Empire Pro Aggression Week One
Live from the MCI Center in Washington D.C.
Live from the MCI Center in Washington D.C.
[Fade in from black. The sounds of "Komit" by Juno Reactor cue up as a video montage of Washington D.C. is played. Shots roll through of the White House, the American flag displayed proudly outside of a downtown building, the Capitol Building, and several of the memorials. A man with a deep voice speaks over the vignette.]
V/O: For over two hundred years, this nation has been preserved through the will and character of its people. Now, just as the citizens of this country have pulled together to ensure the survival of freedom, several men have come together to keep their own dreams alive. Dreams of superiority... Dreams of excellence... Dreams of building an empire. Tonight... Washington D.C. experiences... EMPIRE PRO WRESTLING!
[Just as the voice over finishes, the screen goes to black and "Komit" dies out. "Imperial March (Rage Against The Machine Remix) cues up. Several clips are played through, visual effects of gray smoke surrounding them.
Cut to: Christian Sands hitting the Sand Blaster on an unsuspecting opponent.
Cut to: Karl Brown nailing someone with The Dragon's Bite ddt.
Cut to: Jonathan Marx slapping an intense STF on an unknown individual.
Cut to: Adam Benjamin knocking the absolute bejesus out of an opponent with a shining wizard.
Cut to: The Crimson Calling destroying their opponent with a Crimson Crasher.
Cut to: Beast delivering a high impact Tiger Driver '91 to an unnamed man.
Cut to: Dan Ryan, an evil grin on his face, stomping his massive frame towards the camera.
The Introduction
Fade in: The interior of the MCI Center. Thousands of fans are going absolutely wild as the Empire theme blares over the sound system. Many fans hold signs... some of which read "Diamond is Forever!", "Empire... the Next Dynasty", "Rocko Daymon 4 Life", "Blitz are the ****z", Killjoy 3:16 Here Comes The Mayhem", and others. The roar from this capacity crowd is deafening, but their cheers are almost drowned out when a huge set of pyro goes off near the Empire Pro set. The camera starts at the base of the black steel ramp, tilting upwards to reveal the structure at the end of it. A large screen framed in a steel tribal design continues to play the Aggression intro as spotlights on either side of it search the crowd. A wall of fireworks explodes from the sides of the ramp, shooting straight up into the middle of the arena, igniting even louder pops from the fans.]
Dave Thomas: Ladies and gentlemen, you'd have to be here to believe it, but this is quite possibly the most amazing sight I've ever seen!!! THOUSANDS of fans have turned out tonight for the very first edition of Empire Pro AGGRESSION!
[The camera cuts to Dave Thomas and Mike Neely, who comfortably sit behind their ringside commentators' table. Both men are grinning ear to ear, looking at the spectacle around them. Thomas continues to speak to the camera while Neely suddenly stands up on his chair to ignite the fans behind him. He makes a "get up" motion and a large majority of the people he's looking at react by standing to their feet and screaming.]
DT: I'm Dave Thomas, and that colorful individual you see next to me is none other than the ever popular Mike Neely. Folks, this is an absolutely amazing experience, I can't even begin to tell you how proud we are of the already growing Empire fan base! Welcome to week one of Aggression, everybody!
[Thomas chuckles slightly as the grinning Neely sits down in his seat again, grabbing his headset and turning it on.]
MN: Did I miss anything, Davey?? This thing on?
[After a second or two, Neely has the headset on and begins speaking into it.]
MN: Hello out there in TV land! I'm your host Mike Neely and...
DT: Mike I already did the intros...
MN: Oh, right...
DT: And since when did you become host?
[Thomas starts to laugh slightly.]
MN: Ever since the fed heads found out you really weren't the Wendy's guy. God, that guy would have been great...
DT: Folks we've got an incredible card lined up for you tonight, and I think it's safe to say this is going to be one blockbuster show! Rumor has it some groundbreaking events are going to take place, and if what I've heard is true, you're all in for a treat!
MN: That's right ladies and gentlemen, it's been determined that the World Heavyweight title has been given to me as a welcoming gift!
DT: In your dreams, Neely.
MN: No but seriously, this is shaping up to be a hell of a show! You see the lineup?
DT: Funny you should mention that... I've got it right here in front of me! Ladies and gentlemen, first up we have Mike Diamond taking on Karl...
