The North American Foundation of Wrestling, better known by its acronym, the NAFW, flashes across the screen, and our opening shot is a fade in of the middle of the ring at the sold-out STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, where NAFW ring announcer Troy Gilmore stands tuxedo clad with a microphone in hand.
(Troy) Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming GnR to the ring to sing our national anthem!
The crowd pops, but a lot of that is a mistaken pop because it’s not actually GnR, or Guns N’ Roses. It’s actually a more dysfunctional GnR, Gillian Narcotica Ruiz, former NAFW ring announcer during the Atlantic-era, turned crazy bad girl groupie of the Rock ‘n’ Rex Express, Scott Rocker and Rex Michaels.
STOMP STOMP CLAP!
STOMP STOMP CLAP!
Scott Rocker steps out on to the ramp and begins swinging his arm in the air, strumming the American flag he’s carrying like a guitar, and banging his head in time to the music with his long, greasy hair whipping around him. Behind him comes Rex Michaels, in his finest southern redneck attire, with Ms. GnR on his arm, clad in fishnet stockings and a very short, trashy, and hooker-esque dress showing ample cleavage. But that isn’t the whole entourage, as the tag team of Brick and Mortar – John Brick and Casey Mortar – who are both at least 6’5” and weight at least 300 pounds – follow behind the trio, clad in black suits with black sunglasses. This is unusual as we’ve never seen newcomers Brick and Mortar roll with the Rock ‘n’ Rex Express before.
The stomps and the claps grow louder and louder as Rocker and Company head towards the ring. Clad in nothing but ass-less leather chaps, a denim vest, an American Flag bandana, and a bowtie around his neck, the only way Scott Rocker would be more bad-ass would be if a bald eagle land on his skull, opened its beak, and shot fireworks into the crowd.
The group enters the ring where Troy Gilmore hands the microphone to Scott Rocker, before taking his leave from the ring. The crowd is still cheering for the whacky bunch as Rocker begins to speak.
(Rocker) Helloooo Los Angeles!
The hometown mention gets a cheap pop from the crowd.
(Rocker) I need you all to rise as we rock out to the national anthem of the best damn country in the universe – the United States of America!
A small contingent of the crowd breaks out into an audible “USA! USA! USA!” chant.
Scott Rocker hands off the microphone to GNR, and the house lights go black except for a spotlight shining in the middle of the ring.
GNR, in her glorious fallen-from-grace state, pauses for a moment before finally beginning the “Star Spangled Banner.”
(GNR) Ohohohohohhoh, say can you seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…
…by the dawn's early liiiiiight.
Let the butchering begin.
(GNR) What so proudly we haaaaaaaiiiled…
…at the twilight's last gleaminggggggggggggggggggg…
GNR’s current vocal abilities make Jillian Hall sound like Aretha Franklin. Scott Rocker thinks this is pitch-perfect as he wildly waives the American flag around in the ring, putting Jim Duggan to shame.
(GNR) Whose broad stripes and bright staaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrs…
…through the perilououououououous fiiiiiiiiiiiiight….
…O'er the raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamparts we waaaaaaaaaatched were so gallantly streamingggggggggggg…
…And the rocket's red glaaaaaaaaaaare, the bombs bursting in aiaiaiaiaiair….
Like any good national anthem performance, this is when the indoor pyrotechnics match the lyrics of the song.
(GNR) Gave prooooooooooooooof through the niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight that our flag was still there…
…Oh, say does that star-spangled bannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnner yet waaaaaaaaaaaaaaave…
….O'er the land of the freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
…and the hooooooooome of the braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave!
Now we get an all out fireworks extravaganza throughout the arena as the crowd goes into a full out “USA!” chant.
The scene fades out for just a moment, as we hear the following words:
Keep on rollin' baby…
You know what time it is…
Cue the Oblivion logo…
…and now cue the Oblivion theme:
Move in now move out
Hands up now hands down
Back up back up
Tell me what you're gonna do now
Breathe in now breathe out
Hands up now hands down
Back up back up
Tell me what you're gonna do now
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
As the lyrics to “Rollin’” are sung, the band Limp Bizkit performs on stage, but the ever amazing Fred Durst comes down the ramp rapping on the hood of a Caddie. How Fred Durst was able to afford a Cadillac to role down the ramp in is beyond common knowledge.
The crowd isn’t sure what to make of this… On one hand, Rock ‘n’ Rex did promise Limp Bizkit to perform at Oblivion… but on the other hand… this is 2008… and it is Limp Bizkit…
You can't mess with the Bizkit - Why?
Cause we get it on - When?
Every day and every night - Oh
See this platinum thing right here - Uh-Huh
Well we're doin' it all the time - Wha?
So you better get some better beats
And uh, get some better rhymes - Doh!
We got the game set
So don't complain yet
24/7 never beggin' for a raincheck
Old school soldiers
Blastin' out the hot shit
That rock shit
Let 'em bounce in the mosh pit
Scott Rocker appears to be not enjoying Fred Durst’s performance on the hood of the Caddie, because he’s leaning over the top rope yelling at him while Brick and Mortar are trying to prevent him from jumping over the top rope.
Move in now move out
Hands up now hands down
Back up back up
Tell me what you're gonna do now
Breathe in now breathe out
Hands up now hands down
Back up back up
Tell me what you're gonna do now
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit mindlessly continue their performance however, which some of the crowd has gotten into to try and be in good spirits, despite the fact that it’s Limp Bizkit. And somewhere in the world, Lee has emo-ly killed himself over this musical tragedy. Waa waa waaaaaa.
And the people that don't give a fuck
All the lovers all the haters
And all the people that call themselves playas
Hot mammas, pimp daddies
And the people rollin' in the Caddies
Hey rockers, hip-hoppers
And everybody all around the world
Wait… Isn’t there some kind of rule involving not rollin’ in the Caddies...
Hands up now hands down
Back up back up
Tell me what you're gonna do now
Breathe in now breathe out
Hands up now hands down
Back up back up
Tell me what you're gonna do now
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'
Mercifully, the performance by Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit ends, and Scott Rocker and Fred Durst exchange some heated words off-mic. And fortunately, our attention is drawn elsewhere because it’s time for more indoor fireworks!
BOOM!
BOOM!!
BOOM!!
BOOM!!!BOOM!!!BOOM!!!
SKEEEEEEEBOOM!!!!!!
The cameras pan around the sold-out arena before our camera shot is of the announce team of JB Mann and Tom Kalhoun.
(JB) Ladies and gentlemen… Welcome to OBLIVION! We are coming to you live from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, and what a night it has been already!
(Tom) I can’t believe that it’s the year 2008 and Limp Bizkit actually performed on our biggest Pay Per View event!
(JB) I can’t believe we survived that performance, especially after GNR’s interesting rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
(Tom) I blame Scott Rocker for this… He’s the one who invited Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit here to perform, and he didn’t even like it!
(JB) Well, shenanigans aside, tonight is guaranteed to be an action packed card. We’re going to see either the Old School Empire or the Goods walk out as the Tag Team Champions. The ever cocky Derek Clarke will take on NAFW Hall of Famer The Judge, and Tyrone Smith will have to battle brothers Carlos and Tommy “Psycho” Smith in a handicapped match!
(Tom) But that’s not all, as Spaz and Twitch will be in tag team action against the monster Hush and Essex! We’ll also see an Atlantic Championship Relay Match where champion Andy D will put his title on the line against Peter Gilmour, Xavier Caine, and Snake. An intense rivalry has been building between friends Jaime Alejandro and “The Reaper” Leonard Aarons, and we’ll see those two in action tonight.
(JB) And to round out our night we’ve got two mega matches. First we’ll see former Trust Fund Kids partners and friends turned bitter enemies battle it out in a no holds barred, no disqualification, falls count anywhere match where the loser must leave the NAFW! Who will be left standing at the end of the night? Keith Owens, or Trevor Cunning? And in our main event of the night, “Mr. Old School Hollywood” Mike Lane challenges our resilient Foundation Heavyweight Champion “The Big City Hitman” Mike Stryker for the title!
(Tom) I’m hoping there will be blood!
(JB) Well Bear, the wait is over, because our first match begins now!
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.
Two figures emerge from behind the curtain. They are Slush and Ammo, in their dark red tights, both wearing fingerless gloves and black sunglasses. However, Ammo has one half of the NAFW Tag Team Championships over his shoulder.
(Troy) At a combined weight of six hundred and four pounds...
Slush and Ammo stalk down to the ring.
(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.
Ammo takes the belt off his shoulder. He points at it, then he points at Slush, indicating that they’ll get the other half of the title for Slush tonight.
(JB) The Goods are definitely seasoned veterans in the ring, and in my opinion, they hold a distinct advantage over the young and cocky Old School Empire.
(Tom) And that’s where you’re way wrong, Mannwagon. Ammo trusted Dustin implicitly after they won those titles. I think he’s still going to reconsider the Empire’s offer and turn on Slush during the match to put those titles right where they belong, around the waists of the Thomas Brothers.
A siren hits the speakers and the word "EMPIRE" appears on the video screen.
The lights flash red and blue, as the camera pans around the arena. Lil' Wayne's "Fireman" starts playing. As the intro continues, the lights flash red to black to blue and back to black as a spot light is focused on the curtain. The song kicks in and Dustin Thomas blows through the entry way, 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) Making their way to the ring from Toledo, Ohio, weighing in at a combined weight of five hundred and five pounds, they are Dustin and Shane Thomas, the Old… School… Empire!
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. 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 finale pose in the middle of the ring.
Dustin mockingly waives his half of the NAFW Tag Team Championship in front of The Goods before the referee, James Elbourn, separates the two teams. He takes the belt away from Dustin and takes the other belt away from Ammo. He holds both belts up in the air for the crowd to see. Referee Elbourn then presents both titles to the Old School Empire before showing them to the Goods. He passes the belts off to an assistant at ringside, and calls for the bell.
(JB) This match is underway, and the stakes couldn’t be higher!
(Tom) Neither of these teams has had full validation as a championship unit.
(JB) Ammo won his half of the Tag Team titles with Dustin Thomas, and Slush is also a former Tag Team champion with another partner back in 2000, nearly eight years ago, but both Ammo and Slush have never held the titles together as the Goods.
(Tom) Hey now, don’t forget the Old School Empire’s credentials.
(JB) That’s right. “The Alpha” Shane Thomas is a former United States Champion, and of course Dustin won his half of the tag team gold with Ammo, but the two as a unit have failed to garner much respect from their peers.
(Tom) But after the Empire takes home the straps tonight, there will be no more Super Thomas Bros. parodies from 2Guys. Instead everyone will bow down to the most dominant Tag Team in the NAFW’s history.
(JB) We’ll have to see about that.
Slush and Shane start this match off, and immediately Shane bails to the outside of the ring after the referee calls for the bell. Slush tries to go after him, but the referee restrains him and tells Shane to get back into the ring. Shane gets back in, but immediately tags in Dustin, choosing not to face the man he was supposed to partner with here tonight. Slush yells at Shane to stop being a coward, but Shane ignores him.
(JB) It looks like someone is afraid to fight.
(Tom) It looks like someone should shut up! It’s mind games, Mannhole. Mind games, I tell ya.
That leaves Slush no choice but to circle up with Dustin. Slush gives “New School” a boot to the midsection, then hammers on his face and the back of his neck. Dustin regains some control and looks for an Irish whip, nailing Slush with a big monkey flip. The crowd boos as Dustin checks for their reaction. Dustin bounces off the ropes in an attempt to target Slush, but Slush clotheslines him down to the mat. Dustin bounces up and Slush hits him in the face a couple of times, but Dustin defends with a knee to the gut. This time Dustin looks for an Irish whip, and as Slush hits the ropes by his own corner, Ammo tags himself in. Slush then reverses the Irish whip and sends Dustin back to The Goods’ corner, where Ammo flies in over the top rope with one of the biggest shoulder blocks you’ve ever seen.
(Tom) Holy crud! I didn’t realize Ammo was capable of leaving his feet!
(JB) The impact of that was probably equivalent to being hit by an eighteen wheeler!
Ammo sizes up Dustin for a power bomb, but Dustin breaks free and slaps his former odd-couple tag team partner in the face. He then bounces off the ropes but Ammo flap jacks Dustin over his head. Dustin scurries to the nearest corner, and Ammo attempts to whip him across the ring. However, Dustin somehow reverses the whip, but Ammo blocks it by grabbing onto the ropes. It gives Dustin enough time to launch a heel kick right to Ammo’s face.
(JB) Dustin Thomas is bringing the fight to his other championship half.
(Tom) Soon to be ex-championship half.
Dustin tries to fire punches at Ammo’s face, but the big man blocks them, and whips his opponent into the corner. Ammo charges in and goes for a big splash, but Dustin rolls out of the way and Ammo eats turnbuckle. This allows Shane to run across the apron and clothesline Ammo down. Dustin then tags in “The Alpha” Shane Thomas.
(Tom) Superb team work there by the Empire.
(JB) Superbly illegal, but I guess you’d let that slide, wouldn’t you?
Shane purposely charges at Slush in the corner, but stops short. This draws Slush into the ring, but the James Elbourn steps in to push him back out. While the referee is distracted, Shane takes the opportunity to drag Ammo’s eyes across the bottom rope. Shane gets Ammo up to his feet, then lays a series of heavy chops to Ammo’s chest. He impressively snapmares Ammo out of the corner, then delivers a stiff kick to the back of Ammo’s head.
(Tom) Pure domination by “The Alpha” Shane Thomas. It truly shows his championship pedigree.
Shane quickly tags out to his brother Dustin, and the two double team Ammo. They begin with a double whip. Dustin then drops to the mat, forcing Ammo to hop over him. As Ammo hops over him, Shane displays his strength and picks up ammo, dropping his foe’s crotch onto the Alpha’s knee. Dustin immediately follows that up with a double knee back cracker. Dustin makes the cover, but it is broken up by Slush at the count of two.
(JB) A near fall there by the Old School Empire!
(Tom) Last time I checked, breaking up a pin cover like that was illegal. Why aren’t you complaining about that JB?
(JB) Because I’m biased here and the Empire will take any illegal advantage they can get to win, so I’m not going to cry foul over broken up pin attempts.
(Tom) Aha! So your true colors show JB Mann.
The referee tries to force Slush out again, and Slush protests about his officiating during that last double team sequence. Meanwhile, Dustin attempts to whip Ammo into the corner, but it is reversed, and Dustin instead goes to the corner. However, he quickly leaps to the second rope, then turns and flies with a cross body directed at Ammo. But Ammo is a very large man, and he catches Dustin midair. Ammo uses his brute strength to reposition Dustin for a powerbomb, but Shane runs in and chop blocks Ammo’s knee to save his brother. Dustin lands seated on top of Ammo, and after the referee forces Shane out, he slides down to make the pin count. It gets a one and a half before Ammo powers out and shoves Dustin up and into his own corner where he collides with Shane, making an inadvertent tag.
(JB) Despite the double team strategy of the Empire to wear the big man down, Ammo is still staying strong.
This works out in the Old School Empire’s favor, however, because the two of them quickly regroup and spring to life with a double team suplex on Ammo. Displaying their cockiness, OSE celebrates this massive feat and soaks up the jeers of the crowd. It isn’t until several moments later that Shane goes for the pin cover. It only gets a two count as Ammo powers out.
(Tom) Ammo’s pure strength won’t be able to outlast both Shane and Dustin!
(JB) I, for one, think you’re underestimating Ammo – and Slush.
Shane heads to the middle rope as Ammo staggers to his feet, then sends the bigger man back down to the mat with a double ax handle smash. Shane quickly tags Dustin back in, and Dustin heads to the top rope as the crowd chants “Lets Go Goods!” Dustin sizes up Ammo then leaps off the turnbuckle, only to be caught in a bear hug by Ammo! Ammo doesn’t even attempt the submission however. Instead, he sends Dustin flying across the ring with a massive overhead belly to belly suplex!
(Tom) Whatintheheckwasthat?
(JB) Told you so. Ammo can handle whatever you throw at him.
Both men are down and need to make the hot tags out. Slush is dying to get into this match, but Dustin makes the tag to his corner first and Shane is quick to get in and drag Ammo away from his corner by the ankle. Shane adds further insult to Slush by yelling “Screw you” before locking Ammo up with a face lock. Like a beast, Ammo then lifts Shane’s muscular frame up onto his shoulders and flips him over. Ammo follows that up with a dive into the corner, finally giving Slush the hot tag to the delight of the crowd!
(JB) The hot tag to Slush is made, and the Empire is going to have to rethink their strategy of double teaming Ammo now that he’s not in play.
Slush’s first order of business is clotheslining Dustin out of OSE’s corner and onto the floor below the ring. Shane is only up to one knee and begs Slush to give him a moment, but Slush is having none of that. The two begin to exchange punches with Slush gaining the advantage and forcing Shane into a neutral corner. Slush hammers down with as many lefts and rights as fast as he can until Shane pushes him away. Slush charges back, but Shane kicks him in the stomach. Shane Irish whips him and Slush tries to slide through his legs, but Shane catches him with the Alphalock!
(Tom) Alphalock! Alphalock! It’s going to be over in a matter of seconds!
Somehow Slush wiggles free quickly and boots Shane in the stomach, then lays him out with a vertical suplex. Slush sizes up Shane and forces him into a corner. He grabs Shane by the hair and holds him down as he sits on the top rope. Shane breaks free and begins to throw haymakers at Slush sitting on the turnbuckle. Shane then climbs the second rope and looks to superplex Slush, but Slush gets the grapple around Shane’s neck and drops him with a sit-out DDT. He immediately goes for the cover, but Dustin dives in to break up the pin cover.
(JB) A huge move there by Slush to shift the momentum in this match, but the Empire is staying resilient.
(Tom) “The Alpha” is too much man to be pinned by Slush!
(JB) “Too much man?” Really? Are you hoping to make Shane Thomas your life partner or something?
(Tom) Bah!
The referee tries to force Dustin out, but Dustin doesn’t care. He instead continues to hammer on Slush while his brother recovers. Dustin whips Slush into the corner and charges at him, but Slush lifts him up in the air and crotches Dustin onto the top rope! Dustin falls to the outside, but as Slush turns around, he walks right into a huge spinebuster from Shane Thomas. Shane makes the cover, but Ammo dives in to break it up at the count of two.
(JB) The Goods aren’t ready to go home just yet!
(Tom) I wish they would. The Empire NEEDS these titles. I’m not even kidding. Mike Lane is going to flip shit if they lose!
Dustin crawls back into the ring, but Ammo is quick to throw him to the outside. He follows that up by clotheslining Shane over the top rope to the outside as well! The crowd firmly gets behind the Goods with OSE laid out on the outside of the ring. Slush then bounces off the ropes, and as he runs toward where Shane is laid out, Ammo picks him up and throws him over the top rope, flipping Slush onto Shane, and drawing a big pop from the crowd!
(JB) Great team work by the Goods with that unorthodox double team move!
(Tom) Unorthodox? Didn’t Ammo just spend the last several Annihilations throwing Dustin around like a cannonball? Throwing around your own partner is nothing new.
(JB) I wish I could throw you off a bridge.
(Tom) Likewise.
On the outside, Slush throws Shane shoulder first into the steel steps. Dustin runs over to assist his brother, but Ammo goes flying over the top rope with a big and unexpected suicide dive, absolutely flattening Dustin like a bug!
(Tom) Now I’ve seen pigs fly TWICE in one match! I fully expect the sky to fall and hell to freeze over in the next few minutes!
(JB) That’s three hundred and sixty one pounds of Ammo that just crushed Dustin Thomas! I’d say he’s done for tonight.
Slush and Shane battle back into the ring where Shane tries to go for the Alphalock Slam, but Slush kicks his leg back and low blows Shane! He then calls Ammo into the ring, and they drag Shane up to his feet. Ammo grabs him with one hand and hits the Breakdown, a sit-out one handed chokeslam. Slush is already waiting on the top rope, and he goes flying with a twisting moonsault known as the Melting Point, completing their double team tandem finisher known as the C.O.D. – Crash On Delivery! Slush covers, and with the crowd counting along, he gets the academic three count to crown new undisputed tag team champions!
(Troy) Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners and undisputed Tag Team Champions, Ammo and Slush, THE GOODS!
Referee James Elbourn brings both Tag Team Championship belts into the ring and hands them to each member of the Goods before raising their arms up into the air.
(Tom) Nooo!
(JB) Yes!!! The Goods have done it, and they are now the undisputed NAFW Tag Team Champions!
(Tom) That low blow should have been a blatant disqualification!
(JB) The Old School Empire played dirty all night, but the Goods aren’t squeaky clean themselves, Bear.
(Tom) Bah!
(JB) Tonight, the Goods brought the goods, and now they’re going home with the goods!
(Tom) Could you be lamer? And jeez, watching the Goods celebrate is depressing. Can we please watch something else?
Sure enough, we cut backstage.
Tonight
As the camera fades into a hallway backstage, we can see that Kramer, Amie Carmichael, Mark Herriot, Rick Priestly, and John Mills are chatting in their formal wear and enjoying the beginning of the evening. The sight of them gets a small pop out of the crowd who respect the backstage personnel, and then the pop grows. As the cheers from the audience grow, the level of joy in the room drops. Why? Because a very angry looking Keith Owens has arrived on the scene.
(Keith) Which one of you is planning on working tonight? Because I’ve got something to say, and I’m not waiting any longer to say it.
Cougar Clarke takes offense to the attitude of Keith Owens. Keith is undoubtedly highly stressed due to his monumental match with Trevor Cunning later in the night.
(Kramer) Helloooo Keith. If you just calm down for a minute, one of us can interview you shortly if you’d like.
Keith stares down the former announcer, but decides to keep his temper in check.
(Keith) Just give me a microphone, and I’ll do this myself.
Please.
Kramer quickly reaches into a nearby supply crate, pulls out a microphone, and switches it on for Keith Owens. Keith grabs it out of his hand and walks several feet to the side, leaving the group of talking heads out of the camera shot.
(Keith) Trevor Cunning – you want to be back on top of the [beep]ing world? You were never there to begin with, you stupid son of a bitch.
The live audience cheers big for this, as the only Trevor Cunning fan in the house is probably Tom Kalhoun.
(Keith) Since the day your old man and old lady decided to cut off the spoiled frat boy, you’ve relied on my family’s money to keep you afloat in your cesspool of booze and STDs.
And despite that, I gave you a chance to roll by my side and see how excellence prevails in the ring. Back then, the politics of the Foundation forced my hand, I took my leave, and I left you to stand on your own two feet. And what did you do then? You fell off the horse, like only you know how to do Trevor. Sure, you boned some guys’ wives, you took their championship titles, but then you ended up in the gutter with all the other failures.
One can tell just by looking into Keith’s eyes that he’s fired up, and Trevor Cunning is going to have hell to pay.
(Keith) Do you remember how you made your grand return after that, Trev? By wearing a [beep]ing bear suit at Oblivion the last time around.
Pathetic.
Simply pathetic.
Beat.
(Keith) But even then I took back your sorry ass and trusted you to be my friend and ally. I let you get yourself a piece of that broken down dismal excuse for a man Diamond Del Carver when I should have been the one getting the gold back from that traitor. But you, for once in your life, seized the moment – and then fell off the horse again.
How many nights did you leave the Foundation Heavyweight Championship abandoned in some dive bar? How many times did I find it covered in puke in the sink?
Beat.
(Keith) Do you remember the Three Wishes match? The one where I climbed rung by rung by rung up that ladder and could have grabbed the Foundation Heavyweight Championship for myself? But no, I let you retrieve the belt, and then you pulled your trademark move and got defeated for it by the Reaper only moments later.
Then I tried to settle my issues with Hush, and you had to stick your nose where it didn’t belong. I didn’t ask you to drunk-drive your SUV out there and hit Hush. I didn’t need you to do that. That was my battle, not yours.
None the less, I learned there is more to this life than bullying and cheating your way through everything. We were the most stacked Tag Team Champions in the history of this Foundation, yet you wanted to win matches by breaking bottles of Jack over people’s heads? We didn’t need to do that Trev – we could have proven that we were pound for pound the most legitimate team out there. But legitimately doing anything is not in your play book.
The Difference Maker swipes his hair back behind his head as he continues rolling through this shoot.
(Keith) When I tried to do the right thing by turning my father over to the authorities, how did you respond? By turning on me. You cost us our titles, our friendship, and then you threw out those sex tape allegations with you and Melissa, and followed that up by trying to scare me with some more “demon” notes at her bedside, you insecure prick.
The poor girl is in a coma, and the truth of your allegations is shaky at best pal, but whether or not its true – you crossed a line. You crossed a line that went beyond wins, beyond losses, beyond championship gold, beyond money, beyond friendship, and beyond decency.
And I can’t help but blame myself, because in the end, I was the one who trusted you. Now I have the opportunity to make up for those mistakes…
Owens gets right up close to the camera, because somewhere Trevor Cunning is watching this, and Keith wants to make sure Trevor understands how this is going to play out.
(Keith) Tonight, you’re just not going to fall off the horse for the last time Cunning. Tonight, I’m going to knock you off that [beep]ing horse and hit you like a [beep]ing semi-truck over and over and over again. Tonight is about making a difference. Tonight is about the end of Trevor Cunning, once and for all.
And with that, Keith drops his microphone on the floor and walks out of the frame.
Fade out.
The Greatest Hall of Famer
We fade back into the stage area of the OBLIVION set at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, where an NAFW legend in his own right, James “Cougar” Clarke is standing by in his tuxedo at a podium.
He tries to speak, but the STAPLES Center audience won’t give him a chance yet due to their “Thank you Cougar” chants.
And of course, the old-timer enjoys being appreciated by the fans.
After a couple of minutes of the cheering, Cougar speaks.
(Cougar) NAFW fans across the world, last night I had the privilege of hosting the first ever NAFW Hall of Fame ceremony. Right now I’d just like to take a minute to recognize the first class of Hall of Famers one more time.
As Cougar reads the names, an image montage of the superstars plays behind him on the big screen.
(Cougar) The NAFW Hall of Fame welcomes… “The Judge” James Batty… A man that has been known as “Driver,” “The Word,” and “The Trinity” – David Kurresh… Sean “Spaz” Thomas… “Griever” Tyler Hyatt… and last but not least, the NAFW owner, Hector Gonzales!
The crowd applauds the inductees, but as that last name leaves Cougar’s lips, we hear “The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades” by Timbuk3 over the loudspeaker, signaling the arrival of the one and only Hector Gonzales.
The NAFW’s owner walks out onto the stage, dressed in his finest suit with matching cowboy hat and Texas bowtie, to a mixed reaction. He shakes Cougar’s hand before bumping him away from his spot at the podium. Hogging the microphone, the boss begins to speak.
