The AWF Presents: The Final Clash of the Icons
Jul 4, 2021 16:01:53 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Curtis D. Kanyon, and 10 more like this
Post by Seth Dillinger on Jul 4, 2021 16:01:53 GMT -5
for the last time ever...
THE AWF PRESENTS...
CLASH OF THE ICONS 2021
LIVE FROM WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
JULY 4TH, 2021
(max capacity: 250)
(...but let's be real, we're cramming as many people in here as possible)
The lights fly with vivid lights all around the VFW in Bethesda, OH. The camera pores through the fans in this jam-packed venue. However, it can be told by the look of the fans that this isn't the same show for them. Many of the fans are excited, but there's an err of somber reflection and uncertainty. The cameras pan to the commentators as they open the show for the last time.
Taylor: Wel... Welcome to Clash of the Icons. It's a bit sad to say but yes, this will be the last time we'll do this. I'm Tommy Taylor.
Romano: And I'm Cassius Romano. This is sad for sure, but we still have a job to do and dang it, we will do it! We got a hell of a show ahead of us! All belts are on the line! The Phoenix! The US! The Prestige!
Taylor: And even the Around The Clock, which is available for the taking any time until the end of the show! Who will be the final champion?
Romano: And some of these long-lasting rivalries are finally coming to an end. Hyperion versus Jason Long, known to the AWF as Maverick. Or how about Chris Card and Cross Recoba?
Taylor: And best friends pitting themselves for one final match for the top belt the AWF has. Betsy Granger against the champion, Adam Sanders? How will this match change things? And will their feelings keep them from fighting their hardest?
Romano: And let's not forget about-
That's when "Ecstasy of Gold" plays as AWF's Commissioner Jackson Steele walks out toward the ring, dressed in a suit and holding a microphone.
Taylor: The commish is here! What's on his mind?
Steele: How are we doing, AWF?!
The crowd welcomes him with uncertain, delayed applause.
Steele: Look, I know you're upset and I know you're not looking forward to the magic ending. And believe me, I'm right there with you. I've been with AWF since Prestige 2. I was their first champion and now this dream is coming to an end, but fear not!
The sudden change of pace captures the attention of the fans.
Steele: The AWF has taken the XHF by storm and we have held the XHF around the throat with our fists clenched since the beginning! We've won End of Days all but one year. We've won the XHF Rumble. We've held the X*Crown so long that for the first few years of the network being open, no other federation could even SMELL that belt! We've won Xtractions, and we BECAME the measuring stick that all other promotions compared themselves to. So why are we focusing on the bad?
Jackson Steele smiles as he sticks his fingers out to the audience.
Steele: Don't be sad that it's over. Be happy that it happened. That's what they say, right? We've rocked the XHF for the entire time that the AWF was afloat! Remember, this is the Ascension Wrestling Federation - the largest and greatest promotion that the XHF Network has ever known and if we are going to go out, we are going to go out with the biggest and greatest show that professional wrestling has ever seen! ARE YOU WITH ME!?
The crowd goes absolutely nuts, cheering, whistling, hooting and hollering.
Steele: THIS IS AWF! THIS IS CLASH OF THE ICONS! NOW LET'S START THE DAMN SHOW!
Steele exits the ring as the first match immediately starts preparations.
Taylor: Great job on Jackson Steele for setting this tone on an upbeat level! Good for him!
Romano: I couldn't have said this better, myself. I'm proud of what we have accomplished, and I'm honored to be here for our final show. Let's get this done!
Taylor: We’ve got one heck of a packed night in store for Ascension Wrestling Federation’s final show. Clash of the Icons couldn’t be more aptly named as we head into our first match of the night.
Romano: This first match was added late to the card, but is in no way a dud! Kicking off the night are the XHF Tag Team Champions and members of this year's Call To Arms winning team, the Bang Bros! After some confusion with Donny Deville, Curtis Kanyon finds himself defending the belts with longtime friend Steve Awesome against AWF’s brightest young talents, Adam Sanders and Betsy Granger, also known as Impossibly Awkward!
Taylor: It’s going to be interesting to see how those two get along knowing that they’ll be facing off later on tonight in the main event for the Prestige Title! A fact that must be heavy on both their minds!
Romano: Well they better focus up if they have a prayer of beating the Bang Bros for the XHF Tag Team belts!
The drum fill followed by the opening guitar riff for the title track off the fourth studio album by Canadian punk band Sum 41 begins to blare on the Ascension PA system. The fans begin to cheer as the lights go dark and a single spotlight appears on the ramp.
One, two, three, four
The rest of the band joins the guitar as Adam Sanders emerges behind the curtain. Betsy comes out, but she’s only a silhouette at this point. Just as the chord progression repeats a second time, Betsy dabs and the lights come back. The fans give the Awkward One loud cheers as the spotlight follows his trek towards the ring. Betsy starts dancing down the aisle towards the ring.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the XHF Tag Team Championship! Introducing first, at a combined weight of three hundred seventy-five pounds, Betsy Granger and Adam Sanders… IMPOSSIBLY AWKWARD!!
Well, I won’t be caught living in a dead end job
While praying to my government guns and gods
Now it’s us against them, we’re here to represent
And spit right in the face of the establishment!
Sanders walks up the stairs, walks down the apron a bit and puts both arms in the air. The fans continue to give loud cheers for the AWF competitor as he steps between the top and middle rope to enter the ring. He steps on the opposite turnbuckle, the chorus of the song becomes the backdrop for him to hop back into the ring. 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.
Well because we're doing fine, and we don't need to be told
That we're doing fine, 'cause we won't give you control.
And we don't need anything from you,
'Cause we'll be just fine, and we won't be bought and sold, just like you
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. She holds up the belt with her other hand as she dances to the music. When she finishes playing up the fans, she starts bouncing in place, preparing mentally for the bout.
The lights in the venue flash red, white, and blue to the beat of the opening riffs of “American Males” by Jimmy Hart playing over the P.A. Curtis Kanyon and Steve Awesome emerge from the entryway wearing matching sequined leather jackets. Curtis is also carrying his trusty sledgehammer over his shoulder. Curtis and Steve high five and then head down to the ring.
Jessie Love: And their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of five hundred eight pounds, they are the XHF and Fireside Tag Team Champions, Curtis Kanyon and Steve Awesome… THE BANG BROS!!
Curtis rolls into the ring and heads to a corner. Steve hops into the ring and he provocatively slips off his jacket and then spins and drops into a kneel and he flexes his arms. At the same time, Curtis hoists his hammer into the air and yells “BANG!” They both get a slow motion effect as pyro sprays behind them.
XHF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
BANG BROS (c) VS. IMPOSSIBLY AWKWARD
The bell rings as both teams convene in their respective corners to decide on who starts. Granger ends the discussion for her team by rushing at both Awesome and Kanyon, sending them flying into one another. Kanyon is knocked off the apron while Awesome stumbles around for his footing. Sanders blinks for a moment, then shrugs, climbing through the ropes and standing at the corner of the ring. Granger, wasting no time, rushes back at Awesome, catching him with a series of kicks that sends him stumbling back into the ring corner. Kanyon has made his way back up to the ring apron by now, and shouts something rather rude in Granger’s direction. Turning his way, her face lights up in a wide grin and she flips him off.
Romano: A very unlady-like gesture from Miss Granger! Her parents should be ashamed.
Taylor: I can only imagine what Kanyon was telling her, I’m sure he earned it.
During her distraction, Awesome manages to get his feet under him. Patiently, he stalks behind her, waiting for the moment she turns around. Sanders attempts to shout a warning, but it backfires. Granger turns and immediately eats a giant boot, courtesy of Awesome. The crowd boos loudly, but Awesome basks in it; he places one hand on his popped out hip while using the fingers of his free hand to brush through his luscious locks. Flipping it behind him when he’s done, he blows a kiss to the prettiest girl in the front row before turning back to Granger. This time it’s he who is caught by surprise as Granger nails him with a reverse roundhouse kick to his right shoulder. The impact has its desired effect; Awesome’s hand reaches automatically for the old injury.
Taylor: It seems that the Impossible Traveler has done her homework on her opponents! That sort of strategy is well beyond her experience!
Romano: Strategy? That was downright foul play, Tommy boy! How would Granger like it if someone started attacking her old injuries?
Granger smirks as Awesome looks at her in exaggerated shock. She begins to prowl around the ring as Awesome attempts to beg off, still nursing his arm. After a minute, Granger’s amusement switches to annoyance as she realizes Awesome is playing for time. Charging forward, she attempts a quick chop, but Awesome dodges easily and sends her to the mat with a drop-toe hold. Granger manages to roll out of his grip before Awesome has a chance to really set it in. Both jump up and turn towards each other, both of them racing at the other for a clothesline. They collide into one another, much to the amusement of the crowd and the exasperation of their tag partners.
Awesome reaches his corner first and tags in Kanyon, who doesn’t hesitate. Jumping over the ropes, he rushes to Granger and pulls her away by the leg. She misses Sanders’ outstretched hand by mere fingertips; struggling under the big man's grasp, she rolls herself over and aims a kick at his gut with all her might. Kanyon barely staggers, but it does force him to let go. Granger scoots away quickly towards her corner and manages to connect with Sanders. The crowd cheers as Kanyon and Sanders come face to face, the two powerhouses of the bout. Lifting his hand in the air, Kanyon challenges Sanders to a contest of strength. Awesome heckles Sanders loudly from their corner while Granger screams her encouragement to her tag partner and best friend.
Taylor: No sign of dissension in the ranks from Impossibly Awkward as Granger is loud in her encouragement to her bestie.
Romano: That’s all good and well for now, but one or the other is eventually going to remember what’s at stake later on tonight. It won’t last, mark my words.
Kanyon and Sanders lock hands and begin the power struggle in the center. The crowd is split pretty evenly between the two as they start turning red in the face, neither one giving an inch. Several moments pass and the two seem to be in a deadlock, that is until Sanders shifts his weight slightly, allowing him the advantage. Kanyon takes an involuntary step backward. Sanders keeps on him, feeling Kanyon’s wrist begin to tremble with the effort. On the apron, Awesome had been posing and preening for the crowd; when he looks back to the ring, he realizes his partner is losing the battle of strength. He quickly enters the ring and catches Sanders off balance with a swift kick to the shin. Sanders wobbles as Granger flies into the ring and spears both she and Awesome right out of the ring!
Inside, Kanyon and Sanders are both getting their feet back under them. Kanyon strikes first, hitting Sanders with a clothesline that sends the Awkward One down to the mat. As Kanyon turns back, Sanders kips-up to his feet quickly. Kanyon tries for another clothesline, using his momentum to bounce off the ropes. Sanders manages to duck, sending Kanyon into a momentary stumble. Turning quickly on his feet, Sander capitalizes, scooping up Kanyon and slamming him backward with a wicked spinebuster! Sanders quickly makes the cover as Granger keeps Awesome distracted.
1…
2…
NO!!!! Kanyon gets the shoulder up quickly, shoving Adam off of him.
Taylor: Impossibly Awkward hoping to get the job done quickly here tonight! Not only a wise strategy against the two wily veterans, but an act of self-preservation.
Romano: Sanders and that sexy little minx of a tag partner are going to have to work a lot harder than that if they hope to leave with those belts tonight!
Sanders jumps to his feet and spins around to face Kanyon once more, but before he can make a move, he’s yanked off his feet and pulled out of the ring! The crowd boos as Steve Awesome lifts his arms in a grand pose before laying boots to Sanders. Granger, who had taken a head shot against the guardrail, was shaking off the cobwebs and crawling to her feet. She turns groggily in time to see Kanyon getting to his feet and making his way over to where the action was. This seems to revive her senses a bit; jumping to her feet, she hurries over to where Sanders is struggling to fight back against a relentless Awesome. With an animalistic screech, Granger takes a running leap and attaches herself to Awesome’s back, arms locked around his neck.
Romano: Luckily for Steve Awesome, he’s well accustomed to being attacked by crazy female fans on the daily. Ever since Call to Arms, Granger can’t seem to keep herself off of the poor guy.
Taylor: I wouldn’t read too deeply into this, Cassius. Granger is the one who eliminated him from Call to Arms in the first place; maybe she’s just trying to get into the head of Awesome.
Awesome spins around quickly, desperate to fling The Impossible Traveler off his person. Sanders watches in disbelief for a moment, before turning his attention back to the ring. Kanyon is getting ready to climb out to help his partner; Sanders leaps up to the apron and rushes down the side, before landing a dropkick to the face of Kanyon. They both fall to the unrelenting mats beneath them. Sanders is the first to his feet; forcing Kanyon up as well, he pushes the former X-Crown champion back into the ring.
Meanwhile, Granger has maintained her strangle hold on Awesome as he spins around wildly. Before long, the Prettiest Player in the Game is on one knee, clearly fading. Granger switches tactics; quick as lightning, she grabs the right arm and wrenches it around his back. The pain in his shoulder brings Awesome back to life as he howls with pain and tries to jerk his arm away.
Taylor: Sanders and Granger proving that experience isn’t always as important as a solid partnership!
Romano: Why don’t you just calm down there, Taylor? They haven’t even won anything yet. Give Kanyon and Awesome time, they’re letting the kids have their fun for now. This isn’t their first rodeo.
Back in the ring, Kanyon has gained the advantage over Sanders and is currently working him over with a series of strategically placed punches. On the outside, Granger walks Awesome over to his side of the ring by his trapped arm, instructing him to stay there this time. She shoves him into the ring steps for good measure before jogging back to her corner and hopping back up on apron. Awesome climbs clumsily up the apron, muttering under his breath and favoring his shoulder. All the time, Kanyon has been wearing Sanders down with strikes, now he lifts Sanders high in the air and holds him there for several seconds. Granger cringes as Sanders is slammed like a sack of potatoes to the mat with a vicious gorilla press slam. The former POTUS wastes no time hooking Sanders leg for the cover.
1…
2… No!! Sanders kicks out with authority as Granger lets out a loud whoop of relief.
Romano: What did I tell ya? Mr. President and The Face of the Franchise were only getting warmed up. Impossibly Awkward doesn’t stand a chance.
Taylor: It does seem as though Kanyon and Awesome are tired of playing with their food. Kanyon has taken this match away from Sanders in a major way. The Awkward One needs to think about making a tag soon before it’s too late!
Sanders seems to have shared that thought from the ring as he begins to show signs of life. Betsy starts stomping her foot and waving her arms at the crowd to get them behind Impossibly Awkward. The crowd cheers loudly as Sanders catches Kanyon off guard with a series of strikes to the torso. Kanyon had been forcing Sanders to his knees by his hair; now he’s forced to let go as Sanders shows a surprising amount of strength in his punches. Once he’s on his feet, the two big guys begin swinging at one another. Going between punches and chops, the crowd cheers when Sanders lands his strike; in turn, the b(w)oo when Kanyon responds in kind.
Taylor: Curtis Kanyon finding out that Adam Sanders is one of the hardest hitting pure strikers in the Network.
Romano: I wouldn’t go THAT far now...
Taylor: You want to take some strikes from him to test that?
Romano: Not interested.
It only takes a few more strikes from Sanders to overwhelm Kanyon enough to switch things up into a Motor City Circuit. Every fan is on their feet as Sanders hooks the leg.
1…
2… NO!! Steve Awesome breaks up the pinfall.
As soon as Steve Tyrell had his back turned to deal with Steve Awesome’s presence in the ring, Kanyon delivers a quick low blow on Adam to knock him off his feet, prompting boos from every fan in the venue. As soon as Awesome is out of the ring and the referee can pay attention to the action once more, Kanyon was already dropping Adam on his head with a sitout piledriver. Cover by Kanyon!!
1…
2…
Th...KICKOUT!!
Taylor: And Adam Sanders gets the kickout just in time!
Romano: Almost retained!!
Taylor: Sanders is not trying to give up tonight. He wants these titles very badly for he and Betsy Granger.
Romano: Yeah well, it’s nice to want things.
Kanyon looks to try a different kind of piledriver to see if it can put Adam away… Adam’s piledriver to be exact. But the moment the former President lifted Adam in the air for the suplex half of the move, Sanders wiggles free and behind him. As soon as Kanyon turned around, Adam lays him out with the Lightning Strike! Both men are down! With Awesome and Granger both reaching for a tag, Steve Tyrell starts counting.
One.
Two.
Three.
Adam starts stirring. Kanyon as well.
Four.
Five.
Adam starts crawling to his corner. Kanyon is still unaware as to what’s going on.
Six.
Seven.
TAG TO BETSY GRANGER!! Curtis Kanyon starts reaching and… BETSY STOPS HIM!!
Taylor: This could be the turning point they need!!
Romano: This isn’t looking good. They got Kanyon isolated!
With Kanyon still on the mat, Betsy Granger takes advantage of her submission specialty, more specifically, the lotus lock. Steve Awesome decides he can’t sit around again and jumps into the ring and delivers a stiff kick to the back of Betsy’s head. The boos fill the building. Awesome quickly drags Kanyon closer to their corner and returns to the apron only to tag himself in. Adam Sanders has decided he has had enough and charges the ring, knocking Awesome outside the ring with a clothesline. He turns and sees Kanyon drop him with a headbutt. Kanyon lifts Sanders and places him in a tree of woe before taking an extra step in the process…
Romano: So why did Kanyon just get a pair of handcuffs?
Taylor: Oh no.
Romano: Ohhhh, I see…
Kanyon cuffs Adam’s ankle to the top rope so he can’t move. He starts delivering every strike he possibly can come up with from stiff forearms to knee strikes to stomps. Granger eventually sees this occurring and brings Kanyon down with a Down You Go!, not realizing Kanyon wasn’t the legal man anymore.
Taylor: She didn’t see the tag! And Awesome is right behind her!!
Romano: He looks like he has a plan too!
Granger is yanked by the former X*Crown Champion and lifted into the air before she can realize what’s going on. Awesome drops her with the SteveKO while everyone in the building is booing him. Sanders keeps trying to fight to get out of the corner, even if it means breaking the cuffs but can’t. Kanyon silences Adam’s attempt with a quick stomp to the jaw of the Prestige Champion. Awesome with the cover on Granger.
Taylor: Not like this...
Romano: They did what they had to do.
1…
2…
3!!
DING DING DING!!
Jessie Love: Here are your winners… AND STILL XHF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, THE BANG BROS!!
“American Males” starts playing once more as the ring veterans are handed their titles once more, holding them high above their head. Kanyon shows some semblance of humanity by giving Steve Tyrell the handcuff keys so he can free Adam Sanders. The two champions embrace on the outside of the ring as Adam is finally freed. Betsy Granger looks back up and sees the BANG Bros leaving, realizing what just happened.
Taylor: Such a tough situation for Impossibly Awkward. Just so many little things didn’t go their way and now one of them will have to leave empty handed tonight.
Romano: And now, these two are opponents in a couple of hours.
Taylor: And the eye contact they are making must be them realizing that now.
Adam Sanders and Betsy Granger have conflicted expressions on their faces as they lock eyes. Two best friends… only one of them leaves with a championship by the end of the night.
THE AWF MIGHT BE CLOSING
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE ACTION NEEDS TO STOP!
CATCH UP WITH ALL OF THE AWF'S SUPERSHOWS
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THE AWF PRESENTS...
CLASH OF THE ICONS 2021
LIVE FROM WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
JULY 4TH, 2021
(max capacity: 250)
(...but let's be real, we're cramming as many people in here as possible)
The lights fly with vivid lights all around the VFW in Bethesda, OH. The camera pores through the fans in this jam-packed venue. However, it can be told by the look of the fans that this isn't the same show for them. Many of the fans are excited, but there's an err of somber reflection and uncertainty. The cameras pan to the commentators as they open the show for the last time.
Taylor: Wel... Welcome to Clash of the Icons. It's a bit sad to say but yes, this will be the last time we'll do this. I'm Tommy Taylor.
Romano: And I'm Cassius Romano. This is sad for sure, but we still have a job to do and dang it, we will do it! We got a hell of a show ahead of us! All belts are on the line! The Phoenix! The US! The Prestige!
Taylor: And even the Around The Clock, which is available for the taking any time until the end of the show! Who will be the final champion?
Romano: And some of these long-lasting rivalries are finally coming to an end. Hyperion versus Jason Long, known to the AWF as Maverick. Or how about Chris Card and Cross Recoba?
Taylor: And best friends pitting themselves for one final match for the top belt the AWF has. Betsy Granger against the champion, Adam Sanders? How will this match change things? And will their feelings keep them from fighting their hardest?
Romano: And let's not forget about-
That's when "Ecstasy of Gold" plays as AWF's Commissioner Jackson Steele walks out toward the ring, dressed in a suit and holding a microphone.
Taylor: The commish is here! What's on his mind?
Steele: How are we doing, AWF?!
The crowd welcomes him with uncertain, delayed applause.
Steele: Look, I know you're upset and I know you're not looking forward to the magic ending. And believe me, I'm right there with you. I've been with AWF since Prestige 2. I was their first champion and now this dream is coming to an end, but fear not!
The sudden change of pace captures the attention of the fans.
Steele: The AWF has taken the XHF by storm and we have held the XHF around the throat with our fists clenched since the beginning! We've won End of Days all but one year. We've won the XHF Rumble. We've held the X*Crown so long that for the first few years of the network being open, no other federation could even SMELL that belt! We've won Xtractions, and we BECAME the measuring stick that all other promotions compared themselves to. So why are we focusing on the bad?
Jackson Steele smiles as he sticks his fingers out to the audience.
Steele: Don't be sad that it's over. Be happy that it happened. That's what they say, right? We've rocked the XHF for the entire time that the AWF was afloat! Remember, this is the Ascension Wrestling Federation - the largest and greatest promotion that the XHF Network has ever known and if we are going to go out, we are going to go out with the biggest and greatest show that professional wrestling has ever seen! ARE YOU WITH ME!?
The crowd goes absolutely nuts, cheering, whistling, hooting and hollering.
Steele: THIS IS AWF! THIS IS CLASH OF THE ICONS! NOW LET'S START THE DAMN SHOW!
Steele exits the ring as the first match immediately starts preparations.
Taylor: Great job on Jackson Steele for setting this tone on an upbeat level! Good for him!
Romano: I couldn't have said this better, myself. I'm proud of what we have accomplished, and I'm honored to be here for our final show. Let's get this done!
Taylor: We’ve got one heck of a packed night in store for Ascension Wrestling Federation’s final show. Clash of the Icons couldn’t be more aptly named as we head into our first match of the night.
Romano: This first match was added late to the card, but is in no way a dud! Kicking off the night are the XHF Tag Team Champions and members of this year's Call To Arms winning team, the Bang Bros! After some confusion with Donny Deville, Curtis Kanyon finds himself defending the belts with longtime friend Steve Awesome against AWF’s brightest young talents, Adam Sanders and Betsy Granger, also known as Impossibly Awkward!
Taylor: It’s going to be interesting to see how those two get along knowing that they’ll be facing off later on tonight in the main event for the Prestige Title! A fact that must be heavy on both their minds!
Romano: Well they better focus up if they have a prayer of beating the Bang Bros for the XHF Tag Team belts!
The drum fill followed by the opening guitar riff for the title track off the fourth studio album by Canadian punk band Sum 41 begins to blare on the Ascension PA system. The fans begin to cheer as the lights go dark and a single spotlight appears on the ramp.
One, two, three, four
The rest of the band joins the guitar as Adam Sanders emerges behind the curtain. Betsy comes out, but she’s only a silhouette at this point. Just as the chord progression repeats a second time, Betsy dabs and the lights come back. The fans give the Awkward One loud cheers as the spotlight follows his trek towards the ring. Betsy starts dancing down the aisle towards the ring.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the XHF Tag Team Championship! Introducing first, at a combined weight of three hundred seventy-five pounds, Betsy Granger and Adam Sanders… IMPOSSIBLY AWKWARD!!
Well, I won’t be caught living in a dead end job
While praying to my government guns and gods
Now it’s us against them, we’re here to represent
And spit right in the face of the establishment!
