The guitar quickly turns into shredding, and this is where the opening video kicks in. We see shots of all of the Foundation's regular wrestling superstars including Mike Stryker, Spaz, Keith Owens, Trevor Cunning, Mike Lane, "The Reaper" Leonard Aarons, Hush, Snake, Tyrone Smith, Andy D, Derek Clarke, Peter Gilmour, and Jaime Alejandro among others. Some are striking their signature poses while others are executing their signature moves in the ring, or if they are more hardcore inclined, taking swings with various weapons.
Intermixing with these short clips are classic moments from recent Annihilation history, including "The Reaper" being lit on fire, Trevor Cunning attacking people with bottles of Jack Daniels, Hush throwing bodies off the stage, and Mike Stryker making opponents tap out to the New York Cloverleaf.
As the last line is sung and the instruments go silent except for some light guitar feedback, the opening video comes to an end. When the heavy hitting music returns just few seconds later for the chorus of "Erase/Replace," indoor pyro and fireworks are set off as various cameras pan around the screaming crowd in attendance holding up their unique signs.
BOOM!!
BOOM!!!
As the chorus to the Foo Fighters song plays, the camera shot cuts to the ringside announce booth where JB Mann and Tom "The Bear" Kalhoun are standing by.
(JB) Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Annihilation, live from the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon! As always, I'm JB Mann along side my broadcast partner, Tom "The Bear" Kalhoun!
Better than Million Dollar Mania...
We pan around the Rose Garden as the lights go out and the fans pop. The pop turns into jeers just a second later as the intro to "Superhero" by Jane's Addiction begins to play.
(Tom) There's no better way to kick off Annihilation than with my hero and yours.
(JB) I can think of a few.
(Tom) I'm sure they all involve things you can't show on television.
Mike Lane wastes no time walking through the curtain and out onto the stage. He is clad in a nice white suit, all fancied up. There are a few other suit wearing men behind him.
(JB) Looks like he brought the entire city of Portland.
JB's comments take form as we see a huge mass of people enter behind Lane. Front and center of this mass is none other than Phil Raines...
(JB) What is Raines doing here?
(Tom) He's a suit now, didn't you hear?
Indeed he is, Tom. Phil Raines, the former host of NAFW Radio, and now an executive over at Verses.
(Tom) I heard he was instrumental in getting us on Verses.
(JB) He's been instrumental in a lot of things, but I don't think that's one of them.
(Tom) Come on, he was a great host of NAFW Radio.
(JB) Yeah, so he had a grand audience of 5 people. And they all worked for, or were, Martin Harbor.
(Tom) Don't you dare use the Harbor's name in vain!
(JB) Good Gord.
(Tom) That's more like it!
While our announcers bickered, Lane has led his group into the ring. He has a grin from ear to ear, and we see two large men walking down the aisle with a huge square with a tarp over it being carried between them. They put it in the ring, and set it up on an easel. Lane and Raines take center stage, and Lane has a microphone.
(Lane) Welcome to Annihilation on Verses, ladies and gentlemen! Tonight, you people will be witness to one of the greatest moments in Annihilation... scratch that... NAFW history!
He pauses for applause, and gets nothing but a hearty set of jeers, and a few different assorted chants, none of which are very nice.
(Lane) In short time, my new film, The Defense, will be released in a theater near you. You may have seen the TV ads with yours truly and movie star Dane Cook!
Dane Cook gets a mixed reaction.
(Tom) I love Dane Cook, he's the funniest guy out there!
(JB) Somehow, this doesn't surprise me.
Lane and Raines walk over to the covered object, and the throng opens to allow the camera a good shot of it.
(Lane) If you've visited a multiplex near you, you've surely seen the existing poster, and I went to the studio, and the marketing department has put together a brand new poster just for Annihilation. So Phil, shall we unveil the new poster.
They pull off the tarp, and the poster might as well be a vanity shot of Mike Lane. The movie title is on the bottom of the poster, and other than profile shots of the other co-stars in the corners, the rest of the poster is nothing but an image of Mike Lane, with his smarmiest smirk he's ever managed. The very same smirk on the face of Lane right now. He looks around the Rose Garden, soaking in the nonexistent cheers from his adoring people.
(Lane) Thank you. Thank you. It's a work of art for certain. Van Gogh who?
Lane and Raines move away from the poster and back to the center of the ring, and Lane still has his smirk, his moment over with.
(Lane) But that's not all, folks!
Guess we were wrong.
(Lane) I've been in meetings with studio and Verses executives all week, and just earlier today we came to a decision on the subject matter. So I hopped in my chopper and me and my Hollywood Hitmen flew up here to Portland to make the biggest announcement in the history of Verses, Annihilation, the NAFW, and the entire world!
(JB) Out with it already.
(Tom) You can't rush greatness, Manifold.
(JB) You can't rush a painful turd either, Bear.
Phil Raines claps Lane on the back, and leans on a ring rope, with an expression of happiness on his face.
(Lane) You can thank my best friend, and your hero, Phil Raines, for brokering the biggest deal in cinema history. As all of you surely know, and are counting down for, my feature film The Defense is going to be released next week, with the grand premiere occurring a few hours after Annihilation goes off the air. So what Phil Raines and Verses are going to bring to my adoring fans is this:
Here it comes...
(Lane) Next week, I will fly from Hollywood straight to the arena, and in my possession I will have a copy of The Defense. When I deem the time right, I am going to walk down to this very ring, and the boys back in the production truck will play my film, live on the Verses network!
He waits for applause yet again, but the crowd doesn't seem to care.
(Tom) This is unprecedented, we're going to get to watch his film before anyone else!
(JB) Oh joy! I'll bring the popcorn!
Lane doesn't miss a beat, and just continues on with his speech.
(Lane) It's going to be the biggest Annihilation in history. The press will be here. There'll be a red carpet, so all of the NAFW superstars need to wear their Sunday best when they arrive to the arena, so they won't get made fun of by the fashion police. That means you, Peter Gilmour! The celebrities will be out in full force. I know for a fact that my personal friend Dane Cook will be in the house, as not only a personal guest of Mike Lane, but of the entire Verses network. So when it comes time for the next Annihilation, set your DVRs with a little bit of extra time. JB Mann, you just set your VCR to record with a six hour cassette! And Cougar Clarke, I don't know what the hell you're going to do. Your hand will get tired engraving all of the greatness on your usual stone tablets!
Lane and the entire ring full of people laugh at his jokes, and he bows before the people.
(Lane) History has been made, somebody hit my music!
"Superhero" hits the speakers, and the ring begins to empty, leaving just Lane and Raines to usher them out.
(JB) Well there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Next week, live on Verses, we're going to see the debut of Mike Lane's feature film The Defense.
(Tom) Dane Cook is going to be here. I wonder if I can get his autograph.
(JB) You kill me, Bear. Well folks, we're going to go to commercial, and we'll be back with your first contest of the even...
(Tom) What the...
Lane and Raines both had one foot out of the ring, when the crowd exploded. Lane stopped to soak in the applause, but Raines yelled out just one word...
Stryker.
(JB) The party has been crashed.
Stryker, in street clothes, slides into the ring after coming out of the crowd. He wastes no time in pulling something out of his pocket and fumbling with it. The camera zooms in on his hands to reveal...
(JB) He has a lighter!
Stryker rips the huge movie poster off of the easel, and with it face up on the mat, he ignites the poster in a blaze. And his job done, he heads out of the ring, a horde of Lane Security on his tail.
(Tom) Arson!
Lane leaps into the ring, and onto the burning poster, trying in vain to put it out. Several of his group have procured fire extinguishers from the safety crew, and unleash them on the ring from the outside. This has the side effect of covering Lane in the fire extinguisher goop as well as extinguishing his movie poster.
(JB) The Foundation Champion has had enough of Lane's antics!
(Tom) He ruined the greatest work of art of the 21st century!
We fade to commercial (for real this time), on a shot of Mike Lane holding the charred remains of his poster, staring out into the crowd, where Mike Stryker stands among his people, triumphant for the moment.
WE'LL BE BACK, RIGHT AFTER A SHORT WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS!
Arrival Speculation
Backstage.
Parking Lot.
You know the drill. A luxury rental car of sorts pulls up near the underground entrance into the arena for NAFW superstars and crew members. No one emerges from the car right away - where would the suspense be in that?
(JB) Bear, do you have any idea what this is all about?
(Tom) Does it look like I have x-ray vision Mannwagon? What a stupid question.
(JB) Well, it's my job to commentate on what I see on the screen. I'm not sure what you think your job is.
(Tom) I get paid to test my sanity each week listening to you.
(JB) Funny, I feel the same way too sometimes.
Commentator bickering aside, the rear passenger door of the sedan opens and out comes our mystery man - Keith Owens. He's clad in a tan suit with a yellow button down shirt and no neck tie, leaving the top couple of buttons undone. And just for stepping out of the car, the live audience watching on the NAFWtron offers him a small pop.
(JB) I guess that answers my question - Keith Owens is here ladies and gentlemen, and I know why.
(Tom) To get his ass kicked by Trevor Cunning again?
(JB) Not even close Tom. After all, it was Cunning who ran from Owens last week when the Grand Slam Champion saved Spaz from a Jack Attack in the middle of the ring.
(Tom) Alright then all knowledgeable Mannhole, I'll bite. What's that half of a man Keith Owens doing here tonight if he's not going to rough it up with Cunning?
(JB) The Difference Maker is here tonight on company business. I have it on good authority that Keith Owens will be the one to make the announcement tonight about who our next Hall of Fame inductee will be!
As Keith Owens enters through the arena doors, he is greeted by Commissioner Buchanan. The two of them shake hands - which might be a first - and strike up a conversation that is inaudible to the home viewers. As the two of them head down a hallway, we fade out and cut elsewhere.
Are The Goods OK?
Welcome once again to the locker room of The Goods. Already inside the room, having arrived to the arena early this evening, are Slush, Ammo and Twitch. Conspicuous by his absence is Spaz. But after the events at the end of Annihilation 22, we can't be entirely sure he's even welcome in this room.
Of course, we're about to find out just how welcome he is, as Spaz steps through the door. Spaz and Slush lock eyes for a moment, then Spaz sighs, looking around at his friends.
(Spaz) Hey guys...
After a moment of awkward silence, Twitch gets up and runs across the room, arms spread wide. Spaz doesn't have time to react before Twitch's arms are wrapped around him in a friendly hug.
(Twitch) Does Flush see? It's Pez, happy as can be!
(Slush) I can see him, Twitch.
Slush can't help but smile a bit at his manager's enthusiasm. Leave it to Twitch's randomness to help diffuse a potentially hostile scenario.
(Spaz) Can you let go now?
(Twitch) Nay! No way!
Spaz shakes his head, and gently attempts to pry Twitch loose.
(Spaz) But I have something to say to you... All of you.
(Twitch) Twitch can already hear... Loud and clear!
(Slush) Oh dear Gord, please tell me he's not going to keep speaking in rhyme.
Twitch turns his head to look at Slush.
(Twitch) Twitch speak Rhyme?
Twitch shrugs.
(Twitch) Only some of the time.
(Spaz) OK Twitch, you need to let go now... I mean it.
(Twitch) Anybody want a peanut?
Slush groans and Spaz smiles slightly at the Princess Bride reference. Meanwhile, Ammo gets up, reaches over to Twitch and with no more than his left hand, pulls him away from Spaz.
(Spaz) Thanks.
Ammo silently nods.
(Spaz) So look guys... About last week.
(Ammo) Forget it.
Spaz looks at Ammo now, slightly surprised.
(Spaz) Forget it?
(Slush) That's what the man said. You're about to apologize for last week, right?
Spaz nods soberly.
(Slush) Well don't bother. We're not going to listen to you apologize...
(Spaz) But I...
(Slush) Let me finish!
Spaz defers to Slush's request.
(Slush) We're not going to listen to you apologize, because we've already forgotten about it.
Now Spaz's smile is more solid as he catches the point. He reaches out and shakes hands with Slush.
(Spaz) So we're OK?
(Slush) We're better than OK... We're Goods.
Spaz continues smiling as he shakes hands with Ammo as well. Then he looks to Twitch, still being held back by Ammo's massive left hand.
(Spaz) If he lets you go, you're going to hug me again, aren't you?
Twitch shakes his head.
(Twitch) Twitch is all out of hugs.
(Slush) And rhymes, thank Gord.
Spaz nods to Ammo, and the Tag Team Champion releases his grip on the shortish, baldish manager... Who promptly rushes toward Spaz and wraps his arms around his client. Spaz lets out a light laugh.
(Spaz) Let me guess... Twitch lied.
(Twitch) Clearly.
And with that, we're done here.
(Tom) Oh, how sweet.
(JB) It's nice to see Spaz in a better mood.
(Tom) If you like sappy crap.
(JB) I'd rather see this than what happened last week.
(Tom) When Spaz spazzed? I kind of liked it.
(JB) Well I didn't, and I don't think our fans did either. In any case, we'll see Spaz again in just a little while, when he takes on Tyrone Smith.
Snake vs. Peter Gilmour
(JB) Up first, we've got match number 4 in a series of matches between two men who some people consider to be "hardcore." Unfortunately, one of those men hasn't once beaten the other in any sort of match.
(Tom) Yeah...Snake's already 2 for 3 against Peter Gilmour, and their last match ended in a draw because of Xavier Caine. Never the less, Peter's going to do great things tonight! I can feel it!
(JB) You bet against Peter Gilmour again, didn't you?
(Tom) Please, you make that sound like a bad thing...
(JB) ...That's because it is...
(Tom) Let's send it to Troy for the introductions!
The opening riff to "I Don't Wanna Stop" plays as the word and name "SNAKE" flashes across the screen. As the guitars start to pick up, Snake is seen coming out from the back to a chorus of boos from the crowd in attendance. Snake throws his arms up in the air causing green pyro to go off on the stage behind him before he starts to make his way down to the ring. Snake takes his sweet time getting to the ring, showing his "appreciation" for the fans. When he does get to the ring, Snake slides under the bottom rope and climbs onto the nearest turnbuckle, throwing his arms up in the air once more to get one last rise out of the crowd before crouching in the corner and looking up the entryway.
(Troy) The following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, weighing in at 227 pounds, from the Bayous of Louisiana...SNAKE!
The lights in the arena go black and the fans get excited as cameras flash all around.. Suddenly, a gigantic lightning bolt comes down from the ceiling and hits the rampway and engulfs into flames for just a moment. The beginning chords of Walk With me in Hell by LAMB OF GOD begins to play as the lights turn dark red. The song speeds up as Peter Gilmour comes out wearing a long red cloak with no hood. Peter sees the flames in front of him and goes right through it with no fear of getting severely burned by the intense heat. Peter then rolls his eyes in back of his head as blood begins to come out and the camera cuts to some fans who are giving off mixed reactions. When he gets to the ring, Peter gets into the middle of the ring and throws up a "X" as fire emits from the turnbuckles.
(Troy) And his opponent, weighing in at 255 lbs, from Brooklyn, New York...PETER GILMOUR!
Both Peter and Snake stare at each other for several seconds, both waiting for the other to make the first move. Snake smirks and just puts his middle finger up in front of Peter's face. Peter looks away with a smirk on his face, then turns and clock's Snake upside the head. Snake fires back with a right hand of his own and the ref calls for the bell to start the match. Both men exchange right hand after right hand, neither showing signs of slowing down. Suddenly, both men leap up in the air and try to dropkick each other, only to land on the mat and realize that it was all for nothing. Peter sits on one knee with a smirk on his face and Snake just sits there and nods. Both men get up to their feet and begin to circle each other. They lock up in the center of the ring, and Snake quickly turns it into a side headlock. Peter hits Snake in the gut a few times and backs Snake up into the ropes and whips him across the ring. On the rebound, Peter tries for an arm drag, but Snake is able to roll through and land on his feet. Still holding onto the arm, Snake moves and positions himself to lock in an arm wrench. Peter, being the quick heavyweight he is, rolls through and kip-ups to his feet and locks in an arm wrench of his own, flipping Snake onto the mat.
