-Segment-
A blast of fire and smoke, and a sound like thunder rumbles. Light flashes and reveals a burning ornate throne, darkness falls again before the rumble and flames come again to expose the throne.
Barbed wire gleams in the hellish light, and then darkness falls again.
Words flash across the screen.
‘Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.’
–Match 6: Jakie Wentzel vs. Ronnie Long
Commonwealth Championship –
Salazar: Introducing first
♫ Lord here I come I'm just holding on ♫
♫ A bullet is on its way ♫
♫ Tell the whole world that I'm comin' home ♫
♫ Someone's gonna need a grave ♫
Salazar: Hailing from LaFayette, Georgia, and weighing in at 254 lbs! Accompanied to the ring by Daeriq Damien! This is ROOONNNNIEEE... LOOOOOOOOONNNNGGGGG!!!
As the combination of banjo picking and hip-hop drum line begins to blast, Daeriq Damien walks out of the back. Adjusting his shades, he points and steps to the side. As the lyrics kick in, a burst of gold pyro goes off as Ronnie Long walks out onto the stage.
♫ Yeah I can never be timid, start to the finish ♫
♫ Even through the blemishes my heart is replenished ♫
♫ Violent images, was somethin' in store ♫
♫ It's kinda heavy, holdin' steady I'm ready for war ♫
Stepping to each side of the stage, Long pounds his fists into his chest twice and then throws his arms out to the sides, getting the fans cheering louder. He then spins and starts walking quickly down the ramp, slapping a few hands before sliding into the ring.
Tucker: “Ronnie Long with another opportunity to win some gold in WUK! He’s certainly the choice of the fans tonight!”
Torchwood: “After coming up short in past title matches, you wonder if Ronnie Long might not be young enough to win these big time matches.”
Fulton: “‘Wonder’? I think it’s blatantly obvious that he’s on the back nine of his career.”
In the ring Long pulls his leather vest off and drops it, then jumps to the middle rope and throws his arms up in the crucifix again. Jumping down, he leans back in his corner and waits.
Tucker: “Ronnie Long looks as determined as ever. I’m not counting him out.”
The screen cuts to static as the lights dim. The opening guitar riffs of “Domino the Destitute” play over the PA system. As the music builds, the screen displays picturesque scenery; farmland, tractors, quilts, friendly faces on porches. When the lead vocals come in the scene shatters into a blood red logo of Jakie Wentzel. As the music continues, flashes of Wentzel are shown intermeshed with horrific imagery. Torn blue jeans, a skull tattooed arm, burning crosses, maggots eating flesh, a pool of blood. The final shot shows Wentzel putting on a set of brass knuckles that pulls back to a full body shot. He smashes his fist into the screen, which goes black as the spotlights rise up on the entrance ramp.
Salazar: And his opponent, the reigning and defending WUK Commonwealth Champion, JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKIE WENNNNNNNNTZZZZZZEEEELLLLLLLL!
“If you had the courage to stop me from turning into what would be the worst in everybody’s eyes.”
Jakie Wentzel enters down the ramp slowly in his trademark white v-neck tee shirt, black suspenders, torn blue jeans, black boater hat, and WUK Commonwealth Title over his shoulder. He does not acknowledge the screaming fans, and avoids eye contact.
“Hey, I’m no Angel, or the Devil of your conscience, to tell you what to be…good, bad, ugly or otherwise.”
As Wentzel makes his way to the ring, he stops and tips his hat to the commentary booth and referee. He then throws his hat into the audience and gestures to the person who gets the hat with a quiet “thank ye, naw onst.”
“If you had good common sense, your choices would be gleaming, flawless.
I want no part in this self-deprecating worthless chemistry.”
Entering the corner of the ring, he kneels and says a short prayer before pumping his left fist in the air, displaying his glistening brass knuckles.
Torchwood: “Most wrestlers wouldn’t advertise that they have brass knuckles, but Jakie Wentzel is not one to care about giving information away.”
“We made our beds to lie in them, proud;
Proud of our great mistakes
This warring knife, the flash of its blade.
