TAP OUT WRESTLING 14: JACKALOPE VS DIAMOND - LIVE!
Jun 26, 2023 14:25:07 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Venom š·, and 2 more like this
Post by Cross Recoba on Jun 26, 2023 14:25:07 GMT -5
We go backstage at The Diamond Club and Casino the as the DTF logos are removed for the Tap Out motifs.
Cross Recoba meets with several of his security team.
Cross Recoba: Sorry to send you home but Jack Diamondās picking up the tab for these events. I'll make sure you and your teams will get total compensation, but Iām sure youād all rather have the time with your family and get paid rather than have to look busy.
Head of Security: If youāre sure? Weāre a lot more experienced with these events than they are and theyāve just worked an eventā¦
Cross Recoba: Nick, thatās great youād volunteer but really thereās no need. If fans see too many security personnel, theyāll panic or decide to act out to test it. Business as usual and in this case, that means youāve all got the night off.
Nick Ballard: If youāre sure, boss. Thanksā¦
Cross Recoba: If any of you want to stop and watch the show, pick up some of the friends and family passes from the ticket office. Food and drinkās on me tonight.
A collective note of thanks is heard from the crew as they exit.
Tug Stevens: Are you sure you want us to cut out early?
Jack Diamond is talking with his head of security, Tug Stephens. Jack has just gotten to the back after sitting ringside for the first Diamond Mine show. Jack smiles and pats Tug on the shoulder.
Jack Diamond: I'm giving Cross use of this amazing arena despite not being under contract. The least he can do is split the bill when it comes to staffing these shows. His security team is more than capable of running his show. Besides, your guys did an awesome job handling Poena earlier tonight. So go on, head to the VIP and relax. Celebrate! It's a special night!
Tug eyes his boss for a moment with scepticism and then smiles.
Tug Stevens: Thanks boss. Good luck tonight!
Jack smiles, looking to his left at the championship belt over his shoulder.
Jack Diamond: Look around man, I'm home. I'm not the one who needs luck. See you later!
With that, Jack heads to his dressing room in the back as Tug packs up his things and goes to give his team the good news.
PRESENTS
TAP OUT WRESTLING 14: DIAMOND VS JACKALOPE
Date: 25th June 2023
Venue: The Diamond Club Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Attendance: 5860 (Capacity: 18000)
The cameras fade in on the Diamond Club. We see people filing in, not taking up the double-header price to see the inaugural edition of the Diamond Mine.
The crowd cheer as the cameras pan around the arena. Signs that stand out:
* EVERYONE IS DTF WITH TAP OUT!
* AVB CAN B MY Vā¦AND A!
* SILLY RABBIT, BELTS ARE FOR ICONS!
* WHERE'S THE BEEEEEEEEF?!
* SNAP!
Steve Morrison: WELCOME FANS TO TAP OUT WRESTLING FOURTEEN! DIAMOND VS JACKALOPE!
We soon put a face to the name as we cut to ringside where Steve Morrison and Cross Recoba stand-by at ringside.
Steve Morrison: Weāve got six matches for you tonight that each have the potential to be Match of the Night and earn their participants that extra bonus point from the event!
Cross Recoba: Thatās right! Weāve got the first appearance in Tap Out for Alexander von Blankenship and the first main-event for homegrown star, Jackalope!
Steve Morrison: Itās continuing a night of firsts here at the Diamond Club. Itās our first time in our temporary home here and earlier tonight it bore witness to the first-ever Diamond Training Facility Diamond Mine! If youāre looking to watch that show after ours, look away now as it all went down in their main-event!
Steve Morrison: BEEF gets the chance to go for the X*Crown and Dana Daniels faces off against Ulysses Cole at Night of Champions to decide the first-ever DTF Champion!
Cross Recoba: Fun fact, I eliminated both BEEF and Daniels at the Rumbleā¦even got their boss!
Morrison shakes his head at the petty comment.
Steve Morrison: Which brings me to ask the question because we know who could be competing for the Openweight Title at Night of Champions. Who will WE be sending to Overheated?
Cross Recoba: Weāve got it down to a shortlist, the board have assured me that the decision will be made within seconds of the Main Event ending. Plenty of time for me to let you and everyone at home know. But thereās a lot of action to get to before then.
Steve Morrison: That action kicks off with a tag-team match that has all the makings of a classic opening match for Tap Out as Jacob Craft teams with XHF Hall of Famer, Jason Long to take on Wildcat Capone and Ashton Henare.
Cross Recoba: Capone and Craft got a good chance to become acquainted with one another last time out.
Steve Morrison: Craft managed to show just how deadly he can be out of nowhere later on in the match.
Cross Recoba: But it was a night for impressive debuts all-roundā¦
Steve Morrison: Thatās true. Henare comes into this match after a VERY impressive showing against John Holliday in our opening match.
Steve Morrison: Long managed to work the old Icon magic again in his tag-team match with Jack Diamond against Close Collins and Jackalope. His camp and Henareās have had a media blackout in the run-up to tonight so weāre expecting them to come out the gates punching. Instead, itās been Capone and Craft whoāve been having the war of words.
Jacob Craft: You're only as strong as your weakest link. And Wildcat? That's you. You're the weakest link in this thing. You're the try hard with a chip on his shoulders without the ability to make anyone break a sweat!
Wildcat Capone: This will be the last time you disrespect me and my family again. I don't have to prove shit to some pussy like you anyways. You're going to be irrelevant in a few months time while I'll be here raising my stock and moving on up.
Steve Morrison: The night only gets wilder as following what could be that explosive tag-team match we have Poena facing off against Tommy Strychnine in a match that is sure to be full of bad blood and hard-hitting action!
Cross Recoba: People are saying that Tommyās the long shot tonight but thatās ignoring how he ran Jack Diamond close when he got his shotā¦
Steve Morrison: Thatās true and he took Sawyer to the limit at our last show but that wasnāt what people were talking about as they left the arena. Heās seen almost everything in the ring and on tour with his band but how do you deal with this?
Cross Recoba: He didnāt want to win, that was a message to Jackalope, Jack Diamond or whoever holds the title when Night of Champions comes around next month!
Steve Morrison: You might be right and we know neither man is a fan of the other.
Cross Recoba: I donāt envy Rhod Williams trying to control that one but he should have it in hand.
Steve Morrison: You know that both Jackalope and Diamond will take time out of their last-minute checks for their match to make sure they watch to see what Poena might have in store for one of them next month!
Cross Recoba: You do not want to miss this bout!
Steve Morrison: Taking us into half-time is a tag-team match that sees The Throw Show face-off against a team that, on paper, could be deadly.
Cross Recoba: No argument from me. Sam Sawyer and Random McConalogue have both impressed in their time in Tap Out Wrestling but itāll come down to whether they can form a tag-team that can match the father-son combo of Close and Tuff Collins.
Steve Morrison: The Collinsā are almost nailed on to face whoever holds the XHF Tag Team titles when they come to us in August but almost isnāt certainly.
Cross Recoba: Thatās right! Until the contract is signed, it isnāt definite.
Steve Morrison: In their first official outing here they picked up a deeply impressive win over The Goons.
Steve Morrison: Thatās not to say that their opponents have been slouches at all.
Cross Recoba: Itās literally a cigarette paper between the two teams if that!
Steve Morrison: Opening up our second-half is a match where no love is lost as Aiden Merric takes on HKWās Alexander von Blankenship!
Cross Recoba: In a match that AVB went out of his way to choose!
Steve Morrison: I canāt see this being one for the purists but I do know itās going to be full of hard-hitting action and bad blood!
Cross Recoba: This match is going to be an all-out brawl! Neither man has held back on their feelings for the other and when that ringbell sounds offā¦thatās the sound of a ticking time bomb!
Steve Morrison: In our co-main event of the evening, we see Kingsley Solomon take on El Rey from GUNS for the XHF Junior Heavyweight title!
Cross Recoba: What a match that could be. We know the killer instinct resides in Kingsley but El Rey can get the job done when it matters!
Steve Morrison: To retain in a seven-man match is impressive but Solomon only has to face-off against El Rey tonight and heās coming into this in good form!
Steve Morrison: It was a great assist in a true team-player performance but tonight heās only out for himself and weāve seen him submit major players here in Tap Out on his way to victory.
Cross Recoba: Stranger things have happened but El Rey isnāt going to make it easy. If my researcher did his job, he is the youngest X*Crown Champion and that might well be true for the belt he holds going into this match!
Steve Morrison: And in our main-event, we see Jackalope take on Jack Diamond. Now last month he was literally an interference away from getting the pin on the Champ!
Cross Recoba: He was in a great position but thatās not a certainty.
Steve Morrison: Letās take a look at the video, shall we?
Steve Morrison: Iād say that was pretty nailed on until Long got involved. Tonight though, can Jackalope get a win over Jack Diamond and become not just the favorite son of the Lansky Ballroom but also the second-ever Openweight Champion?
Cross Recoba: Diamond hasnāt been conclusive in any of his defenses, here or elsewhere and youāve got to think that Jackalope knows this and itāll spur him on.
Steve Morrison: He already thinks the Champion is underestimating himā¦
Cross Recoba: Itās going to be a test for Diamond who knows that he canāt afford to show any weakness in that ring. He canāt afford to lose the title, not with negotiations ongoing, but if he wins but shows a chink in his armor? Poena will be there!
Steve Morrison: For now, Diamond is confident he has the match at hand on his mindā¦
Jack Diamond: You question my focus, my dedication. You claim that my attention is divided amongst my various endeavors. But let me assure you, Jackalope, that when I step into that ring with you this Sunday at Tap Out 14, my focus will be razor-sharp. I may have a multitude of battles to fight, but make no mistake, you are at the forefront of my mindā¦Is that what you want? Maybe Iām more of an opportunist than you, because if I was trying to compete for a championship, Iād WANT my opponent distracted. Yet, you seem to want the opposite. For that you should be commended. Congrats, silly rabbitā¦ you have my undivided attention!
Cross Recoba: What a match this could turn out to be! It could make Jackalopeās career here on XHF or put a full-stop on Diamondās!
Steve Morrison: Weāll have to wait til our main-event to find out. For now, Laura Messier is standing by in the ring ready to kick-off our evening!
Laura Messier: WELCOME TO TAP OUT WRESTLING FOURTEEN! For the first time we find ourselves outside of the Lansky Ballroom and instead, weāre LIVE FROM THE DIAMOND CLUB! Your first match is scheduled for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Laura Messier: And is a tag-team contest! ENJOYā¦THEā¦SHOW!!!
The lights drop in Lansky Ballroom as the bassy vocals of 'Hoist the Colors' fills the room.
Steve Morrison: Craft didnāt come out with his arm raised in his debut match, the wrong side of a six-man tag-team match but he definitely made an impression.
Cross Recoba: Craftās a worker. Heās coming into this sport from an impressive MMA career and he seems like he wants to take on the world of Professional Wrestling.
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: Still waiting for his first foray in singles action, heāll be hoping that a conventional tag-team match gives him more control over the result than the chaotic nature of the six-man.
Cross Recoba: That time will come. Tonight though he finds himself with a tag-team specialist and, if heās smart, heāll let Long direct the match for their team.
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, is that why he ignores the fans?
Cross Recoba: It could be, it could be that theyāre not going to make one iota of difference in the ring when that bell rings.
Leaping to the ring apron, Jacob enters the ring and goes to his corner.
Thereās a moment of silence inside of the arena as the crowd awaits for the next match, but then the lights inside of the arena dim to darkness and the crowd sit in silence, but then they hear the words speaking through the P.A. System and that signals for them to begin booing upon knowing who it might be:
āTAKE ALL MY MONEY
TAKE ALL MY MONEY, HONEY
TAKE ALL MY MONEY AND BLOW (BLOW, BLOW)ā
The crowd inside of the building began to cheer loudly as the vocals of āBlowā begin to play through the speakers, the lights beginning to spiral around the arena before bringing them all around onto the stage where The Last Breathing Mercenary steps through the curtain, a large grin along his face as he stops at the top of the ramp and looks around the arena. The camera pans closer toward the man as he began his slow walk down to the ring, soaking in every second that the crowd show their love for Long.
Steve Morrison: Back-to-back tag-matches for the Best Bout Machine!
Cross Recoba: Tonight is a new challenge, a new partner and one opponent heās not faced off against.
Long finds himself at ringside, taking a moment to stand there and take a deep breath before turning to walk over to the steps and head up along them to get onto the ring apron. From there, he brushes his feet along the apron, removing his ring jacket and steps through the ropes.
Steve Morrison: Do you think any bad blood will spill over from GUNS Fight Club between Long and Capone?
Cross Recoba: Weāll find out when the bell rings but if Iām Capone? I see a huge name to profit from with a win!
Long heads into the furthest corner and steps onto the second ropes, keeping himself up high as he looks out through the crowdā which only brings a large smile along his face, slightly laughing at the crowd, before leaping off of the apron and staying within the corner to prepare himself for the match.
Steve Morrison: Long knows that if he can string together wins, heās in pole position to get another shot at that Openweight title!
Cross Recoba: Thatās well-known, what isnāt though is who he might be challenging when that chance comes along!
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: Could this be the year Capone steps up and makes his name in Tap Out?
Cross Recoba: Heās a work-in-progrss but what I love about Wildcat is he doesnāt shy away from a new challenge. GUNS Fight Club, the Rumble, Infinite Pro Wrestling, he travels the globe to work on his craft.
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: Is he still defining his style?
Cross Recoba: You look at him and his big moves and youād say maybe heās more like Merric but thatās overlooking some of the subtleties in his game. Heās rounding out his game.
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: Can he and Henare get on the same page?
Cross Recoba: Capone finds himself in a new situation, Ashtonās far more about power than him. Heāll be relying on that surprising agility to add a new dimension to the team.
"HE IS HIM."
For a split second, silence fills the arena and all you can hear is the chattering of fans. The silence is soon replaced with the flooding of a rather familiar instrumental. āThe Cityā by The Game (feat. Kendrick Lamar) begins to blare throughout the airwaves as attendees turn their heads to see one of the newest attractions to Tap Out Wrestling. But, having a feeling of self-entitlement, Ashton keeps them waiting. That is until his theme music finally reaches his favorite part.
Steve Morrison: An impressive debut last month, handpicked by Vaāaiga, Henare had the pundits raving but tonight he faces his first real challenge.
Cross Recoba: The fact heās handpicked by Vaāaiga should tell you a few things. Heās tough, heās explosive in the ring, and putting him down isnāt going to be easy.
And as soon as those words begin to fade, the screens in the room showcase "GOD" before displaying his impressive highlights. The man himself makes his entrance. Ashton steps onto the stage with a sense of energy and charisma unlike anyone else. He quickly makes his way toward the ring and keeps himself pumped up, making sure that his focus is only on the ring, making sure that all attention was on the business needing to be taken care of in the ring.
Steve Morrison: Can they work together to nullify Longās experience in the ring?
Cross Recoba: Weāre about to find out and I canāt wait!
Once up, he slow-walks across the ring apron before turning around to stare out at the fans again. That signature tongue is brandished whilst throwing up the Shaka sign, a staple in his culture. Lowering his hand, Ashton turns and quickly enters the ring via middle rope before moving toward the center. He wipes his hands off and turns to the camera as he dusted his shoulders off.
BOO-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH....BOO-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH....
Steve Morrison: Is that?
Cross Recoba: THE MAORI HIMSELF!
Standing at the top of the ramp is Tap Out Road Agent and the man who discovered Ashton Henare, Va'aiga. The crowd pop wildly for the now retired legend.
Va'aiga: BOO-YAH!
The Maori throws a Shaka sign of his own to the camera at the top of the ramp as he walks down towards the ring in a full suit.
Steve Morrison: It looks like we've got a third man in the booth for our opener!
Cross Recoba: I pulled attention to this last month but Henare really is a wrestler after Va'aiga's heart. You can see the pride bursting out of his suit right now!
Va'aiga makes his way to the announce table and grabs a set of headphones before sitting down.
Steve Morrison: Pleasure to have you here!
Va'aiga: Let's bring some motherfucking action!
Cross Recoba: Nice suit...
Va'aiga:You try to get a good fit for a 6'5, 375lb man!
Cross Recoba: Point well made...
Laura Messier waits for the crowd to die down before starting her introductions.
Laura Messier: Introducing first! Weighing in at a combined three-hundred-and-ninety-five poundsā¦. THE MAELSTROM...JACOB...CRAFT AND THE BEST BOUT MACHINEā¦JASONā¦LONG!!!
The two men talk amongst themselves, putting a strategy together for the match ahead.
Laura Messier: AND THEIR OPPONENTS! With a combined weight of four-hundred-and-seventy-three pounds MR 859...The STONE...COLD...KILLA...WILDCAT...CAPONE and THE PERSONIFICATION OF DOMINATIONā¦ASHTONā¦HENARE!!!
Both men look not at each other but at their opponents across the ring.
OPENING MATCH
TAG-TEAM MATCH
Jacob Craft (#14) & Jason Long (#3) vs Ashton Henare (#13) & Wildcat Capone (#11)
Henare and Long start the match for their teams. With big, thumping strides, The Personification of Domination hustles to mid ring and offers Long a lock up. Jason Long accepts but quickly manoeuvrers the hold into double overhooks and fires some sharp knees into Henareās massive cranium. Ashton uses his power to throw The Catalyst away and takes a huge stride forwards before raising a knee into Longās midsection. The Last Breathing Mercenary looses his grip and staggers back a half step and Henare takes one big step in and headbutts Long, dropping the Irishman straight to the mat. Long rolls back to his corner and tags out and Henare strides back to his, tagging Capone with an outstretched Shaka Sign.
Steve Morrison: Thatās using your head!
Cross Recoba: How do Polynesians get such strong skulls?
Va'aiga: We train āem, Cross. Smack something with your brow enough, you feel it less.
There is an amount of care to how Craft gets in the match, making sure that he gets the right angle of attack on the unpredictable Capone. Mr Eight-Five-Nine goes straight in, throwing hands like itās going out of style which Craft soaks about half of and artfully blocks the ones targeting his head area. Craft shoots the half, taking Capone down to the mat and tries for a leg bar but Wildcat had fell towards the ropes and he reaches out and forces the break. The Man From The Big Blue Nation steps back and waits for Craft to allow him enough space before charging in like a raging bull and hitting a massive Thesz Press. Capone tries to rain down shots but Craft uses his BJJ skills to immediately wrap his legs around Wildacatās waist and lock his head up, closing the guard. Capone tries to break free with some short downwards elbows but thatās enough space for Craft to worm around and take the arm, looking to set up a keylock. Henare spots this, rushes in and breaks it up with a stomp. Referee Quinn orders Him back to his corner and Craft retreats and tags out again.
Steve Morrison: Jacob Craft showing his Mixed Martial Arts prowess.
Cross Recoba: People with no background in BJJ often struggle when someone busts out the hardcore technical moves.
Va'aiga: Itās his thang. When you got your thang in this sport? You do your thang, you get results.
Capone mockingly beckons the more experienced Long to come for him and The Catalyst takes the opportunity the charge in at full speed, flattening Capone to the mat with a stiff knee strike. Long quickly coversā¦
Steve Morrison: KING SLAYER!
ONE!
TWO!
T.. Capone kicks out.
It takes a fraction of a second for Long to kip up and get back to his feet. He raises an arm to the air, rushes the ropes, heads past Capone, building up steam hits the opposite ropes andā¦ Asthon Henare knees him in the small of the back before he can get any further. Long stops and turns, looking to swat the Personification of Domination off the apron for the temerity of interrupting the Blade Runner. Wildcat turns and takes a short run up and plants Long in the back of the head with a running kick to the back of the head which leaves The Catalyst draped over the top rope and then Henare and Capone give themselves four strides of space before Mr 810 and Mr 424 rush in and blast Long to the back and side of the head with a Yakuza Kick and a HUGE Dropkick. Long falls backwards to the mat and Capone coversā¦
ONE!
TWO!
TH...
Steve Morrison: BACK IN BLOOD! GET GOT!
Va'aiga: Damn, he got got GOOD. Long got laid the fuck out there.
Cross Recoba: Do we have a swear jar for the big man?
Va'aiga: Dock it from my wages, chur!
Henare tags in and readies himself for Long standing up, indicating roughly where Capone should be standing. Referee Quinn puts a count on but Wildcat knows how to work a five count. Henare places his fingers together and waits for a dazed Long to stagger into range before firing his fingers into Longās throat. Long turns, stunned RIGHT into Wildcat who turns, locks in a three quarter facelock and drops to the mat, crushing Longās jaw against his shoulder blade. Long bounces back, turning 180 degrees through the air and Ashton Henare snags him, locks in a front facelocks and lifts Long into a suplex, sitting out and DUMPING JASON LONG ON HIS DAMN HEAD!
Steve Morrison: WATCH THE THRONE WITH A CHIN CHECK IN THE MIDDLE!
Va'aiga: WEST COAST AND DIRTY SOUTH WORKINā PERFECTLY!
Cross Recoba: The secret to good tag team wrestling is to know where your partner is.
Henare coversā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THRā¦ Craft rushes across the ring to break it up.
Cross Recoba: Like that.
Thinking sharply, as he is ordered back to his corner, Jacob Craft drags Jason Long with him to an armās length from his corner. Henare charges, looking to break up a potential tag with a huge arcing Superman Punch but Craft ducks slightly, causing the Inglewood based Maori to fire his own arm into the top rope hard. Craft leans out and tags himself in before hopping through the ropes past Ashton and blasting Capone with a high kick! Craft turnsā¦ high, arcing kick to Henare! Another kick to Craft! A toe kick to Henareās midriff doubles over the Maori in the ring! Long is getting himself back up as Jacob Craft grabs a headlock and hits a swinging DDT on Ashton, HITTING A MODIFIED DROPKICK TO CAPONE AS HE DELIVERS THE MOVE!
Steve Morrison: MAELSTROM! Jacob Craft is on FIRE!
Long gets up and seeing Capone stumbling back towards the ropes and rushes at him, extending an arm using all his remaining strength to BLAST CAPONE OVER THE TOP ROPE AND TO THE OUTSIDE WITH A VICIOUS, EVIL, NASTY, TAG PARTNER ELIMINATING LAAAAAAARIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAATOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Steve Morrison: BLADE RUNNER!
Va'aiga: THE LARIAT! THE LARIAT! THE MOTHERFUCKINā LARIAT!
Cross Recoba: Youāve always wanted to make that call, āInga.
With Capone out of the way and Henare stunned, Craft stands and looks composed he waits patiently for Him to stand up. Craft makes ready by backing off a few steps and charges in, BLASTING HENARE WITH A HUGE RISING KNEE...
Steve Morrison: TIMEāS UP!
...Henare bounces off the ropes and falls forwards and Craft is on him like a shot. He locks in a head and arm lock and, carfully checking the position of the ropes, Gator Rolls away from them, locking Henareās arm against his own carotid artery. The Personification of Domination is the Personification of someone trapped in a blood choke and as the light begins to fade from his eyes and with no Wildcat Capone to save him he is forced to tap out.
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: Your winners of this match, via submissionā¦Jason Long AND JACOBā¦CRAFT!!!
Steve Morrison: HOIST THE COLORS and it gets the job done.
Cross Recoba: Youāve got to be disappointed about that, āInga.
Va'aiga: Every match, Cross, is a learning experience. And āDonāt let some MMA motherfucker choke your ass out.ā Thatās a lesson we all sometimes need to learn. Now I got things to arrange backstage. Ka kite anÅ, guys.
Steve Morrison: Jack Diamond isnāt the only one with a title defense coming up. Cross, youāre putting your HKW World Heavyweight title on the line against Kalmin Watts at Irish Rage in Dublin 2023 next month!
Cross Recoba: Itās a formality, Steve, I had his number before and this isnāt going to be any different except I get to do it on an entirely different continent!
Steve Morrison: It tops off a stacked card that sees the next stage of Martyās feud with the Anointed!
Cross Recoba: I never thought Iād say this but if he could take a title off of Wesley Crane, the whole world will thank him!
Steve Morrison: Crane defends the tag-team titles with Alexander von Blankenship who weāll see after the intermission against Aiden Merric!
Cross Recoba: Steinās undefeated in his return and Marty can wrestle when he isnāt too busy shilling for the Mouseā¦not as well as I can but we saw how close he took Jason Long all the way back at Tap Out Wrestling 9!
Steve Morrison: Crane needs to focus on that match but heāll have one eye on the triple-threat ladder match earlier on in the show that sees Simon Cruise, another undefeated HKW star, take on former West Coast Champion The Sheik and Tuxedo Mask to become the challenger for Craneās belt in singles competition!
Cross Recoba: Each of them presents a different challenge for Crane. Cruise is the closest to an all-rounder in the match, The Sheik makes up for limited skills inside the ring with sheer barbaricism and an ability to never find the mark for going too far, as for Tuxedo Mask? If you donāt cut off his legs, heās a danger!
Steve Morrison: Rounding out a stacked undercard is Television Champion, The Salford Squid, taking on Dick van Thijmanā¦
Cross Recoba: Even including Squidās misguided love of Syberus, you have to heavily favor the Champion retaining in that match
Steve Morrison: Donāt miss it, fans. Only available on the XHF Network!
Add to planner
Laura Messier: Your second match of the evening is a singles match, scheduled for 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: Last month we saw Poena lose his cool and rack up another disqualification.
Cross Recoba: He took the chance to remind Diamond and Jackalope just exactly whoā¦or what theyāre facing at Night of Champions.
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: He goes into tonightās match against Strych and itās difficult to predict what the match is going to look like.
Cross Recoba: You never can tell with Poena. He can brawl, he can take you down to the mat. The only certain prediction about his arsenal is weāre unlikely to see him take to the skies.
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 āREPENT!ā to the heavens before smirking at the crowd and getting up to his feet.
Steve Morrison: In the build-up to the match we saw the ghoulish choir that led his congregation in song, can he add Tommyā¦or a version of him tonight?
Cross Recoba: Itās Poena, this is a guy who had one match in FIRESIDE and then they stopped using him. Iāll be honest, I think they were scared, I donāt think Caffrey wanted Poena within fifteen feet of him. He constantly comes up with new ways to torture his opponents inside the ring and Tommyās got to be careful.
The arena goes completely dark, and for a moment all that can be heard is the murmurs of the crowd. Suddenly lights can be heard coming up and the stage is washed in white light. Someone brings out a stool and places it in the spotlight, then another crew member places an old-school boombox on the stool. The camera pans in on the boombox, and a hand appears to press the play button.
āDo you really wanna? Do you really wanna taste it?ā
The stage explodes in pyro when the music starts and, when the smoke clears, Tommy Strychnine has taken the place of the makeshift plinth, dressed in a spiked purple zebra-striped leather jacket, matching skintight leather pants, atrfully torn āTommy Strychnine half-shirt over a mesh under and a gold kneepad with a cartoon pair of lips emblazoned on it.
Steve Morrison: New music, new outfit, is this the rebirth of the Rocker?
Cross Recoba: It certainly matches up with his in-ring style.
He struts his way across the stage, playing to the crowd, and he takes his time before finally making the journey down the ramp, pausing to taunt the crowd along the way, really working them up into a cacophonous chorus of boos.
Steve Morrison: Tommy surprised me, going after Poena and calling him a āpervertā. Do you think he really has such delicate sensibilities?
Cross Recoba: Strych knows how to get press, that was a line designed to goad, to distract. If you want what I learned from his promotional videos? Heās NEVER getting a YouTube Gaming channel that Tap Out pays for. Weād be bankrupt by the end of the week!
When he reaches ringside, he takes a lap before stripping off his jacket and draping it over the timekeeperās table. He rolls into the ring and makes his way over to the turnbuckle, climbing it and miming tossing dice into the crowd, before backflipping off and landing in a powerslide as pyro fires from the ring posts.
Steve Morrison: Youād have to say that Tommyās the underdog going into this, how do you rate his chances?
Cross Recoba: Thatās unfair. Strych drove Diamond closer than anyone else so far in his reign. If heās motivated and on-form, Tommy could cause Poena a lot of problems.
With the pyros dying down to nothing, Laura takes the moment to start the ring announcements.
Laura Messier: INTRODUCING FIRST! From the Ninth Deep...Standing at six-feet even and weighing a hundred-and-ninety pounds...THE SANCTIFIED ONE....POENA!!!!!!
Stalking between the ropes, the Torturous Threat that is Poena smiles as he eyeballs his opponent.
Laura Messier: ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RING! 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!!!
Tommy leans into the ropes, testing them in preparation for the November Rainmaker or the Kiss Me Deadly Knee.
SINGLES MATCH
Poena (#2) vs Tommy Strychnine (#9)
Taking a circuitous route towards the centre of the ring, Poena is always presenting difficult angles towards his opponent to open the match. Tommy Strychnine takes one last pre match swig of Olā Uncle Jack before swaggering straight towards the middle of the ring. Turning on a dime, The Dark Messiah calculates the distance between himself and Strych perfectly and lashes Tommyās side with a roundhouse kick. Tommy grunts and instinctually fires one back, catching Poena with one of his long, rangy legs. Poena cocks his head to a side for a secondās pause and fires a second roundhouse kick back at the Youth Gone Wild. Tommy is rapid in his response as he cleaves the air with his leg, smashing his instep against Poenaās side. The Angel of Chaos presses his first two fingers against the underside of his mandibular nerve AND AT THE SAME TIME, BOTH MEN DUCK AND FIRE THEIR BURNING MISTS AT AN UPWARDS ANGLE, BOTH HAVING DUCKED OUT OF THE TARGET PATH, CREATING A MIX OF WHISKEY AND TURQUOISE ICHOR IN A CLOUD BETWEEN THE TWO!
Steve Morrison: AMAZING GRACE! WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!
Cross Recoba: I knew this match was going to get wild when I inked it on my sheet but not this wild this fast.
The speed of Poena wheeling round to a new angle of attack as the mist cloud settles catches Tommy off guard. The Rock āEm Sock āEm Rocker leaves an arm failing as he turns to face The Sanctified One. Poena grabs for the arm and sends Tommy flying across the ring with a powerful Irish whip. Making the mental calculations and knowing how light on his feet Tommy is, Poena flattens himself to the mat as Strych rebounds and flies across the ring to the other side. The Priest of Pain readies a strike as Tommy head back towards him but having regained a little control of his movements, Strychnine leaps into the air and takes Poena down by jumping and firing his knees into The Sanctified Oneās shoulders. Poena smartly covers up and the hail of punches Tommy rains downwards have little effect as referee Rhod Williams gives his a five count to stop laying shots in.
Steve Morrison: Thereās a lot of fight in Tommy Strychnine.
Cross Recoba: Iāve seen the betting lines on this match. No one gave Tommy a chance but heās more than holding his own against Tapoutās most dangerous man.
Tommy strides round so he is behind Poena as the Dark Messiah stands. Quickly Strych locks in a tight back waistlock and after a couple of seconds of struggle, Styrch hoists Poena backwards, flinging him over his head with a crisp Release German Suplex. Tommy rushers the far ropes and times perfectly to slide into a European Uppercut as Poena raises his head up from the mat. Strych stays down to coverā¦
ONE!
TWO!
Tā¦ Poena grunts and lifts a shoulder up with ease.
Steve Morrison: Too early for a cover there?
Cross Recoba: Itās more effort to kick out than it is to pin a guy. Always go for covers, even if you donāt think youāre going to win the match.
Not wanting to give Poena an inch of space, Tommy Strychnine grabs his opponent by the head and drags The Master of Digital Manipulation up alongside him. Strych keeps hold of the head and wraps it under his armpit before leaping towards the centre of the ring, snapping Poena down with a sharp bulldog. Strychnine kips up steps over Poena, plays a couple of bars on his air guitar and then does a beautiful backflip, landing chest to chest on the prone Prophet of Pain. Tommy rolls back with the momentum and to his feet before doing another backflip, this time going forwards through the air and crashing down chest to chest again. Tommy stays down to coverā¦
ONE!
TWO!
TH.. Poena kicks out!
Steve Morrison: MOONSAULT! SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
Cross Recoba: Tommy Strychnine is one of the hardest wrestlers to read, not only in this company but anywhere. He goes from party dude without a care in the world to one of the federationās best high flyers in an instant, seemingly, which I believe is deliberate, at random.
As he stands, Poena looks wobbly as backs off towards the ropes. With a head of steam, Strychnine comes rushing in, raising his leg up and hitting a ganmengiri that sends The Dark Messiah over the ropes and tumbling to the outside. Tommy moves to mid ring and starts a theatrical overhead clap which gets the crowd joining inā¦
CLAP!
CLAP!
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!ā¦ Tommy rushes the ropes and heads like a bullet towards Poena, leaping over the top one and twisting his body in midair. Tommy sails at where Poena is.. AND POENA. POSSIBLY IN DEPERATION, REACHES TO THE TOP RING STEP AND DRAGS THE STEEL OFF ITS FASTENING AND INTO THE FLIGHTPATH OF THE HAIR METAL ANTIHERO! TOMMY SPLATS UNCOMFORTABLY ON THE COLD HARD METAL AND POENA GRINS, EVILLY!
Steve Morrison: Thatās a hard landing.
Cross Recoba: They donāt call it high risk offense for nothing. On such moments matches turn.
Poenaās sickening smile doesnāt drop as he wrenches Tommy off the thin ringside matting. He bends Tommyās les up and lifts the Rock āEm Sock āEm Rocker up off the floor before driving him down, shin first onto the ring step heād thoughtfully left laying there. Tommyās face is a picture of pain. Very carefully, Poena extends Strychās leg across the steel and hops up onto the ring apron, jumping off into a huge stomp, sandwiching Tommyās lower leg between cold unforgiving steel and the sole of Poenaās boot. The joy in Tommyās face is gone, replaced only with pain. The Dark Messiah checks referee Williamsā count and slings Tommy inside, following in himself and dropping to coverā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THā¦ Tommy raises a shoulder.
Steve Morrison: It looks like Poena has picked a limb to destroy again.
Cross Recoba: When Poena says heās not going to skip leg day, you wonder whose leg it is.
Back inside the ring, Poena looks thoughtful as he jumps a little and drops his knee across Tommy Strychnineās leg. He nods to himself as he stands, as if agreeing with his own plan. The Dark Saviour follows up by grabbing the injured leg, lifting it up perpendicular to the mat and driving the knee down hard into the canvas. Keeping hold of the leg, Poena switches his grip up to the ankle and spins his own body down to the mat putting a huge amount of torque through Tommyās leg. Poena stands and offers himself a little clap, pleased with his handiwork.
Steve Morrison: Poena has almost surgical precision when heās working over a limb.
Cross Recoba: And leaves his opponent requiring actual surgery if he gets his way.
Poena looks again like heās having a bit of a think, gears turning in his head. The Sanctified One kicks Tommy Strychnine in the ribs, using his foot to flip Tommy to a supine position. Poena walks round to Tommyās head and wraps Strychās arms into a 4 shape, pinning the in place with The Dark Messiahās own left leg. With unreal flexibility, Poena leans forwards and slaps the sides of Tommyās ribcage, causing the Wildchildās legs to get loose, allowing Poena to grab hold of an ankle and lift it off the ground, stepping forwards out of the hold and stomping HARD on the back of Tommyās elevated thigh.
Steve Morrison: What in the hell was that?
Cross Recoba: Inverted Curb Stomp? Reverse Curb Stomp? Pure improvised sadism, thatās what it is.
Smelling blood in the water, Poena is already on the right side to grab the injured leg. He pulls it backwards and lowers his posture, adding pressure to the knee joint as he torques hard on the ligaments. Tommy has enough sense about him to edge closer to the ropes and he reaches an arm outā¦ but The Sactified One spots this and steps over, loosening the Half Crab and falling into a knee bar, applying the leg lace and using the momentum to roll the pair away from the ropes. The agony on Strychās face is obvious to all and Poena adds a pointed, āASK HIM!ā at referee Williams.
Steve Morrison: Poena has been consistently going after that leg all match. Can he force a submission win here?
Cross Recoba: If not now, then later. All that damage adds up over the course of a match.
Poena twists away at the ankle while attempting to lever the entirety of Tommyās leg free from his body. The crowd noise raises as they beg and plead for Strychnine to break the hold. Poena attempts to reposition again, posturing up so he can add even more pressure on Tommyās knee, maybe even just plain snapping a shin bone. Another loud, āASK HIM!ā gets fred off at the referee but Tommy Strychnine shakes his head again. Tommy shuffles the pile backwards towards the ropes and Poena tries to counter this by shuffling the pile round so Tommy is further from the ropes. But in that shuffling, Poena raises his body a little too close to Strychās good leg and Tommy kicks out, trying to shoot The Sanctified One off with the flat of his foot. Poena postures up again to go for one last big wrench on the leg but TOMMY STRYCHNINE BOOTS HIM REAL DAMN HARD AND SQUIRMS FREE! TOMMY CAREFULLY STANDS AND ROARS IN ANGER!
Steve Morrison: TOMMY STRYCHNINE FEELS THAT ENUFF ZāNUFF!
Cross Recoba: Heās not gonna take it... anymore.
Poena rushes in, ducking to take the leg out again but Tommy fires off a mean European Uppercut to send The Sanctified One flying. Poena tries again, worming round for a different angle but Strychnine wheels round on his good foot and hits a second Massive European Uppercut. This time Poena is slower to get to his feet and Tommy swaggers, semi uncomfortably, into position to hit a third massive Uppercut. As Poena goes flying backwards with the power of the strike, Tommy takes the time to play a tiny air guitar solo!
