[The footage cuts to the ringside area, where a steel ladder stands set up near the ring. Moments later, it cuts to above the ring, where the EPW Television Title still hangs several meters above the canvas.]
DT: Well gentlemen, it's been an exciting night thus far, but now it's time for some GOLD to be on the line! Next up, we have the LADDER MATCH for the EPW Television Title between the defending champion, the upcoming star "New School" Layne Winters, and the challenger, the veteran Copycat of the Anthology!
DM: This all began at our last episode of Aggression when these two men in the ring in an all-out war for the EPW Television Title. Copycat looked like he had it, but Winters kept coming back from everything he gave him, frustrating him to the point to use a CHAIR and disqualify himself!
MN: Well, he may have been disqualified, but it's not like that matters now, as he's got a SECOND opportuniy to take that TV Title to the Anthology! Although I have to wonder... why is the TV Title being defend on Pay Per View?
DT: ...you know, honestly, I don't really have an answer for that, Mike. All I know is that since this is on Pay Per View, we won't have to worry about a fifteen minute time limit. And Copycat won't have to worry about any disqualifications, as it's anything goes in this ladder match!
DM: That's right. If Copycat wanted to, he could bring ALL of the Anthology out here with him to give him the edge!
MN: But of course, he doesn’t really need it...
[The camera cuts to Tony Fatora, standing in the ring with the mic in his hand...]
TF: Ladies and gentlemen... our next event for the evening will be for the EMPIRE PRO TELEVISION TITLE MATCH!!
[The house lights dim slightly as the drum and vocal intro to "My Way" by Butch Walker plays over the PA. The EmpireTron flashes the standard Anthology video package, with many highlights showing Copycat's recent exploits in Empire Pro.]
SFX: *BOOM!!*
[Pyros DETONATE over the stage as the song enters its main riff, and striding out onto the stage in a blazing red robe is COPYCAT, posing to the booing fans around him with a very smug grin spread across his face. Confidently, he struts down the ramp to the ring.]
DM: Well, looks like he's coming to this match alone...
MN: Of COURSE he is, Dean! The Anthology don't need each other to win matches! They're all individually talented enough to do their own work, unlike MOST people in Empire Pro!
DT: Copycat has definitely turned some heads ever since his controversial debut at Wrestleverse III, but it's been smooth sailing thus far for this Anthology member! In no time, he's picked up his second chance at the TV Title, and the only reason he lost the first one was because he used a chair!
DM: Well, he couldn't put the champion away... but tonight, he may not have to! All Copycat has to in order to bring that belt to the Anthology is to climb that ladder and take it down!
DT: But it won't be any easy task...
[Playing up to the unappreciative fans around him, Copycat ascends the steps, steps through the ropes, and stands in the center of the ring where he removes his robe to show his physique to the fans, posing as fireworks go off on the corner posts.]
[Moments later, the grating guitar intro to "I Don't Know Anything" by Mad Seasons pumps through the PA. The EmpireTron shows numerous highlights of "New School" Layne Winters and Pamela...]
SFX: *BANG! BANG! BANG!!*
[Fireworks EXPLODE high overhead as the drums, vocals, and bass join the music, and "NEW SCHOOL" LAYNE WINTERS confidently strides out onto the ramp, sans title, but accompanied by PAMELA. The dysfunctional duo pose for several moments at the top of the rampway before the TV Champion and his manager come down the rampway.]
DT: The champion's out here in full force tonight, and he looks PUMPED for this title defense!
MN: Eh... there was a time when I saw a lot of good potential in this Layne Winters fella. He's got that "I don't care what you think about me" attitude set in place, and the fans hate him, which is always a plus. However... I always feel like he's missing the point.
DM: Jeez, Mike, that's surprising coming from you. I figured you'd be all about a complete Narcissist like Layne Winters.
MN: Hey, he ain't bad... but he ain't Copycat, for that matter! If Winters was as good as he claims to be, then the Anthology would have surely realized it by now and allowed him in their gang.
DT: I feel the Anthology are overlooking the talent and tenacity of this man, instead favoring already established stars. But it should be pointed out that just because Winters doesn't have a lot of experience in the big leagues, he's been wrestling for a good many years! And that lack of experience hasn't hindered him yet!
