.:: AWF Presents Rise Up! ep1 - LIVE from Bethesda, OH! ::.
Mar 12, 2018 16:25:05 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Kira Izumi, and 7 more like this
Post by Steele on Mar 12, 2018 16:25:05 GMT -5
The first edition of AWF's Rise Up! cold-opens to show a shot of the brand-new and refurbished VFW building in Bethesda, Ohio.
As AWF's spiritual home, 200 fans have crammed in to the building, maxing out capacity. As the camera pans across the crowd, you can't help but feel that there may be more fans in the building than the official attendance figures suggest.
As the lights inside the building flash and a compilation CD of all the best rock songs plays, the camera finally comes to rest on a pair of familiar faces... or one familiar face and a familiar mask. Corndog Wallace and Mike Morales, formerly of TGK, now welcoming us to an AWF event.
Mike Morales: "Welcome one and all to the first ever edition of AWF Rise Up! My name is Mike Morales!"
Corndog Wallace: "And I'm Corndog Wallace!"
Mike Morales: "And this is the home of Ascension Wrestling Federation, the Bethesda VFW!"
Corndog Wallace: "You'd think that Terry might have splashed a bit more cash on the decor, Mike..."
Mike Morales: "He's a notorious tightwad Corndog, but we're not here to criticize the aesthetic - Terry Bradshaw bankrolled the building of this magnificent new building-"
Corndog Wallace: "He was forced to... since he crashed a helicopter into the old one..."
Mike Morales: "That's a good point Corndog. Well either way, the fact of the matter is that we ARE here in the brand new Veterans' Hall, and we are bringing you four matches with a lot on the line tonight, to be contested by some of the best young talent AWF has to offer!"
Corndog Wallace: "I saw some weirdos backstage earlier tonight... and I say that having worked in TGK."
Mike Morales: "I have to agree with you there Corndog. There are some impressive freaks backstage... and they'll all be competing in a tournament to crown the first XHF Phoenix Champion at Road To Victory on March 25th!"
Corndog Wallace: "My money's on Damien Young. Kid impressed me back in Seattle."
Mike Morales: "He could be a solid choice to win this tournament. I've got my eye on Nathan Thunder... he takes on Rent-A-Hero in our main event tonight but for now, let's check out your pick Damien Young as he takes on The Blue Beanie in our inaugural contest!"
Damien Young is the first wrestler through the curtain on the new show, being played to the ring by Unveil Raze's "The Phoenix Reigns"
Jessie Love: From Des Moines, Iowa and weighing 202 pounds - Damien Young!
Mike Morales: Hugely talented, hugely popular young man is Damien Young! If TGK hadn't closed down, I think he would have been a dead-cert for the next Tragic Grand Champion for sure!
Young slides into the ring and peels off his signature "Just another [BEEP]ing Day" T-Shirt, causing the women in the crowd to go wild. He throws the shirt into the crowd where a small mob of women fight over it, before his music cuts and some generic superhero-style music plays.
Jessie Love: And his opponent... weighing 391 pounds - The Blue Beanie!
Beanie appears atop the entranceway, though owing to the relatively low ceiling in the VFW he is sort of crouching uncomfortably. He seems to "take off" and fly to the ring, suspended from the ceiling by a pulley system.
Corndog Wallace: Well I thought we'd seen everything in TGK with that flying scooter Vespa Rider used to come to the ring on but they got flying guys down here in Ohio too!?
Mike Morales: You know he's not really flying, right?
Beanie lands in the ring and fumbles with his harness, eventually managing to get it undone as referee Nate Biggs waits to start the match. The bell does ring eventually, and Rise Up's first match is underway!
Damien Young uses his size, speed, and agility to his advantage in the early going. At only half of Beanie's weight and giving up nearly a foot in height he has no problem in keeping himself out of the giant's clutches, much to the delight of the crowd.
Mike Morales: Damien Young is already beginning to ingratiate himself with the Bethesda fans!
Young flirts with disaster as he gets dangerously close to Beanie and almost finds himself being grabbed by the massive mitts of the spandex-clad superhero. But he ducks and rolls, coming up behind Beanie who then turns round - and gets rocked by a jumping enzuigiri! Keeping his momentum going, Young pushes Beanie into the ropes and pulls hard as he whips him across the ring, taking the big man down with a standing dropkick when he rebounds and then wowing the crowd with a standing moonsault - following this up with a pinfall attempt but he only manages to register a one-count before Beanie pushes him off.
Beanie tries to get some momentum back for himself but Young cuts him off, preventing him from getting up to his vertical base by kicking out at his shins and calves every time he tries to stand. Frustrated, Beanie suddenly bursts upwards and powers into Young, driving him hard into the turnbuckle and then wrapping two hands round his throat, before beal tossing him into the center of the ring!
Damien skids across the mat but he rolls up and immediately gets to his feet - he starts running as Beanie gives chase, he runs up the turnbuckle and backflips off, over the head of Beanie who falls for the ruse hook, line and sinker! Beanie crashes into the turnbuckle and goes down on his back.
Mike Morales: This could be a good time for Young to capitalize!
Young climbs up to the top rope and looks down at Beanie - he goes for his patented double-foot stomp that he calls the "Fall of Time" - but Beanie rolls out of the way, Young landing on his feet but he has no time to react as his massive opponent gets back up and grabs Young by the left arm, bending it up and onto the top of his head.
Corndog Wallace: Looks like he's setting up for that dreaded Heart Punch!
Beanie pulls back his fist but Young drops to the mat, evading the punch!
Corndog Wallace: What a stupid finisher! Who uses a Heart Punch any more? Seriously!
Young tries to take Beanie down with a drop toe hold, but finds the experience to be very much like trying to drop toe hold a tree. Beanie looks down at Young and laughs, before suddenly grabbing at him and whipping him hard into the corner turnbuckles. He thunders in with a clothesline, then Young staggers out and gets picked up for a snake eyes - before Beanie runs the ropes himself and finishes him off with a huge running big boot!
Mike Morales: Three Bean Salad! And this one is over!
Beanie covers the hapless Young - but he shocks everybody by throwing a shoulder up right at the last second! Beanie gets up and he pulls Young up with him. Scooping him up and planting him back down with a slam he goes to drop an elbow but Young rolls out of the way. Young tries to capitalize with a springboard lionsault - but Beanie takes his turn to roll out of the way! He stalks Young from behind as "The Gun" gets to his feet, and he grabs him by the back of his neck, lifting him for an inverted chokebomb... NO! Young puts his legs back and wheelbarrows himself on Beanie's torso, rolling underneath and scoring a surprise small-package!
ONE! TWO! THR- So close!
Mike Morales: He almost had him by surprise there!
Beanie makes it back to his feet, as does Young, and Damien gives him a dropkick which pushes him back into the turnbuckle! Young rushes in - but Beanie sidesteps, sending Young into the buckle in his stead. beanie gives him a ferocious uppercut that almost knocks his head off, and then grabs him round the throat to place him on top of the turnbuckle.
Beanie cautiously climbs up onto the bottom rope, and goes to lift Young - who lashes out with a knee, cracking Beanie in the jaw! Beanie falters! Young lashes out again! And Beanie wobbles! A third knee to the face by Young sends Beanie toppling back-first into the middle of the ring! The fans scream encouragement!
Mike Morales: This is Damien Young's chance! Can he hit it?
Corndog Wallace: Yes he can!
Damien Young goes for the Fall of Time again and this time he lands it, the double foot stomp connecting with Beanie's chest! He makes the cover and this time Nate Biggs counts an uninterrupted ONE! TWO! THREE!
{Jessie Love: The Winner of the match... click to reveal}
...by pinfall, Damien Young!
Mike Morales: Damien Young did it! He booked his place in the Fatal Four-Way match for the XHF Phoenix Championship at Road To Victory!
Corndog Wallace: Good for him! He should have won gold long ago and now he's got the perfect opportunity to right that wrong at Victory Road!
Mike Morales: Road To Victory, Corndog...
Corndog Wallace: That's what I said. Victory Road. It's catchy. I like it.
...by pinfall, Damien Young!
Mike Morales: Damien Young did it! He booked his place in the Fatal Four-Way match for the XHF Phoenix Championship at Road To Victory!
Corndog Wallace: Good for him! He should have won gold long ago and now he's got the perfect opportunity to right that wrong at Victory Road!
Mike Morales: Road To Victory, Corndog...
Corndog Wallace: That's what I said. Victory Road. It's catchy. I like it.
Sekai no Owari's "Anti-Hero" plays as the first ever AWF Prestige Champion makes his entrance, hoping to become the first ever XHF Phoenix Champion at Road To Victory. Kira Izumi walks around the ringside area, slapping hands with fans as well as insulting them, and earning himself a mixed response.
Jessie Love: Introducing first: From Shinhidka, Hokkaido, Japan... weighing 200 pounds... Kira Izumi!
Corndog Wallace: Didn't we used to have a "Kira" up in Seattle, Mike? What was his name? Ultra Kira or something like that. Whatever happened to him?
Mike Morales: I heard he's settled down and has a family now Corndog. A family and a syndicated cooking show. He's doing great for himself.
