The AWF Presents: Prestige 67 - LIVE from Memphis, TN!
Feb 21, 2021 9:58:22 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Kira Izumi, and 1 more like this
Post by Cross Recoba on Feb 21, 2021 9:58:22 GMT -5
Ascension Wrestling Federation Presents:
Live at the FedEx Forum in Louisville, KY
3/6/2021
Capacity: 18,865
In Attendance: 1887
The camera activates and the lights illuminate as the cameras scan through the almost two-thousand people. They continue to pan until they get to the commentators.
Taylor: Hello everyone. Welcome to Prestige 67, live from Memphis, Tennessee! We have a hot show for you tonight!
Romano: That's right! We have a lot of goodies for you. Frankie Webb, hot off his two match winning streak, goes up against one of our newest recruits, Kallie Reznik!
Taylor: We also have a crazy main event where another new talent, Tasmin Richards, takes on the AWF Prestige Champion, Keith Williams!
Romano: Speaking of ReVenants, Rob Garcia takes on Erin Gordon in a one on one match!
Taylor: And the final member of the ReVenants tonight, Neo James Carner - the AWF United States Champion, will be taking on the XHF Phoenix Champion, Betsy Granger in a champions showdown!
Romano: And speaking of champions, the 2020 End of Days Champion, Dakota Jennings, will be back in and taking on our lovable Carlos Ruiz in a match to set the pace for the future. Ladies and gentlemen, time to see some wrestling!
“Hypa Hypa” by Eskimo Callboy begins to play. The lights surrounding the stage strobe blue and pink alternating colors with the beat as the rest darken almost completely. With the beat, Kallie Reznik appears from underneath the curtain, her arms behind her as she skips to the center of the stage. In her hair, she wears a pair of sequined Minnie Mouse ears and a white jacket over her ring attire. A bright, innocent smile paints her face as she sings along to the lyrics of the song, swaying side to side, bopping with it as she meets eyes with some of the fans in attendance.
♫HYPA HYPA, YOU’RE PRETTY AND I LIKE YA
MOVE YOUR BODY, GIRL, ALL NIGHT LONG
HYPA HYPA, YOU’RE PRETTY AND I LIKE YA
YOU’RE GONNA BE MY GIRL ALL NIGHT LONG♫
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall, introducing first, from Aurora, Colorado, weighing in at one hundred eighteen pounds, she is the Butterfly Effect… KALLIE REZNIK!!
At the end of the phrase, Kallie turns her body and sightly, pops her hip out and raises her hand with a silly peace symbol held in it as she winks flirtatiously just as the heavier guitar riffs of the theme begins. With a grin, she begins to skip down to the ring, stopping to high five a couple of younger female fans along the way. She picks a special younger girl as she reaches the bottom of the ramp and takes the Minnie Mouse ears off her head, placing them on the head of the girl before she runs and slides under the ring.
♫ YOU ARE MY DRUG
YOU'RE EVERYTHING I WANT
I WOULD GIVE MY SOUL FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU AT ONCE
PUT YOUR HANDS UP
WELL, LET ME SEE YOU SHAKE YOUR HIPS ♫
Keeping at that run, Kallie rushes forward and grabs the top rope, slingshotting the rest of her body underneath it and sitting on the second rope, letting it bounce her up and down as she grins at the crowd, raising a hand in the air. The crowd pops happily for her, before she bounces herself off and begins to head for her corner, taking her ring jacket off and then leaning into the turnbuckle, grasping the ropes with both hands and testing the tension as her music fades out.
Taylor: Ladies and gentlemen, this is Kallie Reznik's first match with the AWF!
Romano: She's part of the new surge of women talent but she's here to prove that she's not just a woman. She's a wrestler.
Jessie Love: And her opponent, from St. George, Utah, weighing in at one hundred seventy pounds, he is… FRANKIE WEBB!!
Drake's "Enemies" plays as Frankie Webb heads out into the arena. He shoots a quick glance to the fans in the arena and hops a few time. He has sleeveless hood over his head as he slowly makes himself to the ring. He walks toward the ring, displaying a fake err of confidence. As he approaches the ring, he takes the hood and tosses it out of the ring. He hops up and down, waiting for the match to begin.
Taylor: Frankie Webb is high off of two wins, and he's looking to make this twofer a threebie!
Romano: Noble mission and he's done very well for his age, but I feel he'll have a tough job tonight.
Singles Match
Kallie Reznik vs. Frankie Webb
DING DING DING
Frankie Webb starts off the contest with a quick strike knee to Kallie’s midsection. He places her in a headlock but Reznik throws a few elbows into Webb’s gut. Kallie eventually gives Webb a push on the back and into the ropes. On the rebound, Kallie dodges a clothesline and hits a jawbreaker once Webb turns around. Reznik follows up with a Falcon Arrow attempt, but Webb is able to overpower the smaller Colorado native and counter into a snap suplex.
Taylor: This match is starting off as a back and forth.
Romano: They are testing one another to see where the other is. It will only be a matter of time before one of them makes the necessary steps to take control.
Taylor: Well, right now, Webb is in control but if this opening sequence tells us anything, it’s that it can change on the spot.
Kallie proves Tommy Taylor’s statement true as Webb attempts mounting Kallie for a few punches, but Reznik flips Webb onto his back and quickly delivers a few strikes to the left leg of Frankie Webb. As Webb wriths on the mat after the kicks, Reznik runs off the ropes and lands a running shooting star press that gets some excitement from the crowd. She stays on top for the cover!
ONE!!
TWO!!
T...NO!!
Taylor: Ohhh, and Frankie Webb gets the shoulder up but Kallie Reznik hit a very impressive running shooting star.
Romano: Considering her young age, it was a great feat for her to pull off that move. She’s making some noise in her debut match.
Taylor: Let’s see what she has next.
After a quick analysis of the situation, Kallie grabs Frankie by the head and bounces off the middle rope for a springboard bulldog, but Webb shoves the aerial Reznik off of him, causing Kallie to drop on her back without getting the move off. As soon as Kallie pulls herself up, Webb drops her back down to the mat with a hip toss. Cover by Webb.
ONE!!
TWO!!
TH...NO!!
Taylor: And now it’s Kallie Reznik’s turn to get the shoulder up!
Romano: Webb needs to get more aggressive with his tactics.
Taylor: He’s still a raw talent who is learning with every match. While this is Kallie’s first AWF match, she is far more experienced than Webb, and that’s not an advantage she likely has often.
Webb looks down at Reznik and realizes he will have to do something that he likely didn’t want to do to a woman he admitted to having a crush on. He lifts her onto his back for the Webb Drop, but his left leg gives out on him while trying to hit the move.
Taylor: And Webb can’t get off the Webb Drop!
Romano: It’s that leg Kallie attacked earlier in the match!
Taylor: She planned that ahead! That feels quite savvy for the young Kallie Reznik.
Reznik lands on her feet behind Frankie Webb and delivers a snap release German suplex on Webb. She uses this opening to climb the top rope and waits for her opportunity. The moment Frankie Webb was almost standing up, she leaps off the top rope to deliver a stunner from above, otherwise known as the Threads of the Moirai.
Taylor: The Threads of the Moirai!! Beautifully executed!!
Romano: She got some hangtime for that corkscrew dive and what a beautiful stunner at the end!
Taylor: Here’s the cover! Steve Tyrell on the count!!
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
DING DING DING!!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner… KALLIE REZNIK!!
Taylor: And the youngster from Aurora gets a win on her debut!
Romano: Man, oh, man. What a start to her AWF run!
Taylor: And with how young she is, she still hasn’t quite hit her peak.
Romano: Imagine how scary she will be when she gets more experience. She showcased that talent tonight, that’s for sure. She has a bright, bright future.
"Bamboleo" by Gypsy Kings hits over the P.A. System and the crowd goes crazy for their Spanish Luchador! Carlos Ruiz walks out from the back posing for the crowd in his leather jacket that is zipped halfway up, pink speedo wrestling trunks, pink boots, and Maui Jim sunglasses. He stops on the way to the ring a couple of times to take selfies with the crowd.
Jessie Love: Making his way to the ring... from Madrid, Spain... weighing in at 212 pounds... CARLOOOOS RUUUUIIIIZ!
He slides into the ring and blows kisses to the adoring fans. He smiles as he removes his jacket and sunglasses and hands them to the ringside attendant.
Taylor: Congratulations to Carlos Ruiz for becoming an American citizen!
Romano: Yes, and he's here to celebrate by giving us all a show. How nice!
As the word “Firecracker” appears on the large screen, red and green laser lights spin around the arena as The Soapgirls begin to sing the opening to the song. Then the word fades and is replaced by the name “Dakota” as the redhead makes her way out to the stage area, the fans becoming thunderous in their applause for her. She raises a single arm up before making her way down the aisle.
” Making her way down the aisle, she hails from Syracuse, New York, by way of Scottsdale, Arizona.....She is the Firecracker, The Chairwoman of the XHF, DAKOOOTTTAAA JJEEENNNIINNGGSSSS!!!”
Reaching the ring, she confidently strides up the steps before stepping under the second rope before climbing up one of the turnbuckles, raising a defiant middle finger toward her opponent as the fans cheer her relentlessly.
Taylor: And here we are welcoming the return of the winner of the 2020 End of Days Tournament - Dakota Jennings!
Romano: She's a firecracker, and I'm looking forward to seeing the sparks fly@
Singles Match
Carlos Ruiz vs. Dakota Jennings
Carlos Ruiz smiles and makes small talk with Gabe Valentine whilst the referee performs his pre-match checks. The cameras cut to Dakota who glares in the direction of her opponent.
Taylor: Ruiz will be attuned to this match, he knows what it’s like to return to an AWF ring after a break. Could this give him an added advantage?
Romano: It’ll definitely give him an insight into where Jennings may be lacking.
In comparison to the Spaniard, Dakota seems to be irritated by Valentine’s checks.
Taylor: Dakota was clear in setting out her stall for why she came back…
Romano: Ruiz is someone with a huge fanbase and the skills to warrant it, this isn’t so much a return match as a baptism of fire in many respects!
Jennings: C’MON! I’VE GOT A MATCH TO WIN!
The signal for the bell is made and we’re underway!
Taylor: The Spanish Luchador against The Firecracker, here...we...go!
Ruiz walks towards the center of the ring and extends a hand - DAKOTA MEETS HIM WITH A FOREARM TO THE HEAD!
Romano: Dakota set herself a target and Ruiz is going to need to get on top early to stop the onslaught we’ve seen Jennings bring time and time again!
She lands another forearm to send the Spaniard backing into the ropes. Grabbing a wrist, she looks for the Irish Whip...Ruiz reverses it.
Taylor: Ruiz will be looking at Fox going against Myojin and knowing matches like this will put in heavy contention for a future shot at that XHF Junior Heavyweight title!
As she comes off the ropes, Ruiz drops down. He turns around and looks for the back-body drop ...DAKOTA LANDS A DOUBLE-FOOT STOMP!
Taylor: Mushroom Stomp from Jennings, can she build from it?
Stumbling forward, Ruiz grabs the ropes to steady himself but Dakota zips in with a basement dropkick to the back of the knee to take him to the floor.
Romano: Ruiz isn’t a traditional luchadore, he mixes high-flying with more technical aspects...
Quickly capitalizing, Jennings grabs an arm and spins round...La Magistral Cradle…
Taylor: Not the only one, crafty roll-up...
ONE..
RUIZ KICKS OUT!!
Taylor: Ruiz isn’t going to get caught out so easily!
Both competitors roll to their feet, Jennings once more tries to keep her momentum growing and rushes in looking for a kick but Ruiz ducks...HE LEAPS UP AND ROLLS BACK…
Romano: Ruiz with a pin-attempt of his own…
Taylor: Both competitors seem to have done their homework on their opponent...
ONE…
JENNINGS KICKS OUT!!
They get back to a standing base, the returning Jennings grabs a headlock and tries to work it to wear down the larger fighter...Ruiz dips his body and lifts up the Firecracker….Kneebreaker!
Taylor: Could we be seeing an early sign of strategy?
Romano: The Cangrejo Espanol is one of the ways he likes to put his opponent away but equally, we all know the threat of the DKO and if her legs are damaged, it takes away the threat.
Refusing to break the headlock, Jennings’ leg buckles as she tries to re-establish the headlock. The Spaniard spots his gap and sends her to the ropes…
Taylor: Where can he go from here?
As Jennings comes back Ruiz leapfrogs and rolls back to attempt a modified monkey flip but Dakota cartwheels to the side.
Romano: Agility on display, it’s how she follows up....
Ruiz adjusts his positioning and ducks a driven kick and grabs her leg to take her down!
Taylor: Cat-like reactions from Carlos as he gets the takedown!
The European keeps hold of the leg as he rises….he drops a leg and applies a grapevine.
Romano: We’ve seen people try to fight fire with fire with Dakota, Carlos clearly knows the pitfalls!
Catching her senses, Jennings reaches out and grabs the rope.
Taylor: Dakota showing little ring-rust, she knew exactly where she was in the ring!
In keeping with his notion of fair-play, Ruiz immediately releases the hold.
Romano: Carlos’ notion of fair-play has won a lot of fans here in Ascension but should he have held on for longer?
In a demonstration of his ethics, the Spaniard backs away from the End of Days champion, allowing her to get to her feet. She nods in appreciation before charging and unleashing a flurry of punches to the head of Carlos. In retaliation, Carlos fires back with punches of his own.
Taylor: The fire inside Jennings still burns as fiercely as it did before her leave of absence.
Romano: But Ruiz is matching her blow for blow so far!
Dakota goes headhunting with a high kick to the head, Ruiz ducks...GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!!!
Taylor: HE JUST BOUNCED HER OFF THE TURNBUCKLE!
Romano: He timed it to catch her at full-pivot...
Leaving no time for Jennings to recover, Ruiz charges into the corner...BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Ruiz: VIVA LA LUCHA!!
Crowd: VIVA LA LUCHA!!
Taylor: Having bought himself some time, the crowd are firmly with him…
Romano: He needs to keep the pressure on...
Taking his opponent away from the corner and the ropes, Carlos grabs the leg of Dakota and spins his body around…
Small package from Jennings.
ONE…
TW-
KICKOUT!!
Taylor: Once more, Dakota trying to sneak the win.
Romano: Of anyone, she’ll know exactly how rusty she might be. She’ll want to kick her return off with a win and I doubt she’ll be too precious about how she does it!
Both competitors kip-up to their feet, Ruiz takes the initiative and charges in looking for a lariat...Jennings grabs a Fujiwara Armbar!
Taylor: Invoking her MMA background…
Romano: It’s a discipline she knows she holds all the cards in...
Jennings has the hold but not fully, she moves her body weight to try to cinch the hold in...Ruiz takes the initiative and spots his opportunity for a pin…
ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT!
Taylor: With yet another pin attempt, what’s the psychology for both fighters?
Romano: This is cat and mouse, both competitors not wanting to tip their hand to much this early on.
Beating the Spaniard to her feet, Dakota rushes towards her prey and leaps up…
Taylor: Jennings looking for a rana...
Ruiz throws her off his shoulders forward...LARIAT!!!
Romano: HE GOT ALL OF THAT!
Jennings drops to the floor, Ruiz beckons to the crowd as they start to chant.
Crowd: Olé, Olé,Olé, Olé! Olé,Olé!
Taylor: The crowd show their appreciation...
With the crowd behind him, Ruiz lifts up Jennings...OVERHEAD BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX!!
Taylor: Are we seeing a more explosive side to the Spaniard?
Romano: It’s a common misconception about Ruiz, he’s a gentleman until that bell rings.
Nearly skidding to the apron, the Firecracker uses the ropes to get to her feet.
Taylor: Jennings is finding herself on the outside of the match right now...
As he rushes in, Dakota ducks down and lifts him over to the apron himself.
Romano: Ruiz lands on his feet!
Landing on his feet, the European is keen to make the milliseconds count. He reaches to grab Jennings’ head but she reaches back and guilotines him on the top-rope.
Taylor: Opportunistic move or desperation?
Romano: She’s not finished yet...
Glancing backwards, Jennings rushes off the ropes...she comes back, BASEBALL SLIDE...RUIZ HOLDS ONTO THE ROPES!
Taylor: RUIZ BLOCKS THE BASEBALL SLIDE POWERBOMB...
Dakota tries once more but eats a boot to the face...LEAPING DDT TO THE OUTSIDE FROM THE SPANIARD!!
Romano: WHAT A DDT!!
ONE…
TWO…
Ruiz is back to his feet, he pulls up his opponent and whips her to the apron...JENNINGS LEAPS TO THE APRON...TURNAROUND DROPKICK!!
Taylor: MODIFIED CROSS-DIMENSIONAL TRAVEL!
THREE…
Both competitors remain down…
FOUR…
Dakota picks up Ruiz as she gets to her feet and rolls him into the ring to break the count.
Romano: Can Ruiz weather the storm?
As she stands on the apron, she looks to the crowd to try to get them onside, a chant starts to break out…
Crowd: D-K-O! D-K-O! D-K-O! D-K-O!
Ruiz starts to get to his feet and Jennings spots her chance.
Taylor: It looks like Dakota has something lined up already...
Jennings leaps to the top-rope and looks for a cross-body….REVERSAL INTO A POWERSLAM!!
Romano: And the match turns on a dime again!
ONE…
TWO…
TH…
KICKOUT!!
The cameras pick up a smile on the face of Ruiz as the arm of Jennings remains in the air.
Taylor: The force of that powerslam might not have put away Jennings but how much more could she take like that?
Romano: It’s difficult to say, we’ve seen Dakota come back from immense levels of offense but Ruiz seems to have a gameplan and it leads to that Boston Crab!
The Firecracker stirs and now the Spaniard is keen to keep the pressure on. He charges the ropes, Jennings gets to her feet and throws a roundhouse kick but Ruiz ducks underneath it. He comes back off the ropes...LEAP-FROG LEG-BULLDOG!!!
Taylor: LOOK AT THE AGILITY ON DISPLAY!
The crowd once more break into support for the Spaniard.
Crowd: LET’S GO CAR-LOS! LET’S GO CAR-LOS!
Dakota stumbles to her feet and finds herself in a Full-Nelson…
Romano: We could be seeing the Lucha-plex!
JENNNINGS REARS HER HEADBACK INTO A HEADBUTT TO BREAK THE HOLD...SHE CHARGES THE ROPES WITH A HANDSPRING AND LEAPS BACK…
Taylor: COULD WE SEE THE DKO?
GERMAN SUPLEX!!
Romano: CARLOS CAUGHT HER IN MID-AIR AND THREW HER BACK WITH THAT!
NO!! JENNINGS HAS GRABBED A KIMURA!!
Taylor: Dakota somehow wheeled her way out of that at the last!
Ruiz battles to try and escape, he thrashes to try and throw Jennings from the hold.
Romano: Jennings is looking for that sweet-spot where she can bear down on Ruiz with all her weight...
In a last act of desperation, RUIZ ROLLS FORWARD AND THROUGH!!
Taylor: HE SLIPS OUT THE BACKDOOR!
He stands with Jennings on her back, his arms around her legs…
Romano: If Carlos can lock this in, we could be seeing him pick up a huge win!
He tries to twist her around for the Boston Crab variant but she takes the opportunity to twist against him before kicking him backwards.
Taylor: He couldn’t, Dakota thrust him off and now has precious feet between herself and Carlos!
Setting himself, Ruiz charges at Jennings and, this time, it’s he who slides between her legs.
Taylor: “Anything you can do” he says!
She turns around AND CATCHES THE SUPERKICK BEFORE USING THE LEG TO SPIN HIM AROUND…
Romano: SHE CAUGHT THE SPANISH EYES!
D-K-O!!!!
Taylor: DKO!!!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!!
Jessie Love: The winner of this bout, as a result of pinfall...DAKOTA...JENNINGS!!
We cut backstage to find Eddie Walker walking towards the locker room area, he takes a glance down at his phone and hums a tune that sounds suspiciously like Blink 182’s hit ”What’s my age again?”. He stops as something catches his eye. He folds his arms and slowly leans to his left against a wall clearing his throat.
Walker:Tasmin, what are you doing?
The camera pulls out to reveal a plastic pot, that Tasmin is standing in, holding clearly fake branches with rubber leaves.
Richards: Shhh I’m hiding in plain sight. No one will bother me and try and take my title before the main event.
Eddie looks to his right, then behind him and shakes his head.
Walker: You’re not exactly hiding Tas, the rubber plants aren’t helping kid.
Richards: But, but I. It’s...It’s not just the plants though. Look I’m wearing camo…
Sure enough she is. But it’s not jungle camouflage to blend into the, very, very fake plants. No. It’s pink, black and grey urban camo pants and a matching crop top. Eddie just blinks before slowly deadpaning the camera.
