New Years Nightmare 2020 (Show)

[Rayzor]

Webber: I am here waiting for Rayzor to come from the ringside area after he just laid out his partner RDS and left him to alone in the ring... his own partner.

[Rayzor makes his way through the curtain, holding his jaw from the elbow from RDS during the match.]

Webber: Rayzor! Rayzor! What just happened out there?

Rayzor: You saw that?.. that bullshit that happened. I can tell you exactly what happened. RDS has no business being in that ring. He's nothing like he use to be. He's fucking washed up. 

Webber: So, I am guessing that the team of Rayzor and RDS is over?

Rayzor: ya think?. I have carried this team since we returned. Let me ask you something.. how many matches have I lost since my return?

Webber: one.. a tag ma...

Rayzor: Correction! I have not lost shit since my return. I have not been pinned.. it was that piece of shit that I just left lying in the ring RDS. He claims to be a big shot walking around with that worthless UCW Championship on his shoulder. That thing belongs in a museum, just like RDS. 

Webber: So what's next for you?

Rayzor: It's simple... I become the single, most dominate wrestler in SWAT. I Just lost over 210lbs of dead weight.. I am in top physical shape and I am gunning for the top of the mountain and it'll start next month when I go into the Rumble match and win it all. 

Webber: Are you declaring for the Rumble match?

Rayzor: You better believe it. I am putting SWAT on notice. Rayzor is here for one thing and one thing only. To be the best and do whatever it takes to do it.

[Rayzor walks away in disgust.]

[Deleted]

Surrounded by painted brick walls and the concrete floors of the Rod Laver Arena, he was only steps from his locker room door when a smell stopped him dead in his tracks. A sweet aroma comprised of nearly impossible to find flowers plucked from the peaks of China, they were said to drive any man that inhaled their fragrance mad with passion.

What occasion warranted such a special fragrance?

She used it for the same reason she casually used every luxury item she possessed. Because wearing such an item out was a status symbol many didn’t possess the capacity to understand.

Sure she wore diamond encrusted hair clips because it was Monday, but to wear out such an item meant being able to afford to replace it. To her, that was amusing. Her own amusement often led her into compromising situations. She was hoping this would become one…

“I often prefer my men larger, but I have a feeling about you dahling…” She said, stepping from the shadows and delicately inserting an Egyptian cigarette into a lavish holder crafted from onyx and ivory. She stood before him with her hand outstretched. “…be a dear and light me.”

She was a vision. A red rose in a field of daisies. The shine of her red dress cling to her curves at the top before an impossibly long slit practically ended at her hip.

Her unbridled arrogance reigned third on the list of things currently assaulting his senses, behind the sweetness of her scent and her beauty. None the less he found himself drawn to her outstretched hand, taking the lighter. “Of course, miss…”

Interrupting him, she corrected. “Misses. Misses Esmeralda Von Krauss.” Offering her hand again, he took it in his briefly. There was a power held within this women, a raw and burning sexuality. But also a boredom that screamed out, longing for a challenge lost to the past.

“Well, Misses Von Krauss…” He paid particular attention to the Misses portion of her name. “…I would imagine your husband is Armand Von Krauss si? The same Cabron whose goons almost cost me the Television Championship a couple events back…”

She smiled, her lips a bright cherry red. “The twins? Those are my dear husband’s attack dogs, nothing more. They’re in your match tonight, no?” Her accent mesmerized him almost as much as her beauty, the sheen of her dress drawing the red of her lips to pop.

He went to speak but her finger shot out, resting on his exposed top lip just a moment before sliding down. “If you separate the twins, they lose focus. Separately they are much easier to eliminate.”

Nodding as though she weren’t simply pointing out the obvious, his age and desires were betraying him as he reeled himself back in. He glances around hoping for a cameraman, a production assistant, Vanessa. Anyone that would serve as witness to this, but alas the succubus had picked her spot.

All he could muster was a weak, “Why are you helping me? Surely your husband will retaliate.”

“Call it a professional interest dahling…” She said finishing her cigarette before dropping it at his feet to stomp out. “…sometimes I see things my beloved Armand does not. Sometimes there is a diamond hidden below the surface that just needs a little more pressure to become truly valuable. You, my young, strong…” She sighed practically purring for him before continuing, she was really laying it on thick. “…fit, friend. And, as I said. I have a feeling about you dahling. Remember what I said about my husband’s dogs, and you just might get that final spot after all.”

There it was. If he won, he would have the final spot on the rumble. A spot the KGB would love for one of their own. Was the beauty that stood before him an invitation? Or a test of his honour?

Saving him, his locker room door opens as Vanessa Martinez’ heels click on the concrete arena floor. “Am I interrupting something?” Coy and confident, the sultry German beauty had already planted her seeds in the young man’s mind.

Eyeing him up and down as though he were little more than a piece of meat, Esmeralda pays no attention to Vanessa. “Think about what I said dahling. You have a very bright future here. Friends would be important.”

He hated himself for watching the swaying of her hips as she walked away. His eyes followed her until she disappeared around a corner, a smack to his arm from his agent brought him back to reality.

“What was that for?” He was genuinely acting as though he hadn’t just been drooling over the wife of another wrestler.

”Because I didn’t have a tray to catch your drool. Who was that anyway?”

Rubbing his lip where she touched him, it was as though he could feel her upon him still. “El Diablo.” Indeed, the young dinosaur had just met a devil in a red dress.

[Jonnie Valentine]

("King of the Lions" Jonnie Valentine is a guest on the podcast Workin Stiff with Jerry Ecaro) 

"King of the Lions" Jonnie Valentine: ...and so the decision was made in 1995 to leave UWA Georgia and go to Mid-South. 

Jerry Ecaro: Where you started a big feud with Blackie Lawless. 

Jonnie Valentine: (chuckles) Now, I didn't start anything...

Jerry Ecaro: My mistake, that's right. The famous "electronics sale". Please explain. 

Jonnie Valentine: Well, I beat Blackie fair and square, and then he came back and hit me with a TV monitor. The booker Wade Ratliff complained that my head broke "a perfectly good monitor" so The Society of the New Breed and I brought out a slew of electronics to make up for it, and wound up beating Blackie with a slew of VCRs, TVs, and cameras. 

Jerry Ecaro: We'll pause right now so our younger listeners can ask their parents what a VCR is. (chuckles)

(Jonnie chuckles, we have fun here)

Jerry Ecaro: So that lead to your big dog collar match with Blackie in Tulsa, right? That became a tape trader's gold for a time, really brutal stuff....

(Fade to Jonnie Valentine at an autograph booth at a wrestling convention. There's a long line of fans waiting to get their merchandise signed, so they can turn around and sell it) 

Jonnie Valentine: Next? 

Jesus Garcia: Hi. 

Jonnie Valentine: Hey sport. What's your name?

Jesus Garcia: Jesus. 

Jonnie Valentine: He has risen! (shouts at the rest of the convention) Everybody clean up! He's here! (pleading) I don't know what you thought you saw, but alot of those drugs were medicinal, and the rest were given to me as a gift. You can't refuse a gift! 

Jesus Garcia: No, you know, the spanish name? Jesus? 

Jonnie Valentine: (sits down) Oh, right. 

Jesus Garcia: Can you sign my DVD? 

Jonnie Valentine: Sure, Oh! "The Best of Jonnie Valentine Dog Collar Matches, Vol 1!" This was a big seller. Which is your favorite? 

Jesus Garcia: I like the Commander Cody one in Canada, and the Gorgeous Greg one in The Netherlands...

Jonnie Valentine: Oh, yeah, see this line under my nose? That's from when one of the chain links caught my lip and nearly tore it off...

(Fade to Jonnie Valentine doing a live Q & A show at a wrestling convention. He's sitting on a stage with a microphone) 

Jonnie Valentine: ...so Joe Pesci tells me "I can either give you a shot against Syberus for the SWAT World Championship or I can tell you what the fight over the parking space was really about in Bronx Tale." And I suddenly thought, "Syberus needs this more than I do." 

Host: And what was the reason for the fight?

Jonnie Valentine: It was the Dad from Home Alone. 

Host: Ah....let's open it up to some questions. Yes, you in the middle?

Fan: (talking through a retainer) Hi, my question is what was your favorite dog collar match? 

Jonnie Valentine: Well, there's...

Fan: Because I like the one with Soutter. 

Jonnie Valentine: Definitely. That was one of the best. But when you've had so many dog collar matches it's hard to pick. There's nothing like taking a yapping thorn in your side for so many months, and strangle him with a chain. Or whip his back until you see blood. Or hang him over the ropes. It humbles a man, Jesus. 

Fan: Um...

Jonnie Valentine: But my favorite will probably be Eddie D. You see Eddie has cost me World titles, countless matches, and I chased his only friend back to the biker bar to deal meth and hallucinate. This has been a long time coming and I can't wait until my boys strap me to that big hunk of a failed piss test and I can finally open him up and show the world his blood type. I asked for a cage to surround us so none of his incel friends in the KGB can bother us, but it got lost in the bureaucracy that is SWAT so lucky for him. But they can hit me with their baseball bats or golf clubs or any other sporting equipment that they failed at in high school, but Eddie Spaghetti will still be chained to me. There's no escape. I've had more dog collar matches than he's had matches. I'm the Master of the Dog Collar Match, some shoot interviews say a dog collar match with me is like passing a kidney stone during a colonoscopy. Others have said it made them focus on more family oriented wrestling at Christian shows for whatever was left of their career. Others talk in a funny Australian accent and decide to focus on running SWAT. What's it going to make Eddie do? Join Trent at the bar? Take some time off to spend time with his dumbbells? I don't care. It's not my concern. He brought this problem on himself and now it's almost here. 

Host: Any other questions? Yes, you in the back?

Another Fan: Do you think Frostbite will ever be over?

Jonnie and Host: (at the same time) No. 

[Deleted]

The moment he stepped back into the dressing room, the assault started. Vanessa on one side of the room pacing in her midnight suit/skirt combo practically imploring him to listen, him on the other getting ready for a match designed for much larger men than he.

Deep in mid stretch, he groans before asking, “Why do you care so much?” He was getting annoyed. Ever since his visit from Esmeralda, Vanessa had been like a dog with a bone, one she had no intention of letting go.

As she stopped, he immediately noticed that her brow was furrowed, her nostrils flared. Her arms crossed across her chest. Her blazer and skirt made her look square and ridiculous in this posture. It was as though she had forgotten was was even smaller than he as she began anew. “Because, if someone else is going to have the ear of my client; then I need to know what their intentions are.” She was not backing down. In fact, she’d held this argument some twenty minutes now. “She’s a beautiful woman, I get it. I really get it, but I just don’t trust her. First off, she’s married. Secondly she’s married to this Armand Von Krauss. Everything we’ve seen from this guy has ‘stay away’ written all over it. He’s practically running a cult with his KGB group, no reason to kick that hornet’s nest. Lastly, it’s too convenient. She just appears outside your dressing room? Just happens to be there? Come on. Think with something other than…”

Adding to her point, her hands went to her hips as she glanced down at his crotch and back up as she continued. “You need to focus on the match. A Battle Royal doesn’t exactly favour you. You’re going to have to be on your toes even more so with Hehehe and Hahaha looking to get you out of there early. Psychotic Goth is in the match. If you both work together long enough to eliminate the Clowns, you can greatly improve your chances then settle any left over animosity between you afterwards...are you even listening?”

