Here We Go!
Keith Owens. Trevor Cunning. Parking lot brawl.
Before we can even watch the intro video to Annihilation, we see two former friends turned bitter enemies slugging it out in the parking lot area. For those of you unfamiliar with the situation, last week, Trevor Cunning revealed that he had a sex tape allegedly staring Keith’s girlfriend Melissa Hayes, and “The Godfather” himself. This enraged Owens, who was toiling over mind games played by Cunning the week prior, and Keith tore apart Mike Lane’s red carpet, ultimately throwing Cunning through an LCD screen and choking him the velvet rope. Commissioner Buchanan came out to break up the fray, and ultimately suspended both superstars from the Foundation.
That, in fact, is where we still stand, and since both these men are technically suspended, neither one should be here in the parking lot of the Honda Center in Anaheim. But alas they both are, and they’re both beating the living hell out of each other.
Only a few moments pass before Owens throws Cunning face first into the arena door before opening the door and literally kicking his ass through the frame.
(JB) What in the heck?
Owens throws aside some crates and grabs a fire extinguisher off the wall. Cunning is back up onto his feet, and Owens charges with the object. The Godfather sidesteps, and Keith misses. Keith basically says “Screw it” and just chucks the fire extinguisher at Cunning. Trevor hits the deck and the extinguisher goes flying into a wall, where it cracks and begins clouding the area with what looks like white smoke, but is actually the chemicals used to put out flames.
(JB) Folks, Annihilation hasn’t even begun yet and Keith Owens and Trevor Cunning are tearing each other apart backstage!
(Tom) Neither man is supposed to be here! Keith Owens got the both of them suspended on the red carpet last week.
(JB) The former Trust Fund Kids have never been good about following the rules.
The two former partners move down the hallway from the spray of the fire extinguisher, taking turns throwing the other into various crates, fixtures, and walls. Punches are thrown, mudholes are stomped. Cunning rakes the eyes, Owens pulls hair – it would sound like a catfight if there weren’t already cuts reopening from their brawl last week and blood flowing once more.
(Tom) Get ready Mannwagon – it looks like Cunning is going to kick Owens’ ass out here in the middle of the arena.
Sure enough, Cunning has the upper hand on Owens as they brawl, and is prodding him toward what looks like what is known as the “Cougar Position” in NAFW, or perhaps better known as the “Gorilla Position” in other circuses. Cunning shoves aside random personnel as he makes his way to the black curtains, and Owens takes the opportunity to land a hard left right on Cunning’s bloodied cheek. The shot stuns The Godfather, but he laughs it off and kicks Keith square in the gut, sending him tumbling out backwards onto the main stage. Trevor emerges moments later, and now he’s got his signature bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand.
(JB) These two former best friends are starting this Annihilation more chaotic than last week’s movie premiere debacle!
Keith plays possum for a moment, and when Trevor approaches, Owens drops him with a well placed drop-toe-hold. The bottle of Jack goes sliding down the ramp as Cunning lands face first. Owens jumps on him from behind and starts pounding the back of Trevor’s head until he’s bucked off. Cunning darts down to the bottom of the ramp to retrieve his bottle of alcohol. Owens is up to his feet shortly thereafter and follows in a full sprint, then makes a diving tackle from the foot of the ramp to Cunning!
(Tom) JACK ATTACK!
Sure enough, Trevor blasts Keith across the head with his bottle of Jack Daniels as Keith tried to tackle him. Owens appears to be seeing stars, but Cunning isn’t done with him yet. He drags his liquor soaked head up off the ground, and holds it up like one would do a severed head after an execution. Cunning then raises the broken half of his Jack bottle, and it’s clear that he’s got evil intentions for Owens.
(JB) No! Don’t do it!
(Tom) An eye for an eye JB! This is payback for sending Cunning through the LCD screen last week!
But before Cunning can act, a voice comes over the loud speakers.
(???) Hold it right there!
Our attention is drawn to the stage area, where Commissioner Buchanan has stepped through.
(Buchanan) Drop the broken bottle, Trevor.
Cunning doesn’t budge as he stares at Buchanan.
(Buchanan) That wasn’t a suggestion. That was a command. This ends now. Right now.
Before Cunning knows what hit him, Ryan McJohnson has come through the crowd and booted Trevor in back, causing him to lose his grip on both his jagged edge bottle and Owens’ head. More security personnel follows McJohnson to restrain Cunning, while others pull the groggy Owens several feet away.
(Buchanan) For too long I’ve put up with both of you pushing the limits on this television program, and now that you’ve set your sights on each other, its never going to end until one of you makes the other disappear off the face of this Earth.
The Commish pauses for just a moment as the crowd is still abuzz with excitement.
(Buchanan) The both of you cost me dearly last week with your antics, and you’ve both been forced to pay the costs financially. Neither of you was supposed to be here tonight, but since you both are, and you’re absolutely hell bent on fighting each other, I’m going to lift the suspension under the condition that you two don’t lay another finger on the other until you both participate in tonight’s main event, which is now an EIGHT man tag team match with Spaz, Twitch, Mike Stryker, and Keith Owens versus Hush, Essex, Mike Lane, and Trevor Cunning!
The crowd pops for this big change, but Buchanan isn’t done yet.
(Buchanan) But clearly that’s not going to solve my problem with the two of you beyond tonight. I’ve come to see that this place is only big enough for one of you, so at Oblivion, I have no choice but to book the following match. It’ll be Trevor Cunning versus Keith Owens. No disqualification, falls count anywhere – I don’t care how you get it done, but at the end of the night, only one of you will still have their job. The loser will leave the Foundation!
Cunning looks absolutely livid with the news as security holds him restrained, while Owens is simply trying to breathe after the Jack attack and take in this news all at once.
(JB) Incredible! Cunning versus Owens in an anything goes loser leaves the Foundation match, live at Oblivion! Stay with us folks, Annihilation is only beginning!
As the first few wailing guitar riffs of the Foo Fighters' "Erase/Replace" are played, the screen fades in from left to right displaying a graphic of the logo for the North Atlantic Foundation of Wrestling, better known as the NAFW.
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 the Honda Center in Anaheim, California! As always, I'm JB Mann along side my broadcast partner, Tom "The Bear" Kalhoun, and what a start Annihilation has already gotten off to!
(Tom) Indeed! What a night we’ve had so far, with Buchanan signing Keith Owens’ death warrant for Oblivion.
(JB) Forget about Oblivion for one moment – where either Keith Owens or Trevor Cunning will no longer be a part of the Foundation – What about TONIGHT’S star studded main event?
(Tom) You mean the one where the Comish booked three of the Foundation’s biggest and strongest competitors against 3 of the Foundations weaklings?
(JB) Hardly! Cunning, Lane, and Hush might be physical specimens, but Owens and Stryker have shown time and time again that size doesn’t matter. Both men have defeated Hush in the past, and in a short amount of time, Spaz will have an opportunity to get a victory over Hush as well!
(Tom) Spaz has also lost to Mike Lane and Trevor Cunning recently. Something tells me he’s not going to have the best of luck against Hush, and certainly not against all three tonight.
(JB) We’ll just have to wait and see! But right now I’m getting word that a big name has arrived here at the Honda Center…
The Arrival
After all that maelstrom in the arena, perhaps you thought you were getting a break from excitement...
Guess again!
Mike Lane is WALKING!!!
Your hero and mine is entering the arena, a plethora of men and women around him. Vanessa Chamberlain is walking in front of him, shooing away any and all people with microphones, all shouting out questions about what Mike Lane intends to do about the end of last week's show and the assault by one Mike Stryker. Lane makes it to a corner, and finally stops, jabbing his finger into the chest of one of the reporters.
(Lane) If you guys want to know my thoughts on the Stryker fiasco, then you'll find out just like everybody else. Live on television, in short order as it were. However, I have some brief business to attend to first.
He stalks away as the reporter who got the quote is beaming despite not really getting any information.
(JB) No chopper this week, Mike?
(Tom) Just wait till you see what he has cooked up for Oblivion.
(JB) I still remember the days we didn't even have theme music.
(Tom) I knew you were old Estelle Manny, but not that old. We’ll be right back.
COMMERCIAL
“The Reaper” Leonard Aarons vs. Scott Rocker
(JB) Well, we've got Scott Rocker already in the ring with Rex Michaels in his corner as we prepare for this first match on what's sure to be an action packed Annihilation.
(Tom) No “We Will Rock You” theme music tonight? Bummer. But Rocker's gonna rock tonight and he's gonna upset The Reaper, just you watch.
(JB) That remains to be seen, The Reaper is on a collision course with Jaime Alejandro at Oblivion. Aarons has stated on multiple occasions that he's after a return shot at the Foundation Heavyweight Championship.
(Tom) I can't believe he actually rejected a hot piece of woman like Vanessa.
(JB) Would you get off that already?
FEEL. MY. WRATH!!!!
The fans in the arena come unglued as the Lion's roar fills the arena, combined with the sound of a gloved hand being sharpened. The NAFWtron kicks up with The Reaper's signature package as "Go 2 Sleep" by Eminem, Obie Trice & DMX hits. The dry fog starts to fill the entranceway and after a few moments, The Reaper comes out in his entrance attire. He starts down the aisle at a rather brisk pace, a ton of intensity etched on that face of his. Even with the fans going ballistic, he just seems like his mind is elsewhere.
(JB) And here comes the former Foundation Heavyweight Champion as well as United States Champion down the aisle. He hasn't been seen in the ring since his win over Psycho just days after Breaking Point.
(Tom) And rightly so, the man's a lunatic. He took pride in bloodying a man in front of his wife and kid.
(JB) That same man set him on fire a year ago.
(Tom) Because that man's wife had her neck broken by The Reaper years earlier. Payment always comes due whenever you do that type of ill onto someone.
(JB) In any event, Alejandro came out after the match and challenged Aarons for Oblivion and he accepted. But since then, there's been much speculation about the relationship with Vanessa and L after Vanessa's interference in Lane's match with Alejandro a few weeks ago.
(Tom) Which Aarons did nothing to stop, now what kind of friend lets his ex smack him in the face for no reason?
(JB) Aarons has maintained that he's not asking questions pertaining to her, but even Jaime couldn't help but wonder what's up.
And...here we go!!!
SUMMARY: This wasn't what you'd call a scientific classic, so much as a systematic dissection in the most vicious way imaginable. Aarons caught Rocker off guard with a running STO and proceeded to follow that up with a series of ground and pound shots. Rocker wasn't really able to get in much offense, because Aarons wasn't with it. He took Rocker off his feet with a trifecta of rolling Cobra Clutch suplexes, yet didn't go for the cover. After a few minutes of basically toying with Rocker, this massacre ended with Aarons locking in the Unhappy Ending elevated Sharpshooter after three consecutive Tiger Drivers.
(JB) Good grief, what a showing by Aarons.
(Tom) I'd say he needs a hug, but I'm not sure if he wouldn't try to break the arms and back of the person doing it.
(JB) In any event, Aarons will march on to Oblivion as he takes on Alejandro in what's sure to be a...now what?
JB has been interrupted as Rex Michaels has commandeered a microphone from Troy Gilmore.
(Rex) Whoa whoa whoa whoa, WHOA. HOLD UP! This is not acceptable damnit! Nobody does this to the God of Rock and gets away with it. Nobody disrespects the Rock 'N' Rex Express and gets away with it! Just who in the hell do you think you are?!
It should be noted that The Reaper is halfway up the ramp when Michaels does the one thing you really shouldn't do with someone like him: Give him a reason to stop and come back to the ring to beat people up some more.
A True F'N Statement
(Rex) Ya know, you think you're all big and bad because of what? Because you wear black and got a bloody Lion's head as your logo?
The fans pop for that as Aarons has stopped about three quarters of the way up the ramp. The slightly amused look on his face has quickly been replaced by that of utter annoyance.
(Rex) I'm willing to bet you that all of my loyal fans here in California want to see me take you down a couple of notches, so how's about you bring your wannabe bad ass down here and I show you what...
