.:: AWF Presents Rise Up! ep3 - LIVE from Bethesda, OH! ::.
Apr 9, 2018 16:49:03 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, La Familia Price, and 6 more like this
Post by Steele on Apr 9, 2018 16:49:03 GMT -5
EPISODE 3 - APRIL 13th, 2018
Rock music blares, the lights strobe and flicker, and the camera pans around the inside of the Bethesda VFW as the fans inside go nuts for the third instalment of AWF Rise up!
Mike Morales: It's Friday the thirteenth, welcome everyone to AWF Rise Up! I'm Mike Morales alongside Corndog Wallace and we'll be calling all the action tonight!
Corndog Wallace: That's right Mike! Four huge matches to bring to you this evening including the much-anticipated first meeting outside of Seattle for Frank Fletcher and the Phoenix Champion Damien Young!
Mike Morales: Yuki Sakaraba will be teaming up with Seth Dillinger and Austin Grant to take on the team of Rent-A-Hero, Big Black Cat and Blue Beanie in a Six-person intergender tag-team match!
Corndog Wallace: So which one's the lady on the Watchdogs' team?
Mike Morales: Obviously Big Black Cat.
Corndog Wallace: Yeah, I'd have to agree with that.
Mike Morales: And in our main event tonight, "The Nightmare" Nathan Thunder goes one-on-one with Daddy Sokolov, the winner of the triple-threat match two weeks ago on Rise Up! And this match has important champoionship ramifications as the winner will earn themselves a championship opportunity against Damien Young in two weeks' time at Rise Up 4!
Corndog Wallace: I can't wait for that match! It's gonna be a slobberknocker for sure!
Mike Morales: But before any of that, our opening contest sees the returning Jay Cutter taking on debuting star Mick Murphy! Will Murphy have the luck of the Irish?
Corndog Wallace: He's not Irish.
Mike Morales: Shh! Or will he see his dreams go "up in smoke" at the hands of Jay Cutter? Let's find out!
Without any music, Jay Cutter walks out from the behind the curtain, dressed in his electrician's jumpsuit, and takes a final drag from his cigarette. He flicks it aside and checks his watch. Eminem's Berzerk begins playing over the speakers. As the music starts Cutter takes a few steps forward and pulls at his jumpsuit from the neckline on down, revealing his wrestling shorts, elbow pads, and kneepads. He slams the jumpsuit down at his feet and runs down to the ring, taking a lap to slap hands with the fans. He then slides into the ring and tests the ropes while he waits for his opponent.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, making his return to the AWF - from Columbus, Ohio ad weighing in at 231 pounds... "Smokin" Jay Cutter!
Mike Morales: Jay Cutter's a tremendously talented athlete Corndog, a down-to-Earth guy who's just trying to earn a living. He loves to work for the fans and they love to cheer him on!
The main lights dim, and a green color washes over the venue. As a light layer of smoke washes over the ramp, “Blood” by Dropkick Murphys blasts over the speakers. After a moment, Mick Murphy walks into the stage, shadow boxing. He looks around at the crowd for a moment and then raises his fists above his head just as the lyrics begin, flanked by two pyro explosions.
Jessie Love: ANd his opponent, from Indianapolis, Indiana- weighing 220 pounds... Mick Murphy!
Murphy then begins his quick walk to the ring, looking pumped and bobbing his head to the music. He slides into the ring and walks across to the ropes. He stands on the bottom rope and leans forward, raising one fist in the air while surveying the crowd, smirking. He does the same on the other side of the ring, and then stands in the middle, basking in the attention.
Corndog Wallace: Mick Murphy making his AWF debut tonight, he's a former amateur boxer and I'm sure he'll be looking to use those quick fists of his to try and stub out Jay Cutter!
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, making his return to the AWF - from Columbus, Ohio ad weighing in at 231 pounds... "Smokin" Jay Cutter!
Mike Morales: Jay Cutter's a tremendously talented athlete Corndog, a down-to-Earth guy who's just trying to earn a living. He loves to work for the fans and they love to cheer him on!
The main lights dim, and a green color washes over the venue. As a light layer of smoke washes over the ramp, “Blood” by Dropkick Murphys blasts over the speakers. After a moment, Mick Murphy walks into the stage, shadow boxing. He looks around at the crowd for a moment and then raises his fists above his head just as the lyrics begin, flanked by two pyro explosions.
Jessie Love: ANd his opponent, from Indianapolis, Indiana- weighing 220 pounds... Mick Murphy!
Murphy then begins his quick walk to the ring, looking pumped and bobbing his head to the music. He slides into the ring and walks across to the ropes. He stands on the bottom rope and leans forward, raising one fist in the air while surveying the crowd, smirking. He does the same on the other side of the ring, and then stands in the middle, basking in the attention.
Corndog Wallace: Mick Murphy making his AWF debut tonight, he's a former amateur boxer and I'm sure he'll be looking to use those quick fists of his to try and stub out Jay Cutter!
The bell rings and the two competitors immediately take up stances according to their training - Cutter adopting a more traditional grappling stance, Murphy looking every part the amateur boxer as he puts up his dukes and the two men circle each other to look for an opening.
Cutter is the first man to gain an advantage as he locks up and transitions into a rear waist lock, but Murphy grabs his wrists and powers them apart. He uses the arm to lever Cutter up and over his shoulder and then begins to ground-and-pound him, only stopping when referee Nate Biggs is almost at the count of five. Cutter stands to recuperate, and Murphy backs up, hopping up and down on the spot as he waits for his next opportunity.
The two men engage in a back-and-forth of differing styles as Cutter breaks out the amateur wrestling moves, relying on his superior weight to throw Murphy around... but only when he can get hold of him. The wiry Indianapolis native ducks and weaves and uses his speed to his advantage, zipping round the back of Cutter and then hitting him with one-two punching combos as Cutter turns, unguarded.
Mike Morales: A very even contest thus far Corndog and I have to say I've been impressed by Murphy in these opening moments.
Corndog Wallace: Both guys have been on top of their game today, Cutter looks like he hasn't missed a day!
Cutter takes Murphy down with a standing dropkick and then heads up to the top rope. He leaps - but misses with the frog splash attempt! Murphy takes a chance by rolling him over for a cover- Two count!
Corndog Wallace: Close but no cigar by Murphy! He'll need to do more damage before he can get Jay Cutter to stay down!
The balance of power now starts to shift Murphy's way... the missed frog splash doing a number on Cutter and Murphy is quick to capitalise. He whips Cutter into the corner and unloads a flurry of body shots finished off by a big uppercut and Cutter staggers into the middle of the ring as Murphy goes to the apron.
Mike Morales: He'll be looking to hit his slingshot forearm that he calls "Murphy's Law!"
Corndog Wallace: Cutter's in trouble! Doubly so if he hits it!
Murphy slingshots - and Cutter dodges by dropping to the mat and rolling away! Murphy rolls through the landing and gets to his feet quickly. He rushes to Cutter who is just getting to his feet and grabs him round the waist, lifting him for a belly-to-back suplex!
Corndog Wallace: Mick Murphy busting out some real wrestling moves!
The suplex plants Cutter into the mat and Murphy mounts his back, raining blows into the back of his head. Cutter does his best to escape and manages to dislodge his assailant, before coming back with a speculative discus clothesline - which connects! Murphy goes down and now the pendulum swings back towards Cutter.
The crowd cheer Jay Cutter on as he gets to his feet and looks all around him - Murphy gets back up and Cutter grabs him, hitting a bridging fisheran's suplex! One! Two! Thr- but Murphy kicks out!
Cutter is unperturbed, he goes back to the well and whips Murphy off the ropes - Murphy rebounds and Cutter leapfrogs. Murphy rebounds again and Cutter drops down - then Murphy slides out of the ring to regroup, drawing boos from the fans.
Mike Morales: Murphy's decided he needs a little breather now, but don't turn your back on Cutter or he'll make you-
Corndog Wallace: PAY!
Murphy turns back towards the ring and Jay Cutter hits him with a baseball slide underneath the bottom rope! Murphy goes flying back into the barricade and Cutter follows him to the outside, giving him a chop to the chest and then a DDT on the hard floor!
Corndog Wallace: Oh my god! That might have knocked Murphy out cold!
Luckily for Murphy however it didn't knock him out, though it did leave him groggy. Cutter pulls him up and throws him back underneath the ropes and into the ring before following him inside. He waits for Murphy to stand... and hits a Fireman's carry slam into a pin! One! Two! Kick out!
Mike Morales: I don't know how Murphy did that! I thought he was a goner for sure!
Cutter doesn't give Murphy time to breath as he is instantly back on him, another rear waistlock is slapped on but Murphy fires backwards with the point of his elbow and catches Cutter on the chin. Another elbow dislodges him and Cutter staggers, heads back towards Murphy, who turns and hits him with a swift straight punch to the side of the face from out of nowhere!
Mike Morales: Oh! What a blow! Cutter hit the mat like a sack of bricks, I think that just turned his lights out!
Murphy half covers and half just falls on top of Cutter... One! Two! Thr- but Cutter pops the crowd by kicking out!
Murphy slowly pushes himself up as Cutter rolls to the ropes. Murphy grabs a leg of Cutter and drags him back into the middle of the ring, jamming the knee into the canvas and then kicking the leg out from under Cutter when he tries to stand. A quick elbow drop follows and another attempt at a pin - just a one count this time.
The crowd start to clap and chant Cutter's name, and he tries to feed off of their energy as Murphy bears down on him once more. Murphy grabs a leg, and steps over it.
Mike Morales: Looks like he's going for a figure-four!
But Cutter pushes back and knocks Murphy off-balance!
Corndog Wallace: Not a wise move for a boxer to try a submission hold!
Cutter springs back up to his feet and as Murphy comes back at him he hits him with a big back body drop! Murphy sits up holding his back and reaching out for the ropes as Cutter helps him to his feet... Cutter pulls a cigarette out of his pocket and puts it in his mouth signalling his finishing move is coming! He grabs Murphy's head and turns him over and inside out with a big corkscrew neckbreaker!
Mike Morales: There it is! Up In Smoke! And Cutter makes the cover- One! Two! Three! It's over!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner... Smokin' Jay Cutter!
As the fans cheer for him Cutter celebrates by pulling out a lighter and firing up his cigarette, taking a long, satisfied drag as he rolls out of the ring and slaps hands with the fans.
Corndog Wallace: You know I'm sure you're not allowed to smoke in here...
Mike Morales: Are you gonna go and tell Cutter that?
Corndog Wallace: No but... well you know, after how the old VFW ended up and all...
Mike Morales: Great win for Jay Cutter tonight on his second debut with AWF! Mick Murphy put up one hell of a fight but in the end it was the heart and drive of Jay Cutter that saw him through! Welcome back!
Following the last match, the scene fades to the management office where Felix Ziko is doing work. That's when Rise Up General Manager Jeffrey Viper pops in.
Viper: Hey Cock-Zicker, you're missing a door here.
Felix: I know. Terry Bradshaw took the door down. You remember, Terry... right? He's the reason why you still have a job.
Viper: What? What the fuck?
Felix: Do you have any idea what you did? First off, we didn't agree as to who the Rise Up general manager would be. Next, YOU ABUSED YOUR POWER. Thirdl-
Viper: Look, you're boring. So hey, check out this idea for Rise Up. I'm thinking about Furanku and Nathan Thunder make a tag team together.
Felix: Uh... Why?
Viper: Shit, it'd be funny. Also, I was thinking about giving Austin Grant cancer again. That'd be a nice gimmick chan-
Felix: KAYFABE! Also, Austin Grant actually had cancer. We didn't give it to him.
Viper: Oh shit. That's good. How about Daddy Sokolov gives him the cancer? Then Austin Grant comes out with a win at the end by fucking Daddy Sokolov's wife and giving HER cancer. That'd be a good feud idea. Oh, and how about Cutter goes up against The Rock? Get it? Cutter, like scissors and The Rock? Like rock, paper, scissors? Who uses The Rock as a pic base?
Felix: OK. I've had enough of this. You're suspended. Get out and we'll have a chat on Prestige.
