We get the usual warning screen that's bound to appear at some point during anything on television, particularly when the program involves the word "Pay."
Important Announcement
From there, we don't go to any special video introduction, but rather to the face of a man everyone watching this should know.
He is Ray Buchanan, Commissioner of the North American Foundation of Wrestling, and he's got something important to say before this show gets on the road. He's standing in front of a generic promo background, with the NAFW logo behind him. In the lower right hand corner of the screen, a message box says "Taped after the event."
(Buchanan) Loyal fans of NAFW: Before we begin Chain Reaction, I would like to apologize on behalf of everyone here at the Foundation for the delay in this airing. As you all know, the Writer's Guild of America began a strike on November 5, 2007 and concluded it on February 12, 2008. As a result of certain legal issues that arose from the strike, we were unable to air Chain Reaction as originally planned.
It might seem odd to some of you that a live action professional wrestling show would be affected by the strike. To clarify, what you see on your screen is real. The bumps, the bruises, the egos, and the words that come out of our roster's mouths are completely genuine. However, we are a form of television entertainment and the writers that put together certain elements of the show - elements that make the NAFW's production quality one of the best in the world - were owed certain royalties along with their fellow writers in New York and Los Angeles. As a result, they had to strike and we supported them in their cause.
However, with the recent conclusion of the strike, the show can finally go on. Our regular television broadcasts of Annihilation have also been off the air in the intervening months. This was, in part, due to a previously scheduled break in production and live events for the holiday season, which has allowed our talented staff and performers to take an extended time to rest, recuperate and spend time with their families.
After the conclusion of this show, you will see that feuds are as hot as ever and there will be many questions to answer in the coming weeks. That is why Annihilation will return after this airing of Chain Reaction. Check your local listings, or our website, TheNAFW.com for information on the highly anticipated return to action. Until then, I hope you enjoy Chain Reaction 2007!
Ray's image fades to black, and we go to the Chain Reaction logo.
Now, it's straight to the arena. That's right, we're skipping the intro video and getting right down to business. Fireworks are blaring, as is the guitar riff and drums of The White Stripes "Icky Thump." The crowd is going crazy, and after a pan through the United Center, we finally settle in on our resident announcers, JB Mann and Tom "The Bear" Kalhoun.
(JB) Welcome to Chain Reaction!!
(Tom) What??
(JB) I said "Welcome to Chain Reaction!!"
(Tom) Are you talking, Mannwheel?
(JB) Yes, Bear, I am!
(Tom) Fine, don't answer!
JB looks over at his partner, and notices that he's not currently wearing his headset. JB picks it up and hands it to Tom, who puts it on.
(JB) Can you hear me now?
(Tom) This isn't a cell phone commercial, Mannwhore! This is Chain Reaction!
(JB) And what a night we've got in store! Three Championship matches, culminating in one of the biggest matches on the Foundation's rotation, the Chain Reaction match!
(Tom) And don't forget the blood bath coming between Peter Gilmour and Psycho.
(JB) Plus, we have a big tag team match between Harris and Clark and the Rock 'N' Rex Express, and Snake takes on newcomer Krystian!
(Tom) Well, what are we waiting for??
Well, we're waiting to cut to a different scene. Let's do that now.
Warpath I: The Army of Ray Buchanan
In.
Our scene is the poorly lit opening of the United Center's parking garage. A white Ford Taurus pulls into the garage and we can instantly see Ashley Collier driving and Mason Jackson riding shotgun. Collier must not have seen the five mile-per-hour speed limit, because he whips into a space doing damn near thirty, almost taking the cameraman out in the process.
As Not-Victor-Carlos-Rodriguez gets his ass up off the pavement and re-focuses the camera, we see Ashley slamming the door of the Taurus. Ashley looks like he is ready for a street fight and Not-VCR is not quite anxious to cross the path of Collier. "The Born Warrior" is wearing a black zipper hoodie with the sleeves cut-off. He sports a pair of torn blue jeans and black Air Force Ones. Did I mention his fists are already taped up, because I think that is something we could consider note-worthy.
(Ashley) Mason, take the car and yourself back to the motel. I don't want you here for what is about to go down.
Mason begins to walk around the car to the driver's side and Ashley meets him half-way. They exchange a handshake and a respectful nod.
(Mason) Take care of yourself Ashley. I realize you got to do what you got to do, but I still think it is foolish. Ain't no man ever declared war by himself and won. Buchanan's got an army, something you don't have the luxury of... aw shit, I don't mean to preach to ya. Just take care of yourself.
(Ashley) Thanks Mason, but don't worry, you have gotten me back onto the path of the warrior. I am ready for this.
Mason nods and gets behind the wheel of the car. He drives off as Ashley turns and begins walking towards the door marked "Entrance" which just happens to have two yellow shirt wearing security guards posted on either side. Ashley isn't even five paces from the door when they step right in front of him, blocking it.
(Guard One) Where do you think you are going?
(Guard Two) Yea, you are suspended. You ain't suppose to be here.
(Ashley) I got urgent business with Ray Buchanan. Now you can either get out of my way or I can remove from it.
The guards must take offense to that because Guard One swings wildly at Ashley. Collier ducks beneath it and runs forward driving his knee into the stomach of Guard Two. Guard One takes another swing as Ashley rises and it connects with the side of his right shoulder. That only manages to get Collier's attention and Ashley spins around driving a left hook into the Guard's jaw which knocks him to the floor. Guard Two is now back to his senses and he charges Ashley. Collier senses it and he spins around and lays the unfortunate bastard out with an STO. The impact of the Guard's skull with the pavement knocks him out cold.
Guard one is beginning to get to his feet, but Ashley kicks him right in the face, breaking his nose. The guard screams out in pain as Ashley bends down and picks him up. Collier drives his knee into the guard's sternum several times before he releases him and then throws him against the concrete wall. Collier works over the man's body with left and rights, before he hits a devastating uppercut that knocks this guy out. Ashley stands over the two guards, smirking as he wipes some sweat from his brow.
(Ashley) I hate to say I told you so...
Ashley chuckles to himself as he steps over the unconscious bodies and pushes open the gray metal door. He steps inside the building, looks around for a moment, before darting behind some cases of equipment as not to be seen.
The easy part is now over.
(JB) He's not supposed to be here.
(Tom) But he's here alright! And he's not letting a couple of Security Guards get in the way.
(JB) I have a feeling our Head of Security, Ryan McJohnson, will have something to say about that.
(Tom) Or do. McJohnson doesn't talk much.
(JB) Fair enough.
The Aftermath of Things Not Yet Seen
Cut to a different part of the parking lot, specifically the employee parking lot. It's the place we see from time to time on wrestling shows. It's usually got several big trucks, a couple smaller cars. It's where all NAFW employees, including ring crew, put their vehicles during a show.
It's where Ken Harris is right now.
He's dressed in his streets clothes, in blue jeans and a black polo shirt, walking away from a shitty, 1989 Dodge Dart. He's carrying a bag and he's alone. Completely alone. Because Troy took Nicole on another flight, said they wanted time alone, said he had some romance planned. The thought, both of those things and of what Ken thinks is really going on, have Ken on edge, so he's keeping himself very scrunched together, trying to signal everyone who sees him to leave him alone.
(Rex) Kenny!
Ken stops moving. He drops his bag and bunches up his shoulder. He makes fists, which he promptly releases. Then he turns to Rex, who's approaching, and smiles, faking something other than annoyance. It's not a good job. Rex is blind to it.
As always.
(Ken) What's up Rex?
(Rex) Howdy, Kenny boy!
(Ken) What do you want?
Rex, being stupid but not completely stupid, is taken aback.
(Rex) Just lookin' t' see if yer hunkey dorey.
(Ken) I'm fine, I...
Ken sighs and rubs his head a bit, like he's having a really long week. And he is. You don't know it, you don't understand, because I haven't shown you, but he's having a long week. And he makes a decision there.
(Ken) I had a couple of weird days, dude. It's a... a long story. What's up?
(Rex) Ain't it just a cryin' shame we gotta lock horns?
(Ken) Ah. I know. It sucks.
(Rex) But gee whiz, we had ourselves a time at the ol' waterin' hole th'other night!
(Ken) Yeah.
Ken nods and starts moving again. Rex follows, dutifully.
(Rex) Hold on there, Kenny... Ah gotta know somethin'! Ah got t' singin' some Sweet Home Alabama, an' yer lips were sealed! Why didn'tcha join the party an' sing along?
(Ken) Rex... I just... I gotta get in there man?
(Rex) Ah reckon Ah ain't no Ronnie Van Zant, God rest his soul, so maybe you was embarrassed by mah vocal stylin's?
They're inside now. Ken stops next to a door. It's got no significance. It's just where they are.
(Ken) No, I... look, I'm not... I'm not that into the south, man.
Rex, again, looks taken aback.
(Rex) Well Ah'll be tarred an' feathered! That can't possibly be possible!
(Ken) I just... my dad wrestled, we moved a lot.
Ken didn't look at Rex when he said that. It wasn't true.
(Rex) Boy, oh boy, we gotta do somethin' 'bout this!
(Ken) No, we don't. We need to get ready for the match tonight. Right?
Rex smiles a bit.
(Rex) Ah guess yer right.
(Ken) Yeah. I am. And Rex?
(Rex) Yessum, Kenny mah boy?
(Ken) Let's make sure things don't get out of hand, okay? It'd... it shouldn't happen.
(Rex) Your druthers is my ruthers.
That means he agrees. Cut.
(JB) What an odd dynamic this is. Rex is trying to be friendly...
(Tom) I'd like to be friendly with that hottie GNR, if you know what I mean!
(JB) You'd like to have sex with her. We know. You really have to stop pushing so hard.
(Tom) That's what she said!
(JB) Please, stop.
(Tom) She said that too!
(JB) You're an awful, awful man.
(Tom) Were you there? She sa…
(JB) Enough, Bear! It's time to get to our first match of the night, with Derek Clarke challenging the Atlantic Champion, Andy D!
(Tom) I smell a new champion.
(JB) This is an exciting match-up, but I think you have to give the edge to Andy D.
(Tom) Are you high or just retarded, Mann-O-Lantern?
(JB) I assure you, I am not high.
(Tom) So you are retarded? You admit it? Is your bells palsy about to act up?
(JB) What the hell are you talking about?
"Driven" by Sevendust kicks in over the crowd noise and the fans all rise to attention as Derek Clarke steps out from behind the curtain. He doesn't acknowledge the fans, he just walks with a calm pace to the ring. He doesn't do any posing or taunting, he just walks to his corner and waits.
(Tom) What the hell is wrong with him? Where the hell is Jerry?
(JB) Maybe he quit?
(Tom) No, Derek probably fired his fat ass.
"Keep Yourself Alive II" by Jay Gordon kicks in and out steps the Atlantic Champion with his title strapped around his waist. He runs to the ring slapping hands with the fans and slides into the ring. Andy poses a little bit as he comes out of the slide.
(JB) That Derek Clarke is a bastard!
(Tom) I didn't think Cougar would like you saying that?
DC is indeed a bastard because he sneak attacked Andy during his posing. DC yells at the ref and he rings the bell and wham bam thank you ma'am, Chain Reaction is starting! Derek stalks over a rising Andy and as the champ gets to his knees, Clarke kicks him in the ribs. Derek drops a leg across Andy's throat and then grabs the arm of the champ. Derek leans back, applying a crucifix armbar.
(JB) Derek Clarke has some nice early offense.
(Tom) Andy can't out wrestle, DC!
The champ grabs a hold of the ropes and Derek breaks. DC and Mister D stand up and lock up into a collar and elbow. DC ducks a punch from the champ and applies a waistlock.
(JB) Dear Gord, that German suplex had some impact!
(Tom) DC is a wrestling machine!
Clarke picks up the smaller Andy D and tosses him onto his left shoulder. He runs forward looking for a powerslam but the champ pushes himself off and behind DC. Clarke turns around and catches the foot of Andy D's incoming leg. Andy bounces on one leg and then tries an enziguri kick on DC, but Clarke ducks. Derek attempts to lock in an Ankle lock but Andy rolls forward out of it and to his feet in one swift motion. Clarke runs in from behind but Andy D hits a jumping spin kick which connects with Clarke's temple. The noise from the kick deafens the crowd with its gun shot like sound.
(JB) Derek Clarke is lucky to still have his face after that kick!
(Tom) Andy D works stiff!
Derek is shaking the cobwebs out as Andy bounces off the ropes and proceeds to dropkick him in the face. He kips up and attempts a standing moonsault, but Derek has the knees up.
(JB) DC one step ahead!
(Tom) Of course, he is smarter!
DC rolls over and on to Andy D's back. Clarke applies a rear naked choke and the ref gets in position for a tap.
(JB) Derek Clarke utilizing the ground and pound style to smother Andy D's high flying offense.
COMMENTARY FILTER: ON
Andy rakes the eyes of Derek Clarke causing him to release the choke. The ref admonishes Andy for dirty tactics, but Derek Clarke runs up and hits a distracted Andy D with a beautiful looking half-nelson suplex that folds Andy up like an accordion. Derek picks Andy back up and whips him to the ropes. Derek lowers his head for a backbody drop but it is telegraphed early and the champion spikes his head into the ground with a DDT.
Andy makes the cover and gets a two count. The two wrestlers stand up and trade fisticuffs. Derek gets the advantage with a kick to the gut. He hooks Andy D for a suplex but Andy counters it into a neckbreaker. Andy gets up jumps onto the nearest second rope and moonsaults off landing across the back of Derek. He kips up and runs to the corner, climbing to the top rope. Derek gets to his feet and Andy jumps onto his shoulders and hits a huracanrana into the pin. Andy gets a very close two count.
They get to their feet and Derek charges but gets arm dragged to the mat. He rises and tries again but gets arm dragged again. Derek gets up again, but Andy has already jumped onto the second rope, springboarded off, and cracked DC in the teeth with a brutal looking kick.
Andy sits Derek up and punches him in the face a couple of times before he unleashes a brutal kick to the chest, a second to the back, and a dropkick to the side of the head to finish the combination off. Andy picks Derek up and throws him to the floor. Clarke gets to his feet slowly and Andy comes flying over the ropes with a corkscrew splash.
Andy springs up, hops onto the apron and tries to crossbody off onto a rising Derek but he gets caught. Derek pauses for a moment before he fallaway slams Andy into the barricade. He picks Andy up and rolls him into the ring. Derek follows and makes a cover. Andy kicks out and they get to their feet. They exchange punches before Derek Irish whips Andy. Clarke hits a textbook drop toe hold and turns it into a standing Indian deathlock.
He falls to his back, trying to tear the ligaments in Andy's right leg. Clarke stands back up and falls down again. Andy screams in pain. Derek releases the hold and applies a figure four leg lock. Andy's shoulders fall to the mat several times and near pin falls occur. He manages to roll over applying the pressure to Derek but Clarke breaks the hold.
They exchange fisticuffs again and Andy gets the advantage when he kicks Derek. Andy body slams Derek and climbs to the top rope. He comes off hitting a leg drop. He covers and gets a two count. Andy picks the challenger up and whips him to the ropes. He leap frogs Derek but Clarke hits a jumping knee lift on the return.
He picks the champ up and suplexes him back to the mat. Derek picks Andy back up and belly to belly suplexes him to the mat. He covers and gets a long two count. Derek complains to the ref and Andy comes from behind, grabs him by the hair and drives the back of Derek's head into the mat with a reverse X-factor. Andy grabs a leg and makes the cover but Derek kicks out, barely.
They get up and Derek blindsides Andy with a forearm. He punches Andy in the stomach before he hits a swinging neckbreaker. Derek follows that up with a knee drop across the face. Derek stalks Andy and attacks him from behind backing him up into the corner. Derek puts Andy on the top rope and then climbs up with him. Derek attempts a Top Rope Northern Lights Suplex, but Andy blocks it. He throws some punches into DC's ribcage and then takes him up and over with a superplex to the thin mats covering the concrete floor.
The crowd chants "Holy Shit" as both men lay on the floor motionless and broken. The ref starts his count.
1...
2...
3...
4...
5...
6...
7...
8...
9...
10...
Troy Gilmore gets on the stick and announces that this match ends in a no-contest after the double count out. Both men are now barely beginning to stir. Once Andy D is up to his feet, he is pleased he still has his title, but like any true wrestler would have preferred a decisive victory. Derek Clarke just walks to the back looking emotionless.
COMMENTARY FILTER: OFF
(JB) Well I guess your nose was a little off there, Bear.
(Tom) My nose is firmly on my face where it belongs, JB.
(JB) You said you smelled... Oh, never mind.
(Tom) I've forgotten already.
(JB) Indeed.
It's All So Fucking Hysterical
Cut.
We're in a locker room. You know what's in them, you know where it is. You know what these places look like. Odds are most of you can even guess what they smell like. In the center of this place, sitting on a bench dressed in his ring gear with his elbows resting on his knees, is Ken Harris. His head is down, he's staring at the floor, like he's thinking.
You didn't see it, but his head went there as soon as the camera arrived.
After a second, he looks up, right into the lens.
(Ken) Well. Here we are.
Ken takes a breath. A long, exasperated breath.
(Ken) Waiting for the start of something ridiculous, something bad. Something that never, if things made sense, if things were what they should be, if there was one bit, one bit of my partner that wasn't fall on your face and break your ass ridiculous, never would have happened.
I told you I don't get worked up, that I don't pretend my matches are life or death, razor's edge affairs. So there's only one thing I can say.
It's about to get all stupid up in here.
Ken shakes his head, all irritated.
(Ken) Stupid, like nothing I've ever seen before. Stupid, like fighting over the damn catering table, about who goes first. Stupid, like pulling someone's pants down. Stupid, like going to war because someone wouldn't fall down and kiss your feet the way you think they should. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
This shouldn't be my life. This shouldn't be my job. This shouldn't…it shouldn't happen.
But it is happening. It is my life. It is my job. So I'm going out there, and I'm going to take Scott Rocker apart, piece by piece. I'm going twist Rex Michaels up until he's a dead ringer for Tom Kalhoun. I'm going to win this match, however I have to.
Ken sighs and leans back, until he's laying on the bench.
(Ken) I just hope things don't get any dumber.
Cut.
(JB) I'm with Ken Harris on this one, Bear.
(Tom) I'd have thought you'd like to see things get dumber. I know I would!
(JB) You should know by now that, most of the time, what you'd like to see and what I'd like to see, are very rarely the same thing.
(Tom) And whose fault is that? Certainly not mine!
(JB) I give up.
An Assured Victory
Carlos sits in the locker room with Psycho standing behind him.
(Carlos) Well, this is it. This is where I begin my climb through the ranks of superstars. I will reign over you all. I will be untouchable. I don’t care what it takes. I will break the minds of every one of you but it’s easier to demolish you in the ring.
Pause.
(Carlos) Gilmour, I am not even worried about you because I know that you have no backbone. You can’t seriously be thinking about winning tonight. You will be destroyed and I will be that much stronger.
Pause.
(Carlos) I don’t care how hardcore you are, because you don’t know how hardcore he is. You’ve only seen him in singles matches. So what is his true limit? I will not stop until you’re bleeding on the mat and turning blue. You’ll die in this match if you aren’t careful. There really isn’t anything else to say is there?
Out.
(JB) Carlos is confident in his charge here tonight!
(Tom) That one's going to be brutal. Guaranteed.
Finishing What I Started
Cut to the backstage area, in front of the Chain Reaction interview set. Standing there, holding a microphone and wearing a black full-length, strapless dress is Amie Carmichael. To her right is Spaz. To his right is Twitch.
Twitch is staring at Amie's cleavage. Amie and Spaz are glaring at Twitch. Spaz taps his manager on the shoulder.
(Spaz) Twitch. Say what you're here to say.
Twitch doesn't look away from Amie's chest.
(Twitch) Huh?
Spaz takes two fingers and lifts Twitch's head, by the chin. His glare intensifies, right into Twitch's eyes.
(Twitch) Oh! Right.
Twitch looks back to Amie... At her face, finally!
(Twitch) Sorry about the whole TW...
Twitch stops himself as Spaz shakes his head.
(Twitch) That thing Twitch said.
Amie is not particularly impressed. That thing Twitch said was pretty crude, and really offended Amie - which says a lot, since she's heard a lot, working with wrestlers. At a motion from Spaz, Twitch continues.
(Twitch) Will Ho...
Another shake of the head from Spaz. Twitch frowns.
(Twitch) Will you accept Twitch's apology...
Twitch seems to be struggling with this. He looks to Spaz, as if asking "Does Twitch have to?" Spaz nods, and Twitch frowns. But he completes the sentence with one word.
(Twitch) Amie?
Holy crap. He used a real name!
Amie considers it for a moment, then nods silently. Twitch looks back to Spaz.
(Twitch) There! Twitch did what Pez asked.
Spaz nods.
(Spaz) Thank you, Twitch. Doesn't it feel good to be respectful?
Twitch frowns.
(Twitch) It feels weird. Like Twitch's mouth is all fuzzy.
(Spaz) You can go wash your mouth out if you have to.
Twitch frowns again, then takes his leave. Spaz turns back to Amie.
(Spaz) Ready to finish that interview?
Amie nods again.
(Amie) We didn't get to touch on a few of your opponents tonight... Let's start with Hush.
Spaz nods.
(Spaz) I'd be lying if I said he wasn't a concern. Not just for me, but for everyone. He's huge, unpredictable and downright scary. It took a car to take him down last time.
(Amie) And then there's Essex to worry about.
(Spaz) Indeed. And I want to send a message to him.
Spaz looks to the camera.
(Spaz) You're wrong about me, Essex. Like I said before: I'll take my time with Mike Lane, but if it comes down to going after him or taking your monster, or anyone else down to move closer to the Championship... I'll go for the Title all the way.
Spaz looks back to Amie, awaiting the next question.
(Amie) How about Kyle Cole? Were you surprised by his silence heading into tonight?
Spaz nods.
(Spaz) Completely. Coming into this match, Kyle Cole had to be a favorite. Maybe his silence is strategy, not wanting to give away his intentions. Maybe it's proof of what other's have said, that he should have stuck to the Legends contract...
Spaz shakes his head now.
(Spaz) But I don't buy that. I know Kyle Cole. Fought him for the very same Title we're all fighting for tonight. His silence isn't going to make me underestimate him for a second.
Amie nods, then moves on.
(Amie) Then there's Tyrone Smith.
