TF: This next contest is scheduled for one fall! First, making his way to the ring...

[The lights begin flickering WILDLY as the opening beats of "Pieces" by Hoobastank sound throughout the arena.]

"TURN AROUND AND PICK UP THE PIECES!"

[A BURST of black and gold pyro goes off as Larry Tact steps through the entrance, observing momentarily before heading down the ramp. Seeing a couple fans mouthing off along his way, he takes a moment to spit on his own hand before attempting to SLAP a couple fans across the face. Tact smirks, then proceeds to the ring steps and ascends them. He enters the ring and climbs a turnbuckle, pointing to himself and opening his arms to receive their reaction. Coming back down to the canvas, he stretches using the ropes, focused on his opponent.]

TF: Standing at six feet, six inches tall, weighing in at two hundred and sixty pounds! He is MANHATTAN, NEW YORK'S OWN ... LLLLAAAAAARRRRRYYYYYY TTTAAAAAAAAACCCCCTTTT! 

[The lights dim.]

TF: And, his opponent... 

[CUEUP: 'You Know My Name,' by Chris Cornell.]

TF: Hailing from GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA! 

[SFX: Three deafening canon blasts.

As the curtain opens, and Troy Douglas steps through, to a resounding ovation!]

TF: He is the current and reigning EPW Intercontinental Champion! TRRRROOOOOOYYYYYY DDDDOOOUUUGGGGLLAAAASSSSS!

[Douglas enters the ring and promptly scales a turnbuckle, pumping both fists into the air and getting a HUGE REACTION from the audience! He switches off to another turnbuckle for a SECOND BIG POP!! When his music ends, he hands the belt off to the referee and goes to his corner, stretching against the ropes.]

DM: This one is sure to be worth the price of admission alone. Both of these men are technically skilled superstars, and it'll be interesting to see who comes out on top here tonight!

DT: Last week, these men were partners, in an unsuccessful attempt at winning one of the sport's richest prizes the EPW tag team titles.Douglas enters the ring and promptly scales a turnbuckle, pumping both fists into the air and getting a HUGE REACTION from the audience! He switches off to another turnbuckle for a SECOND BIG POP!! When his music ends, he hands the belt off to the referee and goes to his corner, stretching against the ropes.

MN: It wasn't going to happen. The Forsaken are a unit. No team 'thrown' together at the last second will beat them to become EPW tag team champions. Ever. Under. Any. Circumstances.

DT: Okay, we get it, Neels.

MN: No. Chance. In. Hell!

DM: ALRIGHT! 

DT: Both men meet in the center of the ring, for what is an intense collar-and-elbow tie up. Neither man gets the advantage here, as the referee steps in between the two in order for them to break. The two men circle, then lock up again. This time Troy Douglas has the strength advantage, bullying Tact into the corner! The referee calls for the break, and Troy Douglas obliges.

MN: He had a free shot to break his jaw, and he didn't. He's going to pay for that later. Mark my words.

DM: Why? Because he's not breaking the rules every chance he gets. I think breaking cleanly is admirable of the Intercontinental Champion.

MN: I think you're nothing more than a washed up has been, but I don't tell you, because you never asked me. Get my point?

DT: Both men meet in the center of the ring once more with yet another collar-and-elbow tie up, that has Lary Tact with the advantage this time. Tact drives Troy Douglas into the corner, as the referee once again calls for a break. Tact cooperates ... NO! Larry Tact connects with a jaw shattering closed fist that has Troy Douglas a little worse for wear! 

DM: That was cheap, but Larry Tact has never really been known for playing it by the books one hundred percent of the time, so Troy Douglas should've expected that.

DT: Tact moves in... headlock... Troy Douglas sends him to the ropes, Tact returns, Douglas attempts a back body drop, Tact counters with a kick to the face as Douglas staggers, Tact charges in with a lariat! Troy Douglas is down, and Larry Tact goes for the quick cover... One! Tw- Shoulder up. 