Viper: Suspended? FUCK YOU. I can't believe you'd suspend a person with a son to take care of. You'll regret this.
Viper huffs out of the room and the screen fades to the next match.
Cutter is the first man to gain an advantage as he locks up and transitions into a rear waist lock, but Murphy grabs his wrists and powers them apart. He uses the arm to lever Cutter up and over his shoulder and then begins to ground-and-pound him, only stopping when referee Nate Biggs is almost at the count of five. Cutter stands to recuperate, and Murphy backs up, hopping up and down on the spot as he waits for his next opportunity.
The two men engage in a back-and-forth of differing styles as Cutter breaks out the amateur wrestling moves, relying on his superior weight to throw Murphy around... but only when he can get hold of him. The wiry Indianapolis native ducks and weaves and uses his speed to his advantage, zipping round the back of Cutter and then hitting him with one-two punching combos as Cutter turns, unguarded.
Mike Morales: A very even contest thus far Corndog and I have to say I've been impressed by Murphy in these opening moments.
Corndog Wallace: Both guys have been on top of their game today, Cutter looks like he hasn't missed a day!
Cutter takes Murphy down with a standing dropkick and then heads up to the top rope. He leaps - but misses with the frog splash attempt! Murphy takes a chance by rolling him over for a cover- Two count!
Corndog Wallace: Close but no cigar by Murphy! He'll need to do more damage before he can get Jay Cutter to stay down!
The balance of power now starts to shift Murphy's way... the missed frog splash doing a number on Cutter and Murphy is quick to capitalise. He whips Cutter into the corner and unloads a flurry of body shots finished off by a big uppercut and Cutter staggers into the middle of the ring as Murphy goes to the apron.
Mike Morales: He'll be looking to hit his slingshot forearm that he calls "Murphy's Law!"
Corndog Wallace: Cutter's in trouble! Doubly so if he hits it!
Murphy slingshots - and Cutter dodges by dropping to the mat and rolling away! Murphy rolls through the landing and gets to his feet quickly. He rushes to Cutter who is just getting to his feet and grabs him round the waist, lifting him for a belly-to-back suplex!
Corndog Wallace: Mick Murphy busting out some real wrestling moves!
The suplex plants Cutter into the mat and Murphy mounts his back, raining blows into the back of his head. Cutter does his best to escape and manages to dislodge his assailant, before coming back with a speculative discus clothesline - which connects! Murphy goes down and now the pendulum swings back towards Cutter.
The crowd cheer Jay Cutter on as he gets to his feet and looks all around him - Murphy gets back up and Cutter grabs him, hitting a bridging fisheran's suplex! One! Two! Thr- but Murphy kicks out!
Cutter is unperturbed, he goes back to the well and whips Murphy off the ropes - Murphy rebounds and Cutter leapfrogs. Murphy rebounds again and Cutter drops down - then Murphy slides out of the ring to regroup, drawing boos from the fans.
Mike Morales: Murphy's decided he needs a little breather now, but don't turn your back on Cutter or he'll make you-
Corndog Wallace: PAY!
Murphy turns back towards the ring and Jay Cutter hits him with a baseball slide underneath the bottom rope! Murphy goes flying back into the barricade and Cutter follows him to the outside, giving him a chop to the chest and then a DDT on the hard floor!
Corndog Wallace: Oh my god! That might have knocked Murphy out cold!
Luckily for Murphy however it didn't knock him out, though it did leave him groggy. Cutter pulls him up and throws him back underneath the ropes and into the ring before following him inside. He waits for Murphy to stand... and hits a Fireman's carry slam into a pin! One! Two! Kick out!
Mike Morales: I don't know how Murphy did that! I thought he was a goner for sure!
Cutter doesn't give Murphy time to breath as he is instantly back on him, another rear waistlock is slapped on but Murphy fires backwards with the point of his elbow and catches Cutter on the chin. Another elbow dislodges him and Cutter staggers, heads back towards Murphy, who turns and hits him with a swift straight punch to the side of the face from out of nowhere!
Mike Morales: Oh! What a blow! Cutter hit the mat like a sack of bricks, I think that just turned his lights out!
Murphy half covers and half just falls on top of Cutter... One! Two! Thr- but Cutter pops the crowd by kicking out!
Murphy slowly pushes himself up as Cutter rolls to the ropes. Murphy grabs a leg of Cutter and drags him back into the middle of the ring, jamming the knee into the canvas and then kicking the leg out from under Cutter when he tries to stand. A quick elbow drop follows and another attempt at a pin - just a one count this time.
The crowd start to clap and chant Cutter's name, and he tries to feed off of their energy as Murphy bears down on him once more. Murphy grabs a leg, and steps over it.
Mike Morales: Looks like he's going for a figure-four!
But Cutter pushes back and knocks Murphy off-balance!
Corndog Wallace: Not a wise move for a boxer to try a submission hold!
Cutter springs back up to his feet and as Murphy comes back at him he hits him with a big back body drop! Murphy sits up holding his back and reaching out for the ropes as Cutter helps him to his feet... Cutter pulls a cigarette out of his pocket and puts it in his mouth signalling his finishing move is coming! He grabs Murphy's head and turns him over and inside out with a big corkscrew neckbreaker!
Mike Morales: There it is! Up In Smoke! And Cutter makes the cover- One! Two! Three! It's over!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner... Smokin' Jay Cutter!
As the fans cheer for him Cutter celebrates by pulling out a lighter and firing up his cigarette, taking a long, satisfied drag as he rolls out of the ring and slaps hands with the fans.
Corndog Wallace: You know I'm sure you're not allowed to smoke in here...
Mike Morales: Are you gonna go and tell Cutter that?
Corndog Wallace: No but... well you know, after how the old VFW ended up and all...
Mike Morales: Great win for Jay Cutter tonight on his second debut with AWF! Mick Murphy put up one hell of a fight but in the end it was the heart and drive of Jay Cutter that saw him through! Welcome back!
Following the last match, the scene fades to the management office where Felix Ziko is doing work. That's when Rise Up General Manager Jeffrey Viper pops in.
Viper: Hey Cock-Zicker, you're missing a door here.
Felix: I know. Terry Bradshaw took the door down. You remember, Terry... right? He's the reason why you still have a job.
Viper: What? What the fuck?
Felix: Do you have any idea what you did? First off, we didn't agree as to who the Rise Up general manager would be. Next, YOU ABUSED YOUR POWER. Thirdl-
Viper: Look, you're boring. So hey, check out this idea for Rise Up. I'm thinking about Furanku and Nathan Thunder make a tag team together.
Felix: Uh... Why?
Viper: Shit, it'd be funny. Also, I was thinking about giving Austin Grant cancer again. That'd be a nice gimmick chan-
Felix: KAYFABE! Also, Austin Grant actually had cancer. We didn't give it to him.
Viper: Oh shit. That's good. How about Daddy Sokolov gives him the cancer? Then Austin Grant comes out with a win at the end by fucking Daddy Sokolov's wife and giving HER cancer. That'd be a good feud idea. Oh, and how about Cutter goes up against The Rock? Get it? Cutter, like scissors and The Rock? Like rock, paper, scissors? Who uses The Rock as a pic base?
Felix: OK. I've had enough of this. You're suspended. Get out and we'll have a chat on Prestige.
Viper: Suspended? FUCK YOU. I can't believe you'd suspend a person with a son to take care of. You'll regret this.
Viper huffs out of the room and the screen fades to the next match.
"My Hero" by Foo Fighters begins to play, the drum intro signalling the arrival of everybody's "favorite" band of superheroes. Rent-A-Hero leads The Blue Beanie and Big Black Cat out through the curtain, pointing the way to the ring with his trusty wrench.
Jessie Love: The following contest is a six-person tag-team match and is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, at a total combined weight of 775 pounds... Rent-A-Hero, The Blue Beanie and the Big Black Cat - the Watchdogs!
Mike Morales: Rent-A-Hero started this group ostensibly to keep the streets of Bethesda clean but if I'm honest, he would have been better off going to the hardware store and buying himself a broom.
The two smaller guys head up the steps into the ring as the massive Beanie steps up to the apron and over the top rope.
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 aisle where Austin Grant is standing tall as he prepares to take his journey to the ring.
Jessie Love: Their opponents; at a combined weight of 567 pounds... introducing first from Denver, Colorado - "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, as the Watchdogs step to the outside. Austin steps up to the referee shakes his hand then heads to his corner.
Mike Morales: Austin Grant was incredibly unlucky last week to not score the victory in the triple threat match with Daddy Sokolov and Seth Dillinger.
Corndog Wallace: If he had, he'd be wrestling Nathan Thunder tonight... Thunder would break him in half!
Mike Morales: You could say smart money would be on Thunder, yes, but don't underestimate the heart of this kid. He's won some pretty big battles in his life.
"Aw, fuck your headphones!"
"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: His partner from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- Seth Dillinger!
Dillinger slides under the bottom rope, briefly slaps hands with Austin Grant, then heads across to the team corner.
Mike Morales: Seth Dillinger was the third man in the triple-threat match last week, he suffered an unfortunate start to his AWF career and he's hoping to pick up his first victory tonight, and hopefully put himself on the right track to mount a challenge for the Phoenix Championship, currently held by Dillinger's friend Damien Young.
We see a women pressing buttons and flipping switches on the screen before we hear the count down. As the countdown commences lights begin to flash in hues of purples and blues.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
We now see a rocket in the screen blasting off. The beat kicks up for a little bit before we hear the voices again. Yuki comes out now. She looks at the fans and gives a smile and salute before walking down the arena.
Jessie Love: And their partner... from Aomori Prefecture, Japan- Yuki Sakaraba!
炎の雨も どこか安らぐ
暖かさだけを 求めて
She walks around the ring to shake hands with all of the fans before she runs up the steps and flips around onto the top of the ropes. She makes a spy glass like motion, she points to the crowd again to some big pops. She does this on all 4 corners before she gets into the middle of the ring where she gives a tilt of the head added on with a nice wink and smile, finished off with a salute to the crowd before shaking hands with her team mates.
Mike Morales: It's been a while since we last saw Yuki Sakaraba in AWF, and she still possesses the briefcase that entitles her to an AWF Championship match at any time or place!
Corndog Wallace: Is this chick some kind of space pirate? IS that her gimmick?
Mike Morales: Uh... something like that, I think.
Corndog Wallace: Huh. It's like being in TGK all over again. Only there's no piss-fetish freaks driving mopeds through the roof.
Jessie Love: The following contest is a six-person tag-team match and is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, at a total combined weight of 775 pounds... Rent-A-Hero, The Blue Beanie and the Big Black Cat - the Watchdogs!
Mike Morales: Rent-A-Hero started this group ostensibly to keep the streets of Bethesda clean but if I'm honest, he would have been better off going to the hardware store and buying himself a broom.
The two smaller guys head up the steps into the ring as the massive Beanie steps up to the apron and over the top rope.
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 aisle where Austin Grant is standing tall as he prepares to take his journey to the ring.
Jessie Love: Their opponents; at a combined weight of 567 pounds... introducing first from Denver, Colorado - "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, as the Watchdogs step to the outside. Austin steps up to the referee shakes his hand then heads to his corner.
Mike Morales: Austin Grant was incredibly unlucky last week to not score the victory in the triple threat match with Daddy Sokolov and Seth Dillinger.
Corndog Wallace: If he had, he'd be wrestling Nathan Thunder tonight... Thunder would break him in half!
Mike Morales: You could say smart money would be on Thunder, yes, but don't underestimate the heart of this kid. He's won some pretty big battles in his life.
"Aw, fuck your headphones!"
"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: His partner from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- Seth Dillinger!
Dillinger slides under the bottom rope, briefly slaps hands with Austin Grant, then heads across to the team corner.
Mike Morales: Seth Dillinger was the third man in the triple-threat match last week, he suffered an unfortunate start to his AWF career and he's hoping to pick up his first victory tonight, and hopefully put himself on the right track to mount a challenge for the Phoenix Championship, currently held by Dillinger's friend Damien Young.