Sanders walks up the stairs, walks down the apron a bit and puts both arms in the air. The fans continue to give loud cheers for the AWF competitor as he steps between the top and middle rope to enter the ring. He steps on the opposite turnbuckle, the chorus of the song becomes the backdrop for him to hop back into the ring. 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.
Well because we're doing fine, and we don't need to be told
That we're doing fine, 'cause we won't give you control.
And we don't need anything from you,
'Cause we'll be just fine, and we won't be bought and sold, just like you
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. She holds up the belt with her other hand as she dances to the music. When she finishes playing up the fans, she starts bouncing in place, preparing mentally for the bout.
The lights in the venue flash red, white, and blue to the beat of the opening riffs of “American Males” by Jimmy Hart playing over the P.A. Curtis Kanyon and Steve Awesome emerge from the entryway wearing matching sequined leather jackets. Curtis is also carrying his trusty sledgehammer over his shoulder. Curtis and Steve high five and then head down to the ring.
Jessie Love: And their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of five hundred eight pounds, they are the XHF and Fireside Tag Team Champions, Curtis Kanyon and Steve Awesome… THE BANG BROS!!
Curtis rolls into the ring and heads to a corner. Steve hops into the ring and he provocatively slips off his jacket and then spins and drops into a kneel and he flexes his arms. At the same time, Curtis hoists his hammer into the air and yells “BANG!” They both get a slow motion effect as pyro sprays behind them.
XHF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
BANG BROS (c) VS. IMPOSSIBLY AWKWARD
The bell rings as both teams convene in their respective corners to decide on who starts. Granger ends the discussion for her team by rushing at both Awesome and Kanyon, sending them flying into one another. Kanyon is knocked off the apron while Awesome stumbles around for his footing. Sanders blinks for a moment, then shrugs, climbing through the ropes and standing at the corner of the ring. Granger, wasting no time, rushes back at Awesome, catching him with a series of kicks that sends him stumbling back into the ring corner. Kanyon has made his way back up to the ring apron by now, and shouts something rather rude in Granger’s direction. Turning his way, her face lights up in a wide grin and she flips him off.
Romano: A very unlady-like gesture from Miss Granger! Her parents should be ashamed.
Taylor: I can only imagine what Kanyon was telling her, I’m sure he earned it.
During her distraction, Awesome manages to get his feet under him. Patiently, he stalks behind her, waiting for the moment she turns around. Sanders attempts to shout a warning, but it backfires. Granger turns and immediately eats a giant boot, courtesy of Awesome. The crowd boos loudly, but Awesome basks in it; he places one hand on his popped out hip while using the fingers of his free hand to brush through his luscious locks. Flipping it behind him when he’s done, he blows a kiss to the prettiest girl in the front row before turning back to Granger. This time it’s he who is caught by surprise as Granger nails him with a reverse roundhouse kick to his right shoulder. The impact has its desired effect; Awesome’s hand reaches automatically for the old injury.
Taylor: It seems that the Impossible Traveler has done her homework on her opponents! That sort of strategy is well beyond her experience!
Romano: Strategy? That was downright foul play, Tommy boy! How would Granger like it if someone started attacking her old injuries?
Granger smirks as Awesome looks at her in exaggerated shock. She begins to prowl around the ring as Awesome attempts to beg off, still nursing his arm. After a minute, Granger’s amusement switches to annoyance as she realizes Awesome is playing for time. Charging forward, she attempts a quick chop, but Awesome dodges easily and sends her to the mat with a drop-toe hold. Granger manages to roll out of his grip before Awesome has a chance to really set it in. Both jump up and turn towards each other, both of them racing at the other for a clothesline. They collide into one another, much to the amusement of the crowd and the exasperation of their tag partners.
Awesome reaches his corner first and tags in Kanyon, who doesn’t hesitate. Jumping over the ropes, he rushes to Granger and pulls her away by the leg. She misses Sanders’ outstretched hand by mere fingertips; struggling under the big man's grasp, she rolls herself over and aims a kick at his gut with all her might. Kanyon barely staggers, but it does force him to let go. Granger scoots away quickly towards her corner and manages to connect with Sanders. The crowd cheers as Kanyon and Sanders come face to face, the two powerhouses of the bout. Lifting his hand in the air, Kanyon challenges Sanders to a contest of strength. Awesome heckles Sanders loudly from their corner while Granger screams her encouragement to her tag partner and best friend.
Taylor: No sign of dissension in the ranks from Impossibly Awkward as Granger is loud in her encouragement to her bestie.
Romano: That’s all good and well for now, but one or the other is eventually going to remember what’s at stake later on tonight. It won’t last, mark my words.
Kanyon and Sanders lock hands and begin the power struggle in the center. The crowd is split pretty evenly between the two as they start turning red in the face, neither one giving an inch. Several moments pass and the two seem to be in a deadlock, that is until Sanders shifts his weight slightly, allowing him the advantage. Kanyon takes an involuntary step backward. Sanders keeps on him, feeling Kanyon’s wrist begin to tremble with the effort. On the apron, Awesome had been posing and preening for the crowd; when he looks back to the ring, he realizes his partner is losing the battle of strength. He quickly enters the ring and catches Sanders off balance with a swift kick to the shin. Sanders wobbles as Granger flies into the ring and spears both she and Awesome right out of the ring!
Inside, Kanyon and Sanders are both getting their feet back under them. Kanyon strikes first, hitting Sanders with a clothesline that sends the Awkward One down to the mat. As Kanyon turns back, Sanders kips-up to his feet quickly. Kanyon tries for another clothesline, using his momentum to bounce off the ropes. Sanders manages to duck, sending Kanyon into a momentary stumble. Turning quickly on his feet, Sander capitalizes, scooping up Kanyon and slamming him backward with a wicked spinebuster! Sanders quickly makes the cover as Granger keeps Awesome distracted.
1…
2…
NO!!!! Kanyon gets the shoulder up quickly, shoving Adam off of him.
Taylor: Impossibly Awkward hoping to get the job done quickly here tonight! Not only a wise strategy against the two wily veterans, but an act of self-preservation.
Romano: Sanders and that sexy little minx of a tag partner are going to have to work a lot harder than that if they hope to leave with those belts tonight!
Sanders jumps to his feet and spins around to face Kanyon once more, but before he can make a move, he’s yanked off his feet and pulled out of the ring! The crowd boos as Steve Awesome lifts his arms in a grand pose before laying boots to Sanders. Granger, who had taken a head shot against the guardrail, was shaking off the cobwebs and crawling to her feet. She turns groggily in time to see Kanyon getting to his feet and making his way over to where the action was. This seems to revive her senses a bit; jumping to her feet, she hurries over to where Sanders is struggling to fight back against a relentless Awesome. With an animalistic screech, Granger takes a running leap and attaches herself to Awesome’s back, arms locked around his neck.
Romano: Luckily for Steve Awesome, he’s well accustomed to being attacked by crazy female fans on the daily. Ever since Call to Arms, Granger can’t seem to keep herself off of the poor guy.
Taylor: I wouldn’t read too deeply into this, Cassius. Granger is the one who eliminated him from Call to Arms in the first place; maybe she’s just trying to get into the head of Awesome.
Awesome spins around quickly, desperate to fling The Impossible Traveler off his person. Sanders watches in disbelief for a moment, before turning his attention back to the ring. Kanyon is getting ready to climb out to help his partner; Sanders leaps up to the apron and rushes down the side, before landing a dropkick to the face of Kanyon. They both fall to the unrelenting mats beneath them. Sanders is the first to his feet; forcing Kanyon up as well, he pushes the former X-Crown champion back into the ring.
Meanwhile, Granger has maintained her strangle hold on Awesome as he spins around wildly. Before long, the Prettiest Player in the Game is on one knee, clearly fading. Granger switches tactics; quick as lightning, she grabs the right arm and wrenches it around his back. The pain in his shoulder brings Awesome back to life as he howls with pain and tries to jerk his arm away.
Taylor: Sanders and Granger proving that experience isn’t always as important as a solid partnership!
Romano: Why don’t you just calm down there, Taylor? They haven’t even won anything yet. Give Kanyon and Awesome time, they’re letting the kids have their fun for now. This isn’t their first rodeo.
Back in the ring, Kanyon has gained the advantage over Sanders and is currently working him over with a series of strategically placed punches. On the outside, Granger walks Awesome over to his side of the ring by his trapped arm, instructing him to stay there this time. She shoves him into the ring steps for good measure before jogging back to her corner and hopping back up on apron. Awesome climbs clumsily up the apron, muttering under his breath and favoring his shoulder. All the time, Kanyon has been wearing Sanders down with strikes, now he lifts Sanders high in the air and holds him there for several seconds. Granger cringes as Sanders is slammed like a sack of potatoes to the mat with a vicious gorilla press slam. The former POTUS wastes no time hooking Sanders leg for the cover.
1…
2… No!! Sanders kicks out with authority as Granger lets out a loud whoop of relief.
Romano: What did I tell ya? Mr. President and The Face of the Franchise were only getting warmed up. Impossibly Awkward doesn’t stand a chance.
Taylor: It does seem as though Kanyon and Awesome are tired of playing with their food. Kanyon has taken this match away from Sanders in a major way. The Awkward One needs to think about making a tag soon before it’s too late!
Sanders seems to have shared that thought from the ring as he begins to show signs of life. Betsy starts stomping her foot and waving her arms at the crowd to get them behind Impossibly Awkward. The crowd cheers loudly as Sanders catches Kanyon off guard with a series of strikes to the torso. Kanyon had been forcing Sanders to his knees by his hair; now he’s forced to let go as Sanders shows a surprising amount of strength in his punches. Once he’s on his feet, the two big guys begin swinging at one another. Going between punches and chops, the crowd cheers when Sanders lands his strike; in turn, the b(w)oo when Kanyon responds in kind.
Taylor: Curtis Kanyon finding out that Adam Sanders is one of the hardest hitting pure strikers in the Network.
Romano: I wouldn’t go THAT far now...
Taylor: You want to take some strikes from him to test that?
Romano: Not interested.
It only takes a few more strikes from Sanders to overwhelm Kanyon enough to switch things up into a Motor City Circuit. Every fan is on their feet as Sanders hooks the leg.
1…
2… NO!! Steve Awesome breaks up the pinfall.
As soon as Steve Tyrell had his back turned to deal with Steve Awesome’s presence in the ring, Kanyon delivers a quick low blow on Adam to knock him off his feet, prompting boos from every fan in the venue. As soon as Awesome is out of the ring and the referee can pay attention to the action once more, Kanyon was already dropping Adam on his head with a sitout piledriver. Cover by Kanyon!!
1…
2…
Th...KICKOUT!!
Taylor: And Adam Sanders gets the kickout just in time!
Romano: Almost retained!!
Taylor: Sanders is not trying to give up tonight. He wants these titles very badly for he and Betsy Granger.
Romano: Yeah well, it’s nice to want things.
Kanyon looks to try a different kind of piledriver to see if it can put Adam away… Adam’s piledriver to be exact. But the moment the former President lifted Adam in the air for the suplex half of the move, Sanders wiggles free and behind him. As soon as Kanyon turned around, Adam lays him out with the Lightning Strike! Both men are down! With Awesome and Granger both reaching for a tag, Steve Tyrell starts counting.
One.
Two.
Three.
Adam starts stirring. Kanyon as well.
Four.
Five.
Adam starts crawling to his corner. Kanyon is still unaware as to what’s going on.
Six.
Seven.
TAG TO BETSY GRANGER!! Curtis Kanyon starts reaching and… BETSY STOPS HIM!!
Taylor: This could be the turning point they need!!
Romano: This isn’t looking good. They got Kanyon isolated!
With Kanyon still on the mat, Betsy Granger takes advantage of her submission specialty, more specifically, the lotus lock. Steve Awesome decides he can’t sit around again and jumps into the ring and delivers a stiff kick to the back of Betsy’s head. The boos fill the building. Awesome quickly drags Kanyon closer to their corner and returns to the apron only to tag himself in. Adam Sanders has decided he has had enough and charges the ring, knocking Awesome outside the ring with a clothesline. He turns and sees Kanyon drop him with a headbutt. Kanyon lifts Sanders and places him in a tree of woe before taking an extra step in the process…
Romano: So why did Kanyon just get a pair of handcuffs?
Taylor: Oh no.
Romano: Ohhhh, I see…
Kanyon cuffs Adam’s ankle to the top rope so he can’t move. He starts delivering every strike he possibly can come up with from stiff forearms to knee strikes to stomps. Granger eventually sees this occurring and brings Kanyon down with a Down You Go!, not realizing Kanyon wasn’t the legal man anymore.
Taylor: She didn’t see the tag! And Awesome is right behind her!!
Romano: He looks like he has a plan too!
Granger is yanked by the former X*Crown Champion and lifted into the air before she can realize what’s going on. Awesome drops her with the SteveKO while everyone in the building is booing him. Sanders keeps trying to fight to get out of the corner, even if it means breaking the cuffs but can’t. Kanyon silences Adam’s attempt with a quick stomp to the jaw of the Prestige Champion. Awesome with the cover on Granger.
Taylor: Not like this...
Romano: They did what they had to do.
1…
2…
3!!
DING DING DING!!
Jessie Love: Here are your winners… AND STILL XHF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, THE BANG BROS!!
“American Males” starts playing once more as the ring veterans are handed their titles once more, holding them high above their head. Kanyon shows some semblance of humanity by giving Steve Tyrell the handcuff keys so he can free Adam Sanders. The two champions embrace on the outside of the ring as Adam is finally freed. Betsy Granger looks back up and sees the BANG Bros leaving, realizing what just happened.
Taylor: Such a tough situation for Impossibly Awkward. Just so many little things didn’t go their way and now one of them will have to leave empty handed tonight.
Romano: And now, these two are opponents in a couple of hours.
Taylor: And the eye contact they are making must be them realizing that now.
Adam Sanders and Betsy Granger have conflicted expressions on their faces as they lock eyes. Two best friends… only one of them leaves with a championship by the end of the night.
THE AWF MIGHT BE CLOSING
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Romano: And we’re back and about to jump right into our next match of the night. And trust me when I say this… I have no idea what to expect.
Taylor: Jordan Cassidy versus Copycat, battle of the underdogs. Both trying to be the big dog in the yard, and leave the other one on the bench like a whimpering puppy.
Romano: That’s actually not a bad metaphor, and a pretty good way to hype up the match.
Taylor: Thanks! I saw The Rock say it on Instagram and didn’t know what it meant.
Romano: ...now I’m less impressed.
The PA system hits as "Notorious” begins to blast… no not the good one, not the Biggie version but Adelita's Way. Jordan Cassidy makes his way on stage and raises his arms to revel in the cheers, but the fans seem to be somewhat less impressed with this than their phones.
He struts down the ramp, reaching out to hi-5 folks on the way, but none are slapping him back. No big deal, doesn’t phase, him, its cool cool. He keeps the strut going to the ring and slides in with swagger, jumping up onto the corner turnbuckle to flex for the fans and await their cheers.
There are no cheers.
Romano: Cassidy is a big name in the AWF, and has been for along long time. The fans should be more respectful of him.
Taylor: …
Romano: Tommy?
Taylor: ...oh crap, the match is on? Sorry I was playing Solitaire on my phone. Cassidy is here? Wouldn’t have even noticed.
"Knights of Cydonia" by Muse plays, as Copycat and Terry Bradshaw appear on stage. Like Cassidy they wave to the fans expecting some cheers or praise, but get none. Immediately, Copycat runs toward the ring. He's wasting no time as he enters the ring in preparation for the start of the match, but for Terry he slowly struts his stuff as he makes his way down the ramp.
Romano: Any bets on who’s going to take this win?
Taylor: Tha fans…, when AWF shuts down and we never have to see those two bums again.
Romano: C’mon Tommy, these two men are a staple of the wrestling world, two athletes in their prime two stars in the ma-
Taylor: - they are having a thumb war.
Romano: ...what?
Low and behold as soon as Copycat entered the ring both men locked up in a ferocious battle… of thumb war.
THE ULTIMATE JOB-OFF
JORDAN CASSIDY VS. COPYCAT
DING DING!
Match underway, we watch intensely as these two stars try to beat each other with the age-old art of thumb wars. You know thumb wars right? One two three four I declare a thumb war? Ah we’ll just put a GIF in here to help explain;
This goes on for some time, until referee Steve Tyrell breaks it up because Copycat got his leg on the ropes. After the brutal war the duo lock up again, and get into a series of grapples and reverse, grapple and reversal, over and over and over…
Taylor: I’ll give it to you Cassius, you weren’t wrong when you said two of the best are about to do it.
Romano: ...shut up.
The first actual move of the match occurs when Cassidy gets behind Copycat in a rear grapple, but instead of a reversal for the 55th time he launches Copycat over his head into a release German suplex! The shock of the move startles both men, and suddenly Copycat realizes… this is a fight.
He runs back at Cassidy and hits him with a full body press, dropping Cassidy but the pair roll quickly back to their feet. Copycat runs again but meets a hard right and hits the mat. Up just as fast Copycat ducks the next right hand jab and lands a cheap left chop to the abdomen of Cassidy, curling him over in pain, followed by an easy hip toss to the mat. Copycat hits the ropes and rebounds with a leg drop, but Cassidy avoids and springs to his feet, dropkicking Copycat who is still on the mat.
Both men get back to their feet, and surprisingly the crowd are getting into this match now so they exchange a series of blows, back and forth. Brutal hard and heavy blows back and forth, tearing both men apart!
Romano: It might not look like much, but at least they are fighting it out.
Taylor: Finally.
This slobberknocker goes on for far too long, and Bradshaw is heard yelling from the ringside.
Bradshaw: Boo! This sucks! Kick his dick!
Backing Cassidy to the corner, Copycat pulls out and listen to his manager, swinging a hard boot forward… but misses Cassidy completely and only gets the buckle. He hops and limps in agony breaking the fight and giving Cassidy some room to breathe. As Copycat turns around he sees Cassidy running for him, and retaliates.
Cassidy at full sprint! Copycat at full sprint! Cassidy diving into the air for a cross body! Copycat tripping on his inured ankle! Cassidy flies right over Copycat and hits the empty mall into a painful roll, while Copycat rolls around in pain favouring his ankle. With the referee unsure of what is going on, he looks to the announcers table for help.
Romano: Don’t look at us Tyrell! We’ve no idea what is going on here.
Taylor: When the referee is confused, that is not a good sign. Wait, look, Bradshaw is in the ring!
Romano: And he’s got...a bucket? And a sponge?
Taylor: The magic sponge! He is applying that magic water to the ankle of Copycat! I’ve only ever seen this is professional soccer games! Ingenious!
Romano: ...I’m pretty sure this is the most idiotic thing I’ve seen all night.
Steve Tyrell forces Bradshaw out of the ring, leaving behind the sponge on the mat. Copycat miraculously feels better so gets to his feet, sees Cassidy coming for him, and nails him with a gut kick to keel him over. Remembering the sponge is on the mat… Copycat DDT’s Cassidy, right onto that sponge!
Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!
Copycat gets Cassidy up, and somehow manages to raise him up above him into a vertical suplex, and again drops him onto the water-soaked sponge!
Crowd: YOU-SICK-FUCK! YOU-SICK-FUCK!
You can actually see the water oozing out from under Cassidy’s body, as the crowd goes wild. Copycat takes the moment to gloat and work the crowd, reveling in his dominance. Bradshaw on the other hand is screaming at him to make the pin, but Copycat is savouring the moment too much… so much so that he doesn’t spot Cassidy getting back up!
Copycat turns around, but it’s too late to react. CASSIDY NAILS COPYCAT WITH THE SPONGE!
Crowd: WHAT-THE-FUCK! WHAT-THE-FUCK!
Copycat hits the deck, that super soft, super absorbent sponge almost taking his head off. For absolutely no reason whatsoever, he begins to ooze blood from his forehead, somehow bashed open by that attack. Cassidy lifts the sponge in triumph, and squeezes the heck outta it in a sign of control… but gets water in his eyes!
Copycat is down, and Cassidy is blinded!!
Crowd: A-DUB-F! A-DUB-F!
Crowd: THIS-IS-CRAZY! THIS-IS-CRAZY!
Romano: I really wish I was drunk for this match. What the hell is even going on.
Taylor: When people ask me what it’s like to be on mind-altering drugs, I will describe this match to them.
Cassidy stumbles around the mat, but manages to clear the deadly water from his eyes enough to find Copycat and lift him to his feet. Cassidy looks to take control of this match and lifts Copycat up for a body slam, but the shapeshifting machine breaks free! He pushes Cassidy aside and hits the ropes, on the rebound for an incredible springboard moonsault!
...but misses the ropes entirely. Copycat ends up in a ball on the outside! Seeing this happen, Bradshaw rushes to Copycat’s side… and starts to slap him and abuse him and call him all kinds of foul things. Referee Tyrell demands this stops, but Bradshaw continues to berate his client… until Cassidy pushes him away! Jordan Cassidy on the outside, just sent the old NFL legend tumbling backwards onto his ass! And now he slides Copycat back into the ring to finish things.
He spies the corner and brings Copycat over, lifting him up into a seated position. Cassidy signals the end of this match to the crowd, much to their delight before climbing up and setting up for a suplerplex! Cassidy is up, Copycat is about to go for a wild ride… but again Copycat slips free and pushes the ‘Notorious’ one off the top rope, hitting the mat with a thud!
Taylor: Actually not a bad match in the end, right?
Romano: If you consider this wrestling… then no, not bad at all.
Taylor: Wrestling, entertainment, mindless fun. All one and the same right now.
With Cassidy on the mat below, Copycat quickly comes to his senses and stands up on the top turnbuckle, gathers his composure… and starts to change color? Wait his whole body and size, shape, everything changes. For a brief moment, Copycat looks just like… Jeff Hardy!?
Romano: Did… did he just shapeshift??
Taylor: ...wtf??
In true Hardy Boyz fashion, Jeff Hardy jumps and hits his signature Swanton Bomb on the floored Jordan Cassidy! The crowd are on their feet cheering, and quickly Copycat stands up to show us it was him all along!
Romano: I need a very tall, very stiff drink after this match.
Taylor: Make that two for me.
Copycat is being cheered on, and using this momentum he hauls Cassidy up to his feet. Both men have put on one hell of a show here tonight, if that is what you would call it but with the fans cheering and Bradshaw losing his mind at ringside Copycat lifts Cassidy up for Jackhammer suplex, stalling Cassidy in the air for as long as he can. The skill, the grace, the prowess, the fans losing their minds, nobody can believe this. It’s too good to be true!
...no, really. It’s not true. Copycat barely gets Cassidy up but his legs begin to shake and wobbly like ferns in the wind, enough to allow Cassidy to twist and maneuver himself into prime position to deliver his finishing Implant DDT!
Taylor: CassiDDT! It’s over!
Romano: I hate that it sounds like my name.
Copycat is floored, absolutely KO’d, and Jordan Cassidy hooks the leg with ease.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!
The crowd goes wild, they cheer and scream and yell the roof down!... well, some do, for most they are happy this is all over.
Jessie Love: Your winner, by pinfall… JORDAN CASSIDY!!
The jobber gets to his feet in a state of shock and pure elation, tears rolling down his face from the joy of actually winning a match. He is beside himself with emotion, crying his damn heart out. On the other side of the ring Bradshaw is fuming, absolutely beside him, slapping the apron in a wild fit of anger.
As Cassidy slides out, Bradshaw slides in and begins stomping on Copycat, yelling and screaming and calling him a failure. He picks up Copycat and slap him, getting in his face about what happened.
Romano: No love lost here it seems, as Bradshaw yet again is mistreating and abusing his friend, his client.
Taylor: Despicable behaviour, but Copycat will never learn. Bradshaw is a tyrant and Copycat is a coward.
The abuse continues, with fans booing and heckling now but Bradshaw doesn’t care. He spits and barks and swings another hard right hook… but Copycat catches it! He stops Bradshaw's attack with his left, and absolutely NAILS Bradshaw into the jaw with a huge right uppercut! The only man is flattened, and Copycat doesn’t even realize what he has done!
Romano: Copycat just KO’d Terry Bradshaw! He did it!