(Hector) Now Ah know y’all are anxious ta get on with tha program, but Ah just wanted ta take a moment ta remind y’all that this is mah show.
Here comes the heat from the audience.
(Hector) Ah worked mah way up from nuthin’ ta become one of thee biggest business tycoons from tha great state of Texas. ‘N’ without me, this here company would be nuthin’!
More boos, though it barely rivals the heat this man drew years ago.
(Hector) Now some of the superstars of tha company have gone ‘n’ made things difficult for ol’ Hectah here lately, but in tha end, no mattah what happens ta them, I just want y’all ta remember one thing…
Pause.
(Hector) Ah’m the real star of this company, ‘n’ always will be, whether ya’ll like it or not!
Hector’s music hits the loudspeakers, the crowd boos, and all Cougar can do is shrug as the camera shot cuts to the ringside announce table.
(JB) Well, Hector Gonzales sure took that Hall of Fame moment to put himself over, in typical Hector fashion.
(Tom) Are you bad mouthing the boss? Because I’ll let him know.
(JB) You would, you stooge. I was merely stating that moment was “Hector being Hector.”
(Tom) Don’t let Manny hear you – we are in Los Angeles, mind you.
(JB) We are, and this is OBLIVION 2008, and it is time for our second match of the night, featuring one of those Hall of Fame inductees.
"When All Is Said" by Trapt hits the speakers and that signals the arrival of Derek Clarke. He steps out from behind the curtain to a very mixed reaction, 70% boos to 30% cheers. He brushes it off, for the time being.
(Troy) Making his way to the ring, from Indianapolis, Indiana, weighing in at 251 pounds, Derek Clarke!
Derek saunters down the ramp and gets on the ring apron as his name is announced, but he decides not to enter and instead hops down, waiting for the Judge to arrive and enter first instead.
(JB) Peculiar behavior by Derek Clarke there, Bear.
(Tom) It looks like some last minute mind games by the bad attitude nephew of Cougar Clarke.
(JB) Something tells me that is not going to psych out the NAFW Hall of Famer, The Judge.
A sound like a huge airplane coming in for a crash-landing fills the area, drowning out any other noise except for the screams of the fans as they look towards the ceiling as the lights crash out to inky blackness during the roaring sound of engines.
Those that do look up see a huge spotlight come on and shine down onto the ramp as someone shouts...
…in a deep, throaty, German voice. The voice continues quickly as the crowd erupts into a chorus of cheers...
Another spotlight comes on simultaneously, a bit further down the ramp, in front of the ring.
Another spotlight appears in the center of the ring. All of these spotlights are 10-feet in diameter of bright, white light.
The next spotlight appears next to the end of the ramp on the right, landing directly on the fans at ringside.
The fifth one appears a little further up the crowd, parallel with the ring.
This spotlight appears in the crowd just behind the ring towards the far left-hand post if you're watching this from the ramp.
The seventh light appears in the crowd towards the far right hand post, about ten feet distant from the last spotlight.
This one appears parallel to the ring, opposite the fifth spotlight and once again in the crowd.
Much like the fourth spotlight, this one appears at the end of the ramp on the right hand side, in the crowd at ringside.
All at once, the tenth spotlight appears at the top of the ramp as a heavy Rammstein beat kicks in. From the top of the ramp we can see flames licking up from the edge of the circumference of the spotlight. Gradually The Judge comes into view, coming up as if from the floor whereupon the man is bathed in the white light. He is on one knee, one hand out to steady himself and he seems to be clothed in white, though we can quickly tell that it is the bright light that makes it seem so.
As the words kick in, The Judge stands and steps out of the light, making his way to the ring. He wears a long trench coat and his hair is cut short and looks dark. A sneer can clearly be made out on his handsome face as he walks to the ring but the fans cheer him anyway.
(Troy) And making his way to the ring, from London, England, weighing in at 245 pounds, he is an NAFW Hall of Famer, he is… The Judge!
As he reaches ringside, he climbs the steps and enters the squared circle, paying little attention to the fans and making sure his one black glove is pulled on tightly. The crowd continues to cheer, knowing they're in for an excellent match.
(JB) Judge hasn’t always been a fan favorite but he’s experiencing a bit of a Hall of Fame bump here tonight.
Judge almost doesn’t allow Clarke to enter back into the ring. The Judge stands firm in the middle of the ring while he gets some cheers from the crowd, while Clarke resiliently looks around at the fans who he feels should be cheering for him.
(JB) So much for those mind games by Clarke.
(Tom) Bite your tongue.
The referee Dave Connors rings the bell and we question whether the Judge’s body can hold up against the young and agile Derek Clarke after all these years inside the squared circle. The two men circle around the ring several times, then stop as the crowd is firmly cheering for the Judge. This enrages Clarke and he rushes in at the NAFW Hall of Famer. We get a collar and elbow tie up that’s held in place for several seconds before the Judge shoves Clarke down to the mat. Clarke’s momentum carries him to the corner where he is shocked by that display of strength from the Judge. Judge motions for him to get his arse back up and Clarke does just that.
(Tom) It looks like Derek wasn’t expecting that out of the Judge.
(JB) Definitely not.
The two circle up again and play a little grab ass as neither one will commit to a grapple. Finally Clarke engages the Judge in a side headlock which brings the Judge down onto one knee. Judge looks for a waist lock but can’t break Clarke’s hold. Finally after some cheering from the crowd, James Batty makes his way up to his feet and shoves Clarke off of him and into the ropes. He hits a vicious clothesline with that arm encased in that mysterious gauntlet. Clarke is shocked again and rolls to the corner after being knocked down, begging Judge to back off for a moment. Judge disengages for a moment, only for Clarke to take advantage and rush in with another side headlock.
(Tom) Vintage Derek Clarke right there.
(JB) Really Tom, that’s the best you could come up with?
Derek really cranks that side headlock hard as the crowd unites with a strong “Let’s Go Judge!” chant. The Judge throws several stiff shot’s to Clarke’s back, but they don’t weaken the grip of the young superstar. Judge gets some leverage using his legs and begins to force Clarke’s arms upward and off his face. Having Derek in an overhead wrist lock, the nephew of Cougar and former Tag Team Champion is thrown to the mat once again. Clarke waives the Judge off again and the referee drops down to one knee to check on Clarke. Derek asks him for some help up and the referee obliges as Judge looks on in confusion. However, once back onto his feet, Derek rushes forward and nails Batty in the midsection with a kick. A couple of punches to the head follow, and Clarke begins to beat on Judge all across the ring. Several more stiff shots land the veteran into the corner where Clarke nails him with a European uppercut that sends the Judge to the mat.
(JB) Derek looking to take advantage in any way possible.
(Tom) Batty needs to wake up. He’s a Hall of Famer. He can’t be falling for things like that!
Clarke looks down at Judge and screams at him to get his old ass up. But before the former Foundation Heavyweight Champion can do so, Derek assaults him with some stomps using the ropes as leverage. Out of no where, the Judge manages to turn and grab the ankle of Clarke, clearly looking for some kind of submission hold. Derek is quick to drop to one knee and pound the back of the Judge to try and get him to give up on the ankle hold, and it succeeds. Clarke takes a few steps back to reassess the situation while the Judge tries to pull himself up into the corner. Derek rushes in and grabs the Judge, grinding his face into the turnbuckle. He pulls James Batty back looking to slam him face first into that same turnbuckle, but Judge blocks Clarke’s several attempts to do so. The former X-Treme Champion gives Clarke a low elbow to the ribs, then slam’s the youngster’s face into the turnbuckle instead! Clarke bounces out of the corner and turns right around into a stiff shot from the Judge’s gauntlet, sending him reeling back into the corner. Judge mounts the middle ropes and begins to give Derek the classic ten punch in the corner. The crowd chants along with every blow.
One!
Two!!
Three!!!
Four!!!!
Five!!!!!
Six!!!!!!
Seven!!!!!!!
Eight!!!!!!!!
Nine!!!!!!!!!
But before we get to 10, the Judge looks down at Derek and spits in his face. He follows that insult up with…
Ten!!!!!!!!!!
… a stiff blow of that metal gauntlet attached to Judge’s arm right on top of Clarke’s head. Clarke falls out of the corner and Judge covers. 1… 2… and a kick out.
(JB) Judge nearly had it there, using that gauntlet to his advantage.
(Tom) Why does he have a giant hunk of metal attached to his arm?
(JB) I believe it happened during The Judge’s time as an Outlaw, but that’s probably a better story for another day.
(Tom) Gee, thanks Mom. Maybe you can read it to me tomorrow night before I go to bed.
Both men get up to their feet and the Judge sneaks in an eye gouge that briefly blinds Derek. He follows this up with another punch and an Irish whip that ends in Derek eating yet another gauntlet clothesline. Derek gets back up and Judge forces him into the ropes where he unleashes a barrage of rights and lefts before the Connors pulls him off of Clarke. He positions Derek into the middle of the ring and hits the “Déjà vu” DDT. Derek is back up for more punishment and Judge gives him a classic back rake. This brings the bad attitude superstar down to the mat where Judge lays in with a choke hold until the referee forces him off. Batty threatens to nail the referee with his metal casting and the crowd pops for that.
(JB) Judge should have gone for a pin cover after that Déjà vu, but Clarke wouldn’t stay down long enough.
(Tom) He’s a resilient kid, that Clarke.
Derek is up and gets Irish whipped again with Judge setting up for another clothesline, but he catches the rope and bails to the outside. Judge follows in hot pursuit only for Derek to trip him and slam his leg on the edge of the apron. Derek locks up the leg and aggressively begins pounding on it from the outside of the ring. Judge gets free from the hold, but trips a bit when trying to stand up. Clarke slides in under the bottom rope and chop blocks Batty from behind. He puts Judge’s leg up against the bottom rope and stands on it, using his weight to crush and weaken the various ligaments in Judge’s leg. The referee gives Derek a five count, and he breaks the hold, only to do the same thing again. As Derek is doing this, Judge is trying to get a hold of Derek’s ankle like he tried to earlier in the match. This forces Derek to break the hold but he immediately makes Batty pay with more stomps. The crowd breaks into another “Judge!” chant which only infuriates Clarke more. He picks up the Judge and then quickly bounces off the ropes, leveling the legend with another chop block. Derek sarcastically points to down at Judge and gives him a round of applause as the crowd boos him.
(JB) Derek sure is proud of the work he’s been doing on the Judge.
(Tom) Wouldn’t you be, JB?
After taking more than enough time to be cocky, Derek hooks that hurting leg of the Judge, but it only gets a two count. Derek isn’t happy, so he heads to the top rope as Judge begins to get back onto his own two feet. Clarke is standing completely vertical on the top rope, stocking the Judge. Looking like an Olympic high diver, Clarke attempts a flying forearm of his own on the Judge, but Batty rolls out of the way!
(JB) Derek Clarke goes for a high risk maneuver and pays for it!
This buys Judge some time to recover while Clarke is down and holding his midsection in pain. Eventually both men are back up to their feet. Derek attempts some right hands, but they all get blocked and countered by a gauntlet shot from the Judge. Judge whips Derek across the ring, and on the return Derek ducks the clothes line and counters with a drop kick of his own! Derek is down on his knees stalking Judge, waiting for him to get back to his feet. Derek pounds the mat, begging Judge to foolishly stumble back up so he can hopefully nail him with the Northern Lights Suplex. Judge is finally up onto his feet and turns around. Clarke springs into action, booting him in the midsection, then nailing that Northern Light Suplex.
1…
2…
Kick out!
(JB) By gawd I thought Derek would have had this match won!
(Tom) He won that “Finisher First” match against Spaz a few Annihilations ago, but he never had to pin him.
(JB) You just can’t count an old dog like the Judge down for the count.
The crowd pops huge as Derek can’t believe the immortal Judge has kicked out of his finishing move. Clarke starts flipping the f out and shoves the referee into the corner. He’s assaulted his own friends and family before, so surely he won’t think twice about giving this referee some muscle. The Judge has crept back up onto his feet and interjects himself into the tussle between Derek Clarke and Dave Connors. He throws Derek out of the corner and into the middle of the ring. Clarke springs back up to his feet only to eat a kick in the midsection. Judge pulls him between his legs and hoists him for the “Decapitation,” a jumping cradle piledriver! The crowd is going nuts when out of no where Derek flips the Judge over using his legs in a big reversal! Clarke falls back and sits on the chest of Batty while reaching back to hook that leg of the Judge he was working on earlier. Clarke grabs the middle rope with his other free hand for additional leverage. Connors slides down to make the count without seeing Clarke grabbing the rope.
1…
2…
3!!!
Despite Clarke having the belt, the Judge still managed to kick out but just a second too late! Derek Clarke has pulled off the upset!
(JB) Clarke does it! Clarke pulls off the upset. Clarke’s “Wish” came true.
(Tom) He can finally say he’s beaten one of the best there ever was, a true NAFW legend.
(JB) The Judge kicked out just a second too late, but that makes all of the difference here in the squared circle!
Derek immediately rolls to the outside of the ring and raises his own arms in victory! The Judge staggers up to his feet in the middle of the ring and can’t believe that he’s just been upset like that. Derek points at the Judge and talks some more trash as Connors comes out and raises his hand, declaring him the official victory.
(Troy) Your winner… by pin fall… Derek… CLARKE!
The youngster Clarke begins walking up the ramp backwards with his arms raised in victory, leaving the Judge brooding in the middle of the ring.
(JB) Respect is not taken in this business, respect is gained, and it remains to be seen if Derek earned any respect here tonight from anyone by defeating The Judge.
Cut.
A Subdued Arrival
Parking lot.
A plain grey sedan with rental plates pulls into a spot and parks. A moment later, the driver's side door opens, and a man wearing jeans and a hooded sweatshirt steps out. It's a far cry from the suit and tie he wore to accept his induction to the Hall of Fame at NAFW Day.
Spaz opens the back seat of the car and pulls out a bag containing his gear. He shuts the door and makes his way toward the entrance, his head down, eyes focused firmly on the ground before him. Then seemingly out of nowhere, a shortish baldish man comes running.
(Twitch) PEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
Spaz doesn't look up as Twitch meets him with a huge hug.
(Spaz) Hi Twitch.
(Twitch) Pez is late!
After Twitch releases him, Spaz continues walking.
(Spaz) Our match hasn't happened yet...
(Twitch) But Pez missed The Wares winning!
(Spaz) That's good.
(Twitch) It's better than good! Twitch is officially the manager of Champions!!
(Spaz) And of a failure.
Twitch stops, but Spaz keeps going, as if Twitch isn't even there. As the door closes behind Spaz, Twitch stands still, with a blank look on his face. The manager looks down at the red towel which is draped over his shoulder.
(Twitch) This is not good, Blake Bouchard. Twitch doesn't like it at all.
And with that, we're done here.
(JB) Spaz doesn't look at all like the man we saw at NAFW Day, Bear!
(Tom) He sure doesn't. The guy's depressed, Mannwagon. Hasn't won a match in how long?
(JB) He can bounce back from losses.
(Tom) Against the monster Hush? Not to mention the mind games of Essex?
(JB) If anyone can do it, Bear, it's that man.
(Tom) It doesn't look like it right now!
The End Begins
(???) The time is now. The time for Carlos' end begins. This time, when I get through with him, he will never have the nerve to look in my face again. No more running. No more holding Tommy hostage anymore. It all ends at Oblivion.
That is the voice of Tyrone Smith. He is in his wrestling attire, which is Black JNCO pants and a pair of combat army boots. He has an eager look on his face as he is doing some warm-up stretches and getting ready for his handicap match.
(Tyrone) Carlos, we are going to go in that ring in just a few minutes, we are going to stare at each other eye to eye and a war will begin. Both of us will be battered and bruised and broken by time the match is over, but I will emerge victorious once again this Oblivion, just like last time.
Tyrone stretches his legs a little as he stands up and stares out in the distance.
(Tyrone) Now I know what you are thinking, Carlos. You have the numbers game on me and there is no way that you are going to lose. But look at our younger brother. Tommy does not want to fight me. He just wants all of us to get along. He is tired of being your puppet. He is not going to participate in your shenanigans and betrayal at Oblivion, Carlos. You are all alone.
Tyrone starts to walk away from the camera as he smiles and turns around one last time.
(Tyrone) And in just mere minutes, you will find out how alone you really are.
Tyrone walks away and down a hallway, as he prepares to make his entrance for his match.
(JB) Strong words there from Tyrone Smith.
(Tom) All I heard was “wah wah wah Carlos is going to beat me up.”
(JB) Your selective hearing never fails you, bear.
(JB) This next match is a feud that has culminated over the past couple of years, albeit not in the ring, as 3 brothers are going face to face in a handicapped match as Carlos and Tommy "Psycho" Smith takes on Tyrone Smith.
(Tom) Carlos has gotten jealous over Tyrone's recent success, and he is bound and determined to end his career once and for all.
(JB) But it's not going to be easy. Tyrone has held many many titles in the NAFW and is one of the more successful singles wrestlers here in the NAFW.
(Tom) That may be true, Mann-itoba, but the numbers game will bound to catch up to Tyrone and he will finally get what is coming to him.
(JB) We will see. It should be interesting with Tommy "Psycho" Smith, the youngest brother, not wanting to attack Tyrone. How is Carlos going to force him to wrestle, or is Tommy going to stand in the back and let the eldest do all the dirty work.
(Troy) The following contest is a 2-on-1 handicapped match, scheduled for one fall, introducing first....
(Troy) Making his way to the ring, weighing in at 228 pounds, from Biloxi Mississippi.. He is TYRONE SMITH!
"Lip Gloss and Black" by Atreyu hits the PA as the lights dim and then flicker out. Strobe lights flicker on as smoke fills the entryway and the ramp. All the sudden, a figure comes out from the back and stands in the smoke, right fist pumped up in the air.
The strobe lights make the figure seem like it is blinking as the figure cuts through the smoke. The crowd cheers as it is NAFW's Tyrone Smith.
Tyrone walks down the ramp, acknowledging the crowd as he slides under the bottom ropes.
The lights flicker back on as Tyrone pumps his fist in the air, runs around off the ropes and then turns, and waits for his opponent to come.
(JB) Tyrone looks very focused and determined to end this family feud once and for all. He is waiting anxiously in the ring as he is pacing like a trapped dog.
(Tom) It's a moot point. Tyrone is going to get destroyed and he will never show his mug in the NAFW again... and I will love it.
(JB) You mean, you would rather see one of our best superstars in years bite the dust?
(Tom) I just hate the guy so much, Mannwich.
(Troy) And his opponents...making his way to the ring first, from Biloxi, Mississippi weighing in at 217 pounds... CARLOS SMITH!
The crowd boos as "Medicate" by Flaw fills the arena as slowly, Carlos Smith makes his way out from the backstage, a sneer on his face. He jabs at a couple of the fans, wearing a pair of boxing shorts and a wife beater T-Shirt. He looks straight ahead, focused on the ring, sneering again at his brother that is in the ring.
Carlos slowly makes his way down the entry way and down the ramp as he jeers at a couple of the fans again and stops in the middle, raising a hand in the air, pyros going off behind him.
Carlos makes his way down to the end of the entry ramp and stops by the ring, not getting in it. He turns his head around and smiles evilly, looking at Tyrone the whole time.
(Tom) He's not getting into the ring until Tommy is out there with him. He is going to make sure that Tommy does not leave him high and dry before the match even starts.
(JB) Everyone knows that Tommy does not want to fight Tyrone and the way things look, Carlos just does not care.
(Tom) OF course he doesn't care. He wants to make sure that Tyrone is not walking by time this match is over.
(Troy) And making his way to the ring. From Biloxi, Mississippi, weighing in at 200 pounds.. TOMMY "PSYCHO" SMITH!
The crowd has mixed reactions as the sounds of "Terrible" By Insane Clown Posse appear on the speakers as Tommy Smith slowly makes his way out from the backstage.
Tommy stops at the top of the entryway and stops, a couple of pyros going off as Tommy continues to stand there, looking at Carlos, who is beckoning him to come on down, and then Tyrone, who is still pacing around the ring, looking at Carlos.
Tommy still stands there, then shakes his head, mouthing "You're on your own" to Carlos as he turns around and makes his way back to the backstage. Carlos scowls and runs up the entryway and grabs Tommy by the hair and starts to drag him down to the ring.
Carlos drags Tommy to the ring and yells at him, barking a couple of orders at him and climbs into the ring, Tommy reluctantly follows. Carlos grins at his younger brother as he turns around and says that he is going to start the match to Tommy as Tommy quickly agrees and climbs out of the ring, standing on the apron. Carlos walks up to Tommy and whispers something in his ear, mentioning if he tries to leave, there will be hell to pay later, as he turns back around to Tyrone.
(JB) And Carlos is going to make sure that Tommy does not leave this match.
(Tom) All he wants to do is to win and show his brother that he is worth something too.
(JB) And the referee is calling for the bell.. and we are UNDERWAY!
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Carlos and Tyrone stare each other down and circle each other around the ring before tying up in the middle. Tyrone quickly overpowers his older brother and throws him across the ring, Carlos flipping and rolling, before standing back up, growling and staring at his brother. Tyrone just shrugs as Carlos circles around Tyrone again, trying to find an opening for attack.
(JB) And Tyrone is just completely overpowering his brother, Carlos. Carlos has to remember that Tyrone is much better ring wise than the last time they met.
(Tom) Just wait, Mann-Wheel, I'm sure Carlos has some tricks up his sleeve.
Carlos rushes in for Tyrone, but all Tyrone does is sidestep Carlos and pushes him into the turnbuckle. Carlos staggers back and Tyrone quickly hits a scoop slam on Carlos. Carlos holds on to his back, but slowly gets back up, enraged as he starts to attack Tyrone blindly. Tyrone blocks the shots as he kicks Carlos in the gut and connects with a DDT. Tyrone with a cover.
One.
Two.
Kick out by Carlos.
Tyrone just walks around his brother, picking him up and pointing at the younger brother, Tommy "Psycho" Smith. Carlos growls and Tommy shakes his head, but tagging him in anyway. Tommy shakes his head as he slowly climbs in the ring. Tyrone just stands there, smiling as Tommy shakes his head and turns back around to tag back in Carlos, but Carlos quickly jumps off the apron and shakes his head, barking orders at Psycho.
As Tommy looks at Carlos, Tyrone quickly goes from behind and rolls up Tommy for a pin attempt.
One.
Two.
Kick out by Psycho.
Tommy turns around and looks at Tyrone as all he does is shrugs his shoulders. Tommy shakes his head again and is begging Carlos to make the tag so he can get out of the match. All Carlos does is shake his head.
(Tom) Look at Tommy Smith. A little chicken that doesn't want to fight the fight of his life.
(JB) He has mentioned it and his facial features have shown all in the past month. He does not want to fight his brother. He just wants to get along with him, but Carlos plays him like a puppet.
(Tom) Well, if you want to win a match and make a name for yourself, sometimes you have to do something you don't want. Tommy needs to realize that.
Tyrone walks up to the youngest brother and whispers something in his ear. Carlos climbs on the apron with anger on his face, trying to figure out what is said as Tommy quickly turns around and makes a tag to Carlos! Carlos looks on with bewilderment as Tommy slowly walks past Tyrone and climbs out of the ring, headed up the entryway. Carlos starts to yell at Tommy to get back here, but he doesn't listen. As he tries to go catch Tommy, Tyrone stands in the way, blocking the path. Tommy walks back up the entrance ramp, turning around one last time before disappearing backstage.
(Tom) Where is he going?! He's such a pansy. He needs to come out here and help out.
(JB) He finally had enough of all this and decided to not participate anymore. He didn't want to fight Tyrone and he's not now. Carlos is now all alone.
As Carlos yells to the backstage, he gets turned around by Tyrone with a flurry of punches to the face. Carlos puts his hands up in a defensive position as Tyrone Irish whips Carlos into the ropes, but as he is coming back, Carlos jumps out of nowhere and hits Tyrone with a kick to the face! Tyrone holds his face as Carlos walks behind Tyrone and kicks his leg in, forcing Tyrone to his knees as he grabs Tyrone's arms and pulls them back behind his body, putting a knee into his back, performing a variation of a bow and arrow. Tyrone screams in pain as the referee checks up on him, asking him if he quits. Tyrone shakes his head and shouts out a resounding no.
(JB) And Tyrone is showing his resiliency by not giving up, but that has to be painful on him. Look at Carlos applying the pressure on that hold.
(Tom) Why doesn’t Tyrone just give up before he is injured by repair? I don't think he can take much more of that hold.
Carlos applies the pressure harder as Tyrone still shakes his head, refusing to tap. Carlos gets frustrated and lets go of the hold, but not before quickly grabbing Tyrone's head and slamming it into the mat. Tyrone holds on to his face as Carlos makes a pin attempt.
One.
Two.
Th- Tyrone kicks out.
Carlos growls and looks up at the referee, demanding a three count, but the referee only holds up two fingers. Carlos turns back around and picks up Tyrone, Irish Whipping him into the ropes. Carlos holds a finger in the air and jumps, trying to hit his finisher, the Jailhouse Rock, but Tyrone pushes Carlos out of the way, Carlos bouncing off the ropes, and Tyrone performing a picture perfect dropkick on the torso of his brother.
(JB) What a nice counter of Carlo's finisher, his version of the Rock Bottom, the Jailhouse Rock. Carlos is rattled by that dropkick.
(Tom) Ya know, it is times like this where ya know a partner, a brother, someone that could HELP you out in a time of crisis. You get where I'm headed, Mann-wich?
(JB) ...
Tyrone picks up his brother and smiles at the crowd, signaling the end. He picks up Carlos and puts him in the fireman's carry position, but before he can finish his move, Ruthless Aggression, Carlos elbows Tyrone in the temple and Tyrone drops him. Carlos quickly counters with a wicked Spike DDT. Carlos smiles evilly and makes a pin.
One.
Two.
Kick out by Tyrone!
Carlos slams the mat in frustration as he picks up Tyrone and Irish whips him in the ropes. Tyrone ducks out of the way and bounces off the ropes but before he can do anything, Carlos out of nowhere hits a shining wizard on his brother. He smiles evilly as he picks up his brother and quickly grabs him and throws him up and straight down for a JAILHOUSE ROCK! Tyrone is out of it as Carlos stares down at his brother, taunting him.
(Tom) YES! THE JAILHOUSE ROCK! CARLOS HAS DONE IT!
(JB) Indeed, It looks grim for the artist formally known as Crazy Boy. Tyrone's eyes are completely glazed over.
(Tom) And look at the entry ramp. Look who decided to come back out.