Snake gets to his feet as Peter just stretches his neck. Both men circle each other again and lock up in the center of the ring. Peter turns it into a side headlock but Snake pushes him back into the ropes and whips him to the other side. Snake ducks down into the splits and Peter leaps over him. Snake rolls backwards onto his back for a money slip, but Peter leaps over Snake and rolls to through his feet and runs at the ropes. Snake gets to his feet and turns around and is met with a springboard super kick. Peter pins for 2. Peter picks up Snake and locks on a front face lock and hooks Snake's leg with his free arm. Peter goes to lift Snake up, but Peter lifts Snake over to far and Snake rolls down and onto his feet. Snake quickly leaps up and somewhat back so Peter can grab his legs. Snake pushes off the ground and hits a wheelbarrow sunset flip, pinning Peter to the mat but only gets a 2.
Snake quickly gets back to his feet and runs and springs off the middle rope with a lionsault, but Peter rolls out of the way, and Snake lands on his feet. Peter gets to his feet, and both men charge at each other. Peter goes for a clothesline, but Snake rolls to dodge it. Peter turns around as Snake leaps up for a dropkick, but Peter counters it mid-move into a sit-out powerbomb for another 2 count. Peter and Snake both get back to their feet. Snake goes to knock Peter down with a clothesline, but Peter ducks under and grabs around Snake's waist. Peter lifts Snake up and hits a German suplex. Peter rolls to one side with arms still locked and connects with a second German suplex. Peter and Snake roll to their feet again and Snake tries to grab a nearby rope, but it doesn't help as Peter connects with a third German suplex, arching up with his feet to pin Snake to the mat and gets another 2 count.
Both men get back to their feet, and they both run at each other, with Snake coming out of nowhere with a DDT. Both men lay on the mat for several seconds, until Snake suddenly kip-ups to his feet. Snake points at the turnbuckle, signaling that he's going up high. But just seconds before Snake starts his climb to the top, Peter comes up from behind with a school boy pin. Luckily for Peter, the referee is in perfect position to see the shoulders of Snake squarely on the mat, but ignoring the handful of tights Peter has in his hands. Either way, this tactic gives Peter his first win against the masked luchadore.
(Troy) And here is your winner via pin...Peter Gilmour!
Peter quickly slides out of the ring heading back up the ramp with a huge smirk on his face. Snake is on a knee in the middle of the ring, hitting the mat, obviously frustrated with Peter's tactics.
(JB) Peter did it! Peter finally beat Snake!
(Tom) DAMNIT! He just cost me $200! I HOPE YOUR HAPPY!
(JB) Judging by that sly smile on his face, I'd say he is...
Peter is seen pointing to his head, signaling that he outsmarted Snake. Snake is then shown nodding his head as he signals for Peter to get back into the ring. Snake is obviously not happy about what had happened, as his motions would suggest. Snake kicks the bottom rope in frustration as Peter heads up the ramp to the back as the scene cuts elsewhere.
Luck
Fade in.
We're focused in on Spaz backstage, standing alone at the catering table. He's simply pouring himself a cup of coffee without the distractions of Twitch, The Goods, Essex, or Hush. He carefully mixes in a little sugar - after all, he does have a sweet tooth - and stirs it with one of those disposable wooden stirrers. After Spaz tosses the stirrer into the waste bin, he turns while taking a sip of his coffee, and is startled by who is standing right there behind him.
(Spaz) Whoa!
Spaz was so wrapped up in the events of last Annihilation that he just zoned out of his surroundings. His hand that is holding the coffee shakes slightly due to being startled, and he nearly spills the coffee on this other person.
The camera pans back and reveals this other person as Keith Owens, and the live crowd begins to murmur out of curiosity of what might transpire between these two men.
(Keith) Easy there Sean, I'm not Mike Lane. Your coffee can stay in its cup.
That's a reference to Annihilation #18 when Spaz attacked Mike Lane at this very same table while Lane was trying to get a cup of joe. Of course, Keith makes the comment in a joking manner, slapping Spaz on the back to show it was just to break the ice between the two men that have been adversaries in the ring when they've faced off in the past.
(Spaz) So about last week...
For those of you who don't remember, Trevor Cunning beat Spaz in a match, then sought to further humiliate him by breaking a bottle of Jack Daniel's over Spaz's head. However, before the damage could be done, Keith Owens darted out of the back with a steel chair and ran Cunning off.
(Keith) ...Don't mention it...
He does anyway.
(Spaz) ... Thanks.
(Keith) ...You're welcome.
Your match with Trevor was what it was, but what happened after the bell should have had nothing to do with you. Trevor's bone to pick is with me and he knows that.
Spaz bites his bottom lip and nods his head in agreement, not happy at all about taking that loss to "The Godfather."
(Keith) Besides, you've got bigger issues to deal with.
That would be alluding to the biggest man - or monster - in the Foundation: Hush.
Remembering the past history between Hush and Keith Owens, Spaz places his free hand on the Difference Maker's shoulder.
(Spaz) How is Melissa doing these days?
Recap: Melissa Hayes is the former valet / girlfriend of Keith Owens who was thrown off the stage by Hush and was sent to the hospital in a coma.
(Keith) There's still no change in her condition. Every morning I hope that today will be the day she wakes up and recovers, and every night I wonder how much longer I'm going to have to wait. I'm just glad the same atrocity didn't happen to Krystin.
(Spaz) I am very fortunate that my sister didn't end up in a coma as well. Gord knows what I'd do if that happened...
(Keith) Well, when you get your day in the ring with Hush - give him hell. In fact, send him back there too while you're at it.
(Spaz) I'll do my damnedest.
(Keith) Good luck Sean...
Keith grabs Spaz's free hand to shake it while he completes his sentence.
(Keith) ...You're going to need it.
And with that, the Difference Maker walks off, likely to prepare for his Hall of Fame announcement later in the night. Meanwhile, Spaz stands behind at the coffee table pondering Keith's final words.
Fade out.
THIS IS THE PART OF THE SHOW WHERE YOU FLIP TO ANOTHER CHANNEL TO WATCH SPORTS CENTER OR SKIN-EMAX SOFTCORE PORNOGRAPHY UNTIL THESE DUMB ADVERTISEMENTS ARE OVER!!
The Best Defense
Ray Buchanan sits behind his desk in his office. He's poring over some papers when a burned fragment of Mike Lane's face hits his desk, sending papers everywhere, and spreading ashes on his table. Buchanan looks pissed for a moment, and then looks up to see Mike Lane (who looks like hell thanks to his buddies who used the fire extinguisher on him) and Phil Raines, neither of whom look pleased. His anger dissipates into a smirk.
(Buchanan) Mike, did I not assign you a locker room with a shower?
Lane slams his palms down on the desk, and the fire in his eyes matches that seen earlier on.
(Lane) Don't be a jackass, Ray. This is no time for jocularity.
(Buchanan) Then what is it time for, Mike?
Raines steps in before Lane explodes.
(Raines) It's pretty simple, Buchanan, we had to do a lot of wheeling and dealing to get this movie premiere in the books for your next show. If it gets ruined by that idiot champion of yours, then there's going to be a lot of people very upset.
Ray matches Raines' gaze, and stares him down.
(Buchanan) I fail to see how that's my problem, Mr. Raines. I didn't ask for any movie premieres next week.
Raines chuckles to himself as he rubs his hands together.
(Raines) Let me put it this way, Ray. In the corporate world, the blame gets passed down the pike until the lowest guy on the totem pole takes all the heat. That's you, buddy. There's a lot more riding on this movie premiere than you can possibly know. If it gets ruined then I have a feeling Verses would be very displeased with you, Buchanan.
Ray Buchanan doesn't often back down, but in this case he doesn't have much of a choice. He grumbles out his response.
(Buchanan) What should I do then?
Mike Lane is the one to answer, his voice dark and cold.
(Lane) Stryker doesn't enter the arena next week. Hell, he's not even in the same state. Send him off to wrestle in a barn somewhere. I'm sure Rex knows a few places. I don't care what you do with him, but he shows up on Annihilation, and they'll be hell to pay.
His threat hangs in the air, and Lane turns and walks out, grumbling something about needing a shower. Raines remains to look at Buchanan and offer his final words.
(Raines) I trust we've made ourselves clear.
He turns and walks out the door, leaving Buchanan alone.
(Buchanan) Crystal.
Cut.
JB) All right folks, it's time for our next match.
(Tom) Smithy and Spazzy!
Tyrone Smith vs. Spaz
"Lip Gloss and Black" by Atreyu hits the PA as the lights dim and then flicker out. Strobe lights flicker on as smoke fills the entryway and the ramp. All the sudden, a figure comes out from the back and stands in the smoke, right fist pumped up in the air. The strobe lights make the figure seem like it is blinking as the figure cuts through the smoke. The crowd cheers as it is NAFW's Tyrone Smith.
(Troy) Introducing first, from Biloxi, Mississippi... Tyrone Smith!
Tyrone walks down the ramp, acknowledging the crowd as he slides under the bottom ropes. The lights flicker back on as Tyrone pumps his fist in the air, runs around off the ropes and then turns, and waits for his opponent to come.
(JB) Tyrone Smith showed a lot of aggression at Breaking Point, and I expect that to continue here tonight as he steps into the ring against Spaz!
The house lights drop out, to be replaced by red lights, pulsing in time with a high hat playing a steady beat behind the rapid opening bass riff of "There and Back Again" by Daughtry. A single spotlight focuses on the top of the ramp, and Two figures are in that spotlight.
(Troy) And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Twitch...
Spaz steps forward, wearing his usual attire: simple black pants, dark red elbow pads and wristbands, and the trademark Ruby Oakleys. He also sports his new t-shirt, available for just $17.99 from TheNAFW.com. Standing behind Spaz is his manager, the man known as Twitch. The former commentator wears navy blue khakis and a red golf shirt. As usual, Twitch has Blake Bouchard over his shoulder.
(Troy) He hails from Brampton, Ontario, Canada... Spaz!
As the music continues, Spaz walks down the ramp, laying high-fives on fans along the way... But Twitch turns around and heads back through the curtain.
(Tom) Twitch is leaving! I haven't been this happy since...
(JB) Stop right there!
(Tom) What?
(JB) We both know what!
Before Tom can get in a rebuttal, likely mentioning JB's mother, Twitch returns, accompanied by a loud horn-like noise. The noise is coming from the trombone Twitch is playing (though it should be noted that the word "playing" is used very loosely here). Spaz, now standing on the ring steps, looks back and can't contain a smile at his manager's antics.
Tyrone Smith, on the other hand, is less pleased with the situation. Though a trombone will probably sit better with Smith than if Twitch had played some Avril Lavigne during his entrance.
(Tom) Dear Gord, why does he have a trombone?
Twitch makes his way down to the ring, continuing to assault everyone's ears with his terrible attempts at playing the brass instrument.
(JB) Oh my... "Trombone" is what Twitch calls Tyrone Smith.
(Tom) His damned Twitch-names...
(JB) Don't forget, that's a registered trademark, Bear!
(Tom) I call it fair use.
(JB) I hope our lawyers agree!
(Tom) Let Twitch sue!
When Twitch arrives at ringside, he lets out one last note (again, "note" is used loosely), before handing the trombone over to a nearby fan. Thankfully, the fan's father promptly takes the 'bone away before the kid can even think of imitating Twitch's "performance."
(JB) Well that was certainly an interesting entrance by Twitch... But it's time to get down to business.
(Tom) I'll say.
The bell rings and Spaz and Smith go right at each other. It starts as an evenly matched contest, with the similar sizes and styles of Spaz and Tyrone making for a lot of back and forth sequences, full of counters and high speed action.
A few minutes the match, Spaz takes control after a big springboard Sweetsault, but Smith kicks out of the immediate pin attempt. Spaz keeps on the pressure but is unsuccessful with several pinning predicaments. On the outside, Twitch alternates between cheers for Spaz and insults directed at Smith.
Tyrone turns things around with a surprise dropkick and follows it up with a series of suplexes and pinning attempts. Spaz fights out and regains the upper hand with a Sweets Kick out of an Irish whip. After both men get up, Spaz sets up his finisher.
(JB) There's the Sugar Rush!
Just as Spaz is about to apply a lateral press on Smith to go for the win, an ear-shattering scream fills the arena and the lights cut out.
(Tom) What's going on here?
In what little light remains, Spaz immediately abandons the pin fall and looks around, shocked. He calls out a name. Then the NAFWTron flickers and the scene upon it changes, grabbing Spaz's attention.
(JB) Spaz seems to recognize that scream, Bear!
(Tom) He said "Krystin" Mannwheel... His sister's name!
A very familiar voice, played over the Rose Garden sound system fills the silence left by the scream.
In the absence of willpower...
On the screen is nothing but grainy, unfocused landscape for a moment, until it takes the shape of an arena parking lot.
...the most complete collection of virtues and talents...
Then you see it, two figures: one small and red, the other, massive and an array of colors, but mainly a black hulking mass, veering away from the arena door they emerge from. Quickly being pursued by the cameras as they make their way out.
...is wholly worthless.
As the figures approach a limousine, what is being displayed becomes clearly evident.
(JB) My God. Do you realize what this is?
Spaz certainly does, his focus entirely on the NAFWTron. As the footage repeats slightly faster than the first time, the voice - obviously that of Alister Essex - repeats along with it, also faster than before.
In the absence of willpower the most complete collection of virtues and talents is wholly worthless.
(Tom) It's from weeks ago, in Toronto...
(JB) The night that Krystin Thomas was abducted!
Indeed it is, and what's worse, as Sean Thomas stares angrily at the replaying footage is that, as the sequence of Krystin Thomas being dragged against her will away from the arena is played again, faster and faster each time, the voice of Alister Essex is always there.
Intheabsenceofwillpower themostcompletecollectionofvirtuesandtalents iswhollyworthless.
(Tom) This is trippy.
The passage is read over and over again, paralleling the footage that becomes more disoriented and distorted, soon resembling nothing like the first loop shown and heard.
Inthabsncefwillpwerthmostcmplet collctinfvirtesndtalntsiswhllyworthlss. nthbsncfwllpwrthmstcmpltcllctnfvrtsndtlntsswhllywrthlss.
Just when you think the scene couldn't get any more disturbing, the footage loop cuts out, and the lights return to normal in the arena.
(JB) Look out!!
Spaz turns around and is immediately hoisted onto Tyrone Smith's shoulders in a fireman's carry. Smith throws Spaz off, face-first into an outstretched knee.
(Tom) Ruthless Aggression!
(JB) Folks, we all got caught up and distracted by that disturbing video, but this match is still going!
(Tom) And Smith's about to win it!
Tyrone goes for the cover, and gets the three count.
(Troy) Your winner, by pin fall... Tyrone Smith!!
"Lip Gloss and Black" is back again as the referee raises Smith's arm in victory.
(Tom) Even I have to give Tyrone Smith some credit here tonight... He took advantage of Spaz's distraction.
(JB) That he did, Bear... And he gave Spaz a run for his money throughout the match. Keep your eye on this Tyrone Smith, folks!
(Tom) Spaz didn't, and it cost him a win.
Smith makes his way out of the ring, as Twitch climbs inside to talk to Spaz, who doesn't appear to be participating in the conversation.
(JB) I'm a bit worried about Spaz here, Bear. To see that video of his sister's abduction, with Essex's voice taunting him all the way through... It's awful.
(Tom) This must be part of what Essex was talking about at the last Annihilation... He has plans in store for Spaz!
(JB) Well I've had enough of Essex's plans already... But I'm afraid this is just the beginning!
