The AWF Presents: Road to Victory - Live from Detroit, MI!
Mar 7, 2019 9:49:39 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Steele, and 4 more like this
Post by ForeverKuroi on Mar 7, 2019 9:49:39 GMT -5
The AWF Presents:
Road To Victory
Live at Saint Andrews Hall
Detroit, MI
Capacity: 700
3/10/19
At the start of the show, the fans raise their hands into the air. They are cheering and hooting and hollering. The camera pans around to the capacity-filled audience. It continues throughout the crowd until the camera reaches our two commentators, who flash a smile - even despite Cassius Romano wearing a sling.
Taylor: Welcome, everyone! This is it! Road to Victory! This is where dreams come to fruition or they die trying! My name is Tommy Taylor.
Romano: And I am Cassius Romano, and just like Tommy said, this is Road to Victory, and boy do we have a show for you! The Nihilists, who just won the XHF Tag Team Championships, are already up in their first defense against Raiden Ishimori and former AWF Prestige Champion Seth Dillinger!
Taylor: It'll be a hard fought match for Esmur, who is already in a match to try to get the XHF Phoenix Championship, trying to pry it off the hands of Scott Fargo!
Romano: And Fargo's ZDS team mate James Dragon is defending his AWF Midwest Championship against XHF Legend and former AWF Prestige Class Champion, Nelly Angel.
Taylor: And don't forget about M.G.K. vs. Kuroi. They're set to face each other in a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH.
Cassius Romano looks down to his sling.
Romano: Oh, trust me. I haven't.
Taylor: Oh... I'm sorry about that. Want to tell the fans about the main event?
Romano: Yeah... Well, we also have another match! Our main event! Chris Card, for the first time, will defend his belt - not against one man - but two! And one of them may not even be a man at all! Tonight, we will see Chris Card against Maverick and Hyperion in a triple threat match!
Taylor:But for right now, we have an over the top rope rumble, and they're coming down here... now!
Sudden darkness overtakes the arena, with small breaks from camera snaps of the crowd. Moments pass without any interference, before the speakers yell:
"Tap!"
"Nap!"
"Snap!"
"Choose Wisely!"
After a few moments of stirring, light bel ringing, and crowd reaction, End Transmission's blazing rifts begin. These sounds synchronize with red lights aim for the ring curtain, which display the back of Drago's heavily tattooed body, and the X his arms are crossed in above his head. Drago whips around to face the audience, then begins his strut to the ring.
Taylor: And here is Drago, one of the newest signees of the XHF.
Romano: It seems he has an amazing dynamic with Felix. I think it's quite interesting to see how he develops here.
The lights in the arena goes off. Then the jumbotron in the arena turns on. White letters appear as the voice of two creepy children read the lyrics that are flashing on the jumbotron.
"I met a traveler from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
Then the opening chords of Shadows begin to play. Cash in full garb walks out and into the ring.
Taylor: It's Cash! I remember watching him as a kid!
Romano: That's right! One of the old XHF legends, Cash - he's back!
We hear “Chlorine” by twenty one pilots play as the lights go down and turn a deep shade of blue. Shortly after, we hear the intro.
“Sippin’ on straight Chlorine
Let the vibe slide over me
This beat is a chemical… Beat is a chemical…
When I leave, don’t save my seat
I’ll be back when it’s all complete
The moment is medical… moment is medical
Sippin’ on straight Chlorine”
We then see Zakk Sawyer come out as the lights flash blue and yellow. He looks out at the crowd, who are divided. One half cheering for Zakk, the other half booing him. Zakk then looks straight at the ring and proceeds down to the ring. When he reaches the ring, he climbs the ring apron, before wiping his feet on the apron and stepping through the ropes. He then gets into his corner, removes his jacket and bandana and awaits his opponent.
Taylor: Zakk is here! He's been gaining some steam in the AWF!
Romano: That's right. He won a match but as we all saw with Maverick, one win snowballs to another, then another. Before you know it, he could win this match and be the #1 contender for the XHF Phoenix Championship!
Sniper appears on stage holding an American flag before placing it in a a holder on the stage he salutes it then turns around and salutes the audience after running down the ramp and sliding in under the bottom rope he takes a knee and performs a hand gun gesture at his opponent
Taylor: Here's Johnny Sniper! One of the newbies here in the AWF.
Romano: Watch your tongue! This man is a veteran and he's always put his heart into his wrestling!
“Pervert” by the Descendents begins playing as “Guttertrash” Greg Adkins walks out from the back with a busty woman under each arm. They’re dressed in almost not there swimsuits.
Romano: Did Greg clear having a couple of valets come down to the ring with him?
Taylor: Does it matter? Here they are!
The crowd cheers the women on as Greg passionately kisses one while reaching back to grope the other. The girls head to the back while Greg gives them goodbye smacks on the butt.
Taylor: Isn’t one of those girls Samantha from Accounting?
Romano: She’s such a whore…
Greg Adkins makes his way down to the ring, dancing, and making eyes at the men and women as he goes.
Romano: Does he swing both ways?
Taylor: I hear that he swings for anything that moves.
Greg Adkins rolls into the ring and continues to dance, doing some pelvic thrusts to drive the crowd nuts (they either love him or hate him with no middle ground).
Taylor: Why do you keep telling me about Samantha?
Romano: I don't know... I really don't.
As 'Peaches' hits the PA, the arena lights dim and the stage lights up in bright pink/ white lights. The crowd gets amped up as Bodhi appears on stage from behind the curtain, marching to center-stage and stopping to pose for the crowd.
She blows kisses to both sides before skipping towards the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope. She quickly climbs the corner turnbuckle and waves to her fans, before jumping down to the mat.
Taylor: It's Bodhi! I wonder if one day, she'll think about leaving Hyperion and come leave with me.
Romano: I'll say this to you, Tommy. If you face off against Hyperion after the main event and win, she might just do that.
Taylor: Really!?
Romano: No, but it doesn't matter. Hyperion could be dead, and you'd still find a way to lose.
Taylor: ...
Over The Rope Rumble
#1 Contendership to the Phoenix Championship
Drago vs. Cash vs. Zakk Sawyer vs. Johnny Sniper vs. Greg Adkins vs. Bodhi
The bell has barely even rung and all six people explode into chaos. Johnny Sniper rushes at Greg Adkins and they start trading frantic punches. Bodhi turns her attention to Drago, locking up with him near the corner. Zakk Sawyer takes down Cash with a leg sweep and jumps on top, laying into him with a flurry of blows to the head. Bodhi whips Drago into the corner and follows after him with a flying lariat, sandwiching Drago against the post. Drago slumps to one knee and Bodhi grabs hold of the top rope, using it as leverage to drive a few knees into him. Cash rolls out from under Sawyer, pulling himself up using the corner ropes. Sawyer stalks after him to continue the assault. Meanwhile, Adkins has forced Sniper into another corner and has a hand around his throat, just choking him out against the corner post. Sniper clutches at his wrists and gasps for air.
Romano: This is why people love these big battle royale matches. Everything is complete chaos.
Taylor: No rules, except needing to be the last person left and getting your opponents over that top rope.
Seeing no end in sight due to the lack of disqualifications, Sniper resorts to reaching up and clawing at Adkins. Adkins turns away and holds his eyes in pain, giving Sniper a moment to breathe. Drago is still under assault from Bodhi. She uses the ropes to jump up in the air and wedge her foot against Drago's neck, wearing him down even further. Sawyer charges at Cash, who ducks underneath and scoops up Sawyer, going for the quick elimination and dumping him over the top rope... but Sawyer hangs on! Sawyer grabs onto the middle rope from the outside of the ring, keeping both feet in the ring. Dangling over the top rope, he starts to punch back through the ropes at Cash. Sniper now has turned the table and is chopping Adkins over and over across the chest. Each chop gets a big "WOO" from the crowd. Sniper backs Adkins into the corner and squares up, ramming his shoulder into Adkins' midsection over and over again. Sawyer pounds away at Cash, finally getting him to loosen his grip and allowing Sawyer to stand back up inside the ring. He gives him a stiff jab to the head for good measure, then drops an elbow on the back of Cash's head.
Taylor: Not surprising we’re seeing people go for early eliminations. The quicker you get the numbers down, the better your chance of winning.
Romano: Right, don’t want this to drag on forever and tire you out.
Bodhi gets bored of Drago and turns to join the fray. She sees Cash staggering and hits a textbook dropkick, knocking him back against the ropes. Adkins is now crumpled into the corner after Sniper's assault. Sniper turns back to survey the rest of the damage. Bodhi sees a new plaything and tries to take him down with a running kick, but Sniper sidesteps it and locks in around behind her, then sends her flying over his head with a huge German suplex! Bodhi skitters to the ground on the other side of the ring. Drago and Adkins are both catching their breath in opposite corners. Cash moves towards Sawyer, re-engaging him and locking up with him again at the ropes. Cash's back is against the ropes and Sawyer is fighting tooth and nail to try to push him over. Sensing a two-for-one opportunity, Sniper side-shuffles across the ring, aiming to hit Sawyer in the back of the head with a Killshot... but Sawyer ducks out of the way! Sniper's foot connects directly with Cash's face, and the force of the impact sends Cash tumbling backwards over the top rope and down to the floor below.
Jessie Love: Cash has been eliminated!
Taylor: Quick thinking by Zakk Sawyer saved him from elimination!
Romano: Yeah, bad luck for Cash, though.
Sawyer, noting that he barely dodged that bullet, immediately grabs Sniper by the head and throws him over the top rope as well! Sniper flips over the top rope but keeps his grip, his feet dangling above the ground as he kicks his legs to try to make his way back up. Sawyer isn't paying attention, though, because he turns to meet Bodhi, who has gotten back up to her feet. The two square up in the center of the ring as Sniper manages to get his legs back up and under the bottom rope, where he remains prone to catch his breath. Bodhi nods at Sawyer, who holds his hands open, inviting her to bring it on. She hauls off and slaps him clean across the jaw with a sound so loud it echoes in the room. Sawyer is momentarily stunned, then grins a little bit and returns fire with a chop across Bodhi's chest. She clutches at her chest and scowls, then uses two fingers to poke Sawyer in the eyes! Sawyer flails about on the ground. Adkins is up out of nowhere behind Bodhi and locks her up from behind, grinding his disgusting hips against her rear end. He locks in the Full Humping -- that is, a full nelson hold with a bit of dry humping to accompany it. Bodhi flails her arms to try to get away from the pervert, but she's powerless.
Taylor: This is just disgusting. How is Adkins still employed here?
Romano: Bodhi knew what she was getting into, stepping into the ring with a maniac like Adkins.
Sawyer finally recovers from having his eyes gouged out by Bodhi, but there's no respite. Drago is back up to his feet, finally getting involved in the match for the first time. With Sawyer's back to him, he nails him with a superkick to the back of the head. Sawyer immediately crumples to the mat and Drago springs into action, stomping away on Sawyer's elbow. Sawyer tries to defend the assault, but Drago keeps up the brutal assault. Meanwhile, Johnny Sniper makes it back up to his feet. He sees Adkins' gross performance on the other side of the ring and makes a beeline for him, sending a few fists into his skull to let him loosen the grip. He shouts something about "disgusting" at Adkins, locks him up and plants him on the mat with a DDT.
Taylor: Johnny Sniper is a true gentleman.
Sniper is back up to his feet after rescuing Bodhi... but Bodhi isn't wasting any time. With Sniper distracted by Adkins, Bodhi gets a running start and grabs the back of his head, carrying him forward and pushing him over the top rope! The crowd jeers as Bodhi turning on the guy who saved her from Adkins' gross acts. But... Sniper just lands on the outside of the apron on both feet. He looks bewildered at Bodhi's actions and turns around, shaking his head in her direction. The crowd begins to roar and Bodhi stops in place, pausing, wondering what has the crowd so worked up. She slowly turns around to check if Sniper was eliminated, and when she does, Sniper springboards from the apron into the ring and sends her tumbling backwards with a huge missile dropkick! Meanwhile, Drago has worn down Sawyer's will to live. He has Sawyer locked in with a cross armbar, despite their being no submissions in the match, just to keep him worn down. Bodhi starts to shake off the blast from Sniper, pulling herself up using the ring ropes. As she gets to her feet again, Sniper is right behind her. Bodhi shakes her head no, asking Sniper not to do it... Sniper's face is nonplussed, unimpressed with her begging. He grabs her by the back of the head and the fans cheer. She yells out at him one last time before he flips her over the top rope and down to the floor.
Jessie Love: Bodhi has been eliminated!
Romano: Come on, Johnny! Where’s your gentlemanly spirit now?
Taylor: He tried to help Bodhi, and she turned on him. Turnabout is fair play!
Down to four men now, Drago gets bored of torturing Sawyer and gets back up to his feet. Adkins is back up and Drago sets his eyes on his next target, beelining for Adkins across the ring. The two exchange blows back and forth with both men throwing punches as fast as they can. Adkins breaks the mold with a European uppercut, staggering Drago and catching him off guard. Adkins takes advantage of the moment to wrap around Drago’s head and plant him on the mat with a vertical suplex! Drago hits the mat on his back and Adkins licks his lips, crawling over top of Drago with his groin hovering right over his face.
Taylor: Oh, Jesus Christ, not the new guy, too!
Romano: You know, I’m starting to see why new talent never stick around these days...
Adkins dips his crotch down on Drago’s face once. Then back up. Then he gingerly dips it down again for a second teabag. Then back up. Adkins licks his lips wildly and then goes for the full monty… he just plants his ass directly on Drago’s face, smothering him. Drago flails his arms and legs wildly, desperately attempting to do anything to get out from under Adkins’ disgusting reach. Adkins’ eyes roll up into the back of his head as if he’s REALLY getting into it and enjoying it.
Taylor: I’m gonna barf.
Romano: I’m not watching. Can someone tell me when it’s over?
Sawyer has finally made it to his feet, but he’s holding his arm gingerly from all the damage Drago did to it earlier in the match. He stares lasers into Drago and runs over, grabbing Adkins by the shoulders and tossing him off of Drago. Drago takes a big gasp of air, finally able to breathe again, but Sawyer has some unfinished business to attend to. He quickly wraps up Drago’s legs and locking in The White Stripe! The scorpion deathlock takes hold and Drago starts to scream out in pain, reaching for the ropes to try and get some leverage, despite the fact that rope breaks mean nothing in a battle royal. Meanwhile, Sniper is back on his rival Greg Adkins. The two men meet up in the center of the ring and stare each other down.
Taylor: Sawyer’s here for payback on Drago for the submission holds from earlier!
The two men begin striking each other. Greg chops Sniper across the chest. Sniper fires back with a kick to the leg. Greg jabs. Sniper chops. Greg kicks. Sniper jabs. Back and forth, back and forth. Sniper hits him with a chop. Greg rears back and counters with a headbutt, driving his forehead directly into Sniper’s nose. Within moment, Sniper is busted open with blood pouring down his face. Meanwhile, Drago is still screaming out in pain from Sawyer’s deathlock. His fight is slowing down. Drago’s only a few inches from grabbing the ropes, but his breathing has started to slow, and he’s not able to claw his way those last few inches to the ropes. He goes limp.
Romano: Man, Drago is not looking good. He’s out like a light.
Taylor: But submissions don’t matter! They’ve still got to get him over the top rope to eliminate him!
Sawyer looks down, noticing that Drago’s body has gone completely limp. He releases the hold and Drago’s legs fall to the mat like a wet noodle. Sensing that he has done his job, he turns back to Sniper and Adkins, who are still beating the unholy shit out of each other. The blood from Sniper’s nose has flung off in splatters on the canvas and some of it has even made it onto Greg’s face as the two keep duking it out. Sawyer sees the opportunity and rushes at the two of them with a diving double forearm, attempting to kill two birds with one stone. Adkins quickly steps back out of the way, leaving Sawyer to crash into Sniper. The two go tumbling to the mat in a heap of sweat and blood.
Romano: You’d never pick out Adkins for a smart thinker… but that was quick thinking on his feet.
Drago is still out cold, slumped in the corner. Sawyer quickly gets up to his feet, motioning down to Johnny Sniper at Adkins, who grins and nods. The two of them drag Sniper up to his feet and in unison run him to the ropes to toss him out. Adkins is working on the upper torso and Sawyer is working on the legs. Sniper grabs onto the top rope with his arms, locking his upper half in place despite Greg’s best efforts. Sawyer has Sniper’s legs part of the way over the top rope… but Sniper gets a surge of energy, locking in both legs around Sawyer’s neck! Sawyer is caught off guard and immediately stops trying to push Sniper out, instead now concerned with freeing himself. Adkins notices this and shrugs, backing off from Sniper. Sniper seizes the opportunity and wraps himself tighter around the top rope, swinging his legs to the outside of the apron and bringing Sawyer neck-first over the top rope with him. He releases his grip and Sawyer crashes to the ringside area.
Jessie Love: Zakk Sawyer has been eliminated!
Taylor: Oh how quickly loyalties change in a battle royale!
Romano: Yep. Adkins was in it to take out his opponent, but when he saw it going South, he let Sawyer pay the price.
Sniper catches his breath on the apron and slowly steps back into the ring. Once again, he is face to face with his rival. Adkins is much fresher and Sniper’s face looks like a goddamn Jackson Pollock at this point. Sniper is immediately pounced on by Adkins, who begins to club Sniper like a baby seal. Sniper keels over and raises his hands to cover the back of his head, but Adkins is relentless. Elbow after elbow, fist after fist, Sniper is driven further down to the mat. When he’s down too low for punches, Adkins switches to his feet, stomping away at Sniper incessantly. Adkins pauses to catch his breath and paces around the ring in a circle, taking a ton of heat from the crowd in the process.
Romano: Adkins is unhinged.
Taylor: I feel sorry for Sniper. He’s been a machine this match but this is just ugly.
Sniper circles back around and grabs Sniper by the head, dragging him into the corner and leaning him against the bottom ropes. He uses the ropes as leverage to again stomp away at Sniper’s neck and head. Sniper does his best to cover up and defend himself. Adkins runs to the opposite corner, leaping over Drago, who has at least opened his eyes now and awoken from his slumber. Adkins charges into the corner and turns at the last second, driving his ass into Sniper’s face at full force. The heat from the crowd is nuclear at this point. Adkins hops up to the second rope, pauses for effect, then leaps off and lands his feet directly against Sniper’s chest. He climbs the second rope again, driving both legs into Sniper’s chest again.
Romano: Alright, now even I’m done.
Taylor: Just finish the job and eliminate him already, Greg.
Adkins starts to pick Sniper up to finish the job… but he pauses. A sick idea starts to formulate in his brain. Instead, he drops Sniper, leaning him back against the bottom rope in the corner. And then Adkins starts to climb up the ropes over Sniper. He makes it to the second, looks down, and considers leaping off for a repeat of the same move… but that would just be boring. He climbs up another rope, making it to the top rope, where he turns around to face the ring. Adkins stands up to his feet, wobbling a bit, and starts to get his balance. Adkins finally finds his balance and prepares to jump on Sniper… BUT SNIPER KIPS UP OUT OF NOWHERE!!! USING THE ROPES AS LEVERAGE, HE PULLS HIS WHOLE BODY UP 180 DEGREES TO BICYCLE KICK THE SNOT OUT OF GREG ADKINS! Adkins launches backwards from the top rope, crashing against the ringside barrier.
Jessie Love: Greg Adkins has been eliminated!
Taylor: MY GOD! MY GOD! SNIPER DID IT! HE SURVIVED GREG’S ASSAULT!!
Romano: Truly amazing. Sniper has all four eliminations in this match so far. Only one more to go.
Taylor: Neither man in the ring looks like they’re in a great place.
Both men left in the ring are completely out. Drago has the life drained out of him from that eternal deathlock from Sawyer, and Sniper looks like he’s just been put through a literal meat grinder. His face is already bruising and swollen from Adkins assaulting him. Neither man moves a muslce for what feels like an eternity.
CROWD: LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap*
Sniper starts to move. He gets a single hand up on the ropes and drags himself back up to his feet. Drago still isn’t moving. Sniper gets another hand up on the ropes. No signs of life from Drago. Sniper finally gets a knee under him. The crowd continues to urge him on.
CROWD: LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap*
Sniper gets another knee under him. Then a foot. Then he’s pulling himself up. And by god, with skin and blood dangling and dripping from his face, Johnny Sniper has found the strength to stand on his own two feet! The crowd is about to tear the roof off of the place. Johnny leans against the corner for a moment, catching his breath, and giving Drago time to recover. But Drago is still not moving. Sniper shakes his head, disappointed, and slowly trudges over to the side of the ring where Drago lays.
Taylor: He’s gonna do it! Sniper’s gonna run the table!
Sniper bends down to pick up Drago’s lifeless corpse… but DRAGO SPRING TO LIFE OUT OF NOWHERE AND UPPERCUTS SNIPER RIGHT IN THE NETHERREGION! Sniper clutches at his family jewels as the air leaves his body. Drago springs up to his feet and quickly scrambles to grab Johnny Sniper by the head, effortlessly sending him over the top rope and to the floor below.
Jessie Love: Johnny Sniper has been eliminated! The winner of the battle royale and new first contender to the XHF Phoenix Championship is… DRAAAGOOOOO!
Taylor: WHAT!?
Romano: Drago woke up awhile ago, he was just playing possum…
Taylor: That’s cheap! And a low-blow? Sniper doesn’t deserve this!
Drago smirks to himself, satisfied with his work. The crowd is about to lose their goddamn minds. Security at the barrier is having to hold people back with some people in the front rows wanting to jump in the ring to give Drago a piece of their mind.
Romano: The fans tend to agree with you, Tommy.
Taylor: After all the work he put in…
Romano: I’ll admit, Drago’s ploy was cunning. I didn’t see it coming.
Taylor: Sniper looks terrible… we need to get help out here for him.
“End Transmission” by Fire From The Gods hits the PA system and Drago slinks out of the ring, holding his hands up in victory. The crowd hurls all sorts of nasty insults to him as he makes his way to the back. Medical officials rush the ringside area to tend to Johnny Sniper.