(Spaz) Tonight's poster boy for "Underestimated." Nobody is taking Smith seriously. That is, nobody but me. Everyone else wants to ignore the changes in him, and keep bringing up Wilson.
Pause.
(Spaz) Even I have to admit, that situation wasn't anywhere near ideal. But I'm not going to forget the fact that Tyrone Smith has held Championship after Championship here. He's hungry, he's motivated, and he's dangerous.
Spaz smiles.
(Spaz) I'm still pretty sure I can take him... But I'm not going to say it's going to be easy.
Amie nods.
(Amie) Anything else you'd like to say before the match?
Spaz ponders this for a moment.
(Spaz) I have a few things to say to a couple of people... But I'll be doing that in person later on. So for right now, I'll say this to everyone...
Spaz looks directly into the camera again.
(Spaz) I suggest you all get ready... For the Sugar Rush!
Pause, to let the catch phrase induced cheers to die down.
(Amie) Thank you again for your time, Spaz. And good luck tonight.
Spaz smiles.
(Spaz) Thank you, Amie. It was my pleasure.
With that, we cut back to ringside.
(Tom) It was my pleasure to see Amie in that dress. Wowza!
(JB) Have you learned nothing from Spaz? You know, about treating a lady with respect?
(Tom) Of course not. Except maybe when it comes to your...
(JB) Don't.
(Tom) Moth...
(JB) Bear.
(Tom) Er!
(JB) Damn you.
(JB) We've got an interesting one coming up next, folks...
(Tom) Interesting?
(JB) That's what I just said, yes.
(Tom) Care to explain your use of that particular word?
(JB) Well, it's to say that this hasn't been what one would consider a typical feud.
(Tom) You can say that again!
(JB) From personal pleasure devices to Nickelback to air guitar...
(Tom) Personal pleasure devices? Are you kidding me?
(JB) No.
(Tom) Just call a spade a spade, He-Mann... Or in this case, call a dil...
(JB) Bear! This is a family show.
(Tom) Anything goes on Pay Per View! Even dild...
Mercifully, the opening to Queen's "We Will Rock You" cuts Tom off. The crowd gets into it, doing their thing with the repeated STOMP STOMP CLAP pattern.
(JB) Looks like the Rock 'n' Rex Express is on it's way out!
JB is as perceptive as ever. It helps that Rocker, Rex and their manager GNR have stepped out onto the ramp. Rocker and Rex are clad in their usual ring attire: Rex in rebel flag shorts, Rocker in black leather pants. Both men also wear Rock 'n' Rex t-shirts. Gillian is in her now typical stripper hair, tight leather pants and a Rock 'n' Rex t-shirt of her own, with pieces cut out strategically.
(Tom) Why wasn't Gillian that hot when she was sitting next to me all night?
(JB) I think your question answers itself, Bear.
As the trio make their way down the ramp, Troy Gilmore does his thing.
(Troy) Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Gillian Narcotica Ruiz.... At a combined weight of four hundred and sixty pounds, they are Scott Rocker and Rex Michaels... The Rock 'n' Rex Express!!
Rocker slides into the ring and rocks out, as Rex jumps up onto the apron and Gillian climbs the steps. Rex opens the ropes for his lady and she steps through, with the customary cheers from those on either side of her admiring her flexible form.
(Tom) Seriously, I want to know where the hotness was!
(JB) It was in your dreams, Bear.
Rocker and Michaels both pull of their t-shirts and toss them into the crowd. They face the ramp, awaiting their opponents.
(Tom) Well yeah, obviously... But my dreams could have come true!
(JB) I guess Rex Michaels had the same dreams, and his came true first!
(Tom) Damn him.
Once again, we have no major change in the lighting, no streamers, no explosions, no flash and no bang as the opening chords of Tom Waits's "Big in Japan" play over the speakers, coming from only the right side. When the guitar kicks in, when the body of the song starts, three people appear in the entryway.
Ken, Nicole and Troy. Obviously.
I got the clothes, but not the face
I got the bread, but not the butter
I got the winda, but not the shudda
But I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan
Hey, I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan
Ken and Troy are dressed the way you'd expect: in their respective gears. Nicole is dressed as always, going to the non-slutty wrestling chic thing with leather pants and a tight, sleeveless tank, this time in a dark, vivid blue. When they start down the ramp Troy takes the lead. There's no dancing this time, no over the top impressions. He just moves forward, serious like a castration.
This is where Troy Gilmore jumps in to do his thing again.
(Troy) And their opponents, accompanied by Nicole Devereaux...
Nicole follows, right behind Clark, watching her man, like she's waiting for the explosion, the joke. When it doesn't come she moves on, thinking about the match, the game plan, about what GNR might do. Ken is last, being Ken, just moving forward, looking inward, focusing.
I got the whole damn nation on their knees
I got the rooster, I got the crow
I got the ebb, I got the flow
(Troy) They weigh in at four hundred and sixty-five pounds...
I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan
Hey! I'm big in Japan
(Troy) Ken Harris and Troy Clark!!
They come to the ring and enter in the same order, Troy with enthusiasm, Nicole trying to stay out of the way, and Ken slowly, methodically. Once they're in, Troy throws his hands up and jumps once. When he comes down he goes into a quick Rick Rude grind, then turns to face his opponents.
Ken stays three steps behind him, two to the left. Standing with him. But apart. Gillian and Nicole take seats near ringside, whilst Ken gives Troy a quick "good luck high five" before stepping on the apron. Rex and Scott do a little bit of debating who's facing Troy first. Eventually, Rex steps out onto the apron, leaving Scott and Troy to start us off.
(JB) And here we go!
The bell rings and the two men begin to circle before locking up in the center of the ring. Scott quickly turns the move into a side headlock. Troy, on the other hand, isn't worn down enough for the move to do any sort of damage and quickly repositions himself and goes for a back suplex, but Scott's got the where-with-all to know he's in trouble and is able to flip out of it and land on his feet.
Troy turns and catches a Scott Rocker toe kick attempt, and spins Scott into a daze. Scott's not dizzy enough, though, as he ducks under a clothesline attempt from Troy. Scott kicks Troy in the belly and bends down to pick him up, to attempt an F-5. Unfortunately, given what is nearly a hundred pound difference in weight, Scott can't get him off the ground. Troy laughs at the attempt, grabs Scott's head and throws him to the ground. While Scott is down, Troy quickly flexes his muscles.
(JB) I guess Scott Rocker actually thinks he can lift a still fresh Troy Clark this early on in the match.
(Tom) It's all physics, JB...
(JB) Oh really, how so?
(Tom) Don't make me go all "Stephen Hawking" on your mind...You wouldn't understand it.
(JB) ...
Troy stands and signals for Scott to get to his feet, whilst Scott sits there with a slightly bewildered look on his face. Troy grins as Scott crawls over to his corner and tags in Rex Michaels. As Rex steps into the ring, Troy signals for Rex to "bring it" before the duo in the ring start to circle again.
They lock up and this time, Rex is able to get the advantage with a headlock of his own. Troy, on the other hand, uses his strength to push Rex off and against the ropes. Troy goes for a boot to the chest, but Rex baseball slides under that, quickly gets to his feet, and connects with a low dropkick, taking out Troy's knee. With Troy still down, rex goes for a quick cover, but Troy has enough energy to power out of the move at 2.
(JB) A nice set of moves followed by a dropkick to the knee from Rex Michaels, but not enough to give the Rock 'n Rex Express the victory.
(Tom) Blondie McHot has a nice set, but unfortunately for us, they're not going to win the match, either, Mann-Bear.
Troy starts to make his way to his corner, but Rex tags out first and Scott cuts him off and grabs Troy's leg. Troy gets up to his feet and hobbles around on one leg before Rex spins Troy, only for Troy to explode out of nowhere with a hard clothesline. With Scott partially out of it, Troy makes a quick cover attempt for 2.
Both men make their way to their corners and Troy tags in Ken as Rex enters. The two men circle a minute, the lock up. Ken slips, tries a takedown from behind but Rex circles away and sends Ken to the tropes. Rex powerslams Ken on the rebound, then hooks the leg for a two count of his own. Rex picks up Ken then whips him into the corner and follows up with a clothesline. After the impact, Rex picks Ken up, looking for a superplex. Ken punches Rex twice and shoves him off the ropes. When Rex stands Ken hits that flying flash magic.
(JB) These four men are really going at it with some sheer power moves.
(Tom) You know, if Gillian and I were to go at it-
(JB) Enough with the innuendos!
Ken looks at Rex on the ground, then goes and tags Troy back in. Troy bounces off the ropes and jumps up for a leg drop, but Rex is able to avoid the impact at the last possible second. Rex and Troy both slowly get up to their feet, each man throwing lefts and rights of their owns on their way up.
Troy eventually starts to pick up speed and whips Rex into the ropes. Troy leans over for a back body drop, but Rex stops and kicks Troy in the shoulder. Troy stumbles backwards briefly but doesn't lose his balance. Rex bounces off the ropes and goes for a clothesline of his own, but Troy counters Troy ducks under the arm, grabs around Rex's chest, and lift him up and down with a modified Uranage Suplex.
As Troy goes for a pin attempt, we see Gillian run up to the ring and climb up on the ring apron. The referee sees this and goes to advise her not do anything, but with the referee's back turned, Scott climbs in the ring and takes out Troy with a hard low dropkick to the head, then rolls the two men so that Rex is now on top of Troy. Nicole is seen sprinting around the ring and yanks Gillian off the ring apron and the two females begin to argue. The referee sees the pin attempt and goes to count it, but Ken makes the save. Back on the outside, we see Nicole and Gillian arguing some more.
(Tom) Oh...Here we go...CAT FIGHT!
Gillian eventually takes the first swing at Nicole, only for Nicole to block and slap Gillian across the face. They then begin to get in a hair pulling contest and have to be separated and escorted from the ring by security.
(Tom) Dammit! And it was just getting good!
(JB) Good? Gillian almost cost Troy and Ken the match.
(Tom) Yeah, but Blondie McHot had to go and ruin it...
Scott and Ken, both not legal, are now in the ring and are starting to exchange blows. Scott tires to whip Ken to the ropes, but Ken reverses it and throws a series of strikes. Ken rears back for a spinning wheel kick, but Scott quickly ducks down to the mat, then takes out Ken with a low kick to Ken's calf.
With Ken on the ground, Scott goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Ken, as Scott approaches, trips his opponent and goes for a scissored ankle lock. Scott quickly gets to the ropes, shakes out the cobwebs, and ducks under a clothesline attempt from Ken. With Ken slightly disoriented, Scott sets himself up to throw a shuffle side kick at Ken, who dodges, side steps, and hits one of his own. Scott rolls out of the ring and holds his head, trying to fight through the pain.
(JB) My god, Ken's single handedly taking out the R'n'R Express!
(Tom) Pfft...This match was over after security took out Blondie McHot and My next Ex-Wife...
The match has broken down into a two on two brawl. Ken manages to throw Rex, who's now on his feet charging at Ken, out of the ring by going over the ropes, which makes Rex grin because he's impressed with Ken's wrestling. Troy pitches Rocker shortly thereafter and R n' R start to converse, trying a new strategy.
Ken, meanwhile, hits the opposite ropes and runs toward Troy, who springboards him over the ropes. Ken lands with a spinning wheel kick on their opponents. Ken gets back in the ring and checks on Troy, who, along with both members of the R'n'R Express, are starting to come to. Rex is the first to his feet, and the first to get back into the ring.
Rex charges Ken. Ken ducks, slides, and hooks Rex in an ankle lock, but Rex rolls and throws Ken outside and starts to celebrate, but Ken lands on his feet. He starts back into the ring, gets to the apron, then springs off the top rope, looking for a flying knee. Rex turns around, sidesteps and catches Ken, immediately bringing him to the mat with an improvised slam for a 2 count.
(JB) What a counter!
(Tom) What a crock!
Rex gets to his feet, kicks Troy in the ribs for good measure, then turns to Ken and picks him up to his feet. Rex goes to whip Ken into the corner, but Ken reverses, sending Ken into the corner instead. Ken, using what strength he has left, lifts Rex up onto the top turnbuckle. Ken slaps Rex across the face, then starts to climb up himself.
Ken hooks Rex by his head and looks to hit a superplex off the top turnbuckle, but Rex is able to hold on. Ken looks to try it again, but Rex is still able to hold on. This time, Rex starts to punch Ken in the ribs before grabbing around Ken's waist and hoisting him from the top turnbuckle through the Saskatchewan announce table.
(JB) OH MY GOD!
(Tom and Crowd) HOLY SHIT!
Rex is the only man left in the ring who's still standing, or, at least, that's what he thinks. Troy is now up to his feet and severely dazes Rex with a hard right hand. Troy then makes a quick signal as he grabs hold of Rex's head, then grabs a free leg with his other arm, then lifts Rex up into the air, then comes down with a cradle brainbuster, quickly switching over to a pin attempt upon impact for the 3.
(Troy) And here are your winners, Ken Harris and Troy Clark!!!
The Game Has Begun
We are mere minutes away from the much anticipated rematch between Psycho and Peter Gilmour. We cut to a few scenes from last week’s match showing Psycho hitting Peter in the head 3 times with a steel chair making Peter bleed from the head and Peter choking Psycho out with a straightjacket while laughing wickedly. Coming back live, we see Mark Herriot standing by. He is in his black suit and tie with black pants. He holds up the microphone and smiles into the camera as they begin to roll.
(Mark) Ladies and gentleman, my guest at this time is a man who is intent on ending Psycho’s career tonight here at Chain Reaction, the Xtreme Icon, Peter Gilmour.
Peter walks into the shot wearing street clothes. He obviously seems ready for a fight to the death with the insane Psycho.
(Mark) Peter, last week on Annihilation, you took the most brutal chair shots that I have ever seen in my life and still stood tall against Psycho. Add to the fact that you nearly choked him out with that straightjacket. Coming into your No DQ match tonight, you must feel confident.
(Peter) Of course I feel confident, you insolent insect. Why wouldn’t I be? Last week, Psycho and me beat the hell out of each other. I was firmly in control until that bastard had to resort to using a steel chair and hit me not once, but 3 times in the head busting me open. Doctors said I was lucky I didn’t get a concussion or lose anymore blood. But you think I give a damn about what a doctor says? When I saw the sight of my own blood Mark, I liked it. And Psycho knew he woke the beast inside me. That’s why I choked his ass out with that straightjacket. Too bad I didn’t put him in it because I was ready to end his career. But I will make sure that happens tonight in our NO DQ match.
(Mark) Now Psycho didn’t have much to say last week, but his manager Carlos had plenty to say about you. Do you think Carlos will try to get involved in this match and cost you the victory?
Peter thinks about the answer to that question. He rubs his chin then looks into the camera with a smug look upon his face.
(Peter) Actually Mark, I plan on him getting involved. You see, Carlos can run his mouth saying Psycho is the next big thing in the NAFW. But has he won a Deathmatch Title? Has he won any world titles? NO he hasn’t! All he’s done is bring this loser out from a broken home, trained him how to fight like a pussy and put a mask on his face because he couldn’t stand to look at him. Carlos, tonight your little “pet” gets taken to the wood shed. Tonight, Psycho gets into the ring with THE DESTROYER. Tonight, he meets his JUDGE… JURY AND EXECUTIONER!!
Pause.
(Peter) I will do everything and anything in my power to see that Psycho doesn’t walk out of this match alive. You see Carlos, as I said last week, I am the master and ruler of the hardcore match. So it should be a cakewalk beating Psycho. But I’ll say this, it will be bloody. And after I’m done wiping the canvas with his blood, Carlos, if you decide to stick your stupid nose into my business, I might have to put you through some pain as well. If you want to live to see your next birthday, I suggest you stay away or I will unleash Pandora’s box upon both of your sorry asses, and you don’t want that. Once I open the gates of hell, there is no way to stop me from annihilating you and ending both your careers. So tonight Carlos, make sure your “pet” is ready. Because I am willing to go to hell and back in order to beat your freak of nature. Carlos, tell Psycho that he is about to be taken... TO THE XTREEEEEEEEEEEME!!
Peter grunts into the camera as his eyes roll back into his head as we fade back to ringside.
(JB) A lot of intensity from Peter Gilmour.
(Tom) I say again: Blood. Bath.
Spade's A Spade, Right?
We go to the back of the United Center where we see Vanessa arriving in a small limo. Why she has the window down in this weather is beyond us, but being that we’re inside I guess she wants it to be known that she’s here. The window rolls up once the car stops as the driver gets out to open the door. Only before Vanessa steps out, one incredibly tall and lanky guy steps out that’s fairly big. If you didn’t know any better, you’d swear he was trying out for the Bulls with the height and slight muscle he’s packing. The guy that follows him out is only an inch smaller, but he’s definitely bigger than the man who more or less preceded him. Both are wearing sunglasses, both are in suits and both look really anti-social to say the least with their demeanor.
So now out steps Vanessa after being given the 'all clear’ from what we can tell are her bodyguards. Amie is looking to interview Vanessa only she’s stopped in her tracks by the taller of the two, only the shorter is stopping him apparently infatuated with Amie’s looks. Vanessa clearing her throat as she steps towards Amie stops all this.
(Vanessa) Is there something I can help you with?
(Amie) Well, I was hoping to catch a word with you on why you’re here and…
(Vanessa) Well why else would I be here in this town for? See the Blackhawks?
Huge heat from the pro-Blackhawk crowd.
(Vanessa) No, I’m here to watch your champion and mine compete and win his first ever Chain Reaction match.
This gets a mixed reaction, mixed as in they’re cheering the champion part of her comment. Not so much on the 'mine’ part of it. Amie being the astute interviewer that she is, presses on.
(Amie) Well, that not withstanding, why the bodyguards?
(Vanessa) Have you not been watching the past few weeks? I’ve been hit with a chair, I’ve nearly had my neck broken on two separate occasions and I’m sick of being put in unsafe conditions when all I am is an overseer of things. So to ensure I don’t bring a lawsuit down on top of NAFW, I’ve hired some backup to watch over me until the champ arrives. They’re old friends of L, so I’m sure he won’t mind.
(Amie) What makes you so sure he’s going to do that?
(Vanessa) That’s neither here nor there honestly, fact is tonight, he’s going to retain his Foundation Heavyweight Championship and become the first man in history to walk out of Chain Reaction the way he walks in. And he’ll do so by any means necessary.
(Amie) Meaning?
(Vanessa) Just calling a spade a spade, Amie. You figure it out. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get inside. It’s frigid out here. Gentlemen, let’s go.
It’s here that she walks past Amie as the tallest one follows her, the shorter and stockier of the two arching his eyebrows in rapid fire succession as he winks at Amie making her blush as we go…somewhere else.
That somewhere being back to ringside
(Troy) The following match will be fought under No Disqualification rules!
The arena goes black as Terrible by the Insane Clown Posse comes over the PA and neon green strobe lights start. Carlos Smith's face appears on the NAFWTron with red eyes. A figure comes out wearing a straitjacket followed by Carlos himself.
(Troy) Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Carlos Smith... Psycho!!
The two make their way to the ring and Carlos releases the straitjacket immediately running to the outside of the ring as Psycho stands in the middle of the ring screaming...
(Troy) And his opponent...
The lights in the arena go out and then a violent explosion of fire comes from the ramp. The beginning drum beat from the song PAINKILLER by Judas Priest starts to kick in. The lights on the NAFWTron start to flicker on and off, then another explosion of fire is heard as the guitar riff begins.
(Troy) Accompanied to the ring by Ashley Marie...
Out from the entranceway, comes Ashley Marie in a oh so sexy red dress and black stiletto boots. She looks to the crowd and flashes a evil grin. She then looks to the entranceway and as the main vocals start up, Peter Gilmour comes out in his traditional black cloaked jacket, with hood covering his face. He meets up with Ashley and then both of them flash an "X" symbol as red pyro goes off in the same manner.
(Troy) A man with an excellent last name, even if it's spelled wrong...
(Tom) What, Troy's a comedian now?
(JB) Let the man have a little fun, Bear.
(Tom) Fine, but I'm sure he won't be having fun if Gilmour decides to take offense.
The lovely couple goes to the ring ignoring the boos and chants from the crowd. Ashley gets on the apron and does a Melina-like split in the ring for all the guys to drool over. Peter gets in the ring normally and heads to the center of the ring.
(Troy) Peter Gilmour!!
He looks down as the lights dim a bit. Ashley then does a seductive crawl over to her man and grabs his inner right thigh as Peter rips his hood off as fire emits from the turnbuckles. Peter and Ashley give a sadistically evil grin to the crowd as the await the beginning of the match.
(JB) Psycho and Gilmour both want this win more than anything right now.
(Tom) Maybe but let's face it Mann-wheel, this is really Gilmour's match.
(JB) Perhaps, but Psycho hasn't been bad with a weapon so far and I don't think losing is an option with Carlos standing there at ringside.
(Tom) Let's just see what happens then, shall we?
(JB) A rare good idea from The Bear.
(Tom) Hey!
The bell rings and Psycho and Gilmour lock up. Finally, Gilmour gains the upper hand and hits Psycho with a clothesline followed by an elbow drop. Psycho gets back up and goes for a bulldog, but Gilmour ducks out and kicks Psycho in the head as he falls.
With Psycho down, Gilmour climbs out and looks under the ring grabbing a chair. Gilmour climbs into the ring and swings the chair but Psycho rolls out of the way and gives Gilmour a boot to the stomach.
(JB) Well, it was a rough start but it appears Psycho is gaining some momentum now.
(Tom) But can he keep it up?
(JB) Psycho has never been one to go down easily.
(Tom) That's true but how long until he gets tired?
Psycho takes the chair and nails Gilmour in the head and climbs the turnbuckle, chair still in hand. As Gilmour stands back up Psycho leaps from the turnbuckle and places the chair under his feet for a missile dropkick and Gilmour's head begins to turn red with fresh blood.
Psycho climbs out of the ring this time and pulls a chain out from under the ring. Psycho gets back in the ring and chokes Gilmour with the chain, then stands up and whips Gilmour across the back with it. Psycho pulls Gilmour to his feet and gives him the Klown, followed by a pin attempt ending at two.
(JB) He didn't get the pin but this is an impressive come back for our local head case.
(Tom) But he still couldn't get the pin on Gilmour.
(JB) Gilmour is a competitor all the way. He's not going to let it end without a little more fight.
