TAP OUT WRESTLING 6: GORDON VS POENA II - LIVE!
Aug 31, 2022 13:40:27 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Dave D-Flipz, and 5 more like this
Post by Cross Recoba on Aug 31, 2022 13:40:27 GMT -5
PRESENTS
Date: 28th August 2022
Venue: Lansky Ballroom, The Sands Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Attendance: 850 (Capacity: 1000)
The show opens up to a roaring crowd inside the Lansky Ballroom at The Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Working on the presumption that habits are a sign of tradition and not lazy directing, our cameras pan round to show various signs:
Dino Bones for XHF President!
We want Razor Blade!
One-and-done Recoba!
Leave Eve, Pick Me, Adrien!
Bring Back Champoon!
We cut to ringside where our announcers, Steve Morrison and Cross Recoba standby.
Steve Morrison: WELCOME TO TAP OUT WRESTLING SIX!
Cross Recoba: Tonight we bring you a host of firsts.
Steve Morrison: The debuts of James Dragon, Sam Sawyer, and Jenna Cyde.
Cross Recoba: Our first-ever XHF title match…
Steve Morrison: And the first round of our tournament to crown the first Tap Out Wrestling Openweight champion!
Cross Recoba: Despite what Isabella thinks…
Steve Morrison: We’ll get to that but first, we have a tag-team match to kick things off featuring a returning James Dragon teaming up with former FIRESIDE Wildfire Champion, Sam Sawyer against Wildcat Capone and Jenna Scyde.
Cross Recoba: Our scouting team worked round the clock to bring the three new wrestlers onboard.
Steve Morrison: Wildcat will be hoping to build on his success last time out!
Cross Recoba: He held his own at the showcase tag-match at Supremacy and he’s in a good position. A LOT of questions surround which James Dragon we’re going to get!
Steve Morrison: He seems to have a more reckless attitude to him. What can we expect to see from him when the bell rings?
Cross Recoba: Based on what he released leading up to tonight, he seems embittered and that isn’t going to make Capone and Jenna’s life any easier.
Steve Morrison: Those two will surely be focusing on winning the match and in the case of Scyde and Sawyer, making an impression on the fans and the management of Tap Out!
Cross Recoba: They’ve missed out on the tournament but now all four competitors have some time to shine, build up some points and make a case for why they’ll be main-evening once the tournament concludes!
Steve Morrison: Then we have Jackalope taking on CAR’s Dino Bones for the XHF Phoenix title.
Cross Recoba: People questioned why I’d reward someone who failed to make the cut but Jackalope was SO close to making the eight-man tournament. Annoyingly for him, if he’d have had one less match or even just picked up a bonus point here or there - he’d be facing off against NOMAD and not Adrien!
Steve Morrison: Can he take Dino Bones?
Cross Recoba: Look, I don’t want to spend too long talking about Dino Bones and it’s not because he’s not my wrestler. He makes a mockery of what we present - sports. He’s a gimmick.
Steve Morrison: Can the gimmick beat Jackalope?
Cross Recoba: I’m hoping not, I saw careers made with the Phoenix title in AWF. Bloodied Fox was one person in particular who saw his career soar starting with capturing that belt!
Steve Morrison: What about the first of our tournament matches? We see Isabella von Krauss try to progress and keep her unbeaten record against Jason Long.
Cross Recoba: It’ll be an interesting match-up, you have von Krauss who will surely have some tricks up her sleeve against a highly-decorated wrestler in Long.
Steve Morrison: Has he had a full-camp? You must know that competing in one company whilst running another has its drawbacks.
Cross Recoba: I wouldn’t expect Long to come into a match of this importance without making sure he was primed and ready for it!
Steve Morrison: Whoever does win that match will be waiting to find out who their opponent is.
Cross Recoba: You can’t do a thing to change who you face and if you’re thinking about that before your match has begun, you’re in the wrong headspace.
Steve Morrison: One match that I have to say stood out for me is the first of our rematches as Jack Diamond and Close Collins reprise last month’s main-event.
Cross Recoba: Can Collins learn from his shortcomings? That’s the question. Diamond has had a rough month with the GUNS Fight Club tournament not going his way and people online think he still hasn’t gotten over his failure to capture the X*Crown.
Steve Morrison: With that in mind, can Collins take advantage?
Cross Recoba: That’s down to Close. Tuff will know the opportunity his son has and you’d think his preparation for tonight will be centered on taking advantage.
Steve Morrison: Diamond has looked sharp in the Tap Out ring since his return, what’s the Vegas line telling us about the fight?
Cross Recoba: Diamond is the easy favorite looking at the odds but don’t forget, Close had this problem when he faced off against Jason Long in his first-ever match and that win put him on a lot of people’s radars!
Steve Morrison: Then we get into what has to be the most intriguing match-up on paper. The undefeated NOMAD goes up against Adrien Cochrane.
Cross Recoba: I hate myself for saying this but Adrien isn’t as much of an underdog in this as people make out. He’s probably had one of the hardest runs in Tap Out on the roster and tonight, you know Eddie Walker and his team will have made sure he enters the ring with the best prep-work going.
Steve Morrison: He gives up a huge size difference but we’ve seen Cochrane thrive in these situations.
Cross Recoba: Just look at how he nearly stole the Fired Up tournament in AWF, Cochrane is a clutch wrestler.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD made no bones about having no love for his opponent, do you think that will shine through?
Cross Recoba: This match is two people who don’t give up. Adrien has shown that throughout his career and NOMAD was pushed to the limit to get the win against Erin Gordon.
Steve Morrison: Talking of Erin, she headlines tonight in a rematch against Poena. Will she be able to pull another win out of the bag tonight?
Cross Recoba: I speak from personal experience, Poena is a trip to prepare for. Erin knows this, she wore the wounds of her match against him going into the next show against NOMAD and people still say that Poena beat her in that match.
Steve Morrison: With her taking last month off, she comes in with a clean bill of health. You look at our roster and she is in the running for being the most powerful wrestler pound-for-pound.
Cross Recoba: She bested me in AWF. I lost to Card, I lost to Fox, I lost to her - it’s a short list but she’s on there and it’s because she makes up for a lack of size with unrelenting strikes and slams.
Steve Morrison: Poena will remember their last match but we’ve seen him amping up the crazy as the months have gone by. He snapped the fingers of Brandon McKay last month and he only interviewed him!
Cross Recoba: If Poena can keep himself from getting disqualified, he has a real chance tonight.
Steve Morrison: I’ve been trying to work out who I’d fancy to take the match and I’m coming up blank.
Cross Recoba: That makes two of us but remember this - Erin refused to leave her training camp to do any media commitments, I’d say she’s coming into this match focused on one thing and one thing alone, get past Poena and take a step closer to becoming the first-ever Tap Out Wrestling Openweight Champion!
Steve Morrison: In all, fans, this will be a huge show tonight! Kicking it off first, is Laura Messier ready to introduce our first match!
Laura Messier: WELCOME TO TAP OUT WRESTLING SIX! WE’RE PROUD TO BRING YOU HALF A DOZEN MATCHES THAT INCLUDE AN XHF PHOENIX TITLE MATCH AND FOUR MATCHES TO HELP DETERMINE WHO OUR FIRST OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION WILL BE….Our first match is a tag-team match, set for one-fall!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
The opening riff to Joy Division's 'Shadowplay' begins blaring and out comes James Dragon.
Steve Morrison: A former AWF United States Champion, those days may be past him but he’s back and taken off the ‘Where are they now?’ searches online!
Cross Recoba: You look at the competitors in the match and if we’re being brutally honest, the expectations lie with Dragon.
No fanfare and no emotion as he walks to the ring briskly. Fans either trying to touch him or yelling insults in his face as he passes by them, ambivalent.
To the centre of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you
To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you
Well I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you
In a room with a window in the corner I found truth.
Steve Morrison: He’s in no mood to engage with the crowd, he looks all business.
Cross Recoba: Just look at his expression, the intensity is etched on his face!
Well I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you
In a room with a window in the corner I found truth.
Steve Morrison: He’s in no mood to engage with the crowd, he looks all business.
Cross Recoba: Just look at his expression, the intensity is etched on his face!
The jeers or sympathetic applause do not let up as Dragon ascends the stairs and enters the ring, expression still a shadow. Only when he moves his back to the corner and flicks his hair up does he emote, letting out a short primal yell, eager to begin.
Steve Morrison: Can he and Sawyer make a team?
Cross Recoba: He’ll just want her to stay out of his way and get the win.
The arena lights dim as a synth bassline begins to play, the foggy neon on the tron becoming the main source of light.
Steve Morrison: I’ve seen people comment on her signing as one of the best low-key additions to an XHF Network company all year!
Cross Recoba: She got some glory in FIRESIDE but she was overshadowed by people like Burrows, Spike Kane, and MAJESTY. She knows that if she does well, she’ll get her time to shine!
The tension in the song starts to pick up, and upon reaching the climax, the first verse begins and the arena lights flash briefly before returning to a dim glow, now with the same neon colors as the tron.
Steve Morrison: Mixing speed with some technical chops, you’ve got to say that, in theory, her and Dragon complement the other’s style well.
Cross Recoba: It all comes down to what Dragon is in the ring now.
The fans cheer when Sam Sawyer walks out onto the stage, their face calm and focused. On their way down they slap the hand of every fan who offers, with a faint smile of gratitude.
Steve Morrison: It seems some of her fanbase have made it out to Vegas for her debut here tonight!
Cross Recoba: We were pleased to see A LOT of interest in when her Tap Out merchandise might come out and tonight it seems those people have come to support her!
They climb the steps and enter the ring, now focused entirely on the match ahead.
I don't give a fuck, I don't give a fuck
I don't give a, I don't give a, I don't give a fuck
The opening lines of the song play as we pan across the venue looking for That Stone Cold Killa.
I'm willin' to die for this shit
I done cried for this shit, might take a life for this shit
Put the Bible down and go eye for an eye for this shit
D.O.T. my enemy, won't catch a vibe for this shit, ayy
Steve Morrison: He brought his gameface today!
Cross Recoba: Dragon is a HUGE scalp for the rookie, he knows what’s up for grabs in this match.
The man known as Wildcat Capone is found kicking out a door on the upper decks of the arena. He comes with birds out, already pissed at the world. IRN FST goes down the stairs into hostile territory, fighting his way through the crowd. Pushing and shoving his way through the sea of humanity. He makes his way down the stairs and onto the floor. He continues antagonizing and fighting his way through the crowd. He gets over the barricade and gets a joint from behind his ear.
Damned if I do, if I don't (yuh)
Goddamn us all if you won't (yuh)
Damn, damn, damn, it's a goddamn shame
You ain't front line, get out the goddamn way
He lights it up and smokes it like a cigar as he paces back and forth. He walks around the ring, looking in. He walks up the steps before wiping off his feet and entering the ring. He flips off the fans once more, cursing at them and pulling out every cheap heat joke he can think of.
Steve Morrison: Seems he’s making friends with the SawyerZone.
Cross Recoba: He doesn’t care, you speak to him and he just wants the glory he wants to reach the top, there’s a hunger and desire in him that doesn’t account for making friends at the same time!
He stares daggers towards his opponents corner, going into his dead silent and fully focused.
Steve Morrison: Can he and Jenna get on the same page then?
Cross Recoba: Wildcat might be single-minded but he won’t risk the match. Every match you see him in, he gets better and better. It’s why I’ve no issue with his request to get more ring-time by appearing in Infinite Pro for a short while!
A curvy female silhouette appears in the entrance way shielded from our view by clouded glass as ‘Feelin’ myself’ by Nikki Minaj (feat. Beyoncé) begins. Her hips sway in a hypnotic rhythm with the music.
Transitioning from sexy to strong, the glass before the silhouette shatters as Nikki Minaj starts rapping and Jenna Scyde hits a full double bicep pose.
Steve Morrison: She certainly has the look to impress here in Tap Out Wrestling!
Cross Recoba: She’s confident, she knows that physically she can stand against anyone on the roster and tonight she gets to put that all on show in her debut here in Tap Out!
Boos, cheers and cat calls erupt from all corners of the arena, some loved her, some hated her…but they all watched her!
Strutting to the ring like a runway model, Jenna ignores outstretched hands in favour of signs made by young female fans and hopeful young men alike.
Mugging for the camera, Jenna makes sure to get her social accounts out there and remind everyone just who the true ‘it girl’ of wrestling is!
Passing the announce tables, Jenna is sure to remind them to “call my shit right”.
Steve Morrison: Confident might be an understatement…
Cross Recoba: Look at her MMA record, look at how many athletic records she set in track. Every thing she has done so far, she has excelled!
Stepping into the ring, the ‘genetically superior’ Jenna Scyde walks the ring like a red carpet, owning every inch.
Her arms are outstretched, daring the fans to show her that their favourite wrestler was half as good as her.
Her smirk is almost as chiseled as her physique as she soaks in the love and hate of the fans in equal measure. Jenna tests the ropes and shrugs her shoulders, she’s ready.
Steve Morrison: Dragon looks unimpressed.
Cross Recoba: When that bell rings, it’s where we get all the answers we need.
Laura Messier: Introducing our first team. Weighing a combined three-hundred-and-ninety-six pounds. JAMES DRAGON AND SAM…SAWYER!!
The two wrestlers confer with each other, perhaps planning their strategy for the match.
Laura Messier: And their opponents, weighing in at three-hundred-and-seventy pounds…WILDCAT CAPONE AND JENNA…SCYDE!!!
Capone points at the opposite corner as he tells his partner something.
OPENING MATCH
Tag-Team Match
James Dragon & Sam Sawyer vs Wildcat Capone & Jenna Scyde
Steve Tyrell is keen to get the match and the night underway. He signals to the two teams that they have just a few more moments to settle who will start the match for each team. Dragon is insistent that he start the match, leaving Sawyer to climb between the ropes. With the other team having made their decision, Capone and Scyde decide to match fire with fire, Jenna stepping through the ropes to leave the two men to open up proceedings.
Steve Morrison: This will be an interesting match of styles. Capone is a brawler through and through and Dragon’s made no bones about the fact he’s happy to stand and bang.
Cross Recoba: We could see a great technical display from him or we could see how sadistic the man has become.
*DING* *DING* *DING*
The two men head to the center of the ring and immediately begin exchanging right-hands, neither man getting the upper hand it seems.
Steve Morrison: Neither man giving any quarter from the word ‘go’. They’re throwing punches at a mile a minute.
Cross Recoba: Something has to give.
Perhaps telegraphing the strike too soon, Wildcat finds his punch evaded allowing The Waster to grab a side-headlock that he cinches in. James bears down on his opponent, making him carry the extra weight with the hold.
Steve Morrison: Notice how he is using his body to try and wear down his opponent.
Cross Recoba: Your brain is having the blood supply cut off and with that extra weight, you’re going to lose a lot of energy and momentum along with it.
A quick trio of jabs to the head give Dragon the window to spin him over with a side-headlock takedown.
Steve Morrison: Still holding on, he takes him to the mat.
Cross Recoba: Still unloading those punches though.
Tyrell is quick to spot the closed fists that follow.
Steve Morrison: Steve Tyrell has picked up on that.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE…
FOUR…
Cross Recoba: But those extra four seconds, what do they count for with the punches thrown?
Steve Morrison: Those rabbit-style punches did well not to cut open the head of Capone.
Dragon stops with the punches and brings his man up to his feet. He still holds the headlock and uses it to rake Capone’s eyes over the top rope.
Cross Recoba: Dragon isn’t interested in wrestling just yet.
Steve Morrison: Both men were vocal in the build-up and you have to wonder if the rookie got under the skin of The Waster.
Tyrell tries to instil order but Dragon only laughs and shakes his head. He lets go of the headlock and spins with a lifting knee that rocks the jaw of Capone as he rises. Pushing him back into the corner, James cuts off the ring for him.
Steve Morrison: Veteran move there, he has him penned in.
Cross Recoba: So much in tag wrestling relies on your ability to cut off the ring for your opponent.
A succession of swift forearms to the head follow before he drags his man from the corner and throws him into his team’s corner.