[Before he can finish his sentence, Thomas is cut off by the sounds of "Everyday People" as performed by Pearl Jam. The cameras cut to the ramp where Paul Freeman, CEO of Empire Pro, emerges from the back. The fans give him a decent pop and he acknowledges a few of them with a couple waves. Paul hops off the ramp halfway down to the ring, going up to the barricade and shaking hands with several of the fans in the front row.]
DT: Ladies and Gentlemen, the CEO of Empire Pro is in the house!
MN: There's the man who paid for my new 54" plasma screen!
DT: Haha, well Mike, Paul Freeman's here and it looks like he's in a great mood! That always means good news is in store!
[Freeman eventually makes his way to the ring, and receives a small ovation. He thanks the fans for their appreciation, and asks for a microphone, which is quickly given to him.]
PF: Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for some Aggression?!?!
[The fans pop at the remark.]
PF: I don't know about you guys, but I’m lookin’ forward to one HELL of a show! We’ve got some great matchups in store for you this week, and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!
DT: He’s right on that one, Mike!
MN: Damn, this is going to be so sweet…
PF: Now ladies and gentlemen, let me get a few things out of the way. I’d like to clear the air on a couple subjects. YES… what you have heard is true. We are indeed looking for more wrestlers, and it’s been rumored that we have talked with various stars around the international circuit. One of those stars IS Nate Logan… or Zero, as you might know him.
[The announcement brings a good pop from the crowd.]
PF: We are currently in negotiations with Mr. Logan, and things look promising. That’s all I’m going to say for now.
DT: You hear that, Neely? Zero might be comin’ to Empire!
MN: Kid’s a talent, that’s for sure….
PF: Also, I’ve noticed that several internet sites have expressed concern over the financing for Empire’s recent launch. Now I’m not at liberty to say the exact situation at this point in time, but I CAN tell you that next week on Aggression, you’ll meet the man behind all of this! I’ve personally requested that this individual show up and make an address to the fans of Empire. I think you guys deserve it… so there ya go!
DT: Next week on Aggression we’re going to meet Empire’s benefactor, it appears!
MN: So Freeman DIDN’T pay for my plasma television? Get out of the ring ya’ bum!
DT: Mike, that’s not very nice…
PF: Fans, I’d also like to state that it has been determined how the World and Intercontinental titles will be disputed. In a one of a kind tournament, we will see 12 men square off in 4 three way dances, right here on Aggression next week!
[The fans pop for the news.]
PF: The individuals who are pinned in those matches will be entered into the IC bid, and the winners will continue on to face each other in the next round. A bracket will be introduced following our show! Guys, let me just say from the bottom of my heart that we couldn’t do all of this, ANY of it, without your help and support. We here at Empire would like to thank all of you, and I’m sure I can vouch for my entire roster when I say that. I would also like to thank the talent… because you guys are what’s going to set Empire apart from the rest! You’ve busted your asses to be where we are now, and for that, you deserve all the thanks in the world!
[The fans start to applaud. A small chant of EM-PI-RE starts to break out.]
PF: But that’s enough from me, folks… I’m going to let these guys do their thing! I’ll see you all later on in the evening, I’m sure!
[With that, the fans applaud and “Everyday People” cues back up and Freeman exits the ring. He walks over to Neely and Thomas, shaking their hands before heading to the back.]
DT: Well folks, I can honestly say, Freeman’s one of the nicest bosses I’ve ever had…
MN: He still doesn’t pay our checks though…
DT: Regardless, MIKE, he’s still a nice guy.
MN: Sure, but I would be too if you put me in charge of this place.
DT: Alright, well we’ve got a great show ahead of us folks, let’s get right to the action….
Mike Diamond Vs. Karl "The Dragon" Brown
(Editor's Note - First part of this match lost due to formatting)
MN: NO! Diamond kicks out at 2 and 3 quarters!!!
DT: I thought it was over!
MN: Don’t count Diamond out, Davey!
DT: That had to be devastating to Diamond’s neck! How is he still going!?
MN: He’s workin’ for Empire, isn’t he?
DT: Good point!
[Brown looks slightly frustrated, but is quick to continue his attack. He lifts a limp Diamond up to his feet, tossing him back to the mat with a vicious t-bone suplex. Diamond gets up slowly, and is then hit with a swinging neckbreaker. He lies motionless for a few moments, then stirs to get to his feet once more. Benjamin comes flying at him to go for a running version of the move. Diamond uses a good deal of his strength, however, and delivers a solid clothesline that knocks Brown straight to the mat. Seeing that this is his opportunity to take the match back, he applies an intense figure four leg lock. Brown screams out in pain as Diamond does all he can to apply the move even harder. Brown sits up to try and swing at Diamond, but hits nothing but air. After several moments, Brown flops back to the canvas, and the ref makes a count. 1…2… Brown pulls up at the last second. A few more moments pass and the same thing is repeated.]
