TOW 17 - MERRIC VS POENA & EOD 2023 WEEK 1 - LIVE!!
Oct 1, 2023 22:33:04 GMT -5
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Post by Dave D-Flipz on Oct 1, 2023 22:33:04 GMT -5
PRESENTS
TAP OUT WRESTLING 17: MERRIC VS POENA
Date: 1st October 2023
Venue: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 19875 (Capacity: 20000)
We fade into the Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah as pyros go off at the top of the ramp. The music pumps around the arena as the near-capacity crowd goes wild. The cameras pan around those in attendance and five signs stand out:
* NO CHARLES? WE RIOT!
* NEXT QUEEN OF SUPREMIA, RIGHT HERE!
* ROBBIEāS MONGOLIAN THROAT SONGS!
* WE GAVE THE BULL & BIRD A ONE-STAR YELP REVIEW!
* IāM SAT NEXT TO TINTO!
We can assure you that the woman holding the last sign is not sitting next to Tinto. In fact, the child looks like Hasbulla if he was Pripyatās paperboy.
We cut to ringside where Steve Morrison and Cross Recoba stand by.
Steve Morrison: Hello, XHF fans and welcome to Tap Out Wrestling Seventeen where we not only see Poena put his Tap Out Openweight title on the line in our main event, weāre also the first stop on the 2023 End of Days tournament:
The shot changes to show the graphic advertising Wildcat Capone vs. Jacob Craft
Steve Morrison: In a change to our advertised card, this match is no longer taking place. Care to give some background, Cross?
Cross Recoba: Weāve agreed terms to release Jacob Craft and wish him well wherever he chooses to wrestle next.
Steve Morrison: We still have ten matches featured tonight on our show and Iām being told that thereās no time for us to run-down the card.
Cross Recoba: Lauraās already in the ring and ready to introduce our first match!
Laura Messier: Good evening and welcome to TAP OUT SEVENTEEN: MERRIC VERSUS POENA! We're also seeing the first week of the 2023 END OF DAYS TOURNAMENT! Your first match is part of the TAG TEAM ANNIHILATOR TOURNAMENT AND IS SET FOR ONE FALL!!
The crowd cheers at the announcement. Randy and Nelly Angel, Dos Angeles, are shown in the front-row of the crowd with the exact amount of alcohol that you just imagined.
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 now
Laura Messier: Introducing first. Representing HardKore World. Hasbulla and Alexander von Blankenship ... They are THE ANOINTED!
AVB steps from behind the curtain, a cocky smirk on his smug face and Hasbulla by his side. 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.
Ayy, 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 better
AVD looks out at the crowd, he smirk now a scowl. Slowly walking towards the ring he points to random fans, stating loudly " I'm better then you" as he goes.
Ride 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 visuals
AVB walks up the steps to the ring, stopping before he gets inside, he gives the ring a father 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. Hasbulla climbs the steps and enters under the bottom rope.
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 now
Steve Morrison: Well he sure seems confident.
Cross Recoba: Thatās just his face Steve. Inside the Anointed must be worried about the seasoned Sky Force squad.
Steve Morrison: If AVB is worried, you sure couldnāt tell. Hasbulla on the other hand, just looks angry.
Laura Messier: And their opponents!
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ćć®ę„ć®å·ćććć£ćęć
å Øć¦ē¼ć¹ć¦ å ć®ę¹ćø
With those words "Tsuki to Hanataba" plays its way into the arena. Usually, the team members appear on stage, but nothing happens and the music plays.
Cross Recoba: For fuck's sake. Iām getting word from the back that something has happened. Weāre going to cut there now.
In the hallway just outside of the Sky Force locker room, the members of Sky Force are all laid out on the ground except for NausicaƤ Suzuki and Charles who seem to be missing. Close up shots show Rin, Shizuku, Hayley and Tabby bleeding and bruised.
Cross Recoba: Cut back to the arena. We have movement.
From out of the curtain stumbles NausicaƤ Suzuki followed by Anointed members Steve Awesome and El Rey follow behind laughing. El Rey grabs Suzuki by the back of the lead and leads Suzuki to the ring and rolls him in. Steve then produces Charles, who is not in the match, and tosses him in the air. El Rey watches closely and as the stuffed cat comes down El Rey punts the stuffed cat into the audience.
Cross Recoba: The Anointed appear to have had a plan the whole time.
Steve Morrison: And itās a good plan. The XHF wants a winner so this match will go on.
Cross Recoba: Looks like Suzuki will be forced to go solo, and Suzuki doesnāt look in shape to put up much of a fight.
OPENING MATCH
TAG-TEAM MATCH
TAG TEAM ANNIHILATOR FIRST-ROUND MATCH
The Anointed vs SKY Force
AVB laughs as he stands across from Suzuki as the J-Rok CEO is barely on their feet. AVB measures his foe up and strikes with Ordained (superkick)! Suzuki is laid out. AVB struts over to his corner and tags in Hasbulla. The little man steps over the bottom rope and lays on top of Suzuki. 1ā¦2ā¦Suzuki tosses Hasbulla off!
Steve Morrison: Suzuki is showing some life!
Hasbulla retreats to the corner and tag AVB back in. Suzuki rolls over to the ropes and begins to pull up to their feet. AVB stalks Suzuki and waits for Suzuki to turn around and strikes, boom, Baptism (Superman punch). Again, AVB struts back to his corner and tags in Hasbulla. The little guy scrambles in and again makes the cover 1ā¦2ā¦SUZUKI KICKS OUT AGAIN! The crowd goes nuts.
Steve Morrison: Suzuki is going insane for Suzuki as again theyāre able to kick out.
Cross Recoba: That is a feat, but I donāt think thatās what theyāre going nuts for. Shizuku has appeared on stage.
As Hasbulla again scrambles to tag out to AVB Shizuku begins to make their was down the entranceway. El Rey greets them halfway, but Shizuku slides between El Reyās legs and bounces back up and continues to head to the ring. Steve Awesome charges at Shizuku and swings with a lariat, but Shizuku ducks under. Inside the ring Hasbulla and AVB are watching from in the ring. Shizuku finally reaches ringside, and AVB and Hasbulla are ready as AVB lifts his partner up and tosses Hasbulla onto Shizuku. Shizuku catches the little guy, though, and drives Hasbulla back first into the ring apron! AVB canāt believe what heās watching, and while heās watching Suzuki sneaks behind him and rolls him up:
ONE...
TWO...
NO!!!!
Steve Morrison: Shizuku reappearing has dampened the Anointed parade:
Cross Recoba: It has, but Shizuku is still beat up, and needs to get the tag to make a real impact on this match.
Steve Morrison: Thatās true, but the tables have turned with Hasbulla out on the outside. Itās now a handicap match the other way.
After the flash pin attempt AVB is quickly back up to his feet and Shizuku is up on the apron calling for the tag. Suzuki struggles to their feet, but arenāt up long as AVB strikes with another Baptism! AVB doesnāt make the cover, though. Instead, he runs and swipes at Shizuku, but Shizuku drops off the apron to avoid the strike. AVB then quickly turns and makes the cover:
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!
Laura Messier: Winners, and moving on the the next round, the Anointed!
Steve Morrison: The ref didnāt see, but AVB had some help. Shizuku was trying to make the save and, well, play the replay.
AVB swings at Shizuku and Shizuku drops off the apron to avoid the shot. Shizuku goes to slide in to make the save, but is stuck outside as both Steve Awesome and El Rey each grab a leg. Both release Shizuku and drop to the ground once the three is counted and the ref calls for the bell.
Cross Recoba: The original plan may not have worked as planned, but in the end the Anointed took advantage.
Steve Morrison: Whoever they face in the next round will have to have eyes in the back of their heads.
The camera cuts to the backstage area at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Noel Edmunds is being interviewed.
Interviewer: When it comes to wrestling, there are so many athletes from all over the globe that come to America to work. Does it make sense for them to get a VISA for this work and then have an easier path to citizenship, than say, those who are trying to enter the United States at itās borders?
Noel Edmunds: What a ridiculous viewpoint. I refuse to answer something so silly as that. If you had your way, we'd be speaking Welsh now!
As the interviewer flips the page to his notes, he crosses off some items that he believes wonāt be answered from Noel after the reception of his last response.
Interviewer: Where do you stand on a future where women compete in Tap Out Wrestling?
SSMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAHHHHCCCKK!
The camera smashes on the cold concrete floor as Julius Fristik tumbles backwards into it. The XHF cameraman capturing the footage adverts the lens to the right to catch what Julius was scurrying away from. The camera pans to capture the Murder Lizard, Jesse Jamester.
Julius Fristik: I didnāt do it, I swear! Whatever the hell you think is going on, itās not because of me!
Jesse Jamester: More lies. Keep on digging son, the hole is getting bigger every time you open that mouth of yours.
As the Murder Lizard proceeds to come towards Julius, a group of men in all black come rushing to surround him.
Julius Fristik: Itās about time! Where the hell were you guys?! I paid good money for your protection. (Looking over one of the guards shoulder as he looks at his dad) I knew this might happen, so I got myself an insurance policy.
Jesse Jamester: Hope they have back up.
Pulling out cattle prods, the hired security direct them in Jesseās direction as he steps forward to come at Julius.
Julius Fristik: What was that again dad? You donāt know how to talk about things, still. Maybe if you didnāt resort to violence for every situation ā youād be better off than you are right now.
Backing up, the Murder Lizard nods at his son as he backs up.
Jesse Jamester: Iāll be seeing you later boy.
Turning through a doorway, Jesse leaves the area and Julius smiles.
Noel Edmunds: You ruined my interview!
Julius Fristik: Security!
Walking towards Noel with their cattle prods active, the security men look to keep their investment protected. Noelās eyes grow large and he backs away from the group. The camera cuts to the broadcast team.
Cross: Interesting development here as we have father and son drama unfold.
Steve Morrison: Bet Julius is glad he came prepared. Those security guards were ready to do whatever was necessary.
Cross: Something tells me that isnāt the last time we see those two interact tonight.
Cross Recoba: We continue the hell that is End of Days in Utah!
Steve Morrison: A taxing set of tournaments for the wrestlers to brave lies ahead. This is the XHFās grand annual End of Days gauntlet and fans are showing the love!
A camera pans to a group of eight males dressed up as the XHF End of Days winners of the past and then focuses on the End of Days winner banners hanging from the rafters in Utah.
Cross Recoba: All for a chance to be able to face the X*Crown champion!
Steve Morrison: Or the XHF Tag Team Champs, respectfully.
Laura Messier: The following bout is a round one End of Days singles tournament match! Ladies and gentlemen the following rules for this bout are sanctioned as a Fatal Four-Way match scheduled for two falls! After the first fall has been determined, the winner of that fall will leave the ring and advance to the next round of the End of Days tournament. The match will continue until the last fall has been determined!
Cross Recoba: Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to witness what makes these competitors truly tick.
Steve Morrison: A singles tournament to determine who faces the X*Crown Champion and become the twenty twenty three End of Days winner!
Cross Recoba: Itās a gauntlet from here on out. A true test of endurance and determination. Much like the guy who decided to dress like Dakota Jennings in Mormon Country.
Steve Morrison: And heart, Cross Recoba. Heart can take you places your mind never thought possible. Tonight, weāll see who digs down deep and proves they truly want it.
Laura Messier: Introducing first! Hailing from Palm Springs, California! Weighing in this evening at one hundred eighty five pounds! āLa Abeja Misteriosaā ā DANA āTHE DRONEā DANIELS!
āNo Rainā by Blind Melon plays. Appearing before the Tap Out audience is Dana 'the Drone' Daniels in his black and yellow striped singlet. Walking down to the ring to a mixed reaction from the Tap Out audience.
Laura Messier: Introducing the next challenger! Hailing from Detroit, Michigan! Weighing in this evening at one hundred ninety five pounds! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for ā JOE NOBODY!
"Infinite" by Tyler Smyth and Andy Bane plays. The lights dim and the words appear on the Tap Out entrance screen.
ā¬ I'm the tallest of mountains ā¬
I am the roughest of waves
I'm the toughest of terrors
I am the darkest of days
I'm the last one that's standing,
Don't try to stand in my way,
Cause I've been up against better,
ā¬ Just take a look at my face ā¬
The camera zooms into Nobody's face who smirks and adjusts his tie before making his way to the ring. As Joe Nobody makes it up two steps, he stops and turns around to give a young fan his signature fedora. Despite being the lesser favorite of wrestlers, this is something he's been doing for over seven years. After handing off the Fedora, Joe enters the ring and points at the crowd before clapping his hand together. The music fades out as the lights return to normal.
Laura Messier: Introducing the next challenger; hailing from West Memphis, Arkansas! Weighing in this evening at two hundred eighty seven pounds! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for ā CJ WALKER!
āAxemanā by Tom and Andy begins to play as the lights dim down and the stage lights shine to reveal The Doomwalker. The Walking Apocalypse is here as the camera pans up from his feet and then zooms out to reveal his full figure standing in the growing fog that begins to smother the stage lights until darkness consumes the arena. The stage lights change from standard white to red as the fog slowly rolls down the ramp. Suddenly he begins to move down the ramp towards the ring. As he reaches the bottom of the ramp he slows to a stop and just as the tempo in his theme kicks back up he throws his arms up and forwards, his fingers outstretched as an explosion of fire erupts on the stage behind him. He then proceeds to move towards the ring, making his way up the steel steps and along the apron. Stopping half way he turns to the crowd and once again. Throws his hands up and out as the four ring posts shoot a blast of flame into the air. With that he turns and steps through the ropes and moves towards a corner, dropping into a sitting position with his back against the cornet turnbuckle as he awaits his opponent or the opening bell.
Laura Messier: Introducing the final opponent! Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! Weighing in this evening at two hundred ten pounds! Ladies and gentlemen, here is āThe Scourgeā ā DONZIG!
"See You Soon" by Chelsea Grin plays. The lights go down in the arena, plunging it into darkness before the lights come back an angry sullen red. Then gouts of flame burst across the ramp and stage, and the slender figure of Sinclair Godfrey steps forward sweeping her long coat behind her. Then she lifts her arms slowly, and the Scourge stalks out from behind her. Glaring from behind his mask at the crowd before he storms down the ramp, shoving back his hood before he climbs the ring stairs. He climbs the turnbuckle, glaring around him before he leaps down to the ring. He takes off his mask, handing it to Godfrey as he stalks back and forth before leaning in the corner with a scowl as he waits for this End of Days round one bout to begin.
Steve Morrison: All four competitors are in the ring. Who are you picking to walk out of this and advance Cross Recoba?
Cross Recoba: The person who can stop CJ Walker. The man is a freak when you compare him to the other three.
Steve Morrison: Size definitely helps, but itās not everything.
Cross Recoba: Regular Tap Out viewers know this and remember moments like Jackalope taking down Sticky the Clown and Sam Sawyer beating the first-ever X*Crown Champion, Rat Bastard
Steve Morrison: And the bell sounds, here we go!
FATAL FOUR-WAY (FIRST 2 PINFALLS/SUBMISSIONS ADVANCE) MATCH
END OF DAYS SINGLES TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
CJ Walker vs. Dana "The Drone" Daniels vs. Joe Nobody vs. Donzig
DING! DING! DING!
Right out of the gate the attacks are Joe Nobody and Dana Daniels trading blows as Donzig has CJ Walker in the corner with a tie-up. Donzig with a headbutt to the chest of CJ Walker out of the tie-up and he grabs Walker by the left leg and delivers a single leg takeover slam that plants CJ Walker on his back. Joe Nobody is sent to the ropes and ducks the swinging clothesline arm of Dana Daniels! Joe stops right behind Daniels and drives an elbow to the shoulder of Dana, spinning Daniels around and planting him with a tornado DDT! Donzig goes for a guillotine on Walker on the bottom rope but Walker reverses and drags Donzig to the outside.
Steve Morrison: The action spills outside the ring as Donzig is dropped by Walker with an uppercut!
Cross Recoba: Donzig has to remember that disqualifications are possible here. I know usually fatal four ways have almost always been no DQ, but thatās not the case here tonight!
Steve Morrison: Cross Recoba spitting facts over here, who is this guy Iām working with tonight?
Cross Recoba: This tournament has significant importance to me with Tap Out throwing down the gauntlet for other hosts to top as we lead up to the End of Days final.
Walker sends Donzig into the steel steps shoulder first! This appears to be the break CJ Walker was looking for as he slides back in the ring and eyes up Joe Nobody and Dana Daniels. Joe Nobody has a headlock applied to Dana, but Dana lifts Joe up and drops him to the canvas with a back body slam to break the headlock. Dana goes for a cover and CJ Walker immediately pulls Dana by the leg to break it up.
Cross Recoba: Interesting strategy here by Walker. With this match having two falls to a finish, Iād expect the first fall to not be challenged.
Steve Morrison: Remember, once someone wins the first fall, they leave the match. If Iām any of these wrestlers, I want to secure my round two spot by winning the first fall.
Cross Recoba: Sure sure, Logic and whatnot. Letās be real though, the last fall is as important as the first. Having only two people to take down rather than three makes the second fall an easier task than the first.
Dana gets up and goes chest to chest with Walker, arguing with him about breaking the pin up. Joe Nobody is back up and goes for a double clothesline, alas both competitors duck and turn around to kick Joe as he turns to face them. Looking at one another, Dana hooks Joeās neck and hits a snap suplex on Joe Nobody! Dana gets up and mocks CJ Walker, saying āShow me what youāre made ofā to which Walker answers back by picking Joe off the canvas.
Steve Morrison: BRAINBUSTER!
Cross Recoba: Thatās going to leave a mark.
Steve Morrison: They arenāt done just yet.
Cross Recoba: Poor Joe is being used as the weight bag in this competition between Dana Daniels and CJ Walker.
Steve Morrison: Daniels hits a stalling suplex into a knee breaker to the face of Joe!
Cross Recoba: CJ answers back with a fusion driver!
Steve Morrison: Dana with a Death Valley driver into an ace cutter!
Cross Recoba: Walker answers back with a Tiger driver!
Steve Morrison: Joe Nobody is seeing stars. Look at the glossy eyes as Dana picks him up once again.
Cross Recoba: SUPER MISSILE DROPKICK!
Donzig comes off the top rope and missile drop kickās CJ Walker into Dana and Joe Nobody, sending all three competitors to the mat on the far side of the ring. Donzig brushes off the shoulder as he slaps his knee, not usual of him to go for aerial moves. However the Scourge knew this was End of Days, anything that could send him to the next round was on the table tonight. Donzig walks up behind Dana Daniels and hooks the waist as he pulls Dana up and pops his hips, dropping Dana on the back of the neck as Donzig bridged the move for a pin attempt!
ONE...
TWO...
THREā
THE PIN GETS BROKEN UP!!
CJ Walker drops an elbow on the midsection of Donzig to stop the count. Donzig immediately gets to his feet and goes for CJ, the two tying up and exchanging places as they roll along the ring ropes into the corner. Joe Nobody holds the second rope as he attempts to find his feet. Dana recovers and scouts the ring before heading to Joe. Lifting Joe up, Dana sends a jab to the collar and a punch to the left cheek before kicking Joe in the midsection. Hooking the neck, Dana lifts Joe up and sets him on the top turnbuckle in a near corner. A few punches to Joe and Dana begins to climb the turnbuckles from the inside of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Dana Daniels is going high risk! Will it pay off?
Cross Recoba: No risk, no reward. All of these competitors are weighing that thought in their minds right now.
