..:: AXW Presents: Civil War PPV ::..
Feb 27, 2019 5:02:49 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Dave D-Flipz, and 3 more like this
Post by Bobby Barratt on Feb 27, 2019 5:02:49 GMT -5
Derrick Donovan: Hello and welcome to AXW...CIVIL WAR!!
BB Gunn: The time for talk is over... We've heard the trash talk and now it's time to fight!
Derrick Donovan: We have an absolutely stacked card for you tonight, too! Anomoly finally gets to face off with the "imposter" Anomaly!
BB Gunn: The European Championship is up for grabs when Dreadvan, who is a hairs width from becoming the longest reigning European Champion takes on Wellington Dunne in a rematch from the last Anonymous TV!
Derrick Donovan: Not only that, but it's in a cage and this time, the AVA are barred from ringside! How will that shake things up?
BB Gunn: Anthony Caffrey, hot off the back of a massive win at Diamonds are Forever against AWF Prestige Champion Chris Card is about to defend the Undisputed Championship against AXW newcomer Tony Crew, who upset the odds to come out on top in the fatal fourway match a few weeks ago to earn his shot!
Derrick Donovan: Then of course it's back! You love it, we love it... Hell the only people who don't like it are AXW Champions, it's time for the Briefcase Battle Royale! The prize? The briefcase giving the Champion an instant shot against ANY Champion in AXW!
BB Gunn: That's the card, now time for the show! Let's do this!
Pyro erupts around the Resorts World Arena as people go wild!
BB Gunn: Let's get this underway! Anomoly vs Anomaly. Let's find out who's under the mask of one of these two twins.
"IF YOU DON'T KNOW THIS SONG, TURN THE FUCK AROUND AND WALK ON HOME! SYNYSTER, HIT THIS SHIT!"
The song "Walk" by Pantera begins to play and the entire arena is either headbanging, stomping, or doing something to the rhythm of the song. All of a sudden, Anomoly pops out of the floor, headbanging and dancing with the music as the vocals play. He gets about halfway down the ramp before pausing and striking a pose.
"RE! SPECT! WALK!"
With every syllable of that last piece, Anomoly strikes a different pose and a burst of pyro comes from the stage, making cool action shots. He then runs and slides into the ring and hops on the middle turnbuckle.
"RE! SPECT! WALK!"
Again, with each syllable comes another pose and this time, pyro from the ring corners, except for the one Anomoly stands at. He then hops down and stands in his corner, bouncing a bit, trying to contain all his inner energy.
The arena falls silent, and the opening riffs to "A New Level" by Pantera play. The crowd roars with cheers, and from behind the curtain steps The Anomoly, enjoying and soaking in the reactions. They chant his name as he walks down the aisle, barely looking at those ringside who beg for his acknowledgement. He reaches the ringside area, climbing the steps and casually looking around, before stepping through the ropes and leaning against the corner as he awaits his opponent.
Derrick Donovan: Far too long this has been going on for, tonight we find out who's under either one or two masks.
BB Gunn: Who could it be? Who is it? Which Anomoly is the better man?
DING DING DING
Anonoly relaxes along the top rope to start this match off, then Anomaly comes along looking to bring it to the Anomoly but he stops him dead in his tracks and says "TAKE IT EAS-" but he's knocked off his podium by Anomaly with a Axe Handle to his abdomen. The out of breath Anomoly is then Irish Whipped to the corner, Anomoly hits the corner hard and is hit with a Back Hand Chop to the chest.
BB Gunn: WOOOOO!
Derrick Donovan: Stop that.
Anomaly chops the chest of Anomoly again and again and again and... well, you guessed it... again! Each chop getting a "WOOO" chant. He fakes the last chop but then starts laying fists, forearms and back elbows to the head of Anomoly.
Derrick Donovan: Anomoly is getting the holy hell beating out of him!
Anomaly runs to the opposite corner and runs right back to Anomoly but Anomoly slides under Anomaly and as he turns around is poked in the eye by Anomoly. Anomoly then shouts at Anomaly...
The Anomoly: Take it easy!
Then Anomoly goes for an MMA styled Takedown but just gets up to his feet, he goes for a jumping stomp but he misses, then kicks the dirt onto the face of Anomaly. That gets Anomoly rolled up for a pin.
[..ONE..]
[..TWO..]
And Anomoly kicks out. Anomoly gets up and tries to poke the eye of Anomaly but is caught with a forearm to the jaw. Anomoly tries his own forearm strike but is hit with a Bicycle Knee to the arm and is then connected with
SWANN SONG
Superkick
Anomoly is stunned but falls nonetheless. Anomaly then climbs to the second rope but sees Anomoly stirring, he springboards onto the top rope and goes for a moonsault only for Anomoly to get up...
TAKIN' IT EASY
Superkick
Derrick Donovan: He got him in mid air!
BB Gunn: Why did that look familiar?
Anomoly tries to lock in Pull The Plug but Anomaly kicks Anomoly off him. As Anomaly gets up, Anomoly runs at him but is lifted in the air but he counters the attempt at Anarky Bomb with a Hurricanrana to the outside. He rolls back into the ring and rebounds off the ropes and then hits a Tope Suicida onto Anomaly. Anomoly walks around ringside telling people to chill out and take it easy. He rolls Anomaly back into the ring and climbs up to the top, turning his back to Anomaly and connects a Inverted 450 BUT ANOMALY GOT THE KNEES UP AT THE LAST MINUTE. He gets up and hooks both arms of Anomoly...
ROYALE MASSACRE
Package Piledriver
Anomaly hooks the leg
[..ONE..]
[..TWO..]
[..KICKOUT..]
Derrick Donovan: It's nearing the end, and the OG Anomoly might not survive.
Anomoly powers out, Anomaly goes for Pull The Plug but is stopped by a kick to the thigh and then a kick to the kneecap. Anomoly gets up and as Anomaly goes for a Lariat, Anomoly ducks and hits
TAKIN' IT EASY
BB Gunn: You were saying?
He then attempts a Royale Massacre but Anomaly powers out of the hold and hits a Back Body Drop. Anomoly falls but kicks Anomaly in the head as he leans down to pick him up. With a stiff kick to the gut, Anomoly picks up Anomaly in a Powerbomb position and walks to the middle of the ring, he then launches Anomaly up high and catches him
ANARKY BOMB
Pop Up Powerbomb
Sending Anomaly crashing to the mat, a pinfall is made.
[..ONE..]
[..TWO..]
[..THR- NO..]
Anomoly picks up Anomaly in a Electric Chair Position...
BB Gunn: This is it, Dono! Ragnorak Time!
RAGNORA-- NOOOO!
Anomaly slides down behind him and quickly puts him into the Ragnorak position...
RAGNORAK
One Winged Angel
Anomaly hooks the leg.
[..ONE..]
[..TWO..]
...
[..THRE- NO!!!!..]
The crowd are in shock, Anomaly is in shock, both BB and Donovan are in shock. The Ragnorak has been kicked out of.
Derrick Donovan: Did...
BB Gunn: The Ragnorak...
The fans are in a state of shock, some are jaw-dropped. The one move nobody ever kicks out of... the inevitable happened.
BB Gunn: Folks, I think we all know who the real Anomoly is.
Derrick Donovan: All my time calling any Anomoly match, nobody in my memory has kicked out of the Ragnorak.
Anomaly stands in the middle of the ring in embarrassment, but he needs to win. He rolls out of the ring and pulls out two chairs from under the ring, he slides them into the ring and then enters the ring and grabs one chair, the other disappeared. Anomaly looks up to see the chair come down onto him but he moves out of the way. Both men swing and...
CRACK!
Derrick Donovan: Oh my!
...Connect the chairs together, crashing their heads into the chairs. The referee rings the bell.
DING DING
Alpha: Ladies and Gentlemen, by way of a Double Disqualification... This fight is a draw.
Both men stagger to their feet in shock but fight over who should have their mask removed, but a Voice is heard over the PA.
Voice: We've watched and we've decided, per M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T, both men must remove their masks.
BB Gunn: Wait what!?
Derrick Donovan: Both men must remove their masks!
Anomaly is first to remove and ---
BB Gunn: IT'S THE STORMCROW!
Derrick Donovan: OH MY GOD, THE STORMCROW HAS RETURNED TO AXW!
Anomoly is next... he pulls at the strings, as James Dragon and Scott Fargo of ZDS flock to ringside. They all share a solumn glance, before the strings get pulled.
...
The mask is removed...
HE'S WEARING ANOTHER MASK UNDER HIS FIRST ONE!
Derrick Donovan: That bastard, he cheated us!
BB Gunn: This is bullshit! Take that other mask off!
Stormcrow lunges at Anomoly, but he rolls out of the ring, flipping the bird to his biggest rival as ZDS share a fist bump atop the stage.
Derrick Donovan: This is blasphemy! M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T. better do something about this!
BB Gunn: Well, both Anomalies may not have been unmasked but Stormcrow is back!
Derrick Donovan: Up next is our European Championship match, and I'm guessing The Crow is watching closely.
"IF YOU DON'T KNOW THIS SONG, TURN THE FUCK AROUND AND WALK ON HOME! SYNYSTER, HIT THIS SHIT!"
The song "Walk" by Pantera begins to play and the entire arena is either headbanging, stomping, or doing something to the rhythm of the song. All of a sudden, Anomoly pops out of the floor, headbanging and dancing with the music as the vocals play. He gets about halfway down the ramp before pausing and striking a pose.
"RE! SPECT! WALK!"
With every syllable of that last piece, Anomoly strikes a different pose and a burst of pyro comes from the stage, making cool action shots. He then runs and slides into the ring and hops on the middle turnbuckle.
"RE! SPECT! WALK!"
Again, with each syllable comes another pose and this time, pyro from the ring corners, except for the one Anomoly stands at. He then hops down and stands in his corner, bouncing a bit, trying to contain all his inner energy.
The arena falls silent, and the opening riffs to "A New Level" by Pantera play. The crowd roars with cheers, and from behind the curtain steps The Anomoly, enjoying and soaking in the reactions. They chant his name as he walks down the aisle, barely looking at those ringside who beg for his acknowledgement. He reaches the ringside area, climbing the steps and casually looking around, before stepping through the ropes and leaning against the corner as he awaits his opponent.
Derrick Donovan: Far too long this has been going on for, tonight we find out who's under either one or two masks.
BB Gunn: Who could it be? Who is it? Which Anomoly is the better man?
DING DING DING
Anonoly relaxes along the top rope to start this match off, then Anomaly comes along looking to bring it to the Anomoly but he stops him dead in his tracks and says "TAKE IT EAS-" but he's knocked off his podium by Anomaly with a Axe Handle to his abdomen. The out of breath Anomoly is then Irish Whipped to the corner, Anomoly hits the corner hard and is hit with a Back Hand Chop to the chest.
BB Gunn: WOOOOO!
Derrick Donovan: Stop that.
Anomaly chops the chest of Anomoly again and again and again and... well, you guessed it... again! Each chop getting a "WOOO" chant. He fakes the last chop but then starts laying fists, forearms and back elbows to the head of Anomoly.
Derrick Donovan: Anomoly is getting the holy hell beating out of him!
Anomaly runs to the opposite corner and runs right back to Anomoly but Anomoly slides under Anomaly and as he turns around is poked in the eye by Anomoly. Anomoly then shouts at Anomaly...
The Anomoly: Take it easy!
Then Anomoly goes for an MMA styled Takedown but just gets up to his feet, he goes for a jumping stomp but he misses, then kicks the dirt onto the face of Anomaly. That gets Anomoly rolled up for a pin.
[..ONE..]
[..TWO..]
And Anomoly kicks out. Anomoly gets up and tries to poke the eye of Anomaly but is caught with a forearm to the jaw. Anomoly tries his own forearm strike but is hit with a Bicycle Knee to the arm and is then connected with
SWANN SONG
Superkick
Anomoly is stunned but falls nonetheless. Anomaly then climbs to the second rope but sees Anomoly stirring, he springboards onto the top rope and goes for a moonsault only for Anomoly to get up...
TAKIN' IT EASY
Superkick
Derrick Donovan: He got him in mid air!
BB Gunn: Why did that look familiar?
Anomoly tries to lock in Pull The Plug but Anomaly kicks Anomoly off him. As Anomaly gets up, Anomoly runs at him but is lifted in the air but he counters the attempt at Anarky Bomb with a Hurricanrana to the outside. He rolls back into the ring and rebounds off the ropes and then hits a Tope Suicida onto Anomaly. Anomoly walks around ringside telling people to chill out and take it easy. He rolls Anomaly back into the ring and climbs up to the top, turning his back to Anomaly and connects a Inverted 450 BUT ANOMALY GOT THE KNEES UP AT THE LAST MINUTE. He gets up and hooks both arms of Anomoly...
ROYALE MASSACRE
Package Piledriver
Anomaly hooks the leg
[..ONE..]
[..TWO..]
[..KICKOUT..]
Derrick Donovan: It's nearing the end, and the OG Anomoly might not survive.
Anomoly powers out, Anomaly goes for Pull The Plug but is stopped by a kick to the thigh and then a kick to the kneecap. Anomoly gets up and as Anomaly goes for a Lariat, Anomoly ducks and hits
TAKIN' IT EASY
BB Gunn: You were saying?