We see a women pressing buttons and flipping switches on the screen before we hear the count down. As the countdown commences lights begin to flash in hues of purples and blues.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
We now see a rocket in the screen blasting off. The beat kicks up for a little bit before we hear the voices again. Yuki comes out now. She looks at the fans and gives a smile and salute before walking down the arena.
Jessie Love: And their partner... from Aomori Prefecture, Japan- Yuki Sakaraba!
炎の雨も どこか安らぐ
暖かさだけを 求めて
She walks around the ring to shake hands with all of the fans before she runs up the steps and flips around onto the top of the ropes. She makes a spy glass like motion, she points to the crowd again to some big pops. She does this on all 4 corners before she gets into the middle of the ring where she gives a tilt of the head added on with a nice wink and smile, finished off with a salute to the crowd before shaking hands with her team mates.
Mike Morales: It's been a while since we last saw Yuki Sakaraba in AWF, and she still possesses the briefcase that entitles her to an AWF Championship match at any time or place!
Corndog Wallace: Is this chick some kind of space pirate? IS that her gimmick?
Mike Morales: Uh... something like that, I think.
Corndog Wallace: Huh. It's like being in TGK all over again. Only there's no piss-fetish freaks driving mopeds through the roof.
The match begins with Rent-A-Hero starting out for the Watchdogs, Seth Dillinger beginning for the opposition team. They lock up and immediately Hero's lack of real wrestling ability is apparent as Dillinger easily gets the better of him, taking him down to the mat and pulling off some control moves to really just humiliate him more than hurt him.
Hero looks pissed as he gets up and dusts himself off and he offers to lock up with Dillinger. Dillinger accepts, and immediately goes into a standing side headlock and then a headlock takedown, letting Hero out - and he loudly protests that Dillinger isn't giving him a fair chance.
Corndog Wallace: Come on! This is professional wrestling! He's not gonna just let you do moves on him!
Dillinger shakes his head and shrugs, and turns his back on Hero.
Corndog Wallace: Alright, maybe he is!
Hero gets up and looks at Dillinger. He doesn't seem to know whether to take the shot or not. Is it a trap? Only one way to find out. He goes for a sleeper hold - IT'S A TRAP! Dillinger throws him over his shoulder and Hero jumps up, steaming at the double-cross as Dillinger laughs at him. He walks up to Seth Dillinger... and slaps him across the face! The crowd gasp! And Hero carries on! Slapping and slapping and slapping, flimsy overhand slaps pelt Seth Dillinger and though they aren't very forceful he manages to push him back towards the corner. He puffs and pants as he lifts Dillinger up to the top turnbuckle and goes to climb up after him - Seth puts a boot into him though and knocks him off, before coming down after him with a double ax handle smash!
Dillinger poses for the fans who cheer for him, turning his back on Hero- who gets back up and tries to sneak up from behind, but Dillinger is well aware of this and takes him over with another judo-style throw, before locking in an armbar.
Mike Morales: Dillinger going for the submission early on! And Hero might be done for already!
Hero is saved though by Beanie, who comes into the ring and punts Dillinger to break the hold. Dillinger holds his back as he gets up and Beanie makes an attempt to grab him - but Dillinger fights back, pushing the big man back across the ring and then taking a big run-up to hit a single leg-dropkick and knocks the Beanie over the top!
With Dillinger distracted, Hero crawls across the ring and makes the tag to Big Black Cat! Cat hops through the ropes, and referee Steve Tyrell rushes over to him, putting himself in between Cat and Dillinger.
Corndog Wallace: What's up with that?
Cat looks puzzled and is telling Tyrell that there was a clear and obvious tag! Tyrell agrees! But he turns to Dillinger, stopping him from getting closer to Cat and then points to the good guys' corner.
Mike Morales: Hang on a sec, does he...
Tyrell points at Yuki, telling her she has to tag in.
Corndog Wallace: Ha! Looks like the Big Black Cat drew the short straw! He's the designated woman for the Watchdogs' team!
Mike Morales: What I don't get about this is that the Watchdogs actually have a woman among their ranks, Supernova. If the rules are gonna be adhered to rigidly then why didn't they book her in this match instead?
Dillinger tags out to Yuki, and she steps into the ring to face the Big Black Cat. Cat puffs his chest, confident that he can take on a mere woman... but he can't! He runs at her, she hits him with an arm drag! He runs at her again, she gets him with a drop toe hold! BBC pushes himself up and Yuki rebounds off the ropes... high-impact shining wizard to the side of the head!
BBC flops down on the mat and Yuki covers; One! Two! Thr- Blue Beanie comes to the rescue at the last second!
Big Black Cat rolls up to his feet and scrambles across the ring, making the tag to Rent-A-Hero whose eyes widen as Yuki beckons him in. The referee reminds Yuki that she has to tag out and tries to push her back. She pushes him aside and goes over to the ropes, grabs Hero and pulls him over the top and into the ring! She straddles his chest and starts giving him mounted punches!
Mike Morales: Referee Steve Tyrell is trying to get Yuki off of Hero...
Corndog Wallace: What's the point? She wrestles men anyway, she's got an AWF Title shot in the bank- I say let her go! It's 2018!
Mike Morales: Well it looks like- yes, I think Tyrell's given up! He's letting Yuki stay in there!
Corndog Wallace: I say good! It's a stupid rule anyway!
Yuki fires punch after punch at Hero until Beanie picks her up under the arms and lifts her up so she's face-to-face with him. She yells something at him in Japanese and then goes for his woolly mask!
Mike Morales: Hold on! We might finally get to see who's under the mask!
Corndog Wallace: It's Beanz, come on! We know this!
Beanie drops Yuki and is blinded by his dislodged mask, so he doesn't see her rush to the ropes, she rebounds- and gets taken down by a big clothesline by Rent-A-Hero who celebrates like he just won the match. Beanie goes back out through the ropes to adjust his mask and Hero makes the cover - almost a two-count.
Mike Morales: Well Rent-A-Hero thought he was gonna steal this match but Yuki Sakaraba is tougher than that!
Hero takes Yuki back up to her feet and slowly starts to fight her. He grabs her wrist and clumsily applies a wrist lock and an arm wringer, then spins her round into an Irish whip. As she comes back he lashes out with a chop and knocks her down. Another cover - another near-two-count.
Mike Morales: He's not gonna get very far in this match if that's gonna be enough to keep her down!
Hero signals to the crowd that something BIG is coming, before picking Yuki up and getting her into a front face lock.
Corndog Wallace: Well he's gonna get his chance to do some more damage, he's setting up for the Super-Duper-Plex!
Hero goes to lift Yuki but she blocks it, then rolls him up! One! Two! Big Black Cat comes in to make the save! Hero skitters once more to the ropes and he tags Beanie in, who steps over the top rope staring daggers at Yuki. Hero rolls onto the apron under the bottom rope and looks to be absolutely shattered.
Mike Morales: Oh boy, business just picked up!
Yuki steps backwards and tags in Austin Grant.
Mike Morales: Well I guess at 6' 7" he's the "big guy" of the team! He gives up a lot of weight to the Blue Beanie but he's not showing any fear as he steps right up to him!
Corndog Wallace: What do you expect? He's faced much bigger problems than a Blue Beanie in his life!
Grant goes nose-to-nose with Beanie. Only four inches separates the two men in height but Beanie outweighs him by almost 170 pounds. This disparity is immediately evident as Beanie scoops him up and goes for a slam- but Grant drops down behind him, runs off the ropes, ducks a big boot attempt and rebounds, then hits the big man with a flying forearm! Beanie staggers but doesn't go down and Grant goes back to the well with another rebound off the ropes - but it backfires as Beanie lifts him up and gets him with a gorilla press slam!
Beanie grabs Grant and picks him up before running him to the ropes and throwing him over! He turns to Dillinger and grabs him, dragging him into the ring and throwing him into the corner where he rushes in with a corner clothesline followed up by a snake eyes. He retreats to the middle of the ring as he prepares to deliver a running big boot but Yuki mounts the top turnbuckle and then flies!
Mike Morales: Yuki interrupts the Three Bean Salad!
Corndog Wallace: But he caught her! What did she expect? She's like 120 pounds!
Mike Morales: Oh my god don't do this! He's got her up for a fall-away slam!
Corndog Wallace: I can't look! Wait!
Mike Morales: It's Austin Grant! And he hits a big-time spear!
Grant's crunching spear manages to knock Beanie down but he doesn't stay down for long... Grant waits until Beanie is up on one knee and then rushes in with a big shining wizard! Beanie goes back down and Grant makes the cover!
One! BBC runs in! Two! BBC gets flattened by Yuki! Thr- Beanie kicks out!
Mike Morales: Yuki Sakaraba had Big Black Cat scouted but can you believe this- Beanie just got his head almost taken off with that kick but he still managed to kick out!
Yuki tangles with Big Black Cat and they both tumble over the top rope! Grant backs off of Beanie again as he waits for him to get back up and looks to be psyching himself up.
Corndog Wallace: Don't tell me he's gonna...
Grant grabs Beanie and sets him up for the Cancer Killer!
Mike Morales: Is he mad? He'll never lift him!
Austin Grant pulls and manages to get Beanie to shift a few inches as he looks for his brainbuster, but Beanie proves too heavy for him. He heaves and his face turns purple but Beanie has no intention of budging.
Mike Morales: Grant's trying for all he's worth! He wants to hit his brainbuster and win this match!
The crowd will Austin Grant on and he manages to get Beanie up a bit further!
Corndog Wallace: He's not gonna make it!
Mike Morales: Not like that but- turns it into an implant DDT!
Corndog Wallace: That's better than nothing!
Beanie goes head-first into the mat but to Austin's surprise he starts to get up almost immediately. Austin gives a nod to Seth Dillinger- then hits another big shining wizard! Beanie is flung backwards and he backs into the ropes next to Dillinger, who hits him with a Dragon Kid Stunner!
Mike Morales: South! Philly! Stunner! Great teamwork!
Beanie hits the mat and Grant makes the cover! One! Two! Rent-A-Hero makes the... oh wait, he's still blown up on the apron! Three!
Jessie Love: Here are your winners - Austin Grant, Seth Dillinger and Yuki Sakaraba!
Mike Morales: What a comprehensive win for these three! Outweighed by a country mile-
Corndog Wallace: But most of that was The Blue Beanie and how in the hell do you get outweighed by a mile, Mike?
Mike Morales: It doesn't matter because these guys overcame it! A first win for Austin Grant and Seth Dillinger in AWF, and Yuki Sakaraba marks her return the right way and that will surely boost her confidence as she weighs up when to cash-in that briefcase!
Hero looks pissed as he gets up and dusts himself off and he offers to lock up with Dillinger. Dillinger accepts, and immediately goes into a standing side headlock and then a headlock takedown, letting Hero out - and he loudly protests that Dillinger isn't giving him a fair chance.
Corndog Wallace: Come on! This is professional wrestling! He's not gonna just let you do moves on him!
Dillinger shakes his head and shrugs, and turns his back on Hero.
Corndog Wallace: Alright, maybe he is!
Hero gets up and looks at Dillinger. He doesn't seem to know whether to take the shot or not. Is it a trap? Only one way to find out. He goes for a sleeper hold - IT'S A TRAP! Dillinger throws him over his shoulder and Hero jumps up, steaming at the double-cross as Dillinger laughs at him. He walks up to Seth Dillinger... and slaps him across the face! The crowd gasp! And Hero carries on! Slapping and slapping and slapping, flimsy overhand slaps pelt Seth Dillinger and though they aren't very forceful he manages to push him back towards the corner. He puffs and pants as he lifts Dillinger up to the top turnbuckle and goes to climb up after him - Seth puts a boot into him though and knocks him off, before coming down after him with a double ax handle smash!
Dillinger poses for the fans who cheer for him, turning his back on Hero- who gets back up and tries to sneak up from behind, but Dillinger is well aware of this and takes him over with another judo-style throw, before locking in an armbar.
Mike Morales: Dillinger going for the submission early on! And Hero might be done for already!
Hero is saved though by Beanie, who comes into the ring and punts Dillinger to break the hold. Dillinger holds his back as he gets up and Beanie makes an attempt to grab him - but Dillinger fights back, pushing the big man back across the ring and then taking a big run-up to hit a single leg-dropkick and knocks the Beanie over the top!
