.:: A Very AWF Christmas: LIVE from Cedar Rapids, IA ::.
Dec 21, 2018 22:39:07 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Dave D-Flipz, and 4 more like this
Post by ForeverKuroi on Dec 21, 2018 22:39:07 GMT -5
The camera spins pans around the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena where the nearly four-thousand fans in attendance are off their feet in the AWF's largest event to date. Inside the ice arena exists a very large Christmas tree, brightly lit and adorned with several classical and picturesque ornaments. The camera then pans down to the commentary table with Cassius Romano and Tommy Taylor.
Taylor: Welcome folks to A Very AWF Christmas and I have to tell you, we have a HELL of a show this evening!
Romano: That's right! Prestige 26, more than two weeks ago, The Icons have nearly been fired for their beef with Seth Dillinger and Jack Diamond. Tonight, these differences get settled into the ring.
Taylor: And we know this because Bobby Barratt has already put his intention to leave the AWF after this show. In a rare moment, our CEO, Felix Ziko, has allowed a street fight between these four. No DQs. No count outs. Falls only occur by pinning them, making them tap out or making them go unconscious.
Romano: That's not the only match, though. Far from it. In fact, speaking of Icons, The Iconic Prince is going up against the returning former AWF Champion, Hyperion. The Mad Titan returned at Prestige 25, he spooked Maverick. Not that I blame him. I would be too.
Taylor: As would I. Hyperion is insane! But Maverick is looking to take him down, as four AWF wrestlers and one AXW wrestler step toe to toe in a match of giving!
Romano: It's a Secret Santa gift exchange that leads into the ring. James Raymond steps into unfamiliar territory with the Chief Financial Officer, the AWF Midwest Champion, one half of the End of Days tournament tag team finalist and a newcomer. The winner becomes the new #1 contender to the XHF Phoenix Championship.
Taylor: And finally, we have our already existing #1 contender, Greg Adkins who has earned that role by defeating two others, going up against the XHF Phoenix Champion, Natasha.
Romano: In fact, this match is happening right here, RIGHT NOW! Let A Very AWF Christmas begin!
XHF Phoenix Championship
Natasha © vs. Greg Adkins
DING DING DING!
The bell rings, starting the match. Adkins eyeballs Natasha and licks his lips at her, cracking his neck back and forth quickly. Natasha lowers her head and narrows her gaze across the ring at Adkins and approaches him. Adkins follows suit. The two meet in the center of the ring and Adkins gets a hand on Natasha's wrist, immediately moving around behind her for a hammerlock. Natasha slaps at her arm for a second before rolling forward out of the lock and popping back up, catching Adkins in the jaw with a roundhouse kick. Adkins staggers backwards and Natasha blasts him with a stiff forearm smash, putting him back against the ropes. Natasha follows up and uses the ropes as leverage to whip Adkins across the ring. Adkins hits the opposite ropes, rebounds, and gets a face-full of leg as Natasha puts him on the mat with a running leg lariat!
Taylor: Natasha showing us why she's a dominant Phoenix champ!
Adkins starts to sit up, but Natasha moves on him immediately. She leaps over him from behind and grabs the head on the way down, driving his head into hers with a somersault neckbreaker. Adkins rolls backward and convulses a bit on the mat, both hands gripping his head in pain. Natasha turns and drops on top for the quick cover.
ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!
Romano: Adkins won't go down that easy.
Natasha gets up, frustrated. Adkins finally makes his way back to his feet, looking a bit groggy. Suddenly, Adkins steps forward and hits Natasha in the chest with a hard chop. He follows it up with a second, and then a third. Adkins then grabs hold of Natasha and shoots her across the ring. When Natasha comes back on the rebound, Adkins lifts her into the air for some kind of tilt-a-whirl slam! Unfortunately for him, Natasha is able to reverse the attempt, sending Adkins crashing to the mat with a headscissors takedown! While Adkins tries to pull himself back up to his feet, Natasha bounces off of the ropes and tries to hit Adkins with a shining wizard! Adkins ducks underneath the attempt. Natasha pulls herself back up to her feet as Adkins stares at her for a few moments before laughing hysterically while thrusting his hips in the air, suggestively.
Taylor: How do you handle an opponent who doesn't seem even the slightest bit concerned that you might hurt him...
Romano: You hurt him anyway! If you let Adkins get under your skin, you're screwed.
Natasha pauses for a moment before grabbing hold of Adkins and trying to bring him to his feet. Adkins responds by hitting Natasha with a massive chop to the chest that sends her stumbling back. Natasha recovers and tries to catch her breath, but can't before Adkins hits her in the face with a spinning back-fist! The impact sends Natasha stumbling a few steps. She then drops to a knee as Adkins slaps her across the face. The fans gasp as Adkins pulls her in and delivers a double underhook backbreaker! Natasha tries to roll away from Adkins as he continues to pursue.
Taylor: Greg Adkins is relentless!
Romano: There's a reason Adkins has been on a steady rise. He's making a name for himself in AWF.
Natasha slowly brings herself back up to his feet. Adkins kicks her in the side of the head to keep Natasha groggy before lifting her back up to her feet. Once she's up, he quickly locks her into an inverted half nelson. Seconds later, he lifts her into the air and delivers a knee strike that sends Natasha crashing to the mat. Adkins then smirks and hooks the leg, picking up the...
ONE!
TWO!
TH--NO!
Adkins looks down at Natasha in surprise for a moment. He then shakes his head and bounces off of the ropes, trying to hit her with a running senton! Natasha rolls out of the way just in time as Adkins crashes into the mat instead! Both wrestlers pull themselves back up to their feet, Natasha striking first as she steps toward Adkins and kicks him in the jaw with a superkick! Adkins crashes to the mat and Natasha goes for the cover, picking up the...
ONE!
TWO!
TH--NO!
Taylor: These two are probably as evenly matched as it gets...
Romano: That makes things exciting!
Natasha calls for the fans to show her some support, which they all do without hesitation. Adkins drags himself back up to his feet while laughing. Unfortunately for him, Natasha is there to strike - hitting Adkins in the mouth with a series of elbow shots! He stumbles back toward the ropes as Natasha charges at him and grabs hold of Adkins. She leaps at the ropes and then uses them as a springboard of sorts - planting Adkins on the mat with a tornado DDT! The fans cheer as Natasha hooks his legs and goes for the cover once again, picking up the...
ONE!
TWO!
THRE---NO!
Natasha looks down at Adkins in shock. Adkins, meanwhile, starts to pull himself back up to his feet once again...
Taylor:This is what you meant about not letting Adkins get under your skin...
Romano: Exactly!
Adkins tries to pull himself back up to his feet as Natasha takes a moment to think over her strategy. Once Adkins is up, Natasha steps toward him and hits Adkins with a kick to the ribs. She follows it up with a second and then a third. When she tries to hit Adkins with a fourth, he grabs hold of her leg and delivers a dragon screw legwhip! Natasha's eyes go wide as Adkins delivers a few stomps to Natasha's leg. He then grabs hold of her leg and brings her over to a corner of the ring - stepping out to the floor. Adkins smirks and SLAMS Natasha's leg into the ring post! Natasha screams out in pain as Adkins climbs up to the top rope while Natasha remains on the mat. Adkins leaps off and lands on Natasha with a double stomp! He hooks the leg and goes for the cover, picking up the...
ONE!
TWO!
THR---Natasha kicks out!
Taylor: I don't think Adkins thought she'd kick out of that...
Romano: I'm not entirely sure that Adkins cares! He's doing some damage...
Sure enough, before Natasha can make it back up to her feet, Adkins rolls her over and tries to set her up for a single-legged crab! Natasha crawls toward the ropes and grabs hold of them. Adkins sits down in the hold and locks it in anyway, the referee counting the one...two...three...four...Adkins finally releases the hold! Natasha uses the ropes to pull herself back up to her feet. Once she's standing, Adkins pulls her toward the middle of the ring and tries to set Natasha up for The Full Humping! Natasha lands on the mat behind Adkins and waits for him to turn around! She tries to hit him with a superkick, only to have Adkins duck underneath that and hit a stiff chop to her other leg! Natasha's leg buckles from Adkins's attacks as she drops to a knee! Adkins laughs hysterically as he runs at Natasha and tries to send her crashing to the mat, only to be rolled up for the...
ONE!
TWO!
THRE....NO!
Romano: Oh wow, Natasha nearly stole it there!
Taylor: Don't know how long she can keep up with Adkins on fire.
Sure enough, Natasha staggers as she tries to make it back up to her feet. Adkins hits her in the knee with a hard kick that drops Natasha to a knee. Natasha tries to pull herself back up to her feet as Adkins bounces off of the ropes. Before Adkins can do anything on the rebound, Natasha scoops him up on her shoulders, then pushes him off with a fireman carry into a knee to the crotch!
Romano: Sleep Disorder! Sleep Disorder!
Taylor: Adkins is in serious pain! Natasha's scrambling for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: The winner of this match and STILL XHF Phoenix Champion... Naaaataaaaaashaaaaaaa!
Romano: Adkins brought a ton of fire but couldn't quite get it done.
Taylor: Wins like that are exactly why Natasha is so formidable.
Following the XHF Phoenix Championship match, the camera opens on Charles Akiyama, stood in front of a large logo proudly displaying “AWF PRESENTS: A VERY AWF CHRISTMAS” Charles smiles and brings the microphone in his hand up to his face.
Akiyama: Ladies & Gentlemen my guest at this time, former XHF Phoenix Champion and one of the fastest rising stars on the Network, James Dragon.
The camera zooms back slightly revealing Dragon stood next to Akiyama. Dragon sports a more lower key form of attire than normal of a plain black shirt and jeans, he stands sideways to the camera and gives a small but polite smile towards Akiyama.
Akiyama: James, you competed in a very well received bout against Roy Harlow at Prestige Twenty-Six. However you failed to capture the Midwest Championship after a low blow from Harlowe when the Referee’s back was turned. Do you feel at all slighted that the decision will not be reversed?
Dragon raises an eyebrow.
Dragon: Charles the cold hard fact is that if I wanted justice I wouldn’t be a professional wrestler. I only have two losses to my name and both of those were through my opponent knowing they didn’t have what it took to take me out from their own skill so they took the low road. But that isn’t something I hold against ‘em. That’s just the reality of this business, sometimes cheaters do prosper. In fact the majority of the time they become legends. So do I feel slighted? No, I don’t. But am I motivated? You’re damn right.
Akiyama: Motivated?
Dragon turns slightly, revealing the other side of his face, sporting a nasty looking tear in the skin.
Dragon: Roy Harlowe wanted to try and make a statement. So he struck me in the side of the head with his belt after the bell was rung, then proceeded to stand tall as though it was another victory for the list, which it was, on paper. But the statement I took from it was perhaps a little bit different than what Roy intended. Roy couldn’t beat Seth Dillinger, he couldn’t beat Bobby Barratt and he could not beat James Dragon. In all three cases Roy took the low road, like I said I don’t hold that against him, hell I could even applaud the act of taking a third way out. But I instead believe; that for all his talk of darkness and decay, all his waxing about brutality and bloodletting, all his fancy entrances and exits and his outward appearance of being something created by hell itself. I believe, that beneath all that, Roy Harlowe is a coward.
Dragon motions with his hand which causes Charles to raise an eyebrow for a moment before inwardly having the penny drop and handing James the mic. He steps back as the camera focuses in on Dragon.
Dragon: Maybe that’s why you let loose after our match. Because you knew that despite all your talk about how deplorable and violent you are, if you tried any of it against me not only would I persevere I would overcome, I would outwit. Did you feel safe then? When I was down from your little ball shot? I hope so. I hope you went to whatever hole you crawl into after the show, comforted by that title, safe in your delusion of being every bit as dangerous as you act like. Safe with the belief that this was the end and it was time to move on.
Because that safety is as real as your persona.
Dragon frowns, a wave of intensity as we zoom closer towards his face.
Dragon: If you believe for one second that you’re done with me because you have a victory over me, that I’m gonna roll over like Dillinger or Barratt then you are sorely mistaken. YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO KILL ME TO BE DONE WITH ME!
Question is, are you able to do that? Because from what I’ve seen not only are you far from ready to play against the people who are every bit as talented and violent as they say they are, you don’t even know the rules of the game.
But you will Roy Harlowe, every day you walk into an AWF arena, anytime you saunter down to the ring and indeed anytime you place yourself in front of a camera. You will find out just what real evil truly is. Grow eyes behind your head, because you’re a marked man. You wanted to make a statement, I read you loud and clear. The next time, and there’s gonna be a next time, that you and I stand in the ring face to face, the gloves are off.
I’m not interested in out-wrestling, out-striking or out-lasting you. I already proved I can do all that. I don’t wanna show the world that there’s No One Greater.
I just wanna make you wish you were dead.
Dragon tosses the microphone back to Akiyama who fumbles with it for a moment as Dragon walks off. The camera concentrates back to Akiyama as he tries to reassert himself.
Akiyama: *Ahem* James Dragon everybody, now back to A Very AWF Christmas!
After the conclusion of the XHF Phoenix Championship match,all entrants are in the ring. AWF Announcer Jessie Love takes the microphone. She stands next to a very long table with six gift boxes. Each box is decoratively wrapped in their own way. She smiles as she turns to the contestants.
Jessie Love: Good evening, competitors! We are about to begin the first match of the evening, but I feel it is important to inform all of you how this match works. Weeks before tonight, each opponent was given the name of their recipient and was instructed to provide a non-weapon as a gift, one small enough to fit inside of a box. Now, before the match is underway, each of you will give your gift to your chosen recipient and give it to them. After each gift has been given, the match will begin. The caveat of this match is that this is a hardcore match of sorts but the only tool you may use is the gift given to you! Any competitor using the tools other than the one given to them will be disqualified from the match. Now if we can begin with AWF's Special Guest James Raymond. Please give your gift to your recipient.
James Raymond walks over to the table and grabs his gift. He gives his gift to Terry Bradshaw. He opens it and finds... THIS!
