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 Max POWER going into a spin with his arm thrust out in front of him 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 Miller's, 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. Axl Evermore takes up the screen resting on his knees with the Cartel title hanging from his grasp and drenched in sweat.

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 JT Knight takes up the screen hitting a thunderous powerbomb. 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!

The show comes live to the inside of the Manhattan Center where the crowd is cheering, quite pumped for what should be a stellar night of in ring action as IWC begins it’s official countdown to Paranoia V. Fireworks erupt from the turnbuckles and the staging area, lighting the arena up and sending everyone into even more of a crazed stupor.

Dan Douglas: Ladies and gentlemen, this is Dan Douglas, and I just want to think you all for joining us on a night where the Paranoia V main event will be decided as Tag Team Champions Orlando Cruze and Jon Rich collide. Prepare yourself for an emotional evening.

The fans are still ecstatic in the Manhattan Center as the camera pans over them, catching their excited faces.

Billy Mayne: Yet again I’ve been ignored by Dan Douglas in his post show introductions, but it’s okay, he’s only getting even with me for the fact that he’s been ignored virtually all of his life. Hahahaha.

Dan: Man your insults are getting really lame.

Mayne: (Depressingly) I know.

RIGGS & DENILE PARTIS
VS.
RYAN MILLS & COMMANDER V

The lights throughout the stadium and the song Save Us begins to play as the lights begin to slowly flicker back on the spot light hits upon the entrance and Denile begins to walk down towards the Ring looking around in a confused state of awe and anticipation. Denile rolls under the bottom rope and moves around the ring getting ready for his fight

Douglas: A very intriguing tag team bout booked here tonight with Denile Partis about to team with the man he narrowly defeated at Redemption Roe.

Mayne: Yeah, and I can honestly see Partis and Riggs working as a well oiled machine. That was sarcasm if you couldn’t tell.

Dan: I could, and for once, no matter how appalling I now find myself to be, I agree with your comment, Riggs and Partis may have shook hands at the conclusion of their match at Redemption Roe, but we know that both of these individuals are not exactly the most trustworthy of individuals.

The arena drops into total darkness, the piano intro to“The Sacrament” by HIM begins to play and smoke appears in the entrance way. As the songs kicks in purple lights come on and Riggs comes walking out from the smoke. He stands on the rampway for a few seconds and throws one arm into the air before making his down to the ring. Partis watches him with confusion in his eyes, which are narrowed sternly upon the painted apparition who jumps to the apron. Riggs glares at his partner, realizing just how untrusting Partis is before he slips through the ropes into the apron, backing into his own corner spine first.

Douglas: You can just feel the tension between these two tonight, and I have a feeling it’s not going to lifted the longer this bout continues.

Mayne: Tension is so redundant. Why don’t they just beat the shit out of each other already and get it over with?

Partis and Riggs continue to glare at each other with a heightened sense of paranoia while a guitar riff can be heard through the arena. As the guitar blares throughout, smoke begins to come accross the entrance ramp.

"I'll try!
She said as she walked away, try not to lose you.
Two vibrant hearts have changed
Nothing beats the pain more than deception, unmasked fear.
I'll be here waiting, tested and secure!"

Out steps the ever arrogant "Lionheart" Ryan Mills, sporting a shirt with his own smiling face. He looks to his left and right as the smoke clears and stretches his arms out, showing that he is ready for battle tonight, all while flashing a matching smile as his shirt. He stands for a moment letting the smoke fully clear before he slowly makes his way towards the ring.

"Nothing hurts my world
Just affects the one's around me.
When sins deep in my blood
You'll be the one to fall!"

"I wish I could be the one,
The one who won't care at all.
But being the one on the stand,
I know the way to go, no one's guiding me.
When time soaked with blood turns its back
I know its hard to fall.
Confided in me was your heart,
I know its hurting you, but its killing me!"

The guitar comes back in heavily as Mills begins to walk up the steel stairs. He steps up onto the apron and grins to the crowd, as he turns to face them. "The Lionheart" is confidently jawing right at the front row, as they yell right back he just grins as he turns and leaps over the top rope. He walks between both his opponents to the other side of the ring, and and climbs up the ropes. He raises one arm to the sky pointing up, the whole time running his mouth to the crowd.

As Mills climbs down from the ring he jogs to the ropes and bounces off warming up for the match ahead of him. Its as if he completely fails to notice the presence of either Denile Partis or Riggs.

Mayne: Former Alpha Generation member Ryan Mills making his return to the ring tonight, and let’s hope it goes a little more productive than his former partner’s return a few weeks ago.

Douglas: It certainly looks like Ryan Mills hasn’t forgotten how to run his mouth.

Billy: It’s like riding a bike, you never forget how to properly insult someone.

A grinning Mills finally turns and acknowledges both Partis and Riggs, who don’t look in his direction but instead glare at one another still uncertainly. A high pitch plumber’s voice is heard over the speakers as he yells “Nintendo” which flashes across the screen. This is followed immediately by a man yelling ‘Sega’ with Sega flashing across the screen. The last thing before the music starts is the word ‘Presents’ on the Titantron. Then comes the music the 8 bit electronic compilation of the classic video game themes plays as the audience who haven’t yet started to, now start applauding. The titantron shows several video game systems such as the Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Dreamcast, etc all getting turned on and the name ‘Commander V’ flashes across the screen in 16 bit glory. As the audience applauds, none other than Ridley, aka Commander V runs out, his jacket undone. He poses for the audience by throwing his arms out and showing off his thin yet cut frame hidden slightly under his T shirt. V runs down the ramp high fiving as many fans as he can before sliding into the ring. He leaps to the turnbuckle and forms an ‘N’ with his hands. He goes to the opposite turn buckle and does the same. He then goes to the ropes and leans forward does the pose again. This time after the pose, he flicks his wrists to reveal an ‘S’ showing his allegiance to both counsels. He stands in the ring, removing his jacket, his shirt and his Triforce pendant. He stands in the ring and brings his left hand to his chest, and removes his one glove to look upon the tatoo on his hand depicting the Triforce of Courage. He nods to himself and puts the glove back on. He stands there all fired up while Ryan glares at him in bewilderment, shaking his head.

Dan: Commander V in the ring and coming off the heels of an ubber impressive win at Redemption Roe when he defeated Nick Martin in record time.

Mayne: Commander V? I thought he was called…. Oh never mind, why don’t people keep me informed of these blasted changes!?! Anyway, I can already see the shame in Mills’ eyes over this forced partnership.

Douglas: Well, this is a proverbial odd couple.

Commander V and Ryan Mills gather in one corner while the Lionheart is trying to explain that he’ll start the match. Commander V nods then slaps his partner on the shoulder, stepping to the center of the ring to begin this bout for his team. He points to his glove all the while as Ryan slaps his palm over his face and slides it down dragging over his lips. Partis motions to himself as Riggs slips through the ropes onto the apron, not arguing with his partner whatsoever. Denile continues to glare at his former opponent with confusion before turning in time to avoid a powerful punch lobbed at his hand by Commander V. Denile steps behind his opposition and reaches out, placing his palms to his opponent’s spine, shoving him forward into the cables. The Commander bounces off of the ropes and comes rushing back in, jumping into the air with a leg lariat that Partis ducks under. He charges into the cables in front of Commander V, bouncing off of them and then coming back in at his opponent who jumps into the air, leap frogging over top of him. As soon as Mr. Video Game lands on his feet both of his arms are hooked from behind by Partis, who was lying in wait as he now tries to pull him down into a back slide. However, Commander V flips over backwards, going over top the spine of his opponent then landing on his feet right in front of him. Partis looks momentarily stunned as he tries to deliver a spinning roundhouse kick to the jaw of Commander V who quickly drops into a forward roll, avoiding the attempted move. He rolls forward then springs into the air, landing feet first on the second cable before springing off and twisting in mid-air. His pint size body flies towards Partis who drops down to his stomach to avoid it.

At the last second Commander V bends his head, rolling forward across the canvas right onto his feet while Partis chases after him. Unfortunately for Denile his opponent rolls right into the ropes and reaches out, taking hold of the top one before kicking his body into the air. Partis runs underneath him of him as the Game Master lands on his feet behind his opposition’s back, who bounces sternum first off the top rope. He now comes staggering backwards into Commander V who jumps into the air, landing on top of his shoulders. He now snaps back, connecting with the reverse hurricarna which sends Partis crashing into the canvas across the top of his head.

Douglas: A terrific series of counters between Commander V and Denile Partis, these two rather evenly matched in both weight and height.

Mayne: The video game nerd got the upperhand though with a tight reverse hurricaran. That’s right, I just said tight, it’s the hip, ghetto thing to say nowadays isn’t it.

Dan: Perhaps, but as soon as you used it it lost all hipness.

The crowd is still shocked by Partis’ head first impact with the canvas as he rolls across the ring in the direction of his partner. Riggs reaches over the ropes and slaps Denile’s shoulder before entering the ring, he then turns to face Partis, motioning for him to get out of his ring. He spins right in time though to walk into a fist thrown to his jaw by Commander V, followed by a hard spinning back heel kick right to the sternum. Riggs is crouched forward as a result while his opponent steps in front of him and slaps on a front chancery, however, the painted performer spins out of the submission hold. He grasps the back of Commander V’s head then rushes forward, jumping into the air and coming down on his knees as he pulls his opponent down into a face buster on the canvas. The Commander crashes off of the canvas and now rolls onto his back while Riggs rushes into the ropes at his side. He bounces off of them and comes barreling forward, going into a cartwheel then flipping backwards out of it into a moonsault right across his opponent’s mid-section.

The Gamer gets his shoulder up, turning away from Riggs who quickly takes him by the wrist and drags him up to his feet. Riggs steps over the bicep of his opponent with his spine aimed in his direction before delivering a back mule kick right to Commander V’s face. The strike causes him to stand up straight looking dazed before Riggs spins around in a circle, jumping into the air then drilling his opposition to the sternum with a cross kick. The shot knocks the Commander to the canvas while Riggs steps in and jumps into the air, getting tremendous height until he crashes down right on top of his opponent’s chest.

