.:: AWF Presents Rise Up! Ep2 LIVE from Bethesda, Ohio! ::.
Mar 27, 2018 14:41:22 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Kira Izumi, and 6 more like this
Post by Steele on Mar 27, 2018 14:41:22 GMT -5
We see the interior of the VFW in Bethesda, Ohio, with just over 200 fans in attendance, the brand-new building practically bursting at the seams due to the number of fans inside.
Mike Morales: Welcome one and all to AWF Rise Up! Less than one week ago we reached the end of the Road To Victory and what a night that was!
Corndog Wallace: You're telling me! I've still got ringing in my ears from Mongo screaming at us over that damn table Nathan Thunder destroyed! Screaming and screaming! I've never heard such a shrill noise come from such a big man!
Mike Morales: Well that's not quite what I had in mind, Corndog, but yes- my ears are still somewhat tender as well... Though I digress... this past sunday at Road To Victory we crowned our first ever Phoenix Champ-
Corndog Wallace: Forty-fourth, actually...
Mike Morales: Wait, what?
Corndog Wallace: Yeah he's the forty-fourth champ. I think you zoned out halfway through the yelling but Mongo said we couldn't just reboot the lineage for the title, and we had to continue the old XHF title history.
Mike Morales: Wow... ok, so at Road To Victory we crowned our, uh, 44th Phoenix Champion-
Corndog Wallace: I mean, he's our first Phoenix Champion, Mike... just not the XHF's.
Mike Morales: Oh for God's- what are we going with? Is he the first or the-
Mike is interrupted by "The Phoenix Reigns" blasting over the speakers.
Corndog Wallace: Who cares? He's here!
The fans inside the VFW are on their feet and they cheer vociferously for the new champion as he bursts through the curtain. He's wearing street clothes and has his championship belt strapped round his waist, and makes his way to the ring high-fiving and shaking hands with fans.
Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen- please welcome the new XHF Phoenix Champion - Damien Young!
Young climbs the ring steps and steps through the ropes, being met by Charles Akiyama who is already in the ring.
Charles Akiyama: Damien, congratulations on becoming the first XHF Phoenix Champion for AWF! Your crowning achievement, surely?
Damien Young: It's certainly one of 'em, Charlie. You know I had to fight hard all my life, I've faced adversity on a regular basis. I've had my ups and downs, but this right here;
He holds the championship belt up to the camera;
Damien Young: This is one hell of a high!
Charles Akiyama: So tell me, how do you even begin to go about preparing to face not just one opponent, but three- those three?
Damien Young: You know I'm not really sure you do... how can you? You've got the former Prestige Class champion, you've got a wildman in the Cosmic Warrior, and Nathan Thunder is an absolute beast.
Charles Akiyama: Speaking of your opponents from your championship match. Tonight you'll be teaming with The Cosmic Warrior to take on the team of Kira Izumi and Nathan Thunder. Do you have any thoughts on your opponents? Any last-minute trash-talking you wanna get out there before the bell rings?
Damien Young: You know as a matter of fact-
Young's answer is cut short as Nathan Thunder walks out through the curtain, closely followed by Kira Izumi.
Corndog Wallace: Uh-oh, looks like these two have come to find out what Young has to say first-hand!
Mike Morales: Well these guys are anything but friends Corndog, but they seem to be willing to put their differences aside for just a moment to concentrate on a common enemy!
Akiyama bails from the ring as Thunder makes his way up onto the apron, Kira going round the other side of the ring in order to keep Young penned in.
Young takes off his title belt and shows it to Thunder, then turns and shows it to Kira, spreading his arms as if to say "Come at me bro!" - with his back turned to Thunder, he ends up getting waffled by a big forearm from the man-mountain.
Kira hops into the ring and he joins in the attack on Young as the fans boo the pair loudly.
Mike Morales: This is uncalled for! These two don't wanna wait until their match later on tonight to get to Young!
Corndog Wallace: I think they're trying to make sure there is no match tonight, Mike...
Thunder grabs Young and holds him up as Kira gets ready to give him a superkick when suddenly...
DUN-DUN DUN-DUN DUN-DUN DUN-DUN DUN DUUUUUN DUN DUN!
Mike Morales: It's the Cosmic Warrior! Young's tag-team partner in our main event!
Warrior speeds into the ring and takes Thunder down with a huge CLOTHESLINE! Kira hits him from behind but he completely no-sells and Irish whips him - on the rebound, Warrior hits another CLOTHESLINE! Both Kira and Thunder roll out of the ring, regrouping as they backpedal up the aisle, making threats to the two men in the ring.
Corndog Wallace: Thank God for the Cosmic Warrior! What a stand-up guy! I love him, Mike. So much.
Warrior helps Young to his feet and picks the championship belt up off the mat. He looks at it for a moment, before handing it back to Young. Young grabs the belt and backs away from Warrior, clutching his head as he stands in the corner of the ring, eyeing him cautiously.
Mike Morales: Shots fired well in advance of our main event Corndog, and it looks like Kira and Thunder may be gelling slightly better than the team of Warrior and Young thus far... Warrior came to make the save on Young-
Corndog Wallace: Because he's a fantastic human being.
Mike Morales: -but Young seems to be in two minds right now about whether to trust him or not.
Corndog Wallace: He's got all that pressure on him now that he's the champ! He better get used to it, because everyone's gonna want a piece of him now!