MN: How embarrassing would THAT have been for the Intercontinental Champion?!

DM: Ladies and Gentlemen, this coming from a man that has never stepped foot in a wrestling ring.

MN: Ladies and Gentlemen, this is coming from a man that has never had any SUCCESS in a wrestling ring.

DT: Gentlemen, gentlemen. Let's be professional. Both men are on their feet, Tact sends Troy Douglas to the ropes, he bounces off, returns, Larry Tact with a sleeper hold! He has that hold cinched in, and so far, this match has been all Larry Tact!

DM: I'm TRYING to be professional!

MN: And, what happened? Did Craig Miles turn you down?

DT: The referee's checking on Troy Douglas, as the crowd gets behind him. The referee raises one of Douglas' arms, and it falls. He raises another... this time Douglas shows life... he elbows Tact in the gut! Again! Tact's sleeper is loose... Douglas with a back drop! Douglas countered with a beautiful backdrop! 

DM: Wrestling at it's finest. 

DT: Douglas slowly makes it to his feet, so does Larry Tact... Troy Douglas moves in, kick to the gut... DDT-- NO! Tact held on to the rope, causing Douglas to hit the mat solo. Tact grabs both of Troy Douglas's legs, he front flips into a bridge! The referee drops down! ONE! TWO! Kickout by Troy Douglas! 

DM: That was great wrestling by Larry Tact. Sometimes his antics can blind you of the fact that he's probably one of the best professional wrestlers in the world. 

MN: Probably? He is. 

DT: Both men are on their feet, Tact with a good right hand, Douglas is reeling, using the ropes to help him withstand the punishment. Tact sends Douglas to the ropes, Larry with a dropkic-- NO! Troy Douglas hung on to the ropes, and Larry Tact crashes to the mat! Troy Douglas wastes no time, he grabs his opponents legs, and hooks him into a Figure Four Leglock! 

DM: Great counter, great strategy! Tact telegraphed that dropkick, and the Intercontinental Champion made him pay. Now he's going to ground him by taking out his legs! Smart move!

DT: Troy Douglas has the figure four locked in, and Tact is screaming! 

MN: Wouldn't you? This move should be illegal! 

DT: Troy Douglas is bouncing up and down, trying to break Larry Tact's ankle! If Tact can't walk, Tact can't win! Larry Tact is trying to use Douglas' momentum against him, but he doesn't have the strength, as both of his shoulders hit the mat. ONE! TWO! Tact sits up! But, look at his face! It's red!

DM: If Tact is smart, he might want to tap out! Live to fight another day is FAR better than a broken ankle!

MN: And, this is why you never made it in this sport.

DT: Larry Tact is trying to slide to the ropes... he inches over... YES! He reaches the ropes and the referee calls for the break. But, the damage is done. Troy Douglas is on his feet, Larry Tact uses the ropes as a crutch, he's in the corner trying to gather himself... BIG SPLASH! HE TURNS IT INTO A SCHOOLBOY! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! 

DM: Larry Tact is showing why he feels he's the best candidate for the number one contenders slot for the Intercontinental Championship.

DT: Douglas is on his feet, I think he's going to attempt to put his opponent in the Figure Four once again, yes... he is... Larry Tact counters kicking Douglas off of him, into the ropes... Douglas returns... SMALL PACKAGE! ONE! TWO! ......KICKOUT! WOW! That was close! 

DM: Both men seem to be trying to get the quick and easy pin. It says a lot about what they think of the other persons chances of hurting you are, if you're trying so hard to beat them early.

DT: Tact's struggling to get to his feet. Douglas is up, he charges... TACT COUNTERS! Jumping Knee Lift! Douglas HAS to have a broken jaw! 

DM: And, I wouldn't be surprised if Tact has a broken ankle. Look, he's in JUST as much pain as his opponent!

DT: Both men are hurting, Douglas' jaw, and Tact's knee. They slowly make it to their feet... Douglas moves in, Larry Tact connects with a SPINEBUSTER! Wow! Where did THAT come from?!

