TAP OUT WRESTLING 3: NOMAD VS POENA - LIVE!
May 1, 2022 16:45:34 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Drag, and 3 more like this
Post by Cross Recoba on May 1, 2022 16:45:34 GMT -5
PRESENTS
Date: 1st May 2022
Venue: The Sands Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Attendance: 500 (Capacity: 500)
The cameras fade in as the crowd inside the Sands Casino venue roar. Panning around, several signs from the world of Tap Out and the larger XHF Network are captured.
I’M THE TAP OUT SPOT OF THE MONTH!
THE DROPKICK KING WAS ROBBED!
ZORAN FOR PRESIDENT!
LAZER PHYSYCYST >>> COACHELLA
FUCK MONGO!!
The cameras cut to Steve Morrison and Cross Recoba at the announcers’ desk.
Steve Morrison: Hello and welcome to Tap Out Wrestling 3!
Cross Recoba: We’ve got a stacked show tonight!
Steve Morrison: There were people who thought we might not be able to live up to our first two cards with this one but, Cross, the view across the internet is that this show has the potential to be the best show yet!
Cross Recoba: I’m not going to argue with that opinion but let’s start with the XHF Rumble…
Steve Morrison: There were four Tap Out stars in the match who each put in a good showing. Even you, Cross, got some headlines by calling out the winner, Zoran Sainovic, at the start of the show!
Cross Recoba: We’ll see how that shakes out but I’m not going to dwell on that, I pay for the show, I don’t need to advertise on it!
Steve Morrison: Let’s start with Jason Long who was unlucky in his defense of the XHF Tag Team titles…
The Bicycle kick from Mistress Discipline rocks Jason Long and sends him staggering into a cutter by Death Trap! Mistress is quick to turn and dive on the returning James Raymond who was attempting to slide under the bottom rope. DT hooks the leg and has the cover on Jason Long in the center of the ring.
1!
2!
3!
The bell sounds as the Spanish audience cheers for the duo.
Cross Recoba: The New Age Killers put in a valiant attempt but Jason can’t focus on the negatives. He showed that he can be resilient in the Rumble.
Donzig grabs at the rising Pierre, but he ducks back and out of the way … right into the corner where Jason Long waits. Long leaps up and hooks the headscissors then sends Desjardin hard to the floor with a poisonrana!
Randy: Oh what a move by Jason Long!
Hawke: And Pierre’s return is cut short by the King of Wrestling.
Bonnie Jenkins: Pierre Desjardins has been eliminated at 8:52
Steve Morrison: Coming at number six and lasting three-quarters of hour before succumbing to Dylan Black in the later stages is definitely not something to hang your head about!
Cross Recoba: Trust me, the fatigue gets to you in the Rumble. You can’t relax for a moment with that many bodies in the ring and there is NOWHERE to hide.
Steve Morrison: Jason Long scored another elimination with Adrien Cochrane taking down Dino Bones.
Cross Recoba: Whilst Long was there for just shy of an hour, Adrien was in there for going on two. Even I have a begrudging respect for him for htat.
Steve Morrison: In that time, he managed to get his own back on Caffrey…
A fired-up Cochrane rolls back up to his feet, wildly high-fiving a handful of fans as he rides the adrenaline high. He realizes that his work is not yet done as Caffrey didn’t go over the top rope, and picks him up and sends him back in. He climbs back in and begins a slow clap as he waits for the Father of FIRESIDE to return to his feet one more time!
Hawke:It’s been so loud in here already and we’re only at #2!
Randy: Thousands of fans are up on their feet!
As the claps reach their peak, Caffrey turns around, only to be met with a superkick! He goes flying over the top rope, with both feet hitting the floor!
Hawke: Lightning Strike! Caffrey’s gone! Caffrey’s gone!
Cross Recoba: Not quite the swan song that he’d have wanted on a global stage!
Steve Morrison: More on that in a minute. Unfortunately, Aiden Merric ended his dreams and then saw Erin Gordon’s hopes of winning the match die in front of him.
Cross Recoba: Whilst only lasting a short while, she packed a punch into those minutes…
Adrien rolls out of the ring, nauseous. Donzig meanwhile assaults Adam Sanders. He hits a flurry of kicks and punches. Sanders turtles up. Aiden Merric whistles at the big old brute and pulls out his knife. Donzig scoffs at this threat as Aiden approaches Primal. The Scourge however took his eye off the ball and Erin hits him with the Windswept
Steve Morrison: Primal later went on to eliminate her.
Cross Recoba: Leaving us with just Brad Kane in the match. With Adrien unfortunate to finish just outside the top ten, it was fellow Tap Out wrestler and Iron Man candidate, Brad Kane who put in a fine showing to match his own!
Steve Morrison: Both Adrien and Brad taking up second and third in the longest inside the ring and the most eliminations!
Brad fights back by elbowing Evil-Borg and falling away from the ropes. Evil-Borg attacks Spike, freeing Rat Bastard from elimination risk. A few quick shots to the face and Spike is reeling. Ratty doesn’t repay the favor as he wanders off to fight Adrien. Dominicus catches Brad Kane from behind! He attempts the Darkness but Brad holds him up in the air. LD flails but it’s too late and he’s dumped over the top rope to the floor!
Cross Recoba: Of all five eliminations they both earned in the match, Kane is most likely as proud of eliminating Lord Dominicus as Adrien is of getting revenge on Caffrey!
Steve Morrison: What it does mean is that Tap Out Wrestling got some great exposure!
Cross Recoba: We’re going to need it perhaps.
Steve Morrison: With Fireside Wrestling announcing their closure with their final show, Blaze of Glory, set to air on May 12th it seems that there are plenty of companies looking to fill the gaps left by not just their closure but also UP Wrestling and the CWF!
Cross Recoba: A lot of interesting companies….
Steve Morrison: Before we get into the show tonight….
HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT
Cross Recoba: Thanks, Steve. We’re now at our third event and we’ve already got some great wrestlers on board…
Steve Morrison: Pound-for-pound you could argue it’s one of the best, if not the best on the Network!
Cross Recoba: So, if you’ve been keeping track of the rankings you’ll know that wins and losses matter, putting on a show matters, pushing your talents to the limits matter. Which is why at Tap Out Wrestling 6, we’ll be starting our eight-man tournament to crown our first Tap Out Wrestling Openweight Champion! Whoever goes into July leading the table goes against the guy in eighth. Second gets seventh, third gets sixth, and fourth get fifth. Knockout rules, where whoever gets their arm raised in the final walks out as our first ever Openweight Champion!
Steve Morrison: We’ve said it before but in Tap Out - EVERY. MATCH. COUNTS!!
Cross Recoba: Right now, fourth and fifth would pit Brad Kane against Poena and if that doesn’t tell you how closely matched our roster is - nothing will!
Steve Morrison: Which turns tonight’s matches into a great opportunity to get a leg up on the foursome who flew the flag for Tap Out at the Rumble!
Cross Recoba: It does and having seen the build-up to the three matches we have for you tonight, I CAN’T WAIT!!!
Steve Morrison: First off, we have the debuting Danni Anderson facing off against Tommy Strychnine!
Cross Recoba: It’s a great test for someone coming to Tap Out, Strych can turn a match on a dime in an instant!
Steve Morrison: Those of you who watched the Rumble with particular interest might have seen Anderson make an appearance with her manager Eddie Walker in the promotional material for Adam Sanders.
Cross Recoba: I’m looking past that, Anderson’s mix of speed-based attack and lucha offense is something that I’m hoping will be a great addition to the roster. Obviously a natural opponent for Jackalope down thel ine!
Steve Morrison: She’ll be bringing her biggest fan, her daughter Leina, with her to ringside and she wasn’t overly intimidated on her mom’s behalf about Tommy!
Cross Recoba: You CANNOT count him out though, how many times have we seen him be put into the category of a sideshow and come out with his arm raised by the time match ends?
Steve Morrison: Like you said, it’s a test that could put her on the map here in Tap Out! We were looking forward to seeing MYOJIN face off against Close Collins but we got word this morning that the match was off.
Cross Recoba: It’s a shame but his FIRESIDE contract excludes any outside matches on the Network that aren’t XHF title matches. Close is gutted according to his father. Tuff did mention though that the month of MMA takedown and submission defence will only make him stronger when he returns to the ring!
Steve Morrison: As a matter of goodwill, we’ve offered any fan who was unhappy to hear about this a discounted ticket for the next Tap Out show.
Cross Recoba: Given that we’re now on the road to the TOW Openweight Tournament, you better believe that every show leading up to that is going to be stacked as our roster look to get into the tournament and get a favorable draw.
Steve Morrison: Which leads us to our main-event. Poena faces off against NOMAD in a match that is seemingly built on bad blood.
NOMAD:I look at Poe, and I see something that is manufactured. I see someone that I think is artificial. I know he’s talented. I know what he is capable of inside the ring. I think he’s too obsessed with being the sadistic monster he’s deluded himself into thinking he is. He could have beaten Gordon. But, no, like the little freak he is, he had to try and push it further.
NOMAD: You wanna sit there and play, brother? That's fine by me. Just don't be surprised when you end up in the same spot as Erin.
POENA: Anything less than your finest will be a major disappointment for both My God and me. But don’t worry, I’m not underestimating you. After all, even if Erin technically defeated you first, you still won. On the other hand, who caused her lasting harm? Who do you have to thank for your victory?
POENA: Could you have beaten her when she was at her strongest? You might never know, Nomad. After all, I was the one that broke her, and now I turn my eyes to you. Pray to whatever false deity you serve, if you have one, since neither My God nor I will have mercy on you.
Cross Recoba: NOMAD has been on a tear since he started in Tap Out, he has the target on his back that says he is the only undefeated member of the roster and Poena is going to use that to drive him on.
Steve Morrison: When facing Gordon and Kane, NOMAD’s size advantage was a driving force behind the victory but I look at Poena and I don’t think he cares about the fact the Violent Wanderer can break him, if anything he seems to relish the opportunity.
Cross Recoba: That sadistic streak in him allows that, what came to mind in the build-up to this match was how differently the two men approached this. Poena was actively claiming credit for NOMAD’s win against Gordon, trying to get into the veteran’s head. NOMAD on the other hand, refuses to believe that Poena is backed by a higher power.
Steve Morrison: If you look at how Poena broke down Collins last month, he’ll be looking to do the same tonight. If he can immobilise the arms or legs of NOMAD it’ll take away the power he puts behind moves like the piledriver or the big boot.
Cross Recoba: Look at how Kane approached it in his losing effort. Poena can learn from the mistakes Brad made. Equally though, NOMAD is enjoying his status as the biggest man on the roster. He’ll be using the years of experience he has collected in the ring tonight to keep his run going!
Steve Morrison: Poena isn’t going to make it easy, that is the only certainty I can state in the match…
“Circus Apocalypse” by Vermillion Lies begins playing and two short and skinny clowns in distressed coveralls come walking out. They look nothing alike except for the coveralls. They do a little clumsy dance routine and motion to the curtain.
Steve Morrison: What is this? Did you hire a Von Krauss?
Cross Recoba: You know it.
As the music plays, no one seems to be coming out from the back. The not-twins smile awkwardly and repeat their little dance before they motion to the curtain again, this time with a little “tada!”.
Steve Morrison: I don’t recognize these clowns. Did you get Esmeralda or Armand?
Cross Recoba: Neither, I got the one that was on the market.
A somewhat on the short side girl with curly blonde hair in a purple ball gown walks out from the back. She walks down to the ring, the fans booing her all the way for they recognize her. Smart fans. Once she steps into the ring, the shorter of the two not-twins lights the bottom of the dress on fire and she begins to twirl. The fire blazes in a flash, consuming the dress and leaving behind a purple and black singlet.