Commander V gets his shoulder up with time to spare.

Dan: Some fine wrestling being displayed here between these two teams.

Mayne: This is just fantastic, we have an emo versus a video game geek, is there no worse cliques in the world?

Douglas: Maybe the group you hung out with in highschool.

Billy: Ha, shows how much you know, because nobody hung out with me in highschool. Oh wait, now I’m sad.

Riggs takes hold of the Gamer’s hair and drags him over onto his knees, delivering some peppering shots to the side of the face and the jaw. He now steps beside and slightly behind his kneeling opposition ad spins into a circle, going for another jumping cross kick this time to the back of the head when Riggs ducks down out of the way. As a result the boot misses his skull and Riggs’ spine face him, Commander V quickly standing up and grabbing hold of his arms, delivering the F.F.F (Breakdown). Riggs’ skull rams into the canvas while he rolls onto his back, his opponent standing up quickly and moving towards his partner Ryan Mills, who he thrusts his fist out towards. Ryan looks down at the fist for a second then rolls his eyes before hitting it with his knuckle in order to tag himself in. He jumps over the ropes and passes by Commander V, taking hold of Riggs’ ankle and lifting up on it so that he is sent over into a backwards roll. He ends up on his feet only to have Mills place his shoulder against his mid-section then drop back into a Northern lights bridging suplex.

Riggs is able to get his shoulder up off the canvas, somewhat upsetting Mils who turns and grabs him the hair, rolling him over to his feet then hooking both of his arms. Ryan drops back into a bridging double underhook suplex.

To cheers from the crowd Riggs gets his shoulder up yet again.

Mayne: Mills showing that he is quite proficient when it comes to those suplexes. I knew there was a reason he was a former Alpha Generation star.

Douglas: It was because he was cocky and willing to eat shit on a daily basis Billy.

Billy: There’s no need to get snotty.

Mills looks upset as he takes the hair of the individual he’s battling and forces him up to his feet, burying his shoulder against his spine while hooking up one of his legs. He drops in reverse, pulling Riggs down into a bridging leg hook back drop suplex.

Riggs kicks out, falling over in reverse onto his knees, appearing terribly dazed. An agitated Mills gets to his feet and slaps a front chancery onto his opponent, hooking his leg in the process then lifting him up for a fisherman suplex. However, Riggs is able to twist his body at the last second and flip forward so that he lands on Ryan’s shoulders then drops back, sending him with a hurricarana right into the ropes. He bounces off the middle rope chest first which sends him ricocheting off backwards in the direction of Riggs who reaches up from his laid out position, wrapping his arms around Ryan’s waist then sitting up. He pulls him down into almost a modified sunset flip.

Riggs stands up and takes hold of Ryan’s legs, dropping back and catapulting him towards Partis who lobs a forearm over the top rope into his inbound opponent’s face. The strike sends Mills staggering backwards into the waiting shoulder of Riggs who lifts him up into a back drop suplex position while reaching out with his palm. Denile tags it then springs to the top rope, before flying across the ring with a lariat to Ryan’s throat while Riggs drops him with a back suplex. The fans have a loud reaction at the sight of this, quite pleased that Riggs and Partis are working as a tandem to take out the loud mouthed Mills.

Douglas: Riggs and Partis surprising working together to take down Ryan Mills, I tell you, I’m shocked as hell at the sight of these guys working together so cohesively.

Mayne: Both teams working well together surprisingly.

Partis now stands and takes hold of Ryan’s wrist, turning to face it before jumping into a forward roll. He pulls on the wrist in the process and in turn causes Ryan to sit up while Partis rolls right onto his feet then turns, rushing forward into a well placed dropkick right to Mills’ skull. He now stands and jumps over Ryan before hoping the top rope. The agile Partis lands on the apron then pulls himself over with a slingshot senton right across the ribs of his braggadocios opponent. Still capitalizing on his speed he rises to his feet and jumps over Mills again but this time does a standing backwards moonsault right on top of him.

Mayne: Come on Mills, your letting Denile flip all over you!

Denile rises to his knees and takes Mills around the neck, dropping over top of his face into a forward roll, again pulling him along this time right into a front chancery. Partis stands up gripping his opponent around the neck then shooting his other arm out to his side, calling for the Roses (Twist of Fate). Somehow Ryan is able to twist his body though, burying his shoulders into Denile’s stomach then lifting him up into the air in a fireman’s carry. Before Partis has the chance to reverse it, Ryan pushes him over into a modified DVD so that he comes down across the back of his head right onto his raised knee. The crowd grimaces as Denile lands on his seat, appearing absolutely stunned while Ryan stands behind him and springs into the air, dropkicking him directly to the back of the head.

The quick Ryan rises to his feet and backs into the ropes to continue on his assault only to have Commander V slap his shoulder, tagging himself back into this match. Mills spins around in anger before the Commander gives him a thumbs up and starts to climb the turnbuckle, reaching the top rope. The disgruntled Ryan has no other choice but to slip through the ropes onto the apron while Commander V steadies himself and now throws his body off the top rope, twisting into the 620 which fails to connect on Partis. Denile rolled out of the way and as a result caused the Gamer to crash with violent force right into the canvas.

Dan: That 620 was a thing of beauty but it failed to hit it’s mark!

Mayne: The action in this damn tag match is almost too much for me to keep track of.

Douglas: You mean your actually paying attention for once?

Billy: The batteries in my portable mini-TV are dead.

Dan: Just like your brain cells.

Partis continues to roll away from the seated Commander V and now lifts his hand into the air, Riggs tagging it with no dramatics. He steps across the apron and takes hold of the top rope, waiting for the Commander to get up, which is exactly what he’s trying to do as he grips hold of his back. As soon as he stands Riggs springs to the top rope then takes flight, soaring through the air with a spinning heel kick right to the face of his opponent. The Gamer crashes into the canvas spine first while Riggs rolls away from him onto his knees, appearing somewhat pleased with himself. He now crawls quickly into the cover, hooking the leg.

Commander V kicks out, getting his shoulder up off the canvas as Riggs takes him around the jaw then pulls him up to his feet, delivering a hard forearm strike to the side of his face. The shot sends Commander V staggering backwards into the ropes then bouncing off of them as he comes jogging towards Riggs who catches him with a big back drop. The height Commander V catches is unbelievable as he swipes at the air several times and now comes crashing down violently into the canvas. He arches his spine from the ring and rolls to his knees while Riggs steps towards him, appearing almost methodical in his approach at this point. He briefly pulls Commander V to his feet before delivering a hard double knife edge chop to his sternum which sends him crashing right back down to the canvas. Mr. Video Game rolls quickly to his feet, acting on pure adrenaline when he’s kicked to the ribs and his head is bent forwards. Riggs wraps his arms around his waist and now lifts him up into the air and onto his shoulder, turning before rushing across the ring. He seems to be setting up for an awesome bomb only to have Commander V reach down with his legs, wrapping them around his opponent’s waist then slipping off of his shoulder. He drops down towards the canvas and pulls Riggs over backwards into a roll up pinfall.

Riggs rolls out of it though onto his feet and now rushes forward as if setting up for the shining wizard. Commander V drops into a roll towards his shins, hitting them with his back and causing Riggs to be tripped forward, crashing hard into the canvas. He pops up onto his elbows and knees while Commander V gets to his feet behind him then rushes forward, stepping up his back and stomping down on the back of his head. Riggs’ face rams hard against the canvas while the Commander lands on his feet in front of him, rushing forward into the cables. Riggs starts to stand up on instinct as he grips at his face only to look up in time to spot Commander V flipping backwards off the middle rope and making several revolutions before ultimately elbowing him right to the sternum.

Douglas: What an awesome aerial move by Commander V! This guy has some tremendous speed, which makes him so dangerous!

Mayne: I thought it was his particularly powerful thumbs which made him such a threat.

Commander V rolls away from his opponent and again extends his fist out towards Mills who reluctantly slaps it and quickly enters the match. Riggs is already on his elbows and knees, crawling towards his eager partner who has his hand extended for the tag but now has an elbow dropped into the back of his head. Mills rolls across the canvas and grabs Riggs’ ankle tugging on it and as a result pulling him back towards the center of the ring. All the while Commander V has decided to be a little dastardly, running around the ring in an attempt to take out Denile Partis in his corner. Denile spots him coming though, therefore he grabs the top rope and jumps over it, twisting as he lands on the opposite of the turnbuckle then springing off. He spins in mid-air to connect with a moonsault on top of the inbound Commander V which sends the crowd into a wave of absolutely astonishment. Meanwhile, inside of the ring Ryan has pulled Riggs up to his feet and now has him in a side headlock, rushing forward in order to deliver a bulldog. At the last second Riggs pushes him off and sends him running into the cables though. That’s when Ryan grabs the top cable, jumping over it and twisting as he lands on the apron. He now springs to the top rope, taking flight and soaring right into a dropkick to the ribs from Riggs. The crowd again cheers as Ryan is taken to the canvas and Riggs pushes himself up onto his elbows and knees, immediately beginning to make his way towards his corner.

Douglas: Bodies flying left and right in this highly acrobatic tag team encounter, but Riggs desperately needs to make the tag now!

Mayne: All of these counters and flying bodies are making me feel seasick.

The crowd is still cheering at the sight of the tremendous counter they just witnessed while Riggs crawls desperately in the direction of his corner. He extends his hand out, hoping for a tag only to look up and realize that Partis isn’t in their corner. His eyes suddenly cloud with rage upon this realization, growing quite furious as he believes his partner has abandoned him. Mills suddenly takes hold of Riggs’ ankle from behind and again drags him to the center of the ring before stepping to his side and delivering a quick falling headbunt to he back of his skull. Riggs wraps his hands around his cranium, unaware that Partis has now recovered from that moonsault and is now staggering towards his corner with his arms crossed over his ribs. Commander V is also trying to recuperate on the outside of the ring while Mills pulls his opponent up to his feet and now locks him in a dragon suplex position. He drops back and connects with the move, bridging over backwards in the process.