The lights in the building dim as the music kicks in. Coloured lights flash to the beat of the music, on cue with the vocals coming in, Fargo crawls out from behind the curtain and down the ramp. He stops outside of the ring and stands up to check his wrist tape and trunks as he circles the ring. He then climbs up onto the apron and into the ring where he then circles the ring before crouching down in the nearest corner.
Taylor: ZDS' big man, Scott Fargo! He, along with James Dragon and The Anomoly, have been making waves!
Romano: I'm more startled as to the flagrant disregard for the championship. It really makes me want to root for Esmur.
The arena dims down to pitch blackness. Two male voices are heard softly saying, “Embrace … the emptiness.” Saviour of Nothing by Disturbed begins to play and a single blue spotlight illuminates the stage. On the stage standing back to back facing either side of the arena are Esmur and Gebin, the Nihilists. The camera zooms right up from the ramp to their masked faces as they slowly turn to look at it. They then walk past it and out of frame as it zooms out. The two men mean business as they quickly walk to the ring and slide under the bottom rope. The push to their feet and step to the center of the ring as the spotlight turns slowly from blue to pink to white. The two men remain back to back facing the two sides of the crowd left and right of the entryway.
Taylor: Esmur! The Nihilist's singles player!
Romano: Well, Gebin could do singles matches, but it does seem to mainly fall on Esmur. The amazing thing is The Nihilists as a team ever only lost once, but Esmur as a singles competitor is still undefeated.
XHF Phoenix Championship
Scott Fargo (c) vs. Esmur
The bell rings and we are under way. Esmur and Fargo circle carefully. Fargo immediately shoots for a single leg takedown, looking to go heel hook within seconds of the match starting. Esmur wheels away, using his quickness to avoid getting taken down. As Fargo returns to his stance, Esmur closes, firing off a couple of swift thigh height strikes. Fargo absorbs them impassively and throws a short ranged elbow into Esmur’s masked face. Esmur recoils slightly but responds with a sharp roundhouse kick which forces Fargo to duck. Fargo quickly takes a back clinch as Esmur spins away and throws Esmur over his head but the enmascarado flips out of the German Suplex and lands on his feet.
Taylor: These two competitiors have a measure for each other’s style.
Romano: Esmur is the greater athlete. But he’s possibly the lesser technician, a point which he will not be used to.
Fargo again shoots for a takedown but Esmur sprawls and transitions to a tight front facelock. The Nihilist throws a pair of knees to Fargo’s face, then tries to lift his opponent up for a vertical suplex. Fargo interposes his leg to prevent the throw, bull rushing forwards to drive Esmur against the ropes. The ref calls for a break and Fargo worms free and appears to break clean, only to offer a fierce Diaz Brothers style shoot slap to Esmur’s face. The crowd boos.
Taylor: Do those Zaibatsu Death Squad boys respect anything?
Romano: Respect is earned in this business. And the ZDS haven’t faced anytone who would even come close to earning any level of respect.
Esmur darts in for an arm with frightening speed. The technical Nihilist flings Fargo across the ring with an Irish Whip. Fargo regains a little control as he rebounds and tries to use the momentum to lash in one of his fierce roundhouse kicks but Esmur grabs the leg out of the air and wrenches it round with a beautiful Dragon Screw. Esmur mantains a toe hold at mat level and applies pressure to Fargo’s foot but Frago, knowing well how to deal with heel related damage, kicks Esmur off with his free leg. Esmur rolls back to a standing position.
Taylor: Which of these two great wrestlers will gain an advantage first?
Romano: It only takes one opening for either of these men to put you away. I’ve not seen one of those so far, Taylor.
The pair close in again. Esmur throws a couple of low kicks again. Fargo picks the leg on a third attempt and steps in looking for a heel trip but Esmur whips his free leg round, boosting off Fargo’s capture for a little spring and backflipping into a stylish flipping kick onto Fargo’s chin. Fargo staggers backwards towards the ropes and Esmur composes himself and rushes past Fargo, springboarding off the far ropes and connecting a roundhouse kick with the back of Fargo’s head. Esmur scampers over for a cover…
ONE!
TW.. Fargo kicks out before a two count could be landed.
Taylor: Esmur mixed speed with technique so well there.
Romano: He’s quicker than you’d expect form a technician and more technical than any high flyer. A very modern hybrid.
Esmur moves down Fargo’s body and wrests a leg free, grasping on to it with a tight grip around the knee. Fargo squirms on the mat as he tries to wriggle free and as Esmur tries to lock in his knee bar, Fargo powers to a seated position and rains elbows down onto Esmur’s shin bone making him loosen the hold. Fargo worms his way out of the hold and goes straight for Esmur’s heel, only for Esmur to use his leg strength to flip the pile on the mat. Esmur twists Fargo’s legs around, looking to lock in Twisted Belief but again, Fargo worms free before the hold can be fully locked in. Fargo does a back roll on the mat to regain a vertical base as Esmur backs off and stands himself.
Romano: Fargo’s submission game is near peerless in this federation. But his submission defense is also amazing.
Taylor: But Esmur, too, has shown amazing submission defense. He doesn’t want to get locked in that heel hook, that’s for sure.
The gap is closed rapidly between the two fighters again. Esmur launches himself at Fargo, flying knee first towards Fargo’s forehead. But there shall be no Clarity to Fargo as he bends slightly backwards and catches Esmur in midair! Fargo arches his back all the way backwards and hurls Esmur over his head with an improvised Suplex that nearly spikes the St Louis native clear on his head! Fargo rolls over and goes for Esmur’s ankle AGAIN, hoping that there is enough stun on Esmur to allow him to lock in the heel hook. Fargo grapevines the leg, reaches down for the ankle but Esmur lifts his free leg into the air and hammers a grounded axe kick onto Fargo’s muscular leg, releasing the grapevine and freeing himself.
Taylor: Esmur’s submission defense. Also apparently very good.
Romano: When you know that heel hook is a match ender and is fully capable of taking you out for months, you’ll do anything to avoid it.
Both men stand, maybe a little slower than last time as the frenetic pace they have been keeping up has left them a little winded. Fargo stalks, his movements eel like in their flexibility. Esmur rushes in and as Fargo steps a little too far forward with his front leg, ESMUR HITS A STEP UP KNEE STRIKE! FARGO COLLAPSES TO THE MAT!
Taylor: CLARITY! CLARITY! CLARITY!
Crowd: NI-HI-LISTS! NI-HI-LISTS!
Esmur drops to cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THR… FARGO KICKS OUT!
Esmur rolls down Fargo, looking again for a leg submission. He flips Fargo over and steps on The Shooter’s instep, lifting his legs up, LOOKS TO WRAP FARGO UP IN SHATTERSCAPE… BUT FARGO KICKS OUT LIKE A WILD MAN, KICKING ESMUR IN THE BREAD BASKET! ESMUR BENDS DOUBLE AND FARGO CLUTCHES ESMUR’S HEAD AND ROLLS HIM UP!
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. ESMUR KICKS OUT!
Crowd: ES-MUR ROCKS! ES-MUR ROCKS!
Fargo stands and backs away towards the ropes. Esmur slowly begins to get to his feet… AND FARGO CHARGES IN AND BLASTS HIM WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Taylor: LET FREEDOM RING WITH A SHOTGUN BLAAAAAAAAAAAST!
Fargo backs up to a corner, looks at Esmur, makes a gun sign with his right hand and CHARGES FULL SPEED ACROSS THE RING BLASTING ESMUR IN HIS MAKED FACE WITH A KNOCKOUT RUNNING KNEE!
Taylor: CROSS TRIGGER! CROSS TRIGGER!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOO!
Fargo drops to cover…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Taylor: Scott Fargo is your winner! But how happy will he be that he couldn’t trap Esmur in the Heel Hook?
Romano: I don’t think Scott Fargo cares, Taylor.
Taylor: Because a win is a win.
Romano: No. Just in general.
After composing himself, a still stunned Esmur slowly walks out of the ring, defeated and maybe having to blot this match out of his mind, turning his thoughts to his upcoming tag team match. Fargo waits, mid ring for the announcement to be made.
Jessie Love: The winner of the match and STILL XHF Phoenix Champion. SCOTT FAAAAAAAAAAAARGO.
Fargo looks unimpressed. He glares at the crowd and turns to the entrance ramp…
And stepping out of the gate is Drago Santiago! Drago takes four big strides towards the ring and raises one arm in the air.
Taylor: It’s the new #1 contender! Drago Santiago is here and he is staring right at the champion.
Romano: I’m not sure Fargo cares. About the belt. About his next opponent. About anything.
The two men exchange a look that lasts a few brief seconds. And then…
THE LIGHTS GO OUT.
The crowd mutter and grumble. And then the silence is broken by a MASSIVE CRACK OF WOOD ACROSS FLESH. The lights are still out. Confusion reigns throughout the crowd. A few more tense moments pass. Whoever is responsible for the lights fixes the temporary blackout and Drago looks on from the entrance ramp and smiles at what he sees…
Fargo, meanwhile is lying face down in the ring. Across his back lies the splintered mess of a broken wooden crutch. Slowly Fargo works his way up to his knees and he looks… annoyed.
Taylor: My god, Cassius! Someone blasted Fargo with a crutch while the lights were down.
Romano: If you can’t take Fargo out under the lights, Taylor, take him out in the darkness.
We cut to the back where on a slightly dressed up set sits AWF’s own Charles Akiyama.
Akiyama: Hey everyone, Charles Akiyama here with an exclusive sit down interview with one of tonight’s competitors, Nelly Angel.
We swing around to see Nelly lounging across from him. He smiles and looks at the camera.
Akiyama: So Nelly, can you tell us why you’re here tonight?
The former Prestige Champion chuckles.
Nelly: Well that depends on what you mean. I am wrestling tonight because I got called to face off against James Dragon. I’m here with you because I called you to set this up.
Akiyama: Yes, I was asking about the uh, second one.
Nelly: As most people know, we’ve been having a lot of fun getting ready for this match. Aside from my training, I’ve had the luxury of making fun segments with high production values to build my match tonight with James Dragon.
Akiyama: Now at the time of filming- even our little romp in ye olde England, Dragon had not said anything- he’d been a virtual ghost. Something I don’t think any of us had expected. But since then he’s come out of the dark and has made some very strong statements in regard to your match- and the AWF’s authority figures as a whole. Have you gotten a chance to hear any of it?
Nelly: Yeah actually, I have. I saw the current Midwestern Champion lounging and the belt on the floor. And although I’m a little concerned about his lackadaisical attitude and his clear disrespect of the Championship he holds, he…..he makes a few good points.
Akiyama: You think so?
Nelly: From his standpoint- yes. He’s part of a newer crop of guys who are cutting their teeth in AWF trying to make an impact. And when you’re trying to make a name for yourself it can be frustrating when instead of your peers getting elevated you see a card like Road to Victory and it’s filled with names of people who you don’t see as having earned their place.
There’s a slight pause as Nelly considers his words.
Nelly: You know, and this is absolutely true- I haven’t earned a shot at the Midwestern Championship. I haven’t been on the air for a month. And this isn’t something new. Back when I won the Prestige Championship, I had been called out of nowhere to challenge for the title. So I did my best and came out on top. So very specifically, Mr. Dragon’s concerns are very relevant especially to his match with me.
Akiyama: So are you saying that you shouldn’t be in the match?
Nelly: Ok, so now this is where it gets complicated. I have – always- loved wrestling. I grew up watching it; my first real job was with BDDWF doing what you’re doing right now. And when I was given a chance to get in the ring I took it very seriously because I respect this business. As a guy earning his way up, it can be really frustrating for somebody like James Dragon seeing me just suddenly cut in line. But from being around this sport long enough I understand the psychology to it. Guys like me, or even Hyperion getting another shot- it’s not about wins and losses. We’re like a test. AWF knows I am a competent wrestler and I am able to adapt to different styles and that I respect this company and the championships in it. So they’re using me to test James Dragon and his resolve.
Akiyama: Do you think he’s passed?
Nelly: I suppose that remains to be seen tonight!
The two share a laugh.
Akiyama: But you know, there’s been misunderstandings on both sides so it’s hardly surprising there is on issues like title shots. I mean, James thinks I’m not grasping him but I don’t think he really understands me either. I’m not here for the Midwestern Championship- I might win it; and I’ll proudly carry it, sure. I’m here because I was given a match. I was given the opportunity to go out and do what I love. My resolve to do my best has very little to do with the title- but I suppose the same can be said for my opponent. So in that, maybe Dragon and I aren’t so different.
Nelly scratches his face.
Nelly: I just want everyone to have fun watching this. I hope everyone’s enjoyed the flights of fancy I’ve been able to bring to life and I’m pretty sure the folks at home are gonna enjoy what Dragon and I do in the ring. The purpose behind the match- personal, title, whatever- the real purpose behind a match should always be to make it the marquee match. I hope that Dragon and I can walk away tonight having given folks the match of the night. And if I can bring some pride to the Midwestern Championship, all the better.
Akiyama: I think all eyes are gonna be on you and James Dragon tonight, Nelly.
Nelly: Thank you, Charles.
Akiyama: And I wish you the best of luck.
Nelly: I’d hope so! We interviewers gotta stick together!
Nelly winks as the two of them laugh. Akiyama returns his attention to the camera.
Akiyama: Thank you for joining us and continuing enjoying Road to Victory!
The camera fades.
The lights fade to black, then the lights start blaring red along the entrance gate. That's when the opening riff to "Revolution Begins" by Arch Enemy begins to play. Kuroi walks into view with a scowl on his face. He looks left and right, pitying those in the crowd. Those who claim to care about action and excitement, but stay in chairs and judge while sitting on their fat asses. Kuroi shifts his attention to the ring then marches his way inside. As he climbs the stairs and gets inside, he jumps up and down, preparing himself to demolish.
Romano: THIS MAN MAKES ME SICK!
Taylor: I agree, but don't get yourself too flustered. We don't want you to be escorted out because you had a heart attack.
Kuroi stares forward at the entrance, waiting for M.G.K. He cracks his knuckles and stands still. That’s when the crowd makes a lot of noise. Kuroi ignores them. He never cared much for the fans anyways. That’s when...
Kuroi moves forward and slides out of the ring and stays at the ready, excited. The noises get louder. Kuroi’s eyes remain forward. Little does Kuroi know that M.G.K. has been running in through the ring. All of the fans tap him on his back and shoulder as he makes his way through the fans. The Undisputed Icons jumps over the security barrier. Kuroi only sees M.G.K. from his peripheral when he comes at him from the side with a clothesline. Kuroi goes down, and the crowd roars in support as M.G.K. mounts him and delivers punch after punch after him. The security team forces M.G.K. off of him and struggle to keep him at bay until the match actually begins.
Taylor: M.G.K. still doesn’t stick by the rules, does he!?
Romano: M.G.K. follows his own code, but we have to follow ours too, and that code involves having this match begin in the ring.
Taylor: But wait. They can’t be disqualified, can they? This is a no-DQ match!
Romano: Yes, but the match hasn’t even begun yet. They can be sent out of the arena and not arrive for their match, which they’d forfeit. With that said, it looks like this match will actually properly begin, but I’m impressed by the passion here!
Last Man Standing Match
Kuroi vs. M.G.K.
It does take time and effort in all, but both wrestlers do end in their corners, and the timekeeper finally authorizes the commencement of this match. The bell rings and there appears to be an eery level of silence. The crowd is cheering, of course, rooting for The Undisputed Icon, M.G.K. However, to him – and to Kuroi, it’s dead quiet. Here, it’s not about the fans. It’s not about the Nielson ratings or the merchandise sales. It’s about time. The time between two men who have spent their wrestling careers tearing each other down. Two men who have spent their wrestling careers having eyes on the back of their heads and sleeping with one eye open in case the other wanted to take things personal. Such as assaulting their fans, burning their houses down or enslaving their loved ones. Just the thought puts such an immense rage into M.G.K.’s eyes that he takes off like a bat out of hell. He runs forward and jumps with a fist. Kuroi takes the fist in stride. M.G.K. continues throwing blow after blow, sending a barrage of fists to Kuroi. The XHF menace is holding his arms up in order to protect himself. After the seventh of eighth punch, Kuroi pushes M.G.K. back. Infuriated, he runs back to Kuroi, who nearly flips him with a clothesline. The crowd goes nuts! M.G.K.’s eyes remain open. He sweats a cold sweat as he hears a whisper coming into his ear.
Kuroi: Ten years, my friend. Ten long years. I have been so patient and this is how time rewards me? …I am so disappointed in you.
M.G.K. responds quickly with a vicious elbow, but Kuroi dodges the move. He backs up and offers M.G.K. a smile.
Taylor: This is disgusting, Cassius! He’s playing with him!
Romano: I can tell you that smile isn’t sincere. But this is the issue with Kuroi. He’s not just a jerk, he’s dangerous. Him existing in the AWF is threatening to the fabric of our company.
Kuroi leans forward to M.G.K., who responds with a destructive punch to the face of Kuroi! The blow sends Kuroi off his feet and onto the floor. M.G.K. scowls as he walks forward and then looks to Kuroi on the ground. Much to his chagrin, Kuroi’s twisted smile. While M.G.K. is staring with anger, Senior Referee Gabe Valentine does his job and begins counting. There’s not much of a point, though. Kuroi isn’t knocked out:
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
..F-Kuroi took his time and has risen to his feet.
As Kuroi rose to his feet, M.G.K. sent punch after punch, forcing him to the corner. Kuroi put his arms up to defend himself against M.G.K. He looks forward and finds Kuroi. Again, still calm. Still cool. Still collected. He decides to kick things up a notch – quite literally, in fact. He steps back and immediately shoves his foot up against Kuroi’s throat. This is normally the situation where the referee would make the count, but this is a last man standing match. This is a match where disqualifications are just a word, not a law. M.G.K. shoves his foot as far as possible. If possible, he’d have no qualms about breaking Kuroi’s larynx if it came down to it. Kuroi stares at M.G.K. Calm. This brings M.G.K. into a fury, yelling at him. Kuroi offers M.G.K. another smile. The Undisputed Icon is screaming, “YOU ARE NOT BETTER THAN ME.” And with that, he puts his foot down. He then takes a step backward before shooting forward with his superkick finisher! Kuroi ducks it. That’s when M.G.K. surprises him with his turn, continuing to move forward and striking Kuroi with a spinning heel kick. Kuroi goes down!
Taylor: It looks like M.G.K. just got a good one onto Kuroi!
Romano: M.G.K. is a really intense wrestler. Whatever expectation Kuroi had, he met it!
Kuroi is on the ground and the referee goes for the down count:
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
..Four!
…Five!
…Si-Kuroi has gotten to his feet.
Just the sight of Kuroi makes M.G.K. sick. He exits the ring and goes underneath the ring, where he retrieves a chair. Most wrestlers would become defensive and would otherwise prepare, but not Kuroi. He stands by and brushes the dirt off his chest as he watches. M.G.K. comes back and snarls at the man in front of him, if he can be called a man after all. He uses the chair and slams it on the floor. He’s curious to see if Kuroi knows fear or if he’s too stupid to understand it. He raises the chair and goes to strike Kuroi. That’s when he hears something.
Kuroi: I hope you do a better job than Chris did.
M.G.K. stops dead in his tracks. Chris. He’s one of the biggest fans that M.G.K. had while in the original XHF. Kuroi assaulted him and left him for dead. Kuroi smirks.
Kuroi: Heh. Oh how the mighty has weakened. The once powerful M.G.K. has become a coward so weak that even words have rendered him useless.
Just then, the eyes of M.G.K. have widened. A vein began to pop out from his forehead. He swings the chair and lets go. Kuroi didn’t expect the chair to smash at him from across the forehead. While the chair is in the air right by Kuroi’s head. M.G.K. knocks Kuroi down to his knees with a heavy kick and then follows up with his signature shining wizard – Icon Blitz! Onto the chair! It hits Kuroi in the face! Kuroi hits the ground and the chair is still in front of his face. M.G.K. kicks the chair off his face and finds Kuroi busted open. There is blood and for once, Kuroi’s not smiling. He’s no longer in control.
Taylor: Kuroi’s bleeding! M.G.K. might just win this!
Romano: Kuroi has been taking a toll. In fact, every single fall has been him on the floor, but this time, this is actually without Kuroi choosing to remain there.
Taylor: But Cassius, who’s Chris?
Romano: I don’t want to give you nightmares, kid. Let’s just say the lesson here is that if you’re a fan of M.G.K. and you see Kuroi, you keep that to yourself or you can look forward to living the rest of your life breathing through a tube.
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
…Four!
…Five!
…Six!
That’s when M.G.K. hears something. Laughing. Once again, Kuroi is smirking. He wipes the blood off his forehead and examines it. He wipes the blood between his finger and thumb.
Kuroi: Very nice, M.G.K.
…Seven!
Kuroi: You’re finally waking up.
M.G.K. is getting sick of this. He plans on ending this match once and for all. He bends over to grab Kuroi, but the monster shoves his arm forward and grabs M.G.K. by the neck.
…Eight!
Kuroi: That won’t be necessary.
Kuroi uses his free hand to climb himself to his feet. M.G.K. tries to pry his fingers past Kuroi’s hands, but Kuroi’s tight grip just won’t allow that. Kuroi looks all of the fans covering the four sides of the ring right before he lifts M.G.K. into the air. His signature slam! Dark Halo! M.G.K. hits the mat!
Kuroi: Are you there, M.G.K.? You’re awake, sure. But I’m still not sure you know who you are. You’re an amnesiac, trying to remember yourself, but you don’t remember yourself, do you?
…One!
…Two!
..Three!
…Four!
…Five!
M.G.K. shakes his head. He struggles, but grabs the nearby ropes and uses them for leverage as he starts forcing himself to his feet..
…Six!
M.G.K. finally gets to his feet and no sooner he does this, Kuroi Irish whips him and forces him against the corner. He throws a forearm across the face and screams at him in the face.
Kuroi: THIS is how you make a blow, M. Not this half-hearted drivel!