Turn about face, I implore you, Brother.
Don’t walk away…don’t walk away from me.
Cause this is our war!”
Wentzel hands the Commonwealth Title to the referee who shows it to Ronnie Long then holds it up.
Tucker: “Gentleman, as men with experience in the ring, what are you looking for in this match?”
Torchwood: “Neither is exactly a young man, so don’t expect a fast match. This could be an ugly brawl. Also, both men like to intimidate with their presences, but both have too much experience to fall for any mind games.”
Fulton: “Jakie Wentzel has the advantage in size. With his weight advantage, he should have more power in his strikes. Ronnie Long has a long reach. If he can wind up and connect, that’ll hurt Wentzel. I see Wentzel staying close to Long and wearing him down until he hits the Barnyard Backbreaker.”
Torchwood: “Wentzel should have no problem hitting that move. Ronnie Long has some trouble when it comes to finishing off a match. The Five Star Guillotine is devastating, but that’s not a move he can perform with any regularity. I’d be surprised to see it. I’m not sure the Extension Powerbomb is in play, either. The Western Lariat will probably be what Long is looking for.”
Tucker: “The Western Lariat is sudden and can come at any time. If Ronnie Long is on his feet, then he’s always a few seconds away from winning a match! Long has perfected his lariat. He doesn’t need to flip or even get a running start.”
Fulton: “I don’t think Ronnie Long can take Jakie Wentzel down with just one Western Lariat.”
The bell rings, and both men rush into a tie up. Both men grunt and push against each other in a bid to gain control.
Tucker: “As predicted, neither man is looking for a hold.”
Fulton: “Each man wants to assert his dominance.”
Long gives a yell and violently pushes and releases. Wentzel is backed into the corner and looks around in surprise. The fans cheer as Long motions for Wentzel to try again. Wentzel returns and initiates another tie up. After each man exerts himself, Long wins again and shoves Wentzel back into the corner. Long claps his hands as the fans join him.
Tucker: “Jakie Wentzel is used to being the bully, and he’s not used to someone who can match his power.”
Wentzel goes in for another tie up. However, instead of trying to overpower Long, Wentzel applies a headlock. He wrenches it in as Long tries to break his grip. Long pushes Wentzel back into the ropes and tries to shoot him off, but Wentzel keeps the headlock on. Long then looks for a belly-to-back suplex, but can’t get Wentzel up and over.
Torchwood: “Wentzel lowered his center of gravity there. It’s going to be hard to get him off his feet.”
Fulton: “If Long thinks he can throw Jakie Wentzel around, this is going to be a short defense for the Commonwealth Champion.”
Long then elbows Wentzel in the stomach, but Wentzel keeps the headlock applied. Long hits a second elbow. Wentzel grimaces, but keeps the hold. Long hits a third elbow, then backs Wentzel into the ropes and tries to shoot him across. Wentzel reverses in the middle of the ring and throws Long into the ropes. As Long returns, Wentzel looks for a shoulder tackle, but Long stays on his feet. Wentzel responds with a thumb to the eye, then shoves Long back into the corner. Wentzel ignores the warning from the referee and keeps on Long. Wentzel delivers three hard chops in the corner by bringing his right arm up, then chopping in a downward swing.
Tucker: “Those vertical chops could be heard from the top of the arena!”
Wentzel drags Long out of the corner by his hair, then hits a headbutt. Long stumbles, but stays up. Wentzel hits a second headbutt, and Long drops to one knee. Wentzel switches to punches and connects with two right hands. Wentzel tries for a third, but Long blocks. Wentzel responds by backing into the ropes, lowering his shoulder, and catching Long in the shoulder as he was trying to rise. Long finally goes to the mat as the fans boo.
Fulton: “The champ with a smart move! He saw that Ronnie Long started to block his punches, so he switched it up.”
Wentzel then hits a standing leg drop and covers Long.
ONE
Long kicks out. Wentzel responds with a barrage of punches to Long’s head until the referee hits four in his count. Wentzel rolls Long onto his stomach, then rubs Long’s face into the mat. The referee finally has to get between the two and back Wentzel off. The fans boo as Wentzel pays them no mind.
