OPENING VIDEO PACKAGE

The fans are shown throwing their hands into the air in slow motion, caught in different colors, with the feed freezing every so often on a crazed spectator’s features, exhilarated by what they are witnessing. It then cuts to aerial scenes of the city streets below with cars buzzing by an arena in fast motion.

If you feel so empty
So used up so let down
If you feel so angry
So ripped off so stepped on
You're not the only one
Refusing to back down
You're not the only one
So get up

The fans are again shown going even more crazy with their fists held up high, the camera freezing on a clinched set of digits, as it turns from normal color to a black and white hue. It then switches to Bitchcakes McPhee standing on the stage with a beer in one hand a large smile plastered on his face before cutting to an aerial view with stop motion footage of hundreds of fans waiting in line to get into the building.

Let's start a riot, a riot
Let's start a riot
Let's start a riot, a riot
Let's start a riot

Scenes cut from the crazed fans in the stands to deranged mobs throwing Molotov cocktails down the street with burning rags stuck out from the top of them. It switches quickly to AWOL’s fierce face glaring forward maliciously before shifting to Aurora Rose moodily making her way down the ramp, with the bangs of her hair hanging in front of her dreary face. It then cuts to Jackson Adams being choked out with a crowbar to his throat from Jon Rich before shifting to an explosion rocking through a building while it crumbles and collapses to the ground. Desolation is then featured jumping off the top of a cage roof with a shooting star press.

If you feel so filthy so dirty
so fucked up
If you feel so walked on
So painful so pissed off
You're not the only one
Refusing to go down
You're not the only one
So get up

Police are shown gathered in a straight line with shields held out in front of them, dressed in all riot gear while marching down the street. The video then switches to Silencer driving his forehead into David Millers, both men busted open already. Thankfully the images transfer to Too Magnificent bashing someone over the head with a trash can before cutting to Nathan Creed maliciously glaring about his surroundings. Another image features Orlando Cruze standing on the stage and raising his arm above his head, as pyros explode on all sides of him. This image is short lived as people are featured being detained, cuffs slapped around their wrists while being forced into the backs of large police vans.

Let's start a riot, a riot
Let's start a riot
Let's start a riot, a riot
Let's start a riot

If you feel so empty
So used up, so let down
If you feel so angry
Just get up

Let's start a riot, a riot
Let's start a riot
Let's start a riot, a riot
Let's start a riot

Robin Brooks takes up the screen diving off the top rope with a moonsault and coming crashing down stomach first towards the camera that was aimed upwards to catch a glimpse of her in all of her acrobatic splendor. The package then showcases Chapel delivering the Cardinal Sin while surrounded by a steel cage before shifting to a bloodied smiling face of Psycho, his dementia clear within his wide deranged eyes. Adam Riddick is featured flying through the air with a frog splash, soaring gracefully. Police are shown beating some looter with their knight sticks until David Miller is shown giving Denile Partis a piledriver onto the solid steel stage. Pat Evans is then the focus of attention, ripping at a victim’s ankle with a tough, yet textbook submission. That’s before images are shown of Jon Rich delivering a missile dropkick as well as Orlando giving the Rock Bottom on Desolation. It then switches abruptly to Kelly Hart and Shannon Blaze connecting with the a modified death sentence, where a shooting star leg drop is used instead of the textbook one. It cuts to a burning building, people running out of the flaming structure with stolen goods.

Let's start a riot, a riot
Let's start a riot
Let's start a riot, a riot
Let's start a riot

Hurse is featured on top the shoulders of the Alpha Generation while holding the World Heavyweight title above his head. Abruptly the video switches to Psycho delivering the Psychotic Episode on one of his many victims before transitioning into an image of Silencer superkicking one of his opponent’s directly under their jaw. Sean Johnson is featured awkwardly hugging both River Angelus and Shawn Logan before cutting to Pat Evans holding onto the fujiwara. The video switches to Christian Savior standing in a hallway with light hitting him from behind, almost enveloping him as a result.

RIOT!

Fireworks erupt from the entry way, the titontron and just about every square inch of the rafters above the ring, coinciding with the commencement of the first Riot! of 2008. The fans are standing in unisons, their arms thrust high, and their faces enlivened with anticipation for the impending telecast to get underway. The balconies in the Manhattan Center are literally overfilling with fans who are thriving on the excitement surrounding the first show of the new year.

Dan Douglas: 2008 has arrived ladies and gentlemen, and now it’s time for the very first Riot! of the new year, and man am I ever as excited as these fans are.

Billy Mayne: I would be too, if it weren’t for the fact that I’m still hung over from my New Year’s celebration.

Douglas: How is that humanly possible, New Years was like four weeks ago.

Mayne: Yeah, but I never stopped drinking throughout all those four weeks. Livers are overrated, which means they have something in common with you Dan, hahahahaha!

Dan: Wow, new year, same worn out jokes.

Billy: I’ll tell you something that’s different though Dan, the fact that my genius has again surpassed itself in greatness, because tonight I’ll reveal who the boss here is in the IWC.

Douglas: I highly doubt it.

Mayne: You were there Dan, you saw as I weaved together the evidence, and there’s no denying it. Tonight, the world will finally know the truth.

PAT EVANS © VS. AXL EVERMORE © VS. JON RICH ©
TRIPLE THREAT CHAMPIONS MATCH

The screen begins flashing with the beat of "Unbreakable" by Bon Jovi. The fans jump to their feet and watch as Jon walks from the back, smile on his face and the No Holds Barred Title over his shoulder. He points to the fans as he steps on the stage. He stands dead center, drops to both knees, crosses his arms and lowers his head before snapping the arms outward and snapping his head back with a scream as the pyros from the screen begin to shoot off. He hops to his feet and jogs the isle, slapping the hands of the fans before sliding into the ring. He gets to his feet, runs to the corner, and taunts the fans. Jon steps back and forth in the ring now after handing off his N.H.B Championship to official Stuart Wright. His eye remains focused on the entry way with the crowd still cheering his name, going nuts over his arrival to kick start the first show of 2008.

Dan: And what better way to kick start 2008 than with the man who had perhaps the biggest year of his career in 2007?

Mayne: I can think of a dozen different and vastly better ways to start this show. We could have dancing bears, or naked women, or naked bears.

Dan: Stop speaking.

A booming voice sounds over the PA, with one of those swooshing sound effects that build to a crescendo. "You know who I AM, where I've BEEN, where I'm GOING, how I'll GET there...and all that's left is to tell you's that I'm finally HERE!"

The feed fades to the Tron video, and as the lead singer for Drowning Pool screams the opening "1, 2, 3, STEP UP!!" to their song "Step Up", a name is spelled out on the black video background in bold red Sofachrome font letters: Axl Evermore. In between some of the letters, a split-second of classic Evermore-in-action impact clips are shown. It fades to a front view of the stage, with Evermore looking down on one knee, arms outstretched like he just landed from a jump. Sallie Roma, his wife, stands right behind him, her body looking like a well-proportioned X with her arms raised out and her head raised towards the heavens. He stands up, as she sidesteps him in a graceful spin to kneel in front of him, and he RVD's a thumbs pose as she does the same, looking up at him. The Cartel Championship glistens while wrapped about his waist, sparkling brightly as a sea of camera flashes emanating from the stands reflects from the polished surface of the gold.

He looks downwards at her, mouths some instructions, and they head to the ring with stern focus and an energetic gait. He jumps and dives through between the middle and bottom ropes, tumbling forth into a hop, into a standing position at the center of the ring, while Sallie gracefully jogs around to her position in the support corner. He climbs a corner and thrusts his arms out like Bret Hart, shouting "King of Submission!" towards no one in particular. He hops down from the corner, takes his jacket and shades off, handing them over the ropes down to Sallie, then takes his bandanna off and throws it into the audience. Axl then stands at the ready, alternating between hopping place and standing in a crouch.

The new Cartel Champion discards his belt to Wright who holds it in the same hand as the No Holds Barred title. All the while he approaches Jon and extends his hand out in his direction, Rich taking it in his own. Surprisingly, despite what occurred between them on the last Riot! they look to have a mutual appreciation and respect for one another.

Douglas: Jon Rich and Axl Evermore shaking hands with one another, as both of these men are true class acts, united by their mutual hatred of Desolation.

Billy: Yuck, great big YUCK in fact. Why must these guys be all lovely dovey? Their opponents tonight, and they’ll be opponents at Redemption Roe, so the last thing they should be doing is shaking hands. Hit each other, do something violent, appease me!

Dan: I think this friendship votes very badly for Pat Evans, who definitely is not on either of these two men’s Christmas card list.

Mayne: I don’t get Christmas cards either, but it’s mainly because I’ve always had a deep rooted fear of Santa Claus. How is he not arrested for home invasion?

The duo continues to jaw jack with one another as they discuss their impending confrontation amongst other numerous and sundry topics. “Outsider” plays throughout the arena. The lights dim and fade to black. After a few moments of the opening piano chord being played, a spotlight shines down on Pat Evans as he walks out from the back. The crowd responds with repulsion as he makes his way down the ramp with Aurora Rose following behind, a devious grin present on her face, but Evans merely ignores their fanfare and walks up to the ring. All the while his Submission Championship is clutched in the palm of his hand while Aurora rubs his shoulder reassuringly and screams at the fans who are booing Evans the most. Pat makes it half way down the ramp holding up his Submission title belt with Aurora at his side, motioning towards the gold as well. Both individuals seem to be rubbing it in the faces of the other champions, who bend forward and shake their heads disapprovingly.

Mayne: Now here’s a champion, here’s a guy deserving of all the accolades that he’s achieved throughout his long and productive career.

Douglas: He’s been here less than a year!

Billy: And what a year it’s been, although I do say that he deserves much better than this travesty of a match. Why is he competing against these two guys in another triple threat match? Isn’t the third show in a row where we’ve had a triple threat match start off the show? Redundant much?

Dan: Well, I think the bookers know what they’re doing, Billy. They’re trying to start off the show with the best action possible.

Mayne: If they knew what they were doing there be far less Jon Rich, and far more Billy Mayne.

Pat Evans reaches the end of the ramp still holding up the belt to the cackles of laughter from the truly diabolical Aurora when Axl and Rich both rush across the ring and simultaneously dive through the ropes. Both men connect at the same time with a double flying suicide dive into Evans, knocking the trio down to the mats with Aurora jumping out of the way.

Dan: Rich and Axl taking out Evans right at the get go of this match!

Mayne: Dammit, this is triple threat, not a tag team match! Don’t these guys know the difference?

Rich and Evermore roll away from Evans who has dropped his belt and collapses to the mats back first, swiping at his face all the while. They both nip up to their feet at the same time and now find themselves staring at one another, questioning what they should do next. They turn towards Evans and both take hold of one leg each, lifting them into the air. They step over the legs and then drop into a forward roll. As a result Evans is lifted up off the mats and yanked into the air as he rolls backwards and finds himself slammed spine first directly into the steel ramp. Everyone in the arena goes nuts once again as the body of the Submission Champion collides brutally into the steel, leaving him writhing in agony. Aurora stands back with frustration depicted on her features as Evermore and Jon rise to their feet and again find themselves staring into each other’s faces.

Mayne: What have they done to Evans? Hit each other dammit, your obligated in this match to pretend your not biased.

Douglas: I only wish you could do the same.

Evermore and Rich nod in one another’s directions then step forward, locking up in a collar elbow tie. Both men remain on the outside of the ring jostling and jockeying for positioning while referee Wright has no other alternative but to begin counting them out. They move sideways in the direction of the ring and then actually roll in under the ropes while still tied up in the collar elbow. As soon as both individuals rise to their feet they break free of the hold and step back, glaring at one another and wondering what it will take to get the advantage over the other. Therefore they step back in and lock up arms in another collar elbow, fighting for positioning against one another and turning in circles to try and achieve it. Finally Jon is backed into the turnbuckle by Axl, who holds him there as the official steps in and begins a five count. Wright reaches four until Evermore breaks the hold cleanly and steps backwards with his arms stuck out to his sides. All the while Rose is helping the Submission Champion up to his feet on the outside of the ring, trying to get him up so that he can compete in this contest and actually earn a shot at possibly becoming a double champion. As Evermore backs up from his opponent, Jon steps out of the corner and immediately ties up with him in another collar elbow. This time Axl finds himself being powered backwards across the ring before Rich drops down to his side and pulls him down into an arm drag. As soon as Evermore hits the ring though he rolls away from Jon and reverses the arm hook, instead pulling Jon down to the canvas with his own arm drag then applying the textbook arm lock. Evermore gets to his knee at his side while establishing this submission and looking out towards the crowd who is clapping loudly at this technical display.

Dan: Some textbook grappling here in this opening contest.

Mayne: Yeah, everything these two do is straight out of a textbook, they have no creativity.

Axl really cinches in the arm lock as Jon pushes himself up onto his shoulders then nips to his feet. He immediately swings around under Evermore’s arm and then drags it out to his side, applying the arm ringer submission hold. The crowd claps respectfully right before Evermore twists with his body and reaches out with his feet. He interlocks them around Rich’s ankle and drop toe holds him forward into the canvas then turns around onto his knees, jumping to his opponent’s side. He grabs hold of his arm and pulls it around behind Rich’s back, establishing the hammerlock submission. Axl puts all of his strength into the submission while looking out over the fans who are showing their appreciation for this fine back and forth wrestling.

On the outside of the ring Evans has fallen into the apron, still reeling from the effects of that double team assault but trying to get back into this contest. Rich begins to force himself up onto his feet as he tries to remember how to actually wrestle technically, considering the brawls he’s been involved in for the past few months against Desolation. As both men stand up Evermore steps behind Jon and continues to establish the hammerlock, really twisting up the arm. That’s when Rich performs a standing switch and tries to catch Axl’s arm in his own hammerlock only for Evermore to turn around in time to keep hold of his wrist, now facing his opponent. He whips Rich across the ring directly towards Evans who is trying to climb up onto the apron. Suddenly Jon drops down and baseball slide dropkicks him directly to the chest, knocking the dangerous Submission Champion to the mats. Rose screams at him to get up while Sallie is yelling at Evermore to do something, to get on the advantage when he’s got the chance. Jon pulls the remainder of his body back into the ring and then pushes himself up onto his palms and knees as Axl comes barreling across the ring. He steps off the back of Rich and throws himself over the ropes with a pancha aimed at the rising Evans. But Pat steps out of the way causing Axl to come down from an extreme height as he crashes spine first directly into the outside mats, the fans cringing as a result of what they just witnessed. Evermore reaches for his back while Evans falls spine first against the apron, utilizing it to help him stand. Sallie Roma screams in shock over the way Axl’s body just connected with the mats while Pat turns back towards the ring where Rich is standing and holding the top rope. He pulls himself over into a crossbody yet Evans ducks down out of the way, causing him to crash into the mats as well front first. The fans react with dismay as Rich now finds himself laid out across the canvas spine first, not moving right alongside Axl Evermore who is perhaps in even greater agony.

Douglas: Both men went for those high risk, high flying moves but failed to connect.

Mayne: Oh they connected alright, with nothing but mat. Mwahahahaha!

Dan: Must everything that comes from your mouth be so stereotypically heelish?

Billy: Yes.

Evans now rolls under the ropes to the inside of the ring while clutching at the back of his neck which hit the ramp with such force. Both of his opponents are left agonizing on the outside mats while Pat gets to his feet in the ring for the first time in this match, demanding that Wright count them both out. Stuart looks at him in confusion then turns towards the two men laid out on the mats, starting with a ten count to disqualify them both.

Billy: Brilliant strategy by Evans here. Let’s see if Jon can answer the ten count like he did in that match with Desolation.

Dan: If he could survive the war with the Dark Man, he can survive this. Axl is in much greater trouble of being counted out here after he came crashing down from such a tremendous height and connected with those mats back first.

Sallie is screaming and calling for Axl to get up as he actually begins to show signs of life, starting to will his way upwards. Jon is doing the same as the referee’s count grows greater in numbers, Evans watching from inside the ring, demanding that they stay down. Neither man will pay heed to his orders as they rise to their feet and begin to stagger towards the ring, falling against the apron then pulling themselves up on top of it in a very sluggish manner. Jon is the first to rise on the apron when Evans rushes across the ring and drives his shoulder through the ropes right into Rich’s ribs. The force knocks Jon off the apron and sends him crashing down to the thin protective mats face first yet again. His body collides against them as he convulses as a result, Axl standing up on the apron and being placed in a front chancery by the Submission Champion now. Evans tries to hoist Evermore over the ropes and into the ring only for Axl to shift his weight and come back down feet first onto the mats. Axl tries to lift Pat into the air only for his back to go out due to the sheer amount of anguish permeating throughout his spine. Evans attempts to lift him again but can’t before Axl finds the strength to hoist the Submission Champion up into the air in a vertical suplex position. Just as he’s about to drop back and send Evans crashing to the outside mats Pat shifts his own weight and comes down feet first on the apron beside his opponent. Axl turns towards Pat and receives a knife edge chop to his chest from Evans for his troubles, but then answers back with a fist to his jaw.

Axl jumps forward with a headbunt into the skull of Evans that almost knocks him off the apron as a result, yet he keeps his legs beneath him. Shaking his head he tries to get his scrambled brains back to normal as Evermore balances himself then jumps forward into another headbunt. Evans turns in the nick of time and catches Evermore with a knee to the ribs, causing him to bend forward on the apron and almost tumble to the outside mats. Pat now rushes forward across the apron and delivers a vicious knee strike directly to Axl’s face, causing him to stand up straight and stagger in reverse towards the turnbuckle. Somehow he is still not tumbling off the apron as Evans now comes rushing in once again. Without warning Evermore bends forward and catches Pat’s legs against his shoulder, throwing him up into the air with a back drop. However, as he’s lifted Evans sticks the back of his head to the turnbuckle and goes up into a headstand on top of it. The fans are stunned by Evans’ agility as he continues to stand on top of his head upon the turnbuckle only to have Axl turn and come barreling in, jumping into the air with a basement dropkick right to Pat’s upside down face. The crowd reacts with stunned cheers at the sound of the stiff strike which sends Pat twisting and crashing into the ring.

Douglas: OH WHAT A DROPKICK!

Mayne: Damn you Evermore for destroying whatever brilliant plot Pat Evans had in store for you with that weird headstand on the turnbuckle. Must you ruin everything?

Dan: He must be taking a page from your book.

Although overwhelmed with anguish Jon Rich is forcing himself to his feet on the outside mats, continuing to hold his ribs as he turns towards the corner Axl is pulling himself up in. He’s standing on the second rope before he jumps off and lands on Rich’s shoulder, catching him in a front chancery and pulling him around into a tornado DDT on the outside mats. Rich’s skull crashes hard into the thin protective matting and sends him rolling onto his back completely unconscious at this point. The gathered masses are screaming over what they just witnessed while Axl forces himself up to his feet and clutches on his back as he moves towards the ring. He climbs up onto the apron while continuing to clutch at his spine which must be in anguish, finding himself unaware this time that Pat has regained his senses and is climbing up onto that same turnbuckle, inside of the ring on this occasion. He stands up on the second rope and jumps off, reaching over the cables and catching Evermore around the neck as he pulls him down throat first into the top rope. The Fully Loaded member is gagged by the impact with the cable as he wraps his arm around the top rope and nearly tumbles to the outside mats. Somehow he’s able to keep his grasp around the top rope as Pat stands and reaches over the ropes, grabbing hold of his hair. Axl is pulled forward into a front chancery over the top rope when Pat lifts him up into the air, holding him upside down into a suplex position only to turn it around into a sit-out falcon arrow. Evermore is slammed violently into the ring spine first, Evans perhaps targeting his spinal column.

Dan: Ouch! These guys are just destroying each other in this opening triple threat with some of these moves. This is a real match of champions.

Mayne: Yeah, nobody with a forced Italian gimmick in this match Dan. Honestly, how does a guy go from a stuttering backwoodsmen to a Sicilian fatass?

Douglas: Are you still talking for a reason?

Billy: Good question.

Evans reaches out and grabs hold of Axl’s legs, lifting up on them and folding his opponent over backwards so that he’s pressed down onto his shoulders.

Axl kicks out emphatically, raising his shoulder from the ring and turning away from Evans who immediately gets up, grasping the top rope and beginning to stomp Axl to his lower back repeatedly. Evans jumps into the air and comes down with his boot right into the top of Axl’s skull before stepping around and grabbing hold of his legs. Axl is dragged to the center of the ring then rolled over onto his chest and stomach, being placed in the liontamer. The double Boston leg crab sends shockwaves of pain coursing throughout Axl’s spine as he pushes himself up onto his elbows and roars in agony, trying to find some way to free himself from this hold, any way.

Mayne: Now we’re seeing a rehash of what was suppose to happen in their triple threat at Extinction, Pat has got Axl trapped in the liontamer and there’s no way he’s going to escape it. What an utterly fantastic way to start off the first Riot! of 2008, with Pat Evans forcing Evermore to tap out. Then later on I get to reveal who the Boss in, this show will be great!

Douglas: Axl needs to reach those ropes to keep that from happening, because according to Rich’s condition, he’s not going to be any help in this encounter.

Jon is still lying on the outside mats with his eyes fluttering, bordering on passing out completely while Evermore lingers upon tapping out. His hand reaches into the air while the pain in his back becomes very apparent, trying his best to keep himself from submitting though, doing everything in his power to stop it from happening. He now balls up his fingers, digging them into his palm and then burying his other set of digits into the canvas. Both of his hands clasp hold of the canvas as he begins to drag himself across the ring in the direction of the ropes. Evans has still got that liontamer perfected however. His features twist with hostility while Axl continues to drag him across the ring in the direction of the ropes. While Aurora is screaming at Evans to break Axl’s back, Sallie is demanding that Evermore reach the ropes. They both listen to their ladies outside the ring but only one of them can be made happy as Evermore pulls himself closer and closer to the ropes. He finally reaches the cables and extends his hand desperately, finally grabbing hold of the bottom rope to a loud ovation from the fans. Evans looks into the face of the referee stunned as he’s informed that Evermore reached the ropes but not deviating from his strength. He steps around off the back of Axl and pulls his legs around his waist. He reaches down and wraps his arms around Evermore’s mid-section then lifts him up into the air with what looks like a wheelbarrow before throwing him down throat first into the top rope. Axl bounces off the cable and staggers backwards reaching for his throat, walking right into a half nelson which Evans utilizes to lift Evermore into the air then turn as he drags him down back first right across his knee. The urangie style back breaker causes Evermore to roar in pain as he flips over Evans’ knees in reverse and lands on all fours in front of his opponent. Pat stands and takes him by the head, dragging it under his seat then lifting him into the air and onto his shoulder in an awesome bomb position only to drop down into a trainwreck style back breaker. The fans in the Manhattan Center are screaming as Evermore collapses to the canvas with his hand over his ripped apart back, Pat pulling him on top of it and then falling into the cover.

Dan: A brutal series of back breakers just delivered to Evermore! What a combination.

Billy: A combination that may have just won Pat this match. Oh who am I kidding; it definitely won him this match. And I’ll win all the accolades when I break the story about our Boss tonight.

Referee Wright drops down and makes the three count.

Axl kicks out to a loud reaction from the fans, mildly upsetting Evans who rises to his knees and glares at Wright. Although he conveys no physical emotion the looks in his eyes is disturbing enough. He rises to his feet and takes Evermore by the neck, dragging him up to a standing base although Axl can barely stand with the pain coursing through his ravaged spine. Pat steps around behind his opponent and buries his shoulder into the small of his damaged back, hoisting him into the air then approaching the turnbuckle. Axl is sat down directly on the top rope as Pat begins to drill Evermore over the back repeatedly with clubbing blows. The shots cause Evermore to bend forward in agony before Pat begins to make his way up the corner. He gets to the second rope and bends forward, burying his shoulder to the spine of Evermore, looking to finish him off with a back drop all the way down to the canvas below. Right as he is about to deliver the move Evans comes in out of nowhere and clubs Evans over the spine, causing him to almost loose his balance. Jon bends forward and sticks his head under Evans’ seat, dragging him away from the corner in an electric chair drop position. Pat is fighting to get free while Evermore begins to stand up on the top rope and now jumps off it, twisting in mid-air as he comes down with a crossbody onto Evans. All three men crash down to the canvas with Evermore coming down hard on top of the submission Champion then going into convulsions as a result.

Mayne: There these sons of bitches go again, they’re double teaming Pat Evans and it just isn’t right!

Douglas: Sure it is, if they remove him from the equation their chances of winning goes up slightly.

The fans are still going nuts over that huge maneuver that has left all three individuals spread out across the canvas, regaining their senses. In a very sluggish manner Jon sits up then rolls towards Evans, hooking his leg as he goes for the pinfall.

Pat kicks out, getting his shoulder up from the canvas in the nick of time while Jon sits up, breathing heavy, trying to think of a way to get the win here. He rolls to his elbows and knees and starts to stand when Axl lumbers towards him, throwing a chop right into his sternum. Jon goes into a spin then turns towards Axl, stepping up him into a hard enzugari to the back of his head. The stiff strike disorientates Evermore yet he remains on his feet while Rich rolls to his feet and comes charging in directly at him. Axl ducks his lariat and catches Jon across the sternum, lifting him up into the air and then powering him down to the canvas with a sit-out spinebuster of sorts. Evermore lifts Jon’s legs and places them over his shoulders as he leans forward into the pinfall.

Jon rolls over backwards out of the pinning predicament somehow and places his shoulders to the back of Axl’s knees, leaning forward into the pinfall.

Axl sits up and reaches out wrapping his arms around Jon’s waist, standing up quickly then lifts Jon into the air. He holds him upside down in a perfect piledriver position then places his arm through his legs, dropping down to his seat with a cradle piledriver. Rich crashes into the canvas then turns, tumbling to the mats back first while Evermore sits on the ring gathering himself. After a sure delay he turns and throws his arm across the Submission Champion’s chest, going for the win and making him the number one contender for the No Holds Barred Championship.

To the shock of many Rich is able to launch his shoulder from the canvas, kicking out in the nick of time while Evermore rises to his knees, looking absolutely stunned that he didn’t get the win. Just then Pat steps up behind him and takes him around the neck, bending him over backwards into a dragon sleeper only to lift Axl into the air. He holds him upside down in a reverse suplex position when Axl slips over his shoulder and lands on his feet behind his opponent. Pat spins around to face him and receives a kick to his gut, Evermore stepping forward and hooking up both of his arms for his double underhook brainbuster. The crowd screams with delight until Rich superkicks Axl to the jaw out of nowhere, knocking him out on impact. The crowd screams over the stiff sound of the boot connecting with jaw while the Fully Loaded member crashes onto his back and Pat comes down into a cover on top of him. All the while Rich has fallen back to his knees, grabbing hold of his head which has taken quite a beating in this contest.

Rich turns in time to dive into the fray and drop a double axehandle to the back of Pat Evans’ head, breaking up the three count.

Dan: Nearfalls right and left in what has been another phenomenal opening triple threat match here on Riot!

Mayne: Pat was robbed, just like I was when my father broke my piggy bank for the booze money.

All those crowded into the stands of the Manhattan Center are having a ball as this contest continues, and all three men destroy themselves for the opportunity at becoming a double champion. Rich rises sluggishly and slowly to his feet but almost falls right back down, staggering about as he turns towards Evans who has reached his feet. Pat steps towards his opponent and chops him to the chest, then does it again, each blow knocking Jon backwards into the ropes. Evans kicks him to the gut and takes hold of his wrist, whipping Rich across the ring into the opposite ropes only to have Jon go into a headstand. The back of his legs hit the ropes and sends him flipping over backwards in the direction of Evans who catches him in a half nelson as soon as he lands on his feet. Pat lifts him up for the back breaker only to have Jon switch around behind him and take hold of both his arms, pulling them around his throat. Rich is setting up for the Get Rich Quick when Evans drops forward, pulling Jon down to the canvas as a result. Rich ducks his head though and rolls forward across the canvas right to his feet, jumping into the air and landing on the second rope. Evans stands up as Jon springs off the second rope and turns, catching Pat around the neck then pulling him down into the Up and Over (Blockbuster). A huge reaction is heard from the crowd as Evans is slammed across the back of his head into the canvas, wrapping his arms around his cranium in terrible pain. Jon turns and sluggishly crawls into the cover now with the fans counting along.

Axl dives in and hits Rich with an elbow to the back of his head, breaking up the three count while the crowd responds with a mixed ovation. Sallie Roma places her hand over her heart and breaths uneasily over the fact that Evermore was so close to losing this match while all three individuals again find themselves laid out on the canvas. Aurora slaps the apron and demands that Pat get up and get back into this contest, but he isn’t moving after that springboard blockbuster.

Mayne: Great, they’re all lying around now doing nothing. How lazy.

Dan: They just got through almost killing each other Billy, and this three way match of champions has still yet to end!

Somehow both Rich and Evermore are finding the strength that has been buried deep within to rise defiantly towards their feet. Their bodies are drained and aching yet they get closer and closer to an upright base. Both Champions find themselves on their knees but beginning to deliver forearm strikes into the sides of each other’s faces, trying to wear the other down, yet the blows have little effect due to how exhausted they are. Rich grabs at his injured head and delivers another jab across Axl’s face as both men rise to their feet. It’s obvious that the blows to the cranium have substantially weakened Rich’s skull yet Axl’s punch have little power behind them. Finally Jon kicks Axl to the gut and grabs him by the back of the head, rushing him at the ropes and trying to throw him through. Evermore grabs the cables though and pulls himself back into the ring with a modified 619. He lands back on his feet in the canvas as Rich comes charging in with a lariat that Axl ducks, stepping behind his opponent’s back then moving in for a superkick. Jon turns just in time to duck it, placing his head under Axl’s posterior and lifting him into the air for what at first appears to be an electric chair drop, but instead he turns and shoves Evermore over the ropes to the outside of the ring. Axl twists and crashes hard into the mats while Sallie quickly steps in, trying to fan him off, trying to get him to get back into the ring and fight. Unfortunately, Evermore looks spent at this point while the official looks through the ropes, shouting at him to get back into the ring.

Dan: Evermore dumped to the outside and he looks like he can’t possibly get back into this match after the physical toll this contest has taken on him.

Mayne: Mwahahahaha. I love breaking out my diabolical laugh, it’s ever so menacing.

Rich leans on the ropes, glaring over them at the down Evermore then slowly turning back towards the ring where Evans is on his elbows and knees. Unbeknownst to him, Aurora has slid a chain into the ring which Evans takes hold of, quickly wrapping it around his fist. Jon grabs hold of Evans’ shoulder, trying to stand him up when Pat turns and swings the chain wrapped fist right into Rich’s face. The crowd reacts with repulsion as Rich is knocked to the canvas almost immediately, rendered completely unconscious after taking a blow to his already banged up head with the chain.

Douglas: Wait a minute, hold on a damned minute here! Pat Evans just used a chain on Rich!

Mayne: Evans sure does like to use that chain doesn’t he, not saying he did use it as I saw nothing but a powerful, legal punch.

Rich is completely laid out as Evans stuffs the chain down into his pocket and now crawls behind Jon, the official still yelling for Evermore to get back into the ring. His spine is directed towards Evans who has pulled Rich up onto his seat and has now locked his unconscious body in the Time To Go To Sleep. The official finally turns and spots this, stepping around in front of Evans and Rich, checking on Jon's condition. Evans really twists at the head of his opponent with some devious delight, really enjoying the pain he is inflicting on his opponent. The crowd is screaming for Rich to wake up, to snap out of it, but there seems to be no fight left in the N.H.B Champion.

Mayne: It's over, there's nothing left of Rich.

Douglas: Of course there wouldn't be, he was struck in the head with a damn chain for crying out loud!

Billy: Says you and your crazy conspiracy theories. Next thing you know you'll be saying there's a such thing as Nessy, or Big Foot, or emply that the sun doesn't revolve around the earth.

Evans is still twisting and ripping at the neck of his opponent, turning in circles as the official tries to grab hold of Jon's arm to see if he's truly unconscious. Finally Evans turns to face the ropes Evermore was thrown over before being clocked directly under the jaw with a superkick. The crowd reacts with a loud ovation as Evans drops Rich, his eyes rolling to the back of his head and Evermore stands in front of him just as disorientated. Both men now turn due to sheer exhaustion and drop down back first on top of Rich. The official looks between both men lying on top of Jon and has no other alternative, dropping to the canvas with both palms striking the ring.

The fans have a mixed reaction as both Axl Evermore and Pat Evans have just pinned Jon Rich.

Douglas: Uh oh, Evermore knocked out Evans with the superkick and they both fell on top of Jon Rich, so who has won this match?

Mayne: I think they both did Dan. What a horribly convoluted way to get this show off in 2008.

The crowd is still having a mixed response as the official takes hold of Evans' wrist, and Evermore's, lifting both their arms into the air to signify their victory.

Dan: Your right Billy.

Mayne: When aren't I?

Rich is laid out on the canvas still while Pat Evans rolls off of him and reaches for his chin. He doesn't quite know what is going on here yet but realizes that his arm was raised in victory. Therefore he begins to stand up, sweating profusely and staggering around. He catches himself before he crashes to the canvas and now lifts his arm up into the air in celebration, the crowd booing him even more fiercely, yet Aurora is clapping with a huge grin on her face. Evermore now regains his senses and turns onto his side, rolling to his knees and lifting his arms up into the air to signify his win. That's when he turns his eyes and spots Evans doing the same, immediately being overcome with rage.

Dan: Both men just now realizing that they shared this pinfall, which would mean that they are both the number one contender for the No Holds Barred Championship!

Billy: It doesn't matter, Evans is going to be the only one who emerges from this war with the title.

Pat turns his back towards the ropes and falls against them for support when Axl comes rushing in out of nowhere, jumping into the air and hitting his arch rival with a crossbody to the sternum. Both men spill over the ropes in reverse, crashing to the outside mats and causing the fans to drastically change their tune.

Mayne: Damn Axl Evermore! Can’t he learn how to share? Must he try to ruin my oh so special night?

Douglas: The issue between these two men continues to heat up even after this brutal triple threat has concluded.

The crowd is on it’s feet as Evermore and Evans rise to theirs as well. Axl throws a fist into Pat’s face, drilling him to the jaw repeatedly as he backs up the ramp, flailing his arms throughout the process. Evermore strikes him to the jaw again and again as both men stagger up the ramp in reverse. Sallie screams something to Axl that he doesn’t hear in time because Aurora has no trouble clubbing him over the back. Axl bends forward as Pat begins to throw forearm strikes into the side of his face and Rose clubs him repeatedly over the back. Even when faced with this two on one beat down, Evermore is fighting back, occasionally standing up as he drills Evans to the face with closed fists only to have Aurora hit him over the spine yet again. The blows have shut down Axl’s offense yet he won’t stop as all three individuals spill through the curtains into the backstage area. Meanwhile in the ring Rich is regaining his senses, turning onto his side with sweat spilling from his skull and a trail of drool seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Douglas: Insanity yet again occurs at the beginning of this week’s Riot! Billy.

Mayne: I can’t wait until Evans finally ends this feud with Evermore, and puts him down once and for all.

Dan: Wait a minute Billy, apparently the violence is still occurring backstage!

Billy: This madness better end before my big revelation about the Boss tonight!

CHAOS CONTINUES

The backstage corridor that is just beyond the entry way comes into the scene as Evans, Evermore, and Aurora brawl their way through it. They seem to be moving in the direction of the lockeroom, as Axl is bent forward, the Cartel Champion slugging the mid-section of Evans repeatedly while Pat and Aurora both club him over the back. There seems to be no stopping the furious Evermore as the trio moves towards the lockeroom and Evermore actually powers Pat backwards through the door.

Axl: Come on Evans, is that all you got!?!

Rose and Evans continue drilling him across the spine again and again with clubbing shots as they spill into the lockeroom. A huge gathering of competitors are collected inside, including Nathan Creed and Orlando Cruze who seem to be in a casual conversation with one another. Also present are Robin Brooks and Killjoy who were jokingly conversing before this violence pours into the room before them. Psycho is seated on a chair lacing his boots as he looks up and spots this chaos occurring right before them.

Nathan: Yeah, get him Evermore, kick his ass!

Psycho: Come on Evans, beat the ever living shit out of him!