Steve Morrison: This isn’t a Von Krauss at all, is it?
Cross Recoba: It’s a self-claimed position, who hasn’t done that before?
Steve Morrison: How does one self-claim to be a Von Krauss?
Cross Recoba: Isabella von Krauss, the supposed daughter of Armand and Esmeralda. We don’t include DNA tests when we run the medicals!
Steve Morrison: Oh, she’s a Worthington. Isn’t she?
Cross Recoba: She’s stolen the name of the Von Krausses. Obviously without their permission.
A microphone is handed up to Isabella as she stands in the ring with her henchmen, Hohoho and Humhumhum.
Isabella von Krauss: Hello, Tapout fans. My name is Isabella von Krauss. Now, as you may have heard, I am not allowed to use the Von Krauss name. Let me tell you that this is a lie. If my mother and father wished to disown me, they would have told me themselves.
Steve Morrison: Esmeralda told her!
Cross Recoba: Not my zoo, not my monkeys. Besides, if they come down here to beat her ass…ratings gold….
Isabella von Krauss: Now, for the rest of you miserable miscreants in the back. Since I have begun my wrestling career, I have lost maybe one time. That loss will become known as my final loss. I will storm through this roster and lay claim to the top title. Let me be clear in saying that none of you can stop me. Not even close.
Steve Morrison: Arrogant. I wonder if she’s young.
Cross Recoba: She’s twenty-one, she’ll either prove herself right or....
Isabella von Krauss: Now that I have said my piece, I will take my leave of you losers and take a shower. You people make me sweat, and not in a good way.
Hohoho: You want us to wash your back?
Humhumhum: We could even wash your ass again…
Isabella looks from Hohoho and Humhumhum in disdain before she rolls her eyes.
Isabella von Krauss: What the fuck ever. Use one finger this time, you little cocksuckers.
“Circus Apocalypse” by Vermillion Lies as Isabella von Krauss leaves with her clown companions.
Steve Morrison: Did she tell them to use one finger to wash her ass?
Cross Recoba: They’ll catch that on the tape delay, at least for our sponsors’ sake I hope they do!
Steve Morrison: I think I speak for us both when I ask that Laura gets into the ring and our first match of the night can get underway...
Laura Messier: WELCOME TO TAP OUT WRESTLING!!! IT’S TIME FOR OUR FIRST MATCH OF THE EVENING!!
The lights dim until they’re off and the 'Tron comes to life with a custom Fatal Fury gaming sprite of Danni Anderson in her pink Terry Bogard-styled ring attire. In unison, Terry Bogard’s sound clip--
“Are you OK?! BUSTER WOLF!”
--from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate rings true with the Danni sprite performing the Buster Wolf Desperation Move! This kick-starts “Overtime” by Cash Cash and it resonates from the PA system. Pink lights begin to flash to the beat of the music as the NFW Tron switches to a video collection of Danni’s best moments in professional wrestling.
“GET DOWN!”
Suddenly, a spotlight shines on the entrance. Through the curtains, Danielle Debaillion and Leina Rael-Debaillion cartwheel and land in a cool crouching tiger-esque pose right next to each other on the stage. The fans CHEER aloud for the Pink Sugarplum Fairy and her awesomely adorable daughter. They even move to the music!
Steve Morrison: She's certaintly getting the crowd on her side early!
Cross Recoba: As I said, she's high-energy and high-risk in her wrestling. I'm pretty certain that the fans will take to her.
“GET UP AGAIN!"
Danni hops up and bounces from foot to foot. Leina rises up and claps along with the beat of the music. This builds the energy of the fans and Danni smiles brightly.
“Come on, come on, move!
Get down! Get up again!
Work it, do it overtime!”
The Sweetheart Esper dances down the ramp and tags the fans along the way. She spins around and hops up and down. Leina follows after her mother and even tags some of the fans, herself.
“Get down! Get up again!
Come on, come on, right! to! down!”
Right on cue, Danni flips into a low dance-like pose and the fans cheer her on. She then hops onto the ring apron, turns with her back towards the ropes, and places her hands along the top rope. Leina looks up to her mother with the cutest little grin and claps to the beat. Danni smiles back at her daughter before she backflips into the ring with style. There’s an extra burst of cheers and applause from the fans as she claps her hands for everyone in attendance and bounces with excitement.
Steve Morrison: We're kicking off the in-ring action with a high-tempo entrance, can she keep it up throughout the match?
Cross Recoba: Danni can cause any member of the roster issues, she'll have a gameplan but she isn't afraid to mix it up and improvise. Jackalope and Close might not have come up against something like that. Can Tommy deal with it? He's known to go off-piste so it'll be a hell of a match!
“Get up again! Work it, do it overtime!"
Leina can’t quite jump onto the ring apron with ease, so she heads up the steel steps. Danni quickly moves over and lowers the middle rope to help her daughter in the ring. Once they’re both in the ring, Danni moves to the center. She does a cute little dance, spins around, and she blows kisses for the fans. Leina throws peace signs with both hands and they embrace the love from the fans together. Finally, the lights come back on and the hyper techno dance music fades.
Steve Morrison: Leina, of course, will be joining us on commentary for the match tonight.
Cross Recoba: If she can call a match, great, else I'll be looking to make use of the creche facilities we have here at The Sands!
The lights go down and the sound of people cheering starts to play. Spotlights come up in pairs, focused on the stage until 'Like A Rockstar' starts to play as fog covers the stage and strobing purple lights play along with the song. Slowly a platform rises from the center of the stage, revealing a figure in an elaborate velvet robe, with "Tommy Strychnine" signed on the back in flickering LEDs.
Steve Morrison: Strych and Kane grabbed a huge win against Jackalope and Cochrane last time out. Can he keep in the right column tonight?
Cross Recoba: It really comes down to if he can keep on top of his opponent. He has the reach and size advantage, can he make that count?
Tommy spins around when the lyrics start and shrugs off the robe, lip-synching along to the song and imitating playing guitar as he makes his way down the ramp, stopping to take selfies and give high fives to fans along the way.
Steve Morrison: He's not worried about her fan-service in her entrance, the fans queuing up to get a selfie with the Rocker!
Cross Recoba: He'll be looking towards his high-impact signatures to really make their mark. The torque he gets into that slingshot, somersault clothesline and the power he gets into his V-Trigger have the capacity to end a match in an instant!
When he gets to the ring, he poses on the turnbuckle with his guitar, pretending to play along with the song, before handing off the guitar to the ring crew and doing a flip off the turnbuckle into a powerslide as pyro goes off from the corners of the ring.
Steve Morrison: He seems keyed up for this match tonight!
Cross Recoba: A win would put him in a great position to qualify, whether it'd be enough to secure him a draw that he'd be a heavy favorite for remains to be seen!
With the two competitors now in the ring. Laura walks to the center of the squared circle.
Laura Messier: Introducing first…hailing from Santa Monica, California. She made weight at a hundred-and-thirteen pounds and stands at five-feet and two inches! She is The Fairy Queen...The RITA-LIN KID....DANNI....ANDERSON!!!!!!
The crowd cheer the debuting Tap Out Star as she raises a hand.
Laura Messier: And to my left…from Louisiana, New Orleans..Standing at five-feet and ten inches, weighing in at one-hundred-and-seventy-five pounds...He is the Rock 'em, Sock 'em Rocker....TOMMY...STRYCHNINE!!!
An equally loud cheer resounds for the Rock' Em, Sock 'Em Rocker.
OPENING MATCH
Singles Match
Danni Anderson vs Tommy Strychnine
Steve Morrison: We’re joined by the daughter of Danni Anderson, Leina Rael.
Cross Recoba: You’ve got your headset on, there’s a pack of milk duds in front of you, dig in.
Leina Rael: Thanks, Steve and Cross but I’m going to decline on the milk duds, means I can’t help you call the action as well as I know I can.
Happy with the pre-match checks now complete, Steve Tyrell signals to ringside for the match to begin.
*DING* *DING*
The cameras cut to the debuting Danni who flashes a smile and a wink to ringside where Leina sits, in between Steve Morrison and Cross Recoba at the commentary table.
Steve Morrison: How confident are you about your mom’s chances tonight?
Leina Rael: Always confident. Having four title reigns means it isn’t a fluke.
Cross Recoba: She’s going to be put to the test by Tommy. He’s a former AWF United States Champion and won the belt from Vincent Draven in what many regarded as the match of the night at Clash of the Icons 2020.
Strychnine plays up to the cameras it leans in and sticks his tongue out as he flashes devil horns, mugging for the fans at home.
Danni Anderson: Let’s go!!
The crowd reacts with a cheer as they urge the competitors to kick off the night’s proceedings.
Leina Rael: Can Tommy keep his mind focused on the match?
Steve Morrison: He’s seen mixed results, losing to Jackalope at our first show but ending up on the winning team the following month. After this match he has two more shows to book his place in our tournament to crown the first Tap Out Openweight Champion.
Cross Recoba: With three matches to make it count, Danni herself could put herself into the conversation and a win here tonight will keep her in touch with the proceedings.
Shaking his head at his opponent’s eagerness, Tommy turns his attention from the crowd and walks towards the center of the ring. Danni cuts him off before he reaches there and locks up, conceding a hammerlock almost immediately from the more technical wrestler. Anderson is no slouch though and ducks under the hammerlock for one of her own but Tommy knows the drill and twists out and under to pull a wristlock, his size and weight advantage coming into play.
Steve Morrison: The Rocker will want to keep this match firmly where his strengths lie.
Cross Recoba: Having scouted the videotapes when making this signing, Danni’s all about high-energy offense. Tommy’s no slouch in that area but if he can grind her down, make his size count then he can get the win here tonight.
Leina Rael: You wait, if Mom hits the ADHD moonsault you’ll see how she’s managed to be as successful as she has been!
Anderson tries to twist her way out of it but Tommy attempts a hip-toss that’s blocked by the leg of his opponent. He tries once more but her leg remains resolutely planted between his own. Quickly switching her stance, she lifts a knee to The Rocker’s mid-section and uses his bent over body to backflip out of the hold, still keeping their arms linked.
Steve Morrison: Those aerobatic skills of Danni coming into play already.
Leina Rael: She’s only getting started!
Cross Recoba: Having faced Jackalope, one way or another, in all three matches under our banner, Strych might have something up his sleeve to counteract this.
Rushing to the ropes, The Ritalin Kid leaps to the top rope and springs off with a headscissors takedown that brings Tommy to the mat. He springs back up and ducks the incoming head kick, grabbing a waistlock. Before he can grasp his hands together, Anderson drops down to a seated position. Strychnine grabs the legs and looks set for a Wheelbarrow suplex...ANDERSON TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A SIDE-HEADLOCK FOR THE COVER!
ONE…
Strychnine rolls her over onto her shoulders…
ONE…
Steve Morrison: Seems that Tommy’s keeping the pace.
Cross Recoba: He has the Stage Dive in his locker, he’s got range!
Leina Rael: Two quick pins but no success so onto the next!
Danni reverses back to a headlock but Tommy forces her to her feet. He shoots her to the ropes…he drops down…as she returns he leapfrogs above her and then drops to his back…MONKEY FLIP…DANNI LANDS ON HER FEET!
Steve Morrison: Great athleticism from the debutanté!
Cross Recoba: She’s going to win some fans if she can show that level of skill and agility here in Tap Out!
