and walking inside.
Behind the doorway stands a number of people, followers and aids to Legion. Former worshippers of the Church of Hyperion, now pledging their allegiance to Natasha. Hyperion’s appearance creates a stir of emotion amongst the folks inside, not expecting to see the Mad Titan again, as some of the followers immediately drop to one knee to praise him, others conflicted about their new loyalty to Natasha. Kuroi and Natasha themselves are caught off guard, not knowing what to do or say.
Hyperion: Relax, my children. At ease.
He motions for the followers bowing and kneeling to him to resume the normal functions, as he crosses the room towards his partners of Legion. Kuroi stands tall to Hyperion’s face, almost stiff and bracing an attack, but Hyperion just smirks and holds out a hand. Kuroi eyes this up, but reluctantly accepts and shakes his hand.
Hyperion: It’s good to see you again brother, and this time without shackles around my ankles.
Kuroi: It's about time you got here unchained.
Hyperion: I expected to see you earlier, when I had been released. The warden told me they had made contact, for you to pick me up from the prison. But that was not the case it seems.
Kuroi continues to remain silent. He refuses to admit fault.
Hyperion: It’s almost like you didn’t want to see me yet, didn’t want me back at the helm of Legion. What, were you getting comfortable? Were you enjoying your time in the spotlight?
A tense moment between the two is broken only by Hyperion laughing, brushing it aside. He pats Kuroi on his shoulder and walks over to Natasha, who simply nods. Hyperion does the same in return.
Hyperion: Sister Natasha. Or, should I call you... Goddess?
Natasha eyes Hyperion with an inquisitive look, to see where he will take this. Instead, he holds out his hand for her to accept, a softer handshake than with Kuroi. She reluctantly reaches out, and Hyperion grabs her hand and places a kiss on the top of it.
Kuroi: If she is your new Goddess, then you should kneel before her.
Hyperion releases Natasha’s hand softly, and turns to stare at Kuroi.
Hyperion: A God does not kneel, brother Kuroi. Nor does a Goddess. You should know this. Children, allow your peers a moment to speak freely.
He motions for the followers to leave the room, so that just the three members of Legion are left.
Natasha: So, you have returned to us. A sign of good tidings to come we hope.
Hyperion: Sadly, that is not the case. I’m back in the AWF but I’m not back in Legion, the Church, the community... All of that has been taken from me. My conditions of release forbid me from any interaction with the community we have built or the people that once worshipped me as a God. I have been given a fresh start, but that means everything we had before is no longer mine.
Natasha nods, but Hyperion understands her even without words.
Hyperion: And as we know... it is now yours. The children. The people. The love and praise from the community. It all now sits with you Natasha.
Natasha: Love and praise are not what I demand from my Crows.
Hyperion: Let's not speak of Crows ever again.
He smirks, an innocent and friendly look. One that Natasha and Kuroi are not used to at all.
Kuroi: So if you have come back, but not to Legion… What is the plan? What of your Ascension, of bringing the children to new heights with you?
Hyperion sighs.
Hyperion: You know as much as I do that was all bullshit. I was abusing the ambrosia, slowly losing myself to my ulterior motives. Truthfully, my time inside has opened my eyes more than ever. The storm that brewed in my mind is over, the voice that drove me forward has silenced itself.
Natasha: Are you saying...
Hyperion nods.
Hyperion: Yes… Hyperion is no more. Maybe only for now, maybe forever. I have not heard his voice in months. Between the medication they forced on me, or the time spent inside a small cage they forced me into, something must have snapped. But standing before you is not a God or a Titan… I’m just plain James Knox. And truthfully... I’m fine with that.
Natasha looks on, her expression unchanged. But Kuroi shakes his head, almost in criticism.
Kuroi: What good is a God to us, when he himself believes himself to be a man? Our flock needs a strong figurehead, a monument of power-
Hyperion: And that is why you have Natasha. She embodies all of that, and more. She is a better suitor to lead these people that I ever was, they flocked to me as they were weak, and she has whipped them until they were strong. She will be a better Goddess than the God I was. I dare say, three times better!
He shoots her a smile and a wink. Natasha stares back, blankly.
Kuroi: Are you seeking to forgo strength? Do you no longer care of which Legion is based on? Is Strength Above All just a memory?
Hyperion stands up, so that he is toe to toe with Kuroi.
Hyperion: I still have my strength, and once more I will stand above all in this company. That hasn’t changed for me. However I have watched your shortcomings for some time now. Losing match after match to weaker, lesser foes. We have enough points to claim the XHF Tag Titles, yet you do not wear the gold still. You do not wear gold of any kind. Multiple losses since my departure, from the Bloodied Fox to Roy Harlowe.
Kuroi: Have you lost the name Hyperion or everything he once knew? You know that I have bested them both also. Those two and others.
Hyperion: You have brought doubt and shame to Legion, where I had built it so high. Before my sentencing, Legion was feared. Now you are an afterthought. As a figure of power and menace, you have let this team down. You have let the followers down. You have failed Legion!
Kuroi begins to get heated, and starts to boil up. Him and Hyperion stand almost eye to eye, but Natasha cuts the tension quickly.
Natasha: Enough talk of triumphs and failures. For I have triumphs of my own to achieve.
Kuroi: Yes... Goddess.
The 'goddess' was said with obvious sarcasm. Hyperion snorts, but says no more as we cut back to the action at ringside.
Jessie Love: The following match is scheduled for one fall...
The camera focuses in on the Tron where a collection of random voices from across the AWF universe scream...
Fans: ONE FALL!
Jessie Love: And is a Three Way Dance where Falls Count Anywhere and Steel Chairs... ARE LEGAL!
The harsh calls of a murder of crows sound around the arena. From the entrance gate, several hooded figures walk in pairs, swinging censers which emit a thick smoke, walking to the pounding beats of the Bodhrán. As the chants of Inkubus Sukkubs' "Lilith, Kali, Nemesis, Morrigan" begin, the "crows" halt, chant along and allow their smoke to billow forth over a smaller area.
LILITH, KALI, NEMESIS, MORRIGAN.
QUEEN OF THE DARKNESS, QUEEN OF THE NIGHT.
LILITH, KALI, NEMESIS, MORRIGAN.
QUEEN OF THE DARKNESS, QUEEN OF THE NIGHT.
The cultists file out, around the edge of the entrance ramp, making their exit in two distinct columns and allowing the thick, obscuring some to dissipate until it is seen who is standing in the middle. Clutching a gnarled oak staff in one hand, she beckons to the rafters, where a lone crow flies down and sits atop the handle, pecking away a couple of times at it.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, Hailing from... Elsewhere. "THE GODDESS OF DEATH" NAAAAAAAAAATASHAAAAAAAAAAAA
Natasha makes a theatrical motion with her arm and the crow flies away, somewhere into the unlit areas of the arena. Natasha walks very methodically down to the ring, propping her staff against the ring apron, placing her cape of crow feathers over the turnbuckle and stepping into the ring.
Taylor: Natasha knows how to make an entrance.
Romano: It's how a Goddess comes out to the ring.
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 personalised steel chair clutched tightly under one arm. She looks out around the empty and turns her nose up at them before making her way down the aisle.
Jessie Love: And her first opponent, making her way to the ring, she weight it at one hundred and fifteen pounds and hails from Scottsdale, Arizona... She is "The Firecracker" DAKOOOTTTAAA JJEEENNNIINNGGSSSS!!!”
Reaching the ring, she confidently strides up the steps before stepping under the second rope before climbing up one of the turnbuckles, holding the chair high in the air as a taunt.
Romano: The Chairwoman is here.
Taylor: So all the pundits have favoured Jennings for this match. You own thoughts, Romano?
Romano: They're not wrong. When you make your living swinging steel around, this is your match.
A metallic butterfly appears on the AWFTron as the harsh beats of "Baby's On Fire" start up. Eric Dane walks out of the entrance gate and then has to step to a side immediately as Graysie Parker comes haring out down the ramp at top speed.
Jessie Love: And their opp....
And Jessie is near barreled off her feet as Parker rushes past her, rolling and sliding under the ring. She rushes down Jennings immediately and fires off a few quick jabs to the ribs before the referee can even ring the bell! Dane wanders down to ringside to observe.
Taylor: WE ARE UNDERWAY!
Triple Threat Chairs Match
Falls Count Anywhere
Graysie Parker vs. Dakota Jennings vs. Natasha
Jennings manages to get the chair she's holding up to cover her face but Parker, like the badass she is, just punches the steel into The Firecracker's face. Jennings has to drop the chair at her own feet and The Iron Butterfly punches her three times quickly in the face, staggering The Firecracker backwards Dane clapping in encouragement, and allowing herself time for a quick...
Graysie: COME ON!
Taylor: Graysie Parker is a house of fire tonight!
Romano: Look, when you really pissed someone off you have to expect them to be pissed at you. Logic.
With passionate hatred burning in her eyes, Parker grasps Jennings around the waist, arches backwards and hurls The Firecracker over, sending Jennings flying across the ring with a HUGE overhead Belly to Belly. Natasha glides in, looking to take advantage of Parker's focus on her heated rival but Parker grabs The Goddess around the waist and hits ANOTHER huge Belly to Belly. As Jennings is stirring, Parker heads round to a back waistlock and hits a VICIOUS German Suplex on her, spiking Jennings into the mat, no bridge, all impact. Natasha stirs, same result another MASSIVE German Suplex!! Grays howls in fury, Dane again looking on approvingly as both her opponents stumble their way to their feet. Two swift boots, one to each respective midsection leaves Natasha and Dakota doubled over and Graysie ducks in between them, hooking both their heads and HOISTS BOTH HER COMPETITORS OVER AT ONE WITH A DOUBLE VERTICAL SUPLEX! Parker covers BOTH women...
...ONE!
...TWO!
...TH- both her opponents kick out.
Taylor: Hell hath no fury like...
Romano: Graysie Parker.
Parker gets to her feet and looks down at the stunned opponents beneath her. Wanting to lay a little more hurt on The Chairwoman than her other opponent Parker stomps away a few times at Jennings. She casually flips The Firecracker over, her core strength making it look as easy as flipping a pancake. Graysie sits on the centre of Daktota's back, failing to heed Dane's muttered complaint.
Dane: Too early.
But focused on putting the maximum level of pain on her frequent tormentor, Parker locks her hands under Jennings' chin and begins to wrench backwards.
Taylor: GRAYSIE LOCK! GRAYSIE LOCK!
But before the referee can even get in position to ASK if Jennings wants to quit, Natasha has grabbed a chair from the pile the ring staff have "helpfully" left around ringside and The Goddess Of Death WAFFLES Parker across the back, with the Iron Butterfly having her full concentration on the hold.
Romano: In this type of match, if you don't have eyes in the back of your head, you get steel on the back of your spine.
Parker falls forwards, allowing Jennings to roll away. Natasha looks blankly into the distance for a second before a smile forms across her face. The discombobulated Parker stands, recombobulating in the process and just getting enough sense about her to see Natasha swing the steel one more time, smashing it against her head. Parker grunts, but does not fall, taking the blow as near to in stride as she can manage. Now, Jennings has rolled to where her chair is and with Parker beckoning Natasha to hit her one more time, it's Dakota who hits her next, SMACKING PARKER IN THE HEAD WITH THE PERSONALIZED CHAIR! Again Parker does not go down. NATASHA BLASTS GRAYSIE AGAIN! GRAYSIE DOES NOT GO DOWN! DAKOTA BOOMS ANOTHER SHOT IN, GRAYSIE DOES... NOT... GO... DOWN! THE FIRECRACKER AND THE GODDESS HIT PARKER AT THE SAME TIME! NOW, FINALLY, PARKER DROPS TO THE MAT.
The fans broadcast via the Tron's faces are agape. There are several swearwords emitted by different people (despite having been told not to.)
Taylor: OHMYGOD!
Romano: When people talk about needing to expand their mind, they rarely mean by surface area.
Busted open, Parker decided to take some beckoning from Dane and rolls out of the way, leaving the two unhinged combatants to square off in the ring. Natasha and Dakota have the same idea and both swing their chairs down at each other.
CLANG!
Steel bounces off steel with a noise that echoes around the near empty arena. The Firecracker looks slightly pained as the shock of the collision runs through her chair and into her wrists. Natasha... is unreadable as ever. The pair rear back and look for another swing.
CLANG!
Another mighty meaty meshing of metal. The pair rear back again. AND THEN THEY GO BALLISTIC ON EACH OTHER.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
It's like an ill disciplined sword fight with unbalanced swords and angry duellists. They both pause, gasping for breath for a brief second. Natasha's swing is a little quicker this time and better placed as he uses her long legs to step into the ideal position. The metal wraps around Dakota's skull and now the second woman in the match is busted open. Dakota staggers backwards for a few steps as Natasha considers her next move... but Jennings rocks back onto the ropes and bounces off into a tight pirouette, SMASHING NATASHA WITH A ROLLING CHAIR SHOT! Natasha shakes off the blow but drops her chair on instinct. Jennings tastes her own blood rolling into her mouth, looks at the chair in her hands and SMILES.
Taylor: Dakota Jennings is feeling it tonight.
Romano: A woman in her element. Dakota Jennings with a chair is like chips and dip. steak and fried.
Taylor: Taylor and Romano?
Romano: No.
Jennings closes on Natasha and hoists her for a bodyslam, holding the chair across her back and slams the Goddess down onto the chair hard. She waits for Natasha to get to one knee, grabs the other chair Natasha was holding and props it on The Goddess Of Death's knee, taking a short run up and bouncing up, kneeing the chair into Natasha's face!
Taylor: IT CAME FROM SCOTTSDALE! WITH A CHAIR!
Dane: NOW!
Jennings gets down to cover...
...ONE!
...TWO!
...TH- Graysie Parker has sprinted back into the ring and she grabs Jennings straight out of the pinning position, using all that short burst power to DEADLIFT JENNINGS FROM A SUPINE POSITION, RIGHT INTO A GERMAN SUPLEX! Jennings rolls out of the ring, trailing blood with her as she goes as The Iron Butterfly moves in on Natasha.
Taylor: That would have been it.
Romano: But it wasn't. Good counsel can really help a young competitor. That was a good spot by Eric Dane.
As Natasha stands up, Graysie grabs a tight waistlock, slips round for a back waistlock and the hooks in, quite methodically a Half Nelson. Graysie pauses, shifts Natasha's weight around a little and falls backwards, SPIKING NATASHA'S HEAD WITH A HALF AND HALF SUPLEX! AND THE GODDESS OF DEATH STANDS STRAIGHT BACK UP... AND SCREAMS AT THE IRON BUTTERFLY WITH A FURY AND VICIOUSNESS THAT RATTLES THE SEATS OF THE ARENA.
Taylor: HOW?
Romano: Natasha.
Taylor: BUT HOW?
Graysie looks shocked (at ringside, Dane is less so,) but regains her composure quickly, firing off a savage chop into Natasha's chest. A second one. And a third. Natasha is unmoved. Graysie reaches down to grab Natasha's waist once more but The Goddess thrusts her knee upwards, connecting flush with The Iron Butterfly's bloody face. Natasha hoks in a front facelock and reaches her long arms down to pick up Graysie by an ankle, crossing her legs. Natasha lifts Graysie up as if for a vertical suplex but then inverts the motion and drops Graysie's upper spine across her knee.
Taylor: What the hell! What even do you call that?
Romano: Painful.
Taylor: I'm going to come up with a name for that for later matches.
Natasha pins.
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THR- Graysie kicks out.
With her opponent down and breathing heavily, Natasha uses the break in the action to play with the hardware. She takes the two chairs in the ring and sets them up, back to back. Jennings watches from the outside, Dane from the other. The former seems interested, the latter concerned. Graysie gets to her feet but Natasha has already flown over to her position and The Goddess hoists Graysie around the waist and SIDE SLAMS THE IRON BUTTERFLY BACK FIRST ACROSS THE UPRIGHT CHAIRS!!! GRAYSIE SLUMPS TO THE MAT IN AGONY! Natasha covers.
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THR- GRAYSIE KICKS OUT!
Natasha, clearly annoyed grabs The Iron Butterfly and slings her into a corner. The Goddess strides over and flips majestically over the ropes. wrapping her legs around Graysie's thick neck as she inverts. Graysie's blood pumps to her head, flowing out of the open wound a little faster. The referee checks if The Suplex Siren wants to quit.... AND DAKOTA JENNINGS CHARGES IN FULL SPEED WITH A CHAIR AND HITS A SKATEBOARD DROPKICK INTO THE SIDE OF NATASHA'S HEAD! The Goddess slumps to the floor, Graysie slumps into the ring and Jennings decides to start throwing additional chairs in from the outside.
