.::REIGN Presents: Gonpachi Gauntlet::.
Apr 1, 2022 4:21:27 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer and mosler like this
Post by REIGN Board of Directors on Apr 1, 2022 4:21:27 GMT -5
Gonpachi Gauntlet
March 31st, 2022
Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo, Japan
March 31st, 2022
Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo, Japan
Panning down from the ceiling, the camera comes in slowly to the announcer’s table positioned on the second floor balcony section. Posted directly center to the ring below, the setting was famous from the movie Kill Bill, with its traditional Japanese wooden beams and arches, a dimly lit atmosphere. Tonight however, the main floor area had been cleared and the REIGN ring stood tall. The local fans took seating around the makeshift barricade of bamboo fencing, while the balcony section was packed from side to side. Tonight’s menu special, the Gonpachi Gauntlet.
Block: How we continue to do this, I will never know. Tonight though, we are LIVE from Tokyo, Japan!
Fletcher: Have some culture Block, these fans have more manners than you. Japan is known for its rich culture. Something REIGN has begun to develop for itself is the culture for competition.
Block: Absolutely Chet! These four competitors tonight will have to endure the Gopachi Gauntlet and survive a continual fight to the finish. But what we don’t know is, who from Donzig-Gun will be taking part.
Fletcher: The cult of Donzig has taken a shape of its own here in REIGN.
Block: Not to overlook the new signing in Steve Awesome, who will be looking to take home the Puroresu plate if he is successful tonight.
The camera refocuses on the ring where the ring announcer and REIGN interviewer, Burt Tennor has taken the ring in a silky black and gold Japanese kimono robe. Matching the ring ropes with their alternate black and gold, Tennor lifts the microphone and the crowd quiets.
Burt Tennor: Konbanwa ladies and gentlemen! Tonight’s main attraction will be a Gopachi Gauntlet match! Two competitors will begin the match until a pinfall or submission is successful. After the first fall, the next competitor will enter the match immediately. This will continue until there's only one survivor, who will become the NEW Puroresu Plate owner of REIGN!
From a makeshift tunnel coming from the kitchen area, the curtains spread as Steve Yeoh makes his way to the ring to officiate this brutal affair about to unfold. The native Hongkonger was stern in the shoulders as he took a corner in the ring, wearing a black shirt with a red pocket with the REIGN logo on it, and the word ‘Referee’ written in white on the back. Steve Yeoh’s stature hardly looked imposing for that of a referee, but his dedication to the sport he loved had earned him the job. Tonight, he would have to prove that the war of REIGN’s athletes was in his power to control and keep in order. Egos would need to be checked.
Burt Tennor: Introducing FIRST, she hails from Cologne, Germany! A lethal assassin who masters the strong-style striking popular here in Japan! Standing six foot three inches tall, you love to hate her, ladies and gentlemen - ESMERALDA VON KRAUSS!
Unceremoniously, no music plays but instead a gong is repeatedly smashed by a Kimono wearing badass on one side of the entrance way leading to the ring; which was roughly twelve feet if you’re wondering. Out walks Esmeralda von Krauss. The scowl on her face said it all, unlikely number one to enter the Gopachi Gauntlet tonight. Krauss had recently been at war with Sinclair Godfrey, who took her plate after a hellacious fight. Esmeralda was not one to linger on the past, shifting her focus to new goals. As REIGN began its tour to crown Plate owner, Krauss was finding an opportunity to make this the season of submissions. Entering the ring from the right side steel steps, Esmeralda von Krauss was stone cold in her facial expressions, giving that Resting Bitchface energy that sends the souls of men into hiding. The gong drumming stops.
Burt Tennor: Introducing the challenger, hailing from Detroit, Michigan! Hailed as the Face of the Franchise wherever he goes! Standing at six foot two inches tall – husbands have been warned of his charm on women, he is – STEVE AWESOME!