Steve Morrison: Tommy Strychnine is really feeling it now!
Cross Recoba: Adrenaline is a hell of a drug.
Quick to follow up, Tommy hoists Poena off the mat in a firemanās lift, wincing as he drags The Sanctified One up. Tommy sticks his good knee out and drops Poena back first across it!
Steve Morrison: TOMMYKNOCKER!
Tommy stops to pinā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THRā¦ Poena kicks out. Tommy points to the corner and begins the slow, careful walk towards it. Tommy looks back to check that The Dark Messiah is still down and upon seeing he is, Tommy takes a slow step up to the first turnbuckle. The crowd noise raises as ever so safely, Tommy gets to the second. Poena still isnāt moving. Tommy checks again and climbs to the top before DEAD BODY FALLING OFF THE TOP ROPE ONTOā¦
...NOTHING! POENA HAD ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!
Steve Morrison: STAGE DIVE MISSES!
Cross Recoba: When your leg has had been taken out that badly, itās a huge risk to go to the top rope.
Steve Morrison: But Poena is a man who often requires risks to be taken.
Cross Recoba: This is also ture.
Poenaās eyes glaze over for a second as he scuttles round to snag Tommyās good leg and trap it in a grounded Stretch Muffler. The Devious Destroyer reaches across Tommyās body with his legs and applies a crossed leg lace on the bad leg, twisting his own limbs to not only stretch that leg out and twist it WHILE applying a vicious Banana Split across Tommyās lower half.
Steve Morrison: JUDAS CRADLE! JUDAS CRADLE!
Tommy struggles and strains, attempting to bust loose but heās so tied up and tired that he has no other option and taps the hell out.
DING! DING! DING!
Steve Morrison: There is no shame in losing such a hard fought match.
Cross Recoba: That was a ton of fortitude shown by Tommy Strychnine there. But itās Poena who takes the dub from this match.
Voiceover: NEW IN THE XHF STORE, GET THE NEXT GENERATION OF COLLECTIBLE CARDSā¦. In our Series 1 release for Tap Out, collect the set. Will you start your set with Sam Sawyer?
Voiceover: The Chaos Bunny, Jackalopeā¦
Voiceover: The Rising Threat of the Throw Show...Close Collins...
Voiceover: The Bounty Hunter from the Outback, Aiden Merric...
Voiceover: The Infrequent Flyer, Random McConalogue...
Voiceover: The Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Wrestler, Tommy Strychnine...
Voiceover: Tap Outās Best Bout Machine, Jason āMaverickā Long...
Voiceover: The Master of Digital Manipulation, Poena...
Voiceover: The Tap Out Openweight Champion! Jack Diamond!
Voiceover: And completing the set: Tap Out Owner, Cross Recoba!
Voiceover: Whatās more, place your vote for Move of the Night and quote: 'BOOYAH!' to get a limited-edition card of the Tap Out Road Agent, Va'aiga included in your order! Only on the XHF Network!
Laura Messier: CLOSING OUT THE FIRST HALF OF TONIGHTāS EVENT! A Tag-team match scheduled for ONE FALL!
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. Heās 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 and partner Tuff Collins not too far behind.
Steve Morrison: Here we are, THE THROW SHOW ARE HERE!
Cross Recoba: Last time out, they took down The Goons which is no mean feat in itself.
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 Tuff. Close takes a good look at the ring and bows in respect.
Steve Morrison: Close is a suplex machine, and with his father Tuff by his side, they have a unique chemistry that sets them apart.
Cross Recoba: Thereās a reason that people are seeing this year as the breakout year for Close in Singles competition but he could just as easily improve his game with a reign with the XHF Tag Titles thatād see him touring the world to round out his game.
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 taking in the atmosphere. The back of Closeās hoodie reads āIT'S TIME FOR LAST CALLā
Steve Morrison: Tonightās challenge though is not as easy as some people have said in the build-up.
Cross Recoba: Itās going to be rough onā¦Tuff. Both of their opponents prefer to operate at speed and so itāll be down to the Collinsā to try and take control of the match.
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: Samās been on quite the tour since our last show.
Cross Recoba: Theyāre forever looking for ways to improve, ways to fill gaps in their game and make them a stronger wrestler. Itās part of whatās made them a success here in Tap Out.
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: Watching their training camp videos, there seemed to be doubts creeping into her game.
Cross Recoba: You could say they have Imposter syndrome. You donāt get the wins theyāve taken without talent.
They climb the steps and enter the ring, now focused entirely on the match ahead.
Steve Morrison: Weāve seen how Sawyer works as part of a team, can they repeat that with Random?
Cross Recoba: I canāt see why not. It helps that McConalogue might just be the form wrestler 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: Coming off the back of her biggest win-to-date and acting like itās nothing!
Cross Recoba: Random is very much someone who celebrates their achievements on the inside. Itās what makes her such a tough opponent to crack, never showing any emotion between those ropes.
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: Itāll be interesting to see what, if any, effects from the mist from Poena still has in this match.
Cross Recoba: Itās been said before but bears repeating: you donāt beat Poena, you survive him. Erin Gordon, Jack Diamond, and now Random. They all come out of the match with something that heās left on themā¦
Serene and calm, she casually strolls, shoulders lightly oscillating in a slow sync.
Steve Morrison: Methodical submissions and quick-paced striking versus two suplex machines. Can the Atlantic Alliance beat the bigger wrestlers?
Cross Recoba: Donāt ask me. Ask James Dragon, ask Jason Long, or even Spike Kane.
Her body is calm and relaxed, like a moonlight walk in the park, but her gaze is fixed, staring at the her opposition with snake eyes. She's never in a hurry, she doesn't need to be.
Laura Messier steps into the center of the ring.
Laura Messier: Ladies and gentlemen, introducing first, weighing in at a combined weight of 415 pounds, Close and Tuff Collins - THE THROW SHOW!
Close has a determined look on his face, while the more experienced Tuff is as calm as nails.
Laura Messier: And their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of 296 pounds, RANDOM MCCONALOGUE and SAM SAWYER!
The crowd's excitement builds as Random and Sam Sawyer enter the arena. Random removes her towel from her waist, while Sam Sawyer remains calm and focused.
TAG-TEAM MATCH
The Throw Show vs Sam Sawyer (#5) / Random McConalogue (#6)
DING! DING! DING!
Close Collins and Sam Sawyer step into the ring, ready to start the action. The match is underway!
They lock-up in the center of the ring, showcasing their technical prowess. Close gains the upper hand with a quick Snap Suplex, followed by a sharp elbow drop.
Steve Morrison: Close is demonstrating his technical skills early on, targeting Sawyer's midsection.
Cross Recoba: He knows that weakening his opponent will give him an advantage later in the match.
Close tags in his father, Tuff Collins, who smoothly enters the ring while Sawyer tries to recover.
Steve Morrison: Tuff Collins is in the ring now, and he's looking to show his son just how it's done. Tuff is a ring veteran, and he knows every trick in the book.
Tuff raises Sawyer to their feet and unleashes a series of strikes on Sawyer, rocking them back against the ropes. He follows up with a Tuff Plex and goes for the coverā¦
ONE!
KICKOUT!
Steve Morrison: Sawyer showing resilience and determination.
Tuff gives the referee a little flack, allowing Sam to take the opportunity to roll away and tag in Random who enters the ring in a flash.
Steve Morrison: Random McConalogue is now legal, and sheās taking the fight to Tuff Collins.
Cross Recoba: Tuff has experience but you donāt see that European Catch-as-catch-can style too much on the independents here in the States.
Random delivers a barrage of strikes, using her speed and agility to keep Tuff off balance. The crowd is on their feet, witnessing the incredible action.
Crowd: LETāS GO TUFF! WE WANT RANDOM! LETāS GO TUFF! WE WANT RANDOM! LETāS GO TUFF! WE WANT RANDOM!
Random is putting on a clinic, showcasing her unique move set of European Uppercuts followed by a couple of German Suplex variations.
Cross Recoba: Tuff Collins needs to find a way to regain control of this match, so far itās been the team of Sawyer and McConalogue thatās directed the matchā¦
Random with a full head of steam goes for a clothesline, but Tuff Collins ducks underneath it and counters with another thunderous Tuff Plex!
Steve Morrison: He goes back to the well and itās whatās keeping the elder statesman of the ring in this.
Cross Recoba: If it works, stick with it. He knows he doesnāt need to wrestle for a highlight reel, only to keep that momentum going into August.
The impact shakes the ring! The crowd erupts with awe as Tuff Collins lands the second Tuff plex of the night mere minutes after landing the first one. Tuff capitalizes on the opportunity and quickly transitions Random into an armbar applying pressure on her arm! Random screams out in agony heard all throughout the arena.
Cross Recoba: Tuffās having some fun here. Using an armbar on the Master of the move! Sheās in a tough spot now, Tuffās working that hold well.
Steve Morrison: She needs to find a way to escape before itās too late!
Showing her resilience and knowledge of the maneuver, Random uses her agility to get out of the hold, surprising Tuff Collins.
Steve Morrison: Expertly negotiated from the Scotswoman.
Cross Recoba: And Scottish people arenāt known for their humor so Tuff could be in trouble!
Random then bounces off the ropes and delivers a devastating big boot!
Steve Morrison: SHOE EVENT HORIZON!
Cross Recoba: Always with the left!
Tuff Collins is down! Random clutches her arm as she makes her way to Sawyer who is waiting desperately to get in the ring.
Steve Morrison: That armbar seemingly still causing McConalogue some issues.
Cross Recoba: Tuff has that size advantage, he might not have the innate knowledge of the hold but he has the torque to do the damage.
Close watches on, hoping for a tag, as his father tries to regain himself.
Steve Morrison: The Sophomoric Collins itching to get in on the action.
Cross Recoba: I can tell you from experience that if your partnerās in trouble and youāre the fresher fighter, itās incredibly frustrating not to be able to do anything. Close goes in there and āBigā Johnās going to back him right back to where he came from and leave Tuff open to a double-team.
Random gets the tag just as Tuff musters a small burst of energy and lunges to tag Close!
Steve Morrison: BOTH TEAMS MAKE THE TAG!!
Sawyer locks up with Close in the middle of the ring. Both do a little bit of jockeying for position with Close gaining the upper hand when he picks Sam up and body slams them to the mat.
Cross Recoba: The Throw Show using that size advantage once again!
Sam gets back to their feet with great quickness as Close is there to slam them back to the mat with another body slam. This time Sawyer adjusts their body and takes down close with an unexpected leg sweep.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer relying on that agility that has served them so well in their tenure here.
As Close rolls to his stomach, Sam seizes the opportunity.
Cross Recoba: This could be bad newsā¦
Sawyer manipulates Close round, locking the legs and leans backā¦
Steve Morrison: SAWYER LOCK!!
Cross Recoba: They beat Zolothatch for the SPARKS title with this, Close is in real trouble here!
The crowd goes insane as Sawyer keeps the hold tight. āBigā John Quinn checks on Close as Sawyer grips his chin!
Steve Morrison: We could see a tap out right here!
Tuff, having had time to recover slides through the ropes, seeing this, Random immediately slips through the ropes and into the ring.
Cross Recoba: Tuff needs an extra half a yard of paceā¦
Random spears Tuff with a Rugby Tackle Spear just as he breaks up the submission, saving his son from the devastating Sawyer Lock!
Steve Morrison: It did the trick though but Tuff took one for the teamā¦literally!
Cross Recoba: Both teams have chemistry and that makes the match that much more difficult to get on top of.
With the crowd fully invested in the action, Random comes to her feet as the referee is forcing her back to her corner. Immediately after she gets there, the referee points at Tuff ordering him back to his corner. Meanwhile, Sawyer has begun to climb the turnbuckle lining Close up for a Sawyersault.
Steve Morrison: Tensions are running high. We know that they like to do this back-to-back!
SAWYER MOONSAULTS THROUGH THE AIR AND LANDS A PERFECT SAWYERSAULT ON CLOSE!
Cross Recoba: We could be seeing the end right here.
Springboarding to their feet, Sawyer runs to the same corner and ascends for a second Sawyersault just as Tuff makes the decision to enter the ring yet again.
Steve Morrison: What can he do to keep his son and team in this?
AS SAWYER LEAPS BACKWARDS FOR THE SECOND SAWYERSAULT, TUFF FRANTICALLY ATTEMPTS TO PULL CLOSE OUT OF THE WAY AND SUCCEEDS, BUT NOT BEFORE SAWYER LANDS THE DEVASTATING FINISHER ON TUFF!
Cross Recoba: Tuff just sacrificed himself for his son! Can you believe it?!
Sawyer goes for the pin on Tuff Collins! The referee almost began the count but starts pointing at Close who is getting to his feet.
Steve Morrison: This could be interestingā¦
Close is still the legal man in the ring. Sawyer, confused, realizes what is happening and gets up, defending themselves as Close delivers a flurry of punches and kicks wearing down the Houston Native!
Steve Morrison: Heās running on adrenaline!
Cross Recoba: Both fighters have a point to prove to the other!
CLOSE LEAPS AND WRAPS UP SAWYER IN THE TAZZMISSION!
Steve Morrison: THIS COULD BE IT! HEāS GOT THE HOOKS IN!!
Random isnāt having any of it as she burst through the ropes and breaks up the tight submission attempt before Quinn can even check in on Sawyer!
Cross Recoba: She wasnāt leaving anything to chance!
The referee keeps an eye on Tuff as he slowly starts to roll toward the edge of the ring and under the ropes onto the floor. The match continues with Random being walked back to her corner.
Steve Morrison: And now, just the two legal fightersā¦
Close pulls Sawyer to their feet and attempts a suplex, but Sawyer slips it and brings Close crashing to the mat with a thunderous neckbreaker!
Sawyer goes for the pin! Quinn drops downā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦.
CLOSE KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Sam almost got Close with the neckbreaker!
Cross Recoba: If theyād hooked the leg, this could have been over.
Random calls over for the tag almost pleading with Sawyer. Sawyer obliges and tags in their partner.
Steve Morrison: The Scottish Submission Specialist is ready to go!
Random drops to one knee and wraps her arms around Close in a sleeper hold. After a couple of seconds, she lets it go.
Steve Morrison: Is McConalogue toying with Close?
She pulls her opponent to his feet, and locks up with them. Using his size advantage, Close manages to put Random in a headlock but that lasts only momentarily before McConalogue negotiates her way out of it and takes Collins down with a drop-toe hold and immediately transitions into the Rings of Saturn!
Steve Morrison: SOMEBODY ELSEāS PROBLEM! Sheās putting on a show right now, but is the hold too close to the ropes?
Close reaches out and grabs the ropes with his other arm.
Cross Recoba: Iāll be honest, if she wanted to end the match with that move then sheād have rolled the hold into the center of the ring.
The referee breaks up the submission. Close rolls onto his back to recover from the move but McConalogue is on him like a flash and makes the cover.
ONEā¦
TWOā¦.
CLOSE KICKS OUT AGAIN!
Cross Recoba: Randomās forcing Close to use that energy to kick-out. She knows it wonāt put him away but it will wear down that oxygen tank of his.
Steve Morrison: Sheās not out of ideas yetā¦
Bringing Close to his feet, Random brings him to the neutral corner before whipping him across the ring. He hits the turnbuckles on the other side with a thud. McConalogue leans back into the corner ready to sprint forward.
Steve Morrison: This could be trouble for Closeā¦
TUFF GRABS HER LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HER!!
Steve Morrison: THE ELDER COLLINS SAVES THE DAY!
Cross Recoba: Thatās what Tuff brings to the ring. He might not be as quick or agile as his son but that was a ring vet move to keep his team in it!
Random turns around and squares up to Tuff, now on the apronā¦CLOSE TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE A LEAPING KNEE INTO HER BACK BEFORE RAMMING HER HEAD INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
Steve Morrison: Randomās still trying to catch her tail.
Cross Recoba: But Close is going to make that difficult for her. He knows that this might well be the moment the win hinges on!
Close picks up the dazed Random and positions her to sit on the top rope.
Steve Morrison: Heās going for something big here.
Cross Recoba: He can innovate, weāve seen him do it more than once.
Close climbs up behind her and sits down interlocking his feet with the middle rope.
Steve Morrison: I donāt think heās looking to innovate, weāve seen this beforeā¦
He swings Randomās body backwardsā¦..SPIDER GERMAN SUPLEX!!!
Steve Morrison: THE CLOSER!!
Cross Recoba: He put away Jason Long with this, can McConalogue defy the odds?
Close goes for the pin! Sam Sawyer knows how dire this situation is and instantaneously slips the ropesā¦
ONEā¦
Sawyer comes barreling toward Close as Tuff slides into the ring. The crowd, now screaming, sees whatās comingā¦
Steve Morrison: Can Sawyer make the save?
TWOā¦
Tuff completely obliterates Sawyer from their right side with one of the most devastating spears in Tap Out history!
Cross Recoba: Picture Perfect!
THREE!!!
The referee calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Steve Morrison: CLOSE ENDED THE STREAK!
Cross Recoba: He knew he had to go for broke, weāve seen Random take down veritable XHF Legends in her tenure here.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer can count themselves unlucky they got intercepted.
Cross Recoba: Tuff obliterated them with that spear!
Steve Morrison: Now the question is, how will Random respond to whoever she faces next month?
Close rolls over to finally catch a breath as Tuff smothers him after the victory! Tuff pulls his son to his feet. The father and son duo embrace each other, then raise their arms to the cheers of the crowd.
Laura Messier: The winners of this match, as a result of a pinfall. THE THROW SHOW!
The crowd erupts even louder as The Throw Show celebrates their hard-fought victory.
Cross Recoba: I donāt envy whoāll be opposite her in the ring.
Steve Morrison: The team of McConalogue and Sawyer gelled well, and did everything right butā¦
Cross Recoba: Close and Tuff know they need to be on form and on point going into their XHF Tag-Team title shot in August. They couldnāt afford to not take a chance when it came along.
Steve Morrison: Both teams can hold their heads up high but unfortunately, only one of them comes out with the arms raised.
Cross Recoba: Absolutely, Steve. This match had it allātechnical wrestling, high-flying action, and intense back-and-forth exchanges. Random and Sawyer lost the match but thatās only going to make them harder to beat going forward.
Voiceover: WRESTLE: UK COMES TO BOLTON AND WHO WILL GO THROUGH TO THE FINAL AS WE HIT THE SEMI-FINALS WITH A SHOT AT THE WORLD TITLE ON THE LINE!
Voiceover: Will Cheez finally prove he deserves to be in the big leagues of the XHF when he faces off with the Dragon of WUK former world champion PSYCHOTIC GOTH?!
Voiceover: Who will he face? The upcoming high-flyer, Otto Ritter or the always dangerous Armand von Krauss?
Voiceover: World Champion, Wesley Crane looks to his future plans as we head towards XHFās Night of Champions event, whatā¦or who is next for the High Roller?
Voiceover: And in our main-event we have Ronnie Long Vs Jakie Wentzel for the Commonwealth Championship! Will it be returned to glory or linger in the clutches of the Von Krauss Dynasty?!! Will Long finally claim the title he has sought for a year? Or be another victim for the Mennonite Mangler!
Voiceover: Donāt miss it, only on the XHF Network!
Add to planner
HALF-TIME SHOW
A camera with a blinking red light is positioned on a rock. It is pointed directly at a campfire and around that fire there is a gathering of about nine to ten people. These people all sit in similar positions as they stare wordlessly into the crackling fire pit that burns before them as they sit gathered around it in a half circle. There are about nine or ten people gathered there, but there is an overwhelming feeling that there are more, waiting and watching from beyond the fire and in the shadows of the forest. There are footsteps. Heavy boots that crunch the twigs and leaves that cover the dirt. One by one, as the heavy set steps approach, the soundless congregation turn their heads to follow the large figure that circles its way around the fire pit. The footage rocks and sways as a large man pulls it from the place it sits and brings it up in front of his face. It is a sunken weather beaten face that is covered by a mane of wild curly hair strewn over his rough features.
Wordlessly, the man turns the camera on the fire. He pans the camera around, making sure to not miss a single person sitting at the fire. The weathered and gaunt faces turn, their sunken dead eyes stare into the barrel of the camera lens.
xxx: A long time agoā¦
The rough and gravelly voice growls low throughout the tall pines that sway underneath the thick black blanket that is the night sky.
xxx: I said that I had become a monster of the world that birthed me. I had to become a monster in order to survive the world that I was born into. You. Hold this.
The large figure hands the camera off to a middle-aged man dressed in rags sitting beside the fire. He then grabs the rag clad cameraman by the shoulder and positions him where he needs him.
xxx: Keep it on me.
The man crouches down beside the fire. The gathered flock remain sitting there in silence.
xxx:The people you see here are one in the same with myself. No matter how theyāve ended up here, they have ended up here for the very same reasons I have. All of us here understand the golden rule of life. The inescapable fate of every last one of us. From the day we are born until the day we are dead, the world is and always will be out to get you. We all know this. We have all experienced this in our own individual ways. We have all struggled. We have all survived. But we had to become monsters in order to do it. We were born into a world that broke us, and we were left on our own to survive it. We all sit at this fire because we have done things, we have stooped to levels lower than anyone should ever have to do, and weāve done these things in order to survive. And yet? We are cast out, we are shunned. There is no escape from it. So still we struggle. Still we survive. Still we are monsters.
The man goes to keep speaking but cuts himself short. He sits deep in thought amongst the silence. He laughs silently to himself and shakes his head. He stands and points down at the camera.
xxx: We are your creations and we do what we must to get by. Some of us steal and rob, some of us find more legitimate means, and there are even some who fight to get by. Some like me. Iāve been a fighter all my life. Itās all Iāve ever known. So Iāll fight, Iāll do what I do best, and Iāll do it for them.
The man stands, and as he does so does the gathering at the fire. The large figure stands proudly, while the people dressed in rags flock all around him.
xxx: We are considered scum. We are a problem to be forgotten about. We are the people you tell your children to not be. We are blow-ins and layabouts. We are strugglers and survivors. Because of it, we are monsters. So we walk, and we wander, and we roam. We are nomads and Iā¦
There is a small smirk that pulls across his rough face as he flicks the curly hair from his face.
xxx: I am NOMAD.
He holds one arm out, and a skinny woman dressed in rags hands him a well-worn black denim vest. He slides it on over the dirty blue and white plaid button down shirt heās wearing.
NOMAD: I am NOMAD because these people are my people. The people you see here are my family. They are family for a man who has no family. And I will fight for them. I will fight for them in the only place I want to fight.
The heavy silence returns. The shot turns to face the dirt and leaves on the ground before cutting to black.
We return back to ringside.
Steve Morrison: This could shake a few trees!
Cross Recoba: No doubt about it and the score he wants to settle most isnāt the people who took him out of contention in the Openweight tournament.
Steve Morrison: Instead itāll fall on the man who did thisā¦
NOMAD walks toward the exit of the building, looking to get back on the road that he loves so dearly. Heās already lighting a cigarette, hand cupped in front of his face to protect the flame, when a sledgehammer arcs into view and slams hard into his chest.
Poena: YOU THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY FROM HIS CHOSEN!? YOU THINK TO DEFY HIS WILL?!
The sledgehammer comes down on NOMADās back as he leans forward to try and recover from the first blow, the impact making a sick THUD as it lands. Poena walks into the frame, brandishing the sledgehammer and still whipped up into a frenzy from his match.
Poena: You think you can defy Him and then get away! He knows where you are! Heās told me itās time for you to PAY!
Steve Morrison: POENA JUST JUMPED NOMAD!!
Cross Recoba: What a Pearl Harbour!
Steve Morrison: He could put him on the shelf for good with that sledge hammer!
The sledge arcs down into the back of NOMADās knee, getting a pained grunt from him, the following shot to his hand getting more of a scream from the normally stoic NOMAD.
Poena: Thatās right! Scream for Him! Give Him your pain! Pay your debts, heretic!
Poena slams the sledge down into NOMADās elbow before yelling and tossing it away. He moves NOMAD around and locks him into Penance, his face shifting into a sadistic, righteous glee.
Poena: This is how it would always have ended! It was prophesied! You were doomed from the start!
Steve Morrison: He has him in Penance! This isnāt to make a point, this is to get even!
Cross Recoba: With NOMAD out, Poena didnāt want to wait til the New Year to make his point!
Poena yanks NOMADās arms together in front of him, then laughs maniacally as he shifts his grip to put even more pressure on the hold, crossing his own arms and pulling with all his might. After a moment or two, a sickening ripping sound is heard, with NOMAD letting out a muffled scream as both of his arms pop out of joint, dislocated and likely broken. Road agents are finally arriving on the scene, horrified by the broken man left on the floor as Poena gets up and glares bloody murder at them with his red eye glowing.
Poena: Jugular 5:7-9 āAnd lo, look upon the results of defying His will! The blind and the ignorant shall bleed and break till they see the truth! No one can escape His gaze! "
Poena laughs his soul-chilling laugh as the road agents hesitate, the laugh seeming to skip like a record before Poena is suddenly gone... leaving what is left of NOMAD to be recovered.
Cross Recoba: Poena might be spoken for in July but with a record of five and two, a points total that would place him sixth right now AND a Match of the Night against Poena that he wonā¦the Sadistic Submission expert might want to look over his shoulder.
Steve Morrison: Especially as we could be missing our top five depending on how our Main Event pans out and who will be chosen to be our representative at XHFās Overheated event!
Cross Recoba: Before the show goes off the air weāll have the answers to all of those questions!
Steve Morrison: This could get extremely interestingā¦
Laura Messier: WELCOME BACK! Kicking off our first match of the second half of tonightās show is a Guest Star Match!
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: Perhaps the best out-and-out brawler in Tap Out Wrestling today!
Cross Recoba: Heās all heart, not so much on the technique side but if he hits a Lariat, itās game over.
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: That was the case last month when he got the win for his team in the six-man opener.
Cross Recoba: Heās adding more to his game as the months go on, itās just getting the consistency in the ring.
The referee stops him and removes his various blades, ropes and other hunting equipment as he smirks. As the first chorus ends at roughly 65 seconds in, Aiden is set free to his corner. He then cracks his neck, waiting for the bell as his music fades and the storm subsides.*
Steve Morrison: He seems amped up, the opportunity to beat on the son of Rat Bastard a big motivatorā¦
Cross Recoba: After what AVB said in the lead-up to this? It wouldnāt matter who his father is!
A thick cloud like haze fills the entry way, and brilliant blue lights create an almost angelic like atmosphere.
I've been blessed up (geez)
I've been broke down (oh yeah)
Gotta catch up (yeah)
Gotta shine now (okay)
Running faster (oh yeah)
I can't slow down (oh no)
Gotta catch up (yeah)
Gotta shine nowā
AVB steps from behind the curtain, a cocky smirk on his smug face. He holds his arms out, soaking in all of his own glory, before mouthing the words "Always Very Blessed" as he points to the smug look on his own face.
Steve Morrison: Different name, same cockiness. AVB has gotten himself a reputation as one of the biggest names under the Valentines' control!
Cross Recoba: But tonight, he doesnāt have Steve Awesome, Wesley Crane or even Hasbulla to back him up.
āAyy, I got the moves
Bearing that fruit and now I got the juice (juice!)
God has been cooking, now I got the soup
Put this together, yo, really He clever, I cannot do betterā
AVD looks out at the crowd, his smirk now a scowl. Slowly walking towards the ring he points to random fans.
Alexander Blankenship: IāM BETTER THAN YOU!
Steve Morrison: Heās not even in the ring and heās making friends in the Diamond Club already!
Cross Recoba: His appearance was an actual talking point in negotiations for this place. You think Diamond wants him here? You think Diamondās fans do? He knows the crowd isnāt going to be behind him.
āRide the wave, yeah
Ain't got no fright today, yeah
I'm gonna rise today, yeah
Don't gotta fight the wave
'Cause
I'm peeping the visuals, I bring the visualsā
AVB walks up the steps to the ring, stopping before he gets inside, he gives the ring a fathe, son, and holy sport blessing before climbing the outside turnbuckle, looking towards the entire crowd he yells out "Always Very Blessed" before jumping down into the ring.
I've been blessed up (geez)
I've been broke down (oh yeah)
Gotta catch up (yeah)
Gotta shine now (okay)
Running faster (oh yeah)
I can't slow down (oh no)
Gotta catch up (yeah)
Gotta shine nowā
Steve Morrison: Heās proven he can back up that talk in the ring. He beat Syberusā protege, The Salford Squid, in Sacremento in the lead-up to this fight.
Cross Recoba: Itās how heās survived so long in HKW. Big mouth but big potentialā¦
With AVB now resting in his corner. Laura makes the introductions.
Laura Messier: INTRODUCING FIRST! From Coober Pedy, South Australia. He stands at six-feet and two inches and weighed in yesterday at two-hundred-and-twenty pounds...THE WONDER FROM DOWN UNDER...AIDEN...MERRIC!
The Australian looks all business as he stares down his opponent.
Laura Messier: AND HIS OPPONENT! Representing HARDKORE WORLD! Standing at six-feet and two inches, he made weight at two-hundred-and-fifteen pounds. He is THE SECOND GENERATION JACKPOT! ALEXANDERā¦VONā¦BLANKENSHIP!!!
The jeers rise in volume as his name is called but the Nuisance of the Netherlands raises his hands as if he wants to hear more.
GUEST MATCH
SINGLES MATCH
Aiden Merric (#8) vs Alexander von Blankenship(UR)
The crowd noise dies down as the only people left in the ring are the two combatants and the third man, Rhod Williams.
Steve Morrison: A high-profile match for the newest member of our refereeing team.
Cross Recoba: Rhod was a semi-professional rugby player before he moved into wrestling. This match isnāt going to be a technical masterclass and Williams can handle himself in a ruck.
The Match Official looks towards Merric before first approaching Alexander von Blankenship. Rat Bastardāsā¦Bastard looks cooly confident and even humors the referee with a smile in his direction as he explains what he expects in the match.
Alexander von Blankenship: You watching Marty? Ready to see what a win looks like in Tap Out?
As Williams approaches Merric we see the Australian shake his head at the younger wrestlerās attitude. Williamsā instructions are delivered as Aiden stares down his opponent across the ring.
Steve Morrison: Both men have ample reason to want to win tonight. For Merric, it once more puts him in a position to be near the top of the rankings here in Tap Out and also to settle a score by proxy with AVBās father, Rat Bastard. For the HKW star, he put a lot on the line in his promos about being a generational talent, can he live up to it? Thatās without thinking about his tag-team match in Dublin next month for HKW!
Cross Recoba: Thatās not to mention that he personally called for Merric. Can he do what his father failed to do against Dani Anderson last year and make it onto the scoreboard tonight?
The Welsh referee seemingly happy his wishes have been heard calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Both fighters are quick to come out of their corner and meet in the middle, their heads touching as the anticipation inside the Diamond Club grows. Both men seem to be mouthing off to the other though more so from AVB but itās inaudible.
AVB LAUNCHES A LOOGIE THAT LANDS SPLAT BANG IN THE CENTER OF MERRICāS FACE!
Alexander von Blankenship: MY OLD MAN SAYS HI!
Steve Morrison: Straight out of his Old Manās playbooK!
The Anointed member takes advantage of the stunned Merric to unload with a flurry of punches that send back the Oceanic Superstar into the corner.
Cross Recoba: Iāve seen AVB fight first-hand, heās not ever troubled by morals when that bell rings.
Steve Morrison: Heās also called you out over not being a worthy Champion hasnāt he?
Cross Recoba: Iāve got the title, thatās all that needs to be saidā¦
Alexander doesnāt leave an opening as he traps his opponent in the corner and continues to connect with driven forearms to the skull of the Australian that knock him further to the floor.
Steve Morrison: Huge forearms from the Anointed member. He looks like he wants to send a message to Marty, to you, and to Diamond!
Cross Recoba: I will say that AVBās in-ring conditioning is up there with the best. He can keep up this pace for as long as he chooses toā¦or until Merric finds an answer.
Lifting a leg, von Blankenship pushes his boot into the throat of his opponent to choke him out. Rhod Williams is quick to try and break it up and starts the count:
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
AVB steps back and winks at Rhod BEFORE DARTING FORWARD WITH A KNEE THAT ROCKS THE HEAD OF THE BOUNTY HUNTER BACK!
Steve Morrison: What an unsporting move! Rhodās going to be busy tonight!
Cross Recoba: Merricās going to remember these and keep receipts. But that knee should remind Diamond that heās not untouchableā¦
Using Merricās leg to drag him from the corner, AVB goes for a quick cover:
ONEā¦
TW-
KICKOUT!!
Steve Morrison: Quick cover from AVB and from the count, Merric could be stunned.
Cross Recoba: I canāt see this ending in three-minutes, as much as AVB wants it.
The Mokkum Mauler stays on Merric, grabbing a side-headlock that keeps the Antipodean grounded.
Steve Morrison: Is he trying to wear out the Man from the Outbackā¦
The HKW star unleashes a series of pointed, closed-fist punches that once more incur the ire of Rhod Williams:
Cross Recoba: Heās looking for any opportunity to bend the rules.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
AVB stops short of the count and waves the hand he used for punching at the referee. Merric uses the window to roll him over:
ONEā¦
TW-
KICKOUT!!
Steve Morrison: Aiden nearly gets the flash piN!
Both men get back to their feet but the Australian is the one to beat the Dutch-American to the punch, literally. A vicious forearm tees up an uppercut that rocks von Blankenship and leaves him open for a body slam.
Steve Morrison: Is Merric finding his rhythm?
Cross Recoba: If he is, AVB needs to get some distance.
Reeling, von Blankenship gets to his feet but Merric meets him with a running back elbow that SENDS HIM OVER THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE!
Steve Morrison: Huge elbow from the Man from Coober Pedy!
With his prey in his sights, Merric rolls out the ring to join AVB on the ring floor.
Cross Recoba: Merric needs to be wary, this is prime AVB territory!
Aiden grabs AVB by his hair AND THROWS HIM INTO THE BARRICADE!!
Steve Morrison: It looks like heās doing just fine as he isā¦
ONE!
Writhing in pain, von Blankenship leaves himself open for a huge running knee to clobber him in the face.
Steve Morrison: Thatāll knock some sense into him!
Cross Recoba: Merric isnāt known for his scientific wrestling but the bar-room brawl approach seems to be working for himā¦for now.
TWO!
Merric uses the hair once more and launches AVB shoulder-first into the ring apronā¦HE FOLLOWS UP WITH A KNEE LIFT TO THE RIBS!
Steve Morrison: Heās giving him a beating like heās Jeffrey Viperās Stepchild!
Cross Recoba: Like Terry Bradshaw beats Copycatā¦
THREE!
Grabbing the head of the Amsterdammer, Merric throws a huge headbutt that connects with a thud that causes gasps in the first few rows of the crowd.
Steve Morrison: Heās trying to bust him open!
Cross Recoba: If heās like his father, heāll have too thick a skull for that.
FOUR!
Merric throws AVB back into the ring and gets onto the apron to break the count.
Steve Morrison: Aiden choosing to try and end this inside the ring.
Climbing into the ring, Merric is quick to put the now crawling AVB back down on the mat with a snap of the boot.
Cross Recoba: Thatās some good attention to detail. Too many wrestlers donāt think about the fact that their opponentās will recover.
Leaning back into the ropes, Aiden comes back with a rolling knee drop to the head.
Steve Morrison: Measured with the knee drop!
Wrenching the HKW star to his feet and whips him to the corner. He follows in looking to pancake himā¦VON BLANKENSHIP MOVES!....SHOULDERBREAKER!
Cross Recoba: He got roped in!
Steve Morrison: The Rat Bastard self-preservation gene working double-time!
The Anointed star keeps the cradle as they hit the floor and pivots into a chokeā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Steve Morrison: No respect at all for the rulesā¦
FOUR!
FIV-
AVB breaks the chokehold at the very last moment and splays his arms out in innocence.
Cross Recoba: He didnāt realizeā¦
Williams cottons on to the knee now choking out Merric.
Steve Morrison: Didnāt realize? Just look at his knee!
The Match Official makes it clear heāll throw out the match if von Blankenship continues.
Cross Recoba: Heās clumsy, heās only been in wrestling a few years.
AVB waves off the warning and hooks a front-facelock that he uses to lift Merric to his feet and drives rising knees into the sternum of the Australian.
Steve Morrison: Softening up the ribcage with those strikes.
Cross Recoba: Iāve said it before but cracked, broken or even bruised ribs are the least fun injury to have. Every breath, every movement in that ring, youāre going to be reminded of the painā¦
Lifting him up in the front-facelock, von Blankenship bounces him off the ropesā¦SLINGSHOT SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: Textbook execution!
Cross Recoba: Those ropes are going to give that suplex extra momentum.
Still holding the head, von Blankenship rolls into the cover.
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
KICKOUT FROM THE AUSTRALIAN!
Steve Morrison: Still not enough to put down the former XHF Phoenix Champion!!
Working the momentum, the Anointed member brings Merric to his feet and rocks him with a measured European Uppercut. The Dutchman follows up with a rake to the eyes that allows him to charge at Merric and drive his opponent into the corner again.
Steve Morrison: von Blankenship seems determined to take Merricās own fight to him!
Once more, the Son of Rat Bastard starts to pepper the ribs of Merric with alternating hooks. He puts a forearm across the throat of Merric to push him back and unleashes a crisp open-handed chop to the chest of the Australian.