Steve Morrison: Could we see Sawyer in the ring?
Sawyer is quick to grab the tag as she steps into the ring.
Cross Recoba: She gave him little choice.
Capone gets to his feet but finds himself immediately trapped in a waistlock. Sawyer takes him to the ground and pops up before driving a knee to the head of her opponent.
Steve Morrison: Pound-for-pound, Sawyer may be up there with Gordon.
Cross Recoba: She raised a few eyebrows in FIRESIDE, it’s what made it an easy decision to bring her on board here.
Lifting him back up, she measures him for a chop to the throat and follows up with a European Uppercut that has the Lexington native off-balance. She spins for a Discus punch…CAPONE DUCKS AND HITS A GERMAN SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: Wildcat pulled that suplex from nowhere!
Cross Recoba: We saw what he could do against Tommy Strychnine last month, he’ll want to impress tonight!
Steve Morrison: I’ve heard reports he’s in the building tonight but he’s not booked.
Cross Recoba: Then that’s what I’ll end up dealing with after the show, I can’t say he would be too happy that I benched him.
Getting to his corner, he tags in Scyde who catapults herself over the top-rope and into the ring, Grabbing Sawyer, she lifts her up and plants her down with a body slam that is quickly followed up by a leg-drop.
Steve Morrison: Now we can see what Jenna can do inside the ring.
Cross Recoba: She’s a triple-threat. A former MMA fighter, incredibly talented inside the ring AND she exuded star quality when Laura Messier interviewed her.
Steve Morrison: Laura didn’t seem like she had much choice in my eyes.
Cross Recoba: You can’t help but pay attention to her.
Grabbing the front-facelock while her opponent is still grounded, Jenna pulls her opponent up to her feet before lifting her up in a suplex.
Steve Morrison: Smooth lift, could this be the first sighting of that delayed Jackhammer?
Sawyer drops down the back and heads to the ropes…SHE LIFTS UP JENNA AND DUMPS HER ON HER HEAD LIKE JONAH LOMU!
Cross Recoba: What a dump tackle!
Steve Morrison: Explosive power and Sawyer wants to be in control it seems.
Jenna gets to her feet but Sawyer lifts her in a side-waistlock…SAITO SUPLEX!
Steve Morrison: Both women showing crisp in-ring skills tonight!
Cross Recoba: This is a match where they’ve made people want to see it. We always go on about the opening match being as important as the main-event in Tap Out, these two are looking like they want to live up to the tradition!
She goes for a pin…
ONE…
T-
The woman from Miami Beach kicks out!
Steve Morrison: It’ll take more than that to put Jenna away.
Looking for a swift head kick, the former FIRESIDE Wildfire Champion finds nothing but air as Scyde cartwheels out of the way of the kick. Turning aroung Sawyer can do little but be taken down by a dropkick.
Steve Morrison: Great evasion turned offense.
Cross Recoba: These two in a singles match would be box office.
Jenna stays on the front foot, she throws a snug forearm to the head and backs her opponent into the ropes. Irish whip…POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!!
Steve Morrison: Explosiveness of her own there!
Cross Recoba: You know Va’aiga will be raising an appreciative eye to that one!
She leans back for the pin…
ONE…
TW-
KICKOUT!
Steve Morrison: That tenacity that drove Sawyer to title glory in FIRESIDE is still alive.
Cross Recoba: It’s difficult to read which way the match might swing right now.
Both women get to their feet and Sawyer immediately goes for a small package…
ONE…
T-
Scythe pivots to turn it into a pin of her own.
ONE…
TW-
Sawyer kicks out!
Steve Morrison: Is this posturing? Both women keen to show they can match the other.
Cross Recoba: With the tournament freezing out half the roster you get these matches and you HAVE to make sure you make people notice you.
With both fighters now standing, Sam throws another kick but this time Scyde contorts her body like Neo in the Matrix. She throws a straight right that connects with Sawyer’s jaw.
Steve Morrison: Scyde going back to her former life as a yoga instructor to get out of that one.
Cross Recoba: It’s what made her such a force inside the cage.
She spins her opponent round and looks for a back-suplex but Sawyer evades the move and nails Scyde with a Russian Legsweep. She rolls through and keeps the legs hooked…
Steve Morrison: Nice reversal from Sawyer.
Cross Recoba: I think I know where this is going…
MUTA LOCK!!!
Steve Morrison: She has that hold locked in!
Jenna finds herself in trouble as Sawyer has the move hooked in without any hesitation. Arching her back, Sawyer increases the torque with each stretch.
Cross Recoba: Notice how she’s increasing the angle of the way her back is arched. Each degree that goes is more power and pain delivered into the hold.
CAPONE RUSHES THE RING AND BOOTS SAWYER IN THE BACK TO BREAK THE HOLD!
Steve Morrison: Wildcat makes the save for his team!
Cross Recoba: We saw at Supremacy that Wildcat will have no hesitation in breaking up a situation that could cost his team the match,
Tyrell is quick to usher Wildcat out of the ring.
Steve Morrison: The ref wasted no time getting him out of the ring.
Sawyer debates her next move and tags in Dragon.
Cross Recoba: What can Dragon do to slow down Jenna Sycde?
Dragon uses Wildcat’s hesitancy to vacate the ring to bite the head of Scyde with no fear of being seen by the referee.
Steve Morrison: He’s taking liberties!
Cross Recoba: Veteran move right there!
He lifts Jenna to her feet but she catches him with a jawbreaker that staggers him and follows it up WITH A BICYCLE THRUST KICK!!!
Steve Morrison: She nearly took his head off!
With her opponent grounded, Scyde leaps to the top-turnbuckle.
Cross Recoba: She’s stepping out of her comfort zone, this could be huge…
SAWYER SWEEPS HER LEGS WITH JUMPING ENZIGURI TO HER KNEE!
Steve Morrison: This time Sawyer makes sure that her team remain in the match!
With Jenna now perched precariously on the top-rope, Dragon leaps to the middle turnbuckle and tucks her head between his legs…
Cross Recoba: This is not going to be good.
Steve Morrison: He just lifted her up.
HE JUMPS BACKWARDS!!!
Steve Morrison: NO….
TOP ROPE TIGER BOMB!!
Cross Recoba: That HAS to be it!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
CAPONE BREAKS UP THE PIN!!
Steve Morrison: Once more Wildcat keeps Scyde in it!
Cross Recoba: He has company though…
Sawyer rushes the ring but Wildcat drops her with a headbutt. Turning his attention to Dragon he lands another headbutt..
Steve Morrison: Two stiff headbutts…
BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY!!
Capone drags his partner on top of Dragon and rolls out the ring.
ONE…
TWO…
DRAGON KICKS OUT!!!
Cross Recoba: That kickout might be all Dragon has in him right now.
Steve Morrison: Jenna didn’t seem to know too much about the pin herself.
Being roused by the kickout, Jenna gets to her feet with a slightly unsureness. Dragon spots it and charges at his opponent with an outstretched arm…SHE DUCKS THE LARIAT….BLUE THUNDER BOMB!!!
Steve Morrison: Jenna pulls a HUGE move out the bag!
She decides against the pin and rolls backwards to tag in Capone.
Cross Recoba: Wise move to tag out now, Dragon is vulnerable and Capone is the fresher fighter.
Dragon, now back to his feet, unloads with a European Uppercut to rock Capone. He retaliates with one of his own. Both men now trading blows…
Steve Morrison: We’re back to the start as neither man showing any sign of relenting.
Cross Recoba: Plenty of fighting spirit in the ring right now!
A HEADBUTT FROM DRAGON!! CAPONE STUMBLES BACK INTO THE ROPES….ROLLING KOPPU KICK!!!!
Steve Morrison: ONE LESS BITCH!!
Cross Recoba: He levelled him!
He drops to his knees to pin BUT SAWYER RUSHES THE RING WITH A SHINING WIZARD KICK THAT STOPS THE ATTEMPT!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT AN INTERCEPTION FROM SAWYER!!!
Cross Recoba: She drove that Shining Wizard straight through his face!
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME!
Sawyer rolls out of the ring to her corner before Jenna can enter the ring.
Steve Morrison: Sam was quick to make sure she was back where she should be before Tyrell or Scyde could stop her.
Both men are down but moving. Capone uses the middle-rope to get to his feet and measures the rising Dragon….ROARING ELBOW!!
Steve Morrison: Huge impact!
He follows it up with a boot to the gut…PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!!
Cross Recoba: Surely Capone and Scyde have it now!
He covers…
ONE…
SAWYER RUSHES IN…
TWO…
SCYDE CUTS HER OFF WITH A SNAP DDT
TH-
DRAGON GETS AN ARM UP!!
Steve Morrison: James refusing to be beaten!
Cross Recoba: He needs to get Sawyer in soon.
Capone gets in the face of Tyrell but finds no sympathetic ear from the referee.
Steve Morrison: The rookie perhaps taking his eye off the ball here…
He turns around and ducks a wild punch from Dragon, lifting up the former AWF United States Champ AND SLAMMING HIS HEAD INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
Cross Recoba: Dragon finds himself in enemy territory.
Jenna screams for the tag and gets it.
Steve Morrison: Jenna Scyde gets back into the match!
She leaps over the ropes with a slingshot elbow drop that finds its mark.
Cross Recoba: Crisp impact.
Lifting up Dragon, she hooks the arms…
Steve Morrison: Is she looking for her Genocide finisher?
DRAGON LIFTS HER OVER HIS SHOULDERS IN A MODIFIED BACK BODY DROP!!
Cross Recoba: Dragon did well there but what has he got left in the tank?
Jenna rolls to her feet but Dragon uses his experience to grab a waistlock….GERMAN SUPLEX!! He hangs on and rolls to his feet.
Steve Morrison: HUGE SUPLEX!!
He reaches around….RIPCORD FLATLINER!!!
Cross Recoba: He spiked her near enough straight on her head!
Hooking her arms, Dragon flips forward….CATTLE MUTILATION!!!!
Steve Morrison: If you watched Ascension Wrestling, you know what this is.
CAPONE RUSHES THE RING, SAWYER HAS THE SAME IDEA!!
Cross Recoba: Can he keep the hold in?
SAWYER THROWS CAPONE OVER THE TOP ROPE!!!
Steve Morrison: Wildcat spills to ringside!
Scyde is struggling in the hold. Tyrell asks her if she wants to quit but she shakes her head.
Steve Morrison: Jenna finds herself in the middle of the ring, no rope to grab and no hope that I can see of breaking this submission.
Cutting to Sawyer, she’s on the top-rope….
Cross Recoba: This could be big…
DOUBLE-ROTATION MOONSAULT TO CAPONE ON THE OUTSIDE!!!!
Steve Morrison: SAWYERSAULT!!!!!
Cross Recoba: That just silenced the crowd!
Still trapped in the hold, Jenna looks in agony. Dragon takes an unusual move and releases the hold.
Steve Morrison: Is he toying with her?
Cross Recoba: We’ve seen how agile and adept she is at adapting to her situation, if you’re puling for Dragon you must be praying he knows what he’s doing.
He rolls her to her feet….GOD’S LAST GIFT!!
Steve Morrison: SIN FORTUNA!
Cross Recoba: He’s not gone for the head stomp stoppage route. He has the cradle!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Laura Messier: Your winners of this match….SAM SAWYER AND JAMES…DRAGON!!!
Steve Morrison: Wildcat and Jenna put on a hell of an effort but the wily veteran managed to overcome them.
Cross Recoba: You’d almost argue that the loss is better for them. If they’d beaten Dragon it’d be excused as he’s a shadow of himself but after tonight? Dragon is back and both Scyde and Capone are going to walk out of this knowing that, on another day, they’d have had this match.
Steve Morrison: Sam Sawyer showed what she can do inside the ring and you’d fancy her chances in any match she faces next.
Cross Recoba: This match makes for an extremely pleasant booking headache.
Steve Morrison: Exactly, and that’s how we’ve kicked off proceedings tonight. I can promise you that if you think this is the peak of the mountain then you haven’t seen a thing yet!
Cross Recoba: That’s right, we have Jackalope contesting for the XHF Phoenix title next.
Steve Morrison: Where he’ll face offf against Dino Bones.
Cross Recoba: Don’t get me started.
Steve Morrison: We’ll be right back with that after this…
Laura Messier: The following contest is scheduled for one fall, has a twenty minute time limit, and is for the XHF Phoenix Championship!
The opening chords of Big Shot slam into the speakers, bringing the fans to their feet as Jackalope charges through the curtain.
Steve Morrison: Who doesn’t love Kid Cryptid?
Cross Recoba: Jackalope has really captured the hearts of the TOW fans.
He runs full tilt down the ramp and slides into the ring, rolling to his feet and spinning like a dervish as he soaks everything in.
Cross Recoba: Even though the Chaos Bunny didn’t qualify for the Openweight tournament, with reactions like that, you know the champion emerges he’ll be right on their radar.
Steve Morrison: Those that did qualify have a long road ahead of them, but tonight Jackalope might well be the first TOW star to strike gold.
He finally slows enough to mount a turnbuckle, a grin on his face as he salutes the fans before backflipping to the mat again.
Steve Morrison: Never missing a beat! That’s our Jackalope.
Cross Recoba: I actively sought out this global shot, and have full confidence in Jackalope’s ability to claim it for Tap Out.
Light piano music sets a sophisticate tone as a single classy spotlight moves up to the entrance curtains. All attention turns to the stage, as the crowd wonders who this reserved entrance is for-
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The camera pans away from the entrance, following the blood curling screams into the crowd. A section of the audience has started to panic, fleeing from the source of the disturbance. Anyone who doesn't backpedal fast enough is knocked through the air as that prehistoric menace rampages through the audience towards the ring. There has to be a precedent for this vicious fan treatment. Japan.
Steve Morrison: And here comes the Phoenix champion, what a beast.
Cross Recoba: In fairness, when I first thought about hosting an XHF title fight, I really thought we were going to get Redmond Fury...
The George Clinton cover of "Walk the Dinosaur" pumps over the PA system, to add an extra level of warning for those damned souls with seats between The Dread Lord and the ring.
Steve Morrison: Well Fury’s twice Jackalope’s size too-
Cross Recoba: Yeah, but he’s a wrestler. I mean Tap Out is about wrestling, not, whatever it is that Dinosaur Bones is...
Both Jackalope and the referee have to bail, as Bones rampages into the ring. The Dread Lord’s handler, “Tumbleweed” Bill Stokes tries to entice him into a far corner with McNuggets.
Steve Morrison: It could have been the Gobbeldygooker.
Cross Recoba: I refuse to consider this a silver lining.
The camera turns to Laura for introductions, when “Gunwalk” by Lil Wayne starts blasting over the PA system. Surely the repetition of the word GUN doesn’t make the rest of the lyrics any more appropriate a theme for MAGNUS of all people. The rival promoter gets a less than warm welcome from the TOW faithful. Ignoring the few fans that reach out for high fives, the GUNS owner shoots the competitors a dirty look before joining the announce position.
Steve Morrison: Magnus! This is a pleasant surprise; to what do we owe this visit?
Magnus: My top singles title is being defended by a CARS mechanic against a TAP OUT worker... someone needed to be here to actually represent GUNS.
Cross Recoba: Yeah, I saw how you represented GUNS at Night of Champions-
Magnus: I have no idea what you’re-
Cross Recoba: We all saw you rob The New Age Killers, screwing them over so The Guns could keep the tag belts! Well if you think you’re going to do something like that to poor Jackalope, you’ve got another thing coming!
Magnus: Have you been drinking? Jackalope wins the strap he has to defend it in GUNS, no one would be happier than me if he pulls it off.
As the announcers continue to bicker, the camera returns to Messier.
Laura Messier: Introducing first, the challenger! Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada...Standing at five-feet and nine-inches, he is The Chaos Bunny.... JACKALOPE!!
Beyond the usual hometown MASSIVE POP, the TOW faithful cheer all the louder for Jackalope at the prospect of putting down this CAR menace.
Laura Messier: And his opponent, the champion! Coming to us from the La Brea Tar Pits of Los Angeles, California... standing at seven-feet and four-inches, he is The Dread Lord...