Kuroi tries to show his interpretation of how M.G.K. throws punches, which is Kuroi wiping his limp arm in the face of The Undisputed Icon. He doesn’t even know what’s worse. Between the impact from Kuroi’s punches or the humiliating acts of condescending torture. M.G.K. isn’t exactly sure when it happened, but at some point, he found the strength to use the ropes to lift himself up from the mat with the top ropes, he grabs Kuroi’s head with his legs and flying headscissors Kuroi over the top rope! Kuroi’s eyes sharpen, surprised M.G.K. was able to pull this off. The people roared with approval for M.G.K. Kuroi looks up and finds M.G.K. on top of the turnbuckle. He jumps off to the outside and hits Kuroi with a momentous splash! BAM! M.G.K. rolls off and both are on their backs, with the only part of their body moving hard are their chests, trying to suck in all available oxygen in the room!
Taylor: There’s M.G.K., sticking to his strengths! Kuroi has the muscle, but M.G.K. has the cardio!
Romano: And now both of them are on the ground. This is a crucial point in the match. This can go either way. Can M.G.K. recover?
The referee sees the two wrestlers on the floor. Gabe Valentine is momentarily surprised, but continues forward as if only one man was on the floor. He begins to count:
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
…Four!
Kuroi begins to move. He struggles to move onto his stomach.
…Five!
…Six!
Kuroi climbed to his knees.
…Seven!
And he has finally risen to his feet. He looks down to M.G.K. and shakes his head. After all, M.G.K. isn’t even moving.
Kuroi: And to think, I had been so optimistic about having a piece of true M.G.K. alive down there. You’ve been a waste of my time.
…Eight!
Kuroi turns around and begins walking away.
…Nine!
That’s when the M.G.K. shoves his legs up into the air. And then kips-up! The crowd cheers. Kuroi stops at the cheer and turns his head to find M.G.K. back up to his feet!
Taylor: M.G.K. is back up! I thought he would lose!
Romano: Not now. He’s still got some fight left in him.
Kuroi notices M.G.K.’s determination and decides to kick things up a notch. He moves under the ring, where he pulls out a chair. The Undisputed Icon sees this and rushes to the ring where he luckily finds the chair used earlier in the ring to be nearby. As he grabs it, Kuroi has the chair above his head. M.G.K. shoved the chair into his gut, forcing him to bend forward. He then follows up with a chair shot to the head. This forces Kuroi to stagger back. Kuroi responds with a chair shot to the head of his own to his opponent! Then M.G.K. strikes again! Then Kuroi! Then before you know it, Kuroi’s forehead is flowing with blood and M.G.K.’s head is cracked, himself! Both of them are visibly injured, but incredibly determined. M.G.K. even begins screaming like he’s not looking for Kuroi to stay on the ground forever. For him to be underneath the ground. With one vicious burst of desperation, this blow nearly took Kuroi off his feet. Kuroi struggled to remain on his feet and as he looked back, BOOM! SUPERKICK!
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
…Four
…Five!
…Six!
…Seven!
…Eight!
M.G.K. thinks he won. That’s when he hears another laugh from Kuroi.
Kuroi: M, either your shoes are soft or your kicks don’t hurt nearly as hard as they normally do.
And after the count of nine, Kuroi rises. He grabs his head and cracks his neck.
Kuroi: You are doing a much better job than those masseuses, though. I don’t care how strong those women are, they can’t get that crick out of my neck the same way you can.
Taylor: Oh my G… How is he still getting up?
Romano: Don’t ask me. I’m about two moments away from thinking it’s voodoo.
As Kuroi gets up, M.G.K. sends a STIFF punch to his stomach. Kuroi feels the pain and responds with a shocking uppercut. M.G.K. backs up and Kuroi rushes full speed ahead, but M.G.K. used his cooler head to prevail. He side-stepped Kuroi, let out his foot and tripped him. And on his way down, he slams his head against the Spanish announce table for AWF! M.G.K. tried to grab Kuroi’s head to slam down again, but found it difficult due to Kuroi’s bald head. He uses an elbow to strike M.G.K. again, but M.G.K. backed up enough for the blow to be very minimal. He repositions himself behind Kuroi once more and uses both hands to shoot Kuroi forward, his head into the table again. Now his nose is gushing, and Kuroi’s front half is being brought onto the table. M.G.K. begins to climb it himself. Kuroi tries to get himself up to his feet, but M.G.K. makes it difficult. He brings him up to his feet. Kuroi stares at him in the eye. He knows what M.G.K. is planning on doing.
Kuroi: Just try it.
M.G.K. shoots forward and straight-out knees Kuroi in the stomach, once again doubling him over. M.G.K. hooks both of Kuroi’s arms.
Taylor: Here it is! The Icon Blitz!
If M.G.K. wins:
Kuroi struggles. M.G.K. has troubles to keep himself from losing the grip. He jumps forward. BOOM! The Pepsi Plunge finisher from M.G.K. that he calls The Icon Blitz hits! Kuroi hits the table, which breaks underneath the impact! Senior Referee Gabe Valentine makes the count:
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
…Four!
…Five!
…Six!
M.G.K.’s heart nearly drops as he finds Kuroi moving.
…Seven!
…Eight!
…Nine.
Kuroi powers through and pushes himself onto his knees. He looks up at M.G.K.
Kuroi: Maybe you’re not a mistake after all. Maybe you are M.G.K.
Kuroi falls forward.
…Ten!
The bell rings.
Jessie Love: The winner of this match: M. G. K!
Taylor: M.G.K. won! Kuroi did a good job of hiding his fatigue!
Romano: And he should be proud. M.G.K. is bloodied and looks like he’s about to faint. Plus, I think he just killed a demon who has plagued him for years and years.
As the guitar riff kicks in Dragon saunters on top of the ramp he surveys the crowd and lackadaisically throws both arms up, the crowd yelling "NO ONE GREATER" at him while he does so, as he throws his arms up he "accidentally* launches the Midwest Championship several feet in the air behind him which he ignores. Dragon takes slow deliberate steps down the ramp and avoids interacting with any fans, only fist bumping or acknowledging those dressed in James Dragon shirts, hats etc.
Dragon slowly rolls under the ring ropes and gets to his feet. He walks over to the corner where he crouches down and begins checking his boots, then his knee pads, his wrist tape etc. Before very slowly removing his leather jacket, shirt and ball cap, taking even longer to do these simple acts if against an opponent he particularly dislikes.
Taylor: NO. ONE. GREATER!
Romano: Or cockier. But hey, he's the champion and he honestly is talented!
The chorus of Fallout Boy’s “Phoenix” starts pounding out of the PA system as Nelly Angel comes bursting out of the back. He runs out onto the entranceway. Nelly then runs down the ramp and slides into the ring, ultra pumped for his match.
Taylor: I love Nelly! He's honestly one of the nicest men backstage. And he has soft skin too.
Romano: If you're done with your moment, maybe we could commentate this match. You can shake his soft hands after the match. Maybe if he wins, you can touch his belt too.
AWF Midwestern Championship
James Dragon (c) vs. Nelly Angel
Instantly the two men begin sending shots back and forth. Rights and lefts in a flurry of rage. Nelly hurls back and sends a huge right to the side of Dragon’s dome that has him stumble back. But he quickly shakes it off and lunges in with a huge kick to the midsection. Angel hunches over and Dragon drops him with DDT much to the chagrin of the audience. As the fans boo, Dragon taunts the them before getting ready for Nelly to get up. He raises his fist and waits for Angel to get up. Dragon swings but Angel dodges and flips Dragon with an arm drag!
Romano: Oh man! The XHF Network veteran is proving he still has the speed!
Taylor: I agree Cassius, he does, but it’s gonna take more than speed to conquer the Dragon.
Dragon bows up from the pain and gets a vicious stomp to the midsection from Nelly. The air escapes from Dragon as he rolls around on the mat. Angel tries to lift Dragon up but Dragon battles back and whips Nelly to the ropes and flips him up with a back body drop that brings him down!
Taylor: Thats right Dragon! Show him who he’s messing with!
Romano: It’s still early though, this is anyone’s ball game! Look, Nelly is asking for Dragon to bring it!
Indeed Nelly is asking for more, and Dragon looks a bit shocked by this. Dragon begins to stomp on Nelly, attempting to drive his head into the mat, but Angel just asks for more punishment. Stomp after stomp he winces as he keeps getting pummeled by the boot of Dragon! Dragon grabs Nelly by the head and lifts him up. Dragon hits another big kick to the midsection and delivers a snap supplex to Nelly. Dragon continues his attack with a shot to the back of the knee that takes Angel down. Dragon tries to lock in a fatal fourl way submission, but Nelly is able to kick his way out of it.
Romano: That was a close one.
Taylor: Its only a matter of time Romano.
Romano: Not so fast Taylor.
Nelly now is finally able to stop the onslaught for now with an elbow to the ribs. Angel grabs Dragon and puts him down with a pretty ruthless side suplex. And then an elbow drop to the ribs of Dragon. Dragon holds his chest from the on point elbow and Angel drills a stomp to Dragons knee causing him to sit up and grab his knee. Then Nelly walks over and swings a right elbow, bashing it to the back of Dragon’s head. Dragon falls over holding the back of his head. Nelly grins.
Romano: What does Angel have in mind here?
Taylor: This is a championship match Cassius. All bets are off!
Romano: I know. But these men are going to punish each other.
Taylor: Yup. And its all for the AWF Midwestern title. Shows you how much that title means to them!
Nelly walks over to Dragon and crosses his throat with his arm. Making sure that the people know Dragons end is near! Angel hoists himself up onto the top turnbuckle, facing the crowd and taunts, getting the audience amped up!
Romano: Angel looks like he might be ready to wrap this up already
Taylor: Oh man! Get up James! It can’t be over yet!
Nelly dives off the top rope with a corkscrew moonsault, otherwise known as On Angels Wings, but Dragon is able to get his knees up just in time! Nelly crashes into Nelly’s knees, and Dragon quickly rolls Angel up with a small package!
...One!
...Two!
...Thr- No! Nelly kicks out!
Dragon, breathing in and out heavily, picks Angel up and whips him to the ropes and when Nelly comes back Dragon sends him flying with an overhead belly to back suplex!
Romano: Nelly could be broken in half Taylor!
Taylor: Maybe he will wise up now and give it up!
The move causes Dragon to drop to one knee in an effort to gain some rest. Dragon mouths off to the fans as they boo him, but he doesnt care. He dusts himself off and stands up, takes some time to make sure his hair is in place and then does the waste motion to tell the fans that the Midwestern title is his. He turns around to go after Nelly and gets met with a springboard dropkick right between the eyes. This knocks Dragon for a loop as he falls backward and down to the mat with a thud.
Romano: What a shot from Nelly! Dragon is out of it!
Taylor: Dragon is just playing possum, trying to get Nelly off his guard.
Nelly Angel painfully climbs up and you can see that his ribs and/or midsection are hurting. Dragon also appears to be favoring his ribs. Nelly picks Dragon up by the hair and goes for a hurricanrana, but Dragon reverses into a powerbomb! Dragon now goes for a pin!
...One!
...Two!
...No!
Nelly somehow battles out without being pinned, but is feeling the affects of the move on his shoulder and arm. Dragon dazedly gets to his feet first but holds himself up with the ropes. Nelly then pulls himself as well.
Romano: these guys are tired, but neither man is going to quit!
Nelly comes after Dragon but Dragon nails Angel from out of nowhere with another kick to the midsection! With Nelly down to a knee, Dragon hits Nelly with a side kick to the leg, then a knife edge chop, then an elbow strike and a spinning leg kick, before finally finishing off with the late night ride, a combo that James Dragon calls the Greatness Blitz! Dragon goes for the pin!
Taylor: I told you Romano! That’s it, this is over!
...One!
...Two!
...Thr- No! Nelly kicks out again!
Taylor: What the hell!
Romano: I told you Taylor, Nelly has been around the block a few times, he’s not going down without a fight!
Then Dragon points at something himself. The turnbuckle! He walks over and begins to remove the padding from the top turnbuckle!
Romano: That’s illegal! That’s an illegally maneuver here in the AWF! This company is about wrestling holds, not chairshots!
The referee begins to stop Dragon, yelling at him to stop. Dragon does indeed stop, but only to screa/m back at the referee. But from behind Nelly runs up and delivers a dropkick, sending Dragon into the turnbuckle! Nelly rolls up Dragon!
...One!
...Two!
...T-No! This time it’s Dragon who kicks out!
Nelly gets up to his feet, and beckons for Dragon to get up. When Dragon is on his knees, Nelly runs forward and delivers a shining wizard! But Dragon ducks it! Nelly turns around, and Dragon kicks gim in the stomach! Dragon then leaps off the ropes, and delivers the Love Gun! The referee counts!
...One!
...Two!
...Three!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner, and AWF Midwestern Champion, James Dragon!
Taylor: That’s it! Dragon wins! I told you Romano, I told you!
Romano: Yeah, but you can’t take anything away from Nelly!
The arena dims down to pitch blackness. Two male voices are heard softly saying, “Embrace … the emptiness.” Saviour of Nothing by Disturbed begins to play and a single blue spotlight illuminates the stage. On the stage standing back to back facing either side of the arena are Esmur and Gebin, the Nihilists. The camera zooms right up from the ramp to their masked faces as they slowly turn to look at it. They then walk past it and out of frame as it zooms out. The two men mean business as they quickly walk to the ring and slide under the bottom rope. The push to their feet and step to the center of the ring as the spotlight turns slowly from blue to pink to white. The two men remain back to back facing the two sides of the crowd left and right of the entryway.
Taylor: The Nihilists are back! They're back!
Romano: I just hope that they're OK tonight. Scott Fargo wiped Esmur out. Can they stand up to these?
"Timebomb" by Beck blasts into the arena and all the lights change to a cool shade of neon blue. Seth Dillinger struts out to the top of the ramp wearing sunglasses, jeans, and a button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone, showing off just a bit of his pecs. After the countdown timer hits zero, Seth starts to stroll down to the ring, smirking at the crowd and soaking up their applause. When he reaches the bottom of the ramp, he rolls into the ring under the bottom rope, then paces around to each side of the ring, smiling at the crowd.
Taylor: Seth Dillinger is here! He's got this won!
Romano: He's really good. Absolutely, but remember, he's not in his element. He's never worked with a team before. I doubt he has ever even met Raiden.
The rapid start of "REVIVER" starts to blast on the speakers, bringing the crowd onto their feet as Raiden strides out onto the stage, pausing at the top of the ramp to look around at the crowd. Nodding to himself, he proceeds down the ramp, slapping hands with some of the fans before rolling into the ring. Bringing himself back onto his feet, he walks over to the far corner, jumping up onto the middle turnbuckle and raising an arm into the air to loud cheers from the fans in the first few rows. Jumping down from the perch, he turns and leans back into the corner, waiting for the match to begin.
Taylor: Raiden's a lone wolf, but this time, this lone wolf has to find his way with a pack.
Romano: But this is Raiden's comeback, and I doubt he has been spending this time twiddling his thumbs. He gives 100% at all times.
XHF Tag Team Championship
The Nihilists (c) vs Seth Dillinger & Raiden Ishimori
The match begins with Esmur and Raiden squaring off, the two men circling each other for an opportunity to strike first. Esmur shoots for a take-down, but slides away as Raiden tries a counter. He tries for another lower body take-down, but Raiden stays standing pushing away the attacker. Esmur tries once more for a take down but Raiden counters quickly and locks in a headlock, grabbing Esmurs head in a vice. The two struggle but Esmur breaks free, staring at Raiden and waving his finger to say ‘not yet’. The two lock into a standing grapple again but this time Esmur releases and hits a front dropkick sending Raiden stumbling backwards. Back to his feet Esmur closes in and another grapple comes, this time getting Raiden into a headlock and running his opponent into the corner. The referee breaks them apart, Esmur with his hands held up in a innocent seemingly manner, before landing a hard slap across the chest of Raiden. He follows with another and another before whipping Raiden across the ring towards the opposite side. Esmur chases but Raiden quickly hits the cushions and bounces out with a forearm smash, taking Esmur down by surprise. He locks in a rear choke hold on the champion before he has time to get up.
Taylor: Technical stat to this match, both men testing one another.
Struggling back to his feet, Esmur breaks free from the hold and lands a spinning elbow to stagger Raiden before tagging in his partner Gebin. Exploding in with a springboard missile dropkick Raiden goes down at the impact from Gebin. The high-flying is quickly back to his feet again with another double-footed kick sending Raiden wobbling backwards. He partner yells out for the tag but Gebin is faster and hits a hurricanrana rolling Raiden away from his corner. Gebin sits up his opponent into a choke combined with a knee to the spine, and signals for the double team. Esmur jumps in and hits a missile dropkick to Raiden before quickly rolling back out of the ring once again.
Romano: The Champs are doing a great job of beating down Raiden Ishimori, making sure his power and technical skills are kept at bay.
Gebin pulls his opponent to his feet and hits a snapping hip-toss before reaching over and making the tag. Esmur jumps in and lands a kick to the back of Raiden’s head and takes over from his partner. Esmur lifts up Raiden and lands a body slam, hitting the mat hard. He tags Gebin once more very quickly who springboards in with a leg drop and chops Raiden loudly. Gebin quickly goes for the pin:
...One!
...Two!
...Tw-Quick kickout by Raiden!
Gebin hits a spinning back kick to his opponents face as they both rise and quickly tags Esmur once again. The bigger of the two Nihilists hits a falling elbow-axe handle and locks in a half-nelson chokehold, to which Raiden wasn’t even ready for. Raiden struggles to break free from the hold but Esmur has it locked it, a professional looking move as any. Raiden manages to stretch out and get a foot on the rope for the break but Esmur releases and quickly pulls him away by the arm and goes for an armbar. With the two men struggling on the mat, Seth Dillinger continues to scream encouragement and shouting for the tag. Unable to lock in the armbar, Esmur quickly breaks free and tags Gebin once again who springboards in with a senton bomb to Raiden’s prone body.
Taylor: These Nihilists work great as a pair to strip down their foes, hitting attack after attack. But Raiden isn’t one to go down lightly.
Romano: The repeated attacks can take down some of the bigger threats in the business, as we’ve seen them do in recent matches. If Raiden doesn’t escape soon he’s going to be in a lot of trouble. Regardless of his skills and talent!
Gebin tries to lock in a choke-hold but Raiden swings wildly and lands a good punch to the face of Gebin. He begins to get up but receives an accurate dropkick to the knee, collapsing him. Gebin pulls his opponent to his feet and signals to Esmur to get ready. Gebin kicks his foe into the mid-section and whips him towards the Nihilists corner...but Raiden counter whips, and instead pulls Gebin into a massive clothesline! The crowd cheer loudly Gebin hits the mat hard, the surprise clothesline connecting face on. He stirs on the mat, seeing stars but it’s too late as Raiden has crawled and staggered back to his own corner and tagged in Seth! Gebin jumps up ready to attack but Seth’s already on the move and lands a sweet bicycle kick to the face of Gebin! He continues his momentum and lands a superman elbow smash to Esmur, knocking him off the apron. He turns to grab Gebin and hip tosses him down to the mat, followed by a football punt to the lower back. Gebin reels in pain, sitting up and holding his kidneys but Seth is already rebounding off the ropes into a diving knee to the face of the Champion. The crowd cheers wildly for the former World Champion as he regains momentum for Team Raidillinger!
Romano: The tide of battle has changed in a blink of an eye! This is why Seth Dillinger is not one to be taken lightly!
Taylor: The Nihilists are in trouble now, one wrong move and it could be all over. And that is how the turn tables!
Romano: ...did you mean how the table turn
Taylor: Yeah, that’s what I said.
Romano: No you didn’t, you said-
CRACK!
The sound of boot on flesh is so loud it interrupts the announcers, as Gebin has managed to drive a kick straight up to the face of Dillinger, staggering him enough to fall flat on his back. Gebin quickly scramble back to his corner where he makes the tag, Esmur climbing in with a fire in his eye. He pulls up Seth and into his thighs, lifting up the superstar and landing a hard powerbomb and pin attempt:
...One!
...Two!
...Th-Kickout!
So close that the fans gasp, Seth breaks free just in time but Esmur is not done. He flails and stomps down on Dillinger before lifting him up and body slamming him down hard. He signals to Gebin to get ready, before whipping Dillinger across the ring...right into a shoulder thrust to the moving Seth’s ribs! Seth wobbles backwards right into a jumping reverse bulldog!
Taylor: Shatterscape! This could be all over here!
Esmur goes for the pin, but it doesn’t even get to one before Raiden lands a double-fisted strike to Esmur’s head. The referee barks at Raiden to leave the ring, allowing both Seth and Esmur some time to recover. Esmur is up first and jumps to the ready hand of Gebin who tags in. Gebin marches in and pulls up Seth but a rising headbutt catches him off guard and allows Seth a few second of breathing room, before chasing with a clothesline to drop Gebin. He lifts up the Champ and whips him to the corner of Team Raidillinger, and runs in with a nice flying knee strike to finish. He tags in Raiden and both men go to work on Gebin, dual-stomping him down to a seated position.
Romano: Double-teaming might be the only way to break the stride of the Champions in this match, as they are both nearly unstoppable.
Taylor: I’ve liked what I see from both men a lot, it looks like we might have a new great tag team forming too with the challengers.
Raiden stays in the ring as Seth exits to the mat, taking a few steps to the center before a running knee strike to the seated Gebin. He pulls him to a standing position before a nice belly-to-back suplex flattens him once more. Raiden quickly jumps to the ropes for a springboard moonsault, splashing across the body of Gebin. Raiden goes for the pin:
...One!
...Tw- Broken up by Esmur!
Taylor: Gebin saved in a flash by his partner, otherwise who knows if he would have enough gas to kick out.
The referee forces Esmur back to his corner, allowing Raiden some time to get up and land a few quick shots to his floored opponent. He grabs Gebin by the mask and pulls him up to a standing position and into a wrist-clutch fireman's carry.
Taylor: We’ve seen this before, the Climhazzard!
Gebin goes up, but not for long as he manages to wriggle free and pushes away Raiden. His attacker comes at him with a clothesline but Gebin hits the ropes [SLAP] and continues running.
Romano: Was that a tag by Esmur?
Taylor: I think so!
