TAP OUT WRESTLING 13: POENA VS McCONALOGUE - LIVE!
May 31, 2023 21:54:16 GMT -5
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Post by Technical Perfection on May 31, 2023 21:54:16 GMT -5
Jack Diamond (VO): Cross Recoba. You are an intelligent man. You are a great businessman. Let me ask you this. What does May the First mean to you, boss? I’ll give you a moment.
Cross Recoba (VO): Do you realize how close Tommy Strychnine came to taking that Tap Out Openweight title from you? That you had to resort to combining two less-than-legal moves to come out on top? Are those injuries taking longer to heal?
Jack Diamond (VO): Cross Recoba… the man who holds my fate in his hands, who eliminated me from the XHF Rumble, seems hell-bent on asserting his dominance over my career.
Jack Diamond (VO): But let me make one thing clear: I won’t be a pawn in his game. I’ve done all that he’s asked of me. Yet, Cross remains unyielding in our contract negotiations. Well, I won’t back down either. I refuse to let my future be dictated by someone who doesn’t see my true value.
Jack Diamond (VO): Cross Recoba, as the owner of Tap Out Wrestling, you may think you hold all the cards, but let me remind you of something. When you chose to eliminate me from the Rumble, it was a betrayal that will not go unanswered. I've shown you my worth time and time again, defending the Tap Out Openweight Championship in rival feds and proving my value. While my contract negotiations may be in limbo, don't think for a second that I'm at your mercy. I am the face of YOUR company, a true champion. So, Cross, keep playing your power games, but remember, I always hold the winning hand.
PRESENTS
TAP OUT WRESTLING 13: POENA VS McCONALOGUE
Date: 28th May 2023
Venue: Lansky Ballroom, The Sands Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Attendance: 1000 (Capacity: 1000)
We fade into a packed Lansky Ballroom as the crowd erupt in cheers as Tap Out Wrestling 13 is LIVE!
The cameras scan the capacity crowd and five signs stand out amongst the throng:
We cut to ringside with Steve Morrison and Cross Recoba standing by at ringside.
Steve Morrison: Welcome, fans to Tap Out Wrestling Thirteen! I’m Steve Morrison and, as always, I’m joined by Tap Out co-Owner, Cross Recoba! A lot has changed since our last show.
Cross Recoba: Jason Long lost his stunt double for one!
Steve Morrison: We’ve got a stacked card tonight but first, Cross, we’ve got news about our June show that’ll be coming to you on the 25th June!
Cross Recoba: That’s right, Steve. Tap Out Wrestling Fourteen won’t just have one title defense but two! Facing Jack Diamond next month will be none other than the Chaos Bunny, Kid Crypid, the Lansky Ballroom’s Adopted Son…Jackalope in our main-event!
Steve Morrison: You’ll be able to see a preview of that match later tonight when the Icons reunite to take on Jackalope and Close Collins!
Recoba can be seen visibly irritated by the mention of the Icons.
Cross Recoba: In the Co-Main Event, we’ll play host to the XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion putting his title on the line against our representative.
Steve Morrison: We’ll find out who the Champion is at GUNS show this week…
Cross Recoba: Facing them will be the Harbinger, the Gambler…Kingsley Solomon. But, we’ve also got a great show planned for tonight.
Steve Morrison: What better place to start than our Main Event which sees Poena take on the undefeated Random!
Cross Recoba: We’ve seen what Poena can do and I’ve had more than a few wrestlers pull out of a deal with us because of the threat he carries. Ask Jack, ask Gordon, ask NOMAD. Not one of them left without a keepsake from Poena, be it snapped fingers, a broken arm, or a shoulder that took months to heal!
Steve Morrison: Brutality personified, the Scourge of Sanity is a force inside that ring and with that uncommon style of Random’s, he’s already looking forward to being the one to end her unbeaten streak here in Tap Out!
Cross Recoba: Some wrestlers would see a scalp list of Spike Kane and Jason Long and be worried but for Poena? He sees it as the makings of a higher sacrifice to his God!
Steve Morrison: It’ll be curious to see how she fares with more eyes on her after some explosive moments in the Rumble.
Cross Recoba: She’s not shy of competition and you know that tonight she’ll be relishing the chance to add another scalp to that list!
Steve Morrison: Both fighters are well-versed in submissions and breaking down their opponent piece-by-piece, could you predict a winner?
Cross Recoba: Not on my life, it’s going to come down to the finest of margins in our Main Event. A leg-lock where they’ve left a gap to escape, a chokehold that hasn’t fully shut the door on their opponent or, most likely, a split-second second-guess!
Steve Morrison: In our Co-Main Event we see the reunited Icons take on Close Collins and Jackalope! We’ve already alluded to what it means for half the combatants but for Jason Long, it’s an opportunity to right a wrong…
Steve Morrison: In the build-up, the Icons have seemed like they teamed-up every show since.
Recoba again is seen to wince, the HKW Heavyweight title on his shoulder slipping slightly as he does.
Cross Recoba: But Long’s smart. He waits a moment longer to intercept a danger or to come to the aid of his partner, it works for him. He’s sitting right up there near the top of the rankings and he’ll want to be in a position to take advantage of his shot when it comes along.
Steve Morrison: Close is going to be keen to prove to Long though that his win wasn’t a fluke.
Cross Recoba: That’s right but this match is as much about the win for him as it is getting more experience in a tag-team match. His partner and father, Tuff’ll be at ringside but the Elder Collins wants his son conditioned for every eventuality!
Steve Morrison: We’ve already seen Closealope in action before and while they lost, they looked like they were developing a rapport.
Cross Recoba: It’ll be needed in this match, the Icons are Ascension Wrestling Hall of Famers, they’re bother former X*Crown Champions. As much as I don’t want to drive Diamond’s stock up right now, they’re not going to give you a win for nothing!
Steve Morrison: You mentioned Jack’s stock just now. I’ve got the footage here on the monitor but lets send it to the Ballroom screen…
The Tron cuts to a scene from earlier today, backstage.
Jack Diamond paces back and forth, his mind consumed with the ongoing contract negotiation, his loaded schedule as of late in and out of the ring, and his family. He knew that at least one of those would hopefully be taken care of this afternoon because his agent, Vince Silverman, was scheduled to meet with Cross to discuss the terms of the contract.
As Vince walks into the room, Jack greets him with a mix of anxiety and determination, his voice tinged with urgency.
Jack Diamond: Vinny, what's the word?
Vince, a shrewd negotiator with a reputation for getting what he wanted, wears a confident smirk on his face. He takes a moment to straighten his tie before responding.
Vince Silverman: Jack, my man, don't you worry. I've got it all under control.
Vince smiles assuredly, flipping open a leather folder that contained their write-up of Jack's contract, the latest list of demands included. As they settle into a private corner, Cross Recoba enters the room, his presence commanding attention. He glances over at Vince with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Despite this, Cross' tone remains cool and collected.
Cross Recoba: Vince, what brings you here today? I thought we’d discussed the contract situation.
Vince nods, maintaining his composure.
Vince Silverman: Indeed, Cross. But it seems we still have a few points to iron out. You see, Jack here has been the face of Tap Out Wrestling, carrying the Openweight Championship with pride not only here but all across the Network. We believe his contributions deserve proper recognition and compensation.
Cross leans against the nearby table; his gaze fixed on Vince, never once looking at Jack.
Cross Recoba: I understand your concerns, Vince. However, with the recent changes in the industry and our impending expansion, we've been considering staying on a show-by-show contract for Jack.
Vince raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Jack goes to speak but Vince quickly motions with his hand that he has it under control.
Vince Silverman: A show-by-show contract? Interesting proposition, Cross. But let me remind you of something. Jack is not just an asset to Tap Out Wrestling; he's a force to be reckoned with across the Network. If you're not willing to meet our demands, well, let's just say we have other options. I believe next up is a defense in J-Rok this Wednesday. Who knows what jetlag can do to our champion...
A tense silence fills the room as Cross absorbs Vince's thinly veiled threat. The mention of J-Rok, another prominent network fed, hangs in the air, carrying with it the weight of potential consequences when Jack goes there to defend the Openweight Championship against James Raymond. Cross straightens his posture, his eyes narrowing.
Cross Recoba: I understand the gravity of the situation, Vince, believe me. But know this, if Jack were to lay down and drop Tap Out's title in another federation, the ramifications for both you AND your client here would be severe.
Vince leans in, his voice laced with a mix of determination and warning as a sly grin curls in the corner of his lip.
Vince Silverman: Cross, my friend, we're not here to burn bridges. But if you don't give Jack the respect he deserves, he'll do what he needs to do to protect his legacy and secure his future. And that might just mean taking the Openweight Championship elsewhere.
The room grows quiet once again, the tension palpable. Both parties understand the stakes involved. Vince folds his arms, the confident smile playing on his lips entirely now. He lets the silence grow just uncomfortable enough for Cross to fidget with his fingers a bit before he continues, trying to extend an olive branch.
Vince Silverman: Now, Cross, I believe we can find a compromise that benefits everyone involved. Let's put our heads together and work out a deal that satisfies both Tap Out Wrestling and Jack Diamond.
Cross exhales, his expression softening slightly. As much as he wanted to put Jack and his smug agent in their place, he still had a rather successful business to run, and personal feelings aside, Jack was still a large part of it.
Cross Recoba: Very well, Vince. Let's continue negotiations and find a middle ground. I respect Jack's contributions to this business and what they have meant for Tap Out Wrestling… Surely, we can meet in the middle somewhere...
With nods of agreement, the two men begin to delve into the details as the scene fades to black and the shot cuts back to ringside to a tightlipped, Cross behind the commentary table.
Steve Morrison: Could we see Diamond taking the belt to another company on the Network?
Cross Recoba: He’s already taken it to SCCW and GUNS but he retained and so, as it stands, it’s posturing but if he were to lose? It’d be a Network Nightmare for everyone!
Steve Morrison: How far apart are the two sides?
Cross Recoba: Far enough that I don’t want to spend any longer on it…
Steve Morrison: Closing down the first-half of our show, we see two fighters who came up agonisingly short in their matches last month.
Cross Recoba: We’ve seen Sawyer bounce back from losses and tonight they’ve got an opponent that they could be well-matched to in Strychnine. Each match Sam has, they’re growing in confidence inside the ring. Each bout showing us a little more about what kind of fighter they’re going to be!
Steve Morrison: Sawyer isn’t going to back down tonight, not when they can still feel the high they got from taking down Aiden Merric back in March!
Cross Recoba: Exactly.
Steve Morrison: But I suspect we’re going to see a Strych tonight that is out to right the wrong he suffered in that title match against Diamond!
Cross Recoba: Which makes you wonder just how far he’ll go to win. We’ve already seen this year that Tommy’s more vicious, more direct in his approach inside the ring. This match is going to be full of fireworks, that’s for sure!
Steve Morrison: Before that war, we have a six-man tag-team match.
Cross Recoba: We started Tap Out with one, they’re not going anywhere!
Steve Morrison: The debuting Jacob Craft teams up with The Thespian and Sticky the Clown to take on Aiden Merric, Kingsley Solomon and Wildcat Capone!
Cross Recoba: What a team he has but he wasn’t shy in going out of his way to make enemies on both sides of the fight!
Steve Morrison: We’ve heard trash-talk in our time but on your own partners? On a four-hundred pound clown? I can’t see his team rushing to his aid tonight!
Cross Recoba: Perhaps his only saving grace is that Sticky’s aim is to maim, not win and Thespian is riding a high after a hell of a showing in a very close losing bid for the XHF Junior Heavyweight title at the Rumble!
Cross Recoba: He knows from his time in NLW that momentum is the most valuable commodity in that ring. You can’t train for it, you can’t teach it, but it will push you that extra inch towards victory!
Steve Morrison: You can guarantee that Kingsley Solomon will be itching to show why he, not Thesp, got the nod next month.
Cross Recoba: That could be a fast-paced match-up and one that would be worth keeping an eye on.
Steve Morrison: He’s partnered by Capone and Merric, two brawlers to combat the brutality of Sticky and the submission offense of Craft.
Cross Recoba: Capone went out of his way to remind his opponents that he’s been here before, he was in that first match last year at Supremacy. In a relatively short career, he’s able to look at that match and see where he can improve, it’s going to be the first of many times but it’ll speed up his development nonetheless.
Steve Morrison: He’s continuing to improve every show and with Merric there, he’s going to have someone similar in style to give him guidance in this match.
Cross Recoba: Aiden could do that but, if I’m him? I want a run, I want to put away opponents in a way that makes people like Long, like Poena, like Diamond, sit up and pay attention!
Steve Morrison: And, coming up in just a few moments, we have the debut of Ashton Henare!
Cross Recoba: Scouted by our own Road Agent, Va’aiga so you can almost bank on what we’re going to see. He’s hard-hitting, he’s confident, and John Halliday is going to do well to run down that gas tank!
Steve Morrison: On that note, Laura’s standing by and ready for us to get our first look at the Kiwi being referred to as The Personification of Domination…
Laura Messier: WELCOME TO TAP OUT WRESTLING THIRTEEN! It's time for your opening match!
"HE IS HIM."
For a split second, silence filled the arena and all you could hear was the chattering of fans. However, the silence was soon replaced with the flooding of a rather familiar instrumental. “The City” by The Game (feat. Kendrick Lamar) began to blare throughout the airwaves as attendees turned their heads to see one of the newest attractions to Tap Out Wrestling. But, having a feeling of self-entitlement, Ashton kept them waiting. That is until his theme music finally caught up to his favorite part.
Steve Morrison: Scouted by our Road Agent, Va'aiga, it's no surprise that he brings us a New Zealander!
Cross Recoba: When I looked at the tapes he'd put together, it's evident what Va'aiga sees in him. He brings power, he brings some showmanship and he could very well be a force here in Tap Out Wrestling!
And as soon as those words began to fade, the screens in the room would showcase "GOD" before displaying his impressive highlights. Shortly thereafter, the man himself was making his entrance. Ashton stepped onto the stage with a sense of energy and charisma unlike anyone else. He quickly made his way over toward the ring and kept himself pumped up, making sure that his focus was now onto the ring, making sure that all attention was onto the business needing to be taken care of in the ring.
Steve Morrison: He's not coming into this as a rookie, the thirty-four year old has built his career not just in New Zealand but also Australia and the British Isles.
Cross Recoba: Ashton's not green to the sport but he isn't a known name in the United States, this is a great opportunity for him to change that.
Once up, he slow-walked across the ring apron before turning around to stare out at the fans again. That signature tongue would be brandished whilst throwing up the shaka sign, a staple in his culture. Lowering his hand, Ashton turned and quickly entered the ring via middle rope before moving toward the center. He began wiping his hands off and turned to the camera as he dusted his shoulders off.
Steve Morrison: Without Sticky the Clown, he'd be the biggest wrestler on the roster, can he make that size count and ascend the ranks?
Cross Recoba: We're about to find out. He doesn't look intimidated by the opportunity that's for sure!
In the ring, a young wrestler is already waiting in his corner.
Laura Messier: Introducing first! Weighing two-hundred pounds and standing at five-feet and ten inches, from Cheyenne, Wyoming...JOHN HOLLIDAY!!
The young wrestler raises an arm to the crowd.
Laura Messier: And his opponent! Fighting out of Inglewood, California. Standing at six feet, three inches and weighing two hundred and sixty-five pounds. THE PERSONIFICATION OF DOMINATION....ASHTON....HENARE!!!!
Henare looks at his opponent and laughs before testing the ropes.
OPENING MATCH
SINGLES MATCH
Ashton Henare (UR) vs John Holliday (UR)
With Laura Messier having made her way to the timekeeper’s table, Rhod Williams brings both men into the center of the ring. The camera captures the size disparity between the two men as Henare towers over Holliday. The match official sets forth his expectations for the match and sends both men to their corners.
Steve Morrison: John Holliday might have an uphill battle tonight.
Cross Recoba: It’s no wonder Va’aiga recommended him, just look at the size of him!
DING! DING! DING!
Ashton rushes from his corner before John Holliday has made barely a step from his. He grabs the Wyoming native by the head and pummels him with a triplet of overhand rights.
Steve Morrison: A solid start from the New Zealander.
Cross Recoba: Much like McConalogue, Ashton’s wrestling education took him from his homeland and across Australia and the United Kingdom.
Holliday tries to stay on his feet and only achieves the feat due to Henare continuing to hold the head of his opponent. Bringing his other hand to clasp the head of Holliday, HENARE CONNECTS WITH A HUGE HEADBUTT THAT DROPS THE CHEYENNE FIGHTER TO HIS KNEES!!
Steve Morrison: DID YOU HEAR THAT?
The onslaught from the Kiwi continues as he lifts up before dumping him down with a bodyslam. The Personification of Domination doesn’t rest, bringing his opponent up into a clinch.
Cross Recoba: Holliday doesn’t know where he is right now. He could have a concussion from that headbutt!
HENARE DRIVES KNEES INTO THE RIBS OF HIS OPPONENT THAT FORCES THEM BACK INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
Steve Morrison: The debuting Tap Out Wrestler is definitely showing the powerhouse offense that could take him to the top tonight!
Cross Recoba: It’s definitely a compelling showing so far.
Releasing the clinch, Ashton charges in and LANDS A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE THAT STAGGERS HOLLIDAY FROM THE CORNER…SAMOAN DROP!!!
Steve Morrison: Could this be it?
Smiling towards the crowd, Henare manages to amplify the boos aimed his way.
Cross Recoba: He’s not in any rush to pin him.
Ignoring them, he scales the turnbuckles to the top…DIVING CROSSBODY!!!
Steve Morrison: HUGE MOVE!!
ONE…
TWO…
THR-
HOLLIDAY GETS A SHOULDER UP!!
Steve Morrison: Holliday lives to fight on…
Cross Recoba: But barely…
Ashton lifts up John but HOLLIDAY FIRES BACK WITH A RISING DROPKICK THAT ROCKS THE NEW ZEALANDER!
Steve Morrison: The Wyoming Wrestler finding an opening for the first time in the match.
Buoyed by the cheers, Holliday connects with a Flying Forearm that sends the Kiwi rocking on one foot.
Cross Recoba: He’s still on his feet…
The Wyoming Fighter hits the ropes….HENARE CUTS HIM OFF WITH A HUGE SUPERMAN PUNCH!!!
Steve Morrison: NEW MAGIC WAND!!
Dragging Holliday to his feet, Henare throws a huge uppercut to the throat…ROLLING ELBOW….HE LIFTS HIM UP IN A SUPLEX….
Cross Recoba: LOOK AT THE HANGTIME!
DELAYED SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER!!!
Steve Morrison: WATCH THE THRONE!
The cheers long gone, the crowd’s boos now replaced with silence.
Cross Recoba: That brainbuster just sapped the voice of the entire Ballroom!
With a scowl on his face, Ashton lifts up Holliday….HIGH ANGLED SPINNING URANAGE!!!
Steve Morrison: THE END!!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
NO! HENARE LIFTS UP HIS OPPONENT AND WANTS TO CARRY ON!
Cross Recoba: This isn’t a match for him but a way to send a message to the rest of the roster.
With a shove, Henare sends Holliday to the ropes as he rushes to the opposite side…RUNNING BICYCLE KNEE!!
Steve Morrison: HOLLOW TIP!!!
Holliday looks knocked out.
Steve Morrison: He could pin him at any point!
Henare crouches in the corner, waiting for his opponent to stir.
Cross Recoba: The fact he wants to include this makes me think it’s what he wants the roster to remember.
Steve Morrison: So far we’ve seen a headbutt that could floor a horse, a huge Samoan Drop, and that high-angle spinning Uranage. That’s enough to put almost anyone away.
Cross Recoba: He’s definitely got a versatile arsenal…
Slowly, Holliday begins to get to his feet BUT HE’S NEARLY TAKEN OUT OF HIS WRESTLING BOOTS WITH A SPEAR!!!
Steve Morrison: NO LONGER HUMAN!!
Henare covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell!
Laura Messier: The winner of this match…THE PERSONIFICATION OF DOMINATION…ASHTON…HENARE!!!!!!!
“The City” by The Game fills the Lansky Ballroom as Williams raises the hand of Henare who almost looks put out that anyone doubted his victory.
Steve Morrison: A dominant performance but who will he get next month and will they test him?
Cross Recoba: That all depends on how the rest of tonight’s show goes down but on size and power alone, it’s only a handful of our roster who wouldn’t be severely outmatched!
Laura Messier: The following contest is a six-man tag-team contest!
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: Whilst his time in the Rumble was short, Thespian took XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion, El Rey, to the limit!
Cross Recoba: It was a great showing in that absolute cluster of a match.
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 does their demeanor. As they make 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: With the belt revisiting us next month, outside of a complete shocker tonight he could well be in the driving seat for a rematch against El Rey.
Cross Recoba: Indeed, that match reminded people why he was such a feared and respected opponent in Next Level Wrestling.
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: His focus tonight though is establishing a rapport with his teammates to try and get the win.
Cross Recoba: It’s not the easiest ask but Thespian should know that he could well be the key to victory for his team.
“Regret Game” by Madame Macabre begins playing as Sticky the Clown walks out from the back to the frightful screaming of many fans.
Steve Morrison: If Thespian has the skills then the size and power on this team surely comes from this man.
Cross Recoba: You call him a man but look at him, he’s a monster!
He looks around at the crowd with his peeling face paint that should have been fixed up ages ago and his needle sharp teeth inside his impossibly wide grin that pierce black gums.
Steve Morrison: You’re right but that monstrous size of his hasn’t guaranteed a perfect start, he’ll want to rectify this tonight.
Cross Recoba: It’s whether he can realize that in a match like this he’s a weapon best deployed tactically.
The Clown steps onto the apron and over the top-rope as Laura Messier makes sure to keep her distance, climbing between the ropes on the far side of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Do you want to tell him?
Cross Recoba: *Laughs* Luckily I don’t need to.
The lights drop in Lansky Ballroom as the bassy vocals of 'Hoist the Colors' fills the room.
Steve Morrison: Here is our newest roster member making his debut!
Cross Recoba: He might be in for a frosty reception, his words weren’t complimentary regardless of what side of the ring you’re on.
Stepping out from the back, Jacob Craft appears in red MMA shorts with a serious look on his face. He pauses for a moment to survey the crowd before making his way to the ring.
Steve Morrison: Coming from a martial arts background, Craft is able to make his opponents submit seemingly at will.
Cross Recoba: If you’re on the other team, submission defence had to be on your training camp agenda!
Focusing on the ring, Craft ignores the outstretched hands of the fans looking for selfies and high-fives.
Steve Morrison: Is he focused on the match or does he think he’s above them?
Cross Recoba: We’ll find out when that bell rings.
Leaping to the ring apron, Jacob enters the ring and goes to his corner.
"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: A prolonged break for Solomon but his explosive arsenal and agility are likely to be key to a win tonight.
Cross Recoba: Solomon mixes a Japanese-influenced approach with a brutality that you know comes from operating on the Strip here in Vegas.
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: We’ve seen just how effective that can be…
Cross Recoba: If he gets on the same page with Merric and Capone, there’s a trio that could be unstoppable!
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: He doesn’t seem intimidated by Sticky.
Cross Recoba: Both his opponents have been inside the ring with the giant, you have to assume they’ve shared what they know on their opponents.
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 who drew the short-straw in the Rumble and entered first!
Cross Recoba: It won’t be one for his highlight reel but at his stage in his career, it’s invaluable experience.
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: Wildcat made his debut in the first-ever match for Tap Out which was a six-man tag-team match. Will he have gone over the tape to see where he needs to focus?
Cross Recoba: Almost certainly, Capone’s not a prodigy but he is learning and we still think he has all the tools to reach the top. Despite his appearance, Capone is eager to learn and makes solid career steps to get there.
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: Capone bridges the agility of Solomon and the power of Merric…
Cross Recoba: Exactly, he can just as easily put his opponents away with that high-impact Belly-to-Belly suplex as he can with his Rolling Koppu Kick.
The opening thumping guitar and drum riff of "Unstoppable" by Disturbed hits the arena as an imitation sandstorm is created in the entranceway. After 10 seconds of storm, Aiden Merric emerges from the billowing sands chewing nicotine gum and wearing a smug ass smile on his face.
Steve Morrison: Merric normally looks ready for business but tonight he looks murderous!
Cross Recoba: If it wasn’t for the Netflix Warrior, Merric would have the shortest stint in the Rumble and you know that’s going to eat him up!
He spits the gum and puts a patch on his arm before stretching and walking to the ring with a purpose. He nods along with the theme song as he jabbers with the crowd and keeps moving. He stalks around the ring to the far side and nods at the commentators before he rolls into the ring and stretches on the ropes.
Steve Morrison: He looks ready to decapitate each and every one of his opponents in that ring now.
Cross Recoba: Merric will want to start this match, just look at him, he’s intent on reaffirming his place.
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: If he does, you’d expect Sticky to start for their opponents.
Cross Recoba: You learn to never take anything for granted inside that ring.
Laura Messier: Introducing first, to my left! The team of JACOB CRAFT….STICKY THE CLOWN…AND THE THESPIAN!!!
As the crowd reacts, Craft takes the moment to pointedly insist he starts for his team.
Laura Messier: And their opponents! The team of KINGSLEY SOLOMON….WILDCAT CAPONE…AND AIDEN MERRIC!!!
As predicted, Merric usher his two team-mates to take a step onto the apron.
SIX-MAN TAG-TEAM MATCH
The Thespian (#12) / Sticky the Clown (#13) / Jacob Craft (UR) vs Kingsley Solomon (#10) / Wildcat Capone (#11)/ Aiden Merric (#8)
“Big” John Quinn stands in the center of the ring between the two teams.
Steve Morrison: Quinn getting the nod for this one.
Cross Recoba: These matches tend to get messy, I can think of no other ref to put in charge.
The team of Merric, Capone, and Solomon look to be on the same page as the Australian and Kentuckian step between the ropes to leave Kingsley as their man to begin the match.
Steve Morison: The fast-paced Solomon getting the nod.
On the other side of the ring, Thespian seems to be pushing for Sticky to start but Craft isn’t happy and insists he’s the man for the job. Sticky steps through the ropes without showing any emotion.
Cross Recoba: Craft’s not been shy on his own abilities…
With that debate settled, Quinn calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Solomon immediately cuts the distance between himself and the debuting Maelstrom. Craft seems more cautious, looking for a gap in the SCCW Owner’s armor.
Steve Morrison: It seems both wrestlers have their own idea on what speed they want to start the match.
Cross Recoba: Craft’s style lends itself to spotting openings, you can’t wrestle like that on fast-forward.
Kingsley grabs a collar-and-elbow tie-up but Craft quickly transitions to a waistlock. Reversal from Solomon but the debuting wrestler sits out and rolls back, hooking his legs around one of his opponent’s. The Gambler quickly rolls out of it before the submission expert can take advantage and catches Craft with an arm-drag as he rises.
Steve Morrison: Kingsley wasn’t sticking around to find out there!
Staying on the arm, Kingsley steps under it and twists.
Cross Recoba: I can see Solomon wanting to vary that rhythm, keeping it unpredictable and freezing that submission-style out.
Solomon leaps…SPRINGBOARD SINGLE-ARM DDT TAKES CRAFT TO THE MAT!
Steve Morrison: He ramps up the gears…
Rolling through, The Harbinger sprints to the ropes…BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
Cross Recoba: Solomon showing why the Tap Out board picked him to face the XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion next month on the twenty-fifth…
Helpless to stop it, Craft finds himself being dragged to his opponent’s corner as Solomon tags in Merric.
Steve Morrison: They’re looking to isolate him.
With no finesse, Aiden immediately starts to put the boots into Craft. He lifts him up by his head and fires off a short-arm forearm to keep him stunned.
Cross Recoba: Going for a man’s name isn’t clever but when it belongs to a man who hunts Big Game in his spare time, it’s almost moronic!
The Australian follows up with a bodyslam and hits the ropes…STICKY CLOCKS HIM IN THE HEAD WITH A FOREARM OF HIS OWN!
Steve Morrison: Sticky comes to the rescue for Craft!
Cross Recoba: Obviously not read Stephen King or he’d have left him for dead!
Merric turns around and STRAIGHT INTO A SPRINGBOARD HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN FROM THESPIAN!
Steve Morrison: Three-on-one brings the match back into balance!
Quinn has his hands full as Capone and Solomon enter the ring as well as Sticky and the four non-legal men start to duke it out. The Clown grabs Capone and sends him sailing over the top-rope before following him, Thespian and Solomon exchange rights and lefts as they make their way to the ropes…Sticky grabs the legs of Kingsley and pulls him out of the ring!
Steve Morrison: It’s pandemonium!
Returning to his opponent, Merric lifts him to his feet but Jacob immediately fires back with a rising uppercut to the jaw and then a lifting knee that doubles over the former XHF Phoenix Champion. Craft takes the arm and spins, dropping the Australian down into a Fujiwara Armbar!
Cross Recoba: Smart baiting from Craft, Merric could be in real dnager!
Cutting to the action on the outside and Sticky has continued his assault, he lifts up Wildcat AND PANCAKES HIM THROAT-FIRST ON THE GUARDRAIL!
Steve Morrison: STICKY IS RUNNING RIOT AY RINGSIDE!!!
Inside the ring, Merric still fights the armbar and tries to use his power to escape but Craft sits down on the shoulder.
Cross Recoba: Look at how Craft is using his opponent’s moves to inform his own.
Merric manages to roll him over!