DM: This match-up is a classic case of the self-made man that is Layne Winters, who has spent many years of his life on the road, doing shows just to put food on the table, up against the more established and business-minded Copycat, who, in his mind, finds Winters to be boring.
MN: Well, he CAN be a little boring...
DT: I don't know about that, but I highly doubt we'll be bored through this match!
[Winters leaves Pamela on the outside, but not before sternly warning her that if she sticks her nose in his work, she'll be going back to the locker room with an amazing THREE black eyes. Pamela winces slightly as Winters rolls into the ring and pumps himself up to a turnbuckle, posing for the fans regardless of whether they like him or not. Satisfied with his showboating, he drops to the ring to where Copycat and Tony Fatora are waiting. Fatora raises the mic as the music ends...]
TF: Ladies and gentlemen... this contest will be a LADDER MATCH to decide the Empire Pro Television Champion! Introducing first, the challenger... hailing from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and weighing in at 280 pounds... representing the ANTHOLOGY... he is "THE SMARTEST PLAYER IN THE GAME"...
CCCCOOOOPPPPYYYYCCCCAAAATTTT!!!
[The crowd BOOS LOUDLY as the Cat pumps his fists into the air and smirks to the camera.]
TF: And his opponent... from Seattle, Washington... he weighs in at 250 pounds... accompanied to the ring by his manager, Pamela Eurice... he is the EMPIRE PRO WRESTLING TELEVISION CHAMPION...
"NEW SCHOOL"... LLLLAAAAAYYYNNNEEE WWWIIIIINNNTTTEEERRRSSS!!!
[Winters pumps a fist into the air, pointing straight up to the EPW TV Title hanging above. He gets a mixed reaction from the fans, the majority of whom still don't like him, but the few fans he's made in his brief EPW career make their voices heard. With the introductions out of the way, Fatora exits the ring.]
DT: No referee in this match... just two men, the ladder, and the prize hanging high above!
MN: I wish it could ALWAYS be like that...
SFX: *DING! DING! DING!*
DT: The contest for the EPW Television Title is underway... and here comes both Winters and Copycat out of their corners, circling each other in the center of the ring... wait a second, Winters backing away! The TV Champion is LEAVING THE RING!
MN: PAH! Does this guy even have the guts to defend the belt?!
DM: Let's not be hasty here, I think Layne has something up his sleeve here!
DT: The Television Champ grabs a CHAIR!! Oh MAN, he has a plan alright, and it's called PAYBACK! Remember, it's anything goes in this ladder match!
DM: Winters sliding back into the ring -- but there's THE CAT on him immediately with a series of stomps to the back of the head!
MN: So much for THAT idea...
DT: Copycat brings Layne Winters to his feet now, and the chair gets left in the corner... and there's the WHIP to the ropes! Winters on the rebound -- runs right into an ARM DRAG from Copycat! Winters bounces right up... runs right into ANOTHER ARM DRAG!
MN: It's like the Cat is just one step ahead of him tonight!
DM: The challenger's looking good tonight... Winters trying to get up again, but Copycat slips up behind him and quickly slips on a Hammerlock! The Cat's trying to wrench that arm... but OH WAIT! He gets an ELBOW to the face from the TV Champ -- and Winters reverses with a hammerlock of his own!
DT: Winters, trying to wrench that arm... but the challenger catches him with an ELBOW to the gut, and quickly reverses with the SNAPMARE... with a LOW DROPKICK to the spine for added effect!
MN: Looks like the Cat's off to a pretty solid start, wouldn't you say?
DM: Well, it's still early in this match Mike... but for now, Copycat retains control as he brings Layne Winters back to his feet... there's another WHIP to the ropes -- wait, Winters with the REVERSAL!!
DT: Here comes Copycat OFF THE ROPES -- right into an INVERTED ATOMIC DROP!!
MN: Oh man, that is SUCH a low blow...
DM: Here comes Winters to follow up... no wait, Copycat SLID OUT of the ring!
Crowd: "BOOO!!"
DM: The Cat got out of dodge before the champion could capitalize... and now he's pointing to his head with a big smirk on his face... TAUNTING Layne Winters!
MN: You can't fool him that easily! After all, he's the SMARTEST PLAYER IN THE GAME!!