DM: The Intercontinental Champion is being sent a message today. Tact's come to play. 

DT: Indeed he has. Troy Douglas isn't the Intercontinental Champion for nothing, though. He's already on his feet, staggering in Larry Tact's direction... ANOTHER Spinebuter!! Tact with a cover... ONE! TWO! THR-- KICKOUT! 

MN: Douglas should've stayed down. This is a non title match. His paycheck and travel arrangements don't change if he loses tonight.

DT: You are such a hypocrite. Didn't you just call me a quitter when I suggested someone tap out?

MN: But you were a wrestler, I wasn't. 

DT: Tact is on his feet, he lifts Douglas up... OVERHEAD BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX! Troy Douglas landed on his head! He could've suffered serious damage the way he landed. Tact's back up, he's like a man possessed, he lifts Douglas up, using a handful of hair, kick to the gut, he bounces off the ropes... SWINGING NECKBREAKER! 

DM: Larry Tact really wants this thing, and this is what the wrestling industry has been missing as of late. It's about the competition, the glory, the reward!

DT: Troy Douglas is down, but he's showing signs of life. Larry Tact yanks him by the neck to his feet, which folks, I can tell you, hurts like hell. Tact hooks Douglas by the neck, he lifts him up, he's going to attempt a suplex! NO! Douglas counters, he uses his waist and momentum to do a full flip, he's now behind Tact, INVERTED DDT! What a counter! 

DM: We know it, these fans know it, and most importantly... he knows it. Douglas drops down for the cover... ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! 

DT: Douglas has his second wind, he hooks Tact by the head... lifts him up... BRAINBUSTER! OUCH! Larry Tact landed RIGHT on his head! Douglas with another cover.. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! 

MN: It's going to take DEATH to stop Larry Tact of accomplishing his goal. 

DT: Well, that just may come to pass. Tact is down, Douglas is going for the ropes. He scalees the turnbuckle, looks down at his fallen opponent... FLYING LEGDROP! He connects! Douglas with the pin... ONE! TWO! THR—KICKOUT! 

DM: WOW! Douglas connected with a dead on flying legdrop that landed right on Larry Tact's neck! Tact, still with the wherewithal to kick out, even though I'm fairly sure he can barely breathe!

MN: And, let me guess. You know this because you ... felt it, right? Well, let me ask you a question, we're always hearing about how bad something hurts, from your experiences as a "wrestler", when have you EVER dished out any punishment?

DM: I can start today if you'd like?

MN:....

DT: Troy Douglas is up, he uses a handful of hair to lift up the seemingly unconscious Larry Tact, who is completely defenseless at the moment. Douglas with a forearm! And another! Tact can't even defend himself! Kick to the gut, ACE CRUSHER! Troy Douglas connected with an Ace Crusher! This should be it!

MN: It should be, it's not. Tact's come too far to let it all slip away.

DM: We know, you've reminded us.

DT: Troy Douglas SHOULD be going for a pin right now, but he's opting instead to take it to the ropes one more time. Douglas scales the turnbuckle again ... He lines Tact up, who's still not moving ... SENTON! TACT MOVES! HE WAS PLAYING POSSUM! 

DM: I'm sure he wasn't completely playing possum, but he most certainly played his opponent for a fool.

DT: Douglas' backside is hurting... He's holding it in excruciating pain! He's immediately leaps to his feet, Tact is up too! T-BONE SUPLEX! LARRY TACT CONNECTS WITH A DEVESTATING T-BONE SUPLEX! THERE'S THE COVER! ONE! TWO! THR—KICKOUT! WOW!

MN: That referee is SLOW!?! He should be FIRED!

DM: I, like Neels, most certainly thought this one was in the books. 

DT: Tact is on his feet, Douglas in on all fours, Tact takes a few steps back, and charges in... PUNT TO THE HEAD! Troy Douglas is ... OUT!