Rex is cut off in mid-sentence as "Crown Royal" by Run-DMC blares throughout the arena. Not much longer after this, Terrell J. Hawkins comes out in a jean jacket and jeans, with a black shirt on underneath it. Terrell has a microphone in his hand as he's waving his right arm from side to side. If nothing else, fans are happy that someone actually got Rex to stop talking. Terrell simply gives a nod to Aarons before turning his attention towards Rex and Scott, who has finally regained a vertical base inside the ring.
(Hawkins) Now this, is exactly what I'm talking about. Here we've got a supposed duo that nobody cares about, out here taking up precious television time making what? A challenge? This tag team division is so devoid of talent, its tag teams are forced to challenge singles stars that will tear them limb from limb.
A short pause from Hawkins as he starts down the ramp a bit.
(Hawkins) Now apparently, much as Mister Aarons here couldn't be given a suitable opponent before his match at Oblivion...you'd think that my clients could be given a chance to shine on the go home edition of Annihilation. You'd think that maybe, just maybe you the fans could be treated to an actual tag team showing them what tag team wrestling's all about. Instead, what do we get? What do we...
(Rex) HEY! YOU! How dare you come out here and suggest that your two fresh off the short bus guys are an actual tag team. I mean, what? You think a couple of pretend belts you made up makes your guys something special? I’ll take the belt off from around my waist and show you what you can do with a belt. We're the Rock N' Rex Express! We are the hottest duo in this business and if your guys were here right now, we'd show them exactly why, and I’d whip them from pillar to...
It's right about here that Hawkins flashes a very wicked grin at Michaels, as it dawns on Rex exactly what's about to go down. From behind Rocker and Michaels, Bad Company have hit the ring with their belts in hand and are on top of the brash duo in no time flat.
(JB) Bad Company's here and they're stomping away on Rocker and Michaels!
(Tom) Good grief, they're on these two like I was on your mother a few nights ago.
(JB) Have you no shame?
(Tom) Does your mom?
Meanwhile, in the ring, Rex and Scott are being run through by Terrell's clients. The tallest is presently on the far side of the ring with Scott punching him as if he were an MMA fighter possessed. The shorter guy has just scooped up Rex as if he were a child and spiked him with a Tilt A Whirl Piledriver. Terrell calls Dalton and gives a quick slit throat signal, as Dalton nods and pulls Scott up. He sizes him up before dropping him with a vicious Roaring Elbow that sends him out of the ring. Terrell applauds before pointing to Rex as his clients scoop him up and hold him as Terrell simply sighs.
(Hawkins) Ya see Rex, this is the new deal in the NAFW. A real team for a division that hasn't seen a real team since uh...well, let's just say it's going to be something that will turn heads. Provided they're able to be turned after they're knocked off of bodies, like your partner Scott just found out. The fact is, tonight, my clients should have a match. Something to show people that there is hope not just for this division, but for the straps which should symbolize the elite within this division.
He gives a head nod to the duo, as the tallest locks in a vicious Cobra Clutch. The smaller follows this up with a running STO as Rex is snapped over and driven down to the mat. Rex is folded up like an accordion as the tallest gets up, brushing himself off and goes to collect his title. The smaller stops to do some military style pushups, while taunting Rex. It should be noted that he's doing these on one arm.
(Hawkins) Instead, they've become nothing more than a foot note to the careers of two individuals who are pitiful. They couldn't win the straps with their assigned partners, so instead, they benefit from the meltdown of an established team and become champions. And what do we have going on here later tonight? Their estranged partners trying to get a title shot at Oblivion against them and then what? Hmm?
The fans are somewhat mixed by Terrell's banter. The two men are now standing tall, flanking their agent as the Real F'N Tag Team Titles sit on their shoulders.
(Hawkins) After Oblivion, best believe my clients will be waiting and gentlemen...it matters not to us which two of you win or how. Not tonight, not at Oblivion. What matters is that after Oblivion, those belts will rest on the shoulders of Dalton to my left and Rick to my right. The Reeds will be your next NAFW Tag Team Champions and they will prove that when you're in with Bad Company...you'll know they're a TRUE F'N TAG TEAM and you're not.
He drops the mic as Rick and Dalton raise their straps high overhead.
(JB) The Rock ‘n’ Rex Express as well as the rest of the Tag Team division have been put on notice! We’ll be back after this commercial break.
COMMERCIAL
A Half-Hearted Arrival, Part 1
We are taken outside of the Honda Center where one man stands... Well, actually, he's pacing back and forth. He's pacing back and forth and waiting for something, rather, someone to show up.
It's Twitch, and as Twitch is want to do, he is muttering to himself in the third-person.
(Twitch) -...Waiting here for Pez, gotta talk to him after last week... Twitch doesn't like being left alone with monsters...
Referring to, of course, last week's altercation where Alister Essex had his charge, Hush, hold up Twitch, quite literally, as he had a chat with Sean Thomas.
(Twitch) ...Twitch wants to know why Pez wont talk to Twitch, why he wouldn't say anything to Twitch after Sussex and Tush showed up, why he kept muttering to himself all the way to the airport... Twitch never mutters to himself...
Oh silly Twitch, lies are for camera!
(Twitch) ...Twitch thought Pez would be happy after the Hall of Fame announcement... But he lost to Rick Lark... And everything's back to being sad... Oh, where is he!?
But, much to Twitch's surprise, a limousine pulls up right next to him.
(Twitch) Uh... Twitch didn't order a pizza...
The driver of the limo steps out of the car, past the bewildered Twitch, and opens the last door of the black stretch limo. As Twitch steps back, he gasps and nearly falls flat on his ass.
He finds himself completely covered by the shadow of Hush.
(Twitch) You!... If you're here, where's Su-...
(???) Not far behind, you insufferable twit.
With the grace and volley of any quintessential Bond villain, out steps the red-fedora sporting frame of Alister Essex from the other back door on the other side of the limousine.
Hush stares down at his master as Essex, cane in hand, makes his way over to where Twitch stood.
(Twitch) Alister Sussex. Twitch shoulda' known.
(Essex) Well of course you should. Who else would have the grace to travel in a stretch limo long enough for my monster to lie peacefully in?
Admit it, you always wondered how Hush got around... How the hell does he get on planes?
(Twitch) You did something to Pez last week... Hell, you did something to him two weeks ago when you caused him to lose his match, and you did something to him last week-...
(Essex) To what?... Cause him to lose his match against Derek Clarke?
Said Essex, stretching out the fingers of his white linen gloves.
(Essex) You saw very well that I had absolutely NOTHING to do with Sean's defeat at Clarke's hands last week. Just like he has every single week since Breaking Point.
Just like he has every single week since being under your expert management-...
(Twitch) Lies! Sussex KNOWS what he did to Pez! He knows! You'll tell Twitch, or I'll-...
(Essex) Or you'll what?...
Despite being striking distance from Essex, Twitch looked up into the unforgiving eyes of Hush and saw that he could not inflict the kind of pain he desperately wanted to on Essex.
(Twitch) OOOOoooooo... You burn me up, Sussex... It's cause of you and the psychological thingies you're doing to Pez that he's been how he's been in the ring... And those were ALL close matches!... Damn you, Sussex. Damn you, and just you wait till' Oblivion cause... Twitch has been working out!
Check out these guns!
Twitch rolled up one sleeve of his shirt and flexed his muscles in Essex's direction, while all Alister could be bothered to do in response was merely yawn.
(Essex) How quaint. You've actually beefed up. I'm sure that Sean is proud of you, since, you know, he recognizes all the hard work you've put into his floundering career as of late.
And like that, Twitch deflates like a cartoon character who's been told his mother was stabbed to death.
(Essex) Oh... He hasn't?... Silly me. I actually assumed that he cared about what you've done for him. You know, all the things he's accomplished while being under your care... Like being nominated for the Hall of Fame for all the things he's done while having you around? All those wonderful things like... Hurm... Well, Hush would know, wouldn't he?...
Hush... Why don't you tell us all the things that Sean Thomas has done while Twitch was his manager? Oh wait, you can't! Hah hah hah!... Because he hasn't accomplished anything! Hah hah hah!... And you can't talk! Hah hah hah!...
Laugh with me, damnit...
And so the two men began to laugh, Hush more uncomfortably so, until Twitch yelled in anger:
(Twitch) That isn't funny! Pez IS thankful for what I've done! He WANTS to kick yours and Tush's butts at Oblivion! And he's going to go into the Hall of Fame a WINNER!!
(Essex) Oh really?...
That wasn't what he told me.
Twitch is shocked still by this revelation.
(Essex) He told me that you are worthless. He told me... That you couldn't manage your way out of a cardboard box.
In fact, if anything's going to happen at Oblivion, Sean Thomas will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in SHAME. And it will be all your fault, Twitch, because you could never do enough for his career.
And you never will.
(Twitch) No... No... Pez would never-...
(Essex) Come, Hush. We've got a real match to get ready for... This fool will be easy pickings once Oblivion rolls around.
As Essex laughed a laugh Christopher Lee would be proud of, he and his monster entered the arena to prepare for their main event bout as Twitch could only stand stunned and dejected at this turn of events.
From Tyrone, With Love
(Tyrone) Your time is coming soon, Carlos.
This scene opens with Tyrone Smith sitting in a chair, arms folded and his eyes closed. Looks like he is in deep thought. He opens his eyes briefly and looks at the camera, closing his eyes again. He sighs and shakes his head, continuing to talk.
(Tyrone) Oblivion is coming up sooner than you think, and you have not changed in the past couple of years. Last Oblivion, you faced me because you were jealous that I was getting all of the spotlight and was just flat out better than you, and I beat you in the center of the ring. Now, you are facing me again, and you know what Carlos?
The outcome is going to be the same. Even with Tommy by your side, you are not going to win. I am even better than what I was when I faced you LAST Oblivion, and I beat you then. You stand no chance against me this time.
Tyrone slowly opens his eyes and smiles a sly smile as he coughs and continues to speak.
(Tyrone) Look at the big picture, Carlos. Tommy does not want to fight me. He doesn't want to be on your side. He hates you just as much as you do. So what are you going to do when Tommy defies you and doesn't do anything that you say? You are going to make mistakes. You are going to see nothing but red, which will cause you to go into a frenzy. I will take advantage of every little mistake that you make and beat you once again in the biggest stage of them all.. Oblivion.
And this time, once I beat you, You will not come back. And on top of that, Tommy will be his own person... NOT a puppet.
Tyrone closes his eyes and leans back in the chair again as the show fades elsewhere.
The Truth Hurts
We go to a pre-recorded segment taped earlier today which shows Peter Gilmour sitting down with Mark Herriot. There is a black backdrop surrounding the set and a NAFW logo shining in the middle of the backdrop. Mark is in a brown suit and pants with black tie, while Peter is in a black Slipknot t-shirt and pants. Peter is rubbing his hands together. He seems very determined by his appearance.
(Mark) Peter, tonight you go into an Atlantic Championship #1 Contendership match. Do you think the match favors you? Or do you feel Buchanan is setting you up?
Peter chuckles a little bit.
(Peter) It might be Mark. I never trusted that scumbag Buchanan and I never will. He has screwed me so many times, I can't even keep count. I should the #1 contender for the Atlantic Title already. I already beat Snake to prove it. Yes, I might of got my ass kicked by Xavier Caine but I am still the REAL #1 contender. Now, Snake and Caine can come out here and talk about how they beat me and beat each other and all this other bull*BEEP* The fact is, I am far better suited to fight Andy D for the Atlantic Championship. I mean, look at all my accomplishments. Former world champion, former tag team champion, former hardcore champion, former king of the deathmatch champion. The list goes on and on. Some say, I’m lying about my titles, but it's all the truth Mark. Now I haven't been winning my share of my matches lately, but I don't care. I know my time is coming. And at OBLIVION, when I defeat Andy D and take HIS Atlantic Championship, all the haters, all the doubters who said Peter Gilmour wouldn't amount to *BEEP* in the NAFW, all of them will BOW DOWN at my feet and apologize and then recognize that I am a winner. Mark...