Taylor: There's one thing going through Dakota Jennings' mind right now.
Romano: More chairs?
Taylor: More chairs.
The Firecracker now has her enemy at a disadvantage, the interloper out of the situation and enough of her favourite metal friends around to have a royal banquet where the chairs represent every single minor royal of the Holy Roman Empire. She steps across the ring towards Parker, stepping over piles of chairs with surprising dexterity. The Firecracker lifts Parker up and with The Iron Butterfly being close to the corner, Dakota hooks in a 3/4 Facelock and runs up the turnbuckle, flipping backwards and driving Graysie's head and back (and her own backside) into a fat pile of chairs.
Taylor: IT CAME FROM SCOTTSDALE II!
Romano: It Came From Scottsdale The HD Remix. Now with extra chairs!
Dakota hooks the leg.
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THR- GRAYSIE KICKS OUT!
Taylor: I THOUGHT THAT WAS IT!
Dane: C'MON GRAYSIE! GET UP!
Reaching for a chair, Dakota waits for Graysie to get to her feet. Slowly, groggily The Iron Butterfly stands as Dakota does something that requires great practise. Firstly Dakota throws a chair towards Graysie in a graceful arc, quickly coils her leg back and SAVATE KICKS THE CHAIR RIGHT INTO GRAYSIE PARKER'S FACE!
Taylor: DKO MARK I!
Dakota covers....
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THR- NO GRAYSIE KICKS OUT!
Dakota just grabs a god damn chair. She winds up for a massive swing as Graysie gets back up towards her knees.
Dakota: WHY?
CRASH! A MASSIVE BLOW TO GRAYSIE'S HEAD.
Dakota covers.
...ONE!
...TWO!
...TH- Graysie kicks out. Dakota gets back up and readies another strike, Graysie pouring blood from multiple cuts now.
Dakota: WON'T!
CRASH!
Dakota covers.
...ONE!
...TWO- Graysie kicks out. Dakota stands again and readies again. Graysie's face is a mess. An utter horror show.
Dakota: YOU!
CRASH!
Dakota covers.
...ONE!
...T- Graysie kicks out AGAIN. The crimson is now covering the top layer of chairs, having dripped out randomly from all over Dakota and (mainly) Graysie's faces. Dakota lines up again...
Dakota: STAY!
CRASH!
Dakota covers.
NOT EVEN A ONE COUNT! DAKOTA IS FUMING! SHE RAISES THE CHAIR HIGH ABOVE HER HEAD...!
Dakota: DOOOOWWWWWWN!
CRAAAAAAAAAASH!
GRAYSIE DOESN'T BUDGE! GRAYSIE TOTALLY NO SELLS THE CHAIRSHOT!
Graysie: It's not in my blood.
Dakota looks like she's seen a ghost. Graysie grabs the chair out of Dakota's hands, holds it as firmly as she can, emotion and hatred showing through even the layers of caked red on her face.
Dane: DO IT!
In a moment that goes as quick as a flash for the viewers but probably played for hours in the mind of both victim and perpetrator, GRAYSIE PARKER SWINGS THAT CHAIR WITH AS MUCH VIOLENT ANGER AND RIGHTEOUS FURY AS HER COMPACT LITTLE FRAME CAN MANAGE. THERE IS AN EARTH SHATTERING SOUND, AS LOUD AS STEEL HITTING FLESH COULD EVER POSSIBLY MANAGE AS DAKOTA JENNINGS COLLAPSES TO THE MAT LIKE A DEAD BODY!!!!!!!!!
Taylor: MY LIFE! GRAYSIE PARKER GETS HER REVENGE ON DAKOTA JENNINGS!
The video wall is full of shocked faces, then zooms out to more of them, randomly switching round as fan after fan pops up with an uncoordinated chant of "GRAYSIE! GRAYSIE!" Graysie, spent, her energy gone. She flops down onto Dakota's body as Dane thrusts his fingers into the air to count along with the referee.
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THRE...
NO! NATASHA STEPS INTO THE RING AND CASUALLY KICKS GRAYSIE OFF THE COVER!
Taylor: DAMMIT! GRAYSIE PARKER HAD THAT MATCH WON!
The Goddess of Death strides with a slow inevitability. She walks over to the supine body of Graysie Parker and wraps her hand around the back of Graysie's neck. With her nails digging a little into The Iron Butterfly's neck, Natasha lifts Parker off the ground and SITS DOWN, SMASHING GRAYSIE'S FACE INTO A CHAIR WITH A REVERSE CHOKESLAM! While on the ground, she grabs Dakota by the throat and as she stands, she takes The Chairwoman up with her and lifts her up, SITTING DOWN AND DRIVING JENNINGS INTO THE PILE OF STEEL!
Taylor: REVERSE HAND OF FATE TO PARKER! HAND OF FATE TO JENNINGS!
Natasha stands and carefully drapes Graysie Parker back over Dakota Jennings, back into the position they were in before she interfered. She has an inscrutable but almost knowing look on her face as the referee counts.
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THREE!
Jessie Love: The winner of the match, "THE IIIIIRON BUUUUUUUUUUUTERFLYYYYY" GRAAAAAAAAAAYSIE PAAAAAAAAAAAARKEEEEEEEEER!
Taylor: What. Just. Happened?
Romano: "And all that will be left is a banquet for crows.", Taylor.
Taylor: What is Natasha doing?
Romano: Making a statement, Taylor. Don't think too hard about it. It will spin your brain out.
Coming back from the last match, the scene cuts to Terry Bradshaw rubbing Copycat's sore back.
Bradshaw: You got him on his last leg, Copycat! We need to finish him now!
Copycat: Mr. Bradshaw, no more! Please! I swear, I'm about to die!
Bradshaw: Nonsense. Let's go!
With that, Terry Bradshaw rushes the corner and stops right before the locker room.
Bradshaw: I know this is like a warzone to you Copycat so that's why I brought someone here to help. Hey, get over here!
That's when a lanky man in a white lab outfit walks in.
Man: You called?
Bradshaw: This is Grayson. He's a vet. Ain't that right?
Grayson: Well... yes?
Bradshaw: There's someone that needs to die.
Grayson: We usually use the term, "putting down."
Bradshaw: Putting down, eh? I like it! He's right behind the door!
Grayson: Uh, ok... does he have a muzzle or something?
Bradshaw: Oh, I'll muzzle him alright... then you come in and beat the shit out of h- oh, i mean... "put him down."
Terry Bradshaw opens the door. Grayson peeks in but the vet quickly recoils back.
Grayson: Wait, that's a guy! You can't just euthanize a human! If he's sick, you need to get him to a hospital!
Bradshaw: What the fuck kind of vet are you!?
Grayson: ...one that works on animals!
Bradshaw: What?! Were there really dogs and cats fighting nazis in the revolutionary war!?
Copycat: Mr. Bradshaw, he's not a veteran. He's a veterinarian!
Bradshaw: ...oh. well this guy is named Copycat. That's kind of like an animal. Can you put him down?
Grayson: ...No.
Terry Bradshaw walks away, leaving Copycat and the veterinarian shrugging.
Xiaolong is in the TV Room enjoying the proceedings resting with his feet on the table drinking a diet soda and enjoying a combo meal. He is dressed casually wearing dark shades and a T-shirt that says Xiaolong on the front and Super Dragon on the back.)
Xiaolong: Hello fellow AWF wrestlers and fans. I am Xiaolong but you already know that by now and I'm in the TV Room watching the proceedings but not in it. Now you're probably wondering why I'm in the TV Room watching Clash of the Icons instead of participating in the show. Well I'll be glad to tell you since you'll be wondering and I'm not one to drag it out since that would be stupid.
He takes a bite of his hot dog enjoying every bit of it's flavor.
Xiaolong: You see I'm setting my sights on bigger and better things than the 24/7 Championship. That's a championship for a loser like Copycat and his slave driving manager Terry Bradshaw. Now I know whoever wins is going to have to run the gauntlet of everyone who is desperate to call themselves a champion. Actually it's more like a bunch of desperate wrestlers trying to prove their relevance by winning a title their going to lose anyway.
Xiaolong takes some cheese fries and stuffs them into his mouth enjoying them as he savors the flavor.
Xiaolong: Just think of it. If someone loses the title it's going to be won and then lost again kind of like a football player fumbling the football and everyone's going to try and fall on it. Maybe it's like two baseball players attempting to get the ball and crashing into each other and the ball lands next to them. You get the idea.
He offers the cameraman some cheese fries.
Xiaolong: Where are my manners? You want some cheese fries seeing you look hungrier than Copycat watching Bradshaw eating Copycat's food. Then again it's probably inappropriate to say being poor Terry's going to choke on his food or get a bad case of heartburn.
The cameraman shakes the camera No.
Xiaolong: Oh well more for me. Now where was I. Now I don't want the 24/7 Championship but I do plan on setting my sights even higher as I mentioned before so to speak. You see I want to contend for my favorite championship belt and you all probably know which championship that is since it's no secret.
He takes another bite of his hotdog.
Xiaolong: Now that championship is currently being held by one Aiden Merric or whoever he is. You know that Crocodile Dundee or as a better reference Outback Jack. Then again maybe that equally flash in the pan Skinner would be more appropriate. He has the title I want and I'm coming for that Phoenix Championship and I shall get it back. So I'm going to be waiting here watching you defend that championship against your latest top contender and then the other top contender who wins the Number One Contender's Match tonight.
He laughs and shakes his head.
Xiaolong: How did Merric actually win both his shot and the championship. I know it wasn't an impressive performance since he needs everything from a knife and a machete to scare opponents but you'll find that I am not that scared if you should win tonight. Then again I'll be accused of jinxing you and maybe I'll take credit if that happens since you'll accuse me anyway.
He sighs, composing himself.
Xiaolong: Then again maybe I'm looking at the North American Championship or maybe I'm looking at the AWF World Championship. Sounds lofty but then again it's just speculation for thought and who knows it may come true. I'll just leave that for you to chew on just like my combo. See you in the ring soon.
He turns back to watching Clash of the Icons as the scene slowly fades to black.
"Spyderpussy" hits, and the arena lights flash through pink, yellow and purple. AWF Commissioner Jackson Steele walks out through the curtain, and looks directly into the camera. He starts talking to the fans at home, pumping himself up as he heads down to the ring.
Walking up the steps, he shimmies his way along the apron before wiping his feet one last time and steps through the ropes.
Stripping off his entrance jacket, he meticulously folds it and hands it to the referee. Once more he turns to face the camera and shows his appreciation to the viewers at home. He breathes deeply to psych himself up, and heads into his corner.
Taylor: The Battle of the Legends is about to begin and right now, we are blessed with the AWF's very own commissioner!
Romano: That's right, Tommy. Usually Steele comes out to announce matches, not wrestle in them. But this time, he's making a visit back to wrestling. Tonight, he's got a big match in front of him in the name of Hardcore Harry.
The lights turn down.... As a ridiculous amount of fog creeps into the arena. As the music of pat benatar fills the ears of the hearing enabled in the arena. Invincible is what Harold Campbell believes himself to be.
"This bloody road remains a mystery
This sudden darkness fills the air
What are we waiting for?
Won't anybody help us?
What are we waiting for?"
The fans would be screaming and crying if they were there. Harry stops and poses for a few moments. Soaking in the energy and making the fans hearts melt with excitement. He checks his wrist making sure his body is limber and the arthritis isn't bothering him at all.
"This shattered dream you cannot justify
We're gonna scream until we're satisfied
What are we running for?
We've got the right to be angry
What are we running for?
When there's no where we can run to anymore
Harold begins fighting through the fog, throwing punches to help brush it aside as he gets on the apron. Just before he gets in the ring...
"We can't afford to be innocent
Stand up and face the enemy
It's a do or die situation
We will be invincible
And with the power of conviction
There is no sacrifice
It's a do or die situation
We will be invincible
Won't anybody help us?
What are we running for?
When there's no where, no where we can run to anymore"
A big smirk comes across his face when the chorus is repeated. This man has been anything but innocent over the years. The grin on his face is disturbing, it would send shivers down your mother's spine. He enters the ring as the rest of the song plays out. Playing to the crowd and retreating to the corner singing the song.
Taylor: He smells even worse than he looks. Everyone, here is Hardcore Harry.
Romano: The last time this XHF Legend was in the ring, he was the X*Crown Champion. This was three years ago. He's certainly no one to take lightly. Tonight, he takes on all that AWF is. He takes on the first ever AWF Champion. Ladies and gentlemen, we are in for quite the show.
Battle of the Legends Showcase
(AWF Legend) Jackson Steele vs. (XHF Legend) Hardcore Harry
The match begins with a harrowing exchange between Jackson Steele and Hardcore Harry begin staring at another. Harry towers over Jackson, nearly head and shoulders. The AWF commissioner is slightly trembling - so little he may not know it yet so much, he might just feel every bit of it. Hardcore Harry smiles. He grins, knowing his status. He knows how big he is, how big the XHF is... and also how small Jackson is - that, along with the AWF. At least in his mind. This is the kind of feeling where even if the seats were filled with thousands of AWF fans, which of course they are not, this would be a quiet moment as the battle of David versus Goliath will happen once more. And it's off, Jackson throws a HUGE fist to the side of the face that turns Harry around and spins him around! Gasps are heard - primarily from Tommy Taylor at ringside.
Taylor: Look, Cassius! Jackson Steele just nearly took Harry's head right off his shoulders!
Romano: What an absolutely ballsy move coming from the commish, but you should think again.
Hardcore Harry has a look on his face as it's rotated and tilt. It's not pain or anger or torment. No, it's laughter. Hardcore Harry is sporting a full out smile as he turns back to his opponent. Jackson's eyes go wide open as he puts both hands out on Harry's shoulders and just THROWS him halfway across the ring. Jackson lands at the turnbuckle. He doesn't get a moment to even compose himself as Harry runs to the corner and shoves his shoulder into his chest. Jackson's air just gets KNOCKED out of his mouth. As Harry bounces back, Steele slumps down to the floor. He thinks it's all over. After all, Harry is walking away, but he just ramped up energy to circle back and hit a low profile dropkick, hitting the AWF commissioner right in the gut. Jackson full out SCREAMS, grasping his torso and rolling around. Of course the fans aren't there, but it causes such a horrifying echo throughout the entire arena.
Taylor: We have to call this match, Cassius! I swear - I just heard something crack!
Romano: You did. Sounded like a rib. Maybe two. But we have no authority to call this match off, you know that.
Jackson tries to roll out of the ring, but Harry is quick enough to lift Jackson and toss him like a rag doll, right back to the center of the ring. Steele grabs his back and arches it over. Hardcore Harry smiles as he picks him up all over again. He puts him up into Omega Driver position. That's right! It's his finisher - The Homewrecker! ...But he decides not to go for it. After all, this is his first match in YEARS, his first match is almost three years for the AWF at least. He wants to have some fun! With one hand, he holds up Jackson and in the other hand - PUNCH! Steele hangs nearly lifeless. Harry's beginning to lose interest. Jackson begins to cause a fuss all of a sudden. He even bashes his skull into that of Harry's. Then a second time! He goes for a third, but Harry's quick to toss Jackson until he's right back at the corner. He throws his arm back, looking to feel where he is. He's looking for a way out. Of course there's none. And what bad timing. Harry goes for another low profile dropkick - JACKSON LEAPS OUT OF THE WAY! HARRY CRASHES AND BURNS AND THE POLE GOES BETWEEN HIS LEGS! HIS EYES BURST OPEN!
Taylor: What just happened!? What just happened just now!?
Romano: Jackson leapt out of the way and Harry's little Campbells just got demolished!
Taylor: But it shouldn't have hit like that. The turnbuckle cushion should have... Where is it?!
Romano: ...JACKSON TOOK IT OFF! I thought he was reaching for a way out, but he was planning his comeback!
Taylor: He should be disqualified!
Romano: The referee didn't see it! And even if he did, disqualify THE COMMISSIONER!?
It's true, Junior Referee Steve Tyrell didn't see it and thus, can't issue a disqualification. This would be a perfect time for Jackson Steele to capitalize on this moment, but he's having a hard time climbing to his feet on a count of him being utterly and mercilessly destroyed by the XHF Legend. Luckily for the AWF Legend however, Harry truly values his treasure and is taking long to recover from an unrelenting and losing battle against solid steel. Eventually, Jackson is able to get back to his feet and without a second to spare as Harry is about to recover. However, he pulls Harry onto his back and covers Harry. Steve Tyrell does his job.
