BOB MOONEY: The following contest is scheduled for one fall…
CROWD: ONE FALL!
BOB MOONEY:… And is a special ’Genesis Daredevil Rules’ match!
The crowd cheers loudly at Bob’s announcement, despite most RSW fans having no idea what the match entails. The word daredevil has made the match the subject of much speculation.
BOB MOONEY: Introducing first, from New York, New York and weighing in at two hundred and thirty five pounds…making his return to Riot Star Wrestling…Kintaru!
’A Nightmare to Remember’ by Dream Theatre begins, but despite Bob Mooney’s efforts, the cheap return pop simply doesn’t happen, instead the very air of London becomes thick with something besides fog as the jeers for the returning former Genesis, GCW and RSW veteran fill the air.
JOSEPH GREER: Listen to that Tommy! Kintaru is lucky that no one brought tomatoes with that kind of welcome!
TOMMY ONIONS: Meh, this new guy could be good yet Greer, it’s way too early to tell!
JOSEPH GREER: Ummm Tommy, Bob literally just welcomed him back to RSW. So Kintaru isn’t new, you’ve called his matches before…
TOMMY ONIONS: Really? You’re sure?
JOSEPH GREER: *sighs* Yes, I’m sure Tommy.
Unfazed by the overwhelmingly negative reaction, Kintaru walks out as though he were being welcomed as a returning hero.
Staring down Shawna as he steps through the ropes, you can practically see the goosebumps spread across her skin.
JOSEPH GREER: Kintaru was known in Genesis for his mental warfare and he’s certainly doing his best to ensure that Shawna Savante knows that this is a Genesis Daredevil match.
TOMMY ONIONS: What exactly are the rules, Greer?
JOSEPH GREER: Well Tommy, the match only ends three ways. Pinfall, submission or Technical Knockout.
TOMMY ONIONS: Technical Knockout?
JOSEPH GREER: Basically, if the referee declares one competitor unable to continue, Shawna can award the other the victory.
TOMMY ONIONS: So Shawna can just pick a winner?
JOSEPH GREER: No Tommy, she can’t just pick a winner. According to backstage sources, it’s my understanding she has been given special instructions for this match from both England’s Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commissions on exactly what constitutes a TKO for the purposes of this match.
Posing on the second rope, Kintaru looks out over the crowd and finally down the entrance ramp with disdain.
BOB MOONEY: And his opponent…from Dallas, Texas…weighing in at two hundred pounds…Steve Murdock.
’Evil Walks’ by AC/DC starts playing and the crowd erupts in cheer, Murdock has long been a darling of the blue-collar fan, but tonight against someone such as Kintaru, he’s the beneficiary of the crowd’s hate for the brash New Yorker.
JOSEPH GREER: Now here is a man that was synonymous with hardcore wrestling when Genesis was at it’s peak.
TOMMY ONIONS: Which was when exactly? I never even heard of the place. What is that around his waist?
Sure enough, Murdock has a Championship belt around his waist. Black leather, the gold plates are set off by red and black flames and demons…the Genesis Daredevil Championship!
JOSEPH GREER: Wow! The Genesis Daredevil Championship! Murdock showed it in the lead up to tonight’s match, but I never expected him to actually bring it with him!
Standing center stage, Murdock holds what was once his most prized possession high above his head prompting another burst of cheers from the London crowd.
JOSEPH GREER: And Tommy, to answer your other question; through our shared lineage with Gate City Wrestling, Genesis would have been a fore-bearer to RSW. GwF started things, leading to the creation of Genesis to groom talent for GwF, then Global Wrestling Federation closed leaving the up and coming Genesis Roster to stand on it’s own two feet.
Murdock, in contrast to his opponent, takes time to allow the fans a moment with a part of RSW’s lineage. Fans high five the last daredevil, take selfies with Murdock and the title and generally show the man that championed this style for so long that his efforts are not in vain.