Taylor: Of course! Why wouldn't we expect some blatant disrespect at an AWF show from an AXW jackass!?
Romano: Now, now. He's our guest. He'll get what's coming to him at the end.
Jessie Love: Thank you! Mr. Esmur, please give your gift to your recipient!
Esmur walks over and grabs a very large box. He brings it over to James Raymond. The AXW guest opens it and finds... a blank and purely black weighted blanket!
Taylor: A big black blanket? I don't get it. Is he supposed to make sure that James Raymond doesn't get cold?
Romano: Do you know anything about The Nihilists? They're all about metaphors. It's probably symbolizing the blackness as nothingness.
Taylor: That sounds racist. You know Steve Tyrell is refereeing this match, right?
Romano: ...
James Raymond cocks his head after seeing this.
Jessie Love: And Mr. AJ Spencer, if you could please give your gift to your recipient.
AJ Spencer walks up to his box and gives it to Roy Harlowe. Roy pulls open the box and pulls out... another box! He then opens that box and finds... nothing! Roy doesn't look happy. He gives him a death glare.
Taylor: Wow! Such blatant disrespect! How did Roy keep himself from just striking AJ Spencer?
Romano: Roy remembers.
Jessie Love: Now Terry Bradshaw, if you could please provide your gift.
Terry Bradshaw: Well, to be honest, I didn't want to give AJ Spencer a gift. Then the name of the gift would be "Spencer's Gifts" and I'm not a gag shop like I'm in a mall. So I used a gift from Greg Adkins to give to him.
Taylor: ...
Romano: ...
Terry Bradshaw gives the gift that was packaged disgustingly by Greg Adkins. AJ Spencer opens it and finds... Ben Hua balls. AJ Spencer lifts an eyebrow.
Taylor: Is this what I think it is?
Romano: That's disgusting. But I feel Terry Bradshaw probably would have bought something similar.
Jessie Love: And finally, if you could please give your gift, Roy Harlowe.
Roy Harlowe, with a sly grin, steps forward and reaches for his gift. He brings it over to Esmur. Esmur opens it and finds...
Romano: Action Johnny "Make Your Own Murder Weapon" Action Kit?
Taylor: With pokey-stabby action! He started this on Kickstarter!
Romano: This will not pass safety regulations aimed at children...
Jessie Love: With the gifts all set up, the match can begin!
AWF Season's Beatings Match
Esmur vs. James Raymond vs. AJ Spencer vs. Roy Harlowe vs. Terry Bradshaw
The bell rings and all of the men have their hands tightly grasped on their presents. All the five men step forward toward the center, shifty-eyed and suspicious over one another. That's when Terry Bradshaw nearly leaps dead center of the ring. He turns to Esmur and crotch chops. He then turns to AJ Spencer and crotch chops. Then he turns to Esmur and crotch chops. He turns to Roy Harlowe and crotch chops. He then turns to Terry Bradshaw and crotch chops. (somehow) Finally, he turns to James Raymond - AND GETS PUNCHED IN THE FREAKING FACE! Terry Bradshaw hits the ground. He turns his head and wipes the side of his lips, and wipes back some blood. With a sly grin, he brings it inside of his mouth and tastes the blood. Raymond cocks his head, a little bit disgusted. What happens next grosses him out even more. Terry Bradshaw gets to his face and then uses that same finger to wipe some more blood. He then brings it James Raymond's lips to see if he wants to drink some blood too. Raymond throws another fist to Bradshaw, which shoots him back to Esmur, who hits him with a German Suplex! Raymond shakes his fist as he hit Terry really hard. As he does it, he turns around, where AJ Spencer jumps into the mix and takes him down with a DDT!
Taylor: You know, Terry Bradshaw gets to call so many obscure shots behind the scenes, it must be very satisfying to just knock one out to him. Especially if you're from their rivals, AXW!
Romano: Indeed. James Raymond got the first blow, and first blood. But take a look at our newest competitor at the AWF, AJ Spencer! He just knocked to the ground a former AXW Champion!
Meanwhile, as Esmur tries to get up from that German Suplex that was inflicted onto the AWF's COO, Terry Bradshaw, Roy Harlowe comes into the mix. He grabs Esmur's leg and contorts him until he has the Nihilist member into the single leg Boston Crab. Esmur is instantly put into a world of pain, especially considering the fact that Roy isn't the kind of person who exactly puts the moves on gently. Esmur groans in pain and tries to pull himself to the ropes, but Roy is fresh and Esmur is more of a cruiserweight than a powerhouse, so he isn't going anywhere. Terry Bradshaw gets up and looks toward the corner where Esmur and Roy is. Concerned, he rushes to that corner and throws an axe handle! ...to the middle turnbuckle padding.
Terry Bradshaw: STOP MOCKING ME!
Terry Bradshaw begins to throw strikes to the turnbuckle padding. Meanwhile, AJ Spencer throws a STIFF kick to Roy Harlowe's chest, breaking the submission hold. Esmur takes a deep breath. While his resolve is high, getting into a dangerous position with the AWF Midwest Champion is NOT a safe place to be. The attack on Roy gets cheers from the crowd. AJ Spencer eats that up. He turns around and raises his hands to the crowd. He turns around to face Roy but as soon as he turns around, he finds an empty box - THE empty box that AJ Spencer sent to Roy as his present. Instinctively, he catches the box. Next thing he sees is Roy's fist breaking through the bottom of the box and smashing against his face! AJ Spencer hits the ground and Roy Harlowe goes for the pin. Junior Referee Steve Tyrell goes to count that pin:
...One!
...Tw-James Raymond sneaks in to break that pin!
Taylor: Terry Bradshaw has got the be the strangest person I've ever met.
Romano: I'm more impressed by Roy. He used an EMPTY BOX to his advantage!
Terry Bradshaw and the turnbuckle padding are hard at work with the brawls and James Raymond catches Roy as he tries to get himself up to his feet. He gets him in a camel clutch, but Esmur is starting to get himself to his feet. He's quick to run to Raymond and goes for a spinning heel quick, but the former AXW champion is also quick as he lifts up Roy for a German Suplex, using him as a shield and a victim for Esmur's blow. James Raymond gets up and turns around, where AJ Spencer pops up out of nowhere and slams him down with his signature move, "Big Old Spine Buster!", which is quite obvious a spinebuster, but in the style that The Rock does it. He's about to go for the pin, but finds Esmur putting Roy Harlowe's shoulders up against thee mat. Before the referee can even go for the one count, AJ Spencer puts a quick stop to it. He then looks back to James Raymond, but finds that with all the commotion going on, it's not the best idea to go for the pin.
Taylor: This match is on fire! Both the former AXW and the current AWF Midwest Champions almost got pinned!
Romano: Well we don't know that they could have been pinned for sure, but I do know that they aren't in good places.
AJ Spencer turns around to work on Terry Bradshaw, who is up. He doesn't want unscathed people in the ring, his ring. He grabs the head of the Chief Financial Officer Terry Bradshaw and slams his head against the turnbuckle. He then quickly slams him down with a Samoan drop! As he opens his eyes, he's about to get up, but finds something else. Esmur on the top turnbuckle. He jumps off with his Swanton Bomb! Void! AJ has no way to avoid the blow. IT HITS! Steve Tyrell goes for the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...Thr-Roy Harlowe breaks up the pin!
Taylor: The match was just about to end, but Roy has that never-give-up spirit!
Romano: AJ Spencer is confident, but a tad cocky. That almost ended the match for him.
Terry Bradshaw gets up and already raises his hands in victory. For what, reason, no one really knows. But he gets up and he raises the AXW shirt up in the air. He shouts, "THIS IS MY PRIZE! I AM THE WINNER!" The referee walks up to Terry and looks to set the record straight so he begins to inform him that he isn't the winner of the match. Meanwhile, Roy Harlowe is in the air and he's irking Esmur to get up to his feet. He poses for his finisher move - the shining jumping lariat/banana chute that he calls Shining Justice! Esmur gets up. The heat of the battle has gotten into the Nihilist's head and he doesn't see this coming. Roy Harlowe moves forward for the move and it hits! Except that when I say it, I'm not referring to Roy Harlowe's finisher move. No, I'm referring to James Dragon's signature move, Eternal Sunshine! Yes, his Busaiku Knee signature hits Roy Harlowe hard and knocks him out cold! The referee sees absolutely none of it! James Dragon offers Roy a cocky smirk before rolling out of the ring. With perfect timing, as soon as Dragon rolls out of the ring, Junior Referee Steve Tyrell turns around and sees the floored AWF Midwest Champ but with three other wrestlers who legally could have done it, he can't definitively say that it wasn't foul play. But nonetheless, James Dragon's actions have evoked an uproar of cheers from the crowd.
Taylor: James Dragon is here! James Dragon is back, and he's not through with Roy Harlowe!
Romano: He wants to let everyone know that he's the greatest ever. And like I said before - Roy Harlowe remembers.
Esmur gets to his feet and immediately gets into prepared mode. As he peers across the ring, he finds him pulling out brass knuckles. And if that's not bad enough, with his other hand, he grabs the black blanket and throws it over half the ring. In fact, the only ones in the ring that are not covered are James Raymond and AJ Spencer, who is just getting to his feet. James Raymond knows his time is now. He closes in on AJ Spencer. THE WORLD AT WAR, HIS LEAPING CUTTER... is pushed away by AJ Spencer! As he turns around, AJ Spencer throws the Ben Hua balls that was gifted to him in the stomach. These weighted balls give him just the opportunity he needs to kick the AXW star in the stomach and hits him with his finisher stunner that he calls TIME'S UP! He goes for the pin count:
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THREE!
The bell rings! AJ Spencer looks around but realizes. He has no idea where the referee is. Now that he thinks about it, he didn't actually remember hearing the referee slapping the ring. That's when the blanket goes up and finds Esmur having Terry Bradshaw in an Indian Deathlock. As it turns out, it is Esmur's finisher that he calls Twisted Belief! And on the other end, Terry Bradshaw is tapping repeatedly. AJ Spencer's eyes grow wide as Jessie Love grabs the microphone.
Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen: Your winner of this match... BY SUBMISSION - ESMUR!
Taylor: Cassius! What just happened here!?
Romano: It looks like two falls just happened here... AJ Spencer over James Raymond and Esmur over Terry Bradshaw, but James Raymond threw a blanket over everyone except AJ and James, so the referee couldn't see it. He only heard the tapping, took the blanket off and saw Esmur making Terry Bradshaw tap out.
Taylor: But this isn't fair!
Romano: Tommy, if you're looking for fair, you're in the wrong business. Facts are facts and the fact is that Esmur of The Nihilists won this match. I do, however, get that AJ Spencer is a great wrestler and did amazingly in his first match. I expect great things from him!
Whatever happened to the National Treasure? Whatever happened to the Keyboard Warrior? Whatever happened to everyone's favorite OG gangster of de basement hood?
Whatever happened to Feargal Nukebuster?
This... this is what happened...
Romano: Here we go! He's hulking out!
Taylor: It kind of looks like he's... well, he's pooping...
Feargal starts to shake. Sweat pours from his brow. And then... nothing happens. Feargal's eyes shoot open, shocked.
Romano: Oh come on!
Taylor: He couldn't bring out the Nukebuster!
Kuroi drops his shoulders and shakes his head. "Disappointing" he says as he shrugs and charges into the corner, crushing Feargal against the turnbuckle. Feargal stumbles forward a few steps out of the corner and Kuroi kicks him in the gut, then reaches down and grabs an arm, picking Feargal up off the mat and putting him down with a pumphandle slam. "Bring him out!" Kuroi shouts again as he stomps on Feargal's midsection. Feargal clutches at his stomach but Kuroi doesn't let up. Another big stomp. And another. And another. Feargal curls up as Kuroi shakes his head and walks away, tired of the whole ordeal. Feargal begins to crawl towards the ropes, getting a hand up to drag himself to his feet.
Taylor: This is a little hard to watch.
Feargal drags himself up and looks up towards Kuroi. He charges across the ring with a flying forearm strike when Kuroi isn't expecting it. Feargal follows up with a punch. He pauses and stares at his fists. He's feeling something. He punches again. The audience yells "TAP". Punch. "TAP". Punch. "TAP". Punch. "TAP". The flurry of blows has Kuroi off-balance! Feargal starts to feel it. TAP. TAP. TAP. TAP. TAP. Feargal lets out a yell and goes to rip off his suit and tie... but he can't. Feargal looks confused as the audience gasps. He tries again... the strength just isn't there for some reason. He can't do it.
Romano: What the hell is going on?
Taylor: We've never seen him have this much trouble.
Kuroi comes to his senses and watches the pathetic display in front of him. He shakes his head. "Enough." Kuroi walks over and grabs Feargal by the tie, pulling him towards him and then dipping down to lift Feargal up onto his shoulders. Kuroi marches around the ring for a second to show off his strength, then lifts Feargal into the air and lets him go, dropping to his back and getting both knees up to drive them into Feargal's gut on the way down! The Death Grip! Feargal goes motionless on the mat as Kuroi flips on top for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING
Jessie Love: Here is your winner... Kuroi!
Kuroi quickly exits the ring, disgusted with his competition.
Taylor: It kind of looks like he's... well, he's pooping...
Feargal starts to shake. Sweat pours from his brow. And then... nothing happens. Feargal's eyes shoot open, shocked.
Romano: Oh come on!
Taylor: He couldn't bring out the Nukebuster!
Kuroi drops his shoulders and shakes his head. "Disappointing" he says as he shrugs and charges into the corner, crushing Feargal against the turnbuckle. Feargal stumbles forward a few steps out of the corner and Kuroi kicks him in the gut, then reaches down and grabs an arm, picking Feargal up off the mat and putting him down with a pumphandle slam. "Bring him out!" Kuroi shouts again as he stomps on Feargal's midsection. Feargal clutches at his stomach but Kuroi doesn't let up. Another big stomp. And another. And another. Feargal curls up as Kuroi shakes his head and walks away, tired of the whole ordeal. Feargal begins to crawl towards the ropes, getting a hand up to drag himself to his feet.