Torchwood: “You can describe Jakie Wentzel’s offense as mean-spirited.”
Tucker: “And he’s not eager to trade Ronnie Long blow-for-blow.”
Wentzel goes back on the attack once the referee moves out of the way. He picks Long up by the hair, then pushes him through the ropes. Long catches himself on the ropes and stays on the apron. As he tries to get back up, Wentzel rushes into the ropes and throws his hip into Long’s head, which sends Long crashing to the outside of the ring. Wentzel follows him out. Instead of going back on the attack, Wentzel rips up the mat to expose the concrete underneath. Wentzel picks Long up and bodyslams him onto the concrete with a loud thud. Wentzel grunts, then rolls into the ring to break the count, then rolls out onto the apron. He gets up, then backs up to the corner. He runs at Long and dives off looking for an elbow drop, but Long rolls out of the way! Wentzel crashes into the concrete as the fans cheer.
Tucker: “Ronnie Long with some self-preservation there!”
The referee gets up to five, then Long gets up to his feet. He rolls into the ring and waits for Wentzel to get up. Once Jakie Wentzel is about to get to his feet, Ronnie Long hits the ropes. With his momentum Long runs toward the ropes then dives through hitting Wentzel with a Tope Suicido! The fans cheer as Wentzel goes down again. Long fires up and delivers a barrage of punches to Wentzel’s head. Once he’s done, Long works to get Wentzel to his feet and forces him back into the ring. Long gets back into the ring and hits Wentzel with a double ax-handle to the back. That drops the rising man down to a knee. As Wentzel tries to get back up on both feet, Long climbs the ropes. Long reaches the top as Wentzel gets back on his feet. Long leaps off the top and hits a crossbody block on Wentzel! He stays on top for the pin!
ONE
TWO
Wentzel kicks out!
Tucker: “Ronnie Long will leave his feet to win a match. He’s not as fast as he was, but don’t mistake him for a statue!”
Fulton: “It will prove to be reckless, Jeremy! Jakie Wentzel was in control without having to resort to risky moves like the Tope Suicido and a top rope crossbody block. Ronnie Long has to throw his whole body just to get into the match because he can’t lift the bigger man!”
Long picks Wentzel up and looks for a vertical suplex, but can only get Wentzel a foot off the ground. Thinking on the fly, Long hits an awkward-looking impact DDT. Long makes another cover!
ONE
TWO
T…Wentzel kicks out! Long is fired up, and the fans jump to their feet as Ronnie calls out to them. Long picks Wentzel up and looks for the belly-to-back suplex for the second time. He lifts Wentzel up further than before, but Jakie turns in the air and lands Long! He stays on top for the cover!
ONE
TWO
Long kicks out!
Torchwood: “That had to take the breath out of Ronnie Long.”
Fulton: “Not to mention, the arena. The people are dejected, and it’s hilarious!”
With Long gasping, Wentzel applies the Wrath of God! Long wildly kicks his legs and swings his fists as Wentzel has a mandible claw locked in. Long connects with a hard right that briefly stuns Wentzel, but not enough for Long to get out of the hold. Wentzel tilts his head back to make sure he isn’t punched again. Long responds by grabbing Wentzel by the throat. Long tries to choke Wentzel, but Jakie pulls harder on the Wrath of God. Long’s grip weakens and his arm falls down. The referee checks to see if Long can continue.
Fulton: “This is it! Ronnie Long can’t get to the ropes and can’t hurt Jakie Wentzel enough to break the Wrath of God!”
The fans cheer to try to get Ronnie Long back into the match. Long makes a fist. It shakes as he lifts it, but the fans respond and get louder. Long finds new life and grabs Jakie Wentzel’s wrist. Long arches his back and starts to pull Wentzel’s hand back. Wentzel shakes his head and tries to maintain the Wrath of God. The fans begin to clap in unison to spur Ronnie on. Long finally pulls Wentzel’s hand away from his face and holds Wentzel’s wrist with his left hand. Long fires off some right fists to Wentzel’s head as Jakie had leaned in to try to maintain the Wrath of God. The hard punches force Wentzel to roll off Long. The fans cheer loudly as Long is back in the match!
