[“It Was A Good Day” by Ice Cube hits the PA, and the audience immediately begins BOOING! Stepping out onto the stage beneath the new and improved “ANTHOLOGY” video is JARED WELLS, who acknowledges the crowd with a sneering grin and a pose, and is soon joined by stable-mate Cameron Cruise. Both men make their way to the ring.]
TF: Ladies and gentlemen, the following SPECIAL CHALLENGE MATCH is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first… coming to the ring accompanied by Cameron Cruise, and representing the Anthology… fighting out of Baltimore, Maryland, he weighs in at 254 pounds… PLEASE WELCOME… JAAAARREEEEEDDDD WEEEEELLLLSSSS!!!!
DT: Since he was first introduced to EPW back at Unleashed, Jared Wells has certainly given the Anthology a harder edge! The problem is, he has yet to see victory in an EPW ring!
DM: Let’s not overlook the fact that those past two matches of his were against VERY challenging opponents, and though he didn’t score the win, Wells didn’t fail to impress! It’s going to be interesting to see tonight, however, if the Anthology picked up a real asset, or if this guy is a complete and utter flop.
MN: Don’t defy the power of DADDY, Dean-O! Wells is just getting himself adjusted to things.
[Wells enters the ring alone and poses for the jeering fans a few times. His music ends as “I Am A Viking” by Yngwie Malmsteen hits the PA, and the crowd begins to CHEER!! Literally charging out of the entrance, wildly thrusting his battle-axe into the sky, is a bellowing OLVIR ARSVINNAR, who is promptly joined by Erik Black and Ivan Dalkichev of the CRIMSON CALLING!]
TF: And his opponent… accompanied by the CRIMSON CALLING… he hails from Las Vegas, Nevada, and weighs in at a whopping 317 pounds… HERE IS… OOOOLLLVVIIIIRRR AAAARRRRSSVINNNAARRR!!
DT: Professional wrestling’s horny Viking is here, and he’s got some company! The Crimson Calling are here to support their friend and ally tonight!
MN: Man, what a chump! He’s gotta come to the ring with people in his corner to watch his back?
DM: I’m surprised you overlooked the fact that Cameron Cruise is standing over in Wells’ corner! The Anthology fooled these three once before, and they aren’t going to fall for it again.
DT: Of course, you’re referring to the events that occurred at Unleashed, as Jared Wells made his first appearance and assisted in the attack on Olvir and the Crimson Calling! No doubt, that would be the reason behind Olvir accepting this special challenge match! He’s here to regain his trampled honor by putting the very man that humiliated on his back!
MN: Yeah, fat chance. The Anthology are too smart and Wells is too BADASS to let that happen!
DM: I dunno, Mike… Olvir looks a bit… peevish, today!
[Olvir’s eyes FLARE in ways that would turn Hogan green as he storms into the ring and gets the crowd going! When his music ends, he puts the costume props down to be claimed by the timekeeper before the ref makes his final checks. A few moments later, he cues the bell, and as soon as it sound, Olvir CHARGES across the ring toward Wells!]
DT: Wow, here comes OLVIR, tearing across the ring as soon as the bell rings, and Jared Wells NARROWLY misses a running hammerblow!
MN: I believe the correct term is MJOLNIR-blow, Dave.
DM: Whatever its called, it was about to take Wells’ head off, but he got out of the way in good time… and here’s Olvir, running after him AGAIN now with a clothesline—but Wells DUCKS IT and gets away again!
DT: No surprise seeing Olvir coming out swinging…
MN: It’s the “Viking Way” after all.
DM: Well so far, it hasn’t given Jared Wells any problems. Wells is giving up nearly half a foot to the Norseman, but that seeming disadvantage in size is giving him a clear advantage in agility!
DT: Here’s Olvir again, charging forward with FORCE—but Wells SIDESTEPS, and he throws in a few hard jabs to the left abdomen of the Viking to go with it! Once again, Wells avoids harm by way of Arsvinnar! Probably a good thing to, given his strength…
DM: Strength is, unfortunately, useless when matched against a skilled opponent who is good on his feet. Wells is practically dancing circles around him in that ring!
DT: And you just know that isn’t making Olvir happy!
MN: Bah, he’s probably just angry over his own stupidity. Look at this!
[Wells is backed into a corner, but there’s a confident smirk on his face as he beckons Olvir to come at him again. Huffing in rage, Olvir POUNCES forward—just as Wells goes low and slips around him, causing the raging Viking to EAT the top turnbuckle!]
