(The cameras glide across the crowd. The fans, still buzzing from the Career vs. Career match, now see the New ERA announce team, Nick Jive, Tom Gheorghe, and Dean Julius, pop up on the big screen. After a quick pop, New ERA announcer Jamie Links steps into the ring.)
GHEORGHE: “We are just moments away from this next match, guys. “Mr. Old School” Steve Burke will be taking on Empire Pro’s Kenneth Williams. But first, can I just say … wow?!”
JIVE: “Rocko Daymon is gone! He’s gone!! The former New ERA World Heavyweight champion.. gone!”
GHEORGHE: “But not without taking Stalker down with him first … wow.”
JIVE: “You know who I feel bad for? The EPW announce table. It’s been destroyed THREE times tonight! Ours hasn’t been destroyed that match!”
GHEORGHE: “You’re incredible, you know that? Daymon loses a hellacious bout against Stalker .. and all you care about is the damn announce table.”
JIVE: “What?”
GHEORGHE: “Ugh. As I just said, we’ve got Kenneth Williams and Steve Burke coming up next..”
JULIUS: “Burke had a tough, tough loss earlier today at Destrucity II against Jeff Jorgenson and Mr. Entertainment… Williams lost even earlier today against Michael Bastard in the other triple threat at Aggression 50 .. so both men want to regain some momentum.”
JIVE: “Momentum? This is about representing your home turf. Burke and Williams have never been in the ring with one another. They’re both pretty damn new to both Empire Pro and New ERA … this is all about the glory. Screw momentum!”
GHEORGHE: “Well, a victory here tonight will certainly do wonders… let’s head up to Jamie Links and get this match started!”
(Camera cuts to the ring. Links stands there.)
LINKS: “The following match … is scheduled for one fall … and has a THIRTY MINUTE time limit! Introducing first…..”
(CUEUP: “Kingdom Come” by Jay-Z. One half of the crowd pops while the other jeers.)
LINKS: “Representing EMPIRE PRO WRESTLING ….”
(The music pounds through the sound system like Kimbo Slice punching a punching bag. The camera pans back to the entrance stage to see Kenneth Williams walk onto the stage. Williams raises a fist to the air, and swings it back to his side as flames erupt from both sides of the ramp.)
LINKS: “Hailing from Savannah, Georgia…. He stands six foot two and weighs 240 pounds….. KENNETH …….. WILLIAMS!”
(Williams walks down the ramp to ringside. He makes his way onto the apron, and climbs over the second rope. The heir to the Williams legacy slides his leather duster off his body and throws it at the ref. Afterwards, he climbs the turnbuckle and begins to strike the trademark “STAR” pose, aka he shapes his hand like a diamond. Williams hops off the turnbuckle pad and waits for Burke.)
GHEORGHE: “Williams certainly coming to the ring with a lot of swagger.”
JULIUS: “Doesn’t look like his loss earlier tonight has affected him mentally.”
LINKS: “And his opponent….”
(CUEUP: “The Ecstasy of Gold” by Ennio Morricone. Once again, half the crowd pops while the other jeers.)
LINKS: “Representing NEW ERA of WRESTLING…..”
(The slow build of Ennio Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold” fills the building… slowly a fog begins to envelop the stage. As the vocals begin, a spotlight shine down, and a robed Steve Burke appears. He begins to make his way down to the ring, as the music continues to build.)
LINKS: “Originally from Limerick, Ireland, although he maintains many, many homes around the world … he stands six foot one and weighs 230 pounds …. “MISTER …. OLD SCHOOL…..” STEVE BURKE!”
(Burke walks up the ring steps, wipes his feet, and climbs into the ring, where he poses for the crowd, before taking off his robe, and shooting a glare at his opponent.)
GHEORGHE: “Burke looking over at Williams.”
JIVE: “It’s a battle of the egos right now. There may be two rings out there right now .. but I don’t even think THAT could contain both of these men!”
(SFX: Bell rings!)
GHEORGHE: “The bell has sounded and this match is officially underway!”
JIVE: “Steve Burke not ready to go quite yet!”
GHEORGHE: “Steve Burke putting up a hand telling Williams to wait while he fixes his boot!”