Cross Recoba: Heās wearing down the Aussie and taking away the force he can put into some of those big-hitting moves his offense builds to.
Steve Morrison: The slap though? That was just to taunt him!
Cross Recoba: Well, obviouslyā¦
Stumbling out from the corner, Merric leaves himself openā¦FALLAWAY SLAM!!
Steve Morrison: Huge slam from the HKW star!
The Diamond Club crowd let their feelings known.
Crowd: YOUR DAD SUCKS! YOUR DAD SUCKS! YOUR DAD SUCKS!
Alexander von Blankenship: GO WORSHIP MARTY CRANE!
Steve Morrison: The Diamond Club is firmly against the Nuisance of the Netherlands.
The HKW Star picks up Aiden and lifts him up in an Atomic Drop before crocheting him on the top rope. AVB climbs through the ropesā¦TRIPLE-JUMP ENZIGURI SENDS MERRIC INTO THE RING!
Steve Morrison: Shades of his father there but what agility!
Cross Recoba: Sadly, there is some talent to back-up the ego.
The boos reach a crescendo as Always Very Blessed climbs between the ropes. He starts to tune up the band as he stomps his foot on the mat.
Steve Morrison: He could be looking for the Ordained Kickā¦
He pushes forward from his back leg looking for the Superkickā¦
Cross Recoba: Heās not holding backā¦
MERRIC DUCKSā¦URANAGE BACKBREAKERā¦.HAYMAKER!!
Steve Morrison: TRAP TRICK!
Cross Recoba: A great counter to save himselfā¦
The crowd bursts into life.
Steve Morrison: The crowd agreeā¦
Crowd: LETāS GO, MERRIC, LETāS GO! LETāS GO, MERRIC, LETāS GO! LETāS GO, MERRIC, LETāS GO!
AVB drops to the mat and rolls to his feet but Aiden shoots forwardā¦DOUBLE EAR CLAP!
Steve Morrison: We know whatās comingā¦
A HEADBUTT DROPS VON BLANKENSHIP TO THE FLOOR!
Steve Morrison: BAG AND TAG!
Merric reaches down with a waistlock to lift up AVBā¦German Suplex!
Cross Recoba: Those German suplexes are getting higher each match!
MERRIC HANGS ON!!
Steve Morrison: He isnāt finished yet!!
With a guttural roar, Merric lifts up von Blankenship as he makes sure to hold onto the wrist.
Steve Morrison: Heās looking for Target Neutralized!
He pulls on the Ripcordā¦
Steve Morrison: HERE. WE. GO!
ITāS DUCKED!!
Cross Recoba: AVB knew the set-up was more worn out than that Joker lineā¦
AVB THROWS ANOTHER SUPERKICKā¦.ITāS CAUGHT!
Steve Morrison: He catches the Ordained Kick!!!
MERRIC GOES FOR A HEAD AND ARM SUPLEXā¦AVB LAUNCHES HIS OWN SICKENING HEADBUTT!
Steve Morrison: Both men jockeying for position..
SUPERMAN PUNCH FROM AVB IS DUCKED!!
Steve Morrison: AUSSIE RULES AVOIDED!
MERRIC AGAIN HOOKS A WAISTLOCK LOOKING FOR A GERMAN SUPLEXā¦.AVB WEASELS OUT OF IT INTO HIS OWN WAISTLOCK AND CHARGES THE ROPES LOOKING FOR AN OāCONNOR ROLLā¦.MERRIC HANGS ON AND SENDS VON BLANKENSHIP INTO THE CENTER OF THE RINGā¦
Cross Recoba: Both men are going hell for leather! This has to end the match!
MERRIC CONNECTS WITH A SUPERMAN PUNCH!
Steve Morrison: AUSSIE RULES!!!!!
HE DROPS FOR THE PIN!!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
AVB THROWS UP A SHOULDER!
Steve Morrison: Merric has to be wondering just what he has to do to put the Anointed member away!!!
Grabbing the raised arm, Merric lifts up AVB to his feet and whips him into the corner. He follows in with a Corner Splash!
Cross Recoba: Heās keeping on him though and thatās what youāve got to do with people like AVB, break their momentum and rhythm entirely.
The Anointed member looks like heās going to stagger forward but a hand from Merric props him upā¦RAPID-FIRE CHOPS!!!
Steve Morrison: THATāS A KNIFE!!
Now slumped in the corner, von Blankenship is left open to an attack and Merric makes the most of it. He grabs the arm of the Anointed memberā¦
Cross Recoba: He needs to mix this upā¦
SHORT-ARM POP-UP EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!!
Steve Morrison: TRANQUILIZER!
Merric goes for the coverā¦
ONEā¦
Crowd: ONE!
TWOā¦
Crowd: TWO!!
THR-
Crowd: THREE!!
NO! WILLIAMS SPOTS THE LEG ON THE ROPES!!!
Cross Recoba: Youāve got to give AVB credit, heās just been beaten from pillar to post but still he knows where his escapes are!
A collective groan echoes around the Diamond Club from the crowd.
Steve Morrison: The Diamond Club donāt share your enthusiasm.
Merric uses the leg to drag him into the center of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Heās going for the pin again, this time without a rope in sight!
He covers and hooks the legā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THR-
AVB MANAGES TO KICK OUT!!
Steve Morrison: More lives than a cat!
The look on Merricās face would best be described as thunderous. He forces von Blankenship to his feet BUT THE AMSTERDAM ASSHOLE STICKS A THUMB IN HIS EYE!
Cross Recoba: Olympian level wrestling move right there!
Merric fires back with a forearm, itās met with one of AVBās own.
Steve Morrison: Once more, the two fighters trade shotsā¦
An overhand right from Aiden is returned with interest from the HKW Star.
Cross Recoba: Neither man is giving an inch.
Grabbing the upstartās head, Merric connects with a headbutt that staggers AVB slightly. Regaining his balance the Spawn of Rat Bastard throws himself forward with a Leaping Headbutt that rocks Merric!
Steve Morrison: AVB refuses to go down and ups the ante with each reply!
MERRIC ANSWERS WITH A MONGOLIAN CHOP FOLLOWED BY A HEADBUTT THAT ROCKS VON BLANKENSHIP INTO THE ROPES!!!
Steve Morrison: Another Bag and Tag!
Cross Recoba: Stick to what works.
THE HKW STAR REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES AND LIFTS UP MERRIC INTO A SIT-OUT SPINEBUSTER!!!!
Steve Morrison: He nearly put him through the ring!
Alexander von Blankenship: I TOLD YOU I WAS THE NEXT GENERATION, MERRIC!
The Nuisance from the Netherlands pushes the legs of Merric up for the pinā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THRE-
SOMEHOW MERRIC KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Both men refusing to be put down!
AVB gets in Williamsā face and berates him for being unable to count to three properly!
Cross Recoba: Questioning Rhod on counting isnāt the best move, he was privately educated!
The Match Official shakes his head in disbelief and tells AVB to get on with the match. Turning around, von Blankenship bends down to pick up Merric.
Steve Morrison: Whatās the plan now?
Cross Recoba: Whatever heās been holding back, nowās the time to unleash it.
MERRIC GRABS THE LEG AND ROLLS THROUGH INTO A KNEE-BAR!!!
Steve Morrison: MERRIC LOCKS IN THE SNARE!
The Australian works the hold, trying to cinch it in as best he can.
Cross Recoba: Aidenāll be the first person to tell you his technical knowledge is shallow but heās making a good effort locking that kneebar in.
The HKW Superstar refuses to make it easy for his opponent as he writhes to try and extricate himself from the Kneebar.
Steve Morrison: von Blankenship is fighting for all heās worth.
Rhod Williams asks the former FIRESIDE fighter if he wants to quit.
Alexander von Blankenship: ITāS AN ILLEGAL HOLD, YOU PEON!
Williams hesitates for a moment until he realizes that AVB was bluffing. Merric now looks comfortable as he pulls the knee further into his grasp.
Cross Recoba: Thatās going to give Aiden a lot more torque on the hold.
Slapping the mat in pain, AVB looks for an escape. He pushes his free boot into the face of Merric and scoot backwards, escaping the hold!
Steve Morrison: The Amsterdam Asshole wriggles free but can Merric see the end in sight?
Aiden tries to approach his opponent but the Issue of Ignorance cleverly grabs the ropes to get back to his feet. Merric charges in with a running knee aiming for the midsection but AVB MOVESā¦.A SUPERKICK SENDS MERRIC THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE FLOOR!!!
Steve Morrison: ORDAINED KICK CONNECTS!
Rolling under the ring, AVB follows his opponent to the outside.
ONE!
The Dutch Demon grabs Merric AND THROWS HIM INTO THE GUARDRAIL!
Cross Recoba: Payback for earlier in the match!
TWO!!
A sadistic smile appears on the face of von Blankenship.
Steve Morrison: What does he have planned?
THREE!
Merric is peeled from the guardrail by AVB who scoops him onto his shoulder.
Cross Recoba: I have an ideaā¦
FOUR!!
He lifts him upā¦.CRUCIFIX DRIVER ONTO THE APRON!!!!!
Steve Morrison: BLACK OUT DRUNK ONTO THE APRON! A MOVE RIGHT FROM HIS FATHERāS PLAYBOOK!
Crowd: YOU KILLED MERRIC! HOLY SHIT! YOU KILLED MERRIC! HOLY SHIT!
YOU KILLED MERRIC! HOLY SHIT! YOU KILLED MERRIC! HOLY SHIT!
FIVE!!
With some effort, von Blankenship rolls Merric into the ring. He swiftly follows.
Steve Morrison: AVB might do it, he could have this in the bag.
The Diamond Club let their feelings be known with an audio wall of boos and jeers. With some bravado, the Anointed Asshole conducts the music.
Cross Recoba: He looks like he knows it too.
Returning to the match, he lifts up Merric and sets him up for the Lightning Spiralā¦
Steve Morrison: He put away Callum Cornwell in a non-title match at the last HKW show with this.
Cross Recoba: This could be it for Merricā¦
MERRIC WEAVES OUT AND THROWS A KNEE! VON BLANKENSHIP TAKES A STEP BACK BEFORE THROWING HIMSELF FORWARD WITH A LOW DROPKICK THAT TAKES AIDENāS FEET FROM UNDER HIM!
Steve Morrison: AVB refuses to let him go!
With a smile, von Blankenship puts the head of his opponent between his knees and lifts him into a Crucifix positionā¦
Steve Morrison: BARRY WHITE DRIVER! IF THIS LANDSā¦
Cross Recoba: Merric could be on the shelf for a LONG time!
MERRIC WIGGLES OUT!!
Steve Morrison: HE ESCAPES!
CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL FLIPS VON BLANKENSHIP SIDEWAYS!!!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: CONTRACT FULFILLED! THE WONDER FROM DOWN UNDER CLEANED AVBāS CLOCK!!
Merric coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell as Merric rolls off of von Blankenship and onto his back, exhausted.
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: The winner of this match, as a result of pinfall, THE BOUNTY HUNTER! AIDENā¦.MERRIC!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: What a way to kick-off our second-half!
Cross Recoba: Aiden Merric, first-rate brawler, third-rate judge of character! Heād go a lot further if he didnāt try and make friends with people like Jack Diamond.
Steve Morrison: When AVB comes to heās going to realize just how close he came.
Cross Recoba: But you get no prizes for second-place.
Steve Morrison: Sadly for von Blankenship, you donāt. Weāll be back after this brief ad break with our Co-Main Event as El Rey puts his belt on the line against our own Kingsley Solomon!
We cut to MUSHI and Psycho KGB in what looks like an approximation of a JROK SportsCenter.
MUSHI: Weāre just one and a half rounds awayā¦
Psycho KGB: Five days awayā¦
MUSHI: From Under Pressure 2023 and itās perhaps one of the most stacked cards the XHF has seen in recent memory!
A graphic appears of Primal and Steve Awesome.
MUSHI: How can you miss whatās sure to be a bloody and brutal match as Steve Awesome puts his XHF Hardcore title on the line against a man whose name tells you all you need to know in Primal?
Psycho KGB: I heard he fucked Donzig!
MUSHI: Two men who donāt know how far is too far are facing off for a title bathed in blood, broken bones and brutality!
Psycho KGB: THEYāRE IN AN EXPLODING BARBED WIRE CAGE! If youāre in the first five rows? Bring a waterproof jacket!
MUSHI: Just how far will these two go to get that belt in an Exploding Barbed Wire Cage Death Match? Youāll have to tune in on the night to see what promises to be one of the most charged title matches the XHF Network has seen!
The screen changes to Dylan Black and Rob Arnold.
MUSHI: In an Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match-
Psycho KGB: IF YOUāRE IN THE FIRST FIVE ROWS, BE AFRAID!
MUSHI: Two people who canāt stand to be in the same zip code find themselves in the same ring as Rob Arnold takes on Dylan Black!
Psycho KGB: You an Academy fan? Bring a magnet!
MUSHI: Itās been years since their last match and the hatred has only grown, going all the way back to AXW when Dylan wore a mask as Anomaly. Rob and the Academy came back to JROK to help TEMERARIO at Raison DāEtre 3 but instead of solving a problem, Arnold finds himself facing one of the most decorated wrestlers in XHF history!
Psycho KGBI: Moral of the story? Donāt help anyone!
MUSHI: Will the man from the land of Football Hooligans be able to take down the Mastermind of EVE?
Psycho KGB: Tap Out wishes it had this match! Theyād turn it into a ten three-minute round matchā¦weāve just replaced everything safe with blades!
Jesse Jamester and Brendan Harding replace the leaders of the Academy and EVE.
MUSHI: Jesse James returned at this yearās Rumble and finds himself on a roll thatās taken him to new heights in JROK. At Under Pressure he gets himself a shot against the Interim Visual Kei Champion, Brendan Harding in a Windows, Doors, and Sinks match with an hour time-limit!
Psycho KGB: Both men are gluttons for punishment. For Brendanās Bloodied Fox read Jesse Jamesterās Eric Dane!
MUSHI: Can Jesse unseat a man who has thrived in these conditions and in JROK?
Psycho KGB: Do Canadians recognise anything that isnāt Planes, Trains, and Automobiles? Not even a moose in sight!
MUSHI: Most feds would KILL to have this as their main-event, but not us!
The King of Hokkaido logo pops up.
MUSHI: Who will be this yearās King of Hokkaido? With one-and-a-half rounds left to go, thereās a lot up in the air.
MUSHI: El Combatiente must be confident, his win over Jack Gaines gives him a two point advantage AND the knowledge that his win over Gaines means heād win a tie-break but what of Nausicaa? Will it be EC or Suzuki going into the final?
MUSHI: Donāt let the graphic fool you, despite being 5th thanks to outdated Mongo software, Hayley Grimes wins over Nobi and Florida Man put her in pole-position with two matches to go. But with Yuki Sakaraba and Jesse Jamester yet to face her; can one of Nobi, Max Daemon, Florida Man or TEMERARIO steal the top slot?
Psycho KGB: Ultimate Choke job!
MUSHI: Whoever wins their Block canāt rest easy. Theyāll face off against each other in a No DQ, No Holds Barred match to fight for the honor being crowned the 2023 King of Hokkaido!!
Psycho KGB: Free weapons include broken doors, sinks, and heartsā¦
MUSHI: Donāt miss out on JROKās Under Pressure, June 25thā¦only on the XHF Network!!
Laura Messier: Itās time for YOUR CO-MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENINGā¦AND ITāS FOR THE XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE!!
"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: Kingsleyās had to cut some weight to qualify for the shot, howās that going to affect him?
Cross Recoba: Well, if he wins tonight itās the weight heās going to have to fight at. The immediate issue is that some of those power moves he likes to use? Theyāre not going to be as effective. That Dragon Sleeper heās finished people off with might take a little longer to get sunk in.
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: He got a chance to see El Rey firsthand when he stopped by for a defense in Sin City Championship Wrestling last month. He'll be looking to claim personal glory after Yamaguchi failed to claim it for his own Vegas-borne company.
Cross Recoba: The man expects a return on investment, his own fighter failed, so heās taking matters into his own hands. Heāll have hoped he could spot a chink in the Champās armor but it doesnāt always work like that.
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: The Tap Out crowd will be hoping itās third time lucky for them. So far no Tap Out star has won an XHF-branded title on our shows.
Cross Recoba: Solomonāll know that but heāll see this as much as a win for SCCW as it is for usā¦
āHOOOOOOOOOOOOWLā
āAll rise fore the king of all wolves now arrives.ā
The voice of James Earl Mother Fucking Jones echoes over the speakers. How did he get James Earl Jones to say that? It wasnāt a Cameo Iāll tell you that and it cost a pretty penny. Shortly after James Earl Jones speaks Big Seanās āWolvesā begins to play.
El Rey strolls onto the stage wearing the mask he stole off of the head of El Combatiente. He looks around soaking up the surroundings before ripping the mask off of his head and revealing the cocky smirk he inherited from his father.
Steve Morrison: You canāt deny his pedigree. A former X*Crown Champion and he has to be looking at Bloodied Foxās record with the title he so proudly holds. A second generationstar, trained by an XHF Legend, and son of another XHF Legend.
Cross Recoba: You only have to look at how he negotiated the defense at the Rumble to see that pedrigree and quality shine through.
He strolls down the ramp ignoring the outstretched hands of the fans until he reaches the ring.
Steve Morrison: Thespian has the night off tonight but heāll be watching the match closely, only too keen to challenge Solomon if he manages to win.
Cross Recoba: Cruiserfest is coming up and El Reyās got to be mindful that if Solomon does a number on him but doesnāt take the belt? Thatās going to affect his chances if he canāt shake the damage.
At ringside he leaps up onto the apron and then over the ropes and spins around in the ring with his arms outstretched. He spins around a couple of times and then moves to the corner waiting for the match to begin.
Steve Morrison: This will be his eighth defense, which brings a tremendous amount of confidence.
Cross Recoba: It does but complacency is his biggest enemy when that bell rings and Solomon is ready to catch him if itās there!
Laura hushes the crowd.
Laura Messier:Introducing the challenger. Representing TAP OUT WRESTLING! Hailing from Sin City and weighing to-hundred-and-nineteen pounds. He is the Co-owner of Sin City Championship Wrestling....KINGSLEY...SOLOMON!
He raises an arm as he chooses to focus on the match. He waits with anticipation for the bell.
Laura Messier: And now, THE CURRENT XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Representing GUNS! He weights two-hundred-and-three pounds and stands at five-feet and ten inches. ELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLā¦..REYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
A roll of the eyes is all that El Rey deigns to give the cameras.
CO-MAIN EVENT
XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
SINGLES MATCH
El Rey vs Kingsley Solomon
DING! DING! DING!
The two fighters circle each other, each eyeing the other up and waiting for an opening. Rey finally decides to throw caution to the wind and moves in quickly. A quick exchange of kicks and the champ backs off. Solomon follows up by grabbing the shoulder of the champ and hitting a hard chop, complete with requisite crowd āWOO!ā Rey grabs his chest and scowls at Kingsley before hitting one of his own and jawing at the challenger. The recently turned 21-year old prodigy follows up with two more chops before hitting a deep arm drag to the Harbinger. Kingsley hops to his feet and blocks a second arm drag attempt and hits a hip toss of his own. Rey arches his back then rolls to his feet. He unloads with a thigh kick. Kingsley responds with a hard slap to the face. A leg kick this time has the challenger stumbling but he rebounds quickly and intercepts the next kick with a check of the leg and a headbutt to the sternum of the champ.
Steve Morrison: Off to a fast start here with some strike exchanges. Any outlook on the match, Cross?
Cross Recoba: They both like to fight with a fast paced style with some risks thrown in. This should get wild before the end and a mistake will likely be the turning point.
The young Atlantan responds to this slight with a European uppercut, followed by a second. On the third, the Vegas business owner catches the arm and torques it into a key lock before transitioning it back into a hammerlock, complete with a chicken wing on the other arm. Rey manages to wriggle his winged arm free and drops down and pulls Solomon over him with a snap mare before thumping him in the spine with a soccer kick followed by a flipping neck snap. Kingsley recoils from the mat between his own splayed legs and falls back to a supine position. He quickly kips up right into a springboard cross body from the champion. Rey takes the chance to taunt to the crowd and show off his arm muscles and upper body physique.
Cross Recoba: A wise champion would continue to press the advantage here.
Steve Morrison: Well he is young and brash. It hasnāt bit him on the ass as of yet.
Rey turns around and gets blown up by a running axe bomber from a rejuvenated harbinger. The SCCW owner DOES press the advantage with a quick stomp on the gut and kick of the ribs. Rey rolls to his hands and knees and the gambler drops a quick elbow across the back of the neck before hitting a standing moonsault for the pin. Big John Quinn drops to count but barely gets a one before El Rey violently kicks his legs up to shove Kingsley off him. A kip up has him back to a standing base as Kingsley again presses the advantage with an Irish whip. A drop to the ground forces the champ to leapfrog him. Rey hits the ropes and springboards off with a moonsault, but Solomon has it scouted and hits a dropkick to the chest of the flipping champion before attempting to lock in a dragon sleeper! Rey quickly counters by pushing to a vertical base and hitting a Pele kick.
Cross Recoba: Kingsley looking for an EARLY Fall to Despair, but Rey had it scouted. Who knew the brat could do his homework.
Steve Morrison: Looked more like instinct. Nobody can deny he has the genetics for that. Besides, we saw him getting drunk yesterday on the GUNS show.
Cross Recoba: I prefer not to watch that show. Too much Mr. Blobby and ā¦ Noel Edmonds ā¦
Both men shake out the cobwebs and charge each other. A blistering exchange of strikes really picks up the pace as the damage begins to pile up. Fists and feet are flying. Rey gets the advantage with a particularly nasty roundhouse to the head. He follows it up with a poison rana! The crowd erupts in cheers for that big move as Solomon grabs his head in agony. Rey sprints to the ropes and springboards off with a swanton bomb onto the back of his opponent before using his head to roll Kingsley into the proper position and locking in a figure 4 to jackknife into a pin.
ONE!
TWO-Kickout as the hand hits the mat for 2.
Rey immediately rolls to his feet and hauls his opponent just up enough to slam him back down with a DDT. He taunts to the crowd as Quinn checks on Solomon.
Cross Recoba: That was an impressive bit of offense to tip the scales in his favor.
Steve Morrison: But I do see your point on the showboating. Certainly knows how to play up a crowd.
Rey leaps back with a standing moonsault and then pops up and leaps up for a springboard variation of it. But the harbinger gets the knees up and Rey bounces off, holding his gut. Both men are down as Rey crawls to the corner to hold his stomach in agony. The Tapout star is the first to his feet and barrels into the corner with a clothesline and pulls his foe into a headscissors takedown. The champ skids on his butt across the ring and pops up holding his back. Not wasting an opening Solomon sprints past and hits the ropes for a springboard moonsault of his own, flattening the dazed champion. A quick pin ā¦
ONE!
TW-Kickout!
The gambler lifts the head of the champ and locks in a surfboard stretch, yanking both arms back with a knee to the spine of the seated champ. El Rey yelps in pain and then begins to rock side to side to alleviate the pain in his back. Thinking quick, he pushes up to an arched back, getting his legs under him, he then springs over Kingsley and pulls him down with a neckbreaker.
Cross Recoba: A very well-done counter attack from the champion. This match is moving a mile a minute and you can see they have both been keeping up the cardio.
Steve Morrison: Yes but something has to give. This pace has to be tiring them out somewhat.
Rey sits up his opponent and hits a big PK right to the chest. He then hits a standing senton. A quick grab of the arm and Rey pulls Solomon to his feet then wrings the arm over, holding the modified arm wrench. He torques it further and Kingsley drops to the mat to alleviate the pressure allowing Rey to drop a leg across the stretched arm. He converts it into a fujiwara arm bar. Kingsley grumbles in pain and reaches for the ropes. Just as his fingers almost graze the bottom rope, the champ pulls him back towards the middle of the ring and rocks all the way back, turning the hold into a rings of Saturn style stretch. The harbinger of despair shouts in pain as his shoulders hyperextend. He fights with all his might to get a foot to the ropes. Rey breaks the hold at a 3 count from Quinn before rolling to his hands and knees and hooking the head of the downed foe and driving his knees into the shoulders trying to destroy the collarbone of the SCCW owner. Kingsley again scrambles to get his feet to the ropes and Quinn counts 4 before Rey backs off and stands, holding his arms up in innocence, telling the ref how well he complied!
Steve Morrison: Well this is starting to get dangerous, those knee strikes are lethal.
Cross Recoba: Yes but Kingsley seems to be in one piece. Itāll take more than that to put down a Tapout talent.
The king of wolves back off and lines up his next move. He charges in and tries to punt kick the head square off the shoulders, but the gambler rockets up to a kneeling vertical position and slams a flurry of fists into the kidneys of his opponent. Getting to his feet, Kingsley begins pressuring El Rey back to the corner with a collar and elbow tie-up before yanking him out of the corner with a lifting DDT. He immediately leaps to the top rope and measures the next move. Diving cross body! El Rey rolls through and gets to his feet, before immediately hitting a standing shooting star press.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Rey gets a front chancery locked in and slowly brings his opponent to his feet. But Kingsley springs to life with an Emerald Flowsion! Rey bounces off the mat and rockets to his feet in pain, and receives a double underhook back breaker for his trouble. Solomon locks in a buffalo sleeper.
Cross Recoba: And now the tide has turned and Kingsley has grounded the high flying El Rey!
Steve Morrison: Still, Rey doesnāt look ready to give up his title just yet.
Indeed the son of Venom again fights with all his ability. He manages to get his feet up and underneath him and leaps up, springing his feet off the top rope and adjusting midair into a cutter, the sliced bread!
Steve Morrison: SLICED BREAD!
Both men are down now and panting heavily. Rey begins to stir on Quinnās three count, while Solomon rolls to his hands and knees at five. Both men are up by seven and tie up in the middle of the ring. They jockey for position. Kingsley manages to sneak in some rabbit punches and uses the head turn to sneak behind El Rey! El Rey springs to the corner pulling his opponent with him and as the ref follows, Rey pushes them both out of the corner causing Quinn to duck out of the wayā¦ and miss the blatant back kick to the balls from El Rey. Rey leaps off the ropes and over his stunned enemy and hits the reverse DDT on the come down.
Cross Recoba: Thatās the E-Raytio Variation 2. A nice little trick to pull out of the pocket.
Rey leaps up to the top rope. Kingsley sees this and rolls out of the ring to the apron. As he catches his breath, Rey looks at the crowd and shrugs before leaping off with a 630 senton to the apron!!!
Steve Morrison: HOLY ā¦ ahem ā¦ what an amazing move, but it looks like it hurt Rey as much as it did Kingsley.
Cross Recoba: Indeed, the champ fell out of the ring and rolled into the barricade with momentum. Meanwhile I think Kingsley may have broken ribs or a collapsed lung.
Steve Morrison: ITāS THE HARDEST PART OF THE RING, CROSS!
The champ takes his sweet time climbing to his feet, he steals a beer from the guy in the front row in the Jack Diamond shirt. He drinks half then tosses the rest at the guy in the Aiden Merric hat. Rey hobbles to the ring holding his back and hits an elbow strike to the head of his foe on the apron as he walks by. He climbs the ring steps and looks at Kingsley still laying on the apron, trying to pull himself into the ring by the bottom rope. Rey sprints along the apron for a punt but Kingsley pulls himself into the ring and kicks out, tripping Rey. The champ stumbles face first into the ring post and grabs his cheek in pain. Kingsley is slow to try and climb to his feet. He stumbles into the corner and grabs Rey by the hair, but Rey blocks with his arm and grabs a handful of the gamblerās hair and bounces his head off the turnbuckle pad, then leaps up to the top. He grabs his back for a brief moment before he sets up for a sunset flip bomb but Kingsley comes to life and breaks the waistlock before hitting a leaping enzuigiri to stun El Rey on the top rope. He steps to the apron and holds the neck of Rey before hitting the Dragon Screw neck whip! Reyās ribs crash into the ringpost as his right knee slams into the metal turnbuckle link and he falls head first to the floor below!
Steve Morrison: OH MY GOD! SPIN THE WHEEL OFF THE TOP ROPE TO THE RINGPOST AND THE FLOOR!
Cross Recoba: And that is how you spell new champion, Steve. Thereās no recovery from that.
Kingsley drops off the apron and pats himself on the back. He stalks El Rey. As the champ slowly gets to his hands and knees favoring his ribs and spine, Kingsley sprints with a sliding dropkick to the ribs. He then grabs the champ and pulls him by his tights and hair and sends him sliding into the ring. A quick climb to the apron and Kingsley springboard off the top rope and crashes down onto the back of the champ with a corkscrew splash! He quickly rolls the champ over and hooks both legs.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE-NO!
JUST ROLLS THE SHOULDER IN TIME!!
Kingsley looks at Quinn in disbelief and holds up three fingers. Big John holds up two and motions that his shoulder was up. The Harbinger smells blood in the water and looks to lock in his dragon sleeper. But Rey on instinct reaches up and drops him with a cutter. Both men are down again. At 6, Rey climbs to his feet. Solomon quickly follows at seven holding his face. Rey charges in for a clothesline but gets flipped with a powerslam. Solomon backs to the corner and looks to finish this. He once again stalks the champ. He pulls the tights to get Rey to stand then gets him into an argentine backbreaker.
Cross Recoba: Heās looking for that patented burning hammer of his, the Jokerās Wild.
Steve Morrison: El Rey has it in his VERY best interest NOT to get hit by that.
Rey does indeed wiggle and slam his arms into the head of Kingsley. A stumble allows Rey to reach the ropes and pull himself off the shoulders and into the ropes. He readjusts onto the top rope but Solomon spins and hits a huge rolling elbow strike. Rey drops to a seat on the top rope. Kingsley looks at the ring and then his foe. He gets the crowd behind him with a quick taunt and then climbs to the top as well. He stands on the middle rope in front of El Rey ā¦ he leaps up for a hurricanrana!!!
Cross Recoba: NO! Rey grapevine his legs on the middle rope!
Steve Morrison: Heās holding the dangling gambler from the middle rope.
Rey smiles that smirk to the crowd and sticks out his tongue as he pulls Kingsley close and wraps the arms around his gut. He slowly steps over the arms while getting to the top rope ā¦ and then falls with a Styles Clash from the very top rope!
Cross Recoba: SOCIETY KILLER AVALANCHE STYLE!
Steve Morrison: Kinsleyās face crashed to the mat hard. He looks to be out.
Rey rolls over, using his legs to pull Solomon into the pin.
ONE!....
TWO!...
THREE!....
Laura Messier: YOUR WINNER ā¦ AND STIIIIIIIIILL XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION ā¦ EL REY!
Big John Quinn hands him his belt as Kingsley lays broken in the ring. Rey pats the belt and kisses it before raising it over his head. The crowd erupts in cheers. Rey cocks an eyebrow at this. But a man in a mask slides in the ring behind him. A snap reverse DDT puts the champ down hard. The man stands up and looks at the crowd. He rips off the mask ā¦
Steve Morrison: THATāS KINGSLEYāS FELLOW HARBINGER! RAIDEN ISHIMORI! He just hit the chalk outline on the distracted El Rey!
Cross Recoba: Indeed. Making a statement.
Rey tries to scamper to the ropes by Raiden but gets deadlifted into a gutwrench and whipped up overhead. He then gets dropped with a DDT! With the Castles Fall Raiden stands tall over the broken champ and goes to help his cohort, Kingsley up to his feet.
Steve Morrison: Well El Rey gets the win but that was an auspicious end to this night for the champ.
The shot fades up on a set that resembles an ancient, South American tomb. Someone walks into frame, from behind the camera, wearing the iconic Indiana Jones costume. They crack the whip and then turn around. Itās the XHFās undisputed #1 Babyface, Disneyās Marty Donovan! Even though this is just a pretaped video, the Las Vegas crowd give a huge pop. Clearly they are not used to this level of star power on a TOW show. Tinto, that seven year old rapscallion from CAR, runs into frame. The little guy is dressed as Short Round.
Tinto: DOCTOR DONOVAN, NO MORE PARACHUTES!
Marty: Thatās okay. We still have plenty of these!
Marty Donovan reaches into his leather jacket and pulls out a dog collar.
Tinto: Dog collars?
Marty: Thatās right! Later this month is Hardkore Worldās biggest show of the summer, Irish Rage In Dublin! The tag team championships will be on the line in a brutal fight. Yes, donāt miss the steel cage, double dog collar match!
Tinto: That sounds so cool! Are you in the match, Mister Marty?
Marty: You better believe it. For the first time in 16 years, I will be tagging again with āThe Punisherā Dan Stein.
Tinto: Wow, the mountain of a man that you were SWAT tag team champions with!
Marty: Sun and Pun ride again! There is more than gold on the line though. Weāll be facing Wesley Crane and Alexander Von Blankenship.
Tinto: Those were the backstabbing weasels who kicked you guys out of The Anointed!
Marty: Yeah and itās time for some payback! It doesnāt matter if Cross Recoba goes on last. This bloodbath is the real main event that everyone is excited for.
Tinto: Everyone, Doctor Donovan?
Tinto gestures off screen. The camera spins around to reveal a nearly empty stadium. This video is being shot on The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular stage in Walt Disney World. The only person in the crowd is Olivia Oldham, dressed as Willie Scott from Temple of Doom. Ollie stares off into the middle distance, absolutely devastated.
Marty: Ollie dolly, relax! Itās not actually going to be a bloodbath. Weāre just trying to move tickets here. You know Iām planning to make Stein do most of the work anyway.
She doesnāt respond.
Marty: What if I let you pick out the dog collar? Thatās fun. Do you want me to wear Plutoās or Pongoās?
She gets up and storms out of the arena. Marty shakes his head frustrated.
Marty: Damn it, now I have to find time to go to Sephora.
Tinto: We should wrap this up. Iām sure Poena still has plenty of interns to torture.
Marty: Right, watch Hardkore Worldās Irish Rage in Dublin, streaming exclusively on the XHF Network. You wonāt want to miss this bloody reunion. A double dog collar steel cage Match! Suns Out! Puns Out! Danny and I are bringing home the gold!
Tinto: Iām bringing home gold too!
Tinto holds up the iconic golden idol and the stage begins to shake. Marty picks up the seven year old and runs. The shot fades out as they are chased by a giant prop boulder.
Laura Messier: ITāS TIME FOR YOUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING! This match is scheduled for ONE FALL and is for the TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!!
The opening chords of Big Shot slam into the speakers, bringing the fans to their feet as Jackalope charges through the curtain.
Steve Morrison: Itās the biggest night of his career and he doesnāt look intimidated by the occasion at all!
Cross Recoba: Jackalopeās never been one to worry about his opponentās reputation. He focuses on his own race to run.
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: But he does wonder if Diamond has his eye truly on the prize. Between his contract issues, Poena, and even his defense against James Raymond, Jackalope didnāt really figure in his thoughts.
Cross Recoba: Iām on the fence as to whether Iād have mentioned that if I was Jackalope. Let Diamond worry about everything else and then blindside him when that bell rings with what you can bring!
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: The crowd seem split but Jackalope knows how to get them on his side.
Cross Recoba: They could give him the extra push that takes him to victory and the first title reign of his career!
The house lights go out as the crowd begins to buzz.
Top, to the top, ain't never gonna stop
To the top, to the top, ain't never gonna stop
Pyro explodes as the chorus of "Legendary" by Skillet begins to play and the crowd erupts into cheers and chants begin to break out of "Icons", "Diamond Club", and "D-T-F".
Jack Diamond emerges on the stage with a huge grin on his face, nodding his head to the beat of the music. He adjusts his leather jacket and soaks in the moment, around his waist the Tap Out Openweight Championship belt glimmers in the lights. He mouths the word "Legendary" and begins to make his way to the ring acknowledging the fans as only Jack Diamond can do.
Steve Morrison: Weāre in the house that Jack built and donāt we know it!
Cross Recoba: Only for two more shows after tonightā¦
As he gets to the ring, he climbs the stairs and walks the apron over to the far turnbuckle. He ascends the outside of the corner and plays to the crowd as more pyro goes off.
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, legendary
Steve Morrison: Diamond agreed with you, he called Jackalopeās words āpulling the tailā...
Cross Recoba: Inside that ring, thereās few wrestlers more dangerous than Jack Diamond and he might be wanting to make a statement tonight!
Jack jumps down into the ring and heads to the center before raising his belt up with both hands, above his head loud cheers. Jack removes his leather jacket and hands it to the ring crew before heading to his corner and stretching and preparing for the match.
Steve Morrison: Whoever walks out with that title tonight, they face Poena at Night of Championsā¦
Cross Recoba: For Diamond, itās the trilogyā¦for Jackalope itād be one of the toughest first defenses he could hope for!
Laura stands in the ring, a smile on her face.
Laura Messier: Challenging for the TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP! Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada...Standing at five-feet and nine-inches, he is The Chaos Bunny.... JACKALOPE!!
Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Jackalope raises an arm as his name is called.
Laura Messier: And his opponentā¦Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Cherokee, North Carolina. He made weight at one-hundred-and-ninety-five pounds...HE ISā¦THE TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION! THE ACE...OF SPADES!!! JACK.....DIAMOND!!!
Jack smiles as his name is called. He raises his arms to the sky as the duelling chants in the crowd break out.