Taylor: This is a little hard to watch.
Feargal drags himself up and looks up towards Kuroi. He charges across the ring with a flying forearm strike when Kuroi isn't expecting it. Feargal follows up with a punch. He pauses and stares at his fists. He's feeling something. He punches again. The audience yells "TAP". Punch. "TAP". Punch. "TAP". Punch. "TAP". The flurry of blows has Kuroi off-balance! Feargal starts to feel it. TAP. TAP. TAP. TAP. TAP. Feargal lets out a yell and goes to rip off his suit and tie... but he can't. Feargal looks confused as the audience gasps. He tries again... the strength just isn't there for some reason. He can't do it.
Romano: What the hell is going on?
Taylor: We've never seen him have this much trouble.
Kuroi comes to his senses and watches the pathetic display in front of him. He shakes his head. "Enough." Kuroi walks over and grabs Feargal by the tie, pulling him towards him and then dipping down to lift Feargal up onto his shoulders. Kuroi marches around the ring for a second to show off his strength, then lifts Feargal into the air and lets him go, dropping to his back and getting both knees up to drive them into Feargal's gut on the way down! The Death Grip! Feargal goes motionless on the mat as Kuroi flips on top for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING
Jessie Love: Here is your winner... Kuroi!
Kuroi quickly exits the ring, disgusted with his competition.
Feargal Nukebuster became powerless...
The news quickly spread like wildfire, all news outlets wanted a piece of the story - the internet set itself on fire, rage seething through as their national treasure and icon of all gamer guys and gals suddenly became... useless... While sympathy lasted for a few days, eventually it faded - and hate became the new norm for Feargal.
"The only reason he was popular was because he had a super power, now he means nothing!"
"Never liked him anyways."
"I hope Feargal HQ gets cancelled, Feargal 'Nukebuster' is nothing more than a heap of dead charisma and wasted potential, I want him off of my screen... For good."
...
Then it happened, all major television networks cancelled airings of Feargal HQ right before it's season finale... But people didn't care... Feargal Nukebuster with no powers was just, Feargal. Who wants to watch an autistic little boy with a stutter and lisp play nerdy shit in his mother's basement.
The answer was no-one.
Eventually, Kim Kardashian hopped off of the dying bandwagon - dumping Feargal and mocking him for his 'timid two inch wonky flaccid dick'.
He felt alone more so than ever before... But the humiliation didn't just stop there.
Momma Gail: You're too old to be living in my basement Feargal, I want you out of my house... This instance...
He was homeless, love-sick, heart-broken.
He reached out for Uncle Hogan's help but the Hulkamaniac had long gone, opting for someone else's mom instead - Hogan had moved on, he soon forgot Feargal even existed.
Feargal had... No-one.
Feargal... On this cold chilly Christmas... Still has... No-one.
The AWF Tron shows sots of Bodhi finding Hyperion, intercut with Maverick standing in a church like setting. The voices of The Mad Titan and the Iconic Prince ring out, providing a narration to the series of images being beamed out.
Hyperion: I have been here all along, just look to the walls or the banners, the fans or the people. Hyperion has been in their hearts from day one, and you of all people know this to be true. I have lived within you Maverick...as fear.
Maverick: I’m not intimidated, I’m not worried, I’m not scared…
Hyperion stands, showing off his god like form to the cameras. Now outside, Maverick walks over and lifts a tool from outside of the shot.
Hyperion: I know now who I am, what I am and where my road must take me.
Maverick: I keep coming back, but I come back to prove my worth... You come back, just to remind people who you are.
In a darkened studio, Hyperion is lit by the flicker of some unseen flames.
Hyperion: I am Hyperion, King of the Titans, immortal and unruly as I fill my soul with heavenly light. I have faced down evil, vanquished Hell itself. I have torn apart GODS!
Maverick brings his axe down upon the coffin splintering the wood and splitting the words “Die, Hyperion, Die!” asunder
Maverick: I’m The Iconic Prince, I’m the XHF’s Best Kept Secret! I’m not to be messed around with, not one to be underestimated with. Now… he will pay and he will learn one of his biggest mistakes ever.”
Another swing of the axe.
Maverick: Accepting my challenge.
Taylor: We have one hell of a match lined up next. On one side, The Iconic Prince, fighting to prove his worth against a true legend of the AWF. On the other…
Romano: Hyperion. None more needs saying on his legend. Can Maverick rise to this challnege?
Taylor: It’s not the biggest dog in the fight, it’s the one that bites hardest.
Romano: Just make sure to not bite off more than you can chew.
Jessie Love: The following match is scheduled for one fall…
Crowd: ONE FALL!
The opening chords of “Gently” begin to play, as the lights darken completely. The crowd reacts to the haunting melody of Hyperion's entrance; the darkness blanketing everyone. Hyperion appears from a distance, walking through the crowd, tall and fierce. A single golden spotlight shines on him as he makes his way to the ring until he climbs over the barrier and approaches the ring steps. He pauses at the side, looking into the crowd with a scowl on his face, before raising his fist over his head to shouts from the audience. He enters over the top rope and prepares for Maverick’s arrival
As Hyperion stands in wait for Maverick to make his entrance, the lights start to dim until it reaches full darkness. The tron starts to glitch out and the lights come back on and then dim again in a repeating fashion.
Taylor: I think the electrical equipment is malfunctioning, as Maverick is trying to make his entrance.
Romano: These things happen, Tommy. Once we're live, anything can happen.
We see Hyperion talk to the referee over what's occurring in the arena and then... everything goes to black. The lights, the tron, everything. We hear loud footsteps over the speakers, as they echo through the building, and then one singular spotlight shines down on this little girl, staring at Hyperion with a microphone in her hand and in old and ripped Victorian clothing. She then raises the microphone to her mouth and sings an eerily and menacingly rendition of "London Bridge is Falling Down"
As she sings along, another spotlight turns on at the stage, four men dressed up in white suits walk out onto the stage, all wearing the same Plague Doctor Mask. They stand on the stage, staring right at Hyperion.
Romano: Who are these people? Where did they come from?
Taylor: They scare me quite a bit, along with this music.
Romano: More importantly, where's Maverick?
Hans Zimmer's "Inception" (Junkie XL Remix) plays through the PA System, as the lights turn back on to a red shade. The girl is gone but the same four men are still there, in the same position. The crowd stand to their feet as they wait for Maverick to enter the arena. As the beat drops, Maverick slowly walks out onto the stage to an uplifting crowd. Wearing white jeans and a shirt with "Die, Hyperion, Die" he stand a top of the stage before being handed an axe by one of the masked men. Then, Hanna Rockford walks out onto the stage, standing beside her boyfriend and looks prepared for battle.
Jessie Love: And his opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Hanna Rockford, residing in Hollywood, California, weighing in at 192 pounds... The Iconic Prince... Maverick!
They both walk to the ring, Maverick still carrying the axe in his right hand as he holds Hanna's hand with his left.
Taylor: What a treat to see Hanna here with Maverick, and Maverick looks like he's ready for a bloodbath.
Romano: I'm not sure if the colour white would make you look ready for a bloodbath.
As they get to ringside, Maverick hands Hannah the axe his shirt before climbing onto the ring apron and turning his back on The Mad Titan. He stretches his arms out to soak in the crowd's reaction before raising his hand into the air, he quickly turns around to face Hyperion for himself. He runs along the ring apron and climbs up to the second rope of the turnbuckle and looks out to the crowd before hopping into the ring and walking over to Hyperion to get in his face but the referee holds him back and pushes him into his corner, Maverick threatens to punch the referee after being pushed but he just walks over to his corner and flips off Hyperion.
Taylor: All the talk is done. Let’s see what these two men can provide in the ring.
Romano: I predict brutality. But then that’s a safe assumption where The Mad Titan is involved.
Taylor: What does Maverick have to do to dethrone the Titan King?
Romano: Anything he can, Taylor. Anything he can.
Singles Match
Maverick vs. Hyperion
The bell rings and Hyperion walks straight to the centre of the ring, establishing his territory. Maverick walks right up to him and despite the height difference squares up, showing no fear in the face of his titanic opponent. Mav reaches up and lands a stiff right hand straight to Hyperion’s jaw. The Mad Titan cocks his head quizzically sideways and even chuckles to himself for a brief second. Maverick fires off another punch and Hyperion stops chuckling, this time tilting his head downwards at Maverick disapprovingly. A third strike from Maverick is blocked as Hype simply catches the blow in his ham hock sized fist. The Mad Titan dismissively pushes Maverick away and the Irishman rolls backwards with the push and gets straight back to his feet again.
Taylor: Maverick is unintimidated by Hyperion.
Romano: Hyperion is unimpressed by Maverick.
Maverick walks right back up to Hyperion and squares up again. There is not an ounce of fear in Mav’s face as he kicks for Hyperion’s massive thigh. Hyperion grunts and swings a meaty fist at Maverick but the Irishman ducks, avoiding the blow. The Iconic Prince kicks three times more, switching legs until he sways the Titan King. Hyperion staggers and Maverick makes a little room and charges in, looking to add momentum to his next srike. Maverick leaps, extending a leg and looking to make solid contact with Hype’s face but The Titan regains a little composure and lifts Maverick into the air with one hand, hitting a sort of loose one handed thrust spinebuster that dumps Maverick onto the mat back first. Hyperion raises an arm to the sky as Maverick dusts himself off and quickly regains his footing.
Crowd: HYPE! HYPE! HYPE! HYPE!
Taylor: You can’t fight a Titan straight up.
Romano: Sometimes when you punch a wall enough you can lower its structural integrity. Sometime you just bloody your own knuckles.
Standing once more, Maverick walks right up to Hyperion, hatred boiling in his eyes. Maverick brings the speed with a flurry of kicks and punches that causes Hype to take a couple of steps backwards. Maverick leaps into the air and hits one of the most beautiful dropkicks that you are ever going to see in a professional wrestling match and Hype staggers backwards towards the ropes. The Irishman tries to close in and follow up but the Mad Titan uses his clumsy momentum to hit a MASSIVE clubbing overhand right to knock his smaller opponent off his feet. Hyperion shakes his head as Maverick rolls to a safe distance and stands AGAIN. Some of the crowd begin a small chant…
Crowd: Mav-er-ick. Mav-er-ick.
Taylor: You may not like him, but you have to respect Maverick’s spirit in this match.
Romano: I actually do like Maverick. And you have to respect anyone who goes toe to toe with The Titan.
Hyperion stands impassive in the middle of the ring, dismissive of his opponent. Maverick wipes a little sweat off his brow and closes in again. This time Mav channels his inner Muhammad Ali, sticking and moving, dashing in with a quick side kick and then dipping away out of Hyperion’s massive reach before the Titan can catch him. Another quick dip in and another kick and with the wild swing that comes in response, Hyperion frowns a little that he can’t make contact. The third approach, Maverick goes low, kicking at Hyperion’s leg and steps through underneath Hyperion’s strike. Hyperion turns to catch his opponent and Maverick performs a little hop, gaining enough air to dropkick Hyperion’s lower leg. Hyperion drops to a knee under the force of the blow and Maverick, as quick as a flash, hooks Hyperion by the head and hits a short DDT to take The Titan down to the mat.
Taylor: Maverick has taken the big man off his feet!
Romano: Fighting Hyperion is a difficult prospect for even the very best. Taking him off his vertical base? That’s a memory you will cherish forever.
With Hyperion down on the mat, runs at him and launches himself into the air landing back first across Hyperion’s chest. Maverick rolls through back to his feet and bounces off the far ropes and drops a second senton onto The Titan. The Iconic Prince makes it a trifecta, this time laying in place and hooking a leg…
ONE!
TW… not even a two count.
The Irish Icon quickly stands up and as Hyperion works his way up to a knee, Maverick charges straight away and drives a knee into Hype’s face. Hannah hammers on the ring apron in encouragement as Maverick stomps on Hyperion’s legs like a mad man, trying to hamper Hype’s ability to stand. Maverick drops to cover again…
ONE!
TWO!
T… Hype powers out with AUTHORITY.
Taylor: Barely a two count for Maverick there,
Romano: You need something special to take The Titan King down. You need something extraordinary to keep him down.
With his opponent still off his feet, Maverick stalks his prey like a hunter. As Hyperion stands, stunned that he can even be taken down by this annoying little fly of a man, Maverick wraps his arm across Hyperion’s throat and whips him down to the mat sharply with a rolling cutter. Maverick tries to pounce on the opportunity with another cover…
ONE!
TWO!
T… Hyperion powers out again. Maverick stands again, looking a little disappointed that his sudden rush of offense is grabbing barely more than very quick three counts. Mav looks over to his corner where Hannah is full of words of encouragement. Slowly, the sections of the crowd that were supporting Maverick seem a little louder, a little more confident in their support for the underdog, however his personality might be.
Taylor: It seems like Maverick is picking up some fans tonight.
Romano: But no worshippers. Hyperion doesn’t get your respect, he gets your commitment.
Another approach from Maverick tries to catch Hyperion off guard. Maverick launches himself at The Mad Titan off guard as he stand, slowly. Maerick’s leg looks to lash against Hyperion’s face with a vicious leg lariat…
AND HYPERION CATCHES HIM IN MIDAIR! HYPERION DROPS MAVERICK DOWN HARD WITH A VICIOUS, VICIOUS FALL FORWARD SLAM! Maverick howls in pain as Hype’s full body weight lands on him. Hyperion holds on to Mav’s body, almost baby like…
ONE!
TWO!
TH.. Maverick squirms out of the cover.
Hyperion stands, kicking at Mav’s body as he does. Hype grabs a handful of hair and hauls Maverick up to his feet, slugging some brutal punches into his guts. Hype stares at Bodhi in his corner and then glowers darkly at Hannah Pearce in The Iconic Prince’s before hoisting Maverick up over his shoulder and powerslamming him down fiercely to the mat. Hype cracks his neck threateningly and raises his fist to the sky, pinning Maverick disrespectfully with one foot.
