.:AWF's A Holiday Themed Family Friendly Wrestling Program:.

[ForeverKuroi]

---

Ascension Wrestling Federation Presents:

---

Live at Colinwood Football Field in Cleveland, Ohio
12/24/17
Capacity: 2,000

---

The light dim and the people cheer, anticipating the beginning of the last super show in the AWF - the Holiday Themed Family Friendly Wrestling Program. Suddenly, a piano medley starts in a familiar tune and the projector plays with this video...

Taylor: This sounds really... I've heard this before.
Romano: Oh, I know this. My granddaughter loves it. Horton probably thought it's the only winter-themed song to play.



Taylor: Errrr... Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. This is AWF's Holiday-Themed Family Friendly Wrestling Program! The name may not be much, but the action that tonight holds will be much different! Isn't that right, Cassius?
Romano: That's right, Tommy. Every single belt will be on the line, tonight. Jason Justice defends the State of Ohio Championship against The Cosmic Warrior. El Cazador defends his Prestige Class Championship against Danny Ray and Jackson Steele defends the AWF Championship against one of the leaders of The Icons, Bobby Barratt.
Taylor: But that's not all! BANG will be decided through a ladder match between the X*Crown Champion and Ezriel. Michael Storm and Hyperion's ground-breaking arc will reach its climax to decide thef next #1 Contender to the AWF Title, and who could forget Christmas time!? That's right, we have the Winter Solstice Exchange!
Romano: Actually, it's not Christmas; we're celebrating the Winter Solstice. Don't get us in trouble with Horton... Anyway, for now, we have the national anthem to be sung by... Michael Clarke Duncan?

Michael Clarke Duncan steps into the middle of the ring, dressed in a suit. He's holding a microphone. He begins singing... not the National Anthem, but a parody of "My Favorite Things."

MCD: ICW in this fed and Jackson Steele's movies.
When you no longer constipated and you can make dookies.
When the action starts after the bell rings.
These be a few of my favorite things.

Taylor: This... doesn't sound like the national anthem.
Romano: No it does not. In fact, it sounds like this came from The Sound of Music...

MCD: Storm making money and Hype when he ain't meanest.
The thought of eXXXstacy's mouf all over my penis.
Danny Ray saying nice, biblical things.
These be a few of my favorite things.

Taylor: Did he just try to rhyme the word things with... things?
Romano: I'm more concerned with whose bright idea it was to give him the microphone.

MCD: When Ezriel loses. When Horton chooses...
Not to let me in the WSE.
I simply go and remind that the world.
That I'm MCD!

The crowd applauds. Duncan takes a bow and exits the ring.

Taylor: That was... odd.
Romano: ...Let's just begin the first match of the evening.

---

After a brief commercial break, all entrants are in the ring, and Jessie Love takes the microphone. She stands next to a very long table with six gift boxes. Each box is white and is wrapped with blue ribbon, as to not give the appearance that this is Christmas-like, and is in the spirit of the winter solstice - obviously Alexander Horton's idea. She smiles as she turns to the contestants.

Jessie Love: Good evening, competitors! We are about to begin the first match of the evening, but I feel it is important to inform all of you how this match works. Weeks before tonight, each opponent was given the name of their recipient and was instructed to provide a non-weapon as a gift, one small enough to fit inside of a box. Now, before the match is underway, each of you will give your gift to your chosen recipient and give it to them. After each gift has been given, the match will begin. The caveat of this match is that this is a hardcore match of sorts but the only tool you may use is the gift given to you! Any competitor using the tools other than the one given to them will be disqualified from the match. Now if we can begin with AWF's Special Guest Dylan Black. Please give your gift to your recipient.

Dylan Black walks over to the table and grabs his gift. He gives his gift to Chaos Kid, who nearly drops it once it's under his possession. He opens it. He reaches in and takes out a... CINDER BLOCK!

Taylor: Oh no! Dylan Black just gave Chaos Kid a huge advantage here!
Romano: Perhaps Dylan likes to play things on hard mode but... there's six people here! This will already be tough as it is!

Jessie Love: Thank you! Ms. Sakaraba, please give your gift to your recipient!

After having her instructions translated into whatever language she speaks, she walks to Dylan Black and gives him the package. He opens it and pulls out a... bottle! There's a label on it and it says: "อารมณ์تبادلਸੁਪਰмегаυπερ콤보多彩エリキシル"

Taylor: What is that!? I don't read Chinese!
Romano: I think it's Japanese, but I don't read that either, and I suspect Dylan Black doesn't understand it as well.

Dylan Black rolls his eyes, not finding this to have any use to him.

Jessie Love: And Mr. James Johnson, if you could please give your gift to your recipient.

James Johnson reaches in and grabs the present provided by him. He hands it to Yuki. She opens it and finds... a bible!

Taylor: Aw, James! What a stand up guy!
Romano: Does James Johnson know Yuki can't speak English?

Jessie Love: Now RENT A HERO, if you could please provide your gift.

RENT A HERO SPRINGS INTO ACTION... by taking a leap forward to the presents. He grabs one and hands it off to James Johnson. Johnson opens up the gift and finds... AN IRON MAN DOLL!

Taylor: ahah! I get it! It's because Iron Man is an Avenger and so is James Johnson's pic b-
Romano: FOURTH WALL, TOMMY!

Jessie Love: And if you could please give your gift, Chaos Kid.

Chaos Gift steps forward and reaches for his gift. He brings it over to Nathan Thunder. Thunder opens it and finds... A SANTA HAT! He puts it on!

Taylor: That's sure likely to upset Alexander Horton!
Romano: Maybe so, but this isn't illegal! He can use it!

Jessie Love: Last, but I'm sure not least - Mr. Thunder, if you could provide from your... certainly no longer a surprise, RENT-A-HERO!

Nathan Thunder steps forward with a smile and grabs the last gift box from the table. He brings it over to RENT A HERO. As soon as he takes the box, he jumps back and drops it!

Taylor: What!? Why'd he drop it!?

RENT A HERO bends forward and opens the top of the box. A MIDGET JUMPS OUT! He's dressed like Hulk Hogan!

Taylor: CASSIUS! I think... I think Nathan Thunder kidnapped a little person!
Romano: Oh my... I mean, perhaps he acquired this gift through legal m... uh, that's - yeah, that's not legal.

Jessie Love: With the gifts all set up, the match can begin!

---

Winter Solstice Exchange Match
Chaos Kid vs. Nathan Thunder vs. Dylan Black vs. Yuki Sakaraba vs. James Johnson vs. RENT A HERO

---

The bell rings and Nathan Thunder quickly grabs Yuki Sakaraba and throws her five feet to the side toward the other side of the ring. She lands on the table. The table breaks! The bell rings again, directing all competitors to cease fighting. Jessie Love speaks with the timekeepers.

Jessie Love: As a result of using the table as a weapon, Nathan Thunder has been disqualified!

"HOLD ON A MINUTE!"

Joshua Jeffrey Jones comes running over - so fast, even, that his combover is coming undone. He charges at Jessie Love, almost making her to instinctively grab her pepper spray. He steals the microphone from her hands.

JJJ: This is a travesty of justice.

Jason Justice's theme song begins to play.

JJJ: NOT YOU. TURN THAT CRAP OFF.

The music stops playing.

JJJ: What I'm saying is that it was the fault of the officials here, not Mr. Thunder, who left the table there. The great and fearless Mr. Thunder didn't break any rules! He merely threw an opponent, and the table happened to be there! This all happened because of the negligence of the AWF crew. Now go do your deliberations and then come back and reverse all this non-sense.

Jessie Love and the two referees, Match Referee - Junior Referee Steven Tyrell and Senior Referee Gabe Valentine, who is merely assisting with deliberations, all convene. After a few moments of deliberation, Jessie Love takes the microphone again:

Jessie Love: The previous decision has been reversed. The match will continue as planned, with Nathan Thunder no longer disqualified.

The bell rings once moreand the match resumes. As expected, everyone keeps their distance from Dylan Black. Given the dynamics of the match, he has the most dangerous gift in the game. Nathan Thunder, however, is undeterred. However, he goes to everyone else. He runs forward and knocks Chaos Kid with a clothesline. He goes down like a ton of bricks. Thunder smiles with his Santa hat and all. Suddenly, James Johnson jumps on his back, trying to take him down. He's trying to shake him off, but RENT A HERO also jumps into the mix and begins sending martial arts punches and kicks, great and dangerous enough to impress any sensai. At least, in his mind. However, IN REAL LIFE, he actually sucks with the kind of kicking and punching a child would give. Obviously combined with that and the fact that Nathan Thunder is a human tank, it doesn't do squat. Thunder reaches back and pulls James Johnson over his back. He slams him down onto RENT A HERO and unleashing a victorious roar.

Taylor: Nathan Thunder is unstoppable!
Romano: Just remember the age-old phrase: The larger they are, the harder they fall.

And fall Nathan Thunder does - finally quickly, in fact! SLAM! Dylan Black comes from behind Thunder and uses the cinder block onto him! He falls down to the mat. He goes for the pin:


...One!


...Two!


...Chaos Kid breaks up the pin!

Taylor: And Chaos Kid won't let it end this early! Not if he can help it!

RENT A HERO is on the ground. He's trying to stir back up. That's when someone taps him on the nose. RENT A HERO's eyes open. It's the midget. The midget is so small, like his chances of victory. SMALL!? NO. HE WILL WIN AND SAVE THE WORLD! Dylan Black turns around, but it's too late. RENT A HERO shoots forward with a spear, sending him and the rock in his hand to the ground! Chaos Kid comes to him feet and goes to RENT A HERO, but with a swing of the midget Hulkster, he has been sent right back down! James Johnson gets up. He begins to go after RENT A HERO, but the fake superhero sees this. He begins to wind an invisible spinner on his back. He then throws the little person to Johnson, who begins scratching him on his face. However, RENT A HERO has no protection now! Yuki Sakaraba finally popped up behind him and takes him down with a tiltawhirl back breaker! Yuki goes for the pin:


...One!


...Two!


...Th-pin break by the angry and monstrous Nathan Thunder!

Taylor: Cassius, just out of curiosity... before tonight's show began, did you think that a superhero would use a midget that looks like Hulk Hogan as a weapon?
Romano: ...No.

Nathan Thunder grabs Yuki (again, per orders of Alexander Horton, I must clarify that the grabbing was non-sexual in nature) and throws her to the ropes. She comes back and Thunder picks her up and slams her down with a vicious spinebuster! Thunder laughs a hearty laugh for a moment before he turns around... with no time to react before a speak from "The American Armada" James Johnson! ...but quite frankly, that move didn't do squat! Johnson tries to get up from the failed spear attempt, but the big picks him up. He spins around to show everyone what he's about to do and soaks up the deafening boos. Chaos Kid runs toward Thunder, but he sees this coming. He powerbombs Johnson onto Chaos Kid and takes them both down! Thunder smiles and laughs. That is, until a loud CRASH echoes throughout the entire room. Dylan Black came from behind him and BREAKS the cinder block over Thunder's head. He goes down like a ton of bricks - no pun intended. (Or is it?)

Taylor: Holy hell! I think we need to call an ambulance!
Romano: Unfortunately, we can't! The show must go on until a winner has been decided!

Dylan Black rolls Thunder as he's about to go for a pin. He pulls Thunder's leg up as Referee Steve Tyrell goes for the pin count:


...One!


RENT A HERO is on his feet. He runs to Dylan Black but trips over the bodies of James Johnson and Chaos Kid.


...Two!


...Thr- Midget Hogan flies from the hands over RENT A HERO like an NFL fumble and shoots over to break up the pin of Dylan Black and Nathan Thunder! Steve Tyrell counts it as a legal pin break!

Taylor: YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
Romano: Only in the AWF would you see something like this...

Dylan Black is heated. He gets up and stares at the midget who is now trembling in his little boots, literally. He immediately back hands the Hulk Hogan-parody.

Romano: We at the Ascension Wrestling Federation do not promote midget violence.
Taylor: We do, however, find it hilarious!
Romano: Tommy!

Now that the Hulk Hogan look-alike is out of commission, Dylan drops back down and pins Nathan Thunder once more:


...One


...Two


...Th-Yuki leaps and breaks the pin. She starts stomping at the downed FWA superstar, but this doesn't stop him. If anything, it only keeps him from getting up just a little bit slower. However, Dylan Black finally does get to his feet. He hip checks Yuki and then throws her to the ropes. Upon her rebound, he goes to throw her with a hip toss, but she lands on her feet after swinging around! She then hip tosses him back to the canvas! The crowd pops for the face! She's not going to go for the pin quite yet since she's very well versed in all things Dylan Black and knows that he has a lot of fight left in him. She goes to bring him to his feet, but on the way up, he unleashes a MASSIVE punch to her stomach that nearly doubles her over. That's when he pulls out his thumb while getting to his feet. He's looking to go for his massive Samoan Thumb Strike known as...

Taylor: Blackscreen! He wants to go for the Blackscreen!
Romano: And what's stopping him from getting it done?!

Well, Yuki is! She ducks the strike! As he spins back around, she grabs Dylan and goes for the Ranhei, the move that she calls Cosmic Explosion! (Unrelated to The Cosmic Warrior... I think...) she goes for the pin:


...One!


...Two!


...-T-James Johnson breaks up the pin! Rather, IRON MAN did! (I'm of course, referring to the Iron Man doll gifted to him by RENT A HERO. Iron Man wouldn't actually be here. That would be silly.) Of course, this would fall under the same jurisdiction as the midget/little person interference, so it looks like Yuki will not win this match! At least... not for right now.

Taylor: There must always be a Stark in Winterfell!
Romano: Wrong Stark, Tommy. But anyways, James Johnson is back on this feet! This crazy match continues!

Yuki Sakaraba gets up and she goes into a collar and elbow lock up with The American Armada. After a brief struggle, Johnson sends Yuki to the ropes. Wait! Yuki reverses it and sends him to the ropes! He comes back and she lays him down with a catching DDT! James Johnson is down! Yuki is about to go to the next step of her plan to win the match. That's when someone else comes up behind her. Someone monstrous. Someone who really shouldn't even be conscious right now.

Taylor: It's Nathan Thunder!

Yuki screams as Thunder starts choking her - possibly with something that should be illegal from the ring. Except with the special circumstances in place, it's not. Johnson is looking up and finding the Santa hat given from Chaos Kid. It's around Yuki's neck and he's choking her. The referee can't do a thing! Because of the special circumstances at play, the hands of Junior Referee Steven Tyrell are metaphorically tied!

Taylor: We have to stop him! He tied the Santa Hat around her neck like it's some sort of rope!
Romano: We can't stop this match, Tommy. This match has to end with a winner. Yuki can tap out. In fact, she probably should!