Corndog Wallace: This Kira kid's got a family too, don't he? That's who he's fighting for, right?
Mike Morales: I believe you are right. Kira's changed his tune since becoming a father to a little girl; some would say he's grown up and matured somewhat. Trying to make a decent living to feed his family, and he'll be able to do that a lot more comfortably with a championship belt around his waist!
The theme song from the Avengers movies begins to play as James Johnson walks out through the curtain, stars-and-stripes flag in hand.
Jessie Love: His opponent... from Washington DC and weighing in at 205 pounds... "The American Armada" James Johnson!
Johnson circles the ring and then slides under the ropes. He goes from turnbuckle to turnbuckle, saluting the fans and enjoying their cheers.
Mike Morales: So here we go! Second of four first-round matchups to see who will face Damien Young at Road To Victory! Kira Izumi faces-
Corndog Wallace: Hang on Mike, you hear that?
A crunching guitar riff kicks in as "Real American" begins playing over the speakers, and former TGK Grand Champion Furanku Furetcha walks through the curtain with a steel chair in hand.
Mike Morales: Oh boy, here comes Frank Fletcher! What's he got the chair for?
Corndog Wallace: You saw Frank in that Battle For Everything Mike, he's crazy! He must have come to beat everybody up!
But Furanku doesn't beat anyone up, he just waves to the audience and unfolds the chair, sitting down next to the entranceway.
Mike Morales: Well it looks like he's just here to watch the match! Not sure why right now, but that's much better than him trying to murder somebody.
Corndog Wallace: Everybody wins when Frank doesn't try to murder anybody, Mike.
The match begins with Johnson offering Kira Izumi a handshake. Kira looks down at the outstretched hand, and then to the audience who urge him to accept the gesture. Kira instead slaps Johnson's hand away, and immediately kicks him in the gut and hits him with a pulling piledriver, to a chorus of boos from the crowd.
Corndog Wallace: Still finding his feet on that whole "doing what's right" thing, huh?
Kira grabs Johnson's arm and stretches it out, stomping on the shoulder area and leaving his opponent writhing in pain. He lets Johnson up and the "American Armada" swings but misses, Kira ducking underneath and he drops Johnson with a backstabber! Rolling him over, Kira covers Johnson - but barely manages a two-count for his trouble. Johnson briefly takes control as the two men lock up, getting Kira caught up in an arm wringer and then transitioning into a hammerlock, but Kira expertly maneuvers his way out of the hold, showing off his own technical prowess and taking the larger man over with a fireman's carry flip before slapping on a rear chin lock.
Referee Gabe valentine asks Johnson if he wants to quit - but the proud American doesn't know the meaning of the word. He quickly finds out the meaning of the phrase "punt to the spine" though as that's the next move on Kira's itinerary, and as Johnson arches his back Kira runs off the ropes and somersaults over, cracking Johnson's neck as he goes.
Kira takes hold of one of Johnson's arms and looks to be setting up his Izumi Special Armbar - but Johnson has the move scouted, and he wriggles free before rolling away from Kira, making his way back to his feet.
Seated on his steel chair by the entrance way, Furanku politely claps.
Mike Morales: It's been all Kira thus far and you've gotta wonder at what point will it become too much for Johnson to come back from?
Johnson almost hesitates for a moment, but then locks up with Kira again. Once more his superior strength gives him the advantage and he comes away with Kira in a standing side headlock, he transitions to a standing 3/4 facelock and snapmares Kira over, pulling his arms out to the sides and placing a knee in between Kira's shoulder blades in an attempt to force the submission.
Kira cries out and then begins to shuffle, still locked in the hold he manages to get one foot up onto the bottom rope. Gabe Valentine sarts to count for Johnson to break the hold - which he does almost immediately as he is a God-fearing, law-abiding honest American.
Kira takes advantage of Johnson's honesty as he scrambles to his feet and charges at him - but he gets taken down by a Japanese arm drag!
Corndog Wallace: Are you allowed to do that to a Japanese guy? Is that what people mean when they talk about all this "cultural appropriation" stuff?
Kira is up again almost immediately and he ducks under a lariat attempt by Johnson, he takes his arm and Irish whips him across the ring - but Johnson leaves his feet, knocking Kira down with a shoulder tackle and then a kip-up which pops the crowd.
Johnson drops an elbow into Kira's chest and then rolls him over, sitting on his back and applying a camel clutch. Kira struggles, but is close enough to the ropes to get one hand out and break the hold. Furanku Furetcha watches on, apparently impressed with Kira's ring-awareness.
Johnson once again lets go, being respectful of the rules of wrestling, and Kira pulls himself up on the ropes. Johnson goes to get him in a head lock but Kira elbows him in the stomach to buy himself some time. Johnson grabs his midsection and Kira grabs at Johnson's head, raking the eyes and earning himself some admonishment from the referee. As Johnson staggers blinded into the middle of the ring, Kira pushes past the referee and hits Johnson with a big bulldog takedown - then rolls him over and makes the cover.
ONE... TWO... Kick out by Johnson!
Kira lets Johnson writhe on the floor for a few moments as he gets his wind back himself, then goes back in and begins to stomp him mercilessly. Many fans appreciate Kira's tenacious approach, though many also side with the All-American Johnson and let him know this as they begin to cheer his name. Johnson takes Kira's kicks, and begins to absorb them as he starts getting up, still under the heavy rain of Kira's boots. Kira throws kicks and punches as he pushes Johnson into the ropes and then Irish whips him across the ring - he rebounds, but surprises Kira by applying his signature sleeper hold on the return!
Mike Morales: "United We Stand"! Johnson pulled that sleeper hold out of nowhere and he's swung the momentum back in his favor with another submission hold!
Furanku takes notice of Johnson's expert application of the sleeper hold. Kira panics a little and the crowd cheer before the "American Killer" gets his wits about him and dumps the slightly larger Johnson over his shoulder with a judo-style throw. Johnson doesn't let this interruption faze him though and he goes straight back at Kira - looking for another sleeper hold which gets blocked and Kira twists and turns to evade his opponent.
Kira turns to face Johnson and he kicks him in the gut, hooking his arms-
Corndog Wallace: He's looking for that Kira Driver of his!
Mike Morales: If he hits it, this'll be over!
-but Johnson wrestles his arms free, grabbing Kira's legs and dumping him down on his back. He tries to flip Kira over for a Boston Crab - but Kira resists and ends up still on his back where he pulls Johnson in closer and then pushes him back. Quickly hopping up to his feet he rushes Johnson but gets side-stepped, Johnson diverts Kira into the turnbuckle and Kira staggers out backwards - where Johnson applies the "United We Stand" sleeper hold for a second time!
Mike Morales: "United We Stand" locked in again! And Kira looks like he could be fading fast!
Kira claws at Johnson's forearms but they're wrapped tightly around his neck!
Kira gives up on trying to break Johnson's grip and he reaches into the front of his trunks - blatantly taking out some sort of foreign object right in front of Gabe Valentine but then dropping it.
Jessie Love: Introducing first: From Shinhidka, Hokkaido, Japan... weighing 200 pounds... Kira Izumi!
Corndog Wallace: Didn't we used to have a "Kira" up in Seattle, Mike? What was his name? Ultra Kira or something like that. Whatever happened to him?
Mike Morales: I heard he's settled down and has a family now Corndog. A family and a syndicated cooking show. He's doing great for himself.
Corndog Wallace: This Kira kid's got a family too, don't he? That's who he's fighting for, right?
Mike Morales: I believe you are right. Kira's changed his tune since becoming a father to a little girl; some would say he's grown up and matured somewhat. Trying to make a decent living to feed his family, and he'll be able to do that a lot more comfortably with a championship belt around his waist!
The theme song from the Avengers movies begins to play as James Johnson walks out through the curtain, stars-and-stripes flag in hand.
Jessie Love: His opponent... from Washington DC and weighing in at 205 pounds... "The American Armada" James Johnson!
Johnson circles the ring and then slides under the ropes. He goes from turnbuckle to turnbuckle, saluting the fans and enjoying their cheers.
Mike Morales: So here we go! Second of four first-round matchups to see who will face Damien Young at Road To Victory! Kira Izumi faces-
Corndog Wallace: Hang on Mike, you hear that?
A crunching guitar riff kicks in as "Real American" begins playing over the speakers, and former TGK Grand Champion Furanku Furetcha walks through the curtain with a steel chair in hand.
Mike Morales: Oh boy, here comes Frank Fletcher! What's he got the chair for?
Corndog Wallace: You saw Frank in that Battle For Everything Mike, he's crazy! He must have come to beat everybody up!
But Furanku doesn't beat anyone up, he just waves to the audience and unfolds the chair, sitting down next to the entranceway.
Mike Morales: Well it looks like he's just here to watch the match! Not sure why right now, but that's much better than him trying to murder somebody.
Corndog Wallace: Everybody wins when Frank doesn't try to murder anybody, Mike.
The match begins with Johnson offering Kira Izumi a handshake. Kira looks down at the outstretched hand, and then to the audience who urge him to accept the gesture. Kira instead slaps Johnson's hand away, and immediately kicks him in the gut and hits him with a pulling piledriver, to a chorus of boos from the crowd.