ONE…
KICKOUT FROM CRAFT!!
Steve Morrison: Merric baited him into that!
Once more, the Australian looks to bring Craft to his feet but the debuting Tap Out Star grabs his leg and rolls through…HEEL HOOK!!
Cross Recoba: But now Aiden finds himself in real danger, it’s a simple hold but devastating if it gets locked in!
Reaching out, Merric realizes the Maelstrom has him trapped and is working the Hook.
Steve Morrison: Craft putting in an impressive showing in his debut thusfar...
SLIDING CLOTHESLINE FROM CAPONE BREAKS THE HOLD!!
Steve Morrison: SLIDING D!
Wildcat carries onto his corner and Merric tags him in!
Cross Recoba: Smart move from the former gangbanger. This is going to be an all-out war from the look of it!
The Wildcat from Kentucky rushes back into the ring and immediately starts to pepper the body of Craft with body-shots. He lifts up Jacob…GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB!
Steve Morrison: Huge bomb from IRN FST!
THE COVER…
ONE…
TWO…
CRAFT GRABS A TRIANGLE HOLD!
Cross Recoba: They need to find an answer to this, Craft is putting submission on at will!
“Big” John Quinn asks Capone if he wants to submit but gets no response.
Steve Morrison: Wildcat’s almost stubborn to a fault!
Cross Recoba: That’s not going to matter if Jacob manages to get him unconscious from this hold!
Checking if the Kentuckian is conscious, Quinn gets his answer when Wildcat thoughtfully flips him the bird with his free arm.
Steve Morrison: He’s still with us.
Working from the free arm, Capone starts to unload with vicious hooks into the body of Jacob but he’s unrelenting.
Cross Recoba: Those blows are going to help but if Jacob rides them out, Capone is counting down to nap-time!
MERRIC SOLVES THE ISSUE WITH A PUNT KICK THAT SETS CAPONE FREE!
Steve Morrison: DID YOU HEAR THAT THUD!
A THESPIAN DROPKICK FROM BEHIND SENDS MERRIC TO THE APRON FLOOR!
Cross Recoba: The Bedlam Express is back in action!
THESPIAN HITS THE ROPES…SUICIDE DIVE CONNECTS WITH MERRIC!!
Steve Morrison: HUGE DIVE FROM THESP!!!
We cut to Solomon and Sticky…THE CLOWN SENDS SOLOMON OVER THE GUARDRAIL AND STEPS OVER IT WITH EASE!
Steve Morrison: I don’t like the look of this…
Cross Recoba: All tickets come with disclaimers…
The front row scarper as the Clown grabs Kingsley AND THROWS HIM THROUGH THE FRONT ROW!!!
Steve Morrison: SOLOMON WAS TOSSED LIKE A LAWN DART!!!!
Back inside the ring, Capone and Craft are duking it out, exchanging forearms.
Cross Recoba: This is playing into Capone’s hands, he’s at home brawling!
Getting a slight advantage, Wildcat grabs the head of Jacob and connects with a headbutt that staggers backwards.
Steve Morrison: Huge headbutt!
Dashing forward, Capone throws a Yakuza Kick but CRAFT CATCHES IT….DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP!!
Cross Recoba: He snapped that rotation!
Jacob rolls through into a knee-bar!
Steve Morrison: And he stays on the knee!
Realizing the danger he’s in, Capone quickly pushes out from the hold with his hands to the ropes.
Cross Recoba: Wildcat managed to get out before any damage could be done!
Paying no mind to his opponent having his hands on the ropes, Craft swings a leg kick that lands on the knee…and another!
Steve Morrison: He stays on that knee though, using it as a target for those unforgiving kicks!
Jacob lifts him up…KNEEBREAKER!
Cross Recoba: Those power moves of Wildcat aren’t going to be as impactful without that leg strength. Craft fighting with his head.
Craft drives a punt into the knee of his opponent before backing into his corner and tagging in Sticky the Clown.
Steve Morrison: The legwork done, pardon the pun, now it’s time for the battering ram of their team!
The mood inside the Ballroom changes immediately.
Cross Recoba: Eight feet, four-hundre pounds. Sticky’s aura gives everyone the chills.
Sticky WALKS over the back of Capone.
Steve Morrison: How do you fight an opponent who can just step on you and cause you harm?
Cross Recoba: Stick and move or pray to whatever deity you can find!
Merric and Solomon rush into the ring, Kingsley slowed slightly by war damage from Sticky on the outside.
Steve Morrison: The cavalry are here!
Merric eats a big boot!
Cross Recoba: Just look at the size of those boots! He outgrew Steph Curry’s shoes before puberty!
Solomon is thrown over the ropes but lands on the apron.
Capone staggers to his feet…SPINEBUSTER!
Steve Morrison: THAT SHOOK THE RING!!
Cross Recoba: With someone that size, form and technique almost take a backseat to raw power!
Sticky goes for the cover…
ONE…
TWO…
SOLOMON WITH A LAST DITCH SPRINGBOARD ELBOW DROP TO BREAK UP THE PIN!
Steve Morrison: The Harbinger makes the save!
Cross Recoba: It’s going to be the team that can stick together and work together that come out on top tonight.
As the Clown gets to his feet, Kingsley suddenly realizes the dark shadow engulfing him. The Kharnival member grabs the back of his head and DRILLS HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE MAT!
Steve Morrison: FACE SPLATTER!
Content with his work, Sticky takes a few steps back AND THE THESPIAN TAGS HIMSELF IN!
Cross Recoba: Now it’s on Thespian to make sure that they keep on top of this for their team.
The Masked Wrestler hoists Capone up by his arm and immediately sends him into the corner…THESPIAN RUSHES IN WITH AN ENZIGURI!
Steve Morrison: Keeping up the work from Sticky and Craft, Thespian shows what being the fresher man can do in these situations.
Cross Recoba: Capone alluded to the fact he’s been here before, he showed in the Supremacy Showcase that kickstarted this company that he has heart and fighting spirit for days!
He pushes the Kentuckian out of the corner and grabs a front-facelock, perching atop the turnbuckle…TORNADO DDT!
Steve Morrison: That spirit might well have been knocked out of him with that move, Thespian just spiked him on his head!
Cross Recoba: He’s coming off a strong showing in that chaotic match at the Rumble the Junior Heavyweight and you can see just what a boost of confidence its given him inside the ring!
Thespian sits up but Merric drags him by the foot to the apron and DEADLIFTS HIM UP IN A WAISTLOCK…GERMAN SUPLEX ON THE APRON!!
Steve Morrison: Merric evened it out though with a brutal suplex onto the most unforgiving part of that ring!
Solomon pushes Thespian back into the ring.
Cross Recoba: That wasn’t just a move done to change momentum, that was almost a hit-job. I’ve seen high-flyers suffer neck injuries and it changes them when they come back.
With both men down, “Big” John Quinn is forced to start the count.
Steve Morrison: Seth Dillinger being one such case where he changed his moveset and his style to accommodate his return from a neck injury caused by our own Jason Long.
Cross Recoba: Exactly.
ONE!
TWO!
Both men remain down. Merric starts to stomp his feet to invigorate the crowd.
Crowd: *CLAP*-*CLAP*-*CLAP*-*CLAP*-*CLAP*
Steve Morrison: Aiden trying to will Capone back to his feet.
THREE!
FOUR!!
Thespian starts to stir…
Cross Recoba: Thespian’s hoping to win the race and pick up where he left off before Merric took him down.
FIVE!!!
Sitting up, Thespian breaks the count and sees Capone slowly inching his way towards his corner. Sticky drops off the apron.
Steve Morrison: Where could he be going?
SIX!
STICKY TRIES TO PULL MERRIC FROM THE APRON BUT THE AUSTRALIAN HANGS ON! SOLOMON CLIMBS THROUGH THE ROPES AND SPRINTS…TOPE CON HILO TAKES THE KHARNIVAL KLOWN TO THE FLOOR!
Steve Morrison: Solomon sacrificed himself for his team!
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
Thespian tags in Craft.
Cross Recoba: Jacob needs to rush bef-
CAPONE TAGS IN MERRIC!
Steve Morrison: Capone makes the tag!
The Australian cuts off the Submission Expert with quick-fire overhand rights that stagger his opponent. He grabs a waistlock AND RIPS THE CORD INTO A LARIAT!!
Steve Morrison: TARGET NEUTRALIZED! THIS COULD BE OVER!
Merric turns around….STICKY LIFTS MERRIC ABOVE HIS HEAD…
Cross Recoba: NO-ONE TOLD THE CLOWN!!
STICKY NIGH-ON BENDS HIS BACK IN TWO AS HE SLAMS IT OVER HIS KNEE!
Steve Morrison: BREAKING THE BACK!
Cross Recoba: Straight out of Gotham City!
SOLOMON CATCHES THE KLOWN WITH A DOUBLE KNEE INVERTED FACEBREAKER FROM THE TOP!
Steve Morrison: CASH OUT!!
Standing up, Kingsley gets caught in an inverted facelock…
Cross Recoba: Thespian’s got him…
REVERSE SUPLEX INTO A CUTTER!!
Steve Morrison: TAKE A BOW, SON!!
Taking a few steps back to admire his work, the Masked Wrestler stumbles RIGHT INTO A BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX FROM CAPONE AS BOTH MEN ROLL TO THE OUTSIDE!!!
Steve Morrison: TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY!!
Crowd: THIS IS AWESOME! FIGHT FOREVER! THIS IS AWESOME! FIGHT FOREVER! THIS IS AWESOME! FIGHT FOREVER! THIS IS AWESOME! FIGHT FOREVER! THIS IS AWESOME! FIGHT FOREVER!
With the ring now clear bar the legal men, Merric holds his back as he stands up, staggering slightly from the pain…CRAFT CATCHES HIM WITH A TWISTING DDT!!!
Steve Morrison: Can that put the Game Hunter away?
Jacob makes the cover…
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
MERRIC THROWS AN ARM UP!!!
Steve Morrison: Aiden still feeling the effects of that devastating backbreaker but he manages to carry on!
Craft lits up the Australian from the mat by his arm and whips him to the ropes, it’s reversed…POP-UP EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!!
Steve Morrison: TRANQUILIZER!!
Refusing to drop to the mat, Jacob swings his legs down but stumbling backwards into the ropes again, URANAGE BACKBREAKER…HAYMAKER!!!
Cross Recoba: Admirable effort from Craft to keep on his feet but that’s one of the Australian’s favorite combinations!
With his opponent now on the floor, Merric tags out to Solomon.
Steve Morrison: Now back to the Harbinger…
Kingsley unleashes a flurry of forearms that back Craft into the corner. Solomon whips him to the opposite corner and follows in with a Schoolboy roll-up but rolls through…SCHOOLBOY SUPLEX!!!
Cross Recoba: Each time he hits that move it gets a little crisper, a little more fluid!
He keeps the pin…
ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT FROM CRAFT!
Steve Morrison: Still the debuting Craft refuses to be put away!
Solomon rolls to his feet and dashes to the ropes….CRAFT LEAPS INTO A GUILLOTINE!!!
Steve Morrison: Solomon finds himself in trouble just moments after he might have thought he had this won for his team!
Cross Recoba: It’s a smart move for Jacob to use, his weight is being carried by Solomon and you’ve got to favor the man who’s an expert in submissions to come out on the winning side here…
Leaning back, the Maelstrom tightens the hold as he has the Japanese Junior Wrestler caught.
Steve Morrison: Those arms are locked...
“Big” John Quinn checks on Solomon to see if he’s still conscious.
Cross Recoba: Solomon’s in between a rock and a hard place, right now. If he tries to slam Craft and it fails? He’s lost his footing…
The crowd noise grows to a crescendo as the hold sinks deeper. Quinn remains diligent in making sure the SCCW Owner is still conscious.
Cross Recoba: …He’s trying to step towards the ropes for the break but each time he does that, Craft works those hooks further up the body to anchor Kingsley back dowm.
A large smile is plastered on the face of Craft but in an instant, it disappears.
Steve Morrison: Suddenly Craft doesn’t look so confident…
We find out why - MERRIC NAILS CRAFT WITH A SUPERMAN PUNCH TO BREAK THE HOLD!!
Steve Morrison: AUSSIE RULES!!
The interruption brings Sticky into the ring who grabs the head of Merric and levels him with a headbutt that drops the Antipodean to the floor.
Cross Recoba: Sticky is just breaking down any rhythm that his opposition start.
Capone comes in to join the chaos and makes a dash for Craft but Thespian pulls the debuting MMA star to their corner and tags himself in.
Steve Morrison: Thespian making the save and entering the fray once more.
Cutting off the Kentucky Brawler with a European Uppercut, Thespian follows it up with a Pele Kick and rolls backwards before sprinting towards the off-balance Capone, RUNNING STO TAKEDOWN!!
Cross Recoba: Thespian might well give Solomon a run for his money as the best chain-wrestler in that ring right now. He’s putting together combos that his opponents just can’t seem to stop.
STICKY CLOTHESLINES MERRIC OVER THE ROPES AS THEY BOTH GO TO THE OUTSIDE!!
Steve Morrison: ONCE MORE THEY GO TO THE OUTSIDE!
Kingsley and Thespian are now alone in the ring. Solomon runs towards the Masked Wrestler…
Leapfrog.
Steve Morrison: From a standing start!
Arm-drag on the return from Thesp but Solomon cartwheels out of it and charges forward with a high-head kick but it’s ducked…
Cross Recoba: Here it comes…
German Suplex…SOLOMON FLIPS OUT OF IT AND CHARGES…WHEELBARROW FACEBUSTER FROM THESPIAN!!!
Steve Morrison: Fine margins being the only separator between these two!
Cutting to Capone and Craft, Wildcat headbutts Jacob and grabs his head as both men are on the apron….PACKAGE PILEDRIVER TO THE FLOOR ON CRAFT!!!
Crowd: HE KILLED JACOB! HOLY SHIT! HE KILLED JACOB! HOLY SHIT! HE KILLED JACOB! HOLY SHIT! HE KILLED JACOB! HOLY SHIT!
Craft lays flat out on the apron-floor, the only indicator he’s even conscious is the arm that slowly goes to his neck.
Steve Morrison: A flashback to that six-man at last year’s Supremacy where we saw Capone employ that same tactic!
Back inside the ring, Thespian has Solomon measured up for his next move. Sitting up, Kingsley can’t see the former NLW star behind him….KINSASHA!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: EXQUISITE CATASTROPHE!!
The eyes of Solomon roll backwards before Thespian makes the cover…
Cross Recoba: He’s hooked the leg...
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
CAPONE PULLS THESPIAN OFF OF SOLOMON!!! WHIPPERSNAPPER!!!!
Steve Morrison: CHIN CHECK FROM CAPONE KEEPS HIS TEAM IN IT!!
Wildcat looks at his options and sees Merric trying to trade blows with Sticky but the Klown uses his sheer size to overpower him.
Cross Recoba: This might be the biggest game that Merric has tried to take down inside the ring…
Solomon leans back into the turnbuckle to recover as Wildcat turns his attention back to Thespian. He picks him up…THESPIAN LEVELS HIM WITH A SUPERKICK!
Steve Morrison: Capone got caught!
The Masked Wrestler pulls Kingsley out from the corner and delivers a kick to the gut to stun him whilst he charges the ropes…TILT-A-WHIRL….NO! EMERALD FLOWSION OUT OF DESPERATION FROM THE SIN CITY WRESTLING HONCHO!!!
Cross Recoba: Solomon hit that on instinct!
Steve Morrison: Can he capitalize though?
Outside, Merric finds himself against the ringpost. Sticky charges…MERRIC LEAPS ONTO THE APRON AS THE CLOWN HITS NOTHING BUT STEEL!!!
Steve Morrison: MERRIC GETS OUT AT THE RIGHT TIME!
KINGSLEY MAKES THE TAG!!
Cross Recoba: How much has a war with the Clown taken out of him though?
Merric comes into the ring and immediately unloads a series of punches straight out of a Brisbane Dive Bar that rock the Thespian…TIGER SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: Not the cleanest suplex, he can’t be at full-force…
Merric hits the ropes…
Cross Recoba: Doesn’t matter if this connects…
THESPIAN ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY OF THE LARIAT AND TAGS IN STICKY!!!!
Steve Morrison: AND THE WAR WAGES ON!
Cross Recoba: Merric didn’t see the tag!
The Clown drives a huge boot into the back of the unaware Merric!
Steve Morrison: Merric just dropped like a fly!
Lifting up the Australian, STICKY APPLIES THE ABDOMINAL STRETCH!
Steve Morrison: THE BALLOON ANIMALS STRETCH!!
The pain on Aiden’s face is obvious. The crowd’s now hushed as they watch the monstrosity of the von Krauss stable uses his free arm to drive a claw into the head of the Australian.
Cross Recoba: Merric has to be in agony. Sticky’s height is giving him the leverage to make a painful hold feel like absolute death.
Quinn is on hand to see if the Brawler wants to tap but he can be seen shouting ‘No’.
Crowd: DON’T TAP, AIDEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* DON’T TAP, AIDEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* DON’T TAP, AIDEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* DON’T TAP, AIDEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* DON’T TAP, AIDEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Despite the fans cheers, Merric seems locked into an inescapable hold.
Steve Morrison: You can probably count on a leprosy sufferer’s hand the amount of time that Merric has tapped and he’s determined not to do so tonight.
Cross Recoba: It’s getting to a point where it might be smarter to tap in the long-run.
Merric continues to sink into the hold.
Steve Morrison: He’s fading...
WILDCAT CHARGES IN AND DELIVERS A ROLLING KOPPU KICK TO THE BACK OF HE CLOWN! STICKY, IRRITATED AND TURNS AROUND…SOLOMON FOLLOWS IN WITH A TILT-A-WHIRL DDT!!!
Steve Morrison: ONE LESS BITCH FOLLOWED UP WITH A SUICIDAL TILT-A-WHIRL DDT!!!
CRAFT COMES IN AND HITS THE RISING WILDCAT WITH A HAMMERLOCK DDT, LOCKING HIS LEGS AROUND THE WAIST. THE PAIR ROLL OUT OF THE RING!
Cross Recoba: Craft’s trying to even up the numbers…
On his knees, Sticky still stands as tall as his opponents….JUDAS EFFECT ELBOW FROM SOLOMON AS A FOLLOW-UP!!!
WALL HANGER LARIAT!!!!!
He weakly covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Quinn calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: The Winners of this bout, as a result of pinfall, the team of WILDCAT CAPONE! KINGSLEY SOLOMON! AND AIDEN….MERRIC!!!!
The air goes cold as a horrid buzzing fills the air, like a million locusts have been released from the depths to consume all that stands before them. As the buzzing grows louder, the lights dim and morph into a shifting array of colors, undercut by red, the color of arterial blood. This light takes over any pure light left as the buzzing somehow makes a word—one that would strike a certain person numb with fear.
Poena: Jaaaaccccccck…
A mad laugh follows, made up of thousands of insectile throats, and the symbol of Poena’s faith appears, seemingly floating in the air amidst the shifting colors. It shifts and wavers, as if it’s made of the swarm the voice is coming from, but never fades away. As the laughter fades, the buzzing voice comes back full force.
Poena: Did you think I had forgotten about you, Jack? That I had moved on to other targets? Oh, no… I was letting you get comfortable again. I was giving you some small measure of hope so that when I came back, it would crush you all the more. What was it you said? That you’d lost everything other than that belt you hold.
The shape of Poena’s faith shifts suddenly, changing into his face. It grins as it looks over the horrified and stunned audience, seeming to see each and every one of them.
Poena: So, Jack, I’ve come to take that last shred of hope from you. At Night of Champions, I will break you. I will take that golden idol you’ve made for yourself and show you how useless it is. Then, you will finally see the Truth. You follow the Prophecy. But if you should lose that belt before the night of reckoning…
The face frowns, the red light growing more intense as anger and hatred seem to flow off the image of Poena looming over the crowd.
Poena: Losing it to Jackalope wouldn't save you from me, Jack. We will have our judgment day. But Jackalope… if you have the belt on the Night of Champions then I will merely have to break you for it. Your flips and speed will not save you, and the love of these sheep will not save you from the affections of My God. We do not care whatever dimension you come from, for He will rip you from whatever safety you find and feast upon you. You would truly have to earn that fate, as that golden idol is the last fragment Jack has to cling to and he will not let go of it easily unless he fears His Chosen even more than I thought.
The image of Poena’s face starts to break up slowly, the buzzing slowly being replaced with a demonic howling as the lights shift faster and faster… Then darkness descends as five more words echo throughout the arena.
Poena: I'm coming for you. Run.
We fade back to ringside.
Steve Morrison: It seems that Poena hasn’t forgotten and wants his revenge on the biggest stage of them all on the XHF Network!
Cross Recoba: IF, and right now who can say what, Jack Diamond still holds that title. Jackalope’s going to be looking at tonight as a way to prove to Jack and to the people at home that he’s ready to step up and takedown a man who has only lost one match so far in Tap Out Wrestling!
Steve Morrison: So, Poena faces Diamond or Jackalope at Night of Champions! I just received word that Laura is standing by with our next fight of the evening ready to get underway!
Laura Messier: And now for your next bout!
The arena lights dim as a synth bassline begins to play, the foggy neon on the tron becoming the main source of light. The tension in the song starts to pick up, and upon reaching the climax, the first verse begins and the arena lights flash briefly before returning to a dim glow, now with the same neon colors as the tron.
Steve Morrison: With such a time between our last show and now, you can guarantee that Sawyer will have put that time to good use and preparing even more thoroughly for their match tonight.
Cross Recoba: Sam's going to be looking at what BEEF and Carter showed in GUNS and SCCW and knowing that Diamond isn't an unassailable target.
The fans cheer when Sam Sawyer walks out onto the stage, their face calm and focused. On their way down they slap the hand of every fan who offers, with a faint smile of gratitude.
Steve Morrison: Sitting in fifth, they're not at the fornt of the line to challenge Diamond but that could all change tonight.
Cross Recoba: They'll also see be using Tommy as a measuring stick. Strych took Diamond to the limit at our last show and Sawyer can exploit that.
They climb the steps and enter the ring, now focused entirely on the match ahead.
Steve Morrison: A win here could put them in contention for a shot and that could well come at Night of Champions in July.
Cross Recoba: Don't count your chickens just yet, Steve, there's a lot of wrestling to come between now and then...
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: Can Tommy rally back from what must have been a heartbreaking way to lose against Diamond and put himself back in contention?
Cross Recoba: It's been the question since day one, can Tommy find consistency?
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 flip off the fans along the way.
Steve Morrison: He can be incredibly frustrating, if you look at some of the people he's lost to you sometime wonder how it happened and then he can take down a huge name seemingly at will.
Cross Recoba: It's that unpredictability which makes him such a spectacle to watch.
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: Can his Springboard Flipping Lariat take down Sayer's own Lariat?
Cross Recoba: That's what we need to see, Sawyer's already taken down Merric and his own Western Lariat, can they get the full-set tonight?
Laura Messier: STANDING TO MY RIGHT! They hail from Houston, Texas. Tipping the scales at one-hundred-and-sixty pounds...standing at five feet and six inches....SAM...SAWYER!!
Cracking their neck, Sawyer leans back against the ropes and ready for a fight.
Laura Messier:AND TO MY RIGHT! 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 Rocker has leapt to the top turnbuckle to soak up the boos from the Lansky Ballroom crowd.
SINGLES MATCH
Sam Sawyer (#5) vs Tommy Strychine (#9)
STRYCH VS SAWYER
Steve Tyrell seems happy enough with the competitors as he calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Both fighters are quick to come out from their corners. Strych spins into the ropes, bouncing off them, a wild smile etched on his face as he does so.
Steve Morrison: An unorthodox approach from Tommy.
Cross Recoba: The more experienced Strychnine clearly trying to get into the head of Sawyer.
Sawyer watches their opponent with curiosity, trying to work out when best to engage with Strych as he continues his dervish-inspired intro.
Steve Morrison: Bemused rather than confused it seems.
Cross Recoba: This is a lure…
Getting closer to his opponent, he stops spinning and winks at Sawyer before shooting in and grabbing a waistlock, he rushes them to the ropes looking for an O’Connor Roll but they locked their arms and send Strych back into the center of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer saw that move coming.
Cross Recoba: Tommy’s feeling them out, seeing what’s what.
Trying to capitalize, Sam rushes in and swings a boot towards the head of their opponent but it’s ducked and Tommy grabs another waistlock, quickly transitioning to a headlock.
Steve Morrison: Strych looking to use his size…
Cross Recoba: Sawyer’s a fighter who is much more comfortable on their feet. They can wrestle on the mat and take to the skies but Sam’s far more at home with an upright opponent.
Throwing them over his shoulder with a takedown, the Rocker keeps hold of the headlock.
Steve Morrison: Can he dictate the pace?
Cross Recoba: You only need to dictate it long enough to disrupt your opponent’s rhythm and gameplan…
Exerting his size advantage, Tommy leans his weight into the hold. He rears a closed fist back and drives it into the face of Sawyer.
Steve Morrison: Illegal punches from Tommy…
And again.
Cross Recoba: He’s working the rules, we’ve all done it.
The Lansky Ballroom are making their feelings known as Strych continues to drive closed-hand punches into the face of his opponent.
Crowd: TOMMY SUCKS! FUCK YOU TOMMY! TOMMY SUCKS! FUCK YOU TOMMY! TOMMY SUCKS! FUCK YOU TOMMY! TOMMY SUCKS! FUCK YOU TOMMY! TOMMY SUCKS! FUCK YOU TOMMY!
Steve Morrison: The crowd aren’t shy on their feeling to the Rocker!
Tyrell warns Tommy and goes to start a count but the Rocker stops, making a grand show of it. Sawyer takes advantage and rolls him over into a pin:
One…
T-
Strychnine rolls his weight back out of the pin and takes the action to a standing headlock.
Steve Morrison: What’s the gameplan to you?
Cross Recoba: Wear down the smaler wrestler, make them fight your match.
Steve Morrison: And if you’re Sawyer?
Cross Recoba: Get in, pick your shot and don’t over-commit.
The Texan uses their free arm to drive a pointed elbow into the stomach of Tommy. Another driven elbow connects.
Steve Morrison: Nothing left out of those strikes.
Cross Recoba: They seem to be doing the job…
A third one sets them free! With Strych doubled over, Sawyer grabs the head of Tommy in a clinch and lifts a solid knee into his head, sending him back into the corner. The Houston native quickly closes the gap between Strych and them and starts to pepper the body of the Rocker with hooks to the body.
Steve Morrison: Now we see Sawyer able to let their gameplan loose.
Cross Recoba: It’ll be interesting to see how both fighters have adapted their game given their slim losses at the last show.
Taking a step back, Sawyer briefly pauses before charging in and leaping…
Steve Morrison: Going for something big…
Strych throws them off!!
Cross Recoba: Did they second guess themselves?
He charges forward with a Yakuza kick but it’s ducked and a Middle shoot kick is thrown but Strych catches it and uses his own leg to sweep the standing one.
Steve Morrison: The more experienced fighter saw what was coming.
Tommy quickly spins around the leg before dropping his weight down on it.
Cross Recoba: He’s going for the leg knowing that without a strong base, Sawyer’s arsenal is going to be hugely diminished.
Keeping hold of the leg, the Rocker spins a leg around it once more but Sawyer throws a kick out with their free limb that catches Tommy in the jaw, knocking him back. The Teenage Texan Sensation grabs a schoolboy pin but rolls through to their feet and delivers a low dropkick to the hamstring of their opponent.
Steve Morrison: Likewise, Sawyer drove their foot through the leg of their opponent.
Getting back to his feet, Tommy keeps his distance as he stalks his opponent. Sawyer stands upright, their guard in place.
Cross Recoba: Now we’re back to a stand-off.
Sawyer shoots in for a single-leg takedown but Tommy sidesteps it and connects with a Question Mark kick. Grabbing the temporarily dazed Sawyer, Tommy whips them into the corner and follows in with a rushing elbow as he sits himself atop the turnbuckle…DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD FROM THE SECOND ROPE!
Steve Morrison: The Rocker’s picking up momentum…
Following in, Strych spins Sam around and throws a European Uppercut that rocks Sawyer and allows the former Lazer Physycyst member to charge in with a Leaping Inverted Bulldog!
Cross Recoba: They’ve got to be dazed from that, Strych kept his arm around their neck even after impact.
He makes the cover as Tyrell drops to the mat.
ONE…
KICKOUT FROM SAWYER!
Steve Morrison: We’ve seen the big strikes that Sawyer can do but it’s that big heart that has given them such success.
Tommy lifts up his opponent and rakes their eyes…European Uppercut! This time he grabs a the headlock and runs…Bulldog!
Cross Recoba: Tommy’s like a dog with a bone here. Using that European-influenced strike as the building block for his offense.
Sam scrambles to their knees but Tommy has them scouted and charges in with a low enziguri kick that connects to the side of their head!
Steve Morrison: They could be out!
Wrapping his arms around his opponent, Tommy lifts them into a standing waistlock.
Cross Recoba: He’s got hold of the wrist….
He pulls the cord…BICYCLE KNEE!
Steve Morrison: Ripcord Bicycle Knee connects!
As Sam reels back, Tommy takes to the ropes…KOTARO KRUSHER!!
Cross Recoba: He’s added that move to his attack and each time he gets better elevation!
Again he goes for the pin!
ONE…
TWO…
SAWYER THROWS AN ARM UP!