Sure that his opponent is down, Strych turns around and eats a Shotei palm strike, quickly followed by a European Uppercut! Reeling back, he is powerless to stop The Sweetheart Esper from sending him into the corner. As he is planted into the turnbuckles, she leans back into the opposite corner and charges…SHOTGUN DROPKICK!! NO! STRYCH GETS OUT OF THERE IN TIME AND DANNI’S KNEE COLLIDES WITH THE RING POST!!
Leina Rael: NO!!!
Steve Morrison: Did you hear THAT?
Cross Recoba: You have to wonder if Strych drew her to try that move.
Steve Morrison: She’s going to have to be careful now, I’m not sure her knee could take much more damage!
Using a hand to sweep the hair from his face, The Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em Rocker looks down at his good fortune. He plants a foot behind the knee of his opponent and lifts her up by the foot before driving the foot down with the knee!
Steve Morrison: He tried to put her knee through them mat!
Cross Recoba: That knee may as well have a target put on it.
Leina Rael: She’ll recover, I’ve seen her come back to win from worse positions.
Cross Recoba: Tommy might disagree, he can brawl with the best of them but people overlook that his mat game and ability to work a leg is always there.
Anderson takes refuge in the corner, trying to add some distance between the two. STRYCHNINE CHARGES IN WITH A ROLLING SENTON TO HIS SEATED OPPONENT IN THE CORNER!!
Steve Morrison: He’s showing her no mercy!
Cross Recoba: He knows that every point is going to count leading up to the tournament.
Leina Rael: The Ritalin Kid will be there and she’ll make people sit up and pay attention, mark my words.
Cross Recoba: How are you even allowed here? It’s a casino…
Dragging her from the turnbuckle, Tommy once more returns to the leg. He lifts one up and spins around it…DANNI GRABS A SMALL PACKAGE!!
ONE…
KICKOUT!!
Steve Morrison: Shrewd move from The Semper Fairy.
Leina Rael: She can grab a pin from anywhere, you should see her collection of Lucha tapes!
Cross Recoba: Is this going to change how Strych approaches the rest of the match?
Both competitors are back to their feet, Tommy is first to react with an elbow strike to the side of the head of Anderson. He quickly follows this up with his own European Uppercut…STEP-UP ENZIGURI TAKES HER BACK DOWN TO HER FEET!!
Steve Morrison: There’s your answer there, Cross!
Cross Recoba: Those milk duds look a better option for you right now, Leina.
Leina Rael: I’m here to call the match with you, not be babysat!
Lifting a leg up, Strychnine lands a leg-drop aimed at the knee of his opponent.
Steve Morrison: Tommy dropping that leg on the injured knee of Danni.
Cross Recoba: You know, if Eddie Walker were here - he’d throw in the towel. You wanna put the headset down and save your mom?
Leina Rael: Eddie Walker told me you’re an ass!
A close-up shows the look of pain on the face of the debuting Danni.
Steve Morrison: She knows she has a fight on her hands to stay in this one.
Cross Recoba: Tommy is going to push her to the limit if he has his way.
Leina Rael: Mom’s not done yet, not by a long shot!
Slipping through the ropes to the apron, Tommy takes a moment to interact with the fans.
Tommy Strychnine: KISS ME DEADLY!!!
The crowd pop for the call-out of the move.
Steve Morrison: Tommy seems to be getting into the aura emanating from the crowd.
Cross Recoba: Always a danger calling a move before you hit it..
Tommy flashes another set of devil horns to the camera and grabs the top rope…
HE LEAPS TO THE TOP ROPE BUT THE RITALIN KID CONNECTS WITH A RUNNING CANNONBALL TO THE OUTSIDE!!!
Leina Rael: She cut him off in mid-air!
Steve Morrison: Both competitors are now on the outside and you have to wonder if Danni caused more damage to her opponent than she suffered herself with that one!
Cross Recoba: Worst case, the fans seem to be getting into the match!
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
Both competitors are down.
Steve Tyrell starts the count…
ONE…
Crowd: LET’S GO, DANNI! *CLAP, CLAP, CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, DANNI! *CLAP, CLAP, CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Steve Morrison: It might be her debut but Danni has gotten the Tap Out crowd behind her!
Leina Rael: My mom doesn’t do dull matches. I had to read up on what a rest hold was!
Cross Recoba: That may be so but Strych isn’t out of this yet in any form!
TWO…
Tommy uses the announce table to start getting up. Danni stirs and grabs the apron, doing the same.
Leina Rael: Hey! GET OFF THE TABLE!
Cross Recoba: Relax, we’re still using the original announce table.
Steve Morrison: This is now a race to see who can strike first.
THREE…
Now back to a vertical base, Strych rushes and lifts a knee into the face of the doubled-over Anderson.
Cross Recoba: Tommy got all of that!
Steve Morrison: He did but Danni has remained on her feet.
Leina Rael: We’ve seen off worse attacks!
Cross Recoba: He isn’t finished yet…
Hooking his leg around the leg of his opponent before delivering A RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP INTO THE UNFORGIVING RING APRON!!
Steve Morrison: TOMMY USING THE RING AS A WEAPON!
Cross Recoba: Much sturdier than the announce table, I approve!
FOUR…
Stunned, The Ritalin Kid takes two steps from the apron and is LEVELLED BY A PELE KICK BY STRYCH!!
Cross Recoba: Tommy is finding his rhythm…
Steve Morrison: But a double count-out would leave him with the same number of points he entered with.
Cross Recoba: He could win move of the night…
Leina Rael: Mom’s walking out with that if anyone is in this match right now, how can you overlook that Cannonball to the outside?!?
FIVE…
Breaking the count, Tommy rolls his opponent into the ring and leaps to the apron. In one jump he finds himself atop the turnbuckle…
Steve Morrison: It looks like Tommy’s going to take to the skies…
SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!!
Cross Recoba: He’s going for the pin..
Steve Tyrell drops down…
ONE…
TWO…
Leina Rael: Come on!
KICKOUT!!!
An arm is held high in the air to break the count!!
Steve Morrison: Danni Anderson remains in the match!
Leina Rael: She’s a lot tougher than you might think!
Shaking his head, Tommy starts to lay the boots into his opponent. He turns around, STANDING MOONSAULT…ANDERSON GETS HER KNEES UP!!!
Leina Rael: Rally!
Cross Recoba: This could be a key turning point in the match…
Seeing her opponent holding his midsection, Danni kips up and delivers a running basement dropkick to the face of Tommy!
Steve Morrison: That dropkick was driven into the face of Strychnine!
Danni skips through the ropes and raises an arm aloft to the crowd, her opponent getting to their feet in the background of the shot. She leaps up…SPRINGBOARD SPINNING HEADSCISSOR TAKEDOWN!!
Leina Rael: That’s what she’s capable of…out of nowhere!
Steve Morrison: Her knee isn’t bothering her now as much as earlier in the match.
This time it’s Tommy who ends up in the corner. Danni rolls to the opposite corner and charges…THIS TIME THE SHOTGUN DROPKICK CONNECTS!!!
Cross Recoba: Adrien Cochrane will approve…
Leina Rael: You really don’t like him, do you?
Cross Recoba: He works for me now.
Steve Morrison: How can she keep the pressure up now?
Feeding off the buzz of the crowd, she picks Tommy up from the mat…EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Strych is reeling backwards…DROPKICK!!!
Steve Morrison: Once more taking a play from the book of the Dropkick King, she takes Strych down to the mat!
She leaps to the top and raises an arm….DOUBLE FOOT-STOMP!!
Leina Rael: She’s giving him her greatest hits…
Steve Morrison: Can that double foot-stomp put Tommy away?
Rolling backwards she leans back and covers her opponent…
ONE…
TWO…
THR-STRYCH GETS AN ARM UP!!!
Cross Recoba: I’ve spoken to Tommy about his resiliency. He credits the rigors of going on tour for his mental toughness. Having to go out every night and put on a show even if you don’t feel like it, night after night.
As Anderson rolls away, we see a smile on the face of the Rocker, clearly glad to survive that one. His joy is short-lived, The Pink Sugarplum Fairy lifts him up and delivers a stiff forearm to his head as she pushes him to the ropes..Irish whip…SHE CAREENS TOWARDS HIM….FORWARD FLIP KICK!!!!
Leina Rael: CRACK SHOOT! This HAS to put him away!
Steve Morrison: We heard the connection at ringside and folks, I’m sure you couldn’t miss it watching it at home!
Before she can drop for the cover, Strych uses the momentum to take himself outside the ring and buy some precious time and distance.
Cross Recoba: Smart move, buys him some time on the outside to recover from that connection and it forces your opponent to come to you if they want to capitalize on their attack!
Steve Tyrell starts the count…
ONE…
TWO…
Danni weighs up her options as she peers over the ropes to see that Tommy is in no hurry to move, the count only giving him an idea of how long he has been recovering from the kick for.
Steve Morrison: He’s trying to clear the cobwebs but that kick connected square with his temple, he’s lucky he didn’t get knocked clean out.
THREE…
Shaking her head, Danni goes to step through the ropes but brings herself back into the ring.
Leina Rael: I think I know what she’s thinking…
FOUR…
She peers over once more and sees Strych is beginning to move…
Steve Morrison: The cogs inside that head are turning…
FIVE…
She sees Tommy claw at the apron, trying to get back to his feet. She gazes towards the far ropes and runs…
Leina Rael: HERE..WE…GO|!!
TORPEDO PLANCHA TAKES TOMMY BACK TO THE GROUND AND RESETS THE COUNT!!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT A MOVE!
Cross Recoba: Has she run the risk of reaggravating the knee though?
Leina Rael: Are you always this negative?
Cross Recoba: I’m adding color, adding the voice of someone who’s been in the ring…it’s kind of my job.
Leina Rael: You’re not great at it…
Cross Recoba: I’ll take it up with the man after the show…
ONE…
Both competitors are down. Danni is seen staring at the ceiling lights ceiling lights
Steve Morrison: If not the knee, The Ritalin Kid might have taken on some collateral damage hitting that move!
TWO…
Danni rolls towards Strych and gets to a knee…
Leina Rael: Where’s his resilience now?
Cross Recoba: Counting out Tommy before his time has been the downfall of so many of the people he has faced…
THREE…
Heavily exhaling, Tommy remains stationary.
Steve Morrison: Strych has yet to move!
FOUR…
Danni once more picks up Strych and rolls him into the ring. She quickly rolls back into the ring.
Leina Rael: Finish him in the ring!
Cross Recoba: If you’re watching for the first time it’s worth pointing out that anyone involved in the Match of the Night gets a full point in the rankings for their troubles. Another way to boost your score would be to land the Move of the Night for a half-point. Danni could be looking to go for the full bonus point score here…
Clinging to the ropes, Tommy tries to get back to his feet. Anderson is quick to keep the pressure on as she picks up Strychnine WHO LIFTS HER UP AND GUILLOTINES HER ON THE TOP ROPE!!!
Steve Morrison: Did he bait her?
Cross Recoba: Almost certainly…
The crowd don’t react favorably to the sneak attack from the Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em Rocker.
Leina Rael: The crowd don’t sound happy with him…
Steve Morrison: If the crowd were split before, that move might have drawn the lines in the sand.
Paying no mind to the crowd as he gets to his feet, Tommy glances at Danni who holds her throat from the attack. He holds onto the ropes and kicks her hands away before planting a boot into the oesophagus of his opponent as the boos grow louder.
Cross Recoba: You can’t let what people think of you affect you in the ring. Strych knows that he can’t let sentiment get in the way of a win.