DINOSAUR BONES!!!
The crowd throw food at the monster, who considers this a form of encouragement.
XHF PHOENIX TITLE MATCH
Singles Match
Dino Bones (c) vs Jackalope
As the bell rings, Jackalope shoots in on the distracted Bones – only to have his head nearly taken off by an unconscious tail swipe. Ducking under the large appendage, the smaller star follows through the momentum to cartwheel backwards. Both cryptids now facing one another, they go for a bow-and-elbow tie-up, which given the size difference is incredibly brave on Jackalope’s part. This attempt at a Recoba approved style of wrestling immediately goes sideways, as Bones attempts to bite the Chaos Bunny. Letting go of the neck, Jackalope backsteps away from a bite, then another, then another. The prospect of raw cryptid meat having worked Bones into a feeding frenzy, it’s all Jackalope can do to bob and weave away from the sharp mouth of the lumbering beast.
Steve Morrison: Huge size difference between these competitors, Jackalope is going to have to use his superior speed to stay a few steps ahead if he doesn’t want to end up dinner.
Cross Recoba: All I wanted was an XHF branded title, contested in an actual WRESTLING match, was that too much to ask for?
Magnus: I’m not seeing Bones trying to run Jackalope over with The DominiCruiser, so I’d say you got lucky.
Steve Morrison: It must have been Big Bone’s weekend to borrow those sweet wheels.
As Cross snorts indignantly at his good luck that The Sands makes it difficult to drive into the Lansky Ballroom, in the ring Jackalope continues his amazing athletic display, dodging the dinosaur skeleton with the ballsy skill of a matador. Side stepping another chomp, Jackalope cartwheels away from the follow-up bite, before having to shift his weight to matrix under another tail swipe. As the dracolich continues to cut the ring in half, much of Jackalope’s efforts to stay away should be awkward as hell, yet much to the audience’s delight, the Chaos Bunny makes it look like poetry in motion.
Steve Morrison: With Bones an actual reptile, we have never seen a contest literally closer to the tortoise and the hare.
Cross Recoba: Hang on Steve, the turtle wins that one.
Steve Morrison: Really? I forgot.
Magnus: Seriously Steve, read the room – get on team Rabbit.
Steve Morrison: Sorry.
In between evasion, Jackalope manages to lay in a few strikes – but if the dracolich feels them, he’s not letting on. Realizing he needs to build momentum to make a dent on the giant calcium deposit, Jackalope starts charging into the ropes with a purpose. Ducking another tail attack, Kid Cryptid runs into the ropes, rebounding off he’s forced to roll under a stomp, but keeps the speed up. Heading into the opposite ropes, Jackalope dives into second rope, using the height to leap frog over the hungry mouth of the lizard. Landing on the bigger opponent’s back, Jackalope runs down his curved spine – using the tail as a bridge to hop onto the tope rope, he then rebounds off with a springboard frog splash!
Steve Morrison: BIG FROG SPLASH!
Magnus: Right into Bones’ mouth!
Steve Morrison: BONES SNATCHING JACKALOPE OUT OF THE AIR WITH A BITE TO THE MIDSECTION! HE’S DAMN NEAR BITING THE CHAOS BUNNY IN HALF!
Having finally caught the rare delicacy he’s been drooling over for weeks, Dinosaur Bones digs his razor sharp teeth into Jackalope’s abdomen. The amount of blood gushing out onto the front row is excessive; looking more like the sprinklers used in older chanbara films. Bones shakes Jackalope violently, trying to eat the fight right out of him. While it isn’t uncommon for the beast to get his teeth into an opponent for a suplex, this dramatic angle is tearing far more flesh. It also resembles a front-faced argentine backbreaker rack. So as Bones shakes the life out of Jackalope, the referee has no choice but ask the Chaos Bunny if he submits.
Magnus: I don’t think Bones is looking to apply a rack, just get his five a day, but it’s being treated as a submission attempt.
Cross Recoba: Jackalope shaking his head emphatically no, defiant despite the pain!
Steve Morrison: What intestinal fortitude!
Magnus: Bones bites any deeper, and we’ll literally see Jackalope’s intestinal fortitude spill out onto the canvas!
Though finding it difficult to ground himself through the dizzying ride, Jackalope manages to snap off a knee strike to the skull. It doesn’t slow down the assault, but provides some hope, and a target for another dozen strikes.
Magnus: Jackalope has done his homework, Bones still recovering from having his skull cracked at the XHF Birthday Bash.
Steve Morrison: Still no sign of Bones letting go of the hold, but it’s Jackalope’s best bet.
In between knees, Jackalope finally manages to get a foot on the ropes – and even though it’s the top rope, the referee sees this as a valid reason to force a rope break. Only Bones is oblivious to basic rules, and holds onto the bite. This draws a five count, which Bones seems to ignore. Finally, the referee sheepishly puts his hands on Bones’ jaw, trying to force them open. This interruption is more annoying than the counting, and an enraged Bones finally lets his meal drop to the canvas, to go after the irritating ref.
Steve Morrison: Jackalope free, but the damage has been done.
Cross Recoba: Bleeding heavily from the midsection, favouring his ribs. Trying to assess the damage, as Bones chases the referee out of the ring. That’s worth a disqualification in my book.
Magnus: The title only changes hands with a pin or submission, you want a DQ?
Cross Recoba: This isn’t about me.
As the referee takes a breather on the floor, Bones turns his hollow eyes back to the delicious horned hare. Using the ropes to pull himself up, Jackalope cradles his stomach, using his hand to try to slow the bleeding. Howling at the ceiling, in a pose that is reminiscent of Jurassic Park, Bones is once again on the hunt – charging at his injured prey.
Steve Morrison: EXTINCTION LOVES COMPANY!
Magnus: Not yet, Jackalope getting a-
Steve Morrison: UNLUCKY RABBIT’S FOOT!
Magnus: Kick lands at the last second – connecting with the nose!
Even breaking the spear attempt, the force behind it is enough to knock Jackalope back – sending him flying over the ropes. Still hanging onto the top rope, The Chaos Bunny spins over, landing on the apron. Bending over so his tiny T-rex arms can hold his nose in pain, Dinosaur Bones seems taken aback at the food getting violent. Rubbing his nose like a child, trying to distract from the sting, Bones suddenly leaps forward trying to bite another piece out of Jackalope. Hanging onto the rope, Jackalope is again able to lean back and avoid the deadly jaws. Once again going into a feeding frenzy, Bones starts climbing the ropes trying to get closer for a bite.
Steve Morrison: Bones leaning over the top, standing on the middle rope to try and devour Jackalope!
Magnus: It’s AMAZING they are holding his weight. Where do you buy your rings?
Cross Recoba: What’s amazing is that that stupid hulk hasn’t destroyed the ring yet. We have other matches to run!
As Bones leans further over, Jackalope sudden yanks down harder – throwing off the larger competitor’s balance. This is just enough to send Bones crashing over to the outside, trying to avoid being crushed, Jackalope rolls under the bottom rope.
Steve Morrison: METEOR CRASH MISSES!
Magnus: Bones landing hard on the outside, eating concrete! COME ON, JACKALOPE!
Cross Recoba: Really Magnus, it’s throwing off the commentary to have us all cheering on Jackalope. The audience hates you anyway, can’t you pull for Bones?
Magnus: No chance! Jackalope all the way. That Chaos Bunny picks up the Phoenix belt, and I’ll have him defending in so many five star classics that he won’t have time for Tap Out.
Recoba’s eyes narrow as it dawns on him, he may be pulling for Bones. As Bones struggles to get up, the referee abandons the safety of the outside to return to the ring. No sooner is he in, then the referee starts a ten count. ONE! Still holding his midsection, Jackalope charges along the apron – diving off to catch Bones with a moonsault DDT onto the concrete. TWO! The dracolich slumps into a pile like Dry Bones in Mario 3. THREE! Still trying to hold his guts in place, Jackalope slowly staggers up to his feet. FOUR! Noticing the ten count, Jackalope struggles to climb back into the ring, sliding under the bottom rope to reset the count.
Magnus: Jackalope mindful of the referee, wins over Bones are rare and beautiful things, but the title can’t change hands on a countout. Back in the ring now and-
Steve Morrison: SLINGSHOT SOMERSAULT LEG DROP TO THE OUTSIDE!!!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope a bloody mess, but the big moves on the concrete seem to be taking their toll on Bones!
ONE! Hearing the count again, Jackalope tries to lift the downed champion, when he discovers a problem with this outside the ring offence. TWO! The beast weighs a damned ton. The Chaos Bunny tries to use both hands to lift Bones, but the effort just causes a stream of blood to shoot out of a tooth mark on his left side. THREE! Not there for a count out either, “Tumbleweed” Bill Stokes lends a hand. As Jackalope tries to drag Bones up the steel steps by his tail, and gets no where, Stokes produces a McNugget which he holds under the big undead lizard’s nose like smelling salts. FOUR! Still hanging onto the tail, Jackalope finds himself tail swiped into the Spanish announcer’s table. FIVE!
Steve Morrison: SPANISH ANNOUNCER TABLE DOESN’T BREAK!
Magnus: Must be made of the same material as the ring ropes. I swear the laws of physics don’t apply in this casino.
Cross Recoba: You’re the one that brought the damned zombie T-Rex.
Magnus: Actually you brought him here; I’m only present to make sure you two don’t make the Phoenix title look bad. And scout Jackalope for a GUNS contract.
As Cross tries his damnedest to stifle a vulgarity laden rant, Dinosaur Bones HULKS UP with the power of prayer... and McNuggets. SIX! Leg caught on a monitor cable; Jackalope struggles to free himself, while perfectly set-up on the unbroken table. A thought running through Bones’ pea sized brain – if the skeleton wasn’t permanently smiling, it would be now.
Steve Morrison: SPACE FLYING TIGER DROP!!!
Cross Recoba: Steve that’s not a-
Steve Morrison: It’s what Bones calls it!
Magnus: Not that it matters, because Jackalope gets out of the way – leaving Bones to take out the Española signal!
Flailing with his tiny arms, Bones tries to free himself from the table. Walking over to the timekeeper’s table, Jackalope picks up a roll of duct tape, and tries to patch up the worst of his midsection bleeding.
Magnus: That is going to be a bitch to take off.
Cross Recoba: Given how much blood Jackalope has lost, it’s amazing he’s still in this thing. We all knew he had a lot of heart, but toughing it out like this?
Steve Morrison: What a trooper!
SEVEN! It’s clear the referee has slowed down his ten count, but this number draws Jackalope’s attention away from the makeshift triage. No sooner has Bones freed himself from the table, then Jackalope charges in – grabbing the neck, and sending both through what is left of the wreckage with a...
Steve Morrison: HOLD-OUT PISTOL THROUGH THE TABLE!
Magnus: That’s some gun!
No sooner do the two leave a cloud of splinters and wood dust in the air, then Jackalope is sent flying out of it with a nasty backdrop. EIGHT! Trying to shake pieces of table out of his mouth, a furious Bones is once again on the attack.
Steve Morrison: Another Extinction Love Company attempt, but Jackalope leap frogs out of the way, leaving only steel steps!
The running headbutt dislodges the steel steps, almost sending them flying into the crowd. NINE!
Steve Morrison: We’re getting dangerously close to a ten count.
Magnus: Not like this-
Realizing the count, Jackalope starts to head under the bottom rope – only to be stopped by Bones, who bites him on the shoulder.
Steve Morrison: TORN ASUNDER!
Cross Recoba: That bite suplex sends Jackalope flying back into the ring.
Magnus: That’s one way to break the ten count.
In the ring, Jackalope rolls around in pain, painting the canvas red, while Bones methodically follows him in. Stalking up behind Kid Cryptid, the hungry beast starts to set up the finish. Stomping on the canvas with a QUAKE, that actually shakes the mat enough to help Jackalope up.
Magnus: Look out behind-
Cross Recoba: Bones charging forward for a-
Steve Morrison: CRESCENT MOON MEMORIES!!!
Just as Bones launches himself for the bicycle tail strike, Jackalope closes the gap. Is unlikely the smaller athlete could dead lift the beast, but in the air he can direct the trajectory – and turns it into a...
Steve Morrison: TIGER DRIVER!!
ONE!
TWO!
Cross Recoba: The referee claiming Bones is in the ropes.
Magnus: Come on ref, that’s just his tail! Where do you find these morons?
Cross Recoba: If you’re going to be verbally abusive to my staff, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.
Magnus: With an attitude like that, don’t look to GUNS for a contract when IPW gets sick of you.
Cross Recoba: Like I’d ever step foot in GUNS.
Magnus: Oh right, you’d only drop in when Sainovic is busy at a global show.
Cross Recoba: What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Steve Morrison: FLYING SHINING WIZARD!
Apparently the professional of the announce crew; Morrison tries to focus on the match – where Jackalope leaps off the top with a shining wizard, only to get hit with a tailspin.
Steve Morrison: HYAKURETSUKYAKU!
Outside the ring, Bill Stokes pleads with Bones to pin Jackalope – this is all new territory to Bones, who looks puzzled for a moment, before bringing a massive foot down onto Jackalope’s chest.
Steve Morrison: STOMP!
ONE!
TWO!
Cross Recoba: Liftng the foot. What is he doing?
Magnus: He thinks his manager is telling him to dance.
Cross Recoba: Your circus is ruining my show!
Magnus: It’s NOT MY CIRCUS, and you need no help from us!
As the announcers are ready to come to blows, Bones grows tired of Stokes pestering and decides to eat Jackalope again. Unfortunately when he looks back down the Chaos Bunny is nowhere to be seen. Confused, Bones turns just in time to see Kid Cryptid again dive off the top-
Steve Morrison: EL-AHRAIRAH DDT!!
The crowd erupt as Jackalope hits his springboard shooting star DDT – only as he wraps the arm around the neck in midair, Bones manages to use his tail in the ropes as a counter weight, and put the breaks on. Jackalope keeps the neck hooked, but Bones is able to twist it so that his gapping maw is once again lined up with the TOW superstar’s grisly midsection. Bones is about to bite, when Jackalope extends his knees, forcing the mouth open. Cranking back on the neck, Kid Cryptid is able to hit a variation on the DDT.
Cross Recoba: Aren’t you already at war with J-RoK, do you really need to fight on two fronts?
Magnus: Stop comparing me to Hitler, you wannabe gangster! Though given the casinos you haunt, maybe Cher impersonator would be more apt.
Cross Recoba: You’re making bets you can’t cover.
Steve Morrison: Champion and challenger locked in the throes of death!
Dinosaur Bones teeth are wedged into the canvas, his mouth forced wide open on the DDT attempt. Between his throat and the mat, is Jackalope who has turned the attempted impact into a choke. As Kid Cryptid desperately tries to choke the life out of the undead monster, Bones’ insatiable appetite is past worrying about chewing, and is trying to push all his weight down in an effort force Jackalope up his throat.
Cross Recoba: Bones small arms unable to break the choke, Jackalope has him!
Magnus: But Jackalope’s arms across the mat – that’s a cover...
ONE!
TWO!
The bell rings.
Magnus: That wasn’t three.
Cross Recoba: You can count, but can you take a hint.
Laura Messier: Ladies and gentlemen, the allotted time for this defence has expired, referee Danny Dodds has no choice but to declare it a time limit draw.
Chants of bullshit are soon replaced with cries of five more minutes.
Magnus: Damn it.
Steve Morrison: The title can’t change hands on the time limit, so CAR’s Dinosaur Bones is still the XHF Phoenix champion.
Magnus: Looks like I’m still stuck with Bones.
Cross Recoba: Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. While all the Jackalope fans will be disappointed, it was an impressive challenge.
Magnus: And how. When Bones made a name for himself in Fireside, it was beating people in under five minutes – so for Jackalope to last twenty? You’d have to be a complete idiot not to fix the numbers to get The Chaos Bunny into a title tournament.
Steve Morrison: Fans chanting for five more minutes!
Magnus: Any time Jackalope wants another shot at the strap, he is more than welcome in GUNS for a rematch any time.
Cross Recoba: Stop trying to poach my people!