ONE…
T... Mav easily squirms loose.
Crowd: HYPE! HYPE! HYPE!
Taylor: Hyperion doesn’t give Maverick a chance. And his loyal followers are lapping this all up.
Romano: Everyobody should respect Hyperion, if worship can’t be reached. For all he has done for the AWF.
Hyperion flexes, manfully. He lets Maverick stand up, not feeling that the relatively diminutive Irishman is a threat. Maverick is groggy as he stands, and he almost blunders into Hyperion’s grasp. Hyperion grabs Maverick and spins him round in the air, dropping Mav’s back across his knee. Hyperion hoists Maverick off the mat by the throat with both arms and TREE SLAMS HIM INTO THE TURNBUCKLES. Maverick staggers out of corner and Hype grabs him again, BIEL THROWING MAVERICK TWO THIRDS OF THE WAY ACROSS THE RING LIKE A RAG DOLL.
Romano: There’s one way to reach your frequent flier miles.
Stomping across the ring, Hyperion closes in on Maverick who looks positively stunned by the brutality of The Titan King. Hype reaches his arms down and hoists Maverick up into a Military Press. Hyperion presses Maverick’s body up and down like an Irish training weight as the Crowd chants along…
Crowd: ONE!
Crowd: TWO!
Crowd: THREE!
Crowd: FOUR!
Crowd: FIVE!
...before punctuating his final press by tossing Maverick’s body into the air slightly behind him and SAMOAN DROPPING HIM OUT OF THE PRESS! Maverick holds on to the back press…
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. Maverick kicks out!
Taylor: Maverick kicks out again!
Romano: I’m beginning to question how smart that is as a decision.
Now Hyperion looks pissed. This is not a good thing for his opponent. He stands and brutally kicks away at Maverick’s prone form with a look like he’s trying to wipe some shit off his shoe while doing it. As Maverick stands again, Hyperion headbutts him with a sickening noise, then a second time, then backs off and rushes in for a third headbutt that send Maverick reeling across the ring. Hyperion storms after him and inverts Maverick, slamming him into a corner that would have left Maverick in the tree of woe if Maverick’s body hadn’t just dripped off the ring ropes like rainwater on a stormy day.
Taylor: My god, Cassius. Hyperion is just brutal.
Romano: You don’t fight a Titan and expect to leave in the same shape you came into the match.
Maverick looks stunned. Just visibly shaken by the fearsome attack of The Titan King. Hyperion stands and locks Maverick firmly in his sights. As Maverick slowly, gingerly gets back to his feet, Hyperion RUSHES across the ring and NEAR DECAPITATES THE ICONIC PRINCE WITH A BIG BOOT. Maverick slumps to the mat. Hannah Pearce looks aghast. The chants in the crowd for Maverick raise another level as those for Hyperion become slightly muted, shocked by the level of violence Hyperion is bringing to the match.
Taylor: How can Maverick withstand this brutal assault?
Romano: How could any man?
Hyperion grabs Maverick around the waist and hoists him up into a standing head scissors. With an almost impassive look, it’s not like he cares about what happens to his opponent, Hype turns Maverick around to face the opposite side of the ring. Hype hoists Mav up onto his shoulders and the slightly dazed look on the Irishman’s face turns to one of horror as he realises what is going on. Hyperion takes a few steps to get up to his full pace…
AND RUNNING POWERBOMBS MAVERICK OVER THE ROPES AND STRAIGHT TO THE UNFORGIVING MATS ON THE OUTSIDE.
Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!
Hyperion looks down over the carnage he has caused. Maverick looks out. Not just out. REALLY out. Totally glazed over. He breathes heavily which is probably the only good sign about the car wreck of sight he is making outside of the ring.
Hannah Pearce runs over to Maverick’s prone and broken form. She calls up to the ring and the referee slides out and checks Maverick over. He throws the ominous X sign up and from the backstage area, EMTs rush out towards where Maverick is laying. A gurney is produced and the medical technicians begin to slide Maverick onto the medical recovery device.
Taylor: Well. That’s it. Hyperion is your winner. The referee should sound the bell now.
Jessie Love: The winner of this match, by way of technical knockout, HYPEERIOOOOOOON!
Maverick: NO!
Maverick shoos away the medical team as he slides off the gurney. Hannah PLEADS for him to just accept his defeat. But Maverick is having none of it. However stupid an idea this would be for a normal person, even a normal wrestler, The Iconic Prince is DAMN WELL going to finish this match. The crowd noise builds into a roar.
Romano: The referee never called for the bell! This match is still going!
Maverick, back onto his feet staggers towards the ring where Hyperion is standing, looking PISSED! Seriously, “I just shot your dog” levels of pissed. Hyperion cocks him arm like he was loading a shotgun. Hell, in wrestling terms he might as well be. Hype measures Maverick’s approach, carefully planning when the right time to land the killing (possibly literally) blow. He swings…
Taylor: FIRST PRINCIPLE! FIRST PRINCIPLE! FIRST PRINCIPLE!
And MAVERICK DUCKS UNDER THE ARM AS IT SWINGS! MAV GRABS THE ARM FROM BEHIND AND TAKES HYPERION DOWN TO A FUJIWARA ARMBAR POSITION!
Maverick: TAP!
Hyperion will not give up that easily. He shrugs a shoulder and eventually disposes of Maverick, shaking the Irishman off him. Hype shakes a bit of life back into his arm but, miraculously, Maverick has discovered some reserve of energy that few would have expected he had.
Taylor: Where is Maverick getting this energy from.
Romano: I don’t know. Maybe the little break on the outside helped.
Maverick stands and breathing heavily begins to stomp the ground. Hyperion is on his feet but facing the wrong way. Hype slowly turns…
Crowd: HYPE! HYPE HYPE!
Crowd: MAV-ER-ICK! MAV-ER-ICK!
SO MAVERICK ICONKICKS HIM AGAIN!
AND HYPERION BUDGES A COUPLE OF INCHES BUT DOESN’T GO DOWN!
SO MAVERICK ICONKICKS HIM AGAIN!!!!!
SO MAVERICK ICONKICKS HIM AGAIN!!!!!!
AND HYPERION STUMBLES BACK AGAIN! THE BIG MAN STAGGERS BUT DOES NOT FALL!!!!
SO MAVERICK ICONKICKS HIM AAAAGGGAAAAIINNNN!!!!
THIS TIME HYPERION REELS! HYPERION IS FORCED BAWARDS TO THE ROPES, OUT OF HIS OWN CONTROL!
AND MAVERICK CHARGES! HE EXTENDS A LEG IN MIDAIR AND CONNECT WITH A SINGLE LEG DROPKICK WITH ENOUGH VENOM BEHIND IT TO DROP HYPERION TO THE MAT!
Taylor: STAR DESTROYER! STAR DESTROYER! STAR DESTROYER!
Hyperion crumbles to the mat. Maverick lands on top of him and hooks a leg…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE! MAVERICK WINS! MAVERICK WINS! MAVERICK WINS!
Crowd: BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!
Jessie Love: Your winner of the match, by way of pinfall. “The Iconic Prince” MAAAAAAAVEEERIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!
Hannah Pearce jumps into the ring to congratulate Maverick who, with the adrenaline of the match leaving him, collapses onto the mat. The referee leans down to raise his arm but Maverick is beyond making any meaningful response.
Taylor: Maverick has done it! The Mad Titan has been felled.
Romano: But at what cost? That match looks like it took everything out of Maverick.
Taylor: All I know is that after that performance, The XHF’s Best Kept Secret is a secret no more.
Romano: As much as it pains me to agree with you, Taylor, in this case you are absolutely right.
"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. He doesn't seem too interested in shaking anyone's hand as he rolls straight into the ring and goes to his corner, leaning back against the ropes and awaiting the start of the match.
Taylor: I'm so excited! This match is about to happen and we have Seth here who is a DUAL champion! He has TWO belts!
Romano: Well with the X*Crown, he actually has closer to 19 belts. But all eyes are on Seth. He's about to go through hell and back if he hopes to walk back with any of these belts.
The wild drum fill, followed by the savage harmocina line and guitar riff of DC Sound Attack! plays as purple and white lights swirl and pulse with the beat. Chris Card walks out from the entrance gate and looks out into the crowd.
THE OPTICS OF IT ARE NOT IMPORTANT
THE PUBLIC DON'T GIVE A DAMN!
I FEEL IN NEED OF CONSULTATION, NOW
EVERYBODY NEEDS
A SINISTER HAND
Card takes a slow walk down to the ring and steps through the ropes as the lights change from beams to spinning spotlights to mark his presence in the ring. Card poses in the center of the ring, crossing his thumbs over where his heart would sit. The lights go up and Card moves over to his own corner and relaxes, the referee checking him over and finding nothing wrong.
Taylor: Chris Card! He likes to call himself Technical Perfection. I have to call him insane, though. He could have only gone up against one person!
Romano: It's true that he is essentially the reasons The Icons are still here, but he's a man of honor. He's a man who loves the heat of battle. Can he walk out with gold?
Motherfucker of the Year starts playing over the sound system. The lights drop apart from purple spotlights, which appear to swirl around as if they are looking for someone. Suddenly, they all converge on one spot, revealing Bobby Barratt standing square in the middle of the ramp. He wears an Icons T-shirt and his ring gear. He walks down the ramp, focused and brash as you'd expect from an Icon.
Hopping onto the apron and wiping his feet, he hops over the top rope, ascending to the second buckle to mouth along with the fans before taking off his shirt, teasing the throw to the fans before folding it up and putting it in the corner of the ring.
Taylor: And here's Bobby, someone who has been with us for many battles. He's bruised, bled and passed out in front of us. Tonight, he fights his last fight.
Romano: But if there's one word needed to describe Bobby, it's fighter. He goes in looking to win, and I don't expect this match to be any different. This is a match he's still planning to win.
The stadium lights dim and red strobes begin to flash as "Ace of Spades" by Motorhead feels the stadium. Diamond emerges from the back wearing his leather jacket and diamond shaped sunglasses and smiles big at the crowds reaction. Some boo, others chant "Diamond Club" as the Ace of Spades makes his way down to the ring. He rolls under the bottom rope and quickly pops up and throws his hands in the air in a diamond champ, again to some cheers and some boos and he gives a very smug grin as he awaits his opponent or for the match to start.
Taylor: And here's probably the one man with the largest fire under his ass, Jack Diamond.
Romano: Seth Dillinger stole his belt and Jack has done a great job in feeding his propaganda to the Diamond Club that we at the AWF are the cause of all of his issues.
Taylor: Despite all that, he is a great wrestler.
Romano: Well of course. He's fantastic and that's shown by his record. He is a two-time X*Crown Champion. Will he become a three-time champion at the end of this match?
Two-Fall Street Fight
First Fall: AWF Prestige Championship
Second Fall: XHF X*Crown Championship
Seth Dillinger © vs. Chris Card vs. Bobby Barratt vs. Jack Diamond
The Icons are conversing in the corner, Dillinger and Card are each in a one of their own. Senior Referee Gabe Valentine relayed the stipulations and called for the bell.
-DING DING DING-
Taylor: And here we go! The two biggest titles in the XHF network on the line!
Romano: Every man in there is hungry. I hope the EMTs are ready.
Card and Dillinger nodded to each other and rush towards the Icons. The men would start exchanging blows Card with Diamond, Dillinger engaging Barratt. The brawl would start separating as Barratt seems to be gaining the upper hand on Dillinger, while Card is pushing back Diamond. Barratt backs Dillinger against the ropes and followed up with a clothesline dumping Dillinger to the outside. Card ducked under a big right hand, grab Diamond by the gut and deliver a German suplex.
Taylor: And it's already explosive here in Iowa!
Romano: I think we all know this would happen, despite being every man for himself it looks like Card and Dillinger recognize the Icons need to be split up if either of them is going to walk out a winner tonight.
Taylor: But that might not even be enough! Bobby and Jack are alone in the ring with Chris!
Barratt turned to assist Diamond but before he can even take a step, Dillinger had sprung to his feet and pulled the boot out from under Barratt. Unrelenting, he pulled Barratt out by the same boot letting him fall to the floor. Diamond tried to get up off the mat but Card gave him no time for a breather as he hits the ropes and plants both boots into the chest of Diamond with a dropkick, laying him flat again. Dillinger kept on Barratt by stomping him a few times. He rushed towards the steps. Seth scaled them and runs the apron and flies on top of Barratt with a crossbody.
Card attempted to drag Diamond up to his feet but Diamond threw his arm upwards swiftly into the groin of Card, who dropped to his knees.
Taylor: Guess we didn't have to wait long for one of the Icons to make full use of the rules!
Card tried to throw another punch at Diamond as he gets to his feet, but that's caught and Diamond slammed an elbow into the side of Card's head. Card slinked back, and Diamond gave him another one for good measure taking the man off his feet. Diamond then started kicking at Card, starting at the legs, then the ribs, and finished off by raking his boot off Card's head.
Dillinger cane off the cross body and pulled Barratt to his feet. Dillinger grabbed Barratt by the arm, started jogging with him before Irish whipping Barratt into the barricade. Dillinger, with a head full of steam attempted to drive Barratt further in with a running knee, but Barratt rolled away last minute. Dillinger held his leg and fell while Bobby Barratt grabbed a hold of the barricade to get himself back to his feet. Barratt didn't waste this opportunity and leveled Dillinger with a
--- Distortion Kick (Superkick)---
Taylor:: Bobby Barratt regains that early advantage and Diamond taking care of business in the ring!
Romano: This is still early though, keep in mind Dillinger is the one with the most to lose here.
