At the same time a countdown appears on screen.
The guitar riff is playing over this countdown.
When the countdown reaches zero, there’s a pause, and then the rest of the hard hitting instruments kick in.
Rapid action shots of Keith Owens bashing people with light tubes are shown.
Caskets are flying over the edge of stages.
Dwayne Bishop and Jaime Alejandro powerbomb Keith Owens through the announce table!
Mike Lane Shadow Kicks a jobber iinto next week.
Mike Stryker has the New York Cloverleaf locked and his opponent is screams in agony.
The Wild Boys perform a double suplex on someone.
Diamond Del Carver executes the Diamond Death Drop on someone.
We cut to Keith Owens drilling David Kurresh with the Difference Maker, and then the song hits with a giant drum roll.
The intro video ends and we flash to the Annihilation logo.
ON
Cue the huge boom of the indoor pyrotechnics display.
BOOM!!
BOOM!!!
(JB) Welcome to the final edition of Annihilation before Ultimate Showdown, live from the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia coming to you on the TNT network! We’ve got a huge show planned for tonight with all the round two Ultimate Showdown matches taking place.
The camera cuts to the ringside announcer’s table, where JB Mann and Tom “The Bear” Kalhoun are standing by.
(Tom) And don’t forget, Keith Owens will be in action! The rightful Foundation Heavyweight Champion will take on Tiger Claw.
(JB) Does Keith still have what it takes to be a singles superstar? This is his first match back in the ring one on one since he faced Mike Lane at Revolution well over four months ago.
(Tom) You’re damn right Keith has what it takes. You should worry more about your boys Diamond Del Carver and Jaime Alejandro.
(JB) That’s right. A bit of miscommunication last week saw them fall to the Trust Fund Kids in tag team action.
(Tom) They didn’t hold back on the webcasts either this week.
(JB) It undoubtedly will be a hot main event tonight. But first we’re told something is going down in the parking lot.
A Deafening Silence
Those who are wondering why we're in this parking lot right now, can wonder no more because a rented Taurus is pulling up into the lot. Out of that Taurus steps our reason for being here. A reason that goes by the name of Dwayne Bishop, a man who will step into the ring with the 'King of Old School' Steve Devlin later tonight. Of course, we're not just here to watch Bishop arrive, that would be a little dull. We're also here to see John Mills get an interview with the wannabe Foundation Champion.
(John) Bishop... Bishop, can I get a few words with you about your match later tonight with Steve Devlin?
Silence is golden.
So golden, in fact, that Bishop decides to give it to Mills as a gift.
That's right folks, Bishop simply walks past Mills and heads into the arena without saying a word. Could that really be any good for Devlin?
(Tom) Dwayne Bishop: A man on a mission tonight.
(JB) Has he finally found his motivation again?
(Tom) Why? Just because Kramer said he seemed unmotivated?
(JB) I don’t want to get into this. I’ll agree with you though, Bishop definitely looks focused tonight. But before we see Bishop take on Steve Devlin, we’ve got a different Ultimate Showdown match to kick off tonight’s action.
Ron Barker vs. Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy
Ultimate Showdown: Round 2
The arena is dark, and a lone spotlight hits the middle of the ring, where Troy Gilmore stands, holding the microphone. Just like last week, the spotlight moves to the top of the aisle, where we see Ron Barker emerge, looking intense and focused. Once again, Barker has no music, no fanfare, no pyro...no frills. Barker simply walks up the aisle, and enters the ring. There are loud boos and jeers, but Barker totally ignores them. Splitting the silence, a fire alarm and siren erupt over the speakers as the opening seconds of “Third Reich From The Sun” by Hanzel und Gretyl signify the imminent entrance of Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy, known to these fans as "The Farmer!" The song bursts into it’s horrible glory as the impressive looking Canadian steps onto the stage to a huge roar from the crowds, as he holds his arms aloft. The Farmer stands still on the top of the stage and takes in the huge ovation that the crowd are granting the impressive rookie, before he starts on his way to the ring. The Farmer begins slapping hands on his way down and generally being a real sweetheart to the NAFW fans, before sliding under the bottom rope and springing to his feet in the centre of the ring. Throwing his arms in the air again, The Farmer finishes off his entrance by climbing on the bottom rope and taking another of wave of cheers from the crowd, as Ron Barker looks on, shaking his head in disgust.
(Troy) Ladies and Gentlemen, this match is a Second Round contest in the ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN! Introducing first, in the far corner, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and weighing in at 250 pounds, RON BARKER! His opponent in the opposite corner, also hails from Toronto, and weighs 250 pounds...this is THE FARMER...Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy!
(JB) Two Canadians, both from Toronto, both weighing in at 250 pounds here Tom!
(Tom) Who cares? Toronto, and all of Canada are nothing but wannabe Americans anyhow.
Troy exits the ring, Phil Redding enters, and calls for the bell, and we're off. Ron Barker ties up with The Farmer, The Farmer with a side headlock, Ron Barker tries pushing The Farmer off but The Farmer hangs on to the headlock. Now both men are on the canvas, with Ron Barker on the mat trying to find a way out of the headlock, he twists his hips and wraps both legs around the leg of The Farmer, as The Farmer lets the headlock go and uses Ron Barker's positioning against him. As the fans cheer in appreciation, Ron Barker bridges out of the headlock using his lower body strength as he flips The Farmer over, and now Ron Barker grabs a hold of The Farmer's arms and locks him into a backslide! One! Two! The Farmer kicks out and he is the first to his feet. Ron Barker gets up, The Farmer takes aim and goes for a wild roundhouse but Ron Barker is too quick as he does a forward roll. Ron Barker trips up The Farmer and rolls him up for a cover. One! Two! The Farmer kicks out and stands up but Ron Barker grabs The Farmer by the leg and takes him down, Ron Barker goes for a catapult to the corner but The Farmer lands onto his feet as Ron Barker turns around and he's surprised by The Farmer who nails Ron Barker with a wild roundhouse punch, sending him to the mat, stunned. The Farmer covers the dazed Barker...One! Two! No! Kickout by Barker!
(Tom) I'm getting dizzy with all this action. I think I'm going to throw up. Wait...maybe that's just from the smell of The Farmer.
(JB) As I said, both men are so evenly matched physically, although Barker is the consummate wrestler, The Farmer is nothing more than a fighter. This is the ultimate clash of styles.
The Farmer pulls Ron Barker up and he peppers him with repeated elbows to the side of the head. Referee Phil Redding watches as The Farmer whips Barker roughly across the ring. Ron Barker bounces off the ropes, The Farmer misses with a sloppy looking clothesline attempt, Ron Barker bounces to the opposite side of the ropes now as The Farmer awaits and he grabs Ron Barker by the throat and roughly hurls him down to the mat like a bale of hay. The Farmer now grabs a hold of Ron Barker's neck and wrenches it. Ron Barker grimaces in pain as he struggles to get back to a vertical base. Ron Barker gets up but The Farmer still has him by the head. Ron Barker sits out and slides to the back of The Farmer and now Ron Barker has a submission style neck crank on The Farmer! Ron Barker grabs The Farmer by the head and applies a reverse face lock, he goes for an Inverted neckbreaker but The Farmer counters it into a high, almost unintentional looking back body drop. Barker lands roughly but gets back to his feet, and fires a kick to the abs of the fan favorite and whips him to the corner. Ron Barker runs but The Farmer is too quick as he gets both boots up. Ron Barker clutches his mouth and maybe checks his teeth after that one. The Farmer now charges at Barker with all his strength and almost takes his head off with a clothesline! The Farmer covers...One! Two!
(JB) What THE? Ron Barker has got on some kind of hold on The Farmer?
(Tom) He actually slapped on a reverse Dragon Sleeper WHILE he was on his back in the pinning position!
Due to the nature of the pin, The Farmer was wide open for the submission as now The Farmer gets his head violently pulled back with the Dragon Sleeper. The Farmer's face is quickly turning red from his pale skin and due to the lack of oxygen. Referee Phil Redding asks The Farmer if he'll quit but The Farmer says no. Ron Barker continues to apply the hold expertly as The Farmer inches closer to the ropes, he can't really see where he's headed but he just has to use his ring presence to guide him. Ron Barker impedes The Farmer's progress to the ropes though as now he has BOTH legs applied onto the midsection of The Farmer to fully lock him in. The Farmer has little choice now as he is running out of air quickly and Red Hot has him seemingly finished. The Farmer with one last burst of energy squats down onto the floor and PUSHES back so that Ron Barker's shoulders are down for the pin! One! Two! Ron Barker HAS to release the hold to escape.
(JB) A clever move by the Farmer...
(Tom) Clever? It was pure instinct. Barker came within half a second of choking him out there!
Ron Barker angrily gets back to his feet. HARD kick to the ribs of The Farmer as now The Farmer gets his ribs worked on. Ron Barker now grabs The Farmer up, he hoists him onto his shoulders and he's going for a Torture Rack here but Ron Barker spins The Farmer 360 degrees and then just DROPS him onto his stomach with an Inverted Death Valley Driver! One! Two! NO! Ron Barker glares at the referee as he is showing signs of frustration of not being to put away The Farmer. Ron Barker now stands poised to strike as he waves The Farmer to get up. The Farmer is really slow to get up as Ron Barker is poised to strike. The Farmer gets up, a boot to the gut from Barker. Front face lock…Ron Barker's going for a DDT but The Farmer counters once again this time by simply standing up straight! Barker sails through the air and lands on his tailbone, and The Farmer goes for the cover...One! Two! Barker kicks out, cursing loudly.
(JB) What an interesting match this has turned out to be. Ron Barker is putting on a technical wrestling clinic, but The Farmer is using his raw power and managing to get out of each hold.
(Tom) Why don't you just admit that Barker is wrestling, and this big oaf Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy is using brute strength to get by? The man can't wrestle. What's he done? Clothesline? Backdrop? Punch? Sooner or later Barker is going to catch him with one of these holds, and then it will be over.
The Farmer now motions that he's going to finish it as The Farmer points to a huge "THE FARMER RULES" sign. Ron Barker gets up rubbing his back. The Farmer grabs Ron Barker by the throat and LIFTS him up for what looks like a chokeslam, but Ron Barker grabs The Farmer's other arm and he arm drags him down to escape. The Farmer pounds the mat out of frustration as Ron Barker can't follow up on his counter. The Farmer gets Ron Barker up, The Farmer rears back and smashes Ron Barker with a forearm smash. Ron Barker staggers. The Farmer grabs Ron Barker by the back of the head, and runs him into the corner. As the fans cheer and count along, The Farmer starts to slam Ron Barker's head off the top turnbuckle over and over again! One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Suddenly, Ron Barker drops down, slides back between The Farmer’s legs, and rolls onto his back. Barker reaches up with his legs, and locks them around The Farmer's waist, pulling him backward. The Farmer falls backward on top of Barker, and as he does, Ron Barker wraps his arms around the throat of The Farmer in a Rear Naked Choke! To ensure that he is not counted out, Ron Barker rolls to the side slightly!