MN: HAHAHAHAHA!! Too slow, you stupid Viking! It’s a wonder how he chases down all those women…
DT: Wells has given Olvir the slip… and here he comes from behind while he’s got the big man stunned… lifts him UP—AND BRIDGES THE BACK SUPLEX!!
ONE!!
OH!! Olvir just POWERED out of that with a hefty GRUNT! You can hear the frustration in his voice now as he tries to get his hands on Jared Wells!
MN: You know, I said earlier that Olvir couldn’t touch ANYBODY in the Anthology. He certainly isn’t making a liar out of me here tonight!
DM: There’s Wells with the KNEE into Olvir’s face before the big man could get to his feet, and the Bastard Son keeps him at bay with a series of stomps to the chest and shoulders of the pornstar Viking!
MN: Stomp the TAR outta him, Daddy!
DT: Wells isn’t pulling back any weight on those kicks, but here we see Olvir RISING as though it didn’t even phase him! Jared switches from using his legs to using his arms, taking that bulging right python of Olvir’s and stretching it behind his back with a hammerlock!
DM: Wells had better be careful now! He’s got all the room he needs for confidence given how well he’s been doing in this match, but now he’s trying to GRAPPLE the big man!
MN: Ah, who cares?! He’s got this oaf handled perfectly…
DT: Jared is putting some STRAIN into that hold… but wait, what’s THIS! Olvir’s forcing his arm BACK!! He’s using all of his strength, and Wells can do nothing but watch helplessly as the Viking berserker MUSCLES his arm out of his grip!
MN: Oh no, GET OUT THERE, Jared!
DT: TOO LATE!! Olvir WHIPS his arm around, and sends Wells staggering into the ropes! Here comes Wells bouncing back for the counter—AND KISSES THE BOTTOM OF OLVIR’S FUR-LINED BOOT as the Viking was waiting for him!
Crowd: POP!!
DM: Looks like you’re a liar after all, Neels!
MN: Oh, can it, Dean! Jared just lost his footing there! I’m pretty sure one of those Crimson Calling jackasses tripped him up!
DT: I’m pretty sure you’ve been hittin’ the brandy again and started seeing things, because both Erik Black and Ivan Dalkichev have done nothing up until this point other than observe the match at hand!
DM: Wells quickly pops to his feet, but it looks like he’s still a little dazed from that boot to the face… walking STRAIGHT into the rock-hard chest of Olvir Arsvinnar! Here’s Olvir with a HUUGE HIPTOSS that tosses Wells clear to the other side of the ring!
DT: That’s the amazing strength of OLVIR on display, and Jared Wells suffered a hard landing! Now the Bastard Son rolls back to his feet and falls into the corner… but here comes OLVIR RUNNING LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN…
And Olvir CRUSHES HIM beneath THE HORNET SPLASH!!
DM: OH MAN!! On any other day, I’d think Wells would have seen that coming and gotten out of the way, but the spontaneous intensity of the pornstar Viking is proving to be too much for him to handle!
MN: Hey now, let’s not forget who we’re dealing with. DADDY can handle ANYTHING! Why ELSE would the Anthology pick him up?
DT: Here’s Olvir, going for the cover!
One!
Two!
And a kickout by Jared Wells, who rolls to safety while Olvir briefly argues with the ref about the speed of the counts!
DM: Olvir thought he had it, but he clearly only had him pinned for the count of two! Wells finds the opportunity to make it to his feet against the ropes… but here comes Olvir, looking for more, charging forward with a CLOTHESLINE—BUT WELLS REVERSES, AND DUMPS OLVIR TO THE OUTSIDE!!
DT: OOH!! Olvir takes a sick fall to the outside, and coincidentally lands RIGHT AT THE FEET of Cameron Cruise!
Crowd: BOOOOO!!!
[Cruise stands acting in faux innocence while Olvir lies dazed on the ground. Even so, Erik Black and Ivan Dalkichev come around the ring and stand him off, drawing a pop from the fans as Olvir is allowed to recover untouched.]
MN: Would you just LISTEN to these ungrateful fans, cheering for these two schoolyard bullies trying to push their weight around?
DT: They’re just making sure that Cruise doesn’t try anything, Mike!
MN: Like he WOULD!! Can’t you see Jared’s got this in complete control!