"Check My Brain" by Alice In Chains is the music that accompanies Cazador to the ring - bathed in a golden spotlight and wearing the pelt of a jaguar he crawls to the ring like a hunter stalking its prey.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, from Guadalajara, Mexico and weighing 215 pounds - El Cazador!
Mike Morales: The former Icon will be looking to get his career in AWF back on track after a less-than-ideal last couple of months, Corndog. He was once the AWF Prestige Champion, now he finds himself at the bottom of the ladder again, looking to climb up-
Corndog Wallace: You could say, Rise Up...
Mike Morales: -well quite... he'll be looking to Rise Up then, and recapture some of his former glory.
Rent-A-Hero walks to the ring, trusty crime-fighting wrench in hand, as Foo Fighters' "My Hero" plays him in. He checks beneath the ring for booby traps, before rolling into the squared circle.
Jessie Love: And his opponent - from parts unknown! Weighing 220 pounds, Rent-A-Hero!
Mike Morales: Hero was unlucky two weeks in the first round of the Phoenix Championship tournament, falling prey to the "Nightmare" Nathan Thunder. He'll be hoping to capitalise on Cazador's run of bad luck in this match for sure.
As the bell rings Cazador is immediately the aggressor, plowing into Hero and taking him down with a dump tackle, unloading rights and lefts on him in a furious frenzy.
Mike Morales: Cazador going to work right off the bat!
Corndog Wallace: He's really trying to exorcise those ghosts, Mike!
Hero tries to block the blows but struggles, finally he manages to dislodge Cazador with a stiff poke to the eye. Cazador complains to the referee, but Hero isn't willing to let him go and he takes him straight down with a bulldog and then makes a pin attempt - earning himself a one-and-a-half count!
Hero protests that it should have been a three-count, and gets waved off by the referee who also gives him a ticking off for the eye poke moments before. Hero scoffs and gets up - Cazador does the same and rushes at Hero who looks for an arm drag... but he hurts his back! Cazador capitalises and reverses the arm drag on him, and then makes a cover of his own - two count!
Mike Morales: Rent A Hero might be injured, Corndog! Looks like he might have pulled something in his lower back!
Hero lies on the mat with a hand on his lumbar region, you can hear him muttering "oh god, it hurts, oh god" as he begs off of Cazador. Cazador isn't interested in pity and drags Hero up. He tries to give Hero a vertical suplex but Hero's back and legs give out, and he ends up sandbagging him - which Cazador uses to his own advantage, Hero slowly hanging himself as Cazador applies a front chancery.
Corndog Wallace: This might be it - we could be seeing a submission here!
Mike Morales: I think Hero is already submitting, but his mouth is covered up and the referee can't hear him!
Cazador throws Hero to the ground, he's gasping and spluttering for air. He turns Hero over and makes the cover - for some reason, Hero kicks out at 2!
Mike Morales: Well I thought he wanted out of this match but apparently now he wants to keep going?
Cazador takes a step back and watches Hero try to get up. He laughs as his opponent seems to be struggling with such a simple task. Hero has to prop himself up in the turnbuckle for a breather, and when he turns round Cazador rushes at him - but Hero sidesteps! Cazador slams into the corner and goes down hard.
Mike Morales: Hey wait a minute- where'd that turnbuckle pad go?
The referee is thinking exactly the same thing and he asks Hero if he knows anything about it. Hero puts his hands up, protesting his innocence, with a suspicious-looking bulge having suddenly appeared down the front of his tights.
Corndog Wallace: Sly! He's crafty! Nobody saw him do it! Most importantly the ref didn't see him do it!
With Cazador down, Hero sets up for the Super-Leg Drop! He flexes while standing over his opponent, stopping for a moment to wince as his back flares up again, then runs off the ropes- Cazador immediately kips up and swings a clothesline Hero's way- he ducks it and rebounds off the ropes again before hitting Cazador with something resembling a cross-body block coupled with a forearm smash. He topples on top of Cazador... One! Two- no! He kicks out!
Mike Morales: Rent-A-Hero's starting to make a comeback here! All thanks to a little bit of nefarious cheating! And he's supposed to be the good guy!
Cazador locks up with Hero. He wins the tie-up easily and hits Hero with a scoop slam. Hero comes back for more though and finds himself falling victim to a drop toe hold... Cazador drops a leg across the back of Rent-A-Hero and then tries to hook him in a crossface- Hero scrambling to the ropes and to safety.
But he's not safe for long as Cazador baseball-slides out of the ring and gives him a throat thrust, Hero can't pull his head away quick enough to avoid it and almost gets his head caught up in the ropes trying to escape - Cazador hops up onto the apron, hits a springboard seated senton and then tries for the pin - Almost gets a three-count!
Mike Morales: Cazador nearly had him there but somehow Rent-A-Hero found the strength to kick out of it!
Cazador doesn't let up - he Irish whips Hero and gets him on the return with a spinebuster- then Cazador taunts Hero, miming drawing back the string on a bow and arrow, and he grabs Hero's legs.
Mike Morales: He's gonna go for the Jaguar Clutch!
Corndog Wallace: No! Rent-A-Hero wriggles free!
Mike Morales: But he's- oh!
As Cazador looks to lock in a sharpshooter, Hero pushes him back and he bumps into the referee, knocking him down! He grabs Hero's legs again though and this time he does lock it in - Hero immediately starts tapping out!
Mike Morales: But the referee just took a nasty tumble!
Corndog Wallace: Oh it was terrible. I'll be surprised if he ever walks again. Cazador nudged him something vicious.
