TAP OUT WRESTLING 9: POENA VS COLLINS II
Dec 14, 2022 17:24:34 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Spike Kane, and 5 more like this
Post by Cross Recoba on Dec 14, 2022 17:24:34 GMT -5
PRESENTS
TAP OUT WRESTLING 9: POENA VS COLLINS
Date: 11th December 2022
Venue: Lansky Ballroom, The Sands Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Attendance: 1000 (Capacity: 1000)
Earlier Today
An all-black car pulls up to the Fire Lane in front of The Sands Hotel and Casino. The driver, a burly middle-aged man sporting an eye patch, steps out and looks around for a moment. He walks to the back door and opens it. Jack Diamond steps out of the vehicle and nods to his driver. He grabs his bag from the backseat, adjusts his tie after throwing the strap over his shoulder, and heads to the front door. Waiting on him is the Tap Out Ring Announcer Extraordinaire, Laura Messier.
Laura Messier: Jack! Jack Diamond!
Jack removes his sunglasses, placing them on top of his head. He smiles.
Laura Messier: Im working on a new segment for Tap Out Wrestling. Could you give your thoughts on tonight’s show and your match with Sam Sawyer? Also, what are your thoughts on tonight’s headliner, two of your arch-nemeses here in Tap Out, Close Collins taking on Poena? The winner being on a collision course with you at Tap Out Ten!
Jack grimaces briefly at the mention of Poena. Barely noticeable but it was still there.
Jack Diamond: Well Laura, Here we are on this beautiful December afternoon. I love this time of year. The Holidays. You know, we are a couple weeks removed from Thanksgiving and as I still reflect on this year I have so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful for mine and my family’s health, I’m thankful for all the success that The Diamond Lounge is having especially with us breaking ground on five more locations early next year, and I’m thankful for being able to come back into this business and join a company like Tap Out and be successful. I’m thankful for every match I get to have, and tonight is no different!
Laura Messier: Do you have any reservations concerning being in the ring with someone over twenty years your junior? Sam Sawyer has stated just how big of a match this is for them. How do you match that motivation after all your accolades in the ring?
Jack Diamond: I’m not concerned. Now, that is not to say I’m taking this match lightly. In fact, it’s the opposite. Again, I’m thankful for every match I have and with that it means that I don’t take any of them for granted. Sam is young. Sam is hungry. They are on an absolute tear here in Tap Out. Tonight, is their first major test. They are excited and rightfully so, but so I am I! Tonight, I get to do what I do best in that ring with one of the up-and-coming stars in this business and gain some momentum as I head into the final two months of the Openweight Tournament.
Laura goes to ask a question, but Jack holds up a hand, cutting her off.
Jack Diamond: SPEAKING of the tournament, yes… I am VERY interested in tonight’s main event. Close Collins, who I have beaten twice is taking on Poena who… let’s face it, is very much NOT on my Christmas Card list. But oh, what a Christmas present I'll get tonight! These two will inevitably beat the Ho-Ho-Holy HELL out of each other and I’ll get to bear witness to it all. Now, my hopes are that they destroy each other, can’t make it to Tap Out Ten and then I just cruise on into my rematch with Jason Long. BUT… that’s wishful thinking and besides, I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on Close again. As far as Poena goes… Well, there is no better way to start Twenty-Twenty-three than to put an end to the big bad “boogie-man” of Tap Out Wrestling. They’ve been clear about their motivations going into this match and it is more so to meet me next month again than it is to advance any further. So right here, allow me to congratulate whoever ultimately survives tonight on your last win of the tournament.
With that, Jack winks at Laura before putting his glasses back down over his eyes and going past her and entering the building. The feed cuts as Laura Messier just shrugs to the camera.
We open to a packed out crowd in the Lansky Ballroom. The camera pans around the room and focuses on fan signs, namely:
* I’M ONLY HERE BECAUSE GFC NIGHT ONE WAS SOLD OUT!
* LOOK AT THAT DOG’S BELLY-BUTTON!
* I’LL WORSHIP YOU, POENA!
* DIAMOND’S STILL MY #1 ICON!
* MY OTHER CAR IS MOTHER!
Steve Morrison: Welcome to Tap Out Wrestling! Welcome to Tap Out Wrestling Nine: Poena versus Collins! We’ve got a fantastic night of action for you tonight with SEVEN matches, each promising to be can’t-miss bouts! But, our main-event promises to deliver and even Jack Diamond is chomping at the bit to find out who he will face in next month’s main-event!
The camera sweeps along the front row. Fans lean into the camera and cheer loudly. Curiously, the shot lingers on one who isn’t. The elder man looks eerily similar to one we’ve seen before.
Cross Recoba: Wait, that was Zoran! He knows he’s not welcome here.
Steve Morrison: I’m sure it’s not, Cross. My co-commentator faces Zoran on New Year’s Eve for the XHF X*Crown title.
Cross Recoba: I’m sure of it! How did he get in?
Steve Morrison: Let it go, Cross. I’m sure it’s not him…
The screen now shows scenes from earlier. We see the Montagu Bar at The Sands, membership was exclusive and the waiting list to even be vetted went into 2024 but for tonight, it’s teeming with activity.
Steve Morrison: With the XHF Network itself part-owning Tap Out, Mongo’s invited a host of headline names to watch our last show of the calendar year!
Bloodied Fox walks into shot and straight out of it as he’s beckoned to join a booth out of shot, the XHF’s hottest free-agent seems to be in demand at the reception prior to tonight’s event.
Notably, Kanyon, Dylan Black and Steve Awesome remain in the same room but are on either sides of the room and talking to different people.
Steve Morrison: Christmas Eve is fast approaching and we see these three men on opposing teams with the main-event featuring Dylan’s Pillars of Violence with Jesse Jamester, Price and our own Spike Kane facing off against Steve Awesome Presents with the Awesome Bastards and The Crinkly Bottom Boys and the final team of El BANG! Hermanos and Friends with Curtis Kanyon, El Combatiente, Zoran Sainovic and Hardcore Harry.
Cross Recoba: They’ll be facing off in a Civil Wargames match which hopefully sees Mr Blobby maiming Zoran ahead of my own match with him this New Year’s Eve!
Steve Morrison: Being realistic, we might find out what color Blobby bleeds…
Rob Arnold is deep in conversation with The Academy, Riley Richards and Leon Chant. Looking for their next home, they’re dressed accordingly. The camera is forced to turn and when it stops we see why.
Marty Donovan stands in front of the camera adorned in a Dalmation fur coat. To his side is HKW Color Commentator and comedy self-enthusiast, Phillip Blauer.
Marty Donovan: Cross, Disney wants you.
A server looks shocked when he mentions ‘the D’ Word.
Marty Donovan: There is one slight change that corporate wants. They are concerned with the name. Tap Out is too violent. It creates a mental image of a limb snapping. That is not what Disney is about, so we had the imagineers whip up this cool alternative.
Phillip Blauer holds up a tee that has the Tap Out logo on it, but instead it reads “Tickle”
Marty Donovan: I think we can all agree that this is a much better name.
The server moves on but more people turn to see what Donovan is proposing.
The soul of your company is preserved, two warriors locked in battle until one forfeits. It just happens to be a real competitive tickle fight. I mean super competitive, Cross.
Marty shows a painting of Jack Diamond and Spike Kane dressed in Moana pajamas. The wrestlers laugh in glee as they tickle each other with feathers. The bystanders laugh at thee mock-up.
Marty Donovan: This can all be yours if you agree to my one demand, you fire Jason Long.
Several of the XHF Guests look taken aback by the stipulation.
Marty Donovan: Trust me. You don't want this guy on the team. Jason Long is not a visionary like us. I recently presented him with a similar lucrative offer for his IPW promotion and he stupidly turned it down…I’m not requesting this because I’m bitter. Jason was never a good fit for Tap Out.
Faint murmurs start to go around the room.
Marty Donovan: Look at how much he has accomplished at such a young age. Talk about peaking early. Who wins multiple World titles before age 25? It is shameful. He’s had no character building adversity. Wouldn't you rather hire someone like me with the experience of countless failures?
Blauer can be seen laughing in the background of the shot.
Marty Donovan: You were never going to be able to make Jason a star. He’s Irish. Nobody can understand that accent. This isn't just a wrestling problem, but it expands to all forms of entertainment. I dare you to name one famous Irish singer. You just can't. There aren't any!
Someone, somewhere is just happy Spike isn’t there to hear that last part of his monologue.
Marty Donovan: So, do yourself a favor, Cross…take Mickey’s money and we can work together EVERYDAY! I’ll even sweeten the deal, I know the Alien crew and after Dakota, don’t you deserve a Queen?
The two HKW stars wander out of shot as we cut back to the ring.
Steve Morrison: A whole host of former XHF Champions are in attendance tonight for what looks to be a can’t miss card.
Cross Recoba: A whole host of former XHF Champions…and Marty Donovan.
Steve Morrison: Before we get into tonight's card, January 15th sees XHF's Battle for Hegemony. Ten feds on the Network sending one man to compete in a 5 vs 5 match. The winners? They go on to face the X*Crown Champion at Supremacy on the 29
Cross Recoba: We thought long and hard about this and the person we picked and accepted, well they could have a tough January. We're sending...POENA!
Steve Morrison: Perhaps too soon for Close, Jackalope and Sawyer but I'm sure their time will come. So, Poena? He could hav four gruelling matches in a month if he progresses in the tournament, including two at Supremacy!
Cross Recoba: He agreed and the prevailing thought in the room was that when we looked at the already announced names, his viciousness and brutality would give him a great shot not just at qualifying but at going the whole way!
Steve Morrison: What an announcement, Close must be hoping now that Poena's distracted when it comes to our main event.
Cross Recoba: He'd hope so but he can't rely on that, he'll have put in a full camp entirely focused on his opponent as he's seen him on Tap Out cards from afar as well as up close.
Steve Morrison: Well, as we've touched on our main-event, lets get into tonight, shall we? We kick off with two debuting wrestlers that bring contrasting styles that could well set the night off on the right note.
Cross Recoba: As is tradition in Tap Out.
Steve Morrison: We’ll see the debut of Random McConlauge who has made her name all across Europe…
Cross Recoba: Her style is going to cause people problems. Taking her cues from both Frank and Karl Gotch, George Hackenschmidt, and Danny Hodge - McConalogue has the ability to end a match on a dime!
Steve Morrison: She won’t have it all her own way, Kingsley Solomon proved what he can do in J-ROK and he has a brain on him to run Sin City Championship Wrestling. Add in a Japanese Junior style and you’d say that, on paper, he might be the favorite to win our opening bout.
Cross Recoba: We’ve seen our share of upsets this year in the opening match, I’d take a very generous pinch of salt with those odds.
Steve Morrison: With another debut, we see The Thespian take on Tommy Strychnine.
Cross Recoba: Thespian comes into the company with a reputation for being able to pull off huge wins. Just take a look at who fell before him in NLW and you’ll see it’s an impressive list.
Steve Morrison: His Interpreter did all the talking when he introduced his charge to Tap Out; does the fact he’s non-verbal get inside your head at all?
Cross Recoba: I can see why people might think it does. You can’t see his face, you can’t hear him utter a word in pain, it’s massive sensory deprivation.
Steve Morrison: Tommy’s coming into this on the back of a win with Jackalope, can he build from that?
Cross Recoba: It’s difficult to predict. Strych’s not had the best year of his career but he’ll want to finish strong.
Steve Morrison: Do you think we’ll see his arm raised or will Thespian steal the win after mimicking his finisher?
Cross Recoba: Flip a coin. On a card full of close-calls, this one isn’t any easier.
Steve Morrison: Following that conundrum of a match-up, we see Isabella von Krauss face-off against Wildcat Capone.
Cross Recoba: Not one for the wrestling purists but if you like a street fight? You’ll get that itch scratched with this one.
Steve Morrison: We’ve always known IVK was unhinged but has she gone too far?
Cross Recoba: She’s pushing herself back into contention tonight.
Steve Morrison: No clowns, the house-fire, the obsession with Jackalope…how long until the turnbuckle pads are replaced with padded walls?
Cross Recoba: I’ve not seen any warrant out for her arrest, I’m almost certain she used some of that money she likes to throw around for the visual effects in her promo.
Steve Morrison: That may be so but she did hire a very real Bounty Hunter to go after Jackalope.
Cross Recoba: That is true but focusing on this match, her contract isn’t up but she will want to get back to winning ways.
Steve Morrison: But Wildcat has a great opportunity with her mind elsewhere?
Cross Recoba: Capone has a great opportunity in almost any match he’s in.
Steve Morrison: He seems to be branching out, will that hamper his ability to focus on Tap Out?
Cross Recoba: On the contrary, Infinite Pro is a great place for him to continue learning his trade in professional wrestling and GUNS Fight Club? He has the ability to stand and bang now, he’ll only improve in the ring being exposed to so many different styles.
Steve Morrison: Bringing the first-half of our show to a close, we see two XHF Heavyweights go toe-to-toe as Spike Kane and Aiden Merric meet.
Cross Recoba: Not for the first time…
Steve Morrison: Last year at Night of Champions, the two of them took part in a huge multi-man match for the X*Crown Title…
Cross Recoba: Where MYŌJIN still retained but where you got glimpses of what would happen in a match between Spike and Merric, tonight you get to see the full picture!