He then attempts a Royale Massacre but Anomaly powers out of the hold and hits a Back Body Drop. Anomoly falls but kicks Anomaly in the head as he leans down to pick him up. With a stiff kick to the gut, Anomoly picks up Anomaly in a Powerbomb position and walks to the middle of the ring, he then launches Anomaly up high and catches him
ANARKY BOMB
Pop Up Powerbomb
Sending Anomaly crashing to the mat, a pinfall is made.
[..ONE..]
[..TWO..]
[..THR- NO..]
Anomoly picks up Anomaly in a Electric Chair Position...
BB Gunn: This is it, Dono! Ragnorak Time!
RAGNORA-- NOOOO!
Anomaly slides down behind him and quickly puts him into the Ragnorak position...
RAGNORAK
One Winged Angel
Anomaly hooks the leg.
[..ONE..]
[..TWO..]
...
[..THRE- NO!!!!..]
The crowd are in shock, Anomaly is in shock, both BB and Donovan are in shock. The Ragnorak has been kicked out of.
Derrick Donovan: Did...
BB Gunn: The Ragnorak...
The fans are in a state of shock, some are jaw-dropped. The one move nobody ever kicks out of... the inevitable happened.
BB Gunn: Folks, I think we all know who the real Anomoly is.
Derrick Donovan: All my time calling any Anomoly match, nobody in my memory has kicked out of the Ragnorak.
Anomaly stands in the middle of the ring in embarrassment, but he needs to win. He rolls out of the ring and pulls out two chairs from under the ring, he slides them into the ring and then enters the ring and grabs one chair, the other disappeared. Anomaly looks up to see the chair come down onto him but he moves out of the way. Both men swing and...
CRACK!
Derrick Donovan: Oh my!
...Connect the chairs together, crashing their heads into the chairs. The referee rings the bell.
DING DING
Alpha: Ladies and Gentlemen, by way of a Double Disqualification... This fight is a draw.
Both men stagger to their feet in shock but fight over who should have their mask removed, but a Voice is heard over the PA.
Voice: We've watched and we've decided, per M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T, both men must remove their masks.
BB Gunn: Wait what!?
Derrick Donovan: Both men must remove their masks!
Anomaly is first to remove and ---
BB Gunn: IT'S THE STORMCROW!
Derrick Donovan: OH MY GOD, THE STORMCROW HAS RETURNED TO AXW!
Anomoly is next... he pulls at the strings, as James Dragon and Scott Fargo of ZDS flock to ringside. They all share a solumn glance, before the strings get pulled.
...
The mask is removed...
HE'S WEARING ANOTHER MASK UNDER HIS FIRST ONE!
Derrick Donovan: That bastard, he cheated us!
BB Gunn: This is bullshit! Take that other mask off!
Stormcrow lunges at Anomoly, but he rolls out of the ring, flipping the bird to his biggest rival as ZDS share a fist bump atop the stage.
Derrick Donovan: This is blasphemy! M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T. better do something about this!
BB Gunn: Well, both Anomalies may not have been unmasked but Stormcrow is back!
Derrick Donovan: Up next is our European Championship match, and I'm guessing The Crow is watching closely.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time for the European Championship Match!
BB Gunn: Here we go!
Ominous music starts playing as the fans cheer. Slowly, the cage descends from the ceiling as people start to anticipate the war ahead.
Funeral for A Son starts as normal, when all of a sudden record scratch is heard throughout the arena.
Suddenly, an attractive young woman comes out on stage with a microphone.
Female: "Ladies and Gentlemen, The AVA is pround to bring you, The Muscle-Bound Freak of Nature, The Scotland Slayer, The Bagpipe Playing Son-of-a-Bitch, The Glasgow Bull. Weeellllliiiinngggtooooonnn Duuuuuuuuunnnnneeeee!!!!"
The lights dim to black and Done is Done starts to play.
As the opening guitar rifts plays 2 spotlights scan the audience, but ignore the main stage.
The violin kicks in, and the audience sings along with violin.
Suddenly the lights go out, leaving the arena in pitch black darkness.
You don't know what you're looking for
Lights suddenly hit Dunne who is standing on stage with is arms spread out.
Song continues ask he makes his down the ramp.
Then it's certainly time to make it so, yeah ...
At these words, Dunne performs a Cut Throat gesture, and the lights go out again.
What's done is done
The lights suddenly flash back on, this time Dunne is ring and stomps across the ring, climbing not only to the top rope, but to the top of the cage to pose as his music cuts out.
Introducing the Champion.
[...CHEERS...]
He is from Blackfish, South Dakota and weighs in at 550 pounds...He...Is...Dreadvan!!
The music plays and instantly everyone in the arena the fans scream so hard they spit up blood after a few seconds. Eventually, Dreadvan's large frame makes it's way through the curtain. He does his best to antagonize the fans, but they scream harder still for the Dreadvan. He makes his way slowly towards the ring, his size makes it a long, drawn out process. Eventually he makes it to the ringside area and walks slowly around the ring, testing the structure of the reinforced cage by giving it a vigorous shake as Dunne trash talks from inside the ring. Dreadvan finally steps into the ring after circling it as the Referee locks the door. The fans cheer again as the lock snaps shut.
Derrick Donovan: We are underway, folks! The AVA are banned from ringside and there's only one way to win this one!
[...DING!! DING!!...]
The bell has only just finished ringing and Dunne is already charging across the ring and diving onto Dreadvan with a Lou Thez Press, but Dreadvan stands his ground. There's an awkward moment when Dunne realises his attack didn't work before Dreadvan tosses Dunne off him. Dunne lands on his feet but only has half a second to recompose before he's hit by the montrous right hand of The Demon and finds himself flat on his back!
Derrick Donovan: Oh my God that right hand!
BB Gunn: It's the size of your head, Dono!
Derrick Donovan: That thing has to be like getting hit with a bowling ball!
Dreadvan bends down slowly and pulls up Dunne by the head.
BB Gunn: Look at this guy! He's already breathing heavily and all he's done is throw a punch!
Derrick Donovan: That guy you're talking about is currently the second longest reigning XHF European Champion!
BB Gunn: That's true. He might not hit fast, but you know The Demon hits HARD!
Derrick Donovan: Dunne just found that out!
Dreadvan manages to get Dunne to his feet, who is struggling against the two handed vice like grip on his skull. Dreadvan keeps lifting until Dunne is clean off the ground! Dunne's legs flail wildly until HE GOES LOW! Dreadvan immediately collapses to the ground!
Derrick Donovan: The AVA tactics are at it again!
BB Gunn: Dono, it's all legal in the cage!
Dunne shakes out the cobwebs and goes to work on Dreadvan, who is still on one knee. Rights, lefts, kicks, forearm strikes all land with quick succession. Dreadvan is only just reacting to one strike as another hits him and his eyes are rolling. Dreadvan collapses to all fours and Dunne hits the ropes coming back with a knee to the side of the head and Dreadvan is down! Dunne takes a second before he realises it's his chance. He walks confidently to the other side of the ring and starts climbing the cage! He takes his time going one step at a time up the steel grating.
BB Gunn: This is it! He's done it!
All of a sudden, Dunne feels the ham sized hand of Dreadvan wrap itself around his calf and drag him clean off the cage! Dunne hits the canvas hard and he barely had any chance to react! He just realises what's going on and Dreadvan is on him again, wrestling him up straight from the ground into a slam position before dumping him down again. Van approaches the side of the ring and puts his arms through the grating. The whole side of the cage moves as he tries to get it to take his weight, so he instead opts for the door. The Referee sees Dreadvan stomping across the ring and opens the door, but as Dreadvan gets there, he's tackled again by Dunne, who shoves him into the side of the cage. The cage shakes violently from the impact of 800 pounds of weight hitting it. As the men both come away from the cage, we see a slight bow where they hit.
BB Gunn: They've damaged the cage!
Derrick Donovan: I did wonder how they'd fare in there. They're both huge men!
Dunne gets to his feet, using the side of the cage for leverage. He turns around to see Dreadvan doing his best impression of running at him and sidesteps. Dreadvan hits the cage again and it bows further out!
Derrick Donovan: If Dunne doesn't play smart, he's going to let Dreadvan charge right out of that cage!
BB Gunn: Side stepping almost proved to be the dumbest move he could have pulled!
Dreadvan peels himself out of the side of the cage as Dunne gets back to wailing on him. Dreadvan swings for Dunne, but Dunne ducks it and somehow manages to deliver a back suplex to Dreadvan!!
Derrick Donovan: OH MY GOD!!
BB Gunn: Massive suplex there from the Glasweigan! I'd be surprised if there wasn't a Wile E. Coyote style hole in the ring now!
The entire ring shakes from the impact. Dunne managed to pull himself out of the way right before Dreadvan landed on him, but you can see the suplex took it out of him. Again, Dunne goes for the cage. This time the toll of the match is starting to show on him. His footsteps are slow, plodding steps. The climb seems to take forever and again Dreadvan manages to get a hand on him. This time on the trunks! Dreadvan pulls at the back of Dunne's trunks, showing the world more than they need to see. Dunne tries to pull himself up, but again Dreadvan manages to drag him off the cage, only this time he manages to land on his feet due to being prepared. Dreadvan grabs hold of Dunne and lifts him, ramming him back first into the cage he just came down from before pulling him back down into a sit out style powerbomb. Dunne hits the ground hard but he immediately tries to start getting to his feet. He has a few seconds headstart as Dreadvan rolls around, trying to get enough momentum to rock himself onto all fours from the position he's in. Both men manage to make it to their feet eventually.
Derrick Donovan: These guys are giving it all they have!
BB Gunn: They're both swaying on their feet and I don't know how much either of these guys has left!
Dreadvan swings first and misses. Dunne comes back with a few shots of his own before going low again with the kick. Dreadvan doubles over in pain. Dunne runs at the ropes, away from Dreadvan...
[...SCOTTISH FACE BREAKER!!...]
Dunne takes a while to start moving. He starts crawling across to the cage, his gaze not shifting from Dreadvan. He makes it there and starts slowly hauling himself up. His feet only make the second rope before he feels two hands on his shoulders. The despair in his eyes is visible as again he is yanked off the cage. Dreadvan pulls Dunne right down into the Season Finale!
Derrick Donovan: He's got it locked in!
BB Gunn: Dunne needs to find a way out of this, or he's going night-night!
Dreadvan wrenches on the hold and we see Dunne start to turn blue. Dunne runs at the buckle for the push off, but Dreadvan drags him off the buckle. Dunne's eyes are starting to bulge now. All of a sudden, he sticks a thumb in Dreadvan's eye! Dreadvan screams in pain and retreats to the other side of the ring. Dunne grabs the ropes to keep him vertical as he tries to get some oxygen through his body. He looks up and Dreadvan is charging at him again, this time with a full head of steam! Dunne sidesteps and throws Dreavan into the already bowed side of the cage AND IT'S BROKEN!! DREADVAN CRASHED CLEAN THROUGH THE CAGE AND HIT THE GROUND!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of this match and STILL XHF European Champion... Dreadvan!!
Dunne is still collapsed in the ring from the final exertion. The disappointment on his face is real. Dreadvan is still lying semi-conscious on the outside of the ring as the Referee hands him the European Championship.
We cut back to Tony Crew pacing in the ring, having made his way out to the ring during the commercial break.
"My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark" plays from the PA, and the crowd shakes in thunderous boos, as the man who is now the most hated in AXW walks out from the back. Cocky, smug, arrogant. That is what Anthony Caffrey embodies. The UnLegend walks down the ramp with his AXW Undisputed Championship around his waist, smirking as he collects boos from the crowd. As he reaches the ring, he puts his foot on the steps, and pauses. He then points to it, and makes a snapping motion, sending a message to his opponent. He casually smiles, and proceeds climbing into the ring. He walks to his corner and perches atop the turnbuckle, unstrapping the belt from his waist and lifting it high in the air before dropping to the mat.
[...DING DING! DING DING!...]
BB Gunn: Here we go!
Caffrey taunts Crew from the corner, yelling profanities across the ring. He makes a gesture towards the commentators, and turns back into a spear from Crew! The crowd becomes unglued as Caffrey collapses!
BB Gunn: He calls that the "Hard Pick!" Crew could pick up the win right now!
Derrick Donovan: No way! Major upset incoming!
The ref slides in as Crew covers Caffrey, a dominant, serious look on his face.
[...ONE...]
[...TWO...]
[...TH-KICKOUT!...]
Derrick Donovan: Close call by Caffrey!
BB Gunn: The 60 minute man almost became the 18 second man!
Derrick Donovan: Is that a jab at his stamina in bed?
BB Gunn: I wouldn't doubt his inability in the sheets.
Caff holds his gut, looking up resentfully at Crew, who simply offers a hand of sportsmanship to help him to his feet. Caff looks taken aback, but accepts the help up... only to turn it around into a packaged pin of his own!
[...ONE...]
[...TW-KICKOUT!...]
Derrick Donovan: Both men with close pinfalls over one another! This match is already beginning and they've got us on the edge of our seats!
BB Gunn: It's a bit of a cliche, to begin matches with roll-ups.
The two stand, face-to-chest to one another, and partake in a test of strength! Crew easily overpowers the champion and lifts him up by the arms, powerslamming him onto the mat! He begins to work Caffrey with a series of body shots, weakening the body for his patented "Flagrant One". A well placed kick to the gut leaves Caffrey in position for a modified stunner, cracking his arm down over the shoulder of Crew!
BB Gunn: Beautiful move by Crew! It's his night to shine, Dono!
Derrick Donovan: It's not Black History Month anymore, BB. Crew's chances at winning are almost non-existant!