The fans are on their feet, as Ron Barker has the Rear Naked Choke slapped on The Farmer, and he is wrenching back as hard as he can! The Farmer is thrashing around, fighting as hard as he can, but it is obvious that he can't find a counter to this Mixed Martial Arts style submission hold. The Farmer starts to go red in the face...then purple...then blue! His arms start to slow down as he thrashes around, and finally they go limp and fall to his sides! Ron Barker is relentless and pulls back even harder! Phil Redding drops to one knee on the mat, and holds up The Farmer's arm, and then lets it go. It drops! Redding tries again! It drops! Phil Redding holds The Farmer's arm up one last time, and then lets it go...It drops! Phil Redding waves his arms in the air, and motions to the timekeeper! The bell rings, and Troy takes the microphone in his hand, as Redding orders Barker to release the hold and hoists his arm in the air...
(Troy) Ladies and Gentlemen...here is your winner as a result of a Rear Naked Choke...RON BARKER!
The fans boo loudly, as Ron Barker stands up and holds his arms over his head in victory. Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy is lying on his back, breathing heavily.
(JB) Well, The Farmer put up a good fight, but in the end Ron Barker was too relentless for him, Tom.
(Tom) What did I tell you? Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy is not a wrestler. He's a hillbilly who likes to throw people around, and when he's in there with a man of superior skill like Ron Barker, it's too much for him. Sure, he used his brute strength to kick out of a few holds, but in the end, Barker had him right where he wanted him.
Ron Barker stands over the exhausted Farmer, smiling. Barker reaches into his tights, and pulls out a small rectangular piece of paper...
(JB) What the hell is that?
(Tom) Ha Ha Ha! I'll tell you what that is...it's a check! Earlier this week, Ron Barker claimed that The Farmer didn't need to wrestle, that he'd pay Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy $40,000 to go away and stay out of this tournament! What, is Barker still going to pay him?
With a sick smirk on his face, Barker rips the check in half, and then shoves the paper into the MOUTH of the Farmer! Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy starts to cough and choke, small bits of the check flying out of his mouth! Ron Barker starts to point and laugh, but The Farmer sits up, gasping for air. Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy looks at the pieces of tattered paper that are coming flying out of his mouth, and then suddenly his face turns red in anger. The Farmer bellows in anger, and then charges to his feet and takes a run right at Ron Barker! Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy grabs Ron Barker by the throat and starts to throttle him! Barker starts to return punches to the face of The Farmer!
(JB) We're not done here Tom! What an insult by Ron Barker to the Farmer, shoving that check down his throat! No wonder Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy is enraged, trying to get his hands on Barker!
(Tom) The Farmer is an idiot. If he had taken the money in the first place, he wouldn't have been choked out and humiliated on national television. He has nobody to blame but himself.
The bell starts to ring over and over again, as The Farmer and Ron Barker are now locked in a brawl, rolling all over the ring, exchanging punches back and forth at lightening speed. The fans are on their feet, cheering their hearts out at the sight of Barker and Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy trying to kill each other. The bell keeps ringing, and finally a crowd of referees and security men come charging down the aisle as fast as they can, sliding into the ring, and separating Ron Barker and The Farmer. Both men are screaming at each other, straining to get at each other, as referees and security men hold them back.
(Tom) Looks like the issue between Barker and The Farmer might not be over.
(JB) What a situation. Ron Barker wins the match convincingly, but The Farmer takes exception to Barker arrogance and humiliation attempt, and we have a Pier 6 Brawl on our hands! Let's go cut backstage while the referees restore some order here!
The Arrival
Yet another quiet night in the Capital of the Dirty South, better known as Atlanta, Georgia. Members of the NAWF Security take in the rather cool September night as Annihilation goes off without a hitch inside of the home of the Atlanta Hawks, the Philips Arena. But of course, would we really be out here if nothing wasn’t going on in the next…uh…um…let’s say the next few seconds?
As if on cue a pair of bright headlights shines bright in the camera as a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe XLT slowly rolls into the Philips Arena and comes to a slow stop in front of a NAFW semi-truck. The driver side door opens as a middle-aged man, steps out of the truck with a black suit on. He says nothing as he makes his way towards the rear driver side door. He opens the door as the camera pans over behind the door. Stepping from the plush leather interior of the truck, the NAFW Atlanta fans scream with cheers as yet another former NAFW has found his way back home.
He stands six foot four…
Weighs in a impressive two-hundred and sixty pounds…
He’s known as the Madman from Miami…
And with a smile on his face, Heatwave has found his way back to the NAFW.
(JB) Are you kidding me? This can’t be happening!
(Tom) What? What’s happening? What’s going on?
(JB) Are you blind, man! Heatwave! Heatwave! Heatwave is at Annihilation! Better than that, Heatwave is back in the NAFW!
The driver closes the door behind Heatwave, who looks around the many NAFW trucks, officials, and miscellaneous staff members as he reaches up adjusting the red silk tie that compliments the jet black suit that covers his rather large frame. He turns back to the driver who stands next to the truck with his hands folded in front of him slowly, nodding his head slowly.
(Heatwave) Go ahead and take a load off…I have some business to attend to, so I’m going to be here for awhile.
The fans cheers only seem to get louder as Heatwave turns back around walking past the camera and into Philips Arena.
(JB) We’ve got to get someone down there! John! Rick! Amie! Mark! Somebody!
Cut to commercial.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
His Declaration!
He looked as if he belonged to NAFW Upper Management than on the NAFW roster but yet as he roamed the halls of Philips Arena, Heatwave kept a rather smug smile on his face as other wrestlers on the roster stop for a moment, watching Heatwave past them by. Inaudible whispers can be barely heard as the Madman from Miami makes his way down the hallways.
"Heatwave! Heatwave!"
Heatwave stops and turns around as Mark Herriot runs up next to him with a NAFW microphone in hand. Heatwave nearly dwarfs Mark, who looks up at Heatwave with a bit of astonishment.
(Mark) Whoa. Um…
(Heatwave) You are…?
Mark shakes his head to gather his bearings as he clears his throat momentarily.
(Mark) Of course, of course…my bad, I’m Mark Herriot with the NAFW.
Heatwave only chuckles as he looks at the NAFW microphone and shakes his head.
(Heatwave) Yeah, I can see that, what can I do for you big man?
(Mark) Well, Annihilation has just started and it is safe to say that your arrival to the NAFW has created quite the stir already. So much that people are wondering why you’re here tonight?
(Heatwave) Why am I here? Well, to be honest I guess that’s a reasonable question, Mark. But I tell you like this…when the NAFW first folded like a napkin, I was still fresh out of the NWC and that whole load of bulls…
Heatwave stops in mid sentence bringing a hand up to cover his mouth momentarily.
(Heatwave) Excuse…this is primetime, so I have to watch my mouth. Let’s try this again. When the NAFW folded like a napkin I was still riding high off of NWC fame…so much that I didn’t have to go very far before someone was going to pick up a monster talent like myself…but to be honest…after a year and some change on the indy circuit…making peanuts compared to what I was making, it was safe to say where I was better off at…the mainstream. So needless to say when I got a phone call about the NAFW…I didn’t hesitate to take my talent, my personality, my charisma, my athletic ability…back to the mainstream. So, Mark…here I am…back in the NAFW once again. And this…let’s hope that we all stick around for a lot longer.
He smiles softly as the crowd starts a soft chant of “Heatwave” only for it grow in size as seconds tick by.
(Heatwave) Besides, if anything I don’t Atlanta has forgotten me at all.
(Mark) Neither has the NAFW…but when are we going to see you in a NAFW ring? Well it be tonight? A week from now? How long does the NAFW faithful have to wait before the Madman from Miami makes his debut?
Heatwave shrugs his large shoulders as his smile has yet to waiver of leave his lips.
(Heatwave) Well, Mark, I’ll leave it with you like this…you won’t see me in that ring tonight, but you’ll be seeing a lot more of me in the near future…I guarantee it.
Heatwave pats Mark on the shoulders as he walks off.
(JB) That’s huge news that Heatwave finally inked his contract with the NAFW.
(Tom) Indeed it is Mann-U, but don’t soil your pants over it just yet. The night is young and we have another match coming up right now.
Andy D vs. David Richmond w/ Rurik Krychek
The Arena lights go down as the 'Ace' Signature logo appears on screen. A large '1' is spray panted over the top before Keep Yourself Alive II kicks in over the PA. Andy comes out and heads towards the ring, hand slapping a couple of the audience along the way. Andy climbs into the ring and heads to his turnbuckle, flipping his bucket hat off his head and placing on the metal part of the turnbuckle. He takes off his shades and places them on the hat before turning around ready for the match.
(Troy) The following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, Andy D!
The lights go out as The Big screen shows a black background with green letters and numbers spinning around, then suddenly several characters settle in front of them one at a time spelling out "D4V3 R1(|-|/\/\0|\||) > J00" followed by a large pyro shooting of on stage Up Up Down Down Left Right B A Start by the Ataris starts playing as the lights turn back on Dave is standing on the stage with his back to the audience with his arms outstretched. Rurik Krychek emerges from the back to less noticement than Richmond, and in his arms is Wilson. Dave walks down to the ring and up the steps mocking the audience at ringside till he gets to the ring, where he climbs the steps and walks along the apron. He faces the crowd and makes the > sign before making a sweeping motion at the audience, he then takes off his sunglasses and tosses his t-shirt to the ring area. Krychek simply stands at ring side.
(Troy) And his opponent, accompanied by Rurik Krychek, the 1337 One, Dave Richmond!
The bell rings and the men begin circling the center of the ring, after a circle or so they lock up and shove at each other. Andy D being the taller one, has the height advantage to begin pushing Richmond downwards. Richmond falls backwards and throws his feet into Andy D's gut, and monkey flips him. Andy D rolls to his feet as Richmond gets up. They turn to each other, and Andy D charges Richmond, but is taken over with an arm drag. Richmond gets up, still holding the arm of Andy D and goes for an armbar, however, Andy D slides through Richmond's legs and pulls him down into a school boy. 1...2...kick out.
(JB) First pinfall attempt goes to Andy D.
Both men get up, and Andy runs to the ropes. Richmond leap frogs over him. Andy rebounds off the ropes, and Richmond tries a hip toss, but Andy blocks and hip tosses Richmond. Richmond quickly gets to his feet, and Andy runs at Richmond. Richmond ducks and Andy leap frogs over him. Andy rebounds off the ropes, and Richmond turns around. Andy heads towards Richmond, and Richmond attempts his Headkicker, but Andy commando rolls under Richmond's leg, to his feet and then dropkicks Richmond off his feet.
(Tom) Andy counters the Headkicker.
Andy D is quick to his feet and waits as Richmond slowly begins pulling himself up. Andy charges at Richmond for the Dragon's Bite, but Richmond narrowly ducks his head away. Andy's momentum carries him to the ropes, where Andy ducks under the middle rope to the apron. Andy stands up on the apron while Richmond gets to his feet. Richmond turns to the ropes and Andy slingshot crossbodies Richmond. Andy keeps for the pin. 1...2...kick out.
(Tom) Vaulting body press to the inside.
(JB) It's only called a vaulting body press if it's to the outside...despite it's basically being the same move.
Andy gets to his feet and pulls Richmond to his feet. Andy whips Richmond at the ropes, and Richmond hits the ropes. Richmond comes back and takes a hurricanrana into a pin. 1...2...kick out. Both men quickly get to their feet and Andy leaps into the air at Richmond, turning around, wrapping his legs around the chest of Richmond, and rolling forward, bringing Richmond into a pin while Andy holds his legs. 1...2...kick out. Both men arrive back on their feet, and Richmond does the same to Andy, except Richmond gets to his feet after rolling Andy, steps through his legs and begins to apply a sharpshooter.