Steve Morrison: Aiden was unhappy to start his Tap Out career with a loss last month.
Cross Recoba: He’s a proud man and a decorated one at that. Some might say that this is the toughest match on the card for Merric but we’re hoping to bring out the best in him by pushing him to the limit.
Steve Morrison: The Blood God didn’t get that name for nothing. We all know the wars that he and his brother have had across the globe and even beyond.
Cross Recoba: Everywhere he’s been, Spike Kane has made you sit up and pay attention so how could we not sign him? He’s a year removed from being the X*Crown Champion and you’d be hard-pressed to argue that he’s lost even a tenth of a step since losing the title.
Steve Morrison: Opening up the show after the break is a match where EVERYTHING is on the line.
Cross Recoba: IVK’s Throne of Bone for one.
Steve Morrison: Jackalope’s rookie year has seen him build a tremendous rapport with the fans and he’s done so by wowing them with gravity-defying moves and high-impact offense.
Cross Recoba: Sadly, that attention has also attracted the interest of Isabella von Krauss.
Steve Morrison: Last month it came to a head when a Masked Man we now are informed is known as The Skulltaker, tried to cash in the bounty put on the Chaos Bunny’s head by IVK…
The Masked Man laughs as he stands over Jackalope.
Masked Man: Isabella está pagando una prima para que tu trasero esté intacto. Solo ríndete.
Steve Morrison: He wants to bring him in alive to IVK! She’ll go to any lengths it seems!
Leaping to his feet, there’s no spider crawl to telegraph a spear that drives The Masked Man through another wall.
Steve Morrison: Fans, I’ve word that security are on their way to meet Cross backstage to break this up.
Jackalope rolls to his feet and tries to lay the boots into the Masked Man but security restrain him and separate the two men.
Steve Morrison: Now fighting here tonight, Jackalope needs to win to save himself from being turned into furniture like it’s Conker’s Bad Fur Day!
Cross Recoba: That only involved sprites, he’s fighting for his life tonight and Isabella isn’t known for her ability to take a loss on the chin!
Steve Morrison: Conversely, Jackalope’s size doesn’t nearly convey the heart and grit that he’s displayed in his matches here.
Cross Recoba: The real ‘X’ factor in this one is what Skulltaker can bring. Until that bell rings, I don’t think anyone can really predict how this match is going to go.
Steve Morrison: Which brings us to our co-main event…
Cross Recoba: What a match this could be…
Steve Morrison: Diamond’s already addressed the interest this match is going to have from Poena and Close but it’s not just inside Tap Out where he has the issue…
The crowd in silenced horror watch Poena sliver under the ropes and into the ring…HE DROPS DIAMOND BACK TO THE MAT WITH A CROSS-LEGGED KNEEBREAKER BRAINBUSTER!!
Steve Morrison: HE JUST HIT ANATHEMA ON THE ACE!
Long now engages with Poena and he seems to be getting the upper hand as the two trade rights and lefts across the ring.
Cross Recoba: With Diamond facing either Poena or Close in the New Year it seems that The Scourge of Sanity wants to make sure he’s remembered!
Poena lands a liver shot to make Bas Rutten proud and lifts him up for a Money Flip…LONG LANDS ON HIS FEET!
Steve Morrison: Look who’s just come through the crowd and over the barrier!
Cross Recoba: We knew he’d try and get to Diamond if he could!
Rat Bastard can be seen climbing into the ring as Long leaps onto the middle-rope - SPRINGBOARD EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Steve Morrison: He connects with a Death Beam but Diamond looks vulnerable!
Indeed, Jack is seen using the ropes to get to his feet and doesn’t see the rushing back elbow of Rat Bastard!....SPINEBUSTER!!
Steve Morrison: Long’s in no place to help his one-time mentor!
Cross Recoba: Both men have gone through hell in their match, this is like watching jackals on the serengeti!
Jason and Poena are neck and neck as Poena, from the corner, evades a strike and traps the Best Bout Machine in his place. He throws vicious pointed elbow strikes into the throat of his man.
Steve Morrison: Poena has already taken out NOMAD and put away IVK, he’s looking for a hat-trick if he can get past Long!
Racing down the aisle, Merric runs to the ring and slides under the bottom rope.
Cross Recoba: We know that Poena and Aiden have already run into each other but Merric and Rat Bastard aren’t likely to be exchanging cell numbers anytime soon!
Rat Bastard has Diamond set up a Crucifix Powerbomb. The crowd noise increasing doesn’t tip the hat of the Awesome Bastard. MERRIC CLUBS HIM IN THE HEAD FROM BEHIND…RIPCORD LARIAT!!
Steve Morrison:TARGET NEUTRALIZED!!
Ratty gets to his feet on adrenaline alone but it’s clear he’s only with us physically…LEAPING STACKED DECK FROM DIAMOND!!
Steve Morrison: The roof is threatening to come off here in the Lansky Ballroom!
Long manages to catch the rising knee of Poena and hits a Leg Dragon Screw on Poena who rolls through. Diamond goes for the ICON KICK….
POENA DUCKS OUT THE WAY AND ROLLS OUT THE RING BUT THE TAP OUT ROAD AGENTS KEEP HIM BACK. ANOTHER SET OF TAP OUT OFFICIALS STAND BETWEEN THE ICONS AND MERRIC AND RAT BASTARD…
Steve Morrison: Are we likely to see the same happen tonight?
Cross Recoba: We’ve got security on high-alert given the events of last month, but we are looking at making a sanctioned match for February. Hopefully we have an announcement when our next event happens in January.
Steve Morrison: Now, what is relevant for tonight is whether or not Diamond is fully-fit. He’s coming off a gruelling few months with a vicious match with Poena where he might have won but it most likely cost him the following week at End of Days. Last month, he and Long pushed each other to the limit and then…well, we just saw what happened after Jason’s arm was raised. Has he got it in him to take on a still unbeaten Sawyer?
Cross Recoba: NEVER discount Diamond. He’s made his career on being counted out only to prove people wrong. Sawyer isn’t going to make it easy for him, their hard-hitting style has seen off the likes of James Dragon who isn’t afraid of a brawl himself. For me, it all boils down to who takes their chances.
Steve Morrison: Spoken like a pundit at the World Cup.
Cross Recoba: It’s true though. Jack’s game is built around years of experience and aerial assaults. He’s the master of controlling the ring on the Tap Out roster and he doesn’t limit himself to just one way to put you down, he can make you tap or he can knock you out. Sawyer, on the other hand, their game is expanding rapidly with each match and the fire and intensity they display once that bell rings is second to none. Will Jack second-guess himself after the loss to Long? Will Sawyer be overwhelmed by the occasion or find themselves in an unfamiliar situation and react a fraction too late?
Steve Morrison: I, personally, can’t wait to find out!
In obvious agony, Close moves in towards Poena as The Sanctified One stands. Collins wraps his arms around Poena and rotates his hips, twisting the Dark Prophet around and dumping him on the mat with a sloppy looking Belly to Belly Suplex. Close desperately hold on for a cover…
ONE!
TWO!
TH.. Poena kicks out.
Steve Morrison: Not enough!
Close looks at the referee in desperation and disbelief. He turns back to Poena and summons the last of his strength to haul up Poena, wincing in pain. He locks in a front chancery, steels himself and goes to lift Poena up for his signature brainbuster…
But he just can’t manage it.
Close tries again. AGAIN he can’t get Poena up.
CLOSE TRIES A THIRD TIME. EVERY SQUARE INCH OF HIS FACE IS WRACKED WITH AGONY. AND JUST… JUST… JUST…
LIFTS POENA UP AND DROPS HIM ON HIS HEAD WITH A BRAAAAAAAAAAINBUSTER!
Steve Morrison: Now’s your chance Close!
Steve Morrison: In our Main-Event, we see Poena vs Collins II! A match from all the way back in March, Collins put on an impressive showing in only his second match!
Cross Recoba: Our youth movement is second to none!
Steve Morrison: Can he go one better than last time out, tonight?
Collins knows that he needs a definite finish, and he walks over to the turnbuckles. Up one step. Uo another step. His progress is walking through molasses levels of slow but Poena appears to be down. Close steps up to the top and looks over his shoulder. Poena is slowly standing. Close crosses himself and changes plans, leaping off backwards, flipping and pirouetting mid air to crash into The Sanctified One.
Steve Morrison: THE FUTURE’S CALLING!
Cross Recoba: But at what cost?
The howl of pain from Collins as his back hits Poena’s body is loud and anguished. Both men are down and the referee puts on a ten count for a double knockout…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE! Poena is up…
SIX!
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
NINE!
TE…. CLOSE COLLINS IS UP! HE TURNS TO FACE POENA! And Poena, having noted the referee is resetting position after being down to check the double down… KICKS HIM SQUARE IN THE NUTS. Close stumbles forwards…CROSSED LEGGED SUPLEX LIFT. DROPPED STRAIGHT DOWN, THE CENTER OF CLOSE’S SHOULDERS CRASHING RIGHT ONTO POENA’S KNEE. POENA COVERS…
Steve Morrison: ANATHEMA! NOT LIKE THIS!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Steve Morrison: Damn you, Poena. Close tried everything. But a low blow was the difference. Damn you.
Cross Recoba: Collins is going to be riding high after being the only man to beat NOMAD.
Declining to pin the Number 6 seed in the tournament, NOMAD lifts him up in a waistlock…he pulls the arms to spin him round…
Steve Morrison:He’s almost certainly looking to end this with Nihilus…
COLLINS ROLLS OUT THE WAY….ENZIGURI CONNECTS WITH THE HEAD OF NOMAD….LAST CALL SUPLEX!!!
Steve Morrison:THE SAME MOVE HE USED TO SET-UP THE END FOR ERIN GORDON!!
LIKE HIS LAST MATCH, CLOSE HOLDS ON!!! THE CROWD NOISE BEGINS TO SWELL!
Cross Recoba: He hangs on to it!
TYRELL ASKS IF NOMAD WANTS TO SUBMIT BUT HE GETS NOTHING FROM HIM BUT GRUNTS!
CUT
THE CROWD NOW ARE ON THEIR FEET!
Steve Morrison: The Tap Out crowd have been behind him since our first show where he made his professional debut. They’ve seen how far he’s come in such a short time.
Once more he picks up the arm of NOMAD…IT FALLS AGAIN!!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD looks bereft of ideas, surely it’s just a matter of time.
Tuff is struggling to stop himself from climbing in the ring, waiting for victory to be assured.
Steve Morrison: Tuff seems to share your opinion, Cross.
Steve Tyrell lifts up the arm for a third time….IT FALLS AND STEVE TYRELL CALLS FOR THE BELL!!
Steve Morrison: HE PASSED OUT! I DON’T BELIEVE IT! NOMAD HAS BEEN BEATEN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS TAP OUT CAREER!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD HAS ACTUALLY LOST DECISIVELY!
Steve Morrison: He beat him but Poena put him on the shelf!
Poena slams the sledge down into NOMAD’s elbow before yelling and tossing it away. He moves NOMAD around and locks him into Penance, his face shifting into a sadistic, righteous glee.
Poena: This is how it would always have ended! It was prophesied! You were doomed from the start!
Steve Morrison: He has him in Penance! This isn’t to make a point, this is to get even!
Cross Recoba: With NOMAD out, Poena didn’t want to wait til the New Year to make his point!
Poena yanks NOMAD’s arms together in front of him, then laughs maniacally as he shifts his grip to put even more pressure on the hold, crossing his own arms and pulling with all his might. After a moment or two, a sickening ripping sound is heard, with NOMAD letting out a muffled scream as both of his arms pop out of joint, dislocated and likely broken. Road agents are finally arriving on the scene, horrified by the broken man left on the floor as Poena gets up and glares bloody murder at them with his red eye glowing.
Poena: Jugular 5:7-9 “And lo, look upon the results of defying His will! The blind and the ignorant shall bleed and break till they see the truth! No one can escape His gaze! "
Poena laughs his soul-chilling laugh as the road agents hesitate, the laugh seeming to skip like a record before Poena is suddenly gone... leaving what is left of NOMAD to be recovered.
Cross Recoba: And both men would take great delight in beating Diamond to go onto XHF Supremacy to face Jason Long in the final for the Tap Out Openweight Title.
Steve Morrison: Poena doesn’t want to save Close this time…he wants to break him.
Cross Recoba: I’ve got faith that Tuff will have drilled him in every aspect of their last match and everything that happened in the matches against Diamond and IVK. A Collins win today would put him up there with the best of the rookie years the XHF Network has seen.
Steve Morrison: He just has to get past the most sadistic member of the Network to do so.
Cross Recoba: It’s anyone’s game in the main-event!
Steve Morrison: Without anymore from us, Laura’s in the ring as we kick off our night with Random McConalogue versus Kingsley Solomon!
Laura Messier: Welcome to Tap Out Wrestling NINE! Introducing your first contest of the evening, it's a singles match set for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
The stage lights fade to eerie teal green as "Five Ten Fiftyfold" begins.
Wheezing and sneezing,
Tenfold it blew apart,
It halved it in half,
And went gushing gust wind
Steve Morrison: We saw Random tease her debut last month, what can we expect to see in the ring?