DT: Copycat plays it up to the jeering ringside fans... but maybe he shouldn't have taken his EYES off of Layne Winters, who runs himself OFF THE ROPES --
MN: Oh crap, LOOK OUT, CAT!!
DM: The Cat turns around, and here comes Winters with the BASEBALL SLIDE -- OH, but he FAKED IT!!
DT: But the Cat FELL FOR IT ANYHOW!
Crowd: "BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!"
DM: Copycat must feel like a total JACKASS right now... but instead, he plays it cool and just laughs it off...
MN: NOTHING can break that man's level of coolness...
DT: Layne Winters, the TV Champion, stands tall in the ring, beckoning the challenger back in, while the stakes continue to dangle high over the ring! What's Copycat gonna do now?
MN: Give him a minute to think, will ya?
DT: Copycat rises up to the apron... and HERE COMES WINTERS -- but Copycat quickly drops back to the floor! Get back in the ring and FIGHT already!
Crowd: "BOOOOOO!!!"
DM: The fans may not particularly care for it, but what the Cat is doing right now is brilliant strategy. He's maintaining the pace of the match and stopping Winters' momentum dead!
MN: Once again, he's the SMARTEST PLAYER IN THE GAME!
DT: Thank you for the reminder, Neely... Copycat trying to slide back into the ring again... but slides right out the minute he sees Winters coming! The TV Champion is getting frustrated now... and now he's going for the far corner -- no, he's going back for that STEEL CHAIR he brought into the ring at the start of the match!
DM: Time to put it to use... but the second he turns his back on Copycat, the challenger slides right back into the ring!
MN: GET HIM, Cat!
DT: Winters has the chair, but he turns around as soon as COPYCAT CLOSES IN --
SFX: *CRACK!!*
Crowd: "OOOOHHH!!!"
DM: OH MAN!! Copycat went for the KIT KAT KICK, but instead, he took a CHAIR TO THE LEG as the Television Champion made a last-minute baseball swing with that weapon!
MN: I thought FOR SURE the Cat had him there!
DT: Copycat holding that leg in pain now, and Winters is HOLDING UP THAT CHAIR again!
SFX: *CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!*
DT: MY GOD!! REPEATED STRIKES WITH THAT CHAIR across the LEG of the challenger!
MN: THAT'S not how you use the steel chair! Go for the HEAD! Knock him OUT!
DM: Or he could go for the legs, and hamper his ability to climb the ladder...
MN: WHAT?! That's a completely IDIOTIC strategy, if you ask me!
DT: You only say that because Copycat didn't think of it first! Winters is throwing that chair out of the ring, instead looking for a KNEEBAR on that same leg! The challenger is no doubt in a WORLD of pain right now!
MN: Obviously, a desperate and futile attempt on the part of the TV Champion to try and impair a far superior athlete...
DM: Whatever happened to all that Layne Winters love you used to have, Mike?
MN: Hey, I still regard Layne VERY HIGHLY over the bulk of our very embarrassing roster... but the way I see it, the Anthology are the VERY BEST of what Empire Pro has to offer in terms of talent and entertainment, and if "New School" Layne Winters had the same IT factor that they have, then they would have included him long ago!
DT: Wait a second... Copycat reaching over to the face of Layne Winters... and he RAKES THE EYES in order to free himself!
DM: Well, if it's anything goes, then why not?
MN: Exploiting the rules... because he is the --
DT: "The Smartest Player in the Game"... right, Mike, we get it now. Winters is rubbing the sight back into his eyes... and now he's going back to the outside, his attention on the steel ladder that will carry the winner of this match to the title suspended over the ring!
DM: But now he's left Copycat to recover in the ring... and while he did a good number on that leg, I don't know if it will be enough to keep him completely immobilized as this match goes on! Even now, we can see the Cat getting to his feet with the help of the ropes and shaking the feeling back into his leg!
DT: He better hope the feeling comes back SOON, because the TV Champion Layne Winters is now sliding that ladder into the ring, and he rolls in after it!
MN: Oh no... LOOK OUT, CAT!!
DM: Here comes Copycat off the ropes, but Winters picks up the ladder and GOES LOW --
SFX: *BAMM!!*
Crowd: "OOOOOHHHH!!"
DT: And Copycat just gets SWEPT OFF HIS FEET with that ladder!! Man, Winters went RIGHT FOR THAT LEG again!
MN: Stupid, stupid...