Tucker: “What power from Ronnie Long! How many men in WUK could power their way out of the Wrath of God?”
Both men rise up to their feet. Each man has the same idea and grabs his opponent’s neck with this left hand and punches with his right. The spectacle makes the fans cheer as it almost resembles a classic hockey fight. As Wentzel’s punches slow down, Long takes control and punches Wentzel into the corner. Long switches it up to hit some back elbows. Long backs up. As Wentzel stumbles out, Long hits a move that is part standing spine buster and part double leg takedown. Long mounts Wentzel and throws more punches until the referee forces a break.
Tucker: “Jakie Wentzel is struggling to cope with this ferocity!”
Torchwood: “Ronnie Long has shown that he can fight his way back into any match, and he’s used his speed advantage when he could. When Ronnie gets going, there aren’t many who can slow him down.”
Fulton: “Long got a high from the fans, but it won’t last forever!”
Long rushes back in and begins to stomp Wentzel as Jakie crawls to the ropes to force a break. Wentzel works his way up into the corner. He ducks through the ropes for another break as the fans boo. As the referee instructs Long to get back, Wentzel connects with a cheap shot that sends Long stumbling back. Wentzel rushes past the referee to rake Long’s eyes as he body blocked the referee’s view. Wentzel then his a double arm DDT. He makes the cover.
ONE
TWO
Long kicks out! Wentzel pulls Long up and whips him into the ropes. As Long returns, he’s sent up and over with a back body drop. Long shakes his head and crawls to the ropes. As he tries to pull himself up, Wentzel puts his foot on the back of Long’s neck to force it into the bottom rope. The referee begins to count to force Wentzel to break the choke. Wentzel pulls Long up by the hair before using the top rope to choke Long. Wentzel releases before the five count. Wentzel backs off to satisfy the referee. Long coughs and backs away from the ropes. Wentzel gets behind Long and violently snatches Long’s haird and pulls back sending Long down to mat. Long recoils from the whiplash as the referee warns Wentzel about pulling Long’s hair.
Tucker: “What a blatant dirty move from Wentzel! He’d been concealing the hair pulling until that point. The referee won’t give him any more benefits of the doubt.”
Torchwood: “I’ve always had an issue with this rule. Ronnie Long chose to grow his hair out knowing he was going to wrestle. I think it should be treated as a body part.”
Fulton: “It definitely should be! Ronnie Long should have to live with his choices!”
Tucker: “That attack from Jakie Wentzel could have done serious damage to Ronnie Long’s neck! That’s why hair is treated differently than an arm.”
Wentzel drops a knee to Long’s head, then picks Long back up. Wentzel whips Long into the ropes. As Long returns, Wentzel hits a powerslam. He makes the cover!
ONE
TWO
TH…Long kicks out! Wentzel stares at the referee, which makes the official back up. Wentzel picks Long back up. He lifts Long up and hits a jackhammer! He makes another cover!
ONE
TWO
THR…Long kicks out! The fans cheer loudly as Long refuses to stay down! Wentzel gets up and stalks Long. Long slowly gets to his feet and turns around where Wentzel sets him up for the Barnyard Backbreaker! Long blocks the move and shoves Wentzel back. As Wentzel tries to charge back in, Long connects with a discus punch! Wentzel wobbles on his feet. Long connects with a second discus punch and Wentzel collapses back into the corner. Long gets back to his feet and motions for Wentzel to fight. Wentzel comes out with a sloppy haymaker that Long ducks. Long tries a belly-to-back suplex for a third time and gets Wentzel up! Long, however, manages to spin Wentzel around and hit the Long Shot! The fans go crazy as both men are down.
Tucker: “When you thought he was finished, Ronnie Long digs down deep and keeps fighting!
Long makes the cover, and the fans in Bolton are stomping their feet as the referee makes the count!