The gong picks up as the audience looks on at the entrance to see Steve Awesome take his time to part the curtains. His cool guy bravado was not just an act, Steve Awesome oozes charisma, and that translated in any language. Taking his time, the Face of the Franchise makes sure every fan ringside has time to snap a photo. Nobody loved Steve as much as Steve loved himself, and he sure made it known. Stopping short of the steel ringsteps, Steve winks at a woman sitting ringside. She bows her head to hide blushing cheeks, as friends and other females around her shriek with a teenager's jubilance. Finally Awesome takes to the ring, but is quick to lay across the top ropes of his corner, as he winks at his opponent. Krauss shot a laser gaze with her eyes, hoping to put a hole through Awesome if one were to guess her mindset. These two were polar opposites in every facet, yet they shared one thing - they knew the art of wrestling like the back of their hand.
Fletcher: Krauss is a different breed of athlete. That ice cold look and her remorseless arsenal of stretches are a dangerous combination. Steve might want to take her more seriously than he is right now.
Block: Steve Awesome doesn’t change his game plan for anyone. He may be cocky and arrogant, but the man is a brilliant in that squared circle. Don’t forget he is the 2022 End of Days winner.
Fletcher: Okay, okay, but what does he have to show for it? He lost when it mattered against Spike Kane and Dakota Jennings.
Block: Like that isn’t impressive by itself (shakes head). My point was Steve Awesome has been underestimated many times in the past, yet he always proves the critics wrong.
Fletcher: Screw the critics, this is Japan - the land of wrestling immortality. If you’re any body of any significance in this business, these people will know.
Main Event Special Match
Puroresu Plate
Gauntlet Match
Aiden Merric vs Esmeralda von Krauss vs Steve Awesome vs Donzig
Puroresu Plate
Gauntlet Match
Aiden Merric vs Esmeralda von Krauss vs Steve Awesome vs Donzig
A bell sounds and Krauss goes towards Steve with caution, knowing the tricks he has pulled in the past. While these two had some history, it would be tonight that they would settle any doubt as to who was the better wrestler. Krauss lifts her leg like she is aiming at Steve’s abdomen, but Steve scoots off the top ropes and onto the apron. Backing up, Krauss takes a square stance in the center of the ring and motions for Steve to enter the ring and meet her where she stands. Steve gives it a lot of thought, scrunching his nose as he taps his chin and looks at Krauss with squinted eyes – before waving her off and dropping off the apron.
Block: Steve isn’t in any rush. A tactic he has used before, brushing off his opponent and making them come to him.
Fletcher: Brilliant on Awesome’s part, but Krauss is looking annoyed – if I’m reading that face right.
Flaunting to the fans, Awesome fixes his hair as he asks for a mirror from a female fan. As she digs in her purse for one, Awesome flips his hair back, looking less and less interested in the match going on and more about his hair by the second.
WHAAAAAAM!
Esmeralda von Krauss hits Steve Awesome from the apron with a double elbow smash to the back! Steve smacks the bamboo barricade, feeling the sting of the unforgiving material. Krauss grabs Steve by his head and begins slamming it off the barricade as she takes him around the ringside area counter-clockwise. Finally coming to the steps, Krauss kicks Steve’s shin, knees him in the gut, and drives his head into the steel steps! Staggering around, Steve looks to be dazed, walking on wobbly legs. Krauss clutches Steve by the tights and his hair and directs him under the bottom rope and back into the ring. Following suit, Krauss gets in but is met with a kick as Steve rolls over and sees Krauss rise in front of him. Boot to the chest by Awesome! Krauss rebounds on the ropes and front dropkicks Steve in his chest, slingshotting his torso to the canvas. Fletcher: Steve Awesome gets covered, but it’s too early and he kicks out at one.
Block: Krauss knows this is an endurance test. The gauntlet will not be won if this drags out too long.
Fletcher: Awesome could go all night, Krauss better start the stretching if she wants to wear him down.
