TOW 18: DIAMOND/LONG/SAWYER VS POENA/NOMAD/ISHIMORI
Nov 14, 2023 20:37:40 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Dave D-Flipz, and 4 more like this
Post by Technical Perfection on Nov 14, 2023 20:37:40 GMT -5
PRESENTS
TAP OUT WRESTLING 18: DIAMOND/LONG/SAWYER VS POENA/NOMAD/ISHIMORI
Date: 12th November 2023
Venue: Lansky Ballrom, The Sands Casino and Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
Attendance: 7774 (Capacity: 10000)
The cameras pan around the new-look Lansky Ballroom. The expanded seating draws the eye as do the new Sky Boxes adorned with banners for Tap Out mainstays like Jack Diamond, Sam Sawyer, Wildcat Capone, Aiden Merric and Random McConalogue. Zooming over the ring, the new look ring sports a TAP OUT logo in the center of it and the turnbuckle pads are now covered by a singular Japanese-influenced pad.
Flying over the crowd, the fans hold up their signs and ones that catch the eye include:
MONGO FEARS JOHN BLADE!
DINO BONES ATE MY PORN STAR!
HELP! I DATED THE POENA FAN!
CRUSHERSTERIA COMES TO TAP OUT!
TOMMY! YOU LEFT YOUR PLECTRUM AT MINE!
We cut to ringside where Steve Morrison and Cross Recoba stand-by.
Steve Morrison: Evening, fans! I’m Steve Morrison and I’m joined by Tap Out owner and XHF X*Crown Champion, Cross Recoba!
Cross Recoba: Evening, Steve.
Steve Morrison: We have a packed show tonight with four matches guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seats!
Cross Recoba: The final two matches have HUGE ramifications for our title picture in Tap Out!
Steve Morrison: That’s right, Cross! We’ll also see the draw for next month’s Oscar Goodman Cup where Tap Out and Sin City Championship Wrestling compete in a Best of Seven tournament to decide who is the best promotion on the Vegas Strip!
Cross Recoba: We all know the answer to that question but it’ll be nice to have a trophy to back it up!
Steve Morrison: We open up our evening with a match featuring OG Tap Out member, Wildcat Capone facing off against debuting veteran, Cliff Clinton?!
Cross Recoba: Clinton? wasn’t being used as much as he’d like in SCCW and we stepped in with an offer that worked for him and SCCW.
Steve Morrison: Can Capone overcome the experience that Cliff brings?
Cross Recoba: It’s whether he can take everything he’s picked up here, in JROK where he’s been involved in a tournament, GUNS Fight Club and even Infinite Pro Wrestling and bring it all together when that bell rings!
Steve Morrison: Obviously, Cliff’ll want to kick off his time here with a win.
Cross Recoba: He’s hard-hitting and crowd-pleasing, Wildcat isn’t going to have an easy time in there but it’s not a formality for Clinton?, we’ve seen Capone catch people out time and time again!
Steve Morrison: And in his first match since he beat Poena for the Tap Out Openweight title, Aiden Merric teams with Julius Fristik to take on the team of Jackalope and the last of our debuts, Chris Sanderson!
Cross Recoba: Merric knows that all eyes are going to be on him now that he’s the Champion and it’s up to him to make sure that no weaknesses come to the fore that the many suitors for his title could exploit.
Steve Morrison: Fristik and he share a common enemy in NOMAD, that might bring them together quicker than usual.
Cross Recoba: It’s a possibility, Julius has been working hard since he joined Tap Out and for him, success is making his own name and stepping out of the shadow of his father, Jesse Jamester.
Steve Morrison: On the other side of the ring stands Jackalope and Chris Sanderson.
Cross Recoba: Jackalope always has the capacity to pull one out of the bag and he won’t get many chances bigger than this!
Steve Morrison: Can he learn from the more experienced Sanderson?
Cross Recoba: Chris has a tendency to want to slow things down to his own pace, he can wrestle a quicker style but he builds up the pace as he gets further into the match. Would that suit Jackalope? I’m undecided.
Steve Morrison: With Sanderson’s title pedigree, he’d love nothing more than to take a win off Merric.
Cross Recoba: Who wouldn’t? This match gives him a far better platform to showcase his talents than if we got hold of someone like Ulysses Cole or The Blazed Kidd from the Diamond Training Facility.
Steve Morrison: Our second-half brings us a match to decide who faces off in next month’s main event against Merric for the Tap Out Openweight title. Will it be Random McConalogue or Tommy Strychnine that’s standing across from the Australian at Tap Out Wrestling 19?
Cross Recoba: It’s an interesting match. Random is content to break down her opponents piece-by-piece whereas for Tommy, it’s always about ending it with a hellacious knee or that Buckshot Lariat. He’ll have seen how Jason Long got caught out but whether that makes him think twice about his usual MO is anyone’s guess!
Steve Morrison: Random will want to atone for losing their perfect record in singles competition last month against Sam Sawyer!
Cross Recoba: It’s a loss, it’s going to happen and once it does, it’s out of the way. I had a similar run in AWF and didn’t take the loss well but in hindsight, once it’s done you move on and I have every faith in McConalogue that she’ll be back into business as usual by the time the bell rings!
Steve Morrison: Who would Merric prefer to face?
Cross Recoba: I’m not sure either would be his first pick. Strychnine holds a win over him that he’d want to avenge and Random was put down by a Lariat at the last show but that then puts Merric into the position of having to repeat what took down McConalogue last time and who’s to say she won’t have closed that hole in her game?
Steve Morrison: Then, in our main event, we have a six-man tag match where the winner, and the winner only, will go to XHF Supremacy in January to face whoever holds the Openweight title then!
Cross Recoba: Long, Diamond, Sawyer, NOMAD, Poena, Raiden - pick a winner out of those six.
Steve Morrison: Someone’ll have to win and we’ll be here for it. Can the two teams work together?
Cross Recoba: The term ‘team’ in this match isn’t how it would be in any other match. You can’t win the match properly on the apron but you also can’t trust that there’s a tag waiting for you if you run into trouble.
Steve Morrison: We’ll be sure to see a classic when the time comes and we’ll be covering the preview of the match as the night progresses.
Cross Recoba: How could we not with the stakes so high?
Steve Morrison: For now though, Laura is standing by to introduce our first match of the evening!
Laura Messier: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to TAP OUT WRESTLING EIGHTEEN IN THE NEW LANSKY BALLROOM! It’s time for your opening match, set for one fall!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
The opening lyrics of the song begin to play as the camera pans across the venue. It eventually cuts to show Wildcat up in the concession stands, walking through the door and into the highest row of seats on the ground floor of the crowd.
Steve Morrison: Capone has a test on his hands tonight! Can he outwit and outwrestle a veteran of the ring?
Cross Recoba: Wildcat has every opportunity tonight to get the win, it's all about whether he can put it into practice.
He beats his chest before throwing up some middle fingers as he walks through the fans and makes his way down the stairs.
Steve Morrison: His focus seems to be on the tag-team he and Eichi Yamaguchi have formed: 3V0L.
Cross Recoba: Tonight, that needs to be on the backburner. He's going to need his wits about him to get something out of this match.
He gets about halfway down before he starts walking through the crowd some more. Ignoring the hecklers and haters as he gets into the zone before his match. He gets a joint from behind his ear and lights it up, taking a few hits before walking towards the ring. He hops the barricade, moving in sync with the music, he looks around himself once more, taking it all in. Walking up the stairs he goes through the ropes and heads into the ring.
Steve Morrison: He looks ready to take on the world!
Cross Recoba: It's only one man, the rest can follow!
The intro to Wherever "I May Roam" by Metallica starts to blare through the TAPOUT arena as the arena turns an eerie blue.
And the road becomes my bride!?
A strange unkempt man known as Cliff Clinton? steps out onto the stage with a confused look on his face. He slowly walks to the ring. Staring Akwardly back at the people staring at him.
Steve Morrison: There's a man who knows what an opportunity lies before him!
Cross Recoba: Clinton? impressed me in SCCW and I've got a feeling he could cause Capone problems tonight!
I have stripped of all but pride?
So in her, I do confide?
And she keeps me satisfied?
Gives me all I need?
Cliff rolls into the ring and just tilts his head in confusion as he stares back at the masses.
Steve Morrison: We're not expecting a technical classic, both men are far more comfortable standing and banging than working cravates.
Cross Recoba: But Capone will need to go into foreign territory, he's giving up nearly a foot in height and a hundred pounds in weight. Can Capone get cute?
Roamer?, Wanderer?, Nomad?, Vagabond?
Call me what you will, yeah!
Cliff cracks his knuckles and gets focused on the task at hand.
Steve Morrison: CrusherSteria could begin here tonight!
Cross Recoba: It's certainly an opportunity to get off on the right foot...
Laura Messier: Introducting first! Fighting out of Lexington, Kentucky...he weighs two-hundred-and-eight pounds...he is MR 859...The STONE...COLD...KILLA...WILDCAT...CAPONE!!!
Capone looks full of energy for this match.
Laura Messier: And his opponent! Fighting out of Fairfield, New Mexico. He stands at six-feet and seven inches and made weight at three-hundred-and-ten pounds....CLIFF.....CLINNNNNNNNNNNNTOOOOOOOOOON!!!
OPENING MATCH
SINGLES MATCH
Wildcat Capone (#10) vs Cliff Clinton? (-)
With Laura Messier exiting the ring, Rhod Williams calls the two competitors into the center of the ring.
Steve Morrison: These two haven’t been shy in their summation of the other.
Cross Recoba: That’s irrelevant right now. Once that bell sounds it’s who can get out of the blocks and establish control over the match.
The former amateur rugby player brings the two men to either side of him and steps back, making sure that no contact occurs between them until the bell rings. He firmly uses gestures to get across the expectations he has for the opening match. With his instructions delivered, he sends the fighters to their corners and calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Clinton? pushes himself out from the corner by his elbows but the veteran of the ring is outmatched by speed as Wildcat wastes no time in cutting the distance down between them until he’s almost standing on the debuting feet of Cliff. Wildcat takes a step back before letting fly with a kick to the lower thigh of the big man that connects with a slap that quietens the crowd in its viciousness.
Steve Morrison: Capone showing that enthusiasm we’ve seen throughout his time in Tap Out.
Cross Recoba: Wildcat’s style is still developing but in matches like this, he can go to those more agile moves.
Circling to his left, Wildcat releases another strike that lands within millimeters of the first with the same velocity.
Steve Morrison: Agile feet on display!
A third connects!
Cross Recoba: He’s chopping down the redwood piece-by-piece.
Changing tact, Wildcat takes advantage of the opening to charge at his opponent: a basement dropkick drops Clinton? to a knee! Capone steps back…ROARING ELBOW CONNECTS BUT STILL CLIFF STAYS ON A KNEE!
Steve Morrison: Clinton? Is determined to not be knocked down by these strikes but for how much longer?
The Kentucky Wildcat takes a couple of steps backwards and charges in once more…
Cross Recoba: Could this be the strike that fells the tree?
CLIFF ANSWERS WITH AN STO!!!!
Steve Morrison: HUGE COUNTER FROM CLIFF!
Crowd: LET’S GO, CRUSHER! LET’S GO, CRUSHER! LET’S GO, CRUSHER! LET’S GO, CRUSHER! LET’S GO, CRUSHER!
Capone looks to be in a heap, Clinton? picks him up by the hair and throws him into the corner!
Cross Recoba: Clinton? Might be out of his salad days but he can still use that power like he was in his prime!
Wildcat’s eyes dart for a route to safety but the bigger wrestler rushes in with a back elbow!
Steve Morrison: A huge connection from Cliff and Wildcat might be in trouble here.
Cross Recoba: Cliff doesn’t have an arsenal built for YouTube, just one that gets the job done!
The legs of Capone slump out from the corner and leave him wide-open for a huge right hand from Face of Fairfield to connect!
Steve Morrison: Wildcat finds himself in the losing end of a slugfest and that might be the first time I think I’ve said that!
Cross Recoba: Capone isn’t out of it yet but he needs to find an escape route.
Cliff climbs to the middle turnbuckle and starts to unload on the helpless Wildcat.
Steve Morrison: Going for the nostalgia pop…
Crowd: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE!
Clinton? winds up for the next punch and the crowd knows what to do.
Crowd: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-
The punch connects!
Crowd: TEN!!!
Cross Recoba: Each of those punches measured by Clinton?!
Steve Morrison: Wildcat could be stunned…
Climbing down to the mat, Cliff grabs the arm of his opponent and sends them to the ropes….BIG BOOT CONNECTS!
Steve Morrison: No frills but Clinton? Is on a roll!
The Crusher goes for the cover…
ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT FROM THE KENTUCKY NATIVE!!
Cross Recoba: Wildcat isn’t going down that easily!
Wasting no time, Cliff goes to pick up his opponent and keep the pressure on him. CAPONE DRAGS HIM DOWN THROAT-FIRST INTO THE MIDDLE ROPE!!
Steve Morrison: REF!
Cross Recoba: From the referee’s vantage point, he tripped!
The boos from the crowd tell even the most uninformed viewer what they just saw.
Crowd: FUCK YOU, WILDCAT! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* FUCK YOU, WILDCAT! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* FUCK YOU, WILDCAT! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* FUCK YOU, WILDCAT! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* FUCK YOU, WILDCAT! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
IRN FST gets to his feet and immediately leaps forward to drop a leg across the back of the neck of Cliff, driving it into the ring rope. He bounces off his foot to compound the pressure but Williams is quick to start a count:
Steve Morrison: Rhod Williams sees this though!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Cross Recoba: It’s clean break!
Wildcat steps back but immediately charges through the ropes AND LANDS A LEAPFROG BODY GUILLOTINE THAT TAKES HIM THROUGH CLIFF! WILDCAT HANGS OFF THE TOP ROPE AND DROPS TO THE RING FLOOR!
Steve Morrison: Capone’s going brutal.
Cross Recoba: Cliff wants to tell Wildcat he doesn’t know what the streets are like then this is what Capone’s going to do!
Capone doesn’t give Williams the chance to start the count as he climbs back onto the apron, HUGE PENALTY KICK TO THE FACE CONNECTS!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT A KICK!
Cross Recoba: He DROVE his boot through that one!
Wildcat dashes through the ropes to make the cover…
ONE….
TW-
CLIFF PRESSES IRN FST OFF OF HIM!
Steve Morrison: HUGE kick-out from the Crusher!
Cross Recoba: Capone should have been prepared to hook the leg.
Clinton? gets to a knee as he rises…WILDCAT CONNECTS WITH A JUMPING ENZUIGURI!
Steve Morrison: The Kentuckian isn’t giving up with a massive connection on that enzuiguri!
Diving on top of his downed opponent, Wildcat takes a mounted top position and begins to rain down with huge punches to the body and face of the Crusher!!!
Cross Recoba: Each match we see Capone in he manages to get in a little more of the experience he’s picked up on the Network and beyond!
Rolling to the side, Wildcat grabs the head of the veteran….KAWADA KICKS ARE LIFTED UP INTO THE SKULL OF THE CRUSHER!!
Steve Morrison: Those huge lifting kicks are raking up the forehead of the veteran.
Cross Recoba: Wildcat needs to not let Cliff settle into a rhythm.
The noise of the crowd has sunk to a hushed silence.
Steve Morrison: No sign of CrusherSteria right no.
Capone backs off into the corner.
Cross Recoba: I hope Wildcat has something big in store because in his shoes, I’m not sure I’d allow the breathing space….
Once more, Clif starts to rise….YAKUZA KICK FROM WILDCAT CATCHES HIM FLUSH IN THE FACE!!!
Steve Morrison: GET GOT GETS CLIFF!
The Kentucky Upstart makes the pin.
ONE…
TWO…
T-
THE CRUSHER KICKS OUT!!
Cross Recoba: Cliff’s showing us in his debut why you can’t count him out. I’ve seen so many of the Sin City Championship Wrestling roster make the same mistake.
Visibly annoyed, Wildcat drags Clinton? by the hair to the ropes. HE STARTS TO CHOKE HIM OUT ON THE ROPES!
Steve Morrison: Capone’s resorting to cheating!
Cross Recoba: He’s evening up the size difference.
Rhod Williams doesn’t hesitate in starting the count:
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!!
Capone breaks the count and backs away allowing Cliff time to recover himself. Williams steps away.
Steve Morrison: The threat of a disqualification cows him away.
Cross Recoba: Another clean break…
CAPONE RUSHES CLIFF, PLACING A KNEE INTO THE BACK OF HIS NECK! HE REACHES FORWARD AND GRABS THE MIDDLE ROPE TO FURTHER INCREASE THE CHOKE!
Steve Morrison: Capone’s showing a blatant disregard for the rules!
Williams starts the count:
ONE!
TWO!
He tries to physically pull Wildcat away!
Cross Recoba: He gets a five count, Rhod!
THREE!
FOUR!!
Wildcat breaks the chokehold once more!
Steve Morrison: FINALLY he breaks the hold.
Pushing himself into a seated position atop the turnbuckle, Wildcat waits.
Cross Recoba: Wildcat’s pulling out all the stops, how often do we see him go to the top?
The Crusher starts to get back to his feet, Wildcat leaps onto his back…SLEEPER!
Steve Morrison: He’s profiting from the flagrant cheating he’s carried out in the match!
Cross Recoba: He’s making up for a foot in size difference!
The momentum causes Clinton? to lurch forward while Wildcat sinks hooks into the waist of his opponent with his legs and lets his arms tighten the hold around the windpipe.
Steve Morrison: He’s tightening the hold.
Cross Recoba: Those hooks are vital, if he can get Clinton? down onto the mat, he can get a rear mount position and really be in pole position for the win!
Rhod Williams is on the ball and checks in on the debuting Clinton? to make sure he’s conscious.
Steve Morrison: Cliff could be fading here…
Capone flexes his arms, tightening the hold and constricting the airway further.
Cross Recoba: He’s working the hold straight ouf of the textbook.
WILDCAT GETS THE VETERAN DOWN TO ONE KNEE!!!
Steve Williams: Cliff finds himself in trouble!
Williams is right there to see how the Crusher is faring. Clinton? waves off the Match Official with a free arm.
Cross Recoba: Clinton? needs to have a plan because he’s sinking fast!
Crowd: LET’S GO, CRUSHER, LET’S GO! LET’S GO, CRUSHER, LET’S GO! LET’S GO, CRUSHER, LET’S GO! LET’S GO, CRUSHER, LET’S GO! LET’S GO, CRUSHER, LET’S GO!
WITH A GUTTURAL ROAR, CLIFF PUSHES TO HIS FEET!!!!
Steve Morrison: THE CRUSHER IS FIGHTING BACK!
Cross Recoba: ESCAPE, WILDCAT!!!
HE KICKS HIS LEGS OUT AND PANCAKES WILDCAT!!!!!
Steve Morrison: WILDCAT BECOMES ROADKILL!