BB Gunn: ...
Caff holds his shoulder, rolling to the outside by the corner. Crew follows suit, but Caff sweeps his legs out and uses Crew's tree-trunk like leg to swing a home run at the post! An audible yell is heard as Crew rolls into the center of the ring, clutching his knee. A hand reaches out from under the ring, handing Caffrey something. He smirks, and rolls into the ring.
Derrick Donovan: What the... who the...?
The apron lifts up just enough for one to see Dunne's face, winking at the cam before disappearing under the ring again.
BB Gunn: That conniving bastard!
Crew slowly begins to make it to his feet, as Caff sneakily dons a pair of brass knuckles. The ref ain't having that, though, and yanks them off his hand! Caff begins to argue with the ref, but doesn't notice Crew snaking his arms around him for...
[...OVER THE BACK!...]
(Full Nelson)
BB Gunn: Crew has the Full Nelson locked in! He's halfway to completing "The Flagrant One!"
Derrick Donovan: We would be on the path to Caffrey's record breaking reign coming to an end right here!
Caffrey's face begins to turn blue as the full nelson is locked in, and he's got nowhere to go! He's lifted up, his feet dangling off the group as his much larger opponent shows off his height and strength advantage! This isn't a situation Caffrey's not used to, though. He's fought many men larger than him, and men larger than even Crew! Crew lifts him up even higher, not quite going for a chokeslam, but instead plants him with a side-effect type move!
BB Gunn: We're just a few short moments from witnessing the end of the match!
Derrick Donovan: All the marbles are on the field, but I reckon Caffrey has one more trick up his sleeve!
Crew steps back a moment, letting Caffrey make his way to his feet. Whether or not this is a mistake on his part depends on who capitalizes first. The two begin to go blow for blow, nailing rights to each other's temples. Tony stuns Anthony, bringing him to a knee, and Crew runs the ropes, going for a big boot! But Caffrey, the crafty veteran, grabs his leg on the way down, rolling his through for...
[...THE C.A.L....]
(Caffrey's Ankle Lock)
Caffrey locks his signature ankle lock in, a move that's won him so, so many matches. So many titles. Crew is caught off guard from the suddenness and tries to roll over but falls right into Caff's trap! The ankle lock is sinched in, stronger than ever, and Crew is in a world of hurt! Tapping is not an option for him, so he begins scratching and crawling his way towards the ropes... the ropes farthest from him.
Derrick Donovan: {facepalm} THOSE ROPES ARE TOO FAR AWAY!
BB Gunn: GO FOR THE ROPES JUST TO YOUR RIGHT, CREW!
BB's words haven't fallen on deaf ears, as Crew changes direction towards the closer set of ropes. He pulls himself just inches away, his fingers grazing the ropes, trying for that ropebreak, but Caffrey yanks the leg back, bending his knee and grapevining around his leg! Crew has nowhere to go, all the ring's ropes are far out of reach and Caffrey's looking to snap his ankle, as he had to so many other people before Crew.
Derrick Donovan: It's Caffrey's night! He's gonna break another ankle on the road to glory!
BB Gunn: Come on, Crew! Boot him in the face and stomp a mudhole in him!
Crew is on the verge of tapping out. His ankle, just seconds from snapping. But then, the pain's gone. There's a ringing in his ears though. Or is there? He rolls over, to see a hooded figure standing over Caffrey, baseball bat in hand, and the referee calling for the bell.
[...DING DING! DING DING!...]
Alpha: The winner of this match via disqualification, and still AXW Undisputed Champion, Anthony Caffrey!
Derrick Donovan: Looks like Caffrey was winning regardless tonight! Crew looked seconds from snapping!
BB Gunn: This is outrageous! can we get this man out of the ring? Who even is it?!
Crew hobbles to his feet, towering over the small man. But he's got a bat, and simply wacks the lumbering giant right in the ankle! The very same ankle Caffrey applied his ankle lock on, no less!
BB Gunn: A swift bat to the leg will take anyone out, no matter how big you are!
Derrick Donovan: This is a sickening display! Can we get security down here?
The hooded figure lays the boots into Crew, stomping and kicking him out of the ring. Caffrey is stunned on the mat, unsure what to make of the situation. He probably doesn't even know what day it is. The hooded figure now turns their attention to the champ, circling him like a shark out of water. They twirl the bat around, kicking the AXW Undisputed Championship out of the ring, before bringing the bat down hard on Caffrey's torso, to "oohs" from the crowd. They bring the bat down, again and again, Caffrey curled up in a fetal position. The hooded figure jams the butt of the bat into Caffrey's side, before landing a well-placed kick into Caffrey's head, knocking him loopy!
BB Gunn: Whoever he is, he's marking his territory on Caffrey... showing him what for! Perhaps another GWA lowlife who shares a page in history with our champ?
The hooded figure puts his foot on Caffrey's chest, pointing a finger in his face. He then pulls out a piece of paper, showing it to the hardcam. We can distinctly read on the top of the page, it reads "AXW Contract."
Derrick Donovan: He's got a contract? Is this one of the newest signee's to AXW?
BB Gunn: I know we'd reached out and offered up various contracts prior to tonight, but this is ridiculous! Who'd offer up a contract to a ludacris maniac?
The hooded figure kneels beside Caffrey, pulling out a pen and scribbling a signature on the page. They're now an official AXW member. But who is it? They slowly begin to stand up, and reach for the zipper to the hoodie. The crowd are dead silent, shivering in antici.......................pation to find out who this guy is. The hoodie zips down... an iconic t-shirt... two notorious championships around his waist, stacked one over the other...
...
...
...
...
It's Bobby Barratt.
The crowd become absolutely unglued as Bobby spikes the hoodie on Caffrey, landing on his face. Bobby unhooks the championships from his waist, and lifts them up above his head. smirking as he places his foot on Caffrey's chest.
Derrick Donovan: This is a huge career move for Bobby Barratt!
BB Gunn: Yeah, but more importanty, AXW is in possession of the X*Crown for the first time in almost a year!
Bobby steps through the ropes, walking to the back as "Motherfucker of the Year" plays over the PA. Caffrey begins to stir in the ring, a look of disbelief on his face as the on and only Bobby Barratt has found a new home.
Welcome home, X*Crown.
And welcome to AXW, Bobby Barratt.
Derrick Donovan: It is that time, BB. The Briefcase Battle Royal!
BB Gunn: This is one of the most talked about matches around the network. It's been six months since we've had our last one and pepole STILL talk about it.
Derrick Donovan: Didn't you take part in that one?
BB Gunn: ...
Derrick Donovan: In any event, this should be just as talked about as that one.
Red, yellow, and blue lights dance across the stadium and meet towards the top of the stadium roof around the same time Enter Shikari's electronic prelude begins to blast from the different speakers. The primary colors break, then are replaced with darkness around the same time smoke from the smoke machine begin to crowd the entrance. Like a beacon of hope white light begins to shine from the entrance, the Yung Master's body slices through the smoke like a reaper's blade through a field of grass, launching himself off of a rising platform, spinning to face the crowd, just in time to land in a three-point stance. After landing, he syncs up with his song of choice with a mighty clap-clap-clap, before blasting white light covers him from behind, letting his silhouette project across the arena.
Derrick Donovan: Here is one of the newest additions to the AXW Universe, Caden Yung.
BB Gunn: Tough draw with having to enter at number one, Dono.
Derrick Donovan: It will definitely be an uphill battle for the "Yung God" tonight but the prize is worth the fight.
After high-fiving with a few fans, he bolts down the ramp, dives into the ring with a slide, then masterfully flips himself to his feet. Both hands raise to the heavens, and he's ready for a battle!
"Plebians - silence yourselves as the heavens gift you with this special occasion. Your eyes will feast like it never has before. The one. The only. King Edmund William Hickenbottom IV".
The lights dim. Two uniformed gentlemen step forward. They blow on their trumpets to signal the introduction of the King of Supremia. After the royal tune, Preliator by Globus plays. After the introduction to the song, Mutt walks out, holding a throne above his heads and shoulders. As he marches down the ring, the two uniformed guards follow. Mutt climbs up the stairs, where the uniformed guards lower the top rope for Mutt to climb over. Mutt places the throne down the center of the ring and then lies on all fours in front of the throne. There, King Hickenbottom steps on the back of Mutt as a stepping stool on the way down.
Derrick Donovan: Well it looks like it will be King Edmund to start it out against Caden Yung.
BB Gunn: Ahem...
Derrick Donovan: Right, so Mutt kicking things off with Yung here...better?
BB Gunn: I guess
With a crown on his head and a scepter in his hand, he climbs the ropes to the fans. They all boo him. The king smiles as he descends and exits the ring to allow Mutt to show off exactly what King Hickenbottom IV can do.
[...DING! DING!...]
Yung and Mutt circle each other as King Edmund barks orders at his henchman from the outside. Mutt goes in for a tie up but Caden Yung uses his speed to avoid the brawler's grasp and fires some stiff shots at Mutt, rocking him off balance. Mutt regains composure after one hit and fires a shot of his own but Caden Yung leans back dodging the blow before popping back up and catching Mutt with a spinning back elbow.
Derrick Donovan: Quick start by Caden Yung here, BB.
BB Gunn: Yeah, the Gucci Jesus showing that he belongs here in AXW.
Derrick Donovan: Gucci Jesus?
BB Gunn: Well I'm not calling him Dolce Daddy...
Derrick Donovan: Fair enough.
Both men lock up in the center of the ring and Mutt shoves Caden down to the mat but he quickly rolls through the impact and jumps back up. Mutt goes for a clothesline but Caden Yung ducks it and jumps up on the middle rope, diving back at Mutt and grabbing his head, pulling him down into a tornado DDT. King Edmund screams at his muscle.
Derrick Donovan: Great move there but now Caden has to find a way to get Mutt back up and over the ropes.
Caden struggles to lift the dead weight and finally gets Mutt up on his feet and backed into the corner. He tries desperately to roll him over the top rope but Mutt just pushes his weight into the turnbuckle.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
BB Gunn: Dono! It's AK Andrews! Who could have guessed that!
Derrick Donovan: Yeah, it certainly is his music... but where is he?
Derrick Donovan: He is wasting a lot of time making his way to the ring.
BB Gunn: You can't get thrown out if you never get in.
BB Gunn: He would feel really funny if those fans attacked him causing him to miss the match. Woah look out!
Derrick Donovan: Huge slam by Mutt, Caden is writhing in pain.
BB Gunn: Looks like Andrews is finally deciding to join in.
Derrick Donovan: Look at that, it's already time for a new entrant. He really did waste a lot of time, BB.
BB Gunn: Yeah but he picked his spot and is the only one standing right now as he delivers boots to both men.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
The lights go out as AK Andrews is picking Caden Yung up. When they come back on, Brad Swann is standing in the middle of the ring with an evil look on his face. The crowd, feeling a bit nostalgic pops loudly and AK Andrews turns around, seeing Swann.
BB Gunn: Holy shit! It's Brad Swann! The former Iconic Prince! The former leader of Hellbound!
Derrick Donovan: And the new owner of a rival company here in the Network. What is he doing?
AK Andrews runs at Swann but Swann dodges the blow before throwing some stiff body shots to Andrews. After a big right hand, Andrews bounces into the ropes and is met with a superkick for his troubles, sending him up and over the ropes and down to the floor below!
BB Gunn: It looks like Swann is here to fight for the briefcase and just hit a... an ICONKICK!
[...AK ANDREWS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Frustrated, AK Andrews slaps the floor and pulls himself up and heads to the back. Caden Yung moves in on Swann and the two begin trading blows. Before either one can get an upperhand, Mutt bounces off the ropes and delivers a big double clothesline, almost flipping both men out of their boots.
Derrick Donovan: Oh my God, did you see that?
BB Gunn: Mutt can get something going here because that was a thunderous clothesline, Dono.
Mutt picks Swann up and sets him up for his Double Underhook Piledriver. Sensing the move, Swann begins kicking his legs as Mutt lifts him, causing him to lose his grip. As Swann retruns to the mat Caden Yung comes flying in with a missile dropkick sending Mutt tumbling backwards. He quickly pounces on Mutt and beings punching him. Swann joins in and helps Caden lift Mutt and barks orders at him that they should work together to eliminate Mutt. As they try to lift him over the ropes, the countdown timer begins again.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
Absolute Zero by Stone Sour starts to play over the speakers, Darlene comes out at the "The bloody angle, the symmetry Your cheap adhesive isn't holding me" eyeing the crowd for a seconds.
Derrick Donovan: It's the number one contender to the European Championship! Darlene Price!
BB Gunn: She is my pick to win it all, Dono. The tenacity that she shows in that ring rivals that of all the greats!
She makes her way down to the ring, high-fiveing a few random fans here and there, she circles the ring slowly as her song plays, she then steps back, runs and slides into the ring and immediately tackles Caden Yung. The two start rolling around, trading shots. Swann begins working on Mutt by himself in the corner. Darlene pops up to her feet, and just as Caden tries to match her she runs in and curb stomps him into the canvas!
BB Gunn: FASH STOMP! What a way to start your time in the battle royal! I'm telling you, Dar is winning this thing!
Dar rests her back on the top rope her arms draped over it, she sticks her tongue out to the crowd, she then throws her arms out into the crucifix pose. Swann having just missed a splash on Mutt stumbles out of the corner and gets rocked with a shoulder block by Mutt. Darlene smiles as she watches on. Mutt, oblivious to Dar standing in the opposite corner, locks in a camel clutch on Swann.