Steve Morrison: Can he keep the pressure u-
Tommy uses the hair of Sawyer to lift them up…Small package!
Cross Recoba: They caught him out!
ONE…
T-
TOMMY KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Nearly an embarrassing loss for the Rocker.
Cross Recoba: Sawyer’s growing in maturity with each fight. They saw the gap and went for it!
Getting to his feet, he’s too slow to stop Sawyer coming in with a front-dropkick to his knee that sweeps his footing away from him.
Steve Morrison: Back to the knee.
Sawyer’s not finished as they head to the ropes, Basement dropkick to the side of the head takes Tommy face-first to the mat.
Cross Recoba: Tommy was trying to get to his feet but they drove their feet right into his skull and there’s nothing you can do to prop yourself up after that.
Keeping on the offensive, Sawer rolls through with a measured knee-drop that lands on the head of the Rocker.
Steve Morrison: Both fighters are holding nothing back it seems.
Cross Recoba: They know they want to be back the right side of intermission, they know what it takes too.
Locking a front-facelock on their opponent, Sawyer drags Strych to his feet, driving a knee into his ribs as they do so….SHORT SNAP DDT!
Steve Morrison: Sharp impact on delivery!
Deciding against the pin, Sawyer takes wrist-control to bring Tommy back to his feet and sends him into the corner AND FOLLOWS IN WITH A BOOT TO THE CHEST OF THE ROCKER!
Cross Recoba: Sawyer has Strych where they want them. I’d be surprised if he could name the opening track off any of his albums right now!
Snap Mare….Sawyer runs across the ring to the ropes…SHINING WIZARD!!
Steve Morrison: Surely now they’ll go for the cover!
Now for the pin…
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
STRYCH KICKS OUT!!
Cross Recoba: Sawyer’s got to keep their head. It’s easy to lose your concentration when your opponent kicks out.
Not letting the kickout get them down, Sawyer brings Tommy back to his feet. A shoot kick to the knee lands unchecked…and another. His head lowered, Sawyer goes head-hunting with a kick to the head that pushes Strych into the ropes. Catching him on the rebound, Sawyer lifts them up by the waist and bends the knee…dropping Tommy down directly on his knees as they sit-out.
Steve Morrison: Back to the legs with that Modified Kneebuster!
Keeping the focus on the legs of their opponent, Sawyer lifts up a leg and shoot kicks the hamstring before taking the leg back up and flipping over!
Cross Recoba: Great combination as they continue to work over the legs of their opponent.
The cameras catch Tommy holding his leg in pain as he tries to reach the ropes. Sawyer grabs his other leg before leaping and dropping a double-foot stomp on the ankle of the Rocker.
Steve Morrison: Almost Pillmanizing the ankle!
Cross Recoba: You look at any Strych win and it all comes from being able to use those ropes to catapult into a move, whether he’s able to now is up for debate…
Raising an arm to the crowd, Sam steps to the apron.
Crowd: LET’S GO SAWYER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO SAWYER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO SAWYER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Feeding off the crowd, Sawyer pushes off the middle turnbuckle to the top and waits.
Steve Morrison: They know what they want to see…
Tommy, getting to his feet, tests his ankle and we see a slight buckle. He turns around…MISSILE DROPKICK TO THE KNEE!!!
Cross Recoba: You need to appreciate the skill to come off that top rope and hit such a low-lying target!
Sam looks for the win with a cover, hooking the leg.
ONE..
TWO…
TH-
STRYCH GETS AN ARM UP!
Steve Morrison: Tellingly, Strych uses his shoulder to escape the pin instead of kicking out!
The Texan is unrelenting, forcing Strych to his feet. They grab the head of Tommy but he fires off a forearm that stops Sawyer in their tracks…SLEEPER HOLD FROM THE FORMER AWF UNITED STATES CHAMPION!
Cross Recoba: Veteran move, right there! Slowing the match back down and disrupting their opponent!
Steve Morrison: Strych perhaps looking to regain some composure whilst wearing down Sawyer.
The Rocker takes a step back and leans his weight forward to make the smaller wrestler have to carry it.
Steve Tyrell checks Sawyer who is still conscious but their posture tells the viewer that the hold is locked in tight.
Cross Recoba: I always highlight this but if you’re in training, especially at the Diamond Training Facility, look at how he stepped back. If you’re not being taught these small tricks, leave and ask for a refund. He’s forcing Sawyer down without having to do any extra work himself.
Tommy continues to push his weight on Sawyer as he brings them down to the mat in a seated position.
Steve Morrison: It seems you’re right, Cross. Sam’s in danger of being choked out right in the center of the ring.
Sawyer fights the hold, pushing up with all the strength in their legs. Strych seemingly allows them to get up, not offering much resistance.
Steve Morrison: Look at that strength!
Cross Recoba: That’s the best news, but it seemed too easy.
SAWYER GETS BACK TO A VERTICAL BASE!
Steve Morrison: Just listen to the crowd respond!
With a quick shift of his hands, Tommy has a waistlock…GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!!!
Cross Recoba: He wants to shift through the gears and Sawyer’s going to struggle to match him after that Sleeper.
The crowd’s optimism now switched for a more muted response.
Seeing his opponent dazed and seated, Strych charges in….CANNONBALL SENTON IN THE CORNER!!
Steve Morrison: FULL FORCE!
Strych uses Sawyer’s hair to roll them out from the corner. He steps through the ropes to the apron.
Crowd: FUCK YOU, TOMMY! STRYCHNINE SUCKS! FUCK YOU, TOMMY! STRYCHNINE SUCKS! FUCK YOU, TOMMY! STRYCHNINE SUCKS! FUCK YOU, TOMMY! STRYCHNINE SUCKS! FUCK YOU, TOMMY! STRYCHNINE SUCKS!
Steve Morrison: The crowd aren’t shy in letting the Rocker know how they feel.
Cross Recoba: They feel slighted but this new Tommy we’ve seen in 2023? More vicious, more brutal and he was a Stripper’s wax-job away from being the Tap Out Openweight Champion last month!
Throwing a dismissive hand at the crowd, Tommy gets to the top-rope…REVERSE-FACING DIVING SENTON!!!!
Steve Morrison: STAGE DIVE!!!
Tommy makes the cover…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
SAWYER GETS A FOOT ON THE ROPES!!!
Steve Morrison: SOMEHOW Sawyer’s still in this…
TOMMY CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!!
Steve Morrison: He can’t believe it, I can’t believe it!
Yanking his opponent up, Strych whips them full-force into the turnbuckle….HANDSPRING DROPKICK STAGGERS SAWYER OUT FROM THE CORNER!
Cross Recoba: But he’s fighting through it.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer needs to get out of Dodge and soon!
Climbing through the ropes, Strychnine measures Sawyer before he leaps…BUCKSHOT LARIAT…
Steve Morrison: NOVEMBER RAINMAKER!
NO! SAWYER DUCKS…SAITO SUPLEX!
Cross Recoba: WHAT. A. COUNTER!
THEY COVER…
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
TOMMY KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Not a strong kick-out but a kick-out nonetheless…
Undeterred, Sawyer takes down Tommy with a Football Tackle…BUZZSAW KICK TO THE RISING ROCKER!!
Cross Recoba: They kicked through the skull of Strychnine!
Rushing to the corner, Sawyer leaps to the top…..
Steve Morrison: Could we be seeing the Sawyersault….
Strych, clearly dazed, stands up AND EATS A MISSILE DROPKICK FROM THE TOP!!
Steve Morrison: NO! A Missile dropkick takes him down and now another cover!
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
TOMMY RAISES A SHOULDER!
Cross Recoba: Tommy still thinks he’s in this. He could have tried to kick out but he knows, if he’s to win this, he’s not going to have too many more times he can really stress that ankle!
Sawyer wraps their arms around Strych to lift them, they once more use the wrist to turn them into a HUGE forearm shot…DRAGON SUPLEX!
Steve Morrison: USED THEIR OWN MOMENTUM AGAINST THEM!
Feeding off the crowd, Sawyer looks ready to end this one
Cross Recoba: They’re rearing up near the ropes….
Strychnine peels himself off the canvas…LARIAT FROM SAWYER!
Steve Morrison: FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE!!
NO! TOMMY CONNECTS WITH A JUMPING KNEE…RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP FROM STRYCHNINE AND THEY ROLL THROUGH…INVERTED USHIGOROSHI!!!
Steve Morrison: HOLY DRIVER!!
Cross Recoba: He’s setting them up…
The Rocker positions Sawyer on the middle-rope and charges off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring…TIGER FEINT KICK…
Steve Morrison: STRYCH-ONE-NINE!!
SAWYER WEAVES IT….BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX!
Cross Recoba: ANOTHER HUGE COUNTER FROM SAWYER!!!
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
TOMMY ROLLS OUT AND TO HIS FEET…HE GETS CAUGHT WITH AN ARM-DRAG FROM SAWYER…LA MAGISTRAL CRADLE BUT THEY ROLL TO THEIR FEET….MUTA LOCK!!
Steve Morrison: SAWYER LOCK!
Cross Recoba: Absolutely fluid transitions to get there!
In danger of losing the match, Tommy kicks his free leg but it does him no good.
Steve Morrison: Strych kows he’s in trouble.
Cross Recoba: It’s the hardest thing to do in his predicament but you’ve got to remain calm. You panic, you thrash? You’re going to work your way deeper into the hold.
Steve Morrison: This was the hold that put away Zolothatch to win gold in FIRESIDE.
Cross Recoba: If Tommy’s done his homework, he’ll know that more than anyone..
He reaches out with an arm but Sawyer’s hold is in tight.
Stece Morrison: He’s not quite able to reach the ropes.
Tyrell asks Strychnine if he wants to submit but the wave of the hand tells the Match Official to back off.
Cross Recoba: He’s backing himself to get out of this but right now? It’s a tall order.
Once more trying to pivot off his free leg, Tommy finds no joy.
Steve Morrison: Tommy again can’t use his leg to free himself.
Switching the focus to his arms, Strychnine claws at the mat, inching to the ropes.
Cross Recoba: Can he use that power advantage?
The Lansky Ballroom crowd is on the edge of their seats.
Steve Morrison: You can feel the silent will of the people hoping that he can’t make it.
Cross Recoba: Just a few more inches…
TOMMY MAKES THE ROPES!
Steve Morrison: Tommy clings onto that rope for all he can!
Sawyer breaks the hold before Steve Tyrell has even raised his hands to count ‘one’.
Cross Recoba: Great sporting play from Sam but will that come back and haunt them?
Rolling back to their feet, Sawyer measures them…SPINNING BACKFIST MISSES AND TOMMY LIFTS THEM UP FOR AN USHIGOROSHI…
Steve Morrison: TOMMYKNO-
SAWYER DROPS DOWN THE BACK AND SPINS THEIR OPPONENT AROUND INTO A HUGE SLAP!!
Steve Morrison: GET FUCKED!!
THEY CHARGE AT STRYCHNINE LOOKING FOR A LARIAT….
Steve Morrison: FIGHT FIRE WITH FI-
STRYCHNINE TAKES THEM DOWN WITH A DROP TOE-HOLD and leans back into the ropes…AXE KICK!!!
Cross Recoba: Last-ditch counter from Tommy!
Climing through the ropes, Strychnine makes sure to not take his eye off of Sawyer…HE LEAPS…
Steve Morrison: He rears forward…
BUCKSHOT LARIAT!!!
Steve Morrison: NOVEMBER RAINMAKER!!!!
Strychnine covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Steve Tyrell calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
‘Like a Rockstar’ begins to play on the Ballroom’s PA as Strychnien staggers to his feet. Steve Tyrell raises his arm.
Laura Messier: The winner of this match, via pinfall, THE ROCK ‘EM, SOCK ‘EM ROCKER…TOMMY….STRYCHNINE!!!
The victor’s theme music plays at a barely audible level as the Lansky Ballroom crowd’s boos rise above it.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer so close to getting back on track with a win.
Cross Recoba: There’s not much more they could do, on another day that’s their hand being raised.
Steve Morrison: Tommy knows he had a war to come out on top of that one!
Strychnine’s arm goes back to his side as he steps forward, his leg buckling for a moment as he goes through the ropes to the apron.
We cut to an aerial view of the Diamond Club Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the sun glistening off its impressive facade.
Voiceover: In a world where dreams are forged in the crucible of competition, where tomorrow's wrestling superstars emerge... comes a brand-new chapter in professional wrestling.
A cut to a montage of intense wrestling action, showcasing athleticism, high-flying moves, and dramatic moments.
Voiceover: On Saturday, June 25th, 2023, the Diamond Club Hotel and Casino proudly presents The Diamond Mine...a spectacle unlike any other.
The screen shows images of enthusiastic fans cheering and holding up signs, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Voiceover: Be a part of history as the Diamond Training Facility debuts its first-ever show, live from the heart of the Diamond Club. Prepare to witness the rise of tomorrow's wrestling legends today!
We now see close-up shots of various DTF wrestlers, highlighting their unique personalities and skills. We see them training and working hard towards making it in the business.
Voiceover: Step into a world where passion collides with athleticism, where the roar of the crowd fuels the fire within, and where every move has the potential to change lives. The Diamond Mine showcases grit, determination, and raw talent.
We see exciting clips of high-energy wrestling matches, featuring jaw-dropping maneuvers and hard-hitting action. The excitement is palpable.
Voiceover: Join us on the XHF Network as we bring you an evening of pulse-pounding excitement. The Diamond Mine is the epitome of can't-miss television, where dreams become a reality and the future of wrestling is shaped before your eyes.
We quickly cut to inside of the luxurious Diamond Club arena, with state-of-the-art lighting, pyrotechnics, and a buzzing crowd, no doubt patrons of the casino who were asked to be in the commercial shoot.
Voiceover: Get ready for an unforgettable night as DTF delivers an unparalleled wrestling experience. This is your chance to witness the birth of legends, the seeds of rivalries, and the triumph of underdogs looking to make a name in the business.
The Diamond Mine logo fades in.
Voiceover: Are you DTF? Join us Saturday, June 25th, for The Diamond Mine. Tomorrow's contract disputes are today's stars!
As the airing details are shown, the logo begins to fade to black.
Voiceover: Only on the XHF Network. Don't miss out!
Cutting back to ringside, Cross Recoba is noticeably irate.
Cross Recoba: WHO let THAT run? What IDIOT didn’t think that through and just took the money!
Steve Morrison: Fans, we’re going to intermission. We’ll be back after the Half-Time Show!
HALF-TIME SHOW
Voiceover: June 12th signals a new beginning…
Voiceover: It signals new faces as Lana Hill debuts in Wrestle:UK against Jeffrey Daniels. Can Her Grace of Grappling start off win a win?…
Voiceover: It brings status as the Prestige Cup kicks off and showcases old-school British wrestling of three six-minute rounds. Who will prevail?
Voiceover: The returning Champion?
Voiceover: Those looking to make a name for themselves?
Voiceover: The outside threat?
Voiceover: Or those who’ve been there all along?
Reese: One.Two. Three. The future is here. And you?
The glass was slowly filled once more, and he lifted it in a mocking toast.
Reese: The past. And former champs are dropping like flies, man.
Voiceover: In our Main Event, we have two fighters who’ve faced off before but for the Champion, he knows he’s never lost when they’ve met before…
“The High Roller” Wesley Crane: “Impressed? Are you fucking crazy? What would impress me about Kalmin’s performance tonight? I just explained to hot lips over there that I’m banged up… think about that. I’m battling a MCL sprain and a couple of herniated discs but I still defeated Kalmin… and without hitting the IN THE FACE V-trigger on him. How amazing am I? Now, one last question before I leave. You, in the back…”
Voiceover: But can the Challenger to the WUK World title do what he hasn’t managed in Wrestle: UK or HardKore World?
Tucker: There are bodies everywhere! I can’t believe this!
Torchwood: This is carnage, lads!
Watts grabs the ladder as it wobbles, and then he reaches again before the bloody face of the Sheik appears across from him. The Sheik fires off a few punches, trying to drag Watts down before the British TV champion starts firing off punches of his own. The two trading blows as the ladder swayed dangerously, and then Watts grabs the Sheik’s head to slam it against the top of the ladder.
ONCE! TWICE!
A THIRD TIME!
The Sheik falls from the ladder, and the fans are going wild as Watts grabs for the binder! And it comes free, he holds it high in the air before he climbs down as the pyros go off on the stage as he nods to AJ.
Tucker: Watts has done it! Watts has pulled this off!
Torchwood: Unbelievable! That was a war!
Frank Salazar: Your winner at the NEW Number One Contender, KALMIN WATTS!
Voiceover: Find out, June 12th…Only on the XHF Network!
Add to your planner
Laura Messier: Ladies and gentlemen it is now time for the first of two main events of the evening! The following tag team match is set for ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
The atmosphere inside the Lanksy Ballroom reaches a fever pitch as the anticipation for the match grows. The lights dim, casting the entire crowd into shadows of darkness.
Suddenly, the opening chords of "Be Legendary" by Pop Evil blast through the speakers, equaled by the roar of the fans. The stage erupts in pyrotechnics, illuminating the area with bursts of color. The crowd's cheers reach a crescendo as the smoke fills the entryway. From within the smoky haze, two figures emerge, bathed in a spotlight.
Steve Morrison: Listen to this crowd tonight in the ballroom, Cross. Our table is literally shaking.
Cross Recoba: Despite current events, there is no denying that whenever there is an Icon affair in the ring, people show up and people respond. That is what we are seeing tonight.
First, Jack Diamond steps forward, donning his iconic vest adorned with intricate designs, and proudly wearing the Tap Out Openweight Championship around his waist. He raises his arms forming his hands into a Diamond shape, basking in the adoration of the crowd. Right beside him, Jason Long appears, exuding an aura of power and determination. His presence commands attention as he wears his own Icon vest with pride. The Last Breathing Mercenary joins Jack, and together they form an unstoppable force. The crowd's excitement erupts into chants of "Icons! Icons! Icons!"
Steve Morrison: Say what you want about these two, but there is no denying that they both take a lot of pride in their accomplishments here in Tap Out Wrestling.
Cross Recoba: They do and it’s a big reason why I went after both of them from the beginning. Business is business, we all know that, but there is a reason why Jason and Jack have been able to stay relevant all these years across the network.
The duo meets in the aisleway, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze, exchanging a silent understanding of what tonight symbolized. After a fist bump, Jason takes the lead, his confident stride setting the tone. Jack plays to the crowd behind him, undoing his belt as they make it to the ring.
Steve Morrison: What do you think the teaming of these two do to the landscape of Tap Out Wrestling? What is the impact on the rankings and the championship pursuits?
Cross Recoba: That remains to be seen. This is number one and number three in the rankings and they’ve had their battles not only here but over the years. With Night of Champions on the horizon you have to assume Jason Long still has a bitter taste in his mouth that he didn’t lay claim to the inaugural Openweight reign.
Both Icons climb to the ring apron and ascend turnbuckles opposite of each other, Jason Long holding his arms outstretched to receive the loud cheers and Jack Diamond holding his Tap Out Openweight Championship high into the air. Jason Long drops down first and motions to Laura for the microphone.
Steve Morrison: It looks like Jason Long has something to say, Cross.
Cross Recoba: The Icons always have something to say.
Jason Long: Tonight, we stand before you, united one more as The Icons! And together, we will redefine greatness in not only Tap Out but across the XHF Network! Are you ready to witness the legendary rebirth of The Icons?"
Steve Morrison: It sounds like this is much more than a one off for Jason and Jack.
Cross Recoba: While it’s easy to think of the Icons as Jack Diamond and Bobby Barratt, especially in a tag team sense, there is no question that Jason Long and Jack Diamond are just as formidable in the tag team scene. In fact, it was these two that teamed first in their Icon Championship Wrestling days, laying claim to that companies tag team championship.
The crowd responds with a resounding roar, their excitement reaching new heights as Jack reaches for the microphone.
Jack Diamond: The Icons are back and you are all lucky enough to see that brand new start tonight.
Jack glances over at the commentary table, smirking.
Jack Diamond: What you aren’t lucky enough to see, though, is me defending this!
Jack holds up his Tap Out Openweight Championship as the crowd cheers.
Steve Morrison: Jack is staring right through you, Cross, what is he getting at?
Cross Recoba: I don’t know but I think it’s best we move on, I think someone should cut the microphone.
Jack Diamond: You see, our wonderful bossman does not want to put ink to paper and get a deal done. He doesn’t want his fans to get to see his title defended by his top star! Hell, I don’t even know if I’ll be here tomorrow!
Steve Morrison: We saw you and Jack’s agent, Vince Silverman having a conversation earlier. Were you two not able to reach an agreement?
Cross Recoba: No comment on that yet, come on, someone in the back needs to cut his microphone now so their opponents can come out.
Jack Diamond: So since he’s trying to hit me in my wallet, and rob you all of the chance to see me defend this belt, I want you all-
Cross Recoba: Cut his mic now!
Jack doesn’t get to finish his thought as static as heard and his microphone goes out. He taps on it and realizes there is no feedback, rolling his eyes as he hands it back to Laura Messier. He goes over to the ropes and inaudibly mouths something to Cross.
The record scratches.
The drums count in and the thumping bass line of June Bug by Melvins starts to rattle the speakers. Blue, black and orange lights flash through the arena.
At about 25 seconds in, the drums pick up and Close Collins comes stepping through the curtain. He’s dressed in his ring gear and a zip-up hoodie with the hood up. No nonsense, his fists clenched, his eyes focused on the ring, he just storms down the aisle as the bass rips and the drums solo. His father Tuff Collins not too far behind.
Steve Morrison: Close comes on leaps and bounds with every match...
Cross Recoba: I hope he smashes Jack...
At about 40 seconds the guitar plays a very simple yet melodic riff. Close takes a moment to slow down and look around the arena. He stops before the ring steps and says a few words to his dad/manager Tuff. Close takes a good look at the ring and bows in respect.
Steve Morrison: Respect the ring. There's almost a hint of a Japanese attitude to Close's behaviour.
Cross Recoba: Absolutely drives him into the mat...
At 56 seconds all the instruments start killing it and Close aggressively storms up the steps and into the ring. Straight past his opponent and/or ring announcer and referee and pops up onto the second turnbuckle and roars with intensity for the crowd. Then pops back down keeps his back facing the middle ring, refusing to look at his opponent. Tuff Collins stands on the apron promoting his son and client. The back of Close’s hoodie reads “IT'S TIME FOR LAST CALL”
Steve Morrison: If Close has the focus you seemingly have, it'll all work out well for one half of The Throw Show!
Cross Recoba: ...
The opening chords of Big Shot slam into the speakers, bringing the fans to their feet as Jackalope charges through the curtain.
Steve Morrison: And here comes his partner and possibly THE fan's favorite, Jackalope!
Cross Recoba: And when they stand across the ring on June 25th, every one of them will want him to take that title away from Diamond.
He runs full tilt down the ramp and slides into the ring, rolling to his feet and spinning like a dervish as he soaks everything in.
Steve Morrison: He needs to be careful though, Jason Long isn't a slouch when it comes to taking to the sky.
Cross Recoba: This is an exercise in patience for Jackalope. Pick your moment and go for it.
He finally slows enough to mount a turnbuckle, a grin on his face as he salutes the fans before backflipping to the mat again.
Steve Morrison: Fans, we could have an absolute firestorm of a match on our hands tonight. We're just moments away from what could well be the Match of the Night here at Tap Out Wrestling 13!
Laura Messier: Introducing first! With a combined weight of four-hundred-and-nine pounds...JASON LONG AND JACK DIAMOND! THEEEE.....ICONNNSSSSSS!!!!
The Icons, well-oiled and well-versed, seem relaxed ahead of the opening bell.
Laura Messier: And to my right! Weighing in at three-hundred-and-ninety-five pounds....CLOSE COLLINS AND JACKALOPE!!
The crowd erupts for the two homegrown Tap Out Wrestlers. Tuff stands on the apron offering his input but it seems clear there's a gameplan in place.
CO-MAIN EVENT
TAG-TEAM MATCH
The Icons (Jack Diamond (#1) & Jason Long (#3) vs Close Collins (#6) / Jackalope (#4)
Long and Jackalope decide to start for their respective teams, the Icons rock, paper scissors for the honour of fighting first, Close Collins merely ceding the opportunity to start to his lightning fast partner. The Catalyst quickly grasps an arm and whips Jackalope into the ropes and Kid Cryptid returns at pace, Long hooking an arm and hitting a snappy arm drag. Jackalope rolls through back to his feet and uses that incredible quickness to snag Long and whip him to the ropes and as The Best Bout Machine returns to the middle, ‘Lope extend an arm and sends Long to the mat with his own arm drag. Long rolls through and both men set off at a pace and rebound off the ropes, meeting in the middle both going for a high, precise dropkick colliding in midair. Both combatants kip up and face off, to a loud round of applause from the crowd before backing off and tagging their partners in.
Steve Morrison: What a hot start to this match!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope is quicker than a hiccup. Long is certainly no slouch either.
It’s a cagier start from Close and Jack as the pair stalk each other, neither wanting to give their opponent an opening. The Proprietor of the Diamond Lounge narrows the gap between the pair and lashes a vicious knife edged chop across Close’s chest. The Wrestling Prodigy fires off one of his own, slicing through the arena air with his hand’s edge. Jack Diamond nods subtly as if to acknowledge the strike, even give it a little approval but that doesn’t change his return chop’s ferocity. Close emits a little “Okay,” before snapping back with the fourth chop in this sequence. Jack grunts at this more severe chop and fires back with five lightning fast machine gun chops of his own, backing Close into a corner. Collins, however, slips through and switches position before hitting ten, maybe fifteen rapid fire chops before backing away to recover stamina. Jack uses this opportunity to head back to his own corner and tag out.
Steve Morrison: Savage strikes from both men there.
Cross Recoba: That was a brutal exchange by the two men. Not unusual to see Jack backing out when the going looks tough, though.
Close affects a look of confidence as Jason Long steps into the ring. Long goes for a collar and elbow tie-up but as Close takes it, Long drops straight down for a waistlock. Long slips behind, looking to set up a German Suplex but Close remembers his training and hits a standing switch before hitting a Snap German onto Long. Collins rolls back and up to his feet as Long stands while backing off and as the former Maverick strides into Close’s range, the Son of Tuff slides an arm across Long’s collarbone, steps a leg behind Long’s forward one and takes him down with an effortless judo throw, stopping to pin…
ONE!
TWO!
T… Long kicks out.
Steve Morrison: O-Soto-Gari. A textbook judo takedown.
Cross Recoba: Close Collins has built so many leverage throws into his offense. It’s impressive.
Looking to press his advantage, Close lifts Long off the mat by his arm and goes for an instant Irish Whip. Long plants his foot down to the mat and steadies himself, reversing the whip. Close heads for the ropes, out of control and right as he hits the ropes, Jack Diamond steps out from the corner down the ring apron and fires off a sharp sweeping kick to Collins’ left leg, dropping the youngster face first to the mat.
Steve Morrison: Jack Diamond attacking from the ring apron.
Cross Recoba: I mean it’s good strategy. But he should have left Long to take control, it’s almost an admission of weakness to attack from the rear like that.
Long steps to his own corner and tags in Jack Diamond. Diamond steps over to where Close Collins is laying and signals towards the ropes. The Catalyst takes the cue and rushes the ropes and as he rebounds The Ace of Spades elevates him high into the air with a flapjack, sending Long seven feet up only to come crashing down chest first in a huge splash onto the prone Collins. Jack jumps up and a split second after Long rolls away, Jack hits a big leg drop onto Close. Then as Jack rolls away, it’s Long’s turn to jump and he tucks his knees close into his chest before uncoiling in a huge stomp to Collins’ midsection. Long retreats to his corner and Jack follows him quickly, tagging Long back legal and resetting the five count.
Steve Morrison: It’s just like riding a bike for The Icons. They’re in perfect synchronicity.
Cross Recoba: Sometimes you need that knowledge of how your tag team partner works. And where his weaknesses lie.
As Long jumps enthusiastically over the ropes, Diamond positions himself perfectly for where Collins will be when he gets off the ground. The Catalyst leans back against the ropes and uses his arm strength to lift himself so his feet sit on the second rope. Close Collins has made his way back to his feet, just as Long springs off the ropes artfully, extending his arm out to connect with Collins’ chin as Jack Diamond ducks into a solid chop block.
Steve Morrison: HIGH LOW DOUBLE DEATH BEAM!
...and Long covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. Close Collins kicks out.
Steve Morrison: That was so tight.
Cross Recoba: Close Collins is standing up to the full force of the Icons.
The Icons lift Collins up and whip him into their own corner, Diamond stepping out and then immediately tagging back in again. Long and Diamond back up to adjacent corners and Long counts them down from three before they charge in as a pair, sandwiching Collins between two pairs of dropkicking legs.
Steve Morrison: DOUBLE EIGHTY SIXED!
Cross Recoba: One hundred and seventy twoed?
Long lines up his shot as Jack Diamond drags Close Collins up to a seated position. He slaps his knee and charges in, raising his knee aimed straight at Close’s head… AND ON INSTINCT ALONE CLOSE FLATTENS HIMSELF TO THE MAT! LONG AND DIAMOND CRASH TOGETHER INTO A CRUMPLED MESS! Close begins desperately scrabbling towards his own corner but Jason Long picks himself up quickly and grabs Collins by his legs… AND CLOSE COLLINS FLIPS HIS BODY OVER AND PROPELS LONG AWAY WITH NO SMALL FORCE! COLLINS REACHES OUT AND TAGS IN JACKALOPE!