JULIUS: “Kenneth Williams doesn’t seem to hap…. OH, there we go.”
GHEORGHE: “Williams charging in and just sent a forearm right into the jaw of Steve Burke!”
JULIUS: “Burke is still going on about his boot!”
GHEORGHE: “Williams taking Burke to the ropes … and he runs his head right across the top! Steve Burke holding his forehead … and Williams from behind yanking Burke by the neck .. and he sends him to the mat!”
JIVE: “Kenneth Williams not giving Burke any chance.. he’s right back on him!”
GHEORGHE: “Mr. Old School trying to cover his face as Williams drops to the mat on top of him … Williams is wailing away! He is drilling those palms right into the side of the head!”
JIVE: “This isn’t fair! Steve Burke is a world-class wrestler. Williams is a brute!”
GHEORGHE: “Kenneth Williams raising his arms up and .. NO! BURKE WITH A POKE IN THE EYES!”
JULIUS: “Williams let his adrenaline get the best of him … Burke grabbed the opportunity by the balls!”
GHEORGHE: “Burke now trying to push Williams off him .. and Burke now making his way to his feet!”
JIVE: “Burke is up, but Williams is back up, too.”
GHEORGHE: “Mr. Old School trying to shake out the cobwebs, and here comes Williams! Kenneth Williams grabs Burke and yanks him in for the short-arm clothesline! BUT BURKE DUCKS UNDERNEATH! Burke grabbing Williams’ head from behind .. and he drops him with the neckbreaker!”
JULIUS: “Williams quickly losing steam. He needs to kick it up a notch if he plans on going move for move with Burke.”
JIVE: “He needs to kick it up a notch? Whose side are you on, Julius?!”
GHEORGHE: “Burke grabbing the leg of Williams … and he’s locking on the figure four! Burke .. Burke has it locked on!”
JIVE: “Tear a ligament!”
GHEORGHE: “Nick!”
JIVE: “What?”
GHEORGHE: “Burke has the figure four locked on tight … and … HE’s GRABBING THE BOTTOM ROPE!”
(SFX: Huge jeers.)
JIVE: “Burke will win this by pure talent!”
GHEORGHE: “If by talent you mean cheating!”
JIVE: “And I do.”
GHEORGHE: “Williams in a TON of pain .. and Burke releases the bottom rope right as the referee turns around!”
JULIUS: “Take out Williams’ mobility and you take away any chance of a victory.”
GHEORGHE: “The referee asking Williams if he wants to give … AND BURKE GOES BACK TO THE BOTTOM ROPE!! BURKE YANKING ON THE ROPE AS WILLIAMS SHOOTS UP IN PAIN!”
JIVE: “The referee caught him!!”
GHEORGHE: “Burke continuing to add the pressure .. and the referee is threatening him with disqualification if he doesn’t release! The fans are jeering and Burke … Burke isn’t releasing!”
JULIUS: “The referee counting him … he’s at four … and finally “Mr. Old School” releases the hold!”
JIVE: “The damage has been done though… and New ERA is three seconds away from walking away with a victory!”
GHEORGHE: “The fans here at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in store for so many great matches here tonight at Sin City Showdown .. and Steve Burke and Kenneth Williams have so far given them an intense bout!”
JIVE: “Burke on his feet and he just drove his boot into the knee of Williams. I love it.”
GHEORGHE: “Burke reaching down and bringing William….. KENNETH WILLIAMS WITH A LOW BLOW DOUBLES OVER BURKE!”
JULIUS: “And the crowd, both EPW and New ERA fans alike, felt that one.”
GHEORGHE: “Kenneth Williams grabs the head and brings Burke down with the DDT! Williams tosses the arm over… ONE ……………. TWO ………… KICKOUT!!!”
JIVE: “If Williams won this match I would have shot myself.”
JULIUS: “GOD DAMMIT. COME ON KENNY!”
GHEORGHE: “…”
(SFX: Crowd chants “LET’s GO KEN-NY, LET’s GO!”)
JIVE: “What the hell?”
JULIUS: “They must have heard you, too!”
JIVE: “Oh this is messed up.”