(JB) Richmond's going for the submission route at this point.
Richmond's plan is short lived as Andy kicks him away. Richmond takes a few steps back and charges at Andy's prone position. Andy reaches up and pulls Richmond into a small package. 1...2...kick out. Richmond quickly slides out of the ring afterwards and begins pounding the apron with his fist, before turning around and kicking the ring barrier. Richmond huffs and stomps off towards Krychek while Andy D gets to his feet. The l33t re-discuss strategy.
(Tom) Look at the baby, throwing a fit.
(JB) Richmond is a perfectionist, and perhaps unrealistic in his attitude about how he is, or should be.
After a few seconds of retalking, Richmond slides back into the ring. Richmond looks to still be calming himself before lunging at Andy D with a barrage of open palm slaps to the side of his head, knees to the gut, and kicks to the shin. After a few combinations of the attack, Richmond whips Andy toward a corner. Richmond charges after him, Andy hits and Richmond leaps onto his chest and backflips off, before then landing a dropkick to his face.
(JB) Richmond got irritated and pulled out a nice combination of moves to put him back on top in this match.
Richmond gets back to his feet and grabs Andy's head. Richmond starts running, pulling Andy with him, and leaps for the PWN3d!. Andy shoves him off, and Richmond charges up to the opposite corner. Richmond leaps onto the second rope and lunges backwards as Andy was coming at him. Richmond grabs Andy's head and lands on his feet. Richmond mimicks a gun going off with his free arm and spins for the Headshot, but Andy backflips over the knee of Richmond, and then dropkicks Richmond in the face.
(Tom) Richmond's having a bad time with getting moves off.
Andy gets to his feet and grabs Richmond's head. Andy pulls Richmond to his feet, holds an arm, grabs his head, and wraps a leg around his leg. Andy leans forward and begins coming backwards for a russian leg sweep, but a flying Wilson hits Andy in the back of the head. Wilson goes back into Krychek's arms as Richmond is now free from the russian leg sweep. Richmond leaps, grabs Andy's head and lands the PWN3d!. Richmond rolls him over and covers. 1...2...3!
(JB) Cheap win by Richmond, and by the bastardly Krychek using stolen property.
(Tom) But since Wilson is technically Snake's possession, I think he should have to be punished for it.
(JB) But it was Krychek who used Wilson in that manner.
(Tom) I don't care.
Richmond quickly rolls out and Krychek quickly walks over to his partner. The duo head to the back as Andy holds his head.
Check
Dwayne Bishop sits alone in his locker room, head hung low between his shoulders, hands clenched together as if in prayer.
(Bishop) I've been hearing things since I arrived to the arena. Little rumors about how Steve Devlin may come out with an upset win and make it into the third round of the Ultimate Showdown. How he is going to use his speed and agility against me, as if for some reason I'm going to forget how to move.
Well Mister Devlin, I've got some news that you just might want to listen to. Inside that ring, you have a limited amount of room to get away from me. Sure, you may get in a quick strike or two, use your blinding speed to make me dizzy, or even slide or counter one or two of my moves. It happens, that's just part of the business. You never know what is going to happen next, and when you do you need to do your best to keep your composure.
I've faced guys like you before, Steve. Guys who think that my size is a disadvantage, that I cannot keep up with them and I'll get tired quickly. Sorry to bring you back down to Earth, but that is something you're just going to have to erase from your srategy. I'm not like other big men, men that use their size to their advantage because they are bigger than most everyone else. Big men who think that one hit is going to knock someone out.
I know better.
Now Bishop raises his head and looks into the camera.
(Bishop) I'm different than those other guys because I trained myself to go that distance, to make sure I could last longer than a five minute match, because you never know when you're going to have to fight more than once in a night. You never know when slamming someone onto the mat so hard they almost swallow their tongue... Yes, I've done that to someone before. But you never know when you're going to have to do more than that, and I'm the type of guy that has always been ready for the unexpected. What about you?
What are you going to do when you can’t beat me in a straight up wrestling match, what do you do next? Do you start flying off the top rope, hoping to catch me off guard and land a lucky shot, or are you the type of person to start swinging steel chairs at my head? How long until you expose yourself as a fraud and a phony, because as much as you hate 'cutting a promo' you still manage to do them.
You still want to step in the ring with me? Well, I’m going to make sure you regret making that mistake. It's going to take more than you being the 'King of Old School' to beat me, Steve. When I'm done with you, you’ll go back to your locker room defeated, desperately trying to wash the blood from your face… and I’ll be another step closer to becoming the next Foundation Heavyweight Champion.
It all continues tonight.
It continues with you.
Bishop stands and walks out of the locker room, leaving us with an empty scene.
(JB) Bishop versus Devlin is next! Stay tuned!
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Steve Devlin vs. Dwayne Bishop
Ultimate Showdown: Round 2
(JB) Ladies and gentlemen get ready for our second Ultimate Showdown Round 2 match of the night.
(Tom) Don’t you mean get ready to watch Dwayne Bishop hand Steve Devlin his ass?
(JB) I doubt that’ll be the case. We saw Devlin for the first time in the ring last week, and his claim to being the “King of Old School” seems pretty legit.
(Tom) You know what Bishop is the king of?
(JB) What?
(Tom) Your mom, Mann-itboa
(JB) And they pay you to sit next to me. Imagine that.
The crowd turns their heads towards the top of the rampway as Steve Devlin steps out from behind the curtain. There is no loud, blaring music. There is no pyro or fancy lighting. There is just one man, lean and toned with short blond hair,slicked back over his head. He is clad in a black vest with basic black wrestling trunks and boots. He walks with determination to the ring. As he moves forward, the back of his vest has the phrase "Old School" written across it. Devlin doesn't acknowledge the crowd in any way. He just keeps his cold stare dead ahead at the ring and the challenge that awaits him inside it. When he reaches the ring, he rolls under the bottom rope and gets to his feet. Devlin hands his vest to the ring attendant and stretches on the ropes prior to the match.
(Troy) First, in the ring, from Providence, Rhode Island, the King of Old School…. Steve… Devlin!
(Tom) Well that was certainly a lackluster entrance. Let’s watch how a real man enter the ring.
The opening riffs of Mudvayne's “Determined” begin to play over the Public Address System as the arena lights dim slightly, followed by blue and white pyrotechnics showering down over the entrance curtain.
## YEAH GO, YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT CONFIDENCE ##
## GO, SO ****ING DETERMINED, YEAH ##
## YEAH GO, SPIT OUT ALL REASON, YEAH ##
Dwayne Bishop stands atop the ramp, as he receives a combination of cheers and jeers from the Foundation Fans that have filled the arena to it's capacity. Bishop stretches his arms out as the showering sparks rain down on him from above. With the first step of his descent down the ramp, pyro shoots off on either side of him with a loud thunderous boom.
(Troy) And his opponent, weighing in at 305 pounds… Dwayne Bishop!
Bishop ascends the steps, then lifts his leg over the top rope to enter the ring.
(Tom) Now that’s what I’m talking about!
(JB) A good entrance isn’t going to help Bishop win this match.
Devlin wastes no time starting up against the big man and rushes him before Bishop’s entrance music is even cut. The referee turns and signals for the bell and this one is officially under way. Devlin goes for quick strikes against Bishop, who is still caught off guard from the attack. Devlin works him over into the corner. Devlin hits him with an old school eye rake the referee doesn’t see, but instead of doing damage it simply aggravates Bishop even more! The monster grabs Devlin and the two trade places. This time Devlin is privy to some slower but harder hitting punches. Finally Bishop tops it off with a headbutt and turns to receive some jeers from the crowd. Steve stumbles out of the corner and Bishop is there to Irish whip him across the ring into the opposite corner! Devlin hits so hard he immediately stumbles back out into the middle of the ring. Bishop meets him with another Irish whip to the first corner, and trails right behind him with a huge clothesline! This time Devlin drops dead to the mat and Bishop makes the cover.
1… 2… Foot on the rope!
(JB) Great ring awareness by the King of Old School.
(Tom) He’s also getting a great ass kicking right now, even is that didn’t put him down.
Bishop pops up from the mat and begins to think of his next course of action as Devlin is still on his back. As the big man reaches down to grab Devlin, Devlin quickly trips him up with a drop toe hold. Devlin bounces up to his feet and drops some stiff elbows to the back of the neck of Bishop. Finally Devlin mounts Bishop from behind and locks in a rear chin lock. The referee asks Bishop if he gives up, but we all know that’s not the case. After a few moments of struggling, Bishop somehow reaches back and grabs Devlin by the hair, flipping him off himself with a snapmare of sorts.
(Tom) Look at the pure strength of Bishop! How many other men could be in that awkward of a position, reach back with one hand, and pull their opponent off?
(JB) Not many Bear, you’re right about that.
Devlin is quicker to his feet than Bishop, but the kicks to the midsection to keep the monster down don’t do much. Now both men are vertical and engage in a lockup. Devlin tries to gain an advantage while doing so by kneeing Bishop in the stomach and it works, as he’s able to land a very big DDT! Devlin hops up and bounces off the ropes, looking for another elbow drop to the back of the head, but he misses as Bishop rolls out of the way. Now its Bishops turn to inflict some damage. He grabs Devlin an executes a running bulldog!
(JB) My gawd! How often do you see Bishop break out a running bulldog?
(Tom) The Beast is showing Devlin he’s got more than it takes to win this match.
Bishop drops down for a pin cover but before he can get there, Devlin gives him a kick to the head, deterring that. Up on their feet again, both men grab each other and jockey for position on a belly to belly hold. Devlin goes for the throw, but can’t seem to get Bishop off his feet, thanks to a 50 plus pound advantage. Bishop goes for the belly to belly but the resistance of Devlin is too strong. Back to Devlin and he finally hits one of the biggest belly to belly suplexes you’ve ever seen in your life!
(Tom) No!
(JB) Steve Devlin makes the Beast go airborne!
As the crowd chants “Holy Shit,” Devlin wastes no time covering Bishop for the pin. The referee slides in… 1… 2… No! Bishop powers out with his shoulder off the mat at the last second! Both men, exhausted from the test of strength that just took, are slow to their feet. They grapple up again and this time Bishop takes the advantage with an eye rake. He then nails a few stiff uppercuts to Devlin before clotheslining him down. Devlin comes up, and gets taken down with another clothesline. We do this little routine a third time before Devlin doesn’t get off the mat again. Bishop roars with anger and makes the cut throat sign across his throat, signaling the end for Steve Devlin. Bishop drags Devlin up and puts his head between his legs. It looks as if Bishop is going for a powerbomb but Devlin jams his head up and basically low blows the monster. Freed from the hold, this time Devlin switches it up and puts Bishop’s head between his legs. Devlin attempts his No Frills piledriver to put Bishop away but Bishop powers up, reversing the move. The big man moves all his momentum backwards and squashes Devlin inverted into the corner. The King of Old School hangs in the tree of woe, and this time Bishop goes to finish the job, twisting him out and picking him up for a sit-out powerbomb, a modified Judgment. The referee slides down.
1… 2… 3!
(Troy) Your winner, and advancing to the next round of Ultimate Showdown… Dwayne Bishop!
(JB) If that wasn’t an exciting match I don’t know what is.
(Tom) The King of Old School just got a taste of the new school.