From the top rope, Daniels jumps up and wraps both legs around Joe Nobodyās neck, looking for a frankensteiner! JOE REVERSES!
Cross Recoba: SUPER POWERBOMB!
Steve Morrison: HOLY COW!
Cross Recoba: Joe Nobody being smart, hooking the leg for the pin!
ONE...
TWO...
THRā
AGAIN THE PIN IS BROKEN UP!
Donzig drops an elbow on Joeās neck to break up the fall, and keep Joe Nobody from advancing in the tournament. Donzig pulls Joe up and chops him across the chest twice before irish whipping Joe into the ropes. Donzig rushes towards the unsuspecting Joe and hits him with a high-knee strike as he rebounds off the ropes! Donzig drops down on the chest of Joe Nobody and begins to lay in the punches as he tees off on the star. Meanwhile, CJ Walker finds Dana and lifts the beekeeper to his feet in the far corner. Walker begins punishing Daniels with shoulder thrusts.
Steve Morrison: This doesnāt bode well for Daniels or Joe Nobody right now.
Cross Recoba: Donzig and Walker have taken full control of these two after that super powerbomb. Using their size to dictate terms.
Steve Morrison: It took a lot of energy out of Joe, but I canāt even imagine how Daniels is feeling right now.
Cross Recoba: Daniels drops to the canvas and Walker goes shoulder first into the post!
Daniels crawls towards the center of the ring as Walker backs up from between the turnbuckle pads and leans in the corner, holding the shoulder that hit the ring post. Daniels gets up and turns around to see Walkerās face, full of fury and malice. Walker rushes towards Daniels and goes for a big boot! Daniels ducks and rolls out of the way! The Black Mist! Donzig sprays CJ Walker in the eyes with his black mist signature move!
Cross Recoba: Walker has been blinded!
Steve Morrison: Temporarily that is. Donzig was in the right place at the right time.
Cross Recoba: Daniels is coming up behind Walker now. He doesnāt know what just happened does he?
Steve Morrison: I think Daniels has other plans here, Cross. Look what he has in his hands ā a thermos!
Cross Recoba: Oh boy ā there goes the lid and ā yep, Daniels has released the bees! Thank God he's too stupid to be a chemicals expert!
Steve Morrison: Walker and Donzig are being stung all over as Daniels rolls out of the ring and pulls out his beekeeper hood from under the timekeeper table? Has that been here all day, Cross?
Cross Recoba: Don't have a clue, Steve, but it's being utilized and it's legal according to the referee.
Steve Morrison: Walker swinging wildly now! Donzig rolls out of the ring and puts distance between himself and the bees.
Returning to the ring, Dana Daniels kicks an unsuspecting Walker in the gut and whips him into the corner. CJ Walker swipes away at the bees, but itās obvious they have done their damage already as the camera zooms in on Walkerās chest and back to reveal dozens of stinger welts forming on the wrestler. JODIE GIVE DANA A SECOND CHANCE! Dana Daniels comes running full steam and splashes Walker in the turnbuckle, but he isnāt done yet. Daniels rushes back and does it once more! CJ Walker drops to the canvas after the second splash and Daniels quickly goes for a pin attempt.
ONE...
TWO...
THREā
NO!
Crashing Danaās party is Joe Nobody with a falling headbutt that breaks up the pin. Dana rolls over holding his head as Joe gets back up and turns around to see Donzig on the apron now. Guillotine on the top rope from Donzig! Joe stumbles backwards holding his throat and trips over Dana who is on his hands and knees. Dana looks around and goes for a quick rollup pin attempt!
ONE...
TWO...
THRE-
NO!
This time itās Donzig who stops the pin attempt and pulls Dana off Joe by grabbing ahold of Danaās beekeeper hood. Donzig did not take kindly to the addition of bees to this match. A kick to the stomach and Donzig goes for his trademark move, the 25:17! Dana counters and shoves Donzig forward. Spinning around, Donzigās facial expression says it all ā he was irate with Danaās resilience in this match. Donzig goes for a kick and Dana catches it, spinning him around and right into a bull rush lariat from CJ Walker!
Cross Recoba: Donzig has been turned inside out and upside down by that clothesline! The alliance coming to an end.
Steve Morrison: Walker has the size advantage and his raw power is on full display here tonight at End of Days.
Cross Recoba: Joe Nobody coming for Walker now!
Steve Morrison: Sidewalk slam from Walker on Joe!
Walker gets up and begins pulling Joe up by the neck, but he finds himself on the receiving end of a shoulder block from Daniels! CJ Walker ends up tumbling through the ropes to the outside ring area as a result. Daniels turns around and grabs Joe Nobody by the arm and leg, pulling him towards a corner. Climbing to the first turnbuckle, Daniels raises a finger and the fans cheer for him to go higher. Daniels climbs to the second turnbuckle before turning around to face Joeās prone body on the canvas. Raising his hands up, Dana Daniels jumps off the second rope and splashes Joe Nobody, going straight into the cover afterwards!
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!
Laura Messier: The winner of the first fall and advancing in the End of Days singles tournament ā DANA "THE DRONE" DANIELS!
Daniels rolls out of the ring and the referee follows him, grabbing his right arm and raising it in victory. Dana seems as surprised as he is happy about the win here tonight.
Cross Recoba: One fall down, one fall to go! Now it becomes a triple-threat match between the remaining wrestlers. Who will get the last spot to advance in the End of Days tournament? Whoever can adapt their game to the changing match.
Steve Morrison: Walker is in rough shape, but so is Donzig. Joe Nobody has a great chance here to pull out the upset of the night if he can pin either of these two.
Cross Recoba:Iām sure all three of Donzigās fans will riot if he loses in the first round.
CJ Walker, Donzig, and Joe Nobody are separated and sent to a corner as the referee holds a fist up in the air. Each of them with sweat glistening on their skin, showing the effects of the nightās contest. With the refereeās fist dropping, the bell sounds and the match continues.
Donzig points at Joe and signals for a double team on CJ Walker. Nodding in agreement, Joe Nobody and Donzig make their way towards CJ in the corner. Joe goes in for a big haymaker and Is grabbed by the neck by Walker, CHOKESLAM! Donzig stopped several feet behind Joe and let him go in alone. Walker points at Donzig and nods his head that itās his turn. Walker comes in with some fire, lifting a knee to the midsection of Donzig and pushing him up against the ropes. Three more knee strikes by Walker and he had Donzig in the palm of his hand. The referee comes up to Walker and reminds him that he has to the count of five or heāll be disqualified! Walker holds Donzig by the shoulder and leans him backwards over the top rope. SMACK! A boulder of fist comes hammering down on the chest of the Scourge! Repeating this hammer fist, Walker pushes the referee to count to four and a half before releasing Donzig; the Scourge crumbles to the canvas.
Steve Morrison: The wrath of CJ Walker has been unleashed here at End of Days!
Cross Recoba: How about that Donzig, feeding Joe Nobody to Walker and immediately paying for it.
Steve Morrison: Joe Nobody on the apron. CJ comes running in to hip check Joe off the apron and into the barricade!
Cross Recoba: Lou Thesz Press from Donzig on Walker!
Pummeling Walker with everything he had, Donzigās anger erupts like a volcano in his actions. Rolling off CJ, Donzig drags the big man to his feet and hits a crescent Angle slam on CJ Walker! Donzig hooks both legs and rolls back for the cover.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE...
Cross Recoba: SHOULDER UP!
Steve Morrison: Walker somehow finds a way to get his shoulder off the canvas. Donzig doesnāt waste time, pulling Walker up and leaning him on the ropes.
Cross Recoba: The Scourge is chopping wood and Utah is loving it!
Crowd: WOOOOOOOO! WOOOOOOO!
Each chop from Donzig makes Walkerās chest beat red. After twenty or so chops Donzig steps back and letās CJ stagger forward. Donzig makes eye contact and for two seconds the two men share a stare down before Donzig throws up his middle fingers in the face of Walker!
Cross Recoba: EVENT HORIZON!
Steve Morrison: Walker stays on his feet with help from the ropes! Event Horizon number two!
Cross Recoba: CJ is sent sailing through the middle and top rope, crashing on the outside floor.
Donzig kicks the ropes and leaves the ring to get Walker. Donzig lifts CJ up near the apron, head butting ā CANNONBALL OFF THE APRON FROM JOE!
Steve Morrison: Bodies are flying here in Utah tonight, as Joe Nobody comes in like a bowling ball to hit a seven ten split!
Cross Recoba: Joe is literally throwing everything he has at his opponents here.
Steve Morrison: Joe pulls Donzig up by the arm and heads towards the ring with him.
Joe sends Donzig under the bottom rope and climbs up on the apron. Stepping through the ropes, Donzig comes in with a kick to the middle rope and it tags Joe Nobody on the family jewels! Donzig grabs Joe Nobody by the neck and hits the EVENT HORIZON!
Steve Morrison: Donzig with the cover!
Cross Recoba: ONE!
TWO....
....
THREE!
The referee signals for the bell and the Tap Out audience pops out of their seats!
Laura Messier: The winner of the second fall and advancing in the End of Days singles tournament ā DONZIG!
Donzig has his arm raised as Dana āthe Droneā Daniels is seen appearing at the top of the entrance stage. Unaware, Donzig sees the fans attention drift from him elsewhere and follows the eyes that lead to Daniels. Donzig stands on the ropes directly in front of the entrance stage and points to the End of Days winner banners still hanging from the rafters.
We cut from the shot of Donzig celebrating in the ring to backstage.
The cameras open on the glare from the Tap Out Openweight title. A shimmer of light passes over the metal.
The camera cuts and we see Poena surrounded by a circle of his followers, the Dark Saviorās grotesque and gruesome scarred body on display to show them the true price their God asks and expects.
He raises his hand up above his head and the disciples that drop to a knee, dropping their heads.
Poena: Post agnum typicum, expletis epulis.Corpus Deus datum discipulis,sic totum omnibus, quod totum singulis, eius fatemur manibus.
Disciples (Unison): Sic sacrificium istud instituitā¦.sicut te colimusā¦
Poenaās eye once again glows a brilliant blue.
Poena: AGAIN!
Disciples (Unison): Sicut te colimus! Sicut te colimus! Sicut te colimus!
The Child moves towards him and starts to anoint him with oil as we cut back to ringside.
Steve Morrison: We could well have a packed house at ringside and that can only spell trouble for Aiden Merric!
Laura Messier: The following match is a four way to determine who moves on in the End of Days tournament.
ā« You are wrong, fucked, and overrated
I think I'm gonna be sick and it's your fault
This is the end of everything
You are the end of everything ā«
I think I'm gonna be sick and it's your fault
This is the end of everything
You are the end of everything ā«
Music blares over the sound system of the arena. Green and white lights begin to flicker down in a circle near the entrance way. Guitars shred as drums beat viciously through the speakers. Fans begin stomping their feet before seeing the imposing figure cast a shadow in the lit up circle. The Murder Lizard of the XHF steps forward and throws his head up, whipping his hair back as the scaly black reptile style mask that struck fear into opponents took the stage. Jesse Jamester makes his way through the curtain, sporting black boots with red laces with a lizard wrapped in barbed wire on the outside of each boot, and a bloody barbed wire design circling his tights. Fists taped up with black athletic tape, a black elbow pad on his right arm, and all the tattoos and scars visible from neck to abdomen, down both arms, and his neck and back as he stops and raises his arm up with a fist, bowing his head down and soaking in the red spotlight that shines down on him from above.
Laura Messier: Introducing first! Hailing from Calgary, Alberta CANADA! Weighing in this evening at two-hundred-eighty-three pounds! Standing six-foot-six-inches tall! Known in the Northern hemisphere as the Canadian Nightmare, to the XHF Network he is the MURDER LIZARD, and now as he graces Japan with his Tour of Violence, I present to you, 'the KING OF VIOLENCE" --- JESSSSSE JAMESSSSSTEEEEER!
Taking a moment to soak it in, the Murder Lizard scans the arena, and makes his way down the aisle towards the ring. As he approaches the ring side area, Jesse steps up on the second step of the black ring steps, cracking his neck and shrugging his shoulders in a warmup manner. The murder lizard proceeds to wipe his boots on the apron, putting the ring to his back as he leans one arm over the top rope and a hand up to his eyebrows, getting a better look at the audience. In one motion, he steps between the ropes and enters the ring, showing authority in his body language; shoulders back, head up, face looking straight ahead. Jesse throws his right fist up in the air, and then lets it slowly return to his side as the music begins to fade out.
Steve Morrison: The Canadian Nightmare is currently touring in J-Rok, but he is a nomad of sorts who goes where he can deliver pain.
Cross Recoba: That makes him dangerous, and if he can move on whomever draws his name will be in for a battle.
Steve Morrison: And with Hardcore rules in the next round, oh boy.
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 cheering upon knowing who it might be:
āYOUāRE NOT THE REAL HEROES, IāM THE REAL HERO.ā
The crowd inside of the building began to cheer loudly as the vocals of āSuperheroā 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 panned closer toward the man as he began his slow walk down to the ring, soaking in every second that the crowd showed their love for Long.
Laura Messier: Introducing next their opponentā¦ wrestling out of Wexford Town, County Wexford, Ireland and weighing in tonight at two hundred and fourteen poundsā¦ THE LAST BREATHING MERCENARYā¦ JAAAAASOOOONNNNNNN LOOOOOOOOONNGGGGGGGG!!!!
Long finds himself at ringside as his ring introduction is made, 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. 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: Big ovation from the TapOut rep in this match
Cross Recoba: Him moving on is good for business, but he has been to the top of the mountain before, and he'll be a challenge is he moves through.
Steve Morrison: And while I'm sure you'd like the X*Crown in TapOut, you wouldn't want that at your own expense.
"Oboro" by Dir En Grey hit as Kira IZuMi makes his way out from the back.
Laura Messier: Introducing next. He represents J-Rok, Kira IZuMi.
Kira walks unsteadily and occasionally lashes out towards the audience near the ramp. Which Kira will the competitors be getting? It's hard to tell as Kira tries to bite people and then switches back to being somewhat more "normal"- whatever that is for Kira these days.
Cross Recoba: Kira is going to be at a disadvantage here. Two of his opponents would like nothing better than to rip his head off.
Steve Morrison: True, but he's got to overcome it if he wants to move on.
"Automatic" by Don Broco plays as TEMERARIO makes his way to the ring.
Laura Messier: And finally, also representing J-Rok, Temerario.
The fans cheer the high flier on. He's excited tonight to represent J-ROK as the most likable guy in the match.
Steve Morrison: I don't know much about this masked Luchadore, but I do know if he's going to pull out a win his speed will need to be a factor.
Cross Recoba: Bang on with that Steve, but any one of his opponents are prepared to stop his high flying ways at any moment.
FATAL FOUR-WAY (FIRST 2 PINFALLS/SUBMISSIONS ADVANCE) MATCH
END OF DAYS SINGLES TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
Jesse Jamester vs. Jason Long vs. Kira Izumi vs. Temerario
Ding ding!
With all four men in the ring the ref calls for the bell. Jesse and the masked man all look hard at Kira. This ques the Icon to make a quick exit as both Jesse and Temerario attack the former J-Rok owner. Jesse sends a right to the face of Kira stumbling him back. Temerario follows up with a forearm shot. Kira staggers back into the corner and Jesse and Temerario stand face-to-face. The masked man motions that they work together on Kira. The Murder Lizard nods in agreement and the Temerario asks Jesse to whip him into Kira and Jesse abides. Temerario flies into Kira with a huge splash. He then motions for Jesse to charge at Kira as well. Jesse agrees and runs in and levels Kira with huge clothesline in the corner. Jesse then turns around and continues his momentum and levels Temerario with a clothesline too!
Steve Morrison: That teamwork didnāt last long.
Cross Recoba: Most teams in this kind of match donāt, and Jesse has already proved time and time again that he does not work well with others.
Kira has slumped to the mat as Jesse stands over his other J-Rok nemesis Temerario. The wiley Icon Jason Long pulls Kira by the legs out of the ring with him and whips him into the ring barrier. The front row fans jump up out of their seats as the ring barrier bounces back into them and Kira lets out a groan on impact. Inside the ring Jesse reaches down and grabs Temperario by the throat and pulls him up to his feet. Jesse doesnāt stop at just lifting him up by his throat, but continues lifting him high into the air! Temerario wiggles like crazy, and eventually grabs the arm of Jesse and uses his momentum to pull him down with an arm drag. Jesse is whipped over but is immediately back up to his feet. Temerario doesnāt hesitate to follow up and nails the huge man with a drop kick. Jesse stumbles back into the ropes and bounces off nailing Temerario with a huge big boot just as he gets back to his feet!
Steve Morrison: He just kicked his damn head off!
Cross Recoba: Nothing seems to slow this man down.
Back on the outside Jason sends a huge chop to the chest of Kira against the ring barrier. Jason rears back and sends another with the slap echoing off the chest of Kira. Jason taunts the crowd motioning for one more, but Kira ducks the third attempt and moves behind the Icon and shoves him abs first into the ring barrier. Back in the ring Jesse has mounted the masked Luchador and is sending fists into the face one after another until Temerario stops blocking. Satisfied with the damage done Jesse pulls him up to his feet by his mask and lifts him up with a suplex and holds him there.
Steve Morrison: This can be the end.
Cross Recoba: This will be the end of Jesse hits this. No one kicks out.
It looks like the end for Temperario, but he wiggles free and lands on his feet behind Jesse. Temerario runs to the ropes and bounces off and leaps onto Jesse right as he turns around. Temerario spins around Jesse and goes for a tornado DDT, but Jesse blocks and lifts him up and this time completes the Jesterplex! Jesse drops on top of his J-Rok foe. 1ā¦2ā¦3!
Laura Messier: The first winner and moving on, The Murder Lizard, Jesse Jamester!
Cross Recoba: He avoided it the first time, but like I said, when Jesse hits that, itāll over.
Steve Morrison: Now youāll have to scout ways to avoid it yourself.
Cross Recoba: I already have.
On the outside Kira rakes the back of Jason Long before he hears the announcement of the first pinfall. Kira becomes alert and looks to the ring and sees Temerario still laid out and sees his opportunity. Kira slides in the ring and quickly makes the cover on Temerario. 1ā¦2ā¦NO! The masked man has recovered enough, but Kira isnāt going to miss his shot. Heather lifts Temerario up, shoves Temerarioās head between his legs, and delivers a Kira Driver ā91! Kira holds on for the cover 1ā¦2ā¦NO! Jason Long blindsides the former J-Rok owner with Black Out Days, a penalty kick to the back of Kiraās head, to break up the pin!
Cross Recoba: You need eyes in the back of your head in a match like this.
Steve Morrison: If Kira did have eyes in the back of his head Long just kicked them right out.
Kira slumps forward from the shot as Temerario rolls over on his stomach in agony after all of the huge blows. Jason quickly lifts Kira up and tosses him out of the ring. Jason turns his attention back to the fallen masked man and motions for him to get up. Temerario begins to get up and Long runs and leaps, BOOM, Vanity Killer curb stomp. Jason makes the cover. 1ā¦2ā¦3! Kira is a second too late to break up the pin!
Laura Messier: The second winner, and moving on, TapOut's own, Jason Long!
Steve Morrison: TapOutās own moving on.
Cross Recoba: Great news for TapOut, bad news for whoever is unlucky enough to draw him in the next round. He's got experience on his mind, and a motivated Jason Long is a dangerous Jason Long.