(Tom) He would if it was him on top, but I know he won't let Psycho get off after all that build up.
(JB) None of us would expect anything else from the "X-Treme Legend."
Psycho points to Carlos, who then hands Psycho the straightjacket. As Gilmour gets back to his feet, Psycho begins lashing him with the jacket. Psycho drops the jacket and goes for a DDT, but Gilmour stands up straight and drops Psycho to the mat with a modified suplex.
Gilmour wraps the discarded chain around his hand and gives Psycho a few punches to the head, making him bleed. Psycho gets back up but Gilmour is ready with a spear.
(JB) Psycho was definitely repaying Gilmour for the lashes that he took from that straightjacket a few weeks ago but now he's on the mat once again.
(Tom) Gilmour got the message, but I don't see any lessons being learned here as Gilmour comes back.
(JB) That's true enough. What will Psycho do now that Gilmour has the advantage?
Gilmour throws Psycho out of the ring whips him onto the announce table, but as Gilmour sets him up for what looks like a power bomb, Psycho stands up and sends Peter through the table with a power bomb of his own.
Psycho walks back to the ring and pulls out a ladder. Psycho sets up the ladder and climbs to the top, but as he starts to leap, he hesitates and Gilmour pushes the ladder down. With Psycho down, Gilmour grabs the ladder and lays it across Psycho's chest, then stomps on it. Psycho writhes on the ground as Gilmour puts the ladder in the ring and throws Psycho back in as well.
(JB) This match is really heating up!
(Tom) I'll say! Now we're short one announce table.
(JB) We said this would be a brutal match, and so far, it hasn't disappointed!
(Tom) Let's hope they don't slack off now then.
(JB) I don't know that this feud will honestly end tonight. It looks like these two would fight each other every day of the week if they could!
As Gilmour climbs into the ring, Psycho gets to his feet and sets Gilmour up for what seems to be a tombstone Piledriver into the ladder, but instead he falls and puts his knees into Gilmour's chest right into the ladder. Psycho puts Gilmour's bad knee between the sides of the ladder and stomps down hard.
Gilmour rolls around the mat for a moment, then Psycho pulls him up and lands a sidewalk slam on the ladder. Psycho stands up and laughs at what seems to be a defeated Gilmour; however, Gilmour gives Psycho a low blow and jumps to his feet. As Psycho doubles over, Gilmour plants Psycho across the ladder with Doomsday. Gilmour wastes no time going for the pin and gets the three count.
(JB) Well I don't know what kind of move that was from Psycho, but it didn't stop Gilmour for very long.
(Tom) No it didn't, and now Gilmour leaves the winner!
(JB) I'm sure there will be a celebration tonight.
(Tom) There will probably be another beating for Psycho as well because Carlos doesn't look too happy.
Warpath II: The Body Count Rises
Ashley Collier has already intruded his way into the building tonight, unbeknownst to Ray Buchanan and Ryan McJohnson. It is a good thing, for Collier, not so much the NAFW Security.
The body count is rising and it now stands at two (that we’ve seen.) Ashley has been wandering the halls for a while now, so you have to assume he has channeled his inner Sam Fisher on at least a handful more of security guards. Well, I know that red stuff covering his taped fists isn’t ketchup and it wasn’t so visibly present in the last little piece, so you know he has been putting some work in.
Our camera discovers Ashley lurking in the shadow’s all Tyler Hyatt like watching the passing of some NAFW stagehands. He breathes heavily, but a one-man-war is exhausting. His eyes dart around his surroundings. Coast is clear. Ashley sprints from the shadows to behind some equipment that just happens to be lying around. Ashley moves against the wall in the tiny crevice of space provided. Only problem is he comes to a dead end. The only things in front of him are a door and a security guard with his back to Ashley. There is no slipping past this one; Ashley is going to have to deal with him. So be it, Ray Buchanan brought this upon himself. All he had to do was pick up a telephone.
Ashley slowly positions himself; he is lined up perfectly. He makes his move. Collier quickly wraps his left arm around the throat of the Security Guard and uses his right hand to cover his mouth. Ashley jerks him into the small space he is occupying and quickly takes away the Security Guard’s oxygen, causing him to black out. “The Born Warrior” was quite efficient, no one heard anything.
Collier peers around the equipment and looks back up the hallway. No one is around, have to make this quick. Buchanan’s office might be behind that door.
Ashley opens the door and quickly enters, shutting it behind him. The problem, however, has just begun. Ashley lifts his head up from the floor, only to stare down five NAFW security guards sitting around a table playing cards.
(Security Guard 4) Hey! You aren’t supposed to be here!
Ashley curses under his breath, but as the Guard’s all stand up, the yelling one even going as far to flip the table over for emphasis, Ashley has reached into his back pockets with both hands.
That is right, double brass knuckles. That should even the odds.
(Security Guard 5) Get him!
Guard four charges at Ashley. Collier sidesteps and drives his knee into his stomach. Guard seven has grabbed the steel chair he was sitting on and comes after Ashley screaming his war cry. “The Born Warrior” merely punches the chair back into the poor saps face. Guard five and six are coming now. Ashley leap frogs Guard six and drives his knuckled adorned fist right into the temple of Guard five. Guard four has come to his senses and grabs Ashley from behind. Guard Six and Guard Seven begin to walk towards Ashley. He pushes himself off the ground with his feet, kicks the two guards in the chest and then falls backwards onto four, breaking the clinch. Mister Eight swings his baton downward at Collier’s chest, but he rolls out of the way. Ashley then sweeps his feet out from under him. “The Born Warrior” kips up off the floor and connects with a left uppercut on a rising Guard Six. Seven is on his feet now, wait, now he is down courtesy of an overhand right.
If you did the math correctly, that leaves two guards that aren’t Knocked The Fuck Out, yet. Guard Eight and Guard Four are now back to their feet and they stand across the room from Ashley, looking quite pissed off. Collier motions for them to “Just Bring It” and they do.
Guard Four charges at the same time as Guard Eight whips his baton at Collier’s head. Ashley has to duck and it gives Four the opening to tackle Ash to the ground. Collier manages to have the presence of mind to rain a few shots into Four’s rib cage breaking the mount. However Ash doesn’t have the time to react to the foot coming for his face.
Both Guards now begin to lay boots and fists into a downed Collier. Ashley tries to cover up, but the flurry is too much. After a good minute or so, the Guards lay-off and drag Ashley back to his feet. Guard Eight grabs Ashley from behind and holds him for Guard Four. Four is wielding the nightstick and he swings at Ashley’s head, but Collier ducks and the guard levels the other one. Four turns around to hit Collier on the rebound, but Ashley is a step ahead and drives a wild haymaker into the guard’s jaw that sends a spray of blood flying out of his mouth. Eight is trying to get to his feet, but Ashley runs forward and punt kicks his head off (not literally) but it puts him down with the rest of his comrades.
Ashley lowers his fists to his side and then begins to clutch his aching rib cage.
(Ashley) Aw, shit, I think one of you pricks may have bruised my ribs.
Ashley walks across the room and opens a door on the opposite side. He steps through it and into another hallway. He quickly finds the nearest cover and gets behind it.
Out.
Back at ringside, it should be noted that a new table has been erected, to replace the one broken during the match between Psycho and Peter Gilmour. The Saskatchewan announce table's been resurrected as well, for those wondering. (For those curious as to why a Saskatchewan announce table even exists, since they do speak English in Canada, we have no good reason.)
(Tom) Ashley Collier's still on the loose.
(JB) So it would seem! But he's yet to run into Ryan McJohnson!
(Tom) Something tells me he's going to.
(JB) I can't disagree with that!
Things Get Dumber
Cut.
We're at the craft's services table, sight of many memorable moment. Stupid moments, but memorable ones. Nicole Devereaux is standing over the table, looking at the food and trying to figure out what she wants to eat. She's still in her gear, the outfit she wore during the match and is smiling, thinking about the win.
A few moments pass and Gillian Narcotica Ruiz, hereafter known as GNR, walks up to her. She, as is usual, is skanked out to the skankiest peak of skankdom, in gold, mostly. She stops one step behind and one to the left of Nicole and coughs, once. Then she does it again.
(GNR) [cough]slut[/cough] [cough]slut[/cough]
Nicole turns around and glares at GNR, looking slightly miffed. But she doesn't do anything. She just turns back. GNR steps up, next to Nicole, acting as sweet as a trailer trash skank can act.
(GNR) Excuse me.
Nicole moves aside a little and goes about making a sandwich.
(GNR) It was a nice match our boys put on, wasn't it…what was your name?
Nicole glances over, fully aware that was a dig. She ignores it.
(Nicole) Nicole.
(GNR) Really? I knew a stripper named Nicole once. Her ass sagged like you wouldn't believe. She said it was from getting pounded in it all those times, but I guess you'd know all about that.
Nicole works on her sandwich. Faster.
(GNR) Anyhow, I just wanted to make sure you knew how lucky your guy was today. To beat my boys like that? That kind of crap doesn't happen twice.
(Nicole) Right.
Nicole finishes her sandwich, pastrami on rye, and starts walking away. GNR, she's filled a cup with something and is stirring it.
(GNR) Oh and Nicky?
Nicole turns around. Mistake.
GNR throws what looks like punch on Nicole, who drops her sandwich and looks at her rival. She is miffed.
(GNR) Do stay all whored up.
Nicole steps forward, aggressive.
(Nicole) I'm the whore? You're the one who looks like she fell off the skank wagon and landed on slut boulevard. Tell me, did you buy those clothes or did you just rob Anna Nicole Smith's grave?
GNR slaps Nicole.
(Nicole) Thank you so much.
Nicole shoots in at GNR, taking her down with a double leg. Once GNR is down Nicole mounts and starts raining punches.
Out of nowhere Rex Michaels and Ken appear, pulling the women apart. The ladies scream at each other, unintelligible.
Us? We cut.
(Tom) What are those guys doing, breaking up a cat fight?
(JB) My guess would be, stopping them from hurting each other.
(Tom) Also stopping us from the chance to see some bra action!
(JB) Two women brawling, and you automatically jump to bras?
(Tom) Two women standing, and I automatically jump to bras! Heck, even one woman, doing anything…
(JB) And you automatically jump to bras. I should have known better.
(Tom) Yes, you should have.
Repenting Devastator
(JB) Well, this is the sit-down we’ve been anxiously anticipating. Earlier in the week, our Foundation Heavyweight Champion to discuss the root of his problems with Heatwave over the past month and even moreso, why he left his cousin and his cousin’s wife at the mercy of the Madman From Miami.
(Tom) Enjoy it, I’m going to sleep. Or even better yet, I’m going to go talk with that in the second row behind us. She’s been eyeballing me all night.
(JB) We’re on the air for crying out…ah forget about it. Roll the tape.
So as Tom drops his headset and JB prays this isn’t an impending harassment suit waiting to happen, we go to the image from Annihilation some four months ago. John’s talking over the footage we see of Aarons beaten and left handcuffed at the bottom rope, drenched in Jack and gasoline all but ready to be cooked.
(John) So let’s go back to the beginning here, you’re confronted by an angry Trevor Cunning who wants his rematch for the Foundation Heavyweight Championship you took from him after the conclusion of Three Wishes 2007. He gets the better of you, douses you with Jack and is about to set you on fire. What’s going through your mind at this point in time?
(The Reaper) Honestly, I’m thinking if and when I ever get uncuffed, I’m going to make this man wish he were a little quicker on the draw. I’ll make Trevor wish he never, EVER thought about giving me such a low quality drink such as Jack when true champs like myself drink Crown Royal.
An honest chuckle from Aarons, making light of a life-threatening situation is a little odd but we continue viewing the footage as Stryker runs down to stop Cunning.
(John) So here we see you handcuffed and still a lit match away from becoming a human torch. Stryker never puts out the lighter and it’s here that we see the lights go out and a few moments later, we see the flame that ignites you. What was going through your mind there?
(The Reaper) Honestly…I thought that was it. I thought that for the years I spent making the lives of so many others miserable, this was my time to go up for all I’ve done. And I gotta tell ya, when I felt that fire extinguisher hit me as fast as it did…I was relieved. To see your life, your career flash in front of your eyes…to feel your skin starting to burn to the point where it’s starting to cook like bacon on a skillet, makes you truly grateful for all the things you have in this industry. For all that this industry makes possible…
It’s here that he pauses briefly, staring at the faceplate of his championship in a reflective manner as John presses forward. We now see Mills and Aarons sitting face to face, only with Aarons staring at his championship while Mills is staring at him.
(John) Now the week after, in a rather surprising move you come back to cost Mike Stryker the Atlantic Championship. At the time you told me you did so because you assumed that he was the one who lit you on fire. Hindsight being 20/20, I guess we couldn’t blame you for thinking that since he had the lighter in his hand at the time the lights went out and all, but knowing what you know now about who did it, are you sorry that you went after Stryker?
Aarons doesn’t look up from the championship that he hasn’t taken his eyes off of since he made his last statement.
(John) Leonard? Aren’t you the least bit apologetic that because you got the wrong man, you cost him a championship he worked hard to get back from Hush?
(The Reaper) He shouldn’t have lost the thing to begin with if it meant so much to him for starters. Secondly, no, I feel nothing towards Stryker for costing him his Second Best belt. He was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, holding the wrong damn thing. So as far as I’m concerned, since he appeared to be in no rush to get me out of that predicament he should consider himself lucky that leaving him prone for a three count was all I cared to do at that point.
John’s a bit shocked by Leonard’s response, moreso how sharply it comes out and the sudden change in demeanor we see that accompany it.
(John) Well, let’s speed it forward to Redemption. In NYC, you defend your title against Stryker in a back and forth match up until the very end. Stryker locks you in the New York Cloverleaf and a lot of people believe that this is it. However, Mr. Black comes in and stops things, getting you disqualified while retaining your title. Yet after the match ends, the look on your face when it was revealed that Heatwave was the culprit is one we still haven’t figured out.
Aarons yet again, isn’t sure what to say as his look switches again. This one goes from utter indifference to that of utter remorse.
(John) I’ve spoken with Heatwave over the past few weeks and he believes you to be the bane of his existence. He also claims to be the reincarnate of all your past sins come to life. Yet a few months ago, when he first confronted you face to face and hinted at coming after you, it was you who stated that you were past that point in your life.
(The Reaper) Because I am.
(John) So after everything that’s happened, with Vanessa being attacked by Heatwave, with Charlene having her neck broken and Lorenzo’s ankle being broken again putting him on the shelf again for an undisclosed amount of time…you don’t have any inkling to return to your old ways?
Aarons sighs heavily, very much troubled as he still hasn’t looked up. The right question as it were, has not been asked yet.
(The Reaper) If I returned to my old ways, trust me John, things would be a lot worse around here for a LOT of people. I’m not trying to go back to what I was. I turned the page and I was hoping Heatwave could recognize that.
(John) Well here’s something we all want to know…what really was behind you going as far as you did three years ago? Why did you feel the need to break Nicole Burbank’s neck?
That as they say, is the right question. For three solid years, nobody, not even Vanessa has asked him 'why’. Vanessa wasn’t expected to, because at the time she felt like no matter what L did, he was more than justified for doing it. Yet, now, he feels like that guilty man who’s just waiting to confess only he’s waiting on the right question so he can give the 'right answer’. So he looks up, a great deal of regret in his eyes as he responds in what can only be described as a very remorseful tone.
(The Reaper) Three years ago, Heatwave, Lorenzo and myself were all part of a group known as the East Coast Connection. A group I created with the simple intent on more or less letting the youngsters get our shine on. We had a ton of past their primers and beyond their timers thinking they were going to keep us down. I had other ideas and I had others behind me who felt the same. With Heatwave, we knew of each other going back to the very beginning but until the NWC: Atlantic, never got to really speak to each other.
Short pause.
(The Reaper) After I trimmed the excess from the group, we got rolling. The East Coast Connection gained steam and by the time the calendar year hit 2003, we ran that region. Heatwave was the East Coast Champion and yours truly was only a short time away from becoming the reigning Atlantic Heavyweight Champion. However, in June of that year I ran afoul of the Council’s Executive Director who I was working under at that time in his quest to dissolve the Council. I changed my mind about midway through and on the night of June 15th, ole Ben Van Iten decided to send his head henchman to see if I’d change my mind. I didn’t. So we got into it and I got my ass handed to me. The only thing that stopped me from being crippled that night was Vanessa being the cushion between myself and a stack of chairs that would’ve surely took some time off my career.
(John) So…what about Heatwave? One would think that he would’ve been there to catch your back.
A subtle shake of the head from Aarons. If this were three years earlier, he’d have laughed out loud at that, but as he has said, he’s at a different place in his life.
(The Reaper) No, he wasn’t and at the time I guess he was right for not being there. It wasn’t his fight, but at that time I felt betrayed because for the biggest fight he had, it was the E.C.C. that was there front and center to make sure he wasn’t robbed of his opportunity. So yeah, I was infuriated and rightly so, but ya know what? I knew I had to teach him a lesson.
(John) So at what point did you decide to do what you did?
(The Reaper) Honestly, I don’t know. It took me a while after I recovered from that to really decide what the best course of action would be for handling him. I place a very high premium on trust and loyalty. Make no mistake John, everything he has told you to this point about me, almost everything has been true. I was that evil. I was that damn despicable and he knows probably better than most what I’m truly capable of…only he’s not fully clued in on what’s really up.
(John) Meaning?
(The Reaper) Meaning, after the time came for me to take action on Heatwave after he gained the Axiom Heavyweight Championship in 2004 while I was away with other things, I felt that was the time to teach him that valuable lesson about not turning your back on your friends and moreso…not turning your back on me. But after I did what I did, after I had my crew hold him and his kid down, then watch me break his wife’s neck I had what some would call a moment of clarity. An epiphany that led to me repenting of my sins and past transgressions.
Aarons isn’t a man who has shown much if any weakness to this point in time. For him it has been kendo sticks and broken bodies abound, but hearing him have to rehash all of this is causing something inside of him to snap. It remains a mystery what exactly is keeping him from breaking down right now.
(The Reaper) So I left Axiom for a little while after I lost the Axiom Heavyweight Championship and all told, I didn’t care. I had my measure of revenge and even though it was at a price that I honestly overvalued all things considered, I needed some time off. So Axiom goes under and I get word about the NAFW from an old colleague of mine by the name of VYC.
(John) VYC told you about the NAFW?
(The Reaper) Eh, mentioned it in passing, but yet and still, I got the message. I figured this would be the perfect place for me to turn over a new leaf. A fan base that didn’t know of my past and what few did, I felt the challenge of making them know me for what I was going to do as opposed to what I had done was well worth it.
(John) So you target Charles Johnson who confronted you at the Body Count Pre-Show and a few weeks later, you end his reign as United States Champion.
Aarons nods.
(John) So what brought everything to a halt for you?
(The Reaper) At first, I’ll say it was Vanessa leaving me after Rage because she felt I wasn’t my old self. She thought I’d just play the good guy for a little bit and then go back to devastating without remorse or regret just cause I could. I kept telling her that eventually, it’d catch up with me because as my father always told me, there’s always someone out there that’s better than you. I knew at some point, someone was going to get me a lot worse than I’ve ever got them. So after dropping the belt, I took off to the Alps for some time away from everyone and everything.
(John) So why come back?
(The Reaper) Got bored. When I came back to the States after spending some time abroad, I felt like I had much more left to do. As I said in my return promo at Ultimate Showdown, I was 26, had no major injuries and had a lot of unfinished business to take care of.
(John) But did you ever think for one second that Heatwave would ultimately try to get payback on you?
(The Reaper) Yeah…I think I did. But that arrogant part of me honestly didn’t let me think he’d take it as far as he would. Everything I’ve done to people over the years has been done to basically stop them from being at their absolute best when they face me, to take them off their game just enough so that I could finish em’ off nice and proper. I can only think of one set instance where I intentionally set out to end a man’s career just out of sheer spite and I did just that.
(John) So why not Heatwave?
(The Reaper) Because it was never that personal with him. With him, it was more of a Fredo/Michael thing in that I wanted to show him that he’d never be as great as me even if he tried. I had to show him that he wasn’t strong enough to survive on his own without the Connection backing him up and I was right. He might have had enough to fend off the Bishops of the world, but going against me was something he wasn’t ready for.
(John) He looks ready now in a major way. So I guess what we want to know is, are you ready to face him?
(The Reaper) No. I’m not backing off my initial position. I’m not going to backtrack just because he has a three year itch he wants scratched.
It’s here that Aarons looks directly into the camera, his brown eyes locked in showing a level of repent that is generally saved for those who know they’re on the edge of more or less losing it all.
(The Reaper) I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I’ve done to your family, I’m sorry for what I did to you. I went further than I should have and simply put, I’ve learned the error in my ways. That’s it. I’m done talking about this, I’m done dealing with it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to train for Chain Reaction.
(John) But what if Heatwave isn’t ready to forgive and forget after…
As Aarons removes his microphone from his collar, he can be heard audibly saying…
(The Reaper) Then I guess he won’t ever be then.
The camera shows Aarons walking away as we cut back to ringside.
(JB) Well, we've had a great night so far but this will be the second of our two title matches for the evening and this has been laced with more drama than three soap operas put together.
(Tom) What do you mean more drama than three soap operas?
(JB) For starters, you've got the trouble between the reigning champions, The Trust Fund Kids. The Goods defeated them on Annihilation 15 in a non title match.
(Tom) So? The Old School Empire's beaten them and as we found out on the most recent Annihilation, they've been laying out people with Jack Attacks left and right.
(JB) Very observant of you to say the least. The Old School Empire have been laying out people with these Jack A...
(Tom) Old School Jack Attacks! That's brilliant!
(JB) Oy me. Anyway, the Empire's been busy capitalizing on the dissension that's been growing between the Kids and laying them out as they try to lay claim to the tag straps that have eluded them for their entire careers. Tonight, will we see the rise of the Empire and the fall of the Trust? Or will The Goods be just that and walk out of here champions?
(Tom) Enough talk, let's get to it.
A siren hits the speakers and the word "EMPIRE" appears on the video screen.
(Troy) Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is set for one fall and is for the NAFW Tag Team Championships!
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 spotlight is focused on the curtain. The song kicks in and Dustin Thomas blows through the entryway, his hand pointed towards the stage. New School points up, and Shane comes out of the curtain, all oiled up and ready to go.
(Troy) Coming down the aisle at this time, the first of our challengers...