MN: He’s got Brown where he wants him!! This has to be wearing him down!
DT: What a vicious figure four by Mike Diamond! He’s tenacious in his assault on Brown’s legs!
[After a few more moments pass, Brown starts to slide towards the ropes, using his hands to push. The fans start to chant “DRA-GON DRA-GON”. Eventually, Karl makes it to the ropes and the ref forces the break. An exhausted Diamond tries to recuperate from the move, while Brown holds his knee in pain. Diamond is the first to his feet, and slowly makes his way over to Brown yet again. As he goes to lift up Karl’s legs one more time, he receives a boot to the face. He attempts again, and gets yet another boot. Suddenly, Brown pops up and starts to lay into Diamond with some hard knife edged chops.]
MN: Brown’s coming back yet again!
DT: This match has had some great back and forth action in it!
[Diamond is rocked with another chop to the chest, and is quickly snapped over into another suplex. This time Brown repeats the move a second time, swinging his hips to complete it for a third as well. Brown then limps over to the corner, ascending the turnbuckle.]
DT: What’s he gonna do?? He’s got a bad leg, he could easily fall….
MN: This could be super-sick, Thomas, shut up….
[As Diamond slowly gets to his feet, Brown leaps off of the top with a somersault and lands on Diamond’s shoulders. He then throws his body back into a hurricanrana, holding on to the move for a pin attempt. The fans ignite for the move, one of the biggest pops of the night thus far.]
MN: Holy bejesus! Did you see that Dave? A dragoncanrana!! That was absolutely perfect!
DT: Brown with a great maneuver here on Diamond! He’s going for a cover! 1…. 2….KICKOUT BY DIAMOND!!!
MN: Damn, that was close!!
[Brown immediately picks Diamond up to his feet and sets him up for a dragon sleeper. Then, without hesitation, Brown turns the move into a reverse impact DDT… also known as the Dragon’s Bite.]
DT: DRAGON’S BITE!!
MN: Oh damn, that move looks painful as sh…
DT: Family television, Mike!
MN: Right!
[Brown quickly pounces on the fallen Diamond and makes a quick cover. The ref drops to make the count. 1….2….3!]
DT: Brown pins Diamond!!! What a matchup!
MN: Wow, that was great… they looked evenly matched in there!
WINNER: Karl “The Dragon” Brown
DT: Well ladies and gentlemen, what a matchup that was! I’m sure both men will continue to stir things up here in Empire, they’re two highly talented individuals!
MN: A great way to open the show, Davey. What’s next?
DT: Let’s see here…
[The cameras cut to Thomas and Neely at their announcers’ table. Thomas leafs through the papers in front of him before speaking. Neely looks back at the fans and continues to try and spark some commotion. Thomas finally finds the right paper…]
DT: Folks, up next we’ve got Killjoy Tommy Mayhem taking on “Yours Truly” Adam Benjamin! Killjoy Tommy Mayhem vs. "Yours Truly"Adam Benjamin MN: This one shows a lot of promise Dave. These two are extremely talented, and I wouldn’t be surprised if either man made his way through the ranks quite rapidly.
DT: Mayhem’s trained in the infamous Reeves’ Ringers facilities, and has been put through quite a lot to get where he is today. Benjamin’s been stirring things up in various promotions lately, and was Major Championship Wrestling’s Champion at the time of the league’s closing.
[Let the Bodies hit the floor cues up. Killjoy Tommy Mayhem makes his way to the ring. Tommy is wearing blue jeans and no shirt, The scars on his upper body stand out in the arena lights. Tommy slides in under the bottom rope. Tommy slowly gets up to his feet and leans into the top turnbuckle. He gets ready for Benjamin, but doesn’t have to wait very long before Loose yourself by Eminem begins to blast. "Yours Truly" Adam Benjamin makes his way slowly to the ring. Adam is wearing two English flag bandana's one that cover his head and the other that covers the lower part of his face revealing only his stone cold eyes. Adam makes his way into the ring and stands firm in his corner waiting for the bell to ring.]
DT: Wow, both of these men looked primed for a fight here, Mike!