Gebin runs for a hurricanrana on Raiden, but quickly spins around 180 degrees and hits a devastating spike frankensteiner! Raiden is flattened in the center of the ring, but Gebin is back up and now diving right at Seth Dillinger! He spears Seth right through the ropes, taking him down!
Taylor: Null Hypothesis from Gebin, and a spear to Raiden’s partner!
Romano: What is going on!
Taylor: Looks like a play is happening Cassius! Esmur is the legal man, Gebin is vacating the ring and Esmur is climbing to the top rope!
Signalling to the crowd, Esmur doesn’t delay and climbs onto the top rope. Before he can move forward, he's hit with a chair shot! The bell rings and the crowd goes into a panic.
Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, this match has ended and because of an assault, the winner of this match, by disqualification: The Nihilists!
Taylor: Who attacked them!?
Gebin goes to see what's going on, but he gets hit with a chair too. The camera pans to the person and it's revealed to be Knucks! Seth soon becomes the next victim as Salem strikes him with a baseball bat! He goes into the ring and begins attacking the downed Raiden! Salem goes up to Jessie and takes the microphone from her hands. Knucks enters the ring with a microphone of his own and they unleash their words to the AWF universe:
Knucks: Welcome to the mother fucking
Salem: Filth Factory.
Knucks: you see when we called you bitches out we didn't ask for you to put them on the line...
Salem: you see you failed to understand that we ain't fucking around...
Knucks: no we ain’t...
Salem: you see we are the jobber city champions and those titles are going back to...
Knucks: SW
Salem: well I was going to say jobber city but yeah RSW.
Knucks: we are awoken and those belts belong on the two filithest mother fuckers.
Salem: you are about to learn why we kill superstars and sned jobbers away... We kill chaos and duke, and all of RSW.
Knucks: ok so guess what bitches we out see you soon
Mic drop. The two exit through the fans, leaving everyone stunned.
Taylor: What... just happened?
Romano: War, Tommy. The Nihilists won gold and now have targets on the back of their heads.
Road To Victory
Live at Saint Andrews Hall
Detroit, MI
Capacity: 700
3/10/19
At the start of the show, the fans raise their hands into the air. They are cheering and hooting and hollering. The camera pans around to the capacity-filled audience. It continues throughout the crowd until the camera reaches our two commentators, who flash a smile - even despite Cassius Romano wearing a sling.
Taylor: Welcome, everyone! This is it! Road to Victory! This is where dreams come to fruition or they die trying! My name is Tommy Taylor.
Romano: And I am Cassius Romano, and just like Tommy said, this is Road to Victory, and boy do we have a show for you! The Nihilists, who just won the XHF Tag Team Championships, are already up in their first defense against Raiden Ishimori and former AWF Prestige Champion Seth Dillinger!
Taylor: It'll be a hard fought match for Esmur, who is already in a match to try to get the XHF Phoenix Championship, trying to pry it off the hands of Scott Fargo!
Romano: And Fargo's ZDS team mate James Dragon is defending his AWF Midwest Championship against XHF Legend and former AWF Prestige Class Champion, Nelly Angel.
Taylor: And don't forget about M.G.K. vs. Kuroi. They're set to face each other in a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH.
Cassius Romano looks down to his sling.
Romano: Oh, trust me. I haven't.
Taylor: Oh... I'm sorry about that. Want to tell the fans about the main event?
Romano: Yeah... Well, we also have another match! Our main event! Chris Card, for the first time, will defend his belt - not against one man - but two! And one of them may not even be a man at all! Tonight, we will see Chris Card against Maverick and Hyperion in a triple threat match!
Taylor:But for right now, we have an over the top rope rumble, and they're coming down here... now!
Sudden darkness overtakes the arena, with small breaks from camera snaps of the crowd. Moments pass without any interference, before the speakers yell:
"Tap!"
"Nap!"
"Snap!"
"Choose Wisely!"
After a few moments of stirring, light bel ringing, and crowd reaction, End Transmission's blazing rifts begin. These sounds synchronize with red lights aim for the ring curtain, which display the back of Drago's heavily tattooed body, and the X his arms are crossed in above his head. Drago whips around to face the audience, then begins his strut to the ring.
Taylor: And here is Drago, one of the newest signees of the XHF.
Romano: It seems he has an amazing dynamic with Felix. I think it's quite interesting to see how he develops here.
The lights in the arena goes off. Then the jumbotron in the arena turns on. White letters appear as the voice of two creepy children read the lyrics that are flashing on the jumbotron.
"I met a traveler from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
Then the opening chords of Shadows begin to play. Cash in full garb walks out and into the ring.
Taylor: It's Cash! I remember watching him as a kid!
Romano: That's right! One of the old XHF legends, Cash - he's back!
We hear “Chlorine” by twenty one pilots play as the lights go down and turn a deep shade of blue. Shortly after, we hear the intro.
“Sippin’ on straight Chlorine
Let the vibe slide over me
This beat is a chemical… Beat is a chemical…
When I leave, don’t save my seat
I’ll be back when it’s all complete
The moment is medical… moment is medical
Sippin’ on straight Chlorine”
We then see Zakk Sawyer come out as the lights flash blue and yellow. He looks out at the crowd, who are divided. One half cheering for Zakk, the other half booing him. Zakk then looks straight at the ring and proceeds down to the ring. When he reaches the ring, he climbs the ring apron, before wiping his feet on the apron and stepping through the ropes. He then gets into his corner, removes his jacket and bandana and awaits his opponent.
Taylor: Zakk is here! He's been gaining some steam in the AWF!
Romano: That's right. He won a match but as we all saw with Maverick, one win snowballs to another, then another. Before you know it, he could win this match and be the #1 contender for the XHF Phoenix Championship!
Sniper appears on stage holding an American flag before placing it in a a holder on the stage he salutes it then turns around and salutes the audience after running down the ramp and sliding in under the bottom rope he takes a knee and performs a hand gun gesture at his opponent
Taylor: Here's Johnny Sniper! One of the newbies here in the AWF.
Romano: Watch your tongue! This man is a veteran and he's always put his heart into his wrestling!
“Pervert” by the Descendents begins playing as “Guttertrash” Greg Adkins walks out from the back with a busty woman under each arm. They’re dressed in almost not there swimsuits.
Romano: Did Greg clear having a couple of valets come down to the ring with him?
Taylor: Does it matter? Here they are!
The crowd cheers the women on as Greg passionately kisses one while reaching back to grope the other. The girls head to the back while Greg gives them goodbye smacks on the butt.
Taylor: Isn’t one of those girls Samantha from Accounting?
Romano: She’s such a whore…
Greg Adkins makes his way down to the ring, dancing, and making eyes at the men and women as he goes.
Romano: Does he swing both ways?
Taylor: I hear that he swings for anything that moves.
Greg Adkins rolls into the ring and continues to dance, doing some pelvic thrusts to drive the crowd nuts (they either love him or hate him with no middle ground).
Taylor: Why do you keep telling me about Samantha?
Romano: I don't know... I really don't.
As 'Peaches' hits the PA, the arena lights dim and the stage lights up in bright pink/ white lights. The crowd gets amped up as Bodhi appears on stage from behind the curtain, marching to center-stage and stopping to pose for the crowd.
She blows kisses to both sides before skipping towards the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope. She quickly climbs the corner turnbuckle and waves to her fans, before jumping down to the mat.
Taylor: It's Bodhi! I wonder if one day, she'll think about leaving Hyperion and come leave with me.
Romano: I'll say this to you, Tommy. If you face off against Hyperion after the main event and win, she might just do that.
Taylor: Really!?
Romano: No, but it doesn't matter. Hyperion could be dead, and you'd still find a way to lose.
Taylor: ...
Over The Rope Rumble
#1 Contendership to the Phoenix Championship
Drago vs. Cash vs. Zakk Sawyer vs. Johnny Sniper vs. Greg Adkins vs. Bodhi
The bell has barely even rung and all six people explode into chaos. Johnny Sniper rushes at Greg Adkins and they start trading frantic punches. Bodhi turns her attention to Drago, locking up with him near the corner. Zakk Sawyer takes down Cash with a leg sweep and jumps on top, laying into him with a flurry of blows to the head. Bodhi whips Drago into the corner and follows after him with a flying lariat, sandwiching Drago against the post. Drago slumps to one knee and Bodhi grabs hold of the top rope, using it as leverage to drive a few knees into him. Cash rolls out from under Sawyer, pulling himself up using the corner ropes. Sawyer stalks after him to continue the assault. Meanwhile, Adkins has forced Sniper into another corner and has a hand around his throat, just choking him out against the corner post. Sniper clutches at his wrists and gasps for air.
Romano: This is why people love these big battle royale matches. Everything is complete chaos.
Taylor: No rules, except needing to be the last person left and getting your opponents over that top rope.
Seeing no end in sight due to the lack of disqualifications, Sniper resorts to reaching up and clawing at Adkins. Adkins turns away and holds his eyes in pain, giving Sniper a moment to breathe. Drago is still under assault from Bodhi. She uses the ropes to jump up in the air and wedge her foot against Drago's neck, wearing him down even further. Sawyer charges at Cash, who ducks underneath and scoops up Sawyer, going for the quick elimination and dumping him over the top rope... but Sawyer hangs on! Sawyer grabs onto the middle rope from the outside of the ring, keeping both feet in the ring. Dangling over the top rope, he starts to punch back through the ropes at Cash. Sniper now has turned the table and is chopping Adkins over and over across the chest. Each chop gets a big "WOO" from the crowd. Sniper backs Adkins into the corner and squares up, ramming his shoulder into Adkins' midsection over and over again. Sawyer pounds away at Cash, finally getting him to loosen his grip and allowing Sawyer to stand back up inside the ring. He gives him a stiff jab to the head for good measure, then drops an elbow on the back of Cash's head.
Taylor: Not surprising we’re seeing people go for early eliminations. The quicker you get the numbers down, the better your chance of winning.
Romano: Right, don’t want this to drag on forever and tire you out.
Bodhi gets bored of Drago and turns to join the fray. She sees Cash staggering and hits a textbook dropkick, knocking him back against the ropes. Adkins is now crumpled into the corner after Sniper's assault. Sniper turns back to survey the rest of the damage. Bodhi sees a new plaything and tries to take him down with a running kick, but Sniper sidesteps it and locks in around behind her, then sends her flying over his head with a huge German suplex! Bodhi skitters to the ground on the other side of the ring. Drago and Adkins are both catching their breath in opposite corners. Cash moves towards Sawyer, re-engaging him and locking up with him again at the ropes. Cash's back is against the ropes and Sawyer is fighting tooth and nail to try to push him over. Sensing a two-for-one opportunity, Sniper side-shuffles across the ring, aiming to hit Sawyer in the back of the head with a Killshot... but Sawyer ducks out of the way! Sniper's foot connects directly with Cash's face, and the force of the impact sends Cash tumbling backwards over the top rope and down to the floor below.
Jessie Love: Cash has been eliminated!
Taylor: Quick thinking by Zakk Sawyer saved him from elimination!
Romano: Yeah, bad luck for Cash, though.
Sawyer, noting that he barely dodged that bullet, immediately grabs Sniper by the head and throws him over the top rope as well! Sniper flips over the top rope but keeps his grip, his feet dangling above the ground as he kicks his legs to try to make his way back up. Sawyer isn't paying attention, though, because he turns to meet Bodhi, who has gotten back up to her feet. The two square up in the center of the ring as Sniper manages to get his legs back up and under the bottom rope, where he remains prone to catch his breath. Bodhi nods at Sawyer, who holds his hands open, inviting her to bring it on. She hauls off and slaps him clean across the jaw with a sound so loud it echoes in the room. Sawyer is momentarily stunned, then grins a little bit and returns fire with a chop across Bodhi's chest. She clutches at her chest and scowls, then uses two fingers to poke Sawyer in the eyes! Sawyer flails about on the ground. Adkins is up out of nowhere behind Bodhi and locks her up from behind, grinding his disgusting hips against her rear end. He locks in the Full Humping -- that is, a full nelson hold with a bit of dry humping to accompany it. Bodhi flails her arms to try to get away from the pervert, but she's powerless.
Taylor: This is just disgusting. How is Adkins still employed here?
Romano: Bodhi knew what she was getting into, stepping into the ring with a maniac like Adkins.
Sawyer finally recovers from having his eyes gouged out by Bodhi, but there's no respite. Drago is back up to his feet, finally getting involved in the match for the first time. With Sawyer's back to him, he nails him with a superkick to the back of the head. Sawyer immediately crumples to the mat and Drago springs into action, stomping away on Sawyer's elbow. Sawyer tries to defend the assault, but Drago keeps up the brutal assault. Meanwhile, Johnny Sniper makes it back up to his feet. He sees Adkins' gross performance on the other side of the ring and makes a beeline for him, sending a few fists into his skull to let him loosen the grip. He shouts something about "disgusting" at Adkins, locks him up and plants him on the mat with a DDT.
Taylor: Johnny Sniper is a true gentleman.
Sniper is back up to his feet after rescuing Bodhi... but Bodhi isn't wasting any time. With Sniper distracted by Adkins, Bodhi gets a running start and grabs the back of his head, carrying him forward and pushing him over the top rope! The crowd jeers as Bodhi turning on the guy who saved her from Adkins' gross acts. But... Sniper just lands on the outside of the apron on both feet. He looks bewildered at Bodhi's actions and turns around, shaking his head in her direction. The crowd begins to roar and Bodhi stops in place, pausing, wondering what has the crowd so worked up. She slowly turns around to check if Sniper was eliminated, and when she does, Sniper springboards from the apron into the ring and sends her tumbling backwards with a huge missile dropkick! Meanwhile, Drago has worn down Sawyer's will to live. He has Sawyer locked in with a cross armbar, despite their being no submissions in the match, just to keep him worn down. Bodhi starts to shake off the blast from Sniper, pulling herself up using the ring ropes. As she gets to her feet again, Sniper is right behind her. Bodhi shakes her head no, asking Sniper not to do it... Sniper's face is nonplussed, unimpressed with her begging. He grabs her by the back of the head and the fans cheer. She yells out at him one last time before he flips her over the top rope and down to the floor.
Jessie Love: Bodhi has been eliminated!
Romano: Come on, Johnny! Where’s your gentlemanly spirit now?
Taylor: He tried to help Bodhi, and she turned on him. Turnabout is fair play!
Down to four men now, Drago gets bored of torturing Sawyer and gets back up to his feet. Adkins is back up and Drago sets his eyes on his next target, beelining for Adkins across the ring. The two exchange blows back and forth with both men throwing punches as fast as they can. Adkins breaks the mold with a European uppercut, staggering Drago and catching him off guard. Adkins takes advantage of the moment to wrap around Drago’s head and plant him on the mat with a vertical suplex! Drago hits the mat on his back and Adkins licks his lips, crawling over top of Drago with his groin hovering right over his face.
Taylor: Oh, Jesus Christ, not the new guy, too!
Romano: You know, I’m starting to see why new talent never stick around these days...
Adkins dips his crotch down on Drago’s face once. Then back up. Then he gingerly dips it down again for a second teabag. Then back up. Adkins licks his lips wildly and then goes for the full monty… he just plants his ass directly on Drago’s face, smothering him. Drago flails his arms and legs wildly, desperately attempting to do anything to get out from under Adkins’ disgusting reach. Adkins’ eyes roll up into the back of his head as if he’s REALLY getting into it and enjoying it.
Taylor: I’m gonna barf.
Romano: I’m not watching. Can someone tell me when it’s over?
Sawyer has finally made it to his feet, but he’s holding his arm gingerly from all the damage Drago did to it earlier in the match. He stares lasers into Drago and runs over, grabbing Adkins by the shoulders and tossing him off of Drago. Drago takes a big gasp of air, finally able to breathe again, but Sawyer has some unfinished business to attend to. He quickly wraps up Drago’s legs and locking in The White Stripe! The scorpion deathlock takes hold and Drago starts to scream out in pain, reaching for the ropes to try and get some leverage, despite the fact that rope breaks mean nothing in a battle royal. Meanwhile, Sniper is back on his rival Greg Adkins. The two men meet up in the center of the ring and stare each other down.
Taylor: Sawyer’s here for payback on Drago for the submission holds from earlier!
The two men begin striking each other. Greg chops Sniper across the chest. Sniper fires back with a kick to the leg. Greg jabs. Sniper chops. Greg kicks. Sniper jabs. Back and forth, back and forth. Sniper hits him with a chop. Greg rears back and counters with a headbutt, driving his forehead directly into Sniper’s nose. Within moment, Sniper is busted open with blood pouring down his face. Meanwhile, Drago is still screaming out in pain from Sawyer’s deathlock. His fight is slowing down. Drago’s only a few inches from grabbing the ropes, but his breathing has started to slow, and he’s not able to claw his way those last few inches to the ropes. He goes limp.
Romano: Man, Drago is not looking good. He’s out like a light.
Taylor: But submissions don’t matter! They’ve still got to get him over the top rope to eliminate him!
Sawyer looks down, noticing that Drago’s body has gone completely limp. He releases the hold and Drago’s legs fall to the mat like a wet noodle. Sensing that he has done his job, he turns back to Sniper and Adkins, who are still beating the unholy shit out of each other. The blood from Sniper’s nose has flung off in splatters on the canvas and some of it has even made it onto Greg’s face as the two keep duking it out. Sawyer sees the opportunity and rushes at the two of them with a diving double forearm, attempting to kill two birds with one stone. Adkins quickly steps back out of the way, leaving Sawyer to crash into Sniper. The two go tumbling to the mat in a heap of sweat and blood.
Romano: You’d never pick out Adkins for a smart thinker… but that was quick thinking on his feet.
Drago is still out cold, slumped in the corner. Sawyer quickly gets up to his feet, motioning down to Johnny Sniper at Adkins, who grins and nods. The two of them drag Sniper up to his feet and in unison run him to the ropes to toss him out. Adkins is working on the upper torso and Sawyer is working on the legs. Sniper grabs onto the top rope with his arms, locking his upper half in place despite Greg’s best efforts. Sawyer has Sniper’s legs part of the way over the top rope… but Sniper gets a surge of energy, locking in both legs around Sawyer’s neck! Sawyer is caught off guard and immediately stops trying to push Sniper out, instead now concerned with freeing himself. Adkins notices this and shrugs, backing off from Sniper. Sniper seizes the opportunity and wraps himself tighter around the top rope, swinging his legs to the outside of the apron and bringing Sawyer neck-first over the top rope with him. He releases his grip and Sawyer crashes to the ringside area.
Jessie Love: Zakk Sawyer has been eliminated!
Taylor: Oh how quickly loyalties change in a battle royale!
Romano: Yep. Adkins was in it to take out his opponent, but when he saw it going South, he let Sawyer pay the price.
Sniper catches his breath on the apron and slowly steps back into the ring. Once again, he is face to face with his rival. Adkins is much fresher and Sniper’s face looks like a goddamn Jackson Pollock at this point. Sniper is immediately pounced on by Adkins, who begins to club Sniper like a baby seal. Sniper keels over and raises his hands to cover the back of his head, but Adkins is relentless. Elbow after elbow, fist after fist, Sniper is driven further down to the mat. When he’s down too low for punches, Adkins switches to his feet, stomping away at Sniper incessantly. Adkins pauses to catch his breath and paces around the ring in a circle, taking a ton of heat from the crowd in the process.
Romano: Adkins is unhinged.
Taylor: I feel sorry for Sniper. He’s been a machine this match but this is just ugly.
Sniper circles back around and grabs Sniper by the head, dragging him into the corner and leaning him against the bottom ropes. He uses the ropes as leverage to again stomp away at Sniper’s neck and head. Sniper does his best to cover up and defend himself. Adkins runs to the opposite corner, leaping over Drago, who has at least opened his eyes now and awoken from his slumber. Adkins charges into the corner and turns at the last second, driving his ass into Sniper’s face at full force. The heat from the crowd is nuclear at this point. Adkins hops up to the second rope, pauses for effect, then leaps off and lands his feet directly against Sniper’s chest. He climbs the second rope again, driving both legs into Sniper’s chest again.
Romano: Alright, now even I’m done.
Taylor: Just finish the job and eliminate him already, Greg.
Adkins starts to pick Sniper up to finish the job… but he pauses. A sick idea starts to formulate in his brain. Instead, he drops Sniper, leaning him back against the bottom rope in the corner. And then Adkins starts to climb up the ropes over Sniper. He makes it to the second, looks down, and considers leaping off for a repeat of the same move… but that would just be boring. He climbs up another rope, making it to the top rope, where he turns around to face the ring. Adkins stands up to his feet, wobbling a bit, and starts to get his balance. Adkins finally finds his balance and prepares to jump on Sniper… BUT SNIPER KIPS UP OUT OF NOWHERE!!! USING THE ROPES AS LEVERAGE, HE PULLS HIS WHOLE BODY UP 180 DEGREES TO BICYCLE KICK THE SNOT OUT OF GREG ADKINS! Adkins launches backwards from the top rope, crashing against the ringside barrier.
Jessie Love: Greg Adkins has been eliminated!
Taylor: MY GOD! MY GOD! SNIPER DID IT! HE SURVIVED GREG’S ASSAULT!!
Romano: Truly amazing. Sniper has all four eliminations in this match so far. Only one more to go.
Taylor: Neither man in the ring looks like they’re in a great place.
Both men left in the ring are completely out. Drago has the life drained out of him from that eternal deathlock from Sawyer, and Sniper looks like he’s just been put through a literal meat grinder. His face is already bruising and swollen from Adkins assaulting him. Neither man moves a muslce for what feels like an eternity.
CROWD: LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap*
Sniper starts to move. He gets a single hand up on the ropes and drags himself back up to his feet. Drago still isn’t moving. Sniper gets another hand up on the ropes. No signs of life from Drago. Sniper finally gets a knee under him. The crowd continues to urge him on.
CROWD: LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap* LET’S GO SNIPER *clap*clap*clapclapclap*
Sniper gets another knee under him. Then a foot. Then he’s pulling himself up. And by god, with skin and blood dangling and dripping from his face, Johnny Sniper has found the strength to stand on his own two feet! The crowd is about to tear the roof off of the place. Johnny leans against the corner for a moment, catching his breath, and giving Drago time to recover. But Drago is still not moving. Sniper shakes his head, disappointed, and slowly trudges over to the side of the ring where Drago lays.