Taylor: After all these yearS of abuse, Copycat finally hit back!
A moment of shock at what he’s done, Copycat slowly looks up to the the fans… and they cheer yell and scream in delight for him! The crowd goes nuts for him finally fighting back! After all these years!
Crowd: CO-PY-CAT! CAS-SID-DY! CO-PY-CAT! CAS-SID-DY!
They are loving it! Cassidy gets some hi-5’s he missed earlier on his way up the ramp, and Copycat exits the rings to applause and cheers, leaving Bradshaw completely knocked out on the mat!
Romano: I’m not sure what to say about all of this.
Taylor: Good for Copycat! Too much abuse for years, finally ended with a single hook to the jaw!
Romano: I guess you are right, and a huge congratulations to Cassidy for ending his time in the AWF on top too.
Taylor: I don’t know if I would score this match anywhere on a one to ten scale… but overall, I would sit back and watch this madness all over again!
Romano: I don’t think I’m with you there, but I appreciate what you are saying. Let us take a quick, well deserved break from this for now, and be right back after these commercials.
Taylor: Don’t go anywhere viewers, we’ll be right back.
Taylor: Jordan Cassidy versus Copycat, battle of the underdogs. Both trying to be the big dog in the yard, and leave the other one on the bench like a whimpering puppy.
Romano: That’s actually not a bad metaphor, and a pretty good way to hype up the match.
Taylor: Thanks! I saw The Rock say it on Instagram and didn’t know what it meant.
Romano: ...now I’m less impressed.
The PA system hits as "Notorious” begins to blast… no not the good one, not the Biggie version but Adelita's Way. Jordan Cassidy makes his way on stage and raises his arms to revel in the cheers, but the fans seem to be somewhat less impressed with this than their phones.
He struts down the ramp, reaching out to hi-5 folks on the way, but none are slapping him back. No big deal, doesn’t phase, him, its cool cool. He keeps the strut going to the ring and slides in with swagger, jumping up onto the corner turnbuckle to flex for the fans and await their cheers.
There are no cheers.
Romano: Cassidy is a big name in the AWF, and has been for along long time. The fans should be more respectful of him.
Taylor: …
Romano: Tommy?
Taylor: ...oh crap, the match is on? Sorry I was playing Solitaire on my phone. Cassidy is here? Wouldn’t have even noticed.
"Knights of Cydonia" by Muse plays, as Copycat and Terry Bradshaw appear on stage. Like Cassidy they wave to the fans expecting some cheers or praise, but get none. Immediately, Copycat runs toward the ring. He's wasting no time as he enters the ring in preparation for the start of the match, but for Terry he slowly struts his stuff as he makes his way down the ramp.
Romano: Any bets on who’s going to take this win?
Taylor: Tha fans…, when AWF shuts down and we never have to see those two bums again.
Romano: C’mon Tommy, these two men are a staple of the wrestling world, two athletes in their prime two stars in the ma-
Taylor: - they are having a thumb war.
Romano: ...what?
Low and behold as soon as Copycat entered the ring both men locked up in a ferocious battle… of thumb war.
THE ULTIMATE JOB-OFF
JORDAN CASSIDY VS. COPYCAT
DING DING!
Match underway, we watch intensely as these two stars try to beat each other with the age-old art of thumb wars. You know thumb wars right? One two three four I declare a thumb war? Ah we’ll just put a GIF in here to help explain;
This goes on for some time, until referee Steve Tyrell breaks it up because Copycat got his leg on the ropes. After the brutal war the duo lock up again, and get into a series of grapples and reverse, grapple and reversal, over and over and over…
Taylor: I’ll give it to you Cassius, you weren’t wrong when you said two of the best are about to do it.
Romano: ...shut up.
The first actual move of the match occurs when Cassidy gets behind Copycat in a rear grapple, but instead of a reversal for the 55th time he launches Copycat over his head into a release German suplex! The shock of the move startles both men, and suddenly Copycat realizes… this is a fight.
He runs back at Cassidy and hits him with a full body press, dropping Cassidy but the pair roll quickly back to their feet. Copycat runs again but meets a hard right and hits the mat. Up just as fast Copycat ducks the next right hand jab and lands a cheap left chop to the abdomen of Cassidy, curling him over in pain, followed by an easy hip toss to the mat. Copycat hits the ropes and rebounds with a leg drop, but Cassidy avoids and springs to his feet, dropkicking Copycat who is still on the mat.
Both men get back to their feet, and surprisingly the crowd are getting into this match now so they exchange a series of blows, back and forth. Brutal hard and heavy blows back and forth, tearing both men apart!
Romano: It might not look like much, but at least they are fighting it out.
Taylor: Finally.
This slobberknocker goes on for far too long, and Bradshaw is heard yelling from the ringside.
Bradshaw: Boo! This sucks! Kick his dick!
Backing Cassidy to the corner, Copycat pulls out and listen to his manager, swinging a hard boot forward… but misses Cassidy completely and only gets the buckle. He hops and limps in agony breaking the fight and giving Cassidy some room to breathe. As Copycat turns around he sees Cassidy running for him, and retaliates.
Cassidy at full sprint! Copycat at full sprint! Cassidy diving into the air for a cross body! Copycat tripping on his inured ankle! Cassidy flies right over Copycat and hits the empty mall into a painful roll, while Copycat rolls around in pain favouring his ankle. With the referee unsure of what is going on, he looks to the announcers table for help.
Romano: Don’t look at us Tyrell! We’ve no idea what is going on here.
Taylor: When the referee is confused, that is not a good sign. Wait, look, Bradshaw is in the ring!
Romano: And he’s got...a bucket? And a sponge?
Taylor: The magic sponge! He is applying that magic water to the ankle of Copycat! I’ve only ever seen this is professional soccer games! Ingenious!
Romano: ...I’m pretty sure this is the most idiotic thing I’ve seen all night.
Steve Tyrell forces Bradshaw out of the ring, leaving behind the sponge on the mat. Copycat miraculously feels better so gets to his feet, sees Cassidy coming for him, and nails him with a gut kick to keel him over. Remembering the sponge is on the mat… Copycat DDT’s Cassidy, right onto that sponge!
Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!
Copycat gets Cassidy up, and somehow manages to raise him up above him into a vertical suplex, and again drops him onto the water-soaked sponge!
Crowd: YOU-SICK-FUCK! YOU-SICK-FUCK!
You can actually see the water oozing out from under Cassidy’s body, as the crowd goes wild. Copycat takes the moment to gloat and work the crowd, reveling in his dominance. Bradshaw on the other hand is screaming at him to make the pin, but Copycat is savouring the moment too much… so much so that he doesn’t spot Cassidy getting back up!
Copycat turns around, but it’s too late to react. CASSIDY NAILS COPYCAT WITH THE SPONGE!
Crowd: WHAT-THE-FUCK! WHAT-THE-FUCK!
Copycat hits the deck, that super soft, super absorbent sponge almost taking his head off. For absolutely no reason whatsoever, he begins to ooze blood from his forehead, somehow bashed open by that attack. Cassidy lifts the sponge in triumph, and squeezes the heck outta it in a sign of control… but gets water in his eyes!
Copycat is down, and Cassidy is blinded!!
Crowd: A-DUB-F! A-DUB-F!
Crowd: THIS-IS-CRAZY! THIS-IS-CRAZY!
Romano: I really wish I was drunk for this match. What the hell is even going on.
Taylor: When people ask me what it’s like to be on mind-altering drugs, I will describe this match to them.
Cassidy stumbles around the mat, but manages to clear the deadly water from his eyes enough to find Copycat and lift him to his feet. Cassidy looks to take control of this match and lifts Copycat up for a body slam, but the shapeshifting machine breaks free! He pushes Cassidy aside and hits the ropes, on the rebound for an incredible springboard moonsault!
...but misses the ropes entirely. Copycat ends up in a ball on the outside! Seeing this happen, Bradshaw rushes to Copycat’s side… and starts to slap him and abuse him and call him all kinds of foul things. Referee Tyrell demands this stops, but Bradshaw continues to berate his client… until Cassidy pushes him away! Jordan Cassidy on the outside, just sent the old NFL legend tumbling backwards onto his ass! And now he slides Copycat back into the ring to finish things.
He spies the corner and brings Copycat over, lifting him up into a seated position. Cassidy signals the end of this match to the crowd, much to their delight before climbing up and setting up for a suplerplex! Cassidy is up, Copycat is about to go for a wild ride… but again Copycat slips free and pushes the ‘Notorious’ one off the top rope, hitting the mat with a thud!
Taylor: Actually not a bad match in the end, right?
Romano: If you consider this wrestling… then no, not bad at all.
Taylor: Wrestling, entertainment, mindless fun. All one and the same right now.
With Cassidy on the mat below, Copycat quickly comes to his senses and stands up on the top turnbuckle, gathers his composure… and starts to change color? Wait his whole body and size, shape, everything changes. For a brief moment, Copycat looks just like… Jeff Hardy!?
Romano: Did… did he just shapeshift??
Taylor: ...wtf??
In true Hardy Boyz fashion, Jeff Hardy jumps and hits his signature Swanton Bomb on the floored Jordan Cassidy! The crowd are on their feet cheering, and quickly Copycat stands up to show us it was him all along!
Romano: I need a very tall, very stiff drink after this match.
Taylor: Make that two for me.
Copycat is being cheered on, and using this momentum he hauls Cassidy up to his feet. Both men have put on one hell of a show here tonight, if that is what you would call it but with the fans cheering and Bradshaw losing his mind at ringside Copycat lifts Cassidy up for Jackhammer suplex, stalling Cassidy in the air for as long as he can. The skill, the grace, the prowess, the fans losing their minds, nobody can believe this. It’s too good to be true!
...no, really. It’s not true. Copycat barely gets Cassidy up but his legs begin to shake and wobbly like ferns in the wind, enough to allow Cassidy to twist and maneuver himself into prime position to deliver his finishing Implant DDT!
Taylor: CassiDDT! It’s over!
Romano: I hate that it sounds like my name.
Copycat is floored, absolutely KO’d, and Jordan Cassidy hooks the leg with ease.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!
The crowd goes wild, they cheer and scream and yell the roof down!... well, some do, for most they are happy this is all over.
Jessie Love: Your winner, by pinfall… JORDAN CASSIDY!!
The jobber gets to his feet in a state of shock and pure elation, tears rolling down his face from the joy of actually winning a match. He is beside himself with emotion, crying his damn heart out. On the other side of the ring Bradshaw is fuming, absolutely beside him, slapping the apron in a wild fit of anger.
As Cassidy slides out, Bradshaw slides in and begins stomping on Copycat, yelling and screaming and calling him a failure. He picks up Copycat and slap him, getting in his face about what happened.
Romano: No love lost here it seems, as Bradshaw yet again is mistreating and abusing his friend, his client.
Taylor: Despicable behaviour, but Copycat will never learn. Bradshaw is a tyrant and Copycat is a coward.
The abuse continues, with fans booing and heckling now but Bradshaw doesn’t care. He spits and barks and swings another hard right hook… but Copycat catches it! He stops Bradshaw's attack with his left, and absolutely NAILS Bradshaw into the jaw with a huge right uppercut! The only man is flattened, and Copycat doesn’t even realize what he has done!
Romano: Copycat just KO’d Terry Bradshaw! He did it!
Taylor: After all these yearS of abuse, Copycat finally hit back!
A moment of shock at what he’s done, Copycat slowly looks up to the the fans… and they cheer yell and scream in delight for him! The crowd goes nuts for him finally fighting back! After all these years!
Crowd: CO-PY-CAT! CAS-SID-DY! CO-PY-CAT! CAS-SID-DY!
They are loving it! Cassidy gets some hi-5’s he missed earlier on his way up the ramp, and Copycat exits the rings to applause and cheers, leaving Bradshaw completely knocked out on the mat!
Romano: I’m not sure what to say about all of this.
Taylor: Good for Copycat! Too much abuse for years, finally ended with a single hook to the jaw!
Romano: I guess you are right, and a huge congratulations to Cassidy for ending his time in the AWF on top too.
Taylor: I don’t know if I would score this match anywhere on a one to ten scale… but overall, I would sit back and watch this madness all over again!
Romano: I don’t think I’m with you there, but I appreciate what you are saying. Let us take a quick, well deserved break from this for now, and be right back after these commercials.
Taylor: Don’t go anywhere viewers, we’ll be right back.
Romano: And now for something… a little different.
Taylor: Cassius, I don’t like the sounds of that. What do you have in store?
Romano: You’ll see!
Cassius gets up from the announcers table and grabs a microphone, making his way to the center of the ring.
Romano: It is not often I get to stand in this ring myself, as I spent many years watching from the sidelines. But tonight, on our final night, I am very proud that Felix Zio has graced me with this fine responsibility.
The titan tron begins to play, and the words showing up on screen are;
AWF - A WALK THROUGH TIME
Taylor: To the fans at home, I have no idea what this is about or what is going on, so if it is terrible I had nothing to do with it.
Romano: From our inception back in 2017, to our final days here in 2021 the Ascension Wrestling Federation has been home to many many superstars. From Gods and Kings to Ghost and Queens, from Vampires to Rockers, from Snipers to Sex Stars. The AWF always knew it had something special, but the stars that made this place their own… they are what put the AWF on the map today.
Clips pop up showcasing some of the past matches, from the very first meeting of Cobalt Lancer and Jay Cutter;
To the weirder Copycat versus Bradshaw, for some eggplant or whatever;
To Prestige V, where we saw T-Bone fight a ghost named Poltergeist;
To the debut of the Hall of famer Hyperion;
To the weirdest damn champion the X*Crown ever had;
Flashing to the holidays, the AWF had a very censored, very family friendly-themed PPV;
And who could forget the beginning of the wildest feud in AWF history, the literal first clash of champions;
To Prestige 25 where Jack Diamond stole the show defending his Tag Titles here;
And then went straight into a Double Championship Match, for the AWF Prestige Championship AND the X*Crown Championship against Seth Dillinger;
Romano: As you can see, we were not short on entertainment, on bigger than life characters, and absolutely never short on the action! Our Prestige shows left jaws hanging open and people hoarse from cheering for their favorites. The action never stopped, and that’s not even mentioning our pay per views!
From Fired Up! 2018 where we crowned our inaugural AWF Heavyweight Champion, Jackson Steele! To the returning stars over the years;
And of course, the creme-de-la-creme of the AWF, the Clash of the Icons;
When the shows were taken over by Mrs. Ziko and things got saucy at Prestige XXX;
To racing against the clock to get your win at Prestige 35!
AWF, giving the people what they want, including their very own opponents for the night;
And keeping the tradition going all the way up to Prestige 50!;
Romano: As you can see, the world of Ascension wouldn’t be where it is today with these shows, star-studded and jam packed with action. Every show, every pay per view, event event was made special… by you. The fans. The people. The supporters. Those that contributed, those that helped us, those that gave it all back!
The titantron now changes to showcasing clips of stars from before, as Cassius announces them.
From Copycat to Terry Bradshaw, to T-Bone and Michael Storm, from Slain and Thob to Michael Clarke Duncan and Poltergeist, Rent-a-Hero to El Cazador, Brother of Valhalla and The Nihilists, Family Man Rocco Rose Frank Fletcher and so so many more.
After listing their names, some of those same stars walk out to the ring, much to the applause and excitement of the fans. The crowd cheers and yells for the favourites, ecstatic to see them and as the stage fills up fully. Shoulder to shoulder, the alumni of the AWF stand and smile for the camera, a beautiful shot the the titantron simply displaying the words;
THANK YOU
FROM ALL OF US
@
ASCENSION WRESTLING FEDERATION
FROM ALL OF US
@
ASCENSION WRESTLING FEDERATION
As the round of applause is continuing however, a person runs from the backstage area and slams right through the wall of bodies, much to their annoyance. The camera pans to find out it’s Tasmin Richards, The Around the Clock Champion! But they are not prepared for what comes next.
Thinking they are some kind of party-crasher, T-Bone jumps forward and drops them with a hard superman punch, dropping them to the floor. He pins Tasmin to keep them down, not realizing what he is doing.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: And your new Around the Clock Champion… T-Bone!
Referee Gabe Valentine has made the count and is trying to explain to T-Bone what he just did. Not sure of what is happening, especially as the referee is handing him the golden belt, T-Bone just raises his arms in celebration and let’s it happen...until he is clocked from behind by Danny Ray! And there is the roll up of the leg!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: And your new Around the Clock Champion… Danny Ray!
Romano: Er, what is going on here? Guys, this is supposed to be a nice moment!
But it’s no good, as Drago Santiago drops Danny with a superkick, and gets the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: And your new Around the Clock Champion… Drago Santiago!
Romano: Stop this!
Now in comes Poltergeist with a massive lariat for the pin, but it’s broken up by Feargal Nukebuster, and Harry Sveetnutz tries for the attempt but he’s stopped by Corndog Wallace! Now Drago looks to be stirring and getting up… but Furanku Furetcha nails him with a punt kick and a pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: And your new Around the Clock Champion… Furanku Furetcha!
He’s so busy celebrating he fails to see Slain behind him, as he launches Thob right at his head! The pig is wearing his usual body armour/ NFL gear so this connection drops Furanku to the floor. Slain in with the pin attempt now;
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: And your new Around the Clock Champion… Slain!
Romano: What is happening, please stop this! You are ruining my moment, and your suits!
Taylor: I really wish I was a part of this now, this is gold!
Slain is up and searching for his swing Goddess Thob, but is met with the sloppiest headbutt of all time from Rent-A-Hero! And he follows up with the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: And your new Around the Clock Champion… Rent-A-Hero!
Seizing his moment, Rent-A-Hero takes the win, grabs the belt and rushes to the backstage area as the pursuit is on. Everyone from Jay Cutter to Beanz is hot on his trail as the alumni of the AWF quickly vanish into the backstage area.
Romano: Well, er… it would be the AWF without some excitement, am I right! But from the bottom of my heart, and all those crazy stars you just saw… thank you, once again!
The AWF’s music plays as balloons and confetti explode from over the stage… and falls onto nobody. The crowd cheer regardless, as Romano heads back to his seat at the announcers table with a defeated look on his face.
Taylor: Cassius… that was awesome!
Romano: ...let’s just cut to a quick commercial break, grrr.
Romano: And now for a great brawl, a battle for gold like none other on this card.
Taylor: That’s right, the victor of this match not only walks out of here with a massive win beneath their belt, but a chance for the Phoenix belt at Night of Champions!
Romano: Later we will see the strap on the line between Adkins and Xialong and who will end up as the final XHF Phoenix Champion within the AWF. But can they continue to defend once it returns to the global setting?
Taylor: Or will one of these stars be the next person to dethrone the Phoenix Champion and begin a new reign?
As a rocket rises from the stage preceded by count down from five on the titantron, counted along to by the fans. Upon hitting the end the words “Lift Off” appear as the pod door opens. Ace Sky walks out in an aviator jacket and his usual in ring attire, clasping his hands together and bowing his head before raising his arms in twin peace signs while shouting Namaste!
He jogs down the aisle way high-fiving as many fans as possible on both sides then he dashes forward and executes his signature slide into the ring, raises his arm with another peace sign then executes a springboard backflip into a sitting lotus yoga position.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, from Houston Texas… ACE SKYYY!
The overhead lights dim as a bassline begins to play. While a silver mist slowly fills the stage, the fans wait in anticipation. A deep voice starts singing in a whisper. Then, a dark figure walks through the mist. Completely decked out in black, the teenager slowly walks forward. The camera mostly keeps its distance. Different angles give a better look, but their face is still mostly obscured in darkness. After climbing the steps and entering the ring, the volume of the music increases.
I hear the sons of the city and dispossessed
Get down, get undressed
Get pretty but you and me
We got the kingdom, we got the key
We got the empire, now as then
We don't doubt, we don't take direction
The mist has thinned but the room is still dark. The song quietens down.
Lucretia, my reflection, dance the ghost with me
Then reaches its loud finale. The lights come back on and the fans cheer. The camera focuses on Sam Sawyer's cold, glaring face.
Jessie Love: Introducing next, from Houston Texas… SAM SAWYERR!
The clicking and clattering of “The Phoenix” begins softly, accompanied by the whine of the violin. As it grows in volume, it picks up speed. Datura steps into the entrance covered in a black, hooded robe that obfuscates her face and waves with every step. Her gait is slow and she makes it only to the top of the ramp before pausing, her eyes scanning the area.
The percussion drops off, and she continues to trudge toward the ring, her eyes forward and unblinking. Once she reaches her destination, she climbs up on the apron and wipes off her boots. Instead of climbing into the ring, she sits, then lays back on the middle rope, her eyes fixed upward toward the ceiling. Her hands delicately move with the music as she “floats.”
The music picks up tempo again toward a buildup, and she finally rolls off the rope and sways to the turnbuckle where she climbs and sits, facing the crowd. As the music reaches its crescendo, she lowers her arms to allow her cloak to flutter to the canvas. At its highest note, Datura closes her eyes and bends backward, dangling in the corner in a tree of woe position.
Jessie Love: Introducing next, from Bristol England… DATURAAA!
The melodic voices of En Vogue act as a siren's call, beckoning the audience to crowd around the aisle, before the mad lyrical flow of Salt-N-Pepa cue up the pyro. White sparks explode across the entrance curtain. Whatta Man pumps over the PA system, accompanying visuals over the tron featuring impossibly ripped muscles glistening with sweat. If it was any other wrestler, this theme song might seem conceited. Out of the back steps Redmond Fury to the delight of his fans. Moving with the tune, Fury slaps hands, signs autographs, busts moves, all while taking the time to flex for the camera.
Jessie Love: Introducing next, from Akron Ohio… REDMOND FURYYY!
As “Hungry Eyes'' hits the speakers, a soft blue and pink light lights up the stage and ramp, allowing the rocker bad-boy Mad Dog Smith to make his way onto the stage, much to the delight of fans. Men swoon, women swoon, at least one person gets pregnant just by looking at him. He is sex, raw sex, no safety.
MDS makes his way down the ramp, flirting and charming all within earshot before sliding into the ring and humping the mat for good luck. He stands up and assesses his opponents, stripping off his clothes and making eye contact while doing so.
Jessie Love: Introducing last, from Sin City… MAD DOG SMITHHH!
Romano: And here we have it Tommy, the future of the business right before us. Some stars we recognize, some new to the ring. All ready to put it all on the line here tonight.
Taylor: I’m pumped to check out Sam Sawyer and see what they can do, but also Redmond Fury is looking mega ready for this match. Damn Ace Sky does have that killer look though, and Datura is just looking like a primal Goddess ready for war. Lastly Mad Dog… I hate how beautiful of a bastard he truly is.
DING DING!
Romano: And we’re off! Elimination style rules tonight Tommy, meaning that whoever is the last person standing takes the title shot home.
Taylor: I’m sure getting the party started here will be a tight ring, but once the swing of things gets going we should see some insane action.
The match starts off as expected, all stars just getting stuck in and throwing some heavy blows and hits to one another. Sam Sawyer gets overpower easier by Ace Sky and the two brawl in one corner, while Mad Dog is fighting a two on one battle as Fury and Datura seem to have formed an unlikely alliance. The pretty boy is quickly forced to the corner for the beat down.
As Datura is distracted Ace Sky appears from behind to fight off what he thinks is the easiest of the two, but Datura fights back and gets control over Space Shaman. Fury pulls up Mad Dog and sends him running to the far corner, crunching Sawyer and Smith together and follows up with a nice body splash on both in the corner. Fury tries to stomp on them but Mad Dog rolls out of the ring allowing Fury time to focus on Sawyer solo.
The action continues but the ebb of the battle shifts as Datura has Ace Sky worn down on the ropes, and sends him over with a strong clothesline. Behind her Sawyer has taken back the momentum and has Fury staggering from some well placed jabs, the final uppercut sending him backwards and out of the ropes himself. With just Datura and Sawyer in the center of the ring, the two stars lock up and get into a series of grapples and reversals, with Sawyer getting the upper hand and dropping Datura with an amazing spinning elbow to the skull of Datura!