Steve Morrison: Here we go, boys, Jackalope is fresh, feisty and fired up.
Cross Recoba: The problem with isolating one opponent in a tag match? You leave the other one resting up.
Vaulting over the top rope, ‘Lope hits the ground running and as Jack Diamond turns to face him, Kid Cryptid spins past him, hitting a full paced Sling Blade, sending The Ace down to the mat.
Jason Long stands, facing the other way as The Chaos Bunny rushes past him, spinning into a driving facebuster. With a manic gleam in his eyes, Jackalope beckons for the Icons to both stand up before leaping and arcing his leg through the air, catching Jack Diamond with his leading leg, which Long ducks ONLY TO BE HIT FROM AN IMPOSSIBLE ANGLE BY JACKALOPE’S TRAILING LEG!
Steve Morrison: SLING BLADE! HOLD OUT PISTOL! FLYING ROUNDHOUSE KICK AND UNLUCKY RABBIT’S FOOT!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope is a ball of perpetual motion.
Jackalope grabs Jack Diamond and lifts him up to a vertical base. He JUMPS onto Jack’s shoulders and gets into a sitting position on his shoulders before spinning roundand using the leg laceto drive Diamond’s head into the mat.
Steve Morrison: POISON RANA!
‘Lope covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR? The crowd are calling the numbers out but the referee is occupied by Jason Long pantomiming his best, “I’m illegal, please escort me back to my corner” distraction.
Cross Recoba: Oh, that referee is getting an annual review early.
Jackalope sees an opportunity to strike hard and decisively. He rushes up to the corner and jumps up onto the top turnbuckle, balancing effortlessly on the tentative perch. With astounding body control he jumps and turns around on such a small surface area with ease. Jack is slowly beginning to stand and turn...
Steve Morrison: EL-AHRAIRAH DDT INCOMING!
BUT JASON LONG RUNS DOWN THE RING APRON AND BLADE RUNNER LARIATS JACKALOPE’S LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HIM, CROTCHING ‘LOPE ON THE TURNBUCKLE! LONG KEEPS HEADING ROUND AND BARRELS CLOSE COLLINS OUT OF THE CORNER WITH A RUNNING KNEE! THE PAIR CRASH TO THE FLOOR!!
Cross Recoba: No! Not like this!
Jack Diamond staggers over to the corner, still dazed. But he has one instinct that drives him to perform, one stubborn motivator that has lasted through his career, his life. Jack Diamond NEEDS TO WIN. And in this circumstance? Diamond reaches up and locks in that three quarter facelock, drags Jackalope out straight from his uncomfortable perch and sits out, driving the Cryptid Kid’s chin into Diamond’s shoulder blade.
Steve Morrison: STACKED DECK!
The leg is hooked…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Laura Messier: The winners of this match, by pinfall, Jason Long and Jack Diamond, THE IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICONS!
Steve Morrison: The Icons take home the win narrowly but for Jack Diamond, the battle doesn’t stop there…JROK sees a packed card take place this Wednesday. Will Randy Angel still be an XHF Tag-Team Champion when the Twentieth edition of JROK’s Jam Sessions roll around? He teams with Zolothatch to take on Beretta Blade and Johnny Sniper. Nausicaa Suzuki takes on the Rambling Albertan…Jesse Jamester. In the main-event in a Mosh Pit Madness match for the XHF Hardcore Title, Steve Awesome defends against Rin Kubo but for me? It all centers around whether or not Jack Diamond can retain our Tap Out Openweight title against the tag-partner of his own partner, James Raymond.
Cross Recoba: If he doesn’t, I’ll have him buried under so much paper from lawyers he’ll wish he never won it in the first place! I’ll hit him with a sum so large that by the time the debt’s called in, Wesley Crane will own DTF!
Steve Awesome: I’m backing our guy to retain but tune in, this Wednesday to watch it LIVE only on the XHF Network!
Cross can be heard muttering away from the microphone.
Steve Morrison: And now, we go ringside where Laura stands by for our Main Event of the evening!
Laura Messier: AND NOW....FOR YOUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING! SET FOR ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
Nisi per dolorem potest salvari... The lights go pitch back as the eerie bells and words fill the arena. Each time the choir sings, red spotlights blaze down, revealing Poena standing at the top of the ramp, a black silhouette with his arms raised out to the sides with his palms and face up to the heavens.
Steve Morrison: Every time we see Poena he's a little more sadistic, a little more brutal and after the elongated break, how worried should Random be?
Cross Recoba: There's a question. Trying to get inside of Poena's head is useless, will Jack launching DTF affect him? Will the trio of defenses with the Tap Out belt this month make him more sadistic? Until that bell rings, we know nothing.
As the music picks up the red spotlights stay on him as he lowers his arms and walks toward the ring holding his twisted rosary in his hands as if praying as he walks down the ramp, his crazed smile breaking out into an even crazier grin as he does.
Steve Morrison: We've seen Poena go after every kind of limb and joint possible but tonight he may have his match with Random.
Cross Recoba: If you're a BJJ practictioner or you grew up watching Pancrase, tonight's match is a treat!
He rolls into the ring as the spotlights turn to brightest white, going to his knees in the same pose he held on the ramp with the rosary clenched in his right hand, whispering a silent prayer to himself and yelling “REPENT!” to the heavens before smirking at the crowd and getting up to his feet.
Steve Morrison: Poena seems to take a particular delight in cutting the rising stars of Tap Out down to size, will he be able to deliver the first defeat for Random in Tap Out?
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: Random was eliminated by Diamond in the Rumble, will that have an effect on her mindset tonight?
Cross Recoba: McConalogue's battled adversity before and her elimination was from chasing a huge opportunity to eliminate Diamond, she knows she's on his radar now and what better way to stay on it than beating Poena?
The lights reach their fullbgloom as the bass gliiiides, the drums hit and Random McConalogue appears, a large towel tied to her wrist, swaying as she walks.
Steve Morrison: Her scalp list in Tap Out is impressive with Spike Kane and Jason Long being proof of what happens if you underestimate her in the ring, tonight she gets a chance to add one more.
Cross Recoba: She'll have to earn this one, Poena doesn't let his guard down and if he's caught, he'll go to places that no sane man would go to keep the match in play.
Serene and calm, she casually strolls, shoulders lightly oscillating in a slow sync.
Steve Morrison: Neither fighter is easy to read. Both, in very differing ways, displaying a readiness and relaxed approach to the fight.
Cross Recoba: McConalogue knows what she signed up for with this match, everything outside of the ring bells doesn't matter.
Her body is calm and relaxed, like a moonlight walk in the park, but her gaze is fixed, staring at the empty ring/her opposition1 with snake eyes. She's never in a hurry, she doesn't need to be.
Laura Messier:INTRODUCING FIRST! From the Ninth Deep...Standing at six-feet even and weighing a hundred-and-ninety pounds...The Sanctified One....POENA!!!!!!
Poena slinks across the ring, clearly eager to get back into competition after an extended break.
Laura Messier: Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland. They made weight at one-hundred-and-thirty-six pounds and stand five-feet nine tall. RANDOM.....MCCONALOGUE!!!
Random stretches out her arms and looks every bit up for the challenge ahead of her.
MAIN-EVENT
SINGLES MATCH
Poena (#2) vs Random McConalogue (#7)
There is a degree of wariness to Random McConalogue as she advances towards the center of the ring. Meanwhile, Poena seems eager to get involved against a fellow grappler. Disturbingly eager. Poena snatches out for an arm but the Laird of Glen Armbar steps out to a side and snags one of The Demon of the Ninth Deep’s limbs instead. Random wrings out Poena’s arm and goes for a quick forward roll to add some extra pressure on the arm but Poena rolls with her to keep the hold manageable before using the momentum to step under and turn the hold over. Random grits her teeth in mild pain as Poena moves to a top wristlock, wrenching the young Scot’s body round and applying pressure to the back of her thigh with his knee. Poena grins sickeningly as he cranks up the pressure but Random uses her lower position to use the hold like a lever and snap The Sanctified One over, leaving him landing in front of the Low Countries’ Most Loved Luchadora.
Steve Morrison: A very technical start from this pair.
Cross Recoba: Both of these athletes have such well-developed technical skills. I’m expecting a very high wrestling IQ contest here.
La Fille de quarante-deux Clés de Bras slides her legs around Poena’s head and stretches out her body to grasp Poena’s arm. Using The Saint of Sins’ head as an anchor point, Random sets about stretching the arm out while compressing the shoulder joint IN, apply what looks like a Crippler Crossface… if you applied it backwards. It certainly looks painful, not that Poena looks to be in any pain he isn’t enjoying. The Sanctified One draws his legs back and pushes backwards, forcing his legs into the air gracefully arcing over until he performs a headstand, loosening the grip on his head and arm enough to worm out of the hold. Both competitors back off a little and regain their vertical base.
Steve Morrison: The body control Poena has is amazing at times.
Cross Recoba: In order to have Poena’s subtle snakelike movements you need to know where your limbs are at all times. Everything The Sanctified One does is calculated.
Steve Morrison: He barely looks calculated most times.
Cross Recoba: And that’s the most calculated style of all.
After shaking his arm out for a second, Poena looks to go straight back to work. Random tries to intercept Poena as he rushes in, swinging her arm in an attempt to throw a massive European Uppercut but the Dark Messiah ducks low to avoid the blow. He hits the far ropes at speed and rebounds back, launching himself head first like a goddamned missile into Random’s abdomen. The Infrequent Flyer racks up some air miles for a change as the force of the impact sends her backwards and down to the mat. Poena giggles wildly.
Steve Morrison: That’s using your head!
Cross Recoba: Poena is a cerebral wrestler. But he’s also a cranial one when called upon.
The Sanctified One is still giggling as he stands and takes careful aim before firing the point of his boot into Random’s ribcage. The Scot’s body jolts as Poena takes a huge, theatrical side step and steps over Random’s body, placing his full body weight on Random’s upper body before putting his feet back onto the mat on the other side of the Glaswegian Grappler. Without even looking backwards, Poena does a dead body fall backwards, landing into a senton and holding on for a back press…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Random kicks out.
Steve Morrison: Close call there.
Cross Recoba: I’ve never been a fan of the back press as a cover. There’s a reason the lateral press is far more widely used. You can shift your waist easier in one.
Slithering back up to his feet, Poena readies himself for Random to make her own way up. Random stands, facing her sinister opponent and Poena accepts the open opportunity and punts her in the gut before grabbing her body as McConalogue reflexively leans forward. The Dark Messiah hoists the Catch Wrestling Starlet up into a Canadian Backbreaker Rack and holds the Scot up there for five seconds, wrenching on the hold before snapping her body downwards with authority in a stiff looking powerslam that sends Random stomach first into the mat.
Steve Morrison: It looks like Poena is going for the ribcage.
Cross Recoba: If you attack someone’s chest and abdomen throughout a match you’re not just creating damage on an area for a later submission. You’re denying them oxygen, slowing them down, stopping them from smoothly being able to transition from hold to hold.
Steve Morrison: And setting up a possible choke attempt.
Cross Recoba: You DON’T need to remind me of that.
This time Poena grabs random by the hair as he stands, earning a strong reprimand from the referee. A stiff kick to the midsection causes Random to neat double over, neatly setting her up for a front facelock. The Sanctified One drapes a hanging arm over his back and hoists his Scottish opponent up into the air. Enjoying a rare size advantage, Poena holds Random up in the air for a full ten seconds before throwing Random out parallel to the mat and sitting out, dropping Random with a Reverse Falcon Arrow. Poena flips Random over and covers...
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Random kicks out.
Steve Morrison: Another close call for Random McConalogue.
Cross Recoba: When Poena sets his sights on something he’s a hard man to stop.
Poena drags Random up once more. He grins broadly and mockingly invites Random to take a swing at him. An uncharacteristically loose strike is thrown at Poena’s chest and he sways out of the way as naturally as if it were part of the way he walks. The Sanctified One sways back, adding an extra bit of force to an incoming right hand… and a breathy Random unexpectedly throws her legs into the air and grabs onto the punching arm limpet-like, taking Poena down to the mat.
Steve Morrison: WESTERN SPIRAL ARMBAR!
Keeping a tight grip locked in, Random isn’t quite able to extend the arm out fully, but Poena can’t do a lot from the position he’s in. Gritting his teeth, Poena gets up to a knee, McConalogue still hanging off him. The Dark Messiah uses all his strength to lift Random’s body up with his arm strength alone. He manages to power Random up to a position where a one-armed powerbomb might be possible… but Random releases the hold when she has enough height and forward rolls out of danger into a heel pick! Poena collapses forward, carried by the momentum and his leg being taken away. Random begins to twist the ankle, looking to force any kind of random, no pun intended, submission win.
Steve Morrison: Random is trying to feel out chinks in the armour of Poena.
Cross Recoba: It’s hard to strike back when your opponent has a tight grip on one of your limbs.
Random draws one of her knees up, all the while twisting on Poena’s ankle. She twists and turns, Poena scowling in a mixture of pain and annoyance at his current predicament. The Sanctified One almost gets an angle where he can escape, trying to kick The Submission Prodigy off with his free leg. The Demon of the Ninth Deep gets to a position where he can plant the base of his foot into Random’s gut but as Poena fires outwards, McConalogue slips out to a side, still holding the leg and allowing the momentum to flip Poena onto his stomach. With the ankle still picked, Random elevates it and scuttles forwards, grabbing a high armbar with her other hand, squeezing the two trapped limbs towards each other.
Steve Morrison: Random McConalogue switching between holds there.
Cross Recoba: Those transitions are smooth as butter.
As the referee questions whether Poena wants to quit (and gets a definitive “NO!”), Random has an almost thoughtful look on her face, considering if she should stay where she is or change position for a different hold. The Sanctified One looks to grasp down at Random’s legs, using any hold to if not release the pressure then to at least grab a counter hold. Mostly Armbars lives up to her moniker by swinging her legs out to the side while releasing Poena’s leg. Random reaches across and snags the far arm mid-flail and locks in two got damn armbars at the same time. There is a look of contemplation on Random’s face as she holds in the double wakigatame. Poena wriggles around, trying to force his way out of the hold but as he gets his near arm free, Random postures up and uses the other arm to lever Poena’s body around in a grounded armbar cradle…
Steve Morrison: LA MAGISTRAL!
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Poena kicks out!
Steve Morrison: Just two!
Cross Recoba: Random has had a reputation here for winning with flash cradles. And I think Poena’s the first person to survive one of Random’s more complex pinning techniques.
Random goes for arm again but Poena slithers out and takes Random’s probing limb, BITING THE SCOT ON THE WRIST to make her lose her grip. From his position underneath, Poena kicks backwards with both legs and traps Random hand. The Sanctified One doesn’t even bother to shush the crowd as he grabs her outside fingers, two in his left hand, two in his right and…
Steve Morrison: GROUNDED FERVENT PRAYER!
FAILS TO SNAP AS RANDOM POSTURES UP AND ADDS WEIGHT TO THE TRAPPED ARM TO APPLY DOWNWARD PRESSURE…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… Poena is forced to break and retreat backwards.
Cross Recoba: Random is a countering machine. She can trap you in an instant if your focus drops. It’s a credit to her skills that she can do that. It’s a credit to Poena’s that he’s not already lost.
Slowly, inexorably slowly, the pair raise to their feet. Poena’s more targetted arm hangs a little loose by his side, Random is breathing incredibly heavily. The Sanctified One throws an embattled knife edge chop, causing himself to wince and Random to stagger backwards. Random returns fire with a chop of her own but she is far from full power. The rage is palpable in Poena’s narrowed eyes as he fires a second time. Random throws back again. Poena moves in, feeling out a waist lock then trying to switch up into a back waistlock for a German Suplex. The Catch Champion from the Clyde feels the standing switch coming and reaches backwards for a Three-Quarter Nelson, sweeping a leg out and rolling forward into another pinning predicament.
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Poena kicks out, fuming.
Steve Morrison: Is Poena getting annoyed by this?
Cross Recoba: Wouldn’t you be? Every time Poena goes in for an attack, he ends up with his shoulders on the mat.
Random and Poena are again slow to their feet and Random just throws a HUGE SLAP which knocks the taste out of Poena’s mouth. The Demon of the Ninth Deep responds by booting McConalogue so violently in the chest that she is forcibly sent away at the ropes. With a look of pure malice in his eyes, Poena places two fingers above his Adam’s apple and waits for Random to stumble forwards…
Steve Morrison: He’s not going to…
AND SPITS A FINE MIST OF FOUL-LOOKING TURQUOISE LIQUID INTO RANDOM McCONALOGUE’S FACE! RANDOM DROPS TO THE MAT IN PAIN, CLUTCHING DESPERATELY AT HER FACE AS THE BELL RINGS!
Steve Morrison: AMAZING GRACE!
Cross Recoba: Poena didn’t even TRY to conceal that from the referee.
The ring announcement of the disqualification can’t even be made as no non-wrestler in their right mind would want to get in the ring with an annoyed sociopath. Despite the match being called, POENA IS NOT DONE. He flattens out his right hand and stands above the writhing Random before raising said hand up and falling forwards, DRIVING HIS FINGER TIPS STRAIGHT TOWARDS RANDOM’S HEART.
Steve Morrison: THE SACRIFICE! THAT WAS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR!
Poena grins through turquoise lips as he rolls away and out of the ring, leaving his opponent convulsing in the ring.
Laura Messier: The Winner of your Main Event by means of Disqualification…RANDOM…McCONALOGUE!!!!!!
The Ballroom crowd boo as Poena walks past them, the victor of the Main Event laid out in the center of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Once again, Poena goes too far!
Cross Recoba: He’s committed…
Steve Morrison: Some would say he should be committed.
Cross Recoba: But once the scars from tonight heal, Random can take comfort in her unbeaten record remaining.
Steve Morrison: No doubt that these two will need to meet again to settle the score for who is the better wrestler.
Cross Recoba: Of course, and that’s why the Main Event is the easy choice for the MATCH OF THE NIGHT but the voting’s open for Spot of the Night and, like always, it’s in the hands of our fans.
Steve Morrison: We’ll be back next month on the 25th with Tap Out Wrestling 14!
Cross Recoba: It’s a can’t miss show. Jackalope gets the chance to dethrone Jack Diamond in our main-event…providing Diamond doesn’t anything stupid between now and then. Kingsley Solomon makes a bid to bring the XHF Junior Heavyweight title to Tap Out…and…
Steve Morrison: And?
Cross Recoba: I’ve just been told that the ink is still drying on Aiden Merric facing off against HardKore World’s Alexander von Blankenship!
Steve Morrison: That has the makings of a Tap Out Classic! It's also the last chance for our roster to make their cases to be sent to XHF Overheated for the chance to fight for the X*Crown at Night of Champions!
Cross Recoba: We’ll have a full card out this week and, with no surprises, it’ll be on the XHF Network first!
Steve Morrison: And with that, I’m Steve Morrison, joined by Cross Recoba, from us both - good night!
Cross Recoba (VO): Do you realize how close Tommy Strychnine came to taking that Tap Out Openweight title from you? That you had to resort to combining two less-than-legal moves to come out on top? Are those injuries taking longer to heal?
XHF RUMBLE 2023
There were seven people left inside of the Rumble match right now. Zoran Sainovic, Jesse Jamester, Bloodied Fox, Jack Diamond, Cross Recoba, Death Trap, and Dylan Black. They were all down on the mat, slowly rising to their feet and looking towards one another. This seemed to have been a lot to look forward to for everyone watching inside of the stadium. Dylan Black stayed away from everyone and exited under the bottom rope, Cross Recoba went right for Jesse Jamester, Death Trap went for Zoran Sainovic, and Bloodied Fox was dealing with Jack Diamond in the corner! Diamond was fighting off Fox but they wanted to make sure that this wasn’t going down like last time, this has to be their win! Fox fought not-so-valiantly and he made sure he took every cheap shot to win this match. Diamond continued to fight back and he got Fox away from him, but here came Cross after seeing the opening in front of him—separating away from Jesse and going for the DROPKICK THAT SENDS THE TAPOUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION OUT OF THE RING!
Bonnie Jenkins: JACK DIAMOND HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!!!!!!
There were seven people left inside of the Rumble match right now. Zoran Sainovic, Jesse Jamester, Bloodied Fox, Jack Diamond, Cross Recoba, Death Trap, and Dylan Black. They were all down on the mat, slowly rising to their feet and looking towards one another. This seemed to have been a lot to look forward to for everyone watching inside of the stadium. Dylan Black stayed away from everyone and exited under the bottom rope, Cross Recoba went right for Jesse Jamester, Death Trap went for Zoran Sainovic, and Bloodied Fox was dealing with Jack Diamond in the corner! Diamond was fighting off Fox but they wanted to make sure that this wasn’t going down like last time, this has to be their win! Fox fought not-so-valiantly and he made sure he took every cheap shot to win this match. Diamond continued to fight back and he got Fox away from him, but here came Cross after seeing the opening in front of him—separating away from Jesse and going for the DROPKICK THAT SENDS THE TAPOUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION OUT OF THE RING!
Bonnie Jenkins: JACK DIAMOND HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!!!!!!
Jack Diamond (VO): Cross Recoba… the man who holds my fate in his hands, who eliminated me from the XHF Rumble, seems hell-bent on asserting his dominance over my career.
SCCW WEDNESDAY NIGHT VOLTAGE 116
Jack Diamond (VO): But let me make one thing clear: I won’t be a pawn in his game. I’ve done all that he’s asked of me. Yet, Cross remains unyielding in our contract negotiations. Well, I won’t back down either. I refuse to let my future be dictated by someone who doesn’t see my true value.
GUN SHOW S4E6: MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU
Diamond starts to stomp his feet as the crowd clap along.
*CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* CLAP* *CLAP*....
Magnus: He’s turning this place into a circus!
Phillips: Not even a bear in sight…
Jack looks at his opponent and starts to charge. He leaps…
Phillips: DIAMOND SPLASH!!
BEEF TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A WHIPLASH SPINEBUSTER!!!!!
Magnus: HE WAS PLAYING POSSUM!!!
The clap stops immediately.
Magnus can be heard enthusiastically applauding his charge.
Phillips: Will you stop that?!
BEEF pulls the broken Diamond between his legs and lifts.
Magnus: BEEEEEEF BOMB!
HE CHARGES TO THE TURNBUCKLE…
Phillips: BEEF could pull off a huge win…
DIAMOND DROPS DOWN THE BACK!!
Magnus: Body lotion again!!
Phillips: Or experience from a man who has wrestled all over the globe.
BEEF LIFTS HIM WITH AN INVERTED MILITARY PRESS….
Magnus:Watch for the Inverted Powerslam!
AGAIN JACK WIGGLES FREE…SHOTGUN DROPKICK INTO THE CORNER!!!
Phillips: EIGHTY-SIXED!!!
JACK GRABS A CRAVATE LOCK AND RUNS FROM THE TURNBUCKLE BEFORE RUNNING UP THEM…
Magnus: NO!!!!!
ACID DROP DIAMOND CUTTER!!!!!!
Phillips: MODIFIED STACKED DECK!!!!!!
Diamond covers weakly…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
DING! DING! DING!!
Sylvia Starr: Winner and STILL Tapout Openweight Champion, Jack Diamond.
Magnus: BEEF WAS ROBBED!
Phillips: Diamond retains somehow after defending just last night in SCCW!
Diamond starts to stomp his feet as the crowd clap along.
*CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* CLAP* *CLAP*....
Magnus: He’s turning this place into a circus!
Phillips: Not even a bear in sight…
Jack looks at his opponent and starts to charge. He leaps…
Phillips: DIAMOND SPLASH!!
BEEF TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A WHIPLASH SPINEBUSTER!!!!!
Magnus: HE WAS PLAYING POSSUM!!!
The clap stops immediately.
Magnus can be heard enthusiastically applauding his charge.
Phillips: Will you stop that?!
BEEF pulls the broken Diamond between his legs and lifts.
Magnus: BEEEEEEF BOMB!
HE CHARGES TO THE TURNBUCKLE…
Phillips: BEEF could pull off a huge win…
DIAMOND DROPS DOWN THE BACK!!
Magnus: Body lotion again!!
Phillips: Or experience from a man who has wrestled all over the globe.
BEEF LIFTS HIM WITH AN INVERTED MILITARY PRESS….
Magnus:Watch for the Inverted Powerslam!
AGAIN JACK WIGGLES FREE…SHOTGUN DROPKICK INTO THE CORNER!!!
Phillips: EIGHTY-SIXED!!!
JACK GRABS A CRAVATE LOCK AND RUNS FROM THE TURNBUCKLE BEFORE RUNNING UP THEM…
Magnus: NO!!!!!
ACID DROP DIAMOND CUTTER!!!!!!
Phillips: MODIFIED STACKED DECK!!!!!!
Diamond covers weakly…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
DING! DING! DING!!
Sylvia Starr: Winner and STILL Tapout Openweight Champion, Jack Diamond.
Magnus: BEEF WAS ROBBED!
Phillips: Diamond retains somehow after defending just last night in SCCW!
Jack Diamond (VO): Cross Recoba, as the owner of Tap Out Wrestling, you may think you hold all the cards, but let me remind you of something. When you chose to eliminate me from the Rumble, it was a betrayal that will not go unanswered. I've shown you my worth time and time again, defending the Tap Out Openweight Championship in rival feds and proving my value. While my contract negotiations may be in limbo, don't think for a second that I'm at your mercy. I am the face of YOUR company, a true champion. So, Cross, keep playing your power games, but remember, I always hold the winning hand.
PRESENTS
TAP OUT WRESTLING 13: POENA VS McCONALOGUE
Date: 28th May 2023
Venue: Lansky Ballroom, The Sands Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Attendance: 1000 (Capacity: 1000)
We fade into a packed Lansky Ballroom as the crowd erupt in cheers as Tap Out Wrestling 13 is LIVE!
The cameras scan the capacity crowd and five signs stand out amongst the throng:
WE WANT THE MISCHIEF EXPRESS!
BRITNEY BEHR IS BAE!
STICKY SECTION
I'M HERE FOR THE ICONS
CAR > DOUBLE DASH
BRITNEY BEHR IS BAE!
STICKY SECTION
I'M HERE FOR THE ICONS
CAR > DOUBLE DASH
We cut to ringside with Steve Morrison and Cross Recoba standing by at ringside.
Steve Morrison: Welcome, fans to Tap Out Wrestling Thirteen! I’m Steve Morrison and, as always, I’m joined by Tap Out co-Owner, Cross Recoba! A lot has changed since our last show.
Cross Recoba: Jason Long lost his stunt double for one!
Steve Morrison: We’ve got a stacked card tonight but first, Cross, we’ve got news about our June show that’ll be coming to you on the 25th June!
Cross Recoba: That’s right, Steve. Tap Out Wrestling Fourteen won’t just have one title defense but two! Facing Jack Diamond next month will be none other than the Chaos Bunny, Kid Crypid, the Lansky Ballroom’s Adopted Son…Jackalope in our main-event!
Steve Morrison: You’ll be able to see a preview of that match later tonight when the Icons reunite to take on Jackalope and Close Collins!
Recoba can be seen visibly irritated by the mention of the Icons.
Cross Recoba: In the Co-Main Event, we’ll play host to the XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion putting his title on the line against our representative.
Steve Morrison: We’ll find out who the Champion is at GUNS show this week…
Cross Recoba: Facing them will be the Harbinger, the Gambler…Kingsley Solomon. But, we’ve also got a great show planned for tonight.
Steve Morrison: What better place to start than our Main Event which sees Poena take on the undefeated Random!
Cross Recoba: We’ve seen what Poena can do and I’ve had more than a few wrestlers pull out of a deal with us because of the threat he carries. Ask Jack, ask Gordon, ask NOMAD. Not one of them left without a keepsake from Poena, be it snapped fingers, a broken arm, or a shoulder that took months to heal!
Steve Morrison: Brutality personified, the Scourge of Sanity is a force inside that ring and with that uncommon style of Random’s, he’s already looking forward to being the one to end her unbeaten streak here in Tap Out!
Cross Recoba: Some wrestlers would see a scalp list of Spike Kane and Jason Long and be worried but for Poena? He sees it as the makings of a higher sacrifice to his God!
Steve Morrison: It’ll be curious to see how she fares with more eyes on her after some explosive moments in the Rumble.
XHF RUMBLE
Random slides into the ring and the staredown between her and Natasha is intense. Two very spontaneous characters just looking to get into the swing of things here as they swing for the fences of one another, Random is holding her ground but Natasha is seemingly too strong for her to keep going. Natasha grabs onto Random and attempts to connect with Ill Omens but Random twisted out of the move, she quickly catches Natasha and connects with DICE ROLL! Random gets back to her feet and she runs the ropes, eyeing up BEEF on the outside as she dives through the middle ropes and SHE CONNECTS WITH THE INFINITE IMPROBABILITY DRIVE! SUICIDE DIVE CANADIAN DESTROYER! BEEF IS TAKEN OFF OF HIS FEET AFTER FINALLY GETTING RIGHT BACK UP! Random is on a roll here, coming around the outside of the ring to slide back in and attack Donzig with a Rugby Tackle Spear!