Johnson looks out and he begins to be filled full of anger. He looks at Yuki and finds her with tears flowing out of her eyes. He jumps to his feet and charges Nathan Thunder, but before he can reach Thunder, Chaos Kid comes from the other part of the ring and takes him down with a missile dropkick! Johnson is trying to explain to Chaos Kid that there's an active submission hold occurring that could cause him to lose but because of the high-paced intensity of the match, he can't get the message out. Meanwhile, Thunder continues to wrench on the poor neck of the woman that's probably like one third of his weight. Yuki is struggling in a very passionate way, especially since this whole pleasure that Nathan Thunder gets out of this is really rapey. The referee continues to ask her if she wants to give up, but until now, she has been replying with an astounding "NO." Now, she's thinking about it. She almost says yes, that's when the gift that James Johnson gave her falls out from her... Let's imagine her clothes has a pocket where she could be hiding the bible, 'kay? I don't have time to explain this pedantic bullshit with you; I have a fed to run. Anyways, the bible falls out and cracks open. It lands open to the Book of Luke. Luke could see Luke 6:31. It reads...

"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."

Thunder loosens his grips. His eyes go big and he can see how his life has gone wrong, how he has lived a sinful life and how he has done wrong to others, taking delight in the pain of others... either that or he is enamored by the pretty pages of this fancy schmancy bible. Either way, Yuki has managed to escape Nathan Thunder's grasp. She runs to the corner, trying to get her body to a healthy shade of white... or yellow?

Taylor: Seriously Kuroi, I know you're trying to write an entertaining match, but this is almost getting to be racist.
Romano: Totally. If it wasn't for us, Mongo might actually archive the AWF, then we'd all be out of jobs.

Nathan Thunder has been going through the bible, either reading its meaningful and profound messages or looking at the shimmer of the pages in this leather-bound book. I mean, look at the front page! It has a 't' on the cover! t stands for THUNDER! ϟ Anyways, through all the pizzazz, this left Chaos Kid the opportunity to suplex James Johnson! He then comes from behind Thunder and goes for the Rolling German Suplex he calls Chaos Theory! It hits! He goes for the pin:


...One!


...Two!


"BEHOLD THE KING. THE KING OF XTREME!"

That's when Motorhead's King of Kings (The fictitious Xtreme version) begins to blare through the speakers. Out runs TERRY BRADSHAW.

Taylor: TERRY BRADSHAW?! What's he doing here!? I thought he was on the run from police!
Romano: I think he still is, Tommy! I just don't even know why he's here. He hasn't had the gall to show his face in the AWF since he destroyed our first home, the Bethesda VFW!

Chaos Kid gets off of Nathan Thunder, expecting the worst. Terry Bradshaw is in a full suit, per usual. However, Terry Bradshaw has something with him... a bucket! Inside of these buckets are wrapped toys. He's reaching inside of the bucket and throwing the wrapped toys to everyone. The families in the audience are opening up the gifts and are finding outdated toys - namely Zunes, Furbys and Tomagatchi - and he only sometimes forgot to feed it! He's having a grand old time until he hears a voice call out through the system. Out walks a man, someone he has never met before but the AWF knows very well.

Horton: Police, please arrest this man! He is on Ohio's Most Wanted and is a menace to society!

Immediately, police start chasing after Terry. Mr. Bradshaw begins running away. He then reaches into his pants and pulls out... a football!? Anyways, he punts the football and resumes running. The football bounces off the goalpost and hits one of the officers, knocking him down. Terry runs out of the stadium and we are forced to resume on the match.

Romano: This... Why... L-let's just... go back to the match...
Taylor: Smart plan.

Chaos Kid stares incredulously at the... interesting sight before him. That's when RENT A HERO surprises him by grabbing him and lifting him into the air. He tries to gesture to the fans but by trying to do too many things at once, he loses balance and drops down Chaos Theory in a brain buster like move.

Romano: RENT A HERO just hit the Super Duper Plex!
Taylor: Yes, but I can never tell if his mistakes are intentional or not. He's always just... so bad...

He goes for the pin.


...One!


...Two!


...THREE!

That's when RENT A HERO notices that the referee had his back toward him. The referee was looking elsewhere to someone pinning Yuki! It's... IT'S...

Jessie Love: The winner of this match by pinfall is... AWF's guest from FWA Dylan Black!

Romano: Dylan won!? How did he do that!
Taylor: No clue! But Yuki was the one who gave her the gift and this is how he repays her!

Dylan Black gets up and raises his arm in the air with Junior Referee Steve Tyrell. He then pulls out something from the pocket. It was the gift the Japanese herbal-looking gift that Yuki gave him. He takes the chance, takes off the cap and guzzles it down.

Dylan: Huh. It's quite refreshing.

Taylor: Alright! Now we have to market the product! Ching Chong Apple Sauce. Found in stores TODAY!
Romano: TOMMY! THAT WAS RACIST!

---

Backstage, an empty hall with cases stacked up along the walls. Nothing seems to be happening as everyone is focused on inside the arena or in the locker room and interview areas, but a door swings open and in walks with swagger James Mueller and Venom. Slowly behind Venom walks in Goldbear II on a leash. He lets out a roar as Venom smirks and speaks.

“We have finally arrived in the AWF. The place Mongo loves to hate the most. It was just a matter of time before we came here to make out mark.”

“That’s right V, but we’re not here to make announcements like we did in Europe or check out chicks lik…”

“You mean get checked out by chicks.”

Venom says with a snicker. Mueller glares at his partner and continues.

“Like we did at SSS.”

“No, we’re here to let people know just how the Guns roll.”

“So do it V.”

Venom looks at Mueller and nods. He reaches up and unleashes Goldbear II and looks him in the eyes.

“It’s time to destroy this place.”

Goldbear II nods and roars as he walks off camera and Mueller and Venom laugh as we cut back to the ring.

---

Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen the following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is for the AWF State Of Ohio Championship!

"UNSTABLE" BY THE MORTAL MAN KNOWN AS JIM OF THE FAMILY JOHNSON HITS, AND THE COSMIC WARRIOR BURSTS THROUGH THE CURTAIN! TASSELS FLAILING! GOLDEN MANE FLOWING! HE RUNS! AND RUNS! RUNNING TO THE RING, KNOCKING OVER A CAMERA MAN! NEVER STOPPING TO SEE IF HE’S OKAY!!!!!!

Jessie Love: Introducing the challenger - weighing 280 pounds... the Cosmic Warrior!

Warrior fist-pumps his way to the ring and shakes the top rope violently, looking like he's grabbed hold of an electric fence.

Romano: Look at this man!
Taylor: I know, right?
Romano: Six-foot-two, 280 pounds! He's ripped! He's fired up! He's-
Taylor: OK, that's not quite what I had in mind.
Romano: Come on Tommy, this guy's got the lot! The look, the personality, the skill! He's the ultimate-
Taylor: He's not the "Ultimate" anything and I'd really like to stress that small detail just for the benefit of any lawyers who may be watching tonight...

The intro for Goldfinger's Superman starts playing over the speakers.

"So here I am, doing everything I can, holding on to what I am, pretending I'm a Superman"

Jason Justice storms out from behind the curtain with a huge smile on his face and the State Of Ohio Championship belt slung over his left shoulder. He makes his way down towards the ring then circles around the ring slapping hands with all the ringside fans, he hands his hat off to one of the kids in the crowd before taking the stairs to the ring, he stands on the apron looking back out to the crowd with a huge smile, he then spring boards up over the top rope and prepares for his match.

Jessie Love: And his opponent, the State Of Ohio Champion... from Bethesda, Ohio and weighing in at-

Cosmic Warrior suddenly snatches the microphone from Jessie's hands and she looks bewildered.

Warrior: JESSICA! YOU INTRODUCE THIS MIGHTY WARRIOR IN THE MANNER OF A DEPRESSED MOUSE OF THE FIELD! OR PERHAPS A SHREW!

Taylor: What the...
Romano: Well Warrior DID say he'd try and convince Jason Justice to go out with Jessie Love!

Warrior: INTRODUCING THE COMPETITOR THAT MORTAL MEN KNOW AS THE CHAMPION OF THE ENTIRE GALAXY OF OHIO! HE COMES FROM THE DIMENSION BEYOND! FAR BEYOND ZANESVILLE! FURTHER EVEN THAN THE BURG OF THE REYNOLDS! HE MAKES HIS HOME IN THE FINE REALM OF BETHESDA AND JESSICA, I HAVE SPIED UPON HIS HOME! IT IS DECENTLY FURNISHED AND HAS RESPECTABLY-SIZED YARDS! BOTH FRONT AND REAR! THAT WOULD BE PERFECT FOR RAISING YOUNG HUMANS!

Jessie Love turned red and hid her face as Justice stood just inside the ropes, his championship in his hands and a bemused look on his face.

Warrior: ALSO HIS HOME IS FAR FROM THOSE WHO HAVE NO HOME! AND WHO FORNICATE IN TRUCK STOPS! WHAT IS MORE, I FOLLOWED HIM TO THE GYM THIS PAST DAY OF TUES! JASON OF JUSTICE IS CAPABLE OF LIFTING METALLIC OBJECTS FAR IN EXCESS OF HIS OWN WEIGHT!

Romano: Well folks, sorry about this. We strive to bring you the best wrestling action here in AWF-
Taylor: But sometimes we are contractually obliged to present the Cosmic Warrior instead!

Jessie tried to take the microphone back from The Warrior, but he turned away from her and continued making his introduction.

Warrior: THE SPIRITS OF THE ANCIENTS! AND THE MANUFACTURERS OF WOOD-BORING TOOLS! THEY CONSPIRED TO SHOW ME, THROUGH THE PARTITION WALL OF THE CHAMBER OF HUMAN EXCRETIONS! THAT JASON OF JUSTICE POSSESSES THE REQUISITE TOOLS TO DEPOSIT HIS SEED INSIDE OF YOUR UTERUS JESSICA!

Taylor: Alright, can somebody shut this guy up? This is meant to be family-friendly!

Warrior: YOUR PAST BOYFRIENDS - IF THEY HAD NOT ALL DIED IN THE WAR - WOULD BE PUT TO SHAME BY THE SIGHT OF HIS MIGHTY LOINS! EVEN TOBY! WHO ONCE MADE YOU PHYSICALLY VOMIT BECAUSE OF HIS TREMENDOUS SIZE! YET IS BUT A SAPLING TO THE MIGHTY REDWOOD OF-

As Jessie frantically tried to grab the microphone back, a couple of no-name suits rushed from the back- no doubt at the behest of Alexander Horton- and mercifully put a stop to Warrior's ranting.

Taylor: Thank God! Finally!

Three men tried to calm The Warrior as he tried to carry on with his special introduction for Justice, but the boos from the fans drowned out his voice. The suits pushed him back into his corner, which the Warrior construed as a declaration of war, and he lashed out with a mighty clothesline!

Romano: Oh no!
Taylor: This idiot's gonna get himself fired! Go on, Warrior! Get 'em!

Another suit found himself lifted high up above the Warrior, then he came crashing down to the canvas with the mightiest of gorilla press slams! Jason Justice handed his title belt off to the referee and he rushed in, trying to bring some order back to proceedings as he restrained his opponent from behind.

Warrior felt Justice's clinch and fired back with a hard elbow shot before turning round and unleashing another clothesline, felling the champion! Puffing his cheeks and signaling for another gorilla press he dragged Justice to his feet and started to lift him - Justice slipped out of the set-up and dropped down behind Warrior then gave him a shove to put some distance between the two men. Turning quickly he performed a springboard off the ropes and hit him with a flying forearm smash! Taken by surprise, Warrior went down and rolled into the far corner of the ring where he then completely no-sold the move and stood right back up, as Justice tried not to look too obvious as he checked to see if Jessie was watching.

With the two competitors now more or less in their own corners, the referee called for the bell to officially start the match.

---

AWF State of Ohio Championship
Jason Justice © vs. The Cosmic Warrior

---

Jason Justice wastes no time in trying to impress Jessie Love as he races out of his corner and straight towards Warrior. A flurry of offense ensues, with Justice relying mainly on kicking and punching as he attempts to wear his ripped opponent down. Keeping Warrior pinned back in his corner, Justice unloads on him and pulls off a martial-arts-style combo that gives Warrior no time to dodge; two quick-fire jabs to the face followed by a low shin kick, another kick this time working up to Warrior's midriff, and finally a reverse spinning heel kick! Warrior slumps back in the corner and Justice turns to the crowd, throawing his arms up to try and get them pumped up more.

Taylor: That's my boy, Jason! He's been working on that all week in training! And it doesn't matter how big you are, that's gonna knock you for- oh.

Warrior reels from the move for all of two seconds, if that, and charges out of the corner as Justice's back is turned, slamming him from behind with a clothesline!

Romano: Warrior mixing up his arsenal here, nobody would have ever expected the clothesline-
Taylor: Yes we would.
Romano: -but not from behind!
Taylor: Does it really count as a different move if he does it from a different direction?

Justice holds the back of his neck, the impact giving him the feeling of whiplash as if he'd just been in a car wreck. Warrior gives him some big, exaggerated overhand clubbing blows to the back and shoulders, then some big, exaggerated double ax-handle smashes to the same area, before beating his chest and roaring.

Warrior: RRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Justice climbs up to his hands and knees but Warrior doesn't let him escape- he grabs the back of his neck and a handful of tights and yanks him round the ring before flinging him head-first into the turnbuckle. Justice does a full flip upside down as he collides with the corner padding, flipping over the ropes and landing on the apron on the other side. Warrior grabs for Justice's head but a lucky pop-shot from the Ohio State Champion dazes the tassled mentalist. Justice gives him a shoulder-barge through the middle of the ropes, and then quickly transitions into a sunset flip over the top and he rolls Warrior up unexpectedly!

Romano: Justice could have him here!


ONE!


TWO!


KICK OUT!

Taylor: Snap! He's obviously been working on his basic kick-outs!

Warrior: JESSICA LOVE! DO YOU SEE HOW JASON OF JUSTICE IS ABLE TO ADAPT AND TURN THE SITUATION TO HIS ADVANTAGE? AN ADMIRABLE QUALITY FOR A POTENTIAL MATE TO POSSESS!

Taylor: Oh, so now he's doing OUR job and commentating too?

Jessie pretended she didn't hear the Warrior but she did catch Justice's eye as he hopped up from scoring his near-fall- in fact, he found himself momentarily distracted and Warrior reached through his legs, then pulled him backwards with a surprise roll-up!


ONE!


TWO!


THR- KICK OUT!

