(A man can be heard casually whistling as the camera opens up to the sight of dozens of Championships and various other memorabilia from Pain For Pride X being thrown into a large pile)
Narrator: Everything burns.
(The man stops whistling, taking a moment to gaze upon the large pile before lighting a match and throwing it in, setting it ablaze.)
Narrator: Bridges.
(The camera shows a close up of the fire as it consumes the EAW Championship)
Narrator: Desires.
(The Unified Tag Team Championships, Openweight Championship, and National Elite Championship are consumed by the fire)
Narrator: Hatred.
(The fire consumes a picture of Ares Vendetta, Diamond Cage, and Jaywalker allied together prior to Pain For Pride)
Narrator: Everything.
(The entire pile is set ablaze as the unknown man looks on, laughing)
Narrator: Tonight, man goes against his most common instincts, all for the chance at glory. The fire that consumes all and scorches those who attempt to control it will become their greatest ally and enemy.
(Clips of The Heart Break Gal, Devan Dubian, and Rex McAllister battling over the last few weeks are shown as “Here Comes Revenge” by Metallica begins to play in the background)
“I’ve been here since dawn of time, countless hatreds built my shrine”
Narrator: The flames of hatred, desire, and so much more come together – not as many, but as one monstrous inferno.
(Clips are shown of Nasir Moore and CM Banks’ confrontations as “Here Comes Revenge” continues)
“I was born in anger’s flame, He was Abel, I was Cain”
Narrator: All to either taste victory or defeat, in one blaze of glory.
(Clips are shown of Lucas Johnson, Prince of Phenomenal, Kaise Boetius, Johnny Nova, and Mark Michaels battling one another)
“I am here, I’m Hell unbound”
Narrator: Be it gold or accolades or mere bragging rights…
“Burn your Kingdom to the ground”
“To the ground!”
(Clips rapidly show Tiberius IV, Theron Nikolas, Diamond Cage, and Ares Vendetta)
“Here comes revenge, just for you!”
(Clips are shown of Nobi and Stark)
“Revenge you can’t undo!”
(Clips are shown of The High Rollerz, Azumi Goto, and Haruna Sakazaki)
“You ask forgiveness, I give you sweet revenge!”
(The clips burn away as the unknown man walks away from the pile of ashes – his face not visible besides his sinister smile)
Narrator: Everything burns.
(A graphic is shown of a fire slowly creating the Dia Del Diablo logo)
Male Voice-Over: AND NOW…. ELITE ANSWERS WRESTLING AND SHOWDOWN PRESENTS…. DIA DEL DIABLO!
(The camera cuts to the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas where the ropes are colors red with flames upon the LED boards on one side of the ring, the ringposts, the ramp, and all over the stage as red pyro rapidly goes off on the stage before capping off with one final explosion. The camera cuts to a panoramic view of the Dallas, Texas crowd loudly cheering while “Here Comes Revenge” by Metallica continues to play in the background)
Pierre: WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN TO DIA DEL DIABLO LIVE IN THE AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER IN BEAUTIFUL DALLAS, TEXAS!!!
(The camera transitions to Pierre McGuire and Drake Jaeger – both dressed in suits – at the Showdown Announce Table)
Pierre: I’m Pierre McGuire, alongside–
Drake: YEAH, YEAH, YEAH! DON’T YOU EVER INTRODUCE ME, PIERRE! WHO THE HELL DOESN’T KNOW WHO I AM BY NOW?! I’m LITERALLY the only reason people listen to this garbage without hitting the Mute button! I am Drake “The Commentator” Jaeger and what a night this is gonna be! For one night only, Pierre here isn’t the only flaming thing at the show!
Pierre: Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?
Drake: Shut the Hell up, Pierre, now’s not the time for 21 Questions! It’s Dia Del Diablo! Fire! Flames! Hot stuff! I burned the roof of my mouth with pizza rolls earlier today in HONOR of this show!
Pierre: I’m sure… Well nonetheless, we’ve got a massive show for you tonight, ladies and gentlemen as we’ve five different contests in which the competitors will put their very careers on the line for the sake of winning!
Drake: That’s right! Branding Irons! Flaming Tables! You name it, we got it! Anything that even remotely involves something on fire, we got it! The fire marshal tonight is gonna have an aneurysm by the time this one is said and done!
Pierre: And speaking of which, we’ve got our first contest coming up right now that isn’t for the faint of heart!
Drake: Take it away, anonymous Ring Announcer!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Announcer: The following contest… IS A THREE DEGREES OF HELL MATCH!!!
(The crowd erupts with cheers)
Announcer: The rules are as follows…. The only way to win is to burn your opponent or set them on fire TWICE in the same fashion as a Two out of Three Falls Match!….
(A loud roar is heard all throughout the arena)
(“Bloodlust” by contRoVersy plays all throughout the American Airlines Center as Ares Vendetta stoically makes his way out to the stage in dark red and black attire, flanked by Jaywalker, dressed in a suit)
Announcer: First, making his way towards the ring, accompanied by Jaywalker!…. He hails from The Land of the Rising Sun!…. He weighed in tonight at 217 Pounds!…. HE IS “THE BLACK VULTURE”…. THIS IS ARES VEEEEENNNNNNNNDDDDDDDEEETTTTTTAAAA!!!….
Pierre: This is one of those contests where I genuinely fear for the lives of the competitors in it, because I can’t even imagine what this man alone is willing to do to win. He’s been pursuing vengeance for as long as I can remember, but this time he has a direct outlet for it, which makes it all the more terrifying.
Drake: Yeah, coupled with the fact that Ares is one of the most sadistic people we’ve ever seen in EAW, I can see why there MIGHT be cause for alarm in a match where you have to set your opponent on fire twice. The only thing in this guy’s way really is that he’s up against someone equally as crazy…
(“Train of Consequence” by Megadeth plays all throughout the American Airlines Center as a determined Diamond Cage nonchalantly makes his way out to the stage dressed in dark blue jeans, a black shirt, and a dark red leather jacket, alongside Lannister, dressed in his usual ring attire and a t-shirt)
Announcer: And his opponent!…. Making his way towards the ring, accompanied by Lannister!…. He hails from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada!…. He weighed in tonight at 225 Pounds!…. THIS IS “EXPLICIT CONTENT”, DIAMOND CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEE!!!….
Pierre: Diamond Cage may be the perfect man to compete against someone as malicious as Ares Vendetta, but I’m not so sure that’s a good thing by any means if it ends with neither of these men being able to walk out of here with their careers still intact!
Drake: Relaaax! What are the odds BOTH are gonna die in this? I’m sure at least one of them will still be able to function when it’s all said and done! I’m a glass half-full kinda guy!
Pierre: Nonetheless, Diamond Cage has been on somewhat of a mission since returning to EAW, and right now his biggest obstacle is right there in front of him. And honestly, I never thought I would ever see the day that he’s on the same side as a guy like Lannister, but they’ve both found a common enemy in both Ares and Jaywalker.
(Diamond Cage stares down with Ares Vendetta, who remains crouched in the ring as the Referee asks both men if they’re ready before calling for the bell)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Pierre: AND BOTH CAGE AND ARES EXPLODE FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE CORNERS AS THEY CLASH IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! BOTH MEN UNLOADING WITH A STORM OF LEFTS AND RIGHTS!! THESE TWO MEN HAVE BECOME ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED! CAGE IS TAKING CONTROL! ARES IS TRYING TO KEEP UP, BUT HE’S BEING BACKED INTO THE NEARBY CORNER! Ares puts a stop to the attack with a stiff knee to the gut of DC! Another knee connects to the mid-section! Ares grabs Cage and sends him crashing hard shoulder-first into the nearby ringpost in the corner! Cage quickly pulls himself out, but Ares charges into him immediately with a boot to the face! Ares now just stomping away at Cage! Look at this! Cage doesn’t even look fazed! A demonic look on the face of Diamond Cage as he makes his way back to his feet through the onslaught from Ares! Ares is doing his damndest to keep him down! Cage isn’t backing down! HE’S ASKING ARES FOR MORE! HE DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN! ARES NAILS HIM WITH A HARD RIGHT HAND! A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! ARES THROWS RAPID FOREARMS INTO THE FACE OF CAGE, BUT HE WON’T GO DOWN!
Drake: HEADBUTT!! DIAMOND CAGE WITH A HEADBUTT BETWEEN THE EYES OF ARES! That knocked him through a loop! Cage now showing signs of the damage he just took from Ares while Ares is down on his knees following that headbutt! Cage needs to follow it up! Get to it! ARES SPRINGS UP AND CHARGES! It’s missed! Cage moves out of the way, turning the tables as Ares is the one trapped in the corner! He swings at Cage! It’s blocked! CAGE WITH A BACKHAND CHOP TO ARES! ANOTHER! ANOTHER! ANOTHER! DIAMOND CAGE IS UNLOADING WITH A SERIES OF BACKHAND CHOPS!! ARES CAN’T DO A THING!! CAGE PUTS A STOP TO IT AND BACKS UP AS ARES STUMBLES OUT OF THE CORNER… A DECAPITATING LARIAT!!!
Pierre: NO–THE DIAMOND SAINT SPECIAL IS NO GOOD AS ARES AVOIDS THE LARIAT BY PICKING CAGE UP ON HIS SHOULDERS! HE CHARGES INTO THE FURTHEST CORNER, PICKING UP MOMENTUM!! CAGE IS FIGHTING! HE DRIVES REPEATED ELBOWS INTO THE SIDE OF ARES’ SKULL, PUTTING A STOP TO THE INCOMING DEATH VALLEY DRIVER IN THE CORNER! Cage is absolutely unloading! Ares is desperate to hit that Death Valley Driver, but it doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen as he struggles to remain on his feet! Cage slides off the back of Ares to escape! Ares quickly turns around! HE’S PICKED UP! USHIGOROSHI!!! A BIG FIREMAN’S CARRY NECKBREAKER TAKES OUT ARES VENDETTA!! Cage doesn’t look done! He’s not finished by any means as he pulls Ares up! HE’S GOT THE WRIST CLUTCHED! MURDER DEATH KILL!!!!
Drake: NO–ARES PULLS CAGE IN BEFORE THE SHORT-ARM LARIAT COULD CONNECT! HE’S LOOKING FOR THAT DEATH VALLEY DRIVER ONCE MORE! Cage immediately escapes! HE’S STILL GOT THE WRIST OF ARES AS HE PULLS HIM IN!! MURDER DEATH KILL CONNECTS!!!! A HUGE LARIAT AS HE PULLS ARES BACK UP, KEEPING THAT WRIST IN HIS GRASP!! A SECOND MURDER DEATH KILL CONNECTS AS ARES VENDETTA IS TURNED INSIDE OUT!!!! Diamond Cage absolutely mowing down Ares here! What is this guy made of?! I hope he knows he can’t win this by pinfall! He better get to setting that guy on fire, and soon! Jaywalker’s watching closely, but there’s not much he can do with Lannister keeping him at bay! Ares is on his own as Cage goes to the outside, searching underneath the apron… HE DRAGS OUT ANOTHER BARBED WIRE 2X4! HE TRIED TO MAIM ARES AND JAYWALKER LAST WEEK WITH ONE OF THESE! Who the Hell puts these things under there?!
Pierre: I don’t know, but that’s not all he’s got! Cage pulls out a can of lighter fluid too! He’s looking to get the first fall quickly in this one! Cage starts dousing that 2×4 in the lighter fluid! He’s got a crazed look in his eyes! HE’S GRABBING A LIGHTER FROM HIS POCKET! THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GO FROM BAD TO WORSE FOR ARES! Hold on! Jaywalker now making his way over to Cage! Cage stops in his tracks, staring down with his former mentor! Lannister gets in between them! There’s not much Jaywalker can do here!
Drake: ARES VENDETTA WITH A SUICIDE DIVE OUT OF NOWHERE INTO CAGE!! WHERE DID HE COME FROM?! HOW DID HE GET BACK UP ALREADY?!
Pierre: I don’t know, but he saved his hide by doing so! Cage was a moment away from getting that 2×4 on fire for him! It may have been all he had as both men are now down on the outside! They’re racing to get back to their feet! Ares grabs that barbed wire 2×4! BOTH MEN ARE UP AS ARES SWINGS THE 2X4!! CAGE CATCHES THE SWING! HE’S GOT IT TRAPPED IN HIS GRASP AS THE BARBED WIRE RIPS AT THE FLESH ON HIS HANDS!! Cage manages to stop Ares with a kick to the gut! HE GETS THE BARBED WIRE 2X4 IN HIS GRASP! HE SWINGS!! ARES MANAGES TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY! CAGE ISN’T STOPPING THERE AS HE KEEPS COMING! HE SWINGS AND MISSES AS THE 2X4 STRIKES THE APRON, RIPPING AT IT! Ares retreats over to the steps! CAGE COMES CHARGING IN!! ARES SENDS HIM UP–BACK BODY DROP!! BACK BODY DROP AS CAGE COMES CRASHING INTO THE STEEL STEPS!!! MY GOD!
Drake: Cage could be donezo after that! That’s a great way to break your back! Ares looks like he’s already had enough of Cage! That sadistic look in his eyes says more than enough! Ares immediately searches under the ring… He’s got a table! Looks like the Flaming Tables Match came early tonight! Ares has that table in hand as he makes his way over to a still down Diamond Cage… HE RAISES THE TABLE AND DRIVES THE END OF IT RIGHT DOWN INTO THE BODY OF CAGE! HE DRIVES IT DOWN INTO CAGE ONCE MORE! I don’t think there’s a whole lot more Cage can do after getting dropped on those steps! His back has to be in agonizing pain! Ares sends the table sliding back into the ring, grabbing a nearby can of gas and Cage’s lighter! He’s looking for his own way of getting a fall! Ares is in the ring while Cage remains down… Ares picking that table up now and placing it up in the nearby corner! He starts spraying it down with the entire can of lighter fluid! This is gonna end badly for someone, Pierre! Cage still hasn’t even been able to get up to his knees! Ares drops the empty can and goes to the outside, looking for his victim in Diamond Cage!
Pierre: Ares reaches down, clutching the hair of Cage as he drags him back up… CAGE GRABS ARES FROM BEHIND WITH A WAIST LOCK?! GERMAN SUPLEX!!! A BIG RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX DROPS ARES RIGHT ON HIS NECK ON THE MAT!! I DON’T KNOW HOW HE PULLED THAT ONE OFF! Cage is suddenly alive and kicking! He looks like a man possessed as he clutches the nearby ring apron, dragging himself up! Cage has something in mind here as he starts climbing his way to the apron! He’s not stopping there! Cage is going up to the high rent district! Ares is struggling to get back up to a vertical base! CAGE IS PERCHED! LOOK OUT BELOW!! DIVING ELBOW DROP CONNECTS ONTO A STANDING ARES VENDETTA!!! CAGE IS ALREADY BACK UP TO HIS FEET FOLLOWING THAT! HE’S ALIVE ONCE MORE! Cage grabs Ares, dragging him up! He sends Ares rolling back into the ring, following in right after him!
Drake: Things are not looking good once again for Ares! I don’t know if he’ll be able to put down someone who’s too stupid to know when to quit like Cage! Cage grabs that lighter, looking towards the table propped up in the corner that Ares set up! He’s got bad intentions in mind! HE USES THE LIGHTER TO SET THAT TABLE ABLAZE!! HE’S GONNA GO FOR THE FIRST FALL RIGHT HERE AND NOW!! ARES IS IN BIG TROUBLE IF HE CAN’T PULL OFF SOME SORT OF MIRACLE HERE! CAGE HAS HIM UP! HE SENDS ARES INTO THE FLAMING TABLE!!! NO–ARES DROPS TO ONE KNEE TO STOP THE MOMENTUM! HE WON’T LET IT HAPPEN! CAGE IS FORCING ARES BACK UP! ARES SHOVES A SHOULDER INTO THE GUT OF CAGE! HE’S FORCING CAGE BACK, TOWARDS THE FLAMING TABLE!! CAGE IS FIGHTING IT WITH ALL HE’S GOT! HE THROWS CLUBBING BLOWS TO THE SPINE OF ARES! RAPID KNEES TO THE GUT OF ARES FROM CAGE! CAGE MANAGES TO MOVE THEM BOTH AWAY, BUT ARES FORCES HIMSELF FORWARD, BRINGING CAGE INTO THE NEARBY CORNER! SHOULDER THRUST CONNECTS! ANOTHER SHOULDER THRUST!!
Pierre: Cage looks fed up with Ares as he grabs his opponent and turns things around, trapping Ares in the corner once more! Cage with a big elbow to the skull of Ares! Another elbow! ARES WITH A HEADBUTT TO THE SKULL OF CAGE! IT DOESN’T DO ANYTHING BUT MAKE CAGE ANGRIER AS HE THROWS A BIG CORNER LARIAT ARES’ WAY! ANOTHER LARIAT! ANOTHER! Cage could be looking for something big here as he picks Ares up and places him on the top turnbuckle! Cage with a loud shot to the face of Ares before climbing up there! HE’S GOT BOTH ARMS UNDERHOOKED!! NO–ARES IS FIGHTING IT! HE’S FIGHTING WITH WHATEVER HE HAS LEFT! Cage with more clubbing shots! HE SETS ARES UP FOR SOMETHING ELSE THIS TIME! SUPERPLEX!!!
Drake: ARES STOPS IT, BLOCKING THE ATTEMPT AND THROWING A SERIES OF SHOTS INTO THE RIBS OF CAGE! Cage is fighting back! Both men going at it on the top! ARES DROPS THROUGH THE LEGS OF CAGE!! HE’S GOT HIM ON HIS SHOULDERS!! ARES IS HEADED TOWARDS THE FLAMING TABLE IN THE NEARBY CORNER!! TURNBUCKLE POWERBOMB!!!
Pierre: NO–CAGE ESCAPES IT WITH A SUNSET FLIP!! NO PINFALLS IN THIS AS CAGE IS BACK UP WITH BOTH LEGS OF ARES IN HIS GRASP!! HE’S LOOKING FOR A SHARPSHOOTER!!! ARES FIGHTS IT, USING THOSE POWERFUL LEGS OF HIS TO KICK CAGE OFF! Both men racing back to their feet! THEY’RE UP AS ARES GOES FOR A YAKUZA KICK! IT’S NO GOOD AS CAGE CATCHES HIM FROM BEHIND WITH A WAIST LOCK!! RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX!! ARES IS BACK UP?! HE’S ALREADY BACK UP, RIGHT BEHIND CAGE! WAIST LOCK FROM BEHIND!! RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX OF HIS OWN!! CAGE IS BACK UP!! HE’S NOT STAYING DOWN FOR EVEN A MOMENT EITHER AS ARES IS UP! BOTH MEN LOCK EYES AS THEY START UNLOADING WITH RAPID SHOTS! THOSE SHOTS TURN INTO AN EXCHANGE OF HEADBUTTS AS BOTH MEN CRACK SKULLS REPEATEDLY!! CAGE LOOKS TO BE FALTERING!! HE DROPS BACKWARDS INTO THE ROPES!
Drake: NO–CAGE COMES BACK! REBOUND LARIAT!!! ARES GOES IN FOR A SPEAR INSTEAD!! CAGE HAS IT SCOUTED AS HE NAILS ARES WITH A KNEE LIFT!! ARES SHOTS UP!! LARIAT!!! A VIOLENT LARIAT NEARLY TAKES ARES’ HEAD OFF AS BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!
Pierre: CAGE SHOOTS UP TO HIS KNEES! HE’S SNARLING – HE WANTS TO PUT ARES THROUGH THAT FLAMING TABLE! HE WANTS TO GET THAT FIRST FALL! Cage clutches the hair of Ares, dragging him up! Cage pulls Ares in! HE’S GOT HIM UP! CAGE CHARGES FOR THE FLAMING TABLE! TURNBUCKLE POWERBOMB!!! IT’S NO GOOD AS ARES FORCES HIMSELF OFF THE SHOULDERS OF CAGE, LANDING ON HIS FEET IN FRONT OF HIM! CAGE IMMEDIATELY UNLOADS WITH RAPID LEFTS AND RIGHTS BEFORE ARES CAN MAKE A MOVE! HE PULLS ARES IN!! HE’S GOT HIM UP!! MERCY RULE!!!! ARES ESCAPES IT, DROPPING DOWN BEHIND CAGE!! CAGE WITH A STANDING SWITCH IMMEDIATELY!! COQUINA CLUTCH!!!!
Drake: NO–ARES SLIPS OUT AND PICKS CAGE UP ON HIS SHOULDERS!! HE CHARGES!!! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER INTO THE FLAMING TABLE IN THE CORNER!!!!! ARES GOT HIM!!
Announcer: Ares Vendetta has won the first fall!
(Crew members spray down any remaining flames with fire extinguishers on the outside while a Doctor checks on both Diamond Cage and Ares Vendetta)
Pierre: This is making me uncomfortable just watching this! I don’t know how two men could put one another through so much punishment! Jaywalker and Lannister are both looking concerned for the wellbeing of their respective allies! Cage seems to be telling the Doctor and Referee he’s fine to continue! He refuses to stop here! Ares took a good deal of damage performing that as well, but he has to keep his momentum going or risk letting this contest slip through his fingers! There’s no stopping now! Ares seems to be looking for whatever else he could use to put Cage away for just one more fall… And Jaywalker answers that question for him by sliding in that barbed wire 2×4 from earlier, still doused in lighter fluid! Ares crawls over to the 2×4, hoping it’ll be enough to finish off Cage! You can smell that lighter fluid from here!
Drake: I love the smell of singed flesh in the morning, Pierre! I’m sure Ares does too, judging by that gleeful look in his eyes as he looks at that 2×4! He looks ecstatic to have something to finish Cage off with as he rises back to his feet, grabbing that nearby lighter! Hold on! Cage is already pulling himself up, clutching the ropes! He looks like he’s in a great deal of pain – not only from the fire and the table, but from the sheer momentum and impact of that Death Valley Driver! CAGE EXPLODES OUT OF THE CORNER?! HOW?! HE RACES TOWARDS ARES! ARES DROPS THE LIGHTER AND SWINGS THE 2X4!! IT NAILS THE INCOMING CAGE, BUSTING HIM OPEN!! CAGE REMAINS ON HIS FEET!! HE YELLS IN THE FACE OF ARES, TELLING HIM TO COME ON! HEY, IT’S YOUR FUNERAL! ARES SWINGS THE 2X4 ONCE MORE, BUT IT MISSES AS CAGE DUCKS!! COQUINA CLUTCH!!!! HE CAUGHT ARES WITH THAT REAR NAKED CHOKE AS IT’S LOCKED IN!!! ARES IS PANICKING!! HE’S STILL GOT THAT 2X4, TRYING TO ESCAPE BY STRIKING CAGE WITH IT, BUT HE’S QUICKLY LOSING AIR!!
Pierre: Ares is desperate to get out, but there’s nothing he can do! His face is turning red as he clings for something – ANYTHING – to help him! The 2×4 is dropped! Ares is fading! This won’t exactly win Cage the match, but it could be enough for him to set up to get a fall in this contest! Ares may be out! Cage drops Ares in a sitting position! HE BREAKS THE CLUTCH AS CAGE CHARGES INTO THE ROPES! INCOMING! PENALTY KICK CONNECTS LOUDLY TO THE STERNUM OF A NEARLY UNCONSCIOUS ARES VENDETTA!! He’s not finished just yet! Cage is shaking his head “no”! He wants to make it emphatic! He grabs Ares, dragging him up! Ares can’t do anything! CAGE SENDS HIM UP!! MERCY RULE!!!! A VICIOUS BRAINBUSTER LAYS ARES OUT!! HE MAY BE DONE! CAGE SITS BACK UP WITH A WILD LOOK IN HIS EYES! HE TURNS HIS FOCUS TO THAT BARBED WIRE 2X4!! CAGE CRAWLS OVER TO IT! JAYWALKER REACHES IN TO GRAB IT, BUT CAGE GETS TO IT FIRST, THREATENING TO STRIKE JAYWALKER WITH IT!
Drake: How dare he! Jaywalker is a Legend! He can’t just threaten whoever he wants! Cage grabs the nearby lighter… HE LIGHTS IT UP AND SETS THE 2X4 ABLAZE AT LAST!! IT’S READY TO GO AS ARES IS ABOUT TO BECOME ITS FIRST AND ONLY VICTIM! Ares is absolutely out of it by this point as Cage stalks him! Ares crawls over to the corner, slowly dragging himself up! Cage looks like he’s gonna kill this man! ARES IS UP AS CAGE CHARGES WITH THE FLAMING 2X4!!! ARES BARELY MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AS THE 2X4 NAILS THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!! IT’S ON FIRE AS CREW WORKERS HAVE TO EXTINGUISH IT, BUT CAGE ISN’T DONE! ARES IS ON THE CANVAS AS CAGE SWINGS FOR HIM ONCE MORE! ARES MOVES OUT OF THE WAY ONCE MORE AS THE 2X4 HITS THE CANVAS!! THE CREW MEMBERS HAVE TO KEEP EXTINGUISHING EVERY FIRE CAGE SETS! HE’S GONNA BURN THE WHOLE GODDAMN ARENA DOWN BY THE TIME THIS IS OVER!
Pierre: ARES HAS NOWHERE TO GO AS HE STRUGGLES TO GET UP! CAGE RUSHES IN!! LOWBLOW!! Ares with a big lowblow as Cage drops the 2×4!! ARES FORCES HIMSELF UP!! HE PULLS IN CAGE! PEDIGREE DRIVER!!!!
Drake: NO–CAGE BREAKS FROM ARES’ GRASP–PICKING HIM UP?! HE’S GOT HIM!! HE GOT ARES UP ON HIS SHOULDERS!!! POWERBOMB!!! A POWERBOMB ONTO THE FLAMING BARBED WIRE 2X4 ON THE CANVAS!!! CAGE GOT IT!
Announcer: Diamond Cage has captured the second fall!
Pierre: CAGE ISN’T WASTING ANY TIME! HE GRABS THAT FLAMING BARBED WIRE 2X4, STILL IN A GREAT DEAL OF PAIN! I DON’T THINK HE CARES ABOUT WHATEVER PAIN HE’S IN ANYMORE! HE JUST WANTS TO FINISH THIS! HE’S GOT THAT BARBED WIRE 2X4 AS ARES IS STILL WRITHING IN PAIN!!
Drake: CAGE IS DROPPED AND DRAGGED OUT?! JAYWALKER STOPS CAGE AS HE LAYS INTO HIM!! JAYWALKER IS BRUTALIZING DIAMOND CAGE ON THE OUTSIDE! Cage can’t do anything! He’s too hurt to fight back! Jaywalker sends Cage rolling back into the ring!
Pierre: Cage may be in trouble here as Jaywalker slides into the ring! HOLD ON! LANNISTER SLIDES IN RIGHT AFTER HIM!! JAYWALKER STOPS DEAD IN HIS TRACKS AS BOTH MEN GET TO THEIR FEET IN THE RING!! A bloodied and battered and burned Diamond Cage is struggling to get up! Lannister… LANNISTER IS LEAVING?! HE’S LEAVING! WHAT IN THE HELL?! LANNISTER’S JUST WALKING OUT! DIAMOND CAGE HAS BEEN TRICKED! CAGE REALIZES WHAT JUST HAPPENED AS HE STRUGGLES TO GET BACK UP! HE’S ON HIS OWN AGAINST BOTH JAYWALKER AND ARES! HE CAN’T DO A THING!