Indeed, it is Tommy "Psycho" Smith coming down the entry ramp, wielding a steel chair in hand. Tommy climbs into the ring and smiles at Carlos. Pointing down at the fallen brother. Carlos smiles and nods his head, seeing that he finally gets the picture.
(Tom) This is great. Tommy comes back out and is going to finish up Tyrone once and for all.
(JB) I don't care it's about losing or winning anymore. It has gotten beyond personal. They just want to completely maim a human being.
(Tom) And I love every second of it.
Carlos slowly picks up Tyrone as Tyrone is on his feet, albeit his legs being like spaghetti. Carlos comes and walks next to Tommy, smiling and pointing at Tyrone. Tyrone looks up at his brother and nods his head, closing his eyes for the fatal blow. Psycho clanks the chair a couple of times on the mat and takes a swing....
AND HITS CARLOS WITH THE CHAIR!
(JB) BY GORD! Tommy has hit CARLOS with the chair! The referee looks way confused as they are tag team partners!
(Tom) What in the bloody hell is going on!
Tommy picks up the fallen Carlos and grabs him in the back of the neck and turns him toward the turnbuckle, throwing him into the turnbuckle, hitting his finisher THE KLOWN on Carlos. As Carlos is holding on to his face, blood trickling down it, He turns around to a waiting Tyrone. Tyrone picks him up as the crowd cheers, putting Carlos in the fireman's carry position and dropping him straight down, thrusting a knee right into his jaw for the RUTHLESS AGRESSION. Tommy steps back as Tyrone makes a cover.
One.
Two.
Three!!!
The bell rings as the referee comes and holds up Tyrone Smith's hand, declaring him the winner of the match.
(JB) Tommy got sick and tired of Carlos' antics and decided to take matters into his own hands, finishing off his brother once and for all. Tommy is now a free man to do what he wants.
(Tom) But what is he going to do? He is going to be a lost sheep without Carlos by his side.
(JB) I'm pretty sure with Tyrone close by, success is inevitable for the youngest Smith.
Tommy walks up to his brother and extends a hand. Tyrone smiles and shakes his hand and the brothers hug. They both exit the ring together and walk up the entry way, turning around and both pumping their fists in the air. They disappear into the backstage as the camera fades into the ring, Carlos still unconscious in the middle of the ring.
Cut.
A Letter
Backstage. Catering.
Spaz stands by the table, now dressed in his ring gear, ready for his upcoming match. Twitch stands beside him, a look of genuine concern on his face. Spaz picks up a bottle of water and turns, to be greeted by a large young man with an envelope in his hand. NAFW's intern hard at work.
(Brian) Special Delivery for Sean Thomas.
(Twitch) Singing telegram?
(Brian) Hell no, dumb ass.
(Twitch) It damn sure better not be a strip-o-gram! Nobody wants to see that!
(Brian) Just take the damned envelope. I'm trying to find his hot sister... I've got fifty bucks to spare.
The fact that Spaz simply stares blankly at McJohnson, without so much as an angry brotherly glare is telling of the man's mood.
(Twitch) Hey! Nobody talks about Vixen like that! Besides... Her heart belongs to Twitch!
(Brian) Yeah, right.
McJohnson shoves the envelope into Spaz's hands and grabs an entire box of pastries before walking away.
(Twitch) So, what is it?
Spaz shrugs and hands Twitch the envelope. Twitch opens it and pulls out a piece of paper. He reads it out loud.
(Twitch) "Dear Sean, My congratulations on your induction to the Hall of Fame. I know not how much you spent to bribe the selection committee to include a disgrace and failure such as yourself in the Inaugural Class, but I applaud your effort."
Twitch looks up and stops reading.
(Twitch) What the hell is this? Pez didn't bribe anybody! Pez earned that spot!
Spaz is still non-reactive. His usual passion has turned to blankness. Twitch keeps reading, this time skimming before reading aloud.
(Twitch) It's from Poly! Twitch isn't going to read this!
Spaz reaches out a hand, silently asking Twitch to hand it over. Twitch shakes his head.
(Twitch) No! Pez shouldn't be reading this either!
(Spaz) Give it to me, Twitch.
The blank stare of Spaz forces Twitch to reluctantly pass the paper to his client and friend.
(Spaz) "A man such as you brings down the standards of such an honor. You must be proud to have given Hall of Fame hope to the likes of X-Cold, Hydro, The Warlord, Ripcord" (and the list goes on).
"It is fitting that tonight, on the biggest night in the Foundation's schedule, that you will prove your worth - or rather, your lack thereof - by losing yet again. The real shame is that you will provide so little challenge to my Monster. What good is an Oblivion win, if Hush doesn't even have to earn it? It's like taking candy from a baby... But we shall do what we have to do. Best of luck. Yours truly, Alister Essex."
(Twitch) OK, Pez read it. Now can Twitch take that steaming pile of bull*bleep* and throw it in the garbage where it belongs?
Spaz shakes his head.
(Spaz) He's not wrong, Twitch.
(Twitch) What?!
(Spaz) He's not wrong, damn it! What the hell have I done in the last year to earn a spot in the Hall of Fame? The last two years? Hell, I haven't done anything of real note since I forfeited the Foundation title after the worst reign ever!
Twitch lets that settle for a moment, taking in the sudden outburst. Then, in an uncustomary calm and quiet tone, he speaks.
(Twitch) I'll tell you what you've done, Sean. You've been the heart and soul of this company. You've been a constant in the NAFW since the day you first stepped in the ring eight years ago. Along with the other Hall of Famers, you helped set the bar for everyone who has stepped into that ring after you. And damn it, you set that bar high! You ask anyone on this roster to pick their top five people in Foundation History, and I guarantee you're on every single one of them!
Pause.
(Twitch) Plus, you brought me here. And what would NAFW be without Twitch?
Finally, a smile on Spaz's face. After a few more moments of silence, Spaz crumples up the letter from Essex.
(Spaz) Thank you, Twitch. I needed that.
Twitch smiles, nodding.
(Spaz) Now let's go see if we can't make Hush and Essex eat these words!
(Twitch) Twitch hopes Sussex and his Pet are ready for their Sugar Rush!
Spaz reaches out puts a hand on his manager's - and tonight, his partner's - shoulder.
(Spaz) No, Twitch... Hope they're ready for our Sweet Revenge!
Spaz heads out of the room, tossing the crumpled paper in the nearest recycling bin on his way. Twitch hangs back as the door closes, and like he did earlier tonight, looks down at Blake Bouchard.
(Twitch) Now that's the Pez Twitch knows... And loves.
Pause.
(Twitch) But Blake Bouchard better not tell anyone Twitch said that. Twitch has an image to uphold!
And we're done.
(JB) That's better! And just in time!
(Tom) You really think one little speech from Twitch is enough for Spaz to be able to take on Hush!?
(JB) This is the closest Spaz has been to his true self in weeks, Bear. If Essex was counting on a completely demoralized opponent tonight, I think he's got another thing coming!
(Tom) That might change when he's face to face with the Monster!
(JB) Spaz has always been the underdog, and he's always come through in the end. That's part of why he's a Hall of Famer!
My Time Has Come!!
We are just minutes away from the highly anticipated Relay Match for the Atlantic Championship as Andy D defends against Xavier Caine, Snake and Peter Gilmour. Mark Herriot is standing by in his evening best. He looks into the camera and begins to speak.
(Mark) Ladies and gentleman, we've had a great night of action here at OBLIVION and it is only to get better. Please welcome my guest at this time, he is one of the opponents for the Atlantic Title, he is the XTREME ICON, Peter Gilmour!
Peter walks into the scene with his traditional red cloaked jacket flanked by his girlfriend Rose. She puts an arm around Peter as Peter has his head down. Mark begins to ask his first question.
(Mark) Peter, tonight you face Andy D, Snake and Xavier Caine in the first ever Relay Match for the Atlantic Title. The rules are simple. Once you win a match, you move on. But if you lose, you have to sit and wait for your turn to come. If you are pinned twice, you're out. The person...
Peter interrupts by putting his hand up in Mark's face like the ROCK used to. Fans boo a little bit.
(Peter) I know the rules Marky Mark. What is your question? And make it quick. I don't have time to talk to a moron like yourself.
Mark is flustered a bit as Rose scowls at him. He regains his composure and asks his question.
(Mark) Fine. Going into this match, already having a victory of Snake and a loss to Caine, do you think you can beat all three of them and gain the Atlantic Title?
(Peter) That's your question? Come on Mark. You're a broadcast journalist. I expected better from you. Now get the [beep] out of here!
Peter shoves Mark and takes the microphone as the fans are booing what just happened. Peter doesn't care as he gets close to the camera.
(Peter) Snake, Caine, ANDY D.. You three pieces of crap are in for a LONG night. Caine, I don't know why you're even in this match to begin with. You come out during my match with Snake and beat me up and then have the audacity to put yourself in this match? Where the hell have you been the past few weeks? Oh, that's right you've been hiding because you know that you're not winning this match. It sucks being the first man out tonight huh Caine? You should be scared because I am your first opponent and I am going to get payback for our last match where you beat me. You will be the first one to be eliminated. I'm going to rid you of the NAFW myself. We don't need giant pieces of trash like yourself here.
Peter takes a moment to catch his breath before speaking again.
(Peter) Andy D.. the so called Atlantic Champ. We have a few things in common don't we? We are both champions and we both fight for what we want don't we? Well, I respect you for what you do in that ring. But tonight, all respect for you gets thrown out the window. You see Andy, me and you have never had a match one on one. Tonight, that changes. Tonight, I will go into battle with you and I will show you why I am the most decorated champion in wrestling history and the most feared entity in all of the NAFW. I'm going to show you why they call me the XTREME ICON after I break every bone in your body and take your Atlantic Title and put it around my waist. I will say it will be a great match, but your time as champion will come to a screeching halt.
Peter again takes a moment to drink some water. He spits it out to the side as he gets closer to the camera.
(Peter) And now we get to the person I hate the most. Good ol' Snake. Snake, we are no strangers to each other aren't we? We have fought many times and I hate to admit this but you have got the better of me. But a few weeks ago, who won? Oh yes, it was ME! I beat you fair and square in the middle of that ring. But yet, our paths keep crossing. What's your deal Snake? Do you like getting your ass handed to you by me? I hate your GUTS! You talk to a stupid leather ball thinking your auditioning for Cast Away 2. Come on now dude. GET REAL! You may be talented in that ring, but you have to be the most moronic person in the world. Well, you can tell Wilson this dude. Tell him, that his little "friend" won't be seeing him anymore because tonight I am going to break you in half and when the smoke clears, I will be standing tall with the Atlantic Championship around my waist. There is no hope for you Snake. You, Andy D and that big giant Caine are all going to realize that all the hype that you are giving is going to be nothing to the BEATING I am going to inflict on all of you. I WILL become the Atlantic Champion tonight and there ain't a DAMN thing you can do about it. Gentlemen, get ready to be taken....
(Rose) TO THE XTREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEME!
Peter and Rose laugh hysterically as we fade back to ringside.
(JB) You just never know what those two are going to say next.
(Tom) Truth.
(JB) Folks, up next is one of our bigger matches of the evening, not only in stature with a Hall of Famer, but in size with a monster. It’s Spaz and Twitch taking on Hush and Essex!
All of the lights at ringside and on the arena floor dim as the NAFW-Tron lights suddenly turn a sinister shade of red. The opening notes to Tool's "Hush" creep up louder and louder through the PA system, that is, until the red lights turn off, suddenly. Then they turn right back on, along with an array of flames, erupting like a fountain all around the entry ramp, jolting the fans in the arena back in their seats. The video trailer for Hush begins to roll on the NAFW-Tron, as the monstrosity himself emerges from behind the NAFW curtains, with Aliester Essex trailing not too far behind. The pair makes their way up to the top of the entry ramp, surrounded by erupting flames all around them, and promptly soaks in the crowd's displeasure.
(Troy) Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of four hundred and fifty six pounds, the team of Hush and Essex!
(JB) Let’s not forget that three hundred and twenty six of those pounds belong to Hush alone!
Essex then leads the behemoth towards the ring, instructing him to scale the steel ring steps, and makes his way to the opposite corner as Hush steps over the top rope. The monster takes off his trench coat, allowing it to slip off his shoulders, before making his way to the middle of the ring, looking at the camera, and rubbing his hands together; his sign that he's ready for action. Essex grabs a mic as the house lights return to normal.
(Essex) I know Twitch’s idiotic master plan was to try and make poor Sean Thomas feel better about his losing streak by tag teaming together to take on Hush and I.
The crowd boos the Englishman.
(Essex) At NAFW Day, I literally played Twitch’s little game. But tonight is Hush’s night. Tonight, the torment that began when Hush took Sean Thomas’ sister ends with Hush destroying that so-called “legend,” and his imbecile manager.
More booing.
(Essex) In fact, I am so confident that Hush can handle both of these inferior beings on his own that I am going to sit on the outside of the ring and just watch my monster add another loss to Sean Thomas’ record – and likely end his career in the process. It is Hush that deserves the accolades, not a loser like Sean Thomas.
And with the crowd jeering, Essex drops the mic and does exactly what he says he’s going to do – watch the match from the outside, despite the fact he’s officially a participant.
(JB) That damn Essex is just afraid fight!
(Tom) Why fight when Hush can beat ten men on his own?
The house lights drop out, to be replaced by red lights, pulsing in time with a high hat playing a steady beat behind the rapid opening bass riff of "There and Back Again" by Daughtry. A single spotlight focuses on the top of the ramp, and Two figures are in that spotlight.
Spaz steps forward, wearing his usual attire: simple black pants, dark red elbow pads and wristbands, and the trademark Ruby Oakley’s. He also sports his new "SpaZ" Throwback t-shirt. Standing behind Spaz is his manager, the man known as Twitch. The former commentator wears navy blue khaki shorts, to wrestle in of course, and a red golf shirt with the sleeves cut off, to show off his massive guns he’s built up training for this match. And as usual, Twitch has the famous towel Blake Bouchard over his shoulder.
(Troy) And their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of three hundred and twelve pounds, being accompanied to the ring by Blake Bouchard, they are Spaz and Twitch!
(Tom) And let’s not forget that Hush outweighs this team on his own!
The music skips the opening verse and heads straight into the pre-chorus. Spaz looks back to Twitch, and exchanges some words with him. Their body language seems to indicate that Spaz doesn’t want Twitch to get involved and hurt in this match since only Hush will be really competing.
(JB) And it appears that even though this is officially a tag team contest, Spaz doesn’t want Twitch to get involved.
(Tom) Can you blame him? Twitch is an idiot!
(JB) I think Spaz would rather handle Hush alone than see his friend and manager get hurt.
On the word "Shine" Spaz bolts down the ramp and slides into the ring, he bounces off the ropes and comes flying back at Hush, clotheslining the big man over the top rope! The referee calls for the bell and this match is officially under way. Hush lands on his feet on the outside of the ring and looks at Essex, who is absolutely shocked that Spaz just did that to his monster.
(JB) Unbelievable! Spaz caught the monster completely off guard!
(Tom) It was a fluke move.
But while Hush is looking at his keeper, Spaz is flying over the top rope and with a senton splash onto Hush! The crowd breaks into a huge chant of “Spaz! Spaz! Spaz!” while Twitch and Essex are trash talking from opposite areas surrounding the ring. Spaz drags Hush up and hits him in the face a few times, then nails him with a few high kicks, slowly backing Hush up to the ring. As Spaz returns to the punches, Hush effortlessly pushes Spaz away with one arm, but the NAFW Hall of Famer pounces right back on his opponent. Again Spaz tries to punch Hush in the face several times, but Hush shoves Spaz even further towards the ramp with one arm.
(Tom) Don’t even try Spaz. Just accept your loss!
Spaz charges at him once again, and Hush picks him up over his head to throw him over the top rope and into the ring. Things don’t quite go according to plan, however, because Spaz manages to balance himself on the middle rope before launching himself backwards at Hush with a Sweetsault moonsault! But it doesn’t connect! Instead, Hush catches Spaz in a wheelbarrow position. From there he lifts Spaz over his shoulder, then drives the back of Spaz into the ring apron!
(JB) Oh my Gord!
(Tom) Now that’s what I’m talking about. Spaz is probably broken in two!
Referee James Elbourn tries to get both men back into the ring as Hush is coached by Essex on the sidelines. The monster then walks over to Sean Thomas, drags him up to his feet, and slams him face first into the steel steps. Twitch thinks about rushing in at Hush, but he is deterred once he sizes up the behemoth.
(JB) Perhaps Twitch is making the wise move by not getting involved.
(Tom) Perhaps Twitch should stop being a “fraidy-cat.” He’s the one who asked for this match!
Hush picks up Spaz again, but this time he throws him into the crowd guardrail. The monster follows that up with clubs to the back. This time Twitch rushes over with a steel chair and cracks Hush across the back! Hush is completely unaffected, and in response, he punches the chair into Twitch’s face, knocking him out!
(Tom) Yes! Now that’s an effective way to deal with a problem!
(JB) Poor Twitch might have been over his head here.
As Essex chuckles in delight, Hush shifts his focus back onto Spaz. He picks up the light heavyweight superstar and whips him toward the crowd barrier once again. This time though, Spaz jumps up onto the top of the barrier, then springs back with a Sweets Kick heel kick!
(JB) Spaz was definitely down in the dumps after his last handful of matches, but he’s out here wrestling like he’s got nothing to lose!
(Tom) Nothing to lose… except another match… and his dignity… and his legacy…
Spaz crawls over to check on Twitch, who is still unresponsive. Unfortunately, that enziguri didn’t do a ton of damage to Hush, and he’s already back up to his feet. Hush grabs Spaz, rips him away from his manager, and throws him back into the ring. Once they are both back on the inside, Hush Irish whips Spaz across the ring. Hush bends over, likely to try and gain leverage to flapjack Spaz, but Spaz rolls over the back of Hush and lands on his feet! Hush turns and throws a haymaker, but Spaz ducks and unleashes some punches. He tries to Irish whip Hush, but the big man reverses it. After bouncing off the ropes, Spaz slides between Hush’s legs, then as Hush turns around, Spaz drills him with a drop kick! Spaz makes the pin cover, but Hush shoves him off and up into the air after a half a count.
(Tom) Look at the pure strength of Hush! It’s going to take a lot more than a drop kick to try and put this match away.
(JB) I think Spaz knows that, but simply going for the pin fall is an effective way of wearing your opponent down.
(Tom) Except when your opponent throws you off him and up three feet in the air.
Both men get back up, and Hush catches his breath in the corner. Spaz attempts to whip him out of the corner, but with his dominant strength, Hush reverses the whip and sends Spaz into the corner instead. Hush charges in looking for a splash, but Spaz defends with an elbow to the face. As Hush goes stumbling away from the corner, his opponent rushes forward, but Hush is quick to military press him over his head. He then drops him from close to ten feet in the air!
(Tom) It seems like a reoccurring theme in this match is Spaz being dropped from high places.
With the wind knocked out of him, Spaz crawls to his corner where Twitch has recovered to as well. Twitch asks Pez if he wants to tag out, but Pez answers no. Spaz might have wanted to say yes, because Hush rushes in and connects with a splash, squashing Spaz in the corner. Twitch leans over the ropes and taunts Hush to do something, and when Hush lunges at him, Twitch drops down off the apron. As Spaz gets to both knees, Hush palms his face like a basketball, lets go, and punches him with his other hand. Spaz falls back into the corner where Hush engages in an illegal barehanded choke around the neck. The referee begins a five count, and when Hush won’t break it, he steps in to try and physically separate the two.
(JB) James Elbourn is showing some real guts trying to keep this match somewhat fair.
(Tom) James Elbourn is as stupid as Twitch for getting in Hush’s way. Just look!
Hush’s response is to shove the referee aside. He then whips Spaz across the ring to the opposite corner, but as Spaz gets there, he swings himself between the ropes and onto the apron. As Hush charges into an empty corner, Sean Thomas connects with a cutter as he drops to the floor below, bouncing Hush’s neck off the ropes. Spaz hops back up onto the apron, and as he attempts to do something with the ropes, Essex grabs his leg. Spaz gives him a stiff kick to the head, and then springboards off the top rope with a flying cross body. It connects, and Spaz hangs on for the pin cover that only gets a two count.
(JB) Another pin fall attempt by Spaz, but more importantly, it looks like Essex isn’t staying true to his word of sitting on the sidelines.
(Tom) Cut him a break. He’s used to helping out his monster in any way possible. That’s why he’s the best manager in the NAFW today!
(JB) Well, he also better realize he’s officially a competitor in this match, so he’s not off limits as that kick to the head reminded him.
Both men get up to their feet, but as Spaz tries to bounce off the ropes, Essex interferes again. Before Spaz knows it, Hush has him in an inverted face lock, which the monster then turns into a delayed inverted suplex! Hush covers, but Spaz kicks out at two.
(JB) No one can deny that the pure strength and power of Hush is impressive.
(Tom) That referee needs to learn how to count faster. No one kicks out with Hush on top of them!
Hush gets up to his feet first, and the crowd is clapping to try and get Spaz back into this match. Hush brings Spaz to his feet, then directs Spaz’s face into the corner turnbuckle. He then holds Spaz’s head back, and delivers a stiff overhand slap to the chest with his other free hand. That seems to sufficiently knock the wind out of Sean Thomas’ lungs, but for good measure, Hush winds up and does it again as the crowd jeers. The crowd’s reaction distracts Hush enough that he paces around the ring looking at the crowd, before Essex barks at him to get back into the match.
(JB) You can see Spaz is starting to wear down, despite his energetic start. Hush can literally knock the wind out of anyone.
However, Spaz finds the energy to unleash his own barrage of open hand chops to the chest of Hush, none of them as effective as the monster’s own. It’s enough to catch Hush off guard, so Spaz whips him into the ropes. But before Spaz can move, Essex once again grabs his boot and restrains him. Spaz isn’t going to take this anymore so he begins to step through the ropes. Unfortunately, he forgot Hush is running back his way, and the monster drills the former NAFW owner with a big forearm, sending Spaz head first into the crowd barrier on the outside.
(Tom) Looks like Spaz needs to get his head back into this match, and out of the crowd barrier! He’s getting epically owned out here tonight!
Twitch immediately runs over to check on Spaz, while Essex enters the ring to direct Hush. He tells his monster to go over to the outside and to destroy Spaz. Hush obeys, and when he gets to Spaz, Twitch throws his towel Blake Bouchard over Hush’s mask, then low blows the big man. Unfortunately for Twitch, Hush has gonads made of stone or something, because that act hurts Twitch more than it hurts Hush. The monster pulls the towel off of his face and proceeds to use it to choke Twitch!
(Tom) Does this classify as a Blake Bouchard heel turn?
(JB) Absolutely not! He’s being used against his will!
(Tom) Trick question! You just referred to a towel as a person! What’s wrong with you Mann-itoba?
Then like a child swinging a rag doll, Hush swings Twitch up, through the ropes, and into the ring where he rolls right up to the feet of Essex who begins stomping him.
(JB) Good Gord! Hush literally swung Twitch into the ring, and now Essex is taking advantage!
(Tom) Speaking of taking advantage, that’s what I did to your sister last night!
Meanwhile, on the outside, Hush finally pulls Spaz off the floor. Hush adds some more insult to injury by rubbing the NAFW Original’s face against the steel steps. Spaz is dazed and confused kneeling on the outside as Hush throws some vicious punches to his head. Finally Hush rolls Spaz back into the ring, where Essex has left Twitch laying.
(JB) With both Spaz and Essex down, it looks like this match could easily be finished by Hush and Essex.
Essex demands Hush dispose of Twitch, and he does by throwing him through the ropes and to the outside, where he lands near the announce table. As Essex is exiting the ring to return to his seat on the outside, he tells Hush to stop playing with Spaz and to put the loser out of his misery. Hush taunts Spaz to get up, and Spaz crawls toward Hush, probably unaware of what he is doing. Like a twisted kid abusing an animal, Hush kicks Spaz in the ribs, knocking him back down to the mat.
(Tom) I think its time to put Old Yeller out of his misery, Hush.
Thomas can’t even get up to his feet, so Hush helps him up and then drills him with a sidewalk slam. Hush hooks the leg, and the referee counts one… two… But somehow, someway, Spaz gets the shoulder up to the delight of the crowd!
(JB) I don’t know how he did it, but Spaz got that shoulder up!
Hush can’t believe it, and Essex starts barking “Hurt him! Hurt him!” The monster unleashes several stomps on Spaz, then heads to the corner and heads for uncharted territory: climbing the turnbuckle.
(Tom) Oh boy, this is going to be death-from-above for Spaz…
Hush seats himself on the top turnbuckle as he waits for Spaz to get back onto his feet. Hush goes for a flying lariat, but Spaz throws himself onto the mat to duck it! Both men are down, and now Twitch has crawled to the apron to try and encourage Spaz to get up. Essex gets up from his seat and does the same for his wrestler. Both men get up and Spaz bounces off the ropes. Hush tries for a clothesline, but Spaz ducks. Spaz bounces off the ropes again, but this time Hush stops him dead in his tracks with a big boot! Hush picks up Spaz and goes to powerbomb him, but at the last second, Spaz wiggles free and turns the move into a seated face buster!
(Tom) That’s a desperation move if I’ve ever seen one!
(JB) Whatever works, Bear. Spaz is hanging in there.
Both men pop up, and Hush reverses an Irish whip, but Spaz responds with a flying head scissors, taking Hush down to the mat!
(JB) Spaz must have taken an insulin injection because he’s springing to life.
(Tom) If he did, that’d be cheating! I’m reporting him to the athletic commission!
Hush is up and this time the monster gets drilled in the temple with a flying enziguri. He collapses onto one knee, and Spaz heads to the top turnbuckle at the nearest corner. He slowly climbs, and Hush slowly makes it onto his own two feet. Spaz goes flying with a missile drop kick, but Hush throws referee James Elbourn in the way!
(Tom) Smart use of his surroundings shown by Hush!
(JB) What are you talking about? Throwing the referee in the way is blatantly against the rules.
Essex immediately slides into the ring and brandishes a pair of handcuffs. Hush restrains Spaz in the corner, and Essex cuffs him to the top rope! Spaz is completely defenseless as Hush avalanches into the corner and squashes him not once, not twice, but three times.
(Tom) This is what I’d call beating a dead horse. Can we get the doctor in the back to come out here and declare Spaz legally dead so this match can end?
Twitch, with a steel chair in hand, enters the ring behind Essex and drills the Brit from behind, knocking him out. Hush turns to see what happened, and he makes the cutthroat motion to Twitch. Twitch begs him to back off, but the monster forces Twitch into the opposite corner from Spaz. As he tries to disarm the chair away from Twitch, the clever manager reaches into his pocket and throws a fistful of powder – or perhaps crushed Pez tablets – into Hush’s eyes! With the big man blinded, Twitch begins to chop down the tree known as Hush, pounding the steel into his leg incessantly until the big man is down on the mat.