Eventually, Spaz gets up and slowly makes his way out of the ring. Twitch, seeing his client back on his feet, stalks up the ramp with a purpose.
Brotherly Love
As Tyrone Smith finishes his celebration of his victory of Spaz, he steps out of the ring and starts to head toward the backstage, he is stopped by some familiar theme music.
"Medicate" by Flaw hits the PA as his older brother, Carlos Smith, enters from the backstage and looks down at the crowd and jeers at them as a chorus of boos emanate through the air. Carlos makes his way down the ramp and pretty soon is nose to nose with Tyrone. He smiles again, the chorus of boos not letting up, as he has a microphone in his hand. He walks past Tyrone and climbs into the ring. Tyrone stares at him closely, but climbs into the ring as well. Carlos shakes his head, holding the microphone to his face.
(Carlos) You know, that was an impressive win over Spaz there. I'm impressed you have risen so far and so fast, and all because you changed your name? Gimme a break, Tyrone.
Tyrone grabs another microphone that is from the ring hand and smiles at his brother. He takes a step back and starts to pace around the ring, then stops and starts to speak.
(Tyrone) What are you doing out here, Carlos? You know the last time we were face to face like this, I kicked your ass at the last Oblivion and sent you pack back home, crying to mom and dad. If that is what you want again, just let me know and I'll be glad to do it. You know Oblivion is coming up, and I have no plans, so if you want to take another stab at me, just say it and I will kick your ass on the grandest stage of them all again!
Carlos laughs a hearty laugh, which actually sounds pretty sinister, which startles Tyrone just a little bit. Carlos shakes his head slowly and laughs again.
(Carlos) You know, that's why our parents loved you more than me. You are always confident and you were a suck up to them. You got all the praise in the world... graduating high school, going to college, becoming a professional wrestler and being a successful as you are. It makes me sick. While you were getting a good life, what about me? I was in California, in JAIL for 10 years, without hearing a peep from mom and dad. How do you think that felt, Tyrone? It hurt! And now I come back just to see how my brother is doing, and you shun me like I have leprosy or something? What did I do wrong?
Tyrone seems a little stunned by Carlos's words, but regains his composure and walks up to Carlos, putting a hand on his shoulder. Tyrone shakes his head a little bit as Carlos pulls Tyrone's hand off his shoulder.
(Tyrone) Carlos, mom and dad loved you very much as well. You ran away from home without a trace. How were they supposed to contact you when they had no idea where you were at? It's not like they didn't love you, they did and they were worried sick about you! They were relieved when they saw you at the last Oblivion safe and sound.
You know what though, It's not my fault you are jealous. I lived the good life because I stayed at home and did what I was told and stayed on the good side of my parents. You didn't want to live by the rules, you didn't want to listen to mom and dad, so you ran off like a child with no purpose. If you would have just stayed at home, you would have gotten the same treatment as me!
Carlos laughs again as he steps back from Tyrone and rubs his head a little bit, a little of a sly grin appearing on his face.
(Carlos) You know, that's exactly what I thought you were going to say, but let's getting something straight here. You're right, I am jealous. I'm jealous that you got the world handed to you on a silver platter while I was just tossed aside like a piece of garbage. It hurt a lot Tyrone, but that's not why I am out here. Do you notice someone missing in this equation. The person that always follows me like a young child does to a father? THAT is who I am talking about. He is crushed about this whole situation.
Carlos points behind Tyrone as he turns around and sees Psycho standing on the entrance way. Tyrone has a little bit of a confused look on his face as Psycho walks down the ramp and looks up at Tyrone with a sad look on his face before climbing into the ring and walking up next to Carlos. Tyrone turns back around and shrugs his shoulders.
(Tyrone) What about him? What is so special about him. I know he following you around everywhere, but he seems just like a lackey to me. If this is your idea of a bodyguard, you have got to get better sources. I could beat him with my hands tied behind my back.
Carlos knits his brow to a frown and sneers at Tyrone, shaking his head furiously and approaches Tyrone, almost nose to nose with him.
(Carlos) You just don't get it, do you brother? Think long and hard about this. You remember mom and dad saying that there is another child that was born to the family, but they couldn't take care of him because we are not the richest family in the world and our grandparents adopted him? You notice that every time we went over there, he was there and he looked a lot like us, yet they said he was a FOSTER CHILD?! You remember that, Tyrone, or you stuck in your egotistical life to remember about your YOUNGER BROTHER!!!!
Tyrone has a look of bewilderment of his face as Carlos signals Psycho to come here and, with his back turned, takes off his mask for the first time since being in the NAFW. Psycho slowly turns around and reveals himself. He looks a lot like Tyrone, only with short hair instead of the long hair that Tyrone and Carlos have and he has green eyes. He still has the facial features and everything that Tyrone has. Tyrone stands there, mouth agape, as he stares at Psycho intently.
(Carlos) You don't remember your younger brother, Tommy, here do you? That's right, Tyrone. While you were here doing your job and wrestling across America, I did a little research and found out this "foster child" here is none other than our younger brother, Tommy Smith. You thought I was jealous and hurt about your success and good life, what about Tommy here? He had to live with our grandparents and not being able to see his own parents and brothers except for once or twice a year, while our grandparents were not the best caretakers in the world for him. While you were getting the good life, he was here, struggling in school, barely able to make a living and not having much of a life with our overprotective grandparents. I went there and took him from them, saying that I was going to get him a job and everything, and started to train him as a wrestler and whatnot, so he can come to the NAFW and work his way to where he is now.
He only listens to me because he loves me... and not you, Tyrone. I was the one that saved him from his hell. I WAS THE ONE that took him under my wing. He doesn't like you at all, Tyrone.
Tyrone stands there, not sure what to say as he stares at his younger brother with tear welling up in his eyes. He slowly starts to walk toward him as Tommy hides his face a little bit, not wanting to show his face to Tyrone just yet.
(Tyrone) Tommy, I'm sorry. I didn't ----
CRAAAAACK!
That's all that is heard as Tyrone doesn't even finish his sentence. Carlos has cracked his microphone across the head of Tyrone Smith. Tyrone is lying on the mat, not moving, as Carlos stands over the broken body of Tyrone.
(Carlos) You may have gotten the good life and the world handed to you, but we are sick of YOU getting all the attention. It's all going to end soon.
Carlos turns around and barks a couple of orders at Tommy "Psycho" Smith. Tommy shakes his head and takes a couple of steps back. Carlos grabs Tommy by the hair and forces Tommy to walk up to the fallen Tyrone as Carlos points at him. You can hear the words "Attack him" coming out of Carlos's mouth. A little bit of hesitation comes from the youngest brother as Carlos slaps Tommy in the face. Tommy gives up and picks up Tyrone by the hair and grabs him in the back of the neck and throws him into the turnbuckle, hitting his finisher, The Klown, on Tyrone. Tommy looks at Carlos and crawls under the ring ropes, quickly makes his way up the ramp and disappears into the backstage. Carlos stands over the body of Tyrone and jeers.
(Carlos) You just saw and example of what will happen to you... at Oblivion. That's right, Tyrone. You will once again face me at Oblivion, but this time I will not be alone. This time I will have Tommy with me and you will have to face both of us in a handicap match. And this time, Tyrone.... I WILL end your career.
Carlos throws the microphone down to the mat next to the unmoving body of Tyrone Smith as Carlos spits at the feet of his brother as he climbs under the ropes, the crowd booing loudly, as "Medicate" by Flaw hits the PA again. Carlos turns around to his fallen brother and shakes his head, before disappearing behind the NAFWtron and into the backstage area.
(JB) It looks like a battle we thought ended years ago is only heating up! How will Tyrone conquer his brothers Tommy and Carlos?
(Tom) You sit there and think about that Mannwagon, because we're cutting backstage right now!
Getting the Game Face On
As the camera pans around, we see John Mills with the new NAFW backstage set, complete with the new Annihilation logo. He motions for someone to come to him.
(John) It's my pleasure to bring out Jaime Alejandro...
Jaime pops onto the screen with his shirt cut off on the sides. It simply is hanging on by his neck. Mills is looking up at him, due to the six inch height difference.
(John) Jaime, how are you?
(Jaime) Good, Millsy. Pretty good, actually.
Mills actually smiles, as he figures he's not going to get yelled at or assaulted at this moment.
(John) Let's go back to two years ago. You left the NAFW, ventured around TTW and tried everywhere... Why didn't anything last?
(Jaime) As I've told everyone, I wasn't 100 percent. I was over my weight that I wanted to be at. I was gassing. I was also drinking a bit. I did get clean, but I still felt like hell.
(John) Which you freely admit to steroids and addictions now. How hard was it to admit it?
(Jaime) No man wants to admit help until he's down on in the hole. Which I did come back, but that didn't go over. I needed more repair and more surgery.
Jaime leans back against the set a bit. If he's in pain, still. He's trying to cover it.
(John) Do you blame the hard hitting style you had as a semi-super heavyweight for a lot of your problems.
(Jaime) Yes and no, Mills. Yes, it caused me a lot of pain. But no, because I should've known to wrestle smarter. However, if I went back and looked at it, I wouldn't change a thing.
Mills looks over as the director gives him more time for the interview.
(John) Last month, you were in a charged feud with Ashley Collier, which we saw you put him out for this PPV period. This month, you take on one of your close friends, "The Reaper" Leonard Aarons. Is this what you meant by friends, enemies and unknowns, and that all are in your crosshairs?
Jaime cracks his head to the side for a sickening pop from his neck. And then he stands straight up and looks right at Mills.
(Jaime) I think the boys know that I'm not screwing around anymore. Lenny knows I'm not, and he took the match willingly, because I'm not some screw up. I'm not a has been, like Vanessa wants to claim. In fact, Mills. I'm probably more dangerous now than I've ever been in my entire career. And tonight, Mike Lane gets to find out... Nothing's changed. I'm just more pissed off than ever. I'm a lot more brutal than ever. And yes, Kalhoun. I'm still a f(beep)ing psycho.
(John) And what you're saying is...
(Jaime) A general warning to the boys. Man Up or get the f(beep) out of my way.
Jaime pats Mills on the shoulder, as he heads off.
(John) And you heard it from him. The Former Green Beret is back on his mission of dominance....
A Special Hall of Fame Celebrations
Cut back to the arena: pan around the thousands of screaming fans as JB and Tom offer their thanks and well-wishes to all the NAFW fans around the world that make shows like this possible. Pumping fists and hefting signs abound.
"When All Is Said" by Trapt shakes the arena, Derek Clarke appears under the tron and there seem to be more boos than cheers this week, apparently stemming from his confrontation with the long-missed James Batty - long missed, but not forgotten. That's the select few who're cheering Derek as he makes his way down the ramp, microphone in hand, slapping some hands and being facetiously happy to the point of implausibility. Something's up.
(Tom) Something's up, JB!
Really, Tom...?
(JB) You have to think so, Bear. We haven't seen Derek with a smile on his face for months and now, suddenly, he's almost skipping to the ring?! Forgive me if I doubt the genuine nature of this display, fans, but something ... something here doesn't follow!
Clarke rolls in under the bottom rope and pops up, arms in the air, pulling a reaction out of the fans. The sugar-coated pandering continues for a moment, extremely out of character, when the music finally fades away and we're left with just Derek, standing in the center of the ring with his head down - thinking, waiting for the mixed bag of vocals from the audience to die down, too.
(Clarke) You know ... It's been brought to my attention that I was disrespectful last week ... that I disrespected the Judge.
Go for the cheap pop!
(Clarke) Well, the fact of the matter is, I went back and reviewed the tape and it looks like my hubris got the better of me. I mean, without Jerry or my uncle around to tell me what to say and do ... It sure looks like I messed things up.
Some people move on without moving on, it seems.
(JB) I'm not sure where this is going, fans ...
(Tom) It looks like it's going to Apology-ville, population: Derek Clarke!
(Clarke) Here I had this great opportunity to announce James Batty as the first ever entrant into the NAFW Hall of Fame, and I flubbed it. I didn't give the announcement the respect it deserved ... so I'm here tonight, in this very ring, to remedy that mistake.
Faux repentance is charming.
(Clarke) So tonight ... right now ... consider this James Batty's Special Induction Ceremony, a celebration of the highest honor the NAFW can bestow upon its most legendary wrestlers ... hosted, of course, by yours truly! Let's get this party started...!
Cue the confetti. Cue the balloons and the congratulatory kazoo music jamming from every speaker in the joint, all meshing together to "celebrate" the Judge's many years donating his blood, sweat and tears to the cause of the Foundation. Seriously, though. Kazoo music, covering the Judge's signature entrance theme.
(JB) I can't believe my eyes!
(Tom) Believe it, Mann-wagon! Derek Clarke is giving the Judge the most heartfelt apology he can, in the form of a make-up announcement! What a stand-up guy!
(Clarke) Yeah...! We're gonna do it right this time! Come on...! Lemme hear it for the Judge!
The crowd slowly catches on, chanting "Judge, Judge, Judge" as Clarke eggs them on. He's just way, way too excited - like James Batty was his oldest, best friend.
(Clarke) And, hey ... how about a highlight reel for our special guy! How about that...?!
There's a pop as Derek points up towards the tron.
(Clarke) Hey, guys! Guys in the truck...! You hear that? Give these fans what they wanna see! Roll that beautiful Judge footage...!
And roll that footage, he does. Set to a little Rammstein, we're treated to a 60-second video montage of all the Judge's greatest moments: from his feud with Griever, to his feud with David Kurresh and the many, many Championships he's won. We see Gauntlets, chair-shots, Fist-spots (for all you historians out there), and all manner of finishing moves galore. You can tell that this is an actual highlight reel and not some gimmicky heat-getter. And it makes us remember why the Judge is who he is, and why we love him so much.
Back in the ring, Derek is wiping a tear from his eye.
(Clarke) That's absolutely beautiful! Good stuff, right...?!
(JB) If I had to describe this scene in two words, it would be: surprisingly legitimate.
(Tom) I told you, JB! Derek's just out here to honor one of the greats...! No ifs, ands or buts! Welcome to the Hall of Fame, James Batty!
(Clarke) But, you know ... I forgot the best part of the Judge saga! Ch-ch-check this out!
Clarke points back up to the Tron, where we see a hospital bed. There, upon that bed, is the unmoving corpse of ... Martine Batty?! Judge's beloved sister has only recently passed away, and this is obviously an actor ... but it's a very interesting thing to see when she suddenly sits bolt upright and starts ranting in some kind of half-gibberish, half-English about being dead, and making both incestuous and necrophilia insinuations about her brother.
"All I wanted was some candy...!" and that's all it takes: James Batty is sprinting to the ring, unannounced and with no entrance to guide him, racing as far and as fast as his legs will carry him to what he hopes will be the funeral of one Derek Clarke. But Derek doesn't back down and the two meet in a thunderous crash of bodies, fists swinging and the crowd going crazy. The wireless mic hitting the mat makes a feedback squeal the likes of which we'll never forget, broadcast across a hundred arena speakers. Flurries here, exchanges there, neither man is backing down and it's becoming apparent that neither will until the other is utterly, finally and irrevocably dead.
(JB) It's a brawl for the ages! I knew Derek Clarke's sincerity was a ruse ... it was a trap all along! He just wanted to lure James Batty out here to get his hands on him!
(Tom) Man, am I ever glad I didn't call into work tonight! This is great! Sexual, almost!
But all must things must come to an end, Tom, and the back empties of all manner of yellow-shirted security guards - an endless sea of rent-a-cops pouring out from behind the curtain. Literally dozens of these guys, too; Buchanan must've paid his weight in gold for this many guards, and they're still having a difficult time keeping the two apart. James Batty and Derek Clarke aren't willing to wait for Oblivion, it seems, both with a chip on their shoulder and both with a point to prove, and many a rent-a-cop will go home with the marks to prove it.
