(CUT TO: The backstage area. Kenny Lombardo, EPW’s number one interviewer, is waiting by the stage door. After a few seconds the side-door opens and the reigning TV champ walks through carrying his gym bag. Kenny moves to try and cut Brown off, but the champ just smiles and goes to move past)

KL: Hey, Karl, wait up a sec. I wanted to ask you something for the fans ahead of tonight’s match with Anarky. 

Karl: (dropping his bag) OK, Kenny. Just spit it out so I can get to the locker-room and get ready for said match. 

KL: Cool. Well there’s been a bit of a buzz online about you giving Anarky carte blanche to bring anything he wants to the ring tonight. People’re asking, are you insane?!

Karl: You know, I’ve never swam in that river. 

KL: Huh?

Karl: Sorry, I really should stop trying humour. Listen, Kenny – it’s like I said before. Anarky keeps going on about how dangerous a cage match is, and to be honest I’ve been in more dangerous situations here. So I’ve given him the chance to make the match more dangerous if he wants by bringing something unexpected to the ring, something he thinks I can’t prepare for. Plus he’s got a reputation for his brawling style and using weapons every now and then so I’ve decided to give him that little crutch to fall back on in case he’s worried he can’t get the job done on his own in a normal cage match environment. 

KL: But this is Anarky! They stopped letting him into the local hardware store because he used the stuff so effectively. You’ve got to be having second thoughts. 

Karl: Kenny, how long have you known me? Six years? Have you ever known me go to the ring without a plan and without being prepared?

(Kenny shakes his head)

Karl: Besides, there’s no point in regretting it now. There’s no point in me worrying about what might happen, because if it’s going to happen then worrying about it won’t change anything. If Anarky doesn’t bring anything to the ring, so be it. If he does and proves to me that he needs to rely on a crutch

KL: (interrupting) You say that, but why is it a crutch? You’ve used weapons before.

Karl: Yes and it was a crutch for me then. If weapons are part of the match that’s something else, but if you need to bring them in with you to a normal match then you’ve met a challenge you don’t think you can beat on your own. I’ll be honest and say that night when I lost the intercontinental championship, that’s what happened. My mind told me I needed to do something that, on reflection, I didn’t. The same with guys like Anarky – no matter how tough or talented they are, and he is, they have a doubt in the back of their mind saying “I can’t do this! I need help.” They bring the hardware out when they think they need an extra edge. As far as I know – and I haven’t spoken to the office yet – this match is still a straight steel cage match. I’ve given Anarky the option to bring something to the ring, and if he does he can use it – but it will show that he doesn’t think he can beat me on his own. Some people surround themselves with others for the same reason, and Anarky chewed First out for that at Black Dawn. Well, if he brings something down to the ring tonight to use it, he’ll show he’s the same. Except… maybe a little slower on the uptake than people give him credit for. 

KL: What do you mean?

(Karl just smiles, grabbing his bag from the floor. He shakes his head slightly as he walks past Kenny towards the locker-room area, ignoring Kenny’s attempts to get him to explain what he meant)

KL: Well… I guess we’ve gotten all out of him we’re going to. It should be a big match, Anarky vs The Dragon inside the steel cage with a spot in the second round and the TV title on the line.

King of the Cage: Round 1
EPW Television Championship
Karl "the Dragon" Brown (c) vs. Anarky


[FADEIN: The top of the ramp. MUSIC UP: “More Human Than Human” by White Zombie. Anarky makes his way through the curtain, face painted in his traditional skull make up, black torn up shirt with the Anarchy simple on it, ripped jeans, black boots. The crowd gives Anarky a loud chorus of boos as he makes his way to the ring.]

TF: The following contest is a first round match in the King of the Cage tournament, and it is ALSO for the EPW World Television Championship! Making his way to the ring from Hartford Connecticut weighting in at 231 pounds…AN! AR! KY!!! [More boos!] 

DT: Anarky off a big win over Fusenshoff at Black Dawn now looking to continue upon that victory, and perhaps capture some gold along the way.

MN: Anarky’s said he doesn’t really care about being a champion, but if Karl Brown gets too big for his britches here, he’s gonna get laid out and Anarky’s gonna have a belt of his own.

DM: I don’t know about that, after upending Layne Winters, I think Karl Brown is more than capable of handling himself with anyone. 

[The lights go out for a couple seconds. MUSIC UP: “Rainmaker” by Iron Maiden hits and the crowd pops loud…Green and white lights cover the arena as Karl Brown makes his way towards the ring. Brown wearing a dark green leather Jacket with a black dragon on the back. Brown has on red tights with a black dragon on them. The EPW World TV Title rests over his right shoulder.]

TF: And his opponent, from Nottingham England, weighting in at 211 pounds…He is the EPW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION…KARL!!! “THE DRAGON”!!! BROWN!!! 