Random slides into the ring and the staredown between her and Natasha is intense. Two very spontaneous characters just looking to get into the swing of things here as they swing for the fences of one another, Random is holding her ground but Natasha is seemingly too strong for her to keep going. Natasha grabs onto Random and attempts to connect with Ill Omens but Random twisted out of the move, she quickly catches Natasha and connects with DICE ROLL! Random gets back to her feet and she runs the ropes, eyeing up BEEF on the outside as she dives through the middle ropes and SHE CONNECTS WITH THE INFINITE IMPROBABILITY DRIVE! SUICIDE DIVE CANADIAN DESTROYER! BEEF IS TAKEN OFF OF HIS FEET AFTER FINALLY GETTING RIGHT BACK UP! Random is on a roll here, coming around the outside of the ring to slide back in and attack Donzig with a Rugby Tackle Spear!
Cross Recoba: She’s not shy of competition and you know that tonight she’ll be relishing the chance to add another scalp to that list!
Steve Morrison: Both fighters are well-versed in submissions and breaking down their opponent piece-by-piece, could you predict a winner?
Cross Recoba: Not on my life, it’s going to come down to the finest of margins in our Main Event. A leg-lock where they’ve left a gap to escape, a chokehold that hasn’t fully shut the door on their opponent or, most likely, a split-second second-guess!
Steve Morrison: In our Co-Main Event we see the reunited Icons take on Close Collins and Jackalope! We’ve already alluded to what it means for half the combatants but for Jason Long, it’s an opportunity to right a wrong…
TAP OUT WRESTLING 1
Crowd: YEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!
Steve Morrison: Looks like Jason Long is gonna fly!
Cross Recoba: He’s going to put an exclamation mark on the match with the soles of his feet.
Long waits, picking his spot, feeling the energy of the packed arena course through his body. He looks downwards to pick his time when Collins is exposing his belly trying to get up… BUT CLOSE COLLINS HAS A TON OF CORE STRENGTH AND HE SITS ALL THE WAY UP FROM THE POSITION! COLLINS PUNCHES LONG IN THE BREADBASKET TO STUN THE IRISHMAN, THEN A SECOND TIME BEFORE REACHING UP AND LAUNCHING LONG ACROSS THE RING, KEEPING HOLD OF THE TOP ROPE WITH HIS LEGS!
Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!
Steve Morrison: SPIDER GERMAN SUPLEX!
Cross Recoba: That’s the problem with high risk. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn’t.
Steve Morrison: You have to marvel at the strength of Close Collins.
Cross Recoba: My scouting network picks only the best.
Collins hauls himself up to the top rope and turns, keeping a close eye on Jason Long. He breathes in deeply and LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE, TRAVELLING FORWARDS BUT FLIPPING BACKWARDS AS HE LANDS FLUSH ACROSS JASON LONG’S CHEST!
ONE!
T.. NO! LONG FLOATS OVER RATHER THAN COVER AND LOCKS IN A HALF NELSON BLOOD CHOKE!
Steve Morrison: THE KATAHAJIME! LAST CALL! LAST CALL!
The referee gets down to check on Long whose eyes are bulging as Collins fidgets around with the judo choke, wiggling around to find the perfect position to keep his facelocking arm right over Jason’s carotid artery. Long feels himself fading..
AND TAPS.
Laura Messier: The winner of the match, by submission, CLOOOOOSE COOOOOLIIIINS!
The crowd bursts into a round of applause for both men's efforts in the match.
Steve Morrison: A victory for the debuting Collins.
Cross Recoba: I think this guy has a bright future in the industry. Jason Long is a hell of a competitor and it’s a great achievement to overcome him in your first match.
Steve Morrison: We shall have to wait and see.
Crowd: YEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!
Steve Morrison: Looks like Jason Long is gonna fly!
Cross Recoba: He’s going to put an exclamation mark on the match with the soles of his feet.
Long waits, picking his spot, feeling the energy of the packed arena course through his body. He looks downwards to pick his time when Collins is exposing his belly trying to get up… BUT CLOSE COLLINS HAS A TON OF CORE STRENGTH AND HE SITS ALL THE WAY UP FROM THE POSITION! COLLINS PUNCHES LONG IN THE BREADBASKET TO STUN THE IRISHMAN, THEN A SECOND TIME BEFORE REACHING UP AND LAUNCHING LONG ACROSS THE RING, KEEPING HOLD OF THE TOP ROPE WITH HIS LEGS!
Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!
Steve Morrison: SPIDER GERMAN SUPLEX!
Cross Recoba: That’s the problem with high risk. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn’t.
Steve Morrison: You have to marvel at the strength of Close Collins.
Cross Recoba: My scouting network picks only the best.
Collins hauls himself up to the top rope and turns, keeping a close eye on Jason Long. He breathes in deeply and LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE, TRAVELLING FORWARDS BUT FLIPPING BACKWARDS AS HE LANDS FLUSH ACROSS JASON LONG’S CHEST!
ONE!
T.. NO! LONG FLOATS OVER RATHER THAN COVER AND LOCKS IN A HALF NELSON BLOOD CHOKE!
Steve Morrison: THE KATAHAJIME! LAST CALL! LAST CALL!
The referee gets down to check on Long whose eyes are bulging as Collins fidgets around with the judo choke, wiggling around to find the perfect position to keep his facelocking arm right over Jason’s carotid artery. Long feels himself fading..
AND TAPS.
Laura Messier: The winner of the match, by submission, CLOOOOOSE COOOOOLIIIINS!
The crowd bursts into a round of applause for both men's efforts in the match.
Steve Morrison: A victory for the debuting Collins.
Cross Recoba: I think this guy has a bright future in the industry. Jason Long is a hell of a competitor and it’s a great achievement to overcome him in your first match.
Steve Morrison: We shall have to wait and see.
Recoba again is seen to wince, the HKW Heavyweight title on his shoulder slipping slightly as he does.
Cross Recoba: But Long’s smart. He waits a moment longer to intercept a danger or to come to the aid of his partner, it works for him. He’s sitting right up there near the top of the rankings and he’ll want to be in a position to take advantage of his shot when it comes along.
Steve Morrison: Close is going to be keen to prove to Long though that his win wasn’t a fluke.
Cross Recoba: That’s right but this match is as much about the win for him as it is getting more experience in a tag-team match. His partner and father, Tuff’ll be at ringside but the Elder Collins wants his son conditioned for every eventuality!
Steve Morrison: We’ve already seen Closealope in action before and while they lost, they looked like they were developing a rapport.
Cross Recoba: It’ll be needed in this match, the Icons are Ascension Wrestling Hall of Famers, they’re bother former X*Crown Champions. As much as I don’t want to drive Diamond’s stock up right now, they’re not going to give you a win for nothing!
Steve Morrison: You mentioned Jack’s stock just now. I’ve got the footage here on the monitor but lets send it to the Ballroom screen…
The Tron cuts to a scene from earlier today, backstage.
Jack Diamond paces back and forth, his mind consumed with the ongoing contract negotiation, his loaded schedule as of late in and out of the ring, and his family. He knew that at least one of those would hopefully be taken care of this afternoon because his agent, Vince Silverman, was scheduled to meet with Cross to discuss the terms of the contract.
As Vince walks into the room, Jack greets him with a mix of anxiety and determination, his voice tinged with urgency.
Jack Diamond: Vinny, what's the word?
Vince, a shrewd negotiator with a reputation for getting what he wanted, wears a confident smirk on his face. He takes a moment to straighten his tie before responding.
Vince Silverman: Jack, my man, don't you worry. I've got it all under control.
Vince smiles assuredly, flipping open a leather folder that contained their write-up of Jack's contract, the latest list of demands included. As they settle into a private corner, Cross Recoba enters the room, his presence commanding attention. He glances over at Vince with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Despite this, Cross' tone remains cool and collected.
Cross Recoba: Vince, what brings you here today? I thought we’d discussed the contract situation.
Vince nods, maintaining his composure.
Vince Silverman: Indeed, Cross. But it seems we still have a few points to iron out. You see, Jack here has been the face of Tap Out Wrestling, carrying the Openweight Championship with pride not only here but all across the Network. We believe his contributions deserve proper recognition and compensation.
Cross leans against the nearby table; his gaze fixed on Vince, never once looking at Jack.
Cross Recoba: I understand your concerns, Vince. However, with the recent changes in the industry and our impending expansion, we've been considering staying on a show-by-show contract for Jack.
Vince raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Jack goes to speak but Vince quickly motions with his hand that he has it under control.
Vince Silverman: A show-by-show contract? Interesting proposition, Cross. But let me remind you of something. Jack is not just an asset to Tap Out Wrestling; he's a force to be reckoned with across the Network. If you're not willing to meet our demands, well, let's just say we have other options. I believe next up is a defense in J-Rok this Wednesday. Who knows what jetlag can do to our champion...
A tense silence fills the room as Cross absorbs Vince's thinly veiled threat. The mention of J-Rok, another prominent network fed, hangs in the air, carrying with it the weight of potential consequences when Jack goes there to defend the Openweight Championship against James Raymond. Cross straightens his posture, his eyes narrowing.
Cross Recoba: I understand the gravity of the situation, Vince, believe me. But know this, if Jack were to lay down and drop Tap Out's title in another federation, the ramifications for both you AND your client here would be severe.
Vince leans in, his voice laced with a mix of determination and warning as a sly grin curls in the corner of his lip.
Vince Silverman: Cross, my friend, we're not here to burn bridges. But if you don't give Jack the respect he deserves, he'll do what he needs to do to protect his legacy and secure his future. And that might just mean taking the Openweight Championship elsewhere.
The room grows quiet once again, the tension palpable. Both parties understand the stakes involved. Vince folds his arms, the confident smile playing on his lips entirely now. He lets the silence grow just uncomfortable enough for Cross to fidget with his fingers a bit before he continues, trying to extend an olive branch.
Vince Silverman: Now, Cross, I believe we can find a compromise that benefits everyone involved. Let's put our heads together and work out a deal that satisfies both Tap Out Wrestling and Jack Diamond.
Cross exhales, his expression softening slightly. As much as he wanted to put Jack and his smug agent in their place, he still had a rather successful business to run, and personal feelings aside, Jack was still a large part of it.
Cross Recoba: Very well, Vince. Let's continue negotiations and find a middle ground. I respect Jack's contributions to this business and what they have meant for Tap Out Wrestling… Surely, we can meet in the middle somewhere...
With nods of agreement, the two men begin to delve into the details as the scene fades to black and the shot cuts back to ringside to a tightlipped, Cross behind the commentary table.
Cross Recoba: He’s already taken it to SCCW and GUNS but he retained and so, as it stands, it’s posturing but if he were to lose? It’d be a Network Nightmare for everyone!
Steve Morrison: How far apart are the two sides?
Cross Recoba: Far enough that I don’t want to spend any longer on it…
Steve Morrison: Closing down the first-half of our show, we see two fighters who came up agonisingly short in their matches last month.
TAP OUT WRESTLING 12
Clutching their back, Sawyer stands and fires off a few stiff leg kicks to Poena as The Dark Messiah gets back up. Sam keeps Poena off balance with rapid strikes. The strain in their voice comes across as the yell comes out a lot quieter than it did at the beginning of the match…
Sam Sawyer: GET FUCKED!
Crowd: GET FUCKED POE-NA! GET FUCKED POE-NA!
BUT SAWYER LIGHTS UP THE SIDE OF POENA’S FACE WITH A HUGE DISORIENTING SLAP! The Texan quickly steps in and slides a leg behind a wobbly Poena’s foot before taking him down with a sharply delivered O-Soto-Gari…
Steve Morrison: THIS CORROSION!
Cross Recoba: Hey now!
Looking up to the corner, Sawyer makes their way across the ring. Slowly climbing the turnbuckles, Sawyer prepares themselves for the final blow. Sawyer pauses for a second before BACKFLIPPING ARTFULLY OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE…
AND SPLATTING ON THE MAT AS POENA HAD MOVED!
Steve Morrison: SAWYERSAULT MISSES!
Poena stands up, grinning like a madman, all his plans, all his hard work having paid off. He lifts up Sawyer and cradles a leg before lifting the smaller competitor up and crossing the legs. The Dark Messiah holds them up for four, five seconds letting all the blood rush to their head before sliding a knee out and DROPPING SAWYER OVER THAT KNEE SPINE FIRST WITH AUTHORITY
Steve Morrison: ANATHEMA! ANATHEMA!
Poena covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Laura Messier: YOUR WINNER OF THE MATCH VIA PINFALL, THE TERROR OF THE NINTH DEEP…..POENNAAAAAAA!!!
Clutching their back, Sawyer stands and fires off a few stiff leg kicks to Poena as The Dark Messiah gets back up. Sam keeps Poena off balance with rapid strikes. The strain in their voice comes across as the yell comes out a lot quieter than it did at the beginning of the match…
Sam Sawyer: GET FUCKED!
Crowd: GET FUCKED POE-NA! GET FUCKED POE-NA!
BUT SAWYER LIGHTS UP THE SIDE OF POENA’S FACE WITH A HUGE DISORIENTING SLAP! The Texan quickly steps in and slides a leg behind a wobbly Poena’s foot before taking him down with a sharply delivered O-Soto-Gari…
Steve Morrison: THIS CORROSION!
Cross Recoba: Hey now!
Looking up to the corner, Sawyer makes their way across the ring. Slowly climbing the turnbuckles, Sawyer prepares themselves for the final blow. Sawyer pauses for a second before BACKFLIPPING ARTFULLY OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE…
AND SPLATTING ON THE MAT AS POENA HAD MOVED!
Steve Morrison: SAWYERSAULT MISSES!
Poena stands up, grinning like a madman, all his plans, all his hard work having paid off. He lifts up Sawyer and cradles a leg before lifting the smaller competitor up and crossing the legs. The Dark Messiah holds them up for four, five seconds letting all the blood rush to their head before sliding a knee out and DROPPING SAWYER OVER THAT KNEE SPINE FIRST WITH AUTHORITY
Steve Morrison: ANATHEMA! ANATHEMA!
Poena covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Laura Messier: YOUR WINNER OF THE MATCH VIA PINFALL, THE TERROR OF THE NINTH DEEP…..POENNAAAAAAA!!!
Steve Morrison: Sawyer isn’t going to back down tonight, not when they can still feel the high they got from taking down Aiden Merric back in March!
Cross Recoba: Exactly.
TAP OUT WRESTLING 12
Cross Recoba: Diamond’s going direct…
Steve Morrison: Could a Standing Stacked Deck end this?
TOMMY REVERSES IT WITH A DESPERATION BACK SUPLEX!!
Cross Recoba: That counter was nothing but desperation but that’s what the situation called for!
Crowd: FIGHT FOREVER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* FIGHT FOREVER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* FIGHT FOREVER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Testing the leg before committing to his next move, Tommy seems satisfied to continue. HE RUSHES IN WITH A SHINING WIZARD BUT JACK MOVES OUT THE WAY!
Steve Morrison: Jack’s still able to get out of Dodge.
BOTH MEN GET TO THEIR FEET AND JACK THROWS AN ICON KICK….IT’S CAUGHT! TOMMY SPINS THE CHAMPION AROUND AND GRABS A WAISTLOCK. HE CHARGES JACK INTO THE TURNBUCKLE AND ROLLS BACKWARDS
Steve Morrison: ROLLING GERMAN!
MULE KICK BY DIAMOND! UNSIGHTED MULE KICK!!
Cross Recoba: Jack showing why he’s a master of the Dark Arts!
JACK SPINS AROUND AND LEAPS INTO A SCHOOLBOY ROLL-UP USING THE TIGHTS OF HIS OPPONENT!
Steve Morrison: The ref missed the kick and now can’t see the handful of tights!
ONE…
HE PUTS HIS FEET ON THE ROPES FOR LEVERAGE!
Cross Recoba: He’s making sure….
TWO…
THREE!!
“Big” John Quinn calls for the bell as Jack Diamond drops his feet from the ropes and pushes to his feet. His arm raised as the bell sounds.
Laura Messier: Your winner of the match…AND STILL TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION! THE ACE OF SPADES….JACK….DIAMOND!!!
Steve Morrison: HE STOLE IT!
Cross Recoba: Diamond’s going direct…
Steve Morrison: Could a Standing Stacked Deck end this?
TOMMY REVERSES IT WITH A DESPERATION BACK SUPLEX!!
Cross Recoba: That counter was nothing but desperation but that’s what the situation called for!
Crowd: FIGHT FOREVER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* FIGHT FOREVER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* FIGHT FOREVER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Testing the leg before committing to his next move, Tommy seems satisfied to continue. HE RUSHES IN WITH A SHINING WIZARD BUT JACK MOVES OUT THE WAY!
Steve Morrison: Jack’s still able to get out of Dodge.
BOTH MEN GET TO THEIR FEET AND JACK THROWS AN ICON KICK….IT’S CAUGHT! TOMMY SPINS THE CHAMPION AROUND AND GRABS A WAISTLOCK. HE CHARGES JACK INTO THE TURNBUCKLE AND ROLLS BACKWARDS
Steve Morrison: ROLLING GERMAN!
MULE KICK BY DIAMOND! UNSIGHTED MULE KICK!!
Cross Recoba: Jack showing why he’s a master of the Dark Arts!
JACK SPINS AROUND AND LEAPS INTO A SCHOOLBOY ROLL-UP USING THE TIGHTS OF HIS OPPONENT!
Steve Morrison: The ref missed the kick and now can’t see the handful of tights!
ONE…
HE PUTS HIS FEET ON THE ROPES FOR LEVERAGE!
Cross Recoba: He’s making sure….
TWO…
THREE!!
“Big” John Quinn calls for the bell as Jack Diamond drops his feet from the ropes and pushes to his feet. His arm raised as the bell sounds.
Laura Messier: Your winner of the match…AND STILL TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION! THE ACE OF SPADES….JACK….DIAMOND!!!
Steve Morrison: HE STOLE IT!
Cross Recoba: Which makes you wonder just how far he’ll go to win. We’ve already seen this year that Tommy’s more vicious, more direct in his approach inside the ring. This match is going to be full of fireworks, that’s for sure!
Steve Morrison: Before that war, we have a six-man tag-team match.
Cross Recoba: We started Tap Out with one, they’re not going anywhere!
Steve Morrison: The debuting Jacob Craft teams up with The Thespian and Sticky the Clown to take on Aiden Merric, Kingsley Solomon and Wildcat Capone!
Cross Recoba: What a team he has but he wasn’t shy in going out of his way to make enemies on both sides of the fight!
Steve Morrison: We’ve heard trash-talk in our time but on your own partners? On a four-hundred pound clown? I can’t see his team rushing to his aid tonight!
Cross Recoba: Perhaps his only saving grace is that Sticky’s aim is to maim, not win and Thespian is riding a high after a hell of a showing in a very close losing bid for the XHF Junior Heavyweight title at the Rumble!
XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
NLW'S LAST STAND MULTI-PERSON ELIMINATION MATCH
EL REY (C) VS THE THESPIAN VS AI MOE VS DAISUKE MIYAZAKI VS AL JABRONI VS CHEEZ VS FOGGY LEE GORN
The champ tips himself to the outside and falls to the mat. Idrissa moves to help Thespian. After a good fifteen seconds he is back to his one good leg. Idrissa resets the ladder and holds it in place while Theo climbs! He’s almost to the top! He tries to reach up but his leg buckles and he slides a rung down the ladder. As he climbs back up the ladder a CRACK is heard. A chair shot to the spine of the Interpreter takes him out of the fray. El Rey climbs the ladder behind Theo! Thespian reaches for the belt but touches it and sends it swinging. Before he can grab it again he has to fight off forearms to the right leg and spine. A few shots of his own and Rey skids down two rungs. Theo stands on the very top of the ladder and gets his hands on the belt… until a low blow brings him back to Earth. Rey locks in the waist lock, hooks the arms … X’D OUT OFF THE TOP OF THE LADDER SENDS THESPIAN OVER THE ROPES AND CRASHING THROUGH THE FOUR TABLES SET UP EARLIER IN THE MATCH!
Randy Angel: OH MY GOD! He killed him! Thespian went through 2 double stacks of tables from off the top of a ladder in the ring! He isn’t moving.
Joey Hawke:Yeah and El Rey had the sense to lock his feet on the rungs of the ladder to stay in the ring!
Rey indeed hangs from the second step by his toes locked underneath it. He laughs and holds his back in pain as he sits up and pulls himself free. He climbs the last two steps and reaches up, catching the swinging belt and retrieving it.
Bonnie Jenkins: Your winner via ladder grab … and STILL The XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion … EL REY!!!
NLW'S LAST STAND MULTI-PERSON ELIMINATION MATCH
EL REY (C) VS THE THESPIAN VS AI MOE VS DAISUKE MIYAZAKI VS AL JABRONI VS CHEEZ VS FOGGY LEE GORN
The champ tips himself to the outside and falls to the mat. Idrissa moves to help Thespian. After a good fifteen seconds he is back to his one good leg. Idrissa resets the ladder and holds it in place while Theo climbs! He’s almost to the top! He tries to reach up but his leg buckles and he slides a rung down the ladder. As he climbs back up the ladder a CRACK is heard. A chair shot to the spine of the Interpreter takes him out of the fray. El Rey climbs the ladder behind Theo! Thespian reaches for the belt but touches it and sends it swinging. Before he can grab it again he has to fight off forearms to the right leg and spine. A few shots of his own and Rey skids down two rungs. Theo stands on the very top of the ladder and gets his hands on the belt… until a low blow brings him back to Earth. Rey locks in the waist lock, hooks the arms … X’D OUT OFF THE TOP OF THE LADDER SENDS THESPIAN OVER THE ROPES AND CRASHING THROUGH THE FOUR TABLES SET UP EARLIER IN THE MATCH!
Randy Angel: OH MY GOD! He killed him! Thespian went through 2 double stacks of tables from off the top of a ladder in the ring! He isn’t moving.
Joey Hawke:Yeah and El Rey had the sense to lock his feet on the rungs of the ladder to stay in the ring!
Rey indeed hangs from the second step by his toes locked underneath it. He laughs and holds his back in pain as he sits up and pulls himself free. He climbs the last two steps and reaches up, catching the swinging belt and retrieving it.
Bonnie Jenkins: Your winner via ladder grab … and STILL The XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion … EL REY!!!
Cross Recoba: He knows from his time in NLW that momentum is the most valuable commodity in that ring. You can’t train for it, you can’t teach it, but it will push you that extra inch towards victory!
Steve Morrison: You can guarantee that Kingsley Solomon will be itching to show why he, not Thesp, got the nod next month.
Cross Recoba: That could be a fast-paced match-up and one that would be worth keeping an eye on.
Steve Morrison: He’s partnered by Capone and Merric, two brawlers to combat the brutality of Sticky and the submission offense of Craft.
Cross Recoba: Capone went out of his way to remind his opponents that he’s been here before, he was in that first match last year at Supremacy. In a relatively short career, he’s able to look at that match and see where he can improve, it’s going to be the first of many times but it’ll speed up his development nonetheless.
Steve Morrison: He’s continuing to improve every show and with Merric there, he’s going to have someone similar in style to give him guidance in this match.
Cross Recoba: Aiden could do that but, if I’m him? I want a run, I want to put away opponents in a way that makes people like Long, like Poena, like Diamond, sit up and pay attention!
Steve Morrison: And, coming up in just a few moments, we have the debut of Ashton Henare!
Cross Recoba: Scouted by our own Road Agent, Va’aiga so you can almost bank on what we’re going to see. He’s hard-hitting, he’s confident, and John Halliday is going to do well to run down that gas tank!
Steve Morrison: On that note, Laura’s standing by and ready for us to get our first look at the Kiwi being referred to as The Personification of Domination…
Laura Messier: WELCOME TO TAP OUT WRESTLING THIRTEEN! It's time for your opening match!
"HE IS HIM."
For a split second, silence filled the arena and all you could hear was the chattering of fans. However, the silence was soon replaced with the flooding of a rather familiar instrumental. “The City” by The Game (feat. Kendrick Lamar) began to blare throughout the airwaves as attendees turned their heads to see one of the newest attractions to Tap Out Wrestling. But, having a feeling of self-entitlement, Ashton kept them waiting. That is until his theme music finally caught up to his favorite part.
Steve Morrison: Scouted by our Road Agent, Va'aiga, it's no surprise that he brings us a New Zealander!
Cross Recoba: When I looked at the tapes he'd put together, it's evident what Va'aiga sees in him. He brings power, he brings some showmanship and he could very well be a force here in Tap Out Wrestling!
And as soon as those words began to fade, the screens in the room would showcase "GOD" before displaying his impressive highlights. Shortly thereafter, the man himself was making his entrance. Ashton stepped onto the stage with a sense of energy and charisma unlike anyone else. He quickly made his way over toward the ring and kept himself pumped up, making sure that his focus was now onto the ring, making sure that all attention was onto the business needing to be taken care of in the ring.
Steve Morrison: He's not coming into this as a rookie, the thirty-four year old has built his career not just in New Zealand but also Australia and the British Isles.
Cross Recoba: Ashton's not green to the sport but he isn't a known name in the United States, this is a great opportunity for him to change that.
Once up, he slow-walked across the ring apron before turning around to stare out at the fans again. That signature tongue would be brandished whilst throwing up the shaka sign, a staple in his culture. Lowering his hand, Ashton turned and quickly entered the ring via middle rope before moving toward the center. He began wiping his hands off and turned to the camera as he dusted his shoulders off.
Steve Morrison: Without Sticky the Clown, he'd be the biggest wrestler on the roster, can he make that size count and ascend the ranks?
Cross Recoba: We're about to find out. He doesn't look intimidated by the opportunity that's for sure!
In the ring, a young wrestler is already waiting in his corner.
Laura Messier: Introducing first! Weighing two-hundred pounds and standing at five-feet and ten inches, from Cheyenne, Wyoming...JOHN HOLLIDAY!!
The young wrestler raises an arm to the crowd.
Laura Messier: And his opponent! Fighting out of Inglewood, California. Standing at six feet, three inches and weighing two hundred and sixty-five pounds. THE PERSONIFICATION OF DOMINATION....ASHTON....HENARE!!!!
Henare looks at his opponent and laughs before testing the ropes.
OPENING MATCH
SINGLES MATCH
Ashton Henare (UR) vs John Holliday (UR)
With Laura Messier having made her way to the timekeeper’s table, Rhod Williams brings both men into the center of the ring. The camera captures the size disparity between the two men as Henare towers over Holliday. The match official sets forth his expectations for the match and sends both men to their corners.
Steve Morrison: John Holliday might have an uphill battle tonight.
Cross Recoba: It’s no wonder Va’aiga recommended him, just look at the size of him!
DING! DING! DING!
Ashton rushes from his corner before John Holliday has made barely a step from his. He grabs the Wyoming native by the head and pummels him with a triplet of overhand rights.
Steve Morrison: A solid start from the New Zealander.
Cross Recoba: Much like McConalogue, Ashton’s wrestling education took him from his homeland and across Australia and the United Kingdom.
Holliday tries to stay on his feet and only achieves the feat due to Henare continuing to hold the head of his opponent. Bringing his other hand to clasp the head of Holliday, HENARE CONNECTS WITH A HUGE HEADBUTT THAT DROPS THE CHEYENNE FIGHTER TO HIS KNEES!!
Steve Morrison: DID YOU HEAR THAT?
The onslaught from the Kiwi continues as he lifts up before dumping him down with a bodyslam. The Personification of Domination doesn’t rest, bringing his opponent up into a clinch.
Cross Recoba: Holliday doesn’t know where he is right now. He could have a concussion from that headbutt!
HENARE DRIVES KNEES INTO THE RIBS OF HIS OPPONENT THAT FORCES THEM BACK INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
Steve Morrison: The debuting Tap Out Wrestler is definitely showing the powerhouse offense that could take him to the top tonight!
Cross Recoba: It’s definitely a compelling showing so far.
Releasing the clinch, Ashton charges in and LANDS A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE THAT STAGGERS HOLLIDAY FROM THE CORNER…SAMOAN DROP!!!
Steve Morrison: Could this be it?
Smiling towards the crowd, Henare manages to amplify the boos aimed his way.
Cross Recoba: He’s not in any rush to pin him.
Ignoring them, he scales the turnbuckles to the top…DIVING CROSSBODY!!!
Steve Morrison: HUGE MOVE!!
ONE…
TWO…
THR-
HOLLIDAY GETS A SHOULDER UP!!
Steve Morrison: Holliday lives to fight on…
Cross Recoba: But barely…
Ashton lifts up John but HOLLIDAY FIRES BACK WITH A RISING DROPKICK THAT ROCKS THE NEW ZEALANDER!
Steve Morrison: The Wyoming Wrestler finding an opening for the first time in the match.
Buoyed by the cheers, Holliday connects with a Flying Forearm that sends the Kiwi rocking on one foot.
Cross Recoba: He’s still on his feet…
The Wyoming Fighter hits the ropes….HENARE CUTS HIM OFF WITH A HUGE SUPERMAN PUNCH!!!
Steve Morrison: NEW MAGIC WAND!!
Dragging Holliday to his feet, Henare throws a huge uppercut to the throat…ROLLING ELBOW….HE LIFTS HIM UP IN A SUPLEX….
Cross Recoba: LOOK AT THE HANGTIME!
DELAYED SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER!!!
Steve Morrison: WATCH THE THRONE!
The cheers long gone, the crowd’s boos now replaced with silence.
Cross Recoba: That brainbuster just sapped the voice of the entire Ballroom!
With a scowl on his face, Ashton lifts up Holliday….HIGH ANGLED SPINNING URANAGE!!!