(JB) If this is a preview of what's to come, folks ... my God! It's a maelstrom in there!
(Tom) It's also a really big, really insane slugfest, JB! I'm just sitting here, imagining all my ex-wives in security shirts and ... and it's brilliant!
Derek gets pretty close to the Judge, not close enough to hit him but they're still in shouting distance, talking trash, when he does what anyone does who wants to enrage his opponent: he spits in his eye. From a couple feet away, Clarke conjures the most grotesque ball of saliva we've seen in quite some time and literally, forcefully sends it rocketing onto James Batty's brow. This renews the Judge's fervent attempts to get to Clarke, but Clarke - knowing the futility - simply sits back and lets the guards pull him out of the ring ... introducing Batty to a finger he'll get quite familiar with in the coming weeks.
(JB) What a mess...! Let's take a short break folks and get this sorted out - we'll be right back!
TIME TO GO TO THE FRIDGE TO GET A COCA-COLA AND FUNIONS! IT'S TEH COMMERCIALZ!!!!!!!!1!!!!!ONE!
Truce?
We cut to Commissioner Ray Buchanan's office, where the commish is talking on his cell phone to an unknown person on the other end.
(Buchanan) ...Yeah, I honestly can't wait until Oblivion. We've already got plans in motion to possibly get that one band we talked about a few weeks ago to play the theme song, not to mention our huge main event of Mike Stryker versus Mike Lane for the Foundation Cha-
As Commissioner Buchanan is talking to this person on the other line, we suddenly hear the all too familiar voice of one Peter Gilmour, cutting the commish off mid-sentence.
(Peter) Ah...Just the man I was looking for!
Commissioner Buchanan looks at Peter with a slightly confused look on his face as he quickly resumes his conversation with whoever was willing to listen.
(Buchanan) I...I'll call you right back...I apparently have some sort of important business to take care of...
Commissioner Buchanan hangs up the phone and looks over at the "Xtreme Icon" with a somewhat displeased look.
(Buchanan) Can I help you, Peter?
(Peter) You sure as hell can bossman. Snake was the number one contender for Andy D's title and I just beat Snake earlier tonight, I should be named the rightful number one contender right?
(Buchanan) That may be, Peter, but-
(Voice) ...I've still got Wilson's rematch clause.
And just like that, the masked man known as Snake cuts off the commissioner by barging into the office. Ray Buchanan visibly looks annoyed. Peter looks slightly outraged that Snake's trying to screw him out of a title match he thinks is rightfully his.
(Peter) Oh come on! You can't possibly believe that Buchanan's actually going to allow you to use a stupid ball of air to get you a title shot are you Reptile Boy? Mr. Buchanan, I strongly think you should reconsider his request.
(Buchanan) Actually-
Snake cuts him off again, and Buchanan looks to be getting a tad bit more upset.
(Snake) I've already talked to him about it, and seeing as how Wilson won't be cleared to wrestle until after Oblivion, he said I could cash this baby in at anytime I want, so long as it's before Wilson is able to wrestle...And like it or not, Petey-poo, I plan on cashing this baby in at Oblivion.
Peter, who's now starting to go from outraged to furious turns to Commissioner Buchanan.
(Peter) Ray, tell Snake that he's not competing for the Atlantic Championship at Oblivion because I beat his punk ass fair and square in the middle of the ring. I should be the one facing Andy D for the Atlantic Championship not Reptile Boy.
(Buchanan) Snake, you're not competing for the Atlantic Championship at Oblivion...
(Peter) HAH! Eat that you piece of BEEP!
(Buchanan) ...And neither are you, Peter.
(Peter) I KNEW IT! Wait...What!? Can you repeat that?
(Buchanan) Let me rephrase that...With the two of laying claim to being able to face Andy D for the Atlantic Championship at Oblivion, Xavier Caine still has a match with Andy D tonight. The way I see it, if Xavier Caine were to win his match with Andy D, he would also have the rights to lay claim be the number one contender. But until then, and after I sort all this out, there is no number one contender, and the Atlantic Championship will not be defended at Oblivion. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some more important business I must attend to.
With that, Ray Buchanan gets up to his feet and heads out the door of his office. Peter is left standing there, quietly cussing to himself. Snake gives off a chuckle.
(Snake) He's right, you know.
(Peter) About what? You being a complete tool who plays with his balls?
Peter laughs to himself, Snake shakes his head is utter disappointment.
(Snake) No...about Xavier Caine. With him around, neither of us will be able to take out Andy D.
(Peter) Uhhhhh, what's your point?
(Snake) I suggest that we team up and take out Xavier Caine when he least expects it, then you and I can go back to taking this whole number one contendership to a more...extreme level.
Peter nods slightly with a smirk on his face.
(Peter) You just made me happy Snake breath. We are going to leave Xavier in a pool of his own blood. And then after that, I will be the one to face Andy D for the Atlantic Championship! Not you and not your stupid soccer ball! Just don't screw this up or I'm gonna hurt you real bad!
With that, Snake leaves the office, leaving Peter with a evil smirk still on his face, giving off a slightly evil sounding chuckle.
(Peter) ...In fact, he's not going to know what hit him.
Another chuckle from Peter as the scene cuts elsewhere.
Promo by Partners
Backstage. The scene consists of a nice generic promo background consisting of the new Annihilation on Versus logo. In front of the GPB stand four men. From left to right: Slush, Ammo, Dustin Thomas and Shane Thomas. Ammo and Dustin in the middle hold their Tag Team Championships over their shoulders. But it's neither of the champs that speaks first.
(Shane) Brick and Mortar... Never heard of you. But my brother can take you.
Slush leans forward and stares at Shane.
(Slush) Your brother can't take a leak without assistance, let alone taking two guys in a wrestling match.
Now it's Shane's turn to stare.
(Shane) As I recall, my brother's the one who scored both of the pin falls for this team!
(Slush) Some accomplishment there... He jumped in after Cunning beat up his own partner.
(Shane) Opportunity knocks, he opens the door.
Slush steps forward and, standing in front of Ammo, and turns toward Shane.
(Slush) Or opportunity throws him into a guy and all he has to do is roll over to win. Face it dude: Your brother's a tool!
Shane steps forward now, facing Slush and standing in front of Dustin. Both of the champs, meanwhile, are simply watching as their partners bicker.
(Shane) Maybe you should face something... Your boy's mantle would still be empty if it weren't for my brother.
(Slush) Learn your history, pal... Ammo's a former Heavyweight Champion!
That's what we'd probably put into the "ancient history" category. Ammo won the UWA Heavyweight Championship in mid-2001.
(Shane) I know my history, pal... It was nearly seven years ago and he won the title after the place had already closed.
Shane's not wrong. It was a one-time match held in NAFW and afterward, the title and the UWA itself were pretty much forgotten. Shane looks up at Ammo.
(Shane) Congrats on your outstanding victory, champ. You must be so proud.
Ammo grunts. Loosely translated: "Meh." Dustin pokes his head around Shane and speaks up.
(Dustin) Uh, guys...
(Slush) Quiet. We're talking here.
Dustin shakes his head and looks up at Ammo, who shrugs, then inclines his head to the right. Dustin nods, and they both start to leave.
(Shane) Where are you going? You're in the middle of a promo!
(Ammo) No. You are.
(Dustin) Yeah... We've got a match to win.
The Champs head off screen, leaving their respective partners behind.
(Slush) Way to go, jackass.
(Shane) You're the jackass... Jackass.
And that's all here.
(JB) Looks like Dustin and Ammo aren't going to let Slush and Shane speak for them anymore!
(Tom) Ammo barely speaks in the first place! And Shane's a better spokesman than Slush, by a mile.
(JB) Ammo lets his actions speak louder than his words, and I think both of the champs are hoping to do that in the ring tonight!
Fully Segment-ic.
As we cut to the back, we see the back of the Rose Garden and a dark brown individual walking through in a throwback Trail Blazers jersey. It's red, it has Bill Walton's number on it and it's as one would guess, complete with a pair of black custom jeans. He has on a pair of thin black shades and simply put, as one Sports Center anchor would say, he's as cool as the other side of the pillow. The fans in the Rose Garden react accordingly for the arrival of "The Reaper" Leonard Aarons.
(Tom) What's HE doing here? He has the night off.
(JB) Well, last week he was victorious over Psycho and after the match, he was issued a challenge by former Foundation Heavyweight Champion and fellow friend Jaime Alejandro for a match at Oblivion.
(Tom) Not to mention he slammed the door on the face of the lovely Vanessa Chamberlain. I tell ya, he needs to learn how to forgive and forget.
(JB) Amie Carmichael appears to have caught up with The Reaper, let's see what he has to say.
Sure enough, Amie is standing by backstage with the Devastator From Doddtown as JB mentioned.
(Amie) Leonard, as announced last week on Annihilation and made official a short time after, at Oblivion it will be you one on one with Jaime Alejandro. Before we get to that though, a lot of folk are wondering why are you here tonight?
A somewhat coy smile creeks over the lips of Leonard Aarons.
(The Reaper) Well Amie, that's a curious question and the answer is even better. The answer is...I'm here...to scout.
(Amie) To scout?
(The Reaper) But of course, see, the way I see it...Lane/Alejandro or White Shoes versus The Saint is gonna be epic. Titanic. Orca-ic even.
Even Amie's a bit confused by the last one.
(Amie) Orca-ic?
Chuckle from Aarons.
(The Reaper) Yeah Orca-ic, keep up Amie. Anyway, a clash with those two is gonna be big and given that yours truly is on the fast track towards reclaiming the Foundation Heavyweight title I lost at Chain Reaction...I need to stay ahead of the game. I need to make sure that both Alejandro and White Shoes know that The Reaper is watching. To know that The Reaper is waiting.
(Amie) But...are you here to watch Jaime's back?
(The Reaper) Jaime's more than capable of taking care of himself. I suspect he'll have no problem taking care of White Shoes.
(Amie) So I guess the question is, why him at Oblivion?
Aarons strokes his chin which is sporting a very thing goatee rather smoothly, as he nods his head somewhat slowly.
(The Reaper) Like he said last week to a point, you're looking at two of the toughest hombres in this industry with The Saint and The Reaper. To this point in time, I've made bloody the likes of Bishop, Cunning and most recently Heatwave to name a few. Yet, I feel like folks aren't fully up on how great a wrestler I am. Before I reclaim my title, before I set my sights on either Stryker or White Shoes, I want them to understand that not only are they gonna have to deal with the Most Devastating Man In The Game...
Beat...as Aarons turns towards the camera.
(The Reaper) I want them to understand that they're facing the best WRESTLER in this industry to boot. Period, point blank, end of story. I'm here to scout my opponent at Oblivion and a possible future opponent after the fact, should White Shoes Lane actually choose to wrestle better than he acts.
(Amie) I take it you're not a big fan of his acting.
(The Reaper) Lemme put it this way, I heard they're thinking of using his films as a new form of torture down at GITMO. Now if you'll excuse me...
Amie makes the infamous move that indicates she has just one more question which causes Aarons to slow to a stop.
(Amie) Last week, on your way out of the building you were confronted by Vanessa Chamberlain. Now we...
Aarons doesn't give Amie a chance to finish, not because of him directly stopping her or anything like that. It's because before she can go any further, he's already halfway down the hallway and eventually out of sight.
TAKE THIS COMMERCIAL BREAK AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON THE VERY NATURE OF EXISTENCE! YOU'LL BETTER YOURSELF AS A PERSON!
JB) Folks, it's time for our Tag Team Champions to take to the ring.
(Tom) Who are these guys they're up against?
(JB) Brick and Mortar, Bear... They're a couple of young guns just coming up through the Foundation's development system.
(Tom) And they're getting a title shot?
(JB) They've been impressive so far.
Brick and Mortar (John Brick & Casey Mortar) vs. Ammo & Dustin Thomas (TT)
Tag Team Championships
Korn's version of "Another Brick in the Wall, Part II" begins to play as bricks begin to fill the screen of the NAFWTron. Each layer is filled in with mortar as the wall rises up the screen.
(Troy) The following contest is for the Tag Team Championships!
Meanwhile, two men emerge from behind the curtain.
(Tom) Whoa! Those guys are huge!
Tom isn't wrong. On the left, wearing full length tights with a red and grey brick pattern is John Brick, who stands at 6'7" and weighs a solid 323 pounds. On the right, his partner Casey Mortar is smaller, but not by much. He's 6'5" and 299 pounds and wears a singlet with a black and grey brick pattern.
(Troy) Making their way to the ring, the challengers... Brick and Mortar!!
Without much fanfare, John and Casey walk down the ramp to the ring.
(JB) A little history on Brick and Mortar for the folks at home... They're both about 24 years old, from the eastern seaboard. They met at the beginning of their wrestling training and have been tag team partners since then.
(Tom) I heard Mortar had a previous tag team partner... A guy named Billy Pestle.
(JB) Really, Bear... Mortar and Pestle?
(Tom) I wouldn't make that up!
Troy Gilmore does his thing just in time to break up this little bit of banter.
(Troy) And now, the Champions...
The lights cut out and the rapid chords and drums of "Riot" by Three Days Grace ring through the arena. A red spotlight shines on the top of the stage, and two figures step out. In front is Ammo, in his dark red tights, wearing fingerless gloves and black sunglasses. Behind him comes his partner Slush, dressed in jeans and a new Blue NAFW T-shirt.
(Troy) First, accompanied by Slush, he comes from London, Ontario, Canada... Ammo!!
As the music goes into the chorus, The Goods stalk down to the ring. Slush takes up his position on the outside as Ammo pulls himself up onto the apron and steps over the top rope. Ammo tosses his sunglasses out to Slush and looks across the ring at his opponents.
(JB) Interesting to note that the Champs are still coming to the ring separately... But they seem to be trading as far as who goes first. Last time it was Dustin, but tonight it's Ammo.
(Tom) They may be working better together since winning at Breaking Point, but they're still not a real team like the Empire!
(JB) Or The Goods.
(Tom) No, they're not a real team either.
(Troy) And his partner...
A siren hits the speakers and the word "EMPIRE" appears on the video screen.
The lights flash red and blue, as the camera pans around the arena. Lil' Wayne's "Fireman" starts playing. As the intro continues, the lights flash red to black to blue and back to black as a spot light is focused on the curtain. The song kicks in and Dustin Thomas blows through the entry way in his tights and an Old School Empire t-shirt, with a Tag Team Championship belt around his waist. New School points up, and Shane comes out of the curtain, dressed in his street clothes.
(Troy) Accompanied to the ring by his brother Shane, from Toledo, Ohio... Dustin Thomas!!
Dustin taunts the fans as he walks down the aisle, while Shane walks slowly behind him, but still striking the occasional pose. Dustin takes off and runs the rest of the away down the ramp and slides into the ring. He leaps up to the turnbuckle to soak in the jeers as unbuckles the belt and raises it in the air. The Alpha takes up an uncomfortable position outside of the ring, to watch his brother in action.
(JB) Well Bear, the champs may have to shift their strategies here tonight...
(Tom) How so?
(JB) In their two matches together so far, they haven't faced a combination quite like this Brick and Mortar team.
(Tom) How so?
(JB) Ammo still has a size advantage over both Brick and Mortar, but Dustin is seriously outsized here. At Breaking Point Dustin and Keith Owens were a fairly even match, and then in their first defense it was Scott Rocker and Rex Michaels who were majorly outsized against Ammo.
(Tom) How so?
(JB) You're just going to keep saying that now, aren't you?
(Tom) How so?
Thankfully, the bell rings and the match is underway. Ammo kicks things off against Brick. The two big men circle briefly before Brick rushes Ammo. They exchange heavy blows to the head and midsection, before Brick backpedals and makes a quick tag to Mortar. Ammo waits in the middle of the ring as Mortar charges. On the run, Casey Mortar ducks a big boot from Ammo and ends up behind the champ.