Cazador lets go and goes over to the referee to try and wake him up. Meanwhile Hero crawls to the edge of the ring and reaches for something - and comes back holding his wrench!
Corndog Wallace: Ref's down, now's the best time to hit him with a weapon!
Hero wobbles to his feet as Cazador pulls the referee to his feet and props him up in the turnbuckle, slumped over the top pad as he starts to wake up. The "Crimson Defender" sneaks up behind Cazador and spins him round - then thrusts the wrench into his opponent's hand, moving Cazador's hand for him to clock himself in the head and going out like a light!
Mike Morales: Umm... wat
The refere turns round and immediately calls for the bell!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner by disqualification - Rent-A-Hero!
Cazador is livid. He confronts the referee trying to give his version of events but the ref focuses on getting the wrench off of him and getting him out of the ring, and doesn't listen to what he has to say.
Corndog Wallace: Did Hero just...
Mike Morales: I think he was trying to take a leaf out of Eddie Guerrero's playbook by faking use of a weapon by Cazador...
Corndog Wallace: If he read that in Eddie Guerrero's playbook then I'm guessing the pages must have been stuck together because THAT is most definitely NOT how you pull off that particular scam!
Hero lies triumphantly in the ring as "My Hero" plays. The referee awkwardly tries to raise his hand, which of course flops back down to the mat as soon as he lets go.
Corndog Wallace: We should probably get some EMTs down here, to be honest. If he's out cold for too long he'll get brain damage.
Mike Morales: I dare say if that's the case, then he'll be fine.
The fans inside the VFW stand and cheer as "Real American" hits and Furanku Furetcha, the two-time TGK Grand Champion, comes through the curtain with a microphone in hand, singing his own entrance theme.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and weighing in at 220 pounds- Frank Fletcher!
Mike Morales: Frank Fletcher showed up two weeks ago, apparently scouting Kira Izumi during his match with James Johnson... then he made an appearance at Road To Victory, ostensibly to help Kira to the Phoenix Championship but as we saw, that didn't exactly go to plan.
He climbs the steps and goes through the ropes into the ring. A metal version of "Kiss From A Rose" plays as Jeffrey Viper makes his way out through the entrance and into the VFW hall. He is also holding a microphone.
Jessie Love: And his opponent-
Jeffrey Viper: You shut up right now! You ALWAYS get my weight wrong! Muscle weighs more than fat, so that's obviously why you keep billing me as heavier than I actually am! You whore bitch!
Jessie gasps, as do the crowd. Viper turns his attention to Furanku.
Jeffrey Viper: Frank, I just wanted to give you fair warning right now that you may have beaten me in our first match back in Seattle, but you won't beat me tonight! In fact - you can't beat me!
Mike Morales: What does he mean by that?
Corndog Wallace: Ooh, maybe he's not going to wrestle!
Mike Morales: We can only hope.
Despite Viper's assertion to the contrary, the match begins with a masterclass from Furanku as he schools Viper on technical wrestling. He locks up with the man-child and transitions into a front face lock, leading Viper round by the head before going behind into a rear waist lock.
Furanku looks for the German suplex but Viper makes himself dead weight and ends up being sorta dropped onto the mat face-first, with Furanku's arms still locked round his waist. Furanku keeps control as he spins round atop Viper's back, putting on another front face lock down on the mat and controlling Viper back up to a standing position, moving into a standing side headlock and then dropping him with a Russian leg sweep.
Furanku tries for a cover- gets a one-count!
Mike Morales: Well Viper said before the match started that Fletcher wouldn't be able to beat him tonight. It's only the early going, but Viper looks intent on sticking to his promise.
Both men get up and they come together again, once more it's Furanku who comes away with the advantage as he Irish whips Viper across the ring- Viper intercepts Furanku's attempt at a clothesline however and puts him in a sleeper hold!
Corndog Wallace: Viper's looking to put Frank to sleep just like he does to the rest of us!
Furanku gasps and chokes as he tries to breathe and busts out a desperation stunner to get Viper off of his back. He can't recapture the advantage however as Viper shakes it off and plants a clubbing blow into the back of his opponent. A quick release German suplex reminds everyone in the building that Viper does actually know how to wrestle, and he makes a cover of his own. Just like Furanku, he only manages a one-count.
Viper pummels Furanku as he tries to get up off the mat, the smaller and more Japanese of the two men crawling on his hands and knees under Viper's assault. Viper continues to lay in the boots and Furanku continues to absorb them until he manages to sit up somewhat. Viper has backed up. He readies a boot and charges in at Furanku - who catches the boot mid-kick and stops Viper in his tracks!
Furanku gets up to his feet, still holding the boot of Viper who hops about on the spot- and Furanku points a finger at him as the crowd all shout along with him; "YOU!!!"
Mike Morales: Oh no! Viper's gone and done it now!
Viper throws a punch at Furanku- and he blocks it! He throws another punch- and again it gets blocked! Furanku fires off a punch of his own, then another one and Viper goes staggering back... an Irish whip is followed by a big boot to Viper! He hits the mat and then staggers back to his feet.
Mike Morales: Furanku... don't tell me he's gonna...
Corndog Wallace: He is! Oh my word can he do it?
Viper turns and staggers towards Furanku, who slowly and with great effort scoops him up, teetering... then SLAMS him down to the canvas!
Corndog Wallace: He got him! Furanku slammed Viper!
Furanku immediately rebounds off of the ropes and hits Viper with the "Big Reg Drop" and a cover!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
Mike Morales: It's all over! Put that in the record books! Furanku beats Viper in barely any time at all!