(JB) Both men displayed great strength and great reversal ability here, but it’s Dwayne Bishop who advances to the Ultimate Showdown Pay Per View.
(Tom) Guess what JB? I’m getting word we’ve got a Scott Rocker sighting! Let’s cut backstage and check it out.
I Hate Players!
Fade in to the backstage area. The camera is focused on none other than SCOTT F’N ROCKER, complete with a cut-off jean jacket, no shirt, and his American Flag bandanna wrapped around his head. Last week Scott Rocker stayed silent, and you know you were disappointed. That’s all changed and he’s back this week. He’s enjoying himself a fine bottle of Coors backstage in a hallway, minding his own business. Then from around the corner he hears a commotion.
“Just stay away from me!”
It’s as if Scott Rocker has Spidey-Sense and it’s just kicked in! He puts his Coors down on a table and rounds the nearest corner from which the sound is coming from. Who is making all this commotion you ask?
Amie Carmichael.
“No Amie, I saw you flirting with him. I know it!...”
There is a man there, harassing Amie, apparently about flirting with someone else. He’s towering over Ms. Carmichael, and Scott Rocker appears to be having none of this.
He rushes over and pushes this random guy back, then grabs him by his shirt collar.
(Rocker) Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey!!!!!!!
This barrage of yelling in his face by Rocker is enough to scare the guy and keep him quiet.
(Rocker) Give me some eyes! Look at me! Cool your jets!!!
Rocker is staring this jerk dead in the eyes and the fan looks as if he’s just about pissed himself.
(Guy) I’m sorry.
(Rocker) Alright beat it.
The guy scampers off and the mighty Scott Rocker turns his attention towards Amie Carmichael, who still looks a bit shaken up due to this harassment. He sweeps her sandy blonde hair out of her face and behind her ear, looking her straight in the eyes.
(Rocker) Are you okay?
(Amie) He’s such a player.
(Rocker) Is he a player?
(Amie) Big time!
(Rocker) I hate players!!! Alright I’m sorry, I’m getting fired up here.
There’s a bit of an awkward pause, a bit of sexual tension between the two if you will.
(Amie) It’s okay. Thanks for getting rid of him.
Scott seems to ignore the thanks of Amie, as it appears he’s got something else on his mind.
(Rocker) You know what else gets me fired up?
(Amie) What?
(Rocker) I’m talking about Vin Yun Chang! Changy waltzes out there a few weeks ago, and tries to tell Keith Owens that if no one else will face him for the title, then he will. Then he’s handed a spot in the Ultimate Showdown Tournament as a way for him to put his money where his mouth is, and he just walks away from it? What is that crap?! What kind of American passes up an opportunity like that? It’s obvious that Changy isn’t from ‘round these parts, and it’s clear Changy doesn’t have what it takes to be a real man here in the North American Foundation of Wrestling, coming to you live this week from the good ol’ U-S-of-A!
There’s a small crowd pop, humoring Rocker’s fired up attitude and love of America.
(Rocker) It just makes me so sick! America means I can live my life on the edge of excitement and this punk thinks he can just do as he pleases, like America owes him a god damn thing, like he’s some kind of player. Well I’ll tell you what Amie, I’m not standing for it. I hate players! No one treads on me, my company, or my country like that! Last week VYC had nothing to say about what I said the week before, so let me kick you down a little something to make myself clear.
Scott turns from Amie and stares straight into his camera lens.
(Rocker) VYC, I’m calling you out! If you’ve got the testicular fortitude to face a real man and a true American, then I’ll see you in the ring at Ultimate Showdown! I’m about to go America all over your ass!
I am Scott Rocker, and I. Will. Rock You!
Fade out to Rocker literally shaking with rage due to his adrenaline rush.
(JB) That was certainly… interesting.
(Tom) I guess you’ve got to give it up for Scott Rocker putting VYC in his place.
(JB) But the question is, will VYC answer the challenge?
(Tom) We’ll see who is a true American and who isn’t when Ultimate Showdown rolls around.
A Fighting Champion
The arena lights go dark as "Til I collapse" by Eminem begins to play and the crowd begins to buzz. The intro to the song accompanies shots of the NYC skyline. As the song kicks in, Out from the curtain walks Mike Stryker to a throng of cheers.
(JB) The Atlantic Champion is here!!
Stryker foregoes his normal routine of playing to the crowd and heads right for the ring. Whatever he's headed there for, he means business. He rolls right under the rope and pops up, holding his Atlantic title high to another round of cheers. He then turns and holds his hand out, as a mic gets tossed his way. He stops in the middle of the ring, after a couple more chers die down, he puts the mic up to his face and begins.
(Stryker) You know, I've been walking around backstage tonight, and I've been a little perturbed by the atmosphere with some people back there. I've been walking around and getting the sense that some of the guys back there are looking at the Big City Hitman sideways.
(JB) Doesn't sound too savvy.
(Tom) Your mom is savvy.
(Stryker) It seems to be a consensus that somehow, the Atlantic Title that I carry on my shoulder, somehow I don't deserve it. Somehow I shouldn't have it. For whatever reason, people seem to be under the impression that I'm not a real champion. well, that kind of thinking certainly doesn't sit well with Mike Stryker.
(Tom) Paper champion.
(JB) Don't let him hear you say that.
(Tom) I don't sweat him.
(Stryker) I didn't come out here for some long winded pile of drivel about how that's not true. Quite simply, I don't like people saying that I'm not a fighting, true champion, and I intend to change their perception. And I'm going to start changing that perception at Ultimate Showdown. See, thanks to some foul play, I have a whole lot of nothing going on that night. I'm the Atlantic Champion, and I know that I'm not gonna just sit back there and watch Ultimate Showdown without having myself some fun. I won't spend that night in the back without my shot at changing people's minds.
(Tom) Where's he going with this Mann-anarama?
(JB) I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.
(Stryker) All of this brings me to one man. The guy who started all of this. It brings me to you...Michael Fitzpatrick-McCarthy.
(Tom) Fitz?
(Stryker) Michael, you showed me an awful lot in your debut. You're absolutely tough as nails, and I admit, maybe a little piece of me took you a little too lightly. I know you're good, but I also know I'm better than you are. The issue that I have is that it seems like nobody else believes that fact to be true. Everyone seems to be under the impression that I won by some technicality, some loophole. To be honest, I'm a little sick of it. And the only way for me to prove that I AM the better man is for me to get in that ring with you Mikey, and for me to whip your ass from pillar to post and back. Now, I saw what happened to you tonight, and suddenly, you seem to also have an open night at Ultimate Showdown. Well Mikey, if you're game, if you're man enough, then you can meet me next week, and get yourself one more shot at this.
Stryker holds up the Atlantic title belt as the crowd cheers and "Til I Collapse" plays through the arena.
(JB) Stryker laid down the challenge, he wants a fight!
(Tom) He's a fool, he should let people come to him.
(JB) That's not how he's wired Tom. Now we need to know, will Michael Fitzpatrick McCarthy accept?
COMMERCIAL BREAK
A Returning Threat
The NAFW Tron flickers to life for a moment, showing little more than static for a few moments. Without warning, the background turns black, and pink text appears on the screen.
He dominated.
He fell.
There is a short pause as the text on the screen fades to black. As soon as the old text fades, new text replaces it.
He will return.
The NAFW must make way...
The NAFW Tron cuts to the back, where a dark form stands in the shadows. The only part of him that is slightly visible, is the pink of his shorts. The camera zooms in tight on his shadowed face.
(???) Get ready to feel the Smash!
Cut to black.
(JB) Who is this mystery man?
(Tom) You really don’t know?..
(JB) Well...
(Tom) You’re such a n00b.
Keith Owens vs. "Tiger Claw" Stuart Hunter
(JB) I’m not a n00b. Let’s stop the bickering as the show is continuing right now. Our next match pit’s a newcomer, known as “Tiger Claw” Stuart Hunter against the former Foundation Heavyweight Champion, Keith Owens.
(Tom) A title that should rightfully be Owens’.
(JB) Well, the winner of the Ultimate Showdown Tournament faces Owens for the championship.
(Tom) It’s a conspiracy, Mann-itoba. He never lost the title.
(JB) Anyway, I think the match is about ready. Let’s get to it.
The lights around the arena go down; smoke begins to fill the entrance as Creed- My Sacrifice starts to play. Orange lights beam all over the arena. An explosion goes off at the entrance and Tiger Claw makes his way out.
(Troy) The Following contest is scheduled for one fall.. making his way to the ring, hailing from Falkirk, Scotland, weighing in at 235 pounds… “Tiger Claw” Stuart Hunter!!!
Once in the ring he climbs onto the second turn buckle and hits his chest with his right arm twice and then raises his right arm into the air. Tiger Claw then climbs down and stares down his opponent.
(JB) Don’t ever underestimate the new blood. This guy can get the job done.
(Tom) He’s not going to stand a chance against Owens. Just watch and see, Mann-wich.
“Its All About The Benjamins” rock remix hits the speakers and everybody in the arena is ready for who is about to step through those curtains. Melissa Hayes steps through first and stands slightly to the right hand side of the stage. She holds out her arms as if to present someone. Moments later, another person steps through and stands in the middle of the stage. A spotlight shines down in the middle on him, and of course it’s none other than Keith Owens, Foundation Heavyweight Champion-apparent. This signals a shower of golden sparks from the rafters down below onto the ramp. Despite not being the champion anymore, Owens has the belt in tow, and one has to wonder why no one has taken it away from him yet.
(Tom) Here comes the champ!
(JB) Well, a potential future champ. Keith will be one of 5 men competing in the end of Ultimate Showdown come the Pay Per View.
Melissa grabs a hold of his arm and the two of them make their way down the ring, largely ignoring the many fans booing them and giving them a hard time. At the bottom of the ramp, Melissa breaks away and heads up the ring steps first. She sits on the middle rope in a seductive matter, holding it open for Keith who follows a short distance behind her.
Keith climbs the turnbuckle and holds the belt up for the crowd to see while Melissa applauds in the middle of the ring.
(Troy) And now, in the ring, being accompanied by Melissa Hayes… KEITH.. OW…
Melissa grabs Troy by his tie and pulls him down to whisper something in his ear, effectively cutting off his introduction of Keith. After a few seconds she lets go. Troy readjusts his tie and tries this one again.
(Troy) And now, in the ring, accompanied by the lovely Melissa Hayes, your rightful Foundation Heavyweight Champion… KEITH OWENS!
This of course is met with a chorus of boos as Keith continues to pose with the title on the turnbuckle. Eventually he hops down and hands the belt to Melissa, who exits the ring.
The referee calls for the bell, and this match is underway.
The two competitors circle up around the ring, and then dive in for a lock up. Both men adjust trying to gain position and leverage, but it’s Tiger Claw who seems to get the initial advantage. Keith quickly breaks out of the lock up as he’s not going to beat at this game. He dives back in for another lock up and gets the advantage on Stuart Hunter. Owens uses his quickness and wraps Hunter’s own arm across his own neck, then drops him onto his knee for some kind of modified back breaker.
(JB) That’s a new move for Owens.
(Tom) Never underestimate the champ JB. He’s always on his toes with something new and innovating.