He was listen, albeit half heartedly. If he closed his eyes, he could still smell Esmeralda’s sweet fragrance. “Si si…” Stopping his pre match warm up, “…it’s just; he still hasn’t called. I’m not going to lie, I could use the distraction.”

He’d trained his whole life to be a luchador like his father, but under all that training and discipline there beat the heart of a nineteen year old kid who just wanted to be recognized by his dad. Unfortunately Misses Von Krauss had shown Vanessa just how young her client still could behave, given the right ‘motivation’. She was worried, things had been going so well.

A debut marred by interference had led him to a rematch for the prize that now sat on his chair, the SWAT Television Championship. Vanessa wasn’t content with just having her client as a mid card champion, she wanted more and the upcoming rumble gave her client just the opportunity.

However, just like in Battle Royals, his size was a decided negative. Coming in last could mean all the difference in the world for the young dinosaur. This Battle Royal afforded him his best chance at a rumble victory, any other outcome but a late entry was an almost insurmountable disadvantage that would require the kind of effort legends are made of. A win tonight took the guess work out of the equation, made the path ahead clear. That was what made this a must win. It was practically his only chance come Rumble season. She needed to tread carefully.

“I understand, but your father is a busy busy man. He’ll call the second filming wraps, just as he did when we were children. You’ll see, besides look at this official Twitter I started for you. Seems like Misses Von Krauss isn’t the only woman interested in a young man like yourself. Listen to some of these comments…’little dinosaur huh? I’d pay to find out’…‘Pequeno Dinosaurio is hot hot hot! I’d even let him keep the mask on’ and it goes on like this.” Seeing a smile, he looked a little more relaxed, more comfortable in his skin. Tonight would be a great way to continue to endear himself to the SWAT fanbase. A test, for the first time in his short SWAT tenure, he didn’t have a ten minute time limit. Both he and Vanessa were hoping for a memorable performance.

Appreciating the ego boost more than he would ever be willing to admit, the encounter with Esmeralda brought to attention that there would be opportunities like this throughout his career and like this one could have, they could have far reaching consequences if not handled with tact, “Thanks Vanessa. I don’t know what the future holds but I know twenty twenty one will be the year of the dinosaur!”

[Kyle]

Backstage at the Rod Laver Arena, shown from the side, The Paragon of Sleaze is observed thinking about what to select from a soft drink machine. His soda chosen, the SWAT Universal Sin Champion mashes the Dr. Pepper option and waits. A can discharges into the dispensing box, allowing Keith to pick it up. Revolving around to show off his attire, The Ultimate Kingpin is wearing an out of print Zoran Sainovic t-shirt and blue jeans. Stacked on top of each other, the AWF Prestige Championship and the SWAT Universal Sin Champinship are neatly encircled around his waist. Cracking open the sodie, Williams takes a few gulps and lets out a refreshing, "Ahh!!"

Keith Williams: "You want to make me famous?"

Looking at the camera, Williams fights to remain serious and loses, expelling the pop in his mouth into the air.

Keith Williams: "Don't bother, I'm practically sweating fame. Are you as in demand as I am currently? I didn't think so! SWAT is your bubble and you're happy to trade wins with other Amazons, focused on No Man's Land."

Wiping away the excess mess from his face, Keith takes a sip of his drink without spitting any.

Keith Williams: "The entire XHF Network is pounding at my door, asking if I can make an appearance to bring more eyes to their promotion. I can't keep up with the demand no matter how much Jeff Noon books me! I'm winning championships at an unheard rate of speed. Toppling and building new plateaus that my colleagues are powerless to climb."

Done with the beverage, The Man with a Plan tosses it and maintains his attention on the audience viewing through the lens.

Keith Williams: "You didn't bring me in; my natural born talent brought me to SWAT. I don't like how much credit you're demanding, Linda. Is this how you treat all of your tag-team partners? Did you subject wretched Radu to such disrespect?"

Shaking his head, The Sleazy One tuts under his breath.

Keith Williams: "Luck, heart, determination. None of it will stop me from caving in your head. You enjoy wrestling men? I'll slap you around like one. Women complain about equality, but you don't actually want it. I'm going to rag doll you and there's nothing you can do. You'll beg, you'll plead, and I won't stop. The suffering will persist. All I care about is retaining my title. Your well-being isn't a consideration, my dear."

Williams casually strolls down the hallway, not in a hurry to get back to his locker room.

Keith Williams: "As much as I look up to Radu, I'm prepared to break his heart. I won't let my admiration for the man hold me back from pulverizing you, Linda. Are you keen enough to know when your luck has run out? I don't think you are. Quit while you're ahead, La Fey. All the best gamblers do. Keep betting and you're bound to bust. I hold the cards, not you."

Glancing down to adjust his championships, Keith looks up once more, flashing his baby blues for those watching to swoon over.

Keith Williams: "The ReVenants, Keith Williams, Oxford Osland, we're on the fast track to superstardom! By the conclusion of 2021 you'll be looking at the SWAT World Heavyweight Championship around my waist. That's a promise. Stay in your lane, win and lose the SWAT Amazons Championship as many times as you'd like, Linda. There's an uncomfortable peace we can achieve. Where you recognize your place in the food chain and I don't ponder your extinction."

Stroking his mustache, The Paragon of Sleaze winks at the camera.

Keith Williams: "Save your renaming plans. As the SWAT US Champion I have decreed a name far better than any you could fathom. Fall in line, demonstrate the potential of being a true patriot. I've discovered the formula to winning. Sinning! A sin here, a sin there, some sin everywhere! Purity is old-fashioned! Outdated! Archaic! Why swear by such hit or miss practices? Increase your odds! Everyone's doing it!"

Rounding a corner, The Sleazy One increases his pace.

Keith Williams: "I'm uncontrollable! You can't dictate what a wild card does! That oversight is on you for not listening, Linda. What did people tell you about Keith Williams? That I can't be trusted? That I put myself first? And you ignored it! You provided passage for The Paragon of Sleaze, it isn't my fault you regret your decision. Blame your greed, blame yourself, but don't blame the scorpion for being a scorpion. It's in my nature, little frog."

Waving Linda off, Williams doesn't seem likely to accept any responsibility.

Keith Williams: "New Years Nightmare will be another marker of success on the timeline of The ReVenants. Double O's unflappable belief in himself will guide him to great things when he competes in tonight's battle royal. Psychotic Goth, Pequeño Dinosaurio, none of them realize the methodical monster they're stepping in the ring with. "Lucky" Linda La Fey is going to second guess intergender wrestling after our match together. If she's searching for chivalry she's sadly mistaken. I'm no knight in shining armor. I'll only hold the door for her as I kick her Irish ass through it."

Having arrived at his destination, KW stops at the door of the locker room bearing the name Keith Williams.

Keith Williams: "I'm a pilgrim in an unholy land; I can only do so much, but I'm fighting the good fight to make SWAT great again! The Ultimate Kingpin is dedicated to the betterment of Syndicate Wrestling & Tradition. That's a fact! As your US Champion I have a dream. A dream of SWAT showcasing the very best professional wrestling the XHF Network can offer! We're nearly there, but not quite! Together, let's make SWAT as great as it can be. The sinning has started and there's no end in sight!"

Done talking, Keith opens the door and disappears inside, leaving the show to cut to a commercial.

[SWAT Team]

Frank Salazar: The following contest is a ten man battle royal. People are eliminated by being thrown over the top rope and landing with both feet onto the floor outside of the ring. The winner of this match will be the last entrant at the No Man’s Land Royal Rumble!

Jeremy Tucker: All ten men are in the ring right now and are ready for the bell to sound and start the action.

Andrew Fulton: The winner is going to be either Bruno or one of the twins you know. Armand has this shit planned out.

Jeremy Tucker: So, who all do we have in the ring here tonight? As you say Bruno, Hehehe, and Hahaha are in the ring.

Andrew Fulton: Psychotic Goth, “Unbelievable” Oxford Osland, Pequeno Dinosaurio, HNDRXX, “Buffalo Soldier” Benjamin Bolt, Chad Blankes, and Kyle Copeland are all potential victims of the KGB tonight.

Jeremy Tucker: Everyone busting into everyone as the bell sounds to start the match. The ring is nothing, but asses and elbows.

Andrew Fulton: Look at the twins go! Everyone they punch go down like everyone who fought a young Mike Tyson!

Jeremy Tucker: Hehehe and Hahaha are using brass knuckles! How is that fair? Hehehe smacks Kyle Copeland in the side of the head, putting him down to the mat like a sack of potatoes.

Andrew Fulton: Bruno seizes Pyschotic Goth by the throat and lifts him up into the air, choke slamming him to the mat.

Jeremy Tucker: Oxford hits Benjamin with a few European uppercuts before bringing him to the mat with a snap ddt!

Andrew Fulton: HNDRXX drills Chad with a superkick that bounces him off of the corner turnbuckles and to the mat!

Jeremy Tucker: Look at Hehehe and Hahaha! They are brutalizing Kyle with brass knuckle punches, knocking him back and forth between them.

Andrew Fulton: Each time it looks like Kyle is going to fall to the mat, he gets nailed with another punch!

Jeremy Tucker: Bruno hefts Goth up into a press slam position and looks to throw him out of the ring when Pequeno hits him with a drop kick to the back of the knees! Goth is saved and Bruno goes to the mat like a felled tree.

Andrew Fulton: Hehehe grabs the bloodied Kyle before he can hit the mat and waits until Hahaha grabs him as well. Together, they heave Kyle Copeland over the top rope where he bounces once off of the matted concrete floor!

Jeremy Tucker: Kyle lays on the floor, bleeding from the face. I bet he’s relieved to have lost. The beatings can stop. Medics are rushing down to ringside to check on Kyle.

Andrew Fulton: HNDRXX gets Chad Blankes into the air in a suplex position, walks over to the side of the ring, and drops Chad over the ropes where he lands on his head onto the ring apron and then falls to the floor!

Jeremy Tucker: Bruno gets back up quickly, drilling Goth in the side of the head with a right hand and Pequeno in the gut with a left.

Andrew Fulton: Oxford throws Benjamin into the ropes and follows him with a clothesline that sends Benjamin over the ropes and to the concrete floor!

Jeremy Tucker: HNDRXX catches Hehehe from behind and hits a release German suplex. He stands back up, but is drilled in the side of the head by Hahaha with the brass knuckles!

Andrew Fulton: Pequeno and Goth grab Bruno by each arm and kick him in the gut before throwing him over the top rope to the floor! Goth and Pequeno look at each other in celebration for half a moment before Goth levels Pequeno with a clothesline!

Jeremy Tucker: Hahaha grabs HNDRXX by the hair and begins pounding his face in with the brass knuckles in a foul display of being a cheater!

Andrew Fulton: The ref didn’t take the weapons away before the match started, he’s not going through to take them away now.

Jeremy Tucker: Oxford whips Hehehe into a corner, runs at him to hit a drop kick that he uses as a springboard to hit a diving shoulder tackle to take down Hahaha! At least somebody is fighting the twins!

Andrew Fulton: Psychotic Goth gets Pequeno Dinosaurio up into a body slam position and dumps him over the top rope. He turns away as he releases the luchadore, not seeing that Pequeno lands onto the ring apron and rolls back into the ring.

Jeremy Tucker: HNDRXX stands up, wiping blood from his mouth. He is blindsided by Psychotic Goth, who grabs him by the hair and sends him over the top rope to the floor!