Magnus: I don’t want to, Cross. You just make it so easy. Good chatting, Steve!
Steve Morrison: Always a pleasure Magnus.
Cross Recoba: Get bent.
Cross Recoba: Get bent.
With that the GUNS owner leaves a really salty announce position. While Cross gives Steve a dirty look; in the ring, Stokes congratulates Bones and tries to distract him from another feeding frenzy. A dozen security guards find there way between the two competitors, fully expecting a round 2; and crew try to fix the damage to the ring. Barely able to stand for his bloody midsection, Jackalope still climbs the corner – taking in the Kid Cryptid chants from the capacity crowd.
There appears to be some kind of ruckus backstage, and the scene cuts to Gorilla where two people are fighting over a camera.
Voice: Gimme the- Just gimme the camera!
Finally it looks like the person trying to take it has been successful, and he turns the camera to show the self-satisfied face of Tommy Strychnine.He turns the camera back to the camera man, who flips him off, and then to the production team.
Tommy Strychnine: I’m goin’ out there. Play my music. The good one.
The scene cuts to the stage, and it lights up with purple lights. Rather than his usual music, ‘Stagefright’ by Def Leppard starts to stage, and the crowd roars as Tommy prances out onto the stage, the camera recording a view of the packed venue before Tommy hands the camera off to one of the crew. The rocker stops on the stage for a moment, grinning at the crowd before he makes his way down the ramp, flapping hands and bumping fists along the way.
When he reaches ringside, he takes a lap around the ring, slapping more hands and bumping more fists before he rolls into the ring, moving to take a seat in the middle of the ring. He produces a microphone from his jacket, raising it to his mouth, even as the growd continues to roar.
Tommy Strychnine: Alright, alright. That’s enough. I appreciate it. I do. But your old boy Tommy’s got something to say.
The crowd noise drops to a dull Roar, and Tommy grins ruefully.
Tommy Strychnine: None of you will ever really understand how much it means for me to be in this ring right now, and all of you people out there screaming my name. Be it because you like my music, or because you got to know me as a wrestler, there is no better feeling than coming out here and being adored. And as much as I love coming out here and putting on a show and being adored for being the plucky underdog, well, that’s not what I came here to do.
Tommy raises up to his feet beginning to pace in the ring.
Tommy Strychnine: You see, since I joined TapOut, it’s been one loss after another for me. Seems like I just can't get back in that old groove. It’s still a blast coming out here, but I’m not showing any results and that doesn’t sit well with old Tommy. No, it most surely does not. And you know what they say about the definition of insanity.
Tommy raises a finger.
Tommy Strychnine: One percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.
There are laughs and cheers from the crowd, and it brings another grin to the rockers face.
Tommy Strychnine: So on that note, I’ve decided it’s time for a change. If you’ve seen my sporadic promos of late, you know I have a manager, and I’d like to have him come out right now. Mel, get your ass out here, buddy. Come and introduce yourself to the crowd.
‘Stagefright’ plays again, and Tommy’s ferret-faced manager emerges on the stage, looking rather confused.
Tommy Strychnine: Come on, Mel. Down to the ring, bud. Come on, now, they aren’t gonna bite. It’s time for a change, and you’re gonna be a big part of that. Come on, man. You need me to get the crowd behind you? Come on! Mel! Mel! Mel!
The crowd joins in with the chanting and, eventually, Mel makes his way down the ramp and up into the ring to join Tommy. Tommy claps for him, and the crowd continues to chant as the uncomfortable-looking besuited man waves nervously at the crowd.
Tommy Strychnine: Welcome to the biggest stage of your life, Mel! So if you don;t know, ladies and gentlemen, Mel has been the manager on my comeback tour, taking over for his uncle. Before I came back to wrestling, he had a concert tour set up for me that was going to end with a long-term residency at the Hard Rock Hotel. Can you imagine? But I pissed that all up a rope to come back to wrestling, and he rolled with that too. You are a great guy, Mel, and you’ve done your uncle proud.
Tommy offers Mel a fist bump, which the manager returns with a sheepish grin.
Tommy Strychnine: But.
Mel perks up at the statement, then looks at Tommy. The rocker’s expression has turned unreadable.
Tommy Strychnine: You’ve made it too easy, Mel. Merv half-assed so much stuff that he basically forced me to succeed on my own. You haven’t done that. You cowed under and let me bully you into whatever I wanted and you still did it with a smile on your face. You are an amazing manager and a good friend. I love you like a brother. But as of right now, I will no longer be requiring your services.
Mel looks shocked.
Mel: Tommy, what-
Tommy Strychnine: You’re fired, Mel. I’m sorry, but it’s how it’s got to be.
Tommy pulls Mel into a hug. Whispering something inaudible into his ear. Finally Tommy releases the hug and raises Mel’s hand. Tommy looks devastated, and Mel looks confused, until Tommy pulls him into a clothesline. The rocker hauls his former manager up off the floor, shouting at the other man that he brought this on himself. Tommy nails his former manager with a piledriver in the center of the ring, standing over him with a hollow sort-of grin on his face.
Tommy Strychnine: Welcome to something new.
Tommy drops the mic in the center of the ring. The crowd doesn#t know what to make of it, murmuring and scattered boos heralding the rocker as he exits the ring with no music, looking pleased as punch with himself. He stops at the top of the ramp, looking out over the crowd again, before he disappears into the back.
Laura Messier: The following contest is set for one fall and kicks off our OPENWEIGHT TOURNAMENT!!
“Circus Apocalypse” by Vermillion Lies begins playing as Isabella von Krauss walks out from the back. She’s dressed in what appears to be a vibrant black and red ball gown, the ‘Tap Out Openweight Title’ over her shoulder as she heads down to the ring looking like she’s ready for the Prince’s Ball more than she is wrestling a match.
Steve Morrison: She even brought the title to the match!
Cross Recoba: Don’t wind me up, it’s an absolute joke that she thinks she can appoint herself the champion.
She is followed by two clowns, Hohoho and Humhumhum, who are short and scrawny little guys. They hold down the ropes for her to be able to step into the ring and follow her in.
Steve Morrison: Those two clowns could decide tonight,
Cross Recoba: Jackalope couldn’t deal with them, Long you’d hope can fare better.
Isabella dances in the middle of the ring, doing a twirl as Hohoho lights the end of her dress on fire. You would think that Isabella would panic, but she spins in place, faster and faster as the flames catch and flash through the entire dress to leave black and red singlet. The twins leave the ring, but remain at ringside as Isabella gets ready for her match.
Steve Morrison: We can expect violence and chaos when that bell rings.
Cross Recoba: So far it’s worked in her favor, she’ll need all the favor she can taking on Long tonight.
“You number one, now it's time to start sneakin' up (oh)
This for my n***as that say I ain't deep enough (oh)
Me, I been talkin' for those that don't speak enough (oh)
Bitch, I'm a king, R.I.P to King Geedorah”
As the opening beat to 'Sanjuro' begins to play over the speakers and echoing throughout the arena as it erupts the crowd, a singular spotlight separates itself from the rest and shines down onto the entrance curtain. With the spotlight shun down onto the stage, the figure of Jason Long steps out from behind the curtain to a loud ovation, with a large smile resting on his face as he stops at the top of the ramp, looking out to the fans in the crowd and nodding his head.
Steve Morrison: He seems keyed up for tonight.
Cross Recoba: He’ll have a gameplan in place, can he put it to work? That’s the big question.
Jason looks out to the crowd, keeping that smile on his face as he stands at the top of the ramp with his arms stretched out wide, soaking in all of the cheers that rain down onto him.
Steve Morrison: Is there any chance von Krauss can exploit the mileage that body has done inside the ring?
Cross Recoba: It’d be my first guess.
Flames shoot up each side of The King as raises his leg and slam his foot down to the metal floor, setting off the large explosion of pyrotechnics behind him and allowing the crowd to enjoy the view.
Steve Morrison: We’re almost set to kick off the tournament. Cross, any insight into how this match might go?
Cross Recoba: It’s not going to be one-way traffic, neither fighter will want to be dragged out of their strategy and so it’s going to be a lot of back and forth once that bell rings!
Laura Messier: Introducing our first competitor, She hails from Cologne, Germany... standing at five foot six inches tall and weighing in at one hundred and thirty-five pounds... the Daughter of Sin... ISABELLA VON KRAUSS!!!
Von Krauss smiles wickedly to the camera.
Laura Messier: And her opponent….wrestling out of Wexford Town, County Wexford, Ireland and weighing in tonight at two hundred and four pounds… HE IS THE LAST BREATHING MERCENARY… THE KING OF WRESTLING… THE CATALYST... THIS IS JAAAAAASSSOONNNNNNNNNNN LOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!!!!
TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT TOURNAMENT MATCH
Singles Match
Isabella von Krauss vs Jason Long
As Laura Messier leaves the ring, “Big” John Quinn steps out from behind her and brings the two competitors to the center of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Having seen how IVK dealt with Jackalope to qualify for this tournament, you can’t blame Quinn for making sure each competitor understands his expectations clearly.
Cross Recoba: This will be a novely to Long, a referee who is actually doing his job.
Steve Morrison: Is that a shot at Infinite Pro?
Cross Recoba: It isn’t not a shot at them…
As he explains his instructions and expectations for the match something he says makes von Krauss erupt in laughter. The official gives her a stern look that silences the hilarity quickly.
Steve Morrison: Quinn is under no illusions that von Krauss is going to want to play ball.
Cross Recoba: I made it perfectly clear to both John and Steve that the integrity of the tournament lays in their hands.
Long, to his credit, ignores the attempt at mind games from Isabella. He quickly shoots a glance to the clowns who guard ‘the’ Tap Out Openweight title.
Steve Morrison: You’re still saying that isn’t the actual belt?
Cross Recoba: We haven’t even commissioned it yet!
Following the gaze of Long, Quinn sees the clowns and explains something to Isabella at length.
Steve Morrison: The clowns were integral to her victory last month, she needs them.
Cross Recoba: Long has a lot more time inside the ring than Jackalope, he should be able to cope with them. It won’t be the first time he’s had to deal with outside interference in his career.
He sends both competitors to their corner and signals to ringside to start the match
*DING* *DING* *DING*
Long is quick to come out from his corner and immediately starts on the front foot as he levels several quick kicks to the leg of his opponent before clocking her with a stiff swinging high kick to the temple.
Steve Morrison: Long looking for a high-tempo start.
Cross Recoba: His influences reach far and wide, he needs to use that in this match to keep von Krauss second-guessing herself.
Seeing an opportunity, he leaps and wraps his legs around von Krauss’ shoulder and arm and gets an early ARMBAR!!
Steve Morrison: This could be the record for the shortest match in Tap Out history!
Cross Recoba: If he can lock it in, it’s a distinct possibility.
Quick to realize her situation, Isabella grabs the ropes. Quinn tells Long to break the hold but he isn’t paying any attention.
ONE!
TWO!
Long still holds on.
THREE!
Steve Morrison: He continues with the hold, seeing if he can inflict more damage before the referee reaches a five-count.
FOUR!
Cross Recoba: You get a five-count, you take as much of it as you can.
Having taken advantage of the loophole, Jason releases the hold and gets to his feet.
Steve Morrison: von Krauss likes to end matches with a kung-fu chop or a chokehold. Long might have just lessened the effectiveness of either move there.
Cross Recoba: He didn’t have enough time to do significant damage but now von Krauss has to wonder, is that going to be the main target of his attacks.
As von Krauss rises, Long wastes no time in grabbing her arm and pushing her into the ropes before shooting her to the ropes…she reverses it.
Steve Morrison: What can she do from here?
She drops down as Long comes back to hit the ropes. On his return she swings a high kick of her own but The Best Bout Machine has it scouted and judo rolls under it…
Cross Recoba: Long’s mixing it up again…
Before she can turn round he leaps and hits a bulldog to take her to the mat once more.
Steve Morrison: What a standing leapfrog that set that up!
The Catalyst drives a knee into the back of his opponent and quickly gets to his feet before rolling through with another knee that connects with the spine of his opponent.
Cross Recoba: He’s keeping it fresh. First the arm, now the spine. It’s keeping the match on his terms and I’d be trying to work out his gameplan fast if I’m in von Krauss’ corner.
Pulling Isabella to her feet, he whips her to the corner….HE CONNECTS WITH A HANDSPRING ENZIGURI!!!
Steve Morrison: You have to say that Jason Long could be in the conversation for the most athletic wrestler on the Network!
Cross Recoba: As opposed to who? Charles in J-Rok?
Long drops down for a cover…
ONE…
TWO…
HUMHUMHUM IS ON THE RING APRON AND QUINN STOPS THE COUNT TO DEAL WITH THE CLOWN!!
Steve Morrison: The clowns are out again!
Cross Recoba: They’re doing their job…
Long is furious!
Steve Morrison: The Catalyst thinks he could have got the win there and then but what can he do to the clowns now?
He charges at the clown but Humhumhum drops off the apron before he can connect with a rising knee. The Catalyst glares at the clown who smiles with faux sincerity.
Cross Recoba: He might have made his first misstep of the night…
Taking advantage, von Krauss comes from behind and low blows him!
Steve Morrison: What a cheap shot!
She grabs his tights into a pin of her own…
ONE…
TW-
KICKOUT!
Steve Morrison: That integrity you talked about nearly took a plummet with that pin.
Cross Recoba: You can’t expect Quinn to have eyes in the back of his head.
Incensed at the cheap nature of the pin attempt, Jason charges at von Krauss but gets caught with a drop-toe hold. She rolls through and stomps on his head, sending it bouncing off the canvas…Basement dropkick!
Steve Morrison: Isabella taking advantage of Long’s anger. Could this be the pivotal moment of the match?
Cross Recoba: If The Catalyst doesn’t take the time to get back to his game-plan, it very well might be.
Rolling backwards to his feet, Long is blindsided by a quick jab to the throat that Quinn misses. She grabs the head…swinging neckbreaker!
Steve Morrison: Executed with precision.
Cross Recoba: Watch any YouTube compilation of her Top Ten moves and it’s always featured.
Dropping to the mat, von Krauss wraps her hands around the throat of Long and blatantly chokes him in front of Quinn.
Steve Morrison: Can you believe this?
ONE!!
TWO!!
Cross Recoba: It was good enough for Long…
THREE!!
FOUR!!!
Relinquishing the choke, von Krauss protests her innocence. The crowd are irate as they spot her knee now firmly on the eosophagus of Long, still choking him.
Steve Morrison: What a blatant act of cheating!
Cross Recoba: Straight out of my own playbook!
She throws her hands up in innocence as the boos still continue.
Steve Morrison: She might win the match but there’s no way she tops a popularity competition with this crowd.
With Long now holding his throat as he tries to get air back into his body, von Krauss takes advantage and lifts him up in a front-face lock.
Cross Recoba: She’s not paying any attention to the crowd, she’s stated how much she wants to go all the way in this tournament.
Steve Morrison: You can bet that inbetween their preparation for our main event tonight that both Cochrane and NOMAD will be watching this match and taking notes for the next round.
She lifts him up.
Steve Morrison: This could be danger for Long…
Bouncing him off the ropes…
Cross Recoba: We know where this is going,,,
SLINGSHOT SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: It looks like she isn’t finished yet.
Holding onto the head of Long, she lifts him back to his feet. An Irish Whip sends Long into the corner, von Krauss follows behind and rocks his head back with a vicious running back elbow.
Cross Recoba: This looks like it’s setting something up.
Stumbling forward from the corner, the Best Bout Machine is helpless to stop von Krauss’ next gambit as she drives a palm strike through the back of his knee.
Steve Morrison: That precision strike is another of the building blocks she uses on her way to victory.
Cross Recoba: Her undefeated streak is going to be a huge plus for her if she gets the win. You can bet NOMAD would be irked by it and with Cochrane having a trying year, the psychological bonus it would give her could be the difference-maker!
Hohoho and Humhumhum are seen on camera whooping with delight, IVK’s title being held aloft as she makes her way to the apron.
Steve Morrison: The clowns seem happy.