MN: They better be, these people paid good money!
[The bell rings and Benjamin approaches Mayhem. Both men extend their arms, telegraphing the collar to elbow tie up that soon follows. From that position, Benjamin executes a hammerlock and ends up behind Mayhem. Mayhem reverses this, and instead of applying it on Benjamin, slams a clubbing blow into the back of his head with a forearm.]
DT: Mayhem’s not the most technically sound individual in the world…
MN: But he can sure whip some ass!
[Mayhem bends down to pick Benjamin up off of the mat, then sets him in a standing headscissor. Benjamin lifts up, however, and performs a back body drop that causes Mayhem to hit the mat hard. Benjamin quickly floats over to Mayhem’s arm and applies a standard armbar. Mayhem refuses to submit, though, and soon Tommy is back up to his feet. Mayhem fights Benjamin off, then tosses him to the ropes, hitting a vicious clothesline on his return. He goes for a cover. 1…2….kickout.]
DT: Mayhem’s looking for the victory early here… and he wont get it.
MN: You’re not going to beat Adam Benjamin with a clothesline, that’s for sure.
[Mayhem lifts Benjamin to his feet, then forms a clasp with his hands around Adam’s back. In one fluid motion, he sends Benjamin up and over with a head and arm suplex that shakes the ring. Benjamin holds the back of his head, but is quick to try and recover. He gets to his feet in time to see Mayhem coming at him, and throws a couple fists to his face. The two start trading blows, and eventually Benjamin gets the advantage with a hard right. Benjamin sets Mayhem up for a vertical suplex, but it’s quickly blocked. Benjamin is then lifted into the air by Mayhem for a vertical suplex of his own. However, when Benjamin is vertical in the air, he shifts his weight backwards, coming back down in the same motion he went up, only faster. Towards the tail end of this, he executes a quick snap suplex that puts Mayhem on the canvas. Benjamin makes a quick cover…]
DT: WHAT A REVERSAL! Benjamin’s got the cover… 1…2…kickout!
MN: Benjamin’s got great skills in that ring.
[Mayhem recovers slowly as Benjamin starts to work on his body with a few stiff kicks. Benjamin then lifts Mayhem to his feet, throwing some hard knife edged chops into his chest. The fans in the crowd start to cheer “WHOOOOO”. Benjamin works Mayhem back to the corner, where he eventually lifts him up onto the top turnbuckle. Benjamin, who is about to go for a superplex, is knocked off guard by a few shots by Mayhem. As the two rumble on the top rope, Mayhem locks on a front headlock. He jumps off the turnbuckle, twisting in the air, executing a tornado DDT. The move gets a good response from the Empire crowd, and Mayhem quickly makes a cover. 1…2… kickout.]
DT: Some great back and forth action here!
MN: You got that right, Dave!
[The fans applaud for Benjamin, who is again up on his feet. Both men lock up once more, this time Mayhem uses his strength to push Benjamin hard into the corner. Mayhem then rushes at Benjamin, but Adam executes a picture perfect arm drag takeover. Benjamin then jumps to Mayhem’s legs, locking on an ankle lock. Mayhem refuses to submit, and after a few moments, he reaches the ropes.]
DT: Mayhem’s lucky he got a hold of the ropes there! Benjamin had that ankle lock cinched in pretty tightly.
MN: This Mayhem kid’s one tough S.O.B. though…
[Benjamin is up to his feet first, but Mayhem quickly lays a couple shots into his gut to double him over. He then stands to his feet, kicking Benjamin the stomach. Pulling Benjamin between his legs, Mayhem then executes a hard piledriver that puts his opponent flat out on the mat. Mayhem then gets on top of Benjamin’s chest, laying into his face with hard rights and lefts. Mayhem is able to switch positions with him, though, and ends up on top. Benjamin then applies a leg grapevine, pulling back as hard as he can. Mayhem cries out in pain as he reaches for the ropes, but gets nothing.]
DT: Ohhh, this could be crucial, ladies and gentlemen… Benjamin’s got a leg grapevine locked on in the center of the ring.
MN: Mayhem’s not tappin’ though… WAIT… YES HE IS! HE TAPPED!
DT: Oh Mike, he was not. Quit playin’ with our viewer’s minds…
MN: Oh but it’s so fun…
[Mayhem lifts his free leg up to push his boot into Benjamin’s face, then kicks as hard as he can. This causes Adam to release the hold, and Mayhem to escape. Both men get to their feet, and Benjamin is the first to strike, going for a quick clothesline. Mayhem ducks, then hits a hard clothesline of his own that almost knocks Benjamin out of his boots. However, when he goes to pick Benjamin up, Mayhem is rolled up in surprise small package. The ref counts. 1…..2….kickout.]