Richards: Besides I’m staying super still.
Walker: ...still?
Richards: Yeah, The revenant guys have a sense of sight that is movement based, if I stay still...I’m invisible...
Walker just raises an eyebrow and shakes his head with a sigh before holding out his hand.
Walker: Come on kiddo, you have a big match to prepare for. Lets get you into a locker room.
Tasmin goes to protest but concedes before giving a small defeated nod stepping out of the plastic pot after taking Eddie by the hand, she stops and turns reaching back inside it to pull out the ATC championship putting it over her shoulder and walking back down the hallway with Eddie.
The overhead lights slowly go dark as the first strummed chords of 'Hurricane' fill the air, the crowd's cheers rising in response to the woman that is about to emerge. Gray lights flare into being around the curtain when the song starts proper, illuminating the outline of the Oncoming Storm as she stands with her shoulders square and her hands curled into fists at her sides. The wind machine is on behind her, blowing her hair around as her gaze moves over the assembled crowd and the surroundings alike... before it settles upon the ring. As 'Hurricane' cuts to the chorus, she makes her way down the aisle, not shying away from the hands that reach out for her. Erin's focus never wavers, even as she grabs onto the ropes and hauls herself up onto the apron. Wiping her feet, she climbs into the ring between the top and middle ropes before she heads to her corner, turning to rest her back against the turnbuckles. Only then does she play a little to the crowd, a single fist thrusting itself skyward to earn more cheers as her music fades.
Taylor: Erin Gordon is a hard working gal and she's had a rough beginning, but she'll keep working!
Romano: We're going to see a lot from her, but she has a hard match for with Rob Garcia as an opponent.
🎶HARD🎶 by Tay-K and BloccBoy JB erupts over the sound system throughout the arena and a roar of boos and jeers explodes from the crowd. The beat drops and out from the curtain walks Rob Garcia wearing what looks to be a mink coat. He stops and stands at the entrance ramp, staring at the crowd with a smug look upon his face. As he stands there, his manager, Jeff Noon then makes his way out holding a clipboard and he then stands to the right of Rob. Rob turns his head to look at Jeff, and they both nod, Rob then slowly makes his way down towards the ring, Jeff following behind. Rob stops half way and starts trash talking a fan, Jeff then uses his clipboard to block the fans face when they try to react and he then moves his hand forward to escort Rob to the ring. Rob jumps up on the ring apron, as Jeff runs up the steps, he walks to the turnbuckle, climbs it and raises his hand in the air holding up his index finger. The crowd continues to boo and yell insults and vulgar remarks at Rob as he yells "I'm the man! I'm number one! I'm the king of extreme!" He then jumps down off the turnbuckle and makes his way over to Noon.
Taylor: Rob Garcia is here, of course. The ReVenants make me sick.
Romano: They're disgusting, but brutal, and he's definitely planning on bringing the pain here tonight.
Singles Match
Erin Gordon vs. Rob Garcia
The bell rings. Erin Gordon looks quite serious as she approaches the middle, but Rob looks quite lackadaisical. He doesn't appear to take Erin very seriously. They both move forward for a lock up but before Rob reveals that it had been a fake! Before the two can go in for the lock up, Rob just openly and brazenly SLAPS his opponent across the face! The cracking sound of the whipping lick sting to leave behind it a chorus of boos raining in from the crowd. Erin's mouth was left agape. She does not know how to even process this level of disrespect. He looks back at him, who offers a sarcastic smile. The fire underneath Erin's ass lights and she sends a forearm to the face of Rob! The crowd is instantly on her side! She backs him into the corner and takes the early lead with a series of lefts and rights!
Taylor: Erin Gordon is teaching all of us an important lesson! If you mess with her and disrespect her, you're going to be in some serious pain!
Romano: Keep up the fire, Erin! If you let up, you're giving Rob some room and thus, options.
As Rob Garcia is in the corner, Erin grabs his arm and and Irish Whips him to the diametric opposite corner! Rob grins as he reverses the Irish Whips Erin. Rob rushes Erin to the corner, but upon the arrival, she posts her arms up on the ropes and lifts her entire up off the ground. Rob runs in under her and hits the corner. As he bounces off, Erin falls back on her side, grabs the arm from Rob and takes him down with an arm drag! As he hits the floor, Erin keeps a hold on the arm and keeps a lock. Rob's eyes are squinted as he's dealing with the pain. Erin is quick to turn up the torque, and grits her teeth at the same time as Rob's pained groans get louder and more intense. The junior referee, Steve Tyrell, keeps asking Rob is he wants to give up and Rob keeps shaking his head. No! He will fight on!
Taylor: Rob's lost his ground earlier on. The question that remains to be seen is if Rob can keep fighting!
Romano: Wrestling is like a game of chess. You could completely screw up the first few moves and win the game toward the end if you recover well. Rob has, and I suspect he's not going to just start giving up.
Erin holds onto the arm and puts as much torque as she can. Rob's trying his best to keep it together. Rob slowly climbs to his feet. With a lot of gritting and bearing through the pain, he manages to use his arm to flip Erin over! Erin grabs her back as she bounces from the ground, and Rob doesn't take the high road with his pain of moments past. As Erin gets up, Rob shakes the pain from his right arm. He looks forward, sees Erin, and kicks her back. Erin's front half lands on the ropes in a 619 type of position. Rob Garcia looks around, and that's when a crazy idea comes through his head. We all know this when all of a sudden, he begins to smile.
Taylor: I don't trust this. What's he doing? Wait. WHY IS HE GOING TO THE TOP ROPE!?
Romano: Rob has undoubtedly felt some pain already, and I feel that he's going to ensure that Erin Gordon feels some too.
Rob Garcia goes up to the top of the turnbuckle. He points up then drags his finger to the fallen front half of Erin Gordon. That's when he jumps off... and lands on Erin Gordon with a leg drop. He calls that, "Just too crazy for anyone else to ever try! Erin's front half VIOLENTLY slams down there and the recoil was nearly as bad! She falls off and back into the ring as she tries to recover. Garcia lands on the apron and slowly gets up. He looks back in the ring and makes the pin to claim his prize:
...One!
...Two!
...THRE-
KICKOUT!
Taylor: What absolute CARNAGE from the former XHF Phoenix Champion, but he hasn't been able to secure the win quite yet!
Romano: Erin Gordon comes from a blue collar and hard working background. She won't go down easily. Not that easily.
Rob Garcia gets up. He looks down to Erin, still choking from the effects of that signature move from Rob. Garcia has no mercy for her. He grabs her BY HER HAIR and pulls her up to her feet that way. Erin is still screaming. Rob throws a fist into Erin's face, which makes her ears rings. He goes for a second punch, which Erin ducks and spins around. As Rob turns back, Erin starts sending jabs of her own! One! Two! Then a clothesline! Rob hits the floor and quickly gets back to his feet, but Erin isn't giving up the pressure. She gets to the back of Rob, actually punches him in the KIDNEY and grabs his head. HEAD DOWN BACKBREAKER! IT'S THE SIGNATURE MOVE FROM ERIN - DOWNPOUR! She pulls the head back and Rob Garcia punches Erin in the face, readjusts himself and knocks her off her feet with a Russian Leg Sweep!
Taylor: This match is evening and these two are pulling out both of their stops!
Romano: It's hard to see how this match will unfold, but I feel that we are coming toward the roughest of the candle flickering.
Rob gets up and looks down at Erin. She's not down and out. She's twitching and in pain, but she's still moving. That's not good enough for Rob. He brings her up to her feet, but only with the intentions of bringing her back down. He grabs her arms. Oh, is he going for his SPINNING JUMPING DDT THAT HE CALLS OVER DOSE?! No! Erin starts a strike. And a second! He goes for a third, but Rob ducks the blow and runs to the ropes. Erin does the same. They meet in the middle. OH MY GOD! BOSTON KNEE PARTY FROM ROB! THE RUNNING FLYING KNEE GOES STRAIGHT FOR ERIN'S HEAD! ...ERIN ducks, spins around and SMASHES ROB at the back of her head with his head with her spinning backfist from hell!
Taylor: NOR'EASTER! SHE HITS IT!
Romano: IS THIS THE END!?
...One!
...Two!
...THREE!
The bell rings.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner of this match - ERRIIIINNNNN GOORRRDOOOOON!
Taylor: Erin pulls out a win! She squeezed one out from her fight with Rob!
Romano: It was not an easy win, but she gets to walk out of here knowing she did a job well done.
A video package begins to play on the screen. We are in a classroom at the dead of night, the only light source being that of the moonlight shining through the windows.
John Eden is sat at the teacher's desk, gone are the robes he used to don, as now he wears a dirty old suit and tie. He rests his feet up onto the desk and leans back on his chair.
Forget about the past, forgetting about the past is vital to your will to survive, the more you think about the past the more you are stuck, moving forward doesn't become an option anymore and therefore it is wise that we look ahead, we look ahead to a bright, bright future.
AWF maybe we overlooked the footsoldiers, maybe we recognise now that this war between good and evil is going to be more difficult than we first envisioned.
Once the war has been won…
Once the dust has finally settled…
Boy oh boy, what a wonderful world it will be once we reclaim our garden.
John Eden stops and looks towards the window as he removes his feet from the desk now and sits bolt upright in his chair.
You know I hear him walking around here? I feel his presence getting stronger. He lurks in the shadows watching me, listening to me...
Any minute now…
The Jitterman will arrive.
He will be stepping back in, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about that...
But wait, you're not afraid of him anymore AWF? I mean why would you be? How could you be?
He's shown nothing but weakness, nothing but a let down in everyone's eyes, the big bad boogeyman hiding beneath the bed has not scared anyone, in fact you could even say it's all been for nothing…
Even a petulant child put The Jitterman to sleep, maybe playtime got a little too much?
Maybe The Jitterman has become bored with playing with ickle wickle children? Or Maybe, the answers just aren't all there for us to find?
John Eden stands up and looks at the window again. He then looks down at a book on the desk titled "Power"
John Eden reaches down and picks up the book, which he then begins to read out.
Once there lived some knights, fierce and brave they stood, defending the castle and protecting their kingdom. The Knights swore an oath to protect their king, some of them would battle each other as a show of strength to see which was stronger in battle, the strongest would be a champion!
A noble young knight emerged for battle, usually being the one who would hide from a battle. He was youthful and had much to learn yet. He dreamed of one day being the king's champion, he dreamed big…
As the young knight was handed his sword, he saw another valiant knight in the distance, oh but this was the champion...this was a man with such great passion, such greatness and power (can't forget power) he exuded.
The young knight stood shaking, shaking in awe of the presence of the champion and what this could mean for him if he wear to defeat his brilliant adversary.
They both stood on the field of battle, but before they could strike their swords something changed, a darkness fell over the land…
The dark clouds began to swallow up the once bright scene and now there was darkness. The rain followed the dark clouds as did the thunder and the lightning.
But a battle still has to be a battle of course, but as the knights fought the rain got too much for them as they began to sink into the mud, heavier the storm became...
Deeper..
And..
Deeper...
They sank, for the darkness overcame them, victory was not meant to be.
Consumed with greatness, with such power and proudness the champion could not give up the will to fight, so caught up with being a champion he was blind to see what was happening around him.
The young knight fought valiantly, putting up more than a fight than anyone could have imagined, but so determined to succeed, so determined to be top of the mountain, he could not see what was about to happen, that was what led to their demise.
The battle was over, the war was won... darkness survived and The Jittermans playtime has begun!
John Eden puts down the book and picks up another book
The old book was what motivated The Jitterman, the old tales, the stories that lured him up from the realms below.
Maybe our connection got a little lost along the way, I built him up so incredibly strong, for him to only lose...beaten down The Jitterman had become...a loser I had made him.
Even The boy had put him to sleep…wow you really did face that bully of yours, you faced your fears well-done! Congratulations. Good always conquers evil in the end doesn't it? Doesn't it? Oh but wait...yep still breathing, yep still hungry, maybe you want to check your closet? Oh no I know behind your curtains?
John Eden looks down at an old tattered book that we have seen before that now rests on his desk.
John Eden shakes his head as he remembers the last time he saw that book.
Oh old stories…
Oh how we can get stuck in the past.
John Eden throws the book into the trash can beside the desk.
And now here I am, at a school in the dead of night with the words Playtime written on the board behind me.
Thinking where did it go so wrong?
Or did it go so right?
You see all you have done thus far is make him wiser, all you have done so far is starve his hunger and all you have done so far is make him much, much darker…
So playtime will resume, he is awake and he isn't under your beds oh no he is much, much closer than that…
John Eden sits back down at the desk he glances back at the window.
You know there have been many wondering just why?
Why?
Isn't that simple? Isn't it all obvious?
It's Darkness!
You see not everything can be fluffy white clouds, colourful rainbows and bright sunshine all the time, that is not a reality...that is what you want, that is what you believe in.
We live in the darkness.
The realms in which he lives…
The realms in which he thrives…
Your bright shiny world shall be swallowed up whole and The Jitterman shall play with your corpse's for all eternity.
THe ENd.
As John Eden wraps it up he glances back one more time at the window, the window has misted up with a handprint in the middle.
Playtime Resumes.
A cavalcade of clapping begins as the D.R.U.G.S. tune "King I Am" blares over the sound system.
"You can feel the fear when I walk by
Tail between your legs make 'em run and hide
And I can see the pain pouring out your eyes
I think I am finally, starting to feel like the KING I AM!
The song kicks in over the loudspeakers as the sound of guitars ascend to the boiling point and the song engages. Neo begins to make a triumphant strut down to the ring, his chin held high as his hands lay at his side moving with his stride, t. He looks down all around the ramp, keeping his bearded chin up as he glides effortlessly forward in a striding saunter. The pompous cocky attitude radiating from his being at this point.
Neo makes it to the ringside area as he circles around the ring, jumping up effortlessly onto the apron and climbs into the ring. He walks over to the ropes on the side of the stage as he grabs the top rope with his hands and then yanks down on it, flexing all of his muscles before releasing it, a giant white and red pyro exploding out the top of the nearby turnbuckle like a mortar.
Taylor: Neo's been going crazy on Smacktalker and he goes crazy in the ring. You've seen him win that belt back from Subject 42 of all people! ...or monsters?
Romano: That's Neo JAMES CARNER to you. If he hears otherwise, you'll pay for that.
As the opening notes begin, the lights go out, save for a single spotlight on the top of the stage. Betsy comes out, but she’s only a silhouette at this point. Just as the drum strikes it’s second note, Betsy dabs and the lights come back. The song starts from the refrain as Betsy starts dancing down the ramp.
“Sin City’s cold and empty
No one’s around to judge me
I can’t see clearly when your gone-one-one”
Arms out, Betsy begins twirling around wildly, blonde ponytail whipping about with her, as she slaps hands with fans on both sides of the ramp. The chorus hits just as Betsy baseball slides into the ring.
“And I said ooooh, I’m blinded by the lights
I can’t sleep until I feel your touch
And I said ooooh, I’m drowning in the night
Oh, when I’m like this, you’re the one I trust”
As the chorus chimes on, Betsy bounces up and hops up onto every ring corner, pumping her fist in time with the song, getting the fans amped up for the upcoming bout. When she finishes this display, she starts bouncing in place, preparing mentally for the bout.
Taylor: You can call her Betsy Granger. You can call her The Impossible Traveler. You can call her what you like, but at the end of the night, you need to call her undefeated!
Romano: That may be true now, but you never know how this match will play out. These two are fearsome warriors, and will give everyone a taste for their skills.
Champions Showcase
Neo James Carner vs. Betsy Granger
The bell rings and we are on! Neo James Carner rushes out of his corner at full speed, raising his knee and looking to catch Betsy before she is ready. He leaps into the air looking to impact patella on skull with the Neoclassical Knee Strike! Betsy is canny enough to step to a side and turn, snatching The Residence of Presence in a tight Full Nelson. She swings her leg backwards and then looks to flow forwards, sending Carner face first to the mat with Ich Muß Das Brechen... but Carner counters THAT, reaching round to reverse Betsy's lock and wrapping her arm back across her own throat, looking to fall into an Arm Trap Neckbreaker. Betsy unravels THAT predicament and re stretches out Carner's arm, sending him flying into the far ropes with an Irish Whip. Carner hooks the top rope to stop his momentum and the pair pause for a few seconds.
Taylor: Fast start here. Looks like neither of these two competitors are messing around.
Romano: A quick win is still a win, this is looking like a contest where planning for a short term win is king.
Carner is quick to dash in again, turning his body as he moves and forming an axe handle with interlocked hands. Betsy puts her arms down to absorb the worst of the blow and snaps off a brisk kick to Carner's thigh. Betsy steps out to grab a little extra range and fires off a round kick to Carner's midsection but the Infinity King slides out of the way and goes for a back heel trip which connects on The Impossible Traveler's plant leg and removes a little of her balance. NJC drops to mat level and grabs Betsy's leg on the way down, rolling forwards and stacking her body up into a pinning predicament...
ONE!
Betsy throws her legs up around Carner's midsection and levers him down, trapping his shoulders down on the mat...
ONE!
Now Carner rolls to a side, using his own leg strength to lever the pile over so not it's Betsy's shoulders that touch the mat...
ONE!
Countering again, El Viadante shuffles her legs up Carner's body and grasps for Carner's feet, attempting to cross them in a submission hold, crossing one of NJC's ankles over the other one in an improvised BJJ submission. Carner boots her off and butt scoots back away from the action and both competitors regain their vertical base.
Taylor: It's hold for hold, catch as catch can wrestling here tonight.
Romano: All it takes is one of these pin attempts OR submission attempts to stick and it's goodnight Irene.
Sensing that she has to go on the offensive immediately, Betsy doesn't give Carner any time as she rapidly closes the distance between the pair and forward rolls into an incredibly stylish koppou kick. NJC stumbles backwards with the force of the blow and Betsy is very quickly back to her feet and grabs a loose arm of The Infinity King, slinging him at full force into a corner. The Impossible Traveller rushes into the corner and uses NJC's body as a wall to run up, backflipping off his chest and catching The Residence of Royal Presence under the chin with a backflip kick, landing fully on her feet. As Carner stagger a couple of steps forwards, Betsy turns and hooks Carner's head onto her shoulder, falling forwards and driving him head first into the mat.
Taylor: GALACTIC ADVANTAGE!
Betsy quickly wraps her legs around Carner's waist and leverages him over so his shoulders are planted on to the mat through her vice like grip on his upper body...
ONE!
TWO!
T.. Carner kicks out!
Taylor: Elaboorate pin from Betsy Garner there.
Romano: You can't dispute Betsy's wrestling ability. What she could have done there was reach out and grab the bottom rope for leverage. That could have sealed the deal.
Taylor: Betsy isn't that kind of wrestler.
Romano: And that's why this match must continue.
Using her ground control skills, Betsy immediately takes top mount position and hammers down a couple of forearms at the trapped NJC. Carner wriggles, trying to escape but leaves an opening for Betsy to switch position, letting Carner flip himself over and taking his back. With The Infinity King trapped, Betsy throws down another pair of forearms, this time to the back of his dome before floating round to grab onto Carner's arm and hauling it backwards into a Wakigatame Armbar. Betsy contorts her body while trying to maintain the hold and attempts for bridge backwards to add to the pressure but Carner is a slippery customer and uses the sltight reduction in pressure to worm himself free rather than getting his arm broken.
Taylor: Betsy knows a hundred different ways to make you tap out. If Neo James Carner hadn't escaped then that arm would have snapped like a twig.
Romano: Carner knows that Betsy knows all those submissions. He's a smart enough cookie not to let himself get trapped.
The pair drag themselves to their feet, NJC wincing and shaking out a little damage from his arm. Betsy is quick to lash in another sharp mawashigiri, kicking the flat of her boot square into The Residence's Royal Ribcage. Carner sucks it up and responds with a vicious chop, causing Betsy to reel back in some degree of pain. Betsy flashes back with another roundhouse kick but this time Carner is sharp enough to catch the leg and reaches out with his other hand, raking Betsy in the eyes. Given a few seconds grace as Betsy struggles temporarily for sight, NJC slips behind and locks in a Half Nelson, grabbing Betsy around the waist with his other hand and crhuses her skull onto the canvas with a sheer drop Half Nelson suplex. Carner stays down at canvas level to cover...
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. Betsy raises a shoulder.
Taylor: Carner goes for the eyes! The dirty, rotten cheat!
Romano: It's a good, efficient way to switch up the momentum.
NJC is up from the pin quickly, showing a touch of frustration that he didn't get the pin. He allows Betsy Granger to stand, picking his spot for the next attack carefully. Betsy is obviously a little disoriented and lets a loose arm slip into Carner's grasp. Carner wrenches The Impossible Traveller round, twisting the arm before firing out a kick that connects square with her jaw. Carner breaks the armlock and ducks his head under the stunned Garner's arm, flicking Garner's body backwards and bridging for a precise pinning combination...