Drake: CAGE GOES AFTER JAYWALKER, UNLOADING WITH EVERYTHING HE’S GOT LEFT IN HIM! DIAMOND CAGE LOOKS TO BE FIGHTING TO HIS LAST BREATH, AND IT’LL MOST CERTAINLY BE HIS LAST IF HE KEEPS THIS UP! SOMEHOW, SOME WAY, CAGE IS TAKING IT TO JAYWALKER! HE PULLS JAYWALKER IN!! HOW IS HE DOING THIS?! HE’S GOT HIM UP!! MERCY RULE!!!!!
Pierre: NO–ARES VENDETTA SWINGS THAT FLAMING BARBED WIRE 2X4 INTO THE SPINE OF CAGE FROM BEHIND!!! HE GOT IT!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Pierre: THIS ONE IS OVER AS CAGE DROPS TO HIS KNEES IN PAIN, LOSING HIS GRASP ON JAYWALKER! ARES SWINGS THE FLAMING BARBED WIRE 2X4 INTO THE BODY OF CAGE AGAIN!! AND AGAIN!!! SOMEBODY STOP THIS GUY! HE’S GONNA END THIS MAN’S CAREER IF THIS KEEPS UP!
Drake: Ares throws the 2×4 down as Cage remains on his knees! Ares getting in the face of Cage now, laughing at him! He’s mocking him! He’s telling Cage to get up! Cage is trying for it! He wants to get up, even if his body won’t let him! He–
Pierre: TRANSCENSION!!!! JAYWALKER LAYS CAGE OUT WITH A VIOLENT LARIAT TO THE BACK OF THE NECK!! ARES DRAGS WHAT’S LEFT OF CAGE UP!! HE’S GOT HIM…. PEDIGREE DRIVER!!!! CAGE HAS BEEN LAID OUT!! HE’S BEEN ABANDONED BY LANNISTER! HE’S BEEN COMPLETELY BETRAYED TONIGHT! AND WHAT A SICKENING DISPLAY BY ARES AND JAYWALKER!
Announcer: The Winner of this contest…. ARES VENDEEETTTTAAAAA!!!!……
(“Bloodlust” by contRoVersy picks back up as Ares Vendetta and Jaywalker stand triumphantly over a laid out Diamond Cage)
Pierre: I don’t even know what to say anymore! How could Lannister do that to Cage?! How?! After all the effort he went through to help him!
Drake: Who cares, Pierre! Cage was the one dumb enough to trust a guy like Lannister! He counted on Lannister to have his back, and this is what happens! He knew it was a snake when he picked it up!
Pierre: Diamond Cage fought tooth and nail to capture the victory there, but in the end, the odds were completely stacked against him! I hope Lannister knows what he’s done, because Cage isn’t the type of man to stay down!
Drake: Looks like he’s doing a pretty good job of staying down to me! Haha!
(Ares Vendetta and Jaywalker take their leave while EMTs check on a still motionless Diamond Cage in the ring)
(The camera transitions backstage to Max A. Million struggling to follow a leaving Lannister)
Max: Lannister! Lannister! Could I get a word–
(Lannister stops dead in his tracks as a cautious Max steps towards him)
Max: Could I… Get a word about why you left Diamond Cage on his own out there?
(Lannister slowly turns his head to Max with a smirk on his face)
Max: … Do you have anything you–
(Lannister grabs Max by his throat, looking him in the eyes)
Lannister: The debt… Has been paid.
(Lannister laughs as he pushes Max out of his way and takes his leave while a fearful Max tries to catch his breath)
(The camera transitions back to Pierre McGuire and Drake Jaeger at the Showdown Announce Table)
Drake: Well, your guess is as good as mine… Well, that’s not true, my guess would probably be way better, but you get the idea.
Pierre: It seems as though Lannister had ulterior motives this whole time, but for what?
Drake: How the Hell should I know?
Pierre: Well, hopefully we’ll find out soon enough. As well as an update on the condition of Diamond Cage.
Ring Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen this contest is scheduled for ONE FALL… AND IS FOR THE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS!!
(“Rosenkreutz” – Ayasa hits as both Haruna Sakazaki and Azumi Goto make their way through the curtain to a LOUD mixed reaction. They both stand on the stage before looking as each other and nodding their head before making their way down to the ring.)
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, the challengers, weighing in at a combined weight of TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN POUNDS!! HARUNA SAKAZAKAI AND AZUMI GOOOOOTTOOOOOOOO!!!
Pierre: They’re coming off a HUGE victory last week against the team they’ll face tonight for those championships. There were some doubts about whether these two could stand against the champions as formidable challengers, but they proved the world wrong on Showdown!
Drake: But, the High Rollerz don’t make the same mistake twice, Pierre! One victory doesn’t mean shit if they’re to fail tonight, and tonight they’re not going to be facing the same High Rollerz that they did on Showdown. They were embarrassed last week; expect the High Rollerz to come out extremely focused.
Pierre: Other than the one slip against RoViper earlier in the year, the High Rollerz have almost been perfect. Can Harana and Azumi upset the champions again and will we crown new champions?
(“I Get Money” – 50 Cent hits as the High Rollerz make their way through the curtain to a ERUPTION of boos from the crowd in attendance. They stand on the stage, arrogant smirk covering both of their faces as they raise their championships into the air before making their way down to the ring.)
Ring Announcer: Introducing next, the CHAMPIONS, weighing in tonight at FOUR HUNDRED AND TWO POUNDS!! THEY ARE THE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS… JACK RIPLEY AND DAVID DAVIDSON… THE HIGH ROOOOOOLLLLEEEEEEERRRZZZZZ!!!
Drake: SEE! They’re laser focused tonight, Pierre!
Pierre: They look no different…
Drake: That’s because you can’t see it! You’re not a wrestler, Pierre! You’re a sorry excuse of a journalist! The fire in their eyes are raging! This is going to be a slaughter! The High Rollerz are going to send those Vixen’s back to Empire championship less!
Pierre: They’re no longer called Vixen’s…
Drake: Nobody cares, Pierre!
(The High Rollerz hands their championships over to the referee who walks over to both Haruna and Azumi before making his way back to the middle of the ring and raises both championships into the air. He hands them to the time keeper before signaling for the bell.)
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Pierre: The bell rings and this contest is now officially underway! Both Azumi and Ripley are going to be starting this one off for both teams! Ripley immediately charges forward as Azumi looks to meet him with a clothesline! Ripley ducks and slides under the bottom rope – DAVIDSON FROM BEHIND WITH A SHOT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Azumi ducks! Azumi sensed it coming! Azumi fires with a kick to the chest of Davidson! Another! Another! Davidson sent back into the ropes as Azumi grabs him by the arm and looks to send him across the ring with the irish whip, but Davidson turns it around! Azumi hits the ropes AND REBOUNDS WITH A DISCUS FOREARM WHICH CONNECTS FLUSH! Davidson doesn’t go down, but he’s stunned! Azumi hits the ropes again AND FIRES WITH ANOTHER –
Drake: SUPERKICK! DAVIDSON FLUSH ON THE JAW WITH A SUPERKICK TO AZUMI GOTO! Azumi goes down, but Davidson doesn’t allow her to stay down for long, dragging her back to her feet and whipping her into the corner! Davidson tags in Ripley as Ripley enters the ring and fires with a forearm to the jaw, immediately following with a hard kick to the stomach! Azumi refusing to drop down as Ripley fires with another kick! Forearm! Ripley relentlessly firing away at Azumi, who refuses to fall as the referee gets between the two and pushes Ripley back – AND THE MOMENT THE REFEREE’S BACK IS TURNED, DAVIDSON DRIVES THE BOOT INTO THE BACK TO THE HEAD OF AZUMI! NOW AZUMI STUMBLES OUT OF THE CORNER AND DROPS DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
Pierre: The High Rollerz showing that they’re going to be willing to do anything to win this match, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from these two. Ripley pushing past the referee and drives the knee into the spine of Azumi! Another! Ripley trapping Azumi on her stomach and drives his knee into the side of Azumi! Straight to the ribs! Ripley looking to brutalize Azumi! Azumi looks like she’s in pure agony; gasping for air as Ripley continues to drive the air out of her lungs with each strike! Ripley finally relents as he gets back to his feet and both Davidson and Ripely are extremely proud of themselves!
Drake: Wouldn’t you be, Pierre? This is a perfect game plan! Do you know how hard it is to breathe when you’re continuously hit in the ribs? You can’t breathe, you can’t win! Ripley rolling Azumi onto her back and shoots into the cover!
ONE!! KICKOUT!!
Pierre: Azumi powers out after one!
Drake: But, look at the grimace on her face! I guarantee you that there’s already damage done to the ribs of Azumi and as this match wears on, they’re only going to get worse. Azumi reaching her hand out to Haruna as Ripley just watches!
Ripley: GO AZUMI! YOU’RE ALMOST THERE! TAG HER!
Drake: Look at Ripley! What a class guy! He’s going to let Azumi tag out and get her fresh partner in! She’s inching closer! She’s almost there… RIPLEY WITH A PUNT TO THE RIBS! HAHA!
Pierre: Despicable. The Tag Champions have controlled the majority of this match; Azumi needs to find a way to get her partner into the fold of things. Ripley dragging Azumi back to get her, and Azumi fires at the stomach with a hard shot! Another! Another! Ripley swings with a wild right, but Azumi ducks underneath – AND CONNECTS WITH AN ENZIGURI! THIS IS AZUMI’S CHANCE TO TAG IN HARUNA –
Drake: WHERE’S DAVIDSON? DAVIDSON IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN! AZUMI INCHING HERSELF CLOSER TO HARUNA, WHO’S TRYING TO WILL HER ON! WAIT! WAIT! FROM UNDER THE RING! DAVIDSON CRAWLING OUT FROM UNDER THE RING AND GRABS THE FOOT ON HARUNA, PULLING HER BACK OFF THE APRON! BRILLIANT! DAVIDSON GRABS HER AND SENDS HER CRASHING INTO THE BARRICADE!
Pierre: HARUNA TURNED IT AROUND! DAVIDSON STOPS HIMSELF FROM HITTING THE BARRICADE, BUT HARUNA SHOOTS BACK UP ONTO THE APRON! SHE’S… AZUMI… AZUMI GETS THE TAG! HARUNA ENTERS THE RING AS RIPLEY GETS BACK TO HIS FEET AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A CLOTHESLINE! RIPLEY’S BACK UP, BUT HARUNA TAKES HIM BACK DOWN, THIS TIME WITH A FLYING FOREARM! HARUNA FIRING HERSELF UP AS RIPLEY STUMBLES BACK UP! SPINNING BACK KICK! RIPLEY DROPPING DOWN TO A KNEE! HARUNA HITS THE ROPES! RUNNING DROPKICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
Drake: COME ON, JACK! Jack rolling under the bottom rope and to the outside, but Haruna doesn’t slow down! Haruna picking up a full head of steam AND FLIES THROUGH THE ROPES WITH THE TOPE SUICIDA! HARUNA’S RUSHES BACK INTO THE RING – AND DAVIDSON’S THERE TO MEET HER! THIS ONE’S BEGINNING TO BREAK DOWN! DAVIDSON FIRES WITH A ROUNDHOUSE – BUT, HARUNA DUCKS UNDERNEATH! HARUNA PUSHES DAVIDSON INTO THEIR CORNER!
Pierre: STRAIGHT INTO A ROPE ASSISTED ENZIGURI FROM AZUMI! DAVIDSON IS STUNNED AS HE STUMBLES BACK AND HARUNA LOCKS THE WAIST! A HUUUUUGE GERMAN SUPLEX FROM HARUNA SAKAZAKI! DAVIDSON DROPPED ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD! JACK! RIPLEY’S BACK IN THE RING! HARUNA SHOOTS BACK TO HER FEET, BUT RIPLEY MEETS HER WITH A JUMPING KNEE TO THE JAW! HARUNA STAGGERS BACK INTO HER CORNER AND AZUMI TAGS HERSELF IN! HARUNA SHOOTS OUT OF THE CORNER AS RIPLEY DUCKS DOWN TO SEND HER OVERHEAD WITH THE BACK BODY DROP, BUT HARUNA FLIPS OVER WITH THE SUNSET FLIP!
Drake: BUSAIKU KNEE FROM AZUMI! HARUNA DIDN’T TAKE RIPLEY DOWN WITH THE SUNSET FLIP, BUT INSTEAD LOCKS HIS LEGS SO HE COULDN’T MOVE OUT OF THE WAY! RIPLEY GOES DOWN! HARUNA ROLLS OUT OF THE RING AS AZUMI SHOOTS INTO THE COVER! DON’T TELL ME THEY’RE ACTUALLY GOING TO PULL IT OFF!
ONE!! TWO!! THR–
Drake: DAVIDSON BREAKS IT UP! DAVID DAVIDSON SAVING IT FROM HIS TEAM! HARUNA’S BACK IN THE RING AND CHARGES AT DAVIDSON – BUT DAVIDSON SIDESTEPS AND USES THE MOMENTUM TO SEND HARUNA OVER THE TOP ROPE!
Pierre: HARUNA CAUGHT HERSELF ON THE APRON! BUT, DAVIDSON SEEN IT COMING AND DRIVES BOTH FEET INTO THE RIGHT KNEE OF HARUNA SAKAZAKI! HARUNA CRASHES OFF THE APRON AND LANDS AWKWARDLY! HARUNA CLUTCHING THAT LEG IN AGONY! BUT AZUMI! DAVIDSON DOESN’T SEE HER! BUSAIKU KNEE TO DAVIDSON! DAVIDSON SENT ROLLING OUT OF THE RING! RIPLEY IS DOWN! AZUMI IS THE ONLY PERSON STILL STANDING! AZUMI TASTES IT! SHE TASTES HER FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP IN EAW! RIPLEY IS SLOWLY GETTING BACK TO HIS FEET! AZUMI HAS HIM LOCKED DIRECTLY IN HER SIGHTS! RIPLEY’S UP! KO-OH! BICYCLE KNEELIFT! RIPLEY DROPS DOWN TO BOTH KNEES! AZUMI SHOOT BACK INTO THE CORNER – ANOTHER BUSAIKU KNEE!
Drake: SUPERKICK!!!!!!!!!!! RIPLEY JUMPS BACK TO HIS FEET AND ALMOST TURNS AZUMI INSIDE OUT WITH A SUPERKICK! DAVIDSON’S BACK TO HIS FEET ON THE OUTSIDE! RIPLEY AND DAVIDSON CALL FOR THE END! DAVIDSON LIFTING HARUNA BACK TO HER FEET AND SEND HER CRASHING INTO THE STEEL STEPS! AZUMI’S EYES COVERING IN A COMPLETE GLAZE! DAVIDSON BACK UP IN HIS CORNER AND RIPLEY TAGS HIM IN! DAVIDSON GRABS AZUMI AND LOCKS HER IN THAT NECKBREAKER POSITION! RIPLEY’S HEADED UP TO THE TOP ROPE! ARE YOU READY, PIERRE! THE HIGH ROLLERS… JUST HIT THE JACKPOT! AZUMI DRIVEN INTO THE CANVAS! RIPLEY ROLLS ACROSS THE RING TO MAKE SURE HARUNA CAN’T INTERVENE AS DAVIDSON FLOATS OVER INTO THE COVER!
ONE!! TWO!! THREE!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
(“I Get Money” by 50 Cent plays all throughout the American Airlines Center as The High Rollerz celebrate their victory while the Referee hands them the EAW Unified Tag Team Championships)
Announcer: THE WINNERS OF THIS CONTEST BY PINFALL AND SSSTTTTTTTTTTIIILLLLLLLL THE EAW UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS….. DAVID DAVIDSON AND JACK RIPLEY….. THE HIGH ROOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLEEEEERRZZZZ!!!!
Drake: Noooo! I mean yes! I mean–I’m so conflicted here, Pierre! I wanted my girls to win, but–
Pierre: I don’t think they’re your girls, but–
Drake: What do you know?! You don’t even like girls! You wouldn’t understand! We’ve got a special connection and right now, my heart bleeds for them! As much as I hate to say it, The High Rollerz were simply the better team tonight, and they managed to redeem their loss from last week on Showdown.
(Haruna Sakazaki and Azumi Goto look on from outside the ring as The High Rollerz celebrate)
Pierre: You’re right about that much, that was one Hell of a battle between two of the best teams in EAW right now, and even though The High Rollerz are walking out of Dallas victorious, Azumi and Haruna gave them a run for their money!
Drake: No doubt about it, my new Harem will be back in contention for those Belts in the future! You can bet your ass they will!
(Camera transitions back to Drake Jaeger and Pierre McGuire at the Showdown Commentary Table)
Pierre: And earlier today, Showdown General Manager, Damien Murrow, received an unexpected visit–
Drake: From me.
Pierre: Well, not you. I was referring–
Drake: Yeah, but I was there too. You’ll see in this, and I’m glad this airs, because I personally thought it was a brilliant idea.
Pierre: Right… Well, nonetheless, here it is…
[Earlier Today](The camera transitions to an exasperated Damien Murrow sitting at his desk in front of Drake Jaeger)
Drake: So how does it sound?
(Damien takes a moment to think with a confused expression appearing on his face)
Damien: I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught all of that. What was your idea again?
Drake: I’m saying that we bring in my good friend, The Burned Man, to be the mascot for Dia Del Diablo!
Damien: Is he still employed here?
Drake: Hell if I know, but just check this out…
(Drake pulls out a stuffed doll of The Burned Man)
Drake: Is this not adorable? He’s the perfect guy for the job! He literally only spits out a catchphrase. See?
(Drake presses the stomach of the Burned Man doll as it says “BURN THEM ALL!!!”)
Drake: Kids will eat that sh*t up!
Damien: Drake, I… Look, I’m not sure how to put this, but I don’t think anyone wants a 7 foot tall, terrifying man to be considered an adorable mascot. Plus, Dia Del Diablo is done and over with after today, so what’s the point?
Drake: You’re missing out, Murrow, I’m telling you. Look at Voltage – they’ve got an adorable and potentially retarded masked mascot and they’re getting Show of the Week two weeks in a ROW!
Damien: Who, El Landerson? Or El Ironico?
Drake: There’s two of them? Look, it doesn’t matter! I don’t watch Voltage, but the point is that–
(The door is heard opening)
Damien: Excuse me, do you not know how to knock?
(A surprised Damien Murrow looks up to see a smiling Mr. DEDEDE enter the Office as Drake immediately sinks into the chair he’s sitting in)
Drake: Ugh…
Damien: Oh, I’m sorry… Uhm, can I help you?
DEDEDE: You sure can. Drake, do you mind if I speak to Damien here alone?
Drake: Go for it.
(Drake pulls out his phone, playing with it as DEDEDE and Damien stare at him)
DEDEDE: That would mean you leave the Office, Drake.
Drake: Yeah, totally.
Damien: Drake! Get the Hell out!
(Drake reluctantly gets up and storms out, glaring at DEDEDE as he leaves. After a few moments, Drake storms back in, grabs his Burned Man stuffed doll, and storms out again)
DEDEDE: Anyway, Damien, I thought it would be best if I told you this myself.
Damien: What? Is something the matter?
DEDEDE: Well, as you know, I’m been… You know, evaluating you as a General Manager.
Damien: And…?
(DEDEDE smiles)
DEDEDE: And I’ve decided to share with everyone the result of your evaluation.
Damien: Oh… Well, feel free to. I’m all ears. I would like to first point out that I’ve proven to be far more effective as a General Manager in my time running Showdown, and, in my opinion, this brand has never been stronger since I took charge.
DEDEDE: I understand that, but there’s many factors that come into play here, and… Well, the point being that you’ll find out tonight what I’ve determined as to you being the General Manager of Showdown.
Damien: Tonight? When?
DEDEDE: You’ll be alerted when. Don’t worry about it too much though. No matter what anyone has said about you, I think you’ve done a better job than most.
Damien: Wait, what have people said about me?
(DEDEDE laughs)
DEDEDE: I’ll see you tonight.
(DEDEDE takes his leave as a worried Damien Murrow looks on)
(The camera transitions back to an annoyed Drake Jaeger with Pierre McGuire)
Drake: Idiots wouldn’t know a good idea if it punched them in their stupid face…
Pierre: Well nonetheless, definitely an ominous visit by the acting authority in EAW, Mr. DEDEDE.
Drake: Yeah, yeah, yeah, the sooner we can not talk about him, the better.
(Camera transitions back to the ring at the American Airlines Centre and is zoomed in on a modified brazier mounted upon a trashcan full of burning coals. Sitting inside are two red-hot branding irons, one bearing Ryan Marx’s ‘Five Pillars’ symbol, the other a lantern – the symbol of the Sanatorium. As the camera pans out, it reveals several similar braziers scattered all around the ringside area.)
Ring Announcer: The following contest is a BRANDING MATCH FOR THE EAW OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP! This match will end only when one competitor successfully brands his symbol into his opponent with one of the hot irons provided. Whoever does so will be your winner AND EAW OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION!!!
(The lights all go out as ‘Megalovania’ begins to fill the arena. Eerie blue stoplights begin to float over the stage as the music builds to its transition. Then ‘Hellraiser’ by iBenji drops as Maero enters a red spotlight wearing a facial restraint and bloodied scrubs. He growls maniacally as descends the ramp. When he reaches the bottom, he pulls out a lighter using it to light his scrubs which instantly disintegrate in smoke. A stage hand helps to remove his restraint, and Maero barks giving the man a fright.)
Announcer: Introducing first, the challenger…from Sydney, Australia…weighing in at 175 pounds…’The Black Sheep’. MAAEEERRROOO!!!
Pierre: It has been a whirlwind few weeks since the draft. Not even brand boundaries proved effective at keeping this man and Showdown’s own Ryan Marx apart. Ambitions surrounding the new inter-branded EAW Openweight Championship have boiled over uncontrollably, with Maero invading Showdown and the champion retaliating by making his presence felt on Dynasty. Now it all comes to a head. Maero looks to redeem a disappointing Pain For Pride by claiming Sanatorium’s first gold of the new season. Meanwhile Marx prepares to make his first defence enroute to hopefully holding this champion long enough to trade it for a World Championship opportunity.
Drake: Hopefully? Stop throwing around useless words, Pierre. You’re putting me to sleep. All anyone needs to know is that Ryan has this in the bag man. I can’t wait until he brands a great big L on this guy’s forehead, his cheeks…even the lower ones. Hell, if he doesn’t burn a penis into this loser’s back I am going to be mildly pissed.
(The lights fade again as ‘Tempest’ by Deftones echoes throughout the arena. After a while, a single bright white spotlight illuminates the figure of Ryan Marx at the top of the ramp. Thrown over his shoulder is the EAW Openweight Championship and in the opposite hand he holds the Extreme Enigma trophy. He raises both proudly above his head as he descends the ramp.)
Drake: See that is what this is all about. A trophy AND a title? Marxy here just exudes winning. He’s got tiger blood. He’s a Showdown True-Born. He’s almost just like a young Drake Jaegar…Almost.
Pierre: I agree with the sentiment that Ryan truly is one of the exceptional young talents to emerge from Showdown in the past year, and it really is hard not to tip him for the win here or even think about him going all the way in this buisness. But did you have to put it so patronisingly?
Drake: What do you mean patronising? I gave him one hell of a compliment and you have to victimise him. Well thankfully this kid hasn’t got the same simp-mindedness that you have, Pierre. It’s in his blood after all. Come on Ryan, do us proud. Daddy believes in you.
Pierre: Ugh…What?
Drake: Shut up, Pierre.
( A stage hand takes the Extreme Enigma Trophy back to the time keeper’s area as Marx hands the Openweight Championship to the referee who holds it up to the crowd. Marx and Maero soon start muscling up aggressively with each other and he is forced to separate them before the match begins.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Pierre: RYAN SPITS INTO MAERO’S EYES, BLINDING HIM RIGHT ON THE BELL BEFORE ASSAILING HIM WITH CLUBBING BLOWS! There is clearly little love lost as Marx takes immediate control albeit by less than sporting means.
Drake: But it is all legal tonight, and more importantly, it’s smart. Neither man was going to reach a clean punch with the official between them but Marx found a way to get right onto the front foot. Maero is still stuck between covering up and wiping the spit from his eyes as Ryan GOES TO TOWN, with heavy hammerfists punishing the head, neck and spine. Maero keels forward in pain. BIG MISTAKE! RYAN RAISING THE KNEE INTO THE ABDOMEN! HE TOOK HIM RIGHT OFF THE CANVAS WITH THAT BLOW AND MAERO LOOKS ABOUT READY TO COUGH UP AN ORGAN!
Pierre: Maero collapses down at Ryan Marx’s feet, winded. A sneering and sadistic smashes his forearm across the back of the head, then wraps the arms around Maero’s waist. The gutwrench, MARX HEAVES MAERO RIGHT UP INTO THE CRUCIFIX POSITION! HE IS HOLDING HIM HIGH ABOVE HIS OWN HEAD AS HE STEPS TOWARDS THE EDGE OF THE RING! WHAT IS HE THINKING!?!? OH NO! NO WAY! MARX IS STARING DOWN WICKEDLY AT THE BRAZIERS BELOW…HE LAUNCHES MAERO TO THE OUTSIDE!!!
Drake: NO CHILL! STRAIGHT FIRE! MARX SENDS MAERO TUMBLING STRAIGHT INTO ONE OF THE BRAZIERS! HOT COALS ARE SCATTERED EVERYWHERE AS MAERO WRITHES ON THE FLOOR IN THE ABSOLUTE PUREST KIND OF BURNING AGONY!!!
Pierre: Marx smiles smugly, and for good reason. It has been perhaps the most dominating start possible from the champion. He slides underneath the ropes a moves right back in, grabbing Maero by the hair. BUT WAIT! MAERO!!! HE JUST FLUNG A HANDFUL OF HOT COALS INTO MARX’S FACE! MY GOD! HE DID IT WITH HIS BARE HAND. HIS PALM OBVIOUSLY SEARING IN PAIN, BUT THIS IS THE OPENING HE NEEDED! MARX IS BLINDED, THE HOT ASH BURNING HIS RETINAS. MAERO LEAPS ONTO OUR ANNOUNCER’S TABLE…LOBOTOMY!!! THE SPRINGING KICK CLEANS RYAN’S CLOCK AND HE COLLAPSES BACK INTO THE APRON!
Drake: This is bad. Marx still doesn’t have a clue where he is. He stumbles around searching for a point of reference and trios right over onto the steel steps. Maero meanwhile grits his teeth from the stinging pain, but dare I say it, he has Marx in a bad place right now. He reaches down among the coals…AND GRABS HIS BRANDING IRON. NO! NOT LIKE THIS! MAERO STABS THE IRON DOWN ON RYAN’S HEART!!!