...One!
...Two!
...Kickout! Kick out? I meant Harry POWERS out!
Taylor: A close count there, especially from someone who technically didn't even strike his opponent.
Romano: Jackson's hurt. Likely injured. He has done amazingly to get this far against a freak of nature like Harry, but for him to finish the job will take a lot of punishment.
Jackson grasps his chest as he seeks to find refuge from this situation. Harry is still on his back but stares to Jackson with anger and fire in his eyes. He starts to climb up to his knees, and Jackson sees this. He's panicking. He starts to crawl as quickly as he can to the ropes. Harry is hot on his pursuit. He reaches to the corner of the ring. He doesn't even care about his ribs. He'll take the pain than take whatever Harry has planned for him. He falls down... but doesn't crash. Harry caught him right by the leg. Jackson looks back and sees Harry, ruby red. Jackson panics. He tries to wiggle out, but Harry swings him over, even forcing him to hit his head on the turnbuckle on the way and swings him right back to the center of the ring. He bends down and seeks to grab Jackson by his shoulders once more, but Jackson lifts his leg and KICKS Harry as hard as he can! Harry actually goes down! Jackson knows his moment is now or never. He climbs up. He goes over to the ropes. If the fans were here, they'd make some noise as this match goes high profile. He sees Harry is getting back to his feet but he can make it work. Flying cross body! WAIT - HARRY REVERSES IT TO A SPINNING REVERSE DDT! THE RESOLUTION! IT HITS! IT HITS! HARRY MAKES THE COVER!
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THREE!
Steve Tyrell motions for the bell.
Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen! The winner of your match by pinfall is HAARRRDCOOORREE HA-
Jessie trails off as from the corner of her eye, she sees the referee waving his hands, changing his mind.
Taylor: What's this?
Romano: Oh, I see...
Taylor: ...What?
Romano: Just watch.
Hardcore Harry lifts an eyebrow to the referee. The referee points to Jackson's leg, with the heel of it just grazing over the bottom rope.
Taylor: What!? Harry won this! Harry won this! That three count happened! There's no way that foot was there!
Romano: No, it was. I didn't know if Steve would have saw it, but he eventually did. Jackson is still is able to pull out the tricks he once was. This match is still on. Jackson still has a shot technically. But it's low now. It's slim to none and Slim? He may have left town.
Jackson Steele lifts his head up with a smile on his face, but the smile quickly fades as Harry grabs his head and they're now forehead to forehead. Harry says something right before he grabs him and pushes him right back to the turnbuckle. It wasn't the first time this happened today, but it's that doesn't mean that the impact was any less. It didn't tickle. In fact, with all the punishment that Jackson Steele has taken, it's much worse. Harry goes over to Jackson. He cracks his knuckles, a promise of pain to come. Harry picks up Jackson and puts him in position for The Homewrecker. That's when he hears... "WAIT!"
Taylor: Oh no! Exxxstacy is getting involved now!
Romano: This can NOT be good for anyone. Well, anyone that's not Harry.
Exxstacy is in front of Harry. She's pleading with him, asking for him to have mercy. Now Harry knows a lot of words. Dozens of them. But mercy isn't one of them. He's beginning to grin. Junior Referee Steve Tyrell comes at Jackson Steele's significant other from the other side of her and asks her to leave the wrong. But Harry has other plans. With a push full of his stone, hard impact, he pushes Exxxstacy hard to the ground! He takes the referee down with them! She screams in pain and Jackson's eyes go wide. That's when he forces himself off from the canvas. Harry laughs. He continues laughing as he moves over to Exxxstacy. She's not a participant in this match and there's no referee to stop her. He grabs her and even picks her up by the hair. She's screaming. Harry's laughing. Laughing. Then...
Taylor: OH MY GOD. JACKSON STEELE JUST LOW BLOWED HARDCORE HARRY!
Romano: Harry thought he could skirt the rules and now Jackson did it himself!
Harry lets go of Exxxstacy. He falls to his knees. Jackson grabs Harry and gives him a modified jumping bulldog to shove his face to the mat. Jackson's eyes gives off that look of pure and unadulterated pain. Jackson knows this is his opportunity to end things. He brings the man seemingly double his weight, Harry, RIGHT ABOVE HIS HEAD. DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! STRAIGHT TO DVD! ...And Harry stops it! With an elbow to the face, Harry gets back to his feet. Russian Leg Sweep! Jackson goes down! Harry retreats to the ropes so he can focus on his two little Campbells. Jackson tries to recover. He crawls over to his significant other and checks on her.
Taylor: Jackson's running out of steam and Hardcore Harry's running out of chances to potentially be a father in the future. These two men are tired. How much longer can this match possibly continue!?
Romano: As long as it takes. These two men have something to prove and Harry's getting angry. When he gets angry, he gets rash and the match will end one way or another. With Jackson, he's checking up on his girl. If he's smart, he'll push her out of the ring.
Taylor: How could he hurt Exxxstacy like that?!
Romano: Because he couldn't possibly hurt her as much as Harry could.
Harry is angry. He's fuming. He fights the pain and rises to his feet. He yells into the open air loud enough for everyone to hear, "It's over!" He goes over to Jackson Steele's gal and like a rag doll, just KICKS her until she lands outside the ring. Jackson turns around. Harry bends down. Jackson goes for a STIFF KICK - and Harry catches it! He slams it TO THE GROUND. Jackson screams in pain. Harry's going to end this. He picks Steele up in the style of The Homewrecker! Jackson Steele uses all the momentum he can to slip from over Harry's shoulder! He lands on his feet and turns around. He picks Hardcore Harry up with all his strength - Atomic Drop! Harry is mad. He turns around... RIGHT INTO A V TRIGGER FROM STEELE! ASS TO MOUTH! Harry goes down! The momentum is coincidental and extremely fortunate for Jackson Steele as he lands on top of the XHF Legend for a pin.
Taylor: But Tyrell! Steve Tyrell! He's still out!
Romano: Oh no he's not!
Exxxstacy slides back in the ring, all bruised up and in pain. She drags the referee in, slapping him across the face a little to revive him. Soon enough, he does stir enough. He sees the pin and makes that count:
...One!
...Two!
...
...
...THREE!
The bell rings.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner... AWF's Commissioner - Jaaaackssooooon Steeeeele!
Taylor: Jackson Steele wins! He wins! The XHF is a great company, but AWF showed here tonight that we have a little something special of our own too!
Romano: That and Jackson Steele shows that even though he controls the show card, he can also show that he can control the ring too. Good on him.
Jackson celebrates in the ring. Barely able to move, Exxxstacy holds him, causing him to grimace in pain because of the likely broken ribs but again, they are both happy to win at Clash of the Icons. The match fades with the image of them both smiling.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE MATCH FOR THE AWF UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP!!
The lights go most of the way down as purple strobes start flashing. Purple fog washes over the stage.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, the challenger...from NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA! He stands at five-feet-and-ten-inches and weighs in at one-hundred-and-seventy-five pounds! HE IS ….TOMMY!!! STRYCHNINE!!!!!
After a moment, the guitar comes in, and a Zoom window pops up revealing Nikk Pryzym from Lazer Physycyst. Drums join in with another Zoom window, revealing Todd the Roadie on drums, and yet another window pops up for the bassist, RVRB. Finally a plinth rises from the center of the stage, revealing Tommy in a somehow-even-gaudier version of his usual entrance attire.
Strychnine: I SAID WELCOME TO MY SHOW!!
Tommy launches into his own rendition of Stagefright along with the band.
Romano: Tommy looks ready for this one!
Taylor: If his entrance is anything to go by, he’s going big tonight!
When the song reaches the guitar solo, Tommy runs down the ramp to the ring. Then dives through the ropes from ringside, rolling through into a powerslide, punching a fist into the air as pyro explodes on the stage and from the four corners of the ring.
Strychnine: Ladies and gentlemen! Lazer Phyzycyst! Make some noise!
Now, with Strych in the ring, the band continues to jam. Tommy tosses his mic out of the ring and then prepares to greet his opponent.
Romano: Theatrics out the way, Strychnine has dropped the smile!
Taylor: He knows that anything less than his ‘A’ game isn’t going to cut it tonight!
Jessie Love: NOW, HIS OPPONENT!!
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: Coming down the ramp, hailing from Parts Unknown! ...He stands an even six-feet and weighs 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
Romano: For over a month now, Tommy has gone out of his way to chase Draven and force him into this match!
Taylor: In the ring, in his promos, and on social media! Draven though, he gets the chance to rid himself of the irritation he sees Tommy as and do it on the AWF’s biggest stage of all!
His eyes surveying the Toyota Center 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 while he wipes the blood from his lips.
Taylor: You’ve been in his shoes, what can you tell us, Cassius?
Romano:You know he’ll have been preparing for this match since it was announced, his entire training regime will be geared around what he knows about his opponent and what he expects them to do tonight.
Taylor: Draven’s a thinking-man’s wrestler but do you think the mind-games with Tommy will play a part?
Romano: He’ll be looking for them to play as small a factor as he can but how successful that has been will only be visible to see after the match!
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.
AWF United States Championship Match
Falls Count Anywhere
Vincent Draven © vs. Tommy Strychnine
Romano: We’ve got two men who have become intertwined with each other in recent weeks.
Taylor: Ever since Prestige Forty-Eight, Tommy has put a target on Draven’s back that only intensified when he won the United States Title at Road to Victory.
Romano: Now’s his chance to put right any perceived wrongs from their draw a month ago at Prestige Fifty-One
The cameras pick up the two men as they eye each other from across the ring. Tommy looks to have left the carefree attitude at home in favor of a determined and focused look at his rival for the United States belt that is passed out of the ring by Steve Tyrell. He motions to his opponent with his hands, rubbing his ribcage and nodding towards the Prince of Darkness as a brief smile flickers across his face.
Romano: We’re used to seeing Strychnine with a smile on his face, like wrestling is just a fun pastime when he’s not on tour. That face though, that face suggests we’re seeing a hunger..an ambition, that has always burned under the public face.
Taylor: This goes beyond the title for Strychnine, he wants to break Vincent!
Cutting to the Champion, he shakes his head and maintains his focus on the challenger. He brings his hands together and mouths something inaudible to himself. The expression reads of one that knows what he needs to do in order to bring the belt back with him at the end of the match.
Romano: Draven has spoken before about how he wants to take this title and put it on a level, or even above, the Prestige Title in terms of importance. He knows a victory here could be the match to kickstart that drive…
Taylor: It goes beyond that though, Cassius, when was the last time we saw that title successfully defended one supercard to the next?
Romano: Excellent question...
Tyrell goes through his final remarks with Strychnine who simply nods along, half-listening, instead his thoughts seem to be kept entirely concentrated on the man who stands behind him and his most prestigious prize yet in Ascension Wrestling.
Romano: Total focus coming from the challenger.
Taylor: He’s boring a hole right through Draven.
Walking over to Draven, Tyrell again reiterates his remarks. The Champion appears to pay more attention to the referee’s comments than Strychnine but still, his face remains almost impassive in reading any emotion or feeling.
Romano: Draven isn’t letting his gaze drop from Tommy, he remembers the Pearl Harbor that happened the last time these two faced off in singles competition.
Taylor: Draven won’t want a repeat of that match. I’ve spoken to him since that match and while the record-books show a draw, he sees anything that isn’t a victory as a loss.
Satisfied the match can be started he signals for the bell.
Taylor: HERE WE GO!
Tommy takes two steps towards the center of the ring. Draven remains cautious, his eyes not moving from where Strychnine is.
Romano: It’s worth noting that while this is a Falls Count Anywhere match, Felix Ziko has stressed that disqualifications can and will be enforced!
Taylor: Which will play into the hands of the Champion more than the challenger.
The challenger circling and appearing to be signalling to the Champion to lock-up but Draven is reluctant to do it at any pace other than his own.
Taylor: Cautious approach being shown by the champion.
Romano: Until he’s beaten, it’s his belt and if he wants to take his time starting the match then that’s the champion’s right.
The referee indicates to Draven to come out of his corner, the request is granted but, again, it’s on Draven’s time, not anyone else’s.
Taylor: Steve Tyrell is keen to get this match underway.
Romano: The two men now looking to engage...
They lock-up and Tommy seems intent on making sure that any height or weight advantage his opponent holds is negated by leveraging his arms to be atop and pushing down with his strength to back Draven up a couple of paces.
Taylor: Smart move from Tommy, he seems to be trying to dictate the tempo from the off.
Romano: Last time out, he set the pace and it earned him this rematch tonight!
He dives under the arm of Draven and grabs a waist-lock. Vincent is quick to act and looks for a way to break the hold. He pulls down the top-wrist of Strychnine and breaks it from the hold, sliding under to move to a wristlock and moves to his own waist-lock before firing a forearm to the lower back of Tommy and releasing him.
Romano: It seems that we’re not getting the brawl many predicted this match to be.
Taylor: Draven knows that there has to be some damage from the tag-match last time out, missing a Stage Dive and landing on the apron is going to leave you smarting for some time.
The cameras pick up an amused smile from the challenger before locking back up. Again, he takes an early advantage and rises up in the hold, pushing Draven back. They hit the ropes and Tyrell steps in and starts a count.
Romano: Tommy needs to make a clean break here.
Taylor: It looks like he’s going to push the count...
ONE…
TWO…
Tommy raises his arms in innocence as he backs off. As soon as the referee is satisfied, Strychnine rushes in with a lifting knee to the ribs of the Champion.
Taylor: Cheap shot from the challenger!
Romano: That seemed to be ‘tit-for-tat’ for the kidney shot.
Trying to stamp his authority on the match early on, Tyrell warns the challenger not to break the rules again only to receive a token nod that is as mocking as it is sincere.
Taylor: This is a different Tommy Strychnine, the brashness that always bubbled underneath is coming to the surface.
This time the camera picks up Draven, who circles around his opponent once more before rushing at him looking to again lock-up. As they do so, Draven steals a quick march on his opponent and side-steps out of it and into an abdominal stretch.
Taylor: A nod towards their last match, Tommy was the one to get the hold in there though
Romano: Draven knows that breaking up any momentum he can, slowing the match down, will get the match back on his terms. If he can cause Tommy to make a mistake then he can start to show the deadliness we saw in their semi-final encounter.
Tommy’s back is being cranked in the hold. Draven looks to raise an elbow strike to the back but thinks better of it. Instead, he continues to work over the body of Strychnine by leaning back in the stretch.
Taylor: Draven showing restraint there, Tommy has spent the build-up to this match and the last month or so trying to get into the head of the champ.
Again, Draven finds himself lifting a pointed-elbow up but catches himself once more and instead, leans back into the hold. Tyrell is in Tommy’s face asking if he wants to quit but the rocker shakes his head.
Romano: The Prince of Darkness has spoken about sticking to a code and it’s something he seems committed to keeping here. Hindsight will tell whether or not his morals get in the way of victory tonight.
Finally, his elbow once more poised to drive into the side of Tommy’s abdomen, Draven changes tact. He steps back from the hold and looks to send him to the ropes, changing his mind he keeps hold of the arm and whips Tommy into a savate kick to take down his foe.
Taylor: Draven looks to be switching to that strike-based offense we’ve all seen him use as his bread and butter.
Romano: Both men have varied methods of attack but it’s hard to argue that the kicks of the champion haven’t been vital to his success.
Rolling straight to his feet, Tommy almost looks indignant at the move. He takes two steps towards Draven but the Champion answers with a quick-release arm-drag to take him. Tommy rolls through to his feet and again approaches Draven but gets the same response. Tommy’s focus seems to be wavering, he circles the ring a little to make the next move. He charges at Draven who goes for a third arm-drag but Tommy ducks it, The Prince of Darkness spins round and a Japanese Arm-Drag meets him. Strychnine keeps the arm locked as he rolls to his knees.
Romano: Tommy manages to keep a hold of the arm but now he needs to work out what his next move is.
Keeping hold of the arm, Strychnine lifts Draven to his feet and fires in another stiff knee to the midsection. Draven drops to a knee but is yanked back to his feet before he can really react. Again, another knee takes him down to a dropped stance.
Taylor: Tommy’s offense is really honing in on the ribs, how much healing Draven has managed to do on them will be limited, he hasn’t missed a show!
This time, Draven expects a knee but instead is caught off-balance when Strychnine whips him to the ropes...LUNGBLOWER FROM THE CHALLENGER!