1….
……2….
……
…..Thr….
…….THREE!
The roof comes off the arena, as Long pulls himself to his feet as the referee grabs his arm. Wentzel lays on the mat as the Referee shoves the title into Long’s hands before Long moves away. He climbs the ropes, holding the belt over his head.
Torchwood: Ronnie Long has done it! He has finally won the Commonwealth Championship!
-Segment-
The arena was buzzing after watching an incredible match between Ronnie Long and Jakie Wentzel. Suddenly the lights began to flicker as “We Be Clubbin’ by Ice Cube began to play. From the back steps The High Rollers Club, led by Preston Andre Reese and Rage and Cage. Out last is the Wrestle:UK World Champion, “The High Roller” Wesley Crane.
Fulton: “Now here is Wrestle:UK royalty. These guys are nothing short of miraculous.”
Tucker: “The hell they are. Wesley Crane is only the champion because of his cheap tactics.”
Fulton: “Well, you can call it what you want, but the fact is, when push comes to shove, our Wrestle:UK World Champion is exactly that, a champion.”
Torchwood: “Actually, he’s a champion three times over.”
Fulton: “Actually, it’s four times. Look at that British TV Championship over his right shoulder. It looks good on the champ.”
Tucker: “That match was to unify the belts. The British TV Championship is no more. Walking around with the title doesn’t mean anything.”
They all stop and look around at the booing fans. The champion is dressed in a custom tailored $10,000 white Armani suit with a plum purple buttoned down shirt under the jacket. His buttoned down shirt has a couple of buttons unbuttoned at the top to show off his chiseled chest. Wesley has his WUK World Championship, which he calls “Naomi” wrapped around his waist. The WUK British Championship sits on his right shoulder, as well as the Hardkore World World Tag Team Championship. On his left shoulder sits the Hardkore World West Coast Championship. Wesley gives off a cocky grin and then slowly spins around, showing off everything he has.
Fulton: “There stands perfection.”
Tucker: “There stands a phony.”
The High Rollers Club slowly walked down the ramp, now led by the WUK World Champion. As they get to the ring, Wesley enters first, followed by Rage and Cage and then Reese. Cage grabs a microphone and hands it to the World Champion.
Torchwood: “This should be good.”
As Wesley is about to speak, he’s interrupted by a chorus of boos from the fans. He stops and looks around at everyone. He then raises his left arm, signaling for them to quiet down.
“The High Roller” Wesley Crane: “I want all of you fat, three teethed fucks to shut up while the Champ is talking.”
The arena fills with even more boos.
Tucker: “Gentlemen, there’s your World Champion.”
Fulton: “Isn’t he great!”
“The High Roller” Wesley Crane: “Last time you saw me on TV you saw me defeat that punk ass bitch, Kalmin Watts… like I always do.”
Fulton: “With ease too.”
Torchwood: “I’m not too sure about that one. Kalmin Watts is one hell of a talented wrestler.”
“The High Roller” Wesley Crane: “Kalmin, I’d love to say it’s been fun, but the fact is, it hasn’t been. It’s been miserable. Do you think I want to defeat you time and time again so easily? Do you think I want to make you look foolish all the time? The answer is no. I don’t. Kalmin, in other circumstances, you might do alright. Go join Impact or something and you can have a good, solid career… but as long as you’re in a federation with me, you have no chance of being “THE” guy… and look, it’s nothing personal… sometimes you’re just not better than someone else. Sometimes you have to be okay with being the “almost” guy. Sometimes you just need to accept the role God’s given you.”
Torchwood: “This one might sting a little.”
Fulton: “Truth hurts, Arthur… truth hurts.”
Tucker: “There’s no truth to anything he’s saying.”