We see the DTF roster in the audience. AJ Shankz, BEEF and Ulysses Cole are on one side of the row followed by DTF crew forming a barrier before we see Adrian Henderson, Andrej von Grapple and Braydon Duncan. All are clearly here to watch Jack Diamond wrestle live.
Laura Messier: Our next match is fought under Tap Out rules and is a singles contest set for one fall!
Lights dim in the building and after a few moments begin slowly pulsating, synchronized in time with the beat of the drums. As the soft vocals come in, NOMAD saunters from behind the curtain out into view of the crowd, taking a moment to soak in the reaction from the crowd as he stands in place there, rocking his body back and forward slightly on the spot.
Steve Morrison: From the minute that bell rang at our last show, this match has been on the cards.
Cross Recoba: NOMAD wasn't shy in expressing his displeasure then, he wasn't shy in telling Julius Fristik exactly what he thought in the lead-up to tonight and when that bell rings, I don't think we'll have to wait too long for his 'opening statement'.
This continues until the chorus begins and as the vocals pick up, NOMAD stretches his arms out to his side and continues his slow yet purposeful walk toward the ring. He stops before he gets to the ring and removes his worn and faded leather jacket and tosses it in the ring.
Steve Morrison: Fristik might find himself becoming the message from NOMAD to Merric.
Cross Recoba: NOMAD knows that those two will one day face-off in a match, every match until that point is a message to the Australian in his mind.
NOMAD then rolls in under the bottom rope after it and immediately positions himself in a seated position in the nearest corner.
Steve Morrison: If you were in his corner, what would you be telling NOMAD to focus on?
Cross Recoba: It's all about immobilizing Fristik. Take away those kicks, take away the speed and his ability to soar. He knows he has a size advantage, use that smartly and not with abandon.
Drums beating slowly, the lights in the arena dim, and two white lickers flicker with the sound of the drums. āMy Hands are Emptyā by Machine Head roars through the arena as the drums and background music grows louder, fans joining in by pounding their chests or stomping their feet in unison. The lights shook on and off, before finally spotlighting the scruffy brown-haired man wearing a black jacket and black tights with white trim around the waist and the wings on the outer legs of the tights. Sporting white boots with kick pads that go from the foot to his knee pad.
Steve Morrison: You've got to wonder if Julius can keep his mind on the match when his father is in the building.
Cross Recoba: Don't play with fire, you get burned. There's an after-school special on YouTube.
Julius stops at the top of the ramp and puts out his right hand so the palm is facing out, before pointing to it with his free handās index finger, saying āYou know whatās comingā at the camera before walking to the ring. Taking a stroll around the ringside area, the beating drums of his theme song syncing with the fans pounding and stomping rhythm until finally Julius takes the steps up onto the apron, centering the ring.
Steve Morrison: But Fristik might not be much safer in the ring tonight. NOMAD has made a point of singling out the Canadian as a weak link on the roster.
Cross Recoba: NOMAD's been vocal in the past about what a Tap Out wrestler should be like and, in my eyes, Fristik fits the bill. If he can find the gaps, he could make a very big statement tonight with a win.
A pose where his legs are wide and he brings his hand up to his forehead, scanning the audience once over before stepping through the ropes and hitting the turnbuckle for a better look. Jumping down, Julius stretches his back on the ropes and takes to his corner as the music fades out and the lights return to normal.
Steve Morrison: Can we see the Canadian take down the giant frame of NOMAD to the mat?
Cross Recoba: When that bell sounds, Fristik needs to leave it all in the ring!
Laura Messier: Introducing first! He stands at six-foot and three inches and weighs two-hundred-and-forty pounds. THE VIOLENT WANDERER....NOOOOOOOOOOOOMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!
The Monster of the World looks impassively towards Fristik, hiding the contempt he has made no attempt to conceal in the build-up to tonight.
Laura Messier: And his opponent! Standing at six-feet and two inches, he made weight at two-hundred-and-twenty-three pounds...THE PEGASUS WARRIOR...JULIUS...FRIISSSSSTIIIIIIIIIIIIK!!!
The smaller man bounces from toe-to-toe in anticipation of the bell.
SINGLES MATCH
NOMAD vs. Julius Fristik
The smaller man, Julius Fristik, is cagey to start. As NOMAD makes his way to the centre of the ring, the Pegasus Warrior attempts to step in and throw a low, range-finding kick, whiffing but learning the distance a little better. Jacob is light on his feet, circling around the Violent Wanderer, looking for an opening. Another big step in and this time the flashing leg comes millimetres from catching NOMADāS forward leg. More circling and again the Canadian steps in, looking to strike the man from just over the border from Vancouverās muscular legs. The Canadian Sonās instep crashes into NOMADāS shin with a satisfying crack. The Monster of the World swings his arm, trying the club Fristik as he retreats but that blow finds nothing but air.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD has shed a lot of mass during his hiatus. Heās faster than he used to be but heās still outsped by Julius Fristik.
Cross Recoba: Itās one thing to lose weight. Itās another thing entirely to adapt your wrestling style to being that much lighter.
A look of mild annoyance crosses NOMADās face. As Fristik moves around and tries to launch another probing attack, the Violent Wanderer takes a big step in himself, throwing a fierce body hook as Juliusā body is turned into another leg kick. Fristik is forced to take a step backwards and NOMAD turns to keep the pair facing, firing in forearm after forearm that backs Calgaryās Son back into the corner. Referee Quinn calls for a clean break and NOMAD feigns offering one before stepping back in and throwing a huge European Uppercut, forearm smashing against Fristikās jaw before he is ordered back to the middle of the ring.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD is not a man to give a clean break.
Cross Recoba: If playing to the edge of the rules is important, provided itās not going to get you disqualified itās a smart strategy.
Staying within the bounds of the corner, Fristik extends a beckoning hand, daring NOMAD to come back in. The Violent Wanderer is up for a straight-up fight and charges forward, forearm raised, looking to remove the Canadianās head from his shoulders. Fristik, however, is one slippery dude and slides through the ropes forcing NOMAD to slow his momentum for a second lest he forearms the ring post. Julius grabs the top rope near the corner and throws his body backwards, raising up his legs to connect boot with jaw! NOMAD staggers backwards and Fristik hauls himself back up and slingshots his body into the ring with a shotgun dropkick that sends NOMAD flying backwards.
Steve Morrison: PENDULUM PĆLĆ KICK TO SLINGSHOT SHOTGUN DROPKICK!
Cross Recoba: Julius Fristik has the ability to improvise. Sure, any man can kick you in the face but to do it from different setups and different angles, thatās a talent.
Fristik kips up, much to the crowdās delight and the second-generation superstar wheels to a side as NOMAD sits up. A trifecta of sharp left-footed kicks to NOMADās back follow before he switches kicking legs and blasts the Violent Wanderer full in the face with a turning low roundhouse, the front of his foot smacking right into NOMAD. The Monster of the World falls back down and Julius Fristik picks his spot carefully, dropping a knee across NOMADās chest before transitioning into a lateral pressā¦
ONE!
TWO!
Tā¦ NOMAD kicks out with AUTHORITY!
Steve Morrison: Fristik keeping the pressure on with some high-tempo strikes.
Cross Recoba: When youāre giving up size and power but not range, keeping the tempo as high as possible is the most sensible course of action.
The Second Generation Sensation is first up, eyeing NOMAD as the more muscular man gets to a knee. Fristik grabs the back of NOMADās head and hits 8 rapid shin kicks, Kawada style, to the Monster of the Worldās face. NOMAD looks to fall backwards but Fristik grab him by the slumping back and hoists NOMAD up to a vertical base. Fristik turns and kicks a leg out, laying out and snapping the Washington nativeās neck with a flowing neckbreaker. Canadaās Son flips himself over for a lateral pressā¦
ONE!
TWO!
Tā¦ NOMAD kicks out again.
Steve Morrison: A sharply delivered neckbreaker there.
Cross Recoba: If you want to slow a man down, targetting the head and neck is always efficient.
Following up straight away, Fristik gets to his feet while guiding NOMAD up with him, stuck in a front facelock. The Canadian stomps a foot on the mat before snapping back a rapid suplex. With his agility on full show, Julius gets back to his feet and rushes the near ropes, running through NOMAD as he sits up again with a powerful knee to the face. Fristik backs up and contemplates his next attack while NOMAD looks a little dazed at mat level.
Steve Morrison: Julius Fristik is on a roll here. He can feel the momentum flowing.
Cross Recoba: You have to capitalise on the energy these runs of moves give you. Work with the momentum.
Fristik looks over to a corner and judges his distance by eye. With a small grunt of exertion, the young Canadian lifts NOMAD up into a bodyslam position before falling forward, slamming NOMAD into position with precision. The Pegasus Warrior looks to fly as he slowly climbs the turnbuckles. He looks out, surveying the crowd and breathes in, steeling himself with whatās to come. Fristik leaps from the ropes, rotating backwards mid-flightā¦
Steve Morrison: FAITH NO MORE!
...AND SPLATS INTO THE MAT WHERE NOMAD WAS, THE MONSTER JUST ROLLING AWAY MILLISECONDS BEFORE TAKING THE MOONSAULT!
Cross Recoba: He wanted it all but he couldnāt have it.
Now itās NOMAD to get up first. He shakes his head, trying to clear the impact of Fristikās attacks. The Monster of the World waits and just as Fristik gets to his feet, NOMAD charges right in with forearms that back the Canadian to the ropes. NOMAD snags a loose arm and whips Fristik across the ring, stepping into the middle himself to snatch the his out of control opponent on the rebound, jack him up into a Firemanās Carry and then fall backwards with a smartly delivered Samoan Drop. NOMAD stays down to apply the back pressā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THā¦ Fristik kicks out.
Steve Morrison: And just like that the tide has turned.
Cross Recoba: They donāt call it the high rent district for nothing. Now itās NOMAD Oāclock.
NOMAD gathers himself and stands. He waits, almost snarling as Julius Fristik gets to his own vertical base. The Violent Wanderer is quick to step in as he goes back to his big, meaty forearms, keeping his opponent off balance. NOMAD takes a big step forwards and applies a tight waistlock. With an effortless grace, the Washington native falls backwards and propels Fristik across the ring with a Railgun Belly to Belly that causes the Canadian to do a full somersault in the air with its sheer force. NOMAD flips over to cover againā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THā¦ Fristik kicks out again.
Steve Morrison: It looks like all that weight NOMAD has shaved has just lead to him being more toned muscularly. Heās not lost an ounce of his famous power.
Cross Recoba: You certainly wouldnāt want to be stuck in a tight space with a pissed off Violent Wanderer.
As NOMAD stands this time he places a hand under Julius Fristikās chin, manhandling the son of Jesse Jamester up to face him. The Monster of the World locks in another waistlock then slips behind with a standing switch and moves his arms into position to lock in a Full Nelson. NOMAD grits his teeth and uses the Full Nelson to throw Fristik into the air before wheeling 180 degrees and leaping forwards, catching the Canadian mid fall and dropping him with a neckbreaker. NOMAD rolls away and to his feet rather than cover right away.
Steve Morrison: Thereās something slick and stylish to the destruction NOMAD causes.
Cross Recoba: Power wrestling with intelligence. Itās a rare combination throughout our sport but NOMAD has it in spades.
After reneging on the opportunity to cover, NOMAD has plenty of time to get set so his opponent is going to stand up facing away from the Violent Wanderer. Fristik stands, slowly and immediately takes a forearm to the lower back. NOMAD hooks on an inverted facelock and snaps Julius down with an inverted DDT, stands quickly, rushes the adjacent ropes and leaps into the air, landing back first with the full weight of his body across Fristikās chest. NOMAD stays down for the back pressā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THRā¦ Fristik kicks himself free.
Steve Morrison: Even though he doesnāt tip the scales at quite such a large number as he used to, everything NOMAD does inside those ropes kinda looks like a car crash.
Cross Recoba: Itās chaos but itās carefully controlled chaos. Something NOMAD has always been able to harness across his career.
NOMAD composes himself as he stands. He looks down at Fristik and raises one arm into the air. As Fristik stands and slowly turns, the Monster of the World backs up to the ropes. He breathes in, gritting his teeth and waits until Canadaās Son has turned to exactly the perfect angle and begins to charge, building up to full steam with alarming speed. He extends the arm andā¦
Steve Morrison: LAAAAAAAAARIAAAAAATOOOOOOOOā¦
...JULIUS FRISTIK USES WHATEVER STRENGTH HE HAS LEFT TO LEAP UP, LACE HIS LEGS AROUND NOMADāS SHOULDERS AND TAKES THE MAN DOWN WITH A ROLLING ARMBAR!
Cross Recoba: Lariat-oh-no!
But NOMAD has no intention of being submitted OR having one of his greatest weapons taken away from him and he begins to posture up. Spitting from the side of his mouth as he grimaces in pain, NOMAD gets to one knee, then a second. Julius is holding on to the armbar for dear life. One leg. Then the other. Finally The Violent Wanderer collapses forward to kneel on the mat, SPIKING FRISTIK WITH A DEAD LIFT ONE ARMED POWERBOMB!
Steve Morrison: MODIFIED CRUMBLING TOWER!
NOMAD presses down for an improvised Prawn Hold coverā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THā¦
Fristik squirms loose.!
Steve Morrison: That was close.
Cross Recoba: I think that Fristik knew it was lose the hold or lose the match. Correct choice made.
Crawling away to the ropes, Fristik has one eye on NOMAD approaching. The Monster of the World gets within range to swing that arm and goes for a standing LAAARIAATOOO as Fristik stands, but Fristik grabs the top rope and leans backwards, NOMADās arm whistling past his skull. The Canadian uses the ropes to lift himself up into a second rope springboard and bounces off, turning into a MASSIVE kick to the face that flattens the unbalanced Violent Traveller. Lateral pressā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREā¦
NOMAD kicks out!
Steve Morrison: ANGEL KICK!
Now Fristik rushes the far ropes, lifting his leg to plant his boot squarely into NOMADās jaw with momentum on his side. NOMAD stands his ground and DUCKS THE BOOT, JACKING FRISTIK UP INTO THE AIR! As the Canadian begins to fall, NOMAD CATHES HIM IN A FIREMANāS CARRY AND FALLS TO THE SIDE, DROPPING FRISTIK RIGHT ON TOP OF HIS DAMN HEAD!
Steve Morrison: HATRED FROM DEATH VALLEY!
NOMAD coversā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREā¦ NO! FRISTIK KICKS OUT!
The pair stand. FOREARM FROM NOMAD! KICK FROM FRISKTIK! FOREARM FROM NOMAD! KICK FROM FRISKTIK! FOREARM FROM NOMAD! KICK FROM FRISKTIK! FOREARM FROM NOMAD! FOREARM FROM NOMAD! FOREARM FROM NOMAD! KICK! KICK! KICK! KICK! KICKKICKKICKKICKKICKKICKKICK! FRISTIK IS FEELING IT! Fristik reaches out and grabs NOMAD, hoisting him into a front slam position. He swings NOMAD around, DROPS HIM ACROSS HIS CANADIAN KNEE WITH A HUGE BACKBREAKER AND SEAMLESSLY TRANSITIONS TO AN EXPLOOOOOOOODAAH!
Steve Morrison: PEGASUS DRIVER!
Fristik coversā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREā¦ NO!
NOMAD KICKS OUT!
Backing away to the ropes, Fristik looks to gain a little speed and hit one of his huge running attacks. He letās NOMAD get up to a vertical base and starts off on a run, charging in toward the Monster. But NOMAD takes a couple of big steps forwards himself to throw off the Canadian Sonās timing and HITS A HUGE INTERCEPTING KNEE STRIKE TO JULIUS FRISTIKāS FACE!
Steve Morrison: NIHILUS II!
Cross Recoba: And thatās all she wrote.
NOMAD coversā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREā¦ NO!
FRISTIK SOMEHOW KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Those Nihilus knees usually put anyone down.
Cross Recoba: You have to give credit to Fristik for that kickout.
But NOMAD gets up, looking furious. Julius Fristik is clearly seeing stars after the Nihilus II and NOMAD hoists Fristik up into a standing head scissors. NOMAD reaches down and hoists Canadaās Son up into a Canadian (ironically) Backbreaker Rackā¦.
Steve Morrison: No. NO! NOT LIKE THIS!
ā¦before reversing the direction of the lift and TAKING JULIUS FRISTIK DOWN INTO A DEAD FALL FROM 6ā2 OFF THE GROUND, RIGHT ONTO THE CROWN OF HIS FUCKINā HEAD.
Steve Morrison: SCORCHED EARTH! NOMAD! YOU BASTARD!
Lateral press from NOMADā¦
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Laura Messier: The winner of this matchā¦ NOOOOOOOMAAAAAAAAAAAAD!
Steve Morrison: What a match.
Cross Recoba: What a performance from both these wrestlers. But in the end, you drop someone on their head that hard, thereās little more to add.
Laura Messier: Ladies and Gentlemen, this match is a first round match in the tag team annihilator tournament and is scheduled for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Laura Messier: Introducing first ā¦
āOut of Exileā by Audioslave begins to play and the Salt Lake City crowd begins to amp up. The spotlights dart around the arena before landing on the top of the stage where the Van Zant brothers step out and look at the massive crowd.
Steve Morrison: What do you make of these guys, Cross?
Cross Recoba: Well their sister is making a name for herself over in the UK. These guys donāt really have anything to go on. My guess? Zoran guts them.
Grant and Joaquin high five then begin to march down the ramp and roll into the ring, glaring and staring at anyone who dares set eyes on them.
Steve Morrison: All business from these young men.
Cross Recoba: I canāt help but feel they may be a bit out of their element here tonight. Salt Lake City, and moreover the XHF Network and TAPOUT, are a lot more hostile than the swamps of Louisiana.
"Hungry Like a Wolf" by Duran Duran pumps over the loud speakers.
The entrance curtains ruffle, like someone is standing at them, but really doesn't want to step out. Realizing that the only alternative is getting stabbed, El Rey eventually throws back the curtain. Is that supposed to be music? It sounds like something that was written back in Old Testament bible days - like the 1800s. That. Old. Scowling up at an amplifier, El Rey is pretty sure this is going to kill his street cred.
Steve Morrison: I will never understand why the youth are so focused on what others think of them.
Cross Recoba: You clearly were never the popular kid in school, Steve.
Despite the old folksā home soundtrack, the crowd cheer. Like they are really into his appearance. Of course they are, but it's also about time they acted this hyped. Forgetting the tune, El Rey starts charging down the aisle with a new spring in his step - happily slapping hands of the adoring crowd. Rey is completely oblivious to the reason for his fan favorite status... the audience that are cheering him are GENUINELY scared of his tag team partner. Not slapping hands, but keeping an eye on the crowd to make sure they behave themselves, Zoran Sainovic has an aura of menace that perfectly captures the title of the song.
Cross Recoba: Well the Salt Lake City fans are certainly less courageous than our own Sin City faithful.
Steve Morrison: I think itās because Zoran uses the Book of Mormon as a napkin at his meals.
El Rey suddenly notices the tron, which has images from his childhood - but with Zoran Sainovic photoshopped over Venom. His father isn't going to like that. Rey shrugs, oh well, and easy path to winning the Triple Crown. Then the name "Sainovic and Son" appears on the screen, with the subtitle: Sadistic Youth. Having the acronym SASSY upsets Rey far more than throwing his biological father under the bus, but before he can complain -
Laura Messier: From Cedar Creek, Louisiana at 511 combined pounds. They are Grant and Joaquin Van Zant, BULL AND BIRD!
Cross Recoba: I guess this is their coming out party. If they beat Zoran and El Rey? HUGE statement win.