Corndog Wallace: Still finding his feet on that whole "doing what's right" thing, huh?
Kira grabs Johnson's arm and stretches it out, stomping on the shoulder area and leaving his opponent writhing in pain. He lets Johnson up and the "American Armada" swings but misses, Kira ducking underneath and he drops Johnson with a backstabber! Rolling him over, Kira covers Johnson - but barely manages a two-count for his trouble. Johnson briefly takes control as the two men lock up, getting Kira caught up in an arm wringer and then transitioning into a hammerlock, but Kira expertly maneuvers his way out of the hold, showing off his own technical prowess and taking the larger man over with a fireman's carry flip before slapping on a rear chin lock.
Referee Gabe valentine asks Johnson if he wants to quit - but the proud American doesn't know the meaning of the word. He quickly finds out the meaning of the phrase "punt to the spine" though as that's the next move on Kira's itinerary, and as Johnson arches his back Kira runs off the ropes and somersaults over, cracking Johnson's neck as he goes.
Kira takes hold of one of Johnson's arms and looks to be setting up his Izumi Special Armbar - but Johnson has the move scouted, and he wriggles free before rolling away from Kira, making his way back to his feet.
Seated on his steel chair by the entrance way, Furanku politely claps.
Mike Morales: It's been all Kira thus far and you've gotta wonder at what point will it become too much for Johnson to come back from?
Johnson almost hesitates for a moment, but then locks up with Kira again. Once more his superior strength gives him the advantage and he comes away with Kira in a standing side headlock, he transitions to a standing 3/4 facelock and snapmares Kira over, pulling his arms out to the sides and placing a knee in between Kira's shoulder blades in an attempt to force the submission.
Kira cries out and then begins to shuffle, still locked in the hold he manages to get one foot up onto the bottom rope. Gabe Valentine sarts to count for Johnson to break the hold - which he does almost immediately as he is a God-fearing, law-abiding honest American.
Kira takes advantage of Johnson's honesty as he scrambles to his feet and charges at him - but he gets taken down by a Japanese arm drag!
Corndog Wallace: Are you allowed to do that to a Japanese guy? Is that what people mean when they talk about all this "cultural appropriation" stuff?
Kira is up again almost immediately and he ducks under a lariat attempt by Johnson, he takes his arm and Irish whips him across the ring - but Johnson leaves his feet, knocking Kira down with a shoulder tackle and then a kip-up which pops the crowd.
Johnson drops an elbow into Kira's chest and then rolls him over, sitting on his back and applying a camel clutch. Kira struggles, but is close enough to the ropes to get one hand out and break the hold. Furanku Furetcha watches on, apparently impressed with Kira's ring-awareness.
Johnson once again lets go, being respectful of the rules of wrestling, and Kira pulls himself up on the ropes. Johnson goes to get him in a head lock but Kira elbows him in the stomach to buy himself some time. Johnson grabs his midsection and Kira grabs at Johnson's head, raking the eyes and earning himself some admonishment from the referee. As Johnson staggers blinded into the middle of the ring, Kira pushes past the referee and hits Johnson with a big bulldog takedown - then rolls him over and makes the cover.
ONE... TWO... Kick out by Johnson!
Kira lets Johnson writhe on the floor for a few moments as he gets his wind back himself, then goes back in and begins to stomp him mercilessly. Many fans appreciate Kira's tenacious approach, though many also side with the All-American Johnson and let him know this as they begin to cheer his name. Johnson takes Kira's kicks, and begins to absorb them as he starts getting up, still under the heavy rain of Kira's boots. Kira throws kicks and punches as he pushes Johnson into the ropes and then Irish whips him across the ring - he rebounds, but surprises Kira by applying his signature sleeper hold on the return!
Mike Morales: "United We Stand"! Johnson pulled that sleeper hold out of nowhere and he's swung the momentum back in his favor with another submission hold!
Furanku takes notice of Johnson's expert application of the sleeper hold. Kira panics a little and the crowd cheer before the "American Killer" gets his wits about him and dumps the slightly larger Johnson over his shoulder with a judo-style throw. Johnson doesn't let this interruption faze him though and he goes straight back at Kira - looking for another sleeper hold which gets blocked and Kira twists and turns to evade his opponent.
Kira turns to face Johnson and he kicks him in the gut, hooking his arms-
Corndog Wallace: He's looking for that Kira Driver of his!
Mike Morales: If he hits it, this'll be over!
-but Johnson wrestles his arms free, grabbing Kira's legs and dumping him down on his back. He tries to flip Kira over for a Boston Crab - but Kira resists and ends up still on his back where he pulls Johnson in closer and then pushes him back. Quickly hopping up to his feet he rushes Johnson but gets side-stepped, Johnson diverts Kira into the turnbuckle and Kira staggers out backwards - where Johnson applies the "United We Stand" sleeper hold for a second time!
Mike Morales: "United We Stand" locked in again! And Kira looks like he could be fading fast!
Kira claws at Johnson's forearms but they're wrapped tightly around his neck!
Kira gives up on trying to break Johnson's grip and he reaches into the front of his trunks - blatantly taking out some sort of foreign object right in front of Gabe Valentine but then dropping it.
Mike Morales: That looks like... some sort of blood capsule? Was he gonna try and "Mist" Johnson? Because it didn't go according to plan!
Valentine turns and stoops to pick up the dropped object - and as soon as his head is turned Kira kicks backwards and low-blows Johnson! The crowd gasp and Valentine turns back just in time to see Kira turn Johnson round and drop him on his head with the "Kira Driver '91" - rolling his opponent over, Kira scores an easy three-count.
{Jessie Love: The Winner of the match... click to reveal}
...by pinfall, Kira Izumi!
Furanku Furetcha stands up, and without a word he calmly collects his steel chair and walks back through the curtain.
Mike Morales: Well Frank Fletcher has apparently seen enough- I'm not entirely sure what he was looking for from this match- but the bigger story is Kira Izumi getting the win, but so much for turning over a new leaf! He wrestled dirty through that entire match, right down to intentionally distracting the referee in order to get away with that low-blow on Johnson!
Corndog Wallace: Well he's got a family to feed, Mike! And when you've gotta put food on the table then you do whatever it takes to get the job done! I don't agree with him, but I admire his resourcefulness.
...by pinfall, Kira Izumi!
Furanku Furetcha stands up, and without a word he calmly collects his steel chair and walks back through the curtain.
Mike Morales: Well Frank Fletcher has apparently seen enough- I'm not entirely sure what he was looking for from this match- but the bigger story is Kira Izumi getting the win, but so much for turning over a new leaf! He wrestled dirty through that entire match, right down to intentionally distracting the referee in order to get away with that low-blow on Johnson!
Corndog Wallace: Well he's got a family to feed, Mike! And when you've gotta put food on the table then you do whatever it takes to get the job done! I don't agree with him, but I admire his resourcefulness.
Mike Morales: James Johnson has a family too! And Kira practically just stole food out of their mouths with that little scam of his! But there's no use crying over spilled milk; Kira Izumi joins Damien Young in the fatal 4-way match for the Phoenix Championship at Road to Victory- we'll find out who the other two competitors are later on tonight! Don't go anywhere!
After a short commercial break we return to the VFW, where Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger" is playing and Austin Grant, "The Survivor" is on his way to the ring. He slaps hands with fans on the way down the aisle before climbing up into the ring and being handed a microphone by Jessie Love.
Austin begins by saying how happy he is to finally be making his in-ring debut for AWF, having spent the last few months shadowing his cousin Danny Ray on his journey; how they've shared ups and downs with Danny winning the Prestige Class Championship and then losing it, and hopefully he will win it back at Road To Victory.
Austin shares his own story of ups and downs, of overcoming cancer and realizing his dream of becoming a professional wrestler - he thanks Felix Ziko and the AWF for giving him this opportunity, and says he wants to give back to the company and to the fans.
He finishes up with an open challenge laid out to the locker room. He calls on anybody to step up and be his first opponent, the first person to face him on his own great journey to "Rise Up" and one day become a champion himself.
...
Finally, Beck's "Timebomb" hits and another new face walks out - Seth Dillinger comes through the curtain holding a microphone and starts walking to the ring, saying he'll be more than happy to step into the ring. He congratulates Austin on overcoming cancer but says that that's where his achievements will end, as Seth himself intends to work his way up the ladder and become the XHF Phoenix Champion.
Before Seth can climb up into the ring however, yet another theme plays - this time Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca" and the former TIW All-Action Champion Daddy Sokolov walks out onto the stage. In a thick German accent Sokolov tells both men that there is a certain pecking order on Rise Up, and as a former champion within the XHF Network then the other two will have to fall in line behind him. Sokolov tlls Grant that he also accepts the open challenge, leaving Grant with a choice to make.
...
Thankfully for Grant (and the fans) the choice is made for him - as AWF CEO Felix Ziko makes an appearance to a tremendous applause, addressing all three men and telling him that Rise Up is the show for wrestlers to prove themselves, to show that they have the heart of a champion! He tells them that the three of them will begin their journey to greatness in two weeks' time when they face off with each other in a triple threat match!
Felix walks back through the curtain, and the three men - Grant, Dillinger and Sokolov - all exchange glances, each man wordlessly telling the other two that he alone shall come out victorious.