Romano: Just listen to these fans Tommy, they are losing their minds for this excitement!
Taylor: The action has been heavy since the bell rang, and by the looks of it Sawyer and Datura are taking the reins of this battle.
Inside the ring both stars exchange blows and send each other running to the ropes, Irish whips followed by hard shoulders or dropkicks to weaken the other side. Distracted by one another they don’t see Mad Dog Smith sliding into the ring and he quickly catches a running Datura in a great overhead belly to belly toss right to the corner turnbuckles, crumbling the English lass. Back to his feet he engages Sawyer and this time his size and strength allows him to overpower the smaller Sam Sawyer and take control.
Outside Ace Sky and Redmond Fury have found one another and the battle on the ringside area has kept the fans engaged and on the edge of their seats as both men exchange dominance over one another. With the referee yelling their countdown, both men know they need to re-enter the ring or else it is a double count out, so Redmond slides in Sky and pulls him back out with a hard slam against the spectators barrier. He slides in himself to break the count and restart it, coming back out for more.
Ace Sky manages to get the advantage once more and beats down Redmond with ease it seems, and a hard elbow to the skull rocks him on his feet, allowing Ace Sky to roll Redmond Fury back into the ring. He climbs onto the apron and motions to the crowd to cheer him on, but doesnt notice Fury climbing to his feet, grabbing the ropes and hitting a vicious slingshot spear back out to the outside!
Taylor: He calls that one the Buckeye Shot!
Romano: Aren’t slingshot spears supposed to be going INTO the ring?
Taylor: Who cares! And not both men are downed on the outside, with Redmond rolling about but Ace Sky looking worse for wear. As the referee counts into the higher numbers, Fury makes it back to the ring but Ace Sky doesn’t, and nobody in the match seems phased.
The referee hits the TEN count and we have our first elimination!
Jessie Love: The first elimination of this match, by count out… Ace Sky!
Back in the ring Fury takes a moment to catch his breath and just watch the war unfold before his eyes. Mad Dog is now outnumbered two on one, as Sawyer and Datura combined their forces to beat the heartthrob. He stands between the two, just eating some hard blows left and right before Datura hits a powerful shotgun dropkick onto Mad Dog that she calls “Delirium”, and as Mad Dog staggers out of the turnbuckle Sam Sawyer hits with a running lariat, a vicious clothesline they call “Fire with Fire”. They both put a boot on his chest to keep him down.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: The second elimination of this match, by pinfall… Mad Dog Smith!
Romano: Great unison and teamwork there by Sawyer and Datura, a surprisingly effective combination of moves.
Taylor: But looks like that dream is over before it’s even begun.
As Mad Dog is rolled out of the ring the two begin to trade blows again, but Redmond Fury intervenes and shoulder charges Sawyer out of the way with ease. The 160 pounder flies through the ropes to the outside, and Fury tries to take control back. Him and Datura exchange some big blows, trading some heavy haymakers but Datura lands an insane roundhouse kick to the temple and drops Fury like a sack of potatoes.
Seeing the Buckeye Bruiser hit the deck, Datura flexes and motions to the crowd it is over, and gets the cheering her on but Sawyer slides in and a vicious knee to the jaw drops her too. With both opponents downed, Sawyer keeps the crowd's momentum going and quickly climbs the turnbuckle, signaling something big. They pose at the top rope, back turned to the ring and hit an insanely-high arcing moonsault on Fury!
Taylor: Sawyersault!
Sam Sawyer is hurt a little by their own move but they quickly bounce back and go for the cover on Fury, but Datura is up again and pulls them off. Sawyer turns around and leads right into a rough Dragon Sleeper by Datura, with Sawyer having no escape.
Bent over the knee of Datura, Sawyer struggles to break free and does their damn best but it's no good, as soon as Datura locks in the grapevine portion of the move Sam Sawyer has to tap!
Jessie Love: The third elimination of this match, by submission… Sam Sawyer!
Romano: And we’re down to the final two!
Taylor: Redmond Fury is stirring but Datura looks to be on the warpath right now!
Releasing the hold, Datura sets her sights on Fury and motions for him to get up. She stomps and screams for the big man to get up… but the distraction and adrenaline means she doesn’t see Sawyer! Annoyed at the defeat, they lash out with a punishing hard right hook to the jaw, sinking Datura completely. The referee doesn’t see this, but only catches Sawyer still in the ring and ushers them out. Only afterwards he spies Datura is downed but doesn’t know how to call it.
Fury gets to his feet and sees Datura completely crumpled so he begins to lift her up from the mat, but she fights back. Completely dazed and confused she fights on regardless, and even manages to land a couple of well placed blows to force Fury off her. She shakes her head to clear her webs and runs to the far ropes, as Fury runs away from her it seems.
She chases him down but as he gets to the ropes he springboards backwards and lands a massive rising knee to the chin of Datura! The Bristolite is knocked out! He goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Romano: He’s done it! Redmond has done it!
Taylor: That knee was brutal! And Datura was doing so well! Holy heck!
Jessie Love: Your winner, and the Number One Contender for the XHF Phoenix Title… REDMOND FURYYY!!
The crowd pops and cheers for the winner's name, the big guy getting a huge win and a huge opportunity for himself at Night of Champions! In a show of good grace he helps Datura up again, and tries to raise her arm in a show of respect but she pushes him away. She was so close, but in the end not enough for the win. She rolls out of the ring but Fury remains, both arms in the air celebrating.
Romano: A bit of a sour mood right now but one of these stars should be annoyed with their performance tonight.
Taylor: Absolutely, Ace and Mad dog gave it their best tonight but just could be the best unfortunately. Sam Sawyer, wow they massively impressed me though. I can see them going pretty fat in this game.
Romano: And Datura? Wow, I have not seen such raw talent in a long time, and I cannot wait to see more of her and Sawyer down the line.
Taylor: Just won’t be in the AWF, y'know… cos this is the end.
Romano: ...and now I’m tearing up. Thanks Tommy!
Taylor: So am I! I don’t want this quality of matches to ever end!
Romano: We’ll take a quick commercial break here.
Taylor: *sobs*
Taylor: That’s right, the victor of this match not only walks out of here with a massive win beneath their belt, but a chance for the Phoenix belt at Night of Champions!
Romano: Later we will see the strap on the line between Adkins and Xialong and who will end up as the final XHF Phoenix Champion within the AWF. But can they continue to defend once it returns to the global setting?
Taylor: Or will one of these stars be the next person to dethrone the Phoenix Champion and begin a new reign?
As a rocket rises from the stage preceded by count down from five on the titantron, counted along to by the fans. Upon hitting the end the words “Lift Off” appear as the pod door opens. Ace Sky walks out in an aviator jacket and his usual in ring attire, clasping his hands together and bowing his head before raising his arms in twin peace signs while shouting Namaste!
He jogs down the aisle way high-fiving as many fans as possible on both sides then he dashes forward and executes his signature slide into the ring, raises his arm with another peace sign then executes a springboard backflip into a sitting lotus yoga position.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, from Houston Texas… ACE SKYYY!
The overhead lights dim as a bassline begins to play. While a silver mist slowly fills the stage, the fans wait in anticipation. A deep voice starts singing in a whisper. Then, a dark figure walks through the mist. Completely decked out in black, the teenager slowly walks forward. The camera mostly keeps its distance. Different angles give a better look, but their face is still mostly obscured in darkness. After climbing the steps and entering the ring, the volume of the music increases.
I hear the sons of the city and dispossessed
Get down, get undressed
Get pretty but you and me
We got the kingdom, we got the key
We got the empire, now as then
We don't doubt, we don't take direction
The mist has thinned but the room is still dark. The song quietens down.
Lucretia, my reflection, dance the ghost with me
Then reaches its loud finale. The lights come back on and the fans cheer. The camera focuses on Sam Sawyer's cold, glaring face.
Jessie Love: Introducing next, from Houston Texas… SAM SAWYERR!
The clicking and clattering of “The Phoenix” begins softly, accompanied by the whine of the violin. As it grows in volume, it picks up speed. Datura steps into the entrance covered in a black, hooded robe that obfuscates her face and waves with every step. Her gait is slow and she makes it only to the top of the ramp before pausing, her eyes scanning the area.
The percussion drops off, and she continues to trudge toward the ring, her eyes forward and unblinking. Once she reaches her destination, she climbs up on the apron and wipes off her boots. Instead of climbing into the ring, she sits, then lays back on the middle rope, her eyes fixed upward toward the ceiling. Her hands delicately move with the music as she “floats.”
The music picks up tempo again toward a buildup, and she finally rolls off the rope and sways to the turnbuckle where she climbs and sits, facing the crowd. As the music reaches its crescendo, she lowers her arms to allow her cloak to flutter to the canvas. At its highest note, Datura closes her eyes and bends backward, dangling in the corner in a tree of woe position.
Jessie Love: Introducing next, from Bristol England… DATURAAA!
The melodic voices of En Vogue act as a siren's call, beckoning the audience to crowd around the aisle, before the mad lyrical flow of Salt-N-Pepa cue up the pyro. White sparks explode across the entrance curtain. Whatta Man pumps over the PA system, accompanying visuals over the tron featuring impossibly ripped muscles glistening with sweat. If it was any other wrestler, this theme song might seem conceited. Out of the back steps Redmond Fury to the delight of his fans. Moving with the tune, Fury slaps hands, signs autographs, busts moves, all while taking the time to flex for the camera.
Jessie Love: Introducing next, from Akron Ohio… REDMOND FURYYY!
As “Hungry Eyes'' hits the speakers, a soft blue and pink light lights up the stage and ramp, allowing the rocker bad-boy Mad Dog Smith to make his way onto the stage, much to the delight of fans. Men swoon, women swoon, at least one person gets pregnant just by looking at him. He is sex, raw sex, no safety.
MDS makes his way down the ramp, flirting and charming all within earshot before sliding into the ring and humping the mat for good luck. He stands up and assesses his opponents, stripping off his clothes and making eye contact while doing so.
Jessie Love: Introducing last, from Sin City… MAD DOG SMITHHH!
Romano: And here we have it Tommy, the future of the business right before us. Some stars we recognize, some new to the ring. All ready to put it all on the line here tonight.
Taylor: I’m pumped to check out Sam Sawyer and see what they can do, but also Redmond Fury is looking mega ready for this match. Damn Ace Sky does have that killer look though, and Datura is just looking like a primal Goddess ready for war. Lastly Mad Dog… I hate how beautiful of a bastard he truly is.
DING DING!
Romano: And we’re off! Elimination style rules tonight Tommy, meaning that whoever is the last person standing takes the title shot home.
Taylor: I’m sure getting the party started here will be a tight ring, but once the swing of things gets going we should see some insane action.
The match starts off as expected, all stars just getting stuck in and throwing some heavy blows and hits to one another. Sam Sawyer gets overpower easier by Ace Sky and the two brawl in one corner, while Mad Dog is fighting a two on one battle as Fury and Datura seem to have formed an unlikely alliance. The pretty boy is quickly forced to the corner for the beat down.
As Datura is distracted Ace Sky appears from behind to fight off what he thinks is the easiest of the two, but Datura fights back and gets control over Space Shaman. Fury pulls up Mad Dog and sends him running to the far corner, crunching Sawyer and Smith together and follows up with a nice body splash on both in the corner. Fury tries to stomp on them but Mad Dog rolls out of the ring allowing Fury time to focus on Sawyer solo.
The action continues but the ebb of the battle shifts as Datura has Ace Sky worn down on the ropes, and sends him over with a strong clothesline. Behind her Sawyer has taken back the momentum and has Fury staggering from some well placed jabs, the final uppercut sending him backwards and out of the ropes himself. With just Datura and Sawyer in the center of the ring, the two stars lock up and get into a series of grapples and reversals, with Sawyer getting the upper hand and dropping Datura with an amazing spinning elbow to the skull of Datura!
Romano: Just listen to these fans Tommy, they are losing their minds for this excitement!
Taylor: The action has been heavy since the bell rang, and by the looks of it Sawyer and Datura are taking the reins of this battle.
Inside the ring both stars exchange blows and send each other running to the ropes, Irish whips followed by hard shoulders or dropkicks to weaken the other side. Distracted by one another they don’t see Mad Dog Smith sliding into the ring and he quickly catches a running Datura in a great overhead belly to belly toss right to the corner turnbuckles, crumbling the English lass. Back to his feet he engages Sawyer and this time his size and strength allows him to overpower the smaller Sam Sawyer and take control.
Outside Ace Sky and Redmond Fury have found one another and the battle on the ringside area has kept the fans engaged and on the edge of their seats as both men exchange dominance over one another. With the referee yelling their countdown, both men know they need to re-enter the ring or else it is a double count out, so Redmond slides in Sky and pulls him back out with a hard slam against the spectators barrier. He slides in himself to break the count and restart it, coming back out for more.
Ace Sky manages to get the advantage once more and beats down Redmond with ease it seems, and a hard elbow to the skull rocks him on his feet, allowing Ace Sky to roll Redmond Fury back into the ring. He climbs onto the apron and motions to the crowd to cheer him on, but doesnt notice Fury climbing to his feet, grabbing the ropes and hitting a vicious slingshot spear back out to the outside!
Taylor: He calls that one the Buckeye Shot!
Romano: Aren’t slingshot spears supposed to be going INTO the ring?
Taylor: Who cares! And not both men are downed on the outside, with Redmond rolling about but Ace Sky looking worse for wear. As the referee counts into the higher numbers, Fury makes it back to the ring but Ace Sky doesn’t, and nobody in the match seems phased.
The referee hits the TEN count and we have our first elimination!
Jessie Love: The first elimination of this match, by count out… Ace Sky!
Back in the ring Fury takes a moment to catch his breath and just watch the war unfold before his eyes. Mad Dog is now outnumbered two on one, as Sawyer and Datura combined their forces to beat the heartthrob. He stands between the two, just eating some hard blows left and right before Datura hits a powerful shotgun dropkick onto Mad Dog that she calls “Delirium”, and as Mad Dog staggers out of the turnbuckle Sam Sawyer hits with a running lariat, a vicious clothesline they call “Fire with Fire”. They both put a boot on his chest to keep him down.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: The second elimination of this match, by pinfall… Mad Dog Smith!
Romano: Great unison and teamwork there by Sawyer and Datura, a surprisingly effective combination of moves.
Taylor: But looks like that dream is over before it’s even begun.
As Mad Dog is rolled out of the ring the two begin to trade blows again, but Redmond Fury intervenes and shoulder charges Sawyer out of the way with ease. The 160 pounder flies through the ropes to the outside, and Fury tries to take control back. Him and Datura exchange some big blows, trading some heavy haymakers but Datura lands an insane roundhouse kick to the temple and drops Fury like a sack of potatoes.
Seeing the Buckeye Bruiser hit the deck, Datura flexes and motions to the crowd it is over, and gets the cheering her on but Sawyer slides in and a vicious knee to the jaw drops her too. With both opponents downed, Sawyer keeps the crowd's momentum going and quickly climbs the turnbuckle, signaling something big. They pose at the top rope, back turned to the ring and hit an insanely-high arcing moonsault on Fury!
Taylor: Sawyersault!
Sam Sawyer is hurt a little by their own move but they quickly bounce back and go for the cover on Fury, but Datura is up again and pulls them off. Sawyer turns around and leads right into a rough Dragon Sleeper by Datura, with Sawyer having no escape.
Bent over the knee of Datura, Sawyer struggles to break free and does their damn best but it's no good, as soon as Datura locks in the grapevine portion of the move Sam Sawyer has to tap!
Jessie Love: The third elimination of this match, by submission… Sam Sawyer!
Romano: And we’re down to the final two!
Taylor: Redmond Fury is stirring but Datura looks to be on the warpath right now!
Releasing the hold, Datura sets her sights on Fury and motions for him to get up. She stomps and screams for the big man to get up… but the distraction and adrenaline means she doesn’t see Sawyer! Annoyed at the defeat, they lash out with a punishing hard right hook to the jaw, sinking Datura completely. The referee doesn’t see this, but only catches Sawyer still in the ring and ushers them out. Only afterwards he spies Datura is downed but doesn’t know how to call it.
Fury gets to his feet and sees Datura completely crumpled so he begins to lift her up from the mat, but she fights back. Completely dazed and confused she fights on regardless, and even manages to land a couple of well placed blows to force Fury off her. She shakes her head to clear her webs and runs to the far ropes, as Fury runs away from her it seems.
She chases him down but as he gets to the ropes he springboards backwards and lands a massive rising knee to the chin of Datura! The Bristolite is knocked out! He goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Romano: He’s done it! Redmond has done it!
Taylor: That knee was brutal! And Datura was doing so well! Holy heck!
Jessie Love: Your winner, and the Number One Contender for the XHF Phoenix Title… REDMOND FURYYY!!
The crowd pops and cheers for the winner's name, the big guy getting a huge win and a huge opportunity for himself at Night of Champions! In a show of good grace he helps Datura up again, and tries to raise her arm in a show of respect but she pushes him away. She was so close, but in the end not enough for the win. She rolls out of the ring but Fury remains, both arms in the air celebrating.
Romano: A bit of a sour mood right now but one of these stars should be annoyed with their performance tonight.
Taylor: Absolutely, Ace and Mad dog gave it their best tonight but just could be the best unfortunately. Sam Sawyer, wow they massively impressed me though. I can see them going pretty fat in this game.
Romano: And Datura? Wow, I have not seen such raw talent in a long time, and I cannot wait to see more of her and Sawyer down the line.
Taylor: Just won’t be in the AWF, y'know… cos this is the end.
Romano: ...and now I’m tearing up. Thanks Tommy!
Taylor: So am I! I don’t want this quality of matches to ever end!
Romano: We’ll take a quick commercial break here.
Taylor: *sobs*
Coming back from the last match, "Enemies" by Drake plays and out comes a familiar face.
Taylor: It's Frankie Webb! We haven't seen him in some time!
Romano: The youngest XHF Phoenix Champion in history is coming down to the ring. But what could he want?
Frankie Webb enters the ring and takes the microphone.
Webb: It's been a while since I was here and I wanted to let you know that I got a message from Felix Ziko that this was the last show in the AWF. To commemorate this moment, he wanted me to do a little something.
He pauses before continuing forward.
Webb: There's someone out there who has helped me through thick and thin. With this guidance, I was able to win this belt on my own before, and I couldn't have been happier.
Taylor: What a kind gesture.
Webb: This person wasn't just my coach, but also a role model. A second father. And beyond that, he was a fantastic wrestler. He's been with the XHF for years and years. He's actually been XHF Phoenix Champion, himself. He's been the XHF Hardcore Champion nearly half a dozen times. He's even won the X*Crown Championship before and had escaped death from clutching him by the throat. Unfortunately not everyone can comeback from being dead for fifty-two seconds...
Taylor: Did he say fifty-two seconds?
Romano: Wait a moment...
Webb: And on this final show, I want to induct my coach to the AWF Hall of Fame. I want to induct... MICHAEL STORM!
As Michael Storm enters the ring, he gives a hug to Frankie before taking the microphone from him.
Storm: Thank you, everyone. Fans, management, and even Frankie here. Yeah, I was one of the first signees of the AWF and I've had good times here. It's a real shame that this place is going down. Especially since I can't wrestle any longer. But like my career, everything good needs to come to an end. And I've had good matches. From Hyperion to Jackson Steele to Seth Dillinger to Chris Card... and yes, even to Jack Diamond, I've had matches. Matches that pushed me to the edge and challenged the extent of my abilities. The AWF gave me that and you know, I'll always be fully thankful.
Taylor: It's nice to see he's calmed down for a bit. He's totally genuine here.
Romano: He's had quite the past, and the wrestling industry isn't a kind one.
Storm: If there's something to take away from all this with the AWF and all, it's that these AWF values have grown on me. I started out as a hardcore wrestler and I loved swinging these weapons around. Being told not to wasn't easy, but it boils down to the fundamentals. What matters most is being the best version of who you are and I hope that everyone who sees this, whether it be the fans, other wrestlers or anyone else, you can be a better version of yourself. Find that better person. Be them.
Michael Storm raises his arm in the air.
Storm: Thank you, everyone! Thank you, AWF!
"Undeniable" by Seckond Chaynce plays as both Frankie Webb and Michael Storm exit the ring.
Taylor: Well for what may have been the final time, we have another AWF inductee! Michael Storm, everyone!
Romano: He's had an illustrious career within the AWF and the XHF. While a lot of his actions have been grey at best, he certainly have the skills to deserve this award.
Jessie Love: The following contest is set for one fall...
Crowd: ONE FALL!
As the lights fade to darkness, the speakers inside begin to play “To Whom It May Concern” by Ghostmane as the crowd switches on the flashlights on their phone as the singular spotlight shines down on the entrance curtain as it swings open and the lyrics hit the speakers.
“I broke the law in Madrid
And I'd do it again
I got a bitch in every city that I ever been
I thought the money would do something for the sadness in
Me but I'm deeper in the abyss than I have ever been”
The english-born anti-villain of AWF steps through the curtain, sporting his best three piece suit as he listens to the large amount of mixed cheers and boos that rain down and shake the flimsy ceiling, raining onto Hayden Callahan as he looks around the room and then takes his slow walk to the ring, ignoring the crowd’s loud reaction as he reaches the ringside area.
Jessie Love: Introducing first... wrestling out of South London, England and weighing in tonight at two hundred and ten pounds... he is "The Ungovernable" -- HAYDEN CALLLLLAAAAAHAAAAAANNNN!
“Now I'm pushing a button, to self destruct me
And no, I don't wanna talk about it
I'll never take you up on your offer to try to help me out of it
It's just a matter of time, until I rest my eyes
Go to sleep, and never come out of it”
Callahan walks around the ring, glancing inside the ring and not paying any attention to his opponent as he continues to slowly circle around the ring and then climb up the ring steps, walking along the ring apron and looking out to the crowd with a blank expression on his face. Hayden brushes his feet along the apron before entering through the middle ropes and doing his slow walk around the ring, not hopping up any corners or posing to the fans like anyone else would do, just standing there and undressing from his three-piece suit and into his ring gear worn underneath.
Romano: Well, what is there to say about Hayden Callahan that we don’t know about, Tommy? The man had a hell of a debut against Mad Dog Smith and was unsuccessful against the XHF Phoenix Champion but at the end of the day, he’s still a diamond in the rough but looking to bounce back in this match against Top Gun Tsunami.
Taylor: Hayden has had an up and down career when it comes to within the XHF, having appearing in SWAT and in FIRESIDE but never really having break out moments in the rough -- but I do think that tonight, on the final show of AWF, he continues to have that break out and prepares for whatever is next for himself in the future.
“Typhoons” by Royal Blood hits and out comes Top Gun Tsunami. He walks slowly and methodically to the ring, as the fans deliver a very mixed reaction. Some are booing him because he’s not signed to the federation. Others are cheering him because he’s from Japan and as such, that means he’s great.
Jessie Love: And his opponent… From Hiroshima, Japan and weighing in tonight at two hundred and forty pounds… he is “The Minacious Starfighter” -- TOP!... GUN!... TSSSUUUUUUNAAAAAAMIIIIIIIII!
Upon reaching the ring, he climbs the ring steps slowly, before stepping onto the ring apron. He looks at the crowd for a little bit. He’s seemingly soaking in the mixed reaction they’re giving him, almost like he doesn’t give a fuck how they acknowledge him. He then steps through the ropes and walks towards the other side of the ring, before leaning on the top rope. He smirks, before bouncing off and stepping into his corner.
Romano: And here is Top Gun Tsunami, who’s made it abundantly clear that he wants to make a tour around the entirety of the XHF Network before hopefully deciding on where to sign on the dotted line. Gladly, he was willing to be brought here to the AWF for this one time match but he’s making it just before the doors shut.
Taylor: Call it perfect timing but I’d say it’s one last hurrah on a large stage, but even then, the stage isn’t as large as we’d have expected it to be. But alas, Top Gun Tsunami is here and considering his stint in Next Level Wrestling, I’m willing to assume that he’s ready to add one to the win column in his tour of the islands that is the XHF Network. Let’s just see if he can pull it off here tonight against Hayden Callahan.