Steve Morrison: And if not? HUGE medical bills.
Laura Messier: And their opponents... *reads from cue card* the two most celebrated wrestlers of the Networks' modern era... they need no introduction, so put your hands together for... SAINOVIC AND SON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cross Recoba: I didnāt tell her to introduce him like that.
Steve Morrison: Do you begrudge her her safety Cross? You know what Zoran might do to her.
Cross Recoba: As if my security team would let him.
Steve Morrison: Not to rock the boat but, evidence via Poena to the contrary ā¦
Cross Recoba: ā¦ Hrmm ā¦ Iām just gonna leave this hereā¦ *Cross places the X*Crown front and center on the announce table*
Steve Morrison: Subtle.
Referee Steve Tyrell checks Zoran for blades. Just Zoran. For obvious reasons. And he finds none. So clearly he has failed at his job. He still gives some quick instructions to the men in the ring and then sends Zoran and Grant to their corners as the high flyers of El Rey and Joaquin line up to start the match. Tyrell calls for the bell.
TAG-TEAM MATCH
TAG TEAM ANNIHILATOR FIRST-ROUND MATCH
Sainovic and Son vs. Bull and Bird
DING DING DING!
The match begins with the two feeling each other out. Rey offers up a hand for a test of strength. Joaquin accepts and is immediately left hanging as El Rey darts underneath the arm and slaps him on the ass and taunt to the crowd while laughing like a child. Van Zant turns and rushes him but the son of
Zoran Sainovic: Shiny trinket you have there.
Steve Morrison jumps out of his seat at this sudden appearance of the emaciated, gangly Final Boss. He looks ten times more likely to stab a bitch now. Though to be fair that may be because he sees Steve as a hamburger like in those Merrie Melodies cartoons with the castaways. He sees Cross as a hot dog ā¦ however this is how Zoran always sees Cross. The point is Zoran is hungry and El Rey is now alone in the ring.
Cross Recoba: Maybe you should focus more on the match at hand?
Zoran Sainovic: Oh how I wish I could, Cross. But we both know how much it grinds your gear zat Iām on your show.
Cross Recoba: Honestly Iām over it now that I have this.
Steve Morrison: And El Rey is really performing well here in the early going!
In the ring, El Rey is now making sport of the match. He is dancing around the bigger Grant. The inexperience is showing as the seasoned young prodigy is using his speed to evade the heavy strikes. He finally tries some offense with a flurry of quick kicks to the calf. GVZ doesnāt like this much and goes for a clothesline and El Rey ducks. However Grant has this scouted and as Rey pops up to his feet to taunt, Grant annihilates him with a left arm lariat to the back of the head.
Zoran Sainovic: Watch your technique my boy! I swear itās so hard to train ze youth zese days.
Cross Recoba: Look youāre clearly busy trying to win the tag team titles with your new Robin, after the last one dumped you for bowler hats and your real son would rather watch Shitstorm movies.
Zoran Sainovic:Oh we zrew those out, not allowed in ze house. Did you know zey are inappropriate for ze youth? I have sent a complaint to Steve Awesomeās management company demanding he be blackballed from ze industry for the sake of the industry.
El Rey is now being stomped into paste by the towering mammoth of a Louisiana Cajun. GVZ tags his brother in who climbs to the top and hits a big leg drop to the spine. Rey yelps in agony and tries to crawl away. JVZ grabs his ankle and pulls him back. He hits him with a grounded dragon screw and then drops an elbow on the inside of the knee.
El Rey:HEY! POPS! A little help here?
Zoran Sainovic: Youāre doing wonderful my boy! So much better zan Death Trap!
El Rey: That is SUCH a low bar! OW!
JVZ has tagged in GVZ and Grant is now hoisting El Rey up into a stretch muffler. Rey uses his insane core strength to do a crunch and poke Grant in the eye causing him to drop El Rey. Rey scurries to his corner and yells to Zoran. Zoran waves at him and munches on a small leaf of arugula he had in his suit pocket.
Steve Morrison: You had rocket in your pocket?
Zoran Sainovic: STEVE! Zat is hardly an appropriate questionā¦
Grant barrels in and Rey ducks out of the way and then leaps up and hits a poison rana. Grand flies back to his corner holding his head. He pushes back all the way and lets Joaquin blind tag while Rey taunts at the crowd. Rey charges but Joaquin springs to the top rope and launches at the young star, clearing him out with a diving clothesline. He immediately hooks Rey in a sleeper hold in the seated position. Rey holds his arms out looking for help. Joaquin scoots backwards on his butt to the corner for Grant to tag in. Suddenly Rey is yanked to his feet as Grant hoists him up. JVZ holds the submission until Grant has Rey up then releases as Grant hits a huge powerbomb. Joaquin leaves after a few parting kicks to the head as Steve Tyrell ushers him out of the ring without a 5 count.
Cross Recoba: Rey really in need of a good partner here as he is getting manhandled by the numbers game.
Steve Morrison: The Van Zantās may not be very experienced but they are working as a unit here.
Zoran strokes the X*Crown title on the tableā¦
Cross Recoba: Hey ā¦ Hands off the display piece. Iām sure youāre very busy with the tag tournament and your junior heavyweight title. Howās the diet going? Looks like youāve put on a bit of pudge around the middle.
Zoran immediately gets deadly serious and scowls.
Zoran Sainovic: Would that I could exterminate all salads from all menus across zis God-forsaken country. But ā¦ alas you are right. I am very busy. Itās the only reason zat you had a lowly Fox to try and remove zat title from instead of somezing much ā¦ deadlier.
Cross Recoba: I am sure you will come after this sooner or later. Especially after the New Yearās 2023 match.
In the ring El Rey is using all his energy to throw weak punches into the gut of Grant. The Van Zantās keep him in their corner. Grant unloads with a huge boot to the gut then throttles the young Rey. Tyrell backs him off and reprimands him as Joaquin uses the tag rope to choke the former X*Crown Champ. Zoran sighs and abandons his chatter with the commentary and as he strolls by, swipes the legs out from JVZ who crashes to the apron and the floor. Tyrell turns around to miss both instances of cheating. Grant however doesnāt take kindly to this and slides out of the ring in front of Zoran and gets in his face.
Zoran Sainovic: Zis is not ze time to be brave, boy.
El Rey: JUST GET TO THE CORNER OLD MAN!
Zoran Sainovic: ā¦ I zink he was referring to you ..
Zoran spits in the face of the larger Van Zant then grabs him and slams him violently into the ring post before whipping him into the barricade, and then back into the steel steps. Joaquin springs off the steel steps and clotheslines Zoran to free his brother. JVZ grabs Zoran and begins bouncing his head off the steps until El Rey springboards off the top rope and hits a shooting star press onto all three of the other fighters in this match.
Cross Recoba: And El Rey just wiped out his own partner as well as both opponents.
Steve Morrison: What a beautifully delivered shooting star.
Cross Recoba: We should give him move of the night just based on hitting Zoran.
Rey helps Zoran up and grabs the smaller Van Zant. He directs traffic to have his
Cross Recoba: Iād say Iām appalled but that would be a lie. Despite what I think about them, that was a sound strategy to take out an entire team at once.
Steve Morrison: Iād say Iām shocked but that would also be a lie. These two are the most dastardly of duos.
Cross Recoba: Dastardly? Really?
El Rey pins and counts along with Steve Tyrell.
ONE!
TWO!
THR-Grant rolls the shoulder.
Rey looks down at him in shock and anger. He calms down quickly though and drags him over to Zoran. He leans back and Zoran tags himself in. Rey stands on the shoulders of Grant to hold him down as Zoran drops a fist drop to the face. Zoran rises and hits a second, then a third. Rey finally leaps up and lands with a double foot stomp on the gut of Grant, using him as a trampoline to exit the ring. Zoran drags him away from the ropes and locks Grant into the Conditionizer. He waves at Joaquin in the corner. The younger Van Zant looks pissed as he steadily rises to his feet. He enters the ring but is stopped by Tyrell. JVZ is livid. Tyrell just tells him off. JVZ tries to push past him but El Rey leapfrogs into the ring between him and his brother.
Cross Recoba: Grant is not long for this match. Joaquin will never free him from that damn hold.
Steve Morrison: The better part of valor is knowing when to live to see another day.
Zoran releases the hold. Joaquin charges past the ref and El Rey ducks a clothesline. Zoran catches the running Joaquin but he gets enough of the ropes to spring back and drag Zoran to the ground with a snap mare. He then runs at El Rey with a switchblade! He fires up and grabs his brother. He tries to drag him to his corner to tag in but his brother isnāt budging. Not only is Zoran holding the leg of Grant, Joaquin can see his pants pinned to the mat by two knives. He tries to point this out the ref but Zoran lunges and spears him to the mat. He then talks to El Rey. Rey suddenly looks fired up. As Joaquin stands ā¦ Rey grabs him and lifts him up.
Steve Morrison: SOCIETY KILLER! That was The Talk that Zoran just gave him. Look how Rey is blushing in embarrassment.
Cross Recoba: Yes ā¦ like a right little cherub isnāt he? Sheesh. Letās end this Sainovic.
Cross removes his belt from view to prevent a scene when this ends. Rey turns to Grant and pulls the knives out and slides them away. He pushes the larger brother to Zoran who hooks him for a suplex. He uses all his emaciated hangry energy to hold the big man while El Rey scales the ropes and leaps off to stand on the guy for major impact.
Steve Morrison: The Bondening, this one is academic.
Zoran places both hands on the chest of the deadweight of Grant and holds him.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Laura Messier: Your winners and advancing to the semi-finals ā¦ SAINOVIC AND SON!
Cross Recoba: And the crowd goes ā¦ quiet with fear. Way to kill the mood Sainovic.
Zoran Sainovic: Be seeing you soon honey! And I mean ze title.
Cross Recoba: Weāll seeā¦ And now we know in week three at WUK's hosted show it'll be Sainovic and Son vs. The Anointed
Voice: Tap Out Wrestling. The second to last place he was. A place he stained with his stench. A place where Iāve come. Itās been months since Iāve stepped into a ring, not by choice, but rather places I wrestled just going away. And itās only made me even more pissed off.
Stepping out of a shadow is second generation wrestler Chris Sanderson. He doesnāt look thrilled to be here.
Chris Sanderson: Tap Out Wrestling. I imagine youāre wondering why Iām here. I need to wrestle. Iāve been at this for 11 years already. Since I was a teenager. Busted my ass time in and time out and still, no oneās calling me. No oneās wondering why I havenāt found a job in a few months. Instead, itās crickets.
There is a lot of anger and pain in his voice.
Chris Sanderson: Five months of nothing. Five months of sitting at home, listening to life and this sport pass me by. Reading about people who are getting ahead because theyāre friends with someone else. Watching people getting title matches and opportunities that should be going to me. Iām on my couch, looking at my phone. Wondering. Waiting. Kids asking me when Iām going to wrestle again. Wife on my ass about an additional room on the house.
Sanderson paces around a little bit as he continues to be annoyed at the situation.
Chris Sanderson: So take these five months of nothing, of waiting and add it to the last 11 years of my life. Being told Iām here because of who Iām related to. Being told Iāll never measure up to those people. Being told I should leave wrestling because Iām not wanted. When a man hears that for this long of a time, he snaps a little. He gets it in his head that if heās not wanted, makes him like a middle child of a family. Ignored. Overlooked. Forgotten.
He pauses for a moment to collect himself as his voice begins to get louder.
Chris Sanderson: Forgotten. Sticks with you a bit. But now Iām here at Tap Out Wrestling. And, like the middle child who gets ignored for too long, Iām not going to ask. Iām going to take. And take. And take a little more. The Chris Sanderson you knew from a place like Next Level Wrestling is gone. That respectful guy? Dead.
Chris does the cut throat motion to get his point across.
Chris Sanderson: Now you have Wrestlingās Middle Child. See you in that ring soon.
And with that the camera cuts.
HALF-TIME SHOW
With Papa Roachās set now ended we cut back to ringside.
Cross Recoba stands with a microphone in the center of the ring as he waits for the cheers for the performance to end.
Crowd: PAPA ROACH! PAPA ROACH! PAPA ROACH! PAPA ROACH! PAPA ROACH!
Recoba smiles at the reaction his half-time show is getting on the Networkās dime. He motions for the crowd to let the chants fade to silence.
Cross Recoba: Good evening, Salt Lake City!
Cheap pops work regardless of who uses them.
Cross Recoba: Welcome to the second-half of the show! Weāll be kicking off with the matches once more shortly but first, I thought Iād share some announcements with you to see Tap Out Wrestling into 2024!
He pauses again for the inevitable cheap pop.
Cross Recoba: Tonight, youāll see a Tap Out Openweight title match in the main event!
Nobody could accuse Recoba of not being able to milk a situation.
Cross Recoba: But next month, weāll find out who will be facing the Champion at Januaryās XHF Supremacy event! Tap Out Wrestling Eighteen will be headlined by a six-man tag-match with a difference. Whoever gets the fall, will not just get the win and two points in the rankings for each man in their teamā¦theyāll also be the wrestler who gets the nod to face-off in our title match at the Network event!
The Delta Center crowd cheer at the news.
Cross Recoba: But not only that, the co-main event will see two other Tap Out wrestlers fight for a shot at the Champion BEFORE Supremacy rolls around!
The volume from the Salt Lake City audience grows.
Cross Recoba: Tap Out Wrestling Nineteen though, thatās an entirely different proposition. Weāve been in talks with Kingsley Solomon and alongside featuring SCCW matches for our live audiences prior to the main show starting each month, weāll be hosting a joint show in December where our two companies compete for the Oscar Goodman Trophy! Whichever company gets the most wins will take home the inaugural trophy and have bragging rights to call themselves the best wrestling promotion on the Vegas Strip!
A smile breaks out on Recobaās face as if there was any doubt who really owned that claim.
Cross Recoba: Nine matches will decide which side of the Strip the Oscar Goodman trophy lives. Weāll be deciding which venue these matches take place with a Soccer style draw. One pot containing all the entrants will be drawn sequentially by a Tap Out representative and one from SCCW. Whichever company the first wrestler for each match is drawn from will be the āhomeā team and matches will be held at their company. Whoever wins the Best of Nine series that night, takes home the trophy!
Crowd: OSCAR GOOD-MAN! WHO THE FUCK? OSCAR GOOD-MAN! WHO THE FUCK? OSCAR GOOD-MAN! WHO THE FUCK? OSCAR GOOD-MAN! WHO THE FUCK?OSCAR GOOD-MAN! WHO THE FUCK?
Cross Recoba: Now, with those announcements made, Iāll leave you to it and hope you enjoy the rest of your night!
Cross climbs out of the ring and drops from the apron to the floor as we fade toā¦
Steve Morrison: We are being told that we have breaking news going on backstage, and are going to take you there right now. Stay tuned.
Cutting backstage, a cameraman is caught in the act as they appear running down a hallway towards the action unfolding backstage. As the cameraman reaches a doorway, they stop at the sight before them on the floor.
Steve Morrison: Is that the security guys that Julius Fristik hired?
Cross: Sure looks like them.
Laying all over the locker room in shambles are twelve security personnel. Broken noses and black eyes, blood on the floor, and the locker room in absolute chaos as the sink to the bathroom has been broken with the body of a security guard laying on top of it while the water drains into the locker room. Steps are heard walking up behind the cameraman, who immediately turns around to find Julius Fristik.
Julius Fristik: AhhhhāFUCK!
Like the Flash, Julius takes off down the hallway still in his wrestling gear. The camera man turns around to see Jesse Jamester come out of the bathroom with a pair of pliers in hand, holding a tooth in the pliers.
Jesse Jamester: There isnāt a corner on this earth you can hide my son.
Cracking a toothy sadistic smile as he pushes past the camera man and watches Julius hit the exit door at the end of the hallway. Jesse turns around and grabs the cameramanās free hand.
Jesse Jamester: A souvenir.
Dropping the tooth from the pliers, Jesse nods and begins walking down the hallway in the direction Julius went.
A quick crowd cut shows the Crinkly Bottom Boys in the audience. Noel signals for the camera to shoo, unaware that Blobby is behind him blowing kisses and vogueing.
Laura Messier: The following contest is a singles match, set for one fall!
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, artfully torn āTommy Strychnine half-shirt over a mesh under and a gold kneepad with a cartoon pair of lips emblazoned on it.
Steve Morrison: Tonight, we could be seeing the rebirth of Tommy Strychnine!
Cross Recoba: He spoke about not wanting to be a nearly man and as noble as that statement is, he needs to start backing it up tonight.
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: When I saw this match-up: it's one that, on paper, seems exceedingly well-matched in terms of style...
Cross Recoba: But when you look at their title histories you wonder if Tommy can keep up? Strych always performs better when he's seen as the underdog. It's what took him to the AWF United States title and it's what made him take Jack Diamond to his absolute limit earlier in the year.
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: WrestlePoint voted Tommy's Kiss Me Deadly Knee as the most efficient finisher on the Network!
Cross Recoba: There's not much you can do when he flies towards you to reverse it. You could avoid it but if it connects? There's no arguing why it has a perfect record of getting the win!
The first few haunting strums of "A Match Made In Heaven" by Architects seizes the speaker system, the lights dimming down as the song gradually transitions into its opening line while two figures walk out onto the stage.
"TELL ME WAS IT ALL WORTH IT TO WATCH YOUR KINGDOM GROW?"
"ALL THE ANCHORS IN THE OCEAN HAVEN'T SUNK THIS LOW!"
As the following "BLEGH!" comes and goes, the lights hastily return to their bright setting, revealing both Raiden Ishimori and Kingsley Solomon standing tall on the stage: Kingsley with his hands behind his back, bearing a smug grin while Raiden coldly stares out into the sea of fans that loudly boo their arrival, adjusting his black sleeveless hoodie.
Steve Morrison: Every time this man steps into a ring you expect to see the unbelievable.
Cross Recoba: Ishimori can take you down, he can tie you up in knots, he can land devastating strikes and then there's his aerial game. If not this year, I can see him being around the Openweight title scene in the early months of 2024.
Rolling his neck for a brief moment, Raiden leads the two of them down the ramp, ignoring the people who jeer them during their trek down to the ring.
Steve Morrison: With Solomon at ringside, does it give Raiden the edge?
Cross Recoba: The Harbingers give Raiden an edge. You only need to look at their record in SCCW to see that Raiden is surrounded by and is part of a team that know how to win consistently.
Raiden climbs up onto the apron while Kingsley circles to the far side of the ring, Bone Cold entering through the ropes, and not bothering with entertaining the crowd, simply makes his way to the far corner. Peeling off the hoodie, he hands it off to Kingsley before leaning back into the corner, waiting for the starting bell.
Steve Morrison: Every moment that Raiden spends looking at Tommy, you can almost see him breaking him down in his head.
Cross Recoba: He wasn't short of putting down Tommy in the build-up, he'll know exactly how he wants to try and do it when that bell rings.
Laura Messier: Introducing first, 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!!!
Strych mugs for the camera pointed to his corner.
Laura Messier: And his opponentā¦hailing fromawata, Kyoto, Japan. He stands at six-feet even and weighed in yesterday at two-hundred-and-seven pounds...BONE COLD...RAIDEN...ISHIMORI!!!!!!!!!!!
The Harbinger remains emotionless as his name is called, leaning back into the ropes as he waits for the match to begin.
SINGLES MATCH
Tommy Strychnine vs. Raiden Ishimori
DING! DING! DING!