Taylor: Whoa. Warrior almost stole the title there - and I've never seen him pull off moves like that before!
Romano: I told you didn't I? He's constantly changing and adapting, adding new moves to his repertoire all the time to keep his opponent guessing!
Taylor: Alright, don't go crazy now.

Warrior: JESSICA! AS I APPLIED THE HOLD I FELT THE SPIRIT OF JUSTICE! IT BRUSHED UP AGAINST MY ARM! AND I AM CERTAIN THAT YOU WOULD FIND IT TO BE OF MORE THAN ADEQUATE-

Warrior's head snapped back and a rivulet of saliva flew from his lips as his sentence was truncated thanks to a huge enzuigiri from Justice!

Romano: Oh my word! What a kick! Jason Justice is pulling out all the stops in this match!

A kick to Warrior's gut kept the challenger on his feet and doubled him up, as Justice put on a front face lock and then turned that into a fisherman's suplex, bridging into a pin!


ONE!


TWO!


THR-

Warrior gets his head back in the game at the final split-second and manages to throw a shoulder up!

Romano: I have not seen somebody worry the Cosmic Warrior as much as Jason Justice is doing right now!

Justice once again appeals to the fans, this time taking a leaf out of the Warrior's playbook and thumping his chest and letting off a battle cry. With Warrior just getting to his feet Justice hopes that he can pull off one of his signature moves... Warrior staggers up... Justice picks his spot...



He hits the Final Judgment! The high-angle Ura Nage isn't quite as high angled against a man nearly one hundred pounds heavier, it comes off looking slightly more like a Rock Bottom, but wither way Justice hits Warrior with a huge move!

Warrior immediately gets back to his feet! Justice is stunned, his mouth hangs open as Warrior puffs his cheeks, banging his chest and ranting!

Warrior: JESSICA! JASON OF JUSTICE POSSESSES STRENGTH THE LIKES OF WHICH THE WARRIOR HAS ONLY EVER SEEN IN HUMANS SEVERAL SIZES LARGER! HE WOULD CERTAINLY BE ABLE TO PROTECT A HOUSEHOLD AGAINST POTENTIAL INTRUDERS!

Jason Justice takes the opportunity while Warrior is yet again distracted and barges into him, his smaller size proving to be no hindrance as he brawls against the bigger man, managing to push him back into the ropes and then whips him off- Warrior takes off across the ring and rebounds, Justice ducking under as Warrior comes back on a second pass- but whatever Justice was planning never comes to fruition as Warrior breaks out his most deadly of moves...

Clothesline!

Justice folds nearly in half (backwards) and crashes into the mat, justice goes completely limp which sends a concerned murmur through the crowd as they anticipate a potential injury scenario.

Taylor: Oh this is not good... it looked like he took a stinger there.
Romano: I think you're right, that clothesline from the Warrior damn-near dropped him on the top of his head...

Justice doesn't move and Warrior does possibly the best thing you can do with a potential neck injury, he picks Justice up by the head.

Taylor: Oh god, somebody stop this guy! He could seriously hurt Jason Justice!

Warrior signals to the crowd that he is about to unveil his latest maneuver... putting a front facelock on the hapless Justice he then throws Justice's limp right arm over his own shoulder...

Romano: He's gonna hit that vertical suplex! And if he does, this one is over!
Taylor: Its already over! Justice should be getting medical attention right now! Why isn't the referee stopping the damn match?

Warrior goes to lift but finds himself unexpectedly heading in the other direction!

Romano: What the- Justice was playing possum! And he's got the Warrior in a small package!


ONE!


TWO!


THREE-NO! TWO-AND-NINETY-NINE-HUNDREDTHS!

Taylor: Wait was that three?
Romano: No! Warrior kicked out!
Taylor: I'm sure it was three!

Justice was convinced it was three too - he holds up three fingers to the referee, who waves him off and signals a kick out. Justice places a hand on the back of his neck and winces, giving away the fact that he is in fact hurt, if not to the extent that he was just portraying. He waits, crouching down and never taking his eyes off of the Warrior as he waits for him to turn back round towards him... he looks for a second Final Judgment but this time he finds himself hoisted up in the air, moments away from being gorilla press slammed into the mat! Justice kicks his feet and throws the Warrior off-balance and he starts to stagger. Justice keeps kicking and Warrior drops him, though not in the manner he had hoped and Justice lands on his feet - he grabs Warrior in a rear waist lock and pushes him into the ropes, they bounce off and roll back, Justice somehow throwing him with a beautiful Chad Gable-esque rolling German Suplex! Warrior crashes into the mat, landing on the the back of his head and Justice senses that the end is near. Justice once again takes up a "stalking" position as Warrior looks groggy for the first time in his career. Seeming to take an inordinately long time to get to his feet, Warrior uses the ropes to pull himself up and turns himself round into the ring - walking right into the elusive second Final Judgmennt from Justice!

Romano: Final Judgment! Now will he look for his "Justice Served" submission?

Justice doesn't look for the submission, instead opting to immediately head through the ropes and onto the apron.

Taylor: He's not gonna go for it! I'm not surprised - Warrior's getting up already! He'd probably sit in that submission all day long without getting anywhere!

Warrior gets to his feet once more, a little faster than the previous time but still looking a bit unsteady... and Justice launches himself with a big West Coast Pop right over the top rope and collides with the Warrior! He lands the senton and immediately grabs both legs to try and lever Warrior's shoulders down!

Taylor: Unorthodox from Jason but this might be his best shot to put him away!


ONE!


TWO!


THREE!

Taylor: And it paid off!
Romano: What a gamble! Justice was never gonna win a test of strength against the Warrior, he had to keep moving, keep firing off that quick offense of his and he got the job done!

Jessie Love: Here is your winner and STILL the State Of Ohio Champion - Jason Justice!

Justice is handed his title belt back by the referee and he holds it up above his head, making sure to turn towards Jessie Love as she makes her announcement. Jessie notices him and smiles.

Taylor: In other news, what's going on with these two?
Romano: Well I don't know Tommy, we all know Warrior was trying to bring them together and perhaps, even in defeat, he might still have a chance to come out victorious...

Justice looks like he is weighing up going over and actually speaking to her... but for now he decides that just a smile and a cheeky wink will suffice, before rolling out of the ring and making his way back up the aisle.

Romano: All I know is... that this looks far from over.

---

Backstage the locker room is empty except for one person. He is asleep in the corner of the locker room with a bottle in his hand and a puddle of liquor on the floor before the opening of the bottle. CK Owens stirs slightly as the squeaking of the door opening breaks the silence.

“RAAAAAAWR!”

The roar of a bear awakes Owens out of his drunken stupor and he drunkenly gets to his feet. Owens looks across the locker room at the bear who towers over him in size.

“Dude, Curtis, when did you get here?”

Behind Goldbear II stands Venom who gives the order.

“Attack”

“Huh?”

...responds Owens who obviously does not understand his immediate fate. Goldbear II moves in on his unexpected victim and Owens holds his arms out thinking that his friend is going to give him a hug, but he is greeted with a claw swipe across the chest and Owens screams in pain before Goldbear jumps on top of him and knocks him to the ground. We cut back to the arena as the sounds of Owens screams and the laughs of Venom and Mueller grow to loud.

---

Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen the following contest is scheduled for one fall and will determine the number one contender to the AWF Championship!

Romano: There has been a lot of bad blood between these two competitors of late, this match is effectively the decider in their unofficial "best of three" series. There's not only the number one contendership at stake, but it's personal for Michael Storm as he's looking for a modicum of revenge against Hyperion after everything he's put him through regarding his best friend...
Taylor: Oh hang on, speak of the devil.

Michael Clarke Duncan walks out of the entranceway to no music, and calmly makes his way over to the announcers' table. He takes a seat and picks up a spare headset.

Romano: Welcome, Michael- I see you're not picking a side to accompany to the ring then!
MCD: No, I's couldn't choose who I want to win more so I thought I'd wait til after the match to make my choice! But fo' right now, why didn't my theme music play?
Taylor: You have theme music?
MCD: AWWW HELL YAH, BOI. IT BE BIG BOOTY BITCHES.
Romano: Michael, don't you remember? Mr. Horton stated that your choice was inappropriate? He said you were welcome to choose another.
MCD: DAT FUCKED UP.

"Pressure" by Lupe Fiasco begins to play as the lights dim. The crowds cheer as they know The Prince of Pain is about to come out. As the music kicks up, Michael Storm breaks through from behind the curtain. As he jumps out, he takes a moment to have a full view of his audience. He jumps up and down with the balls of his feet as he soaks up the energy. As the quick piano begins to play, Storm runs down the line toward the ring. He circles around the ring once and slaps hands to in the front row. He then enters the ring and jumps up and down once more, waiting for the match to begin.

Jessie Love: Introducing first, from Brooklyn, New York - weighing 221 pounds, he is "The Prince Of Pain" - Michael Storm!

MCD: Aw yeah, iss ma boy, Stormie!
Taylor: So you've picked Storm then?
MCD: Uh... maybe! But I don't know!
Romano: Listen to the response from these fans for the veteran Michael Storm!
Taylor: He's been a firm favorite since we started up last July - and I think the fans are hoping to get another match-up between Storm and Jackson Steele in the future, this time for the title!
Romano: Wel before that can happen Steele has to beat Bobby Barratt, and Storm has to beat...

The lights dim and a hush falls over the arena as Slipknot's "Gently" begins to play.

Romano: This man!
MCD: He my pick!
Taylor: The match hasn't even started yet and you've already switched your pick!

The crowd reacts to the haunting melody of Hyperion's entrance; the darkness blanketing everyone. Hyperion appears from a distance, walking through the crowd, tall and fierce. Flanking him are three members of his Church, clad in robes.

Jessie Love: And his opponent - weighing 300 pounds, "The Mad Titan" Hyperion!

A single golden light guides his path to the ring; his trident glowing through the darkness in his hand. He approaches the ring, and scales the steps. He pauses at the side, looking vaguely into the crowd, before raising his trident over his head to shouts from the audience. He enters over the top rope, hands his weapon off to one of his attendants, and stares down Storm.

Romano: Well Michael Clarke Duncan said it just now, Hyperion is his pick-
Taylor: Well, one of them. Out of two.
MCD: I's just hedging my bets dawg! Can't lose if you back 'em all!
Romano: Well I imagine there are a lot of people who are also backing this huge monster of a man to win tonight. But Michael Storm is no soft-touch, he'll be doing his utmost to prove them wrong.

---

#1 Contendership to the AWF Championship
Michael Storm vs. Hyperion

---

Michael Storm keeps his eyes firmly trained on Hyperion as he stretches out his muscles using the top rope. The sustained eye contact is a signal from Storm that he isn't intimidated by Hyperion, that he's not going to be cowed.

Hyperion takes the opposite approach as he makes his final preparations - he actually turns his back on Storm and engages his followers.

Romano: Michael Storm making a very clear statement that he isn't scared of Hyperion - but Hyperion makes the same statement right back at him, and one could argue he makes his point stronger as he drops his defenses completely!
Taylor: Yeah, now- I'm not sure if that's the best course of action against Michael Storm because he's not one to be taken lightly but... Hyperion seems to have some sort of a reasoning for it, he's talking to those disciples of his who followed him to the ring.
MCD: Stormie ain't scared of Hype but... Hype ain't afraid of Stormie either!
Taylor: That's what we were just saying, MCD...

Storm stays in his corner, eyes still fixed on his opponent as Hyperion extends an arm out, directing it behind him, his fist clenched and index finger pointing right back to the curtain. His followers nod, and begin to traipse out.

Taylor: It looks like Hype's sending his followers to the back!
Romano: He's apparently leveling the playing field- or at least guaranteeing that this is gonna be a one-on-one contest, I'm not sure how many people would consider that to be "level" when going up against Hyperion- perhaps that's the ultimate show of confidence from the big guy, sending a message to Storm that he doesn't need anyone else to help him get the job done!

Hyperion turns back round to Storm and fixes his gaze upon him, both men locked in a battle of eye-contact. Hyperion raises both arms to shoulder height, making himself look like Christ on the cross.

The bell rings. Neither man moves, except Michael Storm takes a couple of tentative steps out of his corner in a defensive stance. Hyperion stays in position, and closes his eyes.

Romano: What's he doing?
Taylor: I think he's daring Storm to strike first!
MCD: Oh is that what he doing? I thought he was gonna do that thing where you make the fire come out the corner posts and shit! FFFFRRRRRROOSSSSSHHHHHH! Ah, that woulda been dope!

Storm looks to the crowd as he shuffles towards Hyperion, fists raised and with a clear opportunity to strike. The crowd cheer him on, but their voices are tinged with doubt, they don't believe Hyperion will honor his promise of a free hit.

Romano: The fans aren't sure about this and you know what? Neither am I?

Storm gets within spitting distance of Hype, and the crowd noise swells as he makes his move. The spike in volume tips off Hyperion who suddenly makes a grab at Storm as his eyes flick open - but his hands only find thin air! Hyperion is baffled - then finds a pair of muscular arms wrapped round his waist from behind as Storm tries to lift him!

Taylor: Storm out-conned Hyperion!
Romano: I knew it was a ruse! Hyperion was apparently expecting Storm to engage him head-on but the "Prince Of Pain" had other ideas and he's trying to take on Hyperion with some technical wrestling skill!

Storm tries to lift but Hyperion makes himself dead weight, he tries again with the same result and eventually Hyperion manages to break Storm's grip with a hard elbow shot backwards. Storm staggers away as he checks his nose for blood and Hyperion makes a grab for him- taking a handful of Storm's hair and yanking him down to the mat violently. Storm grimaces with pain as Hyperion stands tall over him, he looks for a heavy stomp but Storm rolls to the side and evades before scrambling to his feet and rushing Hyperion with a flurry of forearm smashes and elbow shots.

Storm succeeds in pushing Hyperion into the corner and continues to unload on him as the crowd give him a huge roar of approval, Hyperion's head snapping back with each blow, his long dreads whipping around frantically. Storm gives one final smash that now has Hyperion testing for a broken nose, peering at the palm of his hand through crossed eyes, and Storm is pumped up as he heads into the middle of the ring.

Slapping his right knee to signal him intentions, he waits for Hype to move his hand out from in front of his face and takes off - perhaps it was from taking too long- perhaps it was due to him telegraphing the attack, who knows- but Storm's attack fails as Hyperion lifts one of his tree-trunk legs and delivers a vicious big boot that clocks Storm square on the chin and he flat-backs straight down into the mat.

Romano: Good god! Hyperion just damn-near took Storm's head off with that boot!
Taylor: I think Storm's out! It could be over right now!
MCD: I always knew Hypie would win this!