DM: Tact nailed him good, right on the temple. I don't care how big you are, strong you are, a direct kick like that will have you seeing nothing but black. It's academic from here.

DT: The referee drops down for the count.

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!! NOOOOOOOOO! DOUGLAS' SHOULDER SHOT OFF OF THE CANVAS! WOW!!

DM: I am at a loss for words!

MN: Me too. 

DT: I wouldn't put the notion that Troy Douglas may have a concussion to rest, but we now understand just why that young man is the Intercontinental Champion. He is tough as nails!

DM: But, Tact is ... tactical. He's cerebral. He's not done. 

DT: Larry Tact raises the lifeless body of Troy Douglas, which in itself, has to be draining. It's almost like lifting dead weight.

MN: Douglas IS dead weight, I've been saying it since he's been on the roster.

DT: Neely, even YOU don't believe that. Tact has Troy Douglas on his feet... Snap Suplex! Wait, he's hanging on, another! He swings his legs over for the pin... ONE! TWO! THR- KICKOUT! Larry Tact looks frustrated.

DM: And, he should BE. He's thrown everything but the kitchen sink at Douglas, and Douglas still won't go away. And, get this? This is the NON TITLE match! How would he be able to handle the champ in a title match?

MN: The same way he's handling him now.

DT: Tact moves in, with a handful of hair, he lifts Troy Douglas up, SMALL PACKAGE REVERSAL! ONE! TWO! THREE-- NO! TACT KICKS OUT! That was close! Troy Douglas came out of nowhere with that small package!

DM: Never count the IC champ out, that's for sure.

DT: Both men are on their feet, Larry Tact has a little more of his wits about him, he charges with a clothesline, Douglas ducks, Tact spins around, and is met with a SUPERKICK BY TROY DOUGLAS! Douglas with the cover... ONE! TWO! TH-KICKOUT!

MN: Oh my GOD! C'mon Larry! You can do it!

DM: That superkick landed on the button of his chin! Tact is lucky to not have a fractured jaw!

DT: Douglas is using the ropes to rest, Tact slowly wobbles to his feet, Douglas carefully moves in... Side slam! And, Tact is back down! And Douglas is on top swinging and connecting with rights and lefts! 

MN: HEY! Closed fists! ...They ARE still illegal right?!

DT: Douglas is up, he raises Tact up as well, hooks his head, DDT! The referee is down for the count... ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!!!!!! 

DM: NOOOOOOOOO! LARRY TACT KICKED OUT! 

DT: Douglas can't believe it! He's on his feet yet again, determined to finish his foe off. He's scaling the ropes, these top ropes haven't been kind to these two young men today. Larry Tact is showing signs of life, as Troy Douglas attempts to climb the ropes! Both men are struggling to get to their positions... Douglas is up top, but Tact is on his feet! Larry Tact charges and shakes the ropes and causes Troy Douglas to stumble! 

DM: Ouch! Douglas landed in the worst place for a man to land!

MN: How would you know? You're not a man!

DT: Douglas lands on his genitals, and he's stunned... LITERALLY! Larry Tact hooks Douglas by the head... SPIKED DDT! TROY DOUGLAS' NECK MAY BE BROKEN! Larry Tact is exhausted, it took everything in him to counter and execute that maneuver! He drapes his are over Troy Douglas' fallen body! 

ONE!

TWO!!!


WAIT?! TROY DOUGLAS' LEG IS UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! THE COUNT NEEDS TO BE BROKEN UP! REFEREE!

DM & MN: TTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ! 

MN: YYYYYEEEESSSSSSSSS! 

DT: This is highway robbery! Larry Tact fought his heart out, and probably DID deserve to win this match, BUT Troy Douglas' leg was underneath the ropes, and the referee didn't notice! 

TF: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE WINNER OF THE MATCH, and NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO FOR THE EPW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP! LAAAAAARRRRRRYYYYYYYY TAAAAAAAAAAAACTTT!!