ONE!
TWO!
THR... Besty wriggles loose.
Taylor: Elegant Northern Lights Suplex. But it didn't finish the job.
Romano: Well, The Infinity King appears to be getting closer each time. He's going to keep plugging away until he finds a way to win.
There are questions asked from NJC to the referee about whether the count was slow. Betsy appears to be stirring but Carner is quick to turn his attention straight back to his downed opponent, slowing her ability to stand by firing in a couple of stiff boots. NJC leans down and hauls Betsy off the mat by her hair, snatching away at her far leg as he locks in the clutch for a vertical suplex. Carner hoists Betsy up, the Fisherman's cradle locked in tight...
Romano: Tick tock...
Before SITTING DOWN SHARPLY AND DROPPING BETSY GARNER ON HER HEAD!
Taylor: CLOCK TOWER BOMB!
Carner wastes no time in getting to his feet and looks out into the near empty arena, making sure to make eye contact with the hard camera. He waves his hands like a conductor ordering his orchestra to pick up the pace and following the most dramatic motion of his arms, The Infinite Soverign rushes the ropes, bounces off, slows down for the last three steps and DROPS HIS KNEE TOWARDS BETSY GARNER'S RIBCAGE...
AND THE IMPOSSIBLE TRAVELLER TRAVELS JUST FAR OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID THE NEO SYMPHO-KNEE WITH A DESPERATE ROLL!
Taylor: THE NEO SYMPHO-KNEE MISSES! BETSY GARNER IS BACK IN THE MATCH!
The pair stand, Carner clutching his knee from the hard impact with the mat. As Betsy hauls herself up using the help of the ropes as Carner turns to face her. Betsy goes for a low roundhouse to the back of NJC's thigh which combined with the pain from the muffed knee drop sends him down onto one knee. Betsy is quick to get up a head of steam and dives into basement huracanrana that SPIKES NJC's Regal head into the canvas!
Taylor: PLANTE DE VISAGE!
But Betsy isn't done with The Infinite Sovereign yet. She stands and steps round over NJC's legs, taking great care to lace them up within her own. Betsy leans backwards and, while bridging, slaps NJC's ribs to make his arms reflexively jolt upwards. The Impossible Traveller grabs hold of Carner's left arm, then his right and twists her body, contorting Carner around and trying to pin his shoulders down to the mat...
Taylor: TUEZ LES ÉTOILES!
BUT CARNER USES HIS LOWER BODY STRENGTH TO JAM BETSY'S CROSSED LEGS TOGETHER IN A POSITION THAT HURTS HER MORE THAN HIM!
ONE!
TWO!
BETSY IS FORCED TO BREAK THE HOLD, KNOWING THE LOTUS LOCK POSITION BETTER THAN MOST!
Taylor: What a unique counter!
Romano: Neo James Carner isn't just cunning. He's also a great technician when he needs to be and he needed to be there.
Both competitors are on wobbly legs as they slowly, carefully stand. Betsy throws yet another kick but the power isn't there this time. Carner fires back with an elbow. Betsy with another kick. Carner another elbow. Realising that she's losing this strike battle, not for lack of technique, switches up and goes for a HUGE EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Taylor: BETSY BOP!
Carner staggers back onto the ropes and rebounds off into a slower than usual Bicycle Knee!
Taylor: NEO-CLASSICAL KNEE STRIKE!
But with the reduced power on the move Betsy isn't floored by the move!
Taylor: The efforts of this match have taken their toll on these two competitors!
Betsy closes in and turns NJC around, looking to lock in the Full Nelson but Carner has enough wits about him to just STAMP on Betsy's foot. The lock loosens and Carner turns back towards Betsy, crooking his arm and BLASTING BETSY ON THE JAW AS HE TURNS INTO HER!
Taylor: ROLLING AXE BOMBER!
As quick as a flash, The Infinity King senses an opportunity and he ducks towards Betsy Garner, lifting his much smaller opponent into a Fireman's Carry. Carner takes two deliberate steps away from the ropes and drops to a side, WRENCHING BETSY OFF HIS SHOULDERS LIKE A SACK OF POTATOES AND DRIVING HER BACK FIRST INTO THE CANVAS!
Taylor: SPATIAL REND!
Carner hooks a leg...
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: The winner of this match, by pinfall, NEEEEEEEEO JAAAAMES CAAAAAAAAAAAARNEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR!
Taylor: The Spatial Rend ends it here for Neo James Carner! But he had to dig deep into his arsenal to earn this victory.
Romano: Credit to both wrestlers here. Betsy Granger could have had this match won at several places. I'd love to see this match up again.
Taylor: Given Betsy's problems with the ReVenants, that's almost assured.
Turn To Stone by Joe Walsh fills the arena as the lights dim and a single spotlight illuminates the stage. Out from the curtain steps Cross Recoba, a titanium cane with a golden lion's head handle in one hand, touching the crucifix with the other. The HCW Diamond title is draped over his shoulder. The crowd responds with a chorus of boo's for The Fox while Cross uses the handle of the cane to push his shag hair cut from his face, flicking his head back confidently as he grins out at the audience obnoxiously. He holds up the cane that has caused so much trouble in the past to an even more venomous response from the fans, and he begins down the ramp still holding it aloft.
Jessie Love: "Coming to the ring, sttanding at six foot one and one inch, and weighing in at 230 pounds, hailing from New York, New York. and the self-proclaimed 'Box Office Smash of AWF'..... , 'THE FOX' CROSS RECOBBBAAA!!"
Recoba reaches ringside and holds the lions head handle of the cane up to his lips and kisses it for luck. He sets the cane to rest against the ring steps and then climbs them up onto the apron, and with a wipe of his feet slips between the ropes. He pops up with both hands out at his side, walking forward as if putting his glory on display, and delivers an over-exaggerated bow that causes the fans to crow even louder in disdain. Cross stands to his full height and smirks, stepping over to the far corner to await the beginning of the match.
Taylor: Cross Recoba is back here and in the ring with Chris Card too!
Romano: There's no anger much like one of former comrades. I imagine we'll see emotion tonight.
The lights dim out to an almost pitch black darkness. The crowd falls silent wondering what is happening. The sound of a woman screams.
“OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
The lights turn back on illuminating brightly around the arena. Music subtly preludes into the arena, with a continuous phonetic utterance echoing around the venue by the same female who was screaming.
“Bum bum be-dum, bum bum be-dum bum
Bum bum be-dum, bum bum be-dum bum
Bum bum be-dum, bum bum be-dum bum
Bum bum be-dum, bum bum be-dum bum”
"Disturbia" by Rihanna then plays on the sound system, and the crowd immediately responded with a mixed reception. Alessandro Quagliaterre then bursts through the curtain full of energy. They are decisive in their indifference, not sure whether to love or hate him with the tension at a knife edge. He soaks in the atmosphere and poses at the top of the ramp with a couple of dabs. He elongates this action for a considerable length of time, and this pisses the crowd off.
“No more gas in the red
Can't even get it started
Nothing heard, nothing said
Can't even speak about it
All my life on my head
Don't want to think about it
Feels like I'm going insane
Yeah”
“It's a thief in the night
To come and grab you
It can creep up inside you
And consume you
A disease of the mind
It can control you
It's too close for comfort”
He smiles back at the crowd, unaffected by their response, and then in his own time, he slowly walks down the ramp without a care in the world.
Jessie Love: "Introducing from Alpine, New Jersey... weighing in at 240 pounds... ALESSANDRO... QUAGLIATERRE"
He really drags this on and extends the crowd patience to it fullest by taking as long as he wants. The audience gets frustrated throwing, even more, shade in the direction of Alessandro, but he brushes it off. He starts throwing $100 bills into the crowd and they immediately start giving him a huge ovation louder than the speed of sound.
“Throw on your brake lights
We're in the city of wonder
Ain't gonna play nice
Watch out, you might just go under
Better think twice
Your train of thought will be altered
So if you must falter be wise
Your mind is in Disturbia”
“It's like the darkness is the light
Disturbia
Am I scaring you tonight
Your mind is in Disturbia
Ain't used to what you like
Disturbia
Disturbia”
He then finally reaches the ring, and slowly walks up the steel steps, and poses some more on the turnbuckle, to really rub it into the crowd that he has arrived. He then flips down, waiting patiently by the corner of the ring, ready to unleash all types of hell on his opponent.
Taylor: Alessandro Quagliaterre is as complicated as a name, but he has proven himself a great wrestler so far.
Romano: And now he's with the main eventers. The big boys. Let's see if he can hold himself as well here as he does with basketball.
The hard electronic beats of "Good L_ck (Yo_'re F_cked)" start up around the arena while purple and white beams of light shine on the entrance gate As the opening scream sounds out, Card steps through the gate and surveys the crowd. Card takes a slow walk down to the ring and steps through the ropes, followed by the beams. The lights change from beams to spinning spotlights as the music gets lower just before the chorus...
ONE MILLION VOICES CALL FROM THE OTHER SIDE
IF YOU COULD HEAR THEM YOU WOULD BE TERRIFIED...
The lights go back up and puple and white pyro fires off from the ring ropes as the chorus begins
GOOD LUCK!
YOU'RE FUCKED!
AND WE HATE TO SEE YOU GO MAN, BUT EVERYONE KNOWS YOU'RE SCREWED!
Card poses in the center of the ring, crossing his thumbs over where his heart would sit. The lights go up and Card moves over to his own corner and relaxes, the referee checking him over and finding nothing wrong.
Taylor: This is the man that we love to hate. He's one of those guys that's obviously a cheater but would defend himself by finding some kind of loophole to prove he's not.
Romano: Whatever he's not, he's making it clear that he's the brains behind this tag team. I wouldn't trust them any farther than I could throw'em.
"TO THE SOUND OF A HEARTBEAT POUNDING AWAY!"
The opening line blares through the PA as the light go out, a blue light illuminates the entrance ramp as we see, Ashley Anderson standing in the center of the spotlight. Abel makes his way through the curtain as his wife steps to the side giving Abel the spotlight. He bounces on his feet for a moment before the spotlight turns off, the house lights come back on as the couple walk to the ring, once they make it beside the ring, Abel gives Ashley a quick kiss before rolling into the ring and climbing the nearest turnbuckle raising his arms toward the crowd. Abel then hops down and waits for his opponent.
Taylor: Abel Anderson! He's strong. He's experienced.
Romano: And if he gets his way, he'll destroy them all.
Tag-Team Match
Cross Recoba & Alessandro Quagliaterre vs. Chris Card & Abel Anderson
Both teams are busy conferring as Nate Biggs signals to them to start wrapping up their last-minute checks and prep. Cross nods along with scarce few words, Quag being the more animated of the two. Recoba’s gaze focuses squarely across the ring.
Taylor: No doubt where Cross’ attention lies in this match.
Romano: Quag hasn’t exactly been shy of singling out Abel to get revenge for the loss those few weeks back!
Card seems to pay little attention to the focus of his former tag-partner. Their team is seemingly more relaxed. The only telling motion being when Card gestures that he’ll start the match on the outside. Ashley Anderson can be heard above the crowd agreeing with the decision.
Taylor: Are we seeing mind games at work from Big Match Card?
Romano: He’s the veteran of the team, he can quarterback from the outside and with Anderson, he’s got a wrecking ball to do the early work!
Seeing Big Match Card step to the apron, it makes the minds up of Cross and Quag, Recoba being the one to step to the apron at the start of the match.
Taylor: Alessandro making his case for starting it seems.
The bell rings and the two relative-newcomers are quick to meet in the middle of the ring. Quag lands the first blow with a punch to the jaw of Anderson. The former MMA fighter smiles before unleashing three rapid-fire jabs to try to bring the match into his own territory.
Taylor: Both men can brawl with the best of them.
Romano: If Quag can keep this to a stand-up battle, he’d be smart. Both Card and Anderson have amazing ground games.
Taylor: We’ve seen Quag mix brawling with a technical foundation that’s hard to beat!
Alessandro manages to duck a fourth, weaving his body back before lunging forward with a knee-to-the-gut. He grabs the arm of Anderson and whips him to the ropes, reversal...Quag lands a shoulder-charge on the Vegas native that sends him back a few steps. AQ pauses for a moment before rushing to the ropes and trying another shoulder-charge.
Taylor: Both men the bigger ones on their teams, we could be in for a hoss-fight!
Abel teeters. Encouraged by this, Quagliaterre hits the ropes once more...A CLOTHESLINE KNOCKS ANDERSON OFF HIS FEET!
Romano: Impressive strength from AQ!
Before he can capitalize, his opponent has rolled away and is back to his feet. He tries to get within range but Anderson unleashes his own knee to Quagliaterre and quickly hooks an arm...snap-suplex takes him down!
Taylor: Neither man getting an advantage in the early part of this fight...
Standing over his opponent, Anderson dives down with a punch but misses as he lands, looking for full-mount. Quagliaterre makes the most of the window and grabs the arm of the now off-balance Anderson and twists him around into a hammerlock.
Taylor: How can Quag work this?
Romano: You don’t see hammerlocks working for a way to finish a match outside of a cage but I don’t think he’s going for the end here, this is simply taking away the strongest asset!
Taylor: You could well be right, Abel’s offense starts with explosive power.
Anderson struggles for a moment in the hold as AQ bears his weight down on the bigger man. Abel tries to power his way out of it but the size advantage isn’t large enough for him to outpower his opponent.
Taylor: An unusual situation, Abel is used to overpowering his opponent.
Romano: Quag has the leverage about right, he’s making Anderson work to try and escape the hold and that’s going to wear him down.
Forced with no other option, Abel starts to claw his way towards the ropes. Quag doubles-down in a bid to stop the progress. Card can be heard in his corner, encouraging the newcomer to the ring to make just a few more feet. The veteran leans an arm out in order to try to close the gap.
Taylor: Card seeking to exert his influence on the match...
Anderson only has mere inches to go, he lets out a gutteral roar and uses his free hand to throw himself forward! He lifts up his arm and Card drags him the rest of the way!
Romano: Exert/just do the thing, same difference!
Quag keeps the hold on despite the referee starting the count.
ONE…
TWO…
Card takes the initiative and tags himself in!
Taylor: Alessandro was in no hurry to release the hold until now!
As soon as he hears the slap on the back of Abel, Quag drops the hold and rolls backwards, buying some space between himself and the incoming Card.
Romano: Smart move. Ask anyone who has stepped into the ring with Chris and they’ll tell you that you need the extra time to catch up with where he wants to take the match.
Taylor: You can guarantee that his partner for tonight will have told him that from the outset. Those two are set to face off once more at Road to Victory 4 in two weeks time!
Putting the few seconds to good use, Alessandro goes to lock-up but Card throws a side-elbow to the head of his opponent before grabbing a waist-lock. Quagliaterre looks to escape but the veteran throws a quick shot to the kidneys and moves his hands towards AQ’s neck but, evading the risk of a sleeper, he drops to the floor. Card lifts him up in a wheelbarrow motion but Quag scores a headlock takedown.
Taylor: Some smooth wrestling from the Jersey boy!
Romano: He’s going to need to mix it up, you can be certain that Card will have spent the time in the build-up to the match.
The AWF Hall of Famer is quick to act and ekes his head from the hold and scoots around to grab a front-facelock but AQ tries to turn it to his advantage and throws his legs forward to catch an armbar - Card slips out before the hold can be secured and throws a calf-kick as he rises to his feet.
Romano: Checking the leg as he gets out there..
Not giving an inch, The Real Man’s Wrestler catches the half-rising Quagliaterre with knees to the chest and backs him into the corner. He lifts his knee once more into the ribcage of Quagliaterre and sends him to the opposite corner...running back-elbow to the temple!
Taylor: Is this Card going through the gears?
Romano: This could be a test for where Quag is in the AWF!
AQ stumbles out from the corner, Card catches him and lifts him up for a rib-breaker but QUAG ROLLS THROUGH!
ONE…
TW-
CARD KICKS OUT!!
Taylor: Based on that reversal, Quag may well fare very well here!
Anticipating his opponent, Alessandro lands a spinning back fist, Card gets caught...BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX!!
Romano: Excellent suplex to take down the Hall of Famer!
Sensing the tide is with them, Quagliaterre tags in his partner to the excitement of the crowd in attendance.
Taylor: You can feel the atmosphere in the arena growing tenser...
Cross steps into the ring with intent, Card pushes himself back towards the ropes as Recoba closes in. Looking worried, Big Match Card reaches behind him and can the visible relief on his face is evident as he grabs a hold of the bottom rope. Cross is stopped in his advances by Biggs who warns him to let Card get to his feet. Recoba throws his hands up and backs away.
Romano: Card is always scheming.
Taylor: Cross, to his credit, didn’t even offer one word in disagreement to the decision.
Milking the opportunity, Card is slow to rise to his feet.
Taylor: Chris knows that he can control the tempo from here.
Upon doing so, he makes a show of letting go of the ropes as if to tell the referee to resume the match. Recoba steps towards him and looks for a collar-and-elbow tie-up but Card avoids him and ducks under the arms of Cross. Looking Biggs in the eyes, he throws a mule kick backwards that hits Recoba where no man should be kicked and shows no sign of remorse as he tags in Abel before he can be reprimanded by the referee.
Taylor: The referee might have been blindsided by the move but just listen to the crowd boo!
Abel steps into the ring and immediately starts to stomp down onto the chest of the still-downed Recoba. He picks up the smaller man and throws him to the ropes..ROARING ELBOW!
Romano: Huge strike from the cage-fighter!
Recoba is helpless to stop himself going back into the ropes, Anderson meets him with a quick boot to the sternum that doubles him over...SNAP SUPLEX!
Taylor: Another snap suplex from Anderson!
Romano: If he can keep on with the power moves, he knows victory will close in.
Anderson keeps hold of the head and rolls them both back to their feet, he throws an uppercut from the inside that sends Recoba reeling.
Taylor: Dirty boxing follows it up!
As Recoba grabs the ropes to catch himself, Anderson lays in with forearms to the lower back of his opponent. He steps back as Cross once more bounces off the ropes and spins...CROSS DUCKS AND HITS A DESPERATION SIT-OUT SHIRANUI!
Taylor: Cross hits the Sicilian Typewriter!
Romano: Now though he needs to get out before he puts his team’s chances of victory in danger!
The camera cuts to Cross whose eyes dart furiously as he works out where he is in the ring. He scrambles to his knees and leaps to tag in Alessandro Quagliaterre!
Taylor: Clearly he heard you there, Cassius!
Leaping over the top-rope, Quag sees Abel pushes himself up and charges forward with a driven knee to the temple of the cage-fighter. He pulls Anderson to his feet and sends him to the ropes...SPINEBUSTER!!
Romano: AQ showing he can match power moves with Abel here!
Taylor: The crowd seem to approve!
Popping to his feet, Quag throws a dab to the crowd and winks in Card’s direction.
Taylor: Even a bit of showboating from Alessandro!
Abel is pulled back up to his feet, AQ backs him into the ropes and whips him to the ropes, reversal...ANDERSON HITS THE DISCUS LARIAT!!
Romano: No dab, no Discus Lariat...just saying...
Acting on instinct, Anderson whips Quagliaterre into the corner and charges in with a clothesline. He tags in Card!
Taylor: Card will relish getting a stunned Alessandro, we have it on good authority he didn’t appreciate the accusations of being ‘fake-ass’!
Card comes into the ring and immediately starts to lay the boots into the stomach of Alessandro. As his opponent drops to the mat, Card uses the ropes to leap up and drive a knee to the face!
Romano: Card’s using every aspect of the ring tonight...
He tags Anderson back in, keeping the pressure on. His partner lifts up the New Jersey native and delivers a sucker punch before he turns his back and visibly taunts Recoba on the outside.
Taylor: Quick tags and dirty tricks are the blueprint of any Chris Card tag-team!
Romano: He’s getting the desired reaction though...
Cross steps into the ring but Nate Biggs is quick to cut him off. Utilizing the blindsided referee, the team of Card and Anderson make hay while the sun shines. Abel lands measured body shots as Big Match Card uses the tag rope to choke out Alessandro.
Taylor: C’MON,NATE! STOP BEING A TROPE!
Recoba sees this and is raging at the referee to do his job. In response, Biggs starts a count…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE..
Romano: Cross doing his team no favors there!
Recoba returns to his corner. Biggs turns around to see that everything is fair and right. Card tags in and grabs a front-facelock, he lifts Quag onto the top turnbuckle...ROPE-HUNG CORKSCREW NECKBREAKER!
Taylor: Card wheeling out his greatest hits tonight!
Card goes for the cover…
ONE…
TWO…
QUAG GETS AN ARM UP!!
Romano: Amazing resilience from Alessandro!