Cross Recoba: I cannot stress enough that that belt is in no way linked to anything we do here at Tap Out.
Climbing to the top, she waits…
Steve Morrison: We saw her put away Jackalope with a Krack of the Kharnival from the top-rope, can she put away Long the same way?
TOP ROPE KUNG-FU CHOP……LONG ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!!
Cross Recoba: You know that he’ll have watched the Jackalope match and seen the tells for it.
Arching back, he lands a Marafuji kick.
Steve Morrison: Can Long keep on top or will the clowns get involved?
Cross Recoba: They’re the equalizer in IVK matches. No matter how well you may wrestle, those two will disrupt your rhythm and gameplan from the off.
He picks up von Krauss from the mat into a Fireman’s carry lift….
Steve Morrison: Looking for the Fallen Kingdom…
THE CLOWNS ENTER THE RING…
Cross Recoba: And right on cue…
LONG DEALS WITH THEM AS HE KICKS FORWARD AND HITS THEM BOTH WITH A SINGLE-LEG DROPKICK AND FALLS BACK WITH A SAMOAN DROP!
Steve Morrison: Expert dealing from Long there.
Cross Recoba: We talk about in-ring experience and sometimes I think people think it’s all about how you approach the match. The reality is that, just like right now, you get curveballs like this thrown at you and you need to adapt.
Isabella gets to her feet, cautious of what Long may be able to do if she leaves an opening…LONG RUNS AND LEAPS WITH A CROSS-BODY THAT TAKES THEM BOTH TO THE OUTSIDE!!!
Steve Morrison: This match heads outside!
Cross Recoba: You’ve got to see that as going into IVK’s territory.
As both competitors tumble to the ringside area, Hohoho and Humhumhum are onto Long like Mongo with the banhammer. They swiftly start laying the boots into the Icon.
Steve Morrison: And like clockwork, they’re getting involved right now.
ONE!!
Quinn tells them they’re on their final warning.
Cross Recoba: This is why we put Quinn in for this match, he’s a presence and I can hear backstage that the road agents are waiting for when not if they are needed.
Building on the ‘good’ work her stooges have done, von Krauss props up Long against the barricade. She looks to connect with a slap BUT HITS A FAN AS LONG DUCKS!!!!
Steve Morrison: That fan got more than he bargained for there!
TWO!!!
Isabella von Krauss: PAY THE MAN OFF!
Hohoho throws a stack of hundos at the man.
Steve Morrison: She really thinks she’s above the rest of us!
Long tries to capitalize on the distraction…HEEHEEHEE BLINDSIDES HIM WITH A BELT SHOT TO THE FACE!!
"Big" John Quinn: YOU’RE OUTTA HERE!!
Tap Out Road Agents swarm the two clowns and corral them down the aisle.
Cross Recoba: This might tilt the match in Long’s favor.
THREE!!!
Long quickly rolls into the ring. Isabella goes to follow but is cut off with a basement dropkick to the knees!
Steve Morrison: He’s heading to the ropes…
Moving seamlessly, LONG COMES OFF THE ROPES WITH A JUMPING THRUST KICK TO THE BACK OF VON KRAUSS’ HEAD!!!
Cross Recoba: He got all of the Assasin’s Blade!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
T-
KICKOUT!!!
Steve Morrison: IVK stays in this…just.
Long keeps on top of his opponent and lifts her up as if to set her up for the Pumphandle Tombstone.
Cross Recoba: Long looks ready to end this with the Kingslayer.
Steve Morrison: At least it won’t be as shocking as the top-rope version he unleashed on Danni Anderson last month…
MULE KICK!!
Steve Morrison: Unsigned from Quinn but that connected with the crown jewels of Infinite Pro Wrestling!
BACKFLIP KICK!
Cross Recoba: Right out of Zlatan’s playbook!
ROUNDHOUSE KICK!!
Steve Morrison: FEET OF DESPAIR!!
Von Krauss looks for the cover this time…
ONE…
TWO…
LONG GETS A SHOULDER UP!!
Cross Recoba: She needed to fully commit on that pin, she left an opening for Long to take and he did so.
Realizing she’s in this by herself this time, von Krauss hits the ropes…A RANA SENDS LONG TO THE MIDDLE ROPE!!
Steve Morrison: We know where this is leading…
619!!
Steve Morrison: SLIP KICK!
Once more she covers, grabbing the leg this time…
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
LONG KICKS OUT AT THE LAST!!
Steve Morrison: Showing great strength and stamina, Long finds a way out!
Getting to her feet, she crouches down in wait for her opponent.
Cross Recoba: She’s measuring him up for something.
Long gets to his feet…
Steve Morrison: Jason’s about to find out.
She rushes in with a Yakuza-style kick BUT LONG DUCKS…
Cross Recoba: She’s gone right over him!
JUMPING CUTTER!!!
Steve Morrison: STACKED DECK!!
Cross Recoba: Close Collins will be hoping that’s the only appearance of that move tonight!
Steve Morrison: Borrowed from a fellow Icon, is it enough?
Long gets to his feet and almost falls backwards into the ropes…he measures von Krauss…
Cross Recoba: LOOK AT THE HANG-TIME!
CURB STOMP!!!!!
Steve Morrison: VANITY KILLER!!!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Laura Messier: The winner of this match and advancing to the Winners’ bracket of the Tap Out Openweight tournament….THE CATALYST…..JASON…..LONG!!!
‘Sanjuro’ resounds around the Lansky Ballroom as Quinn lifts up Long’s arm in victory. He rolls out of the ring and starts to head to the
Steve Morrison: Long advances to the next round where he’ll face the winner of our main-event. For von Krauss, she’ll face the loser and go into the match without the perfect record she wanted!
Cross Recoba: Neither of the potential opponents are ones you’d welcome facing but that’s the nature of the tournament. We have no easy matches!
Steve Morrison: You’re right there, we’ve three other matches to go tonight to determine the next set of brackets and none of them are no-brainers when picking a winner!
HALF-TIME SHOW
Before he can play another song, Isabella von Krauss storms the stage and smashes his guitar!!
Isabella von Krauss: Dahling, you're not going to make it as a musician. Take this money and retrain as something useful. Sorry, I mean this all ever so insincerely.
Throwing countless notes at the musician, she walks off-stage to a ballroom full of boos.
Aiden Merric: Tapout crowd, may we please direct your attention to the Tapout Tron for an important announcement?
Tucker Bernard: Important my arse, maybe important to you, ya daft fool. These lads and lasses probably don’t bloody know who the focking bloody hell ya are!"
A slap is hears as the tron lights up and on screen is a massive tangle of hair. The hair lifts up and we are treated to a scene in an office room somewhere of a short, dumpy, British man who resembles a less imposing Hagrid. This man brushes his copious amounts of hair out of his face and glowers at the man behind him.
Tucker Bernard: Ladies and gents, fer those of ya who don’t know, which I assume is most o’ya. My name is Tucker Bernard, and there may be two people in this entire arena who give a damn about the man I have standing behind me.
*He steps aside and there is an Australian man with a dirty brown mullet, scars all over his face and exposed chest. He tugs at the bandoliers on his shoulders and shows off a wealth of bladed implements. His dusty tan dungarees and crocodile skin boots and belt betray the identity of the Wonder from Down Under.*
Tucker Bernard: Ladies and gentlemen, this announcement is brought to you by the fine folks of Coober Pedy, and the only man daft enough to spend money on this bugger, Cross Recoba.
Aiden Merric: Right, shut the hell up, Tuck and let me have my moment. Blokes and Sheilas, my name is Aiden Merric, the hunter extraordinaire, the wonder from down under, the outback incarnate, the Aussie who don’t give a tossie. And I am here to give you a bit of bloody ace news on this fine evening.
The Las Vegas crowd shows a mixed reaction to the shameless, tactless, very talented Aussie star.
Aiden Merric: See I been having some issues of late with a little shit, name of Donzig. Bastard has an ego the size of my knife collection. And he kept getting in my bloody way. So I sat back, had a few pints of the amber fluid, and I thought to myself … Aiden … why are you putting yourself through this? What has REIGN given to me? The paydays are low, the travel is fine but annoying, and then there’s Rat Bastard and Donzig hanging around. And then this Death Trap motherfucker shows up and straight up disrespects me.
Tucker Bernard: That was not a fun night in the mobile hunter’s lodge, I tell ya. I ain’t never seen Merric so angry or ready to quit. And I was there when he tried to flirt with Er… *he stops as he feels the heat of the stares from Aiden* uh … I shouldn’t outta of told ya that.
Aiden shoves him off camera
Aiden Merric: So I ended up sitting at home for Call to Arms, and then during Cruiserfest, a funny thing happened. Turns out a Mr. Cross Recoba was in attendance to support the Tapout stars in the events at Overheated and Night of Champions. And he saw me sitting there and sat down. We got ta jabberin’ and as it turns out, he has an eye for talent. And a pocketbook to support that eye. And I held out a bit, not fer more money mind … but fer opportunity. I wasn’t going to qualify for this world title tournament he has going on. And really I didn’t wanna get in Erin’s way. That Sheila is gonna kick Poena’s ass tonight and it’s going to be bonzer.
Tucker Bernard: *From off screen* And somehow this wanker manages to negotiate … that Italian fox. Thing of beauty nobody would believe if’n I wasn’t there to witness it.
Aiden Merric: Blokes and Sheilas of Tapout … you are looking at your newest contracted Tapout superstar. And in the right old tradition of hunting for trophies and fulfilling contracts. … I AM YOUR OFFICIAL END OF DAYS REPRESENTATIVE! See to make up for not being in the tournament, I get this chance to keep from people in the tournament having to spoil that event for Mr. Recoba.
The crowd hushes in astonishment
Aiden Merric: You are looking at the next X*Crown champion. So you can all sit and spin until I make my debut. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have important meetings to attend to.
Steve Morrison: What a debut and what announcement to go with it! Aiden Merric is going to End of Days for Tap Out Wrestling!
Cross Recoba: If we look at who we had available it was an obvious move. The tournament takes out half our roster, Dragon did well in tag-match but we want to ease him back into a ful-time wrestling schedule. Jackalope and Capone, we decided it was slightly too soon for them but they were talked about extensively. Our debuting stars in Jenna and Sam suffered a similar fate, they're loaded with potential but I can tell you that management is high on them and want to carefully pick their matches to make sure they fulfill the promise they've shown so far!
Steve Morrison: Is this jobs for the boys?
Cross Recoba: Merric's a proven commodity. When we were both in Ascension I always held the view that he was the most consistently overlooked talent on the roster. This is his chance to show everyone why they were wrong to look past him in AWF!
Steve Morrison: With one roster spot left, you have to wonder WHO might join Merric in putting their faith in the Tap Out brand!
Laura Messier: Our first match after the half-time show is a Tap Out Openweight tournament match set for one fall!
The house lights go out as the crowd begins to buzz.
Top, to the top, ain't never gonna stop
To the top, to the top, ain't never gonna stop
Pyro explodes as the chorus of "Legendary" by Skillet begins to play and the crowd erupts into cheers and chants begin to break out of "Icons" and "Diamond Club".
Jack Diamond emerges on the stage with a huge grin on his face, nodding his head to the beat of the music. He adjusts his leather jacket and soaks in the moment. He mouths the word "Legendary" and begins to make his way to the ring acknowledging the fans as only Jack Diamond can do.
Steve Morrison: One of the favorites to go all the way. He seems like he knows it!
Cross Recoba: Diamond is a hell of a talent but he’s not unbeatable, the last month or so has proven that fact.
As he gets to the ring, he climbs the stairs and walks the apron over to the far turnbuckle. He ascends the outside of the corner and plays to the crowd as more pyro goes off.
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, legendary
Steve Morrison: With points still counting in the tournament, he’ll want to add another match of the night to his bow.
Cross Recoba: Both men are capable of wowing the fans, it’s just a question as to whether Jack can walk away with the win like he did at our last show.
Jack jumps down into the ring and heads to the center before throwing up the Diamond sign to loud cheers. He removes his leather jacket, handing it to the timekeeper before heading to his corner and stretching and preparing for the match.
Steve Morrison: You’ve got to say, he doesn’t look fazed by the profile of the match.
Cross Recoba: He’s been around the block enough to know how to treat these tournaments.
The record scratches.
The drums count in and the thumping bass line of June Bug by Melvins starts to rattle the speakers. Blue, black and orange lights flash through the arena.
Steve Morrison: Close has FINALLY earned himself an entrance!
Cross Recoba: He made the tournament and did so handily, Tuff will want him to feel equal to the Icon in the ring.
At about 25 seconds in, the drums pick up and Close Collins comes stepping through the curtain. He’s dressed in his ring gear and a zip up hoodie with the hood up. No nonsense, his fists clenched, his eyes focused on the ring, he just storms down the aisle as the bass rips and the drums solo. His father Tuff Collins not too far behind.
At about 40 seconds the guitar plays a very simple yet melodic riff. Close takes a moment to slow down and look around the arena. He stops before the ring steps and says a few words to his dad/manager Tuff. Close takes a good look at the ring and bows in respect.
Steve Morrison: Some last minute advice from Tuff, what’s he telling Close?
Cross Recoba: That this match isn’t related to their last one. He needs to enter that ring knowing the match is his if he wants it.
At 56 seconds all the instruments start killing it and Close aggressively storms up the steps and into the ring. Straight past his opponent and/or ring announcer and referee and pops up onto the second turnbuckle and roars with intensity for the crowd. Then pops back down keeps his back facing the middle ring, refusing to look at his opponent. Tuff Collins stands on the apron promoting his son and client. The back of Close’s hoodie reads “IT'S TIME FOR LAST CALL”
Steve Morrison: Fans, if you’re looking for a Diamond leather jacket or Close’s hoody, both are now available on the XHF Network shop!
Cross Recoba: It’s a nice touch and hopefully for Close, he rises to the occasion.
Laura Messier: Introducing first! Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Cherokee, North Carolina. HE IS THE ACE OF SPADES, JACK….DIAMOND!!!
The fans roar in approval of Diamond as he raises his fist to the crowd.
Laura Messier: And his opponent, from Omaha, Nebraska. Accompanied by his manager, Tuff Collins…CLOSE….COLLINS!!!!!
Close matches Diamond with a raised fist to the crowd as they appear split in this match.
TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT TOURNAMENT MATCH
Singles Match
Jack Diamond vs Close Collins
Diamond and Close approach each other in the centre of the ring as the bell sounds out. Jackie D decides to open the match by firing a huge chop, lashing the knife edge of his hand across Close Collins’ chest. The younger star looks unmoved, betraying little emotion as he rears his own arm back and returns fire with a chop of his own. Close wipes his hand through his mop of hair and Diamond grits his teeth and sucks up the effect of the blow. The Ace of Spades raises the edge of his flattened hand to his mouth and runs it downwards across his mouth before swinging it again with more venom and carving through the air against Close’s chest with a chop that sends close back a couple of steps. Collins has kind of a “Yeah, Alright” expression on his face as he turns back in and blasts The Ace of Spades with an equally fierce chop in response. Diamond is forced to take a big step back. Jack makes an internal calculation and decides that you cannot win a chop battle between two evenly matched athletes and hits a blitz of strikes. Chop, right leg kick to the chest, left leg kick to the chest, rush the ropes, spinning heel kick to his stunned opponent, stand, throw an old school Icons pose to the fans.
Steve Morrison: Hot start from both men here. It’s an all out strike war between this pair.
Cross Recoba: Fans have been salivating over this match ever since the numbers were locked in. It’s been hot so far.
The pair reset, squaring off again, both now a little more sure of their opponent’s striking capabilities. Close makes a move, looking to snag an arm for one of his huge selection of takedowns but Jack grabs for the loose arm and duck under and snags an arm, locking in a side wristlock. The Icon steps out, controlling Close for a second but Collins is agile enough to forward roll and reverse the pressure. The student of Jason Matthews steps in, looking to add a back heel trip to take Diamond down but the Ace of Spades steps with him, allowing Jack to launch Close across the ring with an Irish Whip. Close bounces off the ropes and as Diamond sets for a shoulder block, Close leapfrogs him and head for the far side ropes. Jack turns and readies himself for Close’s rebound but realises quickly that Close has maintained a degree of control and The Icon flattens himself to the mat causing Close run over him. Jack quickly regains his footing as Close heads off for the near ropes and as Close heads in again, both men go for a dropkick at the same time, both whiffing as a result. The crowd bursts out into a loud round of applause.