Barratt stood over Dillinger and grabbed him by the hair and got in his face, telling him audibly that he's ready to send Dillinger back to the hospital. Barratt slammed Dillinger's head against the barricade a few times, pulled him back farther and whipped it back again with force. Dillinger's dome bounces off and he's again prone. Barratt again grabbed Dillinger by the head and tossed him over the divider. Fans moved out of the way as Barratt gets on top and hopped off with a double foot stomp into the back of Dillinger.
In the ring, Diamond again started kicking card in the ribs, but used the force to move Card towards the ropes, and then kicks him outside, near Barratt and Dillinger. Diamond climbed over the middle rope and under the top, stood on the apron and delivered a jumping knee drop onto Card. Diamond rose off Card slowly, keeping his focus on him. Seemingly satisfied with his destruction he looked over to Barratt. They locked eyes and Barrett called him over. Barratt grabbed two empty seats from the fans who departed folded one up and tossed one to Diamond who caught it after climbing over as well. Barratt folded another, and the two men start raining chair shots down onto Dillinger.
Romano: And there's the icons we all know. I guess it was only a matter of time.
Taylor: Looks like it was a mistake to let such an established force like them in the same match. Teamwork seems to be trumping ambition!
Romano: For all we know they already decided who gets what championship...
Diamond threw his chair to the floor and picked up Dillinger. He held Dillinger in front of himself telling Barratt to finish the job. Card had time to recover and ran over leaped over the partition to spear Barratt sending the chair flying. Card starts raining blows on top of Barratt mixing in a few elbows. Diamond lets go of Dillinger, but as soon as he does Dillinger, perhaps out of desperation, slammed the back of his head against the face of Diamond. Diamond held his face but Dillinger leaped up, spun around and delivered a tornado DDT, planting Diamond onto the floor and even busting Diamond open lightly from the head.
Taylor: SETH ISN'T DONE YET! With a burst of life and help from Chris, the tide has changed!
Romano: This is devolving quickly. We're not even at the first fall yet.
Card refused to let up, determined to take at least one of the icons out of the equation all together. Barratt attempted to cover up a couple of times, but can't quite avoid the onslaught. Eventually Barratt's resistance gives all together as he limply takes his pummeling. Dillinger rose first, between him and Diamond, and tossed Diamond over the barricade. Dillinger hopped on top of the barricade and followed up with a a leaping swanton. Diamond held his gut and the blood slowly streamed down his face.
Card got sick of pummeling Barrat and stood fully up. He pulled Barratt up by his hair and attempted a suplex. Barratt finding some life of his own, stopped the two men short and even managed to turn them around. Barratt then lifted Card up for a suplex over the divider but did not rise up right away. He was the first of those two to make it to his feet and stepped over himself. Barratt took a moment though and then searched under the ring. After a few moments, he pulled out the iconic "Debra" baseball bat.
Romano: Here it is, but I thought that piece of wood was reserved for Seth's skull.
Taylor: You reminded me earlier though Cassius, we're still early, we haven't even decided who our AWF Prestige Champion is! For all we know Barratt won't stop swinging till he gets the home run on both Chris and Seth!
Barratt slammed the bat down into the gut of Card with an overhead strike. Card recoiled in pain but the blows kept coming, each with a little more intensity than the last. Dillinger struck Barratt in the back of the head with a forearm after noticing that Card is in trouble. Barratt didn't drop the bat right away but Dillinger grabbed it from Barratt's hands. He kicked the back of the right knee of Barratt sending him down. The crowd started going wild as Dillinger contemplated using "Debra" to level it's master. Dillinger mulled over this for a moment but tossed the bat aside thinking the better of it. Instead Dillinger delivered a spinning roundhouse into the side of Barratt's head, sending the first AWF Prestige Champion to the floor.
Dillinger turned his attention back to Diamond, who is stirring. Dillinger essentially punted Diamond's face, tossing him over onto his back, and busting the wound open further. Dillinger drops to his knees, and attempted a cover. The referee slid out of the ring, and then started tapping the floor.
ONE...
TWO...
---KICK OUT---
Taylor: ONLY TWO!
Romano: Diamond might be in a bad way, but there's a reason he's even in this match. It's going to take a lot more than that.
Meanwhile Card rose up after getting a much needed breather by pulling himself up with the steps. Barratt began moving now too, but at a much slower pace. Card took this opportunity to axe kick Barratt back onto the floor. Card held the side of the apron, again taking a moment to recover his breath. Card reached under the apron and pulled out a few light tubes. Card smashed each one over Barratt, one at a time, all of them breaking on contact. The last one he dug into Barratt opening up his stomach, and twists it deeply. Card then lifted Barratt to his feet.
Dillinger also pulled Diamond to his feet and another acknowledgement between Card and Dillinger is seen with a subtle nod before Dillinger and Card Irish whipped both Barratt and Diamond into each other. The Icons both fell onto their backs. Dillinger climbed the apron, and then moved over the the ring post. Dillinger scales it and looked out to the crowd. Card pulled Barratt to his feet and steps away. Dillinger then delivered off the top rope a
---South Philly Stunner (Springboard Somersault Stunner)---
Dillinger, also felt the weight of the move he just delivered by holding his tailbone. Card however capitalizes and hopped on top of Bobby. Senior Referee Gabe Valentine began the pin count.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!
Taylor: NEW AWF PRESTIGE CHAMPION!
Romano! Amazing! Simply amazing! Card basically proved the alliance only goes as far as the championships do!
Taylor: The way it went down too! Card capitalized on the BEST possible moment.
Romano: Don't forget though this match isn't over.
Taylor: That's right! Because we still need to crown the X-Crown Champion!
The referee got to his feet again but Dillinger was not happy as he stood. Card had a huge grin on his face as the two men, him and Dillinger, have words. Dillinger pushed Card in the chest shortly after. Card pushed back. Dillinger has had enough after just losing one of his belts and slugs Card. Card spat up some blood into his hand after stumbling and then both men start to go at it.
Dillinger like a mad man overcame Card as rights and lefts are exchanged and eventually Dillinger delivered a right hook into the side of Card which crumpled Card over. Dillinger lifted Card's head and kicked Card right in the chin. Card fell onto his gut, but this was when Dillinger noticed the Icons were both ready for more. The dilemma overwhelmed him briefly, unsure of who to take care of first. He settled on Barratt runs up the steps and delivered a moonsault leg drop. Dillinger hooked Barratt's leg.
ONE...
TWO....
THRE---- KICK OUT!
Dillinger, heard the count but could not believe it. He even stood up and started to argue with the referee about count speed. While doing so, Diamond leveled Dillinger with a dropkick into the square of Dillinger's back. Dillinger fell flat. Only Diamond was able to stand between all four men. He grabbed Dillinger and leads him from the side of the ring and up the ramp. He took his time, and delivered a blow into the face of Dillinger to make sure he followed. Diamond even had to wipe blood from his eyes as he reached the apex.
Dillinger tried to use this bit of reprieve to headbutt into Diamond again, but this time Diamond is ready. Diamond leaned back avoiding the blow and slammed an elbow across Dillinger's face. Dillinger fell to a knee and Diamond reciprocated with another blow across the face with his fist. Diamond dragged Dillinger to the end of the stage and fell backwards, grabbing Diamond by the neck with his feet. A massive hurricanrana sent Dillinger tumbling onto a set piece off the side, a bundle of presents near a Christmas tree, flattening them all.
Diamond wasn't moving at this point. His back was bleeding fairly severely. Diamond rose to his feet and looked down at this own wreckage. After taking it all in, he made his way down the ramp, to the side, and then over to Dillinger. He then made a cover. The referee rushed up the ramp and noticed the carnage that just took place and took his place at the side of Diamond, getting on his belly to count.
ONE...
TWO...
TH--- KICK OUT!
Romano: Don't count out the X-Crown Champion. Here he is fighting for the last piece of gold he has!
Taylor: So far he was screwed out of one, but let's be honest, How much more punishment can one man take?
Card got to his feet and again rain down some stomps onto Barratt. Barratt was about to be the victim of a few of these before grabbing the ankle of Card and sending him to the floor with a nasty twisting motion. Barratt got to his feet and again grabbed Debra. This time, he lifted it up over his head and delivered a disgusting blow on top of Card's face. Barratt made a covery, but the referee had already begun chasing down the other two participants. Barratt was a bit agitated over this course of events. He slammed Chris Card in the stomach with "Debra" before throwing it down and chasing after the referee, Gabe Valentine.
Barratt reached the scene of brutality and grabbed the referee by the shoulder. Diamond got to his feet and start arguing with Barratt about his actions. Their argument continued with both bumping foreheads. The referee backed away not seeming to want any part of this. The argument escalated but eventually cooler heads prevailed. The both agreed with each other and dragged Dillinger to his feet as a unit. Both wrapped Seth Dillinger's arms around their head.
The Icons as a unit double suplexed Dillinger down onto the floor. Dillinger's back was in a horrible way, and he was bleeding profusely. Diamond hopped on top of Dillinger almost immediately. and began to count
ONE...
That's when Barratt grabbed the boot of Diamond and yanks him off the cover.
Taylor: And now even the icons aren't on the same page! What is going on here?!
Romano: You're talking about the X-Crown. Even the most tight knit stables in wrestling wouldn't let such an opportunity escape their grasp.
Card stumbled around and got to his feet, holding the apron first, and then stumbling onto the barricade. His labored breath was very apparent despite just winning the AWF Prestige Championship, he was eager to do even more. Card arduously made his way down the ramp. Barratt and Diamond were again forehead to forehead, both looking like they were ready to throw punches.
Card found a sudden second wind and rushed both of them. Bobby Barratt broke off first exchanging blows with Card before Card eye rakes Barratt before giving him a neck breaker. Jack Diamond rushed over when the neck breaker landed. Chris Card delivered a standing drop kick onto the oncoming former X*Crown Champion. This sent him back onto the ramp, slumping onto a pile.
Dillinger crawled onto his feet witnessing all of what had just transpired. Unable to to rise to his feet for more than a few seconds would spill onto his knees. He reached around and part of the set, a length of chain not used, but found its way into his grasp. Dillinger took a few seconds of consideration, and wrap it around most of it around his hand. Card came over to check on Dillinger, but he still had not let go of what happened just a few minutes ago.
Dillinger blasted Card upside the head with the loaded fist and instantly bust open Card as well. Card fell onto his back and Dillinger attempted to make the cover. The referee hurried over to make the count.
ONE...
TWO...
THRE---
As soon as the referee was about to make the final pat on the mat, both Barratt and Diamond grabbed a leg of Dillinger and pull him off the cover. However, Dillinger was feeling this new sensation of being in totally control, and while both Barratt and Diamond cover Card, Dillinger would not even let the ref count one before the slams the chain down into both Diamond and Barratt. He and Diamond rolled off, Card still in the process of recovering. Dillinger then rained blow after blow down onto Card, maybe for good measure, and maybe out of his own saltiness for losing the AWF Prestige Championship.
Blow after blow rained down on Card from the iron laden grasp of Dillinger. He seemingly could not control himself anymore.
Romano: I didn't think Seth had it in him...
Taylor: This is disgusting, what in the world is Dillinger thinking? He's a hero to kids around the world! Cover the man already!
Diamond would be out of it thanks to a lot of blood lost, but Barratt managed to find his own second wind. The Icon stumbles over to Dillinger the side of the head with another
---Distortion Kick (Super Kick)---
Dillinger crumpled over, but Bobby Barratt was not done. He picked Dillinger back up to his feet and dishes out an
---Icon Breaker (Code Breaker)---
Bobby Barratt then covered Dillinger after getting back upright. Senior Referee Gabe Valentine slid in for the count.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner... and NEW XHF X*Crown Champion... Bobbyyyyyy Barratttttttttt!
Bobby flipped over from pinning Dillinger, out of breath, winded, and beaten. He staggered his way down to ringside and snatched the X*Crown from the timekeeper's table, throwing it over his shoulder as the crowd erupted into jeers. On his way back up the ramp, he stopped and pulled Jack Diamond to his feet. Jack staggered a bit, wiping away the mixture of blood and sweat from his face. He locked eyes with Bobby, then glances over at the X*Crown Title, then back at Bobby.
Taylor: Oh no...
Jack hesitated for a moment, then just nodded at Bobby and extends his hand for a handshake. Bobby looked down at his hand, thought for a second, and accepted the gesture.
Romano: It's heartwarming to see the Icons standing tall and sticking together after all this!
Jack and Bobby raised each other's hands and played to the crowd, but they responded with a chorus of jeers. A chant began... "FUCK YOU ICONS" *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* "FUCK YOU ICONS" *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap*. Jack stalked down the ramp to ringside and snatched a microphone out of the hands of Jessie Love.
Jack Diamond: "That's the problem with you people. You can't recognize how LUCKY you are to be standing in the presence of the Icons."
The jeers were deafening. Jack walked back up the ramp and approached Bobby. The pair take a moment to soak up the boos.
Jack Diamond: "Week after week, we both come out here, and we prove to you all why we're the fucking greatest. And week after week, we get NOTHING but disrespect!"
Another round of jeers. Jack dropped the mic to his side and rolls his eyes. Bobby motioned for the microphone and raised it to his mouth.
Bobby Barratt: "To be completely frank, we're sick of it. We're sick of the AWF fans. We're sick of Terry Bradshaw's backstage circus conspiring to keep us down. And we're sick of trying to elevate this shithole promotion to greatness. So... now that I have this shiny X*Crown Title..."
Jack and Bobby locked eyes and nodded, then both lean into the microphone.
Bobby Barratt: & Jack Diamond: "WE QUIT!"
Bobby spiked the microphone on the ground, hitting an unconscious Seth Dillinger in the process.
Romano: What!? No!
Taylor: The Icons are quitting?
Romano: They can't do this to us!
Taylor: And it sounds like they're taking the X*Crown with them...
Romano: What about Maverick?
Taylor: What about Maverick? He's a grown man. He can choose his own path...
Romano: We need the Icons! Come on, Bradshaw, do something!
Bobby and Jack both walked out towards the backstage area. Bobby paused one last time at the top of the ramp, turning to the crowd with a shit-eating grin on his face.