The bell sounds to start the match and the two meet in the center of the ring and begin to circle around one another in the search for an opening to attack.
Steve Morrison: Both of these men have solid technical chops, itāll be interesting to see how they approach the start of this match,
Cross Recoba: Itās difficult to tell. Both men can brawl, they can wrestle and they can fly. We could be looking at a cigarette paper margin in this bout!
The two lock up in a basic collar-elbow tie-up and begin pushing against one another in order to gain dominance.
Steve Morrison: Who can assert their dominance in the early stages?
Tommy gets the advantage and whips Raiden into the ropes. On the rebound, he hits an Axe Kick that drives Raiden to the mat.
Cross Recoba: Strych going from zero to sixty with that move!
Tommy follows this up with kicks and stomps until Raiden rolls out of the ring to escape.
Steve Morrison: Ishimori is a thinking manās wrestler and it looks like he wants to regroup.
Raiden runs around to the next side of the ring and rolls back in.
Cross Recoba: Heās trying to stop Tommy from getting into a rhythm.
Tommy is on him though with a Pele Kick, but RAIDEN CATCHES HIM AND HITS A SITOUT POWER BOMB!
Steve Morrison: WHAT A COUNTER!
He remains seated and holds onto Tommyās legs for the cover!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THRE-
NO! TOMMY MANAGES TO KICK OUT!
Cross Recoba: Both men not wanting to hang around. That was a huge counter and Strych very nearly signed his own death warrant!
Steve Morrison: Tommy started off dominant, but Raiden showing that heās still with it and can turn a bad situation around in a heartbeat.
Cross Recoba: Donāt forget, Raidenās been in X*Crown matches throughout most of his XHF career.
Raiden gets up and meets the rising Tommy with a few European uppercuts before taking him down with a roundhouse kick!
Steve Morrison: A vicious flurry of strikes from the Harbinger!
Ishimori grapples on the mat with Tommyā¦HE LOOKS TO APPLY A GROUNDED COBRA CLUTCH!
Steve Morrison: LAST DANCE LULLABY!
Cross Recoba: If he sinks this in, Strych could well be out of this.
Realizing the urgency of his situation, Strych quickly rolls away and to his feet. Raiden tries to catch him with a palm strike but Strych catches the arm and uses it to pull him towards himā¦SHORT-ARM HEADBUTT!
Steve Morrison: He stunned him!
Cross Recoba: Tommy might be going for something huge.
Firemanās carry lift from the Rockerā¦USHIGOROSHI!!!
Steve Morrison: TOMMYNOCKER!!!!
The SCCW Hall of Famer is rolled over for the pin:
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
TH-
NO! ISHIMORI KICKS OUT!!!
Steve Morrison: Raiden not giving up as easily as Tommy might like.
Tommy kneels up while holding onto Raiden to pull him into a seated position. Before the Rocker can do anything else, Ishimori palm strikes him right in the face to burst the nose like an overripe tomato.
Steve Morrison: HUGE CONNECTION AND TOMMYāS NOSE MIGHT WELL BE BROKEN!
Cross Recoba: This could be huge, itās going to affect how he breathes which in turn will make the match harder and harder to fight for the longer it goes on.
Tommy kinks over onto his side, blood spewing from his nose.
Steve Morrison: He looks like heās ready to decapitate Raiden.
Cross Recoba: Can you blame him? Gigs, livestreams, all of those are going to be on hold while his nose heals!
Raiden places a hand on Tommyās shoulder and begins to palm strike him in the face, chest, and throat.
Raiden Ishimori: This. Will. Put. You. Down!
Steve Morrison: Raiden remains adamant that Tommy isnāt just below him but isnāt even worthy of being in the same ring as him!
Standing up, The Harbinger grabs Strych to get him into a firemanās carry, but Tommy twists to fall behind Raiden to his feet and grabs his opponent, hitting a reverse neckbreaker!
Steve Morrison: Improvising on the fly, Tommy must have one eye on tonightās main-event as he seeks to establish a run of form.
Cross Recoba: Heās got both eyes on something else right nowā¦
Tommy walks over to his corner and grabs a bottle of whiskey.
Steve Morrison: Heās breaking out the JDā¦
Cross Recoba: We both know where this is going. From a Bloody Mary to a Whiskey Sour!
Tommy guzzles the whiskey as Ishimori gets to his feet.
Steve Morrison: Raidenās unsightedā¦
HE SPITS THE JACK DANIELS INTO THE EYES OF ISHIMORI!!! SIDESTEPPING TO THE REFEREEāS BLIND SIDEā¦HE SMASHES THE BOTTLE OVER THE HEAD OF THE HARBINGER!!
Steve Morrison: WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!!!
Cross Recoba: Will Steve Tyrell disqualify him?
Indeed, Tyrell is almost certain that Strych broke the bottle over his head but Tommy points to the Match Officialās eyes.
Cross Recoba: He didnāt see it! Now, if this was the new-look Lansky Ballroom, I could get that replay on the big screen within seconds!
Tommy gives an insincere smile and rubs the head of Tyrell.
Steve Morrison: No respect whatsoever!
Cross Recoba: Because thatās what the papers all bemoan now, the death of the wholesome hellraiser!
Turning around, Tommy sees that Raiden has slumped over the middle rope. Blood speckling the apron like a monotone Jackson Pollock.
Steve Morrison: Raidenās losing A LOT of blood, we could see a Doctor stoppage!
Cross Recoba: Do the Mormons even believe in medicine?
Tommy runs at the ropesā¦.TIGER FEINT KICK!!
Steve Morrison: STRYCH-ONE-NINE!!!
Raiden rolls out of the ring to the mat.
Cross Recoba: He knows that the Strych-One-Nine leads to either the Springboard V-Trigger or that Somersault Lariat!
Rolling out of the ring, Tommy grabs Raiden and looks to whip him into the stepsā¦RAIDEN REVERSES!!
Steve Morrison: Ishimori once again connecting with high-impact offense but can he keep it up long enough to put this match away?
Cross Recoba: Those ring steps nigh-on exploded!
Keen to keep up the pressure, he tucks the Rockerās head between his legs and liftsā¦OVERHEAD GUTWRENCH BACKBREAKER RACK FLIPPED INTO A DDT ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR!!!
Steve Morrison: CASTLES FALL!
Cross Recoba: Tommy got all of that and Raiden turns the match on a dime!
Steve Morrison: You canāt pin him outside the ring.
Cross Recoba: Record books still call it a win and Raiden gets two more points to take him up the rankings!
Rolling Tommy into the ring, Ishimori looks to follow but drops to a knee.
Steve Morrison: Can he continue?
Cross Recoba: That is one very crimson mask heās sporting.
Steve Morrison: This does not look good for the Harbingerā¦
Tommy sees Ishimori recover his footing but the Rocker uses the ropes to get to his feet and walks himself across the ring clutching to the top rope. Raiden gets to the apronā¦TOMMY DARTS FORWARD WITH A KNEE THAT DRIVES DEEP INTO THE ABDOMEN OF THE HARBINGER!!!
Steve Morrison: Tommy making it count there.
Cross Recoba: I have a feeling I know where this is goingā¦
Grabbing the blood-soaked head of Ishimori, Strych pulls it through the ropesā¦HEATSEEKER PILEDRIVER THROUGH THE ROPES!!
Steve Morrison: WHITE WEDDING!!
Tommy rolls the prone body of Ishimori off him and into the center of the ring. The Rocker rolls to the apron and waitsā¦SLINGSHOT SPRINGBOARD V-TRIGGER FINDS HOME!!!
Steve Morrison: KISS ME DEADLY!!!!!
Tommy hooks a leg as he makes the cover:
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!
Tyrell calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
"Do You Wanna Taste It?" by Wig Wam resounds around the Delta Center as Tommy rolls to his feet.
Laura Messier: The winner of this match as a result of a pinfallā¦TOMMYā¦.STRYCCCCCCCCCCHNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE!!
EMTās rush to the ring to tend to the bloodied and beat Ishimori.
Steve Morrison: Raiden might look at this match and see the tide turned when he was busted open but Tommy showed a determination that some say heās been lacking lately.
Cross Recoba: Strychnine might now enter the conversation as to who will make up the six-man tag match thatāll headline next monthās show!
Steve Morrison: Itāll be interesting to see how that goes and if Raiden makes the cut, you can guarantee thereāll be fireworks when these two meet once again!
Steve Morrison: Raiden gave his all, but it was Tommy who pulled through tonight!
Cross Recoba: Perhaps he will work his way back into the title picture.
We see Merric and Erin Gordon in Aidenās locker room.
Steve Morrison: Two of the most deadly strikers weāve seen in Tap Out Wrestling!
Gordon paces, circling the seated Merric, delivering instructions.
Cross Recoba: Merric came in to help Gordon with Poena and now the favor is repaid.
Aiden pops a Nicotine gum into his mouth as he pats himself down, checking his bandolier for what heād call āhidden goodiesā.
Steve Morrison: Theyāre for show, right?
Erin forcefully drives home a point as she continues to pace.
Steve Morrison: Right?
Cross Recoba: Iām not stating something that might prove me wrong later.
Merric straps his wrists with tape before moving to his fists.
Steve Morrison: Heās tooling up for a war.
With a closed fist driven down, the Oncoming Storm makes another point that remains inaudible.
Cross Recoba: Heās being coached like it is oneā¦
Reaching underneath a bench, Aiden drags a workout bag out and reaches inside. Clutching a plethora of blades, Merric starts to place them in his dungarees and boots ahead of the showdown with Poena.
Steve Morrison: Just what will happen when Merric and Poena meet in our main event tonight?
Laura Messier: Ladies and gentlemen, the following match is a fatal four way match and is a first round match in the End of Days singles tournament! Two wrestlers will advance. To advance, you must obtain a pin or a submission. You can also be eliminated from the match if you get disqualified.
āWho I Amā by Eralise hits the speakers and Layla Lavoie steps onto the stage for the first time since the collapse of WCW. No not that WCW ā¦ well kinda that WCW ā¦ but new. And not the newest ā¦
Cross Recoba: The biography of Layla here says she is a former stunt double in Hollywood.
Steve Morrison: How does that translate to a wrestling career?
Cross Recoba: It introduces you to the world of pain and how to manage it. She can take a beating and keep on getting up.
She marches to the ring and rolls in before throwing her hands in the air as the fans are unsure of how to react to her.
Steve Morrison: Well letās see how she handles the two very accomplished former X*Crown champs in this match. And also King Ed-
Cross Recoba: And also Mutt ā¦
āPreliatorā by Globus hits the speakers as the fans immediately descend into boos. King Edmund IV strolls leisurely onto the stage trying to appear ānormalā. He is quickly pelted by a fanās bowler hat. This so offends him that he scowls and whips the hat at a production assistant. He then begins to chant, āSUPREMIA SUPREMIA!ā while throwing his fist into the air.
Steve Morrison: I donāt understand, what makes him a King?
Cross Recoba: My legal team assures me that he cannot sue me for stating the fact that Supremia is not a real country.
Steve Morrison: Delusion. Got it.
Edmund summons his dogās body, Mutt. Mutt storms out from the curtains and the fans immediately the fans cease throwing garbage and begin booing instead. Mutt grabs Edmund and sits the king on his meaty shoulder and walks to the ring as Edmund raises his fist at the crowd.
Steve Morrison: Has this strategy ever worked for him?
Cross Recoba: It would if Mutt were a reliable big man. As of now heās just a meathead.
Mutt climbs the steps and places Edmund into the ring before stepping in himself. Edmund gets right in the face of Layla as he scowls. Mutt roars at the crowd. Edmund then steps through the ropes and to the floor where he claps for his minion.
Steve Morrison: So any chance of him actually wrestling today?
Cross Recoba: If Mongo continues to allow him to treat Mutt as himself in the ring so he can get accolades without breaking a sweat, why would he ever step into the ring. Especially against the next two competitors.
*The lights dim, blue and gold spotlights slowly circle around the darkened arena. The haunting vocal intro to āThe Hard Sellā by Coheed and Cambria plays. The tron has come to life when the lights dimmed and displays "And now ā¦ The XHF Network presents ā¦ its MAIN ATTRACTION!" A foot shatters the screen as the guitar rocks the arena. DT slowly walks into a blue spotlight on the stage with his head down hidden under a hoodie. It's black and has his custom interlocking DT logo with an Italian flag and mariners compass on it on the back. He stands in the spotlight and slowly looks up showing off his signature bowler hat and sunglasses under the hood.
Cross Recoba: Here we have Death Trap, a legend in this game, but one on a massive losing streak.
Steve Morrison: Still, he was the longest reigning XHF Tag Team Champion and is a 2 time X*Crown champion. He is capable of turning his luck around here.
"I'm paranoid and sick of this world's misconception of things I did. My language poured across this wrist in a metaphoric disaster.
My guess, I'm missing out the punch line, unless this hanging noose is fitted to be all mine..."
He slowly pushes the hood back revealing a serious face as he lowers his sunglasses before pulling them off and placing them in his hoodie pocket as he gazes around the cozy arena. The spotlights turn into one tracking light following him to the ring as he seems to be deep in thought as he trots down the ramp.
Steve Morrison: Doesnāt he usually interact with his legions of fans?
Cross Recoba: I hardly consider his wife and manager to be a legionā¦
Steve Morrison: He DOES have a fan club, Cross. Heās been around since 2002 and has been a fan favorite most of his career. And Sin City, our home, has a soft spot for him for all he did in MCCW.
Cross Recoba: Yes, well right now heās on a career redefining losing stretch that would make a normal wrestler retire before destroying his legacy. His depression is understandable. His ignorance of the situation is not.
"I stood by everything I loved, while you never understood me much. Cuz there's only ONE of ME and TOO MANY of YOU fighting over nothing. There's never enough cool for everyone, and before you know it? You're selling out to be in."
He unzips the hoodie as he moves towards the ring and drops the hoodie to the floor as he reaches the ring steps. He stops on the ring steps to look down at his own feet, deep inside his own head. He climbs to the apron and looks to do his signature spin and grab the top rope spot, but he stops and shakes his head. A blue spotlight illuminates DT in the ring as the crowd erupts for the XHF Legend. The Xtremetron shows āTop of the Class, Cream of the Crop.ā He looks out to the crowd and listens to the cheers before breathing a heavy sigh. He shakes out his arms before stepping through the middle and top ropes and walking to the opposite side, grasping the top rope. He looks at the crowd ā¦ nods ā¦ and lowers his arms. He steps to the center of the ring and removes his hat, tossing it to the timekeeper, before stretching and cracking his neck and knuckles, waiting for the bell.*
Cross Recoba: Well letās see how this sad sack of a man handles the former Tapout Openweight Champion
Steve Morrison: Itās rare to see you so gung-ho for Jack.
Cross Recoba: He signed the contract. I have no reason to be sour.
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. 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: And here is Tapoutās own representative, the first ever Openweight Champion.
Cross Recoba: And I fully anticipate him advancing handily here. Realistically there is only one challenger even close to his level.
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: Jack is looking to do one of the few feats he hasnāt accomplished in the XHF, winning End of Days.
Cross Recoba: And that is the one saving grace our slumping friend, Mr. Carloni, has going for him. He has been here before.
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 over to the timekeeper before heading to his corner and stretching and preparing for the match.
Steve Morrison: Well itās about that time.
Cross Recoba: Time for Tapout to assert its dominance again, and have all the Icons present in the next round.
Laura Messier: Ladies and gentlemen, in the first corner, she comes to us today from Montreal, Quebec, Canada and stands at 5ā4ā and weighs in at 144 pounds ā¦ she is the First Lady of WCW ā¦ LAYLA LAVOIE!
She raises her arm to the crowd, who again ā¦ waffle. Sheās certainly preferable to Mutt but compared to Jack and DT?
Cross Recoba: Ah to be the first lady of a dead company.
Laura Messier: In corner number two, Iāve been instructed to read the followingā¦ Our next competitor comes to us from the completely real and overlooked Island Kingdom of Supremia as its King. He hails from Silvercrest, capitol of the Hallowed Kingdom of Supremia. He stands at 6ā1ā and weighs in at a robust 240 pounds ā¦ but he will be represented by MUTT! who stands at 6ā7ā and 270 pounds, hailing from Brownstone, Supremia ā¦ he is KING EDMUND IV!!!!
The crowd boos as Mutt flexes in the ring and Edmund waves to the crowd before getting pelted by a deck of playing cards causing him to scowl and shout āSUPREMIA SUPREMIA!ā
Cross Recoba: The crowd does not seem to appreciate the kingās antics. Wouldnāt be the first time an XHF fanbase has caused a king to retreat from public view.
Steve Morrison: Still, Mutt is an imposing figure in the ring, he is by far the tallest and is cut like a slab of marble.
Laura Messier: Next up, hailing from the emerald city of Seattle, Washington, standing at 6'4" and weighing in at 260 pounds, he is the Master of the Dragon Sleeper ā¦ one half of the longest reigning former XHF Global Tag Team Champions, Top of the Class ā¦ āThe Main Attractionā ... DEATH TRAP!
The crowd erupts with cheers for the fan favorite. He looks around for a few moments before a smile finally crosses his lips and he finally acknowledges the love, throwing his arms out in that signature pose of his.
Steve Morrison: Death Trap is by far the most technically sound competitor in this match.
Cross Recoba: Yes but a submission is easier to break up as you usually get more than three seconds to do it. And DT is known for using weardown choke submissions as opposed to more targeted, fast acting moves like a Random or a Poena.
Laura Messier: Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Cherokee, North Carolina. He made weight at one-hundred-and-ninety-five pounds...THE ACE...OF SPADES!!! JACK.....DIAMOND!!!
Steve Morrison: It was nice of the XHF to send us some refs to take the load off our two guys for this long show.
Cross Recoba: They picked a good one for this fight. Expect Mutt to fight dirty and for Alexei to be in there breaking up the submissions of Death Trap when they go too close to chokes.
Referee Alexei Fernandes, formerly of REIGN but now employed by the XHF Network proper, brings the four competitors to the center of the ring and explains the rules. Once he is sure they understand, the Russo-Brazilian former MMA ref sends them to their corners and calls for the bell.
FATAL FOUR-WAY (FIRST 2 PINFALLS/SUBMISSIONS ADVANCE) MATCH
END OF DAYS SINGLES TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
"The Main Attraction" Death Trap vs. Jack Diamond vs. Layla Lavoie vs. King Edmund IV
DING! DING! DING!
Immediately Mutt rushes the middle of the ring as the other three converge, and he trucks through all three sending them sprawling. DT being the largest, is up first and Mutt makes sure that doesnāt stick for long as he sends a huge haymaker to the jaw. The Seattle Superstar crashes to the mat holding his face. Layla leaps up and hits a knee strike to the right elbow of the monster. He wheels around but Diamond comes from behind with a picture perfect dropkick to the back of the head, letting Lavoie drag the big man to the mat with an arm wringer. She handstands on his right arm and drops her knees onto his meaty ham-hock. Death Trap is to his feet and grapples with Diamond. They jockey for position, the main attraction uses his 65 pound weight advantage to drive Diamond towards the corner. Jack drops to the mat before he gets there and drop-toe-holds DT face first into the middle turnbuckle. The Ace of Spades then rolls to his feet and hits a dropkick to the back, further smooshing DTās face into the padding. Mutt is currently trying to stand up as Layla continues to wring his arm out. Outside the ring, Edmund mimes throwing punches as Mutt does the real thing in the ring. Finally the haymaker connects and Lavoie is sent sprawling to the mat. Mutt stands on her chest with his right foot, then walks over her to the sounds of boos and an echoing scream.