Romano: The challenger kicking it up a notch with a move from his opponent’s playbook!
Taylor: Explosive change of pace!
Tommy tries to end it quickly…
ONE..
KICKOUT!!
Taylor: Maybe going for the pin a little too soon?
Romano: Still worth going for it, almost a slap in the face.
Both men get to their feet, Draven leaps toward Strychnine and tries to hip-toss him but no dice as the challenger carries on and tries to land a hip-toss of his own but Vincent firmly plants his feet to the floor. The Champ lifts his boot straight into the face of Tommy before hooking a leg over his arm and using it to backflip, he rolls through and takes the leg to drop Strychnine to the floor and gets back to his feet in time to land a Switchblade kick to the head of his opponent.
Romano: Again, those feet of Draven’s come into play.
Taylor: Smart thinking to get out of the hip-toss.
Romano: Draven likes to play cat-and-mouse with his opponents...
Tommy holds his head as Draven walks away with a confident smile across his face. He goes for a roundhouse kick to the rising Strychnine who ducks it and swings for a clothesline that is weaved by Draven. As he comes back around the Champ is waiting for him with a rising knee that sends the challenger stumbling back….HESITATION DROPKICK SENDS HIM INTO THE CORNER!
Taylor: Seems that the Champ is picking up the pace!
Sensing the momentum is his, Draven takes a moment to pause before running into a HANDSPRING BACK ELBOW TO THE FACE OF STRYCHNINE!
Romano: Picture-perfect elbow in the corner from Draven!
Taylor: Strychnine must realize that, unlike some, a lot of his offense can happen when his opponent finds himself against the turnbuckles!
Draven wastes no time in keeping the pressure on as he rolls backwards to set himself up...he roars towards Tommy and lands A VICIOUS RUNNING KNEE TO THE FACE!!
Romano: That’s a month of baiting, goading, and mind-games being paid back with a knee!
Taylor: If Tommy’s going to remain competitive tonight he needs to find a way to contain the explosiveness of Draven.
The camera picks up the grin that has spread across the Champion’s face as he leans over the ropes. He steps between them and plants a foot on the middle turnbuckle.
Romano: Tommy’s got himself out from the corner.
Taylor: But is he just walking into another pitfall here?
Strychnine starts to crawl out from the corner, unwittingly trying to get back to his feet. Like a hawk watching his prey, Draven waits for the right moment and COMES OFF THE TOP WITH A MUSHROOM STOMP!
Romano: Measured for maximum effect!
Taylor: Now Draven is going for the cover...
Draven hooks a leg…
ONE…
KICKOUT!!
Romano: While both men passed a physical ahead of the match, we don’t know how badly Strychnine’s back is after the match at Prestige Fifty-Two.
Taylor: It goes without saying that both competitors will have had their eyes on this match from the moment it was made.
Clearly not ready to give up on his hopes of going home with the AWF United States title, Strychnine kicks out and immediately gets to his feet. Avoiding the rising leg of Draven he steps away and lifts him up in a waist-lock before dropping him down with Draven’s ribs connecting with the outstretched knees of the challenger.
Taylor: Again, Tommy goes to the ribs.
Romano: Draven isn’t someone to be taken lightly and Strychnine knows, or highly suspects, that the damage that Cross Recoba started and he willfully continued in their last match will still be causing the champion discomfort.
Paying back the Champion for similar, Strychnine lets Draven get to a knee before using it to kick off and land an enziguri to the side of the head. As the Prince of Darkness hits the mat, his opponent wastes no time in laying in boots to the midsection.
Romano: Tommy is switching between the technical and the street-fight approach…
Taylor: Whatever gets the job done, Cassius, right out of your own chapter!
Satisfied for the moment, he lifts up the United States champ and connects with a quick European Uppercut before sending him to the ropes...LOU THESZ PRESS!
Romano: Tommy’s taking the match to Draven!
ONE CLOSED-FIST PUNCH…
TWO CLOSED FIST PUNCHES…
Taylor: Tommy’s on a rampage!
DRAVEN HOOKS HIS LEGS OVER HIS SHOULDERS…
ONE…
T-KICKOUT!!!
Romano: Excellent evasion by Draven, but can he get back on top of the match?
Strychnine rolls out and hooks the legs of the champ before flipping over into a pin.
ONE…
TW-DRAVEN ARCHES UP AND ROLLS TO HIS FEET!
Taylor: The Champion looking for his own pin...
He spins Tommy around and looks for the backslide...Draven falls back…
ONE…
TW-TOMMY KICKS OUT!
Thinking on his feet, Draven catches Tommy sleeping as he rises as he charges forward...BLACK MAGIC!!
Romano: That’s the mark of a champion! That kick just changed the conversation!
Tommy holds his head as the cameras pick him up, he slowly starts to get back to his feet. In the background, we see Draven looking like he has the whole match planned out.
Taylor: Is this where we get a glimpse into the game-plan of The Prince of Darkness?
Realizing the danger milliseconds too late, Strychnine raises a foot to try and land a Big Boot but Draven has the jump on him, he rolls through and as Tommy comes to he walks right into a URANAGE BACKBREAKER!
Romano: You can see the effect that backbreaker variant has had on its recipient!
Taylor: Interestingly, Tommy went for something new and fell foul of a staple of Draven!
Romano: Speaking from experience, you see some wrestlers create an arsenal that is great for the highlight reel but when you look at Draven, you look at Dillinger, their offense is built around how they end matches!
Holding his back, Tommy falls to the mat. He grabs the rope instinctively to give himself a breather and stares a hole into Draven as he gets back to his feet, his hand motioning for the Champion to bring it.
Taylor: Tommy is visibly taunting him!
Romano: Again, think back to who we’ve seen come and go in Ascension, Tommy, strength of character and the ability to thrive under pressure is a constant in wrestling!
The camera catches an animalistic snarl forming on the Prince of Darkness’ face.
Taylor: Is that the desired effect?
Romano: Strychnine took him close before, he knows that a riled opponent is erratic.
The two men meet in the center of the ring and stare each other down.
Romano: Just look at the hatred between the two men.
Taylor: Nose-to-nose and neither man is breaking eye-contact.
Romano: This is the calm before the storm...
Tommy breaks the Mexican stand-off with a solid punch to the jaw of Draven.
Taylor: No holding back on that one!
Draven licks his lips and SMILES!
Romano: Is that Draven going for a psychological advantage?
Taylor: That has to unnerve you, a full-force punch being met with THAT!
Tommy fires another straight right that connects with the side of the head. This time, Draven responds with a quick chop to the chest. Another quick-fire right, and the champ comes back with a European Uppercut that rattles the challenger. Tommy is sent to the ropes but reverses it, Draven comes back and gets a Stun Gun to the ribs for his troubles!
Taylor: Tommy breaking up the trading of blows.
Romano: He has a game-plan, he knows that as much as he wants to get inside of Draven’s head, the reverse will be true.
Giving him no time to recover, STRYCHNINE CHARGES AT THE ROPES AND LOOK FOR THE STRYCH-ONE-NINE BUT NO-ONE’S HOME….LEFT CAUGHT BETWEEN THE ROPES, DRAVEN SLIDE AND HITS A GERMAN SUPLEX TO THE OUTSIDE!!!
Taylor: Desperation move!
Romano: Simply adapting to the hand the match has dealt him.
Struggling to get outside quick enough, Tyrell makes a delayed entrance as Draven covers..
ONE…
TW-KICKOUT FROM THE CHALLENGER!!
Taylor: He’s showing no signs of giving up yet…
Romano: You’d argue the match being outside the ring is home-turf advantage for the rocker.
Draven lifts up Tommy to his feet and delivers another knife-edge chop, he wraps his arms around the waist of his opponent but eats two rapid elbows to the side of the head that release his grip. Hooking the legs, Strychnine leaps back and sends both men into the railing with a Russian Legsweep.
Taylor: Will that take more of a toll on the recipient or the deliverer?
Fuelled by the adrenaline, Tommy makes sure to keep the onslaught up. He lifts up his opponent and drops him rib-first onto the apron!
Romano: Tommy’s making great use of what he has around him, Steve Tyrell is helpless.
Feeding off the momentum, he grabs Draven by the hair and runs him full-force into the ring-post. The Champion drops to a knee, Strychnine once more rams him face-first into the post, this time the Prince of Darkness leans limply against it.
Taylor: A vicious attack from Tommy!
Romano: Again, he’s just using the tools that are around him.
Lifting Draven from the pillar, Tommy recoils. Draven smiles sadistically as the blood runs down his face to his mouth, he darts his tongue to catch a drop and mouths what looks like ‘not bad’.
Taylor: DID DRAVEN JUST CRITIQUE HIS OWN BLOOD?
Romano: Like Pete Wells at the French Laundry!
In an act of desperation, Strychnine lifts a boot straight into the Draven Crown Jewels. As his opponent doubles over, Tommy looks to the referee with a resigned look. Tyrell considers his options and lets the infraction pass.
Taylor: Tyrell looking a bit over-awed.
Romano: You can’t throw out a match for a title on that!
Tucking his head between his legs, The Rocker grabs his belt-line and leans back...PILEDRIVER ON THE OUTSIDE!
Taylor: That’s got to do it!
Tyrell is perfectly placed to drop down for the cover.
ONE…
TWO
KICKOUT!!
Romano: A hooked leg or a grab of the tights and we’d have seen a new champion!
Tommy grabs a handful of Draven’s hair and shakes his head at a perceived slow count for the pin. He places his other hand on the top of his opponent’s pants and launches him into the side of the announce booth!
Romano and Taylor: *Muffled noises as they move to avoid the blow*
A quick cut by the Network director shows Draven looking dazed but content, the cut on his head continuing to bleed down his face.
Romano: We knew this wouldn’t be pretty.
Taylor: This has got to get into the head of Strychnine!
The challenger leaves himself open to nothing as he rushes The Prince of Darkness with a running punt to the midsection that reverberates around the empty Toyota Center.
Romano: A sickening thud just rolled around the arena!
Draven rolls from the announce table but Strychnine catches his leg. Draven kicks wildly and connects with the face of the rocker which buys him some space. Shaking it off, Tommy leaps over his legs and lands a knee-drop to the midsection.
Taylor: He’s establishing a rhythm...
Yanking his opponent up, again by the hair, and SLAPS THE CHAMPION ROUND THE FACE!
Romano: He’s establishing a death-wish!
Strychnine: WHERE’S YOUR DEMON NOW???
Adding injury to insult, TOMMY LIFTS DRAVEN ONTO HIS SHOULDERS AND DROPS HIM ACROSS HIS KNEE, RIBS-FIRST!
Taylor: We’ve seen Strychnine get more vicious in recent weeks.
Romano: It’s developing the mind of a champion, being single-minded. Strychnine isn’t just after the title, he wants to destroy Draven!
Tommy thinks to drop for the pin but changes his mind and leaps to the apron.
Taylor: He’s still looking to add pizazz to his offense!
He leaps to the turnbuckle and balances himself atop, raising his arms in the air as he stands up.
Romano: This could be extremely bad news for the champion!
TOP-ROPE ELBOW DROP TO THE RING FLOOR!
Taylor: He got all of it! Draven could have broken ribs!
Romano: But how much did it take out of Tommy?
Exhaling deeply as he lays on his back, taking in the impact of the move on himself, Tommy rolls over and places an arm over the body of Draven.
Taylor: Did the risk pay off or has it taken too much out of him in the process?
ONE..
TWO…
KICKOUT!!
Romano: You could be right, a full-strength Tommy would most likely have got the win!
Enraged, Strychnine leaps to his feet and again drives a knee deep into the ribs of the champ.
Taylor: Tommy needs to be careful, there’s a fine line between stupid and clever and he’s got to be careful not to let his emotions dictate his approach.
He leaps up to the apron and quickly scales the turnbuckle again, this time facing into the ring.
Romano: We’re about to find out…
Taylor: If he lands this reverse-facing diving senton then it’ll be seen as THE defining moment of the match.
THE STAGE DIVE MISSES AS DRAVEN AS HE ROLLS OUT THE WAY!!!
Taylor: A last ditch evasion keeps The Prince of Darkness in the match!
Romano: You can’t blame Tommy for the move, he knows it, he’s ended matches with it and if there’s one place you shouldn’t hold back...it’s the Clash of Icons!
The shot picks up the pained cries of Tommy as he holds his arched back. Draven leans back against the railing, a cruel look of enjoyment painted onto his features.
Taylor: Both men wearing the scars of the battle...
Taking his time and assessing his options, the United States Champion takes three steps before connecting with a Basement dropkick.
Romano: Draven knows, from experience, that finding a window of opportunity is one thing but utilizing it is the difference between a victory and a defeat!
Staggering to his feet, Strychnine tries to get his bearings but the Champ is on him before he can make a move. Draven connects with a Spinning Back Kick that is followed swiftly by a shoot kick.
Taylor: Building up a rhythm...
An oblique kick takes a leg from under him as The Prince of Darkness plants a foot back.
Romano: We know where this is heading to...
He fires a low-roundhouse kick…
Taylor: DRAVEN’S INFERNO!
STRYCHNINE DUCKS IT AND STANDS TO HIS FEET WITH DRAVEN ON HIS SHOULDERS!!
Romano: A wealth of possibilities for the challenger!
DRAVEN COUNTERS BACK WITH SOME RABBIT PUNCHES TO THE SKULL OF STRYCHNINE!!
Taylor: They won’t come easy...
TRYING TO SHIFT THE BLOWS, STRYCHNINE ATTEMPTS TO LAUNCH HIM BUT ONLY SUCCEEDS IN DRAVEN TAKING HIM DOWN WITH A POISON RANA!!!
Romano: The Prince of Darkness digs deep into his locker to turn the tide!
Draven looks to his fallen opponent and considers the pin but the animalistic expression returns along with the sadistic grin.
Romano: Now, Tommy may regret the goading..
He stands up, bringing Strychnine up with him. He uses Tommy’s hair to pull back his head and he bares his teeth.
Taylor: NOOOO!
The camera catches the horrified countenance on Tyrell’s face. No sound escapes as he screams a silent ‘No’.
Romano: Tommy might finally have made his opponent snap and in the worst way possible for his chances in this match!
Draven catches himself and rolls his opponent into the ring. He takes a second to regain his composure before standing on the apron.
Taylor: Common sense prevailed at the last-minute.
Romano: But what will be seen as the saner option?
DRAVEN SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE TOP ROPE AND CONNECTS WITH A TORNADO DDT!!
Taylor: TOMMY’S HEAD BOUNCED CLEAN OFF THE MAT!!
He goes for the pin…
ONE…
TWO…
T-KICKOUT!!
STRYCHNINE GETS A SHOULDER UP!!
Romano: HE KEEPS HIS HOPES ALIVE!
The Prince of Darkness pulls up the challenger and pushes him into the ropes...Irish whip gets reversed, Strychnine ducks his head looking for a back-body drop..DRAVEN COMES OFF THE ROPES WITH A HANDSPRING ENZIGURI LEAVING STRYCHNINE TO SLOWLY CRUMPLE TO THE MAT!
Taylor: He could be knocked out clean there!
Romano: Like I said, you leave it all out there at Clash of the Icons!
Smelling victory, Draven looks peaceful. He lifts the still dazed Strcynine off the mat and hooks his head into an inverted-facelock…
Taylor: Draven is seconds away from being the first United States Champion in over a year to successfully defend his title at a Supershow!
HE LIFTS HIM UP BUT TOMMY ROLLS OVER HIS SHOULDER...GERMAN SUPLEX SENDS DRAVEN TO THE RING APRON!!
Romano: Not if Tommy has his say!
Taylor: The momentum sent Draven under the ropes and now we get to see if the challenger is running on empty or has something left in reserve!
STRYCHNINE CHARGES THE ROPES AND SENDS DRAVEN FLYING INTO THE BARRIER WITH A KNEE-LIFT TO THE ABDOMEN!!!!
Taylor: THE MOMENTUM JUST SENT HIM CHEST-FIRST INTO THE UNFORGIVING STEEL RAILINGS!
Tommy slides out of the ring and ORDERS JESSIE LOVE OFF HER SEAT!
Romano: Strychnine winning no fans with that move...
The United States Champion knows he’s in trouble, he clings to the guard-rail, clearly favoring his ribs. Strychnine comes towards him with the chair but STEVE TYRELL STRIPS IT OFF HIM, THROWING IT AWAY AND INTO THE RING AND STARTS TO ADMONISH HIM!