Bobby Barratt: "Merry fuckin' Christmas!"
The camera passed through the shocked eyes of the thousands in attendance before the screens fade to black - and with the Icons - for the last time.
The news quickly spread like wildfire, all news outlets wanted a piece of the story - the internet set itself on fire, rage seething through as their national treasure and icon of all gamer guys and gals suddenly became... useless... While sympathy lasted for a few days, eventually it faded - and hate became the new norm for Feargal.
"The only reason he was popular was because he had a super power, now he means nothing!"
"Never liked him anyways."
"I hope Feargal HQ gets cancelled, Feargal 'Nukebuster' is nothing more than a heap of dead charisma and wasted potential, I want him off of my screen... For good."
...
Then it happened, all major television networks cancelled airings of Feargal HQ right before it's season finale... But people didn't care... Feargal Nukebuster with no powers was just, Feargal. Who wants to watch an autistic little boy with a stutter and lisp play nerdy shit in his mother's basement.
The answer was no-one.
Eventually, Kim Kardashian hopped off of the dying bandwagon - dumping Feargal and mocking him for his 'timid two inch wonky flaccid dick'.
He felt alone more so than ever before... But the humiliation didn't just stop there.
Momma Gail: You're too old to be living in my basement Feargal, I want you out of my house... This instance...
He was homeless, love-sick, heart-broken.
He reached out for Uncle Hogan's help but the Hulkamaniac had long gone, opting for someone else's mom instead - Hogan had moved on, he soon forgot Feargal even existed.
Feargal had... No-one.
Feargal... On this cold chilly Christmas... Still has... No-one.
The AWF Tron shows sots of Bodhi finding Hyperion, intercut with Maverick standing in a church like setting. The voices of The Mad Titan and the Iconic Prince ring out, providing a narration to the series of images being beamed out.
Hyperion: I have been here all along, just look to the walls or the banners, the fans or the people. Hyperion has been in their hearts from day one, and you of all people know this to be true. I have lived within you Maverick...as fear.
Maverick: I’m not intimidated, I’m not worried, I’m not scared…
Hyperion stands, showing off his god like form to the cameras. Now outside, Maverick walks over and lifts a tool from outside of the shot.
Hyperion: I know now who I am, what I am and where my road must take me.
Maverick: I keep coming back, but I come back to prove my worth... You come back, just to remind people who you are.
In a darkened studio, Hyperion is lit by the flicker of some unseen flames.
Hyperion: I am Hyperion, King of the Titans, immortal and unruly as I fill my soul with heavenly light. I have faced down evil, vanquished Hell itself. I have torn apart GODS!
Maverick brings his axe down upon the coffin splintering the wood and splitting the words “Die, Hyperion, Die!” asunder
Maverick: I’m The Iconic Prince, I’m the XHF’s Best Kept Secret! I’m not to be messed around with, not one to be underestimated with. Now… he will pay and he will learn one of his biggest mistakes ever.”
Another swing of the axe.
Maverick: Accepting my challenge.
Taylor: We have one hell of a match lined up next. On one side, The Iconic Prince, fighting to prove his worth against a true legend of the AWF. On the other…
Romano: Hyperion. None more needs saying on his legend. Can Maverick rise to this challnege?
Taylor: It’s not the biggest dog in the fight, it’s the one that bites hardest.
Romano: Just make sure to not bite off more than you can chew.
Jessie Love: The following match is scheduled for one fall…
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Jessie Love: And is a special challenge match. Introducing first, he hails from New York City, New York and weighed in tonight at three hundred ten pounds. He is “The Mad Titan” HYPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERIOOOOOOOOOOON!
The opening chords of “Gently” begin to play, as the lights darken completely. The crowd reacts to the haunting melody of Hyperion's entrance; the darkness blanketing everyone. Hyperion appears from a distance, walking through the crowd, tall and fierce. A single golden spotlight shines on him as he makes his way to the ring until he climbs over the barrier and approaches the ring steps. He pauses at the side, looking into the crowd with a scowl on his face, before raising his fist over his head to shouts from the audience. He enters over the top rope and prepares for Maverick’s arrival
As Hyperion stands in wait for Maverick to make his entrance, the lights start to dim until it reaches full darkness. The tron starts to glitch out and the lights come back on and then dim again in a repeating fashion.
Taylor: I think the electrical equipment is malfunctioning, as Maverick is trying to make his entrance.
Romano: These things happen, Tommy. Once we're live, anything can happen.
We see Hyperion talk to the referee over what's occurring in the arena and then... everything goes to black. The lights, the tron, everything. We hear loud footsteps over the speakers, as they echo through the building, and then one singular spotlight shines down on this little girl, staring at Hyperion with a microphone in her hand and in old and ripped Victorian clothing. She then raises the microphone to her mouth and sings an eerily and menacingly rendition of "London Bridge is Falling Down"
As she sings along, another spotlight turns on at the stage, four men dressed up in white suits walk out onto the stage, all wearing the same Plague Doctor Mask. They stand on the stage, staring right at Hyperion.
Romano: Who are these people? Where did they come from?
Taylor: They scare me quite a bit, along with this music.
Romano: More importantly, where's Maverick?
The girl finishes her song as her spotlight is turned off, then the spotlight on the stage is turned off, and all that's left is the dark arena.
Hans Zimmer's "Inception" (Junkie XL Remix) plays through the PA System, as the lights turn back on to a red shade. The girl is gone but the same four men are still there, in the same position. The crowd stand to their feet as they wait for Maverick to enter the arena. As the beat drops, Maverick slowly walks out onto the stage to an uplifting crowd. Wearing white jeans and a shirt with "Die, Hyperion, Die" he stand a top of the stage before being handed an axe by one of the masked men. Then, Hanna Rockford walks out onto the stage, standing beside her boyfriend and looks prepared for battle.
Jessie Love: And his opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Hanna Rockford, residing in Hollywood, California, weighing in at 192 pounds... The Iconic Prince... Maverick!
They both walk to the ring, Maverick still carrying the axe in his right hand as he holds Hanna's hand with his left.
Taylor: What a treat to see Hanna here with Maverick, and Maverick looks like he's ready for a bloodbath.
Romano: I'm not sure if the colour white would make you look ready for a bloodbath.
As they get to ringside, Maverick hands Hannah the axe his shirt before climbing onto the ring apron and turning his back on The Mad Titan. He stretches his arms out to soak in the crowd's reaction before raising his hand into the air, he quickly turns around to face Hyperion for himself. He runs along the ring apron and climbs up to the second rope of the turnbuckle and looks out to the crowd before hopping into the ring and walking over to Hyperion to get in his face but the referee holds him back and pushes him into his corner, Maverick threatens to punch the referee after being pushed but he just walks over to his corner and flips off Hyperion.
Taylor: All the talk is done. Let’s see what these two men can provide in the ring.
Romano: I predict brutality. But then that’s a safe assumption where The Mad Titan is involved.
Taylor: What does Maverick have to do to dethrone the Titan King?
Romano: Anything he can, Taylor. Anything he can.
Singles Match
Maverick vs. Hyperion
The bell rings and Hyperion walks straight to the centre of the ring, establishing his territory. Maverick walks right up to him and despite the height difference squares up, showing no fear in the face of his titanic opponent. Mav reaches up and lands a stiff right hand straight to Hyperion’s jaw. The Mad Titan cocks his head quizzically sideways and even chuckles to himself for a brief second. Maverick fires off another punch and Hyperion stops chuckling, this time tilting his head downwards at Maverick disapprovingly. A third strike from Maverick is blocked as Hype simply catches the blow in his ham hock sized fist. The Mad Titan dismissively pushes Maverick away and the Irishman rolls backwards with the push and gets straight back to his feet again.
Taylor: Maverick is unintimidated by Hyperion.
Romano: Hyperion is unimpressed by Maverick.
Maverick walks right back up to Hyperion and squares up again. There is not an ounce of fear in Mav’s face as he kicks for Hyperion’s massive thigh. Hyperion grunts and swings a meaty fist at Maverick but the Irishman ducks, avoiding the blow. The Iconic Prince kicks three times more, switching legs until he sways the Titan King. Hyperion staggers and Maverick makes a little room and charges in, looking to add momentum to his next srike. Maverick leaps, extending a leg and looking to make solid contact with Hype’s face but The Titan regains a little composure and lifts Maverick into the air with one hand, hitting a sort of loose one handed thrust spinebuster that dumps Maverick onto the mat back first. Hyperion raises an arm to the sky as Maverick dusts himself off and quickly regains his footing.
Crowd: HYPE! HYPE! HYPE! HYPE!
Taylor: You can’t fight a Titan straight up.
Romano: Sometimes when you punch a wall enough you can lower its structural integrity. Sometime you just bloody your own knuckles.
Standing once more, Maverick walks right up to Hyperion, hatred boiling in his eyes. Maverick brings the speed with a flurry of kicks and punches that causes Hype to take a couple of steps backwards. Maverick leaps into the air and hits one of the most beautiful dropkicks that you are ever going to see in a professional wrestling match and Hype staggers backwards towards the ropes. The Irishman tries to close in and follow up but the Mad Titan uses his clumsy momentum to hit a MASSIVE clubbing overhand right to knock his smaller opponent off his feet. Hyperion shakes his head as Maverick rolls to a safe distance and stands AGAIN. Some of the crowd begin a small chant…
Crowd: Mav-er-ick. Mav-er-ick.
Taylor: You may not like him, but you have to respect Maverick’s spirit in this match.
Romano: I actually do like Maverick. And you have to respect anyone who goes toe to toe with The Titan.
Hyperion stands impassive in the middle of the ring, dismissive of his opponent. Maverick wipes a little sweat off his brow and closes in again. This time Mav channels his inner Muhammad Ali, sticking and moving, dashing in with a quick side kick and then dipping away out of Hyperion’s massive reach before the Titan can catch him. Another quick dip in and another kick and with the wild swing that comes in response, Hyperion frowns a little that he can’t make contact. The third approach, Maverick goes low, kicking at Hyperion’s leg and steps through underneath Hyperion’s strike. Hyperion turns to catch his opponent and Maverick performs a little hop, gaining enough air to dropkick Hyperion’s lower leg. Hyperion drops to a knee under the force of the blow and Maverick, as quick as a flash, hooks Hyperion by the head and hits a short DDT to take The Titan down to the mat.
Taylor: Maverick has taken the big man off his feet!
Romano: Fighting Hyperion is a difficult prospect for even the very best. Taking him off his vertical base? That’s a memory you will cherish forever.
With Hyperion down on the mat, runs at him and launches himself into the air landing back first across Hyperion’s chest. Maverick rolls through back to his feet and bounces off the far ropes and drops a second senton onto The Titan. The Iconic Prince makes it a trifecta, this time laying in place and hooking a leg…
ONE!
TW… not even a two count.
The Irish Icon quickly stands up and as Hyperion works his way up to a knee, Maverick charges straight away and drives a knee into Hype’s face. Hannah hammers on the ring apron in encouragement as Maverick stomps on Hyperion’s legs like a mad man, trying to hamper Hype’s ability to stand. Maverick drops to cover again…
ONE!
TWO!
T… Hype powers out with AUTHORITY.
Taylor: Barely a two count for Maverick there,
Romano: You need something special to take The Titan King down. You need something extraordinary to keep him down.
With his opponent still off his feet, Maverick stalks his prey like a hunter. As Hyperion stands, stunned that he can even be taken down by this annoying little fly of a man, Maverick wraps his arm across Hyperion’s throat and whips him down to the mat sharply with a rolling cutter. Maverick tries to pounce on the opportunity with another cover…
ONE!
TWO!
T… Hyperion powers out again. Maverick stands again, looking a little disappointed that his sudden rush of offense is grabbing barely more than very quick three counts. Mav looks over to his corner where Hannah is full of words of encouragement. Slowly, the sections of the crowd that were supporting Maverick seem a little louder, a little more confident in their support for the underdog, however his personality might be.
Taylor: It seems like Maverick is picking up some fans tonight.
Romano: But no worshippers. Hyperion doesn’t get your respect, he gets your commitment.
Another approach from Maverick tries to catch Hyperion off guard. Maverick launches himself at The Mad Titan off guard as he stand, slowly. Maerick’s leg looks to lash against Hyperion’s face with a vicious leg lariat…
AND HYPERION CATCHES HIM IN MIDAIR! HYPERION DROPS MAVERICK DOWN HARD WITH A VICIOUS, VICIOUS FALL FORWARD SLAM! Maverick howls in pain as Hype’s full body weight lands on him. Hyperion holds on to Mav’s body, almost baby like…
ONE!
TWO!
TH.. Maverick squirms out of the cover.
Hyperion stands, kicking at Mav’s body as he does. Hype grabs a handful of hair and hauls Maverick up to his feet, slugging some brutal punches into his guts. Hype stares at Bodhi in his corner and then glowers darkly at Hannah Pearce in The Iconic Prince’s before hoisting Maverick up over his shoulder and powerslamming him down fiercely to the mat. Hype cracks his neck threateningly and raises his fist to the sky, pinning Maverick disrespectfully with one foot.
ONE…
T... Mav easily squirms loose.
Crowd: HYPE! HYPE! HYPE!
Taylor: Hyperion doesn’t give Maverick a chance. And his loyal followers are lapping this all up.
Romano: Everyobody should respect Hyperion, if worship can’t be reached. For all he has done for the AWF.
Hyperion flexes, manfully. He lets Maverick stand up, not feeling that the relatively diminutive Irishman is a threat. Maverick is groggy as he stands, and he almost blunders into Hyperion’s grasp. Hyperion grabs Maverick and spins him round in the air, dropping Mav’s back across his knee. Hyperion hoists Maverick off the mat by the throat with both arms and TREE SLAMS HIM INTO THE TURNBUCKLES. Maverick staggers out of corner and Hype grabs him again, BIEL THROWING MAVERICK TWO THIRDS OF THE WAY ACROSS THE RING LIKE A RAG DOLL.