Peter gets close to Mark and gives him a determined look.
(Peter) I WILL walk into this match determined on beating Snake and Xavier Caine and going on to OBLIVION to fight Andy D for the Atlantic Title. I will eliminate both men even if I have to go through HELL to do it. Snake is old and washed up. Hell, he talks to a soccer ball for God's sake. That makes him a contender for the title? Please. Only thing Snake can qualify for is a maybe the World Cup. He can use his little buddy Wilson as a target if he wants. And Xavier Caine, he may be big and bad and have bulging muscles, but what has HE done here in the NAFW?
(Mark) Well, he did beat you a few weeks ago.
(Peter) SHUT THE *BEEP* UP MARK! SHUT UP! I know he beat me. But this is a new day and I will be the giant killer and eliminate Caine and Snake with ease and go on to OBLIVION and destroy Andy D and take what is rightfully mine, the ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP!!
Peter looks into the camera with hatred in his eyes.
(Peter) Snake, Caine prepare to get destroyed. Prepare to be eliminated. And most of all prepare to be taken... TO THE XTREME!
Peter rolls his eyes in back of his head as he laughs wickedly. Scene fades to black.
Knight in Shining Armor
The Difference Maker, Keith Owens, is sitting in the medical area of the arena, being attended to by one of the NAFW medics on staff (I'm sure that back in JB's day there were no medics). He has some unidentified problems, and is basically letting this medic look over him. After all, he had a pretty beastly brawl earlier with Trevor Cunning, but you already knew that, didn't you? Anyways, ole Keith suddenly sits up off the small bench he was on, and finds himself face to face with an angry Mike Lane. They share a moment, glaring at each other before Lane breaks the tense silence.
(Lane) You'd better invest in a set of body armor, boy, cause when I get through with you tonight, you're gonna need a lot more than Doogie Howser here to fix you up.
Owens lets a small smirk line his lips before answering.
(Keith) I think you'd better find yourself a one way ticket to a bunker to survive the bomb you unleashed last week. I thought your Darkwing Duck movie or whatever was terrible, but this… Is a new low.
Lane pushes Doogie Howser across the room, and starts pacing a little bit.
(Lane) You're such a kidder, son. But I don't kid, not right now. Because last week, I had something pretty simple set up. A nice little red carpet celebration of my film. When I saw your buddy Trevor out there, I got a little pissed, and when he revealed he was hijacking my obscenely, obtusely, obnoxiously expensive Video Lane, which is very close to rivaling Rodeo Drive, by the way... I got real pissed off. But then I saw his little piece of artwork, and by God, I was ready to send him to Sundance with that little movie of his.
Owens loses the humor, and resumes glaring at Lane.
(Lane) So everything was peachy keen until you decided to be a jealous little boyfriend and go after Cunning. Grow up, son... it's not worth it. There’ll be other girls...
The Difference Maker opens his mouth to retort, but Lane gets up close to him, his voice a whisper as he continues.
(Lane) Or better yet, you can get what's coming to you for ruining my night last week, and in that tag match tonight, I'll do such a job on you that not only will Trevor not be able to pick up the pieces later on...
He turns and begins to walk away, grinning as he says his last few words.
(Lane) ...but I'll put you right next to ole whats-her-name.
Owens is ready to kill as the door closes behind the departing Lane, but the attending medic jumps in and restrains him so he can continue to work on bandaging the gashes on Owens head.
(JB) Mike Lane, he’s never without something to say, is he?
(Tom) Hey, I'm ready for Lane to come out here and give his thoughts on last week, but that’ll have to wait just a bit longer.
COMMERCIAL
A Half-Hearted Arrival, Part 2
Outside of the arena again, we rejoin Twitch who, still waiting for Spaz's arrival, has taken to writing his name in the ground with a nearby twig.
(Twitch) T... Dubya... I... T... I... T... H...! Twitch!... Wait... That's not how it's spelled...
But as Twitch wipes away the erroneous sketch, he can hear footsteps coming up from behind him. As Twitch turns to face the oncoming figure, he looks back on the ground and away from the man approaching him.
(Twitch) You're not Pez.
Stepping into focus, and battle-ready, is the current Foundation Heavyweight Champion, Mike Stryker.
(Stryker) You got that one right.
Stryker approaches twitch, sipping on a bottle of water, eyeballing the bizzare manager.
(Stryker) I'm not the Candyman, but I heard you were out here waiting, so I figured I'd check it out. You have any idea where your boy is right now?
Twitch sighs,
(Twitch) Your guess is as good as mine...
Stryker throws his water bottle aside and picks up Twitch's head, making eye contact. The most amusing manager in the NAFW is currently not amusing it's Champion.
(Stryker) Seems like Spaz has been a mess lately. He can't seem to win a match, and now he's not even showing up on time. Let me tell you one thing Twitch. I don't know what his damage is, and frankly, I don't care. GEt a hold of him and get him here 10 minutes ago. Am I clear?
(Twitch) Sheesh, Striper... I can't work miracles! I don't know where Pez is, he's been keepin' too himself all week, and Pez doesn't know what to do!
Twitch looks up to Stryker, with the kind of look that begs for advice, cuing Stryker to inquite.
(Stryker) What, are you confused Twitch?
Twitch nods a couple of times.
(Stryker) Well, here's what I'd do if I were you. I'd figure out where Sean Thomas is, and I'd get a hold of him. I'd let him know to get his head out of his ass and get down to business, because if he leaves me hanging tonight, it's something that both him and you will regret for a long, long time. Once again...
Am I CLEAR?
Twitch is startled by the forceful truth dished out by Mike Stryker
(Twitch) Uh... Super duper clear, Stripes!
(Stryker) Good... Then it's about time I clear out. And remember... Make sure your boy makes it to the arena tonight, and-... what?
Stryker is stopped in his tracks as Twitch stands coyly, looking as if he were embarrassed to ask the following question:
(Twitch) Striper... I've been wondering... With you being champion and all... And Pez being different as of late... Would you... Would you be better off alone?
Stryker scoffs at the question, as he asks incredulously:
(Stryker) Alone?!? You think I want to go at this alone!?...
Look punk, I'm not stupid, I know the odds, 2 on 2 beats 2 on 1 any day, but if I have to carry some mopey, unmotivated has-been in my corner, maybe it's not worth it. If Spaz wants to show up and be what he's capable of being, then hell yes I want that man on my side!
But if he can't, then he can keep his ass wherever he is... I've been alone for years around here. I won the Foundation Championship alone. And you can bet I'll walk out there tonight and get the job done...
Alone.
As Stryker storms off, Twitch sighs, hunches his shoulders, and gets back to drawing shapes in the sand, all the while waiting patiently for Sean Thomas to arrive.
Plan C
We fade in, and we are at a fairly close-up view of the masked man known as Snake. From what we can tell, he's wearing his trademark mask, his "Snake" shirt that is currently available on NAFWShop.com, as well as his regular wrestling gear. Snake rubs his hand over his chin as he begins to speak.
(Snake) Peter Gilmour and Xavier Caine...
Snake pauses briefly to quickly gather his thoughts.
(Snake) For the past 3 Annihilations, you've decided to stick your noses in my business. Hell, Pete thought it would be a good idea to get between myself and Andy D before Breaking Point, and I quickly disposed of you. But after I was screwed out of my Atlantic Championship at Breaking Point, you and Caine decided that you wanted to insert yourselves into a rivalry that goes far beyond the Atlantic Championship.
Snake pauses again.
(Snake) You see, back in that Snake's in a Cage Match, Andy D tried to kill Wilson, and since then, Wilson and myself have been hell bent on making Andy D pay for what he did. Obviously, Wilson and myself had to make adjustments to his master plan when you two decided to "jump on the bandwagon," but thus far, Petey-poo...The only win you have over me, you had to grab a handful of tights to win. You have yet to beat me clean. So the way I see it, you have no right to be a contender for the Atlantic Championship, and therefore, are not a threat.
Snake gives off a slight chuckle.
(Snake) Hell, Xavier tried to screw me over in the last couple of weeks, and what happened? He has yet to beat me in a match...And yet, he claims he should be a contender for the Atlantic Championship? Sure, he beat Andy D, but it was a DQ win, thanks to Pete and myself interfering, then Petey-poo trying to get the best of my my backstabbing me right after.
Snake pauses once again.
(Snake) Now, last week, the referee counted me out...And then Ray Buchanan made this Number One Contenders match....Well, that wasn't part of Wilson's master plan, but all great plans have to have back-ups, and believe me, Wilson's got a back-up plan. And once I win tonight's match, then it's just a matter of finishing off what I started by taking out Andy D, and taking back what should rightfully be Wilson's.
And with that, the scene fades.
Slush & Shane Thomas vs. Brick and Mortar (John Brick & Casey Mortar)
Tag Team Championship #1 Contendership
(JB) Last week, we saw Slush and Shane Thomas get annoyed with the commradery between the odd-couple Tag Team Champions, AmmoDust as they like to be called.
(Tom) Someone took out Dustin Thomas, and Slush showed no concern! In fact, he got Brian McJohnson to pull some strings and get this match on the books! You’re telling me Slush had nothing to do with Dustin’s attack?
(JB) I highly doubt it. Vanessa was supposed to gather the Old School Empire to stand guard during Lane’s premiere of “The Defense,” but clearly they were pre-occupied with Dustin’s attack. It could have been anyone! It could have been Bad Company, or Mike Stryker, or someone else entirely!
Korn’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2,” a cover of the legendary Pink Floyd song, plays over the speakers and the mammoth team of Brick & Mortar make their way down to the ring. John Brick wears red and grey brick-patterned full-length tights, no shirt, black elbow pads, and black boots. Casey Mortar wears a black and grey brick-patterned singlet, black elbow pads, knee pads, and boots.
(JB) Bear, earlier you were talking about the size of Cunning, Lane, and Hush – but I think these two alone might be able to take them. Their combined weight is 622 pounds! Only your mother weighs more!
(Tom) Damn it, you beat me to it.
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 Shane Thomas comes out with his new Tag Team partner, Slush!
The two make their way down to the ring and prepare to face off against their GINORMOUS opponents when 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. It’s the NAFW Tag Team Champions, Ammo and Dustin Thomas, who stand at the top of the ramp with their title belts.
(JB) It looks like the regular partners of “Slushane” are going to scout out this match.
(Tom) Or maybe they’re out here to provide some good old fashion intimidation for their former tag team partners.
As Tom called them, “Slushane” take notice of “Ammodust” on the ramp, but turn their focus to Brick and Mortar in the ring.
(JB) There’s the bell and we’re underway!
(Tom) Yippee…is this really going to interest you? I might go get popcorn.
(JB) Oh stop, just stay here and do your job.
(Tom) Oh come on I’ll be right back.
Union Approved Break Time Argument Commentary Filter: ON
The match begins with Slush and Brick circling and locking up. Brick tosses Slush down, using his size advantage to get an advantage. Another lockup results in Slush being backed into a corner and eating a couple forearms to the face. He gets whipped across, but is able to sidestep the charging Brick and turn the tides. He gets a few shots in before pulling Brick out and delivering a swinging neckbreaker.
Slush pulls Brick close to his corner and makes the tag to Shane Thomas. He can’t help but take a look at the Tag Team Champions watching from the stage.
As Shane gets going with a few shots, he slaps on an abdominal stretch to wear down his opponent. As he’s holding on, he also takes a glance at his partner and his partner’s partner standing and watching the proceedings. He lets the hold go and settles for a few clubbing shots to the back before dumping Brick into the corner. He goes for a whip across, only to have it reversed and to eat a big boot on the way back. Brick is able to stumble over and tag in Mortar, who rushes in with some boots to the torso on Thomas. He keeps the advantage by pulling Thomas up and dropping him with a short clothesline. As he goes for a big elbow, Thomas rolls out of the way and gathers himself as Mortar stays down holding his arm. Thomas picks up Mortar and nails a Russian leg sweep. As both men lie down on the mat, the epic race to the corners begins
Back From Break Commentary Filter: OFF
(JB) Both men are down!!