Steve Morrison: THE END!!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
NO! HENARE LIFTS UP HIS OPPONENT AND WANTS TO CARRY ON!
Cross Recoba: This isn’t a match for him but a way to send a message to the rest of the roster.
With a shove, Henare sends Holliday to the ropes as he rushes to the opposite side…RUNNING BICYCLE KNEE!!
Steve Morrison: HOLLOW TIP!!!
Holliday looks knocked out.
Steve Morrison: He could pin him at any point!
Henare crouches in the corner, waiting for his opponent to stir.
Cross Recoba: The fact he wants to include this makes me think it’s what he wants the roster to remember.
Steve Morrison: So far we’ve seen a headbutt that could floor a horse, a huge Samoan Drop, and that high-angle spinning Uranage. That’s enough to put almost anyone away.
Cross Recoba: He’s definitely got a versatile arsenal…
Slowly, Holliday begins to get to his feet BUT HE’S NEARLY TAKEN OUT OF HIS WRESTLING BOOTS WITH A SPEAR!!!
Steve Morrison: NO LONGER HUMAN!!
Henare covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell!
Laura Messier: The winner of this match…THE PERSONIFICATION OF DOMINATION…ASHTON…HENARE!!!!!!!
“The City” by The Game fills the Lansky Ballroom as Williams raises the hand of Henare who almost looks put out that anyone doubted his victory.
Steve Morrison: A dominant performance but who will he get next month and will they test him?
Cross Recoba: That all depends on how the rest of tonight’s show goes down but on size and power alone, it’s only a handful of our roster who wouldn’t be severely outmatched!
Laura Messier: The following contest is a six-man tag-team contest!
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: Whilst his time in the Rumble was short, Thespian took XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion, El Rey, to the limit!
Cross Recoba: It was a great showing in that absolute cluster of a match.
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 does their demeanor. As they make 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: With the belt revisiting us next month, outside of a complete shocker tonight he could well be in the driving seat for a rematch against El Rey.
Cross Recoba: Indeed, that match reminded people why he was such a feared and respected opponent in Next Level Wrestling.
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: His focus tonight though is establishing a rapport with his teammates to try and get the win.
Cross Recoba: It’s not the easiest ask but Thespian should know that he could well be the key to victory for his team.
“Regret Game” by Madame Macabre begins playing as Sticky the Clown walks out from the back to the frightful screaming of many fans.
Steve Morrison: If Thespian has the skills then the size and power on this team surely comes from this man.
Cross Recoba: You call him a man but look at him, he’s a monster!
He looks around at the crowd with his peeling face paint that should have been fixed up ages ago and his needle sharp teeth inside his impossibly wide grin that pierce black gums.
Steve Morrison: You’re right but that monstrous size of his hasn’t guaranteed a perfect start, he’ll want to rectify this tonight.
Cross Recoba: It’s whether he can realize that in a match like this he’s a weapon best deployed tactically.
The Clown steps onto the apron and over the top-rope as Laura Messier makes sure to keep her distance, climbing between the ropes on the far side of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Do you want to tell him?
Cross Recoba: *Laughs* Luckily I don’t need to.
The lights drop in Lansky Ballroom as the bassy vocals of 'Hoist the Colors' fills the room.
Steve Morrison: Here is our newest roster member making his debut!
Cross Recoba: He might be in for a frosty reception, his words weren’t complimentary regardless of what side of the ring you’re on.
Stepping out from the back, Jacob Craft appears in red MMA shorts with a serious look on his face. He pauses for a moment to survey the crowd before making his way to the ring.
Steve Morrison: Coming from a martial arts background, Craft is able to make his opponents submit seemingly at will.
Cross Recoba: If you’re on the other team, submission defence had to be on your training camp agenda!
Focusing on the ring, Craft ignores the outstretched hands of the fans looking for selfies and high-fives.
Steve Morrison: Is he focused on the match or does he think he’s above them?
Cross Recoba: We’ll find out when that bell rings.
Leaping to the ring apron, Jacob enters the ring and goes to his corner.
"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: A prolonged break for Solomon but his explosive arsenal and agility are likely to be key to a win tonight.
Cross Recoba: Solomon mixes a Japanese-influenced approach with a brutality that you know comes from operating on the Strip here in Vegas.
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: We’ve seen just how effective that can be…
Cross Recoba: If he gets on the same page with Merric and Capone, there’s a trio that could be unstoppable!
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: He doesn’t seem intimidated by Sticky.
Cross Recoba: Both his opponents have been inside the ring with the giant, you have to assume they’ve shared what they know on their opponents.
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 who drew the short-straw in the Rumble and entered first!
Cross Recoba: It won’t be one for his highlight reel but at his stage in his career, it’s invaluable experience.
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: Wildcat made his debut in the first-ever match for Tap Out which was a six-man tag-team match. Will he have gone over the tape to see where he needs to focus?
Cross Recoba: Almost certainly, Capone’s not a prodigy but he is learning and we still think he has all the tools to reach the top. Despite his appearance, Capone is eager to learn and makes solid career steps to get there.
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: Capone bridges the agility of Solomon and the power of Merric…
Cross Recoba: Exactly, he can just as easily put his opponents away with that high-impact Belly-to-Belly suplex as he can with his Rolling Koppu Kick.
The opening thumping guitar and drum riff of "Unstoppable" by Disturbed hits the arena as an imitation sandstorm is created in the entranceway. After 10 seconds of storm, Aiden Merric emerges from the billowing sands chewing nicotine gum and wearing a smug ass smile on his face.
Steve Morrison: Merric normally looks ready for business but tonight he looks murderous!
Cross Recoba: If it wasn’t for the Netflix Warrior, Merric would have the shortest stint in the Rumble and you know that’s going to eat him up!
He spits the gum and puts a patch on his arm before stretching and walking to the ring with a purpose. He nods along with the theme song as he jabbers with the crowd and keeps moving. He stalks around the ring to the far side and nods at the commentators before he rolls into the ring and stretches on the ropes.
Steve Morrison: He looks ready to decapitate each and every one of his opponents in that ring now.
Cross Recoba: Merric will want to start this match, just look at him, he’s intent on reaffirming his place.
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: If he does, you’d expect Sticky to start for their opponents.
Cross Recoba: You learn to never take anything for granted inside that ring.
Laura Messier: Introducing first, to my left! The team of JACOB CRAFT….STICKY THE CLOWN…AND THE THESPIAN!!!
As the crowd reacts, Craft takes the moment to pointedly insist he starts for his team.
Laura Messier: And their opponents! The team of KINGSLEY SOLOMON….WILDCAT CAPONE…AND AIDEN MERRIC!!!
As predicted, Merric usher his two team-mates to take a step onto the apron.
SIX-MAN TAG-TEAM MATCH
The Thespian (#12) / Sticky the Clown (#13) / Jacob Craft (UR) vs Kingsley Solomon (#10) / Wildcat Capone (#11)/ Aiden Merric (#8)
“Big” John Quinn stands in the center of the ring between the two teams.
Steve Morrison: Quinn getting the nod for this one.
Cross Recoba: These matches tend to get messy, I can think of no other ref to put in charge.
The team of Merric, Capone, and Solomon look to be on the same page as the Australian and Kentuckian step between the ropes to leave Kingsley as their man to begin the match.
Steve Morison: The fast-paced Solomon getting the nod.
On the other side of the ring, Thespian seems to be pushing for Sticky to start but Craft isn’t happy and insists he’s the man for the job. Sticky steps through the ropes without showing any emotion.
Cross Recoba: Craft’s not been shy on his own abilities…
With that debate settled, Quinn calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Solomon immediately cuts the distance between himself and the debuting Maelstrom. Craft seems more cautious, looking for a gap in the SCCW Owner’s armor.
Steve Morrison: It seems both wrestlers have their own idea on what speed they want to start the match.
Cross Recoba: Craft’s style lends itself to spotting openings, you can’t wrestle like that on fast-forward.
Kingsley grabs a collar-and-elbow tie-up but Craft quickly transitions to a waistlock. Reversal from Solomon but the debuting wrestler sits out and rolls back, hooking his legs around one of his opponent’s. The Gambler quickly rolls out of it before the submission expert can take advantage and catches Craft with an arm-drag as he rises.
Steve Morrison: Kingsley wasn’t sticking around to find out there!
Staying on the arm, Kingsley steps under it and twists.
Cross Recoba: I can see Solomon wanting to vary that rhythm, keeping it unpredictable and freezing that submission-style out.
Solomon leaps…SPRINGBOARD SINGLE-ARM DDT TAKES CRAFT TO THE MAT!
Steve Morrison: He ramps up the gears…
Rolling through, The Harbinger sprints to the ropes…BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
Cross Recoba: Solomon showing why the Tap Out board picked him to face the XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion next month on the twenty-fifth…
Helpless to stop it, Craft finds himself being dragged to his opponent’s corner as Solomon tags in Merric.
Steve Morrison: They’re looking to isolate him.
With no finesse, Aiden immediately starts to put the boots into Craft. He lifts him up by his head and fires off a short-arm forearm to keep him stunned.
Cross Recoba: Going for a man’s name isn’t clever but when it belongs to a man who hunts Big Game in his spare time, it’s almost moronic!
The Australian follows up with a bodyslam and hits the ropes…STICKY CLOCKS HIM IN THE HEAD WITH A FOREARM OF HIS OWN!
Steve Morrison: Sticky comes to the rescue for Craft!
Cross Recoba: Obviously not read Stephen King or he’d have left him for dead!
Merric turns around and STRAIGHT INTO A SPRINGBOARD HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN FROM THESPIAN!
Steve Morrison: Three-on-one brings the match back into balance!
Quinn has his hands full as Capone and Solomon enter the ring as well as Sticky and the four non-legal men start to duke it out. The Clown grabs Capone and sends him sailing over the top-rope before following him, Thespian and Solomon exchange rights and lefts as they make their way to the ropes…Sticky grabs the legs of Kingsley and pulls him out of the ring!
Steve Morrison: It’s pandemonium!
Returning to his opponent, Merric lifts him to his feet but Jacob immediately fires back with a rising uppercut to the jaw and then a lifting knee that doubles over the former XHF Phoenix Champion. Craft takes the arm and spins, dropping the Australian down into a Fujiwara Armbar!
Cross Recoba: Smart baiting from Craft, Merric could be in real dnager!
Cutting to the action on the outside and Sticky has continued his assault, he lifts up Wildcat AND PANCAKES HIM THROAT-FIRST ON THE GUARDRAIL!
Steve Morrison: STICKY IS RUNNING RIOT AY RINGSIDE!!!
Inside the ring, Merric still fights the armbar and tries to use his power to escape but Craft sits down on the shoulder.
Cross Recoba: Look at how Craft is using his opponent’s moves to inform his own.
Merric manages to roll him over!
ONE…
KICKOUT FROM CRAFT!!
Steve Morrison: Merric baited him into that!
Once more, the Australian looks to bring Craft to his feet but the debuting Tap Out Star grabs his leg and rolls through…HEEL HOOK!!
Cross Recoba: But now Aiden finds himself in real danger, it’s a simple hold but devastating if it gets locked in!
Reaching out, Merric realizes the Maelstrom has him trapped and is working the Hook.
Steve Morrison: Craft putting in an impressive showing in his debut thusfar...
SLIDING CLOTHESLINE FROM CAPONE BREAKS THE HOLD!!
Steve Morrison: SLIDING D!
Wildcat carries onto his corner and Merric tags him in!
Cross Recoba: Smart move from the former gangbanger. This is going to be an all-out war from the look of it!
The Wildcat from Kentucky rushes back into the ring and immediately starts to pepper the body of Craft with body-shots. He lifts up Jacob…GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB!
Steve Morrison: Huge bomb from IRN FST!
THE COVER…
ONE…
TWO…
CRAFT GRABS A TRIANGLE HOLD!
Cross Recoba: They need to find an answer to this, Craft is putting submission on at will!
“Big” John Quinn asks Capone if he wants to submit but gets no response.
Steve Morrison: Wildcat’s almost stubborn to a fault!
Cross Recoba: That’s not going to matter if Jacob manages to get him unconscious from this hold!
Checking if the Kentuckian is conscious, Quinn gets his answer when Wildcat thoughtfully flips him the bird with his free arm.
Steve Morrison: He’s still with us.
Working from the free arm, Capone starts to unload with vicious hooks into the body of Jacob but he’s unrelenting.
Cross Recoba: Those blows are going to help but if Jacob rides them out, Capone is counting down to nap-time!
MERRIC SOLVES THE ISSUE WITH A PUNT KICK THAT SETS CAPONE FREE!
Steve Morrison: DID YOU HEAR THAT THUD!
A THESPIAN DROPKICK FROM BEHIND SENDS MERRIC TO THE APRON FLOOR!
Cross Recoba: The Bedlam Express is back in action!
THESPIAN HITS THE ROPES…SUICIDE DIVE CONNECTS WITH MERRIC!!
Steve Morrison: HUGE DIVE FROM THESP!!!
We cut to Solomon and Sticky…THE CLOWN SENDS SOLOMON OVER THE GUARDRAIL AND STEPS OVER IT WITH EASE!
Steve Morrison: I don’t like the look of this…
Cross Recoba: All tickets come with disclaimers…
The front row scarper as the Clown grabs Kingsley AND THROWS HIM THROUGH THE FRONT ROW!!!
Steve Morrison: SOLOMON WAS TOSSED LIKE A LAWN DART!!!!
Back inside the ring, Capone and Craft are duking it out, exchanging forearms.
Cross Recoba: This is playing into Capone’s hands, he’s at home brawling!
Getting a slight advantage, Wildcat grabs the head of Jacob and connects with a headbutt that staggers backwards.
Steve Morrison: Huge headbutt!
Dashing forward, Capone throws a Yakuza Kick but CRAFT CATCHES IT….DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP!!
Cross Recoba: He snapped that rotation!
Jacob rolls through into a knee-bar!
Steve Morrison: And he stays on the knee!
Realizing the danger he’s in, Capone quickly pushes out from the hold with his hands to the ropes.
Cross Recoba: Wildcat managed to get out before any damage could be done!
Paying no mind to his opponent having his hands on the ropes, Craft swings a leg kick that lands on the knee…and another!
Steve Morrison: He stays on that knee though, using it as a target for those unforgiving kicks!
Jacob lifts him up…KNEEBREAKER!
Cross Recoba: Those power moves of Wildcat aren’t going to be as impactful without that leg strength. Craft fighting with his head.
Craft drives a punt into the knee of his opponent before backing into his corner and tagging in Sticky the Clown.
Steve Morrison: The legwork done, pardon the pun, now it’s time for the battering ram of their team!
The mood inside the Ballroom changes immediately.
Cross Recoba: Eight feet, four-hundre pounds. Sticky’s aura gives everyone the chills.
Sticky WALKS over the back of Capone.
Steve Morrison: How do you fight an opponent who can just step on you and cause you harm?
Cross Recoba: Stick and move or pray to whatever deity you can find!
Merric and Solomon rush into the ring, Kingsley slowed slightly by war damage from Sticky on the outside.
Steve Morrison: The cavalry are here!
Merric eats a big boot!
Cross Recoba: Just look at the size of those boots! He outgrew Steph Curry’s shoes before puberty!
Solomon is thrown over the ropes but lands on the apron.
Capone staggers to his feet…SPINEBUSTER!
Steve Morrison: THAT SHOOK THE RING!!
Cross Recoba: With someone that size, form and technique almost take a backseat to raw power!
Sticky goes for the cover…
ONE…
TWO…
SOLOMON WITH A LAST DITCH SPRINGBOARD ELBOW DROP TO BREAK UP THE PIN!
Steve Morrison: The Harbinger makes the save!
Cross Recoba: It’s going to be the team that can stick together and work together that come out on top tonight.
As the Clown gets to his feet, Kingsley suddenly realizes the dark shadow engulfing him. The Kharnival member grabs the back of his head and DRILLS HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE MAT!
Steve Morrison: FACE SPLATTER!
Content with his work, Sticky takes a few steps back AND THE THESPIAN TAGS HIMSELF IN!
Cross Recoba: Now it’s on Thespian to make sure that they keep on top of this for their team.
The Masked Wrestler hoists Capone up by his arm and immediately sends him into the corner…THESPIAN RUSHES IN WITH AN ENZIGURI!
Steve Morrison: Keeping up the work from Sticky and Craft, Thespian shows what being the fresher man can do in these situations.
Cross Recoba: Capone alluded to the fact he’s been here before, he showed in the Supremacy Showcase that kickstarted this company that he has heart and fighting spirit for days!
He pushes the Kentuckian out of the corner and grabs a front-facelock, perching atop the turnbuckle…TORNADO DDT!
Steve Morrison: That spirit might well have been knocked out of him with that move, Thespian just spiked him on his head!
Cross Recoba: He’s coming off a strong showing in that chaotic match at the Rumble the Junior Heavyweight and you can see just what a boost of confidence its given him inside the ring!
Thespian sits up but Merric drags him by the foot to the apron and DEADLIFTS HIM UP IN A WAISTLOCK…GERMAN SUPLEX ON THE APRON!!
Steve Morrison: Merric evened it out though with a brutal suplex onto the most unforgiving part of that ring!
Solomon pushes Thespian back into the ring.
Cross Recoba: That wasn’t just a move done to change momentum, that was almost a hit-job. I’ve seen high-flyers suffer neck injuries and it changes them when they come back.
With both men down, “Big” John Quinn is forced to start the count.
Steve Morrison: Seth Dillinger being one such case where he changed his moveset and his style to accommodate his return from a neck injury caused by our own Jason Long.
Cross Recoba: Exactly.
ONE!
TWO!
Both men remain down. Merric starts to stomp his feet to invigorate the crowd.
Crowd: *CLAP*-*CLAP*-*CLAP*-*CLAP*-*CLAP*
Steve Morrison: Aiden trying to will Capone back to his feet.
THREE!
FOUR!!
Thespian starts to stir…
Cross Recoba: Thespian’s hoping to win the race and pick up where he left off before Merric took him down.
FIVE!!!
Sitting up, Thespian breaks the count and sees Capone slowly inching his way towards his corner. Sticky drops off the apron.
Steve Morrison: Where could he be going?
SIX!
STICKY TRIES TO PULL MERRIC FROM THE APRON BUT THE AUSTRALIAN HANGS ON! SOLOMON CLIMBS THROUGH THE ROPES AND SPRINTS…TOPE CON HILO TAKES THE KHARNIVAL KLOWN TO THE FLOOR!
Steve Morrison: Solomon sacrificed himself for his team!
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
Thespian tags in Craft.
Cross Recoba: Jacob needs to rush bef-
CAPONE TAGS IN MERRIC!
Steve Morrison: Capone makes the tag!
The Australian cuts off the Submission Expert with quick-fire overhand rights that stagger his opponent. He grabs a waistlock AND RIPS THE CORD INTO A LARIAT!!
Steve Morrison: TARGET NEUTRALIZED! THIS COULD BE OVER!
Merric turns around….STICKY LIFTS MERRIC ABOVE HIS HEAD…
Cross Recoba: NO-ONE TOLD THE CLOWN!!
STICKY NIGH-ON BENDS HIS BACK IN TWO AS HE SLAMS IT OVER HIS KNEE!
Steve Morrison: BREAKING THE BACK!
Cross Recoba: Straight out of Gotham City!
SOLOMON CATCHES THE KLOWN WITH A DOUBLE KNEE INVERTED FACEBREAKER FROM THE TOP!
Steve Morrison: CASH OUT!!
Standing up, Kingsley gets caught in an inverted facelock…
Cross Recoba: Thespian’s got him…
REVERSE SUPLEX INTO A CUTTER!!
Steve Morrison: TAKE A BOW, SON!!
Taking a few steps back to admire his work, the Masked Wrestler stumbles RIGHT INTO A BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX FROM CAPONE AS BOTH MEN ROLL TO THE OUTSIDE!!!
Steve Morrison: TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY!!
Crowd: THIS IS AWESOME! FIGHT FOREVER! THIS IS AWESOME! FIGHT FOREVER! THIS IS AWESOME! FIGHT FOREVER! THIS IS AWESOME! FIGHT FOREVER! THIS IS AWESOME! FIGHT FOREVER!
With the ring now clear bar the legal men, Merric holds his back as he stands up, staggering slightly from the pain…CRAFT CATCHES HIM WITH A TWISTING DDT!!!
Steve Morrison: Can that put the Game Hunter away?
Jacob makes the cover…
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
MERRIC THROWS AN ARM UP!!!
Steve Morrison: Aiden still feeling the effects of that devastating backbreaker but he manages to carry on!
Craft lits up the Australian from the mat by his arm and whips him to the ropes, it’s reversed…POP-UP EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!!
Steve Morrison: TRANQUILIZER!!
Refusing to drop to the mat, Jacob swings his legs down but stumbling backwards into the ropes again, URANAGE BACKBREAKER…HAYMAKER!!!
Cross Recoba: Admirable effort from Craft to keep on his feet but that’s one of the Australian’s favorite combinations!
With his opponent now on the floor, Merric tags out to Solomon.
Steve Morrison: Now back to the Harbinger…
Kingsley unleashes a flurry of forearms that back Craft into the corner. Solomon whips him to the opposite corner and follows in with a Schoolboy roll-up but rolls through…SCHOOLBOY SUPLEX!!!
Cross Recoba: Each time he hits that move it gets a little crisper, a little more fluid!
He keeps the pin…
ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT FROM CRAFT!
Steve Morrison: Still the debuting Craft refuses to be put away!
Solomon rolls to his feet and dashes to the ropes….CRAFT LEAPS INTO A GUILLOTINE!!!
Steve Morrison: Solomon finds himself in trouble just moments after he might have thought he had this won for his team!
Cross Recoba: It’s a smart move for Jacob to use, his weight is being carried by Solomon and you’ve got to favor the man who’s an expert in submissions to come out on the winning side here…
Leaning back, the Maelstrom tightens the hold as he has the Japanese Junior Wrestler caught.
Steve Morrison: Those arms are locked...
“Big” John Quinn checks on Solomon to see if he’s still conscious.
Cross Recoba: Solomon’s in between a rock and a hard place, right now. If he tries to slam Craft and it fails? He’s lost his footing…
The crowd noise grows to a crescendo as the hold sinks deeper. Quinn remains diligent in making sure the SCCW Owner is still conscious.
Cross Recoba: …He’s trying to step towards the ropes for the break but each time he does that, Craft works those hooks further up the body to anchor Kingsley back dowm.
A large smile is plastered on the face of Craft but in an instant, it disappears.
Steve Morrison: Suddenly Craft doesn’t look so confident…
We find out why - MERRIC NAILS CRAFT WITH A SUPERMAN PUNCH TO BREAK THE HOLD!!
Steve Morrison: AUSSIE RULES!!
The interruption brings Sticky into the ring who grabs the head of Merric and levels him with a headbutt that drops the Antipodean to the floor.
Cross Recoba: Sticky is just breaking down any rhythm that his opposition start.
Capone comes in to join the chaos and makes a dash for Craft but Thespian pulls the debuting MMA star to their corner and tags himself in.
Steve Morrison: Thespian making the save and entering the fray once more.
Cutting off the Kentucky Brawler with a European Uppercut, Thespian follows it up with a Pele Kick and rolls backwards before sprinting towards the off-balance Capone, RUNNING STO TAKEDOWN!!
Cross Recoba: Thespian might well give Solomon a run for his money as the best chain-wrestler in that ring right now. He’s putting together combos that his opponents just can’t seem to stop.
STICKY CLOTHESLINES MERRIC OVER THE ROPES AS THEY BOTH GO TO THE OUTSIDE!!
Steve Morrison: ONCE MORE THEY GO TO THE OUTSIDE!
Kingsley and Thespian are now alone in the ring. Solomon runs towards the Masked Wrestler…
Leapfrog.
Steve Morrison: From a standing start!
Arm-drag on the return from Thesp but Solomon cartwheels out of it and charges forward with a high-head kick but it’s ducked…
Cross Recoba: Here it comes…
German Suplex…SOLOMON FLIPS OUT OF IT AND CHARGES…WHEELBARROW FACEBUSTER FROM THESPIAN!!!
Steve Morrison: Fine margins being the only separator between these two!
Cutting to Capone and Craft, Wildcat headbutts Jacob and grabs his head as both men are on the apron….PACKAGE PILEDRIVER TO THE FLOOR ON CRAFT!!!
Crowd: HE KILLED JACOB! HOLY SHIT! HE KILLED JACOB! HOLY SHIT! HE KILLED JACOB! HOLY SHIT! HE KILLED JACOB! HOLY SHIT!
Craft lays flat out on the apron-floor, the only indicator he’s even conscious is the arm that slowly goes to his neck.
Steve Morrison: A flashback to that six-man at last year’s Supremacy where we saw Capone employ that same tactic!
Back inside the ring, Thespian has Solomon measured up for his next move. Sitting up, Kingsley can’t see the former NLW star behind him….KINSASHA!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: EXQUISITE CATASTROPHE!!
The eyes of Solomon roll backwards before Thespian makes the cover…
Cross Recoba: He’s hooked the leg...
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
CAPONE PULLS THESPIAN OFF OF SOLOMON!!! WHIPPERSNAPPER!!!!
Steve Morrison: CHIN CHECK FROM CAPONE KEEPS HIS TEAM IN IT!!
Wildcat looks at his options and sees Merric trying to trade blows with Sticky but the Klown uses his sheer size to overpower him.
Cross Recoba: This might be the biggest game that Merric has tried to take down inside the ring…
Solomon leans back into the turnbuckle to recover as Wildcat turns his attention back to Thespian. He picks him up…THESPIAN LEVELS HIM WITH A SUPERKICK!
Steve Morrison: Capone got caught!
The Masked Wrestler pulls Kingsley out from the corner and delivers a kick to the gut to stun him whilst he charges the ropes…TILT-A-WHIRL….NO! EMERALD FLOWSION OUT OF DESPERATION FROM THE SIN CITY WRESTLING HONCHO!!!
Cross Recoba: Solomon hit that on instinct!
Steve Morrison: Can he capitalize though?
Outside, Merric finds himself against the ringpost. Sticky charges…MERRIC LEAPS ONTO THE APRON AS THE CLOWN HITS NOTHING BUT STEEL!!!
Steve Morrison: MERRIC GETS OUT AT THE RIGHT TIME!
KINGSLEY MAKES THE TAG!!
Cross Recoba: How much has a war with the Clown taken out of him though?
Merric comes into the ring and immediately unloads a series of punches straight out of a Brisbane Dive Bar that rock the Thespian…TIGER SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: Not the cleanest suplex, he can’t be at full-force…
Merric hits the ropes…
Cross Recoba: Doesn’t matter if this connects…
THESPIAN ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY OF THE LARIAT AND TAGS IN STICKY!!!!
Steve Morrison: AND THE WAR WAGES ON!
Cross Recoba: Merric didn’t see the tag!
The Clown drives a huge boot into the back of the unaware Merric!
Steve Morrison: Merric just dropped like a fly!
Lifting up the Australian, STICKY APPLIES THE ABDOMINAL STRETCH!
Steve Morrison: THE BALLOON ANIMALS STRETCH!!
The pain on Aiden’s face is obvious. The crowd’s now hushed as they watch the monstrosity of the von Krauss stable uses his free arm to drive a claw into the head of the Australian.
Cross Recoba: Merric has to be in agony. Sticky’s height is giving him the leverage to make a painful hold feel like absolute death.
Quinn is on hand to see if the Brawler wants to tap but he can be seen shouting ‘No’.
Crowd: DON’T TAP, AIDEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* DON’T TAP, AIDEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* DON’T TAP, AIDEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* DON’T TAP, AIDEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* DON’T TAP, AIDEN! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Despite the fans cheers, Merric seems locked into an inescapable hold.
Steve Morrison: You can probably count on a leprosy sufferer’s hand the amount of time that Merric has tapped and he’s determined not to do so tonight.
Cross Recoba: It’s getting to a point where it might be smarter to tap in the long-run.
Merric continues to sink into the hold.
Steve Morrison: He’s fading...
WILDCAT CHARGES IN AND DELIVERS A ROLLING KOPPU KICK TO THE BACK OF HE CLOWN! STICKY, IRRITATED AND TURNS AROUND…SOLOMON FOLLOWS IN WITH A TILT-A-WHIRL DDT!!!
Steve Morrison: ONE LESS BITCH FOLLOWED UP WITH A SUICIDAL TILT-A-WHIRL DDT!!!
CRAFT COMES IN AND HITS THE RISING WILDCAT WITH A HAMMERLOCK DDT, LOCKING HIS LEGS AROUND THE WAIST. THE PAIR ROLL OUT OF THE RING!
Cross Recoba: Craft’s trying to even up the numbers…
On his knees, Sticky still stands as tall as his opponents….JUDAS EFFECT ELBOW FROM SOLOMON AS A FOLLOW-UP!!!
WALL HANGER LARIAT!!!!!
He weakly covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Quinn calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: The Winners of this bout, as a result of pinfall, the team of WILDCAT CAPONE! KINGSLEY SOLOMON! AND AIDEN….MERRIC!!!!
The air goes cold as a horrid buzzing fills the air, like a million locusts have been released from the depths to consume all that stands before them. As the buzzing grows louder, the lights dim and morph into a shifting array of colors, undercut by red, the color of arterial blood. This light takes over any pure light left as the buzzing somehow makes a word—one that would strike a certain person numb with fear.