Taylor: He’s gonna do it! Sniper’s gonna run the table!
Sniper bends down to pick up Drago’s lifeless corpse… but DRAGO SPRING TO LIFE OUT OF NOWHERE AND UPPERCUTS SNIPER RIGHT IN THE NETHERREGION! Sniper clutches at his family jewels as the air leaves his body. Drago springs up to his feet and quickly scrambles to grab Johnny Sniper by the head, effortlessly sending him over the top rope and to the floor below.
Jessie Love: Johnny Sniper has been eliminated! The winner of the battle royale and new first contender to the XHF Phoenix Championship is… DRAAAGOOOOO!
Taylor: WHAT!?
Romano: Drago woke up awhile ago, he was just playing possum…
Taylor: That’s cheap! And a low-blow? Sniper doesn’t deserve this!
Drago smirks to himself, satisfied with his work. The crowd is about to lose their goddamn minds. Security at the barrier is having to hold people back with some people in the front rows wanting to jump in the ring to give Drago a piece of their mind.
Romano: The fans tend to agree with you, Tommy.
Taylor: After all the work he put in…
Romano: I’ll admit, Drago’s ploy was cunning. I didn’t see it coming.
Taylor: Sniper looks terrible… we need to get help out here for him.
“End Transmission” by Fire From The Gods hits the PA system and Drago slinks out of the ring, holding his hands up in victory. The crowd hurls all sorts of nasty insults to him as he makes his way to the back. Medical officials rush the ringside area to tend to Johnny Sniper.
The lights in the building dim as the music kicks in. Coloured lights flash to the beat of the music, on cue with the vocals coming in, Fargo crawls out from behind the curtain and down the ramp. He stops outside of the ring and stands up to check his wrist tape and trunks as he circles the ring. He then climbs up onto the apron and into the ring where he then circles the ring before crouching down in the nearest corner.
Taylor: ZDS' big man, Scott Fargo! He, along with James Dragon and The Anomoly, have been making waves!
Romano: I'm more startled as to the flagrant disregard for the championship. It really makes me want to root for Esmur.
The arena dims down to pitch blackness. Two male voices are heard softly saying, “Embrace … the emptiness.” Saviour of Nothing by Disturbed begins to play and a single blue spotlight illuminates the stage. On the stage standing back to back facing either side of the arena are Esmur and Gebin, the Nihilists. The camera zooms right up from the ramp to their masked faces as they slowly turn to look at it. They then walk past it and out of frame as it zooms out. The two men mean business as they quickly walk to the ring and slide under the bottom rope. The push to their feet and step to the center of the ring as the spotlight turns slowly from blue to pink to white. The two men remain back to back facing the two sides of the crowd left and right of the entryway.
Taylor: Esmur! The Nihilist's singles player!
Romano: Well, Gebin could do singles matches, but it does seem to mainly fall on Esmur. The amazing thing is The Nihilists as a team ever only lost once, but Esmur as a singles competitor is still undefeated.
XHF Phoenix Championship
Scott Fargo (c) vs. Esmur
The bell rings and we are under way. Esmur and Fargo circle carefully. Fargo immediately shoots for a single leg takedown, looking to go heel hook within seconds of the match starting. Esmur wheels away, using his quickness to avoid getting taken down. As Fargo returns to his stance, Esmur closes, firing off a couple of swift thigh height strikes. Fargo absorbs them impassively and throws a short ranged elbow into Esmur’s masked face. Esmur recoils slightly but responds with a sharp roundhouse kick which forces Fargo to duck. Fargo quickly takes a back clinch as Esmur spins away and throws Esmur over his head but the enmascarado flips out of the German Suplex and lands on his feet.
Taylor: These two competitiors have a measure for each other’s style.
Romano: Esmur is the greater athlete. But he’s possibly the lesser technician, a point which he will not be used to.
Fargo again shoots for a takedown but Esmur sprawls and transitions to a tight front facelock. The Nihilist throws a pair of knees to Fargo’s face, then tries to lift his opponent up for a vertical suplex. Fargo interposes his leg to prevent the throw, bull rushing forwards to drive Esmur against the ropes. The ref calls for a break and Fargo worms free and appears to break clean, only to offer a fierce Diaz Brothers style shoot slap to Esmur’s face. The crowd boos.
Taylor: Do those Zaibatsu Death Squad boys respect anything?
Romano: Respect is earned in this business. And the ZDS haven’t faced anytone who would even come close to earning any level of respect.
Esmur darts in for an arm with frightening speed. The technical Nihilist flings Fargo across the ring with an Irish Whip. Fargo regains a little control as he rebounds and tries to use the momentum to lash in one of his fierce roundhouse kicks but Esmur grabs the leg out of the air and wrenches it round with a beautiful Dragon Screw. Esmur mantains a toe hold at mat level and applies pressure to Fargo’s foot but Frago, knowing well how to deal with heel related damage, kicks Esmur off with his free leg. Esmur rolls back to a standing position.
Taylor: Which of these two great wrestlers will gain an advantage first?
Romano: It only takes one opening for either of these men to put you away. I’ve not seen one of those so far, Taylor.
The pair close in again. Esmur throws a couple of low kicks again. Fargo picks the leg on a third attempt and steps in looking for a heel trip but Esmur whips his free leg round, boosting off Fargo’s capture for a little spring and backflipping into a stylish flipping kick onto Fargo’s chin. Fargo staggers backwards towards the ropes and Esmur composes himself and rushes past Fargo, springboarding off the far ropes and connecting a roundhouse kick with the back of Fargo’s head. Esmur scampers over for a cover…
ONE!
TW.. Fargo kicks out before a two count could be landed.
Taylor: Esmur mixed speed with technique so well there.
Romano: He’s quicker than you’d expect form a technician and more technical than any high flyer. A very modern hybrid.
Esmur moves down Fargo’s body and wrests a leg free, grasping on to it with a tight grip around the knee. Fargo squirms on the mat as he tries to wriggle free and as Esmur tries to lock in his knee bar, Fargo powers to a seated position and rains elbows down onto Esmur’s shin bone making him loosen the hold. Fargo worms his way out of the hold and goes straight for Esmur’s heel, only for Esmur to use his leg strength to flip the pile on the mat. Esmur twists Fargo’s legs around, looking to lock in Twisted Belief but again, Fargo worms free before the hold can be fully locked in. Fargo does a back roll on the mat to regain a vertical base as Esmur backs off and stands himself.
Romano: Fargo’s submission game is near peerless in this federation. But his submission defense is also amazing.
Taylor: But Esmur, too, has shown amazing submission defense. He doesn’t want to get locked in that heel hook, that’s for sure.
The gap is closed rapidly between the two fighters again. Esmur launches himself at Fargo, flying knee first towards Fargo’s forehead. But there shall be no Clarity to Fargo as he bends slightly backwards and catches Esmur in midair! Fargo arches his back all the way backwards and hurls Esmur over his head with an improvised Suplex that nearly spikes the St Louis native clear on his head! Fargo rolls over and goes for Esmur’s ankle AGAIN, hoping that there is enough stun on Esmur to allow him to lock in the heel hook. Fargo grapevines the leg, reaches down for the ankle but Esmur lifts his free leg into the air and hammers a grounded axe kick onto Fargo’s muscular leg, releasing the grapevine and freeing himself.
Taylor: Esmur’s submission defense. Also apparently very good.
Romano: When you know that heel hook is a match ender and is fully capable of taking you out for months, you’ll do anything to avoid it.
Both men stand, maybe a little slower than last time as the frenetic pace they have been keeping up has left them a little winded. Fargo stalks, his movements eel like in their flexibility. Esmur rushes in and as Fargo steps a little too far forward with his front leg, ESMUR HITS A STEP UP KNEE STRIKE! FARGO COLLAPSES TO THE MAT!
Taylor: CLARITY! CLARITY! CLARITY!
Crowd: NI-HI-LISTS! NI-HI-LISTS!
Esmur drops to cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THR… FARGO KICKS OUT!
Esmur rolls down Fargo, looking again for a leg submission. He flips Fargo over and steps on The Shooter’s instep, lifting his legs up, LOOKS TO WRAP FARGO UP IN SHATTERSCAPE… BUT FARGO KICKS OUT LIKE A WILD MAN, KICKING ESMUR IN THE BREAD BASKET! ESMUR BENDS DOUBLE AND FARGO CLUTCHES ESMUR’S HEAD AND ROLLS HIM UP!
ONE!
TWO!
THR.. ESMUR KICKS OUT!
Crowd: ES-MUR ROCKS! ES-MUR ROCKS!
Fargo stands and backs away towards the ropes. Esmur slowly begins to get to his feet… AND FARGO CHARGES IN AND BLASTS HIM WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Taylor: LET FREEDOM RING WITH A SHOTGUN BLAAAAAAAAAAAST!
Fargo backs up to a corner, looks at Esmur, makes a gun sign with his right hand and CHARGES FULL SPEED ACROSS THE RING BLASTING ESMUR IN HIS MAKED FACE WITH A KNOCKOUT RUNNING KNEE!
Taylor: CROSS TRIGGER! CROSS TRIGGER!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOO!
Fargo drops to cover…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Taylor: Scott Fargo is your winner! But how happy will he be that he couldn’t trap Esmur in the Heel Hook?
Romano: I don’t think Scott Fargo cares, Taylor.
Taylor: Because a win is a win.
Romano: No. Just in general.
After composing himself, a still stunned Esmur slowly walks out of the ring, defeated and maybe having to blot this match out of his mind, turning his thoughts to his upcoming tag team match. Fargo waits, mid ring for the announcement to be made.
Jessie Love: The winner of the match and STILL XHF Phoenix Champion. SCOTT FAAAAAAAAAAAARGO.
Fargo looks unimpressed. He glares at the crowd and turns to the entrance ramp…
And stepping out of the gate is Drago Santiago! Drago takes four big strides towards the ring and raises one arm in the air.
Taylor: It’s the new #1 contender! Drago Santiago is here and he is staring right at the champion.
Romano: I’m not sure Fargo cares. About the belt. About his next opponent. About anything.
The two men exchange a look that lasts a few brief seconds. And then…
THE LIGHTS GO OUT.
The crowd mutter and grumble. And then the silence is broken by a MASSIVE CRACK OF WOOD ACROSS FLESH. The lights are still out. Confusion reigns throughout the crowd. A few more tense moments pass. Whoever is responsible for the lights fixes the temporary blackout and Drago looks on from the entrance ramp and smiles at what he sees…
Fargo, meanwhile is lying face down in the ring. Across his back lies the splintered mess of a broken wooden crutch. Slowly Fargo works his way up to his knees and he looks… annoyed.
Taylor: My god, Cassius! Someone blasted Fargo with a crutch while the lights were down.
Romano: If you can’t take Fargo out under the lights, Taylor, take him out in the darkness.
We cut to the back where on a slightly dressed up set sits AWF’s own Charles Akiyama.
Akiyama: Hey everyone, Charles Akiyama here with an exclusive sit down interview with one of tonight’s competitors, Nelly Angel.
We swing around to see Nelly lounging across from him. He smiles and looks at the camera.
Akiyama: So Nelly, can you tell us why you’re here tonight?
The former Prestige Champion chuckles.
Nelly: Well that depends on what you mean. I am wrestling tonight because I got called to face off against James Dragon. I’m here with you because I called you to set this up.
Akiyama: Yes, I was asking about the uh, second one.
Nelly: As most people know, we’ve been having a lot of fun getting ready for this match. Aside from my training, I’ve had the luxury of making fun segments with high production values to build my match tonight with James Dragon.
Akiyama: Now at the time of filming- even our little romp in ye olde England, Dragon had not said anything- he’d been a virtual ghost. Something I don’t think any of us had expected. But since then he’s come out of the dark and has made some very strong statements in regard to your match- and the AWF’s authority figures as a whole. Have you gotten a chance to hear any of it?
Nelly: Yeah actually, I have. I saw the current Midwestern Champion lounging and the belt on the floor. And although I’m a little concerned about his lackadaisical attitude and his clear disrespect of the Championship he holds, he…..he makes a few good points.
Akiyama: You think so?
Nelly: From his standpoint- yes. He’s part of a newer crop of guys who are cutting their teeth in AWF trying to make an impact. And when you’re trying to make a name for yourself it can be frustrating when instead of your peers getting elevated you see a card like Road to Victory and it’s filled with names of people who you don’t see as having earned their place.
There’s a slight pause as Nelly considers his words.
Nelly: You know, and this is absolutely true- I haven’t earned a shot at the Midwestern Championship. I haven’t been on the air for a month. And this isn’t something new. Back when I won the Prestige Championship, I had been called out of nowhere to challenge for the title. So I did my best and came out on top. So very specifically, Mr. Dragon’s concerns are very relevant especially to his match with me.
Akiyama: So are you saying that you shouldn’t be in the match?
Nelly: Ok, so now this is where it gets complicated. I have – always- loved wrestling. I grew up watching it; my first real job was with BDDWF doing what you’re doing right now. And when I was given a chance to get in the ring I took it very seriously because I respect this business. As a guy earning his way up, it can be really frustrating for somebody like James Dragon seeing me just suddenly cut in line. But from being around this sport long enough I understand the psychology to it. Guys like me, or even Hyperion getting another shot- it’s not about wins and losses. We’re like a test. AWF knows I am a competent wrestler and I am able to adapt to different styles and that I respect this company and the championships in it. So they’re using me to test James Dragon and his resolve.
Akiyama: Do you think he’s passed?
Nelly: I suppose that remains to be seen tonight!
The two share a laugh.
Akiyama: But you know, there’s been misunderstandings on both sides so it’s hardly surprising there is on issues like title shots. I mean, James thinks I’m not grasping him but I don’t think he really understands me either. I’m not here for the Midwestern Championship- I might win it; and I’ll proudly carry it, sure. I’m here because I was given a match. I was given the opportunity to go out and do what I love. My resolve to do my best has very little to do with the title- but I suppose the same can be said for my opponent. So in that, maybe Dragon and I aren’t so different.
Nelly scratches his face.
Nelly: I just want everyone to have fun watching this. I hope everyone’s enjoyed the flights of fancy I’ve been able to bring to life and I’m pretty sure the folks at home are gonna enjoy what Dragon and I do in the ring. The purpose behind the match- personal, title, whatever- the real purpose behind a match should always be to make it the marquee match. I hope that Dragon and I can walk away tonight having given folks the match of the night. And if I can bring some pride to the Midwestern Championship, all the better.
Akiyama: I think all eyes are gonna be on you and James Dragon tonight, Nelly.
Nelly: Thank you, Charles.
Akiyama: And I wish you the best of luck.
Nelly: I’d hope so! We interviewers gotta stick together!
Nelly winks as the two of them laugh. Akiyama returns his attention to the camera.
Akiyama: Thank you for joining us and continuing enjoying Road to Victory!
The camera fades.
The lights fade to black, then the lights start blaring red along the entrance gate. That's when the opening riff to "Revolution Begins" by Arch Enemy begins to play. Kuroi walks into view with a scowl on his face. He looks left and right, pitying those in the crowd. Those who claim to care about action and excitement, but stay in chairs and judge while sitting on their fat asses. Kuroi shifts his attention to the ring then marches his way inside. As he climbs the stairs and gets inside, he jumps up and down, preparing himself to demolish.
Romano: THIS MAN MAKES ME SICK!
Taylor: I agree, but don't get yourself too flustered. We don't want you to be escorted out because you had a heart attack.
Kuroi stares forward at the entrance, waiting for M.G.K. He cracks his knuckles and stands still. That’s when the crowd makes a lot of noise. Kuroi ignores them. He never cared much for the fans anyways. That’s when...
Kuroi moves forward and slides out of the ring and stays at the ready, excited. The noises get louder. Kuroi’s eyes remain forward. Little does Kuroi know that M.G.K. has been running in through the ring. All of the fans tap him on his back and shoulder as he makes his way through the fans. The Undisputed Icons jumps over the security barrier. Kuroi only sees M.G.K. from his peripheral when he comes at him from the side with a clothesline. Kuroi goes down, and the crowd roars in support as M.G.K. mounts him and delivers punch after punch after him. The security team forces M.G.K. off of him and struggle to keep him at bay until the match actually begins.
Taylor: M.G.K. still doesn’t stick by the rules, does he!?
Romano: M.G.K. follows his own code, but we have to follow ours too, and that code involves having this match begin in the ring.
Taylor: But wait. They can’t be disqualified, can they? This is a no-DQ match!
Romano: Yes, but the match hasn’t even begun yet. They can be sent out of the arena and not arrive for their match, which they’d forfeit. With that said, it looks like this match will actually properly begin, but I’m impressed by the passion here!
Last Man Standing Match
Kuroi vs. M.G.K.
It does take time and effort in all, but both wrestlers do end in their corners, and the timekeeper finally authorizes the commencement of this match. The bell rings and there appears to be an eery level of silence. The crowd is cheering, of course, rooting for The Undisputed Icon, M.G.K. However, to him – and to Kuroi, it’s dead quiet. Here, it’s not about the fans. It’s not about the Nielson ratings or the merchandise sales. It’s about time. The time between two men who have spent their wrestling careers tearing each other down. Two men who have spent their wrestling careers having eyes on the back of their heads and sleeping with one eye open in case the other wanted to take things personal. Such as assaulting their fans, burning their houses down or enslaving their loved ones. Just the thought puts such an immense rage into M.G.K.’s eyes that he takes off like a bat out of hell. He runs forward and jumps with a fist. Kuroi takes the fist in stride. M.G.K. continues throwing blow after blow, sending a barrage of fists to Kuroi. The XHF menace is holding his arms up in order to protect himself. After the seventh of eighth punch, Kuroi pushes M.G.K. back. Infuriated, he runs back to Kuroi, who nearly flips him with a clothesline. The crowd goes nuts! M.G.K.’s eyes remain open. He sweats a cold sweat as he hears a whisper coming into his ear.
Kuroi: Ten years, my friend. Ten long years. I have been so patient and this is how time rewards me? …I am so disappointed in you.
M.G.K. responds quickly with a vicious elbow, but Kuroi dodges the move. He backs up and offers M.G.K. a smile.
Taylor: This is disgusting, Cassius! He’s playing with him!
Romano: I can tell you that smile isn’t sincere. But this is the issue with Kuroi. He’s not just a jerk, he’s dangerous. Him existing in the AWF is threatening to the fabric of our company.
Kuroi leans forward to M.G.K., who responds with a destructive punch to the face of Kuroi! The blow sends Kuroi off his feet and onto the floor. M.G.K. scowls as he walks forward and then looks to Kuroi on the ground. Much to his chagrin, Kuroi’s twisted smile. While M.G.K. is staring with anger, Senior Referee Gabe Valentine does his job and begins counting. There’s not much of a point, though. Kuroi isn’t knocked out:
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
..F-Kuroi took his time and has risen to his feet.
As Kuroi rose to his feet, M.G.K. sent punch after punch, forcing him to the corner. Kuroi put his arms up to defend himself against M.G.K. He looks forward and finds Kuroi. Again, still calm. Still cool. Still collected. He decides to kick things up a notch – quite literally, in fact. He steps back and immediately shoves his foot up against Kuroi’s throat. This is normally the situation where the referee would make the count, but this is a last man standing match. This is a match where disqualifications are just a word, not a law. M.G.K. shoves his foot as far as possible. If possible, he’d have no qualms about breaking Kuroi’s larynx if it came down to it. Kuroi stares at M.G.K. Calm. This brings M.G.K. into a fury, yelling at him. Kuroi offers M.G.K. another smile. The Undisputed Icon is screaming, “YOU ARE NOT BETTER THAN ME.” And with that, he puts his foot down. He then takes a step backward before shooting forward with his superkick finisher! Kuroi ducks it. That’s when M.G.K. surprises him with his turn, continuing to move forward and striking Kuroi with a spinning heel kick. Kuroi goes down!
Taylor: It looks like M.G.K. just got a good one onto Kuroi!
Romano: M.G.K. is a really intense wrestler. Whatever expectation Kuroi had, he met it!
Kuroi is on the ground and the referee goes for the down count:
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
..Four!
…Five!
…Si-Kuroi has gotten to his feet.
Just the sight of Kuroi makes M.G.K. sick. He exits the ring and goes underneath the ring, where he retrieves a chair. Most wrestlers would become defensive and would otherwise prepare, but not Kuroi. He stands by and brushes the dirt off his chest as he watches. M.G.K. comes back and snarls at the man in front of him, if he can be called a man after all. He uses the chair and slams it on the floor. He’s curious to see if Kuroi knows fear or if he’s too stupid to understand it. He raises the chair and goes to strike Kuroi. That’s when he hears something.
Kuroi: I hope you do a better job than Chris did.
M.G.K. stops dead in his tracks. Chris. He’s one of the biggest fans that M.G.K. had while in the original XHF. Kuroi assaulted him and left him for dead. Kuroi smirks.
Kuroi: Heh. Oh how the mighty has weakened. The once powerful M.G.K. has become a coward so weak that even words have rendered him useless.
Just then, the eyes of M.G.K. have widened. A vein began to pop out from his forehead. He swings the chair and lets go. Kuroi didn’t expect the chair to smash at him from across the forehead. While the chair is in the air right by Kuroi’s head. M.G.K. knocks Kuroi down to his knees with a heavy kick and then follows up with his signature shining wizard – Icon Blitz! Onto the chair! It hits Kuroi in the face! Kuroi hits the ground and the chair is still in front of his face. M.G.K. kicks the chair off his face and finds Kuroi busted open. There is blood and for once, Kuroi’s not smiling. He’s no longer in control.
Taylor: Kuroi’s bleeding! M.G.K. might just win this!
Romano: Kuroi has been taking a toll. In fact, every single fall has been him on the floor, but this time, this is actually without Kuroi choosing to remain there.
Taylor: But Cassius, who’s Chris?