Evermore finally tumbles to his knees as Evans stands over him and continues to bust up his spinal cord with more and more strikes, just like Aurora, who is now stomping at him as well. Those in the lockeroom gather around, hollering and further exacerbating this chaotic foray. Axl is still smack talking even as the number’s game proves too much for him. That’s when Pat turns unexpectedly and slaps Orlando in the face as he was watching this chaos erupt. Cruze is staggered backwards when Nathan jumps in and slugs Evans in the jaw, causing him to stagger backwards and fall into Robin, causing them to tumble into Killjoy. Both individuals almost fall down and as thus brings Killjoy to grab Pat and spin him around, beginning to plaster him in the face with closed fists. Psycho gets up and actually begins to assault the already down Evermore, kicking him hard to the ribs and causing him to roll onto his back before dropping down at his side. He removes a towel that was draped across the back of his neck and places it to Axl’s throat, beginning to strangle him violently. Orlando snaps out of what just happened to him and moves towards Aurora, grabbing her by the shoulder and spinning her around then planting a fist to her face. Rose is sent reeling as Cruze moves towards her, delivering shot after shot to her face as they stagger towards the doorway. All the while Creed grabs Psycho by the shoulder, trying to drag him off of Axl and in turn forcing the Sadistic One to turn and come to blows with his own brother. Both siblings begin to exchange punches while Killjoy and Robin are working over Evans in the background.

Douglas: Somebody has got to get backstage and get this chaos under control!

Mayne: This fight has drawn the whole friggin roster into it! This is a madhouse!

COMMERCIAL BREAK

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

The show comes back live to the inside of the arena where the fans are still stunned by everything that just transpired before their very eyes and in the backstage area. It seems now that the chaos has gotten under control as the camera cuts to a shocked Billy Mayne and an equally as stunned Dan Douglas, referee Stuart Wright still in the ring cleaning it after that triple threat battle.

Dan: I tell you what Billy, I sincerely hope that whoever the new boss is that he does a better job of controlling the chaos than the current figureheads here in the IWC.

Mayne: I hope so as well, because when my well being starts to be threatened you know there’s a problem.

Douglas: I still haven’t gotten any word from backstage as to rather the violence has been ended, but I imagine not…..speak of the devil!

Through the curtains now stumbles Aurora Rose. She moves backwards and almost trips over her own feet as Orlando Cruze storms out behind her to a massive reaction from the crowd. The entire Manhattan Center is going nuts at the sight of Orlando who takes hold of Aurora’s shoulder, spinning her around then planting a fist directly to her jaw. Rose goes into a spin and continues to stagger down the ramp with Cruze hot on her heels.

Dan: Orlando fighting Aurora Rose out here and towards the ring! These two are slated to compete here tonight, but they’re looking to get it on right now after that violence erupted in the back between them.

Mayne: Why oh why won’t they give me my own protective shield?

Orlando slugs Rose hard to the jaw again, causing her to stumble backwards into the apron, falling against it for support. Inside of the ring Wright looks around and shrugs his shoulders, turning and motioning for the bell which begins to chime.

Billy: Are they actually starting this match now? Are the inmates completely running the asylum?

Douglas: I guess they are tonight, apparently we’re going to see Orlando Cruze vs. Aurora Rose right here, and right now!

AURORA ROSE VS. ORLANDO CRUZE

Orlando rushes towards Rose who launches her foot into the air, planting it against his jaw. The Icon is staggered as a result, moving away from Aurora who pulls herself up onto the apron backwards. She stands up on the apron then jumps off, landing on top of Orlando’s shoulders and pulling him around into the hurricarana. Cruze is flipped over and sent crashing into the mats hard spine first. He sits up and reaches for his kidneys while turning onto his side, trying to get back up as quickly as his body will allow.

Douglas: What a crazy way to get this match started off! Aurora diving from the apron and taking Cruze out with the hurricarana!

Billy: Must you over emphasize every single move? But yes, I thought that was a very precise way to take Cruze down here in the early goings.

Rose rises to her feet which Cruze is trying to do as well, both athletes reaching a standing base before Aurora chops the Icon across the side of the neck. The fans groan as a result of this stiff blow which sends Orlando staggering towards the ring and rolling in under the cables. He ends up on his knees, trying to stand up while Aurora pulls herself up onto the apron and grabs hold of the top rope, steadying herself. Just as the Icon stands up and turns towards her Aurora flips forward over the ropes, landing across the back of her legs on top of Orlando’s shoulders and pulling him around into another hurricarana. Cruze flips over and crashes onto his back yet again, reaching for his spine in pain while Aurora rushes towards him and jumps over her opponent, continuing into the cables. She jumps into the air and lands with the back of her legs across the top rope, launching herself over backwards into a twisting moonsault that comes down right on top of Orlando with the fans actually going nuts over that aerial move.

Orlando gets his shoulder off the canvas emphatically, leading a now angered Aurora to step over him in the direction of the cables. She slides through the ropes onto the apron and grabs the top cable, pulling herself over it and turning as she delivers a double stomp directly into Orlando’s ribs. All of her weight is put into the double stomp, which causes him to almost curl into a ball but his opponent is still standing on top of his ribs. Rose now jumps into the air off the mid-section of her opponent and drops with her spine directly on top of Cruze’s chest. The fans groan after the collision while Rose leans sideways into the cover, official Wright quickly making the count.

Orlando gets his shoulder off the canvas yet again, turning away from Aurora onto his knees when she rises in front of him, taking his head into her arms. She begins to twist at the cranium of Cruze as she applies the neck cravat, a twisted expression settled on her angry features.

Mayne: Hahahaha, look at this Dan, ever since she gave into her darker urges she’s been more motivated than ever, displayed by the sheer fact that she’s controlling Orlando Cruze. This is not the way he wanted to kick off 2008, I think, unless he’s into the whole dominatrix fad, which I’ve experimented with before mind you.

Dan: Yes, I recall your all leather period, and the repeated trips I had to take to the bathroom to vomit as a result.

As his neck is almost broken at the hands of Rose he begins to force himself upwards, Orlando trying to escape this hold with his sheer power. When they both stand up he drives his elbow directly to Rose’s ribs, then does it again, the blows causing her to double over. As a result of the elbows being driven with such force into her ribs she breaks the neck cravat, allowing Orlando to turn and deliver a straight right hand to her jaw. Rose crashes onto her back then rolls across the canvas, rising to her feet quickly only to walk into a running lariat to the throat. Orlando takes her down and steps across the ring, shaking his arm as if he may have tweaked his bicep a little. After delivering the move he bends forward, waiting for her to rise, which is exactly what Aurora is doing, albeit holding her throat throughout the process. That lariat seems to have done some damage as she stands and stumbles forward right into the waiting shoulder of Cruze, who hoists her into the air and then drives her down with force into the canvas, connecting with a huge spinebuster. Aurora’s arms and legs are stuck out to her sides as if she’s completely been rendered unconscious by that last move, Orlando hooking her leg almost immediately.

Somehow Rose is able to launch her shoulder from the canvas, kicking out with mere moments to spare. Orlando sits up and then pushes Aurora over onto her chest, trying to lock in the crossface as quickly as possible but Rose is surprisingly fighting him. She suddenly ducks her head and rolls forward across the canvas directly onto her feet, Orlando sitting up to face her. Rose turns and rushes forward, jumping into the air and delivering the shinning wizard on the Icon. The fans react with screams as Orlando’s skull is almost caved in by the blow, Aurora rolling away from Cruze right back to her feet. She rushes forward while gripping at her spine then jumps into a flipping senton splash right across Orlando’s mid-section. Again the Icon reaches for his ribs which have to be getting busted up at this point while Aurora rolls around the ring gripping at her spinal column. Obviously the young woman is still feeling the effects of that spinebuster she received just a few moments earlier in this fast paced contest. Rose turns and scrambles across the ring directly into the cover, dropping down on top of Orlando and burying her elbow into his face.

To great approval Orlando launches his shoulder from the ring and tries to sit up although he’s taken quite a beating in this contest thus far from the ever so much quicker Rose. She rises to her knees behind Orlando and now places him in a modified abdominal stretch of sorts before lifting her elbow into the air, beginning to drive it repeatedly into the side of his face. The strikes connect a few times with force until Rose reaches back with her arm, wrapping it around Cruze’s neck. She stands up and pulls Orlando into the air while he bridges over backwards in a reverse DDT position. Suddenly she twists with her body and lifts her leg into the air, placing it across Orlando’s throat then dragging him down across the back of his head into the canvas. Rose’s leg is still extended across his throat as he crashed into the canvas. She now reaches out and grabs the back of both the Icon’s legs, pulling up on them for the pinfall.

Once more the crowd vocally expresses their delight as Orlando kicks out.

Mayne: Come on Orlando, quit hogging the spotlight, just let Aurora beat you already, that way we can all have something worth celebrating as we head towards the shitter.

Dan: Cruze is not going to throw this match just to placate your desire for an early bathroom break.

Billy: I’d do the same for him. No, no, actually I wouldn’t.

Orlando is still down on the canvas, laid out completely while Aurora gets to her feet at his side, glaring down at him. She now places her hands on the back of her head and flips forward right into a senton leg drop across his throat. Orlando’s body kicks up into the air as a result until he starts to roll to his side, gagging for air. As soon as he sits up, Rose is right there in front of him, wrapping her arms around his neck and establishing the cravat yet again. Cruze’s cranium is twisted repeatedly at the hands of Aurora who is tremendously enjoying this physical onslaught, believing that at this pace it’s only just a matter of moments before her arm is raised in victory. This would certainly be an achievement Pat Evans would have to be proud of. The angered Orlando begins to rise to his feet slowly though, trying to get his legs beneath him even after all the fast paced, physical moves he’s endured at the hands of his opponent. Both individuals reach their feet now with Orlando driving the point of his elbow into Aurora’s ribs, then doing it again as he tries his best to free himself once more. This time it doesn’t work out for him as Rose bends Cruze’s head forward and then launches a knee up into his face, followed by another strike, then a third. Rose now grabs hold of Orlando’s wrist, sticking his arm out to his side and placing her leg across the back of his neck. Aurora falls forward and pulls Orlando down with the Overdrive. The back of Cruze’s head collides brutally with the canvas and causes him to sit up in a great deal of pain.

Rose steps up behind him and quickly takes him around the neck once more though, rolling him to his knees and forcing him up to his feet. Cruze almost tumbles to the canvas several times with his legs buckling beneath him and Rose places her leg over the back of his neck. She pulls Orlando’s arm out to his side and looks to connect with the Overdrive yet again to finish the Icon off once and for all. She makes a puckering motion with her lips towards the booing fans and then points down at Cruze indicating that they should kiss him goodbye. To her astonishment Orlando pulls his head out from under his thick and places his back to hers, hooking up both of her arms in the process. Aurora is dragged down to the canvas into the back slide with the crowd cheering.

Rose kicks out, dropping over to her knees in front of Orlando then quickly reaching her feet as she charges at her powerful opponent. Aurora runs right into another lethal lariat across the throat, sending her crashing to the canvas while Orlando turns and falls back first against the ropes for support. Sweat cascades down his features, already tired after this fast paced confrontation. He shakes off his bicep then steps towards Aurora who is trying to get up in front of him only to receive a kick to the gut. She is doubled over as Orlando places her in a front chancery, setting up for the DDT when she swings around out from under his arm. He takes hold of her wrist however, and then pulls her forward into an attempted short arm lariat only to have Rose duck under it and continue across the ring. Aurora jumps feet first onto the second rope and then springs over backwards into a moonsault, flying right at Orlando who turns his side in her direction, actually catching Rose on top of his shoulders then dropping into the Samoan Slam. The body of Rose is driven with incredible force into the canvas while Orlando hooks her leg in a very tired condition.

Aurora finds herself getting her shoulder up off the canvas in the nick of time, leaving Orlando to become even more flustered than before. He rises to his feet slowly while gripping at the back of his neck and then steps around to her legs, reaching down and lifting them up off the canvas. He attempts to step through in order to lock her up in the sharpshooter but Rose is fighting it, attempting to twist her body from side to side in order to free herself from this predicament.

Dan: The sharpshooter about to be applied by Cruze.

Mayne: Quit pretending to be a technical wrestler Orlando!

Aurora twists and turns from side to side, trying to free herself when Orlando just gives up and takes her around the back of both knees. He lifts them up under his armpits and drops back, catapulting her through the air only for Aurora to shockingly land on the second rope once again. She springs off backwards into a moonsault as Orlando stands in time for her to come down right on top of his shoulder. Both competitors crash into the canvas with Aurora coming down on top of him then rolling off as she clutches at her back yet again. Although immersed in pain she rises to her feet, Orlando doing the same even if he’s agonizing as well. Both competitors reach their feet when Aurora charges towards Cruze who connects with a sudden, deadly right hand directly to her jaw. Rose is staggered by the jab as Cruze steps forward and hits her to the face again with a violent closed fist then takes her by the wrist, whipping her across the ring into the ropes. As she nears them Aurora jumps into the air and grabs the top rope, floating over them then landing on the apron as she turns towards Orlando in the ring. The Icon rushes across the ring directly at her when Aurora jumps to the top rope, springing off then flying through the air as she goes for a spinning heel kick only to be caught across Orlando’s sternum. The fans begin to cheer as Cruze throws her up into the air off his sternum and onto his shoulders, then drops her down into a sit-out powerbomb that connects with tremendous force. Orlando leans forward into the back of Aurora’s knees for the pinfall.

Rose kicks out to the shock of many in the arena. A flustered Cruze now sits on the canvas, stewing in anger over the fact that he didn’t achieve the win and quickly rising to his feet as Rose gets to her knees and tries to force herself up. Orlando steps in and drills her to the jaw with a hard right once more, then does it again, having no qualms with busting up her lovely features. She backs towards the ropes, hitting them spine first when Cruze takes hold of her wrist and whips her across the ring. Aurora rushes into the cables, bounces off of them and comes back in at Orlando who catches her with a huge belly to belly suplex. Rose is sent flipping over and crashing back first into the ring as a result. Her body is in pain as she sits up and reaches for her kidneys, trying to fight her way through this anguish while Cruze steps up behind her, delivering a quick stomping blow to the back of her head. As sweat glistens on his skin he takes her by the neck and rolls her to her knees, forcing her to her feet then placing her in a front chancery. The Icon lifts Rose into the air and holds her there for several moments before he steps forward and drops back into a huge vertical suplex.

Dan: Cruze has now established control of this match, working Aurora over with some of that power offense.

Mayne: See, he’s just a big dumb jock, the type that use to give me wedgies so violently I could actually taste the elastic waist band of my underpants. But the Boss is going to deal with him, I’m sure of it! I can’t wait to see the look on his face and everyone’s else’s when I reveal who our new owner is tonight.

Orlando turns and takes Rose by the hair, rolling her to her knees and then dragging her up to her feet. He kicks her to the gut and hooks up both of her arms before Aurora displays some surprising power by forcing herself forward across the ring. She buries her shoulder into Orlando’s ribs and charges him spine first directly into the turnbuckle, which he rams into hard spine first. His arms tumble over the ropes while Aurora backs up then charges forward, jumping into the air as she wedges her feet directly into his ribs. She reaches out and wraps her hands around the back of Cruze’s head, looking to monkey flip him out of the corner when Orlando places his hands to her sternum. He shoves her off and sends Aurora flipping over backwards, landing on her feet as a result while Cruze comes barreling out of the corner, charging right into a spinning heel kick directly to the face. Cruze crashes onto his back while Aurora lands beside him on her spine, rolling across the canvas in the direction of the turnbuckle. She stands up and falls spine first against it then pulls herself up all the way to the top rope, balancing herself on it while glaring down at the laid out Orlando. Her opposition is still reeling from that spinning heel kick, rubbing at his face as Aurora steadies herself then jumps off the turnbuckle, flying through the air for a frog splash. At the last second Cruze rolls out of the way in the direction of the turnbuckle only to have Aurora alter her move drastically. She ducks her head and rolls forward across the canvas directly onto her feet then turns in the direction of Cruze who has reached his feet with his back pressed to the turnbuckle. Rose rushes across the ring directly at him when Orlando drops forward out of the corner and slips around to the side of Aurora, catching her by the back of the tights and rolling her over in reverse into a school boy.

Rose kicks out, getting her shoulder off the canvas with just a few moments to spare and the crowd cheering wildly.

Dan: Orlando almost snuck in the back door and picked up this win.

Billy: Usually I’d make a dirty back door joke in reference to Aurora Rose here, but I’m not going to since I like and support everyone of her decisions now.

The fans are shocked Cruze didn’t get the pin there, just like the Icon himself as Rose drops to her knees in front of him. He takes her by the arm and again tries to drag her down to the canvas in order to establish the crossface but can’t get her down no matter how hard he tries. Rose rises to her feet, stomping them against the canvas and trying her best to find a means of escaping before Orlando can apply the submission. She reaches out with her free hand, placing it to the canvas then going over into a cartwheel where she ends up right on her feet. Cruze still has hold of her wrist though, dragging her forward immediately when Rose drops down into a baseball slide directly between his legs. She jumps to her feet as Orlando stands up, reaching out and taking him around the neck then dropping down into a lay out reverse DDT. The back of the Icon’s skull collides with the canvas while Aurora turns and immediately crawls into the cover by hooking his leg almost nonchalantly.

Cruze suddenly wraps up Aurora’s arms with one of his own and interlocks his legs around her other shoulder, pulling her over backwards into a crucifix pin out of nowhere.

Aurora pushes herself up off of her shoulders and drops over onto her chest and stomach yet Orlando keeps hold of her arms. He now ends up stretched over her back, lying across her shoulders almost as he lifts his elbow into the air. To the shock of the crowd he begins to elbow Aurora to the side of the face over and over again with those MMA strikes. The fans are screaming as the blows land incredibly stiff to the skull of Aurora again and again, threatening to crack the bones in her face. Her arms are trapped as she lies spread across her stomach, unable to block these blows being hit on her with the fans screaming wildly. Aurora is trying to fight it, to find some type of escape from this but can’t with having no limbs to ward off the blows.

Dan: Oh my God, are you hearing these brutal elbow strikes to the head?

Mayne: I’m feeling them. We haven’t seen Cruze bust these out in over a year, ever since his match with Denile Partis. Hey, I just showed continuity.

Douglas: There’s a first time for everything.

More and more elbows are rained down upon the skull of Aurora who is unable to fight it any longer, her eyes fluttering to a close. Her head drops to the canvas as the official steps in and calls for the bell, inferring that Rose has been rendered unconscious by the MMA elbows.

Douglas: And it’s over! Aurora has been knocked out by the elbow strikes to her head!

Mayne: Nooo! How can our first match go so swimmingly, and then the next end so disastrously? This is messing with my emotions so much I think I may have actually caught menstruation!

Dan: I don’t think it’s a disease Billy, and your just going to have to live with what occurred here tonight.

Aurora’s eyes are shut solidly closed as Orlando rises to his knees once he hears the bell ring and lifts his arm into the air, celebrating this big win. His fist is balled up as he looks towards the heavens sweating and Wright takes him by the wrist, helping him up to his feet in the center of the ring. Just as he gets up, Pat Evans rushes into the ring out of nowhere and delivers a vicious spear right to his ribs. Cruze is taken down to the canvas with Evans landing beside him, crawling towards the tired Orlando’s head and placing it in a modified side headlock. He pounces on Cruze with repeated jabs to the face, his knuckle colliding with the features of the Icon, who is unable to defend himself as of yet.

Mayne: Yeah, Pat Evans comes into restore my faith in humanity.

Dan: Dammit, Evans is assaulting Orlando Cruze once again! I thought he was still getting beat down backstage!

Billy: No one can beat down Pat Evans, besides maybe the resurrected corpse of Yokozuna, but I don’t have a shovel, or the patience to start digging.

Orlando is trying to fight his way back to his feet but is drained of energy from that fast paced match with Aurora. He can’t put up much of a fight as Evans slugs him endlessly to the face, trying to bust open his features perhaps while Rose begins to regain her faculties. She rolls across the ring in the direction of the ropes when the crowd starts going nuts at the sight of Nathan Creed charging towards the ring.

Douglas: Here comes the cavalry!

Mayne: Creed isn’t even riding a horse!

Nathan slides into the ring as Evans spots him from the corner of his eye, breaking away from Orlando and then moving right towards Creed. The two men begin to come to blows with one another to a loud reaction from the crowd. Evans hits Creed to the jaw before Nathan launches a fist into the cold features of the Submission Champion. Finally Nathan bends down and takes the back of Evans’ legs, lifting them into the air and causing Pat to crash onto his back. The fans are going nuts as Nathan tries to lock in the Courtesy Call on the man who assaulted his still reeling tag team partner, trying his best to turn him over into the submission. Pat is fighting it though with every fiber of his being, before his escape is made easy thanks to Aurora who clubs Creed right over the back from behind. Nathan drops Pat’s legs and staggers forward into a turnbuckle, falling back first against it while a dazed Aurora staggers in and drives her shoulder into his mid-section. She backs up and rams her shoulder into his ribs once again while Evans is now rising to his feet and stepping towards Creed as well, throwing fists into his face. Nathan is double teamed as Orlando tries his best to will himself back up to his feet and help out. To a raucous reaction from the crowd, Axl Evermore now comes barreling through the curtains and rushing down the ramp with tremendous speed.

Billy: Uh oh, now Evermore is coming out here! Don’t tell me this ring is going to fill up with insanity yet again?

Dan: Pat Evans is really the least liked guy on this whole roster I guess.

Axl slides into the ring under the ropes and immediately jumps at Evans, grabbing him by the shoulder and spinning him around. Evermore dives in with a forearm to Pat’s jaw, then chops him hard across the sternum as he falls back first against the ropes for support. Creed now begins to drive his forearms over the back of Aurora, who drops to her knees in front of him while Evermore blasts Pat to the face with hard closed fists. Evans staggers away from the ropes as Evermore places him in a half nelson and clubs him repeatedly over the back, both men moving towards the center of the ring. When they reach the middle of the squared circle and Pat falls to a knee in front of the Cartel Champion, Psycho grabs Axl by the shoulder, spinning him around and taking him by the throat. Evermore is hoisted into the air and chokeslammed violently down to the canvas by Psycho, who falls to his knees at his side. He now leans in and begins to strangle him once again with the whites of his eyes clouded by pure rage.

Mayne: Hahahaha, Psycho in out of nowhere with a chokeslam on Evermore!

Douglas: These two guys have been at each other’s throats for months now.

The fists continue to fly as Creed blasts Aurora over the back with repeated clubbing blows and Psycho is jabbing the face of the laid out Evermore. All the while Evans is stepping across the ring in the direction of the seated Cruze who is now planted with his back against the turnbuckle, only to have Pat place his foot to his throat, beginning to strangle him. The crowd gets even louder as Jon Rich materializes from the back and is still holding his head as he moves towards the ring, making a straight line for Pat Evans as well.

Billy: Oh good God, why are all these assholes coming out here? This isn’t a parade. If it were I’d be the Grand Marshal, and I’d be wearing a funny hat.

Dan: Just because you pull your car in front of a parade and refuse to move doesn’t make you the Grand Marshal.

Jon slides into the ring and jumps to his feet, wanting to go right after Evans but then spotting Psycho strangling Evermore, who is too tired to fight back and still incapacitated by that chokeslam. Not understanding why Rich grabs Psycho by the back of his shirt and pulls him off of Axl. The enraged behemoth falls onto his back and glares up at the N.H.B Champion who doesn’t even bother reciprocating the stare-down, too predisposed with going right after Evans. Pat turns in time to swallow the fist of Rich which causes him to tumble to the canvas and roll to the outside mats, getting himself out of harms way. Jon points over the cables directly into Pat’s face, threatening him with a physical harm like he’s never seen before. That’s before Psycho drives a clubbing blow across the upper back of Rich, then spins him around into a hard knife edge chop to the sternum.

Dan: Now Rich and Psycho are going at it, this is pure insanity!

Mayne: Like it wasn’t already?

Now sliding into the ring are Robin Brooks and Killjoy to a huge pop from the crowd. Both individuals jump to their feet and scurry across the ring in the direction of Psycho, Brooks seemingly trying to stop him from doing damage to her tag team partner at Redemption Roe. She slaps Psycho on the back who turns to face her with a truly menacing, frightening expression on his twisted features, causing Brooks to step back almost immediately. Her arms are held out to her sides, begging off while Killjoy steps between her and Psycho, verbally laying the law down to his tag team partner. He points in his face and tells him to leave Robin be as Psycho grins and nods slowly then moves around him in the direction of a struggling Evermore. Axl is using the ropes to reach his feet when Psycho comes charging in, trying to knock his head off with a big boot only to have Evermore drop down and pull on the top cable. As a result his attacker’s leg goes over the ropes and the rest of his body tumbles with him to the outside of the ring, spilling onto the mats with great force. Killjoy has turned to check on Robin while Jon is dragging himself to a completely upright base with the use of the ropes, his face twisted with hostility. He suddenly turns and without thinking, drives his forearm between Killjoy’s shoulder blades, thinking that Psycho was still standing there. The Master of the Mind Games staggers forward with his back arched and a look of rage beginning to settle on his features. He slowly turns in the direction of Rich, who realizes what he just did when he spots the calculating, malicious eyes of Killjoy glaring upon him. Just as Robin tries to step in to break up a fight before it can commence, Aurora rushes out of the corner behind her and delivers a hard forearm strike to the back of her neck. Brooks is knocked down to the canvas and sent rolling across the ring with Rose standing there, grinning but light headed, almost losing her balance. She staggers backwards right into the waiting arms of Nathan Creed who has stepped out of the corner and caught her in a reverse waist lock. Nathan drops back and German suplexes her down to the canvas with the fans screaming.

Killjoy and Rich are still eye to eye with one another when the former World Champion throws a fist right into the face of the N.H.B Champion. Jon responds with a strike of his own to Killjoy’s face which staggers him before he bends down and rushes forward, driving his shoulder into Rich’s ribs. Both Killjoy and Jon spill through the ropes and crash to the outside mats in front of the announce table, rolling around and exchanging punches with one another.

Douglas: Killjoy and Rich fighting right out here in front of us!

Mayne: This is just like what happened on the last show of 2007. I was hoping we’d left this insanity behind us!

Dan: New year, same chaos.

The crowd is surprisingly cheering as Killjoy and Rich roll around the mats exchanging punches with one another, Robin unable to stop them as she utilizes the ropes to pull herself to her feet. Pat Evans has now reached under the ropes and grabbed hold of Aurora’s leg, dragging her out of the ring as she drops down beside him. She immediately grabs hold of her head, almost falling over as she leans on Evans for support. Psycho is also getting up on the outside mats and grinding his teeth in rage while Robin stands, as does Axl Evermore, and Nathan Creed in the ring, all three individuals finding themselves in a face off with one another, unsure of what they should do. Suddenly, without giving it any more thought they all three rush across the ring and dive through the ropes simultaneously with suicide diving headbunts. Creed connects with a rising Killjoy and Jon Rich, knocking all three individuals down to the mats while Axl rams head first into Psycho and Robin collides with both Pat Evans and Aurora Rose. The fans are going insane over what they just witnessed, jumping up and down in excitement while Orlando Cruze pulls himself up in the turnbuckle, the only man remaining in the ring.

Mayne: Goodness! I hope the boss is watching this chaos, and keeping track of these instigators Orlando Cruze and Nathan Creed so our employer can deal with them later tonight!

Dan: I’m sure he is watching Billy, but I doubt he or she will do anything about it if you reveal who they are tonight or not!

Bodies continue to lie all around the ring as they begin to get up and continue to come to blows with one another, this violence only escalating.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

COMING SOON TO DVD

CONTROL

Krissie: What are you, completely inept? Are you incapable of achieving even the most insignificant of tasks?

Sallie: Do you think you’ve constantly got a get a out of jail free card? That we’re just going to excuse your idiocy?

The crowd collected in the Manhattan Center responds rather distastefully to the sight of Sallie and Krissie, collectively dubbed S.K located in the backstage corridors of the arena. Although both ladies are dressed elegantly for the evening, their behavior is quite contrasting as they glare with frustration into the features of the General Manager AWOL. Obviously they intend to place all the blame for what occurred before the last commercial break squarely on his shoulders as he towers before them with a slight smirk on his face. He looks towards the heavens with his jaw protruding outward and his head shaking ever so slightly.

Sallie: I swear I don’t know why we keep you around AWOL. If it wasn’t for your blind hatred of Orlando Cruze, we probably would have gotten rid of you ages ago, because it’s clear you have absolutely no control over this roster whatsoever.

Instead of reacting with anger AWOL chuckles as he looks back down into the faces of the wiry ladies.

AWOL: Well there’s a very simple solution then, just fire me. I don’t need the money, and I don’t need the headache of listening to the two of you pass blame onto others.

They want to respond quickly and out of their collective rage but bite their tongues, both ladies glancing in one another’s directions as they properly formulate their rebuttal.

Krissie: We would if your General Managerial contract wasn’t so iron clad, and our boss wasn’t so keen on the idea of keeping you around until he makes his presence known.

This revelation seems to strike the GM as particularly baffling as he awkwardly blinks his eyes and looks towards the ceiling again while twiddling his fingers under his jaw.

AWOL: Oh my, why that would imply that perhaps your boss doesn’t quite trust you two with the ability to run a company.

Krissie: Don’t gloat, because it’s obvious by the chaos that started our show tonight that your incapable of running a company either, but you do have experience, and you do hate Orlando Cruze. That’s the only reason your being kept around. You’ll be here just long enough for us to get the hang of things, then your out.

Her fingers motions down the hall towards the exit which seems to amuse the former World Champion immensely.

AWOL: Is that the case? Well maybe I should start making the best of the little bit of time I have left here. Later….

He lifts his hand into the air and waves goodbye while removing his expensive jacket and throwing it over his shoulder. The giant figure turns as he appears to be heading in the direction of the exit, which startles Sallie and Krissie.

Krissie: Where the hell do you think your off to?

AWOL: Well, since I’m still on the payroll and can’t be fired apparently, I might as well as go out and have myself a beer. Don’t worry though, I’ll be watching from Hooters as you two fall flat on your faces without me. And I’ll be strategizing on how to make the lives of all those people I care about, all the more miserable before I’m gotten rid of, including the two of you.

The General Manager moseys on down the corridor, vacating the arena while both Sallie and Krissie glare at one another, outraged by what they’ve just witnessed. They shake their heads until they feel warm breath on the back of their necks.

There they are, there’s the two loveliest women in all of the IWC….

The reaction from the fans grows all the more negative at the sight of the Tag Team Champions strolling into the scene behind Sallie and Krissie. Desolation appears more annoyed than ever while his tag strap glistens over his shoulder, perhaps agitated by the state of his partner, who stands beside him decked out in abnormal attire. Hurse’s hair is slicked over to the side and his World Championship, and Tag Title belts rest over a fancy gray sweater vest. Clutched in one of his arms is a huge basket, stuffed with what appears to be poppy-seed muffins. Sallie and Krissie first glance at Desolation who closes his eyes and rubs at them with agitation, then allow their bewildered glares to shift to the smiling double champion.

Sallie: Um, Steven, what’s with the getup?

Hurse acts taken aback by this question before looking down at his attire.

Hurse: What’s wrong with it, sweety?

Oddly his words sound less condescending and arrogant, spoken with a softer, sweeter tone.

Desolation: You look like a fucking Gap ad Steven. Although your nowhere near handsome enough to be in one of their soft-core porn magazine spreads.

Hurse is still bewildered by their reception to his new clothing and general alteration in style. Instead of getting paranoid though, which would be his first natural response, he smiles and grabs a muffin from his basket.

Hurse: Can’t a man change?

Desolation: Sure, as long as they don’t come out looking like an Abercrombie and Fitch fagot.

The smile on the pale features of the champion only widen.

Hurse: Aw, you’re just expressing your opinion, and that’s A-OK! But if all of you are so needy to know, I’m trying to show my precious Robin that I can change, that I’m different now, that I’m a nice guy. Oh, and hear you go ladies, I made everyone some poppy-seed muffins.

Sallie reluctantly reaches out and takes one, overlooking it and trying to squeeze only to learn that the muffin is hard as a hammer. Hurse holds one out in the direction of Krissie who shakes her head and holds her hand over her stomach.

Sallie: Jeez Steven, these biscuits look as ancient as….

For some reason Sallie can’t help but to look up into the increasingly threatening features of Desolation, who’s rage clouded eyes glare at her and immediately forces the young lady to change the subject of her sentence.

Sallie: Not Desolation, because he still looks like…..an infant?

Desolation debates rather he should respond pleasantly to that analogy, looking up towards the ceiling for several moments and then just shrugging his shoulders and putting on a half smirk.

Sallie: But seriously Steven, just drop the whole act, if Robin can’t accept you for who you are then there’s no point in trying to keep the relationship going. Move on already, like I have from Orlando…

Hurse: Oh yeah, thanks Sallie….

A premature grin settles on her face.

Hurse: You just reminded me that I made an extra special batch of muffins, with extra poppy-seeds just for my new buddy Cruze. I better go give these to him before he leaves.

Hurse turns away from the group, still holding a muffin in his hand before Desolation grabs his sweater vest and spins him back around.

Desolation: Okay, that’s about as much as I can tolerate. When complimentary words directed at Orlando Cruze start coming from your mouth I know there’s something wrong. Don’t make me have to re-educate you, because I guarantee that it’s a painful experience filled with hours upon hours of torture.

A worried Hurse dares to ask a follow up question.

Hurse: What kind of torture?

Desolation: Mostly watching the complete Orlando Cruze DVD box set.

Hurse: Oh Desolation, your such a lil jokester.

Hurse extends the muffin in his hand and wedges it into the mouth of Krissie McMorris before turning and pinching Desolation on his cheek. The Dark Man appears greatly offended as Hurse squeezes at his face then turns to make his way down the corridor.

Hurse: Anyway, I’m off, chow!

He gives a back hand wave to Desolation, Sallie and Krissie, who still has a muffin stuck out from between her teeth. They watch the World Champion walk away before the Dark Man breaks the awkward silence by sticking out his tag title belt in the direction of Sallie.

Desolation: How much do you think I can get for this?

OH NO, NOT AGAIN

We fade to the backstage halls of the Manhattan Center, where debuting wrestler JT Knight walks through, preparing for his match against also-debuting wrestler Julian Steele. Suddenly, Knight hears a jovial, smirking voice from nearby and behind him, stopping him dead in his tracks.

Voice: Jonathan...Turner...Knight!

JTK: ...Oh no...it COULDN'T be...

He turns around slowly, only to be met by the widely grinning face, almost a full head shorter than his, of IWC Cartel Champion Axl Evermore, getting a prompt cheer from the capacity crowd. Evermore hears the cheer through the walls and halls, and raises his right eyebrow, shifting his right eye slightly in the direction of the crowd noise. Evermore is already in ring gear, carrying the IWC Cartel Title over his right shoulder. Knight regards him with extreme exasperation, bordering on consternation and disappointment.

JTK: Why? Why YOU? Why HERE? Why TONIGHT?

AE: Now now, Jonny! Is that ANY way to greet the man who literally HANDED you the UWF International Title before he left?

JTK: ...You didn't give me much choice in that matter, as I recall.

AE: Well then, how about--is that any way to greet the Black Tap's best American customer?

As Knight is about to respond, he's quickly rendered speechless by Evermore's flawless logic.

JTK: Yeah well, only by a few dollars, anyway. Can we make this quick? I happen to have my first match coming up tonight and I’d like to prepare for it.

AE: And who do you think made THAT happen? You're WELCOME, by the way.

JTK: What do I have to thank you for, again?

AE: Well, if you MUST know--and I was hoping to draw it out for a few weeks, actually--I'M the one who sent you that envelope with the IWC papers. Now say "Thank you"...

Knight's face is grim, but otherwise emotionless, as he weighs his options.

JTK: Well...we'll see whether there's anything for me to thank you for later. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a match to prepare for.

AE: Get to it, then! Give 'em HELL, Nightmare!

Knight shakes his head with a sigh as he heads down the hall to the gorilla position. Evermore is watching in his direction, his grin never leaving his face.

AE: Oh, you WILL thank me, JT...ESPECIALLY after you see what I've got a-cookin' up a-tonight! ...Just right!

He heads in a perpendicular direction to get ready for HIS match later on as we hear voiceover by Douglas and Mayne.

Mayne: I don't like the sound of whatever plan he's got in the works, Dan! It could overshadow my momentous announcement.

Douglas: You don't like ANYTHING about Axl Evermore, Billy! But we'll find out just what this GIANT of a man, JT Knight, is capable of when he makes his IWC debut against the also-debuting Julian Steele! Later tonight!

NATHAN CREED VS. SKYLAR KELLY

The lights go out as the opening of "Just Stop" by Disturbed begins to play. The Tempo shifts slightly as the song kicks in, sending red pyros erupting on either side of the stage The superman logo shatters on the screen as Skylar comes through the curtain and stands at the top of the ramp with his arms extended to either side of him.

Willow then appears behind him, putting her head under his arm and wrapping her arms around his waist. Skylar smiles as he drops one arm onto her shoulder.

The two make their way to the ring to a mostly fan favored reaction. As Skylar reaches the ringside area, Willow parts from his side and takes her place on the floor near his corner. Skylar climbs to the apron and grabs the top rope, pulling back and leaping over the top rope.

He turns to the nearest corner and climbs to the second turnbuckle, facing the crowd, and thrusting his arms out to either side once again as the music dies down.