Furanku climbs the turnbuckles and throws his hands in the air.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner-
Viper somehow gets to his feet, and snatches the microphone off of Jessie.
Jeffrey Viper: Shut up you stupid bitch! Whore! Skank! I told you! I told you all that Frank Fletcher won't beat me and by God I guarantee I'm gonna make good on my promise!
Mike Morales: Uhh.... he already won, Jeff...
Viper goes out of the ring and starts to walk back up the aisle. He is forced to stop as the microphone cord won't let him get any further away.
Jeffrey Viper: I was hoping to be able to keep this for another few weeks maybe, or a couple months perhaps... but drastic times call for drastic measures! But after that BULLSHIT that went down with the Warrior the other week I went to Terry Bradshaw, the only man who can be trusted in this stupid company, and I asked him- no, I demanded some protection! From shitty booking! From corrupt referees! I'm looking at you, Nate!
Viper points to his own eyes and then back towards Nate Biggs, who shrugs his shoulders.
Jeffrey Viper: And you know what? Just like I expected, Terry Bradshaw came through! He promised me that I wouldn't be forced to bow to the whims of dodgy referees, still looking at you, Nate, and I wouldn't have to suffer being put across the ring from people like Frank who just don't understand my style and can't work a decent match with me! Because you know what Terry did? He gave me power! He said all I needed to do was say the word and I'd be granted the power to overrule any and all of that crap!
Mike Morales: Power?
Corndog Wallace: What's he going on about?
Jeffrey Viper: So now I'm invoking it! BY THE POWER OF BRADSHAW!!!!
Viper holds his hands up and closes his eyes. Nothing happens.
Jeffrey Viper: Huh... he said there'd be all like, dry ice and lasers and shit. Super lame.
Corndog Wallace: What was... that?
Jeffrey Viper: Oh well, anyway- I'm the new General Manager of Rise Up, bitches!
Mike Morales: Wait, what? Can Terry do that?
Corndog Wallace: I think with Felix distracted by his soon-to-be-ex-wife trying to take control over on Prestige, Terry was able to run this platform unopposed!
Jeffrey Viper: And as your new GM, my first official decree is to reverse the decision! Frank is disqualified for... uh... throwing closed-fist punches!
Furanku Furetcha: Hey! You throw them first!
Jeffrey Viper: Yes, but I'm not gonna disqualify myself now am I, numbnuts? Sorry Frank, better luck next time! Now play MY music!
The metal version of "Kiss From A Rose" comes back on as Viper tries to leave with the microphone before remembering the cord is too short. He turns back round and motions for the music to be cut.
Jeffrey Viper: Hold... hold on, I could have ended that better. Yaddah yaddah yaddah, sorry Frank, better luck blah blah... play my music!
This time Viper does a mic drop, before turning back through the curtain. Furanku watches him leave, shaking his head in disbelief.
Jessie Love: The following contest is a triple-threat match!
"Skrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"
The lights don gold. The crowd go crazy (Particularly the ladies.). Livin' La Vida Loca blasts throughout the PA system. The camera pans towards the floor and begins to rise, slowly showing the boots, then the trunks, the ripped chest, the muscular pecks and most importantly of all, his handsome face.
Jessie Love: Introducing first, from Munich, Germany! Weighing 212 pounds - Daddy Sokolov!
Several ladies begin to faint, men begin to sweat. Schneider looks around at the adoring fans, gives them a little smirk. He catches the camera in-front of him, looks at it and winks. He points at the ring and shouts in the most sexiest voice possible, "Lock your doors! Turn the lights off! It's time for Daddy!"
He power runs his way to the ring and slides underneath the bottom rope before getting back onto his feet, rebounding off the rope in-front of him, and then climbing the opposite turnbuckle. As he stands atop the rope dozens of screaming fans begin to flash their phones at him and it's quite truly a sight to behold. He lifts his head high in the air for everyone to see his chiseled jawline.
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov, formerly known as Daddy Schneider, answered the open challenge from Austin GRant two weeks ago along with Seth Dillinger. These three men all looking to make a name for themselves tonight here in AWF!
"Timebomb" by Beck blasts into the arena as Seth Dillinger marches out onto the stage. He pauses at the top of the ramp, taking in a deep breath and smiling as he begins his jog down to the ring.
Jessie Love: And the opponent, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- weighing 215 pounds, Seth Dillinger!
He doesn't seem too interested in shaking anyone's hand as he rolls straight into the ring and goes to his corner, leaning back against the ropes and awaiting the start of the match.
@we don't know a lot about this young man, Seth Dillinger- but I get the feeling that we're gonna get to see a lot of him in this match. He'll be looking to make an impact in his first match with the company!
... The lights go out as "Stronger" By Kelly Clarkson starts to play. A single blue spotlight turns on shining down on the top of the entrance ramp where Austin Grant is standing tall as he prepares to take his journey to the ring.
Jessie Love: And from Denver, Colorado and weighing 232 pounds - "The Survivor" Austin Grant!
As "The Survivor" walks down to the ring he passes out small blue ribbons that represent Colon Cancer awareness to the fans. When Austin reaches the ring he slowly walks up the steps wiping his feet before entering the ring. Austin steps up to the referee shakes his hand then heads to his corner.
Mike Morales: Austin Grant, colon cancer survivor, by far the biggest man in the match, but perhaps the least in-ring practice out of the three. He's spent his first few months here in AWF managing his cousin, Danny Ray. Now he's looking to step out of his shadow!