GHEORGHE: “Kenneth Williams on his back, as is Steve Burke …”
JULIUS: “Both men taking this time to get a breather..”
JIVE: “If Burke comes out with a victory tonight, that could propel him into the Television championship scene. He had a tough loss earlier.. but showing his ability to bounce back would certainly impress LaRoque.”
GHEORGHE: “I agree, Nick.”
JIVE: “Yea, he’s a sucker for things like that.”
GHEORGHE: “Burke rubbing his temples as he sits up … and Kenneth Williams trying to push his way to his feet!”
JIVE: “But Burke is getting up first!”
GHEORGHE: “Williams still feeling some of the effects of that figure four … and Steve Burke standing … no .. Burke against the far ropes … he comes back … AND GRABS WILLIAMS’ HEAD FROM BEHIND AND HITS THE BULLDOG! Burke spins Williams on his back … ONE ………… TWO ………. THREE—NO! Williams getting out at the last second!”
JULIUS: “Steve Burke thought he had it .. he asked the referee if he was positive.”
JIVE: “Don’t worry, Steve! It’s coming soon.”
GHEORGHE: “Burke back on his feet … and he stands over Kenneth Williams…. WILLIAMS THOUGH KICKS HIS LEG INTO BURKE’s GRO… NO!”
JULIUS: “Burke caught Williams’ leg! And he’s flipping him over!”
GHEORGHE: “Steve Burke …. He has the single leg crab locked on! Kenneth Williams caught once more in the submission!”
JIVE: “And maybe this time he’ll get it right and just throw in the towel!”
GHEORGHE: “The referee making sure he keeps an eye on BOTH men this time … he doesn’t want Burke to try to sneak in added pressure.”
JULIUS: “Steve Burke leaning ALL the way back.. he better not go back and further or else he may just tumble backwards!”
JIVE: “And hopefully snap Williams’ legs in the process.”
GHEORGHE: “…”
JULIUS: “Mr. Old School with one arm up in the air … whether or not he’ll have his arm in the air at the end of this match is another story.”
JIVE: “What has Kenneth Williams shown us?”
JULIUS: “He’s a fighter.”
JIVE: “He’s a cheat. Nothing like slamming a guy in the Johnson…”
GHEORGHE: “… and Burke’s poke in the eye earlier? The holding the ropes?”
JIVE: “Oh please! The poke in the eye was an accident! And Burke wasn’t holding the ropes ... he was merely stretching .. he noticed that the rope was out of place and was probably trying to snap it back.. or tighten it … or something.”
GHEORGHE: “Your lies get worse as the day go on, Nick.”
JIVE: “I’ve been in this arena for the past 6 hours .. cut me some slack.”
GHEORGHE: “The referee not getting any response from Williams .. and Steve Burke now realizing that Williams won’t be tapping any time soon…”
JIVE: “You really thought Burke cared if Williams was going to tap?”
GHEORGHE: “Well there was the added benefit of the toll it took on Williams’ back .. but yes.”
JULIUS: “Something …. Looks up.”
GHEORGHE: “Burke walking around the ring with a huge smirk on his face… I think HE thinks that this match is in the bag!”
JIVE: “Bring home the victory, baby!”
GHEORGHE: “Steve Burke bringing Williams to his fee…. SMALL PACKAGE!!! ONE ……….. TWO ……….. THREE!!! HE GOT HIM!! KENNETH WILL….”
JIVE: “No no no!! Burke got the shoulder up!!”
GHEORGHE: “Did he?! HE DID!”
JULIUS: “And Burke is NOT happy!! He just popped to his feet and is driving those boots into the face of Williams!”
JIVE: “Now who’s the MMA master, *****!?”
GHEORGHE: “Steve Burke dropping to the mat … and he is drilling Williams with open hand shots!”
JULIUS: “Williams was looking for the upset ….. and now he’s paying for not getting it.”
JIVE: “Look at Burke go! He’s a man possessed!”
GHEORGHE: “Steve Burke finally hopping to his feet … AND … HE’s CALLING FOR IT!”