DM: And he isn't going to give up on that leg any time soon! He's setting the steel ladder over the KNEE of Copycat now... and boosting himself up to the SECOND ROPE!!
MN: Oh no, DON'T DO THAT!
SFX: *CRACK!!*
Crowd: "OOOOOHHHH!!"
DT: OH MAN, Layne Winters with an ELBOW DROP OFF THE SECOND ROPE... RIGHT ACROSS THE STEEL LADDER as it was PROPPED OVER THE KNEE of COPYCAT!!
DM: The champion's going ALL OUT to ensure that he isn't outlasted here tonight by the so-called Smartest Player in the Game! Now the Cat is on the mat, clutching that leg in pain, and the Television Champion is taking the opportunity to set that ladder up!
DT: Winters sees his title and now begins his ascent to reclaim it! Copycat, feeling the burn, but nevertheless aware of the situation, quickly using the ropes and his good leg to get himself off the mat! "New School" Layne Winters almost to the TOP now...
MN: Stop him, Cat!
DM: And the Cat SHOVES THE LADDER OVER!! OH MAN!! Winters saw him and hopped off just in time, avoiding a potentially nasty fall! But now the Television Champion is FURIOUS! Winters is coming after Copycat --
SFX: *SMACK!!*
DT: OH NO!! He ran STRAIGHT INTO the KIT KAT KICK!!!
MN: LIGHTS OUT for LAYNE WINTERS!! The Cat KNEW he'd push that rookie into losing his calm and making a stupid and brash move just like that, and he fell for it hook line in sinker. And you know why?
DM: Enlighten us, Neels...
MN: Because he is THE SMAR --
DT: Damnit, Neely, would you shut the hell up!!
DM: I hardly expected Copycat to pull that one off with his leg already banged up, and he definitely paid the price... but Winters looks to be out cold, and he's got the opportunity he needs to go for the gold!
DT: Copycat rises, careful not to put too much weight on that leg... and now he goes right to work, setting up the ladder in the center of the ring! He needs to HURRY, because I think Winters is beginning to stir...
DM: He IS, Dave! And now time is the issue! Copycat now making his CLIMB UP... and while he may be down one leg, he isn't wasting any time!
MN: Go, Cat, GO! Eye on the prize!
DT: Winters is almost up now... and Copycat nears the top of the ladder! The challenger REACHING UP... his fingers are only inches away from capturing Empire Pro's Television Title!
DM: Almost there... but Winters is on his feet, and immediately sees what's up! The TV Champ quickly reaches up and takes Copycat by the LEG... and he RIPS HIM off the ladder and saves his title from being taken!
MN: DAMN... so close...
DT: Winters looking for a waistlock -- OH LORD IN HEAVEN, Copycat with a SHOT TO THE JEWELS, and Winters COLLAPSES to the mat!
DM: He's lucky there isn't a ref in that ring right now, or he would have been DQ'ed on the spot!
MN: Pff...
DT: Layne Winters is on the ground in agony as Pamela looks on in astonishment! Copycat, shaking a bit more of the pain from that leg, seems eager for a little payback as he strips the TV Champion off the mat... and there's the whip to the ropes! Here comes Winters on the rebound -- and Copycat BLASTS HIM WITH A SPINEBUSTER!!
SFX: *BANG!*
DM: That shook the ring so hard, the LADDER fell over!
MN: Bah... what a flimsy piece of aluminum hardware!
DT: But right now, that's the last thing on the Cat's mind as a sinister smile spreads across his face... and bounces off the ropes... and starts STRUTTING HIS STUFF in the middle of the ring!
Crowd: "BOOOOOO!!!"
MN: HA HA!! Show these idiots how it's done, Cat!
DM: A bit of pain in the knee doesn't stop the STRAY CAT STRUT... and the Cat NAILS the elbow into the sternum of Layne Winters!
MN: BOOM, baby!
DT: A great deal of showboating on the part of Copycat, but he must be feeling very confident in himself right now!
DM: At this point, his strength is trumping the technical and submission game of the champion, Layne Winters! The Cat now pulls the dazed Layne Winters off the mat! Scooping him UP and OVER... OH MAN, JUST DRILLS HIM WITH AN INVERTED PILEDRIVER!!