Andrew Fulton: Oxford runs back to Hehehe in the corner and hits another drop kick to the face. He begins pushing Hehehe up to send him over the top rope. Pequeno rushes over to help, sending the clown out of the ring to the floor!

Jeremy Tucker: One twin down! The KGB is down to just Hahaha in the ring! Hahaha stands up, looking around to see Goth, Pequeno, and Oxford surrounding him. Hahaha giggles sadistically and backs up to the ropes, sending himself over the ropes and to the floor! He’d rather be eliminated than face those three!

Andrew Fulton: Pequeno turns and hits Goth with a few European uppercuts. Oxford hits Goth in the back of the head with a discus elbow.

Jeremy Tucker: What’s this? Hehehe grabs Goth by the feet and pulls him under the ropes to the outside! He’s not going to be eliminated that way!

Andrew Fulton: Hahaha grabs Goth by the arms to hold him and Hehehe drills him in the face a few times with the brass knuckles!

Jeremy Tucker: Oxford slides under the ropes and hits Hehehe with a cobra clutch suplex! Hahaha holds Goth in front of him and laughs horribly. He turns a little to keep Goth between him and Oxford when Pequeno hits him with a baseball slide drop kick from inside the ring to break him away from Goth!

Andrew Fulton: Goth falls to the concrete floor, his face a bloody mess!

Jeremy Tucker: Hehehe and Hahaha are backing down and heading to the back against the united front of Oxford and Pequeno! Together, they help Goth back into the ring. What comraderie against the face of the KGB!

Andrew Fulton: But only one of them can win! Oxford hits Pequeno with a low blow, grabs Goth with a fireman’s carry, and sends him out of the ring!

Jeremy Tucker: What the heck?

Andrew Fulton: There can be only one! He was biding his time!

Jeremy Tucker: This isn’t a Highlander movie...

Andrew Fulton: I was thinking more like Hunger Games.

Jeremy Tucker: Oxford hefts the stunned Pequeno up and hits a running power slam!

Andrew Fulton: Oxford pulls him up and hits a Fireman’s buster! There looks to be not much left in Pequeno.

Jeremy Tucker: Oxford hefts Pequeno up and tosses him over the top rope, but Pequeno grabs the top rope! He swings back under the bottom rope like Tarzan and kicks Oxford’s legs out from under him!

Andrew Fulton: Pequeno springs to his feet as Oxford rises and hits a twisting huricanrana that sends Oxford across the ring!

Jeremy Tucker: Pequeno climbs to the top rope, puts his arms into the air to rile up the crowd, Goth gets to his feet and Dino looks over at him warily …. and is PUSHED OFF THE TOP ROPE BY OXFORD! Pequeno hits the concrete floor.

Frank Salazar: Winner of the match and final entrant at the No Man’s Land Royal Rumble…”the Unbelieveable” Oxford Osland!

Andrew Fulton : I told you he would win it Jerry! This guy is going all the way to the top at SWAT! What a victory, and now he is the last man to enter the big Rumble at No Man’s Land!

Jeremy Tucker : I don’t remember you predicting him? We’ll be right back folks.

[SWAT Team]

["Street Fight (On the Sunset Strip)" By Guns N' Roses plays and Jade comes to the ring slowly and ominously accompanied by her twin sister Kim. She jumps on the ring apron and does a sunset flip kip up before standing in the center of the ring looking slowly from side to side before slowly and ominously taking off her dark shades and placing them in her trenchcoat and slowly and ominously taking off her trenchcoat glaring as she slowly goes to her corner continuing to glare at the opposite corner and her sister does the samething before giving her advice.]

Frank Salazar : Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for ONE fall and is for the SWAT AMAZONS CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Introducing first, the challenger, she hails from Bangkok, Thailand and comes in at 5’10 & 150 pounds …. Accompanied by her twin sister and partner in the Hired Killers, she is a former SWAT Amazons Champion …. JADE!!!

And her opponent, she hails from Industry, California and comes in at 6’2 & 175lbs …. She is the current reigning SWAT AMAZONS CHAMPION!!! THE INDUSTRIAL_WOMAN!!!

[The house lights cut out leaving the arena in darkness as "Call Your Girlfriend" by Robyn starts to pump over the PA System. The tron begins to show fragmented digital artefacts and Matrixesque code. Pink sparks blast down on the entranceway giving the audience of a flash of I-W. As the embers burn out all that remains is the audiences approval and the hundred tiny glowing lights attached to the Industrial Woman's leather jacket. These lights reflect in her ray ban shades giving her an otherworldly appearance in the dark. I-W marches down the aisle at a methodical pace, in sync with the music. Entering the ring, Industrial Woman throws off her jacket for another round of pink pyro, before the lights come back on.]

Jeremy Tucker : Welcome back folks, and now we are set for Amazons action, I-W defending against Jade. Jade has been on fire of late, a big winning streak, and now is the real test. Ref Vick Mackey calls for the bell and we are underway here, Jade charges IW and goes for a big clothesline but no effect! IW just planted and braced herself and Jade is favouring her arm.

Andrew Fulton : This is ridiculous, how can we have a robot in the ring, its not fair. She can’t be a woman! She’s not even HUMAN!

Jeremy Tucker : Are you an expert?

Andrew Fulton : I AM! I demand to inspect her lady parts. In fact, that test should be made compulsory for ALL Amazons upon entry to SWAT.

Jeremy Tucker : You’re a pig. Jade shakes off the arm and comes in at IW and dropkicks the leg. IW goes to a knee and Jade with a Triad Kick - lightning Muy Thai style Sweet Chin Music/spinning heel kick combination

Andrew Fulton : Huge move, right off the bat! Jade means business.

Jeremy Tucker : IW ‘robotically’ makes her way back to her feet and D-Blaster!!!!! -Jade executes a Muy Thai style lightning Ghetto Blaster/cranium kick!!! Cover by Jade!!!

One …………

Two ………..

Th … kick out with authority by IW!

Andrew Fulton : Another huge move by Jade! She wants this one!

Jeremy Tucker : IW is no where near ready to be pinned is the problem, but Jade is bringing it! They move in to hook up and IW with a snap mare into a knee lift. Knife edge chop! To the EYES!

Crowd : OWWWWWW!

Andrew Fulton : Another.

Crowd : OWWWWWW!

Jeremy Tucker : It’s the reverse Woooo. Russian legsweep facebuster by The Industrial Woman.

Andrew Fulton : IW whips Jade to the ropes and then Jade slides under a kick and pulls the other foot of IW out from her as she slides.

Jeremy Tucker : Gourd Buster by Jade! She grabs IW and nails the Kill Zone(Jade executes Go To Sleep)!!! It could be all over! Cover.

One ……………..

Two ………………

THR … IW rolls the shoulder.

Andrew Fulton : Jade slams the mat in frustration. She glares at IW and Kim is encouraging her from the outside.

Jeremy Tucker : Jade whips IW into the ropes and as she bounces off she goes into a Handspring Ace Breaker!!! What a move!

Andrew Fulton : IW picks Jade up in a gorilla press and running throws her over the top rope to the outside! Inhuman Strength!

Jeremy Tucker : I-W empties a can of motor oil over her body like Austin/Sandman with beer, and then slides across the canvas on her slicked up stomach, hitting a much faster suicide dive to the outside UNDER the bottom rope. Motor Oil Suicide Slide!!!

Andrew Fulton : She was getting some speed up there! The back of Jades head ramming into the security railing with the impact from the dive.

Jeremy Tucker : IW rolls back into the ring and does The Robot: The way Jackie Fargo/Flair/Jarrett use to randomly bust out the fargo strut to work the crowd? I-W does the robot instead (stiff dance imitating robotic movements).

Andrew Fulton : Looks like she has had a few too many New Years shots.

Jeremy Tucker : I call that dance the Elaine.

Andrew Fulton : Jade is back and in the ring ….. BACKSTABBER!!!

Jeremy Tucker : Jade picks up IW … F5!!!! Cover!

One …………………

Two …………………..

THRE … IW kicks out.

Andrew Fulton : Jade back on IW right away, a big ax handle to the back, a second, IW starts to ‘hulk up’ steam coming from her nose, like cold ice. WTF is this?

Jeremy Tucker : It’s wrestling man. IW no selling the shots, and she turns around catches a right hand punch attempt and hoists Jade up in to a firemans carry brain buster!

Andrew Fulton : That took all the air out of Jade.

Jeremy Tucker : Springboard Double Kneedrop by IW! She grabs Jade and Parallel Computing - Fluid motion from kneebreaker into T-Bone Suplex into inside cradle!

Mackey with the count …..

One …………………..

Two ……………..

Thr … Jade kicks out.

Andrew Fulton : IW kips up. Grabs the leg of Jade …

Jeremy Tucker : Progress Lock (sub): Figure Four Leglock

Andrew Fulton : Jade is floundering, she is forcing her way to the ropes … and just makes it!

Jeremy Tucker : 010010110 Tiger Driver!!! IW nails the Tiger Driver. Covers Jade once more.

One ……………………

Two …………………….

THREE!!!!! She got it!

Andrew Fulton : Who can beat this Industrial Woman?

Jeremy Tucker : Not Jade, not tonight at least, valiant effort, but now is the time of the Industrial Woman! Big Pay Per View defence!

Frank Salazar : Winner of the match, and STILLLLLLLLLL SWAT AMAZONS CHAMPION … THE INDUSTRIAL_WOMAN!!!!!

["Call Your Girlfriend" by Robyn hits and referee Mackey hands the belt to IW and raises her arm in victory, Jade now on the outside being helped up the ramp by her sister Kim.]

[thecomedian]

<We fade in to "The Golden God" Rally Jackson outside of Radu Matei's locker room.  He is flanked by his bodyguard Bryan Gordon and his on again off again tag team partner, Tuxedo Mask.>

Bryan Gordon:  Ahh another one of your ribs, I love these.

Rally Jackson:  Rib, yes, that is what we are doing here.  I came here to rib this wrestler, of course.

Tuxedo Mask: I'll be the look out.

<Rally and Brian enter the room and Rally starts going through Radu's bag and pulls out her social distancing face mask.>

Bryan Gordon:  Dude, you're the king!  What will you do with that? Stick it up your ass?  Drop it down your pants?  Spit on it?

<Rally ignores him and starts smelling the mask passionately.>

Rally Jackson:  Oh sweet Jesus, thank the good lord, I love the smell.

Bryan Gordon:  ::starts to scratch his head::  The rib is you smelled the mask?

Rally Jackson: ::in a trance like state, but snaps out of it::  Don't you see man?  It's a great prank!

Bryan Gordon:  I..... guess?

<Rally then sticks the mask in his mouth.>

Bryan Gordon:  I see now, get your saliva all over it.  Then she has to wear it!!

<Rally then swallows the mask like Ralph Fiennes did the picture of the red dragon.>

Bryan Gordon:  Or not.

<Tuxedo Mask re-enters.>

Tuxedo Mask:  Are you guys done?  I have a new webisode to film in a few.

Bryan Gordon:  I think.  Rally's big rib was he ate a covid mask.  ::to Rally::  Dude, sometimes you are just weird.

<Bryan Gordon storms out.>

Tuxedo Mask:  Give him time, he will learn.  To your madness there is always a method.

<Rally starts sifting through the bag more, but Tux slaps his arm.>

Tuxedo Mask:  Enough!  You have done enough for today.  I don't even want to know what you were looking for next.

Rally Jackson:  Oh nothing.

<Rally drops Radu's underwear, Tux notices out of the corner of his eye.>

Tuxedo Mask:  You do know Radu is a male wrestler, right? 