Dustin taunts the fans as he walks down the aisle, while Shane takes every opportunity to get in his bodybuilder poses. When he reaches the bottom of the ramp, the Alpha flexes his biceps and points his toe, much to the hatred of the fans.
(Troy) Weighing in at a total combined weight of five hundred and five pounds...
Dustin slides into the ring, and leaps up to the turnbuckle to soak in the jeers. The Alpha hops up the steps, and climbs into the ring. He looks around the arena before stepping between the ropes. Dustin pats him on the back one more time before Shane makes his final pose in the middle of the ring.
(Troy) Dustin and Shane... The OLD. SCHOOL. EMPIRE!!!
(JB) The Empire received the challenge from Mike Lane a few weeks ago to start proving themselves to be the Empire and they've done it in a major way.
(Tom) Old School Jack Attacks for everyone and their grandfather. Even I'm shocked with how far they've gone to prove themselves to Lane. Trust me, tonight's going to be a monumental night when the Empire walks out with all the big gold.
Say goodbye to almost all of the lights - all but a red spotlight on the stage. Now, say hello to some rapid guitar and a steady drum beat. This is "Riot" by Three Days Grace. We come into the lyrics at the chorus lead-in.
(Troy) Introducing, from Ontario, Canada...
Refusing to back down
You're not the only one
So get up
As the word "up" reaches its peak, bright red pyro explodes from the NAFWTron, and we hit the chorus.
(Troy) Accompanied to the ring by Twitch...
Three figures emerge from behind the curtain. In front are Slush and Ammo, in their dark red tights, both wearing fingerless gloves and black sunglasses. Behind them comes their manager Twitch, carrying Blake Bouchard over his shoulder.
(Troy) At a combined weight of six hundred and four pounds...
Slush and Ammo stalk down to the ring, with Twitch trailing close behind.
(Troy) Slush and Ammo... The GOOOODS!!
Slush slides under the bottom rope, then Ammo pulls himself up onto the apron and steps over the top rope. Slush and Ammo toss their sunglasses out to Twitch and prepare for the coming match.
(JB) These two teams aren't strangers to each other. They met at Redemption as part of a six-man tag with a Wish on the line. The Empire won that one.
(Tom) Of course, didn't they win in the movie?
(JB) They lost in the movie.
(Tom) Well, the Goods are going to lose here. There's a reason nice guys finish last and...
Almost as if on cue, it's here that we get...
It's All About the Benjamins Baby...
It should go without saying that this is accompanied by a rather chorus of boos, louder than if the Pistons and Red Wings were in town on the same night. Puff Daddy's rock remix of “All About The Benjamins” kicks into gear and just like that, the eight set of eyes in the ring go from each other to the duo that's on their way out.
(JB) These two would be favorites in any other situation, but the chemistry between them has been shaky, at best. Trevor's been hell-bent on making the Goods pay for embarrassing them shortly after Redemption, Keith's been...
(Tom) All misty eyed over his woman who was at the wrong place, at the wrong time.
(JB) What The Bear meant was that Keith's been very concerned over his friend Melissa Hayes, who was kidnapped by Hush and then dropped through a table at the hands of that masked madman.
(Tom) All's well that ends well though, the Trust buried that big putz and guess what? They'll retain tonight too, because not only is it All About The Benjys, it's all about Trust too.
The gold pyro streams down from both sides as the Trust Fund Kids finally emerge with titles in hand. Owens and Cunning aren't looking directly at each other, at least for the moment as their eyes are on the men in the ring. Cunning's got his Jack in hand and he downs it rather quickly, as the two of them continue heading down the ramp. There's a little something to be noted about this duo tonight, they aren't exactly in their usual moods all things considered. No theatrics from Trevor, no nothing from Owens.
(JB) I don't think we're going to have to wait long because the champs are taking off towards the ring.
(Tom) And The Goods are on top of the Old School Empire, as Troy can't even introduce the champions! Martin's calling for the bell as the Goods pound away on the Thomas Brothers! Get in there Kids! Get em'!
(JB) The Trust Fund Kids are on top of Shane and the Goods are busy pounding away on Dustin. In case anyone didn't happen to catch our final edition of Annihilation, it was revealed that the Empire were behind the rash of Jack Attacks on every last man in the ring.
(Tom) That's still no reason for them to be jumped like this.
As you can guess, it's not anything nice for Shane and Dustin as a whole. Shane's being pounded on by the Trust Fund Kids while Twitch is rooting for the Goods on the opposite side of the ring as Dustin's being kicked into oblivion by the Goods.
It's here that the four men look up at each other and albeit very temporary, agree that enough's enough. They each whip the brothers towards each other rather forcefully, the two have a meeting of the minds and it's not a great one. Dustin stumbles back towards The Goods, specifically Ammo who lifts Dustin up for a press slam as Slush is on standby. One throw later, the crowd reacts to the Priority Shipment.
(JB) What a move by The Goods here in the early going!
Shane stumbles into the waiting arms of Trevor Cunning who hoists The Alpha onto his shoulders before elevating him and having his knee greet Shane's face with the Drink 2 Forget. Keith has already taken a running start and as Shane staggers towards Keith, he can only see two things. Keith's knees coming straight at him and the lights as his back hits the mat after an Owens Express. Surprisingly, this gets a mild reaction from the fans as the Empire rolls towards the outside.
(Tom) How dare they treat the Empire like that? They don't deserve this!
(JB) They broke bottles of Jack over Keith and Trevor's heads, lest you forget. I think it's a miracle they were left breathing after all of that.
(Tom) Well, Trevor got his payback and that's all that counts.
(JB) What about Keith?
(Tom) Eh, he's okay. So now the question is, who starts for the Kids?
Indeed Tom has a point. While Ammo stands on the outside of the ring, Slush stands by just waiting in the corner for someone to oppose him. Keith and Trevor are going back and forth about who should start, causing fans to lose patience as Slush is doing the same.
After a few moments, he decides to charge after them throwing caution to the wind. Keith ducks Slush's initial swing, but Trevor's not as lucky as he stumbles backwards to the far corner. Slush starts peppering Trevor with rights and lefts, before he drags Cunning out of the corner and drops the slightly dazed Cunning with a leg sweep.
(JB) I guess Slush wants a piece of Trevor Cunning!
Slush follows this up with a couple of quick elbow drops to the chops of the former Foundation Heavyweight Champion. Slush gets to his feet and starts stomping away on the chest of Cunning, as Owens just stands in the corner smugly cheering his partner on as Slush starts gaining a head of steam. Cunning gets to his feet and ducks the initial clothesline attempt as Slush hits the other side.
Owens attempts to hit Slush, only to have Slush stop on a dime to yell at Owens. Cunning tries to take this opportunity to get the upper hand only to have Slush sense this coming and send Cunning into Owens, who's unable to put on the brakes causing Owens and Cunning to collide with Owens being knocked off the apron.
As Cunning's left to look at Owens hit the deck, he takes his eyes off of Slush just long enough for him to get a head of steam. When Cunning turns back around, he sees that Slush's airborne and Slush's elbow appears to be late for a meeting with Cunning's jaw as evident by the velocity at which Cunning feels the Ice Breaker.
(JB) Owens doesn't appear to be too happy with being hit by Cunning moments ago, now that they're face to face on the outside!
(Tom) Must you try to stir the pot?! This is just a misunderstanding that will get worked out.
(JB) That might be so, but this has been an ongoing thing between the two of them and I don't think all's well within the Trust.
As the Trust argue back and forth, the Empire has recovered from their beating earlier and, much as they have for the past few weeks, have decided to strike when nobody sees it coming.
Dustin comes running in from behind attacking Slush as referee Jason Martin begins admonishing Dustin to get out of the ring. Dustin stops to jaw jack with Jason just long enough for Slush to fire back a few hard rights of his own. After sending Dustin back into the ropes on the opposite side, Slush sends Dustin for the ride only it gets reversed.
Trevor sees Slush coming and buries a hard forearm into his lower back as he stumbles forward, allowing Dustin to nail New School planting Slush on the mat. Just as he goes for the cover however, Trevor pulls Dustin out as he slides back in. Keith and Dustin start slugging away at each other on the outside as Trevor makes a rather sloppy cover.
(JB) Our first cover of the match by Cunning and...
(Tom) Hook the leg!
(JB) In rushes Shane to break up the pin surprisingly enough.
(Tom) Cunning was going to yank him off the mat anyway before three, the Trust will finish him when they're ready.
Meanwhile, Shane's had enough of Dustin being hammered on by Keith, so he comes over to get himself some of The Difference Maker as Cunning starts to stomp away on Slush. Just as he starts to taunt Ammo, he sees Keith being attack on the opposite side and has a decision to make. Continue the beating on Slush or help his best friend... so he takes a running start and does what anyone would do...
(JB) Cunning's airborne through the ropes! Drunken Plancha on top of the Empire!
(Tom) WHAT THE?!
(JB) Cunning made like he was going to drop an elbow on Slush, but he dove through the middle and top ropes to come crashing down on top of his opponents.
(Tom) What is that idiot Twitch doing?
(JB) Through the chaos, we've forgotten that Slush can still tag Ammo into this thing and the big man is seriously anxious to get into this match after all this time.
Ammo is leaning his massive frame over the ropes, practically begging to be tagged in as Cunning pulls himself up off the pile. Shane has started moving as well, as he slides his way into the ring first and can only see Slush reaching out towards Ammo. By the time he's on his knees, Slush has tagged out and everyone's going bonkers.
(JB) Here comes Ammo!
Cunning's still on the outside getting to his feet as Ammo makes a beeline for Shane. Ammo shrugs off Thomas' attempts at offense in the form of lefts and rights, laughing the final blow off before booting his face into the bleachers.
Dustin runs in and starts to wail away on Ammo, only to draw Slush back into the fray. Slush starts to attack Dustin as Keith and Trevor are on the outside picking their spot. As Shane gets to his feet, he's pawed by Ammo who sends him in for the ride, only to catch a sidewalk slam for his troubles upon the return.
Slush has the upper hand on Dustin up until said point when he makes a slight miscalculation in a swing, leaving an opening for Dustin to drop him with an Osaka Street Cutter. By this point, Twitch has about lost all control, but this is the least of his worries.
(JB) What are those two doing?
(Tom) I think they're about to make Twitch really TWITCH.
(JB) Trevor just knocked Twitch down and he's got that towel, but what's he doing with it?
(Tom) He's holding it for the victory to come, just you see.
With Slush dispatched, this leaves Ammo alone with two members of the Empire while the Trust Fund Kids continue to lie in wait. Ammo gets Shane up and stuffs him between his legs for a potential Lock & Load, but Dustin breaks it up with a running knee to the back. Ammo drops Shane and turns his attention towards Dustin as Shane struggles to get his breath back. As this happens, Trevor jumps into the mix as Keith darts around to the other side.
(JB) What's Owens doing sneaking around to the opposite side?
(Tom) Go ask him. I'm concerned about Trevor and that... towel.
(JB) GOOZLE!!! Time for a...
(Tom) Good move Dust-o. Nice kick to the knee.
(JB) Dustin's let go of Trevor, but on the opposite side, Keith's got Shane! He's got him locked in and...
(Tom) THE DIFFERENCE MAKER!!! SEE! I told you they were on the same page!
(JB) But how do they... wait a second! TURN AROUND AMMO!!!
(Tom) OWENS EXPRESS!!! Big dummy never saw it coming!
Ammo never did as his attention was turned towards Dustin as Trevor and Dustin are now going at each other. Slush is coming around, but Keith's going for the cover on Shane.
(Tom) Oh no... Slush is getting up. Come on ref, COUNT!!!
The following sequence is something out of a movie. As Trevor and Dustin slug it out while Ammo's still reeling after catching the Owens Express, Slush slides back into the ring just as the ref's hand hits one.
(JB) One!!
(Tom) Two!!
The ref's hand hits two and Trevor manages to kick Dustin in the man region, as he reaches down for his bottle of Jack in the corner and hurls it in the general direction of Slush. The purpose isn't to hit him, but get him to stop just long enough for the ref to finish his count. Slush stops as the ref's hand hits two and the bottle goes flying out towards the audience. As the ref's hand goes up for the third and final time, Trevor's taken off towards Slush as the hand starts to drop. Trevor lunges for Slush at the same exact time that Slush lunges for Keith.
Remember the end of the Rams/Titans Super Bowl seven years ago?
(Tom) THREE!!!
The ref's hand hits the mat for the third and final time just as Slush's hand comes within inches of breaking up the count and directly near him is Cunning, the reason his hand came just inches short of stopping the pin. The Trust retain and the fans boo.
(JB) DAMNIT! DAMN THOSE KIDS!!!
(Tom) What are you talking about? That was brilliant! A flying bottle distracted stupid Crud and that allowed Trevor enough time to keep Crud from breaking up the count.
(Troy) Here are your winners... and STILL! NAFW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!!
As you can guess, this reaction isn't well received at all by the fans in Chicago as the Trust Fund Kids are on the outside. Slush is on his feet furious, Ammo's barely up and around to comprehend what's just happened. Shane's alive after the Difference Maker, but he's in no rush to move. Dustin's up on the apron and he's not happy.
As “It's All About The Benjamins” plays, the only smiles in the place belong to the men who walked in with the belts. The Trust Fund Kids.
(JB) What a battle. A crazy start to this thing, followed up by an even crazier finish... But in the end, we will not be crowning new Tag Team Champions here tonight.
(Tom) Too bad for the Thomas Brothers... But if it can't be the Empire, I trust in The Trust over The Goods any day!
(JB) I can't say the crowd agrees with you on that one, Bear.
(Tom) Whatev.
Warpath III: Goliath
Ashley Collier has drawn first blood tonight. His war against Ray Buchanan and his army of security guards has been quite successful. Outside of some bruised ribs and a bloody lip, Collier has sustained minimal damage.
We catch up with Collier inside of an empty locker-room choking a Guard out from behind. As the poor guy loses consciousness, Ashley tosses his limp body into an empty locker.
That is when the gray metal door swings open and Ryan McJohnson steps into the locker-room.
(McJohnson) What the hell!?!
Ashley looks up and locks eyes with McJohnson. He flashes that shit eating grin he loves to flash at people and gets into his fighting stance.
(Ashley) Well, well, well, if it isn't Ray-Ray's lap dog. You here to do what so many of your security guards couldn't do?
McJohnson isn't a complete fool. He now realizes that "The Born Warrior" is the one taking out his security force one by one and he charges Collier for his fallen comrades.
Ashley realizes he is in for a real fight now. He side-steps McJohnson and throws him into the lockers using his own momentum against him. Ryan rams his head into the steel, but it doesn't phase him at all. In fact, it just pisses him off. The very large and very strong McJohnson spins around and catches Ashley off guard enough to wrap him up into a bear hug. Ashley screams out in pain and he begins to rain down fists upon McJohnson's head to no avail. Hector's one time bodyguard rushes forward and slams Ashley into the steel lockers. Collier grimaces from the pain in his ribs, but before he can regain his bearings, McJohnson throws him across the locker-room.
Ashley struggles to even get up to one knee, but as he rests in the position, McJohnson rams his size fifteen boot into Collier's temple. Ryan is all over him like stink on shit and he reaches down and grabs Ashley by the throat. McJohnson lifts Ashley to his feet and then into the air. He chokeslams Ashley downward into the seat of a steel chair. Collier's eyes grow to about the size of golf balls from the pain shooting through his spine and rib cage. McJohnson has no remorse though, he picks Ashley up again and begins to throw combinations to "The Born Warrior's" body. Ashley has superior boxing skills though and he counters as McJohnson hook into a left uppercut, followed by a right hook. With Ryan reeling, Ashley runs forward and levels the big man with a clothesline.
McJohnson is right back to his feet though and Ashley grabs a steel chair. He swings for Ryan's head, but McJohnson just punches the chair back into his face. Ashley falls to the ground and McJohnson picks up the chair. He measures Ashley up, right before he cracks the steel chair against his back. Collier stumbles forward, but he has the presence of mind to keep walking and escapes out the door. Too bad McJohnson follows.
Ryan grabs Ashley by the head and rams his face into the concrete wall. He spins around and then throws Ashley into the opposite wall across the hall. Ashley falls down and rolls to his stomach. He then slowly begins to crawl away from McJohnson, but Ryan is already over him. McJohnson throws a few stiff kicks into Ashley's rib cage before he picks him up. McJohnson rocks Ashley with some rights and lefts before he kicks him in the gut and throws him over his shoulder into the powerbomb position. McJohnson runs forward and throws Ashley into a steel door, which breaks off at the hinges. The loud crash of the door smacking against the concrete floor echoes through the halls. Ashley has literally become Ryan McJohnson's human wrecking ball.
Ashley is beaten down and broken. He is on the verge of unconsciousness as McJohnson bends down and wraps both of his bear paw size hands around Collier's throat. McJohnson lifts Collier from the floor and into the air. Ashley flails around as he struggles for air. McJohnson smiles savagely as he slowly squeezes the life from Ashley's body. As Collier's eyes begin to roll back into his head, he does what any desperate man would do in this situation. He cocks his size twelve back and rams it right into the family jewels of Ryan McJohnson.
Ryan drops Ashley as he falls to his knees, grabbing at his privates from the pain. Collier falls and lands against the wall. He sits there and watches McJohnson as he slowly tries to catch his breath. Ashley slowly reaches into his pocket and slides a pair of brass knuckles on his right hand. He patiently waits and McJohnson begins to get to his feet. Ryan stands before Ashley and begins to reach down to pick him up.
Collier catches Ryan completely off-guard as he drives a brass knuckled right uppercut into McJohnson's testicles. The force of the blow and the previous damage to his nether regions, causes McJohnson to actually faint. He falls backwards into an unconscious heap upon the floor. Ashley slowly crawls over on top of McJohnson and gets right into his face.
(Ashley) You just got, KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT!
Ashley rolls off of McJohnson and slowly staggers back to his feet. He leans against the wall for support and walks down the hall.
Out.
(JB) I can't believe it.
(Tom) McJohnson isn't invincible!
(JB) It took a pair of low blows – one with the added force of brass knuckles – to take him down.
(Tom) But he's down! And Ashley Collier now has nothing standing in his way!
(JB) This is one dangerous individual.
Don't You Forget About Me
Cut backstage. We're in one of the many hallways that make up the inner workings of the United Center.
Walking down said hallway are a pair of individuals. The first is dressed in partial wrestling attire, a pair of dark red cargo pants, one of his t-shirts from the merchandise department, and a pair of Ruby Oakley sunglasses. The second is a shortish, baldish man, wearing khakis and a polo shirt. He has a dark red towel draped over his shoulders.
Spaz and Twitch.
They round a corner, and walking toward them is a man dressed casually in a pair of black denim jeans and a white tank top. He has 5 inches on Spaz in height, and is also a familiar face... Particularly to one Leonard Aarons. His name is Heatwave. Of course, Twitch has another name for him...
(Twitch) Cold Snap!
Heatwave slows his pace, as Spaz and Twitch do the same. The three men stop, with Spaz and Twitch a few feet away from Heatwave.
(Heatwave) You got a problem or something? If so I’m not Dr. Phil so keep it moving.
Clearly he's focused on the opportunity to come: Chain Reaction. Not only his chance to get his hands on his nemesis Leonard Aarons, but also a shot at The Reaper's Foundation Heavyweight Championship.
Rather than allowing Twitch to respond, and probably get into trouble, Spaz speaks up.
(Spaz) Just passing through.
Heatwave begins to move again.
(Heatwave) Then pass before something bad happens to the both of you.
Spaz holds up a hand. Heatwave halts his motion, obviously becoming a little irritated.
(Spaz) Hold on a second, though. While we're both here, why not chat a minute?
Heatwave glares at Spaz and sighs loudly, not particularly interested in a chat, but willing to listen... At least for now.
(Spaz) I saw your webcasts this week. Nice work.
No response from Heatwave.
(Spaz) But I noticed a disturbing oversight on your part.
Now Heatwave raises an eyebrow.
(Heatwave) Yeah, what about 'em?
Spaz smiles, like only Spaz can.
(Spaz) Well, I watched them a second time to be sure... You seemed to forget that you and the Reaper...
(Twitch) Weeper.
Spaz cuts a glare at his manager. Twitch doesn't seem to care.
(Spaz) That you and Aarons aren't the only ones in this match tonight.
Heatwave laughs.
(Heatwave) We might as well be. You want the title... You do what you have to do but what I got against The Reaper is personal and the Foundation Title is business.
Spaz nods.
(Spaz) I know all about personal. I'll be getting myself a piece of Mike Lane tonight... But I'd be a fool to ignore the six other people I intend to face off with in this match.
Heatwave steps forward. Twitch cringes and steps aside... But Spaz holds his ground.
(Heatwave) Are you calling me a fool now? I'd choose my next words really carefully...
Spaz, still not backing down, simply shakes his head.
(Spaz) Not exactly. See, you're only going to be in there with three or four of the other six... And aside from Aarons, you have no idea who they'll be. That is, assuming you don't get knocked out before the Champ even steps on the ramp.
Heatwave gets even closer. In response, Twitch gets even further away. But again, Spaz doesn't budge.
(Heatwave) You can be sure of one thing: I'll be there when Aarons steps in.
Spaz smiles again.
(Spaz) And you can be sure of one thing...
Now Spaz is the one to get closer. Heatwave is looking down and Spaz looking up, but they're toe-to-toe and pretty much nose-to-nose.
(Spaz) So will I.
(Heatwave) You're certain of that?
(Spaz) Completely.
(Heatwave) We'll see.
(Spaz) That we will.
The two stare at each other for a moment, and that's where we cut back to ringside.
(Tom) Go back! I want to see Heatwave kick Spaz's ass!
(JB) I don't think that's going to happen at this point, Bear.
(Tom) You're an idiot! Nobody gets in the Madman from Miami's face like that and lives to tell about it!
(JB) Spaz does make a good point, Bear. Heatwave has been so completely focused on Aarons that the other competitors have barely registered on his radar!
(Tom) And now Spaz just went and threw himself onto that radar! If he's even still around when Heatwave comes in, we're going to see some fireworks for sure!
(JB) Maybe, Bear. Maybe.