Rolling to his feet, Clinton? reaches down and hooks an arm around the head of the Kentucky Gang-Banger…DEADLIFT BRAINBUSTER!
Steve Morrison: Amazing feat of strength from the veteran!
The Lansky Ballroom crowd’s volume gets turned up considerably by the move.
Cross Recoba: Capone might not even know where he is!
Clinton? makes the cover:
ONE…
TWO…
T-
CAPONE KICKS OUT!!
Steve Morrison: Wildcat nearly cost himself the match there!
Cross Recoba: But he kicked out, he can rally!
Grabbing the raised arm of Capone, Cliff wrenches IRN FST to his feet….HE LIFTS HIM ABOVE HIS HEAD…
Steve Morrison: What strength!
GORILLA PRESS SLAM!!!
Cross Recoba: Now Wildcat might need to switch up his strategy.
Holding his back, Wildcat rolls to the apron.
Steve Morrison: Capone looking to get some distance between the two.
Cross Recoba: I’m not ruling out Wildcat going for something new but I’m doubtful he’s looking to attempt a Springboard…
Clinton? chases down his opponent, grabbing him by the head Cliff brings him back to his feet and runs…RAMMING HIS HEAD INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!!
Steve Morrison: Cliff’s signalling for the band to start up!
Stepping onto the second turnbuckle, Clinton? reaches down to his opponent….DEADLIFT AVALANCHE SUPLEX BRINGS CAPONE FROM THE APRON TO THE CANVAS WITH A BANG!!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT. A. SUPLEX!!!!
Once more, Cliff makes the cover:
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
CAPONE ROLLS A SHOULDER AT THE LAST MINUTE!!!!!
Cross Recoba: IRN FST’s in it but not by much. He needs to regroup, bring the match back into his realm.
Clinton? bangs the mat, encouraging the fans to get behind him as he pounds out the beat.
Crowd: *CLAP*...*CLAP*...*CLAP*...*CLAP*...*CLAP*...
Cliff nods his head along to the claps as he gets back to his feet and, once more, peels Capone off the canvas and to a standing base.
Steve Morrison: But it seems Cliff has bigger plans.
Clinton? shoots him to the ropes….LARIAT!!!!!!
NO!!! WILDCAT DUCKS…CLIFF TURNS AROUND…STONE PITBULL HEADBUTT TO THE MIDSECTION OF THE VETERAN!!!
Cross Recoba: ZIDANE INSPIRED HEADBUTT!
WHIPPERSNAPPER!!!
Steve Morrison: CHIN CHECK!
Capone grabs a leg as he covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THR-
CLIFF KICKS OUT!!!
Steve Morrison: Just not quite enough to put the veteran away!
Cross Recoba: Wildcat can’t get inside of his own head, he just needs to stick to the strategy, work through it…
Grabbing the head of the Czar of CrusherSteria, Wildcat lifts him up and stuns him with another headbutt that rocks Clinton?. He pushes him to the ropes and whips him…Cliff reverses….HUGE POWERSLAM FROM THE VETERAN!!!
Steve Morrison: Cliff caught Capone out of nowhere with that!
Cross Recoba: He needs to rally.
Feeding off the crowd, Cliff signals for the end!
Steve Morrison: He needs to run!
Crowd: CRUSHER! CRUSHER! CRUSHER! CRUSHER! CRUSHER!
He picks up Wildcat and tucks his head between his leg and lifts!
Steve Morrison: He’s going for the Cliff Dive!
IRN FST FINDS HIMSELF SUSPENDED ABOVE HIS OPPONENT’S HEAD IN A CRUCIFIX POSITION!
Cross Recoba: This is the Last Chance Saloon for Capone!
CAPONE KICKS HIS LEGS TO TRY AND ESCAPE….
Steve Morrison: He’s not making it easy…
WILDCAT DROPS TO THE MAT!
Cross Recoba: What he does next is key…
CLINTON? TURNS…SNAP POWERSLAM!
Steve Morrison: HE CAUGHT HIM!
DASHING TO THE ROPES, CAPONE GOES FOR THE SLIDING LARIAT!!! CLIFF DUCKS!
Steve Morrison: SLIDING D MISSES!!
Reaching behind him, Clinton?? DEADLIFTS HIS OPPONENT BACK INTO THE CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB POSITION…..
Cross Recoba: Come on, Capone…skin the cat again!
HE DRIVES CAPONE’S HEAD INTO THE MAT!!
Steve Morrison: CLIFF DIVE!!
Cliff hooks the leg as he covers:
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: THE WINNER OF OUR OPENING MATCH, VIA PINFALL, CLIFF CLIIIIIIIIINNNTONNNNNN!!!!!
The veteran’s arm is raised by Rhod as he takes in his debut victory.
Steve Morrison: An impressive victory from the veteran!
Cross Recoba: I couldn’t call him a gamble as we’ve all seen what he did in Sin City Championship Wrestling but this might make people sit up and notice!
We fade in.
Rolling to his feet, Clinton? reaches down and hooks an arm around the head of the Kentucky Gang-Banger…DEADLIFT BRAINBUSTER!
Steve Morrison: Amazing feat of strength from the veteran!
The Lansky Ballroom crowd’s volume gets turned up considerably by the move.
Cross Recoba: Capone might not even know where he is!
Clinton? makes the cover:
ONE…
TWO…
T-
CAPONE KICKS OUT!!
Steve Morrison: Wildcat nearly cost himself the match there!
Cross Recoba: But he kicked out, he can rally!
Grabbing the raised arm of Capone, Cliff wrenches IRN FST to his feet….HE LIFTS HIM ABOVE HIS HEAD…
Steve Morrison: What strength!
GORILLA PRESS SLAM!!!
Cross Recoba: Now Wildcat might need to switch up his strategy.
Holding his back, Wildcat rolls to the apron.
Steve Morrison: Capone looking to get some distance between the two.
Cross Recoba: I’m not ruling out Wildcat going for something new but I’m doubtful he’s looking to attempt a Springboard…
Clinton? chases down his opponent, grabbing him by the head Cliff brings him back to his feet and runs…RAMMING HIS HEAD INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!!
Steve Morrison: Cliff’s signalling for the band to start up!
Stepping onto the second turnbuckle, Clinton? reaches down to his opponent….DEADLIFT AVALANCHE SUPLEX BRINGS CAPONE FROM THE APRON TO THE CANVAS WITH A BANG!!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT. A. SUPLEX!!!!
Once more, Cliff makes the cover:
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
CAPONE ROLLS A SHOULDER AT THE LAST MINUTE!!!!!
Cross Recoba: IRN FST’s in it but not by much. He needs to regroup, bring the match back into his realm.
Clinton? bangs the mat, encouraging the fans to get behind him as he pounds out the beat.
Crowd: *CLAP*...*CLAP*...*CLAP*...*CLAP*...*CLAP*...
Cliff nods his head along to the claps as he gets back to his feet and, once more, peels Capone off the canvas and to a standing base.
Steve Morrison: But it seems Cliff has bigger plans.
Clinton? shoots him to the ropes….LARIAT!!!!!!
NO!!! WILDCAT DUCKS…CLIFF TURNS AROUND…STONE PITBULL HEADBUTT TO THE MIDSECTION OF THE VETERAN!!!
Cross Recoba: ZIDANE INSPIRED HEADBUTT!
WHIPPERSNAPPER!!!
Steve Morrison: CHIN CHECK!
Capone grabs a leg as he covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THR-
CLIFF KICKS OUT!!!
Steve Morrison: Just not quite enough to put the veteran away!
Cross Recoba: Wildcat can’t get inside of his own head, he just needs to stick to the strategy, work through it…
Grabbing the head of the Czar of CrusherSteria, Wildcat lifts him up and stuns him with another headbutt that rocks Clinton?. He pushes him to the ropes and whips him…Cliff reverses….HUGE POWERSLAM FROM THE VETERAN!!!
Steve Morrison: Cliff caught Capone out of nowhere with that!
Cross Recoba: He needs to rally.
Feeding off the crowd, Cliff signals for the end!
Steve Morrison: He needs to run!
Crowd: CRUSHER! CRUSHER! CRUSHER! CRUSHER! CRUSHER!
He picks up Wildcat and tucks his head between his leg and lifts!
Steve Morrison: He’s going for the Cliff Dive!
IRN FST FINDS HIMSELF SUSPENDED ABOVE HIS OPPONENT’S HEAD IN A CRUCIFIX POSITION!
Cross Recoba: This is the Last Chance Saloon for Capone!
CAPONE KICKS HIS LEGS TO TRY AND ESCAPE….
Steve Morrison: He’s not making it easy…
WILDCAT DROPS TO THE MAT!
Cross Recoba: What he does next is key…
CLINTON? TURNS…SNAP POWERSLAM!
Steve Morrison: HE CAUGHT HIM!
DASHING TO THE ROPES, CAPONE GOES FOR THE SLIDING LARIAT!!! CLIFF DUCKS!
Steve Morrison: SLIDING D MISSES!!
Reaching behind him, Clinton?? DEADLIFTS HIS OPPONENT BACK INTO THE CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB POSITION…..
Cross Recoba: Come on, Capone…skin the cat again!
HE DRIVES CAPONE’S HEAD INTO THE MAT!!
Steve Morrison: CLIFF DIVE!!
Cliff hooks the leg as he covers:
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: THE WINNER OF OUR OPENING MATCH, VIA PINFALL, CLIFF CLIIIIIIIIINNNTONNNNNN!!!!!
The veteran’s arm is raised by Rhod as he takes in his debut victory.
Steve Morrison: An impressive victory from the veteran!
Cross Recoba: I couldn’t call him a gamble as we’ve all seen what he did in Sin City Championship Wrestling but this might make people sit up and notice!
We fade in.
Poena (VO): Let them hate me. They do not understand what I have done for each one of them
Steve Morrison: JUDAS CRADLE! JUDAS CRADLE!
Poena (VO): Jack, I brought to the true light.
Jack takes a half step back, corks back his leg and BLASTS POENA IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WITH A PRECISELY DELIVERED SAVATE KICK! POENA GETS HIS BLOCK ROCKED!
Steve Morrison: ICONKICK! ICONKICK! ICONKICK!
Poena (VO): NOMAD, I broke so that he could heal stronger
Poena yanks NOMAD’s arms together in front of him, then laughs maniacally as he shifts his grip to put even more pressure on the hold, crossing his own arms and pulling with all his might. After a moment or two, a sickening ripping sound is heard, with NOMAD letting out a muffled scream as both of his arms pop out of joint, dislocated and likely broken. Road agents are finally arriving on the scene, horrified by the broken man left on the floor as Poena gets up and glares bloody murder at them with his red eye glowing.
NOMAD (VO): How do you co-exist with a man who tried to kill you? You don't. Playing happy and holding hands doesn't happen here.
NOMAD sweeps again and with top position starts laying down short forearms, driving his overdeveloped flexor digitorum repeatedly into Poena’s nose. The referee rolls out of the ring, holding his hand and limply signals for the bell.
DINGDINGDING!
NOMAD (VO): I don't like being called an 'underdog'. Everyone saw the outcome between me and Merric when we stood toe-to-toe.
NOMAD PULLS MERRIC OFF OF THESPIAN….A SICKENING LARIAT OF HIS OWN CONNECTS WITH THE BACK OF MERRIC’S HEAD!!!
Raiden Ishimori (VO) : That initial victory over the likes of Thespian and NOMAD were enough to draw plenty of eyes toward me…There's bound to be tension, maybe even a little blood, between all of us, but the common goal of taking down people sitting at the top of the rankings is going to be priority number one. Simple as that.
Thespian takes Merric over with a Japanese Arm Drag and steps back….SLINGSHOT CUTTER FROM ISHIMORI LEVELS HIM!!!
Sam Sawyer: Yeah, beating Random was a good sign. She's one of the best wrestlers in Tap Out. But I'm not taking anything for granted.
Steve Morrison: VICIOUS STRIKES FROM THE TEXAN!
His legs buckling from the blows, Merric drops to a knee as Sawyer resumes their assault on the arm of the Bounty Hunter.
Cross Recoba: They’re trying to get him to the mat. A submission or just setting him up for their next play, Sawyer’ll take it.
SAWYER RELEASES THE HOLD! MERRIC GETS TO A KNEE!
Steve Morrison: Sam creates some space…
SAWYER RUSHES IN WITH A HUGE LARIAT TO THE RISING MERRIC!!
Steve Morrison: FIRE WITH FIRE LARIAT!!!
Random McConalogue (VO): I never expected to come in here with a streak, but outcomes come out of life. It was always inevitable, but that never helps either.
Steve Morrison: He’s calling for the Spike Impaler.
Breathing heavily, possibly through exertion, possibly because he’s just breathing in the atmosphere, Spike grabs Random around the waist and hoists her up, looking to drive the Infrequent Flyer down into the mat in an uncomfortably savage fashion. SPIKE KANE SITS OUT, DRIVING RANDOM DOWN VERTICALLY WHILE TURNING HIS OWN BODY ROUND IN MID AIR TO PANCAKE THE POOR RANDOM WITH THE SPIKE IMPALER…
...AND RANDOM SLIPS LOOSE AS SPIKE FALLS AND SNAPS HER LEGS ROUND HIS LOOSE ARM!
Steve Morrison: ARMBAR!
Cross Recoba: Armbar!
Steve Morrison: ArmBAR!
Cross Recoba: ARMbar!
RANDOM, AS QUICK AS A FLASH STEPS UP, OVER AND THROUGH, CRADLING SPIKE WITH LA MAGISTRAL!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE…
Tommy Strychnine (VO): Who gives a shit about a streak?
BOTH MEN GET TO THEIR FEET AND JACK THROWS AN ICON KICK….IT’S CAUGHT! TOMMY SPINS THE CHAMPION AROUND AND GRABS A WAISTLOCK. HE CHARGES JACK INTO THE TURNBUCKLE AND ROLLS BACKWARDS
Steve Morrison: ROLLING GERMAN!
Jack Diamond(VO): As far as trust, I don't trust anyone in this match. All six of us are looking to secure a pinfall and head to Supremacy!
Both men are down, spent. It takes a while, a long while for the two men to get back to their feet. The crowd noise is loud enough to raise the dead. It’s also loud enough to raise the two combatants. Through the sweat, the pain, the sacrifice the pair exchange one final glare of sheer determination. And together, as if of one mind they cock their legs, load up that massive shotgun of a superkick they both possess and fire…
...AND LONG’S LEG BUCKLES TRYING TO THROW THE KICK! JACK DIAMOND CONNECTS, MAYBE NOT FLUSH BUT ENOUGH TO SEND JASON LONG REELING.
Steve Morrison: THEY BOTH WENT FOR THE ICONKICK!
Cross Recoba: But unlike their last meeting, only one man hit the target.
Jack doesn’t even bother to cover, he just hauls Jason Long off the mat and grabs him, walking The Catalyst to a corner. Diamond deposits Long on the top rope and STARTS ASCENDING THE TURNBUCKLE HIMSELF. With both men positioned on the top rope, Jack turns, facing inwards towards the ring and hooks in that three quarter facelock. He pauses for a second before LEAPING OFF INTO THE RING, IMPACTING LONG’S HEAD ON HIS SHOULDER…
Steve Morrison: SKYSCRAPER STACKED DECK!
Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!
Jack Diamond (VO): That Openweight Championship belongs around the waist of Jack Diamond, and it will again, sooner rather than later!
THE RACE FOR THE TITLE BEGINS TONIGHT!
Laura Messier: The following contest is a tag-team match, scheduled for one fall!
The opening thumping guitar and drum riff of "Unstoppable" by Disturbed hits the arena as an imitation sandstorm is created in the entranceway. After 10 seconds of the storm, Aiden Merric emerges from the billowing sands chewing nicotine gum and wearing a smug ass smile on his face, the Tap Out Openweight title over his shoulder.
Steve Morrison: The new Champion is here!
Cross Recoba: After coming close in Ascension Wrestling he made sure last month when it came to capturing a company's top title!
He spits the gum and puts a patch on his arm before stretching and walking to the ring with a purpose. He nods along with the theme song as he jabbers with the crowd and keeps moving. He stalks around the ring to the far side and nods at the commentators before he rolls into the ring and stretches on the ropes.
Steve Morrison: The danger for Merric though is that his focus will be entirely on the matches that follow this one.
Cross Recoba: He can't let that cloud his match, he knows he has to face one of Tommy or Random next month and if he gets through that, it's one of the six in our main event. Nothing can change that.
The referee stops him and removes his various blades, ropes and other hunting equipment as he smirks. As the first chorus ends at roughly 65 seconds in, Aiden is set free to his corner. He then cracks his neck, waiting for the bell as his music fades and the storm subsides.
Steve Morrison: He'll be licking his lips with this match. We saw last month just how devastating that Lariat can be and they're two people across him in this match who've never felt the force of it!
Cross Recoba: He's paired with a relative newcomer to the sport, it'll be interesting to see just how much wisdom he imparts on his partner to get the victory tonight.
Drums beat slowly, the lights in the arena dim, and two white lickers flicker with the sound of the drums.
“My Hands are Empty” by Machine Head roars through the arena as the drums and background music grow louder, fans joining in by pounding their chests or stomping their feet in unison. The lights shake 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.
Steve Morrison: The Son of the Murder Lizard arrives in the new-look Lansky Ballroom!
Cross Recoba: He thrives on the big matches!
Sporting white boots with kick pads that go from the foot to his knee pad. 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 hand’s index finger, saying ‘You know what’s coming’ 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: If Merric's brawling combines with Fristik's high-octane mat game, we could have a formidable team!
Cross Recoba: They have a common enemy, it's more of a start than some people get in tag-matches!
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: What could a win for Fristik mean for his career in Tap Out?
Cross Recoba: He's not had the start he wanted but we've seen plenty of people turn around their fortunes since we opened. Win tonight and then it makes 2024 a wide-open proposition!
The opening chords of Big Shot slam into the speakers, bringing the fans to their feet as Jackalope charges through the curtain.
Steve Morrison: A true fan favorite!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope's daredevil offense makes every match he's in a spectacle!
He runs full tilt down the ramp and slides into the ring, rolling to his feet and spinning like a dervish as he soaks everything in.
Steve Morrison: Teamed with a slightly more conservative wrestler, can the Chaos Bunny meld their styles into a win over the Openweight Champion?
Cross Recoba: It'd be a great scalp for Jackalope. He put in a hell of a showing against Jack Diamond and seeing how his old adversary, Tommy Strychnine is just one win away from another shot at the title, he'll know the opportunity in front of him!
He finally slows enough to mount a turnbuckle, a grin on his face as he salutes the fans before backflipping to the mat again.
Steve Morrison: No sign of any stress from the demise of Bloodied Fox, can he keep that event off his mind?
Cross Recoba: I manage to do that daily...
The arena goes dark, silent for a brief moment until the intro of "Recreant” by Nik Nocturnal & Will Ramos begins to play.