Dan: Skylar Kelly prepared to compete in only his second IWC performance, and the bar has already been raised in terms of competition.

Mayne: Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s all well and good. But let’s talk about what the hell is going on with Hurse backstage, is the man really handing out muffins and trying to be nice, and if so, how come I haven’t got my muffin yet?

Douglas: Billy, can you for once try to remain focused on the action? We’re about to see what could be a phenomenal technical contest unlike the chaos that opened up our show initially here tonight.

Mayne: No, probably not. I’ll just keep being reminded of that opening insanity with Nathan Creed competing in this match, as he was the one responsible for it all.

Dan: HE WAS NOT! The man who had an abnormal face to face encounter with Skylar last week, Pat Evans, is the one who started all of this commotion that has led to GM AWOL walking out.

Billy: You say that like it’s a bad thing.

Skylar drops down from the turnbuckle and begins to do a light job around the ring in preparation for what should be a very intense one on one match. Willow is shouting some pre-emptive instructions to him from the outside of the ring which Skylar tries to hear over the roar of the crowd. Their reaction only escalates as tension fills the air in anticipation of the next superstar to enter the ring when the lights dim down. Adam Gontier's soothing voice cuts the tension swiftly

"Pain, Without love
Pain, I can't get enough
Pain, I like it rough
Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all"

The drum beat kicks in for Three Days Grace's song 'Pain' and the lights flash syncronized to the beat. Nathan Creed walks from behind the curtain, his expression stoic as he stares down at the ring. He snaps his neck from side to side whilst ringing his wrists and then rubbing at his mid-section, perhaps feeling the effects of that brawl he was involved in just a few moments ago. The song takes a change in mood and softens as Creed starts a slow walk towards the ring accompanied by a low blue light that replaces the strobes

"You're sick of feeling numb,
You're not the only one,
I'll take you by the hand,
And I'll show you a world that you can understand,
This life is filled with hurt,
When happiness doesn't work,
Trust me and take my hand,
When the lights go out you will understand"

As the verse nears its end Creed reaches the ring and slides under the rope. He bounds to his feet as the song changes beat as the chorus hits and the lights change again into a flash of bright strobing lights

"Pain, without love,
Pain, can't get enough,
Pain, I like it rough,
Cause I'd rather have pain than nothing at all"

The start of the chorus causes Creed to scream, throwing his arms to the side in a Dreamer-esque pose. He stretches his arms by tugging onthe ring ropes and begins a quick warm up technique before pacing around the ring, eyes sharp and focused, waiting for the technical display, that is a Nathan Creed match, to begin Skylar stares across the squared circle at him with a grin on his face before he moves forward slowly, respectfully extending his arm out in the direction of Nathan. Creed steps forward, seeing no fault in shaking the hand of Skylar to a loud reaction from the approving fanbase.

Mayne: Oh don’t me vomit in Dan’s shoes again.

Dan: What?

Billy: Oh nothing, this should be a great match!

Douglas: Uh huh. Your right about that Billy, these two guys are take each other to the limit tonight, and I do believe Skylar will turn some heads in this performance, but it’s going to take a lot to put down the crafty veteran Nathan Creed.

Both men continue to shake hands before the bell rings and they step back, beginning to circle one another. Their expressions have changed from that of mutual respect to scrutiny as they overlook their opposition, trying to find a weakness or flaw. They both step forward and interlock arms in a collar elbow, jockeying for positioning against one another when Nathan sticks his leg out and places it behind one of Skylar’s. Creed shoves him backwards and causes his opponent to crash onto his back. With Skylar laid out Nathan drops down at his side and wraps his arms around his neck, applying a seated side headlock. Kelly buries the souls of his boots to the canvas and surprisingly bridges up out of the side headlock right onto his feet. With quickness he turns to face Nathan who drops onto his back and wedges his boots to Skylar’s gut, kicking him off backwards. As a result Skylar crashes to the canvas spine first then rolls across it while Nathan nips up onto his feet and comes charging in. Kelly reaches out though, catching him around the leg and lifting it into the air, causing Nathan to tumble to his back while Skylar rolls forward at his side. He ends up seated at the side of his opponent and wrapping his arms around his neck, establishing his own side headlock submission to some claps from the crowd.

Willow is giving her a man a big thumbs up while he continues to squeeze at the neck of Nathan who begins to push his way up. He spins around onto his knees, finding himself in more of a textbook form of the side headlock then rising to his feet with his opposition really twisting at his neck. As soon as both men get up Creed rushes backwards into the ropes, pulling Skylar with him, both men hitting the cables back first. They then rush forward with Nathan trying to push Skylar off only to have him hold onto the side headlock still. Both men come down to their knees again with Kelly really twisting at the neck, trying to wear Nathan down with this basic but very effective move. Creed begins to force himself up to his feet however, no matter how much pressure is being exerted on his neck. As soon as both men get up Nathan grabs hold of Skylar’s arm, pulling it away from his neck then stepping back, freeing himself and establishing a hammerlock. He then steps around to the opposite side of Kelly and bends his head forward into the side headlock yet again. The crowd cheers as Kelly’s knees begin to buckle, the air being cut off to his head almost immediately.

Mayne: *Snoring*

Douglas: Billy, don’t make me have to get out the poking apparatus again. Your missing what is a technical wrestling clinic here thus far.

Billy: Poking apparatus? I believe your wife calls it a dildo, it’s pretty much the only thing she can get off on nowadays, hahahahaha, oh I adore my racy humor. I remind myself of Chevy Chase more and more every day.

Nathan has his opponent trapped in this hold before Kelly forces himself up to his feet, still being bent forward in this submission. Suddenly he drops to his side away from Nathan, pulling him down to the canvas as he tries to hold onto the side headlock. Kelly believes he’s escaped as he lands on his back and sits up only to have Nathan rise to his seat at his side with the headlock still established. The crowd cheers at the fact that Creed still has his opposition trapped in this predicament while both men rise back to their feet. Kelly now reaches out with his foot and places it to the back of Nathan’s knee, trying to push down on it and force his legs to buckle. After a struggle Creed falls to a knee with Skylar bending forward and finding himself trapped in the side headlock still. That’s when Kelly shows some great agility by actually pushing himself off the canvas with his legs and flipping up and over the shoulders of Nathan. He lands on his feet on the opposite side of Cruze and then locks in the side headlock yet again. The crowd cheers excitedly at the sight of the unique counter just performed by Kelly to regain control of Nathan’s head. However, Kelly can’t celebrate for long as Creed is already rising to his feet beside him, albeit bent forward and trapped in the hold they’ve been exchanging between one another.

He now wraps his arms around Skylar’s waist and charges backwards into the ropes, pulling Kelly along with him as they hit the cables together. When they bounce off Nathan is able to shove Skylar off the side headlock this time and sends him rushing across the ring into the opposite ropes. He bounces off of them and comes back in at Creed who drops to his chest and stomach across the canvas, forcing Kelly to have to jump over him. Instead Skylar looks to do something fancy as he cartwheels over top of Nathan. This proves to be a big mistake though, as his hand comes down right beside Nathan, Creed catches hold of it and rises to his feet. Skylar drops down to his knees, unable to complete the cartwheel because Nathan now has hold of his wrist, twisting at it with the arm ringer.

Dan: A very nice counter there by Nathan Creed, catching Skylar in mid-cartwheel and then establishing the arm ringer submission.

Mayne: That’s amazing, that’s outstanding. According to the Super-Shopper, I can save ten cents on my next canned corn purchase.

Douglas: Put that damn magazine down and watch the match!

Billy: Do I have to?

Dan: YES!

Creed continues to twist at Kelly’s arm who suddenly drops down on top of his head then nips up off of right onto his feet. He then drops into a backwards roll, getting onto his knees before falling into a forward roll where he ends up on his back, one of his feet lifted into the air. He places the bottom of his boot to one of Nathan’s wrists and pushes it back, causing him to release his hand. Nathan still has hold of Skylar’s wrist with one of his palms though as Kelly turns onto his knees then drops down on top of his head, nipping up onto his feet and turning to face Creed before he goes over into a sideways cartwheel. He lands right on his feet then twists around under Nathan’s arm, applying his own arm ringer while the crowd cheers the unique way in which he just countered this submission. As Creed is bent forward he looks into Skylar’s smiling face.

Skylar: All day Nathan, all day….

After implying that he can keep this up all night long Creed quickly rushes forward across the ring and jumps into the air, landing feet first on the second rope. Skylar is keeping hold of Nathan’s wrist as Nathan moonsaults over backwards and lands on his feet ever so briefly before dropping to his back and pulling Kelly down into a modified arm drag. Skylar ducks his head and rolls forward across the canvas, forced to break the arm ringer as he reaches his feet. As soon as he stands he rushes across the ring with Nathan getting up and charging after him. Kelly jumps onto the second rope and springs over backwards, Nathan reaching out to catch him only for Skylar to twist his body and grab hold of Creed’s arm. Instead of Nathan hitting the move he desired he’s pulled down into a springboard arm drag. He rolls forward across the canvas himself and then stands up, falling back first against the ropes for support. Kelly rolls to his feet in the center of the ring then turns to face Nathan, rushing in at him quickly. Creed bends forward and catches Skylar against his shoulder though, elevating him up into the air and back dropping him over the ropes. Skylar grabs the top cable though and floats over, landing on the apron feet first. Creed turns around to face him when Skylar drops down into a baseball slide under the ropes and between Nathan’s legs. He stands up quickly, spinning to face Nathan’s back then bending forward, placing his head under his seat. Although Creed has a weight advantage, Skylar utilizes his tremendous strength to lift Nathan up into the air into an electric chair drop position. He turns to face the center of the ring when Nathan twists his body and grabs hold of Skylar’s arm. Creed plummets towards the ring sideways and pulls down on Skylar’s arm, yanking him over into an unusual arm drag yet again. The fans find themselves cheering over the fact that yet another unique arm drag was utilized between these two opponents.

Douglas: Arm drag after arm drag on display here between Nathan Creed and Skylar Kelly. These guys are really busting out some abstract counters.

Mayne: Abstract would be a painting where someone’s anus is where their nose is suppose to be, this is just mediocre at best.

Kelly rolls across the canvas onto his knees which Nathan does as well, both men glaring at each other for several moments. The fans clap at the sight of this stand off, both Nathan and Skylar waiting for the other to make a move. Kelly goes first, ducking his head and standing on top of it before nipping forward onto his feet. As soon as he lands he’s met with a devastating dropkick right to the face from Creed that sends him crashing onto his back and rolling over in reverse onto his knees once again. Kelly tumbles onto his spine finally, knocked through a loop via the well timed dropkick as Creed crawls into the cover.

Skylar gets his shoulder off the ring, Nathan immediately grabbing hold of the arm that was launched from the canvas. He lifts it into the air and then wraps his legs around the shoulder, dropping back into an arm grapevine. Kelly stomps the bottom of his boots against the canvas, unable to escape this quick submission predicament that Nathan has got him locked in with his thick, powerful legs. As Willow shouts some words of encouragement to him Skylar thinks up a quick counter, beginning to rock back and forth with his body. He ends up on his seat then drops into a backwards roll, pulling Nathan over onto his chest and stomach as Skylar comes down onto his knees. He’s able to squeeze his arm out from between the crossed shins of Nathan and then grabs hold of Creed’s legs. He turns and leans back while pulling one of Nathan’s shins forward against the other one, applying almost an Inverted Indian Deathlock of sorts. Creed pushes himself up onto his elbows and groans in pain until Skylar releases his legs and tries to scoot across his seat in order to grab hold of one of Nathan’s arms. Creed is able to turn onto his side quickly though, wrapping up both of Skylar’s arm as his back was pressed to his ribs. Kelly is unable to stop it as he’s pulled over backwards into a crucifix pinning predicament.

Skylar kicks out, dropping over onto his knees while Nathan rises to his as well and immediately takes Kelly around the neck, applying a front chancery.

Dan: Some brilliant counter, chain wrestling between these two leading right into the front chancery. This match has been a real battle of one-upmanship between these two thus far.

Mayne: Yet it’s still boring, go figure.

Nathan squeezes at Skylar’s neck as tightly as humanly possible until his opponent’s head is about to burst. The quick witted Kelly drops sideways away from Nathan though, pulling him down as well as both men roll across the canvas. When they end up on their knees facing each other again it looks like Creed still has him in the front chancery only for Skylar to turn around out of it and lock in the side headlock to some cheers from the Manhattan crowd. Both men appear to have worked themselves right back to square one as Creed begins to push himself to his feet while still trapped in the side headlock, Skylar really cinching it in at this point. Both men stand up when Nathan pulls his head free without warning and wraps his arms around Kelly’s waist from behind. Nathan drops back and flips Kelly over with a German suplex only to have him land directly on his feet. Creed rolls to his knees and turns to face Skylar, shocked to see that he was agile enough to flip out of the German suplex then quickly rising to his feet. Kelly steps forward with a superkick aimed at Nathan’s jaw that he ducks under in the nick of time, leaving Skylar’s back aimed in his own opponent’s direction. Nathan stands up behind him and hooks Skylar’s arm in a half nelson position, lifting him up into the air for a suplex. In mid-air his opposition adjusts his body and floats around Nathan’s arm, landing on his feet behind his back. Creed is unable to counter in time as Skylar jumps into the air and lands directly on his shoulders, perhaps going for a reverse hurricarana. That’s when Nathan places his hands to the back of Skylar’s thighs and shoves him up over his head so that Kelly lands on his feet in front of him. Immediately Kelly drops onto his back and rolls in reverse, sticking his legs out around Nathan’s waist and pushing himself off the canvas with his palms. He looks to be going for a wheelbarrow bulldog but Nathan places his hand to his upper back and shoves Kelly off. As a result Skylar lands on his feet right in front of Nathan who wraps his arms around his waist and drops back into a huge German suplex with the bridge.

Skylar gets his shoulder off the canvas while the fans cheer wildly over the several counters they just witnessed.

Dan: Both men going back and forth like they were on a see-saw with all those incredible counters, but Nathan gets the advantage with that bridging German suplex!

Mayne: Yawn.

Douglas: Does nothing impress you?

Billy: Unless it comes with a g-string I can stick dollar bills in, no, nothing does.

Skylar rolls across the canvas holding his back then ends up in the corner, leaning on it for support. He slowly begins to drag himself up to his feet when Nathan rushes in out of nowhere and jumps into the air. He turns his body and drives his back right into the chest and face of his opponent then lands on his feet and marches forward. Creed spins around in the center of the ring to face the still standing Kelly, who’s arm is draped over the top rope to keep himself upright. Nathan comes barreling in and lariats him hard against the turnbuckle before stepping backwards to the center of the ring. He slaps both sides of his chest and now rushes forward only to have Skylar shoot his foot up right into his face. Nathan is staggered by the blow, almost falling over while Kelly pulls himself up the turnbuckle backwards, standing on the second rope and launching himself off. He looks to get the advantage on the dazed Nathan who suddenly reaches out, catching Kelly by the legs. Skylar comes crashing down to the canvas onto his back as Nathan now tries to roll him over into the Courtesy Call. The fans are screaming as Creed finds himself seconds away from applying his finishing hold, but Skylar is being far too troublesome. He scoots across his back as Nathan turns in circles, still trying to get the hold established when Kelly is able to free his feet, wedging them to Creed’s ribs and shoving him backwards. Nathan spills through the ropes and crashes to the outside mats as a result, tumbling to his elbows and knees upon them. Although the back of his neck hurts tremendously from that German suplex, Skylar is able to roll over backwards onto his feet and step across the ring towards the cables. He grabs the top one and waits for Nathan to rise all the way to his feet. As soon as Creed stands Kelly pulls himself over for a crossbody only to have Nathan step out of the way with his back turned towards the ring. As a result Skylar adjusts himself and lands feet first on the apron then springs into the air, placing his boots to the middle cable and springing off into a moonsault. He flies through the air as Nathan turns back towards the ring in time for Skylar to come crashing down onto his shoulder. Both men tumble to the mats with a hard thud and send the crowd into a frenzy.

Mayne: Nathan and Skylar crashing to the mats right out here in front of us, and finally sparking my interest ever so briefly without the use of nipple tassels.

Douglas: These guys are really putting their all into this contest, battling back and forth with no titles on the line, just their pride.

Billy: Meh’, pride is overrated.

Dan: So is your commentary.

Skylar rolls into the announce table and uses it to help him to his feet then slapping it’s surface. He hits the side of his fist against his chest and shoots it into the air to a loud reaction from the fans as he grabs Nathan around the neck, rolling him to his feet then pushing him in under the cables. Skelly climbs up onto the apron and moves across it quickly towards the turnbuckle while Nathan has rolled to the center of the ring, lying there across his back in tremendous pain. Skylar makes his way up to the top rope, balancing himself there precariously before finally jumping off and soaring through the air with a picture perfect elbow drop right into Nathan’s sternum. The crowd reacts with great praise, everyone jumping from their seats in excitement while Kelly turns to his knees and crawls into the cover on Nathan.

Somehow Creed is able to kick out just before the official’s hand can strike the canvas for a three count. Skylar sits up, his features twisted with shock and anger that he just didn’t get the pinfall. He rolls to his knees in frustration and grabs hold of Nathan’s hair, pulling him up to his feet and then kicking him to the gut so that he’s doubled over. Skylar takes him by the back of the head and rushes him across the ring in the direction of the farthest turnbuckle. As soon as they near it Skylar jumps over the ropes and pulls Nathan face first into the top turnbuckle pad, his features connecting with it and sending him staggering backwards. Kelly has landed on the apron and is now pulling himself up the turnbuckle, getting to the top rope while Nathan is staggering around down below. Skylar takes a moment to balance his body on the top cable and now launches himself off, flying across the ring directly at Nathan who reaches out, catching him across the chest. The fans are shocked as Creed drags Skylar down out of the air with a uranage back breaker right across his knee. All those crowded into the Manhattan Center scream with disbelief over the way Skylar’s body is folded over the knee of Nathan, over that amazing counter. Creed keeps his arm draped over Skylar’s chest and pulls him back up to his feet off of his knee. When Kelly stands up Nathan drops to his knees and pulls him down jaw first into his shoulder. Kelly bounces off of the shoulder and staggers backwards, somehow remaining upright while Nathan rolls in reverse onto his feet and rushes forward, delivering an absolutely devastatingly stiff big boot. Skylar is almost sent flipping backwards as he crashes onto the back of his head and neck and Nathan lands on his back beside him, the fans reacting loudly over the sheer impact of the big boot. Creed turns and dives into the cover with the fans chanting along.

Kelly kicks out to the disbelief of just about everyone in the building, especially Nathan who rises to his knees with his jaw hanging open.

Douglas: Skylar Kelly kicks out! I don’t know how he did that after such a series of brutal maneuvers from Creed.

Mayne: You mean to tell me that this match is still going!?! Kelly shouldn’t even have a head right now after that boot, let alone be capable of kicking out of a pinfall attempt. Matches like these with no redeemable qualities will come to an end after my announcement about our employer tonight.

Dan: Must you keep hyping it at the expense of the in ring action?

Billy: Obviously.

Nathan leans forward with his face pressed to the canvas, getting frustrated with Skylar’s refusal to be bested in this match while Willow covers her mouth on the outside of the ring. She shakes her head and then slaps the apron, shouting for Kelly to get up, which he’s quite incapable of doing at this junction in time. Nevertheless the sweating Creed rises and grabs Skylar by the hair, dragging him over onto his knees, and then pulling him up to his feet. Skylar is turned around backwards and bridges over in reverse as Nathan holds him in a reverse DDT position then extends his other arm out to his side, calling for the Total Domination. Suddenly Kelly pushes with his legs and sends himself flipping up into the air backwards over top of the shoulder of Nathan. He lands on his feet right behind Creed and to the shock of the fans grabs hold of Nathan’s arms, turning him around for the Dust2Dust (Unprettier). Just as he is about to connect Creed pushes him off and sends him charging forward into the cables, Kelly turning and bouncing off of them back first. He is launched forward and then connects with the Future Kick right to Nathan’s jaw. The superkick has the same devastating results as that big boot Creed delivered earlier, sending Nathan crashing onto his back while Skylar plummets to the canvas face first at his side. Neither man is moving now, Skylar using his last bit of energy to deliver that superkick.

Douglas: The Future Kick by Skylar Kelly!

Mayne: But he can’t make the cover of course, which prolongs my agony.

The fans are on their feet cheering what has been a very athletic contest thus far as Skylar finally develops the strength to begin turning his body. He gets onto his elbows and knees while Creed actually begins to stir as well, rolling over with his arm dropping over the middle rope. He actually begins to drag himself up the cables, rising to his feet while Skylar struggles to a standing base behind him. In exhaustion he steps up behind Nathan, grabbing him by the arms and trying to lock him in position for the Dust2Dust once again. Creed is trying to fight is as he is backed to the center of the ring, trying to plant his feet as he fights it to the best of his ability. However, Skylar is able to turn him around, getting Nathan into position for his trademark move only to have Creed pulls his head out from between the shoulder blades. He stands up and bends Kelly backwards as he looks to hit him with the Total Domination (Eye of the Hurricane). Just as he is about to spin around and hit the move Skylar drops down out of the reverse DDT position onto his back, lifting his legs into the air and placing them under Creed’s armpits. He rolls him forward into a pining predicament, Skylar seated on Creed’s chest and holding down the back of his legs as the fans scream.

Creed kicks out, sending Skylar rolling over backwards onto his feet. Nathan gets up as well then charges forward only to be caught and hoisted into the air, Skylar looking for his Acid Laced Ego Trip only to have Creed slip off his hands and land on his feet behind his back. Nathan grabs the back of Skylar’s hair, dragging his head over backwards then swinging around with his arm, connecting with the Total Domination! Nathan turns and drops into the cover.

The entire arena rejoices over the way this intense confrontation just concluded as Creed rolls onto his back, sweating profusely.

Douglas: Nathan got HIM!

Mayne: You mean he won again!?!

Creed is absolutely exhausted, barely able to move after this grueling confrontation, while Willow shakes her head on the outside of the ring.

Dan: What a back and forth match between these two, but Nathan continues his impressive winning ways.

Mayne: The magnitude of his victory will be short lived once I name our new illustrious president.

Both men are dazed and sweating profusely after that quick, fast paced and technically precise battle that they just endured. With their frames aching they rise to their feet, leaning on the ropes for support, Willow watching on from the apron with a smile on her face, clapping her hands as a sign of support for Skylar who begins to move across the ring. He staggers in the direction of Nathan who is moving forward as well, both men’s eyes overwhelmed with the same exhaustion that plagues their frames. Nevertheless, no matter what they put each other through, Skylar extends his palm out towards Nathan who takes the hand of his opponent. The fans start to cheer and scream loudly as both Nathan and Kelly shake hands in an ever so respectful fashion. After shaking hands for a moment Nathan breaks the friendly embrace and staggers towards the ropes, slipping through them to the outside mats before making his way up the ramp.

Mayne: Oh this just makes me sicker than eating whole Easter eggs.

Dan: Um, you do realize your not suppose to eat the decorative shells right?

Billy: You mean that’s all I had to do to avoid a month’s worth of diarrhea? My anus will be especially grateful for this news.

Dan: Well regardless of what my colleague thinks, or his blatant stupidity, both these men ending this match on a positive note with a friendly handshake.

Skylar leans on the ropes and now has his arm draped over Willow’s shoulders as they watch Nathan march onto the stage, turning only briefly to lift his arms into the air which receives a loud ovation. He then spins around and moves through the curtains to the backstage area.

MR. NICE GUY

There is an outrageously loud reaction at the mere sight of Orlando Cruze located behind the curtains with his thick arms crossed above his wide sternum, waiting for something or more feasibly someone. He rests with his back pressed against the black sheets that form the tunnel leading to the entrance ramp, where the fans can be heard within the Manhattan Center screaming passionately. After an awkward couple of seconds the curtains open and Nathan Creed comes marching through them, literally drenched in own sweat, appearing very tired after that athletic one on one encounter with Skylar Kelly. As soon as he comes into Orlando’s sights, the Icon moves away from the wall and reaches out, patting Nathan on his shoulder. Creed doesn’t appear that pleased with himself or appreciative of Cruze trying to be reassuring as he tries to move forward.

Orlando: Good match out there bro.

Nathan: Pfft, could have been better.

Creed begins to walk away from his partner as Cruze follows him down the corridor which leads into a large opening, devoid of sheet walls and instead encased in concrete.

Cruze: You still busted your ass and that’s all that matters.

The notion amuses Creed.

Nathan: Yeah, but it’s going to take a whole lot more than just your average ass busting to get those tag team titles around our waists at Redemption Roe.

Orlando: No kidding, we’ve got our work cut out for us. But let’s not look ahead, let’s concentrate on the here and now, tonight!

Nathan stops just a few inches removed from the end of the corridor, turning towards Orlando with a baffled, beleaguered expression on his face.

Creed: Tonight? I thought we were through with all this insanity. We both already competed so what’s left to do besides making Sallie and Krissie’s lives living hells, which we can pretty much do any day of the week.

The smug grin that Creed spots on his partner’s face immediately troubles him. No words are needed to convey the devious plot being outlined within Orlando’s head, as his associate can read him quite clearly, already starting to turn away from him.

Nathan: Ohhh no, I know that look, and I don’t like it…

Cruze: What, you didn’t even hear me out.

Creed opens his palms and aims them towards the face of his tag team partner, Orlando trying his best to get a word in edgewise.

Nathan: No, no, no. I don’t need to hear it, and I don’t want to hear it. You’ve got something crazy rumbling around in that head of yours, I can just tell.

As Nathan tries to walk away, hoping he can get a running start before he’s pursued and forced to listen, Orlando takes hold of his shoulder and keeps him from building any moment. The smirking Creed is turned to face him as the Icon tries to break down his plot for his partner.

Orlando: Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with you.

Creed: That’s what you always say!

Cruze: Just listen. After winning that match on the last Riot! of 2007 to put me back into World title contention, I’ve come to a decision, I’ve decided I’m not waiting any longer for my World title match. I’m not going to be subjected to facing people like Aurora Rose every week, I deserve better, and I’m going to get it, even if I have to take it by force.

Trying to make sense of what he’s hearing the Future rears his head and arches an eyebrow.

Creed: So your saying that tonight, your…..

Gentlemen, I hate to interrupt….

To a surprisingly mixed response from the crowd gathered in the Manhattan Center the camera discovers the identity of the individual oh so rudely interrupting this conversation between tag team partners. It is none other than Scott Gray-Harris, moseying forth into the scene as he apprehensively overlooks both men who have turned to face him with clear frustration over his intrusion on their affairs.

Scott: So sorry if I interrupted something important here, I’ve just been looking for you both all night long, and since Nathan just got done competing I knew this would be the best place to find you both.

Instead of allowing their anger to swell Orlando puts on a half grin and begins to nod his head, intrigued.

Orlando: Really, and to what do we owe the honor of your intrusion, little Harris?

Chuckling Scott tries to form a clever response.

Scott: Cute, almost as adorable as me in fact. But my astonishing good looks aside, I just wanted to let you both know that I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened in our match.

The Icon is even more intrigued, as is Nathan, who remains a little more cautious, constantly prepared for anything.

Cruze: Oh?

Harris: Well, I now know why my father’s constantly raved about you, and wanted to team alongside you in the SCW, Mr. Orlando, a tradition I’d like to continue. Our match proved to me that I still had a lot to learn, and I figured who better to teach me than two Icons, Nathan Creed and Orlando Cruze. So if your offer still stands, I’d like to officially accept your invitation to join your cause.

The crowd on the inside of the Manhattan Center erupt into a wave of cheers as Cruze and Creed both turn towards one another with tilted heads, debating their response as Scott’s hand is extended out towards them. Finally Nathan turns and slaps his palm into Harris’, shaking his hand.

Creed: You’ve got yourself a deal, but don’t think this is going to be any type of cake walk, there’s a hell of an initiation period.

Orlando: Yeah, I sure as hell hope you can carry a cherry between your puckered ass cheeks or your shit out of luck.

Scott stands there emotionless for a moment, blinking his eyes awkwardly before shrugging his shoulders.

Harris: I guess I can learn, and I’m sure you two will be the best instructors.

Nathan: Yeah, I did get that PHD in teaching from that one college…

Orlando: I never knew you went to college…

Creed: Well, to be honest it was more of a correspondence course, but that doesn’t matter, let’s signify this newfound alliance with a generic hooping and hollering session shall we?

Orlando and Scott shrug and mouth the words “what the hell” as they all three extend their hands, loading them on top of one another to specify this new, and sure to be powerful allegiance. That’s when a fourth hand reaches in and places itself on top of all the others, Creed, Cruze and Harris slowly looking up towards its owner and finding themselves disgusted at the sight of the clean cut World Heavyweight Champion. A massive outcry of boos echo throughout the backstage corridors as a smirking, jovial Hurse tries to force his way into this group huddle, holding a basket of poppy-seed muffins in one of his arms and still clothed in a gray sweater vest. As they spot him they lower their hands and glare into the World and Tag Team Champion’s face, who is looking back and forth into their angry faces with a big generic grin on his toothy face.

Orlando: What the hell do you think your doing?

Hurse: Hey my brothas, I’m just getting in on this love fest here, between myself and all my new peeps.

Hurse hits the side of his fist to his chest then holds out two fingers in a peace sign while the trio of individuals before him appear nothing short of appalled.

Hurse: Since we’re all friends now and everything, I just though I’d bring you fellas a peace offering. A little something to show that I’m sorry for all those rude things I’ve done to you all over the past few weeks. Except for you…

The World Champion is in the middle of holding out his muffins before he spots Harris.

Hurse: Who the hell are you?

Harris: Um, I’m your tag team partner tonight.

Hurse: That’s just wonderful. But make sure to leave your loin clothe backstage, mkay?

He reaches out and pats Scott on the head before Harris swipes his hand away. All the while Orlando is overlooking the muffins and takes one, briefly glancing towards Creed who seemingly has no idea what to make of all this. Cruze finally looks back towards Hurse who eagerly leans forward, watching the muffin in Orlando’s hand, not pleased until he sees the Icon take a bite.

Cruze: So let me get this straight, you expect muffins to make up for everything that you’ve done to us this past year? The constant screw jobs, the underhanded sneak attacks, the firing of Too Magnificent, all that shit?

Hurse: Well if you put it like that, then yes, yes I do. After all, I did make them myself.

Opting to play along Orlando takes a bite of one of the muffins and then smiles as he chews it down, having great difficulty doing so. As he watches the Icon eat the muffin Hurse’s face lights up with joy before all his excitement vanishes for the Icon squashes the muffin in the palm of his hand then tosses it hard to the floor. He steps forward and knocks the basket of muffins out of Hurse’s hands then reaches out and takes hold of his sweater vest, pulling him in close in a truly menacing manner.

Hurse: Jeez, if you didn’t like it all you had to was say so.

Orlando: SHUT UP! Nobody buys your bullshit Mr. Nice Guy routine, I see through you like glass Steven. So drop the act already.

Playing dumb, which he’s surprisingly good at, Hurse shrugs his shoulders.

Hurse: I have no idea what your talking about Cruzey.

After a good and violent shake, that would induce a coma in an infant, Hurse momentarily drops his pathetic charade.

Cruze: Stop it! We wouldn’t be friends in a million years Hurse, not even if you really did change your spots, or stripes, or whatever fucking analogy works here. But if you really want to ingratiate yourself to us, if you want to prove to anyone that perhaps your capable of changing, then you’ll stop ducking me and give me a one on one match for the World Heavyweight Championship tonight!

The sweater vest is released and the double champion works quickly to smooth out the wrinkles as he steps back and overlooks the angered Icon. Scott and Nathan watch closely, wondering how this will all play out while Hurse brushes off the gold plate of the World title around his shoulder.

Hurse: What’s with all the hostility? Jesus, if it means that much to you, I’ll tell you what, since we’re such good friends, after I get through carrying Scott here to a half way passable performance then at the end of the night I’ll meet you in the center of that ring. You’ve got it, by the end of Riot! tonight, it’ll be Hurse vs. Orlando Cruze with the World Heavyweight title on the line.

His finger motions to the gold plate over his shoulder while Orlando glares at him for several moments, somewhat shocked that he is willing to give him this huge championship opportunity. Nathan and Scott are equally as astonished while Hurse steps forward and allows that smug expression to settle on his features once again.

Hurse: Of course, Cruzey, even though it will be my second match this evening, I’ll still have no problem finally shutting your mouth for good. There’s no way this night can end without me walking away from the ring with the World Championship in my possession.

Orlando is not worried or even slightly frightened by these intimidating words, his stoic eyes gaze forward into the face of his long time rival.

Orlando: There’s no way you’ll walk away from that ring at all tonight, Hurse.

The crowd begins to buzz with excitement as Hurse scoffs and backs away slowly, continuing to covet his World Championship. All the while Nathan and Scott step up to Orlando’s sides, Creed patting Orlando on the shoulder.

Creed: Good thing we discussed this.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

WHAT?

A DARK PATH FOR THE DARK MAN

Desolation, Desolation, Desolation, oh how time has changed you.

A figure's back is turned towards the camera and bound by black leather. The individual in question seems to be located within the shadowy masses of the backstage corridors. He stands in the dank, dark depths of the Manhattan Center with his black hair hanging down in front of his face which is aimed towards the wall in front of him. He sits on the floor, cradling his knees with his arms crossed in front of his shins, rocking back and forth gently while amusing himself with dialogue concerning the co-holder of the Tag Team Championships.

It seemed like it was just yesterday when you stood so vehemently opposed to the power hungry monarchs of this federation, to the groups who sought domination and control, and now look at you, you've become the very thing that you hate. Hahahahaha.

A set of trembling fingers raise up and slide into the follicles protruding outward from the scalp of the wirey individual, who shakes even though the Manhattan Center is surprisingly well heated.

Is it my imagination or little under a year ago, were you not involved in constant albiet hilarious shennanigens involving the wonderfully colorful Loons, who opposed your relatively straight man routine? And now the fun and games are over, replaced with some blood thirsty out look upon society, some deep seated need to inflict suffering on others. What's the matter Desolation, mommy didn't hold you enough, daddy didn't take an interest in your softball games, or is it something else, some need to prove that your not a joke, the comedy act people saw you for for years. No matter what made you change, I'm well aware of your growing fascination with brutality. But as much as much as we all change and evolve, there's one constant that remains the same about me. My willpower, my spirit, my unyeilding pursuit for revenge.

The eyes of Silencer turn to face the camera while a broad smirk finds itself at home on his twisted features. Bandages still line his forehead from that vicious, heinous attack at the end of his First Blood match with Desolation a few weeks ago. Like never before his eyes are encased with true dementia.

Silencer: No matter how many times you try to put me on the shelf, to twist and mutilate my body to such extremes nothing will ever be enough to change my desire, my passion, my lust for payback. That's what you'll face Desolation, oh yes, you'll face it when I'm ready for you to. You'll look into my eyes and see that I'm not going anywhere, and that there's nothing you can do to change that fact.

Silencer turns onto his palms and knees, slithering in the direction of the camera lens and twisting his face the closer he gets to it. His breath can be seen forming on the camera lens as he smiles with a cruel, sinister smirk.

Silencer: I'll pick the time, and the place for me to get my revenge on you Desolation. You won't know when I'm coming after you, you won't know until I'm ready, until you look up from the canvas and see your blood in the palms of my hands. I'm coming for you Desolation, soon, soon.

The whites of his eyes grow wider and wider as the camera zooms in upon one of his pupils, capturing the red veins intertwining throughout it.

THE PROPHECY

Hahahaha, and the plan is working too perfection, the prophecy will come to pass soon enough…

Hunched forward in a chair in the corner of a shadowy room, Christian Savior is seated, the only light being provided by a candle which he clutches in the palms of his hand. The light flickers and illuminates his deviously smirking face, his eyes sparking with malice and delight as he overlooks those gathered before him. They are seated Indian style in a half circle around Savior’s chair, all their heads lowered and concealed in druid like ebony shrouds, which match their lose fitting cloaks. All of their faces are hidden behind layers of shadows, and their eyes look to the floor as Savior speaks, continuing to hatch his plot for all those listening.

Savior: And when it comes to pass the only ones left standing will be those smart enough to join me. Once all the stars are properly aligned, once all the plots have unfolded, then the world will not be able to look away, their eyes will be forced open and held there by staples if necessary. Soon this roster will be obliterated and the only one who will rise from it’s ashes is I, the Rising Phoenix. And the plans, the final climax before the prophecy comes to pass continues tonight. Men like Scott Gray-Harris, Orlando Cruze, Hurse, even my brother Faust, will see then, just like the rest of the world, and they will see the beauty of my plot, of the prophecy.

Serenely he closes his eyes and raises his face towards the ceiling.

SAVIOR!