Daddy Sokolov, Seth Dillinger and Austin Grant triangle up in the squared circle. (Funny how that makes sense, eh?) The bell rings and Daddy Sokolov points to Seth Dillinger, letting the new kid on the block to start on the opening lock up. As they do that, Dillinger finds himself able to get an upper hand over Austin Grant. Dillinger uses his leg to trip the cousin of Danny Ray and sends him to the mat. Grant spins around and makes it to his feet. They lock up again and this time, it's more physical. They push each other and they get each other to the ropes. That's when Daddy Sokolov pops up out of nowhere and clotheslines them both over the top rope and out of the ring. Sokolov laughs while doing a little dance, finished by a pelvic thrust.
Mike Morales: This Daddy Sokolov is absolutely a character!
Corndog Wallace: And he's here to show all of us what's what!
Daddy Sokolov climbs the top rope while seeing both Austin Grant and Seth Dillinger trying to recover on the outside. He poses in front of the entire audience and yells, "HASH-TAG - WHO'S YOUR DADDY?" before jumping off. Perhaps yelling it at the top of his lungs and perhaps taking the extra split-second to pronounce the hashtag may have tipped them off, but both Austin Grant and Seth Dillinger rolled out of the way, causing Sokolov to crash and burn by hitting the mat. He rolls around, gasping himself.
Mike Morales: Somehow, I think I pretty much expected that to happen.
Corndog Wallace: Well if you think you're so gosh darn good at wrestling, why don't YOU get in there?
Mike Morales: You don't want to get into this discussion.
Seth Dillinger and Austin Grant get back in the ring. Austin Grant sends a kick to the left of Seth's body. Then a kick to the right. He's getting low on energy and isn't able to find a way to respond. He tries to shoot forward for a punch, but Austin Grant side steps and hits Dillinger with a super kick! The AWF newbie falls down! Austin Grant goes for the pin:
...ONE!
...TWO!
...Kickout!
Mike Morales: And this is beginning to be sad to see. Seth Dillinger is trying to keep in pace with the more high-profile Austin Grant, but isn't finding himself able to!
Corndog Wallace: So is this match going to last for much longer? Because I kind of am in the mood for nachos.
Austin Grant knows that he needs a little more convincing to get Seth Dillinger to stay down. He brings him up and for all he cares, he can stay outside of the ring, just like Daddy Sokolov has. He throws him outside of the ring and turns around to get some peace and quiet. But wait - Austin Grant doesn't know that Seth Dillinger has made it to his feet on the apron. But he jumps up and springboards back in the ring! He hits the South Philly Stunner, which is the Dragon Kid Stunner (a springboard, flipping Stunner) to Austin Grant! WAIT! On the way down, Austin Grant has grabbed a hold onto Dillinger's leg! What is this!? Ankle Lock! Austin Grant calls it "Heart of a Champion!"
Mike Morales: So much is going on all at once! So much is happening! I can't believe it! MAH GAWD, KING! I'VE TURNED TO JR!
Corndog Wallace: So I take it that's a no on the nachos. But hey, you actually need them a whole lot more than I do.
Austin Grant is gritting his teeth and jerking his head backwards. It's manipulating and contorting the ankle of the young man, trying for a win. Hoping for a win. Praying for a win. Just like Tommy and Gina, they're living on a prayer. Seth Dillinger is reaching for the ropes. He's reaching. Not for the snickers. For the ropes. Oh jeez, I have to stop writing matches when I'm hungry. I think I'm going to have to take a trip out to the vending machines when I take my lunch break. It's funny. I'm not even a huge fan of snickers. More of a milky way guy, myself.
Mike Morales: This is extremely frustrating.
Corndog Wallace: Fat guys are never writing these shows ever again.
Austin Grant is about to tap out. He's feeling that his will is about to die out...
Mike Morales: Then he grabs the ropes.
No. I mean, it's totally possible that he taps out.
Mike Morales: Look, does he grabs the ropes or not?
Well... Yes, he does.
Corndog Wallace: Then shut up.
Mike Morales: So what happens next?
Seth Dillinger is down, but not out. But still, by no means is he out of the woods. The referee forces Austin Grant out of the area while Seth is at the ropes. Eventually, Seth Dillinger gets to his feet. He runs after Austin Grant, but Austin sends him a HARD kick in the stomach. He picks him up and takes him down for the brainbuster! It's Austin Grant's finisher that he calls Cancer Killer! Seth Dillinger is down! Austin Grant for the pin:
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THR-Daddy Sokolov interrupts the pin! He grabs Austin Grant and throws him out of the ring!
Mike Morales: GASP!
Corndog Wallace: Stop saying that!
Daddy Sokolov covers Seth Dillinger:
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THREE!
Jessie Love: Winner of the match: Daddy Sokolov!
Mike Morales: What a last minute victory! How did he do it!?
Corndog Wallace: He didn't just think like a champion; he thought like a daddy.
Jessie Love: The following contest is a tag-team match and it is scheduled for one fall!
The theme song from "A Nightmare on Elm Street" hits and Nathan Thunder walks back through the entranceway, the crowd booing the near seven-foot monster.
Jessie Love: Introducing first from Elm Street; weighing 345 pounds - Nathan Thunder!
Mike Morales: Nathan Thunder put up one hell of a fight last Sunday at Road to Victory but he came away empty-handed in the four-corners match for the Phoenix Championship.