(JB) Good Gord! Twitch is taking it to Hush! I never thought I’d see that in all of my years here in the announce booth.
(Tom) I’d love to do that to Twitch…
Getting that bit of rage out, Twitch turns his attention to Spaz who is just hanging by his wrist in the corner after being crushed by Hush. After a few moments of tinkering, Twitch frees Spaz from the cuffs, then tries to slap his wrestler back into consciousness – but it doesn’t work. After panicking for a moment, a light bulb goes off in his head and he reaches into his pocket. This time he doesn’t grab more powder, but instead… a Pez dispenser with his own head on it. He dumps out a few Pez candies into his hand, and forces them into Spaz’s mouth. Twitch then forces Spaz’s jaw to chew the Pez, and within moments the sugar rush seems to bring Spaz back to life!
(Tom) What in the hell? Since when does Twitch have his own Pez dispenser?
(JB) Pez is to Spaz what spinach is to Popeye!
Spaz rolls under the bottom rope, then climbs the turnbuckle nearest to where Hush is struggling to get up, hitting a dropkick to the bad knee. Spaz hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Twitch tries to revive the ref, but it’s no good. Spaz would have had the match won by now. He breaks his own pin cover and joins Twitch in trying to revive the referee, giving Hush enough time to roll over and grab that steel chair Twitch was using. Hush crawls up onto one knee, then blasts Spaz in the back with the steel chair. Hush then shoves Twitch out of the ring with one hand, and makes a pin cover on Spaz. Slowly, referee James Elbourn begins to make the count. One… Two… Two and a half… Kick out!
(Tom) No!!! Maybe Elbourn is tired from working two matches tonight, but that should have been a three count.
(JB) Tired from working two matches? How about all the abuse Hush as put him through? Or how about you admit that Spaz refuses to give up tonight?
(Tom) Never!
Hush can’t believe it, and in a rage he throws the referee to the outside of the ring as well. He shifts his attention back to Spaz and lifts him up onto the top turnbuckle. He throws a punch or two to keep Sean Thomas sitting there. He then climbs the turnbuckle and looks to superplex Spaz, but Spaz does everything he can to try and fight off the monster. Finally, Spaz rolls on the back of Hush and hits a desperation powerbomb out of the corner with an assist thanks to the elevation of the turnbuckle. Slowly Spaz crawls over and makes the cover, and the referee sees it from the outside. He slides back into the ring as fast as he can, considering all of the abuse he has taken, and begins to count. One… Two… No! Essex, who was laid out by Twitch with a chair earlier, breaks up the count.
(JB) For someone who didn’t want to actively compete in this match, Essex sure is getting in the way a lot.
(Tom) Thank you Captain Obvious. Essex can do whatever he pleases.
(JB) I suppose if he doesn’t, another move like that elevated powerbomb could mean the end for Hush.
(Tom) Unlikely! Don’t you remember it took being hit by a car to bury Hush alive? Spaz is screwed tonight, no matter what kind of moves he pulls out.
Spaz has had enough of Essex at this point, and he gets up and corners Hush’s manager. Normally Spaz wouldn’t be the type of guy to waste time attacking managers, even in an official tag team match like this, but Essex wants to play rough, so Spaz gives it to him with an onslaught of open hand chops. This of course buys Hush enough time to get back up to his feet. He spins Spaz around and drills him with Echoes in Eternity, that Black Hole Slam-type move. The referee is in position to make what is certain to be the final pin fall count. One… Two… Nope! This time it was Twitch to the rescue on the outside, pulling the referee away before his hand could strike three.
(JB) Echoes in Eternity but Twitch breaks up the pin cover! This match could have been over right there!
(Tom) Twitch and Spaz should be disqualified! Twitch isn’t the legal man! He has no place in that ring!
(JB) But Essex does?
(Tom) Yes!
(JB) …
Twitch, battered and bruised, gets into the ring and confronts Hush face to face… well, more like Twitch’s face into Hush’s chest. After several intense moments of this, Twitch offers Hush the Pez dispenser, and Hush accepts it – only to crush it in his hand. Hush quickly wraps his hand around Twitch’s throat and lifts him sky high for a chokeslam. He holds him there just for fun as Twitch’s legs dangle so many feet off the ground. But just when he’s about to slam Twitch down, Spaz sneaks under Hush’s raised arm and nails the big man with a Sugar Rush flatliner, saving Twitch from the chokeslam!
(JB) Sugar Rush! Sugar Rush! Sugar Rush out of no where! This could be it!
Twitch tells Spaz to finish it, but Essex is back up to his feet and starts marching over to them. Spaz confronts Essex while Twitch quickly sneaks behind them and grabs Blake Bouchard. He then jumps Essex from behind, wraps the towel around Essex’s neck, and scissors Essex’s body, restraining the evil manager with a rear naked choke, drawing a large pop from the crowd!
(JB) Twitch with a rear naked choke using the towel Blake Bouchard!
(Tom) That’s illegal, he should be disqualified! Ring the bell, you idiot referee!
(JB) I don’t think so Tom. He’s busy doing other things!
This frees up Spaz to hook the leg of Hush as far back as he can get it, as the big man is still down from the Sugar Rush. The referee begins the count. One… Two… THREE!
(JB) This one is over! Spaz and Twitch have defeated Hush and Essex!
At the count of three, Twitch releases the chokehold on Essex, and the keeper of Hush has passed out! He rushes over to Spaz and the two hug. The referee raises their hands high in the air as the crowd rises to their feet. Twitch politely steps to the side and begins clapping for his buddy ‘Pez,’ who the crowd is now giving a standing ovation to.
(Tom) No! No! No! No! I can’t believe that idiot Twitch has officially won a match, and I can’t believe Spaz has broken his losing streak!
(JB) Come on now. Twitch pulled his fair share in this match and tried to stand up for Spaz however he could, and in the end, the good guys prevailed thanks to Spaz’s never-say-die attitude!
(Tom) Bullocks.
(JB) Be as upset as you want Bear, but these fans are on their feet showing Spaz the respect he deserves.
Spaz politely waives to the fans for a minute before telling Twitch they should head to the back.
Cut.
A Wish To Come True?
We fade into the backstage area, specifically NAFW Commissioner Ray Buchanan’s office. While it seems like most of the staff is enjoying their night, Ray is busy going over some papers on his desk with the show playing on a TV screen in this office. Obviously though, we’re not here to watch the Commissioner do his paperwork.
Cue Keith Owens coming into the office. He’s dressed in his ring gear and a t-shirt, and he’s got a piece of paper in his hand.
He walks straight up to Buchanan’s desk without a word and slaps the piece of paper down on top of whatever Buchanan was working on.
Buchanan looks up at Keith, then down at the paper. It only takes him a few moments to read before his eyes shift upwards at Keith.
(Keith) What are you waiting for Buchanan? Sign it.
Buchanan pauses for a moment and re-examines the paper again.
(Buchanan) C’mon Mr. Owens, on tonight of all nights, you want to do this?
The Difference Maker is quick to respond.
(Keith) It’s about the honor and dignity of this company, Ray. It’s about making sure the right thing happens tonight. It’s about trying to make amends for the way I acted at last OBLIVION. It’s about making sure things don’t end the way they did at the last Revolution.
For those unaware, the last OBLIVION saw Keith Owens retain the Foundation Heavyweight Championship against David Kurresh after weeks of dirty tactics. And the last Revolution Pay Per View was the one that ended the run of the “Atlantic Era” of the NAFW, where Keith Owens retained the title against Mike Lane by getting counted out, before handing it back over to the evil board members that decided to close down the NAFW.
(Buchanan) I don’t really want to do this, but I don’t have any choice but to sign this, given the nature of the deal. A Wish is a Wish, and this is the last one out there.
Ray Buchanan grabs a pen and quickly signs off on what we now know is a Wish, then pushes it back across the table to Owens.
(Buchanan) Good luck out there tonight Keith. You’re going to need it if you want to survive Trevor Cunning. And I hope this crusade you’re on is worth it.
Keith grabs the Wish and looks it over one last time.
(Keith) I’m just trying to do the right thing.
And with that, Keith turns and leaves the office, leaving Commission Buchanan staring at the door frame.
Out.
(Tom) What was that all about?
(JB) Well, the Trust Fund Kids have been sitting on a Wish left over from Death Wish and the Three Wishes match. The Reaper used his Wish to challenge Trevor Cunning for the Foundation Heavyweight Championship immediately after the Three Wishes match, and of course Mike Lane used his Wish to challenge Mike Stryker in the main event here at OBLIVION.
(Tom) So what did Owens just use his Wish for? And what about Trevor’s say in it?
(JB) I wish I could tell you more Bear, but I’m clearly sitting right next to you as all of this is going on. Maybe Owens was swiping the Wish for himself and using it as a backup plan in case he loses to Cunning? Maybe the Wish is provisional upon him being victorious against Cunning? Maybe it’s insurance that if he wins, Cunning will be banned from ever entering another NAFW event even as a spectator? We just don’t know. Maybe Cunning had a provisional Wish signed off too? There is no telling for certain.
(Tom) It’s probably something really weaksauce, since Keith is trying to do “the right thing.” It makes me want to vomit.
(JB) Hold it in Bear, because this night isn’t over yet.
Entourage
We cut backstage to a hallway where Scott Rocker, Rex Michaels, and GNR are talking amongst themselves.
Into the frame comes none other than Dane Cook, the “comedian-slash-actor” suing Mike Stryker!
(Dane Cook) Hey brah, you know where I can find that Mike Stryker asshole?
The Rock ‘n’ Rex Express halt their conversation, and Rocker slowly turns around to glare at Dane Cook.
(Rocker) Who the hell are you?
Dane Cook looks shocked.
(Dane Cook) Who the hell am I? I’m Dane motha-[bleep]-in’ Cook, and I’m going to take this company for all it’s worth. Who the hell are you? Some kind of roadie here? Just point me to Mike Stryker’s locker room. I’ve got some more words for him.
Rocker is about to explode for being called a roadie, but before he can react, something else catches his attention.
(???) Yo yo yo!
It’s Fred Durst! The nu-metal rapper strolls up onto the party, and has some words for Scott Rocker as well.
(Fred Durst) What the hell was that earlier tonight? You’re the one who invited me and my dope ass band Limp Bizkit here, fool. What you doin’ trippin’ like that during our performance?
Now Rocker is really about to lose it.
(Rocker) What am I doing? What are you doing? You’re treadin’ all over me, pal! You know the rules when you step foot in the NAFW…
Durst, as well as everyone else in the hallway with him, looks confused.
(Rocker) No riding out on a Caddy with Fred Durst on your hood!
That right there would be a throw back to the rules pertaining to superstars’ entrances during the “Atlantic Era” of the NAFW.
Rex Michaels and GNR have one of those “Aahh” moments of understanding, then nod along in agreement with Scott Rocker.
Dust and Cook still look confused though.
(Fred Durst) I don’t give a f’ about your stupid rules!
(Dane Cook) And I don’t know what the hell any of you weirdos are talking about. Someone just point me to Stryker’s locker room already!
(Rocker) Ahhh! I’m about to go America all over both of your asses!
Sensing that Scott Rocker is itching for a fight, Rex Michaels lets out a whistle to hail someone over to their portion of the hallway.
(Rex) Hey boys…
And sure enough Brick and Mortar stroll up to the group, with Brick behind Fred Durst, and Mortar behind Dane Cook. The two men stand firmly with their arms behind their backs, but neither Cook or Durst have the balls to turn around.
(Rex) I’d like you gentlemen to the Rock ‘n’ Rex Express’s new security detail, Brick and Mortar.
(Rocker) And they’re gonna show you what it means to go America all over somebody’s ass!
At the same time, Fred Durst and Dane Cook turn around to see two very giant men stand behind them. Before they can have a reaction beyond that of general fear, Brick and Mortar step back, and their arms swing, each of them with a guitar in hand.
Before you know it, they’ve El-Kabonged both Dane Cook and Fred Durst, leaving them knocked out on the floor!
Massive cheering emerges from the arena as Scott Rocker speaks once more.
(Rocker) C’mon boys, let’s give these two losers a little alone time.
Brick picks up Fred Durst and drops him on top of Dane Cook in a compromising position. The group laughs and walks off the scene, leaving the camera to zoom in on Durst and Cook looking mighty foolish.
(Tom) I have to admit, I am definitely in favor of cracking guitars over both Fred Durst and Dane Cook’s heads.
(JB) I can’t say they didn’t deserve it, but it seems we’ve got problems not beating up celebrities here in the NAFW as of late.
(Tom) Hey, we’re practically in Hollywood, it was bound to happen tonight!
(JB) Well, as fun as that was, this next match looks like a hoot.
(Troy) The following contest is a Relay Match and it is for the NAFW Atlantic Championship. The winner of each match continues to wrestle in subsequent matches until he loses. Once a competitor loses two matches, he is eliminated from the Relay Match. The winner will be the last man standing.
(JB) You folks at home heard the rules. The winner keeps fighting, and if you lose twice, you’re done.
(Tom) Pfft. What is this supposed to do? Show athletic determination and toughness?
(JB) Yes.
(Tom) Oh.
“Down and Out” by Tantric hits the speakers in the arena, and the big man known as Xavier Caine makes his way out to the ring to practically no crowd reaction~!
(Troy) Making his way to the ring, weighing in at three hundred and one pounds, Xavier… Caine
Caine makes his way down to the ring and steps over the top rope.
The lights go out again as cameras begin to flash. Suddenly, a gigantic thunderbolt hits the stage as "Psychosocial" by Slipknot begins to play and out comes "The Dark Thorn" Rose in a sexy red halter top and black dress with fishnet stockings. She looks to the crowd begins to laugh wickedly. We then see Peter Gilmour come out from the entranceway in a red cloaked jacket with "XTREME" on the hood and back. He joins his lovely girlfriend on the ramp.
(Troy) Making his way to the ring, weighing in at two hundred and fifty five pounds, he is Peter… Gilmour!
The couple gets into the ring normally and then proceeds to the middle of the ring. As soon as the singer sings "The preservation of the martyr in me," Peter and Rose throw up the "X" symbol as fire emits from the turnbuckles.
The opening of “I Don’t Wanna Stop” plays as the word and name "SNAKE" flashes across the screen. As the guitars start to pick up, Snake is seen coming out from the back to a chorus of boos from the crowd in attendance. Snake throws his arms up in the air causing green pyro to go off on the stage behind him before he starts to make his way down to the ring. Snake takes his sweet time getting to the ring, showing his "appreciation" for the fans.
(Troy) Making his way to the ring, weighing in at two hundred and twenty pounds, he is… Snake!
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.
The arena lights go down as the 'Ace' Signature logo appears on screen. A large '1' is spray panted over the top before “Keep Yourself Alive II” kicks in over the PA. Andy comes out and heads towards the ring with the Atlantic Championship strapped to his waist, hand slapping a couple of the audience along the way.
(Troy) And finally, making his way to the ring, weighing in at one hundred and ninety seven pounds, he is the Atlantic Champion… Andyyyyyyy DDDDDDD!
Andy climbs into the ring and heads to his turnbuckle, flipping his bucket hat off his head and placing on the metal part of the turnbuckle. He takes off his shades and places them on the hat before turning around ready for the match.
(JB) Let me tell you folks, I expect a lot of quick action here. It’s possible that one man will have to beat all three of his opponents twice in order to come out of this match with the Atlantic Championship. This will be a test of endurance, strength, and heart.
(Tom) That sounds like a good pitch for a Lifetime movie. Let’s just get this shindig under way.
Referee Phil Redding holds the Atlantic Championship high up in the air for all to see before passing it to an assistant at ringside. Xavier Caine and Peter Gilmour will be starting this match, per the entry order determined by the battle royal on the last Annihilation. Redding calls for the bell.
Atlantic Championship Relay: Match 1
Xavier Caine vs. Peter Gilmour
Gilmour gets right on the offensive by spearing Caine right out of the ring. Snake and Andy D look on as Peter throws Caine into the guard rail with force. He then looks at Andy D. Peter motions that he will be the next champ. Andy D just smiles. Snake tried to blindside Gilmour but the referee quickly puts a stop to that and tells Snake to go back to his side of the ring. Gilmour looks back at Snake and laughs. The distraction by Snake allows Caine to turn the tables and throw Peter into the ring post shoulder first.
(JB) Damn that had to hurt.
Peter grabs his shoulder as Rose tries to cheer her man on. Fans are cheering for Gilmour, which is odd. Caine throws Gilmour back into the ring and goes for the cover.
1..2..
Kick out by Gilmour.
(JB) Caine trying to get the early victory here.
(Tom) Its gonna take more than that to put the Xtreme Icon down, Mannbearpig.
Caine picks Gilmour up by his hair and hits some hard right hands flooring the Xtreme Icon. Rose is screaming for her man to get up. Caine sends Peter off the ropes, but Peter sees the move and ducks under going off the other side of the ropes and hits a clothesline which isn't very effective as Caine begins to wobble. Peter goes for another clothesline and gets the same result.
(JB) Caine just won't go down. What does Peter have to do to get the big man down?
(Tom) Get some TNT maybe?
Peter now runs the ropes again, Caine tries for a big boot, Peter ducks and goes off the ropes again and hits a flying body tackle which knocks over Caine. The fans go nuts for this as Peter throws up an "X" and then looks at Snake.
(JB) Peter wants Snake next Tom. Look at his eyes.
(Tom) He is a man possessed Man-Wheel.
Snake looks at Peter and does the cut-throat sign. Peter gets mad and goes over to a fallen Caine. Peter tries to pick up the massive giant but his back gives out and Caine lands on Peter and covers.
1..2...THRE--
NO! Peter kicks out at 2 7/8!! Snake is beside himself as Andy D just looks on with a interested look.
(JB) How the hell did Gilmour kick out of that?
(Tom) He has the will to win, Man-Bitch. COME ON GILMOUR!
Caine signals for the end as he picks Peter up and puts him between his legs going for the Great Silencing. He tries to hook Peter's arms but somehow Peter wiggles free and Peter hits Caine with a stiff kick to the ribs doubling the big man over. Peter puts Caine between his legs and has an evil look on his face. Caine reverses whatever Peter had in store by flipping Peter over him, but Peter manages to seat himself on the nearby turnbuckle, with his back to the ring. Pete gets onto his feet, then moonsaults off the top. As he passes over Caine’s head, he grabs his hair and slams him down face first with a seated face buster, X-Factor style. Peter hooks the leg quickly.
1… 2… 3!
(JB) Gilmour has taken the big man down!
(Tom) And Xavier Caine is pissed!
Gilmour rolls off of the cover and Xavier Caine is quick to his feet in disbelief he just got pinned. He tries to go after Gilmour, but referee Phil Redding tries to force Caine out of the ring to make him wait until his next turn.
Atlantic Championship Relay: Match 2
Peter Gilmour vs. Snake
As Xavier Caine continues to be uncooperative, Snake rushes into the ring and clocks Gilmour from behind.
(JB) Like a snake in the grass, Snake blindsides Peter Gilmour while the referee isn’t looking.
Snake whips Gilmour into one turnbuckle and follows it up with a muy thai knee to the face. At this point, the referee has removed Xavier Caine from the ring and has returned his attention to the match. Snake then whips Gilmour across to the opposite turnbuckle. Peter stumbles out of it from the impact, and Snake scoops him up. He walks him back into the corner and drops Pete face first onto the turnbuckle for the Snake Eyes!
Peter begins to flop to his back and Snake catches him with a school boy rolls up on his way down. Redding slides down to count.
1… 2…
Snake puts his feet on the ropes!
3… Kick out!
(JB) Snake picked up the three count with some extra leverage from the ropes, and Peter was just a second too slow to kick out despite of that.
(Tom) By hook or by crook, Snake has given the Xtreme Icon one strike against his record.
Peter rolls out of the ring, unaware that Snake used extra leverage against him. Rose tells him and he starts to get really pissed off, but she convinces him to wait to get his revenge.
Atlantic Championship Relay: Match 3
Snake vs. Andy D
As if Snake had eyes in the back of his mask, he quickly turns and throws a forearm into the face of Andy D, who has climbed up onto the ring apron to enter the match. Andy D shakes the cobwebs out of his head just in time to catch a now flying Snake as he comes over the top rope with a suicide dive.
(JB) Good Gord!
On one side of the ring, we see head of NAFW Security Ryan McJohnson and his security team trying to stop Xavier Caine and Peter Gilmour from causing additional ruckus on the outside. Snake is throwing continuous right hands to the head of Andy D on the outside of the ring as Phil pleads with the duo to get back into the ring. Snake continues his assault by throwing Andy D into the barricade, following that up with a few forearms to the temple, then ending his assault with a back first ram into the side of the ring.
(JB) Andy D's gotta be in pain, and Phil Redding has started his ten count!
(Tom) Oh no! The ten count of doom!
1...Snake stomps on Andy D's back a few times and picks him up by his hair.
2… Snake throws him back first into the ring steps.
3... Snake heads over by the other corner of the ring, and slaps his thigh twice.
4... Snake charges at Andy D, looking to put a boot into Andy D's face. Unfortunately for Snake, Andy D moves out of the way at the last possible second, but Snake is able to stop himself just before he does any damage to himself.
6...Snake turns around, and walks right into a boot to the gut, followed by a DDT from Andy D.
7...Andy D is just conscious enough to get back up to his feet.
8...Andy D grabs Snake by the back of his mask and pulls him to his feet, rolling him into the ring.
9...Andy D pulls himself onto the ring apron, breaking the 10 count.
With Snake on the mat, Andy D thinks it's the perfect time to show that he can be agile and lucha-esque as well. With that, Andy D jumps up and over the top rope, looking to hit a front flip leg drop, but Snake moves out of the way. With Andy D now realizing his timing was off, Snake quickly gets up to his feet and charges off the ropes, connecting with a low dropkick to the chest of Andy D.
(JB) What a dropkick by Snake!
On the outside, Caine talks smack on Peter Gilmour, with Gilmour responding in kind, both men being held back by security to the best of their abilities.
Back in the ring, with Andy D down on the mat, Snake decides to climb up to the top rope. Snake makes a quick signal, but before he does anything, we see Andy D quickly roll out of the ring to give himself a breather, and Snake jumps down to the mat. Andy D crouches down some and Snake, trying to keep his all out offense going, leaps over the top rope for a body press. Unfortunately for Snake, Andy D sees this coming and moves out of the way at the last possible second, and Snake crash and burns feet first on the floor mats.
(JB) Ooh...Snake crashes and burns!
(Tom) Is it just me, or is Pete rubbing that in?
Indeed he is, as Snake, who's now slightly limping, starts to get in a yelling war with the Xtreme Icon. Caine throws in a few words of his own, most of which might be slightly TOO vulgar, even for PPV standards. Andy D sees this as a good a time as any to strike and launches himself at Snake, who, with eyes in the back of his head, ducks out of the way, and Andy D accidentally takes out the handful of security guards holding Peter at bay. Snake quickly rolls back into the ring as Peter first takes the time to get in a cheap shot on Andy D, then makes a beeline for Xavier Caine and the security guards surrounding him. Snake takes this time to get in a quick breather and takes a seat near Wilson to survey his work.
(JB) Good Gord! Andy D accidentally took out the security guards!
(Tom) And now he's doing what he should've done in the first place!
(JB) Why doesn't Phil Redding stop this!?
(Tom) Yeah! Disqualify them all and just give Pete the damn title! I mean, Snake started it, Andy D continued it, and Caine ended it! This is all self defense on Peter's part!
(JB) ...
Phil Redding, wanting to get this match back under control, climbs out of the ring and grabs Andy D before he can get in a shot on Peter. Andy D protests, but Phil threatens to disqualify him. Andy D shakes his head in disappointment as Phil turns his attention towards separating Peter Gilmour and Xavier Caine. After about another minute or so, more security guards have made themselves visible, and Caine gets in a hard shot to Pete's head, taking him off his feet. Caine then mounts Peter and begins throwing several shots to the head. Back in the ring, Snake's now up on his feet. Andy D's climbed back into the ring and Snake meets him with a forearm shot to the face. Snake throws several more, then grabs Andy D's arm and whips him into the corner.
(Tom) Damn it Phil! Those were all illegal shots by Caine!
(JB) Tom, you do realize that Caine and Peter currently aren't the legal men, right?
(Tom) Yeah...Well...When they are, he should be disqualified right off the bat!
(JB) If he's going to disqualify anyone, then he needs to focus on Snake and Andy D first...
(Tom) Pft...Details, details...
With Andy D in the corner, Snake tries for a running shoulder thrust, but his legs, which took a semi-nasty impact earlier in the match, give way as Andy D moves out of the corner, and Snake goes head first into the turnbuckle. Snake tries to get up to his feet as he shakes his head and legs, trying to get some blood flowing and get rid of some of the pain. Andy D does the same as he slowly moves over to the opposite side of the ring. Phil has just about regained control on the outside of the ring as Andy D charges at Snake, who decides to counter with a shot to the head from his long time friend and tag partner in crime, Wilson.
(JB) WHAT THE HELL!?
Snake quickly tosses Wilson out of the ring just as Phil has regained full control and climbed into the ring. Phil sees Andy D out cold, and Snake on top of Andy D in a pinning predicament, where Snake is laying on his back, and hooking one of Andy's legs.
(Tom) SEE!? DISQUALIFY HIM PHIL! DO IT NOW!
(JB) He would, but he was too busy trying to get the Peter Gilmour and Xavier Caine fight under control to see anything!
Indeed that does look to be the case as Phil surveys the damage briefly, then drops to his knees and starts a three count.
One!
(JB) Not like this!
Two!
(JB) Not again!
(Tom) Not more Wilson!
THREE!
Snake rolls over to his stomach and off of Andy D's prone body. Phil rolls Andy D out of the ring as Snake slowly gets up to his feet, using the ropes as a temporary crutch. At this point, we see Xavier Caine slide into the ring under the bottom rope behind Snake as Pete is seen slowly starting to get back to his feet.
Atlantic Championship Relay: Match 4
Snake vs. Xavier Caine
(JB) The big man has been itching to get into this fight since his surprise elimination by Gilmour to kick off this relay match.