Romano: I don’t want to give you nightmares, kid. Let’s just say the lesson here is that if you’re a fan of M.G.K. and you see Kuroi, you keep that to yourself or you can look forward to living the rest of your life breathing through a tube.
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
…Four!
…Five!
…Six!
That’s when M.G.K. hears something. Laughing. Once again, Kuroi is smirking. He wipes the blood off his forehead and examines it. He wipes the blood between his finger and thumb.
Kuroi: Very nice, M.G.K.
…Seven!
Kuroi: You’re finally waking up.
M.G.K. is getting sick of this. He plans on ending this match once and for all. He bends over to grab Kuroi, but the monster shoves his arm forward and grabs M.G.K. by the neck.
…Eight!
Kuroi: That won’t be necessary.
Kuroi uses his free hand to climb himself to his feet. M.G.K. tries to pry his fingers past Kuroi’s hands, but Kuroi’s tight grip just won’t allow that. Kuroi looks all of the fans covering the four sides of the ring right before he lifts M.G.K. into the air. His signature slam! Dark Halo! M.G.K. hits the mat!
Kuroi: Are you there, M.G.K.? You’re awake, sure. But I’m still not sure you know who you are. You’re an amnesiac, trying to remember yourself, but you don’t remember yourself, do you?
…One!
…Two!
..Three!
…Four!
…Five!
M.G.K. shakes his head. He struggles, but grabs the nearby ropes and uses them for leverage as he starts forcing himself to his feet..
…Six!
M.G.K. finally gets to his feet and no sooner he does this, Kuroi Irish whips him and forces him against the corner. He throws a forearm across the face and screams at him in the face.
Kuroi: THIS is how you make a blow, M. Not this half-hearted drivel!
Kuroi tries to show his interpretation of how M.G.K. throws punches, which is Kuroi wiping his limp arm in the face of The Undisputed Icon. He doesn’t even know what’s worse. Between the impact from Kuroi’s punches or the humiliating acts of condescending torture. M.G.K. isn’t exactly sure when it happened, but at some point, he found the strength to use the ropes to lift himself up from the mat with the top ropes, he grabs Kuroi’s head with his legs and flying headscissors Kuroi over the top rope! Kuroi’s eyes sharpen, surprised M.G.K. was able to pull this off. The people roared with approval for M.G.K. Kuroi looks up and finds M.G.K. on top of the turnbuckle. He jumps off to the outside and hits Kuroi with a momentous splash! BAM! M.G.K. rolls off and both are on their backs, with the only part of their body moving hard are their chests, trying to suck in all available oxygen in the room!
Taylor: There’s M.G.K., sticking to his strengths! Kuroi has the muscle, but M.G.K. has the cardio!
Romano: And now both of them are on the ground. This is a crucial point in the match. This can go either way. Can M.G.K. recover?
The referee sees the two wrestlers on the floor. Gabe Valentine is momentarily surprised, but continues forward as if only one man was on the floor. He begins to count:
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
…Four!
Kuroi begins to move. He struggles to move onto his stomach.
…Five!
…Six!
Kuroi climbed to his knees.
…Seven!
And he has finally risen to his feet. He looks down to M.G.K. and shakes his head. After all, M.G.K. isn’t even moving.
Kuroi: And to think, I had been so optimistic about having a piece of true M.G.K. alive down there. You’ve been a waste of my time.
…Eight!
Kuroi turns around and begins walking away.
…Nine!
That’s when the M.G.K. shoves his legs up into the air. And then kips-up! The crowd cheers. Kuroi stops at the cheer and turns his head to find M.G.K. back up to his feet!
Taylor: M.G.K. is back up! I thought he would lose!
Romano: Not now. He’s still got some fight left in him.
Kuroi notices M.G.K.’s determination and decides to kick things up a notch. He moves under the ring, where he pulls out a chair. The Undisputed Icon sees this and rushes to the ring where he luckily finds the chair used earlier in the ring to be nearby. As he grabs it, Kuroi has the chair above his head. M.G.K. shoved the chair into his gut, forcing him to bend forward. He then follows up with a chair shot to the head. This forces Kuroi to stagger back. Kuroi responds with a chair shot to the head of his own to his opponent! Then M.G.K. strikes again! Then Kuroi! Then before you know it, Kuroi’s forehead is flowing with blood and M.G.K.’s head is cracked, himself! Both of them are visibly injured, but incredibly determined. M.G.K. even begins screaming like he’s not looking for Kuroi to stay on the ground forever. For him to be underneath the ground. With one vicious burst of desperation, this blow nearly took Kuroi off his feet. Kuroi struggled to remain on his feet and as he looked back, BOOM! SUPERKICK!
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
…Four
…Five!
…Six!
…Seven!
…Eight!
M.G.K. thinks he won. That’s when he hears another laugh from Kuroi.
Kuroi: M, either your shoes are soft or your kicks don’t hurt nearly as hard as they normally do.
And after the count of nine, Kuroi rises. He grabs his head and cracks his neck.
Kuroi: You are doing a much better job than those masseuses, though. I don’t care how strong those women are, they can’t get that crick out of my neck the same way you can.
Taylor: Oh my G… How is he still getting up?
Romano: Don’t ask me. I’m about two moments away from thinking it’s voodoo.
As Kuroi gets up, M.G.K. sends a STIFF punch to his stomach. Kuroi feels the pain and responds with a shocking uppercut. M.G.K. backs up and Kuroi rushes full speed ahead, but M.G.K. used his cooler head to prevail. He side-stepped Kuroi, let out his foot and tripped him. And on his way down, he slams his head against the Spanish announce table for AWF! M.G.K. tried to grab Kuroi’s head to slam down again, but found it difficult due to Kuroi’s bald head. He uses an elbow to strike M.G.K. again, but M.G.K. backed up enough for the blow to be very minimal. He repositions himself behind Kuroi once more and uses both hands to shoot Kuroi forward, his head into the table again. Now his nose is gushing, and Kuroi’s front half is being brought onto the table. M.G.K. begins to climb it himself. Kuroi tries to get himself up to his feet, but M.G.K. makes it difficult. He brings him up to his feet. Kuroi stares at him in the eye. He knows what M.G.K. is planning on doing.
Kuroi: Just try it.
M.G.K. shoots forward and straight-out knees Kuroi in the stomach, once again doubling him over. M.G.K. hooks both of Kuroi’s arms.
Taylor: Here it is! The Icon Blitz!
If M.G.K. wins:
Kuroi struggles. M.G.K. has troubles to keep himself from losing the grip. He jumps forward. BOOM! The Pepsi Plunge finisher from M.G.K. that he calls The Icon Blitz hits! Kuroi hits the table, which breaks underneath the impact! Senior Referee Gabe Valentine makes the count:
…One!
…Two!
…Three!
…Four!
…Five!
…Six!
M.G.K.’s heart nearly drops as he finds Kuroi moving.
…Seven!
…Eight!
…Nine.
Kuroi powers through and pushes himself onto his knees. He looks up at M.G.K.
Kuroi: Maybe you’re not a mistake after all. Maybe you are M.G.K.
Kuroi falls forward.
…Ten!
The bell rings.
Jessie Love: The winner of this match: M. G. K!
Taylor: M.G.K. won! Kuroi did a good job of hiding his fatigue!
Romano: And he should be proud. M.G.K. is bloodied and looks like he’s about to faint. Plus, I think he just killed a demon who has plagued him for years and years.
As the guitar riff kicks in Dragon saunters on top of the ramp he surveys the crowd and lackadaisically throws both arms up, the crowd yelling "NO ONE GREATER" at him while he does so, as he throws his arms up he "accidentally* launches the Midwest Championship several feet in the air behind him which he ignores. Dragon takes slow deliberate steps down the ramp and avoids interacting with any fans, only fist bumping or acknowledging those dressed in James Dragon shirts, hats etc.
Dragon slowly rolls under the ring ropes and gets to his feet. He walks over to the corner where he crouches down and begins checking his boots, then his knee pads, his wrist tape etc. Before very slowly removing his leather jacket, shirt and ball cap, taking even longer to do these simple acts if against an opponent he particularly dislikes.
Taylor: NO. ONE. GREATER!
Romano: Or cockier. But hey, he's the champion and he honestly is talented!
The chorus of Fallout Boy’s “Phoenix” starts pounding out of the PA system as Nelly Angel comes bursting out of the back. He runs out onto the entranceway. Nelly then runs down the ramp and slides into the ring, ultra pumped for his match.
Taylor: I love Nelly! He's honestly one of the nicest men backstage. And he has soft skin too.
Romano: If you're done with your moment, maybe we could commentate this match. You can shake his soft hands after the match. Maybe if he wins, you can touch his belt too.
AWF Midwestern Championship
James Dragon (c) vs. Nelly Angel
Instantly the two men begin sending shots back and forth. Rights and lefts in a flurry of rage. Nelly hurls back and sends a huge right to the side of Dragon’s dome that has him stumble back. But he quickly shakes it off and lunges in with a huge kick to the midsection. Angel hunches over and Dragon drops him with DDT much to the chagrin of the audience. As the fans boo, Dragon taunts the them before getting ready for Nelly to get up. He raises his fist and waits for Angel to get up. Dragon swings but Angel dodges and flips Dragon with an arm drag!
Romano: Oh man! The XHF Network veteran is proving he still has the speed!
Taylor: I agree Cassius, he does, but it’s gonna take more than speed to conquer the Dragon.
Dragon bows up from the pain and gets a vicious stomp to the midsection from Nelly. The air escapes from Dragon as he rolls around on the mat. Angel tries to lift Dragon up but Dragon battles back and whips Nelly to the ropes and flips him up with a back body drop that brings him down!
Taylor: Thats right Dragon! Show him who he’s messing with!
Romano: It’s still early though, this is anyone’s ball game! Look, Nelly is asking for Dragon to bring it!
Indeed Nelly is asking for more, and Dragon looks a bit shocked by this. Dragon begins to stomp on Nelly, attempting to drive his head into the mat, but Angel just asks for more punishment. Stomp after stomp he winces as he keeps getting pummeled by the boot of Dragon! Dragon grabs Nelly by the head and lifts him up. Dragon hits another big kick to the midsection and delivers a snap supplex to Nelly. Dragon continues his attack with a shot to the back of the knee that takes Angel down. Dragon tries to lock in a fatal fourl way submission, but Nelly is able to kick his way out of it.
Romano: That was a close one.
Taylor: Its only a matter of time Romano.
Romano: Not so fast Taylor.
Nelly now is finally able to stop the onslaught for now with an elbow to the ribs. Angel grabs Dragon and puts him down with a pretty ruthless side suplex. And then an elbow drop to the ribs of Dragon. Dragon holds his chest from the on point elbow and Angel drills a stomp to Dragons knee causing him to sit up and grab his knee. Then Nelly walks over and swings a right elbow, bashing it to the back of Dragon’s head. Dragon falls over holding the back of his head. Nelly grins.
Romano: What does Angel have in mind here?
Taylor: This is a championship match Cassius. All bets are off!
Romano: I know. But these men are going to punish each other.
Taylor: Yup. And its all for the AWF Midwestern title. Shows you how much that title means to them!
Nelly walks over to Dragon and crosses his throat with his arm. Making sure that the people know Dragons end is near! Angel hoists himself up onto the top turnbuckle, facing the crowd and taunts, getting the audience amped up!
Romano: Angel looks like he might be ready to wrap this up already
Taylor: Oh man! Get up James! It can’t be over yet!
Nelly dives off the top rope with a corkscrew moonsault, otherwise known as On Angels Wings, but Dragon is able to get his knees up just in time! Nelly crashes into Nelly’s knees, and Dragon quickly rolls Angel up with a small package!
...One!
...Two!
...Thr- No! Nelly kicks out!
Dragon, breathing in and out heavily, picks Angel up and whips him to the ropes and when Nelly comes back Dragon sends him flying with an overhead belly to back suplex!
Romano: Nelly could be broken in half Taylor!
Taylor: Maybe he will wise up now and give it up!
The move causes Dragon to drop to one knee in an effort to gain some rest. Dragon mouths off to the fans as they boo him, but he doesnt care. He dusts himself off and stands up, takes some time to make sure his hair is in place and then does the waste motion to tell the fans that the Midwestern title is his. He turns around to go after Nelly and gets met with a springboard dropkick right between the eyes. This knocks Dragon for a loop as he falls backward and down to the mat with a thud.
Romano: What a shot from Nelly! Dragon is out of it!
Taylor: Dragon is just playing possum, trying to get Nelly off his guard.
Nelly Angel painfully climbs up and you can see that his ribs and/or midsection are hurting. Dragon also appears to be favoring his ribs. Nelly picks Dragon up by the hair and goes for a hurricanrana, but Dragon reverses into a powerbomb! Dragon now goes for a pin!
...One!
...Two!
...No!
Nelly somehow battles out without being pinned, but is feeling the affects of the move on his shoulder and arm. Dragon dazedly gets to his feet first but holds himself up with the ropes. Nelly then pulls himself as well.
Romano: these guys are tired, but neither man is going to quit!
Nelly comes after Dragon but Dragon nails Angel from out of nowhere with another kick to the midsection! With Nelly down to a knee, Dragon hits Nelly with a side kick to the leg, then a knife edge chop, then an elbow strike and a spinning leg kick, before finally finishing off with the late night ride, a combo that James Dragon calls the Greatness Blitz! Dragon goes for the pin!
Taylor: I told you Romano! That’s it, this is over!
...One!
...Two!
...Thr- No! Nelly kicks out again!
Taylor: What the hell!
Romano: I told you Taylor, Nelly has been around the block a few times, he’s not going down without a fight!
Then Dragon points at something himself. The turnbuckle! He walks over and begins to remove the padding from the top turnbuckle!
Romano: That’s illegal! That’s an illegally maneuver here in the AWF! This company is about wrestling holds, not chairshots!
The referee begins to stop Dragon, yelling at him to stop. Dragon does indeed stop, but only to screa/m back at the referee. But from behind Nelly runs up and delivers a dropkick, sending Dragon into the turnbuckle! Nelly rolls up Dragon!
...One!
...Two!
...T-No! This time it’s Dragon who kicks out!
Nelly gets up to his feet, and beckons for Dragon to get up. When Dragon is on his knees, Nelly runs forward and delivers a shining wizard! But Dragon ducks it! Nelly turns around, and Dragon kicks gim in the stomach! Dragon then leaps off the ropes, and delivers the Love Gun! The referee counts!
...One!
...Two!
...Three!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner, and AWF Midwestern Champion, James Dragon!
Taylor: That’s it! Dragon wins! I told you Romano, I told you!
Romano: Yeah, but you can’t take anything away from Nelly!
The arena dims down to pitch blackness. Two male voices are heard softly saying, “Embrace … the emptiness.” Saviour of Nothing by Disturbed begins to play and a single blue spotlight illuminates the stage. On the stage standing back to back facing either side of the arena are Esmur and Gebin, the Nihilists. The camera zooms right up from the ramp to their masked faces as they slowly turn to look at it. They then walk past it and out of frame as it zooms out. The two men mean business as they quickly walk to the ring and slide under the bottom rope. The push to their feet and step to the center of the ring as the spotlight turns slowly from blue to pink to white. The two men remain back to back facing the two sides of the crowd left and right of the entryway.
Taylor: The Nihilists are back! They're back!
Romano: I just hope that they're OK tonight. Scott Fargo wiped Esmur out. Can they stand up to these?
"Timebomb" by Beck blasts into the arena and all the lights change to a cool shade of neon blue. Seth Dillinger struts out to the top of the ramp wearing sunglasses, jeans, and a button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone, showing off just a bit of his pecs. After the countdown timer hits zero, Seth starts to stroll down to the ring, smirking at the crowd and soaking up their applause. When he reaches the bottom of the ramp, he rolls into the ring under the bottom rope, then paces around to each side of the ring, smiling at the crowd.
Taylor: Seth Dillinger is here! He's got this won!
Romano: He's really good. Absolutely, but remember, he's not in his element. He's never worked with a team before. I doubt he has ever even met Raiden.
The rapid start of "REVIVER" starts to blast on the speakers, bringing the crowd onto their feet as Raiden strides out onto the stage, pausing at the top of the ramp to look around at the crowd. Nodding to himself, he proceeds down the ramp, slapping hands with some of the fans before rolling into the ring. Bringing himself back onto his feet, he walks over to the far corner, jumping up onto the middle turnbuckle and raising an arm into the air to loud cheers from the fans in the first few rows. Jumping down from the perch, he turns and leans back into the corner, waiting for the match to begin.
Taylor: Raiden's a lone wolf, but this time, this lone wolf has to find his way with a pack.
Romano: But this is Raiden's comeback, and I doubt he has been spending this time twiddling his thumbs. He gives 100% at all times.
XHF Tag Team Championship
The Nihilists (c) vs Seth Dillinger & Raiden Ishimori
The match begins with Esmur and Raiden squaring off, the two men circling each other for an opportunity to strike first. Esmur shoots for a take-down, but slides away as Raiden tries a counter. He tries for another lower body take-down, but Raiden stays standing pushing away the attacker. Esmur tries once more for a take down but Raiden counters quickly and locks in a headlock, grabbing Esmurs head in a vice. The two struggle but Esmur breaks free, staring at Raiden and waving his finger to say ‘not yet’. The two lock into a standing grapple again but this time Esmur releases and hits a front dropkick sending Raiden stumbling backwards. Back to his feet Esmur closes in and another grapple comes, this time getting Raiden into a headlock and running his opponent into the corner. The referee breaks them apart, Esmur with his hands held up in a innocent seemingly manner, before landing a hard slap across the chest of Raiden. He follows with another and another before whipping Raiden across the ring towards the opposite side. Esmur chases but Raiden quickly hits the cushions and bounces out with a forearm smash, taking Esmur down by surprise. He locks in a rear choke hold on the champion before he has time to get up.
Taylor: Technical stat to this match, both men testing one another.
Struggling back to his feet, Esmur breaks free from the hold and lands a spinning elbow to stagger Raiden before tagging in his partner Gebin. Exploding in with a springboard missile dropkick Raiden goes down at the impact from Gebin. The high-flying is quickly back to his feet again with another double-footed kick sending Raiden wobbling backwards. He partner yells out for the tag but Gebin is faster and hits a hurricanrana rolling Raiden away from his corner. Gebin sits up his opponent into a choke combined with a knee to the spine, and signals for the double team. Esmur jumps in and hits a missile dropkick to Raiden before quickly rolling back out of the ring once again.
Romano: The Champs are doing a great job of beating down Raiden Ishimori, making sure his power and technical skills are kept at bay.
Gebin pulls his opponent to his feet and hits a snapping hip-toss before reaching over and making the tag. Esmur jumps in and lands a kick to the back of Raiden’s head and takes over from his partner. Esmur lifts up Raiden and lands a body slam, hitting the mat hard. He tags Gebin once more very quickly who springboards in with a leg drop and chops Raiden loudly. Gebin quickly goes for the pin:
...One!
...Two!
...Tw-Quick kickout by Raiden!
Gebin hits a spinning back kick to his opponents face as they both rise and quickly tags Esmur once again. The bigger of the two Nihilists hits a falling elbow-axe handle and locks in a half-nelson chokehold, to which Raiden wasn’t even ready for. Raiden struggles to break free from the hold but Esmur has it locked it, a professional looking move as any. Raiden manages to stretch out and get a foot on the rope for the break but Esmur releases and quickly pulls him away by the arm and goes for an armbar. With the two men struggling on the mat, Seth Dillinger continues to scream encouragement and shouting for the tag. Unable to lock in the armbar, Esmur quickly breaks free and tags Gebin once again who springboards in with a senton bomb to Raiden’s prone body.
Taylor: These Nihilists work great as a pair to strip down their foes, hitting attack after attack. But Raiden isn’t one to go down lightly.
Romano: The repeated attacks can take down some of the bigger threats in the business, as we’ve seen them do in recent matches. If Raiden doesn’t escape soon he’s going to be in a lot of trouble. Regardless of his skills and talent!
Gebin tries to lock in a choke-hold but Raiden swings wildly and lands a good punch to the face of Gebin. He begins to get up but receives an accurate dropkick to the knee, collapsing him. Gebin pulls his opponent to his feet and signals to Esmur to get ready. Gebin kicks his foe into the mid-section and whips him towards the Nihilists corner...but Raiden counter whips, and instead pulls Gebin into a massive clothesline! The crowd cheer loudly Gebin hits the mat hard, the surprise clothesline connecting face on. He stirs on the mat, seeing stars but it’s too late as Raiden has crawled and staggered back to his own corner and tagged in Seth! Gebin jumps up ready to attack but Seth’s already on the move and lands a sweet bicycle kick to the face of Gebin! He continues his momentum and lands a superman elbow smash to Esmur, knocking him off the apron. He turns to grab Gebin and hip tosses him down to the mat, followed by a football punt to the lower back. Gebin reels in pain, sitting up and holding his kidneys but Seth is already rebounding off the ropes into a diving knee to the face of the Champion. The crowd cheers wildly for the former World Champion as he regains momentum for Team Raidillinger!
Romano: The tide of battle has changed in a blink of an eye! This is why Seth Dillinger is not one to be taken lightly!
Taylor: The Nihilists are in trouble now, one wrong move and it could be all over. And that is how the turn tables!
Romano: ...did you mean how the table turn
Taylor: Yeah, that’s what I said.
Romano: No you didn’t, you said-
CRACK!
The sound of boot on flesh is so loud it interrupts the announcers, as Gebin has managed to drive a kick straight up to the face of Dillinger, staggering him enough to fall flat on his back. Gebin quickly scramble back to his corner where he makes the tag, Esmur climbing in with a fire in his eye. He pulls up Seth and into his thighs, lifting up the superstar and landing a hard powerbomb and pin attempt:
...One!
...Two!
...Th-Kickout!
So close that the fans gasp, Seth breaks free just in time but Esmur is not done. He flails and stomps down on Dillinger before lifting him up and body slamming him down hard. He signals to Gebin to get ready, before whipping Dillinger across the ring...right into a shoulder thrust to the moving Seth’s ribs! Seth wobbles backwards right into a jumping reverse bulldog!
Taylor: Shatterscape! This could be all over here!