Pierre: NOT SO FAST! MARX ROLLS CLEAR AND THE IRON STRIKES THE STEEL STEPS WITH A THUNDEROUS CLATTER! MAERO TAKES ANOTHER STAB AT HIM BUT MARX SIDESTEPS IT, GRABBING THE SHAFT AND WRESTING THE BRANDING IRON FROM HIS HAN-ENZUIGIRI!!! QUICK THINKING BY MAERO AS HE LANDS ANOTHER KICK FLUSH INTO THE SIDE OF RYAN’S SKULL! The branding iron drops harmlessly to the ground as Marx himself founders back into the barricade. A BIG KICK ACROSS THE CHEST TO FOLLOW UP BY MAERO! AND ANOTHER! MAERO JUST TRYING TO BATTER HIS WAY THROUGH THE RIBCAGE OF THE CHAMPION! Marx just slumps down the barricade, breathless, as Maero takes the opportunity to reach for the branding iron…
Drake: But Marx snaps back to life, pulling the challenger away by the wrist and wrenching the arm. I think…IT IS! THAT IS THE BURNT AND BLISTERED HAND THAT MAERO GRASPED AT THE COALS WITH! MARX IS PRYING BACK THE FINGERS, WORKING THE SMALL JOINTS TO SHOOT PAIN THROUGH MAERO’S BODY! He tries to fight back, punching Marx as hard as he can into the gut with the free arm, but Ryan keeps him on lock. STUN GUN! MARX THROWS MAERO UP INTO THE AIR AND DROPS HIM STOMACH FIRST ONTO THE BARRICADE!
Pierre: OH MY! LOOK WHERE HE IS! Marx pulls the upper body in, but Maero still has his feet propped up on the barricade. RYAN HEAVES HIM UP AND STALLS HIM IN THE VERTICAL SUPLEX POSITION ABOVE HIS HEAD! IS IT A FAKEOUT? IS IT A NEW HEIGHTS DDT? EITHER WAY MAERO IS IN BIG TROUBLE. THERE ARE THE EXPOSED STEEL STEPS RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THEM, OR WORSE YET, ANOTHER BURNING BRAZIER JUST BY TO THE SIDE! MAERO COULD BE IN A WORLD OF TROUBLE, SHADES OF ERIS LECAVA VS HBG WITH THIS STIPULATION AT LAST YEAR’S DIA DEL DIABLO!!!
Drake: Maero senses the dire situation he is in. He squirms struggling with all his might to get free. Hard knees driven into the top of Ryan marx’s head as Maero looks to force the break. Marx doesn’t drop him. BUT MAERO’S DONE ENOUGH! Marx staggered there just enough for Maero to reach the out and grab the top rope, he pulls himself free and safe into the ring. Well…’Safe’ relatively speaking. MARX GRABS A BRANDING IRON FROM THE NEARBY BRAZIER AND CHARGES INTO THE RING AFTER HIM!
Pierre: Maero turns tail and slides back out the opposite side. Wisely keeping his distance while Marx alone has that iron in his hands. Ryan marx is increasingly looking frustrated now. He goads Maero to come back and join him in the ring, But the challenger knows better, he keeps his distance and turns to a brazier to procure his ow-
Drake: HOLY SHIT!!! RYAN JAVELIN THROWS THAT BRANDING IRON RIGHT AT MAERO. IT JUST ABOUT MISSES ITS MARK AS MAERO HOPS BACK AT THE LAST MOMENT, STARTLED! MARX RACES OUT! MAERO TRANSPLANT!!! BUT MARX COUNTERS, POPPING HIM STRAIGHT UP ON HIS SHOULDERS…OVERDOSE!!! BUT IT’S BLOCKED! MARX WITH THAT IMMENSE STRENGTH KEEPS HIMSELF RIGHTED, AND NOW MAERO JUST HANGING VULNERABLY FROM HIS SHOULDERS! HE HAULS HIM BACK UP…POWERBOMB!!! POWERBOMB RIGHT ONTO THE APRON AND MAERO LOOKS LIKE HE HAS JUST BEEN SNAPPED IN HALF!
Pierre: Marx really isn’t paying around anymore. He just punts Maero across the floor like a soccer ball, and then grips him by the hair and drags him around the side of the ring. They seem to be stopping now but you can only fathom what kind of sick plans are going through Ryan Marx’s head at this moment.
Drake: Oh Boy…
Pierre: What? OH MY! MARX HAS BROUGHT MAERO RIGHT BACK ROUND TO THE STEEL STEPS! HE’S JUST MANHANDLING MAERO, FORCING THE WRIST AND THAT BURNT HAND BEHIND THE STEPS. MAERO IS PLEADING! HE BITES DOWN HARD INTO HIS VEST AND BRACES FOR IMPACT… AND MARX SHOWS NO MERCY!!! HE KICKS THOSE STEEL STEPS AS HARD AS HE CAN, CRUSHING MAERO’S HAND BEHIND THEM. IT MIGHT BE BROKEN! MAERO LETS OUT A HOWL, KICKING THE FLOOR IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN!
Drake: But the worst is yet to come. Marx leans in, grabbing maero by the scruff AND TEARING HIS VEST ASUNDER TO EXPOSE HIS BARE CHEST! He turns away briefly…but soon returns brandishing that all important Branding Iron! Fresh from the coals. Still RED HOT! Maero is desperately trying to crawl away, but it looks like his time is up. Marx stalks him like the apex predator he is…RAISES THE IRON UP HIGH!…AND STABS DOWN INTO MAERO!!! NO! IT’S EVADED! MAERO THROWS HIMSELF BACK AT THE LAST MOMENT, SPLAYING HIS LEGS AKIMBO AS THE IRON SCORCHES THE FLOOR BETWEEN THEM! WHAT A LUCKY SON OF GUN, HE ALMOST GOT NICK ANGEL’D BUT SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES HIM!!!
Pierre: There is still time. RYAN TAKES ANOTHER STAB-BUT THIS TIME MAERO DEFLECTS IT! KICKING THE IRON AWAY AS HE FOLLOWS UP WITH THE GREYMATTER! UNBELIEVABLE!!! MARX IS SEEING DOUBLE! MAERO OVERWHELMS HIM, THROWING WILD FOREARMS WITH VICIOUS INTENT!
Drake: OUCH! Marx uses his head once again, sticking those teeth deep into Maero’s shoulder, drawing blood and making him flinch. SOLID elbow strike round Maero’s jaw, followed by a stiff uppercut. The ‘I THINK..’ Therefore…SUUPPPAAAAAHHHHHKIIIICCCCCKKK!!!! WAIT WHAT?!?!? MAERO ACTUALLY DUCKED OUT OF THE WAY! He has gotten Marx’s wrist caught from behind and now he’s looking for THE ANESTHETIC!!! SPOKE TOO SOON…Marx goes back to targeting that injured hand to force the break. CRACK!!! SPEAKING OF BREAK, OH MAN, MARX JUST SNAPPED HIS FINGERS! SADISTIC…BUT THEN THAT IS JUST WHAT THIS MATCH CALLS FOR!
Pierre: MAERO IS GOING PALE, HE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY TORTURED IN THIS MATCH AND YOU HAVE TO QUESTION WHETHER HIS HEART IS STILL IN IT.
Drake: Hey, more pressingly check what Ryan has in store next. The champion moves up to the nearest standing brazier and…tips it over? He then pulls the suffering Maero back in, RAISING HIM UPON HIS SHOULDERS IN THE ELECTRIC CHAIR POSITION. HE PULLS UP BEHIND THE TOPPLED BRAZIER…I THINK HE IS ABOUT TO HIT MAERO WITH THE IVORY TOWER RIGHT ON TOP OF THE TRASH CAN OF FIERY PAIN!
Pierre: BUT MAERO JUST WILL NOT SAY DIE! HE IS FIGHTING BACK AGAIN. TOOTH AND CLAW! DRIVING THE POINT OF HIS ELBOW DOWN ONTO RYAN MARX’S CROWN WITH ALL OF THE VENOM HE CAN MUSTER! MARX SEEMS SHOCKED THAT MAERO STILL HAS THIS SORT OF FIGHT LEFT IN HIM. AND HE’S FREE!!! MAERO HAS BROKEN FREE AND DRAGGED HIMSELF UP ONTO THE APRON! RYAN MARX SHAKES HIS EYES BACK INTO FOCUS, BUT HERE’S MAERO – CLEAR!!! CLEAR!!! THE DIVING MOONSTOMP FROM THE APRON DRIVING RYAN MARX RIGHT DOWN INTO THE TRASHCAN AND THE FIERY COALS!!!
Drake: BOTH MEN GO FOR A TUMBLE, WRITHING ON ALL THE BURNING COALS THAT LITTER THE ARENA FLOOR NOW! BAH GAWD! THIS IS LIKE WALKING ON LEGGO TIMES A THOUSAND!
Pierre: Ryan Marx bravely stumbles up on wobbly legs as he tries to gather himself.BUT HERE COMES MAERO WITH A FULL HEAD OF STEAM – MAERO TRANSPLANT!!! THE RUNNING KNEE SENDS RYAN MARX FLYING INTO ANOTHER TRASHCAN OF BURNING COALS! ABSOLUTE SCENES HERE AS EACH MAN PULLS OUT EVERY LAST THING HE HAS TO PUSH THE OTHER TO THE LIMIT! BURNING COALS ARE ABSOLUTELY EVERYWHERE DOWN HERE AND YOU CAN ALMOST SMELL THE BURNING FLESH ON THE AIR BUT THESE TWO APPEAR TO BE IN NO RUSH TO GET BACK TO THEIR FEET NOW!
Drake: Maero just about rises to a knee, trying to catch his breathe after all the exertion. He peers up…Marx isn’t moving. Maero has bought himself some time with that Maero Transplant but he has to act quickly! HE KNOWS IT! HE PRESSES THROUGH THE PAIN TO REACH DOWN A PICK UP A BRANDING IRON FROM THE TOPPLED BRAZIER! MAERO IS MOVING IN FOR THE KILL! RYAN MARX IS ONLY JUST COMING TO AS MAERO STAMPS HIS MARK RIGHT ONTO FOREHEAD!!! NOOOO!!! MARX DIVERTS HIS AT THE LAST MOMENT. HE PULLS MAERO IN…PAINT! IT! BLACK! HE JUST SPAT DISGUSTING BLACK BLOOD INTO MAERO’S EYES! MARX SUCKERED HIM IN AND NOW MAERO IS BLIND! MARX PICKS UP THE IRON!!!
Pierre: WAIT… HE CAN’T WIN WITH MAERO’S IRON, HE HAS TO BRAND MAERO WITH THE FIVE PILLARS SYMBOL TO END THIS! MARX MUST BE JUST REALISING THIS BECAUSE HE HESITATES TO PLUNGE THE HOT END DOWN!
Drake: FORE!!! MARX PRACTICES HIS GOLF SWING, STRIKING MAERO AROUND THE HEAD WITH THE SHAFT OF THE IRON BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS STILL A WROUGHT IRON ROD! HE JABS IT RIGHT INTO MAERO’S TEETH! JESUS!!! BLOOD IS JUST GUSHING FROM THIS MAN’S FACE NOW…THIS IS BRUTAL.! THIS IS JUST BRUTAL! RYAN MARX JUST SLAMS THE IRON ONTO THE GROUND AS HE TURNS AWAY TO FIND HIS OWN! Meanwhile Maero is just knelt there, catatonic. I am not even sure that he is still with us…
Pierre: It is hard to tell, he has put so so much into this match. Hell, both of these guys have and you can tell just how much this match has meant to both of them. Both battered, burned, and bleeding But that isn’t enough, One of these two warriors will leave the arena MARKED! FOR! LIFE! BUT HERE IS MARX, RETURNING WITH A LITTLE HELP BY THE BARRICADE AS HE IS BARELY ABLE TO PULL HIMSELF FORWARD! YET, HE’S GOT THAT BRANDING IRON IN HAND! HE RAISES IT, FINALLY LOOKING TO PUT AN END TO THIS CRUEL AND UNFORGIVING MATCH…
Drake: WAIT! MAERO JUST SPAT BLOOD IN HIS FACE! MAERO JUST TOOK A PAGE OUT OF THE RYAN MARX PLAYBOOK AND NOW THE OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION IS QUITE LITERALLY SEEING RED! BUT MAERO IS TUSSLING WITH HIM OVER THE BRANDING IRON! HE KNOCKS IT OUT OF HIS HANDS! tHE DANGER IS CLEARE-RISING KNEE LIFTED RIGHT INTO RYAN MARX’S NOSE!!! THE PHILOSOPHER’S BEAUTIFUL BRAIN SNAPPED RIGHT BACK BY THE FORCE OF THAT BLOW! AND MAERO IS ALL OVER HIM! TRYING TO RAKE AND GOUGE THE EYES, ANY LITTLE THING HE CAN DO TO GAIN AN ADVANTAGE!
Pierre: BUT MARX BITES THE FINGERS, THESE MEN ARE RUNNING ON PURE ANIMAL INSTINCT AS THEY STRUGGLE TO GET AHEAD IN THESE DECISIVE MOMENTS! UPPERCUT!!! RYAN MARX DROPS TAKES MAERO RIGHT OFF HIS FEET AND BACK DOWN TO THE FLOOR! BOTH MEN USE THE SEPARATION TO SCRAMBLE FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE BRANDING IRONS…!!! BUT MARX GRABS HIS FIRST AND PRESSES IT AGAINST THE CALF OF MAERO!!! HE GOT HIM!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Ring Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen…your winner…AND STILL! EAW OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION…RYAN. MAAAAAAARRRXX!!!
(‘Tempest’ by Deftones hits but Ryan Marx remains holding Maero down, keeping the hot iron pressed against his flesh for a few more excruciating moments as Maero can only whimper in pain.)
Pierre: CHRIST ON EARTH! THAT WAS SAVAGE!!! GRATUITOUS!!! Marx just viciously held that brand pressed for far longer than he needed to, leaving a sickening weeping blood down Maero’s side.
Drake: What do you expect? Over the past weeks Maero has attacked him, humiliated him, stolen his Extreme Enigma Trophy. Marx needed to send out a message here and that is what he’s done. He’s made that first title defence in the most bestial, ruthless match imaginable and now guys are not going to be so eager to step up and test his wrath. This kid is going places.
(Ryan Marx retrieves his championship, as well as the Extreme Enigma Trophy as officials come to assist him up the ramp. Meanwhile medics are seen attending to Maero. The camera closes in on the side of Maero’s ribs to show the ‘five pillars’ symbol branded in his skin, though it is difficult to make out through the blood and blisters.)
Pierre: I suppose we really shouldn’t have expected any difference. These branding matches are always so fraught with emotion and with so much on the line. Look back at Eris LeCava and Heart Break Gal’s apprentice versus idol collision last year. Or of course the seemingly never ending Lannister and Are Vendetta Megafeud. These branding matches stick with you forever. And you can bet that neither of these men will be forgetting this night any time soon.
(Camera transitions backstage to Nobi getting ready for his match in the locker room)
???: Well look at you.
(Nobi looks up to see a smiling Lioncross. They hug one another for a moment as a surprised Nobi looks at Lioncross)
Nobi: What are you doing here?
Lioncross: What do you mean what am I doing here? I’m here for moral support and friendship and all that, you know, stuff. Just because I’m retired doesn’t mean I suddenly fell off the face of the Earth.
Nobi: Well, thanks, man, I really appreciate it. This match tonight…
Lioncross: I know, I know. I’ve been watching. That’s kind of another reason why I’m here. Do you… Really feel responsible for what happened? For us not being able to win the Tag Titles before I retired?
Nobi: Well…
Lioncross: C’mon, man, how selfish can you be? Why do YOU get to be the one who takes all the blame for us losing? YOU didn’t lose. WE lost. We did our best, and we lost, and that’s all there is to it. You have more to worry about than some old man losing his last match. Tonight is the biggest match you’ve ever had.
(A determined Nobi nods)
Nobi: I know. It’s my biggest opportunity in EAW so far, and I may not have done anything to earn a spot in that Battle Royal, but I won it all the same. I don’t want to let this slip through my fingers. I’m tired of letting people down.
Lioncross: Nobi, you didn’t–
Nobi: I did. I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I let everyone down at Pain For Pride. I let you down, and I let myself down, and I let Stuffed Crust down. I don’t want to feel like that anymore. For all I know, this could be the match not only of my career, but of my life… I have to win it and make everything right. No matter what. I’m gonna do everything in my power to walk out of here with the National Elite Championship, and not just for me, but for you too. I’ve got something to prove. Thank you for coming out here tonight, Lioncross. I really appreciate it, but it’s not going to change how I feel. Nothing’s gonna change until I have the National Elite Championship. Nothing.
(An even more determined Nobi continues getting ready for his match as a concerned Lioncross looks on)
(The camera transitions back to Drake Jaeger and Pierre McGuire at the Showdown Announce Table)
Drake: Well, he’s in a hurry to lose, isn’t he?
Pierre: I wouldn’t be so sure about that, Drake. I’ve never seen Nobi this focused before. Hopefully Stark hasn’t made the mistake of underestimating him like you have.
Drake: Pfft, I’ll stop underestimating him when he starts winning!
Pierre: Well, that may very well be tonight if Nobi has anything to say about it.
(The camera transitions back into the loudly cheering American Airlines Center, as the Texas crowd eagerly anticipates the next match)
(A video recapping the feud between The Heart Break Gal, Devan Dubian, and Rex McAllister plays…)
(The camera transitions back to the ring announcer in the center of the ring)
Ring Announcer: This following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!… AND IT’S FOR THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDERSHIP TO THE EAW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!! INTRODUCING FIRST…
(“This Means War” by Avenged Sevenfold blares throughout The American Airlines Center, as the crowd erupts into cheers, Devan Dubian steps through the curtains sporting black and red attire, he slowly makes his way to the ring)
Ring Announcer: From Leicester, England, United Kingdom, weighing in at 230 POOOOOOUNNNNNNDSSSSS!!!!… “THE AMAZING EMIR” DEVAAAAANNNNN DUUUUUBBBBBBIIIIIAAAAANNNNNN!!!!!!
Pierre: HERE WE GO! A match I’ve been eager to see since it was announced! The triple threat to determine who will be the number one contender for the EAW Championship! This is surely going to be a match that nobody is going to want to miss! Devan Dubian has had some rough bumps and scrapes on his way to getting back to the top… It hasn’t been easy whatsoever for him since losing the Answers World Championship to Mr. DEDEDE. But can you imagine how dangerous this man will be tonight? Not only tonight, but the future EAW Championship match if he so happens to win… He’s hungry, just as much if not more than his opponents! He hasn’t held World Championship gold in a WHILE! A LONG WHILE! Tonight is his night! He just needs to get around the two obstacles set in front of him and go on to challenge for the EAW Championship!
(“Rise Up” by Drowning Pool plays as the Texas crowd begins to boo, Rex McAllister steps out onto the stage with a cocky grin on his face, he makes his way to the ring)
Ring Announcer: Introducing next, from Sea Isle, New Jersey, weighing in at 238 POOOOOUNNNNNNNDSSSSSSSSS!!!!… “THE REX MASTER” REEEEEEEXXXXXXXX MCCCCAAAAAAALLLLLLLLIIIIIISSSSSTTTTTEEEEEERRRRRRR!!!!
Drake: Pfft, I would have won this match easily. I deserve to be in this match, but EAW has found a way to screw me over once more. But you know what? I’ll give you the greatest commentary in history! You see, this emo looking man is also hungry, Pierre! He’s starving! He’s staring down this opportunity as if it were his last meal on death row! He needs this to solidify himself as a top notch talent on a roster full of chumps! He’s young! He’s hot! He’s passionate! And he’s willing to do ANYTHING to get the job finished at the end of the night! He’s the underdog, the wild card, and he could be EAW Champion by the end of Season 11…
(“King of the World” by Porcelain and the Tramps hits as The American Airlines Center bursts into cheers, the entire arena echoing with loud cheers and applauds, as their hometown hero, The Heart Break Gal slowly makes her way onto the stage, taking in the warm welcoming from the crowd, embracing the cheers for a good while, before making her way confidently down to the ring)
Ring Announcer: And introducing last, from DALLAS, TEXAS!!!!… WEIGHING IN AT 130 POOOOOOUNNNNNNNDSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!… “QUEEN EXTREME” THEEEE HEAAARRTTTTTT BREEEEAAAAAKKKKK GAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!
Pierre: WOW!!! I CAN HARDLY HEAR MYSELF IN HERE! THESE FANS ARE ON THEIR FEET, CHEERING SO LOUDLY, AND FOR GOOD REASONING! THEIR HOMETOWN HERO IN THE HEART BREAK GAL HAS ARRIVED! AND YOU CAN TELL SHE IS CLEARLY THE FAN FAVORITE BETWEEN ALL THREE! She’s been wanting to prove that she’s capable of holding a male dominant World Championship! And what’s a better way than winning the contendership in Texas? The state she grew up in! It’s not going to be an easy task, but I think she can pull it off! If anyone—IT’S HER!
(All three contestants take their respective corners, the crowd breaking out in a loud “H-B-G!” chant…)
Drake: DO IT, HBG! JUST DO IT!
(The referee checks on all three competitors…)
Pierre: HERE WE GOOOOOO…
(And then calls for the bell)
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Drake: Another warm up match before my brother from another mother successfully retains his EAW Championship — is underway! Devan Dubian, Rex McAllister, and The Heart Break Gal all craving that number one contendership! They each keep shifting their attention from one person to the other in a triangular formation, inching closer to one another—DUBIAN IMMEDIATELY TARGETING REX MCALLISTER, BUT WHAT? Rex abruptly fleeing before Devan Dubian could even land a blow! He slides out of the ring, smiling while he stares up at Devan Dubian! That’s one intelligent tactic if I must say so myself! Devan Dubian decides to shrug him off for the time being, refocusing himself on The Heart Break Gal as the two now circle around the ring! They tie-up! Dubian easily overpowering HBG in this sort of situation! Putting her in a side headlock, but HBG sliding out of Devan Dubian’s grasp before Dubian could apply any sort of pressure! Devan Dubian spins around RIGHT INTO A VERY STIFF FOREARM TO THE SKULL! HBG fires off with yet ANOTHER forearm to Devan Dubian’s skull! Dubian staggers backwards, while HBG is able to successfully land a third forearm across the head! Devan Dubian is backed against the ropes!
Pierre: BUT HE’S DRAGGED OUT OF THE RING BY REX MCALLISTER BY THE ANKLE! AND MY GOODNESS! REX MCALLISTER THROWS HIM SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS! DUBAN IS SENT FLYING LIKE A LAWN DART RIGHT INTO THEM! Dubian is down clutching his shoulder! Rex McAllister taking advantage of an easy opportunity right there! He slides into the ring to face off with HBG now! He’s taking his turn with The Prima Vixen! HBG doesn’t hesitate to move forward to make the first step between the two, but Rex dashes to the side and avoids whatever HBG was attempting to go for there! Rex McAllister is really trying to play the agile game! Rex paces himself, but once more HBG is clearing the distance between the two! She goes charging in full force at Rex! HBG WITH THE LARIAT… NO!!! Rex McAllister evading that lariat as if his life depended on it! HBG in a rush spins to face Rex! AND REX PULLS HER IN TIGHTLY! TOSSING HER OVERHEAD ACROSS THE RING WITH SUCH AN EXCELLENT BELLY-TO-BELLY! HBG hits that canvas with much impact there as she grasps at her back! Rex doesn’t take much time to take advantage of this!
Drake: Rex McAllister lifts HBG up by her hair and pulls her in for what seems to be yet another belly-to-belly—WHAT ON EARTH?! DEVAN DUBIAN FROM BEHIND WITH A STEEL CHAIR! DEVAN DUBIAN CRACKS THAT STEEL CHAIR WITH SO MUCH FORCE ACROSS THE SPINE OF REX! He releases HBG as she lands back against the turnbuckle! DEVAN DUBIAN ONCE AGAIN SWIPES THAT STEEL CHAIR RIGHT OVER THE BACK OF REX AGAIN! HE’S GETTING SOME PAYBACK FOR EARLIER! I’d hate to say it, but Rex pissed off the wrong individual! Rex is down to a single knee! Dubian doesn’t appear to be letting that chair go anytime soon! There is NO disqualification in a triple threat! Dubian winds that chair up against the defenseless Rex! MY GOD! DUBIAN RELENTLESSLY SMASHES IT OVER REX’S SKULL! ABSOLUTELY REMORSELESS! Rex collapses to his gut, holding onto his skull! I wouldn’t be surprised if Rex is busted open after that! TRAMP STAMP!!! TRAMP STAMP! FROM THE CORNER, THE HEART BREAK GAL PUSHES HERSELF OUT AND LANDS A SUPERKICK OUT OF NOWHERE ONTO DUBIAN! DUBIAN’S GRASP OF THAT CHAIR GOES FLYING! Devan Dubian falls back into the ropes, but uses those ropes by means of rebounding at The Heart Break Gal…
Pierre: LARIAT FROM DUBIAN!!! MISSES! The Heart Break Gal ducks underneath the arm! AND THEN LANDS A MASSIVE PELE KICK TO THE BACK OF DEVAN DUBIAN’S SKULL! Dubian is brought down to a knee! HBG pushes herself up! ENZUIGIRI IS WHAT TAKES DUBIAN DOWN TO THE CANVAS! HBG’s boot collides with Dubian’s temple to finally get him in a grounded position! She takes one glance over at Rex who’s still recovering from those excruciating chair strikes, but then takes a glance at the chair that was used against him! HBG lifts it up then walks over to Dubian… is she really? SHE IS! SHE SWINGS THAT CHAIR WITH ALL HER MIGHT ACROSS DUBIAN’S SPINE! HE WINCES IN SUCH AWFUL PAIN! He spins onto his back, trying to protect it! BUT LEAVES HIS STOMACH WIDE OPEN AS HBG RELENTLESSLY SWINGS DOWN INTO HIS CHEST!!! Once again Dubian is struck with the object he brought into the bout in the first place! But HBG leaves the chair across his chest? What’s she thinking? HBG moves to the corner… climbing the ropes?! She’s insane! She’s wasting precious time in this match! But she doesn’t care! The Heart Break Gal is perched at the top of the ropes!
Drake: Insane? You’re damn right! She was a member of Hexa-gun after all! HBG stares down at the motionless Dubian with the chair laid across his chest! SHE LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE! VELOCITY 9!!! DIVING DOUBLE FOOTSTOMP—REX MCALLISTER DROPKICKS THE HEART BREAK GAL RIGHT OUT OF THE AIR! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! WHERE DID REX EVEN COME FROM?! That gives Dubian enough time to roll onto the apron for the time being! But HBG is left in Rex’s sights! HBG is rolling in pain after that devastating dropkick! Rex quickly rushes over to her, grabbing her by the legs! Rex drags her to the center of the ring and APPLIES A STANDING BOSTON CRAB! STANDING BOSTON CRAB IS LOCKED IN! HBG WITH NOWHERE TO GO! SHE’S LEFT WITH LITTLE ROOM TO BREATHE THERE! REX IS APPLYING A WHOLE LOT OF PRESSURE ONTO THE STANDING BOSTON CRAB RIGHT AWAY! COME ON HBG! YOU’RE BETTER THAN THIS! ESCAPE! DON’T TAP! SHE’S FREAKING OUT IN PIERCING PAIN I’D IMAGINE! TRYING TO STRUGGLE TO THE ROPES, BUT IT’S TAKING HER A LOT OF ENERGY TO GET THERE! SHE’S TRYING TO DRAG HERSELF CLOSER… AND CLOSER…
Pierre: SHE MIGHT JUST TAP! SHE MIGHT TAP! NO! SHE’S NOT! SHE’S ENDURING A WHOLE LOT HERE! REX ISN’T LETTING UP! HBG IS NEARING THOSE BOTTOM ROPES… BUT THIS WILL DO NOTHING FOR HER! SHE MIGHT GET SOME LEVERAGE BY GRABBING ONTO THEM! BUT THE REFEREE WILL NOT FORCE THE HOLD TO BE LET GO! SHE HAS THEM IN ARM’S REACH—REX PULLS HER BACK IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! THIS TIME TRANSITIONING IT INTO A KNEELING BOSTON CRAB! REX PIERCING HBG’S HEAD WITH HIS SHARP KNEE! HBG HAS ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE TO GO! SHE’S LIFTING HER HAND… DISCUS ELBOW SMASH!!! DEVAN DUBIAN JUST IN TIME WITH THAT MATCH SAVING DISCUS ELBOW SMASH TO KEEP THIS MATCH GOING! HBG rolls away from them both, while Dubian stalks Rex like a predator hunting it’s prey! Rex tries to escape him! BUT DUBIAN WITH A NASTY EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! That sends Rex reeling backwards! ANOTHER EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Dubian follows in pursuit after Rex with yet A THIRD EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Rex is cornered against the turnbuckles! DUBIAN LAYING INTO HIM WITH HARD RIGHTS AND LEFTS TO THE SKULL! Rex is doing his all to protect himself from taking the blunt force of those wild fists! Devan Dubian finally laying up on the attack, Rex tries to escape out of the corner… HOWEVER, DUBIAN SAYS NO TO THAT! DUBIAN THROWS HIM THROUGH THE ROPES AND DRAGS HIM BACK IN THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE!