Riggs kicks out, barely getting his shoulder off of the canvas then falling to his knees while a somewhat angered Mills get to his feet and steps behind him. He hooks both of his arms and drags him up to his feet, going for another dragon suplex when Riggs reaches in reverse with his leg, wrapping it around Mills’. He now twists his body around and grabs Ryan around the neck, bending his head forward and dropping back into a DDT counter. The crowd reacts with a loud ovation as Mills’ skull collides with vicious force against the ring and he now rolls onto his back, lying there almost motionless.

Douglas: A brilliantly timed counter by Riggs who really, really needs to make a tag to his partner!

Mayne: That he does Dan, that he does.

Dan: Is that honestly the best follow up you can come up with?

Billy: Anything more and I’d actually have to start showing interest.

Both the battered Commander V and the tired Denile Partis are climbing up into their corners, holding their brutalized anatomies. Partis finally thrusts his arm over the top rope, looking for a tag as the pain ridden Riggs begins to crawl towards him at a slow, deliberate pace. The crowd is cheering loudly while Mills now rolls in the direction of Commander V as well, both men desperately needing to make a tag. To a loud ovation Ryan tags in Commander V and Riggs slaps the outstretched palm of Partis.

Douglas: Both men have made the TAG!

Mayne: Things are going to start getting a whole lot more crazy then.

Denile quickly slips through the ropes into the ring, beginning to rush across it when Commander V springs to the top rope, taking flight then coming down seat first right on top of Partis’ sternum. Denile crashes onto his back with Commander V landing on top of his sternum in a seated position then rolls over backwards. He gets onto his feet and grabs hold of Denile’s legs, jumping forward into the jackknife cover. All the way Riggs is watching this while he leans exhaustedly against the turnbuckle, trying his best to get up and help his partner.

Partis gets his shoulder up, causing Commander V to drop to his seat at Denile’s side then take him by the hair. He rolls him over to his feet then pulls him down into a hard jawbreaker, Denile becoming disorientated while the Commander rushes up at his side, catching him with a head scissors. He spins around out of it though and lands at Partis’ side, dropping back into a Russian Leg Sweep. The crowd is cheering as Commander V rolls over backwards onto his feet after hitting the move and now grabs hold of Denile’s ankle, lifting up on it. As a result Denile falls over backwards onto his feet, standing up straight while Commander V places him in position for the downward spiral. He is about to hit it only to have Denile back elbow him to the skull, breaking up the predicament. The Commander staggers behind Partis who has his back aimed towards his opponent. The quick video game addict jumps into the air, landing on top of Denile’s shoulders for some type of reverse hurricaran. However, Partis places his hands to Commander V’s thighs and pushes him up into the air, causing him to flip over backwards landing on his feet with great agility. He turns to rush at the corner to hit an aerial move only to walk into a superkick from Riggs who was lying in wait. The strike sends Commander V staggering backwards with his eyes fluttering, turning right into the Roses.

Dan: Partis with his version of the TWIST OF FATE!

Mayne: I can’t believe Riggs and Partis just worked together to hit that move!

The referee drops down as Partis crawls into the cover, hooking both of Commander V’s legs.

Ryan Mills gets to his knees on the apron and glares through the ropes at his partner, his hands sliding into his hair and almost ripping it out. He can’t believe that his team has just been defeated thanks to him placing trust in his partner.

Dan: Partis and Riggs have done it, they’ve just won what was a highly competitive, fast paced opening Tag Team bout here tonight on Riot!

Mayne: A fair finish in an opening match? Am I watching the same show?

Douglas: Indeed you are.

The Manhattan Center crowd is cheering over this fast paced opening bout as Riggs shockingly steps to Denile’s side, grabbing his arm and lifting it into the air, pointing in his direction. This makes the crowd cheer all the louder as Riggs shows some respect for his partner.

Mayne: Boorriiinngg.

Douglas: Riggs and Partis standing side by side, surprisingly working very well together here tonight. I can’t tell you how nice it is to see these great athletes getting alon…oh no!

Partis is grinning before he’s superkicked right under the jaw by his own tag team partner, Riggs laying him out completely on the canvas. The tune from the Manhattan Center has been drastically altered by this betrayal as Riggs now glares down at the laid out Partis and shakes his head without a single display of emotion in his features. Mills stands up in his corner, not even caring to so much as glance at this developing situation as he stares down at his recovering tag team partner, Commander V.

Mayne: HAHAHA, Riggs just laid out Partis, brilliant!

Douglas: I knew this was too good to be true. Riggs can’t forgive what Partis did to him at the pay-view.

Riggs continues to loom over top of Partis, who is trying his best to recover from that superkick.

START TALKING

The crowd is still shocked over the way this contest has ended as Ryan Mills is still glaring with anger upon the rising, struggling Commander V. All the while Partis turns onto his elbows and knees, rubbing at his jaw and looking furious as Riggs approaches him, kneeling down at his side. A chuckle emanates from the crafty veteran, who lowers at his partner’s side, clapping his hands spitefully. Suddenly Partis turns and slugs Riggs right under the jaw, knocking him down to the canvas.

Douglas: Tag team partner’s fighting it out!

Mayne: I don’t know how any of these guys got along as long as they did.

Commander V is shaking his head over what he’s seeing between Partis and Riggs, doing the noble thing by stepping in and trying to separate them. As soon as he does Mills rushes up behind him, delivering a clubbing blow to his upper back and knocking him forward into all of the chaos. He falls on top of Partis, who turns and begins to slug the Commander to his face repeatedly, Riggs gets up with his back pressed to he ropes as Mills moves towards him. Both men begin to exchange right hands with one another while the crowd is cheering at the sight of this brawl erupting in the ring between all four athletes who just moments ago were tag team partners. Commander V ducks under a left hand from Partis and rushes towards Mills who turns to face him, receiving a double axehandle to the face which sends him crashing to the canvas. Riggs now steps away from the ropes and hits a double knife edge chop right to Commander V’s chest, knocking him backwards into the waiting arms of Partis. Denile buries his shoulder to Commander V’s back and lifts him into the air only to have his opponent float over and land behind him. He jumps into the air and dropkicks Partis to the back, sending him charging right into Riggs, who he collides with violently, both men beginning to deck each other yet again.

ENOUGH, ENOUGH GOD DAMMIT!

The crowd inside of the Manhattan Center unleashes a loud mixed reaction at the sight of General Manager AWOL marching down the ramp with a microphone gripped in his hand and a fancy red suit clinging to his body. Nothing about his demeanor strikes one as elegant or fancy in the slightest however, as he storms up the stairs leading onto the apron.

Dan: General Manager AWOL apparently having his fill on this violence in the ring.

Mayne: How hypocritical, he’s the most violent man in IWC history, and also the baldest, hahahaha.

Douglas: Was that suppose to be funny?

Billy: Possibly.

The flabbergasted GM now stands on the apron, glaring into the ring at the four individuals who has ceased beating the hell of each other, all of them now glaring at the twisted features of their boss. Commander V is on one knee, sweating and glaring at AWOL in bewilderment, while Mils uses the ropes to pull himself to his feet, appearing just as confused. Partis and Riggs still have their fists clinched but hesitate to use them to inflict pain on one another, waiting to hear what AWOL has to say.

AWOL: Can we for once just have one opening match that doesn’t end with some type of lunacy?

The four competitors in the ring exchange awkward glances with one another before their eyes are drawn back to their angered GM.

AWOL: Not that I mind chaos, since I’ve provided much of it throughout my illustrious career, but this is getting ridiculously redundant. I know I said several weeks ago that I was going to go with the flow since apparently I don’t have much time left with this company, but the way things have gone down lately is enough to make me upchuck. So to end this, and get all of you out of my sight before I vomit on each and every single one of your sickening little faces, next week on Riot! you’ll face each other in a four corner survival. Now get the hell out of my ring!

He motions with his thumb for them to vacate the ring while repulsion is clear on his contorted features. The four competitors in the ring continue to exchange glances yet back away from one another slowly. Mills is the first to exit the ring, dropping to the mats then slapping the apron as he points at all three individuals still within the squared circle, insisting that he’s going to defeat them with ease next week. Denile hangs his head and mouths something to himself while slipping through the ropes onto the apron then dropping to the mats. He backs up and doesn’t take his eyes off of Riggs, who is watching him leave as well. Commander V exits the ring and begins to shout at Mills, who talks smash to him as well while they both walk to the back. Finally, the only man left in the ring is Riggs, who tilts his head as he and the General Manager exchange a long, awkward glare.

Douglas: AWOL laying down the law, stopping this brawl and in the process announcing a four corner survival next week with Commander V vs. Ryan Mills vs. Riggs vs. Denile Partis. That should be an out of control encounter.

Mayne: And it most likely gives all four men what they want, the chance to hurt each other badly. That is pretty much the point of wrestling isn’t it? With the exception of all the melodrama of course.

AWOL steps over the ropes into the ring gripping his mic tightly and continuing to stare down Riggs. The painted individual shows little fear of the intimidating GM, even smiling slightly as he slips through the ropes and drops to the outside mats. There seems to be more on AWOL’s mind than just his minor brawl that erupted though, turning in a huff to face the entry way.

AWOL: You people might not be able to tell, but I’m in quite a foul mood.

Mayne: When isn’t he?

AWOL: And what has got me so damned enraged is what happened at Redemption Roe! A payper-view that had a simple gauntlet match turned into yet another over-complicated melodrama. The match I booked and took great care in developing so as to ensure that several things came to an end, was ruined once more by shitty, ass backwards officiating. Therefore, I’m ordering one Alex Ingelson to bring himself to this ring, drop to his knees before me and explain why it was that he made such a controversial decision that saw Jon Rich and Orlando Cruze emerge with the Tag Team Titles. Get out here Ingelson, or I’ll drag your bloodied British corpse to this ring until my homicidal urges are satisfied.