Esmur goes for the pin, but it doesn’t even get to one before Raiden lands a double-fisted strike to Esmur’s head. The referee barks at Raiden to leave the ring, allowing both Seth and Esmur some time to recover. Esmur is up first and jumps to the ready hand of Gebin who tags in. Gebin marches in and pulls up Seth but a rising headbutt catches him off guard and allows Seth a few second of breathing room, before chasing with a clothesline to drop Gebin. He lifts up the Champ and whips him to the corner of Team Raidillinger, and runs in with a nice flying knee strike to finish. He tags in Raiden and both men go to work on Gebin, dual-stomping him down to a seated position.
Romano: Double-teaming might be the only way to break the stride of the Champions in this match, as they are both nearly unstoppable.
Taylor: I’ve liked what I see from both men a lot, it looks like we might have a new great tag team forming too with the challengers.
Raiden stays in the ring as Seth exits to the mat, taking a few steps to the center before a running knee strike to the seated Gebin. He pulls him to a standing position before a nice belly-to-back suplex flattens him once more. Raiden quickly jumps to the ropes for a springboard moonsault, splashing across the body of Gebin. Raiden goes for the pin:
...One!
...Tw- Broken up by Esmur!
Taylor: Gebin saved in a flash by his partner, otherwise who knows if he would have enough gas to kick out.
The referee forces Esmur back to his corner, allowing Raiden some time to get up and land a few quick shots to his floored opponent. He grabs Gebin by the mask and pulls him up to a standing position and into a wrist-clutch fireman's carry.
Taylor: We’ve seen this before, the Climhazzard!
Gebin goes up, but not for long as he manages to wriggle free and pushes away Raiden. His attacker comes at him with a clothesline but Gebin hits the ropes [SLAP] and continues running.
Romano: Was that a tag by Esmur?
Taylor: I think so!
Gebin runs for a hurricanrana on Raiden, but quickly spins around 180 degrees and hits a devastating spike frankensteiner! Raiden is flattened in the center of the ring, but Gebin is back up and now diving right at Seth Dillinger! He spears Seth right through the ropes, taking him down!
Taylor: Null Hypothesis from Gebin, and a spear to Raiden’s partner!
Romano: What is going on!
Taylor: Looks like a play is happening Cassius! Esmur is the legal man, Gebin is vacating the ring and Esmur is climbing to the top rope!
Signalling to the crowd, Esmur doesn’t delay and climbs onto the top rope. Before he can move forward, he's hit with a chair shot! The bell rings and the crowd goes into a panic.
Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, this match has ended and because of an assault, the winner of this match, by disqualification: The Nihilists!
Taylor: Who attacked them!?
Gebin goes to see what's going on, but he gets hit with a chair too. The camera pans to the person and it's revealed to be Knucks! Seth soon becomes the next victim as Salem strikes him with a baseball bat! He goes into the ring and begins attacking the downed Raiden! Salem goes up to Jessie and takes the microphone from her hands. Knucks enters the ring with a microphone of his own and they unleash their words to the AWF universe:
Knucks: Welcome to the mother fucking
Salem: Filth Factory.
Knucks: you see when we called you bitches out we didn't ask for you to put them on the line...
Salem: you see you failed to understand that we ain't fucking around...
Knucks: no we ain’t...
Salem: you see we are the jobber city champions and those titles are going back to...
Knucks: SW
Salem: well I was going to say jobber city but yeah RSW.
Knucks: we are awoken and those belts belong on the two filithest mother fuckers.
Salem: you are about to learn why we kill superstars and sned jobbers away... We kill chaos and duke, and all of RSW.
Knucks: ok so guess what bitches we out see you soon
Mic drop. The two exit through the fans, leaving everyone stunned.
Taylor: What... just happened?
Romano: War, Tommy. The Nihilists won gold and now have targets on the back of their heads.
IT'S AN OMEN!
The arena lights swirl with purple and white as the sharp, stinging beats of "Omen" by The Prodigy play in Chris Card, using an older entrance theme in tribute to the recently deceased Prodigy singer Keith Flint. Card walks through the entrance gate and throws the crossed heart pose at the top of the ramp. Card takes a slow walk down to the ring and steps through the ropes as the lights change from beams to spinning spotlights to mark his presence in the ring. Card poses in the center of the ring, crossing his thumbs over where his heart would sit for a second time...
NOW!
THE WRITING'S ON THE WALL
IT WON'T GO AWAY
It'S AN OMEN
YOU JUST RUN ON AUTOMATION..
The lights go up and Card moves over to his own corner and relaxes, the referee checking him over and finding nothing wrong.
Taylor: And here is the AWF Prestige Champion Chris Card!
Romano: Chris is a lot of things, but one thing I'm not so sure is if it's able to handle attack from multiple angles.
The building goes to black, the lights shut off, the crowd pull their phones out and turns on the flashlights on their phones as some music plays through the PA.
This is what I brought you
This you can keep
This is what I brought
You may forget me
I promise to depart
Just promise one thing
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep
Now, flames shoot up from the stage as Druids with Plague Masks on their faces walk out onto the stage, holding what looks to be long Scythes. They stand along the stage staring out to the crowd, two of them stand face to face right at the entrance.
This is what I thought
I thought you need me
This is what I thought
So think me naive
I promise you a heart
You promised to keep
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep
Kiss my eyes and lay me to... sleep
Then the building goes to black before Inception (Junkie XL Remix) blasts through the PA, the lights don a golden shade this time as Maverick slowly walks out onto the stage. The crowd pop to his arrival, they clap along to the beat as he stands atop of the ramp with his hands behind his back. He wears a custom golden Icon Jacket and gold ring gear, they shine to the lights brightly.
He heads down the ramp in a quick pace, he climbs onto the ring apron and unzips his jacket before raising his hand up high and bringing it down again. He hops over the ropes and heads to the corner where he climbs to the second rope, screaming and shouting at the fans to hype them up and they let their voices heard as a LOUD "Maverick" chant rings through. He hops down from the second rope and stands in the corner, awaiting his opponents.
Taylor: This Maverick guy has really been on a roll. Sure, he lost to Kuroi and JFK, but he's been shoving it to the legends around here. M.G.K..., Hype...
Romano: Well Hyperion is in this match again. Can lightning strike twice?
The opening chords begin to play, as the lights darken completely. The crowd reacts to the haunting melody of Hyperion's entrance; the darkness blanketing everyone. Hyperion appears from a distance, walking through the crowd, tall and fierce. A single golden spotlight shines on him as he makes his way to the ring until he climbs over the barrier and approaches the ring steps. He pauses at the side, looking into the crowd with a scowl on his face, before raising his fist over his head to shouts from the audience. He enters over the top rope and stares down both Card and Maverick.
Taylor: And here is Hyperion, probably the most intimidating wrestler in AWF history.
Romano: If there's anything I've noticed about Hyperion, it's that when he speaks, people listen. When he steps forward, people watch. If he has his way, he might walk out with gold.
AWF Prestige Championship
Chris Card (c) vs. Maverick vs. Hyperion
The bell rings and Hyperion steps forward. The Mad Titan has a reputation to never resist a challenge and Road to Victory will not be the day in which that changes. The immense height difference between Chris Card and Hyperion is staggering. Plus, Chris is smart enough to know not to simply approach Hyperion head on. However, Chris Card is the current champion, the wearer of gold, and so he doesn’t exactly have a choice. Hyperion closes in on the distance, and that’s when the maniac Maverick shoots at Hyperion and nearly knocks him over the top rope! Hyperion’s eyes widely opened, berating himself for the wild card in the match, Maverick. Still pressed up against the rope, Hyperion pushed back toward Maverick, sending him five feet down. But Maverick quite nearly rolled with the punches – as he hit the canvas, he rolled until he got to his feet. He then charged back at Hyperion, but this time, he was ready. Hyperion threw Maverick overhead and over the ropes. What Hyperion didn’t see was Maverick skinning the cat, landing on the apron outside of the ropes. The Mad Titan turned around and Maverick quickly grabbed his head and jumped off from the apron, slamming his face to the ropes. This cause the big man to back up and stumble. Chris Card is still there and whips his legs to the back of Hyperion’s legs. This causes him to finally trip and fall!
Taylor: And the big man is down! It may have took two men, but it sure is possible to topple a god.
Romano: Maverick came for the big distraction and Chris Card sneaked his way in. The question that needs to be asked is, is this a match where the enemy of your enemy is your friend? With Maverick and Chris Card team up?
Chris Card is speedy in his assault, and he’s ready to follow up in order to retain his AWF Prestige Championship. He gets Hyperion in his most vulnerable position, on the floor. He goes to work and expertly applies Hyperion to an armbar. Hyperion is immediately in pain. He’s stretching his arm and is looking for a way out. However, the match is early, Hyperion’s resolve is high and in the big man’s mind, he will need to be crippled – perhaps even dead – before he will tap. (Although I suppose if he is dead, he can’t exactly tap out.) Then, from out of nowhere, Maverick pops up on the apron. He jumps on the top ropes and hits the two with a springboard shooting star splash! Junior Referee Steve Tyrell would force Chris Card to let go of the hold, but Maverick is so dynamic that this isn’t necessary. Chris Card rolls out of the way, even as far to the opposite side of the ring. He takes a deep breath to recover. After a moment, he looks back to his opponents. That’s when his eyes burst open wide, where he finds Maverick covering Hyperion for a pin. The AWF Prestige Champion scrambles as he’s trying to break up that pin, but the referee is on the ball with the pin count:
…One!
…Two!
Chris Card realizes he may not make it.
…Hyperion kicks out! And the power is enough to send Maverick to hit Card. The AWF Prestige Champion catches him and then throws him with a fallaway slam!
Taylor: This match is dynamic, and to think, Chris Card almost lost his belt!
Romano: That’s something that Chris Card needs to remember, he doesn’t need to pin nor does he need to tap in order to lose this match. Hyperion could pin Maverick or Maverick could pin Hyperion, and Chris Card could lose it. If he wants to leave Detroit as the champion, he doesn’t get a chance to breath. Not until the match is over.
Chris Card gets up, but doesn’t stay that way. Hyperion runs through like a freight train with a heavy knee. The blow is so strong and painful that the spit gets knocked out of Card’s mouth as he gets flipped over Hyperion’s knee. But Hyperion’s not done yet. He turns to the fallen Card, and right over as he bends over, he gets an axe handle on his back. Hyperion turns over and finds the blow to come from Maverick. The Iconic Prince’s eyes grow wide and Hyperion slightly shakes his head. As if time stood still, Hyperion almost backed up before shooting forward with a spear that almost surprisingly failed to remove Maverick’s torso from his legs. Hyperion gets up and roars to the audience, undeniably soliciting a cheer from them. Hyperion goes over Maverick and raises his leg for the pin count:
…One!
…Two!
…Thr-Maverick kicks out!
Taylor: Maverick’s not done yet!
Romano: Or is he!?
Hyperion then goes for the pin over Chris Card:
…One!
…Two!
…T-Chris Card kicks out!
Hyperion gets up off the floor. He gets off his opponent. He’s no longer amused. He brings Chris Card to his feet and Irish Whips him, slamming him against the corner. He then brings Maverick up and throws him to the corner as well. Immediately after the throw, he wastes no time. He doesn’t let Maverick hit Card before he runs, but what he doesn’t expect is Maverick to jump over Chris Card to the top of the turnbuckle and back flip behind Hyperion! Hyperion slams into Chris Card! As Hyperion bounces off of Chris Card and turns around, Maverick throws a clothesline to Hyperion – he flips him over the top rope and out of the ring! But now is not the moment for Maverick to rest on his laurels. He turns around, right in the nick of time to catch Chris Card reaching under. He pulls Maverick down for a school boy! Maverick falls down but manages to punch Card on his hand enough for him to instinctively retreat it. Maverick does well to convert the attempted pin into a headscissors submission hold! The fans gasp! Chris Card goes crazy as he searches around to find a way out. Without much time, his foot hooks onto the bottom rope before he’s forced to tap out. Maverick’s attempt at victory didn’t give him the win, but it did give a close call and surprise the fans.
Taylor: We almost heard Jessie Love name Maverick as the new AWF Prestige Champion!
Romano: I’m sure Hype is shocked and Card must be shocked too! I mean, his attempt to play dirty just backfired HARD on him!
Indeed, Cassius Romano is correct. Hyperion gets up and finds Maverick’s hold on Chris Card and Card’s leg on the bottom rope. The referee counts to four and Maverick drops the hold. Chris Card rolls out of the ring and begins to nurse his injuries. Maverick is quick to reach in after him, but Card, upon exiting the ring, has enough in him to pull on Maverick’s leg and trip him. It’s not enough to keep him down for long. Maverick quickly gets back up. While it’s not enough to really injure the Iconic Prince, it sure as heck is enough to tick him off. Maverick gets back to his feet and looks down to exit the ring and go after Chris Card, he immediately gets hip checked by The Mad Titan himself, Hyperion!
Taylor: Hold the phone. Chris Card wasn’t just looking to get Mav all riled up! He was stalling for time! He KNEW Hyperion was going to stop him!
Romano: He’s working smart, not hard. It’s why he’s champ.
Maverick holds himself tight and keeps himself from falling over. He leans up against the turnbuckle, but finds himself forced to leap out of the way to keep himself from being attacked by Hyperion once more. As Hyperion slams against the turnbuckle, Maverick gets back up and dropkicks Hyperion on his back. He gets back to his feet, while Hyperion bursts out. Hyperion throws a punch, but Maverick side steps the blow. He throws blow after blow to Hype’s side. Hyperion is taking the blows and tries to fight back, but Maverick is using every ounce of agility that he can muster in order to keep himself alive. Moment by moment, however, the monster, Hyperion, is slowing down. He is becoming fatigued.
Taylor: Hyperion is getting tired! Maverick is chipping out a piece of Hyperion’s resolve.
Romano: Well Maverick can’t out-muscle Hyperion. He knows this is the way to get this done, but this is certainly a David vs. Goliath type of battle.
Hyperion begins huffing and puffing, but things end up going poorly for Maverick as Hyperion lifts Maverick in the air for his finisher chokeslam. THE HIGH ONE. As Hyperion slams Maverick down, he knees Hyperion in the chin and lands down onto his feet. He quickly turns around. As Hyperion turns around. BOOM! ICON KICK! Maverick’s signature superkick imprints his shoe mark into Hyperion’s cheek! Hyperion goes down and Maverick goes for the finisher pin:
…One!
…Two!
…Thr-Chris Card breaks up the pin!
Taylor: Ah! Card! I forgot all about him!
Romano: Evidently, so has Maverick, but Card hasn’t forgotten. He won’t allow a victory that doesn’t follow with his arm up in the air.
Maverick gets up, and shoots Chris Card a death glare. Both of them are focused on Hyperion. He knows that just ate some major boot and wants to take advantage of it. Maverick goes after Card, who side steps and throws Maverick over the top ropes. Chris Card turns back to Hyperion, but finds Maverick popping up in front of his face. It seems that when Card threw him over, Maverick actually jumped on top of the top rope, and back flipped in front of Card! The jaw of the AWF Prestige Champion has hung open and Maverick knew that he had him right where he wanted him. Maverick had this match won. He shot forward with the Iconkick! …But Chris Card duck and spun around to the back of The Iconic Prince, and then he quickly pulled him down to the ground for his signature hammerlock body scissors dragon sleeper that he calls the Chris Card Clutch Alpha also known as the C3A! Maverick is in a bad spot, and he knows it! The crowd goes nuts!
Taylor: Oh no! Chris Card just got Maverick in his submission hold! He’s in big trouble!
Romano: I’m sure he planned this the entire time. He’s sticking to his strengths. As underhanded as he can be sometimes, I really appreciate how he use his mind in the ring, and not just throw around his muscles like half the XHF does.
Maverick begins to rock the best that he can. There’s not much else he can do. In fact, it looks like there’s nothing he can do. He’s looking around and feeling with both of his legs, and both of his arms. He’s hoping for rope. He’s hoping that he can cause the rope break. Maverick can see it from the corners of his eyes. He’s reaching for it as best as he can. He’s right next to it, but like an asymptote, they will never touch. Maverick’s screaming. He holds his hand out, it all balled into a fist. He’s shaking his head. He’s refusing the tap. After all, he’s an Icon! He’s a mercenary! He’s Maverick! Maverick’s struggling. He’s fighting the urge to give up. Then he roars! But not Maverick. No, it’s Hyperion! He drops down with an elbow, sandwiching Maverick between Chris Card and the elbow of Hyperion! And don’t forget about Chris Card, who is suffering underneath the weight of nearly 500 pounds worth of pressure! Card is suffering just as much as Maverick, if not more!
Taylor: What an impact by Hyperion! He’s still In this match!
Romano: When the mind makes something real, it’s pretty much real. But wait! Taylor, look at Hyperion! He’s not moving!
Taylor: But that can’t be – unless…
Romano: Hyperion is pinning BOTH of them!
Taylor: Cassius! Imagine Hyperion winning this way! We usually see someone causing a huff because they lose a triple threat but they aren’t the one pinned or tapped out, but this way, none of them can say anything about it. It only makes Hyperion’s victory that much more momentous!
That’s right! Hyperion is on top of Maverick is on top of Chris Card. Senior Referee Gabe Valentine slides in for the pin count:
…One!
…Two!
…Thr-Maverick slides out and removes himself as the meat in the pin sandwich. Gravity sends its message and causes Hyperion to fall down and knock the spit out of Chris Card’s mouth, but this is yet another pin and as such, the referee is still in position:
…One!
…Two!
…Maverick breaks the pin!
Taylor: This is insane. People keep pinning each other. People keep putting each other in submissions, but the third person is always there to break it up!
Romano: This is a high stakes match and there’s so much energy going on, but I wouldn’t expect to see this continue. This match has gone on for over twenty minutes. There’s no possible way this can continue much longer.
Upon the conclusion of Maverick breaking up the pin, all three men are on their backs. They’re nearly gasping for air. They’re all tired and are running on fumes. They remain on the floor for what feel like minutes, although it has been twenty moments. The crowd dies down as they wait for one of the men to kick things up a notch.
Taylor: They're all just on the floor! None of them are going to get up!
That's when at that moment, Hyperion lifts up his body Undertaker-style. The crowd cheer once more.
Romano: There it goes. He needed merely a moment of reprieve before he moves forward to being that immortal God.
Hyperion gets up off the ground right around the time when Maverick is feeling signs of life. He's beginning to lift himself up as well. But Hyperion has plans for someone else. It's not Maverick, he wants. Besides, it'll be too late by the time he's able to hit his move. And Hyperion wants the champion. Chris Card. Hyperion brings Chris Card up to his feet. ...Then off his feet! Hyperion grabs Hyperion by the neck and brings him above his head!
Taylor: The High One! Hyperion's finisher choke slam! He's going to do it!
Romano: Wait!
Maverick jumps into the fray and hits Hyperion in the back with a spinning heel kick! This forces Hyperion to jerk forward. He loses his grip and Chris Card falls off and hits the turnbuckle. Hyperion turns around and grabs Maverick by the neck. He lifts him up in the air, drawing out a gasp from the crowd. With a roar, he slams Maverick down with The High One!
Taylor: I FELT THAT! It's like an earthquake just shook the stadium!
Romano: This match may have just ended.
Hyperion looks down at Maverick. He's spent, but right before he goes down to pin him, he finds Chris Card forcing himself off the turnbuckle. Chris Card is so beaten up, he likely doesn't even know where he is, but he steps away to the side, and beckons The Mad Titan with his fingers. Hyperion never turns down a challenge, and he floors it to Chris Card! He goes for Chris Card with his lariat finisher First Principle! That's when Chris Card pulls out of his tights his Aerosol Equalizer! He presses down for a good moment as he falls down. Hyperion becomes blinded and as he moves forward, he finds that Chris Card took the top rope on the way down. Hyperion comes doubling over! Now Chris Card knows better than anyone what's in that noxious cloud of chemicals, but he braves through the leftover irritants as he covers Maverick. The referee goes for the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...Three!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner and STILL AWF Prestige Champion - Chris Card!
Hyperion forces his red eyes open as he finds the referee throwing Chris Card's hand into the air. If he wasn't ticked off before, he certainly is now.
Taylor: That was a stolen victory! Chris Card didn't topple Maverick! He didn't deserve that victory!
Romano: Deserve is a fickle word. I think Card would say that the victories you deserve are the ones you make happen. But love it or hate it, Chris Card remains as our AWF Prestige Champion!
After the final match of the night transpired, Felix Ziko watches from the television in his office. He smiles, but turns his head as the door opens. It's his wife, albeit separated, Danica.
Danica: Good show.
Ziko: I'm happy with how the show went. Some surprising results, for sure, but we absolutely do have some talented guys out there.
Danica: I'm not going to disagree with you. Anyways, I'm leaving.
Ziko: OK. Well, have a safe trip h-
Danica: No. I mean I'm leaving you. Legally, this time. And you may not like to hear this, but I'm taking the company from you as well. The company has become a resounding success and has finally gotten off the ground. You've finally made a sizable net worth on this place that I'd compare to the piece of shit it was when I first arrived.
Felix's eyes grow wide.
Ziko: You're not...
Danica: Taking the company that you created and leaving you with nothing? I'd be a fool not to. You see, I've been tracking every single company within the XHF since I joined up here a year ago, and I've been noticing the missing potential.
Ziko: Missing potential? What kind of missing potential are you talking about?
Danica: Oh come on. You're inept, Felix. If you had been worth a damn, you'd already know the answer. People want blood. People want sex. People want glitz and glam. They don't want your feel-good 7th Heaven family moments. This isn't the Disney Channel, where fairytales come to life. People want excitement, and they aren't getting that here. That's why people are tuning in to other shows. We have the talent, but you aren't using them correctly. It's time for someone who knows what they're doing to step up, and that someone certainly isn't you.
Ziko: Danica. This place. We've worked so hard for this. This isn't just a wrestling promotion. This is a dream. We've finally gotten up from the ground. Our dreams are finally realized.
Danica smiles. She walks over to Felix and starts massaging the back of his head with her hand.