With Dillinger distracted, Hero crawls across the ring and makes the tag to Big Black Cat! Cat hops through the ropes, and referee Steve Tyrell rushes over to him, putting himself in between Cat and Dillinger.
Corndog Wallace: What's up with that?
Cat looks puzzled and is telling Tyrell that there was a clear and obvious tag! Tyrell agrees! But he turns to Dillinger, stopping him from getting closer to Cat and then points to the good guys' corner.
Mike Morales: Hang on a sec, does he...
Tyrell points at Yuki, telling her she has to tag in.
Corndog Wallace: Ha! Looks like the Big Black Cat drew the short straw! He's the designated woman for the Watchdogs' team!
Mike Morales: What I don't get about this is that the Watchdogs actually have a woman among their ranks, Supernova. If the rules are gonna be adhered to rigidly then why didn't they book her in this match instead?
Dillinger tags out to Yuki, and she steps into the ring to face the Big Black Cat. Cat puffs his chest, confident that he can take on a mere woman... but he can't! He runs at her, she hits him with an arm drag! He runs at her again, she gets him with a drop toe hold! BBC pushes himself up and Yuki rebounds off the ropes... high-impact shining wizard to the side of the head!
BBC flops down on the mat and Yuki covers; One! Two! Thr- Blue Beanie comes to the rescue at the last second!
Big Black Cat rolls up to his feet and scrambles across the ring, making the tag to Rent-A-Hero whose eyes widen as Yuki beckons him in. The referee reminds Yuki that she has to tag out and tries to push her back. She pushes him aside and goes over to the ropes, grabs Hero and pulls him over the top and into the ring! She straddles his chest and starts giving him mounted punches!
Mike Morales: Referee Steve Tyrell is trying to get Yuki off of Hero...
Corndog Wallace: What's the point? She wrestles men anyway, she's got an AWF Title shot in the bank- I say let her go! It's 2018!
Mike Morales: Well it looks like- yes, I think Tyrell's given up! He's letting Yuki stay in there!
Corndog Wallace: I say good! It's a stupid rule anyway!
Yuki fires punch after punch at Hero until Beanie picks her up under the arms and lifts her up so she's face-to-face with him. She yells something at him in Japanese and then goes for his woolly mask!
Mike Morales: Hold on! We might finally get to see who's under the mask!
Corndog Wallace: It's Beanz, come on! We know this!
Beanie drops Yuki and is blinded by his dislodged mask, so he doesn't see her rush to the ropes, she rebounds- and gets taken down by a big clothesline by Rent-A-Hero who celebrates like he just won the match. Beanie goes back out through the ropes to adjust his mask and Hero makes the cover - almost a two-count.
Mike Morales: Well Rent-A-Hero thought he was gonna steal this match but Yuki Sakaraba is tougher than that!
Hero takes Yuki back up to her feet and slowly starts to fight her. He grabs her wrist and clumsily applies a wrist lock and an arm wringer, then spins her round into an Irish whip. As she comes back he lashes out with a chop and knocks her down. Another cover - another near-two-count.
Mike Morales: He's not gonna get very far in this match if that's gonna be enough to keep her down!
Hero signals to the crowd that something BIG is coming, before picking Yuki up and getting her into a front face lock.
Corndog Wallace: Well he's gonna get his chance to do some more damage, he's setting up for the Super-Duper-Plex!
Hero goes to lift Yuki but she blocks it, then rolls him up! One! Two! Big Black Cat comes in to make the save! Hero skitters once more to the ropes and he tags Beanie in, who steps over the top rope staring daggers at Yuki. Hero rolls onto the apron under the bottom rope and looks to be absolutely shattered.
Mike Morales: Oh boy, business just picked up!
Yuki steps backwards and tags in Austin Grant.
Mike Morales: Well I guess at 6' 7" he's the "big guy" of the team! He gives up a lot of weight to the Blue Beanie but he's not showing any fear as he steps right up to him!
Corndog Wallace: What do you expect? He's faced much bigger problems than a Blue Beanie in his life!
Grant goes nose-to-nose with Beanie. Only four inches separates the two men in height but Beanie outweighs him by almost 170 pounds. This disparity is immediately evident as Beanie scoops him up and goes for a slam- but Grant drops down behind him, runs off the ropes, ducks a big boot attempt and rebounds, then hits the big man with a flying forearm! Beanie staggers but doesn't go down and Grant goes back to the well with another rebound off the ropes - but it backfires as Beanie lifts him up and gets him with a gorilla press slam!
Beanie grabs Grant and picks him up before running him to the ropes and throwing him over! He turns to Dillinger and grabs him, dragging him into the ring and throwing him into the corner where he rushes in with a corner clothesline followed up by a snake eyes. He retreats to the middle of the ring as he prepares to deliver a running big boot but Yuki mounts the top turnbuckle and then flies!
Mike Morales: Yuki interrupts the Three Bean Salad!
Corndog Wallace: But he caught her! What did she expect? She's like 120 pounds!
Mike Morales: Oh my god don't do this! He's got her up for a fall-away slam!
Corndog Wallace: I can't look! Wait!
Mike Morales: It's Austin Grant! And he hits a big-time spear!
Grant's crunching spear manages to knock Beanie down but he doesn't stay down for long... Grant waits until Beanie is up on one knee and then rushes in with a big shining wizard! Beanie goes back down and Grant makes the cover!
One! BBC runs in! Two! BBC gets flattened by Yuki! Thr- Beanie kicks out!
Mike Morales: Yuki Sakaraba had Big Black Cat scouted but can you believe this- Beanie just got his head almost taken off with that kick but he still managed to kick out!
Yuki tangles with Big Black Cat and they both tumble over the top rope! Grant backs off of Beanie again as he waits for him to get back up and looks to be psyching himself up.
Corndog Wallace: Don't tell me he's gonna...
Grant grabs Beanie and sets him up for the Cancer Killer!
Mike Morales: Is he mad? He'll never lift him!
Austin Grant pulls and manages to get Beanie to shift a few inches as he looks for his brainbuster, but Beanie proves too heavy for him. He heaves and his face turns purple but Beanie has no intention of budging.
Mike Morales: Grant's trying for all he's worth! He wants to hit his brainbuster and win this match!
The crowd will Austin Grant on and he manages to get Beanie up a bit further!
Corndog Wallace: He's not gonna make it!
Mike Morales: Not like that but- turns it into an implant DDT!
Corndog Wallace: That's better than nothing!
Beanie goes head-first into the mat but to Austin's surprise he starts to get up almost immediately. Austin gives a nod to Seth Dillinger- then hits another big shining wizard! Beanie is flung backwards and he backs into the ropes next to Dillinger, who hits him with a Dragon Kid Stunner!
Mike Morales: South! Philly! Stunner! Great teamwork!
Beanie hits the mat and Grant makes the cover! One! Two! Rent-A-Hero makes the... oh wait, he's still blown up on the apron! Three!
Jessie Love: Here are your winners - Austin Grant, Seth Dillinger and Yuki Sakaraba!
Mike Morales: What a comprehensive win for these three! Outweighed by a country mile-
Corndog Wallace: But most of that was The Blue Beanie and how in the hell do you get outweighed by a mile, Mike?
Mike Morales: It doesn't matter because these guys overcame it! A first win for Austin Grant and Seth Dillinger in AWF, and Yuki Sakaraba marks her return the right way and that will surely boost her confidence as she weighs up when to cash-in that briefcase!
Derringer's "Real American" rocks the speakers and the fans give a mixed reaction as Furanku Furetcha steps through the curtain; he is wearing a Stetson hat and Letterman Jacket emblazoned with "FF". He proudly holds the American flag aloft and he waves it above his head as he walks the aisle.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and weighing 202 pounds - Frank Fletcher!
Upon reaching the ring, he stands on the apron still waving his flag before stepping through the ropes and handing the flag to the referee, instructing him to take very good care of Old Glory. Removing his hat and jacket, he heads to his corner to start the match.
Mike Morales: Frank Fletcher has gotten on the wrong side of Damien Young in recent weeks, seemingly targeting him in his bid to have Kira Izumi team up with him!
Corndog Wallace: He says he wants to help Kira win the Phoenix Championship but it's very convenient for Frank that he's managed to get this match with the champ... if he beats him then he'll have a claim to a title shot himself!
"The Phoenix Reigns" by Unveil Raze hits and Damien Young comes through the curtain to a huge ovation. The Phoenix Title is round his waist and he takes it off, holding it in the air for all to see.
Jessie Love: And his opponent... he is the XHF Phoenix Champion- Damien Young!
Young bolts to the ring and slides under the bottom rope as Furanku clears out of the ring. Running up a turnbuckle Young poses for the fans and holds his title up once again.
Mike Morales: Damien Young has certainly found his feet here in AWF, winning the Phoenix Championship in his second night! Now he's got a target on his back- either Nathan Thunder or Daddy Sokolov will be coming for that title in two weeks' time!
Corndog Wallace: And that's not to mention Frank Fletcher... or Kira Izumi too, if Frank is to be believed...
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and weighing 202 pounds - Frank Fletcher!
Upon reaching the ring, he stands on the apron still waving his flag before stepping through the ropes and handing the flag to the referee, instructing him to take very good care of Old Glory. Removing his hat and jacket, he heads to his corner to start the match.
Mike Morales: Frank Fletcher has gotten on the wrong side of Damien Young in recent weeks, seemingly targeting him in his bid to have Kira Izumi team up with him!
Corndog Wallace: He says he wants to help Kira win the Phoenix Championship but it's very convenient for Frank that he's managed to get this match with the champ... if he beats him then he'll have a claim to a title shot himself!
"The Phoenix Reigns" by Unveil Raze hits and Damien Young comes through the curtain to a huge ovation. The Phoenix Title is round his waist and he takes it off, holding it in the air for all to see.
Jessie Love: And his opponent... he is the XHF Phoenix Champion- Damien Young!
Young bolts to the ring and slides under the bottom rope as Furanku clears out of the ring. Running up a turnbuckle Young poses for the fans and holds his title up once again.
Mike Morales: Damien Young has certainly found his feet here in AWF, winning the Phoenix Championship in his second night! Now he's got a target on his back- either Nathan Thunder or Daddy Sokolov will be coming for that title in two weeks' time!
Corndog Wallace: And that's not to mention Frank Fletcher... or Kira Izumi too, if Frank is to be believed...
The bell rings and the crowd cheer as the two TGK alumni circle each other in the ring. Furanku fought Damien in DY's first match, the "True American Man" coming out on top that time - Young looks to ensure a different outcome tonight as he locks up with Furanku and immediately goes into a standing side headlock. Furanku wrestles out and applies an arm wringer but Young flips over to counter it - her turns it into an arm-wringer of his own and then performs an arm drag to take Furanku down. Furanku rolls through and back up to his feet and he intercepts Young as he runs at him - looking for a tilt-a-whirl slam but DY turns it into a headscissors takedown!
Mike Morales: Tremendous start to the match for Young!
The crowd applaud and both men are up, locking up again and they struggle for supremacy. Furanku goes behind Young and the Phoenix champion tries to battle out with a hard back elbow but Furanku weathers the storm. He hits a big bridging German suplex and tries for the first fall of the match - only getting a one-count. They're up and at each other again - this time Young gets the better of the exchange as he ducks a clothesline and rebounds off the rope for a shoulder tackle. When Furanku pops back up Young gives him a spinning heel kick and tries for a cover of his own - just another one-count.
Corndog Wallace: Tremendous back-and-forth action here!
Furanku looks for a running forearm smash but Young gets him with a drop toe hold and hangs him across the middle rope - he takes a run-up and then baseball slides out of the ring, stopping in front of Furanku to give him a throat jab! Furanku flails back into the ring, Young hops up to the apron, and then hits a phenomenal forearm to take him down!
Mike Morales: Big strike by Young! And he might have him- One! Two! But Fletcher kicks out!