As the song continues to build up, the lights explode back on right at that magical moment.
“UNFAITHFUL BACKSTABBING COWARD”
Standing in the entryway is Chris Sanderson with a hooded sweatshirt on, hood up, as he takes in the increasingly negative reaction from the crowd while his wife, Ali, stands behind him with a shit-eating grin.
Steve Morrison: Chris Sanderson returns to the Network!
Cross Recoba: A great pick-up for us, a former XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion and someone who has grown up around the ring!
The second-generation talent takes a glance at the people on their feet before beginning his walk to the ring. Sanderson makes sure to ignore the hands that stick over the barricade. He continues to take his time walking to the ring with a smirk on his face.
“Now you'll see that I'm not just something you can fucking cast aside
My whole life I stood right by your side
You fucking hypocrite
You make it seem like it was my fault”
Chris Sanderson reaches ringside and stops in front of the ring. He tosses his hood back and jumps up to the ring apron before hopping over the ropes.
Steve Morrison: The son of Brad Kane, the nephew of Spike, Sanderson might well be part of XHF royalty but tonight he makes his debut in Tap Out and that name is only going to be seen as a scalp to his opponents.
Cross Recoba: Sanderson can start to step out from that long shadow if he can avoid being big game to the bounty hunter.
He makes his way to the closest turnbuckle, jumping up and continues to look out at the fans. He hops down and uses the ropes to stretch out. Chris unzips his jacket and tosses it off to ringside as the song begins to fade away.
Steve Morrison: Between Jackalope and Sanderson you've got a team that can deliver high-speed, high-impact offense at will!
Cross Recoba: They'll need to get on the same page quickly though to get something out of this match.
Laura Messier: Introducing our first team, weighing in at four-hundred-and-forty-three pounds. The Wonder from Down Under AND THE TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION, AIDEN MERRIC!! And his tag-team partner, THE PEGASUS WARRIOR…JULIUS…FRISTIK!!!
The pair talk strategy ahead of the bell.
Laura Messier: And their opponents. Tipping the scales at three-hundred-and-eight-six pounds..THE CHAOS BUNNY, JACKALOPE! AND MAKING HIS DEBUT, WRESTLING’S MIDDLE CHILD…CHRIS…SANDERSON!!!!
The smaller team seem to be more animated in their discussions as they decide who will start the match for their team.
TAG-TEAM MATCH
Aiden Merric (#4) / Julius Fristik (#12) vs Jackalope (#5) / Chris Sanderson (-)
Steve Tyrell watches as Ali Sanderson and Laura Messier leave the ring before signalling to the two longer-standing members of Tap Out from each team to approach the center of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Tyrell clearly looking to Merric and Sanderson to lead by example.
Cross Recoba: Interesting theory when one of those people snuck several weapons into his last match.
Merric and Jackalope come out to meet the Match Official in the center of the ring. Steve expresses what he wants from the two teams and points to them both as if he’s holding the longer-tenured Tap Out wrestlers accountable for their partners. He makes a point of grabbing Jackalope’s hair as he talks to Merric as if aware that Aiden would be only too likely to take advantage of it.
Steve Morrison: He’s putting down a marker on what he’ll stand for.
Cross Recoba: Again, Merric hid a knife in his mullet last month.
In Jackalope’s direction, he makes a clear show of ensuring that clear tags are made. Both men take the talk onboard as they head to their corners.
Steve Morrison: We’ll see how effective those words are as the match progresses.
Cross Recoba: Outside of Jackalope, every other fighter has a penchant for dipping into the black-hat areas of wrestling.
Steve Morrison: Fristik received a first-rate education on that just from watching his father’s tapes!
Merric looks over to the opposite corner and sees Sanderson push his case to start before climbing through the ropes.
Steve Morrison: It’ll be interesting to see how much Fristik and Jackalope take onboard from their partners.
Cross Recoba: We’ve covered that link that Merric and Fristik shared of NOMAD but this is a great opportunity for Jackalope to learn from a former XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion!
Tyrell calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Both men rush from their corners and meet in the middle with a collar-and-elbow tie-up. The Canadian tries to force his position but the shorter Sanderson stands his ground before ducking under with a waistlock. It’s only held momentarily before Julius reverses the hold into a headlock. Chris looks to turn the headlock into a positive and lifts up the Pegasus Warrior for a back suplex, but the Canadian shifts his weight…Headlock takedown!
Steve Morrison: Both of these men are no stranger to a technical outlook but Cross, where can they find something to get the upper hand?
Cross Recoba: Fristik might be tempted to keep the match at a faster tempo but it needs to be measured, Sanderson didn’t get that Junior Heavyweight title by accident and he’ll be looking to use that experience to find the gaps that you only find by being in the ring a little longer…
Swinging his legs up, Sanderson looks for a headscissors to break the hold but the Son of the Murder Lizard weaves out of the way.
Steve Morrison: Deft evasion from the Pegasus Warrior.
Changing tact, Chris grabs a handful of tights to roll over his opponent:
Cross Recoba: But Sanderson switches tact.
ONE…
Fristik manages to roll out of the pin and back into the headlock.
Steve Morrison: We’re at a bit of an impasse here, fans. Who will break the deadlock?
Once more with the legs, this time Sanderson breaks the hold with a headscissors lock.
Cross Recoba: Chris with a nice counter there. He tried it before but had it blocked but went back to it and found the gap.
Julius powers out of it and grabs the legs of Sanderson before flipping over for the pin.
Steve Morrison: Only for a moment…
ONE…
Showing tremendous neck strength, Chris bridges up from his neck and wraps his arms around the waist of the Canadian before twisting into a backslide:
ONE…
Fristik rolls out!
Steve Morrison: No dice…
Dropkick…missed by the Calgary Son! Sanderson tries to take advantage and grabs the trailing leg, spinning around it…
Cross Recoba: Trying to slow it down.
Kicking off his opponent to the ropes, Fristik kips up and catches Sanderson with an arm-drag as he returns. He holds onto the arm.
Steve Morrison: Fristik showing the veteran he isn’t going to be pushed around or cowed by the experience!
Tucking the limb of his opponent under his arm at the elbow, Fristik crouches over Sanderson.
Cross Recoba: He’s trying to work that hold, take away the threat of the Hangman’s Clutch or Pumphandle Piledriver that Sanderson keeps in his locker.
SANDERSON SWEEPS THE LEG! HE HOLDS ON AND LOOKS TO TURN HIM OVER INTO A SINGLE-LEG BOSTON CRAB!
Steve Morrison: TALKING ABOUT THAT HANGMAN’S CLUTCH, HE’S GOING FOR THE OMEGA FINALE!
Cross Recoba: We could be seeing a very quick and decisive win!
Fristik rolls out from under the hold. He measures Sanderson as he rises. PELE KICK!
Steve Morrison: An extremely important escape and look how he caught Chris with that counter kick!
With a sudden sprint, Julius goes to the ropes…SANDERSON FOLLOWS IN WITH A RUNNING ELBOW TO THE HEAD!!
Cross Recoba: He just played into Sanderson’s plan there. Chris’ offense is based off those elbows, those European Uppercuts…
The Washington native follows up with a lifting knee to his opponent's midsection that doubles him over. The veteran wrestler props up the younger fighter against the ropes. A KNIFE-EDGE CHOP CONNECTS WITH THE CHEST OF FRISTIK!
Crowd: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
A Forearm connects with the head of the Canadian before Tyrell backs Sanderson off to force the rope break. Chris backs off and raises his hands in innocence.
Steve Morrison: Clean break.
CHRIS LURCHES FORWARD WITH AN OVERHAND SLAP TO THE CHEST THAT TURNS THE LANSKY BALLROOM INTO A CACOPHANY OF BOOS!
Steve Morrison: THE DIRTY SONOFA-
Cross Recoba: If you know Sanderson, you knew that was going to happen.
Ignoring the crowd sentiment, Sanderson keeps his opponent on the ropes: European Uppercut connects!
Steve Morrison: Sanderson’s teeing off on Fristik who’s trapped against the ropes!
Bringing Fristik from the ropes in a Cravate facelock, Sanderson lifts his knee into the body of his opponent as he brings him towards Jackalope and tags him in.
Cross Recoba: Chris is using his greatest hits to keep on top of Fristik, hopefully jackalope can keep it up.
Jackalope springs over the top rope and immediately fires a middle kick that is targeted through his opponent…Headscissors takedown introduces the Chaos Bunny into the match!
Steve Morrison: Just listen to the fans’ noise lift as one of the most popular members of the roster gets in the ring!
Not taking a millisecond to rest, Kid Cryptid dashes to the ropes….BASEMENT DROPKICK CONNECTS!
Cross Recoba: Fristik has a difficult job tonight. He’s going from one extreme to another in strategies, outpacing Sanderson and then trying to slow it right down against Jackalope!
Trying to get himself back into the match, Fristik gets to his feet but Jacklaope is already charging towards him…FRONT-FLIP DDT!!
Steve Morrison: HE SPIKED HIM!!
Jackalope makes the cover:
ONE…
TW-
KICKOUT FROM THE PEGASUS WARRIOR!!!
Crowd: CHA-OS BUNNY! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* CHA-OS BUNNY! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* CHA-OS BUNNY! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* CHA-OS BUNNY! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* CHA-OS BUNNY! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Spurred on by the crowd, Jackalope rolls under the ropes…SPRINGBOARD SPINNING WHEEL KICK CATCHES JULIUS IN THE KISSER!!
Steve Morrison: Did you see the elevation?!
Once more rolling to the apron, the Chaos Bunny waits for Fristik to get back to his feet. He stomps his feet on the canvas to get the crowd to build up some hype.
Crowd: *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP*
Julius starts to get back to his feet as Jackalope leaps to the top rope…SPRINGBOARD SHOOTING STAR PRESS….
Steve Morrison: LOOKING FOR THAT EL-AHRAIRAH DDT….
JULIUS ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!
Cross Recoba: FRISTIK HAD IT SCOUTED!
HE SCRAMBLES TO HIS FEET….KID CRYPTID TURNS AROUND AND SWINGS A KICK…FRISTIK CATCHES IT AND SPINS HIM AROUND….HALF-NELSON SUPLEX!!!
Steve Morrison: That fluid Fristik foray might well have turned the tide.
Both men are down.
Cross Recoba: If he chooses to capitalize, I’d be looking to get out at this point. He’s been in there since the start of the match.
Merric can be seen stamping his foot to try and get the crowd behind his partner to make the tag.
Crowd: *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP*
Julius rolls to his feet and makes the tag!
Steve Morrison: THE TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION ENTERS THE FRAY!
Aiden gets into the ring and immediately catches Jackalope before he can fully return to his feet with a right hand that drops the Chaos Bunny! And another!!! A THIRD ONE SENDS JACKALOPE OVER THE ROPES TO THE APRON!!!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope might be overmatched here. He needs to change the fight and keep Merric off his feet but Aiden’s fresh and he knows he needs to make a statement tonight!
The Openweight Champion reaches over the ropes and grabs the head of the Chaos Bunny AND THROWS HIM BACK INTO THE RING!
Steve Morrison: Tremendous show of strength from the Wonder from Down Under!
The crowd are silenced as Merric gives Jackalope no time to recover and sends a vicious boot into the spine of his opponent!
Cross Recoba: A John Eales Special!
He drags the lighter man to his feet and sends him to the ropes…BLIND TAG FROM SANDERSON….
Steve Morrison: Did Tyrell see it?
Cross Recoba: Sanderson taking the veteran move of getting the younger and lighter wrestler out of the way.
DOUBLE EAR CLAP CONNECTS FROM MERRIC…A HEADBUTT SENDS JACKALOPE TO THE FLOOR!!!
Steve Morrison: BAG AND TAG!
Cross Recoba: But look what’s coming…
SANDERSON CATCHES AIDEN OFF-GUARD WITH A SPRINGBOARD EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!!!
Steve Morrison: HUGE CONNECTION AND WHAT A WAY TO REINTRODUCE YOURSELF INTO THE MATCH!
Wrestling’s Middle Child drives a knee into the stomach of the Tap Out Champion BEFORE THROWING HIM THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE!
Steve Morrison: Sanderson looking to take this one to ringside.
Merric lands on his feet and staggers forward as he does so.
Cross Recoba: What does Chris have planned?
OVER THE RING POST SOMERSAULT PLANCHA FROM SANDERSON CONNECTS!!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT A MANOEUVRE!
Crowd: THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT!
Steve Tyrell starts the count:
ONE!
Fristik climbs through the ropes. He hits the ropes on the far side…
Steve Morrison: We’re not finished…
TWO!!
SPRINGBOARD BLOCKBUSTER NECKBREAKER CONNECTS WITH SANDERSON!!!
Cross Recoba: Picture-perfect execution!
THREE!!!!
Fristik gets to his feet and starts to help his partner up.
Steve Morrison: Merric now back up…
FOUR!!!
JACKALOPE SPRINGS TOWARDS THE ROPES…PATADAS VOLADORAS SUICIDA TAKES MERRIC AND FRISTIK BACK DOWN TO THE FLOOR!!!
Steve Morrison: SUICIDE DROPKICK FROM THE CHAOS BUNNY!!!
FIVE!!!
The Chaos Bunny grabs his partner and rolls him back into the ring to beat the count.
SIX!!
Merric gets back up….HE THROWS JACKALOPE INTO THE GUARD-RAIL WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope sowing...Jackalope reaping.
SEVEN!!!
The Aussie rolls back into the ring to break the count but Sanderson doesn’t let him get to his feet as he launches a series of boots to the back of Aiden.
Steve Morrison: Sanderson wisely keeping the brawler on the mat.
Prizing Merric from the mat, Sanderson hooks him….EXPLODER SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!!!
Cross Recoba: Deliberate trajectory from Wrestling’s Middle Child. Dropped him right into turnbuckle pad!
Heading to the opposite corner, Chris charges in…SHOTGUN DROPKICK!!!!
Steve Morrison: HUGE impact!
Grabbing the Wonder from Down Under by the head, Sanderson rolls Merric out from the corner.
Cross Recoba: He’s showing Jackalope how to set the pace..
Wrestling’s Middle Child heads for the ropes…HANDSPRING REBOUND ACE CRUSHER….
Steve Morrison: FROM NOWHERE!
MERRIC CATCHES HIM WITH A DRAGON SUPLEX!!!!
Cross Recoba: Aiden recovered just in time!
Crowd: LET’S GO, MERRIC! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, MERRIC! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, MERRIC! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, MERRIC! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, MERRIC! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Sanderson gets to his feet and tries to steal a march on his opponent. He rushes in…MERRIC CATCHES HIM WITH A URANAGE BACKBREAKER!! A HAYMAKER SENDS SANDERSON FROM HIS KNEE TO THE MAT!
Steve Morrison: TRAP TRICK!
Looking to his corner, Merric tags in Fristik!
Cross Recoba: Can his partner keep Sanderson down?
Stepping through the ropes, Julius rushes towards Sanderson…RUNNING CLOTHESLINE FROM THE CANADIAN TAKES BOTH OF THEM DOWN TO THE MAT!
Steve Morrison: He got the full impact as he went down with Sanderson!
Wasting no motion, the Pegasus Warrior hooks a front-facelock on the fallen Sanderson and rolls him to his feet. Fisherman’s Suplex…
ONE…
TW-
KICKOUT FROM THE WASHINGTON WRESTLER!!!
Cross Recoba: Sanderson is down but he’s not beaten just yet.
Fristik lifts up the veteran to his feet and measures him…PICTURE-PERFECT DROPKICK SENDS SANDERSON INTO THE CORNER!
Steve Morrison: He’s setting him up…
THE CANADIAN CHARGES IN…YAKUZA KICK CONNECTS!!
Steve Morrison: PEGASUS KICK!!
Sanderson drops to the mat as Julius covers:
ONE….
TWO…
THRE-
JACKALOPE BREAKS UP THE PIN WITH A BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE FACE OF JULIUS!!
Steve Morrison: JACKALOPE MAKES THE SAVE!
Cross Recoba: He NEEDED to make that!
Tyrell doesn’t hesitate to usher Jackalope out from the ring. Taking advantage of his partner distracting the referee, SANDERSON PULLS FRISTIK INTO THE CORNER POST AS THE CANADIAN GOES TO PICK HIM UP!!
Steve Morrison: Come on, Tyrell!
Cross Recoba: He’s unsighted. Veteran move from Chris Sanderson right there.
Turning back to the match at hand, Tyrell sees Sanderson lift Fristik onto his shoulders…he throws him off INTO A ROUNDHOUSE KICK!!!
Steve Morrison: HIT BY A THUNDERSTORM FINDS ITS MARK!
With his opponent down, Sanderson tags in the Chaos Bunny.
Cross Recoba: This could be a huge moment in the match.
The crowd roar into life as Jackalope leaps to the top rope. He sees Fristik rise and leaps…TOP ROPE RANA INTO A PIN!!!
Steve Morrison: HE NAILS IT!!
ONE…
TWO…
MERRIC FLOORS JACKALOPE WITH A SUPERMAN PUNCH TO KEEP HIS TEAM IN IT!!
Steve Morrison: AN AUSSIE RULES SUPERMAN PUNCH KEEPS THE MATCH GOING!!
Cross Recoba: Aiden might not be a technical wizard but he does know how to control a match and it’s no wonder why he has that title around his waist.
Tyrell keeps it consistent and ushers Merric back to his corner.
Steve Morrison: We’ll find out in the second-half of the night just what lies in store for him in the immediate future as Random McConalogue and Tommy Strychnine face-off for a shot next month and if he gets past that? He could face any one from Poena, Diamond, Long, Sawyer, NOMAD, or Ishimori at XHF Supremacy!
Getting to his feet, Fristik picks up Jackalope before slamming him once more to the mat. With urgency, the Canadian leaps to the top himself….HIGH ANGLE MOONSAULT!!!!
Steve Morrison: FAITH NO MORE!!!
JACKALOPE GETS HIS KNEES UP!!
Cross Recoba: The Chaos Bunny had it scouted!
Rolling to his feet, Kid Cryptid is visibly spurred on by the Lansky Ballroom chants.
Crowd: JACKALOPE! JACKALOPE! JACKALOPE! JACKALOPE! JACKALOPE!
Capitalizing on the moment, the Crypid Bunny dashes towards Fristik who still clutches his stomach…STEP UP ENZUIGURI!!!
Steve Morrison: Jackalope made the most of that window!
Cross Recoba: The kid is rapid inside the ring!
Fristik immediately tries to recover and get back to his feet. Without hesitation, Jackalope hits the ropes….REVERSE SLINGBLADE!!!!
Steve Morrison: HOLD-OUT PISTOL!
Kid Cryptid makes the cover!
ONE…
MERRIC RUSHES INTO THE RING
TWO…
JACKALOPE IS HOOKED INTO A DEADLIFT TIGER SUPLEX FROM MERRIC!!!
Steve Morrison: MERRIC MAKES THE SAVE ONCE MORE!!