Crowd: CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES!
MAIN EVENT
TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Jack Diamond (#1) [C] vs Jackalope
With Laura now out of the ring and the introductions over, the Diamond Club reaches a frenzy of noise as the crowd await the start of their main event.
Crowd: CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES!
Steve Tyrell smiles to himself, his instructions to start the match momentarily on hold whilst the Diamond Club audience remains fervent and split.
Crowd: ICONS RULE! FUCK YOU, DIAMOND! ICONS RULE! FUCK YOU, DIAMOND! ICONS RULE! FUCK YOU, DIAMOND! ICONS RULE! FUCK YOU, DIAMOND! ICONS RULE! FUCK YOU, DIAMOND!
Steve Morrison: Tyrell overseeing his first main-event in Tap Out and the rowdiest element in the match might just be the crowd!
Cross Recoba: Heās earned the opportunity and I saw āBigā John Quinn giving him a crash course in what to expect earlier today before the DTF show.
Raising his hands, Tyrell attempts to quell the crowd.
Steve Morrison: Crowd control isnāt what youād expect a referee to have to deal with.
Cross Recoba: But why not get the experience where you canā¦
Approaching the challenger first, Tyrell explains what he expects from the competitors. He makes a specific point of motioning to Jackalope about hair-pulling. Kid Cryptid nods and smiles, clearly eager to get the first title shot of his career underway.
Steve Morrison: For a man who only wrestled his first match eighteen months ago, this match is a huge reflection on just how highly rated he is in Tap Out Wrestling.
Cross Recoba: Itās a huge opportunity and, without being biased, Diamond hasnāt looked untouchable in any of his defences!
Making his way to Diamond, Jack puts his arm on the shoulder of the match official and smiles as he emphasises he knows what to expect. Tyrell, keen to enforce his position, goes through the same instructions he gave the Challenger. With the instructions out of the way, Diamond hands over the title to Tyrell who raises it for the crowd.
Steve Morrison: Thereās the prize on offer.
Cross Recoba: If Jackalope wins tonight, it makes his career.
Handing it off to ringside, Steve Tyrell calls for the bell as the second-ever title defense of the Tap Out Openweight title on a Tap Out Show.
DING! DING! DING!
The crowd roar back into life as the two competitors come out from their corner.
Steve Morrison: Here we go, a three-count or two slaps of the mat and this match gets decided. How we get there though is all down to the two men inside the ring!
Showing no fear, Jackalope cuts down the gap between the two of them and locks up with the former X*Crown Champion. The Ace of Spades quickly breaks the lock-up into a standing armbar but itās reversed into a hammerlock. Jack sneaks out the back and grabs a headlock before spinning into a standing wristlock. Jackalope looks to his left and sees the ropes in distance. He grabs the top rope and uses it to backflip out of the hold and attempts a hip-toss but Diamond plants his feet down before switching around to try one of his own but Kid Cryptid throws a knee into his stomach before leaping up with a headscissors takedown.
Steve Morrison: Jackalope taking the initiative from the bell. He questioned whether Diamond was truly focused on him and not Poena or yourself, Cross, it looks like heās going to force the issue.
Cross Recoba: The Chaos Bunny has come on leaps and bounds but one thing that was evident from his first match was that he wasnāt going to wait for an opportunity to come to him, heād seek it out!
With no time spent licking his wounds, Diamond is back to his feet and immediately locks back up with the Challenger. He dives around into a waistlock that he uses to takedown Jackalope to the mat and transitions to a front-facelock that he uses to pick up the challenger and attempts a suplex but the Chaos Bunny drops down the back and, with a waistlock, charges Diamond to the ropesā¦OāConnor Rollā¦
Cross Recoba: Cuteā¦
ONEā¦
Diamond kicks out and rushes the challenger but eats a drop-toe hold for his efforts. Jackalope leans into the ropesā¦NO-ONEāS HOME FOR THE BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK!
Steve Morrison: Jackalope needs to recover quicklyā¦
Kipping up to his feet, Jackalope finds himself in another headlock and immediately is taken to the mat.
Cross Recoba: Jackās going to want a slower paced match, heās going to grind down the challenger, make him get impatient.
The ring veteran expertly moves his body weight to wring the most out of the headlock.
Steve Morrison: Heās using his size to control the hold.
Powering up, Jackalope gets to his feet but is once again taken down by a headlock takedown by the Champion. Kid Cryptid uses the momentum to take him over into a pin.
ONEā¦
Diamond moves his weight out of pin and once more gets to his feet. He takes steps forward looking for a Bulldog but Jackalope shoots him to the ropesā¦
Steve Morrison: Expertly escaped from Kid Cryptidā¦
Leapfrog from the Chaos Bunny.
Cross Recoba: What can he put on the end of it? Thatās what countsā¦
On the rebound, Jackalope ducks his head and Diamond vaults over him to the ropesā¦Japanese Arm-Drag from the Chaos Bunny!
Steve Morrison: Heās picking up the paceā¦
Diamond springs back to his feet but is taken immediately off them with a dropkick! Jack once more scrambles to a vertical base but another flying headscissors takes him to the mat. Jackalope comes off the ropesā¦SLIDING DROPKICK!
Steve Morrison: Quickfire one-two assault!
He coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
KICKOUT!!
Cross Recoba: He stunned him! Thatās going to grab the Champās attention like he wants.
Crowd: CRYPTID BUNNY! NEW CHAMP, LOPE! CRYPTID BUNNY! NEW CHAMP, LOPE! CRYPTID BUNNY! NEW CHAMP, LOPE! CRYPTID BUNNY! NEW CHAMP, LOPE!
Feeding off the crowd, the Challenger tries to keep the momentum going. Diamond leans up against the ropes to catch a breath but Jackalope rushes inā¦DIAMOND LIFTS HIM OVER THE ROPES TO THE APRONā¦.DIAMOND GRABS THE HEAD OF JACKALOPE AND GUILLOTINES HIM ON THE TOP ROPE!!
Steve Morrison: Jack going the cheap route!
Cross Recoba: Thatās controlling the ring. You might look down on it but you use those moves to pull the match back in your favor!
With Jackalope draped over the ropes, Diamond hooks a front-facelock and liftsā¦Brainbuster!
Steve Morrison: SQUARE ON HIS HEAD!!
Rolling backwards, Diamond grabs hold of the leg of the Challenger and drives his boot into the hamstringā¦and again!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope could be out and Jackās using that time to take out his legs.
Steve Morrison: And that could pose problemsā¦
Cross Recoba: Of course, if you look at any of Jackalopeās moves, they all require incredible leg strength!
He swing a leg over the raised limbā¦a legdrop drives it into the mat!
Steve Morrison: And right now the Champion is chopping away at that strength!
Crowd: COME ON, CRYPTID! LETāS GO, JACK! COME ON, CRYPTID! LETāS GO, JACK! COME ON, CRYPTID! LETāS GO, JACK! COME ON, CRYPTID! LETāS GO, JACK!
Keeping hold of the leg, Diamond gets to his feet and spins around itā¦
Steve Morrison: ACES WILD!!!
KID CRYPTID USES HIS OTHER LEG TO KICK HIM OFF TO THE ROPES! SPRINGING TO HIS FEET HE LIFTS UP DIAMOND BUT JACK FLIPS OUT THE BACK!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope isnāt going to be the walkover that he thinks Jackās treated him like in the run-up to tonight!
Grabbing the hair of Jackalope, Diamond charges to the ropes and leaps, HOTSHOTTING JACKALOPE ON THE TOP ROPE AS HE LANDS ON HIS FEET ON THE RING FLOOR!
Steve Morrison: Straight out of the pages of a Macho guy from Ohio!
Tyrell starts the count as Diamond admires his handiwork.
ONE!
Jack grabs the leg of the sprawled out Kid Cryptid and drags him towards the corner. HE SWINGS THE LEG INTO THE RING POST!
Steve Morrison: Diamond looking to put this one to bed early!
Cross Recoba: Itās smart wrestling, you use whatever comes to hand!
Steve Morrison: I didnāt expect you to be in his cornerā¦
Cross Recoba: I canāt sit here and admonish him when any viewer can search my name and find me doing the same or worse inside the ring. Iād do it, why canāt he?
TWO!
Tyrell admonishes Diamond from inside the ring but Jack grabs the leg and again slams it into the post.
THREE!!
The previously split crowd is now firmly against the Diamond Training Facility Owner.
Steve Morrison: You might want to sit on the fence, Cross, but the crowd here arenāt getting splinters!
FOUR!!
Arranging the legs, Diamond pulls Jackalope into the ring post, crotching him before leapingā¦RING-POST FIGURE-FOUR LEGLOCK!!!
Steve Morrison: ASSISTED RING POST FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK!!!
Tyrell continues to try and reason with Jack but he uses the entwined leg to lift himself up and keep the hold tight.
Cross Recoba: Look at how heās moving to make sure he can get the right pivot to exert the most pressure!
Steve Morrison: Tyrell needs to break this up!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Tyrell threatens to throw the match out!
Steve Morrison: If he disqualifies Diamond, the title stays where it is!
Cross Recoba: Jack knows that!
FOUR!
Diamond acquiesces and rolls into the ring.
Steve Morrison: The Champ sees sense and maybe, just maybe, heās doing this to put on a show to celebrate the first show for the Diamond Training Facility.
Cross Recoba: Or he wants to muddy the water for who he should face at Night of Champions. Jackalope gets cheated out of a win? Iām sure some of the Tap Out Board would push for Poena to take a backseat to this rematch!
Picking up where he left off, Diamond hauls up the Challenger to his feet and lifts him Atomic Drop style before grabbing his knee and sitting out!
Steve Morrison: The ring mat gets the assist on that Kneebreaker!
Cross Recoba: Heās honing in on that leg, Jackalope needs to dig deep to turn the tide.
Steve Morrison: You think he has it in him?
Cross Recoba: He wouldnāt be in this match if he didnātā¦
Jack rolls the Chaos Bunny onto his front and plants a leg behind his knee and liftsā¦KNEE SMASHER!!!
Steve Morrison: Again back to the leg!
Tyrell asks Jackalope if he wants to give up but the determined youngster shakes away the concern.
Cross Recoba: Jackalope wonāt give in so easily but Tyrell HAS to ask.
Smelling blood, Diamond rushes to seize the leg of Jackalope. He spins around it and this time he gets the Figure-Four Leglock locked in!
Steve Morrison: ACES WILD!
Cross Recoba: Heās been doing the prep-work for it and Jackalope, he knows itās coming but how do you stop it when heās worked that leg over like he has?
The Chaos Bunny screams in agony as the hold is cinched in, Jack using his locking leg to work his opponentās further up his own thigh.
Cross Recoba: That folded leg, some people put it below the knee but that means you have to work harder to get the submission. Each inch that Jack gets Kid Cryptidās leg further up past the knee means less work to get the winā¦
Steve Tyrell is quick to check in on Jackalope but heās waved off.
Steve Morrison: Jackalopeās not going to give in so easily though.
The Challengerās shoulders hit the matā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
Jackalope recovers enough to raise his shoulders off the mat.
Cross Recoba: What people at home might not know, a Figure-Four can pin you just as easily as submit you. Youāve got to find a hole in the hold or get to the ropes or reverse it, all while making sure your shoulders donāt hit the mat like we just saw. Iāve seen plenty of people pinned when they were focused only on not tapping out!
Looking behind him, the Chaos Bunny looks towards the ropes and starts to inch his way closer.
Crowd: GRAB THAT ROPE! GRAB THAT ROPE! GRAB THAT ROPE! GRAB THAT ROPE!
A smile is etched broadly on the face of the Openweight Champion as he sees victory in sight, quite content to let Jackalope make minimal progress.
Steve Morrison: Jack seems happy to let Jackalope fight out of this one.
Cross Recoba: Itās free progress. How Jack has that hold set-up, he doesnāt need to do too much in terms of work, itās doing it for itself. For his opponent, he might get to safety but he has to work and scrimp and dig for every inch.
The ropes now almost brushing against his fingertips, Jackalope lifts his body up for one last pushā¦DIAMOND ROLLS THE HOLD BACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING!!
Steve Morrison: Diamond knew what he was going to do all along!
The move takes the wind out of the sails from the crowd of the Diamond Club.
Cross Recoba: And with that, heās snatched away the hope that was residing in the crowd.
Jackalope tries to roll the hold over but Diamond lifts his leg up before slamming it down!
Steve Morrison: Diamondās getting vicious!
Tyrell is once more asking Jackalope if he wants to submit. For a moment, it looks as if Kid Cryptid will raise an arm and submit but he decides to fight on.
Cross Recoba: This is getting to the point where you have to question whether itās the right move. Poenaās going to be watching this match with interest and if Jackalope rallies from this position to win the title? His leg is going to be the focal point for Poenaās strategy.
Steve Morrison: But if he taps, how long until he gets an opportunity like this again?
Cross Recoba: Thatās the decision he needs to makeā¦
Lifting his head off the mat, Diamond sits up and taunts his opponent.
Using all of his strength to lift his head, Jackalope tries to inch towards the ropes with his handsā¦DIAMOND SLAPS HIM IN THE FACE!
Steve Morrison: Almost taunting the Challenger!
The boos grow louder in the Diamond Club.
Cross Recoba: Thatās his merch sales plateauing for the evening!
Once again, Jackalope lifts his head up once more. Diamond swings his armā¦JACKALOPE CATCHES IT AND GRABS AN INSIDE CRADLE!!
Steve Morrison: Jackalope sneaks a pin!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THR-
DIAMOND KICKS OUT!!!
Steve Morrison: The Challenger very nearly caused the Network Upset of the Year!
Behind the commentary team, rows of people are stood in anticipation.
Cross Recoba: For the fans at home, sitting here with a crowd like this is the best surround sound experience you canāt buy.
The Champion looks pissed the match hasnāt been put away. He rushes towards Jackalope, propped up on the ropes, and grabs his head. He throws a forearm! And another! And Another! Still, Jackalope stands!
Steve Morrison: What Jackalope lacks in size, he makes up for in heart!
Cross Recoba: Heās taken a hell of a beating but heās refusing to be put down!
Another forearm is thrownā¦JACKALOPE ANSWERS WITH A LEAPING ENZIGURI THAT CRACKS TRUE ON THE BACK OF THE CHAMPIONāS HEAD!!
Steve Morrison: Like the crack of a bullwhip!
Staggered back but not deterred, Diamond looks to grab Jackalope but the Challenger lifts him over the ropes to the apron, Jackalope helps himself out with a rope-assisted enzuiguri that staggers Jack along the apron.
Cross Recoba: Iām not sure how wise it is to use his feet on offense but it seems to be working for himā¦
Stepping through the ropes, Jackalope tests out his foot and grimaces.
Steve Morrison What could he be thinkingā¦
REVERSE SLING BLADE ON THE APRON!!
Steve Morrison: HOLD OUT PISTOL ON THE APRON!!!!!
Cross Recoba: Suicidal? Yes. Effective? Definitely!
Jackalope gingerly gets back to his feet and leans into the turnbuckle to recover. He raises an arm to the crowd to signal heās okay.
Steve Morrison: He looks like heās going for something elseā¦
Cross Recoba: I donāt know whether to be worried more for Jackalope or Diamondā¦
......
.....
POISON RANA FROM THE APRON TO THE FLOOR!!!!!!!
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
Steve Morrison: HE JUST TOOK OUT DIAMOND WITH NO FEAR OR CARE FOR HIS OWN WELLBEING!!
Cross Recoba: Itās a question of balance, Steve. Put simply, did that do more damage to Diamond than it did to him in hitting itā¦
Steve Tyrell has little option but to start the count.
ONE!
Diamond holds his neck as he sits up. In comparison, Jackalope is back to his feet but leans into the guardrail, crouched down ready to strike.
Steve Morrison: Jackalope is out for blood!
TWO!!
Jackalope rushes towards Diamondā¦.
Cross Recoba: Jackās unsightedā¦
THREE!!!
SHINING WIZARD CONNECTS!!!!
Steve Morrison: He got all of that!
FOUR!!!
Diamond looks to be out. Jackalope holds his knee in agony after a somewhat kamikaze gambit.
Cross Recoba: Jackalope might well have won the battle and lost the war in the process!
FIVE!!!
Using the ring apron to stand up, Jackalope works his way over to Jack Diamond.
Steve Morrison: Heās fighting through itā¦
SIX!!!
The Chaos Bunny rolls the Champion into the ring and slides himself onto the apron.
Steve Morrison: Heās pausing before getting back in the ring, is he still testing out his mobility?
Diamond starts to stir, Jackalope grabs the top-rope and leans backwards.
Cross Recoba: Not in the slightestā¦
SPRINGBOARD SPINNING FOREARM!!!
Steve Morrison: Huge connection from the Chaos Bunny!
The crowd roar as Diamond hits the mat. Jackalope forces himself to his feet and makes his way to the turnbuckle.
Steve Morrison: Is this wise?
Cross Recoba: However Jackalope wants to end the match, itās going to require those legs. Heās just looking for the quickest route to the endā¦
Leaping to the top, Jackalopeās leg briefly buckles but he steadies himself with the ropes.
Steve Morrison: Is he second-guessing himself?
Standing atop the turnbuckle, the Challenger pauses before leaping.
Cross Recoba: Weāre about to find outā¦
SOMERSAULT LEGDROP FROM THE TOP!!!!
Steve Morrison: DIAMOND HELPLESS TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!!
Jackalope writhes on the floor holding his leg. He slowly crawls towards Diamond and coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THRE-
DIAMOND THROWS A SHOULDER UP!!!!
Steve Morrison: Diamond manages to escape out the backdoor at the last moment!
Cross Recoba: Pardon the pun but that legwork he put in earlier is the only reason he still has that title around his waist.
Jackalope looks out into the crowd in disbelief.
Steve Morrison: I think the Chaos Bunny knows it too!
He rolls to his feet and picks up Diamond but the Champion resorts to dirty boxing with an inside uppercut as he rises. The Ace of Spades grabs the wrists of Jackalope and sends him to the ropes but the Challenger reverses itā¦GUYVER KICK!!
Steve Morrison: UNLUCKY RABBITāS FOOT!
Cross Recoba: Itās a testament to the technique at Jackalopeās disposal that he can connect with that move and cause more damage to Diamond than to himselfā¦
The Chaos Bunny rolls onto his back and arches up.
Steve Morrison: Heās not finishedā¦we all know what heās going forā¦
Walking around as he watches his opponent get into positionā¦.TOXIC SPIDER SPEAR!!!
Steve Morrison: Dead Manās Switch!!!
THE DIAMOND CLUB ERUPTS!!!!
ONEā¦
TWO!!
THRE-
DIAMOND MANAGES TO STAY IN THE MATCH!!!!
Cross Recoba: Iām wondering how much power he lost when he sprung forward on that damaged leg.
The look on Jackalopeās face tells the viewer all he needs to know about how he feels. He slowly gets to his feet.
Steve Morrison: Heās refusing to give up, refusing to stop the assault!
Reaching down, Jackalope pulls Diamond to his feet. THE CHAMPION DROPS BACK TO HIS KNEES IN A JAWBREAKER!!
Cross Recoba: He got suckered into that oneā¦
Stumbling backwards, Kid Cryptid is wide openā¦SUPERKICK!!!
Steve Morrison: ICON KICK!!!
Peeling Jackalope from the mat, Diamond lifts up the Challenger once more in an Atomic Dropā¦ANOTHER SIT-OUT KNEEBREAKER DRIVES THE JOINT INTO THE MAT!
Cross Recoba: Heās going back to that leg, he wants to make sure that Jackalope is scuttled in this match!
Looking at his opponent, Jack takes a different tact and rolls back to his feet and into the corner. He climbs up, never letting his eyes off the Challenger.
Steve Morrison: Heās watching him like a hawk.
Cross Recoba: Because, if Jackalope has done his homework, he knows whatās coming. If he hasnāt done his homework he knows that Jackās going for the-
450 SPLASH!!!
Steve Morrison: SHUFFLED DECK! SURELY THIS IS IT!!!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦.
THRE-
A SHOULDER SEES DAYLIGHT!!!!
Steve Morrison: How?
Cross Recoba: Jackalopeās not going to lose this as long as heās conscious!
THIS TIME ITāS THE CHAMP WHO CANāT BELIEVE ITāS NOT OVER!
Jack Diamond: THIS IS OVER!
Using the hair once more to raise his opponent, he hooks a Cravate holdā¦
Steve Morrison: Heās setting him up for the Stacked Deck!
JACKALOPE LIFTS A KNEE INTO THE BACK OF DIAMOND TO BREAK THE HOLD!...HEADSCISSOR DRIVER!!!
Cross Recoba: WHAT A REVERSAL! IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME TO PULL SOMETHING OUT THE BAGā¦That was it!
The Challenger hooks the leg.
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE-NO!!!!!!!!
SOMEHOW DIAMOND STAYS IN THE MATCH!!
Steve Morrison: What more can Jackalope throw at the Champion to get the job done?
Cross Recoba: Diamond probably feels the same way about putting away Kid Cryptid!
Jackalope tries to keep on top of the match and, with a slight stutter in his legs, pulls Diamond to his feet. He grabs the wrist and whips the Champion to the ropesā¦TURNAROUND DROPKICK CONNECTS WITH JACKALOPE!!
Steve Morrison: Diamond once more turns the match back in his favorā¦
Diamond forces Jackalope to his feet and whips him to the turnbuckle. CHARGING IN, DIAMOND LEAPSā¦
Steve Morrison: DIAMOND SPLASH!!!
NO-ONEāS HOME!!! JACKALOPE LEAPSā¦.TRIPLE-JUMP MOONSAULT REVERSE DDT!!!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT A COUNTER!!!
Crowd: THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT!
Cross Recoba: But he leapt from the top off one leg, thatās tellingā¦
Stumbling to his feet, Jackalope receives a huge pop from the Diamond Club crowd. He points towards the corner.
Steve Morrison: Jackalope isnāt listening then, clearlyā¦
The Chaos Bunny goes through the ropes and slowly plants a foot on the middle turnbuckle and steps up with a noticeable grimace on his face. He pushes up and gets the other foot on the top turnbuckle.
Steve Morrison: Could he be looking to hit āTurn to Ashesā? We know he has that inverted Phoenix Splash in his locker but heās never had to use it, until nowā¦
Cross Recoba: This is the Last Chance Saloon, I donāt see how he misses this and doesnāt obliterate himself in the process.
He stands up up topā¦.
Steve Morrison: You could hear a pin drop, the crowd hushedā¦
DIAMOND RUSHES HIM WITH A DROPKICK TO THE KNEE THAT CROTCHES THE CHALLENGER ON THE TOP ROPE!!
Steve Morrison: DIAMOND SOMEHOW SAVES HIMSELF!
Cross Recoba: Both men are running close to empty and that was the act of a man who knows he only has one or two good moves left in himā¦
HE HOOKS THE HEADā¦.STACKED DECK!!!
Steve Morrison: HE FINALLY HITS IT!!!
DIAMOND HOOKS THE LEG AS HE PINS!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!!
Steve Tyrell calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: The winner of your Main Eventā¦ANDDDD STILLLLLL TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONā¦.JACKā¦..DIAMONNDDDDDD!!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: What an effort by Jackalope, he gave everything in that ring tonight and on any other night? He could be the one with the win!
Cross Recoba: To beat Jack Diamond makes a career but he definitely put his name on the map tonight! He forced Jack to go to places he didnāt expect to go!
āLegendaryā by Skillet plays as Steve Tyrell raises the arm of an exhausted Jack Diamond.
Steve Morrison: And so itās Jack Diamond facing off against Poena at Night of Champions!
Cross Recoba: Thatās not the only announcement. Firstly, Poenaās war with Tommy Strychnine is our Match of the Night and..
Steve Morrison: Thereās more?
Cross Recoba: Iāve just received word that Sam Sawyer has been picked to be our Overheated rep. They get through that, they face off against the X*Crown Champion at Night of Champions!
Thereās a commotion in the crowd and Diamond turns around to see Poena charging at him! The Sadistic Servant tackles him and isolates his arm right away INTO A FUJIWARA ARMBAR! HE REACHES FOR THE HAND!!!!
Steve Morrison: POENAāS UNLEASHED! WHERE IS SECURITY?
Cross Recoba: The Diamond Clubās security should be here soon!
Steve Morrison: They need to be, Poena wants to snap his fingers tonight!
Cross Recoba: ā¦.
Steve Morrison: Fans, we just received word that Diamond gave his security team the night off too! POENA HAS FREE REIGN!!!!!
JASON LONG AND AIDEN MERRIC RUSH DOWN THE AISLE AND SLIDE INTO THE RING!!!
Cross Recoba: The Cavalry are here!!
Steve Morrison: You left him out there like a sitting duck!
POENA RELEASES THE HOLD AND SLITHERS OUT OF THE RING, LAUGHING MANIACALLY AS HE DOES SO.
Steve Morrison: Poena's got the look of a vindicated zealot! Even just a second longer and Jack's fingers would have been as twisted as that maniac!
Cross Recoba: And Merric and Long stopped it!
STOPPING TO FACE THE RING, POENA LOCKS EYES WITH HIS NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS OPPONENT, ALL THE WHILE LAUGHING TO HIMSELF AS THE SHOT FADES OUT.
Steve Morrison: Cross, this canāt just be a coincidence! Tell me you didnāt set up this attack on Diamond!
Credits - Matches
Craft/Long vs Henare/Capone - Teeps
Poena vs Tommy Strychnine - Teeps
The Throw Show vs Sawyer/McConalogue - Magz from the Efed Hub Discord
AVB vs Aiden Merric - Bailey
El Rey vs Kingsley Solomon - DT
Jack Diamond vs Jackalope - Bailey
Credits - Segs and Adverts
AI Art - Teeps
WUK Advert - Donzig
JROK Advert - Kira
NOMAD return - Jimbo
Diamond Segments - Jack
Marty and Tinto - Marty
Cross Recoba meets with several of his security team.
Cross Recoba: Sorry to send you home but Jack Diamondās picking up the tab for these events. I'll make sure you and your teams will get total compensation, but Iām sure youād all rather have the time with your family and get paid rather than have to look busy.
Head of Security: If youāre sure? Weāre a lot more experienced with these events than they are and theyāve just worked an eventā¦
Cross Recoba: Nick, thatās great youād volunteer but really thereās no need. If fans see too many security personnel, theyāll panic or decide to act out to test it. Business as usual and in this case, that means youāve all got the night off.
Nick Ballard: If youāre sure, boss. Thanksā¦
Cross Recoba: If any of you want to stop and watch the show, pick up some of the friends and family passes from the ticket office. Food and drinkās on me tonight.
A collective note of thanks is heard from the crew as they exit.
Tug Stevens: Are you sure you want us to cut out early?
Jack Diamond is talking with his head of security, Tug Stephens. Jack has just gotten to the back after sitting ringside for the first Diamond Mine show. Jack smiles and pats Tug on the shoulder.
Jack Diamond: I'm giving Cross use of this amazing arena despite not being under contract. The least he can do is split the bill when it comes to staffing these shows. His security team is more than capable of running his show. Besides, your guys did an awesome job handling Poena earlier tonight. So go on, head to the VIP and relax. Celebrate! It's a special night!
Tug eyes his boss for a moment with scepticism and then smiles.
Tug Stevens: Thanks boss. Good luck tonight!
Jack smiles, looking to his left at the championship belt over his shoulder.
Jack Diamond: Look around man, I'm home. I'm not the one who needs luck. See you later!
With that, Jack heads to his dressing room in the back as Tug packs up his things and goes to give his team the good news.
PRESENTS
TAP OUT WRESTLING 14: DIAMOND VS JACKALOPE
Date: 25th June 2023
Venue: The Diamond Club Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Attendance: 5860 (Capacity: 18000)
The cameras fade in on the Diamond Club. We see people filing in, not taking up the double-header price to see the inaugural edition of the Diamond Mine.
The crowd cheer as the cameras pan around the arena. Signs that stand out:
* EVERYONE IS DTF WITH TAP OUT!
* AVB CAN B MY Vā¦AND A!
* SILLY RABBIT, BELTS ARE FOR ICONS!
* WHERE'S THE BEEEEEEEEF?!
* SNAP!
Steve Morrison: WELCOME FANS TO TAP OUT WRESTLING FOURTEEN! DIAMOND VS JACKALOPE!
We soon put a face to the name as we cut to ringside where Steve Morrison and Cross Recoba stand-by at ringside.
Steve Morrison: Weāve got six matches for you tonight that each have the potential to be Match of the Night and earn their participants that extra bonus point from the event!
Cross Recoba: Thatās right! Weāve got the first appearance in Tap Out for Alexander von Blankenship and the first main-event for homegrown star, Jackalope!
Steve Morrison: Itās continuing a night of firsts here at the Diamond Club. Itās our first time in our temporary home here and earlier tonight it bore witness to the first-ever Diamond Training Facility Diamond Mine! If youāre looking to watch that show after ours, look away now as it all went down in their main-event!
THE DIAMOND MINE I
In the closing moments, Beef finds himself locked in a grapple with Ulysses Cole. Cole tries to whip Beef into the corner but Beef stands his ground. As Cole spins back around he is met with a huge boot to the gut, doubling him over. In an impressive feat, Beef flips Cole into a powerbomb position and runs towards the corner, letting the big man fly. He slams into the corner.
Josh Jones: BEEF BOMB!
Doug Stevens: Oh! Iām surprised the turnbuckle didnāt snap like a twig! I think the ring moved a foot in that direction!
Jack Diamond: Cole is out! Dana is out! But here comes Austin and Timo!
Austin Kade and Timo Visser are back in the ring but before they can mount any offense, Beef turns and unleashes a huge BEEFbo to Kade. Timo tries to cover up but Beef is deceptively quick, spinning and hammering Timo with a huge BEEFbo as well. Beef picks both of the smaller opponents up, lining them up together and lifting both men up on his shoulders!
Ricky Santiago: FIFTEEN SECONDS REMAIN!
Josh Jones: Viscous elbows from Beef! Wait whatās he doing?
Doug Stevens: Heās picking them both up! This is amazing!
Jack Diamond: Yeah but time is ticking down fast! He better hur- OH!
In an incredible display of his power, Beef gorilla presses both men up before letting them fall onto his shoulder and power slamming them down to the ring with authority! The crowd continues counting down.
As they bounce off each other, Beef covers them both with five seconds left and referee Andrew Eason slides in!
Josh Jones: Thereās the cover!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
DING! DING! DING!
Stacey Stewart: Beef has been awarded a pinfall and time has now expired! The winner of the match with four total falls! BEEEEEEEEFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!
Josh Jones: Beef has done it! Heās outlasted four other men in the Diamond Rush match!
Doug Stevens: Which means he will go to Overheated as the DTF rep! The other representatives should be worried. We witnessed an insane display of raw power from Beef!
Jack Diamond: I canāt wait to see how he performs in that match! All five of these men gave it there all tonight. And by my count, Ulysses Cole will go to Night of Champions to compete for the DTF Championship againstā¦ Oh Godā¦
Doug Stevens: LA ABEJA MIST-
Jack Diamond: Daniels. Itās Dana Daniels.
Josh Jones: Talk about a mismatch, Coleā¦Danielsā¦Night of Champions to crown our first ever DTF Champion! What a world we live in! Folks, we are out of time! For my broadcast partner, Dynamic Doug Stevens, and our special guest tonight, DTF Owner, Jack Diamond, Iām Josh Jones! Weāll see you next time!!
In the closing moments, Beef finds himself locked in a grapple with Ulysses Cole. Cole tries to whip Beef into the corner but Beef stands his ground. As Cole spins back around he is met with a huge boot to the gut, doubling him over. In an impressive feat, Beef flips Cole into a powerbomb position and runs towards the corner, letting the big man fly. He slams into the corner.
Josh Jones: BEEF BOMB!
Doug Stevens: Oh! Iām surprised the turnbuckle didnāt snap like a twig! I think the ring moved a foot in that direction!
Jack Diamond: Cole is out! Dana is out! But here comes Austin and Timo!
Austin Kade and Timo Visser are back in the ring but before they can mount any offense, Beef turns and unleashes a huge BEEFbo to Kade. Timo tries to cover up but Beef is deceptively quick, spinning and hammering Timo with a huge BEEFbo as well. Beef picks both of the smaller opponents up, lining them up together and lifting both men up on his shoulders!
Ricky Santiago: FIFTEEN SECONDS REMAIN!
Josh Jones: Viscous elbows from Beef! Wait whatās he doing?
Doug Stevens: Heās picking them both up! This is amazing!
Jack Diamond: Yeah but time is ticking down fast! He better hur- OH!
In an incredible display of his power, Beef gorilla presses both men up before letting them fall onto his shoulder and power slamming them down to the ring with authority! The crowd continues counting down.
āSEVENā
āSIXā
āSIXā
As they bounce off each other, Beef covers them both with five seconds left and referee Andrew Eason slides in!
Josh Jones: Thereās the cover!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
āTWOā
āONEā
Bzzzzzzzz
āONEā
Bzzzzzzzz
DING! DING! DING!
Stacey Stewart: Beef has been awarded a pinfall and time has now expired! The winner of the match with four total falls! BEEEEEEEEFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!
Josh Jones: Beef has done it! Heās outlasted four other men in the Diamond Rush match!
Doug Stevens: Which means he will go to Overheated as the DTF rep! The other representatives should be worried. We witnessed an insane display of raw power from Beef!
Jack Diamond: I canāt wait to see how he performs in that match! All five of these men gave it there all tonight. And by my count, Ulysses Cole will go to Night of Champions to compete for the DTF Championship againstā¦ Oh Godā¦
Doug Stevens: LA ABEJA MIST-
Jack Diamond: Daniels. Itās Dana Daniels.
Josh Jones: Talk about a mismatch, Coleā¦Danielsā¦Night of Champions to crown our first ever DTF Champion! What a world we live in! Folks, we are out of time! For my broadcast partner, Dynamic Doug Stevens, and our special guest tonight, DTF Owner, Jack Diamond, Iām Josh Jones! Weāll see you next time!!
Cross Recoba: Fun fact, I eliminated both BEEF and Daniels at the Rumbleā¦even got their boss!
Morrison shakes his head at the petty comment.
Steve Morrison: Which brings me to ask the question because we know who could be competing for the Openweight Title at Night of Champions. Who will WE be sending to Overheated?
Cross Recoba: Weāve got it down to a shortlist, the board have assured me that the decision will be made within seconds of the Main Event ending. Plenty of time for me to let you and everyone at home know. But thereās a lot of action to get to before then.
Steve Morrison: That action kicks off with a tag-team match that has all the makings of a classic opening match for Tap Out as Jacob Craft teams with XHF Hall of Famer, Jason Long to take on Wildcat Capone and Ashton Henare.
Cross Recoba: Capone and Craft got a good chance to become acquainted with one another last time out.
TAP OUT WRESTLING 13
Once more, the Australian looks to bring Craft to his feet but the debuting Tap Out Star grabs his leg and rolls throughā¦HEEL HOOK!!
Cross Recoba: But now Aiden finds himself in real danger, itās 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 thus far...
SLIDING CLOTHESLINE FROM CAPONE BREAKS THE HOLD!!
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 Jacobā¦GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB!
Steve Morrison: Huge bomb from IRN FST!
THE COVERā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
CRAFT GRABS A TRIANGLE HOLD!
Once more, the Australian looks to bring Craft to his feet but the debuting Tap Out Star grabs his leg and rolls throughā¦HEEL HOOK!!
Cross Recoba: But now Aiden finds himself in real danger, itās 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 thus far...
SLIDING CLOTHESLINE FROM CAPONE BREAKS THE HOLD!!
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 Jacobā¦GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB!
Steve Morrison: Huge bomb from IRN FST!
THE COVERā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
CRAFT GRABS A TRIANGLE HOLD!
Steve Morrison: Craft managed to show just how deadly he can be out of nowhere later on in the match.
Steve Morrison: Still the debuting Craft refuses to be put away!
Solomon rolls to his feet and dashes to the ropesā¦.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: Itās a smart move for Jacob to use, his weight is being carried by Solomon and youāve got to favor the man whoās an expert in submissions to come out on the winning side hereā¦
Leaning back, the Maelstrom tightens the hold as he has the Japanese Junior Wrestler caught.
Steve Morrison: Those arms are locked...
āBigā John Quinn checks on Solomon to see if heās still conscious.
Cross Recoba: Solomonās in between a rock and a hard place, right now. If he tries to slam Craft and it fails? Heās lost his footingā¦
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: ā¦Heās 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.
Solomon rolls to his feet and dashes to the ropesā¦.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: Itās a smart move for Jacob to use, his weight is being carried by Solomon and youāve got to favor the man whoās an expert in submissions to come out on the winning side hereā¦
Leaning back, the Maelstrom tightens the hold as he has the Japanese Junior Wrestler caught.
Steve Morrison: Those arms are locked...
āBigā John Quinn checks on Solomon to see if heās still conscious.
Cross Recoba: Solomonās in between a rock and a hard place, right now. If he tries to slam Craft and it fails? Heās lost his footingā¦
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: ā¦Heās 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.
Cross Recoba: But it was a night for impressive debuts all-roundā¦
Steve Morrison: Thatās true. Henare comes into this match after a VERY impressive showing against John Holliday in our opening match.