A look of disgust is evident on Card’s face. He drapes Quag over the middle-rope and pushes his knee into the back of his head to choke him. Biggs again starts a count..
ONE…
TWO…
THREE…
FOUR…
Taylor: Biggs should know by now that any count he gives Chris, he’s going to milk for as long as possible!
Card is taken aside and admonished by Biggs. Quag struggles to his feet, he falters as he goes to stand but he grabs the rope and works his way across the ring towards his corner.
Romano: The damage looks to be done though!
The Real Man’s Wrestler spots what’s going on in-between nods for effect to the referee and throws a hand-signal to the corner. Chris alters his position and leaves the referee blind as Abel rushes into the ring and blindsides Cross with a big boot that sends him flying to the floor. Anderson slides out of the ring and hurries back to his corner.
Taylor: C’MON NATE! EVERY TIME!
Seeing that the coast is clear, Card throws his hands up in apology and whips Quag into the corner. Abel, fresh from his journey elsewhere, tags in.
Romano: They’re working as a unit and keeping themselves fresh. Quag needs to work out an exit strategy quickly!
Anderson wraps his hands around the head of Quag and starts to deliver Muay Thai knees to the face of his opponent. He throws him to the floor..
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
QUAG GETS A LEG ON THE ROPES AT THE LAST!
Taylor: Brutal Muay Thai offense nearly got the win there!
Ashley Anderson on the outside can’t believe it, her cries of disbelief can be heard.
Lifting up the New Jersey native, Anderson eats an eye-rake for his troubles. AQ tries to make his way to his corner but Anderson grabs him and pushes him into the ropes. He whips Quag to the ropes, as AQ comes back...HE DUCKS THE CLOTHESLINE...ALESSANDRO LANDS A CHARGING HEADBUTT TO THE CHEST THAT SENDS ANDERSON HURTLING ACROSS THE RING!
Taylor: ZIDANE HEADBUTT!
Romano: ANDERSON TAKES IT LIKE HE WAS HIT BY A TRUCK!
Quag punches his head as if to charge himself up...HE CATCHES CHRIS CARD WITH THE CHARGING HEADBUTT AS CARD’S HALFWAY THROUGH THE ROPES!!
Taylor: ANOTHER ZIDANE HEADBUTT!
Romano: Can he take advantage now?
With the route cleared, Quag makes his way towards his corner. Anderson sits up and scrambles to his feet to try to grab the leg but falls short...AQ MAKES THE TAG!!
Taylor: The fresher man enters the ring!
Cross leaps in and fires off a quick kick to the body of Anderson before kicking out the leg from him. He steps up and levels Anderson with an enziguri!
Romano: Did you hear the connection?
Card can be seen trying to motivate his new charge as he hastily unravels the tag-rope.
Taylor: What’s he doing there?
Romano: It looks like he’s trying to gain a precious few inches on the tag rope!
Cross lifts up Anderson and lands a knife-edge chop but Abel fights back with an overhand right to the head of Recoba, he follows up with a lariat attempt but eats a body shot for his trouble...RANHEI!!
Taylor: That’s his half of the Hostile Takeover!
Romano: He needs to go for the cover!
A smile breaks out on Recoba’s face as he realizes that he has the upper hand. He rushes the ropes...CARD SENDS HIM TO THE FLOOR WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZIGURI!!
Taylor: Card takes him down with the cheap shot from behind!
Romano: He should have picked a better side of the ring to hit the ropes on!
Anderson gets to his feet and sees the good fortune that has come his way, he rushes to the corner and tags in Card!
Taylor: Finally, Card enters the ring with Cross but it’s when he’s stunned!
Romano: That’s why he’s smart!
Holding the back of his head, Cross gets to his feet and sees Card standing across the ring from him. Cross charges at Card and lands a flying forearm, he gets back to his feet and sees Card has matched him. He steps towards him and goes for a haymaker but it’s weaved...roundhouse kick...roundhouse kick! ROUNDHOUSE KICK!
Taylor: REPEATED ROUNDHOUSE KICKS!
Reeling backwards, Cross is helpless to stop Card from sending him to the corner. Card rushes in but Recoba lifts himself up and over into a sunset-flip…
ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT!!
Romano: If Cross hadn’t gotten out the way, this’d be over!
Wanting to keep the pressure on, Cross approaches Card...LUNGBLOWER!!
Taylor: HEARTBREAKER! This might well mean it is, Cassius!
With his former tag-partner down, Card tags out.
Romano: He’s giving it to Anderson!
Anderson comes into the ring in a hurry, he lifts up Cross and sends him into the corner with a thud!
Taylor: Cross almost bounced right out from the force of that whip into the turnbuckle!
Getting the Muay Thai Clinch half-hooked, Anderson checks his trunks for something but comes up short. He looks confused as he reels off an uppercut to stun Recoba and turns to Card. Card glances towards the tag-rope, the cameras cut to show the Aerosol Equalizer still hanging within the tag-rope.
Taylor: THAT’S WHAT HE WAS DOING WITH THE TAG ROPE!
Taking advantage of the miscommunication, Recoba charges out from the corner and levels Anderson with a running swinging neckbreaker. He carries on with the momentum and lands the legdrop bulldog!!
Romano: He needs to act fast...
Pulling Abel to his feet, he scoops him up...JUMPING SPINNING TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER!!
Taylor: UP ALL NIGHT IN DAKOTA!!!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
QUAG RUSHES IN TO CUT OFF CARD…
THREE!!!
Jessie Love: The winners of this match, as a result of pinfall, ALESSANDRO QUAGLIATERRE AND CROSS RECOBA!!
Card can be seen holding the pepper spray as Ashley Anderson is shown in disbelief.
We cut to ringside, where we see the a table has been set up mid-ring. Behind it stands AWF Commissioner Jackson Steele.
Steele: Ladies and Gentlemen, on March 20th, at Road to Victory 4, the AWF will have an opportunity to take control of one of the most storied XHF Network titles when we host a defence of the XHF Junior Heavyweight. Tonight we sign the contract for what is sure to be a phenomenal match. Introducing first, the man we have handpicked to represent the AWF: Bloodied Fox!!!
ALL CONTROL ARTS RELEASED - GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL
To the strains of BFG Division 2020 Fox makes his way down the ramp, dressed casual in jeans, boots and hoody. He acknowledges the cheers from the fans with a smile and a nod before sliding into the ring. He gives Steele a nod, then moves to the far end of the table.
Steele: And now the man he will challenge on March 20th; a fighting champion on day 84 of his reign. Please give a warm welcome to MYŌJIN!!!
Are you ready?
A9's RAINBOWS hits the speakers as a spotlight illuminates FIRESIDE's resident submission expert, a confident smile on his face as he heads down the ramp.
Taylor: MYŌJIN not looking phased at all as he appears in the AWF for the first time.
Romano: He's not lacking in confidence, but we'll see how long that lasts when the fighting starts.
Taylor: He's already made several successful defenses of his Junior Heavyweight title, Cassius; MYŌJIN is no slouch in the ring.
Romano: Those were in FIRESIDE and NPW, Taylor. He's stepping into the big leagues here, and Fox is a big time opponent.
The XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion steps into the ring, his belt laying across his shoulder, looking around the crowd as he heard some cheers and boos. Some enjoyed his title reign so far regardless of what fed he came from, and others were obviously pro-AWF and anti-FIRESIDE. MYOJIN seems not very bothered by it as he continues to look around, an ever so confident look on his face as he takes off his shades while stepping next to the table.
Steele: Now gentlemen, you've both had a chance to look over the contract earlier. Before you sign, do either of you have anything you'd like to say?
MYŌJIN picks up a mic from beside his contract on the table.
MYOJIN: So… This is Ascension Wrestling Federation.
He speaks with a faint sense of admiration as he sits down at the signing table, crossing his legs and swiveling his chair around. Laying his championship belt on his lap.
MYOJIN: Traveling around the entire Network, sometimes even country to country like I did my last defense. Though there was one place I was excited for the most to see for myself was this one here. Plenty consider this place the quintessential promotion of the entire XHF.
Some cheering grew louder at the compliments. The blonde turned his attention to Steele, and then to Bloodied Fox.
MYOJIN: Some say this is where all the best come to wrestle. I've always wanted to see if that was true myself. You see, Fox- darling, I'll have to admit it. I'm excited!
He spins the chair he's in around, looking around the entire area once more.
MYOJIN: I'm not just a wrestler. I'm a fan of this sport too. I'm always watching and learning what I can from some of the more experienced wrestlers. I'm always looking for someone else to test me and push me to be better. So to be facing you, a man that's held the XHF Tag Team, Phoenix, United States, and Prestige Championships- all in the span of about a year.. is just so.. exhilarating!
MYOJIN then placed the Junior Heavyweight title on the table.
MYOJIN: And not only that? But it'll get more eyes on this beauty and the competitive scene surrounding. I'm not interested in tribalistic FIRESIDE versus AWF battle. As a reigning-defending champion, I'm just interested in beating one of the best to further prove that I'm the best.
His lighthearted expression turned a bit mischievous.
MYOJIN: So, what say you, Foxy?
Fox grins. Having taken a seat as Myojin had entered the ring, he leans forward, elbow on the table, mic in hand.
Fox: What I say is that I'm pretty damn excited too.
The crowd cheers, Fox pausing to let them before continuing.
Fox: I'm excited, because after the last long while of fighting arseholes and scumbags, I'm going to be stepping into the ring to face off against someone I respect not just for their talent but their attitude. I'm excited because the world will get to witness what happens when one of the XHF Network's best submission wrestlers goes one on one with one of its best strikers. I'm excited because this match is going to steal the show...
Fox stands up and walks around the table, moving to beside the Junior Heavyweight title. He looks MYOJIN square in the eye as he places a hand on the belt.
Fox: ...but most of all, I'm excited because I'm going to be leaving Road to Victory as the fiftieth XHF Junior Heavyweight champion.
MYŌJIN stands at that, a smile still on his face but steel in his eyes. The commissioner stands ready to break up fisticuffs but Fox takes a step back, taking his hand up off of the title and instead holding it out to MYŌJIN to shake. The champion eyes the challenger's hand with a raised eyebrow, but after a moment's pause accepts. The fans cheer the display of good sportsmanship, as Jackson Steele looks relieved at the lack of violence. Both men return to their respective table ends, putting pen to paper to make the match official.
Romano: Damn, I was hoping someone would go through the table.
Taylor: I'm sure the match itself will give you plenty enough action.
Romano: Probably, but I had $10 on fists flying tonight!
Paperwork done, Fox rolls out of the ring, heading back up the ramp. MYŌJIN remains in the ring, nodding at him and lifting the Junior Heavyweight title high. Fox simply smiles in response as he back up the ramp, making the two hands across the waist 'I want the belt' motion.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is our main event! Introducing first…
"Crawling in the Dark" by Hoobastank hits as Tasmin comes out in a leather biker jacket, a black top and baggy camo pants.
Jessie Love: From, Norwich, England, weighing in at one hundred and ten pounds, she is the AWF Around the Clock Champion… TASMIN RICHARDS!!
She makes her way down to the ring slowly holding the lapels of her jacket before running over to the barricade as the chorus of ``Crawling in the Dark" hits and she sings with the small crowd.
Show me what it's for, make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer!
Taylor: This will be a tough ask for our Around the Clock Champion. In just her second match, she has to take on the top champion of the company.
Romano: She is the underdog in this match. Her opponent is heavily favored. And with good reason.
Taylor: But Tasmin is going to give this match her very best. She will stand up to Keith and be unafraid.
Romano: She should be afraid.
She high fives a few fans before springing and sliding under the bottom rope popping up to her knees and then onto her feet running to each corner jumping onto the middle rope.
The arena is plunged into darkness as "When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin echoes out of the speakers, triggering the attention of those in attendance to the stage where dark blue lights have started to flash in rhythm to the music.
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
When the levee breaks I'll have no place to stay
As the tempo of the song picks up, it can barely be seen that someone has made their way out in the pitch black, planting themselves in the middle of the stage. The lights return and we're shown the back of Keith Williams as he's pointing at what's on his clothing. He's noticeably wearing a black denim vest with patches of bands on the front, the words "Paragon of Sleaze" printed on the back in a death metal/black metal stylized font, and directly below this is a giant mustache graphic.
Jessie Love: And her opponent, from Raleigh, North Carolina, weighing in at two hundred sixty-three pounds… he is the Paragon of Sleaze and the AWF Prestige Champion, KEITH WILLIAMS!!
Romano: And there he is! Our champion! No one to dispute this one either.
Taylor: Well, regardless of his championship status, we have a match between he and Richards.
Romano: Well, this is one of the most one-sided matches we have and I’m ready to sing Keith’s praises as the final bell rings.
Williams spins around, stroking his mustache and gleefully taking a look out at the crowd. He slowly saunters his way down the rampway to ringside, taking his time to taunt fans on either side of him. As he reaches the ring, Keith goes to enter by rolling under the bottom rope, but hesitates for a moment to thrust against it to the beat of the song, eventually getting to his feet and treating everyone with another round of mustache strokes for good measure. He mounts the turnbuckle nearest to him, hopping up to the middle rope and posing with his arms spread wide. As the music dies down, KW abandons his post and tosses his vest to a company stooge on the outside, taking to practicing his elbows in the corner before the match begins.
Main Event
Keith Williams vs Tasmin Richards
DING DING DING
The bell sounds, and Gabe Valentine signals the start of the match. The much larger Keith Williams goes for much smaller Tasmin Richards, but Richards is quick on her feet rolls underneath a possible clothesline. Keith turns to try to grab the youngster, but Tasmin was already moved from that spot and driving her foot into the back of Keith’s right knee.
Taylor: And look at the speed of Tasmin Richards!
Romano: She can’t run forever. When Keith gets his hands on her, it’s not going to be pretty.
Keith turns around again only to have Tasmin leaping in the air and dropping him to the mat with a standing shiranui. Before Keith can get back up, Tasmin is leaping off the top rope for a hurricanrana… but that is when Keith finally does something about the speedy offense of Tasmin Richards and catches her just enough to prevent the hurricanrana from being executed.
Taylor: Uh oh.
Romano: Here we go!
Keith pulls Tasmin up and drives her into the mat with a powerbomb. Richards is spread eagle on the mat after the move. Keith scoffs as he hooks the leg, and Valentine does the count.
ONE!!
TWO!!
NO!!
Taylor: And Tasmin Richards gets the shoulder up!
Romano: But man, that powerbomb took the air right out of her momentum. Talk about a glass cannon.
With a smirk on his face, Keith yanks Richards up by her hair and delivers a snap suplex on the holder of the belt he’s held twice. When Tasmin tries to get up, she eats a lariat for her troubles.
Taylor: Keith Williams has firm control over this match!
Romano: It’s to be expected, right? He’s the champion and double her size. I said it before and I’ll say it again, Tasmin Richards doesn’t stand a chance.
The Prestige Champion chuckles to himself as he picks up his opponent and places her in the corner. And that’s when the chops start. It starts with one, then another, then another with every shop causing so much force on the England native that her legs flying in the air upon contact. The fans begin to boo as Williams taunts everyone in the crowd pulling for Tasmin. When he turns back around, he has eyes for bigger things.
Taylor: I do not like that look on Keith’s face.
Romano: I do. He’s thinking about going “super” with his next move. Remember, he has a message to send to Tasmin’s fiance, who he will be facing in two weeks.
Keith starts to put Tasmin on the top rope and then starts to climb it himself. As Tasmin starts to realize what’s going on, she delivers a left that doesn’t faze Keith. She goes for a right that at least bothers him and makes sure he can’t get a grip on her arms to execute the superplex that he’s trying to hit.
Taylor: And Tasmin is trying to fight Keith off.
Romano: It’s doing nothing. Big whoop.
Tasmin keeps trying though and eventually finds the energy to let off a few rapid fire strikes to the same knee she hit at the beginning of the match, which is just enough for Keith Williams to slip off the top rope.
Taylor: Tasmin did it! She got Keith off the top rope.
Romano: Yeah, but what does it ma- oh, I see…
Just as Keith regains his balance, he looks up and sees Tasmin’s horizontal body flying at him from the top rope. She might only be a buck ten, but with the momentum from the top rope, Keith Williams is dropped to the mat.
Taylor: Leaping crossbody from the top rope! Tasmin Richards has turned the tide in this match!
Romano: Come on, Keith! Get your head in the game!
Taylor: Cover by Richards! Could this be the upset of the year?!
ONE!!
TWO!!
T...NO!!
Keith gets the shoulder up at two!
Taylor: So close for Richards! But the match continues.
Romano: That will be as close as she’s going to get!
Despite being the pinned one, Keith Williams is the first to his feet. But as he gets close to Tasmin, she kips up into a hurricanrana and sends him across the ring.
Taylor: Wow, she waited for him and he took the bait.
Romano: But none of this is enough to win the match! She can do all the flippy moves she wants, but Keith is a far stronger specimen and will win this match!
Both competitors return to their feet. Tasmin Richards moves first with a front dropkick and kips right back as Williams hits the mat. She hops on the apron and slingshots into a spear and quickly hooks the leg.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THR...NO!!
Taylor: Keith Williams avoids being upset once more with a kickout and he does NOT look happy.
Keith makes sure he has a firm grasp on Tasmin Richards as his temper has obviously flared up. Tasmin tries to kick with her free leg, but Keith shrugs it off and lifts her up for a spinebuster. The impact shakes the ring. He lifts her off the mat and drops her with a jumping piledriver, to the shock of everyone in the ring. Tasmin is motionless in the ring as Keith Williams gets the cover.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THRE...NO!!
Taylor: Tasmin Richards gets the shoulder up!!
Romano: Oh come on!! This is getting ridiculous!
Taylor: Whatever you want to call it, Tasmin Richards is still alive in this!
Keith gets back to his feet and starts yelling at Gabe Valentine to start counting faster because he doesn’t have time for this. Valentine tells him that if he doesn’t stop yelling at officials, he could be disqualified for abuse. Williams scoffs as he turns around to go for the “From Japan With Hate” but TASMIN COUNTERS INTO A SMALL PACKAGE!!
Romano: Wait, no!!
Taylor: Tasmin with the small package!! Williams is flailing but he was caught way off guard by that!!
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
DING DING DING!!
Romano: NO!! THIS CAN’T BE!
Taylor: Tasmin Richards scores the huge upset!!
Romano: This… how? Why?
Tasmin Richards rolls over as Hoobastank fills the arena and Valentine holds up her arm.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner, TASMIN RICHARDS!!
Taylor: If I had to speculate what happened there, it feels like Tasmin Richards knew how to counter that exact move.
Romano: I don’t care how it happened. This is the worst ending in AWF history.
Taylor: Well, Keith’s “From Japan With Hate” and Adam Sanders’s “This Is Awkward” is essentially the same move. Tasmin clearly had practice figuring out how to get out of that move.
Romano: Well, she can watch it work on her fiance in two weeks. It doesn’t matter to me. And it looks like Keith wants to send a message right now to Adam Sanders.
Keith Williams wastes no time making sure that he vented his frustrations for the upset as he rolls out of the ring and grabs a steel chair from ringside. Tasmin Richards notices this when she sees Keith reenter the ring. He takes his first swing and misses, but he has Tasmin Richards in a corner with no escape.
Taylor: Keith, come on! Don’t do this! Accept it wasn’t your night and move on!
Romano: No. This is justified. He deserves to do this to her!
Taylor: Wait, here comes the calvary!
Romano: Oh who let him in the building! He isn’t scheduled to be here tonight!!
Adam Sanders, coming off his victory at FWA’s War for Supremacy, dashes down the ramp and as the chair is above Keith’s head to swing at Tasmin, Adam yanks it out of his hand. He tosses the chair aside and beckons Keith to go for it. Keith, smartly knowing that the odds were not favoring him after wrestling a match, rolls out of the ring and stares down with Sanders from the outside.
Taylor: Thank God that Adam was able to make sure Tasmin didn’t get drilled with that chair.
Romano: He could have let her take one shot to let her toughen up a bit.
Taylor: That was uncalled for. It’s great to see Adam make the save there.
Romano: Well, in two weeks, he’s going to have to answer for butting into Keith’s business.
Keith yells as he goes up the ramp that in two weeks, he is ending the Awkward One. Adam just gives a silent glare as Keith continues to yell that he will still be Prestige Champion after Road to Victory.
Taylor: Well, as you said, the next time you will see us, these two will be in the ring to decide the Prestige Championship.
Romano: Along with a host of matches, including Neo James Carner versus Erin Gordon, Betsy Granger versus Frankie Webb...
Taylor: Rob Garcia and Kira Izumi will finally settle their score as well. Not to mention Chris Card versus Cross Recoba. But the only way you can see these matches and more is to tune into AWF Road to Victory on March 20th! We will see you there! This is Tommy Taylor and Cassius Romano, signing off!