Anderson finds herself being lifted to her feet, her hands still clutching her throat. He grabs a waistlock…GERMAN SUPLEX!!! HE HOLDS ON AND ROLLS…
Steve Morrison: Slight change-up on the German Suplex, normally he doesn’t hold on…
Cross Recoba: Unless…
REAR NAKED CHOKE!!
Steve Morrison: Great transition from the Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em Rocker!
Cross Recoba: One thing I didn’t see a lot of when looking at Danni’s past matches was submissions in her arsenal, can she defend them?
Before Tommy can lock it in The Ritalin Kid manages to escape and gets to her feet. She throws a shotei but STRYCH REVERSE IT INTO A GANNOSUKE PIN!
Steve Morrison: POISON PIN!
Cross Recoba: He’s no slouch with pins out of nowhere either, Leina.
Leina Rael: Mom’s was cooler..
ONE…
TWO…
T-KICKOUT!!
Steve Morrison: Danni digs deep to keep the match alive!
Cross Recoba: We’ve seen that move put people away before…
Leina Rael: But not Danni Anderson!
Running on adrenaline, Anderson charges at her opponent and connects with a laser-guided dropkick to the knee of Tommy to take him down. She rushes to the ropes AND LOOKS FOR THE ASAI DDT…
Leina Rael: SPARKLY!!!!!
TOMMY CATCHES HER AND USES HER MOMENTUM TO GO FOR A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX…
Steve Morrison: NO! Strych had it scouted!!
ONE…
TWO…
THR-
DANNI GAMELY KICKS OUT!
Cross Recoba: That might make Anderson think twice about taking to the skies…
Leina Rael: Spoiler alert, it won’t…
Before she can set her stance, Tommy lifts her up for a kneebreaker.
Steve Morrison: He goes back to the knee…
He slips through the ropes and sees her rising, a limp noticeable as she plants her foot down. He comes off the top rope…FRONT DROPKICK TO THE FACE!!
Steve Morrison: Was he going for Kiss Me Deadly?
Cross Recoba: Perhaps but he knew he didn’t have enough time to hit it and readjusted himself!
Another Pin…
Steve Morrison: Once more Tommy is testing to see how much Danni has left in her…
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
SOMEHOW DANNI GETS HER ARM UP!!
Leina Rael: YES!
Dragging Danni to her feet, Tommy pushes her back against the ropes and looks for an Irish whip…it’s reversed…
Steve Morrison: What can she do here?
THE RITALIN KID LOOKS FOR LA MISTICA…
Leina Rael: PINK SUGAR ATTACK!!
STRYCH THROWS HER TO HIS SHOULDERS!!
Cross Recoba: He’s setting her up for the Tommyknocker!!
ANDERSON DROPS DOWN THE BACK…SIT-OUT FACEBUSTER!!!
Steve Morrison: Stars-a-Dancing!!
Getting back to her feet, Danni jumps to the top-rope…
Cross Recoba: She’s looking to put this one to bed.
Steve Morrison: Strych could be in immense danger here…
DOUBLE ROTATION MOONSAULT!!!
Leina Rael: ADHD Moonsault!
Steve Morrison: How did she fit the double-rotation in?
Cross Recoba: Does it matter? Right now the match hinges on Strych finding the strength to kick out…
Tyrell drops down to cover…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!!
Laura Messier: The winner of the match as a result of a pinfall…DANNI….ANDERSON!!
“Overtime” by Cash Cash blares over the PA system as Anderson’s arm is raised. Leina leaves the commentary booth to congratulate her mother who now runs her arm over her knee to assess the damage.
Steve Morrison: A great debut from Danni Anderson as she gets on the scoreboard in her first match!
Cross Recoba: It’s a good position to be in and you have to think the likes of Jason Long might be watching her next match with interest as those places for the tournament start to be cemented!
Steve Morrison: That’s true, one person who might be interested is currently backstage as we join Brad Kane!!
Backstage is none other than long-time wrestling veteran and Tap Out’s grumpy yet loveable asshole, Brad Kane. For once he’s smiling as he’s in jeans and a DARE shirt for the irony.
Brad Kane: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I am not wrestling as we know because anyone who took part in the Rumble got the night off. I mean I appreciate it as it gives me time to look at those competing and formulate game plans against them in the future. Scouting. It’s important.
The smile stays on his face as he continues to yammer on.
Brad Kane: Life, to say the least, has been wonderful and interesting. For those of you who haven’t heard, neither Heaven or Hell want me. So I’ve been “doomed” to walk the earth forever. Like Kung Fu or Highlander or some shit like that. I’m in Tap Out for the long haul. Cross Recoba has to be thanking whatever deity he worships because no matter what, I bring in eyes to this place. That’s not being cocky, but people pay to watch me.
A giggle is heard off-screen as he keeps going.
Brad Kane: And, now, I’m no longer alone in my journey in Tap Out. I have someone at my side, coming with me to the ring, to yell words of encouragement to me when I’m down and out. Or if Poena goes on about god knows what. All that shit about I do this for His glory and pain. Like what kind of cult is this man in?
Shrug follows.
Brad Kane: But you also got good kids like Close Collins. I think he has a world of potential. Even that flippy kid Jackalope has promise. Enough about that. I want to introduce to you, my manager, my valet, my lady, Aubrey Cummins.
Into the frame steps Aubrey with dirty blonde hair, a lovely smile and also wearing a DARE shirt because why not.
Aubrey Cummins: Uh, hello. Just a couple of things. If you make fun of my last name, I’ve heard all the jokes throughout the years. So it doesn’t phase me. The second is, well, I look forward to being at this joker’s side in Tap Out.
He rolls his eyes.
Aubrey Cummins: I can handle myself too. Brad has taught me his vaunted back-fist move and if Erin Gordon can put someone down with it, I can too.
Brad raised an eyebrow.
Brad Kane: Easy now. No need to start a beef, Aubrey.
Aubrey Cummins: Just saying I’m not some push over. I will fight back if needed. I will stop others from attempting to cheat you out of a win. It’ll be fun!
He nods his head as she gives him a peck on the cheek. The duo both give a thumbs up before walking out of the frame.
HALF-TIME SHOW
Steve Morrison: We’re back and we hoped you enjoyed the Intermission entertainment!
Cross Recoba:: Yumi’s a personal favorite of mine, she doesn’t pull a punch!
Steve Morrison: Now, before we get to our next match. We’re not the only show in town tonight as Infinite Pro Wrestling hosts their second show!
Cross Recoba:: I’ve an agreement with Jason Long, I’m never booked on nights where there is a Tap Out show which worked out quite well tonight!
Steve Morrison: They certainly delivered and set a high bar for ourselves to follow! Their own tournament to crown their first champion is underway and tonight saw the conclusion of the semi-finals!
Cross Recoba:: All four of the wrestlers competing would have been good value to go through but that’s the nature of tournaments!
Steve Morrison: I noticed you took some time to watch each match and had also sent scouts to pick up what the television cameras couldn’t for you!
Cross Recoba:: You can’t miss a trick in this game, Steve. It also helped that I got to interject myself into Irina Sokolov’s press conference.
Steve Morrison: Of course, you’ll be main-eventing their third show where if you win - you reach the finals of the tournament.
Cross Recoba:: It’s a great opportunity and it gives me another avenue to highlight Tap Out. If you haven’t seen the show yet, be sure to add it to your planner and watch it once we go off the air!
Cross Recoba:: Yumi’s a personal favorite of mine, she doesn’t pull a punch!
Steve Morrison: Now, before we get to our next match. We’re not the only show in town tonight as Infinite Pro Wrestling hosts their second show!
Cross Recoba:: I’ve an agreement with Jason Long, I’m never booked on nights where there is a Tap Out show which worked out quite well tonight!
Steve Morrison: They certainly delivered and set a high bar for ourselves to follow! Their own tournament to crown their first champion is underway and tonight saw the conclusion of the semi-finals!
Cross Recoba:: All four of the wrestlers competing would have been good value to go through but that’s the nature of tournaments!
Steve Morrison: I noticed you took some time to watch each match and had also sent scouts to pick up what the television cameras couldn’t for you!
Cross Recoba:: You can’t miss a trick in this game, Steve. It also helped that I got to interject myself into Irina Sokolov’s press conference.
Steve Morrison: Of course, you’ll be main-eventing their third show where if you win - you reach the finals of the tournament.
Cross Recoba:: It’s a great opportunity and it gives me another avenue to highlight Tap Out. If you haven’t seen the show yet, be sure to add it to your planner and watch it once we go off the air!
As we come out of commercial break, a video package starts up. The scene is dark and smokey. Music is playing and there are bells and beeps and plenty of talking and laughing. It doesn't take fans of Tap Out to put two and two together that this is being shot in a corner of the casino. The camera comes more into focus and a coffee table comes into a view. Atop the table, a clear ashtray. A suited arm, adorned with very nice cuff links slides into the shot, as the finger taps an ash off a cigar and lays it down. As the hand pulls back out view, a wiping sound is heard as well as shuffling of clothing as the hidden person readjusts themselves in their seat.
Voice: Tap Out... ironically something I haven't done much in my storied career. And what a career it has been. Some people are going to ask me why I've decided to join a company that is running their shows out of a casino in Las Vegas when I could be headlining arenas and stadiums across the world...
A waiter walks up as evident by the tray of drinks that is laid on one corner of the table, still the only thing in view as the smoke from the cigar snakes into the edges of the screen. The waiter picks up a glass and reaches across screen.
Waiter: Your drink, sir.
The hidden man reaches out to accept the drink and again as his hand goes off screen the camera picks up the sound of him taking a sip.
Voice: Thank you, that is good bourbon. It takes me back to when I was gifted a bottle of this by an old... let's call him an acquaintance. Anyways, as I was saying, why should I fight inside a casino where neon dances into the corners of the room and people are probably only there to watch me because they were comped a ticket?
The man bends down, taking hold of his cigar again, before leaning back and kicking his legs up onto the table. His expensive shoes glistening from the reds, blues, and greens that cut through the haze.
Voice: It's simple really. I feel at home here. Sure, I've sold out massive arenas, but I've also fought in dive bars, old warehouses, VFWs and bingo halls. I don't do this for the building, no, I do this because it is a passion of mine. I do this because whether there are five hundred people or seventy-five thousand people in the crowd, I enjoy seeing the looks on their faces as they boo or cheer me, and ultimately as they realize I'm one of the best to ever lace them up.
Another plum of smokes glides across the screen and the sound swirling glass around a cup is heard.
Voice: But a casino? How can that feel like home? Why?
The man begins to laugh as the camera pulls back and pans up to a smiling face. The fans in attendance begin buzzing, and cheering.
Voice: Because I'm Jack Fuckin' Diamond!
Jack pauses to let the moment sink in.
Jack Diamond: And I have arrived here in Tap Out. Here in beautiful Las Vegas, my new home. I made it clear that my appearance in the XHF Rumble was not just some nostalgia act. I am back. 100 percent. Since there was no AWF to turn too... no AXW... I was realistically left with two choices. A gym in Atlanta... God, I hate the Braves... or a Casino in Las Vegas... hmmm
Jack taps his chin sarcastically.
Jack Diamond: Was there even a doubt? Sure, The Sands... it's no Diamond Club... but it will be every time I am in that ring. And boy, will I be in that ring a lot. I want to go ahead and put all the boys and girls in the back on notice... An Icon is here, and shit just got real. I'm not here to be a special attraction... I have my eyes set on one thing, and one thing only... The TOW Openweight Championship.
Jack smiles again as the scene fades and the camera opens back up to a stunned but clearly intrigued Steven Morrison and a smirking Cross Recoba.