(Tom) Wmro camrms?
The camera cuts to Tom, mouthful of popcorn. Guess we’re down to 1 guy on the mic.
(JB) Both men crawling!! Both Men Reaching!! Both men MAKE THE TAG!!!
As Slush and Brick come together, Slush ducks a big right hand and comes back with 2 of his own. He gets Brick reeling and whips him across the ropes and comes back with a high knee on the rebound. Brick goes down, and as he gets up to a knee, Slush locks on a sleeper. Mortar comes in but Shane Thomas is up to the task as he comes across to meet Mortar, also ducking a right hand and then catching Mortar in an Alphalock. Slush sees his chance and drops the sleeper, leaving Brick to stagger up, doubled over for a second.
(JB) JUDGEMENT CALL!!!
They call this count academic, 1, 2, 3.
(JB) Slush and Shane Thomas match what the Tag Team Champions accomplished a couple of weeks ago tonight, and are now the number one contenders!
Slush and Shane Thomas congratulate each other on the victory, then turn their attention to the team of Ammodust who observed the match from the ramp. There is a tension filled stare down, and we cut elsewhere after several long and silent moments.
So Why?
We open outside of a door which has a bloody Lion's head on it with two barb wire kendo sticks crossbone style underneath. This would be the ensignia of the one and only Reaper. The door opens and out of it comes said Reaper, with his athletic bag slung over his shoulder and a pair of thin black shades on his face. He's styling a black Made In Illtown muscle shirt with the writing in bloody crimson along with a pair of black jean shorts. He's walking at a fairly brisk pace as Rick Priestly manages to cross his path from the opposite direction. While Rick stops, Leonard doesn't.
(Rick) Leonard! Leonard, wait!
Rick begins to speedwalk the other way, trying his best to catch up to Aarons to get a word with the former United States and Foundation Heavyweight Champion before he leaves. After Aarons slows up considerably, Rick joins him and after regaining his breath, he begins the interview...sorta.
(Rick) Leonard, congratulations on your...
(The Reaper) Win tonight over Rocker? Please. Spare me. That was the equivalent of beating a cripple in a game of DDR. Not that much fun, not much reason to it at all.
(Rick) Well, at Oblivion you're going to be facing your friend Jaime...
It's here that Aarons stops on a dime, snapping his head towards the portly Priestly with a very steelish look in his eyes.
(The Reaper) Why do you do what you do?
(Rick) Uhm...uh...
(The Reaper) You wanna know why I do what I do? I do it because I'm angry. I had a crappy childhood and simply put, I'm not too keen on paying some smartass with a degree in psychology to sit in a chair while I lay on a couch spewing my guts. Letting this person see every skeleton in my closet. So I wrestle. I wrestle to get out my frustrations and to be the absolute best I can. Know why I've gone close to two months without any real competition?
Rick shakes his head from side to side as Aarons chuckles, before taking the microphone from Priestly. It's at this point where you can safely assume, that The Reaper has seized control of this interview.
(The Reaper) I'll tell you why. It's because I am what I've told everyone I am. The most devastating man walking this planet today. I haven't had any legitimate competition because the last legitimate competition that came my way, was beaten to a bloody *BLEEP*ing pulp at Breaking Point. So now, all the guys in the back want no part of me. Wonder why our reigning champion hasn't found it in his heart to give me a rematch yet?
Rick again, shakes his head 'no'.
(The Reaper) It's simple. It's because he knows deep down in his heart of hearts, he can't beat me one on one. It's because he knows deep down, he's fortunate that Heatwave clocked me in the back of the skull with that belt at Chain Reaction softening me up for the Paradigm Shift. So why did Jaime ask to face me at Oblivion?
(Rick) And why did Vanessa hit Jaime in the face with a chair during his match with Mike Lane a few weeks back?
Ever hit a point where a person gets asked something they really don't want to be asked and they're too angry for words? Yet the look on their face just says it all? The Reaper has that look on his face times 400 as he leans in on Priestly who's scared for his life at the moment. Keep in mind, this is the same guy who put his ex's face through a television set and dropped another man through a flaming table just for the hell of it.
(The Reaper) That seems to be everyone's favorite question these days. Why did Vanessa do this? Here's the question I keep wondering to myself...WHY IN THE *BLEEP* DO I KEEP GETTING ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HER?! No matter, it's cool. Since I can't seem to get my questions answered, no one else is getting theirs answered either. Especially on that subject. As for Oblivion, Jaime will find out WHY facing The Reaper is basically putting your career in my hands. Since nobody can seem to tell me why I haven't gotten a rematch for the title, I'm going to show people why I haven't gotten one at Oblivion when I beat my friend in a wrestling classic.
Short pause as Aarons turns to the camera.
(The Reaper) Jaime, I told you a week ago that if you wanted to know why I won't answer anything on Vanessa, all you have to do is beat me. Easier said than done, especially considering I can count on one hand how many men have done it cleanly...without any help. The reason why that number's so slim is because it's damn near impossible for any man to get done. It's why I'm the best wrestler in this company and it's why at Oblivion, you're going to man up to feel my wrath. Friend
Aarons drops the microphone and turns to head for the exit as Priestly's left to pick up the microphone off the floor. The camera catches Aarons as he kicks the door open and leaves as we cut elsewhere.
From Carlos, With Love
(Carlos) Tommy, it is almost time for your big brothers demise. Are you ready?
We open up in a locker room, where Carlos Smith and the youngest of the Smith brothers, Tommy, sitting and talking about the match at Oblivion. Carlos is hitting Tommy alongside the head, as per the actions that happened last week on Annihilation, when Tommy walked away from the attacks that Carlos was putting on Tyrone.
(Carlos) I want you to go out there and get your job done. Tyrone does NOT love you like I do. If it was not for me, you would still be at your grandmothers house, bored out of your mind and falling further and further into depression. You will go out there and help me beat your brother once and for all.
Tommy grabs Carlos' hand before he can hit his head again and shakes his head softly. Carlos' face reddens and sighs.
(Carlos) YOU Will, or else I will send you back to the hellhole I pulled you out of. Tyrone needs to be taught a lesson once and for all and I cannot do it without you. It's a quite simple formula really. You listen to me, and you do what I say. That's all. Or do you want me to embarrass you in front of everyone in the NAFW and your own FAMILY.
Tommy shakes his head again and just says one word.
(Tommy) No.
Carlos sighs and pulls his hand away from Tommy's tight grasp. He growls and stands up.
(Carlos) You go out there and beat Jaime Alejandro, something that Tyrone could not do. To show that me and you could beat him at Oblivion. If you can do that, then Tyrone will know that we are better than him. Now come on, we will discuss this more later.
Tommy slowly gets to his feet as Carlos practically drags him out the door as the show fades to commercial.
COMMERCIAL
A Half-Hearted Arrival, Part 3
Back outside the arena, we rejoin Twitch who, peering back at his watch, continues to wait for the arrival of Sean Thomas, affectionately known to the fans in the arena as Spaz.
Twitch, having waited nearly half the show, is already tired enough as is, and would be less concerned if it weren't for the earlier altercation in the broadcast where Alister Essex brought up some scandalous allegations.
So we rejoin him as he sits on the steps, haplessly picking the peddles off of a flower.
(Twitch) -...He likes having Twitch around, he doesn't... He likes having Twitch manage him, he doesn't... He likes-...
And so it goes, Twitch continues to pluck the petals from the flowers as he tries to decide whether or not anything Essex had to say earlier held any water.
(Twitch) ...doesn't... He likes having Tw-...
(???) Twitch, are we on yet?
Twitch looks up and sees Sean Thomas standing before him, wearing a jean jacket and pants, and already wearing his red Oakleys.
(Twitch) PEZ!!! You're here!! I could hug you!... Iiiiiiiif that's what Pez wants...
(Spaz) No, no, you don't have to huge me. Look... Sorry I'm late. Some things came up that I had to take care of-
(Twitch) Well... Twitch is your manager, Pez. He... I mean I could have taken care of those things.
Sean looked at his friend with some of those "...No you couldn't" sort of uneasy looks, before going on.
(Spaz) Well, uh... Maybe you could have, but these things were very much ME sort of things. Not US things...
Says Sean as Twitch hangs his head low.
(Spaz) But come on, man, we've- I mean, I've got a match tonight, and you're gonna help me win it, right?...
(Twitch) For sure! But, Pez, Twitch wanted to ask you something... About the other night-...
(Spaz) Can it wait for after the match?... It can wait, right?
Reluctantly, Twitch nods affirmatively.
(Spaz) Great then! Time to get ready for my match tonight...
Sean triumphantly marches forward, as Twitch, feeling dejected and confused, follows along at half his pace.
(Twitch) But... But, Twitch waited here all day...
A sigh ends this piece of the show as we get closer and closer to the main event!
Psycho vs. Jaime Alejandro
No DQ by request of Carlos Smith
(JB) Carlos has apparently requested that this match pitting Psycho against Jaime Alejandro should be No Disqualification. Is this to punish Tommy by letting Jaime go off on him, or is this so Carlos can win back the trust of Tommy?
(Tom) I don’t know, but Jaime must be sick of these Smith brothers. Good thing the Reaper is going to eat the old man alive at Oblivion… Then we just have to find an animal higher up in the food chain to eat the Reaper…
SUMMARY:
Jaime comes out with his usual seriousness. Tommy comes out, with Carlos backing his corner. Carlos is caught off guard when Tyrone Smith comes out to do commentary on the match – which also annoys Tom.
We’ve seen Psycho wrestle Jaime before. Every time something goes Jaime's way, Carlos interferes, but of course, it is No DQ.
As Jaime starts to finish off Tommy, Carlos interferes again, and Tyrone has had enough. He goes over and starts to yell at Carlos, saying to the effect that he needs to learn from his own mistakes and stop interfering. Carlos gets angry and hits Tyrone. Tyrone snaps and attacks Carlos and an all out brawl ensues. Tommy gets in the middle of it and tries to break it up and Carlos pushes him out of the way. Tyrone finally gets the upper hand and prepares to hit Carlos with the No Remorse, but somehow Carlos moves out of the way and Tyrone hits Tommy with it. As Tyrone checks up on Tommy, Carlos grabs a chair and hits Tyrone with it.
Carlos stands tall over the fallen brothers – that is, until Jaime steps in and slams him with a Crimson Revolver for screwing with his match. Take notice, Reaper!
(JB) Carlos got the upper hand on his brothers, despite that Crimson Revolver from Jaime.
(Tom) It sure does look like a broken family in that ring.
(JB) Bring up any bad memories Bear?
(Tom) *sniffle*
(JB) Aw, there there.
(Tom) Shove it. Having to listen to Tyrone on commentary made me sick. I think I caught a cold.
What Could This Be?...
The sound of water hitting the ground welcomes us backstage as Sean Thomas dries the last bits of water from his newly-washed hair before tossing his trademark Sugar Rush t-shirt on. A knock can be heard from outside of the scene, to which Sean replies:
(Spaz) I'm coming! Just let me tie my laces...
Now fully dressed in his "combat gear", Sean Thomas proceeds to put his foot down, literally not figuratively so, on the sofa of his private dressing room. As he leans over to tie his laces, something catches his eye.
(Spaz) The hell is this?
As the camera pans around Sean's back and zooms in, we find in Sean's hands a videotape. But not just any old video tape.
One with the following inscribed upon it:
SEAN THOMAS' GREATEST HITS!
Panning back around, we look up at Sean's face as he bears a look of bemusement.
(Spaz) This must have been Twitch's doing... Hey Tw-...
Sean nearly yells for his manager in order to get a confirmation, but the minute he turns over the paper attached to the video tape, he stops.
(Spaz) Oh...
But before he can contemplate the tape any further, another set of furious knocks can be heard outside.
(Spaz) Damnit... Twitch is being testy today... I'LL BE OUT IN A SECOND!...