DT: I thought he had him there, Mike.
MN: You know, it’s not impossible for one to win like that. You can really catch your opponent off guard and pin him in an instant.
DT: 3 seconds, actually…
MN: You know what I mean, dork.
[Benjamin and Mayhem quickly get to their feet, and this time Mayhem goes for yet another clothesline. Benjamin ducks, coming up behind him, and then executes a release german suplex that puts Mayhem down on the back of his head and neck. This gets a great reaction from the crowd, but Benjamin wastes no time going after Mayhem, who is folded up in the middle of the ring. Benjamin stomps at the inside of Mayhem’s thighs, weakening his legs for yet another submission. He goes for a texas cloverleaf, but Mayhem quickly frees his already damaged legs.]
DT: That is one spot Tommy Mayhem does NOT want to find himself in.
MN: Benji’s been workin’ the legs pretty good this match, we’ll have to see if that factors into the outcome…
[As Mayhem pushes Benjamin off of him, he backs himself up and gets to his feet. Benjamin is relentless though, and charges at Mayhem once more. In an instant, Benjamin is locked up in an overhead belly to belly suplex, which Mayhem uses to toss Benjamin up over the ropes! As Benjamin sails through the air, he comes crashing down on the timekeeper’s table, cracking it in half. Some fans in the seats start up a “holy ****” chant. Benjamin holds his back in pain as Mayhem raises his arms to the crowd. He gets mostly boos, but a few hardcore freaks out in the audience cheer heavily for him.]
DT: OH MY GOD!!! Benjamin just went up and OVER the ropes with that belly to belly suplex!
MN: And ended up going through a table as well! DAMN… now that’s rough!
[Mayhem goes through the ropes and jumps down to the arena floor, picking up the beaten Adam Benjamin. He rolls him back into the ring, then pursues him just as quickly. After a few moments, Mayhem lifts Benjamin to his feet, getting behind him to apply his finisher, the Buzzkill.]
DT: This could be it… we may be seeing the Buzzkill tonight!
MN: That’s a katihajime choke out for you new viewers out there!
[As Mayhem goes to perform the maneuver, Benjamin reverses and gets behind Mayhem. A shock to both the fans and Mayhem, Benjamin executes a vicious german suplex. Then another. Then another. On the third, Benjamin wrenches back with all his might and completely flips Mayhem in midair, causing him to land on his stomach.]
DT: Oh my god… what’s gotten’ into Adam Benjamin???
MN: The man just went through a table… and he’s freakin’ pissed!!
[Benjamin backs up to the ropes, then waits for Mayhem to stir. As he does so, Benjamin comes flying at him, nailing a wicked shining wizard. The fans in the audience let out an “ooooooooohhhhh” as Benjamin’s knee cracks Mayhem in the head, crumpling him to the mat. Benjamin falls on top of Mayhem, hooking the leg. The ref counts. 1….2….3!]
DT: Benjamin’s done it!! He’s beaten Killjoy Tommy Mayhem to win his first match here in Empire Pro!
MN: A damn good match by anyone’s standards. I’m lookin’ to see how well both these guys do in the future.
DT: One thing’s for sure, something must’ve clicked inside Benjamin when he went through that table. Let’s take a look at that again…
[The feed switches to a replay of Benjamin flying over the top rope to the outside, landing squarely on the table, going through it. It is again played from a different angle.]
DT: Wow, you’ve gotta’ have some determination to come back from that!
MN: Benjamin’s looks like he could be a huge threat here.
Winner: “Yours Truly” Adam Benjamin DT: Folks, I’m being told by the boys in the back that we’ve got a few tidbits of information to tell you here…
[The camera cuts to Thomas and Neely at their table. Thomas holds his headset, then relays the information. A few fans in the background are tossing around a beach ball.]
DT: The details of Freeman’s World and IC title tournaments have been revealed in full. As the competitors advance through the tournament, they will be randomly entered into 2 fatal four way matches. The winners of these matches will meet each other to determine who is the Intercontinental Champion on the same night as the World Title finals.]
MN: That’s right ladies and gentlemen, I’m also being informed that the pay per view… which is entitled “Black Dawn”…
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