Krauss must have heard Chet as she grabs his leg, torquing it as she tries to apply an Indian Deathlock to Steve! Fans ‘oooooh’ the move, seeing the technical display in Japan was like earning your stripes, it proved you were a student of the game. Krauss was just about ready to lock the leg in when Steve grabs the bottom rope nearest him and Steve Yeoh steps in to break up the hold. Krauss goes to kick Awesome and gets him in the midsection as he was trying to get to his feet. Staggering into the ropes, Awesome slingshots himself back at Krauss and she twirls him using the moment he brings, up, over her shoulder — ARM DRAG counter by Awesome! EvK is thrown across the ring from it but rebounds to her feet in moments. Awesome a little longer to get back to his base, but the fans were hyped! Krauss comes running at Awesome, throwing a knee at his midsection, Steve contorts himself around her and counters into a school boy pin!
1!
2!
Kicking out with authority, Krauss slaps the canvas and rises up: turning to Steve, both go nose to nose as the crowd hushes… Awesome kisses Krauss?! Not a chance in hell, no, he head buttes her and sends her backwards a step or two. Krauss shakes it off, not showing weakness and comes back with a strike to the collar bone region that bends Awesome to his left side. Krauss chops his left knee out with a side kick, and uses his other knee to step up and drill him with an enziguri from hell!
Fletcher: You could hear that in the parking lot!
Block: No pin from Krauss though, what is she doing?
Fletcher: Pain and torture, what every woman desires. It’s why marriages are endurance test for men.
Block: what are you babbling about now?
Fletcher: Krauss has Steve up and in the corner now, is she going to put him on the top rope?
Block: Uncharacteristic of the Strike Assassin Krauss, but we have seen some strange things here in REIGN, so I’m not surprised.
Fletcher: Steve takes two kicks to the gut, elbow uppercut to the jaw! Krauss has had full control tonight.
Krauss goes for another stiff uppercut but Awesome heaves himself backwards and uses his legs to lock her elbow and head between his thighs, before spinning Krauss around so she has her back to Steve in/on the corner turnbuckles. Krauss fighting to get Steve off her, but he has clutched the legs right and grabs the arm, bending it awkwardly - almost a triangle choke maneuver of sorts. Leaning forwards Krauss attempts to put distance between her and Steve or pull him from the ropes to throw off his balance. It however ends up being a head scissors takedown variation as Awesome spins his upper body around, rolling through with EvK’s head and arm still clenched between his legs, and drives her head first into the canvas as he rolls into the center of the ring.
Fletcher: Spiked like a fraternity punch!
Block: Krauss finally taking some punishment after dishing it out for most of this match.
Fletcher: Here comes that Steve Awesome voodoo where he pulls it out of his ass again.
Block: You really need a therapist, you know that?
Awesome back to his feet, lifting Krauss up by her arm and neck, hooking her neck in his elbow and bicep as he throws her arm over his shoulder for a suplex. Steve lifts her up and Krauss knees him in the nose, falling back to her feet. Krauss grabs Awesome by the arm and begins to spin her body, using Awesome’s weight to judo flip him — Awesome slips it, back body slide pin attempt!
1!
2!
Kick out! Krauss rolls to her side and hastily gets back up, SUPERKICK! Into the ropes goes Krauss, staggering, still standing but the lights were dimming — another superkick! Krauss hits the canvas like a flapjack getting flipped.
Fletcher: Awesome shows why he makes headlines, super kicking the teeth of Esmeralda into the front row!
Block: Krauss was caught off guard but what strength she showed after that first one! Many men have fallen to that move and saw the lights for the three count.
Fletcher: Pin her Steve, she’s done!
Climbing the turnbuckle, Steve sees the fans standing and winks at them as he vaults his body up and backwards, arms out to make his body look like a cross as he moonsaults onto the canvas!
Fletcher: Nobody home!
Block: Krauss laying on the apron as she rolled out of the way.
Fletcher: No risk, no reward.
Krauss climbs to her feet on the apron, Awesome struggling to find his wind as he clutches his chest and rises with his back to EvK. Krauss shakes the cobwebs of the super kicks and sees Awesome not aware of her position. Stepping between the ropes slowly, Krauss begins to sneak up on Awesome and PELEE KICK! Awesome like a cat, flips and drives the shin and boot into the face and cranium of Krauss! Fans cheer for the Face of the Franchise as he surprises them all with the move. Krauss hits the bottom rope like a boxer in the 12th round, all the shots to her head finally taking their toll.