Derrick Donovan: The camel clutch can definitely do some damage in a battle royal but it won't get you the win. King Edmund knows it too as he is desperately trying to get Mutt's attention.
Mutt turns back towards Edmund to try and listen to what he is saying. Edmund is frantically pointing at Dar's direction and as Mutt turns back around he is met with Dar's knee right to his face as he breaks his hold and flies back. Caden Yung, back on his feet now jumps at Darlene as she turns around and and connects with a Hurricanrana that sends her across the ring. Caden jumps back up satisfied with himself before quickly being planted by a dragon suplex from Brad Swann, both me hitting the mat hard and lying there.
BB Gunn: Swann just hit his old Bloodline move!
Derrick Donovan: Everyone is down, that's something you don't often see in this kind of match.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
As "Inspirational Epic Music" starts, “Hammerhand” Blake Luthor walks out from the back, looking angry at the entire world. He makes his way down to the ring, ignoring the boos from the fans. Luthor gets in the ring where he is immediately met with kicks and elbows by Darlene. He tries to fight it off but she is viscous. He is finally able to throw her off but she comes right back with more attacks. Luthor covers up in the corner. Mutt runs in and sandwiches Darlene into Luthor against the turnbuckle. Darlene falls and then rolls out of the ring. Luthor drops down in a seated position and Mutt begins to use the leverage of the ropes to shove his foot into Luthor's throat, choking him. Swann is back on his feet now and lifting Caden Yung after the Bloodline move. He whips him into the opposite corner that Mutt and Luthor is in. Swann climbs up over top of Caden and begins to lay some stiff punches in. Just as the crowd starts counting to ten, the quickly begin counting backwards as a new entrant gets ready to join the mayhem.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
The hard riffs of "Liberate" by Slipknot start to reverberate around the arena and the moment the song screams "LIBERATE!", Joel Hawkfield walks out from behind the curtain to resounding boos from the audience as he pays them no mind, his attention solely focused on the ring.
Derrick Donovan: It's Joel Hawkfield. I've heard a ton of great things about him but this crowd apparently doesn't care for him.
BB Gunn: He doesn't seem to mind, he has his eyes set on the prize, and that is the group of competitors in the ring.
Reaching the bottom of the ramp, Joel spits at some of the people in the front row before rolling into the ring, the boos increasing by a few decibels as he stands back up. Casually, he flips the bird to the crowd before walking over and pushing Mutt out of the way and laying boots to Blake Luthor.
Derrick Donovan: Not wasting any time here.
Mutt, not thrilled with Hawkfield shoving him out of the way comes back and shoves Hawkfield. He gets ready to turn his attention to Luthor again when Hawkfield grabs Mutt around the waist and throws him into a belly to back suplex. Mutt lands on his head. Luthor finally pulls himself up from the corner and when Hawkfield approaches, Luthor grabs him and pulls him into the corner changing places with him and delivering some big back elbows. On the other side of the ring, Swann lets Caden Yung stumble out of the corner and drops down, springboarding Yung up and over back down to the canvas, about halfway to Luthor and Hawkfield. Swann surveys the scene as Caden pulls himself up on all fours, trying to get himself back in the match. Swann smiles and takes off running, leaping on and off of Caden's back launching himself at the other corner. Luthor sees him out of the corner of his eye and drops down to the mat as Swann crashes into Hawkfield.
BB Gunn: Ouch! What a move, Brad Swann throwing caution to the wind. Looks like we are getting ready for the next person!
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
Derrick Donovan stands and removes his headset.
BB Gunn: Uh, Dono, what are doing? We are getting ready to see who comes out next.
Donovan leans in close to BB so that he is heard through the mic.
Derrick Donovan: I'm next! I'm about to show you how a commentator REALLY fights! I know I will last longer than you did at Final Frontier.
BB Gunn: Dude, you have to be kidding me. You are in no shape to go in there!
It's too late. Derrick Donovan is heading up the stairs and into the ring where Mutt is back up, about to lift Caden Yung over the ropes. Swann has Hawkfield in a headlock walking him around the ring, stopping to punch form time to time. Luthor sees Donovan enter the ring and is a bit confused but goes after the announcer anyways. Donovan blocks his grasp though and lands a loud chop to Luthor's chest that is only slightly quieter than the "woos" coming from the crowd. Luthor fires back but Donovan ducks, hits the ropes, ducks again and chop blocks Mutt just before he throws Caden out of the ring.
BB Gunn: Well, Donovan... surprising doing good here, showing the world why he is the savvy ole' veteran in the ring. He is trying to lift Mutt into a piledriver!
Donovan can't get Mutt up in the air, but Caden Yung gets back to his feet and comes over to help lift Mutt in the air and Donovan connects with a piledriver! Meanwhile, Hawkfield has fought off Swann and now has the upperhand. He blocks a desperate punch by Swann, throws a punch of his own that is in turn dodged by Swann, but then flips Swann up in the air with a back body drop. Swann goes over the top ropes but lands on his feet on the apron. Hawkfield turns around and is met by a flying forearm as Swann dives back over the top.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
BB Gunn: What a move by Swann! I can't believe Dono has lasted this long!
"Mask Off Remix (Mask On) by Joyner Lucas beings to play. John Doe lumbers into view with his head titled to the side. He takes a few moments to scan the crowd on both sides. He begins moving forward laser focused on the ring, but seemingly out of nowhere does a twirl and starts dancing as he goes. He takes a few moments to try and pump up the crowd by directly engaging a few members.
BB Gunn: This John Doe guy has some swagger to him. He could be trouble for those in this match who've been in there a while like Caden Yu- LOOK OUT!
Speaking of Caden Yung he helps Donovan get to his feet after the piledriver and celebrates with him. Just as Donovan takes his eyes off of Yung and holds his hands up to the crowd, Yung charges at him and shoves him over the ropes and down towards the announcer's table. The fans boo loudly as they can't believe this newcomer turned his back on Donovan. Donovan solemnly walks back to the table and sits down, slowly putting his headset on.
[...DERRICK DONOVAN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
BB Gunn: Man, no reason to keep your head down, mate. That was a hell of an effort.
Derrick Donovan: Yeah.. I guess
Donovan takes a moment to catch his breath.
John Doe is in the ring now and grappling with Luthor. Swann and Hawkfield are back in the corner once more trading shots. Darlene slides back in the ring after lying low for a bit and she has a chair in her hands! The refs try to stop her but she is too quick and into the ring before anyone can do anything. Luthor turns around and is cracked over the head by the chair. Darlene then turns towards Caden but Caden charges at her just as she swings and drop kicks the chair. It smashes Darlene in the face as she hits the mat. She licks the blood off her lips and begins smiling as she lies there. John Doe whips Luthor acorss the ring and he runs into Yung, both men stumble. Doe runs in and cross-bodies both men as they use each other to keep their balance. All three of them crash down to the ring and roll towards the corner. Hawkfield finally is back in control of Swann after being whipped in the ropes and hitting him with a Thesz Press, immediately mounting him and laying the punches in one after another.
Derrick Donovan: That Hawkfield is impressive. Hats off to Swann as well.
BB Gunn: And what about Mutt? He is still in this thing and is STILL being screamed at by Edmund. I can't believe you gave him a piledriver, Dono!
Mutt is back up as is Darlene. The two of them trade shots before Darlene slides under Mutts legs. He tries to bend down and grab her on the way through but she is too fast and springs up behind him as she unloads a penalty kick for the ages where the sun doesn't shine on Mutt. He yelps out in pain and Hawkfield who is now off of Swann winces at the sight as Mutt goes down.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
BB Gunn: You've got to be kidding me...
The lights turn down... As a ridiculous amount of fog creeps into the arena. As the music of Pat Benatar fills the ears of the hearing enabled in the arena. Invincible is what Harold Campbell believes himself to be.... 20 seconds in and he finally emerges from the fog.
Derrick Donovan: IT'S HARDCORE HARRY! In the AXW. I can't believe it!
Harry nonchalantly walks down the ramp to a thunderous response from the crowd. He steps over the top ropes and begins laying out everyone. Hawkfield? Clothesline. Luthor? Spinebuster.
Caden and Doe? Double Chokeslam. Swann avoids the big man by rolling out of the ring briefly before Mutt moves in and beings going blow for blow with Harry. Doe tries to make his way back to his feet from the chokeslam but Darlene is back up with the chair again, blood trickling down her chin. She slams the chair into Doe who stumbles into the ropes. Joel Hawkfield who has gotten back up from the clothesline runs in with a big boot that connects sending John Doe over the ropes and out to the floor.
[...JOHN DOE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!...]
Derrick Donovan: What a boot! Doe is out of the match and look! Darlene and Yung are trying to get Hawkfield over!
BB Gunn: He's holding on with all he's got!
After the big boot, Hawkfield was in an awkward position, straddling the top rope and Darlene and Caden Yung pounced trying to flip him over. Instead Hawkfield hugs the ropes until he drops down to the apron, sliding back under the bottom ropes. Yung and Darlene stomp on Hawkfield. Swann is back in the ring but is met immediately by a Superman punch from Blake Luthor and he again hits the mat and rolls out of the ring. Luthor is back up and goes toe to toe with Hardcore Harry who has just damn near DDT'd Mutt through the ring. Hardcore Harry fights off Luthor's initial flurry before catching him and lifting him up in the air in a military press, slamming him in the center of the ring.
Derrick Donovan: Did you see that strength?
BB Gunn: Yeah but he could have just as easily thrown Luthor over the top ropes. Does Harry know what kind of match he is in?
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
A loud static noise emits from the speakers, as the screen switches to the same- black and white noise fizzes on the screens. Heavy music begins to play from the speakers, and the arena lights shut down to near darkness. The screen plays a video of a black and white clip of a war-torn city, smoke rising from ashes, fires flickering in monochrome. The music intensifies, as the clip continues.
BB Gunn: Dono, is this who I think it is?
With some reaction from the crowd, Ozymandias is spotted, making his way to the ring through the audience. He pushes fans aside as he marches his way to the ring, and easily hops the barrier fence. Slowly, he climbs onto the apron and into the ring where Hardcore Harry meets him face to face.
Derrick Donovan: Ozymandias is back in an AXW ring! Harry staring him down. All hell is about to break loose!
The two of them start swinging wildly. Brawling all around the ring. The fans are loving it. Meanwhile, Luthor and Hawkfield are both being worked over by Yung and Darlene respectively. After a few moments, Ozymandias rocks Hardcore Harry. He grapples him and lifts him high in the air!
BB Gunn: Am I seeing this? What a display of power!
Derrick Donovan: Ozymandias is going to dispose of Hardcore Harry!
Ozymandias, with Hardcore Harry lifted above his head walks towards the ropes. Mutt comes out of nowhere though and launches himself into Ozy, sending Ozy and in turn Hardcore Harry over the top ropes.
[...HARDCORE HARRY and OZYMANDIAS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Derrick Donovan: Oh my! Mutt has taken out the two big guys! He wants to be the only brute in this match!
BB Gunn: What is Edmund doing?
King Edmund, possibly out of excitement is on the apron screaming at Mutt. Pointing at some of the others in the match. Telling him to get the others out of the ring. Unbeknownst to him, Swann sneaks up behind him and grabs his foot. This startles Edmund and he quickly hops in the ring before realizing what he's done. Swann, quickly hops on to the apron as Edmund reaches for the top rope. Swann pushes the top rope in towards Edmund as hard as he can, who also grabs them trying to pull it as well. Swann smiles and yanks the ropes back towards him, sending Edmund towards the ropes and over them, tumbling back to the ground.
BB Gunn: ... Did Swann just...
Derrick Donovan: Look at the officials!
Mutt is working over Caden Yung who had recently laid Darlene out. The refs jump in though and grab Mutt. They point at Edmund. Since Edmund was in the ring and technically in the match, him being sent over the top ropes by Swann has officially eliminated him (and Mutt) from the match.
[...KING EDMUND HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Edmund angrily pleads his case but the officials aren't having any of it, forcing he and Mutt to the back. Edmund wants to protest but instead berates Mutt all the way up the ramp for losing the match for them.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
"Johnny Falls" by Hedley, plays as Johnny runs down that ramp hi-fiving fans in attendance. He enters the ring and immediately beings brawling with Yung, Darlene, Luthor and Hawkfield. Swann enters the ring but lays back in a corner, resting and also proud of himself for eliminating Mutt. Yung is whipped into the corner where Darlene charges after him and drop kicks him hard, making him fall into a seated position. Darlene turns her attention to Hawkfield and Luthor as Johnny Falls breaks off from them, seeing Yung seated in the corner. He runs and hits a bronco buster in the corner. As he stands up from it, Luthor who was able to get away from Dar and Hawkfield hits another Superman punch this time to Falls.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
The arena turns to darkness as we hear the sounds of a life support machine before the flatline, then the music plays as the spotlights turn red and pointing down to the stage.
Derrick Donovan: You know, I was wondering when AVA member, James Raymond would enter this match. Coming in this late and this fresh could mean that briefcase is going back to AVA where Caffrey can be protected.
BB Gunn: You don't think Raymond would stab Caffrey in the back if it meant winning that title back?
Out comes James Raymond as he walks towards the top of the ramp and stands in place, a smirk on his face as he looks out to the fans as they loudly boo him. He makes his way down to the ramp, still containing the smirk on his face and getting in the face of fans as they shout abuse at Raymond. Once he makes his way to ringside, he walks around the ring as all of the action has stopped. All men with their eyes on Raymond.