Rally Jackson:  Nonsense, I heard her challenging other women.

Tuxedo Mask:  It's an Andy Kaufman gimmick I think.

<Rally starts gagging uncontrollably.>

Tuxedo Mask: Just cause he fights like a little bitch, that don't make him female.

<Rally starts sticking his hand down his own throat trying to throw it up.>

Tuxedo Mask:  Of course a bitch is gender neutral.  Could be male or female.

Rally Jackson:  ::eyes dripping from vomiting::  Chill with the pc shit.  Woke culture already wants me cancelled.

Tuxedo Mask:  Either way we have a match against shim and Death Trap to get ready for.

Rally Jackson:  Next you're gonna tell me Death Trap isn't a reference to her purposely getting pregnant to collect child support.

Tuxedo Mask:  It's just a name Rally-san.

Rally Jackson:  Either way, we got this match in the bag.  It's a scaffold match for pete's sake.  I got so much cushion, if I fall we get a soft landing.

Tuxedo Mask:  If you fall we lose.

Rally Jackson:  What pronoun does Radu use?

Tuxedo Mask:  Just stay away from the ledge.

Rally Jackson: Does he/she take a hormone blocker?

<Tuxedo Mask grabs Rally by the collar and pulls him in close.>

Tuxedo Mask:  Okay listen to me you fool.  I need this.  We win the tag titles, I do all the work and you get all the credit.  You get the big singles matches, win the wrestler of the year award, and I get put to tag back with any Society member that doesn't have a match.  2020 was Rally's year, this time is my turn.  2021 is the year of the mask.

Rally Jackson:  It could be argued that 2020 was the year of the mask.

Tuxedo Mask:  ::releases hold of Rally::  Just take this seriously.  I need a win.

Rally Jackson:  Which bathroom does Radu use?

<We fade out to Tuxedo Mask paintbrushing Rally.>

[Dave D-Flipz]

EARLIER TODAY:

*The scene opens up before the show. We are in Australia and the arena is still empty. The ring has been set up but the show is still hours away. We see technicians dawdling around the ringside area making sure everything is safe and secure. The camera spins around slowly taking in the empty arena with the COVID safety measures being put into place for the show to allow more people in safely. As we turn we see a pair of boots sitting on the chair one to the left in the row in front of the camera. Lo and behold those boots are attached to a pair of legs. The camera steps a few seats over and turns to see Death Trap leaning back in the seat looking skyward, looking stoic. He has his legs resting on the backrest of the chair in front of him.*

: "So we’ve gotten one problem taken care of … and one shiny object lost. It’s been a mixed holiday for me ya know? Just got through watching the replay from America of my tag partner being nearly killed by a man with suicidal tendencies and a Napoleon complex. So that’s something. But hey, that fucking clown didn’t get to do jack shit. Like I surmised would happen."

*Death Trap drops his feet to the floor and sits forward resting his elbows on his legs, folding his fingers together in front of his face.*

: "And here I am in Australia … this may be the first time if I’m honest. If not I don’t remember the last time. Not surprising with my track record of head injuries in the early part of my career."

*His eyes wander upward with a look of sorrow before he shakes his head and returns to his pensive position*

: "Here I am, ten pounds of gold lighter off my waist. Humbled by a supremely talented kid. 220 days of representing MCCW at an end. And yet … I showed this company what I’m worth and what I have left to give. Armand von Krauss came at me with every dirty cheat in the book. Zoran did it better."

*He smirks*

: "Wonder if dear old dad will be at Supremacy … I guess Armand wants to regain some of his fearsome visage. Going for the X*Crown for SWAT. As if he deserves it … The man is a thug and a manipulator. And I’m sure we’ll cross paths again once El Combatiente is done wiping the floor with him and his cadre of compatriots. The difference between Zoran and Armand is Zoran SEEMED invincible. He seemed inhuman. Armand is just a fragile man, trying to hide his own insecurities behind power and minions. Zoran made me think about what I had to give up to put him down. Armand made me sorry for how pathetic a bully he is."

*DT sighs and throws his hands behind his head. He reclines back again looking once again to the sky.*

: "What’s next for me now that I’ve put that rabid dog down for now? Why … new heights. Seems Radu has a little personal beef he needs some help in putting away so he can focus on his tag titles and his retirement. I’d say we’re probably even at this point if you factor in that shot to the head I took for him PLUS his spiders costing me my composure and letting Caff get one over on me … "

*DT smirks again*

: "But I guess I can forgive that and help out a good guy one more time. After all … Rally Jackson is nothing if not a lower level version of the thug Armand is. Sure he isn’t having others do his dirty work but his dirty work is less murder and mayhem and more … feces and fuckery."

*DT wrinkles his nose in disgust. Rally Jackson’s reputation precedes him*

: "I don’t understand what Jonnie and Tux see in Rally. And we’ll get to Tux and the … issues he has … but SWAT’s wrestler of the year comes with a lot of baggage. The man is a grade A bully who doesn’t know where the line between funny and criminal is. We’ve seen his dark side of the ring documentary in the hotel rooms during the End of Days Tag Annihilator. The man is disgusting. He’s a menace that needs to be shut down. What kind of arrogant idiot thinks setting a man on fire is a prank? And I thought I was the one with the history of head injuries but this man is clearly not well and needs some serious help."

*The Italian in DT starts to show as he gesticulates wildly with his arms as if he has to get his point across. DT is seriously irked.*

: "The problem is he isn’t just a bully. He’s a malicious, clueless, immature, unhinged bully. And it sucks cuz clearly there is a man with some real talent underneath the antics and hefty paunch. All the talent in the world is meaningless if you can’t package it together with some direction and work ethic. And somehow he has managed to convince Jonnie Valentine, who for all intents and purposes seems like an … ok … guy with a good bit of self-awareness and sanity in that head of his, to work with him. He has used Tuxedo Mask’s naiveté to goad him into putting in the work so Rally can ride to the top. While Jonnie, Tux and Syberus were putting in the work, Rally was piling in the doughnuts and putting out the stink bombs. And somehow Rally finds himself at the pinnacle of the company. And he can actually wrestle."

*He stands up and turns to the camera and gestures some heavy man slam style moves.*

: "Let’s be honest though Rally. You aren’t on my level. I am a two time X*Crown champion, a two time MCCW champion, the longest reigning one! And I have carried companies on my back. You dabble with this new leg lock craze. You put out some ok moves. But you will not out wrestle me. Not only am I not a man who is willing to quit but I have modeled my entire career on the submission style. I have made some of the best to ever step in the ring tap out. And that’s not even counting the stamina, pain absorbing machine that is Radu Matei – the greatest champion in SWAT history. He and I share something in common … a penchant for dropping fools on their heads. And let’s be real with your lack of conditioning and my arsenal of submissions that choke the air and life out of people … you wil be gasping for air and crying for help in my grasp. And if I were in a better mood I might do the honorable thing and let you go. I mean Radu would then stomp your head off and poor bugs on it but hey at least you’d be conscious."

*DT shudders from the thought of the bug army Radu carries and sits back down. He breathes deep to calm himself down.*

: "But see losing my title and being jerked around by Armand while going from Japan to Boston and then Australia has me in a sour mood. So maybe I’ll just give you a taste of your own medicine and ‘prank’ you? Suffocation and strangulation are just part of the FUN right Rally? You may claim to be a golden god … but I’m the Main Attraction, the apex of MCCW, a living legend. And my partner tonight is the best damn wrestler SWAT has produced. And your partner is … a gymnast with a cosplay fetish."

*DT raises an eyebrow*

: "Does anyone under the age of 35 even know Sailor Moon anymore Tuxy? Look I’m not out to disparage you as a man or your interests. You do you. But you associated yourself with this wart of a wrestler so you are stuck in the firing line too. And not to be the bearer of bad news but my martial arts background makes me a nightmare for fly guys like you. You’ve bitten off more than Rally can chew, especially since where we are … there is nothing to jump off of."

*DT lets out a laugh that slowly turns staggered and strained as he slowly lifts his head again. This time the camera follows and we see the scaffold hoisted high above the ring. It looms large and ominous in its shakiness. DT is normally not a man who shows fear … unless it’s spiders … always spiders … but he seems to be deep in thought this time. He is playing scenarios over in his head.*

: "And where we are … are literal … very literal … new heights."

*He points up at the scaffold as the camera moves back to focusing on the XHF Legend.*

: "How appropriate it is for us to be meeting in this manner gentlemen. See that is a match I’ve never been in. I mean I’ve had similar ones with some crazy heights but never like that. That is the bare bones ECF style structure the XHF usually is too good for. That is the essence of the acrophobia right there. See in all the big structure matches there is a support, a wall, something to try and grab on the way down. And there’s no guarantee someone goes over the edge. But in this case going over the edge is how the match must end. You just wonder what it will take to take two guys who are clearly already over the edge to go for the ride."

*He lowers his gaze back to the camera and gives a shrug*

: "See I have an old move in my arsenal that I’ve only used once in the network era, defending my X*Crown against Fukushima Zombie. It’s not a move I like to use, it’s raw power and not really my style anymore. It takes a lot of energy … but that One of a Kind (an F5 for the uninitiated) would certainly put Tux over the edge. Pretty sure I can’t do it to Rally. Sure I can lift 300lbs no problem but all that torque to spin him out would mess up my neck and back and ruin my ability to use my main strength, unexpected agility and martial arts fluidity. But for Rally … I’m sure if he’s been choked out his carcass will make a satisfying splat on the canvas below."

*He runs his hand through his hair*

: "And yet I’d be lying if I said I was comfortable with all this. I’ve stayed mostly out of the craziest hardcore matches since I returned in 2018. I’ve been protective of my head because I know what happened to me in the past. We’ve revisited the malaise I lived with for a decade enough so I won’t forcefeed it to you SWAT faithful. But a match like this really shows how much I have on the line. This is a career threatening match and I need to make sure we win. Because a loss might cost me the chance to win back my MCCW title, my chance to win back my X*Crown, my chance to win a title here in SWAT … my chance … to be in front of you fans and entertain the way I want. See this is not about money for me. And honestly … it’s not about the titles. It’s about the accolades I get from you fans. It’s about my ability to draw in the best crowds and keep them in their seats until they spring out and chant my name after I win."

*He soaks in the atmosphere of the arena. Yes it’s empty now and limited attendance but DT still can feel the buzz of the crowds.*

: "So you can believe this is all a big joke Rally. You can treat this with reckless abandon. But I will not. I will not be going for that ride. My career depends on it. And if that means you have to go down … you can bet neither Radu nor I will hesitate to end you. Tonight … Radu and I will rise to new heights. And the new breed can only look forward to the fall. I gotta find Radu …"

*DT grabs his hat off the seat next to him and pops it onto his head as he stands up and heads for the backstage area.*

[frostbite]

Outside of the Arena...

A large young man is walking around the building, we say the young man is large well simply put he is roughly six feet plus and appears not to have too many meals if you know what I mean. The long brown haired gentleman is wearing a red tee shirt cut off I might add as you can see his belly jiggle like a bowl full of jelly, but that hairy midsection might make some of our younger views vomit it is really too much, he has on black jeans, and black and white shoes. However is looks or not what catches our eye, it is he has a red gas can in his left hand. He is walking around the building pouring it. The odor is so strong that we can actually smell it inside the Arena. The young man continues to pour away as he continues to do so, the fat out of shape slob,stops to catch his breath as he is bent over with the gas can ring in front of him. After catching himself he reaches to pick the gas can, but in doing so, a tatoo hand grabs the can from him. He slowly looks up with his green eyes, and our cameras see that the hand belongs to a young lady who is wearing a red and black tee shirt that says..