(JB) Nice show of agility from Mortar there...
(Tom) Especially for a big guy!
(JB) Just shy of three hundred pounds!
Mortar hits a chop block, throwing all of those nearly three hundred pounds into the back of Ammo's leg, forcing him down. Mortar follows up with a running knee to the back of Ammo's head, before tagging Brick back in. The pair isolate Ammo near their corner and keep fresh using quick tags for a good couple of minutes and a half. Ammo kicks out of several pin attempts.
(Tom) This would never happen to Shane.
Brick tags in Mortar and the pair bring Ammo into the middle of the ring, setting up for a tandem suplex. They get the big man off the ground, but Ammo shifts his weight and falls backward, turning the suplex into a pair of DDTs.
(JB) Huge counter by Ammo!
Slush and Shane Thomas pound the mat on opposite sides of the ring, both urging Ammo to get to his feet - about the only thing they've ever really agreed upon. Eventually he does, and gets the tag, bringing in the fresh Dustin Thomas.
Dustin does his best to keep out of the hands of Mortar, opting for a series of quick strikes and retreats to wear the larger man down. Mortar wisely tags out before getting too worn down, forcing Dustin to start over against Brick. Thomas does just that, but even with Dustin on the offensive the sound tag strategy of Brick and Mortar continues to prevail. Finally, Dustin heads over to his corner and calls out to Ammo.
(Tom) Did he say what I think he said?
(JB) He said "throw me" Bear! Dustin's asking for it this time!
Ammo steps into the ring as Dustin gets to the corner. He pulls Dust up into an overhead press... Ammo tosses Dustin, who flies toward Brick with a cross-body block... But Brick catches Dustin and promptly nails a fall away slam. Meanwhile, the referee forces Ammo out of the ring. Brick goes for the cover.
(JB) Will we have new Champions here?
(Tom) No!
Dustin gets the shoulder up. Brick keeps on the attack, landing a side slam and backdrop, before applying a standing half-nelson on Dustin. He lifts Dustin up and drops to a knee, driving Thomas into a hard backbreaker.
(JB) He calls that the Brickbreaker!
(Tom) Where do you get this information from?
(JB) Research, Bear!
(Tom) Boring!
Brick drops into a lateral press, but at the two count, Ammo breaks it up with a boot to the side of Brick's head. Ammo rushes to the far corner and knocks Mortar off the apron. He turns around and Brick gets up in time to be dropped right back down with a big boot to the face.
(JB) Ammo's cleaning house!
Over the protests of the referee, Ammo grabs Dustin by the arms and drags his partner across the ring to their own corner. Ammo steps out to the apron only long enough to reach back through the ropes and tag himself in. Now that the momentum has shifted, Ammo doesn't let it go. He keeps control with heavy-hitting slams on Brick. Mortar attempts to intervene but Ammo knocks him right back to the outside with a clothesline.
With Brick slowly getting up, Ammo waves Dustin into the ring. He picks Dust up by an arm and a leg and starts spinning. This time, Dustin's feet are at the front of the spin. At the appropriate moment, just as Brick gets to his feet, Ammo lets go and Dustin is sent flying. The Fastball Special Dropkick knocks Brick back to the ground.
(Tom) Another Fastball Special!
(JB) I thought you didn't like it when Ammo threw Dustin...
(Tom) I don't... But this isn't just any throw!
(JB) Ah, so a "Fastball Special" is OK?
(Tom) Is Wolverine's skeleton adamantium?
Ammo doesn't go for the pin after the Special, picking Dustin back up into an overhead press. This time he throws Thomas at the unsuspecting Mortar, sending both Casey and Dustin to the outside. Ammo turns around and catches Brick with a hand around the throat.
(JB) Can Ammo get John Brick up for the Breakdown here?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Yes, he can.
Ammo lifts Brick off the ground and holds him for a second before sitting out and slamming the up-and-comer to the mat. Still holding on, Ammo hooks a leg and gets the three count. Cue "Riot."
(Troy) Your winners by pin fall, and still Tag Team Champions... Dustin Thomas and Ammo!
(JB) Another big defense by the champs... But this one was a little bit tougher for them against the young and strong team of Brick and Mortar.
(Tom) The Empire could have taken them, easy. Ammo's bringing Dustin down!
(JB) Whether you like it or not, Bear, this pairing of Ammo and Dustin Thomas is proving to be quite formidable... You may not see the Empire together again any time soon!
(Tom) Don't even think that Mannatee!
The Champs raise their title belts in the air as the back up the ramp. When Ammo and Dustin turn, Slush and Shane follow them backstage, and that's all for this one.
Celebration?
Backstage. We're in a locker room with the Tag Team Champions - Ammo and Dustin Thomas - and their partners - Slush and Shane Thomas.
(Dustin) Good job out there big man.
Ammo nods.
(Ammo) I know.
That's our Ammo. So humble. Dust laughs a bit, but Shane interrupts the light moment.
(Shane) Yeah, good job... Except where you almost blew it!
Ammo raises an eyebrow and grunts. Translation: "Excusé moi?" Slush has a little more to say.
(Slush) Were you watching the same match? Ammo cleaned house when your little bro here couldn't make a dent.
Ammo shakes his head and sits down. There's no grunt or shrug or nod here, but the action still has a translation: "I give up." That's probably one of the only times you'll ever "hear" Ammo "say" those words.
(Shane) He almost lost to nobodies.
(Slush) How confused are you? Dustin took the guy's big move! If Ammo wasn't there those "nobodies" would be Champs right now.
(Shane) How confused are you? If I was out there, it never would have got to that point!
Slush takes a few steps and gets in Shane's face.
(Slush) Is that right?
(Shane) That's right.
(Slush) Care to try and show me how it's done? Key word: "Try."
No hesitation from Shane.
(Shane) I won't need to try.
(Slush) Then I'll see you in the ring.
(Shane) Damn right you will.
Slush storms out, but Shane hangs back, shooting a glare at Ammo.
(Shane) Your partner just made a big mistake.
Now, Shane looks to his brother.
(Shane) Come on, Dust.
Dustin simply shakes his head, and now it's Shane that storms off.
Cut.
(Tom) This should be good.
(JB) Are they going to do this tonight?
(Tom) I guess we'll find out soon enough!
Back inside the arena, the lights cut out and for the third time tonight, the rapid chords and drums of "Riot" by Three Days Grace blast from the PA system. A red spotlight shines on the top of the stage, and a single figures step out. Slush, still in his street clothes.
As the music goes into the chorus, Slush stalks down to the ring. He slides under the bottom rope, then turns toward the ramp and waits.
(JB) Slush is waiting for Shane Thomas, Bear! He stormed out just a few moments ago and told Shane he'd see him in the ring.
(Tom) Poor choice by Slush. Shane will destroy him!
(JB) The question is whether Shane will do what he said he would and make his way out here as well.
A siren hits the speakers and the word "EMPIRE" appears on the video screen.
(Tom) Does that answer your question, Mannwheel?
The lights flash red and blue, as the camera pans around the arena. Lil' Wayne's "Fireman" starts playing. As the intro continues, the lights flash red to black to blue and back to black as a spot light is focused on the curtain. The song kicks in and Shane Thomas comes out of the curtain, also still dressed in street clothes, minus his shirt. He quickly makes his way down to the ring, with a referee right behind him.
(JB) It looks like we have an unscheduled match on our hands here, folks!
(Tom) Buchanan made it official?
(JB) I'm getting word that he did, Bear.
Troy Gilmore gets word now as well.
(Troy) The following match is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, already in the ring: From Toronto, Ontario, Canada... Slush! And on his way to the ring, from Toledo, Ohio, "The Alpha" Shane Thomas!
Slush vs. Shane Thomas
Shane gets into the ring, and the bell rings. We're on. Slush goes right for Shane and lands a quick flurry of punches, before Shane powers out with an elbow to Slush's head. Shane takes control for a minute with a series of suplexes. Off of an Irish Whip, Slush hits the Ice Breaker to shift the momentum in his favor. He follows up with a swinging neckbreaker and a series of knee drops.
While Slush has control, Ammo and Dustin slowly make their way to ringside. They call into the ring, attempting to get convince their respective partners to stop fighting.
(JB) The animosity between these two sides isn't going away, Bear. Ammo and Dustin seem to be getting along, all things considered... But Slush and Shane are a different story!
(Tom) Slush and Shane fighting is the way it should be!
The Bear continues to get his way, as Shane regains the upper hand and pounds away on Slush with heavy chops in the corner. Slush gets his feet up when Shane rushes in for a clothesline. Shane recovers and locks on a Full Nelson.
(Tom) Alphalock!
(JB) Shane Thomas going for the submission victory here, folks.
Slush struggles against the hold for close to a minute, but doesn't give up or fade out. Frustrated, Shane tosses Slush forward and down to the mat. He circles Slush, keeping him down with foot stomps, considering his next move. On the outside, Dustin calls out to his brother again, but this time he throws something into the ring.
A set of brass knuckles, which Slush grabs before Shane sees them. A confused Shane yells at his brother, annoyed by the distraction.
(Tom) Uh oh.
(JB) Dustin clearly meant for those knucks to be in Shane's possession... And Shane doesn't know that Slush has them!
Dustin jumps up onto the apron to warn his brother and the referee immediately moves to stop any potential interference. Ammo wonders what's going on, having not seen Dustin throw in the knucks. Meanwhile, Shane pulls Slush up and lifts him toward an overhead press, setting up for The Alpha Maneuver. But on the way up, before Thomas can drop Slush into the piledriver, Slush swings his right fist and hits Shane squarely in the temple... With the assistance of the brass knuckles.
(Tom) Cheater!
(JB) Slush has never been big on the rules, Bear. And in this case, if he didn't grab the knucks and use them, Shane certainly would have!
Shane drops Slush and doubles over. Slush quickly tucks the knucks into his jeans and gets to his feet. With Shane still doubled over, Slush bounces off of the ropes, jumps and connects with his version of the Famouser.
(Tom) Damn it!
(JB) There's the Judgment Call!
The referee finally gets Dustin off of the apron and turns in time to see Slush going for the pin fall. He slides in and counts...
1...
2...
3!!
(Troy) Your winner, by pin fall... Slush!
(Tom) This is a travesty! I demand an immediate disqualification, fine and suspension!
(JB) Are you forgetting that Dustin is the one that threw in the knucks, Bear? Slush just got to them first!
Slush and Ammo head up the ramp first, leaving Shane and Dustin in the ring for the moment.
(Tom) First of all, it's not knucks... It's a Thomas family heirloom! Dustin just wanted to let Shane hold onto it for a while.
(JB) In the middle of a match?
(Tom) It's part of the family tradition.
(JB) Right.
(Tom) It's true!
There's clear tension between the Thomas Brothers as they leave the ring and head to the back.
(JB) I'm still not sure what to make of this tag team situation... Ammo and Dustin have worked well together as Champions, but the tension is certainly growing between their regular partners, Slush and The Alpha.
(Tom) It's only a matter of time before all of this explodes!
(JB) We can certainly agree on that, Bear.
UTILIZE YOUR TIVO TO FAST FORWARD THROUGH THIS COMMERCIAL BREAK! TIME SHIFTING ADDS TO OUR AUDIENCE THREE DAYS LATER!
Without That, There Would Be No This...
(JB) What a night we've had so far and...
(Tom) Yes! The most gorgeous woman in the NAFW today, Vanessa Chamberlain!
(JB) What's she doing coming out of Mike Lane's dressing room?
(Tom) Who cares about that? Great Gord she's smoking hot.
Vanessa stands with her brunette hair flowing freely styling a tight pair of denim jeans along with a low cut top revealing ample cleavage. As she starts to walk away from Mike Lane's door, she begins walking away only to run into Mark Herriot. She has a smile on her face as she walks up to him, one that will vanish within a matter of moments...
(Mark) Wasn't that Mike Lane's dressing room you just came out of?
(Vanessa) Why yes it was, what's it to you?
(Mark) Well, he is...
(Vanessa) Why don't we just spare you the time of trying to dig for answers you won't get and me the trouble of having to constantly shoo you away, like a girl in a nightclub that hasn't had three drinks too many.
Ouch.
(Vanessa) You see, for too long now I've had to sit back and watch things unfold around here. Things like Mike Stryker becoming the Foundation Heavyweight Champion and simply put, I've had enough of it. I've had enough of him, his childish insults and futile attempts to hate on me because he can't be with me. That is something that I'm vowing to change.
(Mark) And just how are you intent on changing that?
A very devious grin comes over her face.
(Vanessa) Very simply put, by managing the man who will crush him like the inconsequential bug that he is. You see Mark, this is Finals time in the NBA. A time of the year where the great players stand out, but no great player would be that without a great coach putting them in position to be just that. Great. Without Phil Jackson, we wouldn't know who MJ was. Without Red Auerbach, Boston wouldn't have had 8 straight titles in the 60s and more so to these mindless mo-mo's in Portland...
The Portland faithful don't take too kindly to being referred to as mo-mo's, whatever that means.
(Vanessa) Without Doctor Jack, there would've been no title for that Grateful Dead groupie you folks call Bill Walton. Bottom line is, I will manage the next Foundation Heavyweight Champion.
(Mark) But what about The Reaper? We saw you last week try to...
He doesn't get to finish his question, because halfway through his sentence, Vanessa has already walked past him. She simply throws up the one fingered way of telling Mark in a politically incorrect way to bugger off, as we go back to the announce team.
Something For Pez
Open on the inside of Ray Buchanan's office. Ray is, as usual, seated behind his desk. Ryan McJohnson stands nearby, in his perpetual state of readiness. McJohnson's eyes focus on the door as the sound of a knock interrupts the silence.
(Buchanan) Come in!
McJohnson's settles back down as he sees the person coming into the office, immediately rejecting the possibility of a threat. This man and his towel may have gained the upper hand on Alister Essex, but they're absolutely no match for Ryan McJohnson. Buchanan looks up from his papers and greets his guest.
(Buchanan) Hello Twitch.
(Twitch) Hi Puke Cannon. Hi to you too McJohnson.
For those wondering why McJohnson doesn't have a Twitch-name(tm), the answer is simple: McJohnson is already such a terribly ridiculous name that a Twitch-name(tm) isn't required. And as most people have learned to do by now, Ray takes his own Twitch-name(tm) in stride.
(Buchanan) What can I do for you, Twitch?
Twitch settles into a chair across from Buchanan's desk, not bothering to wait for an invitation that may not have even come.
(Twitch) Twitch wants to do something for Pez. Puke Cannon may have noticed that Pez hasn't been Pez's self lately.
Buchanan nods.
(Buchanan) I have, indeed.
(Twitch) It's been happening ever since Sussex took Pez's sister. At Breaking Point Pez had Micky Line beat, but wanted to get a submission to punish Micky and get revenge. Then last week Pez got distracted by the truth about Vixen and having to apologize to Micky...
The briefest of pauses, only long enough for Twitch to take a quick breath.
(Twitch) He didn't see the bare buckle against River Running when he should have. And now tonight, Sussex gets that video played and Pez loses to Trombone. It's all throwing Pez off. Never should have happened.
That was quite likely the longest speech Twitch has ever delivered. It's also easily one of the most coherent. Twitch is pretty serious about this matter, and that alone is enough to grab Buchanan's attention.
(Buchanan) Am I right in assuming that you have a suggestion as to what should be done about this?
(Twitch) Damn skippy, Pippy. Twitch wants to give Pez a match at Oblivion! Pez needs to deal with Sussex and so does Twitch.
Buchanan waves his hand at Twitch, signaling him to hold on a second.
(Buchanan) OK Twitch, I'm a busy man... Would you just tell me what you're asking for?
(Twitch) It's simple PC... Twitch wants to step into the ring at Oblivion, tagging with Pez against Sussex and Freak!!
Ray stares at Twitch now, partly grateful for the shortening of his Twitch-name(tm), partly surprised by the request.