The threat is heard loud and clear by the wiry little official who reluctantly, tentatively makes his way through the curtains. There is a mixed reaction from the Manhattan Center crowd at the sight of the meek Alex Ingelson, who with a lowered head makes his way towards the ring. Goosebumps protrude from his skin as he realizes that he is about to face a very angry, and highly unstable AWOL.

Douglas: Alex Ingelson looking as if he’s walking the green mile.

Mayne: He better be prepared for a fate worst than electrocution. He really stepped in at Redemption Roe, because he not only announced Jon Rich as the winner, but to make matters a hundred times worse, he said Cruze was victorious too, even though they’re on opposing teams. It doesn’t make the slightest bit of since.

With his head still lowered and fear permeating every inch of slender frame, Ingelson makes his way onto the apron then slips through the ropes. He forces himself to move towards AWOL who is seething with anger.

AWOL: Ingelson, I suggest you have a very, very good explanation for why you did what you did, because getting fired will be the least of your worries.

AWOL thrusts the microphone out against Alex’s chest, almost knocking him over in the process then glaring down his nose as the horrified official. Ingelson seems to be scrambling for an explanation that will placate AWOL as he slowly lifts the microphone to his lips.

Ingelson: Mr. AWOL, I’m not going to lie because I know you’d see right through it…

AWOL: Damn straight…

Ingelson: So I’m going to be completely honest with you. Although I think I made the right decision….

AWOL’s eyes roll, finding that notion preposterous.

Alex: I may have been swayed by outside forces.

The crowd perks up a bit, finding themselves a little more interested, as does AWOL. Ingelson is a little more worried as he continues.

Ingelson: Before the match began I got a phone call that informed me if I didn’t tip the scales against Orlando Cruze and Nathan Creed, that I would be fired. I just couldn’t bring myself to show favoritism throughout the match though, it wasn’t in me, this job is my life and I’ll be damned if I disrespect the referee code. But in the end when both Rich and Orlando had the pins, and I declared them both the Tag Team Champions, I knew I could have continued the contest until we had a fair winner, I knew there were many other likely possibilities to ensure a less controversial finish, but I was hoping that my decision would not only benefit the person who made the call, but also Cruze as well. I thought for sure it be the best thing to do for both parties.

This explanation doesn’t sit well with AWOL, in fact it’s only made him all the more angry.

Ingelson: I’m truly sorry for what I did. I never meant to hurt the competitors involved in that match, the fans, or this company. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place, my job or my loyalty to these performers who bust their asses every night for the IWC. I understand what I did was wrong though AWOL, and I’m willing to take whatever punishment your willing to give me.

Alex again lowers his head, almost in tears while he extends the microphone out in the direction of his boss. The GM slowly takes the mic from Alex’s hand and then lifts his fist into the air, seconds away from striking this puny referee, from making him pay for his insolence. Something stops him though as his chest heaves with anger and his eyes slowly close. His palm opens and gently pats the shoulder of Alex Ingelson, a reaction nobody in the building was expecting.

Douglas: You mean to tell us that the owner threatened to fire Ingelson if he didn’t find a way to rob Orlando Cruze and Nathan Creed of their World Title aspirations?

Mayne: That’s somewhat shocking, but not as stunning as Ingelson’s ignorance in thinking that by making Rich and Cruze the Tag Team Champions that it would please our employer.

AWOL calms himself while patting the increasingly nervous Ingelson on his shoulder.

AWOL: Alex, I’m not a monster, I have sympathy, I have compassion, well, at least during sweeps week. The point is, I don’t blame you for what happened, I know that your hand was forced, and I know who made you do it. I’m not going to leave you in a state where they’re still finding pieces of you months from now, I’m not even going to suspend you. But what I am going to do is put you on probation until you find a way to redeem yourself to me, and all these fans, but mostly me.

Alex nods his sullenly, pleased that he won’t be fired but immediately questioning how he can make things up to AWOL. The GM doesn’t wait for him to come up with something, instead he pushes him aside and glares towards the entry way once more.

AWOL: But if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time I had a word with the real culprits responsible for this travesty.

AWOL moves towards the ropes, beginning to slide through them onto the apron, obviously set on getting answers from the ladies in charge. Just as he is about to fully exit the ring Blood for Blood by Machine Head hits the PA system, causing the crowd to react with a wave of cheers. AWOL stands up straight on the apron and eyes the entry way speculatively, arching his eyebrow as through the curtains emerges the Cartel Champion himself, Psycho. The gold adorns his shoulder and a hooded sweatshirt clings to his large frame. All the while his eyes peak out from beneath the shadows cast by his hood, locked on the now smiling AWOL who slides back into the ring.

Douglas: Things certainly not panning out the way that AWOL had envisioned, just as he was about to go backstage and let Sallie & Krissie have it, although Sallie isn’t here tonight, he’s cut off by his former protégé Psycho.

Mayne: Some people have been waiting for this confrontation for a while now, not me, but some people.

AWOL now stands in the center of the ring, holding his ground and observing Psycho moving towards him without the hesitation and fear shown by Alex Ingelson. The maniacal mass that AWOL twisted and distorted mentally for months hops onto the apron and slips through the ropes. He doesn’t allow his title to drop from his shoulder while moving almost eye to eye with the GM, who doesn’t back down when faced with his former protégé. Ingelson reacts differently, quickly vacating the ring to avoid these opposing monsters and thankful that he escaped with his life.

Dan: AWOL and Psycho face to face, and after months of threats the Cartel Champion appears as if he’s had enough.

Mayne: I’ve had enough of this issue myself, it’s been going for the last 6 months or so.

The eyes of both monstrous figures remain interlocked while Psycho slowly takes a microphone from the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. Before he can get a word in edgewise, AWOL quickly cuts him off.

AWOL: Well, well, what can I do for my ungrateful little protégé…?

Psycho: NO! The time for you to talk and for me to listen is over!

A loud ovation emanates from the fans while AWOL acts somewhat surprised, rearing his head with a smirk on his face.

Psycho: At the payper-view, I finally realized something. That for the past couple of years I’ve been a sham, a fraud, a hoax. I haven’t been the monster, the psychotic miscreant I’ve claimed to be. Inside I’ve been treated like nothing more than a puppet. No one has cared about my opinion, no one has valued or respected my own choices. I’ve been controlled, and manipulated, and made to live in fear of what others thought. I’ve done nothing more than try to please individuals like you AWOL, to live up to your convoluted, maniacal standards. I’m here now to officially cut the strings, to make it clear to you Mr. General Manager, that I no longer worry or concern myself with what you think of me or what you have planned for me.

AWOL blinks his eyes awkwardly but grins all the wider.

Psycho: I became the Cartel Champion when I stopped caring, when I stopped trying to be what you wanted me to be, when I stopped trying to please you, and it opened my eyes to the truth. You can no longer live vicariously through me AWOL, you can no longer use me as the instrument of your will, to dish out your oppression. Just look at you, you’ve been saying for months that you were going to take great joy in my destruction, my misery, yet with the exception of rambling endlessly you’ve done nothing. You’ve sat behind your desk and bitched and complained, all the while not accomplishing a single, solitary thing, not inflicting even a minuscule amount of pain upon me. I’ve realized a lot of things over the past few weeks AWOL, and one of these epiphanies, is that your nothing more than all talk.

The crowd has another loud mixed reaction at the sound of this claim while AWOL’s smile fades and it replaced with force seriousness. He shakes his head all the while.

Psycho: Here I am AWOL, here I am standing in the ring right before you, this would be the perfect time for you to dish out the punishment you’ve been rambling about for months now. So do it Big Crazy Bastard, make me suffer, get it over with….

AWOL: Oh please!

Psycho stops in mid-sentence and now finds himself glaring peculiarly at the smirking AWOL.

AWOL: Do you really think that I’m just going to rush into something as important as this? And yes, your punishment, nay, your destruction is very important to me due to the satisfaction I’ll get not from watching your bones break, or your blood flow, but from seeing the hope vanish from your eyes.

Psycho: Oh yeah, why wait any longer, you’ve done enough pussyfooting around so hop to it! Get it over with, come on Big Crazy Bastard, come on!

Again the General Manager begins to shake his head with a smirk on his face as he raises his palm.

AWOL: Whoa there big fella, settle down now. Like I said, you’ll just have to continue waiting for my punishment, or who knows, maybe this is your punishment, the excruciatingly long, unbearable wait. Who says there will even be a payoff, maybe I just get joy out of watching you squirm as you wonder what I have in store for you.

The diabolical smirk on his face becomes all the more threatening while Psycho stands his ground and shows little to no emotion. Finally the General Manager steps back in the direction of the ropes.

AWOL: But since your in such a fighting mood, far be it from me not to offer up some physicality so that you can get out all this aggression. Therefore, what do you say we start your Cartel title defense right after the next commercial break? That good for you, because it be pretty entertaining for me.

AWOL throws down the microphone and slips through the cables onto the apron, glaring at Psycho who vindictively stares back, aching for the possibility to get his hands around the throat of his former mentor. AWOL merely chuckles as he drops to the mats and marches up the ramp, not even looking back.

Douglas: Wow, Psycho will have to defend his Cartel Championship, NEXT!

Mayne: That was an interesting little bomb dropped on him by AWOL, let’s hope it doesn’t lead to the equally undeserving Faust emerging from this match with the Cartel title.

Psycho continues to seethe as he watches AWOL march to the backstage area, but now he must begin formulating a strategy for the impending confrontation.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

CATCH THE REPLAY, ON PAYPER-VIEW

PSYCHO © VS. FAUST

Psycho is still standing in the ring with his hood and sweatshirt now removed and the Cartel title handed over to the official, who holds it in the air.