Greatness Never Apologizes
Just before we can go back to ringside however, we cut to a stark raving angry Vanessa Chamberlain as she’s storming towards a dressing room. As coincidence and dumb luck would have it, not only has she seen the interview in its entirety by Aarons, she’s now on her way towards his dressing room to confront him about this. She storms in, slamming the door shut behind her as Aarons has just gotten the last chunk of tape on his right hand torn off with his teeth. She stands before him her shoulders heaving in rhythm with her breathing, a great deal of it being that of disbelief.
(Vanessa) What the shit was that?
(The Reaper) What was what?
(Vanessa) Since when did you decide to grow a conscience and start apologizing for things you’ve done to others? Because I seem to have missed the part where you apologized for putting my head through a television set.
The Reaper simply stares at her for all of a few moments before rolling his eyes at her and turning away. This doesn’t go over well with Vanessa, who starts towards him and turns his attention back towards her.
(Vanessa) I’m sorry but I’m thinking you forgot the part where Greatness Doesn’t Apologize.
(The Reaper) Look V, enough’s enough. I’m sick of having to deal with the past and all the things that come with it. If apologizing doesn’t get him off my back…
(Vanessa) You honestly think someone that set you on fire is going to all of a sudden back off because you said you’re sorry about three years too late? Maybe you deserve to get burned again. Maybe this time, those crews will be a second too late in putting your ass out.
He tries to turn away again, but she’s not having it. This time, she paint brushes him hard with her left hand right in the mush.
(Vanessa) You’re justifying why I left your ass high and dry in Vegas two years ago, ya know? The man I loved didn’t apologize for being greater than everyone else, for being willing to go further and deeper than everyone else. He went out there, kicked ass and pitied the poor souls who dared oppose him. For all that I honestly thought I knew about you, weakness wasn’t one of them.
She does it again, this time he cranes his head back towards her slowly with a rather sneer creasing his chiseled face.
(Vanessa) Greatness NEVER apologizes for being great and I NEVER thought the day would come when I would EVER hear you apologize for proving a point to someone who damn sure deserved it. You know why I never questioned you about what you did to Nicole? Because up until said point when you gave me reason to, I never had to. I knew you’d do whatever you had to do to get what was your back and you did. I questioned you when you started to question yourself, because you didn’t have it in you to STOP SECOND GUESSING YOURSELF.
It’s here that she goes to paint brush him one more time, only it’s here that his right hand shoots out and locks itself right around her hand stopping it in its tracks.
(The Reaper) You done?
(Vanessa) You’re only moments away from walking into a match where no champion has ever successfully walked out of and one of those men set on taking that thing away from you is the same man who tried to end your career in Boston. You do whatever you need to do to sleep better tonight, but rest assured that you’ll be sleeping tonight without your Foundation Heavyweight Championship next to your bed.
She starts off breaking free of his grip, as he stands there fuming. It’s here that Aarons grabs his belt along with a bottle of Dew and with only a few long strides, catches Vanessa and cuts her off. He stares down at her as he leans in, practically snorting fire as he sneers…
(The Reaper) Just remember Nessa, the (bleep)’s chess, it ain’t checkers.
He turns and exits the locker room, slamming the door shut behind him as we see that he has left behind just two things. His customary hoodie and rather unconventionally, his Lendo Stick as Vanessa is left stunned as we go back to ringside.
(JB) The Reaper is radiating intensity here tonight.
(Tom) Really? Radiating intensity? Seriously?
(JB) That's what I said.
(Tom) Oh, I heard you… Can't believe you said something so overly dramatic and cheesy. No, wait… I do believe it. It's what you do.
(JB) Let's just go to the next match, OK?
(Tom) Fine with me!
(JB) And this should be an interesting match.
(Tom) You said it Mann-wagon.
(JB) These are two very strong competitors and I am looking forward to it.
(Tom) Just shut up and let the match start.
The opening riff 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 he turns to the referee and waits for him to signal for the bell.
(Troy) The following contest is a one-on-one match. Introducing first, from Portland, OR weighing in at 220 pounds, Snake.
The lights of the arena go out, pitch black except for the dim lights along the aisles that illuminate the crowds walkways. Suddenly, a deep voice bellows out three words.
A golden light shines down on the entrance ramp as the curtains part. Golden pyro showers down from above Krystian as he walks out in a white robe with golden trimming. He stands there with his arms outstretched as the pyro falls all around him, as the lyrics of the song kick in.
(Troy) And introducing his opponent, from Corpus Christi, TX, weighing in at 192 pounds, Krystian.
Screaming for you till my throat is numb
I wanna break out
I need a way out
I don't believe that it's gotta be this way
The worst is the waiting
In this room I'm suffocating
Making his way down the ramp, he gets a mixed reaction, the majority seems to be boos. From the look of it, it appears that the cheers are being piped in through the PA system along with the song.
I take you in
I've died
As the word died is belted out, a loud boom echoes through the arena as Krystian tosses back his hood to reveal a white mask with the same golden trimming and designs over the front.
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow
Rebirthing now
I wanna live my live, wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow
Right now
Having climbed the steps and stepped between the ropes to enter the ring, Krystian stands in the center with his arms outstretched as the song slowly fades away, taking the cheers with it.
The referee checks both men and the bell rings. Krystian and Snake exchange punches with Snake finally gaining the upper hand. Krystian stumbles and Snake capitalizes with a springboard Huracanrana followed by a tazzmission. Krystian struggles with the move but finally makes it to the ropes and Snake breaks it off at four. Frustrated, Snake begins to hit Krystian with some martial arts kicks before letting Krystian stand up.
(JB) What a start to this match!
(Tom) Yeah but Snake is letting him up.
(JB) That could be bad but he is certainly ahead for now.
(Tom) I'm sure Snake has something up his sleeve.
(JB) He is always plotting something…
(Tom) Lay off Mann-wheel, he knows what it takes to win.
As Krystian makes it to his feet, Snake attempts a neck breaker but Krystian pushes him away and follows with a DDT. With Snake still on the mat, Krystian goes for a moonsault from the top rope but Snake gets out of the way and delivers an elbow drop. Krystian jumps up quickly and sends Snake out of the ring with an Irish whip. Krystian goes for the moonsault again but this time, Snake takes the full blow. Krystian pulls Snake to his feet and delivers a face buster before stopping to catch his breathe.
(JB) What a comeback by Krystian!
(Tom) Yeah but don’t count Snake out just yet. He’s a competitor.
(JB) Well there’s no denying that Snake is one tough superstar but right now Krystian definitely has the upper hand.
(Tom) Just wait.
Snake gets up and both men jump back into the ring. Krystian whips Snake and hits a clothesline. Krystian goes for a cover but Snake kicks out at two and leaps to his feet to land a bulldog. Snake goes for a sunset flip but Krystian gets his knees up just in time. As Snake writhes on the mat, Krystian lands a Leap of Faith but Snake kicks out at two. The two exchange blows again but this time Krystian comes out ahead and moves straight into a full nelson. Snake fights but eventually goes limp. The ref checks on Snake but he catches his arm and staggers backward, planting Krystian into a turnbuckle and breaking the hold.
(JB) These two are ripping each other apart right now.
(Tom) Even I’m not sure how they’re still going.
(JB) And you’ve actually been in the ring.
(Tom) Well, you don’t know how long you can go until you’re there.
Both wrestlers catch their breathe for a minute before hitting each other with a clothesline and lay on the mat. Snake gets up first and attempts a Venom Sting but misses. Krystian gets up and waits for Snake to stand up. As Snake gets to his feet, Krystian hits Snake with a suplex. Krystian follows with a leg drop but Snake rolls out of the way.
Snake gets to his feet and tries to give Krystian an anaconda stretch but Krystian counters with a hip toss. Krystian Irish whips Snake into the turnbuckle and delivers a ten punch combo before playing the crowd. Snake interrupts the show with a dropkick but Krystian jumps to his feet. Snake attempts a rolling dropkick but Krystian ducks it. Snake gets to his feet and tries a poison sting but Krystian counters into an inverted DDT and follows up with the Leap of Faith for the cover.
1.…2.…3!
(JB) I can't believe it!
(Tom) I can't either but it happened.
(JB) Well folks, after a hell of a match Krystian is the winner!
Trust Me... You Can't Trust Him
Backstage again! I just love it back here, don't you?
This time, we're in the locker room area. As was the case once earlier, we're here with two men. They're dressed the same as they were then, so I won't bother describing that again. I'll just tell you: It's Spaz and Twitch.
(Twitch) Where is Pez taking Twitch?
Spaz smiles.
(Spaz) We're going to have a word with Mike Stryker.
Twitch stops.
(Twitch) Twitch wants no part of Hitch Hiker! After what Cold Snap could have done earlier, Pez shouldn't either!
Spaz pats his manager on the shoulder.
(Spaz) Don't worry about Stryker, Twitch. We're just going to talk.
They walk in silence for a moment and arrive at their destination: A door labeled "Mike Stryker." Spaz knocks. A few seconds later, the door opens, and Mike Stryker is standing there, looking slightly surprised.
(Stryker) What do you want?
Spaz smiles.
(Spaz) I'd just like a quick word.
Stryker glares at Spaz.
(Stryker) Fine. But make it quick... I have a Title to win.
Spaz nods.
(Spaz) I want to give you some friendly advice.
Stryker laughs.
(Stryker) Why in the world would I take advice from you of all people?
(Spaz) Because I don't want you to end up where I was a couple of months ago... At the receiving end of a Shadow Kick from someone I thought was my friend.
Stryker laughs again, but Spaz continues on.
(Spaz) Look, I admire your loyalty. Lane's had your back in the past. Helped you get to where you are today. Trust me, he did the same for me. I might not be standing here right now if it weren't for him. But the second he felt I didn't fit his plans, that was it.
(Stryker) That's the difference between you and me Candyman. You found a way to not fit his plans anymore. You got on his bad side. Say what you will about what he's been recently, but he's never wronged me in the past, he won't wrong me in the future.
Spaz shakes his head.
(Spaz) That's where you're wrong. Mike Lane is in this for one person and one person only: Mike Lane. Not the Thomas Brothers. Not you. If you side with him, he'll use you, then throw you away. You can't trust him any more than I could.
Stryker looks to be getting bored of this particular lecture.
(Stryker) Are you done? I understand what you're saying, and I already know about your perceived "risks" involved in this. Last I checked, you're not my daddy, and you're not my priest, so you don't have a say in what I do.
Spaz sighs, then nods.
(Spaz) I've said my piece. It's up to you to make your choice.
(Stryker) That's about the smartest thing you've said.
Another sigh from Spaz.
(Spaz) Alright then. I'll see you out there.
Spaz reaches out a hand, offering it to Stryker.
(Spaz) May the best man win.
Stryker smiles.
(Stryker) I will.
Stryker closes the door, without shaking Spaz's hand. Spaz sighs again, and we're done here.
(JB) I think Mike Stryker would be smart to take Spaz's advice!
(Tom) Once again proving that you are a complete idiot. There's no downside to joining the Empire!
(JB) How can you say that, Bear? After all we've seen, it's pretty obvious that what Spaz said about Mike Lane is true. He's in this for himself and nobody else!
(Tom) Which is exactly the way it should be!
(JB) Then shouldn't Stryker simply stand on his own, and not join Mike Lane's Empire?
(Tom) Of course not! Joining The Empire would be a huge career move for anybody, and what's more self-serving than boosting your own career?
(JB) I can think of bigger career moves than playing second fiddle to Mike Lane.
(Tom) You're delusional.
(JB) Pot, meet kettle.
(Tom) Huh?
(JB) Never mind.
Warpath IV: Surprise!
Ashley Collier stands in front of large gray metal door marked "Commissioner's Office". Ashley runs his fingertips over the cold metal. He takes his victory in for a moment, before he pushes the door inward and steps into Ray Buchanan's office.
Buchanan is sitting behind his desk with our back to us and Ashley. He is looking over some paperwork but as he hears the door slam behind Ashley, he becomes aware of someone's presence.
(Buchanan) McJohnson, what took you so long?
Ashley doesn't speak, he barely even breathes. He just stands there, his eyes burning a hole through the back of Buchanan's chair.
(Buchanan) McJohnson?
Ray spins around in his chair and his eyes lock onto a battered and bloodied Ashley Collier. Ray is pretty damn surprised and his voice stammers for a moment.
(Buchanan) Why in the... how the... what the hell are you doing Collier?
Ashley smiles, but soon winces as he grabs for his hurt ribs. He tries to laugh, but it hurts to much. He moves a few steps forward and places his blood covered fists upon Ray Buchanan's desk.
(Ashley) Ray-Ray, how are you doing tonight?
Ray's eyes narrow to small little slits. He doesn't want to see Ashley and he sure as hell doesn't care for what he has to say.
(Buchanan) What do you want?
(Ashley) What do I want? Good question, Ray. I'll tell you what I want, because you obviously don't know how to pick up your fucking phone! You have three options Ray, I expect you to choose wisely.
Option A, you reinstate me effective immediately.
Option B, you release me from my contract right now and you abolish the no-compete clause.
Option C, I knock you the fuck out right here and now.
Ray moves quickly and pages McJohnson, but there is no answer from the other line. He then tries several other security guards, but that doesn't work either. Ashley smirks and lets out a chuckle, before he grimaces in pain again.
(Ashley) Don't even bother Ray, I've taken care of your security guards. You will find I took the liberty of giving them the rest of the night off.
Ray gets a disgusted look across his face like he just watched someone spit on his double cheeseburger. He crosses his arms against his chest and looks sternly into Collier's eyes.
(Buchanan) Ashley, I'll reinstate you, but you aren't being rewarded for the trainwreck you caused tonight. On the next Annihilation I'm booking you in a Gauntlet match against other NAFW superstars of my choosing!
Buchanan pauses, and stares at Collier intensely.
(Buchanan) Now get the hell out of my office!
Ashley is happy to be reinstated, but being booked in Gauntlet match doesn't sit to well with him. He leaves Buchanan's office, but he makes sure to slam the door behind him. Just because he doesn't like that self-righteous prick.
Out.
(JB) Well, it seems Ashley Collier got what he wanted!
(Tom) I don't think anybody wants to be booked in a five-man Gauntlet.
(JB) At least he's booked! After the havoc he caused here tonight, Ashley Collier deserved to be put up on assault charges, not to be reinstated!
(Tom) I guess Buchanan didn't want to let go of the Born Warrior.
(JB) Here's hoping that decision was the right one!
Things Start to Get Heavy
Cut.
(Rex) Dang it! Ah'm madder than a rooster inna empty hen house!
We're in a locker room, again. It may be the same one from which Ken cut his promo. It hardly matters. Ken and Rex are in this one. Ken is sitting on a bench, watching Rex pace back and forth. He'd probably be amused, Ken would, if he didn't find the whole thing so annoying.
(Rex) First we gotta lock horns thanks ta Scotty 'n' Troy... Now we got the gals goin' at it too!
Ken doesn't say anything. He barely looks at Rex as he paces.
(Rex) Ah feel like a rubber-nosed woodpecker in a petrified forest, tryin' ta stop all this bickerin'!
Ken sits up a bit as Rex brings himself down to the floor. They sit silently a moment, commiserating, then Ken speaks.
(Ken) It's hardly a new problem.
(Rex) Ah'd sure love to knock a little sense into 'em...
Rex trails off, muttering something else that's unheard by the camera's microphone. I can tell you it had something to do with a monkey and a yarmulke. Unlike the microphone, Ken caught Rex's comment, and he chuckles.
(Rex) Ya know Kenny boy, Ah've got a little somethin' for ya!
Rex stands and goes to a locker. He opens it and pulls out a book.
(Rex) Ah had GNR pick it up... That is, 'fore she went all outta kilter... Dang woman!
Ken looks a bit frazzled, like he really doesn't want to see this. But Rex comes out with a book. He hands it to Ken, who reads the cover.
(Ken) "The Confederate Pride?"
(Rex) That's right mah boy!
Ken continues looking over the book. His reaction is... puzzling.
(Ken) Thanks.
Ken stands up.
(Ken) I gotta get moving.
(Rex) 'Night Kenny boy. Enjoy that there book!
Ken leaves the room, book in hand. He walks down the hall, without pauses, without hesitation. After several seconds Ken passes a trash can. He chucks the book into it without looking.
Cut.
(JB) Well, this is it. Our main event, and what a match this will be!
(Tom) Chain Reaction 2007! The end of The Reaper as we know it!
(JB) Well, history has not bode well for the champion entering this match, each man who has entered it with the belt has not left with it.
(Tom) And with The Reaper being a cupcake shell of himself, I think it's safe to say he's going to be the next former champion this thing crowns.
(JB) We're going to start out with two men, then every five minutes thereafter, we're going to have another entrant until we've got four men in the ring.
(Tom) And to start, we've got Sean Thomas starting out with his former partner and the man who will make history going wire to wire winning it all here... Mike Lane.
(JB) Lane has felt like since winning their Wish back at Redemption, he and Spaz have been through... but Spaz has not let up. He got himself eliminated out of the battle royal to bring closure to this thing once and for all and perhaps tonight will be it for either of them.
(Tom) What about Mike Stryker? The Old School Empire's going to rise tonight and succeed where the Thomas Brothers failed horribly.
(JB) He is the wild card in this mix. Five minutes after we see these two rivals, Stryker will be out and we do not know where he's going to fall here. If he accepts Lane's offer, it really could be a short night for Spaz. It could be even worse for the reigning champion who's got no friends in this match.
(Tom) He's the champion, what do you expect?
(JB) I expect this to be a great match, so let's throw it up to Troy Gilmore who's got our introductions.
The bell rings three times as the United Center reaches a fever pitch.
(Troy) Ladies and gentlemen, this is your main event of the evening scheduled for one fall and it is for the FOUNDATION! HEAVYWEIGHT! CHAMPIONSHIP!
Huge roar for that.
(Troy) The rules are as follows... two men will start out in the ring and every five minutes after that, another will enter until four are in the ring. After each elimination, another man will enter two minutes after the last leaves until we're left with four and then the last man standing will walk out the champion.
Troy doesn't get much further as the opening chords of “Sad But True” rock the United Center as fans get to their feet booing like the Bulls were playing. Okay, that was low, but hey... they don't like Mike Lane very much. The lights have dropped leaving a single spotlight on the entranceway. As the intro finishes up, the lights drop completely out except for a single name on the NAFWTron. Mike Lane.
(JB) Mike Lane turned on Sean Thomas only a week or so after Death Wish and at Redemption, with Dustin and Shane by his side, won the Wish they collected at Three Wishes. Sean has not let up in his pursuit of Mike and is set on proving to the world he is the better man out of the two.
(Tom) Listen to these losers boo him. I can't believe the utter disrespect this crowd's showing him. You'd think he were John Paxson or something.
(JB) He turned on Sean and has been nothing but an insufferable little...
(Tom) Shut your hole, Mann-wich. Mike's going to do this one for his Imperials all around the world.
As the lyrics come in, Lane steps out of the curtain. The intensity of the jeers increases and we can see that he is soaking it all in. He stands on the stage for a moment before hitting the crucifix pose, complete with Mike Lane Grin.
Pyro explodes behind him as Lane reaches out to smack a fan's hand, but the fan pulls away. Mr. Old School Hollywood raises up his hand, like he's going to slap the insolence out of the poor kid, but then he just grins again and continues his walk. He climbs into the ring and holds up his arm, allowing the fans to let him have it.
(Troy) From Kingsport, Tennessee... he weighs in at TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIX POUNDS!!!
The boos are nonstop as Lane starts to jog around the ring mockingly, his arms raised high in the air as if he's the champion.
(Troy) He is “Mister Old School Hollywood” and leader of the Old School Empire, ladies and gentlemen... MIKE!!! LANE!!!
Lane finally stops as he strikes the crucifix pose once again, before removing his sunglasses and handing them off to as we hear the music fade. Troy has his mic in hand ready to speak again as he begins his introduction.
(Troy) And his opponent... he hails from...
Troy doesn't get a chance to say much else after this, because Spaz is already out on the ramp. He's not tossing candy, he's not even smiling. He has a very stone-engraved look of intensity on his face, something that has Mike worried as Spaz starts to stalk towards the ring.
About a 1/3 of the way off the ramp, Spaz decides to pick up a full sprint as Lane waves him in and Troy heads for higher ground. There won't be any introductions here, Spaz doesn't need or want to hear it tonight. As he slides in, Lane greets him with a few punches but those are countered with rapid fire blows by Spaz in return as the bell rings to start Chain Reaction.
Mike Lane vs. Spaz
(JB) And we're off and running here in a hurry with Spaz and Lane going right at each other!
(Tom) Mike didn't even have time to warm up because of this sugar crazed maniac.
(JB) Remember, Lane had Spaz attacked by the Empire and kept out of the building as a ruse in the weeks leading up to this. Spaz has more than enough motivation to put Lane a few feet under the ring here tonight.
(Tom) He'd better do it in under five... no, four minutes and thirty seconds by my clock. Otherwise we might be witnessing the end of Spaz as we know it.
Spaz has Lane backed into a corner and has started to pepper Lane with multiple chops, before winding up and pasting him with a hard backhand that causes him to stumble out of the corner clutching his chest.
Spaz hops up on the second rope and jumps off, only he goes lower than anyone in the arena expected as Lane's upended and is clutching his knee. Yes, Spaz just hit a second rope chop block right to Lane's right knee. Spaz is on top of things, holding that knee and stretching it out as far as it can go, kicking away on it before cinching in a spinning toe hold as Lane tries to fight out of it.
(JB) I don't recall ever seeing Spaz this focused before. He has been on Lane from the word 'go' and I think he's seeking retribution for that attack by Shane and Dustin on Annihilation 15!
(Tom) This is wrong! Someone turn that clock forward so the Big City Hitman can get out here and stop this!
Spaz stops briefly to look at the clock, seeing that there's only three minutes left before Stryker gets out and he's in need of wrapping this up. Spaz with hold of the leg, goes around and hooks the other one locking in of all things, a figure four in the center of the ring.
Lane's screaming in pain as his eyes are bulging out of his head, while Spaz torques back as far as he can as Lane is flailing for all he's worth trying to avoid lying down where the pain can really settle in. Unfortunately for Mike, with the pressure on his right knee, his flailing is doing more harm than good and he falls flat on the mat as referee James Elbourn applies the count but only gets two.
Spaz starts rocking back and forth as Lane sits up, using his reach to grab at Spaz only to get slapped away. Lane out of desperation starts to try and turn the maneuver as Spaz tries and fight it.