JULIUS: “I think Burke’s had enough of Williams’ antics…”
GHEORGHE: “Mr. Old School bringing Kenneth Williams to his feet … Burke with some last minute words before driving a knee into the gut! And Steve Burke brings Williams UP and DOWN with the powerbomb!!!”
JIVE: “OLD SCHOOL SPECIAL!”
GHEORGHE: “AND THERE IT IS!! THE OLD SCHOOL SPECIAL!!! HE HAS IT LOCKED ON!”
JULIUS: “And Kenneth Williams wasting NO time in tapping!! Steve Burke has won this match!!!”
(SFX: Bell rings.)
LINKS: “The winner of this match …. Representing NEW ERA of WRESTLING …..”
(CUEUP: “The Ecstasy of Gold” by Ennio Morricone.)
LINKS: “MR. OLD SCHOOL” ………….. STEVE ……………. BURKE!”
JIVE: “Score one for New ERA!”
GHEORGHE: “Congratulations go out to that man right there.. Steve Burke bouncing back from his loss earlier tonight in the #1 contender’s match at Destrucity II and getting a convincing victory over a tough challenger from Empire Pro.”
JULIUS: “Burke walking right over the body of Williams .. not even giving him a second thought as he exits the ring.”
GHEORGHE: “Ladies and gentlemen … this is SIN CITY SHOWDOWN …. And we’ve got another battle right around the corner … not to mention tonight’s main event … the WAR GAMES match .. five men representing Empire Pro … five men representing New ERA …. It’s going to be killer. Let's send this to the EPW team for our next match .. as Copycat takes on Golem!"
DT: Our next match should be a doozy.
DM: These two men have never faced one another before. Hard to believe in this day and age considering both of them have been around the block a few times.
MN: Golem most recently had a run in the WFW:NE. But since that experiment went down faster than Lindsay Troy on management, he’s now representing NGEN here at Sin City Showdown.
DT: I don’t know much about Golem aside from the fact that Copycat personally wanted this match. Whenever the Cat wants something, he gets it.
MN: Whenever anyone in Anthology wants something, they get it!
DT: I guess you’re right, Mike. Let’s send this to Tony Fatora and get the ring introductions under way!
[MUSIC UP: “The Day The World Went Away” by Nine Inch Nails. Golem comes through the curtain, drawing a chorus of boos from the crowd.]
TF: The following contest is set for one fall… Making his way to the ring from Death Valley, weighing in at 236 pounds… GOLEM!
DT: These two men have spent a long time waiting to have it out, and now at Sin City Showdown they’ll finally clash.
MN: I don’t know much if anything about Golem, and Copycat’s awesome… So I’m just going to warn you guys I might be a little bias here.
DM: We’d notice the difference how?
[Golem hits the ring and begins stretching out with the top rope, awaiting Copycat’s appearance. After a few seconds Golem’s music fades out. CUEUP: “My Way” by Butch Walker. Copycat steps out onto the ramp way with a cocky swagger. He walks to the ring with a big smirk on his face. ]
TF: And his opponent, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, weighing in at 286 pounds… One half of the EPW World Tag Team Champions… COPYCAT!!!
[Copycat hits the ring, the ref waits for a moment and then calls for the bell.]
DT: And we’re underway as Copycat bull rushes Golem into the corner and now gives him a couple knees to the mid-section. Golem just LAUNCHED out of the corner by Copycat, who got some serious elevation on that hiptoss.
DM: Copycat’s rarely the smaller man in the ring, and tonight he enters the ring with a nearly 50 pound advantage over his opponent. Golem really needs to avoid getting caught in close with Copycat or he’s going to pay dearly.
DT: Copycat now plucks Golem off the mat and hooks him up… BIG SUPLEX! Golem sent crashing to the mat. Copycat gives the crowd an arrogant sneer before putting the boots to Golem.
MN: Copycat is just toying with this guy, the way a cat toys with a mouse… Maybe we should re-name Golem something more rodent like… Seems accurate.
DT: Golem now sent to the floor by Copycat, who follows him out of the ring. Copycat grabs Golem and drops him THROAT FIRST over the railing! Golem drops to the floor clutching at his neck in agony!
DM: Absolutely no mercy being shown here by Copycat, who’s clearly sending a message to Golem and everyone in both New ERA and Empire Pro that he, means business.