Furanku massages his sore throat and gets to his feet. Young comes back at him but he gets stopped in his tracks by an inverted atomic drop and then taken down with a powerful lariat! Furanku backs into the ropes... Big Reg Drop! No! Young has the presence of mind to roll out of the way of Furanku's finisher! They're both up - Young swings at Furanku, Furanku catches his arm and goes behind looking for an unprettier... Young twists out of it... bridging northern lights suplex! One! Two! Thr- kick out!
Mike Morales: Several near falls so far and I think we could see a victory for either of these men just come out of nowhere!
Furanku gets up, or at least up to his knees and Young sizes him up for a big kick - Furanku catches the boot and stands up, leaving Young hopping on the spot! Young goes for an enzuigiri... but Furanku dodges and now he has him in an ankle lock! He twists at the ankle and Young cries out in pain!
Corndog Wallace: Frank's got him right where he wants him! Middle of the ring!
Mike Morales: And right now, it's gotta feel like those ropes are miles away for Damien Young!
Young reaches out but he can't make it to the ropes. Furanku cranks up the pressure on the ankle and Young cries out again, burying his head in his hands as he tries to fight through the pain. He tries crawling, but Furanku is too strong, and keeps pulling him back.
Mike Morales: This is do-or-die right here for Damien Young! He's got nowhere to go, and he needs to think fast before he's forced to tap out- or worse!
The crowd will Damien Young to hang on and he does, for an indeterminately agonizing amount of time that feels like forever... until finally he feels Furanku's grip weaken slightly, and he manages to twist himself round and get his free foot into Furanku's gut and push him away!
Corndog Wallace: He's out of it! But he's hurt!
Young buys himself some time, but it's not enough as he crawls towards the ropes with his hurt leg dragging behind him. He starts to stand but Furanku is on top of him immediately, pushing him into the ropes and then Irish whipping Young- whose ankle gives way and he sprawls across the match.
Corndog Wallace: I think Young's ankle may have been broken! He can barely stand, let alone wrestle!
Furanku grabs Young off the floor by the waist and gives him a deadlift German suplex, keeping hold of his opponent and then chaining it into a second one, and then a third which he bridges... One! Two! Thr- no! Young somehow kicks out!
Mike Morales: He kicked out! I don't know how he did it!
Corndog Wallace: I don't know why he did it! He needs medical attention!
Young looks beat up as he climbs defiantly to his feet again, and Furanku pulls down the straps of his singlet.
Mike Morales: Here it comes- the freedom arrow!
Furanku grabs Young, gets him vertical... Young battles out of it though and drops down behind Furanku, his ankle searing with pain as he lands but he grits his teeth- Furanku turns round, and Young hits him with a stunner!
Corndog Wallace: Stunner by Young! Both men are down!
Mike Morales: But crucially, Young's bought himself some time!
Young drags himself up in the corner again and Furanku counts his teeth with his tongue as he gets up in the opposite corner. Both men stare at each other from across the ring...
Then Furanku takes off! He rushes across the ring and Young moves, limping somewhat as he steps out of the way of his charge! Furanku slams into the corner and Young hits a slingblade on him as he staggers out, then comes off the ropes to deliver a falling fist. Furanku comes back up checking his nose for signs of bleeding and Young hits a back suplex, following up with a vertical suplex and then finally a big DDT that has Furanku down on his back! He makes a cover- One! Two! Thr- kick out!
Mike Morales: Young can feel the winds of change blowing now! He came agonizingly close to victory there!
Young goes into the corner and taunts Furanku to get up. He does so, slowly... Young hits a fame-asser! But-
Mike Morales: Hold on!
Corndog Wallace: That's Kira Izumi's music!
Young turns towards the entranceway and the lights in the VFW flash red and blue for Kira's entrance.
But Kira doesn't show. Young paces by the ropes as he trash-talks Kira and then...
Mike Morales: Wait a minute! Frank Fletcher with a roll-up!
Corndog Wallace: He's got his feet on the ropes!
Mike Morales: Ref! His feet are on the ropes!
One! Two! Three!
The crowd boo as Furanku rolls out of the ring and staggers halfway up the aisle. Young gets up and can only stand with his hands on his hips, absolutely dumbfounded by what just happened.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner; Frank Fletcher!
Mike Morales: Well Frank Fletcher just snatched victory from the jaws of defeat right there, but give the assist to Kira Izumi!
Corndog Wallace: Now hold on, Kira never came out here!
Mike Morales: But that was his theme music that played!
Corndog Wallace: Yeah but he doesn't control the music! For all we know, Fletcher could have paid the sound guy off to hit that button if it looked like he might be about to lose!
Mike Morales: Well whatever just happened, Damien Young just suffered his first defeat here in AWF, and this whole affair between Fletcher and Kira just took yet another twist...
Furanku raises his hands in the air, cheering and celebrating and that's when suddenly all the lights off in the VFW shut off.
Mike Morales: Please hold on, folks. There appears to be some technical difficulties.
Voice: There are most definitely difficulties, but I don't think it'd be appropriate to call them technical wouldn't be so right.
The people turn their heads and there appears to be someone at the front, where the only light is shining. It's Jeffrey Viper holding a laptop.
Viper: If you want to blame someone, blame Felix. He told me I'm suspended and guess what - with no GM, there is no show.
Felix Ziko walks out with a microphone. Obviously the microphone systems still work.
Felix: Viper, put the power back on.
Viper: No, Felix. I now have a part time job at the electric company and when you decided to make me look like a fool, I become forced to shine the light and show you who a REAL fool looks like.
Felix: Viper, if you turn the lights back on, I promise we can have an adult conversation and we can discuss your employment with the AWF.
Viper: You forget, Felix. Whoever controls the power controls the show. The time of Felix is over. The time of Viper is now, and no one can stop me! Not anyone in the Rise Up locker room. Not anyone in the Prestige locker room! Not Bradshaw, not your butch wife and certainly not you! NO ONE IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING TODAY CAN STAND TO ME, JEFFREY VIP-
Thud. Jeffrey Viper falls to the ground. Behind him stands AXW's very own Dylan Black holding a barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat. He looks down to the fallen man before him and sharpens his eyes.
Black: Listen here, Dad, you can walk around like you own the place, but the truth is, you don't. In fact, none of the AWF bosses do. Not you, not Felix Ziko or Alex Horton, fuck you Horton, or even Terry Bradshaw. AXW owns this shit! Consider this an act of war against AWF, because Dylan Black is firing shots off and ALL those motherfuckers in the back are gonna get some!
Dylan Black leans down next to the dropped laptop and presses a button. The lights go back on. Black takes a moment to look at his handiwork before walking out of the building. The people stare in shock.
Corndog Wallace: ...Well hot damn!
Mike Morales: Tremendous start to the match for Young!
The crowd applaud and both men are up, locking up again and they struggle for supremacy. Furanku goes behind Young and the Phoenix champion tries to battle out with a hard back elbow but Furanku weathers the storm. He hits a big bridging German suplex and tries for the first fall of the match - only getting a one-count. They're up and at each other again - this time Young gets the better of the exchange as he ducks a clothesline and rebounds off the rope for a shoulder tackle. When Furanku pops back up Young gives him a spinning heel kick and tries for a cover of his own - just another one-count.
Corndog Wallace: Tremendous back-and-forth action here!
Furanku looks for a running forearm smash but Young gets him with a drop toe hold and hangs him across the middle rope - he takes a run-up and then baseball slides out of the ring, stopping in front of Furanku to give him a throat jab! Furanku flails back into the ring, Young hops up to the apron, and then hits a phenomenal forearm to take him down!
Mike Morales: Big strike by Young! And he might have him- One! Two! But Fletcher kicks out!
Furanku massages his sore throat and gets to his feet. Young comes back at him but he gets stopped in his tracks by an inverted atomic drop and then taken down with a powerful lariat! Furanku backs into the ropes... Big Reg Drop! No! Young has the presence of mind to roll out of the way of Furanku's finisher! They're both up - Young swings at Furanku, Furanku catches his arm and goes behind looking for an unprettier... Young twists out of it... bridging northern lights suplex! One! Two! Thr- kick out!
Mike Morales: Several near falls so far and I think we could see a victory for either of these men just come out of nowhere!
Furanku gets up, or at least up to his knees and Young sizes him up for a big kick - Furanku catches the boot and stands up, leaving Young hopping on the spot! Young goes for an enzuigiri... but Furanku dodges and now he has him in an ankle lock! He twists at the ankle and Young cries out in pain!
Corndog Wallace: Frank's got him right where he wants him! Middle of the ring!
Mike Morales: And right now, it's gotta feel like those ropes are miles away for Damien Young!
Young reaches out but he can't make it to the ropes. Furanku cranks up the pressure on the ankle and Young cries out again, burying his head in his hands as he tries to fight through the pain. He tries crawling, but Furanku is too strong, and keeps pulling him back.
Mike Morales: This is do-or-die right here for Damien Young! He's got nowhere to go, and he needs to think fast before he's forced to tap out- or worse!
The crowd will Damien Young to hang on and he does, for an indeterminately agonizing amount of time that feels like forever... until finally he feels Furanku's grip weaken slightly, and he manages to twist himself round and get his free foot into Furanku's gut and push him away!
Corndog Wallace: He's out of it! But he's hurt!
Young buys himself some time, but it's not enough as he crawls towards the ropes with his hurt leg dragging behind him. He starts to stand but Furanku is on top of him immediately, pushing him into the ropes and then Irish whipping Young- whose ankle gives way and he sprawls across the match.
Corndog Wallace: I think Young's ankle may have been broken! He can barely stand, let alone wrestle!
Furanku grabs Young off the floor by the waist and gives him a deadlift German suplex, keeping hold of his opponent and then chaining it into a second one, and then a third which he bridges... One! Two! Thr- no! Young somehow kicks out!
Mike Morales: He kicked out! I don't know how he did it!
Corndog Wallace: I don't know why he did it! He needs medical attention!
Young looks beat up as he climbs defiantly to his feet again, and Furanku pulls down the straps of his singlet.
Mike Morales: Here it comes- the freedom arrow!
Furanku grabs Young, gets him vertical... Young battles out of it though and drops down behind Furanku, his ankle searing with pain as he lands but he grits his teeth- Furanku turns round, and Young hits him with a stunner!
Corndog Wallace: Stunner by Young! Both men are down!
Mike Morales: But crucially, Young's bought himself some time!
Young drags himself up in the corner again and Furanku counts his teeth with his tongue as he gets up in the opposite corner. Both men stare at each other from across the ring...
Then Furanku takes off! He rushes across the ring and Young moves, limping somewhat as he steps out of the way of his charge! Furanku slams into the corner and Young hits a slingblade on him as he staggers out, then comes off the ropes to deliver a falling fist. Furanku comes back up checking his nose for signs of bleeding and Young hits a back suplex, following up with a vertical suplex and then finally a big DDT that has Furanku down on his back! He makes a cover- One! Two! Thr- kick out!
Mike Morales: Young can feel the winds of change blowing now! He came agonizingly close to victory there!
Young goes into the corner and taunts Furanku to get up. He does so, slowly... Young hits a fame-asser! But-
Mike Morales: Hold on!
Corndog Wallace: That's Kira Izumi's music!
Young turns towards the entranceway and the lights in the VFW flash red and blue for Kira's entrance.
But Kira doesn't show. Young paces by the ropes as he trash-talks Kira and then...
Mike Morales: Wait a minute! Frank Fletcher with a roll-up!
Corndog Wallace: He's got his feet on the ropes!
Mike Morales: Ref! His feet are on the ropes!
One! Two! Three!
The crowd boo as Furanku rolls out of the ring and staggers halfway up the aisle. Young gets up and can only stand with his hands on his hips, absolutely dumbfounded by what just happened.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner; Frank Fletcher!
Mike Morales: Well Frank Fletcher just snatched victory from the jaws of defeat right there, but give the assist to Kira Izumi!
Corndog Wallace: Now hold on, Kira never came out here!
Mike Morales: But that was his theme music that played!
Corndog Wallace: Yeah but he doesn't control the music! For all we know, Fletcher could have paid the sound guy off to hit that button if it looked like he might be about to lose!
Mike Morales: Well whatever just happened, Damien Young just suffered his first defeat here in AWF, and this whole affair between Fletcher and Kira just took yet another twist...