(Buchanan) You want me to book you and Spaz against Hush and Essex at Oblivion?
(Twitch) That's exactly what Twitch wants! For Pez!
Buchanan pauses, looking Twitch over as he thinks about it for a moment.
(Buchanan) OK. You've got it.
Twitch leaps to his feet, positively beaming.
(Twitch) Thanks PC! Twitch can't wait to tell Pez the good news!
Twitch steps to the side, clearly on his way around the desk. McJohnson steps in his way.
(McJohnson) No hugs.
Twitch looks up at McJohnson and with a sigh, wisely decides to leave things at that. McJohnson walks with Twitch out of the room and shuts the door behind them.
The camera cuts back down to the ringside announce table so we can see JB and Tom's ugly mugs.
(JB) There's another big match set for Oblivion, Bear! Spaz and Hush will team up with their respective managers in what will surely be and emotionally charged tag team contest!
(Tom) This settles it once and for all... Twitch is out of his mind. He just volunteered himself for a match with Hush for Gord's sake!
(JB) It was quite a bold move on Twitch's part, I'll admit. But this situation, with Essex antagonizing Spaz tonight, seems to call for some boldness.
(Tom) Are you actually complimenting Twitch?
(JB) I am, Bear! The last couple of weeks Twitch has displayed a fierce loyalty to Spaz, and I find it quite admirable.
(Tom) More like fierce stupidity.
Objection!
The camera immediately cuts back to the office of Commissioner Buchanan where we see an object fly across the room. This time we see it is being thrown by the Foundation Heavyweight Champion, Mike Stryker, who is enraged.
(Stryker) Banned!? Since when do you do what that jackass Mike Lane says? I thought you were running the show here Ray.
Buchanan sighs, but his gaze remains stone cold.
(Buchanan) It's the right thing to do, Mike. You did a lot of damage this week, and if you do it again next week, a lot of people will suffer for it.
The Hitman gets right in front of Buchanan's desk, and looks the commish right in the eye.
(Stryker) Lane is playing mind games. He can say whatever he wants, but I know him, better than he thinks. He is afraid to deal with me toe to toe, so he's going legal to stop me. His movie character is going to his head.
Buchanan doesn't deny an ounce of what Stryker has said, he just sits in silence, and keeps his gaze on the angry Champion.
(Buchanan) I'll get out a new booking for you in the next few days, I'll even get you paid your NAFW rate.
(Stryker) Ray, I don't want a new booking, I don't care about pay rates and whatever load of crap you're gonna try to shovel my way. Bottom line is if you ban me, ban the Foundation Champion from an arena over some movie premiere...nobody in this company will ever take you seriously again.
(Buchanan) Mike, I have no choice. You did this to yourself.
Staring in disbelief over what he's hearing, Stryker kicks the chair in front of Buchanan's desk over, and heads to the door.
(Stryker) This isn't over...
He leaves the office, and Buchanan visibly slumps in his chair, shaking his head.
(Tom) Justice prevails!
(JB) Only in your mind, Bear.
Xavier Caine vs. Andy D (TT)
Non-Title
(JB) What a night we've had thus far, and the superb matches continue as Andy D is set to take on Xavier Caine.
(Tom) Pft...This is going to be a slaughter of Andy D's career.
(JB) That may be, but Andy D is a fighting champion, and won't let anyone intimidate him.
(Tom) Especially after what happened at the last Annihilation.
(JB) To elaborate on that, and for those that missed it, last time, Andy D was the special guest referee in a match between Snake and Peter Gilmour. Xavier Caine, who lost his match at Breaking Point, decided to insert himself into the Atlantic Championship title picture by taking out all three men by himself.
(Tom) And this is Andy D's retribution match, if anything...
(JB) Let's kick it to Troy Gilmore for the introductions!
(Troy) The following match is scheduled for one fall...
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) Introducing first, weighting in at 197 lbs, from Somewhere in the United Kingdom...He is the NAFW Atlantic Champion...ANDY D!
The lights immediately dim as "Down and Out" by Tantric begins to play. When the base kicks in after the violin opening. A tall dark figure comes out and stands atop of the tramp. He walks down to the ring in a black suit, with a violet colored tie and highlights.
(Troy) And his opponent, weighing in at 301 lbs, from Phoenix, Arizona...XAVIER CAINE!
The referee rings the bell and Andy D and Xavier circle each other for a few seconds, sizing each other up before they go into a front face lock. Andy D quickly turns the move into a side headlock, which Xavier quickly pushes off, only to get a shoulder block for his efforts, followed by a quick pin and a quick kick out. Andy D goes right back into the headlock, and Xavier is able to get to his feet and back Andy D into the corner. The referee starts his five count, only for Xavier to back up and grab an arm of Andy D to whip him across the ring. Andy D counters, then hits a side headlock toss and quickly flows into another pin attempt, but only gets a two count. Andy D picks up Xavier and once again locks on a side headlock. Andy quickly moves Andy D into the corner once again, and gets a clean break before 5, then goes to kick Andy D in the gut. Unfortunately, Andy D catches the boot, and kicks the underside of Xavier's leg, causing him to hop around on one foot for a few seconds, only to hobble into an outside crescent kick from Andy D, but only gets a one count on his pin attempt.
Andy D goes to pick up Xavier, who quickly drives Andy D into turnbuckle pads with his shoulder. Andy D lets out a faint scream of pain as Xavier starts to lay in a few quick boots to the midsection of Andy D. Xavier then lifts up Andy D and gets in a few shots to the gut before whipping him into the ropes and connecting with a knee to the midsection following that up with a quick suplex for 2. Xavier whips Andy D into the ring post stomach first and tries to apply an abdominal stretch, but Andy D catches him off guard with a roll up for another 2 count, only to get a boot to the gut when they stand up for his troubles. Xavier slaps Andy D across the back quickly, then is able to secure the abdominal stretch. Andy D screams for pain and emphatically screams no when the referee asks if he gives up.
After a few quick elbows to the leg of Xavier, Andy D pulls out and goes for a hip-toss, but Xavier blocks and hits a hip toss of his own. With Andy D down, Xavier makes a quick motion that the belt will soon be his before he heads towards Andy D. When he goes to pick up Andy D, he is met with a hard right foot to the gut. Xavier backs up and, not taking too kindly to the boot, charges and leaps at Andy D, who is pulling himself up in the corner, but misses as Andy D moves out of the way at the last possible second. With Xavier slightly dazed, Andy D slaps his knee and, when Xavier turns around, charges and goes for a Running STO. Xavier has other plans, though, as he blocks that move and counters it with an STO of his own. Xavier quickly hits a few elbow drops, then gets up to his feet and makes a quick signal. Xavier goes to pick up Andy D, and puts his head between his legs. Xavier hooks the arms, but before anything can happen, Xavier is met with two cold steel chairs to the sides of his head. Xavier drops Andy D, then grabs his head in pain.
(Tom) WHAT THE HELL!?
(JB) It looks like Snake and Peter Gilmour want to make sure Xavier Caine isn't a part of the Atlantic Championship Match at Oblivion!
(Tom) But they just ruined a perfectly mediocre match!
The referee calls for the bell as the camera is able to get a shot of Snake and Peter Gilmour with chairs in hand, standing over the prone body of Xavier Caine.
(Troy) And your winner by disqualification, Xavier Caine!
Peter looks at the referee with malicious intent and takes him down with a chair shot.
(JB) THAT WAS UNCALLED FOR!
(Tom) No it wasn't! The referee should have let this match continue! Besides, this is retribution for last week!
Andy D is seen getting up to his feet, which Snake sees out of the corner of his mask. Snake quickly turns and in one swift move, nearly takes off Andy D's head with another chair shot.
(JB) GOOD GAWD! Did you hear that sickening thud!?
(Tom) I'm sitting right here, Mann-wagon!
With Peter and Snake content with their own work, the duo raise the chairs over their heads to a chorus of boos. Those boos, though, become louder when we see Peter Gilmour take Snake out with another vicious chair shot to the masked head.
(JB) Now what is Peter doing!?
(Tom) Eliminating the competition, Mann-wheel, eliminating the competition!
Peter smirks as he looks over at Andy D. He heads over to the half unconscious Atlantic Champion and picks him up to his feet. You can just barely make out Peter talking to Andy D.
(Peter) Andy D, that pretty little belt that you have will be mine at Oblivion!
Peter then whips Andy D into the ropes, then hits the Doomsday on the rebound. At which point, Peter grabs the Atlantic Championship belt from the timekeeper and raises it above his head.
(JB) Good gawd, there's carnage everywhere! It's almost like a repeat of last week, except this time, it's Peter Gilmour who's standing tall.
(Tom) You couldn't be more right, Mann-wagon...and if last week and this week is anywhere close to what we could be seeing come Oblivion, then I'd say that Andy D's days as Champion are coming to a close.
Peter is seen screaming various things at the three men he took out with a smirk on his face and the Atlantic Championship in his hand as the scene cuts elsewhere.
NOW'S THE TIME TO RUN TO THE BATHROOM SO YOU DON'T MISS ANY OF THE ACTUAL SHOW! HOPEFULLY YOU ONLY HAVE TO TAKE A NUMBER ONE!
The Good News
Backstage. Locker room. Spaz.
He sits alone on the bench, staring blankly at the wall across from him. He doesn't move a muscle or react in any way when the door bursts open and Twitch barrels in with Blake Bouchard flapping behind him.
(Twitch) Pez! Twitch has some good news!
Nothing. Spaz keeps staring, like Twitch isn't even there. Of course, Twitch doesn't notice this and just keeps on going.
(Twitch) Twitch talked to Puke Cannon, and got the solution to Twitch's problem and Pez's problem... At the same time! Two birds with one stone!
Still nothing. Not a look, not a peep. Twitch is finally starting to notice, but continues, hoping the news will break Spaz out of this spell. That was, after all, the whole reason Twitch asked for the match.
(Twitch) So Twitch convinced PC to make a tag team match for Oblivion... Pez and Twitch against Freak and Sussex! More proof that Twitch is the world's greatest manager!
Again, nothing. Twitch is happier than a pig in... Well, you know the saying... But Spaz is completely focused on the wall. Twitch steps closer, and waves a hand in front of Spaz's eyes.
(Twitch) Pez?
Notta. Silence for a moment more.
(Twitch) Sean?
This scene ends in silence, as a concerned Twitch looks at his client and friend.
(JB) Something is seriously wrong here.
(Tom) Must be for Twitch to use someone's real name for once!
(JB) Come on, Bear! Spaz is very clearly not himself here. Honestly, after seeing that video earlier, I don't blame him... But he's going to have the opportunity to step into the ring with the men responsible, and he didn't even seem to hear the news!
(Tom) Last week he spazzed, this week he's just plain checked out!
(JB) I'm sad to say that Spaz appears to be on a downward spiral recently... I hope that he can pull out of it, before it's too late! Hold on a second...
We cut to a repeat of the last few moments of what we just saw... Twitch waving his hand in front of Spaz and getting no response.
The shot pulls back though, revealing that this repeat is being watched on a television screen. A slow pan reveals a man in red watching with a raised eyebrow.
(Essex) This has been an interesting turn of events... I'll have to alter my plans a smidge...
And... Back to ringside.
(JB) I said it earlier tonight, and I'll say it again: I don't want to see any more of Essex's plans for Spaz! The man is nearly devastated as it is.
(Tom) We're talking about Essex and Hush here Mannwagon... "Nearly" isn't devastated enough for their tastes!
It's Always Dark In South Hollywood
(JB) After Keith Owens makes our next Hall of Fame announcement, we'll be seeing the main event of Jaime Alejandro versus Mike Lane...
(Tom) Are you kidding me? Don't you mean we've got a main event featuring the next Foundation Heavyweight Champion and future Best Actor winner going up against Jaime...
Tom doesn't get to finish his rather flattering praise of Mike Lane as the NAFWtron comes to life counting down from 5.
(JB) Oh great, yet another Lane trailer before we get Lane himself out here.
(Tom) Shhhh...wish I had some popcorn so I could enjoy this masterpiece in peace.
The countdown reaches one and the screen goes black, as we pan to last year's Three Wishes match. We see the end of the match with The Trust Fund Kids ascending to grab the NAFW Tag Team Titles. They were in effect, the first team to hold the titles since Grey Goose held them for all of one day. We get a brief trip back through time, showcasing some of the true greats that have held those belts before. From Cruel Intentions to Social Disorder to Stud Muffan and V.C.R. before we cut to black once more.
(???) One year ago, a tag team stood tall atop of the North American Foundation Of Wrestling. For a little over a year, this team stood tall until greed and Jack Daniels brought it all down. Some would lead you to believe that this man...
A shot of Grand Slam Champion Keith Owens is shown pre-Jack Attack as he walks down the ramp with tag title in hand.
(???) Is the reason tag team wrestling is in the state it's in right now. What state would that be you ask? A state where two men from opposite teams can have titles not on the merits of their ability, but because the team they beat hated each other more than the guys challenging for them. I mean, a year ago we actually had teams that legitimately fought to try and get the straps, I mean what's happening here?
We now get a look at the unlikely champions, Ammo and Dustin Thomas.
(???) Which brings me to our case in point, Ammo and "New School" Dustin Thomas. Two men who were the part of teams that collectively on more than one occasion, tried and failed miserably to wrest the straps away from the former champions. Two men who, one can only believe had it not been for the selfish whims of a drunkard, would've failed yet again to become champions on their own volition.
The black and white grainy footage kicks up yet again, this time flashing the year 2002.
(???) You could say I specialize in finding solutions to these sorts of problems. An organization has a void that needs to be filled at the top of its tag team ranks, I bring in the uh, solution to said problem. Two men who are the absolute best at what they do and collectively, are damn great at doing what comes naturally to them. They are brothers...
We see at first, a very big man with muscles in places where more than 90% of people don't have places. He's styling a chain mail across his massive body with a pair of black Aviators on as he strikes a front pose flexing the way bodybuilders do.
(???) Straight out of Hollywood...
The next image we see is that of a very slender, yet incredibly tall man. The difference between the two is maybe an inch and about 60, maybe 70 pounds. His hair's tied back in a ponytail and he's fairly defined with his physique for someone his size. If you didn't know any better, you'd swear he was a basketball player as lanky as he looks.
(???) Florida that is, Lord knows there's enough trash out of Hollywood polluting the world...
Cue a picture of Mike Lane with a big red circle with the line going diagonally through it.
(???) The Foundation deserves a better class of tag team...
As we hear "It's Mine" by Mobb Deep ft. Nas, we get a series of highlights of the brothers in action.
The bigger of the two, hitting a vicious looking T-Bone Suplex on an opponent.
The smaller of the two is shown delivering a death defying flying headbutt off the top of a 15 foot high cage.
(???) And I'm gonna give it to em'...
As the beat most recognizable from the Scarface theme continues to pump through the highlights, the brothers continue to do what they do best. Work well as a duo and rack up wins through their tear in the NWC: South during 2002-2003.
(???) You'll see...
The highlights slowly but steadily start to pick up in speed, almost becoming a blur before the screen flatlines.
(???) I'll show ya.
The voice cuts out as we see the brothers posing together with the bigger of the two in front on one knee, flexing his biceps. The other is simply like a human gargoyle, just folding his arms with no real expression on his face. That fades to the word 'Coming Soon...' in plain white lettering before the sound of the reel slapping off the projector fills the arena as the NAFWtron goes black.
(Tom) I feel robbed.
(JB) Well, looks like there's a tag team on its way to the NAFW.
(Tom) Screw that, we got robbed of seeing a trailer from Mister Old School Hollywood because of what? This putz bringing in two newbies, so what?
(JB) According to the voice, they're coming after the tag titles.
(Tom) Yeah yeah, can we bring on the next Foundation Heavyweight Champion please? Your Mom doesn't like me being late.