JOSEPH GREER: And did it ever, for years Genesis stayed at the top of its game with the likes of Seth Iser, Future and Kintaru…then later stars like ’D’, Jason Speck, Christian King and even minority RSW Owner, Chris Parsons. In fact, we now have four former Genesis stars on the roster, a firm link to RSW’S history.
TOMMY ONIONS: So that was the past, this is now.
JOSEPH GREER: Except one of those four owns part of the company and another is about to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship!
TOMMY ONIONS: Details, details Greer.
Tossing the title belt to Kintaru, the moment he catches it he takes a stiff kick to the gut followed by heavy punches that rock the much larger man back toward the corner as Shawna calls for the bell.
Clearly caught off guard at Murdock’s assault, Kintaru is dazed.
DING! DING!! DING!!!
TOMMY ONIONS: Oh shit! Murdock is getting right to it! We’re all Genesis Daredevil matches like this?
JOSEPH GREER: My understanding is yes Tommy, and it’s probably going to get worse…
TOMMY ONIONS: Fuck yeah! I have a new favourite match type!
Snatching the Daredevil Championship, Murdock rushes in, slamming it into the skull of Kintaru before locking up a front face lock…
JOSEPH GREER: Shawna has called for the bell, Kintaru is dazed from the shot with the belt! Murdock Special! The cover!
……..1………
……………..2………..
……………………….3….no!
Kintaru just gets a shoulder up drawing a gasp from the crowd, who thought they’d just witnessed an upset in record time!
JOSEPH GREER: Oh my God! How close was that?! Steve Murdock was a hair away from what many would call an upset!
TOMMY ONIONS: Go Murdock!
With Tommy and the London crowd cheering him on, Murdock keeps the pressure on. A hard stomp to the larger man’s stomach triggers something in the war-torn veteran.
JOSEPH GREER: A hard stomp. What’s this now? Murdock might be thinking something to the like of a Ronnie Garvin?
Using everything he has in each stomp, Murdock works his way around the much larger man.
TOMMY ONIONS: I don’t know who you’re talking about but he is stomping the shit out of him!
JOSEPH GREER: Stomach! Head! Arm! Head! Legs! Murdock is doing everything he can to keep the bigger man down!
Staying on his opponent, Murdock has Kintaru reeling, barely able to cover up.
TOMMY ONIONS: It’s not every day you see a dude who is six four getting his ass beat by a guy who’s five ten tops.
JOSEPH GREER: Actually Murdock is officially listed as five foot nine inches according to my notes.
TOMMY ONIONS: That’s not any better! And wait…notes? That’s what’s in that book you carry with you everywhere? You’re lamer than I thought.
JOSEPH GREER: Yes Tommy notes on each RSW wrestler…what the hell did you think was in here.
TOMMY ONIONS: In a perfect world, it would be the people who owe you money from your other job as a bookie slash drug dealer…but nooooooooo…
Tommy’s mocking of Joseph becomes a genuine yell of surprise as the battered Kintaru snares a momentary opening between pummeling’s at the hands of a clearly motivated Steve Murdock to do the unthinkable…the crowd lets out a collective and predominantly male groan.
JOSEPH GREER: OH! I think every man in arena felt that one!
Scrambling to a corner as Murdock drops to the mat in a heap, the crowd is practically gathering their torches and pitchforks as Kintaru does his best to get to his feet and shake out the cobwebs.
TOMMY ONIONS: Oh God! The humanity!
JOSEPH GREER: But, perfectly legal. Just look at Kintaru!
Anger twisted the former Genesis Champion’s face into a scowl worthy of the devil himself. Running forward, he kicks a forty-yard field goal into the side of Murdock’s head coupling him to the mat.
TOMMY ONIONS: Holy shit!
JOSEPH GREER: Kintaru practically foaming at the mouth there, slowly makes the cover!
……….1…
…………………2……..