KGB

On the back of the shirt is big bold white letters it says..

Simply the Best..

The young lady has bright red and what appears to be yellow hair not blonde but actually yellow. One side of her head is actually bright red and the other side yellow. She has on black leather pants and black boots. Nose rings and rings all up and down her ears, and a pierced belly button, she has a pissed off look demented eyes. It is Frostbite new buddy Zoey.

Zoey.. What in the hell is your problem? The man gave you one simply task and you are here resting.

Zoey looks the fat man.

Zoey.. All he needed for you to do was pour gasoline around the arena. And you can not do that right. I was going to do it, but instead he wanted some sack of crap to do it, and guess what.

Ding
Dong

You were it. I do not know he say in you. Maybe he felt sorry for you stacking up your plate at the buffet table. The way you eat, it appears you could use the extra money to feed your addiction. Litually I really mean that.

The young man gets ready to grab the gas can from Zoey, but Zoey kicks him right in the groin as he drops to his knees.

Voice.. Zoey, that is not the way we treat people that are helping us. Help the man up.

Zoey walks over as he helps the man to his feet, as his face is etched in pain. The young man looks over as he sees a young short blonde haired gentleman wearing a blue tee shirt with long blue tights and blue boots.

A CHORUS OF BOOS is hears throughout the Arena.

We see that it is Frostbite..

Frostbite.. Bob, I am quite sorry about Zoey behavior. She sometimes gets a little too anxious for her own good. She is looking out for my best interest and I can appreciate that, but still it is no way to treat you.

Zoey turns to Frostbite.

Frostbite.. Yes, I know the man's name.

She looks at the gas can.

Zoey.. So should I let Bob finish.

Frostbite.. I think Bob has done what I needed for him to do. A promise is such. Zoey please pay the man.

Zoey reaches into her pocket and pulls out a crisp 100 dollar bill, as she is about to hand it over to him, but she can not allow herself to let go of it.

Frostbite.. Zoey, let go of it. He has earned it.

She let's go reluctantly. Bob looks over the 100 dollar bill as he is amazed like he has never seen one before in his entire life.

Frostbite.. Bob, thank you.

He turns his back to Bob, as he winks at Zoey, and right on some type of cue, she picks Bob right on his groin once again, as he drops to his knees. The 100 dollar bills drops slowly to the ground. Zoey, grabs Bob right arm and bends it back as she slaps on a cross armbreaker as she pulls back as Frostbite stands over Bob with a sick smile coming across his lips as Bob is screaming in pain as Zoey is pulling back. Frostbite reaches down to pick up the 100 dollar bill as he puts it into his tights.

Frostbite.. Where in the hell do we find this People? Damn freeloaders.

Zoey continues to pull back until we hear a loud pop, as Bob is screaming in pain.

Frostbite.. I believe our young friend has gotten the point.

Zoey let's of Bob arm as she gets to her feet. She grabs the gas can, as she walks over to Bob and pours some of over his body. She hands Frostbite the gas can, as she reaches into her pocket as she pulls out a lighter. She tries to light it.

Frostbite.. Zoey, it is not the time for this. He is not worth anymore of our time.

She decides to put the lighter back into pocket. She takes the gas can from Frostbite.

Frostbite.. There is nothing like the smell of gas. Paul, I hope I have cleared the air. I really hope we have an understanding because if I do not leave this arena without in my arms tonight then I will truly burn this place straight to the ground. Please do not get me wrong I will give everybody roughly five minutes to leave the arena before I do the deed or should I say, I let Zoey do the deed. I told you I was going to burn what you care about to the ground and finally tonight, I become a man if my word.

Frostbite closes his eyes.

Frostbite.. Tonight sweetheart you are coming home with a man that will take special care of you. This other men that had there worthless hands on your body, they were not worthy of you at all. They are mistreating you. But if you come with me. I will promise that you will be put on a pedestal. You will be treated like a queen. You will get the finer things in life if you come with me. You will finally have somebody that you can trust.

He begins to laugh.

Frostbite.. We have been apart for far too long. You see it was that mean old Paul that kept us apart. Tonight baby, it will not do so anymore because if he does, I promise I will burn his life and SWAT completely upside down. We were meant to be together. I need you as much as you need me. You do not need that El Combatiente, he is a complete ass. You need me, I need you. It is so simply love. Come with me, and everything will be in prefect harmony. All you have to do love is accepted it. I will be your king and you will be my queen. And I promise if you come with me tonight the World will be ours for the taking.

Frostbite drops to his knees as if he is about to propose.

Frostbite.. Please baby, I beg of you. Join, me on the ride that you will never forget.

He jumps back up.

Frostbite.. Javier tell your client if he mistreat her in anyway.

He turns to Bob laying on the ground in serious pain as he tries to cry out for help. He turns to look at the gasoline trail going around the arena.

Frostbite.. I will light his ass on fire.

Zoey and Frostbite walks away, as Bob is still screaming in pain, as the scene fades out.

[eddied]

(Eddie D is in the Double D Club, it is eerily silent as Andrew Fulton puts down a scotch and pics up a mic.)

Andrew: Thanks for the interview Eddie. Great nighclub.

EDDIE: No problem. It's great to have you here.

Andrew: Well it's that time again. Another big event on the horizon, but we’re into the time of reflection… The New Year and…

EDDIE: Nope.

Andrew: What do you mean “nope”?

EDDIE: I don’t get nostalgic at New Year. I mean I’m not like everyone I guess. I learn lessons every match and I make my next goal almost immediately after. No time for dwelling on the past.

Andrew: Well I’d say you could take a minute to reflect. A spell as Renegade Champion, The Brothers in Anarchy stealing the world title belt and Trent Jones’ title run… I’ve looked at your career. This year is a standout year for you…

EDDIE: I also lost my belt. I also lost my Tag Partner. I also left the federation that was my home in disgrace to be here. I am usually a pragmatic optimist… but reflection can merge into pessimism if you let it, especially as an overview of a year.

Andrew: So, if you prefer to look forward, do you have any New Year’s Resolutions?

EDDIE: Hell no.

Andrew: Why not? What, you’re so perfect you don’t need to change?

EDDIE: Nope. I just don’t quit anything.
Like I don’t feel like not hating Syberus just because he’s not around.
I won’t quit my aims to be SWAT World Champion someday. I won’t quit on the fans, the silent majority, that want to see Eddie D in the main event every week….
But also, won’t quit cigars, bourbon or donuts so resolutions don’t hold much purpose or significance in my life.
My work life balance and my ability to set life goals is just fine all year around.

Andrew: Talking of working… why is this place silent on the run in to New Year’s? Where are the office party pricks and the drunks finally given a festive excuse to be tanked?

EDDIE: Yeah… Covid, what are ya gonna do? A lap dance is not conducive with social distancing… I could really have done with the pay checks that come with being Champion to keep paying the girl’s furlough pay, but I made a lot of sensible money decisions in my early career and this place will be popping when the vaccine starts getting spread around. The future is as bright as these neon lights.

(One of the lights on the wall above his head flickers and goes out. Eddie bangs the wall hard and the light jumps back into life, brighter than before.)

EDDIE: My blunt aggressive solutions generally fix my problems. Like the next big problem being wrestling Jonnie Valentine.

Andrew: Is it a problem you relish? Do dog collar matches suit your brutal style? I think there’s definitely some strategy to what looks like a pretty blunt prospect to the layman…

EDDIE: This is why you’re my favourite commentator Andy. Your the thinking man's totty aren't ya.
You see Jonnie has been loving this match-up choice. He thinks that his experience in the more weird and wonderful territory style matches gives him an imagined advantage.
I am not a rookie; just because the SWAT crowd have only known me a few months. You’ve seen my career unfold with your encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry. Should I be frightened of this match up?
The show is called the New Years Nightmare, but I’m sleeping soundly. The only reason I lose any sleep over this encounter is excitement at the prospect of beating the living crap out of "Mr Rundown".
That pretty boy won’t be dancing or running his way out of trouble. The muscle of the KGB meets the firefighter of The Society and that’s not just a reference to his new 2021 calendar. He’s not a firefighter because he’s a hunk. He’s a firefighter because his stable is on fire and he’s furiously running around trying to keep it together. Syberus is on sabbatical.
Rally is fighting harder to keep his weight down than he ever did to keep his title belts. Rally's pictures from this year look like there’s a continuity problem in the production office, but it’s just his Oprah level battle of the bulge all year.
Tuxedo Mask tries his best, but ultimately, he’s seen as a weak link and Valentine is constantly having to bail him out of scrapes he can’t handle alone.
And now… Valentine faces an inferno in the shape of The Big Deal Eddie D. Sadly Jonnie “The Firefighter” Valentine is about to face me just as a hose pipe ban and a drought hit on the same night. Even if you have the guts and the experience to face me, you’re spread too thin and just don’t have the aqua to get the job done. 2021 will begin with Eddie chalking up another win on my auspicious opening year in SWAT.

Andrew: But will this be his last year with SWAT?

EDDIE: You what when?

Andrew: Well I’m drinking your scotch and I’m in your warm establishment, but I love this company and I can’t ignore the rumours that you’re in talks with other federations.

EDDIE: I am SWAT through and through, KGB, faithful to these fans, what are you talking about?

Andrew: Here’s the picture doing the rounds in the interweb Eddie. It cuts me deep. There’s no social distancing there either.

(Eddie looks at Andrew’s phone with the photo he's seen and Eddie passes it back and laughs.)



EDDIE: Do you think that’s Triple H and Stephanie McMahon?

Andrew: Of course it is.

EDDIE: Nope. That’s Revolution from the EIWF. Triple H has gotten older and looks more like Rev everyday, but Rev has always looked that old and rugged. Yes Rev’s commish in the EIWF, yes I have been in touch, but that’s just a photo to wind up the EIWF Prez. It’s the Prez that fired me. Rev and Davie J would have me back there one day but the Prez said he’d rather shut the place down than have me back there. So, with that tension in play... Why not send a Christmas card to the Prez with two people he would hate me talking to on it? Just a little jest on my part that’s gone viral somehow.

Andrew: And Stephanie, is she a look alike too?

EDDIE: No… That really is Stephanie and she’s a big fan, but there’s no offer on the table. I still have plenty of time on my SWAT deal. It’s so lucrative and well sown up that I’d have to be a fool to look elsewhere. I am not going to talk numbers with you, but if I get my hands on The SWAT World Title, well… there’s a bonus that would mean my furlough costs worries…. won’t be a concern anymore in 2021, let’s put it that way.

Andrew: Oh… Sorry… got sucked into the social media spin on that one.

EDDIE: No biggy. I am here and I am going to make SWAT great again.
Jonnie Valentine cost me my Renegade Title, I cost him the World Title.
Now we pay-up as we both owe the fans a show stealing performance.
Society vs KGB.
Stable Leader versus Stable Enforcer.
The Big Deal you love to hate and the sickly-sweet fan favourite who isn’t as “good” or as good as his fans think he is.

Jonnie Valentine?!!!

BRING…. IT…. ON!!!

Andrew: Well I think we’ll call that a wrap guys…
We can end on that right? ...
Nice...

Between you and me… Do you ever regret coming up with that 'Bring It On' catchphrase?

EDDIE: Nope. If you start buying your own drinks, I’ll tell you when and why I started using it.