Cross Recoba: She's built a name for herself across Europe. With it only being a few hours from the Snakepit in Wigan from where she resides, we're going to see a lot of mat-based submissions and old-school offense.
The lights reach their full
Steve Morrison: She's looking relaxed, is she maybe too relaxed?
Cross Recoba: She's confident and she knows that joining Tap Out is the obvious and natural progression to take her career to the next level. She's seen the pitfalls of waiting too long to make the leap, it's what struck me when we started negotiating - she knows what she wants.
Serene and calm, she casually strolls, shoulders lightly oscillating in a slow sync.
Steve Morrison: What does she need to watch for once that bell rings?
Cross Recoba: She'll need to set that tempo quickly, Kingsley'll want to keep things moving, keep it fluid and her game is all about dictating the tempo and being proactive, not reactive...
Her body is calm and relaxed, like a moonlight walk in the park, but her gaze is fixed, staring at the empty ring with snake eyes. She's never in a hurry, she doesn't need to be.
"No betting on tomorrow, but we all love a tragedy."
"Come drown in our sorrow and see the world as it oughta be..."
As the chorus kicks in, Kingsley Solomon makes his way out onto the stage, sporting a black hooded vest that he wears a small smirk underneath as he gazes out into the crowd, arms gradually raising themselves up and spreading wide as he drinks in the radiant energy the crowd gives off.
Steve Morrison: The former J-ROK star makes his Tap Out debut. No need for a mask now.
Cross Recoba: Kingsley was recommended to me by his cohort, Hunter Storms. I'd heard rumors on the Strip he was interested and Hunter and I go way back to when we both were in a group called The Enforcers in the UKWF. Storms set the meeting up and he's biting at the bit to start making waves here.
With a deep inhale and exhale, he begins making his way down the ramp. Reaching the bottom, he peels the hood back, sliding into the ring and quickly popping back up onto his feet.
Steve Morrison: Being a co-owner of SCCW, is that likely to distract him from his in-ring training?
Cross Recoba: He's run that place for three years now. Once you've got the plates spinning, you know what else you can take onboard. Him and the rest of the Harbingers have been involved in some ofthe matches of the year on the XHF Network in 2022!
He moves over to the set of ropes facing the camera, leaning against them with a tilt of the head, cheek resting against his fist with a slightly thoughtful look as if contemplating something but the small smirk from before reappears as he backs off into his corner, soon fading as he warms up.
Steve Morrison: Can he put down Random?
Cross Recoba: I wouldn't have signed him if I didn't think that against anyone on the roster, Solomon had a chance of coming out on top!
With both debutants in the ring, Laura steps into the middle of the ring.
Laura Messier: To my right! Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland. They made weight at one-hundred-and-thirty-six pounds and stand five-feet nine tall. RANDOM.....MCCONALOGUE!!!
The Glaswegian betrays no sign of her gameplan.
Laura Messier: And her opponent! Hailing from Sin City and weighing two-hundred-and-twenty-nine pounds. He is the Co-owner of Sin City Championship Wrestling....KINGSLEY...SOLOMON!
Matching his opponent's mannerisms, Solomon just stares down the woman across the ring as they wait for the bell to sound.
OPENING MATCH
SINGLES MATCH
Random McConalogue vs Kingsley Solomon
Steve Tyrell waits for Laura Messier to leave the ring and then calls the two fighters into the ring for last-minute instructions.
Steve Morrison: Tyrell’s wanting to get this night off to a good and clean start.
Cross Recoba: Get them on their debut and, you’d think, they might listen.
Steve Morrison: Would you?
Cross Recoba: I’m not them…
Happy that the two debutants have understood his instructions as they return to their corners, Tyrell calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
The two fighters make their way to the center of the ring and circle one another. Kingsley moves first and initiates a lock-up. The SCCW Owner is quick to take McConalogue over with an arm-drag, keeping hold of the arm as he does so.
Steve Morrison: The Harbinger takes the initiative.
Cross Recoba: That group needs the win tonight. The Sons of Loki came up short against Top of the Class, Raiden didn’t usurp Zoran and Daigo found himself on the wrong side of the win when he lost his title to Eron Hunter a few weeks back in Wrestle: UK!
Scooting around, Random manages to turn the armbar into one of her own. Using the leverage, she brings Solomon back to his feet and transitions into a top-wristlock.
Steve Morrison: Random’s style might be new to some people but in short, she might just be THE best technical wrestler on Tap Out’s roster.
Cross Recoba: It’s a big claim but her catch-as-catch-can style goes all the way back to the mid-to-late nineteenth century with John Graham Chambers so expect to see some moves and holds that you’ve not seen before.
Pushing forward with the hold, The Infrequent Flyer starts to bend the back of her opponent, his body being forced to arch or drop to the mat.
Steve Morrison: McConalogue is really working that hold.
Cross Recoba: She might be feeling out where Kingsley’s limits in the ring are or, more likely, seeing where the openings exist.
Having to rely on his power advantage, Kingsley manages to recover his footing back to a standing base. He is quick to reapply a standing armbar and heads to the ropes. He leaps up to the top rope and springs backwards, arm-drag takedown!
Steve Morrison: Great takedown from The Gambler. If you look at the company he keeps then it tips you to what to expect in the ring.
Cross Recoba: With a stable of Daigo, Raiden and Hunter Storms, the Japanese influences are the most natural to assume he’d take.
Rolling to their feet, the Scot is quick to connect with a quick forearm before grabbing a standing side-headlock.
Steve Morrison: It’s an interesting clash of styles. Solomon will want to keep the match moving, Random? Less so. They’ll be breaking down their opponent and, if possible, a sudden submission would be ideal for them.
Cross Recoba: It’s what made putting this match together so appealing. It’s a great test for both of their debuts and for us to see how they react.
Steve Morrison: Random continues to work this hold.
Random distributes her weight to make the hold as difficult to move from as possible. Kingsley looks to escape with a back suplex but his opponent rolls down the back of him. The Harbinger throws a no-look elbow to the head and uses the opening to rush the Catch-as-Catch-Can star to the ropes. He follows her in with a rushing side-elbow to the head.
Cross Recoba: Kingsley wants to up the tempo.
Kicking his legs out as he leaps, Kingsley looks for a mini-victory roll…
Steve Morrison: Early pin attempt!
ONE…
Cross Recoba: No dice, Gambler…
Mostly Harmful McConalogue rolls through and catches her opponent rising with a European Uppercut that staggers her foe.
Steve Morrison: She got all of that one but I’m led to believe that this might be the only punch we’ll see her throw in the ring.
Cross Recoba: You find it a lot with people brought up by Shooters, why risk their hands and miss out on catching their opponent in a hold through an injury?
Closing the gap instantly, RANDOM LIFTS UP KINGSLEY AND PLANTS HIM ON HIS HEAD WITH A RUGBY DUMP TACKLE!
Steve Morrison: What a tackle!
Cross Recoba: Scotland could have done with those in the Six Nations!
The moves garners a more than polite ripple of applause.
Steve Morrison: The Lansky Ballroom approves of that burst of power!
Cross Recoba: She dropped him clean on his head and drove through as she took him to the mat!
Hooking a half-nelson and leg-lock on Solomon, Random pushes him forward into a pin.
Steve Morrison: Amateur wrestling pin attempt!
ONE…
TW-
SOLOMON KICKS OUT!
Cross Recoba: It’s an effective pin-style. The half-nelson forces you to go forward and the leg hook means your opponent has to work that little bit harder to kick out.
Getting to his knees, he’s cut off by McConalogue who faces him and pushes against his shoulder whilst wrapping her arm around his neck and makes a figure-four!
Steve Morrison: What a move!
Cross Recoba: It’s a spine-crank…going off what I’ve been able to glean, a Lancashire Grovit. That’s a lot of pain for what looks a relatively simple hold to apply.
Steve Morrison: Almost certainly gleaned from the Snakepit in Wigan!
Cross Recoba: You can bet your house on it!
Struggling in the hold, Kingsley tries to power to his feet but Random makes it difficult, adjusting her body weight to ride atop of his own.
Steve Morrison: It’s an efficient debut so far for Random, Kingsley hasn’t got a choice in the matter, she WILL make him work to keep going in the match!
Cross Recoba: She’s a well-balanced fighter. Her mental attributes are a big part of her in-ring game.
Steve Morrison: How will Kingsley figure this one out?
With a roar, Solomon manages to drive to his feet, the hold still intact and push her against the ropes to break the chokehold.
Cross Recoba: He still holds a power advantage and if he can take to the skies then he might have a way to take this match back into his favour.
Steve Morrison: No need to explain why Random has the nickname of the Infrequent Flyer!
Tyrell steps between the two to enforce the break. No sooner has he stepped out of the way than SOLOMON STEAMS FORWARD WITH A KICK TO THE GUT!
Steve Morrison: Slightly unsporting behaviour there.
Cross Recoba: Kingsley sees the sport as an extension of gambling and no-one made out big in a casino by playing it safe!
Using the advantage, he sends Random to the ropes and follows her…BULLDOG!
Steve Morrison: Driving the face of his opponent into the mat, Solomon is determined to fight his way back into this match!
Keeping up the pace, he lifts her to her feet and snaps her over with a suplex.
Steve Morrison: Crisp suplex.
Cross Recoba: He’s not done yet…
He doesn’t hesitate as he pops back to his feet and drives a legdrop across the throat of his opponent and rolls through…Asai moonsault…NO-ONE’S HOME!
Steve Morrison: He went too far with the moonsault attempt!
Cross Recoba: Notice that she rolled out the way and didn’t put her legs up. There has to be a reason for that…
As he gets back to his feet, Solomon is met by a succession of stiff and unforgiving forearms to the head that back him into a corner. Kingsley eats another European uppercut that allows the Scot to wrap her hands around the head of her opponent, raising it unnaturally above the shoulders.
Steve Morrison: Cravate applied by Random, we’ve not seen this move for a while now. It was popular in the mid-to-late noughties but I’ve not seen it in over a decade.
Cross Recoba: McConalogue’ll know it as the European Headlock, her time in Belgium or another of the low countries.
Solomon tries to wrestle the cravate free with his hands but finds that Random has the hold in snugly.
Steve Morrison: Random’s style and approach seems to have caught her opponent off-guard.
Cross Recoba: Solomon’ll need to dig deep to get back into this one.
Kingsley swings with a big kick to the legs….and another!
Steve Morrison: It’s not quite digging deep but it seems to be doing what’s needed.
A third breaks the hold!
Cross Recoba: The impact of those kicks isn’t going away quickly.
Steve Morrison: Can he build from this now…
Mid-turn, McConalogue is met with a dropkick that takes them down to the mat. They sit up but manage to duck under the charging knee of Solomon who instead carries on through thin air.
Steve Morrison: Agile evasion from Random, that knee could have ended the match!
Cross Recoba: Striking’s just one part of his arsenal but it might well get him on top in the match.
Turning around, Kingsley finds himself scooped up…he drops down the back of McConalogue and dropkicks them back into the corner. Schoolboy roll-up INTO A SUPLEX!!!
Steve Morrison: SCHOOLBOY SUPLEX FROM KINGSLEY!
Cross Recoba: The pure strength needed to carry that move off is unreal! You’ve got momentum on your side to get them up but carrying them over your head like that takes power!
Solomon spots Random rising…BUZZSAW KICK!!
Steve Morrison: He near kicked her head off!
He covers…
ONE…
TW-
RANDOM KICKS OUT AND ROLLS UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Steve Morrison: McConalogue survives the Buzzsaw kick but what is she doing here?
Cross Recoba: She’s rolled there deliberately, I’d be cautious if I were in the ring with her now.
Kingsley is keen to build on the momentum and goes to grab the head of McConalogue who answers with a forearm that connects with a jarring thud. McConalogue grabs hold of the SCCW owner’s head and brings it towards her and between the middle-rope.
Steve Morrison: She’s applying a chokehold…
The Infrequent Flyer wraps her arms around his head and neck in a front sleeper!
Cross Recoba: I’ve seen her soften up her opponents with this move. She has a bag of tricks in her locker that all can target the neck of her opponent and she’s got multiple ways to put her opponents away once it’s softened up.
Tyrell has no choice but to start the count.
ONE…
TWO…
Steve Morrison: She’s working the count to choke him out just that little while longer.
McConalogue releases the hold and steps through the ropes…BRIDGING BELLY-TO-BACK SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: A nod to Frank Gotch with that move!
ONE…
TWO…
SOLOMON KICKS OUT!
Cross Recoba: That Burning Hammer of Kingsley’s may be off the menu at this point.
Steve Morrison: Joker’s Wild has seen him take the win in many of the big matches he’s been in in his career and you may well be right that it’s not going to be an option tonight!
Before he can properly get on his feet, McConalogue grabs a waistlock and rushes him to the ropes…
Cross Recoba: She’s going for a German suplex….
Kingsley hangs on, sending Random rolling backwards to the center of the ring. He rushes towards her and hits A TILT-A-WHIRL DDT!!
Steve Morrison: HE DRILLED RANDOM ON HER HEAD!!
Shooting a look over his shoulder, Solomon springs to the top-rope….DIVING CROSSBODY!