The door bursts open leading into this almost pitch black room, Adam Riddick charging inside and giving his brother no time to react. His own flesh and blood takes hold of Savior’s shirt, hoisting him up off the floor and then driving him spine first against the wall. Instead of reacting out of outrage or even slightly loosing his cool, a serene, yet disturbing smirk resides on his face. In contrast to the snarling, heavily breathing Riddick, who is leaning in close to Savior’s face, almost until they are touching noses. His flesh is blood red and every vein collected in his temple and neck are pulsating through the flesh, remembering what Savior put him through over the past few weeks, as well as leaving him to get Rock Bottomed by Cruze last week.

Christian: Testy aren’t we Adam?

Riddick is still shaking as he looks into the eyes of his sibling, an individual who has put an increasing amount of pressure on his shoulders since birth. Kassie Riddick resides just behind her husband’s back, scowling at Savior as well, who still has yet to loose his composure.

Riddick: Shut up. Shut your fucking mouth before I shut it for you.

His knuckle collides with the wall at the side of Savior’s face, yet Christian didn’t even flinch.

Adam: Yeah I am “testy,” damned testy in fact over what you’ve been doing, how you’ve been behaving over the last couple of months.

Savior: How can anything I do possibly effect you? Don’t you have your own life Adam? Aren’t you able to make your own choices?

Riddick: I told you to shut the fuck up Christian. Oh, let’s see how you’ve been effecting me as of late. The second I set foot in the IWC, you immediately starting messing with my career by getting me involved in this feud with Orlando Cruze and Nathan Creed, a rivalry I wanted no damn part of. I wanted to earn respect here, but you fucked that all up with your greed, and my need to constantly have your back, like when we were children.

Savior’s features continue to remain stoic and placid.

Christian: That’s right, and that’s why you won’t hit me now. That’s why you couldn’t hit me with that chair last week Adam, because we’re brothers, we’re blood, and there’s no changing that no matter what I do. You’ll always care, and last week when I manipulated the situation so that you’d be laid out with the Rock Bottom, I wanted to show you that your caring, that your sympathy will always lead to your downfall.

Riddick takes Savior by the throat, but Christian doesn’t react, doesn’t even try to defend himself.

Christian: Do it Adam, choke the life out of me, stop caring, stop having compassion!

Adam actually begins to squeeze Savior’s throat as Christian slaps him to the side of the face and the chest, but not for defense, they’re used to rile him up.

Savior: There you go, bro! FEEL IT, EMBRACE THAT ANGER!

Kassie: ADAM!

Kassie grabs the arm of her husband and pulls it away from Savior’s throat, all the druids are watching but not reacting to the situation, so she had to do something to keep Adam from killing his own brother. Savior now rubs at his red neck and smile as Adam realizes what he was doing, starting to look down into his open palm.

Christian: How’s that feel? It feels great doesn’t it? Expressing your emotions, not hiding behind lies like our brother does?

Casually Savior slides his palm onto the Renegade’s shoulder, who glares at the hand on his shoulder instead of keeping his eyes focused on his own cupped hands before him. Much like Savior he fails to react.

Savior: It’s time to stop lying to yourself, it’s time to embrace the truth. Just listen to me Adam, give me the chance to open your mind.

Riddick lowers his head, thinking about it. There’s something appealing about his offer. The fact that he hasn’t responded by immediately walking out on his brother appalls and stuns Kassie. Her mouth hangs open as she tugs on Riddick’s shirt, yet he won’t budge.

Krissie: Adam, come on. You’ve got a tag team match to worry about, not the crazy rambling of Savior.

Although he knows his wife is right, that his mind should be focused on the match at hand, and teaming alongside his brother, he can’t help but feel compelled to listen to Christian. It’s clear that even after all that has transpired between them over the past couple of months he still has the need to watch and protect his younger sibling. Finally, finding it painful to utter the words, Adam responds to his impatient wife.

Riddick: Listen Kassie, I think it be better if you left right now, until Savior and I have had a chance to talk.

This demand both shocks and offends Kassie as she steps back with her lips trembling and her head shaking. Again she pulls on Riddick’s shirt but can’t get him to budge as he turns towards her with his palms in the air.

Adam: Kassie please, just a few minutes.

His finger is extended towards the doorway as Kassie sighs and lowers her head, turning and exiting the dressing room. She twists the knob and walks out slowly before taking one last look at Savior sliding his arm over Riddick’s shoulder and whispering something into his ear. Upon seeing this Kassie finds herself so flustered she no longer puts up a fight, stepping out into the hallway and slamming the door behind her. When she finds herself standing out in the hallway it’s clear that she’s very troubled, plagued by Riddick’s abrupt change in attitude and the fact that Savior is trying to manipulate him. Even though this causes her incredible despair her head perks up as if she just got an idea and now takes off down the corridor.

JT KNIGHT VS. JULIAN STEELE

The show comes back to the ring with the fans increasingly anxious for more violence, bless their little hearts.

Douglas: What in the world is going on backstage between Christian Savior and Adam Riddick?

Mayne: Who knows, but it certainly doesn’t appear that Kassie is happy. My best suggestion to her would be to keep her damn nose out of business that isn’t her own.

Dan: Adam is her husband.

Billy: Well Savior is Riddick’s brother. That makes them closer than husband and wife, it’s a much more sacred bond and Savior didn’t even have to wear a wedding dress to commemorate it.

Douglas: Unlike you, who wears wedding dresses to every social gathering.

Mayne: Don’t pass judgment on me, they make my thighs look nice.

The sound of a cat's battle cry sounds and is followed by "Through the fire and flames' by Dragonforce blasts through the speakers as the crowd literally jumps to his feet. The crowd watches as two dice about the size of ones fist rolls out of the entrance way. As soon as the dice stop tumbling, they explode in white and red smoke. When the smoke clears there crouches The Gypsy himself, Julian Steele, aka The Black Cat as he is known in IWC as well, in his fighting attire. He wears a tattered leather trenchcoat which he rises to his feet in before he cracks his knuckles.

He runs his hair back with a single hand as he walks down the rest of the rampway. He gets into the ring and removes his trenchcoat. As the crowd cheers, he poses for the audience, lifting his arms in the air before bringing it down with his forearms touching, showing the cats eyes.

As he waits for match to start he throws a few punches and kicks, and kisses his small cross before taking it off.

Dan: And now we’re ready for a showcase match of sorts here with two newcomers to the IWC hoping to earn themselves a contract and permanent spot on this roster.

Mayne: With the constant flux this roster is in I’ve just lost all track of these new guys coming in. Do they ever last more than five minutes before they smell one of Psycho’s farts and are immediately frightened off?

Douglas: Well hopefully these two men will be different. Julian Steele already looks to be unique in his behavior, and let’s hope he brings that same uniqueness to the ring in this match impending showcase match.

Julian hands his cross to the referee then turns towards the entry way, beginning to swing his arms at his sides as he prepares for the impending contest. He doesn’t have much time to build himself up and develop his anticipation before “Skull Heaven” by Viking Skull plays over the PA system and drawls the crowd aware of the impending superstar into a loud ovation. Through the curtains, amongst dancing lights which move in conjunction with his music arrives JT Knight, his features looking filled with tension and aggression while he glares towards the ring. Julian appears a bit taken aback by the sheer size of this goliath moving towards the ring, a man who clearly outweighs him by over a hundred pounds. He stops on the stage and lifts his fist into the air before moving down the ramp, his eyes clouded with hostility, perhaps taking to heart many of the things he heard from Axl earlier in the night. He finally steps up onto the apron and glares over the ropes straight into the anxious Julian’s face, lifting his leg over the ropes and straddling them until he finally enters the squared circle.

Dan: What a physically imposing figure this JT Knight is. He weighs in at close to 300 pounds and is almost 7 feet tall, dwarfing Julian Steele who will obviously have his work cut out for him.

Mayne: Don’t exaggerate this guys proportions, your building him up like William Wallace. And we all know Wallace did not shoot fire from his ass otherwise that movie would have been ten times more entertaining.

Douglas: Can you possibly ever stay on the subject?

Billy: When I’m taking my meds yes.

The referee glances between both men then steps back as the bell rings, the contest officially getting underway. Julian looks back and forth, unsure of what he should do while JT Knight’s eyes are focused upon his opponent, not deviating at all and clouded with malice. Finally Julian steps forward with his arms extended out towards his massive opponent, actually having the audacity to call for a tie up. This momentarily pegs Knight before he steps forward and both men find themselves in a collar elbow lock. In a matter of seconds though, JT shoves his much smaller opponent down forcefully to the canvas, causing him to crash into the ring back first and roll over in reverse onto his knees. Julian gets to his feet and rushes forward right at his opponent who side steps him and catches him directly under his arm, hoisting Steele into the air then dropping him hard to the canvas with a side slam. All the air is knocked out of Julian’s body as JT hooks his leg for the pinfall already.

Steele shoots his shoulder from the canvas, turning away from Knight who looks angered that this match is continuing. He reaches out and grabs hold of Julian’s hair before dragging him up to his feet then taking him by the wrist. With his brute strength he whips Julian into one of the turnbuckles, his smaller frame turning and crashing with force against the corner. He can barely stand, remaining upright just long enough for JT to come roaring in and engulfing his body with a big splash. Julian almost disappears under the sheer size of his opponent who takes him by the back of the head and pushes him down out of the corner forcefully. Julian rolls across the canvas to his elbows and knees, showing some true grit by trying to stand up though even after taking some hard hitting powerful moves already. JT Knight is waiting for him to get up, slapping his knee in the process and setting up for a running bit boot to the face of Julian who is finally upright. Knight barrels out of the corner and lobs his giant boot right at his face only for Julian to duck under it, rushing into the turnbuckle behind him and jumping onto the middle rope. He springs off the turnbuckle and turns, landing right on top of his opponent’s shoulders then pulling him around into a hurricarana. JT Knight is actually taken off of his feet and sent flipping forward, crashing onto his back while Julian lands on all fours at his side.

Dan: JT Knight got this match started with some impressive displays of his sheer size and strength, yet Julian Steele finally getting into this contest with that huge hurricarana.

Mayne: I thought this match was going to be a squash, a nice break from the monotony. Damn you Steele for prolonging it!

After hitting the canvas Knight immediately rolls to his knees, trying to stand up only to have Steele rush up in front of him, jumping into the air and connecting with the back of his heel against the face of his opposition. Knight is knocked onto his back from the blow while Steele rolls across the canvas then nips up to his feet, trying to get the fans behind him after that stiff blow. Some of the crowd cheers as Julian slaps his chest, impressed with himself and turning around to face his opponent who is shockingly already back on his feet. Steele’s eyes widen as Knight bends forward and buries his shoulder against his ribs, lifting his opponent into the air then rushing across the ring, driving Julian back first right into the turnbuckle.

Mayne: What domination, the same type of domination our new Boss is going to have after I reveal them.

Douglas: Would you stop hyping it already and just get it over with!?!

Billy: Maybe I will Dan, maybe I will. The timing has to be just right though.

The whole ring shakes due to the collision as Knight steps back, glaring at his opponent who is agonizing against the corner, trying to hold himself up. Knight steadies himself however and now comes charging forward for another big splash only for Steele to lean back first against the corner and lift both of his legs into the air. JT collides face first with the boots of his opposition, causing him to be staggered in reverse, trying to regain his senses. Before he can Steele pulls himself up onto the second rope, standing there then jumping off as he catches Knight around the neck, looking for a tornado DDT. He pulls him around only to have the behemoth place his hands to Julian’s chest and stomach, pushing him up into the air in a gorilla press. The crowd is shocked over the way that he countered the tornado DDT and is now holding his opponent up high above his head. Knight throws Julian upward, Steele catching incredible height as he flails his arms and legs then comes plummeting down face first into the canvas. The crowd reacts with shock as Steele rolls onto his back, looking as if he’s been rendered completely unconscious.

Dan: What a counter by this super strong JT Knight, he had to have thrown Julian Steele almost eight feet into the air.

Mayne: I’ve seen ballerinas who can’t even jump that high.

Julian holds onto his face while slowly trying to get up, somehow still possessing the strength in his wobbly legs to reach an upright base. Although incredibly battered he gets to his feet in time to spot JT rushing in and delivering a devastating clothesline from hell, the Biker Stiff-Arm. Julian is sent into a corkscrew before he comes down to the ring, laid out completely at this point by the physically imposing specimen that is JT Knight. The big man crawls towards him into a hook of the leg.

Steele somehow is able to kick out, powering his shoulders off the canvas and turning away from his imposing opposition. Knight looks flustered that Julian will not go down as he takes him by the hair and rolls him to his knees on the canvas. He delivers a hard punch right to the side of Steele’s head then takes him by the wrist, dragging him into his shoulders. He rises to his feet and holds Julian in position for the Samoan drop only to have Steele hook both of his arms and fall towards the canvas. Somehow he’s able to counter into the crucifix pin.

JT rolls over backwards and drops to his knees with Julian still holding onto his arms, now being lifted up on top of his opponent’s shoulders. The fans cheer as Knight stands up with Steele still stretched across his shoulders in a fireman carry position. Utilizing his power he pushes Julian into the air and twists him so that he lands right on his shoulders in a powerbomb position. He charges forward for the move when Steele ducks his head and slips over top of Knight’s sliding down his back and wrapping his arms around his waist. JT is unable to fight it as he’s rolled over backwards into the sunset flip.

Now Knight shows his agility by rolling over backwards out of the sunset flip then grabbing hold of Steele’s legs, placing them over his shoulders. With a grunt he dead lifts Julian up off of the canvas and onto his shoulders only briefly before delivering a huge jackknife powerbomb. Steele’s body is slammed into the ring with vile force as he now lies there absolutely motionless.

Billy: What a powerbomb, Steele almost put through the ring with that maneuver. It’s times like these that I’m grateful the ring isn’t made of cardboard boxes, although that be really cool, that way I can make a fort out of them and everything.

Douglas: Yes, we all know you have the innocence of a child Billy, mentally at least. Steele may have been broken in half with that powerbomb, and his hopes to make it here in the IWC may have just been ruined.

Instead of going for the pin JT Knight takes hold of Julian’s ankle and lifts up on it, sending him into a backwards roll. As soon as he ends up on his feet JT takes him around the waist, placing him in a gutwrench then lifting him up into the air and twisting him around onto his shoulders then delivering a powerful powerbomb. JT is leaning forward with his shoulders pressed to the back of Julian’s knees for the pinfall while his opponent is folded up like an accordion.

Somehow, someway Julian is able to get his shoulder from the canvas, falling over onto his chest and stomach while Knight steps back, his fists pressed to his hips and his nostrils flaring in a rage. He then steps forward and takes hold of the hair of his opposition, dragging him up to his knees then pulling his head under his seat. The angry Knight takes him around the waist and sets up for yet another powerbomb as he hoists him up into the air and onto his shoulders. Just as he is about to deliver the move Julian takes him by the ears and is actually able to counter, slipping off of his shoulders and dragging him down face first into the canvas with the X-Factor face plant. Knight’s skull collides with canvas and causes him to bounce back up to his knees, placing one foot on the canvas to balance himself out while shaking his head. In the meanwhile Julian rolls over backwards onto his feet then rushes forward, stepping up onto JT’s knee then delivering a hard stomping boot right to the side of Knight’s face. The crowd reacts with a mixed ovation as JT falls to his back and the pain ridden Julian jumps into the cover.

Knight physically presses Julian off of him and into the air. Steele catches some air before coming down to the canvas, shocked that Knight was able to kick out with such authority. He slowly begins to turn to his elbows and knees, trying to stand up when Julian steps in and slugs him to the face over and over again. Each blow causes Steele agony as well due to the trauma inflicted on his body with all these power moves, yet he’s still in there fighting. He steps to the side of Knight and delivers a hard knife edge chop to his sternum before then connecting with a European uppercut to his jaw. The giant competitor is almost taken down to the canvas while Julian rushes into the ropes at his side, bouncing off and coming back in only to have Knight stand, catching him with a tilt a whirl. However, Julian is able to counter into a leg scissors, sending Knight flipping forward and crashing to the canvas spine first while his opponent lands behind him.

Mayne: Dammit Julian, why must he continue to keep this bout going when he’s clearly been destroyed at the hands of JT Knight.

Douglas: He has taken a brutal beating throughout this match, but he most certainly has not been destroyed, he’s answering back against this vicious physical onslaught by the ever impressive JT Knight.

Billy: His comeback is going to be just as short lived as Michael Jackson’s comeback tour, just with less pedophile charges, I hope.

Julian stands up with his hand pressed to his back, turning towards JT Knight who is trying to stand up in front of him. He comes charging in now only to be grabbed by the throat, being placed in perfect position for the chokeslam. Knight lifts him up into the air when Julian slips free and lands on his feet behind the beat, turning quickly and rushing up the ropes. He gets to the top one and springs off, twisting in mid-air and landing right on top of Knight’s shoulders who turned to face him. Just as he is about to drop back for the hurricarana, JT places his hands to the back of his thighs, shoving him up and over his head then catching him by the arms. The crowd screams as Knight turns back to face the ring and delivers the Final Nightmare (Razor’s Edge). Steele is laid completely out after crashing into the canvas then flipping over onto his chest and stomach.

Douglas: OHHH, the Final Nightmare just hit by JT Knight out of nowhere, what a counter!

JT Knight steps forward, placing his massive boot on Julian’s chest as the official makes the three count.

The crowd reacts with a loud ovation as Knight has just obliterated Julian Steele, removing his wide foot from his sternum and stepping back.

Mayne: Argh, you mean to tell me Axl’s former friend won!?! All these people who I don’t like winning getting victories is really dampening my spirits going into my announcement tonight.

Knight steps back and glares down at the battered, brutalized frame of Steele then begins to shake his head. The official checks on Julian’s condition while Knight continues to overlook his beaten opponent, not impressed in the slightest.

Douglas: What a great debut here tonight for JT Knight. He’s made an immediate splash in this confrontation with Julian Steele.

Mayne: I’ve made bigger impacts dropping shit into a toilet bowl in the morning. You want to see an impact, prepare yourself because I’m through waiting, the time is now, I’m going to reveal who our boss is and nobody is going to stop me.

Dan: Nobody is trying, which is surprisingly, as I would assume Sallie or Krissie should be trying to put the kibosh on your little announcement. I guess they have the same amount of faith in your so called “revelation” as I do.

Billy: Well prepare to bite your tongue like that 18 year old prostitute sinks her teeth into another part of your anatomy.

WHO’S THE BOSS?

With JT Goth vacating the ring and making his way up the ramp and the referee attending to the still down Julian Steele, Billy Mayne stands up behind the announce table. He snaps his fingers for a microphone, removing his headset in the process.

Douglas: Oh come on Billy; don’t tell me you’re really going to go through with this. Sit down and don’t make an ass of yourself.

Mayne doesn’t listen, there is determination and excitement in his eyes as he takes the microphone then actually begins to step up onto the announce table. He almost looses his balance but uses the top of Dan’s head to prop himself up before standing on the table, overlooking the screaming fans with a sour expression residing on his face. He pauses to add effect to the statement he is about to make and to ensure that many of the eyes in the arena are on him.

Billy Mayne: Ladies and gentlemen, I ask kindly for you all to continue doing exactly what you’ve done all night long and that’s keep your eyes on me, Billy Mayne.

Dan: Actually, this probably be an opportune time to change the channel.

The fans are booing preemptively just at the sight of Mayne and his audacious demand for attention.

Mayne: Now more than ever it is important to here exactly what I have to say, because as I’ve reported on throughout the week via our website, I believe that I’ve tracked down the owner of the IWC.

A loud reaction commences throughout the crowd as Mayne nods eagerly, a sly grin present on half his face.

Billy: That’s right people; cheer me and all my wonderful genius, for my brain is bigger than yours, and without me this revelation would have never come to light. For you see, not any everyday sleuth would be able to figure this baffling mystery out, only my superior intellect could accomplish such a feat, and now it’s time for all of you people here in the Manhattan Center to once again reap the benefits of my brilliance.

Dan: Would you get on with it already? We’re sick of listening to you boast and brag, you do that enough at commentary.

Mayne lifts his chin and protrudes his chest, feeling vastly superior to everyone else as he prepares to make this earth shattering announcement.

Billy: After hours of working with the very best in the fields of computer hacking, and mysteriously losing all my credit card debt, the pimply faced geeks I hired were incapable of tracing the IP address of the individual who has been leaving messages left and right on the IWC website. That’s why I took it upon myself to begin pouring over all the messages, scrutinizing them with my keen insight until I saw the clues, until I pieced them together like, a, a…..

Dan: PUZZLE! Jesus Christ!

Mayne: Exactly! And after hours of reviewing all the messages I saw two primary clues that almost immediately gave away the owner’s identity. Don’t blame yourselves for not seeing it, obviously your brains don’t function on a high level like my own….

Dan: You got the “high” part right.

Mayne scowls down at Dan for a moment before continuing.

Billy: The point is, that in one of his more recent messages he stated that he was “the leader of this team,” and there’s only one man in the history of this company who ever referred to himself as the “Team Leader.”

Douglas: Uh oh, I really don’t like where this is going.

The crowd looks on, shaking their heads, not wanting to hear it while Billy smiles eagerly, ecstatic at the prospect.

Billy: But wait, there’s more to substantiate my claim before I even make it. The second clue that was made in that very same message was the statement, “I am the King of this Domain,” emphasis on the capitalization of both those words, and tie them together, what do you got minus the “ain” part? Are you still following me, or are you clueless?

Dan: I’m really not liking this.

Mayne: Then add in the part that the messages are being made by someone who felt disrespected by everyone in this arena and everyone in the back, someone who has a deep seated hatred of everyone in this company, and who do you got, who do all the clues point to? That’s right ladies and gentlemen, the owner is….. B. ARTHUR!

The reaction from the crowd is that of confusion and laughter over Mayne’s sheer idiocy, yet he doesn’t appear taken aback by their response at all. He just continues to smile and nod while clutching the microphone, proud over the revelation he just made, and quite sure it is accurate. That’s when Dan stands and snatches the mic out of Billy’s grasp, glaring up into his face while shaking his head. Mayne appears a bit offended that his moment in the spotlight is cut short, but Dan has had enough of this social faux pas.

Dan: Billy, your stupidity never ceases to amaze me, but most the time I enjoy proving you wrong. This time I don’t, because I don’t like what I’m about to say, and deep down inside, I pray that it’s not true. The fact of the matter is, all the evidence you’ve collected, all the clues point to one man, not a manish woman. That man is ….

Dan can barely even force the words out of his mouth due to sheer repulsion.

Dan: Johnny Kingdom.

Everyone in the Manhattan Center reacts with pure disgust at the mere notion that Kingdom is the boss, that he is the new president of the IWC. The thought particularly unsettles Douglas, who grabs at his stomach as if he’s about to vomit over the concept. A shocked Billy Mayne cannot help but to grin widely though, overwhelmed with joy over the idea that Johnny Kingdom is the new boss. No one else in the arena is quite as willing to embrace the idea with such joy.

Dan: Heaven help us all if this is true.

HELP WANTED

A dank, shadowy corridor is featured, complete with numerous pipes running across the thick cement gray walls, implying that this scene must be occurring in the deepest, darkest regions of the Manhattan Center. It appears to be the type of place one would be quick to avoid and hesitant to explore, yet one courageous figure marches through the blackness in search for aid. It’s the lovely Kassie Riddick, moving forward tentatively but marching down this corridor nevertheless. Her head tilts to look back at the camera and reveal her determined eyes which are still searching for something. As despair again tries to surge upon her frame she turns back to face her intended path and finds herself looking into the shadowy eyes of Faust. The Manhattan crowd swells with enthusiasm at the sight of the hanging Faust, his legs wrapped around a particularly thick pipe as his body dangles upside down comfortably. Kassie jumps back and covers her heart at the sight of him, seeing as he popped up, or down I guess, out of thin air.

Kassie: Jesus Faust, are you trying to give me a heart attack!?!

A smile forms on his face, amused by her fear.

Faust: Perhaps. It certainly would provide me with a reprieve from your incessant nagging, as I assume that’s what you’ve come to do.

Kassie again tilts her head and tries to bulk up to look less frightened of her husband’s brother.

Kassie: You know me so well don’t you?

Faust: But of course I do, which is why I know by that look in your eyes that Riddick has stepped deep into the proverbial muck and you expect me to drag him out of it again, aye?

She can’t overplay her hand no matter how insightful Faust may be, trying to keep her cool and keep him guessing so that he doesn’t immediate dismiss her request for assistance.

Kassie: I’ll give you partial credit, because you don’t know everything you think you know.

Faust appears momentarily stunned before chuckling with ghoulish delight.

Faust: Oh how fresh, starting off your plea for help with insults, that’s a rather original approach. And what do you mean I’m only partially right? Come off it Kassie, I know you didn’t venture down these ever so spooky halls just to chit chat, or maybe you did. Perhaps you want to start “hanging out” more, maybe you want to join my brood. It’s filled with plenty of stimulating conversationalist, of course to join you had to pay a rather high price, although your already kind of a nocturnal person aren’t you?

Kassie: Enough, please, just listen. I think Riddick’s mind is really starting to be warped by Christian, he’s loosing focus of every….

Audaciously Faust places his finger to Kassie’s lips then slips off the pipe, twisting in mid-air to come down feet first to the floor with grace. Once he composes himself he removes his finger from her lips.

Faust: Enough Kassie, I know everything that is going to come out your mouth before you even say it. You think I haven’t noticed the effects Savior has been having on Adam’s delicate, fragile brain? Of course I have, but the truth is, I don’t care. As long as he holds up his end of the bargain tonight in our match, I’m not going to intrude on his personal life, I’m going to let him make his own decisions, there’s no need for me to.

Faust begins to move around Kassie only to have his wrist grabbed by the increasingly concerned Kassie. He immediately pulls his wrist out of her clutches.

Kassie: Please Faust, I think you might be in dang….

He reaches out and places his fingers under his chin, lifting up on it so that they are eye to eye.

Faust: Listen to how ridiculous your being. I know Riddick, I know that unlike Christian he has compassion, that he cares about his family, and as such he won’t lay a finger on me. However, if by some chance he does happen to betray me, then I won’t pay him the same courtesy.

Faust turns and marches off down the corridor, leaving Kassie even more distressed than before. She realizes that she may have just made things substantially worse.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

DON’T PLAY WITH MICROPHONES

ONE LAST HURDLE

Again the reaction from the crowd is almost deafening as a trio of stars move forward, obviously on their way to the ring, prepared for something big involving the next scheduled tag team match up. Nathan Creed, Orlando Cruze and Scott Gray-Harris are moving quickly down the corridor in the direction of the ring, having something planned perhaps against the World Heavyweight and Tag Team Champion Hurse. Orlando is directly in the center of the trio, a little more pep in his step as he realizes what will be on the line tonight, a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. Scott follows with determination in his eyes, both to prove himself worthy to his new colleagues and at the same time send a message to the man who robbed him of his chances at beating Orlando.

Orlando: Scott, let’s not lose sight of why your out there man.

Harris’ eyebrow arches while he slowly turns towards the former three time World Champion, as if offended by the comment, but then realizing that he’s still just a rookie, and should be accepting any lectures.

Cruze: I know you may have the temptation to possibly lay Hurse out and perhaps make it easier on me to win the World title later tonight….

Scott is amused by the prospect.

Orlando: But you let me deal with Hurse. I don’t want him to have any excuses when I pin him in the ring and take back the title I’ve been deprived of for so longer. Probably almost as long as Moses was forced to wonder that desert, the thought already makes me feet blister. But that’s besides the point, win your match first, get that “W” on your record, then if you have any parting remarks for Hurse, I’d say let him have it, just like I’m going to with the title on the line.

Nathan: Alright, alright Orlando, you’ve given it more than enough hype. This whole ordeal has already ate up like forty minutes of the show, how often are you going to be stealing my precious TV time? You know my wonderful one liners are ratings inspiring.

All three men continue to move forward pumped for a proper way to celebrate the new year, by seeing Orlando win the World Heavyweight title.

Sallie: Hold it there Moses…

The three men find their paths blocked by a wall of physically imposing security personal, all of which batting clubs against their black leather glove covered palms. Their entire bodies are covered by thick padding and helmets with their faces shielded behind tinted glass. Although they would generate fear in some, Scott’s, Creed’s and Cruze’s eyes find themselves locked on Sallie moving out of the shadows of the bathroom doorway. She has a small plastic cup in her palm as she tries to seductively move forward and stop in front of Cruze.

Sallie: I’m afraid your not going anywhere Cruze.

Orlando rolls his eyes in slight agitation.

Orlando: Don’t tell me your going to try and find some horribly conceived plot to detain Nathan and I from joining Scott at ringside. Although you are the queen of bad ideas, rather it’s backing guys who can’t get it done, or giving your backside to guys who can’t get it up.

Her features immediately twist with repulsion and rage but she keeps herself calm, trying not to be frazzled by Orlando’s scornful comments.

Scott: I actually saw some of her great ideas on video tape then, in the adults only section of this Tijuana video store….

Sallie: Enough!

She can’t refrain from snapping at them but is still maintaining her calm even while glaring fiercely into each man’s face.

Sallie: How dare you attack my virtue, when we all know Orlando is the biggest slut of them all.

Her finger presses against Orlando’s chest forcefully.

Sallie: With so many secrets buried in his closet that are just dying to get out.

Orlando shrugs his shoulders and still acts confused even while Nathan grabs him by the shoulder and starts asking him about this so called secret. Before he can get a response, Sallie lifts the plastic cup into the air.

Sallie: And it’s not a horribly conceived plot that will keep you from the ring, just a mere coincidence. It turns out you two haven’t been drug tested in a while, in fact the whole roster hasn’t, so I’ve decided to start randomizing our exams again. And guess what, both your names came up first on our list for those to be tested.

She motions with her head towards the entrance to the bathroom.

Sallie: So in you go, and no coming out until you’ve both filled a cup for specimen purposes. Which I guess will keep you from joining Scott at ringside for his match tonight. I mean, if you refuse to be tested, I’ll have no other alternative but to suspend you, and wouldn’t that just be dreadful?

She tries to look sympathetic while Creed takes the cup out of her hand and examines it.

Nathan: You want us to fill one of these cups? I had a few beers before I got here, so this should be filled in like five seconds. And that just so happens to leave us with enough time to accompany Scott wherever he pleases.

Orlando and Harris grin, revealing Sallie’s plan has a major loophole, which she pretends to be stumped by. That’s when she snaps her fingers and looks up delightfully.

Sallie: That’s right. Oh yeah, I just remembered, the cup in your hand isn’t what has to be filled, it’s these….

Two of the security guards decked in riot gear thrust Big Gulp cups out towards Nathan and Orlando. Their faces fill with disgust and confusion as they awkwardly take the cups and sniff them.

Nathan: You can’t possibly expect us to fill these cups, did you get them at a Seven Eleven?

Sallie plays dumb.

Sallie: Well the drug testers need a lot of urine to make their test accurate and demand we provide them with medically sound specimen carriers.

Orlando: This cup smells like Mountain Dew!

Sallie: It doesn’t matter, now get in that bathroom and fill those cups or your both suspended!

Orlando and Nathan both look down at the cups then back into each other’s faces, confused by what they should do and how they can possibly fill those glasses when Scott steps up beside Cruze and pats him on the shoulder.

Scott: Hey guys, don’t worry about me, don’t get suspended on my cause and give Sallie and Krissie cheap thrills. Which I guess they’re deprived of in the bedroom.

Sallie gawks at Scott in a rage.

Scott: I’ll take care of Hurse, and one way or another leave him in prime shape for you Orlando.

Cruze grins at the prospect while moving through the security guards who Sallie instructed to step aside for him. She then looks back at Orlando and Creed while grinning widely.

Orlando: Well I’m sure we’re not the first people who have been asked to fill things in the bathroom, just like Sallie, when many a men inquire as to how much dick can fill her throat.

Creed: Hahahaha, funny and classy.

Creed slaps Orlando on the shoulder as both men move past the enraged Sallie, who watches them stroll into the bathroom. She is absolutely seething and looking towards the riot guards with a secretive twinkle in her eye.

ADAM RIDDICK & FAUST VS.
SCOTT GRAY-HARRIS & HURSE

The camera comes back to the ring where the fans are quite eager to see what transpires next, or to leave after all the insanity that has already befallen this week’s telecast. Nevertheless they sit and stew in their anxiety.

Dan: What a telecast we’ve seen tonight, and things aren’t going to slow down as up next we’re going to witness a blockbuster tag team match.

Mayne: I wish I was as amped up as you were, after all, Hurse has gone entirely crazy backstage. You know when he starts to wear GAP that all the bats aren’t flapping around in the belfry. And on top of that he accepted a World Heavyweight title match against Orlando Cruze later tonight! Add to that they’re facing the most dysfunctional family in IWC history, and you’ve got a formula for disaster. Just like when you put Paulie Shore in a mockumentary about his life. And to put the icing on the cake, you totally stole my momentum when you made the announcement about Kingdom, instead of me.

Douglas: I have to agree that this match doesn’t stand on the strongest legs, but if everyone involved can put their differences aside, than this should be a spectacular confrontation. And in regards to your announcement, I really wish I didn’t have to be the one to make it, the thought of Kingdom running this company is downright frightening.

Mayne: But in the good sense of frightening.

Dan: There is no good sense!

The opening notes of 'Bloody Tears' rips through the audience sending shivers down their spines as Electric guitar rock mixes with organ. As the notes blast, a coffin is raised from the middle of the ramp which also spills red mist all over the ramp and around the ring. The crowds cries grow even louder as the coffin opens to reveal the Heir of the pure 'Vampire Bloodline'... The Vampire Lord... Faust.

He wears battle attire emblemed with the clan of his ancestors as well as a cape typical of his bloodline. He walks out of the coffin, which lowers behind him. He stands there, his cape wrapped around him by his hands. When the coffin is fully lowered, he extends his arms, releasing his cape behind him. Faust slowly journeys towards the ring until he steps onto the apron. He turns to face the audience. As they cheer he opens his mouth, exposing his fangs. He then steps to the nearest turnbuckle, removing his cape and placing it on there.

He gets into the ring and walks to the opposite turnbuckle before leaping to the top and standing with perfect balance where he poses for the fans. Then in an instant, he hops to a seated position on the turnbuckle and lets his back fall making him upside down facing towards the rampway... like a bat.

He smiles as he awaits the arrival of his opponent.

Mayne: Can this man be anymore frightening? Well, maybe if he had the voice of Fran Drescher, but otherwise he’s pretty intimidating enough despite his sheer lack of size.

Douglas: It should be more than apparent to you Billy, that size is a mere formality in terms of talents.

Billy: Tell Gary Coleman that!

"And I aint gonna be just a face in the crowd...
You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud...

"It's my life" by Jon Bon Jovi hits the titantron. The crowd comes to life as the sound of a motorcycle engine revs up. The fans cheer as Adam Riddick, dawning his leather jacket with white wifebeater, wrestling pants, and ring boots, rides out onto the stage on his 2004 United Motors Renegade 200. Holding onto his back is his wife, Kassie Khane.

The Renegade Rocker circles the ring once before bringing the bike to a stop at the bottom of the ramp. Hoping off his bike, Adam slides into the ring while Kassie remains outside.

Hopping onto the middle rope of the nearest turnbuckle, Adam glares out at the crowd, a smirk appearing on his face. He blows Kassie a kiss before hoping off the turnbuckle and taking off his leather jacket and shirt. He finds himself turning to face his brother who continues to hang upside down from the corner with a devilish smirk on his face, quite pleased to see Adam out here ready to compete. Nevertheless, Riddick wears a confused expression, perhaps conflicted by what he was told backstage before this match could begin.

Mayne: Now here’s one of the brothers I can find respectable, besides Savior. For one, Riddick has come into this company like a flaming shit house….

Dan: Is that disgusting simile a compliment?

Billy: It is, and don’t interrupt me again. The one thing Riddick needs to do though is get his priorities straight. He shouldn’t be teaming with Faust, he should be associating with Savior. As a tag team they made one hell of an impressive unit, they were damn near unstoppable. He can’t allow his conscious to get in the way of his victories.

Douglas: Some people can’t help the fact that they have an iota of compassion.

Mayne: Compassion? Pfft, it’s a totally unneeded human emotion.

Riddick and Faust continue to glare at one another oddly when Evereve’s version of House of the Rising Sun begins to filter through the PA system, leading into an outcry of vindictive screams. Immediately through the curtains, without much hesitation strolls the World Champion, emerging onto the stage at the conclusion of the opening lyrics. He spins in a circle with his arms out stretched to his sides, one holding the coveted World Heavyweight Championship, and the other grasping hold of the tag team title strap. He finally ends his spine as he turns straight towards the ring. He is still wearing his gray sweater vest, trying to look as proper and nice as ever while moving towards the ring then hopping onto the apron. All the while he glares over the cables into the face of Riddick, who is pacing back and forth endlessly, just dying to get his hands on the double title holder. Meanwhile Krissie shouts at Adam to keep his cool while Faust pulls himself up into a seated position on the top rope. He drops back, flipping over onto his feet then turning towards Riddick, placing his hand on his shoulder. Faust leans in and begins to whisper into his ear, trying to keep his brother calm and collective even when faced the pompous World Champion. Hurse lifts both of his title belts into the air slowly, basking in the feeling of his own superiority while boos escalate amongst those in the crowd.