TAP OUT WRESTLING 13
Dragging Holliday to his feet, Henare throws a huge uppercut to the throatā¦ROLLING ELBOWā¦.HE LIFTS HIM UP IN A SUPLEXā¦.
Cross Recoba: LOOK AT THE HANGTIME!
DELAYED SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER!!!
Steve Morrison: WATCH THE THRONE!
The cheers long gone, the crowdās 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 Hollidayā¦.HIGH ANGLED SPINNING URANAGE!!!
Steve Morrison: THE END!!
He coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THRE-
NO! HENARE LIFTS UP HIS OPPONENT AND WANTS TO CARRY ON!
Cross Recoba: This isnāt 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 sideā¦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 itās what he wants the roster to remember.
Steve Morrison: So far weāve seen a headbutt that could floor a horse, a huge Samoan Drop, and that high-angle spinning Uranage. Thatās enough to put almost anyone away.
Cross Recoba: Heās definitely got a versatile arsenalā¦
Slowly, Holliday begins to get to his feet BUT HEāS NEARLY TAKEN OUT OF HIS WRESTLING BOOTS WITH A SPEAR!!!
Steve Morrison: NO LONGER HUMAN!!
Henare coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell!
Dragging Holliday to his feet, Henare throws a huge uppercut to the throatā¦ROLLING ELBOWā¦.HE LIFTS HIM UP IN A SUPLEXā¦.
Cross Recoba: LOOK AT THE HANGTIME!
DELAYED SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER!!!
Steve Morrison: WATCH THE THRONE!
The cheers long gone, the crowdās 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 Hollidayā¦.HIGH ANGLED SPINNING URANAGE!!!
Steve Morrison: THE END!!
He coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THRE-
NO! HENARE LIFTS UP HIS OPPONENT AND WANTS TO CARRY ON!
Cross Recoba: This isnāt 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 sideā¦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 itās what he wants the roster to remember.
Steve Morrison: So far weāve seen a headbutt that could floor a horse, a huge Samoan Drop, and that high-angle spinning Uranage. Thatās enough to put almost anyone away.
Cross Recoba: Heās definitely got a versatile arsenalā¦
Slowly, Holliday begins to get to his feet BUT HEāS NEARLY TAKEN OUT OF HIS WRESTLING BOOTS WITH A SPEAR!!!
Steve Morrison: NO LONGER HUMAN!!
Henare coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell!
Jacob Craft: You're only as strong as your weakest link. And Wildcat? That's you. You're the weakest link in this thing. You're the try hard with a chip on his shoulders without the ability to make anyone break a sweat!
Wildcat Capone: This will be the last time you disrespect me and my family again. I don't have to prove shit to some pussy like you anyways. You're going to be irrelevant in a few months time while I'll be here raising my stock and moving on up.
Steve Morrison: The night only gets wilder as following what could be that explosive tag-team match we have Poena facing off against Tommy Strychnine in a match that is sure to be full of bad blood and hard-hitting action!
Cross Recoba: People are saying that Tommyās the long shot tonight but thatās ignoring how he ran Jack Diamond close when he got his shotā¦
TAP OUT WRESTLING 12
Putting weight on his leg with a degree of uncertainty, Tommy is hamstrung to stop a head kick connecting from Diamond. He grabs the arm of Strych and sends him to the cornerā¦STINGER SPLASH!!
Steve Morrison: DIAMOND SPLASH FINDS ITS MARK!!
Crowd: HIT-THE-STACKED-DECK *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* HIT-THE-STACKED-DECK *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* HIT-THE-STACKED-DECK *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Cross Recoba: The crowd are leaving no doubt as to what they want from the Champion.
Jack lifts Tommy to the top turnbuckle as the crowd noise hits a crescendo. He reaches back to grab the head of Strych. TOMMY HEADBUTTS HIM AND GRABS HIS HEAD!
Steve Morrison: Strychās battling to stay in this!
THE CHALLENGER DRAGS JACK BACK AND LIFTS
Cross Recoba: Surely notā¦
ā¦.SUPER INVERTED USHIGOROSHI!!!
Steve Morrison: HOLY DRIVER FROM THE TOP!!!!
The crowd noise has dropped from the building as the two men lie broken in the ring.
Cross Recoba: Thatās taken the wind out of the crowd as well as the two fighters.
āBigā John has no choice but to start the count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
Neither man has moved since Tommy took them down to the mat.
Steve Morrison: Both men look broken.
Cross Recoba: Itās because, right now, they areā¦
FIVE!
Weakly, Tommy rolls over and drapes an arm over the chest of Jack.
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THRE-
JACK SOMEHOW GETS A SHOULDER UP AT THE LAST!
Steve Morrison: Jack hangs in there!
A THOUSAND YARD STARE IS SEEN IN THE EYES OF TOMMY WHO CANāT BELIEVE IT!
Cross Recoba: Tommy thought he had him, thought he was going to take away Jackās belt at the first hurdle!
Putting weight on his leg with a degree of uncertainty, Tommy is hamstrung to stop a head kick connecting from Diamond. He grabs the arm of Strych and sends him to the cornerā¦STINGER SPLASH!!
Steve Morrison: DIAMOND SPLASH FINDS ITS MARK!!
Crowd: HIT-THE-STACKED-DECK *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* HIT-THE-STACKED-DECK *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* HIT-THE-STACKED-DECK *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Cross Recoba: The crowd are leaving no doubt as to what they want from the Champion.
Jack lifts Tommy to the top turnbuckle as the crowd noise hits a crescendo. He reaches back to grab the head of Strych. TOMMY HEADBUTTS HIM AND GRABS HIS HEAD!
Steve Morrison: Strychās battling to stay in this!
THE CHALLENGER DRAGS JACK BACK AND LIFTS
Cross Recoba: Surely notā¦
ā¦.SUPER INVERTED USHIGOROSHI!!!
Steve Morrison: HOLY DRIVER FROM THE TOP!!!!
The crowd noise has dropped from the building as the two men lie broken in the ring.
Cross Recoba: Thatās taken the wind out of the crowd as well as the two fighters.
āBigā John has no choice but to start the count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
Neither man has moved since Tommy took them down to the mat.
Steve Morrison: Both men look broken.
Cross Recoba: Itās because, right now, they areā¦
FIVE!
Weakly, Tommy rolls over and drapes an arm over the chest of Jack.
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THRE-
JACK SOMEHOW GETS A SHOULDER UP AT THE LAST!
Steve Morrison: Jack hangs in there!
A THOUSAND YARD STARE IS SEEN IN THE EYES OF TOMMY WHO CANāT BELIEVE IT!
Cross Recoba: Tommy thought he had him, thought he was going to take away Jackās belt at the first hurdle!
TAP OUT WRESTLING 13
Random and Poena are again slow to their feet and Random just throws a HUGE SLAP which knocks the taste out of Poenaās 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 Adamās apple and waits for Random to stumble forwardsā¦
Steve Morrison: Heās not going toā¦
AND SPITS A FINE MIST OF FOUL-LOOKING TURQUOISE LIQUID INTO RANDOM McCONALOGUEāS FACE! RANDOM DROPS TO THE MAT IN PAIN, CLUTCHING DESPERATELY AT HER FACE AS THE BELL RINGS!
Steve Morrison: AMAZING GRACE!
Cross Recoba: Poena didnāt even TRY to conceal that from the referee.
The ring announcement of the disqualification canāt 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 RANDOMāS 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 Disqualificationā¦RANDOMā¦McCONALOGUE!!!!!!
The Ballroom crowd boo as Poena walks past them, the victor of the Main Event laid out in the center of the ring.
Random and Poena are again slow to their feet and Random just throws a HUGE SLAP which knocks the taste out of Poenaās 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 Adamās apple and waits for Random to stumble forwardsā¦
Steve Morrison: Heās not going toā¦
AND SPITS A FINE MIST OF FOUL-LOOKING TURQUOISE LIQUID INTO RANDOM McCONALOGUEāS FACE! RANDOM DROPS TO THE MAT IN PAIN, CLUTCHING DESPERATELY AT HER FACE AS THE BELL RINGS!
Steve Morrison: AMAZING GRACE!
Cross Recoba: Poena didnāt even TRY to conceal that from the referee.
The ring announcement of the disqualification canāt 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 RANDOMāS 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 Disqualificationā¦RANDOMā¦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: You might be right and we know neither man is a fan of the other.
Poena: I will break you so that all others will forget you, Tommy. You will fade into the list of my victims, along with Jack and Random, when it becomes their time, and the only place your singing will be heard again will be in my congregation, your voice praising Him forever more.
Tommy Strychnine: You may have your God on your side, but rock and roll will never die. Youāre not ready for me, Poena. As long as you continue on your self-absorbed crusade to underestimate everyone, you never will. I look forward to making you admit that.
Tommy Strychnine: You may have your God on your side, but rock and roll will never die. Youāre not ready for me, Poena. As long as you continue on your self-absorbed crusade to underestimate everyone, you never will. I look forward to making you admit that.
Cross Recoba: I donāt envy Rhod Williams trying to control that one but he should have it in hand.
Steve Morrison: You know that both Jackalope and Diamond will take time out of their last-minute checks for their match to make sure they watch to see what Poena might have in store for one of them next month!
Cross Recoba: You do not want to miss this bout!
Steve Morrison: Taking us into half-time is a tag-team match that sees The Throw Show face-off against a team that, on paper, could be deadly.
Cross Recoba: No argument from me. Sam Sawyer and Random McConalogue have both impressed in their time in Tap Out Wrestling but itāll come down to whether they can form a tag-team that can match the father-son combo of Close and Tuff Collins.
Steve Morrison: The Collinsā are almost nailed on to face whoever holds the XHF Tag Team titles when they come to us in August but almost isnāt certainly.
Cross Recoba: Thatās right! Until the contract is signed, it isnāt definite.
Steve Morrison: In their first official outing here they picked up a deeply impressive win over The Goons.
TAP OUT WRESTLING 12
Grabbing Close by the hair, Ricardo throws Close into the corner and starts to put the boots into him. Rhod Williams tries to intervene but the Goon has a hold of the top rope either side of the turnbuckle.
Steve Morrison: GET HIM OUT THE RING, RHOD! HEāS NOT THE LEGAL MAN!
TUFF CLUBS RICARDO IN THE BACK OF THE HEADā¦.BRAINBUSTER SPIKES THE GOON ON TOP OF HIS HEAD!!
Cross Recoba: The cavalry came to the rescue!
David Goon is up to a knee. Close comes behind himā¦RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX!
Steve Morrison: HUGE MOVE!
The elder Collins drags him upā¦RELEASE OVERHEAD BELLY-TO-BELLYā¦CLOSE CATCHES HIM ON HIS SHOULDERSā¦FALLING POWERBOMB!!
Steve Morrison: AN ENORMOUS DOUBLE-TEAM MOVE!!!
He coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell!
Laura Messier: Your winners of the match, Close and Tuff Collinsā¦THE THROW SHOW!!
Grabbing Close by the hair, Ricardo throws Close into the corner and starts to put the boots into him. Rhod Williams tries to intervene but the Goon has a hold of the top rope either side of the turnbuckle.
Steve Morrison: GET HIM OUT THE RING, RHOD! HEāS NOT THE LEGAL MAN!
TUFF CLUBS RICARDO IN THE BACK OF THE HEADā¦.BRAINBUSTER SPIKES THE GOON ON TOP OF HIS HEAD!!
Cross Recoba: The cavalry came to the rescue!
David Goon is up to a knee. Close comes behind himā¦RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX!
Steve Morrison: HUGE MOVE!
The elder Collins drags him upā¦RELEASE OVERHEAD BELLY-TO-BELLYā¦CLOSE CATCHES HIM ON HIS SHOULDERSā¦FALLING POWERBOMB!!
Steve Morrison: AN ENORMOUS DOUBLE-TEAM MOVE!!!
He coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell!
Laura Messier: Your winners of the match, Close and Tuff Collinsā¦THE THROW SHOW!!
TAP OUT WRESTLING 12
Rolling back to their feet, Sawyer measures themā¦SPINNING BACKFIST MISSES AND TOMMY LIFTS THEM UP FOR AN USHIGOROSHIā¦
Steve Morrison: TOMMYKNO-
SAWYER DROPS DOWN THE BACK AND SPINS THEIR OPPONENT AROUND INTO A HUGE SLAP!!
Steve Morrison: GET FUCKED!!
Steve Morrison: BLADE RUNNER! BLADE RUNNER!
Long makes the throat slash gesture and leans forwards, lifting Random upinto a Firemanās Carryā¦
Steve Morrison: BURNING SKY!
...and begins to swing Randomās legs out for his devestating modified Death Valley Driverā¦ but Random slips out and behind Longās back. As quick as a flash, McConalgue hooks in a far-side Half Nelson and rolls forward, sweeping Longās legs out and using her control of the neck to twist Long around, forcing his head forwards and clearing the path for Longās shoulders to touch the mat!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!!
Long looksā¦ STUNNED. Random rolls away, grinning to herself as the crowd try to process what has happened.
Laura Messier: The winner of this match, as a result of pinfall, RANDOMMMM...McCONALOGUE!!!!
Rolling back to their feet, Sawyer measures themā¦SPINNING BACKFIST MISSES AND TOMMY LIFTS THEM UP FOR AN USHIGOROSHIā¦
Steve Morrison: TOMMYKNO-
SAWYER DROPS DOWN THE BACK AND SPINS THEIR OPPONENT AROUND INTO A HUGE SLAP!!
Steve Morrison: GET FUCKED!!
Steve Morrison: BLADE RUNNER! BLADE RUNNER!
Long makes the throat slash gesture and leans forwards, lifting Random upinto a Firemanās Carryā¦
Steve Morrison: BURNING SKY!
...and begins to swing Randomās legs out for his devestating modified Death Valley Driverā¦ but Random slips out and behind Longās back. As quick as a flash, McConalgue hooks in a far-side Half Nelson and rolls forward, sweeping Longās legs out and using her control of the neck to twist Long around, forcing his head forwards and clearing the path for Longās shoulders to touch the mat!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!!
Long looksā¦ STUNNED. Random rolls away, grinning to herself as the crowd try to process what has happened.
Laura Messier: The winner of this match, as a result of pinfall, RANDOMMMM...McCONALOGUE!!!!
Steve Morrison: Opening up our second-half is a match where no love is lost as Aiden Merric takes on HKWās Alexander von Blankenship!
Cross Recoba: In a match that AVB went out of his way to choose!
Alexander von Blankenship: At the end of the day, I am in Tapout because I am the hottest rising young talent in the XHF Network. I am in Tapout because talent like mine cannot be ignored, and because ageing decrepit talent like yours needs to be replaced. Your old bag, friend. Not just last year, but last decade. You have served your purpose, and now you can't figure out why your the gatekeeper for outside talent peeking into Tapout? It's because your outdated, as sour as spoiled milk, and a never going to be, Aiden. That's why.
Aiden Merric: What right ripsnorter that is. Print this in your papers: Lexi von Blankenship, is about to be Alarmingly Violently Beaten. He wants to question MY skill, MY fortitude, and talk about my little lady sitting at home recovering with her son? Well, by my word as a man, as a bushmaster, as a hunter ā¦ AVB is about to be the next big game. Iām gonna bring his teeth back to Erin as a gift for daring to speak of her. Then the only ladies heāll be getting are the whores he pays for on the street corner. The only bush heāll be seeing is going to be the kind that you get tested after ya mess around with it, and heāll be paying a premium. Lexi, you want it to be about you? Contract accepted. Let me show you just how dangerous I can be!
Aiden Merric: What right ripsnorter that is. Print this in your papers: Lexi von Blankenship, is about to be Alarmingly Violently Beaten. He wants to question MY skill, MY fortitude, and talk about my little lady sitting at home recovering with her son? Well, by my word as a man, as a bushmaster, as a hunter ā¦ AVB is about to be the next big game. Iām gonna bring his teeth back to Erin as a gift for daring to speak of her. Then the only ladies heāll be getting are the whores he pays for on the street corner. The only bush heāll be seeing is going to be the kind that you get tested after ya mess around with it, and heāll be paying a premium. Lexi, you want it to be about you? Contract accepted. Let me show you just how dangerous I can be!
Cross Recoba: This match is going to be an all-out brawl! Neither man has held back on their feelings for the other and when that ringbell sounds offā¦thatās the sound of a ticking time bomb!
Steve Morrison: In our co-main event of the evening, we see Kingsley Solomon take on El Rey from GUNS for the XHF Junior Heavyweight title!
Cross Recoba: What a match that could be. We know the killer instinct resides in Kingsley but El Rey can get the job done when it matters!
XHF RUMBLE 2023
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! Heās 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 beltā¦ until a low blow brings him back to Earth. Rey locks in the waist lock, hooks the arms ā¦ XāD 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: 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 isnāt moving.
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 ā¦ and STILL The XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion ā¦ EL REY!!!
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! Heās 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 beltā¦ until a low blow brings him back to Earth. Rey locks in the waist lock, hooks the arms ā¦ XāD 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: 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 isnāt moving.
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 ā¦ and STILL The XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion ā¦ EL REY!!!
Steve Morrison: To retain in a seven-man match is impressive but Solomon only has to face-off against El Rey tonight and heās coming into this in good form!
TAP OUT WRESTLING 13
WILDCAT CHARGES IN AND DELIVERS A ROLLING KOPPU KICK TO THE BACK OF HE CLOWN! STICKY, IRRITATED AND TURNS AROUNDā¦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: Craftās trying to even up the numbersā¦
On his knees, Sticky still stands as tall as his opponentsā¦.JUDAS EFFECT ELBOW FROM SOLOMON AS A FOLLOW-UP!!!
WALL HANGER LARIAT FROM MERRIC!!!!!
He weakly coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!!
WILDCAT CHARGES IN AND DELIVERS A ROLLING KOPPU KICK TO THE BACK OF HE CLOWN! STICKY, IRRITATED AND TURNS AROUNDā¦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: Craftās trying to even up the numbersā¦
On his knees, Sticky still stands as tall as his opponentsā¦.JUDAS EFFECT ELBOW FROM SOLOMON AS A FOLLOW-UP!!!
WALL HANGER LARIAT FROM MERRIC!!!!!
He weakly coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!!
Cross Recoba: Stranger things have happened but El Rey isnāt going to make it easy. If my researcher did his job, he is the youngest X*Crown Champion and that might well be true for the belt he holds going into this match!
Steve Morrison: And in our main-event, we see Jackalope take on Jack Diamond. Now last month he was literally an interference away from getting the pin on the Champ!
Cross Recoba: He was in a great position but thatās not a certainty.
Steve Morrison: Letās take a look at the video, shall we?
TAP OUT WRESTLING 13
Jackalope grabs Jack Diamond and lifts him up to a vertical base. He JUMPS onto Jackās shoulders and gets into a sitting position on his shoulders before spinning roundand using the leg laceto drive Diamondās head into the mat.
Steve Morrison: POISON RANA!
āLope coversā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR? The crowd are calling the numbers out but the referee is occupied by Jason Long pantomiming his best, āIām illegal, please escort me back to my cornerā 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 JACKALOPEāS LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HIM, CROTCHING āLOPE 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 Kidās chin into Diamondās shoulder blade.
Steve Morrison: STACKED DECK!
The leg is hookedā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Laura Messier: The winners of this match, by pinfall, Jason Long and Jack Diamond, THE IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICONS!
Jackalope grabs Jack Diamond and lifts him up to a vertical base. He JUMPS onto Jackās shoulders and gets into a sitting position on his shoulders before spinning roundand using the leg laceto drive Diamondās head into the mat.
Steve Morrison: POISON RANA!
āLope coversā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR? The crowd are calling the numbers out but the referee is occupied by Jason Long pantomiming his best, āIām illegal, please escort me back to my cornerā 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 JACKALOPEāS LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HIM, CROTCHING āLOPE 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 Kidās chin into Diamondās shoulder blade.
Steve Morrison: STACKED DECK!
The leg is hookedā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Laura Messier: The winners of this match, by pinfall, Jason Long and Jack Diamond, THE IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICONS!
Cross Recoba: Diamond hasnāt been conclusive in any of his defenses, here or elsewhere and youāve got to think that Jackalope knows this and itāll spur him on.
Steve Morrison: He already thinks the Champion is underestimating himā¦
Jackalope: You say your focus is on the match, as any good veteran would, but the lion's share of that press conference didn't mention me, did it? You pushed your argument with Cross, your vendetta with Poena, your disdain for James Raymond, and your bond with Maverick. It's hard not to think you're lacking in focus. When you're stepping in the ring with me, that's a very bad asset to lack...Yes, you beat me at the last show, but this time there will be no Jason Long to help you Stack The Deck. There's just you and me. Your plethora of endeavours and enmities against my singular goal of beating you for the Openweight title. Your head is turned in so many directions that you can't focus on the truth that's right in front of your eyes...
Steve Morrison: For now, Diamond is confident he has the match at hand on his mindā¦
Jack Diamond: You question my focus, my dedication. You claim that my attention is divided amongst my various endeavors. But let me assure you, Jackalope, that when I step into that ring with you this Sunday at Tap Out 14, my focus will be razor-sharp. I may have a multitude of battles to fight, but make no mistake, you are at the forefront of my mindā¦Is that what you want? Maybe Iām more of an opportunist than you, because if I was trying to compete for a championship, Iād WANT my opponent distracted. Yet, you seem to want the opposite. For that you should be commended. Congrats, silly rabbitā¦ you have my undivided attention!
Steve Morrison: Weāll have to wait til our main-event to find out. For now, Laura Messier is standing by in the ring ready to kick-off our evening!
Laura Messier: WELCOME TO TAP OUT WRESTLING FOURTEEN! For the first time we find ourselves outside of the Lansky Ballroom and instead, weāre LIVE FROM THE DIAMOND CLUB! Your first match is scheduled for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Laura Messier: And is a tag-team contest! ENJOYā¦THEā¦SHOW!!!
The lights drop in Lansky Ballroom as the bassy vocals of 'Hoist the Colors' fills the room.
Steve Morrison: Craft didnāt come out with his arm raised in his debut match, the wrong side of a six-man tag-team match but he definitely made an impression.
Cross Recoba: Craftās a worker. Heās coming into this sport from an impressive MMA career and he seems like he wants to take on the world of Professional Wrestling.
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: Still waiting for his first foray in singles action, heāll be hoping that a conventional tag-team match gives him more control over the result than the chaotic nature of the six-man.
Cross Recoba: That time will come. Tonight though he finds himself with a tag-team specialist and, if heās smart, heāll let Long direct the match for their team.
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, is that why he ignores the fans?
Cross Recoba: It could be, it could be that theyāre not going to make one iota of difference in the ring when that bell rings.
Leaping to the ring apron, Jacob enters the ring and goes to his corner.
Thereās a moment of silence inside of the arena as the crowd awaits for the next match, but then the lights inside of the arena dim to darkness and the crowd sit in silence, but then they hear the words speaking through the P.A. System and that signals for them to begin booing upon knowing who it might be:
āTAKE ALL MY MONEY
TAKE ALL MY MONEY, HONEY
TAKE ALL MY MONEY AND BLOW (BLOW, BLOW)ā
The crowd inside of the building began to cheer loudly as the vocals of āBlowā begin to play through the speakers, the lights beginning to spiral around the arena before bringing them all around onto the stage where The Last Breathing Mercenary steps through the curtain, a large grin along his face as he stops at the top of the ramp and looks around the arena. The camera pans closer toward the man as he began his slow walk down to the ring, soaking in every second that the crowd show their love for Long.
Steve Morrison: Back-to-back tag-matches for the Best Bout Machine!
Cross Recoba: Tonight is a new challenge, a new partner and one opponent heās not faced off against.
Long finds himself at ringside, taking a moment to stand there and take a deep breath before turning to walk over to the steps and head up along them to get onto the ring apron. From there, he brushes his feet along the apron, removing his ring jacket and steps through the ropes.
Steve Morrison: Do you think any bad blood will spill over from GUNS Fight Club between Long and Capone?
Cross Recoba: Weāll find out when the bell rings but if Iām Capone? I see a huge name to profit from with a win!
Long heads into the furthest corner and steps onto the second ropes, keeping himself up high as he looks out through the crowdā which only brings a large smile along his face, slightly laughing at the crowd, before leaping off of the apron and staying within the corner to prepare himself for the match.
Steve Morrison: Long knows that if he can string together wins, heās in pole position to get another shot at that Openweight title!
Cross Recoba: Thatās well-known, what isnāt though is who he might be challenging when that chance comes along!
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: Could this be the year Capone steps up and makes his name in Tap Out?
Cross Recoba: Heās a work-in-progrss but what I love about Wildcat is he doesnāt shy away from a new challenge. GUNS Fight Club, the Rumble, Infinite Pro Wrestling, he travels the globe to work on his craft.
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: Is he still defining his style?
Cross Recoba: You look at him and his big moves and youād say maybe heās more like Merric but thatās overlooking some of the subtleties in his game. Heās rounding out his game.
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: Can he and Henare get on the same page?
Cross Recoba: Capone finds himself in a new situation, Ashtonās far more about power than him. Heāll be relying on that surprising agility to add a new dimension to the team.
"HE IS HIM."
For a split second, silence fills the arena and all you can hear is the chattering of fans. The silence is soon replaced with the flooding of a rather familiar instrumental. āThe Cityā by The Game (feat. Kendrick Lamar) begins to blare throughout the airwaves as attendees turn their heads to see one of the newest attractions to Tap Out Wrestling. But, having a feeling of self-entitlement, Ashton keeps them waiting. That is until his theme music finally reaches his favorite part.
Steve Morrison: An impressive debut last month, handpicked by Vaāaiga, Henare had the pundits raving but tonight he faces his first real challenge.
Cross Recoba: The fact heās handpicked by Vaāaiga should tell you a few things. Heās tough, heās explosive in the ring, and putting him down isnāt going to be easy.
And as soon as those words begin to fade, the screens in the room showcase "GOD" before displaying his impressive highlights. The man himself makes his entrance. Ashton steps onto the stage with a sense of energy and charisma unlike anyone else. He quickly makes his way toward the ring and keeps himself pumped up, making sure that his focus is only on the ring, making sure that all attention was on the business needing to be taken care of in the ring.
Steve Morrison: Can they work together to nullify Longās experience in the ring?
Cross Recoba: Weāre about to find out and I canāt wait!
Once up, he slow-walks across the ring apron before turning around to stare out at the fans again. That signature tongue is brandished whilst throwing up the Shaka sign, a staple in his culture. Lowering his hand, Ashton turns and quickly enters the ring via middle rope before moving toward the center. He wipes his hands off and turns to the camera as he dusted his shoulders off.
BOO-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH....BOO-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH-YAH....
Steve Morrison: Is that?
Cross Recoba: THE MAORI HIMSELF!
Standing at the top of the ramp is Tap Out Road Agent and the man who discovered Ashton Henare, Va'aiga. The crowd pop wildly for the now retired legend.
Va'aiga: BOO-YAH!
The Maori throws a Shaka sign of his own to the camera at the top of the ramp as he walks down towards the ring in a full suit.
Steve Morrison: It looks like we've got a third man in the booth for our opener!
Cross Recoba: I pulled attention to this last month but Henare really is a wrestler after Va'aiga's heart. You can see the pride bursting out of his suit right now!
Va'aiga makes his way to the announce table and grabs a set of headphones before sitting down.
Steve Morrison: Pleasure to have you here!
Va'aiga: Let's bring some motherfucking action!
Cross Recoba: Nice suit...
Va'aiga:You try to get a good fit for a 6'5, 375lb man!
Cross Recoba: Point well made...
Laura Messier waits for the crowd to die down before starting her introductions.
Laura Messier: Introducing first! Weighing in at a combined three-hundred-and-ninety-five poundsā¦. THE MAELSTROM...JACOB...CRAFT AND THE BEST BOUT MACHINEā¦JASONā¦LONG!!!
The two men talk amongst themselves, putting a strategy together for the match ahead.
Laura Messier: AND THEIR OPPONENTS! With a combined weight of four-hundred-and-seventy-three pounds MR 859...The STONE...COLD...KILLA...WILDCAT...CAPONE and THE PERSONIFICATION OF DOMINATIONā¦ASHTONā¦HENARE!!!
Both men look not at each other but at their opponents across the ring.
OPENING MATCH
TAG-TEAM MATCH
Jacob Craft (#14) & Jason Long (#3) vs Ashton Henare (#13) & Wildcat Capone (#11)
Henare and Long start the match for their teams. With big, thumping strides, The Personification of Domination hustles to mid ring and offers Long a lock up. Jason Long accepts but quickly manoeuvrers the hold into double overhooks and fires some sharp knees into Henareās massive cranium. Ashton uses his power to throw The Catalyst away and takes a huge stride forwards before raising a knee into Longās midsection. The Last Breathing Mercenary looses his grip and staggers back a half step and Henare takes one big step in and headbutts Long, dropping the Irishman straight to the mat. Long rolls back to his corner and tags out and Henare strides back to his, tagging Capone with an outstretched Shaka Sign.
Steve Morrison: Thatās using your head!
Cross Recoba: How do Polynesians get such strong skulls?
Va'aiga: We train āem, Cross. Smack something with your brow enough, you feel it less.
There is an amount of care to how Craft gets in the match, making sure that he gets the right angle of attack on the unpredictable Capone. Mr Eight-Five-Nine goes straight in, throwing hands like itās going out of style which Craft soaks about half of and artfully blocks the ones targeting his head area. Craft shoots the half, taking Capone down to the mat and tries for a leg bar but Wildcat had fell towards the ropes and he reaches out and forces the break. The Man From The Big Blue Nation steps back and waits for Craft to allow him enough space before charging in like a raging bull and hitting a massive Thesz Press. Capone tries to rain down shots but Craft uses his BJJ skills to immediately wrap his legs around Wildacatās waist and lock his head up, closing the guard. Capone tries to break free with some short downwards elbows but thatās enough space for Craft to worm around and take the arm, looking to set up a keylock. Henare spots this, rushes in and breaks it up with a stomp. Referee Quinn orders Him back to his corner and Craft retreats and tags out again.
Steve Morrison: Jacob Craft showing his Mixed Martial Arts prowess.
Cross Recoba: People with no background in BJJ often struggle when someone busts out the hardcore technical moves.
Va'aiga: Itās his thang. When you got your thang in this sport? You do your thang, you get results.
Capone mockingly beckons the more experienced Long to come for him and The Catalyst takes the opportunity the charge in at full speed, flattening Capone to the mat with a stiff knee strike. Long quickly coversā¦
Steve Morrison: KING SLAYER!
ONE!
TWO!
T.. Capone kicks out.
It takes a fraction of a second for Long to kip up and get back to his feet. He raises an arm to the air, rushes the ropes, heads past Capone, building up steam hits the opposite ropes andā¦ Asthon Henare knees him in the small of the back before he can get any further. Long stops and turns, looking to swat the Personification of Domination off the apron for the temerity of interrupting the Blade Runner. Wildcat turns and takes a short run up and plants Long in the back of the head with a running kick to the back of the head which leaves The Catalyst draped over the top rope and then Henare and Capone give themselves four strides of space before Mr 810 and Mr 424 rush in and blast Long to the back and side of the head with a Yakuza Kick and a HUGE Dropkick. Long falls backwards to the mat and Capone coversā¦
ONE!
TWO!
TH...
Steve Morrison: BACK IN BLOOD! GET GOT!
Va'aiga: Damn, he got got GOOD. Long got laid the fuck out there.
Cross Recoba: Do we have a swear jar for the big man?
Va'aiga: Dock it from my wages, chur!
Henare tags in and readies himself for Long standing up, indicating roughly where Capone should be standing. Referee Quinn puts a count on but Wildcat knows how to work a five count. Henare places his fingers together and waits for a dazed Long to stagger into range before firing his fingers into Longās throat. Long turns, stunned RIGHT into Wildcat who turns, locks in a three quarter facelock and drops to the mat, crushing Longās jaw against his shoulder blade. Long bounces back, turning 180 degrees through the air and Ashton Henare snags him, locks in a front facelocks and lifts Long into a suplex, sitting out and DUMPING JASON LONG ON HIS DAMN HEAD!
Steve Morrison: WATCH THE THRONE WITH A CHIN CHECK IN THE MIDDLE!
Va'aiga: WEST COAST AND DIRTY SOUTH WORKINā PERFECTLY!
Cross Recoba: The secret to good tag team wrestling is to know where your partner is.
Henare coversā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THRā¦ Craft rushes across the ring to break it up.
Cross Recoba: Like that.
Thinking sharply, as he is ordered back to his corner, Jacob Craft drags Jason Long with him to an armās length from his corner. Henare charges, looking to break up a potential tag with a huge arcing Superman Punch but Craft ducks slightly, causing the Inglewood based Maori to fire his own arm into the top rope hard. Craft leans out and tags himself in before hopping through the ropes past Ashton and blasting Capone with a high kick! Craft turnsā¦ high, arcing kick to Henare! Another kick to Craft! A toe kick to Henareās midriff doubles over the Maori in the ring! Long is getting himself back up as Jacob Craft grabs a headlock and hits a swinging DDT on Ashton, HITTING A MODIFIED DROPKICK TO CAPONE AS HE DELIVERS THE MOVE!
Steve Morrison: MAELSTROM! Jacob Craft is on FIRE!
Long gets up and seeing Capone stumbling back towards the ropes and rushes at him, extending an arm using all his remaining strength to BLAST CAPONE OVER THE TOP ROPE AND TO THE OUTSIDE WITH A VICIOUS, EVIL, NASTY, TAG PARTNER ELIMINATING LAAAAAAARIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAATOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Steve Morrison: BLADE RUNNER!
Va'aiga: THE LARIAT! THE LARIAT! THE MOTHERFUCKINā LARIAT!
Cross Recoba: Youāve always wanted to make that call, āInga.
With Capone out of the way and Henare stunned, Craft stands and looks composed he waits patiently for Him to stand up. Craft makes ready by backing off a few steps and charges in, BLASTING HENARE WITH A HUGE RISING KNEE...
Steve Morrison: TIMEāS UP!
...Henare bounces off the ropes and falls forwards and Craft is on him like a shot. He locks in a head and arm lock and, carfully checking the position of the ropes, Gator Rolls away from them, locking Henareās arm against his own carotid artery. The Personification of Domination is the Personification of someone trapped in a blood choke and as the light begins to fade from his eyes and with no Wildcat Capone to save him he is forced to tap out.
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: Your winners of this match, via submissionā¦Jason Long AND JACOBā¦CRAFT!!!
Steve Morrison: HOIST THE COLORS and it gets the job done.
Cross Recoba: Youāve got to be disappointed about that, āInga.
Va'aiga: Every match, Cross, is a learning experience. And āDonāt let some MMA motherfucker choke your ass out.ā Thatās a lesson we all sometimes need to learn. Now I got things to arrange backstage. Ka kite anÅ, guys.
Steve Morrison: Jack Diamond isnāt the only one with a title defense coming up. Cross, youāre putting your HKW World Heavyweight title on the line against Kalmin Watts at Irish Rage in Dublin 2023 next month!
Cross Recoba: Itās a formality, Steve, I had his number before and this isnāt going to be any different except I get to do it on an entirely different continent!
Steve Morrison: It tops off a stacked card that sees the next stage of Martyās feud with the Anointed!
Cross Recoba: I never thought Iād say this but if he could take a title off of Wesley Crane, the whole world will thank him!
Steve Morrison: Crane defends the tag-team titles with Alexander von Blankenship who weāll see after the intermission against Aiden Merric!
Cross Recoba: Steinās undefeated in his return and Marty can wrestle when he isnāt too busy shilling for the Mouseā¦not as well as I can but we saw how close he took Jason Long all the way back at Tap Out Wrestling 9!
Steve Morrison: Crane needs to focus on that match but heāll have one eye on the triple-threat ladder match earlier on in the show that sees Simon Cruise, another undefeated HKW star, take on former West Coast Champion The Sheik and Tuxedo Mask to become the challenger for Craneās belt in singles competition!
Cross Recoba: Each of them presents a different challenge for Crane. Cruise is the closest to an all-rounder in the match, The Sheik makes up for limited skills inside the ring with sheer barbaricism and an ability to never find the mark for going too far, as for Tuxedo Mask? If you donāt cut off his legs, heās a danger!
Steve Morrison: Rounding out a stacked undercard is Television Champion, The Salford Squid, taking on Dick van Thijmanā¦
Cross Recoba: Even including Squidās misguided love of Syberus, you have to heavily favor the Champion retaining in that match
Steve Morrison: Donāt miss it, fans. Only available on the XHF Network!
Add to planner
Laura Messier: Your second match of the evening is a singles match, scheduled for 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: Last month we saw Poena lose his cool and rack up another disqualification.
Cross Recoba: He took the chance to remind Diamond and Jackalope just exactly whoā¦or what theyāre facing at Night of Champions.
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: He goes into tonightās match against Strych and itās difficult to predict what the match is going to look like.
Cross Recoba: You never can tell with Poena. He can brawl, he can take you down to the mat. The only certain prediction about his arsenal is weāre unlikely to see him take to the skies.
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 āREPENT!ā to the heavens before smirking at the crowd and getting up to his feet.
Steve Morrison: In the build-up to the match we saw the ghoulish choir that led his congregation in song, can he add Tommyā¦or a version of him tonight?