Cross Recoba: Great elevation!
ONE…
TW-
RANDOM’S ARM SHOOTS UP TO STOP THE COUNT!
Cross Recoba: What can Kingsley do from here?
Solomon takes McConalogue by the raised arm and brings her back to her feet. He uses it to deliver a short-arm elbow before whipping her to the corner.
Steve Morrison: He leans back into the turnbuckle…
HANDSPRING BACK ELBOW HAS RANDOM STAGGERING FROM THE CORNER…BELLY-TO-BACK FACEBUSTER!!
Cross Recoba: A nod to Liger!
ONE…
TWO…
RANDOM KICKS OUT INTO A CROSSFACE!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT A COUNTER!
Cross Recoba: Solomon is in real danger here!
Struggling in the hold, Solomon’s arm reaches out for anything that can save him.
Steve Morrison: He’s going to have to work to get to the ropes.
Cross Recoba: Random’s smiling, she looks confident here.
McConalogue has the hold locked in tight. Kingsley looks to grab the rope but Random pulls him back.
Steve Morrison: That has to kill your drive, Cross, if your opponent takes away your escape route.
Cross Recoba: It requires you to dig deep, Kingsley’s stronger physically than his opponent but she’s now asking the question as to whether he’s mentally stronger than her…
Fighting for all he can, Kingsley pulls himself with his free arm and grabs the rope.
Steve Morrison: He gets the rope-break but Cross, was I imagining things or did it almost seem like she let him get to the ropes?
Cross Recoba: It could be the case. When we scouted her in Europe, she teed up her offense to work towards one of two finales - either a Muta Lock with claws, and I mean serious claws, or an Inward Rolling Cutter that I’ve never seen her hit the same way twice.
Prizing him from the ropes, Random lifts her opponent up….BELLY-TO BACK SUPLEX BACKBREAKER!!
Steve Morrison: She angled her knees towards the top of his spine with that!
Cross Recoba: Every step, every lift, every movement that Solomon makes is going to be harder work and more effort with the work over McConalogue has given his back and neck.
They make the cover…
ONE…
TW-
Steve Morrison: Kingsley showing great heart to kick-out and do so before it became a doubt!
Solomon gets an arm up but Random is already working on her next move, threading her arm over his and scooping his head up. She throws his free arm out away from his body and threads her arm from his head over the elbow of his other arm. She rolls him onto his side…
Cross Recoba: It looks like she’s going to the Dungeon with this one…
Steve Morrison: What do you mean?
Rolling the hip over, we can see Kingsley now deeper in pain than before.
Cross Recoba: That’s a Sugar Lock, right there. That hold was what kept anyone thinking they could outwrestle a shooter for money from claiming the prize!
Steve Morrison: She’s cranking the hold in.
Cross Recoba: Kingsley’s getting stretched out and there’s not much he can do about it in that position.
Tyrell asks him if he wants to quit but he shakes his head.
Steve Morrison: You might not rate his chances of surviving the hold but he clearly does. The Gambler betting on himself as he tells the match official he wants to continue!
The Gambler kicks out his leg as best he can but there’s no rope to grab.
Cross Recoba: I’ve seen far more experienced wrestlers give up from this hold, they’d be no shame in it.
Steve Morrison: Kingsley said in the build-up to the match that he was the one who put people to the sword but now he finds himself on the other side of that equation!
Cross Recoba: He needs to think quickly because the threat of passing out from the pain is real in this hold!
His pain is alleviated as he’s dragged to his feet, the hold now released. McConalogue drives a pointed elbow directly at the top of his spine and then grabs a double-chickenwing.
Steve Morrison: Random switches tact, she’s going to lift him…
ELEGANT TIGER SUPLEX FROM RANDOM!!
Steve Morrison: BABEL FISH ARGUMENT…SHE GOES FOR THE BRIDGE!
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
SOLOMON KICKS OUT IN TIME!
Steve Morrison: Again, Kingsley finds a way to keep in this match!
Cross Recoba: He might be in this match but he needs to be in this match!
Giving him no quarter, McConalogue grabs a waistlock and brings them up AND OVER INTO A GERMAN SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: A nod to Karl Gotch!
Cross Recoba: She’s not done with him…
Keeping hold of his waist, Random brings him back to his feet once more.
Steve Morrison: What is she setting up?
She looks to wrap her arms around his neck and leaps to get the leg hooks into his hips. SOLOMON GRABS THE ROPES!!
Cross Recoba: Kingsley deserves credit for blocking that Rear Naked Choke attempt before it got going!
Breaking the hold, Random takes a step back before DRIVING A KICK THROUGH THE LEGS OF HER OPPONENT! ….GOTCH PILEDRIVER!!
Steve Morrison: CRADLE PILEDRIVER!!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!
NO!!! TYRELL TELLS THE CROWD IT WASN’T A THREE-COUNT!
Steve Morrison: HOW DID HE KICK OUT OF THAT!
Raising Solomon back to his feet, McConalogue grabs his head and cranks him around for a Hangman’s neckbreaker…SOLOMON SLIPS OUT…DOUBLE KNEE FACEBUSTER ON THE SCOT!!
Steve Morrison: CASH OUT!!
He goes for the quick cover and makes sure to hook the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
T-
RANDOM ESCAPES!
Steve Morrison: Kingsley came agonisingly close from stealing the win!
BOTH FIGHTERS KIP UP TO THEIR FEET…
Cross Recoba: Kingsley’s got to go for something big!!
SOLOMON DUCKS THE LARIAT AND COMES ROUND…DESTINO!
Steve Morrison: ACE OF SPADES!!
RANDOM CATCHES HIM…
Cross Recoba: SHE BLOCKED IT!
SHOULDERBREAKER!
Steve Morrison: What a reversal!
HOLDING HIM IN PLACE, SHE LETS HIS LEGS DROP TO THE FLOOR WITH AN INVERTED FACELOCK LOCKED IN…
Cross Recoba: This is going to go badly for Kings-
INWARD ROLLING CUTTER!
Steve Morrison: DICEROLL!!!!
The cover!
Cross Recoba: She’s hooked the leg and got her forearm across his face!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!
Tyrell calls for the bell.
Laura Messier: The winner of your opening contest…RANDOM…McCONALOGUE!!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT AN OPENER! WHAT A DEBUT FROM McCONALOGUE!
Cross Recoba: Solomon was just unlucky tonight, when the New Year comes I’m predicting big things for the pair of them!
Steve Morrison: The Gambler came up short tonight but then are there many on the roster who would be familiar with the style Random uses in the ring?
Cross Recoba: With the year coming to a close, I know one man who’ll take an interest if she continues to shine - Poena.
Steve Morrison: For now, he has more pressing issues with tonight’s main-event against Close Collins standing in the way of a rematch with Jack Diamond.
Cross Recoba: What a war that will be with both men not only keen to avenge their respective losses against Diamond but also to get to the Openweight Tournament Final at XHF Supremacy next month against Jason Long.
Steve Morrison: It’s sure to be a hell of a contest and after what we just saw, it has a lot to live up to!
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. Although, there’s a new addition to The Last Breathing Mercenary, a championship belt wrapped around his waist as the camera panned down to read the words “VICTORY PRO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP” along the front plate.
Steve Morrison: Now this is quite the surprise here tonight, seeing one of the finalists to the TAPOUT Openweight Championship finals here before our intermission break and not near the main event—but Jason Long has graced us with his presence and he’s got some hardware on him!
Cross Recoba: I’m not too sure as to what he’s trying to prove with that championship but we’re all aware of Jason’s abilities to snatch championships from all around the world, this – of course – being one of those titles, but if he’s bringing them here? Maybe this is a grab to get into the minds of those who’ll face him next month.
Jason makes his way down the ramp, hitting the hands of every fan that reach out to him, as he looks into the ring and sees his opponent- a smile growing on his face as he touches down at ringside and circles around the ring, sliding across the ring apron on his right knee before turning his body and looking out to the crowd. Jason stands up on the ring apron, leaning back against the ropes and keeping his right arm along the top rope as he points out to the crowd and hastily makes his way into the ring.
Laura Messier: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome at this time… JASON LOOOOONGGGGG!!
The music slowly fades out and we’re left with Jason standing inside of the ring, holding the microphone taken from Laura and now soaking in the crowd’s reaction. He nods his head for a few moments before beginning to speak.
Jason Long: You knew I’d be here tonight, I don’t take breaks.
The crowd cheered.
Jason Long: When I first signed the contract, the papers, and just about everything that Cross handed to me? I signed to be a full-time wrestler. I come in when wanted, I come in when asked, I show up and show the fuck out. It’s always been that way. Sure, I’ve missed out because of other things like people not showing up, but that’s the business. You’d arrive on time and you never know what to expect. However, this whole month off to prepare for next month? I’m not too sure about that, man. Especially when I’ve been hearing along the grapevine that people are calling me out, World Champions of other promotions are calling me out to be fired, isn’t that right, Cross?
Long gestured his hand over toward Cross at the commentary table, who stood up at the mention of his name being heard.
Jason Long: You know I’m not the kind of man to be getting into your own business, mate. But, I heard you over there in Hardkore World and I heard my own name being mentioned, I heard that there’s some trouble over there because they don’t have the talent power to show off as much as TAPOUT has and I couldn’t agree more.
Long then turned his head back to the hard camera, focus pointed towards the fans.
Jason Long: Cross isn’t the only one speaking my name though and this one is sour because their World Heavyweight Champion has been disrespecting my name, tarnishing it after everything I did for them when they were in my own damn company, and what did I get out of it? Nothing but a gestured slap right across the face for it. I heard about you wanting demands for your Disney dreams, everything around here all changed up and shit like that, but for me? For me, of all the people you could’ve chosen, to have been fired on the spot. I’m sorry that I don’t seem to build enough character for you at the age of twenty-five, mate. I’m sorry I didn’t seem to meet the requirements of your “entertaining stories” but let’s be absolutely fucking real here, aright?
He pointed toward the camera.
Jason Long: What have you been doing for the while you’ve been here on the network? Running around all of these promotions and doing the bare minimum to have your face and your “brand” be shown. That’s the kind of shit that doesn’t fly around here. I had some moderate respect for you when you came into my company, I gave you what you wanted, but now? I’m nothing? Just because of my nationality, that’s too much for you to allow on your Disney fantasies. You’ve got the experience of being fucking dreadful, years and years beyond me, but because of my own accolades, you expected me to not have been a failure? For the past five fucking years, I have been a failure. I’ve failed, I’ve fucked up, I’ve sucked, I’ve made an absolute fool of myself, and I’d say Cross could attest to that since he’s known me for some time.
Again, he gestured toward Cross at ringside, who seems to be still standing up.
Jason Long: Yet, Marty, you think you know about me never failing. I sure fucking wish I could’ve known that feeling, mate. I really could wish upon a star for that to have come true. But, here I am, at the supposed peak of my career but with nowhere to go but down, right? That’s how you’re envisioning it all in your head, right? Wrong. Absolutely fucking wrong. I’ve done so much and have yet to peak throughout my whole career because this means so much more to me than anything a fucking Disney movie could ever make me feel. I’m close to becoming a champion again here on the network and I’ll do so with absolute fucking pride because all they’ve seen me do is fail. Nothing but fail, but I don’t want to repeat the same fucking mistakes as before, never again.
Long reached around to behind him, unstrapping the championship that he wore around his waist, and then raised it up to shoulder height as he glanced down at it for a moment before his eyes went back onto the camera.
Jason Long: This is a championship that I’ve held twice now, a championship that I put blood, sweat, and tears into to make sure I’d become champion again. This right here is my sixth and seventh World Championship reign. But, the best thing about this championship? It’s now a defunct championship, the company has closed down for the foreseeable future and who knows when they’d pick right back up. So, whilst you might believe that I’ve peaked? I’m only fucking beginning. A guaranteed shot at the X*Crown Champion whenever I see fit and to add this championship to the lineage of the X*Crown Championship. This, if I do decide to cash in, can become number twenty-three in the collection.
Jason began to smirk, chuckling to himself under his breath.
Jason Long: So, what say you, Marty? You want to become the dent in the armor of TAPOUT? You want to become a fighting man and show your worth? Then, I’m right here, you know where to find me. That is only if you’re here tonight. But, I guess we’ll get on down to what you really wanted, right?
Long turned his whole body around to face Cross standing up on the outside, walking over toward the ropes and looking down onto him, championship draped over the top rope.
Jason Long: If you really believe that Marty Donovan is right and I don’t belong here, Cross, then do his own bidding and fire me outright. Just do it, there’s no harm being done if you do so. I’ll walk right into other promotions running along the network right now and they’d take me under their wings. I might join you in Hardkore World, maybe I’ll show up in REIGN and knock them all dead, hell, I’ll turn up to NLW and they might have the right amount of star power to actually do their pay-per-view. Just fire me, Cross. That’s all you’ve got to do—
“When You Wish Upon A Star” begins to play and boos rain down from the crowd. Disney’s favorite wrestler storms out, flaunting a dalmatian fur coat and black rhinestone sunglasses that have mickey ears above each frame. He wears loafers and dress pants, but no shirt. The outfit is completed with the Hardkore World Heavyweight Championship, now with a rose pink strap to match the color of Cinderella’s castle, around Donovan’s waist. He then takes a microphone from a stagehand.