Austin begins by saying how happy he is to finally be making his in-ring debut for AWF, having spent the last few months shadowing his cousin Danny Ray on his journey; how they've shared ups and downs with Danny winning the Prestige Class Championship and then losing it, and hopefully he will win it back at Road To Victory.
Austin shares his own story of ups and downs, of overcoming cancer and realizing his dream of becoming a professional wrestler - he thanks Felix Ziko and the AWF for giving him this opportunity, and says he wants to give back to the company and to the fans.
He finishes up with an open challenge laid out to the locker room. He calls on anybody to step up and be his first opponent, the first person to face him on his own great journey to "Rise Up" and one day become a champion himself.
...
Finally, Beck's "Timebomb" hits and another new face walks out - Seth Dillinger comes through the curtain holding a microphone and starts walking to the ring, saying he'll be more than happy to step into the ring. He congratulates Austin on overcoming cancer but says that that's where his achievements will end, as Seth himself intends to work his way up the ladder and become the XHF Phoenix Champion.
Before Seth can climb up into the ring however, yet another theme plays - this time Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca" and the former TIW All-Action Champion Daddy Sokolov walks out onto the stage. In a thick German accent Sokolov tells both men that there is a certain pecking order on Rise Up, and as a former champion within the XHF Network then the other two will have to fall in line behind him. Sokolov tlls Grant that he also accepts the open challenge, leaving Grant with a choice to make.
...
Thankfully for Grant (and the fans) the choice is made for him - as AWF CEO Felix Ziko makes an appearance to a tremendous applause, addressing all three men and telling him that Rise Up is the show for wrestlers to prove themselves, to show that they have the heart of a champion! He tells them that the three of them will begin their journey to greatness in two weeks' time when they face off with each other in a triple threat match!
Felix walks back through the curtain, and the three men - Grant, Dillinger and Sokolov - all exchange glances, each man wordlessly telling the other two that he alone shall come out victorious.
Seal's "Kiss From A Rose" begins to play and the former acting President of the United States, Jeffrey Viper emerges from the curtain. He turns round on the stage, awash in a sea of loud boos, and throws a mini tantrum when he sees his name misspelled "Geoffrey Vapor" on the entrance graphic.
Jessie Love: Introducing first from The Viper's Nest... Geoffrey Vapor!
Mike Morales: I'd just like to point out for all our fans at home who might not be aware of this competitor that his name is Jeffrey Viper.
Corndog Wallace: Well I hope that they'd be at least a little aware of him seeing as he was in charge of the country for about a week...
Mike Morales: Well he probably flew under the radar since he actually managed to not do anything stupid.
Viper climbs up into the ring and chugs from a liter bottle of Mountain Dew, before trying to do the Triple H mist-spitting thing but failing miserably and drenching his one-size-too-small T-shirt. Jim Johnson's "Unstable" hits and the crowd cheer as the Cosmic Warrior bursts through the curtain and sprints the short distance to the ring, almost crashing straight into it as the run-up is much shorter than he's grown accustomed to on Prestige.
Jessie Love: And his opponent - weighing 280 pounds, the Cosmic Warrior!
Warrior climbs up onto the apron and tosses his ridiculously luxuriant golden mane, pumping his arms and shaking the ropes violently.
Corndog Wallace: WOW! This guy's HYPED!
Mike Morales: This guy's probably gonna get us in trouble with Titan Sports...
Corndog Wallace: I LOVE IT!
Viper paces in his corner as Warrior continues his posing in the middle of the ring, veins bulging and threatening to burst at any second as he flexes. Viper chews on some gum as he leans against the buckle, checking an imaginary watch to signal his boredom.
Warrior doesn't stop. Viper rolls his eyes and walks up behind Warrior, grabbing a shoulder and spinning him round to face him.
Mike Morales: Viper with a blindside!
Viper doesn't attack him though - he slaps Warrior on the chest, points to his corner, and then pushes him back into the corner. With a loud instruction to Warrior to "watch how it's done properly" Viper goes to the middle of the ring and starts to flex and pose himself.
Corndog Wallace: Oh God we didn't need to see this.
Mike Morales: This should have been a special day. The first edition of Rise up. But now we've sunk to this.
Corndog Wallace: We'll be canceled before the main event, mark my words...
Viper drops to the mat and fixes Warrior with a steely gaze before doing press-ups. Knees down, obviously. He manages five. Red-faced and gasping for air, he climbs back up and prepares to take his shirt off. The fans object loudly. Viper gives them a middle finger and begins to peel his shirt off.
Corndog Wallace: You don't need to do this, Viper! Think of the children!
Mike Morales: A dark day indeed.
Viper gets his shirt up over hid head and gets stuck - which prompts Warrior to rush in with a clothesline!
Mike Morales: Whoa! The Warrior just took Viper's head off! Viper had no chance with that T-Shirt stuck on his head!
Viper hits the deck and Warrior crashes down on top of him! Referee Steve Tyrell slaps the mat; ONE! TWO! THREE!
Mike Morales: I don't believe it! I think Warrior just broke a record!
Jessie Love: Introducing first from The Viper's Nest... Geoffrey Vapor!
Mike Morales: I'd just like to point out for all our fans at home who might not be aware of this competitor that his name is Jeffrey Viper.
Corndog Wallace: Well I hope that they'd be at least a little aware of him seeing as he was in charge of the country for about a week...
Mike Morales: Well he probably flew under the radar since he actually managed to not do anything stupid.
Viper climbs up into the ring and chugs from a liter bottle of Mountain Dew, before trying to do the Triple H mist-spitting thing but failing miserably and drenching his one-size-too-small T-shirt. Jim Johnson's "Unstable" hits and the crowd cheer as the Cosmic Warrior bursts through the curtain and sprints the short distance to the ring, almost crashing straight into it as the run-up is much shorter than he's grown accustomed to on Prestige.
Jessie Love: And his opponent - weighing 280 pounds, the Cosmic Warrior!
Warrior climbs up onto the apron and tosses his ridiculously luxuriant golden mane, pumping his arms and shaking the ropes violently.
Corndog Wallace: WOW! This guy's HYPED!
Mike Morales: This guy's probably gonna get us in trouble with Titan Sports...
Corndog Wallace: I LOVE IT!
Viper paces in his corner as Warrior continues his posing in the middle of the ring, veins bulging and threatening to burst at any second as he flexes. Viper chews on some gum as he leans against the buckle, checking an imaginary watch to signal his boredom.
Warrior doesn't stop. Viper rolls his eyes and walks up behind Warrior, grabbing a shoulder and spinning him round to face him.
Mike Morales: Viper with a blindside!
Viper doesn't attack him though - he slaps Warrior on the chest, points to his corner, and then pushes him back into the corner. With a loud instruction to Warrior to "watch how it's done properly" Viper goes to the middle of the ring and starts to flex and pose himself.
Corndog Wallace: Oh God we didn't need to see this.
Mike Morales: This should have been a special day. The first edition of Rise up. But now we've sunk to this.
Corndog Wallace: We'll be canceled before the main event, mark my words...
Viper drops to the mat and fixes Warrior with a steely gaze before doing press-ups. Knees down, obviously. He manages five. Red-faced and gasping for air, he climbs back up and prepares to take his shirt off. The fans object loudly. Viper gives them a middle finger and begins to peel his shirt off.
Corndog Wallace: You don't need to do this, Viper! Think of the children!
Mike Morales: A dark day indeed.
Viper gets his shirt up over hid head and gets stuck - which prompts Warrior to rush in with a clothesline!
Mike Morales: Whoa! The Warrior just took Viper's head off! Viper had no chance with that T-Shirt stuck on his head!
Viper hits the deck and Warrior crashes down on top of him! Referee Steve Tyrell slaps the mat; ONE! TWO! THREE!
Mike Morales: I don't believe it! I think Warrior just broke a record!
{Jessie Love: The Winner of the match... click to reveal} ... by pinfall - The Cosmic Warrior!
Warrior pumps his fists and stomps around the ring as Viper yanks his shirt back down and gets up, cornering Steve Tyrell and yelling at him that he wasn't ready and that it's unfair Warrior was allowed to pin him with his shirt up over his face.
Corndog Wallace: Viper's trying to weasel his way out of this but he just got a big steaming helping of reality courtesy of The Warrior!
Steve Tyrell cowers under Viper's duress, and Gabe valentine runs to the ring alongside Nate Biggs. Biggs gets Viper to back off as Valentine talks to Tyrell, they appear to be having an in-depth discussion. Valentine then heads over to Jessie Love and she makes an announcement.
Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen I have just been informed that the bell never rang to start the match, therefore The Cosmic Warrior's pinfall can not stand. Head referee Gabe Valentine has ruled the previous decision null and void, and declared that this match be restarted!
Mike Morales: Well there's something you don't see every day! In all the excitement I never noticed that we didn't get an official word to start the match...
Corndog Wallace: Does this mean we have to actually watch Viper wrestle now?
Mike Morales: I'm afraid it does, Corndog.
Corndog Wallace: If I quit now, do you think I'd be able to go work for SSS before their next event or do we have some kind of no-compete clause? I never read my contract.