Cross Recoba: Itās Poena, this is a guy who had one match in FIRESIDE and then they stopped using him. Iāll be honest, I think they were scared, I donāt think Caffrey wanted Poena within fifteen feet of him. He constantly comes up with new ways to torture his opponents inside the ring and Tommyās got to be careful.
The arena goes completely dark, and for a moment all that can be heard is the murmurs of the crowd. Suddenly lights can be heard coming up and the stage is washed in white light. Someone brings out a stool and places it in the spotlight, then another crew member places an old-school boombox on the stool. The camera pans in on the boombox, and a hand appears to press the play button.
āDo you really wanna? Do you really wanna taste it?ā
The stage explodes in pyro when the music starts and, when the smoke clears, Tommy Strychnine has taken the place of the makeshift plinth, dressed in a spiked purple zebra-striped leather jacket, matching skintight leather pants, atrfully torn āTommy Strychnine half-shirt over a mesh under and a gold kneepad with a cartoon pair of lips emblazoned on it.
Steve Morrison: New music, new outfit, is this the rebirth of the Rocker?
Cross Recoba: It certainly matches up with his in-ring style.
He struts his way across the stage, playing to the crowd, and he takes his time before finally making the journey down the ramp, pausing to taunt the crowd along the way, really working them up into a cacophonous chorus of boos.
Steve Morrison: Tommy surprised me, going after Poena and calling him a āpervertā. Do you think he really has such delicate sensibilities?
Cross Recoba: Strych knows how to get press, that was a line designed to goad, to distract. If you want what I learned from his promotional videos? Heās NEVER getting a YouTube Gaming channel that Tap Out pays for. Weād be bankrupt by the end of the week!
When he reaches ringside, he takes a lap before stripping off his jacket and draping it over the timekeeperās table. He rolls into the ring and makes his way over to the turnbuckle, climbing it and miming tossing dice into the crowd, before backflipping off and landing in a powerslide as pyro fires from the ring posts.
Steve Morrison: Youād have to say that Tommyās the underdog going into this, how do you rate his chances?
Cross Recoba: Thatās unfair. Strych drove Diamond closer than anyone else so far in his reign. If heās motivated and on-form, Tommy could cause Poena a lot of problems.
With the pyros dying down to nothing, Laura takes the moment to start the ring announcements.
Laura Messier: INTRODUCING FIRST! From the Ninth Deep...Standing at six-feet even and weighing a hundred-and-ninety pounds...THE SANCTIFIED ONE....POENA!!!!!!
Stalking between the ropes, the Torturous Threat that is Poena smiles as he eyeballs his opponent.
Laura Messier: ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RING! 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!!!
Tommy leans into the ropes, testing them in preparation for the November Rainmaker or the Kiss Me Deadly Knee.
SINGLES MATCH
Poena (#2) vs Tommy Strychnine (#9)
Taking a circuitous route towards the centre of the ring, Poena is always presenting difficult angles towards his opponent to open the match. Tommy Strychnine takes one last pre match swig of Olā Uncle Jack before swaggering straight towards the middle of the ring. Turning on a dime, The Dark Messiah calculates the distance between himself and Strych perfectly and lashes Tommyās side with a roundhouse kick. Tommy grunts and instinctually fires one back, catching Poena with one of his long, rangy legs. Poena cocks his head to a side for a secondās pause and fires a second roundhouse kick back at the Youth Gone Wild. Tommy is rapid in his response as he cleaves the air with his leg, smashing his instep against Poenaās side. The Angel of Chaos presses his first two fingers against the underside of his mandibular nerve AND AT THE SAME TIME, BOTH MEN DUCK AND FIRE THEIR BURNING MISTS AT AN UPWARDS ANGLE, BOTH HAVING DUCKED OUT OF THE TARGET PATH, CREATING A MIX OF WHISKEY AND TURQUOISE ICHOR IN A CLOUD BETWEEN THE TWO!
Steve Morrison: AMAZING GRACE! WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!
Cross Recoba: I knew this match was going to get wild when I inked it on my sheet but not this wild this fast.
The speed of Poena wheeling round to a new angle of attack as the mist cloud settles catches Tommy off guard. The Rock āEm Sock āEm Rocker leaves an arm failing as he turns to face The Sanctified One. Poena grabs for the arm and sends Tommy flying across the ring with a powerful Irish whip. Making the mental calculations and knowing how light on his feet Tommy is, Poena flattens himself to the mat as Strych rebounds and flies across the ring to the other side. The Priest of Pain readies a strike as Tommy head back towards him but having regained a little control of his movements, Strychnine leaps into the air and takes Poena down by jumping and firing his knees into The Sanctified Oneās shoulders. Poena smartly covers up and the hail of punches Tommy rains downwards have little effect as referee Rhod Williams gives his a five count to stop laying shots in.
Steve Morrison: Thereās a lot of fight in Tommy Strychnine.
Cross Recoba: Iāve seen the betting lines on this match. No one gave Tommy a chance but heās more than holding his own against Tapoutās most dangerous man.
Tommy strides round so he is behind Poena as the Dark Messiah stands. Quickly Strych locks in a tight back waistlock and after a couple of seconds of struggle, Styrch hoists Poena backwards, flinging him over his head with a crisp Release German Suplex. Tommy rushers the far ropes and times perfectly to slide into a European Uppercut as Poena raises his head up from the mat. Strych stays down to coverā¦
ONE!
TWO!
Tā¦ Poena grunts and lifts a shoulder up with ease.
Steve Morrison: Too early for a cover there?
Cross Recoba: Itās more effort to kick out than it is to pin a guy. Always go for covers, even if you donāt think youāre going to win the match.
Not wanting to give Poena an inch of space, Tommy Strychnine grabs his opponent by the head and drags The Master of Digital Manipulation up alongside him. Strych keeps hold of the head and wraps it under his armpit before leaping towards the centre of the ring, snapping Poena down with a sharp bulldog. Strychnine kips up steps over Poena, plays a couple of bars on his air guitar and then does a beautiful backflip, landing chest to chest on the prone Prophet of Pain. Tommy rolls back with the momentum and to his feet before doing another backflip, this time going forwards through the air and crashing down chest to chest again. Tommy stays down to coverā¦
ONE!
TWO!
TH.. Poena kicks out!
Steve Morrison: MOONSAULT! SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
Cross Recoba: Tommy Strychnine is one of the hardest wrestlers to read, not only in this company but anywhere. He goes from party dude without a care in the world to one of the federationās best high flyers in an instant, seemingly, which I believe is deliberate, at random.
As he stands, Poena looks wobbly as backs off towards the ropes. With a head of steam, Strychnine comes rushing in, raising his leg up and hitting a ganmengiri that sends The Dark Messiah over the ropes and tumbling to the outside. Tommy moves to mid ring and starts a theatrical overhead clap which gets the crowd joining inā¦
CLAP!
CLAP!
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!ā¦ Tommy rushes the ropes and heads like a bullet towards Poena, leaping over the top one and twisting his body in midair. Tommy sails at where Poena is.. AND POENA. POSSIBLY IN DEPERATION, REACHES TO THE TOP RING STEP AND DRAGS THE STEEL OFF ITS FASTENING AND INTO THE FLIGHTPATH OF THE HAIR METAL ANTIHERO! TOMMY SPLATS UNCOMFORTABLY ON THE COLD HARD METAL AND POENA GRINS, EVILLY!
Steve Morrison: Thatās a hard landing.
Cross Recoba: They donāt call it high risk offense for nothing. On such moments matches turn.
Poenaās sickening smile doesnāt drop as he wrenches Tommy off the thin ringside matting. He bends Tommyās les up and lifts the Rock āEm Sock āEm Rocker up off the floor before driving him down, shin first onto the ring step heād thoughtfully left laying there. Tommyās face is a picture of pain. Very carefully, Poena extends Strychās leg across the steel and hops up onto the ring apron, jumping off into a huge stomp, sandwiching Tommyās lower leg between cold unforgiving steel and the sole of Poenaās boot. The joy in Tommyās face is gone, replaced only with pain. The Dark Messiah checks referee Williamsā count and slings Tommy inside, following in himself and dropping to coverā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THā¦ Tommy raises a shoulder.
Steve Morrison: It looks like Poena has picked a limb to destroy again.
Cross Recoba: When Poena says heās not going to skip leg day, you wonder whose leg it is.
Back inside the ring, Poena looks thoughtful as he jumps a little and drops his knee across Tommy Strychnineās leg. He nods to himself as he stands, as if agreeing with his own plan. The Dark Saviour follows up by grabbing the injured leg, lifting it up perpendicular to the mat and driving the knee down hard into the canvas. Keeping hold of the leg, Poena switches his grip up to the ankle and spins his own body down to the mat putting a huge amount of torque through Tommyās leg. Poena stands and offers himself a little clap, pleased with his handiwork.
Steve Morrison: Poena has almost surgical precision when heās working over a limb.
Cross Recoba: And leaves his opponent requiring actual surgery if he gets his way.
Poena looks again like heās having a bit of a think, gears turning in his head. The Sanctified One kicks Tommy Strychnine in the ribs, using his foot to flip Tommy to a supine position. Poena walks round to Tommyās head and wraps Strychās arms into a 4 shape, pinning the in place with The Dark Messiahās own left leg. With unreal flexibility, Poena leans forwards and slaps the sides of Tommyās ribcage, causing the Wildchildās legs to get loose, allowing Poena to grab hold of an ankle and lift it off the ground, stepping forwards out of the hold and stomping HARD on the back of Tommyās elevated thigh.
Steve Morrison: What in the hell was that?
Cross Recoba: Inverted Curb Stomp? Reverse Curb Stomp? Pure improvised sadism, thatās what it is.
Smelling blood in the water, Poena is already on the right side to grab the injured leg. He pulls it backwards and lowers his posture, adding pressure to the knee joint as he torques hard on the ligaments. Tommy has enough sense about him to edge closer to the ropes and he reaches an arm outā¦ but The Sactified One spots this and steps over, loosening the Half Crab and falling into a knee bar, applying the leg lace and using the momentum to roll the pair away from the ropes. The agony on Strychās face is obvious to all and Poena adds a pointed, āASK HIM!ā at referee Williams.
Steve Morrison: Poena has been consistently going after that leg all match. Can he force a submission win here?
Cross Recoba: If not now, then later. All that damage adds up over the course of a match.
Poena twists away at the ankle while attempting to lever the entirety of Tommyās leg free from his body. The crowd noise raises as they beg and plead for Strychnine to break the hold. Poena attempts to reposition again, posturing up so he can add even more pressure on Tommyās knee, maybe even just plain snapping a shin bone. Another loud, āASK HIM!ā gets fred off at the referee but Tommy Strychnine shakes his head again. Tommy shuffles the pile backwards towards the ropes and Poena tries to counter this by shuffling the pile round so Tommy is further from the ropes. But in that shuffling, Poena raises his body a little too close to Strychās good leg and Tommy kicks out, trying to shoot The Sanctified One off with the flat of his foot. Poena postures up again to go for one last big wrench on the leg but TOMMY STRYCHNINE BOOTS HIM REAL DAMN HARD AND SQUIRMS FREE! TOMMY CAREFULLY STANDS AND ROARS IN ANGER!
Steve Morrison: TOMMY STRYCHNINE FEELS THAT ENUFF ZāNUFF!
Cross Recoba: Heās not gonna take it... anymore.
Poena rushes in, ducking to take the leg out again but Tommy fires off a mean European Uppercut to send The Sanctified One flying. Poena tries again, worming round for a different angle but Strychnine wheels round on his good foot and hits a second Massive European Uppercut. This time Poena is slower to get to his feet and Tommy swaggers, semi uncomfortably, into position to hit a third massive Uppercut. As Poena goes flying backwards with the power of the strike, Tommy takes the time to play a tiny air guitar solo!
Steve Morrison: Tommy Strychnine is really feeling it now!
Cross Recoba: Adrenaline is a hell of a drug.
Quick to follow up, Tommy hoists Poena off the mat in a firemanās lift, wincing as he drags The Sanctified One up. Tommy sticks his good knee out and drops Poena back first across it!
Steve Morrison: TOMMYKNOCKER!
Tommy stops to pinā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THRā¦ Poena kicks out. Tommy points to the corner and begins the slow, careful walk towards it. Tommy looks back to check that The Dark Messiah is still down and upon seeing he is, Tommy takes a slow step up to the first turnbuckle. The crowd noise raises as ever so safely, Tommy gets to the second. Poena still isnāt moving. Tommy checks again and climbs to the top before DEAD BODY FALLING OFF THE TOP ROPE ONTOā¦
...NOTHING! POENA HAD ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!
Steve Morrison: STAGE DIVE MISSES!
Cross Recoba: When your leg has had been taken out that badly, itās a huge risk to go to the top rope.
Steve Morrison: But Poena is a man who often requires risks to be taken.
Cross Recoba: This is also ture.
Poenaās eyes glaze over for a second as he scuttles round to snag Tommyās good leg and trap it in a grounded Stretch Muffler. The Devious Destroyer reaches across Tommyās body with his legs and applies a crossed leg lace on the bad leg, twisting his own limbs to not only stretch that leg out and twist it WHILE applying a vicious Banana Split across Tommyās lower half.
Steve Morrison: JUDAS CRADLE! JUDAS CRADLE!
Tommy struggles and strains, attempting to bust loose but heās so tied up and tired that he has no other option and taps the hell out.
DING! DING! DING!
Steve Morrison: There is no shame in losing such a hard fought match.
Cross Recoba: That was a ton of fortitude shown by Tommy Strychnine there. But itās Poena who takes the dub from this match.
Voiceover: NEW IN THE XHF STORE, GET THE NEXT GENERATION OF COLLECTIBLE CARDSā¦. In our Series 1 release for Tap Out, collect the set. Will you start your set with Sam Sawyer?
Voiceover: The Chaos Bunny, Jackalopeā¦
Voiceover: The Rising Threat of the Throw Show...Close Collins...
Voiceover: The Bounty Hunter from the Outback, Aiden Merric...
Voiceover: The Infrequent Flyer, Random McConalogue...
Voiceover: The Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Wrestler, Tommy Strychnine...
Voiceover: Tap Outās Best Bout Machine, Jason āMaverickā Long...
Voiceover: The Master of Digital Manipulation, Poena...
Voiceover: The Tap Out Openweight Champion! Jack Diamond!
Voiceover: And completing the set: Tap Out Owner, Cross Recoba!
Voiceover: Whatās more, place your vote for Move of the Night and quote: 'BOOYAH!' to get a limited-edition card of the Tap Out Road Agent, Va'aiga included in your order! Only on the XHF Network!
Laura Messier: CLOSING OUT THE FIRST HALF OF TONIGHTāS EVENT! A Tag-team match scheduled for ONE FALL!
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. Heās 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 and partner Tuff Collins not too far behind.
Steve Morrison: Here we are, THE THROW SHOW ARE HERE!
Cross Recoba: Last time out, they took down The Goons which is no mean feat in itself.
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 Tuff. Close takes a good look at the ring and bows in respect.
Steve Morrison: Close is a suplex machine, and with his father Tuff by his side, they have a unique chemistry that sets them apart.
Cross Recoba: Thereās a reason that people are seeing this year as the breakout year for Close in Singles competition but he could just as easily improve his game with a reign with the XHF Tag Titles thatād see him touring the world to round out his game.
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 taking in the atmosphere. The back of Closeās hoodie reads āIT'S TIME FOR LAST CALLā
Steve Morrison: Tonightās challenge though is not as easy as some people have said in the build-up.
Cross Recoba: Itās going to be rough onā¦Tuff. Both of their opponents prefer to operate at speed and so itāll be down to the Collinsā to try and take control of the match.
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: Samās been on quite the tour since our last show.
Cross Recoba: Theyāre forever looking for ways to improve, ways to fill gaps in their game and make them a stronger wrestler. Itās part of whatās made them a success here in Tap Out.
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: Watching their training camp videos, there seemed to be doubts creeping into her game.
Cross Recoba: You could say they have Imposter syndrome. You donāt get the wins theyāve taken without talent.
They climb the steps and enter the ring, now focused entirely on the match ahead.
Steve Morrison: Weāve seen how Sawyer works as part of a team, can they repeat that with Random?
Cross Recoba: I canāt see why not. It helps that McConalogue might just be the form wrestler 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: Coming off the back of her biggest win-to-date and acting like itās nothing!
Cross Recoba: Random is very much someone who celebrates their achievements on the inside. Itās what makes her such a tough opponent to crack, never showing any emotion between those ropes.
The lights reach their full
Steve Morrison: Itāll be interesting to see what, if any, effects from the mist from Poena still has in this match.
Cross Recoba: Itās been said before but bears repeating: you donāt beat Poena, you survive him. Erin Gordon, Jack Diamond, and now Random. They all come out of the match with something that heās left on themā¦
Serene and calm, she casually strolls, shoulders lightly oscillating in a slow sync.
Steve Morrison: Methodical submissions and quick-paced striking versus two suplex machines. Can the Atlantic Alliance beat the bigger wrestlers?
Cross Recoba: Donāt ask me. Ask James Dragon, ask Jason Long, or even Spike Kane.
Her body is calm and relaxed, like a moonlight walk in the park, but her gaze is fixed, staring at the her opposition with snake eyes. She's never in a hurry, she doesn't need to be.
Laura Messier steps into the center of the ring.
Laura Messier: Ladies and gentlemen, introducing first, weighing in at a combined weight of 415 pounds, Close and Tuff Collins - THE THROW SHOW!
Close has a determined look on his face, while the more experienced Tuff is as calm as nails.
Laura Messier: And their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of 296 pounds, RANDOM MCCONALOGUE and SAM SAWYER!
The crowd's excitement builds as Random and Sam Sawyer enter the arena. Random removes her towel from her waist, while Sam Sawyer remains calm and focused.
TAG-TEAM MATCH
The Throw Show vs Sam Sawyer (#5) / Random McConalogue (#6)
DING! DING! DING!
Close Collins and Sam Sawyer step into the ring, ready to start the action. The match is underway!
They lock-up in the center of the ring, showcasing their technical prowess. Close gains the upper hand with a quick Snap Suplex, followed by a sharp elbow drop.
Steve Morrison: Close is demonstrating his technical skills early on, targeting Sawyer's midsection.
Cross Recoba: He knows that weakening his opponent will give him an advantage later in the match.
Close tags in his father, Tuff Collins, who smoothly enters the ring while Sawyer tries to recover.
Steve Morrison: Tuff Collins is in the ring now, and he's looking to show his son just how it's done. Tuff is a ring veteran, and he knows every trick in the book.
Tuff raises Sawyer to their feet and unleashes a series of strikes on Sawyer, rocking them back against the ropes. He follows up with a Tuff Plex and goes for the coverā¦
ONE!
KICKOUT!
Steve Morrison: Sawyer showing resilience and determination.
Tuff gives the referee a little flack, allowing Sam to take the opportunity to roll away and tag in Random who enters the ring in a flash.
Steve Morrison: Random McConalogue is now legal, and sheās taking the fight to Tuff Collins.
Cross Recoba: Tuff has experience but you donāt see that European Catch-as-catch-can style too much on the independents here in the States.
Random delivers a barrage of strikes, using her speed and agility to keep Tuff off balance. The crowd is on their feet, witnessing the incredible action.
Crowd: LETāS GO TUFF! WE WANT RANDOM! LETāS GO TUFF! WE WANT RANDOM! LETāS GO TUFF! WE WANT RANDOM!
Random is putting on a clinic, showcasing her unique move set of European Uppercuts followed by a couple of German Suplex variations.
Cross Recoba: Tuff Collins needs to find a way to regain control of this match, so far itās been the team of Sawyer and McConalogue thatās directed the matchā¦
Random with a full head of steam goes for a clothesline, but Tuff Collins ducks underneath it and counters with another thunderous Tuff Plex!
Steve Morrison: He goes back to the well and itās whatās keeping the elder statesman of the ring in this.
Cross Recoba: If it works, stick with it. He knows he doesnāt need to wrestle for a highlight reel, only to keep that momentum going into August.
The impact shakes the ring! The crowd erupts with awe as Tuff Collins lands the second Tuff plex of the night mere minutes after landing the first one. Tuff capitalizes on the opportunity and quickly transitions Random into an armbar applying pressure on her arm! Random screams out in agony heard all throughout the arena.
Cross Recoba: Tuffās having some fun here. Using an armbar on the Master of the move! Sheās in a tough spot now, Tuffās working that hold well.
Steve Morrison: She needs to find a way to escape before itās too late!
Showing her resilience and knowledge of the maneuver, Random uses her agility to get out of the hold, surprising Tuff Collins.
Steve Morrison: Expertly negotiated from the Scotswoman.
Cross Recoba: And Scottish people arenāt known for their humor so Tuff could be in trouble!
Random then bounces off the ropes and delivers a devastating big boot!
Steve Morrison: SHOE EVENT HORIZON!
Cross Recoba: Always with the left!
Tuff Collins is down! Random clutches her arm as she makes her way to Sawyer who is waiting desperately to get in the ring.
Steve Morrison: That armbar seemingly still causing McConalogue some issues.
Cross Recoba: Tuff has that size advantage, he might not have the innate knowledge of the hold but he has the torque to do the damage.
Close watches on, hoping for a tag, as his father tries to regain himself.
Steve Morrison: The Sophomoric Collins itching to get in on the action.
Cross Recoba: I can tell you from experience that if your partnerās in trouble and youāre the fresher fighter, itās incredibly frustrating not to be able to do anything. Close goes in there and āBigā Johnās going to back him right back to where he came from and leave Tuff open to a double-team.
Random gets the tag just as Tuff musters a small burst of energy and lunges to tag Close!
Steve Morrison: BOTH TEAMS MAKE THE TAG!!
Sawyer locks up with Close in the middle of the ring. Both do a little bit of jockeying for position with Close gaining the upper hand when he picks Sam up and body slams them to the mat.
Cross Recoba: The Throw Show using that size advantage once again!
Sam gets back to their feet with great quickness as Close is there to slam them back to the mat with another body slam. This time Sawyer adjusts their body and takes down close with an unexpected leg sweep.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer relying on that agility that has served them so well in their tenure here.
As Close rolls to his stomach, Sam seizes the opportunity.
Cross Recoba: This could be bad newsā¦
Sawyer manipulates Close round, locking the legs and leans backā¦
Steve Morrison: SAWYER LOCK!!
Cross Recoba: They beat Zolothatch for the SPARKS title with this, Close is in real trouble here!
The crowd goes insane as Sawyer keeps the hold tight. āBigā John Quinn checks on Close as Sawyer grips his chin!
Steve Morrison: We could see a tap out right here!
Tuff, having had time to recover slides through the ropes, seeing this, Random immediately slips through the ropes and into the ring.
Cross Recoba: Tuff needs an extra half a yard of paceā¦
Random spears Tuff with a Rugby Tackle Spear just as he breaks up the submission, saving his son from the devastating Sawyer Lock!
Steve Morrison: It did the trick though but Tuff took one for the teamā¦literally!
Cross Recoba: Both teams have chemistry and that makes the match that much more difficult to get on top of.
With the crowd fully invested in the action, Random comes to her feet as the referee is forcing her back to her corner. Immediately after she gets there, the referee points at Tuff ordering him back to his corner. Meanwhile, Sawyer has begun to climb the turnbuckle lining Close up for a Sawyersault.
Steve Morrison: Tensions are running high. We know that they like to do this back-to-back!
SAWYER MOONSAULTS THROUGH THE AIR AND LANDS A PERFECT SAWYERSAULT ON CLOSE!
Cross Recoba: We could be seeing the end right here.
Springboarding to their feet, Sawyer runs to the same corner and ascends for a second Sawyersault just as Tuff makes the decision to enter the ring yet again.
Steve Morrison: What can he do to keep his son and team in this?
AS SAWYER LEAPS BACKWARDS FOR THE SECOND SAWYERSAULT, TUFF FRANTICALLY ATTEMPTS TO PULL CLOSE OUT OF THE WAY AND SUCCEEDS, BUT NOT BEFORE SAWYER LANDS THE DEVASTATING FINISHER ON TUFF!
Cross Recoba: Tuff just sacrificed himself for his son! Can you believe it?!
Sawyer goes for the pin on Tuff Collins! The referee almost began the count but starts pointing at Close who is getting to his feet.
Steve Morrison: This could be interestingā¦
Close is still the legal man in the ring. Sawyer, confused, realizes what is happening and gets up, defending themselves as Close delivers a flurry of punches and kicks wearing down the Houston Native!
Steve Morrison: Heās running on adrenaline!
Cross Recoba: Both fighters have a point to prove to the other!
CLOSE LEAPS AND WRAPS UP SAWYER IN THE TAZZMISSION!
Steve Morrison: THIS COULD BE IT! HEāS GOT THE HOOKS IN!!
Random isnāt having any of it as she burst through the ropes and breaks up the tight submission attempt before Quinn can even check in on Sawyer!
Cross Recoba: She wasnāt leaving anything to chance!
The referee keeps an eye on Tuff as he slowly starts to roll toward the edge of the ring and under the ropes onto the floor. The match continues with Random being walked back to her corner.
Steve Morrison: And now, just the two legal fightersā¦
Close pulls Sawyer to their feet and attempts a suplex, but Sawyer slips it and brings Close crashing to the mat with a thunderous neckbreaker!
Sawyer goes for the pin! Quinn drops downā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦.
CLOSE KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Sam almost got Close with the neckbreaker!
Cross Recoba: If theyād hooked the leg, this could have been over.
Random calls over for the tag almost pleading with Sawyer. Sawyer obliges and tags in their partner.
Steve Morrison: The Scottish Submission Specialist is ready to go!
Random drops to one knee and wraps her arms around Close in a sleeper hold. After a couple of seconds, she lets it go.
Steve Morrison: Is McConalogue toying with Close?
She pulls her opponent to his feet, and locks up with them. Using his size advantage, Close manages to put Random in a headlock but that lasts only momentarily before McConalogue negotiates her way out of it and takes Collins down with a drop-toe hold and immediately transitions into the Rings of Saturn!
Steve Morrison: SOMEBODY ELSEāS PROBLEM! Sheās putting on a show right now, but is the hold too close to the ropes?
Close reaches out and grabs the ropes with his other arm.
Cross Recoba: Iāll be honest, if she wanted to end the match with that move then sheād have rolled the hold into the center of the ring.
The referee breaks up the submission. Close rolls onto his back to recover from the move but McConalogue is on him like a flash and makes the cover.
ONEā¦
TWOā¦.
CLOSE KICKS OUT AGAIN!
Cross Recoba: Randomās forcing Close to use that energy to kick-out. She knows it wonāt put him away but it will wear down that oxygen tank of his.
Steve Morrison: Sheās not out of ideas yetā¦
Bringing Close to his feet, Random brings him to the neutral corner before whipping him across the ring. He hits the turnbuckles on the other side with a thud. McConalogue leans back into the corner ready to sprint forward.
Steve Morrison: This could be trouble for Closeā¦
TUFF GRABS HER LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HER!!
Steve Morrison: THE ELDER COLLINS SAVES THE DAY!
Cross Recoba: Thatās what Tuff brings to the ring. He might not be as quick or agile as his son but that was a ring vet move to keep his team in it!
Random turns around and squares up to Tuff, now on the apronā¦CLOSE TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE A LEAPING KNEE INTO HER BACK BEFORE RAMMING HER HEAD INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
Steve Morrison: Randomās still trying to catch her tail.
Cross Recoba: But Close is going to make that difficult for her. He knows that this might well be the moment the win hinges on!
Close picks up the dazed Random and positions her to sit on the top rope.
Steve Morrison: Heās going for something big here.
Cross Recoba: He can innovate, weāve seen him do it more than once.
Close climbs up behind her and sits down interlocking his feet with the middle rope.
Steve Morrison: I donāt think heās looking to innovate, weāve seen this beforeā¦
He swings Randomās body backwardsā¦..SPIDER GERMAN SUPLEX!!!
Steve Morrison: THE CLOSER!!
Cross Recoba: He put away Jason Long with this, can McConalogue defy the odds?
Close goes for the pin! Sam Sawyer knows how dire this situation is and instantaneously slips the ropesā¦
ONEā¦
Sawyer comes barreling toward Close as Tuff slides into the ring. The crowd, now screaming, sees whatās comingā¦
Steve Morrison: Can Sawyer make the save?
TWOā¦
Tuff completely obliterates Sawyer from their right side with one of the most devastating spears in Tap Out history!
Cross Recoba: Picture Perfect!
THREE!!!
The referee calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Steve Morrison: CLOSE ENDED THE STREAK!
Cross Recoba: He knew he had to go for broke, weāve seen Random take down veritable XHF Legends in her tenure here.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer can count themselves unlucky they got intercepted.
Cross Recoba: Tuff obliterated them with that spear!
Steve Morrison: Now the question is, how will Random respond to whoever she faces next month?
Close rolls over to finally catch a breath as Tuff smothers him after the victory! Tuff pulls his son to his feet. The father and son duo embrace each other, then raise their arms to the cheers of the crowd.
Laura Messier: The winners of this match, as a result of a pinfall. THE THROW SHOW!
The crowd erupts even louder as The Throw Show celebrates their hard-fought victory.
Cross Recoba: I donāt envy whoāll be opposite her in the ring.
Steve Morrison: The team of McConalogue and Sawyer gelled well, and did everything right butā¦
Cross Recoba: Close and Tuff know they need to be on form and on point going into their XHF Tag-Team title shot in August. They couldnāt afford to not take a chance when it came along.
Steve Morrison: Both teams can hold their heads up high but unfortunately, only one of them comes out with the arms raised.
Cross Recoba: Absolutely, Steve. This match had it allātechnical wrestling, high-flying action, and intense back-and-forth exchanges. Random and Sawyer lost the match but thatās only going to make them harder to beat going forward.
Voiceover: WRESTLE: UK COMES TO BOLTON AND WHO WILL GO THROUGH TO THE FINAL AS WE HIT THE SEMI-FINALS WITH A SHOT AT THE WORLD TITLE ON THE LINE!
Voiceover: Will Cheez finally prove he deserves to be in the big leagues of the XHF when he faces off with the Dragon of WUK former world champion PSYCHOTIC GOTH?!
Voiceover: Who will he face? The upcoming high-flyer, Otto Ritter or the always dangerous Armand von Krauss?
Voiceover: World Champion, Wesley Crane looks to his future plans as we head towards XHFās Night of Champions event, whatā¦or who is next for the High Roller?
Voiceover: And in our main-event we have Ronnie Long Vs Jakie Wentzel for the Commonwealth Championship! Will it be returned to glory or linger in the clutches of the Von Krauss Dynasty?!! Will Long finally claim the title he has sought for a year? Or be another victim for the Mennonite Mangler!
Voiceover: Donāt miss it, only on the XHF Network!
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HALF-TIME SHOW
A camera with a blinking red light is positioned on a rock. It is pointed directly at a campfire and around that fire there is a gathering of about nine to ten people. These people all sit in similar positions as they stare wordlessly into the crackling fire pit that burns before them as they sit gathered around it in a half circle. There are about nine or ten people gathered there, but there is an overwhelming feeling that there are more, waiting and watching from beyond the fire and in the shadows of the forest. There are footsteps. Heavy boots that crunch the twigs and leaves that cover the dirt. One by one, as the heavy set steps approach, the soundless congregation turn their heads to follow the large figure that circles its way around the fire pit. The footage rocks and sways as a large man pulls it from the place it sits and brings it up in front of his face. It is a sunken weather beaten face that is covered by a mane of wild curly hair strewn over his rough features.
Wordlessly, the man turns the camera on the fire. He pans the camera around, making sure to not miss a single person sitting at the fire. The weathered and gaunt faces turn, their sunken dead eyes stare into the barrel of the camera lens.
xxx: A long time agoā¦
The rough and gravelly voice growls low throughout the tall pines that sway underneath the thick black blanket that is the night sky.
xxx: I said that I had become a monster of the world that birthed me. I had to become a monster in order to survive the world that I was born into. You. Hold this.
The large figure hands the camera off to a middle-aged man dressed in rags sitting beside the fire. He then grabs the rag clad cameraman by the shoulder and positions him where he needs him.
xxx: Keep it on me.
The man crouches down beside the fire. The gathered flock remain sitting there in silence.
xxx:The people you see here are one in the same with myself. No matter how theyāve ended up here, they have ended up here for the very same reasons I have. All of us here understand the golden rule of life. The inescapable fate of every last one of us. From the day we are born until the day we are dead, the world is and always will be out to get you. We all know this. We have all experienced this in our own individual ways. We have all struggled. We have all survived. But we had to become monsters in order to do it. We were born into a world that broke us, and we were left on our own to survive it. We all sit at this fire because we have done things, we have stooped to levels lower than anyone should ever have to do, and weāve done these things in order to survive. And yet? We are cast out, we are shunned. There is no escape from it. So still we struggle. Still we survive. Still we are monsters.
The man goes to keep speaking but cuts himself short. He sits deep in thought amongst the silence. He laughs silently to himself and shakes his head. He stands and points down at the camera.
xxx: We are your creations and we do what we must to get by. Some of us steal and rob, some of us find more legitimate means, and there are even some who fight to get by. Some like me. Iāve been a fighter all my life. Itās all Iāve ever known. So Iāll fight, Iāll do what I do best, and Iāll do it for them.
The man stands, and as he does so does the gathering at the fire. The large figure stands proudly, while the people dressed in rags flock all around him.
xxx: We are considered scum. We are a problem to be forgotten about. We are the people you tell your children to not be. We are blow-ins and layabouts. We are strugglers and survivors. Because of it, we are monsters. So we walk, and we wander, and we roam. We are nomads and Iā¦
There is a small smirk that pulls across his rough face as he flicks the curly hair from his face.
xxx: I am NOMAD.
He holds one arm out, and a skinny woman dressed in rags hands him a well-worn black denim vest. He slides it on over the dirty blue and white plaid button down shirt heās wearing.
NOMAD: I am NOMAD because these people are my people. The people you see here are my family. They are family for a man who has no family. And I will fight for them. I will fight for them in the only place I want to fight.
The heavy silence returns. The shot turns to face the dirt and leaves on the ground before cutting to black.
We return back to ringside.
Steve Morrison: This could shake a few trees!
Cross Recoba: No doubt about it and the score he wants to settle most isnāt the people who took him out of contention in the Openweight tournament.
Steve Morrison: Instead itāll fall on the man who did thisā¦
NOMAD walks toward the exit of the building, looking to get back on the road that he loves so dearly. Heās already lighting a cigarette, hand cupped in front of his face to protect the flame, when a sledgehammer arcs into view and slams hard into his chest.
Poena: YOU THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY FROM HIS CHOSEN!? YOU THINK TO DEFY HIS WILL?!
The sledgehammer comes down on NOMADās back as he leans forward to try and recover from the first blow, the impact making a sick THUD as it lands. Poena walks into the frame, brandishing the sledgehammer and still whipped up into a frenzy from his match.
Poena: You think you can defy Him and then get away! He knows where you are! Heās told me itās time for you to PAY!
Steve Morrison: POENA JUST JUMPED NOMAD!!
Cross Recoba: What a Pearl Harbour!
Steve Morrison: He could put him on the shelf for good with that sledge hammer!
The sledge arcs down into the back of NOMADās knee, getting a pained grunt from him, the following shot to his hand getting more of a scream from the normally stoic NOMAD.
Poena: Thatās right! Scream for Him! Give Him your pain! Pay your debts, heretic!
Poena slams the sledge down into NOMADās elbow before yelling and tossing it away. He moves NOMAD around and locks him into Penance, his face shifting into a sadistic, righteous glee.
Poena: This is how it would always have ended! It was prophesied! You were doomed from the start!
Steve Morrison: He has him in Penance! This isnāt to make a point, this is to get even!
Cross Recoba: With NOMAD out, Poena didnāt want to wait til the New Year to make his point!
Poena yanks NOMADās arms together in front of him, then laughs maniacally as he shifts his grip to put even more pressure on the hold, crossing his own arms and pulling with all his might. After a moment or two, a sickening ripping sound is heard, with NOMAD letting out a muffled scream as both of his arms pop out of joint, dislocated and likely broken. Road agents are finally arriving on the scene, horrified by the broken man left on the floor as Poena gets up and glares bloody murder at them with his red eye glowing.
Poena: Jugular 5:7-9 āAnd lo, look upon the results of defying His will! The blind and the ignorant shall bleed and break till they see the truth! No one can escape His gaze! "
Poena laughs his soul-chilling laugh as the road agents hesitate, the laugh seeming to skip like a record before Poena is suddenly gone... leaving what is left of NOMAD to be recovered.
Cross Recoba: Poena might be spoken for in July but with a record of five and two, a points total that would place him sixth right now AND a Match of the Night against Poena that he wonā¦the Sadistic Submission expert might want to look over his shoulder.
Steve Morrison: Especially as we could be missing our top five depending on how our Main Event pans out and who will be chosen to be our representative at XHFās Overheated event!
Cross Recoba: Before the show goes off the air weāll have the answers to all of those questions!
Steve Morrison: This could get extremely interestingā¦
Laura Messier: WELCOME BACK! Kicking off our first match of the second half of tonightās show is a Guest Star Match!
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: Perhaps the best out-and-out brawler in Tap Out Wrestling today!
Cross Recoba: Heās all heart, not so much on the technique side but if he hits a Lariat, itās game over.
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: That was the case last month when he got the win for his team in the six-man opener.
Cross Recoba: Heās adding more to his game as the months go on, itās just getting the consistency in the ring.