Marty Donovan: Jason Long, you ask what I’ve been doing? Let me refresh your memory. The last time I was in this building I survived multiple stab wounds. A week after that? I became THE heavyweight champion of the world. No one else, in the history of combat sports, has overcome odds so insurmountable. Yet, you have the nerve to say I’ve accomplished the bare minimum.
Marty tilts his shades down, so everyone can see the anger in his eyes.
Marty Donovan: Let’s get something straight, Skippy. You did not give me everything I wanted at the royal crown rumble. Hell, you didn’t even do the one damn thing I asked, sell IPW to Disney. It was your fault I went home empty handed to a furious CEO. You better believe I told Cross to fire your ass.
The boos grow louder at Marty’s admission. He tosses his dalmatian coat off in frustration.
Marty Donovan: You want a match tonight? Fine! The REAL world champion will put on a show while Mongo’s mummer hides in the back, polishing his gaudy lapel. Cross! Give me the papers to sign! Congrats Jason, you Santa Monica asshole, you’re about to become the first victim of… MICK’s MOUSETIAL ARTS!
Long stands there, just staring right at Marty, and began to shake his head.
Jason Long: Do you even understand just how ridiculous you sound right now? Like, I really mean it. Do you actually and truly understand just how ridiculous you are? You make it sound like surviving multiple stab wounds is something that is unbelievable, shocking, un-fucking-heard of before. You forget that we’re live right now on the XHF Network, there’s been ten to a hundred times worse shit done to someone so they could become a World Champion. You know how far I went to become World Champion, Marty? I fucking died and came back to life — not once, but twice — to bounce back and become World Champion.
He scoffs, a chuckle coming from under his breath.
Jason Long: But it’s you, you’re Disney’s Marty Donovan, so everything’s got that special feeling to it—until you realise this shit isn’t Only Murderers in The Building but this is professional fucking wrestling, the kind of shit you live off of and breathe through your lungs until you can’t live and breathe any-fucking-more. And damn, I cannot wait to fucking show you just how much this shit means to me. This isn’t no fucking Toy Story, this isn’t any other classical movie of my childhood being relived through some big daft fucking cunt’s mind, this is a sport and if you’ve already proven to be willing to die for it?
Long paused, stepping up closer toward Marty and coming face to face with the Hardkore World Heavyweight Champion.
Jason Long: Then you’d have no problem with me being the one that finishes the fucking job for you.
The crowd inside of the ballroom cheered loudly as Marty dropped the microphone, looking to begin a fight here inside of the ring, but Long wasn’t done talking—he smiled from ear to ear, dropping his championship down onto the mat.
Jason Long: Make it official, Cross. I’m going to kick this cunt’s head in.
Jason looks to remove his jacket and begin this brawl… but he rolls right out of the ring and takes his VICTORY Pro World Championship with him, laughing as he walks his way to the back and leaves Marty within the ring. Marty continues to stand in the ring and watch Long head through the curtain before we fade out.
Steve Morrison: Can you get it done?
Cross Recoba: I’m already sorting out the paperwork for them to sign now.
Steve Morrison: You heard it here first, TONIGHT! Jason Long and Marty Donovan step into the ring for what we’re sure will be a supercharged fight!
Cross Recoba: If Marty wins, here in our home venue, I’m not going to hear the end of it starting with the next HKW show in Vegas…
Steve Morrison: And curiously not held here.
Cross Recoba: Kingsley and I have a gentleman’s agreement not to host other company’s shows here or the Gambler’s Den. Global shows are fine but we couldn’t even put in a bid on this one.
Steve Morrison: It looks like we’re ready for our next match as The Thespian debuts against Tommy Strychnine. Over to Laura Messier for the announcements.
Laura Messier: And now for our next bout!
The lights flicker for a moment in the arena before dimming completely. An awkward silence takes the arena, but it does not last long. A singular spotlight shines towards the staging area to reveal a masked figure; the Interpreter. He raises his gloved hands… and begins to gesture with them as the accordion from Burn the Ballroom’s “Whisper” pulls those in attendance in…
Come in
Sit down sweet angel
Leave me all your tears
Tell me
All of your troubles
The weight of your short years
Love is
Only a river
Drowning all of your cheer
Sell me
all of your laughter
And I will take some of your fear
Steve Morrison: Thespian comes into Tap Out with an impressive list of scalps on the Network. They beat MYOJIN in the NLW G1 earlier this year along with a name familiar to us in Danni Anderson and also beat Sam Sawyer in the first round of last year's End of Days tournamnt.
Cross Recoba: They're a force to be reckoned with in the ring, his high-energy striking style carried him all the away to the NLW Southern States Title!
The Interpreter takes a bow as the chaotic drums and guitar drown out the trance-like melody from before. From the back, the Thespian walks out and meets up with his companion. A hand gently pulls his cohort upright as they both mimic crazed laughs to the music. As the music calms down, so do their demeanor. As they makes their way towards the ring, they both raise their hands, and begin to swing to and fro like conductors of an orchestra to the lyrics of the first verse.
Steve Morrison: He has the ability to mimic his opponent's moveset, will he go for the V-Trigger Knee of the Buckshot Lariat?
Cross Recoba: Logically? The Lariat makes more sense. When you have a knee in your locker like the Exquisite Tragedy, why imitate another variation on it. That lariat, in the hands of a striker of the calibre of Thespian, could be lethal and I just hope Tommy's done his homework on his own move.
Upon reaching the ring, the Interpreter takes the steps up and slips in between the ropes without missing a single flourish of the hand. He sits on the middle rope and shoulders the first for the Thespian, who gives him a courteous bow before slipping in-between them. As the first verse and chorus finishes up, the Thespian takes one more bow to the audience as his music begins to fade out. Upon straightening back up one more time, his posture begins to relax as he shakes his limbs out in anticipation for the match. The Interpreter, on the other hand, slips down to ringside.
Steve Morrison: He comes into this match the slight favorite, can he live up to the billing?
Cross Recoba: He's beaten three former X*Crown champions before, a win tonight would be well within his reach.
The lights go down and the sound of people cheering starts to play. Spotlights come up in pairs, focused on the stage until 'Like A Rockstar' starts to play as fog covers the stage and strobing purple lights play along with the song. Slowly a platform rises from the center of the stage, revealing a figure in an elaborate velvet robe, with "Tommy Strychnine" signed on the back in flickering LEDs.
Steve Morrison: He looks up for a fight!
Cross Recoba: He said as much in the lead-up to tonight. He wants back in the spotlight and tonight, he sees it as a way to work his way back!
Tommy spins around when the lyrics start and shrugs off the robe, lip-synching along to the song and imitating playing guitar as he makes his way down the ramp, stopping to take selfies and give high fives to fans along the way.
Steve Morrison: Tommy's had a bit of a mixed year, if he signs off with a win what can the New Year bring him?
Cross Recoba: Strych has the ability to take on any member of our roster and come out with a win but he needs to get the consistency in place to do so.
When he gets to the ring, he poses on the turnbuckle with his guitar, pretending to play along with the song, before handing off the guitar to the ring crew and doing a flip off the turnbuckle into a powerslide as pyro goes off from the corners of the ring.
Steve Morrison: He can mix it with the best of the brawlers and strikers in Tap Out but is that going to be his best form of attack?
Cross Recoba: Tommy's mat-skills are the most underrated part of him but that's where he can win big tonight. Pick Thespian apart on the mat and then take to the skies...
Laura Messier: Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by his Interpreter! From the Theater, weighing in at one-hundred and ninety-five pounds... The THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESPIAAAAAAAAAAAN!!
Silently brooding, The Thespian cracks his neck as he awaits his debut.
Laura Messier:To my LEFT! From Louisiana, New Orleans..Standing at five-feet and ten inches, weighing in at one-hundred-and-seventy-five pounds...He is the Rock 'em, Sock 'em Rocker....TOMMY...STRYCHNINE!!!
The crowd vehemently boo Tommy. In response, he raises his middle fingers to the crowd.
SINGLES MATCH
The Thespian vs Tommy Strychnine
“Big” John Quinn calls for the bell as the match gets underway.
DING! DING! DING!
Before The Thespian can come out of his corner, Tommy has trapped him and begins to unload with a flurry of right and left hooks to the body of his opponent.
Steve Morrison: Tommy comes out all guns-blazing!
Cross Recoba: He knows that he needs to get some momentum behind him and many have him as the underdog. He needs to make a bright start.
Seeing his opponent drop, Strych starts to viciously stomp on the chest of his opponent until he’s in a seated position. Holding the top-ropes, Strych leans back AND DRIVES A KNEE INTO THE FACE OF THE THESPIAN!!
Steve Morrison: He’s brutalizing the debuting Thespian!
Cross Recoba: This is the side of Tommy I’ve told you all about. Is this a return to his peak form?
The Rocker grabs Thespian by the head and throws him out of the corner, Quinn too slow to get a word of warning in. The debuting wrestler starts to get to his feet but is immediately caught with a Bulldog!
Steve Morrison: Strych giving the Thespian nowhere to hide and nowhere to recover!
Cross Recoba: It’s fast-paced and high intensity but can he turn it into a win?
Steve Morrison: We spoke a moment ago about the impressive scalps that the Thespian took in his time in NLW, could he be luring him in?
Cross Recoba: I’m not sure but he’ll look for any opportunity to turn the tide.
Tommy leaves no time to recover and leaps with a Rolling Knee that connects with the face of his opponent.
Steve Morrison: He drove that knee right into the covered face of The Thespian!
Picking up The Thespian, Tommy pushes him against the ropes and unloads with a European Uppercut that leaves nothing behind!
Cross Recoba: He’s controlling the pace, he’s controlling the ring. It’s going to be tough for the Thespian to get back into it but there’s time…for now.
He grabs what he can of Thespian’s white skinsuit and runs…FACECRUSHER!
Steve Morrison: Tommy’s going headhunting.
Cross Recoba: It plays to that Buckshot Lariat and the V-Trigger he has at his disposal, it’s the smart move. No flash, no sizzle, just results.
The cameras catch the expression on Tommy’s face. There’s no fun, nothing soft in the glare of contempt he casts in his opponent’s direction.
Steve Morrison: You’re right there, he doesn’t seem interested in goading or taunting his opponent nor the crowd!
He hoists the Thespian back to his feet and connects with a series of forearms that force the Thespian into the corner. He grabs his arm and whips him to the corner…Thespian reverses it AND FOLLOWS IN WITH A MISSILE-GUIDED DROPKICK TO THE FACE OF TOMMY!
Steve Morrison: He found a gap, small as it was, and he’s exploiting it at a prodigious pace!
Now on the offense, Thespian throws a trio of kicks to the head of Strych. He grabs the ropes…ROPE-ASSISTED ENZIGURI!
Steve Morrison: Great combo!
Cross Recoba: There’s not a lot of room to try and turn the tide when he gets on a roll.
He takes Tommy’s head and tucks it under his arm and leaps to the top-turnbuckle…TORNADO DDT!!
Steve Morrison: This could be a dream debut for The Thespian
He covers…
ONE…
TW-
KICKOUT BY TOMMY!
Cross Recoba: There’s still fight in him yet!
Steve Morrison: The Thespian isn’t finished yet.
Taking Strych by the arm, he pulls him to his feet….RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP! He rolls through…SWINGING NECKBREAKER!
Cross Recoba: Crisp, fluid motion that maximises the momentum and impact on those moves.
Strych struggles to his feet.
Steve Morrison: Tommy could be a Sitting Duck…
The Thespian pantomimes a quick laugh.
Cross Recoba: I’ve seen this before.
Steve Morrison: Could Tommy find out Life’s a Comedy?
Tommy ducks out from the slap and moves behind his opponent…RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
Steve Morrison: NO! Tommy manages to hit a HUGE MOVE to turn the tide!
Lifting his opponent up, Tommy puts him across his shoulder and throws him neck-first onto his knee.
Steve Morrison: TOMMYNOCKER!
Stepping between the ropes, Tommy waits patiently.
Cross Recoba: He’s looking to put this away now!
He leaps…
Steve Morrison: He’s going for it…
SPRINGBOARD V-TRIGGER!!
Steve Morrison: KISS ME DEADLY!!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!
Laura Messier: Your winner….THE ROCK ‘EM, SOCK ‘EM ROCKER….TOMMY…STRYCHNINE!
Steve Morrison: What a move!
Cross Recoba: We’ve not seen him hit that before but if it brings on results like that then that Knee equals death!
Steve Morrison: Tommy ends his year with a win and a decisive one at that!
Cross Recoba: Thespian perhaps showing signs of ring-rust since NLW went on hiatus but if his record in NLW suggests anything, his next opponent will feel the full force of this defeat!
Steve Morrison: We're getting word of something happening backstage, stay with us...
Backstage at the ladies locker room, Konner Mack, a security guard, walks into the room. Isabella von Krauss is getting ready for her match when she sees him walk in. She’s got her singlet on and has her dress hanging beside her. She smiles at Konner and waves.
Isabella von Krauss: I assume that you are here to wish me good luck against Wildcat Capone?
Konner Mack: Where is it?