Steve Morrison: This match seems really evenly matched so far.
Cross Recoba: Jack Diamond is facing an ever improving Close Collins. But Jack has so much in his locker, maybe he’s just feeling out what Close is capable of and is happy to go stride for stride this early in the contest.
Close and Jack stand again. Diamond switches to his kicking stance, swinging a leg pointedly at the reddening chest of his younger opponent. Close Collins uses his left arm to swat the kick away, squaring Jack up with the momentum of the block and then steps through, quickly placing his other arm across Jack’s throat and his front leg behind The Ace of Spades’ leg before falling forwards, taking Jack down to the mat with an O Soto Gari. Close floats round, threading an arm round looking to lock in an early Last Call. Jack scoots away using his leg power to stay out of Collins’ clutches. The Son of Tuff rolls back to his feet and resumes his usual stance, swaying slightly to keep his arm breezy. As Jack stands, Close shoots for a double leg, taking Diamond clear off his feet and postures up, bending his fingers backwards to hit some nasty looking downwards palm heels to Jack’s face and upper body. Close passes to side control ad applies a ton of pressure on Jack’s shoulders…
ONE!
TWO!
THR…
Steve Morrison: Close Collins showing the breadth of his skill compliment.
Cross Recoba: Both his father and Jayson Matthews will have drilled that into him. If you can have the basics of a lot of different school of thought you will beat someone who is really great, but at only one of them.
As Jack raises his far shoulder from the mat, Close strikes, reaching over and grabbing the far arm and attempting to twist it round into an Americana. Jack, however, shuffles his body round to keep his arm from being twisted over, no mean feat for the guy in the underneath position but Diamond is sneaky strong when he needs to be. Close changes strategies and gets to his feet, taking The Ace of the Icons up with him, keeping that wrist trapped tight and then steps under, flicking his body backwards to arch Diamond over him gracefully and then using the still locked wrist to wrap around the grounded again pair and pic Jack Diamond to the mat in a Magistral Cradle…
ONE!
TWO!
TH … Jack kicks out and instnctively backs away from Close Collins.
Steve Morrison: Collins nearly stole one there.
Cross Recoba: There’s no stealing in it. A shock schoolboy can be a steal job. A shock inside cradle. But La Magistral? That’s a technique pin and if you’ve got that level of technique, kudos to you for using it.
Again the pair reset and Close is quick to move in, hoping to capitalise on his flurry of offense. He steps in, looking for a second O Soso Gari but Jack is feeling for the pressure on the back of his leg this time and shifts his body weight forwards against the flow of the move, lifting the trapped leg into a position on the back of Close’s calf where he can lever the youngster over. Jack moves to a side and stands up, backing off to a corner with impeccable body positioning and charge as Close gets to a knee with Diamond using said knee as a springboard before whipping his other leg round and connecting with the back of Collins’ skull, enzuigiri style. Jack covers…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Close rolls a shoulder.
Steve Morrison: Shining Enzuigiri from Jack Diamond!
Cross Recoba: That’ll rattle your brains. Jack Diamond is a hard striker and his feet are some of the more educated in this business.
Diamond is up first and again makes a little space for himself before allowing Close Collins to stand and begins teeing off with a series of stiff kicks to the Sandwich Dojo Graduate’s chest. Three, Four, Five sharp kicks cause Close to lower his guard. Close looks to pick Jackie’s leg from the air, looking maybe for a Dragon Screw to take back control but Jack anticipates this and puts his leg down, rapidly grabbing for the loose arm and slinging Close across the ring, slinging him into the corner. Close’s back crashes against the turnbuckle and he has to use the top rope to steady himself and Jack makes space and charges in at top speed before hitting a high powered dropkick. Jack grabs the ropes and gets to a vertical base, watching Close carefully as he stumbles out of the corner four steps before slumping, face first, to the canvas.
Steve Morrison: EIGHTY SIXED! If there’s one way to describe Jack Diamond, it’s fast.
Cross Recoba: People look at the reputation of being a brawler and a cheat but Jack is so fast he’s practically sudden. You don’t get any breathing room once Jack Diamond gets rolling.
With his opponent flat on the mat and the corner in sight, Jack quickly hops onto the bottom rope, then the second. He looks down at Close who is beginning to stir and silently curses to himself, seeing as he was probably thinking Shuffled Deck. Close regains his footing and turns and Jack throws double gun signs in Close’s direction, leaping off the second rope and extending his legs in mid air, firing off a diving front dropkick that sends Close skittering across the ring. Jack scrambles over to cover…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… Close kicks out.
Steve Morrison: That was tight. It’s a testament to Close’s stamina he managed to kick out there.
Cross Recoba: It’s a testament to Close’s stamina he didn’t get his Deck Shuffled. In the lead up to that.
Jack Diamond is first to is feet and he circles round Close Collins who is taking his sweet time to stand up. Jack backs up, heading into the corner facing straight towards Collins and he begins to stomp his lead foot, the crowd rhythmically clapping in time to every stomp. Close gets up to a knee. STOMP/CLAP! And then up to another knee. STOMP/CLAP! Slowly raises his body. STOMPCLAP! Turns 90 degrees round towards where Jack is standing. STOMPCLAP! And the rest of the way round… AND JACK TAKES HIS DAMN HEAD OFF WITH AN ICONKICK!!!
Steve Morrison: ICONKICK! ICONKICK! ICONKICK!
Cross Recoba: The move that wins titles and fells Gods.
Jack covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THRE… CLOSE COLLINS KICKS OUT!
Uncharacteristically for Jack, rather than follow up immediately he stares straight at the referee and holds up three fingers and points to them with the other hand. The referee signals a clear to and Jack is visibly annoyed by this. Jack turns back to Close Collins and corks his leg again, less build up this time and as Collins gets to his feet, JACK BLASTS HIM WITH A SECOND ICONKICK…
AND CLOSE COLLINS STANDS STRAIGHT BACK UP! COLLINS NAILS JACK DIAMOND WITH A SUPERKICK OF HIS OWN! JACK DIAMOND FLIES BACK ACROSS THE RING! CLOSE COLLINS STANDS FOR THREE LONG SECONDS… AND COLLAPSES HIMSELF!
Steve Morrison: ICONKICK PARTY IN LAS VEGAS!
Cross Recoba: Both men are down, this could be the first double knockout in Tapout history.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
SIX! …Jack gets to a knee.
SEVEN! …Close gets to a knee.
EIGHT! …Jack stand up and the referee is now only counting for the knockout on Close Collins.
NINE!
TE… AT NINE POINT NINE NINE CLOSE GETS BACK TO HIS FEET!
Steve Morrison: THE MATCH WILL CONTINUE! BOTH MEN ARE BACK UP!
The pair square up again and Jack is the first to act, lashing out with a chop full of frustration and a bitter determination to win. Close takes it and fires back with a chop of his own. Jack chops. Close chops. Jack chops. Close chops and chops and chops and chops and yells a loud “C’MON!” and chops one last time, dropping Jack to the mat. Having backed Jack a little towards a corner with the volume and force of his blows, Close rushes at the turnbuckles and leaps, landing on the second rope from a dead jump and then quickly hops to the top, turning and looking over his shoulder to wait for Jack to stand. Diamond gets himself off the mat and CLOSE LEAPS THROUGH THE AIR, SPINNING AND FLIPPING INTO A BODY BLOCK THAT TAKES BOTH MEN DOWN TO THE MAT! COLLINS COVERS…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… NO! Jack kicks out!
Steve Morrison: THE FUTURE IS CALLING! THE FUTURE IS CALLING!
Cross Recoba: And the message it left for us is, “Only for a two count.”
Really feeling it now, Close Collins stands incredibly quickly and just throws Jack Diamond face first into the corner. Diamond slumps on the ropes and Collins follows up by charging in at him and planting a leaping forearm right into the back of Jack Diamond’s skull. Close grabs Diamond about the waist and plants him on the top turnbuckle, looking to end this match the most definitive way possible. CLOSE SCURRIES UP THE ROPES AND PROPELS JACK DIAMOND OFF WITH A SPIDER GERMAN SUPLEX!
Steve Morrison: CLOSER! CLOSER! CLOSER!
...BUT JACK DIAMOND OVER ROTATES AND FLIPS OUT OF THE MOVE! CLOSE COLLINS IS UNAWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING BEHIND HIM AS HE STARTS TO DRAW HIS BODY UP.. AND JACK DIAMOND REACHES UP AND SNAGS CLOSE’S HEAD IN A HANGMAN’S NECKBREAKER POSITION! JACK JUMPS FORWARD AND SITS OUT DRIVING THE BACK OF CLOSE’S HEAD AND THE TOP OF HIS NECK INTO JACK’S SHOULDER!
Steve Morrison: INVERTED STACKED DECK! INVERTED STACKED DECK!
AND KNOWING FULL WELL HOW TO PIN SOMEONE OFF A MOVE THAT DRAGS YOUR OPPONENT OUT OF THE CORNER JACK GRABS BOTH OF CLOSE’S LEGS AND APPLY A JACKKNIFE PIN!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Laura Messier: The winner of this match, JACK FUCKIN’ DIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAMOOOOOOOOOND!
Steve Morrison: Jack Diamond advances but Close Collins will have his shot in the other half of the bracket.
Cross Recoba: You get losses in this tournament. Close is on thin ice now.
Steve Morrison: Close again finds himself on the wrong side of the match but he’s not out yet. He faces the loser of our main-event at next month’s show.
Steve Morrison: They’ll face off on October 2nd as we kick-off the road to End of Days.
Cross Recoba: That’s right, Tap Out Seven will be brought to you in conjunction with the XHF Network. That means that our roster can show why we’re the hot tip for this year’s Fed of the Year Network Award!
Steve Morrison: Our matches will be set by the end of the show, but with the tournament kicking off in Tap Out to see who goes to End of Days it’s already looking to be a stacked field.
Cross Recoba: You all saw who will be our own rep in the competition. He joins Dylan Black, Jakie Wentzel, Rob Arnold, Kira Izumi, James Raymond and Disney’s own Marty Donovan.
Steve Morrison: Make sure you keep up-to-date with all the additions and follow how it goes. It culminates on October 30th!
Cross Recoba: We’ll have a guaranteed member on that show, even if Merric doesn’t go all the way. It’s our turn to put someone forward for the XHF Junior Heavyweight title and, if you haven’t noticed, A LOT of our roster qualify.
Steve Morrison: It means that EVERY MATCH COUNTS at Tap Out Seven.
Cross Recoba: We have a shortlist we’re watching but if someone like Sawyer or Scyde steps up? They could easily force our hand!
Steve Morrison: Right now though, Laura Messier is standing by ready to introduce our main-event of the evening!
Laura Messier: And now FOR OUR CO-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 drum beat.
Steve Morrison: He made his feelings clear even before this match was announced about how he saw the tournament.
Cross Recoba: He’s in the form of his life. Jack Diamond is undefeated but NOMAD has made that undefeated streak run from the first Tap Out event. He’s the number one seed and right now, that’s going to give him the confidence to know he can keep the run going.
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: He wasn’t shy about his thoughts on his opponent.
Cross Recoba: NOMAD has his own view on how wrestling works and especially the Tap Out brand. If someone doesn’t match up to that, he’ll make no bones about it!
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: We’ve seen how he works against people like Kane, Gordon and even Poena. Is there anything Cochrane brings to the ring that he hasn’t seen before?
Cross Recoba: Whilst it was a short reign with the X*Crown, you don’t get into that position and don’t win that title without having the ability to mix it up and best whoever you face! There’s some similarities between him and Kane but Cochrane hasn’t put his body through the wringer like Brad did.
The lights turn off for a moment. The dueling guitar riffs from Simple Plan guitarists Sébastien Lefebvre and Jeff Stinco from their song “Last One Standing” as the screen reads “#Believe” in a light blue font. With a solitary spotlight on the top of the ramp, Adrien Cochrane appears the moment Pierre Bouvier’s vocals begin to echo throughout the venue.
“How many times are you gonna try to shut me out?
I told you once, told you twice, I ain't going to turn back around
You can say whatever, try to mess with me
I don't care, I'm not scared
You don't have to say you're sorry, save your sympathy
With a friend like you, I don't need an enemy
I would give you time if you were worth it
But guess what, you're not worth it”
Cochrane looks at the fans from the ramp for a moment, giving a smile as he makes his way down the ramp and to the ring, hitting as many high fives and fist bumps as he can on his way to his destination.
Steve Morrison: Pure determination written on his face.
Cross Recoba: He knows that this is a steep challenge to take on but you heard how he sees it. He’s not going to give up, his tenacity is perhaps one of his strongest suits.
As Adrien leaps over the ropes to enter the squared circle and removes his black leather jacket to expose his #Believe shirt, he leans on the ropes with his fist in the air to the sound of the chorus.
Steve Morrison: The fans are behind him tonight. Can he do what no-one else has done in Tap Out and put NOMAD down?
Cross Recoba: He has the Adrien Cutter and while he has that, you can’t discount him. He’s taken down men the size of NOMAD with it and even people who are larger. If he can land that then NOMAD may find himself on the wrong side of the verdict!
“Whoa-oh, whoa-oh, I'm always going to be the last one standing
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh, because I'm never going to give up trying
And now I'm ready to go, I'm here, I'm waiting for you
And I'm gonna be the last one standing”
Steve Morrison: Adrien’s sizing up NOMAD!
Cross Recoba: He hasn’t got some of his offense available to him. If he can lift NOMAD it’s going to put a huge strain on his body and leave him open to a reversal he might not come back from. He’s working out what he has and what he can use right now.
Laura Messier: TO MY LEFT! He stands at six-feet and five inches and is UNDEFEATED IN TAP OUT. He is the Violent Wanderer….NOMAD!!!
Unmoving, NOMAD chooses instead to stare through his opponent.
Laura Messier: AND TO MY RIGHT! From New Orleans, Louisiana, weighing in at one hundred ninety pounds, he is "The Dropkick King" ...ADRIEN COCHRANE!!
Adrien seems unfazed, concentrating only on how he can turn this match into a victory.
CO-MAIN EVENT
TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT TOURNAMENT MATCH
Singles Match
NOMAD vs Adrien Cochrane
Steve Tyrell approaches NOMAD first. The weary traveller stares past the match official towards Cochrane.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD has made it clear how he feels about his opponent.
Cross Recoba: I can see where he’s coming from. He’s undefeated in all competition, Adrien got into the tournament more for what others didn’t do than what he DID do.
Steve Morrison: He’s here now and having taken down Brad Kane, he knows that NOMAD would be a great way to get his 2022 back on track!
Showing no signs of paying any attention to Tyrell’s instructions, NOMAD instead devotes all of his focus towards his opponent. The game-face is clearly in place.
Steve Morrison: Steve’s trying to instruct the man but he isn’t listening.
Cross Recoba: I’ve been in NOMAD’s place, this isn’t so much a match he wants but one he has to have.
Steve Morrison: Could that make him open to an upset?
Cross Recoba: It could but equally, we might see NOMAD wanting to get the job done and taking little time for the steps in-between.
With Tyrell now having finished, or perhaps abandoned, his pre-match instructions. He makes his way across the ring. NOMAD can be seen pointing towards Cochrane and shaking his head.
Steve Morrison: Such disrespect shown by the Violent Wanderer!
Cochrane seems to be amped up for the match. He bounces on the balls of his feet as Tyrell delivers his expectations of the match.
Cross Recoba: Adrien needs to be keyed up for this, if he wins. He faces Jason Long at our next show and that’s a match he’d rather have than facing off against Isabella von Krauss!
Steve Morrison: Cochrane is well aware of the recovery time when someone stabs you in the ring, he saw it with Sanders. Isabella is hard to predict but you’d put money on her wanting to emulate her adoptive mother who famously stabbed Brad Kane near the heart just to see if he’d die.