The referee stops him and removes his various blades, ropes and other hunting equipment as he smirks. As the first chorus ends at roughly 65 seconds in, Aiden is set free to his corner. He then cracks his neck, waiting for the bell as his music fades and the storm subsides.*
Steve Morrison: He seems amped up, the opportunity to beat on the son of Rat Bastard a big motivatorā¦
Cross Recoba: After what AVB said in the lead-up to this? It wouldnāt matter who his father is!
A thick cloud like haze fills the entry way, and brilliant blue lights create an almost angelic like atmosphere.
I've been blessed up (geez)
I've been broke down (oh yeah)
Gotta catch up (yeah)
Gotta shine now (okay)
Running faster (oh yeah)
I can't slow down (oh no)
Gotta catch up (yeah)
Gotta shine nowā
AVB steps from behind the curtain, a cocky smirk on his smug face. He holds his arms out, soaking in all of his own glory, before mouthing the words "Always Very Blessed" as he points to the smug look on his own face.
Steve Morrison: Different name, same cockiness. AVB has gotten himself a reputation as one of the biggest names under the Valentines' control!
Cross Recoba: But tonight, he doesnāt have Steve Awesome, Wesley Crane or even Hasbulla to back him up.
āAyy, I got the moves
Bearing that fruit and now I got the juice (juice!)
God has been cooking, now I got the soup
Put this together, yo, really He clever, I cannot do betterā
AVD looks out at the crowd, his smirk now a scowl. Slowly walking towards the ring he points to random fans.
Alexander Blankenship: IāM BETTER THAN YOU!
Steve Morrison: Heās not even in the ring and heās making friends in the Diamond Club already!
Cross Recoba: His appearance was an actual talking point in negotiations for this place. You think Diamond wants him here? You think Diamondās fans do? He knows the crowd isnāt going to be behind him.
āRide the wave, yeah
Ain't got no fright today, yeah
I'm gonna rise today, yeah
Don't gotta fight the wave
'Cause
I'm peeping the visuals, I bring the visualsā
AVB walks up the steps to the ring, stopping before he gets inside, he gives the ring a fathe, son, and holy sport blessing before climbing the outside turnbuckle, looking towards the entire crowd he yells out "Always Very Blessed" before jumping down into the ring.
I've been blessed up (geez)
I've been broke down (oh yeah)
Gotta catch up (yeah)
Gotta shine now (okay)
Running faster (oh yeah)
I can't slow down (oh no)
Gotta catch up (yeah)
Gotta shine nowā
Steve Morrison: Heās proven he can back up that talk in the ring. He beat Syberusā protege, The Salford Squid, in Sacremento in the lead-up to this fight.
Cross Recoba: Itās how heās survived so long in HKW. Big mouth but big potentialā¦
With AVB now resting in his corner. Laura makes the introductions.
Laura Messier: INTRODUCING FIRST! From Coober Pedy, South Australia. He stands at six-feet and two inches and weighed in yesterday at two-hundred-and-twenty pounds...THE WONDER FROM DOWN UNDER...AIDEN...MERRIC!
The Australian looks all business as he stares down his opponent.
Laura Messier: AND HIS OPPONENT! Representing HARDKORE WORLD! Standing at six-feet and two inches, he made weight at two-hundred-and-fifteen pounds. He is THE SECOND GENERATION JACKPOT! ALEXANDERā¦VONā¦BLANKENSHIP!!!
The jeers rise in volume as his name is called but the Nuisance of the Netherlands raises his hands as if he wants to hear more.
GUEST MATCH
SINGLES MATCH
Aiden Merric (#8) vs Alexander von Blankenship(UR)
The crowd noise dies down as the only people left in the ring are the two combatants and the third man, Rhod Williams.
Steve Morrison: A high-profile match for the newest member of our refereeing team.
Cross Recoba: Rhod was a semi-professional rugby player before he moved into wrestling. This match isnāt going to be a technical masterclass and Williams can handle himself in a ruck.
The Match Official looks towards Merric before first approaching Alexander von Blankenship. Rat Bastardāsā¦Bastard looks cooly confident and even humors the referee with a smile in his direction as he explains what he expects in the match.
Alexander von Blankenship: You watching Marty? Ready to see what a win looks like in Tap Out?
As Williams approaches Merric we see the Australian shake his head at the younger wrestlerās attitude. Williamsā instructions are delivered as Aiden stares down his opponent across the ring.
Steve Morrison: Both men have ample reason to want to win tonight. For Merric, it once more puts him in a position to be near the top of the rankings here in Tap Out and also to settle a score by proxy with AVBās father, Rat Bastard. For the HKW star, he put a lot on the line in his promos about being a generational talent, can he live up to it? Thatās without thinking about his tag-team match in Dublin next month for HKW!
Cross Recoba: Thatās not to mention that he personally called for Merric. Can he do what his father failed to do against Dani Anderson last year and make it onto the scoreboard tonight?
The Welsh referee seemingly happy his wishes have been heard calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Both fighters are quick to come out of their corner and meet in the middle, their heads touching as the anticipation inside the Diamond Club grows. Both men seem to be mouthing off to the other though more so from AVB but itās inaudible.
AVB LAUNCHES A LOOGIE THAT LANDS SPLAT BANG IN THE CENTER OF MERRICāS FACE!
Alexander von Blankenship: MY OLD MAN SAYS HI!
Steve Morrison: Straight out of his Old Manās playbooK!
The Anointed member takes advantage of the stunned Merric to unload with a flurry of punches that send back the Oceanic Superstar into the corner.
Cross Recoba: Iāve seen AVB fight first-hand, heās not ever troubled by morals when that bell rings.
Steve Morrison: Heās also called you out over not being a worthy Champion hasnāt he?
Cross Recoba: Iāve got the title, thatās all that needs to be saidā¦
Alexander doesnāt leave an opening as he traps his opponent in the corner and continues to connect with driven forearms to the skull of the Australian that knock him further to the floor.
Steve Morrison: Huge forearms from the Anointed member. He looks like he wants to send a message to Marty, to you, and to Diamond!
Cross Recoba: I will say that AVBās in-ring conditioning is up there with the best. He can keep up this pace for as long as he chooses toā¦or until Merric finds an answer.
Lifting a leg, von Blankenship pushes his boot into the throat of his opponent to choke him out. Rhod Williams is quick to try and break it up and starts the count:
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
AVB steps back and winks at Rhod BEFORE DARTING FORWARD WITH A KNEE THAT ROCKS THE HEAD OF THE BOUNTY HUNTER BACK!
Steve Morrison: What an unsporting move! Rhodās going to be busy tonight!
Cross Recoba: Merricās going to remember these and keep receipts. But that knee should remind Diamond that heās not untouchableā¦
Using Merricās leg to drag him from the corner, AVB goes for a quick cover:
ONEā¦
TW-
KICKOUT!!
Steve Morrison: Quick cover from AVB and from the count, Merric could be stunned.
Cross Recoba: I canāt see this ending in three-minutes, as much as AVB wants it.
The Mokkum Mauler stays on Merric, grabbing a side-headlock that keeps the Antipodean grounded.
Steve Morrison: Is he trying to wear out the Man from the Outbackā¦
The HKW star unleashes a series of pointed, closed-fist punches that once more incur the ire of Rhod Williams:
Cross Recoba: Heās looking for any opportunity to bend the rules.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
AVB stops short of the count and waves the hand he used for punching at the referee. Merric uses the window to roll him over:
ONEā¦
TW-
KICKOUT!!
Steve Morrison: Aiden nearly gets the flash piN!
Both men get back to their feet but the Australian is the one to beat the Dutch-American to the punch, literally. A vicious forearm tees up an uppercut that rocks von Blankenship and leaves him open for a body slam.
Steve Morrison: Is Merric finding his rhythm?
Cross Recoba: If he is, AVB needs to get some distance.
Reeling, von Blankenship gets to his feet but Merric meets him with a running back elbow that SENDS HIM OVER THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE!
Steve Morrison: Huge elbow from the Man from Coober Pedy!
With his prey in his sights, Merric rolls out the ring to join AVB on the ring floor.
Cross Recoba: Merric needs to be wary, this is prime AVB territory!
Aiden grabs AVB by his hair AND THROWS HIM INTO THE BARRICADE!!
Steve Morrison: It looks like heās doing just fine as he isā¦
ONE!
Writhing in pain, von Blankenship leaves himself open for a huge running knee to clobber him in the face.
Steve Morrison: Thatāll knock some sense into him!
Cross Recoba: Merric isnāt known for his scientific wrestling but the bar-room brawl approach seems to be working for himā¦for now.
TWO!
Merric uses the hair once more and launches AVB shoulder-first into the ring apronā¦HE FOLLOWS UP WITH A KNEE LIFT TO THE RIBS!
Steve Morrison: Heās giving him a beating like heās Jeffrey Viperās Stepchild!
Cross Recoba: Like Terry Bradshaw beats Copycatā¦
THREE!
Grabbing the head of the Amsterdammer, Merric throws a huge headbutt that connects with a thud that causes gasps in the first few rows of the crowd.
Steve Morrison: Heās trying to bust him open!
Cross Recoba: If heās like his father, heāll have too thick a skull for that.
FOUR!
Merric throws AVB back into the ring and gets onto the apron to break the count.
Steve Morrison: Aiden choosing to try and end this inside the ring.
Climbing into the ring, Merric is quick to put the now crawling AVB back down on the mat with a snap of the boot.
Cross Recoba: Thatās some good attention to detail. Too many wrestlers donāt think about the fact that their opponentās will recover.
Leaning back into the ropes, Aiden comes back with a rolling knee drop to the head.
Steve Morrison: Measured with the knee drop!
Wrenching the HKW star to his feet and whips him to the corner. He follows in looking to pancake himā¦VON BLANKENSHIP MOVES!....SHOULDERBREAKER!
Cross Recoba: He got roped in!
Steve Morrison: The Rat Bastard self-preservation gene working double-time!
The Anointed star keeps the cradle as they hit the floor and pivots into a chokeā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Steve Morrison: No respect at all for the rulesā¦
FOUR!
FIV-
AVB breaks the chokehold at the very last moment and splays his arms out in innocence.
Cross Recoba: He didnāt realizeā¦
Williams cottons on to the knee now choking out Merric.
Steve Morrison: Didnāt realize? Just look at his knee!
The Match Official makes it clear heāll throw out the match if von Blankenship continues.
Cross Recoba: Heās clumsy, heās only been in wrestling a few years.
AVB waves off the warning and hooks a front-facelock that he uses to lift Merric to his feet and drives rising knees into the sternum of the Australian.
Steve Morrison: Softening up the ribcage with those strikes.
Cross Recoba: Iāve said it before but cracked, broken or even bruised ribs are the least fun injury to have. Every breath, every movement in that ring, youāre going to be reminded of the painā¦
Lifting him up in the front-facelock, von Blankenship bounces him off the ropesā¦SLINGSHOT SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: Textbook execution!
Cross Recoba: Those ropes are going to give that suplex extra momentum.
Still holding the head, von Blankenship rolls into the cover.
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
KICKOUT FROM THE AUSTRALIAN!
Steve Morrison: Still not enough to put down the former XHF Phoenix Champion!!
Working the momentum, the Anointed member brings Merric to his feet and rocks him with a measured European Uppercut. The Dutchman follows up with a rake to the eyes that allows him to charge at Merric and drive his opponent into the corner again.
Steve Morrison: von Blankenship seems determined to take Merricās own fight to him!
Once more, the Son of Rat Bastard starts to pepper the ribs of Merric with alternating hooks. He puts a forearm across the throat of Merric to push him back and unleashes a crisp open-handed chop to the chest of the Australian.
Cross Recoba: Heās wearing down the Aussie and taking away the force he can put into some of those big-hitting moves his offense builds to.
Steve Morrison: The slap though? That was just to taunt him!
Cross Recoba: Well, obviouslyā¦
Stumbling out from the corner, Merric leaves himself openā¦FALLAWAY SLAM!!
Steve Morrison: Huge slam from the HKW star!
The Diamond Club crowd let their feelings known.
Crowd: YOUR DAD SUCKS! YOUR DAD SUCKS! YOUR DAD SUCKS!
Alexander von Blankenship: GO WORSHIP MARTY CRANE!
Steve Morrison: The Diamond Club is firmly against the Nuisance of the Netherlands.
The HKW Star picks up Aiden and lifts him up in an Atomic Drop before crocheting him on the top rope. AVB climbs through the ropesā¦TRIPLE-JUMP ENZIGURI SENDS MERRIC INTO THE RING!
Steve Morrison: Shades of his father there but what agility!
Cross Recoba: Sadly, there is some talent to back-up the ego.
The boos reach a crescendo as Always Very Blessed climbs between the ropes. He starts to tune up the band as he stomps his foot on the mat.
Steve Morrison: He could be looking for the Ordained Kickā¦
He pushes forward from his back leg looking for the Superkickā¦
Cross Recoba: Heās not holding backā¦
MERRIC DUCKSā¦URANAGE BACKBREAKERā¦.HAYMAKER!!
Steve Morrison: TRAP TRICK!
Cross Recoba: A great counter to save himselfā¦
The crowd bursts into life.
Steve Morrison: The crowd agreeā¦
Crowd: LETāS GO, MERRIC, LETāS GO! LETāS GO, MERRIC, LETāS GO! LETāS GO, MERRIC, LETāS GO!
AVB drops to the mat and rolls to his feet but Aiden shoots forwardā¦DOUBLE EAR CLAP!
Steve Morrison: We know whatās comingā¦
A HEADBUTT DROPS VON BLANKENSHIP TO THE FLOOR!
Steve Morrison: BAG AND TAG!
Merric reaches down with a waistlock to lift up AVBā¦German Suplex!
Cross Recoba: Those German suplexes are getting higher each match!
MERRIC HANGS ON!!
Steve Morrison: He isnāt finished yet!!
With a guttural roar, Merric lifts up von Blankenship as he makes sure to hold onto the wrist.
Steve Morrison: Heās looking for Target Neutralized!
He pulls on the Ripcordā¦
Steve Morrison: HERE. WE. GO!
ITāS DUCKED!!
Cross Recoba: AVB knew the set-up was more worn out than that Joker lineā¦
AVB THROWS ANOTHER SUPERKICKā¦.ITāS CAUGHT!
Steve Morrison: He catches the Ordained Kick!!!
MERRIC GOES FOR A HEAD AND ARM SUPLEXā¦AVB LAUNCHES HIS OWN SICKENING HEADBUTT!
Steve Morrison: Both men jockeying for position..
SUPERMAN PUNCH FROM AVB IS DUCKED!!
Steve Morrison: AUSSIE RULES AVOIDED!
MERRIC AGAIN HOOKS A WAISTLOCK LOOKING FOR A GERMAN SUPLEXā¦.AVB WEASELS OUT OF IT INTO HIS OWN WAISTLOCK AND CHARGES THE ROPES LOOKING FOR AN OāCONNOR ROLLā¦.MERRIC HANGS ON AND SENDS VON BLANKENSHIP INTO THE CENTER OF THE RINGā¦
Cross Recoba: Both men are going hell for leather! This has to end the match!
MERRIC CONNECTS WITH A SUPERMAN PUNCH!
Steve Morrison: AUSSIE RULES!!!!!
HE DROPS FOR THE PIN!!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
AVB THROWS UP A SHOULDER!
Steve Morrison: Merric has to be wondering just what he has to do to put the Anointed member away!!!
Grabbing the raised arm, Merric lifts up AVB to his feet and whips him into the corner. He follows in with a Corner Splash!
Cross Recoba: Heās keeping on him though and thatās what youāve got to do with people like AVB, break their momentum and rhythm entirely.
The Anointed member looks like heās going to stagger forward but a hand from Merric props him upā¦RAPID-FIRE CHOPS!!!
Steve Morrison: THATāS A KNIFE!!
Now slumped in the corner, von Blankenship is left open to an attack and Merric makes the most of it. He grabs the arm of the Anointed memberā¦
Cross Recoba: He needs to mix this upā¦
SHORT-ARM POP-UP EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!!
Steve Morrison: TRANQUILIZER!
Merric goes for the coverā¦
ONEā¦
Crowd: ONE!
TWOā¦
Crowd: TWO!!
THR-
Crowd: THREE!!
NO! WILLIAMS SPOTS THE LEG ON THE ROPES!!!
Cross Recoba: Youāve got to give AVB credit, heās just been beaten from pillar to post but still he knows where his escapes are!
A collective groan echoes around the Diamond Club from the crowd.
Steve Morrison: The Diamond Club donāt share your enthusiasm.
Merric uses the leg to drag him into the center of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Heās going for the pin again, this time without a rope in sight!
He covers and hooks the legā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THR-
AVB MANAGES TO KICK OUT!!
Steve Morrison: More lives than a cat!
The look on Merricās face would best be described as thunderous. He forces von Blankenship to his feet BUT THE AMSTERDAM ASSHOLE STICKS A THUMB IN HIS EYE!
Cross Recoba: Olympian level wrestling move right there!
Merric fires back with a forearm, itās met with one of AVBās own.
Steve Morrison: Once more, the two fighters trade shotsā¦
An overhand right from Aiden is returned with interest from the HKW Star.
Cross Recoba: Neither man is giving an inch.
Grabbing the upstartās head, Merric connects with a headbutt that staggers AVB slightly. Regaining his balance the Spawn of Rat Bastard throws himself forward with a Leaping Headbutt that rocks Merric!
Steve Morrison: AVB refuses to go down and ups the ante with each reply!
MERRIC ANSWERS WITH A MONGOLIAN CHOP FOLLOWED BY A HEADBUTT THAT ROCKS VON BLANKENSHIP INTO THE ROPES!!!
Steve Morrison: Another Bag and Tag!
Cross Recoba: Stick to what works.
THE HKW STAR REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES AND LIFTS UP MERRIC INTO A SIT-OUT SPINEBUSTER!!!!
Steve Morrison: He nearly put him through the ring!
Alexander von Blankenship: I TOLD YOU I WAS THE NEXT GENERATION, MERRIC!
The Nuisance from the Netherlands pushes the legs of Merric up for the pinā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THRE-
SOMEHOW MERRIC KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Both men refusing to be put down!
AVB gets in Williamsā face and berates him for being unable to count to three properly!
Cross Recoba: Questioning Rhod on counting isnāt the best move, he was privately educated!
The Match Official shakes his head in disbelief and tells AVB to get on with the match. Turning around, von Blankenship bends down to pick up Merric.
Steve Morrison: Whatās the plan now?
Cross Recoba: Whatever heās been holding back, nowās the time to unleash it.
MERRIC GRABS THE LEG AND ROLLS THROUGH INTO A KNEE-BAR!!!
Steve Morrison: MERRIC LOCKS IN THE SNARE!
The Australian works the hold, trying to cinch it in as best he can.
Cross Recoba: Aidenāll be the first person to tell you his technical knowledge is shallow but heās making a good effort locking that kneebar in.
The HKW Superstar refuses to make it easy for his opponent as he writhes to try and extricate himself from the Kneebar.
Steve Morrison: von Blankenship is fighting for all heās worth.
Rhod Williams asks the former FIRESIDE fighter if he wants to quit.
Alexander von Blankenship: ITāS AN ILLEGAL HOLD, YOU PEON!
Williams hesitates for a moment until he realizes that AVB was bluffing. Merric now looks comfortable as he pulls the knee further into his grasp.
Cross Recoba: Thatās going to give Aiden a lot more torque on the hold.
Slapping the mat in pain, AVB looks for an escape. He pushes his free boot into the face of Merric and scoot backwards, escaping the hold!
Steve Morrison: The Amsterdam Asshole wriggles free but can Merric see the end in sight?
Aiden tries to approach his opponent but the Issue of Ignorance cleverly grabs the ropes to get back to his feet. Merric charges in with a running knee aiming for the midsection but AVB MOVESā¦.A SUPERKICK SENDS MERRIC THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE FLOOR!!!
Steve Morrison: ORDAINED KICK CONNECTS!
Rolling under the ring, AVB follows his opponent to the outside.
ONE!
The Dutch Demon grabs Merric AND THROWS HIM INTO THE GUARDRAIL!
Cross Recoba: Payback for earlier in the match!
TWO!!
A sadistic smile appears on the face of von Blankenship.
Steve Morrison: What does he have planned?
THREE!
Merric is peeled from the guardrail by AVB who scoops him onto his shoulder.
Cross Recoba: I have an ideaā¦
FOUR!!
He lifts him upā¦.CRUCIFIX DRIVER ONTO THE APRON!!!!!
Steve Morrison: BLACK OUT DRUNK ONTO THE APRON! A MOVE RIGHT FROM HIS FATHERāS PLAYBOOK!
Crowd: YOU KILLED MERRIC! HOLY SHIT! YOU KILLED MERRIC! HOLY SHIT!
YOU KILLED MERRIC! HOLY SHIT! YOU KILLED MERRIC! HOLY SHIT!
FIVE!!
With some effort, von Blankenship rolls Merric into the ring. He swiftly follows.
Steve Morrison: AVB might do it, he could have this in the bag.
The Diamond Club let their feelings be known with an audio wall of boos and jeers. With some bravado, the Anointed Asshole conducts the music.
Cross Recoba: He looks like he knows it too.
Returning to the match, he lifts up Merric and sets him up for the Lightning Spiralā¦
Steve Morrison: He put away Callum Cornwell in a non-title match at the last HKW show with this.
Cross Recoba: This could be it for Merricā¦
MERRIC WEAVES OUT AND THROWS A KNEE! VON BLANKENSHIP TAKES A STEP BACK BEFORE THROWING HIMSELF FORWARD WITH A LOW DROPKICK THAT TAKES AIDENāS FEET FROM UNDER HIM!
Steve Morrison: AVB refuses to let him go!
With a smile, von Blankenship puts the head of his opponent between his knees and lifts him into a Crucifix positionā¦
Steve Morrison: BARRY WHITE DRIVER! IF THIS LANDSā¦
Cross Recoba: Merric could be on the shelf for a LONG time!
MERRIC WIGGLES OUT!!
Steve Morrison: HE ESCAPES!
CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL FLIPS VON BLANKENSHIP SIDEWAYS!!!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: CONTRACT FULFILLED! THE WONDER FROM DOWN UNDER CLEANED AVBāS CLOCK!!
Merric coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell as Merric rolls off of von Blankenship and onto his back, exhausted.
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: The winner of this match, as a result of pinfall, THE BOUNTY HUNTER! AIDENā¦.MERRIC!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: What a way to kick-off our second-half!
Cross Recoba: Aiden Merric, first-rate brawler, third-rate judge of character! Heād go a lot further if he didnāt try and make friends with people like Jack Diamond.
Steve Morrison: When AVB comes to heās going to realize just how close he came.
Cross Recoba: But you get no prizes for second-place.
Steve Morrison: Sadly for von Blankenship, you donāt. Weāll be back after this brief ad break with our Co-Main Event as El Rey puts his belt on the line against our own Kingsley Solomon!
We cut to MUSHI and Psycho KGB in what looks like an approximation of a JROK SportsCenter.
MUSHI: Weāre just one and a half rounds awayā¦
Psycho KGB: Five days awayā¦
MUSHI: From Under Pressure 2023 and itās perhaps one of the most stacked cards the XHF has seen in recent memory!
A graphic appears of Primal and Steve Awesome.
MUSHI: How can you miss whatās sure to be a bloody and brutal match as Steve Awesome puts his XHF Hardcore title on the line against a man whose name tells you all you need to know in Primal?
Psycho KGB: I heard he fucked Donzig!
MUSHI: Two men who donāt know how far is too far are facing off for a title bathed in blood, broken bones and brutality!
Psycho KGB: THEYāRE IN AN EXPLODING BARBED WIRE CAGE! If youāre in the first five rows? Bring a waterproof jacket!
MUSHI: Just how far will these two go to get that belt in an Exploding Barbed Wire Cage Death Match? Youāll have to tune in on the night to see what promises to be one of the most charged title matches the XHF Network has seen!
The screen changes to Dylan Black and Rob Arnold.
MUSHI: In an Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match-
Psycho KGB: IF YOUāRE IN THE FIRST FIVE ROWS, BE AFRAID!
MUSHI: Two people who canāt stand to be in the same zip code find themselves in the same ring as Rob Arnold takes on Dylan Black!
Psycho KGB: You an Academy fan? Bring a magnet!
MUSHI: Itās been years since their last match and the hatred has only grown, going all the way back to AXW when Dylan wore a mask as Anomaly. Rob and the Academy came back to JROK to help TEMERARIO at Raison DāEtre 3 but instead of solving a problem, Arnold finds himself facing one of the most decorated wrestlers in XHF history!
Psycho KGBI: Moral of the story? Donāt help anyone!
MUSHI: Will the man from the land of Football Hooligans be able to take down the Mastermind of EVE?
Psycho KGB: Tap Out wishes it had this match! Theyād turn it into a ten three-minute round matchā¦weāve just replaced everything safe with blades!
Jesse Jamester and Brendan Harding replace the leaders of the Academy and EVE.
MUSHI: Jesse James returned at this yearās Rumble and finds himself on a roll thatās taken him to new heights in JROK. At Under Pressure he gets himself a shot against the Interim Visual Kei Champion, Brendan Harding in a Windows, Doors, and Sinks match with an hour time-limit!
Psycho KGB: Both men are gluttons for punishment. For Brendanās Bloodied Fox read Jesse Jamesterās Eric Dane!
MUSHI: Can Jesse unseat a man who has thrived in these conditions and in JROK?
Psycho KGB: Do Canadians recognise anything that isnāt Planes, Trains, and Automobiles? Not even a moose in sight!
MUSHI: Most feds would KILL to have this as their main-event, but not us!
The King of Hokkaido logo pops up.
MUSHI: Who will be this yearās King of Hokkaido? With one-and-a-half rounds left to go, thereās a lot up in the air.
MUSHI: El Combatiente must be confident, his win over Jack Gaines gives him a two point advantage AND the knowledge that his win over Gaines means heād win a tie-break but what of Nausicaa? Will it be EC or Suzuki going into the final?
MUSHI: Donāt let the graphic fool you, despite being 5th thanks to outdated Mongo software, Hayley Grimes wins over Nobi and Florida Man put her in pole-position with two matches to go. But with Yuki Sakaraba and Jesse Jamester yet to face her; can one of Nobi, Max Daemon, Florida Man or TEMERARIO steal the top slot?
Psycho KGB: Ultimate Choke job!
MUSHI: Whoever wins their Block canāt rest easy. Theyāll face off against each other in a No DQ, No Holds Barred match to fight for the honor being crowned the 2023 King of Hokkaido!!
Psycho KGB: Free weapons include broken doors, sinks, and heartsā¦
MUSHI: Donāt miss out on JROKās Under Pressure, June 25thā¦only on the XHF Network!!
Laura Messier: Itās time for YOUR CO-MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENINGā¦AND ITāS FOR THE XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE!!
"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: Kingsleyās had to cut some weight to qualify for the shot, howās that going to affect him?
Cross Recoba: Well, if he wins tonight itās the weight heās going to have to fight at. The immediate issue is that some of those power moves he likes to use? Theyāre not going to be as effective. That Dragon Sleeper heās finished people off with might take a little longer to get sunk in.
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: He got a chance to see El Rey firsthand when he stopped by for a defense in Sin City Championship Wrestling last month. He'll be looking to claim personal glory after Yamaguchi failed to claim it for his own Vegas-borne company.
Cross Recoba: The man expects a return on investment, his own fighter failed, so heās taking matters into his own hands. Heāll have hoped he could spot a chink in the Champās armor but it doesnāt always work like that.
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: The Tap Out crowd will be hoping itās third time lucky for them. So far no Tap Out star has won an XHF-branded title on our shows.
Cross Recoba: Solomonāll know that but heāll see this as much as a win for SCCW as it is for usā¦
āHOOOOOOOOOOOOWLā
āAll rise fore the king of all wolves now arrives.ā
The voice of James Earl Mother Fucking Jones echoes over the speakers. How did he get James Earl Jones to say that? It wasnāt a Cameo Iāll tell you that and it cost a pretty penny. Shortly after James Earl Jones speaks Big Seanās āWolvesā begins to play.
El Rey strolls onto the stage wearing the mask he stole off of the head of El Combatiente. He looks around soaking up the surroundings before ripping the mask off of his head and revealing the cocky smirk he inherited from his father.
Steve Morrison: You canāt deny his pedigree. A former X*Crown Champion and he has to be looking at Bloodied Foxās record with the title he so proudly holds. A second generationstar, trained by an XHF Legend, and son of another XHF Legend.
Cross Recoba: You only have to look at how he negotiated the defense at the Rumble to see that pedrigree and quality shine through.
He strolls down the ramp ignoring the outstretched hands of the fans until he reaches the ring.
Steve Morrison: Thespian has the night off tonight but heāll be watching the match closely, only too keen to challenge Solomon if he manages to win.
Cross Recoba: Cruiserfest is coming up and El Reyās got to be mindful that if Solomon does a number on him but doesnāt take the belt? Thatās going to affect his chances if he canāt shake the damage.
At ringside he leaps up onto the apron and then over the ropes and spins around in the ring with his arms outstretched. He spins around a couple of times and then moves to the corner waiting for the match to begin.
Steve Morrison: This will be his eighth defense, which brings a tremendous amount of confidence.
Cross Recoba: It does but complacency is his biggest enemy when that bell rings and Solomon is ready to catch him if itās there!
Laura hushes the crowd.
Laura Messier:Introducing the challenger. Representing TAP OUT WRESTLING! Hailing from Sin City and weighing to-hundred-and-nineteen pounds. He is the Co-owner of Sin City Championship Wrestling....KINGSLEY...SOLOMON!
He raises an arm as he chooses to focus on the match. He waits with anticipation for the bell.
Laura Messier: And now, THE CURRENT XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Representing GUNS! He weights two-hundred-and-three pounds and stands at five-feet and ten inches. ELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLā¦..REYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
A roll of the eyes is all that El Rey deigns to give the cameras.
CO-MAIN EVENT
XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
SINGLES MATCH
El Rey vs Kingsley Solomon
DING! DING! DING!
The two fighters circle each other, each eyeing the other up and waiting for an opening. Rey finally decides to throw caution to the wind and moves in quickly. A quick exchange of kicks and the champ backs off. Solomon follows up by grabbing the shoulder of the champ and hitting a hard chop, complete with requisite crowd āWOO!ā Rey grabs his chest and scowls at Kingsley before hitting one of his own and jawing at the challenger. The recently turned 21-year old prodigy follows up with two more chops before hitting a deep arm drag to the Harbinger. Kingsley hops to his feet and blocks a second arm drag attempt and hits a hip toss of his own. Rey arches his back then rolls to his feet. He unloads with a thigh kick. Kingsley responds with a hard slap to the face. A leg kick this time has the challenger stumbling but he rebounds quickly and intercepts the next kick with a check of the leg and a headbutt to the sternum of the champ.
Steve Morrison: Off to a fast start here with some strike exchanges. Any outlook on the match, Cross?
Cross Recoba: They both like to fight with a fast paced style with some risks thrown in. This should get wild before the end and a mistake will likely be the turning point.
The young Atlantan responds to this slight with a European uppercut, followed by a second. On the third, the Vegas business owner catches the arm and torques it into a key lock before transitioning it back into a hammerlock, complete with a chicken wing on the other arm. Rey manages to wriggle his winged arm free and drops down and pulls Solomon over him with a snap mare before thumping him in the spine with a soccer kick followed by a flipping neck snap. Kingsley recoils from the mat between his own splayed legs and falls back to a supine position. He quickly kips up right into a springboard cross body from the champion. Rey takes the chance to taunt to the crowd and show off his arm muscles and upper body physique.
Cross Recoba: A wise champion would continue to press the advantage here.
Steve Morrison: Well he is young and brash. It hasnāt bit him on the ass as of yet.
Rey turns around and gets blown up by a running axe bomber from a rejuvenated harbinger. The SCCW owner DOES press the advantage with a quick stomp on the gut and kick of the ribs. Rey rolls to his hands and knees and the gambler drops a quick elbow across the back of the neck before hitting a standing moonsault for the pin. Big John Quinn drops to count but barely gets a one before El Rey violently kicks his legs up to shove Kingsley off him. A kip up has him back to a standing base as Kingsley again presses the advantage with an Irish whip. A drop to the ground forces the champ to leapfrog him. Rey hits the ropes and springboards off with a moonsault, but Solomon has it scouted and hits a dropkick to the chest of the flipping champion before attempting to lock in a dragon sleeper! Rey quickly counters by pushing to a vertical base and hitting a Pele kick.
Cross Recoba: Kingsley looking for an EARLY Fall to Despair, but Rey had it scouted. Who knew the brat could do his homework.
Steve Morrison: Looked more like instinct. Nobody can deny he has the genetics for that. Besides, we saw him getting drunk yesterday on the GUNS show.
Cross Recoba: I prefer not to watch that show. Too much Mr. Blobby and ā¦ Noel Edmonds ā¦
Both men shake out the cobwebs and charge each other. A blistering exchange of strikes really picks up the pace as the damage begins to pile up. Fists and feet are flying. Rey gets the advantage with a particularly nasty roundhouse to the head. He follows it up with a poison rana! The crowd erupts in cheers for that big move as Solomon grabs his head in agony. Rey sprints to the ropes and springboards off with a swanton bomb onto the back of his opponent before using his head to roll Kingsley into the proper position and locking in a figure 4 to jackknife into a pin.
ONE!
TWO-Kickout as the hand hits the mat for 2.
Rey immediately rolls to his feet and hauls his opponent just up enough to slam him back down with a DDT. He taunts to the crowd as Quinn checks on Solomon.
Cross Recoba: That was an impressive bit of offense to tip the scales in his favor.
Steve Morrison: But I do see your point on the showboating. Certainly knows how to play up a crowd.
Rey leaps back with a standing moonsault and then pops up and leaps up for a springboard variation of it. But the harbinger gets the knees up and Rey bounces off, holding his gut. Both men are down as Rey crawls to the corner to hold his stomach in agony. The Tapout star is the first to his feet and barrels into the corner with a clothesline and pulls his foe into a headscissors takedown. The champ skids on his butt across the ring and pops up holding his back. Not wasting an opening Solomon sprints past and hits the ropes for a springboard moonsault of his own, flattening the dazed champion. A quick pin ā¦
ONE!
TW-Kickout!
The gambler lifts the head of the champ and locks in a surfboard stretch, yanking both arms back with a knee to the spine of the seated champ. El Rey yelps in pain and then begins to rock side to side to alleviate the pain in his back. Thinking quick, he pushes up to an arched back, getting his legs under him, he then springs over Kingsley and pulls him down with a neckbreaker.
Cross Recoba: A very well-done counter attack from the champion. This match is moving a mile a minute and you can see they have both been keeping up the cardio.
Steve Morrison: Yes but something has to give. This pace has to be tiring them out somewhat.
Rey sits up his opponent and hits a big PK right to the chest. He then hits a standing senton. A quick grab of the arm and Rey pulls Solomon to his feet then wrings the arm over, holding the modified arm wrench. He torques it further and Kingsley drops to the mat to alleviate the pressure allowing Rey to drop a leg across the stretched arm. He converts it into a fujiwara arm bar. Kingsley grumbles in pain and reaches for the ropes. Just as his fingers almost graze the bottom rope, the champ pulls him back towards the middle of the ring and rocks all the way back, turning the hold into a rings of Saturn style stretch. The harbinger of despair shouts in pain as his shoulders hyperextend. He fights with all his might to get a foot to the ropes. Rey breaks the hold at a 3 count from Quinn before rolling to his hands and knees and hooking the head of the downed foe and driving his knees into the shoulders trying to destroy the collarbone of the SCCW owner. Kingsley again scrambles to get his feet to the ropes and Quinn counts 4 before Rey backs off and stands, holding his arms up in innocence, telling the ref how well he complied!
Steve Morrison: Well this is starting to get dangerous, those knee strikes are lethal.
Cross Recoba: Yes but Kingsley seems to be in one piece. Itāll take more than that to put down a Tapout talent.
The king of wolves back off and lines up his next move. He charges in and tries to punt kick the head square off the shoulders, but the gambler rockets up to a kneeling vertical position and slams a flurry of fists into the kidneys of his opponent. Getting to his feet, Kingsley begins pressuring El Rey back to the corner with a collar and elbow tie-up before yanking him out of the corner with a lifting DDT. He immediately leaps to the top rope and measures the next move. Diving cross body! El Rey rolls through and gets to his feet, before immediately hitting a standing shooting star press.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Rey gets a front chancery locked in and slowly brings his opponent to his feet. But Kingsley springs to life with an Emerald Flowsion! Rey bounces off the mat and rockets to his feet in pain, and receives a double underhook back breaker for his trouble. Solomon locks in a buffalo sleeper.
Cross Recoba: And now the tide has turned and Kingsley has grounded the high flying El Rey!
Steve Morrison: Still, Rey doesnāt look ready to give up his title just yet.
Indeed the son of Venom again fights with all his ability. He manages to get his feet up and underneath him and leaps up, springing his feet off the top rope and adjusting midair into a cutter, the sliced bread!
Steve Morrison: SLICED BREAD!