TOP GUN TSUNAMI VS. HAYDEN CALLAHAN
DING DING!
Right as the opening bell sounds, Top Gun Tsunami makes a charge in for Hayden Callahan but The Ungovernable is able to dodge the attack and land a Rope-Aided Gamengiri to the back of Tsunami’s skull before going for the German Suplex, bringing Tsunami down onto his neck with the high angle to the drop. With the drop landing to perfection for Callahan, he shoots up to his feet and looks for the Tranquil shot right to the kneeling Tsunami but The Merciless Mercenary already spotted it coming and scoops him up into the air and drops him back down with a Sit Out Powerbomb to the mat below! Tsunami keeps the legs up as the shoulders were down but Callahan was able to kick out of the pin attempt before the referee could even hit his hand off of the mat, rolling through and back to his feet, shooting for the Penalty Kick but missing, Tsunami going for the roll up and able to bring Callahan down but again, as the referee goes to make the cover, Callahan kicks out but Tsunami was expecting it -- hoisted up into the air and brought to the middle of the ring to slam him down to the mat with a One-Armed Powerbomb!
Romano: An impressive feat of strength from Top Gun Tsunami here tonight and these fans here are showing that mixed emotion for the man strongly, but you have to think that even they are impressed with the showing that Tsunami is showing in this match.
Taylor: That’s exactly it, he’s a strong competitor and is going to be a megastar one day with a guarantee on the top spot, it’s only a matter of where and when. A hopeful mind would make this man the best man on their roster if Tsunami were to sign onto a promotion.
Callahan was able to roll out of the ring after the one armed powerbomb and take a breather from Tsunami’s attacks but The Top Gun of Wrestling is poised to strike and to kill, heading right outside of the ring and going straight for Callahan himself. A knife-edge chop across the chest echoes throughout the VFW and that chop stung The Ungovernable’s chest as he almost cripples in the pain shooting through his chest, stumbling over to the ring steps and allowing himself to take a seat on the outside of the ring, the referee on the count of five before Tsunami could roll back into the ring and then heading back out of the ring, restarting the referee’s count -- but as soon as he makes it back outside of the ring, he’s caught by the hair from Callahan and sent head first into the ring steps, the loud crash echoing throughout the VFW as Hayden soon slips back into the ring and finally creating some breathing room from himself and Top Gun Tsunami.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
The referee’s count begins once more, reaching to the count of five and Tsunami is shaken up from the unexpected attack, able to hear the count from the referee and trying to scramble to his feet as the referee’s count reaches up to eight -- and Tsunami slides into the ring just before the ten count, but the signs are all in the direction of Hayden Callahan’s advantage right now with Tsunami seemingly still shaken from his head going straight first into the steel steps.
Romano: That was a clever strategy from Hayden Callahan to gain the upper-hand advantage over Top Gun Tsunami but you can tell that Callahan was already looking worse for wear from that chop delivered from Tsunami, he’s taken that chop seriously and it’s definitely become a sort of wake up call for Callahan in this match.
Taylor: But he’s beginning to build himself back up after the rough start, he was already getting into some fast paced action off the bat but you could tell he wasn’t ready for it when everything was turned around on him and in the favor of Top Gun Tsunami.
A kneeling Tsunami looks dazed and confused as he lifts his head up to look directly at Callahan -- AND CAUGHT WITH THE SUPERKICK RIGHT TO THE HEAD! THE TRANQUIL WAS SHOT AND CONNECTED WITH IT’S TARGET! -- but that only makes Tsunami stumble back into the ropes, leaving Callahan to come back off of the ropes and charge in to Tsunami but he springs up to his feet and almost takes the head off of Callahan with the huge Lariat of his- ducked by Callahan at the last second however and the Jumping Enzuigiri strikes the back of the skull of Tsunami, once again he staggers forward as Hayden comes off of the ropes again, swinging his arm forward and dropping Tsunami down with the Northern Lariat, right to the back of the skull again he strikes. Tsunami crashes down onto his hands and knees as he looks completely dazed and confused as to what’s happening around him -- but a Hook Kick manages to find it’s mark before being quickly followed UP WITH THE TRANQUIL AGAIN TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL! THIS TIME BRINGING TSUNAMI DOWN FLAT ONTO HIS STOMACH! HAYDEN STUMBLES BACK AS WELL AND FALLS OVER! With himself laying on the flat of his back and rolling over, Callahan slowly crawls over and is able to lift and roll over Tsunami onto his back as he goes for the cover, hooking the leg as he does.
ONE!
TWO!
TH-
Romano: OH NO! TSUNAMI CAUGHT HIM IN A REAR NAKED CHOKE TO BREAK THE PIN AND CALLAHAN IS STRUGGLING! HE’S GASPING FOR AIR AS TSUNAMI TIGHTENS THE GRIP AROUND CALLAHAN’S NECK! HAYDEN IS IN DEEP TROUBLE!
Taylor: Not looking good for Callahan right now as he is caught in the tight grip of Top Gun Tsunami, wriggling around and trying his best to break free from the clutches of Tsunami here, but he’s fading fast from that large arm of Tsunami wrapped around the neck and blocking any passage of air.
Romano: Hayden’s not going to let Tsunami wrap the legs around him but he flips over and grabs onto the head, breaking the submission and bringing Tsunami up to his feet with the head hooked from behind -- Rolling Cutter driving his head into the mat! What excellence in his offense!
Hayden has spotted an opening in his offense towards Tsunami, seeing the moment being planned out in his head as he slowly crawls over to the corner and keeping his eye on Tsunami who’s laying in the middle of the ring, Callahan brings himself to his feet and into the crouched position as he continues to sit in the corner and await for the right moment as Tsunami begins to stir. This was the moment that Hayden needed to finally move on with his career and make sure his run in AWF hasn’t come up a complete failure. Tsunami is back up to his feet and Hayden stands straight up, charging in and leaping into the AIR FOR MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT! DUCKED BY TSUNAMI! TOP GUN RUNS THE ROPES! TAKE OUT THE GUNMAN! REBOUNDING BURNING LARIAT TAKING THE HEAD OFF OF CALLAHAN AS HE SCRAMBLED BACK TO HIS FEET! TURNING HIM INSIDE OUT! Tsunami goes for the quick cover on Callahan right now.
ONE!
TWO!
HAYDEN KICKS OUT IN TIME!
Taylor: GOOD GOD! THAT MIGHT HAVE KILLED HIM!
Romano: I wouldn’t say that now, Tommy, because I know that Hayden can find a way back into this match! Just have some faith in the man!
Tsunami is bringing himself into the corner and has his sights on the finish, picking up the first victory within the tour of the network as he prepares for the Superkick, slamming his foot down onto the mat before slamming it back down again, and one more time as Hayden brings himself up to his knees and the Superkick is fired -- but Hayden was able to duck the kick just in time! Catching the Top Gun from behind AND THE EXPLODER SUPLEX DROPS HIM DOWN ON HIS NECK! TOP GUN TSUNAMI GOT DROPPED ON THE POINT OF HIS HEAD FROM THE EXPLODER! Callahan allows him to roll through- BLINDING LIGHTS! THE ROLLING SAVATE KICK! AND FOLLOWED UP WITH THE THIRD TRANQUIL OF THE NIGHT! AND A FOURTH QUICKLY FOLLOWING IT UP! CALLAHAN COMES OFF OF THE ROPES FROM BEHIND TSUNAMI! DESOLATE MIDNIGH- TSUNAMI DUCKED IT! TOP GUN HAS A HOLD OF THE WRIST OF CALLAHAN! POPPED UP FROM THE MAT AND UP TO HIS SHOULDERS -- SAMOAN DROP! TSUNAMI STUMBLES BACK INTO THE CORNER AS HE EYES UP CALLAHAN ONCE AGAIN SCRAMBLING TO HIS FEET!
Taylor: This might be it! Here we go with the…
Romano: CLICK! CLICK!...
Taylor: BOOOOOM!!!
THE SUPERKICK CAUGHT HAYDEN RIGHT ON THE JAW AND HE FALLS FLAT ONTO HIS BACK! TSUNAMI GOES FOR THE COVER! THE HOOK OF THE LEG!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING! DING! DING!
“Typhoons” by Royal Blood hits and the crowd cheer, with some beginning to boo, as Top Gun Tsunami rolls off of Hayden Callahan as the victor.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner… TOP! GUN! TSUUUUNAAAAAMIIIII!!!
The hand of The Merciless Mercenary is raised as he brings himself to his feet and looks down to the fallen Ungovernable with a cocky smirk on his face. Heading out of the ring and heading through the curtain, leaving Hayden to lay in the middle of the ring after what might as well be noted as another unsuccessful run as a professional wrestler.
Romano: What a victory here at Clash of The Icons for Top Gun Tsunami, the dude has got a bright future ahead of him and I’m sure it’ll be one worth noting in the near future. That was a solid performance from both of them but at the end of the day, it was Top Gun Tsunamin who just so happened to bring the ruckus down onto Hayden Callahan.
Taylor: And it was a shame that Hayden couldn’t pick up the win here at Clash of The Icons, the man also had a bright future but mishaps always seemingly following him with every turn he made. Here’s to hoping he can make a speedy recovery and make a return to the sport after this so he can finally make his mark. Such good talent shouldn’t be put to waste like that.
Romano: Absolutely, Tommy, but right up next is a championship that’s known for making futures exist and that’s the XHF Phoenix Championship, Xiaolong is going to aim for another reign with the championship but he’ll have to defeat a fighting champion in Greg Adkins. Let’s see who’ll make it to Night of Champions in this next match and this next championship defense right after the commercial break.
The feed soon fades into the next segment.
Right as the opening bell sounds, Top Gun Tsunami makes a charge in for Hayden Callahan but The Ungovernable is able to dodge the attack and land a Rope-Aided Gamengiri to the back of Tsunami’s skull before going for the German Suplex, bringing Tsunami down onto his neck with the high angle to the drop. With the drop landing to perfection for Callahan, he shoots up to his feet and looks for the Tranquil shot right to the kneeling Tsunami but The Merciless Mercenary already spotted it coming and scoops him up into the air and drops him back down with a Sit Out Powerbomb to the mat below! Tsunami keeps the legs up as the shoulders were down but Callahan was able to kick out of the pin attempt before the referee could even hit his hand off of the mat, rolling through and back to his feet, shooting for the Penalty Kick but missing, Tsunami going for the roll up and able to bring Callahan down but again, as the referee goes to make the cover, Callahan kicks out but Tsunami was expecting it -- hoisted up into the air and brought to the middle of the ring to slam him down to the mat with a One-Armed Powerbomb!
Romano: An impressive feat of strength from Top Gun Tsunami here tonight and these fans here are showing that mixed emotion for the man strongly, but you have to think that even they are impressed with the showing that Tsunami is showing in this match.
Taylor: That’s exactly it, he’s a strong competitor and is going to be a megastar one day with a guarantee on the top spot, it’s only a matter of where and when. A hopeful mind would make this man the best man on their roster if Tsunami were to sign onto a promotion.
Callahan was able to roll out of the ring after the one armed powerbomb and take a breather from Tsunami’s attacks but The Top Gun of Wrestling is poised to strike and to kill, heading right outside of the ring and going straight for Callahan himself. A knife-edge chop across the chest echoes throughout the VFW and that chop stung The Ungovernable’s chest as he almost cripples in the pain shooting through his chest, stumbling over to the ring steps and allowing himself to take a seat on the outside of the ring, the referee on the count of five before Tsunami could roll back into the ring and then heading back out of the ring, restarting the referee’s count -- but as soon as he makes it back outside of the ring, he’s caught by the hair from Callahan and sent head first into the ring steps, the loud crash echoing throughout the VFW as Hayden soon slips back into the ring and finally creating some breathing room from himself and Top Gun Tsunami.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
The referee’s count begins once more, reaching to the count of five and Tsunami is shaken up from the unexpected attack, able to hear the count from the referee and trying to scramble to his feet as the referee’s count reaches up to eight -- and Tsunami slides into the ring just before the ten count, but the signs are all in the direction of Hayden Callahan’s advantage right now with Tsunami seemingly still shaken from his head going straight first into the steel steps.
Romano: That was a clever strategy from Hayden Callahan to gain the upper-hand advantage over Top Gun Tsunami but you can tell that Callahan was already looking worse for wear from that chop delivered from Tsunami, he’s taken that chop seriously and it’s definitely become a sort of wake up call for Callahan in this match.
Taylor: But he’s beginning to build himself back up after the rough start, he was already getting into some fast paced action off the bat but you could tell he wasn’t ready for it when everything was turned around on him and in the favor of Top Gun Tsunami.
A kneeling Tsunami looks dazed and confused as he lifts his head up to look directly at Callahan -- AND CAUGHT WITH THE SUPERKICK RIGHT TO THE HEAD! THE TRANQUIL WAS SHOT AND CONNECTED WITH IT’S TARGET! -- but that only makes Tsunami stumble back into the ropes, leaving Callahan to come back off of the ropes and charge in to Tsunami but he springs up to his feet and almost takes the head off of Callahan with the huge Lariat of his- ducked by Callahan at the last second however and the Jumping Enzuigiri strikes the back of the skull of Tsunami, once again he staggers forward as Hayden comes off of the ropes again, swinging his arm forward and dropping Tsunami down with the Northern Lariat, right to the back of the skull again he strikes. Tsunami crashes down onto his hands and knees as he looks completely dazed and confused as to what’s happening around him -- but a Hook Kick manages to find it’s mark before being quickly followed UP WITH THE TRANQUIL AGAIN TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL! THIS TIME BRINGING TSUNAMI DOWN FLAT ONTO HIS STOMACH! HAYDEN STUMBLES BACK AS WELL AND FALLS OVER! With himself laying on the flat of his back and rolling over, Callahan slowly crawls over and is able to lift and roll over Tsunami onto his back as he goes for the cover, hooking the leg as he does.
ONE!
TWO!
TH-
Romano: OH NO! TSUNAMI CAUGHT HIM IN A REAR NAKED CHOKE TO BREAK THE PIN AND CALLAHAN IS STRUGGLING! HE’S GASPING FOR AIR AS TSUNAMI TIGHTENS THE GRIP AROUND CALLAHAN’S NECK! HAYDEN IS IN DEEP TROUBLE!
Taylor: Not looking good for Callahan right now as he is caught in the tight grip of Top Gun Tsunami, wriggling around and trying his best to break free from the clutches of Tsunami here, but he’s fading fast from that large arm of Tsunami wrapped around the neck and blocking any passage of air.
Romano: Hayden’s not going to let Tsunami wrap the legs around him but he flips over and grabs onto the head, breaking the submission and bringing Tsunami up to his feet with the head hooked from behind -- Rolling Cutter driving his head into the mat! What excellence in his offense!
Hayden has spotted an opening in his offense towards Tsunami, seeing the moment being planned out in his head as he slowly crawls over to the corner and keeping his eye on Tsunami who’s laying in the middle of the ring, Callahan brings himself to his feet and into the crouched position as he continues to sit in the corner and await for the right moment as Tsunami begins to stir. This was the moment that Hayden needed to finally move on with his career and make sure his run in AWF hasn’t come up a complete failure. Tsunami is back up to his feet and Hayden stands straight up, charging in and leaping into the AIR FOR MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT! DUCKED BY TSUNAMI! TOP GUN RUNS THE ROPES! TAKE OUT THE GUNMAN! REBOUNDING BURNING LARIAT TAKING THE HEAD OFF OF CALLAHAN AS HE SCRAMBLED BACK TO HIS FEET! TURNING HIM INSIDE OUT! Tsunami goes for the quick cover on Callahan right now.
ONE!
TWO!
HAYDEN KICKS OUT IN TIME!
Taylor: GOOD GOD! THAT MIGHT HAVE KILLED HIM!
Romano: I wouldn’t say that now, Tommy, because I know that Hayden can find a way back into this match! Just have some faith in the man!
Tsunami is bringing himself into the corner and has his sights on the finish, picking up the first victory within the tour of the network as he prepares for the Superkick, slamming his foot down onto the mat before slamming it back down again, and one more time as Hayden brings himself up to his knees and the Superkick is fired -- but Hayden was able to duck the kick just in time! Catching the Top Gun from behind AND THE EXPLODER SUPLEX DROPS HIM DOWN ON HIS NECK! TOP GUN TSUNAMI GOT DROPPED ON THE POINT OF HIS HEAD FROM THE EXPLODER! Callahan allows him to roll through- BLINDING LIGHTS! THE ROLLING SAVATE KICK! AND FOLLOWED UP WITH THE THIRD TRANQUIL OF THE NIGHT! AND A FOURTH QUICKLY FOLLOWING IT UP! CALLAHAN COMES OFF OF THE ROPES FROM BEHIND TSUNAMI! DESOLATE MIDNIGH- TSUNAMI DUCKED IT! TOP GUN HAS A HOLD OF THE WRIST OF CALLAHAN! POPPED UP FROM THE MAT AND UP TO HIS SHOULDERS -- SAMOAN DROP! TSUNAMI STUMBLES BACK INTO THE CORNER AS HE EYES UP CALLAHAN ONCE AGAIN SCRAMBLING TO HIS FEET!
Taylor: This might be it! Here we go with the…
Romano: CLICK! CLICK!...
Taylor: BOOOOOM!!!
THE SUPERKICK CAUGHT HAYDEN RIGHT ON THE JAW AND HE FALLS FLAT ONTO HIS BACK! TSUNAMI GOES FOR THE COVER! THE HOOK OF THE LEG!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING! DING! DING!
“Typhoons” by Royal Blood hits and the crowd cheer, with some beginning to boo, as Top Gun Tsunami rolls off of Hayden Callahan as the victor.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner… TOP! GUN! TSUUUUNAAAAAMIIIII!!!
The hand of The Merciless Mercenary is raised as he brings himself to his feet and looks down to the fallen Ungovernable with a cocky smirk on his face. Heading out of the ring and heading through the curtain, leaving Hayden to lay in the middle of the ring after what might as well be noted as another unsuccessful run as a professional wrestler.
Romano: What a victory here at Clash of The Icons for Top Gun Tsunami, the dude has got a bright future ahead of him and I’m sure it’ll be one worth noting in the near future. That was a solid performance from both of them but at the end of the day, it was Top Gun Tsunamin who just so happened to bring the ruckus down onto Hayden Callahan.
Taylor: And it was a shame that Hayden couldn’t pick up the win here at Clash of The Icons, the man also had a bright future but mishaps always seemingly following him with every turn he made. Here’s to hoping he can make a speedy recovery and make a return to the sport after this so he can finally make his mark. Such good talent shouldn’t be put to waste like that.
Romano: Absolutely, Tommy, but right up next is a championship that’s known for making futures exist and that’s the XHF Phoenix Championship, Xiaolong is going to aim for another reign with the championship but he’ll have to defeat a fighting champion in Greg Adkins. Let’s see who’ll make it to Night of Champions in this next match and this next championship defense right after the commercial break.
The feed soon fades into the next segment.
THE AWF IS CLOSING
BUT WE NEVER NEED TO STOP ASCENDING
CATCH ALL THE EPISODES OF AWF'S OWN 'RISE UP!'
INCLUDING THE INFAMOUS 'RISE UP! RUMBLE'
ONLY AVAILABLE AT XHFNETWORK.COM
BUT WE NEVER NEED TO STOP ASCENDING
CATCH ALL THE EPISODES OF AWF'S OWN 'RISE UP!'
INCLUDING THE INFAMOUS 'RISE UP! RUMBLE'
ONLY AVAILABLE AT XHFNETWORK.COM
Taylor: Before we go any further with the show, we need to go live to the parking lot!
We indeed cut to the parking lot, where Rent-A-Hero is walking. They suddenly stop in their tracks, the camera panning round to reveal that standing between them and the wrestlers' entrance is a referee and Bloodied Fox. Rent-A-Hero sighs and holds up his ATC title.
Rent-A-Hero: I assume you're here for this?
Fox gives him an apologetic shrug.
Fox: Only AWF title I've not held. Tonight's the last night I can get the grand slam.
Hero rolls his eyes, but hands the belt to the approaching referee. He and Fox eye each other for a moment, then both spring into motion, charging at each other. Hero goes for a leaping leg lariat, but Fox ducks underneath. Hero lands on his feet, then jumps over an attempted leg sweep. With the momentum he grabs onto Fox to hit the Super-Duper-Plex, but he's able to rotate over as they both go down, pinning Rent-A-Hero's shoulders to the concrete northern lights style...
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!!
Fox rolls clear! The referee hands him the belt and Fox does a little dance to celebrate.
Rent-A-Hero: *spitting and coughing* Damn you, evil doer! *wheezing*
Rent-A-Hero swoops around in a circular superhero pose that he thinks looks cool, then darts off towards the venue almost fleeing more than anything, leaving Fox with his newly won title. He looks at it, practically radiating satisfaction. He then turns around... and is superkicked by Xiaolong. The masked man immediately goes for the pin...
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!!
Xiaolong grabs the belt and rushes off, presumably to prepare for his Phoenix title match with Greg Adkins. Coming to his senses, Fox looks at the ref in disbelief, who can only shrug in response.
Fox: Motherfucker...
We cut back to the announce table.
Taylor: Shocking scenes. Bloodied Fox completes an AWF grand slam, only to be defeated by Xiaolong.
Romano: Given the animosity between those two, it seems apt Xiaolong finally gets one over on him on the AWF's last night.
We indeed cut to the parking lot, where Rent-A-Hero is walking. They suddenly stop in their tracks, the camera panning round to reveal that standing between them and the wrestlers' entrance is a referee and Bloodied Fox. Rent-A-Hero sighs and holds up his ATC title.
Rent-A-Hero: I assume you're here for this?
Fox gives him an apologetic shrug.
Fox: Only AWF title I've not held. Tonight's the last night I can get the grand slam.
Hero rolls his eyes, but hands the belt to the approaching referee. He and Fox eye each other for a moment, then both spring into motion, charging at each other. Hero goes for a leaping leg lariat, but Fox ducks underneath. Hero lands on his feet, then jumps over an attempted leg sweep. With the momentum he grabs onto Fox to hit the Super-Duper-Plex, but he's able to rotate over as they both go down, pinning Rent-A-Hero's shoulders to the concrete northern lights style...
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!!
Fox rolls clear! The referee hands him the belt and Fox does a little dance to celebrate.
Rent-A-Hero: *spitting and coughing* Damn you, evil doer! *wheezing*
Rent-A-Hero swoops around in a circular superhero pose that he thinks looks cool, then darts off towards the venue almost fleeing more than anything, leaving Fox with his newly won title. He looks at it, practically radiating satisfaction. He then turns around... and is superkicked by Xiaolong. The masked man immediately goes for the pin...
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!!
Xiaolong grabs the belt and rushes off, presumably to prepare for his Phoenix title match with Greg Adkins. Coming to his senses, Fox looks at the ref in disbelief, who can only shrug in response.
Fox: Motherfucker...
We cut back to the announce table.
Taylor: Shocking scenes. Bloodied Fox completes an AWF grand slam, only to be defeated by Xiaolong.
Romano: Given the animosity between those two, it seems apt Xiaolong finally gets one over on him on the AWF's last night.
Jessie Love: The following contest is a singles match... and it is for the AWF Phoenix Championship!
"Super Dragon's here and I'm ready for a fight!" is heard before "Kung Fu Fighting" plays and Little Dragon appears and storms ringside, the fans cheering for the challenger as he approaches the ring with purpose. He reaches the ring and leaps over the top rope Luchador style and forward rolls to his feet in a dragon stance.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, the challenger. From Hong Kong, China, he is a multi-time holder of the Phoenix Championship...XIAO...LONG!!!
Taylor: Xiaolong looks like he's ready to reclaim the Phoenix Championship again--and the stakes have never been higher.
Romano: His enthusiasm is great and all... but he's going up against one of the slimiest, filthiest men in all of professional wrestling. I don't like his chances.