Poena: Jaaaaccccccck…
A mad laugh follows, made up of thousands of insectile throats, and the symbol of Poena’s faith appears, seemingly floating in the air amidst the shifting colors. It shifts and wavers, as if it’s made of the swarm the voice is coming from, but never fades away. As the laughter fades, the buzzing voice comes back full force.
Poena: Did you think I had forgotten about you, Jack? That I had moved on to other targets? Oh, no… I was letting you get comfortable again. I was giving you some small measure of hope so that when I came back, it would crush you all the more. What was it you said? That you’d lost everything other than that belt you hold.
The shape of Poena’s faith shifts suddenly, changing into his face. It grins as it looks over the horrified and stunned audience, seeming to see each and every one of them.
Poena: So, Jack, I’ve come to take that last shred of hope from you. At Night of Champions, I will break you. I will take that golden idol you’ve made for yourself and show you how useless it is. Then, you will finally see the Truth. You follow the Prophecy. But if you should lose that belt before the night of reckoning…
The face frowns, the red light growing more intense as anger and hatred seem to flow off the image of Poena looming over the crowd.
Poena: Losing it to Jackalope wouldn't save you from me, Jack. We will have our judgment day. But Jackalope… if you have the belt on the Night of Champions then I will merely have to break you for it. Your flips and speed will not save you, and the love of these sheep will not save you from the affections of My God. We do not care whatever dimension you come from, for He will rip you from whatever safety you find and feast upon you. You would truly have to earn that fate, as that golden idol is the last fragment Jack has to cling to and he will not let go of it easily unless he fears His Chosen even more than I thought.
The image of Poena’s face starts to break up slowly, the buzzing slowly being replaced with a demonic howling as the lights shift faster and faster… Then darkness descends as five more words echo throughout the arena.
Poena: I'm coming for you. Run.
We fade back to ringside.
Steve Morrison: It seems that Poena hasn’t forgotten and wants his revenge on the biggest stage of them all on the XHF Network!
Cross Recoba: IF, and right now who can say what, Jack Diamond still holds that title. Jackalope’s going to be looking at tonight as a way to prove to Jack and to the people at home that he’s ready to step up and takedown a man who has only lost one match so far in Tap Out Wrestling!
Steve Morrison: So, Poena faces Diamond or Jackalope at Night of Champions! I just received word that Laura is standing by with our next fight of the evening ready to get underway!
Laura Messier: And now for your next bout!
The arena lights dim as a synth bassline begins to play, the foggy neon on the tron becoming the main source of light. The tension in the song starts to pick up, and upon reaching the climax, the first verse begins and the arena lights flash briefly before returning to a dim glow, now with the same neon colors as the tron.
Steve Morrison: With such a time between our last show and now, you can guarantee that Sawyer will have put that time to good use and preparing even more thoroughly for their match tonight.
Cross Recoba: Sam's going to be looking at what BEEF and Carter showed in GUNS and SCCW and knowing that Diamond isn't an unassailable target.
The fans cheer when Sam Sawyer walks out onto the stage, their face calm and focused. On their way down they slap the hand of every fan who offers, with a faint smile of gratitude.
Steve Morrison: Sitting in fifth, they're not at the fornt of the line to challenge Diamond but that could all change tonight.
Cross Recoba: They'll also see be using Tommy as a measuring stick. Strych took Diamond to the limit at our last show and Sawyer can exploit that.
They climb the steps and enter the ring, now focused entirely on the match ahead.
Steve Morrison: A win here could put them in contention for a shot and that could well come at Night of Champions in July.
Cross Recoba: Don't count your chickens just yet, Steve, there's a lot of wrestling to come between now and then...
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: Can Tommy rally back from what must have been a heartbreaking way to lose against Diamond and put himself back in contention?
Cross Recoba: It's been the question since day one, can Tommy find consistency?
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 flip off the fans along the way.
Steve Morrison: He can be incredibly frustrating, if you look at some of the people he's lost to you sometime wonder how it happened and then he can take down a huge name seemingly at will.
Cross Recoba: It's that unpredictability which makes him such a spectacle to watch.
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: Can his Springboard Flipping Lariat take down Sayer's own Lariat?
Cross Recoba: That's what we need to see, Sawyer's already taken down Merric and his own Western Lariat, can they get the full-set tonight?
Laura Messier: STANDING TO MY RIGHT! They hail from Houston, Texas. Tipping the scales at one-hundred-and-sixty pounds...standing at five feet and six inches....SAM...SAWYER!!
Cracking their neck, Sawyer leans back against the ropes and ready for a fight.
Laura Messier:AND TO MY RIGHT! 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 Rocker has leapt to the top turnbuckle to soak up the boos from the Lansky Ballroom crowd.
SINGLES MATCH
Sam Sawyer (#5) vs Tommy Strychine (#9)
STRYCH VS SAWYER
Steve Tyrell seems happy enough with the competitors as he calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Both fighters are quick to come out from their corners. Strych spins into the ropes, bouncing off them, a wild smile etched on his face as he does so.
Steve Morrison: An unorthodox approach from Tommy.
Cross Recoba: The more experienced Strychnine clearly trying to get into the head of Sawyer.
Sawyer watches their opponent with curiosity, trying to work out when best to engage with Strych as he continues his dervish-inspired intro.
Steve Morrison: Bemused rather than confused it seems.
Cross Recoba: This is a lure…
Getting closer to his opponent, he stops spinning and winks at Sawyer before shooting in and grabbing a waistlock, he rushes them to the ropes looking for an O’Connor Roll but they locked their arms and send Strych back into the center of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer saw that move coming.
Cross Recoba: Tommy’s feeling them out, seeing what’s what.
Trying to capitalize, Sam rushes in and swings a boot towards the head of their opponent but it’s ducked and Tommy grabs another waistlock, quickly transitioning to a headlock.
Steve Morrison: Strych looking to use his size…
Cross Recoba: Sawyer’s a fighter who is much more comfortable on their feet. They can wrestle on the mat and take to the skies but Sam’s far more at home with an upright opponent.
Throwing them over his shoulder with a takedown, the Rocker keeps hold of the headlock.
Steve Morrison: Can he dictate the pace?
Cross Recoba: You only need to dictate it long enough to disrupt your opponent’s rhythm and gameplan…
Exerting his size advantage, Tommy leans his weight into the hold. He rears a closed fist back and drives it into the face of Sawyer.
Steve Morrison: Illegal punches from Tommy…
And again.
Cross Recoba: He’s working the rules, we’ve all done it.
The Lansky Ballroom are making their feelings known as Strych continues to drive closed-hand punches into the face of his opponent.
Crowd: TOMMY SUCKS! FUCK YOU TOMMY! TOMMY SUCKS! FUCK YOU TOMMY! TOMMY SUCKS! FUCK YOU TOMMY! TOMMY SUCKS! FUCK YOU TOMMY! TOMMY SUCKS! FUCK YOU TOMMY!
Steve Morrison: The crowd aren’t shy on their feeling to the Rocker!
Tyrell warns Tommy and goes to start a count but the Rocker stops, making a grand show of it. Sawyer takes advantage and rolls him over into a pin:
One…
T-
Strychnine rolls his weight back out of the pin and takes the action to a standing headlock.
Steve Morrison: What’s the gameplan to you?
Cross Recoba: Wear down the smaler wrestler, make them fight your match.
Steve Morrison: And if you’re Sawyer?
Cross Recoba: Get in, pick your shot and don’t over-commit.
The Texan uses their free arm to drive a pointed elbow into the stomach of Tommy. Another driven elbow connects.
Steve Morrison: Nothing left out of those strikes.
Cross Recoba: They seem to be doing the job…
A third one sets them free! With Strych doubled over, Sawyer grabs the head of Tommy in a clinch and lifts a solid knee into his head, sending him back into the corner. The Houston native quickly closes the gap between Strych and them and starts to pepper the body of the Rocker with hooks to the body.
Steve Morrison: Now we see Sawyer able to let their gameplan loose.
Cross Recoba: It’ll be interesting to see how both fighters have adapted their game given their slim losses at the last show.
Taking a step back, Sawyer briefly pauses before charging in and leaping…
Steve Morrison: Going for something big…
Strych throws them off!!
Cross Recoba: Did they second guess themselves?
He charges forward with a Yakuza kick but it’s ducked and a Middle shoot kick is thrown but Strych catches it and uses his own leg to sweep the standing one.
Steve Morrison: The more experienced fighter saw what was coming.
Tommy quickly spins around the leg before dropping his weight down on it.
Cross Recoba: He’s going for the leg knowing that without a strong base, Sawyer’s arsenal is going to be hugely diminished.
Keeping hold of the leg, the Rocker spins a leg around it once more but Sawyer throws a kick out with their free limb that catches Tommy in the jaw, knocking him back. The Teenage Texan Sensation grabs a schoolboy pin but rolls through to their feet and delivers a low dropkick to the hamstring of their opponent.
Steve Morrison: Likewise, Sawyer drove their foot through the leg of their opponent.
Getting back to his feet, Tommy keeps his distance as he stalks his opponent. Sawyer stands upright, their guard in place.
Cross Recoba: Now we’re back to a stand-off.
Sawyer shoots in for a single-leg takedown but Tommy sidesteps it and connects with a Question Mark kick. Grabbing the temporarily dazed Sawyer, Tommy whips them into the corner and follows in with a rushing elbow as he sits himself atop the turnbuckle…DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD FROM THE SECOND ROPE!
Steve Morrison: The Rocker’s picking up momentum…
Following in, Strych spins Sam around and throws a European Uppercut that rocks Sawyer and allows the former Lazer Physycyst member to charge in with a Leaping Inverted Bulldog!
Cross Recoba: They’ve got to be dazed from that, Strych kept his arm around their neck even after impact.
He makes the cover as Tyrell drops to the mat.
ONE…
KICKOUT FROM SAWYER!
Steve Morrison: We’ve seen the big strikes that Sawyer can do but it’s that big heart that has given them such success.
Tommy lifts up his opponent and rakes their eyes…European Uppercut! This time he grabs a the headlock and runs…Bulldog!
Cross Recoba: Tommy’s like a dog with a bone here. Using that European-influenced strike as the building block for his offense.
Sam scrambles to their knees but Tommy has them scouted and charges in with a low enziguri kick that connects to the side of their head!
Steve Morrison: They could be out!
Wrapping his arms around his opponent, Tommy lifts them into a standing waistlock.
Cross Recoba: He’s got hold of the wrist….
He pulls the cord…BICYCLE KNEE!
Steve Morrison: Ripcord Bicycle Knee connects!
As Sam reels back, Tommy takes to the ropes…KOTARO KRUSHER!!
Cross Recoba: He’s added that move to his attack and each time he gets better elevation!
Again he goes for the pin!
ONE…
TWO…
SAWYER THROWS AN ARM UP!
Steve Morrison: Can he keep the pressure u-
Tommy uses the hair of Sawyer to lift them up…Small package!
Cross Recoba: They caught him out!
ONE…
T-
TOMMY KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Nearly an embarrassing loss for the Rocker.
Cross Recoba: Sawyer’s growing in maturity with each fight. They saw the gap and went for it!
Getting to his feet, he’s too slow to stop Sawyer coming in with a front-dropkick to his knee that sweeps his footing away from him.
Steve Morrison: Back to the knee.
Sawyer’s not finished as they head to the ropes, Basement dropkick to the side of the head takes Tommy face-first to the mat.
Cross Recoba: Tommy was trying to get to his feet but they drove their feet right into his skull and there’s nothing you can do to prop yourself up after that.
Keeping on the offensive, Sawer rolls through with a measured knee-drop that lands on the head of the Rocker.
Steve Morrison: Both fighters are holding nothing back it seems.
Cross Recoba: They know they want to be back the right side of intermission, they know what it takes too.
Locking a front-facelock on their opponent, Sawyer drags Strych to his feet, driving a knee into his ribs as they do so….SHORT SNAP DDT!
Steve Morrison: Sharp impact on delivery!
Deciding against the pin, Sawyer takes wrist-control to bring Tommy back to his feet and sends him into the corner AND FOLLOWS IN WITH A BOOT TO THE CHEST OF THE ROCKER!
Cross Recoba: Sawyer has Strych where they want them. I’d be surprised if he could name the opening track off any of his albums right now!
Snap Mare….Sawyer runs across the ring to the ropes…SHINING WIZARD!!
Steve Morrison: Surely now they’ll go for the cover!
Now for the pin…
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
STRYCH KICKS OUT!!
Cross Recoba: Sawyer’s got to keep their head. It’s easy to lose your concentration when your opponent kicks out.
Not letting the kickout get them down, Sawyer brings Tommy back to his feet. A shoot kick to the knee lands unchecked…and another. His head lowered, Sawyer goes head-hunting with a kick to the head that pushes Strych into the ropes. Catching him on the rebound, Sawyer lifts them up by the waist and bends the knee…dropping Tommy down directly on his knees as they sit-out.
Steve Morrison: Back to the legs with that Modified Kneebuster!
Keeping the focus on the legs of their opponent, Sawyer lifts up a leg and shoot kicks the hamstring before taking the leg back up and flipping over!
Cross Recoba: Great combination as they continue to work over the legs of their opponent.
The cameras catch Tommy holding his leg in pain as he tries to reach the ropes. Sawyer grabs his other leg before leaping and dropping a double-foot stomp on the ankle of the Rocker.
Steve Morrison: Almost Pillmanizing the ankle!
Cross Recoba: You look at any Strych win and it all comes from being able to use those ropes to catapult into a move, whether he’s able to now is up for debate…
Raising an arm to the crowd, Sam steps to the apron.
Crowd: LET’S GO SAWYER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO SAWYER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO SAWYER! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Feeding off the crowd, Sawyer pushes off the middle turnbuckle to the top and waits.
Steve Morrison: They know what they want to see…
Tommy, getting to his feet, tests his ankle and we see a slight buckle. He turns around…MISSILE DROPKICK TO THE KNEE!!!
Cross Recoba: You need to appreciate the skill to come off that top rope and hit such a low-lying target!
Sam looks for the win with a cover, hooking the leg.
ONE..
TWO…
TH-
STRYCH GETS AN ARM UP!
Steve Morrison: Tellingly, Strych uses his shoulder to escape the pin instead of kicking out!
The Texan is unrelenting, forcing Strych to his feet. They grab the head of Tommy but he fires off a forearm that stops Sawyer in their tracks…SLEEPER HOLD FROM THE FORMER AWF UNITED STATES CHAMPION!
Cross Recoba: Veteran move, right there! Slowing the match back down and disrupting their opponent!
Steve Morrison: Strych perhaps looking to regain some composure whilst wearing down Sawyer.
The Rocker takes a step back and leans his weight forward to make the smaller wrestler have to carry it.
Steve Tyrell checks Sawyer who is still conscious but their posture tells the viewer that the hold is locked in tight.
Cross Recoba: I always highlight this but if you’re in training, especially at the Diamond Training Facility, look at how he stepped back. If you’re not being taught these small tricks, leave and ask for a refund. He’s forcing Sawyer down without having to do any extra work himself.
Tommy continues to push his weight on Sawyer as he brings them down to the mat in a seated position.
Steve Morrison: It seems you’re right, Cross. Sam’s in danger of being choked out right in the center of the ring.
Sawyer fights the hold, pushing up with all the strength in their legs. Strych seemingly allows them to get up, not offering much resistance.
Steve Morrison: Look at that strength!
Cross Recoba: That’s the best news, but it seemed too easy.
SAWYER GETS BACK TO A VERTICAL BASE!
Steve Morrison: Just listen to the crowd respond!
With a quick shift of his hands, Tommy has a waistlock…GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!!!
Cross Recoba: He wants to shift through the gears and Sawyer’s going to struggle to match him after that Sleeper.
The crowd’s optimism now switched for a more muted response.
Seeing his opponent dazed and seated, Strych charges in….CANNONBALL SENTON IN THE CORNER!!
Steve Morrison: FULL FORCE!
Strych uses Sawyer’s hair to roll them out from the corner. He steps through the ropes to the apron.
Crowd: FUCK YOU, TOMMY! STRYCHNINE SUCKS! FUCK YOU, TOMMY! STRYCHNINE SUCKS! FUCK YOU, TOMMY! STRYCHNINE SUCKS! FUCK YOU, TOMMY! STRYCHNINE SUCKS! FUCK YOU, TOMMY! STRYCHNINE SUCKS!
Steve Morrison: The crowd aren’t shy in letting the Rocker know how they feel.
Cross Recoba: They feel slighted but this new Tommy we’ve seen in 2023? More vicious, more brutal and he was a Stripper’s wax-job away from being the Tap Out Openweight Champion last month!
Throwing a dismissive hand at the crowd, Tommy gets to the top-rope…REVERSE-FACING DIVING SENTON!!!!
Steve Morrison: STAGE DIVE!!!
Tommy makes the cover…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
SAWYER GETS A FOOT ON THE ROPES!!!
Steve Morrison: SOMEHOW Sawyer’s still in this…
TOMMY CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!!
Steve Morrison: He can’t believe it, I can’t believe it!
Yanking his opponent up, Strych whips them full-force into the turnbuckle….HANDSPRING DROPKICK STAGGERS SAWYER OUT FROM THE CORNER!
Cross Recoba: But he’s fighting through it.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer needs to get out of Dodge and soon!
Climbing through the ropes, Strychnine measures Sawyer before he leaps…BUCKSHOT LARIAT…
Steve Morrison: NOVEMBER RAINMAKER!
NO! SAWYER DUCKS…SAITO SUPLEX!
Cross Recoba: WHAT. A. COUNTER!
THEY COVER…
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
TOMMY KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Not a strong kick-out but a kick-out nonetheless…
Undeterred, Sawyer takes down Tommy with a Football Tackle…BUZZSAW KICK TO THE RISING ROCKER!!
Cross Recoba: They kicked through the skull of Strychnine!
Rushing to the corner, Sawyer leaps to the top…..
Steve Morrison: Could we be seeing the Sawyersault….
Strych, clearly dazed, stands up AND EATS A MISSILE DROPKICK FROM THE TOP!!
Steve Morrison: NO! A Missile dropkick takes him down and now another cover!
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
TOMMY RAISES A SHOULDER!
Cross Recoba: Tommy still thinks he’s in this. He could have tried to kick out but he knows, if he’s to win this, he’s not going to have too many more times he can really stress that ankle!
Sawyer wraps their arms around Strych to lift them, they once more use the wrist to turn them into a HUGE forearm shot…DRAGON SUPLEX!
Steve Morrison: USED THEIR OWN MOMENTUM AGAINST THEM!
Feeding off the crowd, Sawyer looks ready to end this one
Cross Recoba: They’re rearing up near the ropes….
Strychnine peels himself off the canvas…LARIAT FROM SAWYER!
Steve Morrison: FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE!!
NO! TOMMY CONNECTS WITH A JUMPING KNEE…RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP FROM STRYCHNINE AND THEY ROLL THROUGH…INVERTED USHIGOROSHI!!!
Steve Morrison: HOLY DRIVER!!
Cross Recoba: He’s setting them up…
The Rocker positions Sawyer on the middle-rope and charges off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring…TIGER FEINT KICK…
Steve Morrison: STRYCH-ONE-NINE!!
SAWYER WEAVES IT….BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX!
Cross Recoba: ANOTHER HUGE COUNTER FROM SAWYER!!!
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
TOMMY ROLLS OUT AND TO HIS FEET…HE GETS CAUGHT WITH AN ARM-DRAG FROM SAWYER…LA MAGISTRAL CRADLE BUT THEY ROLL TO THEIR FEET….MUTA LOCK!!
Steve Morrison: SAWYER LOCK!
Cross Recoba: Absolutely fluid transitions to get there!
In danger of losing the match, Tommy kicks his free leg but it does him no good.
Steve Morrison: Strych kows he’s in trouble.
Cross Recoba: It’s the hardest thing to do in his predicament but you’ve got to remain calm. You panic, you thrash? You’re going to work your way deeper into the hold.
Steve Morrison: This was the hold that put away Zolothatch to win gold in FIRESIDE.
Cross Recoba: If Tommy’s done his homework, he’ll know that more than anyone..
He reaches out with an arm but Sawyer’s hold is in tight.
Stece Morrison: He’s not quite able to reach the ropes.
Tyrell asks Strychnine if he wants to submit but the wave of the hand tells the Match Official to back off.
Cross Recoba: He’s backing himself to get out of this but right now? It’s a tall order.
Once more trying to pivot off his free leg, Tommy finds no joy.
Steve Morrison: Tommy again can’t use his leg to free himself.
Switching the focus to his arms, Strychnine claws at the mat, inching to the ropes.
Cross Recoba: Can he use that power advantage?
The Lansky Ballroom crowd is on the edge of their seats.
Steve Morrison: You can feel the silent will of the people hoping that he can’t make it.
Cross Recoba: Just a few more inches…
TOMMY MAKES THE ROPES!
Steve Morrison: Tommy clings onto that rope for all he can!
Sawyer breaks the hold before Steve Tyrell has even raised his hands to count ‘one’.
Cross Recoba: Great sporting play from Sam but will that come back and haunt them?
Rolling back to their feet, Sawyer measures them…SPINNING BACKFIST MISSES AND TOMMY LIFTS THEM UP FOR AN USHIGOROSHI…
Steve Morrison: TOMMYKNO-
SAWYER DROPS DOWN THE BACK AND SPINS THEIR OPPONENT AROUND INTO A HUGE SLAP!!
Steve Morrison: GET FUCKED!!
THEY CHARGE AT STRYCHNINE LOOKING FOR A LARIAT….
Steve Morrison: FIGHT FIRE WITH FI-
STRYCHNINE TAKES THEM DOWN WITH A DROP TOE-HOLD and leans back into the ropes…AXE KICK!!!
Cross Recoba: Last-ditch counter from Tommy!
Climing through the ropes, Strychnine makes sure to not take his eye off of Sawyer…HE LEAPS…
Steve Morrison: He rears forward…
BUCKSHOT LARIAT!!!
Steve Morrison: NOVEMBER RAINMAKER!!!!
Strychnine covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Steve Tyrell calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
‘Like a Rockstar’ begins to play on the Ballroom’s PA as Strychnien staggers to his feet. Steve Tyrell raises his arm.
Laura Messier: The winner of this match, via pinfall, THE ROCK ‘EM, SOCK ‘EM ROCKER…TOMMY….STRYCHNINE!!!
The victor’s theme music plays at a barely audible level as the Lansky Ballroom crowd’s boos rise above it.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer so close to getting back on track with a win.
Cross Recoba: There’s not much more they could do, on another day that’s their hand being raised.
Steve Morrison: Tommy knows he had a war to come out on top of that one!
Strychnine’s arm goes back to his side as he steps forward, his leg buckling for a moment as he goes through the ropes to the apron.
We cut to an aerial view of the Diamond Club Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the sun glistening off its impressive facade.
Voiceover: In a world where dreams are forged in the crucible of competition, where tomorrow's wrestling superstars emerge... comes a brand-new chapter in professional wrestling.
A cut to a montage of intense wrestling action, showcasing athleticism, high-flying moves, and dramatic moments.
Voiceover: On Saturday, June 25th, 2023, the Diamond Club Hotel and Casino proudly presents The Diamond Mine...a spectacle unlike any other.
The screen shows images of enthusiastic fans cheering and holding up signs, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Voiceover: Be a part of history as the Diamond Training Facility debuts its first-ever show, live from the heart of the Diamond Club. Prepare to witness the rise of tomorrow's wrestling legends today!
We now see close-up shots of various DTF wrestlers, highlighting their unique personalities and skills. We see them training and working hard towards making it in the business.
Voiceover: Step into a world where passion collides with athleticism, where the roar of the crowd fuels the fire within, and where every move has the potential to change lives. The Diamond Mine showcases grit, determination, and raw talent.
We see exciting clips of high-energy wrestling matches, featuring jaw-dropping maneuvers and hard-hitting action. The excitement is palpable.
Voiceover: Join us on the XHF Network as we bring you an evening of pulse-pounding excitement. The Diamond Mine is the epitome of can't-miss television, where dreams become a reality and the future of wrestling is shaped before your eyes.
We quickly cut to inside of the luxurious Diamond Club arena, with state-of-the-art lighting, pyrotechnics, and a buzzing crowd, no doubt patrons of the casino who were asked to be in the commercial shoot.
Voiceover: Get ready for an unforgettable night as DTF delivers an unparalleled wrestling experience. This is your chance to witness the birth of legends, the seeds of rivalries, and the triumph of underdogs looking to make a name in the business.
The Diamond Mine logo fades in.
Voiceover: Are you DTF? Join us Saturday, June 25th, for The Diamond Mine. Tomorrow's contract disputes are today's stars!
As the airing details are shown, the logo begins to fade to black.
Voiceover: Only on the XHF Network. Don't miss out!
Cutting back to ringside, Cross Recoba is noticeably irate.
Cross Recoba: WHO let THAT run? What IDIOT didn’t think that through and just took the money!
Steve Morrison: Fans, we’re going to intermission. We’ll be back after the Half-Time Show!
HALF-TIME SHOW
Voiceover: June 12th signals a new beginning…
Voiceover: It signals new faces as Lana Hill debuts in Wrestle:UK against Jeffrey Daniels. Can Her Grace of Grappling start off win a win?…
Voiceover: It brings status as the Prestige Cup kicks off and showcases old-school British wrestling of three six-minute rounds. Who will prevail?
Voiceover: The returning Champion?
Voiceover: Those looking to make a name for themselves?
Voiceover: The outside threat?
Voiceover: Or those who’ve been there all along?
Reese: One.Two. Three. The future is here. And you?
The glass was slowly filled once more, and he lifted it in a mocking toast.
Reese: The past. And former champs are dropping like flies, man.
Voiceover: In our Main Event, we have two fighters who’ve faced off before but for the Champion, he knows he’s never lost when they’ve met before…
“The High Roller” Wesley Crane: “Impressed? Are you fucking crazy? What would impress me about Kalmin’s performance tonight? I just explained to hot lips over there that I’m banged up… think about that. I’m battling a MCL sprain and a couple of herniated discs but I still defeated Kalmin… and without hitting the IN THE FACE V-trigger on him. How amazing am I? Now, one last question before I leave. You, in the back…”
Voiceover: But can the Challenger to the WUK World title do what he hasn’t managed in Wrestle: UK or HardKore World?
Tucker: There are bodies everywhere! I can’t believe this!
Torchwood: This is carnage, lads!
Watts grabs the ladder as it wobbles, and then he reaches again before the bloody face of the Sheik appears across from him. The Sheik fires off a few punches, trying to drag Watts down before the British TV champion starts firing off punches of his own. The two trading blows as the ladder swayed dangerously, and then Watts grabs the Sheik’s head to slam it against the top of the ladder.
ONCE! TWICE!
A THIRD TIME!
The Sheik falls from the ladder, and the fans are going wild as Watts grabs for the binder! And it comes free, he holds it high in the air before he climbs down as the pyros go off on the stage as he nods to AJ.
Tucker: Watts has done it! Watts has pulled this off!
Torchwood: Unbelievable! That was a war!
Frank Salazar: Your winner at the NEW Number One Contender, KALMIN WATTS!
Voiceover: Find out, June 12th…Only on the XHF Network!
Add to your planner
Laura Messier: Ladies and gentlemen it is now time for the first of two main events of the evening! The following tag team match is set for ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
The atmosphere inside the Lanksy Ballroom reaches a fever pitch as the anticipation for the match grows. The lights dim, casting the entire crowd into shadows of darkness.
Suddenly, the opening chords of "Be Legendary" by Pop Evil blast through the speakers, equaled by the roar of the fans. The stage erupts in pyrotechnics, illuminating the area with bursts of color. The crowd's cheers reach a crescendo as the smoke fills the entryway. From within the smoky haze, two figures emerge, bathed in a spotlight.
Steve Morrison: Listen to this crowd tonight in the ballroom, Cross. Our table is literally shaking.
Cross Recoba: Despite current events, there is no denying that whenever there is an Icon affair in the ring, people show up and people respond. That is what we are seeing tonight.
First, Jack Diamond steps forward, donning his iconic vest adorned with intricate designs, and proudly wearing the Tap Out Openweight Championship around his waist. He raises his arms forming his hands into a Diamond shape, basking in the adoration of the crowd. Right beside him, Jason Long appears, exuding an aura of power and determination. His presence commands attention as he wears his own Icon vest with pride. The Last Breathing Mercenary joins Jack, and together they form an unstoppable force. The crowd's excitement erupts into chants of "Icons! Icons! Icons!"
Steve Morrison: Say what you want about these two, but there is no denying that they both take a lot of pride in their accomplishments here in Tap Out Wrestling.
Cross Recoba: They do and it’s a big reason why I went after both of them from the beginning. Business is business, we all know that, but there is a reason why Jason and Jack have been able to stay relevant all these years across the network.
The duo meets in the aisleway, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze, exchanging a silent understanding of what tonight symbolized. After a fist bump, Jason takes the lead, his confident stride setting the tone. Jack plays to the crowd behind him, undoing his belt as they make it to the ring.
Steve Morrison: What do you think the teaming of these two do to the landscape of Tap Out Wrestling? What is the impact on the rankings and the championship pursuits?
Cross Recoba: That remains to be seen. This is number one and number three in the rankings and they’ve had their battles not only here but over the years. With Night of Champions on the horizon you have to assume Jason Long still has a bitter taste in his mouth that he didn’t lay claim to the inaugural Openweight reign.