Hyperion takes a second to get his bearings back fully, but then he peels himself out of the turnbuckle and drops to the mat, hooking one of Storm's legs as he makes the lateral press;


ONE!


TWO!


THR- KICK OUT!

MCD: I always knew Stormie would kick out!
Taylor: Didn't you just say you thought Hyperion had this won? Like, three seconds ago?
MCD: No!
Romano: Yeah you did...

Hyperion doesn't follow up with another pin attempt or even another maneuver, instead he rolls Storm's body out from underneath him and climbs to his feet. He backs into the ropes behind him and takes two juge steps, leaving the mat and dropping a huge leg onto... the mat! Storm rolls out of the way once again and leaves Hyperion regretting his choice of offense as it takes him longer to get to his feet than his smaller, nimbler opponent. Storm grabs a hold of Hyperion's upper body in some sort of bastardized front face lock and begins throwing overhand shots into his shoulders and back, along with a few pointed elbows aimed right into the back of Hyperion's skull.

Romano: Micheal Storm isn't pulling any punches tonight, he's really taking the fight to Hyperion!
Taylor: There's not a lot of people brave enough to do that Cass, but Storm's been around the block a few times by now and he knows that he's going to have to just keep on fighting, keep hitting him, try to wear Hyperion down!
Romano: Michael Storm likes to call himself the "Prince Of Pain" and right now he's showing us exactly why he's worthy of that moniker!

Storm's brawling offense is wearing Hyperion down but the big man is nowhere near down and out just yet, and he proves it as he weathers the storm- no pun intended- and absorbs the blows, before planting his hands on Storm's hips and pushing forward into his opponent. With his head directly lined up with Storm's abdomen he stands up and Storm goes for a ride, taking a big back body drop as Hyperion stands up to his full near-seven-foot height.

Hyperion's nostrils flare as he lets out a huge exasperated grunt, and turns to face Storm who is holding his lower back as he puts a hand on the bottom rope for some extra stability. Storm crawls along as he attempts to seek sanctuary- exactly where he thinks he'll find it in a match against Hyperion is anybody's guess, but he crawls nonetheless- and Hyperion just slowly follows him, hanging back and thinking over his next move. He lets Storm use the ropes in the corner of the ring to get up to his knees, and then to his feet, before taking the back of Storm's head and ramming his face into the top turnbuckle pad.

He gives him one, two, three huge slams fac-first into the pad before backing off into the middle of the ring. Storm groggily steps backwards and then turns round- Hyperion raises a massive hand in the air and Storm spots it, he has enough sense left to drop to the mat and then roll out underneath the bottom rope.

Taylor: I think Hyperion was looking to hit The High One! And then it really would have been game over!
Romano: I have to agree with you there, that chokeslam of his is absolutely devastating.

Hyperion isn't about to let Storm get away that easily though and he steps over the top rope on the side of the ring perpendicular to where Storm rolled out. Referee Gabe Valentine warns Hyperion not to take the fight to the outside but the Greek God shows no intention of listening. Valentine starts to make his count.

ONE!

Hyperion slowly turns the corner around the ringpost and Storm sees him coming- Storm gets his hands up, preparing to throw a punch but this time it is Hyperion who acts fastest, a sudden burst of speed throws Storm's timing off and Hyperion lifts a girthy arm, laying Storm out with a crushing clothesline!

Taylor: That was brutal! And the disturbing thing about it is, that wasn't even powerful enough to count as his "First Principle" finisher!
Romano: The sheer power of this man is terrifying, isn't it?

TWO! BRING IT BACK IN THE RING!

Hyperion waves off Valentine's order, and he gives Storm no respite as he pulls him up to his feet and then lifts him up onto one shoulder. The crowd boo as he adjusts his course and aligns Storm's body with one of the corner ringposts.

THREE!

Hype sets off, Storm looks up- he tries to move but Hyperion's grip is too strong, and he goes face-first into the unforgiving steel and then crashes down on the ring steps, his body rolling down them and bouncing off of each step as it goes.

MCD: Oh no! Stormie! No!
Romano: So are you officially in Storm's corner or... what?
MCD: No!
Taylor: So you're siding with Hyperion?
MCD: No!
Romano: Then... what?
MCD: I mean... yes!
Taylor: To Hype? Or Storm?
MCD: I don't know! I wanna root for both but... one of them's gotta lose this match! Can't I just root for the winner?
Romano: Well... that's not quite how wrestling works, Mike...
Taylor: Yeah, we don't know who's gonna win yet, do we!

Hyperion casts a threatening stare into the crowd who boo him for his actions, and Storm rolls about in pain on the thin padding around ringside.

FOUR!

Picking his hapless opponent up once more, Hyperion levels more abuse his way in the form of a vicious headbutt and Storm reels back into the guard rail. Making another grab for Storm's head, Hyperion takes his eye off the ball briefly and Storm leans back, planting a boot into the big man's midsection that pushes him back and manages to buy himself some time.

FIVE! COME ON! GET BACK INSIDE!

Hyperion scowls, maddened by the audacity of Storm but also amused by the weakness of his attack. He advances once again, but just as before Storm leans back on the barricade and gets a foot up, this time pushing back with a little more force but still not enough to do much more than stagger him.

Taylor: Storm is desperately trying to put some distance between himself and Hyperion, but Hype's like some sorta relentless machine! He won't stay back long enough for Storm to do anything with that distance!

But Storm isn't willing to risk a third try, he acts now and rushes Hyperion - it turns out to be a bad move as Hype scoops him up and turns him inside-out with a massive blak hole slam!

MCD: Oh my god, I can't watch! Unless... I start cheering for Hype! Great move! Woo Hypie!
Romano: {sigh.}
Taylor: Super-massive black hole slam by Hyperion and Storm could be out for the count right now!

SIX!

Hyperion chuckles to himself as Storm lays practically motionless on the floor. Hyperion decides to return to the ring, to catch his breath again as he rides out the count.

SEVEN!

Taylor: So if Hyperion wins now you're gonna be leaving with him, right?
MCD: I guess so! I always wanted to manage a champion, and with Hypie as number one contender I'd be stupid to turn down being part of his posse!

Hyperion leans back in the corner of the ring as the crowd boo his imminent count-out victory. Suddenly though, there is a small smattering of cheers from the opposite side of the ring.

EIGHT!

Hyperion spots a hand reaching up and grasping the apron, followed by the head and shoulders of Storm as he wearily pulls himself up and starts to slide back under the bottom rope! Hyperion scowls, and crosses the ring.

Romano: How in the hell is Michael Storm still alive? I thought that slam had knocked the life out of him!
MCD: Because Stormie's the boss! That's how!
Taylor: So you're back on the Storm hype train now then?

NINE!

Hyperion lifts a boot to try and stop Storm from getting back into the ring, and it looks like he is about to succeed until Storm drops at just the right moment, Hype's kick misses completely and Storm finds a sudden, desperate surge of energy to shift himself slightly to the left and then slide back into the ring, just as Valentine is about to count the ten!

Taylor: Michael Storm JUST made it in by the skin of his teeth! And I mean he BARELY made it!
Romano: We already talked about that veteran experience of Michael Storm and there we saw it in action again- now don't get me wrong, Hyperion is by far one of the top competitors we have here in AWF but his offence is very much based on power over ring psychology.
Taylor: I totally get you, that little evasive maneuver by Storm really was the difference-maker in that exchange there. Hyperion wasn't expecting it and he could end up regret-
Romano: He wasn't expecting this either!

Suddenly during a brief exchange of strikes, Storm breaks from Hyperion and rebounds off of the ropes. He jumps-

Romano: Termination Projectile!

-he makes contact with his corkscrew flying forearm and takes Hyperion down to the mat! Almost immediately he recovers, scrambling to cover the giant!


ONE!


TW- KICK OUT!

Romano: Hyperion kicks out at two! How on Earth?
Taylor: I thought it was over right there!
MCD: Hyperion's too strong! He's my pick!
Taylor: Again?
MCD: I don't know! I want them both to win! Can't they both win?

Storm puts his head in his hands, distraught that this match isn't over and he has to potentially face more punishment. But not if he can act fast, hit Hyperion with another move, maybe then he can put him down for good! Hyperion starts getting up to his feet, exactly where Storm doesn't want him to be, and he quickly hops up, taking the left arm of Hype and yanking him back to the mat with an armbar takedown! The crowd go wild!

Taylor: He's trying to get him locked into that Bad Blood submission! Hyperion's fighting back but Storm is hanging on tenaciously!

Hype's free right arm scratches and claws at Storm as he desperately tries to complete the crossface- he almost manages to swat him away but then Storm clamps Hype's left arm between his thighs, freeing up his arms and he starts pummeling the back of the Greek God's head!

Romano: Michael Storm is just relentlessly attacking the head of Hyperion trying to beat him into a defenseless state and if he manages it we could see a shocking upset victory right here!
MCD: Hyperion's too strong for Storm! But Stormie's too good for Hype! It's like one of those things where the immovable force meets the unstoppable train or some shit!

Hyperion has been down on the mat for an inordinate length of time, far longer than any other man has had him down for before but he's still clawing, still trying to fight the crossface! Storm hangs on and he battles back too but it's clear that he's beginning to tire. He lays another shot into the back of Hype's head but is forced to take a brief pause to try and shake off the deadened, numb feeling in his right hand. That's the moment that Hyperion summons another burst of strength and tears his trapped left arm free of Storm, rolling to safety and then immediately coming up to his feet, favoring that arm somewhat as he cradles it across his midriff but he has fire in his eyes - Storm is up as well and he goes to the well once again, bouncing off the ropes and looking to break out another Termination Projectile but-

NO!

Hyperion sidesteps and plants both hands on Storm's back, pushing him hard down into the canvas! Storm presses on through the pain, pushing himself up to his hands and knees but it's clear that he's hurting no matter how hard he tries to hide it. The crowd cheer him on as he gets to his feet, limbs shaky through sheer exertion, sweat pouring down his face.

Taylor: These two have been going at it for over twenty minutes now and I tell you what, this could end in the next thirty seconds or it could go on for another thirty minutes.
Romano: Tell me about it! Every time it looks like one of them's about to put the other one down, they turn the tide and that pendulum swings all the way over in the other direction!
MCD: I had to have my pendulum taken out when I was a kid!
Taylor: I... uh... Cass?
Romano: No idea.

Hyperion wipes his own brow with the back of his forearm as he stands tall, breathing heavily, waiting for Storm to turn round. He raises his big right hand high above his head once more, signifying that this time, it really IS the end- but as Storm turns round, he ducks the chokeslam attempt, goes round back behind Hyperion and the big man turns, bewildered- Storm gives him a swift kick to the gut and doubles him up before hitting a beautiful leaping DDT! Both men go down, Storm flat on his back and unable- or unwilling- to stand, Hyperion flat on his face and he slowly tries to push up but collapses!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

Taylor: What a war! These two guys have been through hell!
Romano: Hey you know, Mike, you could probably just... you know... go on in there and pull whichever one you want to win this over the top of the other one...
MCD: No way! I can't pick a side like that!
Taylor: Oh I totally get you. You've been so non-committal this whole match, why start now?
MCD: I's just wanna see who wins before I pick my favorite!

FIVE!

SIX!

Both competitors start to stir, and they begin crawling in opposite directions. Storm is first to his feet, getting up in one corner as Hyperion begins to drag himself up the ropes that face the hard camera. With a look of contempt across his face, Storm crosses the ring and grabs Hyperion by the back of the head, setting him up for a dragon sleeper-type move but Hype manages to turns underneath him to put himself into a front face lock. He starts to lift Storm with his powerful legs and Storm lets go, dropping to his feet in front of Hyperion.

Undeterred, Storm grabs Hyperion's hand and whips him off- but Hype reverses it and sends Storm careering across the ring instead. Hype takes two steps into the ring and- Storm surprises everybody with an out-of-nowhere springboard lionsault! Hype goes down again and Storm stays on top for the cover, one leg hooked and hand raised with fingers counting along with the pin!


ONE!


TWO!


THR- NO!

A shockwave ripples through the audience as Hyperion gets a shoulder up yet again. Storm's mouth hangs open as he asks the referee how in the hell that wasn't a three-count... Storm foolishly turns his back on Hyperion however, and the Mad Titan rises to his feet behind him, unseen. Storm turns back round and steps back in shock, but he can't get away fast enough as Hyperion unleashes the First Principle upon hi hapless opponent, Storm flipping 270 degrees backwards and landing face down on the mat, bouncing up and landing on his back!

Romano: That's it, he's dead!
MCD: Well guys, looks like I better get ready to go join my crew!

Hyperion flops down to the mat and makes a very loose lateral cover over the body of Storm-


ONE!


TWO!


THR- FOOT ON THE ROPE!

The crowd go ballistic as somehow, someway, Michael Storm has the wherewithal to lift his right boot and drape it across the bottom rope to cancel out the pin!

MCD: Oh ok, I'll sit back down then...

Hyperion rears up on his knees and throws his head back, letting out a mighty roar of frustration. Storm, against all the odds, is actually getting back up to his feet! Hyperion sees this and he stares at him with nothing but burning rage, standing up himself and flexing the fingers on his right hand.

Storm pulls himself up on the ropes and splutters as he hangs over the top rope, but he is not given long to rest up as Hyperion spins him around and sends him across the ring with another huge Irish whip - Storm rebounds and then is left flailing as he runs into the big right hand of Hyperion, wrapped around his throat and squeezing hard. Hyperion lifts him high into the air and Storm kicks and struggles... one errant blow is all it took, the toe of his left foot finding the fleshy abdomen of his assailant and Hyperion drops him, Storm spots his chance and instantly wraps up that left arm again and drags Hyperion to the mat- this time he is too fast for his opponent, and tucking the arm between his thighs he deftly clasps his hands together around Hyperion's face as he locks in Bad Blood to a tremendous cheer!

MCD: Oh shit! This it! This is now son! Stormie got this!
Romano: Storm's got that crossface locked in, now the big qustion is; can he make Hyperion tap? Nobody has ever done it before!

Hyperion roars as the searing pain ripps through his neck muscles, Storm's hands pulling against his face and the arm pinned back at an awkward angle make it difficult for him to breath properly. His free right hand clawing at Storm's clasped hands, Hyperion struggles to try and break the hold! Storm pulls for all he is worth as the fans try to will him on, their loud cheering building to a fever pitch, a deafening crescendo!

Taylor: Hyperion is really taking some punishment right now, he's trying to crawl but can he reach the ropes fast enough before he passes out or is forced to tap?