Isabella von Krauss: Where is what? My competitive spirit? You looking at it, Mack.
Kommer Mack: I need the championship title back for when the tournament is won.
Isabella von Krauss: And you think I have it.
Konner glowers over Isabella, standing over her with a growl.
Konner Mack: I need that title belt back. Your people stole it. Give it back now or I start throwing punches.
Isabella looks at Konner with an appraising eye, obviously wondering if she could take him and still have enough fight in her to take down Wildcat Capone. She sighs and opens the locker behind her. She pulls out the Openweight championship belt and hands it over to Konner.
Isabella von Krauss: There. Fucking happy?
Konner Mack: I am. Don’t do this shit again.
Isabella just smirks.
Isabella von Krauss: Indeed, they will never do anything to upset you again.
Konner frowns and looks around.
Konner Mack: Where are they? They are normally around you at all times.
Isabella just shrugs.
Isabella von Krauss: My house burned down. I think they might have been in it.
Konner blinks, his expression turns to one of sympathy.
Konner Mack: Oh! I’m so sorry!
Isabella just shrugs.
Isabella von Krauss: Oh, it’s alright. They sucked when they were helping me with the last match anyway. I just need to hire replacements. Losing the house stung, but I have others that I like more.
Konner Mack: I…see. Well, thank you for returning the belt.
He leaves the locker room and Isabella begins putting the dress on. She suddenly has a thought.
Isabella von Krauss: Who is going to light my fire tonight?
We cut back to ringside.
Steve Morrison: IVK returns the belt?
Cross Recoba: Under duress, but at least that brings to an end one part of Tap Out in 2022 I won't miss...
The opening lyrics of the song begin to play as the camera pans across the venue. It eventually cuts to show Wildcat up in the concession stands, walking through the door and into the highest row of seats on the ground floor of the crowd.
Steve Morrison: The man means business tonight!
Cross Recoba: Since his debut at XHF Supremacy, Capone has gone from strength-to-strength inside the ring.
He beats his chest before throwing up some middle fingers as he walks through the fans and makes his way down the stairs.
Steve Morrison: We've seen intensity and fire from Capone but what does he need to bring to his game to take it to the next level?
Cross Recoba: Focus. For me, what has cost Wildcat in the ring is that he doesn't always take into account everything he needs to in the ring. If he can close that gap, he'll be main-evening in 2023 and be as much of a breakout star as Close Collins!
He gets about halfway down before he starts walking through the crowd some more. Ignoring the hecklers and haters as he gets into the zone before his match. He gets a joint from behind his ear and lights it up, taking a few hits before walking towards the ring. He hops the barricade, moving in sync with the music, he looks around himself once more, taking it all in. Walking up the stairs he goes through the ropes and heads into the ring.
Steve Morrison: He has an axe to grind tonight.
Cross Recoba: My family life growing up was closer to Wildcat's than IVK's. When I came to this town I was told repeatedly that I wouldn't amount to anything and I used that to get where I am. Wildcat will want to prove IVK wrong like I did the naysayers...
“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 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: IVK wants to make an example out of Wildcat tonight. Poena might have gotten the win over her at our last show but it's Capone who has to pay for the defeat in her eyes!
Cross Recoba: Now freed from her clowns it somehow makes her a scarier prospect in the ring.
They hold down the ropes for her to be able to step into the ring and follow her in.
Steve Morrison: She wants to not just put Capone on the shelf but out of the wrestling business!
Cross Recoba: I can't see "Big" John standing for that. If anything, this could play into Capone's hands and if we're being honest, a DQ win gives you the same amount of points as any other kind.
Isabella dances in the middle of the ring, doing a twirl that sets 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: She's not lost her taste for theatrics it seems.
Cross Recoba: I get the feeling that dress is only the beginning for what she might try tonight...
Laura Messier: To my right! Fighting out of Lexington, Kentucky...he weighs two-hundred-and-eight pounds...he is MR 859...The STONE...COLD...KILLA...WILDCAT...CAPONE!!!
Capone looks ready for business, he looks to the outside to mentally track where Hohoho and Humhumhum are.
Laura Messier: To my left! 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!!!
Confident of her victory, Isabella looks at Wildcat and smiles sweetly.
SINGLES MATCH
Wildcat Capone vs Isabella von Krauss
As the bell sounds to start the match, Wildcat Capone crosses the ring to begin exchanging punches with Isabella von Krauss. He takes the advantage, stunning her with a solid right hand before whipping her into the ropes. On the rebound, he rushes at her, taking her down with a lariat. He goes to stomp on her, but she rolls out of the ring for a breather.
Isabella walks around the ring to roll back in at a side where Wildcat isn’t standing. He meets her there and grabs her, going for a suplex. She blocks it and reaches down to put him into a claw move on his junk to get him to release her.
“Big” John Quinn yells at Isabella to let him go and she does, but then hits an ear pop to stun Wildcat. The ref yells some more, bringing Isabella to just smirk at him before throwing Capone down with a hip toss. He jumps right back up, but is hip tossed again and again. Von Krauss hits a roundhouse kick to the gut, sending him to the mat.
Steve Morrison: Isabella quick to take the momentum back from Wildcat.
Cross Recoba: They have similar styles. I think whomever can deal out the most amount of damage in the quickest time will come out the winner.
Steve Morrison: That might be Isabella. She’s deranged.
Cross Recoba: It’s not like Wildcat isn’t crazy. He's street tough. Could be tougher than a spoiled socialite.
Wildcat gets back to his feet, his eyes wide as Isabella rushes at him in a forward flip into a flying shoulder charge. Wildcat ducks under the reckless move so that she sails over the top rope and headfirst into the security railing, knocking over a section into the crowd. IRN FST slides out of the ring and pulls Isabella out of the reach of the crowd before whipping her back first into the ring apron. She slides down into a seated position for the Kentucky native to kick her in the gut a few times before rolling back into the ring.
Isabella gets to her feet and rolls back into the ring where Wildcat greets her with stomps. That is until she manages to get to her knees and palm strikes him in the right kneecap to take out his weight bearing leg to bring him down. She stands up, her eyes bright with anger even as blood trickles down her face from her forehead and drips off of her chin.
Steve Morrison: Look at that face! She’s unhinged!
Cross Recoba: That’s what happens when your parents only say no once and then die in an “accident.”
Steve Morrison: Don’t think I didn’t hear the air quotes in that. You think that she killed the Worthingtons?
Cross Recoba: I can’t prove it. If I did, she’d already be in jail.
Isabella waits for her opponent to get up and lunges at him. She ducks under a clothesline attempt and hits a fingertip strike to the throat. Wildcat clutches at his throat and staggers backwards into the corner. Isabella runs at him and hits a leaping avalanche in the corner. She grabs him by the ankles to pull him into a seated position. She crosses the ring to the other corner and sprints across the ring for a baseball slide drop kick, but Wildcat rolls limply out of the ring for Isabella to crotch herself on the ring post!
Steve Morrison: Oh, that was a costly mistake!
Cross Recoba: That’s something that Wildcat can really take advantage of at this point to slow Isabella down.
Wildcat gets to his feet and grabs Isabella by the ankle. He pulls the leg to the side and slams the inside of the knee into the ringpost! Isabella screams out in agony and the ref yells at Wildcat to get back into the ring. Wildcat nods, but then slams the inside of her knee into the ringpost again before slipping into the ring. He drags her to her feet, though she’s really favoring the right leg from the damage done to it.
Wildcat takes her down with a Whippersnapper and rolls over her for the cover.
Steve Morrison: CHIN CHECK!
ONE
TWO
TH-ISABELLA KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Wildcat Capone going for the pin fairly early in the match. Not a good thing.
Cross Recoba: It means von Krauss has to waste energy kicking out.
Getting back to his feet, Capone pulls von Krauss up. He whips her toward the ropes, but within a couple of steps, her knee gives out on her and she falls to her knees. Wildcat walks around to the front of her. He grabs her and shoves her head down between his legs. Isabella goes limp though, falling to the mat. He tries to get her back up when she brings her head up hard to smash him in the nuts! He drops to his knees in front of her as she gets back to her knees. He doesn’t fall over from the pain though, grabbing her by the shoulders. He screams in pain in her face and then bites her wound on her forehead to open it up further! She shoves him backwards and rolls backward to her feet.
She takes a couple of steps and kicks Wildcat right in the chest to knock him down to all fours and then she does a quick standing moonsault curb stomp to smash open Wildcat’s nose against the mat! She grabs him by the back of the head, shifting her grip to his chin and pulls back as she puts a knee to his back.
Isabella von Krauss: I am FILLED with a GLORIOUS PURPOSE! A little gang banger will not stomp me in my conquest of this world!
Steve Morrison: Conquest? She does know that she’s out of the tournament for the Openweight title?
Cross Recoba: I think she’s using the term literally. She’s already returned the title belt she stole.
Steve Morrison: She’s literally planning on taking over the world? How?
Cross Recoba: Something to do with Jackalope. Let’s hope he defeats the Skulltaker or else we might be in trouble.
Steve Morrison: You’re hinging the fate of the world on a wrestling match?
Cross Recoba: When in Vegas…
When Wildcat doesn’t give up within a few minutes, she changes her grip to be able to smash Wildcat’s face into the mat and rubs his face there to smear blood across the mat. She gets up and walks around to stand by his head. She motions for him to get up.
Isabella von Krauss: Get up. Get up! I can’t be fighting some lazy fucker who can’t get up after a little bloodletting.
Wildcat gets to his hands and knees, blood dripping to the mat from his face like rain. He lunges up and grabs Isabella to hurl her at the ropes. On the rebound, he catches her and goes for a belly to belly suplex, but Isabella jumps up to wrap her legs around Wildcat’s hips. She grabs him by the shoulders and delivers several stunning headbutts to the face that open up a gash on Wildcat’s forehead.
Wildcat gets his arms around Isabella and cinches in a bearhug. He holds on tight with the ref checking to see if Isabella will submit, but she does not.
Steve Morrison: Wildcat tried to end the match here with his “To Pimp a Butterfly”, but failed at that.
Cross Recoba: He’s thinking that she’s just going to keep hitting harder and harder as the match goes on. Putting her down for the count seems like the best thing to do.
Steve Morrison: At least her blood isn’t almost black with her wounds closing almost instantly. She can be worn down.
Cross Recoba: Remember that her real name is Worthington and not von Krauss. She’s not whatever they are.
Steve Morrison: That’s a relief.
Cross Recoba: Yeah…
Wildcat gives up the bearhug and simply jumps up into the air and lands forward to hit a modified powerslam! He hooks a leg for the cover!
One
Tw-Isabella kicks out.
Wildcat kneels up and looks down in frustration at Isabella. Likely wondering what will keep her down. He gets back to his feet and steps back a few steps while watching her get up and use the ropes as support. He runs in and kicks her with a “Get Got” (yakuza kick) that sends her to the mat with authority. He motions for her to get up.
Wildcat Capone: Come on, bitch! Get up! You’re so big and bad, get up from that!
Steve Morrison: Taunting now? Is that a good idea?
Cross Recoba: Isabella has a temper when things don’t go her way so taunting her could force out a mistake.
Isabella gets to her feet and Wildcat goes for the Rolling Koppu Kick but Isabella takes the kick and leans in to catch him around the hips. She uses his momentum to raise him up and spin around to power bomb him over the top rope to the concrete floor! Wildcat Capone lays on the floor as if dead. Isabella von Krauss grabs the ropes to steady herself, but still drops to her knees.
Isabella is the first to move, standing back up. She sees that Wildcat is slowly getting up to his feet and she runs to the ropes on the opposite side of the ring. She runs, full speed, at the ropes. She leaps into the air to land her feet on the top rope to use as a springboard into a moonsault axekick.
Wildcat takes the brunt of the kick while staying standing. He grabs her by the hips now and uses her momentum to power bomb her onto the ring apron! He staggers backwards to the ring railing that had been put back up where the fans pat him on the back excitedly. Isabella flops to the floor from the ring apron like a boneless thing.
Steve Morrison: There are now words to describe how much that looked like it hurt.
Cross Recoba: Other than a whole lot? No. Isabella could be finished up now. Wildcat just has to get her into the ring to cinch the win.
Wildcat gathers himself and grabs Isabella, rolling her into the ring. He follows and puts her head between his legs. He gets her up into the air, but Isabella grabs him by the forehead and chin and viciously twists his head! He goes limp with Isabella falling on top of him for the cover.
Steve Morrison: She used a desperate finisher move from Esmeralda’s book!
Cross Recoba: Not a good one either since that could have just killed Wildcat.
Steve Morrison: Like she did her goons when she locked them inside her house and burned it down?
Cross Recoba: We have no proof that she knew that they were in the house when she set it on fire? Or even that she set it on fire. She has an alibi locked in.
Steve Morrison: She cut a promo while doing it?
The ref gets into position for the count.
One
Two
Three!
Laura Messier: The winner of the match via pinfall…ISABELLA VON KRAUSS!
Tap Out medics rush the ring to attend to Wildcat whilst IVK's hand is raised.
Steve Morrison: Isabella pulls it out of the bag but is Capone alright?
Cross Recoba: We can only hope so, hopefully he's just pulled or torn a muscle.