Taylor: Finally, Tyrell shows some authority.
Romano: Yet Jessie remains standing...
Tommy steps past the referee and LEAPS OVER THE RAIL WITH A LEGDROP BULLDOG!
Romano: The match forcing Strychnine to use every resource at his disposal!
Grabbing the head of his opponent, Tommy gets in the face of Draven.
Strychnine: YOU’RE JUST A FAKE!
He throws up his head and open-hand slaps it in a sign of disrespect!
Taylor: ONCE MORE THE CHALLENGER SHOWING LITTLE TO NO RESPECT FOR THE CHAMPION!
As the head of Draven shoots up Strychnine leaps forward with a neckbreaker!
Romano: What is he following up with?
Shooting straight up onto the apron, Tommy looks to the corner…
Taylor: I think we both know the answer to that.
He sprints to the turnbuckle and springs atop it in a fluid motion…
Romano: No bravado this time!
REVERSE-FACING DIVING SENTON!!!!!!!!
Taylor: STAGE DIVE!!!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-DRAVEN MANAGES TO GET A SHOULDER UP AT THE LAST!!!!
Romano: Take it from me, these two cannot keep this up! It’s unsustainable!
Strychnine’s face is one of shock and trauma! He holds his back in pain as he sits up and takes one look at the still outstretched arm of Draven!
Taylor: Tommy looks more shocked than our viewers!
Romano: You have to ask yourself if you’re Tommy - “What more can I do?”
Visibly wincing as he gets to his feet, Tommy rolls into the ring and goes to the turnbuckle. He starts to undo the cover.
Taylor: Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Draven slowly stirs on the outside of the ring, oblivious to what his opponent is planning inside of it. He rolls to his knees and clings to his ribs, the targeted assault bearing fruit for the challenger. Steve Tyrell asks if he is okay to continue and the cameras pick up an audible snarl.
Romano: Tommy has been begging for the beast to be unleashed, he may get what he asked for now.
Tommy nonchalantly throws the cover behind him as he glances to the outside to check how much time he has. Draven reaches the apron only to be pulled up onto it by the hair. A vertical suplex brings him into the ring!
Taylor: He’s keeping on him...
Draven, acting out of instinct more than anything, starts to get up...AN AXE KICK TAKES HIM DOWN!
Romano: Strychnine going to more familiar territory with the axe kick.
Looking over at the now-standing Jessie Love, Strychnine looks over to the United States title sitting on the time-keeper’s table and inhales visibly. He leans down and picks up Draven, he sends him to the exposed corner BUT DRAVEN REVERSES IT AND TOMMY GOES INTO THE UNFORGIVING STEEL!!!
Taylor: What can he follow up with?
STAGGERING OUT AND DRAVEN GRABS THAT INVERTED FACELOCK!
Romano: COULD WE BE SEEING CARPE NOCTEM!?!?!
HE LIFTS HIM UP AND SPINS HIM AROUND…
Taylor: NO!!!
STEVE TYRELL IS TAKEN OUT BY THE LEGS OF STRYCHNINE!!
Romano: An official with more experience wouldn’t have been there!
DRAVEN DROPS TOMMY TO THE MAT AND TRIES TO REVIVE THE REFEREE!!
Taylor: NO! DRAVEN! THE MATCH!
Tyrell is out for the count. Draven tries slapping him across the face and shaking him but with no success. He turns around and sees Tommy sitting up and staring intently at him.
Romano: That is a look of pure menace!
They both turn their gaze to the chair at the same time. Turning back to one another Strychnine can be seen goading Draven once more.
Taylor: He knows with the referee out that he has a layer of protection!
Strychnine: PICK UP THE CHAIR!!!...GO ON! DO IT! PICK IT UP!!
Romano: Tommy’s still intent on getting into the head of Draven!
Taylor: Will he succeed?
Romano: This is where the only person who can answer is The Prince of Darkness, with no crowd here he can’t look to them to act as his conscience, the only person who knows is Draven and right now? I’m not so sure he even knows himself!
Draven hesitates, he sees the chair and for a moment in time a snarl once more forms on his face. He moves towards it, the camera picking up the smile on Tommy’s face as he The Prince of Darkness wraps a hand around the object.
Taylor: Has Tommy done it? Has he broken the spirit of the United States champion?
Romano: If he has he needs an exit plan because a steel chair isn’t going to help his chances of winning the match if Draven connects!
Stepping towards Strychnine, Draven raises the chair over his head.
Taylor: Draven is about to make a terrible mistake here!
Romano: Every man has his limit, the question is - did Tommy expect THIS!
The animalistic look has once more returned to the Champion’s face. Tommy is almost laughing with happiness.
Romano: Strychnine may just learn where the saying ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’ came from!
DRAVEN THROWS THE CHAIR TO THE OUTSIDE!
Taylor: Was Draven just toying with Tommy!?!
The deranged look remains as Draven lifts up Strychnine but eats an elbow strike to the temple...HE GETS THE CHAMPION ONTO HIS SHOULDERS….INVERTED USHIGOROSHI!!
Romano: Or Tommy just played a game of chicken with the Prince of Darkness! INVERTED TOMMYNOCKER!
Taylor: We saw him use that in their last match to great effect!
Tommy looks to Tyrell who is still down and rolls out of the ring, once more making a beeline for Jessie Love.
Taylor: What can he be planning!
Romano: We saw Draven’s other-worldly look but I’m not sure we’ve ever seen the glam-rocker look this focused before!
He grabs the United States title from the timekeeper’s table!
Romano: Now, this - this is much clearer!
Taylor: He’s spoken before about how winning the title isn’t his main objective, proving that he can show Draven he’s better than him is!
Rolling back into the ring, his opponent has gotten back to a vertical base but a running shot to ribs followed by a swift shot to the temple with the title takes him back down! Tommy casually discards the title on the floor.
Taylor: He can’t win it like this!
Romano: Trust me, Tommy, in matches like this you take every advantage, every inch, every opportunity you can and think about the morals and ethics of them after the fact!
Steve Tyrell comes to in time to see the cover by the challenger!
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-A FOOT IS PLACED ON THE ROPES BY THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS!!
Taylor: Draven had to have placed that out of instinct and nothing else!
Romano: Tommy needs to rein in his feelings to keep on top of the match now!
Strychnine is once more beside himself. He stomps on the midsection of Draven in frustration, each boot being accompanied by him chewing out the match official.
Taylor: Or take them out on his opponent!
Romano: Like I said earlier, this is a Strych who knows what he wants and seemingly, how to get it!
He throws Draven across the ring, landing on the middle-rope.
Taylor: We know where this is heading…
Romano: We can guess...
Strychnine rushes towards him and lands the TIGER FEINT KICK!!!
Taylor: STRYCH-ONE-NINE!!
Draven is in the center of the ring, Tommy takes a second to compose himself.
Romano:Has he timed the killshot?
HE SPRINGS ONTO THE TOP-ROPE AND LEAPS!!
Taylor: Draven’s rising right into it!
HE CONNECTS WITH THE SLINGSHOT SPRINGBOARD V-TRIGGER!!
Romano: HE NAILED THE KISS ME DEADLY!!
Tyrell drops for the cover…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Taylor: WE HAVE A NEW UNITED STATES CHAMPION!!
The bell rings as Draven remains down. Tommy pops up immediately but holds his back as he stands to his feet. Steve Tyrell raises his arm in victory.
Romano: THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BIGGEST WIN OF TOMMY’S CAREER!
Taylor: You can’t say he did it easily though, Draven put up a fight that would have taken down almost anyone else!
Romano: That being true, it won’t just be his ribs that hurt in the morning, he’s going to have to watch the belt he wanted to make his own being given to a man he truly detests!
Jessie Love: THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH….AND NEEWWWWW AWF UNITED STATES CHAMPION…..TOMMY!!!! STRYCHNINE!!!!
“Stagefright” plays over the Toyota Center as a smile is plastered on the new champion’s face.
Taylor: We’ve seen our first title changing hands, you know Seth Dillinger is watching this and determined not to make it two in a row!
The cameras pick up The Prince of Darkness who shakes his head in disbelief.
Romano: The question for Draven is ‘Where next?’. He’s a professional, you know he’ll be watching the main-event with interest if he can. Will he regroup and aim higher?
Tommy looks back at the fallen Draven but is quick to turn away, grabbing the AWF United States belt and holding it aloft.
Taylor: Tommy’s used to performing on stage but this has to be the biggest stage of them all...Clash of the Icons!
An inaudible scream is made by Tommy, the shot is framed by Draven looking on in disgust.
Romano: Whatever happens, these two will not be teaming up anytime soon!
The solo kicks in as Strychnine brings the belt down and plays air-guitar on his new title.
The scene cuts to Roy “The Sorrow” and Rufus Harlowe, the father and son dynamic duo standing in front of a “Clash Of The Icons” banner where interviews would traditionally be conducted. Roy narrows his eyes into the lens as he clears his throat before he begins to speak.
Roy: Have you seen what the world of XHF has become? Do you see the insane amounts of mental gymnastics required to deal with a single viewing of the average AWF Prestige show? Is it any wonder why people like me exist on that brand? I’m the sort of pestilence people need to purge loud mouthed braggers with sloping foreheads like Rob Garcia. After seeing his intentions to mount a title win here tonight for the Phoenix Championship...I have to say...Part of me wants to make sure he doesn’t even make it to the ring tonight! He’s a flawed persona right down to the soul of his impure character. Someone like that shouldn’t hold the Phoenix Championship! That’s the sorta title that belongs to someone like me! A former AWF MidWest Champion, a man who pinned Seth Dillinger in his prime, a man like me who once set the world of AWF on fire in 2018!
Rufus gives his son a pat on the shoulder.
Rufus: Tell em boy! Tell ‘em how you told me! Tell them how you really feel!
Roy gives his dad a smug smirk.
Roy: Oh don’t worry father, I’ll be sure to pull the lamest ass backwards cliched bullshit like Eric Dane any chance I get! I have to admit, a weirdo loser like him gives me the utmost respect for Graysie Parker. She did it, she stood up for herself and proved she didn’t need that brain dead twit with his sunken in malformed chest titties all over ruining her opportunities. I’ll admit, even if Dakota didn’t show up to alter the course of that match. I have to say, she earned that victory. Disqualification or not! She’d be wise to turn tail and get away from that lecherous caveman before she ends up always losing to Dakota Jennings! You see, that’s the kind of inbred brain dead schlock you have to deal with at AWF. Thank your lucky stars! Because Roy Harlowe is here to salvage these horrors for the masses!
Roy preaches with a wicked look in his eyes as a sharp slow clap pierces through the soundwaves. Roy and Rufus look over their shoulder to reveal a scene only seen on a silver screen filled with rich ad revenue dollars behind it, Neo James Carner! He’s clapping with a look of wonderment on his bearded face, his over well kempt hair radiating like golden cascades on his shoulders of brunette.
Roy: Well, well, well! If it isn’t my father’s one time pride and joy, the greatest student to ever leave his academy! Neo James Carner! Why, I didn’t know they let shit like you walk into places this good! I heard they fired you from your last wrestling gig, couldn’t keep your mouth shut. What brings you here chum? Ey mate? You come on over here to where the big boys play to see your old friend Roy? Or maybe you came to see my father! Rufus! Look, it’s Neo! Let’s pretend to be surprised he’s reared his head in yet another company we’ve laid roost in!
Neo James Carner stops clapping as he gives an exasperated sigh.
NJC: I’m going to allow you to call me Neo, for old times sake that last time. But from here on out, you will refer to me by my full name. Neo James Carner. See, that’s a name that means something, it’s worked its way to build itself a notoriety around it. And whether that claim to fame is in infamy, I’m going to be the first to say I earned every ounce of respect that comes with my name! But alas...It’s good to see you Roy, Rufus. I hoped I’d run into you guys here tonight! It’s the big night! Neo James Carner is signing his name down on an AWF contract and I couldn’t be more excited! Can you imagine it...THE Neo James Carner. His name in lights...every night, again and again. And then again and again and again!
Neo says making sharp motions with his hand every time he says again. Roy and Rufus look a little bothered by his presence and on the annoyed side of things.
NJC: But I’m not here to talk about that...I’ve come here to talk about you Roy...or should I say...The End of The Sorrow! The destruction of everything you are and the beginning of something so much more, something with so much more to offer. I look at you Roy, and I see a fragile husk relic of the past. You preach about your good old days here in AWF and every day you’ve been back in AWF is a reminder that you’re not that guy anymore. You let Kuroi embarrass you in your comeback match back on the brand, you let Tommy Strychnine walk away with your title opportunity and now you let some Florida bodybuilding bimbo nearly make you tap on national television and you’re more concerned with making fun of her sugar daddy’s milk duds. I hate to say it Roy..but you’ve peaked!
Roy narrows his eyes as he grits his teeth.
Roy: You’re going to need to do a lot of shutting up right now.
Neo grins as he slowly picks up a bucket shaped object that’s covered in a cloth on top to keep its contents a secret.
NJC: No see, Roy, I’m going to have to usurp your mission statement because after watching your career after your return I can totally see it now. You’ve become the thing you just swore to destroy and run out of AWF. You’re a parody of what it means to be a true purist, what it means to be the absolute best in professional wrestling. I’m not here to play charades with people or make little horror movie references in hopes that people will think I’m spooky. I’m here to lay claim to everything my name can bring change to. I’m here to make the AWF a better place, not by forcing them to change with violence and brutality...No, I will make them want to change because when they see how much better I do it than everyone else it’ll just inspire that kind of change. That’s what it means to be the true definition of the word...but you Roy...will have to learn that first hand.
Neo lets a giant grin circle the corners of his lips. From behind Neo walks out two silhouettes that reveal themselves as they step into the light, one of Rob Garcia with Jeff Noon at his side and Keith Williamsd with a giant cigar chomped down in his mouth that he ignites with a strike anywhere woodstock match.
NJC: See, your most dangerous mistake you’ve made since coming back is making an enemy out of Rob Garcia. And the problem with making an enemy out of Rob Garcia is you manage to really piss off his good friend, Keith Williams. Now Keith, Keith has this bad temper and when he gets into this state there’s only one guy who can talk him back from that ledge, that man would be me. You see, when you put a couple of big bad wolves together, there’s very few things that they can’t get accomplished and when you dared to insult one of us...When you dared to mock and try to take it to the next level with Rob Garcia in a sea of disrespect and delusion that you were somehow better? See...That’s when you made your final mistake, the one that would end your AWF career.
Neo takes off the cloth off what looks like a regular ol’ bucket. Rob and Keith look inside and look a little bewildered but amused.
NJC “Funny thing about myths, they’re meant to be broken. Did you know that Daddy Long Legs teeth not being big enough to bite human flesh isn’t true? That’s a myth, just like you and your daddy, Roy!”
Neo pie faces the bucket into Roy’s face as what looks like hundreds of daddy long legs spiders come pouring out, getting caught in Roy’s dreads and beard. Keith and Rob are like a hungry pack of alphas as they lay siege to Rufus Harlowe, delivering a sickening amount of physical abuse on the elderly gentlemen, throwing him haphazardly into a nearby security door with a plate glass window that shatters, shredding Rufus’ forehead as shards of glass litter the floor. The crimson forehead of father Harlowe is on full display as Neo throws a Bicycle Knee into Roy’s forehead and causes him to fall to the floor. Keith and Rob drag over Rufus’ bloodied body and lay it on the floor before Roy as he slowly looks with a face of horror covered in the squished mangled corpses of spider’s he has tried to claw off in defense.
Rob: See what happens Roy! See what happens!? See what happens when you fuck around with the wrong people Roy!”
Keith: Tell me what you see! Tell your daddy what you see Roy!
Roy has a look of fury on his face as he tries to get up to his feet only to be met with a series of stomps from the three men who go to town kicking the ever loving shit out of Roy like he was a soccer ball caught in a bush.
Roy: Rugh, you. Fucking. Psychopaths! Degenerate fuckwads! You’re nothing! You’ll always be nothing!
Roy spits blood at Rob, Keith and Neo who just mock him with laughter. Neo pulls out a pen from his pocket, a particularly nice pen that you wouldn’t see at the end of a chain at a bank kind of pen. Neo takes the pen and hands it to Rob, Rob takes the writing instrument and quickly stabs at Roy’s forehead, grinding it a little and then pulling it away handing it back to Neo. Neo pulls out a rolled parchment from his pocket and unravels it, it’s his contract! Neo takes the bloodied pen and signs his name on the AWF Contract!