Slowly but surely, Hyperion manages to drag Storm, inch by inch, across the mat. His right hand painfully stretching out looking for the bottom rope as Storm pushes back the best he can with both feet to try and keep him away from it. Hyperion makes one last-ditch attempt to reach the rope and... his fingertip brushes against it! But Storm does't let go! Hyperion reaches again and manages to curl his fingers over the top of the rope! Still Storm hangs on, and Gabe Valentine implores Storm to release!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

FI-

Finally Storm relents with the threat of disqualification hanging over his head! Hyperion is in unfamiliar territory, Storm has taken him to the absolute limit and now he finds himself flat on the mat, terrible pain shooting through his body. Michael Storm grabs him by the leg and drags him into a central position, looking to put the finishing touches to this match.

Falteringly climbing to the top turnbuckle, Storm closes his eyes and makes the sign of the cross over himself as he vauls off backwards, turning in midair and readying his elbow to connect.

Romano: Prince Of Pain! Prince of-
Taylor: Oh!
MCD: WOW!

Storm's corkscrew moonsault/elbow drop is a thing of beauty to behold as he turns in mid-air, almost in slow-motion. But the landing diesn;t go as planned when Hyperion brings his knees up underneath Storm, you almost hear his ribs crunching as they slam into the unexpected roadblock!

Taylor: Hyperion blocked it! But can he capitalize?
Romano: All he's gotta do is cover him!
Taylor: Well he's going the wrong way about it! Can't pin him when you're standing up!
MCD: Sure you can! I seen it done loadsa times!
Romano: Well he can't do it now he's picked Storm up!
Taylor: What's he gonna do here?
Romano: Got him in a gorilla press!
MCD: He gonna throw Stormie! I can't look!
Taylor: Oh man! Snake eyes! Snake... chest? I dunno! But he just slammed those injured ribs of Storm right down onto the top turnbuckle, I can't believe Storm is still standing!
Romano: I think this is Hyperion's last stand now! He's not got much left in the tank! They're been going at it for well over a half hour now!
Taylor: Hyperion's last stand? Storm has to have cracked ribs! It'll be a miracle if he can put him away now!

Storm makes a face that looks like that photo of Lee Harvey Oswald when Jack RUby shot him, and clutches his chest as he bounces out of the corner but somehow stays on his feet, turning back into the middle of the ring. Hyperion once again wraps his huge mitt around Storm's throat and this time it's cut-and-dry as he lifts him in the air, and drives him hard into the canvas with the High One!

Taylor: There it is! He's been looking for that thoughout this entire match and finally he's put Storm down, and I think he's down for good now!
Romano: I hope you washed your robes, Mike, I think you're gonna be needing them!
MCD: Well Stormie might still kick out! I'm not saying nuthin' til it's over!
Taylor: Trust me Mike, it's over.

Hyperion drops to his knees, you can see how bereft of energy he really is by this point, and presses down on Storm's shoulders, wincing as pain shoots up his left arm and through his shoulders and neck.


ONE!


TWO!


THREE!

Jessie Love: Here is your winner - Hyperion!

Romano: Well has that made your mind up, MCD?
MCD: I always knew Hypie could do it!
Taylor: What? No you didn't! You flip-flopped the entire way!
MCD: You must be thinking of my sexy twin brother! THIS brother right here was riding the Hype train all the way!
Romano: Well, whatever train MCD was or wasn't on is irrelevant now, it looks like his bed has been made and that bed is firmly in the camp of Hyperion!
Taylor: And now Hyperion's gonna challenge whoever wins later on out of Jackson Steele and Bobby Barratt for the AWF Championship!
MCD: Aww yiss! I's gonna manage a CHAMP now, boi!

Hyperion slowly, painfully, rolls out underneath the bottom rope as EMTs rush to the ring with a stretcher to attend to Michael Storm. Hyperion backs into the apron and leans against it, then slowly turns his head towards Michael Clarke Duncan.

MCD: Yessir! I's comin!

Hyperion continues to glare MCD's way as he removes his headset and leaves the commentary desk, going over to Hyperion and trying to put the Mad Titan's arm over his shoulder. Hyperion pulls his arm away, not willing to be seen leaving under anything less than his own power. MCD obliges and he leads the way for the triumphant Hyperion, clapping him and singing his praises as the two men slowly make their way back up the aisle.

---

In the back Jimmy Kimmel, wrapped in blood soaked bandages that peak through under his clothes walks alongside the one and only DJ Jazzy still sporting a halo for his back.

“I was wrong to try and make you forgive Curtis DJ.”

“Call me Jazzy.”

“Jazzy? Really? Well, I was wrong to get you to forgive him. He deserves to be sued and now we’ll sue him together. We just have to find someone here to help us serve him these papers.”

Kimmel and DJ Jazzy stop as they see two people standing down the hall in front of them.

“Hey there.”

Hollers Kimmel down the hall and Mueller and Venom turn around.

“Could you do us a favor?”

“You want us to do you a favor?”

“Yes, please.”

“Well since you asked so nicely. I have a present for both of you.”

Venom and Mueller step to the side and behind them appears Goldbear II.

“Get them.”

“Oh shit.”

Both DJ Jazzy and Kimmel exclaim as the massive bear in a golden suit begins running down the hall. Kimmel and DJ Jazzy turn to run, but before they can take more than a step a massive paw knocks each of them down to the ground. Kimmel and DJ Jazzy begin to scream in pain as we cut back to the arena.

---

Jessie Love: The following match is scheduled for one fall and it is for the Prestige Class Championship! Introducing first...

The lights go out as "We are Family" by Sister Sledge starts to play. A rainbow of different colored lights come back on flashing throughout the arena. The Family man walks down the aisle shaking hands as he heads towards the ring. He slowly walks up the ring steps as he looks out among the crowd waving as he enters the ring and stands in his corner.

Jessie Love: From Belleview, Missouri, weighing in at 280 pounds: "The Family Man" Danny Ray!

Metallica’s version of “Carol of the Bells” begins to play over the PA system of Colinwood Football Field here in Cleveland, OH. Just as the first few notes from the guitar begin to play a large black sleigh makes its way onto the stage from the back. The sleigh is on wheels and is being driven by AWF Prestige Class Champion, El Cazador! However, he is not dressed in his usual black and gold attire, this time he is wearing something a little bit more “festive.”

For this show, he is sporting a sparkling red mask with shimmering green floral and mistletoe designs all over the mask. A silly Santa hat even resides atop his masked head. Below he is wearing a matching solid green cutoff t-shirt featuring himself dressed as Santa and holding his title high. Around his waist sits his luxurious Prestige Class Championship, freshly shined and polished for his title defense. His tights are adorned with the same festive design as his mask, their reflective qualities sparkling in the stage lights. His boots are a shimmering deep green, matching his mask and shirt and a very elf-like with the toes curling upward much like Iron Sheik's old ring boots.

Jessie Love: And his opponent entering the ring... from Guadalajara, Mexico, weighing in at 215 pounds... He is the Prestige Class Champion: Sebastian "El Cazador" Villalobos!

In the floorboard of the motorized sleigh sits a large bag of Kingsford charcoal that he begins the throw briquettes out of and into the crowd. Children begin to cry as parents boo and scold the champion. He continues to throw coal at the faithful AWF fans while slowly driving the sleigh to the ring. Once he's by the ring he crashes the slay into the side giving the entire ring a shake from the small impact. He quickly climbs out of the sleigh jumping onto the apron of the ring before hoisting himself high to the top of the right turnbuckle. He throws a few more briquettes of coal into the crowd who continue to boo him. He jumps down off the top turnbuckle as his music stops to see his opponent Danny Ray, who has made his entrance before him. Cazador slips off his Santa hat and reaches inside, from within the hat he pulls out a small wrapped present no larger than a watch box. He hands the box to Danny (it’s coal) as he hands his title to the referee.

---

AWF Prestige Class Championship
El Cazador © vs. Danny Ray

---

This match is presided and officiated by Senior Referee Gabe Valentine. The two don't begin in the usual circle before the elbow and collar tie up. Not yet. There is a stare down. The two know each other. They have history. They have faced up against one another and they know that this match is the culmination. Not only that, but this match will decide the fate of the Prestige Class Championship - and as this is the title match for the Prestige Class Championship, certain procedures must be followed. Namely, a handshake. The two approach each other tentatively. Danny wants to save El Cazador. He feels that they need to. Sebastian Villalobos isn't on the same page and is a generally conflicted individual. They ultimately grip each other's hand but at a heavy emotional cost. The bell rings. Immediately, the challenger Danny Ray begins the match with punches and kicks and stomps. The champion hits the ground and immediately goes to a defensive stance to protect his vitals.

Taylor: Danny has never shown this sort of aggression toward El Cazador before. What gives?
Romano: There exists such a thing called tough love. Also, we forget because Danny Ray is normally such a nice guy that he is a challenger and he is here to win gold.

Danny Ray continues kicking and stomping. The only sensible move that the champion can do is to slide out of the ring. He begins holding his back as he stares at a new face of the man he once new. Danny begins to yell. "LEAVE YOUR MASK BEHIND. GIVE UP EL CAZADOR." The masked man doesn't answer. He's too busy trying to find a strategy to win. He slides in before the four count by the senior referee. Cazador runs full throttle to Danny Ray, but the big man hits him with an arm drag and holds on for an armbar. He keeps on yelling to the champion, telling him to give up on his old life. El Cazador screams. He's looking for a way out. Or the ropes. Whichever is faster.

Taylor: I see here that we don't just have a physical struggle here, but also a moral one!
Romano: You got that right, Tommy! And what's more is that this is going to cause the champion to be at a disadvantage. Have you heard of the phrase, "Half the war is fought before stepping foot onto the battlefield?" Well Danny Ray has gotten into the head of the champ!

Villalobos is stretching his arm out. He's here to win. He's here to retain the belt, but trying to get out of this move seems nearly impossible. Danny Ray is a very nice person, but it'd be a foolish mistake to confuse his kindness for complacency. Once more, Danny Ray is shooting. "GIVE UP EL CAZADOR, BROTHER." This time, El Cazador responds. "STOP TALKING." The Prestige Class Champion gets up to a foot, but Danny Ray, the challenger, sees this beginning to happen and trips him with his right hand. He goes on to wrench on the body of the champion some more, causing him much more anguish and pain. He screams out even more. Danny Ray's eyes gaze into the soul of his opponent as he makes sure to present his humanity toward his opponent in hopes that he'll change; that perhaps one day, he will become Sebastian Villalobos. That's when Caz looks deep into the eyes of Danny and gives him a look. Danny thinks he sees a tear. His grips loosens. Suddenly, Cazador grabs the head of the challenger with his legs and takes him down with it, reversing the move. The move is just loose enough for Danny to escape, not tight enough for him to think it's the extent of his actual strength. The champion is playing with him, and both of them know to kick it up a notch.

Taylor: And the champ is ready to get back in the match!
Romano: And there are those eyes. He's serious now.

El Cazador jumps onto the apron and Danny Ray is running toward the ropes to attack the champion. As soon as Danny Ray is close enough, he grabs the head of Danny and jumps off of the ring, forcing the challenger's face into the ropes. Danny staggers back and circles around, holding his face. As he removes his hands from his face, he finds himself going forward. The canvas is getting bigger. Why? BULLDOG! Danny Ray crashes into the crowd. Danny Ray gets up and finds El Cazador in front of him. He goes for a right punch, but the smaller man is much too quick for him. He ducks and spins around. He goes behind Danny and picks him up for a German Suplex. He gets about midway up, before he gets kicked in the stomach. The challenger gets him his feet. He kicks the champion at his right. At his left. Sebastian Villalobos drops down to his knee. Danny Ray backs up to the ropes and slingshots forward... and El Cazador quickly lands a shining wizard onto Danny Ray sending him to the ground! He raises his arm in victory, much to the dismay of the crowd.

Taylor: The people aren't liking it, but it looks like size really doesn't mean all to much. Not when El Cazador can compensate!
Romano: I'm going to ignore all those sexual innuendos to let the fans at home know that El Cazador is moving in for one of his signature moves!

And indeed he is! While Danny Ray is trying to kick and knock off El Cazador from his clutches, the technician has hardly sees this as his first rodeo. He contorts the challenger in ways that would already cause most men to scream. But not Danny. Still, even a man like Danny Ray with a heart full of gold would find it extremely difficult to knock a man as technical as Sebastian "El Cazador" Villalobos. With a few more grunts and torques, the champion is able to capture his opponent into The Jaguar Clutch - a move most commonly known as the Sharpshooter. At this point, Danny Ray is on his stomach. He finds himself near the ropes, but not near enough to reach it. He'd know; he is already reaching out for dear life. Having only been in the move for mere seconds, he's already looking for a way to get out with this amount of pain being unbearable. Perhaps he should get out? Soon, he sees a familiar man running from the entrance. It's Austin Grant! Danny's dear family member is running down. When I say run, I don't mean a light job. He's running full speed. Danny knows what he's thinking and yells, "STOP!" Perfect timing. It stopped Austin from going into the ring. The following conversation takes place.

Austin: Why should I stop?

Danny: This match is mine to fight. I love you, but I must fight this battle myself.

Austin: For you, I'll stand out. Either way - win or lose - you're a winner in my book. But win.

Danny: Why?

Austin: Because you're a champion, Danny. Be the champion I know you are.

This renews Danny's vigor, his efforts to win. He grits his teeth and fights the pain. He digs down deep and forces himself from quitting, even though every neuron in his body is telling him otherwise. He forces his chest from the canvas. He puts his head down then over... the finally, he rolls forward, causing El Cazador to shoot forward and collide his shoulder with the corner! The crowd pops!

Taylor: That was on fire! Danny Ray is an inspiration to us all!
Romano: Credit to his cousin for keeping him in the game!

Danny Ray nearly needs a flat head screwdriver to pry El Cazador from the turnbuckle. Danny Ray grabs the shoulders of his opponent and screams at him once more. "GIVE UP EL CAZADOR. GIVE HIM UP, MY BROTHER." El Cazador is still out of the loop and trying to regain full consciousness. Danny Ray slaps him across the face back and forth once each. He yells again. "COME ON SEBASTIAN. I KNOW YOU'RE THERE." That's when the masked man strikes. He shouts as he drives a hard knee into the soft stomach of the challenger. "NO. I AM EL CAZADOR." And with that, he draws deep within and actually lifts the man who outweighs him by half his body weight straight into the air. But Danny uses what strength he has in his body to redirect the momentum! He lands on his feet and throws down a forearm to the champion's back doubling him over. Danny Ray hooks the arms of El Cazador. With a road, he drives him down to the canvas with a pedigree.

Taylor: The Sitter!
Romano: Is it over?!

Danny Ray flips Villalobos to his back and goes for the pin. Senior Referee Gabe Valentine goes for the pin count:


...One!


...Two!


...Three!