Douglas: Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, and if your just tuning in you missed a plethora of bombshells being dropped on us, most importantly the statement made by AWOL that Psycho’s Cartel Championship defense will take place right this second!

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 smiles and waits for his opponent.

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.

Douglas: At IWC Redemption Roe, Faust emerged victorious from the one on one bout with Silencer under somewhat jaded means, and he was permitted to announce any match that he desires. Therefore, tonight, right here on Riot! he’ll collide one on one with Psycho for the Cartel Championship…

Mayne: In a match with no rules, except for the rule that no one can interfere. I’m terribly confused. See what happens when you let wrestlers run the asylum?

Dan: Yeah, anyway this should be a spectacular one on one match between Psycho and Faust tonight for the gold, and Faust’s first opportunity at putting a title around his waist.

Billy: And I wouldn’t be heartbroken if it were his last. God this is horrible, one way or another somebody who doesn’t deserve the title is emerging with the gold tonight. What horrid abyss of crap have we been sucked into?

Douglas: The type where you still get a weekly paycheck. I don’t agree with you in the slightest Billy, both of these men have been busting their asses for months and now they collide for one of the biggest Championships in the company.

Mayne: I’d rather sit through a whole episode of the Nanny than watch….hey, now things have gotten interesting, look, look!

Dan: What are Pat Evans and Aurora Rose doing here!?!

The camera briefly cuts to one of the many balconies in the Manhattan Center where Submission Champion Pat Evans is standing with Aurora Rose remaining at his side. The duo are glaring from the balcony to the ring with conniving expressions on their faces. Both Faust and Psycho briefly turn as they spot the gathered duo, not liking what they observe in the slightest. Psycho seems more confused by their presence when the bell rings and Faust comes rushing across the ring, jumping into the air drilling the Sadistic One to the jaw with a forearm strike. The blow sends Psycho staggering backwards, tumbling spine first into the turnbuckle, completely caught off guard by his opponent. Faust steps forward, swinging a big right into Psycho’s jaw, followed by another equally as vicious shot. He now grabs the top rope, beginning to stomp his opponent repeatedly to the mid-section, attempting to inflict as much pain as possible and do so quickly. Suddenly Psycho reaches out, grabbing hold of Faust’s head and switching places with him, throwing his opponent spine first into the corner. He delivers a quick, vicious knife edge chop to Faust’s sternum which echoes throughout the arena then steps back quickly. He moves to the center of the ring then bolts forward going for a big splash when Faust moves out of the way. As a result Psycho slams sternum first into the corner, Faust rushing up behind him into a huge knee strike to the back of the head. The shot echoes throughout the arena while the crowd cheers accordingly, Faust dropping to his feet then backing to the center of the ring yet again.

Dan: This match starting off at a very quick pace!

Mayne: Indeed it has, which thankfully means that it will end quickly as well, right, right?

Douglas: Given the will power and resolve of both these men, I think not.

Billy: Rats.

Faust steps to the center of the ring as his attention deviates to the balcony where both Evans and Rose are still gathered. Aurora twiddles her fingers in the direction of Faust who points back at Evans in a spiteful manner. He now turns towards Psycho and rushes right at his spine only to have the Cartel Champion back elbow him right to the face. The shot knocks Faust backwards, greatly disorientating him while the big man spins around and rushes forward into a lariat that his quicker opponent ducks under. Psycho staggers forward with his back aimed towards Faust who rushes into the corner behind him, jumping to the second rope then springing off. He twists in mid-air, landing on Psycho’s sternum in a fallaway slam position. The monstrous apparition pushes Faust’s legs away from him and sends his opponent swinging through the air for what should be a truly gruesome slam. However, Faust is able to squirm free at the last second, landing feet first on the canvas behind his opponent. He now rushes forward and jumps into the air, landing on Psycho’s shoulders from behind then falling forward, pulling his massive opponent down into a victory roll. He holds down the back of Psycho’s legs while sitting on the canvas, the crowd having a mixed reaction while official Wright makes the count.

Psycho kicks out rather quickly while both men rise to their feet. They rush at each other only to have Psycho place his hands to Faust’s ribs, throwing him up into the air. As Faust gets airborne though he twists his body around, coming down shins first right on top of Psycho’s shoulders then falling forward. He connects with a head scissors, flipping Psycho over and sending him rolling forward across the canvas right onto his feet. He falls side first against the ropes while Faust pushes himself up on top of his head, nipping off of it onto his feet when Psycho rushes forward, drilling him with a hard jumping knee strike right to the face. The strike echoes throughout the arena and sends Faust crashing into the canvas across the back of his head and shoulders.

Douglas: These guys throwing everything they can at each other right away in this Cartel Championship encounter!

Mayne: Yet it’s still going, hit your finishers already and be done with this, please!

Psycho rolls away from Faust and now crawls towards him with quickness, burying his forearm into his down opponent’s face. All the while his eyes are locked on the balcony where Aurora and Evans are still watching with tilted heads, showing no other emotion though.

Faust gets his shoulder up, turning away from Psycho and feeling his fangs to ensure that their still intact. Psycho rises and boots Faust to the back of the head and now takes him around the jaw, rolling him over onto his knees. He quickly pulls Faust up to his feet and places him in a front chancery, grabbing hold of the back of his pants then lifting him up into the air. He places him in a vertical suplex position only for Faust to flip forward out of the predicament, landing on his feet behind Psycho then rushing forward with great quickness. He jumps into the air, landing feet first on the middle rope then springing off and twisting in mid-air. Psycho turns to face Faust who takes him around the neck and pulls him around into a small package. The crowd is shocked by the brilliant aerial display.

Psycho kicks out now, both men rushing one another to their feet yet again. Psycho stands while Faust crawls forward under his legs only to have his large opponent reach down and catch hold of his leg, lifting it into the air. He now sits down on top of the leg, placing Faust in the Boston Crab. The Vampire Lord forces himself up onto his elbows, immediately beginning to roar in pain as he finds himself trapped in this quick submission.

Mayne: No Psycho, don’t slow this match down by working over a body part do more high impact moves!

Douglas: Psycho taking hold of that leg and now trying to force a submission out of the Vampire Lord!

Faust continues to yell out in pain yet starts to crawl towards the ropes, reaching out with his hand for it before Psycho twists around, trying to lock in an STF at this point to stop him. Unfortunately for Psycho he can’t get it locked in before Faust grabs the top rope, official Wright immediately demanding he breaks the submission. A five count is started which eventually makes Psycho stop going for the STF and instead step back, taking hold of his opponent’s legs. He lifts them into the air, placing them around his waist then leaning forward, taking Faust around his mid-section before hoisting him into the air with a wheelbarrow. Psycho catches hold of Faust’s arm in the process, allowing him to drop to his feet in front of him then dropping back into a half nelson suplex. The multiple time former SCW World Champion flips over backwards though and lands gracefully on his feet to the astonishment of everyone. He now charges backwards into the ropes, bouncing off of the cables then building a lot of momentum as he comes rushing back in at Psycho who stands catching him against his palms. The crowd begins to scream as Psycho stands and holds Faust above his head in a Gorilla press then throws him over the top rope. Faust comes crashing down from an incredible height before crashing with a splat against the mats.

The Manhattan Center crowd grimaces while cheering at the sight of what they just witnessed, watching Faust roll in the direction of the barricade. He appears terribly dazed yet somehow rises to his feet rather quickly, staggering towards the ring only to look up in time to spot Psycho flipping over the top rope into a twisting pancha, crashing back first right on top of his opponent’s sternum. Both men spill to the outside mats with Psycho rolling off of the laid out Faust, who is convulsing as a result of the impact with the matting. Psycho rises to his feet and his eyes shoot in the direction of the two individuals remaining in the balcony, their interest not peaked whatsoever at the sight of that death defying dive.

Douglas: Psycho throwing all of that weight right into Faust! What an amazing dive!

Mayne: How many times must I reiterate that fat man shouldn’t be allowed to fly, they are not aerodynamically created to soar.

Dan: Just like your not intelligent enough to commentate.

The landing has left Faust splattered across the outside mats as Psycho takes him by the hair, pulling him up to his feet then lifting him up into the air with another military press. He steps towards the ring and throws him through the ropes back into squared circle. Faust lands on the canvas while Psycho slips under the ropes into the ring, standing up then rushing forward. He builds momentum before jumping into the air, extending his back and dropping all of his weight right across Faust’s ribs. The back first senton splash leaves Faust convulsing on the canvas as a result, covering his pain ridden mid-section while his much larger opponent crawls into the cover.

Faust shoots his shoulder from the canvas Psycho pushes him over onto his stomach, interlocking his hands around his jaw then leaning back. He has him in almost a modified crossface without trapping the arm, just wrenching back as far as he can on the head and neck. Roars of anguish emanate from Faust as he tries to pull the hands away from his jaw, Evans leaning forward on the balcony to get a good view of the pain being inflicted on his rival. Faust begins to pull the hands away from his jaw when Psycho breaks the hold, standing up over top of his opponent and jumping into the air. The full weight of his knee crashes down into the back of Faust’s head and neck, causing him to convulse as a result. He now stands up and takes Faust around the neck, pulling him up to his feet before snapmaring him over onto the canvas. Somehow, to the shock of many, Faust flips forward and lands on his feet then rushes forward into the cables. He bounces off the ropes, coming back in at Psycho who rushes forward and almost decapitates him with a lariat. Faust flips over backwards and slams into the ring across the back of his head and shoulders, the crowd screaming at the sheer force of the lariat.

Douglas: What a brutal, absolutely brutal clothesline from Psycho!

Mayne: That should be enough to win him the Cartel Championship right there, of course Faust will find a way to kick out and prolong my agony.

Dan: Your agony is quite amusing.