Nate Biggs manages to calm Viper down as Valentine explains the ruling to Warrior. Warrior bellows that HE IS NOT CONCERNED BY THE DECISIONS OF MORTAL MEN, and that HE HAS TRAVELED THROUGH COUNTLESS DIMENSIONS POPULATED BY MANY MORE FEARSOME THAN THE VIPER KNOWN AS JEFFREY. He concludes by declaring that IT MATTERS NOT IF HE HAS TO FIGHT THE VIPER ONCE OR A THOUSAND TIMES, THE OUTCOME IS PREORDAINED BY FATE AND CANNOT BE CHANGED.
Viper tells him to fuck off and this time Steve Tyrell remembers to ring the bell. Viper steps out of his corner pointing a finger at Warrior, telling him that he should be quaking in his boots now that he can actually see. Warrior responds the only way he knows hos - with another huge clothesline! Viper backflips over with the force of the blow and lands on his face.
Mike Morales: Oh good God, Viper's gotta be dead.
Warrior runs into the ropes and hits his WARRIOR SPLASH onto Viper's back! He remains on top of Viper for the cover!
Warrior grows confused, and jumps up to demand answers from Steve Tyrell. Tyrell explains to Warrior that he can't pin a man on his front.
Corndog Wallace: He's got a point I guess, but I wish he didn't.
Mike Morales: I've heard that this Warrior guy is impressive, which he undoubtedly is, but I've also heard that he's a little confused about the actual rules of wrestling.
Jessie Love even has to get involved, explaining the mechanics of a pinfall to Warrior. Warrior nods, apparently satisfied with Jessie's explanation and goes to roll Viper over - but ass soon as he's on his back Viper grabs Warrior with a small package!
Mike Morales: Surprise roll-up by Viper and he could have him!
But Warrior kicks out a hair's breadth before the three-count! Viper gets up, feeling very cocky and he laughs at the Warrior before taking a toothpick out of his pocket and putting it in his mouth, then immediately removing it and throwing it at Warrior, Razor Ramon-style. Warrior looks down at the discarded toothpick and then back up at Viper - who spears him back into the corner!
Mike Morales: Viper just Fisted Warrior with his entire body!
Corndog Wallace: I miss the good old days, when finishers had proper names.
Warrior and Viper crash into the buckle pads and bounce out, Warrior taking a few steps forward and into the clutches of Viper's next finisher - a bearhug!
Mike Morales: I'm not saying that! This is a family show!
The camera shows Mike Morales looking down at his notes.
Mike Morales: I don't care if that's what he called it, we can't say it!
Corndog Wallace: This is the one with the F-Bomb isn't it?
Mike Morales: Folks, I can't actually tell you what Jeffrey Viper calls that move, but-
Corndog Wallace: He's Making Love to the Warrior Gently!
Mike Morales: I... I guess that'll do.
Viper's bearhug does sort of look like he's doing... that to the Warrior, as he jiggles and grinds in an attempt to add more leverage to the hold. But it seems to be having no effect whatsoever on the Warrior, who waits for Viper to tire himself out and let go... then bodyslams Viper and bounces off the ropes again looking for another WARRIOR SPLASH- Viper rolls out of the way however and Warrior slams into the mat!
Viper grabs Warrior's left arm and steps over it, before realizing he's gone the wrong way and he steps BACK over, then steps over the right way, rolls over the back of Warrior and lands on the top of his head.
Mike Morales: I think... was that supposed to be a Majistral cradle?
Corndog Wallace: Viper didn't used to be this bad, did he?
Mike Morales: Well in his defense, I think he's finding it tough to come to terms with the death of Master Glacier in the Battle For Everything. He's got nobody to turn to for inspiration.
Viper rubs his head following his failed Majistral cradle and gets up, approaching Warrior from behind and clasping his hands round his waist, then hits a perfect German suplex! Then another! And another!
Mike Morales: Well hold on now! Viper's suddenly found second gear!
Corndog Wallace: He might not have finished his training under Master Glacier but he can still call on that {Mongo Edit: Nah we don't say that anymore} strength of his!
Viper throws Warrior for three consecutive Germans and for once, Warrior takes longer than two seconds to get back to his feet! And he looks to be somewhat groggy when he does so! Viper retreats to the corner and goads Warrior to stand, then rushes in with another big "Fisting You With My Entire Body!"
Mike Morales: Viper hit a second spear!
Corndog Wallace: Don't tell me he's going to the Supershow...
Viper makes the cover; ONE! TWO! THR- But Warrior powers out! Viper claps his hands together to signal how fast he thinks the count should have been made. (Note: too fast.) Viper drags Warrior up by the golden mane and hits him with a European uppercut, then a discus clothesline that knocks Warrior down. Viper mounts Warrior and starts pummeling him in the face, Steve Tyrell having to threaten him with disqualification in order to make him stop.
Viper keeps on top of Warrior though as he locks him up and begins to control him - even the most basic of technical wrestling proving too complex for Warrior to counter without being able to strike with force.
Mike Morales: Viper's actually starting to look... good...
Corndog Wallace: I wouldn't go that far Mike... but yeah, I see what you mean. Maybe it was the bump on the head that did it?
Viper takes Warrior over with a snapmare and puts a chin lock on, then plants the bottom of his boot into the back of Warrior's head. Warrior doesn't spend too long on the canvas though, and he comes up again and suddenly explodes with a big CLOTHESL- NO! Viper has it scouted and he hits a third spear!
Viper covers Warrior!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE...
Mike Morales: Viper's got Warrior down for longer than perhaps any man has ever managed before but it won't do a thing as that Spear pushed Warrior into the referee! And now there's nobody to count the fall!
Viper curses as he sees Tyrell out cold. Noticing Warrior starting to stir again he suddenly has a flash of inspiration - and he rolls out of the ring in search of a weapon.
He boasts to the crowd that he is going to not only use a weapon but also get away with it, when he gets distracted by a fan on the front row in full-on wrestling mark regalia: luchador mask, giant foam finger, replica belt... the fan is heckling him and calling him everything under the sun. Viper swaggers over to the heckler and invites him to step over the barricade and see if he can back his words up with his fists. To everybody's surprise - and a huge cheer from the audience - the fan agrees!
Mike Morales: This is NOT a good idea! We could wind up on the wrong end of a VERY expensive lawsuit!
Viper pokes the fan in the chest, calling him scrawny and weak, and invites him to throw the first punch. The fan does so - and floors Viper!
Corndog Wallace: He wasn't expecting that! Hit him again! Go on!
Viper looks up in shock and the fan throws his merchandise down, then peels off the mask to reveal...
Mike Morales: That's Dylan Black! What the hell!
Viper all but wets himself as Black lays into him, clubbing him relentlessly and then whipping him hard into the steps! The fans cheer loudly as Black throws Viper underneath the bottom rope before disappearing into the crowd. As Viper stands up, Warrior hits a lethal CLOTHESLINE! Viper gets up again and turns towards Warrior - ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE! Once more Viper gets up and once more Warrior takes him down with YET ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE!
Viper is groggy by this point and he falters as he stands, Warrior hooks his head and arm and lifts him up for his other devastating maneuver, THE VERTICAL SUPLEX!
Mike Morales: Big-time combo by The Warrior and I don't see a way out for-
Corndog Wallace: He's not finished yet! Rebounds... WARRIOR SPLASH!
Mike Morales: NOW it's over!
This time Viper is on his back, Warrior presses him and Steve Tyrell slowly crawls over and slaps the mat; ONE... TWO... THREE!
Warrior pumps his fists and stomps around the ring as Viper yanks his shirt back down and gets up, cornering Steve Tyrell and yelling at him that he wasn't ready and that it's unfair Warrior was allowed to pin him with his shirt up over his face.
Corndog Wallace: Viper's trying to weasel his way out of this but he just got a big steaming helping of reality courtesy of The Warrior!
Steve Tyrell cowers under Viper's duress, and Gabe valentine runs to the ring alongside Nate Biggs. Biggs gets Viper to back off as Valentine talks to Tyrell, they appear to be having an in-depth discussion. Valentine then heads over to Jessie Love and she makes an announcement.
Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen I have just been informed that the bell never rang to start the match, therefore The Cosmic Warrior's pinfall can not stand. Head referee Gabe Valentine has ruled the previous decision null and void, and declared that this match be restarted!
Mike Morales: Well there's something you don't see every day! In all the excitement I never noticed that we didn't get an official word to start the match...
Corndog Wallace: Does this mean we have to actually watch Viper wrestle now?
Mike Morales: I'm afraid it does, Corndog.
Corndog Wallace: If I quit now, do you think I'd be able to go work for SSS before their next event or do we have some kind of no-compete clause? I never read my contract.
Nate Biggs manages to calm Viper down as Valentine explains the ruling to Warrior. Warrior bellows that HE IS NOT CONCERNED BY THE DECISIONS OF MORTAL MEN, and that HE HAS TRAVELED THROUGH COUNTLESS DIMENSIONS POPULATED BY MANY MORE FEARSOME THAN THE VIPER KNOWN AS JEFFREY. He concludes by declaring that IT MATTERS NOT IF HE HAS TO FIGHT THE VIPER ONCE OR A THOUSAND TIMES, THE OUTCOME IS PREORDAINED BY FATE AND CANNOT BE CHANGED.