Furanku raises his hands in the air, cheering and celebrating and that's when suddenly all the lights off in the VFW shut off.
Mike Morales: Please hold on, folks. There appears to be some technical difficulties.
Voice: There are most definitely difficulties, but I don't think it'd be appropriate to call them technical wouldn't be so right.
The people turn their heads and there appears to be someone at the front, where the only light is shining. It's Jeffrey Viper holding a laptop.
Viper: If you want to blame someone, blame Felix. He told me I'm suspended and guess what - with no GM, there is no show.
Felix Ziko walks out with a microphone. Obviously the microphone systems still work.
Felix: Viper, put the power back on.
Viper: No, Felix. I now have a part time job at the electric company and when you decided to make me look like a fool, I become forced to shine the light and show you who a REAL fool looks like.
Felix: Viper, if you turn the lights back on, I promise we can have an adult conversation and we can discuss your employment with the AWF.
Viper: You forget, Felix. Whoever controls the power controls the show. The time of Felix is over. The time of Viper is now, and no one can stop me! Not anyone in the Rise Up locker room. Not anyone in the Prestige locker room! Not Bradshaw, not your butch wife and certainly not you! NO ONE IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING TODAY CAN STAND TO ME, JEFFREY VIP-
Thud. Jeffrey Viper falls to the ground. Behind him stands AXW's very own Dylan Black holding a barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat. He looks down to the fallen man before him and sharpens his eyes.
Black: Listen here, Dad, you can walk around like you own the place, but the truth is, you don't. In fact, none of the AWF bosses do. Not you, not Felix Ziko or Alex Horton, fuck you Horton, or even Terry Bradshaw. AXW owns this shit! Consider this an act of war against AWF, because Dylan Black is firing shots off and ALL those motherfuckers in the back are gonna get some!
Dylan Black leans down next to the dropped laptop and presses a button. The lights go back on. Black takes a moment to look at his handiwork before walking out of the building. The people stare in shock.
Corndog Wallace: ...Well hot damn!
Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen it is now time for our main event! The following contest is scheduled for one fall and will determine the number one contender to the XHF Phoenix Championship!
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, "Mr Fantastich"... 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!"
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov looks pumped and ready for this opportunity Corndog!
Corndog Wallace: He better be ready! Nathan Thunder is no pushover!
Mike Morales: Sokolov qualified for this match by winning the triple-threat two weeks ago, beating Austin Grant and Seth Dillinger. But those two are a totally different kettle of fish to Nathan Thunder! Sokolov is going to have to be on the absolute top of his game tonight in order to topple that mountain of a man!
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.
Jessie Love: And his opponent...
This lights go out. The theme song from "A Nightmare On Elm Street" starts up. Fog starts to fill the entranceway, red underlighting makes the dry ice look list blood mist.
Jessie Love: From Elm Street and weighing 345 pounds... "The Nightmare" Nathan Thunder!
Nathan Thunder comes through the fog, clad in a long black robe. There is an air of foreboding in the building, the fans silent as he makes his slow walk to the ring.
Corndog Wallace: He really is one creepy bastard. OCB. That's what I wanna call him.
Mike Morales: Nathan Thunder earned his spot in this match by being the only man from the three that Damien Young faced at Road To Victory to still be unbeaten in Rise Up. Cosmic Warrior was the man Damien Young pinned to win the title. Kira Izumi was the unlucky man last week-
Corndog Wallace: Well don't forget that Kira ended up getting pinned because Thunder, his own partner in that match, gave him a chokeslam and walked out on him!
Thunder slowly climbs the steps to the ring as Sokolov paces within the ropes. Letting his robe fall from his back, Thunder then steps over the top rope as the lights go back up to their full brightness.
Sokolov immediately rushes at Thunder, grabbing him and throwing hard closed fists his way! Thunder is taken off guard but keeps his footing, answering back with punshes of his own!
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov not content to wait for the bell!
Corndog Wallace: Can you blame him? Thunder called him a Nazi!
Mike Morales: Well the referee calls for the bell, and we're underway!
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, "Mr Fantastich"... 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!"
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov looks pumped and ready for this opportunity Corndog!
Corndog Wallace: He better be ready! Nathan Thunder is no pushover!
Mike Morales: Sokolov qualified for this match by winning the triple-threat two weeks ago, beating Austin Grant and Seth Dillinger. But those two are a totally different kettle of fish to Nathan Thunder! Sokolov is going to have to be on the absolute top of his game tonight in order to topple that mountain of a man!
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.
Jessie Love: And his opponent...
This lights go out. The theme song from "A Nightmare On Elm Street" starts up. Fog starts to fill the entranceway, red underlighting makes the dry ice look list blood mist.
Jessie Love: From Elm Street and weighing 345 pounds... "The Nightmare" Nathan Thunder!
Nathan Thunder comes through the fog, clad in a long black robe. There is an air of foreboding in the building, the fans silent as he makes his slow walk to the ring.
Corndog Wallace: He really is one creepy bastard. OCB. That's what I wanna call him.
Mike Morales: Nathan Thunder earned his spot in this match by being the only man from the three that Damien Young faced at Road To Victory to still be unbeaten in Rise Up. Cosmic Warrior was the man Damien Young pinned to win the title. Kira Izumi was the unlucky man last week-
Corndog Wallace: Well don't forget that Kira ended up getting pinned because Thunder, his own partner in that match, gave him a chokeslam and walked out on him!
Thunder slowly climbs the steps to the ring as Sokolov paces within the ropes. Letting his robe fall from his back, Thunder then steps over the top rope as the lights go back up to their full brightness.
Sokolov immediately rushes at Thunder, grabbing him and throwing hard closed fists his way! Thunder is taken off guard but keeps his footing, answering back with punshes of his own!
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov not content to wait for the bell!
Corndog Wallace: Can you blame him? Thunder called him a Nazi!
Mike Morales: Well the referee calls for the bell, and we're underway!
The two men brawl up against the ropes before Thunder finally pushes Sokolov away, and he rolls into the middle of the ring. Sokolov stands- and Thunder knocks him down with a vicious shoulder tackle. Sokolov comes back for more, and Thunder directs him into the corner, unloading with a ferocious barrage of relentless strikes that would make an MMA fighter feel inadequate. Sokolov's head whips back with each blow, and referee Nate Biggs is forced to step in between and separate the two men.
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov might be down and out already!
Corndog Wallace: He's seeing stars! He took a hell of a beating from Thunder!
Sokolov slumps in the corner as Biggs points a finger at Thunder, warning him to open his fist. Suddenly, Sokolov's head snaps up and he tears out of the corner to a thunderous cheer and smashes into Nathan Thunder, grabbing him around the shoulders and spinning him round, throwing him into the opposite corner of the ring. He rushes in with a knee to the gut and Thunder doubles over, Sokolov throws him to the middle of the ring and mounts the top turnbuckle - as Thunder turns round, he fells him with a diving clothesline!
Mike Morales: Well Sokolov's second wind just kicked in- and he takes the big man down!
Corndog Wallace: Thunder isn't used to being on his back! If Sokolov can cover him he might pull off an upset here!
Mike Morales: He makes the cover- One! Two! But not enough to keep Thunder down!
Sokolov stays on Thunder, trying to prevent him from getting to his feet. Thunder's size and weight advantage work in his favor though and he brushes Sokolov aside, pushing him back and then intercepting his running attack, turning it into a black hole slam!
Mike Morales: Huge maneuver by Thunder and maybe this will be enough!
Thunder covers- One! Two! Thr- but Sokolov kicks out!
Corndog Wallace: Daddy Sokolov had a lucky escape! Nathan Thunder has put down far bigger men with less!
Sokolov appears to be winded as he clambers to his feet. Nathan Thunder grabs him in a front face lock and looks for a vertical suplex- but Sokolov gets one of his legs wrapped round Thunder's, preventing him from lifting him up! Thunder tries again, with the same result- before Sokolov shocks everybody by attempting to give the massive man a suplex of his own!
Mike Morales: No way he'll be able to do this!
Sokolov tries to lift Thunder- but his 345 pound frame proves too heavy for the light-heavyweight and he feels a sharp pain in his lower back. He lets go of Thunder and puts a hand to his lumbar region, wincing. Thunder takes advantage of the situation, slamming a burly arm across the upper chest of "Mister Fantastich", dropping him to the mat.
Sokolov rolls away from Thunder who slowly walks towards him, an evil grin on his face, stalking his prey as a hunter might. He lets Sokolov pull himself up in the corner of the ring before putting a huge hand on the back of his head, slamming his face into the turnbuckle once... twice... three times... and a fourth for luck! Sokolov bounces out and flat-backs on the mat. Thunder looks down at him and laughs.
Corndog Wallace: Daddy Sokolov is NOT having a fun time in this match.
Mike Morales: I think that's what they call an understatement.
Thunder turns to the crowd and declares that he's going to put Sokolov to sleep.
Mike Morales: Silent Night, coming up. There's no way Sokolov can survive this.
A look of confusion flashes across Thunder's face though as he feels something on his leg. He looks down to see Daddy Sokolov on his hands and knees, one hand on the top of Thunder's boot, looking for leverage to stand.
Thunder laughs again, and grabs a handful of Daddy Sokolov's hair. Nate Biggs starts to give him a five-count to let go, Thunder responds by simply lifting the German up, ripping strands of hair from his scalp.
Instead of going for his chokebomb finisher, Thunder clamps Sokolov's head in between his legs in the powerbomb position. He looks set to hit the move- then pauses. Turning his attention back to the corner, he grabs the top turnbuckle pad and in one clean move rips it off!
Mike Morales: That's one way to get it off!
Corndog Wallace: That's scary strength, Mike.
Thunder is in full control, slamming a forearm across Sokolov's back to keep him in line he then turns to face the exposed buckle. He lifts him up into position- but Sokolov throws a punch his way! Thunder reels!
Mike Morales: Sokolov trying to mount a fight back now! I thought he was done for!
Corndog Wallace: He just doesn't know when to quit! I like it!
The crowd cheer him on as he hits another punch, still atop Thunder's broad shoulders and then- he backflips! The hurricanrana propels Thunder forwards and he crashes chest-first into the steel! Thunder bounces back, and Sokolov rolls him up from behind!
Mike Morales: Oh! Might steal it!
One!
Two!
Thr-
Thunder pushes out with barely half a second left! Sokolov goes rolling across the mat and the crowd start to ramp up their encouragement, the Munich native fighting through the pain barrier as he gets to his feet, fists shaking, head shaking, his whole body is shaking with the surge of adrenaline. Thunder comes at him and he swings with a clothesline- Sokolov ducks under and hits a pointed kick into the back of Thunder's right knee! Thunder falters but doesn't go down, only dropping to one knee, as Sokolov runs off the ropes and comes at him from behind, somersaulting over the top of him and hitting him with a rolling neck snap! Thunder bends forwards and then is catapulted onto his back, Sokolov goes through the ropes to the apron and up to the top rope... Thunder stands up... Sokolov flies!
Corndog Wallace: Sokolov- No! Thunder caught him with one hand!
Mike Morales: Chokeslam! Oh man, that's gotta be it!
Sokolov rolls as he hits the mat and Thunder makes a "throat slit" gesture. He walks up to Sokolov, who is slowly trying to crawl away, grabbing a handful of tights and pulling him up to his feet. He puts two hands round his throat and lifts, preparing to hit his Silent Night, but Sokolov kicks and struggles and generally makes himself a nuisance. He catches Thunder in the stomach and buys himself some time but can't escape from the hold. Thunder takes a step forward and Sokolov instinctively puts a hand out to the ropes behind him, holding on and trying to anchor himself to something, anything.
Corndog Wallace: I don't understand how he's still going! That chokeslam would have floored me!
Mike Morales: I think the key here is that you're twice his age... if not more.
Sokolov gets both arms wrapped round the top rope and then pulls his legs up, planting them into Thunder's chest- he pushes, and breaks Thunder's grip! Sokolov topples backwards over the top rope, while Thunder goes careering back and into Nate Biggs, knocking him down!