Cross Recoba: Jackalope’s head just bounced off the mat!
Heading back to his corner, Aiden encourages the young Canadian to tag out. Sanderson shakes his head at where Jackalope has left his team and extends a hand.
Steve Morrison: Both teams need to change who’s in the ring…
Fristik immediately tags in Merric as Jackalope works his way towards his partner.
Cross Recoba: Jackalope needs an out.
MERRIC RUSHES ACROSS THE RING AND NAILS SANDERSON ON THE APRON WITH A HUGE STRIKE TO THE HEAD!
Steve Morrison: Aiden with a strategic blow across the bow of the opposition!
The Australian reaches down and picks up Jackalope but the Lansky Ballroom Favorite fires off a kick! And another kick! He goes for an overhand strike…it’s caught….JUDO THROW!
Cross Recoba: We know where this is going…
MERRIC HANGS ON!
Steve Morrison: THAT’S NOT A KNIFE!
MACHINE GUN CHOPS TO THE THROAT OF JACKALOPE SEND THE LANSKY BALLROOM INTO UPROAR!!!
Steve Morrison: THAT’S A KNIFE!!
Jackalope staggers back holding his throat. Merric reaches around and grabs his opponent by the waist, controlling the wrist….
Cross Recoba: He’s got it hooked in.
THE RIPCORD IS PULLED…
Steve Morrison: We know what’s coming…
JACKALOPE ROLLS OUT THE WAY!!!!
Steve Morrison: Just listen to the roar of the crowd as Jackalope escapes to fight on!
DROP TOE HOLD SUSPENDS MERRIC ON THE MIDDLE ROPE!!
Cross Recoba: Fristik needs to get involved!
TIGER FEINT KICK CONNECTS TO SEND THE LANSKY BALLROOM INTO PANDEMONIUM!!!
Steve Morrison: BUCK YOU!
Fristik starts to climb through the ropes but Sanderson steals a march on him as he leaps over the rope…BASEMENT DROPKICK!!
Cross Recoba: Chris anticipated that and countered it!
CHRIS HITS THE ROPES…REBOUND HANDSPRING CUTTER TAKES FRISTIK TO THE MAT AND TO THE OUTSIDE AS SANDERSON FOLLOWS!
Steve Morrison: FROM NOWHERE FINDS ITS MARK!!
Crowd: EL-AH-RAI-RAH! DDT! EL-AH-RAI-RAH! DDT! EL-AH-RAI-RAH! DDT! EL-AH-RAI-RAH! DDT! EL-AH-RAI-RAH! DDT!
JACKALOPE SPRINGS FROM THE APRON TO THE TOP ROPE AND LEAPS INTO A SHOOTING STAR PRESS….
Steve Morrison: LOOK AT THE HANG TIME FOR THAT SHOOTING STAR DD-
MERRIC CATCHES HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!!!!!
Cross Recoba: HE CAUGHT HIM!!!!!
Steve Morrison: CONTRACT FULFILLED!!!!!!
A pin dropping would be heard in the Lansky Ballroom in that moment.
Cross Recoba: No Lariato from the crowd this month?
Merric makes the cover:
Steve Morrison: They suspect what I do…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Tyrell calls for the bell!!
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: Your winners of the match as a result of pinfall. THE PEGASUS WARRIOR, JULIUS FRISTIK! AND HIS PARTNER, YOUR TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION…AIDEN MERRRRRRICCCCCCCCCCCC!!!
“Unstoppable” by Disturbed plays over the Ballroom PA system as Merric’s hand is raised first followed by Fristik who rolls back into the ring.
Steve Morrison: Once that lariat connected, it was always going to be over.
Cross Recoba: Fristik gets some much-needed points and Merric has just demonstrated to the eight wrestlers in the back just how quickly he can end a match!
Sanderson looks down at his fallen tag partner and shakes his head, his Tap Out account opening with a loss through no fault of his own.
Steve Morrison: Sanderson unlucky to be on the losing side.
Cross Recoba: Jackalope went for a step just a little too far and he’ll learn from it. The downside for him is that I wouldn’t be surprised if Sanderson isn’t looking forward to seeing his name next to Jackalope’s in future shows.
Voiceover: Coming to you from Cornwall, England…
Crowd (VO): YOU DESERVE IT *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* YOU DESERVE IT *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* YOU DESERVE IT *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Voiceover: November 21st, only on the XHF Network…
Crowd (VO): LET’S GO HUNTER! LET’S GO GOTH!
Voiceover: Wrestle: UK: Legacy 21!
Voiceover: Three titles, one event, one place to be…
Voiceover: A rematch from the Battle of Britain…
Climbing out of the ring, Rage and Cage confront Florida Man with a good old fashioned beat down!
Tucker: Disgusting and a typical display from the High Roller’s Club! They are working overtime tonight!
Torchwood: All is fair in life and war, Tucker!
Fulton: The referee doesn’t see it, Jeremy!
Voiceover: But this time, the two teams meet inside a steel cage!
Seething. Rage begrudgingly climbs in as Marty comes sailing in with a high rising knee dead to rights square on that brick strike from earlier! The crowd cheers Marty on as he shouts yet again about Disney Plus! Rage rakes the eyes of Marty when he tried to get him up followed by a few punches and a series of kicks, Marty retreats for a tag and Flo hits the ring with no gusto.
Torchwood: Florida Man has Rage and Cage off balance!
Tucker: Psychological warfare!
Voiceover: Will the Epcot Mafia regain their titles without the High Rollers Club interfering?
Reese drags Rage over Flo before he climbs out with the brick and dives under the ring. The ref quickly dives under the ropes!
Tucker: Not like this! No!
Fulton:ALL THE GOLD BABY! ALL THE GOLD!
Torchwood: Florida is out cold!
1.
2..
....
3!
Voiceover: The Wrestle: UK World title is on the line as two men go to war!
Hunter grabs Goth by the head and starts landing forearms. Goth laughs in his face and fires back.
Voiceover: Can Eron Hunter best Psychotic Goth once more?
Tucker: Hunter going for it all! He’s got Goth lined up for it - AND THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS CONNECTS! RISING STAR DIVE! RISING STAR DIVE!
Voiceover: Or will his luck run out at Mennaye Field?
Psychotic Goth jumps to the middle rope, rebounds, and rocks Hunter with the Demon Strike (Superman Punch)!
Voiceover: And, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER….the XHF X*Crown comes to Wrestle: UK as Cross Recoba puts his Crown on the line against Kasper Vant Zant. Can KVZ bring the Crown to Wrestle: UK or will Cross Recoba make his third successful defe-
The voice glitches out until we cut to an insert.
The video opens outside the Lansky Ballroom in Vegas, a small crowd had started to gather around a young woman, a crowd of young women in fact fan girling to the presence of W:UK talent Kasper. Spotting the camera Kasper looks at it smiling but she continues to sign autographs.
Kasper Vant Zant: ] Hi, Tap Out! Mostly heeey to Cross Recoba, just returning the favor of showing up to shit in your backyard to see what all the jazz was about you and your show!
Girl 1: Are you going to really fight Cross?
Kasper Van Zant: Without a doubt! Van Zants don't backdown once we accept a challenge, plus I think the X*Crown needs a sex change.
All Girls at once: Totally! Yes!
Kasper Vant Zant:Yeah! See Cross I think the X*Crown division has been far to male dominant for far to long and I think I'm just the bitch to change that, I'm going to change that! And fuck all your grand delusions that you're going to steam roll over me because I'm pretty solid and despite ya' know being the greenest face to grace the Network I'm getting better...two title shots in less than a year! Don't worry about my focus either because you fall first in the path and I promise you are all I want.
She signed the last t-shirt and instructed all the girls to crowd around her to look at the camera.
Kasper Vant Zant:See you soon, Recoba, I may come and support Marty at his upcoming match...can we get a 'Fuck You, Recoba!'?
Kasper flips the finger and so do the teenage girls.
All the Girls: FUCK YOU RECOBA!
HALF-TIME SHOW
We come back from half-time and see Tap Out Road Agent, Va’aiga in the ring. Behind him stand Cross Recoba and SCCW part-owner and former Tap Out wrestler, Kingsley Solomon. In front of the pair are bowls containing balls, the Tap Out logo on display in the container by Recoba and the SCCW logo adorns those in the vessel by Solomon.
Va'aiga: KIA ORA, MOTHER FUCKERS! It’s time for the motherfuckin’ Oscar Goodman Cup draw!
Cheers and applause fill the Lansky Ballroom.
Va'aiga: A quick reminder, the cup will be decided at next month’s Tap Out show. With four matches held at The Gambler’s Den and three matches held here, in the motherfucking Lansky Ballroom!
The cheap pop once more elicits cheers.
Va'aiga: Drawing for Sin City…Kingsley Solomon and for Tap Out…Cross Recoba!
A mixed reaction for both of the company representatives.
Va'aiga: Our first match is hosted by Tap Out and is a tag-team match! Boo Yah!
He throws a shaka sign.
Va'aiga: Cross, do the motherfucking honors!
Recoba dips a hand into the bowl and pulls out a ball.
Cross Recoba: Sam Sawyer!
He reaches into the same bowl.
Cross Recoba: Jason Long!
Steve Morrison: That’s a hell of a mixed team!
Va'aiga: And their motherfuckin’ opponents?
Kingsley Solomon rifles through the balls in his bowl.
Kingsley Solomon: Ayaka…
The second ball to make the team.
Kingsley Solomon: Sister Valerie!
Steve Morrison: THAT’S SKY FORCE! This could prove an issue.
Va'aiga: Our first tag-team match - SAM SAWYER AND JASON LONG VS SKY MOTHERFUCKING FORCE!
The crowd cheers at the prospect of the opening match at Tap Out Wrestling 19.
Va'aiga: Now for our first match for SCCW, a singles match…
Kingsley Solomon reaches into his bowl.
Kingsley Solomon: Nelly Angel!
Steve Morrison: A former XHF Tag Team Champion…
Cross reaches into his bowl.
Cross Recoba: Chris Sanderson!
Va'aiga: Alright! BOO-YAH! NELLY ANGEL FACES CHRIS SANDERSON!
Steve Morrison: That match could be a sleeper hit for Match of the NightQ
Va'aiga: Keeping with Sin City, what’s the next singles bout?
Kingsley Solomon reaches once more into the vessel.
Kingsley Solomon: Vincent Draven!
Va'aiga: And facing that creepy motherfucker?
Cross Recoba holds up a ball.
Cross Recoba: Julius Fristik!
Steve Morrison: Sure to be a high-flying affair!
Va'aiga: Vincent Draven pitted against Julius Fristik!! Heading back to Tap Out!
Another cheap pop.
Cross Recoba: Random McConalogue or Tommy Strychnine.
Steve Morrison: Facing off against…
Kingsley Solomon: Jimi Coulson!
Steve Morrison: The one-time Infinite Pro tag-team wrestler now faces a showboat or a shooter. No prizes for guessing who’ll be tuning into our next match!
Va'aiga: Random McConalogue or Tommy Strychnine faces Jimi Coulson! Time for the SCCW tag-team match….
Kingsley Solomon: Kenneth Casper…
Picking up another ball, Solomon reads it out.
Kingsley Solomon: and Travis Monroe!
Steve Morrison: A pair who know each other well.
Cross Recoba: Wildcat Capone…
Steve Morrison: The well-travelled sophomoric wrestler but who is he teaming with?
Cross Recoba: Cliff Clinton?!
Steve Morrison: His opponent from earlier in the night!
Va'aiga: Alright! Casper and Monroe team against Capone and Clinton?! The last match for SCCW is…
Kingsley Solomon: Hunter Storms!
Steve Morrison: His own man!
Cross Recoba: Jack Diamond!
Steve Morrison: What a pairing!
Va'aiga: FUCK YEAH! Hunter Storms squares off against Jack MOTHERFUCKING Diamond! Concluding our draw…
Cross Recoba: Raiden Ishimori!
Steve Morrison: Could Tap Out’s hopes rely on the SCCW legend?
Kingsley Solomon: Hyperion!
Steve Morrison: A match that never happened in AWF but what a huge match!
Va'aiga: Raiden Ishimori versus Hyperion is your motherfucking Co Main Event next month! That’s it, motherfuckers, best of motherfucking seven, next month - BOO YAH!!!
Tommy Strychnine (VO): Takes less time to punch someone in the face than it does to clinch up.
Keeping his hand planted on the wrist of Strychnine, Aiden brings him to his feet…he whips him around….TOMMY DUCKS THE RIPCORD LARIAT AND GRABS A WAISTLOCK…GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!!
Random McConalogue (VO): Buckshots look cool, but they always come in steps. Prompts all the way. Flip, land, bounce, swing. Is Tommy really sure he wants to give me all that notice just to come at me with his arm out?
Long makes the throat slash gesture and leans forwards, lifting Random upinto a Fireman’s Carry…
Steve Morrison: BURNING SKY!
...and begins to swing Random’s legs out for his devestating modified Death Valley Driver… but Random slips out and behind Long’s back. As quick as a flash, McConalgue hooks in a far-side Half Nelson and rolls forward, sweeping Long’s legs out and using her control of the neck to twist Long around, forcing his head forwards and clearing the path for Long’s shoulders to touch the mat!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!!
Long looks… STUNNED. Random rolls away, grinning to herself as the crowd try to process what has happened.
Tommy Strychnine (VO): Tommy Strychnine don't tap! Doesn't matter if you're European, Japanese, British Strong, French, Polynesian, Martian, Texas Conservative, Southern Baptist, or Carny Orthodox. I'll kick your ass just like any other chump that steps up!
Grabbing the blood-soaked head of Ishimori, Strych pulls it through the ropes…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 waits…SLINGSHOT SPRINGBOARD V-TRIGGER FINDS HOME!!!
Steve Morrison: KISS ME DEADLY!!!!!
Tommy hooks a leg as he makes the cover:
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
Random McConalogue (VO): He's never perfectly precise, but you only have to be precise enough to get it done. Other people might lose the thread, but I can read the margin of error and bake that in. That's just my instinct.
Random slides her legs over and scissors Craft’s arm, cranking back on the head. The referee asks Jacob Craft if he wants to tap but McConalogue is already onto her next hold. Letting loose of the head and transitioning to a seated Fujiwara armbar.
A crank on the arm again sends a wave of pain through Craft’s body. Another slick move swivels Random around so she can grab a leg at the same time, applying a snappy Tequila Sunrise. But the Scot isn’t done as she switches legs again, wrapping both legs into a 4 shape… backwards… and stepping over Jacob’s body applying an inverted Texas Cloverleaf!
Tommy Strychnine (VO): Week after week I get my shit kicked in. Poena kicked my shit in. Sam Sawyer kicked my shit in. Crocodile Dumbfuck kicked my shit in. I pissed blood for two days after Jack Dipshit kicked my shit in. With very few exceptions, I have struggled and clawed and fought my way through every match I have had in the XHF, particularly in Tap Out. I have to be better. I have to work harder. I have to be stronger!
Tommy ducks out from the slap and moves behind his opponent…RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
Steve Morrison: NO! Tommy manages to hit a HUGE MOVE to turn the tide!
Lifting his opponent up, Tommy puts him across his shoulder and throws him neck-first onto his knee.
Steve Morrison: TOMMYNOCKER!
Stepping between the ropes, Tommy waits patiently.
Cross Recoba: He’s looking to put this away now!
He leaps…
Steve Morrison: He’s going for it…
SPRINGBOARD V-TRIGGER!!
Steve Morrison: KISS ME DEADLY!!
He covers…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!
Random McConalogue (VO): There's only one way it'll ever land. Rock on, Tommy!
JACOB CRAFT HOLDS ON! WITH BOTH COMPETITORS LYING ON THEIR BACKS, HEADS INCHES AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, CRAFT, RELYING ON HIS GRACIE JIU JITSU INSTINCTS LOCKS HIS ARMS AROUND RANDOM’S NECK AND GATOR ROLLS 360 DEGREES INTO POSITION MID RING!
Steve Morrison: NO! GATOR ROLL! ALL CRAFT HAS TO DO IS SHIFT HIS GRIP AND THAT’S THE ANACONDA CHOKE SET UP!
BUT RANDOM REALISES THE POSITION SHE’S IN AND WALKS HER FEET BACKWARDS, ARCHING HER BACK TO PUT PRESSURE ON CRAFT’S SHOULDERS…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: The winner of your co-main event, via pinfall….RANDOM….McCONALOGUE!!!
THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER’S MATCH IS UP NEXT!
Laura Messier: It’s time for your CO-MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING! It’s a singles match set for one fall where the winner will go on to face the Tap Out Openweight Champion, AIDEN MERRIC…at our next show!
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 enigmatic wrestler on the roster!
Cross Recoba: Trying to work her out is almost impossible!
The lights reach their full
Steve Morrison: Coming off her first singles loss, she seems to be taking it in her stride.
Cross Recoba: What else can she do? Random lost but now she's a win away from a shot at Aiden Merric and the Tap Out Openweight Champion!
Serene and calm, she casually strolls, shoulders lightly oscillating in a slow sync.
Steve Morrison: Some people have questioned her inclusion in the match, said why should others wait a month longer for their shot.
Cross Recoba: Random has managed to beat Poena and Long and before last month had the ONLY undefeated streak in singles competition in Tap Out. She's earned her shot tonight, no questions asked!
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 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.
”Do you really wanna? Do you really wanna taste it?”
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 ‘Tommy Strychnine half-shirt over a mesh under and a gold kneepad with a cartoon pair of lips emblazoned on it.
Steve Morrison: Tommy once again finds himself just one step away from a title shot!
Cross Recoba: He's been working hard inside the ring and you only had to watch the highlights from his training camp to know that he was putting his full energy into 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: We know Tommy can brawl, know he can take you down from the air but we've not seen him face too many submission experts.
Cross Recoba: I can't see his management not showing him what McConalogue can do. She's deadly and can pick you off at will, Tommy can't be gung-ho tonight!
When he reaches ringside, he takes a lap before stripping off his jacket and draping it over the timekeeper’s 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: In just a few minutes, we'll start getting an idea as to what our headline match will be next month...
Cross Recoba: And of course, who will face off against Jimi Coulson in the Oscar Goodman Cup...
Laura Messier: Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland. They made weight at one-hundred-and-forty-three pounds and stand at five-feet nine tall. RANDOM.....MCCONALOGUE!!!
Random seemingly moves like water as she leans into the turnbuckle.
Laura Messier: From Louisiana, New Orleans..Standing at five-feet and ten inches, weighing in at one-hundred-and-seventy-five pounds...He is the Rock 'em, Sock 'em Rocker....TOMMY...STRYCHNINE!!!
The Rocker seems focused only on his opponent on the other side of the ring.