Andrew: It tastes better when you’re paying, sometimes ignorance truly is bliss.

(Eddie and Andrew laugh and clink glasses in a toast as the cameras stop recording.)

#MainEventEddie

[SWAT Team]

(The show returns from commercials for NFL Playoff and College Bowl games, SWAT Magazines story about Armand von Krauss and CEO Angela's stock war, and promos for No Man's Land before returning to ringside where ringsiders are holding signs saying "Universal Sinner!," "Lucky 4Ever!," "Sleazy Keith!" and "Linda the Great!" before fading to the broadcast table where Jeremy Tucker and Andrew Fulton are sitting wearing officially licensed SWAT masks wearing headsets.)

Jeremy Tucker: "Welcome back to New Year’s Nightmare and by the rules and regulations we are wearing these officially licensed SWAT masks produced with great quality by CEO Angela's corporation. You can get these from SWAT's official shop and you can choose from your favorite superstars."

Andrew Fulton: "Ron the Merchant Guy's going to sue her for illegally cutting him out of the profits."

Jeremy Tucker: "The guy's a con artist and a thief who's been skimming off Jonnie Valentine ever since he came back. Getting to this next match which has become personal and has quickly devolved into a real bad blood feud between 'Lucky' Linda La Fey and 'Paragon of Sleaze' Keith Williams.
Now the promotors decided they'll settle their issues tonight for Keith's Universal Sin Championship.”

Andrew Fulton: "Come on he's such a great guy to agree to something he was going to grant Linda anyway to prove he's not just a fighting champion but also a more superior champion than Linda. Hell he even gave everyone he faced in the AWF a championship shot."

Jeremy Tucker: "He had to flee for his life since he was the Around The Clock Champion and everyone was coming after him. He finally lost the championship when he was caught inadvertently touching Subject #42's pet cat and he mauled Williams to earn the Around The Clock Championship."

Andrew Fulton: "Yeah he was defeated by the dumbest member of our deceased Kommissar Zoran Sainovich but at least he was smarter than Linda's choice of teammates at Call To Arms. Well tonight he's facing a stubborn airhead who can't choose a good partner even if she was given a list of qualified candidates. She's going to be wishing that she didn't mess with Keith Williams."

Jeremy Tucker: "She didn't start this feud and you know it. Keith was the one who screwed her over near the end of the Helloween match. Everyone warned her Keith couldn't be trusted including AWF's Xiaolong aka Little Dragon but she went ahead with selecting Williams which now leads us to this match."

Andrew Fulton: "They were stupid enough to believe all those rumors and lies by the AWF roster haters and as soon as he comes to SWAT all those haters are coming out to trash him because he's better than they are. Hell they even hate the Revenants because their winners."

Jeremy Tucker: "With plenty of help from each other. They even screwed Seth Dillinger, whom he asked for their assistance, out of his AWF Prestige Championship losing to his former LGBTKO ally Bloodied Fox."

Andrew Fulton: "Don't you dare blame the break up of those two egomaniacs on Keith Williams and The Revenants."

Jeremy Tucker: "Well I'm blaming them for that and especially Keith Williams for that one as well as his starting a feud with Linda La Fey. Linda's going to deal out some good old fashioned SWAT justice his way. Right now let's go to the ring for the introductions."

Frank Salazar: "This next match is scheduled for one fall and it's for the SWAT Universal SIN Championship. Introducing first from Dublin, Ireland. She comes in at 5'5" and weighs in at 131lbs. She is the 'Heart and Soul of SWAT' and is a former SWAT Amazons Women's Champion. Please welcome 'Lucky' Linda La Fey."

("Linger" by Cranberries plays and "Lucky" Linda La Fey storms ringside slapping hands and hugging fans before sliding into the ring.)

Frank Salazar: "Now introducing from Raleigh, NC. he comes in at 6'3"and weighs in at263lbs. He is a former FWA Anarchy Champion, twice AWF Around The Clock Champion, two time NWWC tag team champion, NNW British Champion, PWK K-Crown Champion and a two time AFIW Dual Crown Champion, a two time world tag team champion and he is the present SWAT Universal Sin Champion. Please welcome 'The Paragon of Sleaze' Keith Williams."

(The arena is plunged into darkness "When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin echoes out of the speakers, triggering the attention of those in attendance to the stage where dark blue lights have started to flash in rhythm of 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 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. Williams spins around stroking his mustache and gleefully taking a look at the crowd.)

Jeremy Tucker: "There he is 'Sleazy Keith in all his glory."

Andrew Fulton: "Hey! That's 'The Paragon of Sleaze' Keith Williams the SWAT Universal Sin Champion and yeah he is glorious."

Jeremy Tucker: "Please give me a break."

(He slowly saunters down the rampway to ringside, taking his time to taunt fans on either side of him. As he reaches the ring, Keith goes to enter by rolling under the bottom rope, but hesitates for a moment to thrust against it to the beat of the song eventually getting to his feet and treating everyone with another round of mustache strokes for good measure. He mounts the turnbuckle nearest to him, hopping up to the middle rope and posing with his arms spread wide. As the music fades, KW abandons his post and tosses his vest to accompany stooge on the outside.)

Jeremy Tucker: "The bell rings and this match is underway. The two meet in the center of the ring glaring at each other. Keith's seems to be daring Linda to hit him. He seems to have one hand behind his back. He face shoves her face hard and does it again and turns around impressed about what he did rubbing his mustache as he turns around to face Linda."

Andrew Fulton: "Watch out Keith!.....Oh I can feel that hard slap and oh no!! She does it again and again endangering his super sexy looks. She quickly follows up slugging him hard. Linda ducks a clothesline and bounds into the ropes and dropkicks him. She does it again a second and a third time sending him out of the ring and onto the concrete floor. She bounds into the ropes gaining momentum and launches herself into Aer Lingus."

Jeremy Tucker: "Williams is down and Linda beats her chest and roars and bellows 'Erin Go Braugh!' before tossing him back into the ring. She opens up a can of whoop ass on 'The Paragon of Sleaze' and the look on her face shows she has little respect for Keith Williams."

Andrew Fulton: "Linda's just jealous because she can't be like him and never will be like him. Linda whips him into the ropes but Keith reverses it and this time connects with a short clothesline. He picks Linda up and delivers a series of vicious European uppercuts."

Jeremy Tucker: "Linda angrily fires back and delivers some European uppercuts of her own. So far these two haven't given any ground or any quarter or inch."

Andrew Fulton: "Linda's tough but Keith Williams is a whole lot tougher and more manly than Linda on her best day."

Jeremy Tucker: "Linda is a WOMAN! She isn’t supposed to be MANLY! Right now Keith's stomping a mud hole into Linda's mid-section."

Andrew Fulton: "Keith continues his assault by cinching in a Fujiwara armbar and he's wrenching it in as he taunts Linda. The referee's checking on Linda to see if she want to submit or tap out but Linda shakes her head and refuses to submit. Come on Linda forget what your damned ego sis and think about your health. Don't become another Radu Matei."

Jeremy Tucker: "Apparently Linda's tapping into her inner Radu Matei as she slowly reaches the ropes and the referee demands Keith release the hold which he does after he decides to milk the referee's count. Keith gets up and does a phony royal bow and continues to work on that arm. He whips Linda into the ropes but Linda ducks a clothesline and stops and as Keith turns she executes an exploder suplex. She shakes her arm out to get some feel back into it and as Keith gets up she executes another exploder suplex."

Andrew Fulton: "Watch out Keith! Linda just executed a third exploder suplex and once again Linda shakes that injured arm out and picks up Keith and snap mares him before kicking him in the back of the head."

Jeremy Tucker: "Olympia and The Dark Novas are seen in the crowd and have been studying Linda though Olympia knows her from their champion vs. champion match three years ago. Olympia looks focused since she's determined to go to No Man's Land just to avenge her loss to Linda.
Linda whips Keith into the ropes and powerslams him and makes the cover....One....Two....Keith kicks out."

Andrew Fulton: "My girl Blaze is not just going to beat down Linda. She's going to beat down Olympia too and prove that she's the real face of SWAT Amazons and not that steroid user Graysie Parker. Linda once again whips Keith into the ropes and Bubbaslams him before making the cover....One....Two....Kickout by Keith saving his championship."

Jeremy Tucker: "Keith delivers a series of European uppercuts and Linda counters with some of her own. They continue to exchange European uppercuts as they get back to their feet. Linda gets the better of the exchange forcing him into the ropes but he comes back with a flying knee to Linda's head."

Andrew Fulton: "Keith whips Linda into the ropes and executes a bicycle kick to Linda's head and makes the cover for a two count. 'The Paragon of Sleaze' is showing what a real champion is and it isn't Linda."

Jeremy Tucker: "So far Keith is walking around and twirling his mustache with his arm behind his back like a snobby royal. He turns back to Linda who is getting back to her feet. He picks her up but Linda counters with a hard headbutt to his mid-section followed by a jawbreaker."

Andrew Fulton: "Come on referee disqualify her for trying to ruining Keith's million dollar smile. Linda side Irish's Keith and goes to the top rope but Keith wisely rolls out of the ring to recover. Linda surprises Keith with a Lucky Dip (Molly go round) and both are down."

Jeremy Tucker: "The referee counts them down but Linda kips up and roars as she picks up Keith Williams and smashes head repeatedly into the edge of the ringsteps. The champion's head is busted open and he's bleeding as Linda rolls him back into the ring. She looks under the ring and finds a barbed wire 2x4 before returning to the ring. Speaking of blood that's exactly what's in Linda's eyes while eyeing the champion."

Andrew Fulton: "Then I'm calling 911 and having her arrested for attempted assault and murder."

Jeremy Tucker: "Keith's a grown man and can fight his own battles. Linda starts beating Keith with that barbed wire 2x4. I guess Linda's paying Keith back for that screw job he pulled on her. She roars and just hit him in the head with it."

Andrew Fulton: "Come on Linda's just spiteful and jealous that Keith's a champion and she isn't. Linda whips Keith into the ropes and attempts a hurricanrana but Keith grabs her legs and cinches in a cloverleaf and begins stomping her in the head. Yeah knock some sense into that hard stubborn skull of hers."

Jeremy Tucker: "The referee checks on Linda to see if she wants to tap out or submit but she refuses and once again manages to reach the ropes and grabs them. Keith once again milks the count before releasing the hold. He leaves the ring and looks under the apron to find a barbed wire baseball bat before returning to the ring."

Andrew Fulton: "The bad blood continues to flow and flood the ring. Keith uses the barbed wire bat to open up more cuts on Linda's body and head. Keep it up champ and show her what real wrestling is. Keith whips Linda into the ropes and executes a rotating spinebuster before making the cover and hooking the leg....One....Two.....Kickout."

Jeremy Tucker: "That was close and Keith can't believe it but the referee signals that it was a two count and stands by it. Keith picks up Linda for a bodyslam but she slips behind him and kicks him in the chest followed by a bicycle kick of her own. She follows up with an IRA Kick before making the cover and hooking the leg for a close two count."

Andrew Fulton: "That's why Keith has more championships and then some than Linda has in her whole mediocre SWAT career. Linda picks up the barbed wire baseball bat and smashes it into Keith's back before digging the edge of the barbed baseball bat into Keith's head and face. Come on
disqualify her already for attacking his good looks."

Jeremy Tucker: "He can always get plastic surgery. Linda starts scraping the head of Keith Williams and roars like a banshee as Keith's head is gushing with blood. The look in her eyes shows how much bad blood has built up between these two leading up to this match."