Derrick Donovan: It is no secret that the entire locker room, hell, the entire network despise AVA. They all want their hands on Raymond.
BB Gunn: I get that, but someone is going to have to let him in the ring if they want him out.
Swann, ever being the opportunist realizes everyone back is turned to him. He runs in and grabs Darlene by the head and bulldogs her into the mat. The others turn and a brawl breaks out, opening the door for Raymond to enter the ring and join in. Hawkfield grabs Raymond and whips him into the ropes, going for a short arm clothesline but Raymond dodges it, sees Johnny Falls turn towards him and Raymond kicks. Connecting with a huge superkick that shoots Falls over the ropes.
[...JOHNNY FALLS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
I'm Not Jesus by Apocalyptica and Corey Taylor hits the PA. The lights dim and mist forms around the ramp. The tron shows images of a deep dense jungle slowly being traversed and ends up on an image of Primal's hideous mask. His "true face".
Derrick Donovan: This guy... coming in now... I don't know how anyone can beat him.
BB Gunn: Primal is a monster for sure!
Primal slowly slinks out of the back and to the stage. He lets out a growl and spits on the stage then walks with purpose to the ring where he rolls under the ropes and to his knees. The others have stopped fighting again, staring at the close to 300 pound mass that kneels in the ring. Then, Gucci and Darlene run in and start swinging. Primal gets up and begins to try to fight back but Hawkfield joins in as well and then Luthor! Raymond and Swann on the other hand have broke off and fighting each other one on one. Raymond goes for a back suplex but Swann reverses it before hitting Raymond with a swinging neckbreaker.
Derrick Donovan: How do you tackle someone the size of Primal? With force and with numbers it seems!
Hawkfield measures Primal and hits him with shoulder block that rocks the big man. Luthor comes in and follows it up with a bodyslam to Primal. Primal makes it back to his feet with aid of the ropes but Darlene and Caden run in and in tandem land a double dropkick to Primal. The big man rolls over the top ropes and out to the floor.
[...PRIMAL HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
The four of them all celebrate momentarily at their accomplishment before backing up, realizing they are all foes. Dar locks up with Hawkfield and Luthor Locks up with Caden Yung. Meanwhile Swann has Raymond back up and sends him into the corner. He runs in but Raymond moves causing Swann to smash his ribs into the corner. Raymond lands a couple stiff kicks before turning his attention on Luthor and Yung.
Derrick Donovan: There is no denying this match is heating up as we come down to our final entrant...
BB Gunn: And by my calculations... it's... The family man...
Derrick Donovan: The REAL family man!
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
The lights dim and smoke pumps from the stage area as "The Bear Song" by Green Jelly starts to cut through the atmosphere. Soon through the mist comes out Lord Dominicus. He walks down the ramp, sneering at everyone (we think, it's hard to tell with the mask). As the song continues to shred, the darkness that is Dominicus climbs into the ring and strikes Darlene and Hawkfield.
Derrick Donovan: Look in the ring, one of these competitors will be the next briefcase holder!
Luthor having just sent Yung down to the mat stands up and is immediately knocked over the ropes by Swann who is recovering from the corner shot moments ago.
[...BLAKE LUTHOR HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Without missing a beat Raymond sends Swann over the top ropes but Swann holds on to the top rope, dangling. Raymond, annoyed tries to go over and pry at Swann's fingers. Swann gets his hips and legs on the apron and clutches the bottom ropes with his leg just as his grasp on the top rope is broken. He slams to the apron and uses his legs to scoot back under the bottom ropes. Raymond frustrated turns back to the ring but is clocked by an flying elbow from Darlene which sends Raymond out of the match.
[...JAMES RAYMOND AS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Swann is pulling himself up on the ropes and Darlene looks down at him and smiles. She runs and bounces off the opposite sides ropes before charging in at Swann, grabbing the ropes and swings through, kicking Swann. Swann falls back in the middle of the ring while Darlene makes her way onto the apron. She jumps up on the ropes and springboards in for her double foot stomp.
BB Gunn: FROM CLEVELAND WITH LOV- OH NO!
Joel Hawkfield caught Darlene in mid air and runs her back to the ropes tossing her over.
[...DARLENE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Derrick Donovan: well that was a quick turn of events. Things cleared up real quick.
BB Gunn: Yeah, and here we are, Dono... down to just four competitors left. Caden Yung who has been in there since the very beginning, Lord Dominicus and two secret entrants in Brad Swann and Joel Hawkfield.
Derrick Donovan: I really thought I could have still been in there.
BB Gunn: Hey, I know the feeling man. Who ya got?
Derrick Donovan: All four of these fighters have been pretty impressive tonight. Lord Dominicus is the freshest one in the match but Hawkfield has been very impressive!
Lord Dominicus and Caden Yung begin trading punches and kicks. Brad Swann and Joel Hawkfield lock up near the corner and begin trying to one up each other with chain wrestling. Yung, slowing down drastically after being in the match so long misses on a punch and Lord Dominicus, being so fresh in the match, capitalizes grabbing Yung's head and running towards the corner before hitting...
Derrick Donovan: THE DARKNESS! Lord Dominicus just laid Caden Yung out!
BB Gunn: You have to keep your head on a swivel, LOOK OUT!
While Lord Dominicus was hitting the move, Swann had taken Joel Hawkfield down with an arm drag, then follwed it up with a drop kick. Swann, seeing Lord Dominicus hit his finishing move on Yung, seized the moment. As Lord Dominicus made his way back to his feet, adjusting his mask, Swann superkicks Lord Dominicus who falls into the ropes. Swann steps in and grabs a leg and flips Lord Dominicus over the ropes.
[...LORD DOMINICUS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Meanwhile, Joel Hawkfield had gotten back to his feet and walks over to Caden Yung who is still half out of it from The Darkness. Hawkfield picks him up by his legs, getting ready to set him up for the Spirit Crushing Finale but in a last ditch effort Caden Yung flips up and over Hawkfield and attempts a backstaber. He doesn't have enough strength though and falls to the mat. Hawkfield turns and picks him up, draping him over his head and nails a back to belly piledriver.
Derrick Donovan: Deathwatch Branding!
Joel Hawkfield gets back to his feet, lifts Caden up and tosses him over the top ropes.
[...CADEN YUNG HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
BB Gunn: Wow, I can't believe Yung is out. He came in at number one and almost went the distance!
Derrick Donovan: An amazing accomplishment to last as long as he did though, definitely nothing to be ashamed about.
BB Gunn: You'd know...
Derrick Donovan: ...
BB Gunn: LOOK OUT!
As Joel Hawkfield looks out at Yung who is completely exhausted. Swann runs up from behind and throws Hawkfield out of the ring. Hawkfield is able to hang on to the ropes though and land hard on his knee on the apron. Swann tries to hit Hawkfield but instead is met by Hawkfields shoulder in his gut.
Derrick Donovan: Swann has been sneaky this whole match and has struck at opportune times. He almost won it there.
BB Gunn: It's amazing isn't it. Going into this match we had no idea these two men would be in it, yet here they are... one will leave with a golden ticket to a championship match.
Hawkfield is back in the ring as Swann backs to a corner. They look at each other, both men drenched and tired. They both nod at each other before meeting in the center of the ring. They lock up. Swann quickly throws a knee into the side of Hawkfield who doubles over just enough for Swann to gain control and whip him into the ropes. Hawkfield comes back with a lariat attempt but Swann drops to the mat as Hawkfield has to hurdle over him. As Hawkfield bounces off the ropes once more Swann is there to meet him with a sleeper hold. He forces their way to the ropes where Swann tries to manhandle Hawkfield over the ropes while locking in the sleeper. Both men begin the tumble over the ropes but Swann breaks the hold to grab the ropes and Hawkfield is able to do the same. They both land on the apron. They pull themselves up and start throwing punches as the fans cheer.
BB Gunn: If either of these men fall, it's over Dono!
Derrick Donovan: Those are soft shots either!
Hawkfield rocks Swann who teeters on the apron but steadys himself before sending a sidekick into Hawkfield. Hawkfield almost stumbles off but is able to catch himself. He fires a chop to the chest of Swann who screams out in pain but launches his head at Hawkfield landing a headbutt with his scarred eye. Hawkfield almost falls but grabs the ropes. Swann sees the end is almost near and bends down and begins to bite at Hawkfields hands.
BB Gunn: He's biting him!
Derrick Donovan: That's one way to ensure your opponent can't hold on.
Hawkfield connects with a knee to the bent Swann that sends him back into the ring. Hawkfield steps in and grabs Swann sending him into the corner. He runs after him for a clothesline but Swann pulls himself out of the corner. Aware of the situation, Hawkfield is able to pull up short so he doesn't smash into the corner but as he turns around Swann sends an IconKick his way. Hawkfield catches the foot though and with great strength moves in and lifts Swann up into a fireman carry. He throws him back towards the ropes and over but again Swann lands on the apron. Hawkfield turns and Swann pokes him in the eye.
Derrick Donovan: Oh that was a cheapshot!
BB Gunn: Hey, if Darlene can bring a chair in the match, what's wrong with an eye poke?
Hawkfield blindedly swings at Swann who easily dodges it. Joel Hawkfield turns and takes a few steps towards the center of the ring, bending down holding his eyes, trying to clear his sight. Swann realizes the situation and steeps back into the ring and immediately back out onto the apron through the middle ropes.
BB Gunn: What the hell is Swann doing?
Joel Hawkfield gets his composure and charges in and absolutely crushes Swann off the apron and down to the mat. Hawkfield falls to his knees, completely spent. He crawls over to ropes and pulls himself up, waiting for his music to hit but it never does.. With confusion he looks over at the time keeper's table, still squinting from the eye poke. Swann slides back in the ring and in blur lands an elbow to the back of Hawkfields head, sending him over the ropes and out to the floor.
[...DING! DING! DING!...]
[...JOEL HAWKFIELD HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Derrick Donovan: What a dirty move!
BB Gunn: Dirty of not, Dono, there is your winner.... BRAD SWANN!
As Brad Swann holds the Briefcase aloft, “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark" By Fall Out Boy begins to play and the crowd immediately sours. Anthony Caffrey steps out on stage, with Wellington Dunne and James Raymond flanking him. Caffrey surveys the scene and cracks a sinister smile, before nodding to his AVA team mates which prompt all three to head to the ring.
Derek Donovan: I don’t believe this, Caffrey and the AVA just can’t let anybody have even a shred of success.
BB Gunn: But he’s also a smart, smart man, Dono! He knows that briefcase is the biggest risk to his title, and I think he’s going to try and strike first.
As they reach the bottom of the ramp, the three men split and circle the ring. Joel Hawkfield rolls into the ring joining Brad Swann after slowly recovering, and the two men stand back to back, heads moving from side to side as Caffrey, Dunne and Raymond all climb onto the ring apron, stalking the two men.
Derek Donovan: This is getting ridiculous BB, these two men have been battling it out and given everything, and now these three turn up like vultures.
Despite the fatigue, both Hawkfield and Swann are both ready to fight, the briefcase being thrown to the mat and both men have their fists raised. Caffrey simply laughs at the pair, and motions the AVA into the ring. As they do, however, the lights go out.
Voice: AVA. You were warned. M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T. has been watching, and we have concluded that AXW requires an intervention, you will answer to M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T., and you will answer to our enforcer…
BB Gunn: Enforcer?
The lights remain out, nobody in the ring has moved, and then…
Derek Donovan: Oh...my...God.
BB Gunn: WHAT!?
“St Patrick” by PVRIS begins to play, and to the crowds absolute shock and excitement, Rob Arnold walks out on the stage.
Derek Donovan: I don't believe this...He’s here! Rob Arnold is here, I wasn’t ever sure I would say that again!
BB Gunn: I...I...WHAT!?
Arnold smirks and walks towards the ring with haste, not willing to hang around. The AVA stay where they are, whilst Raymond seems a little edgy having encountered Arnold before, Caffrey and Dunne seem less bothered at this point. Arnold walks up the steps and into the ring, still smirking. Swann and Hawkfield step back towards him, allowing Rob to stand in between them. The AVA step forward in order to stand opposite them.
Derek Donovan: We’ve been wondering for weeks now who or what is M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T. and whilst we still may not know, Rob Arnold appears to have been sent here by them!
Arnold’s music fades out. The crowd are buzzing as the six men face each other. Swann stares down Caffrey, Arnold stares down James Raymond and Hawkfield stands opposite Dunne. Caffrey drops the AXW title to the side, staying calm, but clearly ready to fight. The six move closer, goading each other to take the first shot, and Wellington Dunne is the first to go, sending rights into Hawkfield, sending him back to the corner. Raymond goes for a big right on Rob Arnold, but he ducks and drops Raymond immediately with a…
[Plunge Into Darkness]
Codebreaker
Raymond bounces to another corner of the ring. Swann and Caffrey just start exchanging furious right hands, with neither gaining an immediate advantage. Meanwhile, having punched Hawkfield into the corner, Dunne takes a couple steps back and charges at him, Hawkfield sidesteps him however, recomposes and hits a standing dropkick, sending Dunne out of the ring. Caffrey finds himself on the back foot as well, with Swann now out punching him and sending him backwards until his back is on the ropes, Caffrey responds with an eye rake, causing Swann to hold his face. Caffrey goes into motion and bounces off the opposite rope, Swann sees him coming though and drops the top rope, Caffrey unceremoniously heads over the top and joins Dunne on the floor.