CO-MAIN EVENT
SINGLES MATCH
WINNER FACES AIDEN MERRIC AT TAP OUT WRESTLING 19
Random McConalogue (#7) vs Tommy Strychnine (#9)
As the bell rings, Tommy Strychnine steps towards the middle of the ring. Random advances slowly, keeping low, looking to use leverage to her advantage, knowing full well that Tommy has full advantage in a brawl. Taking a short step inwards, Random invites Tommy to throw a looping punch but the wily Scot hip fakes and slips sideways, ducking low and then jerking sharply upwards, pushing her body up into the pit of Strychnine’s arm overbalancing the Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Rocker and allowing McConalogue to take Tommy down with the lightest of kicks to his calf. the Flash Finish Faerie backs off and smiles at Tommy as he sits up.
Steve Morrison: That European style can be so frustrating to work against.
Cross Recoba: It attacks at odd angles, it’s flowing and it’s always adaptable. And YOU have to learn to adapt to IT.
Strych is quick to get back to his feet and he squares off with Random, eyeing her movements a little more closely. The New Orleans native throws a high kick with a ton of snap to it and as Random charges in, looking for a single leg takedown Tommy has his leg back down on the mat and gets a sharp intercepting knee up, crashing it into Saikoro-ko’s face. The Man who puts the Whiskey in Whiskey-a-Go-Go doesn’t give Random an inch of space as he catches the reeling Scot with three rapid fire elbows. Random falls back to the mat and Tommy covers…
ONE!
TW… Random raises a shoulder.
Steve Morrison: Tommy Strychnine is faster than you’d expect from a man who often comes across as almost casual in his work ethic.
Cross Recoba: Looks can be deceiving. You don’t get to be a Tapout wrestler without being a prime athlete.
As Tommy tries to reposition, maybe to take advantage of top position Random strikes. She reaches up, overhooking Tommy’s head with her left arm and leverages him over. The Mostly Harmful athlete throws her body across Tommy’s and scissors his opposite arm, cranking his head up off the mat in some sort of Frankenstein inverted crossface/can opener… thing, Tommy grunts and plants his one free arm on the mat pressing up enough to make the already unusual hold even less practical until he’s able to worm his way free. Upon standing, Strych cracks his neck, looking slightly pained.
Steve Morrison: What on earth was that hold?
Cross Recoba: That’s the thing about Random. They can just improvise something out of nowhere and it still works. That is not only hard to counter, it’s a real talent.
Keeping her body low to the mat, Random makes Tommy sway forward to try to grab her and uses Tommy widening his stance to scamper between his legs. Random rolls to their feet and locks in a back waistlock before falling backwards, bridging with the German Suplex into a solid pinning predicament…
ONE!
TWO!
TH… Tommy powers out.
Steve Morrison: Random McConalogue has such good form on those suplexes.
Cross Recoba: She’s a technical expert. That bridge was precise.
Now Random rolls to a seated position and snags Tommy’s head before he can find any space, cinching in a tight chinlock. Strych forced to fight to break loose while La Chica de los Dados can use the break to gain a little of her wind back. The Hair Metal Hedonist uses his arms, pushing on the mat to sneak out of the hold by bridging up to allow an escape route. The Scot, however, spots what Tommy is attempting and instinctively drops the headlock and scoots round to snag one of those arms, wrapping her legs around Tommy’s shoulder and locking in a Juji Gatame. Strychnine grunts in pain and violently throws his body round towards the ropes and places a foot on the bottom one, causing the referee to call for a break.
Steve Morrison: Tommy Strychnine was Headed For An Armbreak There.
Cross Recoba: I don’t get it.
Steve Morrison: Winger.
Cross Recoba: I’m GLAD I didn’t get it.
Merric at ringside again looks casual. Maybe mentally taking notes. Probably not.
The pair reset, Tommy shaking his arm loose a little. Random slips into range, keeping her arms loose and her body low. The Mostly Harmful One drives a shoulder into Tommy’s abdomen, wrapping her arms around the Glammy Grappler. Strych spreads his legs a little to avoid the takedown but Random slides round behind with a crisp go-behind. Seeing their opponents legs are in a wide stance, McConalogue steps her right leg forward into Strych’s calf, making him overbalance forward, allowing Tommy to fall forward, keeping the waistlock in tight. Randpn lifts Tommy up for a Wheelbarrow Suplex…
…BUT TOMMY GRABS RANDOM’S HEAD AT THE TOP OF THE ARC AND FALLS FORWARD INTO A HUGE BULLDOG!!!
Steve Morrison: COUNTER BY TOMMY!
The deceptively agile Strychnine kips up and with only the merest second of pause, leaps into an arcing backflip, landing across Random’s back! Tommy flips Random over and pins…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… Random wriggles out.
Cross Recoba: Strychnine has always impressed me with his raw speed.
It doesn’t take long for Tommy to get back to his feet, dragging Random up with him. Tommy steps in and past Random, hoisting her onto his shoulders in a Fireman’s Carry as easily as if he were slinging a rucksack over his shoulder for school. With a casual flick, the Master of the Strych-One-Nine flips Random over while he himself drops to one knee causing the Scot to crash upper back first across his patella.
Steve Morrison: TOMMYKNOCKER!
Tommy covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… Random kicks out.
Steve Morrison: Tommy is beginning to find his groove.
Cross Recoba: Wrestling is all about momentum. McConalogue needs to fin a way to swing it back in their favour.
Strychnine flashes an evil smile across his face as he lifts Random off the mat and stuffs them into a standing head scissors. Slowly turning square on to the ring ropes, Tommy grabs Random around her waist and lifts her up, draping the legs over the second rope. The Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Rocker raises his arms up high, plays a little air guitar solo with more than a little hint of smugness. His ode to himself finished, Tommy leaps into the air, just a little, AND DRIVES RANDOM MCCONALOGUE DOWN HEAD FIRST INTO THE MAT AT A SICKENING ANGLE. YOU CAN ALMOST SEE THE NECK COMPRESS IN REAL TIME!
In the crowd, Merric makes an, “Ooh, nasty!” expression.
Steve Morrison: WHITE WEDDING! WHITE WEDDING!
Cross Recoba: It’s never a nice day to get your C3 and C4 vertebrae compressed like that.
A point to the corner. A meaningful gaze up toward the highest point of the ring. Tommy Strychnine starts a slow climb up the turnbuckles. Random isn’t moving, still stunned by the impact of the vicious White Wedding. Second turnbuckle. Barely a twitch from down below. Third turnbuckle. Tommy looks out into the crowd, breathes in deeply, absorbing the heady air of the arena and leaps off blindly backwards…
BUT RANDOM HAS JUST ENOUGH ABOUT HERSELF TO GRAB THE BOTTOM ROPE AND DRAG HERSELF TO SAFETY! TOMMY STRYCHNINE BECOMES TOMMY SPLAT-NINE AS HE CRASHES AND BURNS, HIS BACK MAKING A NAUSEATING SOUND AS IT CRASHES AGAINST THE CANVAS!
A shot of Aiden Merric, chuckling at Tommy’s misfortune
Steve Morrison: BOTH COMPETITORS ARE DOWN!
Cross Recoba: It’s National Painful Landing Day here in Tapout.
The referee starts a double count…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Both combatants are lying limply after the impacts on skull and spine…
FOUR!
FIVE!
SIX!
Small signs of life from Tommy as he begins to crawl over towards McConalogue’s limp body…
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
NI…. TOMMY DRAPES AN ARM OVER RANDOM…
ONE!
TWO!
THRE… NO! RANDOM USES HER HIND BRAIN WRESTLING SKILLS TO FLIPTHE PILE OVER!
Steve Morrison: I THOUGHT THAT WAS IT!
Cross Recoba: It’s not over until the bell rings.
Random slides her arms around Strych’s near arm and begins to pull back while slithering her legs down towards the far arm of the Sleaze Metal Slugger. As she tries to lock in the other half of Somebody Else’s Problem, Tommy is desperately wheeling the pile, trying to reach out for the ropes and keep his other arm free from the leg scissors. There is a look of agony on Tommy’s face as Random torques on the arm. Tommy stretches and strains his fingers as far as he can… reaching out and just… just grabbing…
THE NECK OF HIS WHISKY BOTTLE. TOMMY SWITCHES HIS DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT FASTER THAN RANDOM CAN REACT AND HE JUST PLAIN BOTTLES HER ON THE SIDE OF HER SKULL!
Steve Morrison: WHISKEY BOTTLE TO THE HEAD!
Cross Recoba: And with the referee unsighted by Random’s back. Cunning.
McConalogue collapses backwards, stunned and bleeding. Tommy scrambles over and covers, making sure to discard the broken bottle neck before the referee can spot it…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Rhod Williams calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: The winner of this match, via pinfall, TOMMY....STRYCHNIIIINE!
Rhod Williams raises the arm of the Rocker as 'Do You Want to Taste It?' plays around the Lansky Ballroom, met with a wall of boos.
Steve Morrison: A cheap, cheap way to win a wrestling match.
Cross Recoba: Random McConalogue is a great improviser within the rules. That was improvising outside of them
NOMAD (VO): I believe in myself now more than I ever have in my entire career. I can't allow myself to second guess anything. I will hold TAPOUT gold in 2024, of that I am sure.
Quinn gets to his feet as NOMAD deadlifts Gordon over his shoulder….HE DROPS HER INTO A PILEDRIVER!!!
Steve Morrison: SCORCHED EARTH! HE PUT KANE AWAY WITH THIS, CAN IT GET ANOTHER VICTIM?
Cross Recoba: He’s got the leg hooked!
Raiden Ishimori (VO): If I wasn't a threat already with my arrival in the company, I sure as hell am now!
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 Rocker’s head between his legs and lifts…OVERHEAD GUTWRENCH BACKBREAKER RACK FLIPPED INTO A DDT ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR!!!
Jack Diamond (VO): I never gave up. I never conceded defeat!
The Omoplata continues to be worked deeper.
Poena: JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK! GIVE IN, JACK! YOUR SUBMISSION TO YOUR TRUE GOD IS INEVITABLE!
POENA KEEPS THE HOLD TIGHT AND THROWS HIS HEAD FORWARD INTO THE DELTOID THAT HAS BEEN WORKED OVER SO MUCH IN THE MATCH AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN!!!
Quinn asks if he wants to submit….
Va'aiga: If he continues he might not have a career to look forward to….
POENA CONTINUES TO PULL BACK AS HIS HEAD VIOLENTLY LURCHES FORWARD WITH PRECISION HEADBUTTS TO THE SHOULDER AND UPPER ARM!!!!
Steve Morrison: HEADBUTTS TO THAT DAMAGED SHOULDER!!!!!!!!!
“BIG” JOHN GETS NO RESPONSE FROM DIAMOND!!! HE CALLS FOR THE BELL!!!!!!!!
DING! DING! DING!
Sam Sawyer: I have to be prepared for anything in this match.
Random gets to her feet and is immediately in danger but ducks the high kick to the head leaving Sawyer to swing around…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:
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Rhod calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
Poena (VO):This whole time I have acted out of love... but now, I am Death. I will MAKE them change.
DON'T MISS OUR MAIN EVENT. WHO WILL FACE THE CHAMP AT SUPREMACY?
FIND OUT MORE!
Laura Messier: IT’S TIME FOR YOUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING!!
A huge pop erupts.
Laura Messier: It’s a trios match where WHOEVER GETS THE PINFALL OR SUBMISSION WILL FACE THE TAP OUT OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION AT THE XHF SUPREMACY EVENT!!!!
An even bigger pop resounds inside the Lansky Ballroom.
There’s a moment of silence inside of the arena as the crowd awaits for the next match, but then the lights inside of the arena dim to darkness and the crowd sit in silence, but then they hear the words speaking through the P.A. System and that signals for them to begin booing upon knowing who it might be:
“YOU’RE NOT THE REAL HEROES, I’M THE REAL HERO.”
The crowd inside of the building began to cheer loudly as the vocals of “Superhero” begin to play through the speakers, the lights beginning to spiral around the arena before bringing them all around onto the stage where The Last Breathing Mercenary steps through the curtain, a large grin along his face as he stops at the top of the ramp and looks around the arena. The camera pans closer toward the man as he began his slow walk down to the ring, soaking in every second that the crowd show their love for Long.
Steve Morrison: Long’s been here before. This time last year he was cementing his position in the Supremacy event to crown our first Champion!
Cross Recoba: But this is a new look Long, he’s moved past that disappointment and could well be a favorite to come out on top!
Long finds himself at ringside, taking a moment to stand there and take a deep breath before turning to walk over to the steps and head up along them to get onto the ring apron. From there, he brushes his feet along the apron, removing his ring jacket and steps through the ropes.
Steve Morrison: He has a familiar ally in Jack Diamond by his side tonight!
Cross Recoba: Alliances aren’t going to mean much in this match though. Like every Rumble ever, alliances are there to be made to be broken!
Long heads into the furthest corner and steps onto the second ropes, keeping himself up high as he looks out through the crowd– 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: Can the Last Breathing Mercenary be the one to take on either Tommy Strychnine or Aiden Merric at Supremacy?
Cross Recoba: The man is a known threat in any wrestling ring around the world, discount him at your peril!
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: The first-ever Tap Out Champion looks ready for war!
Cross Recoba: He’ll have watched Merric take a title he considers his through gritted teeth. Add in the fact that yours truly is the XHF X*Crown Champion and you have to wonder - what more motivation does Diamond really need?
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: Questions have been raised about the status of Long’s neck after he lost Death Trap in the End of Days final but not much has been speculated on the fitness of Jack!
Cross Recoba: His camp will know that keeping that information locked down is imperative. If Poena finds out a weakness or even Raiden? You’re asking them to exploit it!
Jack jumps down into the ring and heads to the center of the ring. Jack removes his leather jacket before heading to his corner and stretching and preparing for the match.
Steve Morrison: If he comes out on top tonight, you’d have to favor him when Supremacy comes around!
Cross Recoba: IF, it’s not a certainty and it’s not even close!
The lights quietly turn a soft peach color as “Violence” slowly fades into the arena.
Steve Morrison: The final member of the team is here!
Cross Recoba: Sawyer is coming off a HUGE win, perhaps their biggest in Tap Out!
Sam walks out onto the stage, their face stern, and starts walking towards the ring. Ignoring the fans' outstretched arms, they seem to have a stoic air except for their eyes which burn with hostility.
Steve Morrison: They’ve played down their own success, was that mind games for her opponents to buy into?
Cross Recoba: I think we can both agree that Sawyer’s actions and behaviors over the last couple of months aren’t what we’re used to and I’m still trying to work out the new outlook.
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: Gone are the smiles, only business for Sawyer now!
Cross Recoba: Why change it when they got the result they did against McConalogue?
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 as he stands in place there, rocking his body back and forward slightly on the spot.
Steve Morrison: If you need to see a man who wants to get their hands on Merric more than most, just look at James ‘NOMAD’ Sloane!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD is still wanting to get back to the wrestler we saw in those early Tap Out Wrestling shows!
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: Dropping the mat-wrestling in favor of a more vicious style, can he use that to get past renowned technicians, Diamond and Long?
Cross Recoba: He has a fifty-pound advantage over Diamond and if you look at his arsenal, it’s built for mayhem!
NOMAD then rolls in under the bottom rope after it and immediately positions himself in a seated position in the nearest corner.
Steve Morrison: Will he play nicely with his partners?
Cross Recoba: He only needs to keep up the pretence until the win’s in sight.
The lights die as the eerie whistle fills the arena.
Jack Diamond looks freaked out!
Steve Morrison: That seemed to send a chill up the spine of the Ace of Spades!
The feeling of being watched... stalked, filling the minds of the audience as scenes of Poena's most brutal matches and promos blaze from the Titantron. In a moment of silence, Poena's voice can be heard from the darkness, seemingly from nowhere.
"And thus did Death walk among them, taking those He willed and bringing change to the lost."
The choir suddenly kick in as a turquoise spotlight beams down onto Poena, who is standing in a crucifix pose with bladed chains dangling from his fingers. He starts walking forward, the rosary around his neck and The Child beside him as the chains drag across the ground.
Steve Morrison: Poena taking the loss to Merric and of his title to double down on his religious commitment.
Cross Recoba: He was already a danger to everyone in the ring, this might push him over the edge!
"Even the mightiest hero will fall! The strongest wall is but ash! Come to Him before it's too late!"
Poena stops at ringside, finally looking up with a manic grin as The Child starts ritualistically taking each chain off, the lights flaring up to show Poena's horrid tapestry of devotional scars as she finally removes the rosary and the Disciples, who had been walking at a respectful distance back, fan out around the ring.
Steve Morrison: His flock continues to grow and buy into the words of Poena and his God.
Cross Recoba: A win tonight would only make those believers more fervent.
"Because in the end, Death comes for you all. In the end, you will all one day look upon His Face... Glory be."
Poena slides into the ring like a marionette, his very veins like wires guiding him, and arches back in the 'holy' light to scream "BEAR WITNESS!" To the heavens before slithering to his corner.
Steve Morrison: He’s been in the ring with all three of his opponents and in his mind, that means he has a connection with them.
Cross Recoba: Sawyer, Diamond, and Long need to keep that out of their minds. Poena’s praying they remember, playing off it…
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: Ishimori has been in the ring with all three of his opponents too!
Cross Recoba: Raiden can break down his opponents at a highly-impressive rate! He can accelerate a match from a submission hold to a crushing blow or slam before his opponent’s even know what’s happened!
Rolling his neck for a brief moment, Raiden leads the two of them down the ramp, ignoring the people that jeer them during their trek down to the ring.
Steve Morrison: Highly-decorated in his career, a win tonight would take him one step closer to keeping up his record of earning a title in every company he competes in!
Cross Recoba: He’s a big-game player, you can be the best wrestler in the world but if you can’t balance the weight of the occasion on your shoulders? You’re worthless!
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: Can he get on the same page as Poena and NOMAD?
Cross Recoba: He might have to be the glue that keeps his partners together…
Laura Messier: INTRODUCING YOUR FIRST TEAM! Weighing in at a combined weight of five-hundred-and-seventy-three pounds. THE LAST BREATHING MERCENARY….JASON LONG!!!!...THE ACE OF SPADES…JAAAAAAAAAACKKK DIAMOND…AND THE TEXAN THREAT…SAAAAAAAAAMMMMM SAWWWYYERRR!!!!!
The crowd mostly cheer but hold back somewhat for Sawyer.
Laura Messier: AND THEIR OPPONENTS….with a combined weight of six-hundred-and-thirty-seven pounds….THE VIOLENT WANDERER…NOMAD!!! THE DARK SAVIOR…POOOOOOOEEENNNNAAAA!!! AND BONE COLD…RAIDEN ISHIMOOOOOOOOOORRIIIIIIII!!!!
A solid wall of boos greet the announcement.
Steve Morrison: We’re being joined at commentary by Aiden Merric!
The cameras show Merric being let past the crowd as he makes his way from his position to watch the last match to be at the commentary desk with Recoba and Morrison.