NJC: Wrong! I’m a healthy employed member of the AWF Roster...You?...Not so much!
Neo says as he gives Roy a boot to the face. The three men laugh in revelry and joy but Rufus Harlowe the six foot seven father of Roy comes barreling into frame, sending a clothesline into the back of Neo’s head. Rob and Keith quickly lunge at Rufus and pick the bleeding carcass clean with body shots and stiff clubbing blows to the kidneys. Rob grabs Rufus by the hair and then whips him into a nearby set of speakers that crash and fall over as Rufus collapses onto the ground.
Keith: You’re old news grandpa!
Keith announces as he stands over Rufus, pulling the cigar out of his mouth and putting it out on Rufus’ forehead as he howls out in pain. Roy comes rushing into frame, spearing Keith in the gut but Rob and Neo rush into frame before Roy can mount any serious offense as the three men knee and drive sick elbows into the temple of the young Harlowe.
Rob: Enough of this shit! Let’s end this bitch!
Rob says as Keith and Neo each grab a leg of Roy’s, flapjacking him high into the air as he comes crashing down, Rob grabs his head in a front face dock and spikes Roy’s head into the concrete with a sickening spike DDT. Roy’s body ragdolls on the floor, lifeless and unmoving. Jeff Noon walks back into the frame with his hands on his mouth in horror.
Jeff: Oh dear God...I think...I think he’s really hurt...we should...we should call someone.
Rob, Neo and Keith all look at each other and then back at Jeff Noon.
Neo: You can call us The Revenants, don’t you dare forget us.
The three men walk off in unison as they leave a scene of carnage and mayhem behind them. Two Harlowe's are buried in glass, spiders and blood. Stage hands and referees fill the scene as they try to sift and sort out the chaos.
The shot cuts back to the ring where Jessie Love finds herself in the middle of a makeshift set-up in the ring. The words ‘CROSS RECOBA’ are spelt out opposite the hard camera akin to the Hollywood sign. A dark wood desk contrasts the typeface with its seriousness. Three leather chairs have been placed either side of the table.
Romano: Did this come out of his own pocket?
Taylor: Did Chris Card teach him anything?
Jessie Love, microphone in hand, stands in the ring and appears slightly bemused as to the decor.
‘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.
Romano: He insisted on being given a proper ring announcement?
Taylor: He doesn’t do anything by halves!
Romano: This is actually nauseating!
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 at the tracking camera, and he begins down the ramp still holding it aloft.
Jessie Love: Introducing your host for THE BOX OFFICE….CROSS...RECOBA!!
Recoba reaches ringside and holds the lion's head handle of the cane up to his lips and kisses it for luck. 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. Cross stands to his full height and smirks, before taking a seat at the table and motioning for the microphone. He turns the chair to face the hard camera as he talks.
Recoba: Welcome, XHF Network Subscribers to my BOX OFFICE! Now, for the eagle-eyed of you - you’re right, I’m not scheduled to have a match today but I’m a team-player, you all can see that. After all, am I not your Team Captain for the XHF Call to Arms event next Sunday?
Cross runs a hand through his hair.
Recoba: Now, being the team player I am I got notified that we’d made yet another signing but they wanted to make sure that it happened on the biggest stage of them all and with the most impact it could possibly have!
The self-amused smirk on his face tells the audience he is enjoying hamming it up far too much.
Recoba: So, I did the only thing that I could do to support Ziko’s quest to rise from the mediocrity he so often finds himself swimming in - I offered to help! After all, what would this event be without THE BREAKOUT STAR OF 2020? And what better way for someone to debut in the company than to get their share of the limelight I project each and every time I step foot in an AWF ring?
Romano: Seriously, is he for real?
Taylor: I’d have thought you’d get why he’s doing this.
Romano: It’s not what he’s doing, it’s the grandstanding at an event like this of all times!
Recoba: Now, for everyone watching at home. Let me introduce you to one of the brightest lights on the wrestling scene...A man who many are tipping to go onto success at the highest level, a man who hails from Grand Rapids and guided by Eddie Walker!! Give it up for….ADAM SANDERS!!!
Romano: A great get from Ziko!
Taylor: Sanders has been tearing it up in the East Coast and now we get to see him appear in an AWF ring!
The drum fill followed by the opening guitar riff for the title track off the fourth studio album by Canadian punk band Sum 41 begins to blare on the Toyota Center’s PA system and a single spotlight appears on the ramp.
One, two, three, four
The rest of the band joins the guitar as Adam Sanders emerges behind the curtain flanked by Eddie Walker who appears to be giving last-minute coaching to his charge. The spotlight follows their walk down the ramp and towards the ring.
Romano: Eddie has guided many wrestlers to success in his time as a manager!
Taylor: We know that Sanders prefers to do his talking in the ring, Walker though will let us know what he hopes to achieve right out the gate!
Well, I won’t be caught living in a dead-end job
While praying to my government guns and gods
Now it’s us against them, we’re here to represent
And spit right in the face of the establishment!
Sanders walks up the stairs, walks down the apron a bit and puts both arms in the air towards the hard camera before stepping into the ring, Walker following behind. Cross rises from his chair and shakes hands with both men before motioning them to sit down on the other side of the desk where two microphones now sit.
Recoba: Thanks, Eddie for agreeing to this, same to you, Sanders. Welcome to AWF!
The camera focuses on Walker and Sanders, Eddie is quick to take the microphone whilst Sanders sits in his chair.
Walker: Thank you, thank you, Cross. We appreciate that you offered to get as many eyes one of the biggest up-and-comers in this industry. And we both have high hopes for a great run here in Ascension Wrestling!
Recoba: So, many people are wondering, after the offers that were sent out to you when you announced you were looking to broaden your horizons, why Ascension?
Walker again is quick to speak on behalf of his client.
Walker: I put out a few feelers. I wanted to see what was a good fit for him. I spoke to a few companies and this felt like the best fit. Obviously, we wanted something that wasn’t going to interfere with his current HYBRID schedule. But I wanted to get him somewhere new to showcase his talents and allow him the chance to flourish in another ring, instead of pigeonholing him to one ring.
Cross smiles at the response but focuses on Adam.
Recoba: Anything to add, hotshot?
Sanders remains seated.
Recoba: Tick, tock. The whole world is watching.
Still, Adam refuses to be baited into talking.
Recoba: So, we’re at the biggest event of the year, we’ve got the entire Network either watching live or no doubt waking up and streaming it. This is your chance, kid. We’ve all seen the hype, read the news reports about you being one the best proponents of the striking-Puro influenced style - sell us on yourself.
Sanders: Why are you acting like this? I get into the ring, I fight my heart out, I win some and lose some, won a couple of titles… I prefer to let that sell you on me.
Cross seems to accept the answer but still doesn’t seem satisfied. He gets up from his chair with the microphone in hand.
Recoba: Look, junior. You’ve signed with Ascension - you’re not going to be around your little safety-bubble here. We’ve seen the pics, you hanging out with the Jew Blazer, taking selfies with Billie Sky….hell, we have a mutual friend!
Sanders perks up a little at this news.
Recoba: Kelsey Spencer...
Sanders smiles at the mention of his friend.
Recoba: The difference is while you two no doubt talk anime and fried chicken I wouldn’t know the first thing about that, I can however, tell you in great detail about what her favorite breakfast is or even if her gear outside the ring matches what she likes to wear out of it…
The taunting causes Walker to speak on behalf of his client.
Walker: What does this have to do with...
Cross smiles and imposes himself over Walker before ruffling the hair of Sanders mockingly.
Recoba: Apologies, folks…
Cross starts to turn his back on Sanders and grandstanding in the ring.
Recoba: It seems what we have here is nothing more than a mute with a PR machine! You wonder why I referred to people like myself and Bloodied Fox as the future? Well, you’re looking at him, because you certainly aren’t listening to him. Can you even speak for yourself?
Cross gets in Sanders’ face and starts to taunt him with some slaps around the face.
Recoba: What’s the matter, kiddo?
Cross pushes at Sanders as if he’s done with him.
Recoba: Well, it looks like Copycat might finally have someone he can be-
Cross gets spun around and taken unaware by a quickfire kick to the stomach that is followed seamlessly by a Question Mark kick!
Romano: Cross could be about to heat his words!
Sanders throws an arm over his shoulder before effortlessly lifting him vertical.
Taylor: Could this be….
SANDERS DROPS HIM DOWN INTO A PILEDRIVER!
Romano and Taylor: THIS IS AWKWARD!!!!
Cross is out cold on the floor, the microphone dropping to the floor with a thud.
Walker: Didn’t anyone warn you to beware of the quiet ones?
Walker puts a hand on Sanders who stands over the fallen Recoba as “Underclass Hero” by Sum 41 resumes on the sound-system.
Taylor: Recoba is down for the count!
Romano: Sanders just put an exclamation mark on his debut here at Clash of the Icons!
The camera cuts from a close-up of the unconscious Recoba to a confident smile from the AWF newcomer.
Jessie Love:The following contest is scheduled for one fall, with a sixty-minute time limit, and is a Pride versus Career Match! If Michael Storm loses, he will be forced to retire. Introducing first…
The stadium lights dim and red strobes begin to flash as "Legendary" by Skillet feels the stadium. Diamond emerges from the back wearing his leather jacket and diamond-shaped sunglasses and smiles big at the crowd’s reaction. Chants of "Icon" and "Diamond Club" rain out as the Ace of Spades makes his way down to the ring.
NEVER GONNA KEEP ME DOWN (NEVER KEEP ME)
STILL THE ONE THAT'S STANDIN' NOW (NEVER FALLING)
DESTINY IS CALLIN' ME
GO DOWN IN HISTORY
Diamond plays to the fans who cheer and mock those who are booing. He rolls under the bottom rope and quickly pops up and throws his hands in the air in a diamond sign, again to huge cheers and jeers from the crowd.
EVERY DAY I'LL FIGHT TO BE
LEGENDARY
He gives a very smug grin as he awaits his opponent.
Jessie Love: From Cherokee, North Carolina, and weighing in tonight at two hundred and ten pounds… He is “The Ace of Spades” -- JAAAAAACKKKKKKK DIIIIIIIAMONDDDDDD!
Taylor:Tonight is the night where Jack Diamond is willing to redeem himself for what happened two years ago at the very first Clash of The Icons event, but will he make the same mistakes as before, or is Jack willing to not underestimate Storm this time around?
Romano: That’s the main question on everyone’s mind, that’s what everyone is asking Jack right now. Jack is willing to prove himself that two years ago was a lucky fluke, that he was caught off guard and what happened then will not happen again.
SO, SO, UNDENIABLE
SO, GO, GO, UNDENIABLE
"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. He jumps up and down with the balls of his feet as he soaks up the energy.
Jessie Love:And his opponent… From Brooklyn, New York and weighing in tonight at two hundred and twenty-one pounds… He is “The Prince of Pain” -- MICHAELLLLLLL STORRRRRRRRRM!
(SO) FROM TAKIN'
(SO) AMAZIN'
(SO) MAKE SURE THERE'S NO MISTAKIN'
(GO) THE HITTIN'
(GO) IS WAITIN'
(GO) SO MAKE IT UNDENIABLE
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.
Taylor: Imagine now… this could be the last time we might ever see Michael Storm in a wrestling ring ever again after tonight.
Romano: Well, if he can pull off the same tactic as last time, he might just!
Taylor: The last time he fell from the top rope and headbutted Jack to win, I’m sure he’ll try this time.
Pride vs. Career Match
(If Michael Storm loses he must retire)
Jack Diamond vs. Michael Storm
DING! DING!
Senior Referee Gabe Valentine calls for the bell as both men stare down one another to begin this match, Diamond begins to roll his shoulders as he stares across the ring and right into Michael Storm’s eyes, Storm is squinting as - he too - stares down Jack Diamond from across the ring. Both men slowly walk around the ring, not once have they taken their eyes off of one another. Jack is smirking, almost smiling and laughing at Storm. Of course, Storm looks at Diamond in disgust at him finding this any bit hilarious.
Michael Storm: What’s so funny, Jack? Why are you laughing?!
Diamond charges quickly at Storm and connects the Shotgun Dropkick to the abdomen of Storm, sending him flying back into the corner with his head whiplashing with the middle turnbuckle. Diamond is able to quickly get back to feet and run back to the opposite corner to grab himself some momentum to run at full speed, leaping into the air and then connecting the Hesitation Dropkick right down onto the face of Storm. Diamond drags Storm up to his feet and then hoists him up onto his shoulders to connect the Fireman’s Carry Pele Kick! Storm stumbles back onto the ropes and comes right back at Jack with a Pendulum Lariat- No! Jack turns his head slightly to peek over his shoulder, looking for the Pele Kick but he’s caught with Storm turning his body in mid-air to connect an Enzuigiri to the back of Diamond’s head!
Taylor: Already this match is taking the wind out of me and we’re no less than three minutes in!
Romano: And they’re looking to take out more, Storm has the waist lock and now placing Jack on his shoulders but Jack catches him! Spikes him right on the top of his head with the Poisonrana, and as stiff as his body was when he died, Storm’s body went stiff upon the impact of his head hitting the ring mat!
Jack lifts up Storm back up to one knee, grabbing the head and then planting him right down with a DDT. Jack rolls Storm onto his shoulders and his back, placing his head between Storm’s legs and deadlifting him right up into the Powerbomb position… Buckle Bomb right to the spine of Storm, and then a Rope Aided Gamengiri to Storm’s face before Jack rolls him down onto the mat and begins making his way up to the top rope… He leaps and Jack lands on nothing, rolling away from the corner and then turning back around to find Storm attempting the Termination Projectile, Jack “matrixes” his way under the flying Storm and turns back to find Storm on all fours… Curb Stomp right down onto the head of Storm! Jack tries to go for the cover but Storm has rolled out of the ring and keeps himself on his feet. Diamond runs the ropes, running and leaping over the ropes… using one arm to hold onto the top rope and Storm slides into the ring as Diamond does this, Storm gets back to his feet quickly and looks to push Jack off but he’s caught off guard with another Rope Aided Gamengiri! The kick knocks Storm back into the middle of the ring, Diamond springboards in with the Forearm!
Taylor: Diamond flies in with that beautiful Springboard Forearm, this match is already having both men trying to kick out moves they don’t even do normally!
Romano: Now… Diamond goes up to the top rope -- Missed opportunity on Shuffled Deck as Diamond rolls away from the corner again when Storm moves out of the dropzone!
Taylor: Jack comes charging in on Storm-- Termination Projectile...missed again, this time Jack baseball slides underneath the spinning Storm. Both men are looking to send one another through hell tonight even if it means to win and not lose what they have at stake.
Both men are on all fours, staring at one another with Jack still keeping that crooked smile from earlier. Storm charges and Jack quickly follows and connects the Basement Dropkick to Storm’s right knee, bringing him down to the mat face first. Jack rolls and gets back to his feet before connecting a seven hundred and twenty-degree kick to the back of the head of Storm as he rises! The kick itself sends him right back down flat on the mat and leaves Storm helpless, Jack leaps onto the ropes and connects a Lionsault! Jack goes for the first pinfall of the match, the cover, and the count as Jack hooks the outside leg…
...ONE!
And a quick kick out by Storm pushes Diamond off of him as he begins to roll away from The Ace of Spades, rolling under the bottom rope as Jack reaches between the ropes and pulls Storm into the ring, Rope Hung DDT spikes his head into the mat! Jack gets back to his feet, looking to the turnbuckles and begins to climb up. Diamond stands on the top rope and looks down to Storm who isn’t moving an inch, Jack leaps and the Diving Double Foot Stomp lands right in the heart of Storm. Storm gasps for air, rolling around and putting himself on the bottom corner to sit up as Diamond walks around with that crooked smile again on his face.
Jack Diamond: Come on, Storm! Are you going to get a fluke like last time? You’re not going to last long with the way you’re going right now!
Jack runs in and dropkicks Storm right in the face, rolling back and onto his feet before stomping down on Storm. Diamond takes a few steps back before charging in and Storm rolls out of the ring and leaving Jack tumbled up in the ropes, Storm pulls Jack out of the ring and throws him right into the barricades, the sound of the impact echoing throughout the arena. Storm lifts up Jack and delivers a Back Suplex onto the spine of Diamond who lands on the barricade and falls into the empty crowd seats. Storm climbs over and brings Jack up onto his feet, Storm lifts Jack up into the Vertical Suplex position and tosses him back to the ringside area of the barricade. The referee’s count is up to seven and Storm quickly leaps over the barricade and rolls into the ring, before rolling back out of the ring to restart the count back to one. Storm watches Diamond crawl towards the ring steps and he grabs him by the head, pulling him up onto his feet and turning his back to the ring post… Exploder Suplex from Storm sending Diamond right into the ring post.