Jessie Love: The winner of the match and the NEW Prestige Class Championship: Danny Ray!

Austin Grant rushes into the ring and helps his new champion of a cousin up. Tears actually flow from his eyes as Gabe Valentine raises his hand up in the air and is handed the belt. He looks to Sebastian Villalobos and looks down to him. He says, "You are El Cazador, but you can be so much more."

Taylor: And we have a new Prestige Class Championship, Cassius! Months ago, he was struggling with bills and now, he is holding gold! He is The American Dream!
Romano: No doubt that this is wonderful news, but is this the last of this grudge? What else is in store for these two in the AWF?

---

As we return from a commercial break, we open to find Alexander Horton already making his way to the ring, smiling and waving to the crowd.

Romano: Our commissioner is headed towards the ring, so we can only assume he’s got a surprise in store for us.
Taylor: With the schedule of matches still to come, anything is possible Cassius!

Horton makes it to the ring, climbing the steps and entering the squared circle. He gestures to Jessie Love to pass him up a microphone…

Horton: Hello Cleveland! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and most importantly Greetings to you all from the loving hearts of the AWF staff! It is our pleasure being here tonight, live from the Colinwood Football Field! With each show we strive to bring you something new, something amazing. New memories to cherish forever. And tonight will be no exception! I am personally overjoyed that so many of you are here to share this night with us!

The crowd cheer for Horton, his kind words being received well.

Horton: Here at the AWF, we try to offer all we can to our fans, and tonight will be no exception. From big matches to lower card, from different titles and fun stipulations, our goal is to put on a show for you. However once the show ends and you leave, we want to make sure you can make it home safely too. There are dangers out in this world, and with our show touring the country, we are going above and beyond to ensure that we cast a watchful eye no matter where our next stop is. So, without further ado...let me introduce to you the next era of protection...by introducing our very own SUPERHERO TEAM!

Taylor: What!?
Romano: Did he just say… superhero?

‘My Hero’ by Foo Fighters begins to play, as the easily recognised resident hero of AWF appears, The Crimson Defender! He walks from the ramp down to the ring, and climbs in to shake Horton’s hand.

Taylor: He just fought a match, how is he going to be able to keep anyone safe?

Horton: And his new team... introducing first: a master of mixed martial arts, fearless and confident, she is an inspiration to females everywhere...

...PURPLE FOX

From the back appears a lady wearing a purple and black leather suit, fully covering her whole body. Her face is covered by a purple cloth mask, protecting her identity, and her long purple hair glows and swings as she walks down the ramp to the ring.

Horton: Next up is a man bigger in personality and ability than life...an expert hacker, a hardware genius and a pursuer of criminals...allow me to introduce our very own...

...HUNTSMAN!!

A short, portly man steps out from behind the curtain, standing at a mere 4’5” and waving around some kind of rocket launcher. He does a short dance on stage before walking towards the ring, blasting items out of his launcher...and fans love it, as the items unfold in mid air as t-shirts!

Romano: This must be the shortest superhero I’ve ever seen.
Taylor: Is it fair to call him a superhero?

Horton: The next addition to our superhero stable, a prowler of the night, a master of shadows, a man who blends seamlessly with his surroundings... he is...

...the BIG BLACK CAT!!

Stepping out on stage is a man dressed very clearly in a homemade suit of black leather. Everything is covered apart from his zip-open mask, his leather tail swinging behind him as his tight-fitting costume leaves little to the imagination.

Taylor: Er, correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t that a dude in a gim-
Romano: Do not finish that sentence…

With The Crimson Defender, Purple Fox, The Huntsman and Big Black Cat all in the ring, Horton gathers them side by side to pose in front of the camera.

Horton: Ladies and Gentlemen, let me be the first to introduce you to the new heroes of wrestling, the saviours of Ohio, the defenders of peace, justice and freedom...

...THE WATCHDOGS!!

The fans in the crowd cheer and shout for the new team, as the superhero squad waves to the cameras and accepts their induction to the Ascension Wrestling Federation.

Romano: Well I guess we have a new team in town Tommy!
Taylor: A SUPER team no less! Having said that I wonder what powers these guys have, if any…
Romano: I guess time will tell... Folks, there you have it, the new face of safety in town, brought to you by our very own Alexander Horton, and Rent-A-Hero. Stay tuned as coming up next we see Horton himself and his champion, Ezriel, taking on the X*Crown Champion, Curtis Kanyon. BANG will be decided... Now!

---

Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, the following match is scheduled for one-fall and is a ladder match to decide the fate of BANG! If Curtis Kanyon wins, he retains the rights to BANG as well as being able to promote it in Ohio and the AWF without pressures from the State of Ohio. Furthermore, he gets a large sum of money, a helicopter and a helipad. However, if Ezriel wins, Curtis Kanyon must immediately and forever close all BANG operations. He must also give a presentation on irresponsible business ethics. If Ezriel wins, he also gets a match against a member or members of The Icons. Introducing first...

"Rage in my heart crossing the forest riding my black horse
Across the valley along the river where the hot blood flows.
Over the lakes and over the hills I follow the call of the wind uphold the legend and for my princess I will fight and win"

"Lord of the Thunder" by Rhapsody hits the speakers as Curtis D. Kanyon emerges from the curtain. He's wearing a suit and has a sledgehammer slung over his shoulder.

"Holy flame burn again for eternity burn my heart to win.
The holy war is awaiting another fiery king"

Jessie Love: Hailing from Asbury Park, New Jersey, weighing in at 260 pounds... he is the X*Crown Champion: Curtis Kanyon!

Curtis pounds his chest with his fists then raises the hammer in the air. He walks down to the ring, nodding to the fans. He grabs an "AWF 4 Life" sign from a fan and shows it to the camera!

"Lord of the thunder please be my guide
before and after my last ride
I'll be your soldier serving the light
riding forever alive and proud"

Curtis then climbs into the ring and goes to the turnbuckles. He climbs a turnbuckle and pounds his chest. He points to the crowd with his hammer, then hoists it straight up into the air and yells "BANG!" He jumps down and looks ready for action!*

Taylor: This is a big night for Curtis Kanyon. Sure, his belt isn't on the line but his entrepreneurship is on the line.
Romano: And that's just as big as a title defense, possibly even more. Remember, Curtis Kanyon could always win the X*Crown Championship if he loses it but if he loses this match tonight, he can never go back to BANG.

Jessie Love: And his opponent...

"Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done."

A low trembling voice in a whispered tone floats through the arena as the lights fade to a pitch black.

Silence.

"Bleed" by Meshuggah pulsates from the speakers around the audience, the bass vibrating the ground, as the camera spirals up the runway past many flickering bright white strobe lights. It pans up to the entranceway where a dark shadowy figure raises their hands above their head and gazes up at the rafters. After a few seconds he tilts his head forward and brings his hands down by his side. He is in full body paint and is sporting blood red tights with a small cross printed on either side. He stares intensely ahead of him as the vocals from Bleed kick in. He points once more to the sky as he begins to make his way toward the ring. Ezriel slowly and purposefuly strides up the metal stairs and drops to his knees, gazing into the crowd. He smiles and nods as he rolls under the ropes into the ring. Ezriel rises to his feet and cracks his neck as he swings his arms around in a windmill movement. He goes to the furthest away turnbuckle and leans on it, bent over but facing straight ahead of him as he breathes heavily.

Jessie Love: From Glasgow, Scotland, weighing in at 225 pounds... Ezriel!

Taylor: And here is Ezriel, one of the most feared men in the AWF. He has a big job to do tonight.
Romano: He's helping Horton out but doesn't care about him. He knows Horton can get him revenge and that's why he's here.

---

Ladder Match: The Fate of BANG Hangs In The Balance
Curtis Kanyon vs. Ezriel

---

The bell rings and immediately, the two circle the ring. Junior Referee Steve Tyrell is officiating his most prestigious match of the evening, and possibly, his career. Ezriel and Curtis Kanyon lock up and without any sort of wait for the test of strength to be underway. The two are gritting their teeth and taking it to the limit. Eventually Kanyon gets the advantage. He pushes Ezriel back, far enough to force him to roll backwards and get to his feet. However, as soon as he gets to his feet, he barely has time to react before Kanyon moves forward and digs his shoulder into the tattooed man's stomach. Ezriel doubles over and lands on an arm and a leg. It's easy to give up after a pounding from the X*Crown Champion, but Ezriel doesn't do easy. He doesn't give up when it's tough. He jumps up to his feet and goes after Curtis. Wait - where is he? The situation quickly becomes less of how to find him and more of how Kanyon finds Ezriel. It turns out he was on the turnbuckle. Kanyon jumps off, grabs the head of Ezriel and takes him down with a super bulldog. There, the two men slam down like a ton of breaks.

Taylor: The match just started and Ezriel is having a hard time getting his grasp onto Curtis Kanyon!
Romano: Well he is the X*Crown Champion for a reason. And don't forget: Ezriel doesn't have a business on the line; Curtis does!

Curtis Kanyon goes out of the ring and reaches underneath the ring. He tries to wiggle his arm around, trying to find the ladder. He's getting frustrated. He finds lots of different things underneath the rings: chairs, tables, even a USB stick that says (EXTREME WARFARE REVENGE). Kanyon actually steps on it. (That's my OOC way of saying the EWR project will be pushed back. Sorry!) Unfortunately, Kanyon doesn't find any of those things. However, what he does find the metal stairs, as Ezriel grabs the head of the X*Crown Champion and slams it in the steps! Kanyon falls onto the floor. Ezriel looks underneath the ring and immediately finds a ladder; evidently, Curtis Kanyon burrowed a pathway to the ladder and only got knocked away right when the path was there. Ezriel moves back the ladder in hand, nice and slowly. I mean, he could try to move faster but he needs to lift with his knees, not with his back. He needs to see The Icons, not a chiropractor. He gets up and and immediately goes right back down! Kanyon clotheslines the back of Ezriel, forcing him to fall forward onto his chest, with the ladder in the middle that damages his face! He might need that chiropractor either way!

Taylor: Curtis Kanyon is taking charge of this match!
Romano: Perhaps, but I wouldn't count Ezriel out just yet!

Curtis Kanyon kicks on Ezriel and rolls him off of the ladder. He then grabs the ladder and slides it into the ring. He slides in himself and looks sky high. He's looking at the briefcase. In that briefcase is a helicopter! A helipad, and enough money that could get him a corvette! It's also the end of However, that briefcase in the wrong hands is the end of BANG, and a forced conversation of him having to go back on everything that he has ever done. Curtis Kanyon grabs the ladder and sets it up. He doesn't even look behind him as he nearly leaps to the top of the ladder. He, however, is forced to stop as Alexander Horton slides into the room. Horton is yelling up at Kanyon, telling him to stop. Kanyon laugh and invites him to come up and try to force him to stop. Horton states that he has another plan in mind and that there's nothing in the rules that keeps him from interfering. He then pushes on the ladder, forcing him to stop. He looks down and realizes that even though the commissioner is not a powerful man, he could push the ladder down. He also knows that he's not able to climb the ladder quick enough to get to the briefcase so he jumps off and lands on his feet. He goes up to Horton and informs him that there's nothing stopping him, the X*Crown Champion from beating the crap out of him. Horton pauses, shocked and shaken from a man who is stronger, faster and meaner than him. Horton brings his hands up, pleading for some mercy. Kanyon keeps stepping forward, bumping chests. His patience grows thinner and thinner and that's when he pulls his arm back for a blow! But wait! Ezriel sneaks up behind Kanyon and lifts him up, striking him with a German Suplex!

Taylor: And that's Ezriel getting back in the game!
Romano: Not only that, but Horton is too, although he is certainly out of his element. This isn't a court of law; in here, only brute force speaks.

Curtis Kanyon quickly tries to make his way to his feet but Ezriel is wise to stay on Kanyon. He has him locked into a headlock. The X*Crown champion is trying to escape but Ezriel is all no way Jose, even though Kanyon isn't native Hispanic. That's his significant other, Esmeralda. Kanyon is digging deep and fighting through the pain. He gets onto his knees and then finally to his feet. He elbows Ezriel once. He does it twice, with the second time almost forcing him to let go. He goes for the third time but before he can actually hit with the elbow, Ezriel throws his opponent onto the ladder. The ladder gets tipped over in the process and both the ladder and the X*Crown champion are laying against the ropes. Well not anymore! Ezriel hits a dropkick and strikes Kanyon in the chest! Both the ladder and Kanyon are flipped over the top rope and land outside.

Taylor: Cassius, Kanyon looks seriously hurt!
Romano: Well anyone would be a fool to seriously consider Ezriel short of anyone to be taken seriously. If this was the XHF Rumble, he would be eliminated.

Ezriel looks down and finds Curtis Kanyon down, unmoving. He turns his head to find Horton. If he was looking for a thumbs up or a pat on the back, he would be wrong. Instead, Horton is letting Ezriel know that he has a job to do and it hasn't been done yet. It doesn't take a lot to focus Ezriel, for he hasn't forgotten The Icons and what he would get if he wins. And he is ready to win. Ezriel pulls over the top rope and grabs the ladder. He pulls on it but finds it isn't moving. He looks to see if it's catching on something that is keeping the ladder from moving. He finds the source - Curtis Kanyon! The champion's fingers are wrapped around one of the steps! Ezriel smiles. Of course he couldn't win. Not now. Not this easily. After all, Curtis is a veteran in this business. He has that X factor. He couldn't get as far as he have without it.

Taylor: Kanyon isn't ready to give up! He still has fight left in him!
Romano: This is where things get interesting. I have a feeling that things are going to get much more exciting.

Ezriel exits the ring. He walks over to Kanyon. At this point, Kanyon is on one knee. He sees Ezriel approaching and throws a punch. Wait! Ezriel is too quick with a double axe handle! Kanyon drops to the floor. He tries to get up but Ezriel shoves his knee into Kanyon's chest and rolls him over onto his back then onto his stomach again. He is dislodged from the ladder. Horton sees this and yells to Ezriel. "He's off! Get the briefcase and we can both get our reward." Ezriel moves forward toward the ladder but suddenly, out of nowhere, Kanyon blasts off the ground. He runs straight forward like a missile. Hes going for the BANG! But wait - Ezriel leaps out of the way... leaving Curtis Kanyon to hit the person behind him - ALEXANDER HORTON! Kanyon looks down and realizes what happened. After a split second of confusion, he jumps up and raises his arms in celebration.

Taylor: Why is he so happy? He hit the wrong person!
Romano: For him, I am kind of thinking they're both the right person.