Steve Morrison: Well Mutt is abusing his size advantage early, while Death Trap seems to still be having a bout of bad luck.
Cross Recoba: Itās a bit early to play favorites but Layla has the right idea in how to neutralize the big manās power. Remove his strength and get him to the mat.
The Tapout rep pulls the CAR rep from the corner and hits a pair of big forearm shots to the head. DT responds with a kick to the head, which Jack blocks with his shoulder before grabbing that in pain. Trap pushes him from the corner and unloads with a flurry of highly efficient martial arts kicks to the left arm and shoulder before getting him in a clinch. A few quick Muay Thai knee strikes and Diamond is reeling. As DT backs up to try for a double leg takedown, he is intercepted by a cross body from Layla ā¦ not that she intended this, as she was lawn darted by Mutt across the ring. Edmund throws up the goal posts for a touchdown celebration and laughs. The former Openweight Champ ducks a huge haymaker and dropkicks the knees of the big man. A follow up leg drop to the stomach comes in quick. Taking advantage of the situation, Layla rolls DT into an arm bar. DT howls in pain as Fernandes asks him if he submits. He, of course, shakes his head and grits his teeth.
Cross Recoba: Jack needs to focus in on the legs of Mutt and really remove his power.
Steve Morrison: Really DT is almost as big and strong as Mutt, the same technique should work there.
Cross Recoba: Moreso the arm attacks, DT is not a power wrestler despite his size. He relies on his arsenal of submissions and precise strikes. He is less reliant on that power supply.
Jack immediately tries to lock in a figure 4 on Mutt but the meaty man plants a tree trunk like foot on the ass and sends him careening into the opponents. Diamond trips over DT and lands in a makeshift elbow drop on the chest of Lavoie. The hold is broken as Trap recoils his arm. Mutt is slow to rise to his vertical base. He lets out a bellow before charging the pile and leaping for a HUGE splash. Jack and Layla roll out of the way letting DT just eat the shit out of that meat delivery. A loud OOF is heard as Alexei drops in for a count.
ONE!
DT kicks out with authority.
Mutt simply picks him up by the hair and slams his colossal fist into the face of the former X*Crown champ. Alexei is quick to jump in and admonish him for a closed fist. Jack and Layla each climb to their feet. They look at each other, then Mutt smashing Death Trap like he were a fly, then nod to each other. They charge him and hit a double dropkick. The Supremian beast falls to his back. Jack stalks him ā¦ but Layla pins DT.
ONE!
DT kicks out again and rolls under the bottom rope to the apron. Jack sends a running knee to the head of Mutt.
Steve Morrison: Look at the glare Jack is giving Layla for trying to steal a win.
Cross Recoba: I think they all realize they need to neutralize Mutt for any of them to stand a chance.
Mutt rises to his feet and bellows at Jack. Diamond runs off the ropes. Edmund mimes a lariat on the outside as his ward unleashes one in the ring. The ace ducks under it and runs off the other ropes. He returns with a huge shotgun dropkick. As Mutt stumbles into the corner, Layla grabs the arm of Diamond. She slams an elbow into his upper arm. He retaliates with a forearm shiver then yanks on his arm sending her across the ring with an Irish Whip. Layla is immediately crushed to the mat with a Uranage from Mutt. Following on that, Mutt is sandwiched into the corner with a body avalanche from Jack.
Steve Morrison: DIAMOND SPLASH!
Cross Recoba: In actuality, that was a foolish move at this point in the match.
Edmund shouts an instruction to Mutt who headbutts Jack hard. He then barrels out of the corner with a body avalanche of his own, sending the ace of spades to the mat hard. The Brownstone Behemoth turns to run off the ropes for another big splash but is met by a roundhouse to the head from the apron by DT. DT with a springboard off the top rope, and Mutt gets leveled by a spinning heel kick from Death Trap. Wasting little time, DT fires up and grabs the arm of Mutt before rolling him over and locking in the LeBell Lock!
Steve Morrison: Seattle Stretch locked in! Heās using what Layla started to try and do more damage to the right shoulder.
Cross Recoba: And also to choke some of the life from the huge Mutt.
DT is really torqueing the hold as the big man grunts in pain. He tries to push up on his left arm and drag DT, but DT is pretty big himself and really wrenches in the hold. Lavoie dives onto the left arm of Mutt and locks in a Montreal Barrebras (Fujiwara Armbar). Mutt now has no hands free and begins to really strain. Edmund pounds the mat in frustration and yells at his minion. Alexei Fernandes warns him to stay back from the ring. From nowhere, Diamond comes charging in and hits a springboard off the ropes. He catches the head of DT in his arms, and hits a dropkick to the back of the head of Lavoie, slamming DT down with a DDT. Mutt pulls both his arms in and starts to stir but Jack springs off the ropes again with a moonsault across the spine of the big lummox. He then rolls him over and stacks him up with a jackknife pin.
ONE!
TW-
Mutt forces himself free, sending Jack off of him to the mat.
Jack flows right into a standing moonsault across the stomach. He however gets locked into a hammerlock and then a back suplex by Layla who bridges, holding the hammerlock the entire time.
ONE!
Death Trap breaks it up with an axe kick to the gut of the first lady of WCW. He then pulls her up and hits a snap suplex. He holds on and swivels his hips and back to a vertical base. Snap suplex across the prone form of Jack Diamond! A hip swivel and pivot and Trap snap suplexes Layla at Mutt, who sits up and catches her across his shoulder and yanks her away from DT. Mutt hits a huge Argentine backbreaker on Layla, and eats a question mark kick from DT. The main attraction follows this up with a thrust kick to the face, sending Mutt to the mat. Jack comes from behind looking for the cutter but DT maintains his standing base, he transitions Jack down into a dragon sleeper!
Cross Recoba: This is where Death Trap can really get on a roll. Using his quick strikes to neutralize Mutt and then using his size to throttle the life out of the smaller fighters.
Steve Morrison: He is the master of the dragon sleeper, or so he says.
Mutt is about to stop this when Edmund shouts at him to ignore that and finish the girl! Mutt nods and pulls Layla to her feet. He gets a meaty mitt around her neck and lifts her up. Suddenly, Lavoie grabs his arm and uses it to leverage up and wrap her legs around the arm at the shoulder joint. She grabs the top rope and pulls the big man toward the rope then drapes over the top rope with a hanging armbar! Mutt yells in pain as Alexei Fernandes counts a five. However at three, the Supremian Superman reaches down with his left arm and grabs her by the head and yanks the whole of them back over the rope. He releases her when she bites his left hand and then she pivots into a head scissors takedown. The entire time, DT has been wrenching the dragon sleeper hard and has his knee in the spine of Jack. Jack refuses to submit and struggles. DT however transitions him back to a standing base and then locks in the body scissors and falls to the mat!
Cross Recoba: Jack really needs to either cut his losses and tap to get the second victory or find a way out of this before he is too damaged to do anything.
Steve Morrison: Meanwhile, Layla is showing no fear in dealing with Mutt. Sheās really bringing the fight to him.
Jack is reaching for the ropes but is still a healthy distance away. He instead uses his legs and pushes the pile into a pinning predicament.
One!
DT rolls over.
The two men are now facing the mat and Death Trap is threatening turning the move into his patented finisher. But a springboard kick to the back of the head by Layla breaks the hold.
Steve Morrison: Layla saving Jack from a perilous predicament there.
Cross Recoba: I understand why, you want to try and be the first to pin so you arenāt back against the wall needing to be the one to get the second pin.
Lavoie maintains the momentum and hits a springboard crossbody onto Mutt as he rises. Mutt rolls through and climbs to his feet as Layla attempts to run up the turnbuckles with a moonsault. Mutt catches her and hits a running powerslam nearly putting her through the ring itself. On the outside, Edmund taunts the crowd and flexes like he just hit the move. He begins to talk to Cross off mic about how great Supremia is. Cross shoos him away. Mutt turns his attention to Jack and Death Trap. Both men slowly rise, DT holding the back of his head, Jack coughing and holding his throat. The big man barrels in and DT dodges to the side, Jack does a forward roll to avoid the charge and Mutt crashes into turnbuckle. On the rebound, Diamond hits a leaping neckbreaker. The big Hoss rolls to his feet. DT and Jack look at each other and then back to Mutt. They shrug and DT charges in, dodging a few haymakers and hitting a jaw breaker. DT then pulls Mutt forward where Jack crushes him with an Iconkick! Falling back, DT sweeps the legs of Mutt to finish the combo. Mutt lands crumpled in the corner. Wasting little time, the messiah of the dragon sleeper moves to the opposite corner. Diamond follows and DT catches him and reverses him with an Irish Whip back at Mutt. Shotgun dropkick to the face of the masked mammoth. DT follows behind with a cannonball in the corner. Jack quickly dumps DT over the top to the apron and slides Muttās dazed form from the corner and pins him.
ONE!
TWO!
DT hits a slingshot senton to break it up.
Cross Recoba: I think Death Trap felt slighted after Jack tried to steal that pin.
Steve Morrison: It is every man for himself, but the two former X*Crown Champs had a marvelous team up there.
Trap grabs Jack and hits a pair of punches to the gut, a rib kick, a clinching knee to the face and finishes the Quick Kill with a question mark kick to the face of Jack. Trap then dives on top of Jack.
ONE!
TWO-kickout.
He dives onto Mutt.
ONE!
TWO!
Layla breaks it up with a double foot stomp to the spine of the Seattle sensation.
Lavoie grabs the wrist of DT and torques it, she places it on the mat and stomps the elbow. DT recoils in agony. She then repeats the motion to Jack and he also grabs at his left wrist in misery. Mutt is starting to climb to his knees at this point, so Layla simply grabs both his arms and holds them before yanking him into a knee to the face. A strike to make Brad Swann proud. She pins.
ONE!
Trap pulls her off of Mutt and into a DDT position before lifting her up and hitting the cradle DDT!
Steve Morrison: MAIN ATTRACTION! Death Trap hoisted Layla like she weighed nothing and planted her with his patented finale!
Cross Recoba: Indeed he did! And now heās looking to score the win and end his losing streak!
Indeed, the Main Attraction follows this attack by rolling her into a pin position but stops when he sees Mutt pushing to his hand and knees. As he rises DT pounces with a Cut the Strings and immediately locks Mutt into the Death Trap!!!! Mutt however is being told not to give up even if he canāt breathe by his benefactor King Edmund. Mutt pounds the mat and struggles but is fading fast. Spotting Jack pouncing onto Layla, DT releases the hold and slide kicks Mutt to the floor next to his master.
ONE!
TWO!
DT pulls Jack off the pin!
Jack, however, has this scouted and while the ref admonishes Edmund for trying to rouse Mutt with some smelling salts he keeps in his pants, Jack plants a kick to the family jewels of DT. He then rolls him up and calls on Fernandes!
ONE!
TWO!
TH-NO! DT rolls the shoulder.
Jack dives onto Layla.
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout!
Mutt is to his feet on the outside and Jack sprints to the ropes and hurdles the ropes with a tope atomica! But Mutt manages to catch Jack. He stumbles but Edmund braces him to allow him to stay standing. Mutt then spins Jack around violently and slams him with a spinebuster onto the steel steps. Alexei Fernandes rolls out of the ring and tries to get Mutt back into the ring. As he does, Edmund sneaks up and begins to grind his elbow into the throat of Diamond. The ref turns around and Edmund looks at Jack and the steps and tuts like it mustāve hurt. Alexei tells him heās watching him. Edmund does his best ānormalā impression ad smiles and waves him off in innocence.
Steve Morrison: We shouldāve known Edmund would actually get his hands dirty if it meant incapacitating someone for Mutt to let him advance.
Cross Recoba: Jack got greedy. He had two people down in the ring and instead of letting the big man catch his breath and take advantage, he tried to be the only man standing. It was a tactical error on his part.
Fernandes turns back to Mutt to stop him from getting to Jack on the steps. He forcibly backs him to the ring. Edmund again attacks, this time raining elbows to the chest on the steps before turning to the crowd and jawing with them about the superiority of Supremia! Mutt rolls into the ring and catches both rising superstars by the throat. Layla sends a stomp to his right foot while Trap sends a high roundhouse to his head. They both then hook the big man and DOUBLE BRAINBUSTAHHHH!!!! Layla sits Mutt up and DT knocks him back down with the Shining Wizard! And as he lands, he is met with a spinning backfist and a butt bump!
Steve Morrison: Breakdown to Mutt! Raillerie FessƩe to Death Trap! Jack is still down on the steel steps outside.
Cross Recoba: DT sold it all to try and put down the big man and the stunt double made him pay.
Layla grabs the right arm of Mutt, weakened through the whole match and locks in the QuĆ©bĆ©cois Barrebras. Edmund moves away from Jack on the step and sprints over to command his minion to break the hold! But Mutt is down and out and has no leverage. Layla looks ready to advance but Mutt refuses to submit. He begins to swing his legs to inch his body around to the ropes. Layla tries to hold him in place but he is too big and his momentum carries him to the ropes. He gets the foot on the ropes and Alexei forcibly breaks the hold from Layla. She begins to argue with him as Mutt rolls to the apron to be consoled by his master ā¦ who instead berates him. Death Trap slowly gets to his feet. Lavoie finally turns around and DT hoists her onto his shoulders looking for the One of a Kind. She wriggles to get free and drops down with a modified arm drag. She locks in a grounded hammerlock. DT also now scrambles to the ropes. Alexei again forcibly breaks it up. Layla stands up and begins to drop knees on the arm of Death Trap who pulls himself out of the ring and drops to the floor.
Steve Morrison: Layla is now the only person standing in the ring. Jack is convalescing on the steps and Mutt and DT have rolled to the apron to escape.
Cross Recoba: Yes but that means she canāt advance until someone comes in to play ball.
Layla turns to the biggest man in the match and cocks an eyebrow at the regal figure berating him. She shrugs and runs off the opposite ropes before hitting a suicide dive to King Edmund! Edmund from his back begins to yell at the ref to fire her from the company and have her arrested and sent to military court for this affront to his being! Lavoie cracks her neck and laughs. As she turns around she bumps into a very angry bodyguard. Mutt hooks her in a bear hug then LAUNCHES her with an overhead belly to belly, over the top rope and crashing into the ring hard. Edmund sings his praises from his posterior. The miffed monster climbs up to the apron and huffs and puffs. He slowly enters the ring and charges with a spear to the rising Layla. She grabs her gut in agony as Mutt stalks around her. He brings down his huge boot onto the throat and then the chest and then the face of his supine foe. He then plants that boot on her stomach and flexes as the ref dives for the pin.
ONE!
TWO!
Mutt is suddenly hauled away from the pin by a cutter.
Cross Recoba: Death Trap from behind with the sneak attack from out of nowhere!
Steve Morrison: Cut the Strings to save Layla and set up ā¦ THE DEATH TRAP!
DT is now foaming at the mouth as he throttles the huge meatslab of a man. He wants this to end. He is putting all his energy into this. Mutt is slowly fading. Alexei checks on him but Mutt is still fighting and refusing to tap under penalty of punishment by his master. DT sit back as far as he can and nearly has the monster bent 120 degrees back. Suddenly from outta nowhere comes a springboarding Jack Diamond with a cutter of his own!!!
Steve Morrison: STACKED DECK! HE BROKE IT UP WITH A SPRINGBOARD STACKED DECK TO THE FORMER X*CROWN CHAMP!
Cross Recoba: And now Jack has everyone right where they need to be.
Jack pins DT and makes sure to angle him so Fernandes canāt see the handful of tights.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jack rolls off and throws his hands in the air as DT kicks out at three point five and then sits up with his hands up in front of his face in disbelief. He had this match won and ended up eating the first pin!
Laura Messier: Ladies and gentlemen! Your first winner and advancing to the quarterfinals to face one of the winners from block B ... TAP OUTāS OWN ā¦ JACK DIAMOND!!!!
Jack rolls out of the ring and leans back on the announce table to rest. He laughs and looks over at Cross with a smirk. Cross simply tips his imaginary hat.
Cross Recoba: Yes yes, a job well done.
Steve Morrison: And now there are three people fighting for one more spot!
DT is still sitting on the mat in shock. He hasnāt budged. He sits there as Mutt rises behind him. He sits there as Layla rises in front of him. He sits there as Mutt obliterates Layla with a huge lariat. He sits there as Edmund poses in glory on the outside. He sits there as Mutt drags Layla next to DT and pins her.
He sits there for ONE!
He balls his fists and scowls at TWO!
TH-DT dives onto the cover and begins to rain down fists of fury on Mutt before ripping him off the pin.
DT gets the full mount on Mutt and begins to maneuver for a submission. Mutt is able to guard for a bit but eventually DT is able to pull his head up and into a guillotine choke. He pulls Mutt to a kneeling position then DDTs him to the mat and hold the choke and shouts at him to tap out. He NEEEEEEDS this. Layla is taking her sweet time recovering from having her head knocked off by Mutt. DT is really locking in the submission until Alexei Fernandes gets his hands in there to loosen the grip around the throat and reprimand DT for an illegal choke. DT just asks if heās serious. This distraction lets Mutt roar to life and lift DT up. He gets the bear hug in and DT shouts in pain as his ribs are shattered one by one by the titanic tank of a man. Mutt begins to ragdoll DT back and forth.
Cross Recoba: That is not a small man he is throwing around like a childās toy.
Steve Morrison: I think I can HEAR the bones shattering in Death Trapās torso. He may not be able to continue.
Mutt roars as Edmund laughs and mimes the big hug. DT is howling in pain but refuses to let up. He reaches a hand down and tries to rake the eyes but Alexei grabs his hands and tells him off. So DT ragdolls again and then reaches both hands down and grabs the big manās face ā¦ and ā¦ HEADBUTT! ā¦ Mutt laughs ā¦ DT recoils and looks out of it. Blood trickles down DTās forehead.
Cross Recoba: Desperation and exhaustion make bad bedfellows.
DT is starting to go limp ā¦ when Layla comes from behind and hits a running basement dropkick to the back of the leg of Mutt. Mutt collapses to his one knee but keeps the hold on DT. DT however is now free to rain down axe handle shots to the back. Layla lays into Mutt with kicks and chops to the ribs. Finally Mutt stands up with a jolt, spins, uses DT as a battering ram to slam his head into Laylaās head ā¦ and has his leg give out. All three fighters collapse. Alexei checks on them all, DT is barely conscious. Laylaās head is now also bleeding. And Mutt is grabbing at his knee.
Steve Morrison: What a predicament. If you are the guys in block B this has to make you want to be the one NOT fighting Jack Diamond.
Cross Recoba: Yes but this is getting violent. You have to want to end it now, and it looks like Mutt is the odds on favorite here. He is just so big and the others have been beaten left and right.
Layla is the first to her feet. She slowly grabs her head and surveys the damage. Mutt is now climbing to his feet. As he begins to move to Layla, DT grabs his leg. Mutt retaliates by hitting him with the scissors kick to the back of the neck.
Cross Recoba: Ouch.
Steve Morrison: Might of Supremia. This may have just become a 2 person show.
Mutt turns and Layla springs off the ropes with a springboard disaster kick. She then grabs the hammerlock on his injured right arm and drops him with the Russian leg sweep. She rolls through and climbs to the top rope. As Mutt shakes out the cobwebs and his arm, Layla launches off the top with an overcastle! She tries a pin.
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout by Mutt.