Block: As quick as momentum shifts, it flips right back. These two hating one another really amplifies their desire to win at any cost.
Fletcher: But with all the energy they are exerting, I can’t see either one of them making it through the gauntlet to the end Vinnie.
Block: It’s all about heart when it comes to matches of this caliber. Who wants it more? Who will dig down deep – Krauss is finding ways, but Awesome isn’t going quietly into the night either.
Awesome rolls over and goes for the cover, but the hand of Esmeralda is on the bottom rope and Steve Yeoh shakes his head, telling Awesome she’s safe. Did he think it was baseball? Awesome’s quizzical look at the wordplay of the referee comes as some comic relief in this moment, as Awesome shakes his head and pushes himself up. The fight was wearing both participants thin, yet Steve Awesome had been to the dance a time or two, he knew what it took - lifting Krauss off the canvas and irish whipping her across the ring with force. Steve prepares for her return and goes for a death valley driver setup! Krauss elbows him in the jaw, forcing Awesome to lose balance and dropping her to her feet. Krauss squats down and leaps up with a palm strike aiming for Steve’s nose! Caught in mid-air!
Fletcher: STEVE-K-O!
Block: Blink and you miss it! Krauss went for her patent move, Justice, and Steve had it scouted!
Fletcher: Here’s the cover, can he do it?!
1!
2!
3!
The confetti did not fall, the venue did not ignite with screams, but the clapping of a satisfied Japanese audience showed their appreciation for the match these two had just put on. However, it was far from over. The first bout in a series had concluded, and Burt Tennor in all his Kimono robe stands to put the exclamation on a fight that would not soon be forgotten.
Burt Tennor: Winner and advancing in the Gonpachi Gauntlet, STEVE AWESOME!
Steve was grinning smugly as his arm is raised by Steve Yeoh, but that would be short lived as Esmeralda hits him with a low blow from behind! Steve’s arm drifts down to his crotch, as the smug grin shifts to agony. Yeoh forces Krauss to leave the ring immediately, getting a REIGN enforcer ringside to make sure she didn’t interfere any further in the outcome of the Gonpachi Gauntlet.
Burt Tennor: Introducing the NEXT opponent, hailing from Coober Pedy, South Australia! The Outback sent us Crocodile Dundee, but this man kicked in his door, stole his shine, and made the Outback a household name again! Standing six foot two inches tall, ladies and gentlemen I give you – AIDEN ‘OUTBACK’ MERRIC!
Drumming of the gong begins again, and the rhythm is felt in the walls of the venue as the Aussie bursts through the entrance curtain and hits the ring with speed! Aiden Merric was on Steve Awesome before the referee had a chance to get out of the ring. A brawling type, Aiden threw fists like Awesome owed him money – and if rumors of his gambling are true, he probably does.
Block: Aiden has shown he knows how to fight. With how much damage Awesome and Krauss did to one another in the opener, Aiden could sneak a win and get by relatively unscathed.
Fletcher: Plus Krauss with that assist! Boo-yah!
Block: Esmeralda showing just how low she will go.
Fletcher: All is fair in love and whatever that saying is—
Block: In love and war. (Sighs)
Aiden lifts Steve to his feet, slinging his arm over his shoulder as he hooks Steve’s neck with his arm and cuffs the opposite shoulder. Lifting him up off his feet and planting Awesome on his back with a People’s Slam!
Fletcher: Get the lawyers ready, trademark infringement suit incoming.
Block: Aiden Merric with an unorthodox move.
The man from down under was in full assault mode. Merric sent Awesome to the corner and came in hard with a running knee to the gut. Awesome could hardly keep himself upright, when he goes for a knife edge chop to the chest of Awesome! Kick to the knee by Steve saves him from the onslaught and Steve switches spots with Merric, before unloading a series of punches on the Aussie.
Block: I have never seen Steve Awesome brawl like this before.
Fletcher: Adapt or die. Merric is bringing the fight to an already bruised man, and bruised ego, along with other things.