Curtis Kanyon gets to his feet, just in time to see Ezriel rushing back to him. Curtis Kanyon ducks a clothesline. Ezriel turns around and Kanyon quickly takes Ezriel down with a double arm DDT! Kanyon forces himself off, losing a little bit of the adrenaline gained when he took down the commissioner that has been the thorn in his side for weeks now. Still, he knows what will happen if he's able to get to the briefcase, so he looks up and sees that prize in the sky. He diverts his gaze as he hears some rustling. It's Ezriel getting up from his last hit. He knows that his adrenaline high will be over soon and he wants to finish his match as he doesn't know how much fuel he has left in the tank. He knows it would take too much time to bring the ladder into the ring, then he sees how the ring is positioned. It's leaning against the ring, which gives him an idea. He's not a high flyer and probably match-suicide, but he doesn't want to disappoint Odin. He finds Ezriel finally on his feet and realizes that there is no more time to waste. He rushes to the ladder. He is quickly climbing up the step. He reaches the top step and leaps! The ladder is knocked back into the ring, and Curtis Kanyon is in the air. He... CATCHES THE BRIEFCASE! The crowd goes fucking ballistic!

Taylor: CURTIS KANYON IS A WILD-MAN!
Romano: And if Ezriel doesn't do anything about it, he will be a wild-man who keeps BANG and leaves him without his chance to go against The Icons.

Ezriel's mouth is left agape. Seconds feel like minutes and time is slowing down to him as he sees Kanyon wrestle with the straps. He sees his shot going out the window, but if Kanyon thinks that he's going to give up, he'd be dead wrong. Ezriel climbs onto the apron and then the top rope. He knew that he wouldn't be able to set up the ladder and get to him in time so he has to use his advantage, the advantage that he knew he had over Curtis Kanyon - speed. He's onto the top turnbuckle. He jumps off toward the center of the ring with all the hang time that he can get... and he grabs onto the legs of Kanyon! Curtis looks down and stops trying to undo the straps as he assesses the situation at hand: Ezriel is hanging onto his legs and trying with all his power to dislodge him. There is a very pivotal moment happening right now: Ezriel is trying to stop Curtis from getting the briefcase and Kanyon is trying to handle this win without Ezriel overtaking him or dropping from the lack of grip strength given the extra weight. One thing is perfectly clear to the X*Crown Champion: If he gets down, he will not be able to get back up.

Taylor: They're both on the briefcase! I can't believe this briefcase is still suspended in the air!
Romano: Well I can tell you one thing for sure, Tommy: It won't hold much longer. This match will end one way or another.

Curtis Kanyon is kicking Ezriel like an unwanted puppy. He's trying to shoo him away but is finding something odd; Ezriel isn't punching Curtis. He isn't trying to shake him off. No, he's actually trying to do something with the lower half of his body. He's reaching his legs onto the other side of his body and is looking like he's doing something gymnastics related. It takes a few moments for him to realize what's happening, but suddenly it hits him. Kanyon knows that Ezriel is more high flying. He's kicking harder. He's hoping that Ezriel trying to contort his body so that his bottom half is lower than his upper half that it would knock his center of gravity. The X*Crown Champion is looking to multi-task. While he tries to knock down Ezriel, he's still trying to fidget with the straps of the briefcase. Heh - you'd think these straps were manufactured by Victoria's Secret since they're so difficult to undo. Anyway, Ezriel is dealing with the pain. He actually feels his fingers trembling at the feet of Curtis Kanyon, but he's holding on. He finally gets his feet around the neck of Curtis Kanyon. He finally does it - MID-AIR HURRACANRANA! Both Curtis Kanyon and Ezriel slam down to the ground!

Taylor: THAT DID NOT HAPPEN! THAT DID NOT HAPPEN!
Romano: That happened, Tommy! And look! Look at where the briefcase is!

For the first time since being BANG'd by Kanyon, Horton is conscious. His eyes are large and his mouth agape as he finds the winner of the match. The bell rings as the briefcase is found on the chest of the bruised, damaged and broken Ezriel!

Taylor: What?! How!? We need an instant replay!
Romano: I agree. Let's go to it.

As the match is rewound on the big screen, Ezriel moves forward and hits the super hurracanrana. However, while Curtis Kanyon was able to undo the straps suspending the briefcase, he wasn't able to secure it in his hands. Instead, his head upside down finds the briefcase falling. He tried to reach for the business luggage, but it was just out of reach. The two slam onto the canvas and the luggage lands square onto the chest of Ezriel.

Jessie Love: Here is your winner and winner of the contract: Ezriel!

Taylor: Ezriel wins! Horton wins! That means that BANG is done! Curtis Kanyon has to cease all fishing operations and teach a course on environmental stuff!
Romano: That's true, but I don't think Ezriel cares about that. No - instead, he has something else in mind - The Icons! To him, it's all about revenge and for him, he likes it served cold!

---

The lights in the arena dim and the sounds of the intro to "Out of the Black" by Royal Blood starts echoing and lights flash with every drum hit. The crowd begins to stir with anticipation as the opening riffs take over, as spotlights begin to circle the audience and one bright light flickers down at the middle of the stage. Into the light walks a calm James Mueller, wearing his leather black tights, black boots, and a black hoodie with "YOUNG GUNS" printed on the back in damaged white font. He stops to look around at the crowd and nods his head. Venom and Goldbear II appear behind him, Venom putting his hand on Mueller's shoulder briefly as the two exchange a few side words. Mueller gives a smirk and starts walking down the ramp with his buddies in tow.

Mueller jogs up the stairs to the corner of the ring and pauses on the apron. He sways a little as he approaches the middle of the apron, one hand on the top rope. He leans towards the crowd, looks out, shakes his head at them with a smirk on his face, and then throws himself through the middle ropes on his feet. He spins around on his feet with his arms out to bit of nostalgic cheer. He jerks his arms to his sides and then calms himself down. Venom and Goldbear II both slide into the ring and join Mueller as the ring announcer tosses a mic into the ring and Mueller catches it midair.

“Welcome, everyone, to the Gun show.”

Mueller says with a smirk as Venom takes a towel from his back pocket and he wipes the mouth of Goldbear II.

“Tonight was just a small preview of what we, the Guns, can do. Tonight was the beginning of what is in store for the Tag Division.”

Mueller looks at his partner who nods in agreement.

“You see, over the last month the companies of the Network have been putting together tag teams to prepare for a tag division. They’ve been teaming up to try and get something that doesn’t belong to them, the tag team titles that belong to us, the Guns.”

Mueller lowers his head and paces the ring as Venom rubs the back of his furry friend.

“As I said, this was only a small preview. In just two short weeks you will get a real preview of what the Guns can do when the GUNS put on our very first show where the Tag Team Championships will be defended and officially activated. We will defend these prestigious belts against XHF legends, Ken in the Box and the Wombat.”

The crowd boos at the blow over competition.

“And that won’t be the only match on the card as there will be a grudge match pitting our beast Goldbear II against Robo-Goldbear.”

The crowd cheers for that because they want to see a bear fight.

“So get ready, because the Gun show is happening before you know it.”

Mueller drops the mic and the three exit the ring.

---

We return to Cassius and Tommy at ringside following a commercial break…

Taylor: The time is finally upon us, the ultimate finale to a wild ride of a night!
Romano: That’s right Tommy, this match is sure to be a big one, and no doubt many of our fans are most excited about what’s in store. In a few short minutes we get to see the penultimate blow-out between the AWF’s two biggest names, as Bobby Barrett tries his hand at the gold against the ever dominant champion, Jackson Steele.
Taylor: Ooh boy, this is gonna be huge! Jackson has been unstoppable as of late, with nobody being able to take his reign away. Will Bobby be the one to do so? Will he finally be able to break the winning streak of...what, sixteen weeks?
Romano: I think it's more like eighteen weeks now...but yes, Steele has been a force to take seriously. Let’s see what Bobby can pull out of his hat tonight.

Jessie Love makes her way to center-ring and begins her announcement;

Jessie Love: Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight's Main Event is about to begin! The following competition is scheduled for one-fall, with the winner taking home the AWF World Championship! Introducing first from Walsall, England…’The Prodigy’, Bobby Barratt!

‘Motherfucker of the Year’ starts playing over the sound system. The lights drop apart from purple spotlights, which appear to swirl around as if they are looking for someone. Suddenly, they all converge on one spot, revealing "The Prodigy" Bobby Barratt standing square in the middle of the ramp. His arms spread wide and his head back, drinking in the jeers from the crowd. He slowly makes his way toward the ring, on the whole ignoring the fans reaction.

Hopping onto the apron and wiping his feet, he hops over the top rope, ascending to the second buckle to mouth along with the fans.

Romano: No love here for Bobby Barratt, as the fans are shaking the walls with their boos.
Taylor: You have to wonder Cassius, Bobby has shown his ability to win in the past, and not always in the most legal ways. I wonder if his brass knuckles will make an appearance again tonight.

Jessie Love: And introducing next...from Ontario, Canada...he is your Ascension Wrestling Federation World Champion...Jackson Steele!

Pornosonic's "Spyderpussy" hits and the house lights dim, filtered spotlights cast a warm pink and purple haze on the curtain. At the ten-second mark, eXXXstacy slips seductively through the curtain to a great response from the men in the crowd. She eyes the crowd and then gestures back to the curtain as just as the song kicks in fully - Jackson Steele steps onto the stage to catcalls and whistling from the women - a few men boo him, a few bow down in mock hero-worship. He stretches out his arms and turns a full circle, showing off his AWF Championship belt around his waist, tight against his toned and oiled body. He swaggers down the aisle in time with the music, as eXXXstacy follows.

He takes a meandering course down the aisle, flitting from woman to woman as he ogles, flirts, and even manages to scrawl a phone number across the top of one ecstatic fan's boob before making the "call me" gesture to her. Sliding under the bottom rope he struts alongside one set of ring ropes, gyrating and thrusting his hips and making eye contact with the women who cheer him, before hopping up to the top turnbuckle, once more flexing and posing before giving a "suck it!" crotch chop to Barratt in the ring. He remains on the top turnbuckle, eyeing up his opponent before slowly jumping down to the ring, and passing his belt to Jessie Love on the outside.

---

AWF Championship
Jackson Steele © vs. Bobby Barratt

---

The referee gets between the two men, reissuing the rules of the match to both men, and awaiting their understanding nods. He breaks aparts and signals for the bell:

DING DING!

Wasting no time at all, Bobby rushes Jackson for the grapple, but is easily overpowered by the champ, who breaks the grapple attempt. Bobby tries a second time, but again is overpowered by Jackson, who in turn whips Bobby off the ropes. As he springs back towards him, Jackson blocks him with a hard shoulder, stumbling Bobby backwards. Jackson follows up with a quick clothesline, and takes Bobby down.

Taylor: First one on the mat in the match is Bobby. But not for long it seems.

Springing back up, Bobby gets to his feet faster than Jackson was expecting, taking him slightly off guard. Again Bobby goes for the grapple, and this time succeeds in pulling Jackson down and into a headlock. He struggles to hold the champ in place, before Jackson again pushes him off and against the ropes. This time Bobby attacks back on the rebound, hitting Jackson with a rising knee. The champ drops to the mat, as Bobby uses this to whip off the ropes for momentum. Jackson forecasts this and rolls towards him, forcing Bobby to jump over him and keep running into the next ropes. On the rebound, Jackson is up and jumps for a dropkick...but Bobby grabbed the ropes, stopping himself short of the attack. Missing his target, Jackson gets back to his feet...and right into a spinning clothesline from Bobby!

Romano: Bobby Barrett is showing true grit right now, and as always showing perfect form.
Taylor: You can see the hunger in his eyes, Bobby Barrett wants that gold!

Pulling Jackson up from the mat to a seated position, Bobby lands a heavy punt kick to the kidneys of Jackson, causing him to flinch in pain. Still standing over him, Bobby begins to rain down fists and blows to the forehead and face of Jackson, until the referee breaks them up. Pushing the referee aside, Bobby jumps on Jackson from behind, and locks in a choke hold from behind. From ringside, eXXXstacy bangs on the mat to encourage Jackson to his feet, but he can’t seem to get the energy or strength to break Bobby’s lock on his neck.

Taylor: The champ seems to be in a bind here.
Romano: Nice pun, Tommy.
Taylor: Huh?

The referee observes Jackson, and tests his stamina. He lifts one of Jackson’s hand up and releases it.


It falls…

He waits another moment or two, before lifting Jackson’s hand into the air again and releasing it.


It falls once more…

Impatiently, eXXXstacy climbs onto the apron and tries to make her way into the ring. The referee runs to the ropes to stop her, leaving the submission attempt behind momentarily. With the refere distracted, Jackson throw his hand into the face of Bobby, prodding him into the eyes viciously. Bobby releases the hold and immediately grabs his face, trying to rub the pain from his eyes and return his vision. Seeing Jackson free, eXXXstacy jumps back down to ringside, and the referee returns to normal duty.

Romano: I was wondering how long it would take these men before they began to cheat…
Taylor: Not that long apparently!

Getting back to his feet, Jackson sees an opportunity with Bobby now vision-less, and runs at him, shoulder tackling him into the corner. Pinning him against the turnbuckles, Jackson unleashes a number of heavy chops across the chest of Bobby, each hit echoing loudly around the arena. The crowd cheer as Jackson regains control of this match, his blind opponent defenseless to the onslaught he is receiving. Jackson finishes his strikes with one hard knee to the stomach of Bobby, knocking the wind from him and dropping him into a seated position, across the bottom turnbuckle.

Romano: The champ is taking back this match, and Bobby needs to get his momentum back before this gets out of control.

Jackson struts out of the corner, flexing for the fans and giving them a show. Looking back to Bobby on the bottom turnbuckle, he runs and hits him with a bucking bronco, bouncing up and down on Bobby as the crowd loves it! Jackson climbs up over Bobby, mounted on the second rope and gives the fans another flex, his poses driving his fanbase wild. Looking up between his legs, Bobby sees that he is being disregarded by Jackson...and uses this time to his advantage. With Jackson occupied, Bobby quickly climbs up to a half-standing position between Jackson and the ropes, gets his arms around Jackson's legs and pulls him forward into a huge spinebuster!

Taylor: Holy hell, Jackson just hit the mat from about six feet in the air!
Romano: And it looks like he hit it hard too, Jackson is favoring his head.

Laying on the mat, Jackson seems to have taken the spine buster hard. Bobby quickly grabs his leg and rolls forward, creating a bridge and pinning the champ;


ONE…


TW- KICKOUT by Jackson!

Getting to his feet first, Bobby pulls Jackson up with him, but again unseen Jackson tries to gouge the eyes of Bobby only this time Bobby deflects it and grabs Jackson's head, pulling him into a surprise code breaker!

Romano: Bobby with the IconBreaker out of nowhere!