Drake: Rex making a big mistake there! Dubian holds him in a rope-hung position there, while looking around to the roar of the Texas crowd! These idiots are cheering for the wrong person! BUT THAT JUST ENCOURAGES DUBIAN! REX GETS SENT HEAD FIRST INTO THE CANVAS WITH A ROPE-HUNG DDT! That thud coming off the mat echoes throughout the arena! Dubian sits back up, looking over at Rex! He’s not even going to bother to attempt a pin here! Dubian rises back to his feet again! Rex is motionless right now! Dubian goes sprinting across the ring and off the ropes! RUNNING—INTO A THESZ PRESS FROM THE HEART BREAK GAL! AND SHE UNLOADS WITH A MULTITUDE OF FISTS! THOSE COUNTLESS AMOUNT OF FISTS RAINING DOWN INTO THE HEAD OF DUBIAN! HE CAN ONLY TRY TO DEFEND HIMSELF! HBG slides off Dubian, but continues to to stay all over him! Dubian tries to roll over and push himself back up onto his feet, BUT HBG GOES RUNNING OFF THE ROPES NEARBY! DEATH BY BANE!!! CURB STOMP! CURB STOMP!!! DUBIAN’S NOSE CRACKS OFF THE MAT! AND I THINK I SEE BLOOD TRICKLING DOWN IT! HE ENRAGED THE INNER MONSTER OF HBG! HBG rolls him onto his back and attempts the first pin of this triple threat!
Referee: ONEEEEEE!!!!… TWOOOOO!!!!….
Pierre: DUBIAN THROWS THE SHOULDER UP! But goodness gracious! I’ve never seen HBG put so much power behind a curb stomp like that! It just further proves how far she’s willing to go in order to obtain this shot at the EAW Champion! HBG slowly pulls Dubian up by his head, revealing the blood pouring down from his nose! She sadistically smiles at the bloodshed she’s caused herself! She pulls her in between her arms! AND ONCE MORE DROPS DUBIAN NOSE FIRST INTO THE MAT WITH AN POWERFUL SNAP DDT! She’s wanting to break the The Amazing Emir’s nose off! Dubian falling victim to the sadistic mindset of HBG right now! HBG looks downward at him, once more slowly pulling Dubian up! She’s toying with him! She’s making a game out of this, I swear! She wants to prove her dominance—RUNNING YAKUZA KICK RIGHT ACROSS THE FACE OF HBG!!! HBG TAKES A NASTY BOOT TO THE FACE AS REX FORCES HER BACK INTO THE ROPES WITH ONE HELL OF A YAKUZA KICK!
Drake: HBG needs to get her head in the game! She can’t be allowing such things to occur! HBG shakes it off and see’s Rex before her! REX GOES CHASING AFTER HER!!! BACK BODY DROP OVER THE TOP ROPE! HBG SENDS REX OVER THE TOP ROPE! BUT REX MANAGES TO LAND ON THE APRON! HE STICKS THE LANDING! HBG TURNS AROUND! STIFF FOREARM TO THE FACE OF HBG! AND ANOTHER! ANOTHER! THERE’S A MEAN HEADBUTT AS WELL! REX FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE ON THAT APRON! Those forearms and headbutts way too quick to avoid! HBG slowly staggers backwards, barely able to stay on her feet! AND REX SPRINGS OFF THE TOP ROPE!!! SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK ACROSS THE CHEST OF HBG! THAT DROPKICK LITERALLY FLINGING HBG ACROSS THE RING INTO THE OPPOSITE ROPES! HBG rests against the ropes, but Rex isn’t through! REX COMES SOARING AFTER HER! RUNNING LARIAT!!! IT CONNECTS AND SENDS HBG ONTO THE ARENA FLOOR! HBG TAKES AN AWFUL FALL TO THE OUTSIDE! But I don’t believe Rex is finished! I think he may have something else in mind! What’s he…? Oh, oh no! He takes one good look at HBG, who’s struggling to get to her feet! AND CHARGES TO THE ROPES…
Pierre: NO! HE CHARGES RIGHT INTO DUBIAN’S GRASP! EXPLODER SUPLEX! DUBIAN CATCHES HIM WITH AN INSANE EXPLODER SUPLEX PLANTING HIM RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! This is honestly the perfect time for Dubian to take advantage here! He has HBG on the outside and this could just prove to be the perfect timing to set up for something big! AND I THINK HE IS! Dubian looks around to the sold out crowd who was previously cheering is now booing! The Heart Break Gal’s hometown wants nothing of this! BUT THEY’RE ABOUT TO GET IT! DUBIAN TWISTS AND FALLS STOMACH FIRST TO THE CANVAS! HE’S STALKING REX! Rex is pushing himself up to his feet! He’s falling right into the trap of Dubian! He’s ascending, Dubian meeting him with every level of ascension! REX IS UP! THE BLEEDING EDGE!!!! NO! NO! NO! REX SHOVES HIM AWAY BEFORE ANYTHING COMES TO FRUITION! AND DUBIAN SPINS AROUND RIGHT INTO A DROP TOE HOLD! AND OH! REX MCALLISTER SETS DUBIAN UP! THE REX LOCK! THE REX LOCK! REX HAS HIM! REX HAS HIM! IT’S LOCKED IN! REX IS WRENCHING BACK ON DUBIAN’S HEAD AS THE STF IS LOCKED IN EVERY SO AGGRESSIVELY!
Drake: GET YOUR SORRY ASS IN THERE HBG! THIS CROWD IS LOUDLY BOOING! HBG IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN! REX HAS DUBIAN TRAPPED WITH THE REX LOCK! DUBIAN STRUGGLING! FLAILING HIS ARMS! IT’S MUCH LIKE EARLIER THEN REX HAD HBG IN A SIMILAR POSITION WITH A DIFFERENT SUBMISSION! REX IS APPLYING A WHOLE LOT OF PRESSURE! I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG DUBIAN IS GOING TO LAST HERE! BUT HE SOMEHOW MANAGES TO CONTINUE THIS DESPERATE CRAWL TOWARD THE ROPES… BUT I HAVE TO REMIND PEOPLE ONCE AGAIN! THERE’S NO ROPEBREAKS! HE’S ONLY CRAWLING THERE, BECAUSE HE’S STUPID, OR OUT OF PURE INSTINCT! HE COULD GET A SLIGHT LEVERAGE WITH THE ROPE, BUT STILL! HE’S INCHING FORWARD, BUT REX IS PULLING BACK! HE WANTS DUBIAN NOWHERE NEAR THOSE ROPES! DUBIAN IS LIFTING HIS HAND! HE MIGHT TAP! HE—DRAGS HIMSELF FORWARD SOME MORE! HE HAS A BIT TO GO! BUT LOOK! LOOK! HBG IS GETTING UP ON THE OUTSIDE! SHE’S ALIVE!
Pierre: BUT SHE NEEDS TO ACT QUICKLY HERE! DUBIAN SHOUTS IN PAIN! LIFTING HIS HAND ONCE MORE! TWITCHING AND ALL! HE’S GONNA TAP! HE LOWERS HIS HAND… BUT REACHES OUT! HBG IS UP! DUBIAN CRAWLS CLOSER TO THE ROPES… AND… HE REACHES HIS ARM OUT! HE’S SO CLOSE! AND WHAT??? HBG!!! HBG GRABS A HOLD OF DUBIAN’S ARM FROM THE OUTSIDE AND DRAGS HIM CLOSER TO HER! HBG HAS A FIRM HOLD OF DUBIAN’S HAND! SHE MUST BE ENSURING HE DOESN’T TAP! BUT PULLS HERSELF UP ONTO THE APRON AND SMASHES REX IN THE FACE OVER AND OVER WITH RAPID FOREARMS! FOREARM AFTER FOREARM! REX IS OVERWHELMED HERE! HE RELEASES THE REX LOCK! Dubian in pure relief slides onto the apron, but HBG pulls him down onto the arena floor! Rex gets up onto his feet, holding his forehead! But HBG is in the ring now! EVISCERATION!!! HBG NAILS HIM WITH THE DOUBLE-KNEE FACEBUSTER!!!! WHERE DID THAT EVEN COME FROM?!?! REX MCALLISTER IS OUT… HBG IS ABOUT TO WIN HERSELF THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDERSHIP!!! SHE GOES FOR THE COVER!
Referee: ONEEEEE!!!!… TWOOOOOO!!!!…. THREEEEE…
Drake: REX KICKS OUT! REX KICKS OUT! HOW? I DO NOT KNOW! I SERIOUSLY DO NOT KNOW! I’M ASTOUNDED! HBG IS LEFT IN COMPLETE SHOCK! She stares up at the referee in disbelief! She pushes herself up, confirming the two count! I thought she had this won! The hometown crowd thought she had this won! HBG angrily grabs Rex up by the hair, staring him in the eyes as she does! Rex is straight up! BUT NOT FOR LONG!!!! A SECOND EVISCERATION CONNECTS! A SECOND ONE!!! HBG GETS A SUCCESSFUL SECOND EVISCERATION! REX IS OUT COLD! HE’S NOT MOVING AN INCH! AND THIS IS IT! THIS TEXAS CROWD IS GOING BALLISTIC FOR HBG! HBG RUSHES INTO THE COVER!!!!…
Referee: ONEEEEE!!!!… TWOOOOOOO!!!!….
Pierre: LAST RESORT!!!!!!!! PUNT KICK!!!!!!!!! HBG IS NAILED IN THE TEMPLE WITH THE LAST RESORT PUNT KICK FROM DUBIAN!!! OH MY GOD!!!! DUBIAN GOES FOR THE COVER!!! IT’S OVER!
Referee: ONEEEEEE!!!!… TWOOOOOOOOO!!!!…. THREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
Drake: HOW??? HOW????? HBG BARELY GETS THE SHOULDER UP!!!
(The American Airlines Center explodes with thunderous cheers)
Pierre: THESE FANS ARE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BEHIND HBG AND ARE GOING INSANE OVER THIS! DUBIAN CAN’T BELIEVE IT!
(Rex McAllister rolls outside of the ring, leaving Dubian to stare down at HBG all alone inside of the ring…)
Drake: That’s right, Dubian! You’re not killing her that easy! She’s like me! We’re not easy to kill!
(Dubian twirls his head, sadistically staring at the motionless HBG…)
Pierre: Oh no, Dubian’s going to that special place… where he zones out everything and everyone!
(Dubian slowly ascends onto his feet, rushing to the corner, then turning around with rage in his eyes)
Drake: NO! NO! YOU SICK HUMAN BEING! DON’T YOU DARE! ONE IS ENOUGH! IF ONE DOESN’T DO IT! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK TWO WILL? YOU STOP IT! DON’T MAKE ME GET OUT OF MY SEAT!
(Dubian grabs onto the ropes, thrusting his body forward, anticipating and waiting for HBG to crawl onto her hands and knees…)
Pierre: DUBIAN SERIOUSLY WANTS ANOTHER LAST RESORT! ANOTHER PUNT KICK! HE WANTS TO PUT HBG AWAY! HE WANTS THE CHANCE TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN! NOTHING ELSE MATTERS TO HIM! NOTHING IN THIS WORLD CAN STOP HIM RIGHT NOW! HE’S GOING TO END THIS POOR WOMAN’S LIFE! AND OH NO… HBG IS STIRRING… HBG IS CRAWLING TO HER HANDS… AND KNEES… DUBIAN SEES IT! HE CAN TASTE IT! HE—HE’S PULLED OUT OF THE RING ONCE AGAIN BY REX MCALLISTER! WHAT?!? REX TOSSES DEVAN DUBIAN HEAD FIRST OVER THE BARRICADE INTO THE FRONT ROW!!! Rex quickly realizes the position he’s in and slides into the ring! The crowd is loudly booing! HBG is still rising slowly to her feet! Rex McAllister has her right where he wants her! He approaches her and pulls her in the DDT position! IS HE GOING FOR THE REX EFFECT???… HBG TWISTS OUT OF IT! SHE TWISTS OUT OF IT! REX SPINS AROUND! EVISCERATION!!!! THE EVISCERATION!!!! SHE GOT HIM! SHE GOT HIM! THE CROWD ONCE AGAIN ON THEIR FEET IN AN EAR DEAFENING CHEER! HBG COLLAPSES OVER REX FOR THE COVER! HBG IS ABOUT TO WIN IN FRONT OF HER HOMETOWN CROWD! DUBIAN NOWHERE IN SIGHT!
Referee: ONEEEEEE!!!…. TWOOOOOOOO!!!!….
(The lights go out in The American Airlines Center)
Drake: DOES EAW ABLE TO AFFORD THESE EXPENSIVE WRESTLERS, BUT NOT THEIR LIGHT BILLS? WHAT THE ACTUAL FU—
(Suddenly fire surrounds all four sides of the ring, with The Heart Break Gal and Rex McAllister trapped inside)
Pierre: WHAT?!?! WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE RING?! WHY IS FIRE SURROUNDING THE RING?!
(An “X” with fire flowing through the letter appears on the titantron…)
Drake: X? YOU MEAN THE BUTTON I WANT TO PRESS TO ESCAPE THIS MESS?
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1e-XU-13BM plays… )
Pierre: NO… NO!!! YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS! NOW??? OF ALL TIMES????
(Fire pyrotechnics fill up the stage, as John Doe steps through the middle of the flames, the lights return on as The Heart Break Gal is left groggily standing in the ring, staring down bewildered at the sight of a smiling John Doe standing in between flames, as the fire on the stage lowers, as “The Killing Joke” fades out)
Drake: IS THAT… IS THAT MY LONG LOST BROTHER?!
(Devan Dubian climbs back over the barricade, seeing the fire surrounding the ring…)
Pierre: DUBIAN CAN’T GET BACK IN THE RING, JAEGER! HE’S TRAPPED OUTSIDE THE RING!
(Devan Dubian nearing the flames, but can’t find a way in, begins to flip out, as he shouts at ringside management)
Drake: HBG… DON’T BE FOOLED! THAT’S NOT ME!
(HBG continues to try and figure out what’s going on…)
Pierre: BEHIND YOU HBG! BEHIND YOU!!!
(Rex McAllister spins HBG around)
Drake: THERE’S A STIFF KICK TO THE STOMACH! AND REX PULLS HBG IN!!! HE RUNS UP THE ROPES, NOT EVEN TOUCHING THE FIRE SURROUNDING THE APRON! AND LANDS BACK DOWN WITH THE REX EFFECT! TWISTING TORNADO EVENFLOW DDT COMBINATION!
(Devan Dubian realizes what’s going on and tries to hurry the ringside management)
Devan Dubian: LOWER THE FIRE! LOWER THE DAMN FIRE!
Pierre: AND REX COVERS! HE COVERS! THE REFEREE HAS NO CHOICE! DUBIAN CAN’T GET IN!
Referee: ONEEEE!!!…. TWOOOOOOO!!!!… THREEEEEEEE!!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
(“Rise Up” by Drowning Pool plays throughout The American Airlines Center, as the jam packed arena erupts in deafening boos, Rex McAllister slowly rises to his feet, his hand risen by the referee, while the fire continues to surround the ring keeping him safe from the enraged Devan Dubian on the outside)
Ring Announcer: Here’s your winner and the NEWWW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE EAW CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!…. REXXXXXXXX MCCCCCAAAAALLLLIIIIIISSSSTTTTEEEEERRRRRR!!!!
Pierre: WHAT WAS THAT?!?! WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT?! THEY’RE GOING TO COUNT THAT VICTORY?!?!
Drake: You’re damn right they’re going to count it! My Hexa-buddy lost and these heathens they call fans are letting Rex McAllister hear it!
(John Doe continues to smile on the ramp, while Devan Dubian tears up the ringside equipment, until he sees John Doe… Devan Dubian darts up the ramp, as John Doe calmly steps back through the curtains to the backstage area, while Devan Dubian continues to pursue him, the flames around the ring lower)
Pierre: I am left in disbelief… I’m still unsure what happened here! What was the purpose of this?! Is Rex McAllister working with John Doe?! Was this all planned or just the first victims of John Doe?! There’s so many unanswered questions!
Drake: Well, one thing is for certain, you good for nothing commentator—REX IS THE NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER! He’s going for the EAW Championship! He’s got himself the golden ticket to immortalize himself in EAW!
Pierre: Yeah, but at what cost?
(Rex McAllister continues to celebrate in the ring, while medics check on The Heart Break Gal, the crowd continues to drown out the arena in loud boos, as the camera fades elsewhere…)
(Camera transitions back to Drake Jaeger and Pierre McGuire at the Showdown Announce Table)
Drake: And now for a very special treat, let’s take you back to Max where the real party is happening at the special Dia Del Diablo Barbecue: The Fire Pit! Which was MY idea!
(A confused Max A. Million is shown standing somewhere outside the American Airlines Center at a barbecue with a fire pit nearby)
Drake: Hello, Max!
Max: Uh, hey…
Drake: What’s is like down there at the Fire Pit? Pretty crazy, huh?
Max: Well, there’s uh…
(Max looks around)
Max: There’s no one here.
Drake: What’s that?
Max: There’s like, literally nobody here. There’s the people making the food, but there’s like zero guests…
Drake: Don’t worry, Max, I invited the only guests who matter.
Max: Well, I don’t see any… Oh.
(The camera pans over to Tiberius IV, dressed in his ring gear and a Tiberius IV t-shirt on, holding the EAW Championship on his right shoulder)
Tiberius: Not too bad of a party, right, Max?
Max: Uhm, yeah, it’s… It’s something.
Tiberius: I was told by my associate that you would be here to interview me.
Max: Huh? Oh, yeah, sure. How do you feel–
Tiberius: Feels great, Max. Feels really good. You wanted to know how I’ve been preparing for my match tonight with Theron, right?
Max: Sure.
(Tiberius nods)
Tiberius: You see, that was simple, Max. I just binged through every episode of Game of Thrones. You know why? Because there’s no better way to get to get into the mindset of a traitor. That show has plenty of betrayals, and yet none of them are quite as despicable as Theron turning his blade on his one and only King, and for what? For one night in the spotlight? For a chance to say “I got to compete for the EAW Title in the main event of a show once”? I mean, I just don’t get it. What possesses a man to bite the hand that feeds him? Hey, I got nothing against the guy. He’s a good kid. He’s talented, and he has a neat accent, and a sweet umbrella, but what he doesn’t have… And will never have… Is this.
(Tiberius pats the EAW Championship)
Tiberius: And I know what you’re thinking. I know, I know – you’re thinking “But Theron is undefeated and beat over 30 people and blah, blah, blah”, but you know what? He’s never beaten me. The guys and gals he beat at Pain For Pride? Who are they to me? Who are the people he’s beaten up until this point? They’re not on my radar, so why should he be? But you know what? I blame myself. I spoiled him. I should have shown him more tough love. I should have slapped him around and purposely screwed him out of opportunities so he’d get a feel for what failure tastes like. Instead, I let him do whatever he wanted, and now look where we are. If he had any sense, Theron would be crowned the new National Elite Champion tonight. Instead, he’s gonna taste the biggest, juiciest L of his entire life.
Max: So, is The Kingsguard over after tonight, for good?
(Tiberius takes a moment to think)
Tiberius: Personally… I think so, yeah. What’s there to go back to? Maybe it’s time for all of us to just move on, to better projects. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s not a proper protege. I would have NEVER treated Jay like Theron has treated me, so I think it’s best we go our separate ways, if we haven’t already. And after tonight, who knows, maybe he’ll realize what kind of mistake he made and come crawling back, but I don’t believe in second chances, you know? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice… Who cares? I don’t allow people to fool me twice. If this is how it ends, so be it. We had a pretty good run. It’s a shame I didn’t pick someone more suitable for the job. Someone who knew how to be loyal. I wish I could say I feel bad for him after what I have to do to him tonight… I wish. Enjoy the party. There might be some more guests coming, don’t give up hope, Max.
(Tiberius slaps Max on the back loudly and grins as he takes his leave while an annoyed Max looks on)
(The camera cuts back to a Pierre McGuire and a laughing Drake Jaeger)
Drake: Now THAT is a World Champion you can believe in! When he says he’s gonna slap Theron around like it’s nothing, you KNOW he’s telling the truth!
Pierre: I’m not so sure about that, but he does seem awfully confident. I think it would be a huge mistake if he went and underestimated someone like Theron
Drake: What’s there to underestimate? He’s an idiot! He deserves EVERYTHING he gets tonight!
Pierre: You’re just mad that he put you through a table last week.
Drake: YOU’RE DAMN RIGHT I’M MAD! HE’S LUCKY I DEVELOPED AN IMMUNITY TO BEING PUT THROUGH TABLES!
(The camera pans to the arena, back to the ring and the area surrounding it, tables stacked on top of each other, with gasoline canisters littered sporadically surrounding the arena.)
Ring Announcer: THIS FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A FIVE-WAY FLAMING TABLES ELIMINATION MATCH….AND IT IS FOR THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDERSHIP TO THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
(“Pomp and Circumstance” erupts from the speakers in the arena to loud cheers from the arena, as Johnny Nova steps out from the curtains, showing off his custom-made outfit for Dia Del Diablo with a red and yellow colour pallet and flames sewn onto the jacket. He walks down to the ring, takes in the sights from the crowd and climbs onto the turnbuckle, posing and flexing, smiling all the way through.)
Ring Announcer: INTRODUCING FIRST! From Detroit, Michigan! Weighing in tonight at 197 POOUNDSS!!!…….LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME “MACHO MAN” JOOHNNNY NOOOOOVVVVAAAAAA!!!!
Pierre: MY GOODNESS, I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS MATCH TO BEGIN! This will surely be a “hot” contest if I must say so myself!
Drake: Shut up, Pierre. Nobody likes you, but people certainly do like this man standing in the ring currently, Johnny Nova! Last week he may have fell against one of his opponents in this match, Prince of Phenomenal, but at Dia Del Diablo he is going to have to work even harder since the last Number One Contender’s match he participated in, which he came close to winning but eventually failed, losing to Nobi. Let us see if Nova can still bring the fight here tonight, the drive to win!
(“Despacito” by Luis Fonso and Daddy Yankee plays all throughout the arena to loud boos from a displeased crowd, as Mark Michaels steps out, the rest of the lights but one spotlight following Michaels down to the ramp, the crowd booing louder as he steps onto the apron, climbing through the ropes and into the ring.)
Ring Announcer: AND INTRODUCING HIS OPPONENTS, FIRST! From Beverly Hills, California! Weighing in tonight at 240 POOUNDSS!!!!…..”PICTURE PERFECT” MAAAAARKKKK MIIICHAAAAAEELLS!!!!
Pierre: Mark Michaels is a man who had stuck with EAW for quite a while, unable to find footing as a champion, as he has never won one. But maybe, tonight in the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Michaels might finally break through the ceiling and reach for gold that has eluded him for far too long! Let us see how this match turns out.
(“Pain” by CFO$ blasts from the speakers in the American Airlines Arena, to a deafening roar of jeers from the Texas crowd, as Lucas Johnson comes out, ignoring the crowd completely and shouting out that he will be the one to win, and that Stark’s reign is over.)
Ring Announcer: NEXT! From Atlanta, Georgia! Weighing in at 270 PPOOUNDSS!!!!!…..HE IS “THE WRESTLING MACHINE” LUUUUCAAASSS JOOOOHNNNSSSOOONNN!!!!!
Pierre: Without a doubt one of, if not the biggest threat in this match, just based on his sheer brute strength and weight! He may have been eliminated first in the Ring of Fire Battle Royal, and he may have lost to the National Elite Champion, Stark last week, but it looks like those losses won’t affect his determination coming into this match. Look at his face; he is absolutely filled with the drive to send EVERYONE in this match through a flaming table!
Drake: I hope he sends you through a flaming table, Saitama.
(“Wings of Icarus” by Celldweller plays as Kaise Boetius steps out, carrying an imposing presence and stone-cold face, as the fans jeer him quite loudly. He walks down and steps into the ring, wearing a shirt that has an “IRONHEART” logo plastered in the center, smashing his elbow against his palm in an attempt to intimidate his opponents.)
Ring Announcer: NEXT! From New Haven, Conneticut! Weighing in at 204 POOOUNDSS!!!!…..”IRONHEART” KAIISEEE BOOOOEEEETTIIIUUSSS!!!!!
Drake: A man who has been on an absolute tear ever since coming through the doors of Elite Answers Wrestling, tonight his momentum train comes to its highest point thus far in the biggest match of Kaise’s career! He has been hyping and building up himself this entire week, and I believe that he might be the wildcard to win this match!
(“Crown of Thorns” by Rakaa feat. Aloe Blacc plays from the speakers in the arena, compelling Prince of Phenomenal to come out, as he wears simple gear that is coloured red, he walks down to the ring, and takes a look at his opponents, staring them down.)
Ring Announcer: AND FINALLY! From Miami Beach, Florida! Weighing in at 215 POOUNDSS!!!!!….HE IS THE, PRIINNCEE OOOFF PHENOMENAAAALLLLL!!!!!!
Drake: While POP may not have had a good track record so far in this season, tonight he looks disregard all that by becoming the number one contender for the National Elite title, and sending people through flaming tables along with it! He is a legend in this business, and winning this match just might send him to the top once again.
(As POP gets into the ring, he looks at Kaise, Nova, and Michaels, who still holds a selfie stick in his hands, taking a photo. All four of them nod, and look at Lucas Johnson, who is confused.)
Pierre: Man I just cannot wait for this match to start….