Murdock is out at two!
JOSEPH GREER: And Kintaru gets a two count! No doubt still trying to get his bearing dragging Murdock to his feet.
A hard right hand wobbles Murdock back into the ropes as Kintaru sends him hard into the opposite ropes rushing forward with a wild lariat!
JOSEPH GREER: Off the Irish whip, Murdock ducks the clothesline attempt. Off the ropes…
The snap on the power slam shakes the ring drawing a cheer as Kintaru hooks the leg for a pin.
JOSEPH GREER:…oh! What a powerslam! He’s got a cover!
…………..1….
……………………..2…….
Murdock kicks out again.
JOSEPH GREER: Murdock out again at two! Each man has tried to end this hard-hitting contest early!
TOMMY ONIONS: This is what we need more of! This isn’t just a match, this is a fight!
JOSEPH GREER: Kintaru now going to work once again on Murdock!
Raining down a series of punches, Murdock does his best to simply cover up.
Once more dragging the smaller man to his feet, this time Kintaru sends him hard into the far corner!
JOSEPH GREER: OH! Kintaru now sending him hard into the turnbuckles!
TOMMY ONIONS: Jesus, did you see his head snap back?
Getting a head of steam, Kintaru rushes Murdock with a spear to the cornered man.
An audible sound of bone hitting metal causes a fair portion of the crowd to wince as Kintaru’s momentum carries him not just into the ring post, but then tumbling to the floor.
JOSEPH GREER: Murdock got out of the way! Kintaru hard shoulder first into the ring post and to the outside! Here’s a chance for him to recover and regain control of what has been a wild match to say the least!
TOMMY ONIONS: If by wild you mean awesome!
Steve Murdock rolls to the outside, looking to take the fight back to his fellow Genesis alumni. On all fours, a keen eye would see Kintaru is reaching under the ring…
TOMMY ONIONS: Wait what does he have there?
Swinging wildly, the sound of shattering glass seems to echo throughout the arena and time almost slows as glass shards explode in all directions at once.
TOMMY ONIONS: HOLY SHIT!
JOSEPH GREER: Wow, what a testament to the toughness of Steve Murdock!
Face down, a pool is slowly starting to form. But somehow, Genesis’ last Daredevil is still slowly moving.
JOSEPH GREER: OH GOD! Look at Murdock! He’s just a bloody mess!
The crowd cheers and groans almost together as Steve is dragged back up. His face streaming with blood.
Measuring Murdock, Kintaru leaps up into the air sending the crimson masked man back to the unforgiving arena floor.
JOSEPH GREER: WOW! Kintaru Kutter on the outside!
TOMMY ONIONS: Yes!
Kintaru doesn’t attempt to cover Steve, it wouldn’t have counted if he had. He also didn’t bother attempting to get Murdock back in the ring.
Instead, he looks up at Shawna in the ring.
KINTARU: End it…or I will.
Either not understanding or not believing in, Shawna can still see Murdock attempting to make his way to the guard rail.
JOSEPH GREER: As exciting as they are, this is why these matches are…
TOMMY ONIONS:…awesome!
JOSEPH GREER: No Tommy, dangerous. Kintaru appears to have no regard for Steve Murdock as a human being, let alone a competitor!
Reaching under the ring a second time, Kintaru draws a cheer from the crowd as he holds a kendo stick up high above his head.
CRACK!
The crowd draws a gasp as the kendo stick attacks the skin of Murdock’s back only to find Kintaru measuring for a second shot!
CRACK!
Following the second shot, this time to the head, Kjntaru once again looks up at Shawna.
KINTARU: End it or I will!
CRACK!
Discarding the splintered and useless kendo stick, Kintaru reaches under the ring for a third time.
JOSEPH GREER: He’s got a chair now! Someone stop this! Get an EMT to ringside!
TOMMY ONIONS: This is amazing! Murdock is still alive!
BANG!