(JB) Neither does yours.
Alone Time
We cut back to a locker room where silence is reigning supreme. Not your usual scene here on Annihilation, and especially not so for the two men highlighted in the frame. Those two men are Shane Thomas and Dustin Thomas, and the viewers know what has transpired with those two and the Goods tonight. The silence in the room is very tense, however, and neither brother wants to break it. However, it gets broken anyways as the door slams open and Phil Raines walks in the door, Mike Lane on his heels. Lane is wearing his trunks, but none of his pads, which are laying on a bench in the locker room.
(Raines) You are going to own that has-been Alejandro tonight, man.
Mr. Old School Hollywood sits down on the bench, between the brothers, and begins to pull on his pads.
(Lane) I wish you could stay to watch, man.
Raines grabs a coat off a makeshift rack above one of the benches.
(Raines) Me too, but I have to catch a flight back to Cali.
The two longtime friends shake hands, and Raines heads out. Lane is now suited up and ready for combat. He does a few jumps in the middle of the room, and then regards the Empire.
(Lane) You two need to get your stuff together. Get your heads in the game.
Dustin looks over at Shane, and then up at Lane.
(Dustin) What's the signal tonight for the run in?
Lane shakes his head.
(Lane) There's not going to be one. You two dunderheads can't get along, then you're not going to muck up my match tonight. Sit back here and wait until it's time to go, and then we'll all ride back to LA in the chopper... together, because we are a unit.
He turns to walk away, and then stops, to offer them some final words.
(Lane) Besides, Alejandro ain't nothin!
Lane walks out the door, and Shane watches him leave with a smirk.
(Shane) Double negative.
Dustin cracks up, and tension is gone for a split second, before the door opens. The new entry causes the tension level to ratchet up quite a bit.
Vanessa Chamberlain.
Cut.
IS IT JUST ME OR ARE THERE A RIDICULOUSLY LARGE NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL BREAKS THIS EVENING?
NAFW Hall of Fame Announcement Numero Dos
The opening guitar riff to Spineshank's "Fallback" hits the speaker system in the arena. The flood lights around the arena begin to flash like strobe lights. The drums then kick in and crescendo into a full out rock into with all of the instruments in the rock band.
(JB) Ladies and gents, that music signals the arrival of one of the most decorated superstars in the Foundation.
Following that point, "The Difference Maker" Keith Owens steps out from the back to a decent pop from the crowd. It's been a while since Owens has used his single's competition music as opposed to the Trust Fund Kids "Its All About The Benjamins" rock-remix, but the crowd recognizes the music of the Grand Slam Champion.
(Tom) I bet he's going to induct himself into the Hall of Fame! That pompous ass-hat!
(JB) I'm not sure where you got that idea Bear. The Keith Owens of old may have attempted something like that, but the Keith Owens of today has had some life changing events happen to him over the past few months, and he appears to truly be a changed man.
After surveying the audience, the lyrics to the song kick in, and Owens makes his way down the ramp sans his golden pyro shower.
By this time in the song, Keith makes it down to the ring and climbs up the steel steps, entering between the upper ropes. He's still wearing his suit for this special occasion, and he has a microphone in his hand.
(Troy) Please welcome the only active Grand Slam Champion in the Foundation today, Keith... Owens!
Owens doesn't engage in any kind of posing once inside the squared circle. Rather, he waits for his music to fade out, and the house lights to restore to normal.
(Keith) NAFW fans around the world, I am out here tonight at the request of Commissioner Buchanan to make a very special announcement. Last week, we saw The Judge announced as the first inductee into our first Hall of Fame class. We also saw Derek Clarke use his Wish to bring the Judge back into the Foundation as an active competition, and he got his ass handed to him for that bold maneuver.
The crowd pops for the Judge laying out Derek Clarke. The crowd tends to pop for whatever legends feel like doing, especially to whiny kids like Clarke.
(Keith) The inductee being revealed tonight is not an active competitor in the North American Foundation of Wrestling. And I most certainly am not using a Wish to bring him back into active competition either.
Keith pauses as he begins to pace in the ring.
(Keith) You see, when Commissioner Buchanan asked me to make this announcement, I had some reservations. On top of all the controversy in my personal life, I wasn't sure if I wanted to take time out of my day to pay homage to the man I'm about to announce. However, after some reflection, I decided let the past stay in the past and to pay my respect to one of the true legends in the Foundation's history.
Keith's speech is keeping the crowd on the edge of their seat, hoping he'll just shut up and spill the beans already about who the next inductee is.
(Keith) Without further adieu, the second inductee into the NAFW's inaugural Hall of Fame class is a former Foundation Heavyweight Champion and X-Treme Champion, as well as an accomplished Tag Team Tournament winner.
The crowd begins to buzz, speculating about which one of the multiple Foundation and X-Treme Champions could be inducted next.
(Keith) He was my mentor and trainer, my inspiration to be a commanding X-Treme and Foundation Heavyweight Champion in my own right, and he was my greatest opponent in the ring - so much so that I played a role in his retirement.
And suddenly, the picture becomes clear.
(Keith) He has gone by many names, including Driver, The Winds of Change, The Glow, The Trinity, and The Word. Hailing from Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, he is... the one... and the only... David... Reginald... Kurresh!
And there goes the massive pop for the certified NAFW Legend David Kurresh.
As the crowd roars in approval, Keith turns his attention to the NAFWtron where a video begins to play.
The video opens up with a shot of "The Word" David Kurresh with the Foundation Heavyweight Championship strapped around his waste. That shot fades out and we see the words "In the beginning..." appear on the screen. The scene takes us back to a special edition of Carnage on September 18, 2001. The Judge lays out an open challenge to anyone, and a newcomer to the NAFW, "Driver" appears to answer the call. The match is intense and goes to a draw, leading to a Thirty Minute X-Treme Rules Iron Man match just days later on the September 21 episode of Annihilation. The Judge would come out victorious in that hardcore affair, but it would not be the last time the two men would meet.
Next we see clips of Last Rites from December 30, 2001. It was the first time that the Kurresh Brothers, "The Intruder" Matthew Kurresh and "Driver" David Kurresh would meet in a Dead Weight Match for the X-Treme Championship. We see a clip of Intruder hitting his finishing powerbomb, The Drop Outta Hell, on Driver right into the casket.
Later, Driver leaps off the pay per view set, twenty feet in the air and hits a picture-perfect moonsault taking out The Intruder. Driver and Intruder lay out on the steel stage in complete pain and exhaustion. After locking in a Katahajimi Sleeper, Driver opens the second casket right next to the first one and rolls Intruder into it. Driver reaches back and starts to push when....... Intruder's hand shoots through the wooden casket and his fingers wrap around the throat of Driver. Everyone in the entire arena goes crazy with excitement at the sight of Intruder's hand popping out at the very last instant. Moments later, The Intruder busts through the rest of the casket with his free hand, still with the choke in place. Driver has fallen to one knee now from exhaustion. Intruder places his hand around the throat of his brother and his other arm on his back. Intruder lifts Driver up and holds up for a little while before slamming him down with the chokeslam he calls The Black Curtain right into the other casket. The Intruder takes a deep breath and pushes against the casket. The casket with The Intruder's brother Driver goes crashing down nearly twenty feet to the concrete where it makes a sickening thud. We next get a brief clip of the sequel to this match, where the result is the opposite and David Kurresh sends the Intruder crashing off the stage to win the Dead Weight II match.
Next we get a clip from Annihilation on July 31, 2002. David Kurresh is the Foundation Heavyweight Champion and he is defending his title against Demonfire and Griever in a triple threat match. After seeing a series of spots that leaves all three men busted open and bleeding, we see David Kurresh on the outside of the ring. Cue Justin Credible standing on the barricade.
(JB) Its Justin Credible! What in the blue hell is he doing here?
The Foundation Champion notices Justin standing on the barricade, but its too late. By that time, Jay Cee is already in midair, flipping over David Kurresh to land a Second Suicide. Justin smirks, walking up the entrance ramp. When he reaches the top, he poses for a moment, catching Grievers attention, and then walks past the curtain. Griever is looking at Justin Credible taunting David Kurresh. But Demonfire is back in the ring behind him, now, with a solid metal shovel in hand. Demonfire runs at Griever. He swings the metal shovel as Tyler Hyatt turns around ducking. Griever grabs onto an overextended Kevin OConnor, and shatters his world with a Final Tear.
(JB) FINAL TEAR! FINAL TEAR! WE COULD HAVE A NEW NAFW CHAMPION!
Hurl Debner makes the eventual three count where the title would pass into the hands of Tyler Hyatt from David Kurresh, thanks to a pin fall over Demonfire.
We get a run through of the epic Purgatory match between David Kurresh and Griever at Death Wish on December 1, 2002 that would end in a draw before we get clips of Oblivion 2003 of the Triple Tiered Double Jeopardy X-Treme Championship Cage. Kurresh would defeat Mystik to win the X-Treme Championship, but it was short lived as he ascended the cage and lost to Paul Colard, who had defeated Justin Credible to advance to the upper level of the cage with Kurresh. From here we transition to Annihilation on January 23, 2004. The Foundation Heavyweight Champion is Demonfire, and he is defending against David Kurresh and Faithless.
Toilet Duck can be seen sitting at the announce table on commentary. Demonfire and Faithless fight with the son of a Griever gaining the clear upper hand. Kurresh breaks them up, but then Faithless and Kevin double team the former world champion. The Judge runs in, but Toilet Duck intercepts James Batty and starts a brawl.
The tide turns for the final time as Faithless nails Hyatt with the Faithdrop and locks Kurresh in the Crisis of Faith. Just as Kurresh looks to be ready to tap, Kevin Hyatt breaks the hold with a DDT. He starts jawing at Faithless, then casts a glance to the entrance, where Toilet Duck was using some amateur wrestling on the Judge to keep him away. Faithless attacks DF again, but Demonfire hits a superkick, knocking Faithless to the outside. Demonfire turns around, right into a Will of the Word stunner. One three count later avenges the loss that Demonfire once caused Kurresh when the Word lost the title the first time to Griever. After the match, the Judge and Kurresh set up Demonfire and the Judge smashes his hand with a sledgehammer before Griever could run in to make the save.
We see clips of another Oblivion moment, this time when Kurresh defeated The Judge at Oblivion before we transition to Oblivion 2005, where David Kurresh and Keith Owens faced off for the Foundation Heavyweight Championship. Owens had been resentful that Kurresh had reappeared in the Foundation, feeling that Kurresh was trying to step into his spotlight. Over the course of several weeks, Keith Owens did his damnedest to destruct "The Trinity," including beating down David Kurresh in a steel cage on the Annihilation prior to Oblivion. We get to the Oblivion match itself, where the battle between Destiny, Inc. and the Thomas Regime had been ended before the match between Owens and Kurresh could make a difference in the final score.
We fade into the end of that match, and Keith is on the apron. He pulls himself up to his feet using the top rope. Kurresh goes to grab a handful of hair but Keith Owens pulls another trick out of his bag in the form of Asian mist! Kurresh stumbles backwards, blinded by the deadly Asian mist. Owens uses all of his strength to pull himself up onto the third rope where he launches a classic springboard jumping spinning heel kick! He connects with Kurresh square in the jaw and the former champion goes stumbling backwards into the ropes. Keith's knee nearly gives out completely but he still manages to find strength to get back onto his feet. David is still stunned, and its about to get worse. Keith turns and reaches back, dropping to the ground with a signature Will! Stunner to Kurresh! Debner has come to and is ready to make the count.
(JB) The Will! Keith uses Kurresh's own move against him!
(Tom) Its amazing!
(JB) Owens makes the cover!
(Tom) One!
(JB) Two!
(Tom) NO! KICK OUT!
(JB) Unbelievable, Kurresh kicks out of his own finisher!
The crowd cant believe it either. The same goes for Keith. Keith drags Kurresh up to his feet and David is somehow quick to fire back with a rake to the eyes. This catches Keith off guard. Kurresh begins to mount his comeback with a barrage of lefts and rights, before he's found his grove. A kick to the midsection. A Will of his own.
(JB) Kurresh with the Will this time!
Kurresh makes the cover and hooks the leg back as far as he can.
One! Two! Thr NO! Kick out at two and a half!
(JB) How did Kurresh pull that Will out? What a fighter!
(Tom) But did it win him the match? No!
We fast forward in the match and Owens is getting back up and climbing the turnbuckle to the top. He looks around and signals to the crowd, and the light bulbs start flashing. Its the one and only Don't Try This At Home shooting star press! Owens goes flying and he cant connect! Kurresh rolls out of the way at the last possible second!
Moments later, Kurresh leaps forward off the turnbuckle and performs a Winds of Change frog splash and connects! The impact sends Kurresh bouncing off of Owens chest in pain, but he connected with the move. He crawls back over to Owens and drapes one arm over the Foundation Heavyweight Champion.
One! Two! Two and half! No! Shoulder up!
We fast forward in the match yet again. Kurresh was looking for the Will but before he could drop to the mat to execute the stunner, Keith pushed him forward into the ropes. On the way back, Keith stops him dead in his tracks with a Difference Maker twist-of-fate! Keith picks up David Kurresh and locks him up once more, then drops him with a second Difference Maker. He somehow finds the energy to hoist Kurresh up and hit yet a THIRD Difference Maker! This time he drops on top of Kurresh, nearly collapsing, and the referee slides into place to make the count.
One! Two! Three!
As the spotlight fades out on Kurresh in his final match, we get a clip montage of promos of Kurresh as a part of the Word Bearers, the Inevitable End and the System. You can't hear the words, but you can see the many men he was once aligned with who have at one time or another been both his friends and enemies. We return to one final shot of Kurresh with the Foundation Heavyweight Championship before the video comes to a close.
The focus returns to Owens in the middle of the ring.
(Keith) For the record, I did not put this video compilation together. The past between myself and David Kurresh is just that - the past.
The crowd begins to develop some heat towards Owens, so he wraps things up as to not ruin the moment.
(Keith) Once more, I'd like to congratulate Kurresh on this achievement solidifying his status as a Legend in the NAFW. You can see David Kurresh on NAFW Day prior to OBLIVION when he is inducted along side of The Judge into the NAFW Hall of Fame!
This sways the crowd back slightly with another pop, and as Owens tries to exit the ring, he is interrupted by the presence of someone on the ramp.
(Trevor) Bravo Keith.
It's Trevor Cunning, who is sarcastically applauding the speech and presentation Keith Owens just gave.
Consider the moment ruined.
The crowd begins to boo as they hate Trevor Cunning a hundred times more than they hate Keith Owens for what he did in the past.
(Trevor) You always were a smooth talker Keith. You might not have put together that video compilation of Kurresh's career highlighting his biggest wins and most epic losses, but the fact still remains it was you that who sent David Kurresh to the retirement home.
Owens steps back into the middle of the ring as Cunning saunters about half way down the ramp.
(Keith) And I said that's in the past.
Cunning laughs momentarily as he positions himself mid-ramp before speaking up into his mic again.
(Trevor) Is it Keith? You see, I've compiled my own highlight package relating to David Kurresh. Let's take a look at what you said before the last Oblivion.
Trevor points us to the NAFWtron where we see Keith Owens sitting in front of a black backdrop in that documentary interview style. Clips of Owens speaking begin to play.
" I turned over my well being and my future to a mad man and his insane ideologies. "
(Trevor) Those are such fond words you have for Kurresh. I didn't hear you mention that in your speech just a moment ago though. What did you call him again? Your mentor and trainer? That must have been a slip up, right?
The interview of Owens continues to play.