(Stagehands begin to pour gasoline onto the tables and igniting them.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Pierre: AND NOW THIS FLAMING TABLES ELIMINATION MATCH HAD OFFICIALLY BEGUN! This is looking to be an amazing match-up, as the four men circle each other, waiting for a chance to strike – OH, WHAT’S THIS? KAISE, MICHAELS, PRINCE OF PHENOMENAL, NOVA; THEY’RE ALL ATTACKING LUCAS JOHNSON! STRIKING HIM WITH CLUBBING BLOWS TO THE FACE AND THE BACK, AS WELL AS KNOCKING HIM WITH SWIFT AND HARD STRIKES! IT SEEMS THAT THESE FOUR MEN HAVE COME TO THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING THAT JOHNSON IS THE BIGGEST THREAT IN THIS MATCH, AS THEY ATTACK HIM ALL AT ONCE! But amidst all the chaos, Lucas finds a way to retaliate, SWINGING FOR A CLOTHESLINE AT POP! Prince of Phenomenal ducks the clothesline, AND PELE KICK! PELE KICK ALREADY, LANDING PERFECTLY ON TOP OF HIS HEAD!
Drake: Johnson was stunned by the Pele Kick, as he attempts to shake the cobwebs, BUT NOVA DOES NOT LET HIM RECOVER, CHARGING AT HIM! NOVA WITH A JUMPING KNEE, HITTING THE BACK OF LUCAS’ SKULL! But Johnson still stands on his feet! He’s dazed, but he’s still standing like a giant! BUT MAYBE I SPOKE TO SOON! KAISE BOETIUS RUNS AT LUCAS JOHNSON, SENDING HIM OVER THE ROPES WITH VICIOUS LARIAT! But….what? LUCAS IS STILL HOLDING ON! He’s still holding onto those ropes, as he tries to rest on the apron, trying to recover…..BUT IT LOOKS LIKE MARK MICHAELS WANTS A PIECE OF THE CAKE NOW! HE RUNS TOWARDS JOHNSON……SCREEN CRACKER!!! SCREEN CRACKER! THE CODEBREAKER CONNECTING AND LUCAS GOES DOWN FROM THE APRON, UNCOMFORTABLY CLOSE TO A FLAMING TABLE NEAR OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE! HE IS SURELY OUTTA THIS MATCH FOR A WHILE!
Pierre: Those four men teaming up to attack Lucas….what a great strategy! But The Wrestling Machine is down and out for now, as now these four men turn to look at each other – for they know that there is no more common enemy to place them in an alliance! KAISE SNAPS WITH A FOREARM TO JOHNNY NOVA’S TEMPLE! AND AT THE SAME TIME POP KNOCKS MARK IN THE JAW WITH A BONE-CRUNCHING RIGHT! Prince of Phenomenal clubs Michaels in the back, then he grabs him by his hair, and sends him flying to the ringside area! Boetius continues to hammer Nova with right and left forearms, as he now grabs the arm of Nova….AND HE SLAMS IT INTO THE TURNBUCKLE! BUT HE DOESN’T LET GO, as he once again slams his arm into the turnbuckle a second time! Nova is trying to hold back the pain from those targeted moves by Kaise, BUT KAISE GRABS HIS RIGHT ARM AGAIN! He drags Johnny to the middle rope, as he drapes Nova’s arm over the second rope – OH GOD! KAISE STOMPING AWAY AT THE DRAPED RIGHT ARM OF JOHNNY NOVA! OVER AND OVER AGAIN, RELENTLESSLY STOMPING AWAY AT IT! I am seriously fearing for Nova’s arm; he might have a broken one if this assault is allowed to continue!
Drake: Meanwhile in the outside of the ring, POP continues to attack Mark Michaels! Michaels swings his arm for a huge right, but Prince of Phenomenal once again displaying his athletic abilities by ducking it! NECKBREAKER ON THE OUTSIDE CONNECTING! That looked absolutely BRUTAL, since we can see Michaels gripping the back of his neck tightly! I’m scared though, as these two men are quite close to the tables that are lit on fire! They’re both sweating profusely already; if there were to be even one misstep, it could spell disaster for them tonight in Dia Del Diablo! He now stops beating Mark, as he now looks around….AND HE GRABS A CHAIR FROM UNDER THE RING! He’s looking to strike Michaels with it –
Pierre: WAIT WHAT THE HELL? A FLASH….A CAMERA FLASH? IT’S MARK MICHAELS WITH A PHONE CAMERA! HE TOOK A PHOTO WITH FLASH AND HE BLINDED PRINCE OF PHENOMENAL! POP is blindsided, AND MICHAELS TAKES ADVANTAGE BY DROPPING DOWN TO HIS KNEES! LOW BLOW TO POP! PRINCE OF PHENOMENAL SLUMPS DOWN TO THE GROUND! THAT IS A DISGUSTING TACTIC BY MICHAELS!
Drake: What do you mean? THAT WAS HILARIOUS, AND GENIUS AT THE SAME TIME! Michaels used the flash from the camera and took advantage of the distraction by low-blowing his opponent! It’s perfectly legal in this match as well, as it has a No Disqualification.
Pierre: Well whatever you believe, it doesn’t change the fact that POP is down, and is vulnerable! But now we cut back to inside of the ring, as Kaise has a grounded hammerlock applied to Johnny Nova, but that may soon change! Nova begins to slowly power his way out, getting up….AND A STIFF ELBOW TO KAISE’S GUT CONNECTS! A SECOND ELBOW! A third elbow forces Kaise to release the hold, and Nova grabs him by his hips, connecting with a Reverse Atomic Drop! Kaise is now the man in pain, as Johnny looks to rebound from the ropes – LUCAS JOHNSON! IT’S LUCAS JOHNSON, AS HE STOPS NOVA RIGHT IN HIS TRACKS WITH AN ABSOLUTELY WICKED LARIAT! LUCAS JOHNSON IS FINALLY BACK IN THIS MATCH!
Drake: HE GOT TAKEN OUT BY FOUR DEVASTATING MOVES, BUT NOW HE’S BACK, REJUVENATED AND READY FOR REVENGE AGAINST THE PEOPLE WHO TEAMED AGAINST HIM! Lucas takes a quick look at Boetius, AND HE DOES NOT HESITATE AS EHE GRABS HIM BY HIS WAIST, AND SENDS KAISE FLYING! GERMAN SUPLEX BY JOHNSON SENDING KAISE HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING, AS HE LANDS HARD ON HIS BACK! Johnson takes out Kaise, a big factor in this match with just ONE german suplex! That is a testament to how big of a threat Johnson is in this match. Now Mark Michaels slides into the ring, and attemps to knock Lucas with kicks and forearms to his spine, but it doesn’t affect him! He’s still standing tall, while Michaels continues to hit him with a series of strikes – LUCAS GRABS MARK BY THE THROAT! CHOKESLAM WITH AUTHORITY BY JOHNSON SLAMMING MICHAELS TO THE GROUND LIKE A RAGDOLL!
Pierre: LUCAS JOHNSON IS ON AN ABSOLUTE ROLL RIGHT NOW! He’s taking people down, left and right, with no signs of stoppage! Johnson, done with his attacks on those three men steps out onto the ring, and now searches for POP! THE BUT HE SHOULD BE LOOKING BEHIND HIM, BECAUSE PRINCE OF PHENOMENAL STANDING RIGHT BEHIND HIM, LYING IN WAIT FOR LUCAS TO TURN AROUND! A SWIFT ROUNDHOUSE KICK BY POP ECHOES THROUGHOUT THE ARENA, DAZING JOHNSON BUT HE IS STILL LEFT STANDING ON HIS FEET! Lucas swings for Prince of Phenomenal, but he evades it and slides back into the ring, now holding onto the top rope! Johnson turns once again, AND POP GETS READY! HE JUMPS AND SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE TOP! SPRINGBOARD FOREaRM SMASH!
Drake: NO!! LUCAS CATCHES HIM IN A FIREMAN’S CARRY!!! DON’T TELL ME HE’S LOOKING FOR….A….F5!!! F5 THROUGH THE FLAMING TABLE! HOLY HELL!
Pierre: POP IS FRANTICALLY ELBOWING LUCAS IN THE HEAD! OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN! AND NOW I THINK…..HE DROPS POP! Lucas is dazed from those elbows, and they are awfully close to the flames, BUT POP COMES CHARGING!!!! GIGANTIC FOREARM SMASH TO LUCAS’ FACE CONNECTING AND JOHNSON FALLS BACKWARDS INTO THE FLAMING TABLE!!!!
Ring Announcer: Lucas Johnson has been eliminated!
Pierre: POP ELIMINATED LUCAS JOHNSON, THE BIGGEST THREAT IN THIS MATCH! THERE’S OFFICIALS RUSHING TO LUCAS, EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE, BUT THAT WAS NO SMALL FEAT! PRINCE OF PHENOMENAL WITH THE BIGGEST ELIMINATION IN THIS MATCH, FOR THE MONSTER HAS BEEN SLAIN! My word…Prince of Phenomenal is now attempting to recuperate, sliding into the ring, as he holds onto the ropes for some leverage…BUT LOOK! IT’S KAISE BOETIUS, FINALLY BACK IN THIS MATCH! RUNNING KNEE TO THE LEANING PRINCE OF PHENOMENAL! MAMA MIA, HE’S WEAKENED FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!
Drake: WHO CARES?! This is a free-for-all; anybody can take on anybody! Just as we saw with POP and Lucas! That brutal knee from Kaise possibly giving POP a concussion, as he now hurriedly drags him to the center of the ring! He’s taking advantage of the weakened state of POP, AND HE LIFTS HIM! BRAINBUSTAAAHHHH!!!! BUT LOOK! MARK MICHAELS WITH A DISCUS PUNCH TO THE JAW OF KAISE! HE IS FORCED TO DROP POP, AND MICHAELS HOOKS THE LEG OF BOETIUS! SNAP SHOT! SNAP SHOT CONNECTS TO KAISE, THE FISHERMAN SUPLEX TURNED INTO A POWERSLAM!! Michaels showing us some of his underlying strength by lifting a heavyweight, BUT MARK ISN’T FINISHED! He wants Kaise up to his feet, signalling for the Screen Cracker! Kaise slowly makes his way to his feet, confused and rocked, AND MICHAELS JUMPS AT HIM FOR THE SCREEN CRACKER!!!
Pierre: KAISE CATCHES HIM!! HE CATCHES MICHAELS’ LEGS, AND HE LIFTS HIM TO THE TURNBUCKLE CLOSE TO THEM!! WHAT STRENGTH AND POWER FROM KAISE, LIFTING A FULLY GROWN MAN LIKE THAT! He sits Mark on the top turnbuckle, but Mark tries to fight back with rights and lefts! KAISE WITH A HUGE HEADBUTT, KNOCKING MICHAELS OUT! Now Kaise steps out onto the apron, and climbs the turnbuckle….he hooks his arms….OH NO! OH NO! KAISE’S GOING TO PERFORM A SUPERPLEX INTO THE BURNING TABLE NEAR THE RAMP! OH NO, DON’T DO THIS KAISE! THINK ABOUT YOU, AND MICHAELS! HE HAS A FAMILY! NO! HE’S LIFTING MICHAELS! AHHHH!!!!!!
Drake: SUPERPLEX TO THE OUTSIDE AS MICHAELS’ BODY LANDS ON THE BURNING TABLE!!!! KAISE JUST WITH A DEVASTATING SUPERPLEX TAKING OUT MARK MICHAELS!!! HOLY SH*T!
Ring Announcer: Mark Michaels has been eliminated!
Drake: THIS IS JUST BIG SPOT AFTER BIG SPOT AFTER BIG SPOT! I KNEW THAT THIS WOULD BE AN AMAZING MATCH, AND IT ISN’T EVEN DONE! Fire extinguishers are being used to remove the flames, but now it’s just down to THREE men!! Kaise steps through the ropes, and sees that Nova is standing on his feet! These two men stare each other down for what feels like an hour, AND NOW THEY BOTH CHARGE AT EACH OTHER!!! LARIATS FROM BOTH MEN TAKING EACH OTHER DOWN AT THE SAME TIME! They both fall to the mat, rocked from the lariats from one another, BUT HERE COMES PRINCE OF PHENOMENAL!!! HE HAS RECOVERED, AND NOW A STANDING MOONSAULT TO A DOWNED KAISE FROM POP! Payback for what happened earlier, as now he lifts Nova by his head….AND A HUGE RIGHT BY POP!!! Nova was took down by that lariat, BUT HE FIRES BACK WITH A RIGHT OF HIS OWN!! NOW POP COMES BACK! NOVA RETALIATES! NOVA! POP! NOVA! POP! NOVA! POP! BOTH MEN UNLEASHING UNRELENTING STRIKES TO EACH OTHER’S HEAD!!
Pierre: POP WITH A BIONIC ELBOW TO THE DOME OF JOHNNY! Nova got stunned by that elbow, as Prince of Phenomenal rebounds off the ropes – NOVA STOPPING HIM DEAD IN HIS TRACKS WITH A DROPKICK TO THE KNEE! POP falls down to one knee, AND NOVA PUTS HIM BETWEEN HIS LEGS, AND LIFTS HIM UP! PILEDRIVER BY NOVA TO POP! He lands right on his neck, my goodness! POP once more falls to the ground, and now Nova takes an evil look to Kaise! Grabbing him by his hair… he throws Kaise to the outside, as he barely misses the flaming table near the right barricade, AND NOVA GRIPS THE ROPES TIGHTLY! HE STOMPS HIS FEET TO THE MAT VIOLENTLY, AS HE MAY BE LOOKING FOR A SPRINGBOARD ELBOW DROP! Kaise slowly rises to his feet, putting his palm to his forehead, AND NOVA SPRINGS FROM THE TOP ROPE!!! SPRINGBOARD STANDING ELBOW DROP!!!!
Drake: KAISE BOETIUS WITH A VERY EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!!! OH SHIT!! KAISE CONNECTS WITH A VERY EUROPEAN UPPERCUT MID-ELBOW DROP, AND NOW NOVA FLIPS AND LANDS ON THE FLAMING TABLE!!!! HOLY HELL!!!
Ring Announcer: Johnny Nova has been eliminated!
Pierre: KAISE WITH A BEAUTIFUL EUROPEAN UPPERCUT, WITH SHADES OF LANNISTER’S OWN FEUER FREI!!! NOVA IS DOWN AND ELIMINATED, AND NOW THE FIRE IS BEING REMOVED VERY QUICKLY FROM HIS BODY!! The crowd boos VICIOUSLY at Kaise, as he makes a sickening grin! Nova was a favourite to win this match, but now he’s been eliminated! It’s now come down to the final TWO men, Kaise Boetius and Prince of Phenomenal!! I cannot wait, but Kaise can’t wait either! He walks through the ropes, and looks at POP, who is still attempting to get to his feet! He drags him to the turnbuckle, AND NOW HE SLAMS PRINCE OF PHENOMENAL’S HEAD INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! AGAIN, AND AGAIN! OUCH!!! He now picks up POP, AND LOOKS TO BODYSLAM HIM INTO THE TURNBUCKLE! POP ESCAPES! He lands on his feet behind Kaise, as he turns around – JUMPING KNEE STRIKE TO THE JAW OF BOETIUS! JEEZ, THAT LOOKED LIKE IT HURT!
Drake: You could hear that even from my home, Japan! Kaise has been momentarily dazed, AND NOW POP TAKES ADVANTAGE BY SENDING HIM FLYING OVER THE ROPES! Kaise lands near the ring post, as now POP steps out to the outside, looking to send Kaise through a flaming table nearby – KAISE GRABBING A HANDFUL OF HAIR AND SLAMMING POP’S FACE INTO THE RING POST! ABSOLUTELY BRUTAL!! Now POP is the one who is stunned, as he gets ever so close to the flaming table….HERE COMES KAISE!!!! FLYING DOUBLE KNEES!!! DESCENT FROM HEAVEN!!!!
Pierre: SUPERKICK!!! PRINCE OF PHENOMENAL WITH A SUPERKICK STOPPING KAISE IN HIS TRACKS!!! A POINT-BLANK SUPERKICK CONNECTS, AND NOW POP PUTS KAISE BETWEEN HIS LEGS! OH DEAR!!! HE’S GOING TO DO IT ON THE FLAMING TABLE!!!! AHHHH!!!!! CROWN OF THORNS INTO THE FLAMING TABLE!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(“Crown of Thorns” by Rakaa feat. Aloe Blacc erupts in the arena to MASSIVE cheers from the crowd, as POP rolls back into the ring, exhausted, as the referee raises his hand. Kaise lies on the outside, as fire extinguishers are being used to extinguish the flames.)
Ring Announcer: AND HERE IS YOUR WINNER, AND NEEEEEEWWWW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER FOR THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPIOOONSHIPPP……PRINCE! OF! PHEEEENOOOOMENAALLL!!!!
Drake: HE DID IT! HE DID IT! PRINCE OF PHENOMENAL HAS WON AND IS NOW THE NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NATIONAL ELITE TITLE!!! HE IS GOING TO FACE STARK FOR HIS TITLE!!! While he may not have been a lot of people’s pick to win, POP proved all the doubters wrong and has now returned back to the old status he once has, all those years ago!
Pierre: Great job POP, but WOW! What a match this was! All these five men, vying for a shot to win, and it just so happened to be POP who stood tall when the dust settled. Lucas, Nova, Michaels; everyone performed to the best of their abilities, and not one of them should be disapproving their performance here tonight! Great job to everyone in this brutal and fiery match that we all new it was gonna be good, but not THIS good.
(The camera focuses on POP standing at the edge of the ramp, raising his arms in the air, as we see that Kaise is being pulled to the back via a stretcher. The camera then fades elsewhere….)
(The camera transitions backstage to a concerned Damien Murrow on the phone with someone while sitting at the desk in his office)
Damien: Look, I just need to know if there’s something sketchy going on. He didn’t say a lot, but it was enough to make me think something is up… I–
(Azumi Goto and Haruna Sakazaki abruptly burst into the office as a surprised Damien Murrow looks on)
Azumi: Saisen!
Damien: What?
Azumi: Watashitachi no rimēchi o onegaishimasu!
Damien: Stop speaking angry Japanese at me! Calm down!
Azumi: REMATCH! WE WANT OUR REMATCH!
Damien: Ugh! Look, I’ll call you back!
(An angry Murrow hangs up the phone and slams it down on the table)
Damien: What do you want?!
Azumi: Do you not speak English either? Give us our rematch for the Tag Team Championships!
Damien: What makes you think you deserve a rematch–
Azumi: Last we checked, the score is 1-1! We beat The High Rollerz, and they got us tonight! Let us settle it!
Damien: I can’t… I-Look… Whether you like it or not, here’s how things go around here… Now I don’t know how they do things on Empire, but over here, we go by this saying: “Lose your Title match, and you go to the back of the line”.
Azumi: Kuso yarō!
Damien: Alright, alright! Calm down, damn it! Look, I don’t have time for this! I’ve got bigger things to worry about, so you know what? I won’t give you a rematch, but you can earn one. In fact, you and EVERYONE else will have the chance to earn one, because in case you haven’t heard yet, we have a thing called the EAW Tag Team Grand Prix. You know what that is?
(Azumi and Haruna nod)
Damien: Good. Congratulations, you’re the first team to officially enter it. You beat every other team and win it at Road To Redemption, and you’ll get your precious rematch, whether The High Rollerz are still the Champions by then or not. Sound good?
(Azumi and Haruna look at one another and nod in agreement before looking back at Murrow)
Haruna: The Grand Prix is our’s. Tell The High Rollerz to not lose their Titles. We are the only ones dethroning them.
Damien: Good, everyone happy? Yes? Please go.
(Azumi and Haruna walk out as a disheveled Murrow sighs and slumps back down in his chair, trying to think)
(The camera transitions back to Drake Jaeger and Pierre McGuire at the Showdown Announce Table)
Pierre: Wow, huge news! There you have it, the EAW Tag Team Grand Prix will be coming back for the third year in a row, and it looks like Haruna Sakazaki and Azumi Goto will be the first team to enter it!
Drake: And they’re gonna win it too! I have to support my fellow Japs!
Pierre: Drake, seriously, you’re not–
Drake: And if they DON’T win, I will commit seppuku on the spot! No hesitation! They’re comin for the gold! Can’t wait!
Pierre: Right…
Ring Announcer: The following contest is set for ONE FALL!! And it is for the EAW NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!
(“Failure” By Breaking Benjamin plays throughout the arena as Nobi makes his entrance to loud cheers of support from the audience)
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, the challenger! From Indonesia! Weighing in at 228 Pounds!!!! “THE INDONESIAN MAT MAGICIANN” NOOOBBIIIIIIIIIIIIII….!!!
Pierre: Nobi has a chance to finally not let an opportunity slide past him tonight and walk out of here National Elite Champion!
Drake: Or he could crash and burn and we never hear from him again cause he cracks under pressure, that could happen ya’know.
(“Bloodstream” By Ed Sheeran plays as Stark makes his entrance donning all red attire and he zips down his red leather jacket to reveal the National Elite Championship around his waist to a loud ovation)
Ring Announcer: Introducing his opponent… From New York City! Weighing in at 210 Pounds!!! HEEEE ISSS THE CURRENTTT REIGNING E! A! W! NAATIONAALLLLL ELITTTTEEEEEE CHAAMPIONNNN….!!!! “THE PSYCHEDELICCCCC SAAMURAIIIII…… STAARKKKKK…!!!
Pierre: Current champion Stark made it clear on Showdown that the hunger is still there it’s going to take everything from Nobi to take that championship from him!
Drake: He’s only won one match since winning the title, and he beat Lucas Johnson, anyone can beat him, hell I coul-
Pierre: We don’t have time, the match is about to begin!
(The referee takes the National Elite Championship and holds it high in the air for display before handing it to the timekeeper and signaling for the bell)
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Pierre: AND we are underway with this championship match as Nobi and Stark meet for a collar and elbow tie up, Stark quickly gaining control as he applies a side headlock on Nobi… Stark now wrenching on that side headlock… Nobi backing himself into the ropes using his momentum to send Stark off him… Stark into the ropes.. Nobi drops down as Stark hurdles over him.. Stark coming off the ropes again.. Nobi up quickly….HIP TOSS!! Stark slammed hard but up quickly as Nobi meets him quickly for an Irish-whip into the ropes! Stark with a reverse whip sending Nobi into the ropes.. Nobi comes… AND IS MET WITH A SICKENING KNEE STRIKE RIGHT TO THE MID-SECTION!! Nobi backing into the nearest corner… STARK RUNS… KNEE STRIKE TO THE RIBS!! Nobi drops down.. Stark grabbing him up back to his feet… AND FIRES A OPEN HANDED CHOP TO THE CHEST OF NOBI!! AND HE FIRES ANOTHER OPEN HANDED CHOP!! And he follows it up with a HARD forearm smash into the face of Nobi… Stark snapmares Nobi out of the corner… Nobi in a sitting up position as Stark runs off the ropes…. SHINING WIZARD!!!!
Drake: NOBI COUNTERS!! HE CATCHES THE LEG AND TURNS IT INTO A SINGLE LEG BOSTON CRAB!!! Nobi working over that leg of Stark… Nobi sitting back applying all the pressure he can to that leg as Stark is trying to inch himself to the ropes… Stark clawing…. CLAWING!!! NOBI REALIZES THIS AND KEEPS STARK’S LEG TRAPPED WITH HIS LEG… AND APPLIES A STF!! STF SUBMISSION APPLIED!! Nobi adjusting to a submission move that not only hurts your legs, but your neck, your back! Stark is trying to inch himself to the rope but he’s carrying the body weight of Nobi on top of him as well which isn’t doing him much favors!! Stark still fighting… inching… closer….. STARK GRASP THE ROPES BREAKING THE STF SUBMISSION!!! Nobi is forced to release the hold.. Stark feeling the effects of that as he uses the ropes to pull himself up to his feet.. Nobi is waiting for him as he turns.. EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!! Stark knocked into the ropes… Nobi with a DISCUS PUNCH!!!!! STARK TURNS IT INTO A CROSSARM BREAKER!!!! HE DROPS NOBI TO THE CANVAS AND HAS THE CROSSARM BREAKER APPLIED!!! NOBI SHOUTING OUT IN PAIN AS STARK CONTINUES TO TUG AND PULL AT THAT ARM!!! NOBI IS FAR AWAY FROM THE ROPES!!! HE’S TRYING HIS BEST TO GET TO THEM THOUGH BUT STARK IS FULLY INTENT ON BREAKING HIS ARM TO KEEP HIS CHAMPIONSHIP!!
Pierre: Nobi rises himself up…. Stark STILL has the submission applied but Nobi has himself up to a vertical base….. NOBI BEGINS TO STOMP ON THE FACE OF STARK!! NOBI STOMPING REPEATEDLY FORCING STARK TO BREAK THE HOLD!! Nobi holding his left arm in pain… trying to knock feeling into it… Stark rising to his feet… runs at Nobi… NOBI CATCHES HIM…. EXPLODER SUPLEX INTO THE CORNER!!! Stark in a heap in the corner as Nobi goes to the opposite corner… Stark rising up slowly to his feet… NOBI RUNS… RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT CONNECTING!!!! STARK ROCKED.. NOBI BACKS UP AND RUNS AGAIN…. ANOTHER SICKENING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!! Nobi grasp Stark by the arm….AND HE HOOKS HIM FOR A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!! HE BRIDGES FOR THE PIN!!
Ref: ONNNEEEEE……TWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO……KICKOUTTTT!!!
Drake: Stark showing he’s still alive in this match.. Stark using Nobi to pull himself up… Nobi.. QUICKLY TRIES TO WRESTLE HIM DOWN FOR THE CRIPPLER CROSSFACE!!! STARK FIGHTING IT BUT NOBI IS DETERMINED TO APPLY THE CROSSFACE!!! STARK FIRES HIS ELBOW TO THE FACE OF NOBI!! Nobi releasing.. Stark ELBOW SMASH!! CHOP!! ELBOW SMASH!! CHOP!! Nobi swings BACK WITH A FOREARM!! Stark RESPONDING WITH MULTIPLE FOREARM SMASHES!! Stark has Nobi in the clinch…. MUAY THAI KNEES BEING DELIVERED RIGHT TO THE FACE OF NOBI!!! Stark breaks the clinch.. AND RUNS WITH A SLING BLADE DROPPING NOBI TO THE CANVAS!! Nobi making his way to the corner.. RUNNING SINGLE LEG DROPKICK INTO THE CORNER BY STARK!!! Nobi dazed but comes out of the corner SPINNING WHEEL KICK DELIVERED RIGHT TO THE FACE OF NOBI!!! STARK HOOKING THE LEG!!
Ref: ONNEEEE…..TWOOOOO……KICKOUTTTT!!!
Pierre: Stark grabbing Nobi up to his feet….. SWITCHES TO A WAIST LOCK!! Looking to go German suplex….. Nobi blocks…. Nobi instead switches over for a waistlock of his own… Nobi GOES FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX… Stark is flipped over but lands on his feet… ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL OF NOBI!!! JESUS!!! THE IMPACT KNOCKS NOBI OUT OF THE RING!!!! The referee begins his count… Stark instead making his way to the outside to drag Nobi in the ring… The referee’s count restarts.. Stark lifting the deadweight of Nobi up… trying to get him inside the ring… AS HE TRIES TO SEND NOBI INSIDE THE RING… NOBI GRABS STARK AND SENDS HIM RIBS FIRST CRASHING INTO THE APRON!!!! Stark holding his ribs… Nobi quickly hooking Stark.. Front facelock… FRONT SUPLEXES HIM AS HE CRASHES RIBS FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE!!! NOBI ROLLS HIMSELF IN THE RING STOPPING THE REF’S COUNT BEFORE MAKING HIS WAY BACK TO THE OUTSIDE!! Stark drapes off the barricade as Nobi slides him back inside the ring as he follows suit..