Psycho approaches the down Vampire Lord and takes him around the neck, rolling him to his knees then placing him in a front chancery. He forces Faust up to his feet then hoists him up into the air into a vertical suplex position before releasing him and twisting him around so that he comes down into a tombstone piledriver. The fans react with astonishment as the top of Faust’s head crashes into the canvas and he pops up onto his seat, his eyes fluttering as they try to remain open. Psycho grabs hold of Faust’s shoulder, dragging him down onto his back then falling into the cover. The fans are screaming, some pleading with Faust to kick out, others hoping he has been defeated.

Faust kicks out, getting his shoulder up and somehow maintaining his ambitions of emerging with the Cartel Championship. All the while Aurora and Evans watch from the balcony shaking their heads in disgust over what they’re witnessing, finally showing some emotion. Psycho pulls Faust over to his knees then drags him to his feet, delivering a stiff open hand palm strike to one side of his cheek, then delivering a shot to the opposite side. Each blow causes Faust to stagger in reverse, his cheeks reddening from the stiff strikes to the cranium as he falls spine first against the turnbuckle. The massive force places his shoulder to the gut of Faust, lifting him up into the air then seating him on the top rope where he delivers another incredibly stiff open hand palm strike. He now pulls Faust’s head down and places it over his shoulder, pulling him off of the turnbuckle and stepping backwards as he holds his opponent in predicament for what appears to be a muscle buster. Instead he rushes forward though and pushes him down into the Ki Crusher, Faust crashing into the canvas across the back of his head and shoulders, landing in front of the seated Psycho.

Billy: What a violent move by Psycho!! That could have snapped the Challenger’s neck!

Douglas: Psycho stepping up the violence level a little here, which is mildly entertaining as long as it ends with Faust being crippled. Of course then he’d have an excuse to push himself around in a wheelchair wearing one of those bandanas and talking about Vietnam.

The fans are stunned by the vicious landing as Faust lies almost comatose on the canvas, Psycho crawling into the cover yet again. As he buries his forearm against Faust’s face he glances over his shoulder in the direction of the observing couple occupying the balcony.

Faust again kicks out, even after taking such a deadly, dangerous move from his larger opponent. The disgruntled Psycho pushes Faust over onto his stomach and now locks in the modified crossface yet again. He pulls back on the head and neck of Faust once more, almost snapping his cranium from his spinal cord. The enraged Psycho exerts all of his strength on the hold, his eyes widening with rage throughout the process.

Mayne: Psycho going back to the same old well, these matches are getting so formulaic.

Douglas: Much like our usual back and forth banter. Psycho has Faust back in the crossface, which is a sound strategy.

Billy: I think you might want to describe it more accurately, in which the word, BORING, would be used.

Psycho leans further and further back on the head of his opposition until the back of Faust’s skull is almost touching his shoulder blades. Still he refuses to tap out though, before finally taking one of his opponent’s hand and sinking his fangs into it. Psycho begins to roar in pain as blood is produced from his fingers, breaking the submission then beginning to drill Faust repeatedly over the back of his head and shoulders with clubbing blows. He is absolutely infuriated as he rises to his feet and takes Faust by the back of the head, pulling him up to his knees. As soon as he does this he delivers a straight, blistering kick right to the face of Faust, causing him to bob and weave on his knees. Psycho steps backwards across the ring, pulling down his elbow pad and glancing at Rose and Evans one more time. He seems to be setting up for that ever so deadly lariat as he bends forward waiting anxiously for Faust to stand. The fanged apparition is incredibly dazed and confused as he starts to force himself up to his feet. Although having incredible difficulty in doing so Faust rises when Psycho comes barreling across the ring, throwing a dangerous lariat at his throat only to have his opponent duck under the shot and rush forward. He jumps into a head stand, the back of his legs hitting the top rope and sending him into a backwards flip where he lands on his feet then springs off of them. He twists as Psycho turns to face him and receives a deadly buzzsaw kick right to the face. The crowd pops as Psycho is taken to the canvas and Faust comes down at his side, shaking his head in an attempt to fight off the damage that has thus far been inflicted on him.

Douglas: Faust finally coming back in this bout!

Mayne: Arrrggghh, just when it seemed Psycho was going to put him away.

Faust crawls towards the ropes, grabbing hold of them and dragging his damaged frame to his feet before springing to the middle rope. He flips over backwards, crashing into Psycho with the moonsault then rolling away from him gripping at the back of his neck. Faust rises to his feet, staggering around then rushing forward, flipping into a senton leg drop right across Psycho’s throat. The Sadistic One begins to convulse, sitting up on the canvas then grabbing at his neck while Faust stands at his side then rushes into the ropes in front of him. He bounces off the cables and comes rushing back in at the seated Psycho who suddenly rises while gripping at his throat. Somehow he is able to catch Faust by the throat, grabbing him by the back of the pants in the process then hoisting him into the air for the chokeslam. As he gets him up though Faust drags his throat free and twists his body, reaching back with his legs and wrapping them around Psycho’s waist. He falls forward, pulling Psycho down into a roll up while sitting on his sternum and the crowd cheering.

Psycho kicks out again, getting his shoulder off of the canvas while Faust rolls in reverse right onto his feet. The Sadistic One rushes to a standing base then charges at the Vampire Lord who suddenly springs into the air, connecting with a spinning heel kick right to the deformed features of his opponent. Psycho crashes onto his back while Faust rolls away from him, still gripping at his neck in the process.

Mayne: Faust only helping to improve Psycho’s looks with that spinning heel kick. Oh man, I crack myself up.

Douglas: Something is cracked inside of you, that’s for sure.

The portly Psycho forces himself up to his feet slowly while Faust steps in, delivering a jab to his jaw, followed by another shot. He takes Psycho around the neck, bending his head forward and setting up for the Darkness DDT only to have his behemoth of an opponent shove him backwards into the cables. Faust bounces off the cables and comes rushing back in at Psycho who bends forward catching him against his shoulders, he stands up and drops back into a vicious Samoan Drop. The big man now leans back and hooks Faust’s legs for the pinfall.

Faust kicks out to the astonishment of the sold out crowd while Psycho sits up, appearing quite enraged. He doesn’t seem to like the fact that he can’t finish off the Vampire Lord, rising sluggishly to his feet. The Sadistic Savage approaches the ropes and slips through them onto the apron, dropping down to the outside mats then throwing the ring tarp into the air. He reaches under the squared circle and retrieves a 2x4 wrapped in barbwire.

Douglas: Oh my God, oh my God no!

Mayne: No disqualification Dan, no disqualification!

Psycho lifts the 2x4 into the air, gazing into its surface with a vicious grin on his face. He now turns towards the ring and rolls in under the ropes while Aurora and Pat lean forward with depraved interest. Faust is getting to his knees, barely able to hold himself up as Psycho lifts the 2x4 into the air, his eyes shining with intensity as he steps forward to take his opponent’s head off. Suddenly Faust jumps forward and catches Psycho around the hip, pulling him down into a school boy then rising to his feet and flipping over top of the legs of his opponent. He now holds him in a modified jackknife cover as the crowd screams.

The Manhattan Center is floored with a wave of absolute shock as Faust has just come out of nowhere to pick up a win over Psycho.

Douglas: I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it! Psycho has just been pinned, Faust has just won the Cartel Championship!

Mayne: Another title change!?! Are you shitting me!?!

The sold out crowd is still screaming as Psycho sits up, his face weighed own with astonishment, and his eyes clouded with disbelief. He shakes his head, refusing to believe that he was just pinned while the referee has stepped past him with the Cartel Championship in hand. He gives it to Faust who looks down at the belt with a smile on his face, having trouble believing he won the belt himself. He stands up nevertheless though and lifts the title into the air, pointing at it in the process while glaring straight at Pat Evans on the balcony. A smirking Evans offers up a half hearted clap in response to this surprising victory.

Douglas: What a shocking turn of events here on Riot! A new Cartel Champion has been crowned!

Mayne: Psycho is going to flip out!

Psycho remains seated on the canvas, grabbing his hair in rage while Faust continues to raise his newly won title into the air, his eyes focused on Evans.

PUSHED ASIDE

To a huge reaction Orlando Cruze marches forward into the camera frame, the Tag Team title belt shimmering sharply over his shoulder. His conflicted features stare forward, his emotions mixed as he approaches the doorway leading into his dressing room, knowing full well who waits for him inside. After taking a breath he steps into the dressing room where Nathan Creed is seated inside. His forearms are placed over his knees and his seat is planted in a steel chair, showing the same confusion that Orlando outwardly displays. As soon as Cruze enters Nathan eagerly meets him with his eyes and rises from his chair.

Orlando: Nathan, bro, we need to talk.

He steps forward reassuringly only to be stopped and have his words cut off by the anxious Nathan.

Nathan: There’s no need to say a thing, Orlando. Don’t worry, I’m happy for you man.

Creed’s palm slaps Orlando’s shoulder reassuringly. He proceeds this by lifting a knuckle and tapping it on the title belt over his now grinning partner.

Cruze: Well, I have to say I’m a little surprised; are you sure your cool with it?

The thought that he wouldn’t be seems to annoy Nathan.

Creed: Why wouldn’t I be? We’re partners man, and although we didn’t walk out of that match the Tag Team Champions like we should have, at the very least one of us came away with title gold.

Orlando nods but notices the almost sarcastic tone in his partner’s voice.

Orlando: I know you’ve got to be upset about this Nathan, hell, even I am. 3N should be standing here with the Tag Team Titles and one of us should be going to Paranoia V right now. But instead they found a way to screw you out of the belt and to make me jump over one last hurdle in order to main event Paranoia V.

Again Creed responds with minor annoyance.

Creed: I’m telling you I’m fine. Honestly, it bothered me a little initially, but I’m cool with it now. I’m happy for you, and I hope you beat Jon Rich tonight to go to Paranoia V, I know you can do it. Don’t worry about me, because I’m going to make sure I accomplish something hu….

Hey Lando, sorry for interrupting…

Nathan looks up in agitation over being cut off in mid announcement as Jon Rich moves into the dressing room and slaps Orlando Cruze on the back. The Icon spins around eyeing Rich who proudly holds both of his championships over each shoulder yet wears a somewhat confident grin on his face.