" I've wanted nothing more than to give that son of a whore the beating of a lifetime since the first time he gave me the Will, down through each and every time he laid a hand on me in Japan, all the way until this very day. And now, finally, David Kurresh is going to be dominated once and for all. I've spent week after week breaking him down, to the point where his Word left him. Then I took the very barebones of that man and broke him with an absolute lie! "
(Trevor) I watched you do that from the sidelines Keith. Week after week you were looking out for numero uno - you. But c'mon you made this personal for Kurresh after you broke down the metaphysical being that "The Trinity" thought he was in this ring.
(Keith) That's enough!
(Trevor) Hardly, Keith. Keep rolling the tape, monkeys.
We're back to watching Keith being interviewed.
" I left your family out of it all this far Kurresh. It wasn't my goal to destroy a human being. It was my goal to destroy a wrestling legend. I did you a [bleep]ing favor. I've already done my fair share of ruining lives outside of this stage. Just ask your pals the Hyatt's, if you can find any of them.
So when you look at your precious son Cole, something so pure and innocent outside this world of corruption we have created for ourselves, and he becomes your reason for going on, then you're just asking me to take this to an entirely new level. I know there is nothing a parent won't do for their child. It's called unconditional love. But what favors are you really doing for Cole? Are you trying to prove that his old man is still worth something? That pops is a wrestling legend for all of time? It sounds like you're trying to do yourself a favor by not looking like a total hack and embarrassment to Cole. "
Keith paces around in the ring, clearly frustrated by these reminders of his past. Owens is caught off guard by Cunning's mind games, and isn't formulating any kind of response, so Cunning continues.
(Trevor) We all know you used your comatose [bleep] bag Melissa Hayes as a ploy to trick Kurresh into defending who he thought was an innocent girl. What exactly were your parting words to David Kurresh before Oblivion?
Before Owens can react, the tape continues to roll on the NAFWtron.
" I killed the Trinity. The Glow is gone. The Word has left. I broke your most sincere belief that someone could find inspiration in you. I've beaten you in every way possible barring the grandest stage of them all. And just remember David, without me and this belt, there is no Oblivion main event for you. So now you want to go to war? The war has been going on, and you're losing horrendously. The Final Battle is upon us David, and you don't have a [bleep]ing prayer in the world of pulling the upset anymore. It's [bleep]ing over.
I am the upgrade to the system.
I am the Difference Maker.
And you are finished. "
Trevor begins clapping sarcastically once more as Owens looks infuriated inside the ring.
(Trevor) You know Keith, I can't help but wonder how you can think you're a different man now than you were on that tape. You were the upgrade to the System, Keith. You were the Difference Maker.
But for the past few months, you've just been acting like you've got sand in your vagina.
The crowd boos, and "The Godfather" turns his attention towards them.
(Trevor) C'mon people. Look at him! If Keith Owens had a match against Mike Stryker tonight for the Foundation Heavyweight Championship, he'd sell his soul to the devil just to have one more shot at holding that gold.
And with that, Keith throws down his microphone and quickly throws off his suit jacket. The crowd pops because it seems like Owens has finally had enough of this, and if he can't shut up Cunning verbally, he'll do it with his fists. Owens jogs to step out of the ring, but Cunning cuts him off one more time.
(Trevor) Whoa there buddy. You don't want to lose your cool now, do you? What are you going to do to me Keith? The same thing you did to Kurresh? Or worse? Are you going to ruin my life even more than you already have? Are you going to drive me back into alcoholism on top of making me broke?
Keith steps back into the ring and holds onto the top rope as Cunning seems to be dominating the mind games.
(Trevor) Let's get one thing straight Keith - I know it's in your blood to play dirty like that. The real Keith Owens would use any means necessary to destroy me after feeling betrayed.
Cunning pauses again.
(Trevor) But you know what Keith? The sole fact you've taken my verbal abuse all night shows me you're not even a quarter of the man you used to be. If you don't want to play dirty against me, then I'll play dirty against you.
Next week on Annihilation, I've got another clip montage to show you Owens. And I guarantee that the last thing you have will be stripped away from you, and believe me, what I have to show you will be God. Damn. Dirty.
Cunning spikes his microphone on the entry way as "Sober" by Tool plays over the PA system. Owens is still visibly frustrated as he was torn between keeping his cool and losing it by going off the deep end on Cunning. The two stare down as the scene fades out to a commercial.
In all seriousness, I ran out of jokes. Honestly.
COMMERCIAL!
Jaime Alejandro vs. Mike Lane
(Troy) Ladies and gentlemen, this is the match you've been waiting for the last two years. This is the rematch of Jaime Alejandro vs. Mike Lane! And this is your Annihilation main event, and it starts...
The crowd goes nuts as Troy gets them going with his trademark hyping of the match. But even tonight, Troy didn't even have to put in effort to hype it up.
(Troy) NOW!
The arena goes black and only the green strobes are left flashing in the building. We here the starting bars from Vernon Reid, as the song begins.
(Troy) Introducing first, from San Antonio, Texas. He comes in at six foot four and two hundred sixty-six pounds. He is a former Foundation Heavyweight Champion! THIS IS "THE SAINT" JAIME ALEJANDRO!
The strobes start flashing around as "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour starts cranking out in full. Jaime walks out with his hair completely wet and tied back into a mini-ponytail. His black trunks showing the new logo. Of course, wearing the complementary gloves and pads with it.
He takes a moment and pumps a fist in the air with throws up a green pyro wall. He slowly walks down to the ring, as the fans slap to try to touch him. Jaime then stops at the middle of the apron. Of course, he takes a leap to it and grabs the rope for a quick flip into the ring. Wasting no time as Walt nods to him, he looks out at the entrance.
(JB) Jaime wasting no time, Bear. He's just staring directly at the entrance. No theatrics or no mic time to talk about it.
(Tom) These two have had wars, Mannwich! There's a whole different mindset when you know who the devil is. However, it's not going to do Alejandro a bit of good. While Jaime was retired, Lane's only gotten ten times better than the last time!
(JB) I think we should see in the ring, Bear.
(Tom) Only thing I'm seeing is that Mexican in the ring taking a Shadow Kick to the damn chest.
Troy raises up his mic slowly and nods to Walt Mason.
(Troy) His opponent hails from Kingsport, Tennessee. He comes in at six foot six and weighs two hundred eighty pounds. He is also former Foundation Heavyweight Champion. He is... "MR. OLD SCHOOL HOLLYWOOD" MIKE LANE!
The opening chords of Jane's Addiction's "Superhero" rock the arena as the fans come to their feet, and the booing has already begun. The lights have dropped, leaving a single spotlight on the entrance way. As the intro finishes up, the lights drop completely out except for a single name on the NAFW-Tron.
Mike Lane.
As the lyrics come in, Lane steps out of the curtain. The intensity of the jeers increases, and we can see that he is soaking it all in. He stands on the stage for a moment before hitting the crucifix pose, complete with Mike Lane Grin. Pyro explodes behind him.
He reaches out to smack a fans hand, but the fan pulls away. Mr. Old School Hollywood raises up his hand, like he's going to slap the insolence out of the poor kid, but then he just grins again and continues his walk. He climbs into the ring, and holds up his arm, allowing the fans to let him have it.
(JB) Look at this, Bear. Those two back in a ring against each other, and it's on Free TV!
(Tom) We make the folks pay big bucks to see Mikey beat the snot out of Jaime. Tonight, though. Buchanan wanted a big match to make up for last week's card. I think Mike and Jaime are going to give it to us.
(JB) With other great matches prior to this one, I think he wanted to make an impact on Versus on his second showing.
(Tom) And it doesn't get more impact than Lane and Alejandro. Which I still have my doubts, Mann. I don't think Alejandro can handle this. And I know he can't beat Lane!
Jaime and Mike meet in the middle of the ring and stare each other down. Neither man giving an ounce to the other, as Walt Mason tries to keep them apart. He rings the bell and the match begins.
(Tom) Oh man! Not to use a cliche, but this tension is so thick, you need a knife for it.
(JB) Lane and Alejandro aren't friends. They aren't buddies. They'd probably just as soon kill each other than talk.
(Tom) It's always been down to who the better man is. And trust me, baby. It's gonna be Mike.
Both men start in a slow circle, looking for something to start with. As the do the crowd is in hushed silence. Like they can't believe what they're seeing in front of them. Jaime and Mike keep an eye on each other as they keep circling. Almost waiting to see who's going to break the catch circle. At the same time, both men break out and tie each other up in a hook and collar.
(JB) This is as old school as it gets, Bear! A shooter and a technician in the ring. And one very long history between them.
(Tom) Neither man is going to give in this match, Mannwagon. Although, if I were Jaime, I'd save the problems and just leave the match.
(JB) You know he's not doing that...
(Tom) Hence more fun for me to see Lane try to end his career.
Lane and Jaime crank back and forth trying to gain a bit of leverage. Lane shoves backwards to try to get Jaime into the ropes. However, Jaime shoves back and gets the clinch to a standstill. The crowd is clearly yelling for Jaime to get in the advantage. However, Lane pushes back and takes Jaime off balance. He vaults Jaime over with a hip toss and keeps a hold of the right arm. Lane chooses to plant the arm to the ground and lift up both knees and drive them into the elbow. Jaime screams in pain as he moves away.
(Tom) Lane using those smarts as he tries to take out the right arm on Alejandro. Bad mitts mean no Crimson Revolver on Lane!
(JB) Jaime has a rebuilt elbow, Bear. And Lane is going to use that to his advantage.
Jaime is holding his arm as Lane comes up and delivers a kick to it. And the big man is doing all the can to keep the pain from hitting again. Lane delivers another kick to the elbow, and Jaime's had enough. He comes back with his left hand and delivers a knife edge chop to the chest. Lane is holding his chest for a bit and comes back with a hard chop to Jaime's chest. Both men start getting into a chopping contest back and forth, until Jaime slaps Lane with an open hand slap to the chest which sends him to the ground.
(JB) For those at home, you heard those chops on TV, but live... It's even louder. And this is what you get when you experience a live NAFW show, folks!
(Tom) The hits are harder, Mann! And Lane's gotta get up. If that punk Alejandro even gets an inch, he's only going to make Lane mad.
As both men are going, another player enters the mix, still. The Reaper is slowly watching the match from the entrance. Vanessa is tagging along, yelling something, as he ignores her.
(JB) The Reaper is out now! He's watching the match!
(Tom) He's scouting out that psycho, and let's face it... I want him to win that match at the big O! Although, he's dreaming if he thinks Lane would give him a shot at the belt that he will win!
Lane is down holding his chest, and Jaime simply goes into a front mount and starts throwing down punches to Mike's skull. Lane is blocking and trying to move for a counter. All of a sudden, Lane is able to roll Jaime over and he starts throwing punches of his own. Jaime is now on the defensive, as Lane attacks viciously. Jaime gets in one good throat spike, and Lane backs off, as he's holding his throat in pain.
(Tom) DQ his ass, Walt! He nailed him on the throat!
(JB) It was a legit strike, Bear. He didn't have a blunt object or anything to assist.
(Tom) But now, Lane can't breathe. And with a hurt throat, he can't talk about his new movie...
(JB) Might be a good thing.
Jaime is now holding Lane in a headlock trying to slow him down a bit. Lane is trying to move around to keep from falling victim to it. He slowly moves himself again until he finds a rope to put his foot on. Walt calls for a break as he sees it. Jaime breaks it and pulls himself up and starts stomping on Lane's knee. Lane is doing all he can to keep from any more damage on his repaired knees.
(JB) Turnabout is fair play, Bear. Jaime going onto those bad knees.
(Tom) Not fair! He's trying to take out Lane before Oblivion!
Lane pulls himself up by the ropes and he's hopping on one leg. Jaime then plants a kick to the back of the right knee and Lane cringes. Lane gets in a chop to the elbow. Both men back off as they try to recover for a bit. Jaime then gives a hard chop to the chest and throws Lane over to the ropes.
(JB) Jaime's going to try to get in some leverage, Bear!
(Tom) No way, Lane's got too much in the tank.
Jaime gives Lane the Irish Whip, but Lane comes back with a vengeance and pulls out the Shadow Kick! However, Jaime moves out of the way as Lane hangs into the ropes. Jaime goes for the Crimson Revolver!
(JB) Jaime taking too long...
(Tom) Oh yeah, the psycho is feeling some pain!
Jaime's attempt at the Crimson Revolver is met by a Mike Lane reverse DDT! Lane is now on the ground with Jaime as both men are exhausted from the back and forth series. Around this time, Vanessa Chamberlain is moving down to the ring. The Reaper is staying at the ramp.
(Tom) Oh look, the sex appeal of the NAFW is moving to the ring, Manny Boy!
(JB) Knowing that Jezebel, she's probably up to no good.
Walt sees Vanessa moving, and she yells out that she's just going to take a seat with the announcers, she tells Mason to watch Reaper instead. Mason yells at Reaper, who holds his arms out to indicate he has nothing planned. While Mason is distracted, both men are up and wobbling, yet trading shots back and forth. Jaime gets the advantage, as he whips Lane to the opposite rope. He waits on Lane and nails him with the misdirection powerslam. He then goes over to the ropes and attempts a springboard moonsault off the ropes, only to eat a chair from Vanessa!
Walt finally turns around to see Alejandro down and out, while Lane is back on his feet. Vanessa is sitting in a bent steel chair at ringside. Lane cups his hand to his ear, in a bit of a mocking pose, before dropping the Atomic Leg Drop on Alejandro, and the chair shot makes the count academic.
A Woman's Touch
Lane is back on his feet, kicking Alejandro out of the ring while simultaneously extolling the virtues of his powerful leg drop to anyone who can hear him. At some point Reaper vanishes from the stage, presumably disgusted by what transpired, although we'll have to wait to hear his thoughts at a later date. Vanessa has joined Mike Lane in the ring, and Lane takes the microphone she had procured away from her. He is sweating as he speaks, showing the effects of the match he just endured.
(Lane) Just like I told you backstage, darlin, I don't want or need your help. I had Jamie right where I wanted him.
Ah, that fills in some puzzle pieces. Vanessa takes back the mic, and starts to offer her response.
(Vanessa) Uh huh, what...
She stops talking and the crowd pops huge as Mike Stryker comes running down the aisle. He makes it to the ring, but two fans jump the barricade, and one levels Stryker with a lariat.
(JB) Shane Thomas!
The other one drops an elbow on Stryker.
(Tom) It's a family affair!
(JB) Lane told them to stay backstage!
(Tom) Looks like someone else told them differently.
Stryker fights past OSE slightly, and manages to slide into the ring, but Lane begins hammering boots down on his head with much force while the Thomas Brothers hold his legs to prevent him from doing anything. There is a lot of fight in the Big City Hitman, but three men are too much to overcome. Especially when those three men are a current tag champ, a former US Champ, and a former Foundation Champion. Vanessa watches with satisfaction, as Stryker stops moving under the onslaught of Mike Lane. Finally, Lane blows a snot rocket on Stryker, leaving a nice loogie on Stryker's back as Lane goes back to the center of the ring where Vanessa has an expression that says "yeah, I was right."
(Vanessa) I'm sure you could have conquered Mike Stryker all by yourself, too? Don't answer that. I know Stryker. I've watched him for quite a while, and I know how to beat him.
Lane rips the microphone away from her.
(Lane) Yeah, save me the speech, sister. I don't need your help to beat Stryker from pillar to post, but only a fool doesn't use every resource at his disposal. You're a handy asset, so welcome aboard...
He holds out his hand, and she shakes it. She raises the arms of the Old School Empire, who still don't really act like their problems are solved, while Lane celebrates off to the side. "Superhero" hits, and we can barely hear the last words out of Lane's mouth before JB starts his spiel.
(Lane) ...for now.
(JB) By Gord, the Old School Empire has gotten one stronger, and they've put the Foundation Champion at their feet.
(Tom) Oblivion can't come soon enough, the Hollywood Era is fast approaching.
(JB) After tonight, I can't really disagree, Bear. Nevertheless, join us next time live on Verses, as we present... the feature film debut of The Defense!