The last shot we see is Keith Williams on the apron with his championship belt but Adam Sanders glaring visible on the screen behind him.
Live at the FedEx Forum in Louisville, KY
3/6/2021
Capacity: 18,865
In Attendance: 1887
The camera activates and the lights illuminate as the cameras scan through the almost two-thousand people. They continue to pan until they get to the commentators.
Taylor: Hello everyone. Welcome to Prestige 67, live from Memphis, Tennessee! We have a hot show for you tonight!
Romano: That's right! We have a lot of goodies for you. Frankie Webb, hot off his two match winning streak, goes up against one of our newest recruits, Kallie Reznik!
Taylor: We also have a crazy main event where another new talent, Tasmin Richards, takes on the AWF Prestige Champion, Keith Williams!
Romano: Speaking of ReVenants, Rob Garcia takes on Erin Gordon in a one on one match!
Taylor: And the final member of the ReVenants tonight, Neo James Carner - the AWF United States Champion, will be taking on the XHF Phoenix Champion, Betsy Granger in a champions showdown!
Romano: And speaking of champions, the 2020 End of Days Champion, Dakota Jennings, will be back in and taking on our lovable Carlos Ruiz in a match to set the pace for the future. Ladies and gentlemen, time to see some wrestling!
“Hypa Hypa” by Eskimo Callboy begins to play. The lights surrounding the stage strobe blue and pink alternating colors with the beat as the rest darken almost completely. With the beat, Kallie Reznik appears from underneath the curtain, her arms behind her as she skips to the center of the stage. In her hair, she wears a pair of sequined Minnie Mouse ears and a white jacket over her ring attire. A bright, innocent smile paints her face as she sings along to the lyrics of the song, swaying side to side, bopping with it as she meets eyes with some of the fans in attendance.
♫HYPA HYPA, YOU’RE PRETTY AND I LIKE YA
MOVE YOUR BODY, GIRL, ALL NIGHT LONG
HYPA HYPA, YOU’RE PRETTY AND I LIKE YA
YOU’RE GONNA BE MY GIRL ALL NIGHT LONG♫
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall, introducing first, from Aurora, Colorado, weighing in at one hundred eighteen pounds, she is the Butterfly Effect… KALLIE REZNIK!!
At the end of the phrase, Kallie turns her body and sightly, pops her hip out and raises her hand with a silly peace symbol held in it as she winks flirtatiously just as the heavier guitar riffs of the theme begins. With a grin, she begins to skip down to the ring, stopping to high five a couple of younger female fans along the way. She picks a special younger girl as she reaches the bottom of the ramp and takes the Minnie Mouse ears off her head, placing them on the head of the girl before she runs and slides under the ring.
♫ YOU ARE MY DRUG
YOU'RE EVERYTHING I WANT
I WOULD GIVE MY SOUL FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU AT ONCE
PUT YOUR HANDS UP
WELL, LET ME SEE YOU SHAKE YOUR HIPS ♫
Keeping at that run, Kallie rushes forward and grabs the top rope, slingshotting the rest of her body underneath it and sitting on the second rope, letting it bounce her up and down as she grins at the crowd, raising a hand in the air. The crowd pops happily for her, before she bounces herself off and begins to head for her corner, taking her ring jacket off and then leaning into the turnbuckle, grasping the ropes with both hands and testing the tension as her music fades out.
Taylor: Ladies and gentlemen, this is Kallie Reznik's first match with the AWF!
Romano: She's part of the new surge of women talent but she's here to prove that she's not just a woman. She's a wrestler.
Jessie Love: And her opponent, from St. George, Utah, weighing in at one hundred seventy pounds, he is… FRANKIE WEBB!!
Drake's "Enemies" plays as Frankie Webb heads out into the arena. He shoots a quick glance to the fans in the arena and hops a few time. He has sleeveless hood over his head as he slowly makes himself to the ring. He walks toward the ring, displaying a fake err of confidence. As he approaches the ring, he takes the hood and tosses it out of the ring. He hops up and down, waiting for the match to begin.
Taylor: Frankie Webb is high off of two wins, and he's looking to make this twofer a threebie!
Romano: Noble mission and he's done very well for his age, but I feel he'll have a tough job tonight.
Singles Match
Kallie Reznik vs. Frankie Webb
DING DING DING
Frankie Webb starts off the contest with a quick strike knee to Kallie’s midsection. He places her in a headlock but Reznik throws a few elbows into Webb’s gut. Kallie eventually gives Webb a push on the back and into the ropes. On the rebound, Kallie dodges a clothesline and hits a jawbreaker once Webb turns around. Reznik follows up with a Falcon Arrow attempt, but Webb is able to overpower the smaller Colorado native and counter into a snap suplex.
Taylor: This match is starting off as a back and forth.
Romano: They are testing one another to see where the other is. It will only be a matter of time before one of them makes the necessary steps to take control.
Taylor: Well, right now, Webb is in control but if this opening sequence tells us anything, it’s that it can change on the spot.
Kallie proves Tommy Taylor’s statement true as Webb attempts mounting Kallie for a few punches, but Reznik flips Webb onto his back and quickly delivers a few strikes to the left leg of Frankie Webb. As Webb wriths on the mat after the kicks, Reznik runs off the ropes and lands a running shooting star press that gets some excitement from the crowd. She stays on top for the cover!
ONE!!
TWO!!
T...NO!!
Taylor: Ohhh, and Frankie Webb gets the shoulder up but Kallie Reznik hit a very impressive running shooting star.
Romano: Considering her young age, it was a great feat for her to pull off that move. She’s making some noise in her debut match.
Taylor: Let’s see what she has next.
After a quick analysis of the situation, Kallie grabs Frankie by the head and bounces off the middle rope for a springboard bulldog, but Webb shoves the aerial Reznik off of him, causing Kallie to drop on her back without getting the move off. As soon as Kallie pulls herself up, Webb drops her back down to the mat with a hip toss. Cover by Webb.
ONE!!
TWO!!
TH...NO!!
Taylor: And now it’s Kallie Reznik’s turn to get the shoulder up!
Romano: Webb needs to get more aggressive with his tactics.
Taylor: He’s still a raw talent who is learning with every match. While this is Kallie’s first AWF match, she is far more experienced than Webb, and that’s not an advantage she likely has often.
Webb looks down at Reznik and realizes he will have to do something that he likely didn’t want to do to a woman he admitted to having a crush on. He lifts her onto his back for the Webb Drop, but his left leg gives out on him while trying to hit the move.
Taylor: And Webb can’t get off the Webb Drop!
Romano: It’s that leg Kallie attacked earlier in the match!
Taylor: She planned that ahead! That feels quite savvy for the young Kallie Reznik.
Reznik lands on her feet behind Frankie Webb and delivers a snap release German suplex on Webb. She uses this opening to climb the top rope and waits for her opportunity. The moment Frankie Webb was almost standing up, she leaps off the top rope to deliver a stunner from above, otherwise known as the Threads of the Moirai.
Taylor: The Threads of the Moirai!! Beautifully executed!!
Romano: She got some hangtime for that corkscrew dive and what a beautiful stunner at the end!
Taylor: Here’s the cover! Steve Tyrell on the count!!
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
DING DING DING!!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner… KALLIE REZNIK!!
Taylor: And the youngster from Aurora gets a win on her debut!
Romano: Man, oh, man. What a start to her AWF run!
Taylor: And with how young she is, she still hasn’t quite hit her peak.
Romano: Imagine how scary she will be when she gets more experience. She showcased that talent tonight, that’s for sure. She has a bright, bright future.
"Bamboleo" by Gypsy Kings hits over the P.A. System and the crowd goes crazy for their Spanish Luchador! Carlos Ruiz walks out from the back posing for the crowd in his leather jacket that is zipped halfway up, pink speedo wrestling trunks, pink boots, and Maui Jim sunglasses. He stops on the way to the ring a couple of times to take selfies with the crowd.
Jessie Love: Making his way to the ring... from Madrid, Spain... weighing in at 212 pounds... CARLOOOOS RUUUUIIIIZ!
He slides into the ring and blows kisses to the adoring fans. He smiles as he removes his jacket and sunglasses and hands them to the ringside attendant.
Taylor: Congratulations to Carlos Ruiz for becoming an American citizen!
Romano: Yes, and he's here to celebrate by giving us all a show. How nice!
As the word “Firecracker” appears on the large screen, red and green laser lights spin around the arena as The Soapgirls begin to sing the opening to the song. Then the word fades and is replaced by the name “Dakota” as the redhead makes her way out to the stage area, the fans becoming thunderous in their applause for her. She raises a single arm up before making her way down the aisle.
” Making her way down the aisle, she hails from Syracuse, New York, by way of Scottsdale, Arizona.....She is the Firecracker, The Chairwoman of the XHF, DAKOOOTTTAAA JJEEENNNIINNGGSSSS!!!”
Reaching the ring, she confidently strides up the steps before stepping under the second rope before climbing up one of the turnbuckles, raising a defiant middle finger toward her opponent as the fans cheer her relentlessly.
Taylor: And here we are welcoming the return of the winner of the 2020 End of Days Tournament - Dakota Jennings!
Romano: She's a firecracker, and I'm looking forward to seeing the sparks fly@
Singles Match
Carlos Ruiz vs. Dakota Jennings
Carlos Ruiz smiles and makes small talk with Gabe Valentine whilst the referee performs his pre-match checks. The cameras cut to Dakota who glares in the direction of her opponent.
Taylor: Ruiz will be attuned to this match, he knows what it’s like to return to an AWF ring after a break. Could this give him an added advantage?
Romano: It’ll definitely give him an insight into where Jennings may be lacking.
In comparison to the Spaniard, Dakota seems to be irritated by Valentine’s checks.
Taylor: Dakota was clear in setting out her stall for why she came back…
Romano: Ruiz is someone with a huge fanbase and the skills to warrant it, this isn’t so much a return match as a baptism of fire in many respects!
Jennings: C’MON! I’VE GOT A MATCH TO WIN!
The signal for the bell is made and we’re underway!
Taylor: The Spanish Luchador against The Firecracker, here...we...go!
Ruiz walks towards the center of the ring and extends a hand - DAKOTA MEETS HIM WITH A FOREARM TO THE HEAD!
Romano: Dakota set herself a target and Ruiz is going to need to get on top early to stop the onslaught we’ve seen Jennings bring time and time again!
She lands another forearm to send the Spaniard backing into the ropes. Grabbing a wrist, she looks for the Irish Whip...Ruiz reverses it.
Taylor: Ruiz will be looking at Fox going against Myojin and knowing matches like this will put in heavy contention for a future shot at that XHF Junior Heavyweight title!
As she comes off the ropes, Ruiz drops down. He turns around and looks for the back-body drop ...DAKOTA LANDS A DOUBLE-FOOT STOMP!
Taylor: Mushroom Stomp from Jennings, can she build from it?
Stumbling forward, Ruiz grabs the ropes to steady himself but Dakota zips in with a basement dropkick to the back of the knee to take him to the floor.
Romano: Ruiz isn’t a traditional luchadore, he mixes high-flying with more technical aspects...
Quickly capitalizing, Jennings grabs an arm and spins round...La Magistral Cradle…
Taylor: Not the only one, crafty roll-up...
ONE..
RUIZ KICKS OUT!!
Taylor: Ruiz isn’t going to get caught out so easily!
Both competitors roll to their feet, Jennings once more tries to keep her momentum growing and rushes in looking for a kick but Ruiz ducks...HE LEAPS UP AND ROLLS BACK…
Romano: Ruiz with a pin-attempt of his own…
Taylor: Both competitors seem to have done their homework on their opponent...
ONE…
JENNINGS KICKS OUT!!
They get back to a standing base, the returning Jennings grabs a headlock and tries to work it to wear down the larger fighter...Ruiz dips his body and lifts up the Firecracker….Kneebreaker!
Taylor: Could we be seeing an early sign of strategy?
Romano: The Cangrejo Espanol is one of the ways he likes to put his opponent away but equally, we all know the threat of the DKO and if her legs are damaged, it takes away the threat.
Refusing to break the headlock, Jennings’ leg buckles as she tries to re-establish the headlock. The Spaniard spots his gap and sends her to the ropes…
Taylor: Where can he go from here?
As Jennings comes back Ruiz leapfrogs and rolls back to attempt a modified monkey flip but Dakota cartwheels to the side.
Romano: Agility on display, it’s how she follows up....
Ruiz adjusts his positioning and ducks a driven kick and grabs her leg to take her down!
Taylor: Cat-like reactions from Carlos as he gets the takedown!
The European keeps hold of the leg as he rises….he drops a leg and applies a grapevine.
Romano: We’ve seen people try to fight fire with fire with Dakota, Carlos clearly knows the pitfalls!
Catching her senses, Jennings reaches out and grabs the rope.
Taylor: Dakota showing little ring-rust, she knew exactly where she was in the ring!
In keeping with his notion of fair-play, Ruiz immediately releases the hold.
Romano: Carlos’ notion of fair-play has won a lot of fans here in Ascension but should he have held on for longer?
In a demonstration of his ethics, the Spaniard backs away from the End of Days champion, allowing her to get to her feet. She nods in appreciation before charging and unleashing a flurry of punches to the head of Carlos. In retaliation, Carlos fires back with punches of his own.
Taylor: The fire inside Jennings still burns as fiercely as it did before her leave of absence.
Romano: But Ruiz is matching her blow for blow so far!
Dakota goes headhunting with a high kick to the head, Ruiz ducks...GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!!!
Taylor: HE JUST BOUNCED HER OFF THE TURNBUCKLE!
Romano: He timed it to catch her at full-pivot...
Leaving no time for Jennings to recover, Ruiz charges into the corner...BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Ruiz: VIVA LA LUCHA!!
Crowd: VIVA LA LUCHA!!
Taylor: Having bought himself some time, the crowd are firmly with him…
Romano: He needs to keep the pressure on...
Taking his opponent away from the corner and the ropes, Carlos grabs the leg of Dakota and spins his body around…
Small package from Jennings.
ONE…
TW-
KICKOUT!!
Taylor: Once more, Dakota trying to sneak the win.
Romano: Of anyone, she’ll know exactly how rusty she might be. She’ll want to kick her return off with a win and I doubt she’ll be too precious about how she does it!
Both competitors kip-up to their feet, Ruiz takes the initiative and charges in looking for a lariat...Jennings grabs a Fujiwara Armbar!
Taylor: Invoking her MMA background…
Romano: It’s a discipline she knows she holds all the cards in...
Jennings has the hold but not fully, she moves her body weight to try to cinch the hold in...Ruiz takes the initiative and spots his opportunity for a pin…
ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT!
Taylor: With yet another pin attempt, what’s the psychology for both fighters?
Romano: This is cat and mouse, both competitors not wanting to tip their hand to much this early on.
Beating the Spaniard to her feet, Dakota rushes towards her prey and leaps up…
Taylor: Jennings looking for a rana...
Ruiz throws her off his shoulders forward...LARIAT!!!
Romano: HE GOT ALL OF THAT!
Jennings drops to the floor, Ruiz beckons to the crowd as they start to chant.
Crowd: Olé, Olé,Olé, Olé! Olé,Olé!
Taylor: The crowd show their appreciation...
With the crowd behind him, Ruiz lifts up Jennings...OVERHEAD BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX!!
Taylor: Are we seeing a more explosive side to the Spaniard?
Romano: It’s a common misconception about Ruiz, he’s a gentleman until that bell rings.
Nearly skidding to the apron, the Firecracker uses the ropes to get to her feet.
Taylor: Jennings is finding herself on the outside of the match right now...
As he rushes in, Dakota ducks down and lifts him over to the apron himself.
Romano: Ruiz lands on his feet!
Landing on his feet, the European is keen to make the milliseconds count. He reaches to grab Jennings’ head but she reaches back and guilotines him on the top-rope.
Taylor: Opportunistic move or desperation?
Romano: She’s not finished yet...
Glancing backwards, Jennings rushes off the ropes...she comes back, BASEBALL SLIDE...RUIZ HOLDS ONTO THE ROPES!
Taylor: RUIZ BLOCKS THE BASEBALL SLIDE POWERBOMB...
Dakota tries once more but eats a boot to the face...LEAPING DDT TO THE OUTSIDE FROM THE SPANIARD!!
Romano: WHAT A DDT!!
ONE…
TWO…
Ruiz is back to his feet, he pulls up his opponent and whips her to the apron...JENNINGS LEAPS TO THE APRON...TURNAROUND DROPKICK!!
Taylor: MODIFIED CROSS-DIMENSIONAL TRAVEL!
THREE…
Both competitors remain down…
FOUR…
Dakota picks up Ruiz as she gets to her feet and rolls him into the ring to break the count.
Romano: Can Ruiz weather the storm?
As she stands on the apron, she looks to the crowd to try to get them onside, a chant starts to break out…
Crowd: D-K-O! D-K-O! D-K-O! D-K-O!
Ruiz starts to get to his feet and Jennings spots her chance.
Taylor: It looks like Dakota has something lined up already...
Jennings leaps to the top-rope and looks for a cross-body….REVERSAL INTO A POWERSLAM!!
Romano: And the match turns on a dime again!
ONE…
TWO…
TH…
KICKOUT!!
The cameras pick up a smile on the face of Ruiz as the arm of Jennings remains in the air.
Taylor: The force of that powerslam might not have put away Jennings but how much more could she take like that?
Romano: It’s difficult to say, we’ve seen Dakota come back from immense levels of offense but Ruiz seems to have a gameplan and it leads to that Boston Crab!
The Firecracker stirs and now the Spaniard is keen to keep the pressure on. He charges the ropes, Jennings gets to her feet and throws a roundhouse kick but Ruiz ducks underneath it. He comes back off the ropes...LEAP-FROG LEG-BULLDOG!!!
Taylor: LOOK AT THE AGILITY ON DISPLAY!
The crowd once more break into support for the Spaniard.
Crowd: LET’S GO CAR-LOS! LET’S GO CAR-LOS!
Dakota stumbles to her feet and finds herself in a Full-Nelson…
Romano: We could be seeing the Lucha-plex!
JENNNINGS REARS HER HEADBACK INTO A HEADBUTT TO BREAK THE HOLD...SHE CHARGES THE ROPES WITH A HANDSPRING AND LEAPS BACK…
Taylor: COULD WE SEE THE DKO?
GERMAN SUPLEX!!
Romano: CARLOS CAUGHT HER IN MID-AIR AND THREW HER BACK WITH THAT!
NO!! JENNINGS HAS GRABBED A KIMURA!!
Taylor: Dakota somehow wheeled her way out of that at the last!
Ruiz battles to try and escape, he thrashes to try and throw Jennings from the hold.
Romano: Jennings is looking for that sweet-spot where she can bear down on Ruiz with all her weight...
In a last act of desperation, RUIZ ROLLS FORWARD AND THROUGH!!
Taylor: HE SLIPS OUT THE BACKDOOR!
He stands with Jennings on her back, his arms around her legs…
Romano: If Carlos can lock this in, we could be seeing him pick up a huge win!
He tries to twist her around for the Boston Crab variant but she takes the opportunity to twist against him before kicking him backwards.
Taylor: He couldn’t, Dakota thrust him off and now has precious feet between herself and Carlos!
Setting himself, Ruiz charges at Jennings and, this time, it’s he who slides between her legs.
Taylor: “Anything you can do” he says!
She turns around AND CATCHES THE SUPERKICK BEFORE USING THE LEG TO SPIN HIM AROUND…
Romano: SHE CAUGHT THE SPANISH EYES!
D-K-O!!!!
Taylor: DKO!!!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!!
Jessie Love: The winner of this bout, as a result of pinfall...DAKOTA...JENNINGS!!
We cut backstage to find Eddie Walker walking towards the locker room area, he takes a glance down at his phone and hums a tune that sounds suspiciously like Blink 182’s hit ”What’s my age again?”. He stops as something catches his eye. He folds his arms and slowly leans to his left against a wall clearing his throat.
Walker:Tasmin, what are you doing?
The camera pulls out to reveal a plastic pot, that Tasmin is standing in, holding clearly fake branches with rubber leaves.
Richards: Shhh I’m hiding in plain sight. No one will bother me and try and take my title before the main event.
Eddie looks to his right, then behind him and shakes his head.
Walker: You’re not exactly hiding Tas, the rubber plants aren’t helping kid.
Richards: But, but I. It’s...It’s not just the plants though. Look I’m wearing camo…
Sure enough she is. But it’s not jungle camouflage to blend into the, very, very fake plants. No. It’s pink, black and grey urban camo pants and a matching crop top. Eddie just blinks before slowly deadpaning the camera.
Richards: Besides I’m staying super still.
Walker: ...still?
Richards: Yeah, The revenant guys have a sense of sight that is movement based, if I stay still...I’m invisible...