Oh well, guess I'll watch this later, then.
And with that, Sean lays the tape back down on the coffee table before running out the door, but as he leaves, the camera zooms back in on the tape, with the opened part of the paper attached to it, exposed:
With love,
Alister Essex.
DO SOMETHING!
(JB) Our next match is going to be Heck of a slobberknocker, folks, pitting…
”When All is Said” by Trapt blares, signaling the entrance of Derek Clarke, Indianapolis native and up-and-coming singles superstar.
(JB) … this isn’t on my program notes.
(Tom) Surprise, JB! Throw them notes out the window! Things are about to get interesting!
Clarke makes his way down the ramp, soaking up the crowd’s hostility for future fuel when someone says he can’t do what he knows he can do; the one thing you don’t want to give an already motivated man is even more motivation, and other people’s hate does wonders for inspiration. Derek rolls in, water bottle and wireless microphone in hand, and eventually lifts the latter to his lips to speak.
(Clarke) So … a lot of people have been asking me, they’ve been saying: “Hey! Derek! Where ya been, man? You used to be all over our boob tube and now we’re lucky if we get to see you once or twice a week! What gives?”
Clarke lowers the mic and looks out to the crowd, who are very vocal in their support of the returning James Batty, despite lacking his presence here tonight. He takes a few circle steps, thinking it over, before finally saying:
(Clarke) What gives is … I’ve been living out of a gym for the past month because I’ll be damned if I let this opportunity pass me by. I’m gonna be ready. Just think of it…! In big, flashing lights: Oblivion! Derek Clarke versus the Judge! Tomorrow versus Yesterday in a collision course with destiny! Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it…?
(Tom) It sure does! I’ve been waiting years to get the Judge back here!
(JB) Big fan, Tom?
(Tom) Big fan of watching him get his butt kicked!
The crowd pops for the merest mention of the match, a few fueled by the (entirely untrue) internet rumors they’ve been reading about possible stipulations for Derek’s match against James Batty. As far as anyone involved is concerned, this thing is going to be a straight, up and down contest of champions.
(Clarke) But I’m not out here to sell you on the match. It sells itself and … even if it didn’t, I don’t care what you fans think anyway. I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for myself, to prove everything I’ve been saying for the last year – that I can take everything this league can dish out, and do it with a W in the win column. No, it’s none of that…
Clarke takes a drink of his bottled water, letting the words settle across the crowd.
(Tom) Is he waiting for something…?
(JB) He certainly doesn’t appear to be in any hurry, Bear.
(Clarke) I’m here because James Batty won’t return my phone calls. I leave him messages all the time. I say, “Jamie Boy! Hey, there, big guy! This is Derek Clarke and I’d really like to get together sometime and be that shoulder for you to lean on when you finally realize that you’re not the best at what you do anymore! I am.”
Boooooooooooooooooooo.
(Clarke) Hey! I’m just trying to be the guy’s friend, right…? It must be hard, you know, having a match at the greatest show on Earth with the one guy in this world who could beat you on determination alone … and having to live without your wife Martine there to clean up after you and tuck you into bed at night, of course. That’s gotta be a bummer!
(JB) Martine wasn’t the Judge’s wife!
(Tom) That’s the joke, Mann-hole!
(Clarke) No, I just wanted this to be a friendly rivalry, one where we could beat each other’s brains in and then take a trip down to the local bar and share beer. That’s what I want, but the Judge won’t have anything to do with me. It’s just a phone call, James! I’m not asking to date your sister!
(Tom) Asking for permission wouldn’t get you anywhere anyway, Derek. Trust me! I’ve tried!
(JB) That's low!
The further Clarke gets into this spiel, the more it seems like he’s getting irritated, like he didn’t plan on talking this long because he thought the Judge would already be out here trading blows with him by now. But nothing, no Judge, and frustration levels are rising to critical mass.
(Clarke) Come on, James! Where’d you disappear off to, huh…? Where’s the big, bad Judge I used to watch on TV when I was a kid? Where’s the guy who wouldn’t take crap from anyone, huh? I’ve been out here for four minutes already, talking about how I’m gonna kick your butt … and where are you?!
(JB) Clarke trying to lure the Judge out here, fans, but for what nefarious purpose…?
(Tom) What purpose do you think, JB?! He wants a fight, and the Judge isn’t going to give it to him!
(Clarke) Where’s that fabled James Batty backbone?! You weren’t afraid to come out here a couple of weeks ago. Did you finally sit down and watch some tape? Did you finally realize that sneak attacking me is the only way you’re ever going to get the upper hand? Is that why you’re not out here now … because I’m ready for you this time? Come on!
Nothing.
(Clarke) Come on!
Silence from the back.
Moments pass with every eye in the building on the entrance stage.
(Clarke) This is no way for a Hall of Famer to act, James. You’ve been challenged! Step up! Show me what you’ve got…! Do something!
Quiet.
Finally tired of waiting, his attempt at luring James Batty out of hiding a failure, Derek growls and literally throws the wireless out into the fifth row and storms out of the ring, marches up the ramp. He wanted a fight, to make the Judge face him on his own terms – something he’s big about nowadays, doing things on his own terms – but Batty is nowhere to be found. And so James Batty wins another round, and he didn’t even have to show up.
(JB) How bizarre!
(Tom) That James Batty is a yellow bastard, Mann-wagon! All Derek wanted to do was talk about their mutual future together, and he couldn’t even be bothered to crawl out of his hole! How rude!
(JB) Clarke wanted a heck of a lot more than talk, Tom, and so did everyone else in the crowd! Did you see how excited they were when they thought the Judge was going to make an appearance?! They’re itching for this match to happen out in the open air, and I can’t say I blame them! It’s gonna be one Hell of a war!
COMMERCIAL
Face to Face
(Tom) I've been told it's that time of the show we all can't wait to arrive... the Mike Lane interview!
(JB) Oh joy, just what I was salivating for...
(Tom) You would, you sick freak!
To everyone's surprise, we don't hear the sounds of Jane's Addiction. Instead, "Til I Collapse" by Eminem begins to play, and crowd goes ape.
(JB) Sounds like the other Mike is coming down here!
(Tom) He should be in jail by now!
Stryker walks out onto the stage to a huge ovation, with the Foundation title slung over his shoulder. He ackowledges the fans as he makes his way down to the ring, and accepts a microphone from the old boy Troy. The crowd falls to a hush as their FHC addresses them.
(Stryker) Last week, I was barred from the arena. Last week, Mike Lane and the suits from the network made sure that the Foundation Champion, the flagship of the company, wasn't going to be in attendance at what could have been the biggest Annihilation of the year. I was just fine to let Lane have his little movie star dreams, show his movie, and be done with things. I had no reason to get involved in that. My issue with Mike Lane is in this ring, and not outside of it.
He paces around the ring, acknowledging the entire arena of Stryker fans.
(Stryker) But I also believe in doing unto others as they've done unto me. And two weeks ago Mike Lane and his little toad Phil Raines forced Ray Buchanan to ban me from the arena. I took a lot of my frustrations out on Ray, but I'm cool with him. We talked about it at NAFW HQ, and he basically laid down my options to me. I could show up to the arena, and get not only myself, but him by proxy, in a lot of trouble with the network. Or, I could find something else to do, and everything would be gravy.
Another round in the ring.
(Stryker) So I went home and thought about it for awhile. I thought about everything that this company means to me. I didn't doubt what Ray told me, I didn't doubt that my showing up after being banned could cause this company great harm. I thought about the feeling I had when the NAFW closed its doors 2 years ago. I thought about how empty I felt, and how it hurt me, it legitimately broke my heart. I had lost the best thing in my life, and that was to have the honor and the privilege of walking into this ring and to put on a show for each and every one of you every single night.
Pop.
(Stryker) I didn't want to become the guy who ended the NAFW's run. I didn't want my actions to cost anyone a job, I didn't want to know that my selfish actions, my problem with Mike Lane, ended up putting me so far out of control that everyone suffered. But the I realized something...
He stops finally, and leans on the ropes, grinning.
(Stryker) I realized they were just full of crap.
Pop.
(Stryker) I realized that they were businessmen at Versus, and that there was no way they'd go canceling us over something that they didn't have much to do with making, like Mike Lane's garbage movie. They weren't going to cancel us over something that happened between two guys in the NAFW. And I KNEW we wouldn't get canceled over me ruining that movie premiere, considering that everyone watching at home and in the building certainly would have rather seen me do what I did than sit through a viewing of "The Defense".
Pop.
(Stryker) So I arrived last week, and bided my time. I got a feel for things. I wanted to strike when the time was right, and I waited until the best possible moment. Lane and his cronies had invested so much time, effort, and most importantly money into that show and that movie premiere, that I knew exactly what I had to do. I took away their payday by destroying the print of the film they were trying to peddle. I took away Lane's ever so valued TV time, and most importantly, I hit him right in his pride. I took away what he cared about, that damn movie.
He turns serious for a moment.
(Stryker) However, to whoever needs to hear it, I gotta speak for Ray... He had nothing to do with my attack. He told me it was in my best interest to stay away. In fact, until Lane invited me personally into the arena, I didn't think Buchanan and his security would let me into the arena. But I guess that's what I get for underestimating a guy like Mike Lane's ability to run his mouth into a situation he can't handle. I may not have planned it, but I saw opportunity present itself and I struck. That's what I do. I did it at Chain Reac...
He's finally cut off by the expected theme music of Mike Lane, that being "Superhero" by Jane's Addiction. Mike Lane is out into the arena, finally sans his groupies. He doesn't acknowledge anyone but Mike Stryker, as he walks out to the ring with purpose in his step. He climbs into the ring, and produces a microphone from the back pocket of his designer suit.
(Lane) Last week, you took everything from me. All of my hard work went down the drain. You hurt my friend, the supercool Dane Cook, and you destroyed my masterpiece. Do unto others as they do unto you? Is that all you can muster, you piece of trash.
The challenger circles Stryker, who stands his ground and snarls straight ahead.
(Lane) I've given you all the props in the world up until now. Every interview I've done, I've said the same thing... Mike Stryker is the Foundation Champ because he deserves it, because he's the hardest working guy in the business. Mike Stryker is the guy who is leading the NAFW to new heights. Mike Stryker... is the real deal.
He trails off, and stops right behind Stryker.
(Lane) But I want you to look inside yourself, Mike. I want you to think about if all those things are really the truth. Because deep down, in that place that no one ever sees, we both know what you believe. We both know what anyone who looks at the situation with any kind of logic would realize... You are nothing but a farce. You were about to mention your great victory in Chain Reaction, Mike, weren't you? I was there, kid, I remember what happened. You let me gain your trust so you could turn you back on me, and let Sean Thomas take me out of that match. Because we both know that if it were me in there with you and that joke of a Champion Lenny Aarons what would have happened. I would've destroyed the both of you.
He begins to pace again.
(Lane) You just have to come to grips with that fact that the world knows the truth. You may hold the Foundation Heavyweight Championship, but you're not in the league of the men who have held that belt before. Tyler Hyatt, James Batty, David and Matt Kurresh, Faithless, Mike Lane. Legends in this industry. I want to take you back to the last Oblivion, Strykes. Keith Owens did just like you, and won Chain Reaction. Just like you, he went on to the following Pay Per View, and he successfully defended against some nobody. And then he rolled into Oblivion to face one of the NAFW Legends. One of the greatest to lace the boots. David Kurresh.
We all remember that one, it was big deal. Lane stops again besides Stryker, and leans into to quietly talk into his ear, his tone taking that of a bedtime story.
(Lane) Before the bell rang at Oblivion, Keith Owens was just like you, Mike. He was some piece of garbage who got lucky. He hadn't proven much of anything. He had some lower titles under his belt, but many people felt he couldn't hang with the big boys, and handle a truly big match. But Owens, for all of his flaws, he walked in there with David Kurresh, and those two men did something special, and Keith did something even more special in defeating Kurresh, and putting an end to his career. He proved that he wasn't just a flash in the pan. Owens proved that he was truly one of the best to hold that title, and not even I can take that away from him. No matter how bad I kick his ass later tonight, or how bad Trevor beats him afterwards, he will still be remembered forever for that moment.