Billy: Why did he have to wear the sweater vest out here, is he trying to look like the newest member of the Mean Street Posse? But style issues aside, I can’t wait until he clashes with both of these men and makes them realize where their priorities should lie. Riddick would have a chance at beating him if he were teaming alongside Savior, but instead he’s partnered up with Faust, which severally debilitates his chances of victory.

Douglas: Come off it now, Faust and Riddick are brothers and thus should make an excellent tag team.

Dan: And how do we know they’re really related, maybe Faust was adopted or something. Anyway, I hope Hurse doesn’t let this new, nice streak, get in the way of winning the match.

Hurse turns to look over his shoulder while bestowing both his title belts onto referee Fitzpatrick, looking out for his tag team partner this evening.

The slow beat of the bass guitar begins to play through the speakers as the lights gently lower around the arena, the beat is hard but the pace of it brings a peaceful aura over the place for a moment. The fans just stand to there feet and look up the ramp at the smiling face of Scott Gray-Harris appears on the big screen, his eyes as evil as any Gray an his physical presence clearly as domineering as his father once was.

"Dirty little secret
Dirty little lies
Say your prayers and call me rare
Save your soul tonight"

He wears an expensive suit showing the wealth that he comes from, the words of the song now opening up as his name slowly appears over the big screen in place of his face, in those moment flakes and sparkles drop from the top of the stage around the entrance curtains hitting the ground and seemingly bouncing on impact before disappearing.

"Drift among the faithfull
Bury your desires
Aberrations fill your head
You need a place to hide
And I am"

Suddenly the chorus explodes through the speakers and rockets fire from the stage exploding above the fans as they watch on, louder now, trying to get there opinions of the man entering the arena above the sound of his entrance music.

"Do you remember me?
And the kid I used to be?
Do you remember me?

When your world’s come crashing down
I want to relive.
Your god is looking down on me!
I’m not Jesus,
Jesus wasn’t fair!
You confess it all away,
But it’s only shit to me
Your god is looking down on me!
I’m not Jesus,
I will not forgive!"

Suddenly he steps out as the music is in full flow, he walks through the curtains, his arms raised to his side, a long ankle length leather jacket covering his body, a hood over his head, his face shaded by it as he looks down at the floor, his initials run down the back of the coat as he stands between the falling sparks either side of him, he lowers his arms as the chorus begins to end and walks down the ramp opening his jacket to show his infamous toned stomach, tanned and a site for all women to drool over, as he reaches the ring he just gently lowers his head showing his face, intense and focused, he then leaps up onto the apron with one knee before standing up and looking back out over the fans, he then throws his arms out to his side violently as the chorus of his music blasts out again, he then enters the ring, removing his jacket fully showing a very athletic build before finally standing prepared for the bell and the match ahead of him. All the while Hurse is remaining on the apron and clapping his hands, smirking in Scott’s direction. He then points reassuringly at his partner who gives the World Champion a bothered scowl.

Billy: God how I loathe this Scott Gray-Harris for so many reasons now.

Dan: He wouldn’t give you his autograph would he?

Mayne: No, he even called the cops when he spotted me rifling through his garbage bags. I mean, how stuck up can you be? And to top it all off he pledges his allegiance to Cruze like Orlando was a flag in a classroom. We all know Orlando doesn’t have stripes, or stars….

Douglas: What are you rambling on about?

Billy: I don’t know, I forgot. But the point is I don’t like Scott Gray-Harris anymore, and I still hate you for making that huge announcement instead of me. It could be B. Arthur, you don’t know, but Johnny Kingdom is a much more viable option.

The bell chimes now that everyone is in the ring, Scott turning around to face Adam Riddick, who looks to be starting out this match for his team. Faust has stepped onto the apron, glancing down at Krissie who is mouthing something to him in the form of a whisper. Scott looks eager to get his hands on the brother of the man who speared him on the last Riot!, beginning to step back and limber up in the process. Suddenly a hand slaps Scott’s shoulder, causing him to turn around with spiteful eyes in the direction of the double champion, who slips through the ropes with a big grin on his face. Hurse points to himself and insists that it be the nice thing to do for him to start this match out instead of Harris. Although miffed and eager to get his hands on the siblings of his enemies, Scott turns and slips through the ropes onto the apron, allowing the Tag Team Champion to have at it. Hurse thanks Scott before finally turning to face Riddick who slugs him hard to the jaw. Hurse crashes onto his back as a result then rolls across the canvas right to his feet, rushing forward into another jaw jacking right hand. The double champion crashes to the canvas then rolls to his knees, trying to stand up as fast as he can. Just as he gets to his feet, albeit hunched forward Riddick rushes in and knee lifts him hard to the sternum. As a result Hurse stands up and staggers backwards into the cables, covering his chest before Adam pushes his arms aside, exposing it long enough to deliver a devastating knife edge chop.

”Woo” is heard throughout the arena while Riddick pulls Hurse back to an upright base then chops him again to the chest, before doing it once more, and again, and again, and again. The stiff strikes are blistering Hurse’s sternum before Adam takes him under the arm and drags him away from the ropes, looking to hit a big hip toss. As he is lifted though Hurse is able to shift his body and instead come down to his feet on the opposite side of Adam’s body, catching him around the arm and setting up for his own hip toss. The Renegade plants his feet and refuses to be taken over until he pulls Hurse towards his body with a short arm lariat. Hurse ducks it, getting behind Riddick with a grin then spinning around to face his opponent who catches him under the arm, rushes forward and throws him with incredible height into the air with the hip toss. Hurse comes plummeting down to the canvas spine first, arching his back from the ring and howling in pain.

Dan: Hurse being reamed by Riddick right here from the get go, with all those knife edge chops being delivered followed by that vicious hip toss.

Billy: It’s all because he’s trying to be polite. Snap out of it Hurse, Robin isn’t worth this.

Hurse rises to his feet holding his back and almost loosing his balance as Riddick storms in his direction, appearing all fired up. He cocks back his fist when Hurse puts out his palms, begging off seemingly.

Hurse: Wait, wait, wait. Instead of fighting me, maybe we should just hug, wouldn’t that be nicer?

He lifts his thumb into the air and grins widely when Riddick shrugs his shoulders then blasts him across the face with another closed fist. The shot sends Hurse flying into the corner, hitting it back first while his arms tumble over the cables. The Rocking Renegade then steps in and begins to deliver jab after jab into his face, the blows causing the Master of Control to slide down the turnbuckle backwards. The punches continue to connect with his face, almost rendering him unconscious as he slips down to a seated base against the turnbuckle, his eyes fluttering as they try to stay open. The Renegade steps back to the center of the ring then rushes forward quickly, turning as he drives the side of his knee and his hip into Hurse’s face. The crowd groans the brutal collision while Riddick steps back then charges forward once again, delivering a face wash with the bottom of his boot to the side of Hurse’s skull. Again the fans start to scream over the vicious impact while Riddick steps back, pulling his legs through the ropes then reaching down and grabbing hold of Hurse’s ankles. Scott is shaking his head as he watches Adam tugging on the legs and Hurse grabbing hold of the ropes to desperately attempt to fight whatever his opponent is going for.

The more Riddick tugs the further Hurse is forced to reach up on the cables, grabbing the middle one then the top one. Finally Adam yanks on the legs hard enough to break the World Champion’s grasp on the top rope only to have flip over backwards and land directly on his feet in front of Riddick. As soon as he lands and develops a false sense of security Riddick wraps his arms around his waist and drops back into an overhead release belly to belly suplex. Hurse flips through the air then crashes into the canvas back first with the fans cheering wildly.

Mayne: Come on Hurse, come on, your getting your ass handed to you, and I sure as hell wouldn’t ask for seconds.

Dan: Riddick is just all fired up. He’s looking to get some revenge on Hurse for the way he was screwed out of the Tag Team Titles a few months ago, and also looking to make another statement via a victory over the World Champion.

Billy: Isn’t one win good enough? Why must he be so greedy?

Hurse sits up on the canvas, looking incredibly dazed before his hair is ceased hold of and his eyes begin to bug out of his skull. Terror overwhelms his features while Riddick drags Hurse up to his feet and he begs for mercy. Adam steps to his side and wraps his leg around Hurse’s before dropping back into a Russian Leg Sweep. The back of the double champs cranium collides with the canvas while he sits up and reaches for his neck, pain overwhelming his features. He quickly turns and extends his hand out in the direction of Harris in their corner while Scott smiles and holds up his palms, refusing to make the tag. Obviously he’s allowing Hurse to do the leg work now since he forcefully volunteered to do it. The crowd cheers over this while he forces himself up to his feet only to have Riddick step to his side and wrap his leg around the World Champion’s, pulling back on him and this time reverse Russian Leg Sweeping him face first down into the canvas. Hurse crashes off of the canvas then rolls onto his back, looking almost comatose at this point while Riddick stands up with his eyes turning towards Faust. The vampiristic figure has his arm extended out over the ropes with his palm open, looking for a tag while Adam debates rather he should make it or not. Finally he grits his teeth and moves across the ring, slapping the palm of his partner, who quickly scales the turnbuckle. He gets to the top rope while Hurse rolling onto his back in the ring then jumps off, flying through the air before coming down leg first across his opponent’s throat. Hurse’s body kicks into the air then begins to convulse after the leg drop while Faust rolls over backwards right onto his feet.

Hurse pushes himself over onto his elbows and knees, forcing himself up to his feet slowly while gripping at his throat only to have Faust come bolting in and jumping into the air. He flips over Hurse’s head, catching him around the neck then pulling him down into a huge flip over neckbreaker. The back of the Alpha Generation member’s skull collides viciously with the canvas while he sits up, drool seeping from the corner of his mouth. Unfortunately for him, Faust opts to press the advantage, grabbing him by the shoulder and pulling him down back first into the canvas then placing his forearm against his face.

The AG representative kicks out, turning away from Faust who quickly grabs hold of his arm, lifting it into the air then pressing down on his shoulder. He has him locked in a very basic but very effective arm lock while flashing his fangs in the direction of the screaming fans. All the while Harris hides his face in his hands, embarrassed over being forced to carry his opponent in this match if he ever opts to get involved in it.

Dan: Hurse is still being dominated by his opponents. I don’t think he’s gotten in even one offensive move thus far.

Billy: It’s all Scott Gray-Harris’ fault, if he was a willing partner they’d be on the advantage as we speak. But nooo, he’s got to take offense to the fact that Hurse wanted to start this match out, and nooo, he won’t return the forty messages I left on his answering machine. When Kingdom gets here, things are gonna change though.

Dan: It’s just a rumor Billy, nothing more.

Hurse slaps at his shoulder while trying to force himself up to his feet, Faust rising behind him with the submission still established. Once they both get up Faust turns the hold around into a top wrist lock, now folding his opponent’s arm over backwards and trapping it in this difficult to escape submission. Hurse falls to a knee, agony flowing through his arm as Faust continues to stand at his side, really twisting at his opponent’s limb while he licks at his lips. Even though overwhelmed with pain and frazzled by the offensive flurry his opponent’s got off to against him he lifts his fist into the air, swinging it into the ribs of Faust. He jabs him against to the ribcage then once more, causing Faust’s hold to begin to weaken while Hurse rises to his feet slowly. Just when Faust’s submission is weakened enough, Hurse grabs him by the back of the hair and yanks down on it. As a result Faust crashes onto his back and rolls over in reverse onto his knees, Hurse staggering backwards into the cables and reaching over them, slapping the palm of Harris. Finally Scott is looking to get into this bout, satisfied that Hurse has suffered enough. He steps through the ropes and into the ring, but before he can get at his opposition the World Champion grabs him by the shoulder, spinning him around into a hug. Scott’s eyes dart back and forth in outright confusion while Hurse continues to hug him then step back with his thumb raised reassuringly. He finally vacates the ring while SGH shakes his head and moves towards the rising Faust who suddenly lunges into the air, twisting his body. He wraps his legs around Scott’s waist and falls to his palms against the canvas, pushing himself up into the air before reaching out and placing his arm about Harris’ neck. He falls to his seat and pulls Scott down to the ring face first with a wheelbarrow bulldog. The son of two legendary competitors bounces from the ring across his facial features and ricochets up to his feet while Faust drops into a forward roll across the canvas then jumps onto the second rope. He springs off and twists in mid-air in order to land seat first right on top of Harris’ sternum, coming down on top of him as both men come crashing into the canvas. The crowd cheers as Faust lands on the chest of his opposition with his posterior then drops into another forward roll right onto his feet, springing off of them and dropkicking Hurse over the ropes right to the face. The World Champion tumbles off the apron and goes crashing into the outside mats while Faust lands on his back then nips up onto his feet, stepping towards the cables then grabbing the top one. Hurse stumbles and staggers to his feet on the outside of the ring when Faust pulls himself over the ropes into a twisting crossbody, coming down right on top of the Tag Title holder.

Dan: Oh look at Faust go!

Mayne: I wish he would go, straight to hell, or somewhere equally as unpleasant, like New Jersey or Disneyland.

Dan: Or your parents’ house.

Billy: My parents’ place is very nice, I’ll have you know they’ve upgraded to a double wide.

The vampiristic Faust rolls across the canvas onto his feet while Hurse is left sprawled out across the canvas on his back, the fans still cheering. Krissie looks on approvingly, smiling from ear to ear and clapping her hands, pleased to see that Adam and Faust our dominating the competition thus far. Faust stands up and jumps onto the apron, grabbing the top rope while SGH is trying to get up, gripping at his forehead in the process. As soon as he stands Faust springs onto the top rope and flies off, soaring through the air then landing on top of Harris’ chest. This time Scott drops back into a reverse powerbomb of sorts, sending Faust crashing face first into the canvas violently. He pushes himself up with one hand and keeps his arm pressed against his ribs, groaning over the way his body was just slammed so violently into the ring. SGH stands up slowly, still feeling the effects of those high flying moves he was just struck with before he charges into the cables at his opponent’s side. He bounces off the ropes then comes rushing back in with a huge boot right to Faust’s ribs, sending him flipping over sideways. The Vampire Lord rolls across the canvas onto his back, gripping at his ribs while Scott steps to his side then jumps into the air. He comes down knee first right into the face of Faust, causing his legs to kick into the air and for him to begin convulsing on the canvas.

Douglas: Harris getting his team back on the right track in this tag team bout, catching Faust and pulling him down out of mid-air with that reverse bomb, and then methodically working him over while he’s got him grounded.

Mayne: Scott only got on the advantage thanks to Hurse’s brilliant distraction.

Dan: By brilliant distraction you mean getting his ass kicked on the outside of the ring?

Billy: Exactly, he was doing the same thing your suppose to do when being attacked by a bear. He laid down, played dead and waited for help to come, it was genius. Just like the whole plot Kingdom has been developing as of late.

Dan: Again Scott, it’s just a rumor, we don’t know if Johnny Kingdom is the president or not.

Mayne: But there’s clues and stuff, just like in that board game. I think it was called, Sorry.

Scott drops to his knee at Faust’s side, lifting up on his head then beginning to drill him to the face repeatedly with closed fists. Each shot lands with tremendous force against his opponent’s face, the Heir of the Pure Blood unable to get his hands up in order to defend himself. Riddick is pacing back and forth on the apron, shouting for Faust to get up which is exactly what is trying to do as he is sat up on the canvas by Harris. Scott steps back then comes rushing in with a well placed running boot right to Faust’s face, knocking him onto his back with the fans groaning as a result of the shot. Harris turns in a circle to face Faust then jumps into the air, catching some height and coming down with a big splash directly onto his opponent. He then hooks Faust’s leg for the pinfall.

Faust shoots his shoulder from the canvas, turning away from Harris, who sits him up on the canvas once again. This time he comes rushing up behind Faust and jumps into the air, delivering a dropkick to the back of his neck. The strike sends Faust into convulsions as he rolls across the canvas and grips at the back of his head. Although in pain he begins to rise to an upright base when Harris steps in and takes him around the neck, locking in the front gantry then hoisting him into the air. Faust is held upside down, the blood rushing to his head before Scott steps forward and drops back into a huge vertical suplex. As soon as vampiristic figure’s body is driven into the canvas, SGH floats over into a lateral press.

Again Faust gets his shoulder off the canvas, Harris grimacing and then mounting his sternum. He begins to slug his opponent repeatedly to the face with closed fists then takes him by the hair, leading him up to his feet. When Faust stands up Scott turns his back towards him and takes hold of the back of his head, snapmaring him over forward. Somehow he has the agility to flip forward out of the snapmare and land on his feet directly in front of Scott then jump into the air. He reaches back with his legs, wrapping them around the neck of Harris then falling forward, pulling him down out of a bent forward position into a head scissors. Scott rolls forward across the canvas right onto his feet, gripping the back of his neck as he stands up and turns towards Faust who comes bolting forward only to have Harris throw a lariat at his throat. However, Faust ducks it and continues across the ring into the ropes behind his back, bouncing off of them and coming back in when Scott spins around right into a running STO. Harris is taken down hard to the canvas with Faust coming down to his elbows and knees at his opponent’s side, trying to gather himself throughout the process.

Douglas: Faust coming back in this match, staging an offensive flurry here, but I suggest he make the tag to Riddick in order to keep this contest going.

Mayne: Yeah, he’ll make the tag to Riddick, at least I hope he does, that way I actually care about the condition of someone in the ring right now.

With sweat dripping from his pale flesh Faust rises to his feet and begins to approach Riddick who still has his arm stuck out over the top rope. As soon as he takes a few steps forward, Hurse rushes in behind him and delivers a clubbing blow right to the back of his neck. The sheer impact sends Faust flipping over backwards and crashing into the canvas across the front of his body. He rams into the ring then rolls onto his back while official Fitzpatrick shouts at Hurse in anger, the Master of Control quickly vacating the ring. He rolls under the ropes then stands up, thrusting his palm out in the direction of the official, smiling and insisting that he’ll play by the rules from now, as it’s the nice thing to do. All the while Faust is rolling around the ring gripping at his knee in pain and glaring at Scott who has risen to his feet. Harris steps in and takes hold of Faust’s leg, placing it on the canvas then dropping his knee into the side of his opponent’s. Faust sits up, groaning in pain while Harris now lifts up on the ankle of his opponent, twisting up his leg as Scott’s knee keeps the rest of the vampire’s leg pinned down to the canvas. The leg is being twisted around his own knee until Harris stands up and breaks the hold. Unfortunately for Faust he now comes down with the point of his elbow directly into the side of his opponent’s kneecap. The leg is now twisted around the side of his body while Faust groans and covers his face with his palms, in agony over the submission being established upon him by the upset Harris. Scott is transferring his anger directed at Savior upon his brother while he continues to twist and rip at the leg of his opposition. He lifts the point of his elbow into the air and begins to drive it downward into the side of Faust’s knee over and over again, inflicting further damage to the leg. When it becomes apparent that he can’t earn a submission this way, Harris stands up and jumps into the air, coming down knee first once again into the side of Faust’s. The vampire sits up and flashes his fangs while groaning in pain, Harris quickly rising to his feet though and springing into the air, dropkicking Faust right to the face. He is knocked onto his back once again while Harris stands up and takes him by the ankle, beginning to drag Faust across the ring in the direction of the ropes.

Dan: The leg being dissected with perfection by SGH.

Mayne: He doesn’t know psychology, he’s just operating on blind luck. The man is a celebrity for crying out loud, they don’t need to have brains, just the ability not to look into cameras when they’re speaking.

Harris continues to drag Faust across his back in the direction of the ropes when Hurse reaches out and tags Scott’s shoulder. Again SGH glares in the direction of the World Champion who is fanning him off as he enters the ring. He then pats Scott on his back and points towards the turnbuckle.

Hurse: You look like you could use a rest there bucko, let me take over.

Harris bites his lip, wanting to utter something truly inflammatory but stopping himself from doing it then slipping through the cables onto the apron. Hurse turns towards the laid out Faust who is trying to get up when his ankle is grabbed and he’s pulled towards the cables. He’s rolled onto his stomach and then has his leg stuck between the bottom and middle rope, Hurse placing him in a Boston leg crab with the assistance of the second cable. The back of Faust’s leg is being pulled into the rope while he pushes himself up onto his elbows, roaring in pain. Official Fitzpatrick steps in, starting a five count only to have Hurse step back at two with his palms again held out and a smile plastered on his face. As soon as he is admonished by the official he steps forward and turns Faust onto his back, sticking his leg out over the middle cable. He steps up onto the bottom rope then springs into the air, coming down posterior first directly across the side of Faust’s battered knee. Again Faust is left groaning in agony, grabbing hold of his knee and trying to pull it back towards his body. However, Hurse grabs him by the ankle and turns to face the center of the ring jumping into a forward roll. As a result Faust is pulled over onto his chest and stomach, Hurse turning around and wrapping the legs of his opponent around one another. He steps through the interlocked legs and drops back, bridging over his opponent as he grabs his arms and places them in the full nelson, applying the sickle lock. The crowd is screaming for Faust to get out of this, all of them standing and slapping the barricades in between stomping their feet, creating a loud ruckus. Riddick is storming back and forth on the apron, glaring into the ring with frustration depicted on his face, shouting for his brother to get out of this hold. There is literally no way for Faust to escape this hold though as Hurse smiles from ear to ear, quite enjoying inflicting this pain on his opposition.

Dan: Faust may have no other alternative here but to tap out.

Mayne: If he doesn’t I’ll lick the jam out from between his toes. Hell I’ll put it on bread with peanut butter and have my self a jam and butter sandwich!

Douglas: I don’t know why you feel the need to continue with your ridiculous banter.

Billy: Because it’s the only thing that entertains me.

With his legs twisted and his arms trapped Faust tries to block the pain from his mind and think up a means of escape, unfortunately none come to mind. Now that victory is within his grasp Hurse begins to chuckle, giving into his cruel and twisted ways only to have Riddick rush into the fray out of nowhere, jumping into the air and dropping with his back right into the ribs of the Tag Team Champion. The back first senton splash sends Hurse into convulsions as he rolls across the canvas gripping at his ribs and Adam rises to his feet. Fitzpatrick jumps in his path, shouting at Riddick to vacate the ring which he slowly begins to do. He backs up towards the ropes and slips through them onto the apron, shouting at Faust to get up. That’s exactly what the fanged apparition starts doing, forcing one of his knees beneath him and reaching for the other one while glaring in the direction of his eager tag team partner who is standing in his corner. Even with all the pain coursing through his knee Faust begins to force himself in the direction of Riddick, who is eagerly sticking his hand out for a tag. Scott is shaking his head, unable to believe that Hurse just ruined this match for them again, therefore he takes it upon himself to stop the hot tag. He slips through the ropes and moves towards Faust with quickness, grabbing hold of his ankle and keeping him from making it all the way across the ring. He begins to drag Faust back towards the enemy corner when his opponent pushes himself upon onto his good knee and jumps to his foot, hopping up and down with his back turned towards Harris. He jumps into the air and twists his body for an enzugari only to have Gray-Harris duck it, Faust instead landing back on his foot then jumping upward. He kicks in reverse, the bottom of his boot connecting with the sternum of SGH and sending him crashing onto his back while Faust flips over and lands on his spine as well. He sits up and glares towards his corner, where Riddick is still anxious to make the tag, his fingers twiddling as he keeps his palm stretched out as far as it will go.

Faust pushes himself up onto his good knee and begins to crawl towards Adam once again, desperate to make the tag when Hurse steps in out of nowhere, taking hold of his damaged leg. He pulls Faust onto his back and lifts his leg into the air, placing the back of his knee against his shoulder and wrapping his hands around the front of the knee. He has a modified leg lock established before Faust lifts his good leg into the air and wraps it around Hurse’s neck. He frees his other leg and does the same with it then twists his body, sending Hurse flipping over sideways with a modified head scissors take down. Faust turns onto his elbows and knees after hitting the move then dives forward, slapping the outstretched palm of Riddick to a thunderous ovation from the crowd.

Dan: Faust has made the tag.

Mayne: And I’ve made fudge brownies in my pants.

Riddick jumps over the top rope with Kassie watching on fondly as he rushes across the ring right in the direction of Harris standing up in the corner. He jumps into the air and delivers a big forearm smash directly to his face then turns around in the direction of Hurse who is staggering to his feet. He turns around and falls back first into the opposite corner when Riddick comes barreling in and jumping into the air with another big forearm smash to his face. Adam now grabs hold of the back of Hurse’s head, bending him forward and rushing him across the ring directly at Harris who is stepping out of his corner. However, Hurse performs a standing switch, stepping behind Riddick and pushing him forward at Harris who throws a lariat at his inbound opponent’s throat. Riddick ducks it and as a result Harris steps forward delivering the lariat straight to the throat of his partner, Hurse crashing onto his back while Scott shakes his head, not really caring about his blunder and turning towards Riddick who has bounced off the cables. He comes charging back in and jumping into the air with a knee strike delivered promptly to the features of his opponent, sending him down to the canvas. Riddick lands on the canvas and rolls across it right to his feet while Faust re-enters the ring and limps across it towards his brother. Adam bends forward and interlocks his hands in a cupping fashion, Faust putting his foot on top of the hands before Riddick lifts them into the air and as thus sends his brother flipping over backwards into a corkscrew moonsault which connects with Harris’ mid-section. The fans are reacting joyfully as Faust now drops into a forward roll towards his bent forward partner, the back of his legs landing on top of Riddick’s shoulders. Adam grunts as he dead lifts Faust off the canvas then powerbombs him down back first right into Harris’ ribs, sending the crowd into another loud ovation.

Douglas: Some nice tag team precision here from the brothers, Faust using his own body as a weapon.

Mayne: Maybe his bodily odor could be weaponized but I don’t think his tiny frame can inflict that much damage.

Faust holds his back and his leg while rolling away from the now laid out Harris, who Riddick takes by the ankle. He pulls up on it and sends Scott rolling over in reverse right onto his feet only to be met with a boot to the gut and be placed in a front chancery. Riddick tries to lift Scott into the air while calling out for a brainbuster when the dazed Hurse clubs him violently over the upper back. As a result of the blow Riddick drops Scott back onto his feet in front of him before Harris turns and jumps into the air, taking him around the neck. Adam is pulled down into the diamond cutter with the fans screaming wildly, shocked at the sight of Harris’ YPMO. Adam crashes violently into the ring then rolls onto his back while Scott sits up, dazed and tired, referee Fitzpatrick trying to get him to get out of the ring, yet he just won’t listen, and is too fatigued to understand. Hurse is just as dazed as he turns towards Faust who comes charging in, jumping into the air and landing on top of the World Champion’s shoulders. Hurse staggers backwards into the cables then places his hands to the back of his thighs, shoving him up over his head and over the cables to the outside of the ring. Faust flies over the ropes and comes crashing down to the outside mats while the fans groan, anguish flowing through his body while he rolls onto his back.

A tired SGH rises to his feet as Hurse steps towards him and takes him under the arm, helping him up to his feet. He points to his throat and then back at Scott with a huge smirk on his face.

Hurse: Here you go pal, I know that lariat was an accident oh buddy old pal.

Hurse swipes off Scott’s shoulders as if he’s gut dust on him from lying on the ring. Harris suddenly yanks his arm free from the World Champion then turns away from him, moving in the direction of Riddick who the official is checking on. The smirking Hurse then jumps into the air, going into a spinning heel kick right to the back of Scott’s head. The impact sends Harris reeling forward and falling through the ropes onto the apron. The crowd is screaming in rage over what Hurse just did before he stands up on top of his head and nips up to his feet, thrusting his arms out to his sides with a foul, twisted expression on his face. The smirk is gone while he turns towards the struggling Riddick who is trying to stand up while still holding his face from the modified stunner. He is taken around the neck now while Hurse turns to face the turnbuckle, looking for his version of the Sliced Bred #2. A diabolical grin is now plastered on the face of Hurse as he points at the corner, getting the fans rather infuriated at the prospect of him finishing off Adam.

Mayne: Hahahaha, Hurse through being the nice guy, he just took out Orlando’s new teammate in the form of Scott Gray-Harris, and now he’s looking to finish this match with the Creative Control.

Douglas: He’s got to stop show boating if the bastard wants the chance to win this match.

Hurse starts to rush forward when Riddick pushes him off into the corner instead. The Champion’s chest collides with the corner and he bounces off turning around in a dazed state as he staggers right into the shoulders of Riddick. He’s hoisted into the air on Adam’s shoulders and then is pushed around into the Six Barrel Breakdown. Hurse’s features collide with force against he canvas thanks to Adam’s version of the F5, and then he rolls onto his back, left lying there in a motionless heap. Riddick sets up, taking several deep breaths but has victory well within the grasp of his hands before his eyes slowly shift towards the entry way where none other than Christian Savior is now standing. The fans react with repulsion over what they’re seeing as Christian glares into the eyes of his brother then lifts his hand into the air, insisting that he follow him to the backstage area.

Billy: I thought I’d never be so happy to see Christian Savior.

Dan: What the hell is he doing out here? He’s distracting Riddick when he’s obviously got the World Champion beaten and he has the audacity to ask him to come backstage?

Savior continues to give his brother a demented, unusual glare and insists that he follow him as Riddick seems to be almost in a trance, having no control over his body. He rolls across the ring and under the ropes onto the mats, beginning to walk up the ramp towards Savior with the fans still booing loudly and Kassie following behind, screaming at him to get back in the ring. Riddick won’t listen as he continues to make his way towards the grinning Savior. Riddick doesn’t even look back as he marches through the curtains with Savior, Kassie still following and screaming at him. Faust is pulling himself up onto the apron and glaring in the direction of Riddick and Savior moving through the curtains, his features filling with speculation. He doesn’t even want to believe what he’s seeing as he gets to his feet on the apron then glares into the ring at Hurse who somehow has risen to his elbows and knees. Faust springs onto the top rope then dives off, extending his leg before dropping it right across the back of Hurse’s head. The fans are screaming as Faust has just hit the move and now turns onto his elbows and knees, getting up and limping slightly as SGH comes staggering in. The Vampire Lord steps in and moves up Scott’s side, delivering a hard enzugari to the back of his head, which knocks SGH down to his elbows and knees. Faust rises to his feet and agonizes as he places his hand on his knees, glaring towards his corner where his brother is suppose to be waiting for the tag, however, on this occasion it’s empty, devoid of any life. Faust tries not to let it bother him no matter how much he feels betrayed, moving in the direction of the corner then jumping up onto it. His frame twists while he glares down at the laid out World Champion and Scott Gray-Harris, both men trying to stand up. It looks like he is about to go for the Night Flight when out of nowhere Aurora Rose jumps onto the apron, catching the official’s attention. She jumps up and down while Fitzpatrick moves towards her, beginning to shout into her face and demanding she get off the apron.

Dan: Why is Aurora Rose out here now!?!

Mayne: Why do you ask me, have I ever been able to answer a question even slightly coherently?

Faust doesn’t notice Aurora while he stands up on the turnbuckle, steadying himself only to have Pat Evans jump onto the apron behind him. Evans places his hand to Faust’s posterior and shoves him off the turnbuckle, sending him flipping over and crashing spine first into the ring. Everyone in the Manhattan Center are responding with outrage as Faust hits the ring with such force and Evans drops off the apron, backing up with a disturbing smirk on his face.

Dan: Dammit, Pat Evans pushed Faust off the turnbuckle in a completely unprovoked attack!

Mayne: Evans isn’t through with the guys who screwed him over on the last show of 2007.

Aurora drops off the apron to the mats and backs up with a huge grin on her face as Evans wraps his arm around her neck, pulling her in close, the two backing up the ramp quite pleased with themselves.

Douglas: Damn that Evans, damn that Rose! Damn everybody!

Mayne: Are you turning into Ron Simmons?

The crowd is still booing furiously as Evans and Aurora back up the ramp grinning maliciously while inside of the ring Faust is trying his best to get back to his feet. Just as he starts to stand up Hurse moves towards him quickly and grabs him around the neck, dragging his head under his seat and then extending his arms out to his sides. It’s clear that he’s setting up for the Sanitizer (Styles Clash). The crowd reacts with repulsion at the prospect of Hurse winning this match as he reaches down and wraps his arms around Faust’s waist, beginning to lift him up into the air when Scott Gray-Harris comes in out of nowhere, delivering a stiff lariat right to the throat of the World Champion. Hurse crashes onto his back as Harris staggers forward into the ropes, falling against them for support.

Mayne: Come on Scott! Let bygones be bygones! Win this match then try to get some revenge.

Dan: This match is all out insanity. Scott and Hurse are fighting each other when they’re partners, Faust’s tag team partner has abandoned him, and Pat Evans and Aurora Rose tried to cost the fanged apparition the match! What else is going to happen in this contest?

Billy: A rare appearance by Jesus?

Harris continues to lean on the ropes as he turns to face Faust who is still standing albeit bent forward with his hand pressed to his back. Scott bends forward, looking to finish this match by rushing forward into the classic family spear. He dives forward when Faust jumps into the air and meets him directly to the face with a hard dropkick. The collision knocks Scott off of his feet and down to the canvas back first with the fans cheering wildly, getting behind Faust who is forced to compete in this match completely on his own at this point. He rises to his feet and staggers backwards into the cables, falling against them spine first while Hurse rolls backwards onto his feet, holding his throat. He barely has time to balance himself out before Faust comes charging at him and jumping into the air, landing on top of Hurse’s shoulders. He spins him around and falls over the ropes back first, pulling Hurse over the cables as well with a huge hurricarana. The World Champion crashes with force to the outside mats spine first, arching his back from the ring in the process. Faust falls knees first onto the apron then begins to pull himself up to his feet, glaring into the ring at a struggling Scott, who is trying his best to get back to his feet. He has his palm pressed to his forehead as he stands, still reeling from the effects of that dropkick as the official checks on his condition. Faust is about to spring to the top rope when again Evans rushes in and grabs him by the ankle, dragging down on it. Faust is pulled down out of the air and sent crashing face first into the outside mats, the crowd jumping all over Evans for getting involved in this match a second time. Aurora watches on approvingly as Pat backs away, clouded by rage over the fact that he had to interfere in this contest once again.

Mayne: Hahahaha, Pat Evans making use of the fact that the referee’s in the IWC are blind and retarded.

Dan: Come on Evans, enough is enough, stop interjecting yourself into this match.

Billy: It’s his right as an American.

Douglas: He’s Canadian.

Mayne: Oh, well I guess we all can’t be perfect.

Finally Hurse regains his senses as he sits up on the outside mats, sweating profusely and looking towards Evans who begins to shake his head and shout at the World Champion. The official finally spots Evans and Rose on the outside of the ring and quickly rolls under the cables to intervene. He steps in front of Aurora and Pat pointing to the backstage area, demanding that they head there right now under penalty of suspension. Rose becomes enraged with the concept while holding the side of her head, shouting back at the referee only for Evans to step between the two. He tries to calm Rose down and back her up the ramp towards the backstage area, surprisingly paying heed to the demands of the official. Hurse doesn’t pay heed to any of this as he gets to his feet on the outside and takes Faust by the back of the head. He drags him up to his feet then rushes his damn near unconscious body towards the ring, rolling him in under the ropes. Instead of sliding in himself he leans on the apron for support, a tired, groggy Harris moving in the direction of the laid out Faust. As Scott deals with his opponent, the Champion moves towards the time keeper holding his titles. He reaches out and grabs the World title belt, ripping it out of their grasp while Faust is struggling to his feet inside of the ring. He presses his palm to his forehead and finally stands up before Scott barrels across the ring and almost rips him in half with the spear. The impact sends Faust flipping backwards and crashing to the canvas across the back of his neck and shoulders. He rolls over onto his chest and stomach, completely laid out at this point with the fans screaming. A tired, agonizing Harris tries to crawl into the cover but is far too disorientated in order to do so.

Dan: Scott just connected with the Retro Effect yet he can’t make the cover.

Mayne: When will all this insanity end? All this madness seems like it’s been going on all night long.

Douglas: That’s because it has been.

Instead of rolling into the cover, Scott forces himself up to his feet, perhaps not even knowing where is at this point. As soon as he stands up he turns around to face Hurse rushing across the ring with the World title belt in his grasp. Hurse swings the title at the face of Harris, who ducks it, the double champion spinning around right into the YPMO! Hurse’s jaw cracks off of Scott’s shoulder, sending him flying backwards across the ring as a result, crashing into the canvas then rolling under the ropes where he spills to the outside mats. Harris turns onto his elbows and knees, trying to stand up as through the curtains now re-emerges Adam Riddick with Kassie following behind him, still shouting at the Renegade who appears more confused than ever.