MN: BANG! I hope Layne puts his "New School" nickname to work here as he learns a thing or two from this FAR superior athlete!
DT: Copycat is actually a bit SLOW to get up! I think he may have agitated that knee again with that last maneuver, but by the look of things, it was a small price to pay!
DM: That was a pretty devastating number on Winters, who now lies prone on the mat, and I think Copycat is ready to make another stab at the title hanging high over the ring! Copycat is bringing the dazed and barely conscious Layne Winters back to his feet... and HOISTS HIM HIGH INTO THE AIR with a MILITARY PRESS!!
DT: TREMENDOUS power... and I think he's got something IN MIND here! Copycat bringing Winters over to the ropes... AND HE JUST THROWS HIM RIGHT TO THE OUTSIDE!! MY GOD, HE JUST THREW HIM OUT OF THE RING LIKE A RAG DOLL!!
MN: And STAY OUT!!
DM: A smart move made by Copycat... although hampered only slightly by that hurt knee, he's removed the opposition from the ring, and now he has a free ride up that ladder!
DT: Copycat begins setting up the ladder as Pamela comes around the ring to revive Layne! Say what you want about the conflicted relationship these two have... you can't really deny her dedication to stick by her man!
MN: At least she makes herself good for SOMETHING... but it's too late now! The Cat has the ladder set up at last, and he's making his way up!
DM: Winters looks to be in a great deal of pain after being thrown from the ring onto the unforgiving ringside floor... but he nevertheless gets to his feet with the help of the apron and the support of Pamela Eurice, and sees the CAT taking another stab up that ladder!
DT: Copycat NEAR THE TOP now as Layne Winters continues to struggle, trying desperately to crawl back into the ring!
DM: The Cat is at the TOP of the ladder now, and he's in reaching distance of that title!
MN: Come on, Cat! You got this!
DT: Copycat REACHING...
...only INCHES AWAY from the belt...
...but wait... now he sees his fingers drifting AWAY! It's because the LADDER IS FALLING!!
DM: LAYNE WINTERS GOT TO HIS FEET and PUSHED IT OVER at the last second!
MN: CRAP, LOOK OUT!!
DT: The ladder is TIPPING OVER --
SFX: *CRASH!!*
DT: OH MAN!! Copycat made a VIOLENT and AWKWARD LANDING on the TOP ROPE... in a position that NO MAN would EVER care to be in!!
MN: That's just SICKENING!!
DM: A bit of poetic karma put on the Cat after he nailed that blatant low blow earlier in the match! Copycat now straddles the top rope in absolute agony, and Layne Winters is trying to fight off his OWN pain to capitalize on this opportunity!
MN: He better hope that opportunity pays off, because the Cat isn't going to let him get away with THAT one!
DT: Winters, mustering up what strength he has left to get back to his feet! The challenger did quite a number on the champion, but he is nevertheless back UP and coming to those ropes now! Winters grabs ahold of the top rope... and begins BOUNCING COPYCAT IN PLACE!!
MN: Oh, this is just TOO PAINFUL to WATCH!!
DM: Copycat is in a WORLD of HURT in the most sensitive of areas... and Winters caps it off with a BIG CLOTHESLINE on the immobilized challenger! Copycat hits the APRON and falls HARD to the ringside floor!
DT: And Pamela Eurice is RIGHT THERE to trash the challenger where he lies on the floor! In the meantime, "New School" Layne Winters knows he has a golden opportunity at hand, and begins resetting the ladder in the middle of the ring!
DM: Copycat is out of the ring, incapacitated, and he's got a clear shot to reclaim his title! Winters with that ladder set up... but wait a second, there's trouble on the outside!
DT: "Trouble" is putting it lightly, Dean! Copycat is back up, and now THREATENING Pamela!
MN: Dumb woman should have NEVER raised her voice to a man!
DT: Copycat just SNATCHED HER BY THE HAND! Good God, he's HURTING HER!!
DM: Winters SEES THIS in the ring, and the Cat is CALLING HIM OUT, threatening to injure her! Copycat's forcing the champion to decide between going for the belt or saving his WOMAN!
DT: That's just SICKENING!
MN: It's BRILLIANT, if you ask me! Cat's gotta do whatever he can to save his chances at winning the title, and if Layne Winters was stupid enough to drag that crazy broad out here, then he should have been well aware of the risks!