Block: Merric though has forced a side of Awesome out that could be the ace up his sleeve.
Swinging Merric across the ring with an Irish whip to the far corner, Steve doesn’t follow him but instead let’s Merric leap up from the turnbuckle and think he was there. As Merric lands on his feet Awesome snatches him up and hits a Dragon Suplex that makes the fans pipe up, some clapping, some disapproving with boos. Awesome was on his game now, and instead of letting go he drags Aiden to his feet and turns him upside down as he clutches his neck in a reverse DDT position!
Block: Knee to the back and shoulder area!
Fletcher: He’ll feel that one tomorrow.
Block: Awesome has to find something down deep and execute flawlessly.
Fletcher: Or just get lucky.
Rolling over to a knee, Awesome drives a punch into the nose of Merric and repeats this multiple times before applying a headlock. The grin from earlier returns to the Face of the Franchise, as he goes into a full headstand while applying the headlock.
Block: Cocky as ever, but who wouldn’t be if they were Steve?
Fletcher: You have to back it up to be that cocky, and Steve does that in spades.
Block: Aiden’s moment has fallen off, but we know that he’s been at this for almost a half hour now.
Fletcher: That man doesn’t know what the word ‘quit’ means.
Dropping to the canvas, Awesome lifts his head up and wrenches the headlock some more. Merric however sees his chance and drives the two of them to a standing position. Awesome is shoved to the ropes and he goes complyingly, rebounding with a clothesline! Ducked! Merric hits the ropes and both men come running full steam at one another when — Leap frog! Merric is shook as Awesome makes the quote “white men can’t jump” irrelevant. Merric stops, but is caught off guard as Awesome lands behind him and snags him with a neck breaker! The two lay flat in the ring as the fans clap with enthusiasm. The tame audience of Japan was rather unusual to most parts of the world, but this was a show of respect.
Fletcher: No blood yet, I really need to talk to management about this.
Block: You’re never satisfied are you?
Fletcher: only when you’re moth—
Block: AND Merric is moving!
Like two old men; Awesome and Merric use one another to pull themselves upright. Awesome grabs at his back while Aiden shakes his left knee, their age showing with the heavy breathing, more from Merric than Awesome, but nonetheless the men begin duking it out! Aiden blocks an incoming jab and spins around Awesome to apply a waistlock, lifting him off his feet and putting him back down. Awesome immediately fights to break the grip Aiden has on his waist, before stomping on his right foot and throwing an elbow that connects over the right eyebrow.
Block: All the marbles are scrambled in Aiden Merric’s head from that one!
Fletcher: So you’re calling him stupid huh?
Block: What!? NO! I never sai–
Fletcher: Tsk tsk, you sad little man.
Awesome’s pelee kick misses this time as Aiden grabs the ankle and torques it before locking on the ankle lock! Awesome yells in agony as he scrapes and claws to get to the ropes, but Aiden Merric is a monster possessed!
Fletcher: Rip it off the bone!
Block: You really need to see someone about anger management.
Fletcher: I manage my anger perfectly fine, thank you. Now kill him Merric! Break that ankle!
No matter where Steve tried to crawl to, Merric had a firm base and was able to drag him back to the center of the ring. Aiden was in full control and wrenched the lock tighter, creating a sickening cry of agony throughout the venue that caused fans eyes to open up, showing concern on the audience’s faces. Awesome rolls his head under himself and grabs Aiden by the ankle, pulling himself behind Aiden and kicking him in the rear end — sending Merric through the ropes to the outside. Merric tumbles on the floor before the bamboo fence stops his momentum. Awesome bought himself some time, but how much? A breather? A regroup session? Taking his time, Awesome regains his composure and heads to the turnbuckle nearest Aiden.
Fletcher: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Wait, it’s AWESOME!
Block: Like a Phoenix taking flight!
Awesome does a full flip and twists his body, hitting Aiden as he turns around - beautiful harmony of flesh hitting flesh, sending Aiden through the bamboo fence barricade!
Block: those bamboo fences are not weak Chet, not at all.