Thunder starts climbing the ring steps and the music changes, Sekai No Awari's "Anti-Hero" fills the air. Thunder glares back at the entrance curtain as Kira Izumi makes his way through. He walks toward the ring, high-fiving his fans and insulting those who boo him.
Jessie Love: And his tag-team partner, from Hokkaido, Japan and weighing 200 pounds - Kira Izumi!
Corndog Wallace: These two worked together at the start of the night to beat down on Damien Young but it looks like Kira might have ruffled Thunder's feathers somewhat by cutting his entrance short!
Kira and Thunder stand in the ring together, and Thunder appears to be having words with him regarding interrupting his ring walk. They both turn as one though as Jim Johnston's "Unstable" hits, and Cosmic Warrior bursts into the building.
Jessie Love: And their opponents-
Warrior sprints to the ring and Jessie Love is forced to duck out as Kira and Thunder both immediately descend on Warrior as he slides under the bottom rope. Warrior throws Kira over the top rope and the bell rings.
Mike Morales: Are we underway?
Corndog Wallace: We're underway!
Warrior and Thunder brawl across the ring and pummel each other like the pair of big, graceless giants they are. Warrior pushes Thunder back into his corner and Kira Izumi slides back into the ring underneath the bottom rope. He attacks the tassled Warrior from behind and shifts the momentum back in favor of his team- Thunder turns Warrior round in the corner and they both put the boots in on him.
Mike Morales: Well Thunder and Kira are busy double-teaming the Warrior but there's no sign of Damien Young and this match has started without the champ!
Corndog Wallace: It's a handicap match right now Mike!
Referee Gabe Valentine starts to count for Kira, the illegal man in the ring, and Kira hops out through the ropes. He immediately tags Thunder and gets back into the ring - Valentine's count starts again as the pair rinse and repeat, each taking it in turns to tag into the match so they can ride the count as much as possible while double teaming Warrior.
The crowd chant for Damien Young.
Mike Morales: We all wondered whether Young had Warrior's back after he stated earlier this week that he saw Warrior as the "weak link" of their team, given that Warrior was the man Young pinned to win the Phoenix Championship...
Corndog Wallace: And he looked like he didn't know if he could trust the Warrior earlier on tonight after that beatdown from-
Corndog's sentence- as well as the double-teaming by the heels- is cut short as "The Phoenix Reigns" by Unveil Raze hits and the crowd pop big-style for Young, he rushes out through the curtain and down to the ring, dropping his championship belt and shedding his T-Shirt as he slides under the ropes!
Mike Morales: He's here! Damien Young coming to the Warrior's aid!
Corndog Wallace: It took him long enough!
Kira breaks from the assault on Warrior and charges at Young - Young takes him down with a clubbing discus clothesline that gets a big cheer from the crowd and Thunder turns towards Young - who rushes into him and drives him back into the corner, throwing hard fists and pulling no punches!
Corndog Wallace: Damien Young's come into this swinging! Literally!
Valentine earns a resounding jeer from the crowd as he pulls Young off of Thunder. With Kira now rolling out of the ring rubbing his sore head, the referee finally sees and opportunity to restore some order to the match. He sends Young to his corner and the match continues with Warrior and Thunder as the legal men.
Mike Morales: The fans inside the VFW are decidedly not happy with Gabe Valentine's decision and they're letting him have it!
Corndog Wallace: Can you blame them? They want to see Young fight!
Warrior is struggling to stand as Thunder looms over him, he lashes out with a stiff stomp and keeps the Warrior grounded. Young steps up on the ropes, trying to will Warrior back up to his feet but he's isolated across the ring from his partner, unable to make his way back to him to make the tag.
Thunder lets Warrior crawl part way across the ring as Damien stretches out his hand, anticipating making a tag. But at the last second, Thunder steps up and grabs a big handful of hair, pulling the Warrior back up to his feet and dragging him back over to the other side of the ring to tag Kira.
Damien Young hops through the ropes but is immediately pushed back by Valentine, Kira and Thunder working over Warrior together once more. Young steps back to the apron and points the double-teaming out to Valentine and he gives Thunder until the count of five to leave the ring.
Thunder leaves at four and three quarters.
Mike Morales: Nathan Thunder and Kira Izumi are doing an excellent job at isolating the Cosmic Warrior and preventing him from reaching his tag-team partner Damien Young!
Corndog Wallace: And did you see the way Thunder was toying with Warrior? Letting him get within a hair's breadth of making the tag, then cutting him off and dragging him back for another beating!
Mike Morales: And let's not forget that you don't just "toy" with Cosmic Warrior - but Nathan Thunder made it look easy. That's scary if you ask me.
Kira launches into a flurry of strong-style strikes to the cornered Warrior, finishing off with a big leaping roundhouse kick to the head and Warrior topples to the ground. Kira covers him;
ONE!
But Warrior kicks out! He turns over and starts to crawl towards Young again, but Kira speeds across the ring and gives him a boot to the upper back that halts him in his tracks. Kira straddles Warrior's back and locks in a camel clutch!
Corndog Wallace: Kira's gonna try for a submission! But I don't think he's gonna make the Warrior tap!
Mike Morales: Warrior's one tough cookie Corndog, but he's taken a brutal beating so far in this match! He might not have much left in the tank!
But Warrior does have something left in the tank- he starts shaking and convulsing, adrenaline coursing through his veins, and Kira's face contorts into an expression of shock as Warrior starts to stand up with him on his back!
Corndog Wallace: He's feeling the spirit of the Warrior! He's assumed the controls! And he's gonna put Kira's plane into a nosedive!
Mike Morales: You what?