Mutt slams his hands on the mat and rises to his full height. He charges in for a lariat but Layla rolls under and to the far ropes. He rebounds and charges and she low bridges him! Mutt tumbles to the outside and hits his head on the apron hard. He is shaken up. Layla sees her chance and backs up to hit a big move ā¦ and is yanked into a small package from behind by DT!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Alexei Fernandes calls for the bell as Edmund cries out in horror from the outside. Layla jolts free and grabs her head in shock and disbelief. DT ā¦ lies on the mat broken ā¦ and slowly smiles. He gets his hand raised even though he can barely move.
Laura Messier: Your winner of the second fall and advancing to the semifinals ā¦ DEATH TRAP!
Steve Morrison: That was unexpected.
Cross Recoba: You have to find victories in whatever way you can.
Steve Morrison: And we are now being told that the matchups for week 2 .. will see JACK DIAMOND vs. DANA DANIELS!
Cross Recoba: And by that logic that means that DEATH TRAP vs. DONZIG will be the other left side bracket matchup! I canāt imagine Jack or DT are happy about this. Thereās a lot of history in both those rivalries.
Laura Messier: The following contest is a singles match, set for one fall!
The stage lights fade to eerie teal green as "Five Ten Fiftyfold" begins
Wheezing and sneezing,
Tenfold it blew apart,
It halved it in half,
And went gushing gust wind
Steve Morrison: Perhaps the most unique individual on the roster!
Cross Recoba: It's a different style, if you don't know it or have experience facing it? You're immediately on the backfoot!
The lights reach their full
Steve Morrison: Exuding that effortlessness she shows in the ring as she appears at the top of the ramp!
Cross Recoba: I've seen her fight with intensity but never anger. It's controlled aggression expertly applied.
Serene and calm, she casually strolls, shoulders lightly oscillating in a slow sync.
Steve Morrison: With the main-event set for later, can Random make a statement with a win here?
Cross Recoba: Definitely, this isn't anything near a gimme but if McConalogue gets her arm raised, it's a definite feather in her cap!
Her body is calm and relaxed, like a moonlight walk in the park, but her gaze is fixed, staring at the empty ring/her opposition1 with snake eyes. She's never in a hurry, she doesn't need to be.
The lights quietly turn a soft peach color as āViolenceā slowly fades into the arena. Sam walks out onto the stage, their face stern, and starts walking towards the ring.
Steve Morrison: New music, new look, new attitude.
Cross Recoba: Sawyer seems to have taken their failure at Night of Champions to heart.
Ignoring the fans' outstretched arms, they seem to have a stoic air except for their eyes which burn with hostility.
Steve Morrison: Still only eighteen, they're well ahead of where most wrestlers there age are.
Cross Recoba: Sam's not happy with that, not content with that. That's always been the case, even when they were the shy kid that sat in my office to sign the contract. Behind that quiet front is an extremely driven wrestler.
Once they reach the ring they skip up the steps and climb through the ropes. They get into a corner, looking impatient and ready to go.
Steve Morrison: They're not hanging around, no pandering to the crowd, this is a Sawyer that wants to get the match going yesterday!
Cross Recoba: It could be the occasion, McConalogue might not be undefeated but she still has an aura that makes her one of the most feared Tap Out fighters.
Laura Messier:To my right! Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland. They made weight at one-hundred-and-thirty-six pounds and stand five-feet nine tall. RANDOM.....MCCONALOGUE!!!
Random raises an arm before checking her white boots to ensure everything is in place.
Laura Messier: To my left! They hail from Houston, Texas. Tipping the scales at one-hundred-and-sixty pounds...standing at five feet and six inches....SAM...SAWYER!!
Sawyer's face is nothing but a pure and unadulterated scowl.
SINGLES MATCH
Random McConalogue vs. Sam Sawyer
With Laura climbing through the ropes to take her position at ringside. Rhod Williams brings the two competitors into the center of the ring to deliver his pre-match instructions.
Steve Morrison: Weāre seeing a very different Sawyer tonight.
Cross Recoba: I received some reports from their training camp that did not seem like the Texan I sat down to put pen to paper with last year.
Randomās demeanour exudes calmness in a direct juxtaposition to her opponent. Sawyer closes the distance between them until theyāre within millimeters of their opponent. Their forehead kisses the chin of Random before they back up a step and the camera catches their eyes which are almost lifeless and dead like a dollās eyes.
Steve Morrison: Random though, you can never read her before matches. Behind that carefree exterior though is a deadly weapon.
Cross Recoba: It was a very close-call as to who faced Poena and Random narrowly lost out but given that sheās the last person to beat the Champion, sheāll have keen eyes on tonightās main event.
Williams explains his expectations and for McConalogue, theyāre laissez-faire about it. Sawyer looks as if itās washing over them, their eyes not leaving the face of McConalogue.
Steve Morrison: Iāve not seen this level of focus from Sawyer.
Cross Recoba: There was a period in FIRESIDE but they definitely donāt look like the Lansky Ballroom Darling we expected!
Sending them back to their respective corners, Rhod calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Both competitors come out from their corners and start to circle one another.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer enjoying a rare occasion where theyāre the heavier fighter.
Cross Recoba: That may play into their power and strike-based game but Random isnāt afraid of being the smaller fighter. Some of her biggest scalps have come against much bigger wrestlers.
They lock-up and while Random is taller than her opponent, Sawyer digs down and drives the Infrequent Flyer back until McConalogue steps a leg through the rope to force a rope break.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer wasting no time in enforcing that power difference.
Separating the two Tap Out fighters, Rhod walks Sawyer back a few steps to allow Random to bring their leg back into the ring.
Cross Recoba: Thereās almost a psychological element in this approach. Can Sawyer plant a seed of doubt in Randomās mind? Will McConalogue take it?
Once more they circle one another and again lock-up, once more Sawyer backs up McConalogue until they step onto the lower turnbuckle to force the same result.
Steve Morrison: Could there be part of Sawyer that knows the last thing they want to do is get into a grappling contest?
Cross Recoba: Of course, I wouldnāt want to get into a brawl with Merric or NOMAD and I definitely wouldnāt want to find myself tied up by Random.
A third time they circle and a third time they lock-up. Sawyer once more pushes Random backā¦McConalogue drops to the floor and takes down Sam with a drop-toe hold.
Steve Morrison: Random expertly worked that!
With fluidity, Random immediately slides into a front facelock.
Cross Recoba: Like watching water at times.
Sawyer throws a punch but itās caught! Random immediately tries to work the arm away from the joint but Sam is quick to roll forward and grab a rope break of their own using their leg.
Steve Morrison: Did Sawyer take the bait?
Cross Recoba: Random knew what she was doing. She talks a lot about chance but there is very little that isnāt deliberate in how McConalogue works.
Random makes an immediate clean break and rolls into the center of the ring. They wait for Sawyer to return to their feet and immediately rush them with a waistlock takedown within half a second of them releasing the rope.
Steve Morrison: If Sawyer was showing off by pushing the tie-up to the ropes, Random might consider this payback.
McConalogue looks to transition once more to the arm! They wrap their leg around the shoulder joint!
Steve Morrison: She goes for the arm!
Cross Recoba: And now Sawyer is on the verge of being sucked into the abyss that Spike Kane and Jason Long fell foul of!
With rapid urgency, Sawyer stands up with their arm still entangled with the legs of Random.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer isnāt hanging about to find out.
SAM LAUNCHES FORWARD WITH A DIVING HAMMERFIST THAT BREAKS THE HOLD!
Cross Recoba: That was a brutal strike!
Not content with escaping the hold, Sawyer continues throwing punches to the face of Random. Rhod Williams is vigilant to ensure none have closed fists and seems satisfied.
Steve Morrison: Williams wants to keep this by-the-book and so far, Samās not giving him a reason to step in.
Sawyer stands back up and rockets forward with a stiff kick to the midsection of Random.
Cross Recoba: Itās a calculated gameplan so far from Sam, not wanting to engage too much with perhaps the best pure wrestler on the roster.
And another!
Steve Morrison: Those kicks are going to take something out of you each time they connect-
A third lands with a sickening thud!
Steve Morrison: Just listen to that connection!!
Cross Recoba: Itās smart strategy in my mind. Catch-as-Catch-Can, that European style, itās not contested in quick bouts. Itās very much a blink-first and be at a disadvantage, these kicks are taking away from Randomās stamina which has to be up there with the best on the Network!
Picking up McConalogue while theyāre still processing the kicks, Sawyer bullies Random into the corner with a straight right that staggers the Scotswoman.
Steve Morrison: There was no confusion as to what that strike was meant to do!
A left hook connects with the midsection of Random and is followed up with a quartet of raking forearm smashes to the forehead of the Glaswegian.
Cross Recoba: Notice how theyāre getting a double connection. First, they drive the forearm through and on the back end theyāre angling that elbow to get another blow in at the same time!
Grabbing a Muay Thai clinch, Sawyer pulls down the head of Random and connects with a vicious knee to the head. They tuck the head under their arm and liftā¦Brainbuster!
Steve Morrison: Iām not sure how much Random knew about the Brainbuster after that knee!
Cross Recoba: Sawyer wants Random off-balance and off-kilter.
Sawyer sits up with a cold look on their face. Pushing up to their feet, they lean backwards onto the ropes and wait for their opponent to rise. Random has barely made it to their hands and knees before Sawyer races towards herā¦RUGBY TACKLE TAKES DOWN THE INFREQUENT FLYER!
Steve Morrison: They keep the mount!
Sawyer unloads with hammerfists from a mounted position. Williams is there to see if Random is responding and defending intelligently and seems satisfied. A quick flurry of alternating right and left forearms is broken only by a driven elbow to the head that forms an exclamation mark on the flurry of strikes.
Steve Morrison: Random well-versed in working from the bottom position but given no time to act as Sawyer peppers her with strikes!
Dismounting, Sawyer rolls backwards and hits the ropes. RANDOM SITS UP ONLY TO BE IMMEDIATELY HIT WITH A SHINING WIZARD!!!
Cross Recoba: Since that bell rang, Random has not been allowed to settle into a tempo of any sort.
They make the cover:
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
RANDOM ROLLS A SHOULDER OUT!!
Steve Morrison: The Shining Wizard not quite enough to end the bout!
With no emotion being shown, Sawyer brings McConalogue back to their feet and throws a forearm to the head. They follow up with a middle kickā¦itās caught! Random uses a Judo trip to take down Sawyer and rolls them overā¦WHEELBARROW SUPLEX!
Cross Recoba: Crisp execution!
McConalogue keeps a hold of the leg and uses it to roll over into another Wheelbarrow Suplex!!
Steve Morrison: Once more, Random shows why she just flows inside those ropes!
AND ANOTHER ROLL AND WHEELBARROW SUPLEX!
Cross Recoba: Sawyer not getting time or opportunity to try and power out of her grasp!
Random shows no sign of moving away from holding the leg and rolls to her feetā¦DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP!!! They STILL keep hold of the leg and roll over to force their opponent to their feet. Random spins the leg around and grabs a waistlockā¦GERMAN SUPLEX WITH A BRIDGE!!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
T-
SAWYER KICKS OUT!
Steve Morrison: Random showing in just a few short moves why theyāre one of the most dangerous fighters on the Network!
Cross Recoba: Once she has you, youāre pretty much subject to her whims as to when you might escape or more likely, be let go.
Random bets on Sawyer still being dazed and lifts them up to tuck their head in between her legsā¦.
Steve Morrison: This is interestingā¦
CANADIAN DESTROYER CONNECTS!!
Steve Morrison: INFINITE IMPROBABILITY DRIVE!!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THR-
SAWYER CLAPS THEIR LEGS INTO THE SIDE OF RANDOMāS HEAD!!
Steve Morrison: Sawyer did well to keep themselves in the match!
Cross Recoba: The leg clap though, that was smart. Sawyerās been doing a good job of headhunting and that kick-out carried on the work!
Random lifts up Sam and brings them into a side-headlock. The Infrequent Flyer looks to take them over with a side-headlock takedown but Sawyer plants their feet. Another attempt has the same result. Sawyer throws a clubbing forearm into the liver of Random!
Steve Morrison: Absolutely unforgiving punch to the liver of McConalogue!
Cross Recoba: Straight out the Bas Rutten playbook!
Wrapping one arm around the waist and the other between Randomās legs, Sawyer liftsā¦SAITO SUPLEX!
Steve Morrison: Sawyerās gaining momentumā¦
Rolling from the suplex, McConalogue unwittingly puts themselves in danger as they get to all foursā¦SHORT DDT!!!
Cross Recoba: Thereās little wasted motion, every movement going into working towards putting away Random!
A small Sawyer chant breaks out in the front row but Sam shoots them an ice-cold look that stops the ringleader in his tracks.
Steve Morrison: Seemingly silencing her fans.
Cross Recoba: We saw Tommy make adjustments last year, could this be Sawyerās bid to get to the next level after Night of Champions?
They bring Random to their knees before throwing a disrespectful slap. They plant their lead leg backā¦BUZZSAW KICK!!!
Steve Morrison: Randomās head just snapped back!
Cross Recoba: Sawyerās showing Random no respectā¦was that the āCanāt be Fuckedā slap?
Sawyer makes the cover:
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
TH-
ONCE MORE RANDOM MANAGES TO SHOW DAYLIGHT BETWEEN HERSELF AND THE MAT!
Steve Morrison: ONCE MORE McCONALOGUE WRIGGLES OUT OF DEFEAT!
A flicker of anger passes over the face of Sam who stands up and watches as Random rolls to her feet. The Texan rushes inā¦.
Steve Morrison: THIS CORROSION!!
RANDOM CONNECTS WITH A SIDE-ELBOW!!!
Steve Morrison: McConalogue saw it coming!
Sawyer is staggered back, McConalogue hits a European Uppercut! She follows up with another European Uppercut! As Sam rocks back, McConalogue tucks her head under their armā¦NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!
Steve Morrison: Randomās not giving up, finding gaps where others couldnāt!
They rollā¦ANOTHER NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX, THIS TIME HOLDING THE BRIDGE!!!
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
T-
SAM KICKS OUT AND GETS TO THEIR FEET!
Steve Morrison: Yet another exhibition of perfect technique!
Cross Recoba: Itās what makes her so dangerous inside the ring.
RANDOM KIPS UP AND LEAPS INTO A ROLLING ARMBAR!!!
Steve Morrison: THE UNFASHIONABLE END OF THE WESTERN SPIRAL ARMBAR!
SAWYER REACHES DOWN AND LIFTS UP RANDOM!!!!! THEY POWERBOMB McCONALOGUE INTO THE CANVAS TO BREAK THE HOLD!!!!
Cross Recoba: WHAT A REVERSAL!
Sam reaches for her shoulder and rotates it a few times to test itās mobility.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer checking that shoulder, only too aware of how dangerous those armbars of Random can be.
Cross Recoba: Sawyer seems more focused than Iāve seen them before.
Random gets to her feet and is immediately in danger but ducks the high kick to the head leaving Sawyer to swing aroundā¦POISON RANA FROM RANDOM!!!
Steve Morrison: HYPERSPACE BYPASS!!
NO!
SAWYER THROWS HER FORWARD!
Cross Recoba: Great scouting from Sam!
HUGE SLAP TO THE FACE CONNECTS FROM SAWYER!!
Steve Morrison: GET FUCKED!!!
LARIAT!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: FIRE WITH FIRE LARIAT NIGH-ON DECAPITATES RANDOM!!!
Sawyer makes the cover:
ONEā¦
TWOā¦
THREE!!!
Rhod calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
āViolenceā by Grimes & i_o fills the Delta Center as Sawyer gets to their feet, no sign of joy taken from their victory. Williams lifts their arm but Sam snatches it back as soon as it reaches a vertical point.
Laura Messier: The winner of this match via pinfallā¦.SAMā¦SAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWYEEEEERR!
Steve Morrison: Sawyer showing a new business-first attitude and from the first run-out, it seems to have paid off!
Cross Recoba: They never let Random settle, never let her find a rhythm.
Steve Morrison: Randomās bid to get Poena back inside the ring takes a bit of a hit though.
Cross Recoba: McConalogue bounced back from the loss against Close, Iād expect her to do the same from this.
Random makes her way down the aisle as the fans reach out to tag her hand. She stops in the middle of aisle.
The lights hum and dim before flicking out, sending a wave of panic through the arena. The Titantron is slowly surrounded by flames, the color of which would claw at the eyes of those who have felt His Amazing Grace.
Within the flames, an image arises, a felt surface... Like a poker or craps table. Dice roll into the restricted view, one showing a lone pip while the other is flat and white as bone. One last dice slowly rolls in as the camera pans around.
Dent. As the audience registers that word, turquoise slime mold, forms under the dice and starts to wrap around it.
Rise from the Deep...
Poena's voice booms through the arena as the mold seems to form tiny hands and hooks, the camera zooming in to how it infects the dice and pulls them slowly into the slime. The word Dent seems to be suffering the worse as it slowly cracks open.
... Or Drown in it.
The dice are pulled under, crumbling to pieces as they go. The slime mold forms into the symbol of Poena's twisted cult, and then the Titantron and fire go out and plunge the arena back into abyssal darkness
Steve Morrison: Clearly a message to Random but what of it?
Cross Recoba: The Openweight Champion doesn't like that she holds a victory over him, that he still wants her in his flock.
Random looks shaken but continues back through the curtain.
Steve Morrison: I've no doubt this is only the start for McConalogue, it's just a question as to how she might deal with it.
Cross Recoba: We saw how patient he could be when he terrorized Jack, his family and his friends. How long is a piece of string?
Steve Morrison: Will we find out more before the night is over? For now, let's go to Laura as she stands by ready to introduce the next match.
Laura Messier: The following match is scheduled for two falls and is part of the opening round for END OF DAYS! Your referee is Nicolas "Papito" Perez.
The guitar rift of 'Hush' by TOOL builds up as a shower of sparks fall across the entrance ramp, the camera follows a hooded Kasper Van Zant from her locker room.
Laura Messier: Hailing from the depths of Cedar Swamp, Louisiana, standing at an imposing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing in at 200 pounds of sheer intrigue, please welcome "The Bayou Princess", Kasper Van Zant!
Steve Morrison: One of the most exciting rookies in wrestling right now, Kasper Van Zant looks to follow up on an impressive showing in The Seven Skirmish where she finished as runner-up.
Cross Recoba: I hesitate to call anything from Marty Donovanās glorified quinceanera impressive, but KVZ is definitely a dark horse pick in this tournament. She has all the tools, now it is just about avoiding rookie blunders.
'FUUUUUCK YOU!'
Kasper blows past the camera man who follows her through the shower of sparks, Kasper bounces under the raining sparks. Then takes off down the ramp as fireworks launch staggering her path down the ramp before she dives under the bottom rope sliding into the center holding a rebel scum smirk. Jumping back to her feet she pulls the hoodie off and tosses it to someone in the front, she wrenches the ropes in her corner stretching...waitingā¦
āGods and Monstersā as sung by Jessica Lange from AHS: Freakshow begins playing as Esmeralda von Krauss walks out from the back to the booing crowd. She smiles in her extravagant gown as she lights up an Egyptian cigarette at the end of an ornate foot-long holder.
Laura Messier: Ladies and gentlemen, making her way to the ring, she is a mystery wrapped in grace, standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing in at a 145 pounds. Hailing from the enchanting city of Cologne, Germany, she is none other than Esmeralda von Krauss!
Steve Morrison: Nice work by Laura. This match is a bit of a commentator's nightmare with two Vons and a Van wrestling. For Esmeralda, a place in the quarter finals isnāt the only thing at stake tonight. She wants to punish Steve Awesome for, of all things, refusing to impregnate her.