He begins to walk slower, directing all of his venom directly at the glowering Stryker.
(Lane) Immortality is knocking on our door, Mike. If I beat you, then I rise to the top of the heap, and join those rare men who have held the gold twice. I will have won the Oblivion main event, and sent the flash in the pan down to the Atlantic division, where he belongs.
Pause.
(Lane) But if you win, Mike. Just think, you will have slayed the beast on the biggest stage of them all. You will have beaten the man who no one in their right mind thinks you can beat. I'm stronger than you. I'm bigger than you. I'm just flat out better than you. You, my old friend, will have engraved your name in stone atop the pillars of immortality.
He backs off for a moment, and eases his intensity.
(Lane) So I see exactly why you decided to crash my party last week. You want and crave that immortality more and more every day as Oblivion approaches. You want to stand tall at the close of that show, with that title held high. You want to see your name etched in with the greats.
Stryker still doesn't respond, so Lane pushes him back a step, which gets him fired up.
(Lane) Is that how you respond on the cusp of immortality... you stay silent and let the big boys talk. Maybe I'll just wear my suit to Oblivion if you're going to be such a push over.
The Champion doesn't respond with any kind of physical action to Lane, he grins and raises the microphone.
(Stryker) Actually Mike, I stopped listening to you about three words in. I was thinking about some errands I need to run after the show. You'll be happy to know I'm going to the supermarket, you can let Vanessa know I'd be happy to pick up some Monistat for that itchy feeling she's been having recently.
The crowd laughs as Mike Lane begins to steam.
(Stryker) Although I did catch something you were saying about what I want. About how I want to see my name listed with the greats in this company. First off...you're damn right that I do. Secondly, if we're gonna talk about what people want, lets chat about what you want Mike.
He looks Lane up and down before continuing.
(Stryker) You just spend way too long talking about immortality and all this other crap. You named yourself alongside legends as great Champions. I think you're the transparent one out here. Is that all you care about? Is that your entire motivation for challenging me? You cashed in a wish thinking that you'd just put your name on the map in a night? You know, I thought even a guy like you got it. I thought that even you and your massive ego understood that it takes more than one night to do that kind of thing. Those guys you named, those NAFW Hall of Fame talents? It took them YEARS to get where they did. It will take you and I YEARS to get to their level too. You can talk about immortality, but people will remember, just like you remember, who was standing right there with you, helping you win the Foundation Championship.
He chuckles a bit before continuing, much to Lane's chagrin.
(Stryker) Two weeks ago, you pushed me. And one week ago, I pushed back. You're mad because I pushed you a whole lot harder than you pushed me. It upsets you to know that, in the end, it's about getting in this ring and proving who the better man is, and it downright sticks in your craw to know that, no matter what...
..I'll always be the better man.
This time, it's the challenger's turn to chuckle.
(Lane) I pushed, and you pushed back? You can look at it that way, but I have an alternate angle, a script rewrite if you will. You took what was most dear from me, and at Oblivion, I will take what's most dear to you away from your cold dead fingers.
Stryker doesn't answer, but instead drops his microphone, and raises the FHC in the air with one arm. Lane steps up eye to eye with him, and they lock eyes for a brief moment. Lane's eyes dart back and forth from the title to Stryker, who doesn't waver. The challenger finally just grins and walks away. Stryker holds his pose as the fans rise up chanting his name. Lane makes it halfway up the aisle before he turns around to address the Champ once more.
(Lane) You're on borrowed time, kid. Cherish it while you can. You're on the tracks and the Lane Express is coming through.
They both hold their position, and do a long range staredown as we silently fade to commercial.
COMMERCIAL
Xavier Caine vs. Peter Gilmour vs. Snake
Atlantic Championship #1 Contendership
(Troy) The following match is a Number One Contenders match for Atlantic Championship.
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) Introducing first, Xavier Caine
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.
Tory: And his opponent, Peter Gilmour
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 at his opponents.
(Troy) And their opponent. Snake!
Troy leaves the ring and the three start to stare at each other, working out their best plans of attack, waiting for the bell to sound to start pounding on each other…
They’ve Set Us Up The Match!
But before the ref manages to ring the bell, the opening of Keep Yourself Alive II blasts out of the sound system. Everyone turns to the entranceway to watch the current Atlantic Champion walk out on stage.
(JB) You think he’s out here to watch the match?
(Tom) I think he’s out here to relinquish his belt and just give it to the winner, thus saving us a lot of pain at oblivion.
(Andy) Troy’s done it again
(JB) Not exactly the opening statement people were expecting
(Andy) Remember how last week, Snake said Troy announced the wrong match. Well he’s only gone and done it again.
Andy pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket, unfolding it before holding it in front of him to read from
(Andy) This is a message from Ray Buchanan. I quote, “The following triple threat match featuring Snake, Gilmour and Caine is not now, nor has it ever been, a number one contenders match for the Atlantic Title”
There’s a mixed reaction across the crowd, some booing because of the pulling of the number one contenders stip, and others cheering because they either didn’t want one of these 3 people to win, or they’re expecting the announcement of a 4 way match for the PPV.
(Andy) Now that’s sorted with, onto why I’m out here. You see, all this week Buchanan and I have been having conversations about myself and my title at Oblivion.
Andy pats the belt just for emphasis
(Andy) Now I want a one on one match at Oblivion. I know snake would like nothing more than to beat on me and just me, I’m sure Pete doesn’t want these other guys to worry about, and I’m guessing Caine would prefer it if it were just him and me in the ring.
(JB) Everyone just wants a one on one match
(Tom) Ladies and Gentlemen, Captain Obvious is back at the announce booth.
(Andy) Buchanan on the other hand wants all 3 of you to have an equal chance of having this title. Of course, how can all three of you have an equal chance at this title, if we all want a one on one match? Well that conundrum took us a while to figure out…
(JB) Does that mean they came up with a solution?
(Tom) Probably something to do with doing your mom
(JB) Why did you have to go there?
(Tom) Felt like it had been to long since I last did a joke about your mom. Actually its felt like a long time since I last did your mom
(Andy) But we have a solution, we have a match for oblivion. At Oblivion I will be taking on… Xavier Caine, Peter Gilmour and Snake...
Andy pauses for tension while the crowd cheer or boo from the names being mention
(Andy) We’ll be having… A Relay Match
The crowd goes wild… probably because they realize this is something they should be going wild about.
(JB) This is incredibly huge news for Oblivion
(Tom) Oh please, you don’t even know what he’s talking about
(Andy) Now I know what you guys are thinking…. No wait, I have no idea what you brain dead guys are thinking, probably something like ‘Hmm, bacon is nice’
The crowd laugh at Andy’s joke, the 3 in the ring on the other hand don’t share his sense of humor.
(Andy) So what is a relay match? It’s a good question, but worry not, for I will explain. We’ll start out with two men in the ring, fighting in an ordinary, singles match. As soon as one person gets a pin fall or submission, they win the fall and the ref sounds the bell for the end.
(Tom) Sounds like an ordinary match, some PPV spectacle that will be
(Andy) But here’s where the twist is. See the second the bell rings to end the fall, the next one starts, and the next guy gets into the ring while the loser gets out. We then rinse and repeat until someone else gets a pinfall or submission, where the fourth person will enter and start the next fall.
(Tom) Sounds a bit like gauntlet match to me
(JB) Except the winner stays on here, no matter if it’s the guy starting off or the guy just entering.
(Andy) Now I know what you’re thinking, and yes, you do look fat in those tights. But it is a little unfair for the guy who starts of the match, especially if he gets eliminated first. Where as the guy entering last obviously has the strongest chance of winning. So to make it slightly more fairer, we’ll all get two lives!
Cue crowd cheer again, not an overly big one, but it’s a cheer none the less.
(Andy) Basically if you lose a fall, you’ll go back to the outside and wait until it’s your turn again. Lose a second time, and you’ll have lost all chance at the belt.
(JB) So doing the math, three people losing two falls, we will be seeing at least 6 possibly 7 normal wrestling matches in a row to decide the Atlantic Championship
(Tom) I was wondering where I was going to learn my most useless fact of the day, and there it is.
(Andy) But you know, even with two lives, the entry order will still play a factor in the match somewhat. So we have to decide who starts off the match. I wondered should it be done by a lottery, alphabetical, or should we let the viewers decide? And then Buchanan said to me, you know we have a perfect way of deciding entry order to matches like this
The crowd start that cheer again, as they know what’s coming next
(Andy) We’re going to do this the same way they do for Chain Reaction. An Over the Top Rope Battle Royal
And the crowd goes wild
(Andy) Congratulations, your three way just got upgraded, and It’s happening now.
Xavier Caine vs. Peter Gilmour vs. Snake vs. Andy D (AC)
Battle Royal
Andy drops his microphone and charges towards the ring. As soon as Andy D gets to the ring and slides under the bottom rope, the heels are all on the same page as they don't even allow Andy D to get to his feet as they all quickly start stomping on his mid-section, shoulders, legs, any exposed body part, really. It takes a minute or two of Snake and Pete both trying to bark orders at each other, but eventually they collectively agree to work together long enough to eliminate Andy D, and Xavier nods in agreement. A few chops, punches, and a boot to the face, and Andy D is already tossed over the top rope by Xavier Caine, but unfortunately for the trio, Andy D lands on his feet on the apron. Not knowing of Andy D's luck, Xavier makes motions that he had eliminated the champion, whilst Snake and Peter bark at Caine that Andy D's still in this. Xavier turns, sees Andy D, and runs to go to big boot Andy D, but Andy D slides under the bottom rope and Xavier Caine suddenly becomes an alto singer. With Xavier Caine now on the brink of elimination, and Snake and Peter having another brief truce, the duo decide to not allow Andy D to eliminate Xavier and start to go to double team the champion. Peter and Snake seem to be on the same, page, executing quick double team moves such as a double suplex, double dropkick, and a drop toe hold low dropkick combo, but all their wear and tear that they put on Andy D in vain as when Peter holds up the champion, giving Snake a free shot, Andy D is able to evade the move, causing Snake to land a punch on Peter.
Peter is obviously upset with this, and informs the masked man across from him. Eventually, Peter shoves Snake, causing Snake to hit another right hand, which causes the two to get in a huge fist fight. Happy with his work, Andy D turns his attention to Xavier Caine, who is now starting to show signs of life...and possibly future children. Andy D starts to lay in a few boots to Xavier Caine, only for the big man to, fairly easily, push Andy D away with one hand. Andy D isn't phased, though, as he rolls to his feet and heads back over towards Xavier, but as the boots the big man again, Xavier pushes him away again. Once again, Andy D rolls to his feet and charges at Xavier, but this time, Xavier is ready for him and Andy D runs right into a modified chokeslam, gaining enough hang-time and momentum to flip up high enough that he almost lands on the back of his head. With Andy D down and out, Xavier taunts the fans as we see Snake hit a DDT to Peter just off to the right of the screen. Xavier looks to be currently in control of the match as when he and Snake meet up, several clotheslines, haymakers, and a two handed choke slam quickly wears Snake down. With Snake down, and Andy D now getting to his feet, Xavier Caine looks to hit a clothesline, taking Andy D over the top rope. But with reflexes like a cat...Andy D is able to backflip and land on the apron. Xavier sees this and goes to grab Andy, but Andy D throws his shoulder into Xavier, causing him to double over. Andy D then grabs Xavier's head, and drops to his back on the mat, sending the top rope into Xavier's throat. As Xavier stumbles around, we see Peter come out of nowhere, grab Xavier, and dump him over the top rope to the ground below.
Eliminated: Xavier Caine
Some security members escort Xavier Caine to the back as Andy D rolls under the bottom rope, saving himself again from elimination as Peter, content with his handiwork, celebrates as if he's won the Foundation Championship. Peter makes motions that he's one step closer to winning the belt. Unfortunately, Peter's celebration is cut short, as he suffers the same fate as Xavier Caine courtesy of the masked man known as Snake.