MAIN EVENT
SIX-MAN TAG MATCH
WHOEVER GETS THE PIN FACES THE CHAMPION AT XHF SUPREMACY
Jack Diamond (#1) / Jason Long (#3) / Sam Sawyer (#6) vs Poena (#2) / NOMAD (#8) / Raiden Ishimori (#11)
As Laura finishes the introductions the Lansky Ballroom crowd are near fever pitch.
Steve Morrison: We’ve got a hell of a main event and the crowd feel it too!
Cross Recoba: What can I say? It’s six men who have proven themselves across the Network all vying for that one position!
Aiden Merric: Fair fucks, it’s bloody ace to be seen as the bounty right now!
Crowd: LET’S GO, ICONS! POENA SUCKS! LET’S GO, ICONS! POENA SUCKS! LET’S GO, ICONS! POENA SUCKS! LET’S GO, ICONS! POENA SUCKS! LET’S GO, ICONS! POENA SUCKS!
“Big” John Quinn calls the six men into the center of the ring. The two teams line up, Raiden Ishimori notably separating NOMAD and Poena by standing between them. Quinn’s words though inaudible come with exaggerated hand motions as he stresses his points to the competitors.
Steve Morrison: What a task Quinn has tonight!
Cross Recoba: He’s handled matches between all six of these fighters, he knows what he needs to do.
Aiden Merric: Yeah, let’m kill each other and count the three.
The contrasts across the team are stark; Sawyer looks up at NOMAD, the carefully designed tights of Maverick against the tapestry of scars that adorn the body of Poena but when we get to Raiden and Diamond, standing opposite one another, the pair exchange a nod of almost respect.
Aiden Merric: They look proud now but once I get hold of ‘em? All it takes is one Lariat!
Cross Recoba: IF you get past Tommy…
Steve Morrison: What a turn-up for the books that would be.
Aiden Merric: Ain’t happening…
Steve Morrison: Each of them want your head, Aiden, and we’re about to find out what they’re willing to do to get it.
Quinn sends the teams back to their corners to decide who should start for each side.
Cross Recoba: They all understood the match though, there aren’t really teams. If your team win, you get the two points but unless you get the pin or submission they’re only consolation prizes.
Diamond eyes Poena carefully, watching to see what the Master of Digital Manipulation is doing.
Steve Morrison: We’ve seen those two fight wars inside the Lansky Ballroom, tonight won’t be any different.
Aiden Merric: I coulda told Jack the secret, not that he asked.
NOMAD and Poena look like they’re defying expectations as they point to Raiden to start for their team.
Steve Morrison: I don’t think we’ll see NOMAD and Poena agreeing again anytime soon.
Cross Recoba: It’s getting the best start for your ‘team’.
Aiden Merric: They want him to flush out their opponent’s gameplan. He’s bait!
Seeing Poena climb through the ropes, Jack points to Long to take the opening leg of the match and Sawyer, though emotionless, steps through the ropes with little argument.
Steve Morrison: It’d be interesting to see how they came to that decision.
Cross Recoba: These two know each other from all the way back in Ascension Wrestling. They’ve wrestled each other numerous times.
With Ishimori and Long being left in the ring, Quinn calls for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
The crowd erupt as the bell echoes around the Lansky Ballroom.
Steve Morrison: If you’re only just tuning in, shame on you! We’re about to see a main event for the ages.
Long and Raiden come out from their corner and start to circle counter-clockwise around the ring, looking for an easy opening to engage with their opponent.
Crowd: NA-NA, NA-NA, NA-NA, NA-NA-NA-NA NOW, MAVERICK FUCK HIM, MAVERICK FUCK HIM UUUUUPPP!! NA-NA, NA-NA, NA-NA, NA-NA-NA-NA NOW, MAVERICK FUCK HIM, MAVERICK FUCK HIM UUUUUPPP!!
Aiden Merric: This crowd don’t fuck about with their words!
Cross Recoba: It’s going to be an extra push for Long, the crowd acting almost like the fourth man on their team.
Steve Morrison: Although they haven’t taken to the new, colder approach that Sawyer has adopted.
The two men lock-up and are almost perfectly matched in strength. Both men push but neither side is giving an inch up in ring position. Long looks for a single-leg takedown but Ishimori catches him in a front facelock that’s only held momentarily before Long uses his legs to drop down with a drop-toe hold.
Steve Morrison: Both men know each other’s playbook from their time in AWF.
Cross Recoba: It’s what’s happened since they were both there that’ll provide them with advantages.
Aiden Merric: They can prepare for this stuff all they like, try finding yourself in a Brisbane Bar Brawl!
Raiden rolls out of harm’s way to avoid Jason looking to the ankle of his opponent. Cocking his head slightly, the Harbinger paces around the ring assessing his opposite number.
Steve Morrison: Ishimori showing a more careful approach before he engages with Long again.
They once more lock-up.
Cross Recoba: They should know that they’re evenly matched for strength, this is all about technique.
Long immediately goes for a waistlock but Raiden reverses into one of his own immediately. Ishimori gets no time to lock in the hold before Long switches their position and wraps his arms around the waist of the SCCW Legend. Ishimori immediately swings a leg over the bottom rope to get the rope break.
Steve Morrison: Smart move by Raiden, breaking up the hold before Long can start chaining moves together.
Aiden Merric: I’d say Erin and me’d take these two down. Bombs over Butterfly Nelsons.
Immediately releasing the hold before Quinn prompts him, Long steps back from Raiden and waits for Ishimori to come out from the ropes.
Steve Morrison: Clean break from Long.
Cross Recoba: He’s got no other choice, you don’t want to start off cheating straight away because you want to get some trust from the Match Official, make him give you the benefit of the doubt when you do cheat later on.
Aiden Merric: Bull dust! If ya ain’t willing to take the match serious from the start, what’s the point, Cross?
Steve Morrison: Didn’t you sneak in knives in your last match?
Aiden Merric: And last I checked, I have this here trophy that says my way is right.
The Kyoto Killer milks the time allowed to extricate his leg from the ropes.
Steve Morrison: He’s playing mind-games.
Ishimori turns around, LONG IMMEDIATELY TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A HEADLOCK!
Cross Recoba: Crisp takedown by Long. Keen to prove that he could and should have beaten Death Trap in the End of Days Final!
Steve Morrison: That’s all academic now but we are getting to that time of the year where you and the board will be looking at who might represent Tap Out in January.
Aiden Merric: I could give you some names, mate!
Cross Recoba: I’m sure you could, Aiden.
Adjusting, Raiden pushes them back to their feet and lifts Long up for a back suplex, Long escapes out the back and leans backwards into the ropes. Ishimori drops to the mat blind as Jason leaps over him and to the ropes on the far side. Coming back, this time the Harbinger leapfrogs Jason from a standing start.
Steve Morrison: Great athleticism!
Rolling backwards as he lands, Raiden catches Maverick with a Monkey Flip! The Catalysts lands on his feet and plants himself as Ishimori rises…SUPERKICK!!!! NO! IT’S CAUGHT!!!
Steve Morrison: ICON KICK’S CAUGHT!!
Aiden Merric: Like a Dingo in a trap!
A driven palm strike lands true in the chest of the Irishman but Ishimori makes sure to keep hold of the trapped leg. He sweeps the other leg and connects with a punt kick to the hamstring causing Long to sit up in agony….
Cross Recoba: He kicked through the leg!
Steve Morrison: He’s not done yet…
ISHIMORI COMES OFF THE ROPES WITH A BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE FACE!
Aiden Merric: Cor Blimey, I felt that one!
Crowd: YOU’RE JUST A SHIT DYLAN BLACK! SHIT DYLAN BLACK! SHIT DYLAN BLAAAAACK!!! YOU’RE JUST A SHIT DYLAN BLAAACCK!
Steve Morrison: The Lansky Ballroom trying to put off the Harbinger with that chant!
Raiden with the cover:
ONE…
T-
KICKOUT!
Steve Morrison: No luck with the early pin.
Cross Recoba: But it sends a message and that’s most likely what it was designed for.
As the camera pans out we see not just Diamond in the ring but also NOMAD with Poena halfway between the ropes. They quickly retreat, the match no longer in doubt.
Steve Morrison: Both teams were ready to break the pin up!
Cross Recoba: Nature of the match, you want your team to do well but not TOO well unless it’s you in the ring.
Poena turns around to the announce table and Merric taps the Tap Out Openweight title on the desk. Poena signals to The Child who moves to stand behind Merric at the announce table.
Aiden Merric: Alright, Sheila?...Not big on words are ya?
Ishimori takes the head of Long to bring him to his feet before sending him into enemy territory with an Irish Whip. Poena sneaks in a snapped forearm that connects with the back of Maverick’s head.
Steve Morrison: He snuck that forearm in without Quin seeing a thing! Most likely motivated by your small taunt, Aiden!
Aiden Merric: You wanna work out why a drongo does anything, knock yourself out!
Raiden tags in NOMAD!
Cross Recoba: The match is about to change in its complexion. NOMAD can wrestle but why grapple when you’ve got the size difference that Sloane has?
The Violent Wanderer climbs into the ring and surprisingly, Poena traps Long in the corner with an arm.
Steve Morrison: This is just bizarre, Poena and NOMAD STILL appear to be on the same page!
Cross Recoba: They have a common goal, for now…
Driving a knee into the midsection of the Icon, NOMAD follows it up with a huge open-handed uppercut to the jaw of the Irishman….JUMPING ENZIGURI CONNECTS!!!
Steve Morrison: HUGE CONNECTION!
Cross Recoba: Think you could take one of those, Aiden?
Aiden Merric: I wouldn’t be stupid enough to let him try!
Rolling backwards into the center of the ring, NOMAD charges full pelt at Long…A DRIVEN LIFTING KNEE CAREENS INTO THE RIBCAGE OF THE BEST BOUT MACHINE!!!
Steve Morrison: Long is getting overpowered in the ring.
Cross Recoba: He needs to bring the match back into his own domain.
Tucking Long’s head between his legs, NOMAD LIFTS HIM INTO A POWERBOMB…LONG PUSHES OFF THE SHOULDERS OF THE VIOLENT WANDERER!!! DIAMOND COMES INTO THE RING….DOUBLE ICON KICK CONNECTS!!!
Steve Morrison: THE ICONS COME TOGETHER ONCE MORE!
Crowd: LET’S GO, ICONS! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, ICONS! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, ICONS! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP*
Cross Recoba: But that only lasts until the win is in sight!
Diamond finds himself being ushered out by Quinn as Long stands over NOMAD. POENA GETS INTO THE RING AND CHOP BLOCKS THE IRISHMAN AND DRAGS HIM INTO THE OPPOSITION CORNER!
Steve Morrison: Crucial intervention from Poena!
Cross Recoba: Poena and NOMAD's being on the same page is still the biggest shock of the night.
Jack protests to Quinn about the double-team but it falls on deaf ears.
Aiden Merric: No point complaining, Jacky Boy! Take action!
Using the window, RAIDEN USES THE TAG ROPE TO CHOKE OUT LONG WHILE POENA DELIVERS UNFORGIVING HOOKS TO THE BODY OF THE LAST BREATHING MERCENARY!
Steve Morrison: They’re going to town on Long!
The Lansky Ballroom crowd erupt into boos at the Match Official’s missed call!
Cross Recoba: Jack cost his team there!
NOMAD gets to his feet and grabs a front-facelock as Ishimori releases the tag-rope. SNAP SUPLEX!
Steve Morrison: A wicked whip on that move!
Long holds his back in pain as he forces himself to his feet…NOMAD CONNECTS WITH A LEG LARIAT!!!
Cross Recoba: Sloane’s agility is something you don’t expect from a man his size!
Aiden Merric: I can cut him down to size…
Merric idly twiddles a knife in his hand above his head.
Aiden Merric: You know that, Sheila!
The Child remains emotionless.
He goes for the cover:
ONE…
TWO…
SAWYER BREAKS UP THE PIN!
Steve Morrison: Sam gets into the fray!
Turning his attention to the Texan, NOMAD closes the distance between them.
Cross Recoba: This might have backfired on them though.
LONG CONNECTS WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE SPINE!
Steve Morrison: This time it’s Sawyer providing the distraction for their team to get back on the offensive!
Turning around, NOMAD GETS CAUGHT WITH A RUNNING DOUBLE-KNEE FACEBUSTER!!!
Steve Morrison: MEASURED AND DELIVERED!
With urgency, Long rolls forward and tags in Diamond!
Cross Recoba: Wisely getting out now. Switching up who’s in the ring with NOMAD will keep them fresh and tire out the bigger man.
The Ace of Spades rushes into the ring. NOMAD gets caught on all-fours with a dropkick to the side of the head. Jack tries to follow up as he grabs the leg of NOMAD and quickly fires off two sharp kicks to the back of NOMAD’s leg.
Steve Morrison: Those experienced feet providing the basis for Jack’s attack.
Aiden Merric: Need more than that to take me down!
Reaching down, Jack lifts up the Violent Wanderer…BUT EATS A STIFF FOREARM SHOT AS HE DOES SO THAT STAGGERS HIM BACK! NOMAD SPRINTS IN WITH A BIG BOOT…DIAMOND ROLLS UNDER IT….THE ICON LEAPS UP FOR A SHOULDER-SPIN RANA….NOMAD CATCHES IT AND PULLS HIM BACK INTO A POWERBOMB POSITION…
Steve Morrison: COULD THIS BE THE CRUMBLING TOWER?
DIAMOND ROLLS DOWN THE BACK INTO A PIN!
Cross Recoba: Great escape into a modified Sunset Flip!
ONE…
T-
NOMAD KICKS OUT!!
Aiden Merric: It was never putting him away!
Cross Recoba: But it will tire him out.
Aiden Merric: Just need a lariat like mine. She knows, don’t ya, Sheila!
Again, The Child ignores Merric although she continues to hover over him.
Steve Morrison: Back to the action…
The two men hurry to their feet and charge at one another, NOMAD lurches forward with a Lariat but it’s ducked….CROSSBODY BLOCK FROM DIAMOND!!!
Steve Morrison: He goes for the pin again!
ONE…
T-
DIAMOND FINDS HIMSELF PRESSED INTO THE AIR!!
Cross Recoba: He’s trying to tire out NOMAD but based on that kick-out, he’s got some way to go yet!
The former Tap Out Openweight Champion darts back to his feet but NOMAD is ready, RUNNING STO TAKES DOWN DIAMOND!!
Steve Morrison: WHAT AN IMPACT!
NOMAD reaches down to Diamond and tucks his head between his legs and lifts…POWERBOMB CONNECTS!!!
Steve Morrison: STANDING POWERBOMB!
Holding onto the legs, NOMAD rolls him over…BOSTON CRAB!!!
Cross Recoba: We’ve not seen this combo before but Jack could be in trouble!
“Big” John drops to the mat to check if Diamond wants to quit. NOMAD helps to push the issue as he rocks further back into the hold.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD making every one of the two-hundred-and-forty pounds count as he leans into the submission!
Cross Recoba: I’d bet good money that NOMAD, Poena, and Raiden agreed to target the back as it plays to every one of their arsenals.
Aiden Merric: NOMAD just wants to slam Diamond out of his Budgie smugglers!
LONG ENTERS THE RING…RUNNING BLOCKBUSTER BREAKS THE HOLD!!!
Steve Morrison: SUNSET OVERDRIVE BRINGS HIS FELLOW ICON OUT OF DANGER!
Cross Recoba: For now…
The Irishman rolls to his feet and sees Poena about to get in the ring, Baseball Slide dropkick takes the Cultist to the floor!! RAIDEN CHARGES ACROSS THE APRON…HE CATCHES LONG WITH A HEADSCISSORS TO TAKE HIM TO THE FLOOR!!
Steve Morrison: This match is on the verge of breaking down!
Back inside the ring, Diamond crouches down low and spies NOMAD rising….HE CATCHES HIM WITH A SPINNING HEEL KICK THAT SENDS THE BIG MAN INTO THE CORNER!
Diamond rolls to his corner and tags in Sawyer!
Steve Morrison: Sam enters the match officially!
Cross Recoba: This new-look attitude needs to carry on paying off like it did last month against Random.
Steve Morrison: What a psychological boon it must be to the teenager to be THE FIRST person to beat Random McConalogue in singles competition!
The Texan Teenage Sensation dashes towards NOMAD…MONKEY FLIP!!
Cross Recoba: Crisp execution but can they keep this pace up?
At breakneck speed, Sawyer dashes forward…BASEMENT DROPKICK CONNECTS WITH THE HEAD OF NOMAD!
Steve Morrison: HUGE DROPKICK!
Aiden Merric: Like the snap of a hunting rifle!
They follow it up with a BUZZSAW KICK!!!
Steve Morrison: Sawyer truly wants to fight fire with fire in this match!
Sawyer hits the ropes…SHINING WIZARD CATCHES NOMAD SQUARE IN THE FACE!!!
Cross Recoba: Sawyer with a huge middle finger to those who thought their inclusion was odd.
Aiden Merric: As if them putting me down with my own move wasn’t statement enough. Respect where it’s due fellas.
Sam hooks the leg…
ONE…
TWO…
POENA PULLS SAWYER FROM THE PIN!!
Steve Morrison: POENA MIGHT HAVE JUST ROBBED SAWYER OF VICTORY!
Aiden Merric: He likes to rob things… What did he pilfer from you, sheila?
Aiden cocks his head back towards the Child. Quinn gets in the face of the Dark Savior to try and force him back to his corner. Poena cocks his head in bemusement as “Big” John continues to remonstrate.
Steve Morrison: Trying to work out that man is like trying to find a black cat in the dark.
Aiden Merric: It’s as much use as a used Trojan franger…
NOMAD TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE DISTRACTION AND RABBIT PUNCHES SAWYER IN THE THROAT…
Steve Morrison: WHAT A CHEAP SHOT!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD’s just working the angles.
BACKDROP DRIVER BOUNCES SAWYER’S HEAD OFF THE MAT!!
Steve Morrison: SAM’S HEAD JUST CAME BACK UP TWO FEET OFF THE CANVAS!
Taking two steps back to plot his next move, NOMAD finds himself against the ropes…POENA TAGS HIMSELF IN!
Aiden Merric: What a beaut!
The annoyance on NOMAD’s face is clear for all to see as Quinn motions for him to leave the ring leaving the Terror of the Ninth Deep to circle his prey.
Steve Morrison: Could that uneasy alliance be fracturing?
Peeling Sawyer from the mat, Poena grabs a front-facelock…SPIKE DDT!!
Cross Recoba: They seem to be on top right now and this match doesn’t lend itself to teamwork.
Keeping hold of the head, Poena rolls the pair of them back to their feet. He lifts his knee into the ribs of Sawyer and drives them back towards his team’s corner.
Aiden Merric: Isolating the weakest member.
Cross Recoba: Even though they beat you?
Aiden Merric: The cost of underestimation. I should have been clearer, PERCEIVED weakest member. You should be more than familiar, bossman.