"Guttertrash" Greg Adkins walks out from the back while grabbing onto his big package with one hand, the other holding the AWF Phoenix Championship on his shoulder. He walks halfway down the aisle before stopping to kiss a buxom fan (and coping a feel). He laughs after she smacks him and he heads down to the ring.
Jessie Love: And now, the champion. From Tuscola, Illinois, he is the current holder of the Phoenix Championship, Guttertrash...GREG...ADKINS!!!
Taylor: You might not like Xiaolong's chances, but just about everyone here does not like Greg Adkins at all.
Romano: Tch, being liked doesn't win matches. What does is experience, a willingness to do whatever it takes, and a willingness to bend the rules, all of which Greg has going for him.
Xiaolong has his arms up as he approaches, obviously looking for the traditional lock-up, but Adkins doesn't look interested. He jabs his fingers in and tries to get to the dragon's eyes, but Xiaolong's mask stymies him. It's still enough to throw him off for a moment, which is all Adkins wanted, who follows up with a stomp to the toes, and when Xiaolong staggers back, he goes for a clothesline that Xiaolong ducks, making a break for the ropes as he does, and as Adkins whirls around, he's Xiaolong is spinning around him to pull him down with a Slingblade. Xiaolong shoots up and appeals to the cheering crowd as Adkins holds the back of his head and gets back up.
Taylor: What was that you were saying about how Greg had all these advantages again?
Romano: The match has only just begun. If I were you, I wouldn't be counting chickens just yet when none of them have hatched.
Adkins has rolled back up to his feet and sees Xiaolong coming, possibly for another Slingblade, and ducks, meaning Xiaolong grabs nothing as he whirls around. He's able to recalculate to land on his feet instead of throwing himself down, but Adkins comes up behind him, going for a Full Nelson, but as he grabs Xiaolong, his hips move and the crowd boos as they see the dry humping coming, but on the second buck, Xiaolong runs forward, pulling Adkins forward so he can run up the ropes and flip backwards over Adkins, rushing back against the ropes once more, leaping and spinning and thrusting a foot out for a bicycle kick, but Adkins reaches out and grabs the Dragon by his Hoard....so to speak. The crowd jeers and the official is quick to insist Adkins releases his junk, but despite protestations of desperation, Adkins still holds on for four counts.
Romano: See what I mean?
Taylor: Not really, if I'm being honest. I mean, Adkins has been up to his usual dirty tricks, but Xialong is showing his own experience in being familiar with the Guttertrash's shenanigans!
Adkins stalks Xiaolong as he recovers from the comprehensive assault on good sensibilities. As he does he sticks his hand down his trunks, earning more jeers as "fans" know what he's planning next. Xiaolong staggers into position and Adkins shoots forward, but Xiaolong catches the hand before it can go in his mouth! He struggles for a few seconds with Adkins before fully blocking the Dirty Claw attempt with a toe kick to the stomach to double Adkins over. He quickly pulls Adkins back toward the ropes so he can climb up to the top rope and do some ropewalking. Adkins tries to pull him off, but that just prompts Xiaolong to pull the trigger on the Old School elbow drop to the shoulder, driving him down to the canvas!
Taylor: What a display of athleticism from the challenger!
Romano: That was impressive, I admit... but Xiaolong's got to stay on Adkins!
He sees Adkins desperately trying to get up before Xiaolong can build momentum, but Xiaolong is quicker, running the ropes behind Guttertrash and blasting him with a flying forearm to the back of the head. He then goes for the first pin attempt of the match.
ONE!
TWO!
TH--Adkins gets his shoulder up, but not to kick out, but to weasel a finger into the mask again! Xiaolong recoils, and on his way back, Adkins slips the previously tainted hand across his unprotected lips, increasing the hate from the crowd and the discomfort of his opponent.
Taylor: I... I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Romano: In order to make it in this business, you've got to have a strong stomach. Greg Adkins is proof positive of why.
Xiaolong had retreated to the corner, but Adkins chases after him, blasting him with an Avalanche splash! He catches the Dragon with a little lick on the way out, which causes more dramatic flailing, and Adkins takes advantage by grabbing Xiaolong for a suplex. It takes some effort, but he gets him up, then throws him across the top rope. While he's draped there, Adkins punts him as hard as he can in the shoulder, which actually lifts Xiaolong off the ropes slightly, giving him leverage to fall back into the ring instead of out to the floor.
Taylor: That had to hurt!
Adkins then goes up to the top rope, but in the time it takes him to do so, Xiaolong has gotten most of the way back up, so by the time he is ready to leap, Xiaolong runs up the corner to join Adkins, who is wide-eyed, tries to slip out below, but before he has a chance to do something gross to the Dragon's Horn, Xiaolong grabs Adkins, planting feet on thighs before yanking back in a big Monkey Flip! Xiaolong kips up and then hops up to the top again, facing the supine Adkins for a second before leaping off for a big twisting Frog Splash! He goes for another cover.
1...
2...
With a yelp, Xiaolong leaps off of Adkins, and it's clear by the placement of his hand that Adkins surprised his foe with a finger in the anal region.
Romano: And quick thinking on behalf of the champ to break up the pin attempt!
Taylor: The fact that Greg's mind went there... I don't even wanna try to put myself in his mind, ugh.
Adkins is still groggy, and Xiaolong is fired up to finish the match, so he grabs Adkins by the arm to pull him up. The crowd roars, as they see a Rainmaker coming, a common set-up for the match-ending Desolator, but as he yanks Adkins in, the Guttertrash surprises him not with an invasion of an orifice but a baseball slide between the legs. He grabs Xiaoling with a pumphandle, lifting him up and transitioning into a sitout reverse piledriver!
Romano: OVERDOSE!
The crowd jeers after Adkins hits the Overdose, and it gets louder as he mounts Xiaoling for a pin not in the usual lateral press but with his head resting near Xiaolong's groin...and his groin in Xiaoling's unconscious face. As the official counts, he makes sure to make up for the times Xiaoling avoided or caught his attacks by rubbing himself against him.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: The winner of this match, and STILL Phoenix Champion... GUTTERTRASH GREG ADKINS!
A few more grinds to ensure his dominance is complete and Adkins gets to his feet, accepting the Phoenix Championship from the referee before raising it to taunt the crowd, the jeers getting all the louder as Xiaolong stirs on the canvas behind him.
"Super Dragon's here and I'm ready for a fight!" is heard before "Kung Fu Fighting" plays and Little Dragon appears and storms ringside, the fans cheering for the challenger as he approaches the ring with purpose. He reaches the ring and leaps over the top rope Luchador style and forward rolls to his feet in a dragon stance.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, the challenger. From Hong Kong, China, he is a multi-time holder of the Phoenix Championship...XIAO...LONG!!!
Taylor: Xiaolong looks like he's ready to reclaim the Phoenix Championship again--and the stakes have never been higher.
Romano: His enthusiasm is great and all... but he's going up against one of the slimiest, filthiest men in all of professional wrestling. I don't like his chances.
"Guttertrash" Greg Adkins walks out from the back while grabbing onto his big package with one hand, the other holding the AWF Phoenix Championship on his shoulder. He walks halfway down the aisle before stopping to kiss a buxom fan (and coping a feel). He laughs after she smacks him and he heads down to the ring.
Jessie Love: And now, the champion. From Tuscola, Illinois, he is the current holder of the Phoenix Championship, Guttertrash...GREG...ADKINS!!!
Taylor: You might not like Xiaolong's chances, but just about everyone here does not like Greg Adkins at all.
Romano: Tch, being liked doesn't win matches. What does is experience, a willingness to do whatever it takes, and a willingness to bend the rules, all of which Greg has going for him.
GREG ADKINS (c) VS. XIAOLONG
Xiaolong has his arms up as he approaches, obviously looking for the traditional lock-up, but Adkins doesn't look interested. He jabs his fingers in and tries to get to the dragon's eyes, but Xiaolong's mask stymies him. It's still enough to throw him off for a moment, which is all Adkins wanted, who follows up with a stomp to the toes, and when Xiaolong staggers back, he goes for a clothesline that Xiaolong ducks, making a break for the ropes as he does, and as Adkins whirls around, he's Xiaolong is spinning around him to pull him down with a Slingblade. Xiaolong shoots up and appeals to the cheering crowd as Adkins holds the back of his head and gets back up.
Taylor: What was that you were saying about how Greg had all these advantages again?
Romano: The match has only just begun. If I were you, I wouldn't be counting chickens just yet when none of them have hatched.
Adkins has rolled back up to his feet and sees Xiaolong coming, possibly for another Slingblade, and ducks, meaning Xiaolong grabs nothing as he whirls around. He's able to recalculate to land on his feet instead of throwing himself down, but Adkins comes up behind him, going for a Full Nelson, but as he grabs Xiaolong, his hips move and the crowd boos as they see the dry humping coming, but on the second buck, Xiaolong runs forward, pulling Adkins forward so he can run up the ropes and flip backwards over Adkins, rushing back against the ropes once more, leaping and spinning and thrusting a foot out for a bicycle kick, but Adkins reaches out and grabs the Dragon by his Hoard....so to speak. The crowd jeers and the official is quick to insist Adkins releases his junk, but despite protestations of desperation, Adkins still holds on for four counts.
Romano: See what I mean?
Taylor: Not really, if I'm being honest. I mean, Adkins has been up to his usual dirty tricks, but Xialong is showing his own experience in being familiar with the Guttertrash's shenanigans!
Adkins stalks Xiaolong as he recovers from the comprehensive assault on good sensibilities. As he does he sticks his hand down his trunks, earning more jeers as "fans" know what he's planning next. Xiaolong staggers into position and Adkins shoots forward, but Xiaolong catches the hand before it can go in his mouth! He struggles for a few seconds with Adkins before fully blocking the Dirty Claw attempt with a toe kick to the stomach to double Adkins over. He quickly pulls Adkins back toward the ropes so he can climb up to the top rope and do some ropewalking. Adkins tries to pull him off, but that just prompts Xiaolong to pull the trigger on the Old School elbow drop to the shoulder, driving him down to the canvas!
Taylor: What a display of athleticism from the challenger!
Romano: That was impressive, I admit... but Xiaolong's got to stay on Adkins!
He sees Adkins desperately trying to get up before Xiaolong can build momentum, but Xiaolong is quicker, running the ropes behind Guttertrash and blasting him with a flying forearm to the back of the head. He then goes for the first pin attempt of the match.
ONE!
TWO!
TH--Adkins gets his shoulder up, but not to kick out, but to weasel a finger into the mask again! Xiaolong recoils, and on his way back, Adkins slips the previously tainted hand across his unprotected lips, increasing the hate from the crowd and the discomfort of his opponent.
Taylor: I... I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Romano: In order to make it in this business, you've got to have a strong stomach. Greg Adkins is proof positive of why.
Xiaolong had retreated to the corner, but Adkins chases after him, blasting him with an Avalanche splash! He catches the Dragon with a little lick on the way out, which causes more dramatic flailing, and Adkins takes advantage by grabbing Xiaolong for a suplex. It takes some effort, but he gets him up, then throws him across the top rope. While he's draped there, Adkins punts him as hard as he can in the shoulder, which actually lifts Xiaolong off the ropes slightly, giving him leverage to fall back into the ring instead of out to the floor.
Taylor: That had to hurt!
Adkins then goes up to the top rope, but in the time it takes him to do so, Xiaolong has gotten most of the way back up, so by the time he is ready to leap, Xiaolong runs up the corner to join Adkins, who is wide-eyed, tries to slip out below, but before he has a chance to do something gross to the Dragon's Horn, Xiaolong grabs Adkins, planting feet on thighs before yanking back in a big Monkey Flip! Xiaolong kips up and then hops up to the top again, facing the supine Adkins for a second before leaping off for a big twisting Frog Splash! He goes for another cover.
1...
2...
With a yelp, Xiaolong leaps off of Adkins, and it's clear by the placement of his hand that Adkins surprised his foe with a finger in the anal region.
Romano: And quick thinking on behalf of the champ to break up the pin attempt!
Taylor: The fact that Greg's mind went there... I don't even wanna try to put myself in his mind, ugh.
Adkins is still groggy, and Xiaolong is fired up to finish the match, so he grabs Adkins by the arm to pull him up. The crowd roars, as they see a Rainmaker coming, a common set-up for the match-ending Desolator, but as he yanks Adkins in, the Guttertrash surprises him not with an invasion of an orifice but a baseball slide between the legs. He grabs Xiaoling with a pumphandle, lifting him up and transitioning into a sitout reverse piledriver!
Romano: OVERDOSE!
The crowd jeers after Adkins hits the Overdose, and it gets louder as he mounts Xiaoling for a pin not in the usual lateral press but with his head resting near Xiaolong's groin...and his groin in Xiaoling's unconscious face. As the official counts, he makes sure to make up for the times Xiaoling avoided or caught his attacks by rubbing himself against him.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: The winner of this match, and STILL Phoenix Champion... GUTTERTRASH GREG ADKINS!
A few more grinds to ensure his dominance is complete and Adkins gets to his feet, accepting the Phoenix Championship from the referee before raising it to taunt the crowd, the jeers getting all the louder as Xiaolong stirs on the canvas behind him.
Outside, in the parking lot, an elaborate limousine pulls up and slows to a stop behind the VFW building.
Taylor: What is this? All the special guests supposedly already arrived...
Romano: Guess we have an unannounced arrival...
The driver of the limousine gets out of the car and walks around to the back and opens the side door of the limousine. The camera zooms in on the ground as a pair of high heels step out and plant themselves in the dirt parking lot.
Then, we quickly cut away.
TASMIN RICHARDS VS. THE JITTERMAN
Jessie Love: The following match is scheduled for one fall…
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Jessie Love: ...and has no time limit.
“Crawling in the dark" hits as Tasmin comes out in a leather biker jacket, a black top and baggy camo pants.
Jessie Love: Now making her way to the ring, standing 5'4 and weighing in at 110 pounds, from Norwich England she is “THE TAAAAASIIIIIIE DEVIL” TAAAAASMIIIIIN RIIICHAAAAARDS
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 its for, make me understand it. I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer!"
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 room goes dark. The crowd enters into a hushed silence, confused as to what is going on. Some soft, subtle Celtic music plays around the room and then there is a huge crashing guitar riff as “Gods to the Godless” by Primordial gets into full swing. A flame in the darkness, eminating from her ring hilted sword lights the edges of “The Goddess of Death” Natasha as she walks down the entrance aisle. You can just make out through the darkness the edges of Kuroi and The Jitterman flanking her. With a single breath, the flames on the sword are extinguished and the lights go back up. Natasha, resplendent in her cloak of raven feathers, lays her sword down carefully, pointing towards the ring.
Jessie Love: And her opponent, weighing….
Natasha lays down her snatches the microphone from Jessie’s hand and with a scowl sends her hurrying away. The Jitterman is unmoving, implacable, his expression hidden by his mask. Kuroi looks ready to kill somebody which, to be fair, is usually what he looks like. Natasha holds an hourglass in her left hand and looks down at it like it has a far deeper meaning than you ever understand. The trio walk towards the ring, Nats holding the mic to her lips and speaking in a cold tone.
Natasha: We told you, Tasmin. We told you The Ritual was coming. And as was foretold, tonight it shall come to pass.
Looking genuinely nervous, Richards retreats to a corner of the ring as far away from the entrance ramp as possible. The referee tries visually ordering Natasha and Kuroi to the back but the three walk up the ramp slowly but unceasingly.
Natasha: On the night this federation’s time has…
Natasha checks the hourglass again. The sand has almost run out in the top half.
Natasha: ...reached its end, The Goddess of Death could not let it pass into the long night of history without making a statement. And you, Tasmin, get to see that first hand.
Upon the threesome getting to the ring, Kuroi and Jitterman step up onto the ring apron and over the ropes while Natasha slithers, snake like under the bottom rope and gets to her feet. Tasmin is frozen in the corner, unsure of what to do. Unsure if running away would even help. The referee approaches the trio and waves at Natasha and Kuroi to get out of the ring. Kuroi responds by grabbing him around the throat, lifting him up into the air and AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHTHECHOKESLAAAAAAAAAM.
Taylor: DARK HALO TO THE REFEREE! GET THESE GUYS OUTTA HERE!
Romano: How?
Taylor: I… don’t know.
Romano: You wanna try?
Taylor: No.
Natasha: Now, you show fear young Tasmin. This is to be expected. But to fear the inevitable is a fool’s errand. What is about to happen cannot be stopped. And so there is little point in fighting it. Just understand this. This place may be about to cease operations. But The Goddess of Death cannot rest.
The Goddess of Death walks to the centre of the ring. She fixes her frosty gaze straight at the Tassie Devil.
Natasha: You see, Tasmin. For every Ritual there has to be a... sacrifice.
The fear is evident on Tasmin’s face as…
KUROI BOOTS THE JITTERMAN IN THE MIDSECTION AND PLACES HIM IN A STANDING HEADSCISSORS. NATASHA DROPS THE MIC AND TURNS TO KUROI AS HE LIFTS THE 7 FOOT BEHEMOTH UP FOR A PILEDRIVER AND STEPS IN, LOCKING HER ARMS AROUND JITTERMAN’S RIGHT LEG AND WAIST IN A CRADLE. BOTH KUROI AND NATASHA FALL TO THEIR KNEES AND JITTERMAN’S HEAD GETS SPIKED RIGHT INTO THE CANVAS!
Taylor: GODDESS OF DEATH/PILEDRIVER COMBINATION ON JITTERMAN! WHAT? THE? HECK?
Romano: I find it prudent not to question Natasha’s motives.
Taylor: Not wanting to get on her bad side?
Romano: Not wanting to go mad trying to understand them.
Turning back to Tasmin who has gone from a look of shock to one of genuine confusion, Natasha lifts the mic to her lips again.
Natasha: Come.
And smoke starts billowing from every side of the ring, obscuring the vision of the cameras to the scene of carnage inside. It takes a good minute of confusion for the smoke to die down and when it’s cleared enough to get sight of the ring there is no one left inside. No Tasmin, no Natasha, no Kuroi, no broken Jitterman, no Dark Halod referee. Nothing.
Taylor: Well it looks like there’s not going to be a match. Let’s…
Romano: Let’s put this down in the “She didn’t break MY neck so I’m cool with it.”
Taylor: Do you ever wonder where she goes to?
Romano: I try not to think about it too hard.
REMEMBER WHEN THE AWF WAS IN ASSOCIATION
WITH THE END OF DAYS?
WE DO, AND SO CAN YOU!
CHECK OUT ALL OF THE AWF'S PAY PER VIEWS
ONLY AVAILABLE AT XHFNETWORK.COM
Backstage, we are zoomed in on a pair of high heels click-clacking along one of the hallways in the back of the VFW.
Taylor: It's our mystery arrival!
As the woman walks forward down the hall, the camera begins to zoom out. We catch the ends of an expensive-looking skirt, but as we zoom out further, we find what is really shocking -- a wheelchair. The camera continues to zoom out, now revealing the shoes of the person in the wheelchair. A pair of white and black checkered Vans. The camera continues to pull out, revealing tattered jeans, a silk button down shirt, and finally, the face of--
Taylor: SETH DILLINGER!?
Now, in full view, the former Prestige Champion and X*Crown Champion can be seen slumped to the side in his wheelchair. The person pushing his chair, now in full view, is recognized as none other than Lauren Dillinger, Seth's older sister. Seth appears to be in a daze and isn't talking much, and still has on a neck brace. It's a far cry from the athletic marvel he used to be.
Romano: Dillinger looks like he's still in rough shape. We had heard rumors of the state of his injuries after his match with Maverick at AVAC last year, but...
Taylor: It's a bit hard to see in the flesh.
The pair round a corner and nearly run smack dab into none other than... Bloodied Fox. They pause. Fox stops in his tracks, ready to mouth off to someone for running into him, but stops when he realizes who it is.
Fox: ...SETH!?
Fox's eyes go wide. Seth keeps staring off at the side, unwilling (or unable?) to make eye contact with his former friend. Lauren leans around to look at her brother.
Lauren: Seth? Can you hear? The guy who tried to fucking kill you is here.
Fox is caught off-guard by Lauren's demeanor and visibly takes a step back. He glances down at Seth, it's hard to see him like that, no matter what his feelings towards Seth as a person might be.
Fox: I'm not--
Lauren: You're not what, Fox? Not the one who did this to him?
Fox: No, I--
Lauren: Does it matter? If Maverick hadn't beaten you to the punch, you would've been happy to put him in this state yourself.
Fox glances down at Seth, unable to pull his eyes away. He stays silent.
Lauren: This is what you wanted, Fox. You wanted to kill him. Well, congratulations. He has a fate worse than that.
Lauren pushes Fox aside and grabs hold of Seth's wheelchair, pushing past Fox. The camera lingers on Fox in the hallway, clearly going through a bit of internal turmoil about how to feel.
Taylor: It's our mystery arrival!
As the woman walks forward down the hall, the camera begins to zoom out. We catch the ends of an expensive-looking skirt, but as we zoom out further, we find what is really shocking -- a wheelchair. The camera continues to zoom out, now revealing the shoes of the person in the wheelchair. A pair of white and black checkered Vans. The camera continues to pull out, revealing tattered jeans, a silk button down shirt, and finally, the face of--
Taylor: SETH DILLINGER!?
Now, in full view, the former Prestige Champion and X*Crown Champion can be seen slumped to the side in his wheelchair. The person pushing his chair, now in full view, is recognized as none other than Lauren Dillinger, Seth's older sister. Seth appears to be in a daze and isn't talking much, and still has on a neck brace. It's a far cry from the athletic marvel he used to be.
Romano: Dillinger looks like he's still in rough shape. We had heard rumors of the state of his injuries after his match with Maverick at AVAC last year, but...
Taylor: It's a bit hard to see in the flesh.
The pair round a corner and nearly run smack dab into none other than... Bloodied Fox. They pause. Fox stops in his tracks, ready to mouth off to someone for running into him, but stops when he realizes who it is.
Fox: ...SETH!?
Fox's eyes go wide. Seth keeps staring off at the side, unwilling (or unable?) to make eye contact with his former friend. Lauren leans around to look at her brother.
Lauren: Seth? Can you hear? The guy who tried to fucking kill you is here.
Fox is caught off-guard by Lauren's demeanor and visibly takes a step back. He glances down at Seth, it's hard to see him like that, no matter what his feelings towards Seth as a person might be.
Fox: I'm not--
Lauren: You're not what, Fox? Not the one who did this to him?
Fox: No, I--
Lauren: Does it matter? If Maverick hadn't beaten you to the punch, you would've been happy to put him in this state yourself.
Fox glances down at Seth, unable to pull his eyes away. He stays silent.
Lauren: This is what you wanted, Fox. You wanted to kill him. Well, congratulations. He has a fate worse than that.
Lauren pushes Fox aside and grabs hold of Seth's wheelchair, pushing past Fox. The camera lingers on Fox in the hallway, clearly going through a bit of internal turmoil about how to feel.
Be Legendary by Pop Evil starts playing over the sound system. The fans start to cheer in anticipation as purple lights swirl around the room. When the lyrics come in, all of the house lights come up, illuminating the entire building in a swathe of Purple and the spotlights converge on the entrance way as Bobby Barratt appears on the stage. The fans go crazy as he allows their cheers to wash over him for a second before heading down to the ring. He heads down to the ring with a plodding intensity that sees him walk past the fans, focused on the match ahead. Bobby hops to the apron and wipes his feet before springing over the top rope and taking in the adoration of the fans.
Taylor: What an amazing show we've had so far, but this match is only going to heat things up!
Romano: That's right! Bobby Barratt is entering the ring! He's headlined Prestiges, our Super Shows and even XHF Network events before! And he does exceptionally well!
As the lights flicker, the fans jump to their feet in anticipation. The blaring opening guitars of Slipknot's "Left Behind" begin to blast through the speakers. After a moment, MGK makes his way out from backstage. He makes his way down to the ring, occasionally glancing to his sides at the roaring fans, some who cheer and others who boo. He then gets onto the ring apron, and enters the ring. Dropping down to one knee in the center of the ring, he closes his eyes, as a blue spotlight falls down on him alone, the rest of the room caught up in darkness. MGK then stands up and and looks out into the crowd and begins to pace the ring as his music stops.