BB Gunn: This is the first time I can remember the AVA being matched Dono!
Rob Arnold meanwhile has slid out of the ring and collected a chair and a microphone, before quickly returning.
Rob Arnold: So about a month ago, my phone rings. Somebody on the other end tells me he’s a representative of this group that have bought AXW. He tells me that his client wants me to come back and manage AXW because it’s gone out of control. I’ll be honest, I thought it was a lie, I thought it was a prank. Then the next day my bank account has substantially increased. I get another call and this guy tells me that is my signing bonus, and I can expect more of that as long as I achieve one thing...restore AXW to its former glory. So suddenly I know that this is actually serious!
Rob smirks, for the first time since its inception, the AXW fans are cheering him.
Rob Arnold: My remit is simple, bring the best talent to this corner of the network, enforce order and be the face of this consortium that clearly don’t want to be seen, and most importantly, ensure people don’t step too far out of line. Now I’m no hypocrite, I know that I’ve broken a few bones, ended a few careers, but even I know where the line is. AVA, you’ve crossed it, and I’m here to tell you that this ends here, and it ends with me. I’m also here to tell you as personally as possible, M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T. know that to make an omelette, I may have to break a few eggs.
Arnold turns and looks at James Raymond who is beginning to stir. He drops the microphone and stalks him. Swann and Hawkfield stand back, guarding the ring as Caffrey and Dunne watch on. Arnold opens the chair and places it on a groggy Raymond’s neck, kicks him in the gut with force, sending him to one knee.
Derek Donovan: Wait a minute…
Rob bounces off the ropes and returns back to Raymond with a…
[Shattered Ice!]
Curb Stomp
BB Gunn: Oh my days! I hope M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T. know that they have employed a psychopath Dono! That’ll be Raymond’s neck broken, he could be dead!
Raymond’s body just goes limp. Arnold looks down and mouths the words “bang bang” at Raymond, before joining Hawkfield and Brad Swann, who are still staring out a now incensed AVA. “St Patrick” begins to play once more.
Derek Donovan: Folks we are out of time on what has been a night that has left me almost speechless! Anthony Caffrey may have retained his title tonight but the AVA has just been put in check by M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T and their new enforcer, Rob Arnold! Goodnight!
BB Gunn: This is one of the most talked about matches around the network. It's been six months since we've had our last one and pepole STILL talk about it.
Derrick Donovan: Didn't you take part in that one?
BB Gunn: ...
Derrick Donovan: In any event, this should be just as talked about as that one.
Red, yellow, and blue lights dance across the stadium and meet towards the top of the stadium roof around the same time Enter Shikari's electronic prelude begins to blast from the different speakers. The primary colors break, then are replaced with darkness around the same time smoke from the smoke machine begin to crowd the entrance. Like a beacon of hope white light begins to shine from the entrance, the Yung Master's body slices through the smoke like a reaper's blade through a field of grass, launching himself off of a rising platform, spinning to face the crowd, just in time to land in a three-point stance. After landing, he syncs up with his song of choice with a mighty clap-clap-clap, before blasting white light covers him from behind, letting his silhouette project across the arena.
Derrick Donovan: Here is one of the newest additions to the AXW Universe, Caden Yung.
BB Gunn: Tough draw with having to enter at number one, Dono.
Derrick Donovan: It will definitely be an uphill battle for the "Yung God" tonight but the prize is worth the fight.
After high-fiving with a few fans, he bolts down the ramp, dives into the ring with a slide, then masterfully flips himself to his feet. Both hands raise to the heavens, and he's ready for a battle!
"Plebians - silence yourselves as the heavens gift you with this special occasion. Your eyes will feast like it never has before. The one. The only. King Edmund William Hickenbottom IV".
The lights dim. Two uniformed gentlemen step forward. They blow on their trumpets to signal the introduction of the King of Supremia. After the royal tune, Preliator by Globus plays. After the introduction to the song, Mutt walks out, holding a throne above his heads and shoulders. As he marches down the ring, the two uniformed guards follow. Mutt climbs up the stairs, where the uniformed guards lower the top rope for Mutt to climb over. Mutt places the throne down the center of the ring and then lies on all fours in front of the throne. There, King Hickenbottom steps on the back of Mutt as a stepping stool on the way down.
Derrick Donovan: Well it looks like it will be King Edmund to start it out against Caden Yung.
BB Gunn: Ahem...
Derrick Donovan: Right, so Mutt kicking things off with Yung here...better?
BB Gunn: I guess
With a crown on his head and a scepter in his hand, he climbs the ropes to the fans. They all boo him. The king smiles as he descends and exits the ring to allow Mutt to show off exactly what King Hickenbottom IV can do.
[...DING! DING!...]
Yung and Mutt circle each other as King Edmund barks orders at his henchman from the outside. Mutt goes in for a tie up but Caden Yung uses his speed to avoid the brawler's grasp and fires some stiff shots at Mutt, rocking him off balance. Mutt regains composure after one hit and fires a shot of his own but Caden Yung leans back dodging the blow before popping back up and catching Mutt with a spinning back elbow.
Derrick Donovan: Quick start by Caden Yung here, BB.
BB Gunn: Yeah, the Gucci Jesus showing that he belongs here in AXW.
Derrick Donovan: Gucci Jesus?
BB Gunn: Well I'm not calling him Dolce Daddy...
Derrick Donovan: Fair enough.
Both men lock up in the center of the ring and Mutt shoves Caden down to the mat but he quickly rolls through the impact and jumps back up. Mutt goes for a clothesline but Caden Yung ducks it and jumps up on the middle rope, diving back at Mutt and grabbing his head, pulling him down into a tornado DDT. King Edmund screams at his muscle.
Derrick Donovan: Great move there but now Caden has to find a way to get Mutt back up and over the ropes.
Caden struggles to lift the dead weight and finally gets Mutt up on his feet and backed into the corner. He tries desperately to roll him over the top rope but Mutt just pushes his weight into the turnbuckle.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
Timfy James' cover of Lethal Bizzle's "POW" hits and the house lights darken to a faint glow for the duration of the intro. A graphic slowly fades in across the screen:
BB Gunn: Dono! It's AK Andrews! Who could have guessed that!
Derrick Donovan: Yeah, it certainly is his music... but where is he?
As soon as the lyrics hit, the lights ramp up in intensity and begin to strobe in time with the music, flashing brighter with each "POW".
Pow, if you don't know about me
Pow, yeah I'm pow, yeah you know
Pow, if you don't know about me
Pow, yeah I'm pow
21 seconds in AK Andrews slinks through the curtain and on to the stage to a chorus of boos, he glares out at the fans over the top of his face mask and eggs them on, gesturing them to give him everything they have. Meanwhile in the ring, Caden Yung and Mutt are back to trading blows as Yung couldn't quite get Mutt over the top ropes.
Well, well, well (serious)
You'll get a punch in the nose like blam
You'll get a big nose bleed like blam
You'll get a kick on the floor like blam
He walks the ramp, a cocky swagger in his step - all the way dogging the camera and talking trash - though his mouth is obscured so you cannot see what he is saying; he might just be rapping along with his entrance theme for all we know.
Derrick Donovan: He is wasting a lot of time making his way to the ring.
BB Gunn: You can't get thrown out if you never get in.
Drag your face across the kerb like blam
Now bring you in the road like blam
You'll get an elbow drop like
well, well, well (serious)
Just before heading to the steps he goes over to the guard rail to goad the fans at ringside. Getting almost close enough to touch he backs off from their outstretched hands, tapping his face mask and unzipping his hoodie to reveal his shirt, which reads;
BB Gunn: He would feel really funny if those fans attacked him causing him to miss the match. Woah look out!
Derrick Donovan: Huge slam by Mutt, Caden is writhing in pain.
BB Gunn: Looks like Andrews is finally deciding to join in.
He turns and jogs up the steps, slingshots himself over the top rope catching Mutt with a flying clothesline that sends him down to the matt before heading back to the turnbuckle nearest the steps, climbing up and removing his face mask and baring his teeth to the fans he just interacted with, giving them an over-exaggerated biting taunt. He tosses the mask and his hoodie to the floor at ringside before jumping down into the ring and working over Mutt.
Derrick Donovan: Look at that, it's already time for a new entrant. He really did waste a lot of time, BB.
BB Gunn: Yeah but he picked his spot and is the only one standing right now as he delivers boots to both men.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
The lights go out as AK Andrews is picking Caden Yung up. When they come back on, Brad Swann is standing in the middle of the ring with an evil look on his face. The crowd, feeling a bit nostalgic pops loudly and AK Andrews turns around, seeing Swann.
BB Gunn: Holy shit! It's Brad Swann! The former Iconic Prince! The former leader of Hellbound!
Derrick Donovan: And the new owner of a rival company here in the Network. What is he doing?
AK Andrews runs at Swann but Swann dodges the blow before throwing some stiff body shots to Andrews. After a big right hand, Andrews bounces into the ropes and is met with a superkick for his troubles, sending him up and over the ropes and down to the floor below!
BB Gunn: It looks like Swann is here to fight for the briefcase and just hit a... an ICONKICK!
[...AK ANDREWS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Frustrated, AK Andrews slaps the floor and pulls himself up and heads to the back. Caden Yung moves in on Swann and the two begin trading blows. Before either one can get an upperhand, Mutt bounces off the ropes and delivers a big double clothesline, almost flipping both men out of their boots.
Derrick Donovan: Oh my God, did you see that?
BB Gunn: Mutt can get something going here because that was a thunderous clothesline, Dono.
Mutt picks Swann up and sets him up for his Double Underhook Piledriver. Sensing the move, Swann begins kicking his legs as Mutt lifts him, causing him to lose his grip. As Swann retruns to the mat Caden Yung comes flying in with a missile dropkick sending Mutt tumbling backwards. He quickly pounces on Mutt and beings punching him. Swann joins in and helps Caden lift Mutt and barks orders at him that they should work together to eliminate Mutt. As they try to lift him over the ropes, the countdown timer begins again.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
Absolute Zero by Stone Sour starts to play over the speakers, Darlene comes out at the "The bloody angle, the symmetry Your cheap adhesive isn't holding me" eyeing the crowd for a seconds.
Derrick Donovan: It's the number one contender to the European Championship! Darlene Price!
BB Gunn: She is my pick to win it all, Dono. The tenacity that she shows in that ring rivals that of all the greats!
She makes her way down to the ring, high-fiveing a few random fans here and there, she circles the ring slowly as her song plays, she then steps back, runs and slides into the ring and immediately tackles Caden Yung. The two start rolling around, trading shots. Swann begins working on Mutt by himself in the corner. Darlene pops up to her feet, and just as Caden tries to match her she runs in and curb stomps him into the canvas!
BB Gunn: FASH STOMP! What a way to start your time in the battle royal! I'm telling you, Dar is winning this thing!
Dar rests her back on the top rope her arms draped over it, she sticks her tongue out to the crowd, she then throws her arms out into the crucifix pose. Swann having just missed a splash on Mutt stumbles out of the corner and gets rocked with a shoulder block by Mutt. Darlene smiles as she watches on. Mutt, oblivious to Dar standing in the opposite corner, locks in a camel clutch on Swann.
Derrick Donovan: The camel clutch can definitely do some damage in a battle royal but it won't get you the win. King Edmund knows it too as he is desperately trying to get Mutt's attention.
Mutt turns back towards Edmund to try and listen to what he is saying. Edmund is frantically pointing at Dar's direction and as Mutt turns back around he is met with Dar's knee right to his face as he breaks his hold and flies back. Caden Yung, back on his feet now jumps at Darlene as she turns around and and connects with a Hurricanrana that sends her across the ring. Caden jumps back up satisfied with himself before quickly being planted by a dragon suplex from Brad Swann, both me hitting the mat hard and lying there.
BB Gunn: Swann just hit his old Bloodline move!
Derrick Donovan: Everyone is down, that's something you don't often see in this kind of match.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
As "Inspirational Epic Music" starts, “Hammerhand” Blake Luthor walks out from the back, looking angry at the entire world. He makes his way down to the ring, ignoring the boos from the fans. Luthor gets in the ring where he is immediately met with kicks and elbows by Darlene. He tries to fight it off but she is viscous. He is finally able to throw her off but she comes right back with more attacks. Luthor covers up in the corner. Mutt runs in and sandwiches Darlene into Luthor against the turnbuckle. Darlene falls and then rolls out of the ring. Luthor drops down in a seated position and Mutt begins to use the leverage of the ropes to shove his foot into Luthor's throat, choking him. Swann is back on his feet now and lifting Caden Yung after the Bloodline move. He whips him into the opposite corner that Mutt and Luthor is in. Swann climbs up over top of Caden and begins to lay some stiff punches in. Just as the crowd starts counting to ten, the quickly begin counting backwards as a new entrant gets ready to join the mayhem.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
The hard riffs of "Liberate" by Slipknot start to reverberate around the arena and the moment the song screams "LIBERATE!", Joel Hawkfield walks out from behind the curtain to resounding boos from the audience as he pays them no mind, his attention solely focused on the ring.
Derrick Donovan: It's Joel Hawkfield. I've heard a ton of great things about him but this crowd apparently doesn't care for him.
BB Gunn: He doesn't seem to mind, he has his eyes set on the prize, and that is the group of competitors in the ring.
Reaching the bottom of the ramp, Joel spits at some of the people in the front row before rolling into the ring, the boos increasing by a few decibels as he stands back up. Casually, he flips the bird to the crowd before walking over and pushing Mutt out of the way and laying boots to Blake Luthor.