DT: Winters is FUMING... and he TURNS AWAY FROM THE LADDER!!
Crowd: *POP!!*
DM: The crowd is actually RALLYING behind Layne Winters now! The TV Champ is stepping through the ropes onto the apron, threatening to RIP THE CAT'S HEAD OFF if he hurts her! Winters is coming down to the floor... and Copycat SHOVES PAMELA INTO HIM!!
DT: That BASTARD!!
DM: Winters sets Pamela aside -- BUT HE GETS SWEPT OFF HIS FEET by a LARIAT from Copycat!
MN: Oh man, Winters was a FOOL for walking into that one!
DT: Copycat is pulling out ever trick in the book here tonight... now he brings Winters back to his feet and grabs him by the hair... WHOA, MAN!! The fans in the front row get their MONEY'S WORTH as Winters gets sent right over the barricade and into the ringside seats!
DM: Talk about an unfortunate turn of events for Winters, who was moments ago just about to make a climb for the Television Title suspended high over the ring, but now Copycat has quickly cleverly turned the tables! The Cat now rolls back into the ring, and goes right over to the ladder!
DT: Winters, meanwhile, pulling himself back over the barricade to the ringside area! He sees Copycat making his way up that ladder, and he's desperately trying to save his reign as TV Champion!
MN: Cat's near the TOP!! Come on, man, REACH!!
DM: Copycat's reaching UP...
...OH, had his fingers JUST GRAZE the strap and causing it to swing away!
DT: That bought Winters a few seconds as he slips back into the ring... and now he's going up the OTHER SIDE of the ladder! We could be looking at a potential face-off at the very top of the ladder here in just a moment!
DM: Winters is nearing the top, but Copycat reaching out AGAIN to grab onto the EPW Television Title...
INCHES AWAY...
NO!! Winters GRABS HIM BY THE WAIST and YANKS HIM DOWN!!
MN: Throw him off of there, Cat!
DT: Copycat struggling now, trying to shake Winters off with a series of HARD PUNCHES to the top of the head, but Winters is clinging on for dear life! Winters repositioning himself now... WWWHOOAAAAH -- !!!
SFX: *SLAAAMMMM!!!*
DM: LAYNE WINTERS JUST LANDED A BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX OFF OF THE LADDER!! *******, COPYCAT JUST NEARLY PUT A HOLE THROUGH THE CANVAS!!
DT: Talk about TURNING THE TABLES!! Layne Winters was in danger of losing his title, but with that single desperation maneuver off the TOP OF THE LADDER, he evens things up!
MN: That Layne Winters is freakin' CRAZY!! Is he looking to end a hard working man's career?!
DM: Ah, but when you think about it, the Cat's always got Hollywood to fall back on if his wrestling career ever unexpected ends...
DT: Both men lying motionless on the mat now, just completely exhausted and beat! The EPW TV Champion, Layne Winters, is the first to begin stirring... and now he's beginning to rise!
MN: Come on, Cat... it's do or die now!
DM: Winters, using the ropes, digging deep to force himself back up... and HE FINALLY MAKES IT!! With Copycat incapacitated after that DEVASTATING suplex from the top of the ladder, Winters has a clear shot at the belt!
DT: But he has to HURRY, because Copycat is reviving himself as well! The challenger looks hurt, but nevertheless understands that he can't spend too much time on the mat while his opponent is going for the ladder!
MN: You can do it, Cat! But MOVE YOUR ASS, man! He's already got that LADDER back up!
DM: Winters has the ladder set directly under the belt... and now he's making the CLIMB to the top! If Copycat doesn't recover soon, then this could be IT right here!
DT: Layne Winters is halfway up the ladder... on the outside, Pamela, and surprisingly, even some FANS in the audience are rallying behind the Television Champion!
MN: Stupid Anti-Anthology marks...
DT: Winters is at the TOP of the ladder... the belt is just HANGING ABOVE HIM...
...Winters REACHES OUT...
...only INCHES AWAYS now...
...he has AHOLD OF IT!!
...but COPYCAT'S BACK UP!! Copycat GOING TO THE LADDER... and he SHAKES THE BASE!!
DM: OH MAN, he's trying to THROW WINTERS FROM THE TOP!! But Layne's got a death grip on the top of that ladder! He can't be gotten rid of THAT easily...