Sawyer pushes back and uses a free arm to deliver an uppercut to the ribs of the Cultist. And another one! A third one opens a window, THEY ESCAPE THE HOLD AND MOVE BEHIND POENA…
Steve Morrison: Huge escape…
SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX FROM SAWYER!!! THEY ROLL OVER THE TOP INTO A CLUTCH PIN!
Cross Recoba: Textbook execution!
ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT FROM POENA!!
Steve Morrison: Sawyer nearly had that in the bag!
Sawyer tries to win the foot-race with Poena but they find themselves a fraction slower allowing the Sanctified One to throw a kick, they duck it….HUGE SLAP!!!
Steve Morrison: GET FUCKED!
Sam pulls Poena in and lifts…bouncing him off the top rope….BRAINBUSTER!!!
Steve Morrison: SLINGSHOT BRAINBUSTER!
Cross Recoba: Borrowed from San Antonio by Houston!
Making a beeline to the corner, Sawyer leaps to the top…..MOONSAULT!!!
Steve Morrison: SAWYERSAULT!!!
Instinctively rolling back to their feet, Sawyer leaps up once more…
Steve Morrison: Sawyer is poised to carry out a career-making win!
ISHIMORI RUSHES IN AND CLUBS THEM IN THE BACK! HE CLIMBS TO THE SECOND ROPE AND HOOKS THEM IN AN INVERTED FACELOCK….
Cross Recoba: Raiden’s here to spoil the party…
RAIDEN LIFTS….AVALANCE INVERTED SUPLEX BACKBREAKER!!!!!
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!!
Steve Morrison: INVERTED AVALANCHE MODERN MISERY!!!!
Both Sawyer and Ishimori lay flat on their back.
Aiden Merric: Raiden rooted himself with that one!
Poena drags up Sam and hooks them for a Pumphandle Lift….BACKBREAKER!!
Steve Morrison: Pumphandle Backbreaker!
The Sanctified One makes the cover…
ONE…
TWO…
RAIDEN LIFTS POENA AND SPINS…SIT-OUT POWERBOMB BREAKS UP THE PIN!
Cross Recoba: Those alliances are fraying by the second!
Ishimori rolls out of the ring to the apron before Quinn can usher him out.
Steve Morrison: With Raiden’s job done, he gets out to escape repercussions from his opponents, the official or even his own team!
With both competitors down, Quinn has little choice but to start the count:
ONE!
TWO!
Sawyer begins to stir.
Cross Recoba: In a normal trios match, you’d expect to see their teams rally them on or even drag them to safety but not tonight!
THREE!
Poena also starts to move.
Steve Morrison: Sawyer and Poena are in a race.
FOUR!
Sawyer gets themselves to a kneeling base.
Aiden Merric: Do they stay in and fight on? I’d go down swinging in their shoes!
FIVE!
Poena leans back against the ropes.
Steve Morrison: Poena’s up but barely!
SIX!
Sawyer forces themselves to their feet and staggers backwards.
Cross Recoba: Can they get the-
DIAMOND IS TAGGED IN!
Steve Morrison: THEY MAKE THE TAG!
Cross Recoba: Poena should be worried…
JACK STORMS IN BUT RAIDEN QUICKLY MAKES THE TAG AND CUTS HIM OFF WITH A SLINGSHOT DDT!!
Steve Morrison: Raiden takes away the showdown and takes Diamond to the mat with a huge DDT!
The volume inside the arena sharply increases.
Steve Morrison: There’s something in the air and the crowd can sense it!
Cross Recoba: This match is far from over.
The camera shows Poena and NOMAD taking opposite sides of the ring to close down on Sawyer and Maverick on the apron!
Steve Morrison: This spells trouble.
Cross Recoba: Like dingos in the Outback!
Almost simultaneously; Poena drags Sawyer from the apron, their head bouncing off the canvas on the way down as Maverick finds himself atop the shoulders of NOMAD…ELECTRIC CHAIR DROP!!!!
Steve Morrison: NOMAD JUST PLANTED LONG FROM THE APRON TO THE FLOOR!!
POENA THROWS SAWYER INTO THE STEPS!
Cross Recoba: If you want to know how much force was in that, just look how far the steps moved!
The Sanctified One throws Sawyer back onto the apron and positions the steps to be under them. He steps up…SHORT HEADSCISSOR DRIVER FROM THE APRON TO THE STEPS!!!!
Steve Morrison: HEADACHE FROM POENA!!
The lone Poena fan beams behind Poena as he smiles, almost bewildered in the clothes left by his idol.
Aiden Merric: What a sicko!
Merric twirls a knife nonchalantly.
Aiden Merric: All offence absolutely intended, Sheila.
The Child remains impassive.
Steve Morrison: There’s still a match inside the ring despite the action on the outside.
Back inside the ring, Jack and Raiden are now trading right hands, neither man giving an inch to the other.
Cross Recoba: It’s a slugfest!
Steve Morrison: These two have a well-storied history and now they’re unleashing four years of frustrations, slights, and anger!
Back on the outside, NOMAD uses Long’s hair to pull him up….NOMAD pulls Maverick towards him…POP-UP DEATH VALLEY DRIVER ONTO THE APRON!!!!!
Steve Morrison: HATRED FROM DEATH VALLEY INTO THE APRON!!
Cross Recoba: NOMAD isn’t waiting for his time inside the ring to hobble his competition!
Aiden Merric: Smart planning…
In the squared circle, the two men continue to exchange right hands. Diamond mixes it up with a stiff kick to the midsection…and another! He throws a third…IT’S CAUGHT!! DRAGON SCREW FROM RAIDEN TAKES THE ICON DOWN!!!
Steve Morrison: Wrenching the leg of Diamond with that!
Ishimori quickly drives a knee into the back of Diamond’s leg and keeps hold of it. He picks up the other and steps through…SHARPSHOOTER!!!!
Cross Recoba: Raiden continuing working over the back like NOMAD did earlier!
Quinn is once more quick to check on Diamond. Jack shakes his head when asked if he wants to quit.
Steve Morrison: Diamond didn’t tap out against Poena, passing out rather than giving him the satisfaction and it’s safe to say that he won’t be keen on tapping out tonight!
Cross Recoba: He needs to work quickly, Ishimori can make his opponent tap out in a hundred different ways!
Ishimori continues to lean back into the hold.
Aiden Merric: Jack’s going to be paying a quack well to sort this out after the match!
Agony is etched across the Ace of Spades’ face.
Crowd: DON’T TAP, JACK! DON’T TAP, JACK! DON’T TAP, JACK! DON’T TAP, JACK! DON’T TAP, JACK!
Steve Morrison: The Lansky Ballroom don’t want to see the main event end this way!
Despite the fans’ chant, Diamond looks increasingly like he might just give up and send Raiden to Supremacy!
Cross Recoba: He’s running out of options…
POENA DASHES IN AND PUNT KICKS ISHIMORI IN THE FACE!!!!
Steve Morrison: I’ve seen everything now. POENA KEEPS JACK DIAMOND IN THE MATCH!
Quinn once more is immediately onto the Dark Savior to get out of the ring!
Cross Recoba: Poena’s just doing whatever it takes to keep himself in the match!
Diamond tries to take advantage and quickly rolls up Ishimori but the Match Official is still dealing with Poena!!
Steve Morrison: Jack could have the win sealed if there was a referee!
NOMAD rushes into the ring!
Aiden Merric: Good onya wanderer…
Diamond looks to see Quinn still forcing Poena out of the ring. The Violent Wanderer pulls Jack towards him and flips him up….KNEELING POWERBOMB!!!
Steve Morrison: KNEELING TOWER!!
NOMAD ROLLS DIAMOND BACK TO HIS FEET….LARIAT!!!!
Cross Recoba: ANOTHER LARIAT!
Aiden Merric: Only one Lariat worth talking about in Tap Out!
Steve Morrison: You might have to prove that one day and it could be sooner than you like!
Aiden Merric: Thought I already did. Title, two wins over him.
As a final act, NOMAD throws Raiden into their corner.
Steve Morrison: Interesting tactic.
Cross Recoba: In the true spirit of the match, Steve.
Leaving a path of destruction, Poena and NOMAD get out of the ring.
Steve Morrison: Between the two of them, they’re never going to give you a fair fight.
Quinn turns around and looks confused as to what happened.
Aiden Merric: “Big” John finds himself lost! Feeling like a bit of a dipstick, eh?
POENA TAGS HIMSELF IN BEFORE NOMAD CAN BEAT HIM TO IT!!
Steve Morrison: The Dark Savior steals a march on his partner and now for the pairing most people tipped as being the powder-keg of the match!
Stalking the prone Diamond, Poena darts forward and starts to unload with a series of kicks to the spine of Jack!
Poena: HAVE YOU MISSED ME, JAAAAAACK?
He puts an exclamation mark on the matter as he leaps…SENTON BOMB ACROSS THE BACK OF DIAMOND!!
Steve Morrison: He goes back to targeting the spine.
Cross Recoba: It’s going to slow down Jack, make him think twice about hitting that Double Foot Stomp from the top, same goes for the Stacked Deck.
Forcing the Icon to his feet, Poena drives a forearm into the lower back of Diamond before hooking a waistlock….GERMAN SUPLEX!
Aiden Merric: You can’t let that wrong’un get started. It’s what I did, disrupt his movement!
Moving swiftly, Poena wraps his legs around the neck of Jack with a Headscissors and sits up.
Steve Morrison: He wants to work over that spine of Diamond’s, soften it up for Penance or Anathema!
The Dark Savior drives pointed elbows into the exposed back of Jack!
Cross Recoba: Poena might be the most abhorrent wrestler on the Network but you have to give him his due for his ability to break down each opponent he faces.
Moving to his next attack, Poena rolls to his feet and waits, crouched down as if using his hearing to pinpoint his offense.
Steve Morrison: Watching Poena is like seeing an apex predator in nature…
Aiden Merric: They still go down with the same ammunition…
Diamond staggers to his feet, an arm planted on his back to support it as he stands…LEAPING GUILLOTINE CHOKE!!!
Steve Morrison: THE END TIMES!
Cross Recoba: Jack’s back isn’t going to be able to keep him upright after all of the focus it’s received!
Staggering forward with the weight, Jack does what he can to remain upright but Poena anchors his weight to drag down the DTF Owner.
Steve Morrison: He’s working that hold, making Diamond carry every pound of his weight!
DIAMOND DROPS TO A KNEE!
Aiden Merric: JACK COULD BE CACTUS!
Steve Morrison: What?
Aiden Merric: Extinct as a tazzy tiger. … … Dead, mate. Dead.
Poena looks more and more content with every millisecond that passes.
Cross Recoba: He knows that if no-one comes to Jack’s rescue, he has this in the bag!
JACK IS NEARLY LAID OUT!
Steve Morrison: Both knees now down on the canvas. If those legs buckle, Diamond is as good as out.
Quinn checks the arm of Diamond but finds it refuses to drop at the first time of asking.
Cross Recoba: He’s still with it but how does he get out?
DIAMOND TRIES TO ANCHOR HIS BODY AROUND TO THE ROPES BUT POENA ADJUSTS AS HE GOES!
Steve Morrison: Poena seems to have the answers to every question Diamond asks of this Guillotine!
Cross Recoba: He’s making Jack work for every inch he can gain and if it isn’t ending the match, it’s sapping the energy from him with every second that passes.
With his free hands, Jack pushes back and seems like he’s going to get to the ropes with a leg!
Steve Morrison: Jack’s within spitting distance of safety!
Aiden Merric: He needs to fight dirtier.
Cross Recoba: He needs to get hold of that rope and stretch the amount of time he can get to recover as much as he can.
POENA ROLLS AWAY FROM THE ROPES!!!
Steve Morrison: HE WAS TOYING WITH HIM!
The Lansky Ballroom fill the air with boos and whistles as Poena looks like he might not just put away Diamond but also go to Supremacy to face Merric or Strychnine.
Aiden Merric: Poena needs to win now or he might regret that showboating.
Cross Recoba: Less showboating and more a necessity.
Steve Morrison: Diamond finds himself in No Man’s Land and if he doesn’t get some h-
LONG GRABS THE LEGS OF DIAMOND AND PULLS HIM TO FRIENDLY TERRITORY!!!
Steve Morrison: LONG KEEPS HIS FELLOW ICON IN THE MATCH!!
The Irishman climbs onto the apron before Quinn can instruct him and leans over to try to tag himself in!!!
Cross Recoba: To get himself in a position to steal a win!
Steve Morrison: Jack remains just out of reach!
LONG SLINGSHOTS OVER THE ROPES AND PLANTS A BOOT DIRECTLY INTO THE FACE OF POENA, FINALLY BREAKING THE HOLD!!
Steve Morrison: Diamond might be out of the match, if not for good, for the immediate future!
Cross Recoba: Long and Sawyer might want to see Diamond ground down but their chances of getting the win are in the balance now!
Diamond rolls to the apron to try and get a breather but Poena claws himself to his feet before looking to ambush the recovering Icon…
Aiden Merric: Poena would LOVE to put Jack on the shelf!
DIAMOND DRIVES A SHOULDER INTO THE MID-SECTION OF POENA!
Steve Morrison: JACK MIGHT JUST BE IN THIS STILL!
The crowd erupt!
Crowd: LET’S GO, DIAMOND! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, DIAMOND! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* LET’S GO, DIAMOND! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAPCLAPCLAP* …
Gripping the top rope, Diamond leaps up…SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY BLOCK CONNECTS!!!
Steve Morrison: LOOK AT THE HANG-TIME!
ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT FROM POENA!
Cross Recoba: Full strength, he might have had him…
Both men scramble once more to beat the other back to their feet and charge in once more…POENA LEAPS FOR A CLOTHESLINE….DIAMOND JUDO ROLLS AND CARRIES ON TO THE ROPES…SLINGBLADE!!!
Steve Morrison: SNAKE EYES!!!
The Lansky Ballroom erupts into cheers which only highlights the now Christened Poena fan’s lack of emotion.
Aiden Merric: Sheila here doesn’t look stoked either!
Jack sits up with a smile on his face.
Cross Recoba: Make the pin or get out. He cannot stay in there if he isn’t certain he can win now!
Aiden Merric: We’ve seen how much loyalty’s in that ring, he’s stuffed, mate!
Instead of going for the cover, he tags in Sawyer!
Steve Morrison: He brings Sawyer back into the fold!
Sam climbs to the top rope but Diamond stays in the ring and beckons Maverick into the ring…
Cross Recoba: I don’t like the look of this…
The two Icons charge…
Steve Morrison: What can we ex-
DIAMOND LEAPS OVER THE ROPES….CUTTER FROM THE APRON TO THE FLOOR ON NOMAD!!!
Steve Morrison: STACKED DECK ON NOMAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LONG DROPKICKS RAIDEN OFF THE APRON….
Cross Recoba: They’re not done yet…
Rolling back into the ring, the Irishman charges…..SASUKE SPECIAL CONNECTS WITH NOMAD AND RAIDEN!!
Steve Morrison: MAVERICK SPECIAL!!!!
Crowd: THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS AWESOME! HOLY SHIT!
Poena starts to get to his feet…..SAWYER OFF THE TOP WITH A MISSILE DROPKICK!!!!
Cross Recoba: Crisp execution and Sawyer is in a prime position to take this if they can keep on top. The other four members of the match are wiped out on the floor below us!
Steve Morrison: Jack’s holding his back, perhaps questioning if the move was worth the pain he just inflicted on himself!
They make the cover:
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
POENA KICKS OUT!!!
Cross Recoba: A hooked leg and that could be a different story!
The Dark Savior grabs hold of Sawyer’s arm!
Aiden Merric: Sawyer left themself open!
Steve Morrison: Poena knows the threat that a full-force Sawyer Lariat poses!
Poena gets to his feet and DRIVES a boot into the shoulder joint!
Cross Recoba: These two have met before and for me, Sam’s glossed over just how easily Poena can grab hold of a body part and start to break it down before you know how you got there!
He follows up with a knee to the top of the arm of Sawyer.
Steve Morrison: Driving that knee into the joint of Sam, he wants to disable the Fight Fire with Fire lariat before it’s even a threat!
On the outside, the Icons can be seen congratulating each other on their way back to their corner.
Cross Recoba: Less backslapping, you could both be out of it!
A stomp to the hand of Sawyer by Poena is followed by them using the hair of Sam to lift them to their feet. A driven knee doubles them over…FLOATOVER CRUCIFIX BOMB FOR A PIN!!!
Steve Morrison: Sawyer’s in danger…
ONE…
TWO…
LONG COMES OUT OF NOWHERE TO STOMP ON POENA TO BREAK THE PIN!
Steve Morrison: Maverick JUST makes it back in time to keep the match going!
Cross Recoba: But how much damage has Sawyer taken that they could have prevented!
Grabbing the hands of the Repentant, LONG STOMPS THROUGH THE HEAD OF POENA! AND AGAIN! AND AGAIN!
Steve Morrison: KILL YOUR MASTERS!
Coming to his team’s aid, Raiden catches the leg…LEG TRAP BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX!!!!
Cross Recoba: See? Teamwork!
Aiden Merric: Nah, mate. Raiden’s hungry for gold, seeks it out wherever he goes!
Snarling as he rises, Poena uses the ropes to get back up and leans into the corner. He sees Sawyer recovering as they start to stir.
Steve Morrison: Long might have just fanned the flames…
Cross Recoba: Like a wounded animal, Poena’s at his most dangerous when he’s hurt.
Aiden Merric: He needs putting down then.
The Dark Savior shoots a look towards the announce table before smiling.
Steve Morrison: Was that to our Champion co-commentator or the Child?
Aiden Merric: Not me, mate, what would he want? For me to wink back?
Sawyer gets to their feet and looks for Poena…THE TERROR OF THE NINTH DEEP SENDS HIS FINGERTIPS INTO THE RIBCAGE OF SAWYER FOR A MODIFIED HEART PUNCH!!
Steve Morrison: THE ELEVENTH HOUR!!
Cross Recoba: That’s going to drop almost anyone!
With the smile now faded to a contented look, Poena makes the pin:
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
NO!
DIAMOND PUT THE FOOT OF SAWYER ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!!
Steve Morrison: JACK KEEPS HIS TEAM’S HOPES ALIVE!
Cross Recoba: HIS hopes…
Once more the snarl on Poena’s face returns.
Aiden Merric: Sawyer’s right in his cross-hairs.
Diamond blows a kiss towards his nemesis which only enrages Poena more.
Steve Morrison: Jack’s looking to make him trip up, make a mistake.
The Dark Savior squares up to Jack, the ring ropes being the only thing to separate them.
Cross Recoba: It might be working, Poena sees losing that title as a failure to his God, a blot on his loyalty to the belief. He might just be the most mentally-fractured we’ve seen him!
Poena throws a punch…IT’S BLOCKED BUT JACK COUNTERS WITH ONE OF HIS OWN THAT LANDS TRUE!!