Viper tells him to fuck off and this time Steve Tyrell remembers to ring the bell. Viper steps out of his corner pointing a finger at Warrior, telling him that he should be quaking in his boots now that he can actually see. Warrior responds the only way he knows hos - with another huge clothesline! Viper backflips over with the force of the blow and lands on his face.
Mike Morales: Oh good God, Viper's gotta be dead.
Warrior runs into the ropes and hits his WARRIOR SPLASH onto Viper's back! He remains on top of Viper for the cover!
Warrior grows confused, and jumps up to demand answers from Steve Tyrell. Tyrell explains to Warrior that he can't pin a man on his front.
Corndog Wallace: He's got a point I guess, but I wish he didn't.
Mike Morales: I've heard that this Warrior guy is impressive, which he undoubtedly is, but I've also heard that he's a little confused about the actual rules of wrestling.
Jessie Love even has to get involved, explaining the mechanics of a pinfall to Warrior. Warrior nods, apparently satisfied with Jessie's explanation and goes to roll Viper over - but ass soon as he's on his back Viper grabs Warrior with a small package!
Mike Morales: Surprise roll-up by Viper and he could have him!
But Warrior kicks out a hair's breadth before the three-count! Viper gets up, feeling very cocky and he laughs at the Warrior before taking a toothpick out of his pocket and putting it in his mouth, then immediately removing it and throwing it at Warrior, Razor Ramon-style. Warrior looks down at the discarded toothpick and then back up at Viper - who spears him back into the corner!
Mike Morales: Viper just Fisted Warrior with his entire body!
Corndog Wallace: I miss the good old days, when finishers had proper names.
Warrior and Viper crash into the buckle pads and bounce out, Warrior taking a few steps forward and into the clutches of Viper's next finisher - a bearhug!
Mike Morales: I'm not saying that! This is a family show!
The camera shows Mike Morales looking down at his notes.
Mike Morales: I don't care if that's what he called it, we can't say it!
Corndog Wallace: This is the one with the F-Bomb isn't it?
Mike Morales: Folks, I can't actually tell you what Jeffrey Viper calls that move, but-
Corndog Wallace: He's Making Love to the Warrior Gently!
Mike Morales: I... I guess that'll do.
Viper's bearhug does sort of look like he's doing... that to the Warrior, as he jiggles and grinds in an attempt to add more leverage to the hold. But it seems to be having no effect whatsoever on the Warrior, who waits for Viper to tire himself out and let go... then bodyslams Viper and bounces off the ropes again looking for another WARRIOR SPLASH- Viper rolls out of the way however and Warrior slams into the mat!
Viper grabs Warrior's left arm and steps over it, before realizing he's gone the wrong way and he steps BACK over, then steps over the right way, rolls over the back of Warrior and lands on the top of his head.
Mike Morales: I think... was that supposed to be a Majistral cradle?
Corndog Wallace: Viper didn't used to be this bad, did he?
Mike Morales: Well in his defense, I think he's finding it tough to come to terms with the death of Master Glacier in the Battle For Everything. He's got nobody to turn to for inspiration.
Viper rubs his head following his failed Majistral cradle and gets up, approaching Warrior from behind and clasping his hands round his waist, then hits a perfect German suplex! Then another! And another!
Mike Morales: Well hold on now! Viper's suddenly found second gear!
Corndog Wallace: He might not have finished his training under Master Glacier but he can still call on that {Mongo Edit: Nah we don't say that anymore} strength of his!
Viper throws Warrior for three consecutive Germans and for once, Warrior takes longer than two seconds to get back to his feet! And he looks to be somewhat groggy when he does so! Viper retreats to the corner and goads Warrior to stand, then rushes in with another big "Fisting You With My Entire Body!"
Mike Morales: Viper hit a second spear!
Corndog Wallace: Don't tell me he's going to the Supershow...
Viper makes the cover; ONE! TWO! THR- But Warrior powers out! Viper claps his hands together to signal how fast he thinks the count should have been made. (Note: too fast.) Viper drags Warrior up by the golden mane and hits him with a European uppercut, then a discus clothesline that knocks Warrior down. Viper mounts Warrior and starts pummeling him in the face, Steve Tyrell having to threaten him with disqualification in order to make him stop.
Viper keeps on top of Warrior though as he locks him up and begins to control him - even the most basic of technical wrestling proving too complex for Warrior to counter without being able to strike with force.
Mike Morales: Viper's actually starting to look... good...
Corndog Wallace: I wouldn't go that far Mike... but yeah, I see what you mean. Maybe it was the bump on the head that did it?
Viper takes Warrior over with a snapmare and puts a chin lock on, then plants the bottom of his boot into the back of Warrior's head. Warrior doesn't spend too long on the canvas though, and he comes up again and suddenly explodes with a big CLOTHESL- NO! Viper has it scouted and he hits a third spear!
Viper covers Warrior!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE...
Mike Morales: Viper's got Warrior down for longer than perhaps any man has ever managed before but it won't do a thing as that Spear pushed Warrior into the referee! And now there's nobody to count the fall!
Viper curses as he sees Tyrell out cold. Noticing Warrior starting to stir again he suddenly has a flash of inspiration - and he rolls out of the ring in search of a weapon.
He boasts to the crowd that he is going to not only use a weapon but also get away with it, when he gets distracted by a fan on the front row in full-on wrestling mark regalia: luchador mask, giant foam finger, replica belt... the fan is heckling him and calling him everything under the sun. Viper swaggers over to the heckler and invites him to step over the barricade and see if he can back his words up with his fists. To everybody's surprise - and a huge cheer from the audience - the fan agrees!
Mike Morales: This is NOT a good idea! We could wind up on the wrong end of a VERY expensive lawsuit!
Viper pokes the fan in the chest, calling him scrawny and weak, and invites him to throw the first punch. The fan does so - and floors Viper!
Corndog Wallace: He wasn't expecting that! Hit him again! Go on!
Viper looks up in shock and the fan throws his merchandise down, then peels off the mask to reveal...
Mike Morales: That's Dylan Black! What the hell!
Viper all but wets himself as Black lays into him, clubbing him relentlessly and then whipping him hard into the steps! The fans cheer loudly as Black throws Viper underneath the bottom rope before disappearing into the crowd. As Viper stands up, Warrior hits a lethal CLOTHESLINE! Viper gets up again and turns towards Warrior - ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE! Once more Viper gets up and once more Warrior takes him down with YET ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE!
Viper is groggy by this point and he falters as he stands, Warrior hooks his head and arm and lifts him up for his other devastating maneuver, THE VERTICAL SUPLEX!
Mike Morales: Big-time combo by The Warrior and I don't see a way out for-
Corndog Wallace: He's not finished yet! Rebounds... WARRIOR SPLASH!
Mike Morales: NOW it's over!
This time Viper is on his back, Warrior presses him and Steve Tyrell slowly crawls over and slaps the mat; ONE... TWO... THREE!
{Jessie Love: The Winner of the match... click to reveal} ... by pinfall - The Cosmic Warrior!
This time Warrior's celebrations are warranted - he stands and throws his arms in the air before signalling a title belt around his waist, jumping over the top rope, and running at full pelt to the back.
Corndog Wallace: He doesn't han around, does he?
Mike Morales: Apparently not, Corndog - perhaps he wants to get a head start though on the long road ahead because Cosmic Warrior just punched his ticket to Road To Victory and that Phoenix Championship match!
Corndog Wallace: Well I gotta say I'm relieved. Viper competing for that championship would have been too much for me to bear.
Mike Morales: Well you can thank Dylan Black for that! I had no idea that he was going to be here tonight, much less that he would get himself involved in the outcome of this match!
Corndog Wallace: There's unfinished business between Black and Viper! And Dylan Black just got one over his rival!
Mike Morales: That he did! One more match to go folks, and we're gonna find out who will complete the line up for the Championship match at Road To Victory! Will it be Nathan Thunder? Or Rent-A-Hero? Find out next!
This time Warrior's celebrations are warranted - he stands and throws his arms in the air before signalling a title belt around his waist, jumping over the top rope, and running at full pelt to the back.
Corndog Wallace: He doesn't han around, does he?
Mike Morales: Apparently not, Corndog - perhaps he wants to get a head start though on the long road ahead because Cosmic Warrior just punched his ticket to Road To Victory and that Phoenix Championship match!
Corndog Wallace: Well I gotta say I'm relieved. Viper competing for that championship would have been too much for me to bear.
Mike Morales: Well you can thank Dylan Black for that! I had no idea that he was going to be here tonight, much less that he would get himself involved in the outcome of this match!
Corndog Wallace: There's unfinished business between Black and Viper! And Dylan Black just got one over his rival!
Mike Morales: That he did! One more match to go folks, and we're gonna find out who will complete the line up for the Championship match at Road To Victory! Will it be Nathan Thunder? Or Rent-A-Hero? Find out next!
We see the changing room backstage, and Kira Izumi leans back in a chair, his wrestling boots thrown haphazardly into a corner. Suddenly the door behind Kira opens, and Furanku Furetcha walks into the room. Kira eyes him suspciously.