Snake tries taking a few steps forward, but fairly quickly falls to his knee. Caine stalks Snake from behind as Snake gets back up to his feet, and as soon as he does, Caine kicks out Snake's feet from under him. Snake screams in pain as he lays on his back, holding his knee. Caine, not wanting to let Snake "play him for a fool," quickly climbs out of the ring, grabs Snake's bum leg, and slams it against the ring's edge. Snake screams out in pain as Caine doesn't want to let up. Craig grabs Snake's leg once more and slams it against the edge once more, and again, Snake screams out in pain as he kicks Caine in the face with his good leg and pushes himself back into the center of the ring.
(Tom) If Xavier Caine fought like this most of the time, he could end up better than… Charles Johnson!
At this point, Pete's gotten back up to his feet and tries to fight off the security guards so he can get his hands on Xavier. Xavier sees this, gives Pete the finger, then climbs back into the ring. Peter begins swearing at Caine, but not loud enough to be caught on camera, whilst throwing wild punches in Caine's direction, but unfortunately for Peter, the Ryan McJohnson is letting Peter know his role by not letting him anywhere near the ring.
(JB) These guys are sure letting their emotions get the better of them.
At this point, Xavier is laying in several hard stomps to Snake's leg, followed by dragging Snake over to the ropes, placing his foot on the ropes, then dropping his knee down on Snake's leg several times, and each time, Snake screams in pain. Pete's still trying to break free of security trying to get in the ring. At this point, Caine's got his eyes locked on Peter as he grabs Snake by his bum leg, wraps it around the back of his head, and lifts Snake up into the air using his leg. Snake tries to hold on for as long as possible, but the pain is too unbearable and taps out from the pain.
(JB) Surprisingly, Xavier Caine displayed some competence and strategy in the ring, and scores a tap out win over Snake.
(Tom) But he’s got to win three more matches in a row, beating everybody one more time, if he wants to become Atlantic Champion.
Xavier has the hold on for a few more seconds before Phil Redding forces Caine to drop Snake. Snake quickly rolls to the floor as he holds onto his leg in pain. Caine, with his eyes towards Peter, signals for Peter to bring it as the security guards release Peter. Peter, without hesitation, quickly climbs into the ring, and he and Caine get into a fist fight.
Atlantic Championship Relay: Match 5
Xavier Caine vs. Peter Gilmour
It’s a Pier 6 (?) Brawl as the big man slugs it out with the… other man. Xavier lands some big knife edge chops. Caine looks for a grapple, but before he can execute his plan, Gilmour counters with a back body drop. Caine gets up quickly and rushes Gilmour, who plays the defensive game with an arm drag. Peter holds on though, locking in an arm bar. After applying pressure for a few moments, Pete releases, only to apply a Camel Clutch. Unfortunately for Gilmour, they're too close to the ropes, and Xavier gets the break.
(JB) Peter is really not letting up on Xavier here with those submissions.
Gilmour remains persistent though, whipping Xavier to the far ropes, and catching him with a drop toe hold on the way back. Pete keeps Gilmour down with a series of elbow drops, but Xavier manages to roll out of the way of one, causing Caine to drive his arm sharply into the canvas.
(Tom) Looks like Xavier catches a break there.
Frustrated, Xavier Caine drops his knee into Gilmour’s upper back and neck area, before applying a full nelson on the ground. In a show of power, Xavier pulls the struggling Gilmour up to his feet, still in the full nelson, before slamming the Xtreme Icon face first into the mat. Xavier rolls Peter over for a cover...
1...
2...
No! Pete got the shoulder up in time.
(JB) Xavier can’t quite find two in a row here just yet.
Xavier pulls Peter up and immediately whips his opponent into the ropes. Caine charges after him, but Peter hangs onto the rope and pulls it down, sending Caine crashing to the outside, but on his feet. Peter wastes no time running off the ropes, then baseball slides and kicks Xavier in the back! He follows to the outside and throws some haymakers at Xavier. Andy D and Snake want to get involved in the brawl but security does their best to hold them apart.
(Tom) Could the Xtreme Icon have the advantage here over the big man once again?
The answer to that is No. Xavier fights back and hits a big head butt on Peter Gilmour. Snake breaks free from security and tries to fight Caine, but the big man deflects him easily. This gives Andy D a chance to sneak up behind Caine and nail him with a dropkick to the back. Caine doesn’t fall though. In fact, he stumbles into Peter Gilmore who looks to DDT him. But Pete can’t quite pull him down, and Xavier responds by ramming him into the fan barricade multiple times.
(Tom) Xavier “The Ram” Caine going to work there.
In a rare showing of unity, both Andy D and Snake take turns throwing punches at Xavier Caine, but he answers back to each of them. While this is going on, Redding has begun a 10 count and the count is up to 5.
(JB) I’m not sure Xavier Caine or Peter Gilmore knows the 10 count is going on from referee Phil Redding.
(Tom) And why should they, they’re too busy beating the hell out of each other.
Andy D and Snake continue trying to fight Caine, but he throws both of them aside. What he doesn’t see coming is a flying Gilmour Cutter! Xavier Caine is downed by the Gilmour Cutter! The referee’s count is back up to 9! Peter dives in under the rope… and he clears the 10 count, but Xavier Caine doesn’t! Peter Gilmour wins by count out!
(JB) By golly, Peter Gilmour takes advantage of the situation and beats Xavier Caine by count out!
(Tom) Jeez, Xavier Caine must feel like a real dummy. If only he paid attention and stopped wasting time with Snake and Andy D, he might have been able to get back into the ring before Peter laid him out.
Atlantic Championship Relay: Match 6
Andy D vs. Peter Gilmour
(JB) Peter’s got to win two in a row, and that title is all his finally.
(Tom) But can he make it through our lackadaisical champion?
(JB) That’s not exactly how I’d classify Andy D.
Andy D enters the ring and immediately kicks Peter Gilmour in the small of his back to take advantage of that damage Xavier Caine. Peter stumbles forward as Andy D moves to the other side of the ring. Andy D rubs his shoulder while he waits for Gilmour to turn around. Finally, Pete turns around with an angry look on his face and charges Andy. Andy manages to move out of the way and Gilmour finds himself shoulder first against the turnbuckle. Peter holds his left shoulder for a moment before Andy takes the offensive and begins stomping into the back of Gilmour. Under the force of the kicks, Gilmour slips off of the first rung of the turnbuckle and falls to the ground. Andy D continues to kick until Phil Redding pulls him off.
(JB) How is that for lackadaisical?
(Tom) Quiet, you.
As Redding holds Andy D back, Peter slowly manages to get to his feet. Redding notices that Peter is up and allows Andy D to advance his opponent. Andy charges, but Pete ducks down and flips Andy over the top rope. The Atlantic Champion lands in the apron and springboards back into the ring, nailing Peter with a dropkick to the chest. Andy D covers quickly for the pin fall.
1...
2...
Kick out! Andy angrily rolls him back up into a school boy.
1...
2...
Reversed! Now Andy’s shoulders are pinned.
1...
2...
Kick out.
(JB) What an exchange there by those two men!
(Tom) Mmm, men rolling around!
Now both men are on their feet and they are very unhappy with each other. Andy D reaches his arms up in the center of the ring offering a test of strength, however, Peter holds his shoulder and refuses. The crowd begins to get into it, and Peter turns to face Andy. After a few moments of staring at each other, Peter raises his arms into the air. But this is just a cover up. Gilmour raises his right knee right into the groin of Andy D, doubling him over. Redding pulls Peter off to the side and begins to argue to him about the obvious low blow. The Xtreme Icon denies it as Andy D catches his breath behind him. Peter forces himself away from Redding and turns right into a twisting neck breaker by Andy D. Andy covers for the pin.
1...
2...
Kick out.
(Tom) Looks like the champion is having issues putting Peter away.
Indeed he is. Both men get up onto their feet, but Andy quickly takes Peter down with a drop toe hold. Andy immediately turns the move into a modified double leg Boston crab where he is pulling both legs back while kneeling both of his knees into Peter’s back! Peter is screaming in agony as he’s being folded in half the way a man shouldn’t. His back is on the verge of breaking after the last match, and this one as well. The hold continues for a good minute and Rose is begging Peter not to tap out.
(JB) This is quite the innovative move by Andy D here. I’m quite shocked Peter Gilmour hasn’t tapped out yet. Even if by some miracle he can break this hold, his back is going to be a wreck!
Some how, some way Peter find the energy in his legs to flip Andy D off of him! It seems to be a glimmer of hope for the Xtreme Icon, but the Atlantic Champion pops up to his feet quickly. Peter, on the other hand, is slower because of his quite possibly destroyed back. Gilmour gets up onto one knee, and Andy springs into action nailing the Dragon’s Bite shining wizard! Peter is out like a light after that knee collides with his head, but Andy applies extra pressure to the back on his pin cover anyway. Phil Redding slides down to count.
1…
2…
3!
(JB) I’ll be damned, the Atlantic Champion survives and eliminates Peter Gilmour from this contest!
(Tom) But look, Snake is sliding into action before Peter can even be rolled out of the ring!
Indeed, Rose is trying to help roll Peter out of the ring so they can head to the back where Xavier Caine is watching the remainder of this match, but Snake wastes no time as we head into the seventh and final match of this relay.
Atlantic Championship Relay: Match 7
Andy D vs. Snake
Andy D is ready for Snake though, and he’s able to avoid any attacks and circle up with perhaps the man who is his greatest foe in the ring. They tie up and Andy D forces Snake into the corner. Redding is quick to separate the two and give Snake a chance to get out of the corner. They tie up again and Snake gets a side headlock, forcing Andy D down to one knee. Andy D powers back up and pushes Snake into the ropes. On the release Snake goes running off the ropes. Andy D drops down and Snake hops over him. Off the ropes goes Snake again, and this time Andy D displays some extreme vertical by leapfrogging over him. Snake hits the ropes again, but this time Snake rolls over Andy D. Andy D catches Snake with a back kick to the gut, then a head scissors takedown that sends Snake sliding into the corner. Phil Redding steps in to allow Snake to get out. Snake takes his time getting back up because of his leg that had been worked over to the point of submission by Xavier Caine earlier.
(JB) What athleticism by both men, especially in match seven of this relay contest! But can Snake beat Andy D twice in the same night?
(Tom) C’mon Snake, I can’t stomach Andy being champion for any longer.
The two grapple again and exchange reverse grapples. Andy D tries to run Snake into the ropes again, but Snake grabs on and shakes Andy D off of him. Snake charges at the Atlantic Champion, and Andy D tries to clothesline him. Snake, somehow, turns it into one of those spinny-luchador like moves, and tosses Andy D with a head scissors throw in the end after he wound his way up the champion’s body. Snake goes for the Irish whip but Andy D reverses it, pulls Snake back in, and kicks him in the gut. He then pushes Snake into the ropes, and on the return, leapfrogs over Snake. Snake slides under the leapfrog, but Andy launches into a springboard move that catches Snake in an arm drag. Snake slides to the outside and Andy D looks for the baseball slide, but Snake moves out of the way. Not wanting to risk count out like Xavier Caine before them, both men are quick to take it back to the ring where either one feels like they could end it there.
(JB) I think these two changed their strategy after they saw Xavier Caine fall victim to a count out loss. These two have fought multiple times before including earlier in this relay match, and one way or another they’ll break each other inside this squared circle.
Andy D manages to jump Snake from behind and gets him in a chin lock, then follows it up with a body scissors to pull both of them onto the mat. Snake struggles in the submission, but eventually Snake elbows out of it. The two get back up to their feet and trade forearm shows. Andy D whips Snake again, then catches the hardcore luchador with a tilt a whirl backbreaker. Andy D makes the cover. 1… 2… Kick out.
(Tom) Close, but no cigar!
Andy D then locks Snake into a submission move where he pulls one arm and one leg back towards him while driving his knee into the lower back of Snake. This move is especially putting the hurt on that weakened leg of Snake. Snake refuses to tap out, and kicks Andy D off of him with his good leg. Andy D whips Snake into the turnbuckle, but Snake pushes himself into the air and over Andy D. But when Snake lands, he stumbles on that leg, allowing Andy D to set up in the corner for a second turnbuckle body splash. As Andy D comes twisting out of the corner, Snake his a desperation drop kick! Both men are down now, and Phil Redding begins to count them down.
(JB) Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Snake might have hurt his own leg even more with that drop kick!
1… 2…
They begin to stir…
3… 4…
Snake is up onto his good leg at 5.
Snake hits a chop and whips Andy D, but Andy D reverses it and looks for a clothesline. Snake ducks, but Andy dives at him and trips him up. Andy scrambles for that injured leg and slaps a submission on it, but Snake is quick to grab the ropes and Phil Redding is even quicker to pull Andy D off Snake. Andy D bounces off the ropes and as Snake gets up to his feet, he nails a running enziguri! He musters up the energy to cover Snake. 1… 2… Shoulder up!
(JB) Unbelievable! Andy D has been aggressively targeting that leg and then hits that shocker move, but it is not enough to take Snake down.
(Tom) Snakes don’t need legs, Mannational Geographic.
Andy D is not happy and he pulls Snake up for a power bomb, but Snake flips out of it. Andy D catches Snake’s leg on the way down and sticks it to him with a Dragon Screw. Andy D follows this up with a standing moonsault. He hangs on for the cover.
1…
2…
Snake kicks out again!
(JB) What is it going to take? How far will Andy D have to go to retain his title?
Andy D stomps Snake then heads up to the top turnbuckle. Snake gets up and tries to mount the turnbuckle too, but Andy D punches him off. Andy D quickly floats over Snake then catches him with a sunset flip!
(Tom) Top turnbuckle sunset flip? This could be the end right here!
But instead of a pin fall, Snake rolls through and grabs the legs. He slingshots Andy D chest first into the ropes, then out of nowhere nails the Venom Sting inverted spinning neck breaker! Snake covers, and Phil Redding slides down to count.
1…
2…
3!!!
Phil Redding calls for the bell.
(Troy) Your winner, and NEW Atlantic Champion… SNAKE!
(JB) Incredible, Snake beat Andy D, clean that time, and won the Atlantic Championship!
(Tom) Excellent! Now if only he’ll keep Wilson away from the belt, because Snake better than that.
(JB) Unlikely! Look who he is celebrating with!
Indeed, Snake has retrieved both Wilson and the Atlantic Championship as Phil Redding helps Andy D out of the ring. The two celebrate, but the crowd is shocked that Andy D has finally been dethroned. Snake and Wilson carry on for a few more minutes in the middle of the ring, before we cut elsewhere.
Delivered
Cut to the outside of a locker room. The sign by the door indicates that this room belongs to a group whose members have been quite successful tonight... The Goods.
The cameraman pushes through the door, and we see the four members of the group standing around the room chatting. Slush and Ammo, the tag team known as The Goods and now Tag Team Champions. Their friend and unofficial leader, Spaz. Their manager and often irritant, Twitch.
(Note: If Twitch were to have his say on the matter, The Goods would be listed with another member: His towel and conversation buddy, one Blake Bouchard.)
(Also Note: When using the word "chatting" in reference to these four, it should be clear that the chatter is really only being generated by three of them. Ammo is a man of many shrugs and grunts, but few words.)
As the cameraman settles in, the random chatter continues until, interestingly, Ammo breaks in with a whopping string of five words... In a single sentence!
(Ammo) I have something to say.
Twitch laughs.
(Twitch) Just did, Jumbo... Twitch thinks the quota's been hit with that statement.
(Spaz) Quiet, Twitch.
(Twitch) Why?
(Slush) Because that's what you do. When Ammo has something to say, you shut up and you listen.
Twitch sighs.
(Twitch) Fine...
Spaz looks to Ammo, and waves his hand.
(Spaz) The floor is yours.
Ammo nods, and looks around for a couple of seconds before speaking.
(Ammo) Two of us walked into Oblivion as a reunited partnership.
Ammo looks to Slush, already having spoken more words in the last couple of sentences than he has in the last few months combined. Slush, along with everyone else in the room, is somewhat stunned at Ammo's sudden verbosity. They all stand watching, and for once - when it comes to Ammo - listening.
(Ammo) Together we'll walk out of the Staples Center tonight victorious, and with a Foundation Tag Team Championship belt draped over our shoulders to prove it.
He taps the gold Championship which is, indeed, draped over his broad shoulder. Without pause, Ammo continues a speech which now almost certainly has more words than the man has spoken since his return on Annihilation 13.
(Ammo) One of us walked into Oblivion as a Hall of Famer who felt like he'd failed himself, his friends and his family.
Now, he's looking at Spaz, who nods. Then, his focus shifts to Twitch.
(Ammo) Another walked in trying his best to support one of the few people he's ever truly considered a friend. He put himself into harm's way to help show his friend that nobody deserved one of those first Calls more.
Twitch smiles, nodding as he looks to the man he calls "Pez."
(Ammo) Together you two faced down the embodiment of evil, and now you both walk out victorious.
He looks back to Spaz.
(Ammo) One with his pride, confidence and self-respect returned.
And now to Twitch.
(Ammo) The other with those same qualities confirmed. Not that he wouldn't confirm them himself if you asked... And usually even if you didn't.
They all share a laugh.
(Ammo) We are Ammo, Slush, Spaz and Twitch.
Ammo pauses, for dramatic effect, as he looks around at his friends. His partners. His family.
(Ammo) We are The Goods.
Another pause, as they all nod in agreement.
(Ammo) And tonight, we damn sure delivered!
Silence. For a good ten seconds, you could hear a pin drop as the four of them look around at each other. That is, until, inevitably...
(Twitch) All done, Jumbo?
Ammo looks to Twitch, and as if he hadn't just spoken for so long, simply nods.
(Slush) Dude! Where'd that come from?
Ammo turns to his partner now, and simply shrugs. This being the good old fashioned "I don't know" kind of shrug. But the wry smile shows that he knows exactly where it came from. Spaz reaches up and puts a hand on his friend's shoulder.
(Spaz) It came from the heart.
Ammo nods.
(Twitch) So, what now?
(Spaz) Now, we relax and enjoy the rest of the night.
(Twitch) Then what?
(Spaz) Then we go home, Twitch.
A couple seconds of silence.
(Twitch) Hey Pez?
(Spaz) What is it, Twitch?
(Twitch) Well... Considering that Twitch's life was on the line with that monster... Twitch was wondering...
(Spaz) A world of no.
(Twitch) But Twitch didn't even ask!!
Ammo shakes his head.
(Twitch) But...
Slush chimes in now.
(Slush) For the last time, you can't sleep with his sister!
(Twitch) How...?
(Spaz) We're your friends, Twitch... We know you.
(Twitch) Well... Don't friends let friends have wild sex with their hot sisters? Just once?
Now all three of them cry out in unison.
(The Goods) NO!
And with that, we're done here.
(Tom) The only one of Twitch's friends who'd let him have sex with their sister is that damned towel of his!
(JB) Bear!
(Tom) Of course, he probably does that every night...
(JB) You're disgusting.
(Tom) It's really the only action Twitch can get.
(JB) Like you're any better, you dirty old man!
(Tom) I resent that remark, even if it is accurate!
The lights suddenly cut off. Blue lights start strobing all around.
(Troy) Making his way to the ring, hailing from San Antonio, Texas, coming in at six foot four and two hundred and sixty five pounds. He is "THE SAINT" JAIME ALEJANDRO!
A grim voice starts up on screen.
You want a revolution...
He'll give you one.
The guitars crank up and we start hearing Corey Glover and Living Colour...
Look into my eyes, what do you see?
Cult of personality
The video starts up with Jaime Alejandro crashing into VYC via the .77, as we see this, the one word "SAINT" appears on screen.
I know your anger, i know your dreams
I've been everything you want to be
I'm the cult of personality
The next clip starts up with Mike Lane tapping out to the WesTF. At this moment, Jaime walks out onto the stage in black trunks. His hair is completely soaked, as we pan in on him. He's glaring at the stage.
Like Mussolini and Kennedy
I'm the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personality
The next clip shows the Intruder being thrown off the stage in a casket, as the name of Jaime Alejandro flashes on the screen. As it does, Jaime slaps his chest hard a few times and then pumps his fist in the air to signal a huge blue pyro wall.
Neon lights, a Nobel prize
The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You don't have to follow me
Only you can set me free
Various clips ranging from his war with Keith Owens to his brawl with Trevor Cunning. He methodically walks down to the ring and stops at the middle of the apron. He pulls himself up slowly and looks inside the ring.
I sell the things you need to be
I'm the smiling face on your TV.
I'm the cult of personality
He clings onto the ropes with his hands and flips himself into the ring, landing on his feet.
I exploit you, still you love me
I tell you one and one makes three
I'm the cult of personality
Jaime looks back at the ramp, waiting for his opponent.
(JB) Folks, I know I’ve been looking forward to this match. Heaven and hell meet tonight as The Saint takes on The Reaper. Jaime has a lot of work cut out for him to overcome his friend and current opponent.
(Tom) Reaper Schmeaper
It's here that the lights begin to cut out in sequential order in all four corners of the Staples Center. The only light comes from the flashing bulbs of cameras going off throughout the place. A very sinister sounding piano begins to play as the NAFWtron flashes a glimpse of The Reaper only to have it go out just as quickly. A spotlight comes back up in front of a rather demonic looking Lion wearing a Reaper's hood wielding a bloody Lendo Stick. In front of this statue, are three little girls playing jump rope while singing a very familiar tune.
One, two, The Reaper's coming for you...
Three, four, you're gonna hit the floor...
As the song continues, the NAFWtron comes back up with some footage of The Reaper at his most vicious since losing the title at Chain Reaction. Including some at Chain Reaction, with him laying waste to Spaz with a Chokeslam From Illtown through the table and a Reaper's Wrath that eliminated him.
Five, six, you'll catch the Lendo Stick
Seven, eight, he's gonna Devastate
It's here that the spotlight goes out as the Lion's roar fills the arena, with fans in the Staples Center going wild. A red spotlight can be seen coming from the side of the entrance as a hearse can be seen backing into the Staples Center.
NINE, TEN, HE'S BACK AGAIN!!!
The sound of razors being sharpened fills the arena before we hear...
"The business is entertainment and what entertains the customers is the sight of blood."
Directly after this we hear a voice say very calmly from inside the hearse...
"Jamie, I mean, he was being nice to you. Okay he'll get ya."
The door to the hearse opens as a black man wearing a wife beater and a pair of jeans comes out. The crowd marks out as they see it's platinum recording artist 50 Cent. As the beat to "Funeral Music" fills the arena, a crimson glow emanates from the entrance as a figure can be seen walking towards the arena.
## You people should worship the ground he walks on ##
## He makes mills off the clowns he beats on (Devas-ta-tin) ##
The glass logo of The Reaper shatters as the man himself walks into the arena to a huge roar from the fans.
## Reaper, don't call him peoples he won't talk it out ##
## The Reaper's Wrath hit yo ass, go on and walk it out ##
The rest of the arena is flooded with strobing crimson and gold lighting, as Alejandro remains on the far side of the ring, eyes locked on the man on his way out. Within moments, the spotlight has cast itself upon The Reaper who is wearing a long black cloak with his bloody Lion's head on the back of it and his initials interlocking on the front in gold, but dripping with blood. He stops to cast a look around the packed house, before extending a fist towards 50 which is returned in kind. Aarons has a determined look in his eyes as he walks down the aisle, his glare directed towards The Saint.
## Saint are you clear what you facin'? ##
## You must ain't hear me ##
(Troy) Coming down the aisle, he hails from East Orange, New Jersey and weighs in at TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHT POUNDS!!!
## L done told you he's a boss ##
## Devastatin' great, but he ain't chubby like Ricky Ross ##
Aarons stops at the midway point about halfway up the aisle, striking his trademark pose with three fingers extended. He quickly throws his arms in the air roaring as a series of pyro explosions go off behind him. He finishes his walk towards the ring at a brisk, determined pace, undoing the cloak and letting it drop on the floor mere feet from the apron. He hops up onto his usual second turnbuckle perch, staring down at Alejandro who's staring up at him. He extends three fingers towards his friend and salutes him, before making his trademark cutthroat signal and striking his signature pose one more time.
## Everything is cooler than a fan till you rolled on ##
## Have you in the I.C.U. tryin' to hold on ##
## Peoples in the waitin' room been waitin' so long ##
## Till they hear the flatline the doc say he's gone, he's gone (Ha ha, that's fucked up!!!) ##
## When they say he's gone (Ah ha, ah ha, ah ha, he dead!) ##
(Troy) He is THE REAPER...LEONARD! AAAARRRR-OOONNNSSSS!!!
The fans roar in kind, as The Reaper hops down and enters the ring through the middle and top ropes. He's styling a pair of PVC leather fatigues with gold on the left side, Reaper written in crimson font, with crimson on the right and his Lion's head in gold with the crimson mask, specially made for his first Oblivion match. He's staring at Alejandro with a rather stoic glare in his eyes, as he gets loose hopping from side to side. Alejandro in the meanwhile, hasn't moved from the other side of the ring, merely pacing back and forth with his eyes never leaving The Reaper's.
(JB) What a surprise to have platinum recording artist 50 Cent rapping The Reaper down to the ring.
(Tom) Even more appropriate is the song, Funeral Music, considering we're probably about to see the end of The Saint as we know it.
(JB) This all started initially with Alejandro challenging Aarons after Breaking Point, since they both destroyed their likely foes respectively in Ashley Collier and Heatwave. Neither of whom have been seen since their encounters at Breaking Point.
(Tom) Ya think?! They had to peel Collier out of the corner and Heatwave was nearly killed by Aarons in front of a nationwide audience. Alejandro wanted someone who could wrestle his style, Aarons just wants his belt back and is savagely taking out anyone thrown in his path. This might be a case of be careful what you wish for, because something tells me that Alejandro's about to get it.
The bell rings as both of the competitors circle the ring around each other before shaking hands and tying up in the middle of the ring. Neither one of them are budging as it has become a test of strength. Alejandro pushes Reaper back, just a little, as Reaper quickly is back on the tie-up, neither one of them budging from the center of the ring. Eventually, Aarons gets the upper hand by kicking Jaime in the gut. As he is bent over, he rushes off the ropes and hits a quick floating DDT. Leonard takes a step back as Alejandro gets up, shakes his head a little bit, and smiles. He paces around the ring, beckoning Leonard to come, as they tie up in the middle of the ring again.
(Tom) This match is already boring me. All it is a bunch of tie ups and a little bit of shoving and one offensive move. Wake me up when it is over.
(JB) This just shows how equally matched these 2 guys are. It's going to be interesting what it is going to take for one of these guys to get the upper hand on one another.
The tie up continues until Jaime grabs the arm of the Reaper and Irish whips him in the ropes and hits a big shoulder block on the Reaper and before the Reaper can even respond, Alejandro hits a elbow drop on top of the Reaper. Jaime takes a step back and let's Leonard Aarons gets up as Leonard shakes his head, getting the cobwebs out of his head and heads toward the corner. He stands there for a second, trying to decide what to do next as Jaime paces back and forth, waiting like a rabid dog for the Reaper to make his move.