Warrior roars and then falls backwards, slamming Kira into the mat! The crowd go bananas, and Warrior rolls onto his front. Despite his stunning comeback, he's still feeling the effects of the match on his body and he slowly crawls to Young's corner.
Mike Morales: He's gotta tag Young in! Warrior's been brutalized in this match!
Warrior is just about to tag Young's hand when suddenly Thunder knocks Young off the apron, having run around the outside of the ring! Thunder grabs Young and slams him into the guardrail and then throws him into the ring steps!
Corndog Wallace: God damn! Warrior was just about to make the hot tag! And that big oaf Thunder had to spoil it!
Warrior looks up at the empty corner in confusion, still holding out his hand before it slowly dawns on him that Young isn't going to make the tag. He turns round and begins to get up when-
Mike Morales: KIRA KIRA KNEE!
Kira Izumi suddenly slams into Warrior's head with brutal force with a Boma Ye knee strike and Warrior hits the mat like a ton of bricks! Kira makes the cover!
Corndog Wallace: That could be enough to put the Warrior down right there!
ONE!
Kira pulls back on the hooked leg of Warrior as Damien Young evades a running big boot from Nathan Thunder - the big man slamming into the ring post and knocking himself silly!
TWO!
Young hears the referee's count and slides into the ring, scrambling towards the two wrestlers on the mat-
THRE-
Young lunges and breaks up the pin! The crowd go wild!
Mike Morales: They're still in this match! Young and Warrior aren't beat yet!
Young and Kira begin to brawl in the middle of the ring as Gabe Valentine tries to separate the two men. Nathan Thunder regains his composure, and he slides back into the ring underneath the bottom rope. He grabs Young and lifts him up for a chokebomb - but Young kicks out, stunning Thunder and making him drop him. Thunder checks his nose for blood, and turns back to Young with rage in his eyes. He grabs Young again, this time throwing him to the ropes and Young goes over the top, landing on the apron. Thunder charges - but Young low-bridges him and Thunder topples over to the floor!
Warrior starts to get to his feet and Kira comes back at him. He grabs him by the head, pulls him up and puts on a front face lock. Warrior somehow powers out using his waning strength but Kira grabs him again in a standing side headlock. Warrior pushes out once more and Kira ducks behind him, putting on a waistlock and then spinning Warrior out.
Mike Morales: Rainmaker!
Warrior pulls his arm away as Kira attempts the short-arm... and hits a brutal CLOTHESLINE!
Corndog Wallace: CLOTHESLINE!
Mike Morales: Warrior flipped the script!
Damien Young rushes round the apron to his corner as Kira staggers up to his feet, the returning Nathan Thunder blind-tagging himself in and entering the ring, going after Warrior who is on his knees trying to get to Young...
Mike Morales: Warrior's going for the tag!
Corndog Wallace: But Thunder's right there behind him!
Mike Morales: He'll never make it!
Corndog Wallace: Damien Young stretches for the tag...
Mike Morales: Is he gonna...
Corndog Wallace: He got him!
The crowd blow the roof off the building cheering for Damien Young as he finally gets his turn as the legal man, well over ten minutes into the match! Thunder stops dead in his tracks and then remembers he's nearly twice the size of the Phoenix Champion. He beckons Young to bring it to him- and Young does! Young hits a forearm smash that rocks Thunder, he hits another one and staggers him some more, then rebounds off the ropes and flies at Thunder with a step-up Enzuigiri!
Mike Morales: The Gun Shot! Damien Young hits the Gun Shot on Nathan Thunder but he STILL won't go down!
Despite hitting a finisher Young can't take the big man off his feet and he collapses upright against the ropes. Kira tags Thunder and climbs up to the top turnbuckle, jumping off with a missile dropkick and he puts the ball back in his own court, Young goes down and Kira waits to try and hit another Kira Kira Knee...
Mike Morales: He's got that high-powered knee locked and loaded, ready to try and put Damien Young down!
Kira launches his attack - sidestepped by Young! No matter, he gets back to his feet and goes after The Gun- boot to the gut by Young as he looks for a DDT... Kira reverses it though with a standing switch and goes behind the Champion. Young fires elbows back at him and breaks the hold before spinning round and then hitting a northern lights suplex out of nowhere!
Mike Morales: Gonna try and pin him!
ONE!
TWO!
Broken up by Thunder!
Young gets in Thunder's face as Kira recuperates on the mat, the big man looking down in amazement at him, amazed that someone who gives up so much weight to him would dare get in his face.
Before either man can act, Gabe Valentine makes sure Thunder returns to his corner. He backs off, keeping eyes locked on Young...
Who gets rolled up from behind by Kira!
ONE!
TWO!
Corndog Wallace: Kira's gonna steal it!
THR- Kick out!
Mike Morales: He almost embarrassed the Champion right there!
Kira curses as he gets to his feet and he goes in looking for a vertical suplex - Young reverses with one of his own though and both men get straight back up, this time Kira reverses Young's attempt at a move as he kicks him in the midsection and doubles him over, then goes for a double underhook.
Mike Morales: Is he gonna go for the Kira Driver '91?
Corndog Wallace: I think he is!
Kira doesn't get to try it though as Young frees his arms, and keeping his head between Kira's legs he stands up and throws him up and over. Young goes around the side of Kira as he lays on his back and goes to pick him up- but Kira suddenly snatches Young's arm into the Izumi Special armbar submission!
Corndog Wallace: That's what makes this young man so dangerous! He can hit that Izumi Special at any time!