The sound of the chair connecting with Steve Murdock’s skull echoes throughout the arena.
Murdock is clearly out, the human form only capable of taking so much trauma to the skull before shutting down in an effort to ease the pain.
BANG! BANG!!
Two more shots pepper the back of the prone Murdock and Kintaru looks up to Shawna.
Not satisfied, he places the chair under the head of Murdock.
JOSEPH GREER: This has gotten out of hand, Steve Murdock is tough as nails, but he human being!
TOMMY ONIONS: What the hell are you talking about?!
The crowd cheers as Murdock fights against a likely concussion and gravity itself to reach all fours.
TOMMY ONIONS: Curb Stomp!
Driving Murdock back down into the chair, Kintaru sees movement still and can’t believe his eyes.
JOSEPH GREER: Kintaru now is just starting at Shawna, waiting for her to say it’s over!
TOMMY ONIONS: Personally I hope this bitch is blind!
Walking past the nearly broken Murdock and through the pool of the man’s blood, wet footprints lead to the corner of the ring and the stairs.
JOSEPH GREER: No…he’s not thinking?! No! Come on! Someone needs to stop this!
TOMMY ONIONS: Oh shit son! He’s going to do it!
Loosening the steel steps, Kintaru strains under the weight of the steps and his own collision with the ring post and growls at Shawna Savante one last time!
KINTARU: End it…or I will!
Murdock is barely conscious, and that’s if you consider basic motor function as conscious. Kintaru is ready to end the match and likely Murdock’s career as well.
Tension mounts as Shawna looks from Kintaru to Steve Murdock and then finally the timekeeper…
TOMMY ONIONS: Don’t you dare Shawna!
Shawna calls for the bell and Kintaru throws the stairs over Murdock to crash to the floor and skid into the barricade scattering fans.
DING! DING!! DING!!!
TOMMY ONIONS: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It’s over!
BOB MOONEY: Ladies and gentlemen, Referee Shawna Savante has called a stop to this match, your winner by TKO…Kintaru!
’A Nightmare to Remember’ by Dream Theater begins but the boos are, at least temporarily, replaced by wild cheers for what was an intense display of hard hitting and high impact action!
TOMMY ONIONS: Bullshit, it was just getting good!
Backing off, Kintaru raises his left arm still favouring the right shoulder. EMTs swarm the former Daredevil Division kingpin.
JOSEPH GREER: Shawna had no choice there, Murdock was clearly out and operating solely on a fighter’s instinct to get up and was not intelligently defending himself! What was she supposed to do, let the man take brain damage?!
TOMMY ONIONS: Yes!
JOSEPH GREER: Tommy! The man is a human being!
TOMMY ONIONS: You say that but look at the monitor.
The crowd cheers as Murdock stumbles to his feet, refusing assistance from the medical staff who are practically begging him to see reason.
Murdock is finally forced unto the stretcher by the combined effort of the backstage and medical personnel, but refuses to lay down. Instead, he sits there with blood streaming down his face, staring at Kintaru as he celebrates a harder fought win than expected.
TOMMY ONIONS: I don’t know what to say Greer, that will be my favourite match of the night! Weapons, blood, crazy attempts to end the career of Murdock, that was my kind of match Joey!
JOSEPH GREER: Usually I hate to agree with you Tommy, but both of these men did the memory of Genesis proud here in London! What a crazy match! Steve Murdock may not be human, the level of punishment he endured after very nearly winning the match in his own right, was incredible. That was a once in a lifetime display of guys and heart from Steve Murdock and the fans are showing their appreciation as EMTs wheel Murdock backstage to be looked at! The miracle here is that he never gave up, in the end referee Shawna Savante ended the match before he could sustain even more damage! Things are heating up and it’s still early in the night!
TOMMY ONIONS: Steve Murdock is my new favourite wrestler Joey! Fuck yeah! Anarchy Forty-Five rules!