Steve Morrison: The medical team have got him onto a gurney.
The gurney is slid out of the ring and walked down the aisle. Capone gives a thumbs up to the crowd as he goes to the back. The crowd applaud the news.
Steve Morrison: What a great sign, everyone inside the Lansky Ballroom was worried we may well have seen something awful tonight.
Cross Recoba: He might have come out with a loss but you'd struggle to argue that Capone didn't show some innovation and some lateral thinking in that match!
Steve Morrison: But unfortunately he came up short. Up next we've got a match that, for many, could well be the match of the night as Spike Kane and Aiden Merric are sure to deliver a match full of hard-hitting strikes and fighting spirit but first, CAR have a video package to promote their next race that'll mean no mention of the Angry Mad Chemists from Cross..
Cross Recoba: They even sent me a free pit jacket...
Laura Messier: Competing in your next match!
"Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" hits the arena as an imitation sandstorm is created in the entranceway and Aiden Merric emerges from it chewing nicotine gum and wearing a smug ass smile on his face.
Steve Morrison: And here is the resident expert hunter. You have to wonder what that background does for a sport like this.
Cross Recoba: It provides you with a history of surviving, enduring, and fighting for every scrap of food and existence you ever had.
He spits the gum and puts a patch on his arm before stretching and walking to the ring with a purpose. He rolls into the ring and stretches on the ropes.
Steve Morrison: How does an arsenal that consists of mainly punches earn a man the contract the size you gifted Mr. Merric, Cross?
Cross Recoba: It’s about the intangibles Steve. Aiden has a grit and determination to him, and pair that with his pure desire to collect on his contracts, and you have a top tier talent waiting to blossom.
The referee stops him and removes his various blades, ropes and other hunting equipment as he smirks. He then cracks his neck, waiting for the bell.
Steve Morrison: Why does he insist on bringing all that weaponry to the ring? It’s just going to be confiscated.
Cross Recoba: Show of force. Or being prepared. Lord knows that scum, Zoran Sainovic, always finds a way to sneak knives to an otherwise classical show of technical wizardry.
The lights go down as I Prevail's "Bow Down" begins to play, and as the song kicks the light flash on once, then off, then pyros explode as the lights flash on.
Steve Morrison: I have to say I am excited for this particular signing.
Cross Recoba: Spike has a history of success and a legendary career to back him up, a boon to Tapout to be sure.
"GET ON YOUR KNEES AND BOW! DOWN!"
Steve Morrison: This match promises to be an all out war.
Cross Recoba: Fists will fly. Can’t say it’s MY style of match but it will damn sure entertain the fans.
Spike Kane walks through the curtain, rolling his wrists, hand in hand as he heads towards the ring with a single focus.
Steve Morrison: Who do you have coming out on top tonight?
Cross Recoba: Though we are in Vegas, I’d much rather avoid gambling on this match, it’s about as evenly split as a match can be. Let’s allow the fight to decide it.
With the men staring at each other with sick smiles on their faces, Laura Messier makes her introductions.
Laura Messier: From Coober Pedy, South Australia. He stands at six-feet and two inches and weighed in yesterday at two-hundred-and-twenty pounds...THE WONDER FROM DOWN UNDER...AIDEN...MERRIC!
Aiden raises his fist to the sky and points at Spike.
Laura Messier: Standing at six-feet and two inches and weighing in at two-hundred-and-twenty-nine pounds. He is The God Of Extreme!.....SPIKE.....KANE!!!!
Spike just glares at his opponent and beckons him to bring it.
SINGLES MATCH
Aiden Merric vs Spike Kane
Referee Steve Tyrell calls for the bell and the two fighters march towards each other and meet in the center of the ring. They begin to jaw in each other’s faces and get nose to nose. Both men stand 6’2” and 220 pounds so this is a completely even by the books match. As the two men jaw back and forth, the faces begin to contort from an anticipation and eagerness, into a look of blind rage and fury. After a few moments, Spike finally rears back and headbutts the Aussie.
Cross Recoba: And first blood belongs to the Northern Irishman.
Steve Morrison: If we make it two minutes in without actual blood I’ll call it a victory.
Merric recoils and uses this moment to unload with a thunderous headbutt of his own. This time the Northern Irishman stumbles back slightly. Immediately both men are back nose to nose. A quick jaw jacking session and soon they are both unloading with a volley of haymakers to the face. Right hands are flying back and forth and both men are just absorbing the potatoes coming their way, seemingly immune to pain.
Steve Morrison: I … I don’t … how many punches are they going to throw?
Cross Recoba: If I had thought of it sooner I would have put that question out in the casino as a prop bet.
The pillar of violence gets the advantage and begins backing his opponent to the ropes with a flurry of left and right hand closed fists. Steve Tyrell tries to admonish the men about the closed fists but quickly abandons his futile effort. Neither man seems to care for that particular rule, so no harm no foul. As soon as Merric’s back hits the ropes, Spike whips him back across the ring. The blood God charges in after him, but his slippery hunter foe manages to scout this attack and drops into a powerslide under the clothsline. Spinning to his feet behind the spiked one, the hunter extraordinaire locks in a full nelson before spinning Spike into a side headlock and then firing off quick punches to the top of the head.
Steve Morrison: I thought we were going to see the vicious noogie attack!
Cross Recoba: … Steve … are you five?
Kane shoves Aiden off of him towards the ropes and on the return, Aiden is floored by the shoulder barge. Spike is off to the ropes as Merric rolls to his feet. This time the Outback bushmaster stands his ground and floors his opponent with that same shoulder block. He has no time to gloat, as his legs get pulled out from under him and soon the hellspawn is mounted on him in the full guard and is raining down hammer fists.
Cross Recoba: Oh a bit of MMA inspired by the GUNS Fight Club no doubt. We will see both of these men in season two you know.
Steve Morrison: I wasn’t aware you were into that act, Cross.
Cross Recoba: I’m into anything that can make money. And it’s hard to deny that GFC was money.
Steve Morrison: I hear they got Noel Edmonds this season.
Cross Recoba: … *sigh*
The Wonder from Down Under is tired of being down under the brawling greensleeves and uses his powerful legs to roll the men over and ends up in full mount. The ferocious punches that follow look like they could damage steel. Stiff lefts and rights fire down on the turtling Hardcore Champ. Using all his power, Spike manages to shove Aiden backwards just far enough to catch both arms under both of his own legs and pull the foe into a pinning predicament. Before Tyrell can even drop to the mat, Aiden has rolled out of it and popped back to his feet. Avoiding any kind of grounded offense, the oldest Kane sibling kips up quick as he can and both men stare each other down with a look of begrudging respect. Spike’s cheek is slowly swelling up from the Aussie offense he’s suffered.
Steve Morrison: Hard to parse out who has the advantage so far.
Cross Recoba: I think Spike is getting a good look at the resilience and pure power of the brawling hunter.
Steve Morrison: And Aiden is getting a face full of the murderous rage inside the Blood God.
Spike beckons Aiden to swing at him again. So the hunter gladly obliges and unloads with a right haymaker to the head. Wasting little time, the Aussie blasts Spike with two more quick volleys before a bellow of rage stops him in his tracks. Kane rips off a pair of savage knife edge chops, with requisite WOO from the crowd. Aiden stumbles back holding his chest. Merric turns around and gets another echoing chop to the chest. Getting a bit greedy, another chop comes in. But this time it is countered and the Northern Irishman goes tumbling over the shoulder of the hunter with a judo shoulder throw, maintaining arm control.
Steve Morrison: That’s not a knife!
Aiden fires off five incredibly stiff, rapid chops to the throat of the hardcore champ.
Cross Recoba: This is a knife. That has to be uncomfortable for Spike Kane.
The opal country denizen yanks on the arm of his fallen foe and attempts to ripcord him into a clothesline, but Spike is far too strong for that this early and the clothesline is ducked, arm is trapped, and the hunter is dumped to the mat with a Randy Orton style back breaker.
Cross Recoba: Nobody will argue this is going to be a display of technical mastery, but you need to remember that both of these men DO have a repertoire of wrestling moves should they feel so inclined to use them.
Steve Morrison: Your investments seem to be sound, tonight. Both of these men are making a show for their points in the rankings.
The God of Xtreme stalks his prey. As the hunter climbs to his feet, he is barely fast enough to duck under the spinning back roundhouse. Merric uses the momentary imbalance to chop block the back of the knee on the plant leg and Kane crumples to a seated position on the mat. And his face is soon greeted by a spinning back fist.
Steve Morrison: I think I saw some teeth fly out.
Cross Recoba: I wonder what hell’s dental plan is. Regardless, Spike seems more angry than hurt at his brother’s finishing move being used against him.
Spike rises to his feet and cracks his neck. He steps to Aiden and is about to tell him just where he can shove that move, but he is halted by a sucker punch to the side of the face, a jab to the nose, and then a heavy left-right boxing combo to the chest. Merric pulls the hunched Spike into a knee lift to the stomach and then scoop slams him to the mat.
Cross Recoba: And here is where the dick-measuring contest becomes a wrestling match.
Aiden drops a fist to the face of his grounded opponent. The spiked one reacts by sitting up in pain. A stiff knee to the spine has him rolling onto his hands and knees. Aiden gets greedy, however, and the penalty kick heading to the ribs is caught by Spike snapping to attention and rising to a kneel. He hauls Aiden in and hits a capture suplex!
Steve Morrison: I don’t know if Aiden is able to out-wrestle Spike, Spike has years of experience over his older foe at this sport.
The hardcore champ slowly rises to his feet and grabs his quarry by the throat. He shoves Aiden off the ropes and on the rebound levels him with a haymaker to the face. Merric rolls to his feet quick in an act of defiance. And Spike suplexes him to the mat in an act of aggression. A standing headscissors is applied and Outback is quickly on the shoulders of the blood god. A charge forward for the buckle bomb follows but the attack never happens as Aiden goes over the back of Spike and into a sunset flip.
ONE!
Kane rolls out of the pin and drives into the seated Merric with a basement dropkick. A pin follows.
ONE!
Cross Recoba: And a series of kickouts at one for these two fine fighters.
Steve Morrison: At least they are actively out trying to win instead of just murdering each other.
The man from Coober Pedy is dragged back to his feet and met with a stiff forearm to the face, then a second. Kane hooks him for another vertical suplex but Aiden manages to instead spin Spike for a hangman’s neckbreaker but instead releases the inverted cutter hold at the apex and just hits a discus haymaker to the back of the head dropping Kane to the mat holding the back of his head. A quick laugh and shake of the knuckles and Merric is back on the attack. He grabs the leg of his opponent and rolls him into a supine position before dropping into a knee bar.
Steve Morrison: Hey a submission hold from the hunter!
Cross Recoba: I suppose when you make a living trapping fauna you need to have a good handle on grapples. A solid knee bar is a good way to really steal your opponent’s base and power.
Spike now holds the back of his head to hide his pain as he curses under his breath, head between his elbows. He plants both hands on the mat and tries to push himself backwards to the ropes behind his head. He eventually gets there and the hold is broken by order of Tyrell. Aiden releases at three like the magnanimous soul that he isn’t. He wastes no time hauling the pillar of violence to his feet where he is greeted by a headbutt! Aiden’s nose is visibly leaking blood now.
Cross Recoba: Been more than two minutes. Guess I should have taken that bet.
Steve Morrison: As if the Aussie wasn’t ugly enough…
Cross Recoba: Now Steve there is no reason to be mean. Aesthetics aren’t all there is to this business. Not that I’ve had to worry about that.
Steve Morrison: Yeah I mean looking at Aiden, it’s rare to see a man with that many scars BEFORE they’ve stepped in the ring with Zoran Sainovic.
Merric retaliates with a clap of the ears stunning the Northern Irishman, and then follows with a huge headbutt of his own, spraying his own blood all over.
Steve Morrison: Oh and Spike has been Bagged and Tagged by the poacher!
Cross Recoba: Awfully presumptive of you to imply my new signee is some kind of criminal.
The wonder from down under again sits his foe up and begins to rain down punches to the top of the head. Spike’s forehead opens up a small cut and blood begins to trickle out. Igniting a fire within, Kane shoots an elbow to the gut to stop the onslaught. He quickly shoots to his feet and hits an overhead Belly to Belly suplex!
Cross Recoba: Oh what a good counter maneuver.
Steve Morrison: He isn’t done because Aiden isn’t staying down.
Indeed, the hunter is to his feet holding his spine and walks right into a Northern Lights Suplex. Spike bridges for the pin.
ONE!
TW-kickout by Aiden.
Merric rolls under the bottom rope to escape. Spike simply charges with a baseball slide sending him to the floor. Kane rolls out of the ring to follow. Aiden uses the steps to get to his hands and knees but a hand grasps his mullet and slams him face first into the steps. Aiden bounces up, and is slammed again. He blocks the third slam and instead pulls Spike face first into the ring post as both men flop to the floor holding their busted noses.
Steve Morrison: Why isn’t Steve Tyrell stepping in here?
Cross Recoba: Would you get between two men known for extreme violence?
Steve Morrison: I’m not paid to do it so no!