Douglas: Riddick is coming back out here!

Mayne: I thought Savior got him to abandon his partner, is any of this suppose to make any sense!?!

Riddick looks frazzled and unsure of himself for once, torn between his brothers but deciding he can not just leave Faust high and dry like this. He quickly spots Hurse trying to get up on the outside mats and grabs him by the back of the head, rushing him forward then throwing him skull first right into the steel steps which barely budge due to the collision. Scott has crawled in the direction of Faust, rolling him onto his back and hooking his leg for the pinfall while Riddick drags himself up the turnbuckle behind his back. The official drops down and makes the count with the crowd screaming.

Suddenly Riddick jumps off the top rope, flying through the air and connecting with the frogsplash directly on top of Scott’s back. Everyone in the arena reacts with a loud ovation as Adam rolls off of his opponent, gripping at his ribs in pain. Scott begins to convulse terribly while Faust rolls over and drapes his arm across the sternum of his opposition in his dazed, incoherent state.

The fans jump out of their seats and begin to celebrate the fact that Riddick and Faust have just won this tag team contest.

Mayne: NOOOO! Dammit, what else is going to go wrong tonight? At the very least Johnny….

Douglas: Not even random references to Johnny Kingdom as our potential employer are enough to kill this wave of excitement. Riddick finally came to his senses and showed up in time to help his brother, who not only was taking on two men but also was almost screwed over twice by Pat Evans and Aurora Rose.

Billy: This makes me as angry as the movie Rudy, I hate when small people overcome adversities, argh!

The crowd is still cheering as loud as they can over this huge win for Riddick and Faust. The vampiristic figure is grabbed by the wrist, Riddick helping him up to his feet and looking at him almost apologetically. Kassie looks on from the outside of the squared circle with a smile on her face, glad to see the brother’s united until Faust pulls his wrist out of Riddick’s grasp. He steps back and glares furiously into the features of his sibling, Riddick confused as to why he’s receiving such a stare. It’s clear that Faust isn’t the forgiving type, not willing to overlook the fact that Adam left him high and dry in the ring for such a vast amount of time.

Riddick: Hey Faust listen, I’m sorry ma….

Faust: No, shut your lying mouth Adam!

Riddick takes a deep breath, trying to control his anger which is spawned from his confusion and loyalty to his brothers.

Faust: I’m going to let you leave tonight because we’re family, but next time I see you in this ring, we won’t be partners, we won’t be family, we’ll be opponents.

Faust turns and staggers in the direction of the ropes while Riddick watches him with his eyes. Kassie shakes her head, not liking what she’s hearing as she watches Faust drop through the ropes and limp a little as he moves up the ramp towards the backstage area. She then turns back towards Riddick who’s flesh has transformed to a crimson shade, growing increasingly unstable the longer he’s caught in the middle of this vendetta between his brothers.

HOOTERS

A loud roar of approval goes up from a gathering of individuals seated at a bar and watching a football. They stand with their beers held high and their faces overwhelmed with joy, shouting at the screen in their intoxicated conditions. A few individuals are also gathered at the bar watching a smaller television which is playing images of this week’s Riot!, several of them screaming when they see themselves on TV. They turn and act as if they finally noticed the camera present behind them, lifting their beers in the direction of the lens. Attractive young ladies pass behind the borderline alcoholics wearing tight fitting clothing the word “Hooters” written across their sternums and carrying both trays of food and pitchers of beer. One of the ladies bares a full head of burnet hair and stops beside the table that General Manager AWOL is seated at, devouring some hot wings as he’s given another pitcher of beer.

AWOL: Thank you, now go shake your tits in someone else’s face, it ain’t gonna change your tip.

She cringes but then forces a smile to her face while turning slowly away from the GM, unsure of how to react but moving away quickly. AWOL is left alone with his thoughts as he pours some beer into a glass and slowly looks up with grease from the hot wings gathered across his lips. Once he spots the camera he sighs, his shoulders sinking and his head tilting.

AWOL: Jesus, have you people no respect, can’t I get a moment to myself without being followed around by you damn cameras? This is Hooters, it’s like sacred ground, your not allowed to bring cameras in here.

Instead of being scared off the camera moves closer to AWOL, even while he scowls at it in a truly threatening manner.

AWOL: Oh well, I guess you just wanted a shameless T&A shot to boost the lackluster ratings. Or maybe, just maybe people were interested in what I have to say again…

He digs one of his hot wings into his glass of beer then begins to eat in an ever so vile manner.

AWOL: I suppose you want me to say something in my slightly buzzed condition that would generate some controversy and get me in trouble, especially considering the rumor that Kingdom is our Boss. But wait, that’s right! According to Sallie and Krissie, I can’t get in trouble, and I can’t be fired, at least not until our ever so cowardly employer stops with his viral ad campaign and steps forward. And if it is Kingdom, the sparks will certainly fly. So hmmm, that gives me a great deal to think about.

The General Manager takes a sip of his beer while putting his knuckle under his chin to prop his head up and appear as if he’s doing some rather introspective contemplation.

AWOL: Or really, it gives me even less to think about, since everyone knows I usually second guess myself before I make an announcement or decide upon a course of action, in order to make sure it’s in fitting with what the fans and my roster want.

He makes a jerking off motion with his half eaten wing.

AWOL: But now, I barely have to think at all, I can do pretty much whatever I want and get away with it. Just like former President Bill Clinton, with the exception of getting blown by fat skanky bitches. The point is, now that I’m even more free and unrestrained to do all the things that please me, perhaps it’s time that I make Sallie and Krissie’s lives a little more fun, and show them just how stressful it really can be to be in charge of a whole roster. Then there’s Psycho, another individual who now that I’m unrestrained will have much more fun in the coming months. In fact, I guarantee that starting next week, Psycho is going to have a ball. He’s really going to start enjoying coming to work every week after he betrayed my confidence in him and I take it upon my shoulders to ensure his experience is full of excitement.

He takes a sip of his beer and turns back towards the television monitor airing footage of Riot!

AWOL: That’s it, you better get back to the show or your going to miss another precious commercial break.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SOMEBODY BREAK THE CODE ALREADY!

The show comes back to the ringside area where Billy Mayne is still grinning widely, estatic over the announcement that was made earlier in the night. Dan on the other hand is less than jovial, especially after what just transpired in the ring between brothers and the crast behavior of AWOL.

Douglas: Well fans after all the melodrama we're continuing on here tonight with....

Mayne: More hype involving Johnny Kingdom?

Dan: God I hope not, and I'm also praying this night shapes up a little more given the sheer amount of chaos that has occured since the very opening pyro display.

He's interrupted as the Cartel-Tron begins to statique, accompanied by white noise.

Douglas: Uh, I think we're about to see some more of that "code" that's been showing up here the past few weeks!

Mayne: God, I'm so SICK of it! I can't even decipher one BIT of that "code"!

The static stops as the screen fades to a space shot of Earth, text fading in as the inspirational military-sounding production song "Victory Quest" plays, accompanied by the voice of movie voice-over legend Don LaFontaine (which coincides with the text).

Don: In a world...where cryptic-message promos are ALL THE RAGE...

The words "ALL THE RAGE" have cool effects on them as Don's voice-over continues.

Don: ONE MAN...took it JUST FAR ENOUGH.

Douglas: I'll say!

Mayne: Isn't that the movie voice-over guy? Can any of us even AFFORD him for a segment?? You know, besides ME with my GI-NORMOUS raise!

Douglas: Oh, will you STOP?

Don: The SEARCH...is OVER.

The shot of Earth slowly zooms in to the East Coast US.

Don: The SUBJECT...has been FOUND.

The zoom-in zooms in to New York.

Don: My VOICE...is AWESOME and UNPARALLELED!

The zoom-in now goes to New York City.

Don: The day of REDEMPTION...is at HAND.

Mayne: Hey...isn't Redemption Roe about a month away?

The zoom-in zooms in to the Manhattan Center, then suddenly cuts to black as text fades in.

Don: Are you READY to face it?

/THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE/

The text, in front of the Matrix-y background of green raining code, flashes between that and the second line...

\THE MESSAGE IS THE MEDIUM\

The static returns, then the Tron suddenly beeps off to black as the crowd builds to a big cheer.

Mayne: Are we EVER going to find out just what the hell is going on??

Douglas: I get the feeling that we'll find out just before Redemption Roe!

”THE GRIFFIN” SEAN JOHNSON VS. “THE RISING PHOENIX” CHRISTIAN SAVIOR

The crowd seems to quiet as a number appears on the screen.

Douglas: Oh no, I thought we were through with the code portion of our telecast?

Mayne: I don't think this has anything to with codes, at least I hope not, my brain can't take being challenged anymore, breaking the Kingdom code was hard enough.

Dan: Especially since you weren't the one who BROKE IT!

10...

9...

Mayne: What's all this?

8...

7...

6...

The crowd starts counting down with the numbers, unsure of what is happening.

Mayne: Who hired the technician? I dont know anyone with this for an entrance.

Dan: Well we're about to find out...

5...

4...

3...

2...

1...

You think you know me?!

There is a blinding explosion as "Coming Home" by Alter Bridge blares throughout the stadium. As the smoke clears, there is a figure standing with his back to the audience, his arms outstretched.

Mayne: Is that...

Dan: Oh come on!

Spinning around, the figure reveals himself to be Christian Savior. However, he is no longer wearing his druid cloak. Instead, Savior is wearing blue jeans and a black shirt, along with a long black trenchcoat. Looking around, a smirk soon graces his lips as the audience change from cheers to boos.

As I peel away
All the years of pain
I discovered what's been all along
You were so right
I was so wrong

Every shooting star
They all fall so hard
They all fade like a played out song
Now is the time
Before all is lost

I'm coming home
I'm coming home

So I'm coming home
Lost on a road I don't belong
I'll rest my song
I'm so alone
Far from the streets I call my own
I'm coming home

Slowly, Savior makes his way down the ring, ignoring what words are being shouted by the audience.

Dan: Savior not getting much of a good reception here. And I don't blame the fans for reacting the way they are given what Savior tried to do earlier in the night by getting Riddick to abandon Faust in that tag team match just a few moments ago.

Mayne: What do you expect? Savior comes out here to grace us with a new entrance and these people can't stand it. Ingrates!

Rushing back to me
As the city sleeps
So afraid of what I will find

Memories they haunt
From deep inside

Sliding into the ring, Savior looks around for a few moments before getting to his feet. Slowly, he crosses his arms against his chest.

Every broken man
Comes to understand
that he'll never find paradise
When all that he wants
Was there all the time

I'm coming home
I'm coming home

Suddenly, Savior separates his arms as the cry of the phoenix is heard yet again.

So I'm coming home
Lost on a road I don't belong
I'll rest my song
I'm so alone
Far from the streets I call my own

So I'm coming home
Back to a world left long ago
And now I know
I'm coming home
I'll find my way back
I'm letting go
I'm coming home

The music fades as Savior is handed a microphone. Adjusting his jacket a little, he looks around the stadium, the smug smirk never leaving his face.

Savior: I...

He stops for a minute, actually forcing himself to be serious, as the fans start shouting obscenties his way.

Savior: You know, I was supposed to come out here and talk about the recent events that I have been a part in.

Dan: About damn time! Maybe he can explain why he got Riddick to walk out on Faust a few minutes ago.

Mayne: Hey! Savior will talk when he is ready to talk.

Dan: Yea, and I wished you wouldn't talk regardless if you were ready too.

Mayne: HO HO, very funny!

Savior rummages a hand through his hair as he tries to talk again.

Savior: Ya see, I was asked by the boss of IWC to come down and tell everyone the reason behind my actions. I think you all deserve an answer.

Dan: What? Is Savior actually gonna tell us his reasoning?

Savior: But I have to be honest with you... I still can't forget the look on your pitiful faces!

The serious look immediately fades off of Savior's face to be replaced by pure laughs emanating from the Rising Phoenix.

Dan: Son of a bitch...

Mayne: Hey! You can't insult Savior like that!

Dan: I wasn't insulting Savior. I was insulting his mother...

Christian Savior looks at the audience as their boos grow louder and louder.

Savior: I mean, you were so determined to find out who this "hero" of yours was, that you had no clue the facts staring you right in the face. I mean, how stupid could you be? I dropped hints. Dozens in fact, and all I heard was, "Who was the guy that beat up Savior?". Who was the guy who made all our dreams come true?

Dan: I don't know what to say at this point...Has Savior lost his mind?

Savior: The truth is...it was so easy to raise your hopes and even easier to crush them. Ya see, after losing the tag titles to Hurse and Desolation, I contemplated several things, several pathways if you will.

Dan: Pathways?

Mayne: Contemplated? Will???

Savior: I knew that I wouldn't get anywhere anytime soon unless I made a statement. I had to make you all know what I was willing to do to take the spotlight. So, yea, I faked my own kidnapping, tattoed my arm, and hired my followers and disciples to make it all look like some cult attempt. And you know what the best part is?

Savior slowly raises his arm and moves around, pointing at every person in the arena.

Savior: You all fell for it!

Dan: Oh yea, big talk from a guy that treats his own family like sewage.

Mayne: Savior doesn't need families, Dan. Savior is all Savior needs.

Dan: I'm sorry, Billy. I couldn't hear you with your head rammed so far up Savior's ass!

Savior: I mean, come on. The look on your faces, when I appeared, was priceless. I wish I could have video taped it for memory sake.

Leaning on the ropes, Savior seems to contemplate this thought before suddenly appearing to have an epiphany.

Savior: Oh wait...I did! Roll it!

Suddenly, footage is shown from last RIOT where, the audience's faces turn from happy to angry and shocked as Savior appears with the druids. Returning to Savior in the ring, Savior is laughing once again.

Savior: I've been watching that all week. I love it when you all realize that you were played for saps. Because of that, I made a statement. I am the Omnipotent Opportunist!

Dan: The what?

Savior: You heard me! I am the real star on this show. I do what I want...when I want. Which is why I took out Scott Gray-Harris as well. You see, as of late, I've been on a mission. You all called it cheap labour, but I was doing you a favor. Guys like Nathan Creed and Orlando Cruze and Robin Brooke are old bags. There time ended when ULW became IWC. This isnt their time anymore...it's mine!

Every week, I hear you cheer on those old-timers as some kind of heroes. Well, I showed you all how moronic you "critics" actually are. I did not come here to see the greatest federation in the world become a nursing home for guys who can barely lace up a boot! That's why I am here now. I am here to save IWC from itself. I will be your hero!

He points to all the fans, earning him more jeers and sneers.

Savior: I will be the one you thank. I will be your Messiah, you salvation. Because I see people who IWC needs to be saved from. I did so with Creed and Cruze. I saved Cruze by showing him how much better I was. I outsmarted him for the last several months, I out wrestled him, hell, I probably played tic tac toe better than him. Cruze has learned his place in IWC.

But Scott Gray-Harris hasn't.

For the last few weeks, I have seen Harris shout and talk about his time being now and that he is the future of IWC. Well considering he couldn't even beat an old punching bag like Cruze, that statement carried as much weight as Robin Brooks.

Savior looks around, ignoring the insults as best he can.

Savior: Come on, the belt weights more than her. So Harris comes along and thinks that "Just because he was the son of Lethal Weapon, some retired, and probably dead, wrestler", he could do whatever the hell he wanted. Not on my show.

That's right, I said "my show", because that's what this is. Since my arrival, I am the one you watch, not Faust, not Riddick, not Rich, not Hurse, and sure as hell not Harris. Me. I jsut made Harris realize it. Sooner or later, you all will realize it.

So in case you miss it, I'll say it one more time. I'm the Rising Phoenix, and you better get used to it!

Savior slams the microphone down on the mats and steps back as his ravenous eyes transfer to the entry way where his opponent waits to materialize. All the while he licks his lips and provides a clear view of his chompers, throwing his trench coat over the ropes to the outside of the ring.

Dan: Strong words from a bitter man.

Mayne: Bitter? How can you say Savior is bitter? He is just stating facts.

Dan: Here's a fact for you, Billy. Shut up, or I WILL staple your lips shut!

Christian is now pacing back and forth with his eyes locked upon the entry way all the while, anticipating the emergence of his opposition, who he looks eager to finish off rather quickly. The arena goes completely dark, the only sign of light comes from the entrance area which is lit up by a dim red light, simultaneously his music hits the stage as you can see the flashing from the cameras all over, you hear some very disgruntled growling, as if it was coming from a wolf about to attack on what its threatened by...the growling goes on for a few seconds before he comes walking out. Suddenly Johnson’s titantron video appears, and he comes out through the curtains, walking at kind of a slow pace. He comes to the top of the ramp looking down to the ground, suddenly the lights go out again for about 5 seconds, it is followed by a very loud "BOOM" and an extreme amount of fire ALL over the entrance area. Simultaneously, Griffin lets out his signature "Roar of the beast" while raising his arms. The pyro is about enough to make the fans sweat who are sitting in the nosebleed section. The dim red light as well comes on at the sound of the blast and pyro, this time it shines all through out the arena. Sean walks his way down to the ring to then annihilate the unlucky bastard he is forced to fight. He jumps onto the apron and lifts his arm into the air, to get the fans behind him, which is exactly how they react which brings a slight smile to his face, one that hasn’t been seen in a few months.

Dan: Johnson appearing much more jovial than his normal self and looking highly motivated for this match tonight. Which is rather surprising considering the state he’s been in for the past few weeks ever since Breathless.

Mayne: If he’s got a problem with the way he’s being handled, then he should say as much, like I do every week when I express my outrage over sharing this announce booth with you.

Dan: I like to write angry letters and then not send them to people. I think I have a whole box filled with letters for you.

Billy: Good thing you didn’t mail them, since I don’t read anything that doesn’t have naked pictures in it.

Sean bends forward finally and begins to slide through the ropes when Savior steps in and kicks him hard right to the face before the bell could even sound. The fans react with repulsion while Johnson falls stomach first over the middle rope, half his body hanging inside the ring and other half dangling above the apron. Savior quickly steps in and takes him around the neck, pulling Johnson towards the ring so that now the only portion of his anatomy that is over the cable are his ankles. Christian now jumps forward, flipping over the head of Johnson and pulling him down off the ropes with a swinging neckbreaker. The fans react with shock as the back of Johnson’s cranium collides with force against the canvas.

Mayne: Oh yeah, Savior getting out to an early advantage in this battle of mythical birds.

Dan: Savior assaulting Johnson before the damn bell could even ring. How repulsive is that!?!

Billy: Pretty repulsive, so naturally I love it.

Johnson rolls across the ring onto his elbows and knees, trying to stand up but being unable to after that vicious neckbreaker. Christian quickly steps in, taking him by the hair then delivering a hard European Uppercut directly to his jaw. The blow sends the Griffin staggering backwards and falling into the nearest turnbuckle. He lands on his seat, propped up against the corner when Christian comes charging in and reaching out, grabbing the top rope as he kicks his lower body up into the air. Christian then pulls himself down with the use of the cables into a huge dropkick right to the pectoral muscles of his seated opponent. As soon as he connects Christian rolls over backwards right onto his feet then charges forward with a roar and drives his knee directly into Sean’s face. The crowd groans over the vile impact of the knee with skull, leaving Johnson dazed and confused as he sits perched up against the corner still.

Billy: Look at this aggressiveness from Savior. I haven’t seen him like this since he’s arrived here in the IWC.

Douglas: The man is unstable to say the least.

Mayne: Actually, if you were to say the least, it be nothing at all.

Savior steps back and spins in circles while looking towards the heavens, a disgruntled, twisted expression residing on his features. He finally turns towards the still seated and dazed Johnson, rushing in quickly only for Sean to drop onto his back and lift his legs into the air. He wedges his feet to Christian ribs then almost monkey flips him over the ropes. Savior is pushed over the cables as he turns and comes crashing down to the outside mats face and chest first. His body is driven into them as he rolls onto his back, laid out at this point. That doesn’t stop the now angered Johnson as he shakes off the effects of that neckbreaker and those blows to his face and slips through the ropes onto the apron. He balances himself then jumps off coming down with a leg drop right across Christian’s throat. Savior’s body kicks up into the air with the fans cheering while Sean gets to his feet at his side and grabs hold of his hair, dragging him over quickly to his knees. The enraged Sean pulls Christian up to his feet and places him in a front chancery before lifting him into the air and dropping backwards into a huge vertical suplex right onto the thin protective mats. The Rising Phoenix’s body is driven with incredible force and velocity against the mats, his back arching from them as he turns onto his side. Johnson sits on the canvas, breathing heavily then rising to his feet as he approaches the ring, rolling in under the ropes then back out to break up the official’s ten count.

Dan: Sean showing that no quit attitude, firing back against Christian even after that opening offensive flurry.

Mayne: Who does Johnson think he is, somebody the fans actually give a shit about? I know what these fans care about, and it’s finding out what our new boss Johnny Kingdom has planned for all of us.

Douglas: For the last time Billy, it’s a just a rumor, it’s not the truth.

Billy: THERE’S A DIFFERENCE!?!

Still feeding off the anger of being attacked before the bell could sound, Johnson takes Savior by the hair, rolling him to his knees then dragging him to his feet in a front chancery. It’s obvious that he’s once again setting up for the vertical suplex on the mats as he lifts Savior into the air and holds him upside down for a moment to let the blood rush into his opponent’s brain. Suddenly Christian floats over though, landing on his feet behind Johnson then shoving him forward directly at the steel steps. Sean’s knees collide with the stairs, sending him flipping over the steel and crashing onto his back on the mats while the fans voice their shock and disapproval over what just happened.

Douglas: Ohhh, Sean’s knees rammed with vile force against those steel stairs!

Mayne: His knees may have been shattered, and if they are he can ride in a wheelchair, and become one of those angry war veteran types so he can star in a pretentious Oliver Stone film.

Sean grips hold of his knees as he bites at his lower lip and turns to a crawling base, trying to push himself up to his feet. As soon as he stands up Savior comes rushing across the mats and stepping off the top of the stairs, launching himself forward into a senton pancha right into Johnson. Both men crash to the mats with Savior landing on top of him and the fans again screaming with disbelief over what they just witnessed. Savior rolls off of Johnson and gets back to his feet before sliding into the ring, breaking up the official’s ten count by then exiting once more. An already battered Johnson starts to will his way back to his feet while gripping at his knees only for Christian to step in and deliver a hard forearm strike to the side of his face. Sean is staggered as he’s bent forward and blasted repeatedly over the back with clubbing blows, which are really starting to take their effect on his battered body. Savior steps to his side, grabbing the back of the Griffin’s head then rushing him across the mats before throwing him down across the back of his head and neck into the steel barricade. He collides with it violently then tumbles onto his side, reaching for his neck in pain. Savior steps in and buries his foot to Johnson’s throat, grabbing the top of the barricade and choking the life out of Sean’s body. The fans are booing at Savior the longer he strangles his laid out opponent with his foot. He finally breaks away long enough to grasp hold of Sean’s hair, forcing him up to his feet then taking him by the back of the head, rushing him across the mats and throwing him down head first right into the barricade. His skull cracks against the steel and sends him tumbling onto his back, laid out on the outside mats while Savior slides into the ring to break the official’s ten count.

Dan: Those steel plates on the barricade which serve as our IWC advertisements our serving a much darker purpose for Savior, assisting in the brutality being inflicted on Johnson’s body.

Mayne: Mwahahaha, God bless the genius who put those things over our barricades.

The impacts with the barricades have left Johnson lying on the mats, desperately trying to regain his senses while Savior rolls back out of the ring onto the apron. He stands up on it and motions repeatedly for Johnson to get up, bending forward as he waits in anticipation for him to stand. His eyes are centered to a sharp point on his opponent who struggles his way to an upright base just in time to spot Christian rushing across the apron and jumping off at him. Sean reaches out and catches Christian on his shoulder then turns and hits him with almost a spinebuster that sends Savior crashing back first right into the barricade. A loud reaction is heard from the fans as Savior’s body goes limp and he continues to lean on the barricade with a far off glint in his eyes. His body is racked with pain while Johnson takes him by the hair and forces him towards the ring, rolling him in under the cables. Savior rolls to almost the center of the squared circle then begins to crawl in the direction of one of the turnbuckles. Sean slides in himself and moves directly after his opponent who sits up with his back against the corner, Johnson immediately pouncing upon him with stomp after stomp delivered to his sternum. Johnson is stomping the proverbial mud-hole in Savior and walking it dry, as a certain famous redneck would put it. Sean reaches down taking hold of Christian’s hair and forcing him to his feet with his back still pressed to the corner. An enraged Johnson bends down and drives his shoulder into Savior’s ribs, then steps back and does it again. All the wind is knocked out of Savior’s body as a result before Sean takes him around the waist, stepping out of the corner then dropping back with a release overhead belly to belly suplex. Christian crashes with force against the canvas, sitting up then falling onto his back, laid out completely as Sean crawls quickly into the cover. Both legs are hooked as the official drops down and makes the count.

No, Christian shoots his shoulder off the canvas and turns away from Johnson, who quickly sits him up and clamps his arms about his throat. Savior finds himself trapped in the sleeper hold at the hands of his much larger opponent.

Dan: After being given a spinebuster into the barricade and now being hit with a huge belly to belly suplex, Savior finds himself trapped within the arms of Johnson, who is looking to finish him off with this time tested submission hold.

Mayne: It may have worked out successfully for others, but come on, this is Christian Savior!

The fans are screaming for Savior to tap out while Johnson keeps his arms around his throat, really choking the life out of him. Unfortunately for Johnson, and the hopes of the gathered masses, Savior actually begins to force himself up towards his feet, the Griffin standing behind him. He remains bent forward, holding him in this predicament as they both get closer and closer to a standing base. Johnson has still got his opposition trapped in this hold as they both rise to their feet when Savior drops to his seat, hitting a jaw breaker. The blow comes close to cracking Sean’s jaw as he staggers backwards into the ropes, bouncing off them spine first while Savior gets up in front of him. Just as he does Sean charges forward and jumps into the air, hitting him with a shoulder block that sends Christian crashing right back down to the canvas. Johnson rolls away from him onto his knee then motions for his opponent to get up, looking to do it again. Christian rolls to his elbows and knees, beginning to stand up when Sean steps in and kicks him to the gut, bending him forward and beginning to hook both of his arms. It appears that he’s setting up for the pedigree as he jumps into the air and drags Christian down face first into the canvas with the move. The fans scream in shock as Christian’s features slam into the ring and then he rolls onto his back, rendered unconscious. Johnson falls forward on top of him and hooks his leg.

Christian gets his shoulder up again to a loud reaction from the fans, who are stunned he was capable of kicking out even after the pedigree.

Billy: Look at this, even Sean’s strongest moves can’t put Savior away. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Christian Savior is in fact Jesus.

Dan: I can’t even begin to describe how blasphemous that statement is.

Savior’s eyes are fluttering while Johnson gets to his feet and looks out over the crowd, making a proud proclamation.

Johnson: This shit is over!

Johnson reaches down and takes hold of the hair of his opponent, pulling Savior up to his knees then dragging his head under his seat. He wraps his arms around Christian’s waist and pulls him up to his feet before lifting him into the air and over his shoulder, setting up for the Commotion Clause (dominator back breaker). Just as he is about to hit it Savior is able to squirm free, sliding off of his shoulder and landing on his feet behind Sean’s back. He shakes his head to clear it after taking that pedigree then charges into the ropes behind Johnson, bouncing off of them and coming back in as he bends forward for a spear. Sean rushes forward though and jumps into the air, hitting him with a knee smash to the face which receives a tremendous ovation from the crowd. Christian is taken off of his feet and down back first to the canvas while Sean lands on his feet beside him but bends forward, gripping at his knee in pain. He staggers around a bit holding his leg after the impact with the stairs then turns to face the down Savior, motioning for him to stand up. Christian has rolled across the canvas to his elbows and knees, painstakingly trying to push himself up to a standing base but really feeling the effects of that knee strike to the skull. He gets up when Sean steps in and takes him around the neck, now setting for his Eyes of the Beast (DDT). He is just about to drop back when Christian grabs the wrist of Johnson that is placed under his chin and pulls it away from his neck, spinning out of the front chancery. He then turns around to face Johnson and pulls him forward into his own front chancery, reaching out and grabbing the back of his tights, setting up for an implant DDT. Johnson stands up straight however, with Christian on top of his shoulder only to have Christian slide down his back and wrap his arms around his waist. Sean is dragged over backwards into a sunset flip for the pinning predicament.

Sean rolls over backwards onto his feet then bends forward, placing his shoulders to the back of Christian’s legs and pushing him down onto the back of his shoulders in a pinning predicament.

Johnson hoists Savior into the air up off the canvas into a powerbomb position with the fans cheering loudly. Christian is loaded on Sean’s shoulders now as he prepares for this huge move that will surely break the increasingly frail body of his opposition into pieces. Christian has other plans though and stays off the execution by raking Johnson’s eyes, causing Sean to drop him as Savior lands on his feet directly in front of his opponent. He turns quickly and reaches back with his arm, wrapping it around Johnson’s neck as he sets up for the diamond cutter. Before he can hit it Johnson pulls his head free and bends down, burying his shoulder into Christian’s back, lifting him up into the air for a back drop suplex. Christian floats over his shoulder with a backwards flip, landing on his feet behind his opponent, who spins around into a quick discus lariat. Savior ducks it and rushes into the cables behind Johnson, bouncing off of them and coming back in at Sean who turns right into the Blaze of Glory spear directly to the ribs. Sean is taken off of his feet with Christian coming down to his knees beside him then turning as he hooks both of his opponent’s thick legs.

The entire arena erupts into a wave of boos as Savior has just picked up the win via the spear, but wait, no Johnson got his shoulder up with just a few seconds to spare. Christian sits up on the canvas with his hands sliding into his hair, growing enraged that he failed to pick up the win. He rolls to his knees and glares down at Johnson with his eyes bugging out of his skull. Sean is still rolling around, gripping at his ribs in terrible pain.

Mayne: He kicked out, how, how I ask and don’t expect to receive an answer?

Douglas: He’s got the will power to keep this match going Billy.

Billy: Oh, I did get an answer, albeit a very derivative one, but an answer nevertheless.

The fans are slapping the barricades, really getting behind Johnson, trying to give him the energy to stand up. His sweaty, battered frame tries to get up as he turns onto his side and glares towards Savior who rushes in with a well timed kick to the side of his opponent’s face. Johnson rolls across the canvas to his elbows and knees as a result when Savior takes him around the neck, begging to force him up to his feet. When Johnson is almost up, Christian rushes across the ring into the ropes in front of him, bouncing off and coming back in with a tremendous burst of speed. He bends forward for the Blaze of Glory when Johnson jumps over him, leap frogging his opponent who rushes under him and into the ropes behind his back. Savior bounces off the cables and comes back in at Johnson who turns and catches Christian against his shoulder. Savior is hoisted into the air then turned around and driven into the canvas with the full force of the Soul Breaker (Twisting Spinebuster).

Billy: AHHHH!

Dan: Johnson connecting with the spinebuster even after taking that spear, you talk about impressive.

Mayne: That’s not a word used frequently in conjunction to Johnson.

Savior is laid out completely while Johnson jumps to his feet and unleashes a loud roar, getting the crowd behind him, every one of his muscles flexing at once. His tense frame moves in the direction of the turnbuckle nearest to the unconscious Savior, slipping through the ropes onto the apron then making his way up the corner. He looks to be preparing for the big splash as he scales to the top rope, gripping at his ribs in agony throughout the process.

Douglas: Johnson going up top.

Mayne: There’s only one man on top Dan, and it’s Johnny Kingdom, our new employer. Did that just sound suspiciously sexual in nature?

Dan: If it did, I’m sure the fans were like me and didn’t pay any attention. We’re through listening to your Kingdom related insinuations, that have not been proven as the truth as of yet. It’s just hearsay.

Mayne: But that’s the best type of say.

The fans are all standing, wondering rather he is going to hit his big top rope splash as he gets to the upper most point of the turnbuckle. He balances himself, looking a bit wobbly but took far too much time, because Savior is already working his way to his feet. He’s got his knees beneath him as he begins to stand up slowly, yet Johnson won’t be stopped. He stands up straight and launches himself off, flying through the air only to have Savior jump upward and meet him to the mid-section with his shoulder, connecting with the Blaze of Glory. Johnson is brought down out of the air and driven with vile force into the canvas while Christian hooks his leg, going for the pinfall to a loud reception.

Dan: Savior caught Johnson with the spear while he was in mid-flight and now he’s picked up the win!!

Mayne: Now that is what you call impressive. So impressive in fact it’s made my nipples all tingly.

Douglas: Then stop pinching at them.

The crowd is still screaming in shock over that out of the blue spear that Savior connected with as he sits on the canvas, breathing heavily and still dazed from the stiff moves he took throughout the course of this contest. He rises to his feet slowly while gripping at his shoulder, in a great amount of pain after this very hard fought contest. As soon as he gets up though the crowd starts to scream loudly as Scott Gray-Harris once again makes his way to the ring this time with a steel chair clutched in his grasp. He bolts straight towards Savior who turns in time to spot him from the corner of his eye.

Douglas: Scott Gray-Harris is coming out here now to get his hands on the man who screwed him over on our last show!

Mayne: Wasn’t giving Hurse the stunner enough for this man in one night!?!

Douglas: I suppose not, as Scott has a lot of pint up hostility when it comes to Savior. Christian and the Harris’ have never seen eye to eye.

The crowd is still screaming as the sweaty Harris slides into the ring and lifts the chair into the air, moving right at Savior who quickly rolls under the ropes to the outside of the ring. He drops to the mats and backs around the squared circle, glaring into it at Harris who is standing his ground with the chair tightly grasped in his palm, shouting for Savior to step back into the ring and take his medicine. The tired Christian extends his hand out in the direction of the ring announcer, a microphone quickly being brought to him and deposited in the palm of his hand. He smirks deviously while glaring into the ring still at Harris who is turning, taking deep breaths and continuing to clutch the steel chair, dying to take Savior’s head off with it.

Christian: Scott, Scott, Scott my lad, I can understand why your so angry, after all nothing in your life has exactly gone as planned now has it?

Scott is snarling, flames almost shooting out through his nostrils the longer he is forced to listen to Savior.

Savior: I bet you thought it was a great idea to come into wrestling after already becoming a mediocre actor, perhaps it would make your father finally respect you, and see you for the man that you are. But that isn’t the case is it? He doesn’t have anymore respect for you than I do, especially since you picked up where he left off by getting your ass kicked by Orlando Cruze, hahahaha.

Scott steps towards the ropes and points over the cables with the chair directly at Savior, insisting it was his fault that he lost.

Christian: Don’t worry though, Scott, because I’m going to give you the chance to redeem yourself in your father’s eyes, to show him that perhaps you do know what your doing with your life. I’m going to give you the opportunity to step into the ring with me at Redemption Roe, and if you defeat me perhaps your father will respect your career choices, of course if you lose, then I don’t think your dear old papa will ever appreciate you as a wrestler ever again. Then he’ll know what I know, that your not cut out for this business.

The microphone slips through his palms and crashes to the ramp as Savior lowers his head and cups his hands together in prayer, turning away from Harris and moving up the ramp. Scott throws down the chair while storming back and forth in the ring, anxious to destroy the man who has been a thorn in his family’s side for ages.

Douglas: What a shocking announcement just made here by Christian Savior. It’s apparently going to be Scott Gray-Harris versus Christian Savior at Redemption Roe. I can’t wait to see Scott get his hands on this twisted son of a bitch.

Mayne: I hope Savior gives him his last rites before he sends Scott crying back home to his daddy. Whenever I did that my father would just give me a shot of rum.

Dan: And just like that so many of your mental defects have been explained.

Harris’ flesh has transformed to a dark shade of red as he breaths heavily and glares at Savior walking up the ramp with his back aimed in his direction. He plots exactly what he’ll do to his rival at Redemption Roe.

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

The ovation from the fans is again louder than ever at the sight of Killjoy seated in the forefront of the camera, looking a little more anxious than usual. Instead of sitting on the bench in the lockeroom in relaxation, in his usual laid back, calm and collective manner, he appears rather nervous, glancing at his watch repeatedly as if waiting for something. All the while mumbling can be heard in the background as Psycho now paces in front of him, turning back and forth with his head lowered and dementia clear in his mangled features. He almost works a groove into the floor beneath his feet as he passes back and forth in front of the former Annihilation World Champion, who is growing unnerved with the abnormal behavior of his tag team partner, with his incessant rambling.

Psycho: Hehehe, he’s got something planned for me, huh? He’s going to make my life more exciting, he’s going to fuck with my career is he? Hahahahaha, I’d like to see him try, yeah, try…

Killjoy: Psycho, would you please stop it already?