Lane is starting to get nowhere with this and decides to do the next best thing, namely pound away on Spaz's bum knee repeatedly forcing Spaz to break the hold. Lane is a bit worse for wear after being locked in that figure four, but looks at the clock and sees that the time's at 2:30 and counting.
Spaz is the first to his feet and starts after Lane only to have him cower towards the ropes, begging for mercy. Spaz charges in only to have Lane pitch him to the outside through the ropes as Lane quickly crawls away, trying to buy himself some time. Spaz is starting to get to his feet as Lane gets to his inside the ring, staring out at Spaz whose back is towards him.
Lane takes something of a running start and tries to hit a slide, only Spaz moves out of the way and catches Lane with a superkick flush on the jaw. Spaz picks Lane up and drags him towards the Portuguese Announce Table, slamming his head off of it not once, but thrice before Lane stumbles backwards in a drunken stupor. He drops to the floor in a heap as Spaz looks up at the clock and sees the clock hitting 2:15.
(JB) Spaz has been in command here for the most part and Lane's really in trouble.
(Tom) Lane's roping him just like Ali did Foreman. You watch, once Spaz gets tired, he's finished.
(JB) We're at the two minute mark now and Stryker will be our third man out.
(Tom) I'm telling you, the Empire will reign supreme.
Spaz has gotten Lane back into the ring as Spaz waits for Lane to get to his feet. Spaz bounces off the ropes and drops Lane with a clothesline. He bounces off again and he drops him once again with another one. His attempt for a third is blocked, as Lane runs off the ropes and catches Spaz on the rebound with a knee to the stomach.
This stops the momentum as Spaz is holding his stomach after the blow and Lane is gingerly hopping around on his sore knee. He takes to the offensive, proceeding to stomp away on the fallen Lane. Spaz is grabbed up by Lane who spins before dropping Spaz with a discus lariat. He makes a quick cover that obviously doesn't hit two as Spaz gets a shoulder up.
Lane's smiling as the clock hits 1:30 and we're only 90 seconds away from having another man enter the battle. Not just any man mind you, but his former FLF mate, Mike Stryker. Lane starts to stomp away on Spaz, soaking in the boos as he pauses briefly to just take it all in laughing.
He grabs Spaz by the throat, pulling him to his throat and is just giving him the verbal business as he squeezes the life out of him. He stops to give it to the fans, a little bit, just letting time run down as he waits for Stryker to arrive. As he turns back towards Spaz, Spaz fires back with a kick to the stomach and then another quick one straight to the knee he worked on in the earlier part of the match.
The fans are starting to rally behind Spaz as he finally breaks loose of his grip, hitting the ropes and missing a clothesline attempt. Lane hits the other side as the two rebound and hit the air at the same time. It should be noted that the two were a step ahead of each other trying for a cross body block.
Both connected and both hit the mat. Hard. Spaz and Lane crash land, holding their ribs taking the wind out of each other as time continues to tick down.
(JB) We're at thirty seconds and counting as both Lane and Spaz are down in the center of the ring after that high impact move!
(Tom) I'm telling you, it's curtains for Spaz. He should've put Lane away and now, we're only 25 seconds away from Stryker joining the Empire and taking his place right alongside his good pal Mike Lane.
(JB) You really can't believe that Stryker's going to do it. I mean seriously, what reason does he have to trust Mike Lane?
(Tom) Oh, I dunno. Maybe the fact that Lane's never crossed Stryker in the past for starters.
(JB) It looks like we're just ten seconds away from finding out.
(Tom) Just nine more seconds until the Empire makes its Chain Reaction return. You realize this is the first time ever Stryker's been in Chain Reaction?
(JB) No, I didn't.
(Tom) You should do your homework, Mann-ball.
JB sighs as the crowd counts down from five as the NAFWTron goes backwards to four...
Three...
Two...
One...
The NAFWTron flashes various images of NYC AKA the Big Apple as we hear the voice of Troy Gilmore over the intro to “Til' I Collapse” by Eminem.
(Troy) Making his way down the aisle, he is the third entrant into our Chain Reaction match.
The crowd's roaring like you wouldn't believe as Mike Stryker comes out with a rather intense glare on his face. Spaz and Lane are just starting to get to their feet inside of the ring, the count temporarily interrupted by Stryker's arrival into this match.
(Troy) He weighs in at two hundred and twenty-seven pounds and tonight, attempts to add the one missing piece to his already storied resume here in the NAFW. Ladies and gentlemen, he is the Big City Hitman...
Stryker starts down the aisle, not really making contact with either man in the ring, he's simply set on the ring itself and taking care of some unfinished business. He doesn't see the fans who are reaching out for him, doesn't even hear the music, the roar of the fans or even Troy's introduction, he's only hearing the thumping in his chest and that voice in his head telling him that this is his night.
(Troy) MIKE! STRYKER!
Mike Lane vs. Spaz vs. Mike Stryker
Stryker hits the apron and hops up, staring at both men as Spaz and Lane have hit their feet and stand on opposite sides of the ring. Stryker stands on the apron, staring at both men as he slowly makes his way in through the middle and top ropes. The music stops as Lane's got a huge grin on his face, Spaz doesn't seem too happy at the possibility of being in an impromptu two on one situation with no help in sight.
(JB) I don't envy Spaz's position in the least bit.
(Tom) If I were staring at the unenviable task of having to go through the Hollywood Hitmen, I wouldn't be all that happy either. Nice knowing ya Spazzola.
(JB) Stryker said he'd let us know tonight whether he'd accept Lane's offer or not, Lane's made every conceivable move there's to make and the time's now. What's he going to do?
Well, what will he do? Right now, the scene's the same as it was just a few moments ago. Lane's standing next to Stryker, who's as distant as Webster's definition of the word will allow. Spaz is standing on the far side of the ring, not too sure of how to take this or what his next move is.
Stryker's starting to talk with Lane, as Lane points at Spaz and basically motions that they're going to polish him off now. Stryker nods and agrees, but as they start advancing towards Spaz, Stryker stops. He leans back in the corner and simply lets Lane advance on his longtime rival, all the while Lane's thinking there's someone else behind him.
It's not until Spaz points and Lane turns around that he sees Stryker standing in the corner, with his arms stretched out holding both ropes that this hits Lane. The other thing that hits Lane is a Spaz Out that he never sees coming as he took his eye off the ball and his opponent.
(Tom) What's he doing?! MIKE! HELP HIM!
(JB) He's letting Lane fight his own battle.
(Tom) How dare he spit in the face of the Empire! How dare he disappoint all of the little Imperials who were looking forward to a Hollywood Hitmen reunion! He'll pay for this.
(JB) Well, right now Stryker doesn't appear to be too moved either way by this. Lane's on the defensive and Spaz is taking the fight to Mr. Old School Hollywood.
Spaz has gained his second wind, hitting a leg drop on Lane as he shoots a glare in the general direction of Stryker. He holds his arms out while staring at Stryker, as if to say if you're gonna make your move, do it now only Stryker does nothing. He says nothing as Spaz hits the ropes again and comes off hitting a Sweetsault. Once again, no reaction from Stryker.
Spaz starts to cover Lane, but his eyes never leave Stryker who's still in the corner not moving an inch. The ref counts and only gets two as Lane kicks out. Still, Spaz can't help but keep an eye on Stryker. Spaz stays behind Lane as Mike pulls himself to his feet, Mike looks to the corner and reaches out towards Stryker who still isn't moving.
Reoccurring theme is it not? Oblivious to all of them is the fact that two minutes have gone by and there's a really big masked guy on his way out next. Lane turns around and catches Spaz's leg on an attempted kick, but eats the other one as an enziguri puts Lane on the mat. Spaz finally gets up and walks towards Stryker, confronting the Big City Hitman as Spaz is the only one that's really talking. Stryker's in the corner with a rather stoic look on his face as Spaz continues to try and get some type of reaction from Stryker.
After a few moments of nothing, Spaz throws his hands up and simply shrugs, before he hits Stryker with a hard right to the face. Stryker's jaw is rocked as Spaz turns around to see Lane getting to his feet. Spaz continues the offense on Stryker, attempting the Irish Whip on Stryker which Stryker reverses as Spaz goes running right into a waiting Lane. Lane catches Spaz and flips him over with a Degeneration or T-Bone Suplex.
Lane smirks and smiles, as Stryker finally shows some type of reaction for the first time in this match holding his jaw. Anger. He pushes past Lane and starts to stomp away on Spaz as Lane applauds and attempts to catch his breath a bit. Stryker goes on the offensive, going right for the left knee as he lands a series of well placed stomps to the back of the left knee. He puts the leg down and pulls Spaz up, as Spaz fights him off only to succumb to Lane coming over to land a blow.
This has little effect as Spaz hits him with a hard right, going back and forth with both before Lane clubs him from the back and hits a rather vicious Osaka Street Cutter that puts Spaz down. Lane makes the cover rather haphazardly as Stryker stands back and watches on.
Elbourn hits two before Spaz gets that shoulder up as Lane is furious. He attempts to cover again, this time going for a full lateral press as Elbourn counts one more time, again, only getting two. He gets to his feet and is stomping up a storm as he pouts, looking towards Stryker who's in the corner content with letting Lane fight his own battle.
(JB) This is very interesting to see here. Stryker's not really helping Lane, but he's not entirely out of this thing either.
(Tom) He needs to be helping Mike put him away! Mr. Old School Hollywood needs you, Mike! The Imperials need you!
The crowd counting down from ten cuts him off, as the clock has started its final descent before we reach the arrival of our next entrant. Lane's eyes shift from Spaz who's still down as he looks at the entranceway. Stryker has finally moved, turning his eyes towards the entranceway as the countdown now hits six.
FIVE!
FOUR!
THREE!
TWO!
ONE!
The lights in the arena dim just enough as we hear the distorted, soothing voice of Beth Gibbons from Portishead ringing throughout the United Center.
”Hush- can you hear?”
YOU KNOW I'M NOT DEAD
The violent chords of “The Everlasting Gaze” by The Smashing Pumpkins kicks in as the flashing white light floods the arena. The seven foot behemoth known as Hush comes out from the Cougar Position with that hangman style mask, as Essex walks out with him proudly.
(Troy) From parts unknown, he weighs in at well over THREE HUNDRED POUNDS!
Lane and Stryker both have not taken their eyes off of the behemoth that walks with what one would call a BMF walk because when you're that big, you are a bad mofo.
(Troy) He is... HUSH!
Mike Lane vs. Spaz vs. Mike Stryker vs. Hush
A huge roar comes over the crowd as Hush is seemingly oblivious to the instructions being given to him by Aleister who has a cane in his left hand. Hush comes to the apron and steps up, onto it while holding on to the top rope. As he stands on the apron, those cold eyes of his stare right at Lane and Stryker, who stand almost frozen in place until Hush makes a move to get himself inside the ring.
Stryker's the first one to react, as he and Hush are no strangers to each other. Stryker begins peppering Hush with rights and lefts, that have next to no effect whatsoever on him as he shoves Stryker away with the greatest of ease. Hush takes another step forward and here comes Stryker again, rolling through his initial shove as he throws another flurry his way.
Hush grabs Stryker by the throat this time, clearly annoyed as he hoists him high in the air, that is until Lane comes rushing in with a Shadow Kick that causes Hush to drop Stryker where he stands, but has not done much other than get Hush incredibly angry.
(JB) Did you just see that?! Hush just took a Shadow Kick to the chest and is still standing!
(Tom) I don't think I'm going to find myself saying this often, if at all tonight, but Mike, run.
Mike does run, but he runs in the opposite direction and tries for yet another Shadow Kick. This time the leg is caught by Hush who slams his massive right paw into Lane's chest as he hoists him high overhead and down into the mat to the roar of the crowd.
As Hush starts to stalk Lane, he takes his eyes off of Stryker who takes this opportunity to head up top and come off with a top rope elbow drop that catches Hush on his left shoulder. Hush snaps his head around and lunges towards Stryker who ducks out of the way, deciding that going low is the way to go. So Stryker chop blocks Hush in the leg in an attempt to take him off of his feet.
Hush starts to stagger a little as Stryker goes off the ropes again and catches Hush in the back of the leg once more, causing the behemoth to teeter. Stryker's getting a head of steam as he goes off the ropes once more, only this time Hush turns to greet him with a boot to the face on his good leg that turns Stryker inside out.
(JB) My God! Hush is unstoppable. A modified chokeslam to Lane who was caught in the middle of a Shadow Kick, a boot to Stryker's face and uh-oh... Spaz is the only one left.
(Tom) I think now I can start to enjoy this.
(JB) Spaz is just recovering from that Osaka Street Cutter he caught earlier on, but I think this would be as great a time as any for him to head for higher ground.
(Tom) He's too stupid to do that.
Spaz has come to only to see that Lane's still thrashing about the mat with his hands holding his ribs and back. Stryker's breathing after eating Hush's massive boot to his face. Spaz on the other hand, stands undaunted, but clearly taken aback by the sheer size of Hush. Of course, Hush isn't giving him the time to take it all in as he starts towards Spaz.
Spaz waits until Hush has lunged for him, ducking out of the way as he starts to pound away on Hush's ribs and kidneys a little, only to have Hush spin around as he grabs Spaz and tosses him by his throat almost halfway across the ring. Hush lets out a primal roar, before starting towards the fallen Spaz. He gets him up by both hands, tossing him into the corner, as he lifts that massive boot off the ground and plants it right on Spaz's throat.
The ref's five count seems to be neither here nor there to Hush, he could care less as he finally removes his foot at 4.5. He sends Spaz in for the ride and he hits the other side hard, as Hush takes a jogging start which leads to a full on charge as Spaz does the only thing his body will permit him to do at this point.
Fall to the other side out of Hush's path. Hush hits the turnbuckle hard enough to stun him, giving Spaz a momentary reprieve. Thomas is still gasping for air as Stryker is the first to his feet, shaking out the cobwebs and seeing Hush in the corner still a little dazed.
Stryker takes a running start and throws his body weight into Hush sandwiching him into the turnbuckle, as Hush has a little air knocked out of him. Stryker starts to pound away on Hush, throwing any and everything he possibly can at the mammoth, while he's not exactly on his game as it were. Spaz comes over and helps out with kicks to the knees to get the big man off his feet.
They both drag Hush out of the corner, as Lane sits back from a distance observing the proceedings as he recovers from Hush's earlier assault. Spaz and Stryker are continuing to pound away on Hush, with Stryker going high and Spaz going low.
(JB) You've got teamwork by Spaz and Stryker who I think have come to the realization that by themselves, they're no match for the awesome power of Hush.
(Tom) Gee, ya think Mann-dolt? Hush is unstoppable. Let's see Stryker get this big man off his feet now that he can't throw him off of ladder through a stack of tables.
(JB) Making reference to their Last Man Standing encounter at Death Wish I see.
(Tom) But of course, I unlike you do my homework.
Hush is finally down to a knee, as Stryker and Spaz decide to hook Hush in for a double suplex. They go in and get him hooked, attempting to bring him over only it doesn't go as planned with Hush blocking the first attempt. They try again and once more, Hush is not on it.
In a massive exhibition of strength that gets everyone in the United Center on their feet, Hush lifts up BOTH MEN and holds them for all of a few moments before dropping them both. Why did he drop both, you ask? Because in the short window of time it took for Hush to expose his ribs, Lane decided it'd be a great idea to bury his foot in them with yet another Shadow Kick.
This drops the big man to a knee as Stryker, Lane and Spaz all look at each other. They decide that for the time being, collectively, it'd be in their best interests to turn their collective energies towards getting Hush out of town.
Stryker takes a few steps back and catches Hush with a superkick that meets its mark right on the jaw, staggering Hush a little. Spaz takes a running start and catches Hush with a Sweets Kick that staggers Hush back to the point where he's teetering.
Lane's smiling as he takes a running start from behind Hush and comes back, giving Hush a full frontal Shadow Kick that meets Hush right in the mush. So why hasn't Hush dropped like a redwood yet, because he's currently down to one knee and has that massive ham he calls a right hand planted in the mat to keep him from dropping. Spaz gets a running start once again and catches Hush with a picture perfect dropkick.
Stryker runs off and hits a shining wizard, that gets Hush down on both knees and for the first time all night, he's looking like he's about done. Lane starts back one more time as he runs from behind Hush and comes back, only he drops to the mat in a heap before his foot can renew acquaintances with Hush's face.
(JB) What the?! Essex just waffled Lane with a steel chair!
(Tom) Aleister! NO!
(JB) This is going to go down as a disqualification and I don't think Essex really cares.
(Tom) I understand protecting your investment to a point, but doesn't he realize that he's costing Hush his first legitimate shot at the Foundation Heavyweight Championship?
The bell rings as James Elbourn waves his hands back and forth, signifying that Essex is the reason Hush has been eliminated.
(Troy) Ladies and gentlemen, as a result of outside interference from Aleister Essex, Hush has been eliminated.
This gets Essex up on the apron to complain, not that this will change much of anything. Elbourn states his case, open and shut as it is, to Essex as Hush is starting to come around. Apparently as if having multiple boots bouncing off his skull, the reality that he is out of the running for the Foundation Heavyweight Championship is enough to cause him to freak out in a major way.
As Spaz and Stryker start to slug it out with each other, they make the fatal mistake of turning their back on the massive Hush, who's now on his feet. He spins both men around, throwing his hands around both of their gullets as he yanks them both up and drives them both down in a major way.
He lets out a rather guttural scream, as he snaps his head around towards Mike Lane who's just now starting to come to his feet after that unexpected chair shot by Essex. He's still staggering about, totally clueless to the massive hand that's waiting to get not so friendly with Mike's throat.
That is until Hush's massive hand claps itself around Lane's throat. Lane attempts to do what he can to fight this off, only he's unsuccessful as he's yanked up off the ground in a hurry and planted down just as quickly.
(JB) My GOD! Hush has just left everyone lying with chokeslams galore.
(Tom) Hush 3. Competition, ZERO. Thanks for playing chaps.
(JB) Hush has been disqualified as a result of Essex hitting Lane with a steel chair before he could deliver yet another Shadow Kick and Hush has flat out lost all control.
(Tom) To say he's lost all control would imply he had any to begin with.
(JB) He's going ballistic as he's now out of the ring, kicking the ring steps out of place and despite every possible attempt by Essex to calm this man down, he's still going off.
(Tom) Looks like what's left of Security's out here to try and get the big man to leave and... WHOA!
(JB) Big boot to the face of one of the security guards!
(Tom) Goozle! Nice knowing ya guy!
(JB) Chokeslam! Hush has absolutely flipped out in front of our very eyes and we're still awaiting the arrival of Tyrone Smith who's next to come out as soon as the clock ticks down.
(Tom) If I'm Tyrone and Hush is still out here when it's his time, I'd much assume to stay in the back.
Please allow me, Nate the Great, to tag myself in. I just got in from a train with Tyler's mom.
Hush isn't too happy because he is letting out blood curdling screams the entire way up the ramp. "Lip Gloss and Black" by Atreyu hits the arena speakers and Tyrone steps out from behind the curtain, only to run straight into Hush.
Mike Lane vs. Spaz vs. Mike Stryker vs. Tyrone Smith
The monster grabs the artist formerly known as Crazy Boy by the throat and throws him down the ramp. Tyrone rolls to a stop at the bottom, but Hush is right behind him. The monster picks Smith up and gorilla presses him over his head. He tosses The Crazy One chest first into the barricade.
(JB) Hush is going to take Tyrone out of this match before he even enters it!
(Tom) You don't get in Hush's way.
The ref is screaming at Hush from the ring, but the monster ignores him. He grabs Tyrone Smith and drags him in front of the announce position. He moves his right hand around the throat of Tyrone and then lifts him high into the air.
(Tom) INCOMING!!!!!
(JB) Abandon ship, Bear!
JB and Bear scatter as if they were cockroaches and someone just turned the light on. Tyrone's body obliterates the announce position as Hush stands over him menacingly after the chokeslam.
(JB) Hush is a sick freak!
(Tom) Shut up, Mannwagon! He is right in front of you!
The last few remaining members of the NAFW Security Force come out from the back and begin to usher Hush to the back. That doesn't really work to well because the Monster just goes about destroying every security guard that steps in his path, just like he did with the last batch!
(JB) This is absolute anarchy!
(Tom) This is awesome! Hush is the greatest destructive force since the Terror Twins!
And Mike thinks he is the king of shilling! Anycrap, if you forgot we actually have a match going on in the ring. Spaz, Stryker, and Lane have all been watching Hush's path of destruction, but Lane being the opportunistic veteran he is attacks Sean Thomas from behind.
He buries his boot into Spaz's head several times before he turns around right into a left hand from Mike Stryker. Stryker reels off several more big shots before he runs through Lane with a clothesline.
(JB) And Stryker is taking advantage of the distraction!
(Tom) Com'on Lane!
Spaz gets to his feet and runs at Stryker, kicking him in the face with a dropkick. He drops a quick leg drop across the throat, right before Lane gets to his feet and levels his former tag team partner with a clothesline from behind. He picks Thomas up and whips him into the ropes, spinebustering his ass back to the mat on the rebound.
(JB) Damn that Mike Lane!
(Tom) He is such a hero!
Stryker is back up and he peels Spaz off the mat with Lane. Mike and Mike hook Spaz and take him up and over with a thunderous double suplex.
(JB) Damn that Mike Lane!
(Tom) Hey! Stryker helped him!
(JB) But Lane is the bastard!
(Tom) Stryker is still helping him!
Tyrone is just beginning to stir now, but Spaz is a sheep amongst the wolves right now. Stryker and Lane take turns holding Spaz for one another as they abuse his facial features with combinations. After Stryker is done taking his turn using Spaz as a punching bag, Lane takes him up and slams him back down to earth with a thunderous full nelson slam.
(JB) Sean Thomas is getting his ass handed to him like a giant tub of Cool Whip!
(Tom) ...That is the dumbest line I've ever heard you say.
The Mikes are putting the leather to Spaz when Tyrone Smith appears on the apron. He clinches the top rope and springs himself up onto it and then off like an incoming missile.
(JB) And Tyrone Smith interjects himself into the equation with a Springboard Double Clothesline!
(Tom) How the hell did he get up?
Tyrone helps Spaz to his feet and they both pick a Mike to square off with. Spaz with Lane and Smith with Stryker.
(JB) Things are about to pick up folks!