Fletcher: Oh I have seen. Aiden won’t forget that one come tomorrow, hell maybe even next week.
Block: The risky move paid off for Steve but at what cost?
Fletcher: Steve Roadkill is going to be his next moniker at this rate.
Block: REIGN has quite the ensemble of characters on its roster. To think, after this, we still have a mystery Donzig-Gun entrant who will enter.
Fletcher: At this rate, I would bet Sinclair. Donzig spreads some gold around the group to keep them happy. It’s good for business.
It was a good while before Awesome or Merric returned to their feet; and the referee Steve Yeoh had been informed to not do count outs this evening. What intent did that serve to the REIGN management, one could only guess, but the hype around doing wrestling anywhere in the world had not missed a beat. Japan was the latest to get a taste of the madness and meticulous booking that was sweeping the globe. Fans in attendance tonight began to let loose, whether from the alcohol or the physicality, the once quiet audience started to make some noise.
Merric was pulled from the bamboo wreckage of a guard rail and sent into the ring. Steve followed with a two or three second delay. Climbing through the ropes Steve grabs Merric by the right leg and drags him to the center of the ring. Setting his leg, Steve Awesome begins to apply a Sharpshooter on Merric; unusual of the star to use the move but after the ankle lock earlier it must have been revenge Steve had in mind. Going for the step over and sit position, Steve shows he is fighting to turn Merric.
Fletcher: They don’t care if they win, just look at what Steve Awesome has resorted to! This isn’t even his move.
Block: When in Tokyo, ya’know.
Fletcher: You know what? What am I to know, exactly?
Before Vincent could answer that question, Steve is sent backwards into the corner with enough force that he grabs his back, howling a bit in a ‘over the top’ drama television star way; before he takes three steps and face plants the canvas beside the ropes. Aiden Merric makes his way towards Steve, but Awesome rolls out to the apron. Avoiding his opponent, Aiden goes to grab Steve’s hair and receives a stiff jab to the nose for his efforts. Merric responds with both hands grabbing the Face of the Franchise’s hair and lifting him to his feet painfully. Merric in the ring, Awesome on the apron; Clubbing blows are exchanged before a head butte rocks Awesome and he begins to hover back and forth, hands clutching the top rope.
Block: He's teetering!
Fletcher: Launch him into the front row Aiden! Give Tokyo the memory of Awesome gliding two rows into their living room!
Aiden bites one hand, forcing Awesome to remove it from the rope and teeter on the apron. Merric turns around and runs opposite of Awesome, but stops suddenly and jolts back towards Awesome, throwing his body through the middle and top ropes! Knee to the head! Awesome stops him dead cold with a stiff knee to the very top of Merric’s skull, forcing Aiden’s chest to hit the middle rope and then him stagger backwards at a hunched position. Steve Awesome flips over the top rope, rolling off the back of Aiden Merric and grabs the arm of the Aussie, spinning him around to face what looks like another Steve-K-O!
Block: TARGET NEUTRALIZED!
Fletcher: I did not see that one coming, nor did Awesome. Look at how Steve just crumbles from the lariat’s force across his face and chest!
Block: Merric gets all of it!
The body of Steve Awesome crumbles to the mat and Aiden Merric falls into a pinfall, but remembers to hook the leg in a sloppy fashion.
1!
2!
3!
Fans clap for the win and some even whistle and cheer the Australian. His charming personality had started to sink in to the fans, who were finally warming up and showing some personality of their own. Aiden pushes himself up to a squatting position, knowing full well how he came to the ring to attack Awesome.
Burt Tennor: Advancing to the next stage of the Gonpachi Gauntlet, Aiden ‘Outback’ Merric!
Steve Yeoh checks on Awesome, knowing full well he just went a grueling thirty plus minutes between two of the world’s best. As Awesome is helped out of the ring by another staff member and Yeoh, the lights flicker. It was time…
Block: Well Aiden Merric managed to survive that battle with Steve Awesome, but he is looking very beaten up. How will he manage in the finale?
Fletcher: Poorly Vic. Poorly. Donzig is now confirmed to be the final combatant, the man who holds two plates. Aiden’s gonna die.