Steve Morrison: YOU'RE KIDDING ME!
Cross Recoba: Not even in the slightest, Steve! I went to the Rumble and put Zoran on notice but that was the perfect smokescreen for what took place outside of the ring at the Rumble. We've got Jack Diamond, another of the Icons, and a two-time X*Crown Champion in Tap Out!
Steve Morrison: With just two shows to make the tournament, can he make a late entrance and crash it?
Cross Recoba: We saw Diamond put in a good showing at the Rumble, he hasn't missed a step from his absence. There won't be many on the roster who think they'd be a heavy favorite to come out on top against Jack.
Steve Morrison: There's little doubt that he'll have an eye on our main-event in a few minutes, taking notes and working out how he can rise to the top here at Tap Out!
Voice: Tap Out... ironically something I haven't done much in my storied career. And what a career it has been. Some people are going to ask me why I've decided to join a company that is running their shows out of a casino in Las Vegas when I could be headlining arenas and stadiums across the world...
A waiter walks up as evident by the tray of drinks that is laid on one corner of the table, still the only thing in view as the smoke from the cigar snakes into the edges of the screen. The waiter picks up a glass and reaches across screen.
Waiter: Your drink, sir.
The hidden man reaches out to accept the drink and again as his hand goes off screen the camera picks up the sound of him taking a sip.
Voice: Thank you, that is good bourbon. It takes me back to when I was gifted a bottle of this by an old... let's call him an acquaintance. Anyways, as I was saying, why should I fight inside a casino where neon dances into the corners of the room and people are probably only there to watch me because they were comped a ticket?
The man bends down, taking hold of his cigar again, before leaning back and kicking his legs up onto the table. His expensive shoes glistening from the reds, blues, and greens that cut through the haze.
Voice: It's simple really. I feel at home here. Sure, I've sold out massive arenas, but I've also fought in dive bars, old warehouses, VFWs and bingo halls. I don't do this for the building, no, I do this because it is a passion of mine. I do this because whether there are five hundred people or seventy-five thousand people in the crowd, I enjoy seeing the looks on their faces as they boo or cheer me, and ultimately as they realize I'm one of the best to ever lace them up.
Another plum of smokes glides across the screen and the sound swirling glass around a cup is heard.
Voice: But a casino? How can that feel like home? Why?
The man begins to laugh as the camera pulls back and pans up to a smiling face. The fans in attendance begin buzzing, and cheering.
Voice: Because I'm Jack Fuckin' Diamond!
Jack pauses to let the moment sink in.
Jack Diamond: And I have arrived here in Tap Out. Here in beautiful Las Vegas, my new home. I made it clear that my appearance in the XHF Rumble was not just some nostalgia act. I am back. 100 percent. Since there was no AWF to turn too... no AXW... I was realistically left with two choices. A gym in Atlanta... God, I hate the Braves... or a Casino in Las Vegas... hmmm
Jack taps his chin sarcastically.
Jack Diamond: Was there even a doubt? Sure, The Sands... it's no Diamond Club... but it will be every time I am in that ring. And boy, will I be in that ring a lot. I want to go ahead and put all the boys and girls in the back on notice... An Icon is here, and shit just got real. I'm not here to be a special attraction... I have my eyes set on one thing, and one thing only... The TOW Openweight Championship.
Jack smiles again as the scene fades and the camera opens back up to a stunned but clearly intrigued Steven Morrison and a smirking Cross Recoba.
Steve Morrison: YOU'RE KIDDING ME!
Cross Recoba: Not even in the slightest, Steve! I went to the Rumble and put Zoran on notice but that was the perfect smokescreen for what took place outside of the ring at the Rumble. We've got Jack Diamond, another of the Icons, and a two-time X*Crown Champion in Tap Out!
Steve Morrison: With just two shows to make the tournament, can he make a late entrance and crash it?
Cross Recoba: We saw Diamond put in a good showing at the Rumble, he hasn't missed a step from his absence. There won't be many on the roster who think they'd be a heavy favorite to come out on top against Jack.
Steve Morrison: There's little doubt that he'll have an eye on our main-event in a few minutes, taking notes and working out how he can rise to the top here at Tap Out!
Laura Messier: IT’S TIME FOR OUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING!!
Lights out. White flashes in time with a screeching ringing sound. Three times... Three more...
DRYWALL!
A hulking figure bursts through the curtain into the view of the crowd as the lights flash on and off. The masked NOMAD stands there, bobbing slightly to the drumbeat.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD enters this match knowing that he is the only person on the roster who has gone undefeated since Tap Out opened!
Cross Recoba: That's great for his confidence but it's also going to put a target on his back and with an opponent like Poena, that's not an enviable position to be in!
IN PAIN, ASK FOR ASPIRIN.
THAT'S DRYWALL, THEY'LL COME BACK AGAIN.
NOMAD takes his time in surveying his surroundings before he begins making his way toward the ring, ignoring the hands that reach or swipe at him from over the barriers. He climbs the closest set of stairs and kneels at the top while the song builds.
Steve Morrison: The Tap Out fans have seemingly taken to the big man since he started. If you compare the crowd's reaction when the first bell rang against Brad Kane to how they reacted when he beat Erin Gordon, he might be winning them around!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD isn't just your average big man, sure he isn't a ninja but he has agility and the ability to take it to the ground when he needs to. If you've not seen him fight before and think he's just a punch and kick peddler, you're soon to be mistaken!
KEEP YA STILL, PILLED UP, FUCK IT ANOTHER DRILL, ANOTHER DEAL
ANOTHER KILL, DEGRADATION OF THE KIDNEY WHEEL
He jumps up, then walks along the apron and steps between the ropes, whipping the balaclava off as he does. He approaches the center of the ring with arms outstretched, holding the mask in one hand. Then he simply makes his way to the near corner prepares for the match to start.
Steve Morrison: He beat an XHF Legend in Brad Kane in his first match, a firm crowd favorite and battle-harded Erin Gordon in his second but tonight brings a wholly different challenge in Poena.
Cross Recoba: When I looked across the ring from him at Big Fight Fight Night and tried to get a read on him, it was evident that whatever was meant to be there clearly wasn't. NOMAD needs to watch out because those slams and drivers require the ability to lift his opponent and Poena is armed to the teeth with ways to disable your upper body!
Nisi per dolorem potest salvari... The lights go pitch back as the eerie bells and words fill the arena. Each time the choir sings, red spotlights blaze down, revealing Poena standing at the top of the ramp, a black silhouette with his arms raised out to the sides with his palms and face up to the heavens.
Steve Morrison: To remind everyone at home, in the build-up to this match, Poena personally took credit for NOMAD's win last time out against Erin Gordon.
Cross Recoba: It's a great psychological move, Steve. It's what I try and do with my opponents - plant a seed of doubt and watch it grow before the bell has rung.
As the music picks up the red spotlights stay on him as he lowers his arms and walks toward the ring holding his twisted rosary in his hands as if praying as he walks down the ramp, his crazed smile breaking out into an even crazier grin as he does.
Steve Morrison: We saw him playing with that bastardisation of rosary beads when he was delivering his 'sermon' in the build-up to this.
Cross Recoba: It's not where his power lies, that's in the belief he has. The rosary beads are just an extension of it and I wouldn't be surprised if they accidentally ended up in his hands during the course of the match!
He rolls into the ring as the spotlights turn to brightest white, going to his knees in the same pose he held on the ramp with the rosary clenched in his right hand, whispering a silent prayer to himself and yelling “REPENT!” to the heavens before smirking at the crowd and getting up to his feet.
Steve Morrison: Is this more mind games from The Sanctified One?
Cross Recoba: Whatever it is, NOMAD looks in no mood to entertain it!
The two men glower at each other from opposite sides of the ring. The pre-match hype and promo material clearly stoking the flames for the match that lies ahead.
Laura Messier: The following match is schedule for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Laura Messier: Standing to my left from Colville, Washington...He stands at six-feet-and-five inches and tips the scale two-hundred-and-eighty pounds!!! HE IS THE VIOLENT WANDERER!!!! NOMAD!!!!
A surprisingly loud cheer erupts inside The Sands from the crowd.
Laura Messier: From the Ninth Deep...Standing at six-feet even and weighing a hundred-and-ninety pounds...The Sanctified One....POENA!!!!!!
Poena’s expression never changes as the boos grow in volume. He steadfastly maintains his gaze, almost licking his lips at the opportunity for pain and suffering that lies before him.
Lights out. White flashes in time with a screeching ringing sound. Three times... Three more...
DRYWALL!
A hulking figure bursts through the curtain into the view of the crowd as the lights flash on and off. The masked NOMAD stands there, bobbing slightly to the drumbeat.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD enters this match knowing that he is the only person on the roster who has gone undefeated since Tap Out opened!
Cross Recoba: That's great for his confidence but it's also going to put a target on his back and with an opponent like Poena, that's not an enviable position to be in!
IN PAIN, ASK FOR ASPIRIN.
THAT'S DRYWALL, THEY'LL COME BACK AGAIN.
NOMAD takes his time in surveying his surroundings before he begins making his way toward the ring, ignoring the hands that reach or swipe at him from over the barriers. He climbs the closest set of stairs and kneels at the top while the song builds.
Steve Morrison: The Tap Out fans have seemingly taken to the big man since he started. If you compare the crowd's reaction when the first bell rang against Brad Kane to how they reacted when he beat Erin Gordon, he might be winning them around!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD isn't just your average big man, sure he isn't a ninja but he has agility and the ability to take it to the ground when he needs to. If you've not seen him fight before and think he's just a punch and kick peddler, you're soon to be mistaken!
KEEP YA STILL, PILLED UP, FUCK IT ANOTHER DRILL, ANOTHER DEAL
ANOTHER KILL, DEGRADATION OF THE KIDNEY WHEEL
He jumps up, then walks along the apron and steps between the ropes, whipping the balaclava off as he does. He approaches the center of the ring with arms outstretched, holding the mask in one hand. Then he simply makes his way to the near corner prepares for the match to start.
Steve Morrison: He beat an XHF Legend in Brad Kane in his first match, a firm crowd favorite and battle-harded Erin Gordon in his second but tonight brings a wholly different challenge in Poena.
Cross Recoba: When I looked across the ring from him at Big Fight Fight Night and tried to get a read on him, it was evident that whatever was meant to be there clearly wasn't. NOMAD needs to watch out because those slams and drivers require the ability to lift his opponent and Poena is armed to the teeth with ways to disable your upper body!
Nisi per dolorem potest salvari... The lights go pitch back as the eerie bells and words fill the arena. Each time the choir sings, red spotlights blaze down, revealing Poena standing at the top of the ramp, a black silhouette with his arms raised out to the sides with his palms and face up to the heavens.
Steve Morrison: To remind everyone at home, in the build-up to this match, Poena personally took credit for NOMAD's win last time out against Erin Gordon.
Cross Recoba: It's a great psychological move, Steve. It's what I try and do with my opponents - plant a seed of doubt and watch it grow before the bell has rung.
As the music picks up the red spotlights stay on him as he lowers his arms and walks toward the ring holding his twisted rosary in his hands as if praying as he walks down the ramp, his crazed smile breaking out into an even crazier grin as he does.
Steve Morrison: We saw him playing with that bastardisation of rosary beads when he was delivering his 'sermon' in the build-up to this.
Cross Recoba: It's not where his power lies, that's in the belief he has. The rosary beads are just an extension of it and I wouldn't be surprised if they accidentally ended up in his hands during the course of the match!