Romano: There’s one way to reach your frequent flier miles.
Stomping across the ring, Hyperion closes in on Maverick who looks positively stunned by the brutality of The Titan King. Hype reaches his arms down and hoists Maverick up into a Military Press. Hyperion presses Maverick’s body up and down like an Irish training weight as the Crowd chants along…
Crowd: ONE!
Crowd: TWO!
Crowd: THREE!
Crowd: FOUR!
Crowd: FIVE!
...before punctuating his final press by tossing Maverick’s body into the air slightly behind him and SAMOAN DROPPING HIM OUT OF THE PRESS! Maverick holds on to the back press…
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. Maverick kicks out!
Taylor: Maverick kicks out again!
Romano: I’m beginning to question how smart that is as a decision.
Now Hyperion looks pissed. This is not a good thing for his opponent. He stands and brutally kicks away at Maverick’s prone form with a look like he’s trying to wipe some shit off his shoe while doing it. As Maverick stands again, Hyperion headbutts him with a sickening noise, then a second time, then backs off and rushes in for a third headbutt that send Maverick reeling across the ring. Hyperion storms after him and inverts Maverick, slamming him into a corner that would have left Maverick in the tree of woe if Maverick’s body hadn’t just dripped off the ring ropes like rainwater on a stormy day.
Taylor: My god, Cassius. Hyperion is just brutal.
Romano: You don’t fight a Titan and expect to leave in the same shape you came into the match.
Maverick looks stunned. Just visibly shaken by the fearsome attack of The Titan King. Hyperion stands and locks Maverick firmly in his sights. As Maverick slowly, gingerly gets back to his feet, Hyperion RUSHES across the ring and NEAR DECAPITATES THE ICONIC PRINCE WITH A BIG BOOT. Maverick slumps to the mat. Hannah Pearce looks aghast. The chants in the crowd for Maverick raise another level as those for Hyperion become slightly muted, shocked by the level of violence Hyperion is bringing to the match.
Taylor: How can Maverick withstand this brutal assault?
Romano: How could any man?
Hyperion grabs Maverick around the waist and hoists him up into a standing head scissors. With an almost impassive look, it’s not like he cares about what happens to his opponent, Hype turns Maverick around to face the opposite side of the ring. Hype hoists Mav up onto his shoulders and the slightly dazed look on the Irishman’s face turns to one of horror as he realises what is going on. Hyperion takes a few steps to get up to his full pace…
AND RUNNING POWERBOMBS MAVERICK OVER THE ROPES AND STRAIGHT TO THE UNFORGIVING MATS ON THE OUTSIDE.
Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!
Hyperion looks down over the carnage he has caused. Maverick looks out. Not just out. REALLY out. Totally glazed over. He breathes heavily which is probably the only good sign about the car wreck of sight he is making outside of the ring.
Hannah Pearce runs over to Maverick’s prone and broken form. She calls up to the ring and the referee slides out and checks Maverick over. He throws the ominous X sign up and from the backstage area, EMTs rush out towards where Maverick is laying. A gurney is produced and the medical technicians begin to slide Maverick onto the medical recovery device.
Taylor: Well. That’s it. Hyperion is your winner. The referee should sound the bell now.
Jessie Love: The winner of this match, by way of technical knockout, HYPEERIOOOOOOON!
Maverick: NO!
Maverick shoos away the medical team as he slides off the gurney. Hannah PLEADS for him to just accept his defeat. But Maverick is having none of it. However stupid an idea this would be for a normal person, even a normal wrestler, The Iconic Prince is DAMN WELL going to finish this match. The crowd noise builds into a roar.
Crowd: MAV-ER-ICK! MAV-ER-ICK!
Taylor: Maverick is up! Maverick is up!Romano: The referee never called for the bell! This match is still going!
Maverick, back onto his feet staggers towards the ring where Hyperion is standing, looking PISSED! Seriously, “I just shot your dog” levels of pissed. Hyperion cocks him arm like he was loading a shotgun. Hell, in wrestling terms he might as well be. Hype measures Maverick’s approach, carefully planning when the right time to land the killing (possibly literally) blow. He swings…
Taylor: FIRST PRINCIPLE! FIRST PRINCIPLE! FIRST PRINCIPLE!
And MAVERICK DUCKS UNDER THE ARM AS IT SWINGS! MAV GRABS THE ARM FROM BEHIND AND TAKES HYPERION DOWN TO A FUJIWARA ARMBAR POSITION!
Maverick: TAP!
Hyperion will not give up that easily. He shrugs a shoulder and eventually disposes of Maverick, shaking the Irishman off him. Hype shakes a bit of life back into his arm but, miraculously, Maverick has discovered some reserve of energy that few would have expected he had.
Taylor: Where is Maverick getting this energy from.
Romano: I don’t know. Maybe the little break on the outside helped.
Maverick stands and breathing heavily begins to stomp the ground. Hyperion is on his feet but facing the wrong way. Hype slowly turns…
AND MAVERICK ICONKICKS HIM SQUARE IN THE FACE!
Taylor: ICONKICK! FROM WAY BEYOND NOWHERE!
HYPERION NO SELLS! HYPERION DOESN’T EVEN BUDGE AN INCH UNDER THE FORCE OF THE KICK!
Romano: Hyperion WILL NOT GO DOWN!
Crowd: HYPE! HYPE HYPE!
Crowd: MAV-ER-ICK! MAV-ER-ICK!
SO MAVERICK ICONKICKS HIM AGAIN!
Taylor: MAKE THAT TWO!
AND HYPERION BUDGES A COUPLE OF INCHES BUT DOESN’T GO DOWN!
SO MAVERICK ICONKICKS HIM AGAIN!!!!!
Taylor: THREE!
AND HYPERION STUMBLES BACK TWO, MAYBE THREE STEPS!!!!
Romano: THE BIG MAN IS OFF BALANCE!
SO MAVERICK ICONKICKS HIM AGAIN!!!!!!
Taylor: FOUR!
AND HYPERION STUMBLES BACK AGAIN! THE BIG MAN STAGGERS BUT DOES NOT FALL!!!!
SO MAVERICK ICONKICKS HIM AAAAGGGAAAAIINNNN!!!!
Taylor: FIVE! FIVE ICONKICKS! AND HYPERION IS STILL STANDING!
THIS TIME HYPERION REELS! HYPERION IS FORCED BAWARDS TO THE ROPES, OUT OF HIS OWN CONTROL!
AND MAVERICK CHARGES! HE EXTENDS A LEG IN MIDAIR AND CONNECT WITH A SINGLE LEG DROPKICK WITH ENOUGH VENOM BEHIND IT TO DROP HYPERION TO THE MAT!
Taylor: STAR DESTROYER! STAR DESTROYER! STAR DESTROYER!
Hyperion crumbles to the mat. Maverick lands on top of him and hooks a leg…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE! MAVERICK WINS! MAVERICK WINS! MAVERICK WINS!
Crowd: BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!
Jessie Love: Your winner of the match, by way of pinfall. “The Iconic Prince” MAAAAAAAVEEERIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!
Hannah Pearce jumps into the ring to congratulate Maverick who, with the adrenaline of the match leaving him, collapses onto the mat. The referee leans down to raise his arm but Maverick is beyond making any meaningful response.
Taylor: Maverick has done it! The Mad Titan has been felled.
Romano: But at what cost? That match looks like it took everything out of Maverick.
Taylor: All I know is that after that performance, The XHF’s Best Kept Secret is a secret no more.
Romano: As much as it pains me to agree with you, Taylor, in this case you are absolutely right.
"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. He doesn't seem too interested in shaking anyone's hand as he rolls straight into the ring and goes to his corner, leaning back against the ropes and awaiting the start of the match.
Taylor: I'm so excited! This match is about to happen and we have Seth here who is a DUAL champion! He has TWO belts!
Romano: Well with the X*Crown, he actually has closer to 19 belts. But all eyes are on Seth. He's about to go through hell and back if he hopes to walk back with any of these belts.
The wild drum fill, followed by the savage harmocina line and guitar riff of DC Sound Attack! plays as purple and white lights swirl and pulse with the beat. Chris Card walks out from the entrance gate and looks out into the crowd.
THE OPTICS OF IT ARE NOT IMPORTANT
THE PUBLIC DON'T GIVE A DAMN!
I FEEL IN NEED OF CONSULTATION, NOW
EVERYBODY NEEDS
A SINISTER HAND
Card takes a slow walk down to the ring and steps through the ropes as the lights change from beams to spinning spotlights to mark his presence in the ring. Card poses in the center of the ring, crossing his thumbs over where his heart would sit. The lights go up and Card moves over to his own corner and relaxes, the referee checking him over and finding nothing wrong.
Taylor: Chris Card! He likes to call himself Technical Perfection. I have to call him insane, though. He could have only gone up against one person!
Romano: It's true that he is essentially the reasons The Icons are still here, but he's a man of honor. He's a man who loves the heat of battle. Can he walk out with gold?
Motherfucker of the Year starts playing over the sound system. The lights drop apart from purple spotlights, which appear to swirl around as if they are looking for someone. Suddenly, they all converge on one spot, revealing Bobby Barratt standing square in the middle of the ramp. He wears an Icons T-shirt and his ring gear. He walks down the ramp, focused and brash as you'd expect from an Icon.
Hopping onto the apron and wiping his feet, he hops over the top rope, ascending to the second buckle to mouth along with the fans before taking off his shirt, teasing the throw to the fans before folding it up and putting it in the corner of the ring.
Taylor: And here's Bobby, someone who has been with us for many battles. He's bruised, bled and passed out in front of us. Tonight, he fights his last fight.
Romano: But if there's one word needed to describe Bobby, it's fighter. He goes in looking to win, and I don't expect this match to be any different. This is a match he's still planning to win.
The stadium lights dim and red strobes begin to flash as "Ace of Spades" by Motorhead feels the stadium. Diamond emerges from the back wearing his leather jacket and diamond shaped sunglasses and smiles big at the crowds reaction. Some boo, others chant "Diamond Club" as the Ace of Spades makes his way down to the ring. He rolls under the bottom rope and quickly pops up and throws his hands in the air in a diamond champ, again to some cheers and some boos and he gives a very smug grin as he awaits his opponent or for the match to start.
Taylor: And here's probably the one man with the largest fire under his ass, Jack Diamond.
Romano: Seth Dillinger stole his belt and Jack has done a great job in feeding his propaganda to the Diamond Club that we at the AWF are the cause of all of his issues.
Taylor: Despite all that, he is a great wrestler.
Romano: Well of course. He's fantastic and that's shown by his record. He is a two-time X*Crown Champion. Will he become a three-time champion at the end of this match?
Two-Fall Street Fight
First Fall: AWF Prestige Championship
Second Fall: XHF X*Crown Championship
Seth Dillinger © vs. Chris Card vs. Bobby Barratt vs. Jack Diamond
The Icons are conversing in the corner, Dillinger and Card are each in a one of their own. Senior Referee Gabe Valentine relayed the stipulations and called for the bell.
-DING DING DING-
Taylor: And here we go! The two biggest titles in the XHF network on the line!
Romano: Every man in there is hungry. I hope the EMTs are ready.
Card and Dillinger nodded to each other and rush towards the Icons. The men would start exchanging blows Card with Diamond, Dillinger engaging Barratt. The brawl would start separating as Barratt seems to be gaining the upper hand on Dillinger, while Card is pushing back Diamond. Barratt backs Dillinger against the ropes and followed up with a clothesline dumping Dillinger to the outside. Card ducked under a big right hand, grab Diamond by the gut and deliver a German suplex.
Taylor: And it's already explosive here in Iowa!
Romano: I think we all know this would happen, despite being every man for himself it looks like Card and Dillinger recognize the Icons need to be split up if either of them is going to walk out a winner tonight.
Taylor: But that might not even be enough! Bobby and Jack are alone in the ring with Chris!
Barratt turned to assist Diamond but before he can even take a step, Dillinger had sprung to his feet and pulled the boot out from under Barratt. Unrelenting, he pulled Barratt out by the same boot letting him fall to the floor. Diamond tried to get up off the mat but Card gave him no time for a breather as he hits the ropes and plants both boots into the chest of Diamond with a dropkick, laying him flat again. Dillinger kept on Barratt by stomping him a few times. He rushed towards the steps. Seth scaled them and runs the apron and flies on top of Barratt with a crossbody.
Card attempted to drag Diamond up to his feet but Diamond threw his arm upwards swiftly into the groin of Card, who dropped to his knees.
Taylor: Guess we didn't have to wait long for one of the Icons to make full use of the rules!
Card tried to throw another punch at Diamond as he gets to his feet, but that's caught and Diamond slammed an elbow into the side of Card's head. Card slinked back, and Diamond gave him another one for good measure taking the man off his feet. Diamond then started kicking at Card, starting at the legs, then the ribs, and finished off by raking his boot off Card's head.
Dillinger cane off the cross body and pulled Barratt to his feet. Dillinger grabbed Barratt by the arm, started jogging with him before Irish whipping Barratt into the barricade. Dillinger, with a head full of steam attempted to drive Barratt further in with a running knee, but Barratt rolled away last minute. Dillinger held his leg and fell while Bobby Barratt grabbed a hold of the barricade to get himself back to his feet. Barratt didn't waste this opportunity and leveled Dillinger with a
--- Distortion Kick (Superkick)---
Taylor:: Bobby Barratt regains that early advantage and Diamond taking care of business in the ring!
Romano: This is still early though, keep in mind Dillinger is the one with the most to lose here.
Barratt stood over Dillinger and grabbed him by the hair and got in his face, telling him audibly that he's ready to send Dillinger back to the hospital. Barratt slammed Dillinger's head against the barricade a few times, pulled him back farther and whipped it back again with force. Dillinger's dome bounces off and he's again prone. Barratt again grabbed Dillinger by the head and tossed him over the divider. Fans moved out of the way as Barratt gets on top and hopped off with a double foot stomp into the back of Dillinger.