Mike Morales: Nate Biggs takes a tumble! Daddy Sokolov just kicked Nathan Thunder into the referee, and he's out cold!
Nathan Thunder looks at the ref, face-down in the corner of the ring, and smirks. Rolling out under the bottom rope, he then lifts the ring skirt and pulls out a steel chair.
Corndog Wallace: Oh boy, this isn't gonna be pretty.
Smacking the chair against the side of the ring, Thunder walks round to where Sokolov is beginning to get back to his feet on the outside. He raise the chair... and brings it crashing down on Daddy's back! Sokolov yells in pain, and starts to stagger along the edge of the ring.
Corndog Wallace: There's no referee, so Thunder can get away with murder! Probably literally!
Thunder follows him and waits until he draws up to the ring post. Sokolov is beaten up, he leans against the steel and turns to see Thunder with the chair raised once more... he swings... but SOkolov moves! Steel hits steel and jars Thunders arms, he drops the chair and Sokolov wastes no time in scooping it up- retaliating with a vicious blast across the back of Nathan Thunder!
He falters and catches his breath, then smashes Thunder again! For the first time in this match NAthan Thunder shows signs of being in actual pain and he turns round- only to eat a big chair smash to the face! Thunder slumps down against the post and blood starts pouring from his nose!
Mike Morales: Good God I think Daddy Sokolov just broke Thunder's nose! He's busted wide open!
Corndog Wallace: And listen to this crowd! They smell that blood! They're loving it!
Daddy Sokolov throws the chair down and now he goes under the ring in search of something... he comes back out holding a length of chain that he wraps around his wrist.
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov is taking this fight to a new level, and this is right in his wheelhouse Corndog!
Corndog Wallace: He was in real danger of just being flattened by Nathan Thunder but the ref going down has breathed new life into Daddy Sokolov, it's allowing him to get hardcore!
Mike Morales: I just hope for his sake that Felix Ziko doesn't get wind of this!
Corndog Wallace: Oh he will... and it won't be pretty... but come on- this is the XHF after all!
Sokolov uses the chained fist to smash Thunder in the head and the big man goes down on his side. He unwraps the chain a little bit and this time lashes Thunder across the back twice, before letting out still more slack and then wrapping it around his throat and pulling hard!
Mike Morales: He's gonna try and choke the life outta him!
Corndog Wallace: Good strategy! If he can knock the big man out then maybe he can win this by count out when Biggs comes round!
Thunder gasps and wheezes and fortunately for him he manages to get a hand in between his throat and the chain, stopping some of the pressure. Sokolov pulls on the chain regardless, and Thunder struggles to breathe. Eventually, Thunder's brute strength wins out and he rips the chain from Sokolov's grasp, pulling it from around his throat and freeing himself.
Corndog Wallace: Oh boy, he's for it now! Thunder is PISSED!
Thunder is slowed but he's not out of it yet and he gets back up though this time he puts a little distance between himself and his opponent. Sokolov is buoyed by his little comeback and he chases after Thunder, jumping on his back and slapping on a sleeper hold.
Mike Morales: He's going back in for the choke out! He's not gonna let that one go!
Thunder tries to get the smaller man off his back but he's unable to dislodge him, opting instead for the physical route which involves backing into the ringpost and Sokolov breaks the hold. Thunder swings- but history repeats itself and Sokolov dodges again, Thunder full-on punching the steel post! A rare look of agony appears on his face as he tries to move his hand, but the pain is too intense.
Corndog Wallace: His hand may be broken! He's pouring blood from a broken nose and now he may have a shattered hand to go with it! But he's still going! Is there any stopping this man!?
Nathan Thunder uncharacteristically moves away from his opponent again, keeping his damaged hand drawn in close and once more Sokolov follows. This time, he has the ring steps in-hand. He lifts them, aiming square at Thunder's head... and Thunder is the one to dodge this time, the stairs mercifully hitting only the ring post. Sokolov is stopped in his tracks and Thunder uses his one good hand to grab him by the back of the head, tossing him into the side of the ring, the corner of the apron making contact with Sokolov's midsection. Thunder lifts Sokolov's legs up and rolls him back into the ring.
Mike Morales: Well this is good strategy by Nathan Thunder- get as far away from those weapons as possible!
Corndog Wallace: I think he learned the hard way you don't bring a hardcore style to a Daddy Sokolov match!
Thunder slides underneath the bottom rope himself... but doesn't protect himself enough and Sokolov springs up, grabbing the injured right hand and putting on an armbar combined with some vigorous bending of the damaged fingers!
Corndog Wallace: Well if his hand wasn't broken before this I think SOkolov might make sure of it right now!
Mike Morales: I can't imagine the pain that Nathan Thunder must be in right now!
Thunder puts a hand out and easily finds the ropes- but with the ref still down, there is absolutely nothing to make Sokolov break the hold! Thunder roars, he can feel the crunching, biting pain shooting through his hands- he slams his good hand into the mat, but he won't tap! He won't give Sokolov the satisfaction!
Thunder really sells the agony, and Sokolov doggedly holds on, trying to rip the fingers clean off of his hand. Finally, Thunder rolls over as best he can and starts hammering punches into any part of Daddy he can reach. He catches him in the bony part of his wrist, and Sokolov lets go. Thunder groans as he gets up, still trying to flex his fingers. Sokolov also gets up and he attacks once again. We find ourselves watching a replay of the opening moments of the match- Nathan Thunder pressed up against the ropes, Daddy Sokolov brawling against him, but this time Sokolov is the one with the advantage. He throws forearms, fists, elbows, and Thunder reels and rocks in a bloody mess. Daddy grabs his hand and whips him across the ring- he waits for Thunder to rebound and... BOOM! Running big boot by "The Nightmare" out of nowhere!
Corndog Wallace: Oh! My! Nathan Thunder just flipped the script!
Mike Morales: That's how quickly momentum can shift! Just when it looked like Daddy Sokolov was mounting a comeback, Nathan Thunder takes his head off and that may be all she wrote!
Thunder flops down on top of Sokolov... but there is nobody to count the fall! He grimaces as he remembers that Biggs is still down. Sitting up, his gaze leads out of the ring and to the chair that is still laying at ringside. Thunder rolls over to the ropes and drops out of the ring, picking up the chair and sliding it under the bottom rope before going back in.
Thunder goes over to Sokolov who is on his back and puts the chair across his face. He backs up to the ropes.
Corndog Wallace: I think Nathan Thunder is going to try and get a little payback on Daddy Sokolov for breaking his nose...
Thunder takes a couple of massive steps... lifts a leg... Sokolov rolls out of the way and Thunder crashes down with a leg drop that finds nobody!
Mike Morales: That move's not usually part of Thunder's repertoire and he may have just made a big mistake!
Thunder winces as the shock travels up his lower back and Sokolov is up, he goes for a shining wizard- but Thunder dodges, gets up, grabs Sokolov for a tilt-a-whirl... the pain in his hand is too much and he is forced to let Sokolov go and he grabs the injured hand, turning it into an arm wringer and then hits a back kick- Thunder staggers but stays on his feet! Sokolov hits the ropes, comes back at Thunder- ducks a big boot attempt, springboards off the opposite set of ropes, Thunder turns round- moonsault! But he's caught by Thunder! Sokolov is upside down over Thunder's shoulder, he looks to be going for a running powerslam... but drops down behind! Thunder turns to face him again, Sokolov grabs a hand and whips him... this also gets reversed by Thunder and he whips Daddy across the ring. Thunder bends looking for a backdrop- Sokolov grabs his arms though and butterflies him-
Mike Morales: Butterfly Effect! Right on the chair!
Sokolov slides the chair out from underneath Thunder and ditches it, just as Nate Biggs begins to stir! Rolling Thunder over he hooks a leg deep and holds on for dear life!
...
One!
...
Two!
...
Three!
The crowd pop and Sokolov rolls off of Thunder like he's rolling off of a lover- sweating and spent.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner and the new number one contender to the Phoenix Championship... Daddy Sokolov!
Mike Morales: I don't believe it! I do not believe it!
Corndog Wallace: Daddy Sokolov weathered the thunderstorm and somehow he came out on top!
Mike Morales: And in two weeks he'll face Damien Young for the Phoenix Championship!
Corndog Wallace: This match could have gone either way, both men put everything they had into it- they clawed, they fought, they broke noses and hands!
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov soaked up nearly thirty minutes of relentless abuse at the hands of Nathan Thunder but he got the job done thanks to his ruthless aggression-
Corndog Wallace: Don't forget a healthy dose of vitamin S- that's S for "Steel" by the way!
Mike Morales: That's true- had Nate Biggs not gone down then this could have been a very different story right now... but what's done is done, and don't forget that it was Thunder who first introduced that steel chair into the match!
Sokolov stands in the ring, almost losing his footing as Nate Biggs- who is barely able to stand himself- raises his hand.
Mike Morales: Don't forget to join us in two weeks when we'll find out if Sokolov can carry on this momentum and become the next Phoenix Champion! Goodnight!
We cut to the back where Damien Young is watching on a monitor. The Phoenix Championship belt is over his shoulder. As Sokolov celebrates on the small screen Young just watches silently, his face expressionless as begins to formulate his plan for his first title defence. The shot stays on Damien, and then fades to black.
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov might be down and out already!
Corndog Wallace: He's seeing stars! He took a hell of a beating from Thunder!
Sokolov slumps in the corner as Biggs points a finger at Thunder, warning him to open his fist. Suddenly, Sokolov's head snaps up and he tears out of the corner to a thunderous cheer and smashes into Nathan Thunder, grabbing him around the shoulders and spinning him round, throwing him into the opposite corner of the ring. He rushes in with a knee to the gut and Thunder doubles over, Sokolov throws him to the middle of the ring and mounts the top turnbuckle - as Thunder turns round, he fells him with a diving clothesline!
Mike Morales: Well Sokolov's second wind just kicked in- and he takes the big man down!
Corndog Wallace: Thunder isn't used to being on his back! If Sokolov can cover him he might pull off an upset here!
Mike Morales: He makes the cover- One! Two! But not enough to keep Thunder down!
Sokolov stays on Thunder, trying to prevent him from getting to his feet. Thunder's size and weight advantage work in his favor though and he brushes Sokolov aside, pushing him back and then intercepting his running attack, turning it into a black hole slam!
Mike Morales: Huge maneuver by Thunder and maybe this will be enough!
Thunder covers- One! Two! Thr- but Sokolov kicks out!
Corndog Wallace: Daddy Sokolov had a lucky escape! Nathan Thunder has put down far bigger men with less!
Sokolov appears to be winded as he clambers to his feet. Nathan Thunder grabs him in a front face lock and looks for a vertical suplex- but Sokolov gets one of his legs wrapped round Thunder's, preventing him from lifting him up! Thunder tries again, with the same result- before Sokolov shocks everybody by attempting to give the massive man a suplex of his own!
Mike Morales: No way he'll be able to do this!
Sokolov tries to lift Thunder- but his 345 pound frame proves too heavy for the light-heavyweight and he feels a sharp pain in his lower back. He lets go of Thunder and puts a hand to his lumbar region, wincing. Thunder takes advantage of the situation, slamming a burly arm across the upper chest of "Mister Fantastich", dropping him to the mat.
Sokolov rolls away from Thunder who slowly walks towards him, an evil grin on his face, stalking his prey as a hunter might. He lets Sokolov pull himself up in the corner of the ring before putting a huge hand on the back of his head, slamming his face into the turnbuckle once... twice... three times... and a fourth for luck! Sokolov bounces out and flat-backs on the mat. Thunder looks down at him and laughs.
Corndog Wallace: Daddy Sokolov is NOT having a fun time in this match.
Mike Morales: I think that's what they call an understatement.
Thunder turns to the crowd and declares that he's going to put Sokolov to sleep.
Mike Morales: Silent Night, coming up. There's no way Sokolov can survive this.
A look of confusion flashes across Thunder's face though as he feels something on his leg. He looks down to see Daddy Sokolov on his hands and knees, one hand on the top of Thunder's boot, looking for leverage to stand.