DT: Copycat re-enters the ring and tells the ref to count Golem out, normally I’d think a count-out win would be kind of cheap, but given the damage Copycat’s done to this point I’d be hard-pressed to claim he doesn’t deserve this win by whatever means he gets it.
DM: The ref is already up to six, Golem slowly stirring now.
SEVEN!
DT: Golem now on his knees leaning against the apron.
EIGHT!
DT: Golem slides into the ring! He breaks the count at eight! His reward is being kicked in the ribs a couple times by Copycat… Cat now gets Golem to his feet, Golem sent CRASHING to the mat from a BACK SUPLEX! Copycat with a cover!
ONE!!
TWO!!
NO!!
DT: Golem powers out after a two count, Copycat quickly sinks a nerve hold into the shoulder of Golem, grinding his weight into the smaller man.
MN: Copycat might be a giant of a man, but he’s also no dummy, he knows how to wrestle better than almost everyone in both companies, that’s what makes him so deadly.
DT: You are just a living breathing ad campaign for everyone in Anthology aren’t you Neely? Golem trying to get to his feet to ease some of the pressure off his shoulder…. He spins into Copycat and catches him off balance with a series of right hands… Copycat staggers and Golem off the ropes… GETS CAUGHT… SHOULDERBREAKER BY COPYCAT! COPYCAT WITH THE COVER!
ONE!!
TWO!!!
TH—NO!
DT: Golem again kicks out, and now gets trapped in an armbar for his troubles. Cat wrenching that arm, really putting the abuse to Golem who’s thrashing in the middle of the ring, trying to find a way out of this hold.
DM: You can feel this match just slipping away from Golem, he hasn’t managed to get anything going since the opening bell.
MN: Slipping away? Cat’s ripped it away from him!
DT: Golem back to his feet… Ducks under, and gets a hammer lock Copycat… Copycat whips a back elbow at Golem, who ducks and drops down… JAWBREAKER! Copycat clutches at his jaw and takes a kick to the gut… DDT BY GOLEM!! GOLEM WITH A QUICK COVER!!
ONE!!
TWO!!
NO!!!
DT: Copycat powers out at two… Golem stalking, kicking away at the big man as he struggles to his feet. Copycat is up… Gets rocked by a clothesline… Golem off the ropes… DROPS COPYCAT WITH A LEG LARIAT!
DM: Golem has managed to string together some offense and has turned this match around just when it looked like everything was lost.
MN: He’s gotten lucky with a few moves, I wouldn’t go ranting and raving about how great he is just yet.
DT: Golem picks up the staggering Copycat and bashes his head into the turnbuckle. Cat on rubber legs and he’s whipped to the other corner… Golem charges… RIGHT INTO A BIG BOOT FROM COPY CAT… WHO RUSHES OUT OF THE CORNER AND BOWLS OVER GOLEM WITH A SHOULDER BLOCK!
MN: See! I told you, this Golem just had his luck run out!
DT: Copycat now glaring down at Golem, who looks to be half out of it… Copycat pulls him to his feet, he sets Golem up…HE’S LIFTED HIGH INTO THE AIR… LITTERBOMB!!!! COPYCAT PLANTED HIM!!! HE COVERS!!
ONE!!!
TWO!!!
THREE!!!
[SFX: Bell rings, CUEUP: “My Way” by Butch Walker. Copycat pops to his feet, raising his arms over his head, a dismissive smirk on his face.]
TF: The winner of this match… COPY!!! CAT!!!!
DT: Copycat scores an impressive win over Golem here at Sin City Showdown.
MN: Impressive?! Dominating, crushing, devastating! We need to get Dan Ryan on the phone and tell him to get that drunk Fuse or the goth-tard off the EPW team for Wargames and get Copycat in there!
DT: I don’t think that’s happening Neely, but any way you slice it Copycat is leaving Las Vegas as a winner!
MN: I’m bringing him to the tables with me later.
DT: I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to accommodate you.. but up next we’re going to send you to the New ERA squad for our next bout .. Michael Bastard and Jonathan Marx .. it’s an on the fly change in the lineup .. and it should be a helluva match.