Both Icons climb to the ring apron and ascend turnbuckles opposite of each other, Jason Long holding his arms outstretched to receive the loud cheers and Jack Diamond holding his Tap Out Openweight Championship high into the air. Jason Long drops down first and motions to Laura for the microphone.
Steve Morrison: It looks like Jason Long has something to say, Cross.
Cross Recoba: The Icons always have something to say.
Jason Long: Tonight, we stand before you, united one more as The Icons! And together, we will redefine greatness in not only Tap Out but across the XHF Network! Are you ready to witness the legendary rebirth of The Icons?"
Steve Morrison: It sounds like this is much more than a one off for Jason and Jack.
Cross Recoba: While it’s easy to think of the Icons as Jack Diamond and Bobby Barratt, especially in a tag team sense, there is no question that Jason Long and Jack Diamond are just as formidable in the tag team scene. In fact, it was these two that teamed first in their Icon Championship Wrestling days, laying claim to that companies tag team championship.
The crowd responds with a resounding roar, their excitement reaching new heights as Jack reaches for the microphone.
Jack Diamond: The Icons are back and you are all lucky enough to see that brand new start tonight.
Jack glances over at the commentary table, smirking.
Jack Diamond: What you aren’t lucky enough to see, though, is me defending this!
Jack holds up his Tap Out Openweight Championship as the crowd cheers.
Steve Morrison: Jack is staring right through you, Cross, what is he getting at?
Cross Recoba: I don’t know but I think it’s best we move on, I think someone should cut the microphone.
Jack Diamond: You see, our wonderful bossman does not want to put ink to paper and get a deal done. He doesn’t want his fans to get to see his title defended by his top star! Hell, I don’t even know if I’ll be here tomorrow!
Steve Morrison: We saw you and Jack’s agent, Vince Silverman having a conversation earlier. Were you two not able to reach an agreement?
Cross Recoba: No comment on that yet, come on, someone in the back needs to cut his microphone now so their opponents can come out.
Jack Diamond: So since he’s trying to hit me in my wallet, and rob you all of the chance to see me defend this belt, I want you all-
Cross Recoba: Cut his mic now!
Jack doesn’t get to finish his thought as static as heard and his microphone goes out. He taps on it and realizes there is no feedback, rolling his eyes as he hands it back to Laura Messier. He goes over to the ropes and inaudibly mouths something to Cross.
The record scratches.
The drums count in and the thumping bass line of June Bug by Melvins starts to rattle the speakers. Blue, black and orange lights flash through the arena.
At about 25 seconds in, the drums pick up and Close Collins comes stepping through the curtain. He’s dressed in his ring gear and a zip-up hoodie with the hood up. No nonsense, his fists clenched, his eyes focused on the ring, he just storms down the aisle as the bass rips and the drums solo. His father Tuff Collins not too far behind.
Steve Morrison: Close comes on leaps and bounds with every match...
Cross Recoba: I hope he smashes Jack...
At about 40 seconds the guitar plays a very simple yet melodic riff. Close takes a moment to slow down and look around the arena. He stops before the ring steps and says a few words to his dad/manager Tuff. Close takes a good look at the ring and bows in respect.
Steve Morrison: Respect the ring. There's almost a hint of a Japanese attitude to Close's behaviour.
Cross Recoba: Absolutely drives him into the mat...
At 56 seconds all the instruments start killing it and Close aggressively storms up the steps and into the ring. Straight past his opponent and/or ring announcer and referee and pops up onto the second turnbuckle and roars with intensity for the crowd. Then pops back down keeps his back facing the middle ring, refusing to look at his opponent. Tuff Collins stands on the apron promoting his son and client. The back of Close’s hoodie reads “IT'S TIME FOR LAST CALL”
Steve Morrison: If Close has the focus you seemingly have, it'll all work out well for one half of The Throw Show!
Cross Recoba: ...
The opening chords of Big Shot slam into the speakers, bringing the fans to their feet as Jackalope charges through the curtain.
Steve Morrison: And here comes his partner and possibly THE fan's favorite, Jackalope!
Cross Recoba: And when they stand across the ring on June 25th, every one of them will want him to take that title away from Diamond.
He runs full tilt down the ramp and slides into the ring, rolling to his feet and spinning like a dervish as he soaks everything in.
Steve Morrison: He needs to be careful though, Jason Long isn't a slouch when it comes to taking to the sky.
Cross Recoba: This is an exercise in patience for Jackalope. Pick your moment and go for it.
He finally slows enough to mount a turnbuckle, a grin on his face as he salutes the fans before backflipping to the mat again.
Steve Morrison: Fans, we could have an absolute firestorm of a match on our hands tonight. We're just moments away from what could well be the Match of the Night here at Tap Out Wrestling 13!
Laura Messier: Introducing first! With a combined weight of four-hundred-and-nine pounds...JASON LONG AND JACK DIAMOND! THEEEE.....ICONNNSSSSSS!!!!
The Icons, well-oiled and well-versed, seem relaxed ahead of the opening bell.
Laura Messier: And to my right! Weighing in at three-hundred-and-ninety-five pounds....CLOSE COLLINS AND JACKALOPE!!
The crowd erupts for the two homegrown Tap Out Wrestlers. Tuff stands on the apron offering his input but it seems clear there's a gameplan in place.
CO-MAIN EVENT
TAG-TEAM MATCH
The Icons (Jack Diamond (#1) & Jason Long (#3) vs Close Collins (#6) / Jackalope (#4)
Long and Jackalope decide to start for their respective teams, the Icons rock, paper scissors for the honour of fighting first, Close Collins merely ceding the opportunity to start to his lightning fast partner. The Catalyst quickly grasps an arm and whips Jackalope into the ropes and Kid Cryptid returns at pace, Long hooking an arm and hitting a snappy arm drag. Jackalope rolls through back to his feet and uses that incredible quickness to snag Long and whip him to the ropes and as The Best Bout Machine returns to the middle, ‘Lope extend an arm and sends Long to the mat with his own arm drag. Long rolls through and both men set off at a pace and rebound off the ropes, meeting in the middle both going for a high, precise dropkick colliding in midair. Both combatants kip up and face off, to a loud round of applause from the crowd before backing off and tagging their partners in.
Steve Morrison: What a hot start to this match!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope is quicker than a hiccup. Long is certainly no slouch either.
It’s a cagier start from Close and Jack as the pair stalk each other, neither wanting to give their opponent an opening. The Proprietor of the Diamond Lounge narrows the gap between the pair and lashes a vicious knife edged chop across Close’s chest. The Wrestling Prodigy fires off one of his own, slicing through the arena air with his hand’s edge. Jack Diamond nods subtly as if to acknowledge the strike, even give it a little approval but that doesn’t change his return chop’s ferocity. Close emits a little “Okay,” before snapping back with the fourth chop in this sequence. Jack grunts at this more severe chop and fires back with five lightning fast machine gun chops of his own, backing Close into a corner. Collins, however, slips through and switches position before hitting ten, maybe fifteen rapid fire chops before backing away to recover stamina. Jack uses this opportunity to head back to his own corner and tag out.
Steve Morrison: Savage strikes from both men there.
Cross Recoba: That was a brutal exchange by the two men. Not unusual to see Jack backing out when the going looks tough, though.
Close affects a look of confidence as Jason Long steps into the ring. Long goes for a collar and elbow tie-up but as Close takes it, Long drops straight down for a waistlock. Long slips behind, looking to set up a German Suplex but Close remembers his training and hits a standing switch before hitting a Snap German onto Long. Collins rolls back and up to his feet as Long stands while backing off and as the former Maverick strides into Close’s range, the Son of Tuff slides an arm across Long’s collarbone, steps a leg behind Long’s forward one and takes him down with an effortless judo throw, stopping to pin…
ONE!
TWO!
T… Long kicks out.
Steve Morrison: O-Soto-Gari. A textbook judo takedown.
Cross Recoba: Close Collins has built so many leverage throws into his offense. It’s impressive.
Looking to press his advantage, Close lifts Long off the mat by his arm and goes for an instant Irish Whip. Long plants his foot down to the mat and steadies himself, reversing the whip. Close heads for the ropes, out of control and right as he hits the ropes, Jack Diamond steps out from the corner down the ring apron and fires off a sharp sweeping kick to Collins’ left leg, dropping the youngster face first to the mat.
Steve Morrison: Jack Diamond attacking from the ring apron.
Cross Recoba: I mean it’s good strategy. But he should have left Long to take control, it’s almost an admission of weakness to attack from the rear like that.
Long steps to his own corner and tags in Jack Diamond. Diamond steps over to where Close Collins is laying and signals towards the ropes. The Catalyst takes the cue and rushes the ropes and as he rebounds The Ace of Spades elevates him high into the air with a flapjack, sending Long seven feet up only to come crashing down chest first in a huge splash onto the prone Collins. Jack jumps up and a split second after Long rolls away, Jack hits a big leg drop onto Close. Then as Jack rolls away, it’s Long’s turn to jump and he tucks his knees close into his chest before uncoiling in a huge stomp to Collins’ midsection. Long retreats to his corner and Jack follows him quickly, tagging Long back legal and resetting the five count.
Steve Morrison: It’s just like riding a bike for The Icons. They’re in perfect synchronicity.
Cross Recoba: Sometimes you need that knowledge of how your tag team partner works. And where his weaknesses lie.
As Long jumps enthusiastically over the ropes, Diamond positions himself perfectly for where Collins will be when he gets off the ground. The Catalyst leans back against the ropes and uses his arm strength to lift himself so his feet sit on the second rope. Close Collins has made his way back to his feet, just as Long springs off the ropes artfully, extending his arm out to connect with Collins’ chin as Jack Diamond ducks into a solid chop block.
Steve Morrison: HIGH LOW DOUBLE DEATH BEAM!
...and Long covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. Close Collins kicks out.
Steve Morrison: That was so tight.
Cross Recoba: Close Collins is standing up to the full force of the Icons.
The Icons lift Collins up and whip him into their own corner, Diamond stepping out and then immediately tagging back in again. Long and Diamond back up to adjacent corners and Long counts them down from three before they charge in as a pair, sandwiching Collins between two pairs of dropkicking legs.
Steve Morrison: DOUBLE EIGHTY SIXED!
Cross Recoba: One hundred and seventy twoed?
Long lines up his shot as Jack Diamond drags Close Collins up to a seated position. He slaps his knee and charges in, raising his knee aimed straight at Close’s head… AND ON INSTINCT ALONE CLOSE FLATTENS HIMSELF TO THE MAT! LONG AND DIAMOND CRASH TOGETHER INTO A CRUMPLED MESS! Close begins desperately scrabbling towards his own corner but Jason Long picks himself up quickly and grabs Collins by his legs… AND CLOSE COLLINS FLIPS HIS BODY OVER AND PROPELS LONG AWAY WITH NO SMALL FORCE! COLLINS REACHES OUT AND TAGS IN JACKALOPE!
Steve Morrison: Here we go, boys, Jackalope is fresh, feisty and fired up.
Cross Recoba: The problem with isolating one opponent in a tag match? You leave the other one resting up.
Vaulting over the top rope, ‘Lope hits the ground running and as Jack Diamond turns to face him, Kid Cryptid spins past him, hitting a full paced Sling Blade, sending The Ace down to the mat.
Jason Long stands, facing the other way as The Chaos Bunny rushes past him, spinning into a driving facebuster. With a manic gleam in his eyes, Jackalope beckons for the Icons to both stand up before leaping and arcing his leg through the air, catching Jack Diamond with his leading leg, which Long ducks ONLY TO BE HIT FROM AN IMPOSSIBLE ANGLE BY JACKALOPE’S TRAILING LEG!
Steve Morrison: SLING BLADE! HOLD OUT PISTOL! FLYING ROUNDHOUSE KICK AND UNLUCKY RABBIT’S FOOT!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope is a ball of perpetual motion.
Jackalope grabs Jack Diamond and lifts him up to a vertical base. He JUMPS onto Jack’s shoulders and gets into a sitting position on his shoulders before spinning roundand using the leg laceto drive Diamond’s head into the mat.
Steve Morrison: POISON RANA!
‘Lope covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR? The crowd are calling the numbers out but the referee is occupied by Jason Long pantomiming his best, “I’m illegal, please escort me back to my corner” distraction.
Cross Recoba: Oh, that referee is getting an annual review early.
Jackalope sees an opportunity to strike hard and decisively. He rushes up to the corner and jumps up onto the top turnbuckle, balancing effortlessly on the tentative perch. With astounding body control he jumps and turns around on such a small surface area with ease. Jack is slowly beginning to stand and turn...
Steve Morrison: EL-AHRAIRAH DDT INCOMING!
BUT JASON LONG RUNS DOWN THE RING APRON AND BLADE RUNNER LARIATS JACKALOPE’S LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HIM, CROTCHING ‘LOPE ON THE TURNBUCKLE! LONG KEEPS HEADING ROUND AND BARRELS CLOSE COLLINS OUT OF THE CORNER WITH A RUNNING KNEE! THE PAIR CRASH TO THE FLOOR!!
Cross Recoba: No! Not like this!
Jack Diamond staggers over to the corner, still dazed. But he has one instinct that drives him to perform, one stubborn motivator that has lasted through his career, his life. Jack Diamond NEEDS TO WIN. And in this circumstance? Diamond reaches up and locks in that three quarter facelock, drags Jackalope out straight from his uncomfortable perch and sits out, driving the Cryptid Kid’s chin into Diamond’s shoulder blade.
Steve Morrison: STACKED DECK!
The leg is hooked…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Laura Messier: The winners of this match, by pinfall, Jason Long and Jack Diamond, THE IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICONS!
Steve Morrison: The Icons take home the win narrowly but for Jack Diamond, the battle doesn’t stop there…JROK sees a packed card take place this Wednesday. Will Randy Angel still be an XHF Tag-Team Champion when the Twentieth edition of JROK’s Jam Sessions roll around? He teams with Zolothatch to take on Beretta Blade and Johnny Sniper. Nausicaa Suzuki takes on the Rambling Albertan…Jesse Jamester. In the main-event in a Mosh Pit Madness match for the XHF Hardcore Title, Steve Awesome defends against Rin Kubo but for me? It all centers around whether or not Jack Diamond can retain our Tap Out Openweight title against the tag-partner of his own partner, James Raymond.
Cross Recoba: If he doesn’t, I’ll have him buried under so much paper from lawyers he’ll wish he never won it in the first place! I’ll hit him with a sum so large that by the time the debt’s called in, Wesley Crane will own DTF!
Steve Awesome: I’m backing our guy to retain but tune in, this Wednesday to watch it LIVE only on the XHF Network!
Cross can be heard muttering away from the microphone.
Steve Morrison: And now, we go ringside where Laura stands by for our Main Event of the evening!
Laura Messier: AND NOW....FOR YOUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING! SET FOR ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
Nisi per dolorem potest salvari... The lights go pitch back as the eerie bells and words fill the arena. Each time the choir sings, red spotlights blaze down, revealing Poena standing at the top of the ramp, a black silhouette with his arms raised out to the sides with his palms and face up to the heavens.
Steve Morrison: Every time we see Poena he's a little more sadistic, a little more brutal and after the elongated break, how worried should Random be?
Cross Recoba: There's a question. Trying to get inside of Poena's head is useless, will Jack launching DTF affect him? Will the trio of defenses with the Tap Out belt this month make him more sadistic? Until that bell rings, we know nothing.
As the music picks up the red spotlights stay on him as he lowers his arms and walks toward the ring holding his twisted rosary in his hands as if praying as he walks down the ramp, his crazed smile breaking out into an even crazier grin as he does.
Steve Morrison: We've seen Poena go after every kind of limb and joint possible but tonight he may have his match with Random.
Cross Recoba: If you're a BJJ practictioner or you grew up watching Pancrase, tonight's match is a treat!
He rolls into the ring as the spotlights turn to brightest white, going to his knees in the same pose he held on the ramp with the rosary clenched in his right hand, whispering a silent prayer to himself and yelling “REPENT!” to the heavens before smirking at the crowd and getting up to his feet.
Steve Morrison: Poena seems to take a particular delight in cutting the rising stars of Tap Out down to size, will he be able to deliver the first defeat for Random in Tap Out?
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: Random was eliminated by Diamond in the Rumble, will that have an effect on her mindset tonight?
Cross Recoba: McConalogue's battled adversity before and her elimination was from chasing a huge opportunity to eliminate Diamond, she knows she's on his radar now and what better way to stay on it than beating Poena?
The lights reach their full
Steve Morrison: Her scalp list in Tap Out is impressive with Spike Kane and Jason Long being proof of what happens if you underestimate her in the ring, tonight she gets a chance to add one more.
Cross Recoba: She'll have to earn this one, Poena doesn't let his guard down and if he's caught, he'll go to places that no sane man would go to keep the match in play.
Serene and calm, she casually strolls, shoulders lightly oscillating in a slow sync.
Steve Morrison: Neither fighter is easy to read. Both, in very differing ways, displaying a readiness and relaxed approach to the fight.
Cross Recoba: McConalogue knows what she signed up for with this match, everything outside of the ring bells doesn't matter.
Her body is calm and relaxed, like a moonlight walk in the park, but her gaze is fixed, staring at the empty ring/her opposition1 with snake eyes. She's never in a hurry, she doesn't need to be.
Laura Messier:INTRODUCING FIRST! From the Ninth Deep...Standing at six-feet even and weighing a hundred-and-ninety pounds...The Sanctified One....POENA!!!!!!
Poena slinks across the ring, clearly eager to get back into competition after an extended break.
Laura Messier: Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland. They made weight at one-hundred-and-thirty-six pounds and stand five-feet nine tall. RANDOM.....MCCONALOGUE!!!
Random stretches out her arms and looks every bit up for the challenge ahead of her.
MAIN-EVENT
SINGLES MATCH
Poena (#2) vs Random McConalogue (#7)
There is a degree of wariness to Random McConalogue as she advances towards the center of the ring. Meanwhile, Poena seems eager to get involved against a fellow grappler. Disturbingly eager. Poena snatches out for an arm but the Laird of Glen Armbar steps out to a side and snags one of The Demon of the Ninth Deep’s limbs instead. Random wrings out Poena’s arm and goes for a quick forward roll to add some extra pressure on the arm but Poena rolls with her to keep the hold manageable before using the momentum to step under and turn the hold over. Random grits her teeth in mild pain as Poena moves to a top wristlock, wrenching the young Scot’s body round and applying pressure to the back of her thigh with his knee. Poena grins sickeningly as he cranks up the pressure but Random uses her lower position to use the hold like a lever and snap The Sanctified One over, leaving him landing in front of the Low Countries’ Most Loved Luchadora.
Steve Morrison: A very technical start from this pair.
Cross Recoba: Both of these athletes have such well-developed technical skills. I’m expecting a very high wrestling IQ contest here.
La Fille de quarante-deux Clés de Bras slides her legs around Poena’s head and stretches out her body to grasp Poena’s arm. Using The Saint of Sins’ head as an anchor point, Random sets about stretching the arm out while compressing the shoulder joint IN, apply what looks like a Crippler Crossface… if you applied it backwards. It certainly looks painful, not that Poena looks to be in any pain he isn’t enjoying. The Sanctified One draws his legs back and pushes backwards, forcing his legs into the air gracefully arcing over until he performs a headstand, loosening the grip on his head and arm enough to worm out of the hold. Both competitors back off a little and regain their vertical base.
Steve Morrison: The body control Poena has is amazing at times.
Cross Recoba: In order to have Poena’s subtle snakelike movements you need to know where your limbs are at all times. Everything The Sanctified One does is calculated.
Steve Morrison: He barely looks calculated most times.
Cross Recoba: And that’s the most calculated style of all.
After shaking his arm out for a second, Poena looks to go straight back to work. Random tries to intercept Poena as he rushes in, swinging her arm in an attempt to throw a massive European Uppercut but the Dark Messiah ducks low to avoid the blow. He hits the far ropes at speed and rebounds back, launching himself head first like a goddamned missile into Random’s abdomen. The Infrequent Flyer racks up some air miles for a change as the force of the impact sends her backwards and down to the mat. Poena giggles wildly.
Steve Morrison: That’s using your head!
Cross Recoba: Poena is a cerebral wrestler. But he’s also a cranial one when called upon.
The Sanctified One is still giggling as he stands and takes careful aim before firing the point of his boot into Random’s ribcage. The Scot’s body jolts as Poena takes a huge, theatrical side step and steps over Random’s body, placing his full body weight on Random’s upper body before putting his feet back onto the mat on the other side of the Glaswegian Grappler. Without even looking backwards, Poena does a dead body fall backwards, landing into a senton and holding on for a back press…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Random kicks out.
Steve Morrison: Close call there.
Cross Recoba: I’ve never been a fan of the back press as a cover. There’s a reason the lateral press is far more widely used. You can shift your waist easier in one.
Slithering back up to his feet, Poena readies himself for Random to make her own way up. Random stands, facing her sinister opponent and Poena accepts the open opportunity and punts her in the gut before grabbing her body as McConalogue reflexively leans forward. The Dark Messiah hoists the Catch Wrestling Starlet up into a Canadian Backbreaker Rack and holds the Scot up there for five seconds, wrenching on the hold before snapping her body downwards with authority in a stiff looking powerslam that sends Random stomach first into the mat.
Steve Morrison: It looks like Poena is going for the ribcage.
Cross Recoba: If you attack someone’s chest and abdomen throughout a match you’re not just creating damage on an area for a later submission. You’re denying them oxygen, slowing them down, stopping them from smoothly being able to transition from hold to hold.
Steve Morrison: And setting up a possible choke attempt.
Cross Recoba: You DON’T need to remind me of that.
This time Poena grabs random by the hair as he stands, earning a strong reprimand from the referee. A stiff kick to the midsection causes Random to neat double over, neatly setting her up for a front facelock. The Sanctified One drapes a hanging arm over his back and hoists his Scottish opponent up into the air. Enjoying a rare size advantage, Poena holds Random up in the air for a full ten seconds before throwing Random out parallel to the mat and sitting out, dropping Random with a Reverse Falcon Arrow. Poena flips Random over and covers...
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Random kicks out.
Steve Morrison: Another close call for Random McConalogue.
Cross Recoba: When Poena sets his sights on something he’s a hard man to stop.
Poena drags Random up once more. He grins broadly and mockingly invites Random to take a swing at him. An uncharacteristically loose strike is thrown at Poena’s chest and he sways out of the way as naturally as if it were part of the way he walks. The Sanctified One sways back, adding an extra bit of force to an incoming right hand… and a breathy Random unexpectedly throws her legs into the air and grabs onto the punching arm limpet-like, taking Poena down to the mat.
Steve Morrison: WESTERN SPIRAL ARMBAR!
Keeping a tight grip locked in, Random isn’t quite able to extend the arm out fully, but Poena can’t do a lot from the position he’s in. Gritting his teeth, Poena gets up to a knee, McConalogue still hanging off him. The Dark Messiah uses all his strength to lift Random’s body up with his arm strength alone. He manages to power Random up to a position where a one-armed powerbomb might be possible… but Random releases the hold when she has enough height and forward rolls out of danger into a heel pick! Poena collapses forward, carried by the momentum and his leg being taken away. Random begins to twist the ankle, looking to force any kind of random, no pun intended, submission win.
Steve Morrison: Random is trying to feel out chinks in the armour of Poena.
Cross Recoba: It’s hard to strike back when your opponent has a tight grip on one of your limbs.
Random draws one of her knees up, all the while twisting on Poena’s ankle. She twists and turns, Poena scowling in a mixture of pain and annoyance at his current predicament. The Sanctified One almost gets an angle where he can escape, trying to kick The Submission Prodigy off with his free leg. The Demon of the Ninth Deep gets to a position where he can plant the base of his foot into Random’s gut but as Poena fires outwards, McConalogue slips out to a side, still holding the leg and allowing the momentum to flip Poena onto his stomach. With the ankle still picked, Random elevates it and scuttles forwards, grabbing a high armbar with her other hand, squeezing the two trapped limbs towards each other.
Steve Morrison: Random McConalogue switching between holds there.
Cross Recoba: Those transitions are smooth as butter.
As the referee questions whether Poena wants to quit (and gets a definitive “NO!”), Random has an almost thoughtful look on her face, considering if she should stay where she is or change position for a different hold. The Sanctified One looks to grasp down at Random’s legs, using any hold to if not release the pressure then to at least grab a counter hold. Mostly Armbars lives up to her moniker by swinging her legs out to the side while releasing Poena’s leg. Random reaches across and snags the far arm mid-flail and locks in two got damn armbars at the same time. There is a look of contemplation on Random’s face as she holds in the double wakigatame. Poena wriggles around, trying to force his way out of the hold but as he gets his near arm free, Random postures up and uses the other arm to lever Poena’s body around in a grounded armbar cradle…
Steve Morrison: LA MAGISTRAL!
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Poena kicks out!
Steve Morrison: Just two!
Cross Recoba: Random has had a reputation here for winning with flash cradles. And I think Poena’s the first person to survive one of Random’s more complex pinning techniques.
Random goes for arm again but Poena slithers out and takes Random’s probing limb, BITING THE SCOT ON THE WRIST to make her lose her grip. From his position underneath, Poena kicks backwards with both legs and traps Random hand. The Sanctified One doesn’t even bother to shush the crowd as he grabs her outside fingers, two in his left hand, two in his right and…
Steve Morrison: GROUNDED FERVENT PRAYER!
FAILS TO SNAP AS RANDOM POSTURES UP AND ADDS WEIGHT TO THE TRAPPED ARM TO APPLY DOWNWARD PRESSURE…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… Poena is forced to break and retreat backwards.
Cross Recoba: Random is a countering machine. She can trap you in an instant if your focus drops. It’s a credit to her skills that she can do that. It’s a credit to Poena’s that he’s not already lost.
Slowly, inexorably slowly, the pair raise to their feet. Poena’s more targetted arm hangs a little loose by his side, Random is breathing incredibly heavily. The Sanctified One throws an embattled knife edge chop, causing himself to wince and Random to stagger backwards. Random returns fire with a chop of her own but she is far from full power. The rage is palpable in Poena’s narrowed eyes as he fires a second time. Random throws back again. Poena moves in, feeling out a waist lock then trying to switch up into a back waistlock for a German Suplex. The Catch Champion from the Clyde feels the standing switch coming and reaches backwards for a Three-Quarter Nelson, sweeping a leg out and rolling forward into another pinning predicament.
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Poena kicks out, fuming.
Steve Morrison: Is Poena getting annoyed by this?
Cross Recoba: Wouldn’t you be? Every time Poena goes in for an attack, he ends up with his shoulders on the mat.
Random and Poena are again slow to their feet and Random just throws a HUGE SLAP which knocks the taste out of Poena’s mouth. The Demon of the Ninth Deep responds by booting McConalogue so violently in the chest that she is forcibly sent away at the ropes. With a look of pure malice in his eyes, Poena places two fingers above his Adam’s apple and waits for Random to stumble forwards…
Steve Morrison: He’s not going to…
AND SPITS A FINE MIST OF FOUL-LOOKING TURQUOISE LIQUID INTO RANDOM McCONALOGUE’S FACE! RANDOM DROPS TO THE MAT IN PAIN, CLUTCHING DESPERATELY AT HER FACE AS THE BELL RINGS!
Steve Morrison: AMAZING GRACE!
Cross Recoba: Poena didn’t even TRY to conceal that from the referee.
The ring announcement of the disqualification can’t even be made as no non-wrestler in their right mind would want to get in the ring with an annoyed sociopath. Despite the match being called, POENA IS NOT DONE. He flattens out his right hand and stands above the writhing Random before raising said hand up and falling forwards, DRIVING HIS FINGER TIPS STRAIGHT TOWARDS RANDOM’S HEART.
Steve Morrison: THE SACRIFICE! THAT WAS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR!
Poena grins through turquoise lips as he rolls away and out of the ring, leaving his opponent convulsing in the ring.
Laura Messier: The Winner of your Main Event by means of Disqualification…RANDOM…McCONALOGUE!!!!!!
The Ballroom crowd boo as Poena walks past them, the victor of the Main Event laid out in the center of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Once again, Poena goes too far!
Cross Recoba: He’s committed…
Steve Morrison: Some would say he should be committed.
Cross Recoba: But once the scars from tonight heal, Random can take comfort in her unbeaten record remaining.
Steve Morrison: No doubt that these two will need to meet again to settle the score for who is the better wrestler.
Cross Recoba: Of course, and that’s why the Main Event is the easy choice for the MATCH OF THE NIGHT but the voting’s open for Spot of the Night and, like always, it’s in the hands of our fans.
Steve Morrison: We’ll be back next month on the 25th with Tap Out Wrestling 14!
Cross Recoba: It’s a can’t miss show. Jackalope gets the chance to dethrone Jack Diamond in our main-event…providing Diamond doesn’t anything stupid between now and then. Kingsley Solomon makes a bid to bring the XHF Junior Heavyweight title to Tap Out…and…
Steve Morrison: And?
Cross Recoba: I’ve just been told that the ink is still drying on Aiden Merric facing off against HardKore World’s Alexander von Blankenship!
Steve Morrison: That has the makings of a Tap Out Classic! It's also the last chance for our roster to make their cases to be sent to XHF Overheated for the chance to fight for the X*Crown at Night of Champions!
Cross Recoba: We’ll have a full card out this week and, with no surprises, it’ll be on the XHF Network first!
Steve Morrison: And with that, I’m Steve Morrison, joined by Cross Recoba, from us both - good night!