DT: Here comes Wells to the outside, and he runs right into Olvir, who’s ready to brawl! Now Wells is BRAWLING BACK!!
DM: Olvir’s got some serious haymakers that would turn any regular man’s face into PULP, but to Wells’ credit, he’s got a lot of experience in brawling, and the man knows how to take a hit and not let it faze him!
DT: Both men are going toe to toe around the ring as the referee starts the ten count! Here’s Olvir, switching it up from fists to elbows, and those huge PYTHONS OF HIS seem to be doing even more damage!
DM: But Wells ain’t backing down from that! Here’s Jared, taking the Viking by the arm… and HE JUST WHIPS OLVIR RIGHT INTO THE STEEL RINGPOST!!
MN: OOOoohh… Daddy says NO!!
DT: Olvir is clutching his shoulder in pain… and as he’s doing that, Jared Wells is going to capitalize, as he climbs onto the apron and comes RUNNING OFF—OH NO, HE JUMPS STRAIGHT INTO OLVIR’S HAND!! The Viking pornstar sensation of professional wrestling has a VICE-LIKE GRIP around the NECK of Jared Wells, literally CHOKING the life out of him while his feet flail inches above the ground!
DM: Wells can’t get away! And that gives Olvir the PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR A CHOKESLAM ON THE THINLY-PADDED FLOOR!! OOHHH MAN!!
Crowd: OLVIR!! OLVIR!! OLVIR!!
DT: Wells was looking for a solid double-play there, but I don’t think he counted on Olvir coming back with the counter so quickly! It’s as if that collision with the steel post barely HURT him!
MN: Bah!! That stupid Viking’s always gotta superman his way through a match any time his opponent starts gaining the advantage…
DM: Something else for the internet smarks to complain about… but nevertheless, Olvir has simply DEVASTATED Jared Wells! Arsvinnar is marching up and down the barricade, strutting his stuff! But now the fans and even the Crimson Calling are yelling at him, telling him to quite wasting time and go for the pin!
MN: It’s like he traded all his brains for that beard!
DT: Olvir’s finally realized that he has this match in the palm of his hands, and now rolls the limp body of Jared Wells into the ring! Here comes Olvir, in at the count of EIGHT, and he hooks the leg for the COVER!!
ONE!!
TWO!!
THR—OH NO!! A KICKOUT BY JARED WELLS!!
Crowd:AAAWWwww…
MN: WOO HOO!! Don’t count Daddy out YET!!
DM: A simply REMARKABLE comeback for the once known “Bastard Son,” Jared Wells, who digs deep and keeps this match alive! But can he come back now that the Viking has him overpowered and in his control?
DT: That remains to be seen, as now Olvir begins to peel Wells from the mat and… and wait just one moment, who is THIS?!
[The camera pans over from the ring to the rampway, where, with the lights down, we can only see a darkened figure in a suit briskly walking toward the ring.]
DT: Wait a second, that’s NATHAN FEAR!! And I think I know EXACTLY why he’s here tonight!
DM: I think they realize it too, Dave! Erik Black and Ivan Dalkichev look like children caught in the act of stealing from the cookie jar, as their manager and legal employer angrily makes his way to their side of the ring!
DT: This doesn’t look good at all!
[As Olvir grapples with Wells in the ring, a red-faced Nathan Fear approaches the stunned Crimson Calling standing at ringside, accusingly pointing his finger in their faces and yelling loud enough for the ringside camera catching the action to pick it up on the mic.]
Fear: I TOLD YOU TWO TO STAY IN THE BACK, DIDN’T I?!
MN: Oh man, he sounds PISSED!!
Fear: GET BACK THERE!! NOW!! MOVE IT!!
[Erik and Ivan pleading try to explain their case, but every word is cut off by Fear’s incessant shouting. Finally, he grabs the Russian-born giant by the arm and begins pulling him to the back. Like a confused dog, Ivan allows himself to be dragged along, unsure if he’s capable of resisting. Erik follows, continuing to argue with Fear but being completely stonewalled. Cut back to the action in the ring, as Olvir holds Jared Wells vertical in the air…]
DM: Well… seems to me that the mastermind of the Crimson Calling had a few objections to his team coming out to support one of the competitors of this match!
DT: OH!! And said competitor just nailed his opponent with a HEAVY SKYSCRAPER SUPLEX!! Olvir rolls over for the cover…
ONE!!