He rolls into the ring as the spotlights turn to brightest white, going to his knees in the same pose he held on the ramp with the rosary clenched in his right hand, whispering a silent prayer to himself and yelling “REPENT!” to the heavens before smirking at the crowd and getting up to his feet.
Steve Morrison: Is this more mind games from The Sanctified One?
Cross Recoba: Whatever it is, NOMAD looks in no mood to entertain it!
The two men glower at each other from opposite sides of the ring. The pre-match hype and promo material clearly stoking the flames for the match that lies ahead.
Laura Messier: The following match is schedule for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Laura Messier: Standing to my left from Colville, Washington...He stands at six-feet-and-five inches and tips the scale two-hundred-and-eighty pounds!!! HE IS THE VIOLENT WANDERER!!!! NOMAD!!!!
A surprisingly loud cheer erupts inside The Sands from the crowd.
Laura Messier: From the Ninth Deep...Standing at six-feet even and weighing a hundred-and-ninety pounds...The Sanctified One....POENA!!!!!!
Poena’s expression never changes as the boos grow in volume. He steadfastly maintains his gaze, almost licking his lips at the opportunity for pain and suffering that lies before him.
MAIN EVENT
Singles Match
NOMAD vs Poena
The bell rings and we are underway. NOMAD strides towards the middle of the ring, staring down Poena with an air of dismissive distaste about him. The Sanctified One walks up, facing down his much larger opponent without an ounce of fear in his face. There is an air of tension between the pair as they wait, watching what the other man will do carefully and the hush around the crowd is one of building anticipation. Poena draws back, light on his feet ready to unleash something while NOMAD stands, impassive, waiting on what his crazed opponent will try first. Tension mounts, everyone is on edge, a little calm before the storm.
Steve Morrison: Two athletes with their own style, their own methods of brutality. Who will draw first?
Cross Recoba: You can feel the dam is about to break. And the flood will be mighty.
And break it does. Poena lashes a fierce chop across NOMAD’s massive broad chest. With the hushed crowd the chop rings out around the arena, the meaty sound of flesh hitting flesh cutting the atmosphere like the knife edge the chop is names after. NOMAD grunts and shakes his shoulders before cocking his arm back and smashing The Sanctified One across the jaw with a shotgun blast of a forearm. Poena smiles, appreciating the challenge that The Violent Wanderer is presenting. Cracking his head to a side, Poena pulls his arm back again and chops again, smashing the knife edge of his hand into NOMAD’s chest area again. The Monster of the World tilts his head back and exhales through his teeth, loading up another strike. NOMAD swings his forearm straight for Poena’s face once more, smacking Poena so hard that a wad of spittle flies out of his mouth as The Sanctified One turns his head away with the blow. Both men face off again, Poena steps in to close the distance and the combatants GO HAM ONE EACH OTHER WITH A FLURRY OF OVERHAND PUNCHES!
Steve Morrison: These two warriors are just smacking the hell out of each other!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD is a fearsome striker. Poena doesn’t feel fear. Therefore: Violence.
The pair back off, the heated strike exchange getting them nowhere other than temporarily drained. The Sanctified One back off a half step, baiting a strike from his 90lb heavier opponent and NOMAD looks to land a hard cross, using his kick-boxing training to put as much force behind the blow as he can. Poena was looking for that, however, and wheels to a side, grabbing NOMAD’s arm and slinging the man from the Pacific Northwest against the ropes. NOMAD’s first thought is to shape for a shoulder block but Poena has that well scouted, knowing the big man will just flatten him in a collision at speed. Instead, The Dark Preacher drops low and rolls through NOMAD’s legs, sending him uncomfortably stumbling over The Man From The Ninth Deep’s body. Poena picks a leg from ground level, forcing NOMAD to fall ribs first to the mat and tries to turn the ankle round into a heel hook but NOMAD drives his free leg into Poena’s face, sending Poena skittering across the mat. Both men return to their feet, NOMAD dusting himself off coolly while Poena looks really enthused with the opening exchanges.
Steve Morrison: Poena seems to want to slow the big man down.
Cross Recoba: It might be a smart strategy. It might just be that he wants to break off his foot and wear it as a necklace.
Poena claws his way up the corner as NOMAD looks to impose himself on the match. The Travelling Violence Salesman gets to his feet and draws a bead on where Poena is stood, rushing into a full speed charge and arching his leg up, looking to decapitate Poena with a crooked leg Big Boot. The Prophet of Pain is quick enough to glide between the ropes and NOMAD’s boot goes flying into a Poena-free space over the top rope. From the apron The Dark Messiah of Spite and Tragic Events grabs NOMAD’s boot by the toes and jumps down off the ring apron, snapping the Monster of the World’s calf muscle off the rope and sending him falling backwards into the ring. Poena smiles and clambers back onto the apron again, slingshotting himself over the ropes into a knee drop on NOMAD’s leg. The Demon of the Ninth Deep grabs for the injured leg and wrenches it round, flipping NOMAD onto his front and locking in a tight Half Crab, NOMAD reaching out and easily grabbing the ropes. Referee Big John Quinn calls for the break…
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! …Poena breaks the hold.
Steve Morrison: I think Poena has a target again.
Cross Recoba: Once he gets his dark heart settled on a body part Poena is one of the most vicious wrestlers in the industry.
Working over the leg, Poena adds some pointed stomps to the side of NOMAD’s thigh, the third one assisted by bouncing off the first rope to add a little extra height to it. The manic glee in Poena’s face shines around the arena like a crescent moon over a graveyard as he lifts NOMAN’S leg into the crook of his arm and falls backwards, DDTing his foot into the mat. The Monster and Ruler of All He Surveys grunts as Poena rolls backwards to his feet and considers his next move. The Dark Messiah lifts up the leg again and spins to a side, wrenching hard in a shortened Dragon Screw motion. Then again, seemingly more fierce than the first. NOMAD rolls onto his side, maybe as a reflexive defense but Poena will not be denied and he drops to mat level, rapidly applying a scissors on the leg and pulling down on the foot and ankle, stretching the leg at two pressure points. There is a loud yell of “CONFESS!” from the Messianic Murderer’s lips but NOMAD remains stoic and reaches his meaty arm backwards, grabbing firmly onto the bottom rope. Referee Quinn calls for the break again…
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! F... Poena breaks, turning to glare at the referee.
Steve Morrison: Rope break again.
Cross Recoba: NOMAD is showing some solid ring generalship. Always know where you are. Always know where your escape is.
As his opponent argues with the referee, NOMAD takes the opportunity to roll himself onto the ring apron. he carefully gets to a vertical base and deliberately catches Poena’s eye and as The Sanctified One turns to face him; The Wild Man from Washington throws a quick beckoning gesture with his hand. Poena turns, maybe a little enraged, and charges headlong at NOMAD. And the big man LOW BRIDGES THE TOP ROPE sending Poena tumbling out to the floor. NOMAD carefully treads down the ring steps and roughly grabs Poena of the ground, thrusting his shoulder into Poena’s breadbasket, ramming Poena back first into the ring apron. The Monstrous Mastodon lifts his arm high into the air and winds up a HUUUUUGE chop to Poena’s chest that sends his skin rippling. The crowd noise has begun to pick as NOMAD raises his arm again delivering a second enormous chop. NOMAD looks out around the crowd and with a single finger to his lips, not even a sound, he beckons for them to quieten down. When the noise has died down, NOMAD raises his arm again and the next chop can be heard from the next county over…
WHACK!
Steve Morrison: OK, I think that chop broke two of my ribs.
Cross Recoba: When NOMAD chops you your entire family feel it.
NOMAD dips his head a little, sizing up Poena for another attack, With a little effort, clearly using his undamaged right leg to take most of the effort, The Monster lifts up Poena and drapes his legs onto the ring apron. The vice like front chancery squeezes on Poena’s throat for a few seconds before NOMAD sits out, spiking Poena at a 45 degree angle right onto the ringside mats. Poena collapses to the floor and NOMAD calmly, almost too calmly, rolls back onto the ring and lets Big John put a count on…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE! Poena begins to stir… and NOMAD just rolls straight out and slings him under the bottom rope. The Violent Wanderer, well, wanders back into the ring to cause more violence.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD using every part of the arena to his advantage.
Cross Recoba: They call some people ring generals. NOMAD is possibly the finest whole venue general in wrestling.
In the ring, NOMAD backs off a step from where Poena is lying and lines himself up. He steps in deliberately, timing his blow for exactly when The Dark Messiah raises himself a little off the mat and connects flush with his leg into the base of Poena’s spine. NOMAD winces as the kick connects but the strike is still powerful and flattens Poena back to the mat. The Monster of the world takes a few seconds, feels the leg again and reaches down to haul Poena up by an arm. With a hard wrench, NOMAD sends Poena flying towards the ropes and awaits the rebound, catching Poena and pivoting on his good leg to smash The Sanctified One down to the mat with a swinging side slam. NOMAD makes the cover…
ONE!
TWO!
TH.. Poena kicks out. NOMAD barely acknowledges the referee as he continues his work.
Steve Morrison: How heavily has Poena’s damage to that leg affected NOMAD’s offense?
Cross Recoba: Well NOMAD is showing he’s adept at working round a problem. That’s something experience teaches you.
NOMAD stands again and backs off a few steps. He raises his arm to the sky, signalling for something arm related. Poena is slow to get up, possibly still a little dazed for this head interacting painfully with the thin layer of matting over pure concrete. NOMAD lines up as The Dark Messiah gets to a virtual a base and slowly turns… And The Monster of the World charges in, probably at about 75% of his true maximum speed due to the slight limp, and hits a VICIOUS, EVIL, NASTY, YOU HURT MY LEG, I BREAK YOUR FACE LAAAAAAAAAAAAARIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAATOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FROM HEEEEEEEEEEEELL! Poena does a full flip and the power, even at a lower velocity, is enough to send him flying.
Steve Morrison: LARIAT FROM HELL! LARIAT FROM HELL!
Cross Recoba: I’ve been on the wrong end of a few Lariats in my time. It’s never pleasant. Especially from a guy NOMAD’s size.
NOMAD drops to cover and John Quinn is in position quickly…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Poena lifts a shoulder. NOMAD rolls away, feels at the leg again and gets to his feet. He looks at Poena, eyes fixed on the precise position of his opponent and bows his head in thought while The Prophet of Pain slowly gets back to his feet. NOMAD circles Poena, making sure he can time his next burst while Poena’s head is at exactly the correct height and The Sultan of Suffering isn’t fully standing when NOMAD grabs a headlock. Slowly, carefully The Monster of the Masses turns Poena’s head over into a hangman’s neckbreaker position before letting go and, again using his good leg as a pivot, spins around and HITS A DISCUS ELBOW RIGHT TO THE OCCIPITAL LOBE SIDE OF POENA’S SKULL! Poena drops like a stone to the mat and NOMAD covers again…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… Poena kicks out again.
Steve Morrison: DIE HARD ELBOW! DIE HARD ELBOW!
Cross Recoba: And to clarify, the Die Hard Elbow IS a Christmas elbow.
NOMAD is usually not one for signalling things but you can read from the look in his eyes he wants this contest to end. He stomps his good foot on the canvas a couple of times to psych himself up and makes sure to wheel round so as Poena stands he’s in the perfect position for a front on assault. The Sanctified Sadist slowly gets back to his feet only to be stuffed roughly into a standing head scissors. With a calm, collected look on his face, NOMAD JACKS UP POENA INTO A CANADIAN BACKBREAKER…
Steve Morrison: SCORCHED EARTH!