Aiden Merric: Can’t beat a slugfest!
Staggering back, Poena finds himself in the arms of Sawyer…SAITO SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: SAWYER USED THE MOMENTUM TO CARRY OVER INTO THAT SUPLEX!!
Sam falls backwards…AND TAGS IN LONG!
Cross Recoba: He seems amped up!
The Irishman seems to have found a second or maybe even third wind as he comes into the ring and unloads with overhand rights to Poena.
Steve Morrison: Huge punches connecting from the Irishman!
Aiden Merric: Keep it simple, you don’t see me doing anything ridiculous …
POENA BOOTS LONG SUSPICIOUSLY CLOSE TO HIS GROIN!
Steve Morrison: LOW BLOW, QUINN!
Aiden Merric: Right in the donger and bollocks…
Cross Recoba: The great equalizer.
The Dark Savior lifts up Maverick…FALLING CORKSCREW STUNNER CONNECTS!!
Steve Morrison: Long recovered!!
Cross Recoba: We’ve seen him use that before. Is Poena slacking in his homework?
Rushing to take advantage of the reversal, Long brings Poena back up and hooks the arms as he bends him over…DOUBLE UNDERHOOK PILEDRIVER!!
Steve Morrison: CROWN TUNDRA!!!
Long scrambles for the cover…
ONE…
TWO…
TH-
POENA SOMEHOW WRIGGLES A SHOULDER FREE OF THE MAT!!
Steve Morrison: POENA GETS OUT FROM THE PIN!
Once again, Maverick looks to pick up Poena BUT THE DARK SAVIOR BITES THE FOREHEAD OF THE IRISHMAN!!!
Cross Recoba: Long walked into that one! Poena took a chunk out of Long two months ago in a similar fashion!
Charging in, Poena gets wrong-footed as LONG GOES FOR A SCHOOLBOY ROLL-UP!
Steve Morrison: Can he catch him with the pin?
HE ROLLS THROUGH…
Cross Recoba: I know where this is going!
SCHOOLBOY SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: HUGE IMPACT!
Cross Recoba: Doesn’t go for the pin though!
Sensing the need to go for a larger move, Maverick looks to the corner.
Steve Morrison: This could be huge.
Cross Recoba: It needs to be huge.
Aiden Merric: It needs to be perfect.
Crowd: FUCK HIM UP, MAVERICK, FUCK HIM UP! *CLAP* *CLAP* FUCK HIM UP, MAVERICK, FUCK HIM UP! *CLAP* *CLAP* FUCK HIM UP, MAVERICK, FUCK HIM UP! *CLAP* *CLAP*
The Icon leaps to the top turnbuckle…
Steve Morrison: Now we wait.
Cross Recoba: He’s taking too long…
SWANTON 450 SPLASH!!!
Steve Morrison: CATACLYSM!!!!!!
NO!!!! POENA CATCHES HIM IN A TRIANGLE!!!!!!!!
Cross Recoba: POENA CAUGHT HIM PERFECTLY!!!!
Once more the crowd are hushed.
Aiden Merric: He pissed on the Ballroom’s bonfire!
Poena works his body as he pushes up his hips to lock in the hold!
Steve Morrison: Poena’s looking to get the Triangle locked in and Long might just have cost himself and his team a chance at fighting at Supremacy!
“Big” John is inches away from the submission to ensure he can monitor Long.
Cross Recoba: Watch the legs, if they buckle - he’s out!
We cut to the participants on the apron. Both Sawyer and Diamond and Ishimori and NOMAD look ready to intercept the hold.
Steve Morrison: Some hesitation from both sides.
Cross Recoba: If Long taps, it’s over but if he’s just taken out of the match? More opportunity on both sides!
Mav’s legs start to give away as the oxygen to his body is cut off.
Aiden Merric: There he goes…
ALL FOUR MEMBERS ON THE OUTSIDE ENTER THE RING!!
Steve Morrison: AND THERE THEY GO!
Diamond and NOMAD get to the hold within milliseconds of one another. They both start to lay the boots into Poena to stop the Triangle!
Cross Recoba: Quinn now has to herd cats!
With the hold broken, SAWYER FOOTBALL TACKLES RAIDEN BEFORE UNLOADING WITH SOME HUGE BLOWS TO THE FACE OF THE JAPANESE STAR!
Steve Morrison: HUGE tackle!
Diamond and NOMAD trade blows as Quinn tries to find an opening to insert himself into!
Cross Recoba: It’s CHAOS inside that ring!
Long crawls to the ropes to buy himself some breathing space.
Steve Morrison: He needs to tag out but to who exactly?
NOMAD LANDS A HUGE UPPERCUT!!! OVERHEAD BELLY-TO-BELLY TOSSES THE ICON INTO THE ROPES TO LAND HEAD-FIRST ON THE CANVAS!!
Steve Morrison: NOMAD JUST TOSSED DIAMOND WITH NO QUARTER OR REGARD GIVEN!
Sawyer dismounts from Raiden…THEY TURN AROUND INTO A DRIVEN-DOWN PUNCH THAT ALMOST PLANTS THEM INTO THE MAT!....NOMAD LIFTS THEM UP INTO A VERTICAL SUPLEX…HE DROPS THEM INTO A RISING KNEE!!!
Steve Morrison: NIHILUS III!!!!!!!!
Aiden Merric: Sawyer’s out like a Bogan on Straya Day!
The Violent Wanderer looks around the ring and sees only Poena is moving. The Monster of the World grabs him by the head to send him into their corner to tag out…INVERTED STOMP FACEBREAKER FROM POENA!!!
Cross Recoba: The alliance has exploded!
Steve Morrison: You said it was only a matter of time.
Cross Recoba: It was inevitable…
Rolling to his feet, Poena grabs Long by the head and hooks his head into a front-facelock. LONG BREAKS OUT AND FIRES OFF A QUICK HEAD KICK THAT SPINS POENA AROUND…BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!!!
Steve Morrison: KING SLAYER!!!
Cross Recoba: Desperation King Slayer…
LONG TAGS OUT TO DIAMOND!!!
Steve Morrison: But it does what it needs to and he makes the tag!
Jack rushes towards Poena and immediately stomps on the knee of the Dark Savior…and again! The Icon starts to unload with boots that land with precision on the same spot on the Terror of the Ninth Deep’s leg!
Cross Recoba: Payback for the targeting of the back from Poena and his team-mates.
Steve Morrison: Diamond as comfortable on the mat as he is in the air.
Aiden Merric: Could be going for revenge rather than victory…
Picking up the targeted leg, Jack drops a knee into the hamstring as precursor to a sweeping boot that lands with a crack.
Steve Morrison: Targeting those legs and not just depriving him of a full-impact Anathema but also setting him up for th-
He spins around the leg….FIGURE-FOUR LEGLOCK!!
Steve Morrison: ACES WILD!
The crowd noise grows as Diamond falls to the mat and presses up with a bridge to increase the torque on the hold.
Cross Recoba: That bridge tells us he knows he has limited time.
Steve Morrison: And how long can that back sustain the bridge?
The cameras catch Diamond looking as if he knows the end of the match is drawing nearer.
Aiden Merric: He’s in the driving seat.
POENA SCOOTS HIMSELF BACK!
Steve Morrison: Poena not giving up and making up ground.
The bridge broken, Diamond tries to insist on the hold by lifting his leg up and SMASHING it down onto the ankle joint of his enemy!
Cross Recoba: Jack knows the hold isn’t going to last.
POENA LOOKS TO ROLL THE HOLD OVER…IT’S A DUMMY…POENA PUSHES BACK ONCE MORE AND GRABS THE ROPES!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: HUGE ROPE BREAK!
“Big” John Quinn calls for the rope break:
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DIAMOND SMASHES HIS LEG DOWN ON THE ANKLE ONCE MORE!
Steve Morrison: Trying to exact every bit of damage he can!
FOUR!!
Cross Recoba: What happened to breaking the hold immediately?
QUINN THREATENS TO CALL IT FOR POENA BY DISQUALIFICATION!!
FI-
Steve Morrison: Jack playing with fire and Quinn’s patience. Poena could steal this with a cheap win!
DIAMOND RELINQUISHES THE SUBMISSION!!!
Cross Recoba: Jack’s a pro at working the count though.
Getting to his feet, Jack measures Poena for his next attack.
Steve Morrison: You have to wonder, with the damage he took to his back and the damage he sustained hitting that Over the Top Rope Stacked Deck, how much more does Diamond have left in the tank?
Poena uses the ropes to get up, DIAMOND RUSHES HIM WITH A FOREARM TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD…NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!!
Steve Morrison: He spun him around and nailed him!
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
KICKOUT FROM POENA!!
Cross Recoba: If anything, that loss and renewed fervor has made Poena more resistant!
Diamond rolls backwards before sprinting at the Dark Savior…SHOTGUN DROPKICK SENDS POENA INTO THE CORNER!!!
Steve Morrison: That might be true but JACK EIGHTY-SIXED HIM!
The fans seem to know what’s coming:
Crowd: DIAMOND SPLASH! DIAMOND SPLASH! DIAMOND SPLASH! …
JACK CHARGES AND LEAPS…
Steve Morrison: DIAMOND SPLASH!!!
NO-ONE’S HOME!!!!
Cross Recoba: Did the crowd tip his hand?
Aiden Merric: Bloody spoilsports is what they are.
SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX FROM POENA!!
Steve Morrison: Poena catches the Ace of Spades on the rebound!
The Disciple of Devastation staggers backwards towards his corner…RAIDEN TAKES IT AS AN INVITATION TO TAG HIMSELF IN!!!
Cross Recoba: That doesn’t look a popular opinion to anyone EXCEPT Raiden!
Aiden Merric: Hey kid, you hating that as much as your “saviour” there?
Rushing into the ring, Ishimori immediately leaps into the air with a Senton to target the back of Diamond. He rolls to his feet and immediately grabs a leg…REVERSE SINGLE-LEG BOSTON CRAB!!
Steve Morrison: UNDERTOW!
Cross Recoba: He wants to put the finishing blow on the back of Diamond!
Jack lets out an agonised noise as Ishimori increases the torque on the hold.
Aiden Merric: Sounding like a wild boar in a trap!
JACK PUSHES UP AND ROLLS, SENDING RAIDEN INTO THE ROPES!!!
Steve Morrison: SOMEHOW JACK ESCAPES!!!
Diamond comes from behind with a waistlock, ISHIMORI THROWS AN ELBOW THAT SENDS JACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING!
Cross Recoba: But Raiden remains on top.
The Harbinger rushes at The Icon, ducking a swift kick. Jack turns around…he’s gutwrenched up into a Backbreaker…THE FLIP….DDT!!!!!
Steve Morrison: CASTLES FALL!
Cross Recoba: Ishimori might well steal it!
Ishimori makes the cover:
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
DIAMOND SWINGS A FOOT ONTO THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!!
Steve Morrison: HOW!
RAIDEN CAN’T BELIEVE IT!
Cross Recoba: I know, Raiden, I KNOW!
Quinn pushes two fingers into the face of Ishimori, only angering him further. Bone Cold heads to the ropes….SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT!!!!!
Steve Morrison: FLIGHT OVER OSAKA!
Cross Recoba: He might have him!
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
LONG AND SAWYER DRAG DIAMOND BACK TO THEIR CORNER!!!
Aiden Merric: Diamond’s ‘mates’ save him.
MAVERICK TAGS HIMSELF IN!!!
Cross Recoba: Hooray for self-interest.
Steve Morrison: We’re back to the original pair who started the match.
The two AWF alumni trade huge right hands with neither wanting to give up an inch!
Aiden Merric: It’s kick-out time in the Main Event Merric Ballroom!
Steve Morrison: Lansky … It’s Lansky.
Long looks for a Spinning Back KIck but Raiden steps back…SUNSET FLIP!
Steve Morrison: Ishimori not giving up on stealing the win!
ONE…
TWO…
LONG KICKS OUT!
Aiden Merric: Not enough!
RAIDEN MOVES TO A SPIDER TWIST!!!
Steve Morrison: AQUA REGIS!
Cross Recoba: He always wanted to move to this, the pin was a ploy!
NOMAD COMES IN AND CLUBS RAIDEN UNTIL HE RELEASES THE HOLD.
Steve Morrison: NOMAD knows that Raiden could have had that!
Throwing Raiden into their corner, NOMAD TAGS HIMSELF IN!!
Cross Recoba: Ishimori getting robbed of a win by NOMAD!
NOMAD measures Maverick, watching him as he stirs.
Steve Morrison: He winds up…
DISCUS LARIAT CONNECTS!!!
Steve Morrison: WHIRLING LARIAT!!!
Cross Recoba: He nearly decapitated him!
Aiden Merric: 8 out of 10 on the “Is it as good as Aiden’s” meter.
NOMAD COVERS:
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
KICKOUT BY LONG!!!
Aiden Merric: My bad, seven and a half …
Steve Morrison: Maverick holds on but can he get back into the match?
NOMAD pulls up the Irishman by the hair and grabs him by the arm to send him to the corner, IT’S REVERSED!
Cross Recoba: We’re going to find out…
LONG STEAMS IN AND CONNECTS WITH A DROPKICK!!
Steve Morrison: He held nothing back with that!
MEASURING THE VIOLENT WANDERER….LONG CONNECTS WITH A SUPERKICK!!!!
Steve Morrison: ICON KICK!!!
Cross Recoba: He needs something else...
Aiden Merric: What else is there?
Rolling backwards to the center of the ring, LONG DASHES IN AND LEAPS FROM THE MIDDLE ROPE…CUTTER!!!!
Steve Morrison: A nod to his partner…SPRINGBOARD STACKED DECK!!!
Long pulls NOMAD away from the ropes and collapses atop him:
Cross Recoba: I don’t think Maverick has any more to give!
ONE…
TWO..
TH-
POENA BREAKS UP THE PIN!
Steve Morrison: POENA ROBS THE ICON OF THE WIN!
EVERYONE STORMS IN!!!
Cross Recoba: It’s going to be pandemonium!!
MAVERICK SEE NOMAD CRAWLING TO HIS FEET
Steve Morrison: SURELY NOT!
Cross Recoba: He HAS to go for it…
….RUNNING CURB STOMP!!!!
Steve Morrison: VANITY KILLER!!!! HE COULD STEAL IT!!!
POENA CUTS HIM OFF WITH A RISING KNEE TO THE GUT…CROSS-LEGGED KNEEBREAKER BRAINBUSTER TAKES HIM OUT!!!
Steve Morrison: ANATHEMA ROBS JASON LONG!!!!
Cross Recoba: But look out…
POENA TURNS AROUND…SAWYER AMBUSHES HIM WITH A HUGE LARIAT!!!
Steve Morrison: FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE LARIAT FROM SAM SAWYER!!!!
Aiden Merric: Nine out of ten.
Crowd: LARIAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
The crowd go hushed as they see Raiden behind Sawyer, waiting.
Cross Recoba: This is ridiculous.
Aiden Merric: I might not have anyone to face in January…not a lot of fun in that!
WRIST-CLUTCH FISHERMAN DRIVER TAKES OUT THE TEXAN TEEN SENSATION!!!
Steve Morrison: CLIMHAZZARD!!!
Aiden Merric: What hazard?
QUINN DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO UNPICK THIS!
Cross Recoba: Quinn might well have earned himself a bonus if he gets through this!
OUT OF NOWHERE, DIAMOND LEAPS OFF THE BACK OF SAWYER …CUTTER!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: ANOTHER SPRINGBOARD STACKED DECK!!!!
Cross Recoba: But this doesn’t feel over…
Diamond stands up….NOMAD CLOBBERS HIM FROM BEHIND WITH A SICKENING LARIAT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!!!
Steve Morrison: NEVERMIND LARIAT!
Cross Recoba: Makes me sick every time!
LONG STEAMS IN….NOMAD LIFTS A KNEE INTO HIS MIDSECTION! HE HOOKS THE ARMS….
Steve Morrison: What’s this….
Cross Recoba: NOMAD is going for broke…
TIGER DRIVER ‘91!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve Morrison: SCORCHED EARTH NINETY-ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aiden Merric: HE DROPPED HIM ON HIS HEAD!!
NOMAD makes the cover:
ONE…
TWO….
THREE!!!
Steve Morrison: HE GOT HIM!!
DIAMOND MISSES THE SAVE BY MILLISECONDS!!!
Cross Recoba: Jack missed the bell by nanoseconds!
Quinn calls for the bell!!
DING! DING! DING!
Laura Messier: The winners of this match….the team of POENA, RAIDEN ISHIMORI AND! GOING TO SUPREMACY….THE VIOLENT WANDERER! NOOOOOOOOOOOOMAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!!
“Forensic Science” by Fugazi plays in the Lansky Ballroom as Quinn raises the arm of NOMAD who is quick to shake it off.
Steve Morrison: There we have it! NOMAD will face Merric or Tommy Strychnine at Supremacy!
Aiden Merric: It’ll be me, cobber, don’t you worry about that!
Cross Recoba: But look at the carnage that’s left in his wake!
In the background, Diamond can be seen checking in on Jason Long with Sam Sawyer.
Steve Morrison: Long could well be knocked out.
Poena looks on the verge of frothing at the mouth in anger. He heads towards the commentary booth and The Child.
Poena: HE.WILL.PAY!
Ishimori is already making his way around the ring to the aisle. He points at Diamond and makes a cut-throat gesture as he passes him.
Steve Morrison: This might well have reignited the tension between Ishimori and the Icons!
Back inside the ring, NOMAD leans over the ropes and points towards Merric to indicate his time is coming to a close.
Cross Recoba: He seems to have your cards marked!
Aiden Merric: We’ll see, let him have his moment!
Steve Morrison: WHAT. A. NIGHT! Tommy goes on to face my broadcasting colleague of the moment, Aiden Merric, in the main event of next month’s show!
Cross Recoba: After we find out whether Sin City Championship Wrestling or Tap Out take home the inaugural Oscar Goodman Cup.
Steve Morrison: That too and how will NOMAD go into his match next month on foreign soil knowing he faces the winner of next month’s main event at Supremacy?
Aiden Merric: He’ll know I’ve got this one in the bag, mate. We both been wanting this one. Everybody wins tonight.
Steve Morrison: Cross, I hear a decision has been made on the Match of the Night?
Cross Recoba: Almost by unanimous decision it goes to the Main Event we just witnessed!
Steve Morrison: Tommy vs Random ran it close in my view but I can’t argue with it.
Aiden Merric: I can …
Cross Recoba: That’s the exact sentiment we all had.
Aiden Merric: Unbelievable … I know when I’m not wanted.
Aiden drops his headset and grabs his title, making sure to give a nod of recognition to the monster NOMAD in the ring, and a quick smirk and flash of the belt to Poena as he exits to the ramp.
Steve Morrison: And that wraps up our show for tonight. I’m Steve Morrison, joined by Cross Recoba and we’ll see you on the tenth of December for next month’s show as we bring 2023 to a close!