The Master of the Mind Games has his fingers pressed to his temples, rubbing at them. It’s clear that he’s getting increasingly frustrated with his long, impatient wait, and quite flustered with being forced to listen to Psycho drone on about AWOL’s threats.

Killjoy: You know AWOL is all talk, plus he’s retired, so what could he possibly do to you except tear you down on the microphone and hide behind his desk? He’s nobody, he’s a great big nothing. He’s the equivalent of an oversized paper weight.

No matter how much Psycho would like to believe that he just can’t accept it as the truth. His mind keeps bringing him back to all those years he watched and respected AWOL’s path of destruction, all those matches he won when nobody though he was capable of victory.

Psycho: I don’t think you know him like I do, Killjoy. Retired or not retired, it never stops him from plotting, and that’s just what he’s doing. He hasn’t done anything yet because he’s wanted me to grow anxious, he’s wanted to lull me into a false sense of security.

Killjoy: You’re being paranoid! We’re talking about the same man I beat years ago. If I could do, I’m sure you can to should he ever grow the balls to actually step foot into the ring with you.

The Sadistic One stops and contemplates this but again has far too much trouble believing it. Yet as he stops mumbling to himself, he realizes how unusual Killjoy is behaving.

Psycho: Who shoved a red hot fire poker up your ass this morning?

Although the inference that Killjoy would ever allow someone to commit such a depraved act to his back side is humorous, the former champion doesn’t respond with any change in emotion. He continues to sit anxiously waiting, and only briefly looking up into the insightful eyes of Psycho.

Killjoy: It’s none of your business.

Psycho: Oh come on. For the past couple of months you’ve been playing Dr. Phil, now it’s my turn. Would this have anything to do with what’s going to happen to Robin Brooks tonight?

Killjoy glares at his partner with hostility, unable to embrace the concept that harm will befall Brooks tonight, and unfortunately he won’t be there to keep it from occurring.

Psycho: Ah ha, I knew it. You’ve got that whole control neediness kicking in again don’t you? In the past you could have stepped in whenever you wanted when I was brutalizing her beautiful body, it was your choice to let her suffer then, but tonight it’s not. You can’t go out there and help her if you wanted to, nobody can. She’ll be completely at the mercy of the Dark Man and it troubles you doesn’t it?

The concept continues to infuriate Killjoy, the thought of Brooks being on her own twisting his stomach.

Killjoy: At least with you I knew there was still a soul, that you wouldn’t take it too far, but Desolation is completely different. The man has no remorse, no compassion, no heart at all.

Psycho awkwardly blinks.

Psycho: Wow, I don’t know if I should be insulted or feel complimented by the fact that you think I have a soul. But don’t worry, Robin can take care of herself. Believe me, I learned that the hard way. Even though we’re banned from ringside for her match, it doesn’t mean her fait is sealed. Every time I thought I had her where I wanted her, she slipped through my fingers, and I’m sure she’ll do the same to Desolation tonight.

The words are anything but reassuring to the former World Champion, no matter how much conviction Psycho speaks them with.

Killjoy: I’m sure your right, but at the same time I have this feeling in my gut that I haven’t had in a long time, like something bad is going to happen…

NEVER FEAR, ROBIN IS HERE!

The fans on the inside of the arena rejoice as into the lockeroom now strolls Robin Brooks, surprisingly baring a broad smile on her face. Instead of being overwhelmed with anxiety concerning her impending bout against Desolation, she appears jovial, and enthused. Killjoy remains seated as he looks up at her questioningly, baffled as to her behavior. Psycho turns to greet her with the same questioning glint in his eyes.

Robin: How are my boys doing?

Psycho rolls his eyes as Brooks tries to be friendly towards him, even after all the months he’s spent trying to basically kill her. Killjoy on the other hand smirks slightly out of politeness.

Killjoy: Not as good as you apparently. Why are you in such good spirits?

The smile on Robin’s face widens while she repositions her X-Class title belt over her shoulder.

Brooks: What’s not to be happy about? I’ve got a championship, I’ve got some good friends, and tonight I’ve got an opportunity to put the Alpha Generation in my past once and for all. And to top it all off, I’m about to fix a problem that was started at the beginning of tonight’s show.

Psycho’s eyebrow raises, well at least the sparse collection of hairs that haven’t been melted off.

Psycho: Are you talking about the problem with the toilet in our bathroom, because I promise I’m not the one who clogged it….

Robin: Noooooo.

She tilts her head and gives Psycho an odd glare before forcing her smile once more.

Brooks: I’m talking about what happened in that brawl earlier tonight, how things broke down between us. So now it’s time to fix what went wrong…..

Whistling loudly in the direction of the doorway lures a figure to enter the dressing room. Both Psycho and Killjoy glare with hostility in the direction of the approaching Jon Rich. A bandage remains plastered over his eye with his N.H.B Championship glistens and hangs from his grasp. All the while he stares towards the ceiling, not even wanting to look either Psycho or Killjoy in their faces, especially given what transpired between them earlier in the evening. It’s clear Jon has no interest in being here, and that neither Killjoy nor Psycho want to hear what he has to say. Nevertheless Brooks places her hand on Jon’s shoulder, which he doesn’t like, and then puts her other palm on Killjoy’s shoulder.

Robin: I know you guys didn’t exactly get off on the right foot earlier, so while I’m competing in the ring, since none of you can accompany out there, you can stay back here and hammer out your issues. Deakin, like it or not, Jon and I will be partners at Redemption Roe, and even though we’re going to be opponents, that doesn’t mean we can’t work together.

Jon: WHAT!?! I don’t need to work with anyone to win. I’m only in this match and agreeing to team with you Robin so that I can get one last crack at Desolation, and in the process become number one contender. I don’t give a damn about those Tag Team titles.

Psycho: That makes two of us.

Psycho steps forward and glares into the features of Rich, both men getting nose to nose while Brooks steps in and tries to force them apart.

Brooks: Guys, guys, calm down and just listen to me. Regardless of why we’re competing in the gauntlet match at Redemption Roe, I know we’d all rather it come down to between our teams than allow Desolation and Hurse, or any other tandem the opportunity to become number one contender. So we should be watching each other’s backs, we should be working together until it comes down to Killjoy and Psycho versus Jon Rich and Robin Brooks.

Although the prospect isn’t enjoyable they can find no fault in her logic. Jon finally brings himself to look into the faces of both Killjoy and Psycho, realizing that Robin has a point, and it would significantly improve his chances of winning the number one contendership. Killjoy doesn’t say a word as he glares at Jon for several moments, Brooks finally breaking the silence with a chuckle.

Robin: Great! Well you all talk out your differences and I’ll be in the ring beating Desolation. See you all later, and behave yourselves.

She rushes out the door on her way to the ring while tension remains thick in the air between all three men. Killjoy hasn’t taken his eyes off of Rich and Jon hasn’t removed his good eye from the face of the Master of the Mind Games. Psycho stands back overlooking both men judgmentally, realizing now that only one of them can emerge from that gauntlet match the number one contender.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

DVD AVAILABLE VIA IWCSHIP.COM

AN INTERUPTION FOR DESOLATION

Douglas: Fans, we're BACK, and I dread to say that we may just be about to witness a sheer MUGGING taking place in the ring.

Mayne: DAMN RIGHT, Dan! The "Black Widow" Robin Get-your-Brooks-in-any-man-you-can is FINALLY going to be DEALT with by the only SANE voice that our World Champion can TRUST!

Douglas: I wouldn't necessarily refer to Desolation as 100% "sane" these days, Billy, but you ARE right about the Dark Man being the ONLY person in the IWC that Hurse CAN actually trust!

The arena lights dim and the opening chords of the Rolling Stones' "Paint it Black" echo throughout the arena. Red lights flash and mist appears on the Jumbotron. The harsh, synthetic guitars of "Fever Dream" kick in.

The Jumbotron show a pair of black jackboots marching in time with the beat. In the faded mist past atrocities committed by the Dark Man, Desolation can be seen.

A red serpent's eye pulses with a red glow in the background, the glaring, sinister smiling face of Desolation appearing in the center.

Red lights flash on and off in time with the tune, and a column of red flame explodes in the center of the entry ramp, revealing the Dark Man in the entryway with the Tag Team Championship hanging from his grasp.

Desolation walks to the ring, head lowered. He climbs up into a kneeling position on the ring apron, arms entwined in the ropes, a sadistic smile on his face as he holds the pose for a few moments. He now slowly lifts the Tag Championship into the air for the fans to get a good glimpse of it, which further compounds their outrage. His eyes slowly, methodically cut to Robin Brooks in the ring who is trying not to allow her unbalance nerves to show as she jumps in place.

He gets to his feet and slowly raises one fist into the air before stepping through the ring ropes. All the while his eyes remain fixated on the lovely lady who betrayed his tag team partner, relishing in the prospects of pain that he’ll undoubting unleash upon her.

Billy: Mwahahahaha, look at Desolation, he’s got murderous intentions on his mind, murderous I say. I’m not usually prone to condoning physical acts of violence against women….

Douglas: Your hotel room PPV purchases would specify otherwise.

Mayne: Let me finish. As I was saying, I don’t usually like to see women being brutalized, unless hot leather and whips are involved, but in this case Brooks deserves everything she gets. Desolation is gonna whoop that trick!

Dan: Please refrain from utilizing pop culture references before I have to kill you.

Mayne: I could always go back to talking about our new Boss.

Douglas: Or you could stop talking completely.

He hands his belt to the official as he gestures for a microphone from the ring announcer, being mercilessly booed by the partisan crowd.

Douglas: Oh no, he's going to SPEAK now?

Mayne: You should consider yourself GRATEFUL to hear the Gospel of the Dark Man! Desolation is the METATRON, the ONE TRUE VOICE of Hurse Almighty!

Douglas: Now you're a HERETIC, Billy? ...Waitaminute, what am I saying? You've ALWAYS been a heretic!

Desolation brings the mic up to his lips as the crowd's boos grow louder. His mood is such that his expression is constantly switching between unbridled pleasure at the opportunity to dismember Robin Brooks, and complete dismay over the indignity of having to face her in the first place.

Desolation: Now...before the Spider-Leech, Yoko Brooks, makes his-slash-her way out here to receive a friendly neighborhood Curb Stomp, courtesy YOURS TRULY, as appropriate payment for his-slash-her complete and utter destruction of my good friend Hurse's emotional stability, I would like to just point out for POSTERITY the fact that--

"1-2-3, STEP UP!!!" "Step Up" by Drowning Pool hits over the PA system as the crowd gets to their feet in cheers, drowning out any attempt by Desolation to continue his rage against the system.

Dan: Thank you Jesus, it's our Cartel Champion, Axl Evermore, out here to SAVE our ears from Desolation's tirade!

Billy: And you call ME a heretic?!

Douglas: Because you've spent literally every other HOUR of your life blaspheming the name of our Lord!

Evermore emerges through the curtain, with the Cartel Title around his waist and a microphone in his hand. His face is the textbook definition of devious, impish intent.

Desolation: What the hell do YOU want, Never-Ready? I've got a hermaphroditic Yoko Ono to stomp down and YOU interrupted the verbal thrashing I was going to deliver beforehand! I was even going to throw in a mention of Borelando Snooze, JUST for good measure! Now just WHY on Xenu's technicolor dream-planet would you DEPRIVE these tenement-dwelling city rats of the Dark Man's gravelly yet dulcet tones, and sharp yet honey-tongued oration?

The crowd boos viciously and vociferously at his callous attack on New York's *AHEM* "good" name. Evermore just smirks, the devilish intent never leaving his expression and sparkling eyes.

Axl: Well, I'm sure we're all REAL disappointed that you won't get to finish your rage against the machine, but I'm here right now for ONE reason.

Desolation: And I already told you BEFORE--you will NEVER get a match against me, Evermore! You may be the Cartel Champion, but you are most definitely NOT even in my LEAGUE! You aren't even in A League Of Their Own!

Mayne: You TELL 'im, Steve-Dave--I mean, er, Dark Man!

Axl: You just NEVER get tired of hearing your own voice, do you, Desolation? --You know what? Don't answer that, I already know the answer's "yes". ACTUALLY, Russell, because "Desolation" is just so GAUCHE to keep saying over and over...I'm here to deliver an ULTIMATUM!

Desolation just chuckles at the audacity of the Cartel Champion.

Desolation: You just don't GET it, do you? You're NEVER going to get me to give you a match against me! Why even try?

AE: You know, Russ...you're actually RIGHT on that one. The legal mumbo-jumbo in that UNSANCTIONED contract actually PREVENTS me from forcing you by any means to give me that match against you, under severe penalty of legal and judicial action...

Desolation: Yeah, that's right.

AE: But it doesn't say ANYTHING about acting as a PROXY, does it?

Desolation: A proxy. A PROXY? You're going to try and FORCE me to give somebody ELSE a match? Against one of the longest reigning World Champions in the IWC's cumulative history?

AE: Damn right, Russ! And it all starts...on THAT Big Screen!

He points to the Cartel-Tron, which cuts to a live feed in what looks to be a green room possibly backstage. Evermore's wife Sallie can be seen, waving to the camera, then turning to a heavily-tattooed giant of a woman playing with a young toddler of a girl. Desolation's eyes grow wide as he watches the tableau unfold before him.

Axl: Now, I'm sure everyone recognizes my wonderful wife Sallie-Anne on the screen...but only the HARDCORE fans of the IWC's days as the ULW would immediately know the two lovely ladies with her. I know YOU do, Desolation.

Douglas: Hey, wait a minute, that's...

Desolation: What the hell do you think you're going to do, Evermore? Why are you bringing my wife and daughter into this? I thought I was supposed to be the bad guy here! Am I gonna have to staple YOUR eyes shut to assert my superiority too? Or even just for kicks?

AE: THAT won't be happening anytime soon...but you ARE the bad guy here, Russell. You most definitely ARE, I can assure you. IN FACT, I can GUARANTEE that YOU'RE definitely the WORST guy around here. But you see, a few weeks ago, you may recall that your Amazonian wife handed me quite a bitter loss with a REALLY cheap roll-up down south in Mexico City...which REALLY hurt my feelings considering how much RING RUST Hell--I mean, El Kat--has accumulated!

Desolation: So my wife proved that even SHE can beat you with years of ring rust. What does that prove for YOU?

Axl: Keep your jackboots on, I'm getting there! You may ALSO recall that your wife has made it to the FINALS of the "El Rey del Anillo" against that horse-lover, Sean Johnson. Now, as you may surmise from this, this would render BOTH of you too busy to take care of young Tia...an issue which my wife has so helpfully resolved, as you can see on the Cartel-Tron. After all, what are old family friends FOR?

Mayne: Is he going to DO something to Desolation's FAMILY? That's SICK!

Evermore's evil grin widens while the crowd is down to a dull roar, unsure what to make of this situation unfolding before us all.

Axl: As you might deduce from this, Russell...this would give both my wife AND myself rather high-level access...to your DAUGHTER.

Desolation is growing angrier now.

Desolation: What are you going to do to my daugher, you sick FREAK?!?

Axl: I'll TELL you what I'm going to do, Desolation!! If YOU don't face off in a singles match on the next RIOT! against the IWC's newest talent, the UWF International Champion J.T. Knight...then I will do HORRIBLE...DESTRUCTIVE...UN-SPEAKABLE things...to YOUR...DAUGHTER...-S favorite purple stuffed plushie Cthulu that Sallie and I gave her for her non-denominational baptism!

Upon the realization of just exactly WHAT Evermore has just said, the crowd bursts into a HUGE fit of laughter, while Desolation's eyes grow even wider, a smile beginning to form on his face.

Desolation: ...That's it? You're going to destroy my daughter's STUFFED PLUSHIE??

Axl: YEAH! That's right! I'm going to TEAR that Cthulu TENTACLE from TENTACLE!

Desolation: ...You know, I thought you were actually going to grow some BALLS and actually do what it TAKES to persuade me to give your giant hoss buddy a match...but you REALLY disappointed me there, Axl. THAT is why I'm not giving you that match against ME you so DESPERATELY crave!

Evermore's confidence is unwavering, even in the face of that ridiculous threat.

AE: Oh yeah? Then you need to look at the BIG picture, Russell! If I destroy that plush mistake of nature, then YOUR daughter is going to be VERY sad...and VERY angry! She'll CRY and scream bloody murder, driving her poor mother to madness--MADNESS, I tell you!

Desolation's face slow-burns to a dark realization, eyes and frown both slowly growing wider as Evermore continues.

Axl: Yeah...NOW you're gettin' it. Your daughter will make her mother's life HELL, and when sweet little Tia asks dear Katherine "Mommy, why did Uncle Aksu put my Cthulu-lu under the weed whacker-er?" You know what your wife's going to TELL her? She's going to say "Because Daddy just WOULDN'T give his giant friend a match!" And while little Tia runs around the house, shrieking endlessly over the emotional anguish brought about by witnessing the unfortunate, gruesome, cotton-strewn demise of her favorite stuffed plushie demon, poor Hellkat will be giving Daddy Dearest--that's YOU, by the way, in case you don't remember--the business day after day and night after night...forcing you to sleep not in the marital bed or the big comfy couch, but on the bed of nails in your Love Dungeon, and not the nice relaxing one, either--the one with those few nails sticking out just a bit further than the others, which wreak HAVOC with your pressure points like a jagged stuck-out spring through a regular mattress!

Desolation's frown is growing deeper, as is his discomfort, while the crowd begins to build to a bigger roar.

Douglas: LOOK, Billy! Evermore is actually getting under Desolation's skin!

Mayne: They have CREAMS for that, you know.

AE: Yes...the gravity of the situation is FINALLY beginning to DAWN on you, isn't it? But it won't end THERE. Your daughter will be ranting and raving, day in and day out, until you can come back from halfway across the world with another purple stuffed plushie Cthulu to replace her beloved, dearly departed toy demon, from the same place I got it from, trying for DAYS on end just to FIND that one little back-alley pan-theist plushie shop in DEEP, DEEEEEEP downtown Shibuya, the shop that's only open for ONE hour every OTHER Thursday and doesn't even have a WEBSITE where you can conveniently make international orders!

Finally, the pressure has gotten to Desolation and he caves, as Evermore smirks.

Desolation: ALL RIGHT!!! I'll give your mental giant a match with me on the next RIOT! You just leave MY sanity ALONE!!

The crowd is completely taken aback for a few seconds, rendered so silent you can hear a pin drop, when the deathly silence is broken by a rousing cheer, accompanied by tons of applause and whistling.

Douglas: I...don't believe it! Evermore has SUCCESSFULLY convinced Desolation to give JT Knight a match against him on the next RIOT!

Mayne: I didn't think ANYBODY could actually make him CAVE! Now I'm TOTALLY disillusioned!

Desolation is now seething angrily, on the verge of snapping, with eyes burning with rage, and leaning on the ropes to retain any semblance of composure.

AE: I knew you’d see it my way Russ. And just to make sure everything is kosher, I caught up with AWOL in the parking lot before he went off to drown his troubles and his liver in many a pints of beer, and he assured me that if you, or the Laurel to your Hardy, Hurse, tries to get this match unbooked, you’ll be stripped of the tag team titles. And for further peace of mind, I will be in JT Knight’s corner next week, as Hurse will surely be in yours. GOOD LUCK in your match against Robin, Desolation! I have a feeling you're going to NEED it, now that I've sufficiently got your attention!

"Step Up" hits again as Evermore steps through the curtain to a huge cheer from the crowd.

Douglas: He's ABSOLUTELY right! Will Desolation actually be able to concentrate on this match? We'll find out when Robin makes her entrance after this commercial break! Stay tuned!

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Available now in all re-tail stores, and by all retail stores I mean only off ramp gas-stations that no longer carry fuel

WHAT HAVE YOU GOTTEN ME INTO?

We fade to backstage in a locker room, where JT Knight is seated on a bench, towel draped over his shoulders, sighing and shaking his head. In walks the IWC Cartel Champion, Axl Evermore, a wide grin on his face. As the door shuts, Knight, catching sight of him out of the corner of his eye, angrily stands up and goes straight to Evermore, still easily towering over him like he did at the beginning of the night.

JTK: What the hell did you think you were doing out there? I don't need YOUR help to get myself high-profile matches around here!

AE: I did something that you will THANK me for in the long run, Jonny--I got you UPGRADED from a debut match against a current nobody to an even-odds match against the IWC's BIGGEST name, who just HAPPENS to be a long-reigning former World Champion, one-half of the current TAG Champions, and a man who can actually boast that he's held over one-HUNDRED and FIFTY titles in his career! You couldn't ASK for a better match to be booked in, except a World Title match against his partner Hurse, and you've even got this match handed to you on a silver platter, to boot! AND you'll even have the Cartel Champion in your corner!

JTK: I've never NEEDED anyone's HELP, like I JUST said!

AE: Oh right, I forgot. The only man you'll trust to team up with is JACK. GUESS WHAT, Knight--Jack isn't HERE, and Axl Evermore IS. And despite our long history of OPPOSITION in the UWF, you happen to be one of the FEW men I've faced in that company that I actually RESPECT. It wasn't much trouble for me to get you those contract papers, but I didn't get you here for any sort of ALTRUISTIC reasons. You know, as well as I do, that dealing with a wrestling company in LIMBO is one of the worst things that can happen to a professional wrestler's career. If you hadn't gotten those papers, what would you have DONE while you killed time running the bar? Staggered independent bookings across the Great White North? At least HERE, you'll get steady bookings, AND you'll still be within spitting distance of the Tap, compared to working a show at Eskimo U or something all the way across the country in Anchorage or Juneau! I'm trying to do you a FAVOR here. I've been fortunate enough to earn some STROKE in this company, and damn if I'm not going to use it!

JTK: ...Stroke, huh? Stroke? What do you plan on doing then, Axl? Trade in that Cartel belt for control of the company? And then get run out of your office when the crew comes to their senses, only for you to bitch and moan for three years about your "bad" fortune of becoming a permanent fixture in the main event here? Is THAT what you plan on doing with your "stroke"?

Evermore's grin twists into a wry smirk.

AE: Aw, now you've gone and ruined all my plans without even a SPOILER ALERT for the viewing fans at home!

JTK: DAMMIT, Evermore, this isn't a GAME! This is STILL professional wrestling! Or have you FORGOTTEN that and become the SPORTS-ENTERTAINER that we always ACCUSED you of?

AE: Hey, I'm still a WRESTLER, dammit! This Cartel Title on my shoulder is PROOF of that. And speaking of the second-tier championship, what happened to the UWF International Title you won?

JTK: ...Rosso's still getting the new belts ordered. But that DOESN'T mean I'm NOT the UWF International Champion.

AE: Way to think positive, JT! Just keep thinking that way when you face Desolation on the next show. IN FACT, just think of him as a taller, supremely EVIL version of myself and do to HIM what you did to beat ME!

Knight raises an eyebrow skeptically, crossing his massive arms.

JTK: ...I hardly think a POKE TO THE CHEST is going to subdue a man that you're selling as a supremely evil version of YOU. You might want to reconsider that suggestion.

AE: Well...

He pats Knight on the shoulder reassuringly.

AE: ...Just do your best anyway. After all, he may be six-six, but he REALLY hates "big man" wrestlers.

He gives the "wink and the gun" as he leaves the locker room. Knight looks in his direction with a flabbergasted expression of dumbfounded irritation mixed with exasperation and consternation. WOW, that's a lot of "-ations"! He mutters to himself.

JTK: What the hell have I gotten myself into...?

The show begins to return to the ring as Knight shakes his head again and heads out of frame.

ROBIN BROOKS VS. DESOLATION

The camera returns to the ring where Desolation is marching back and forth looking truly ravenous, especially now that he’s forced to face JT Knight next week in singles competition.

Mayne: Welcome back everyone, and if you’re just tuning in you’ve missed so much madness. Not only did I break the story about Johnny Kingdom being our new president, but Desolation has now been forced into a match with JT Knight next week thanks to the threatening of his daughter’s favorite plushie. You don’t mess with a man’s plushie. I hope Desolation takes his frustrations out on Brooks tonight.

Dan: That may very well be the case. This is the first time in the long history of the IWC that I can recall anyone pressuring Desolation into any course of action. Perhaps Evermore has got Desolation’s number mentally.

Billy: IMPOSSIBLE!

The lights in the area begin to dim just a little leaving only the stage area fully lit. The Game by Disturbed starts to play over the speaker system;

Tell me exactly
what am I supposed to do?
Now that I have
allowed you to beat me!
Do you think that
we could play another game?
Maybe I can win this time?
I kind of like
the misery you put me through.
Darling, you can trust me
completely.
If you even try
to look the other way,
I think that I could kill this time.

Rah! Rah!
Rah! Rah!

It doesn't really seem
I'm getting through to you.
Though I see you weeping so sweetly.
I think that you might
have to take another taste,
a little bit of hell this time.

Rah! Rah!
Lie to me!
Rah! Rah!
Lie to me!

Is she not right?
Is she insane?
Will she now run for her life
in the battle that ends this day?
Is she not right?!
Is she insane?!
Will she now run for her life
now that she LIED TO ME!

You always wanted
people to remember you.
You leave your little mark on
society!
Don't you know your wish
is coming true today?
Another victim dies tonight.

Rah! Rah!
Lie to me!
Rah! Rah!
Lie to me!

Is she not right?
Is she insane?
Will she now run for her life
in the battle that ends this day?
Is she not right?!
Is she insane?!
Will she now run for her life
now that she LIED TO ME!

Ramidi ma ma ba di ma!
Ramidi ma ma din do!
Ramidi ma ma ba di ma!
Ramidi ma ma ba di mo!
[all x3]

Is she really telling lies again?
Doesn't she realize she's in danger?

Eeeeeeeyow!

Is she not right?
Is she insane?
Will she now run for her life
in the battle that ends this day?
Is she not right?!
Is she insane?!
Will she now run for her life
now that she LIED TO ME!

The little bitch,
she went and she told A LIE!
Now she will never tell another.
A LIE!
The little bitch,
she went and she told A LIE!
NEVER FUCKING LIE TO ME!

The curtains start to move and out runs the energetic Robin Brooks. She is once again, noticeable without her sidekick Hurse, after recently betraying him at Extinction with her former lover Killjoy. The cheering raises the rafters in support of her long over due actions of getting rid of the baggage she was carrying around for over a year and a half. Robin sprints to the middle of the stage as white pyro goes off sending stars above the young wrestler. Red sparklers are now shooting off along the edge of the stage and ramp, the lights glisten off the recently returned X-Class Belt, which she carries in her left hand. The Fans place their hands together when Robin begins to show some of her talent by doing some of her kick boxing moves. Robin appreciates the attention she is getting and she waves and blows kisses to the crowd to show her thanks for their support. Sprinting down the ramp, as the pryo display begins to fade, she continues to wave and smile at the fans, blowing them kisses or doing one handed cartwheels every once in a while. Upon reaching the ring, she pulls her self up using the ropes, once on the apron; she once again shows her dexterity by flipping over the top rope, twisting in the air and landing a few feet away from the edge of the ring. Desolation scowls at her all the while from across the ring.

Mayne: That may have been the single longest lyrical build up for someone’s entrance I’ve ever seen, and totally wasted on the individual who finally came out here. Does this woman have no shame whatsoever? How could she continue to force us to sit through her matches going into 2008?

Douglas: I actually rather enjoy her matches Billy, and ever since she broke away from Hurse, we’ve seen her more spirited than ever in her performances.

Billy: SPIRITED? Is that a PC way to specify that she’s on her period?

It’s obvious that the gathered masses don’t particularly care for the diabolical gleam in the corner of the Dark Man’s eye as he continues to focus with ravenous intentions upon his pray. The Black Widow will not back down though, jumping between feet and flexing her arms to get them ready for the impending brutality. All the while Desolation methodically moves towards her, slowly moseying forward as if he has not a care in the world. The referee turns to inform the approaching purveyor of violence that the bell hasn’t rung and to stay away from Robin until it does, but Brooks actually calls out for the Dark Man to bring it. Therefore Ingelson now turns, motioning for the bell which chimes in the background and leads a sadistically smirking Desolation to step forward and throw a quick round house kick at Brooks’ head. She ducks under it as Desolation spins with his side to face her, quickly delivering a chop aimed at her face. Brooks ducks that as well, getting behind her opponent who goes for a back heel kick to her ribs only for her to lunge in reverse, narrowly avoiding it. Becoming flustered Desolation turns around and throws his palms at her face, going for some of those insanely stiff open hand palm strikes to her ever so lovely face. Brooks is almost forced to do a matrix style pose to avoid each slap as she backs up, ducking and side stepping each shot lobbed at her face. Again the Dark Man spins around into a roundhouse kick aimed at her skull that Robin drops into a roll under. She rolls right into the cables and allows herself to tumble through them so that she can bury her knees to the apron and utilize the ropes to pull herself up, looking for perhaps some type of springboard maneuver. Desolation turns to face her though and launches his leg over the ropes right at Brooks’ head. Again she ducks it at the last second and drops to the outside mats feet first instead while her opposition rushes across the ring into the opposite cables. He bounces off and comes roaring back in, dropping down into a baseball slide dropkick aimed directly at her.

Robin is able to step out of the way of his feet, resulting in him sliding under the cables and dropping to a standing position on the mats before her. As soon as he lands on his feet Robin scatters into the ring and stands up, turning to face him through the ropes, which Desolation is utilizing to pull himself back up onto the apron. Thinking quickly, Brooks steps forward right as Desolation sticks his head through the ropes and meets him to the face with the bottom of both her boots. A brutal basement dropkick connects to the Dark Man’s skull, causing him to turn and plant his seat on the apron, palming his forehead. Capitalizing on this ever brief moment, Brooks slides through the ropes onto the apron at his side and rushes forward, jumping into the air with another basement dropkick this time to the side of the Tag Champion’s cranium. The stiff collision knocks Desolation off the apron, but he surprisingly lands on his feet on the outside mats, grabbing at his chin and growing increasingly homicidal. He has no idea though that Brooks has slid through the ropes back into the ring and is now rushing across it. She throws herself over the top rope and turns with a corkscrew crossbody that sends her coming down right on top of Desolation.

Douglas: WOW! Look at Brooks go, she is surprisingly taking the fight right to the Dark Man in the opening moments of this contest.

Mayne: Your easily impressed Dan. I on the other hand don’t allow brief forays of offense to enchant me. No, no, I pay the ladies who slap my ass with a ruler more than enough to properly enchant this stud.

The fans have risen to their feet with that last dive as Brooks rolls off of Desolation who now lies on the mats recovering from this offensive flurry, which caught him completely off guard. Brooks grabs the barricade and pulls herself to her feet while her dangerous opponent is already standing up in front of her. As soon as he reaches his feet she takes him by the hair and drags him forward, slamming his forehead directly into the barricade, which he falls against for support. She now steps to his side and displays some of her own karate skills by delivering a quick, sudden, and stiff kick right to his sternum. Desolation’s knees almost buckle as he continues to lean on the barricade for support, Brooks taking him by the back of the head and leading him towards the ring, where he’s promptly rolled under the cables. With her opponent reeling Robin buys her time getting back into the ring, giving herself a brief breather then pouncing upon the co-holder of the Tag Team Titles. As soon as she approaches him a devastating knife edge chop is thrown right into his gut, knocking all the air from her lungs while Desolation stands up in front of her and takes hold of her wrist. He drops back and sticks his leg up straight into the air, his foot placed under her jaw as he pulls down on her wrist and drags her face down right into the sole of his boot. Brooks flies backwards upon the impact and crashes onto her spine, her hands quickly wrapping around her face in pain.

Billy: You see, hahahaha, you see! With just one move Desolation has possibly taken Brooks completely out of this match.

Douglas: I don’t know if he’s quite done that, but that last maneuver was certainly impressive.

Mayne: Just agree with me once Dan, you’ll feel so much better.

Dan: Unlike you, I like to be able to sleep at night, so no.

Robin rolls to her elbows and knees, continuing to hold her jaw when Desolation steps to her side and places his knee right to the back of her head. He falls with all his weight into the knee and thus drives Brooks face forward into the canvas with a hard collision. The knee remains pressed to the back of her neck as Desolation places his palms to it, putting all of his strength into trying to break her neck. Referee Ingelson steps in and begins a ten count, reaching four before Desolation removes the knee from her neck and takes hold of her hair. Brooks is forced up to her feet long enough to receive a stiff chop right to the sternum, causing her to stand up and begin reeling backwards. Just as she does a smirking Desolation takes hold of her wrist and whips her across the ring into the nearby turnbuckle. The Black Widow turns and hits the corner hard spine first, her arms falling over the ropes while Desolation takes his time by turning and rushing right at her. As he gets within a few feet of her, Brooks turns her body and with great agility slides half way over the second rope, getting out of the corner which Desolation now crashes sternum first into. He staggers back then moves forward at his opponent who is still lying over the second rope, with half her body in the ring and her legs dangling over the apron, which she now shoots into the air. Her shins fly over the top rope and smack Desolation right in the face, disorientating him tremendously. Now that he’s dazed Brooks lifts her legs over the top cable and wraps them around Desolation’s neck, pulling the rest of her body over the ropes as well. The crowd gets pumped as she finds herself holding onto the top rope and her legs wrapped around Desolation’s throat, looking for a head scissors. That’s before Desolation grabs the back of her knees and falls to his own, pulling Robin down out of the air and dragging her throat first into the top rope. The crowd cringes as she strikes the cables with such force, immediately reaching for her throat as she stumbles backwards. Unfortunately Desolation is right there behind her, charging forward and jumping into the air with a hard knee lift to her upper back. The blow sends her charging forward and flying through the ropes, twisting as she comes crashing down to the mats right in front of the announce table.

Dan: Brooks was starting to mount a comeback but Desolation shuts it down with a timely counter.

Billy: That’s what he does best Dan. Well that and horribly mutilate people.

A groan escapes not only from Brooks’ already battered body but from the fans as well while Desolation slides through the ropes and waits patiently on the apron for his opponent to stand up. He waves her upward with his outstretched palm as Brooks tries painstakingly to rise to her feet. As soon as her legs get stable beneath her, Desolation jumps from the apron, soaring through the air and coming down with a textbook axe handle right over her back. The force of the blow sends Robin staggering forward and falling against the announce table for support, her desperate eyes gazing at a smiling Billy and a concerned Douglas.

Mayne: Look at her Dan, she’s suffering now, she’s suffering worse than I did when I sat through the Devil Wears Prada.

Douglas: You know you love Meryl Strep, almost as much as I hate what’s happening to Brooks in this bout.

Desolation grabs Robin by the shoulder, spinning her around and bending forward. Wedging his shoulder against her ribs he charges her back first directly into the announce table, her frame bending over it in agony. He pulls her away from the table though then steps to her side, hooking up her leg before dropping back with a Russian leg sweep, Robin’s spine colliding with the booth once again. The fans scream while Robin’s upper back lies on top of the table, the lovely young lady unable to interpret the amount of pain that is coursing through her frame. Of course the crafty veteran that is Desolation, takes her by the hair and gives her no time to recover as he charges her at the ring and rolls her in under the ropes. Dementedly smiling as he enters the ring the Dark Man moves directly to Brooks’ side and pushes her over onto her gut, dropping down with his knee wedged into the small of her back. His hands interlock around her jaw as he begins to pull back on her neck, already slowing this contest down and going to work with his technical precision.

Billy: Brilliant, Desolation is keeping Robin grounded as he methodically picks apart her back. Is there any better technical wrestler than Desolation? Name one and I’ll spit in your face.

Brooks grinds her teeth against one another as she attempts to power her way out of this submission, pushing her knees slowly up under her. As soon as she does this Desolation steps over her back, mounting it as he tries to apply the textbook camel clutch only to have Robin scoot backwards under his seat. She rises quickly to her feet behind his back and wraps her arms around his waist, dropping in reverse and thus rolling Desolation over with her. The Black Widow ends up seated on the back of Desolation’s thighs, pushing down his shoulders and folding him up like an accordion.

Desolation rolls over backwards, kicking out and getting to his knees behind Brooks as he places his hands to her back and shoves her forward into the ropes. Robin charges into the cables and bends forward, instead of spilling through them this time she jumps into the air, grabbing the top and middle ropes. The crowd cheers as she pulls herself around into a 619 of sorts and lands on her feet in the ring once more, building tremendous momentum as the move has sent her rushing directly at Desolation who stands up and almost decapitates her with a mafia kick. The stiff strike connects directly under her jaw, sending Robin crashing to the canvas and the fans screaming over the sheer impact of the move. Desolation steps to Brooks’ side and jumps into the air, coming down knee first right into her throat. Before Brooks can even begin gagging the Dark Man ducks into a roll and ends up on his feet, charging forward into the cables as he jumps onto the middle one. Surprisingly he shows his agility by flipping over backwards into a lionsault but twisting in mid-air to come down back first right across her ribs. The fans watch on in shock over Desolation’s aerial display as he sits up on the canvas and shrugs his shoulders, as if he had no idea he was capable of doing that himself.