Spaz and Tyrone use their momentum to assault the Mikes with kicks and punches. They back each one up into opposite corners and then Irish Whip them at each other. The Mike's see it coming though and use each other to Irish whip themselves back at their attackers. Lane barrels back into Spaz with a running knee, while Stryker Cactus Clotheslines Tyrone out of the ring.
(Tom) What a counter by Mike and Mike!
Lane picks Spaz up for a powerbomb, but Thomas turns it into a huracanrana with a pin.
(JB) Lane kicks out at two!
(Tom) You need something better than that to put away Old School Hollywood!
Stryker picks Tyrone up on the outside and Irish whips him into the steel steps. Smith connects with it knees first and flips up over the steel and back to the floor. Stryker follows him and picks him up and then slams his face into the ring apron.
(JB) Stryker is staying on top of Tyrone!
(Tom) Get that Crazy Bastard Mike!
Tyrone elbows Mike off and creates enough separation to leap onto the Apron, then back flip off and catches Stryker with a DDT.
(JB) What athletic prowess being showed by Tyrone Smith!
Back inside the ring, Lane and Spaz are exchanging fisticuffs. Thomas then hits an Enziguri. Lane stands there dazed for a moment, before he does a Ric Flair flop to the mat.
(Tom) Aw, dammit!
(JB) What an Enziguri kick by Sean Thomas!
Spaz makes a cover, but he barely even gets a two count. Both men rise and start going at it again. Tyrone gets back into the ring and starts helping Spaz double team Lane. They set the larger Lane up onto the top rope and then they both hook him for a Double Superplex, but Lane is fighting it off. Stryker slides into the ring now and helps Lane out by getting underneath Spaz and Tyrone... if you wanna consider what he does next help.
(JB) By gawd that shook the building!
(Tom) This is beginning to look more like a car wreck than a wrestling match!
Three bodies crashed into the mat. Lane from a double superplex and Spaz and Tyrone from a Mike Stryker one man double powerbomb. All four are down and out for the moment. The fans count along with the refs ten count.
1...
2...
3...
4...
5...
6...
7...
8...
Stryker and Tyrone have gotten to their feet. Spaz is in the process using the ropes for assistance. The ref stops his count and Stryker and Tyrone charge each other. The two men are quite familiar with each other and they exchange a series of arm drags, before Stryker drop toe holds Smith and tries to hook in the New York Clover Leaf.
(JB) Stryker looking to end Smith's night!
(Tom) LOOK OUT MIKE!
Stryker catches Spaz's Sweets Kick right to his dome and he falls to the mat in a heap. Thomas is pretty pleased with himself, until...
(Tom) SHADOW KICK!
(JB) Damn that Mike Lane!
(Tom) When will you stop saying that?
Lane makes the nonchalant foot on chest cover and fans begin throwing trash in the ring at him.
1...
2...
(Tom) NOOOOOOOOOO!
(JB) Tyrone Smith just saved Sean Thomas with that Superkick!
Indeed he did and TS makes the cover, but a recovering Stryker breaks it up. Mike picks Tyrone up and whips him into the corner. The artist formerly known as Crazy Boy runs up the turnbuckles, trumping Stryker. Mike runs into the corner, but Tyrone leaps off backwards, twists and mid air and smacks Stryker right in the face with the heel of his boot.
(JB) Tyrone Smith pulling out all the stops!
(Tom) I think he broke his nose!
Blood is beginning to trickle from the bridge and nostrils of Mike Stryker. He rolls around in pain before just rolling out of the ring to the floor to recuperate. Spaz is up now and his partnering with The Crazy One is over because they begin to exchange blows. Crazy gets the advantage and throws Spaz out of the ring.
(JB) Smith is picking up momentum!
(Tom) If he wins Chain Reaction, I swear to god I am going to jump out a window.
Mike Lane must really like Bear, because he attacks Tyrone from behind. He backs him up into the corner and sets him on the top rope. Lane goes for a Belly to Belly but Smith blocks it and pushes Lane to mat. The flashbulbs erupt as Tyrone Smith leaps off the top rope going for a 450 Splash.
(Tom) Lane got the knees up!
(JB) Tyrone crashes and burns!
Lane covers a flopping Crazy Boy as Mike Stryker pulls a sliding Sean Thomas back out of the ring.
(JB) Damn that Mike Lane!
(Tom) Mike Lane eliminates Tyrone Smith!
(JB) Damn him!
Mike Lane vs. Spaz vs. Mike Stryker vs. Kyle Cole
"Bullet With A Name" hits the arena speakers and Kyle Cole walks out from behind the curtain. He runs to the ring and slides in, catching a recuperating Mike Lane with rights and lefts. Lane fires back with his own punches, before Kyle catches him with an elbow.
The Anti-Hero Superstar runs forward and catches Lane with a lariat.
Kyle continues the attack on Lane, stomping away on Mr. Old School Hollywood as Stryker and Spaz continue to slug it out on the outside. Stryker hits Spaz with two hard rights knocking Spaz back up against the railing, as he takes a few steps back and turns, as he gets a running start and sprints towards Spaz.
He's looking for a clothesline, only Spaz has it scouted and ducks underneath pitching Stryker up and over the railing as he is more or less seated in the first row rather harshly. Spaz drops to a knee, observing what's going on in the ring as Cole snatches Lane up and continues to pelt Lane with elbows to the face. He bounces off the ropes and catches Cole with a back elbow to the mush.
(JB) Kyle's been on a roll here in the early going, Lane's reeling at the moment.
(Tom) That fogey had to ambush Mike when he wasn't able to defend himself. That's typical Kyle Cole.
(JB) In any event, Spaz is still on the outside lurking while Stryker's still in the crowd after being sent over thanks to Spaz.
(Tom) What's Spaz doing? Picking his spot or something?
That's exactly what he's doing actually. After dropping Lane with an inverted atomic drop and body slam, Cole's heading up top as he stops to appease the crowd. With Lane lying prone, he comes down dropping an elbow that finds its mark right in Mike's chest.
Cole now is fired up, as Spaz turns back towards the railing to see Stryker attempting to climb over. This is stopped in its tracks with a dropkick that's flush on the mark, as Cole stands in the corner, waiting on Lane to get to his feet. Spaz rushes around to the other side, as Cole's back is to him, Kyle unable to see Spaz sliding in.
Just as Cole starts to move forward for a Dreamweaver Deluxe, he's spun around by Spaz who hooks him in and drives him down with a Sugar Rush that comes out of nowhere. Cole's planted into the mat like a tree and as Lane drops to his knees in exhaustion, Spaz rolls over Cole for the three count which is fairly academic at this point.
(JB) Spaz just eliminated the Anti-Hero Superstar!
(Tom) Serves him right for attacking Lane without any provocation at all.
(JB) Speaking of without provocation and attacks, this leaves just two more individuals and the man up next won the battle royal to determine the next to last entry in this Chain Reaction match.
(Tom) You're talking about the man who's going to become the new Foundation Heavyweight Champion after he drives home the final nail in The Reaper's coffin, right?
(JB) I'm talking about the man who set our champion on fire only days after he won the title, then went on a crusade to break Charlene's neck and Lorenzo's ankle all in an attempt to get back at Aarons for breaking his wife's neck three years ago.
(Tom) And the capper comes tonight when Heatwave takes home the title.
Mike Lane vs. Spaz vs. Mike Stryker vs. Heatwave
Heatwave comes out to a chorus of boos, as he makes his way down the aisle without a care in the world. However, as he gets a few feet away from the apron, he's surprised by Mike Stryker who leaps out of the crowd like a Raptor out of a bush in Jurassic Park.
He's all over Heatwave pelting him with lefts and rights as the fan react in kind. Inside the ring, Spaz and Mike Lane are just starting to get to their feet as Stryker and Heatwave continue their battle on the outside. Rather, Stryker continues to forcefully drive his fists into Heatwave's face.
(JB) Inside the ring, we're back to the initial two that started this evening off. Lane is putting the boots to Thomas as Heatwave has finally gotten away from Stryker and is attempting to create some distance between himself and Stryker.
(Tom) That Stryker's a madman, how dare he assault Heatwave before he even hits the ring.
(JB) Remember how he attempted to barbecue Stryker shortly after Redemption?
(Tom) Eh, he was only playing.
(JB) Well it looks like Stryker's not, as OH MY GOD!!!
Stryker just tightrope walked the barricade going around the left side and catching Heatwave with a spear as he continues to pelt hard right hands down on top of the Madman From Miami. The fans are going ballistic as even Lane has to stop albeit briefly to see what's going on. This proves to be a mistake on Lane's part, as this gives Spaz just enough time to gather himself.
Spaz sees that Lane's attention is turned towards Stryker and bounces off the ropes, catching Lane in the back with a dropkick. Lane falls forward into the ropes and finds himself stumbling backwards into a waiting Thomas who grabs Lane and brings him over for a German Suplex. Thomas flips himself over and hits a perfect handspring bridging himself over Lane.
(JB) PIN!
1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Tom) Kick out Lane! KICK OUT!!!
2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(JB) There's Stryker! He sees what's going on and I think he's going to stop it.
(Tom) So why isn't he moving?! MOVE MIKE! THE IMPERIALS NEED YOU!!!
Lane can't see that Stryker's staring directly at him and just as he steps through the ropes, albeit in no real hurry to speak of, the ref's hand slams down for the third and final time.
3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Tom) I... I... NO!!!!!!
(JB) Lane's been eliminated by Spaz!
(Tom) Fluke! I'm crying fluke dammit!
Lane kicks off Thomas finally, albeit a second too late. Lane sits up and is looking around, in complete and absolute shock as he smacks the mat in total and complete aggravation that his night has ended. Lane doesn't get a chance to see Stryker, who's pulled out of the ring by an angry Heatwave who knocks Stryker down with a hard right hand.
Heatwave slides into the ring and turns his attention towards Thomas who's just getting to his feet, only to be greeted with a thunderous kick to the ribs that lifts Spaz off the ground a little.
(JB) Well, we've got Stryker on the outside, Lane's eliminated and finally heading up the ramp to the locker room and we've got Heatwave stomping away on Spaz here in the corner.
(Tom) That's right, there's your beloved hero. Getting his guts stomped in by the next Foundation Heavyweight Champion.
(JB) Well, speaking of the Champion, he is on his way out next.
(Tom) Can't give up the belt from the back. Stryker's back up to his feet and he's pulling himself up with help from the apron.
(JB) Heatwave's screaming at Spaz and laughing, as he pulls Spaz to his feet and sends him to the opposite side.
(Tom) I hear the fat lady's starting to warm up for Spazzy.
(JB) Heatwave charging and... WHAT THE?!
JB's left speechless after Stryker pulls himself back up and with one swift move, hops on the top rope and stops Heatwave cold with a dropkick. The fans are on their feet as Stryker hops off of the mat roaring as he turns towards Spaz to see him in full sprint as he takes Stryker down with a Sweets Kick.
He is spent, having been in the ring longer than anyone at this point in time. All three men are down at the moment, Heatwave from the springboard dropkick, Stryker from the Sweets Kick that caught him flush on the jaw and Spaz is just down.
(JB) We've got bodies all over the place and it looks like the countdown's started as we get ready for the arrival of our final competitor of the evening.
(Tom) Oh no, not him...
10!
9!
8!
7!
Ironically enough, or not, Heatwave is the first to his feet, as he starts to shake off the effects of that dropkick. Spaz is beginning to pull himself up off the mat, trying to dig down deep realizing the end is closer than he realizes. Stryker gets up as all three men are now starting to get to their feet on opposite sides of the ring.
6!
5!
4!
Spaz takes a look at Stryker, Stryker's eyeballing Heatwave and Heatwave's looking at the clock as it ticks down the final few seconds before the champion makes his entrance.
3!
2!
1!
(JB) This is it! #8 and...
We can take it from here. The lights everywhere except for the ring start to flicker as we hear Jadakiss speaking the intro...
And I'm nice like B.I.G. is
I'm the greatest of all time
I'ma say it just like Ali did
Cue the beating of the drums from the movie “Ali” by none other than Will Smith as we hear the voiceover screaming...
THE CHAMP IS HERE!!!
More drums as the NAFWTron flashes images of The Reaper...
THE CHAMP IS HERE!!!
The drums continue as we flash back to Rage 2005 where Aarons drops Tharodund with The Reaper's Wrath before cinching in the Unhappy Ending as Tharodund's record breaking reign comes to an end in Vegas.
THE CHAMP IS HERE!!!
It's here that this cuts out to guitar riffs of the slow and deliberate variety. The fans mark out as we hear Metallica for the second time in this night, only there are two distinct reasons for it.
First, this isn't Mike Lane coming out even though there's a ring of fire a few feet away from the entranceway and secondly, while it's not “Sad But True” the song's intro is one that everyone's very familiar with.
As the riffs get heavier and the intro kicks into high gear, fans are fired up for “Enter Sandman” as a throne can be seen emerging from the ring of fire. On this throne with two Lions sitting at the edge where the armrests are, rests the reigning champ.
He's got the title draped over his left shoulder and he's clad in a pair of crimson colored fatigues on one side of his usually black PVC leather pants that have his Reaper insignia on the right which is all black and the head of Juggernaut with a platinum helmet on the other as a tribute to his fallen cousin.
He knows he's the last man out and he stands before the throne can fully rise up, ready with a bottle of Dew in his right hand. With his customary cloak slash hoodie on, he comes out of it and steps down spewing the Dew into the air as he confidently walks through the mist.
He's not trying to strike any of his trademark stuff tonight, he's not out there trying to be Mister Popular, he's out there to retain his title and maintain his throne. He knows the history before him involving every champion before him, but he doesn't care.
Between the exchange he had with Vanessa earlier, Heatwave nearly cooking him the first Annihilation after he won the belt mid-Summer and everything in between... he has a focused look in his eyes as he stares down the Madman From Miami, his former protégé as he hops onto the apron and through the middle rope ready for war.
Spaz vs. Mike Stryker vs. Heatwave vs. "The Reaper" Leonard Aarons (FH)
(JB) This is it! The final four men in the ring, two of which have been in that ring for close to an hour and change, the other two are mortal enemies from years back.
(Tom) Hope you got a snapshot of Aarons with the belt on his shoulder, because history says he's not leaving with it.
(JB) The tension between these four men is thick as we've got a competitor in all four corners staring each other down.
(Tom) You've got Spaz staring at Stryker, who's staring at Heatwave who's staring at Aarons and Aarons is simply staring at everyone. Someone move dammit!
(JB) Aarons is saying something to Heatwave and heading towards him, the two appear to be jawing back and forth and Spaz and Stryker are perfectly content with letting this just play out as...
(Tom) It's a fake! Aarons just charged Spaz and floored him with the Kneecap, Stryker just got taken out of his boots with a clothesline.
The fans aren't quite sure what to make of things, as Aarons charges Spaz and takes him off his feet with the Kneecap. He grabs Spaz by the back of the head and tosses him out of the ring, as Heatwave continues to rain down punches on top of Stryker. Aarons has Spaz at his mercy on the outside, cold cocking him with hard rights that are staggering Spaz backwards.
(JB) Aarons is knocking Spaz about 8 ways from Sunday out by us, Heatwave's busy with Stryker on the inside.
(Tom) Uhm, I think we'd best move, they're directly in front of us now.
(JB) Look out...
Aarons slams Spaz's head off of the announce position (which, for the record, has been cleaned up from Hush's assault on Tyrone Smith earlier, with yet another new table put in place) causing JB and Tom to scatter. He stops briefly to clear off the table, looking out at the crowd striking his trademark pose as he turns back towards Spaz who comes back firing with rights of his own. He gets Aarons staggering backwards a bit and steps back to spit into his open right hand.
As he steps forward, he's stopped with a clasp of The Reaper's right hand around his throat. Aarons yanks Spaz off the ground with relative ease and practically slams him through the table with a vicious Chokeslam From Illtown which of course gets the chants of “Holy S**t” going in the United Center.
(Tom) I think we need a coroner for Spaz, he's not moving.
(JB) A thunderous Chokeslam From Illtown by Aarons has sent Spaz straight through our announce table here and now Aarons is looking at Heatwave and Stryker going at each other inside the ring.
(Tom) Go Heatwave! Kick his... oh no.
(JB) Aarons is now face to face with Heatwave and the two are staring lasers through each other. It has been close to five years since these two were last in the ring against each other and after Heatwave attempted to burn Aarons alive...
(Tom) He didn't mean to, the Zippo slipped.
(JB) Stryker comes in with a forearm to the face of Aarons as he begins to club away at the champion, while Heatwave steps back.
(Tom) Just like Mike to wait until someone's got their back turned and... it's MIKE! Mike's back!!!
The crowd boos as Mike Lane has reemerged from the back, this time holding a briefcase in his hand as he has a towel draped around the back of his neck as he watches the action in the ring. Spaz is still down amidst the wreckage of what was the announce position, as he is totally oblivious to Lane's appearance out here.
(JB) Now what is he doing back out here?
(Tom) What do you think? He's going to watch these four tear through each other and much as Aarons won it, he's going to mop up the remains.
(JB) Well now we've got Aarons and Stryker trading blows, as Heatwave's now heading our way. Looks like he's going after Spaz who's just starting to get to his feet.
(Tom) Stryker's got Aarons in the corner and is pelting him with furious lefts and rights, whoa no, Aarons has reversed it and has Stryker in the corner eating hard shoulder shots to the ribs.
(JB) Heatwave's out in front of us jawing with the fans as he... OHHHHHH!!!
(Tom) Low blow! Where's the ref when ya need him?!
(JB) Sweets Kick puts Heatwave down and I think Spaz has got his second wind! Spaz up on the apron as Aarons hooks Stryker and sends him over with a Double Underhook Belly To Belly.
(Tom) What's this nut doing heading up top?
(JB) I'm not sure, but I'm fairly certain it has something to do with Aarons, who's turning towards him. Thomas leaps and...
(Tom) Whoops, looks like he got caught and... WHOA DOGGY!
Aarons caught Spaz's crossbody attempt and simply shakes his head, before throwing him onto his shoulders and delivering The Reaper's Wrath.
(Tom) Ball game.
Aarons climbs on top and hooks the leg, even though it's fairly academic at this point. What can be noticed off in the distance on the ramp is Lane counting along with the ref.
1!!!!!!!!!!!
2!!!!!!!!!!!!
3!!!!!!!!!!!!
(JB) Spaz was one of the first two out and he'll have his night ended thanks to the champion.
(Tom) Serves him right for saying he did nothing to earn it. Hey Spazoid, he just turned out your lights to keep you from becoming champion.
(JB) Is it absolutely necessary for you to pile on?
(Tom) Yes, it is actually. Oh wait, I think Lane's joining me in the laughter department. I'm telling you, Mister Old School Hollywood is going to cash that in on whatever poor sap wins this thing and walk out of here the champion. Mark my words.
(JB) Spaz's rolling out of the ring and I think it's starting to set in what's happened.
(Tom) Hey Spazzy, you lost! HA-HA!
(JB) I think he sees Lane up on the ramp with that briefcase.
(Tom) Hey, you don't want any of that. Just walk on to the locker room and leave the man alone.
(JB) Spaz's uttering a few words I can't quite repeat even on pay per view and he's off!
(Tom) It's okay, Lane will deck him with... HEY!!! He struck Old School! He can't do that!
(JB) He's going at it furiously with Lane as they slug it out and head towards the back.
(Tom) Quick, get security to break it up! He's going to take Lane away from his big moment tonight! Security! SECURITYYYYYY!!!!
(JB) We both know there's not much security left here tonight, thanks to Ashley Collier and Hush. But in any event, we're now down to three men who have been intricately linked to each other since Redemption. Stryker had his first title opportunity ruined by Heatwave, who was responsible for attempting to kill our champion on his first appearance after Death Wish.
(Tom) Heatwave's going to be our new champion, I can feel it.
Mike Stryker vs. Heatwave vs. "The Reaper" Leonard Aarons (FH)
Aarons gets up off of Spaz looking down at him and shaking his head, unaware of the fact that Stryker's standing right behind him, waiting. As Aarons backs up and turns around, he gets a double leg takedown as Stryker tries to tie both legs up. Aarons is fighting as furiously as possible to avoid the New York Cloverleaf only to succumb to it as Stryker locks it in and Aarons writhes in pain.
(JB) CLOVERLEAF!!! THE CLOVERLEAF IS LOCKED IN!!!
(Tom) Heatwave, get up! Stryker's going to make him tap!
(JB) Heatwave's up in front of us and he's going back in. Stryker sees this and he's going to let go to tackle Heatwave. Fists of fury raining down upon Heatwave's skull, Heatwave attempted to light Stryker on fire and would've had it not been for Keith Owens interceding.
(Tom) Eh, the Grand Slam Champion was merely keeping right with the Lord in doing that. Still doesn't change the fact that Stryker's a punk.
(JB) Heatwave isn't able to fend off these attacks and it looks like Stryker's hoisting Heatwave up... JAWBREAKER OUT OF NOWHERE BY HEATWAVE!!! That will most assuredly turn the tide folks!
(Tom) Come on Heatwave, pin Aarons! He's down and out after that Cloverleaf!
(JB) Aarons has crawled over to the far corner, Stryker's down in the middle of the ring and Heatwave's standing in front of him laughing.
(Tom) Wait a second, what's Aarons doing? Heatwave, turn around... turn...
Heatwave turns around to see The Reaper charging him and by the time he can react, The Reaper's thrown himself straight into Heatwave's ribs knocking the air right out of him. Aarons falls to the mat still gripping his lower back as Stryker shakes off the effects of that jawbreaker and puts a hand on top of Heatwave's chest.
ONE!!!!!
(Tom) Kick out! KICK OUT!!!
TWO!!!!!
(JB) We could be one second away from a rematch of Redemption here.
Heatwave attempts to get his legs up to kick out, but Stryker manages to snag them both with his other arm and leg, creating a small package as the ref's hand hits the mat for the third and final time.
THREE!!!!
(JB) That's it! Heatwave's been eliminated and now we're down to Aarons and Stryker.
Mike Stryker vs. "The Reaper" Leonard Aarons (FH)
(Tom) Noooooo. My money. Gone.
(JB) Well, Heatwave's not believing what just happened and he's furious as he rolls to the outside still worse for wear after that Garden State Pounce by Aarons.
(Tom) Unbelievable. Un-freaking-believable.
Stryker wastes no time as he goes right for Aarons who's just starting to get up, only he's greeted with a hard shot to the gut by Aarons. Stryker tries to come back again, only to be greeted with the same result.