DT: The new EPW World Television bringing this crowd to its feet, Karl Brown not only fighting to advance in the King of the Cage, but also trying to keep that belt he just won.

DM: That does bring up an interesting question, will Anarky fight only to win the Television title, or will he be willing to win via escape?

MN: Anarky’s nuts, one minute he might be hell bent on winning that belt to teach Karl Brown a lesson, the next minute he’d walk out the cage cause he doesn’t care…He needs medication…

[Bell rings] 

DT: And the first title fight of the King of the Cage is underway…Brown and Anarky collar and elbow tie up, Brown with a go-behind into a waist lock, Anarky tries to power out, Brown lifts him, dumps Anarky on his stomach. Brown riding Anarky now and transitions to a head lock…Anarky powers back to his feet…elevates Brown, ATOMIC DROP…Brown breaks the head lock and staggers away…Hits the ropes and comes back…CATCHES ANARKY WITH A CLOTHESLINE…

DM: I don’t think Anarky expected Brown to be able to rally so quick after that atomic drop, but The Dragon wasn’t slowed down by it! 

MN: Wait till Anarky really gets to this guy, he doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into.

DT: Brown catches Anarky getting back to his feet and hiptosses him over, Brown secures an armbar…Anarky on the mat disgusted with himself for getting caught in this hold…Brown wrenching on the arm as Anarky slowly moves to his feet…Brown transitions to a hammerlock…Anarky catches Brown with a back elbow and another…Anarky spins free and now just UNLOADS on Brown with a series of right hands, sending Brown toppling over into the corner. 

DM: This is a classic example of a brawler against a wrestler. Can Brown get this back under control and keep it a wrestling match, or will Anarky be able to turn this into a street fight? 

MN: We’re in a cage, there are no rules, that favors the guy that wants a fight, Brown’s about to find out Anarky wasn’t just talking a good game. 

DT: Anarky now stomping Brown, and sends him HARD into the cage…That cage has gotten quite the workout tonight. Anarky now DRIVES Brown face first into the mat…Anarky now with a cover on Brown…

ONE!

TWO!!

NO!!

DT: Brown kicks out. Anarky back to his feet and he stomps away on Brown as he tries to get up…Brown stands and gets caught with a series of punches by Anarky…Anarky sends Brown into the ropes….Brown ducks a clothesline…Comes back and lands a cross body…HE HOOKS THE LEG!!

ONE!!

TWO!!

NO!!

DT: Oh Brown almost had him there! Anarky scampers back to his feet, gets caught in another hiptoss and finds himself back on the mat in an armbar AGAIN! 

MN: Karl’s not getting it, this is a fight…He can keep Anarky under wraps for a while, but sooner or later he’s going to have to throw down with him.

DM: Well maybe Brown expects that to happen and he’s trying to wear Anarky down for when it happens…
MN: Sure thing, Karl Brown apologist.

DT: Anarky getting back to his feet again, Brown switches into a full nelson…Anarky runs lifts Brown onto his back and runs him HARD into the corner and that breaks the hold…Anarky sends Brown to the other corner…BROWN CHARGES OUT WITH A CLOTHESLINE! Both men on the mat! 

DM: Brown manages to take one or two of Anarky’s shots and then get one off his own in. He’s not just letting Anarky beat the hell out of him, he’s giving as good as he’s getting…

DT: Both men back to their feet, Anarky and Brown hammering each other with right hands…Brown ducks a right and catches Anarky with a series of body shots and now sends him into the ropes…DROPKICK DECKS ANARKY! Brown back to his feet, sees Anarky between him and the door, and he decides to try to climb the cage!

MN: That’s the Zane brand door Thomas, and I think they want it called a gate too…You are just poison for our sponsors

DT: Thanks for the update Neely…Brown up to the top rope…Anarky getting to his feet…And he catches Brown as Brown just got a leg on top of the cage…Brown’s in a bad way…JUST GOT TOSSED OFF THE TOP ROPE TO THE MAT! Anarky drops off the ropes and makes the cover!

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR—NO!!

DT: Almost a new World Television Champion, and that win would have put Anarky into the second round to fight one of the Heirs of Wrestling…Anarky now grabs Brown and sends him CRASHING into the cage…Brown staggers back INTO A DDT! Anarky with a cover!

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR—NO!!

DT: Brown again kicks out! Anarky pulls Brown back up….Brown elevated…BRAIN BUSTER!!! ANARKY JUST DUMPED HIM ON HIS HEAD! ANARKY WITH A COVER!!

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR—NO!!

DT: Brown won’t quit, he’s not going to lose that title without being beaten half dead for it!

MN: Anarky will do that for you, he’s a nut. Brown could end up at the cemetery if he pushes his luck fighting Anarky.

DT: Anarky now gets on top of Brown…HE’S CHOKING THE LIFE OUT OF HIM!