Derrick Donovan: Not wasting any time here.
Mutt, not thrilled with Hawkfield shoving him out of the way comes back and shoves Hawkfield. He gets ready to turn his attention to Luthor again when Hawkfield grabs Mutt around the waist and throws him into a belly to back suplex. Mutt lands on his head. Luthor finally pulls himself up from the corner and when Hawkfield approaches, Luthor grabs him and pulls him into the corner changing places with him and delivering some big back elbows. On the other side of the ring, Swann lets Caden Yung stumble out of the corner and drops down, springboarding Yung up and over back down to the canvas, about halfway to Luthor and Hawkfield. Swann surveys the scene as Caden pulls himself up on all fours, trying to get himself back in the match. Swann smiles and takes off running, leaping on and off of Caden's back launching himself at the other corner. Luthor sees him out of the corner of his eye and drops down to the mat as Swann crashes into Hawkfield.
BB Gunn: Ouch! What a move, Brad Swann throwing caution to the wind. Looks like we are getting ready for the next person!
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
Derrick Donovan stands and removes his headset.
BB Gunn: Uh, Dono, what are doing? We are getting ready to see who comes out next.
Donovan leans in close to BB so that he is heard through the mic.
Derrick Donovan: I'm next! I'm about to show you how a commentator REALLY fights! I know I will last longer than you did at Final Frontier.
BB Gunn: Dude, you have to be kidding me. You are in no shape to go in there!
It's too late. Derrick Donovan is heading up the stairs and into the ring where Mutt is back up, about to lift Caden Yung over the ropes. Swann has Hawkfield in a headlock walking him around the ring, stopping to punch form time to time. Luthor sees Donovan enter the ring and is a bit confused but goes after the announcer anyways. Donovan blocks his grasp though and lands a loud chop to Luthor's chest that is only slightly quieter than the "woos" coming from the crowd. Luthor fires back but Donovan ducks, hits the ropes, ducks again and chop blocks Mutt just before he throws Caden out of the ring.
BB Gunn: Well, Donovan... surprising doing good here, showing the world why he is the savvy ole' veteran in the ring. He is trying to lift Mutt into a piledriver!
Donovan can't get Mutt up in the air, but Caden Yung gets back to his feet and comes over to help lift Mutt in the air and Donovan connects with a piledriver! Meanwhile, Hawkfield has fought off Swann and now has the upperhand. He blocks a desperate punch by Swann, throws a punch of his own that is in turn dodged by Swann, but then flips Swann up in the air with a back body drop. Swann goes over the top ropes but lands on his feet on the apron. Hawkfield turns around and is met by a flying forearm as Swann dives back over the top.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
BB Gunn: What a move by Swann! I can't believe Dono has lasted this long!
"Mask Off Remix (Mask On) by Joyner Lucas beings to play. John Doe lumbers into view with his head titled to the side. He takes a few moments to scan the crowd on both sides. He begins moving forward laser focused on the ring, but seemingly out of nowhere does a twirl and starts dancing as he goes. He takes a few moments to try and pump up the crowd by directly engaging a few members.
BB Gunn: This John Doe guy has some swagger to him. He could be trouble for those in this match who've been in there a while like Caden Yu- LOOK OUT!
Speaking of Caden Yung he helps Donovan get to his feet after the piledriver and celebrates with him. Just as Donovan takes his eyes off of Yung and holds his hands up to the crowd, Yung charges at him and shoves him over the ropes and down towards the announcer's table. The fans boo loudly as they can't believe this newcomer turned his back on Donovan. Donovan solemnly walks back to the table and sits down, slowly putting his headset on.
[...DERRICK DONOVAN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
BB Gunn: Man, no reason to keep your head down, mate. That was a hell of an effort.
Derrick Donovan: Yeah.. I guess
Donovan takes a moment to catch his breath.
John Doe is in the ring now and grappling with Luthor. Swann and Hawkfield are back in the corner once more trading shots. Darlene slides back in the ring after lying low for a bit and she has a chair in her hands! The refs try to stop her but she is too quick and into the ring before anyone can do anything. Luthor turns around and is cracked over the head by the chair. Darlene then turns towards Caden but Caden charges at her just as she swings and drop kicks the chair. It smashes Darlene in the face as she hits the mat. She licks the blood off her lips and begins smiling as she lies there. John Doe whips Luthor acorss the ring and he runs into Yung, both men stumble. Doe runs in and cross-bodies both men as they use each other to keep their balance. All three of them crash down to the ring and roll towards the corner. Hawkfield finally is back in control of Swann after being whipped in the ropes and hitting him with a Thesz Press, immediately mounting him and laying the punches in one after another.
Derrick Donovan: That Hawkfield is impressive. Hats off to Swann as well.
BB Gunn: And what about Mutt? He is still in this thing and is STILL being screamed at by Edmund. I can't believe you gave him a piledriver, Dono!
Mutt is back up as is Darlene. The two of them trade shots before Darlene slides under Mutts legs. He tries to bend down and grab her on the way through but she is too fast and springs up behind him as she unloads a penalty kick for the ages where the sun doesn't shine on Mutt. He yelps out in pain and Hawkfield who is now off of Swann winces at the sight as Mutt goes down.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
BB Gunn: You've got to be kidding me...
The lights turn down... As a ridiculous amount of fog creeps into the arena. As the music of Pat Benatar fills the ears of the hearing enabled in the arena. Invincible is what Harold Campbell believes himself to be.... 20 seconds in and he finally emerges from the fog.
Derrick Donovan: IT'S HARDCORE HARRY! In the AXW. I can't believe it!
Harry nonchalantly walks down the ramp to a thunderous response from the crowd. He steps over the top ropes and begins laying out everyone. Hawkfield? Clothesline. Luthor? Spinebuster.
Caden and Doe? Double Chokeslam. Swann avoids the big man by rolling out of the ring briefly before Mutt moves in and beings going blow for blow with Harry. Doe tries to make his way back to his feet from the chokeslam but Darlene is back up with the chair again, blood trickling down her chin. She slams the chair into Doe who stumbles into the ropes. Joel Hawkfield who has gotten back up from the clothesline runs in with a big boot that connects sending John Doe over the ropes and out to the floor.
[...JOHN DOE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!...]
Derrick Donovan: What a boot! Doe is out of the match and look! Darlene and Yung are trying to get Hawkfield over!
BB Gunn: He's holding on with all he's got!
After the big boot, Hawkfield was in an awkward position, straddling the top rope and Darlene and Caden Yung pounced trying to flip him over. Instead Hawkfield hugs the ropes until he drops down to the apron, sliding back under the bottom ropes. Yung and Darlene stomp on Hawkfield. Swann is back in the ring but is met immediately by a Superman punch from Blake Luthor and he again hits the mat and rolls out of the ring. Luthor is back up and goes toe to toe with Hardcore Harry who has just damn near DDT'd Mutt through the ring. Hardcore Harry fights off Luthor's initial flurry before catching him and lifting him up in the air in a military press, slamming him in the center of the ring.
Derrick Donovan: Did you see that strength?
BB Gunn: Yeah but he could have just as easily thrown Luthor over the top ropes. Does Harry know what kind of match he is in?
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
A loud static noise emits from the speakers, as the screen switches to the same- black and white noise fizzes on the screens. Heavy music begins to play from the speakers, and the arena lights shut down to near darkness. The screen plays a video of a black and white clip of a war-torn city, smoke rising from ashes, fires flickering in monochrome. The music intensifies, as the clip continues.
BB Gunn: Dono, is this who I think it is?
With some reaction from the crowd, Ozymandias is spotted, making his way to the ring through the audience. He pushes fans aside as he marches his way to the ring, and easily hops the barrier fence. Slowly, he climbs onto the apron and into the ring where Hardcore Harry meets him face to face.
Derrick Donovan: Ozymandias is back in an AXW ring! Harry staring him down. All hell is about to break loose!
The two of them start swinging wildly. Brawling all around the ring. The fans are loving it. Meanwhile, Luthor and Hawkfield are both being worked over by Yung and Darlene respectively. After a few moments, Ozymandias rocks Hardcore Harry. He grapples him and lifts him high in the air!
BB Gunn: Am I seeing this? What a display of power!
Derrick Donovan: Ozymandias is going to dispose of Hardcore Harry!
Ozymandias, with Hardcore Harry lifted above his head walks towards the ropes. Mutt comes out of nowhere though and launches himself into Ozy, sending Ozy and in turn Hardcore Harry over the top ropes.
[...HARDCORE HARRY and OZYMANDIAS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Derrick Donovan: Oh my! Mutt has taken out the two big guys! He wants to be the only brute in this match!
BB Gunn: What is Edmund doing?
King Edmund, possibly out of excitement is on the apron screaming at Mutt. Pointing at some of the others in the match. Telling him to get the others out of the ring. Unbeknownst to him, Swann sneaks up behind him and grabs his foot. This startles Edmund and he quickly hops in the ring before realizing what he's done. Swann, quickly hops on to the apron as Edmund reaches for the top rope. Swann pushes the top rope in towards Edmund as hard as he can, who also grabs them trying to pull it as well. Swann smiles and yanks the ropes back towards him, sending Edmund towards the ropes and over them, tumbling back to the ground.
BB Gunn: ... Did Swann just...
Derrick Donovan: Look at the officials!
Mutt is working over Caden Yung who had recently laid Darlene out. The refs jump in though and grab Mutt. They point at Edmund. Since Edmund was in the ring and technically in the match, him being sent over the top ropes by Swann has officially eliminated him (and Mutt) from the match.
[...KING EDMUND HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Edmund angrily pleads his case but the officials aren't having any of it, forcing he and Mutt to the back. Edmund wants to protest but instead berates Mutt all the way up the ramp for losing the match for them.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
"Johnny Falls" by Hedley, plays as Johnny runs down that ramp hi-fiving fans in attendance. He enters the ring and immediately beings brawling with Yung, Darlene, Luthor and Hawkfield. Swann enters the ring but lays back in a corner, resting and also proud of himself for eliminating Mutt. Yung is whipped into the corner where Darlene charges after him and drop kicks him hard, making him fall into a seated position. Darlene turns her attention to Hawkfield and Luthor as Johnny Falls breaks off from them, seeing Yung seated in the corner. He runs and hits a bronco buster in the corner. As he stands up from it, Luthor who was able to get away from Dar and Hawkfield hits another Superman punch this time to Falls.
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
The arena turns to darkness as we hear the sounds of a life support machine before the flatline, then the music plays as the spotlights turn red and pointing down to the stage.
Derrick Donovan: You know, I was wondering when AVA member, James Raymond would enter this match. Coming in this late and this fresh could mean that briefcase is going back to AVA where Caffrey can be protected.
BB Gunn: You don't think Raymond would stab Caffrey in the back if it meant winning that title back?
Out comes James Raymond as he walks towards the top of the ramp and stands in place, a smirk on his face as he looks out to the fans as they loudly boo him. He makes his way down to the ramp, still containing the smirk on his face and getting in the face of fans as they shout abuse at Raymond. Once he makes his way to ringside, he walks around the ring as all of the action has stopped. All men with their eyes on Raymond.
Derrick Donovan: It is no secret that the entire locker room, hell, the entire network despise AVA. They all want their hands on Raymond.
BB Gunn: I get that, but someone is going to have to let him in the ring if they want him out.
Swann, ever being the opportunist realizes everyone back is turned to him. He runs in and grabs Darlene by the head and bulldogs her into the mat. The others turn and a brawl breaks out, opening the door for Raymond to enter the ring and join in. Hawkfield grabs Raymond and whips him into the ropes, going for a short arm clothesline but Raymond dodges it, sees Johnny Falls turn towards him and Raymond kicks. Connecting with a huge superkick that shoots Falls over the ropes.
[...JOHNNY FALLS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
I'm Not Jesus by Apocalyptica and Corey Taylor hits the PA. The lights dim and mist forms around the ramp. The tron shows images of a deep dense jungle slowly being traversed and ends up on an image of Primal's hideous mask. His "true face".
Derrick Donovan: This guy... coming in now... I don't know how anyone can beat him.
BB Gunn: Primal is a monster for sure!
Primal slowly slinks out of the back and to the stage. He lets out a growl and spits on the stage then walks with purpose to the ring where he rolls under the ropes and to his knees. The others have stopped fighting again, staring at the close to 300 pound mass that kneels in the ring. Then, Gucci and Darlene run in and start swinging. Primal gets up and begins to try to fight back but Hawkfield joins in as well and then Luthor! Raymond and Swann on the other hand have broke off and fighting each other one on one. Raymond goes for a back suplex but Swann reverses it before hitting Raymond with a swinging neckbreaker.
Derrick Donovan: How do you tackle someone the size of Primal? With force and with numbers it seems!
Hawkfield measures Primal and hits him with shoulder block that rocks the big man. Luthor comes in and follows it up with a bodyslam to Primal. Primal makes it back to his feet with aid of the ropes but Darlene and Caden run in and in tandem land a double dropkick to Primal. The big man rolls over the top ropes and out to the floor.
[...PRIMAL HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
The four of them all celebrate momentarily at their accomplishment before backing up, realizing they are all foes. Dar locks up with Hawkfield and Luthor Locks up with Caden Yung. Meanwhile Swann has Raymond back up and sends him into the corner. He runs in but Raymond moves causing Swann to smash his ribs into the corner. Raymond lands a couple stiff kicks before turning his attention on Luthor and Yung.