Cross Recoba: She couldnāt find a more respectable father like Dana Daniels? Jokes aside, donāt let the attitude or fancy dresses fool you. Esmeralda is one of the most dangerous competitors in the world currently.
She makes her way down to the ring where the referee opens the ropes for her. She leans down as she goes through the ropes, eliciting a few cat calls as she does. Once sheās in the ring, she slips the shoulders off of her dress and allows it to slip down to the floor to reveal a black singlet. She tosses the dress to the timekeeper.
Esmeralda von Krauss: Find a good home for it, dahling. Iāll never wear it again.
She turns back to the ring and smiles coldly before leaning in her corner to await the start of the match.
Blessed up by Wande begins to play as the entrance ramp fills with smoke. 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.
Laura Messier:: Hailing from Amsterdam, Netherlands, standing tall at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing in at 215 pounds, he is Always Very Blessedā¦. Alexander Von Blankenship!
Steve Morrison: Alexander Von Blankenship is the only competitor in this match to have wrestler earlier tonight in the tag team tournament. To be fair, that consisted of three total moves. He wants to become X*Crown champion like his father Rat Bastard was.
Cross Recoba: The man claims heās āAlways Very Blessedā and the draw for this match seems to indicate it. Alexander finds himself in a group along side one of his stablemates.
AVD looks out at the crowd, he smirk now a scowl. Slowly walking towards the ring he points to random fans, stating loudly " I'm better then you" as he goes. AVB stops halfway down the ramp and waits for something. The lights go out and the fans in attendance start chanting
Half The Crowd: AWE-SOME
Other Half: SUCKS!
Half The Crowd: AWE-SOME
Other Half: SUCKS!
Half The Crowd: AWE-SOME
Other Half: SUCKS!
The lights in the arena explode to life as they flash green and black to the beat as Steve Awesome comes running out with intensity to the hyped up chorus of "Full of Regrets" by Danko Jones.
Laura Messier:: Hailing from the Motor City, Detroit, Michigan, standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing in at a 238 pounds of pure wrestling excellence, he is The Face of the Franchise," Steve Awesome!
The chorus plays again as Steve walks down to the ring. He stops halfway and gives AVB a big hug. The two then storm down the ramp as a team.
Steve Morrison: The Anointed, Steve Awesome and AVB, head down to the ring and I canāt help but think this is going to better resemble a tag team match than a four way.
Cross Recoba: I imagine we will see lots of cooperation between the Hardkore World tag team champions, but donāt think these men arenāt opportunists. Theyāll instantly turn on each other if one of the ladies gets the first fall.
The guitar starts soloing and Steve hops into the ring and he provocatively slips off his jacket and then spins and drops into a kneel and he flexes his arms. He gets a slow motion effect as pyro sprays behind him. AVB walks up the steps to the ring, stopping before he gets inside, he gives the ring a father 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. Steve leans over the top rope and shouts at Cross Recoba, who holds up the big rose pink Hardkore World title.
Cross Recoba: Donāt start dreaming about this yet, Stevie. Youāve got a cage match with the Mouse first!
CO-MAIN EVENT
FATAL FOUR-WAY (FIRST 2 PINFALLS/SUBMISSIONS ADVANCE) MATCH
END OF DAYS SINGLES TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
Alexander von Blankenship vs. Steve Awesome vs. Esmeralda von Krauss vs. Kasper Van Zant
The four competitors stare at each other as Papito calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
The men and women charge in. Steve starts punching Esmeralda as Alex attacks Kasper.
Steve Morrison:And weāre off to the races!
Cross Recoba: It's The Anointed against the ladies. Weāll see how long that lasts. They have the benefit of two pinfalls in this match instead of the normal solitary one, so true colors could remain hidden.
Kasper takes AVB to the outside with a cactus clothesline as a big uppercut from Steve drops Esmeralda to a knee.
Cross Recoba: Smart move from Kasper. I think creating distance between Steve and AVB can only help her in what is, essentially, a tag match.
Steve Morrison: Awesome goes for an Irish whip, but Esmeralda reverses it.
Awesome comes flying back as Emeralda bends forward.
Steve Morrison: Back body drop! Look at the air Steve got on that.
Cross Recoba: I bet he wishes he accepted that sperm donation gig of hers now.
Esmeralda backs Steve into the corner and starts to slap his chest.
Steve Morrison: EVK trying to break the skin on Awesomeās chest with those chops.
Cross Recoba: Kasper is still bringing the fight to Alex as well. Theyāre brawling right by our announce desk.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shatters a beer bottle over Kasperās head. The woman goes down in a heap, blood pouring from her head as AVB starts stomping away.
Steve Morrison: Come on! Some idiot fan just broke a bottle over Kasperās head! Get them out of here!
Cross Recoba: I saw the particular idiot and they arenāt a fan.
āThe High Rollerā Wesley Crane leaps over the barricade and begins to stomp on her as well.
Steve Morrison: Damn it! Thatās āThe High Rollerā Wesley Crane, a fellow member of The Anointed.
Cross Recoba: Heās one of the top dogs in WUK and a medium talent in HKW. Iām sure hurting one of the new WUK rookies only helps his goals there too.
Crane takes off his glasses and looks into the floor camera.
Crane: Vegas Sucks. Go to the Turning Stone Casino in Syracuse, NY! That is where the realā¦
The director frantically cuts to another camera and mutes the sound for a second.
Cross Recoba: Get that clown out of my show!
Security guards swarm Crane and AVB as Steve Irish whips Esmeralda into the corner.
Steve Morrison: Medical staff are rushing in to check on Kasper as EVK staggers out of the corner.
Steve charges forward, but Esmeralda flapjacks them.
Steve Morrison: Flapjack, Steveās face collides with the top turnbuckle. She follows it up with a snap dragon suplex.
Esmeralda goes for the pin.
Cross Recoba: Great combo. If only this sad excuse for a ref had even the slightest bit of cardio. I offered them Tyrell, Quinn, and Williams but they said no, now look where it gets the,!
Papito scurries to get in place for the count as AVB slides in the ring. Alexander yanks Esmeralda off of Awesome by her boot.
Steve Morrison: AVB makes the save and starts punching EVK.
Cross Recoba: Papito perhaps screwing up a three count. No wonder REIGN died.
Esmeralda is backed into the corner as Alex delivers stiff chops.
Steve Morrison: Steve joins Alexander in the corner. They are putting the boots to Esmeralda.
The German slumps in the corner, defenseless.
Cross Recoba: This right here is why they had No-Brain Crane interfere with the beer bottle. The Anointed are creating a handicapped match in hopes of both scoring quick pinfalls.
Alexander yanks her up by the hair.
Steve Morrison: The Anointed with a double irish whip. Esmeralda crashes into the opposite corner.
Alex and Steve follow in with splashes to the corner.
Cross Recoba: They arenāt giving her a second to breathe. You donāt have to like these tactics, but they are effective.
Esmeralda staggers out of the corner, leaning on the top rope to stand.
Steve Morrison: Steve with another irish whip. He drops down to the mat as she runs back.
Cross Recoba: Heās just playing an obstacle here.
Esmeralda leaps over the prone Steve, but runs right into a shoulder check from Alexander.
The crowd boos as AVB poses in the center of the ring.
Steve Morrison: They back Esmeralda into the corner again with more punches.
Cross Recoba: Down by us, Kasper is arguing with the doctor. She says sheās fine to continue.
The Anointed double irish whip EVZ into the opposite corner.
Steve Morrison: Ouch! That thud when she hit the corner sounded bad. AVB now irish whips his partner into the corner.
Esmeralda moves out of the way of a splash and Steve crashes face first into the turnbuckle.
Steve Morrison: The crowd comes alive as Steve crashes to Earth. AVB runs in, but collapses. Heās clutching his ankle.
Cross Recoba: Look closer, Esmeralda threw one of those sewing needles into it.
Kasper shoves past the medical team and slides into the ring.
Steve Morrison: Kasper is back! She hits Steve with a massive spear.
Cross Recoba: That knocked him out of his counterfeit boots!
Esmeralda stands up and starts barking orders to the other woman.
Steve Morrison: Esmeralda telling Kasper to focus on AVB and let her have Steve.
EVK gets dropped with a skull kick from Kasper.
Cross Recoba: Apparently, much like Steve, she doesnāt take direction well.
AVB yanks the needle out of his ankle and rises to his feet only to get a kick to the head for his trouble.
Steve Morrison: Another skull kick.
Cross Recoba: Sheās a failed actor away from completing the hat trick.
Seeing the others laid out, Steve gulps and makes a ātext meā motion to Kasper. The woman winks and then hits him with a skull kick as well.
Steve Morrison: The crowd giving a standing ovation for Kasper.
Cross Recoba: Itās damn impressive considering she already took a beer bottle to the head, but she hasnāt won anything yet.
Alex staggers up and begins exchanging punches with Kasper.
Steve Morrison: AVB trading punches. Steve joins in and the two begin to overpower Kasper, who falls to her knees.
Cross Recoba: EVZ has rolled out of the ring to recover.
AVB kicks their chest and Steve punches Kaspers face. They continue to alternate like this.
Steve Morrison: Kasper is on their knees, holding on to the middle rope as the allies continue to swarm her.
Cross Recoba: This is what The Anointed does best, gang warfare.
Kasper and AVB tussle for a moment before Alex gets her in the crossface.
Steve Morrison: Crossface! Steve gets up on the top turnbuckle and starts to taunt the crowd.
Cross Recoba: Heās a big man when things are going well. There wonāt be much dancing if he finds himself in the ring with me.
Kasper writhes around in pain, reaching out for the rope. Steve stands on the top turnbuckle and spams the crotch chop as AVB screams for the woman to give up.
Steve Morrison: Kasper fighting to hang on. Here comes Esmeralda! She crotches Awesome on the top turnbuckle.
Cross Recoba: Donāt think heāll be having her children now.
Esmeralda gets in the ring and breaks up the hold.
Steve Morrison: Esmeralda yanks AVB to their feet and then tosses him over the top rope.
Cross Recoba: Steve is still seated on the turnbuckle making agonized faces. You would think he had just watched one of his own movies.
Esmeralda continues to pursue AVB around the outside of the ring.
Steve Morrison: AVB is running for his life. Kasper delivers chops to Steve who is still seated on the top turnbuckle.
Climbing up, Kasper goes for a second rope german suplex.
Steve Morrison: Kasper looking for a big move, but Steve gets a thumb to her eye.
Cross Recoba: When facing a talented rookie you can lean on some of the oldest tricks in the book. Sheāll have to be smarter if she wants to make it to the next level. Letās not kid ourselves, the girl lost a battle of wits to Florida Man.
Steve pushes KVZ to the canvas below.
Steve Morrison: Awesome comes off the top with a frog splash. He goes for the pin!
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Esmeralda slides back in the ring and hits Steve with a big boot.
Steve Morrison:What a big boot! Steve rolls out of the ring to recover.
Cross Recoba: Just as AVB slides back in. The advantage of having a friend in a match when two spots are up for grabs.
Alex sucker punches Esmeralda. Shots fly back and forth between Esmeralda and Alex.
Steve Morrison: They are exchanging punches. Esmeralda tries to Irish whip Alex out, but it is reversed into a short arm clothesline.
Cross Recoba: Kasper now rolling out of the ring too. In confusing brawls like this it can be wise to hide. Let these suckers battle over the first pin and then make your move for the next.
Alex goes for a pin and Steve leans under the bottom rope.
Steve Morrison: Awesome reaches into the ring and grabs Esmeraldaās leg.
Cross Recoba: Heās adding pressure to help the pin.
Papito goes to count, but then spots the tactic and scolds Awesome in Spanish.
Cross Recoba: Wow, Papito actually spotted something other than an attractive woman in the crowd.
Steve Morrison: Steve joins his partner in the ring and they put the boots to Esmeralda.
Cross Recoba: EVK needs to get out of there. With Kasper injured, this has largely been a handicapped match against The Anointed.
Esmeralda has no choice but to roll to the outside as Kasper slides back in.
Steve Morrison: Things are getting chaotic. Kasper has recovered and she hits another spear to Steve!
Cross Recoba: I wouldnāt mind if she nailed him with five or six more of those. I donāt think KVZ shouldnāt be getting back in the skirmish so soon though.
Steve writhes around the mat in pain.
Steve Morrison: AVB is waiting though! Alex yanks Kasper back to their feet and hits a fisherman suplex.
Cross Recoba: Heās keeping the leg hooked, going for a strong pin. Papito waddles across the ring as fast as he can.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Frustrated, Alex pounds on the mat.
Steve Morrison: AVB criticizing Papito for being out of position and not exactly fleet of foot.. He yanks Kasper back up.
Cross Recoba: Alexander should be focused on attacking. He doesnāt have time to criticize the ref in a chaotic four way.
Esmeralda grabs Steve by the leg and drags him to the outside. AVB irish whips Kasper into the ropes.
Steve Morrison: Irish whip. Kasper ducks his clothesline.
Cross Recoba: Big mistake. Sheās building up speed.
Kasper comes back the other direction and spears AVB to the mat. The crowd explodes.
Steve Morrison: What a spear!
Cross Recoba: She hit him so hard that Hasbulla felt it.
Alexander crawls to the corner and starts pleading. Meanwhile, on the outside, Awesome is on his knees begging for EVK to give him another chance.
Steve Morrison: The tables have turned on The Anointed. Von Blankenhip is trying to explain that the beer bottle scheme wasnāt his idea.
Cross Recoba: Well thatās obvious. Heās not smart enough to plot a caper that complex.
Not interested in excuses Kasper places their boot against Alex's neck just as EVK hits Awesome with her Justice Palm Strike. The crowd goes wild.
Steve Morrison: The roof just came off this place.
Cross Recoba: One of the few things that can unify our divided country, The Anointedās suffering.
Esmeralda slides back in the ring and wraps her arm around Kasperās neck.
Steve Morrison: EVK is back and hits a lifting inverted DDT on Kasper.
Cross Recoba: No doubt a receipt for that skull kick insubordination earlier.
Esmeralda hits the Justice Palm Strike to Kasper.
Steve Morrison: Esmeralda hits her finisher, knocking KVZ through the ropes to the floor.
Alexander tries to crawl to safety, still gasping for air, but is wrapped up by EVK.
Steve Morrison: The german has AVB in a figure four leglock!
Cross Recoba: She has him in the middle of the ring and Steve is still dazed on the floor. This is a golden opportunity.
Writhing in pain, AVB screams for Steve to help.
Steve Morrison: Alexander yelling for help. Awesome hears him. Steveās limping back towards the ring.
Cross Recoba: Heās taking a long time. That palm strike got him good.
Alexander reaches for the ropes, but they are a long way off. He slams his arms on the mat as the crowd chants for him to tap.
Steve Morrison: Nothing blessed about the agony heās feeling right now. Steveās made it to the apron.
Cross Recoba: Heās trying to set up for a springboard maneuver, but you can tell heās still out of it.
Alex screams and screams for Steve to wake up, AVBās hand shakes as he holds it above the mat.
Steve Morrison: This is it! Heās going to tap! Wait, Steve launches himself through the air.
Cross Recoba: Springboard elbow drop. Despite everything, Awesomeās aim was still perfect, that elbow landed right on EVKās head. She seems rocked.
The Anointed memberās rise to their feet. Steve goes to attack the downed woman, but Alex gets in his face.
Steve Morrison: Well, what do we have here?
Cross Recoba: Looks like Alexander isnāt happy with how long Steve took to make the save. Perhaps he suspects Awesome would be happier with his tag partner out of this tournament?
AVB keeps poking an accusatory finger into Steveās chest, who looks on in disbelief. He tries to walk away to focus on the downed KVZ, but Alexander yanks him back over by the arm.
Steve Morrison: I think youāre right, Cross. AVB is convinced Steve was just putting his acting skills to use.
Cross Recoba: What acting skills?
Sick of the abuse, Steve pie faces his partner and the crowd cheers.
Steve Morrison: This is getting ugly.
Cross Recoba: Not if youāre the Hardkore World Champion.
Furious, AVB shoves him. Steve shoves him back in return. Alexander responds with an open handed slap to the face. Steve returns the favor. The crowd begins to chant āYESā as the alleged partners slap the stuffing out of each.
Steve Morrison: We might be watching The Anointed self-destruct.
Cross Recoba: I imagine a certain midcarder is already popping the champagne down in Orlando.
Steve does the crotch chop and goes for a super kick, but AVB catches it.
Steve Morrison: Alex catches the superkick! He spins Awesome around and lands a superkick of his own.
Steve collapses into the middle of the ropes, seemingly dazed as AVB hurls insults. He doesnāt notice Esmeralda rising.
Steve Morrison: EVK! Sheās got Alex in a standing rear naked choke.
Cross Recoba: If only he had a friend in the match to break that up.
AVB flails his arms around widely, trying to get Steveās attention. Awesome seems to register whatās happening for a second before his eyes close. Steve slumps further down the ropes.
Steve Morrison: Esmeralda has the hold locked in. Sheās taken Alexander down to the mat. Awesome is too dazed from the superkick to help.
Cross Recoba: Is he now?
AVB tries to break free with all his might, but it is no use. His head slumps to the side as the ref motions to the timekeeper.
Laura Messier:: Ladies and gentlemen, Esmeralda von Kraiss has advanced to the quarterfinals.
The crowd cheers the announcement and the referee motions for the German to leave the ring, but she shoves past him.
Steve Morrison: It looks like Esmeralda isnāt done here. She still wants to teach Steve a lesson for rejecting her.
Cross Recoba: Fine by me.
EVK starts choking the life out of the already lifeless Steve.
Steve Morrison: The defenseless Awesome is being strangled by the enraged woman.
Cross Recoba: Here comes Kasper.
The bloodied Kasper yanks the startled EVK up onto her shoulders. The crowd explodes as their favorite hits the finishing maneuver.
Steve Morrison: DISASSOCIATION! KVZ HITS THE BURNING HAMMER!
Cross Recoba: Sheās trying to pin EVK though. That won't work. Kasper must have been out of it during Lauraās announcement.
Papito tries to explain to the exhausted and confused Kasper why he canāt count.
Steve Morrison: KVZ staggering back up. Sheās heading for AVB.
Cross Recoba: Look out!
Kasper gets blindsided with a superkick to her already wounded head.
Steve Morrison: Awesome with a superkick!
Cross Recoba: What a miraculous recovery heās made. Itās like something out of one of his bargain bin movies.
The crowd boos as Steve puts the rookie on his shoulders and delivers his own finishing maneuver.
Steve Morrison: SteveKO!
Cross Recoba: To think he seemed so lifeless both times AVB was in danger.
Steve collapses on top of Kasper as the ref counts.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Laura Messier:: Ladies and gentlemen, Steve Awesome has advanced to the quarterfinals!
The jeers continue to reign down as an exhausted Steve tries to crawl over to AVBās side. He frantically motions for the medical team to check on the passed out man.
Steve Morrison: Kasper showed a hell of a lot of fight tonight, enduring both a bottle to the head and a Justice Palm Strike. An additional SteveKO was just too much.
Cross Recoba: What a great friend Awesome is. Look at the concern for Alexander. Surely, this isnāt just material for Steveās audition tape.
Steve Morrison: And with that we are being told by the XHF officials in the back that for the right side of the singles bracket next week we will see Jesse Jamester vs. Steve Awesome and following on that, of course, we will also get Esmeralda von Krauss vs. Jason Long!