Drake: Stark is up but holding his ribs… Nobi makes his way over to him.. STARK FIRES A HEADBUTT TO THE NOSE OF NOBI!! OUT OF NOWHERE!! THAT WAS SICK!! NOBI IS BUSTED OPEN FROM THE NOSE!! THAT SEEMS TO HAVE PISSED NOBI OFF AS HE DOUBLE UNDERHOOKS THE ARMS OF STARK… AND BEGINS FIRING RELENTLESS HEADBUTTS!! REPEATED HEADBUTT’S RIGHT TO THE SKULL OF STARK!!! NOBI IS GOING INSANE HERE!!! Stark is busted open from the skull… Nobi lifts him in a Fireman’s carry…. FIREMAN’S CARRY DOUBLE KNEE GUTBUSTER!!!!! STARK GETS DRILLED WITH THE DOUBLE KNEES TO THE ALREADY TARGETED MID-SECTION!!! Stark is up on his feet… Nobi is bleeding profusely from his nose but it seems to be firing him up… NOBI LOCKING HIS ARMS AROUND THE WAIST OF STARK WHO WAS ON ALL FLOORS… HE’S DEADLIFTING HIM…. DEADLIFT….. GERMAN…. SUPLEX!!!! DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX!! HE DROPS STARK RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HIS NECK!!!! AND HE BRIDGES WITH THE SUPLEX!!!
Ref: ONNNEEEEEEEEEE……..TWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…….THRRRRRR—KICKOUTTTT…!!!
Pierre: Nobi isn’t wasting anytime, he realizes he could be closing in on the biggest win of his career… he grabs Stark up and lifts him placing him on the top turnbuckle… HE’S LOOKING TO GO SUPERPLEX!!!! STARK…. COUNTERS AND HOOKS NOBI HIMSELF… SITOUT INVERTED SUPLEX SLAM FROM THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!! HE PLANTS NOBI FACE FIRST FROM THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!!! Stark is stirring… Nobi is down and out…… Stark… inching himself to Nobi… Stark trying his hardest to get over there but the punishment he’s received has done him no favors…. Stark is almost there… AND HE LOOKS TO DROP THE ARM FOR THE COVER….NOBI SHOOTS HIMSELF UP…. GRABBING THE ARM AS STARK WAS GOING TO DROP IT FOR THE COVER… AND HE LOCKS IN THE CRIPPLER CROSSFACE!! CROSSFACE APPLIED!!! NOBI PULLING BACK ON THE NECK!! HE’S WILLING TO SNAP STARK’S NECK TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!! NOBI WITH BLOOD POURING OUT OF HIS NOSE!!! STARK WITH BLOOD POURING OUT OF HIS HEAD!! THIS IS QUITE THE SIGHT AS THE FANS ARE ON THEIR FEET HERE IN DALLAS TEXAS!!! NOBI PULLING BACK WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS!!!! STARK STRUGGLING… HE’S IN PANIC MODE TRYING TO GET HIMSELF TO THE ROPES TO SAVE HIS CHAMPIONSHIP!!
Drake: LOOK AT THE EYES OF NOBI!! THE INTENSITY… EVERYTHING HE’S WORKED FOR COMES DOWN TO THIS IF HE CAN JUST GET STARK TO TAP OU— STARK PASSES OUT!!! STARK IS OUT!!! HE’S OUT FROM THE PAIN!! NOBI CONTINUING TO APPLY THE PRESSURE…… THE REFEREE RAISES THE ARM OF STARK!!!! IT DROPS!!!! THE REFEREE RAISES IT A SECOND TIME!!! THE ARM DROPS!!!!… NOBI IS CLOSING IN ON THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPIONSHIP!! THE REFEREE RAISES IT A THIRD…………. IT DROPS!!! NO!! STARK SHOWS SIGNS OF LIFE!!!! STARK SHOWING HE’S STILL ALIVE AS HE BEGINS TO PUSH HIMSELF TO THE ROPES.. HE’S PUSHING HIMSELF WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS TO GET TO THE ROPES…. AND HE GRABS THEM!!! HE GRABS THE ROPES!!! NOBI HAS TO RELEASE THE HOLD!!
Ref: ONEE!! TWOO!!! THREE!! FOURR!!!
Pierre: Nobi holding the hold till the count of five! Smart decision but you can see the frustration on the face of Nobi… Nobi waiting for Stark to rise up to his feet…. Stark using the ropes to pull himself up…. Stark… TURNS… NOBI WITH A ROLLING ELBOW…. STARK DUCKS… PELE KICK!!!!! HE KNOCKS NOBI INTO THE ROP- NOBI REBOUNDS FOR THE REBOUND LARIAT!!!!! STARK MEETS HIM BEFORE HE CAN DELIVER THE LARIAT WITH A SUPERKICK!!!!! AND HE LIFTS NOBI ON HIS SHOULDERS… FIREMAN’S CARRY PENALTY KICK!!!!!! NOBI DROPPED TO THE CANVAS HARD!!!! Stark HOOKING THE LEG!!!
Ref: ONNEEEEE…..TWOOOOOOOO……..KICKOUTTT!!!!!!!
Drake: HOW!!!?!?!? NOBI STILL IN THIS!!! STARK CAN’T BELIEVE IT… HE’S WAITING FOR NOBI TO RISE TO HIS FEET… STARK IS INTENT ON ENDING THIS… EGO DEATH!!! RUNNING KNEE TO THE HEAD….NOBI…. HE.. HE JUST SHOT UP WITH A UPPERCUT TO THE JAW OF STARK!!!!….. NOBI DROPS TO A KNEE…. HE’S SPENT… STARK GATHERS HIMSELF AND CONNECTS WITH THE EGO DEATH!!!! THAT WAS ALL NOBI HAD LEFT!! STARK HOOKING THE LEG!!!!!
Ref: ONNNNEEEEEE….TWOOOOO…..THRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE..!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(“Bloodstream” By Ed Sheeran hits as both Stark and Nobi lay winded on the canvas as the referee raises the hand of Stark and hands him the National Elite Championship while helping him up)
Ring Announcer: ANDDD HEREE IS YOUR WINNNERRR…. AND STILLLL NAAATIONAALLL ELITEEEEE CHAMPIONNN!!! STAAARKKKKKKKK…!!!
Pierre: What a contest! What a Hell of a back and forth contest between these two young men! They laid it all on the line for that National Elite Championship!
Drake: And just like I’ve said all these weeks before, Nobi couldn’t get the job done! Just like at Pain For Pride! I hate to say I told you so, but… Well, actually I LOVE to say I told you so, so I told you so!
Pierre: Win or lose tonight, Nobi gave one heck of a performance! He wanted to walk out of here as the new National Elite Champion no matter what!
(A disappointed Nobi rolls to the outside, realizing his lost while Stark is handed his National Elite Championship by the Referee)
Drake: I don’t know what you expected, Pierre! If I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again! He’s just not good enough! I don’t care how much of a nice guy he is! He failed Lioncross, and he failed himself!
Pierre: Well that’s just your opinion, but to me, Nobi came incredibly close to pulling that off, and I have no doubt we’ll see him back in the Title picture again.
(Nobi makes his way up the ramp, taking off his wrist tape as the Dallas crowd cheers him on while a still damaged Stark celebrates in the ring)
(Territorial Invasion Ad)
( We get a wide shot of the arena, with ominous mood lighting showing focus on the Fire & Steel Cage hanging above the ring. The Ring Announcer stands at the center of the ring. )
( DING! DING! DING! )
Ring Announcer: The following is a FIRE & STEEL MATCH scheduled for ONE FALL!!! In this match the tops of each wall of chain link steel will be set on fire, and there is NO door to escape. The only way to win this bout is by pinfall or submission…
( “Shock The World” by Lloyd Banks hits as CM Banks walks out to a deafening ovation. He dons a shirt that reads “GOAT Since Day One” with Big Baller Band logo slapped onto the short sleeve. He has the BBB logo as well on his ring trunks, he holds up his taped up fists, and he embraces the crowd reception on the stage before making his way to the ring. )
Ring Announcer: INTRODUCING FIRST… FROM NEW JERSEY, WEIGHING TONIGHT AT 220 POUNDS… CCCCCCCC!!!! MMMMMMMMMM!!!! BAAAAAAANNNKKKSSSSSS!!!!!!
Pierre: AN INCREDIBLE RECEPTION FROM THIS PACKED OUT HIS DALLAS FOR THE MAN THAT STARTED IT ALL! CM Banks fought and scratched to establish this empire we all exist in today, and he’s had to fight and scratch just to even compete here tonight!
Drake: If you were to ask Murrow if this match should happen, he’d give you a hell no! Banks did everything shy of beg for this to happen, but I hope this old coot knows he’s risking Showdown’s PRIDE tonight! It’s one thing to lose to an up and comer when you’re a wrestling legend, but to lose to Dynasty trash on Showdown turf?! Unforgivable! I’d have to kill him myself if that were to happen!
Pierre: Bold words from somebody who was just on Dynasty…
( “I am Electric” by Heaven’s Basement hits as Nasir Moore makes his entrance wearing his usual ring gear, except this time he wears a face of determination and cracks his knuckles before heading down the ramp. )
Ring Announcer: And his opponent… coming down the aisle, from Newark, New Jersey weighing 212 POUNDS…. NASSSIRRRRRRR MOOOOOORRREEEEEEEEE!!!!
Pierre: Nasir Moore is earning the respect of the EAW Universe at an increasing rate! This young man has proven a lot over the past year or so, he’s especially made believers out of this audience! If I owned a wrestling company, one of the first people I’d sign is Nasir! We’re talking about a guy that could lead this business for the next 10 or 15 years!
Drake: He’s great and all, but these Showdown fans are fickle for cheering him! Whatever happened to brand loyalty?
Pierre: Again, big talk coming from you.
Drake: SHUT UP!
( Nasir enters the ring, and instead of acknowledging the crowd he keeps his eyes on CM Banks as his music comes to a halt. )
( Ominous music plays, and the Fire & Steel structure lowers around the ring before hitting the apron. Suddenly – flames ignite from the top of the cage walls, and the official calls for the bell. )
( DING! DING! DING! )
Pierre: So now we’ll have Nasir Moore in participating in what is without a shadow of a doubt the test of his career, as he goes 1 on 1 LIVE on FPV against CM BANKS!!! As the two circle the ring, I don’t think Nas could have even dreamed being in this kind of match even so much as a few months ago, but when CM Banks threw down the gauntlet to the new generation he was the first to answer the call! Now the two meet in fire & steel, where there is no door, no possible escape, no possible interference of any kind! It’s do or die!!! Banks goes for a couple of swipes and a shoot kick that’s evaded by Nas, and Nas backs into the corner challenging Banks to step forward…. Banks closes in, going for another shoot kick, but Nas charges out of the corner and goes for a EUROPEAN UPPERCUT ON BANKS! AND ANOTHER! Banks is backed into the corner now, and there’s a CLOSED FIST SHOT! SEVERAL MORE FROM NASIR MOORE AS BANKS TRIES HIS BEST TO COVER UP!
Drake: This cage match is such a godawful environment – along with everything else on this godforsaken show, but getting especially this match to come together took a concerted effort against the wishes of Murrow and it’s because at any point these lunatics could kill each other – or themselves! Nas takes Banks by the head and IS TRYING TO SLAM HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE CAGE! But Banks stops that by extending the hand and grabbing on to the cage, and he hits an elbow to the side of Nas’ head! Now Banks hits a shoot kick to the ribs! And does for a SWINGING ROUNDHOUSE KICK NOW! Nas ducks that, and Banks follows up with a ROLLING ELBOW! NAS INTERCEPTS THE ARM AND COUNTERS, LOOKING FOR THE CRUCIFIX BACKSLIDE!!! But Banks desperately tries to use his weight against Nas, forcing Nas to turn around and go for the TIGER SUPLEX INSTEAD! HE MUSCLES BANKS UP FROM THE GROUND, BUT BANKS COUNTERS WITH A FRONT ROLL BODY SCISSORS PIN!
Ref: OOOOOOOOOOONE!!! TWO-
Pierre: Nasir with the kick out! The two opponents scramble to their feet – but IT LOOKS LIKE CM BANKS IS TOO QUICK TO THE DRAW! HE CATCHES NAS OFF GUARD WITH A JUMPING KNEE TO THE JAW! THAT CRACKS HIM RIGHT IN THE MOUTH, AND NAS LOSES ALL EQUILIBRIUM! Banks grabs Nas by the shoulder and takes him across the ring… JUST TO DRIVE HIM THROUGH THE ROPES AND SEND HIM HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL CAGE! Nas collapses to a seated base holding his jaw, trying to pop it back into place as a stream of blood starts to spill out of his mouth! Banks is getting his groove back, shadow boxing and bopping in place, and giving a smile and wave to the crowd! Nasir uses the ropes to pull himself up, but Banks assists him back to his feet – only to hit a NASTY KNIFE EDGE CHOP! AND FOLLOWS UP WITH ANOTHER! Banks takes a step back, SPIN KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! But Nas catches it, and shoots a frightening look of rage up at his opponent before hitting a NASTY QUADRICEPS KICK! TENDON TEARING KICK! That’s got Banks clutching his leg, and Nas does a roll up from behind, but rushes to his feet while Banks is stacked on his shoulders to hit ANOTHER QUADRICEPS KICK TO THE RIGHT LEG! He plants Banks’ leg on the mat, and hits a BRUTAL STOMP TO THAT SAME QUAD! Banks rolls around holding his right knee in pain, and Nas drags Banks in front of him and drops over him for the cover!
Ref: OOOOOOOOOOOONE!!!
Drake: Not even a two! Banks rushes out of that pin and scrambles up to his feet albeit limping a little… so this time Nas comes up quick to the draw and catches him with a RUNNING FOREARM SMASH! That takes Banks down, Banks quickly recovers, ANOTHER LEAPING FOREARM SMASH! Banks recovers somewhat slower this go around, and Nas irish whips Banks into the corner – but Banks reverses the whip and SENDS NAS INTO THE CORNER WITH ALL HE’S GOT! Nas hit that turnbuckle hard! He stumbles out of the corner, just to be swept to his legs and dragged in front of the cage wall… BANKS WITH THE SLINGSHOT INTO THE CAGE!!! BUT NAS CATCHES HIMSELF ON THE WALL OF THE CAGE, STANDING ON THE ROPES WHILE AN UNSUSPECTING BANKS IS BUSY SHAKING FEELING BACK INTO HIS RIGHT QUAD. BANKS TURNS AROUND, ELEVATED MOONSAULT OFF THE ROPES!!!! HE TAKES BANKS DOWN WITH THAT BIG MOVE!!!! THERE’S A COVER!
Ref: OOOOOOOOOOOONE!!! TWOOOOOOOOO….
Pierre: BANKS POWERS THE SHOULDER UP! Both CM Banks and Nasir Moore are trying to get their wits about them after that timely counter and big dive from Nasir! Banks is definitely not anywhere close to recovering from that so far, but Nas is scrambling for a vertical base… Nas crawls across the ring and gets to a standing base before leaning across the turnbuckle.. and he SPOTS BANKS USING THE TURNBUCKLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING TO GET SOME LEVERAGE! I THINK EVERYONE’S STARTED TO PIECE TWO AND TWO TOGETHER AND CAN SEE WHAT NAS IS ABOUT TO GO FOR, BUT BANKS HAS NO CLUE!
( Banks, while leaning over the turnbuckle, digs his fingers in a slit he finds in the top turnbuckle pad before ripping it open and pulling it apart. )
Pierre: NAS IS CHARGING UP EVERY OUNCE OF ENERGY HE HAS, PSYCHING HIMSELF UP BEFORE SPRINTING ACROSS THE RING!!! ETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Drake: NOBODY HOME! BANKS MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! Nas’ leg is hung up on the top rope, and BANKS RUSHES NAS WITH A BLISTERING ASSAULT OF ELBOWS TO THE HEAD! Now he turns Nas around to have his back turned to the turnbuckle before mounting over young Nasir Moore, and he HAMMERS AWAY AT THE TEMPLE WITH ELBOW SHOTS! ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN SHOTS TO THE SKULL WITH THOSE ELBOWS WHILE NAS CAN BARELY COVER UP! Nas desperately shoves him off of him, but Banks lands in the ring on his feet … but he may have tweaked that right knee! That already weakened leg might be in even worse shape, as Banks drops to a knee clutching down at the right leg! The official checks on Banks, and even Nasir comes out of the corner thinking he can capitalize… BUT BANKS HITS A JUMPING UPPERCUT! HE CAUGHT NAS OFF GUARD THERE! Nas staggers back to the corner, perhaps after being fooled by a possum playing CM Banks, and Banks comes rushing back at Nasir with a RUNNING LEFT KNEE TO THE RIBS OF NAS! Nasir drops to his knees holding his midsection, completely racked with pain! Nas is being put through what may be an insurmountable test, and Banks meanwhile targets that top turnbuckle padding, completely ripping it off much to the chagrin of the official! Banks has exposed that metal turnbuckle, and now he’s pulling Nasir back up before slinging him over a shoulder and DROPPING HIM RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES, STRAIGHT INTO THE METAL TURNBUCKLE!!!! NAS STUMBLES BACK COMPLLLLLLLETELY OUT OF IT, AND BANKS NAILS HIM WITH THE ROUNDHOUSE TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! THERE’S A COVER NOW!
Ref: OOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! THRRR…
Pierre: NAS SURVIVES! NAS WITH THE SHOULDER UP AT THE LAST SECOND! That could have, and should have very well ended the match, but Nas is elevating his game to unbelievable heights this evening! And he needs to! CM Banks is showing that he can get into about as nasty as a scrap as ever even at this point in his career where he’s already done it all! Banks looks back at Nas now with a look of malice that we haven’t seen from him in many years, that’s a look that says “you shouldn’t have done that”! Banks sits up and lowers his knee pad…. and Banks hovers over Nasir to hit a DEADLY KNEE STRIKE TO THE RIBS! Nas drops to his chest, but pushes himself back up to all fours, and ANOTHER CRUSHING KNEE STRIKE! BANKS FOLLOWS UP WITH ANOTHER! AND A FOURTH! AND ONE MORE! Now Banks pulls Nas up from the mat, and RUNS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE EXPOSED STEEL TURNBUCKLE AGA– NAS STOPS THE IMPACT WITH A BOOT! Now Nas strikes back with a side elbow to the THROAT OF BANKS! HE CAUGHT HIM GOOD! Nas collapses back on the turnbuckle with a far away look in his eye… and BANKS RUSHES BACK AT NAS WITH A VINTAGE RUNNING KNEE TO HIS CORNERED OPPONENT!!! NOBODY HOME!!! NAS JUMPS OUT OF THE WAY AND BANKS BANGS THE EXPOSED KNEE INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE, EVOKING A YELL FROM THE HALL OF FAMER!
Drake: DAMN IT! THAT GIVES NAS THE EDGE! DYNASTY CANNOT HAVE THIS VICTORY, NOT ON OUR TURF!
Pierre: NAS RUSHES UP TO BANKS FROM BEHIND AND HOISTS HIM UP FROM THE SECOND ROPE……. AND HITS THE PULSE BOMB!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOODNESS THE BACK OF BANKS’ SKULL BOUNCES OFF THE MAT AFTER THE BLUE THUNDER BOMB, AND NASIR HOLDS IN THE PIN!!!!
Ref: OOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Drake: KICK OUT FROM BANKS!!!
Pierre: Man oh man! Nas just hit Banks with what could have been his best shot, and Banks was able to push forward! Nasir may be Dynasty scum by association, but the fact that he’s holding his own with one of the greatest wrestlers and most influential icons to ever live speaks VOLUMES about Nas!
Drake: Nas isn’t going to settle for just “hanging with” Banks, he wants to WIN! In a way I admire it, but how’s he gonna do it?
Pierre: Nasir finally gets up to both two following that incredible move, and he drags Banks up from behind with a hook of both arms… GOING FOR THE DEADLIFT TIGER SUPLEX!!!! BUT BANKS IS FIGHTING IT, REFUSING TO BE TAKEN OVER EVEN AFTER ALL HE’S ALREADY BEEN THROUGH! And Nas is forced to release! Nas however quickly turns around and goes for a CLOTHESLINE! BANKS INTERCEPTS THE ARM AND COUNTERS WITH THE ARM-TRAP SITOUT NECKBREAKER! NO, NAS DUCKS DOWN AND HITS THE CROUCHING LEG SWEEP FROM BEHIND! THAT TAKES BANKS TO HIS BACK, AND NAS FOLLOWS UP WITH THE STANDING SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!!
Drake: RIGHT INTO THE KNEES!!! NAS LANDS GUT FIRST INTO THE LIFTED KNEES OF CM BANKS! Banks drags himself up quickly despite his right leg sacrificing some of his recovery speed, and he hooks a doubled over Nasir Moore in for a BUTTERFLY SUPLEX INTO A BACKBREAKER OVER THE LEFT KNEE!!! That leaves Nas sitting up holding his back, and BANKS CHARGES ACROSS THE RING WITH A LIMP RIGHT LEFT, BUT REBOUNDING OFF THE ROPES WITH A RUNNING SHINING WIZARD!!!!! LEFT BOOT SMACKS AGAINST THE FACE OF NAS!!! BANKS MAY HAVE DUMPED OUT EVERYTHING HE HAD INTO THAT ATTACK, AND HE HOOKS THE LEGS!!!
Ref: OOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Pierre: NASIR PERSEVERES! ANOTHER KICK OUT! Even Banks is reaching a point where he’s not sure what it’s going to take to keep this young man down!
Drake: Oh cut the bullshit Pierre! Do you not know Banks’ moveset or something!? Sure, Banks has dished out some unbelievable punishment in this match thus far, but there’s obviously a few tools left in the tank! I’ll admit though, Nasir is putting on a hell of a fight here in Dallas! CM Banks drags Nas back up just to CHARGE ACROSS THE RING AND SEND HIM FLYING OVER THE ROPES TO HIT THE CAGE WALL FACE FIRST!!!!! NOW BANKS TAKES NAS BY THE HEAD AGAIN, CHARGES TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING AND SENDS NAS INTO THE CAGE AGAIN! NASIR’S FACE SMACKED AGAINST THE CAGE, RATTLING THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE! Nas backpedals, almost about to fall, but Banks takes him down with the double leg only to hook both legs and SLINGSHOT NAS OVER THE ROPES TO SMACK FACE FIRST, ONCE AGAIN, INTO THE CAGE – AND COLLAPSE TO THE APRON! CM Banks sits up nodding his head at the positioning of his opponent, and he sits and watches as Nas takes his time pulling himself up from the apron after colliding with the cage so many times… and oh, look at that face! Half of it is drenched in blood! Too many encounters with the cage seems to have ripped open that forehead of his! AND JUST AS NAS PULLS HIMSELF TO HIS FEET, BANKS CHARGES AT HIM WITH THE RUNNING STEP-UP KNEE TO THE SKULL, SENDING NAS’ HEAD BOUNCING OFF THE CAGE JUST AS BANKS’ KNEE POUNDS INTO HIS HEAD!
Pierre: That could have caused a concussion! But we wouldn’t know, because Banks is holding Nas by his head and ducks down to hit a SHOULDER THRUST THROUGH THE ROPES, DRIVING HIS SHOULDER BLADE INTO THE RIBS! God Nas is just being picked apart! Banks straightens up Nas by his head and hits a closed fist into the skull right where Nas is cut! Banks pulls Nas up by the head, and gets in his face – NAS FIRES BACK WITH A SLAP!!!!! HE SLAPPED THE TASTE OUT OF BANKS’ MOUTH! AND BANKS FIRES BACK WITH A RIGHT HAND, BLOCKED BY NAS, AND NAS HITS A RIGHT OF HIS OWN! Banks fires back again, ANOTHER BLOCK BY NAS, AND NAS HITS A FACEBUSTER INTO THE TOP ROPE! That stun gun temporarily stuns Banks, and Nas pulls himself up to the second rope before HOISTING BANKS FROM BEHIND…. AND HITTING A DEADLIFT TIGER SUPLEX, FROM THE APRON, DRIVING THE BACK OF BANKS’ HEAD INTO THE CAGE WALL! AND BANKS COLLAPSES FROM THAT ELEVATED HEIGHT BACK DOWN TO THE RING! Now it’s Nas who’s the only man with his feet on the floor… not for long, because Nas turns to the cage and begins climbing it!!!
Drake: Where the hell does this guy think he’s going!? There’s no escape, the top of the cage is literally covered in fire!
Pierre: Hold that thought, because CM Banks is back up and is coming after Nas! Banks was able to recover pretty quickly, and the two of them are climbing up the cage, but Banks’ climb seems to be for much different reasons! He and Nas are approaching the top of the cage, and Banks hits a SHOT TO THE KIDNEYS! Nas fires back the best he can with a shot to the skull, but Banks shakes it off and climbs up higher until he and Nas are at an equal height above the ring! There’s Banks with a kick to the kidneys! Nas is showing signs that he might be losing all grip! BUT NAS FIRES BACK WITH A STOMP TO THE RIBS! That stuns Banks! Nasir Moore continues his climb… UNTIL HE’S UP, ALMOST AT FACE LEVEL WITH THE FLAMES ON THE TOP OF THE CAGE! BANKS COMES AFTER NAS, GRABBING A HOLD OF HIS TIGHTS, TRYING TO FLING HIM OFF OF THE CAGE… BUT NAS HITS A RIB CRUSHING KNEE TO THE RIBS! BANKS CATCHES THE KNEE, WHAT’S HE GONNA DO? Nas wrestles the knee away! Tense situation above the ring between CM Banks and Nasir Moore, as the two are now at face level with the flames at the top of this steel cage, in this fire & steel match! Now it’s Nas, hitting numerous headbutts onto his veteran opponent! The two of them are in the danger zone! OH MY GOODNESS!!!!
Drake: WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!
Pierre: NAS, WITH A HANDFUL OF BANKS’ HAIR, DRIVES BANKS FACE FIRST INTO THE FLAMES COVERING THE TOP OF THE CAGE!!!!! AND BANKS COLLAPSES DOWN TO THE FLOOR!!!!!!
Drake: BANKS TRIES TO LAND ON HIS FEET, BUT CAN BARELY STICK THE LANDING! HE’S HOLDING HIS FACE IN SHOCK!!!! BANKS WAS LITERALLY DRIVEN FACE FIRST INTO FIRE, AND NAS LEAPS OFF THE TOP OF THE CAGE!!!!! DIVING CORKSCREW CROSSBODY FROM NEARLY 15 FEET!!!!!!
Pierre: NOBODY HOME!!!! BANKS EVASIVELY DODGES JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME!!!! AND BANKS COLLAPSES TO THE GROUND STILL STUNNED HIMSELF, HOLDING HIS FACE IN DISBELIEF AFTER BEING DRIVEN INTO THOSE FLAMES… Nas’ back and his shoulders are hunched over in agony while Banks scrambles up from the floor after that big spill! AND NOW BANKS TAKES NASIR MOORE ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! BANG!!!!!!!!! GTR!!!!! GO TO RETIREMENT!!!! GOT IT!!!! AND BANKS COLLAPSES OVER NAS FOR THE COVER!