..BUT HIS LEG BUCKLES A LITTLE AND HE HAS TO PUT POENA BACK DOWN! NOMAD curses and tries again, he lifts Poena up… AND POENA SLIPS DOWN HIS BACK TO AVOID THE MOVE. As quick as a flash Poena whips a calf height kick at NOMAD’s injured leg and the big man tucks it in in pain, wheeling on his good leg so he can fall backwards towards the nearest set of ropes. The Sanctified One smiles, maybe a little forced, maybe a genuine disturbed happiness and leaps into the air, tucking his legs in mid flight and crashing across NOMAD’s flat to the mat legs with the full force of his weight.
Steve Morrison: And just like that the momentum turns!
Cross Recoba: Wrestling is a momentum based industry. It’s easy to stay on top of a match. It’s harder to get there.
Poena opts not to go for a cover and rolls away, grinning to himself. He gets back to his feet and walks over to where NOMAD is laying, lifting up NOMAD’s legs and carefully threading his own between them. He looks around the audience who emit a hearty round of boos before twisting his body, turning a standing Indian Deathlock into a twisted, crooked version. NOMAD grits his teeth and emits a low, throaty groan as Poena grins madly and SCREAMS a request for a confession. Big John Quinn is in perfect position to check for a submission when he spots The Monster has reached out and grabbed the bottom rope again.
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIV… Poena breaks at the very last millisecond. Big John has some stern words about breaking hold with Poena who throws him a look of grim death, clearly annoyed.
Steve Morrison: Another close call for NOMAD’s leg health.
Cross Recoba: Over the course of a match all this damage adds up. Poena just has to make one of these submission stick.
Now looking to press home his advantage, Poena lifts NOMAD up, firing off a couple of sharp leg kicks to his injured side. The Dark One headbutts the man from Washington, firing himself up by causing a little pain to himself. He grabs for a loose arm and HURLS NOMAD across the ring with the big man getting about three quarters of the way over before collapsing under his own body weight and grasping at his leg, butt scooting across the mat to make more space between himself and Poena. The Sanctified One is a shark and he sure as hell smells blood in the water. He storms across the ring and holds up the injured leg again, Poena just sits out onto NOMAD’s mighty chest and grabs for the leg, hoisting it up, attempting to hyperextend the knee…This time the shout of “CONFESS!” is deeper, more angry, more… personal.
Steve Morrison: Knee Bar! Could this be it?
Cross Recoba: Look at NOMAD’s ring positioning again.
And Cross is right. Yet again NOMAD reaches one of those long, meaty arms out and grabs the bottom rope…
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!
Big John Quinn: BREAK IT UP! NOW!
This time John Quinn has to PHYSICALLY separate the pair, getting his hands dirty to keep the rules followed. Poena is nearly frothing at the mouth with rage by this point.
Steve Morrison: I think Poena is close to snapping.
Cross Recoba: I love NOMAD’s strategy here. It takes a ton of experience to learn the ring generalship skills The Monster of the World is showing. You wouldn’t expect someone with his size to have that cerebral aspect to his game.
Poena, clearly frustrated, stomps back over towards NOMAD and hauls him up to a vertical base. The Sanctified one throws another low kick which NOMAD blocks. He goes for a low front kick and NOMAD blocks that as well. Visibly fuming, Poena goes entirely mental with a blitz of forearms, chops, punches, kicks and knees, none of which have any great effect as NOMAD carefully backs up and blocks, backs up and blocks and backs up and block some more. Finally, Poena goes low and catches NOMAD out with a sweep that drops the big man back to the mat. Poena drops to a knee and grabs for NOMAD’s leg again, locking in a Calf Slicer… and AGAIN NOMAD GRABS THE BOTTOM ROPE!
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!
Big John Quinn: BREAK IT UP! C’MON! BREAK IT!
The referee again is forced to physically separate the two combatants physically. Poena IMMEDIATELY squares up to him. Referee Quinn points to the badge on his shirt and Poena, his face crimson with anger, loudly seethes, emitting a low growling noise. Quinn jabs his finger out accumulatively at Poena… AND POENA GRABS HIS HAND.
Steve Morrison: Oh no. Nonononononononono.
Cross Recoba: I don’t like where this is going one bit.
The crowd goes silent, deathly silent as Poena twists the referee’s hand round so the fingers are pointing upwards. He places one hand around the index and middle fingers, the slides the restraining hand up to grab the pinkie and ring. No one is making a sound. And then…
SNAP!
Poena decides to attempt to spit the referee’s hand apart by its centreline. The 6’5 referee drops to the mat HOWLING in pain. Poena turns back to NOMAD and goes striaght for a full mount, laying in lefts and rights. NOMAD sweeps the legs and takes top position, laying in hammerfist after hammerfist, Mark Coleman style. Poena flips the pile again, going utterly HAM with wild, untamed strikes. NOMAD sweeps again and with top position starts laying down short forearms, driving his overdeveloped flexor digitorum repeatedly into Poena’s nose. The referee rolls out of the ring, holding his hand and limply signals for the bell.
DINGDINGDING!
Laura Messier: The winner of this match by DISQUALIFICATION, NOOOOOOOMAAAAAAAAAAAAD!
The two combatants in the ring aren’t letting a little thing like the match being stopped halt their little spree of violence. Punches and headbutts and forearms and elbows are thrown and keep being thrown until the surprisingly effective casino security comes out to separate the pair.
Crowd: LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!
Cross Recoba: I hear the crowd. And this will not be the last time these two competitors will meet.
Steve Morrison: Two athletes with their own style, their own methods of brutality. Who will draw first?
Cross Recoba: You can feel the dam is about to break. And the flood will be mighty.
And break it does. Poena lashes a fierce chop across NOMAD’s massive broad chest. With the hushed crowd the chop rings out around the arena, the meaty sound of flesh hitting flesh cutting the atmosphere like the knife edge the chop is names after. NOMAD grunts and shakes his shoulders before cocking his arm back and smashing The Sanctified One across the jaw with a shotgun blast of a forearm. Poena smiles, appreciating the challenge that The Violent Wanderer is presenting. Cracking his head to a side, Poena pulls his arm back again and chops again, smashing the knife edge of his hand into NOMAD’s chest area again. The Monster of the World tilts his head back and exhales through his teeth, loading up another strike. NOMAD swings his forearm straight for Poena’s face once more, smacking Poena so hard that a wad of spittle flies out of his mouth as The Sanctified One turns his head away with the blow. Both men face off again, Poena steps in to close the distance and the combatants GO HAM ONE EACH OTHER WITH A FLURRY OF OVERHAND PUNCHES!
Steve Morrison: These two warriors are just smacking the hell out of each other!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD is a fearsome striker. Poena doesn’t feel fear. Therefore: Violence.
The pair back off, the heated strike exchange getting them nowhere other than temporarily drained. The Sanctified One back off a half step, baiting a strike from his 90lb heavier opponent and NOMAD looks to land a hard cross, using his kick-boxing training to put as much force behind the blow as he can. Poena was looking for that, however, and wheels to a side, grabbing NOMAD’s arm and slinging the man from the Pacific Northwest against the ropes. NOMAD’s first thought is to shape for a shoulder block but Poena has that well scouted, knowing the big man will just flatten him in a collision at speed. Instead, The Dark Preacher drops low and rolls through NOMAD’s legs, sending him uncomfortably stumbling over The Man From The Ninth Deep’s body. Poena picks a leg from ground level, forcing NOMAD to fall ribs first to the mat and tries to turn the ankle round into a heel hook but NOMAD drives his free leg into Poena’s face, sending Poena skittering across the mat. Both men return to their feet, NOMAD dusting himself off coolly while Poena looks really enthused with the opening exchanges.
Steve Morrison: Poena seems to want to slow the big man down.
Cross Recoba: It might be a smart strategy. It might just be that he wants to break off his foot and wear it as a necklace.
Poena claws his way up the corner as NOMAD looks to impose himself on the match. The Travelling Violence Salesman gets to his feet and draws a bead on where Poena is stood, rushing into a full speed charge and arching his leg up, looking to decapitate Poena with a crooked leg Big Boot. The Prophet of Pain is quick enough to glide between the ropes and NOMAD’s boot goes flying into a Poena-free space over the top rope. From the apron The Dark Messiah of Spite and Tragic Events grabs NOMAD’s boot by the toes and jumps down off the ring apron, snapping the Monster of the World’s calf muscle off the rope and sending him falling backwards into the ring. Poena smiles and clambers back onto the apron again, slingshotting himself over the ropes into a knee drop on NOMAD’s leg. The Demon of the Ninth Deep grabs for the injured leg and wrenches it round, flipping NOMAD onto his front and locking in a tight Half Crab, NOMAD reaching out and easily grabbing the ropes. Referee Big John Quinn calls for the break…
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! …Poena breaks the hold.
Steve Morrison: I think Poena has a target again.
Cross Recoba: Once he gets his dark heart settled on a body part Poena is one of the most vicious wrestlers in the industry.
Working over the leg, Poena adds some pointed stomps to the side of NOMAD’s thigh, the third one assisted by bouncing off the first rope to add a little extra height to it. The manic glee in Poena’s face shines around the arena like a crescent moon over a graveyard as he lifts NOMAN’S leg into the crook of his arm and falls backwards, DDTing his foot into the mat. The Monster and Ruler of All He Surveys grunts as Poena rolls backwards to his feet and considers his next move. The Dark Messiah lifts up the leg again and spins to a side, wrenching hard in a shortened Dragon Screw motion. Then again, seemingly more fierce than the first. NOMAD rolls onto his side, maybe as a reflexive defense but Poena will not be denied and he drops to mat level, rapidly applying a scissors on the leg and pulling down on the foot and ankle, stretching the leg at two pressure points. There is a loud yell of “CONFESS!” from the Messianic Murderer’s lips but NOMAD remains stoic and reaches his meaty arm backwards, grabbing firmly onto the bottom rope. Referee Quinn calls for the break again…
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! F... Poena breaks, turning to glare at the referee.
Steve Morrison: Rope break again.
Cross Recoba: NOMAD is showing some solid ring generalship. Always know where you are. Always know where your escape is.
As his opponent argues with the referee, NOMAD takes the opportunity to roll himself onto the ring apron. he carefully gets to a vertical base and deliberately catches Poena’s eye and as The Sanctified One turns to face him; The Wild Man from Washington throws a quick beckoning gesture with his hand. Poena turns, maybe a little enraged, and charges headlong at NOMAD. And the big man LOW BRIDGES THE TOP ROPE sending Poena tumbling out to the floor. NOMAD carefully treads down the ring steps and roughly grabs Poena of the ground, thrusting his shoulder into Poena’s breadbasket, ramming Poena back first into the ring apron. The Monstrous Mastodon lifts his arm high into the air and winds up a HUUUUUGE chop to Poena’s chest that sends his skin rippling. The crowd noise has begun to pick as NOMAD raises his arm again delivering a second enormous chop. NOMAD looks out around the crowd and with a single finger to his lips, not even a sound, he beckons for them to quieten down. When the noise has died down, NOMAD raises his arm again and the next chop can be heard from the next county over…
WHACK!
Steve Morrison: OK, I think that chop broke two of my ribs.
Cross Recoba: When NOMAD chops you your entire family feel it.
NOMAD dips his head a little, sizing up Poena for another attack, With a little effort, clearly using his undamaged right leg to take most of the effort, The Monster lifts up Poena and drapes his legs onto the ring apron. The vice like front chancery squeezes on Poena’s throat for a few seconds before NOMAD sits out, spiking Poena at a 45 degree angle right onto the ringside mats. Poena collapses to the floor and NOMAD calmly, almost too calmly, rolls back onto the ring and lets Big John put a count on…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE! Poena begins to stir… and NOMAD just rolls straight out and slings him under the bottom rope. The Violent Wanderer, well, wanders back into the ring to cause more violence.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD using every part of the arena to his advantage.