“The High Roller” Wesley Crane: “No, let me talk about a couple of things. As you all know, Mr. Blood has been taken out and has been temporarily replaced by Wormwood. I have had contact with him and I’ve been informed that Rage and Cage are the number one contenders for the WUK World Tag Team Championships… but he’s also informed me that there will be a tag team tournament for those belts and that Rage and Cage need to put their number one contendership on the line. First, let me start off by saying this is absolute horse shit. Wormwood, I’m going to make this crystal clear for you. I’ll break it down into a simplistic form so even you can understand what I’m about to say… It’s simple… you’re either for The High Rollers Club or you’re against them. We can make your life and your job an easy one… or we can make it fucking miserable. The choice is yours. You’ve seen what I can do to people like Kalmin Watts and others who used to be here but are no longer allowed to be named. You’ve seen what I can do inside an Elimination Chamber against the best this company has to offer. Wormwood, do the right thing. Before “they” left, Rage and Cage were number one contenders and were about to dethrone the almighty unbeatable team… So it’s simple. Rage and Cage deserve those vacant World Tag Team Championships. They deserve some gold. Speaking of gold, I want my boy Preston to get a Commonwealth championship match as well. He’s done more than expected and deserves to be rewarded. So Wormwood, make it happen.”
Tucker: “Oh good… now the almighty champion is demanding things from upper management. Real good leadership skills.”
Torchwood: “There’s nothing wrong with advocating for your friends.”
Fulton: “Wesley Crane is a true American hero.”
“The High Roller” Wesley Crane: “So now, I have nothing to do except relax and enjoy Night of Champions from my decked out luxurious locker room. I’ve beaten them all. Who is left? Goth? Beat him. Armand? Beat him. Ronnie Long? Beat him. Kalmin Watts? Beat him, repeatedly. Do you think some newbie deserves a shot at my championship? I sure as hell don’t. Ya know what? Maybe I take time off and let everyone else sort their shit out. Once a worthy opponent steps up, then and only then will I show up and defend my sweet Naomi-”
Suddenly the lights go out.
Tucker: “What the hell is this?”
Torchwood: “I can’t see my hand in front of my face.”
Inside the ring, you can hear a few thuds. The lights come back on and there stands Kalmin Watts, with a thick chain wrapped around the Champions throat. Kalmin stands behind Wesley, and pulls the chain tighter. Reese, Rage and Cage are all laying there, being taken out by Kalmin. Kalmin has a microphone of his own.
Kalmin Watts: “You caused this. You want a worthy opponent for Night of Champions? Well you’ve got one… I’m sick and tired of you cheating to win… so I want one more match… and you’re going to give it to me or I’m going to tighten this chain so much that it pops your head like a pimple. You ready to give me the match?”
Kalmin puts the microphone to Wesley’s mouth.
“The High Roller” Wesley Crane: “F… Fuck off!”
Kalmin pulls the chain a little more.
Kalmin Watts: “How about now?”
“The High Roller” Wesley Crane: “How about you eat a fat dic-”
Kalmin squeezes and pulls the chain a little harder. This time Wesley’s eyes almost pop out of his head. He’s visibly shaking. His face is almost purple. He has dropped his championships on the ground (other than Naomi that is wrapped around his waist) and is now using his hands to try to loosen the chain… but the fact is, it’s wrapped too tight and Kalmin is far too strong for Wesley to overpower him. Kalmin puts the microphone to Wesley’s mouth once again. Meanwhile, Kalmin is screaming from behind Wesley, yelling “say it”... Wesley is foaming from the mouth.
Kalmin Watts: “Say it! Say I’ve got the match! Do it or I swear to God I’ll end you.”
“The High Roller” Wesley Crane: “Ok… Ok… You… You have… You have your match at Night of Champions.”
As Wesley says this, The High Rollers Club are starting to get up. Kalmin releases the chain and drops to the outside of the ring. Wesley drops to his knees and is trying to catch his breath.
Fulton: “Kalmin Watts should be fired… and arrested.”
Torchwood: “Wesley Crane has far too much pride for that.”
Tucker: “Crane used a wrench to defeat Kalmin. Turnabout is fair play.”
Reese, Rage and Cage are all on their knees, trying to help Wesley up. Kalmin stands at the entranceway and raises his right hand that holds the chain. The fans all cheer while inside the ring, Wesley looks at Kalmin with rage in his eyes.