Mike Morales: Now Damien Young's really up against it!
Young tries to pull himself free from the armbar but Kira is a submissions expert and he makes sure that he isn't going anywhere!
Mike Morales: Damien Young might not have any option left but to tap!
Corndog Wallace: Wait! It's the Warrior! He's alive!
Warrior regains consciousness and slides into the ring, kicking Kira and breaking up the submission!
Mike Morales: Cosmic Warrior with a crucial save on Damien Young! Because I thought this one was gonna be over!
Gabe Valentine, despite his best efforts, starts to lose control of the match. With Warrior back in between the ropes all hell breaks loose as he opens up on Kira, delivering a series of CLOTHESLINES! Not to be outdone the second illegal man, Nathan Thunder, enters the ring and begins to retaliate. He goes after both Warrior and Damien Young and dominates with fierce strength.
Mike Morales: Referee Gabe Valentine is giving these guys a lot of leeway here tonight!
Corndog Wallace: I think he doesn't wanna send the fans home disappointed by having to disqualify one of these guys right now!
Thunder returns Warrior from whence he came- that is to say, he throws him back out of the ring. Turning his attention to Young he is annoyed somewhat as Kira pushes him out of the way and goes to hit the KiraDriver 91...
Thunder grabs Kira, spinning him round and wrapping a hand around his throat!
Mike Morales: Now what! Nathan Thunder is gonna chokeslam his own partner!?
Kira's eyes bulge as Thunder squeezes. Damien Young turns round and he walks straight into Thunder who grabs him too with his free hand! He lifts them both at the same time and plants them hard into the mat! Smiling now, Thunder turns away from Kira and Young, stepping over the top rope.
Mike Morales: I think... Thunder's leaving! He's abandoning his partner!
Corndog Wallace: He said wins and losses don't matter to him, as long as someone gets hurt. Just look at this scene! Warrior's down... Kira's down... Young is down... all thanks to "The Nightmare!"
Mike Morales: Hold on now, here comes Frank Fletcher!
Furanku Furetcha steams out through the curtain, red in the face and shouting at Thunder. He goes right up to the big man, prodding him in the chest. Thunder looks down at him and simply picks him up and tosses him through the ropes into the ring, yelling out "Then why don't YOU be his damn partner??"
Furanku looks at Thunder as he walks away and then down at the two men in the ring. He suddenly has an epiphany and drags Kira's lifeless body over that of Young, as Valentine looks on with an "are you f#cking kidding me?" expression. Furanku slides out of the ring and urges him to make the count.
ONE!
Mike Morales: Now come on! Don't tell me this is how it's gonna end!
TWO!
Furanku triumphantly throws up the "V for Victory" along with the two-count.
THRE- Young kicks out!
Corndog Wallace: I don't believe it!
Mike Morales: I thought Young was done for!
Furanku's face falls as he hears the roar of the crowd that tells him Young has survived. Both men in the ring are now standing, powered by God only knows what, but they're wobbly as hell. Young gives Kira a slug across the face and he leans back into the ropes - and Furanku jumps up onto the apron on the opposite side.
Corndog Wallace: Watch out Damien!
He almost backs into Furanku who tries to grab him- but in a split-second movement Young turns and steps up on the bottom rope, cleaning Furanku's clock with a phenomenal Gun Shot! Furanku falls off the apron and Young staggers back into the middle of the ring... Kira runs from the ropes and sunset flips over the top of Young!
Mike Morales: Hold on! Kira might steal it here!
But Young drops to his knees, grabs Kira's legs, and falls forward, doubling Kira up underneath him with his shoulders on the mat!
Corndog Wallace: No! Young's gonna steal it!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Corndog Wallace: He did it! Young turned Kira's own move against him!
Jessie Love: The winners of the match - The Cosmic Warrior and Damien Young!
Kira rolls sluggishly out of the ring, helped to the floor by a groggy Furanku, as Young's music plays.
Mike Morales: "The Phoenix Reigns" is the name of the song and the Phoenix Champion Damien Young reigns tonight!
Corndog Wallace: He was outstanding!
Mike Morales: Young spent nearly twenty minutes as the legal man in the match, there was only one tag between he and the Warrior throughout, yet still they beat the odds and came out on top!
Corndog Wallace: I think it certainly helped their cause that Nathan Thunder went rogue and walked out on Kira-
Mike Morales: Nathan Thunder was an absolute powerhouse tonight and if he'd stayed out here for the whole match then who knows, we could be looking at a very different picture right now.
Corndog Wallace: I think we would, for sure.
Mike Morales: But don't forget about Frank Fletcher coming down to ringside- he was never officially part of this matchup but he looked dead set on making his presence felt in order to curry favor with Kira Izumi!
Young is handed his championship belt by the referee, and he holds it aloft as Warrior comes into the ring to congratulate him and do a bit of rope-shaking.
Mike Morales: Damien Young and Cosmic Warrior stand tall at the end of this match- allies for now, but surely their paths will cross in the future.
Corndog Wallace: You bet your ass they will! Warrior wants the same thing as everybody else on this roster and that's what Young is holding above his head right now! The XHF Phoenix Championship! Nathan Thunder wants it, Kira Izumi wants it, Daddy Sokolov, Frank Fletcher, Austin Grant- anybody who wants to prove their worth wants to wear that gold!
Mike Morales: You're not wrong! Anyway folks, that's all the time we have for this episode! Join us in two weeks where perhaps we will find out who else will RISE UP to challenge for the Championship?