Taylor: A veteran, perhaps a grizzled veteran. There's M.G.K. and he just is tearing it up!
Romano: He's the kind of guy where when he speaks, everyone listens. That's a lot to say about him, given the context of professional wrestling.
"Ecstasy of Gold" hits, and the lights flash through pink, yellow and purple. AWF Commissioner Jackson Steele walks out through the curtain, and looks directly into the camera. He starts talking to the fans at home, pumping himself up as he heads down to the ring.
Walking up the steps, he shimmies his way along the apron before wiping his feet one last time and steps through the ropes.
Stripping off his entrance jacket, he meticulously folds it and hands it to the referee. Once more he turns to face the camera and shows his appreciation to the viewers at home. He breathes deeply to psych himself up, and heads into his corner.
Taylor: A blast from the past! For those of you who are tuning into the AWF for the first time, Jackson Steele is our FIRST champion ever!
Romano: He's fought an entire tournament to get to be number one and according to Jackson, he always comes first. Let's see if he can end on that note.
BOBBY BARRATT VS. M.G.K. VS. JACKSON STEELE
The bell rings and M.G.K., Steele and Bobby Barratt are in a triangle across from one another. They all shift eyes with one another, not sure how this match will start out. That's when Jackson Steele raises a finger and straight up challenges both of them to meet all in the center and settle this once and for all. M.G.K. and Bobby Barratt exchange glances and seems to agree. They all meet in the middle of the ring and the sparks immediately start to fly! All three are throwing strikes and blocking incoming strikes when they can. That's when Jackson Steele exaggerates a blow that M.G.K. throws and pushes himself back, where the other two competitors are continuing to exchange blows with one another. That's when Jackson leans back against the turnbuckle and whistles, letting the two former X*Crown Champions fight among one another.
Taylor: What a cowardly move from someone who was, in fact, our first AWF Champion!
Romano: Let's not forget that what he does works. Jackson never touts that he's the strongest or the fastest. He just says he's going to come first, and obviously it works.
The two other competitors start to slow down with the strikes as the wear and tear is taking a toll on both of them. M.G.K. throws a stiff fist into Bobby Barratt's face. He then responds to M.G.K. in kind, causing Bobby to stagger back and turn a bit. As he does so, he sees Jackson without a single care in the world. He glances at M.G.K. and glances back to Steele. He does the same thing. Both of them get an idea. They both rush to the corner and double teams Steele with a double clothesline! The AWF Commissioner goes down! M.G.K. reaches down and grabs Steele. He starts to bring him up on his shoulders. Meanwhile, Bobby starts to climb the corner turnbuckle. By the time M.G.K. has him hoisted up, Bobby jumps off and SLAMS a clotheslined arm into Jackson, taking him down!
Taylor: I knew he couldn't get away with that forever! Bobby and M.G.K. aren't dumb, ya know!
Romano: It was a great start and it would have worked on so many others... in fact, it has, but this can only work for so long.
Bobby Barratt rises his hands in the air, enjoying that sweet high from a high flying move that really paid off, but finds himself back on the ground as M.G.K. wraps his arm around the neck of Bobby and takes him down onto his leg - a vicious backbreaker! With absolutely no one in the ring left on their feet, M.G.K. has a rare moment to capture the win. He covers Bobby, the man he just brought down. Junior Referee Steve Tyrell slides in for the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
KICKOUT!
Taylor: Bobby Barratt may have not wrestled in a while, but he still has that endurance!
Romano: Once than Icon, always an Icon. And considering the fact that M.G.K. has called himself an Icon for so long, he's done the same at keeping himself in good wrestling condition despite a lapse of professional competition.
M.G.K. isn't going to pull the classic reaction move of yelling at the referee. He's too good for that. Too smart. Instead, he goes after the guy who just got himself double teamed a moment before, the AWF commissioner himself, Jackson Steele. He grabs him by the legs and flips him over to his back, but Jackson instinctively uses his impressive leg muscles to PUSH M.G.K. all the way to the corner! M.G.K. hits it HARD and grabs his back in sheer pain. The fans are left scratching their heads as that appears to be a dramatic and exaggerated effect from hitting the corner. Even the commentators are scratching their heads.
Taylor: What... He didn't even hit the turnbuckle that hard to just go down like that!
Romano: I know. It's as if h- ...Jackson Steele, you clever devil.
Taylor: Huh?
Romano: Look at the turnbuckle.
Taylor: Why? It's just a regular turnbuck- ...Where's the padding?!
Romano: Jackson Steele took it off! We thought he was just taking it easy, but he must have been untying the paddings with his hands behind his back!
With all three men on the floor, Jackson Steele finds himself quickest to his feet as he's relying support on the ropes. As he gets up, so is M.G.K., and it doesn't take long before the both of them are horizontal and grabbing each other with a lock up. M.G.K. is mainly strength based. He's getting an edge out over Jackson on that end and he is moving backwards from the muscle. Within a moment, Steele uses the strong base from his opponent to swing between his legs and get to his back. He has him in German suplex position, but M.G.K. goes for an elbow to the face. BOOM! It hits! Steele tries to shake off the pain. M.G.K. goes for a second one before going for the atomic drop! IT HITS!
Taylor: Oh... I know this move! I know it! It's his set up move!
Romano: The V-Trigger that he calls Ass to Mouth? Yup. If Steele has it his way, that move's coming!
M.G.K.'s eyes widen as he sees Jackson Steele running at full speed. He begins to escape the ring any way he can, but... BOBBY BARRATT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE, REDIRECTS THE TRAJECTORY OF STEELE! HE BRINGS HIM TO THE CORNER! SLICED BREAD #2! PRODIGAL ARRIVAL! ...AND IT HTIS!
Taylor: WHERE DID BOBBY JUST COME FROM!?
Romano: He just stole the show! He just took it! The XHF Network Commissioner just took out the AWF Commissioner!
Bobby Barratt gets up and goes to cover Jackson Steele. He flips him over but before he actually makes the cover, he steps back. He sees M.G.K. just irking to break up the pin and taking advantage of the situation.
Taylor: Smart move from Bobby. Before making a pin, you better cover all your bases.
Romano: Also, look at Steele. He's busted open at the forehead! He's bloody!
Bobby Barratt does that "come hither" motion to M.G.K., inviting him in the ring. M.G.K. knows that he can't refuse. The longer he holds it off, the greater a chance that Steele can recover. He gets back into the ring. As he slides in, Bobby's all over him. He's in with stomp after stomp. M.G.K.'s doing his best to power through and eventually makes it through to his feet and so, Bobby Irish Whips him to the corner without the padding. As he approaches, the Undisputed Icon, M.G.K., sees this coming and as he approaches, posts his arms up on the adjacent ropes and hops over to the outside of the ring. He catches Bobby who was seeking to capitalize on the situation and springboards off the ropes to take down Bobby Barratt with a spear. As he takes him down, he's right back at the fist-heavy blows.
Taylor: M.G.K. is right back to the lead with these strikes!
Romano: They do a lot of sustained damage. This isn't a race; it's a marathon, and Bobby only has so much endurance before he's gassing out.
Bobby is covering himself to protect himself, but manages to block a fist by looping his hand underneath his arm and around the back. He then uses his leg to block the corresponding leg and pushes M.G.K. onto his back, escaping that mounted position. However, instead of going after the face, he gets up, holds apart the legs and gives a STIFF kick to the groin! M.G.K. groans in extreme pain, but Junior Referee Tyrell determines it wasn't a low blow and wasn't going after the jewels, so he's not interjecting. He goes for a second strike, but M.G.K. shifts his hips to give greatest credence to that leg to allow the greatest amount of pushback to give himself the greatest amount of space to know how to recover. As Bobby is pushed back enough, M.G.K. manages to kip up from the crowd, generating a pop from the crowd.
Taylor: M.G.K. is much like the others in the match. He's here to put on a show!
Romano: I'd disagree. He seems to care the least about the fans. It's just that when you have limited time to get back on your feet, that's one of the quickest ways to get up. It certainly takes a lot of effort, though, but M.G.K. seems confident that he'll finish this match soon.
M.G.K. runs forward with a strike, but Bobby ducks the blow. They both continue to the opposite side of the ring. As they rebound from the other side and collide back, the two come together. SUPERKICK FROM M.G.K.! ICONKICK FROM BOBBY BARRATT! THEY BOTH HIT! THEY BOTH HIT EACH OTHER!
Taylor: THEY BOTH HIT EACH OTHER! THEY ARE BOTH GOING DOWN!
Romano: NO THEY AREN'T!
As M.G.K. is falling backwards, Jackson Steele comes from behind and catches him into a backslide pin! Steve Tyrell goes for the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...THREE!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner of the match - Jacksonnnnnnn Steeeeeeele!
Taylor: All three of these men have proven themselves as among the best in the business. M.G.K. and Bobby Barratt have won the X*Crown Championship. M.G.K. as having the greatest tenure of the original XHF era as well XHF Champion. Bobby Barratt has won the X*Crown Championship multiple times as well as having been AWF Champion. And Jackson Steele? Multiple time AWF Champion. 2017 End of Days Champion.
Romano: Jackson Steele is also bloodied, having taken a big whollop from Bobby's Prodigal Arrival, but he saw an opportunity and he took it. Take that as a lesson, everyone. When life gets you down, know that you're not out! Bravo to all three competitors!
Taylor: What a cowardly move from someone who was, in fact, our first AWF Champion!
Romano: Let's not forget that what he does works. Jackson never touts that he's the strongest or the fastest. He just says he's going to come first, and obviously it works.
The two other competitors start to slow down with the strikes as the wear and tear is taking a toll on both of them. M.G.K. throws a stiff fist into Bobby Barratt's face. He then responds to M.G.K. in kind, causing Bobby to stagger back and turn a bit. As he does so, he sees Jackson without a single care in the world. He glances at M.G.K. and glances back to Steele. He does the same thing. Both of them get an idea. They both rush to the corner and double teams Steele with a double clothesline! The AWF Commissioner goes down! M.G.K. reaches down and grabs Steele. He starts to bring him up on his shoulders. Meanwhile, Bobby starts to climb the corner turnbuckle. By the time M.G.K. has him hoisted up, Bobby jumps off and SLAMS a clotheslined arm into Jackson, taking him down!
Taylor: I knew he couldn't get away with that forever! Bobby and M.G.K. aren't dumb, ya know!
Romano: It was a great start and it would have worked on so many others... in fact, it has, but this can only work for so long.
Bobby Barratt rises his hands in the air, enjoying that sweet high from a high flying move that really paid off, but finds himself back on the ground as M.G.K. wraps his arm around the neck of Bobby and takes him down onto his leg - a vicious backbreaker! With absolutely no one in the ring left on their feet, M.G.K. has a rare moment to capture the win. He covers Bobby, the man he just brought down. Junior Referee Steve Tyrell slides in for the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
KICKOUT!
Taylor: Bobby Barratt may have not wrestled in a while, but he still has that endurance!
Romano: Once than Icon, always an Icon. And considering the fact that M.G.K. has called himself an Icon for so long, he's done the same at keeping himself in good wrestling condition despite a lapse of professional competition.
M.G.K. isn't going to pull the classic reaction move of yelling at the referee. He's too good for that. Too smart. Instead, he goes after the guy who just got himself double teamed a moment before, the AWF commissioner himself, Jackson Steele. He grabs him by the legs and flips him over to his back, but Jackson instinctively uses his impressive leg muscles to PUSH M.G.K. all the way to the corner! M.G.K. hits it HARD and grabs his back in sheer pain. The fans are left scratching their heads as that appears to be a dramatic and exaggerated effect from hitting the corner. Even the commentators are scratching their heads.
Taylor: What... He didn't even hit the turnbuckle that hard to just go down like that!
Romano: I know. It's as if h- ...Jackson Steele, you clever devil.
Taylor: Huh?
Romano: Look at the turnbuckle.
Taylor: Why? It's just a regular turnbuck- ...Where's the padding?!
Romano: Jackson Steele took it off! We thought he was just taking it easy, but he must have been untying the paddings with his hands behind his back!
With all three men on the floor, Jackson Steele finds himself quickest to his feet as he's relying support on the ropes. As he gets up, so is M.G.K., and it doesn't take long before the both of them are horizontal and grabbing each other with a lock up. M.G.K. is mainly strength based. He's getting an edge out over Jackson on that end and he is moving backwards from the muscle. Within a moment, Steele uses the strong base from his opponent to swing between his legs and get to his back. He has him in German suplex position, but M.G.K. goes for an elbow to the face. BOOM! It hits! Steele tries to shake off the pain. M.G.K. goes for a second one before going for the atomic drop! IT HITS!
Taylor: Oh... I know this move! I know it! It's his set up move!
Romano: The V-Trigger that he calls Ass to Mouth? Yup. If Steele has it his way, that move's coming!
M.G.K.'s eyes widen as he sees Jackson Steele running at full speed. He begins to escape the ring any way he can, but... BOBBY BARRATT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE, REDIRECTS THE TRAJECTORY OF STEELE! HE BRINGS HIM TO THE CORNER! SLICED BREAD #2! PRODIGAL ARRIVAL! ...AND IT HTIS!
Taylor: WHERE DID BOBBY JUST COME FROM!?
Romano: He just stole the show! He just took it! The XHF Network Commissioner just took out the AWF Commissioner!
Bobby Barratt gets up and goes to cover Jackson Steele. He flips him over but before he actually makes the cover, he steps back. He sees M.G.K. just irking to break up the pin and taking advantage of the situation.
Taylor: Smart move from Bobby. Before making a pin, you better cover all your bases.
Romano: Also, look at Steele. He's busted open at the forehead! He's bloody!
Bobby Barratt does that "come hither" motion to M.G.K., inviting him in the ring. M.G.K. knows that he can't refuse. The longer he holds it off, the greater a chance that Steele can recover. He gets back into the ring. As he slides in, Bobby's all over him. He's in with stomp after stomp. M.G.K.'s doing his best to power through and eventually makes it through to his feet and so, Bobby Irish Whips him to the corner without the padding. As he approaches, the Undisputed Icon, M.G.K., sees this coming and as he approaches, posts his arms up on the adjacent ropes and hops over to the outside of the ring. He catches Bobby who was seeking to capitalize on the situation and springboards off the ropes to take down Bobby Barratt with a spear. As he takes him down, he's right back at the fist-heavy blows.
Taylor: M.G.K. is right back to the lead with these strikes!
Romano: They do a lot of sustained damage. This isn't a race; it's a marathon, and Bobby only has so much endurance before he's gassing out.
Bobby is covering himself to protect himself, but manages to block a fist by looping his hand underneath his arm and around the back. He then uses his leg to block the corresponding leg and pushes M.G.K. onto his back, escaping that mounted position. However, instead of going after the face, he gets up, holds apart the legs and gives a STIFF kick to the groin! M.G.K. groans in extreme pain, but Junior Referee Tyrell determines it wasn't a low blow and wasn't going after the jewels, so he's not interjecting. He goes for a second strike, but M.G.K. shifts his hips to give greatest credence to that leg to allow the greatest amount of pushback to give himself the greatest amount of space to know how to recover. As Bobby is pushed back enough, M.G.K. manages to kip up from the crowd, generating a pop from the crowd.
Taylor: M.G.K. is much like the others in the match. He's here to put on a show!
Romano: I'd disagree. He seems to care the least about the fans. It's just that when you have limited time to get back on your feet, that's one of the quickest ways to get up. It certainly takes a lot of effort, though, but M.G.K. seems confident that he'll finish this match soon.
M.G.K. runs forward with a strike, but Bobby ducks the blow. They both continue to the opposite side of the ring. As they rebound from the other side and collide back, the two come together. SUPERKICK FROM M.G.K.! ICONKICK FROM BOBBY BARRATT! THEY BOTH HIT! THEY BOTH HIT EACH OTHER!
Taylor: THEY BOTH HIT EACH OTHER! THEY ARE BOTH GOING DOWN!
Romano: NO THEY AREN'T!
As M.G.K. is falling backwards, Jackson Steele comes from behind and catches him into a backslide pin! Steve Tyrell goes for the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...THREE!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner of the match - Jacksonnnnnnn Steeeeeeele!
Taylor: All three of these men have proven themselves as among the best in the business. M.G.K. and Bobby Barratt have won the X*Crown Championship. M.G.K. as having the greatest tenure of the original XHF era as well XHF Champion. Bobby Barratt has won the X*Crown Championship multiple times as well as having been AWF Champion. And Jackson Steele? Multiple time AWF Champion. 2017 End of Days Champion.
Romano: Jackson Steele is also bloodied, having taken a big whollop from Bobby's Prodigal Arrival, but he saw an opportunity and he took it. Take that as a lesson, everyone. When life gets you down, know that you're not out! Bravo to all three competitors!
The AWF screens in the venue light up showing a pre-taped message. We are in the Philadelphia stronghold of the Nihilists. They sit on the couch as the camera is placed where their TV would normally be.
Gebin: Ah Bethesda, a familiar sight to see. Granted, when we came to town it was on the baseball field. But it is good to see the VFA up and running again. I have no doubt the town will appreciate giving Terry Bradshaw another place to park his vehicle …
Esmur: Jokes aside, it is not surprising to us to see AWF going under. Corporate interference and greed is never a recipe for success. Still, there is a ping of sadness. Felix Ziko was the first man in years to give us a chance. He signed a tag team, when he really had no other tag teams to offer to us as fodder. He nurtured our early steps back into the business.
Gebin: The AWF was our first home in the network. And it offered us a respite from the hell we were immersed in. We wandered for so long, searching for a purpose, and a home. Who would have thought that a random preacher wrestler would be our window into the spotlight. Through him, we found our way to the Church of Hyperion. May it rest. Not in peace.
Esmur: And from there we found a home that offered us everything we needed to find success. Gone were the jokes and journeymen. And born were the most dominant tag team in the network. So it does offer us a bit of an emotional hit to see our original home going the way of the Team Vipers and Filth Factories of the world.
Gebin: We may have found a new home in Fireside, where a bustling tag team scene called for our dominant presence…
Esmur: And our first world title win…
Gebin: But AWF was the first. And it is a somber and sobering moment to see it end like this. So while we may not be there to enjoy the festivities on the final show. We thank you for letting us introduce you all to the message of the unending void. And it in turn, welcomes the AWF back home.
Esmur: Embrace Eternity.
Fade out.
Gebin: Ah Bethesda, a familiar sight to see. Granted, when we came to town it was on the baseball field. But it is good to see the VFA up and running again. I have no doubt the town will appreciate giving Terry Bradshaw another place to park his vehicle …
Esmur: Jokes aside, it is not surprising to us to see AWF going under. Corporate interference and greed is never a recipe for success. Still, there is a ping of sadness. Felix Ziko was the first man in years to give us a chance. He signed a tag team, when he really had no other tag teams to offer to us as fodder. He nurtured our early steps back into the business.
Gebin: The AWF was our first home in the network. And it offered us a respite from the hell we were immersed in. We wandered for so long, searching for a purpose, and a home. Who would have thought that a random preacher wrestler would be our window into the spotlight. Through him, we found our way to the Church of Hyperion. May it rest. Not in peace.
Esmur: And from there we found a home that offered us everything we needed to find success. Gone were the jokes and journeymen. And born were the most dominant tag team in the network. So it does offer us a bit of an emotional hit to see our original home going the way of the Team Vipers and Filth Factories of the world.
Gebin: We may have found a new home in Fireside, where a bustling tag team scene called for our dominant presence…
Esmur: And our first world title win…
Gebin: But AWF was the first. And it is a somber and sobering moment to see it end like this. So while we may not be there to enjoy the festivities on the final show. We thank you for letting us introduce you all to the message of the unending void. And it in turn, welcomes the AWF back home.
Esmur: Embrace Eternity.
Fade out.
The lights go pitch black for a few moments as the sound of recording about the play goes through the speakers. Suddenly, the lights come back on- albeit in a royal purple, tinting the venue in purple light. The soft, distorted synth echoes for a few moments. The guitar and drums kick off as the purple lights fade into black, and a single spotlight falls on Draven as he heads down to the ring.
I'm looking at a face, a pointed chin
Towards the sky in arrogance
It easily betrays the closest friend
A moment lost, no consequence
His eyes surveying the crowd quietly as he undoes his cloak. A glare resting on his face as he climbs up the steel steps, standing on the apron while throwing his cloak onto the floor. He places his hands on the top rope and walks to the side of the ring facing the hard camera. Suddenly looking up and spitting a red mist into the air, as a wicked grin slowly grows on his pale features while he wipes the blood from his lips.
A circle starts again, away from you
Deception pulls us in, away from you
Away from you, away from you
Finally, Draven goes under the top rope and climbs into the ring.
Imitation, a fabrication
A pretty fake, but counterfeit
An empty carcass behind the artist
Is there a trait of innocence?
A pretty fake, but counterfeit
An empty carcass behind the artist
Is there a trait of innocence?
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!! Introducing first... from Parts Unknown... weighing in at 203 pounds... THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS.... VINCENNNNNT DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVEN!!
The lights go for a light shade of pink as "Save That Shit" by Lil Peep begins to play for everyone to hear.
Fuck my life, can't say that girl
Don't tell me you can save that shit
All she want is payback for the way I always play that shit
You ain't getting nothing, now I'm saying
Don't tell me you is
Nothin' like them other motherfuckers
Ryan Young steps out from behind the curtain to a loud amount of cheers, he gives off a smirk as he crouches down and scans through the many fans in attendance. He slowly gets back to a vertical position, adjusting his kneepads before making his slow walk down to ringside. Soaking in the crowd's loud reaction.
I can make you rich (I can make you rich)
I can make you this, baby, I can make you that
I can take you there, but baby, you won't make it back
Growing sick of this and I don't wanna make you sad
Do I make you scared? Baby, won't you take me back?
Young makes his way down the ramp and to ringside where he runs at the ring apron and slides along it on one knee, entering the ring and climbing up to the second rope where beats his chest with his hands before stretching his arms out and giving a smirk to the crowd who continue to rain the cheers down for him.
VINCENT DRAVEN VS. RYAN YOUNG
DING DING DING!
Both competitors stare each other down. Ryan smirks, which causes Draven to smile back in response. The packed-in, small crowd is going psycho with their chants.
Crowd: AYY-DUB-EFF! AYY-DUB-EFF!
Ryan extends his hand for a handshake, which Draven eyeballs suspiciously for a second before extending his own hand and shaking it, which only causes the crowd to go even wilder.
Taylor: You can really feel the energy in here tonight!
Romano: I’m scared this roof might cave in!
The two circle each other for a moment, daring one another to make the first move. It’s Draven who jumps first, swinging a leg around and attempting to hit Ryan with a roundhouse kick. Ryan stops and drops underneath it, rolling around and taking Draven down to the mat with a quick takedown! He’s got an arm around Draven’s head, trying to keep a hold, but Draven uses his legs to reach up and clamp around Ryan’s neck, locking him into a headscissors hold. Ryan doesn’t take long to kip up and out of the hold though. He’s back on his feet and makes a quick charge, but Draven’s back up too, this time putting Ryan down with a takedown of his own! Draven attempts to lock in a chokehold by Ryan manages to get his own legs free and wraps them around Draven’s throat. Mirroring Ryan’s earlier escape, Draven kips up on his own and writhes free!
Taylor: Both men are showing that they’re capable of putting out some insane offense here.
Romano: But they’re both also evenly matched in knowing how to break out. Two expert strikers on display here.
Draven’s back on his feet, but Young stays on the ground, quickly getting to his knees to CHOP the back of Draven’s knees out from under him! Draven hits the mat and Young flops on top quickly.
ONE!
KICKOUT!
Not missing a beat after the kickout, Ryan is back to his feet and charging back towards Draven. Now, Draven remains knelt and chops Ryan’s legs out from under him, going for a cover!
ON--KICKOUT!