MN: Oh crap, he heard us! I didn’t mean it!

DT: Anarky just strangling Brown now! Brown fighting…He gets one of Anarky’s arms…Flips around…HE HAS ANARKY IN A CROSSFACE!! ANARKY TRAPPED IN THAT HOLD!
DM: What a counter by Karl Brown, he turned a very bad looking situation into a potential match winning submission!

MN: Really, you think this nut is going to tap out? If he broke Anarky’s arm he’d just thank him for giving him a new injury to enjoy! 

DT: Brown wrenching away on that hold…Anarky thrashing…Anarky getting to his knees and he manages to get himself back up to take the pressure off his neck and shoulder…Brown with a knee to the stomach and he flips Anarky to the mat with a shoulder throw...Brown off the ropes…HARD KICK TO THE HEAD as Anarky was trying to get to his feet…Brown calling for the door to be opened…

DM: Anarky’s down this could be the moment for Karl Brown to advance to the second round and retain his title! 

DT: Brown through the door…ANARKY TACKLES HIM! Brown’s hands touching the floor, but you need your feet to hit…Brown clinging to the steps, trying to pull himself through, but Anarky’s got his legs and he’s dragging him back into the ring, and with that the Zane Gate is closed…Happy Neely?

MN: Yes, I’ve come to enjoy the size of my paychecks and keeping the folks that pay the bills happy is good for me…

DT: Anarky drags Brown into the ring…BROWN WITH AN INSIDE CRADLE!

ONE!!

TWO!!

TH-NO!!

DT: Anarky kicks out! Both men back up…Anarky misses with a roundhouse…Brown catches him with a kick to the midsection…SWINGING NECKBREAKER!

DM: Brown getting the better of Anarky at this stage of the match.

MN: Who cares, you gotta WIN for it to matter, having control and 50 cents will buy you the paper in the morning.

DT: Brown now going to the outside…Is he trying to climb the cage?! No he’s measuring Anarky…Anarky to his feet…DOUBLE AXE HANDLE OFF THE TOP BY BROWN! HE COVERS!!

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR—NO!!

DT: Anarky STILL fighting! Brown shakes his head, he’s pulling Anarky up, I think it’s high time for a DRAGON’S BITE! Brown hooks him…Anarky spins out of it…KICKS BROWN LOW! Brown doubles over…ANARKY HAS HIM HOOKED…CHAOS BREAKER!!! CHAOS BREAKER OUT OF NOWHERE!!

DM: Just like that, when it seemed Anarky was about to be laid out by the Dragon’s Bite, what a turn of events and now this match has turned completely in Anarky’s favor.

MN: Get on him Anarky, finish this!

DT: Both men down…Anarky rolls over to his stomach…He’s waving for the door to be opened…Anarky crawling towards the door, Brown not moving…Anarky now near the ropes, he’s almost out the door…Brown stirring…Brown gets Anarky by the ankle! Anarky trying to pull himself out of the ring, Brown trying to keep him in…Anarky flips over to his back…Anarky throws a series of kicks into Brown’s face…BROWN LETS GO! ANARKY TOPPLES TO THE FLOOR! ANARKY’S ESCAPED THE CAGE! ANARKY WINS!!

[Bell rings, crowd booing. MUSIC UP: “More Human Than Human” by White Zombie]

TF: Here is your winner…Via escaping the cage…ANNNN…ARRRRR…KEYYYYY!!!!!

[More boos]

DT: What a hard fought match this was, and don’t discount the fact that Karl Brown kept fighting he could have let Anarky escape, knowing full well he’d keep his TV Title, but he fought, and in the end, Anarky barely got free of him…

[Anarky stumbles to his feet and raises his arm in victory, glaring at Karl Brown who is getting up, still inside the ring, looking down at Anarky, shaking his head in disgust that Anarky managed to make it free of him and out of the cage.]

MN: It is a shame Brown keeps the title…But Anarky’s got those foolish dreams of being the top dog in this company, that’s where his mind is at…Of course Stevens will make short work of him if they do meet up…

DT: Speaking of Stevens, we’ll find out who he does face in round two…Copycat Vs The First, the final match of round one, NEXT!

(Continued…

The “QUEEN OF THE RING” LINDSAY TROY turned the corner in search of her dressing room. As she approached, she heard the commotion of several unrecognizable voices. Cautiously, she advanced to the door. It was cracked. Lindsay pushed it lightly, and was immediately taken aback at the police presence inside.

There were ten officers in uniforms, filing reports, talking or looking for more evidence. 

On the floor, in handcuffs, faces filled with blood, was the man she attacked while making her surprising return last week, Sean Stevens, and The Stalker. 

The Queen shook her head in amazement.)

TROY (smirking): Get me Liam Neeson and Rampage Jackson and we've got ourselves an A-Team sequel.

(FADETOBLACK)

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