(Tom) zzzzz.
(JB) Wake up, Tom. This match is about to heat up.
(Tom) Forget it, Man-wheel. I'm bored beyond belief. Wake me when it's over, please.
(JB) ...
Leonard decided to make an all-offensive attack as he rushes toward Alejandro and starts to throw a flurry of punches at Jaime. He puts his hands up in a defensive position and tries to block one of the punches, but one of them gets him in the side of the head. Jaime staggers back a little bit as The Reaper quickly Irish whips Alejandro. As Jaime comes back, he ducks under the waiting arm of Aarons, but then Leonard bounces off the ropes himself and hits a flying clothesline to the jaw of Alejandro. Leonard with the first pin fall of the match.
One.
Alejandro quickly kicks out.
Jaime, before he can react, is hit by a side-headlock of the Reaper. Jaime flips over and grabs the Reapers arm, breaking the headlock and quickly hitting a arm bar on Reaper. Reaper quickly wiggles to the ropes, and the referee forces Jaime to break the hold.
(JB) Nice ring presence by The Reaper. He was quick to know where the ropes were and able to break out of that arm bar.
(Tom) This is actually getting a LITTLE interesting now. They may be able to save this match yet!
Jaime releases the hold and picks up Reaper and Irish whips him into the turnbuckle. As he charges, the Reaper gets a boot up and gets him right in the face. Jaime holds his face a little as the Reaper hits a quick DDT and goes for a pin fall.
One.
Two.
Kick out.
The Reaper shakes his head and picks up Jaime and Irish whips him off the ropes, connecting with a spinning heel kick off the jaw. Alejandro falls back and lands flat on the mat and notices the Reaper bending down to pick him up. Alejandro surprises him with a small cradle!
One
Two.
Kick out.
Reaper looks at Alejandro wide-eyed as Jaime slowly gets up and just smiles. Aarons gets frustrated and charges at Jaime, throwing flurries of punches at him. Jaime blocks and counters with a couple of punches with his own, but one of them nails the Reaper right in the face. Leonard staggers back, holding his nose, then looks at his hand as a layer of blood covers his hand, blood trickling out of his nose.
(JB) Jaime inadvertently punched Aarons in the nose, drawing blood. This can NOT be a good sign.
(Tom) Blood = Rage for Aarons. This is about to turn bad for one Jaime Alejandro.
Drilled in the face by a hard right hand from Leonard Aarons, Alejandro is driven where he finds himself face-to-face with the Reaper. The Reaper grabs him around the waist, lifts up, spins around and drives him into the ground with a belly to belly suplex.
Returning to his feet, Alejandro spins around to find Leonard Aarons coming at him, and then quickly shoots in to try to take him by the legs. Alejandro deftly dodges to the side and then drives forward, connecting with a elbow shot to the back of the Reapers head, sending him to the mat. Spotting that Aarons is getting up, Alejandro turns and dives in with a clothesline, putting him back down onto the mat.
(JB) After a couple quick moves, Jaime is the only one standing, but the Reaper is getting up! What will it take for this madman to stay down!
(Tom) A lot more than Alejandro has, that's for sure.
Noticing Aarons is about to be back in a fighting stance, Jaime quickly moves in on him, but The Reaper spins around and throws his leg up into the air, connecting with a roundhouse kick to the back of Jaime's head. Instead of falling, Jaime stumbles forwards and hits the ropes, spinning around in the process and throwing a forearm shot out there which completely misses his intended opponent. The Reaper drives his knee into Alejandro's rib, then takes him by the wrist.
(JB) Here he goes, Leonard Aarons with an Irish whip into the corner. He follows it in… jumping knee to the head! Followed by a Bulldog!
(Tom) Leonard Aarons has taken complete control of the match. This is becoming bad for Jaime.
(JB) Indeed it is, Tom.
(Tom) Shut up, Mann-itoba
(JB) ...
Hopping up off the mat, The Reaper moves in behind Alejandro and locks him into a rear naked choke, and immediately the fans get excited. Flailing around, Jaime does whatever he can to try to break up the hold, but The Reaper's got it locked in tight. Alejandro starts to get up and crawls to the corner, shoving him against the turnbuckle, but The Reaper won’t let go.
Alejandro eventually gets one of his arms back and nails Reaper in the temple. Leonard lets go of the hold and Jaime follows with a quick forearm smash to the Reapers face, reeling him to the turnbuckle. Jaime jumps to the second rope and starts to punch Leonard in the head. The fans count with the punches
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
Five!
Six!
Seven!
Eight!
Nine!
Ten!
As Jaime jumps off, Leonard Aarons and as he is staggering, he picks up the Reaper and hoists him on his shoulders as the crowd goes crazy.
(JB) Sounds as though they know what’s coming!
At the signal, Alejandro drops the Reaper down for the WRATH. Jaime with cover!
One.
Two.
Thre--- KICKOUT BY LEONARD AARONS!
(Tom) That was close! Reaper almost ended this match early.
Shaking his head in frustration, Jaime picks up The Reaper, but gets drilled with a spinning mule kick to the gut by Leonard Aarons.
(JB) That’ll tame things down in a hurry…
(Tom) Just calm down, Mann-itoba. It'll all be over soon.
Taking a quick step forward, The Reaper, now his face pouring with blood from the Wrath, grabs Alejandro by the head and immediately takes him down to the mat with a DDT. Getting back to his knees, The Reaper sees that his opponent is not ready to be pinned just yet, so he gets back down onto the mat and rolls to his side, exiting the ring. Reaching underneath the ring, Aarons comes back up from the apron with a steel chair in hand. Sliding it into the ring, Aarons gets up onto the apron and rolls back in. The referee tries to stop him, but to no avail.
(JB) This could be some serious trouble for Jaime Alejandro.
(Tom)He better not use it though. He could get disqualified!
Jaime works his way up off the mat, and Reaper swings, but Alejandro rolls out of the way. The world no longer spinning for him, Jaime turns onto his stomach and uses the ropes to him himself get back to his feet. Spotting the Reaper with a chair, he quickly moves toward the Reaper and before the Reaper can swing, he kicks the chair into the Reapers face! Aarons drops to one knee, but is not down completely.
Alejandro kicks the chair out of the way and turning his full attention on his opponent, Alejandro sends a kick into the Reapers ribs, but that just motivates Aarons to absorb the pain and fight to get to his feet. Jaime goes for a roundhouse right, but Aarons throws a block and drills one of his own. Ducking down, The Reaper tries to get a suplex of some sort in, but Jaime moves out of the way and gets his opponent on his shoulders again!
(JB) Wait a second, Alejandro has Aarons up on his shoulders! He's trying for the Wrath!!!
(Tom) Aarons is wiggling free!
Aarons was up on Alejandro's shoulders but in one smooth move, he floats over and locks Alejandro in his grasp. His right arm up under Alejandro with his left around the right side of his face. Once in place he snaps himself up and around driving Jamie down to the mat face first as the fans in the Staples Center erupt at The Reaper's rendition of the Crimson Revolver.
(JB) What a counter by Aarons! He wiggles out of The Reaper's Wrath and plants Alejandro with the Crimson Revolver.
(Tom) Aarons with the cover and this should be academic.
1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(JB) NOOOOOOOOO! Alejandro gets his shoulder up just before the ref's hand hit the mat for the final time! Aarons with blood pouring down his face after that hard stiff shot earlier is furious.
(Tom) Look there! What's Vanessa doing? I think she's trying to get his attention in the ring.
Vanessa, who is supposed to be working for Mike Lane, has come down to ringside for some reason. She finally gets Reaper's attention and he whips his head over towards her, as she mouths a question and walks away. He stares at her and his eyes narrow, following her up the ramp as she backtracks slowly her eyes staring back at him. He whips his head back towards Alejandro on the mat, his nose busted and possibly broken from earlier in the match, yanking Alejandro up by his throat bringing him to his feet. He hoists Alejandro onto his shoulders as he stares right at Vanessa, before throwing him out across his body and driving him down to the mat for the Reaper's Wrath.
(JB) That has got to do it! The Reaper's Wrath should be all she wrote for...
(Tom) I don't think that's it Mann-boy.
Tom's right as Aarons has picked Alejandro up yet again, staring out at Vanessa throwing him yet again and simply drops Alejandro on his face again planting him harder than the first time. Vanessa continues to stand in the aisle staring at the carnage unfolding in the ring, smiling as Alejandro lies on the mat.
(JB) I...I'm not sure what to make of this here. Vanessa said something to him that only he could see and off of that, he has gone ballistic on his friend. Two straight Reaper's Wraths and I believe this is...oh no.
(Tom) Why stop at two when three's thrice as nice?
Sure enough, Aarons has scooped Alejandro off the mat and has him across his body for what looks like a body slam. He roars and throws Alejandro up onto his shoulders, before tossing him out striking his trademark pose with an intense glare in his eyes as Alejandro bounces off the mat for the third time. Aarons simply rolls Alejandro over and places his boot on his chest as the referee makes the academic count and the bell rings.
(Troy) Your winner, "The Reaper"... Leonard Aarons!
(Tom) Jeez, what's the lesson to be learned here? Don't bust open your friend's nose during a match, or you'll eat a bunch of Reaper's Wraths?
(JB) I don't know Bear, but something Vanessa said certainly got Aaron's attention.
(Tom) Well as far as my sources inside the Empire tell me, Vanessa is still working for Mike Lane. Did she make Reaper an offer on behalf of the Old School Empire? On her own accord? Is she trying to rekindle something between her and the Reaper, or is she just further pushing his buttons?
(JB) You know what they say…. Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.
All Your Belt Are Belong To Us
We cut backstage where we see Rick Priestly standing in the Oblivion Interview area. He is wearing a rather nice looking tuxedo while he stands in front of a screen that is on a constant "NAFW Oblivion" animation loop, holding a microphone in his left hand.
(Rick) Ladies and gentlemen, we are just minutes away from one of the most storied rivalries in NAFW history that will be sure to steal the show, but first, I’ve got a very special guest. Hot off of his win on the relay match not that long ago, he is the North American Foundation of Wrestling's new Atlantic Champion, Snake!
On cue, Snake walks into the scene. He's got an ice pack on his left shoulder, Wilson under his left arm, and has his newly won Atlantic Championship hanging off his right shoulder.
(Rick) Snake...Earlier tonight you overcame the odds and beat out three other men to become the new NAFW Atlantic Champion, how do you feel?
(Snake) How do I feel, Rick? I went out there and did exactly what I said I would do. I told Andy D that we would humiliate him, and when Wilson made his grand return to the NAFW at the biggest stage of them all to humiliate Andy D, allowing me to get the first fall on him, that was just part one of our master plan.
Snake lets out a slight chuckle.
(Snake) You see, part two came when Andy D and myself were the only two men left in the ring, and Andy D played right into our plan by eliminating the "Xtreme Icon" himself, which allowed myself to climb into the ring and show Andy D how a true Atlantic Champion is supposed to present himself in the ring by exterminating the "former champion," and making him pay for what he tried to do to Wilson.
Snake uses his free hand to pull the title off his shoulder and holds it up towards Rick Priestly.
(Snake) I told Andy D that it was never about the title, and I told him that tonight he'd get what's coming to him. But he didn't listen to me or take me seriously. Instead he decided to go to a comedy club and tell lame jokes that everyone's heard over and over and over again, which is what lead him to his downfall. Unlike Andy D, Wilson and I spent our time wisely, preparing the last few steps of our plan so that they'd go off without a hitch.
(Rick) So...Are you saying you're relinquishing the title?
Snake cocks his head to the side.
(Snake) Are you on something, Rick? I said that it was never about the title, yes, but at the same time, Andy D didn't pin Wilson for this belt, therefore, Wilson never technically lost the belt. Whilst it was never about the title, the title is now back where it rightfully belongs...
Snake puts the title back onto his shoulder and adjusts it to his liking.
(Snake) ...Over our shoulders...And over our shoulders is where it's going to stay.
And, Snake finishes his promo and walks off camera, allowing the scene to cut elsewhere.
(Troy) The following contest is a no holds barred, no disqualification, falls count anywhere match where the loser must leave the NAFW!
Before the band Cute is What We Aim For can launch into the beginning of “Newport Living,” Tool takes over with a screeching guitar, signaling the start of “Sober.”
Former Foundation Heavyweight Champion Trevor Cunning steps through the curtain, appearing at least semi-sober despite the bottle of Jack Daniels raised to his lips. He lowers the handle, spits a mouthful high into the air, and basks, if only for a moment, in the surrounding haze.
(Troy) First, making his way to the ring, hailing from Greenwich, Connecticut, weighing in at two hundred and sixty eight pounds, he is “The Godfather” Trevor Cunning!
While Cunning would typically bask in the vitriol and spite surrounding his arrival – tonight he means business. It’s his career on the line versus Keith Owens’ career, and only one of them will remain in the Foundation at the end of this match.
(JB) Mild tension had been brewing between the Trust Fund Kids before they even won the Tag Team Championships at Death Wish. They managed to work out their differences, and their disappointments in each other, until Breaking Point, where Keith Owens turned his father Senator Owens over to the authorities to be jailed, thereby cutting off any money to the trust fund which both Owens and Cunning enjoyed.
(Tom) Keith had been pushing Cunning to clean up his act for months, but cutting off the flow of Benjamins was the last straw, and Cunning turned on Keith during their Tag Team Championship defense.
Cunning pulls his polo off and, having taken another swig of Jack, sprints to the ring. He puts the bottle of Jack to the side, and slides under the bottom rope.
The lights go out completely in the arena. After about one second, the opening riff of Spineshank’s “Fallback” are heard. The riff is quickly joined by the rest of the band as some small white lights around the balcony edges turn on. As the drums rapidly crescendo, the entrance ramp lights up with white lights starting from the bottom and working their way up to the very top.
(JB) And here comes the man who has very well realized the error of his ways in the past, and is crusading to make things right in the Foundation again.
Keith Owens stands at the top of the ramp with the crowd cheering for him. As Spineshank continues to shred the intro of this song, he stands still with his hands around his waist, staring dead ahead at the ring and at his opponent Trevor Cunning. White and gold fireworks are shot straight up in the air to the left and right of him on the ramp with the pounding of the drums, ending with the fireworks doing a shower effect.
(JB) In 2005, Keith Owens main evented Oblivion and tonight he looks even more determined and serious than he did then.
(Tom) He didn't even notice the fireworks!
(JB) And we all have to wonder what Keith Owens was having Buchanan sign earlier tonight. Did it have to do with this match?
(Tom) It was probably his last will and testament. Hopefully he devised all of his personal belongings to me!
The first verse kicks in and pulsating white and orange lights attack the crowd as Keith begins his descent down the ramp.
Give me faith
Give me something to see
Keith ignores the crowd and continues to stare ahead at a ring that is completely pitch black, but he knows inside of that ring, he'll have to end the career of his ex-best friend if he wants to keep his own.
Give me change
Give me somewhere to be
The crowd is buzzing with excitement for what is expected to be a brutal match up.
Give me hate
Tell me what to believe
I don't care who you're imitating
As the first verse ends, Keith stands at the bottom of the ramp, where the entire darkened ring becomes illuminated with a giant spotlight.
(Troy) And his opponent, from Springfield, Illinois, weighing in at two hundred and twenty three pounds, he is the only active Grand Slam Champion in the NAFW today – he is “The Difference Maker” Keith Owens!
In truth it's really ending
My disillusioned mind
Is wasting away
Upon hearing his introduction, Keith puts a knee on the apron and pulls himself to a standing position and enters over the middle rope.
(JB) Owens has nothing but his game face on tonight. Melissa Hayes has been in the hospital for over a year, and Trevor Cunning’s revelation that he supposedly has a sex tape featuring him and Melissa is absolutely appalling.
(Tom) Hey, Keith got Trev’s sloppy seconds, but at least he still got some. That’s more than we can say about you, Mannhands.
Until I bend
Until I fall back on my faith again
Tonight there’s no showmanship from Keith Owens. Rather he stares coldly into Trevor Cunning’s eyes, and Trevor stares right back at him.
Is caving in
Until I fall back on my faith again
Finally, Spineshank’s “Fallback” begins to fade out and the lights in the arena return to normal. Both men run at each other and start throwing haymakers at each other before the bell even rings. As fists fly, the referee scrambles to call for the bell to officially start this match.
(JB) These two didn’t even want to wait for the bell for this match to begin!
(Tom) And why should they? One of them is leaving in a body bag tonight, and by one of them, I mean Keith Owens!
As the two former partners exchange blows, Owens begins to get the advantage and forced Cunning into the corner. The referee, though there are no rules in this match, tries to get Owens to back away from the corner but the Grand Slam Champion refuses.
(JB) Referee Jason Martin is attempting to keep this contest a wrestling match, but with no holds barred, no disqualification, and a falls count anywhere atmosphere, he’s going to have one hell of a time.
(Tom) Lets face it, this match is nothing more than a sanctioned way for these two men to ruin each others lives – and as long as Cunning comes out on top, I don’t care!
Cunning slumps down into the corner and Owens unleashes a barrage of kicks to his face. Referee Jason Martin once more tries to pull Owens away so we can have a fight, not a murder, but The Difference Maker shoves him out of his way and continues stomping mud holes.
(Tom) Look at Owens, defying the referee’s orders. I thought he was an upright citizen now.
(JB) I don’t know about that, but tonight, this is about more than wrestling. This is about revenge, vengeance, pride, and justice for Keith Owens.
Owens pulls The Godfather up to his feet and pushes him into the corner. He grabs and arm and Irish whips Cunning, but Cunning reverses and sends Owens running to into the opposite corner. Keith slams into the corner hard and bounces out, but on his way forward he clotheslines Trevor to the mat! The crowd pops big and Cunning gets up, only to get clotheslined down again! Cunning gets up again, but is met by a running dropkick from Owens that sends The Godfather flying between the ropes and to the outside!
(JB) Keith Owens is on the offensive here tonight, dominating Cunning and sending him to the outside.
Cunning crawls on his hands and knees and tries to pull himself onto the apron. As he stands up, Owens runs to the ropes and jumps to the top, spinning off with a springboard jumping heel kick! Cunning eats it off the apron and crashes to the mat below, rolling all the way over to the announce table.
(JB) A huge jumping heel kick there by Owens!
(Tom) C’mon Trev, get into this thing!
(JB) Something tells me he doesn’t care what you have to say Tom, even if he is at the foot of our announce table.
Keith wastes no time sliding out of the ring and dragging Trevor back up to his feet. A stiff right sends Cunning stumbling to the ring steps. Owens then grabs a fistful of Cunning’s hair and slams Trevor’s head into the guard rail!
(Tom) Ouch! That had to hurt!
Owens is raging right now and pulls the top covering off the announce booth and throws it at Cunning, for whatever that is worth. Trevor is walking on his knees trying to find any break to get up to his feet, but Owens doesn’t let up for a second, slamming him with a slew of right hands to his face.
(JB) It looks like Owens is trying to deconstruct our very own announce table, probably to put Cunning through it, if I had to guess.
(Tom) Well, he’s going to have to do a lot more damage to The Godfather first before he drives him through my announce table. If I had to guess, it will be Owens taking a ride through the wood.
Somehow, some way, Cunning finds his footing and drills a hard knee into Keith’s gut. The two enemies exchange blows to the head as they near the announce table one more. The referee struggles to pull them apart, but it does no good because Owens takes the advantage back again, cornering Cunning against the barricade. Keith decides to grab Cunning and roll him back into the ring under the bottom rope.
(JB) It looks like Owens might agree with you there, Bear. It seems he’s going to try and wear his foe down in the ring some more first.
Cunning scrambles to his feet as Owens gets on the apron. As the Godfather charges forward to the rope, Owens lowers his shoulder and rams it into his former friend’s mid section, sending him flying backwards! Keith climbs up to the top turnbuckle and goes flying with a high cross body attack! Cunning looks dead, but Keith doesn’t go for a pin cover. He climbs on top of him and just starts hammering Cunning with fists of fury.
(JB) Owens might have had a three count there, but he wants to make sure Cunning leaves here a completely broken man tonight!
The referee starts yelling at him to treat this like a wrestling match, which prompts Keith to lose his cool and shoves the referee back to let him know how this is going to go down.
(Tom) I hope Jason Martin puts Owens in his place!
(JB) Jason Martin is 6’4”, 273 pounds. He’s more than capable of taking out both Owens and Cunning if he needs to. But he understands emotions are running high tonight. We like to say that both men are going to take this too far and one of them will leave in a body bag, but I think Jason Martin’s primary goal here tonight is to make sure that actually doesn’t happen, as it could be a very real possibility.
This gives Cunning a chance to catch his breath, but before he can get all the way back up, Owens grabs him and whips him across to the opposite ropes. Owens bends over to try and flip Trevor over his back, but that brief telegraphing of the move gets met with a rising knee lift to the face!
(Tom) So much for Owens’ advantage! A few more sloppy moves like that, and Cunning will take Keith for the Sobriety Test.
Both men take a few moments to get back up to their feet, but Cunning charges first, clotheslining Keith over the top rope. Owens is laid out on the outside, and Cunning uses this precious time to regain his composure. Cunning then joins Owens on the outside and drags him up by his blonde hair. He walks Owens over to the steel steps and attempts to slam the Difference Maker’s face onto them, but Keith gets his foot up on the stairs to block the attempt, then counters it by slamming Cunning’s face onto the steps!
(JB) I’m going to have to disagree with you Bear, Keith Owens is still firmly in control of this match.
Trevor realizes he’s in the danger zone and walks away after the bump. Keith isn’t going to have any of that so he chases after him. As Owens charges in, Cunning turns, lifts him up, and drops him ribs first onto the barricade! Owens slides over into the first row of the crowd, and Cunning takes another desperately needed breather leaning against the apron.
(Tom) Not! I hope Owens bought a ticket for tonight, otherwise he needs to get out of the front row.
(JB) Keith Owens is no stranger to fighting in the crowd. After all, at his very first Oblivion, he fought in a “Crowd Match” against Randy Peacock, a fan who had been training as a wrestler and wanted to get his break into the biz.
(Tom) That worked out well for Randy, didn’t it?
(JB) Well, he went on to compete in “Can You Handle It?,” but he in fact couldn’t handle it. Funny enough, one of Keith and Trevor’s future opponents Jack “The Chopper” Flint could handle it.
(Tom) Yeah, and this beating Owens is getting is reminiscent of the way they both kicked his ass!
Trevor sees Owens crawling around so he wastes no time walking over to him and dragging him up to his feet. Cunning displays his strength advantage as he picks Keith up over his head and drops him face first onto the steel steps. Owens screams in agony as the referee tries to attend to him, but Cunning takes over once more and rolls him back into the ring.
(Tom) Owens is definitely not handling what Cunning is bringing to the table tonight!
(JB) I won’t go that far, but Trevor Cunning has certainly turned the tables in this match.
Another knee to the gut takes Owens down onto his hands and knees. Cunning continues to work over that mid section with a succession of knee drops to the ribs, all while holding Owens’ wrist to prevent any blocking of the move. With a hard grip, Trevor very slowly pulls Keith to his feet, adding to the agony of it all. He follows that up by slamming Keith’s face into the corner turnbuckle. Turning his focus back to the ribs, Cunning lowers his shoulder and like a battering ram, he brings the pain to Owens’ midsection multiple times. Cunning looks like a mad man foaming at the mouth like he wants to break Owens in two using his football player build. The referee tries desperately to get Cunning to lay off but it isn’t until close to fifteen shoulder rams later. As Owens slumps onto his bottom, Cunning takes a moment to walk around the ring and catch his breath.
(JB) Good Gord, Trevor Cunning was like a battering ram in there!
(Tom) In high school, Trevor Cunning was an All American wrestler and football player, and when he wasn’t busy throwing raging parties at the frat house, the Godfather was also a stand out NCAA collegiate wrestler. Of course he’s going to work over this punk who didn’t even go to college and wrestled in his backyard instead!
Once more Cunning gets Owens onto his feet and takes him to the middle of the ring where he whips him toward the rope. Cunning charges after him, and on the bounce back, Owens flips head first after eating a giant knee to the gut. Owens kicks his legs on the mat while holding his ribs in pain. Cunning rolls to the outside and starts to fish under the ring, coming back up with a steel chain. He slides back in, rolls Owens over, mounts him from behind, and wraps the chain around his neck to choke him out! Cunning looks intent on killing Owens and the referee is meddling again trying to get him to loosen the hold.
(JB) And this is where it goes from a fight into a sadistic beat down.
(Tom) Get him Trev! Choke him good! Put him in the hospital next to Melissa Hayes!
Trevor relinquishes the hold and throws the chain backwards, then stomps on Owens’ chest. He grabs Keith’s arm and drags him half way up, but sends him back down with a stiff kick to the ribs. Showing signs of fatigue, Cunning walks back to the ropes and bounces off, gaining a slight momentum, then jumps up and drops a knee to Owens’ side, targeting that mid section once more. He goes for the reverse mount again and this time begins beating on the back of Owens’ head.
(JB) Those punches to the back of the head could literally cause brain damage. That’s why no professional sport allows them!
(Tom) Well this match isn’t about professionalism Mannwagon! It’s about getting even!
With Owens still down, Cunning gets up on his feet and drops a stiff elbow to Keith’s side. Cunning grabs a fist full of Owens hair and literally throws him by the hair with both hands to the outside. As he joins Owens on the outside, he’s met with a kick to the mid section, but it does little to slow him down as he answers back with yet another knee to the midsection of the Difference Maker. Cunning props his former tag team partner against the fan barricade, spits in his face, and slaps him for good measure. As Owens slumps to the ground, Trevor continues the assault with several boots to the stomach. The referee yells something at Cunning, but he shrugs it off. Instead he gets Owens in a face lock and executes a text book vertical suplex onto the steel entrance ramp.
(Tom) I’d sure like to see how Owens is going to come back from this beat down. Cunning needs to drill him with some more of those suplexes and break his back in half!
(JB) I think Cunning should have focused on his conditioning a bit more in the past few years. That beer belly is catching up with him.
Needing a breather, Cunning walks away from the scene, only to stroll back and grab Owens. He takes him back towards the ring and slams his face onto the apron, effectively rolling Owens back into the ring in the process. Back inside the ring, Owens tries to throw some desperation punches and goes for an Irish whip, but the stronger Cunning reverses it and catches him with an abdominal stretch. Cunning is screaming at Owens to tap out and quit, throwing punches at his ribs with every word he speaks. The Godfather really puts his knee into the move to stretch Keith out as much as he can. Owens looks like he’s fading as he drops down to one knee, but he doesn’t give in. Trevor is growing increasingly frustrated and grabs the top rope to use as leverage. The referee begins admonishing him, like that’s worth anything in a no rules match, and this actually works to Keith’s advantage as he’s able to muscle out with a hip toss. The crowd pops big as both men are on the mat.