Thunder laughs again, and grabs a handful of Daddy Sokolov's hair. Nate Biggs starts to give him a five-count to let go, Thunder responds by simply lifting the German up, ripping strands of hair from his scalp.
Instead of going for his chokebomb finisher, Thunder clamps Sokolov's head in between his legs in the powerbomb position. He looks set to hit the move- then pauses. Turning his attention back to the corner, he grabs the top turnbuckle pad and in one clean move rips it off!
Mike Morales: That's one way to get it off!
Corndog Wallace: That's scary strength, Mike.
Thunder is in full control, slamming a forearm across Sokolov's back to keep him in line he then turns to face the exposed buckle. He lifts him up into position- but Sokolov throws a punch his way! Thunder reels!
Mike Morales: Sokolov trying to mount a fight back now! I thought he was done for!
Corndog Wallace: He just doesn't know when to quit! I like it!
The crowd cheer him on as he hits another punch, still atop Thunder's broad shoulders and then- he backflips! The hurricanrana propels Thunder forwards and he crashes chest-first into the steel! Thunder bounces back, and Sokolov rolls him up from behind!
Mike Morales: Oh! Might steal it!
One!
Two!
Thr-
Thunder pushes out with barely half a second left! Sokolov goes rolling across the mat and the crowd start to ramp up their encouragement, the Munich native fighting through the pain barrier as he gets to his feet, fists shaking, head shaking, his whole body is shaking with the surge of adrenaline. Thunder comes at him and he swings with a clothesline- Sokolov ducks under and hits a pointed kick into the back of Thunder's right knee! Thunder falters but doesn't go down, only dropping to one knee, as Sokolov runs off the ropes and comes at him from behind, somersaulting over the top of him and hitting him with a rolling neck snap! Thunder bends forwards and then is catapulted onto his back, Sokolov goes through the ropes to the apron and up to the top rope... Thunder stands up... Sokolov flies!
Corndog Wallace: Sokolov- No! Thunder caught him with one hand!
Mike Morales: Chokeslam! Oh man, that's gotta be it!
Sokolov rolls as he hits the mat and Thunder makes a "throat slit" gesture. He walks up to Sokolov, who is slowly trying to crawl away, grabbing a handful of tights and pulling him up to his feet. He puts two hands round his throat and lifts, preparing to hit his Silent Night, but Sokolov kicks and struggles and generally makes himself a nuisance. He catches Thunder in the stomach and buys himself some time but can't escape from the hold. Thunder takes a step forward and Sokolov instinctively puts a hand out to the ropes behind him, holding on and trying to anchor himself to something, anything.
Corndog Wallace: I don't understand how he's still going! That chokeslam would have floored me!
Mike Morales: I think the key here is that you're twice his age... if not more.
Sokolov gets both arms wrapped round the top rope and then pulls his legs up, planting them into Thunder's chest- he pushes, and breaks Thunder's grip! Sokolov topples backwards over the top rope, while Thunder goes careering back and into Nate Biggs, knocking him down!
Mike Morales: Nate Biggs takes a tumble! Daddy Sokolov just kicked Nathan Thunder into the referee, and he's out cold!
Nathan Thunder looks at the ref, face-down in the corner of the ring, and smirks. Rolling out under the bottom rope, he then lifts the ring skirt and pulls out a steel chair.
Corndog Wallace: Oh boy, this isn't gonna be pretty.
Smacking the chair against the side of the ring, Thunder walks round to where Sokolov is beginning to get back to his feet on the outside. He raise the chair... and brings it crashing down on Daddy's back! Sokolov yells in pain, and starts to stagger along the edge of the ring.
Corndog Wallace: There's no referee, so Thunder can get away with murder! Probably literally!
Thunder follows him and waits until he draws up to the ring post. Sokolov is beaten up, he leans against the steel and turns to see Thunder with the chair raised once more... he swings... but SOkolov moves! Steel hits steel and jars Thunders arms, he drops the chair and Sokolov wastes no time in scooping it up- retaliating with a vicious blast across the back of Nathan Thunder!
He falters and catches his breath, then smashes Thunder again! For the first time in this match NAthan Thunder shows signs of being in actual pain and he turns round- only to eat a big chair smash to the face! Thunder slumps down against the post and blood starts pouring from his nose!
Mike Morales: Good God I think Daddy Sokolov just broke Thunder's nose! He's busted wide open!
Corndog Wallace: And listen to this crowd! They smell that blood! They're loving it!
Daddy Sokolov throws the chair down and now he goes under the ring in search of something... he comes back out holding a length of chain that he wraps around his wrist.
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov is taking this fight to a new level, and this is right in his wheelhouse Corndog!
Corndog Wallace: He was in real danger of just being flattened by Nathan Thunder but the ref going down has breathed new life into Daddy Sokolov, it's allowing him to get hardcore!
Mike Morales: I just hope for his sake that Felix Ziko doesn't get wind of this!
Corndog Wallace: Oh he will... and it won't be pretty... but come on- this is the XHF after all!
Sokolov uses the chained fist to smash Thunder in the head and the big man goes down on his side. He unwraps the chain a little bit and this time lashes Thunder across the back twice, before letting out still more slack and then wrapping it around his throat and pulling hard!
Mike Morales: He's gonna try and choke the life outta him!
Corndog Wallace: Good strategy! If he can knock the big man out then maybe he can win this by count out when Biggs comes round!
Thunder gasps and wheezes and fortunately for him he manages to get a hand in between his throat and the chain, stopping some of the pressure. Sokolov pulls on the chain regardless, and Thunder struggles to breathe. Eventually, Thunder's brute strength wins out and he rips the chain from Sokolov's grasp, pulling it from around his throat and freeing himself.
Corndog Wallace: Oh boy, he's for it now! Thunder is PISSED!
Thunder is slowed but he's not out of it yet and he gets back up though this time he puts a little distance between himself and his opponent. Sokolov is buoyed by his little comeback and he chases after Thunder, jumping on his back and slapping on a sleeper hold.
Mike Morales: He's going back in for the choke out! He's not gonna let that one go!
Thunder tries to get the smaller man off his back but he's unable to dislodge him, opting instead for the physical route which involves backing into the ringpost and Sokolov breaks the hold. Thunder swings- but history repeats itself and Sokolov dodges again, Thunder full-on punching the steel post! A rare look of agony appears on his face as he tries to move his hand, but the pain is too intense.
Corndog Wallace: His hand may be broken! He's pouring blood from a broken nose and now he may have a shattered hand to go with it! But he's still going! Is there any stopping this man!?
Nathan Thunder uncharacteristically moves away from his opponent again, keeping his damaged hand drawn in close and once more Sokolov follows. This time, he has the ring steps in-hand. He lifts them, aiming square at Thunder's head... and Thunder is the one to dodge this time, the stairs mercifully hitting only the ring post. Sokolov is stopped in his tracks and Thunder uses his one good hand to grab him by the back of the head, tossing him into the side of the ring, the corner of the apron making contact with Sokolov's midsection. Thunder lifts Sokolov's legs up and rolls him back into the ring.
Mike Morales: Well this is good strategy by Nathan Thunder- get as far away from those weapons as possible!
Corndog Wallace: I think he learned the hard way you don't bring a hardcore style to a Daddy Sokolov match!
Thunder slides underneath the bottom rope himself... but doesn't protect himself enough and Sokolov springs up, grabbing the injured right hand and putting on an armbar combined with some vigorous bending of the damaged fingers!
Corndog Wallace: Well if his hand wasn't broken before this I think SOkolov might make sure of it right now!
Mike Morales: I can't imagine the pain that Nathan Thunder must be in right now!
Thunder puts a hand out and easily finds the ropes- but with the ref still down, there is absolutely nothing to make Sokolov break the hold! Thunder roars, he can feel the crunching, biting pain shooting through his hands- he slams his good hand into the mat, but he won't tap! He won't give Sokolov the satisfaction!
Thunder really sells the agony, and Sokolov doggedly holds on, trying to rip the fingers clean off of his hand. Finally, Thunder rolls over as best he can and starts hammering punches into any part of Daddy he can reach. He catches him in the bony part of his wrist, and Sokolov lets go. Thunder groans as he gets up, still trying to flex his fingers. Sokolov also gets up and he attacks once again. We find ourselves watching a replay of the opening moments of the match- Nathan Thunder pressed up against the ropes, Daddy Sokolov brawling against him, but this time Sokolov is the one with the advantage. He throws forearms, fists, elbows, and Thunder reels and rocks in a bloody mess. Daddy grabs his hand and whips him across the ring- he waits for Thunder to rebound and... BOOM! Running big boot by "The Nightmare" out of nowhere!
Corndog Wallace: Oh! My! Nathan Thunder just flipped the script!
Mike Morales: That's how quickly momentum can shift! Just when it looked like Daddy Sokolov was mounting a comeback, Nathan Thunder takes his head off and that may be all she wrote!
Thunder flops down on top of Sokolov... but there is nobody to count the fall! He grimaces as he remembers that Biggs is still down. Sitting up, his gaze leads out of the ring and to the chair that is still laying at ringside. Thunder rolls over to the ropes and drops out of the ring, picking up the chair and sliding it under the bottom rope before going back in.
Thunder goes over to Sokolov who is on his back and puts the chair across his face. He backs up to the ropes.
Corndog Wallace: I think Nathan Thunder is going to try and get a little payback on Daddy Sokolov for breaking his nose...
Thunder takes a couple of massive steps... lifts a leg... Sokolov rolls out of the way and Thunder crashes down with a leg drop that finds nobody!
Mike Morales: That move's not usually part of Thunder's repertoire and he may have just made a big mistake!
Thunder winces as the shock travels up his lower back and Sokolov is up, he goes for a shining wizard- but Thunder dodges, gets up, grabs Sokolov for a tilt-a-whirl... the pain in his hand is too much and he is forced to let Sokolov go and he grabs the injured hand, turning it into an arm wringer and then hits a back kick- Thunder staggers but stays on his feet! Sokolov hits the ropes, comes back at Thunder- ducks a big boot attempt, springboards off the opposite set of ropes, Thunder turns round- moonsault! But he's caught by Thunder! Sokolov is upside down over Thunder's shoulder, he looks to be going for a running powerslam... but drops down behind! Thunder turns to face him again, Sokolov grabs a hand and whips him... this also gets reversed by Thunder and he whips Daddy across the ring. Thunder bends looking for a backdrop- Sokolov grabs his arms though and butterflies him-
Mike Morales: Butterfly Effect! Right on the chair!
Sokolov slides the chair out from underneath Thunder and ditches it, just as Nate Biggs begins to stir! Rolling Thunder over he hooks a leg deep and holds on for dear life!
...
One!
...
Two!
...
Three!
The crowd pop and Sokolov rolls off of Thunder like he's rolling off of a lover- sweating and spent.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner and the new number one contender to the Phoenix Championship... Daddy Sokolov!
Mike Morales: I don't believe it! I do not believe it!
Corndog Wallace: Daddy Sokolov weathered the thunderstorm and somehow he came out on top!
Mike Morales: And in two weeks he'll face Damien Young for the Phoenix Championship!
Corndog Wallace: This match could have gone either way, both men put everything they had into it- they clawed, they fought, they broke noses and hands!
Mike Morales: Daddy Sokolov soaked up nearly thirty minutes of relentless abuse at the hands of Nathan Thunder but he got the job done thanks to his ruthless aggression-
Corndog Wallace: Don't forget a healthy dose of vitamin S- that's S for "Steel" by the way!
Mike Morales: That's true- had Nate Biggs not gone down then this could have been a very different story right now... but what's done is done, and don't forget that it was Thunder who first introduced that steel chair into the match!
Sokolov stands in the ring, almost losing his footing as Nate Biggs- who is barely able to stand himself- raises his hand.
Mike Morales: Don't forget to join us in two weeks when we'll find out if Sokolov can carry on this momentum and become the next Phoenix Champion! Goodnight!
We cut to the back where Damien Young is watching on a monitor. The Phoenix Championship belt is over his shoulder. As Sokolov celebrates on the small screen Young just watches silently, his face expressionless as begins to formulate his plan for his first title defence. The shot stays on Damien, and then fades to black.