Derrick Donovan: There is no denying this match is heating up as we come down to our final entrant...
BB Gunn: And by my calculations... it's... The family man...
Derrick Donovan: The REAL family man!
[...5...]
[...4...]
[...3...]
[...2...]
[...1...]
The lights dim and smoke pumps from the stage area as "The Bear Song" by Green Jelly starts to cut through the atmosphere. Soon through the mist comes out Lord Dominicus. He walks down the ramp, sneering at everyone (we think, it's hard to tell with the mask). As the song continues to shred, the darkness that is Dominicus climbs into the ring and strikes Darlene and Hawkfield.
Derrick Donovan: Look in the ring, one of these competitors will be the next briefcase holder!
Luthor having just sent Yung down to the mat stands up and is immediately knocked over the ropes by Swann who is recovering from the corner shot moments ago.
[...BLAKE LUTHOR HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Without missing a beat Raymond sends Swann over the top ropes but Swann holds on to the top rope, dangling. Raymond, annoyed tries to go over and pry at Swann's fingers. Swann gets his hips and legs on the apron and clutches the bottom ropes with his leg just as his grasp on the top rope is broken. He slams to the apron and uses his legs to scoot back under the bottom ropes. Raymond frustrated turns back to the ring but is clocked by an flying elbow from Darlene which sends Raymond out of the match.
[...JAMES RAYMOND AS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Swann is pulling himself up on the ropes and Darlene looks down at him and smiles. She runs and bounces off the opposite sides ropes before charging in at Swann, grabbing the ropes and swings through, kicking Swann. Swann falls back in the middle of the ring while Darlene makes her way onto the apron. She jumps up on the ropes and springboards in for her double foot stomp.
BB Gunn: FROM CLEVELAND WITH LOV- OH NO!
Joel Hawkfield caught Darlene in mid air and runs her back to the ropes tossing her over.
[...DARLENE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Derrick Donovan: well that was a quick turn of events. Things cleared up real quick.
BB Gunn: Yeah, and here we are, Dono... down to just four competitors left. Caden Yung who has been in there since the very beginning, Lord Dominicus and two secret entrants in Brad Swann and Joel Hawkfield.
Derrick Donovan: I really thought I could have still been in there.
BB Gunn: Hey, I know the feeling man. Who ya got?
Derrick Donovan: All four of these fighters have been pretty impressive tonight. Lord Dominicus is the freshest one in the match but Hawkfield has been very impressive!
Lord Dominicus and Caden Yung begin trading punches and kicks. Brad Swann and Joel Hawkfield lock up near the corner and begin trying to one up each other with chain wrestling. Yung, slowing down drastically after being in the match so long misses on a punch and Lord Dominicus, being so fresh in the match, capitalizes grabbing Yung's head and running towards the corner before hitting...
Derrick Donovan: THE DARKNESS! Lord Dominicus just laid Caden Yung out!
BB Gunn: You have to keep your head on a swivel, LOOK OUT!
While Lord Dominicus was hitting the move, Swann had taken Joel Hawkfield down with an arm drag, then follwed it up with a drop kick. Swann, seeing Lord Dominicus hit his finishing move on Yung, seized the moment. As Lord Dominicus made his way back to his feet, adjusting his mask, Swann superkicks Lord Dominicus who falls into the ropes. Swann steps in and grabs a leg and flips Lord Dominicus over the ropes.
[...LORD DOMINICUS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Meanwhile, Joel Hawkfield had gotten back to his feet and walks over to Caden Yung who is still half out of it from The Darkness. Hawkfield picks him up by his legs, getting ready to set him up for the Spirit Crushing Finale but in a last ditch effort Caden Yung flips up and over Hawkfield and attempts a backstaber. He doesn't have enough strength though and falls to the mat. Hawkfield turns and picks him up, draping him over his head and nails a back to belly piledriver.
Derrick Donovan: Deathwatch Branding!
Joel Hawkfield gets back to his feet, lifts Caden up and tosses him over the top ropes.
[...CADEN YUNG HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
BB Gunn: Wow, I can't believe Yung is out. He came in at number one and almost went the distance!
Derrick Donovan: An amazing accomplishment to last as long as he did though, definitely nothing to be ashamed about.
BB Gunn: You'd know...
Derrick Donovan: ...
BB Gunn: LOOK OUT!
As Joel Hawkfield looks out at Yung who is completely exhausted. Swann runs up from behind and throws Hawkfield out of the ring. Hawkfield is able to hang on to the ropes though and land hard on his knee on the apron. Swann tries to hit Hawkfield but instead is met by Hawkfields shoulder in his gut.
Derrick Donovan: Swann has been sneaky this whole match and has struck at opportune times. He almost won it there.
BB Gunn: It's amazing isn't it. Going into this match we had no idea these two men would be in it, yet here they are... one will leave with a golden ticket to a championship match.
Hawkfield is back in the ring as Swann backs to a corner. They look at each other, both men drenched and tired. They both nod at each other before meeting in the center of the ring. They lock up. Swann quickly throws a knee into the side of Hawkfield who doubles over just enough for Swann to gain control and whip him into the ropes. Hawkfield comes back with a lariat attempt but Swann drops to the mat as Hawkfield has to hurdle over him. As Hawkfield bounces off the ropes once more Swann is there to meet him with a sleeper hold. He forces their way to the ropes where Swann tries to manhandle Hawkfield over the ropes while locking in the sleeper. Both men begin the tumble over the ropes but Swann breaks the hold to grab the ropes and Hawkfield is able to do the same. They both land on the apron. They pull themselves up and start throwing punches as the fans cheer.
BB Gunn: If either of these men fall, it's over Dono!
Derrick Donovan: Those are soft shots either!
Hawkfield rocks Swann who teeters on the apron but steadys himself before sending a sidekick into Hawkfield. Hawkfield almost stumbles off but is able to catch himself. He fires a chop to the chest of Swann who screams out in pain but launches his head at Hawkfield landing a headbutt with his scarred eye. Hawkfield almost falls but grabs the ropes. Swann sees the end is almost near and bends down and begins to bite at Hawkfields hands.
BB Gunn: He's biting him!
Derrick Donovan: That's one way to ensure your opponent can't hold on.
Hawkfield connects with a knee to the bent Swann that sends him back into the ring. Hawkfield steps in and grabs Swann sending him into the corner. He runs after him for a clothesline but Swann pulls himself out of the corner. Aware of the situation, Hawkfield is able to pull up short so he doesn't smash into the corner but as he turns around Swann sends an IconKick his way. Hawkfield catches the foot though and with great strength moves in and lifts Swann up into a fireman carry. He throws him back towards the ropes and over but again Swann lands on the apron. Hawkfield turns and Swann pokes him in the eye.
Derrick Donovan: Oh that was a cheapshot!
BB Gunn: Hey, if Darlene can bring a chair in the match, what's wrong with an eye poke?
Hawkfield blindedly swings at Swann who easily dodges it. Joel Hawkfield turns and takes a few steps towards the center of the ring, bending down holding his eyes, trying to clear his sight. Swann realizes the situation and steeps back into the ring and immediately back out onto the apron through the middle ropes.
BB Gunn: What the hell is Swann doing?
Joel Hawkfield gets his composure and charges in and absolutely crushes Swann off the apron and down to the mat. Hawkfield falls to his knees, completely spent. He crawls over to ropes and pulls himself up, waiting for his music to hit but it never does.. With confusion he looks over at the time keeper's table, still squinting from the eye poke. Swann slides back in the ring and in blur lands an elbow to the back of Hawkfields head, sending him over the ropes and out to the floor.
[...DING! DING! DING!...]
[...JOEL HAWKFIELD HAS BEEN ELIMINATED...]
Derrick Donovan: What a dirty move!
BB Gunn: Dirty of not, Dono, there is your winner.... BRAD SWANN!
As Brad Swann holds the Briefcase aloft, “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark" By Fall Out Boy begins to play and the crowd immediately sours. Anthony Caffrey steps out on stage, with Wellington Dunne and James Raymond flanking him. Caffrey surveys the scene and cracks a sinister smile, before nodding to his AVA team mates which prompt all three to head to the ring.
Derek Donovan: I don’t believe this, Caffrey and the AVA just can’t let anybody have even a shred of success.
BB Gunn: But he’s also a smart, smart man, Dono! He knows that briefcase is the biggest risk to his title, and I think he’s going to try and strike first.
As they reach the bottom of the ramp, the three men split and circle the ring. Joel Hawkfield rolls into the ring joining Brad Swann after slowly recovering, and the two men stand back to back, heads moving from side to side as Caffrey, Dunne and Raymond all climb onto the ring apron, stalking the two men.
Derek Donovan: This is getting ridiculous BB, these two men have been battling it out and given everything, and now these three turn up like vultures.
Despite the fatigue, both Hawkfield and Swann are both ready to fight, the briefcase being thrown to the mat and both men have their fists raised. Caffrey simply laughs at the pair, and motions the AVA into the ring. As they do, however, the lights go out.
Voice: AVA. You were warned. M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T. has been watching, and we have concluded that AXW requires an intervention, you will answer to M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T., and you will answer to our enforcer…
BB Gunn: Enforcer?
The lights remain out, nobody in the ring has moved, and then…
Derek Donovan: Oh...my...God.
BB Gunn: WHAT!?
“St Patrick” by PVRIS begins to play, and to the crowds absolute shock and excitement, Rob Arnold walks out on the stage.
Derek Donovan: I don't believe this...He’s here! Rob Arnold is here, I wasn’t ever sure I would say that again!
BB Gunn: I...I...WHAT!?
Arnold smirks and walks towards the ring with haste, not willing to hang around. The AVA stay where they are, whilst Raymond seems a little edgy having encountered Arnold before, Caffrey and Dunne seem less bothered at this point. Arnold walks up the steps and into the ring, still smirking. Swann and Hawkfield step back towards him, allowing Rob to stand in between them. The AVA step forward in order to stand opposite them.
Derek Donovan: We’ve been wondering for weeks now who or what is M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T. and whilst we still may not know, Rob Arnold appears to have been sent here by them!
Arnold’s music fades out. The crowd are buzzing as the six men face each other. Swann stares down Caffrey, Arnold stares down James Raymond and Hawkfield stands opposite Dunne. Caffrey drops the AXW title to the side, staying calm, but clearly ready to fight. The six move closer, goading each other to take the first shot, and Wellington Dunne is the first to go, sending rights into Hawkfield, sending him back to the corner. Raymond goes for a big right on Rob Arnold, but he ducks and drops Raymond immediately with a…
[Plunge Into Darkness]
Codebreaker
Raymond bounces to another corner of the ring. Swann and Caffrey just start exchanging furious right hands, with neither gaining an immediate advantage. Meanwhile, having punched Hawkfield into the corner, Dunne takes a couple steps back and charges at him, Hawkfield sidesteps him however, recomposes and hits a standing dropkick, sending Dunne out of the ring. Caffrey finds himself on the back foot as well, with Swann now out punching him and sending him backwards until his back is on the ropes, Caffrey responds with an eye rake, causing Swann to hold his face. Caffrey goes into motion and bounces off the opposite rope, Swann sees him coming though and drops the top rope, Caffrey unceremoniously heads over the top and joins Dunne on the floor.
BB Gunn: This is the first time I can remember the AVA being matched Dono!
Rob Arnold meanwhile has slid out of the ring and collected a chair and a microphone, before quickly returning.
Rob Arnold: So about a month ago, my phone rings. Somebody on the other end tells me he’s a representative of this group that have bought AXW. He tells me that his client wants me to come back and manage AXW because it’s gone out of control. I’ll be honest, I thought it was a lie, I thought it was a prank. Then the next day my bank account has substantially increased. I get another call and this guy tells me that is my signing bonus, and I can expect more of that as long as I achieve one thing...restore AXW to its former glory. So suddenly I know that this is actually serious!
Rob smirks, for the first time since its inception, the AXW fans are cheering him.
Rob Arnold: My remit is simple, bring the best talent to this corner of the network, enforce order and be the face of this consortium that clearly don’t want to be seen, and most importantly, ensure people don’t step too far out of line. Now I’m no hypocrite, I know that I’ve broken a few bones, ended a few careers, but even I know where the line is. AVA, you’ve crossed it, and I’m here to tell you that this ends here, and it ends with me. I’m also here to tell you as personally as possible, M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T. know that to make an omelette, I may have to break a few eggs.
Arnold turns and looks at James Raymond who is beginning to stir. He drops the microphone and stalks him. Swann and Hawkfield stand back, guarding the ring as Caffrey and Dunne watch on. Arnold opens the chair and places it on a groggy Raymond’s neck, kicks him in the gut with force, sending him to one knee.
Derek Donovan: Wait a minute…
Rob bounces off the ropes and returns back to Raymond with a…
[Shattered Ice!]
Curb Stomp
BB Gunn: Oh my days! I hope M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T. know that they have employed a psychopath Dono! That’ll be Raymond’s neck broken, he could be dead!
Raymond’s body just goes limp. Arnold looks down and mouths the words “bang bang” at Raymond, before joining Hawkfield and Brad Swann, who are still staring out a now incensed AVA. “St Patrick” begins to play once more.
Derek Donovan: Folks we are out of time on what has been a night that has left me almost speechless! Anthony Caffrey may have retained his title tonight but the AVA has just been put in check by M.A.N.A.G.E.M.E.N.T and their new enforcer, Rob Arnold! Goodnight!