In a nonchalant manner he leans back and hooks Robin’s leg lackadaisically.

Brooks shoots her shoulder from the canvas, much to Desolation’s annoyance as he immediately turns around and scoots forward, wrapping his arms around her waist. She is forced to sit up on the canvas and now finds herself trapped in the reverse bearhug by the Dark Man, who is looking to wear her down and finish her off with these textbook submission holds. Instead of staying down though and throwing this fight for the sake of her health, Brooks begins to force herself upwards once again, trying her best to find an escape from this hold. Desolation only tightens his grasp on her waist the closer she gets to her feet, yet Brooks won’t stay down, the crowd trying to rally behind her and endow her with further strength. Just as she gets up though, Desolation releases her waist and instead locks her up in the abdominal stretch, turning her just enough to lift his leg into the air and place it around her neck. A collective gasp comes from the crowd as Desolation is twisting his opponent’s body up with the Octopus stretch, chuckling to himself all the while.

Billy: Amazing, when is the last time you’ve seen an octopus stretch Dan? I think the last time I saw it was in that dirty underwater documentary I use to frequently masturbate to.

Douglas: I’m not even going to try and follow that up. Yikes.

Robin’s flesh is transforming to a shade of red the longer she finds herself trapped in this submission predicament, yet her resolve is still strong. Therefore the increasingly agitated Desolation turns her around out of the octopus stretch so that her head is facing him, interlocking his hands under her arms and then lifting her into the air with what at first appears to be the tiger bomb. In mid-air he adjusts her though in order to come down back first across his knee with a modified back breaker. Brooks doesn’t even have the chance to scream in pain before Desolation lifts her up off of his knee and twists her around. He now drops her with a rib breaker right across his knee this time then hoists her up across his sternum once more. The Dark Man falls back into an inverted fall away slam, causing Robin to crash into the canvas face and chest first. The canvas is truly unforgiving as her body slams with vile force against it, sending her rolling over sideways onto her back. Desolation still isn’t done though as he falls in reverse, going into a backwards roll and standing on top of his head. He sends his body into a spin on top of his cranium and then falls back first right across Brooks’ ribs, sitting up at her side with a sigh and the fans screaming.

Dan: An impressive series of moves from Desolation, I’ve got to give the devil his due on that one ladies and gentlemen.

Mayne: He’s outstanding, he’s amazing, he’s better than Superman, or a mixture of Superman and Jesus, just without the spandex and the sandals.

Instead of going for a pin after showing that he has the agility to match Robin Brooks, the Dark Man turns and takes her by the hair. She is sat up on the canvas while Desolation bends down behind her and wraps his legs around her waist, applying a body scissors then taking her around the neck, bending her over backwards into the dragon sleeper. The fans react with boos at the sight of this unique submission predicament that Desolation has got Robin trapped in with seemingly no chances of escape. After the torture her body was forced to endure it’s almost inhuman for her to continue suffering through this hold, which agonizes every inch of her frame. Desolation looks up towards the heavens and smiles, mouthing some words as he continues to twist and torment Brooks endlessly to his amusement. Robin’s arms are the only free part of her body, which she sticks out to her sides and swings in circles, trying to find some desperate last ditch counter from this pain, from this vicious hold she finds herself being mangled in. As the pain becomes more unbearable Brooks body begins to be limper and limper, finding herself moments away from passing out perhaps before she slowly begins to place her feet to the canvas. To the surprise of many she actually begins to rock her body back and forth with Desolation trying his best to keep her hold of her in this submission predicament, but finding it increasingly difficult. That’s when Robin pushes herself over into a backwards roll, forcing Desolation to fall onto his spine. Brooks rolls over top of his sternum and head and lands on her knees upon the canvas above his head. She reaches down and wraps her arms around Desolation’s neck, pulling him up and applying her own dragon sleeper to a huge reaction. The fans are screaming as Brooks does the same, looking out towards her admirers as she continues to twist at the neck of her opponent, trapping him securely in the dragon sleeper.

Douglas: A brilliant counter by Brooks right into her own dragon sleeper on Desolation!

Mayne: It’s unfair, Robin’s enhanced sternum gave her an advantage in some way.

Dan: How?

Billy: I don’t know how. I just like to come up with new ways to insult her.

Desolation doesn’t stay down however and immediately begins to bridge his body up to his feet with Robin standing up behind him and keeping his head trapped in the dragon sleeper. She feeds off the energy from the crowd before Desolation gets to his feet and reaches up in reverse, wrapping his hands around the back of her neck. He snapmares her down to the canvas over his shoulder so that she lands on her seat right in front of him, then applies his dragon sleeper once again, pulling her neck over backwards. Instead of keeping her down though, Desolation allows Robin to stand up still being bridged over backwards into this modified sleeper. He now reaches out and grabs her by the beltline of her tights, lifting up on it and hoisting her into the air for what looks like a reverse suplex only to turn and allow her to fall out of the dragon sleeper position across his shoulders in a fireman’s carry. He then tosses her up into the air a little and transitions her around into the torture rack, the fans replying with shock at the sight of this. A chuckling Desolation turns in circles with Brooks screaming as she finds herself stuck in yet another submission predicament, this time her back being racked across the back of Desolation’s thick neck while he pulls down on her knee and her jaw, cracking her almost in half.

Mayne: Now that counter was what you call brilliant, Dan!

Douglas: It was a wonderful reversal, I just wish Desolation, nor yourself, would get such twisted amusement out of it.

Billy: It’s a free country, or at least it was when Bill Clinton was president.

With each tug upon her chin and her knee Robin screams out in agony, finding her back almost being broken at the hands of the twisted Desolation. Once he realizes that he doesn’t want her to tap out so quickly in order to dish out further punishment on her he twists her a little, holding her now in the fireman’s carry in the inverted position. He now pulls down on her chin and drags her over into a reverse death valley driver only to have Robin surprisingly land on her feet right beside him. Desolation turns to face her in anger and comes rushing in as a result, Brooks jumping into the air. She twists in mid-air and reaches back with her legs, wrapping them around Desolation’s waist then pulling him down into a forward roll, ending up seated on his chest while holding down the back of his knees. The crowd is screaming as she goes for this sneaky pinfall victory.

No, Desolation kicks out by rolling over backwards, pushing Robin into a reverse roll as well. Brooks falls her elbows and knees with Desolation rolling backwards over top of her, landing on his feet and bending forward with his arms wrapped around her waist. He lifts up on her mid-section and causes Brooks to land on her feet in front of him before bending forward and burying his shoulder into her spine, lifting her into the air for a back drop suplex. Somehow Brooks floats over and lands on her feet behind Desolation, rushing forward when the Dark Man sumps into the air and catches her to the throat with a leg lariat. The fans react with dismay as Brooks crashes to the canvas and the Tag Title holder rolls away from her to a single knee, shaking his head all the while.

Dan: Robin’s offense shut down prematurely by Desolation.

Mayne: Yes, I’m sure you know something about things happening prematurely, aye Dan?

Dan: I’d think you’d know better than me Billy, after all you did spend the first three weeks of your life in an incubator which explains your numerous mental defects.

Billy: No, I’ll have you know it’s only because I was dropped on my head a lot as a baby. Wait, I probably shouldn’t have just said that.

Desolation rises to his feet and extends his arms out to his sides, spinning in a circle as he unleashes a primal, fierce roar. Upon turning back to face the pain ridden Brooks he points down at her and nods towards the booing fans with a sadistic smirk present on his features. Hw now slowly approaches her, looking to finish Robin off for good before she surprisingly rolls over in reverse, standing up on her head and reaching out with her legs, wrapping them around Desolation’s neck. She seems to be going for the head scissors when Desolation places his hands to her thighs and shoves her down, sending her into a forward roll where she ends up right on her feet. She jumps into the air and lands feet first on the second cable of the ropes as the Dark Man comes rushing in at her only for Brooks to spring off and twist in mid-air, landing on top of her opposition’s shoulders and pulling him over into a huge hurricarana. Desolation flips over and crashes to the canvas back first with the fans cheering wildly for Robin who rolls across the canvas right onto her feet. She falls sideways into the ropes, leaning on them for support and reaching for her back in tremendous pain.

Douglas: Robin finally getting in a big offensive move there with the hurricarana!

The fans are solidly behind Robin as she looks up in time to spot Desolation standing and rushing in with anger in his eyes. Brooks steps out of the ropes and jumps into the air, swinging around with her feet into a hard spinning heel kick that connects against his face. The Dark Man tumbles to the mats back first then rolls across it to his knees, beginning to get up and charge forward at Robin yet again when the Black Widow stands and lifts her leg into the air for a standing spinning heel kick this time. However, Desolation ducks under it and places his back to Robin’s, hooking both of her arms and pulling her over into a back slide. But Robin flips backwards over the bent forward Desolation’s spine and lands on her feet right in front of him, immediately jumping into the air and taking him around the neck. Desolation is dragged face first down into the canvas with an inverted bulldog, his features driven hard into the ring with the modification of the downward spiral. He bounces off the ring and rolls onto his back, the fans going nuts, demanding that Robin go for the pin, which is exactly what she does. She crawls across the ring and drops down into the cover on the Dark Man, hooking both his legs for the pinfall.

Again Brooks is met with disappointment as Desolation is able to launch his shoulder from the ring, causing her to sit up but keep on the pressure. Desolation almost immediately rises to his knees in front of her as Brooks steps in and delivers a hard karate style shin kick right to his sternum. The blow is stiff but it fails to take the Dark Man down as she now wraps her arm round his neck, setting up for the DDT. Desolation reaches out placing his hands to her ribs though, lifting her up into the air with a big press. Brooks ends up positioned upside down on top of Desolation’s shoulder as she still tries to hold onto the front chancery. The Dark Man reaches out and pulls down on her pants, causing her to slide over his shoulder and down his back as he catches her in position for the Brand X (Kryptonite Krunch). The reaction from the crowd is that of pure shock as Desolation looks to finish her off with this high impact move only for Robin to squirm, freeing her legs from over his shoulder. Her head is still trapped in the arm of her opponent as she lands on her feet, bridging over backwards towards her opponent’s spine. She now twists and turns with her body, freeing her head then reaching out, wrapping her arms around his then pulling him down into a back slide.

Desolation kicks out and rolls over in reverse grabbing hold of Brooks’ hair in the process. He drags her up to her feet while still bent forward then pulls her cranium between his legs and wrapping his arms around her waist. The flustered Desolation lifts Robin up into the air and onto his shoulders, looking to powerbomb her into the corner as he comes barreling across the ring. Robin places his hands to the top of his head though and pushes herself up and over his cranium, landing on her feet behind his back. Desolation immediately spins around, placing his hands to her back then shoving her forward into one of the turnbuckles, following her in. That’s when Brooks places her hands to the top rope and kicks her legs up into the air, Desolation charging under her in the process. She then lets go of the ropes and reaches down, catching the shoulders of Desolation while burying her knees into his spine, dragging him down into the back stabber to a loud reaction. The Dark Man bounces off of her knees then turns, crashing to the canvas front first, gritting his teeth in agony.

Douglas: A tremendous series of counters with Brooks getting the better of Desolation with that back stabber!

Mayne: She uses a move that perfectly describes her.

Desolation lies on his spine while holding his lower back as Robin stands up at his side and moves towards the turnbuckle. She places the top of her head to the top turnbuckle pad and pulls herself up into a headstand. To the surprise of everyone she twists her body and then comes down out of the headstand with the back of her legs hitting the perpendicular ropes, sending her moonsaulting backwards right into the canvas. The fans react negatively as Desolation rolled out of the way just in the nick of time to avoid her insanely agile move. Brooks grabs at her ribs and rolls across the canvas, looking to be in a lot of pain while Desolation utilizes the ropes to pull himself to his feet, still reaching for the small of his back. All the while he stomps his foot and slaps his shin, waiting for her to stand so that he can take her head off with a devastating kick. After what her body has endured throughout this match she finds it hard to stand but forces herself up slowly nevertheless. Her legs end up beneath her when Desolation comes barreling out of the corner, throwing a kick at her face only for Brooks to duck it, rushing into the turnbuckle behind him. She jumps onto the turnbuckle and springs off, turning in mid-air as Desolation spins around in time for her to land right on top of his chest with a crossbody. Both individuals crash to the canvas with Brooks on top of her opponent. Brooks rolls off of him and holds her tender mid-section before crawling desperately back into the cover, hooking his leg with the fans screaming.

Desolation again kicks out, refusing to be bested by this vicious vixen who is growing increasingly desperate. With her body ravaged by pain she rises to her feet and takes Desolation by the hair, dragging him up with all of her strength. That’s before a fist is lobbed directly into her ribs, doubling her over as a result and allowing Desolation rise on his own accord, setting up for something big as he takes her by the back of the head. That’s when Robin jumps into the air and sticks her head under the jaw of the Dark Man, pulling him down into a seated jaw breaking. The crowd responds with enthusiasm as the Black Widow rolls backwards onto her feet out of the jawbreaker and then rushes forward at her still standing opponent, connecting with a quick and sudden spinning heel kick right to his face. The Dark Man is taken down to the canvas while Robin drops to his side and quickly rises to her feet, still holding her banged up abdomen. She turns with her back towards Desolation and sets up for a standing moonsault, flipping over backwards only to have the Dark Man roll out of her way yet again. This time however, Brooks is able to land on her feet facing the rising Tag Title holder.

Dan: Some great agility by Brooks again being shown in this contest.

Mayne: No one is more agile than Desolation, just ask Hellkat. Except for maybe Johnny…

Douglas: If you address your rumor one more time I swear my boot will meet your teeth.

Billy: Hey now Dan, that’s the type of violence MTV base entire shows around.

Brooks comes charging forward only to be met to the mid-section with a hard spinning back kick. The sound of the strike echoes throughout the arena and causes the Black Widow to be bent forward, almost dropping to the canvas below. The Dark Man steps to her side and lifts his leg up into the air, taking hold of his foot and holding it behind her head then allowing it to come down with a devastatingly stiff kick to her back of her noggin. She collapses to her knees upon the canvas, looking incredibly dazed at this point while Desolation rushes into the cables in front of her. He bounces off and thus builds incredible momentum as he comes roaring back in at the Black Widow who jumps to her feet then lunges into the air, landing directly on top of his shoulders. She drops back into a hurricarana with the pin, seated on top of Desolation’s chest and holding down the backs of his legs only for the Dark Man to roll through, ending up with Brooks’ shoulders pressed to the canvas while he leans shoulders first into the back of her thighs.

Brooks rolls over in reverse out of this pinning predicament right onto her feet before she rushes forward with a kick aimed at Desolation’s mid-section. He drops onto his back in the nick of time, avoiding the kick which sends the Black Widow into a spin where her spine ends up facing him. She now jumps into the air and connects with the standing moonsault directly on top of the Dark Man, hooking his leg yet again with the crowd screaming.

Desolation launches his shoulder defiantly from the ring once more, the entire arena screaming as they believed Robin had victory within her grasp. The tired X-Class Champion rises to her knees, breathing heavily after all this tremendous action while a stunned Desolation fights to reach his feet.

Dan: Brooks again just seconds removed from defeating Desolation in what has been a tremendous encounter thus far in the main event to tonight’s wild telecast.

Mayne: It can’t be dubbed wild until I get naked Dan, and I’ll only do that in celebration when Desolation breaks Brooks’ damn neck.

Douglas: Why must you constantly look for excuses to take your clothes off in public?

The fans are still cheering while Brooks rises to her feet and staggers as she takes her opposition around the jaw, rolling him to his knees. After delivering a quick knee to the side of his face she helps Desolation to his feet while throwing knee lift after knee lift into his ribs. Each blow causes the Dark Man to be doubled over until Brooks steps back slapping her knee and rushing into the cables at Desolation’s side. She bounces off and comes back in with a running knee strike directly to the face of the Alpha Generation member, who stands up straight with a groggy expression on his face as a result. Strangely he won’t go down though, forcing Brooks to deliver her own spinning back kick to his ribs that causes him to be doubled over once more. Brooks now turns and rushes into the cables at his side yet again, bouncing off and coming back in with another knee strike. This time Desolation stands up and steps back to avoid it, Brooks ending up with her side aimed towards her standing opponent who quickly takes her around the waist, dropping in reverse with a lethal back drop driver. Robin lands on the back of her neck and shoulders to a cringe from the crowd.

Mayne: Oh yeah, now I can start getting naked.

Dan: The back drop driver perfectly executed by Desolation, I certainly cannot find fault in this guys’ timing.

Brooks drops onto her back, left lying on the canvas as Desolation crawls across the ring and grabs hold of her hair. Brooks is rolled to her knees then forced to her feet as the Dark Man takes her around the waist and drops into another back drop driver that sends Robin slamming into the ring across the back of her head. She bounces off the canvas like a spring then falls into a laid out position, appearing completely limp. The sweaty, tired Desolation turns and crawls into the cover, pulling Brooks down onto the back of her shoulders and burying his forearm into her throat.

To heckles from the gathered masses the Dark Man rises to his knees and pulls Robin’s shoulders off the canvas. All the while he shakes his head in the direction of the referee, indicating that the torture he intends on inflicting isn’t over yet.

Dan: Oh come on, as good as Brooks is and has shown herself to be tonight, I think Desolation had the victory there with those two back drop drivers, now he’s just trying to prolong the agony.

Mayne: I would too. There should be a line with paid admission for people who want to beat the shit out of Robin Brooks. I’d pay double.

A smirking Desolation rises to his feet with sweat dripping from his frame and drags Brooks upwards, looking to finally finish her off as he steps around behind her back. He hooks up one of her arms with Robin limply hanging from him then drops back into a release half nelson suplex. To the shock of everyone Robin actually has the wherewithal to flip over and land on her feet, avoiding being hit with the move while Desolation turns to his knees with shock clouding his eyes. He rises to his feet when Brooks comes charging forward, jumping into the air and landing on top of his shoulders for a hurricarana only to have the Dark Man charge across the ring and powerbomb her directly into the turnbuckle. The crowd reacts with disgust and dismay as her body is driven with vile force directly into the turnbuckle, dropping to her seat as a result and looking completely unconscious.

Billy: A powerbomb into the turnbuckle, this is exciting me so much my nipples are hardening.

Dan: Dammit, Brooks’ back may have just been broken with that powerbomb into the corner.

Desolation moseys towards his opponent and takes her by the legs, dragging her out of the corner and then dropping down into a lackadaisical cover in which he barely puts any weight on top of her. The official drops down and slaps the canvas.

Much to Ingelson’s dismay Desolation pulls Brooks up off the canvas once again, holding onto her locks and smiling disturbingly. The fans jump all over his case but the Alpha Gen member fails to concern himself with what they think, having far too much joy brutalizing the lovely young Brooks.

Dan: Again Desolation could have pinned Robin but instead he just wants to toy with her. This is going to come back to bite him for sure.

Mayne: Nothing could ever bite Desolation, his skin is too thick and he’s far too intimidating.

The Dark Man rises to his feet while Brooks lies unconscious before him, Ingelson demanding he quit playing around yet he doesn’t heed to the orders of the referee. Instead he turns towards the ropes and slips through them onto the apron, dropping down to the mats then lifting the tarp that hangs from the squared circle into the air. To even more dismay from the fans Desolation grabs a solid steel folding chair out from under the ring and now rolls back in with it. The official jumps in his path, demanding that he not use the chair but Desolation takes a menacing step in his direction, causing Ingelson to both yelp loudly and jump aside. The Dark Man now throws the chair down to the canvas and rolls Brooks over onto her chest and stomach, wrapping up her legs and grabbing hold of her wrists, setting up to Curb Stomp her face first directly into the chair.

Douglas: Oh no, not this, not this.

Mayne: Desolation is going to permanently disfigure Robin, as if she didn’t have enough reasons to make her completely unappealing.

The Dark Man relishes in what he’s about to do as he drags on the wrists of Brooks, pulling her up with his foot wedged between her shoulders. Right as he is about to drive her face down into the chair Hurse slides into the ring and crawls across his elbows and knees, getting in front of both the Dark Man and the damaged Brooks. Desolation’s face fills with scrutiny while Hurse lifts his hands in prayer, begging his tag team partner not to do it, pleading with him in fact.

Mayne: What are you doing Hurse, get out of there, this should be what you wanted!

Dan: Hurse just rushed out here from the backstage area and now he’s actually begging Desolation not to do any further harm to Robin. Hasn’t he gotten it through his head yet that they’re relationship is over?

Desolation continues to glare at Hurse in utter confusion while he remains on his elbows and knees in front of him, almost praying to the Dark Man with tears in his eyes. He is begging to the best of his abilities for Desolation not to Curb Stomp Robin’s flesh into the steel and perhaps do permanent, un-repairable damage to her face. For a moment the co-holder of the tag team titles thinks about it, his features filling with bewilderment, questioning rather he should go ahead with this or not. Finally he just lets go of her wrists and allows Brooks to fall to the canvas, untangling her legs from around his then moving towards the ropes. He turns his back on Hurse completely while shaking his head and mumbling something beneath his breath, moving through the cables onto the apron.

Billy: Nooo, what are you doing Desolation? Get back in there and take Robin’s head off!

Dan: I guess he’s not going to mangle Brooks as a favor to his tag team partner, therefore Robin has been given a reprieve here.

Robin is just lying on the canvas motionless at this point, unaware of everything that is going on around her as Hurse mouths the words “thank you,” again and again to Desolation. The Dark Man’s face is soured as he continues to shake his head judgmentally and then finally yells out to his Alpha associate.

Desolation: This is the last favor I’m ever doing for you! Next time that bitch crosses paths with me there’s going to be no stopping what I do to her.

Making sure his final message was heard loud and clear he now turns and drops from the apron, marching straight up the ramp towards the backstage area. To him the match was inconsequential, as he did what he intended for the most part, and that was inflicting pain on Robin Brooks. Her motionless frame continues to lie on the canvas as the love sick puppy that is Hurse crawls towards her with a bright smile on his face. His caring arms wrap around the woman who betrayed and left him, rolling her onto her back and lifting her head into the air. A large smile comes to his face at the sight of her unconscious face as he brushes hair away from her features.

Hurse: I knew you’d come back to me, I just knew it. I’ll show you that I’ve changed, that I’m different now, that I’m capable of loving you greater than ever before. Let me show you.

Although completely out cold Robin’s head is lifted and Hurse plants a loving kiss directly onto her lips. He really smooches with her as his head moves back and forth, as if Robin is actually reciprocating the kiss.

Dan: This is sick, this is borderline necrophilia. Hurse is forcing himself on Robin when she’s unconscious.

Mayne: Oh you know she was asking for it.

Douglas: HOW!?! The woman is out cold!

The lips continue to be interlocked with Hurse thoroughly enjoying what he perceives to be a passionate moment. “You Know my Name” suddenly erupts from the speakers and causes the World Champion to look up with his face twisted with both anger and terror, suddenly recalling what he agreed to earlier in the night. Through the curtains now strolls the Icon himself to a thunderous ovation, the Manhattan Center trembling as he emerges onto the stage with a microphone in his hand and disgust draped over his face.

Mayne: Orlando ruining yet another Hallmark moment.

Dan: Oh please, he looks just as disgusted as everyone else by what’s happening in the ring.

Orlando is shaking his head back and forth with his face contorted by this disgusting scene in the ring. He slowly lifts a microphone to his lips and forces words out through his disgust.

Cruze: Um Hurse, I hate to interrupt this forced sexual foray, but by my time it appears to be the end of the night, and as agreed to earlier you owe me a title match. Let’s do this!!

The fans are screaming as the microphone is pitched down to the ramp and Orlando comes marching down to the ring, having completely recovered from his earlier bout with Rose.

Mayne: He can’t be serious, Hurse shouldn’t be forced to defend his belt now.

Dan: He agreed to it earlier in the night Billy.

Billy: Yeah, but maybe he wants to take it back, was Orlando considerate enough to ask him? Noooo.

Orlando moves quickly towards the ring as Hurse looks around, trying to find out if anyone is there to have his back. Once he realizes he’s got no back up he drops down and rolls Brooks out of the ring, carelessly allowing her to spill under the ropes with a thud upon the outside mats. He then turns towards Orlando who slides into the ring and rushes forward with no hesitation, both men coming to blows with one another. The fans are going insane as both Hurse and Cruze launch fists into each other’s faces, battling back and forth for the World Heavyweight title.

Dan: IT’S ON! Orlando versus Hurse for the World Championship is happening right here before our very eyes!

Billy: This isn’t right I tell you, it just isn’t right!

Orlando and Hurse are still throwing fists while Ingelson stands back, not knowing what to do, but finally calling for a bell to signify the start of this one on one encounter. Finally Cruze rocks Hurse with a jab to the jaw that is so devastating it renders him incapable of answering back. Orlando launches another fist into his face, followed by a third strike that begins to stagger the World Champion backwards in the direction of the cables. Cruze now takes him by the wrist and whips him across the ring only for Hurse to turn and reverse the move. Instead Cruze is sent rushing across the ring right into the ropes, which he bounces off of and comes rushing back in towards the World Champion who bends forward for a back drop. The Icon stops short of him and delivers a kick straight into his face, Hurse standing up straight when Orlando rushes forward into a devastating lariat right to his throat.

Hurse crashes with a thud to the canvas then rolls across it, looking incredibly dazed as he rises to his feet and walks right into another a vicious jab under the jaw. The World and Tag Team Champion crashes to the canvas spine first then rolls across it under the ropes to the outside of the ring. He waves off Cruze and the squared circle and begins to move towards the ramp, looking to flee the ring and thus get himself intentionally counted out so that he can retain his title. Orlando rolls under the ropes and moves up the ramp right behind him, grabbing Hurse by the shoulder and spinning him around. Another devastating punch is lobbed right into his jaw, sending the Alpha Gen member crashing down hard to the ramp.

Douglas: Orlando is beating Hurse from pillar to post!

Billy: Hurse wasn’t ready for another title match, he just defend his championship like two months ago. He should be given a solid year to prepare for the next bout.

Holding onto his jaw Hurse tries to stand up only for Orlando to grab him by the hair, dragging him up to his feet. Hurse tries to push his way free but can’t as he’s being pulled in the direction of the ring by the Icon who stops in front of the steel steps. He pulls back on the Master of Control’s head and then drives him down face first into the steel stairs with a hard collision. An indent of his skull is left in the structure, causing Hurse to turn away from the Icon and begin throwing jabs at false figments of his imagination. Orlando grabs him by the back of the head and rushes him across the mats then throws him face first right into the exposed turnbuckle post. His skull cracks against it before he twirls and crashes to the mats, the fans going absolutely insane while Orlando now pulls himself up onto the apron. He stomps on the apron several times while motioning for Hurse to get up, which he’s trying his best to do. Although his body is plagued with anguish, caused by this beat down in conjunction with the YPMO he took earlier in the night, Hurse rises to his feet and almost looses his balance. He finally turns towards the ring as Orlando rushes across the apron and jumps off, flying over the mats into a lariat directly to Hurse’s throat. The crowd goes nuts as Orlando rolls across the mats and his opponent lies limp across them.

Dan: Orlando is absolutely on fire, he is just destroying the World Champion.

Billy: If Orlando wins this match I’ll sue the IWC on behalf of Hurse.

The World Champion is spread across the mats and not moving as Orlando approaches him and takes hold of his hair, dragging him over to his knees then forcing him to his feet. The battered title holder is rolled under the cables into the center of the ring as Orlando rises on the apron and now moves towards the turnbuckle, beginning to scale it. The crowd cheers, unaccustomed to seeing him go high risk as he reaches the top turnbuckle and glares down at Hurse struggling to reach his feet. With his legs shaking Hurse gets up and turns towards Orlando who flies from the top rope and connects with a huge shoulder block directly to his chest. The Alpha representative is taken down once again with Orlando landing on his knees at his side, rolling across the ring towards the ropes. He grabs hold of them and utilizes the cables to reach his feet then bends forward placing his hands on his knees and lying in wait for his opposition to reach his feet. The crowd is building in excitement, everyone realizing that Cruze is waiting to finish Hurse off with the Rock Bottom, prepared to see him win that coveted World Championship. On the outside of the ring Brooks is holding onto the tarp, using it as she begins to drag her battered frame up to her feet.

Dan: Orlando is setting up for the Rock Bottom!

Mayne: No, no, no!

A disorientated Brooks tries to pull herself up onto the apron while the referee approaches her, sticking his head through the ropes and demanding she get down. Hurse finally stands up and turns towards Orlando who shoots his arm across his chest, looking out over the fans as he prepares to lay him out with the Rock Bottom. Suddenly Hurse drops to his knees though and launches an uppercut directly into Orlando’s testicles, causing him to bend forward with the fans booing furiously. Hurse stands up in a dazed state and drags Cruze’s head under his seat, lifting the Icon up and stepping over in front of his shoulders before dropping down into the Sanitizer (Styles Clash). The crowd is screaming in outrage as Orlando’s body collides hard with the canvas thanks to the World Champion’s signature maneuver, and that low blow which set up for it.

Mayne: Hahahaha, he hit the Sanitizer, thank you lord, thank you and all your infinite wisdom!

Dan: I hardly think any biblical figures had a hand in that low blow by Hurse, which may win him the World Championship.

Hurse pushes Orlando over painstakingly onto his back then drops down into the cover, hooking his leg desperately. Robin finally falls down off the apron in her terribly battered state while the official spins around and drops down to make the count, the crowd reacting with repulsion.

To a loud outburst Orlando shoots his shoulder from the ring, kicking out of the Sanitizer. The eyes of the Master of Control almost rip from his sockets as he rolls to his knees and glares at Ingelson. He is pleading with him to say that it was a three count, that he’s still the World Champion only for Alex to confirm it was only two. He begins to throw a fit as a result, slamming the sides of his fists against the canvas as he goes into a temper tantrum then quickly rises to his feet. He points down at Cruze and then moves towards him with his whole body shaking in rage. He grabs hold of Cruze’s neck, forcing him over onto his knees then dragging his head under his seat yet again, looking for another Sanitizer, this one surely finishing the Icon off. Everyone in the building is screaming rabidly, begging Orlando to fight his way free from this predicament when Hurse looks up to spot Robin Brooks sluggishly rolling into the ring. Robin still doesn’t have an idea where she is as Hurse throws down Orlando and steps over him in the direction of Robin who has crawled into the corner, utilizing it to drag herself up to her feet.

Billy: What are you doing Hurse!?! You had the match won! Don’t give a shit about that stank ass trick!

Dan: Hurse again distracted with his affection for Robin, even when he was seemingly moments away from retaining the World Championship.

Cruze remains spread across the canvas, trying to get up while Ingelson drops down to check on his condition, making sure he can keep going. All the while he has his back turned towards the World Champion who grabs Robin under the jaw, helping her up to her feet while she leans back first against the turnbuckle for support. He passionately rubs at her cheeks with his hands, knocking the hair out of her face then backing up slowly with a shaky grin on his face. He makes puckering motions towards the near unconscious Black Widow who suddenly steps out of the corner and drills him directly under the jaw with a superkick. The crowd goes nuts as the boot strikes Hurse directly under the jaw and causes him to be dead on his feet, turning away in the direction of Orlando who is now standing. Cruze shoots his arm across Hurse’s sternum and hoists him into the air, driving him into the canvas with the Rock Bottom.

Mayne: NOOOOOO!!!

Dan: Orlando just delivered the Rock Bottom on the World Champion after he had been superkicked by Robin Brooks! We may have a new champion!

Billy: Someone do something, send a hurricane or a tornado or something Jesus!

The roof is almost blown from the Manhattan Center as Orlando hooks Hurse’s leg and Robin drops through the ropes to outside of the ring. The referee, who didn’t see the superkick, drops to the canvas and begins to make the count with everyone in the Manhattan Center standing.

The whole building shakes due to the reaction from the fans, which is unbelievable as Orlando has just won the World Heavyweight Championship.

Douglas: Orlando has done it, he’s done it, he’s just won the title!

Mayne: Bullshit, absolute bullshit!

There is not one occupied seat in the building, everyone is on their feet as Orlando rises to his seat with tears almost in his eyes. Official Ingelson has motioned towards the back and a stagehand now rushes out with the World Championship in their hands. He gives it to Ingelson who now turns and bestows the World title onto a celebrating Orlando Cruze. The fans are still going nuts as Cruze pulls the Championship in close, placing it to his heart and leaning into the belt with a huge smile on his face.

Mayne: This isn’t happening, I want this stricken from the record books, just like any association the IWC ever had with a guy named Sickle.

Douglas: What an unbelievable moment here at the conclusion of tonight’s Riot! Who ever would have thought we’d see this night end with a new World Heavyweight Champion being crowned! After years of waiting, after years of sifting through the politics and backstage bull, Orlando has done it, he has regained the World Heavyweight Championship!

Billy: I feel like crying.

Hurse is still spread out across the canvas, not moving an inch after being hit with the Rock Bottom as Robin Brooks backs up the ramp smiling and nodding her head. All the while Orlando has risen to his feet with the World title draped over his forearms, staring down into his reflection while he approaches the turnbuckle. He steps up it mesmerized by this moment, one that he’ll never forget as he slowly lifts the World Championship into the air above his head, almost in tears to have achieved this milestone, to finally have the belt back in his possessi….

Gone Forever hits the PA system and immediately changes the whole mood in the arena, everyone’s attention, including Orlando’s turning towards the entry way as he continues to stand on the turnbuckle. A smiling Sallie strolls through the curtains with a microphone in hand as she stares at the new World Heavyweight Champion in the ring.

Dan: What is this now? Why is this vindictive she-demon coming out here?

Mayne: She looks to be in denial with that smile on her face. If can barely accept that this actually happened as well.

Sallie mockingly claps before taking hold of her microphone and lifting it to her lips, Orlando watching her every movement with great scrutiny as he throws the World title over his shoulder.

Sallie: Congratulations Orlando, I know how long you’ve waited for this!

She extends her arm out towards Orlando while still smiling widely, yet the Icon fails to share her enthusiasm. Her finger is now lifted into the air, as if calling for a moment.

Sallie: And I hate to be a party pooper, but unfortunately I’ve got some distressing news….

Dan: Oh no.

Orlando’s head is titled and his eyes are filled with scrutiny as Sallie goes on with what she’s saying, all the while baring a diabolical grin on her face.

Sallie: Ladies and gentlemen, it appears that Orlando has been lying to you all yet again. Just like when he says that he’s a hero, or that he doesn’t have any dark secrets buried in his past, which I’ll reveal when I’m good and ready mind you. Now he’s told yet another lie to all those loyal to him, because as a result of the drug test administered earlier in the night, it appears that Cruze is a drug addict!

The Icon acts taken aback by this revelation and immediately begins to disagree, implying that Sallie is lying her ass off as he drops down off the turnbuckle. The crowd is vehemently opposed to this idea that Orlando uses drugs as Sallie continues.

Sallie: According to the urine exam we conducted tonight, Orlando proved positive for taking many opiates, the type you find in numerous drugs, or maybe even in a poppy-seed muffin. Who knows, and who cares, because until this can all be straightened out, I’m hereby revoking Orlando’s title win and striking it from the record. Therefore, still World Heavyweight Champion, Hurse!

Her smile widens while she extends her hand out towards the ring and the laid out Hurse, who still isn’t moving after being planted with the Rock Bottom. Orlando is trembling in rage, his entire body growing red as he clutches the World title belt even tighter than before.

Dan: This is ridiculous! Orlando won the title and now he’s forced to give it back to Hurse because there were traces of opiates in his urine sample, all because he ate a poppy-seed muffin earlier in the night!

Mayne: We can’t have drug addicts as our World Champion, Dan.

Douglas: Orlando was set up, he’s being robbed!

Orlando allows the title belt to slide into the palm of his hand before looking down into it, his emotional high being destroyed by this revelation, as he realizes he’s been screwed out of his destiny to be champion once again. Sallie chuckles a little at the sight of his physical response.

Sallie: And also, since you tested positive for drugs, I have no other alternative but to suspend you Orlando until further notice. So since your booked next week already, and the week after that, all the way up until Redemption Roe, I suppose you’ll lose via forfeit.

The fans respond with further outrage as Orlando crunches his knuckle so tightly his fingernails almost lacerate his palm. Veins are protruding through every inch of his flesh as his furious eyes look up into the face of an overjoyed Sallie.

Sallie: Hey, don’t blame me for your problems Cruze, you’re the only one responsible for what’s happening to you. If you didn’t have such a drug problem maybe you’d be standing here tonight the World Heavyweight Champion, but instead you stand in that ring with nothing more than disgrace!

She lowers the microphone as Gone Forever hits the PA system and the riot clad security guards begin to walk out behind Sallie. She turns and moves past them while they make their way towards the ring Orlando forcing himself to turn and throw down the World title belt on top of the unconscious champion.

FADE TO BLACK