Hunter bounces back though, just in a bit of pain. Keith shoves Tiger Claw back and then immediately hits a huge standing drop kick out of no where. He takes some time to gloat and the crowd lets him know what they think of that. Hunter comes bouncing back and Keith ends up Irish whipping him across the ring into the turnbuckle. Hunter’s back must be a little soar because he hits hard and can’t move out of the way of a running wheel kick into the corner. Tiger Claw falls down onto the mat and Keith makes the cover.
1… 2… Kickout!
(JB) That’s a close call for Tiger Claw there,
(Tom) This Tiger Claw guy is just so washed up. Why did Hector even agree to sign him?
(JB) Everyone deserves a second chance.
(Tom) The only second chance will be one at life if he makes it out of this match against Owens alive.
Keith isn’t happy but he doesn’t waste too much time arguing. He knew a wheel kick wasn’t going to finish this match. Back at it he pulls Tiger Claw off the mat and gets him in a headlock. The one time star in Hunter tries to fight back with some punches to Owens’ ribs, but Owens’ responds to that with a knee to his skull. Finally having him subdued, Keith hoists him up in the air for a nice vertical suplex which he holds an extra moment or two for extra emphasis. With Tiger Claw flat on his back, Keith looks up at the turnbuckle and jumps up onto it like he used to in his more youthful days if you will, back when he was the high flyin’ X-Treme Champion, before David Wagner, perhaps better known as Dave Kaos, destroyed his knee with a steel chair. The last NAFW Champion doesn’t go for his signature “Don’t Try This At Home” shooting star press, but rather hits a big top rope leg drop across the throat of Stuart Hunter.
(Tom) Nice top rope action by Keith Owens!
(JB) Keith is no stranger to the skies but ever since his stint in Japan, he’s become more well rounded and I’ll admit it is a treat to see him fly high like that.
Keith takes a bit of time getting up to his feet as that leg drop might have had as much of an impact on his bad knee as it did on the upper section of Hunter. Keith drags Hunter back up to his feet and immediately slaps him into a sleeper hold, a signature move of any good heel.
(JB) Keith seems to be showing us a little of everything tonight with a submission hold right here.
(Tom) He’s the most well rounded champ we’ve ever had. Why not use all you’ve got?
Tiger Claw struggles in the hold, and the crowd’s clapping isn’t doing much to save him. The referee comes over and raises his arm as his eyes fade. It drops. He lifts it again. It drops. And the third time? It would have dropped, and Keith knew that, but he’s not done playing yet. He spun to the front and grabbed Stuart in a belly to belly position and deliver the suplex by the same name. Keith immediately picks him up again and gets him in a headlock, this time dropping him with the one and only Difference Maker twist of fate move.
(JB) Huge belly to belly suplex for no reason followed by an immense Difference Maker!
(Tom) This one is in the bag.
It’s all academic from here.
1… 2… and 3.
(Troy) Your winner… KEITH OWENS!
The referee tries to check on Stuart Hunter but Keith scares him off. Melissa enters the ring once more and hands Keith a microphone while she holds on to the Foundation Heavyweight Championship. Keith kicks Tiger Claw in the ribs a few times before putting his foot over his chest.
(Keith) Ultimate Showdown is our next show, and a lot of people have been wondering if I really have what it takes to reclaim my rightful championship after all this time. A lot of people seemed to enjoy that powerbomb I received a few weeks back courtesy of Dwayne Bishop and Jaime Alejandro through the announce table. A lot of people didn’t think I still had what it took after NAFW took a break and I didn’t wrestle inside the ring.
Keith stomps on Tiger Claw a bit to keep him down below his foot, obviously saving him for something else.
(Keith) Well guess what? What I have is something called natural talent. It’s a gift that every last man in that locker room wishes they had. To be this good in the ring? It’s in my blood. I walked straight out of my backyard and where am I just a short while later? Oh yeah, the Foundation Heavyweight Champion. And had Mike Lane’s inept cousin or sister or girlfriend or all of the above, whatever she was, hadn’t screwed up and lost control of the NAFW, I’d still be champion to this very day.
Cue the boos from the crowd, but you probably already knew that.
(Keith) So Ron Barker, Dwayne Bishop, take notice. Sebastian Hawke, I’ve seen you running your mouth kid. You’re going to have to do a whole hell of a lot more than talk if you even want to breathe the same air that I do. Diamond Del Carver, Jaime Alejandro, I’ve already had both of your numbers, but which one of you has-beens advance, I’ll put you down again.
Keith sneers as he looks around over the audience who absolutely hates him, without a shadow of a doubt.
(Keith) The odds are against you all. For you to win Ultimate Showdown and become the Foundation Heavyweight Champion, you have to win three matches in one night, including beating me in the main event. Just ask David Kurresh what that’s like, because that’s no easy f’n task and it’s one he never accomplished.
Now the former champ is smiling, knowing that’s an enormously huge notch to have on your belt defeating David Kurresh in the main event of Oblivion.
(Keith) For over a year there’s only been one name associated with the Foundation Heavyweight Championship, and it’s mine. I am the Difference Maker, and I am going to win Ultimate Showdown and ascend to my rightful spot on the throne of the wrestling world. And if you don’t believe me? Think about it a little harder.
By this time, Tiger Claw is stirring on the mat. Keith pulls him up and drops him with another Difference Maker just for a nice exclamation point on his speech. Keith grabs the Foundation title from Melissa and hops out of the ring, leaving her to step on Tiger Claw with her high heel boot on her way out.
(JB) Keith Owens definitely makes a statement here tonight, and he’s definitely shown that Ultimate Showdown is going to be no walk in the park.
(Tom) The only way anyone else will walk out of the Pay Per View with that title is by a pure miracle, and nothing less.
Lets cut to commercial.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Mike Lane vs. Sebastian Hawke
Ultimate Showdown: Round 2
(JB) Welcome back from the commercial break. We’ve got another Ultimate Showdown match on tap for you right now!
"I'm The One" begins blasting out the speakers of the NAFW-Tron, as Sebastian Hawke walks out onto the stage, underneath the NAFW-Tron itself. He adjusts his wrist tape before looking out to the crowd. He slowly walks down the ramp to the ring, staring at the ring as he does. He passes by a few fans, who are waving their hands at him trying to get a high-five, but he ignores them, as he walks down to the ring. He comes up to the apron, walking over to the stairs and escalating them. He walks along the apron, facing the crowd as he stares out at them, before turning around to get into the ring.
Audioslave’s “Cochise” hits the PA and we all know what that means. The crowd pops like mad as a wall of pyro goes off on the stage, and all the lights come on. Mike Lane walks out onto the stage, and looks around. He's wearing black trunks with his symbol on the front, a chaos symbol with a phoenix in the middle. Lane pops his neck as he walks down the ramp, slapping as many fans hands as he can. The sensei of submission walks up the steel steps, and climbs between the ropes. He heads to one side of the ring, and points towards the camera. He drops his arm, and heads to the nearest turnbuckle. He ascends it, and raises his arms in the crucifix pose. He drops down to the mat, and walks over to the ropes, where he wraps his arms around them and stretches.
(Troy) Ladies and Gentlemen, this next match is a Second Round match in the Ultimate Showdown! Introducing first, in the corner to my right, from Dallas Texas and weighing in at 285 pounds, this is Sebastian Hawke! His opponent hails from Kingsport, Tennessee and weighs 280 pounds, here is The Superstar: Mike Lane!
The house lights in the Phillips Arena go down, leaving only the spotlight over the ring illuminating the wrestlers. As Troy exits the ring, the referee enters, and calls for the bell. Mike Lane and Sebastian Hawke intensely stare at each other for a moment. Finally, The Superstar falls back into the ropes, and then comes springing off with a shoulder block. The Superstar hits Sebastian Hawke full speed, but Hawke doesn't budge. The two men stare at each other. Sebastian Hawke braces himself, as Lane falls back, and comes off the ropes again, even harder this time. The Superstar charges at Sebastian Hawke with ANOTHER shoulder tackle, but once again collides with Sebastian Hawke and neither man budges! Mike Lane runs, and hits the ropes at the far side of the ring at full speed. The Superstar then crosses the ring, comes off the far ropes, and runs at Sebastian Hawke with a flying shoulder tackle. Sebastian Hawke is ready. Sebastian Hawke catches The Superstar, and for a moment he steadies him. Then, with a sudden motion, Sebastian Hawke SPINS The Superstar around and crushes him to the mat with a power slam!
(JB) What a power slam! Cover by Sebastian Hawke!
(Tom) ONE! TWO! NO! Mike Lane kicks out! Man! Both of these guys weigh over 280 pounds, and neither one is going to back down! That's a lot of beef in there right now.
After Mike Lane kicks out he quickly rolls to the outside of the ring, holding his ribs and taking a quick breather. Hawke rolls out of the ring and grabs The Superstar by the back of the head, and then charges forward, RAMMING The Superstar into the steel post! CRACK! Lane's HEAD bounces off the post! Sebastian Hawke releases The Superstar and he sickly starts to slide down the post into a heap...but then he reaches out, grabs the post to steady himself, and immediately starts to get up! Sebastian Hawke looks amazed at the resiliency of Mike Lane, but he picks The Superstar up and bodyslams him on the concrete! Sebastian Hawke then rolls Lane's body over with his foot, and grabs the steel steps. As the fans buzz in shock, Hawke balances the steel steps over his head...and then DROPS THE STEPS on The Superstar! The fans start to chant "Holy Shit! Holy Shit! Holy Shit!"
(JB) Those steel steps have to weigh at least 50 pounds, they're cast iron, and Sebastian Hawke DROVE them right onto The Superstar!
(Tom) That was brutal! We knew this match was going to be a war! Let's see a replay of that!
As the announcers review an instant replay of the events outside the ring, Sebastian Hawke pulls Mike Lane to his feet, and then throws him over his shoulder. Sebastian Hawke hoists The Superstar up, and takes a run at the next steel post, as if he intends to drive him head first into it. At the last possible minute, Lane slides off, and violently SHOVES Sebastian Hawke into the post instead, HEAD FIRST! The fans cheer at the loud CRACK of Sebastian Hawke's head smacking the steel post! The Superstar Mike Lane turns around, his eyes wild. The Superstar's eyes finally fix on a steel chair, and he grabs it. The Superstar crouches patiently. Sebastian Hawke starts to turn, and The Superstar SWINGS the steel chair, which DRIVES Sebastian Hawke's head right back into the post with a loud CRACK!
(JB) OH MY GAWD! Sebastian Hawke just got his head bounced off that steel post not once, but twice!
(Tom) This is turning into a war, and look at the ref! He's having a spaz in the ring! He wants these guys back inside!
Sebastian Hawke raises both hands to his head, and cradles his cranium in his hands in pain. Mike Lane keeps up the attack and nails Sebastian Hawke with a punch in the forehead. Mike Lane grabs Sebastian Hawke and rolls him back into the ring. Lane rolls into the ring himself, as the fans come to their feet. The Superstar looks around the arena, his eyes wild. Sebastian Hawke is trying to get to his feet, and The Superstar stands over him cautiously. Sebastian Hawke gets to his feet, and The Superstar charges forwards and throws a perfect right hook, which catches Sebastian Hawke right in the forehead again. Sebastian Hawke is rocked. The Superstar swings, and pastes Sebastian Hawke in the forehead AGAIN, this time with a right roundhouse. The Superstar starts to fire a rapid succession of stiff right jabs into the forehead of Sebastian Hawke over and over again. Suddenly, Sebastian Hawke shoots his hand out in the knife-edge position, and nails The Superstar right in the throat with a chop! Mike Lane stops punching. Sebastian Hawke clamps a rear chinlock around the neck of Mike Lane, as he struggles to regain his composure. Mike Lane starts to turn blue, and throws both his hands to his throat, trying desperately to unlock the arm of Sebastian Hawke from around his throat. It doesn't work. The Superstar falls to his knees in front of him, still trying desperately to release the grasp of Sebastian Hawke's arm from around his throat. Finally, Sebastian Hawke pulls his arm away, and now he looks totally out of it, thanks to the chop to the throat, and having his air supply cut off. Hawke locks Lane up, and then pounds him into the mat with a Belly-To-Belly Suplex, and he stays on him for the cover...