MN: Oh yes, HE CAN!!
DT: Wait a second... Copycat reaching through the ropes -- and he GRABS WINTERS BY THE LEG!! Winters can't SHAKE HIM AWAY... and Copycat PULLS HIS LEG THROUGH THE LADDER!!
DM: WOW!! Layne Winters DANGLING UPSIDE DOWN on that steel ladder, as Copycat traps his legs between steps! He's got him in a make-shift tree of woe in the center of the ring!
MN: HA!! Look at THAT!!
DT: Winters is trying to free himself up... but now Copycat's setting himself UNDER the ladder! What's THIS?! SUSPENDING HIMSELF UPSIDE DOWN UNDER THE LADDER!!
DM: You wouldn't expect THAT kind of athleticism from a guy as big as Copycat! The Cat reaches over and takes ahold of the immobilized Layne Winters... and he slaps on THE CAT'S CLAW!! MY GOD, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE SCRATCHING POST APPLIED UPON THE LADDER!!!
MN: Man, that right there is nothing short of BEAUTIFUL!! Copycat's going to finish this one in STYLE!!
DT: The challenger is BURYING that claw-hold into the face of the Television Champion, and Winters has NOWHERE TO GO!! Pamela tries SLAPPING THE CANVAS to keep him awake, but I don't think it's having any effect! Layne Winters is SLIPPING FAST!!
DM: It doesn't help that he's upside down either! All that blood rushing to his head only adds to the effect! Copycat's got that hold in place, and there's NO WAY Winters is going to break out of it!
MN: Oh man, how I WISH there was a referee in that ring right now to hear him tap!
DT: Unfortunately for Copycat, he still MUST ascend that ladder and retrieve the title! But he may not have any problem doing THAT here in just a moment... unless divine intervention steps in and saves Layne Winters from this predicament!
DM: Winters looks to be slipping...
His EYES are rolling back in his head!
And the TV CHAMPION IS OUT!!
DT: Copycat has DONE IT!! All he has to do now is climb that ladder and take the title... and I think that's EXACTLY what he has planned as he lowers himself from the ladder and returns to the mat! Winters DANGLES FROM THE LADDER, completely powerless to do anything more!
MN: That's one more for the ANTHOLOGY!!
DM: Copycat climbing up the ladder now... coming to the TOP...
Copycat REACHING UP...
He's got a HAND ON THE BELT!!
DT: AND LAYNE WINTERS JUST SHOT UP!! The TV Champion meeting the challenger at the top of the ladder WITH A BARRAGE OF FISTS, and Copycat is in SHEER DISBELIEF as he tries to defend himself!
MN: How in the HELL did he DO THAT?!
DM: He was PLAYING POSSUM!! Layne Winters was just PRETENDING he was out from that Scratching Post! The Smartest Player in the Game just got OUTSMARTED by the NEW SCHOOL!!
MN: LAME!! COME ON, CAT, KNOCK HIM OFF!!
DT: Winters and Copycat going at it at the top of the ladder... but now COPYCAT is gaining the upper hand! Winters looks to be slipping, but he WON'T LET GO of the top of the ladder, no matter HOW MANY TIMES Copycat buries that fist into his face!
DM: Winters trying to fight back... but Copycat throws on a front-face lock! He's going to SUPLEX HIM FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER --
DT: BUT WINTERS IS FIGHTING IT!! WINTERS BRACING HIMSELF ON THE LADDER!!
MN: NO, DAMNIT, NO!!!
DM: And Winters reverses with a SUPLEX OF HIS OWN --
DT: NO!! HE REVERSES WITH THE GREEN RIVER JUSTICE OFF THE TOP OF THE LADDER!!
SFX: *SLAAAMMMM!!!*
DT: MY GOD, COPYCAT JUST GOT DESTROYED!!!
Crowd: *POP!!!!*
MN: NOOOOOO!!! HOW THE HELL DID HE DO THAT?! Copycat ALMOST HAD IT!!
DM: Well, he just LOST IT!! What a TREMENDOUS REVERSAL on the part of the champion! Now he just needs to GET HIMSELF OFF THE MAT and BACK UP THAT LADDER!!