Kira Izumi: What d'yer want?
Furanku Furetcha: Izumi Kira!
Furanku goes to bow and then realizes that he isn't actually meant to be Japanese, holding out a hand for Kira to shake. Kira doesn't shake it.
Furanku Furetcha: You impress me tonight! Hai! I mean, yes! Very impress performance, make ancestor prease!
Kira leans back so he can take a good look at Frank. He puts on a puzzled expression.
Kira Izumi: What even are you?
Furanku Furetcha: I very true American man! Just rike you!
Kira looks extremely confused right now. He wonders if perhaps he took a blow to the head and is just imagining all of this.
Kira Izumi: But... I'm Japanese. So are you.
Furanku Furetcha: No! We true American man! You and me! We same! I come to watch match to find true American hero and I find you!
Kira speaks to Furanku in Japanese. Furanku pretends not to understand and just looks at him with a blank expression. Kira sighs.
Kira Izumi: You know I was fighting a guy who was literally dressed up like the American flag, right? Why don't you go bother him?
Furanku shakes his head.
Furanku Furetcha: No. He rost! I no need rosers on my side! You winner! I winner! I two-time Grand Champion Of Americas (And Canada - That Also Come As Part Of The Deal)! I win Batter For Everything! Sure, I not actually beat Reo, but I try to kill Kanyon and that what matter.
Kira pulls out his phone and starts playing with it, pressing something one the screen that we can't see.
Kira Izumi: Look, cut to the chase. I gotta make a phone call, yeah?
Furanku bows slightly.
Furanku Furetcha: You think about it. I think me and you - we be good team. We same. We American hero!
Furanku grins and nods at Kira, and doesn't stop until Kira responds in kind.
Kira Izumi: Al... alright. I'll think about it. No promises, kid.
Furanku gives him two thumbs up and leaves the room. Kira rubs the bridge of his nose as his phone call connects.
Mike Morales: Folks, we've reached our main event for the evening! Nathan Thunder taking on Rent-A-Hero for the final spot in the Phoenix Championship match at Road To Victory!
Foo Fighters' "My Hero" plays and Rent-A-Hero walks out holding his trusty wrench high above his head. He lifts the ring apron to check for booby traps or Russian spies then rolls under the bottom rope.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, from parts unknown - weighing 220 pounds - Rent-A-Hero!
Corndog Wallace: I thought this guy's name was The Crimson Defender?
Mike Morales: No, I'm pretty sure that's his nickname.
Corndog Wallace: But it says right here on the format; "Crimson Defender"!
Mike Morales: Yeah, there's been a lot of confusion over that apparently.
Referee Nate Biggs argues with Hero over the wrench, before managing to wrestle it away from him as the theme song from "A Nightmare On Elm Street" begins to play.
Nathan Thunder comes through the curtain bathed in an eerie red light - he is without his usual entrance robe or a manager today.
Mike Morales: Oh boy, Nathan Thunder looks fired up.
Corndog Wallace: He means business, Mike!
He stops at the top of the ramp and glares at Hero, before pacing menacingly down to the ring and climbing up and over the ropes.
Jessie Love: And his opponent... from Elm Street and weighing 345 pounds - "The Nightmare" Nathan Thunder!
Corndog Wallace: "Nightmare" is right! This guy is huge!
Mike Morales: Nearly seven feet tall and well over three-hundred pounds of merciless aggression! And that aggression won't have been helped by the news that his manager - well, former manager J.J. Jones has dropped him as a client!
Hero pounces on Biggs and tries to get the wrench back off of him before ultimately hiding behind the referee - Biggs drags him out and pushes him to the middle of the ring where he comes face-to-face with Thunder. Thunder stares at him, deadpan, as Biggs calls for the bell.
The match starts exactly the way Hero would have wanted it not to - with a huge throat thrust by Thunder that sends the spandex-wearing, self-proclaimed "superhero" flying back. Hero looks up at Thunder and begins to wonder just what the Hell he's gotten himself into. He goes to duck out underneath the bottom rope but Thunder grabs a leg and drags him back in - slamming the knee into the canvas and Hero rolls around the mat in pain. Thunder circles him as he lays on the canvas and then picks him up by the head, slamming him back down with a scoop slam. Hero gets up gingerly, and Thunder whips him into the corner and follows him in, squashing him with a big stinger splash. Hero falls to the mat but doesn't give up - he somehow STILL manages to try and crawl to safety.
Mike Morales: Rent-A-Hero is getting his ass handed to him, Corndog.
Corndog Wallace: Well you know what they say; "Never cross a man who's just been fired by his manager or he'll beat the tar outta you."
Mike Morales: Who says that?
Corndog Wallace: Well, I do for one.
Thunder toys with Hero by allowing him to crawl to the ropes, and then he slides out of the ring - unseen by Hero - and goes around the outside of the ring to where Hero has just got his head and shoulders underneath the bottom rope.
As soon as Hero spots him he starts trying to backpedal and crawl backwards back into the ring - but Thunder grabs him by the head, dragging him out and putting him across his shoulder!
Mike Morales: Thunder's eyeing up that ring post - this isn't going to end well for Rent-A-Hero...
Thunder takes a big run up - but Hero avoids a painful collision as he drops down behind Thunder and pushes him into the post himself! Thunder's head collides with a sickening thud, and he falls to the floor.
Mike Morales: Oh my! Nathan Thunder could be out cold after that one!
Corndog Wallace: No! He isn't! Look!
Thunder, despite the head trauma, pushes himself back up to his feet and turns to look at Hero. Hero's face (or what we can see of it under his mask) turns ashen white and he starts trying to beg off of Thunder. Thunder starts to pace towards him and Hero takes off - turning one corner of the ring and then a second, with Thunder in close pursuit. Sliding back into the ring now Hero turns around and as Nathan Thunder slides in after him, he starts to stomp all over the big man's head and shoulders. Thunder shrugs off the attack and Hero grabs his head as he starts trying to stand up - signalling to the crowd that he is about to perform the "Super-Duper-Plex", he wastes too much time and Thunder drives him backwards, Hero almost losing his footing but managing to keep enough of a hold on Thunder that he can drop him with an unintended DDT.
Mike Morales: I don't think Hero meant to do that, but I'm sure right now he'll take anything he can get against this monster!
Hero looks round as Thunder is momentarily down on the canvas, and he looks unsure what to do next. He looks to the crowd who are urging him to do something... anything so he does what any sane man would do after hitting one move on a seven-foot behemoth, he tries to pin him.
And gets barely a one-count.
Thunder hurls Hero off of him and he almost gets tangled up in the bottom rope, before Thunder grabs him by the mask and yanks him up. Wrapping a big hand round Hero's throat, he goes for a choke lift - but Hero jumps out of it and lands in an heroic pose! Thunder turns round - and Hero kicks out! And he punches! And he slaps! All of which Thunder takes in his stride!
Corndog Wallace: Seriously, what's it gonna take to put this guy down?
Hero visibly sighs as he exhausts all his options with the massive Thunder bearing down on him - before turning and running at the ropes, springboarding off and hitting a flying crossbody... but Thunder catches him!
Mike Morales: I can't even begin to guess what he was thinking there! He's in the danger zone now!
Thunder gives him a big fallaway slam and then picks him straight back up with a double-handed throat lift... Hero struggles and panics and then manages to catch Thunder in the face with his knee - probably more by accident than on purpose - and Thunder reels!
Hero is inspired by this sudden upturn of fortune and knees Thunder in the face again, causing him to drop him. Thunder covers his nose and staggers backwards and Hero takes his chance - and hits a big SPEAR!
Mike Morales: Well I don't know how he pulled it off, but Rent-A-Hero turned that bad situation to his advantage! He's got the big man against the ropes now!
Thunder is literally against the ropes having been pushed back by the previous spear - He gives him another one and this time he takes "The Nightmare" down! He starts to flex his muscles for the crowd, runs and bounces off of both sets of ropes and then hits - "THE SUPER LEG DROP!"
Mike Morales: Super Leg Drop!
Corndog Wallace: Don't tell me he's actually gonna do it!
Hero clambers across Thunder and makes the cover - the crowd actually rooting for him and chanting along with the count;
ONE!
TWO!
THR-
A huge sigh of disappointment as Thunder gets his shoulder up!
Mike Morales: He's not finished yet!
Hero looks dejected as Thunder kicks out of his finisher, he waits for him to start getting up and he hooks him up to hit his other special move - "The Super Duper Plex!"
But Thunder makes himself deadweight, and Hero struggles to lift him! He tries again, Thunder ever-so-slightly leaving his feet... but Hero still can't get him up, and Thunder returns the favor with a big vertical suplex of his own!
Hero hits the mat hard and arches his back with the pain of the impact, Thunder drags him to his feet once more and hurls him into the turnbuckle. He runs in at Hero - who gets a leg up and catches him in the face, Thunder staggers away as Hero shifts himself up to the top rope and he waits until Thunder turns round... He jumps off for a flying ax handle smash and- NO! Thunder catches him with both hands round his throat! He lifts him up, turns 180 degrees and gives him a devastating sitout chokeslam into the middle of the ring!