(JB) This is it. Cover by Sebastian Hawke…
(Tom) One, two, th…WHAT THE? LANE KICKED OUT! How the HELL did he manage THAT?
Sebastian Hawke pulls Mike Lane to his feet. On his way up, The Superstar balls his fist up, and swings upwards as hard as he can...POW! Sebastian Hawke stumbles backwards, the wind knocked out of him by the awesome shot from Mike Lane! The Superstar backs off, measures Hawke off, and then unloads with a series of picture perfect European Uppercuts! BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM! Sebastian Hawke is rocking back and forth, as Mike Lane repeatedly hammers him with swinging shots so quick that the camera can barely pick them up! Mike Lane's fist is just a blur, as he winds up, and NAILS Sebastian Hawke with one final shot! Sebastian Hawke collapses!
(JB) Cover by Mike Lane!
(Tom) "ONE! TWO! NO! Sebastian Hawke lifts the shoulder!"
It appears that the wild flurry of punches from Mike Lane took a lot out of him too, as he collapses on the mat! The referee starts to deliver the standing 10 count to both men.
One…
Two…
Three…
Four…
Five…
Six…
Seven…
Eight…
Mike Lane crawls over to the ropes, and uses the ropes to pull himself to his feet. Sebastian Hawke slowly crawls to his feet. The two men stand across the ring from each other, dripping sweat. They charge at each other! As Lane charges, Hawke sidesteps, and takes The Superstar down with a leg kick! Before Mike Lane can get up, Hawke picks him up by the waist, hoisting The Superstar over his left shoulder. Hawke grabs Lane by the knees as he stands up, then bends forward again, whipping Mike Lane down back first to the mat with incredible speed and power! WHAM! Mike Lane bounces from the impact and Sebastian Hawke makes the cover...
One!
Two!
Three!
The bell ring and Sebastian Hawke's music starts to play!
(Troy) Here is your winner and advancing in the Ultimate Showdown...Sebastian Hawke!
(JB) What a war, and what a major victory for Sebastian Hawke, beating one of the true legends of NAFW!
(Tom) Yeah this thing was a battle, no doubt about it.
The Return Nobody Saw Coming...
The sound of breathing pierces the darkness as we hear little girls giggling as a sharp, razor sharpening sound cut through the silence. After that, we hear a little girl say in a real scary movie type of fashion…
“It’s okay to be afraid…they were all afraid once.”
The screen now shows a grainy image of then United States Champion Tharodund spooked by the lights going out, as the riffs of a guitar can be heard in the immediate background. As the background noise gets louder, the song becomes clearly recognizable as “Forever” by Kid Rock.
## I’m back (back) the fog has lifted ##
## The earth has shifted ##
## And raised the gifted ##
## You knew I’d be back ##
## So pack your bone and hit the road jack ##
## Cause daddy’s home ##
We see The Reaper making his debut and bumping into Tharodund, not backing down an inch. This cuts to The Reaper standing in the crowd addressing Tharodund with footage of Aarons present time training in a dank looking basement setting interplayed in with it. Think Clubber Lang in Rocky III if you need a more vivid mental image to press into your conscience. We now hear the little girl again saying…
“He fulfilled his spoken word in 2005 and ended his reign, left Tharodund broken and in a world of bloody pain.”
Cut to Tharodund being dropped with The Reaper’s Wrath onto a steel chair from the December 11th, 2004 episode of Carnage. Fast forward to Annihilation the following year, with Aarons coming out as the United States Champion.
”But his reign would not last long as an unforeseen tragedy would bring things to a screeching halt.”
A shot of Castleberry dropping Aarons with the ¾ neckbreaker, giving Aarons his first loss in the NAFW.
## Thought I got dusty ##
## Thought I’d get rusty ##
## Thought I’d get rich and quit oh he must be ##
## Fat and ugly broke black and blue ##
A frozen still of Aarons dejected, as Castleberry is handed the United States Championship. In the background you can see the back of Vanessa Chamberlain, as she is halfway up the ramp with her back turned towards her man as it were.
## But I’m trim, fit, rich and I’m back for round two ##
That image shatters as the loud roar of a lion comes crashing in with images of Aarons doing sit-ups with a weight on his washboardesque stomach. This cuts to Aarons doing pull ups with the camera zoomed in on the intense grimaces on his face each time he brings himself up into the light.
## The black hat is back, in original form ##
A shot of Aarons as he comes down to the ring in his debut bout back at the Body Count pre-game show.
## The ledgible creditable inevitable storm ##
## Way past the norm, still misbehavin’ ##
Current shot of Aarons as the sweat glistens off his body in the dimly lit room, a towel around his neck as his massive shoulders heave in and out as he takes each breath.
## Finger in the air and the flag still waving ##
Rapid-fire shots of Aarons hitting the Reaper’s Wrath on various enemies from his rookie run through the NAFW.
## Young crones don’t test the boss ##
## Cause I got this sewn like Betsy Ross ##
Each time, the end result was the same. Aarons having his hand raised victorious, again and again. Cut back to Aarons as he tilts his head back roaring, as we see an image behind him from Rage locking in the Walls of Greatness on Tharodund as the champ tapped out giving Aarons his first and only taste of gold in NAFW. As that image fades, Aarons walks off into the darkness as the lightbulb dangling from the fixture overhead goes out. The music stops and then there was darkness as we hear the sharpening of something metal, followed by deliberate footsteps.
”It’s okay to be afraid…he’s coming back…The Reaper’s coming back and you will…”
There’s a long and abrupt silence after that, water drops can be heard as clear as day before we hear a quiet, yet very chilling tone say…
(The Reaper) FEEL…MY…WRATH!!!
The black screen now is cut through as something sharp can be seen piercing the scenery as the letters S-O-O-N are carved through as the screen goes black with the letters in bloody red, the blood dripping from each letter where the incision was made as the scene cuts out with Redman saying…
## Now, if you didn’t get it… ##
## Laugh now…and then figure the shit out when you get home! ##
The laughter from Redman turns into that of Aarons as a Lion’s skull with two bloody Reaper staffs going crossbones style underneath it is the final image seen by the people at home before the feed goes out.
(Tom) The Reaper! Now that’s what I’m talking about.
(JB) First Heatwave, now Leonard Aarons!
(Tom) Dead-fed pickups rule!
(JB) Both those guys have been in NAFW before, and we’ll just have to wait and see what they offer this time around.
You Can't Keep A Big Man Down
The lights slowly begin to dim, and this causes each and every fan in attendance to jump out of their seats. The lights dim some more until the big screen flickers on and an image of Matthew Kurresh is shown. It doesn't take long for the cheers to echo throughout this sold-out, jam-packed Philips Arena. A guitar is stumming slowly as the picture on the screen gets bigger and bigger. After the image has been visible for a few moments, the Intruder's theme kicks in with full force.
"Born Of A Broken Man" by Rage Against The Machine hits loud and clear.
Capturing my memories
The frontier of loss
They try to escape across the street where
Jesus stripped bare
And raped the spirit he was supposed to nurture
In the name of my
In the name of my
The black curtain is pushed to its side and a very familiar large frame walks on the stage. The Intruder stands still and stands tall, staring around the arena with his ice-blue eyes. Kurresh doesn't blink an eyelash, either, because it's been a long time since the Big Man has received a standing ovation.
Born of a broken man (Never a broken man!)
Born of a broken man (But not a broken man!)
Born of a broken man (Never a broken man!)
Step by step, our former two-time Foundation Heavyweight Champion begins to stride down the ramp at a very slow pace. Cameras are quick to follow Kurresh, too, panning from all directions and zooming in on the Big Man from all angles. The Intruder reaches the halfway point on the ramp... And then he stops.
His sense fell from him
An empty glass of himself
Shattered somewhere within
His thoughts like a hundred moths
Trapped in a lampshade
Matthew Kurresh raises his chin high and cracks a smirk. Fans are screaming loud, signs are being held high and hundreds of arms are reached across the barricade, trying to rub their sweaty palms all over the Intruder's flesh. The Big Man takes one more look around the arena from the ramp before moving slowly toward the squared circle.
Their wings banging and burning
On through endless nights
Forever awake he lies shaking and starving
Praying for someone to turn off the light
The lighting becomes brighter as the Intruder walks up the steps with the sheer look of desire in his ice-blue eyes. Kurresh stops at the top of the steps and cracks another smirk before moving one leg through the middle rope. His other leg follows shortly after and the Big Man moves to the middle of the ring, where a microphone is immediately tossed to him.
Born of a broken man (But not a broken man!)
Born of a broken man (Never a broken man!)
Born of a broken man (But not a broken man!)
The Intruder's theme begins to drown out, but the Big Man can't raise the microphone to his lips just yet. This sold-out house hasn't settled down long enough for Kurresh to say a single word. Thirty-seconds pass by until the arena quiets down. Kurresh looks impressed by his ovation, but now it's time to take care of business.
Some serious business.
(Intruder) You didn't think I was going to stay away because of a little pain... Did you?
A rare smile slightly cracks through the Intruder's lips, which is certainly something we don't see very often. Matthew Kurresh waits another moment or two for the arena to settle down before carrying on. Once the thousands of screams become mere whispers, the Intruder rasies the microphone to his mouth.
(Intruder) When I returned to the squared circle two weeks ago, I wanted to make the return of a lifetime and give fans around the world one more memorable moment. What I wanted and what I got were two different things, because what happened two weeks ago was not what I had in mind. Instead of making a successful return, a worthless punk finally got his fifteen-minutes of fame on my watch. On my return. Everybody knew Dustin Thomas didn't stand a chance when I accepted his Open Challenge. Not only was he shaking in his boots, but I could even smell the fear coming from his breath. You people aren't blind. You watched with clear vision when Matthew Kurresh made crumpling paper look more difficult than destroying Dustin Thomas. I had Thomas exactly where I wanted him... And I didn't even have to break a sweat.
When Dustin Thomas was drove through the canvas thanks to the Drop Outta Hell, there wasn't a hope or prayer that could have saved him. It was all over for Thomas, and it only took fifty-five seconds. That's when I should have stood tall like I've done many times before. My music should have hit and my arms should have been risen high. That's the way my return was supposed to go, but unfortunately for me... Somebody else had other plans. Before I knew what was going on, I remember standing in the pitch black wondering what happened to the lights. I figured we were having technical difficulties... But then I was struck like a bolt of lightening. I felt a King Kong-like force run over me like an ant, squishing my three-hundred-and-fourty-five-pound body like it was nothing.
I knew Dustin Thomas wasn't that powerful.
I knew Shane Thomas wasn't that powerful.