Romano: Exploder Suplex right into the post! Storm is slowly getting back into this, he’s feeling it right now, he feels that he’s making that comeback right now.
Taylor: Now Michael Storm is dragging Jack right back up to his feet, tossing him into the ring as Storm leaps onto the apron. Jack’s in a perfect position near the corner and Storm grabs the turnbuckles from the apron, slingshots in and places himself on the second rope… CORKSCREW MOONSAULT!!!
Romano: I didn’t see no elbow being used there, don’t think that was the Prince of Pain finisher but good lord, it sure was as impressive!
Michael Storm gets back to his feet and stumbles back into the corner, there’s fire in his eyes as he grabs the ropes behind him and pushes himself forward and pulling the ropes with him as he watches Jack slowly get back up to his feet. Storm charges in with the Termination Projecti- SHOTGUN DROPKICK OUT OF NOWHERE FROM JACK DIAMOND! STORM FLIPPED IN MID AIR AND NEARLY LANDED ON HIS NECK! Jack grabs hold of Storm by the head and pulls him back up to his feet, Single Arm Underhook Brainbuster! Jack rolls through and now the Double Underhook Brainbuster! Storm has himself in a seated position, Jack rebounds off the ropes and a Penalty Kick takes down Storm, Standing Moonsault lands! Jack rolls over and leaps onto the second rope with another Moonsault, he rolls over again into the corner… Second Rope Corkscrew Moonsault! Jack gets back up to his feet, heading out onto the apron to climb up top… SHUFFLED DECK!! JACK ROLLS OVER INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER, LEAPING UP, TURNING AROUND, AND ANOTHER SHUFFLED DECK LANDS! JACK ROLLS BACK TO THE CORNER HE WAS IN BEFORE FOR THOSE MOONSAULTS, CLIMBING BACK UP AND THEN DRIVES BOTH FEET RIGHT INTO THE ABDOMEN OF STORM! HE STUMBLES INTO THE CORNER, TURNING BACK TO THE PRONE STORM, STANDING SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!!! THE COVER, AND THE COUNT…
...ONE!
...TWO!!
...THR-
STORM KICKS OUT AFTER EVERYTHING HE WAS PUT THROUGH!! STORM SOMEHOW HAS KICKED OUT OF EVERYTHING JACK JUST PUT HIM THROUGH!
Jack Diamond: Just stay down!
Jack watches Storm struggle to even move, let alone trying to get back up to his feet.
Jack Diamond: You’re making this so much worse on yourself, Mikey, just stay down!
Storm seems to slowly get to his hands and knees, the struggle to even stay up is very visible by the violent shaking that Storm is doing.
Jack Diamond: Are you even fucking listening-
TERMINATION PROJECTILE FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!! DIAMOND IS STUNNED, AND STORM IS MAKING HIS WAY UP TO THE TOP… THE PRINCE OF PAIN CORKSCREW MOONSAULT ELBOW DROP!!! STORM LAYS ON TOP OF DIAMOND, BARELY CONSCIOUS, AND GOING FOR THE COVER
...ONE!
...TWO!!
...THR-
Taylor: JACK KICKS OUT JUST BEFORE THE THREE COUNT IS DECIDED AND STORM IS SHOCKED, HE CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT’S GOING ON, HE CAN’T BELIEVE THAT JACK KICKED OUT.
Romano: HOW IN GOD’S NAME HAS JACK DIAMOND KICKED OUT? I THOUGHT MICHAEL HAD IT WON RIGHT THERE.
Michael Storm gets back up to his feet, wondering what else he could do to finish Jack off. Storm grabs the head of Diamond, locking in the 52 Seconds of Hell submission as he attempts to ground Diamond but Jack continuously stomps down onto the feet of Storm, a single leg takedown puts Storm on his ass, Jack goes for the knee and connects right on the jaw of Storm. Diamond drags Storm to his feet, twisting the arm but Storm pulls him in, Running Omega Driver in the center of the ring!! Jack lands head first on the mat and Storm slowly, ever so slowly, makes his way up to the top rope. Storm doesn’t look behind him, taking a deep breath and leaps with the Prince of Pain--
STACKED DECK!!!!!! OUT OF NOWHERE!!!!
Taylor: GOOD GOD! STORM’S OUT!
Romano: LOOK INTO JACK’S EYES, THAT’S A LOOK I’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!
BUT STORM MANAGES TO GET TO HIS FEET SOMEHOW, HE BOUNCED RIGHT BACK UP TO HIS FEET… ANOTHER STACKED DECK!!
Taylor: ANOTHER ONE!
Romano: JACK HAS GONE INSANE! HE HAS GONE COMPLETELY INSANE!
JACK IS FURIOUS, HE DRAGS STORM BACK UP TO HIS FEET, STORM’S BARELY ABLE TO STAND… A THIRD STACKED DECK!!!
Taylor: AND A THIRD STACKED DECK, WHAT THE HELL IS JACK GOING TO DO WHEN HE KILLS STORM FOR THE SECOND ENCOUNTER IN A ROW?
Romano: DO YOU SEE JACK ACTUALLY GIVING A SHIT RIGHT NOW? OF COURSE, HE DOESN’T CARE IF HE KILLS STORM!
JACK DOESN’T EVEN CARE ANYMORE, HE’S LOOKING FOR A FOURTH STACKED DECK BUT STORM PUSHES HIM TOWARDS THE ROPES, JACK LEAPS ONTO THE ROPES, SPRINGBOARD STACKED DECK!!!!!
Taylor: SPRINGBOARD, SPRINGBOARD, SPRINGBOARD!
Romano: THIS IS JACK’S OWN PERSONAL FIFTY-TWO SECONDS OF HELL FOR STORM RIGHT HERE!
DIAMOND IS ABLE TO AGAIN DRAG STORM BACK TO HIS FEET, IRISH WHIP INTO THE CORNER AND NOW THE DIAMOND SPLASH CRUSHES STORM IN THE CORNER, JACK LIFTS HIM UP ONTO THE TOP ROPE AS JACK CLIMBS UP THERE WITH STORM…
Romano: NOT LIKE THIS, NOT LIKE THIS!!!
Taylor: OH MY GOD-
AVALANCHE STACKED DECK!!!!!
JACK’S GOING FOR THE COVER, HOOKING BOTH LEGS!!!
Romano: THIS HAS TO BE IT, IT’S ALL OVER!!
...ONE!
...
...TWO!!
...
...
...
...THREE!!!!
Taylor: FINALLY… oh my god, my voice is shot.
DING! DING! DING!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner, JAAAAAAACK DIAAAAAAAMONDDDDD!!!
The bell rings and Jack Diamond's theme song plays from Skillet, but the thoughts aren't with Jack Diamond right now. It's with someone else. The loser of this match. Michael Storm. After a moment, just after long enough for Jack to wipe the sweat from his bro and get over the excitement of winning this match at AWF's biggest show of the year, he looks back to Michael Storm, who is getting up off the mat. Storm looks all around and is met by nothing other than unsure and blank expressions from everyone else in the vicinity watching.
Taylor: Michael Storm just lost! His career is over!
Romano: The only question left is... What's going to happen now?
Michael Storm looks around and he chokes back tears as he takes off his shirt, his yellow tank top. He lines it down on the ring in front of him. He gives one last long look to Jack Diamond before looking back to the entranceway. Michael Storm gives one last long exhale before stepping out of the ring and down the steps.
Taylor: Just lying a shirt down? I don't think we need his dirty laundry.
Romano: It's not about the shirt. It's about what the shirt represents. He's always been about the yellow and black. He's always been about the storm. It's darn right in his name. But it's like Jack Diamond alluded. The storm is passed or maybe, the storm is now infused within Jack. The man just took his career. I don't think this is a moment either of us will forget.
Walking slowly back into the Legion locker room, covered in both her and her opponent's blood, Natasha is flocked by her followers, hurriedly trying to keep up. Her fury is silent, yet evident in her body language. She waves her crows away with a regal waft of her arm and gesticulates for one of them to throw her a towel to mop her face.
Hyperion: You put up one hell of a fight, should be proud of yourself for that.
Kuroi: A defeat is still a defeat. You know the Legion way - a loss is unacceptable.
Natasha: Blood was spilled. Carnage was brought forth upon my enemies. Are you speaking for my crows, or for yourself here, Kuroi?
Kuroi approaches Natasha, a look of fire in his eyes.
Kuroi: YOUR... Crows? This empire we have built is as much mine as it is yours. If anything, I have done more for Legion. I have defended your name, and even Hyperion’s. I have absorbed the brunt force of our failures, and marched on.
Hyperion: Do not put yourself on a pillar as a champion. You have also faced defeat while representing Legion's honor.
Kuroi: Defeat and failure is something you should be very well acquainted with. Losing to Seth Dillinger and embarrassing yourself, losing your Prestige title, losing your battle with Storm Crow, losing out for Legion and being sentenced to jail!
Hyperion: Fuck you. I was OUR Champion, I was OUR God! You were nothing but my lackey, don’t fool yourself thinking anything has changed.
Hyperion closes the distance, edging towards Kuroi.
Hyperion: And now you bow to Natasha. She is your new Goddess, so show her your respect. Beg for forgiveness for your outburst... and kneel.
Furious, Kuroi explodes by throwing a quick and powerful punch to Hyperion with such force he staggers backwards into the followers behind him. They struggle to support his fall.
Kuroi: I am the one who molded these soldiers around us. I am the one who built up everything Legion stands for. I am the enforcer of the mantra 'Strength Above All!'. Without the forces here created and trained, Legion is nothing more than two mentally ill fools! Legion is NOTHING without me!
Natasha: Then Legion is no more.
Kuroi turns to face Natasha, who has crossed the gap to be right behind him. Before he can react she has her hand grasped firmly around his neck and hoists him into the air, all 270 pounds of him lifted from the ground. She slams him down with a sit-out chokeslam, delivering her ‘Hand of Fate’ with such coldness in her eyes. Kuroi hits the hard cement floor with a thud, but as he begins to rise up Natasha motions for the followers to attack. Some look to Hyperion for a second acknowledgement, but most react instinctively. Quickly, a dozen or so of her Crows are stomping and kicking on the floored Kuroi.
Hyperion: Enough! End this travesty.
The followers stop their attack on Kuroi, with eyes darting between Hyperion and Natasha. Unsure of what to do next, Hyperion and Natasha close the gap between them, unsure of what comes next. Hyperion just nods, softly.
Hyperion: All yours... Goddess.
Hyperion turns to face the remaining followers, as Natasha begins to pull Kuroi up from the floor.
Hyperion: My children, I have failed you all with my past indiscretions. I have failed our community, our church and our Legion. I failed in combat, I failed in ascension, and I was bound and imprisoned for my wrongdoings. I am no longer fit to lead you, nor are you weak now to follow Kuroi. There is only one that you should obey… the Goddess of Death, Natasha. Hail Natasha!
The followers begin to chant in unison the same words, ‘Hail Natasha, Hail Natasha, Hail Natasha’ as she pulls the weakened Kuroi to his feet, and hoists him up for a body slam. She carfeully lowers him down, wrapping he arm thourgh his right leg and cradling his body.
Natasha: All things in time must pass. Your chariot awaits you, champion. May you be blessed with all that you seek Elsewhere.
Natasha drops to her knees, driving Kuroi's head into the concrete with a sickening thud. Blood begins pouring froma gash on his head and his body goes limp.
Natasha: For there is nothing left for you here.
Hyperion: Bow to your Goddess of Death… Natasha!
Hyperion holds out a hand to pull her up front the floor, and they stand beside one another, hand in hand.
Hyperion: They are all yours now.
Natasha: They always were.
Hyperion smirks, lifts her hand once more to kiss it, and lets it go before turning to leave the room. As Hyperion exits Legion, and Kuroi lays unconscious on the floor, the followers gather closer around Natasha, chanting still.
HAIL NATASHA!
HAIL NATASHA!
HAIL NATASHA!
Jessie Love: INTRODUCING FIRST....THE SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE FOR OUR MAIN-EVENT!
The arena lights pulse red as 'Riot' starts up. Bloodied Fox steps through the curtain, clad in an XHF black and white match official shirt.
Jessie Love: Calling the match for us tonight is THE PSYCHO SCAVENGER...BLOODIED...FOX!!!!!!!
He looks a man with much on his mind as he walks down the ramp.
Romano: A lot has been said in the run-up to this match about the competitors but they’ve overlooked what could be THE key factor in this - Bloodied Fox
Taylor: People might not have realized it but Fox is only too aware that the fate of LGBTKO and the Prestige title sits heavily with him
He salutes the camera and then heads to the ring, he knows the power he wields tonight. He whispers something inaudible to Jessie Love before the cameras cut back to the ramp.
Romano: And now, we wait...
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 with a look of determination painted across his face and is followed by his girlfriend, Selena. He stands atop of the stage and looks out to the arena, bending over, adjusting his kneepads before shooting up and stretching his arms out.
Romano: Even without the personal issues that exist between this man and the champion, the mental preparation, the ability to be able to put everything outside the ring to one side would be vital. This isn’t just his biggest test in the ring, it’s the biggest test of his mental strength too!
Taylor: This has been bubbling away, ready to burst, for nearly three months now. What we’re looking at is a lot of combustible and volatile elements all being in a situation where everything is up for grabs!
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?
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, his usual smirk missing as he prepares for his biggest match to date in Ascension Wrestling.
Taylor: We’re on the verge of what could well be THE main-event of the year!
"Timebomb" by Beck blasts into the arena and all the lights change to a cool shade of neon blue. Seth Dillinger struts out to the top of the ramp wearing sunglasses, jeans, and a button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone, showing off just a bit of his pecs.
After the countdown timer hits zero, Seth starts to stroll down to the ring, smirking as he walks, the self-confidence oozing from him.
Taylor: He doesn’t seem to have lost the showmanship.
Romano: Having heard him talk about the match in the build-up to tonight it could be a facade or this could well be the real Seth Dillinger and it was a ploy!
When he reaches the bottom of the ramp, he rolls into the ring under the bottom rope, then paces around to each side of the ring, smiling at the situation.
Taylor: Three men, one belt, only one event could be a fitting stage for this...
AWF Prestige Championship Match
Guest Referee: Bloodied Fox
Seth Dillinger © vs. Ryan Young
The lights of the Toyota Center dim as the Prestige Champion, Seth Dillinger, stares at his challenger, Ryan Young- spotlights shining on them both. Bloodied Fox stands in the middle, looking between them both.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL and is for the PRESTIGE CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challenger from Anaheim, California! Standing at five foot eleven and weighing two-hundred and twenty-seven pounds, he is… RYAN YOUNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!
Young doesn’t move a bit. He simply stares with a glare toward Seth.
Jessie Love: His opponent, standing at six-feet and weighing two-hundred and fifteen pounds. He is the PRESTIGE CHAMPIOOOONNN, SETH DILLLLINGGEERRRRRRRRRR!
Dillinger simply raises the championship in front of Young before handing it off to Fox, without taking his eyes off of the Messiah of the Knee Strike. Fox reluctantly holds the championship then shows it to Young who nods toward him. Fox then raises it toward the hard camera before handing it off.
The silence is nearly deafening. The hostile tension is thick. The animosity is there.
Taylor: This is it. The main event everyone at home has been anticipating. Seth Dillinger versus Ryan Young with Bloodied Fox as the special guest referee.
Romano: This match could either destroy and separate LGBTKO entirely or save it.
Taylor: I know I’m hoping for the latter…
The bell rings as both competitors begin to circle around each other. Fox keeps his distance with a conflicted expression on his face. Young cautiously moves forward, reaching out to
initiate a test of strength with Dillinger. Dillinger slowly moves forward as they both grapple up.
Taylor: Both men taking it slow and steady so far.
Romano: Though with what both had said to each other over the past month, I don’t doubt it won’t be long until that changes.
Taylor: How do you feel about Bloodied Fox as the referee, Cassius?
Romano: I have no doubt he’ll call the match down the middle. What I am worried about is how either competitor will react if he doesn’t do things the way they want him to.
Young with the weight advantage begins to overpower Dillinger slightly, sending him back a few steps as he falls onto one knee. Dillinger grits his teeth with a grunt as he attempts to push back but he quickly transitions behind Young into a waist lock.