TWO!!
NO!! Another kickout by Jared Wells!
MN: Thank the LORD IN HEAVEN that he came by and got rid of those eyesores! Now maybe without their constant interference, Wells can make a COMEBACK!!
DT: They WEREN’T interfering with anything, Mike! And now with Nathan Fear commanding the Crimson Calling away from the ring, there’s nobody to keep an eye on Cameron Cruise!
DM: Which would give Olvir a reason to be worried… except for right now, there isn’t ANY reason to be concerned, as he has complete control of this match! Olvir’s bringing Wells back to his feet, and hooking him from behind! He’s got him locked in the pump-handle hold! I think he’s going for the BERSERKER BOMB, Dave!!
DT: You’re absolutely right on that one, Dean-O! …but wait, Olvir HESISTATES as his gaze finds the top of the ramp, and now he’s watching his ALLIES being led through the entry-way!
MN: See ya later, you stupid stoners!
DM: Looks like Olvir’s trying to figure this out to himself, but MAN, could you ask for a worse time?! He’s got Wells RIGHT THERE, ready to be finished off!!
DT: FINALLY, Olvir realizes the urgency at hand… now he lifts WELLS UP—OH NO, WELLS SLIPS DOWN HIS BACK!!
DM: And he HANGS ONTO OLVIR while doing it! Wait a minute, he’s setting him up for the RAGE BOMB!! HOW IS HE GOING TO GET THAT ENORMOUS VIKING OFF THE MAT?!
MN: Don’t you DARE doubt the power of DADDY!!
DT: Wells STRAINING himself to lift the larger Olvir off the mat…
…and he DOES!!!
*SLAM!!*
DM: OH MAN, WELLS JUST HIT OLVIR WITH THE RAGE BOMB!! I don’t know HOW he managed to pull that off!!
DT: The mere second of hesitation was all it took for Olvir to slip up and give Jared Wells that HUGE opportunity, and here he hooks the leg for the COVER!!
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!! Wells has DONE IT!! He’s BEATEN the Viking pornstar!!
[The bell rings and fans BOO as Wells comes to his feet and has his arm raised by the referee. Cameron Cruise joins him in the ring as the Anthology celebrate their victory.]
TF: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner… JJJAAAARREEEED WEEEEELLLSSSS!!!
DM: So ultimately, Dave, it WASN’T the interference by Cameron Cruise that ultimately damned Olvir, as we all expected… but rather, the unintentional distraction caused by those who were meant to watch his back!
MN: Man, that is BEAUTIFUL!! The Crimson Calling suck so hard they make their FRIENDS lose matches!
DT: Regardless, Jared Wells jumped on the opportunity as soon as it presented itself, and he’s walking out of this ring tonight with a win under his belt, and… oh, now what the hell is THIS about?!
[The audience starts BOOING as back in the ring, Wells delivers a hard KICK to the chest of Olvir as he tries to rise off the mat. He doesn’t stop there, continuing to lay in a few boots while the Viking is down, and Cameron Cruise quickly joins in.]
DM: Looks like the Anthology has a message to send to Olvir!
DT: Now this is just two much! You’ve already won the match, damnit!
MN: Hey man, the Anthology has gotta show who wears the PANTS around this federation, and why pieces of garbage like that Viking have NO place in the ring with their greatness!
DT: But this is an unprecedented assault, and it’s two on one!
MN: I guess Olvir should’ve put his trust in better friends!
[The audience continues to BOO and throw garbage in the ring as Cruise and Wells, against the commands of the referee, continue to beat down on the fallen Olvir Arsvinnar, breaking off for only a moment or so to taunt the fans before going back to kicking the man while he’s down. Suddenly, a CHEER is heard as the camera pans back to the rampway.]
DM: Speaking of those friends, Neels…
DT: Oh wow, they’re BACK!! The Crimson Calling are coming BACK TO THE RING, led by a FURIOUS Ivan Dalkichev! That is CERTAINLY what I’d call a “Raging Russian!”
MN: Would you look at Fear?!
[Fear is still clung to Dalkichev’s arm, but comically, hasn’t the strength to pull his talent by force back up the ramp. Instead, as Ivan sternly marches down the rest of the ramp, followed by his partner Erik Black, Fear continues harmlessly yanking on his arm, barking orders that aren’t heard. Finally, Ivan bats him away, and both men storm the ring.]