Walker just raises an eyebrow and shakes his head with a sigh before holding out his hand.
Walker: Come on kiddo, you have a big match to prepare for. Lets get you into a locker room.
Tasmin goes to protest but concedes before giving a small defeated nod stepping out of the plastic pot after taking Eddie by the hand, she stops and turns reaching back inside it to pull out the ATC championship putting it over her shoulder and walking back down the hallway with Eddie.
The overhead lights slowly go dark as the first strummed chords of 'Hurricane' fill the air, the crowd's cheers rising in response to the woman that is about to emerge. Gray lights flare into being around the curtain when the song starts proper, illuminating the outline of the Oncoming Storm as she stands with her shoulders square and her hands curled into fists at her sides. The wind machine is on behind her, blowing her hair around as her gaze moves over the assembled crowd and the surroundings alike... before it settles upon the ring. As 'Hurricane' cuts to the chorus, she makes her way down the aisle, not shying away from the hands that reach out for her. Erin's focus never wavers, even as she grabs onto the ropes and hauls herself up onto the apron. Wiping her feet, she climbs into the ring between the top and middle ropes before she heads to her corner, turning to rest her back against the turnbuckles. Only then does she play a little to the crowd, a single fist thrusting itself skyward to earn more cheers as her music fades.
Taylor: Erin Gordon is a hard working gal and she's had a rough beginning, but she'll keep working!
Romano: We're going to see a lot from her, but she has a hard match for with Rob Garcia as an opponent.
🎶HARD🎶 by Tay-K and BloccBoy JB erupts over the sound system throughout the arena and a roar of boos and jeers explodes from the crowd. The beat drops and out from the curtain walks Rob Garcia wearing what looks to be a mink coat. He stops and stands at the entrance ramp, staring at the crowd with a smug look upon his face. As he stands there, his manager, Jeff Noon then makes his way out holding a clipboard and he then stands to the right of Rob. Rob turns his head to look at Jeff, and they both nod, Rob then slowly makes his way down towards the ring, Jeff following behind. Rob stops half way and starts trash talking a fan, Jeff then uses his clipboard to block the fans face when they try to react and he then moves his hand forward to escort Rob to the ring. Rob jumps up on the ring apron, as Jeff runs up the steps, he walks to the turnbuckle, climbs it and raises his hand in the air holding up his index finger. The crowd continues to boo and yell insults and vulgar remarks at Rob as he yells "I'm the man! I'm number one! I'm the king of extreme!" He then jumps down off the turnbuckle and makes his way over to Noon.
Taylor: Rob Garcia is here, of course. The ReVenants make me sick.
Romano: They're disgusting, but brutal, and he's definitely planning on bringing the pain here tonight.
Singles Match
Erin Gordon vs. Rob Garcia
The bell rings. Erin Gordon looks quite serious as she approaches the middle, but Rob looks quite lackadaisical. He doesn't appear to take Erin very seriously. They both move forward for a lock up but before Rob reveals that it had been a fake! Before the two can go in for the lock up, Rob just openly and brazenly SLAPS his opponent across the face! The cracking sound of the whipping lick sting to leave behind it a chorus of boos raining in from the crowd. Erin's mouth was left agape. She does not know how to even process this level of disrespect. He looks back at him, who offers a sarcastic smile. The fire underneath Erin's ass lights and she sends a forearm to the face of Rob! The crowd is instantly on her side! She backs him into the corner and takes the early lead with a series of lefts and rights!
Taylor: Erin Gordon is teaching all of us an important lesson! If you mess with her and disrespect her, you're going to be in some serious pain!
Romano: Keep up the fire, Erin! If you let up, you're giving Rob some room and thus, options.
As Rob Garcia is in the corner, Erin grabs his arm and and Irish Whips him to the diametric opposite corner! Rob grins as he reverses the Irish Whips Erin. Rob rushes Erin to the corner, but upon the arrival, she posts her arms up on the ropes and lifts her entire up off the ground. Rob runs in under her and hits the corner. As he bounces off, Erin falls back on her side, grabs the arm from Rob and takes him down with an arm drag! As he hits the floor, Erin keeps a hold on the arm and keeps a lock. Rob's eyes are squinted as he's dealing with the pain. Erin is quick to turn up the torque, and grits her teeth at the same time as Rob's pained groans get louder and more intense. The junior referee, Steve Tyrell, keeps asking Rob is he wants to give up and Rob keeps shaking his head. No! He will fight on!
Taylor: Rob's lost his ground earlier on. The question that remains to be seen is if Rob can keep fighting!
Romano: Wrestling is like a game of chess. You could completely screw up the first few moves and win the game toward the end if you recover well. Rob has, and I suspect he's not going to just start giving up.
Erin holds onto the arm and puts as much torque as she can. Rob's trying his best to keep it together. Rob slowly climbs to his feet. With a lot of gritting and bearing through the pain, he manages to use his arm to flip Erin over! Erin grabs her back as she bounces from the ground, and Rob doesn't take the high road with his pain of moments past. As Erin gets up, Rob shakes the pain from his right arm. He looks forward, sees Erin, and kicks her back. Erin's front half lands on the ropes in a 619 type of position. Rob Garcia looks around, and that's when a crazy idea comes through his head. We all know this when all of a sudden, he begins to smile.
Taylor: I don't trust this. What's he doing? Wait. WHY IS HE GOING TO THE TOP ROPE!?
Romano: Rob has undoubtedly felt some pain already, and I feel that he's going to ensure that Erin Gordon feels some too.
Rob Garcia goes up to the top of the turnbuckle. He points up then drags his finger to the fallen front half of Erin Gordon. That's when he jumps off... and lands on Erin Gordon with a leg drop. He calls that, "Just too crazy for anyone else to ever try! Erin's front half VIOLENTLY slams down there and the recoil was nearly as bad! She falls off and back into the ring as she tries to recover. Garcia lands on the apron and slowly gets up. He looks back in the ring and makes the pin to claim his prize:
...One!
...Two!
...THRE-
KICKOUT!
Taylor: What absolute CARNAGE from the former XHF Phoenix Champion, but he hasn't been able to secure the win quite yet!
Romano: Erin Gordon comes from a blue collar and hard working background. She won't go down easily. Not that easily.
Rob Garcia gets up. He looks down to Erin, still choking from the effects of that signature move from Rob. Garcia has no mercy for her. He grabs her BY HER HAIR and pulls her up to her feet that way. Erin is still screaming. Rob throws a fist into Erin's face, which makes her ears rings. He goes for a second punch, which Erin ducks and spins around. As Rob turns back, Erin starts sending jabs of her own! One! Two! Then a clothesline! Rob hits the floor and quickly gets back to his feet, but Erin isn't giving up the pressure. She gets to the back of Rob, actually punches him in the KIDNEY and grabs his head. HEAD DOWN BACKBREAKER! IT'S THE SIGNATURE MOVE FROM ERIN - DOWNPOUR! She pulls the head back and Rob Garcia punches Erin in the face, readjusts himself and knocks her off her feet with a Russian Leg Sweep!
Taylor: This match is evening and these two are pulling out both of their stops!
Romano: It's hard to see how this match will unfold, but I feel that we are coming toward the roughest of the candle flickering.
Rob gets up and looks down at Erin. She's not down and out. She's twitching and in pain, but she's still moving. That's not good enough for Rob. He brings her up to her feet, but only with the intentions of bringing her back down. He grabs her arms. Oh, is he going for his SPINNING JUMPING DDT THAT HE CALLS OVER DOSE?! No! Erin starts a strike. And a second! He goes for a third, but Rob ducks the blow and runs to the ropes. Erin does the same. They meet in the middle. OH MY GOD! BOSTON KNEE PARTY FROM ROB! THE RUNNING FLYING KNEE GOES STRAIGHT FOR ERIN'S HEAD! ...ERIN ducks, spins around and SMASHES ROB at the back of her head with his head with her spinning backfist from hell!
Taylor: NOR'EASTER! SHE HITS IT!
Romano: IS THIS THE END!?
...One!
...Two!
...THREE!
The bell rings.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner of this match - ERRIIIINNNNN GOORRRDOOOOON!
Taylor: Erin pulls out a win! She squeezed one out from her fight with Rob!
Romano: It was not an easy win, but she gets to walk out of here knowing she did a job well done.
A video package begins to play on the screen. We are in a classroom at the dead of night, the only light source being that of the moonlight shining through the windows.
John Eden is sat at the teacher's desk, gone are the robes he used to don, as now he wears a dirty old suit and tie. He rests his feet up onto the desk and leans back on his chair.
Forget about the past, forgetting about the past is vital to your will to survive, the more you think about the past the more you are stuck, moving forward doesn't become an option anymore and therefore it is wise that we look ahead, we look ahead to a bright, bright future.
AWF maybe we overlooked the footsoldiers, maybe we recognise now that this war between good and evil is going to be more difficult than we first envisioned.
Once the war has been won…
Once the dust has finally settled…
Boy oh boy, what a wonderful world it will be once we reclaim our garden.
John Eden stops and looks towards the window as he removes his feet from the desk now and sits bolt upright in his chair.
You know I hear him walking around here? I feel his presence getting stronger. He lurks in the shadows watching me, listening to me...
Any minute now…
The Jitterman will arrive.
He will be stepping back in, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about that...
But wait, you're not afraid of him anymore AWF? I mean why would you be? How could you be?
He's shown nothing but weakness, nothing but a let down in everyone's eyes, the big bad boogeyman hiding beneath the bed has not scared anyone, in fact you could even say it's all been for nothing…
Even a petulant child put The Jitterman to sleep, maybe playtime got a little too much?
Maybe The Jitterman has become bored with playing with ickle wickle children? Or Maybe, the answers just aren't all there for us to find?
John Eden stands up and looks at the window again. He then looks down at a book on the desk titled "Power"
John Eden reaches down and picks up the book, which he then begins to read out.
Once there lived some knights, fierce and brave they stood, defending the castle and protecting their kingdom. The Knights swore an oath to protect their king, some of them would battle each other as a show of strength to see which was stronger in battle, the strongest would be a champion!
A noble young knight emerged for battle, usually being the one who would hide from a battle. He was youthful and had much to learn yet. He dreamed of one day being the king's champion, he dreamed big…
As the young knight was handed his sword, he saw another valiant knight in the distance, oh but this was the champion...this was a man with such great passion, such greatness and power (can't forget power) he exuded.
The young knight stood shaking, shaking in awe of the presence of the champion and what this could mean for him if he wear to defeat his brilliant adversary.
They both stood on the field of battle, but before they could strike their swords something changed, a darkness fell over the land…
The dark clouds began to swallow up the once bright scene and now there was darkness. The rain followed the dark clouds as did the thunder and the lightning.
But a battle still has to be a battle of course, but as the knights fought the rain got too much for them as they began to sink into the mud, heavier the storm became...
Deeper..
And..
Deeper...
They sank, for the darkness overcame them, victory was not meant to be.
Consumed with greatness, with such power and proudness the champion could not give up the will to fight, so caught up with being a champion he was blind to see what was happening around him.
The young knight fought valiantly, putting up more than a fight than anyone could have imagined, but so determined to succeed, so determined to be top of the mountain, he could not see what was about to happen, that was what led to their demise.
The battle was over, the war was won... darkness survived and The Jittermans playtime has begun!
John Eden puts down the book and picks up another book
The old book was what motivated The Jitterman, the old tales, the stories that lured him up from the realms below.
Maybe our connection got a little lost along the way, I built him up so incredibly strong, for him to only lose...beaten down The Jitterman had become...a loser I had made him.
Even The boy had put him to sleep…wow you really did face that bully of yours, you faced your fears well-done! Congratulations. Good always conquers evil in the end doesn't it? Doesn't it? Oh but wait...yep still breathing, yep still hungry, maybe you want to check your closet? Oh no I know behind your curtains?
John Eden looks down at an old tattered book that we have seen before that now rests on his desk.
John Eden shakes his head as he remembers the last time he saw that book.
Oh old stories…
Oh how we can get stuck in the past.
John Eden throws the book into the trash can beside the desk.
And now here I am, at a school in the dead of night with the words Playtime written on the board behind me.
Thinking where did it go so wrong?
Or did it go so right?
You see all you have done thus far is make him wiser, all you have done so far is starve his hunger and all you have done so far is make him much, much darker…
So playtime will resume, he is awake and he isn't under your beds oh no he is much, much closer than that…
John Eden sits back down at the desk he glances back at the window.
You know there have been many wondering just why?
Why?
Isn't that simple? Isn't it all obvious?
It's Darkness!
You see not everything can be fluffy white clouds, colourful rainbows and bright sunshine all the time, that is not a reality...that is what you want, that is what you believe in.
We live in the darkness.
The realms in which he lives…
The realms in which he thrives…
Your bright shiny world shall be swallowed up whole and The Jitterman shall play with your corpse's for all eternity.
THe ENd.
As John Eden wraps it up he glances back one more time at the window, the window has misted up with a handprint in the middle.
Playtime Resumes.
A cavalcade of clapping begins as the D.R.U.G.S. tune "King I Am" blares over the sound system.
"You can feel the fear when I walk by
Tail between your legs make 'em run and hide
And I can see the pain pouring out your eyes
I think I am finally, starting to feel like the KING I AM!
The song kicks in over the loudspeakers as the sound of guitars ascend to the boiling point and the song engages. Neo begins to make a triumphant strut down to the ring, his chin held high as his hands lay at his side moving with his stride, t. He looks down all around the ramp, keeping his bearded chin up as he glides effortlessly forward in a striding saunter. The pompous cocky attitude radiating from his being at this point.
Neo makes it to the ringside area as he circles around the ring, jumping up effortlessly onto the apron and climbs into the ring. He walks over to the ropes on the side of the stage as he grabs the top rope with his hands and then yanks down on it, flexing all of his muscles before releasing it, a giant white and red pyro exploding out the top of the nearby turnbuckle like a mortar.
Taylor: Neo's been going crazy on Smacktalker and he goes crazy in the ring. You've seen him win that belt back from Subject 42 of all people! ...or monsters?
Romano: That's Neo JAMES CARNER to you. If he hears otherwise, you'll pay for that.
As the opening notes begin, the lights go out, save for a single spotlight on the top of the stage. Betsy comes out, but she’s only a silhouette at this point. Just as the drum strikes it’s second note, Betsy dabs and the lights come back. The song starts from the refrain as Betsy starts dancing down the ramp.
“Sin City’s cold and empty
No one’s around to judge me
I can’t see clearly when your gone-one-one”
Arms out, Betsy begins twirling around wildly, blonde ponytail whipping about with her, as she slaps hands with fans on both sides of the ramp. The chorus hits just as Betsy baseball slides into the ring.
“And I said ooooh, I’m blinded by the lights
I can’t sleep until I feel your touch
And I said ooooh, I’m drowning in the night
Oh, when I’m like this, you’re the one I trust”
As the chorus chimes on, Betsy bounces up and hops up onto every ring corner, pumping her fist in time with the song, getting the fans amped up for the upcoming bout. When she finishes this display, she starts bouncing in place, preparing mentally for the bout.
Taylor: You can call her Betsy Granger. You can call her The Impossible Traveler. You can call her what you like, but at the end of the night, you need to call her undefeated!
Romano: That may be true now, but you never know how this match will play out. These two are fearsome warriors, and will give everyone a taste for their skills.
Champions Showcase
Neo James Carner vs. Betsy Granger
The bell rings and we are on! Neo James Carner rushes out of his corner at full speed, raising his knee and looking to catch Betsy before she is ready. He leaps into the air looking to impact patella on skull with the Neoclassical Knee Strike! Betsy is canny enough to step to a side and turn, snatching The Residence of Presence in a tight Full Nelson. She swings her leg backwards and then looks to flow forwards, sending Carner face first to the mat with Ich Muß Das Brechen... but Carner counters THAT, reaching round to reverse Betsy's lock and wrapping her arm back across her own throat, looking to fall into an Arm Trap Neckbreaker. Betsy unravels THAT predicament and re stretches out Carner's arm, sending him flying into the far ropes with an Irish Whip. Carner hooks the top rope to stop his momentum and the pair pause for a few seconds.
Taylor: Fast start here. Looks like neither of these two competitors are messing around.
Romano: A quick win is still a win, this is looking like a contest where planning for a short term win is king.
Carner is quick to dash in again, turning his body as he moves and forming an axe handle with interlocked hands. Betsy puts her arms down to absorb the worst of the blow and snaps off a brisk kick to Carner's thigh. Betsy steps out to grab a little extra range and fires off a round kick to Carner's midsection but the Infinity King slides out of the way and goes for a back heel trip which connects on The Impossible Traveler's plant leg and removes a little of her balance. NJC drops to mat level and grabs Betsy's leg on the way down, rolling forwards and stacking her body up into a pinning predicament...
ONE!
Betsy throws her legs up around Carner's midsection and levers him down, trapping his shoulders down on the mat...
ONE!
Now Carner rolls to a side, using his own leg strength to lever the pile over so not it's Betsy's shoulders that touch the mat...
ONE!
Countering again, El Viadante shuffles her legs up Carner's body and grasps for Carner's feet, attempting to cross them in a submission hold, crossing one of NJC's ankles over the other one in an improvised BJJ submission. Carner boots her off and butt scoots back away from the action and both competitors regain their vertical base.
Taylor: It's hold for hold, catch as catch can wrestling here tonight.
Romano: All it takes is one of these pin attempts OR submission attempts to stick and it's goodnight Irene.
Sensing that she has to go on the offensive immediately, Betsy doesn't give Carner any time as she rapidly closes the distance between the pair and forward rolls into an incredibly stylish koppou kick. NJC stumbles backwards with the force of the blow and Betsy is very quickly back to her feet and grabs a loose arm of The Infinity King, slinging him at full force into a corner. The Impossible Traveller rushes into the corner and uses NJC's body as a wall to run up, backflipping off his chest and catching The Residence of Royal Presence under the chin with a backflip kick, landing fully on her feet. As Carner stagger a couple of steps forwards, Betsy turns and hooks Carner's head onto her shoulder, falling forwards and driving him head first into the mat.
Taylor: GALACTIC ADVANTAGE!
Betsy quickly wraps her legs around Carner's waist and leverages him over so his shoulders are planted on to the mat through her vice like grip on his upper body...
ONE!
TWO!
T.. Carner kicks out!
Taylor: Elaboorate pin from Betsy Garner there.
Romano: You can't dispute Betsy's wrestling ability. What she could have done there was reach out and grab the bottom rope for leverage. That could have sealed the deal.
Taylor: Betsy isn't that kind of wrestler.
Romano: And that's why this match must continue.
Using her ground control skills, Betsy immediately takes top mount position and hammers down a couple of forearms at the trapped NJC. Carner wriggles, trying to escape but leaves an opening for Betsy to switch position, letting Carner flip himself over and taking his back. With The Infinity King trapped, Betsy throws down another pair of forearms, this time to the back of his dome before floating round to grab onto Carner's arm and hauling it backwards into a Wakigatame Armbar. Betsy contorts her body while trying to maintain the hold and attempts for bridge backwards to add to the pressure but Carner is a slippery customer and uses the sltight reduction in pressure to worm himself free rather than getting his arm broken.
Taylor: Betsy knows a hundred different ways to make you tap out. If Neo James Carner hadn't escaped then that arm would have snapped like a twig.
Romano: Carner knows that Betsy knows all those submissions. He's a smart enough cookie not to let himself get trapped.
The pair drag themselves to their feet, NJC wincing and shaking out a little damage from his arm. Betsy is quick to lash in another sharp mawashigiri, kicking the flat of her boot square into The Residence's Royal Ribcage. Carner sucks it up and responds with a vicious chop, causing Betsy to reel back in some degree of pain. Betsy flashes back with another roundhouse kick but this time Carner is sharp enough to catch the leg and reaches out with his other hand, raking Betsy in the eyes. Given a few seconds grace as Betsy struggles temporarily for sight, NJC slips behind and locks in a Half Nelson, grabbing Betsy around the waist with his other hand and crhuses her skull onto the canvas with a sheer drop Half Nelson suplex. Carner stays down at canvas level to cover...
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. Betsy raises a shoulder.
Taylor: Carner goes for the eyes! The dirty, rotten cheat!
Romano: It's a good, efficient way to switch up the momentum.
NJC is up from the pin quickly, showing a touch of frustration that he didn't get the pin. He allows Betsy Granger to stand, picking his spot for the next attack carefully. Betsy is obviously a little disoriented and lets a loose arm slip into Carner's grasp. Carner wrenches The Impossible Traveller round, twisting the arm before firing out a kick that connects square with her jaw. Carner breaks the armlock and ducks his head under the stunned Garner's arm, flicking Garner's body backwards and bridging for a precise pinning combination...
ONE!
TWO!