Aarons finally gets back up to his feet and continues to pound away on Stryker until he's knocked back into the ropes. Aarons send Stryker for the ride and tries for a clothesline attempt which is ducked under by Stryker. Aarons follows Stryker back in and delivers a vicious Kneecap to the face of Stryker.
Aarons roars as he snaps his head back down to Stryker whom he picks up, delivering a vicious chop as he sends him for the ride yet again. He telegraphs his move ahead of time lowering his head and Stryker capitalizes by dropping him with a snap DDT.
He doesn't stop there, as he quickly heads up to the top and steadies himself before coming off dropping a picture perfect elbow to the chest of Aarons. Stryker decides to take this time to go after the neck and back area of Aarons, trying to soften him up for the Cloverleaf as he turns Aarons over on his side grabbing hold of his right leg and burying his knee into his back as he pulls at the chin of Aarons as he screams out in pain.
(JB) Well, very sound technical strategy by Stryker here in the early going this late into the match. He has been in the ring for well over 45 minutes and he definitely can't take Aarons who's a bit fresher than he is.
(Tom) So he's going to bore us with his technical expertise, right?
(JB) Well aren't you just the cynical little guy tonight?
(Tom) Shut up, Mann-jack. I lost money tonight and I'm not in a good mood, I hope Aarons gets every bone in his body broken. Go Stryker!
(JB) Looks like Stryker's putting both knees into this now and rolling Aarons on top as he tries to really put the screws to him here.
(Tom) But he hasn't gotten this surfboard fully applied, Aarons with those hammer fists square into the face of Stryker. Come on Jimbo, this ain't the Octagon!
(JB) Referee James Elbourn is warning Aarons to let up with that, but I think that his escape technique is working. Stryker's released the hold and Aarons rolls off, but I'm thinking the damage has been done.
(Tom) If not, I think it's about to be.
(JB) Sliding dropkick to the head by Stryker, who's unrelenting here despite the obvious fatigue he must be feeling at this juncture.
(Tom) When that Foundation Heavyweight Championship is staring you right in the face, you forget how tired you are Mann-rim. He wants that gold and he wants to stick it to the man who he feels got away with one at Redemption.
(JB) You're on a serious anti-Aarons kick, aren't you?
(Tom) He's too goodie-goodie for me. That and I want to see him lose that belt of his tonight.
(JB) Have you noticed that Heatwave hasn't left the ringside area yet?
(Tom) Huh? Oh, he's just observing the action, leave him be.
Aarons and Stryker are back up, albeit Stryker who's the first up and he greets Aarons with a forearm straight to the face. He continues to pound away on Aarons, until Aarons comes back with a few of his own, the two are trading blows until Stryker stops that with a knee to the gut.
He hooks Aarons in and throws him overhead with a Double Underhook Suplex. Stryker goes for the lateral cover, but only gets two. Stryker gets up and goes right back on the attack, dropping an elbow and going for the cover again only this time it gets one.
Stryker's fuming, but doesn't let up on the champion. He wraps his arms around the champ's waist from behind and brings him over for one German Suplex. He doesn't stop there, going over again and then rolling through for one more. He pulls the bigger Aarons up as if he's going to do it again, only this time Aarons battles out of it.
He keeps firing elbows to the skull of Stryker, before heading off the ropes and trying for a Roaring Elbow only Stryker ducks under and hits a beautiful overhead German Suplex. Stryker is on fire as he drags Aarons to the middle of the ring and points to the top as he heads up.
(JB) Stryker looks like he's ready to finish this off now.
(Tom) I don't know how many times we've seen The Reaper dropped on his head thus far. He must be having flashbacks to his early childhood.
(JB) Stryker's heading to the top and I think he's going for that patented elbow drop of his.
(Tom) New champion coming right... he missed.
(JB) Stryker saw Aarons moving out of the way and made the adjustment in mid-air landing on his feet. Now Aarons is up in front of the referee and Stryker's got a full head of steam.
(Tom) Look out!
(JB) Aarons just moved out of the way, but Elbourn got sandwiched into the corner by a full on charging Stryker. Elbourn's down in the corner and Stryker can't believe what's happened.
(Tom) He'd best be concerned with... oh no.
(JB) Aarons is staring down Stryker and he doesn't look too happy. Stryker turns and down he goes with a clothesline. Stryker's back up and planted with another one by the champion. Aarons comes back at Stryker with a series of rights to the skull, before he sends Stryker in for the ride.
(Tom) I don't think Stryker's going to like what's about to happen here.
(JB) Stryker comes back and catches the receiving end of a Kneecap by Aarons.
Aarons looks down and motions for Stryker to get up with both hands as he snaps his head towards the fans flashing a sinister smirk as the fans in Chicago react accordingly.
Aarons hooks Stryker up for a Lionplex and with a snap of the hips, brings him down hard. He crouches low, backing himself towards the corner as he waits on Stryker to get to his feet. Stryker is up slowly, turns and sees Aarons charging towards him.
Stryker hops out of the way, thinking Aarons will smack into the turnbuckle only he stops just short. Stryker comes in and is stopped by the right hand of Aarons attaching itself to his throat. Just as he starts to bark at Stryker, he does the only thing he can to counter this high impact move.
He brings the business end of his boot up in between The Reaper's legs causing him to let go in a hurry and causing every male watching around the globe to close their legs rather instinctively.
This gets a small amount of heat for Stryker, who gets Aarons up on his shoulders in a Fireman's Carry position and out of nowhere, drops him with a somewhat sloppy looking Reaper's Wrath. He falls on top of the Reaper, looking for a three count only to see that Elbourn's still down in the corner.
(JB) Oh my God! Stryker just hit The Reaper with his own move! This should be it!
(Tom) But thanks to him hitting the ref earlier, he's not there to count him down.
(JB) Mike can't believe his luck right now, he has Aarons beaten, but there's no ref to count the fall.
(Tom) He's going over to try and revive the ref. Screw all that, keep on him!
(JB) Stryker's over by the ref now and he's shaking him furiously, trying to get him to snap out of it.
(Tom) Like that ever works...
(JB) Stryker just pushed him back into the corner, something that I don't think is going to help him.
(Tom) He's getting screwed, can't you see that? Now he's got to... DAMNIT!
(JB) Aarons just tripped up Stryker and it looks like he's trying for a submission here.
(Tom) He's going for the Cloverleaf! That's gimmick infringement!
(JB) Aarons is trying furiously to lock this in and Stryker's trying his best to fight him off, but Aarons is kicking away at the back of Stryker and YES! New York Cloverleaf by Aarons is locked in on Stryker!
(Tom) Noooo! Come on Stryker, get out of this.
(JB) I don't think Aarons has this in completely and Stryker's trying his best to get to the ropes and finally does.
(Tom) But the ref can't make him break the hold and Aarons isn't trying to let him go. Wake up Elbourn!
(JB) Stryker's smacking the mat furiously as he's tied up in the rope, but Aarons will not let go of that hold.
(Tom) The man wrecked his car and insulted his ex. I can't say I blame him.
(JB) How often do you intend on flip-flopping here?
(Tom) Until there's a winner and I can sing his praises, Mann-dope.
(JB) Aarons now, looking over at the ref and is pretty much writing this off right now. He's got to be thinking put this guy away and I think that's what he's looking for with what he's setting up for.
(Tom) Not this again...
(JB) Stryker's looking to try and get to his feet, his back has to be hurting after the New York Cloverleaf he just had locked in on him...
(Tom) GACK! GOOZLE!!! GOOZLE AGAIN!!!
(JB) But again, Stryker goes low and Aarons... isn't letting go. Aarons is tightening that grip and now Stryker's forced to pound away on that arm trying to get free.
(Tom) Kick him again! Kick him again!
(JB) Stryker again downstairs and Aarons finally lets go, but he's staggering backwards. Stryker's starting in on him and...
(Tom) Aarons popped him right in the kisser with a hard right. Now Stryker... now Aarons!
(JB) We've got Aarons and Stryker slugging it out with the referee down in the corner!
(Tom) Not to mention Heatwave's never left the ringside area and neither man even realizes it.
(JB) We've waited weeks to see who's better between these two once and for all and oh my, Stryker's got him with a kick to the gut... PARADIGM SHIFT'S COMING!!!
The crowd reacts as Aarons is brought up and driven down for one. Stryker holds on and lifts, bringing him down again for another one. Aarons at this point is presumed done, but blocks the third and final attempt.
Aarons begins pounding Stryker in the knee, loosening his grip allowing Aarons to hoist Stryker up into position for what the fans mark out for in a major way as Aarons throws Stryker out and Stryker lands hard on the mat.
(JB) REAPER'S WRATH!!! REAPER'S WRATH!!! That's going to be it!
(Tom) Not if Heatwave has his say in the matter.
The crowd immediately boos as Aarons has his back to the aisleway, which is the direction Heatwave comes from. Oblivious to the ref who's still counting birds, Heatwave slides in with the belt in hand and blasts Aarons from behind right in the skull dropping him like a sack of potatoes.
After eating two piledrivers, there's very little L can do as he slumps to the mat unconscious. He spits on Aarons and leaves the belt in the ring, stepping over and dragging Stryker on top of Aarons as the crowd's in an outrage.
(JB) Dammit no! Not like this. It cannot end like this!
(Tom) He vowed that Aarons wouldn't leave as champion and it looks like he's going to get his wish after all. He's actually dragging the referee over to the pile, I don't think either of them's going to be moving even if they wanted to.
(JB) This is crap. Stryker eliminated Heatwave only moments ago and now, because of his intense desire to see Aarons lose everything nearest and dearest to him, he's going to cost Aarons his title.
(Tom) Dem's be the breaks. Aarons shouldn't have broken Nicole Burbank's neck three years ago. He should've apologized like a man and he'd have probably still been champion.
The referee's barely conscious, but sees the bodies positioned and raises his hand as it drops on the mat for one.
Neither man's moving at this point and given how slowly James Elbourn's arm is coming up off the mat for a second strike of the canvas, you could probably cook a Pop Tart and fix a glass of milk for yourself by the time his hand hits two.
(JB) Stryker's only a count away from completing his journey and becoming a Foundation Heavyweight Champion.
(Tom) If Elbourn decides to pick up the pace a bit, geez, can he count any slower?
Stryker at this point is starting to come around, Aarons on the other hand isn't showing any signs of actual life after eating 15 pounds of gold off the back of his skull.
Elbourn's hand comes up for the final time and in what feels like forever for Stryker, who is clear on the fact that he's on top of Aarons and isn't quite sure how he got there, is about to have the picture become real crystal clear for him as Elbourn's arm is about to drop to the mat for the final time.... except Stryker rolls off the Reaper!
(JB) No! Stryker was less than a half count away from becoming the Foundation Heavyweight Champion but broke up the pin himself!
Everyone is utterly confused why Stryker would do such a thing. He slowly crawls over to the ropes and begins to pull himself up, shaking his head the whole time. You can see the Big City Hitman mouth the words "Not like this." Heatwave is going crazy on the outside that Stryker screwed up his plan to stick it to the Reaper. Stryker works his way over to the corner where he takes a rest break looking down at the fallen Reaper.
(Tom) Stryker is an idiot! The Reaper is out and he didn't take advantage.
(JB) Stryker might not necessarily be one to always fight fair, but he seems determined to win the Chain Reaction match on his own.
Slowly the Reaper starts coming to, not really sure what just happened thanks to the impact of those pile drivers on his head. He too uses the ropes on the opposite side of the ring to begin to pull himself to his feet. Stryker crouches down in the opposite corner and waves Reaper to his feet. Eventually Reaper gets there and turns around. Stryker takes all the energy he has left and charges straight for Reaper. He goes flying into the air with a spear but at the last moment the Reaper moves out of the corner and Stryker's shoulder is wedged between the turnbuckles. The Foundation Heavyweight Champion stumbles into the middle of the ring and sizes up the situation and Stryker slowly sinks out of the jam he was in. The Reaper makes a cuthroat motion and pulls Stryker out of the corner.
(JB) Just when things were going well for Stryker, it looks like the Reaper is about to let him feel his wrath yet again.
Stryker gets put in position for the Reapers Wrath until he wiggles free of the hold he's in. He boots Reaper in the stomach and unleashes a flury of strikes to keep the champion doubled over. He gets Reaper in position for the Paradigm Shift and the crowd is on their feet in anticipation. He drops the champion with the first pile driver. Stryker holds on with everything he has and musters up the strength to bring both of them vertical again to drop the second pile driver. Slowly, but surely, Stryker keeps his grasp on the hold and brings them to a vertical base yet again to complete the trio of piledrivers. As soon as the Reaper's head bounces off the mat, Stryker releases the hold and lays out on the mat too in exhaustion. Referee James Elbourn is about to start coutning both men down until Stryker slowly crawls over to where the Reaper lays and hooks his far leg, using his shoulders to pin down the rest of the Reaper's body.
The referee slides down for the count.
1!!!
2!!!!!!
3!!!!!!!!!
The bell starts to ring on cue and Stryker's eyes start to widen with excitement. He rises up off of Aarons with a rather mixed look of shock and surprise in his eyes, but elation's starting to overcome him as Elbourn starts to get up off the mat and reach for the belt that's lying in the ring.
(Tom) No! I can't belive this!
(JB) You better believe it! Mike Stryker has just won the Foundation Heavyweight Championship!
Stryker is now seated as he starts to his feet as he's handed the Foundation Heavyweight Championship from Elbourn's hands. As Stryker starts to gaze into that faceplate, the announcement comes as fans erupt for Stryker's coronation.
(Troy) Your winner of Chain Reaction... and NEW!!! FOUNDATION!!! HEAVYWEIGHT!!! CHAMPION!!!
”Til' I Collapse” begins to pump throughout the speakers as Stryker clutches the belt close to his chest with the tears starting to stream down his eyes. He's waited a very, very long time for this moment and who's going to blame him for being just a little emotional about this?
The fireworks start to erupt within the United Center around the ringside area high above the ring and ringing throughout the place as Stryker excitedly but slowly starts to mount the turnbuckle raising the belt high over his head with both hands clutching it, as fans celebrate.
(Troy) MIKE!!! STRRYYYYY-KKKEERRR!!!
Stryker jumps down from the turnbuckle and jogs across the ring to the other side. He jumps up again here, and repeats his performance, raising the belt high in the air.
As he does, fireworks keep going everywhere, almost (but still not quite) drowning out the roar of the crowd. It's so loud here in the United Center that JB and Tom, wisely, decide to let the moment speak for itself for now.
When the fireworks cease, Stryker smiles and tips an imaginary cap towards the fans as he dismounts and exits the ring. Caught up in the moment, he takes a running start and leaps into the crowd, more or less getting swallowed up by the fans as they begin passing the new champion back.
(JB) What a night! Mike Stryker is celebrating the biggest win of his career with the fans!
(Tom) Aarons is finally starting to come around in the ring and he's refusing help, just as he did before and I think it's starting to set in that he lost.
(JB) Let's not forget, Heatwave is still lurking here at ringside, staring at the Reaper in the middle of the ring. He could care less about Stryker at the moment.
Not Done Yet
As Stryker starts to fade further and further away as his music starts to die down, the focus turns back towards the ring where Heatwave's still lurking outside unbeknownst to Aarons whose sitting up faced with the reality that he's no longer the Foundation Heavyweight Champion.
His face is a pained one, having lost a great deal over the past few weeks from his cousin due to a broken ankle, his cousin's wife to a broken neck and basically his past coming back to get him in a major way.
(JB) You have to feel for Aarons here, he's got no earthly idea that Heatwave played a role in him becoming ex-champion.
(Tom) I think Heatwave's about to remind him momentarily.
Heatwave with chair in hand creeps out of the immediate sight of Aarons who still has his back towards him, as he starts to get to his feet. Fans are starting to scream at Aarons to turn around, but by this point, there's not a ton that can be done.
Aarons can sense that he isn't alone but by the time he turns to... Heatwave's in full sprint and the black chair he's holding has already started on its path towards Leonard's head.
The boos are all but deafening as Heatwave stands over the fallen Aarons, who basically crumbled into a heap after taking that shot as Heatwave brings that chair down again and again off of his back, oblivious to the jeers and even the cups of beer that are starting to fill the ring. It's here that Heatwave stops, tossing the chair away as he looks down at Aarons and just smiles as he exits the ring.
(JB) This has gone far enough dammit! He's already taken away the man's family and title, what's left?
(Tom) I'm not Cresskin, but I think all that's left is Aarons himself. Looks like Heatwave's got something to say and he's got something to get from under the ring.
(JB) Heatwave's getting a black bag from the ring it looks like and he's got a mic from Troy. Stryker's already well out of sight and we thoroughly expected to end this night on a positive note.
(Tom) Looks like we're going to have us a barbecue.
Heatwave's started to unzip the bag as he slides back into the ring and starts to stalk Aarons. He laughs, as he brings the mic to his lips and smiles.
(Heatwave) I tried warning you this was coming, dog. I told you that you weren't walking out of here with that belt and if it wasn't going to be me, well, someone else would. I'd have preferred someone other than Stryker, but you take the hand you're dealt I guess. As for you, well, I think the time's come for you to be put out of your misery.
He stops talking and stomps away at Aarons viciously, laughing as the boos continue to pour out. Heatwave stops as he bends down, shaking his head at the fallen former champ who's something past hurt right now.
(Heatwave) I mean, I've taken your cousin from you. I took his wife just cause he needed to understand my pain and now, your title is gone. Unfortunately your little friend's no longer with you so she's spared... at least until I get around to her in any case and now... the end is here for you.
He drops the microphone and drags Aarons over towards the ring rope where the bag lies. He drops Aarons near the edge of the apron and starts to rummage in the bag, pulling out handcuffs as he fastens his wrist to the cuff and then brings his other arm around the rope as he basically locks his wrists together around the rope itself. Long story short, he's not going anywhere unless he's Houdini's second cousin.
(JB) My God this has to stop! He's got Aarons locked in place and there's nobody here that can stop this?!
(Tom) I'm pretty sure folks can, I'm not sure if they WANT to.
Heatwave continues to smile, as he pulls out a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka and of course, a black Zippo. He unscrews the top and raises the bottle as he looks down at Aarons just before bringing the mic to his lips.
(Heatwave) In loving memory of our former champion, I'd like to pour out a little somethin' somethin' for the chump who won't be here anymore.
He laughs as he starts to empty the contents of the bottle onto Aarons pretty much covering his body in it before taking a short swig and spewing it right into his face.
He sighs, shaking his head as just laughs in Leonard's face. At this point, he's starting to register what's going on but has had way too much taken out of him at this point to stop it even if he wanted to. Not with his wrists pretty much fastened to the rope itself.
(Heatwave) Well chump, game over. It's a shame you didn't make harder, make it worth my while, but this is the end result of you giving a crap what these peons thought about you. So if all of you are done saying your final goodbyes... let's kick the tires and light this piece of (bleep) on fire!
He drops the microphone and backs away a little bit, laughing as he flips the top of the Zippo and starts to mockingly sing. The fans continue to boo up until said point when someone comes rushing out from the back.
Leonard's view is somewhat compromised if not for the highly potent vodka in his eyes mixed with his own blood, the fact that his view's blocked by Heatwave's frame in his way. He can't see who's coming down the aisle at break neck speed and Heatwave's too busy mocking Aarons to even know that someone's coming.
(JB) Wait a second! Someone's coming down the aisle here!
(Tom) Heatwave! You've got company!
The person slides into the ring, as Heatwave starts towards Aarons with the flame lit. A hand reaches for Heatwave just as Heatwave's arm starts towards Aarons. As the hand makes contact, Heatwave spins around and a huge fireball emerges into the face of the person as they crumple to the ground in a hurry with their screams drowning out what cheers there were by their presence. There are three distinct reactions that follow this turn of events...
Shock and anger by Heatwave that his plan was thwarted at the last possible second, but this changes into sick joy as he sees the person lying at his feet thrashing about with their hands over their face.
There's the unspeakable pain that the person at Heatwave's feet is feeling after having fire pretty much singe their face something awful.
Then, there's the reaction of the former champion who's still handcuffed to the bottom rope unable to move much after the pre-emptive strike by Heatwave both at the end of the match and then after the fact.
He's furious that he lost his championship to Stryker, even moreso knowing that Heatwave had a serious hand in the matter and then the second try on his life has him something past enraged. But all of that is erased when Heatwave steps away and Aarons can see the identity of the person who stopped him from being set on fire.
It's hands down the absolute last person he expected, but all things considered, he's as surprised as anyone that this person made this great a sacrifice to spare his career.
(JB) This is sick! Heatwave just set this person on fire and we still can't get a positive ID on who it is that took a fireball to the face!
(Tom) Heatwave's something past psychotic. His intense desire to see Aarons out of the NAFW is something that defies all logic and now, someone just took a fireball to the face as a result of this.
(JB) We've got crews out now to attend to the fallen body in the ring and dammit, someone get Aarons uncuffed.
(Tom) Geez that Vodka's strong, but not as strong as that smell of burned flesh. Yeesh.
(JB) Heatwave's finally out of the ring and he's laughing, Aarons is starting to regain some semblance of consciousness and... oh my.
Now, the rest of the picture's starting to come in for everyone else. The fans, the announcers, everyone's starting to see the identity of the person who took the fireball that would've ensured Aarons was on fire for the second time in as many months. That person is none other than...
Vanessa Chamberlain.
Crews are finally able to cut Aarons loose as he scurries over towards the fallen Chamberlain, his eyes starting to well up with tears as he stares down at her and simply slumps down with his hands on top of his head clutching at his scalp in agony as she's strapped to a gurney.
Heatwave stands at the top of the ramp smiling as he mockingly strikes the Reaper's pose to a chorus of boos, oblivious to Aarons who's still curled up in pain as Vanessa is finally removed from the ring.
The only person left in the ring after all of the chaos is Aarons, still drenched in vodka, still a crimson mask from the war he just fought and beltless after losing his title as Chain Reaction claims yet another champion.
(JB) Heatwave's antics against Reaper and Vanessa Chamberlain have cast an ugly finish on the night here. Ladies and gentlemen, for my colleague here at what used to be the announce table, this is JB Mann signing off. We'll see you after our break, on Annihilation as the Mike Stryker Era in the NAFW will begin anew!
The final image we see is Aarons on his knees, his eyes closed as he pounds the mat in anger as we cut to the logo.