In the ring, Diamond again started kicking card in the ribs, but used the force to move Card towards the ropes, and then kicks him outside, near Barratt and Dillinger. Diamond climbed over the middle rope and under the top, stood on the apron and delivered a jumping knee drop onto Card. Diamond rose off Card slowly, keeping his focus on him. Seemingly satisfied with his destruction he looked over to Barratt. They locked eyes and Barrett called him over. Barratt grabbed two empty seats from the fans who departed folded one up and tossed one to Diamond who caught it after climbing over as well. Barratt folded another, and the two men start raining chair shots down onto Dillinger.
Romano: And there's the icons we all know. I guess it was only a matter of time.
Taylor: Looks like it was a mistake to let such an established force like them in the same match. Teamwork seems to be trumping ambition!
Romano: For all we know they already decided who gets what championship...
Diamond threw his chair to the floor and picked up Dillinger. He held Dillinger in front of himself telling Barratt to finish the job. Card had time to recover and ran over leaped over the partition to spear Barratt sending the chair flying. Card starts raining blows on top of Barratt mixing in a few elbows. Diamond lets go of Dillinger, but as soon as he does Dillinger, perhaps out of desperation, slammed the back of his head against the face of Diamond. Diamond held his face but Dillinger leaped up, spun around and delivered a tornado DDT, planting Diamond onto the floor and even busting Diamond open lightly from the head.
Taylor: SETH ISN'T DONE YET! With a burst of life and help from Chris, the tide has changed!
Romano: This is devolving quickly. We're not even at the first fall yet.
Card refused to let up, determined to take at least one of the icons out of the equation all together. Barratt attempted to cover up a couple of times, but can't quite avoid the onslaught. Eventually Barratt's resistance gives all together as he limply takes his pummeling. Dillinger rose first, between him and Diamond, and tossed Diamond over the barricade. Dillinger hopped on top of the barricade and followed up with a a leaping swanton. Diamond held his gut and the blood slowly streamed down his face.
Card got sick of pummeling Barrat and stood fully up. He pulled Barratt up by his hair and attempted a suplex. Barratt finding some life of his own, stopped the two men short and even managed to turn them around. Barratt then lifted Card up for a suplex over the divider but did not rise up right away. He was the first of those two to make it to his feet and stepped over himself. Barratt took a moment though and then searched under the ring. After a few moments, he pulled out the iconic "Debra" baseball bat.
Romano: Here it is, but I thought that piece of wood was reserved for Seth's skull.
Taylor: You reminded me earlier though Cassius, we're still early, we haven't even decided who our AWF Prestige Champion is! For all we know Barratt won't stop swinging till he gets the home run on both Chris and Seth!
Barratt slammed the bat down into the gut of Card with an overhead strike. Card recoiled in pain but the blows kept coming, each with a little more intensity than the last. Dillinger struck Barratt in the back of the head with a forearm after noticing that Card is in trouble. Barratt didn't drop the bat right away but Dillinger grabbed it from Barratt's hands. He kicked the back of the right knee of Barratt sending him down. The crowd started going wild as Dillinger contemplated using "Debra" to level it's master. Dillinger mulled over this for a moment but tossed the bat aside thinking the better of it. Instead Dillinger delivered a spinning roundhouse into the side of Barratt's head, sending the first AWF Prestige Champion to the floor.
Dillinger turned his attention back to Diamond, who is stirring. Dillinger essentially punted Diamond's face, tossing him over onto his back, and busting the wound open further. Dillinger drops to his knees, and attempted a cover. The referee slid out of the ring, and then started tapping the floor.
ONE...
TWO...
---KICK OUT---
Taylor: ONLY TWO!
Romano: Diamond might be in a bad way, but there's a reason he's even in this match. It's going to take a lot more than that.
Meanwhile Card rose up after getting a much needed breather by pulling himself up with the steps. Barratt began moving now too, but at a much slower pace. Card took this opportunity to axe kick Barratt back onto the floor. Card held the side of the apron, again taking a moment to recover his breath. Card reached under the apron and pulled out a few light tubes. Card smashed each one over Barratt, one at a time, all of them breaking on contact. The last one he dug into Barratt opening up his stomach, and twists it deeply. Card then lifted Barratt to his feet.
Dillinger also pulled Diamond to his feet and another acknowledgement between Card and Dillinger is seen with a subtle nod before Dillinger and Card Irish whipped both Barratt and Diamond into each other. The Icons both fell onto their backs. Dillinger climbed the apron, and then moved over the the ring post. Dillinger scales it and looked out to the crowd. Card pulled Barratt to his feet and steps away. Dillinger then delivered off the top rope a
---South Philly Stunner (Springboard Somersault Stunner)---
Dillinger, also felt the weight of the move he just delivered by holding his tailbone. Card however capitalizes and hopped on top of Bobby. Senior Referee Gabe Valentine began the pin count.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!
Taylor: NEW AWF PRESTIGE CHAMPION!
Romano! Amazing! Simply amazing! Card basically proved the alliance only goes as far as the championships do!
Taylor: The way it went down too! Card capitalized on the BEST possible moment.
Romano: Don't forget though this match isn't over.
Taylor: That's right! Because we still need to crown the X-Crown Champion!
The referee got to his feet again but Dillinger was not happy as he stood. Card had a huge grin on his face as the two men, him and Dillinger, have words. Dillinger pushed Card in the chest shortly after. Card pushed back. Dillinger has had enough after just losing one of his belts and slugs Card. Card spat up some blood into his hand after stumbling and then both men start to go at it.
Dillinger like a mad man overcame Card as rights and lefts are exchanged and eventually Dillinger delivered a right hook into the side of Card which crumpled Card over. Dillinger lifted Card's head and kicked Card right in the chin. Card fell onto his gut, but this was when Dillinger noticed the Icons were both ready for more. The dilemma overwhelmed him briefly, unsure of who to take care of first. He settled on Barratt runs up the steps and delivered a moonsault leg drop. Dillinger hooked Barratt's leg.
ONE...
TWO....
THRE---- KICK OUT!
Dillinger, heard the count but could not believe it. He even stood up and started to argue with the referee about count speed. While doing so, Diamond leveled Dillinger with a dropkick into the square of Dillinger's back. Dillinger fell flat. Only Diamond was able to stand between all four men. He grabbed Dillinger and leads him from the side of the ring and up the ramp. He took his time, and delivered a blow into the face of Dillinger to make sure he followed. Diamond even had to wipe blood from his eyes as he reached the apex.
Dillinger tried to use this bit of reprieve to headbutt into Diamond again, but this time Diamond is ready. Diamond leaned back avoiding the blow and slammed an elbow across Dillinger's face. Dillinger fell to a knee and Diamond reciprocated with another blow across the face with his fist. Diamond dragged Dillinger to the end of the stage and fell backwards, grabbing Diamond by the neck with his feet. A massive hurricanrana sent Dillinger tumbling onto a set piece off the side, a bundle of presents near a Christmas tree, flattening them all.
Diamond wasn't moving at this point. His back was bleeding fairly severely. Diamond rose to his feet and looked down at this own wreckage. After taking it all in, he made his way down the ramp, to the side, and then over to Dillinger. He then made a cover. The referee rushed up the ramp and noticed the carnage that just took place and took his place at the side of Diamond, getting on his belly to count.
ONE...
TWO...
TH--- KICK OUT!
Romano: Don't count out the X-Crown Champion. Here he is fighting for the last piece of gold he has!
Taylor: So far he was screwed out of one, but let's be honest, How much more punishment can one man take?
Card got to his feet and again rain down some stomps onto Barratt. Barratt was about to be the victim of a few of these before grabbing the ankle of Card and sending him to the floor with a nasty twisting motion. Barratt got to his feet and again grabbed Debra. This time, he lifted it up over his head and delivered a disgusting blow on top of Card's face. Barratt made a covery, but the referee had already begun chasing down the other two participants. Barratt was a bit agitated over this course of events. He slammed Chris Card in the stomach with "Debra" before throwing it down and chasing after the referee, Gabe Valentine.
Barratt reached the scene of brutality and grabbed the referee by the shoulder. Diamond got to his feet and start arguing with Barratt about his actions. Their argument continued with both bumping foreheads. The referee backed away not seeming to want any part of this. The argument escalated but eventually cooler heads prevailed. The both agreed with each other and dragged Dillinger to his feet as a unit. Both wrapped Seth Dillinger's arms around their head.
The Icons as a unit double suplexed Dillinger down onto the floor. Dillinger's back was in a horrible way, and he was bleeding profusely. Diamond hopped on top of Dillinger almost immediately. and began to count
ONE...
That's when Barratt grabbed the boot of Diamond and yanks him off the cover.
Taylor: And now even the icons aren't on the same page! What is going on here?!
Romano: You're talking about the X-Crown. Even the most tight knit stables in wrestling wouldn't let such an opportunity escape their grasp.
Card stumbled around and got to his feet, holding the apron first, and then stumbling onto the barricade. His labored breath was very apparent despite just winning the AWF Prestige Championship, he was eager to do even more. Card arduously made his way down the ramp. Barratt and Diamond were again forehead to forehead, both looking like they were ready to throw punches.
Card found a sudden second wind and rushed both of them. Bobby Barratt broke off first exchanging blows with Card before Card eye rakes Barratt before giving him a neck breaker. Jack Diamond rushed over when the neck breaker landed. Chris Card delivered a standing drop kick onto the oncoming former X*Crown Champion. This sent him back onto the ramp, slumping onto a pile.
Dillinger crawled onto his feet witnessing all of what had just transpired. Unable to to rise to his feet for more than a few seconds would spill onto his knees. He reached around and part of the set, a length of chain not used, but found its way into his grasp. Dillinger took a few seconds of consideration, and wrap it around most of it around his hand. Card came over to check on Dillinger, but he still had not let go of what happened just a few minutes ago.
Dillinger blasted Card upside the head with the loaded fist and instantly bust open Card as well. Card fell onto his back and Dillinger attempted to make the cover. The referee hurried over to make the count.
ONE...
TWO...
THRE---
As soon as the referee was about to make the final pat on the mat, both Barratt and Diamond grabbed a leg of Dillinger and pull him off the cover. However, Dillinger was feeling this new sensation of being in totally control, and while both Barratt and Diamond cover Card, Dillinger would not even let the ref count one before the slams the chain down into both Diamond and Barratt. He and Diamond rolled off, Card still in the process of recovering. Dillinger then rained blow after blow down onto Card, maybe for good measure, and maybe out of his own saltiness for losing the AWF Prestige Championship.
Blow after blow rained down on Card from the iron laden grasp of Dillinger. He seemingly could not control himself anymore.
Romano: I didn't think Seth had it in him...
Taylor: This is disgusting, what in the world is Dillinger thinking? He's a hero to kids around the world! Cover the man already!
Diamond would be out of it thanks to a lot of blood lost, but Barratt managed to find his own second wind. The Icon stumbles over to Dillinger the side of the head with another
---Distortion Kick (Super Kick)---
Dillinger crumpled over, but Bobby Barratt was not done. He picked Dillinger back up to his feet and dishes out an
---Icon Breaker (Code Breaker)---
Bobby Barratt then covered Dillinger after getting back upright. Senior Referee Gabe Valentine slid in for the count.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner... and NEW XHF X*Crown Champion... Bobbyyyyyy Barratttttttttt!
Bobby flipped over from pinning Dillinger, out of breath, winded, and beaten. He staggered his way down to ringside and snatched the X*Crown from the timekeeper's table, throwing it over his shoulder as the crowd erupted into jeers. On his way back up the ramp, he stopped and pulled Jack Diamond to his feet. Jack staggered a bit, wiping away the mixture of blood and sweat from his face. He locked eyes with Bobby, then glances over at the X*Crown Title, then back at Bobby.
Taylor: Oh no...
Jack hesitated for a moment, then just nodded at Bobby and extends his hand for a handshake. Bobby looked down at his hand, thought for a second, and accepted the gesture.
Romano: It's heartwarming to see the Icons standing tall and sticking together after all this!
Jack and Bobby raised each other's hands and played to the crowd, but they responded with a chorus of jeers. A chant began... "FUCK YOU ICONS" *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* "FUCK YOU ICONS" *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap*. Jack stalked down the ramp to ringside and snatched a microphone out of the hands of Jessie Love.
Jack Diamond: "That's the problem with you people. You can't recognize how LUCKY you are to be standing in the presence of the Icons."
The jeers were deafening. Jack walked back up the ramp and approached Bobby. The pair take a moment to soak up the boos.
Jack Diamond: "Week after week, we both come out here, and we prove to you all why we're the fucking greatest. And week after week, we get NOTHING but disrespect!"
Another round of jeers. Jack dropped the mic to his side and rolls his eyes. Bobby motioned for the microphone and raised it to his mouth.
Bobby Barratt: "To be completely frank, we're sick of it. We're sick of the AWF fans. We're sick of Terry Bradshaw's backstage circus conspiring to keep us down. And we're sick of trying to elevate this shithole promotion to greatness. So... now that I have this shiny X*Crown Title..."
Jack and Bobby locked eyes and nodded, then both lean into the microphone.
Bobby Barratt: & Jack Diamond: "WE QUIT!"
Bobby spiked the microphone on the ground, hitting an unconscious Seth Dillinger in the process.
Romano: What!? No!
Taylor: The Icons are quitting?
Romano: They can't do this to us!
Taylor: And it sounds like they're taking the X*Crown with them...
Romano: What about Maverick?
Taylor: What about Maverick? He's a grown man. He can choose his own path...
Romano: We need the Icons! Come on, Bradshaw, do something!
Bobby and Jack both walked out towards the backstage area. Bobby paused one last time at the top of the ramp, turning to the crowd with a shit-eating grin on his face.
Bobby Barratt: "Merry fuckin' Christmas!"
The camera passed through the shocked eyes of the thousands in attendance before the screens fade to black - and with the Icons - for the last time.