Danica: I know, Felix, and you've done a great job. But the XHF Network is a lot like real life. The network teaches us a lot of lessons. The strong win. They get their hands raised at the end of the match and are rewarded with gold. The weak?
Danica tightens the grip on the back of Felix's head and shoves his head forward to the desk. She then jerks it back. Felix's chair falls backwards and Felix hits the ground. Danica laughs as she walks away.
Danica: They end up where you are. On the floor. And you are weak, Felix - but you are right about one thing. The AWF is a dream, and just like all dreams, they come to an end. The AWF dream that you've envisioned is now dead. We have now embarked the age of the AWF. Effective immediately, I'm the new CEO of the Ascension Wrestling Federation.
Danica looks down at Felix, slowly shaking her head.
Danica: And if you try to fight me on this, I will take this to court, win the AWF in the divorce court decision, and then I'd probably liquidate the assets, just to spite you. Then I'll take a nice, long vacation while you struggle to find your next meal... Just like you did right before you started this company.
Danica looks down to Felix, on the verge of tears.
Danica: You don't want that to happen, do you, Felix? So tell me, my soon-to-be ex-husband, are you going to fight me on this? Will you make me close the AWF down, and relieve the dozens of people on our roster and staff of their jobs?
That's when the water works begin. Tears begin to well in his eyes.
Ziko: N... No, Danica.
Danica smiles.
Danica: Good boy. Maybe you aren't as foolish as you have been. Now maybe if you act smart and keep your fat mouth shut, I might be nice and send you a severance check.
Danica walks out of the door. In the doorway, she looks back at the emotionally drained man she once called her husband.
Danica: You've made a lot of mistakes in your life, especially since you left the XHF and gave up on their paychecks. But this AWF of yours has been the first good idea you've had in a long time. Perhaps ever. Be glad that you've gotten this far, but understand that you have outlived your usefulness. And now you can go away forever. You are too idealistic in both life and business, you have neither the strength nor the stamina to cut it in wrestling anymore, and you're a pushover. And that's all on top of the fact that you're as ugly as sin, something I've overlooked for far too long. I will see you soon to finalize our divorce and then after that, I never want to see you anymore. Goodbye.
Danica closes the door behind her, leaving Felix Ziko on his hands and knees as a broken mess. He stares at the door with his red, strained and wet eyes as Road to Victory comes to an end.
Taylor: And here is the AWF Prestige Champion Chris Card!
Romano: Chris is a lot of things, but one thing I'm not so sure is if it's able to handle attack from multiple angles.
The building goes to black, the lights shut off, the crowd pull their phones out and turns on the flashlights on their phones as some music plays through the PA.
This is what I brought you
This you can keep
This is what I brought
You may forget me
I promise to depart
Just promise one thing
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep
Now, flames shoot up from the stage as Druids with Plague Masks on their faces walk out onto the stage, holding what looks to be long Scythes. They stand along the stage staring out to the crowd, two of them stand face to face right at the entrance.
This is what I thought
I thought you need me
This is what I thought
So think me naive
I promise you a heart
You promised to keep
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep
Kiss my eyes and lay me to... sleep
Then the building goes to black before Inception (Junkie XL Remix) blasts through the PA, the lights don a golden shade this time as Maverick slowly walks out onto the stage. The crowd pop to his arrival, they clap along to the beat as he stands atop of the ramp with his hands behind his back. He wears a custom golden Icon Jacket and gold ring gear, they shine to the lights brightly.
He heads down the ramp in a quick pace, he climbs onto the ring apron and unzips his jacket before raising his hand up high and bringing it down again. He hops over the ropes and heads to the corner where he climbs to the second rope, screaming and shouting at the fans to hype them up and they let their voices heard as a LOUD "Maverick" chant rings through. He hops down from the second rope and stands in the corner, awaiting his opponents.
Taylor: This Maverick guy has really been on a roll. Sure, he lost to Kuroi and JFK, but he's been shoving it to the legends around here. M.G.K..., Hype...
Romano: Well Hyperion is in this match again. Can lightning strike twice?
The opening chords begin to play, as the lights darken completely. The crowd reacts to the haunting melody of Hyperion's entrance; the darkness blanketing everyone. Hyperion appears from a distance, walking through the crowd, tall and fierce. A single golden spotlight shines on him as he makes his way to the ring until he climbs over the barrier and approaches the ring steps. He pauses at the side, looking into the crowd with a scowl on his face, before raising his fist over his head to shouts from the audience. He enters over the top rope and stares down both Card and Maverick.
Taylor: And here is Hyperion, probably the most intimidating wrestler in AWF history.
Romano: If there's anything I've noticed about Hyperion, it's that when he speaks, people listen. When he steps forward, people watch. If he has his way, he might walk out with gold.
AWF Prestige Championship
Chris Card (c) vs. Maverick vs. Hyperion
The bell rings and Hyperion steps forward. The Mad Titan has a reputation to never resist a challenge and Road to Victory will not be the day in which that changes. The immense height difference between Chris Card and Hyperion is staggering. Plus, Chris is smart enough to know not to simply approach Hyperion head on. However, Chris Card is the current champion, the wearer of gold, and so he doesn’t exactly have a choice. Hyperion closes in on the distance, and that’s when the maniac Maverick shoots at Hyperion and nearly knocks him over the top rope! Hyperion’s eyes widely opened, berating himself for the wild card in the match, Maverick. Still pressed up against the rope, Hyperion pushed back toward Maverick, sending him five feet down. But Maverick quite nearly rolled with the punches – as he hit the canvas, he rolled until he got to his feet. He then charged back at Hyperion, but this time, he was ready. Hyperion threw Maverick overhead and over the ropes. What Hyperion didn’t see was Maverick skinning the cat, landing on the apron outside of the ropes. The Mad Titan turned around and Maverick quickly grabbed his head and jumped off from the apron, slamming his face to the ropes. This cause the big man to back up and stumble. Chris Card is still there and whips his legs to the back of Hyperion’s legs. This causes him to finally trip and fall!
Taylor: And the big man is down! It may have took two men, but it sure is possible to topple a god.
Romano: Maverick came for the big distraction and Chris Card sneaked his way in. The question that needs to be asked is, is this a match where the enemy of your enemy is your friend? With Maverick and Chris Card team up?
Chris Card is speedy in his assault, and he’s ready to follow up in order to retain his AWF Prestige Championship. He gets Hyperion in his most vulnerable position, on the floor. He goes to work and expertly applies Hyperion to an armbar. Hyperion is immediately in pain. He’s stretching his arm and is looking for a way out. However, the match is early, Hyperion’s resolve is high and in the big man’s mind, he will need to be crippled – perhaps even dead – before he will tap. (Although I suppose if he is dead, he can’t exactly tap out.) Then, from out of nowhere, Maverick pops up on the apron. He jumps on the top ropes and hits the two with a springboard shooting star splash! Junior Referee Steve Tyrell would force Chris Card to let go of the hold, but Maverick is so dynamic that this isn’t necessary. Chris Card rolls out of the way, even as far to the opposite side of the ring. He takes a deep breath to recover. After a moment, he looks back to his opponents. That’s when his eyes burst open wide, where he finds Maverick covering Hyperion for a pin. The AWF Prestige Champion scrambles as he’s trying to break up that pin, but the referee is on the ball with the pin count:
…One!
…Two!
Chris Card realizes he may not make it.
…Hyperion kicks out! And the power is enough to send Maverick to hit Card. The AWF Prestige Champion catches him and then throws him with a fallaway slam!
Taylor: This match is dynamic, and to think, Chris Card almost lost his belt!
Romano: That’s something that Chris Card needs to remember, he doesn’t need to pin nor does he need to tap in order to lose this match. Hyperion could pin Maverick or Maverick could pin Hyperion, and Chris Card could lose it. If he wants to leave Detroit as the champion, he doesn’t get a chance to breath. Not until the match is over.
Chris Card gets up, but doesn’t stay that way. Hyperion runs through like a freight train with a heavy knee. The blow is so strong and painful that the spit gets knocked out of Card’s mouth as he gets flipped over Hyperion’s knee. But Hyperion’s not done yet. He turns to the fallen Card, and right over as he bends over, he gets an axe handle on his back. Hyperion turns over and finds the blow to come from Maverick. The Iconic Prince’s eyes grow wide and Hyperion slightly shakes his head. As if time stood still, Hyperion almost backed up before shooting forward with a spear that almost surprisingly failed to remove Maverick’s torso from his legs. Hyperion gets up and roars to the audience, undeniably soliciting a cheer from them. Hyperion goes over Maverick and raises his leg for the pin count:
…One!
…Two!
…Thr-Maverick kicks out!
Taylor: Maverick’s not done yet!
Romano: Or is he!?
Hyperion then goes for the pin over Chris Card:
…One!
…Two!
…T-Chris Card kicks out!
Hyperion gets up off the floor. He gets off his opponent. He’s no longer amused. He brings Chris Card to his feet and Irish Whips him, slamming him against the corner. He then brings Maverick up and throws him to the corner as well. Immediately after the throw, he wastes no time. He doesn’t let Maverick hit Card before he runs, but what he doesn’t expect is Maverick to jump over Chris Card to the top of the turnbuckle and back flip behind Hyperion! Hyperion slams into Chris Card! As Hyperion bounces off of Chris Card and turns around, Maverick throws a clothesline to Hyperion – he flips him over the top rope and out of the ring! But now is not the moment for Maverick to rest on his laurels. He turns around, right in the nick of time to catch Chris Card reaching under. He pulls Maverick down for a school boy! Maverick falls down but manages to punch Card on his hand enough for him to instinctively retreat it. Maverick does well to convert the attempted pin into a headscissors submission hold! The fans gasp! Chris Card goes crazy as he searches around to find a way out. Without much time, his foot hooks onto the bottom rope before he’s forced to tap out. Maverick’s attempt at victory didn’t give him the win, but it did give a close call and surprise the fans.
Taylor: We almost heard Jessie Love name Maverick as the new AWF Prestige Champion!
Romano: I’m sure Hype is shocked and Card must be shocked too! I mean, his attempt to play dirty just backfired HARD on him!
Indeed, Cassius Romano is correct. Hyperion gets up and finds Maverick’s hold on Chris Card and Card’s leg on the bottom rope. The referee counts to four and Maverick drops the hold. Chris Card rolls out of the ring and begins to nurse his injuries. Maverick is quick to reach in after him, but Card, upon exiting the ring, has enough in him to pull on Maverick’s leg and trip him. It’s not enough to keep him down for long. Maverick quickly gets back up. While it’s not enough to really injure the Iconic Prince, it sure as heck is enough to tick him off. Maverick gets back to his feet and looks down to exit the ring and go after Chris Card, he immediately gets hip checked by The Mad Titan himself, Hyperion!
Taylor: Hold the phone. Chris Card wasn’t just looking to get Mav all riled up! He was stalling for time! He KNEW Hyperion was going to stop him!
Romano: He’s working smart, not hard. It’s why he’s champ.
Maverick holds himself tight and keeps himself from falling over. He leans up against the turnbuckle, but finds himself forced to leap out of the way to keep himself from being attacked by Hyperion once more. As Hyperion slams against the turnbuckle, Maverick gets back up and dropkicks Hyperion on his back. He gets back to his feet, while Hyperion bursts out. Hyperion throws a punch, but Maverick side steps the blow. He throws blow after blow to Hype’s side. Hyperion is taking the blows and tries to fight back, but Maverick is using every ounce of agility that he can muster in order to keep himself alive. Moment by moment, however, the monster, Hyperion, is slowing down. He is becoming fatigued.
Taylor: Hyperion is getting tired! Maverick is chipping out a piece of Hyperion’s resolve.
Romano: Well Maverick can’t out-muscle Hyperion. He knows this is the way to get this done, but this is certainly a David vs. Goliath type of battle.
Hyperion begins huffing and puffing, but things end up going poorly for Maverick as Hyperion lifts Maverick in the air for his finisher chokeslam. THE HIGH ONE. As Hyperion slams Maverick down, he knees Hyperion in the chin and lands down onto his feet. He quickly turns around. As Hyperion turns around. BOOM! ICON KICK! Maverick’s signature superkick imprints his shoe mark into Hyperion’s cheek! Hyperion goes down and Maverick goes for the finisher pin:
…One!
…Two!
…Thr-Chris Card breaks up the pin!
Taylor: Ah! Card! I forgot all about him!
Romano: Evidently, so has Maverick, but Card hasn’t forgotten. He won’t allow a victory that doesn’t follow with his arm up in the air.
Maverick gets up, and shoots Chris Card a death glare. Both of them are focused on Hyperion. He knows that just ate some major boot and wants to take advantage of it. Maverick goes after Card, who side steps and throws Maverick over the top ropes. Chris Card turns back to Hyperion, but finds Maverick popping up in front of his face. It seems that when Card threw him over, Maverick actually jumped on top of the top rope, and back flipped in front of Card! The jaw of the AWF Prestige Champion has hung open and Maverick knew that he had him right where he wanted him. Maverick had this match won. He shot forward with the Iconkick! …But Chris Card duck and spun around to the back of The Iconic Prince, and then he quickly pulled him down to the ground for his signature hammerlock body scissors dragon sleeper that he calls the Chris Card Clutch Alpha also known as the C3A! Maverick is in a bad spot, and he knows it! The crowd goes nuts!
Taylor: Oh no! Chris Card just got Maverick in his submission hold! He’s in big trouble!
Romano: I’m sure he planned this the entire time. He’s sticking to his strengths. As underhanded as he can be sometimes, I really appreciate how he use his mind in the ring, and not just throw around his muscles like half the XHF does.
Maverick begins to rock the best that he can. There’s not much else he can do. In fact, it looks like there’s nothing he can do. He’s looking around and feeling with both of his legs, and both of his arms. He’s hoping for rope. He’s hoping that he can cause the rope break. Maverick can see it from the corners of his eyes. He’s reaching for it as best as he can. He’s right next to it, but like an asymptote, they will never touch. Maverick’s screaming. He holds his hand out, it all balled into a fist. He’s shaking his head. He’s refusing the tap. After all, he’s an Icon! He’s a mercenary! He’s Maverick! Maverick’s struggling. He’s fighting the urge to give up. Then he roars! But not Maverick. No, it’s Hyperion! He drops down with an elbow, sandwiching Maverick between Chris Card and the elbow of Hyperion! And don’t forget about Chris Card, who is suffering underneath the weight of nearly 500 pounds worth of pressure! Card is suffering just as much as Maverick, if not more!
Taylor: What an impact by Hyperion! He’s still In this match!
Romano: When the mind makes something real, it’s pretty much real. But wait! Taylor, look at Hyperion! He’s not moving!
Taylor: But that can’t be – unless…
Romano: Hyperion is pinning BOTH of them!
Taylor: Cassius! Imagine Hyperion winning this way! We usually see someone causing a huff because they lose a triple threat but they aren’t the one pinned or tapped out, but this way, none of them can say anything about it. It only makes Hyperion’s victory that much more momentous!
That’s right! Hyperion is on top of Maverick is on top of Chris Card. Senior Referee Gabe Valentine slides in for the pin count:
…One!
…Two!
…Thr-Maverick slides out and removes himself as the meat in the pin sandwich. Gravity sends its message and causes Hyperion to fall down and knock the spit out of Chris Card’s mouth, but this is yet another pin and as such, the referee is still in position:
…One!
…Two!
…Maverick breaks the pin!
Taylor: This is insane. People keep pinning each other. People keep putting each other in submissions, but the third person is always there to break it up!
Romano: This is a high stakes match and there’s so much energy going on, but I wouldn’t expect to see this continue. This match has gone on for over twenty minutes. There’s no possible way this can continue much longer.
Upon the conclusion of Maverick breaking up the pin, all three men are on their backs. They’re nearly gasping for air. They’re all tired and are running on fumes. They remain on the floor for what feel like minutes, although it has been twenty moments. The crowd dies down as they wait for one of the men to kick things up a notch.
Taylor: They're all just on the floor! None of them are going to get up!
That's when at that moment, Hyperion lifts up his body Undertaker-style. The crowd cheer once more.
Romano: There it goes. He needed merely a moment of reprieve before he moves forward to being that immortal God.
Hyperion gets up off the ground right around the time when Maverick is feeling signs of life. He's beginning to lift himself up as well. But Hyperion has plans for someone else. It's not Maverick, he wants. Besides, it'll be too late by the time he's able to hit his move. And Hyperion wants the champion. Chris Card. Hyperion brings Chris Card up to his feet. ...Then off his feet! Hyperion grabs Hyperion by the neck and brings him above his head!
Taylor: The High One! Hyperion's finisher choke slam! He's going to do it!
Romano: Wait!
Maverick jumps into the fray and hits Hyperion in the back with a spinning heel kick! This forces Hyperion to jerk forward. He loses his grip and Chris Card falls off and hits the turnbuckle. Hyperion turns around and grabs Maverick by the neck. He lifts him up in the air, drawing out a gasp from the crowd. With a roar, he slams Maverick down with The High One!
Taylor: I FELT THAT! It's like an earthquake just shook the stadium!
Romano: This match may have just ended.
Hyperion looks down at Maverick. He's spent, but right before he goes down to pin him, he finds Chris Card forcing himself off the turnbuckle. Chris Card is so beaten up, he likely doesn't even know where he is, but he steps away to the side, and beckons The Mad Titan with his fingers. Hyperion never turns down a challenge, and he floors it to Chris Card! He goes for Chris Card with his lariat finisher First Principle! That's when Chris Card pulls out of his tights his Aerosol Equalizer! He presses down for a good moment as he falls down. Hyperion becomes blinded and as he moves forward, he finds that Chris Card took the top rope on the way down. Hyperion comes doubling over! Now Chris Card knows better than anyone what's in that noxious cloud of chemicals, but he braves through the leftover irritants as he covers Maverick. The referee goes for the pin count:
...One!
...Two!
...Three!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner and STILL AWF Prestige Champion - Chris Card!
Hyperion forces his red eyes open as he finds the referee throwing Chris Card's hand into the air. If he wasn't ticked off before, he certainly is now.
Taylor: That was a stolen victory! Chris Card didn't topple Maverick! He didn't deserve that victory!
Romano: Deserve is a fickle word. I think Card would say that the victories you deserve are the ones you make happen. But love it or hate it, Chris Card remains as our AWF Prestige Champion!
After the final match of the night transpired, Felix Ziko watches from the television in his office. He smiles, but turns his head as the door opens. It's his wife, albeit separated, Danica.
Danica: Good show.
Ziko: I'm happy with how the show went. Some surprising results, for sure, but we absolutely do have some talented guys out there.
Danica: I'm not going to disagree with you. Anyways, I'm leaving.
Ziko: OK. Well, have a safe trip h-
Danica: No. I mean I'm leaving you. Legally, this time. And you may not like to hear this, but I'm taking the company from you as well. The company has become a resounding success and has finally gotten off the ground. You've finally made a sizable net worth on this place that I'd compare to the piece of shit it was when I first arrived.
Felix's eyes grow wide.
Ziko: You're not...
Danica: Taking the company that you created and leaving you with nothing? I'd be a fool not to. You see, I've been tracking every single company within the XHF since I joined up here a year ago, and I've been noticing the missing potential.
Ziko: Missing potential? What kind of missing potential are you talking about?
Danica: Oh come on. You're inept, Felix. If you had been worth a damn, you'd already know the answer. People want blood. People want sex. People want glitz and glam. They don't want your feel-good 7th Heaven family moments. This isn't the Disney Channel, where fairytales come to life. People want excitement, and they aren't getting that here. That's why people are tuning in to other shows. We have the talent, but you aren't using them correctly. It's time for someone who knows what they're doing to step up, and that someone certainly isn't you.
Ziko: Danica. This place. We've worked so hard for this. This isn't just a wrestling promotion. This is a dream. We've finally gotten up from the ground. Our dreams are finally realized.
Danica smiles. She walks over to Felix and starts massaging the back of his head with her hand.
Danica: I know, Felix, and you've done a great job. But the XHF Network is a lot like real life. The network teaches us a lot of lessons. The strong win. They get their hands raised at the end of the match and are rewarded with gold. The weak?
Danica tightens the grip on the back of Felix's head and shoves his head forward to the desk. She then jerks it back. Felix's chair falls backwards and Felix hits the ground. Danica laughs as she walks away.
Danica: They end up where you are. On the floor. And you are weak, Felix - but you are right about one thing. The AWF is a dream, and just like all dreams, they come to an end. The AWF dream that you've envisioned is now dead. We have now embarked the age of the AWF. Effective immediately, I'm the new CEO of the Ascension Wrestling Federation.
Danica looks down at Felix, slowly shaking her head.
Danica: And if you try to fight me on this, I will take this to court, win the AWF in the divorce court decision, and then I'd probably liquidate the assets, just to spite you. Then I'll take a nice, long vacation while you struggle to find your next meal... Just like you did right before you started this company.
Danica looks down to Felix, on the verge of tears.
Danica: You don't want that to happen, do you, Felix? So tell me, my soon-to-be ex-husband, are you going to fight me on this? Will you make me close the AWF down, and relieve the dozens of people on our roster and staff of their jobs?
That's when the water works begin. Tears begin to well in his eyes.
Ziko: N... No, Danica.
Danica smiles.
Danica: Good boy. Maybe you aren't as foolish as you have been. Now maybe if you act smart and keep your fat mouth shut, I might be nice and send you a severance check.
Danica walks out of the door. In the doorway, she looks back at the emotionally drained man she once called her husband.
Danica: You've made a lot of mistakes in your life, especially since you left the XHF and gave up on their paychecks. But this AWF of yours has been the first good idea you've had in a long time. Perhaps ever. Be glad that you've gotten this far, but understand that you have outlived your usefulness. And now you can go away forever. You are too idealistic in both life and business, you have neither the strength nor the stamina to cut it in wrestling anymore, and you're a pushover. And that's all on top of the fact that you're as ugly as sin, something I've overlooked for far too long. I will see you soon to finalize our divorce and then after that, I never want to see you anymore. Goodbye.
Danica closes the door behind her, leaving Felix Ziko on his hands and knees as a broken mess. He stares at the door with his red, strained and wet eyes as Road to Victory comes to an end.