THR... Besty wriggles loose.
Taylor: Elegant Northern Lights Suplex. But it didn't finish the job.
Romano: Well, The Infinity King appears to be getting closer each time. He's going to keep plugging away until he finds a way to win.
There are questions asked from NJC to the referee about whether the count was slow. Betsy appears to be stirring but Carner is quick to turn his attention straight back to his downed opponent, slowing her ability to stand by firing in a couple of stiff boots. NJC leans down and hauls Betsy off the mat by her hair, snatching away at her far leg as he locks in the clutch for a vertical suplex. Carner hoists Betsy up, the Fisherman's cradle locked in tight...
Romano: Tick tock...
Before SITTING DOWN SHARPLY AND DROPPING BETSY GARNER ON HER HEAD!
Taylor: CLOCK TOWER BOMB!
Carner wastes no time in getting to his feet and looks out into the near empty arena, making sure to make eye contact with the hard camera. He waves his hands like a conductor ordering his orchestra to pick up the pace and following the most dramatic motion of his arms, The Infinite Soverign rushes the ropes, bounces off, slows down for the last three steps and DROPS HIS KNEE TOWARDS BETSY GARNER'S RIBCAGE...
AND THE IMPOSSIBLE TRAVELLER TRAVELS JUST FAR OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID THE NEO SYMPHO-KNEE WITH A DESPERATE ROLL!
Taylor: THE NEO SYMPHO-KNEE MISSES! BETSY GARNER IS BACK IN THE MATCH!
The pair stand, Carner clutching his knee from the hard impact with the mat. As Betsy hauls herself up using the help of the ropes as Carner turns to face her. Betsy goes for a low roundhouse to the back of NJC's thigh which combined with the pain from the muffed knee drop sends him down onto one knee. Betsy is quick to get up a head of steam and dives into basement huracanrana that SPIKES NJC's Regal head into the canvas!
Taylor: PLANTE DE VISAGE!
But Betsy isn't done with The Infinite Sovereign yet. She stands and steps round over NJC's legs, taking great care to lace them up within her own. Betsy leans backwards and, while bridging, slaps NJC's ribs to make his arms reflexively jolt upwards. The Impossible Traveller grabs hold of Carner's left arm, then his right and twists her body, contorting Carner around and trying to pin his shoulders down to the mat...
Taylor: TUEZ LES ÉTOILES!
BUT CARNER USES HIS LOWER BODY STRENGTH TO JAM BETSY'S CROSSED LEGS TOGETHER IN A POSITION THAT HURTS HER MORE THAN HIM!
ONE!
TWO!
BETSY IS FORCED TO BREAK THE HOLD, KNOWING THE LOTUS LOCK POSITION BETTER THAN MOST!
Taylor: What a unique counter!
Romano: Neo James Carner isn't just cunning. He's also a great technician when he needs to be and he needed to be there.
Both competitors are on wobbly legs as they slowly, carefully stand. Betsy throws yet another kick but the power isn't there this time. Carner fires back with an elbow. Betsy with another kick. Carner another elbow. Realising that she's losing this strike battle, not for lack of technique, switches up and goes for a HUGE EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Taylor: BETSY BOP!
Carner staggers back onto the ropes and rebounds off into a slower than usual Bicycle Knee!
Taylor: NEO-CLASSICAL KNEE STRIKE!
But with the reduced power on the move Betsy isn't floored by the move!
Taylor: The efforts of this match have taken their toll on these two competitors!
Betsy closes in and turns NJC around, looking to lock in the Full Nelson but Carner has enough wits about him to just STAMP on Betsy's foot. The lock loosens and Carner turns back towards Betsy, crooking his arm and BLASTING BETSY ON THE JAW AS HE TURNS INTO HER!
Taylor: ROLLING AXE BOMBER!
As quick as a flash, The Infinity King senses an opportunity and he ducks towards Betsy Garner, lifting his much smaller opponent into a Fireman's Carry. Carner takes two deliberate steps away from the ropes and drops to a side, WRENCHING BETSY OFF HIS SHOULDERS LIKE A SACK OF POTATOES AND DRIVING HER BACK FIRST INTO THE CANVAS!
Taylor: SPATIAL REND!
Carner hooks a leg...
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: The winner of this match, by pinfall, NEEEEEEEEO JAAAAMES CAAAAAAAAAAAARNEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR!
Taylor: The Spatial Rend ends it here for Neo James Carner! But he had to dig deep into his arsenal to earn this victory.
Romano: Credit to both wrestlers here. Betsy Granger could have had this match won at several places. I'd love to see this match up again.
Taylor: Given Betsy's problems with the ReVenants, that's almost assured.
Turn To Stone by Joe Walsh fills the arena as the lights dim and a single spotlight illuminates the stage. Out from the curtain steps Cross Recoba, a titanium cane with a golden lion's head handle in one hand, touching the crucifix with the other. The HCW Diamond title is draped over his shoulder. The crowd responds with a chorus of boo's for The Fox while Cross uses the handle of the cane to push his shag hair cut from his face, flicking his head back confidently as he grins out at the audience obnoxiously. He holds up the cane that has caused so much trouble in the past to an even more venomous response from the fans, and he begins down the ramp still holding it aloft.
Jessie Love: "Coming to the ring, sttanding at six foot one and one inch, and weighing in at 230 pounds, hailing from New York, New York. and the self-proclaimed 'Box Office Smash of AWF'..... , 'THE FOX' CROSS RECOBBBAAA!!"
Recoba reaches ringside and holds the lions head handle of the cane up to his lips and kisses it for luck. He sets the cane to rest against the ring steps and then climbs them up onto the apron, and with a wipe of his feet slips between the ropes. He pops up with both hands out at his side, walking forward as if putting his glory on display, and delivers an over-exaggerated bow that causes the fans to crow even louder in disdain. Cross stands to his full height and smirks, stepping over to the far corner to await the beginning of the match.
Taylor: Cross Recoba is back here and in the ring with Chris Card too!
Romano: There's no anger much like one of former comrades. I imagine we'll see emotion tonight.
The lights dim out to an almost pitch black darkness. The crowd falls silent wondering what is happening. The sound of a woman screams.
“OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
The lights turn back on illuminating brightly around the arena. Music subtly preludes into the arena, with a continuous phonetic utterance echoing around the venue by the same female who was screaming.
“Bum bum be-dum, bum bum be-dum bum
Bum bum be-dum, bum bum be-dum bum
Bum bum be-dum, bum bum be-dum bum
Bum bum be-dum, bum bum be-dum bum”
"Disturbia" by Rihanna then plays on the sound system, and the crowd immediately responded with a mixed reception. Alessandro Quagliaterre then bursts through the curtain full of energy. They are decisive in their indifference, not sure whether to love or hate him with the tension at a knife edge. He soaks in the atmosphere and poses at the top of the ramp with a couple of dabs. He elongates this action for a considerable length of time, and this pisses the crowd off.
“No more gas in the red
Can't even get it started
Nothing heard, nothing said
Can't even speak about it
All my life on my head
Don't want to think about it
Feels like I'm going insane
Yeah”
“It's a thief in the night
To come and grab you
It can creep up inside you
And consume you
A disease of the mind
It can control you
It's too close for comfort”
He smiles back at the crowd, unaffected by their response, and then in his own time, he slowly walks down the ramp without a care in the world.
Jessie Love: "Introducing from Alpine, New Jersey... weighing in at 240 pounds... ALESSANDRO... QUAGLIATERRE"
He really drags this on and extends the crowd patience to it fullest by taking as long as he wants. The audience gets frustrated throwing, even more, shade in the direction of Alessandro, but he brushes it off. He starts throwing $100 bills into the crowd and they immediately start giving him a huge ovation louder than the speed of sound.
“Throw on your brake lights
We're in the city of wonder
Ain't gonna play nice
Watch out, you might just go under
Better think twice
Your train of thought will be altered
So if you must falter be wise
Your mind is in Disturbia”
“It's like the darkness is the light
Disturbia
Am I scaring you tonight
Your mind is in Disturbia
Ain't used to what you like
Disturbia
Disturbia”
He then finally reaches the ring, and slowly walks up the steel steps, and poses some more on the turnbuckle, to really rub it into the crowd that he has arrived. He then flips down, waiting patiently by the corner of the ring, ready to unleash all types of hell on his opponent.
Taylor: Alessandro Quagliaterre is as complicated as a name, but he has proven himself a great wrestler so far.
Romano: And now he's with the main eventers. The big boys. Let's see if he can hold himself as well here as he does with basketball.
The hard electronic beats of "Good L_ck (Yo_'re F_cked)" start up around the arena while purple and white beams of light shine on the entrance gate As the opening scream sounds out, Card steps through the gate and surveys the crowd. Card takes a slow walk down to the ring and steps through the ropes, followed by the beams. The lights change from beams to spinning spotlights as the music gets lower just before the chorus...
ONE MILLION VOICES CALL FROM THE OTHER SIDE
IF YOU COULD HEAR THEM YOU WOULD BE TERRIFIED...
The lights go back up and puple and white pyro fires off from the ring ropes as the chorus begins
GOOD LUCK!
YOU'RE FUCKED!
AND WE HATE TO SEE YOU GO MAN, BUT EVERYONE KNOWS YOU'RE SCREWED!
Card poses in the center of the ring, crossing his thumbs over where his heart would sit. The lights go up and Card moves over to his own corner and relaxes, the referee checking him over and finding nothing wrong.
Taylor: This is the man that we love to hate. He's one of those guys that's obviously a cheater but would defend himself by finding some kind of loophole to prove he's not.
Romano: Whatever he's not, he's making it clear that he's the brains behind this tag team. I wouldn't trust them any farther than I could throw'em.
"TO THE SOUND OF A HEARTBEAT POUNDING AWAY!"
The opening line blares through the PA as the light go out, a blue light illuminates the entrance ramp as we see, Ashley Anderson standing in the center of the spotlight. Abel makes his way through the curtain as his wife steps to the side giving Abel the spotlight. He bounces on his feet for a moment before the spotlight turns off, the house lights come back on as the couple walk to the ring, once they make it beside the ring, Abel gives Ashley a quick kiss before rolling into the ring and climbing the nearest turnbuckle raising his arms toward the crowd. Abel then hops down and waits for his opponent.
Taylor: Abel Anderson! He's strong. He's experienced.
Romano: And if he gets his way, he'll destroy them all.
Tag-Team Match
Cross Recoba & Alessandro Quagliaterre vs. Chris Card & Abel Anderson
Both teams are busy conferring as Nate Biggs signals to them to start wrapping up their last-minute checks and prep. Cross nods along with scarce few words, Quag being the more animated of the two. Recoba’s gaze focuses squarely across the ring.
Taylor: No doubt where Cross’ attention lies in this match.
Romano: Quag hasn’t exactly been shy of singling out Abel to get revenge for the loss those few weeks back!
Card seems to pay little attention to the focus of his former tag-partner. Their team is seemingly more relaxed. The only telling motion being when Card gestures that he’ll start the match on the outside. Ashley Anderson can be heard above the crowd agreeing with the decision.
Taylor: Are we seeing mind games at work from Big Match Card?
Romano: He’s the veteran of the team, he can quarterback from the outside and with Anderson, he’s got a wrecking ball to do the early work!
Seeing Big Match Card step to the apron, it makes the minds up of Cross and Quag, Recoba being the one to step to the apron at the start of the match.
Taylor: Alessandro making his case for starting it seems.
The bell rings and the two relative-newcomers are quick to meet in the middle of the ring. Quag lands the first blow with a punch to the jaw of Anderson. The former MMA fighter smiles before unleashing three rapid-fire jabs to try to bring the match into his own territory.
Taylor: Both men can brawl with the best of them.
Romano: If Quag can keep this to a stand-up battle, he’d be smart. Both Card and Anderson have amazing ground games.
Taylor: We’ve seen Quag mix brawling with a technical foundation that’s hard to beat!
Alessandro manages to duck a fourth, weaving his body back before lunging forward with a knee-to-the-gut. He grabs the arm of Anderson and whips him to the ropes, reversal...Quag lands a shoulder-charge on the Vegas native that sends him back a few steps. AQ pauses for a moment before rushing to the ropes and trying another shoulder-charge.
Taylor: Both men the bigger ones on their teams, we could be in for a hoss-fight!
Abel teeters. Encouraged by this, Quagliaterre hits the ropes once more...A CLOTHESLINE KNOCKS ANDERSON OFF HIS FEET!
Romano: Impressive strength from AQ!
Before he can capitalize, his opponent has rolled away and is back to his feet. He tries to get within range but Anderson unleashes his own knee to Quagliaterre and quickly hooks an arm...snap-suplex takes him down!
Taylor: Neither man getting an advantage in the early part of this fight...
Standing over his opponent, Anderson dives down with a punch but misses as he lands, looking for full-mount. Quagliaterre makes the most of the window and grabs the arm of the now off-balance Anderson and twists him around into a hammerlock.
Taylor: How can Quag work this?
Romano: You don’t see hammerlocks working for a way to finish a match outside of a cage but I don’t think he’s going for the end here, this is simply taking away the strongest asset!
Taylor: You could well be right, Abel’s offense starts with explosive power.
Anderson struggles for a moment in the hold as AQ bears his weight down on the bigger man. Abel tries to power his way out of it but the size advantage isn’t large enough for him to outpower his opponent.
Taylor: An unusual situation, Abel is used to overpowering his opponent.
Romano: Quag has the leverage about right, he’s making Anderson work to try and escape the hold and that’s going to wear him down.
Forced with no other option, Abel starts to claw his way towards the ropes. Quag doubles-down in a bid to stop the progress. Card can be heard in his corner, encouraging the newcomer to the ring to make just a few more feet. The veteran leans an arm out in order to try to close the gap.
Taylor: Card seeking to exert his influence on the match...
Anderson only has mere inches to go, he lets out a gutteral roar and uses his free hand to throw himself forward! He lifts up his arm and Card drags him the rest of the way!
Romano: Exert/just do the thing, same difference!
Quag keeps the hold on despite the referee starting the count.
ONE…
TWO…
Card takes the initiative and tags himself in!
Taylor: Alessandro was in no hurry to release the hold until now!
As soon as he hears the slap on the back of Abel, Quag drops the hold and rolls backwards, buying some space between himself and the incoming Card.
Romano: Smart move. Ask anyone who has stepped into the ring with Chris and they’ll tell you that you need the extra time to catch up with where he wants to take the match.
Taylor: You can guarantee that his partner for tonight will have told him that from the outset. Those two are set to face off once more at Road to Victory 4 in two weeks time!
Putting the few seconds to good use, Alessandro goes to lock-up but Card throws a side-elbow to the head of his opponent before grabbing a waist-lock. Quagliaterre looks to escape but the veteran throws a quick shot to the kidneys and moves his hands towards AQ’s neck but, evading the risk of a sleeper, he drops to the floor. Card lifts him up in a wheelbarrow motion but Quag scores a headlock takedown.
Taylor: Some smooth wrestling from the Jersey boy!
Romano: He’s going to need to mix it up, you can be certain that Card will have spent the time in the build-up to the match.
The AWF Hall of Famer is quick to act and ekes his head from the hold and scoots around to grab a front-facelock but AQ tries to turn it to his advantage and throws his legs forward to catch an armbar - Card slips out before the hold can be secured and throws a calf-kick as he rises to his feet.
Romano: Checking the leg as he gets out there..
Not giving an inch, The Real Man’s Wrestler catches the half-rising Quagliaterre with knees to the chest and backs him into the corner. He lifts his knee once more into the ribcage of Quagliaterre and sends him to the opposite corner...running back-elbow to the temple!
Taylor: Is this Card going through the gears?
Romano: This could be a test for where Quag is in the AWF!
AQ stumbles out from the corner, Card catches him and lifts him up for a rib-breaker but QUAG ROLLS THROUGH!
ONE…
TW-
CARD KICKS OUT!!
Taylor: Based on that reversal, Quag may well fare very well here!
Anticipating his opponent, Alessandro lands a spinning back fist, Card gets caught...BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX!!
Romano: Excellent suplex to take down the Hall of Famer!
Sensing the tide is with them, Quagliaterre tags in his partner to the excitement of the crowd in attendance.
Taylor: You can feel the atmosphere in the arena growing tenser...
Cross steps into the ring with intent, Card pushes himself back towards the ropes as Recoba closes in. Looking worried, Big Match Card reaches behind him and can the visible relief on his face is evident as he grabs a hold of the bottom rope. Cross is stopped in his advances by Biggs who warns him to let Card get to his feet. Recoba throws his hands up and backs away.
Romano: Card is always scheming.
Taylor: Cross, to his credit, didn’t even offer one word in disagreement to the decision.
Milking the opportunity, Card is slow to rise to his feet.
Taylor: Chris knows that he can control the tempo from here.
Upon doing so, he makes a show of letting go of the ropes as if to tell the referee to resume the match. Recoba steps towards him and looks for a collar-and-elbow tie-up but Card avoids him and ducks under the arms of Cross. Looking Biggs in the eyes, he throws a mule kick backwards that hits Recoba where no man should be kicked and shows no sign of remorse as he tags in Abel before he can be reprimanded by the referee.
Taylor: The referee might have been blindsided by the move but just listen to the crowd boo!
Abel steps into the ring and immediately starts to stomp down onto the chest of the still-downed Recoba. He picks up the smaller man and throws him to the ropes..ROARING ELBOW!
Romano: Huge strike from the cage-fighter!
Recoba is helpless to stop himself going back into the ropes, Anderson meets him with a quick boot to the sternum that doubles him over...SNAP SUPLEX!
Taylor: Another snap suplex from Anderson!
Romano: If he can keep on with the power moves, he knows victory will close in.
Anderson keeps hold of the head and rolls them both back to their feet, he throws an uppercut from the inside that sends Recoba reeling.
Taylor: Dirty boxing follows it up!
As Recoba grabs the ropes to catch himself, Anderson lays in with forearms to the lower back of his opponent. He steps back as Cross once more bounces off the ropes and spins...CROSS DUCKS AND HITS A DESPERATION SIT-OUT SHIRANUI!
Taylor: Cross hits the Sicilian Typewriter!
Romano: Now though he needs to get out before he puts his team’s chances of victory in danger!
The camera cuts to Cross whose eyes dart furiously as he works out where he is in the ring. He scrambles to his knees and leaps to tag in Alessandro Quagliaterre!
Taylor: Clearly he heard you there, Cassius!
Leaping over the top-rope, Quag sees Abel pushes himself up and charges forward with a driven knee to the temple of the cage-fighter. He pulls Anderson to his feet and sends him to the ropes...SPINEBUSTER!!
Romano: AQ showing he can match power moves with Abel here!
Taylor: The crowd seem to approve!
Popping to his feet, Quag throws a dab to the crowd and winks in Card’s direction.
Taylor: Even a bit of showboating from Alessandro!
Abel is pulled back up to his feet, AQ backs him into the ropes and whips him to the ropes, reversal...ANDERSON HITS THE DISCUS LARIAT!!
Romano: No dab, no Discus Lariat...just saying...
Acting on instinct, Anderson whips Quagliaterre into the corner and charges in with a clothesline. He tags in Card!
Taylor: Card will relish getting a stunned Alessandro, we have it on good authority he didn’t appreciate the accusations of being ‘fake-ass’!
Card comes into the ring and immediately starts to lay the boots into the stomach of Alessandro. As his opponent drops to the mat, Card uses the ropes to leap up and drive a knee to the face!
Romano: Card’s using every aspect of the ring tonight...
He tags Anderson back in, keeping the pressure on. His partner lifts up the New Jersey native and delivers a sucker punch before he turns his back and visibly taunts Recoba on the outside.
Taylor: Quick tags and dirty tricks are the blueprint of any Chris Card tag-team!
Romano: He’s getting the desired reaction though...
Cross steps into the ring but Nate Biggs is quick to cut him off. Utilizing the blindsided referee, the team of Card and Anderson make hay while the sun shines. Abel lands measured body shots as Big Match Card uses the tag rope to choke out Alessandro.
Taylor: C’MON,NATE! STOP BEING A TROPE!
Recoba sees this and is raging at the referee to do his job. In response, Biggs starts a count…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE..
Romano: Cross doing his team no favors there!
Recoba returns to his corner. Biggs turns around to see that everything is fair and right. Card tags in and grabs a front-facelock, he lifts Quag onto the top turnbuckle...ROPE-HUNG CORKSCREW NECKBREAKER!
Taylor: Card wheeling out his greatest hits tonight!
Card goes for the cover…
ONE…
TWO…
QUAG GETS AN ARM UP!!
Romano: Amazing resilience from Alessandro!
A look of disgust is evident on Card’s face. He drapes Quag over the middle-rope and pushes his knee into the back of his head to choke him. Biggs again starts a count..