Orlando: Well, if isn’t Jon Rich.

The crowd inside of the Manhattan Center is buzzing with excitement at the sight of the new Tag Team Champions standing mono a mono, yet with tension in the air between them.

Rich: That’s me, one half the owners of the Tag Team Titles.

Rich lifts his belt into the air, emphasizing it’s presence with a point of his finger.

Jon: I just wanted to come back here and let you know, Icon, that I for one don’t have a problem teaming with you at all, in fact, I welcome the opportunity.

The fans cheer passionately, pleased with the notion of Orlando Cruze and Jon Rich working together.

Rich: I look forward to standing in the ring with you defending these Titles against the very best that they can throw at us.

Orlando smiles and strokes his jaw, nodding his head slowly in the process as if absorbing this display of respect. All the while Nathan watches this conversation continue, his arms crossed over his sternum bitterly.

Orlando: I respect your respect Rich, and I just want you to know that although 3N should be rightfully standing here with the Tag Team Titles, I could see no second better partner than yourself.

The Icon slaps Rich on the shoulder this time while Jon grins and licks his lips.

Rich: Thanks for that, and although I said I can’t wait to team with you, I’m looking more forward to facing you tonight.

Another loud reaction commences from the crowd as Rich steps towards Orlando until they’re only a few inches apart, tension escalating between them.

Cruze: Well then that’s both good and bad. Because while we are Tag Team Champions, I won’t be treating you like a partner in that ring tonight, especially with the opportunity to face Hurse for the World Heavyweight Championship hanging in the balance. You better expect to get everything I’ve got in that ring tonight.

Rich: I wouldn’t accept any less. But in the end, rest assure Orlando, I may respect you, but that won’t stop me from beating you. Then you’ll be watching me in the main event at Paranoia V, taking the World Heavyweight title into my possession.

The acidic tongue of Rich doesn’t phase Orlando in the slightest, in fact it only further motivates him for the friendly contest that will be waged for the number one contendership here tonight.

Orlando: That’s a nice dream, but that’s all it is, a dream, one that will end when you tap out by the end of this night. I’ll go on after that to accomplish the single biggest goal of my career, to once again become World Champion at the biggest payper-view of them all.

Rich tilts his head and continues to grin. An awkward moment of silence is passed between these jabbering opponents that is rudely interrupted by Creed, who can’t take anymore.

Nathan: As I was saying boys, before we got into this pissing contest. Is that while one of you might be going to Paranoia V I’m going to accomplish the goal of bringing the owner of this company to justice. So I might not be one half of the Tag Team Champions, and I might not be going to Paranoia V to fight for the title, but I will accomplish the unimaginable by revealing the twisted son of a bitch who’s tormented us all for months.

Speaking these words with vindication his palm strikes both Rich’s and Orlando’s sternums, marching between them and out the door. Jon eyes Orlando suspiciously while Cruze watches his partner leave from the corner of his eye. Clearly he doesn’t like what he’s seeing.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

The IWC doesn’t condone self mutiliation. This has been a public service announcement.

SABRE VS. DESOLATION VS. SILENCER

Douglas: Welcome back ladies and gentlemen to what has thus far been an action packed evening here in the IWC as we continue down the path to Paranoia V.

Mayne: Did you hear all that generic banter backstage before the commercial break between Orlando and Rich. Who cares which one of them goes to Paranoia V, it’s like either of them are going to win the World Championship.

Dan: That’s your opinion.

Mayne: And as such the more popular opinion.

Dan: That’s debatable, but what isn’t is the drive that Jon Rich and Orlando Cruze will have heading into this big one on one match tonight for the number one contendership at Paranoia V.

A cord is strummed and grows louder. Soon a driving drumbeat can be heard over the sound system in the arena. As “I Don’t Wanna Stop” by Ozzy Osbourne plays for the fans, Sabre emerges from backstage, always with a stoic yet smug look on his face.

Douglas: It looks like we’re about to witness a big triple threat right here and right now Billy as Sabre makes his way to the ring, just one of the three individuals involved in this big contest.

Mayne: What isn’t big tonight in some way, besides your lower endowments. I certainly feel somewhat sorry for this individual making his way to the ring tonight, seeing as he’ll be stuck in the middle of this rivalry between Desolation and Silencer, but he proved he has what it takes to face the biggest and the baddest.

Dan: He’ll have to bring his A game out here tonight seeing as Silencer and Desolation are both willing to rip each other apart, that is of course if Silencer doesn’t ruin yet another match to get what he wants.

Mayne: No chance of that tonight Dan, as he’s finally got what he wants, and that’s a crack at Deso….

Sabre begins to move down the ramp when Silencer rushes through the curtains behind him and swings a chair violently into his upper back. The crowd responds with outrage and disgust as Sabre is doubled forward, reaching for his spine and now turning only to be cracked viciously right over the head with the chair from the almost psychotic Silencer.

Douglas: WHAT THE HELL!?! Silencer attacking Sabre before he could even make it to the ring with that steel chair! What’s the meaning of this?

Mayne: He’s taking out Sabre!

That last chair shot scrambled the brains of the IWC newcomer, rendering him unconscious it seems as he rolls down the ramp in the direction of the ring. The boos from the crowd are heightened as Silencer moves down the ramp with cold, demonic and utterly disturbing eyes, locked penetratingly on Sabre. The military trained fighter finally rolls onto the mats and it is revealed that his forehead is slightly lacerated from that chair shot, Silencer throwing down the steel and mounting Sabre’s sternum. He begins to viciously drive his fist into the lacerated forehead of his helpless opponent, jabbing him repeatedly to the gash. Blood begins to gush from Sabre’s face now with each violent, vicious shot from the crazed, enraged Silencer’s fist. All the while though, strangely and more horrifyingly, no emotion is displayed in Silencer’s cold, calculating eyes, or in his tense features.

The referee in the ring is shouting at Silencer to stop this yet he pays him in no mind, dragging the bloodied, battered, highly disorientated Sabre onto his knees then forcing him towards the steel steps. Sabre scoots across his knees in a powerless state before his blood smeared cranium is positioned on top of the stairs, laying cheek first against the steel.

Douglas: Oh no, I don’t like the looks of this one little bit!

Mayne: Silencer setting up for something particularly gruesome!

Silencer grabs the steel chair off of the mats and steps to Sabre’s side, only briefly glancing to the fans as he slowly raises the metal mass above his head. It looms there for only a dramatic moment before being swung violently into the skull of the bloodied Sabre, sandwiching his cranium between the chair and the stairs. The entire arena screams in utter shock as the loud thud echoes throughout the arena and sends Sabre convulsing onto the outside mats.

Douglas: DAMMIT! What is wrong with you Silencer, you sick, depraved SON OF A BITCH!

Mayne: He has completely decimated Sabre before this match could even ring, there’s no telling how much damage that chair shot just did.

Silencer emotionlessly throws down the chair then steps around the ring, making his way past the announce table where Dan and Billy both look weary of his presence. However, he is unconcerned with them, instead demanding a microphone which is once again given to this demented lunatic. EMTS have gathered at ringside, forming a circle around Sabre who lies on his stomach not moving an inch, just bleeding in pints from his skull. Inside of the ring is where Silencer now stands, his emotionless eyes locked on the entry way and the microphone gripped tightly in the palm of his hand.

Silencer: DESOLATION! There’s no more hiding from me old friend, and there’s no one else left to get in OUR way! It seems to me that his match is now one on one, so bring yourself out here Dark Man and see first hand what you have driven me to become.

The microphone is thrown down with a thud as Silencer backs up, his hands still covered in Sabre’s blood.

Billy: Brilliant, Silencer took out Sabre in order to make this a one on one match!

Dan: He is twisted and depraved Billy.

Mayne: Hmmm, we have more in common than I thought.

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. Silencer is anxiously waiting in the ring, his eyes centered on Desolation who remains on the ramp, grinning slightly at the sight of what levels his age old rival has stooped to.

Mayne: The Dark Man has arrived and that means one thing, Silencer is going to get what he’s been begging for for months, ever since Desolation left him lying in a pool of his own blood.

Douglas: Rather this ends how he expected it to or not, remains to be seen. But he’s put us through hell for weeks now to get his match, so he better end this right here tonight!

Desolation takes a step forward before Silencer rolls under the ropes, rushing up the ramp straight at the Dark Man. Desolation bolts forward as well, both men coming to blows on the rampway. The crowd is cheering loudly as Desolation and Silencer lob fists into one another’s faces, inflicting as much damage with their devastating punches as possible.

Billy: These two couldn’t even wait to get their hands on each other, what an insane triple threat match this is, if it can still be called that.

Douglas: Silencer dishing out some revenge for the grotesque condition Desolation left him in so long ago!

Mayne: We’re seeing a war Dan, nothing short of a war!

Silencer and Desolation continue to exchange fisticuffs as they battle their way towards the ring. Just outside of it Sabre is still being assisted by medical personal who are desperately trying to bandage him up in preparation to move him backstage where he can receive better treatment. Behind them Desolation drives his fist into the jaw of Silencer who returns with a shot of his own before he’s taken by the back of the head and charged at the turnbuckle post. Silencer twists around though, reversing and instead sending Desolation charging shoulder first into the post. He bounces off it and turns, grinding his teeth as he falls backwards into the barricade. The enraged Silencer comes barreling towards him only for Desolation to step out of the way and shove him into the barricade, his knees crashing into the protective steel plate violently. He now tumbles forward over the barricade into the sea of humanity while the official is pleading with both men to get into the ring so that he can officially start this match, however, neither one of them are listening.

Desolation reaches over the ropes and takes hold of Silencer’s hair, beginning to drag him up to his feet behind the barricade, unaware that his opponent has something in his possession. As soon as Silencer stands he turns around, driving a chair violently between the eyes of Desolation. The Dark Man is stunned, his eyes flickering as he tries to remain conscious only for Silencer to throw down the chair then reach out over the barrier, hooking his rivals arm. He shouts at the fans to get out of the way before hip tossing Desolation over the barricade spine first into the front row of chairs. The crumple under his frame and the fans start to scream in utter shock at what they just witnessed.