Eliminated: Peter Gilmour
Snake is visibly amused with his strategy thus far as he chuckles and points to his head whilst slowly backing towards the center of the ring, all the while keeping an eye on Andy D. Peter is on the outside yelling at Snake and trying to get back into the ring, but the referees around ringside hold him back and calmly explain to the furious Gilmour that he's no longer part of the match. It takes quite a bit for the referees to get Peter to start heading back up the ramp. Peter isn't moving too quickly up the ramp, occasionally stopping to throw tiny fits over what Snake did. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Snake and Andy D are seen exchanging blows. We have several minutes of chain wrestling, with Snake coming out on top a majority of the time, all the while, Pete watches in discontent from the top of the ramp. For the next 5 minutes, we have several hard hits and near eliminations, as Peter has seemingly disappeared from the stage and is nowhere to be found.
Eventually, Andy D looks to be on the upper hand, and grabs Snake by the mask and goes to toss him to the floor via the top rope. But just like earlier with Andy D, Snake lands on the ring apron. Snake hits a hard open palm slap to Andy D's chest, causing him to stumble around as Snake stalks for a springboard move of some sort. The crowd starts to stir some as Andy D turns around to see Snake jump to the top rope, then fall to the floor, and landing in a slightly awkward position, as Peter jumps the barrier and trips up Snake mid-springboard, eliminating him from the match.
(Troy) Snake has been eliminated, therefore the winner of the battle royale...The Atlantic Champion...ANDY D!
Having survived the battle royale, the timekeeper hands Andy D the Atlantic Championship, and Andy D quickly climbs up the nearest turnbuckle, raising the belt high above his head as referees and security try to keep Peter back whilst Snake is basically out cold on the outside.
(JB) Andy D finally stands tall after three weeks! This relay match will be quite the treat at Oblivion!
War
Fade in to the backstage area.
In front of a brick wall, we see Keith Owens from the midsection up. He is shirtless with a fresh scar running from his back, over his shoulder, and towards his throat. His head is wrapped with gauze and blood has stained it crimson. The son of the Senator has a shiner on his right eye, and scrapes across his forehead.
He is battered.
He is bruised.
(Keith) Tonight, the news broke around the world: After Oblivion, only one will remain.
Beat.
(Keith) After Oblivion, the NAFW will be home to me or it will be home to Trevor Cunning.
Slight pause.
(Keith) With no regard for our own safety or well being, Trevor Cunning and I have put each other through hell. In the few short moments that we have had our hands on each other, we’ve busted each other open, we’ve tried to maim each other, and if we weren’t protected by the walls of this arena, some might even say we’ve tried to kill each other.
Owens puts his hand across is mouth momentarily before sliding it down his stubbly five o’clock shadow. He continues on.
(Keith) Tonight, Commissioner Buchanan did the unthinkable. Tonight, Commissioner Buchanan decided that at Oblivion, Trevor Cunning and I will face off against each other and by any means necessary, there will be a winner.
Now everyone just pause for a moment and think about what that means.
The Difference Maker follows his own advice and stops speaking, choosing to stare coldly into the camera instead. Several moments later, he resumes his train of thought.
(Keith) Between the two of us, no one has brought more havoc down on this Foundation. Between the two of us, no one has dropped more kegs, broken more bottles, or dented more steel chairs. No one has double crossed more people, deceived more opponents, or screwed more deserving people. We’ve lit people on fire, we’ve run down people with cars, and we’ve ruined the lives of not just fellow wrestlers, but of their entire families.
So what exactly does all of that mean?
It means that at Oblivion, we’re going to have a war. We’re going to pull out every trick in our book. We’re going to bring down the house. We’re going to shake this Foundation to its very core. And when it’s all said and done, and the victor emerges from the rubble, where will you be? Will you be standing tall as well, or will you be buried alive in the wreckage below?
Keith intensely points at the camera, his hand trembling as his body is overcome by the raw emotion and intensity of the situation.
(Keith) I’ve spent a lot of time lately thinking about things. I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on my life, and the person I’ve become. It was just five years ago that I walked through the doors of the Foundation, wrestling in basketball shorts, smashing light tubes across the faces of my opponents. And in those five years, a lot has changed.
For better?
(Keith) A lot has changed about me.
Or for worse?
(Keith) But I’m not here to apologize for my actions. I can’t change the past. But I have spent the better part of this past year trying to be a different person than I was in my past. I tried to stand up to a monster who likes to maim women. I tried to be loyal to my friend, my best friend, despite his selfishness. I tried to respect the course of justice by complying with the police in the investigation against my father. I’ve tried to do the right thing. I’ve tried to be a real man.
And what I need to do now is perfectly clear.
For better...
(Keith) The right thing to do is to rid this Foundation of Trevor Cunning, once and for all.
…Or for worse?
(Keith) Tonight, I will stand on the same side with Spaz, Twitch, and the Foundation Heavyweight Champion, the “Big City Hitman” Mike Stryker. At Oblivion, Cunning will use every trick in the book and use anyone he can to bring me down, and I will fight on to put an end to his evil once and for all, because it is the right thing to do, and I will stand by anyone else who believes the same.
There is a line being drawn across this Foundation that will divide each and every one of us. There’s the good, there’s the bad, and it’s going to get ugly.
Beat.
(Keith) So then boys, whose side are you on?
Owens grits his teeth as his gaze becomes lost in the lens of the camera.
He is determined.
He is going to make a difference.
Out.
The Final Call
The opening to Annihilation’s current theme song, “Erase/Replace” by the Foo Fighters hits the speakers of the Honda Center, and instantly everyone is puzzled with what is going on.
(Tom) We’ve been going at this for hours. Why is the theme song playing again?
(JB) Well if you haven’t paid attention in the past Bear, usually the show’s theme music signifies that someone from the back office staff is coming out here.
(Tom) So what does Buchanan want to yap about now? Maybe after Oblivion, there will only be one announcer left on Annihilation?!
(JB) Wrong. Look!
Sure enough, JB is on the money as its not Ray Buchanan coming out to address the crowd, it’s the owner of the NAFW: Hector Gonzales!
(Tom) Finally! The boss is back!
Hector Gonzales spent many years in the NAFW on screen, but since he purchased the assets of the NAFW and reopened it in August of 2006, he has been primarily off the screen taking care of business in the office and in the board room, leaving Ray Buchanan as the Commissioner in charge of booking and running the day to day operations of the NAFW.
The crowd gives the owner a mixed reaction – because after all, Hector was the baddest of the bad at one time. No other owner or manager has ever been as loathed as the oil tycoon from Texas, not even the imposter “evil” Sean Thomas.
The heavyset owner makes his way down to the ring wearing a tan suit and matching signature tan cowboy hat along with his Texas bowtie and boots. He has a microphone in his hand as he ignores the crowd on his way down the ramp.
(Troy) Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the owner of the NAFW, Hector Gonzales!
After climbing the steel steps and entering the ring, the production truck quiets the music and allows the boss to speak.
(Hector) Now, Ah know y’all are wonderin’ why ol’ Hectah came all the way out to Californi’ tonight, and Ah’m gonna tell ya.
Pause.
(Hector) It ain’t ‘cause some folks on the interwebs think Commissioner Buchanan should be fired. It ain’t even ‘cause of the tornado of a show we had last week with the movie. But Ah AM payin’ attention to those things.
He pauses again.
(Hector) Ov’ah the past few weeks, th’ Judge, David Kurresh, and Spaz have all been announced as the first class of th’ NAF-Dubya’s Hall of Fame. Tonight, Ah’m gonna add anoth’ah name to that list.
(Tom) This is my call to the hall. I can just feel it. No one appreciates my work like Hector Gonzales!
(Hector) It’ll be no surprise to most of y’all that Ah despise this fellow. He’s a form’ah three time NAF-Dubya Foundation Heavyweight Champion as well as a form’ah European and Middleweight Champion. Ah watched this man break into the business, and he also nearly got me banned from this organization for the rest of mah life, if it weren’t for some loopholes and my vast sums of money. But that was a long time ago, and these days Ah’m all about “the biz” as those Hollywood types like ta say. And if Ah can sell just one more “Final Tear” t-shirt ‘cause of this, then it was well worth it.
The crowd starts to pop now that they’re clued in on who Hector is talking about.
(JB) Could it be? Really?
(Hector) That’s right folks, the next supah-star to be inducted into the NAF-Dubya Hall of Fame is none other than… “Griever” Tyler Hyatt!
The crowd, at this point, explodes at the mention of perhaps the biggest superstar in NAFW history.
(JB) Few men have been able to meet the bar set by Tyler Hyatt in the NAFW. In fact, those that have come close to meeting it are being inducted right along side of him. Griever truly was the standard bearer for so long within this company.
(Tom) He was also had one of the worst attitudes I’ve ever seen, and he spent most of his days as a loner around here, Grieving about his personal woes, taking his anger and angst out on other people.
(JB) Be that as it may, he was still pound for pound and move for move one of the best wrestlers to ever step into an NAFW ring.
(Hector) Now now, don’t get too excited. Ya see, Ah wouldn’t count on Mister Hyatt showin’ up at the Hall of Fame ceremony this year. No one seems ta know where the poor bastard is. Last Ah heard, he was chasin’ ‘round that retarded son of his.
This draws some major heat from the crowd, for the fact Griever won’t be at the Hall of Fame ceremony, and for the fact that Hector just insulted “Demonfire” Kevin Hyatt.
(JB) Tyler’s son, “Demonfire” Kevin Hyatt, is not “retarded” as Mr. Gonzales so ineloquently put it. Kevin had some issues due to the medications he was on, and we have not seen or heard from either of the Hyatts since… well… Keith Owens’ alliance with “The Demon” ended. One could only imagine that the family might want some privacy.
(Tom) That’s not what I heard!...
(Hector) But don’t y’all worry, because Ah’m not done yet. There’s no way in heck that Mister Hyatt is goin’ into the Hall of Fame without one more inductee. Ya see, ya can’t very well induct the Griever without inducting the man who made him what he is. Without this next inductee, Mister Hyatt’s career would have been nothing! In fact, the NAF-Dubya would be nothin’ if it weren’t for this next gentleman. And boy, let me tell ya, I sure as heck ain’t gonna let a no-showin’ Hyatt overshadow MAH Hall of Fame ceremony.
So without further adieu, ladies and gents, the FINAL inductee into the NAFW Hall of Fame will be…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
(Hector) …ME!
And the crowd erupts in a chorus of booing as Hector throws his hands up into the air, taking their booing as praise for all of his contributions to the Foundation over the years.
(JB) Unbelievable! Never one to let Tyler Hyatt have his moment in the spotlight, Hector Gonzales announces himself as the final inductee into the Hall of Fame!
(Tom) It’s absolutely brilliant! No one deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame more than the greatest owner the NAFW has ever had! No single person has made a bigger impact on this company than Hector Gonzales! Screw Tyler Hyatt! We wouldn’t have jobs today if it weren’t for Hector!
(JB) All of that is true in its own way Bear, but this is still a bit distasteful. We’ll be back shortly folks.
With Hector enjoying his own “celebration” in the ring, we fade to a commercial break.
COMMERCIAL
Trevor Cunning, Essex, Hush, and Mike Lane vs. Keith Owens, Twitch, Spaz, and Mike Stryker (FH)
(JB) Folks, hang onto the edge of your seats. Its time for our main event match, and this is not going to be pretty. Earlier tonight we saw Lane and Stryker exchange words, Essex taunt Twith, and Keith Owens declare war within the NAFW! Things are really heating up.
(Tom) Of course it’s not going to be pretty Mannhole. We’ve got to watch Twitch, Spaz, Owens, and Stryker wrestle. That Junior Varsity squad is going to get dominated by Essex, Hush, Cunning, and Lane.
(JB) You’re calling the team of two former world champions and the current Foundation Heavyweight Champion the JV team? You’re more delusional than I thought Bear.