Spike is the first to his feet and he kicks Merric in the chest. Aiden pushes up to his feet holding his chest and unleashes a volley of right hands to the head. Kane pulls him in and short arm clotheslines him to the mat. Taking a moment to catch his breath, the blood god appeals to the TAPOUT faithful in the crowd. He then moves in for the kill. He hauls Merric up by his arm and pulls him in, and pops him up!
Cross Recoba: Could this be?
Steve Morrison: No! Aiden managed to use his momentum to go OVER Spike and land behind him!
A spear to the gut sends the hardcore champ to the floor as the Aussie pants heavily. As Aiden pulls himself up on the commentary desk, Spike does the same on the steel steps. Aiden charges and hits a knee trembler to Spike sandwiching his head against the steel steps!
Steve Morrison: OH NO! Those ring steps are unforgiving.
Cross Recoba: This may be the turning point Aiden needed. Those shots will ring your bell, it takes time to clear the cobwebs.
Aiden then scoops him up and slams him on top of the steps. Spike’s back arches in agony. The hunter now senses blood and taunts to the crowd who are strangely into this savagery. A quick belly to belly sends Kane over the top rope and into the ring. Aiden slides in and hooks the leg.
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout!
Steve Morrison: Close but no cigar.
Cross Recoba: The man is on a nicotine patch and gum, how dare you bring that up?
Merric looks dejected as he holds up three fingers to the ref. Steve holds back two fingers to the Aussie. Looking around the ring and taking in his surroundings, the bushmaster steps back into the corner. He gauges his attack. As soon as Spike is halfway to his feet, the hunter pounces. Charging in for the clothesline form hell he is intercepted with a vicious black mass kick and crumples in a heap!
Steve Morrison: BLOODY SUNDAY! He damn near took Aiden’s head off!
Cross Recoba: It might be over!
A quick pin, Steve Tyrell drops to the mat. ONE!
TWO!
THR-A hand reaches out and grabs the bottom rope to break the pin.
It is now the hardcore champ in disbelief and questioning the speed of the count from Steve Tyrell. Spike shakes his head and slowly climbs to his feet. He stomps a mudhole in the chest of the hunter. He grabs the lifeless form of Merric and hauls him to his feet. Fisherman’s suplex with a bridge!
ONE!
TWO!
Aiden kicks out.
Cross Recoba: Merric showing some real resilience here. He really wants that first win in Tapout.
Steve Morrison: This may be his last chance to get a victory in 2022, so understandable.
Kane stays on the attack with some mounted punches to the already destroyed nose, spilling more blood for the blood god. Aiden spits blood in his face. Spike simply wipes it away and dives onto the leg and locks in the ankle lock on the right ankle!
Cross Recoba: BURNING HELL APPLIED!
Steve Morrison: Aiden has taken a lot of punishment, can he hold out!?
Aiden is questioning this very thing himself right now as he howls in pain. He slams the mat hard and then reaches for the ropes. He begins to drag Spike along. Inches from the ropes, Spike drags him back to the center of the ring and drops into a grapevine. Aiden again howls in agony but refuses to give up. He emphatically shouts NO at Steve Tyrell when asked to submit. Spike begins to yell at him to just end it already.Aiden flails left, he flails right, he flails center. Finally he actively rolls his body over and is just able to reach the bottom rope!
Cross Recoba: And he is saved from certain doom by a good use of body positioning.
Steve Morrison: Yeah but how long can he keep going?
Kane, for his troubles, wants this victory now. He deadlifts the hunter and plants him with a German Suplex.
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-kickout!
Spike, visibly upset just rolls into a mount and hammers the face of the Aussie with elbow shots. Blood splatters everywhere as Spike goes ham on the mug of the villain. Aiden refuses to submit. Steve Tyrell tells him he has to defend himself. Aiden manages to poke the eye of Kane to get him off. Taking his chance to try and get away, Merric grabs the ropes and pulls himself to his feet. Spike flails blindly and ends up shoving Merric into the ropes… and he rebounds with force into a superman punch!
Cross Recoba: Oh the Stun Gun from Aiden, but is it too little too late?
Steve Morrison: Spike is down but not out.
Aiden simply falls on top of Spike.
ONE!
TWO!
Spike rolls the shoulder.
Aiden covers his head in anger and agony as he crawls away from the pillar of violence. Spike is slow to rise but does wobble to his feet. Aiden gathers all his energy and barrels in. POPPED UP! But as Aiden is in the air he adjusts his angle and comes down with a huge clothesline from hell from mid-air to counter the counter!
Cross Recoba: WHOA! He just countered the Blood God’s Wrath in mid-pop-up with the Contract Fulfilled!
Steve Morrison: But he’s too tired to take advantage.
Aiden is out on the mat, as is Spike. Steve begins his ten count. At four, Aiden begins to stir. He crawls over. At six he drapes an arm over Spike.
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-NO! Foot on the bottom rope.
Steve Morrison: I thought with the angle of that crazy lariat that Spike may have been done.
Cross Recoba: The delay was too long. He may have had it if he could have covered sooner.
Aiden shakes his head. He slowly crawls to the corner. He uses the turnbuckle to assist as he climbs to his feet. Spike comes up behind him and clubs him. Aiden falls into the corner, he spins and the two begin to trade punches once again. Those heavy hands take their toll as the volleys slow and slow until both men slump into the corner. Aiden claps the ears of Spike again but Kane dodges the headbutt and knees him in the gut. The Aussie is lifted to the middle rope by Spike who calls for the end. The wonder from down under hits a European uppercut and shoves Spike away where he stumbles to his hands and knees. As Spike rises Aiden leaps for a diving Contract Fulfilled!
Cross Recoba: BLOODY SUNDAY! He intercepted him off the middle rope with that crazy kick.
Steve Morrison: It’s over now.
Spike collapses to the ground, sweat dripping and mixing with the blood on the mat. Spike drags Aiden to the middle of the ring and signifies it’s over. He hooks the near leg.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE-NOOOO! Aiden somehow rolls the shoulder.
Spike in disbelief just hooks both legs.
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-Kickout!
Steve Morrison: Aiden will not say die!
Cross Recoba: I can’t wait to see how this one ends.
The spiked one now looks ready to end this. Both men are pouring sweat and blood. Kane hooks Aiden and lifts him for the Spike Impaler. Aiden manages to grab onto the top rope and hold on. The hardcore champ eventually loses his grip and Aiden falls to the mat. He rolls to his feet and charges Spike for the Contract Fulfilled! But Spike again counters it with a pop up, to which Aiden again sails over the blood god and lands on the middle rope. He goes over Steve Tyrell as he does, causing the ref to duck away to avoid disaster. Taking this chance Aiden pulls brass knucks from a hidden pocket in his bandolier. He climbs to the top rope and turns around. Spike spins … Aiden leaps!
Cross Recoba: No this can’t be!
Steve Morrison: What an ending!
Aiden leaps off the top rope and clobbers Spike with a top rope brass knuckle diving punch. Spike goes down hard, blood pouring from his forehead. Aiden quickly slides the knucks out of the ring. He is slow to cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-Spike somehow kicks out.
Aiden breathes heavily and looks at the ref in disbelief. Aiden grabs the arm of Spike and hauls the limp body to its feet. Spike reacts with a headbutt on instinct. Aiden stumbles. Spike goes for a clothesline! Aiden catches the wrist and ducks under the arm, he holds the arm and yanks back … ripcord lariat!!!
Steve Morrison: TARGET NEUTRALIZED! He connected finally!
Aiden drops into a pin.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Laura Messier: Your winner … the Wonder from Down Under … AIDEN MERRIC!!!
Steve Morrison: What a war we just saw!
Cross Recoba: Spike won't be happy with the result but that match delivered on its promise and more! Aiden though did just that little bit more to get the win and get that monkey off his back!
Steve Morrison: We're not the only show that's got a BANG about it this month....
With a musical cue of jingling bells we fade into the REIGN commentary crew, Vincente Block and Chet Fletcher. The two are decked out in red and green suits with mistletoe decorating their front pockets.
Fletcher: Hello there wrestling fans! Christmas is coming early this year with REIGN’s Ho-
Block: Wait, hold on. Did you just say Christmas was coming early?
Fletcher: Yeah, that’s what you say when you hold an event before Christmas. Did you even study play-by-play in college?
Block: No no, I’m asking because if you’re going to be promoting REIGN’s Hot Cocoa with Santa show you should be saying that Christmas is coming right on time….because the show is on Christmas Eve.
Fletcher: Well, um, that doesn’t sound as good.
Block: …
Vincente just stares at his broadcasting partner.
Fletcher: Aaaanyway, why don’t we consult with Santa about what all the good little wrestling fans are getting this year!
Block: Great idea!
The two wait.
The two wait more.
They stand there while nothing happens.
Block: Why don-
Fletcher: Yeah I’ll get it.
Chet walks off camera while his partner squares up to continue the scripted part of this.
Block: That’s right folks! On the Eve of Christmas you’ll be treated to two exciting matches coming straight from Santa’s workshop at the North Po-…in Finland!
The less profession of the pair walks back into the frame with a bedazzled red and green sack.
Block: First up will be the current King of the World Esmeralda Von Krauss taking on XHF Legend Death Trap to see who is the true Ringmaster…earning that plate in the process!
Chet Fletcher pulls out a promotional poster featuring EVK and DT.
Block: And in the main event we’ll see Steve Awesome and Donzig clash to see who REALLY represents REIGN right now. And the winner will get to officially represent the company at the Battle for Hegemony in January an…
Vincente trails off as he looks to his partner, who is currently holding another promotional poster he pulled from the bag. This poster features a Steve Awesome and-
Block: Is that Lord Dominicus?
Chet looks at the poster.
Fletcher: Looks like Donzig to me.
Block: Do…do you even watch our shows?
Fletcher: Duh, it’s my job.
The more serious of the two groans. All of this though is soon rendered moot by a husky “HO HO HO!” Soon the REIGN announcer and interviewer, Burt Tennor stumbles onto the set dressed in full Santa Claus garb.
Tennor: HO HO HO! REIGN REIGN REIGN! LET’S CHECK THE BAG!
Block: Are you drunk?
Chet Fletcher covers his face in shame as we fade in to…
Steve Morrison: Don't miss it, only on the XHF Network! We're about ready for our half-time show, we'll see you after this...
Cross Recoba: I can't believe Costello put him in the front-row as his guest. I'm sorting this out...
HALF-TIME SHOW
Cross Recoba: Spike won't be happy with the result but that match delivered on its promise and more! Aiden though did just that little bit more to get the win and get that monkey off his back!
Steve Morrison: We're not the only show that's got a BANG about it this month....
With a musical cue of jingling bells we fade into the REIGN commentary crew, Vincente Block and Chet Fletcher. The two are decked out in red and green suits with mistletoe decorating their front pockets.
Fletcher: Hello there wrestling fans! Christmas is coming early this year with REIGN’s Ho-
Block: Wait, hold on. Did you just say Christmas was coming early?
Fletcher: Yeah, that’s what you say when you hold an event before Christmas. Did you even study play-by-play in college?
Block: No no, I’m asking because if you’re going to be promoting REIGN’s Hot Cocoa with Santa show you should be saying that Christmas is coming right on time….because the show is on Christmas Eve.
Fletcher: Well, um, that doesn’t sound as good.
Block: …
Vincente just stares at his broadcasting partner.
Fletcher: Aaaanyway, why don’t we consult with Santa about what all the good little wrestling fans are getting this year!
Block: Great idea!
The two wait.
The two wait more.
They stand there while nothing happens.
Block: Why don-
Fletcher: Yeah I’ll get it.
Chet walks off camera while his partner squares up to continue the scripted part of this.
Block: That’s right folks! On the Eve of Christmas you’ll be treated to two exciting matches coming straight from Santa’s workshop at the North Po-…in Finland!
The less profession of the pair walks back into the frame with a bedazzled red and green sack.
Block: First up will be the current King of the World Esmeralda Von Krauss taking on XHF Legend Death Trap to see who is the true Ringmaster…earning that plate in the process!
Chet Fletcher pulls out a promotional poster featuring EVK and DT.
Block: And in the main event we’ll see Steve Awesome and Donzig clash to see who REALLY represents REIGN right now. And the winner will get to officially represent the company at the Battle for Hegemony in January an…
Vincente trails off as he looks to his partner, who is currently holding another promotional poster he pulled from the bag. This poster features a Steve Awesome and-
Block: Is that Lord Dominicus?
Chet looks at the poster.
Fletcher: Looks like Donzig to me.
Block: Do…do you even watch our shows?
Fletcher: Duh, it’s my job.
The more serious of the two groans. All of this though is soon rendered moot by a husky “HO HO HO!” Soon the REIGN announcer and interviewer, Burt Tennor stumbles onto the set dressed in full Santa Claus garb.
Tennor: HO HO HO! REIGN REIGN REIGN! LET’S CHECK THE BAG!
Block: Are you drunk?
Chet Fletcher covers his face in shame as we fade in to…
Hot Cocoa With Santa
December 24th, 2022
Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi, Finland
December 24th, 2022
Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi, Finland
Steve Morrison: Don't miss it, only on the XHF Network! We're about ready for our half-time show, we'll see you after this...
Cross Recoba: I can't believe Costello put him in the front-row as his guest. I'm sorting this out...
HALF-TIME SHOW