Andrew Fulton: "Of course Linda's both an expert and master in spilling bad blood since she's the blame for it all. Linda winds up to swing at his head but Keith barely ducks out of the way and rolls out of the ring as Linda wastes no time climbing to the top rope and roars as she once again Lucky Dips Keith. Now both are officially down and are barely stirring."

Jeremy Tucker: "The referee's counting as they slowly stir and and Linda slowly gets to her feet first. She picks up Keith and rolls him back into the ring."

Andrew Fulton: "That's proof positive that Linda's trying to kill him. Linda makes the cover and once again hooks the leg for a close three count. Linda mounts and she grounds and pounds him before lifting his head up and she bites Keith's head. She's attempting to eat him alive proving she's nothing but a cannibal."

Jeremy Tucker: "How many times has Keith done that and got away with it."

Andrew Fulton: "How should I know since you're the know all, sees all."

Jeremy Tucker: "Still suffering from that gore Graysie gave you for saving your girlfriend's life in a losing effort?"

Andrew Fulton: "I'm in perfect health and my brains are in perfect working order."

Jeremy Tucker: "Figures. Linda opens up a can of whoop ass before stomping a mud hole in the champion's chest."

Andrew Fulton: "Come on ref. She's attempting to murder the champion. Think about the man's family. Think about the man's children. Who's going to provide for them."

Jeremy Tucker: "He's not going to die and you know it."

Andrew Fulton: "Linda splits his legs and delivers a legdrop to his sternum and he's howling like a soprano. Oh the suffering that this poor champion is going through for just for being a champion and sacrificing his health to represent SWAT's best of the best."

Jeremy Tucker: "You screw with Linda La Fey and you pay a heavy price for doing so. Linda picks him up and executes a running Oklahoma Slam before going to the top rope and signaling the end She roars and goes for another Lucky Dip but Keith gets his knees up."

Andrew Fulton: "Keith slowly makes his way up and using the ropes as Linda gets up using the barbed wire baseball bat. She has that evil gleam in her eyes as she slowly makes her way towards him. Keith is pleading with her but she isn't buying any pleas he's making."

Jeremy Tucker: "Unfortunately the referee is falling for that phony act he's pulling. He restrains a roaring and enraged Linda as Keith goes into his tights and pulls a horse shoe out. He lunges and hits Linda with that horse shoe before pretending to stumble and places it back into his tights. Keith picks Linda up and twirls his mustache bowing like a phony noble."

Andrew Fulton: "Oh give me a break. First that was The Power of the Punch and not a typical knockout punch with a horseshoe or any other object. Second Keith's being a gentleman by helping her up like a gentleman. It's not everyday that someone as mannerly like Keith Williams helps a crude and rude and not so lady like Linda La Fey up. He whips her into the ropes and executes a Queen Anne's Revenge before making the cover and double hooking the leg to an unconscious Linda.....One....Two....Three."

Frank Salazar: "Your winner at 15minutes and still SWAT Universal Sin Champion.....'The Paragon of Sleaze' Keith Williams."

Jeremy Tucker: "As usual Keith uses his trademark cheating tactics against 'Lucky' Linda La Fey in what was a classic SWAT bloodbath. You can bet Linda's not even close to being through with Keith Williams and I mean not by a long shot seeing that look of bloodlust in her eyes. She wants more of his blood and she's mouthing out the challenge to him."

Andrew Fulton: "Sour grapes from a sore loser like Linda. Hell why didn't she just place some of her moolah into the referee's pants for a favorable ruling."

Jeremy Tucker: "That's not the way Linda operates and you know it. Linda continues glaring at Keith Williams and continues to mouth that she's not through with him by any stretch. Right now we have to take a break but we'll be right back with more great SWAT action at New Yea’rs Nightmare from Melbourne, Australia after this."

(The scene slowly fades to black.)

[Dylan]

DYLAN BLACK PRESENTS - Tough Men, Tough Talk (SWAT WHC 2/2)

---

---

Day of New Years Nightmare

Melbourne, Australia

Arena of the 2nd Home of SWAT

The opening to Lacuna Coil's "Blood, Tears, Dust" hits the PA system and the crowd erupt! Cheers or boos, everyone's got a feeling about the X*Crown Champion. Dylan walks out in his ring gear and championship around his waist, along with a vest to show off those sweet abs! He jobs down the ramp and passes a ring techie, nabbing a mic as he goes by. Before he hits the stairs, he grabs a chair from under the ring and carries it in with him.

Dylan: Melbourne, Melbourne! How the hell are we tonight?!

Cheers from the crowd! They're being acknowledged! Dylan smiles and places the chair in the ring, sitting backwards on it like the cool teacher in middle school. The X*Crown belt is wrapped around the back of the chair, facing the camera just like Dylan.

Dylan: It's good to be in a place somewhere that isn't colder than the heart of my father. Although the giant fuck-off spider I saw in my hotel is certainly not worth dying over.

He chuckles, and the crowd with him. They're warmed up now.

Dylan: I'm not here to bore you with the details of my living situation growing up, or my irrational fear of bugs the size of a dinner plate. Lord knows anyone watching Eric Dane every night on TV is practically child abuse, and I don't need Radu having a field day over my locker room.

We all know Radu has the right bugs prepped right now.

Dylan: Nah, tonight I've got my focus on a certain someone. Three someone's, but two are so not worth my time that I don't want to talk about them. Tonight, I'm here for my buddy, my compadre, my best friend, the SWAT WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, ELLLLLLL COMBATIENTE!

Cheers for the world champ! They love EC here and everywhere.

Dylan nods, smiling.

Dylan: The main man here in SWAT. Ya know, the second I heard that El Combatiente had a shot at Rally's title, I knew I needed to grab a front row ticket and come see him live. I've known from his SWAT debut that he is nothing short of special. The kids got it all. Talent, good looks, and now a title to cap off your accomplishments. SWAT World Champion. What a year, right?

That smile begins to fade.

Dylan: What. A. Year.

Something has changed. The joy in his eyes is gone and in its place... spite? Hate? Jealousy, perhaps?

Dylan: You know, when I saw the damage you did to guys like Hayden Callahan and Ultra Kira, who got run out of SWAT after you made short work of him. Lord Dominicus, who you brought in and then took out in one fell swoop. I knew that you were a hot star on the rise. And this was all before Helloween in the Cell, where you maimed Armand von Bitch and 8 others. You did what guys like ANTHONY CAFFREY, the self proclaimed EMPEROR OF WRESTLING couldn't. You conquered INSURMOUNTABLE ODDS to stake your claim and TAKE that championship.

Dylan: So what's next?

He ponders.

Dylan: What's next for the man who has yet to really taste the sweet flavor of... defeat. What's next for the man who has finally reached the top of the mountain after months of trial and effort?

Dylan: Me.

Dylan: I'm next.

His upper lip curls into a snarl.

Dylan: The belt collecting, face smashing, maddest son of a bitch to touch a wrestling ring. It may not be the fairest circumstances that I'm getting this shot but let's be honest, Eddie Dickless, I hold a win over you from End of Days, so you can keep fucking around with that hoe Jonnie Valentine while I take what you'll never deserve!

The heat is still real between Eddie and Dylan.

Dylan: This ain't about Eddie though, it's about the rest of the KGB. And hell, they aren't even a factor tonight. If Armand wanted to really put butts in seats, make some friction, it'd be Dylan vs EC. But Armand is afraid of what'd happen if I win that belt. SWAT is afraid of what'd happen. Most importantly, EC is afraid of what'd happen if I were to take the key to his redemption arc.

He points a finger at the camera.

Dylan: You won't admit it, El, but you're afraid. Your variety of masks can't fool me, fool anyone. Fear, it's got a smell. And you reek of it.

Dylan: But don't worry! You have nothing to fear, as I will make your loss quick and painless. I might even pin that chump Frostbite just so you can have a fair shake at getting a rematch! Show the world how great El Combatiente is in a solo setting... just to be burned down once more.

Dylan: And after I wretch the SWAT World Heavyweight Championship from you... I'll let you hang out at my place, and you can gawk at your former championship as much as you'd please. After all, this won't be the end of our friendship... will it?

And with that, he kicks the chair over, dropping the mic as he walks up the ramp. A steely look into a passing camera before he disappears into the back.

[Venom 🕷]

Earlier today before Javier and his client El Combatiente went out to the ring we find the duo walking into the arena. They’re chatting amongst themselves as they walk through the parking lot.

Javier: Tonight is the big one. We know what we’re going to get from the KGB. We know they are going to cheat. We know Armand is going to do everything he can to get that belt off of you and onto Frostbite. What we do not know is what Dylan is going to do.

El Combatiente: We do know what we are going to get from the KGB and I am not worried about what Dylan will do. I trust him. He is my partner.

Javier: I know he is your partner. I know you trust him, but I am not sure that you should. This is a shot at a world Championship. You really think he is going to pass up a shot to pin you or Frostbite or Armand if he has the chance?

El Combatiente: I do not know if he will, but I know he will do what is right and he will have my back. If he takes this title away from me I will be upset, but I know if he does it will be because he did it the right way. I know you want him to have my back and make sure I do not lose this title, but as long as we keep the KGB from getting their hands on this I will not be upset.

Javier: Ugh. I hope you know I cannot get behind that. I cannot get behind trusting anyone in a match where your title is on the line.

El Combatiente: I understand.

Javier: Then I hope you can also understand that I have been ignoring his calls. I cannot let him close to you right now. I just cannot.

El Combatiente: I do not agree with that, but like I trust him I trust you and I will follow what you think is best.

The two reach the door leading into the arena. Javier reaches and opens the door.

El Combatiente: I just hope you are right.

El Combatiente walks in and disappears from view.

Javier: I am never wrong.

Javier enters behind him and we cut.

---

I do not speak on my own very often. It is not because I do not have a lot to say, but because the people of the XHF do not always understand me and it is frustrating. That is why even though Javier is no longer under the employ of Venom to accompany me and speak for me I continue to employ him. That is because I trust him. Even though I know he doesn’t always get the message across that I want I trust him to do what is right by me. I trust him he has built that trust. In my first run in the old XHF he helped guide me and lead me to the Junior Heavyweight Championship. Here in SWAT I had my issues with him but he led me to the Television Championship and then the World Championship.

I have that same trust in Dylan Black.

Should I? Probably not. Has he been there for me the way Javier has? Not yet. Even still I trust him.

We have traveled the world together in a short time. He was there for me when KGB tried to jump me. He was there cheering me on when I won the World Championship in SWAT and joined him as a top star on the Network. We have trained together. I’ve seen what he can do and he has seen what I can do. For that, I trust him.

With that being said if it comes down to it. If we take out both Frostbite and Armand and it is down to just he and I I will not hesitate to tear the house down with him. I am not afraid to go one-on-one with him. I am not afraid that he will take the championship from me. Not because I do not think that he can, but because I know if he does it will be because we put on the best show possible while he does it. We will tear the house down and the best man will win. If that is not me then so be it, but I know he will do it right.

I also know that it will have to happen that way. People are worried that Dylan will turn on me and steal the title if given the opportunity. They say he is a bad guy and will turn on me in a moments notice to get the title and continue to add to the resume he has built over the last year. Can it happen? Of course it can. Anyone is capable of being tempted by the gold, but I trust him, and that is all I have got.