Cross Recoba: It’s the Johnny Cash song that never was!
He shows no signs that NOMAD has gotten inside of his head and instead nods along with the instructions.
Steve Morrison: Adrien seems to be taking everything Tyrell tells him onboard but could we maybe see him break those rules to get to the next round?
Cross Recoba: I’m not his biggest fan by far but Cochrane has a code and we’ve never seen him break it before, it’d take something to make him even consider it tonight!
With Tyrell having briefed both men, Cochrane raises his arm to the crowd which elicits a cheer from the Guardians fans in attendance.
*DING, DING, DING!!!*
The two men rush out from their respective corners.
Steve Morrison: You can be sure that both men will want to set the standard for the main-event to try and follow!
Cross Recoba: Our opener might well have done that tonight!
Cochrane acts first and slides between the legs of the larger man. Quick to his feet, The Dropkick King grabs a waistlock and rushes his man to the ropes but NOMAD holds onto the top-rope sending Adrien rolling back into the centre of the ring
Steve Morrison: The Monster of the World isn’t going to give Adrien something so easily this early in the match.
Taking steps back to the center of the ring, NOMAD is caught off-guard as the Cajun Sensation leaps forward and grabs a leg for a pin…
Cross Recoba: A sneaky roll-up attempt!
ONE…
KICKOUT!!
FRONT DROPKICK FROM COCHRANE!
Steve Morrison: Was that a legitimate pin attempt or just a setup for the dropkick, Cross?
Cross Recoba: I’d say both, you’d take the pin if you could get it!
The dropkick elicits a smattering of applause from the fans in attendance.
Steve Morrison: The fans appreciated the quick change of tact.
Rising to his feet, Cochrane looks shocked as NOMAD seemingly no-sells the dropkick to the face.
Cross Recoba: NOMAD is the largest man on the roster and given how he feels about Adrien, he’ll be damned if he’s showing any sign of pain this early on in the match!
The Guardian charges off the ropes and connects with a dropkick that teeters the big man but not by much.
Steve Morrison: It’s going to be like chopping down a redwood!
He turns to his left and rushes the ropes once more and leaps up with an enziguri that staggers the Wandering Nomad forward.
Cross Recoba: Great agility that keeps the Wanderer off-balance…
With a deep breath, Cochrane runs and leaps off the middle-rope looking for a dropkick…
Steve Morrison: Look at that hang-time!
NOMAD CATCHES HIM AND SWINGS HIM INTO A FRONT SLAM POSITION.
Cross Recoba: Did that hang-time cost him?
NOMAD RUSHES COCHRANE INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
Steve Morrison: I’m sure, fans, you all heard that thud at home! That’s two-hundred-and-eighty pounds of violence slamming Cochrane straight into that corner!
Taking a few steps back, NOMAD charges in with a thrusting knee to the ribs of his opponent.
Cross Recoba: He drove that knee through him!
Cochrane drops to the mat but his opponent waits for him and meets him with a rushing knee to the head!
Steve Morrison: He could have a concussion right here and now!
Cross Recoba: The signs were there when our cameras caught up with NOMAD before the match, he wants to put him away quick and make a point while doing so!
Steve Morrison: Jason Long will surely be watching and trying to work out how to avoid what can only be called a less than ideal start!
Cross Recoba: Adrien isn’t out of it yet but to give him some credit, this was NOMAD imposing his will and not him taking advantage of a mistake from the Guardian.
Pulling his opponent into the center of the ring, NOMAD drives a boot into the back of Adrien’s knee socket.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD now focusing his attention on the knees instead of the ribs of his opponent.
Cross Recoba: He’s keeping Adrien guessing. If you take out Cochrane’s knees that takes out the Adrien Cutter, it takes out the Lightning Strike and it also blunts those dropkicks of his.
Steve Morrison: Not to mention that we’ve seen NOMAD show off his technical prowess, the skies are an option for Adrien to get the Wanderer out of his comfort zone.
Cross Recoba: Exactly…
He holds on and repeats the kick once more.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD isn’t holding back tonight!
Cross Recoba: He knows he’s the tournament favorite. He has the longest undefeated streak and he has to be up there with being THE in-form player on the Network.
NOMAD looks to take the other leg to apply a hold but Cochrane uses his free leg to kick out and land flush on the chin of his opponent.
Steve Morrison: Cochrane utilizing his ring experience to get an out there…
Kipping up, Cochrane rolls under the right forearm that NOMAD throws…
Cross Recoba: He read that strike…
JAWBREAKER!
Steve Morrison: Adrien’s fighting back, just like he said he would!
As NOMAD staggers from the impact, Cochrane charges…BULLDOG!
Cross Recoba: This is where Adrien can be dangerous, if he gets momentum on his side he can turn this match to his advantage…
Steve Morrison: He’s looking to catch him off-guard again.
He covers, grabbing NOMAD’s free arm to pin it down.
Cross Recoba: Smart move with the arm…
ONE…
T-
NOMAD BODY PRESSES THE CAJUN SENSATION OFF HIM!
Steve Morrison: He bench-pressed him out of the pin!
Cross Recoba: I was about to say that pinning the arm separately means that NOMAD has to expend more energy to kick out but I was NOT expecting that!
Both men rush to their feet….NOMAD SOARS TOWARDS ADRIEN AND CONNECTS WITH A SPINNING HEEL KICK!!
Steve Morrison: There’s that agility that people overlook from the Monster of the World!
Cross Recoba: Just when the Guardians fans were coming alive!
Leaving no time for The Original Guardian to catch his breath, NOMAD drags up Adrien and pushes him against the ropes…PANCAKE!!
Steve Morrison: The face and ribs of Cochrane just got splattered onto the mat!
ADRIEN SCRAMBLES UP BUT GETS HIT WITH A KNEELING BIG BOOT!!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD’s building up some steam with that quickfire combo!
ONE..
TW-
COCHRANE GETS AN ARM UP!!
Steve Morrison: Adrien remains in the game!
Cross Recoba: He survives but NOMAD has no plans on letting him recover.
NOMAD refuses to let up and grabs him…SNAP POWERBOMB!!!
Steve Morrison: Look at the velocity he got on that!
Cross Recoba: He still isn’t done…
He rolls him over to his feet…LARIATOOOO!!!
Steve Morrison: This could be all over here!
Before NOMAD can capitalize, Cochrane has rolled to the floor to at least get some distance and recovery room between the two of them.
Cross Recoba: Smart move from Adrien. He knows that staying in the ring right now is suicide.
Steve Morrison: How much can he regain on the outside?
Cross Recoba: It depends on how long NOMAD is going to give him.
Tyrell starts the count….
ONE…
NOMAD starts to rile up the fans inside the Lansky Ballroom.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD has his fans but this is splitting the audience.
Cross Recoba: If he splits the crowd, it’s going to demotivate Cochrane. He thrives on the Guardians fanbase.
TWO…
Cochrane starts to stir but NOMAD looks from the middle of the ring and lets his opponent have a couple of moments more.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD’s in no rush it seems.
Cross Recoba: I’d put less faith in this being out of the goodness of his heart.
THREE…
Getting to his feet, Adrien clings to the apron. NOMAD approaches the ropes and looks to grab The Guardian by his hair but Cochrane weaves his head out of the way.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD tried to get involved there but Cochrane still had his senses intact to dodge the grasp of his opponent.
FOUR…
Breaking the count, The Cajun Sensation starts to climb onto the apron.
Cross Recoba: If I were Adrien, I’d make sure I had a plan before I broke the count…
NOMAD sets off against the opposite ropes…A BIG BOOT SENDS ADRIEN FLYING CHEST FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE!!!
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
Steve Morrison: ADRIEN JUST BOUNCED OFF THE BARRICADE RIB-FIRST! HE COULD HAVE CRACKED RIBS!
Cross Recoba: If he has, he’s in a world of danger. Ask anyone who has damaged their ribs and they’ll tell you the agony that even just bruising can cause. Each breath becomes coated in fire!
Once more, Steve Tyrell starts the count…
ONE!!!
The cameras show Adrien on the floor holding his ribs. Whilst moving it’s evident to see that he is in agony.
Steve Morrison: This could be a count-out right here!
Cross Recoba: In some respects, Adrien might do well to take the loss now. With the double-elimination format, he can lose tonight and still be in with a shot of making the final of the tournament and possibly walking out with the belt…
TWO!!!
Crowd: WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!
Cross Recoba:...if he stays in this match, he runs the risk of suffering damage that will not only affect his training camp for his next match but see him go into the match nursing injuries from this one!
THREE!!
NOMAD rolls out of the ring to restart the count.
Steve Morrison: It’s a valid point but NOMAD looks to have made the decision for him.
ONE!!!
NOMAD scoops up Adrien…
Cross Recoba: He’s turning to the crowd…
TWO!!!
HE DROPS HIM RIB-FIRST ONTO THE STEEL BARRICADE!!
Steve Morrison: Absolute brutality on display here tonight!
Cross Recoba: You get the feeling that NOMAD isn’t content with stopping there.
THREE!!
Peeling his opponent off the railings, NOMAD LIFTS HIM UP AND FALLS BACKWARDS DUMPING ADRIEN ONTO THE APRON EDGE!!
Steve Morrison: Once more, Adrien crashes rib-first and if they weren’t before I definitely think he has to have at least cracked a few ribs in the match!
Cross Recoba: Let me tell you, the ring apron is unforgiving but the edge of it is murder. He’ll feel like the air has been sucked out of him, each breath causing him to lose focus with the pain.
FOUR!!!
NOMAD rolls the Guardian into the ring and climbs onto the apron, taking his time to step over the ropes.
Steve Morrison: Finally, NOMAD stops what could be described as common assault!
NOMAD: O!!!!P!!!!K!!!!
Cross Recoba: He’s back to working that crowd once more…
He leans back into the corner and watches as Cochrane starts to catch his breath.
Crowd: OPK! OPK! OPK! OPK! OPK! OPK! OPK! OPK! OPK! OPK! OPK!
Steve Morrison: At last month’s show, Va’aiga told me that the OPK was ALMOST as effective as his own Dan Carter kick…
Cross Recoba: Hardly faint praise, Va’aiga made a career out of that kick!
Adrien, seemingly oblivious to the fans’ chant, starts to claw his way back up.
Steve Morrison: He remains unsighted…
NOMAD charges in and rears back a leg…
Cross Recoba: This one’s over…
COCHRANE ROLLS OUT THE WAY!!
Steve Morrison: COCHRANE ROLLS TO HIS FEET!
SUPERKICK!!!
Steve Morrison: LIGHTNING STRIKE!!!
BOTH MEN DROP TO THE CANVAS!
Cross Recoba: He can’t capitalize on it though, he hasn’t anything left in the tank!
Tyrell wishes he hadn’t skipped arm-day.
ONE!!
Steve Morrison: What happens if this is a draw?
Cross Recoba: You know, we never really discussed it.
Neither man moves.
TWO!!!
Steve Morrison: Yourself and the other Tap Out board members may have a situation if this becomes a double count-out.
Still no movement.
THREE!!!
NOMAD raises his head and sees that his opposite number is inhaling deeply.
Cross Recoba: It looks like we dodged a bullet.
Steve Morrison: Still no sign of Adrien moving but NOMAD is at least conscious.
Cross Recoba: Adrien has found himself on the back foot in this match but he isn’t a million miles away.
FOUR!!!
NOMAD starts to move.
Cross Recoba: His stamina is likely shot but if he can drag himself through the pain, he might be able to counter-strike and work his way back on top.
FIVE!!!
NOMAD rolls to the ropes to get back up and breaks the count.
Steve Morrison: It’s a tall order, especially with the Monster of the World getting back to his feet.
Adrien is now on his knees. He crawls towards the ropes…
Cross Recoba: Smart move going for the ropes.
Reaching out, he finds only the imposing figure of NOMAD in his way.
Steve Morrison: He gets cut off!
Cross Recoba: That’s not all he has to worry about…
He lifts him up in a suplex…
Steve Morrison: He’s letting the blood go to his head as he leaves him hanging upside down.
Cross Recoba: Adrien’s already going to be low on oxygen from the damage his ribs has taken…
Dropping Cochrane chest-first onto his knee, NOMAD keeps him from landing on the mat and instead props him up on his feet.
Steve Morrison: We’ve seen him use that lift to deliver a brainbuster to the knee but he’s adapted it.
Cross Recoba: We’ve already spoken about NOMAD’s distaste for Cochrane but did Adrien show a red rag to a bull with his talk of fighting back even when he looked down and out?
HUGE SIDESLAM FROM THE UNDEFEATED WRESTLER!
Steve Morrison: Adrien just bounced off the mat!
NOMAD leans his weight across the Guardian.
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
COCHRANE GETS AN ARM UP!
Steve Morrison: STILL HE ISN’T OUT!
Cross Recoba: I still maintain what I said earlier, at this point you’d take the loss and look to getting back into contention without suffering the damage that NOMAD is dishing out right now!
Peeling his opponent from the canvas, NOMAD whips him to the ropes…
Steve Morrison: Still not finished, what can Adrien do to turn the tide?
Cross Recoba: He needs to dig deep and dig fast.
He ducks down looking for a back body drop but Cochrane leapfrogs….HANDSPRING KICK FROM THE CAJUN SENSATION!
Steve Morrison: He caught NOMAD flush on the jaw!
Cross Recoba: Desperate times call for desperate measures!
Running on impulse, Cochrane jumps from the middle to the top-rope and turns…TRIPLE JUMP DROPKICK!!
Steve Morrison: A great show of athleticism!
Cross Recoba: But once more, he’s landing on those damaged ribs…
Crowd: LET’S GO, ADRIEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, ADRIEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, ADRIEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Fuelled by the fans’ support, Adrien leaps to the top-rope….MOONSAULT!!
Steve Morrison: He hooks the leg…
ONE…
TWO…
NOMAD KICKS OUT!
Cross Recoba: Can he keep the pressure on the big man? He needs to go big or go home at this point!
Steve Morrison: It’s like you’re on the same page…
Adrien is quick to keep the pressure on and rushes the ropes…HE LOOKS FOR THE SPINNING HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN…
Steve Morrison: Could we see that triangle choke come into play?
NOMAD HOLDS ON!!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD’s cut him off!
THE BIG MAN LOOKS TO SET HIM UP FOR THE OVER-THE-SHOULDER LIFT PILEDRIVER…
Steve Morrison: He has him set for Scorched Earth!
COCHRANE DROPS DOWN THE BACK OF HIM….SUPERKICK BUT NOMAD DUCKS AND GRABS HIS ARM…
Cross Recoba: Lightning doesn’t strike twice!
CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!!!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT A LARIAT!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE…
TYRELL SPOTS ADRIEN’S LEG LIMPLY LYING ON THE LOWEST ROPE!
Steve Morrison: HOW IS HE STILL IN THIS MATCH?
Cross Recoba: Because he’s stubborn, like a mule or a Trump voter!
Tyrell stands up and announces the rope-break to the crowd. NOMAD tries to get in his face about the call but the match official backs away from him before he can protest.
Steve Morrison: Tyrell is showing himself to be no pushover tonight!
Cross Recoba: He served a long apprenticeship in Ascension Wrestling, he also knows how important the integrity of the tournament is to Tap Out!
Cochrane launches himself at the legs of NOMAD…dropkick to the knee! He rolls through…
Steve Morrison: The Dropkick King lives up his name!
A SECOND DROPKICK TAKES NOMAD TO THE MAT!!
Cross Recoba: We’ve seen him use the dropkick as the cornerstone to many a victory on the Network but this would be the comeback story of his career if he pulled this off!
Cochrane once more returns to the top…
Steve Morrison: He perches on the top rope.
Cross Recoba: If he isn’t going for the Ace-inator, he needs to time his next move to perfection.
He waits patiently…
Steve Morrison: NOMAD starts to get up…
Cross Recoba: Cochrane leaps…
JUMPING TORNADO DDT…
Steve Morrison: He just spiked him on his head!!
Cross Recoba: That’s a momentum-turner if ever I saw one!