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 with his team mates for the night: Trevor Cunning, Hush, and Essex. The intensity of the jeers increases, and we this team of bad guys could not care less. The team intensely stares at the crowd around them, no-selling the jeers. Pyro explodes behind them before they proceed down the ramp.
Lane 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. The group climbs into the ring and the referee tries to get them all to their corner.
(Tom) You couldn’t have asked for a more stacked team than that one, Mannitoba.
(JB) Unless you asked for this team…
The house lights go down as "Til I Collapse" by Eminem begins to play through the arena. As the song goes through it's dark intro, various scenes from NYC come across the NAFWTron.
YO LEFT, YO LEFT, YO LEFT RIGHT LEFT!!
As the line repeats and the dialouge of the song starts in the background, the scene changes to a simple panoramic of the NYC Skyline. When the drums kick in, lightning fills the sky with each beat, and through the cloud cover, the word "STRYKER" can be made out with each bolt of lightning.
When the song finally kicks in, The house lights come up, with a bright white light punctuating each clap in the songs beat. Mike Stryker comes out in his black sweatshirt, hood up, hair hanging down in front of his face. Keith Owens comes out bandaged along side of Spaz, and Twitch follows the group several feet behind. The crowd gives a roar of approval and Stryker raises his Foundation Heavyweight Championship belt over his head. He gives the crowd a quick look before he leads his team down to the ring, oblivious to the cheers.
The referee is still trying to keep the heel team in the corner as the fan favorites enter. Of course there’s a great deal of shit talking from both ends and things look like they could explode at any moment.
(JB) Senior referee Walt Mason has things under control so far tonight. This situation could have easily deteriorated before it even began.
The bad guys talk it over, and Trevor Cunning has agreed to start the match. On the face side of things, Spaz reluctantly volunteers to match up with Cunning. Having settled that, our referee calls for the bell, and this match is underway.
Cunning starts off by circling Spaz, shit talking him for the beating Cunning gave him a few episodes of Annihilation ago. The Godfather gains the early advantage with some stiff striking and a hard knee to the gut. A vertical suplex later and Cunning serves up our first pin fall attempt of the match, garnering a whole one count.
The two men exchange some holds and do a bit of mat wrestling. Spaz gains position from behind Cunning and knocks him down onto all fours. The future Hall of Famer bounces off the ropes and lands a unique drop kick over Cunning’s body, planting his feet on the back of Cunning’s head. The two return to their feet and Spaz looks for an Irish whip, but Cunning uses his size advantage to whip Sean Thomas into the bad guys corner.
(JB) Spaz is not having the best of days right now.
(Tom) Once a loser, always a loser!
Essex barks at Hush and Hush restrains Spaz, allowing Cunning to get several easy shots in on the defenseless Spaz. The referee begins a five count for Hush to let go, and Trevor tags out to Mike Lane while Hush lets go at four and a half. The challenger for the Foundation Heavyweight Championship tells Hush to grab Spaz again, and the monster obeys. Lane then shit talks Spaz, saying “Mike Lane belongs in the Hall of Fame, not you!” before slapping him to add insult to injury.
Lane picks Spaz off the mat and uses his size advantage for an Irish whip off the ropes. Lane completes the combination with a power slam, and the following pin cover only get a two count. Over in Spaz’s corner, Owens and Stryker are eager for a hot tag, while Twitch tries to rally some support for his client.
(JB) The crowd is really getting behind Spaz here, but can he make the tag after receiving a move like that?
After Mr. Old School Hollywood complains to Walt Mason about the slow count, he picks up a groggy Spaz and continues to take advantage of what Trevor Cunning began. After several stiff shots, Lane tries to grapple Spaz, but Spaz uses his speed advantage to sneak around behind Lane. Spaz grabs Lane’s head like he’s going to bull-dog him, but Lane mule kicks backwards – right into Spaz’s genitals! The referee warns him that next time it’ll be a disqualification, but Lane asserts his innocence. While Spaz writhes in pain on the ground, Lane takes a moment to trash talk Owens, Stryker, and Twitch. Twitch gets upset and throws his towel, Blake Bouchard, at the back of Lane’s head. Mike Lane stops dead in his tracks and laughs. He turns around and approaches the enemy’s corner once more, then without warning lands two quick shots – one to Stryker and the other to Owens, temporarily knocking them off the mat. Twitch looks scared, and Lane tells him he’s next. The leader of the Old School Empire grabs Spaz and tosses him into the corner, then grabs Twitch’s hand and forces him to tag himself in. Twitch doesn’t want to enter the ring, but Lane throws him in over the top rope, then drags him over to the opposing corner, where Lane tags in the monster known as Hush!
(Tom) Trouble has a name, and its name is HUSH! Decapitate that no good Twitch!
Its not long before Twitch is handed off to Hush, and we learn why managers should not booked as wrestlers. It only takes Hush seconds to drill Twitch with the Echoes in Eternity slam right in the middle of the ring. A three count would be academic at this point, but the heels want to add insult to injury. Essex demands to be tagged in, and he is. Essex mounts Twitch and spits in his face, then follows it up with a vicious slap, just to let him know he messed with the wrong monster and manager. Essex hooks the leg, and Mason has no choice but to count. One, two, and Keith Owens flies in for the save - literally!
The Difference Maker recovered on the outside and broke up the pin fall with a top rope leg drop onto the back of Essex! Owens gets up to his feet and immediately launches a drop kick at Hush, knocking the big man off the apron. Cunning tries to step through the ropes to get at Owens, but Owens lowers his shoulder into Cunning’s beer belly, blocking his forward movement. Keith grabs the top rope and flips himself over Cunning, and on his way down to the floor on the outside, he grabs Trevor’s head and drops his foe with a modified neckbreaker! Both men hit the ground hard, but Owens takes less of the damage and manages to make his way closer to safety.
(JB) A fantastic save by Owens, first with the leg drop, then the drop kick, and finally that high risk neckbreaker!
In the ring, both managers crawl to their respective corners looking to save their asses and tag out. Owens’ dropkick only temporarily fazed Hush, and Essex slaps his big monster for the tag in. Twitch finds the Foundation Heavyweight Champion Mike Stryker for the tag, and the place explodes!
(Tom) NOOO!
Stryker rushes in and Hush looks to boot him down! Stryker ducks, turns, and starts kicking the shit out of the back of Hush’s knee. Slowly but surely he starts to bring down the big man with those stiff kicks, but out of no where Hush turns and grabs the throat of Stryker. He lifts him up for a classic chokeslam, but Stryker weasels out of it and reverses it into an arm bar bulldog! Stryker signals for Hush to get back onto his feet, and his old foe does. The Champion lays several hard chops into the chest of the monster before attempting to Irish whip him. Hush, like the rest of the wrestlers on his team, has the size advantage in the ring and reverses it. On the bounce off the ropes, Stryker manages to duck the clothesline and nail Hush with the kitchen sink. Then Stryker does the unthinkable and somehow musters up the strength to SUPLEX Hush! The crowd starts a bit of a “Holy shit” chant, but Hush’s team mates aren’t having any of this momentum shift. Cunning rushes in, but Stryker throws him out over the top rope as fast as he came in. Lane is in next and the Big City Hitman throws rights and lefts on his Oblivion opponent before clotheslining Mike Lane over the top rope! Stryker then turns his attention to Essex, who thought better of entering, and slams his head off the corner turnbuckle just for good measure! The crowd is popping huge for the champ, but it is all for naught because as soon as Stryker turns around, he eats a big boot from Hush, finally!
(Tom) I bet you missed the taste of that boot Stryker.
The monster hoists Stryker onto his shoulders and shows off his brute strength with a Gorilla Press Slam. Hush then steps on Stryker’s back and punishes the champion with 326 pounds pressing down on his spine. Stryker desperately needs to tag out, and Keith Owens and Spaz are on the apron waiting to make the tag. Hush once more lifts Stryker up like a rag doll, but this time he’s got him in position for a Canadian backbreaker. This is the setup for The Deafening Silence, but somehow, some way, Stryker manages to escape Hush’s graps. He immediately dives towards his own corner making the tag to Keith Owens!
(JB) Owens gets the tag for the first time tonight! Lets see if he’ll fare any better against the monster known as Hush!
Owens wastes no time going after Hush with everything he’s got. A spinning wheel kick barely does any damage. Owens flies in with another drop kick, which starts to make Hush stumble. A second rapid drop kick has Hush trying to keep his balance, while yet a third drop kick gets Hush into a neutral corner. Owens runs as fast as he can and nails Hush with a hard knee to the face! Hush stumbles out of the corner and like an animal grabs Owens by the neck with both hands for a chokebomb! Hush picks Owens, and with Hush’s back to his own corner, Lane makes a blind tag. Hush doesn’t even feel the tag because he continues to work Owens over, but Lane enters the ring as well.
This draws upon the frustration of Spaz, who enters the ring with no tag and begins to attack Hush! Somehow, some way, while Lane is beating up on Owens, Spaz manages to hit the Sugar Rush flatliner out of no where. Essex immediately jumps off the apron and heads over to where Hush rolled out of the ring. Twitch jumps off his corner and heads over there to in order to confront Essex. The two managers exchange words, then Twitch charges at Essex and takes him down with a Lout Thesz press!
(JB) Spaz makes a monumental splash with that Sugar Rush on Hush, and now Twitch is sticking it to Essex!
(Tom) Oh, so he can hit the move on Hush, but not on Derek Clarke? That guy needs to try harder sometimes!
Meanwhile, back in the ring, Cunning had entered as soon as Spaz took down Hush! After exchanging blows, Cunning drills Spaz with the Sobriety Check! Owens and Lane are still battling it out across the ring so Stryker uses this opportunity to get some retribution on Cunning, surprising him with a Paradigm Shift piledriver!
(Tom) Spaz failed the Sobriety Check once again…
(JB) …but Stryker made Cunning regret getting involved when he wasn’t the legal man!
Lane, having the advantage on Owens, has had enough of the opposing team running in, and throws Stryker to the outside of the ring. When he turns around, Keith Owens boots him in the gut and sets up for the Difference Maker! Owens makes the three-quarters turn, but Lane pushes Owens off. When Keith turns around, he’s drilled with a Shadow Kick!
(JB) SHADOW KICK! This could be all!
(Tom) If its not, then there is no Gord!
Lane hooks the leg. One… two… and three!
(JB) Lane does it! After a melee of finishing maneuvers and interference, Lane leads his team to victory after countering the Difference Maker with a vicious Shadow Kick!
(Tom) Mike Stryker, that is your future at Oblivion!
The Aptly Named Go-Home Segment
With bodies strewn about in and around the ring, we finally find something to focus on.... something quite out of place.
Mike Lane has the Foundation Championship in his hand. He stands in the middle of the ring, and just stares at the fifteen pounds of gold. After everything he said earlier, both he and the Champion are going to put everything they have and then some into their Championship battle at Oblivion. It's not just a battle, though. It's the whole damn war. They can wrestle each other every day from now until Oblivion, and every day after even, but the only one that matters is the one on the biggest stage. It doesn't get any bigger than Oblivion.
The ring has cleared out leaving just two men. One is Lane, who still holds the Foundation title, and the other is none other than Mike Stryker, who has crawled back in after being tossed out several moments ago. He turns Mike Lane around violently to face him. The crowd explodes as they expect fireworks out of the two men. Instead, they, as should you, are very surprised as Mike Lane willingly hands the Foundation Championship back to its rightful holder. Stryker goes to pull it away, but Lane is holding on. The challenger pulls the Champion in, and the camera picks up the four word exchange between them, two each.
(Lane) Borrowed time...
(Stryker) Bring it....
Such as it were, all the chaos dies down, and the only thing that matters is the Foundation Championship and the men fighting for it. The way it has been since the beginning, and the way it shall always be.
(JB) Lane versus Stryker for the Foundation Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Oblivion! Be sure to join us for NAFW Day and then biggest Pay Per View of them all! I promise you won't be disappointed! Goodnight!