---

Just before the two make their way to the ring for their in-ring promo El Combatiente and Javier stand in the locker room. Javier's phone rings and he glances at his watch and jams at the screen.

El Combatiente: Still not taking calls?

Javier: It is not important. The only thing that is important is what we are doing right now and later tonight.

El Combatiente: Are you sure? Could have been a family emergency. Family is always important.

Javier: It was not.

El Combatiente: Was it Dylan? If it was I really feel we should talk.

Javier: It was not.

El Combatiente: Are you lying to me?

Javier: Look, we are going to go out there and do two things. I am going to address Armand and everything that has happened and you are going to say your piece. I will sum what you say up for the crowd but it is important we are focused on our message. Are you ready?

El Combatiente: Of course I am ready. You did not answer my queston.

Javier: I know. I do not want to disappoint you. Just trust me.

Javier swings open the door to the locker room and exits and El Combatiente shakes his head and lets out a deep sigh before he follows his manager.

---

Trust is hard for me. Aside from Javier and Dylan there is not many I trust. I do not even trust myself at times. I always second guess myself. What if I did one thing differently in my match with Goth? Would I still be Television Champion right now? What if I did not doubt myself early on here? Would I have defeated Frostbite and not been in the situation I am in now where he can hold that over my head? That lack of trust in myself has lead to some bad decisions on my part, but luckily the man I trust the most never second guesses what I do. That is why when Javier told you no, Armand, without even discussing it with me I knew it was the right choice. He could have easily told you yes or caved when you were tortured and I would have fallen in line, but he knew that was not what was best for me. He knew that being against you would get me to the top faster than it would with you and he was right. Now here I am defending the top championship in this company against you, your number one man and my friend.

But I must give you credit Armand. There is only a few people who saw my rise to the top coming. One was Javier. One was a small group of my most dedicated fans. The only other one was you Armand. You saw in me what only a handful of people saw. You were onto me before Radu, Soutter and Linda. You knew I would get where I am right now before anyone outside of my inner circle thought I had a chance of breaking out of the lower card. That is why you pursued me. That is why you wanted me in the KGB's fold. You could see what was coming.

What you could not see was that your pursuit of me and my denial of your invitation would shoot me right to the top. What you could not see is that your pursuit of me would put me on the radar of Radu and Soutter. What you could not see was that without you I would be in a better position to get to the top sooner. You could not see that opposing you would sling shot me to the top, but here I am. Now you and your number one have the chance at stopping it, but can you really?

I do not think that you can Armand. Not because you are not talented, you would not be one half of the tag team champions if you were not talented. No, I do not think you can beat me because you have already tried and already failed. I am here as champion right now because I dropped you on your head and pinned you to earn the shot. You had another shot to beat me and even though everyone else disappeared on me last week and left me alone with you and your number one you retreated when my back up showed up. You had your chances to take me out, and you could not do it. Tonight it will be no different Armand, and there is nothing you can do about it.

---

Shortly before the main event Javier and El Combatinete are sitting in their locker room. El Combatiente is in full ring gear sitting in front of his locker ready to go. Javier does not like ok as ready. He is pacing in the center of the room, his face glistening with precipitation. He stops on his heels.

Javier: This will be the biggest match of our careers. I know you are not nervous, but I am.

El Combatiente: Of course I am nervous. I am always nervous before matches. Maybe though I am not as nervous as you think I should be.

Javier: You should be extremely nervous and if you are not I do not know why.

El Combatiente: I am nervous but not extremely. Not sure why I should be.

Javier: You saw what I saw. He is insane.

El Combatiente: Frostbite?

Javier: Yes Frostbite. He is either drunk or insane or both. His first promo just seemed drunk. That was dangerous enough. He seemed to still think this was a tag match. He did not know what the X*Crown was. He was slurring his words. He was worried when it was over. Not worried about him beating you but worried about the fact that he might hurt you. Then we watched his second promo just now and he is threatening to burn the arena down if he does not win. He was talking to your title, I can only assume, like it was a real thing. On top of the insanity he was still slurring his words and making little sense. I’m terrified of him.

El Combatiente: He is but a man, I can handle him.

Javier: He doe not terrify me in that way. He terrifies me in the way that I am not sure that even if you win that you will leave here alive. He is a danger to everyone.

El Combatiente: We will not let this happen tonight. You do not need to worry.

Javier: But I do worry. If you win, rather of Frostbite does not win, you need to make sure we are out of this arena quick.

El Combatiente: We will leave as soon as possible, but that is not something we need to be thinking about right now.

Javier takes a deep breath.

Javier: You might not worry but I do. You are right though. What we need to worry about tonight is winning the match, and staying safe. I will forget about what that maniac might do.

El Combatiente: Good. What we need now is focus. It is almost time.

Javier takes a seat next to his client and we fade.

---

Frostbite.

It seems as if my entire tenure here in SWAT has lead to this. 

When I first began here I was nervous and tentative. My career had been on hold for so long and I was not sure what I still had left in the tank. I came out strong in my first match and I was riding high for a week. Then came my match with you.

I knew you would be a challenge. You had been with this company for so long and you were ready to expose every flaw in my game. You exposed my ring rust and defeated me.

At first I was bothered. I was worried that I did not have what it took to play at this level still. I quickly shook all of that off and rebounded. My rebound was bigger than anyone could have expected.

Since that defeat I have not tasted a single defeat in singles competition. I have competed at every level possible. I have headlined shows here. Been a main attraction on global shows, but I have also opened both here and at the global level. 

You have been on a similar trajectory. 

You had a bloody feud with Goth that still may not be fully over. You too found major gold. But everything you have done has lead you here to me and my title.

I heard what you said about my title. You think it is yours. You think it belongs to you. You are ready to do whatever it takes to get it and if you fail you intend on burning this place to the ground.

All I can say is I hope that is an idle threat.

I hope that because in the time since we first met things have changed. I am no longer the rusty guy I once was. I have prepared for you for weeks knowing that eventually you and I would face. I have studied every match of yours I could get my hands on. I have seen you at your best and at your worst. I know what it takes to beat you, and that is what I will do.

So I hope your threat is an idle one, because tonight you will feel defeat, and the title you love so dearly, she will remain with me.

[radu]

(A few blocks from the arena, our scene opens inside a greasy spoon diner. Seats have been taped off to promote social distancing. An unfortunate reminder of the new reality, which attempts to address customer’s safety concerns in a way that promotes trust. Keep six feet apart. This may have less to do with responsibility, than to appear like it’s still open and exists in this time – as the dive looks condemned, and is practically empty. Gross brown wallpaper looks less appetizing and more like the set of a 70s stag film. The videographer pushes past dusty tables, careful to avoid brushing against anything for fear of fleas.)


(One of the window booths in the back is occupied.)


(The sun blaring through the window would blind, if the inch of mildew on the glass didn’t drastically dim it. Broken fingers are wrapped around a cup of steaming coffee. Deadened nerve endings don’t notice the heat. A stale muffin sits on a dirty plate in front of the customer. The places he has to eat to avoid ribs.)


(A large shadow is cast across the table.)


“This seat taken?”


(They have been photographed in the same space on four separate occasions, but for all the teasing, their interactions have been extremely limited.)


(Looming over the table, the MCCW Ace nods to his SWAT counterpart.)


“Be my guest.”


(The Sacrificial Idol extends his free hand, gesturing to the other side of the table. Pulled back to reality, it takes a beat, but Radu Matei smiles warmly at his tag partner for the evening. Death Trap pulls up a chair, though clearly regrets having to touch it.)


Radu Matei (pulling out menu): Can I get you something? Most items seem to come with tapeworms, but the coffee is – better than whatever poison is waiting for me at the arena.


Death Trap: I’ll pass. Not a coffee.
Or tetanus kind of guy. Mainly wanted to talk before our match.


Radu Matei: Yeah. About that... you don’t owe me anything.


(A silence falls over the two fan favourites. The general consensus is that Deathless only works tag matches because he took a bump that was meant for Trap. For his cool swagger, Trap’s SWAT appearances seem to be motivated by a sense of respect that the career ending gesture generated.)


Radu Matei: Trust me.


(The look in Deathless’ eyes is genuinely earnest.)


Radu Matei: My body was broken down long before that LEGO bit. Besides, it was the right thing to do. When you came to SWAT you put your trust in us. You knew that Zoran wasn’t looking to give you a fair shot; he was going to mess with you. Even if it was a blood bath, it was a wrestling match, there are expectations and even if most rules are meant to be broken, there is a basic trust that even the worst of enemies share. A trust. That LEGO bit wasn’t designed to embarrass, hurt, or cheat – it was meant to maim. You signed up to entertain SWAT fans, not to end your career with us. The trust you placed in us needed to be respected.


(Deathless puts down the coffee cup, and picks up the muffin.)


Radu Matei: Without a basic understanding, what do you have?


(Deathless breaks the muffin open to reveal a worm inside. It’s rather disgusting.)


Radu Matei: Nothing.


(Pulling the worm out of his food, Matei places it in his pocket – clearly planning on force-feeding it to Tuxedo Mask later. Using a handkerchief to brush the crumbs from his fingers, Matei places it over the muffin remains, trying to block its revolting sight from view.)


Radu Matei: Breaking that trust – moving from wrestling to hate crimes in the name of comedy? That’s why I need to take Rally Jackson up to the rafters of the arena, and make him question if our great ring crew put in every nut and bolt to safely secure that scaffold. If he’s the future of this company, there are things he needs to learn. Lines you don’t cross. A point where risks become unacceptable... and if you don’t treat everyone in the company with respect and basic dignity, it’s a long fall.


Waitress: You finished with that, hon?


Radu Matei: Delicious - thank you, miss.


(With a smile, the waitress takes the offending muffin.)


Radu Matei: There is a reason for me to be up on that scaffold. I’m sure you hate the things that Rally Jackson has been doing as much as I do, Trap. But if your reason for climbing that scaffold is based on that Sainovic match, this is me telling you to just walk away. This could go sideways fast, and I’d hate to see you pick up an injury. I’m the guy who needs to die for the fans, Trap; you’ve got other things going for you.


Death Trap: I consider us even after that shot to the head. I like you. Couldn't tell ya why. And I respect you. I need... Too climb that scaffold. I finish what I start and those fans? They cheer me and tell me SWAT needs a main attraction beyond you and EC. The KGB need to look over their shoulders in fear. I need to fulfill my purpose in this industry. Teach the new generation ... and be the best damn spectacle too step into the ring wherever the cheers and spotlight are.


(Deathless nods in understanding. The two fan favourites sit quietly for a beat, before Matei remembers something.)


Radu Matei: I almost forgot.


(Leaning into his booth, Deathless picks up a package. The wrapping paper avoids Christmas imagery, though the late December gift giving sentiment is clearly there.)


Radu Matei: A little thank you-


Death Trap: You didn't have--


Radu Matei: -It’s nothing, I just wanted to grab you something to as more of a gesture.


(Death Trap pulls off the blue foil paper. The presence of the camera stifles his reaction.)


Radu Matei: I wasn’t sure if you had one.


Death Trap: Damn ... You ain't playing.


(The one thing more over in SWAT than Death Trap, Radu Matei, or El Combatiante...)


Death Trap: ... Well at least this one won't explode. As long as there's no spiders...I can use this.


(And so the HEAT tribute comes to a close, with Death Trap politely holding the LEGO box set that Deathless has gifted him.)


(Coal Miner’s Glove.)


(2000 pieces.)


(Should knock Rally Jackson into 2021 pieces.)


(TRUST.)