(Tom) Outrageous! Referee Jason Martin took Cunning’s focus off of the submission maneuver and it allowed Keith Owens to break free!
Cunning is up to his feet quickly and is shocked Keith powered out of that submission hold. He’s so pissed at the referee he shoves the referee into the corner. The referee pops out and shoves Cunning back! That gets a huge pop from the crowd! Cunning points at the referee and tells him to watch himself.
(JB) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you cannot mess with Jason Martin without getting a little quid pro quo in return.
(Tom) You’ve said that before? And what is quid pro quo? Some kind of ancient sushi?
(JB) *sigh*
In the mean time, Owens has pulled himself back up to his feet and connects to the side of Cunning’s face with three huge right hands! Owens goes for another Irish whip that is yet again reversed, but Owens makes the best of it connecting with a spinning heel kick! Both men are back up onto their feet and Keith gets Cunning in a face lock, calling for his finisher “The Difference Maker.” But before Owens can execute, Cunning counters with a modified suplex of his own!
(JB) Keith Owens was looking to hit “The Difference Maker” but Cunning countered out of it!
(Tom) So much for making a difference.
Both men are now sprawled out across the ring and lay there for some time. Because there must be a winner, there won’t be any double knock outs here. The two opponents get up in unison, and as Keith turns around, he walks into a huge “Boot and Rally” double arm DDT. Cunning lays on the mat alongside Keith momentarily before rolling over and making the first pin fall cover of the match!
1…
2…
Shoulder up!
(JB) That was so close! Cunning nearly had this match won!
Cunning can’t believe it! He makes a second cover, making sure to put an arm down across his chest.
1…
2...
Shoulder up again!
(Tom) Ah! Not again!
Cunning rolls away and is furious that Owens was able to power out for a second time!
(JB) We’ve seen a lot of brutal battles here tonight, and this one is no different. Both these men are extremely determined and resilient.
Both men get back up onto their feet and Cunning punches Owens into the ropes. Irish whip by Cunning and he follows it up putting Owens in a standing sleeper hold. Owens arms flail as he looks to grab onto the ropes so Cunning steps it up by taking them both down onto the mat with a body scissors hold. The fight in Keith seems to be waning. With Owens fading quickly, the referee raises his arm once… and it drops… He raises it again… and it drops… We get to time number three, and… it starts to drop but Owens raises his arm back up before it can hit the mat!
(JB) Owens refuses to give up!
(Tom) Bah! Story of his life…
Big cheers from the crowd and Cunning once again can’t believe he couldn’t put down Owens for good. Cunning allows Owens to use the ropes to pull himself back up onto his feet, but is quick to make all that energy Keith expended useless as Owens crashes back down with a punch to the head. Owens calls out for Trevor to keep bringing it, so Cunning does, pulling him back up and giving him another Irish whip – knee lift combo!
(Tom) Stupid Owens. You ask for pain from Trevor Cunning, and you’ll receive it!
Owens is back up to his feet but falls with a European uppercut by the Godfather. Cunning lifts Owens up onto his shoulders in a Canadian backbreaker position, and he’s looking to finish him off with a flipping ace crusher, otherwise known as the “Sobriety Test.” Sure enough, Cunning connects and the crowd boos the shit out of him because this is the end of the line for Owens. After taking a moment to flip the bird to the crowd, Cunning goes for a lateral press to pick up his win, and banish Keith Owens from the NAFW forever.
1…
2…
2.5…
Shoulder up again!
(Tom) Impossible! Owens has kicked out of the “Sobriety Test!”
(JB) Those precious seconds that Cunning spent showing the crowd what he thinks of them could have made the difference in that pin cover!
Cunning has officially lost it as he start screaming like a mad man, heading to the outside of the ring. He throws Troy Gilmore off of his chair and tosses the chair into the ring. Like a quarterback throwing a pass to himself, Cunning quickly slides into the ring to retrieve the chair before he smashes it into the ribs of Keith. He follows it up by smashing it across Keith’s back. In frustration, he slams the chair down onto the mat and picks up Owens’ body. Keith can barely stand as Cunning locks him up for another double arm DDT. The referee makes some comment to Trevor, and he does not like it. He releases Owens from the hold to shove the referee onto his ass.
(Tom) What is this? The blatant favoritism by the referee is out of control!
(JB) Jason Martin was probably just telling him not to kill Owens, for crying out loud! If Cunning can’t handle that or just ignore the referee, that’s his own problem!
Cunning resumes the “Boot and Rally,” hooking one arm, but before he can hook the other, Owens drills him with a massive low blow!
(JB) Low blow by Owens!
(Tom) And where is the referee admonishment for that?
Both men are down and the crowd is on their feet. Keith crawls and manages to grab the steel chair. The former best friends are back up to their feet and Cunning walks right into a massive overhead chair shot from Owens! Keith collapses in exhaustion as the crowd is chanting “Owens! Owens! Owens!” The Difference Maker begins to crawl as Cunning is out cold. As Cunning removes his hand from his face, we see he’s wearing a substantial crimson mask! Owens drapes his arm over Cunning.
One…
Two…
NO! Cunning powers out!
(JB) That sickening chair shot could have been all for Cunning. He’s busted wide open and that blood is flowing!
(Tom) Good thing Trevor Cunning is more than a man. It’s going to take more than a chair shot to take him down!
Owens doesn’t have the strength to pin down Trevor again like he needs to, so he tries to get back onto his own two feet. Trevor uses the ropes to pull himself up, and Owens charges at him with a huge right hand that sends Cunning reeling and Owens down onto one knee. Keith is back up and staggers in with another big right hand! Haymaker number three goes unanswered as Cunning throws a desperation boot into Owens’ stomach. The Grand Slam Champion stumbles back into the ropes and when he bounces off, he drills Cunning with yet another haymaker! Keith unleashes a series of left and rights. He follows up with an Irish whip that Cunning reverses. On the return off the ropes, Keith ducks a clothesline attempt, bounces off the ropes yet again, and nails Cunning with a low drop kick.
(JB) It seems like the extremes that these two men have taken each other two have lit a new fire in each of them!
Cunning gets up in the corner and Keith throws a few more blows before attempting to whip him to the opposite corner. As you may have guessed, Trevor reverses and Owens ends up in the corner. But as The Godfather charges in, he eats a big boot from Owens. Owens pops up to the middle rope, then jumps off drilling Trevor’s bloody face into the mat with a modified bulldog.
(JB) The ring mat is bloodstained with Cunning’s blood! And that cannot feel pleasant on the face of Cunning.
Keith picks up that steel chair as Cunning uses the ropes to get back to a vertical base. Owens just chucks the chair at Cunning’s face, then follows it up with a spinning heel kick! It takes a while for Keith to regain his bearings, but after he does, he moves in for a pin attempt. He hooks the leg, and this could be it.
One…
Two…
Kick out at two and a half!
(Tom) Yes! Go Cunning!
(JB) Keith kicked that chair into Cunning’s face, but it just wasn’t enough. I’m scared to think of where these two men are going to take things in this match since neither can convincingly put the other down for the count.
Now Owens can’t believe he hasn’t finished this match off yet. He picks up Cunning and pushes him into the corner. It looks like he’s going to try for another Irish whip, but Owens learned his lesson and reverses his own momentum, sending Cunning crashing back into the corner from which he just came. The Godfather goes flying over the top of the turnbuckle, flipping onto the steel steps behind that corner. The crowd explodes with a “Holy Shit!” chant.
(JB) I never would have expected to see that after Trevor reversed just about every Irish whip attempt tonight, but Keith was able to shift the momentum enough and Cunning has just paid dearly for it!
Keith slowly crawls back out of the ring and makes a pin cover on the steel steps. The referee checks that Cunning’s shoulders are pinned on the harsh metal, and begins to count.
One…
Two…
No! Cunning can’t power out but he manages to roll their bodies off the steel steps.
(JB) That may be the first time I’ve ever seen a pin fall attempt on the steel steps!
(Tom) Falls count anywhere tonight, but that certainly is not a place I would have had in mind.
Both men are nearing the point of physical exhaustion. Cunning uses what strength he has left to push the top layer of steel steps off the bottom layer. He manages to grab Owens and wants to try to drill him onto the steel, but Owens instead runs his arm into the corner post. As Cunning spins around grabbing his arm in pain, Owens walks back a couple of paces, runs, and jumps off the half steps, planting both of his knees into Cunnings back, a modified Owens Express.
(JB) “Owens Express” off the steel steps! Owens is targeting any part of Trevor that he can!
(Tom) But Keith better watch himself. He has that bad knee, and I can’t imagine risky moves like that are going to do him many favors.
Owens wastes little time getting slapping on a reverse arm bar on Cunning, making sure to put a leg across Trevor’s neck for a choke as well. Screaming in pain, Cunning has nothing around him to grab onto to try and break the hold. Though probably only operating at half strength, Owens appears to be doing everything in his power to break Cunning’s arm.
(JB) That’s it! That’s the rumored arm bar we heard Keith Owens was working on the house show circuit!
(Tom) He wants to snap Trevor’s arm in two! And he just might after he weakened it by ramming it into the ring post earlier.
The Godfather tries to use his free arm to get Owens’ leg off from around his throat, but Owens adjusts and uses it to apply more pressure on his arm.
(JB) How is Trevor going to survive this? His arm is on the verge of breaking and Keith is depriving him of oxygen.
(Tom) I’m not going to lie…I’m just a little worried.
We’re a solid two minutes into this submission with no tap out yet. The referee asks Cunning if he’ll tap out and the foul mouth former frat boy yells out “F*ck you! Never!” The leader of the Frat Pack is willing to have his arm broken if it means he’ll stay in the match. Cunning follows that gem up with “I’d f*ck her again!” which actually works to Cunning’s advantage.
(JB) Oh come on! There are children in the audience! It’d bad enough they must see a sadistic fight like this, but they don’t need to hear language like that.
So enraged, rather than snapping Trevor’s arm, Keith releases the hold and gets up. He storms around ringside and finds just what he was looking for: Cunning’s signature bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey!
(Tom) Smart mind games by Cunning there! He took Owens’ focus away from the arm bar!
(JB) But now Keith has that bottle of Jack Daniels, which might equal a worse fate for Cunning…
Owens raises the bottle above his head and the crowd cheers him on. But as the Difference Maker turns around, Cunning has stalked him down and kicks him in the gut. The bottle goes flying out of Owens’ hand and Cunning drills him with a knee lift to the face!
(Tom) This is the Trevor Cunning comeback we’ve all been waiting for!
Cunning fumbles around trying to grab the bottle, but when he grabs it with his good arm, he takes a long pull of it before dropping the bottle once again. He walks over to Keith who has been down on all fours and picks him up by the hair. He looks Owens in the eyes and goes for the “Drunken Haze” spitting of Jack Daniel’s into his opponent’s eye, but Keith fires back with a little trick of his own that he picked up in Japan: Asian Mist! The two men blind each other with their normally illegal misting tactics! The crowd once more breaks out into a “Holy Shit!” chant!
(JB) Asian Mist!
(Tom) Drunken Haze!
(JB) They’ve blinded each other! Cunning loves to spit Jack Daniels into the face of his opponents, and that Asian Mist is something Keith Owens learned from David Kurresh when he was receiving proper training in Japan!
The sting to the eyes sends both men stumbling about at ringside trying to regain their bearings. Owens trips over the steel steps, while Cunning finds that now partially filled bottle of Jack Daniel’s that he dropped moments ago. Trevor heads over in the direction he thinks Keith is in and kicks the Difference Maker who is still bumbling around on the floor. Keith finds the corner ring post and uses it to pull himself up onto his feet. But as he does that, he has set himself up for a much worse fate – Cunning wildly swings the bottle of Jack like a mad man with his good arm and breaks it across Keith’s face, sandwiching his head between the glass bottle and the ring post!
(JB & Tom) Holy shit!
(JB) I apologize for that language, but that was simply sickening!
(Tom) And I’m oddly excited by it.
(JB) Ugh, I don’t even want to know…
Cunning still can’t see exactly where everything is, and he tries to wipe whatever the mysterious contents of the Asian mist are that have mixed with his own blood out of his eyes. Speaking of blood, Owens now has a crimson mask of his own that stings like hell when the cuts are mixed with the alcohol.
(JB) Owens’ face is covered with blood, glass, and whiskey. I don’t know how he can possibly continue!
Referee Jason Martin is down on the ground checking on Keith to see if he’ll still continue. Owens pushes him away and he grabs the part of the apron that says “TheNAFW.Com” and uses it to wipe away the glass, blood, sweat, and alcohol from his face.
(Tom) That has to hurt! There was glass embedded in his face!
(JB) Owens isn’t going to give up now!
Owens stumbles over to where Trevor is and throws a few more punches, though what good they are at this point, no one really knows. This forces the two over to the announce table, where Cunning manages to slam Keith’s face onto the table, making sure that blood keeps flowing. Cunning tries it again, but Owens blocks it and smashes Cunning’s face into it instead.
(JB) Good Gord, both men are bloodying our announce table right now!
Keith yells at JB and Tom to get up, and they quickly oblige.
(JB) No complaints about being told what to do by Keith Owens, Bear?
(Tom) I’ll comment later…
Keith double underhook’s Cunning’s arms, and lifts him up for a “Tiger Driver.” He quickly turns with the move and lands Cunning’s neck and shoulders onto the announce table, but the table fails to break. It was a difficult lift and Owens was not anywhere close to full strength. The move looks just as painful though, and the crowd can’t believe it. Some think Keith screwed up the move, others think he was purposefully trying to kill Cunning. Regardless, Cunning is on the announce table with a possible broken neck, and Owens isn’t done with him yet.
(JB) Oh my goodness! Keith attempted that Tiger Driver but it was not pretty!
(Tom) I think Cunning might have a broken neck after that move!
(JB) Wait, what the heck is Owens doing now?
Keith searches under the ring for a few moments and pulls out… a pack of fluorescent light tubes!
(Tom) No!
(JB) Vintage Keith Owens right here folks! He’s taking us back to his X-Treme title “Street Style” days where his signature weapon was those fluorescent light tubes!
JB is right, as it is Vintage Keith Owens right here as he smashes one across Cunning’s face, drawing more blood than before! But that’s not enough for Owens. He smashes second tube, and then a third before collapsing backwards into the ring apron in exhaustion as the crowd chants “N-A-F-Dub!” followed by a five clap.
(JB) I’m seriously concerned for the health of Trevor Cunning right now. He’s been busted open, had that mysterious mist sprayed in his eyes, and now his face is covered with particles from those light tubes, and on top of all that, he may have a broken neck!
Owens favors his midsection and it appears he is having trouble breathing, which should be no surprise with the number of harmful elements floating in the air from those light tubes. Cunning tries to move but can only slump off the table half way. Owens walks over to him, grabs him by the head, and rolls him back into the ring.
(Tom) C’mon Trev, fight back!
While in the ring, Cunning starts fiddling in his tights for something while Owens rolls in under the bottom rope. Keith crawls over to where Cunning is and brings the both of them up to their feet. He props Cunning up against the ropes while Keith signals to the crowd he’s going to finish this once and for all. But as he turns back to grab Cunning, the Godfather lunges forward with one last desperation attack! Cunning throws a wild punch, and the lights show his fist is shining. It’s the “Spiked Punch” brass knuckle punch – only Owens manages to duck!
(Tom) Spiked Punch!
(JB) No! Owens ducks the brass knux!
Cunning turns back around and Keith kicks him in the gut. He pulls him in with that face lock, screams out in anger, and drills Cunning to the mat with the “Difference Maker” twist of fate cutter. The crowd explodes and Owens has this one in the bag if only he could make the pin cover.
(JB) THE DIFFERENCE MAKER! This could be it right here! Owens just has to make the cover!
But Owens begins to crawl away from Trevor instead of towards him to make the cover. In fact, Owens is crawling toward the turnbuckle. He pulls himself up with the middle rope, and then steps over it. Slowly but surely, Keith is climbing the turnbuckles one by one until he is perched on the top rope.
(Tom) What in the hell is he doing? He’s got so much blood streaming down his face I don’t think he can even see.
The crowd is on their feet cheering the Difference Maker on. The man is on the brink of collapse but he steadies himself. Slowly he rises up and stands vertically, looking down at Trevor Cunning below. And then with one final burst of energy, Keith Owens returns to his high flying roots and unleashes his version of the Shooting Star Press known as the “Don’t Try This At Home!” It miraculously connects on Cunning, but Owens can’t hang on for the cover. He bounces off Cunning’s chest, grabbing his own midsection that is even worse off after that high risk move.
(JB) DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME! Shooting Star Press! But Owens couldn’t hang on for the cover! Will he be able to do it? This has got to be all for Trevor Cunning!
(Tom) I hope not! Keith might have broken a rib with that move judging by the way he’s grabbing his midsection
Keith uses whatever strength he has left and moves back to Trevor Cunning, where he hooks the far leg as tightly as he can. The referee slides down for the count.
One…
Two…
THREE!!!
(JB) Keith Owens has done it! Keith Owens has defeated his former friend and biggest enemy, Trevor Cunning! Trevor Cunning is now banished from the NAFW!
(Tom) Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
(JB) These two men took each other to the absolute limit! They’re both busted wide open on their faces. Keith Owens has glass and alcohol all over him, while Trevor Cunning nearly had his arm broken. On top of that, Trevor was dropped on his head, then had light tubes smashed over his face.
The referee helps Keith up to his feet before raising his hand up high in the air. Owens falls to his knees and holds the back of his head with one hand and mid section with the other. He turns his focus over to Trevor, who is out cold and is being attended to by medical personnel. As the EMTs run down with a stretcher, all Keith Owens can do is look on at the foe he has vanquished – but at what costs?
(JB) You can’t help but wonder – was this all worth it? Did Keith Owens get what he wanted out of this match? Trevor Cunning is out of the NAFW, but at what cost to both of them? After everything Keith Owens has been through from the stalking letters, to his father being jailed, to the dissolution of his friendship and tag team with Trevor Cunning, to the battles over Melissa with Hush and now with Cunning regarding the alleged sex tape, all while Melissa Hayes is still in a coma… Will Keith Owens be able to even sleep at night? I’m not so certain.
Not wanting to look at the sight of his own war zone anymore, Owens is assisted to the back by referee Jason Martin, as the crowd applauds his efforts.
(Tom) Keith Owens can barely walk out of here on his own two feet!
(JB) Trevor Cunning certainly can’t. And the crowd seems to love that fact.
The EMTs brace Cunning’s neck since it could be fractured or broken. Then they place him on a board and begin to slide him out from underneath the bottom rope, where a stretcher awaits. The crowd at this point is on their feet, and they give Trevor Cunning his proper ‘swan song’ out of the NAFW:
“Na na na na! Na na na na na! Hey hey hey! Good-bye!”
“Na na na na! Na na na na na! Hey hey hey! Good-bye!”
“Na na na na! Na na na na na! Hey hey hey! Good-bye!”
(Tom) Stop! Stop! These people don’t even realize! This means no more Trevor Cunning in the NAFW!
(JB) And something tells me these fans are perfectly fine with that. Cunning has been a menace to this company since day one, and if nothing else, Keith Owens gave him his comeuppance tonight.
The EMTs strap the board to the stretcher, and then secure additional straps across Trevor Cunning’s body to brace and stabilize him. Cunning, though a bloody and beaten mess, begins to come to and realizes where he is: On his way out of the NAFW. As the crowd continues to chant Cunning lets out a frustrated yell.
(Tom) I feel your pain Godfather! Hang in there!
(JB) I can’t imagine what depths of despair and tragedy Trevor Cunning’s life is going to sink into now – but he brought it all on himself.
The crowd has absolutely zero remorse for this scumbag, and they continue their chant as the scene fades out.
“Na na na na! Na na na na na! Hey hey hey! Good-bye!”
“Na na na na! Na na na na na! Hey hey hey! Good-bye!”
“Na na na na! Na na na na na! Hey hey hey! Good-bye!”
Crumbling
We cut to the backstage parking lot, where a bunch of yelling is going on next to a limo. As the scene becomes more clear, we can see it is an enraged Mike Lane screaming at Vanessa Chamberlain, Shane Thomas, and Dustin Thomas.
(Lane) How are we supposed to be the most dominant faction in this company when you clowns can’t even win the Tag Team titles? Huh? Tell me!
The Old School Empire tries to answer, but before they can, Lane flips out on them, slapping both of them across the face.
(Lane) Shut up! I don’t care! This is all your faults!
Lane is really starting to lose it as he grabs Dustin by the hair and shakes him.
(Lane) Where were you when Dane Cook got attacked again?! Huh?! Where were you?! Where were you?!
Mr. Old School Hollywood tosses Dustin against the limo door and turns his attention to the bigger Shane Thomas.
(Lane) Don’t speak to me! Just get in the damn car! Get in!
The anger in Lane’s voice is astounding, and he shows it physically by kicking the side of the limousine and denting it.
The Old School Empire obeys the order though and they get inside the car. Lane then turns his attention to Vanessa.
(Lane) And what was that earlier with The Reaper? I thought we had a plan about him!
Vanessa tries to speak to explain herself, but Lane cuts her off to continue ranting.
(Lane) Shut it woman! Tonight was supposed to be the night Mike Lane and the Old School Empire rose up to the top of the Foundation, but its all been screwed up! But you all will not screw my chances of winning the Foundation Heavyweight Championship here in Hollywood. There’s movie executives sitting in those sky boxes, and they are NOT going to sign a LOSER to a movie contract! So just get in the friggin’ car and stay there until I tell you otherwise – got it?!?!
Lane points to the limo, and Vanessa obeys her boss and gets in with Shane and Dustin. Before she can shut the door, Lane slams it closed himself and then kicks it again for good measure before storming back inside the arena.
(JB) Good Gord! I’ve never seen Mike Lane that angry in my life!
(Tom) He’s just getting fired up. Mike Lane is going to single handedly take that title away from Mike Stryker. Mr. Old School Hollywood will become not only the greatest wrestler of all time, but also the greatest entertainer to ever grace Hollywood!
The Right Thing
We cut from the last scene to a shot of a door that is cracked open. The name on the door reads…
Mike Stryker
…which draws a pop from the crowd.
The camera turns the corner into the locker room, where Mike Stryker is seated wearing a black sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head, hiding his face. He holds the Foundation Heavyweight Championship in his lap, his eyes probably gazing down on his championship gold.
This moment of solitude comes to an end when Keith Owens comes barging into his locker room, battered and bruised, but with his Wish in hand.
Stryker doesn’t break his gaze on the championship title.
(Keith) Look here Stryker – I know we’ve had our beef in the past, and I’m not trying to target you. The hell I just went through out there wasn’t for nothing.
Stryker still doesn’t look up.
(Keith) You see, I’ve made up my mind that the right man has to walk out of OBLIVION here tonight with the Foundation Heavyweight Championship around his waist – That title is not a prop and its power should not be abused.
So for the sake of the fans – for the sake of the boys in the back – and for the honor of the company – that title cannot leave here around Mike Lane’s waist tonight.
We don’t know what the future of this company looks like Mike, but there is one thing I do know – I don’t want to see some jackass walk out of here with that fifteen pounds of gold – a jackass like I used to be.
I know you have good intentions, Stryker, and I want to see you go out there and beat Lane from pillar to post. But if you can’t get the job done…
Dramatic pause.
(Keith) …I’m putting you on notice that I will.
Owens lets go of his Wish and it floats down on top of Stryker’s championship belt. The champion begins to raise his head as Owens turns to leave and the scene fades out.
The opening chords of Jane's Addiction's "Superhero" rock the arena as the fans come to their feet, and the booing has already begun. The lights have dropped, leaving a single spotlight on the entrance way. As the intro finishes up, the lights drop completely out except for a single name on the NAFW-Tron.
Mike Lane.
(JB) Folks, this is the main event match of the night, and the match many of us have been looking forward to for a very long time.
(Tom) Especially me. Other than Snake winning the Atlantic Championship, tonight has been depressing.
(JB) Depressing for a strange person like you, Bear. Exciting for the rest of us.
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 a fake Mike Lane Grin. Pyro explodes behind him.
(JB) That man right there, Mike Lane, will challenge our champion. When he defeated Spaz he gained control of their Wish from Three Wishes, and he cashed it in for an Oblivion main event, which he will finally get tonight.
(Tom) And let’s not forget that Mike Stryker ruined the premier of Lane’s movie “The Defense” and has got this very company in a lot of hot water, so he deserves this beating that he has coming to him from Mr. Old School Hollywood.
He reaches out to smack a fans hand, but the fan pulls away. Mr. Old School Hollywood raises up his hand, like he's going to slap the insolence out of the poor kid, but then he continues his walk. He climbs into the ring, and holds up his arm, allowing the fans to let him have it.
(JB) Lane was pretty upset with the rest of the Old School Empire and told them he’d call them if he needed them, so it will be interesting to see how he fairs on his own against Mike Stryker without his faction.
(Tom) We saw Dane Cook in the arena earlier, but I don’t think he’ll be playing a role here tonight after getting that guitar whacked over his head!
(JB) I don’t think any of our Los Angeles celebrities will be playing a role here tonight in the STAPLES Center after what Rock ‘n’ Rex and Brick and Mortar have been up to.
The house lights go down as "Til I Collapse" by Eminem begins to play through the arena. As the song goes through it's dark intro, various scenes from NYC come across the NAFWTron.
YO LEFT, YO LEFT, YO LEFT RIGHT LEFT!!
As the line repeats and the dialogue of the song starts in the background, the scene changes to a simple panoramic of the NYC Skyline. When the drums kick in, lightning fills the sky with each beat, and through the cloud cover, the word "STRYKER" can be made out with each bolt of lightning.
(JB) Here comes the champ, ladies and gentlemen…
When the song finally kicks in, The house lights come up, with a bright white light punctuating each clap in the songs beat. Mike Stryker comes out in his black sweatshirt, hood up, hair hanging down in front of his face. He marches out, and as the crowd gives a roar of approval, he raises his Foundation Heavyweight Championship belt over his head. He gives the crowd a quick look before he begins marching himself to the ring, oblivious to the cheers.
(JB) This Los Angeles crowd is on its feet for our champion, Mike Stryker, who we saw win the belt all the way back at Chain Reaction, realizing a dream of many years on the professional circuit.
(Tom) Why should these fans cheer for this guy? Stryker has put this company in peril, and only Mike Lane can save it by winning the Foundation Heavyweight Championship.