Ref: OOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
( DING! DING! DING! )
( “Shock The World” by Lloyd Banks hits as CM Banks sits up still holding his face in shock with one hand while having his other arm raised by the official. )
Ring Announcer: Here is your winner … C!!!!! M!!!!! BANKS!!!!!
Pierre: A GUTSY PERFORMANCE FROM NASIR MOORE, AND A HELL OF A SHOWING FOR CM BANKS! The fact that CM Banks was able to recover from having his face shoved into flames and recover quick enough to save the match, and end the match with a victory speaks volumes as to why he’s one of the greatest to ever do it!
Drake: That’s a fair point! Not many others could have responded that brilliantly – look at Banks, he’s still in shock! But the great ones find a way to make it look easy, and CM Banks thrived in an environment where the majority of other human beings would hardly be able to survive!
( The structure lifts, and Banks rolls out of the ring and is assisted by the referee up the ramp in celebration. )
Pierre: Even Banks himself is getting the hell out of there as quickly as he can. Look at the marks, cuts and bruises all over these two mens bodies! There’s no way either of them are coming out of here in better shape; even though Banks asked for this, you already know he didn’t expect this kind of onslaught! He didn’t expect anything close to this!
Drake: I don’t think I’ve ever seen CM Banks need the referee’s help to get up the ramp after winning a match. That alone should speak volumes.
(After a few minutes, Showdown’s theme, “Believer” by Imagine Dragons plays all throughout the American Airlines Center as a concerned Damien Murrow makes his way out to the stage and down towards the ring with a microphone in hand)
Drake: Woah, hold on! Looks like we’re being graced with the presence of our dear General Manager!
Pierre: Well, dear to you…
Drake: What’s that supposed to mean, Pierre? I didn’t know there’s a man who you weren’t into. What’s wrong with this one?
Pierre: Huh?
Drake: Nonetheless! Earlier today we saw DEDEDE tell Murrow he would hear about the conclusion of that evaluation stuff he was going on about a few weeks ago, and it looks like the time has come! I gotta admit, I think Murrow has seen better days.
Pierre: Yeah, he looks as though he may be fearing the worst after how ambiguous Mr. DEDEDE was about things. I’m still not so sure what he meant.
Drake: Are we really gonna waste our time trying to analyze what DEDEDE was trying to say? I fought the guy twice and literally had no clue what he was talking about at any time during it! I’m just happy he doesn’t talk like a pirate anymore.
(“Believer” fades out as Damien Murrow enters the ring, looking around at the booing crowd)
Damien: …. Alright, listen. DEDEDE, I don’t know where you are right now, but… Just hear me out. I have a feeling I know what you may have come to as far as my evaluation, and I don’t think I did myself any real justice by what I said to you earlier. Here’s my prime example…
(Damien takes a moment to look around, pointing towards the crowd and stage)
Damien: Everything you see before you tonight at this magnificent show is because of one man, and one man only: ME. That may sound like I’m just trying to make myself look big, but it’s the absolute truth! Everything I have ever done has been for the benefit of Showdown, and because of everything I’ve done, this brand has flourished more than ever! Nobody can touch it! Not Dynasty, not Voltage, not Empire! I’ve led this brand to the promise land during the entirety of my time as its General Manager, and you simply cannot take that away from me, no matter what you may think about me.
(The crowd’s booing grows louder)
Damien: Yeah, you can hate me all you want, but you know it’s the truth! You know that this brand rose to its pinnacle with me in charge! No other General Manager can boast this! In the last year, what all has Showdown won? King of Elite! The Grand Rampage! Cash In The Vault! The Openweight Championship! The 24/7 Battle Royal! When it all comes down to it, that has NOTHING to do with those who achieved those accolades! It was because of my leadership! I molded them all into stars, and that’s what they became! You can call me a bad person if you want, and maybe I am, but I know that there is nobody more fit to do this!
Crowd: FIRE MURROW! *CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP* FIRE MURROW!
(An infuriated Murrow looks around at the chanting crowd)
Damien: NOBODY IS MORE FIT TO DO THIS, I SAID! NOBODY–
(“Paint It Black” by Ramin Djawadi plays all throughout the American Airlines Center as the crowd erupts with deafening cheers)
Pierre: WHAT?!
Drake: I think I’m gonna be sick…
(Brian Daniels makes his way out to the stage, dressed in street clothes with his hair cut as the crowd’s cheers grow louder)
Pierre: I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! BRIAN DANIELS IS HERE! HE’S HERE TONIGHT AT DIA DEL DIABLO, AND HE HE’S MAKING HIS WAY STRAIGHT TOWARDS A STUNNED DAMIEN MURROW!
Drake: Seriously, can someone get me like a trashcan or something out here?
Pierre: WE HAVEN’T SEEN DANIELS SINCE PAIN FOR PRIDE WHERE BOTH HE AND ROBBIE V WRESTLED THEIR FINAL MATCHES, BUT HE LOOKS BETTER THAN EVER TONIGHT!
Drake: Okay, NO! No! It’s bad enough I have to listen to you cream your panties over every other dude that comes out here, but I refuse to listen to you praise this guy!
(“Paint It Black” fades out as a smiling Brian Daniels enters the ring, staring down with Damien Murrow)
Pierre: You can practically feel the hostility between these two men!
Drake: The music’s over, Pierre, you can stop yelling in my ear. I don’t know what the Hell this guy thinks he’s doing out here, but it would be fantastic if he would turn around, walk out the same way he went in, and right into the middle of the nearest freeway until a diesel shows up.
(Damien Murrow asks for a second microphone before Daniels rips the microphone in his hand away from him)
Drake: Rude! He’s got no manners!
(Damien Murrow tries to say something to Daniels as Daniels looks at him with a look of confusion)
Brian: Oh… Was this one your’s? Huh? What’s that? Are you trying to say something? I can’t hear you…
(Brian briefly puts the microphone towards the mouth of Murrow before taking it away. Damien Murrow asks for a microphone)
Brian: Sorry, Damien, I just really wanted to use this one.
(Murrow is handed a second microphone as he turns back towards Brian, only for Brian to slap the other microphone out of his hand)
Brian: Whoops, my bad! You know what, it’s alright. I think we all get the jist of what you were saying. You… Made Showdown a success, right? That’s pretty much all of it in a nutshell?
Damien (no mic): That’s not all–
Brian: You can go ahead and shut the Hell up, if you’d like.
(The crowd cheers as Damien Murrow grows visibly annoyed)
Damien (no mic): Look, I don’t know–
Brian: Let me reiterate. Shut up, or I will make you shut up. Is that clear enough for you?
(The crowd erupts with cheers once more as Damien Murrow grows even more visibly annoyed)
Brian: Alright, so… Let me just get this straight… In your mind, you made Showdown a success? You led all of its people to success? EVERYTHING you’ve done here on Showdown was for its own benefit?
(Damien Murrow nods as Brian bursts out in laughter)
Brian: Yeah, no, I get it! Hey, more power to you! If cancer could think, I’m sure it would believe it’s doing a bang up job! Alright, alright… Enough joking around and all that. Damien, why do you think I’m out here?
(Damien says nothing as the Dallas crowd chants “FIIIIIIIRED!” repeatedly)
Brian: I like this crowd. You know what? I even like this entire SHOW! This place isn’t half bad, if I’m being honest. I dare say Showdown is kind of a home to me. Well, sort of. It was a home in the way that you’re living with somebody who doesn’t want you around. But luckily, that problem has been alleviated as of today. Murrow, I want you to look me in the eyes when I say this…
(Brian Daniels stares down with Damien Murrow)
Brian: You are the biggest piece of shit I have ever met, and I’ve met a lot of pieces of shit. I’ve been around for a long, long time, and I’ve met the worst people you could imagine, but YOU… You top the chart. For how many years has it been now, Murrow? What, four? Five years that you’ve been a thorn in my side? What was it you said a while back when I had to sacrifice my own career to get a match with Robbie? Something along the lines of… “You lost, it’s over, move on”? Keep looking me in the eyes and tell me who lost.
(Damien Murrow looks away as Brian begins to laugh again)
Brian: You’re a coward. You’ve always been a coward. And you know what cowards do? They exploit every ounce of power they get, and that’s exactly what you’ve done for way too long. You–
Damien (no mic): JUST SAY IT! I’M FIRED, JUST SAY IT!
Brian: What was that? I’m sorry, could you repeat that into the microphone for everyone?
(Brian puts the microphone towards Damien’s mouth as he grows even angrier)
Damien: I SAID JUST SAY IT! WE GET IT! I’M FIRED! WE–
(Brian punches Damien Murrow in the mouth as Murrow drops down to the canvas in shock while the crowd erupts with cheers)
Drake: This guy is out of control!
Brian: Told you I’d shut you up. But no, you’re not exactly fired… Well, that’s not how I would put it. What was that song you came out here with? Nevermind, it doesn’t matter. I’ve got your new theme… Ahem… Apologies, I’m not much of a singer, but here goes…. Na na…. Na na na na… HEY HEY HEY…. GOOBYYYYYE!
Crowd: NA NA! NA NA NA NA! HEY HE HEY! GOOOODDDBBBBYYYEEE!!
(A livid Damien Murrow looks around the American Airlines Center as the crowd continues to sing the song led by Brian Daniels)
Crowd: NA NA! NA NA NA NA! HEY HEY HEY! GOOOOODDDDBBBBYYYYEE!!
(Brian stops singing and squats down in front of Damien Murrow as Security begins to make their way down to the ring)
Brian: Say hello to the new General Manager of Showdown. You lose.
(Brian gets back on his feet, taking his leave as Security storms the ring, grabbing a furious Damien Murrow)
Brian: Get him the Hell off of my show. Hell, get him out of this city, if that’s possible.
(Brian Daniels takes his leave up the ramp as the crowd continues to sing)
Damien (no mic): YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME! I MADE THIS SHOW WHAT IT IS! ME! I MADE THIS INTO THE BIGGEST BRAND IN THIS COMPANY! I–
(Damien Murrow is dragged off by Security as the crowd continues to sing before the camera transitions back to an ill-looking Drake Jaeger next to Pierre McGuire at the Showdown Announce Table)
Pierre: Wow! What a turn of events! Damien Murrow has just been replaced by Brian Daniels as the Showdown General Manager!
Drake: I am so Goddamn fired…
Pierre: Relax, I’m sure he wouldn’t do that to you, Drake.
Drake: Do you have any idea what all I’ve done to that guy?! I once beat him within an inch of his life after I was eliminated from a match just to make sure we won! And I beat his up little Pizza Boyfriend like a dozen times! He’s coming for me!
Pierre: Alright, alright, calm down, you can worry about… All of that later. More importantly than anything, it’s time for our Dia Del Diablo main event!
Drake: It’s that time, Pierre! It’s time to decide who the alpha male REALLY is! And his name is Tiberius IV!
Pierre: A contest that both competitors need to win, and one in which neither man can afford to lose. Two allies turned against one another for the sake of walking out of Dallas, Texas as the EAW Champion. We’ve seen their relationship collapse with every passing week, and tonight, there may be no going back when it’s all said and done!
(A video package plays; recapping the feud between Theron Nikolas and Tiberius IV for the EAW Championship, featuring “Bridge Burning” by Foo Fighters)
(The camera transitions back to the Dia Del Diablo stage as the camera shows dozens of various weapons placed upon it, down the ramp, and around the ring as the Dallas fans eagerly cheer)
(After a few moments, “I Hope You Suffer” by AFI plays all throughout the American Airlines Center)
Pierre: Here comes the challenger!
Drake: Yeah, thanks, Pierre, couldn’t have guessed that one!
(Fire erupts from the left side of the stage, setting the weapons there on fire as Theron Nikolas slowly makes his way out, dressed in a dark red fur coat with matching attire, and black sunglasses on as he carries his signature umbrella)
Drake: I’m gonna be 100% honest with you, Pierre – nothing in this World would please me more than watching this man get set on fire! Forget beating him with a flaming weapon! Set the bastard on fire and be done with it! I’ve prayed to basically every God there is that his stupid fur coat catches fire on the way to the ring!
(Theron Nikolas starts maniacally laughing as the fire to the left follows him down the ramp, setting the weapons on the left on fire)
Pierre: I can understand why you’ve got a grudge against him, but you cannot deny the sheer talent of this man – he’s gone completely undefeated since he first stepped inside an EAW ring, and even managed to overcome over THIRTY other competitors at Pain For Pride to earn the 24/7 Contract that brought him here tonight.
(Theron enters the ring, looking around with a sadistic smile on his face while fire rises up from the left at ringside, burning the weapons there)
Drake: Who gives a damn about what he’s achieved?! He wasted it! All of it! Every ounce of potential he ever had – wasted because he wants to pretend he’s worthy of taking the EAW Title from Tiberius! The guy’s delusional!
Pierre: He wants what everyone else wants when it all comes down to it. They’re all here to be the best, and if you’re not the World’s Champion, you’re not the best.
(“The Mission” by Puscifer ft Milla Jovovich plays all throughout the American Airlines Center)
Drake: YES! HERE HE COMES! THE RIGHTFUL EAW CHAMPION!
Pierre: Drake–
Drake: SHUT THE HELL UP, PIERRE!
(Tiberius IV makes his way out to the stage in black attire with green fire and Komodo Dragon designs upon it, with the EAW Championship around his waist as fire on the right side of the stage rises up, setting the weapons on the right side ablaze)
Pierre: You can feel the heat of those flames from here! As well as the heat from the sheer hostility between these two stablemates, or perhaps former stablemates!
Drake: YOU BET YOUR ASS THEY’RE FORMER STABLEMATES! TIBERIUS DOESN’T ALLOW TRAITORS BY HIS SIDE, AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT THERON NIKOLAS IS! HE’S A TRAITOR IN EVERY SENSE! I HOPE TIBERIUS SHOVES THAT STUPID UMBRELLA RIGHT UP THERON’S ASS!
Pierre: Can you at least try to be impartial?
Drake: HE PUT ME THROUGH A GODDAMN TABLE, PIERRE! I HOPE THERON LITERALLY DIES TONIGHT! NOTHING WOULD BRING MORE JOY TO ME!
(Tiberius makes his way down the ramp with fire catching all of the weapons on the right side of it ablaze, as he stares down with Theron Nikolas, awaiting in the ring)
Pierre: Nonetheless, Tiberius IV has a lot to prove tonight, coming off of a massive Pain For Pride World Championship victory after using his King of Elite World Title opportunity. And that man awaiting in the ring was by his side for all of it. Tonight, they battle to decide who the rightful Champion is.
Drake: HE’S A FORMER UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPION! FORMER NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION! THE REIGNING AND FOREVER EAW CHAMPION – TIBERIUS HAS PROVEN THERE ARE LITERALLY NO OBSTACLES HE CAN’T OVERCOME! NOBODY CAN STOP HIM, AND NO IDIOT WITH AN UNDEFEATED STREAK OUT OF DUMB LUCK AND A STUPID CONTRACT CAN STOP HIM EITHER!
(Tiberius cautiously makes his way up the steps, watching the fire on the side of the ring set the remaining weapons ablaze before he enters the ring, staring down with Theron Nikolas)
Drake: THERON IS GONNA LEARN TONIGHT! HE’S GONNA LEARN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PLAY WITH FIRE!
(Tiberius and Theron continue to stare down while “The Mission” fades out. The Ring Announcer steps into the center of the ring, next to the Referee for the match)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen…. The following contest is scheduled for ONE fall–
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
Announcer: AND IT IS A TRIAL BY FIRE MATCH FOR THE E-A-W CHAAAAAAMMMMMMPPPPPPIIIIIOONNSSHHHHIIIPPP!!!….
(The crowd cheers as Theron and Tiberius remain in their respective corners)
Announcer: First, to my left, the challenger…. He hails from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada!…. He weighed in tonight at 195 Pounds!…. HE IS THE 2017 EAW 24/7 CONTRACT HOLDER…. THIS IS “NO LOVE” THERON NIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLAAAAAAASSSSSSS!!!!
(Theron opens up his umbrella, casually stepping towards the center of the ring with a smirk on his face before closing the umbrella and pointing it directly at Tiberius)
Drake: Disgusting…
Announcer: And to my right…. Hailing from Gaia!…. He weighed in tonight at 213 Pounds!…. HE IS THE REIGNING AND DEFENDING EAW CHAMPION OF THE WORLD….. “THE KING OF THIEVES”…. TIIIIIBBBBBBBBEEEEEERRRRRRIIIUUUUSSSSS IV!!!!
(Tiberius IV immediately takes the EAW Championship off from around his waist and steps into the center of the ring, in the face of Theron, holding the Championship up as both men stare down and exchange inaudible words)
Pierre: It’s hard to believe these two men were allies not long ago! They both look ready to rip each other apart for the sake of walking out of here tonight with that EAW Championship!
(Tiberius reluctantly hands off the EAW Championship to the Referee, who shows it to Theron Nikolas, shows it back to Tiberius, and then holds it up for the hard camera and audience to see before handing it off to the Timekeeper at ringside)
Drake: There’s dozens of flaming weapons to utilize at ringside, up the ramp, and on the stage! Someone’s not walking out of here, and it’s gonna be that goofy looking bastard with the umbrella! Make no mistake!
(Tiberius and Theron stare down, face to face with one another in the center of the ring as the Referee calls for the bell)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Pierre: TIBERIUS IV IMMEDIATELY SPITS A RED MIST INTO THE FACE OF THERON!!! BUT THERON ALREADY SAW IT COMING AS HE OPENED HIS UMBRELLA TO SHIELD HIMSELF FROM IT!! HE DRIVES THE END OF THAT UMBRELLA INTO THE GUT OF A SURPRISED TIBERIUS!! THERON CLOSES THE UMBRELLA AND DRIVES IT EVEN HARDER INTO THE MID-SECTION OF HIS FORMER ALLY!!
Drake: DAMN IT, NO! COME ON, TJ! DON’T LET HIM GET THE UPPERHAND THIS EARLY!
Pierre: THERON’S GOT TIBERIUS IN THE CORNER AS HE USES THAT UMBRELLA TO CHOKE TIBERIUS, PRESSING IT AGAINST THE CHAMPION’S THROAT! TIBERIUS IS HAVING THE LIFE DRAINED FROM HIM IN THE EARLY GOING HERE! He NAILS Theron with a big knee into the gut! He may have a saving grace as he nails Theron with an immediate forearm to the face! Theron goes backpedaling! TIBERIUS EXPLODES OUT OF THE CORNER! HE RUNS RIGHT INTO THERON SWINGING THAT CLOSED UMBRELLA INTO HIS GUT! Tiberius doubles over in pain! THERON SWINGS THE UMBRELLA DOWN ACROSS THE SPINE OF THE EAW CHAMPION!!
Drake: This is sick! This is disgusting! How can he do this to the man who made him a star in this company?! Tiberius is practically a father to this piece of trash!
Pierre: I don’t think their history has anything to do with it by this point, Drake! It’s just about winning the EAW Championship by any means necessary! That’s all that matters to this man anymore! THERON SWINGS THAT UMBRELLA DOWN INTO THE BACK OF TIBERIUS A SECOND TIME! What a shot! Theron with a devious smile on his face now… What’s he got in mind? Theron exits to the outside, gazing at these flaming weapons at ringside… HE PUTS HIS UMBRELLA INTO THE FIRE! HE’S SETTING IT ABLAZE! TIBERIUS BETTER THINK OF SOMETHING! THAT MANIACAL LAUGH FROM THERON AS HE HOLDS UP HIS FLAMING UMBRELLA! HE’S LOOKING TO END THIS ONE EARLY AS HE SLIDES IN WITH THAT LETHAL WEAPON! HE’S GOT SADISTIC INTENTIONS IN MIND AS HE STALKS TIBERIUS… Theron practically salivating at the mouth! He can taste gold on his lips already! TIBERIUS IS UP! HE TURNS AROUND AS THERON SWINGS!
Drake: DRAGON’S BREATH!!!! YES!! TIBERIUS SPITS THAT RED MIST INTO THE FACE OF THERON NIKOLAS OUT OF NOWHERE! HE GOT HIM! THERON IS WRITHING IN PAIN ON THE CANVAS AS CREW MEMBERS SPRAY DOWN THAT FLAMING UMBRELLA DROPPED ON THE GROUND! THAT RED MIST IS PROBABLY BURNING THE HELL OUT OF THE EYES OF THERON, AND I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER!
Pierre: Tiberius tried for that red mist early on, but it looks like he came with more than Theron had anticipated – using it to save himself in this! Tiberius is back on his feet and knows he’s finally in the driver’s seat! Theron is desperate to regain his vision, but the excruciating pain of that red mist burning in his eyes may be too much! Tiberius stalks his opponent as Theron tries to get back up… TIBERIUS GOES IN FOR THE KILL–
Drake: STRIKE OF MIDNIIIGGHHTTT!!!! HE NAILED IT!!! TIBERIUS DRIVES THE SKULL OF THERON INTO THE CANVAS WITH THAT BEAUTIFUL FORWARD SOMERSAULT CUTTER TO END THIS CONTEST AS HE ROLLS THERON OVER AND HOOKS BOTH LEGS!!
Referee: ONE!!!!!!……… TWO!!!!!!!!!!!!………..
Pierre: THERON KICKS OUT! HE’S STILL IN THIS!
Drake: WHAT?!
Pierre: Tiberius looks surprised! He was hoping that would be all he needed to put his opponent away, but he should know his former ally better than that! You can tell he sustained a good deal of damage earlier on from Theron’s assault with that umbrella, but he’s gotta keep going and stay on the attack! Tiberius is wasting no time keeping up his assault on a still temporarily blinded Theron! He stomps away at his opponent, telling him to stay down! Theron is struggling! Tiberius clutches Theron by his hair, dragging him up… HE’S GOT HIM AS HE SENDS THERON UP AND RIGHT BACK DOWN FOR A BIG BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX! Tiberius is already back on his feet, but you can tell he’s favoring that mid-section of his! He’s still hurting, and he knows he’s gotta nip this in the bud as soon as he possibly can! Theron is a sitting duck in front of him as Tiberius makes his way over to the ropes, exiting out to the apron… He’s got Theron locked in his sights! One more big move could put the challenger away! Theron is desperate to get back up… Tiberius clutching the top rope in anticipation… THERON’S UP AS TIBERIUS LEAPS TO THE TOP!! THERON RUSHES IN?!
Drake: OH MY GOD–
(Theron Nikolas pushes Tiberius off the top rope and through a flaming table on the outside of the ring as the crowd erupts)
Drake: JESUS CHRIST!! NOOOO!! TJ!! SOMEBODY STOP THIS! HE JUST–SOMEBODY GET THE HELL OUT HERE AND CHECK ON TIBERIUS! HE’S YOUR EAW CHAMPION!!
Pierre: HE MAY NOT BE FOR LONG AFTER THAT!
Drake: SHUT THE HELL UP, PIERRE!! SHUT YOUR STUPID MOUTH! THIS SICK BASTARD THERON NIKOLAS JUST SENT THE EAW CHAMPION THROUGH A FLAMING TABLE LIKE IT WAS NOTHING! HOW COULD HE DO THAT TO HIS MENTOR?! HE HAS NO HONOR! NO DAMN HONOR!
(A slow-motion replay is shown of Tiberius being pushed off the top rope and sent flying back through a flaming table on the outside as crew members soon after spray him down with fire extinguishers)
Drake: THIS IS TOO MUCH, PIERRE! THIS IS UNFAIR! THERON’S CHEATING IS RIDICULOUS! AND NOW HE’S EXITING TO THE OUTSIDE, TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MAN WHO TAUGHT HIM EVERYTHING HE KNOWS! TIBERIUS CAN’T DO ANYTHING AS THERON GRABS HIM, PULLING HIM UP! HE SENDS TIBERIUS ROLLING BACK INTO THE RING! COME ON, TJ! He’s got Tiberius back in the ring! This is sick! Absolutely sick, Pierre! I’m not surprised at all that these disgusting fans here are getting off on it as they cheer this on! These Texan hicks deserve to burn! Not Tiberius! Oh no… Theron’s up on the apron… He’s climbing up the nearest corner! Damn it, no! I don’t like the looks of this! THERON IS PERCHED?! DON’T DO IT! DON’T YOU GODDAMN DO IT! THIS IS YOUR KING! THIS–
Pierre: HE LEAPS!! HAIL TO THE KING!!!! A VIOLENT DIVING DOUBLE FOOTSTOMP CONNECTS RIGHT INTO THE BODY OF TIBERIUS IV AS ALL 195 POUNDS OF HIS CHALLENGER COMES CRASHING DOWN, FEET FIRST!!! TIBERIUS MAY BE DONE!! THERON NEEDS TO COVER HIM!! HE’S GOTTA GET TO IT! THERON’S TAKING TOO MUCH TIME TO REGAIN HIS BEARINGS!! HE GOES FOR THE COVER!
Drake: NO–TIBERIUS ROLLS OUT?! HE ROLLED OUT! TJ JUST MANAGED TO ROLL OUT OF THE RING BEFORE THERON COULD COVER HIM!! YES! HE’S STILL ALIVE! HAHAHA! Theron look FURIOUS! I love it! It’s gonna take more than that to put away the best World Champion this company has ever seen! Theron knows Tiberius wouldn’t let that put him away, so good luck, kiddo! You’re dealing with a seasoned vet here! Theron rolls to the outside, in pursuit of Tiberius! He pulls Tiberius up… And sends the EAW Champ rolling back into the ring! THERON SLIDES IN FOR THE COVER, BUT TIBERIUS ROLLS OUT TO A DIFFERENT NEARBY SIDE OF THE RING! HAHAHA! HE’S NOT LETTING THAT COVER HAPPEN! HE’S NOT EVEN GONNA LET THERON PIN HIM! THAT’S A SMART CHAMPION! Theron can’t do a damn thing! He rolls to the outside, grabbing Tiberius! TIBERIUS MANAGES TO SWING AN ELBOW BACK INTO THE MOUTH OF THERON! ANOTHER ELBOW!
Pierre: Theron puts a stop to Tiberius’ attempted comeback with several clubbing blows to that singed backside of the Champion! THERON LOOKING TO SEND TIBERIUS BACK INTO THE RING! Tiberius stops it with a boot on the apron! He refuses to let it happen as he throws another elbow into the face of Theron! Tiberius successfully escapes from the grasp of his opponent as he turns around! THERON SWINGS! NO–TIBERIUS CONNECTS FIRST WITH A LOUD FOREARM SMASH TO THE FACE! Theron is faltering after that one! He looks like he can barely stand after getting rocked with that! Theron swings with a right hand, but it’s blocked! KOMODO BITE!!! TIBERIUS GETS IN CLOSE AND BITES THE SKULL OF THERON!! TIBERIUS IV SHOWING HE’S JUST AS SICK AND DEPRAVED AS HIS OPPONENT! I think he may have drew blood there as he lets go of Theron! TIBERIUS FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A LOW DROPKICK TO THE KNEE OF THERON!
Drake: I love it! This is beautiful, Pierre! You and everyone else thought Tiberius was done for after going through that flaming table, but look at this! He’s back in control! I knew it! Theron is on his knees before his King, as he SHOULD be! I’ve never seen so much malice in the eyes of TJ! Tiberius makes his way over to those flaming weapons at ringside… HE GRABS A FLAMING STEEL CHAIR!! YES! DO SOME DAMAGE! PUT THERON AWAY AND END THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL, TJ! THERON REMAINS KNEELING AS TIBERIUS SIZES HIM UP… AND HE SWINGS FOR THE FENCES WITH A SHOT TO THE SKULL OF THERON!!