Block: Well that’s certainly negative of you! Aiden has shown himself to be quite adept in the ring.
Fletcher: Donzig has an army.
Tennor: And now, entering the ring, from Pittsburgh, PA. He stands 6 feet tall and weighs in at 215 pounds. He is the holder of the Catch-as-Catch-Can and Lucha Libre plates. The Scourge. DONZIG!
Once again the gong starts pounding. The light go down, and then come up an angry red. Flames explode from the either side of the ramp, jets and bursts of flame erupting into the air. Donzig walks from the back, wearing his skull mask with his hood up. He pauses, glaring out across the crowd before he shakes his head before walking down the ramp slowly. He circles around the ring, still watching the crowd before pausing to watch the announce team before he climbs the stairs. He stops at the ropes, reaching up to shove his hood back before stepping through the ropes. Then he takes off the mask, and shakes his head at the fans with a scowl before he leans back in his corner.
Block: What a treat, three matches in a row!
Fletcher: That's our normal format, just with three instead of two.
Block: Yeah but...but there's no pause!
Fletcher: Well except this, right now.
Block: Shhh! They're starting!
Steve Yeoh checks on Aiden Merric. Merric pulls himself up in the corner and spits on the mat. He raises his arms and huffs and puffs while beckoning the Scourge of XHF to bring it. The metal mask is tosses aside as Donzig smirks at his new rival, one of many, and steps to the center of the ring. Referee Yeoh calls for the bell and Aiden raises his arm for a test of strength. The crafty psychopath answers with a kick to the gut and a heavy European Uppercut.
Fletcher: Donzig isn’t the type to get held back by such things as tradition. Comes right out with a stiff strike here. Aiden should know better.
Block: Aiden isn’t a good man but he does have a code of honor.
Aiden drops to his knees in pain. Outback looks up just in time to be met with a heavy chop to the chest. A second chop follows as Aiden springs up to his feet and holds his chest, beet red from the attack. Donzig pushes him to the ropes then whips him off the other way. On the return, the knee is lifted for a textbook kitchen sink, sending the Aussie tumbling to the mat. Merric crawls to the ropes and pulls himself up to be met with another chop to the chest. As the follow-up chop comes in, Aiden catches the Scourge and uses all his might. He flips Donzig up into the air by the arm, and crashing down on his hip.
Fletcher: Who knew he knew judo?
Block: Chet you know what that was? THAT’S NOT A KNIFE!
Aiden holds the arm of Donzig as he sits up and then crushes his windpipe with a flurry of machine gun chops.
Block: THIS IS A KNIFE!
Fletcher: Calm the hell down, sport.
Donzig grabs his throat in pain as Aiden just punches him flush in the mush. The Scourge recoils and falls to the mat. Aiden steps back to catch his breath and recuperate. Merric slowly stalks Donzig as he climbs to his feet. Donzig turns and gets a flurry of jabs to the side of the face. A haymaker floors the multi-plate holder. The Wonder from Down Under smirks and looks at his fist. He flexes it before picking Donzig up and turning him for a neckbreaker only to release the hold and hit a right hook to the back of the bald head of Donzig.
Fletcher: Now this is strong style. Look at the fists flying. Love it!
Block: Steve Yeoh really should admonish him for the closed fists.
Aiden grabs Donzig and whips him off the ropes, looking for a superman punch. Donzig ducks beneath it. The two then begin trading punches in the ring, both beginning to bruise up from the brutal hits. Finally the Scourge does something unexpected … a kick to the chest. Aiden looks stunned. And steps right into a brainbuster!
Block: BRAIN BUSTAH!!!!!!!
Donzig floats over into a pin. Steve Yeoh drops onto a count. ONE! TWO! Aiden rolls the shoulder. Donzig smirks and strokes his beard.
Fletcher: I can’t believe Aiden kicked out after all the punishment he’s taken tonight.