When I opened my eyes and realized what had happened, I didn't care about losing to the likes of Dustin Thomas. The fact that my return was ruined in an instant bothered me to a certain extent, but my mind was racing elsewhere. I couldn't stop reliving that night in the pitch black because I've never been laid out so easily. Nobody has ever taken Matthew Kurresh out like that before. At that moment, I knew I was a target on somebody's list... But I couldn't figure out who's list. And I couldn't figure out why. All I knew was somebody wanted to take me out. For what reason? I don't know. But I was going to stop at nothing until I got to the bottom this charade.
And that's what I did for nearly seven days. For nearly one week, I rose with the robins and stayed awake late at night to figure out what happened during my return two weeks ago... But I couldn't find one explaination. Not one damned explaination. I was attacked in the middle of the ring, and there was nothing I could do about it because there wasn't a single trace of evidence left behind. All I could do was wait for the inevitable to happen again.
Only this time... I was going to be prepared.
The Intruder lowers the microphone from his lips and shakes his head in disgust, thinking back to last week's Alphalock Challenge and the events that occured thereafter. Kurresh said loud and clear he was going to be prepared this time, but truth be told... Nothing could prepare the Intruder from meeting his match--and quite possibly even his maker.
(Intruder) For the second week in a row... I wasn't prepared. I wasn't even close to prepared. When Shane Thomas challenged me to his Alphlock Challenge, I thought Thomas was either losing his mind or he was trying to set me up for an Old School beatdown. Shane saw what happened to Dustin the week before. He watched how quick I dismembered his brother, and he knew I wasn't in the mood to mess around. I accepted the Alphalock Challenge with the single intention of tearing Shane Thomas' head from his shoulders and kicking it back to his brother. First, I was going to break the Alphalock with ease... And then I was going to have some real fun. I was going to wrap my hands around the Alpha's throat and watch him gasp for air. I was going to give pain a whole new meaning, but before the fun got a chance to start... A six-foot-eleven Monster decided to rain on my parade.
Hush decided to rain on my parade.
On cue, the Philips Arena errupts with boos and jeers at the mere mention of Hush's name rolling off the Intruder's tounge. Kurresh clearly has the fans behind him at this point.
(Intruder) If my attention is what you wanted, Hush... Believe me, you have it. You have my undivided attention. I'll admit I was a little overwhelmed when I glanced up and saw a bigger frame standing over me. When we made eye-contact, Hush, and stared each other down, I knew you were the man who attacked me in the dark two weeks ago. I could sense it in the ring. I could sense what you were here to do, but I wasn't going down without a fight.
I. Never. Do.
I didn't back down or run away. I didn't pull a Shane Thomas. Instead, Hush, I stayed in the middle of the ring and faced you like a man. Before it was too late, though, I decided to make the first move before you did. I began throwing thunderous right hands in your every direction... But you never moved a muslce. You never budged, flinched or made a sound. I knew I was up against a machine of a man, Hush; I knew only one of us was going to be left standing, and that's when I made my first mistake. That's when I underestimated the power you hold within. In all my years of professional wrestling, after taking many names and climbing many mountains... I have never been man-handled like a piece of paper. I have never been scooped up like a feather and slammed down like a tonne of bricks.
It was something that never happened before... And you know what?
I didn't like it one bit. I'm a realistic man and I like to face facts. I'm getting older and my body is getting weaker. It's a process that's beyond my control. The only thing I can do is cope with the pain and try to avoid situations like last week, but as everybody witnessed... Sometimes those situations are unavoidable.
Kurresh smirks.
(Intruder) Against my doctor's wishes, Hush... I'm standing here tonight because I'm Matthew Kurresh and it's going to take a Hell of a lot more than that to keep me down!
A clusterfuck of drum and bass rudely interrupts Kurresh as the worlds leave the tip of his tongue, and all of the lights in the arena mysteriously tint to a sickly shade of gray.
(Tom) Sorry about this folks, we weren't even scheduled to have Matthew Kurresh on the show tonight-...
(JB) I blame you for this fiasco!
(Tom) Uh... Why me?
(JB) 'Cause I can.
Kurresh stands in the middle of the ring, looking like a statue-like version of himself from the lighting, as Trent Reznor's voice pierces through the boos and jeers from the crowd, reciting the lyrics to his song "The Line Begins to Blur".
There are fears that I can not believe have come true
For my soul is too sick and too little too late
And myself I have grown too weary to hate
A video trailer featuring a mammoth-sized individual sporting a leather trenchcoat rolls on the ol' Jumbotron, as the lights outlining the screen begin flashing blindingly white lights.
The more it's not so clear
The more I stay in here
The more I disappear
As far as I have gone
I knew what side I'm on
But now I'm not so sure
THE LINE BEGINS TO BLUR
Just then, the 6-foot-eleven-inch monstrosity with but one name, Hush, stepped out and through the NAFW curtains, basically blowing them backwards with his imposing size as he makes his way to the top of the entry ramp. However, unlike previously, Hush is not alone.
(Tom) It's Hush, ladies and gentlemen! And... Someone else is with him! Just who the hell is that?
(JB) Why don't you shut up so we can find out?
(Tom) ...Alright.
I don't know, I don't know
Isn't anybody stopping me
I don't know, I don't know
I won't try and hold my breath
I don't know, I don't know
Just how far down can I go
I don't know, I don't know
Hush, masked, dressed in black wrestling tights, a black tank-top, and a leather trenchcoat, and his cohort stop just as they seemingly begin to descend down the entrance. The ruse of going down and facing Kurresh face-to-face accomplished, evident what with Kurresh yelling angrily for Hush to come down to ringside, Hush's well-dressed, white-suit wearing compagnion stepped forward and tipped the top of his bowler hat to the crowd, revealing to the audience and those of you at home a disheveled mat of ruby red hair, a wirey, jackal-like face, and a pair of aquamarine eyes that looked as though they could peer into your soul. Taking the mic that he had carried with him to ringside, the mysterious individual accompanying Hush awaits for the lights to return back to normal before beginning to speak as the Monster stands silently behind him.
(???) Ladies and gentlemen, why don't we give Mister Kurresh a round of applause for that particularly thrilling display of valor, determination and machismo in the face of being CRUSHED like an INSECT!!!
The crowd immediately begins to boo as the odd-looking "gentleman" applauds dryly.
(???) But, really now, I do believe we ought to be getting down to business, shant we?... Alrighty then, we'll simply cut the trivalties you folks over here in the Colonies employ so much to the point where it sickens me, and get to the point:
My name is Aleister Essex. My business is managing talent that NO MAN dare try to control. And this...
Says Essex, pointing enthusiastically at the cold and intimidating still Monster that stands beside him.
(Essex) THIS. IS. HUSH.
The audience jeer Hush who's unerring glare would disturb most viewers that fit the Age 6-12 demographic... Shame on you, TNT.
(Essex) Yes... This is the Monster, Hush. This is the man MOST FEARED in the North American Foundation of Wrestling, Matthew Kurresh... And once you're out of the way...
HUSH WILL BE THE MOST DOMINANT MONSTER IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING!!!
(JB) What? Doesn't he know who he's dealing with!?
(Tom) Yeah... And it all makes perfect sense.
(JB) Alright then, explain it to me.
(Tom) I don't feel like it.
(JB) Why not?...
(Tom) Well... You make me feel less like a man...
(JB) That's because you are.
(Tom) ...It hurts... SO much...
(Essex) Don't sit there cleaning your ears like some kind of maladroit caveman, Kurresh; you know damn well what I just said! You know damn well the vendetta me and my Monster have against you, Kurresh, for you have been the most dominant Monster in the world of professional wrestling for as long as I can remember.
Yes, I'm quite old enough to have watched you progress through the ages, to have witnessed both of your Foundation Heavyweight Championship reigns, and now, with your legacy and reputation peaking, NOW is the time for MY ambition to strike! Now is the time for my MONSTER to take you down and establish himself as the premier Monster in the NAFW.
For you see, Kurresh, Hush here is a veritable killing machine. Hush has NO remorse for his actions, Hush has NO control over what he does to bones and spirits in that squared circle; simply put... Hush is the nightmarishly effective massive Monster that you can, in your old age, merely DREAM of becoming!.
Leaning over the ropes, Matthew Kurresh stares a hole through Aleister Essex as the British Madman grins sadistically right back at him. Kurresh points to Essex with his index finger and gives him a cold stare.
(Intruder) Let me tell you something, Essex--and let me tell you loud and clear. There's obviously not enough room for two Monsters in the NAFW... So I only see one way we can settle this.
Very slowly, ladies and gentlemen, the Intruder hauls his thirty-five dollar t-shirt over his head and throws it to a lucky seven-year-old who's sitting front row. This sends the fans through the roof. Kurresh walks toward the middle rope and takes a seat on it, holding the middle rope down and inviting Hush to step inside the squared cricle. The Big Man raises the microphone.
(Intruder) I didn't come here to to play nice, Essex. I came here because I know this is what you want. It's obvious you want to take Hush to the top as quickly as possible... But I can assure you, Essex... You're going about it the wrong way. You're going about it the hard way. You made Hush blindside me two weeks in a row, and that's fine. But now it's time to turn the tables, because if you know me as well as you say you do, Essex... You know I'm not going anywhere until I get what I want!
Matthew Kurresh makes eye-contact with Hush, ignoring Essex because he's cearly the brains behind the operation.
(Intruder) And that's a match against Hush... Right here, right now!
(Tom) Oh my god! We may see these two real-life GOLIATHS go at it tonight!
(JB) As exciting as that sounds, PLEASE don't wet yourself, dude.
(Tom) I hate you.
The fans overwhelmingly agree with Kurresh as they cheer for his challenge, and apparently so does Hush, as he takes a quick step or two before Aleister Essex's arm catches in front of him, forcibly holding him back despite the comparative size difference.
(Essex) No dice, Kurresh! No dice!!!
Essex is having issues stopping his Monster, for Hush continues to try and pull ahead even with Essex weighing him down, until the authority in Essex's voice emerges, to which Hush merely turns his head in Essex's direction and, sensing his order, remains put.
(Essex) If there's one thing you should know about appearances, Mister Kurresh... It's this: the grander you aspire to be, the grander your initial performance should be--and trust me, Intruder, I am NOT letting a force like Hush slip into obscurity, which is what would happen if I let him debut here in this disgustingly retched town!!!
You're not getting Hush tonight, no... Instead, Mister Kurresh, if you think you have what it takes to be the only premiere Monster in the NAFW, you'll go toe-to-toe with Hush in one week... At Ultimate Showdown!
The Philips Arena is on fire from Essex's challenge, but the Intruder can do nothing but stare down Hush for a few moments. Hush takes a step forward... But Essex jumps in front of his Monster for the second time this evening. The Intruder has a serious look in his ice-blue eyes as he stares around the Philips Arena, knowing there's no backing down now.
(Intruder) I'm not a patient man, Essex... But I'm sure this will be worth the wait. In one week at Ultimate Showdown, I promise to tear your Monster apart and beat him within an inch of his life. You know it's true, too, Essex...
Matthew Kurresh smirks.
(Intruder) Because you know... It's inevitable!
The Intruder's theme hits loud and clear, but all the Big Man can do is lock eyes with the Monster he's going to meet in one week. After staring each other down for a few moments, Hush and Essex turn around and slowly make their way to the back.