Mike Morales: Silent Night! And that's good night to Rent-A-Hero!
Thunder stays in position with Hero's shoulders on the mat, and Nate Biggs makes the count;
ONE! TWO! THREE!
Foo Fighters' "My Hero" plays and Rent-A-Hero walks out holding his trusty wrench high above his head. He lifts the ring apron to check for booby traps or Russian spies then rolls under the bottom rope.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, from parts unknown - weighing 220 pounds - Rent-A-Hero!
Corndog Wallace: I thought this guy's name was The Crimson Defender?
Mike Morales: No, I'm pretty sure that's his nickname.
Corndog Wallace: But it says right here on the format; "Crimson Defender"!
Mike Morales: Yeah, there's been a lot of confusion over that apparently.
Referee Nate Biggs argues with Hero over the wrench, before managing to wrestle it away from him as the theme song from "A Nightmare On Elm Street" begins to play.
Nathan Thunder comes through the curtain bathed in an eerie red light - he is without his usual entrance robe or a manager today.
Mike Morales: Oh boy, Nathan Thunder looks fired up.
Corndog Wallace: He means business, Mike!
He stops at the top of the ramp and glares at Hero, before pacing menacingly down to the ring and climbing up and over the ropes.
Jessie Love: And his opponent... from Elm Street and weighing 345 pounds - "The Nightmare" Nathan Thunder!
Corndog Wallace: "Nightmare" is right! This guy is huge!
Mike Morales: Nearly seven feet tall and well over three-hundred pounds of merciless aggression! And that aggression won't have been helped by the news that his manager - well, former manager J.J. Jones has dropped him as a client!
Hero pounces on Biggs and tries to get the wrench back off of him before ultimately hiding behind the referee - Biggs drags him out and pushes him to the middle of the ring where he comes face-to-face with Thunder. Thunder stares at him, deadpan, as Biggs calls for the bell.
The match starts exactly the way Hero would have wanted it not to - with a huge throat thrust by Thunder that sends the spandex-wearing, self-proclaimed "superhero" flying back. Hero looks up at Thunder and begins to wonder just what the Hell he's gotten himself into. He goes to duck out underneath the bottom rope but Thunder grabs a leg and drags him back in - slamming the knee into the canvas and Hero rolls around the mat in pain. Thunder circles him as he lays on the canvas and then picks him up by the head, slamming him back down with a scoop slam. Hero gets up gingerly, and Thunder whips him into the corner and follows him in, squashing him with a big stinger splash. Hero falls to the mat but doesn't give up - he somehow STILL manages to try and crawl to safety.
Mike Morales: Rent-A-Hero is getting his ass handed to him, Corndog.
Corndog Wallace: Well you know what they say; "Never cross a man who's just been fired by his manager or he'll beat the tar outta you."
Mike Morales: Who says that?
Corndog Wallace: Well, I do for one.
Thunder toys with Hero by allowing him to crawl to the ropes, and then he slides out of the ring - unseen by Hero - and goes around the outside of the ring to where Hero has just got his head and shoulders underneath the bottom rope.
As soon as Hero spots him he starts trying to backpedal and crawl backwards back into the ring - but Thunder grabs him by the head, dragging him out and putting him across his shoulder!
Mike Morales: Thunder's eyeing up that ring post - this isn't going to end well for Rent-A-Hero...
Thunder takes a big run up - but Hero avoids a painful collision as he drops down behind Thunder and pushes him into the post himself! Thunder's head collides with a sickening thud, and he falls to the floor.
Mike Morales: Oh my! Nathan Thunder could be out cold after that one!
Corndog Wallace: No! He isn't! Look!
Thunder, despite the head trauma, pushes himself back up to his feet and turns to look at Hero. Hero's face (or what we can see of it under his mask) turns ashen white and he starts trying to beg off of Thunder. Thunder starts to pace towards him and Hero takes off - turning one corner of the ring and then a second, with Thunder in close pursuit. Sliding back into the ring now Hero turns around and as Nathan Thunder slides in after him, he starts to stomp all over the big man's head and shoulders. Thunder shrugs off the attack and Hero grabs his head as he starts trying to stand up - signalling to the crowd that he is about to perform the "Super-Duper-Plex", he wastes too much time and Thunder drives him backwards, Hero almost losing his footing but managing to keep enough of a hold on Thunder that he can drop him with an unintended DDT.
Mike Morales: I don't think Hero meant to do that, but I'm sure right now he'll take anything he can get against this monster!
Hero looks round as Thunder is momentarily down on the canvas, and he looks unsure what to do next. He looks to the crowd who are urging him to do something... anything so he does what any sane man would do after hitting one move on a seven-foot behemoth, he tries to pin him.
And gets barely a one-count.
Thunder hurls Hero off of him and he almost gets tangled up in the bottom rope, before Thunder grabs him by the mask and yanks him up. Wrapping a big hand round Hero's throat, he goes for a choke lift - but Hero jumps out of it and lands in an heroic pose! Thunder turns round - and Hero kicks out! And he punches! And he slaps! All of which Thunder takes in his stride!
Corndog Wallace: Seriously, what's it gonna take to put this guy down?
Hero visibly sighs as he exhausts all his options with the massive Thunder bearing down on him - before turning and running at the ropes, springboarding off and hitting a flying crossbody... but Thunder catches him!
Mike Morales: I can't even begin to guess what he was thinking there! He's in the danger zone now!
Thunder gives him a big fallaway slam and then picks him straight back up with a double-handed throat lift... Hero struggles and panics and then manages to catch Thunder in the face with his knee - probably more by accident than on purpose - and Thunder reels!
Hero is inspired by this sudden upturn of fortune and knees Thunder in the face again, causing him to drop him. Thunder covers his nose and staggers backwards and Hero takes his chance - and hits a big SPEAR!
Mike Morales: Well I don't know how he pulled it off, but Rent-A-Hero turned that bad situation to his advantage! He's got the big man against the ropes now!
Thunder is literally against the ropes having been pushed back by the previous spear - He gives him another one and this time he takes "The Nightmare" down! He starts to flex his muscles for the crowd, runs and bounces off of both sets of ropes and then hits - "THE SUPER LEG DROP!"
Mike Morales: Super Leg Drop!
Corndog Wallace: Don't tell me he's actually gonna do it!
Hero clambers across Thunder and makes the cover - the crowd actually rooting for him and chanting along with the count;
ONE!
TWO!
THR-
A huge sigh of disappointment as Thunder gets his shoulder up!
Mike Morales: He's not finished yet!
Hero looks dejected as Thunder kicks out of his finisher, he waits for him to start getting up and he hooks him up to hit his other special move - "The Super Duper Plex!"
But Thunder makes himself deadweight, and Hero struggles to lift him! He tries again, Thunder ever-so-slightly leaving his feet... but Hero still can't get him up, and Thunder returns the favor with a big vertical suplex of his own!
Hero hits the mat hard and arches his back with the pain of the impact, Thunder drags him to his feet once more and hurls him into the turnbuckle. He runs in at Hero - who gets a leg up and catches him in the face, Thunder staggers away as Hero shifts himself up to the top rope and he waits until Thunder turns round... He jumps off for a flying ax handle smash and- NO! Thunder catches him with both hands round his throat! He lifts him up, turns 180 degrees and gives him a devastating sitout chokeslam into the middle of the ring!
Mike Morales: Silent Night! And that's good night to Rent-A-Hero!
Thunder stays in position with Hero's shoulders on the mat, and Nate Biggs makes the count;
ONE! TWO! THREE!
{Jessie Love: The Winner of the match... click to reveal}
...by pinfall, "The Nightmare" Nathan Thunder!
Mike Morales: Well folks, it looked for a while like Rent-A-Hero might have found the key to putting Nathan Thunder down but in the end "The Nightmare" proved too strong for him, and he completes the line-up for the Phoenix Title match that'll take place next sunday, the 25th, at Road To Victory!
Corndog Wallace: Nathan Thunder, Kira Izumi, Damien Young and Cosmic Warrior - one of these four men will walk out of Road To Victory with the prestigious Phoenix Championship and honestly after what we just witnessed, my money's on Thunder.
Thunder stands tall over his fallen foe, and Nate Biggs raises his arm. As the first-ever episode of Rise Up concludes, Thunder ghosts a title belt around his waist, and the last thing we see before the picture fades to black is a wicked sneer crossing his face.
...by pinfall, "The Nightmare" Nathan Thunder!
Mike Morales: Well folks, it looked for a while like Rent-A-Hero might have found the key to putting Nathan Thunder down but in the end "The Nightmare" proved too strong for him, and he completes the line-up for the Phoenix Title match that'll take place next sunday, the 25th, at Road To Victory!
Corndog Wallace: Nathan Thunder, Kira Izumi, Damien Young and Cosmic Warrior - one of these four men will walk out of Road To Victory with the prestigious Phoenix Championship and honestly after what we just witnessed, my money's on Thunder.
Thunder stands tall over his fallen foe, and Nate Biggs raises his arm. As the first-ever episode of Rise Up concludes, Thunder ghosts a title belt around his waist, and the last thing we see before the picture fades to black is a wicked sneer crossing his face.