ONE…
TWO…
THREE…
FOUR…
Taylor: Biggs should know by now that any count he gives Chris, he’s going to milk for as long as possible!
Card is taken aside and admonished by Biggs. Quag struggles to his feet, he falters as he goes to stand but he grabs the rope and works his way across the ring towards his corner.
Romano: The damage looks to be done though!
The Real Man’s Wrestler spots what’s going on in-between nods for effect to the referee and throws a hand-signal to the corner. Chris alters his position and leaves the referee blind as Abel rushes into the ring and blindsides Cross with a big boot that sends him flying to the floor. Anderson slides out of the ring and hurries back to his corner.
Taylor: C’MON NATE! EVERY TIME!
Seeing that the coast is clear, Card throws his hands up in apology and whips Quag into the corner. Abel, fresh from his journey elsewhere, tags in.
Romano: They’re working as a unit and keeping themselves fresh. Quag needs to work out an exit strategy quickly!
Anderson wraps his hands around the head of Quag and starts to deliver Muay Thai knees to the face of his opponent. He throws him to the floor..
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
QUAG GETS A LEG ON THE ROPES AT THE LAST!
Taylor: Brutal Muay Thai offense nearly got the win there!
Ashley Anderson on the outside can’t believe it, her cries of disbelief can be heard.
Lifting up the New Jersey native, Anderson eats an eye-rake for his troubles. AQ tries to make his way to his corner but Anderson grabs him and pushes him into the ropes. He whips Quag to the ropes, as AQ comes back...HE DUCKS THE CLOTHESLINE...ALESSANDRO LANDS A CHARGING HEADBUTT TO THE CHEST THAT SENDS ANDERSON HURTLING ACROSS THE RING!
Taylor: ZIDANE HEADBUTT!
Romano: ANDERSON TAKES IT LIKE HE WAS HIT BY A TRUCK!
Quag punches his head as if to charge himself up...HE CATCHES CHRIS CARD WITH THE CHARGING HEADBUTT AS CARD’S HALFWAY THROUGH THE ROPES!!
Taylor: ANOTHER ZIDANE HEADBUTT!
Romano: Can he take advantage now?
With the route cleared, Quag makes his way towards his corner. Anderson sits up and scrambles to his feet to try to grab the leg but falls short...AQ MAKES THE TAG!!
Taylor: The fresher man enters the ring!
Cross leaps in and fires off a quick kick to the body of Anderson before kicking out the leg from him. He steps up and levels Anderson with an enziguri!
Romano: Did you hear the connection?
Card can be seen trying to motivate his new charge as he hastily unravels the tag-rope.
Taylor: What’s he doing there?
Romano: It looks like he’s trying to gain a precious few inches on the tag rope!
Cross lifts up Anderson and lands a knife-edge chop but Abel fights back with an overhand right to the head of Recoba, he follows up with a lariat attempt but eats a body shot for his trouble...RANHEI!!
Taylor: That’s his half of the Hostile Takeover!
Romano: He needs to go for the cover!
A smile breaks out on Recoba’s face as he realizes that he has the upper hand. He rushes the ropes...CARD SENDS HIM TO THE FLOOR WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZIGURI!!
Taylor: Card takes him down with the cheap shot from behind!
Romano: He should have picked a better side of the ring to hit the ropes on!
Anderson gets to his feet and sees the good fortune that has come his way, he rushes to the corner and tags in Card!
Taylor: Finally, Card enters the ring with Cross but it’s when he’s stunned!
Romano: That’s why he’s smart!
Holding the back of his head, Cross gets to his feet and sees Card standing across the ring from him. Cross charges at Card and lands a flying forearm, he gets back to his feet and sees Card has matched him. He steps towards him and goes for a haymaker but it’s weaved...roundhouse kick...roundhouse kick! ROUNDHOUSE KICK!
Taylor: REPEATED ROUNDHOUSE KICKS!
Reeling backwards, Cross is helpless to stop Card from sending him to the corner. Card rushes in but Recoba lifts himself up and over into a sunset-flip…
ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT!!
Romano: If Cross hadn’t gotten out the way, this’d be over!
Wanting to keep the pressure on, Cross approaches Card...LUNGBLOWER!!
Taylor: HEARTBREAKER! This might well mean it is, Cassius!
With his former tag-partner down, Card tags out.
Romano: He’s giving it to Anderson!
Anderson comes into the ring in a hurry, he lifts up Cross and sends him into the corner with a thud!
Taylor: Cross almost bounced right out from the force of that whip into the turnbuckle!
Getting the Muay Thai Clinch half-hooked, Anderson checks his trunks for something but comes up short. He looks confused as he reels off an uppercut to stun Recoba and turns to Card. Card glances towards the tag-rope, the cameras cut to show the Aerosol Equalizer still hanging within the tag-rope.
Taylor: THAT’S WHAT HE WAS DOING WITH THE TAG ROPE!
Taking advantage of the miscommunication, Recoba charges out from the corner and levels Anderson with a running swinging neckbreaker. He carries on with the momentum and lands the legdrop bulldog!!
Romano: He needs to act fast...
Pulling Abel to his feet, he scoops him up...JUMPING SPINNING TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER!!
Taylor: UP ALL NIGHT IN DAKOTA!!!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
QUAG RUSHES IN TO CUT OFF CARD…
THREE!!!
Jessie Love: The winners of this match, as a result of pinfall, ALESSANDRO QUAGLIATERRE AND CROSS RECOBA!!
Card can be seen holding the pepper spray as Ashley Anderson is shown in disbelief.
We cut to ringside, where we see the a table has been set up mid-ring. Behind it stands AWF Commissioner Jackson Steele.
Steele: Ladies and Gentlemen, on March 20th, at Road to Victory 4, the AWF will have an opportunity to take control of one of the most storied XHF Network titles when we host a defence of the XHF Junior Heavyweight. Tonight we sign the contract for what is sure to be a phenomenal match. Introducing first, the man we have handpicked to represent the AWF: Bloodied Fox!!!
ALL CONTROL ARTS RELEASED - GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL
To the strains of BFG Division 2020 Fox makes his way down the ramp, dressed casual in jeans, boots and hoody. He acknowledges the cheers from the fans with a smile and a nod before sliding into the ring. He gives Steele a nod, then moves to the far end of the table.
Steele: And now the man he will challenge on March 20th; a fighting champion on day 84 of his reign. Please give a warm welcome to MYŌJIN!!!
Are you ready?
A9's RAINBOWS hits the speakers as a spotlight illuminates FIRESIDE's resident submission expert, a confident smile on his face as he heads down the ramp.
Taylor: MYŌJIN not looking phased at all as he appears in the AWF for the first time.
Romano: He's not lacking in confidence, but we'll see how long that lasts when the fighting starts.
Taylor: He's already made several successful defenses of his Junior Heavyweight title, Cassius; MYŌJIN is no slouch in the ring.
Romano: Those were in FIRESIDE and NPW, Taylor. He's stepping into the big leagues here, and Fox is a big time opponent.
The XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion steps into the ring, his belt laying across his shoulder, looking around the crowd as he heard some cheers and boos. Some enjoyed his title reign so far regardless of what fed he came from, and others were obviously pro-AWF and anti-FIRESIDE. MYOJIN seems not very bothered by it as he continues to look around, an ever so confident look on his face as he takes off his shades while stepping next to the table.
Steele: Now gentlemen, you've both had a chance to look over the contract earlier. Before you sign, do either of you have anything you'd like to say?
MYŌJIN picks up a mic from beside his contract on the table.
MYOJIN: So… This is Ascension Wrestling Federation.
He speaks with a faint sense of admiration as he sits down at the signing table, crossing his legs and swiveling his chair around. Laying his championship belt on his lap.
MYOJIN: Traveling around the entire Network, sometimes even country to country like I did my last defense. Though there was one place I was excited for the most to see for myself was this one here. Plenty consider this place the quintessential promotion of the entire XHF.
Some cheering grew louder at the compliments. The blonde turned his attention to Steele, and then to Bloodied Fox.
MYOJIN: Some say this is where all the best come to wrestle. I've always wanted to see if that was true myself. You see, Fox- darling, I'll have to admit it. I'm excited!
He spins the chair he's in around, looking around the entire area once more.
MYOJIN: I'm not just a wrestler. I'm a fan of this sport too. I'm always watching and learning what I can from some of the more experienced wrestlers. I'm always looking for someone else to test me and push me to be better. So to be facing you, a man that's held the XHF Tag Team, Phoenix, United States, and Prestige Championships- all in the span of about a year.. is just so.. exhilarating!
MYOJIN then placed the Junior Heavyweight title on the table.
MYOJIN: And not only that? But it'll get more eyes on this beauty and the competitive scene surrounding. I'm not interested in tribalistic FIRESIDE versus AWF battle. As a reigning-defending champion, I'm just interested in beating one of the best to further prove that I'm the best.
His lighthearted expression turned a bit mischievous.
MYOJIN: So, what say you, Foxy?
Fox grins. Having taken a seat as Myojin had entered the ring, he leans forward, elbow on the table, mic in hand.
Fox: What I say is that I'm pretty damn excited too.
The crowd cheers, Fox pausing to let them before continuing.
Fox: I'm excited, because after the last long while of fighting arseholes and scumbags, I'm going to be stepping into the ring to face off against someone I respect not just for their talent but their attitude. I'm excited because the world will get to witness what happens when one of the XHF Network's best submission wrestlers goes one on one with one of its best strikers. I'm excited because this match is going to steal the show...
Fox stands up and walks around the table, moving to beside the Junior Heavyweight title. He looks MYOJIN square in the eye as he places a hand on the belt.
Fox: ...but most of all, I'm excited because I'm going to be leaving Road to Victory as the fiftieth XHF Junior Heavyweight champion.
MYŌJIN stands at that, a smile still on his face but steel in his eyes. The commissioner stands ready to break up fisticuffs but Fox takes a step back, taking his hand up off of the title and instead holding it out to MYŌJIN to shake. The champion eyes the challenger's hand with a raised eyebrow, but after a moment's pause accepts. The fans cheer the display of good sportsmanship, as Jackson Steele looks relieved at the lack of violence. Both men return to their respective table ends, putting pen to paper to make the match official.
Romano: Damn, I was hoping someone would go through the table.
Taylor: I'm sure the match itself will give you plenty enough action.
Romano: Probably, but I had $10 on fists flying tonight!
Paperwork done, Fox rolls out of the ring, heading back up the ramp. MYŌJIN remains in the ring, nodding at him and lifting the Junior Heavyweight title high. Fox simply smiles in response as he back up the ramp, making the two hands across the waist 'I want the belt' motion.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is our main event! Introducing first…
"Crawling in the Dark" by Hoobastank hits as Tasmin comes out in a leather biker jacket, a black top and baggy camo pants.
Jessie Love: From, Norwich, England, weighing in at one hundred and ten pounds, she is the AWF Around the Clock Champion… TASMIN RICHARDS!!
She makes her way down to the ring slowly holding the lapels of her jacket before running over to the barricade as the chorus of ``Crawling in the Dark" hits and she sings with the small crowd.
Show me what it's for, make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer!
Taylor: This will be a tough ask for our Around the Clock Champion. In just her second match, she has to take on the top champion of the company.
Romano: She is the underdog in this match. Her opponent is heavily favored. And with good reason.
Taylor: But Tasmin is going to give this match her very best. She will stand up to Keith and be unafraid.
Romano: She should be afraid.
She high fives a few fans before springing and sliding under the bottom rope popping up to her knees and then onto her feet running to each corner jumping onto the middle rope.
The arena is plunged into darkness as "When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin echoes out of the speakers, triggering the attention of those in attendance to the stage where dark blue lights have started to flash in rhythm to the music.
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
When the levee breaks I'll have no place to stay
As the tempo of the song picks up, it can barely be seen that someone has made their way out in the pitch black, planting themselves in the middle of the stage. The lights return and we're shown the back of Keith Williams as he's pointing at what's on his clothing. He's noticeably wearing a black denim vest with patches of bands on the front, the words "Paragon of Sleaze" printed on the back in a death metal/black metal stylized font, and directly below this is a giant mustache graphic.
Jessie Love: And her opponent, from Raleigh, North Carolina, weighing in at two hundred sixty-three pounds… he is the Paragon of Sleaze and the AWF Prestige Champion, KEITH WILLIAMS!!
Romano: And there he is! Our champion! No one to dispute this one either.
Taylor: Well, regardless of his championship status, we have a match between he and Richards.
Romano: Well, this is one of the most one-sided matches we have and I’m ready to sing Keith’s praises as the final bell rings.
Williams spins around, stroking his mustache and gleefully taking a look out at the crowd. He slowly saunters his way down the rampway to ringside, taking his time to taunt fans on either side of him. As he reaches the ring, Keith goes to enter by rolling under the bottom rope, but hesitates for a moment to thrust against it to the beat of the song, eventually getting to his feet and treating everyone with another round of mustache strokes for good measure. He mounts the turnbuckle nearest to him, hopping up to the middle rope and posing with his arms spread wide. As the music dies down, KW abandons his post and tosses his vest to a company stooge on the outside, taking to practicing his elbows in the corner before the match begins.
Main Event
Keith Williams vs Tasmin Richards
DING DING DING
The bell sounds, and Gabe Valentine signals the start of the match. The much larger Keith Williams goes for much smaller Tasmin Richards, but Richards is quick on her feet rolls underneath a possible clothesline. Keith turns to try to grab the youngster, but Tasmin was already moved from that spot and driving her foot into the back of Keith’s right knee.
Taylor: And look at the speed of Tasmin Richards!
Romano: She can’t run forever. When Keith gets his hands on her, it’s not going to be pretty.
Keith turns around again only to have Tasmin leaping in the air and dropping him to the mat with a standing shiranui. Before Keith can get back up, Tasmin is leaping off the top rope for a hurricanrana… but that is when Keith finally does something about the speedy offense of Tasmin Richards and catches her just enough to prevent the hurricanrana from being executed.
Taylor: Uh oh.
Romano: Here we go!
Keith pulls Tasmin up and drives her into the mat with a powerbomb. Richards is spread eagle on the mat after the move. Keith scoffs as he hooks the leg, and Valentine does the count.
ONE!!
TWO!!
NO!!
Taylor: And Tasmin Richards gets the shoulder up!
Romano: But man, that powerbomb took the air right out of her momentum. Talk about a glass cannon.
With a smirk on his face, Keith yanks Richards up by her hair and delivers a snap suplex on the holder of the belt he’s held twice. When Tasmin tries to get up, she eats a lariat for her troubles.
Taylor: Keith Williams has firm control over this match!
Romano: It’s to be expected, right? He’s the champion and double her size. I said it before and I’ll say it again, Tasmin Richards doesn’t stand a chance.
The Prestige Champion chuckles to himself as he picks up his opponent and places her in the corner. And that’s when the chops start. It starts with one, then another, then another with every shop causing so much force on the England native that her legs flying in the air upon contact. The fans begin to boo as Williams taunts everyone in the crowd pulling for Tasmin. When he turns back around, he has eyes for bigger things.
Taylor: I do not like that look on Keith’s face.
Romano: I do. He’s thinking about going “super” with his next move. Remember, he has a message to send to Tasmin’s fiance, who he will be facing in two weeks.
Keith starts to put Tasmin on the top rope and then starts to climb it himself. As Tasmin starts to realize what’s going on, she delivers a left that doesn’t faze Keith. She goes for a right that at least bothers him and makes sure he can’t get a grip on her arms to execute the superplex that he’s trying to hit.
Taylor: And Tasmin is trying to fight Keith off.
Romano: It’s doing nothing. Big whoop.
Tasmin keeps trying though and eventually finds the energy to let off a few rapid fire strikes to the same knee she hit at the beginning of the match, which is just enough for Keith Williams to slip off the top rope.
Taylor: Tasmin did it! She got Keith off the top rope.
Romano: Yeah, but what does it ma- oh, I see…
Just as Keith regains his balance, he looks up and sees Tasmin’s horizontal body flying at him from the top rope. She might only be a buck ten, but with the momentum from the top rope, Keith Williams is dropped to the mat.
Taylor: Leaping crossbody from the top rope! Tasmin Richards has turned the tide in this match!
Romano: Come on, Keith! Get your head in the game!
Taylor: Cover by Richards! Could this be the upset of the year?!
ONE!!
TWO!!
T...NO!!
Keith gets the shoulder up at two!
Taylor: So close for Richards! But the match continues.
Romano: That will be as close as she’s going to get!
Despite being the pinned one, Keith Williams is the first to his feet. But as he gets close to Tasmin, she kips up into a hurricanrana and sends him across the ring.
Taylor: Wow, she waited for him and he took the bait.
Romano: But none of this is enough to win the match! She can do all the flippy moves she wants, but Keith is a far stronger specimen and will win this match!
Both competitors return to their feet. Tasmin Richards moves first with a front dropkick and kips right back as Williams hits the mat. She hops on the apron and slingshots into a spear and quickly hooks the leg.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THR...NO!!
Taylor: Keith Williams avoids being upset once more with a kickout and he does NOT look happy.
Keith makes sure he has a firm grasp on Tasmin Richards as his temper has obviously flared up. Tasmin tries to kick with her free leg, but Keith shrugs it off and lifts her up for a spinebuster. The impact shakes the ring. He lifts her off the mat and drops her with a jumping piledriver, to the shock of everyone in the ring. Tasmin is motionless in the ring as Keith Williams gets the cover.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THRE...NO!!
Taylor: Tasmin Richards gets the shoulder up!!
Romano: Oh come on!! This is getting ridiculous!
Taylor: Whatever you want to call it, Tasmin Richards is still alive in this!
Keith gets back to his feet and starts yelling at Gabe Valentine to start counting faster because he doesn’t have time for this. Valentine tells him that if he doesn’t stop yelling at officials, he could be disqualified for abuse. Williams scoffs as he turns around to go for the “From Japan With Hate” but TASMIN COUNTERS INTO A SMALL PACKAGE!!
Romano: Wait, no!!
Taylor: Tasmin with the small package!! Williams is flailing but he was caught way off guard by that!!
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
DING DING DING!!
Romano: NO!! THIS CAN’T BE!
Taylor: Tasmin Richards scores the huge upset!!
Romano: This… how? Why?
Tasmin Richards rolls over as Hoobastank fills the arena and Valentine holds up her arm.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner, TASMIN RICHARDS!!
Taylor: If I had to speculate what happened there, it feels like Tasmin Richards knew how to counter that exact move.
Romano: I don’t care how it happened. This is the worst ending in AWF history.
Taylor: Well, Keith’s “From Japan With Hate” and Adam Sanders’s “This Is Awkward” is essentially the same move. Tasmin clearly had practice figuring out how to get out of that move.
Romano: Well, she can watch it work on her fiance in two weeks. It doesn’t matter to me. And it looks like Keith wants to send a message right now to Adam Sanders.
Keith Williams wastes no time making sure that he vented his frustrations for the upset as he rolls out of the ring and grabs a steel chair from ringside. Tasmin Richards notices this when she sees Keith reenter the ring. He takes his first swing and misses, but he has Tasmin Richards in a corner with no escape.
Taylor: Keith, come on! Don’t do this! Accept it wasn’t your night and move on!
Romano: No. This is justified. He deserves to do this to her!
Taylor: Wait, here comes the calvary!
Romano: Oh who let him in the building! He isn’t scheduled to be here tonight!!
Adam Sanders, coming off his victory at FWA’s War for Supremacy, dashes down the ramp and as the chair is above Keith’s head to swing at Tasmin, Adam yanks it out of his hand. He tosses the chair aside and beckons Keith to go for it. Keith, smartly knowing that the odds were not favoring him after wrestling a match, rolls out of the ring and stares down with Sanders from the outside.
Taylor: Thank God that Adam was able to make sure Tasmin didn’t get drilled with that chair.
Romano: He could have let her take one shot to let her toughen up a bit.
Taylor: That was uncalled for. It’s great to see Adam make the save there.
Romano: Well, in two weeks, he’s going to have to answer for butting into Keith’s business.
Keith yells as he goes up the ramp that in two weeks, he is ending the Awkward One. Adam just gives a silent glare as Keith continues to yell that he will still be Prestige Champion after Road to Victory.
Taylor: Well, as you said, the next time you will see us, these two will be in the ring to decide the Prestige Championship.
Romano: Along with a host of matches, including Neo James Carner versus Erin Gordon, Betsy Granger versus Frankie Webb...
Taylor: Rob Garcia and Kira Izumi will finally settle their score as well. Not to mention Chris Card versus Cross Recoba. But the only way you can see these matches and more is to tune into AWF Road to Victory on March 20th! We will see you there! This is Tommy Taylor and Cassius Romano, signing off!
The last shot we see is Keith Williams on the apron with his championship belt but Adam Sanders glaring visible on the screen behind him.