(JB) It's official, folks! The Intruder and Hush will be locking-up at Ultimate Showdown!
(Tom) It was nice knowing Kurresh. Well... Not really, but you get my drift.
(JB) I wouldn't count the Intruder out just yet, Bear. This isn't the first time the stakes have been set this high against Matthew Kurresh!
(Tom) In one week, Mannwheel... Hush is going to make the Intruder look like a lost puppy wandering around in the jungle.
(JB) More like a German Sheppard... But we'll be right back after these messeges, folks!
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Jaime Alejandro vs. Diamond Del Carver
Ultimate Showdown: Round 2
(JB) Do you know what time it is, Bear?
(Tom) Literally or figuratively? Because you know I don’t wear a watch. Or underpants.
(JB) That’s probably the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard.
(Tom) Easy access for Mama Mann!
(JB) Hideous digression aside… It’s main event time, and what a main event we have for you!
(Tom) Wow, two crippled half-wits playing a game of hide the peppermint pickle.
(JB) Come again?
(Tom) I respect you! No… I respect you. I swear the whole thing makes me sick.
(JB) So you’d rather have Jaime and Del at each other’s throats?
(Tom) Didn’t I just say their show of mutual self-respect made me sick? I want some blood, damnit!
"Shake Your Blood" by Probot cranks up on the loudspeakers. Jaime Alejandro steps out to the pops as he pulls out his hands and motions for the crowd to give him some more.
(Tom) Hah! Alejandro’s playing up to the crowd, but they’re pissed at him!
(JB) True, Jaime might have hit Del during their match last week, but it was an accident!
Alejandro shakes the crowd off and keeps walking. He's dressed out in his camouflage singlet, his sleeve over his right arm, and the reinforced knee brace over his right knee. He straps the gloves on and starts walking. He pulls the straps on his singlet up as he gets to the apron. Then he primes himself and jumps straight up on the apron and pulls the ropes back to pyro from the corners of the ring. He then goes under the top rope and stands up to get ready.
(Tom) What a mongoloid!
(JB) I hope Alejandro watches this later, and comes to find you after the show!
(Tom) Did I say mongoloid? I meant… ah crap. Yeah, he’s still a mongoloid!
"South Texas Death Ride" by Union Underground starts to play, and the fans immediately react. Diamond Del Carver slowly, calmly and confidently walks into the aisle. Carver is wearing his standard gear, black biker boots, faded jeans, an NAFW T-shirt with the sleeves cut off.
(JB) What an ovation for Del Carver?
(Tom) Is he…
(JB) Carver is genuinely moved by the fans, Bear!
(Tom) What a woman.
The man known as "The Hardcore Outlaw" is also decked out in a black leather vest, black fingerless gloves, and of course his blind eye is covered with a black leather eyepatch. Carver stretches out both his arms as he walks down the aisle, touching hands with the fans who reach out to him for a high five. As soon as he gets to the ring, he slowly walks around the ringside area, slapping hands with the fans as his music continues to play. Diamond Del Carver balls up his fist and pounds his fist against the fists of the fans who reach out to him. Finally the world weary veteran rolls under the bottom rope, and holds his arms over his head to a loud ovation. As his music fades, Del Carver removes his leather vest and hands it over the top rope to the ring attendant. Carver leans back against the ropes, waiting.
(JB) Alejandro and Carver are circling each other, already sizing each other up.
(Tom) C’mon, just hit each other already.
(JB) What’s this? Alejandro’s extending his hand.
Carver takes one look at Jaime and begins rubbing his chin. He motions to the crowd, asking if he should trust Alejandro. They’re about fifty-fifty.
(Tom) He’s setting Carver up, I know it!
(JB) Apparently the crowd agrees with you, Bear. The Saint is one of our most popular superstars, but for some reason, the crowd is holding a grudge for the misfire last week.
Jaime back off, holding his arms up in supplication, before extending his hand for the second time. Del reach in, grabs Jaime’s hand, and pulls him in tight. The two exchange a quick hug before returning to their neutral corners. This garners applause from the crowd.
(JB) What a show of respect!
(Tom) Gag me.
(JB) Gladly.
The two lock up in the center of the ring. Neither man gives an inch. Alejandro backs Carver into the corner, Walt Mason forces a break, and Jaime obliges with a clean break. Carver rushes in, scoops up Alejandro with a double leg takedown, and bridges for a pin. Alejandro kicks out at one, floats over, and locks in a side headlock.
Carver brings Jaime to his feet, pushes off the ropes and sends the Saint across the ring. Jaime returns, flooring Del with a shoulderblock. Del climbs back to his feet as Jaime hits the ropes for a second time, and the pair perform a leapfrog, ducking crossing combination.
On the third pass, Del goes for a hiptoss. Jaime braces himself, hits a hiptoss of his own, and sends Carver to the mat. He drops and elbow and cover for one. Alejandro waits for Carver to get back to his feet, rushes in, and looks for a lariat. Del ducks, and sends Alejandro over the top rope.
Jaime lands on his feet, and tries to climb back inside. Del halts him at the pass, kicking him in the head before following him to the outside. Del reaches the apron and boots Alejandro in the skull for the second time. He leaps off, hitting a double axe handle.
Jaime stumbles back and lands chest first across the barricade. Carver begins chopping Alejandro, throwing thick palms and backhands into the Saint’s flesh. Jaime recoils, clutching his chest. Carver charges his wounded opponent, but Jaime manages to hit a boot to the gut, doubling Del over. Jaime scoops Del up and drops him across the guard rail. From the he grabs Del by the pants, and slams him back first into the apron.
(JB) Alejandro seems to be targeting the ribs.
(Tom) Do you blame him, Mann-Wagon? Jaime knows those injured bones are his ticket to the FHC!
Alejandro rolls Del back in the ring and pounces. He drops a double knee on Del’s chest, then pulls him up and scoop slams him down. He grabs Del for another slam, but the cagey veteran small packages Jaime. Jaime kicks out at two, and then knocks Del over with a dropkick. He pulls Carver to his feet, irish-whips him, and hits a running knee to the midsection. A gutbuster follows, and Jaime covers for two.
Jaime, now frustrated, sets Del up for the Counter Strike. Del blocks the suplex attempt, and returns with one of his own. He climbs back to his feet, a hair behind Alejandro, who rushes in with a lariat. Carver ducks, and rushes back with a Diamond Line!
Walt Mason begins counting ten. Both men are up at six. Carver and Alejandro begin trading blows, Carver getting the better. He beats Jaime back into the corner, and hits a ten punch count on top rope. Alejandro stumbles back into the center of the ring, and Del rushes in, hitting a running bulldog. He covers for two.
Del is fired up, and waits for the Saint to get back to a vertical base. One Diamond line leads to another, and Diamond Driver Cradle Piledriver finishes the combo. Del covers, again for two.
The crowd boos.
(Tom) What a fickle fanbase! First they boo Jaime, now they’re booing Carver?
(JB) It’s not Carver they’re booing, Bear, take a look.
Keith Owens walks down the ramp with a steel chair in hand and Foundation Heavyweight Championship around his waist.
Carver faces Owens, screaming at the former Foundation Heavyweight Champion, as he places Jaime into position for the Diamond Death Drop.
Owens steps up on the apron, Walt Mason goes to stop Keith, and Jaime reverses to a Crimson Revolver!
Jaime covers, but Walt doesn’t count, as he’s too occupied with Owens. Owens hops off the apron, and Walt goes to count. Del still kicks out at two.
Both men stumble to their feet, Owens walking around the ring surveying the fight. The lock up, collared elbow style, and suddenly, Keith hops back on the apron. With Owens distracting the ref, Walt Mason doesn’t notice Carver and Alejandro back into the corner in a lock up. He also doesn’t see Trevor Cunning pop out of the crowd with a bottle of Jack Daniels. Cunning waits for the shot at Carver and swings, but instead hits Alejandro. Cunning shrugs and hops down, walking over to Owens.
The two appear to leave at the side of the ramp.
(JB) The Trust Fund Kids strike again!
(Tom) And they didn’t care who they were striking. Carver seemed to be the original target but they settled with taking Jaime down as well.
Del walks over to Walt Mason and shows him the glass. He ask for a disqualification. Mason rings the bell.
Jaime Alejandro meanwhile, is pulling himself back together in the corner. Walt Mason raises the heavily bleeding Alejandro’s hand, but Alejandro rips it away. He wants the match to continue.
Mason checks with Carver and Alejandro, and the bell rings again.
(JB) What a display of sportsmanship on the part of both men!
(Tom) Gah! I thought we were through with this garbage!
The two men tussle, Alejandro obviously weakened from blood loss. Carver irish whips him hard into the corner, runs against the ropes, then as Alejandro runs back, hits a Diamond Cutter. That only gets two.
Jaime struggles back to his feet, as Del signals for the Diamond Death Drop. Del pulls him into position. Jaime reverses, looking again for the Revolver. Del too reverses, and hits a second Diamond Cutter.
Again, he only gets two.
Alejandro tries to get back to his feet as blood pours down his face. A third Diamond Cutter however, is too much for the Saint to recover from. Del Carver wins.
The referee raises his arm in the air.
(JB) What a hard fought match by both men!
(Tom) I’m just glad they both kicked the shit out of each other because I don’t care for either one of them.
Something catches Carver’s attention and it isn’t good. It’s the Trust Fund Kids coming back out again, hiding only long enough to avoid detection by the referee during the match. Carver looks down at Jaime who is still down for the count. He’s got no backup, and knowing the kind of man Diamond Del Carver is, he might just have Jaime’s back right here if that’s the intention of Keith and Trevor.
(JB) What do these two want? They already interfered and caused enough commotion for one night.
(Tom) The Trust Fund Kids will do whatever they want. This is their stomping grounds!
Keith still has that chair in hand as he splits to the left of the ring and Cunning splits to the right. Both men slide in as Carver backs over to the fallen body of Alejandro. You can hear him shout “Enough is enough!” but the Trust Fund Kids don’t seem to agree.
Keith fakes a swing of the chair at Carver which gets him to put up his defenses, only Cunning blindsides him with a hard right fist to the temple. Cunning and Carver begin exchanging punches but as soon as Cunning gives him enough clearance, Keith swings that chair and knocks Diamond Del Carver down a few pegs. Keith drops the chair and immediately goes for a back body drop, to which Trevor is there to finish it with a powerbomb. This little double team move is called the Stock Exchange, and it’s got DDC staring at the lights.
(Tom) Stock Exchange by the Trust Fund Kids!
(JB) Jesus! Carver is reeling from that move!
Keith picks up the chair and hammers on the ribs of Carver some more before turning the chair in Jaime too. After feeling satisfied with his ambush, Keith drops the chair and the music of the Trust Fund Kids hits the speakers.
Owens takes the Foundation Heavyweight Championship off from around his waist and he gets down on the mat, screaming at both Carver and Alejandro, showing the dazed men his title belt. Finally Keith and Trevor hold their arms up in victory over the fallen men as the shot fades out with the Trust Fund Kids standing victorious yet again.
(JB) Barker, Bishop, Hawke, and Carver all advance to the Ultimate Showdown Semi-Finals! Be sure to watch on Pay Per View to see who earns the chance to face Keith Owens and to see just who will walk out with the Foundation Heavyweight Championship! Good night!
Fade out to the logo.