Both men are down now and panting heavily. Rey begins to stir on Quinnās three count, while Solomon rolls to his hands and knees at five. Both men are up by seven and tie up in the middle of the ring. They jockey for position. Kingsley manages to sneak in some rabbit punches and uses the head turn to sneak behind El Rey! El Rey springs to the corner pulling his opponent with him and as the ref follows, Rey pushes them both out of the corner causing Quinn to duck out of the wayā¦ and miss the blatant back kick to the balls from El Rey. Rey leaps off the ropes and over his stunned enemy and hits the reverse DDT on the come down.
Cross Recoba: Thatās the E-Raytio Variation 2. A nice little trick to pull out of the pocket.
Rey leaps up to the top rope. Kingsley sees this and rolls out of the ring to the apron. As he catches his breath, Rey looks at the crowd and shrugs before leaping off with a 630 senton to the apron!!!
Steve Morrison: HOLY ā¦ ahem ā¦ what an amazing move, but it looks like it hurt Rey as much as it did Kingsley.
Cross Recoba: Indeed, the champ fell out of the ring and rolled into the barricade with momentum. Meanwhile I think Kingsley may have broken ribs or a collapsed lung.
Steve Morrison: ITāS THE HARDEST PART OF THE RING, CROSS!
The champ takes his sweet time climbing to his feet, he steals a beer from the guy in the front row in the Jack Diamond shirt. He drinks half then tosses the rest at the guy in the Aiden Merric hat. Rey hobbles to the ring holding his back and hits an elbow strike to the head of his foe on the apron as he walks by. He climbs the ring steps and looks at Kingsley still laying on the apron, trying to pull himself into the ring by the bottom rope. Rey sprints along the apron for a punt but Kingsley pulls himself into the ring and kicks out, tripping Rey. The champ stumbles face first into the ring post and grabs his cheek in pain. Kingsley is slow to try and climb to his feet. He stumbles into the corner and grabs Rey by the hair, but Rey blocks with his arm and grabs a handful of the gamblerās hair and bounces his head off the turnbuckle pad, then leaps up to the top. He grabs his back for a brief moment before he sets up for a sunset flip bomb but Kingsley comes to life and breaks the waistlock before hitting a leaping enzuigiri to stun El Rey on the top rope. He steps to the apron and holds the neck of Rey before hitting the Dragon Screw neck whip! Reyās ribs crash into the ringpost as his right knee slams into the metal turnbuckle link and he falls head first to the floor below!
Steve Morrison: OH MY GOD! SPIN THE WHEEL OFF THE TOP ROPE TO THE RINGPOST AND THE FLOOR!
Cross Recoba: And that is how you spell new champion, Steve. Thereās no recovery from that.
Kingsley drops off the apron and pats himself on the back. He stalks El Rey. As the champ slowly gets to his hands and knees favoring his ribs and spine, Kingsley sprints with a sliding dropkick to the ribs. He then grabs the champ and pulls him by his tights and hair and sends him sliding into the ring. A quick climb to the apron and Kingsley springboard off the top rope and crashes down onto the back of the champ with a corkscrew splash! He quickly rolls the champ over and hooks both legs.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE-NO!
JUST ROLLS THE SHOULDER IN TIME!!
Kingsley looks at Quinn in disbelief and holds up three fingers. Big John holds up two and motions that his shoulder was up. The Harbinger smells blood in the water and looks to lock in his dragon sleeper. But Rey on instinct reaches up and drops him with a cutter. Both men are down again. At 6, Rey climbs to his feet. Solomon quickly follows at seven holding his face. Rey charges in for a clothesline but gets flipped with a powerslam. Solomon backs to the corner and looks to finish this. He once again stalks the champ. He pulls the tights to get Rey to stand then gets him into an argentine backbreaker.
Cross Recoba: Heās looking for that patented burning hammer of his, the Jokerās Wild.
Steve Morrison: El Rey has it in his VERY best interest NOT to get hit by that.
Rey does indeed wiggle and slam his arms into the head of Kingsley. A stumble allows Rey to reach the ropes and pull himself off the shoulders and into the ropes. He readjusts onto the top rope but Solomon spins and hits a huge rolling elbow strike. Rey drops to a seat on the top rope. Kingsley looks at the ring and then his foe. He gets the crowd behind him with a quick taunt and then climbs to the top as well. He stands on the middle rope in front of El Rey ā¦ he leaps up for a hurricanrana!!!
Cross Recoba: NO! Rey grapevine his legs on the middle rope!
Steve Morrison: Heās holding the dangling gambler from the middle rope.
Rey smiles that smirk to the crowd and sticks out his tongue as he pulls Kingsley close and wraps the arms around his gut. He slowly steps over the arms while getting to the top rope ā¦ and then falls with a Styles Clash from the very top rope!
Cross Recoba: SOCIETY KILLER AVALANCHE STYLE!
Steve Morrison: Kinsleyās face crashed to the mat hard. He looks to be out.
Rey rolls over, using his legs to pull Solomon into the pin.
ONE!....
TWO!...
THREE!....
Laura Messier: YOUR WINNER ā¦ AND STIIIIIIIIILL XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION ā¦ EL REY!
Big John Quinn hands him his belt as Kingsley lays broken in the ring. Rey pats the belt and kisses it before raising it over his head. The crowd erupts in cheers. Rey cocks an eyebrow at this. But a man in a mask slides in the ring behind him. A snap reverse DDT puts the champ down hard. The man stands up and looks at the crowd. He rips off the mask ā¦
Steve Morrison: THATāS KINGSLEYāS FELLOW HARBINGER! RAIDEN ISHIMORI! He just hit the chalk outline on the distracted El Rey!
Cross Recoba: Indeed. Making a statement.
Rey tries to scamper to the ropes by Raiden but gets deadlifted into a gutwrench and whipped up overhead. He then gets dropped with a DDT! With the Castles Fall Raiden stands tall over the broken champ and goes to help his cohort, Kingsley up to his feet.
Steve Morrison: Well El Rey gets the win but that was an auspicious end to this night for the champ.
The shot fades up on a set that resembles an ancient, South American tomb. Someone walks into frame, from behind the camera, wearing the iconic Indiana Jones costume. They crack the whip and then turn around. Itās the XHFās undisputed #1 Babyface, Disneyās Marty Donovan! Even though this is just a pretaped video, the Las Vegas crowd give a huge pop. Clearly they are not used to this level of star power on a TOW show. Tinto, that seven year old rapscallion from CAR, runs into frame. The little guy is dressed as Short Round.
Tinto: DOCTOR DONOVAN, NO MORE PARACHUTES!
Marty: Thatās okay. We still have plenty of these!
Marty Donovan reaches into his leather jacket and pulls out a dog collar.
Tinto: Dog collars?
Marty: Thatās right! Later this month is Hardkore Worldās biggest show of the summer, Irish Rage In Dublin! The tag team championships will be on the line in a brutal fight. Yes, donāt miss the steel cage, double dog collar match!
Tinto: That sounds so cool! Are you in the match, Mister Marty?
Marty: You better believe it. For the first time in 16 years, I will be tagging again with āThe Punisherā Dan Stein.
Tinto: Wow, the mountain of a man that you were SWAT tag team champions with!
Marty: Sun and Pun ride again! There is more than gold on the line though. Weāll be facing Wesley Crane and Alexander Von Blankenship.
Tinto: Those were the backstabbing weasels who kicked you guys out of The Anointed!
Marty: Yeah and itās time for some payback! It doesnāt matter if Cross Recoba goes on last. This bloodbath is the real main event that everyone is excited for.
Tinto: Everyone, Doctor Donovan?
Tinto gestures off screen. The camera spins around to reveal a nearly empty stadium. This video is being shot on The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular stage in Walt Disney World. The only person in the crowd is Olivia Oldham, dressed as Willie Scott from Temple of Doom. Ollie stares off into the middle distance, absolutely devastated.
Marty: Ollie dolly, relax! Itās not actually going to be a bloodbath. Weāre just trying to move tickets here. You know Iām planning to make Stein do most of the work anyway.
She doesnāt respond.
Marty: What if I let you pick out the dog collar? Thatās fun. Do you want me to wear Plutoās or Pongoās?
She gets up and storms out of the arena. Marty shakes his head frustrated.
Marty: Damn it, now I have to find time to go to Sephora.
Tinto: We should wrap this up. Iām sure Poena still has plenty of interns to torture.
Marty: Right, watch Hardkore Worldās Irish Rage in Dublin, streaming exclusively on the XHF Network. You wonāt want to miss this bloody reunion. A double dog collar steel cage Match! Suns Out! Puns Out! Danny and I are bringing home the gold!
Tinto: Iām bringing home gold too!
Tinto holds up the iconic golden idol and the stage begins to shake. Marty picks up the seven year old and runs. The shot fades out as they are chased by a giant prop boulder.
Laura Messier: ITāS TIME FOR YOUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING! This match is scheduled for ONE FALL and is for the TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!!
The opening chords of Big Shot slam into the speakers, bringing the fans to their feet as Jackalope charges through the curtain.
Steve Morrison: Itās the biggest night of his career and he doesnāt look intimidated by the occasion at all!
Cross Recoba: Jackalopeās never been one to worry about his opponentās reputation. He focuses on his own race to run.
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: But he does wonder if Diamond has his eye truly on the prize. Between his contract issues, Poena, and even his defense against James Raymond, Jackalope didnāt really figure in his thoughts.
Cross Recoba: Iām on the fence as to whether Iād have mentioned that if I was Jackalope. Let Diamond worry about everything else and then blindside him when that bell rings with what you can bring!
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: The crowd seem split but Jackalope knows how to get them on his side.
Cross Recoba: They could give him the extra push that takes him to victory and the first title reign of his career!
The house lights go out as the crowd begins to buzz.
Top, to the top, ain't never gonna stop
To the top, to the top, ain't never gonna stop
Pyro explodes as the chorus of "Legendary" by Skillet begins to play and the crowd erupts into cheers and chants begin to break out of "Icons", "Diamond Club", and "D-T-F".
Jack Diamond emerges on the stage with a huge grin on his face, nodding his head to the beat of the music. He adjusts his leather jacket and soaks in the moment, around his waist the Tap Out Openweight Championship belt glimmers in the lights. He mouths the word "Legendary" and begins to make his way to the ring acknowledging the fans as only Jack Diamond can do.
Steve Morrison: Weāre in the house that Jack built and donāt we know it!
Cross Recoba: Only for two more shows after tonightā¦
As he gets to the ring, he climbs the stairs and walks the apron over to the far turnbuckle. He ascends the outside of the corner and plays to the crowd as more pyro goes off.
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, legendary
Steve Morrison: Diamond agreed with you, he called Jackalopeās words āpulling the tailā...
Cross Recoba: Inside that ring, thereās few wrestlers more dangerous than Jack Diamond and he might be wanting to make a statement tonight!
Jack jumps down into the ring and heads to the center before raising his belt up with both hands, above his head loud cheers. Jack removes his leather jacket and hands it to the ring crew before heading to his corner and stretching and preparing for the match.
Steve Morrison: Whoever walks out with that title tonight, they face Poena at Night of Championsā¦
Cross Recoba: For Diamond, itās the trilogyā¦for Jackalope itād be one of the toughest first defenses he could hope for!
Laura stands in the ring, a smile on her face.
Laura Messier: Challenging for the TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP! Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada...Standing at five-feet and nine-inches, he is The Chaos Bunny.... JACKALOPE!!
Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Jackalope raises an arm as his name is called.
Laura Messier: And his opponentā¦Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Cherokee, North Carolina. He made weight at one-hundred-and-ninety-five pounds...HE ISā¦THE TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION! THE ACE...OF SPADES!!! JACK.....DIAMOND!!!
Jack smiles as his name is called. He raises his arms to the sky as the duelling chants in the crowd break out.
Crowd: CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES!
MAIN EVENT
TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Jack Diamond (#1) [C] vs Jackalope
With Laura now out of the ring and the introductions over, the Diamond Club reaches a frenzy of noise as the crowd await the start of their main event.
Crowd: CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES! CHAOS BUNNY! DIAMOND RULES!
Steve Tyrell smiles to himself, his instructions to start the match momentarily on hold whilst the Diamond Club audience remains fervent and split.
Crowd: ICONS RULE! FUCK YOU, DIAMOND! ICONS RULE! FUCK YOU, DIAMOND! ICONS RULE! FUCK YOU, DIAMOND! ICONS RULE! FUCK YOU, DIAMOND! ICONS RULE! FUCK YOU, DIAMOND!
Steve Morrison: Tyrell overseeing his first main-event in Tap Out and the rowdiest element in the match might just be the crowd!
Cross Recoba: Heās earned the opportunity and I saw āBigā John Quinn giving him a crash course in what to expect earlier today before the DTF show.
Raising his hands, Tyrell attempts to quell the crowd.
Steve Morrison: Crowd control isnāt what youād expect a referee to have to deal with.
Cross Recoba: But why not get the experience where you canā¦
Approaching the challenger first, Tyrell explains what he expects from the competitors. He makes a specific point of motioning to Jackalope about hair-pulling. Kid Cryptid nods and smiles, clearly eager to get the first title shot of his career underway.
Steve Morrison: For a man who only wrestled his first match eighteen months ago, this match is a huge reflection on just how highly rated he is in Tap Out Wrestling.
Cross Recoba: Itās a huge opportunity and, without being biased, Diamond hasnāt looked untouchable in any of his defences!
Making his way to Diamond, Jack puts his arm on the shoulder of the match official and smiles as he emphasises he knows what to expect. Tyrell, keen to enforce his position, goes through the same instructions he gave the Challenger. With the instructions out of the way, Diamond hands over the title to Tyrell who raises it for the crowd.
Steve Morrison: Thereās the prize on offer.
Cross Recoba: If Jackalope wins tonight, it makes his career.
Handing it off to ringside, Steve Tyrell calls for the bell as the second-ever title defense of the Tap Out Openweight title on a Tap Out Show.
DING! DING! DING!
The crowd roar back into life as the two competitors come out from their corner.
Steve Morrison: Here we go, a three-count or two slaps of the mat and this match gets decided. How we get there though is all down to the two men inside the ring!
Showing no fear, Jackalope cuts down the gap between the two of them and locks up with the former X*Crown Champion. The Ace of Spades quickly breaks the lock-up into a standing armbar but itās reversed into a hammerlock. Jack sneaks out the back and grabs a headlock before spinning into a standing wristlock. Jackalope looks to his left and sees the ropes in distance. He grabs the top rope and uses it to backflip out of the hold and attempts a hip-toss but Diamond plants his feet down before switching around to try one of his own but Kid Cryptid throws a knee into his stomach before leaping up with a headscissors takedown.
Steve Morrison: Jackalope taking the initiative from the bell. He questioned whether Diamond was truly focused on him and not Poena or yourself, Cross, it looks like heās going to force the issue.
Cross Recoba: The Chaos Bunny has come on leaps and bounds but one thing that was evident from his first match was that he wasnāt going to wait for an opportunity to come to him, heād seek it out!
With no time spent licking his wounds, Diamond is back to his feet and immediately locks back up with the Challenger. He dives around into a waistlock that he uses to takedown Jackalope to the mat and transitions to a front-facelock that he uses to pick up the challenger and attempts a suplex but the Chaos Bunny drops down the back and, with a waistlock, charges Diamond to the ropesā¦OāConnor Rollā¦
Cross Recoba: Cuteā¦
ONEā¦
Diamond kicks out and rushes the challenger but eats a drop-toe hold for his efforts. Jackalope leans into the ropesā¦NO-ONEāS HOME FOR THE BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK!
Steve Morrison: Jackalope needs to recover quicklyā¦
Kipping up to his feet, Jackalope finds himself in another headlock and immediately is taken to the mat.
Cross Recoba: Jackās going to want a slower paced match, heās going to grind down the challenger, make him get impatient.
The ring veteran expertly moves his body weight to wring the most out of the headlock.
Steve Morrison: Heās using his size to control the hold.
Powering up, Jackalope gets to his feet but is once again taken down by a headlock takedown by the Champion. Kid Cryptid uses the momentum to take him over into a pin.
ONEā¦
Diamond moves his weight out of pin and once more gets to his feet. He takes steps forward looking for a Bulldog but Jackalope shoots him to the ropesā¦
Steve Morrison: Expertly escaped from Kid Cryptidā¦
Leapfrog from the Chaos Bunny.
Cross Recoba: What can he put on the end of it? Thatās what countsā¦
On the rebound, Jackalope ducks his head and Diamond vaults over him to the ropesā¦Japanese Arm-Drag from the Chaos Bunny!
Steve Morrison: Heās picking up the paceā¦
Diamond springs back to his feet but is taken immediately off them with a dropkick! Jack once more scrambles to a vertical base but another flying headscissors takes him to the mat. Jackalope comes off the ropesā¦SLIDING DROPKICK!
Steve Morrison: Quickfire one-two assault!
He coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
KICKOUT!!
Cross Recoba: He stunned him! Thatās going to grab the Champās attention like he wants.
Crowd: CRYPTID BUNNY! NEW CHAMP, LOPE! CRYPTID BUNNY! NEW CHAMP, LOPE! CRYPTID BUNNY! NEW CHAMP, LOPE! CRYPTID BUNNY! NEW CHAMP, LOPE!
Feeding off the crowd, the Challenger tries to keep the momentum going. Diamond leans up against the ropes to catch a breath but Jackalope rushes inā¦DIAMOND LIFTS HIM OVER THE ROPES TO THE APRONā¦.DIAMOND GRABS THE HEAD OF JACKALOPE AND GUILLOTINES HIM ON THE TOP ROPE!!
Steve Morrison: Jack going the cheap route!
Cross Recoba: Thatās controlling the ring. You might look down on it but you use those moves to pull the match back in your favor!
With Jackalope draped over the ropes, Diamond hooks a front-facelock and liftsā¦Brainbuster!
Steve Morrison: SQUARE ON HIS HEAD!!
Rolling backwards, Diamond grabs hold of the leg of the Challenger and drives his boot into the hamstringā¦and again!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope could be out and Jackās using that time to take out his legs.
Steve Morrison: And that could pose problemsā¦
Cross Recoba: Of course, if you look at any of Jackalopeās moves, they all require incredible leg strength!
He swing a leg over the raised limbā¦a legdrop drives it into the mat!
Steve Morrison: And right now the Champion is chopping away at that strength!
Crowd: COME ON, CRYPTID! LETāS GO, JACK! COME ON, CRYPTID! LETāS GO, JACK! COME ON, CRYPTID! LETāS GO, JACK! COME ON, CRYPTID! LETāS GO, JACK!
Keeping hold of the leg, Diamond gets to his feet and spins around itā¦
Steve Morrison: ACES WILD!!!
KID CRYPTID USES HIS OTHER LEG TO KICK HIM OFF TO THE ROPES! SPRINGING TO HIS FEET HE LIFTS UP DIAMOND BUT JACK FLIPS OUT THE BACK!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope isnāt going to be the walkover that he thinks Jackās treated him like in the run-up to tonight!
Grabbing the hair of Jackalope, Diamond charges to the ropes and leaps, HOTSHOTTING JACKALOPE ON THE TOP ROPE AS HE LANDS ON HIS FEET ON THE RING FLOOR!
Steve Morrison: Straight out of the pages of a Macho guy from Ohio!
Tyrell starts the count as Diamond admires his handiwork.
ONE!
Jack grabs the leg of the sprawled out Kid Cryptid and drags him towards the corner. HE SWINGS THE LEG INTO THE RING POST!
Steve Morrison: Diamond looking to put this one to bed early!
Cross Recoba: Itās smart wrestling, you use whatever comes to hand!
Steve Morrison: I didnāt expect you to be in his cornerā¦
Cross Recoba: I canāt sit here and admonish him when any viewer can search my name and find me doing the same or worse inside the ring. Iād do it, why canāt he?
TWO!
Tyrell admonishes Diamond from inside the ring but Jack grabs the leg and again slams it into the post.
THREE!!
The previously split crowd is now firmly against the Diamond Training Facility Owner.
Steve Morrison: You might want to sit on the fence, Cross, but the crowd here arenāt getting splinters!
FOUR!!
Arranging the legs, Diamond pulls Jackalope into the ring post, crotching him before leapingā¦RING-POST FIGURE-FOUR LEGLOCK!!!
Steve Morrison: ASSISTED RING POST FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK!!!
Tyrell continues to try and reason with Jack but he uses the entwined leg to lift himself up and keep the hold tight.
Cross Recoba: Look at how heās moving to make sure he can get the right pivot to exert the most pressure!
Steve Morrison: Tyrell needs to break this up!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Tyrell threatens to throw the match out!
Steve Morrison: If he disqualifies Diamond, the title stays where it is!
Cross Recoba: Jack knows that!
FOUR!
Diamond acquiesces and rolls into the ring.
Steve Morrison: The Champ sees sense and maybe, just maybe, heās doing this to put on a show to celebrate the first show for the Diamond Training Facility.
Cross Recoba: Or he wants to muddy the water for who he should face at Night of Champions. Jackalope gets cheated out of a win? Iām sure some of the Tap Out Board would push for Poena to take a backseat to this rematch!
Picking up where he left off, Diamond hauls up the Challenger to his feet and lifts him Atomic Drop style before grabbing his knee and sitting out!
Steve Morrison: The ring mat gets the assist on that Kneebreaker!
Cross Recoba: Heās honing in on that leg, Jackalope needs to dig deep to turn the tide.
Steve Morrison: You think he has it in him?
Cross Recoba: He wouldnāt be in this match if he didnātā¦
Jack rolls the Chaos Bunny onto his front and plants a leg behind his knee and liftsā¦KNEE SMASHER!!!
Steve Morrison: Again back to the leg!
Tyrell asks Jackalope if he wants to give up but the determined youngster shakes away the concern.
Cross Recoba: Jackalope wonāt give in so easily but Tyrell HAS to ask.
Smelling blood, Diamond rushes to seize the leg of Jackalope. He spins around it and this time he gets the Figure-Four Leglock locked in!
Steve Morrison: ACES WILD!
Cross Recoba: Heās been doing the prep-work for it and Jackalope, he knows itās coming but how do you stop it when heās worked that leg over like he has?
The Chaos Bunny screams in agony as the hold is cinched in, Jack using his locking leg to work his opponentās further up his own thigh.
Cross Recoba: That folded leg, some people put it below the knee but that means you have to work harder to get the submission. Each inch that Jack gets Kid Cryptidās leg further up past the knee means less work to get the winā¦
Steve Tyrell is quick to check in on Jackalope but heās waved off.
Steve Morrison: Jackalopeās not going to give in so easily though.
The Challengerās shoulders hit the matā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
Jackalope recovers enough to raise his shoulders off the mat.
Cross Recoba: What people at home might not know, a Figure-Four can pin you just as easily as submit you. Youāve got to find a hole in the hold or get to the ropes or reverse it, all while making sure your shoulders donāt hit the mat like we just saw. Iāve seen plenty of people pinned when they were focused only on not tapping out!
Looking behind him, the Chaos Bunny looks towards the ropes and starts to inch his way closer.
Crowd: GRAB THAT ROPE! GRAB THAT ROPE! GRAB THAT ROPE! GRAB THAT ROPE!
A smile is etched broadly on the face of the Openweight Champion as he sees victory in sight, quite content to let Jackalope make minimal progress.
Steve Morrison: Jack seems happy to let Jackalope fight out of this one.
Cross Recoba: Itās free progress. How Jack has that hold set-up, he doesnāt need to do too much in terms of work, itās doing it for itself. For his opponent, he might get to safety but he has to work and scrimp and dig for every inch.
The ropes now almost brushing against his fingertips, Jackalope lifts his body up for one last pushā¦DIAMOND ROLLS THE HOLD BACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING!!
Steve Morrison: Diamond knew what he was going to do all along!
The move takes the wind out of the sails from the crowd of the Diamond Club.
Cross Recoba: And with that, heās snatched away the hope that was residing in the crowd.
Jackalope tries to roll the hold over but Diamond lifts his leg up before slamming it down!
Steve Morrison: Diamondās getting vicious!
Tyrell is once more asking Jackalope if he wants to submit. For a moment, it looks as if Kid Cryptid will raise an arm and submit but he decides to fight on.
Cross Recoba: This is getting to the point where you have to question whether itās the right move. Poenaās going to be watching this match with interest and if Jackalope rallies from this position to win the title? His leg is going to be the focal point for Poenaās strategy.
Steve Morrison: But if he taps, how long until he gets an opportunity like this again?
Cross Recoba: Thatās the decision he needs to makeā¦
Lifting his head off the mat, Diamond sits up and taunts his opponent.
Using all of his strength to lift his head, Jackalope tries to inch towards the ropes with his handsā¦DIAMOND SLAPS HIM IN THE FACE!
Steve Morrison: Almost taunting the Challenger!
The boos grow louder in the Diamond Club.
Cross Recoba: Thatās his merch sales plateauing for the evening!
Once again, Jackalope lifts his head up once more. Diamond swings his armā¦JACKALOPE CATCHES IT AND GRABS AN INSIDE CRADLE!!
Steve Morrison: Jackalope sneaks a pin!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THR-
DIAMOND KICKS OUT!!!
Steve Morrison: The Challenger very nearly caused the Network Upset of the Year!
Behind the commentary team, rows of people are stood in anticipation.
Cross Recoba: For the fans at home, sitting here with a crowd like this is the best surround sound experience you canāt buy.
The Champion looks pissed the match hasnāt been put away. He rushes towards Jackalope, propped up on the ropes, and grabs his head. He throws a forearm! And another! And Another! Still, Jackalope stands!
Steve Morrison: What Jackalope lacks in size, he makes up for in heart!
Cross Recoba: Heās taken a hell of a beating but heās refusing to be put down!
Another forearm is thrownā¦JACKALOPE ANSWERS WITH A LEAPING ENZIGURI THAT CRACKS TRUE ON THE BACK OF THE CHAMPIONāS HEAD!!
Steve Morrison: Like the crack of a bullwhip!
Staggered back but not deterred, Diamond looks to grab Jackalope but the Challenger lifts him over the ropes to the apron, Jackalope helps himself out with a rope-assisted enzuiguri that staggers Jack along the apron.
Cross Recoba: Iām not sure how wise it is to use his feet on offense but it seems to be working for himā¦
Stepping through the ropes, Jackalope tests out his foot and grimaces.
Steve Morrison What could he be thinkingā¦
REVERSE SLING BLADE ON THE APRON!!
Steve Morrison: HOLD OUT PISTOL ON THE APRON!!!!!
Cross Recoba: Suicidal? Yes. Effective? Definitely!
Jackalope gingerly gets back to his feet and leans into the turnbuckle to recover. He raises an arm to the crowd to signal heās okay.
Steve Morrison: He looks like heās going for something elseā¦
Cross Recoba: I donāt know whether to be worried more for Jackalope or Diamondā¦
......
.....
POISON RANA FROM THE APRON TO THE FLOOR!!!!!!!
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
Steve Morrison: HE JUST TOOK OUT DIAMOND WITH NO FEAR OR CARE FOR HIS OWN WELLBEING!!
Cross Recoba: Itās a question of balance, Steve. Put simply, did that do more damage to Diamond than it did to him in hitting itā¦
Steve Tyrell has little option but to start the count.
ONE!
Diamond holds his neck as he sits up. In comparison, Jackalope is back to his feet but leans into the guardrail, crouched down ready to strike.
Steve Morrison: Jackalope is out for blood!
TWO!!
Jackalope rushes towards Diamondā¦.
Cross Recoba: Jackās unsightedā¦
THREE!!!
SHINING WIZARD CONNECTS!!!!
Steve Morrison: He got all of that!
FOUR!!!
Diamond looks to be out. Jackalope holds his knee in agony after a somewhat kamikaze gambit.
Cross Recoba: Jackalope might well have won the battle and lost the war in the process!
FIVE!!!
Using the ring apron to stand up, Jackalope works his way over to Jack Diamond.
Steve Morrison: Heās fighting through itā¦
SIX!!!
The Chaos Bunny rolls the Champion into the ring and slides himself onto the apron.
Steve Morrison: Heās pausing before getting back in the ring, is he still testing out his mobility?
Diamond starts to stir, Jackalope grabs the top-rope and leans backwards.
Cross Recoba: Not in the slightestā¦
SPRINGBOARD SPINNING FOREARM!!!
Steve Morrison: Huge connection from the Chaos Bunny!
The crowd roar as Diamond hits the mat. Jackalope forces himself to his feet and makes his way to the turnbuckle.
Steve Morrison: Is this wise?
Cross Recoba: However Jackalope wants to end the match, itās going to require those legs. Heās just looking for the quickest route to the endā¦
Leaping to the top, Jackalopeās leg briefly buckles but he steadies himself with the ropes.
Steve Morrison: Is he second-guessing himself?
Standing atop the turnbuckle, the Challenger pauses before leaping.
Cross Recoba: Weāre about to find outā¦
SOMERSAULT LEGDROP FROM THE TOP!!!!
Steve Morrison: DIAMOND HELPLESS TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!!
Jackalope writhes on the floor holding his leg. He slowly crawls towards Diamond and coversā¦
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THRE-
DIAMOND THROWS A SHOULDER UP!!!!
Steve Morrison: Diamond manages to escape out the backdoor at the last moment!
Cross Recoba: Pardon the pun but that legwork he put in earlier is the only reason he still has that title around his waist.
Jackalope looks out into the crowd in disbelief.
Steve Morrison: I think the Chaos Bunny knows it too!
He rolls to his feet and picks up Diamond but the Champion resorts to dirty boxing with an inside uppercut as he rises. The Ace of Spades grabs the wrists of Jackalope and sends him to the ropes but the Challenger reverses itā¦GUYVER KICK!!
Steve Morrison: UNLUCKY RABBITāS FOOT!
Cross Recoba: Itās a testament to the technique at Jackalopeās disposal that he can connect with that move and cause more damage to Diamond than to himselfā¦
The Chaos Bunny rolls onto his back and arches up.
Steve Morrison: Heās not finishedā¦we all know what heās going forā¦
Walking around as he watches his opponent get into positionā¦.TOXIC SPIDER SPEAR!!!
Steve Morrison: Dead Manās Switch!!!
THE DIAMOND CLUB ERUPTS!!!!
ONEā¦
TWO!!
THRE-
DIAMOND MANAGES TO STAY IN THE MATCH!!!!
Cross Recoba: Iām wondering how much power he lost when he sprung forward on that damaged leg.
The look on Jackalopeās face tells the viewer all he needs to know about how he feels. He slowly gets to his feet.
Steve Morrison: Heās refusing to give up, refusing to stop the assault!
Reaching down, Jackalope pulls Diamond to his feet. THE CHAMPION DROPS BACK TO HIS KNEES IN A JAWBREAKER!!
Cross Recoba: He got suckered into that oneā¦
Stumbling backwards, Kid Cryptid is wide openā¦SUPERKICK!!!
Steve Morrison: ICON KICK!!!
Peeling Jackalope from the mat, Diamond lifts up the Challenger once more in an Atomic Dropā¦ANOTHER SIT-OUT KNEEBREAKER DRIVES THE JOINT INTO THE MAT!
Cross Recoba: Heās going back to that leg, he wants to make sure that Jackalope is scuttled in this match!
Looking at his opponent, Jack takes a different tact and rolls back to his feet and into the corner. He climbs up, never letting his eyes off the Challenger.
Steve Morrison: Heās watching him like a hawk.
Cross Recoba: Because, if Jackalope has done his homework, he knows whatās coming. If he hasnāt done his homework he knows that Jackās going for the-
450 SPLASH!!!
Steve Morrison: SHUFFLED DECK! SURELY THIS IS IT!!!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦.
THRE-
A SHOULDER SEES DAYLIGHT!!!!
Steve Morrison: How?
Cross Recoba: Jackalopeās not going to lose this as long as heās conscious!
THIS TIME ITāS THE CHAMP WHO CANāT BELIEVE ITāS NOT OVER!
Jack Diamond: THIS IS OVER!
Using the hair once more to raise his opponent, he hooks a Cravate holdā¦
Steve Morrison: Heās setting him up for the Stacked Deck!
JACKALOPE LIFTS A KNEE INTO THE BACK OF DIAMOND TO BREAK THE HOLD!...HEADSCISSOR DRIVER!!!
Cross Recoba: WHAT A REVERSAL! IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME TO PULL SOMETHING OUT THE BAGā¦That was it!
The Challenger hooks the leg.
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE-NO!!!!!!!!
SOMEHOW DIAMOND STAYS IN THE MATCH!!
Steve Morrison: What more can Jackalope throw at the Champion to get the job done?
Cross Recoba: Diamond probably feels the same way about putting away Kid Cryptid!
Jackalope tries to keep on top of the match and, with a slight stutter in his legs, pulls Diamond to his feet. He grabs the wrist and whips the Champion to the ropesā¦TURNAROUND DROPKICK CONNECTS WITH JACKALOPE!!
Steve Morrison: Diamond once more turns the match back in his favorā¦
Diamond forces Jackalope to his feet and whips him to the turnbuckle. CHARGING IN, DIAMOND LEAPSā¦
Steve Morrison: DIAMOND SPLASH!!!
NO-ONEāS HOME!!! JACKALOPE LEAPSā¦.TRIPLE-JUMP MOONSAULT REVERSE DDT!!!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT A COUNTER!!!
Crowd: THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT!
Cross Recoba: But he leapt from the top off one leg, thatās tellingā¦
Stumbling to his feet, Jackalope receives a huge pop from the Diamond Club crowd. He points towards the corner.
Steve Morrison: Jackalope isnāt listening then, clearlyā¦
The Chaos Bunny goes through the ropes and slowly plants a foot on the middle turnbuckle and steps up with a noticeable grimace on his face. He pushes up and gets the other foot on the top turnbuckle.
Steve Morrison: Could he be looking to hit āTurn to Ashesā? We know he has that inverted Phoenix Splash in his locker but heās never had to use it, until nowā¦
Cross Recoba: This is the Last Chance Saloon, I donāt see how he misses this and doesnāt obliterate himself in the process.
He stands up up topā¦.
Steve Morrison: You could hear a pin drop, the crowd hushedā¦
DIAMOND RUSHES HIM WITH A DROPKICK TO THE KNEE THAT CROTCHES THE CHALLENGER ON THE TOP ROPE!!
Steve Morrison: DIAMOND SOMEHOW SAVES HIMSELF!
Cross Recoba: Both men are running close to empty and that was the act of a man who knows he only has one or two good moves left in himā¦
HE HOOKS THE HEADā¦.STACKED DECK!!!
Steve Morrison: HE FINALLY HITS IT!!!
DIAMOND HOOKS THE LEG AS HE PINS!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!!
Steve Tyrell calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: The winner of your Main Eventā¦ANDDDD STILLLLLL TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONā¦.JACKā¦..DIAMONNDDDDDD!!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: What an effort by Jackalope, he gave everything in that ring tonight and on any other night? He could be the one with the win!
Cross Recoba: To beat Jack Diamond makes a career but he definitely put his name on the map tonight! He forced Jack to go to places he didnāt expect to go!
āLegendaryā by Skillet plays as Steve Tyrell raises the arm of an exhausted Jack Diamond.
Steve Morrison: And so itās Jack Diamond facing off against Poena at Night of Champions!
Cross Recoba: Thatās not the only announcement. Firstly, Poenaās war with Tommy Strychnine is our Match of the Night and..
Steve Morrison: Thereās more?
Cross Recoba: Iāve just received word that Sam Sawyer has been picked to be our Overheated rep. They get through that, they face off against the X*Crown Champion at Night of Champions!
Thereās a commotion in the crowd and Diamond turns around to see Poena charging at him! The Sadistic Servant tackles him and isolates his arm right away INTO A FUJIWARA ARMBAR! HE REACHES FOR THE HAND!!!!
Steve Morrison: POENAāS UNLEASHED! WHERE IS SECURITY?
Cross Recoba: The Diamond Clubās security should be here soon!
Steve Morrison: They need to be, Poena wants to snap his fingers tonight!
Cross Recoba: ā¦.
Steve Morrison: Fans, we just received word that Diamond gave his security team the night off too! POENA HAS FREE REIGN!!!!!
JASON LONG AND AIDEN MERRIC RUSH DOWN THE AISLE AND SLIDE INTO THE RING!!!
Cross Recoba: The Cavalry are here!!
Steve Morrison: You left him out there like a sitting duck!
POENA RELEASES THE HOLD AND SLITHERS OUT OF THE RING, LAUGHING MANIACALLY AS HE DOES SO.
Steve Morrison: Poena's got the look of a vindicated zealot! Even just a second longer and Jack's fingers would have been as twisted as that maniac!
Cross Recoba: And Merric and Long stopped it!
STOPPING TO FACE THE RING, POENA LOCKS EYES WITH HIS NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS OPPONENT, ALL THE WHILE LAUGHING TO HIMSELF AS THE SHOT FADES OUT.
Steve Morrison: Cross, this canāt just be a coincidence! Tell me you didnāt set up this attack on Diamond!
Credits - Matches
Craft/Long vs Henare/Capone - Teeps
Poena vs Tommy Strychnine - Teeps
The Throw Show vs Sawyer/McConalogue - Magz from the Efed Hub Discord
AVB vs Aiden Merric - Bailey
El Rey vs Kingsley Solomon - DT
Jack Diamond vs Jackalope - Bailey
Credits - Segs and Adverts
AI Art - Teeps
WUK Advert - Donzig
JROK Advert - Kira
NOMAD return - Jimbo
Diamond Segments - Jack
Marty and Tinto - Marty