With Jackson back on the mat, Bobby runs to the ropes, springboarding back through the air and hitting a heavy leg drop, almost guillotining Jackson on the mat. Bobby rolls over to get the cover;


ONE…


TWO…


THR- KICKOUT by Jackson again!

Taylor: Bobby is back in the game! Just needs to break Jackson down a bit further.

Frustrated, Bobby gets back to his feet, his hands on his hips as he looks down at Jackson on the mat. From ringside eXXXstacy mouths off, shouting her complaints to the referee and to Bobby. She climbs onto the apron again, leaning closer to the referee to shout her disagreements. Bobby walks to her, shouting back and telling her where to go, but the referee interferes and gets between them.

Taylor: Looks like eXXXstacy wants to be as much a part of this match as Jackson!

As Bobby, eXXXstacy and the referee get into it, Jackson gets to his feet and seizes his chance. He runs at Bobby, and jumps for a diving clothesline...but Bobby sees the approach on the big screen, and times his movements perfectly! He ducks, and Jackson clotheslines the referee right into eXXXstacy! She goes flying back to the floor outside, but the referee is now down after being hit with a 230 pound porn star! Jackson gets up, worried for eXXXstacy more than anything, but Bobby is behind him and ready.

Romano: Wait, did you see that?
Taylor: See what?
Romano: Bobby just pulled something from his shorts, he’s got it in his hand.
Taylor: Ew, poop?
Romano: ...what is wrong with you?

Jackson turns around and walks right into a strong superman punch from Bobby Barratt...and then we see what is in his hand...brass knuckles! Jackson is KO’d on the mat, blood starting to gush from his forehead now. Bobby tosses the knuckles to the corner, and they land under the turnbuckle. He drags Jackson to the center of the ring, and places his foot on his chest. The fans boo but a count goes up from the crown nonetheless:


ONE…


TWO…


THREE!


FOUR…


FIVE…


Annoyed that there is no official count, Bobby grabs the referee and tries to stir some life into him. He is moving, but slowly (referee’s are the weakest human beings of all time). He helps the referee up, as Jackson crawls to the corner. Bobby, annoyed with the referee, walks over to Jackson, now sat up. He stomps down on his chest a couple of times, then grabs his ankle to pull him back to center ring...and receives a hard straight brass-knuckle reinforced punch to the nose for his attempt!

Taylor: Jackson picked up those knuckles! He must have seen Bobby toss them to that corner!
Romano: And down goes Bobby! His nose is now bleeding too, it looks like Jackson broke it with that boxer style punch!

Rolling on his back, Bobby is favoring his nose now, blood pouring from it through his fingers. Jackson uses the corner ropes to hoist himself to a standing position, but is still weak on his feet, visibly dizzy. He sees Bobby on the mat, and drops onto him with a dual-elbow strike to Bobby’s chest. He goes for the cover;


ONE…


TW- KICKOUT right after the count by Bobby.

Both men lay on the mat, slowly worn out from the beating they have been giving each other. Blood now covers both of their faces, and chests. Both move to get back on their feet, but slowly.

Taylor: This is turning into a bloodbath!
Ezriel: The best is yet to come.
Romano: What the-!

Jackson rises first, but Bobby is right behind him. He hits Bobby with a wild haymaker, but Bobby takes the blow and returns one of his own, stumbling Jackson also.

Taylor: How long have you been here??
Ezriel: I am eternal... also I just hopped the fence and sat down. For two men getting paid to pay attention...you are not the best.
Romano: Well ladies and gents, we have a spot guest commentator...the Dark Apostle, Ezriel!

Trading blows in the ring, Bobby counters Jacksons forearm strike into an armbar, trying to drag the champ down to the mat, but Jackson overpowers him. He quickly counters by picking up Bobby and dropping him into a side slam. He rolls on top of Bobby and starts to land blows on him, but Bobby reverses the mount and manages to get on top instead, now overhead Jackson and raining down blows.

Ezriel: These two fools, wasting their time…
Taylor: So, Ezriel...what brings you down here? Revenge on Bobby for that Icons attack a few weeks back? To settle the score with Jackson following your draw in the Black Friday lumberjack match?
Ezriel: *smiling* How about both?
Romano: You look fresh, considering you just finished a hellish match up with Curtis Kanyon-
Ezriel: Do not mention that name around me again...

The two men wrestle for dominance in the ring, trading blows and overpowering one another. Jackson manages to get the better of Bobby, and gets a full mount on top of him. To add insult to injury, Jackson begins to grind his forearm across the face of Bobby and his already broken nose, causing his to roar in agony. Flailing his arms, he tries to get Jackson off of him, but the champ has got a sick look in his eyes now and he grinds the face of Bobby. Having seen enough, the referee orders Jackson off of Bobby and to separate. Jackson stands and makes his way to the ropes, leaning on them to gather energy, as eXXXstacy talks to him from the outside.

Romano: Looks like this could be a lovers quarrel.
Taylor: Well he DID slam her with a flying clothesline. Accidental sure, but still…

With Jackson on the ropes, only paying half of his attention to the match, Bobby has enough time to climb to the other side of the mat and climb up to his feet using the turnbuckles to stabilize himself. Seeing this, Jackson makes a quick dash for Bobby, looking to plow him into the hard corner buckles...but Bobby spots the attack and gets a boot up! Jackson takes a hard boot to the face, almost taking him out! He stumbles backwards and right into the referee, knocking him over but not injuring him. With the referee distracted, Bobby sizes up Jackson and unleashes a furious kick right to his groin, popping the champ into the air and down into his knees.

Taylor: POP SHOT! But by Bobby Barratt!
Romano: Bobby just got his own back for the face-grinding, by pop shotting Jackson right into the crown royals!

With Jackson holding his groin in agony, and future reputation as a rockstar lover possibly changed forever, Bobby grabs his head and drags him towards the corner. He spins, and re-grabs Jackson's head onto his shoulder, runs up along the ropes... and flips over Jackson’s head, landing a massive Sliced Bread maneuver!

Romano: The Prodigal Arrival, from the Prodigy himself!

Jackson thuds off the mat hard, as Bobby quickly hooks his leg up for the pin;


ONE…


TWO…


THREE!!

No, wait! Jackson has hit foot on the ropes! The referee didn’t finish the count!

Taylor: Oh COME ON!
Ezriel: Jackson Steele will not go down so easily, Bobby Barratt is out of his depth here.
Taylor: Yeah but...oh come on! Can anyone beat the champ?!

Furious, Bobby gets up and into the referees face, shouting his disagreements and shoving the referee with his chest. Not taking his bullshit, the referee shouts back, as the two of them argue over what was or was not a three-count. Jackson is laying on the mat breathing hard, but unseen by Bobby or the referee, eXXXstacy circles the ring to Jackson’s side, and slides something shiny towards him…

Romano: What was that?
Taylor: I don’t know Cassius, but eXXXstacy just passed something along to Jackson behind the backs of the other two men in the ring.
Ezriel: Typical Steele, unable to win a match without some outside help. Pathetic.
Romano: Now that I look around, I don’t see where those brass knuckles went to…

Jackson climbs to all fours, then his knees and slowly to his feet. Bobby finally comes back to the match as eXXXstacy again climbs up to the apron, drawing the referee’s attention away once more.

As Bobby crosses the ring towards Jackson, the champ lunges with a heavy reinforced punch...but Bobby sidesteps him! Jackson turns around and receives a superkick right to the chin!

Romano: Jackson Steele is down!
Taylor: Bobby just took out the champ with that huge superkick. Jackson is in big trouble here!

Bobby grabs the referee and spins him around, then jumps down on Jackson for the pin attempt.


ONE…


Taylor: This is it…


TWO…


Taylor: He’s gonna do it…


THREE!!

Taylor: He’s done it! Bobby Barratt just beat Jackson Steele! We have a new champion!!

Jessie Love picks up the microphone, as the bell rings to signal the end of the match.

Jessie Love: Your winner, and NEW AWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION….BOBBY BARRATT!!

Bobby’s music plays, as confetti falls from the ceiling. Livid, eXXXstacy screams from the outside, crying for her man. Jessie Love picks up the championship belt from ringside, to bring it to Bobby... but Ezriel stands up and takes it first.

Romano: Bobby is the new champion, and earned his belt...but what is Ezriel doing with it now?

Smiling, Ezriel looks at the belt in his hands, and makes his way to the ring. He climbs in, and stand opposite Bobby, whilst Jackson is on the floor. Once more, Ezriel takes some time looking at the belt, before approaching Bobby and holding out his hand to shake Bobby's.

Taylor: What is this Cassius? Is Ezriel congratulating our new champion?

Unsure of what to do, Bobby reaches out his own hand and shakes with Ezriel. Ezriel then raises up Bobby's arm, standing beside him as the fans cheer their new champion. In a flash however, Ezriel spins towards Bobby, and smashes the belt across his head, knocking down the new champion. Bobby is laying on the mat, holding his face as Ezriel continues his assault.

Romano: This is uncalled for, Bobby just fought the toughest match of his life tonight, he doesn’t deserve this!
Taylor: Well I guess he kinda had it coming to him. But still... ouch.

Continuing his vicious attack, Ezriel now looks over to Jackson, who is rolling out of the ring to safety... but Ezriel grabs his ankle, and drags him back in! Now stomping down on Jackson, Ezriel is making short work of both men, but suddenly Motorhead starts blasting through the speakers.

Taylor: That’s Jack Diamond! He’s here to save the day!

From the back, Jack Diamond appears and sprints towards the ring, sliding under the bottom rope and smashing Ezriel in the back. Ezriel is now standing toe to toe with Diamond, going fist for fist! Jackson takes his opportunity and finally rolls out, hitting the floor and stumbling towards the ramp with eXXXstacy... but from the crowd, two hooded men in black robes climb over the fence and block his way…

Romano: Who is this now?
Taylor: Not sure, but I know I’ve seen those robes before. Those look just like the followers of Hyperion…

Pulling off their hoods and revealing themselves, the two men are... Bjark and Gustav!

Romano: The Brothers of Valhalla! What are they doing here??

The brothers stand firm, blocking Jackson. He ignores them, and tries to progress...but receives a massive big boot from Gustav! Bjark joins him as the two men start to beat down on the ex-champ, pushing eXXXstacy aside.

Romano: I have no idea what's going on, but things are getting out of control!

As Ezriel and Diamond duke it out in the ring, the Brothers make short work of Jackson and bring him back to the ring, sliding him in. They enter themselves, and turn to Diamond and Bobby, each of them working on the partners. Its now three on two! A swarm of people start to flood the ring area, from the back and climbing in from the crowd, all wearing the same robes. Suddenly, another burst of music starts to play... Hyperion’s.

Taylor: Hyperion is here? What is going on!?
Romano: This might just be the payback they told the Icons to expect!

As the Mad Titan himself appears, surrounded by his followers, the men in the ring stop and await his arrival as he walks down to towards them. He circles it, grabbing a microphone from the announcers table, then enters.

Hyperion: ...the Icons... fools, loud mouthed and arrogant... did you not see this? Did you not foresee the consequences of your actions? Tonight, you pay for your mistakes. Tonight, you learn the true power that runs this organization... Tonight... you will see Order!

The screen switches on, showing us a backstage area, and a doorway to a locker room, the words ‘The Icons’ written on it. The Brothers of Valhalla pick up Bobby and Jack, holding them so they can see the screen. As the camera enters the room, another onslaught is taking place...as followers of Hyperion ruthlessly beat down on Chaos Kid and Maverick!

Romano: Oh my lord, this has to be stopped! Hyperion has lost his mind!
Taylor: The Icons are really getting their comeuppance tonight! El Cazador must have fled the building, he’s the only one not getting destroyed!
Hyperion: You see, you are never out of reach. Never untouchable. Tonight, you will learn your lesson…

Signalling to a follower on the outside, a much bigger guy, he enters the ring and hands Hyperion a sledgehammer.

Hyperion: You have been a loyal follower, often mislead or over-eager, but now you have picked your side and chosen your path.

The hooded follower pulls down his coverings... and its Michael Clarke Duncan!

Hyperion: Take your prize, and know that you have formally been inducted to the Church.

Over happy, MCD jumps for joy and turns towards his ‘prize’... eXXXstacy! He says something to her as he exits the ring, she backs away in sheer terror but it's no use. Trying to fight him off but failing, he lifts her up over his shoulder and chuckles as he makes he way up the ramp to backstage.

Hyperion: Now...now we will show you ‘true’ pain…

Using the sledgehammer, he pegs it into the ribs of Bobby Barratt, dropping him to the floor in pain. Diamond manages to slip free of Bjark, and runs at Hyperion but gets the hammer directly to the face. On the floor, Hyperion hammers down on him, slamming the weight down hard onto his ankle. He screams in agony as he bones break from the impact. He hands the hammer to Ezriel who attacks Jackson with it, and does the same thing. Slamming the hammer down hard onto Jackson's knee, repeated strikes causing the superstar to cry out in pain.

Romano: This is insane, how is this even allowed?
Taylor: I just don’t know how these stars will continue...Diamond's ankle is surely broken, and Jacksons knee is going to be the same soon too!

Hyperion lifts Bobby up from the floor, says something to him off mic and then lifts him high up, stalling his chokehold around Bobby’s neck. He holds him for a few seconds before chokeslamming him down hard, Bobby bouncing from the impact from Hyperions ‘High One’. Hyperion grabs the microphone once more.

Hyperion: For two long people have gotten by in here on nothing but ego, attitude and gimmicks. Tonight, we show the world that true power...must be taken by force. This company is ours for the taking, and we shall let no mortal stand in our way...we are the new Gods of wrestling. We are the destroyer of egos. We are the embodiment of real fear. We are…

THE ORDER!

With that, Hyperion drops the mic and starts to stomp down hard on Bobby once more. He stops to pick up the golden championship belt, and holds it up to admire it, smiling at it.

Romano: Well I guess we have a new team in town!
Taylor: Hyperion, Ezriel AND the Brothers of Valhalla?? That is not a team, that's a hit squad!
Romano: Hyperion is getting a good look at the belt...he will be facing off against Bobby for that belt in a few weeks! Things are certainly not looking good for Bobby Barratt following this.
Taylor: I think the Icons are going to need a new strategy after this news...The Order are here, and they mean business!

The arena lights all come on at once, lighting up the whole room as security rush in from the back, grabbing the followers surrounding the ring and trying to stop this vicious beating. At the top of the ramp, Alexander Horton stands with his hands on his hips, furious with what is going on. Some more chaos ensues as the security personnel clash with the followers of Hyperion, and they try to bring some restraint to the vicious attacks. With that happening, the screen shows one last image before the show ends.