The ref doesn’t even have time to hit the mat before Ryan has shoved Draven off and over his head. Draven rolls into a forward motion and handsprings to his feet while Ryan simultaneously kips up off the mat behind him and sticks the landing. Both men slowly turn and glare at each other out of the corner of their eyes while the crowd roars in approval.
Romano: You know, for guys who only met in the ring once, they have each other’s number locked down pretty well.
Taylor: These two were in the same orbit for so long here in AWF, they had every show, every match to study each other.
Ryan nods in approval at Draven, while Draven seems to be staring at the mat, replaying the moves in his head to figure out where he could’ve gotten an advantage. With Draven distracted, Ryan rushes him, but Draven sidesteps and pushes Ryan through the second rope. Ryan rolls forward on the outside and springs back up to his feet, turning back towards the ring and diving back in without a second thought. Draven charges him with a clotheslines but Ryan ducks underneath and keeps running. Young hits the ropes and comes back on the rebound, but gets taken down by an arm drag from Vincent Draven! Draven keeps a wrench on Ryan’s arm as he hits the mat, but Ryan pushes through it to get back up to his feet, even as the joints in his arm look on the verge of popping out of place.
Romano: Ryan’s gotta fight outta this if he wants to still have an arm tomorrow!
Ryan manages to press his body against Draven, pushing the Vampire Prince against the ropes. Young attempts to use the rebound to send Draven across the ring, but Draven reverses the momentum while keeping Ryan’s arm twisted, taking the Messiah down to the mat with his arm fully locked up! Ryan screams out in pain and slaps at his shoulder a bit to try to relieve some pressure but Draven manages to keep the hold locked. It doesn’t take long, though, for Ryan to once again fight up to his feet. He reaches his free arm around behind Draven’s head and grabs hold of the back of his skull as the ref shouts for him to watch the hair. Ryan pushes Draven back into the corner, pressing him against it. The referee counts him off…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE
FOUR!
FIVE!
A clean break is forced, finally forcing Draven to let go of Ryan’s arm. Ryan takes a few steps back, holding on to his elbow and shoulder and trying to rotate them to get the blood flowing again. He takes a few steps back, catches his breath, then runs at Draven in the corner! Draven jumps out of the way at the last second! Ryan catches himself on the corner and turns around. Draven starts to dive at him but Ryan gets a knee up at the last second and ABSOLUTELY rocks Draven in the jaw with a brutal knee strike, buying Ryan some time!! Draven looks stunned and dazed.
Taylor: There’s a reason they call him the Messiah of the Knee Strike!
Ryan comes charging out of the corner at a dazed Draven. Ryan leaps at Draven for a takedown, but Draven reacts at the last second, catching Ryan’s arm and taking him over with an arm drag… leading to an arm wrench on the same arm he targeted earlier!
Romano: Looks like Draven’s goal is to wear Ryan down limb by limb until he has nothing left!
This time, though, Ryan is quick to grab a rope with his foot, forcing the referee to push Draven off of him. Ryan pulls himself back up as Draven takes a step back, and Ryan surprises him by jumping up and hitting him with a knee to the midsection! Draven stumbles back into the corner from the shock of the knee strike and Ryan gets some momentum and charges at him. Draven ducks and flips Ryan up and over the top rope… BUT RYAN LANDS ON THE APRON! Draven glances over his shoulder as Ryan winds up to smash his face in with an elbow, but Draven thinks fast and drops low, sweeping Ryan’s feet out from under him on the apron!! Ryan falls back-first onto the apron and bounces off at the ringside area.
Taylor: Draven has been thinking one step ahead of Ryan the whole match, managing to keep Ryan’s offense to a minimum!
Draven steps through the ropes and out on the apron opposite of Ryan, holding up his hands and waiting for Ryan to rise. Ryan gets up and Draven runs the length of the apron, winding up to boot Ryan in the skull… but Ryan grabs hold of his leg! There’s a brief power struggle between the two before Ryan just yanks on Draven’s leg as hard as possible. Draven manages to pull his leg free but teeters on the apron, using the ropes to stabilize himself. Ryan takes advantage of the situation and quickly runs up the steel steps at the corner, jumping up and grabbing Draven’s face, leaping off and slamming him face-first down on the top of the metal steps!
Crowd: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!
Draven flops back onto the ground at ringside, his nose freshly busted open and pouring bright red blood onto the ground. Ryan takes a moment to catch his breath for the first real time this match. Draven reaches up and runs a hand along his face, wiping off blood, and pulls his hand back to look at it. A wide grin creeps across his face when he realizes he’s been busted open. Meanwhile, the referee has begun his count.
ONE!
TWO!
Romano: Looks like Draven is… enjoying this? He likes it! He likes the fact he got busted open!
Ryan rises and holds his arm as he stalks over towards Draven. He grabs him by the head and lifts him up to eye level, then squares up and just BLASTS him with a jab to the jaw.
THREE!
FOUR!
Draven stumbles over to the metal barrier to shake out the cobwebs, but Ryan doesn’t give him a moment to breathe. He follows up by grabbing Draven and charging with him down towards the other end of the metal fencing, slamming Draven back-first into it and crashing the metal barrier -- and Draven with it -- into the front row!
FIVE!
SIX!
The crowd is in complete chaos as security personnel rush to make sure nobody is injured. They peel audience members away as medical staff make sure nobody’s hurt and finally find Vincent Draven laying on his back on the ground.
SEVEN!
Ryan notices the referee’s count and slides back into the ring, staring down at Vincent Draven in the crowd.
EIGHT!
Ryan paces around the ring for a moment, seemingly conflicted. On the one hand, he wants to collect a win against a competitor like Draven.
NINE!
...on the other hand, a count out isn’t the sort of dignified win he’s looking for. Ryan slides out of the ring at the last second and breaks the count, storming over to Draven and grabbing him out of the front row of fans. The security staff quickly move the barrier back into place as Ryan grabs Draven and throws him into the ring. Draven is stirring, shaking out the cobwebs, blood smeared across his face. Ryan sizes him up and stalks behind him, waiting for his prey to rise. It takes a moment but Draven makes it up to his feet. He turns and sees Ryan charging at him -- AND WITH A BURST OF ENERGY HE JUMPS IN THE AIR AND DOMES RYAN WITH A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE!
Taylor: THAT --
Romano: THAT WAS RYAN’S FINISHER!
Taylor: CALIFORNIA DREAM!! CALIFORNIA DREAM!!
The crowd is coming completely unglued as Draven crawls over for a cover.
ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!!
Ryan manages to get his shoulders up after his own finisher is used against him, but he’s out like a light. Draven pushes up to all fours, heavily breathing and dripping blood all on the canvas. He glances beside him at Ryan, who is holding his head and generally out of it, and Draven scrambles on top, keeping him held down while he gets a tight grip around his leg and flips Ryan around, locking in a Twister lock!! Draven cranes Ryan’s neck back towards the Vampire Prince, who begins to fixate on Ryan’s neck and stares intensely at the back of it.
Taylor: Draven-- no! Don’t!
Draven pulls Ryan’s neck closer, craning it more and more, and then he opens his mouth, baring his fangs. The fans in attendance gasp as Draven moves his mouth closer to Ryan’s neck and they fear for the worst.
Taylor: Snap out of it, Draven! Don’t you remember?
Romano: I don’t like where this is going!!
Draven gets closer and closer, to where he can almost taste the skin on Ryan’s neck. He starts to move in for the bite… but he stops. All at once, Draven stops, and as if a fog is lifting, he comes back to reality and glances around him, realizing where he is, realizing the match he’s a part of. He stops and releases the hold before Ryan’s neck snaps and turns away to the corner, needing a moment to collect himself.
Romano: Phew!
Taylor: I am glad he came to his sense… seems like Draven still loses control when in the moment. But he overcame it.
Ryan holds at his neck and slowly crawls to the ropes, getting a hand on them to drag himself up to his feet. Draven nods and his face morphs into a scowl, filled with determination. Ryan gets up to his knees and Draven quickly plants himself in front of him and then turns on his left leg, swinging his right foot towards Ryan!
Taylor: DRAVEN’S INFERNO!!
...but Ryan ducks at the last second! He clips Draven’s legs out from under him and scrambles to his feet. Draven is back up quickly and tries to catch Ryan with an arm drag, but Ryan isn’t having it. Ryan tumbles over Draven and hits the ropes, bouncing off and coming back towards Draven. Draven turns and RYAN JUMPS UP, BLASTING HIM WITH A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE OF HIS OWN!!
Taylor: CALIFORNIA DREAM!! CALIFORNIA DREAM!! CALIFORNIA DREAM!! CALIFORNIA DREAM!!
Draven goes down on the mat. Ryan holds his elbow for support as he manages to find the energy to throw himself on top of Draven for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner… RYANNNN YOUUUUUUNG!!
Ryan flops over on his back, staring up at the lights of the small building as the crowd cheers. “Save That Shit” by Lil Peep blasts out of the venue’s shitty speaker system and Ryan is just breathing heavily, trying to catch his breath.
Romano: Well, Draven’s humanity may have won out, but I have to wonder if that cost him the match.
Taylor: I bet if you ask Draven, that trade is totally worth it. Everyone remembers how much it destroyed him last time.
Ryan manages to stand and winces as he rubs his neck, still extremely sore from the battle. He plays to the crowd a bit, who all cheer for him, until he notices Draven getting back up. Draven rubs his jaw, still sore from the California Dream he received. He catches Ryan’s gaze and the two stare at each other.
Taylor: Draven and Ryan end their series here in AWF tied with one win a piece. Ryan tonight, and Draven back at Supremacy last year.
Romano: You have to wonder if they’ll ever settle it once and for all…
Draven makes it all the way to his feet and Ryan walks over to him, eyeballing him up and down. Nobody is sure what’s going to happen until Ryan extends his hand again and Draven grabs it, shaking it! The two nod at each other with a show of mutual respect.
Taylor: Well, it may be the end of AWF, but something tells me we’ll see these two again somewhere someday.
Romano: Absolutely two of the best to ever walk in the door in AWF.
Both competitors stare each other down. Ryan smirks, which causes Draven to smile back in response. The packed-in, small crowd is going psycho with their chants.
Crowd: AYY-DUB-EFF! AYY-DUB-EFF!
Ryan extends his hand for a handshake, which Draven eyeballs suspiciously for a second before extending his own hand and shaking it, which only causes the crowd to go even wilder.
Taylor: You can really feel the energy in here tonight!
Romano: I’m scared this roof might cave in!
The two circle each other for a moment, daring one another to make the first move. It’s Draven who jumps first, swinging a leg around and attempting to hit Ryan with a roundhouse kick. Ryan stops and drops underneath it, rolling around and taking Draven down to the mat with a quick takedown! He’s got an arm around Draven’s head, trying to keep a hold, but Draven uses his legs to reach up and clamp around Ryan’s neck, locking him into a headscissors hold. Ryan doesn’t take long to kip up and out of the hold though. He’s back on his feet and makes a quick charge, but Draven’s back up too, this time putting Ryan down with a takedown of his own! Draven attempts to lock in a chokehold by Ryan manages to get his own legs free and wraps them around Draven’s throat. Mirroring Ryan’s earlier escape, Draven kips up on his own and writhes free!
Taylor: Both men are showing that they’re capable of putting out some insane offense here.
Romano: But they’re both also evenly matched in knowing how to break out. Two expert strikers on display here.
Draven’s back on his feet, but Young stays on the ground, quickly getting to his knees to CHOP the back of Draven’s knees out from under him! Draven hits the mat and Young flops on top quickly.
ONE!
KICKOUT!
Not missing a beat after the kickout, Ryan is back to his feet and charging back towards Draven. Now, Draven remains knelt and chops Ryan’s legs out from under him, going for a cover!
ON--KICKOUT!
The ref doesn’t even have time to hit the mat before Ryan has shoved Draven off and over his head. Draven rolls into a forward motion and handsprings to his feet while Ryan simultaneously kips up off the mat behind him and sticks the landing. Both men slowly turn and glare at each other out of the corner of their eyes while the crowd roars in approval.
Romano: You know, for guys who only met in the ring once, they have each other’s number locked down pretty well.
Taylor: These two were in the same orbit for so long here in AWF, they had every show, every match to study each other.
Ryan nods in approval at Draven, while Draven seems to be staring at the mat, replaying the moves in his head to figure out where he could’ve gotten an advantage. With Draven distracted, Ryan rushes him, but Draven sidesteps and pushes Ryan through the second rope. Ryan rolls forward on the outside and springs back up to his feet, turning back towards the ring and diving back in without a second thought. Draven charges him with a clotheslines but Ryan ducks underneath and keeps running. Young hits the ropes and comes back on the rebound, but gets taken down by an arm drag from Vincent Draven! Draven keeps a wrench on Ryan’s arm as he hits the mat, but Ryan pushes through it to get back up to his feet, even as the joints in his arm look on the verge of popping out of place.
Romano: Ryan’s gotta fight outta this if he wants to still have an arm tomorrow!
Ryan manages to press his body against Draven, pushing the Vampire Prince against the ropes. Young attempts to use the rebound to send Draven across the ring, but Draven reverses the momentum while keeping Ryan’s arm twisted, taking the Messiah down to the mat with his arm fully locked up! Ryan screams out in pain and slaps at his shoulder a bit to try to relieve some pressure but Draven manages to keep the hold locked. It doesn’t take long, though, for Ryan to once again fight up to his feet. He reaches his free arm around behind Draven’s head and grabs hold of the back of his skull as the ref shouts for him to watch the hair. Ryan pushes Draven back into the corner, pressing him against it. The referee counts him off…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE
FOUR!
FIVE!
A clean break is forced, finally forcing Draven to let go of Ryan’s arm. Ryan takes a few steps back, holding on to his elbow and shoulder and trying to rotate them to get the blood flowing again. He takes a few steps back, catches his breath, then runs at Draven in the corner! Draven jumps out of the way at the last second! Ryan catches himself on the corner and turns around. Draven starts to dive at him but Ryan gets a knee up at the last second and ABSOLUTELY rocks Draven in the jaw with a brutal knee strike, buying Ryan some time!! Draven looks stunned and dazed.
Taylor: There’s a reason they call him the Messiah of the Knee Strike!
Ryan comes charging out of the corner at a dazed Draven. Ryan leaps at Draven for a takedown, but Draven reacts at the last second, catching Ryan’s arm and taking him over with an arm drag… leading to an arm wrench on the same arm he targeted earlier!
Romano: Looks like Draven’s goal is to wear Ryan down limb by limb until he has nothing left!
This time, though, Ryan is quick to grab a rope with his foot, forcing the referee to push Draven off of him. Ryan pulls himself back up as Draven takes a step back, and Ryan surprises him by jumping up and hitting him with a knee to the midsection! Draven stumbles back into the corner from the shock of the knee strike and Ryan gets some momentum and charges at him. Draven ducks and flips Ryan up and over the top rope… BUT RYAN LANDS ON THE APRON! Draven glances over his shoulder as Ryan winds up to smash his face in with an elbow, but Draven thinks fast and drops low, sweeping Ryan’s feet out from under him on the apron!! Ryan falls back-first onto the apron and bounces off at the ringside area.
Taylor: Draven has been thinking one step ahead of Ryan the whole match, managing to keep Ryan’s offense to a minimum!
Draven steps through the ropes and out on the apron opposite of Ryan, holding up his hands and waiting for Ryan to rise. Ryan gets up and Draven runs the length of the apron, winding up to boot Ryan in the skull… but Ryan grabs hold of his leg! There’s a brief power struggle between the two before Ryan just yanks on Draven’s leg as hard as possible. Draven manages to pull his leg free but teeters on the apron, using the ropes to stabilize himself. Ryan takes advantage of the situation and quickly runs up the steel steps at the corner, jumping up and grabbing Draven’s face, leaping off and slamming him face-first down on the top of the metal steps!
Crowd: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!
Draven flops back onto the ground at ringside, his nose freshly busted open and pouring bright red blood onto the ground. Ryan takes a moment to catch his breath for the first real time this match. Draven reaches up and runs a hand along his face, wiping off blood, and pulls his hand back to look at it. A wide grin creeps across his face when he realizes he’s been busted open. Meanwhile, the referee has begun his count.
ONE!
TWO!
Romano: Looks like Draven is… enjoying this? He likes it! He likes the fact he got busted open!
Ryan rises and holds his arm as he stalks over towards Draven. He grabs him by the head and lifts him up to eye level, then squares up and just BLASTS him with a jab to the jaw.
THREE!
FOUR!
Draven stumbles over to the metal barrier to shake out the cobwebs, but Ryan doesn’t give him a moment to breathe. He follows up by grabbing Draven and charging with him down towards the other end of the metal fencing, slamming Draven back-first into it and crashing the metal barrier -- and Draven with it -- into the front row!
FIVE!
SIX!
The crowd is in complete chaos as security personnel rush to make sure nobody is injured. They peel audience members away as medical staff make sure nobody’s hurt and finally find Vincent Draven laying on his back on the ground.
SEVEN!
Ryan notices the referee’s count and slides back into the ring, staring down at Vincent Draven in the crowd.
EIGHT!
Ryan paces around the ring for a moment, seemingly conflicted. On the one hand, he wants to collect a win against a competitor like Draven.
NINE!
...on the other hand, a count out isn’t the sort of dignified win he’s looking for. Ryan slides out of the ring at the last second and breaks the count, storming over to Draven and grabbing him out of the front row of fans. The security staff quickly move the barrier back into place as Ryan grabs Draven and throws him into the ring. Draven is stirring, shaking out the cobwebs, blood smeared across his face. Ryan sizes him up and stalks behind him, waiting for his prey to rise. It takes a moment but Draven makes it up to his feet. He turns and sees Ryan charging at him -- AND WITH A BURST OF ENERGY HE JUMPS IN THE AIR AND DOMES RYAN WITH A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE!
Taylor: THAT --
Romano: THAT WAS RYAN’S FINISHER!
Taylor: CALIFORNIA DREAM!! CALIFORNIA DREAM!!
The crowd is coming completely unglued as Draven crawls over for a cover.
ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!!
Ryan manages to get his shoulders up after his own finisher is used against him, but he’s out like a light. Draven pushes up to all fours, heavily breathing and dripping blood all on the canvas. He glances beside him at Ryan, who is holding his head and generally out of it, and Draven scrambles on top, keeping him held down while he gets a tight grip around his leg and flips Ryan around, locking in a Twister lock!! Draven cranes Ryan’s neck back towards the Vampire Prince, who begins to fixate on Ryan’s neck and stares intensely at the back of it.
Taylor: Draven-- no! Don’t!
Draven pulls Ryan’s neck closer, craning it more and more, and then he opens his mouth, baring his fangs. The fans in attendance gasp as Draven moves his mouth closer to Ryan’s neck and they fear for the worst.
Taylor: Snap out of it, Draven! Don’t you remember?
Romano: I don’t like where this is going!!
Draven gets closer and closer, to where he can almost taste the skin on Ryan’s neck. He starts to move in for the bite… but he stops. All at once, Draven stops, and as if a fog is lifting, he comes back to reality and glances around him, realizing where he is, realizing the match he’s a part of. He stops and releases the hold before Ryan’s neck snaps and turns away to the corner, needing a moment to collect himself.
Romano: Phew!
Taylor: I am glad he came to his sense… seems like Draven still loses control when in the moment. But he overcame it.
Ryan holds at his neck and slowly crawls to the ropes, getting a hand on them to drag himself up to his feet. Draven nods and his face morphs into a scowl, filled with determination. Ryan gets up to his knees and Draven quickly plants himself in front of him and then turns on his left leg, swinging his right foot towards Ryan!
Taylor: DRAVEN’S INFERNO!!
...but Ryan ducks at the last second! He clips Draven’s legs out from under him and scrambles to his feet. Draven is back up quickly and tries to catch Ryan with an arm drag, but Ryan isn’t having it. Ryan tumbles over Draven and hits the ropes, bouncing off and coming back towards Draven. Draven turns and RYAN JUMPS UP, BLASTING HIM WITH A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE OF HIS OWN!!
Taylor: CALIFORNIA DREAM!! CALIFORNIA DREAM!! CALIFORNIA DREAM!! CALIFORNIA DREAM!!
Draven goes down on the mat. Ryan holds his elbow for support as he manages to find the energy to throw himself on top of Draven for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner… RYANNNN YOUUUUUUNG!!
Ryan flops over on his back, staring up at the lights of the small building as the crowd cheers. “Save That Shit” by Lil Peep blasts out of the venue’s shitty speaker system and Ryan is just breathing heavily, trying to catch his breath.
Romano: Well, Draven’s humanity may have won out, but I have to wonder if that cost him the match.
Taylor: I bet if you ask Draven, that trade is totally worth it. Everyone remembers how much it destroyed him last time.
Ryan manages to stand and winces as he rubs his neck, still extremely sore from the battle. He plays to the crowd a bit, who all cheer for him, until he notices Draven getting back up. Draven rubs his jaw, still sore from the California Dream he received. He catches Ryan’s gaze and the two stare at each other.
Taylor: Draven and Ryan end their series here in AWF tied with one win a piece. Ryan tonight, and Draven back at Supremacy last year.
Romano: You have to wonder if they’ll ever settle it once and for all…
Draven makes it all the way to his feet and Ryan walks over to him, eyeballing him up and down. Nobody is sure what’s going to happen until Ryan extends his hand again and Draven grabs it, shaking it! The two nod at each other with a show of mutual respect.
Taylor: Well, it may be the end of AWF, but something tells me we’ll see these two again somewhere someday.
Romano: Absolutely two of the best to ever walk in the door in AWF.
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Ryan Young pushes back through the curtain and the cameras follow him down to the makeshift locker room in the VFW. Ryan throws the door open and--
Lauren: Oh, hey, Ryan.
Ryan Young stops in his tracks as he gazes upon Seth Dillinger in a wheelchair sitting in his locker room. Lauren is munching on an apple from catering. She takes a big chomp out of it and chews loudly.
Lauren: Congrats on the big win against Draven.
She stands up and crosses to the other side of the locker room.
Lauren: Guess that puts you and Seth in the same club? The beat Draven club?
Ryan rolls his eyes.
Ryan: Seth never beat him. He beat Maverick for the title. I beat Draven one on one. Not the same club.
He stares past Lauren at Seth.
Ryan: Plus, only one of us can walk, apparently.
Lauren pauses and clenches her jaw, almost literally biting her tongue to stop her from replying. Seth's eyes show movement and they slowly drift upwards to make eye contact with Ryan. They're watery, but he maintains eye contact.
Lauren: God, you're such an asshole. Honestly? You two deserve each other. Only outdone by each other's dickishness.
She takes another big chomp out of the apple.
Lauren: You absolute idiot. The reason my dickhead brother did all of this was that he was head over heels for you.
Ryan's eyes sort of go wide.
Ryan: Oh, sure, he did this all for love?
Lauren groans.
Lauren: Yes!! In his emotionally stunted brain, he loved you and didn't know how to process that.
She paces the room for a moment.
Lauren: I'm sure, you know, the whole "being kidnapped and tortured by a cult" thing probably did a number on him too.
She takes another crisp bite of the apple.
Lauren: And, y'know, having his boyfriend leave him.
CHOMP. Another bite.
Lauren: And having to watch the guy he was crushing on...
She leans in close and whispers, flecks of apple flying onto Ryan's cheeks in the process.
Lauren: (whispering) ...that's you...
She leans back.
Lauren: ...be stuck in a relationship with an absolutely vile cunt of a woman.
Ryan looks sort of shocked at Lauren's language. She tosses her apple in the trash bin.
Lauren: And instead, you just tossed him in the trash. Left him. Ran away.
Ryan raises a hand to protest.
Lauren: Oooh I don't really want to hear it. 'Wahhh, Seth cheated in a match against me.' PLEASE. Grow up. Grow a pair. LOOK AT HIM.
Lauren motions back to Seth, slumped in a wheelchair, staring off in a daze. It's unclear if he's unable... or just unwilling... to look back at Ryan.
Lauren: I hope you're happy, Ryan. At least one of you can be.
Ryan stammers out a response but Lauren doesn't stick around to hear it. She grabs her brother and wheels him out of the room and off towards the parking lot to leave.