The beaded beast hoists Aiden up to his feet and dusts him off. He pats him on the cheek and then slaps the taste out of his mouth. Aiden immediately snaps to attention and gets right in the face of the Scourge. They begin jawing until Aiden unleashes a right hook to the jaw. Donzig rocks back from the impact then rocks forward with a colossal headbutt. Merric grabs the bridge of his nose, now covered in blood and retaliates with a series of knife edge chops. Donzig kicks him in the gut and hooks him for the Event Horizon! But Aiden manages to shove him off. He stumbles but holds the arm and spins Donzig around pulling him into a superman punch.
Block: The stun gun lands!
Fletcher: But is it enough?
Aiden drops down and locks Donzig into a knee bar. He torques the left leg hard and tries to break down the base of the leader of Donzig-gun. Donzig yells out in pain. He claws at the mat trying to get to the ropes. After a few seconds Donzig sits up and begins to pound on the leg of Aiden. Aiden softens the hold but tightnes the grip of his legs, sits up and hits a clap of the ears, popping the Scoruge’s ears, then improvises the Bag and Tag with a solid punch to the head since he’s too far to headbutt. The hold gets tightened again and Donzig begins to writhe in pain. Aiden is sweating and obviously gassed, but he refuses to let Donzig get the better of him again. He torques the leg as Donzig slowly drags him towards the ropes. Donzig finally grasps the bottom rope.
Block: No submission win for Merric here.
Fletcher: Is it time to go home yet? I want to grab some sushi on the way out.
Aiden breaks the hold on Steve Yeoh’s count of four and backs away. He leans on the ropes as Donzig slowly tries to hobble to his feet. As Donzig stands, Merric charges! He hits a huge lariato! Donzig flips and lands face down hard.
Fletcher:Whoa! Contract Fulfilled from Merric!
Block: That has to be it! Aiden is going to prevent Donzig-gun from possessing all 5 plates!
Aiden laughs and flexes his biceps to the raucous crowd. He drops down and rolls Donzig over for the cover. Steve Yeoh counts the one! The two! The thr-NO! Donzig kicks out. Aiden can’t believe it as he lies on the mat panting in exhaustion. He slowly climbs to his wobbly base and asks the ref one more time. Two is the answer. Donzig looks to be completely out of it. Aiden leans down to lock in the knee bar again but Donzig reacts instinctively and pulls him down by the leg and the locks in the STF! He torques the crossface harder than usual as Aiden flails. As the wonder from down under fades he makes one final surge to the ropes. Steve Yeoh breaks it up.
Fletcher: I’ll admit it. I am actually intrigued by this.
Block: At this point it’s anyone’s game.
Both men are slow to get up. The ref gets to a count of seven. Aiden wobbles to his exhausted feet. Donzig favors his right leg from the knee bar, one hand to his rattled head. Stiff right hand from Aiden. Left haymaker from Donzig. The Aussie retaliates with a headbutt. The Scourge replies with a knee lift. He measures up Aiden and fires off a thrust kick. But Aiden catches him and hits a snap capture suplex. Donzig rolls to a seated position as Aiden hits a sliding clothesline. He pins. One! Two! Donzig rolls the pin off and catches an inside cradle. One! Two! Aiden rocks backwards into a pin of his own. One! Two! Kickout. Both men rise to their feet and chop back and forth. Donzig finally hits a headbutt and catches Aiden in the position for the 25:17! But Aiden back body drops him right onto the back of his head! Aiden looks around for an answer … he climbs to the top rope. As Aiden waits, he flexes that right bicep. He leaps for the top rope contract fulfilled but Donzig catches him with the stunner!
Block: DONZIG STUNNER! He countered the top rope clothesline into the Event Horizon!
Donzig collapses on top of Aiden. One! Two! Three!
Tennor: Your winner and new holder of the Puroresu plate … DONZIG!
Block: What a match and what an end!
Fletcher: But with Donzig-Gun now holding all of the plates, what will REIGN's management do? Put them against each other? Allow them to freebird into the King of the World?
Block: There's only one way to find out, tune in for our next show coming to you in May! In the meantime, enjoy seeing the stars of REIGN as they take on the XHF Network Rumble in April! Have a great night folks!
Donzig celebrates his victory as we fade to black.