Cross Recoba: They call some people ring generals. NOMAD is possibly the finest whole venue general in wrestling.
In the ring, NOMAD backs off a step from where Poena is lying and lines himself up. He steps in deliberately, timing his blow for exactly when The Dark Messiah raises himself a little off the mat and connects flush with his leg into the base of Poena’s spine. NOMAD winces as the kick connects but the strike is still powerful and flattens Poena back to the mat. The Monster of the world takes a few seconds, feels the leg again and reaches down to haul Poena up by an arm. With a hard wrench, NOMAD sends Poena flying towards the ropes and awaits the rebound, catching Poena and pivoting on his good leg to smash The Sanctified One down to the mat with a swinging side slam. NOMAD makes the cover…
ONE!
TWO!
TH.. Poena kicks out. NOMAD barely acknowledges the referee as he continues his work.
Steve Morrison: How heavily has Poena’s damage to that leg affected NOMAD’s offense?
Cross Recoba: Well NOMAD is showing he’s adept at working round a problem. That’s something experience teaches you.
NOMAD stands again and backs off a few steps. He raises his arm to the sky, signalling for something arm related. Poena is slow to get up, possibly still a little dazed for this head interacting painfully with the thin layer of matting over pure concrete. NOMAD lines up as The Dark Messiah gets to a virtual a base and slowly turns… And The Monster of the World charges in, probably at about 75% of his true maximum speed due to the slight limp, and hits a VICIOUS, EVIL, NASTY, YOU HURT MY LEG, I BREAK YOUR FACE LAAAAAAAAAAAAARIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAATOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FROM HEEEEEEEEEEEELL! Poena does a full flip and the power, even at a lower velocity, is enough to send him flying.
Steve Morrison: LARIAT FROM HELL! LARIAT FROM HELL!
Cross Recoba: I’ve been on the wrong end of a few Lariats in my time. It’s never pleasant. Especially from a guy NOMAD’s size.
NOMAD drops to cover and John Quinn is in position quickly…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Poena lifts a shoulder. NOMAD rolls away, feels at the leg again and gets to his feet. He looks at Poena, eyes fixed on the precise position of his opponent and bows his head in thought while The Prophet of Pain slowly gets back to his feet. NOMAD circles Poena, making sure he can time his next burst while Poena’s head is at exactly the correct height and The Sultan of Suffering isn’t fully standing when NOMAD grabs a headlock. Slowly, carefully The Monster of the Masses turns Poena’s head over into a hangman’s neckbreaker position before letting go and, again using his good leg as a pivot, spins around and HITS A DISCUS ELBOW RIGHT TO THE OCCIPITAL LOBE SIDE OF POENA’S SKULL! Poena drops like a stone to the mat and NOMAD covers again…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… Poena kicks out again.
Steve Morrison: DIE HARD ELBOW! DIE HARD ELBOW!
Cross Recoba: And to clarify, the Die Hard Elbow IS a Christmas elbow.
NOMAD is usually not one for signalling things but you can read from the look in his eyes he wants this contest to end. He stomps his good foot on the canvas a couple of times to psych himself up and makes sure to wheel round so as Poena stands he’s in the perfect position for a front on assault. The Sanctified Sadist slowly gets back to his feet only to be stuffed roughly into a standing head scissors. With a calm, collected look on his face, NOMAD JACKS UP POENA INTO A CANADIAN BACKBREAKER…
Steve Morrison: SCORCHED EARTH!
..BUT HIS LEG BUCKLES A LITTLE AND HE HAS TO PUT POENA BACK DOWN! NOMAD curses and tries again, he lifts Poena up… AND POENA SLIPS DOWN HIS BACK TO AVOID THE MOVE. As quick as a flash Poena whips a calf height kick at NOMAD’s injured leg and the big man tucks it in in pain, wheeling on his good leg so he can fall backwards towards the nearest set of ropes. The Sanctified One smiles, maybe a little forced, maybe a genuine disturbed happiness and leaps into the air, tucking his legs in mid flight and crashing across NOMAD’s flat to the mat legs with the full force of his weight.
Steve Morrison: And just like that the momentum turns!
Cross Recoba: Wrestling is a momentum based industry. It’s easy to stay on top of a match. It’s harder to get there.
Poena opts not to go for a cover and rolls away, grinning to himself. He gets back to his feet and walks over to where NOMAD is laying, lifting up NOMAD’s legs and carefully threading his own between them. He looks around the audience who emit a hearty round of boos before twisting his body, turning a standing Indian Deathlock into a twisted, crooked version. NOMAD grits his teeth and emits a low, throaty groan as Poena grins madly and SCREAMS a request for a confession. Big John Quinn is in perfect position to check for a submission when he spots The Monster has reached out and grabbed the bottom rope again.
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIV… Poena breaks at the very last millisecond. Big John has some stern words about breaking hold with Poena who throws him a look of grim death, clearly annoyed.
Steve Morrison: Another close call for NOMAD’s leg health.
Cross Recoba: Over the course of a match all this damage adds up. Poena just has to make one of these submission stick.
Now looking to press home his advantage, Poena lifts NOMAD up, firing off a couple of sharp leg kicks to his injured side. The Dark One headbutts the man from Washington, firing himself up by causing a little pain to himself. He grabs for a loose arm and HURLS NOMAD across the ring with the big man getting about three quarters of the way over before collapsing under his own body weight and grasping at his leg, butt scooting across the mat to make more space between himself and Poena. The Sanctified One is a shark and he sure as hell smells blood in the water. He storms across the ring and holds up the injured leg again, Poena just sits out onto NOMAD’s mighty chest and grabs for the leg, hoisting it up, attempting to hyperextend the knee…This time the shout of “CONFESS!” is deeper, more angry, more… personal.
Steve Morrison: Knee Bar! Could this be it?
Cross Recoba: Look at NOMAD’s ring positioning again.
And Cross is right. Yet again NOMAD reaches one of those long, meaty arms out and grabs the bottom rope…
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!
Big John Quinn: BREAK IT UP! NOW!
This time John Quinn has to PHYSICALLY separate the pair, getting his hands dirty to keep the rules followed. Poena is nearly frothing at the mouth with rage by this point.
Steve Morrison: I think Poena is close to snapping.
Cross Recoba: I love NOMAD’s strategy here. It takes a ton of experience to learn the ring generalship skills The Monster of the World is showing. You wouldn’t expect someone with his size to have that cerebral aspect to his game.
Poena, clearly frustrated, stomps back over towards NOMAD and hauls him up to a vertical base. The Sanctified one throws another low kick which NOMAD blocks. He goes for a low front kick and NOMAD blocks that as well. Visibly fuming, Poena goes entirely mental with a blitz of forearms, chops, punches, kicks and knees, none of which have any great effect as NOMAD carefully backs up and blocks, backs up and blocks and backs up and block some more. Finally, Poena goes low and catches NOMAD out with a sweep that drops the big man back to the mat. Poena drops to a knee and grabs for NOMAD’s leg again, locking in a Calf Slicer… and AGAIN NOMAD GRABS THE BOTTOM ROPE!
ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!
Big John Quinn: BREAK IT UP! C’MON! BREAK IT!
The referee again is forced to physically separate the two combatants physically. Poena IMMEDIATELY squares up to him. Referee Quinn points to the badge on his shirt and Poena, his face crimson with anger, loudly seethes, emitting a low growling noise. Quinn jabs his finger out accumulatively at Poena… AND POENA GRABS HIS HAND.
Steve Morrison: Oh no. Nonononononononono.
Cross Recoba: I don’t like where this is going one bit.
The crowd goes silent, deathly silent as Poena twists the referee’s hand round so the fingers are pointing upwards. He places one hand around the index and middle fingers, the slides the restraining hand up to grab the pinkie and ring. No one is making a sound. And then…
SNAP!
Poena decides to attempt to spit the referee’s hand apart by its centreline. The 6’5 referee drops to the mat HOWLING in pain. Poena turns back to NOMAD and goes striaght for a full mount, laying in lefts and rights. NOMAD sweeps the legs and takes top position, laying in hammerfist after hammerfist, Mark Coleman style. Poena flips the pile again, going utterly HAM with wild, untamed strikes. NOMAD sweeps again and with top position starts laying down short forearms, driving his overdeveloped flexor digitorum repeatedly into Poena’s nose. The referee rolls out of the ring, holding his hand and limply signals for the bell.
DINGDINGDING!
Laura Messier: The winner of this match by DISQUALIFICATION, NOOOOOOOMAAAAAAAAAAAAD!
The two combatants in the ring aren’t letting a little thing like the match being stopped halt their little spree of violence. Punches and headbutts and forearms and elbows are thrown and keep being thrown until the surprisingly effective casino security comes out to separate the pair.
Crowd: LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!
Cross Recoba: I hear the crowd. And this will not be the last time these two competitors will meet.
Steve Morrison: WHAT AN ENDING!!
Cross Recoba: We’ve always known that Poena had that capability that…
Steve Morrison: …danger!
Cross Recoba: Exactly. I’m not a fan of disqualifications, I’d rather not have them at all but you cannot fault the match official, he did what he had to do and we saw him grow increasingly annoyed with Poena’s approach.
Steve Morrison: Can NOMAD call it a win?
Cross Recoba: It’s a win on paper but from every interaction I’ve had with Sloane, he’ll be confident he could have put it away.
Steve Morrison: One thing I am certain about though is your Match of the Night…
Cross Recoba: Without a doubt, NOMAD versus Poena. It was brutal, it was intense and if we overlook the finish - it delivered everything you’d want from a main-event in Tap Out Wrestling!
Steve Morrison: I don’t think many will argue. Now, I’ve watched you scribble down names and cross them out throughout the night. Planning for our next show proving difficult?
Cross Recoba: It’s a headache but it’s a great one to have. All I can confirm is that Tap Out Wrestling 4 will be coming to you from the same place as always on May 22nd!
Steve Morrison: You heard it here, fans! With us hitting time, all that’s left to say is see you on May 22nd and don’t forget to head online and vote for your Move of the Night. After tonight’s announcement, that half-point could be the difference between not-qualifying or giving someone an easier draw in the seedings!
Cross Recoba: We’ve always known that Poena had that capability that…
Steve Morrison: …danger!
Cross Recoba: Exactly. I’m not a fan of disqualifications, I’d rather not have them at all but you cannot fault the match official, he did what he had to do and we saw him grow increasingly annoyed with Poena’s approach.
Steve Morrison: Can NOMAD call it a win?
Cross Recoba: It’s a win on paper but from every interaction I’ve had with Sloane, he’ll be confident he could have put it away.
Steve Morrison: One thing I am certain about though is your Match of the Night…
Cross Recoba: Without a doubt, NOMAD versus Poena. It was brutal, it was intense and if we overlook the finish - it delivered everything you’d want from a main-event in Tap Out Wrestling!
Steve Morrison: I don’t think many will argue. Now, I’ve watched you scribble down names and cross them out throughout the night. Planning for our next show proving difficult?
Cross Recoba: It’s a headache but it’s a great one to have. All I can confirm is that Tap Out Wrestling 4 will be coming to you from the same place as always on May 22nd!
Steve Morrison: You heard it here, fans! With us hitting time, all that’s left to say is see you on May 22nd and don’t forget to head online and vote for your Move of the Night. After tonight’s announcement, that half-point could be the difference between not-qualifying or giving someone an easier draw in the seedings!