DT: Both men lying unconscious on the mat yet again, and Pamela Eurice is SLAPPING THE MAT trying to get Winters to come to! I think I see the TV Champion beginning to STIR!! Now he's trying to GET UP!! COME ON, LAYNE!!
MN: Come on CAT!!
DM: Winters is creeping back over to the ladder, struggling to both set it up and get himself to his feet! He's just too EXHAUSTED and SORE at this point to do anything else, but he's gotta go that extra mile!
DT: Layne Winters is finally back up, and begins setting up the ladder... but I see Copycat beginning to stir now!
MN: That's right, Cat! HURRY UP!!
DM: Copycat using the ropes to get to his feet BUT PAMELA JUST LEAPED IN AND JUMPED ON HIS BACK!!
MN: THE HELL??
DM: But here goes Winters, step after excruciating step up that ladder, fighting all the pain in his body in order to retrieve his EPW Television Championship! And Copycat is dragging Pamela Eurice with him!!! Unbelievable!
DT: Here's Winters, AT THE TOP of the ladder...
Winters is REACHING FOR THE HEAVENS...
He's got his HANDS ON THE TITLE, and he's trying to PULL IT DOWN...
DM: AND COPYCAT JUST PRESSED PAMELA OVER HIS HEAD RIGHT AT WINTERS!!!
MN: YESS!!!
DT: GOD NO, WINTERS SPRAWLING TO THE MAT...
SFX: *SLAMM!!*
Crowd: "OOOooohhh..."
DT: ...and HE BRINGS THE BELT WITH HIM!! HE GOT IT!!
MN: No no NO NO NOOOO!!!
SFX: *DING! DING! DING!*
[Copycat stands in the ring in utter astonishment as he looks down at the broken body of Layne Winters, the EPW Television Title clutched tightly in the champion's hands despite the horrible fall he's just taken, Pamela sprawled out beside him. "I Don't Know Anything" hits the PA once again.]
TF: Ladies and gentlemen... the WINNER of this match...
...and STILL the EMPIRE PRO WRESTLING TELEVISION CHAMPION...
"NEW SCHOOL"... LLLLAAAAAYYYYYNNNEEEE WWWIIIIINNNNTTTTTEEEERRRRRSSSS!!!
DT: What a VICTORY for this upcoming star and champion, Layne Winters!
DM: And what a DEFEAT for the Anthology! Copycat thought he'd walk away from this one as the EPW TV Champion, but much to his surprise and chagrin, Layne Winters hung in there every step of the way! Winters said earlier in the week that the Cat couldn't put him away in their last encounter, and he couldn't put him away this time either!
MN: This is a TRAVESTY, and I DEMAND an instant replay!!
DM: Winters had ahold of the belt... Copycat literally tossed Pamela into him to try and knock him down... Winters fell to the mat, and the belt came down with him. What more do you need to know?
DT: A hard-fought victory for Winters as -- wait, COPYCAT PICKS HIM UP!! Come on, what is THIS?!
DM: Copycat LIFTS WINTERS UP... JESUS CHRIST, HE HITS HIM WITH A LITTERBOMB OVER THE ROPES TO THE FLOOR!!!
DT: The match is OVER!!
MN: WHO CARES?! That punk isn't good enough to hang with Anthology, and he isn't good enough to carry that title, and Cat's going to send that message!
DM: The Cat goes to the outside and SHOVES OFF the officiating team as he continues to MERCILESSLY STOMP the victorious TV Champion on the outside! Pamela can do nothing but lay motionless in the ring!!
DT: Here come Sean Edmunds and Larry Tact down the ramp, trying to calm their fellow Anthology member down! Edmunds and Tact restrain Copycat, and FINALLY, the attack has stopped!
MN: Dang, I was hoping they'd join in... but ah well. They probably just convinced him that Cat is ABOVE that measly Television Title, and has better things to do.
DM: Pamela Eurice slowly crawls out of the ring and helps the TV Champ back to his feet as the members of Anthology disappear through entry-way... Winters clutching that Television Title close as he leans on Pamela, looking like he could collapse at any moment!
DT: But nevertheless, he holds that title HIGH IN GLORIOUS VICTORY as the dysfunctional duo limp their way back up the ramp! Copycat may walk away from this one with the last laugh, but Winters doesn't care, because he has the BELT, and that's all that matters! The battle for the TV Title may be over, but this NIGHT is FAR from finished!