Pierre: THERON DUCKS THE INCOMING FLAMING CHAIR SHOT AS HE IMMEDIATELY SPRINGS UP, BEHIND TIBERIUS!! CROSSFACE CHICKENWING!!!! THAT CHAIR DROPS TO THE MAT AS A CROSSFACE CHICKENWING CATCHES TIBERIUS BY SURPRISE!! TIBERIUS IS IN FULL-ON PANIC MODE RIGHT NOW! HE’S DESPERATELY TRYING TO GET OUT OF THIS, BUT THE LOOK ON THE FACE OF THERON SAYS IT ALL! HE’S GOT A MAD LOOK IN HIS EYES AS HE TRIES TO SNUFF OUT THE FLAME OF THE CHAMPION HERE AND NOW!! TIBERIUS IS QUICKLY LOSING THE BATTLE HERE! HE’S LOSING ENERGY AND FATIGUE AT AN INCREDIBLE RATE AS THERON VIOLENTLY APPLIES MORE AND MORE PRESSURE TO THIS CHICKENWING!! IT WON’T GARNER THERON THE VICTORY DUE TO BOTH MEN BEING ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT IT MAY BE MORE THAN ENOUGH TO PUT TIBERIUS AWAY REGARDLESS IF HE LOSES CONSCIOUSNESS!!
Drake: COME ON, TJ! COME ON! HE’S DOING ALL HE CAN HERE! THIS VILE PIECE OF GARBAGE, THERON, REFUSES TO LET GO! TIBERIUS CLUTCHES THE APRON, TRYING TO STAY ON HIS FEET! HE DOESN’T HAVE A LOT HE CAN DO, BUT HE’S GOTTA ENDURE IT! IF HE BLACKS OUT, THIS COULD BE ALL OVER! NOBODY WANTS TO SEE A NEW EAW CHAMPION TONIGHT! TIBERIUS… HE PUTS A FOOT ON THE APRON AND FORCES BOTH MEN BACK!! THEY GO REELING INTO A NEARBY FLAMING TABLE AS THE FLAMES LICK AT THE BACK OF THERON!! TIBERIUS IS TRYING TO SHOVE HIS OPPONENT BACK INTO THOSE FLAMES!! YES! DO IT! BURN HIM!! Theron has no choice but to break the submission as he pushes Tiberius away! You can tell that definitely dealt him some damage! Tiberius rolls back into the ring, possibly trying to get some distance from Theron so he can recuperate! Theron’s desperate to get back in this as he pursues Tiberius, rolling back into the ring as well…
Pierre: Both men look exhausted, and I’m sure they are! In the amount of time they’ve been in this, they’ve managed to burn and beat one another as much as humanly possible! Tiberius and Theron slowly rise back up to their feet in the center of the ring, locking eyes with one another! Both men look desperate to finish this, but someone’s gotta give out before that can happen! Someone has to drop! THERON WITH A LOUD OPEN-HAND STRIKE ACROSS THE FACE OF TIBERIUS! Tiberius looks a bit shaken from that! HE FIRES BACK WITH AN OPEN-HAND STRIKE OF HIS OWN! THERON WITH A STRIKE! TIBERIUS GIVES HIM HIS RECEIPT WITH ANOTHER STRIKE! THERON WITH A STRIKE! BOTH MEN START UNLOADING INTO ONE ANOTHER!! THEY RISE BACK TO THEIR FEET, EXCHANGING BLOWS!! TIBERIUS IS LOSING THE BATTLE! HE’S TAKING MORE DAMAGE THAN HE CAN DEAL AS THERON TAKES CONTROL WITH THOSE RAPID-FIRE SHOTS! TIBERIUS IS COMPLETELY ON THE DEFENSIVE!! HE PUTS BOTH ARMS UP TO PROTECT HIMSELF, BUT THERON BREAKS THROUGH IT!
Drake: TIBERIUS MANAGES TO CATCH AN INCOMING STRIKE FROM THERON! HE PULLS HIM IN! KOMODO BITE!!! HE GOT HIM WITH THE KOMODO BITE A SECOND TIME, DIGGING HIS TEETH INTO THE SKULL OF THERON!! THERON WITH AN EUROPEAN UPPERCUT?! A SECOND EUROPEAN UPPERCUT TO TJ!! HE GRABS TIBERIUS–HE’S BITING HIM?!?!?! THIS SICK BASTARD! THERON NIKOLAS IS BITING THE SKULL OF TIBERIUS NOW!! WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?!
Pierre: I think Theron wanted a little payback and he just got it!
Drake: SHUT UP, PIERRE! You can’t do this to a World Champion! He finally lets go and immediately catches Tiberius with a superkick to the knee of Tiberius! Tiberius drops down to his knees! And look at the smug expression on the face of Theron, seeing his King kneeling before him! This guy is despicable! TJ should have never given him the time of day! He should have let him ROT! Theron’s got Tiberius on his knees and… HE GRABS THE LEFT HAND OF TIBERIUS! DON’T!! NO–TIBERIUS PULLS HIS HAND AWAY FROM THERON’S GRASP BEFORE THERON COULD TRY SNAPPING HIS FINGERS! He saw it coming from a mile away! All Tiberius can do is look for a chance to get back in control as he backs into the nearby corner! Theron isn’t even stopping him! What an idiot! He’s just watching as a damaged TJ makes it to the corner, pulling himself up! THERON STARTS BARRELING TOWARDS TIBERIUS!! RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT CONNECTS TO TIBERIUS IN THE CORNER!! DAMN IT!
Pierre: AND HE DOESN’T LOOK FINISHED JUST YET AS THERON CHARGES INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER OF THE RING! HE’S GOT MOMENTUM AT HIS BACK AS HE COMES IN WITH A FULL HEAD OF STEAM! HESITATION DROPKICK CONNECTS RIGHT INTO THE FACE OF THE DOWNED EAW CHAMPION IN THE CORNER!!! TIBERIUS COULD VERY WELL BE OUT! HE MAY HAVE NOTHING LEFT IN HIM BY THIS POINT! I think he got more than he bargained for when he accepted this match! I don’t think he intended for this to happen by any means! He’s at the mercy of his former ally as Theron drags him up… Theron sets Tiberius up on the top turnbuckle, looking for something potentially fatal in this contest! I can’t even imagine what he may have in mind as he… Hold on, Theron exits through the ropes and to the apron? He’s climbing up to the corner from the side! HE’S UP THERE AS HE GRABS TIBERIUS! MY GOD–HE’S LOOKING TO SEND HIM RIGHT INTO THE FLAMING WEAPONS AT RINGSIDE!! SUPERPLEX!!!!!
Drake: TIBERIUS IS FIGHTING IT! HE’S FIGHTING IT WITH EVERY FIBER IN HIS BEING AS HE STRUGGLES! HE DRIVES A KNEE DOWN INTO THE SKULL OF THERON!! ANOTHER KNEE DOWN INTO THE SKULL OF THERON! TIBERIUS SUCCESSFULLY ESCAPES, DROPPING BACK DOWN ON THE TOP AS HE NAILS THERON WITH A LOUD RIGHT HAND! THERON FIRES BACK WITH A SHOT OF HIS OWN! THERON WITH ANOTHER SHOT! ANOTHER! ANOTHER! I don’t like the looks of this! Theron maneuvers over in front of Tiberius! He starts unloading with rapid-fire shots into the skull of the EAW Champion from up there on the top rope! Come on, TJ! You gotta do something! Theron is laying into him! Damn it! WAIT–TIBERIUS SLIPS THROUGH THE LEGS OF THERON! HE PULLS THERON DOWN FROM BEHIND INTO A TREE OF WOE!! HE GOT THERON IN THE JAQQUN TREE!! TJ WASTES NO TIME STOMPING AWAY AT A NOW DEFENSELESS THERON NIKOLAS!! I LOVE IT! BEAT HIM INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS! THERON IS TRYING TO DEFEND HIMSELF, BUT YOU SIMPLY CAN’T FROM THAT POSITION AGAINST THESE VICIOUS STOMPS!
Pierre: Tiberius now placing a boot and pressing it HARD against the jaw of Theron! The challenger can’t do anything here! He’s at the mercy of Tiberius! Tiberius lets go, backing up… AND CHARGES IN! BASEBALL SLIDE CONNECTS TO THERON!! He doesn’t look finished just yet! The sly smile on the face of Tiberius says it all! He’s in full control in this contest and he loves it! Tiberius rolls to the outside, looking at the various flaming weapons at his disposal! HE GRABS A FLAMING STEEL CHAIR, LOOKING TO PUT IT TO GOOD USE AS HE CAREFULLY SLIDES INTO THE RING WITH IT! Theron is still trapped in that tree of woe, barely able to move! TIBERIUS CHARGES IN!! LOOK OUT! NO–THERON MANAGES TO USES HIS UPPER BODY STRENGTH TO PULL HIMSELF UP BEFORE TIBERIUS COULD CONNECT WITH THAT FLAMING CHAIR! THERON CATCHES A SURPRISED TIBERIUS WITH AN ELBOW FROM THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! That flaming chair drops to the canvas as it’s sprayed down with fire extinguishers from the outside as Tiberius is caught with a second elbow to the mouth! He drops down to one knee!
Drake: Theron using his dirty tactics to potentially take back control as he gets himself up on the top, turning around! TIBERIUS IS BACK ON HIS FEET AS HE CHARGES UP THE CORNER!! HE’S GOT THERON! SEISMIC TOSS!!! A MAGNIFICENT BACKFLIP BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX FROM THE TOP ROPE!!! WHAT A MOVE! TJ GOT HIM! HE GOT HIM AS TIBERIUS GOES FOR THE IMMEDIATE COVER TO END THIS!
Referee: ONE!!!!!!………. TWO!!!!!!!!!!………..
Pierre: AND IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO PUT THERON AWAY AS HE GETS A SHOULDER UP! A close one, but no three yet for the Champion! He’s gonna have to deal some more damage if he wants to walk out of Dallas with that Title still around his waist! Theron Nikolas is proving to be more formidable than he intended! There’s a good reason this man is undefeated! All Tiberius can do is look to finish things off! Tiberius now back on his feet, staring down at a stirring Theron… The Champion looks absolutely infuriated at the resilience of his opponent! Theron is on his knees, visibly in a great deal of pain! TIBERIUS WITH A SLAP TO THE FACE OF THERON! What a showing of disrespect!
Tiberius (no mic): I’M STILL YOUR KING! DO WHAT I SAY! STAY DOWN!
Drake: Beautiful! TIBERIUS SWIPES THERON WITH A BOOT TO THE FACE NOW! Hahaha! Now THAT’S how you do it! THIS is what a World Champion looks like! Tiberius looks like he’s had enough playing games with this ungrateful kid! He backs up… AND GOES IN FOR A KAMEHAMEHA!!!
Pierre: IT’S CAUGHT?! THERON CATCHES THE LEFT HAND OF TIBERIUS! FINGER SNAP!!! MY GOD!!
Drake: JESUS CHRIST–WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS MAN?! DID HE JUST BREAK THE FINGERS OF TIBERIUS?! WHAT WAS THAT?! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO A MAN THAT MADE YOU RELEVANT?! NO RESPECT WHATSOEVER!
Pierre: TIBERIUS IS CLUTCHING AT THAT POTENTIALLY INJURED HAND AS THERON RUSHES BACK UP TO A VERTICAL BASE! TIBERIUS TURNS AROUND AND SWINGS! DROPKICK TO THE KNEE OF TIBERIUS CONNECTS FROM THERON! THE ROLES HAVE BEEN REVERSED! IT’S TIBERIUS IV AT THE MERCY OF THERON NIKOLAS, KNEELING BEFORE HIM, DEFENSELESS! THE IRONY DOESN’T LOOK LOST ON THE CHALLENGER AS A SADISTIC SMILE FORMS ACROSS HIS FACE! AN EARDRUM-SHATTERING SLAP ACROSS THE FACE OF TIBERIUS!! THAT ROCKED THE EAW CHAMPION!
Theron (no mic): NO KING OF MINE!
Drake: DISRESPECTFUL LITTLE SHIT!
Pierre: THERON IS DEFIANT IN THE FACE OF TIBERIUS IV! HE’S GOT THE CHAMPION RIGHT WHERE HE WANTS HIM! TIBERIUS SWINGS WITH HIS GOOD HAND FOR A POTENTIAL COMEBACK! IT’S CAUGHT BY THERON! FINGER SNAP!!! ANOTHER ONE TO THE OTHER HAND OF TIBERIUS!! TIBERIUS IV IS WRITHING IN PAIN!! HE CAN’T DO ANYTHING AS THERON IMMEDIATELY HITS THE ROPES!! LOOK OUT!! SICK KICK CONNECTS!!! WHAT A SOUND THAT MADE!! THE EAW CHAMPION COULD BE OUT! THIS DALLAS CROWD IS ON THEIR FEET! THEY WANT TO SEE A NEW EAW CHAMPION WALK OUT OF HERE! THEY WANT TO SEE THERON NIKOLAS PULL IT OFF, AND HE JUST MIGHT! THERE’S NOTHING STOPPING HIM ANYMORE! HE RISES BACK TO HIS FEET WITH DESIRES OF GRANDEUR! HE CAN FEEL HOW CLOSE THE WORLD TITLE IS TO HIM AS HE DRAGS TIBERIUS UP!
Drake: I can’t take this anymore, Pierre! I have to stop him! I can’t let him do this to the EAW Champion! To the King of Elite!
Pierre: There’s nothing you can by this point! THERON’S GOT TIBERIUS UP, CLUTCHING THE WRIST FROM BEHIND! HE SENDS TIBERIUS OUT AND BACK IN!! TOUCH OF HEERRROOOOIIINNNEEE!!!! THE WRIST-LOCK TRANSITIONED INTO A SHORT ARM LARIAT NEARLY TAKES THE HEAD OF THE EAW CHAMPION OFF OF HIS DAMN SHOULDERS!! THERE’S NOTHING LEFT FOR TIBERIUS AS THERON DROPS DOWN FOR THE COVER!!
Referee: ONE!!!!!!…….. TWO!!!!!!!!!……….. THREE!!!
Drake: SHOULDER UP!! SHOULDER UP!! TIBERIUS IV WITH A SHOULDER UP!!! YES!! THE CHAMPION IS STILL ALIVE, BABY!! TIBERIUS IV WILL NOT DIE! THERON NIKOLAS THOUGHT HE PUT HIM AWAY, BUT IT JUST WASN’T ENOUGH! YOU SAY IT’S TIBERIUS UNDERESTIMATING THERON, BUT I THINK IT’S THE OTHER WAY AROUND! Theron is desperate to end this! I love seeing him look so lost! He knows he can’t put away Tiberius! No one can!
Pierre: Theron argues with the Referee, hoping that was a three count, but I’m afraid it wasn’t enough! These two will have to keep going! Theron thought he had it won there, but he may very well still be able to pull it off if he can connect with one more big move to ensure Tiberius doesn’t get up! Theron rises back to his feet, reaching down and dragging the Champion up from behind! The sadistic look in Theron’s eyes! He looks like he wants to destroy his opponent! HE PULLS TIBERIUS UP!! HE’S GOT IT! CROSSFACE CHICKENWING!!!! NO–TIBERIUS SLIPS OUT! HE THROWS AN ELBOW BACK INTO THE MOUTH OF THERON! ANOTHER ELBOW! A THIRD ELBOW CONNECTS AS TIBERIUS TRIES TO ESCAPE, BUT THERON DOESN’T LET HIM, CLUTCHING THAT WRIST!! HE’S GOING FOR IT AGAIN!! HE SENDS TIBERIUS OUT AND PULLS HIM IN!! TOUCH OF HEROINE!!!!
Drake: NO–TIBERIUS CATCHES THERON WITH A BOOT TO THE FACE THIS TIME!! HE STOPPED IT! THERON DOESN’T LET GO OF TIBERIUS’ WRIST! HE PULLS HIM IN AGAIN!! TIBERIUS STOPS IT WITH ANOTHER BOOT TO THE FACE AS THE WRIST CLUTCH IS BROKEN AND THERON IS SENT REELING INTO THE CORNER! TIBERIUS BURSTS FORWARD!! SHORYUKEN!!! A BEAUTIFUL RUNNING UPPERCUT TO THERON IN THE CORNER AS TIBERIUS CHARGES INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER–
Pierre: THERON EXPLODES OUT OF THAT CORNER, FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND TIBERIUS AS HE MAKES IT TO THE CORNER! THERON WITH A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT OF HIS OWN TO TIBERIUS IN THE CORNER!! THERON BACKS UP AS TIBERIUS IMMEDIATELY BURSTS OUT!! RUNNING ENZUIGIRI!!! HE CAUGHT THERON WITH IT!! THERON IS DOWN!! HE’S DOWN AS A DETERMINED TIBERIUS GETS UP TO HIS KNEES!! I’VE NEVER SEEN SUCH MALICIOUS INTENT ON THE FACE OF TIBERIUS! HE WANTS TO PUT THERON AWAY! Tiberius grabs a hold of Theron, pulling him up… HE PICKS THERON UP IN AN ELECTRIC CHAIR POSITION!! HE’S GOT HIM!! GAME CLINCHER!!!! NO–THERON IS FIGHTING IT! RAPID SHOTS TO THE SKULL OF TIBERIUS! THE CHAMPION IS DOING ALL HE CAN TO CONNECT WITH IT!! REVERSE FRANKENSTEINER!!! THERON TURNS IT INTO A REVERSE FRANKENSTEINER AS TIBERIUS IS FLIPPED RIGHT ONTO THE BACK OF HIS SKULL!! THERON SAVES HIMSELF!
Drake: No! Damn it, no! Wait–YES! Tiberius rolls to the outside before Theron could even attempt to follow it up! TJ brilliantly saves himself! He’s a mastermind! Every time you think you’ve got him, he slips out! Theron can’t do anything now! Theron struggles to get back up to a vertical base as Tiberius clutches the apron, pulling himself up… THERON RUSHES IN! BASEBALL SLIDE CONNECTS INTO TIBERIUS! Damn it! Tiberius is in trouble here! Theron is back to his feet with the EAW Champion in his sights! He’s looking for something big… I don’t like the looks of this, Pierre!
Pierre: Well Theron certainly does as he sizes up Tiberius from in the ring! THERON HITS THE ROPES AS TIBERIUS IS UP ON THE OUTSIDE!! INCOMING!!! No! Tiberius stumbles away! Tiberius is making his way up the ramp! I think he’s making a run for it!
Drake: How dare you! Tiberius isn’t going anywhere, he’s just smart enough to get out of harm’s way! Theron exits to the outside! HE’S COMING RIGHT FOR TIBERIUS AS HE PICKS UP SPEED! LOOK OUT! THERON CRASHES INTO TIBERIUS WITH A FOREARM SMASH TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL!! HE’S LAYING INTO TIBERIUS ON THE RAMP! COME ON! SOMEBODY PULL THIS GUY OFF! TIBERIUS IS DEFENSELESS HERE! THERON DRAGS TJ UP… HE’S BRINGING HIM BACK TO THE RING! NO–TIBERIUS GRABS A NEARBY FLAMING KENDO STICK AS HE DRIVES IT INTO THE RIBS OF THERON!! HE SWINGS THAT FLAMING KENDO STICK INTO THE MID-SECTION OF THERON!! THERON CAN’T DO A DAMN THING! YES! A SHOT TO THE FACE WITH THAT FLAMING KENDO STICK! TIBERIUS IS UNLOADING!! HE’S LAYING INTO THERON WITH SHOTS TO THE SPINE NOW!! LOOK AT THE BURN MARKS! TIBERIUS NAILS THERON WITH ONE FINAL SHOT TO THE FACE AS THERON GOES REELING INTO THE APRON! TIBERIUS DROPS THE KENDO STICK AND CHARGES WITH ALL HIS MIGHT! SHORYUKEN!!! RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT AGAINST THE APRON!! HE SENDS THERON ROLLING BACK IN!! HE WANTS TO FINISH THIS! HE CAN DO IT! THERON IS IN PAIN! HE’S STRUGGLING TO GET UP AS TIBERIUS GETS TO THE APRON! THERON IS UP!! HE TURNS AROUND AS TIBERIUS LEAPS TO THE TOP ROPE!! INCOMING!!! HEADHUNTER!!!!!!!
Pierre: IT’S CAUGHT!! IT’S CAUGHT BY THERON AS HE CAPTURES TIBERIUS ON HIS SHOULDERS!! THERON CHARGES FORWARD!!
(Theron Nikolas launches Tiberius IV out of the ring with a release powerbomb through a flaming table on the outside as the crowd erupts)
Drake: NOOOOOO!!!!! NO!!! GODDAMN IT, NO!!!
Pierre: TIBERIUS IS MOTIONLESS AS CREW MEMBERS SPRAY DOWN ANY REMAINING FIRE!! MY GOD WHAT A MOVE!! TIBERIUS ISN’T MOVING WHATSOEVER! HE CAN’T DO ANYTHING! THERON CAN END THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL AS HE EXITS TO THE OUTSIDE!! THIS CROWD IS ON THEIR FEET!! THEY KNOW WHAT’S COMING! THERON PUSHES THE NEARBY DOCTOR AWAY, GRABBING TIBERIUS!! HE DRAGS TIBERIUS UP, DETERMINED TO FINISH THIS! TIBERIUS IS SENT ROLLING BACK INTO THE RING!! THERON IS CLIMBING! HE’S UP ON THE APRON, MAKING HIS ASCENT TO THE TOP!! TIBERIUS STILL HASN’T MOVED! THERON IS PERCHED!!
(The crowd begins to stir as Jaywalker is shown making his way out to the stage, watching as Theron notices)
Pierre: What the Hell is Jaywalker doing?! Why would he–
Drake: LOOK!! ARES VENDETTA!! ARES VENDETTA IS IN THE RING AS HE CATCHES THERON OFF GUARD, PULLING HIM OFF THE TOP AND MAKING THERON NAIL THE BACK OF HIS SKULL ON THE TOP ROPE!! ARES IS LAYING INTO A DOWNED THERON NIKOLAS!! I DON’T KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON, BUT I LOVE IT!
Pierre: HOW COULD THEY GET THEMSELVES INVOLVED IN THIS?! WHAT DO THEY THINK THEY’RE DOING HERE?!
Drake: ARES PULLS THERON UP!! HE’S GOT HIM!! PEDIGREE DRIVER!!!!
Pierre: NO–THERON ESCAPES IT AS HE SENDS ARES VENDETTA UP AND OVER TO THE OUTSIDE!! THERON ISN’T DONE! HE’S GOTTA FINISH OFF TIBERIUS BEFORE ARES CAN GET BACK UP!! HE GOES–
Drake: THERON IS DROPPED AND PULLED OUT?!! HE’S SENT UP!! LANNISTER?!!!! THERON IS SENT UP–FEUER FREI!!!!!! AN EMPHATIC FEUER FREI TAKES OUT THERON NIKOLAS!! Ares is back up, dragging a ladder from underneath the ring!
Pierre: What in the Hell are they doing?! Ares AND Lannister?! I don’t know what to make of any of this! Ares has a ladder as he bridges it between the apron and the barricade! Lannister has a hold of Theron, dragging him over to it… LANNISTER PULLS THERON IN!! ARES IS CLIMBING UP ON THE APRON!! HE’S GOING TO THE TOP!! LANNISTER’S GOT THERON UP!! BROKEN CROWN!!!!! A VIOLENT BORDER TOSS ONTO THAT LADDER AS ARES LEAPS FROM THE TOP!! METEORA!!!! FLYING DOUBLE FOOTSTOMP THROUGH THAT LADDER!!!! THERON NIKOLAS HAS BEEN BROKEN IN HALF ALONG WITH THAT LADDER!! THEY BOTH PULL THERON UP AND SEND HIM ROLLING BACK INTO THE RING AS TIBERIUS MAKES IT BACK TO HIS FEET!
Drake: The look on the face of Tiberius says it all! Theron should have quit while he was ahead! This is his fault! Tiberius grabs that nearby chair from earlier! He drags Theron up to his knees, looking him in the eyes! Theron doesn’t even look conscious! He’s probably out! TIBERIUS SHAKES HIS HEAD AND SWINGS THAT CHAIR LOUDLY OFF THE SKULL OF THERON!!! THERON REMAINS ON HIS KNEES, NOT GOING DOWN AS TIBERIUS GOES BEHIND!! STRIKE OF MIDNIGHT!!!!!!! THERON IS O-U-T! OUT! TIBERIUS ROLLS HIM OVER, HOOKING BOTH LEGS!!
Referee: ONE!!!!!!!………. TWO!!!!!!!!!!!………. THREE!!!!!!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Drake: YES! YES! YES! YES!
(“The Mission” by Puscifer plays all throughout the American Airlines Center as Jaywalker, Lannister, and Ares Vendetta join Tiberius IV in the ring)
Announcer: THE WINNER OF THIS CONTEST BY PINFALL…. AND STTTTTTIIIIIIIILLLLLL EAW CHAMPION…… TIIIIIIBBBBBBBEEEEEEERRRRRIIIIIUUUUSSSS IV!!!!!!
Drake: STILL CHAMPION! STILL CHAMPION! BAH GAWD, PIERRE! I’VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER IN ALL MY DAYS!
Pierre: An absolutely disgusting, disrespectful ending to an otherwise fantastic back and forth contest! I can’t believe what I’m seeing here! This is surreal! Ares Vendetta and Lannister not only on the same side, but with Tiberius IV and Jaywalker as well! What on Earth is this all about?!
Drake: Who cares?! It doesn’t matter, Pierre! What matters is that Tiberius IV is STILL the EAW Champion of the Woooorrld! Don’t be so down about it! These things happen!
Pierre: These things HAPPEN?! These things most certainly do NOT just happen! Tiberius just conspired to screw over his own former ally!
Drake: Don’t make me beat the Hell out of you to make this an even better ending, Pierre! Just accept it! THIS is the future of Showdown! Whatever this new alliance is! THIS is your home now!
Pierre: Theron Nikolas put everything he had into that–
Drake: And in the end, it wasn’t enough! Don’t go blaming Tiberius for playing it smart! Theron put this on himself the moment he betrayed Tiberius and the Kingsguard! He did this and no one else! Theron screwed Theron! And guess what! TIBERIUS JUST BROKE THAT PRECIOUS UNDEFEATED STREAK! HAHAHA!
(The crowd throws garbage into the ring as Tiberius IV proudly holds up the EAW Championship, surrounded by Ares, Lannister, and Jaywalker)
Pierre: An unbelievable, baffling, despicable ending! I hope these men are proud of what they’ve done here tonight! You can be certain the new General Manager, Brian Daniels, won’t be happy about this by any stretch of the imagination! I hope they know what the got themselves into! We’ll see what consequences their actions have on Showdown, but for now, signing out for Drake Jaeger, I’m Pierre–
Drake: AND THIS IS TIBERIUS IV’S WORLD! ALL HAIL THE EAW CHAMPION! BOW DOWN, PIERRE!
Pierre: From the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, thank you for joining us here at Dia Del Diablo! Thank you and goodnight!
(Tiberius IV, Ares Vendetta, Darth Lannister, and Jaywalker stand over the body of a motionless Theron Nikolas as the camera fades to black)
(EAW Logo Buzzes)