(JB) I think others will disagree, especially Keith Owens who just threatened Stryker that if he loses the belt to Lane, he’s going to cash in his Wish and win the belt back for the good of the company!
(Tom) Typical Keith Owens, always trying to “do good” by putting himself first. If he wants to cash in that Wish, that’s fine. Mike Lane will defend the Foundation Heavyweight Championship against him, and win two matches in a row tonight!
(JB) Well, enough about Owens, because this match right here and right now is not about him. It’s about a spoiled member of the Hollywood elite trying to take what the hard working Big City Hitman worked his whole career to earn.
Stryker Rolls under the bottom rope and gets up on the opposite turnbuckles, again raising his belt as the crowd roars once more. He crosses the ring and repeats the action to another cheer. He dismounts from the buckles and pulls off his sweatshirt, tossing it aside.
Both men are in opposite corners as NAFW ring announcer Troy Gilmore does the announcing honors.
(Troy) The following contest is our OBLIVION main event! It is scheduled for one fall and it is for the NAFW Foundation Heavyweight Championship.
NAFW Senior Referee Walt Mason holds the Foundation Heavyweight Championship up in the air for the television cameras and for the crowd, before showing the belt to both competitors.
(Troy) First, the challenger, hailing from Kingsport, Tennessee, but wrestling out of Hollywood, California, weighing in at two hundred and eighty pounds, he is “Mr. Old School Hollywood”… Mike… Lane!
The crowd boos the hell out of Lane, who stands in his corner and applauds for himself.
(Troy) And the champion defending his title, hailing from New York City, New York, weighing in at two hundred and twenty six pounds, he is “The Big City Hitman”… Mike… Stryker!
And even the Los Angeles crowd pop huge for the East Coast champion who is defending his belt tonight.
(JB) It’s no secret who the fan favorite is here, despite Los Angeles being Mike Lane’s adopted hometown.
(Tom) Something tells me B-F-E, Tennessee doesn’t miss Lane much – but they should!
Both men are in opposite corners and the referee first checks Mike Lane’s boots, pads, and trunks for any illegal objects. He then does the same for Mike Stryker. Finally, he gets into the center of the ring, asks both men if they’re ready, and rings the bell for this match to officially begin.
(JB) Let’s get it on folks!
Stryker bounces out of his corner ready to fight, but Lane stays pressed against his own corner. This prompts the referee to step in and push Stryker back until Lane steps away from the ropes.
(JB) Is Lane ready for this fight, or what?
(Tom) You better believe he’s ready. He’s already defeating Stryker with mind games~!
Finally, Lane steps out, and the two circle up. They lock up with a collar and elbow tie up, each man jockeying for the advantage. The two men take turns trying to force the other against the various corners before referee Walt Mason steps in to make them break the hold since it was going no where.
(JB) Despite Lane having the size advantage, it appears these two men are pretty equally matched here in the ring.
The two circle up again and grapple, but this time Stryker puts an arm wrench on Lane. Lane quickly throws a chop at Stryker to get him to relinquish the hold.
(Tom) Looks like Strykes is gonna have his work cut out for him tonight.
The men circle up again, and this time Stryker gets a side headlock. Lane reverses it, but Stryker immediately counters that with a hammerlock behind the back of Lane. Lane reverses into the same hold, which he transitions into a side headlock, and then into an overhead wristlock, which Stryker uses to flip Lane over him.
(JB) That is some great chain wrestling by these two wrestlers who both have spent years honing their craft around the world.
Lane is shocked Stryker came out on top of that chain wrestling exchange as he gets back up onto his feet. The two pause and size each other up once again as the crowd begins to chant “Let’s Go Stryker.” Lane does not approve of this, and he begins to bark at the crowd. Referee Walt Mason is not happy with the pace of this match, and tells Lane to get back into it.
(JB) Is it just me, or does Lane seem a bit taken back that his “home” crowd of Los Angeles is rooting for Stryker?
(Tom) These west coast phonies don’t even know how to respect their own movie star Mike Lane!
The two grapple again, and Lane comes out on top with a side headlock. He flips Stryker onto the mat, but Stryker repositions for an arm bar, which Lane quickly escapes. Both men get back up, and Lane takes Stryker down again, using his size advantage. Yet again Stryker is able to get out from underneath Lane and look for that arm bar, but Lane backs off. Up on their feet once more, Lane gets the side headlock take down, and Stryker is able to free himself of it and attempt an arm bar. Lane once more gets up to his feet, and he is fuming.
(JB) Stryker is showing he might have the edge here is these two are going to try and mat wrestle.
(Tom) Usually Lane just crushes opponents with his sheer power. He’s just warming up, just wait.
Frustrated about the chain wrestling, Lane shoves Stryker, and Stryker shoves him right back. The two lock up and once again Lane gets the advantage with another side headlock. Stryker pushes Lane into the ropes, and on the bounce back, Lane knocks him down with a shoulder block. Stryker rolls into the corner and the referee steps in to allow him to get back up onto his feet.
(Tom) Is this blatant favoritism by Walt Mason?
(JB) Not at all! It’s against the rules to hold your opponent in the corner, so Mason is just trying to keep this fight away from the ropes.
The men take their time circling and sizing each other up again. Lane calls for a test of strength, but Stryker doesn’t bite. Instead, Lane lunges in and catches Stryker in a headlock. Stryker begins to punch Lane in the ribs and pushes him off into the ropes again. One the return, Stryker dives to the mat forcing Lane to jump over him. As Lane bounces off the ropes again, he’s met by a large hip toss from Stryker. Stryker immediately shoots for the New York Cloverleaf, but Lane is able to break away to the ropes, then rolls outside the ring completely.
(JB) Stryker looks for his finisher early, but it didn’t quite stick!
(Tom) Brilliant work by Lane getting away from that submission predicament. I doubt Stryker will be able to lock that move in once tonight!
(JB) I’m going to have to disagree with you, but that’s nothing new.
Stryker follows him out as to not give him a break, and nails him with several big knife edge chops to the chest. Lane acts like he’s going to retreat, but then turns and kicks Stryker in the mid section. Lane tries to slam Stryker’s head into the guard barrier, but the Big City Hitman blocks it and instead slams Lane’s head into the barrier!
(JB) That is Stryker doing what he does best!
(Tom) Being a no good common street thug?
(JB) Kicking ass!
Referee Walt Mason has been giving these two men a ten count, but before he can get there, Stryker rolls Lane back into the ring, and Stryker re-enters as well. Lane gets up and runs off the ropes, nailing Stryker with a high knee. Lane takes a moment to catch his breath while Stryker is down, then picks him back up in a face lock. From there, Lane hits a vertical suplex. He stomps Stryker in the head, and then pulls Stryker back up by the wrist. From there he locks up and hits Stryker with another suplex.
(JB) Mike Lane is certainly showing his in ring prowess with suplexes like those.
(Tom) That’s right JB! Show respect where respect is deserved!
(JB) I’ll give Lane credit when credit is due, just no more than that.
Lane picks up Stryker again and begins to walk him over to the corner. But before Lane can do anything, Stryker fires back with more chops to the chest. Lane throws a knee, and then whips Stryker off the ropes. Lane runs behind him, and as Stryker hits the opposite ropes, he’s knocked down with another shoulder block. Lane hooks the leg for a pin cover.
1…
2…
And a kick out, as the crowd howls “TWO!”
(JB) Lane goes for our first pin fall of the match, but it is not successful.
(Tom) It would have been if Walt counted faster.
(JB) Like a shoulder block has ever won a match!...
Lane rests on his knees for a moment before rising to his feet. Stryker is still struggling, and Lane brings him up to his feet as well, then drops him with a backbreaker across the knee. Lane pulls Stryker up again, and but Stryker surprises him with several punches to the face. In response, Lane drop toe holds him through the middle rope and to the outside. The referee yells at him for this, but Lane doesn’t care.
(Tom) Mike Lane using his smarts there by throwing Stryker to the outside.
(JB) It looks like Mike Lane is trying to get any advantage he can.
Lane heads to the outside and the referee tells him to roll Stryker back in. Instead, Lane charges Stryker’s back into the side of the ring, continuing to work on that lower back. Lane rolls Stryker back in. As both men get back up to their feet, Stryker unleashes another onslaught of chops, forcing Lane into a corner. Lane manages to reverse and throw Stryker into the corner, then Irish whips him across the ring to the opposite corner. Lane charges in after him, but Stryker gets a boot up to stop him. As Lane stumbles out, Stryker lays into him with more chops, and then hits a crisp snap suplex.
(JB) That was a good looking move by the Big City Hitman.
Both men get back up, and Stryker punches Lane back into the corner. The referee yells at Stryker to get him out of the corner, so Stryker whips him across the ring to the other corner. But as Stryker charges in, Lane blocks him with an elbow to the face. Lane charges out with a clothesline, but Stryker ducks and grapples Lane from behind to hit a German suplex. Stryker tries to hang on for another German suplex, but Lane starts to elbow out of the waist lock.
(JB) Stryker is somewhat of a suplex machine, but Lane was able to break free after only one German suplex.
(Tom) That’s because Lane is the best all around wrestler in the Foundation. Any other chump would have been hit with the trifecta of German suplexes, but not the future Foundation Heavyweight Champion!
Lane gets Stryker into a face lock and then hammers away on that lower back. However, Stryker manages to get a double leg takedown. Instead of going for another New York Cloverleaf, Stryker catapults Lane into the corner turnbuckle! Stryker bounces off the ropes and clotheslines Lane over the top rope!
(JB) Stryker is back on the offensive, and Lane looks like he could be in trouble.
Stryker catches his breath for a moment before heading to the outside. Lane gets a thumb to the eye of Stryker, then tries to whip him into the steel steps. But Stryker reverses, and it is Mr. Old School Hollywood who is drilled into the steel instead!
(Tom) Disqualify him! The steel steps are illegal!
(JB) Then maybe Lane should have been more careful than to get reversed into them!
Stryker picks up Lane and rolls him back into the ring. Stryker walks up the steel steps, and then ascends the turnbuckles to the top rope. He goes for a flying elbow drop, but Lane rolls out of the way!
(JB) Whoa! High risk maneuver there by Mike Stryker, but it fails.
(Tom) EPIC FAIL!!!111!!!one!!~!
(JB) Stryker had the advantage in this match utilizing his ground game, and he seems to have blown that by trying to fly off the top rope.
Stryker is in pain after missing that high risk move. Both men are down and the referee starts to count them both out. He gets to a count of seven before both men are back up, and Stryker returns to the chopping strategy, though much slower than before. Stryker tries to whip Lane into the corner, but Lane reverses and gives Stryker and extra shove. The Foundation Heavyweight Champion hits the corner hard sternum first and slams back onto the mat.
(JB) Good Gord! What impact!
(Tom) Stryker bounced off that corner like it was rubber, and let me tell you, those turnbuckles do not have that much give. The Big City Hitman is going to be feeling that.
Both men are down and Stryker is in pain. The referee check on him as Lane gets back up to his feet. Lane gets Stryker into the corner, and then performs the same kind of whip again where Stryker crashes sternum first before falling to the mat. The referee checks on Stryker again while Lane slowly stumbles back up to his feet. Lane starts to drag Stryker up by the wrist, but then kicks him in the sternum. He then drops two knees on Stryker’s sternum, adding to the pain. Lane drags Stryker up one more time and lifts him for a vertical suplex. He gets about five seconds of hang time before he slams Stryker back down with a reverse suplex. Lane makes a lateral press to cover.
1…
2…
Shoulder up!
(Tom) Unbelievable! How is Stryker not finished?
(JB) Mike Stryker has taken one hell of a beating in the past few minutes, but it is going to take more than that for Mike Lane to pin the resilient champion.
Lane gets up to his feet before Stryker can, and holds onto the ropes as he stomps the champion’s face and chest. He picks Lane up again for a suplex, but then throws him back down to the mat chest first once again. He makes another cover.
1…
2…
No! Shoulder up again!
(Tom) Not again! Stryker’s chest should be crushed in!
(JB) He refuses to be pinned!
Lane wastes little time sitting Stryker up. The former Foundation Heavyweight Champion puts his knee against Stryker’s spine, then pulls both arms of Stryker backwards for a submission maneuver. Referee Walt Mason checks on Stryker and asks him if he wants to give up. Stryker repeatedly says “No” as the crowd starts clapping to try and get Stryker back into this match. Stryker manages to uses his hips and legs to work himself back up to a vertical base, which he does, and then knees Lane in the stomach.
(JB) That submission hold was separating those chest muscles in Stryker’s chest.
(Tom) One Shadow Kick is going to be all it takes to make Stryker’s heart explode out of his weakened chest.
Stryker then runs off the ropes, but Lane sidesteps the champ and throws him over the tope rope to the outside. The referee blocks Lane from going to the outside, and Lane agrees he won’t in order for the referee to try and count Stryker out. But Lane knows he can’t win the title on a count out, so as the ref’s back is turned he exits the ring a different way.
(Tom) Look at the smarts of Lane! Walt Mason is trying to call this one by the book, but there is no way Mike Lane is setting for a count out win. Mike Lane is leaving the STAPLES Center with the Foundation Heavyweight Championship or nothing!
Lane retrieves Stryker, but then whips him into the guard rail where Stryker hits chest first. The referee is continuing to count both men out, so Lane rolls in to break the count and force it to start over. He rolls back out and throws Stryker back in. Back inside the ring, Lane whips Stryker chest first into the turnbuckle again, and immediately goes for a pin cover.
1…
2…
But Stryker gets the shoulder up.
(JB) What will it take to put Stryker down? Lane keeps drilling him into the corner with that move, but Stryker keep kicking out!
Lane immediately attempts another pin fall.
1…
2…
Stryker pulls his shoulder up again!
(Tom) Unbelievable!
(JB) Lane might want to rethink his strategy, because all of that damage Lane has inflicted so far has not been enough to put the Big City Hitman down.
Lane yells at the ref that he’s got to be kidding him. Lane drags Stryker up again, but Stryker fights back with more chops. Stryker goes for an Irish whip, but Lane reverses, and then catches Stryker in an abdominal stretch.
(Tom) Here we go! Stryker’s midsection can’t take much more of this abuse. We’re nearing the end people!
Lane wrenches the move to continue to work over that chest area where he wants to plant a Shadow Kick. The referee asks Stryker if he wants to give up, but Stryker yells “No!” The crowd is clapping for Stryker again, and Stryker interlocks his hands around the arm of Lane. Somehow Stryker gets free, and then uses his hold to counter with an abdominal stretch of his own! It doesn’t last long though as Lane hip tosses Stryker over him.
(JB) That was a close call for Stryker, and it looked like he was about to turn the tables until Lane used his size and power advantage to break free.
Lane leans against the ropes trying to recover while Stryker rolls on the mat. As Stryker tries to get back up, Lane pounces on him again, this time with a sleeper hold from behind. Stryker tries desperately to get to the ropes but he can’t quite get there. He drops to a knee and the referee wants to know if Stryker gives up. Stryker doesn’t respond and his arms appear to have gone limp. The referee raises Stryker’s arm one time, and it drops. He raises it for a second time, and it drops. He raises it for a third, but Stryker keeps it up! He finds his way back onto his feet, and throws Lane off of him. As Lane bounces off the ropes, Stryker locks in a sleeper hold of his own!
(Tom) How does Stryker keep coming back? That sleeper should have finished him, but now he’s locked Lane in the very same move!
The number one contender breaks free and tries to back body drop Stryker, but Stryker flips over his shoulders and onto his feet. He then shoots Lane down and grabs the legs. He begins to lock in the New York Cloverleaf, but Lane kicks him away.
(JB) An excellent counter there by Stryker out of the back body drop, but Lane is going to fight like hell to avoid that New York Cloverleaf.
(Tom) I’m telling you, Lane has Stryker scouted. There’s no way he’s going to use that New York Cloverleaf.
Both men are up, and Lane attempts a Shadow Kick out of no where! Stryker ducks and grabs the leg, then pushes Lane onto the mat where he tries yet again to lock in the New York Cloverleaf! He gets the hold cinched in and the crowd goes wild!
(JB) Shadow Kick attempt! But it’s reversed into the New York Cloverleaf! Looks like you spoke too soon, Bear!
(Tom) Lane would have ended it with that Shadow Kick!
(JB) Woulda, shoulda, coulda. The fact is, Lane is locked in that deadly New York Cloverleaf.
Lane desperately tries to get to the ropes but he can’t as he’s stuck in the middle of the ring. Lane screams in pain as the referee asks him if he wants to give up. Lane manages to get a finger on the bottom rope, but Stryker pulls him back into the middle of the ring!
(Tom) What? Is that finger on the ropes not good enough to break the hold these days?
(JB) Walt Mason doesn’t seem to think so, but he’s the official and it is ultimately his call to make.
With the hold locked in, Lane is trying to do anything he can to get out. Finally, he manages to grab the bottom rope with both hands, and the hold is broken!
(Tom) There it is! Lane breaks the hold!
(JB) It looked like a close call there for Lane, but he manages to get free any way he could.
Both men are down in exhaustion next to each other and the ropes. They both stagger up to their feet at the same time, but its Stryker who clubs Lane in the back several times. Stryker has the waist lock on Lane and looks to German suplex him, but Lane reverses the hold and shoves Stryker away. The Big City Hitman bounces off the ropes and Lane attempts a clothesline, but Stryker ducks and locks in the hold for a German suplex! He doesn’t just hit one, or two, but three!
(JB) A trifecta of German suplexes! Stryker is on a roll! And the crowd is firmly behind their champion.
Both men are down in pain and the crowd is chanting “Stryker! Stryker! Stryker!” The champion tries to psych himself up. He gets to his feet and looks around at the sold out crowd on their feet cheering for him. But instead of going for a cover, Stryker heads to the corner and mounts the turnbuckle once more. As he slowly climbs the turnbuckles, Lane rolls out of the ring.
(Tom) Stryker is stupid! He maybe could have won the match right there, but instead he ignored his strengths and wanted to try something high risk. Luckily Lane is smart, and he rolled out of harm’s way before any damage could possibly be done.
(JB) Oblivion is the biggest stage of them all Bear. It might take something high risk to finish this match in this kind of atmosphere!
The referee tells him to remain in the ring, but Stryker doesn’t listen. Instead he runs off the ropes and suicide dives through the ropes, nailing Lane on the outside! The crowd in the arena breaks into a “Holy Shit!” chant as both men crash into the crowd barrier like a train wreck.
(JB) Did you see that? Stryker took out Lane with that suicide dive, but Stryker drilled his own head against the barrier too!
(Tom) That street thug has no smarts! He probably did just as much damage to his own body as he did to Lane.
The referee begins to count them both out, and at the count of eight, Stryker is able to get back onto his feet and roll Lane back into the ring. He slowly crawls back in after his opponent, but Lane is up on his feet already. The big man runs against the ropes, but Stryker side steps him and Lane nails the referee with a flying forearm!
(JB) No! Referee Walt Mason has been taken out by Mr. Old School Hollywood!
(Tom) It was totally an accident!
(JB) I don’t think you can convince me of that. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Lane had this planned all along.
With the ref on the outside of the ring, Stryker tries to shoot the legs of Lane again, but Lane counters with a big DDT! Both men are down and the referee is still out. Lane then starts yelling out for Vanessa Chamberlain, former woman of “The Reaper” Leonard Aaron, but now an executive business manager for Lane’s entourage, The Old School Empire. His assistant makes her way out from backstage, and Lane tells her to grab him a steel chair. But while Lane is doing that, Stryker sneaks in and takes Lane down, then locks in the New York Cloverleaf again!
(JB) It looks like Lane has decided not to do this all on his own, but Stryker doesn’t care! He’s going to finish this match right here, right now.
There is no referee, and Stryker yells at Vanessa to put the referee back into the ring and to stay the hell out of his business for once.
(JB) In the past, Vanessa has been known for getting involved in Stryker’s matches, but that is when he had to deal with “The Reaper” Leonard Aarons. It seems like no matter what he does, he can’t escape this vixen.
(Tom) And who does Stryker think he is barking orders at Vanessa? Vanessa doesn’t work for him!
As Stryker is yelling at Vanessa, Mike Lane taps out to the New York Cloverleaf! But again, as there is no referee in sight, there is no one to declare the match over!
(JB) Lane taps! Lane taps! Lane taps! By Gord, Lane taps but the referee is still knocked out!
(Tom) Vanessa better do something to fix this situation!
Instead of getting the ref, or a steel chair like Lane asked, she climbs up the steel steps, and Stryker immediately breaks the submission hold.
(JB) No way! Not tonight! There is now way Mike Stryker is going to let Vanessa Chamberlain step into that ring and cost him his title.
Quickly losing his cool, as he should have had his title retained by now, Stryker shoves Vanessa off the apron and onto the floor below!
(Tom) What an asshole!
(JB) I won’t condone that kind of behavior, but Vanessa was teasing a rabid dog there, and she got bit!
Stryker is angry with himself, as he didn’t necessarily want to hit a woman, but Vanessa is no ordinary woman, and she has a good record of interfering with Stryker’s affairs to his detriment. But while Stryker is looking down at Vanessa below, Lane sneaks up behind him and drills him with a low blow!
(JB) Low blow by Lane! But referee Walt Mason is still out of action.
(Tom) Ah, the low blow: Wrestling’s greatest equalizer!
He then pushes Stryker up, and then hits a huge Shadow Kick to the chest!
(Tom) Shadow Kickkkkkkkkkk! This is it right here! Mike Lane is our new Foundation Heavyweight Champion!
Lane tells Vanessa to get the referee, and she slowly rolls him back into the ring. Lane makes the cover on Stryker, and the still dazed referee begins to count.
One…
…It’s a slow count.
Two…
…But it could still be over…
Thr…
…No! Kick out!
(Tom) No! No! No!
(JB) By gawd, Mike Stryker kicked out of the Shadow Kick!
(Tom) That was the slowest three count I’ve ever seen!
(JB) Then maybe Lane shouldn’t have struck the referee down!
The crowd is going nuts and Vanessa can’t believe Lane didn’t win the title! The referee is face down, still out of it. Lane starts to stumble to his feet, and Vanessa heads over to the time keeper’s table where she grabs a steel chair. She walks up the steps and hands Lane the steel chair. But as Lane turns around with the chair, Stryker drop kicks it into his face. This sends Lane crashing backwards into the ropes and knocking Vanessa to the floor yet again.
(JB) Lane tries to bring that steel chair into play, but it ends up being to his own detriment.
Stryker gets up to his feet and grabs the steel chair. Lane, who is grounded, puts his arm out and begs Stryker to put the chair down. As Lane crawls into the corner, the Old School Empire, Shane and Dustin Thomas, hit the ring!
(Tom) Here comes the cavalry!
But Stryker nails Dustin across the face with the chair, and does the same for his brother Shane! Vanessa manages to get back into the ring again – though God only knows why – and demands that Stryker put the steel chair down. Stryker tells her to get the hell out of the ring before he drills her with the chair too. This distraction allows Lane to get to his feet, where he kicks Stryker in the stomach.
(JB) And there went the cavalry as fast as they came in! So much for those Thomas Brothers.
(Tom) The important thing is they bought Lane enough time to take the advantage back!
Now Lane has the chair and he raises it high above his head to hit Stryker, but the Big City Hitman is quick enough to nail a low blow of his own on Lane!
(Tom) No!
(JB) Mike Stryker is not afraid to play dirty at all. Mike Lane forgot the golden rule: Do unto others as you want done unto you.
(Tom) Bah!
Both men are down and Vanessa checks on Lane. After several moments, she goes to grab the steel chair. She raises it high above her head to hit Stryker, but the Foundation Heavyweight Champion gets up to his feet and she becomes too afraid to strike him!
(JB) Usually Vanessa doesn’t have a problem playing dirty with the big boys, but Stryker seems to have struck fear into her heart.
(Tom) I wish Vanessa would play dirty with me after the show is over.
(JB) Well, you almost called a semi-serious match. Good effort though, Bear.
(Tom) Thanks~!
He tries to grab the chair away from her but they engage in a battle of tug-o-war! Lane is now back up to his feet behind Stryker and Vanessa. Stryker rips the chair away from Vanessa, sending her falling to her ass and crashing to the outside.
(JB) Look out Stryker!
Stryker turns around, and Lane attempt to Shadow Kick him again! But Stryker drops the chair and ducks. Instead he boots Lane in the stomach, and hits him with the Paradigm Shift, a series of three rolling piledrivers!
(JB) By Gord, the Shadow Kick was countered and Stryker nailed the Paradigm Shift!
(Tom) I can’t believe it! How did that Shadow Kick not connect?
After the third piledriver, Stryker slowly gets up to his feet with the crowd going wild. With the Empire down and out around him, Stryker quickly checks on the referee, and the referee seems to be conscious enough to finish the match. He turns his attention back to Lane, grabs Mr. Old School Hollywood’s legs, and locks in the New York Cloverleaf!
(JB) Here it is yet again, the New York Cloverleaf! Will this be enough to finish the match?
(Tom) I sure as hell hope not!
Lane starts screaming in pain, but after the Paradigm Shift, he’s too weakened to try and fight for the ropes or power out of the move. As Stryker applies more pressure to the spine with his knee, Lane is left with only one choice, and he taps out furiously in the middle of the ring! The referee calls for the bell!
(JB) Lane taps! Lane taps! Lane taps! Stryker wins!
(Troy) Your winner, and still NAFW Foundation Heavyweight Champion… Mike… Stryker!!!!
(Tom) No!!!!!!!!!!! Unbelievable!
Referee Walt Mason retrieves Stryker’s Foundation Heavyweight Championship belt and presents it to Stryker, raising the Big City Hitman’s arm in the air.
(JB) Unbelievable is right! Lane took Stryker to the limits tonight, and the Big City Hitman battled through everything thrown at him to emerge victorious! This industry is Stryker’s life, and he proves that he deserves to be the NAFW Foundation Heavyweight Champion for another day!
(Tom) That should be Lane’s title, damn it! Lane deserves it! He’s from Hollywood! He had a blockbuster movie! The Empire was supposed to strike back tonight, but Stryker has ruined it all for Lane!
Stryker collapses down to his knees in exhaustion as the crowd is on their feet cheering. The champion clutches the gold to his chest, then rolls out of the ring. He slowly stumbles up the ramp, raising the belt up for all the fans to see.
(JB) Folks, that does it for us here tonight at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. My partner tonight has been Tom “The Bear” Kalhoun and I am JB Mann. Thank you for joining us for OBLIVION, where Mike Stryker has retained the Foundation Heavyweight Championship!
We close OBLIVION focused in on “The Big City Hitman” Mike Stryker raising the NAFW Foundation Heavyweight Championship high above his head at the top of the ramp.