DT: The Crimson Calling hit the ring… but the Anthology BOLT before the tables can be turned! What a couple of cowards!
MN: “Cowards?!” They’re suddenly facing three on two odds! “Geniuses,” if you ask me…
DM: Looks like Olvir got bailed out unexpectedly after we all thought the Crimson Calling were being leashed away by Nathan Fear… but for some reason, after seeing their friend in a position of peril, both Erik and Ivan decided to ignore the commands of their employer and act on their own behalf!
MN: Not like it did any good.
[Erik tends to Olvir while Ivan stands at the ropes and gives the death look to Cruise and Wells, who are equally smirking. Fear stands at ringside, looking dumbfounded at his disloyal team standing in the ring. He’s nearly knocked over by Wells who brushes by him as the Anthology make their way up the ramp. Meanwhile, “It Was A Good Day” by Ice Cube hits the PA. In the ring, Olvir finally sits up with a stunned look on his face, which he quickly shakes off and stands up as though nothing happened. Wells and Cruise are left standing on the stage, looking at the three in the ring, then shaking their heads and laughing before walking to the back.]
MN: Ya see, Dave… those guys aren’t WORTH the Anthology’s time! They whipped ‘em once before at Unleashed, and Jared Wells just added insult to injury here tonight by soundly defeating one of the biggest jokes in professional wrestling to date!
DM: While I can’t say they’re the most adored faction in Empire Pro, Jared Wells has truly proven the Anthology’s strength here tonight by scoring his first win in EPW! As for what will become of the Crimson Calling after this act of defiance? I guess we’ll find out soon enough…
DT: An interesting turn of developments tonight. Once again, the Anthology prove themselves craftier than EPW’s own tag team legends and Viking pornstar sensation! Will the Anthology’s rise in the ranks continue? We’ve got more action on the way, so I’m sure we’ll find that out soon enough!
[Fade in to backstage during EPW's Aggression. Jason Reeves is seen walking slowly towards a door the reads 'Lindsay Troy'. He pauses for a moment outside, but without knocking, opens the door and walks in to Lindsay who is looking over some paperwork.]
Stalker: Just wanted to let you know I'm not happy with the way my match's contract is stated for tonight and I would like it changed.
Troy doesn't look up. That doesn't stop her from answering, though.
Troy: Oh wow, someone's unhappy about something and wants to barge in here and b*tch about it. It's not like I've never seen THAT before.
Stalker: B*tch about it, eh? That's a funny thing to say coming from you.
Troy: I have my moments of irony.
[Jason's face turns into a smirk as he leans down on to Troy's desk.]
Stalker: Listen bottom line is, I don't want that title on the line and I don't simply want Fusenshoff in the Fallen. I want COMPLETE control over everything he does during an EPW event. At this point, he'll sign anything, just make sure you get it done.
Troy: I'm sorry, at what point during this conversation did I make it kosher for you to demand anything of me?
[With a loud WHAP, she slams the papers upon the desk and turns cold, hazel eyes to Stalker's piercing browns.]
Troy: I can't for the life of me think of even one somewhat-plausible reason to even agree to what you're suggesting. Maybe because yourself and Stevens make it so hard for me not to think of the both of you as a couple of sh*theads, but I keep you on the payroll because you somehow make me money. [pause] Well, Stevens does, much as I am loathe to admit it. I'm not so sure about you.
[The smirk turns into an all out grin on Jason's face.]
Stalker: Just because they boo me, throw trash on me, yell insults at me, does not mean for a second that they can't simply WAIT to see what I do next.
I am what you call the man everyone pays money to hate. Hell, there are even a few out there that like me.
Maybe even you.
[Jason leans in a bit closer.]
Stalker: You run this company and I am basically just setting out a challenge. He'll get to keep his belt even if he loses. That way, I'll even have more FUN! So, boss, I am now asking you to inform Fusenshoff of my challenge and get it signed. You and I both know he will. Even though we both know he has no chance in hell at beating me tonight.
Troy: If he agrees to it, I'll let it go. But don't think for a second that I won't null-in-void that clause should I see anything or hear about anything that makes me think he's getting purposely screwed. And then, I might just null-in-void you for good measure.
Stalker: That's all I ask for, boss.
[Jason turns around and begins to exit but stops for a brief moment.]
Stalker: Oh and don't worry. I won't destroy his career like I did Rocko's.
[With that, he quickly exits the room.]