Taylor: Dillinger showing a more technical side of his wrestling capability tonight.
Romano: It’s smart. Trying not to let Young get the momentum he needs.
Young tries to reverse the hold but Dillinger holds on tight, he backs himself and the Prestige Champion both into the corner. Fox moves in to make sure that they have a clean break. Dillinger raises his hands as Young slowly moves off of him and begins turning around, but DILLINGER RIGHT HOOKS YOUNG - SENDING HIM BACK STAGGERING! Fox warns Seth with a scowl!
Taylor: A cheap shot! He didn’t see it coming while they were making a clean break!
Romano: All is fair in war, Taylor.
Young holds the side of his jaw but before he can recompose himself- DILLINGER THROWS A SUPERKICK! Young catches his foot and spins him around, BICYCLE KICK TO DILLINGER AND IT SENDS HIM DOWN! Young grabs Dillinger by the hair and throws him back into the corner- enraged, he begins stomping a mudhole into Dillinger’s chest- Fox attempts to break it up by berating Young, but Young just keeps laying into the Prestige Champion with his boot! Fox begins the count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR-!
Fox grabs Young by the shoulder, attempting to get him off of a hurting Dillinger! Young violently SHOVES Fox off and keeps at it! Fox stumbles back, clearly pissed and FORCES Young to look at him by yanking him off! The special guest referee stares Young directly in the eyes as they both glare at each other for a few moments.
Taylor: Uh oh..
Romano: Bloodied Fox is only doing his job tonight, it's not wise to make an enemy out of the referee.
Dillinger looks dazed, holding a hand to his chest with a pained grimace as he moves out of the corner, onto his knees while using the ropes. Young takes his attention off of Fox and back toward Dillinger. He holds him up against the ropes and DECKS with him a “Californian” Uppercut! Dillinger goes down and rolls out. Young follows him outside.
Taylor: This match goes by normal singles rules. They should head back in before Fox counts them both out!
Romano: I don’t think he’ll do that. Fox knows this has to be settled once and for all... And a double count-out won’t do.
Young grabs Dillinger and lifts him for a SPINEBUSTER - NO! HURRICANRANA BY DILLINGER INTO THE STEEL STEPS! YOUNG GETS SPIKED AGAINST THEM AND GOES DOWN!
Taylor: HE WENT HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS! WHAT A HURRICANRANA!
Romano: And just like that the momentum has shifted!
Dillinger stalks Young as he slowly gets back up, using the apron as support. The Prestige Champion runs forward and SLING BLADE, YOUNG GETS PLANTED ONTO THE UNFORGIVING FLOOR!
Taylor: NEON CRASH!
Dillinger looks at his own work and rolls back into the ring. He turns toward Fox and demands for him to start counting! Fox looks over the ropes at Young, who’s holding his head while beginning to stir. Fox reluctantly begins to raise his hand to start counting… but he refuses! Seth is furious! He yells in Fox’s face! Fox yells back as they begin to argue while Young begins to get up.
Taylor: FOX REFUSES TO COUNT RYAN OUT!
Romano: He wants this match to end the right way! By pin or submission, NOT disqualification!
The champion grabs Fox by the collar, but Fox pushes him off! They’re in each other’s faces until Dillinger notices that Young is getting up. He grabs the ropes, SLINGSHOTS- CORKSCREW PLANCHA INTO YOUNG! BOTH GO DOWN WITH A THUD!
Taylor: DILLINGER ISN’T EASING UP!
Romano: He can’t afford to! He’s the champion!
Dillinger begins to get up and grabs Young and throws him back into the squared circle! He climbs up against the ropes, looking to spring in for that trademark somersault stunner! HE SPRINGBOARDS HIMSELF IN- YOUNG TURNS AROUND AT THE LAST SECOND AND CATCHES HIM WITH A SUPERMAN FOREARM SMASH, DILLINGER FALLS BACK ONTO THE APRON!
Taylor: Young knows that South Philly Stunner all too well!
Romano: He was undoubtedly prepared for it. These two know each other way too well.
Young pulls him in and then throws him against the ropes, backing up- HE GOES IN FOR THE DOUBLE KNEES INTO DILLINGER!
Taylor: SHOTGUN VALLEY! SHOTGUN VALLEY!
Romano: He got all of it!
Dillinger goes limp as he simply collapses out of the corner. Young falls onto him and hooks a leg for the pin. Fox goes down and raises his hand.
ONE!
TW- KICKOUT!
Taylor: DILLINGER STAYS THE CHAMPION FOR A WHILE LONGER!
Young briefly looks at Fox, making sure that it wasn’t a three. Fox nods. Young grits his teeth with frustration as he begins to climb up to the top rope, looking down at Dillinger. HE JUMPS FOR RAIN OVER ANAHEIM- NO, DILLINGER ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY AND THE MESSIAH OF THE KNEE STRIKE GOES CRASHING DOWN HARD!
Taylor: OH!
Romano: HE JUST WENT SPLAT ACROSS THE MAT!
Young holds his right knee while writhing in pain! Fox runs over, clearly worried for his once brother in arms. He asks if he wants to quit but Young quickly shakes his head with a no! Dillinger wastes no time grabbing Young and lifting him up- AND DROPPING HIM BACK DOWN WITH A DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP! YOUNG YELLS OUT IN AGONY! Fox simply winces!
Taylor: It looks like Young severely tweaked that knee!
Romano: That’s the one he uses for the California Dream! Not good for his chances of becoming Prestige Champion! Young attempts to crawl away from Dillinger but is stopped by the champion. Dillinger places both of his feet on Young’s hurt knee as Young begs for him not to do it! DILLINGER STOPS ON HIS KNEE WITH A BRUTAL, VINTAGE KNEEBREAKER! YOUNG SCREAMS OUT!
Taylor: GOOD GOD!
Romano: He’s trying to cripple him!
Dillinger turns him over and raises Young’s leg up, and begins STOMPING ON THE INSIDE OF HIS HURT KNEE! Dillinger then jumps up and DROPS AN ELBOW ONTO YOUNG’S KNEE! Young cries out but it gets even worse as Dillinger pulls him into a single-leg Boston Crab, putting all the pressure onto that injury! Young looks like he’s in serious pain!
Taylor: HE MIGHT HAVE TO TAP OUT!
Romano: If he values his future career, he should!
Fox goes to ask Young if he wants to quit! Young shakes his head no as he attempts to crawl toward the ropes, but Dillinger refuses to let him- pulling him back to the center of the ring!
Taylor: He’s not going to survive much longer!
Eventually, YOUNG MANAGES TO GET HIS HAND AROUND THE BOTTOM ROPE! Fox calls for a rope break but Dillinger refuses to let go! Fox yells at him to do so but he refuses! The special guest ref begins counting!
Taylor: OH COME ON! IT’S A ROPE BREAK!
Romano: He has a five count before he has to let go, he’s just taking advantage of the rules.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR-
Dillinger finally lets go and raises his hands, he steps away from the hurting Young. Taking a deep breather, he walks over toward Young but YOUNG CATCHES HIM WITH A BACK ELBOW- SENDING THE CHAMPION STAGGERING BACK! Dillinger throws a forearm into Young’s face and Young staggers back! Young throws a “Californian” Uppercut! They begin to start trading blows! Back and forth! Forearm! Uppercut! Forearm! Uppercut! Forearm! Uppercut!
Taylor: NEITHER ONE OF THEM IS BACKING DOWN!
Romano: One of them has to be reaching their limit soon enough!
Dillinger goes for another forearm but Young ducks and pulls him into a hammerlock, he then twists him around for his HAMMERLOCK LARIAT! DILLINGER DOES A BACKFLIP FROM THE MOMENTUM OF THAT LARIAT AND GOES LIMP ONTO THE MAT!
Taylor: THE HAMMERLOCK TWISTED LARIAT!
Romano: THE CHAMPION IS OUT COLD, HE SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE!
Young lifts Dillinger onto his shoulders in torture rack position, he throws him off- KNEE STRIKE TO THE CHIN! DILLINGER SIMPLY FALLS FACE FIRST, NOT MOVING!
Taylor: MOONLIGHT! HE GOT IT!
Romano: HE SHOULD GO FOR THE PIN!
YOUNG PUSHES DILLINGER ONTO HIS BACK AND HOOKS A LEG!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE- WAIT NO, KICKOUTTT! SETH GETS THE SHOULDER UP AT THE LAST SECOND! YOUNG CAN’T BELIEVE IT AS HE COVERS HIS MOUTH! FOX CAN’T BELIEVE IT EITHER!
Taylor: KICKOUT AT TWO POINT NINEEEE!
Romano: I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!
Young holds his knee with gritted teeth as he begins limping toward the top turnbuckle once more.
Taylor: He used his tweaked knee for that Moonlight!
Romano: And it’s only worsened the pain it seems. He’s spending too much time trying to get up there, giving Dillinger the chance to recover! Plus if he misses his shot again, he could hurt his knee even more!
Young slowly climbs to the top, but a sluggishly moving Dillinger stumbles over and catches him with an rope-aided Gamengiri to the chest! Young nearly falls off the top onto the steel steps, both men are tired! Dillinger, who looks out of it, throws a lethargic right hand into Young’s chin. Young returns a punch back! They begin trading blows until Dillinger HEADBUTTS Young, but that nearly takes him out as well as they both almost fall! Dillinger punches Young again! Before Young can recover, Dillinger wraps an arm around his shoulders and forces them both to stand up on the top rope.
Taylor: Oh my God, what is he about to do?!
AVALANCHE SPANISH FLY CRASHING HARD BACK ONTO THE CANVAS!
Romano: HOLY SHIT!
Fox holds his head in shock as he looks down at his two collapsed former allies. He paces back and forth, waiting to see if one of them move- but neither do. Fox seems emotional as he reluctantly begins to count until one of them move.
ONE!
Dillinger reaches an arm up to nothing in particular as he tries to stand. Young doesn’t move.
TWO!
Dillinger collapses back onto the mat, Young holds his knee and chest as he uses the ropes to stand up!
THREE!
Neither men are totally back onto their feet yet.
FOUR!
Young begins to stand up!
He slowly walks toward Dillinger- KIP UP HURRICANRANA TOWARD THE ROPES! YOUNG GETS HUNG UP ON THE SECOND ROPE!
Taylor: THE CHAMPION WAS PLAYING POSSUM!
Romano: A SMART MOVE!
Grimacing as he rebounds off the ropes, Dillinger goes in with the TIGER FEINT KICK TO YOUNG!
Taylor: TWO-ONE-FIVE! TWO-ONE-FIVEEEE!
Dillinger: GET UP, RYAN! GET UP!
He taunts him as he stands on the apron! Young slowly stands with his back turned, DILLINGER SLINGSHOTS HIMSELF IN- SOMERSAULT STUNNER- NO! YOUNG PUSHES HIM OFF AT THE LAST SECOND! HE RUNS IN WITH A BICYCLE MOTION….
CALIFORNIA DREAM- WAIT, SETH GOT OUT OF THE WAY! THE CALIFORNIA DREAM BICYCLE KNEE CONNECTS WITH BLOODIED FOX AND THE REFEREE GOES UNCONSCIOUS WITH A THUD!
Taylor: FOX IS DOWN! FOX IS DOWN!
Romano: SETH MOVED OUT OF THE WAY, BUT NOW WHO’S LEFT TO COUNT FOR A PIN OR CALL AN SUBMISSION?!
Seth goes for a BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF YOUNG’S KNEE AND HE FALLS! DILLINGER THEN GOES FOR A KNEE BAR AND HOLDS IT IN TIGHT! YOUNG SCREAMS OUT, REACHING FOR THE ROPES BUT FOX IS STILL OUT COLD!
Taylor: What is he doing?! Fox is down!
Romano: Dillinger knows that! He’s trying to wear Young down!
DILLINGER HOLDS IN THE KNEE BAR FOR A WHILE! UNTIL YOUNG FINDS THE STRENGTH TO SLIP OUT OF THE HOLD, BARELY ABLE TO STAND! DILLINGER GETS UP AS WELL BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A DESTRUCTIVE EXPLODER SUPLEX!
Taylor: EXPLODER!
Romano: Young is showing resiliency I’ve never seen before!
Young leans against the ropes, clearly struggling to stand at this point as he’s in clear pain.
Taylor: Wait? Who is that coming down the ramp?!
SELENA RUNS DOWN THE RAMP- YOUNG IS SURPRISED TO SEE HER! SHE RUNS OVER AND GRABS THE PRESTIGE CHAMPIONSHIP FROM THE TABLE AND SLIDES IT UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE, TELLING YOUNG TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION!
Taylor: WHAT IS SHE DOING?!
Romano: ISN’T IT OBVIOUS, TAYLOR? FOX IS DOWN! SHE WANTS HIM TO FINISH DILLINGER OFF WITH THE BELT!
Young slowly picks up the golden Prestige title and stares down at his reflection on the main plate. He looks back toward Dillinger, who is up on his knees. Selena keeps telling him to use the belt!
Taylor: NOT LIKE THIS, RYAN!
Romano: HE KNOCKED SETH OUT THE FIRST TIME WITH THAT BELT, HE JUST MIGHT DO IT AGAIN TO WIN!
Young, conflicted, looks down at the belt- Then looks back toward Selena who continues to encourage him. He turns back to the dazed Dillinger AND WALKS FORWARD-
...But then drops the Prestige title.
Romano: It looks like he wants to do this the right way!
Selena stares at him with her jaw dropped. She asks him what is he doing?! Young just simply shakes his head at her, he refuses to win that way! With her shock turning into anger, she storms away from the ring and back to the ramp without another word.
Young simply limps forward and kneels to be face level with Dillinger. He places an arm on his former best friend’s shoulder. Young’s eyes filling with tears as he holds out his other hand for the champion to take. It’s gone too far. He just wants his friend back. He just wants LGBTKO to be whole again.
Taylor: I think.. I think Young doesn’t want to do this.
Romano: He’s trying to end this without any more pain.
Dillinger takes Young’s hand and they both pull each other into an exhausted embrace for a few moments as the ring goes completely silent-
Young: I’m.. I’m so sorry.
They look each other in the eyes.
Dillinger: I am too…
DILLINGER LOW BLOWS YOUNG WITH A KICK IN BETWEEN THE LEGS!
Taylor: NO!
YOUNG FALLS TO THE MAT IN PAIN AS DILLINGER RUNS TO GRAB THE CHAMPIONSHIP HE THEN RUNS FORWARD AND SMASHES IT ACROSS YOUNG’S HEAD!
Romano: YOU GOTTA DO WHAT YOU GOT TO, TAYLOR.
YOUNG IS LAID OUT! FOX COMES TO AND SEES DILLINGER GOES INTO THE PIN! WEAKLY, HE CRAWLS OVER AND STARTS A COUNT!
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
THR-! KICKOUT!
Taylor: YOUNG’S STILL IN THIS!
Romano: HOW?!
Dillinger SCREAMS with frustration as the tears begin to flow as he begins laying in stiff punches to Young’s head. Yelling at him to just stay down! The tired champion crawls to the top rope and looks down at the unmoving Young! HE PERFORMS A 450 SPLASH!
Taylor: ACID RAIN! IT MIGHT BE OVER!
Romano: Wait?! Dillinger’s not going for the pin!
Dillinger climbs off of Young and goes to the opposite corner, he climbs up once more and GOES FOR ACID RAID ONE MORE TIME! THIS TIME WITH A LATERAL PRESS ONTO YOUNG! FOX TIREDLY MAKES THE COUNT!
ONE!
TWO!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Ding. Ding. Ding.
The arena goes entirely silent as Dillinger rolls off of Young, holding his face as the emotions take over- and begin sobbing. Young lays there unconscious and Fox runs a hand through his hair, visibly shaken to the core.
Jessie Love: ...And… STILL PRESTIGE CHAMPION… SETH DILLINGER!
Fox crawls over toward Young who begins moving, instinctively reaching to his banged-up knee as Seth simply picks up his title and rolls out of the ring. He heads down the ramp with another word, furiously wiping the tears from his eyes as Fox watches him leave, utterly speechless.
Taylor: I… I believe we have just witnessed.. The end of LGBTKO.
Romano: All things must come to an end, unfortunately even friendships, Taylor. That’s how this business works.
Taylor: What does this mean for any of them? What does this mean for AWF?
Romano: I don’t know. It looks like a dark future ahead…
The PPV ends with the sight of Fox tending to Young as medics head to the ring.