HE KEEPS HOLD OF THE HEAD AND TRANSITIONS TO A HOVERBOARD LOCK!!!
Steve Morrison: Could he get the submission?
Cross Recoba: He’s fighting against a stronger man, technique is going to be everything.
Clearly fighting to cinch in the hold, Adrien battles but he can’t lock it in.
Steve Morrison: The Violent Wanderer isn’t making it easy for him.
NOMAD fights up and lands a stiff uppercut to the ribs of his opponent…
Cross Recoba: Some might call it a cheap shot but it breaks the submission attempt!
The Violent Wander gets to his feet and holds onto the arm…
Steve Morrison: In a heartbeat, the control of the match has switched again!
He whips him in…
Cross Recoba: Going for the Nihilus Kick!
COCHRANE ROLLS UNDER THE BICYCLE KICK…
Steve Morrison: He evades it…
ADRIEN CUTTER!!!
Steve Morrison: He nails i-
NO!
Cross Recoba: Not so fast!
NOMAD GRABS HIM BY THE WAIST AND FLIPS HIM ONTO HIS SHOULDERS…
Steve Morrison: Adrien’s own momentum became his downfall!
HE SQUEEZES COCHRANE IN AN ARGENTINE BACKBREAKER!
Cross Recoba: That backbreaker isn’t just going to hurt the back but it’ll shake the ribs up at the same time!
QUICKLY FLIPPING HIS MAN OVER…
Cross Recoba: We know where this is going…
PILEDRIVER!!
Steve Morrison: SCORCHED EARTH!!!!
The cover…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!!
*DING DING DING*
Laura Messier: The winner of this match via pinfall and advancing to the semi-finals of the Winners’ bracket….THE VIOLENT WANDERER….NOMAD!!!
Steve Tyrell lifts up the arm of NOMAD in victory as Laura makes the announcement. “Aspirin” by Show Me the Body kicks into life as the Monster of the World spends no time hanging around. Instead, his job done, he rolls out of the ring and heads down the aisle.
Cross Recoba: NOMAD reaffirming why people have him down as the favorite to go all the way in this tournament.
Steve Morrison: He put on a show but you have to give it to Adrien. He showed tenacity and resilience that could well take him all the way to the final and a potential rematch with NOMAD!
Cross Recoba: A lot will depend on how his body responds to recovering from tonight. We saw Gordon struggle against NOMAD after Poena softened her up. Can he learn from her mistakes?
Adrien can be seen laid out in the ring as medics rush down the aisle to take him to the back for a certain health check.
Steve Morrison: The Tap Out Medical team are keen to get their diagnosis and rehab sorted immediately. As for Poena and Gordon, find out who will stand tall and advance in the Winners’ bracket out of the two of them in our Main Event coming up next!
Laura Messier: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN…YOUR MAIN EVENT IS HERE!!!!!!
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 say he’s the most unique individual on our roster is somewhat understating the facts!
Cross Recoba: With NOMAD through to the next round, he knows that if he wants to avenge that loss - something that was evident in his interview last month - he needs to win tonight!
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, made of teeth and bone with a dagger for a cross, 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: I’m just glad he hasn’t enlisted his Oracles of Suffering tonight!
Cross Recoba: They’re making waves in HardKore World but I’m with you, I don’t think I could take the stress of wondering when, not if, they’d snap themselves.
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: We mentioned avenging a loss against NOMAD but tonight he gets a chance to level the scores against Gordon.
Cross Recoba: If he can keep focused, you’d have to say that he’s more than capable!
The overhead lights slowly go dark as the first strummed chords of 'Hurricane' fill the air, the crowd's cheers rising in response to the woman that is about to emerge. Gray lights flare into being around the curtain when the song starts proper, illuminating the outline of the Oncoming Storm as she stands with her shoulders square, her hands curled into fists at her sides.
Steve Morrison: Stoic as always. Erin finds herself in this match when she could have had an easier route in the tournament.
Cross Recoba: She dropped from the third seed to seventh, that’s just how competitive the field was.
The wind machine is on behind her, blowing her hair around as her gaze moves over the assembled crowd and the surroundings alike... before it settles upon the ring. As 'Hurricane' cuts to the chorus, she makes her way down the aisle, not shying away from the hands that reach out for her.
Steve Morrison: Can she stop Poena causing her damage that might stay with her in this tournament?
Cross Recoba: She’s a keen student of the game. You know that she’ll have rewatched their first match to the point she probably knows it move-by-move. If she can hit that Nor’easter, then you’d have to say that the win goes home with her!
Erin's focus never wavers, even as she grabs onto the ropes and hauls herself up onto the apron. Wiping her feet, she climbs into the ring between the top and middle ropes before she heads to her corner, turning to rest her back against the turnbuckles. Only then does she play a little to the crowd, a single fist thrusting itself skyward to earn more cheers as her music fades.
Steve Morrison: She’s not letting on that she’s in any way, shape or form intimidated by her opponent.
Cross Recoba: Steve, you’d expect no less. As soon as that bell goes, she’ll become a powder keg of energy and offense!
Laura Messier: Introducing first! He comes from the Ninth Deep. He is the leader of the Oracles of Suffering. He is the Master of Digital Manipulation….POENNAAA!!!
Poena shows no facial signs of excitement, his body alive with movement as he awaits the bell.
Laura Messier: And his opponent, she fights out of Blooming Valley, Pennsylvania. SHE IS…THE ONCOMING STORM…ERIN…GORDON!!!
Gordon’s game-face is clearly on display. A calmness radiates from her as she makes sure to keep her focus solely on her opponent.
MAIN EVENT
TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT TOURNAMENT MATCH
Singles Match
Erin Gordon vs Poena
As the two begin circling after the bell there is a noticeable wariness to Erin Gordon. She seems overly cautious as the pair step round while Poena grins gleefully, even taking an extra step or three to wheel around, raising his arms out like a deranged mosquito. The Dark Messiah stops for a second to catch Erin’s eyeline and raises a hand up to wiggle the fingers, the same hand that Gordon’s equivalent had been given a sacrificial break on back at Tapout 1. Poena lunges, throwing his arms out towards The Oncoming Storm but Erin bails, sliding to the outside. Erin talks to herself under her breath and pumps her fists.
Steve Morrison: Erin Gordon seems a little hesitant. I’m not sure she wants to take Poena head on.
Cross Recoba: There’s a sound strategy to make someone who is so unstable make the first mistake. But there’s also no shame in handling a guy who snaps fingers for fun as someone genuinely dangerous.
Sliding back into the ring, Erin gets quickly back to her feet. She squares up to the manic Poena who responds quickly, lashing a kick across her left upper arm. The Sanctified One goes straight for the arm, looking to see if that kick had loosened it from The Oncoming Storm’s side but Gordon anticipates this and wheels, causing Poena to take a step past her, followed through into a stiff clothesline to the back of Poena’s head. Erin jumps in place and then drops her fist at the small of Poena’s back but he rolls out of the ring this time, cackling with glee at his smart escape.
Steve Morrison: It’s been a little cagey so far.
Cross Recoba: Unsurprising with both the stakes on the line and the threat both these competitors are to each other. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Steve Morrison: Or demons.
Cross Recoba: Indeed.
Erin cagily makes a little space between the pair, watching Poena’s wide stance closely for any holes in his defence. Poena tries again to lunge in, his unnatural jerky motions looking to catch The Oncoming Storm off guard. But the Pennsylvania was waiting for Poena to do just that and grabs a loose arm, whipping Poena across the ring into a set of turnbuckles. Poena turns to take the impact on his back but Erin is wicked fast when she wants to be and is on him with a lethal running high knee in a flash. Gordon hops onto the second rope and leaps off with a blind back elbow that sends The Sanctified One down to the mat. The girl from PA leans flips Poena over and covers…
ONE!
TWO!
T… Poena kicks out.
Steve Morrison: Erin Gordon may not have the technical depth of some but she is quick and precise with her offense and she nearly caught Poena napping there.
Cross Recoba: It’s a very get in fast, get out fast gameplan. I like it as a way of neutralizing your opponent.
Now Erin is feeling the wind at her sails and she stands and readies her fists for Poena on his return to his feet. A huge overhand right smacks against Poena’s forehead. Then a second. Erin grabs for an arm again and slings Poena into the far ropes, extended her own arm out to hit one of her trademark clotheslines. Poena hits the far ropes, wildly out of control and rebounds back at Erin, heading straight for that arm. But as Poena gets close… he leaps a little for the outstretched arm and flips forwards, grabbing the arm and spinning Gordon’s entire body down to the mat with him in an improvised arm Dragon Screw. Erin grabs for her own shoulder and Poena, sensing blood in the water, reaches out and just hammers his fists down onto the shoulder blade.
Steve Morrison: What improvised offense from Poena!
Cross Recoba: Unorthodox yet effective, which is largely how he wrestles every match. It’s largely how Poena IS.
As Poena stands he lifts the same arm up with him and just starts kicking Erin in the shoulder with the point of his boot. The Demon of the Ninth Deep uses his hold to raise the shoulder a little off the mat and stomps down hard, crashing boot into shoulder into canvas. Erin grits her teeth in pain. The Dark Messiah stands and draws an esoteric symbol across himself, much in the manner a Christian might draw a cross, before falling forwards and driving his head into The Oncoming Storm’s shoulder, rolling away to giggle to himself rather than make a pin. Poena gazes off into the middle distance for a second as Erin clutches at her shoulder, feeling the focus of The Occultist Submissionist’s attacks.
Steve Morrison: Poena, marching to the beat of his own drum.
Cross Recoba: A drum that is probably out of tune. Or summoning something.
Hauling Erin Gordon off the mat as he stands, Poena grabs Erin up into a front catch, and then drops to a knee, swinging Gordon’s body out a little so what would usually be a rib breaker instead continues the laser focus on the shoulder. The Sanctified One backs up and takes great pleasure in smiling at the prone form of Gordon, lining up for his next attack. Poena paces up to Erin, then takes three strong strides backwards before rushing in and driving in a VICIOUS punt kick RIGHT to the injured shoulder. His face flickering between hatred and joyousness, Poena drops to mat level and drapes Erin’s arm over his own head, locking both hands around the blade of Gordon’s shoulder and pulling upwards, attempting to rip the entire arm out of the socket! Gordon stresses and strains to get out as Poena screams, “REPENT!” down at her.
Steve Morrison: I don’t know how long Erin can survive this assault.
Cross Recoba: Erin is resilient. She’s proved that in the past.
As the crowd begin to swell with support for Erin, she struggles and stresses towards the ropes. Poena is a picture of pure madness, his expression constantly changing between ecstasy, mirth, anger and grim determination at a pace that no human should be experiencing any changes of emotion, especially that drastic. Erin slowly manages to rotate the pile, her crazed opponent far more interested in doing damage than in the overall positional battle. The shoulder lock is tight and Gordon is a picture of agony. Poena wrenches back as hard as he can but the extra pressure applied allows Erin Gordon to inch steadily out of the hold and she just…JUUUUST… manages to get her foot on the bottom rope. Poena is instructed by the ref to break…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIV… Poena breaks at 4.99999.
Steve Morrison: Poena so close to getting disqualified there.
Cross Recoba: But will that get him closer to a victory? If it does it’s a risk worth taking.
Poena backs away and gets to his feet, turning to throw a look of sheer hatred at the referee. Erin, meanwhile, uses the ropes and her uninjured arm to raise herself up to a standing position. Poena charges, leaping into a two footed front dropkick but ERIN DODGES! As Poena flies through the ropes, Erin catches him with a downwards elbow and spears his upper body downwards, the second rope acting as a pivot. Erin quickly drops a fist into Poena’s upper body, carefully, very carefully standing and backing away. As The Sanctified One crawls out from underneath the rope, Erin charges and SLIDES DOWN INTO A FULL PACED LARIAT! Erin covers…
ONE!
TWO!
T…FOOT ON THE ROPE!
Steve Morrison: WEATHER UPDATE! DRIVING WINDS!
Cross Recoba: That’s usually the sign of a Nor’easter in the near future.
Wincing, clutching at her arm, Erin prepares.to finish Poena off with her more time tested finish. Poena stands, staggers, disoriented from the power of Erin’s Driving Winds. He turns and his eyes widen as he catches sight of Erin Gordon… AND GORDON SPINS THE OPPOSITE WAT TO USUAL AND HITS HER BONE RATTLING BACKFIST! POENA DROP TO THE CANVAS!
ONE!
TWO!
THR…. POENA KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: NOR’EASTER! BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH!
Cross Recoba: I think that was a Sou’wester.
Erin looks mortified, fully expecting that to garner her the win. She gives herself space looking to hit her personal take on the Sling Blade, the Windswept. Gathering together all her strength, Erin pumps her fists again and charges is… POENA GETS SLOWLY TO HIS FEET… ERIN LEAPS INTO THE AIR… REACHES AN ARM OUT TO SNAG POENA’S NECK…
…AND POENA SPITS THE TURQUOISE MIST RIGHT INTO ERIN’S FACE AS SHE’S FLYING THROUGH THE AIR! ERIN COLLAPSES TO THE MAT GRABBING HER FACE!
Steve Morrison: AMAZING GRACE! NO!
Grinning and with blue ichor dripping from his mouth, Poena kneels the mat level facing away from Erin. With Gordon’s hands desperately trying to claw the vile spit out of her eyes she is unable to make a solid defense as Poena bridges backwards, sitting his body weight onto Erin’s neck before reaching down and grabbing both of her arms, locking in a fearsome double armbar. Erin, in agony from the stinging mist and double agony with a side of pain from the armbar, especially on her weakened shoulder can do nothing more than offer a verbal submission.
Steve Morrison: The match is over and Penance is the deciding factor.
Laura Messier: The winner of this match and advancing to the next round in the Winners bracket…POENA!!!
Steve Morrison: What a way to cap off the night and an emphatic victory for Poena!
Cross Recoba: Gordon now goes into the Losers side of the tournament and knows she can’t afford another loss!
Steve Morrison: How does that affect the brackets?
Cross Recoba: Some HUGE match-ups, I wouldn’t want to price up the odds on ANY of them!
Steve Morrison: We’ll find out on October 2nd how they go down. Cross, have the team come to a verdict on Match of the Night?
Cross Recoba: After about four split votes, they have. This month’s Match of the Night is Jack Diamond versus Close Collins! What a spectacle that was. It had every-
Steve Morrison: Sorry to cut you off, Cross but we’ve got a situation.
Cutting back to the ring, Poena has taken the prone body of Gordon and has her in a Seated Armbar! He starts to slam her arm back with more force each time he does so.
Poena: REPENT!!
Steve Morrison: He won the match! What more does he want?
Cross Recoba: He’s making a show of it tonight!
Steve Morrison: He doesn’t look like he cares if she taps.
Cross Recoba: He wants to hear the snap!
The referee tries in vain to move the Sanctified One but he can’t be shifted. A cheer runs through the crowd.
Steve Morrison: Is that?
Merric rushes to ringside but Road Agents try to keep him at bay whilst they work out how to stop Poena.
Steve Morrison: He’s going to snap that arm, she’s going to have to forfeit her match against Close if he does that!
Cross Recoba: He’s really working that arm over!
Merric continues to battle to the ring as Poena continues his assault.
Poena: REPENT AND SAVE YOUR SOUL!!!
Steve Morrison: Let the man through!!
Aiden rolls into the ring and LEVELS POENA WITH A KNEE!
Cross Recoba: Merric and Gordon are close, he couldn’t stand by and watch that!
Steve Morrison: He’s not finished.
He wraps his arms around Poena…RIPCORD LARIAT!!!
Steve Morrison: TARGET NEUTRALIZED!!
Cross Recoba: He needs to get Gordon out of there and fast. Poena isn’t one to forget something like this and tournament or no tournament, Merric needs to watch his back!
Road Agents swarm the ring, pulling Merric and Gordon out of there as Poena is seen with a bloodied lip. His tongue tasting the metallic tones of his own blood whilst a sadistic smile breaks out on his face.
Steve Morrison: We’ve not heard the last of this one! Fans, we’re at the end now so good night and see you on the XHF Network October Second!