Mayne: OH NO! Desolation just hip tossed right on top of the CHAIRS!

Douglas: This match hasn’t even started yet and already the violence seems to be at it’s peak.

Silencer glares down at the laid out Desolation, who has several broken chairs collected beneath him, taking great satisfaction in this sight. He now steps over the barricade and makes his way towards the ring, climbing up onto the apron with the referee again pleading with him. Silencer looks over his shoulder at Desolation who is trying to stand up in the sea of chairs, pushing them aside as he gets his feet beneath him. Suddenly Silencer springs to the middle rope and then takes flight, twisting in mid-air to come down over top of the barricade with a crossbody on top of Desolation’s sternum. The crowd is going nuts as both Desolation and Silencer crash to the concrete.

Fans: HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT!!

Douglas: Silencer showing just how much he wants to hurt Desolation by putting everything at RISK!

Mayne: AAHHHHH!! Silencer has officially lost any semblance of a mind that he had remaining.

The entire arena is still screaming loud and fiercely over the unbelievable high risk move performed by the former World Champion, who remains spread across Desolation’s sternum just beyond the barricade. Both men are trying to get up when a fire is lit under Silencer, driving him to lob a fist directly into the Dark Man’s face before following it up with another stiff strike. The blows almost render Desolation unconscious before he’s taken by the back of the head and led to his feet, charging him towards the barricade before throwing him over into the outside mats. The Dark Man slams against them then rolls in the direction of the ring, reaching up to grab the apron and force his way up to his feet. His palm is pressed to his forehead, still reeling from the effects of that chair while Silencer grabs the barricade and then springs up on top of it. He now flies off through the air towards Desolation, landing directly on top of his shoulders then pulling him around into a big hurricarana. The Dark Man flips over, slamming spine first into the outside mats then arching his back as he unleashes a loud roar. An enraged, primal Silencer rises to his feet and overlooks the Manhattan Center crowd who is bombarding him with pure negativity, however, other fans are cheering at the sight of his aerial moves.

The Dark Man is reeling as he tries to use the apron to stand up only to have Silencer move in with a vicious knife edge chop across his sternum, followed by another such blow. An infuriated Silencer spins Desolation around and begins to drag him in the direction of the time keeper and ring announcer. Kaily Wolf quickly gets out of the way but the time keeper isn’t quick witted enough as Desolation is whipped directly into it, turning and driving his side against his frame. The time keeper is squished between the Dark Man and the small stand holding the ring bell, Desolation falling against it as well.

Mayne: Seeing the time keeper just taken out kind of gives me the impression that I should start looking for a healthy, pretty newborn infant to use as a human shield.

Douglas: These two brawling, crazed individuals are right here beside us, and I think Billy is justified in his fear for his life.

Silencer grabs hold of the hair of his opposition then pulls back on it and drives him down face first right into the ring bell. His skull collides with the bell, creating a loud chime which sends him staggering backwards in the direction of the ring. The Dark Man falls sternum first against the apron as Silencer spins him around, delivering another knife edge chop across his chest. Aggression like this has never been displayed by Silencer before as he delivers a hard back kick right to the incredibly dazed Desolation’s sternum, doubling him over. It’s clear that he’s yet to recover from that chair shot as Silencer moves towards the announce table, stepping up onto it with Douglas and Mayne scooting back, cowering in fear.

Douglas: Oh no, Silencer about to use our table as a weapon!

Mayne: Can I at least be given a football helmet when I’m out here? For crying out loud, they even gave one to Hellkat at Paranoia years ago.

Silencer stands up tall on the announce table and now dives off of it at the dazed Desolation, landing on top of his shoulders then preparing for another hurricarana. To the shock of everyone though, Desolation catches him across his sternum then turns, powerbombing the former World Champion back first right into the apron. The crowd groans as Silencer grimaces, staggering forward right into the waiting arms of Desolation who scoops him up into the air. Much like he did a few weeks ago to Faust, Desolation turns, scoop slamming Silencer spine first right into the edge of the announce table. Silencer bounces off of the hard wooden surface and twists as he crashes to the outside mats, the fans reacting with absolute astonishment over what they just witnessed.

Douglas: JESUS! Silencer just given that disturbing series of slams around the ring by Desolation, who is showing a blatant disregard for the well being of his opponent!

Mayne: WHAT!?! Do you honestly expect him to make sure Silencer doesn’t get a boo boo? Your commentary is ever so nonsensical.

Silencer is agonizing as he’s led up to his feet then pulled into the shoulder of the Dark Man, who lifts him up into the air before charging him across the ring. Silencer is driven with force spine first right into the exposed turnbuckle post. A loud roar of pain emanates from Silencer as he drops to his knees and is now rolled into the ring under the ropes, Desolation following him in then immediately dropping into the cover. The official shouts for the bell to ring, starting this match then dropping down to make the count.

Douglas: This could officially be the shortest match in IWC history.

Mayne: That be a hell of a way for Silencer to end his path to revenge.

The referee’s hand slaps the canvas quickly.

Silencer kicks out, getting his shoulder from the ring in the nick of time, narrowly avoiding being defeated. The aggravated Desolation rises to his feet, taking hold of Silencer’s hair then forcing his head under his seat. He wraps his arms around Silencer’s waist and lifts him onto his shoulders before rushing forward and throwing the former World Champion half way across the ring into a powerbomb. Silencer crashes with force against the ring then flips over onto his chest and stomach, the fans stunned by what they just witnessed. Desolation pushes himself over onto his back and buries his forearm against his face, looking for the pinfall.

Again Silencer gets his shoulder up much to the irritation of the Dark Man. He takes hold of the locks of his slender, battered opponent, pulling him up to his feet then dragging him stomach first into his shoulders. He almost looks like he’s holding him in an Angle Slam position but then twists his body quickly towards Silencer, sending him flipping over backwards, crashing into the canvas across the back of his head and shoulders with the spinning leg hook fireman’s carry slam. The crowd groans at the sight of the back of Silencer’s head ramming with such force against the canvas as he now lies there absolutely motionless.

Douglas: What in the world was that?

Mayne: OUCH! That was still a better response than your own Dan.

Silencer lies on his side in a motionless state while Desolation now steps over him and begins to make his way up the turnbuckle, his spine aimed in the direction of his down long time rival. On the outside of the ring Sabre is still being treated by medics who don’t seem to want to move him until they have him stabilized, although they already have a backboard present. Desolation begins to steady himself on the top rope, balancing his body then launching himself from the top rope, shockingly into a corkscrew moonsault which connects against Silencer’s mid-section. His opposition begins to convulse while Desolation falls into the cover, hooking his nearest leg. The official drops and again makes the count.

Silencer lifts his far leg into the air, placing it over the bottom rope. The official spots it right before his hand can come down to register a three count.

Mayne: OH COME ON! Desolation should have it after that unbelievable high flying move! He busted out something new from his aerial arsenal, he deserves the win!

Douglas: Believe me, Desolation may be impressive but his attitude leads him to deserve absolutely nothing.

Desolation is getting flabbergasted the longer this battle is going and the more time it is consuming. He pulls Silencer up to his feet hen drops to his knees at his side, locking in a quick butterfly submission hold. Both of Silencer’s arms are trapped, pined behind his back while his head is bent forward and trapped in a seemingly inescapable position. Surprisingly, considering the condition of his body, Silencer begins to force himself up to his feet, planting them beneath him. Suddenly Desolation throws Silencer up into the air though, twisting him out of the butterfly lock position then bringing him down spine first right across his knee with the backbreaker. Silencer convulses as he drops off of the knee and now falls to own knees upon the canvas, Desolation slapping on a front chancery. He lifts Silencer half way up for the vertical suplex and then spins around, pulling him into a full rotation before driving his spine viciously against the canvas.

The Dark Man sits up, looking increasingly flustered then forces Silencer up to a kneeling base. He slaps him viciously across the cheek, then does the same to the other side before twisting around into a spinning back fist. Silencer ducks under it though and buries his shoulder against Desolation’s stomach, lifting him into the air before dropping him testicles first right on top of his knee. The former World Champion jumps back, cupping his testicles while Silencer staggers in reverse, his hand still pressed to his spine. He now steps forward and jumps into the air, landing on top of Desolation’s shoulders only for the Dark Man to drop into a sit-out powerbomb, reversing whatever his opponent had planned. Silencer slams into the canvas right between Desolation’s legs as he drops to his seat in the process, now leaning forward into the back of his opponent’s legs.

Silencer kicks out, getting his shoulder from the ring in the nick of time then rolling across the squared in the direction of the ropes.

Douglas: Silencer looked like he was about to start fighting back in this match, although I don’t particularly give a shit.

Mayne: Of course Desolation shuts him down yet again due to his superior intellect and vastly superior in ring capabilities.

Silencer has a wide eyed expression while dragging himself up the ropes only to receive a blistering slap across the face from Desolation, this one stiffer than any of the one’s previous. Shockingly Silencer gets up though and delivers a slap of his own to the Dark Man’s features, one that staggers the momentarily stunned Desolation. Silencer steps forward and delivers a vicious knife edge chop across his sternum now before hitting a jab right to his jaw. This succession of blows has Desolation reeling yet somehow he remains upright even when he receives a hard kick to the gut from his vindictive opponent. Silencer takes him by the wrist, whipping him towards the turnbuckle only to have the Dark Man reverse it, instead sending his opponent into the cables. As soon as Silencer reaches them he extends his hands, taking hold of the top ropes then kicking his legs up into the air. Desolation charges under him only to have Silencer’s legs land on top of his shoulders and wrap around his neck. However, the Dark Man refuses to be taken over, placing his hands to Silencer’s knees then shoving them up into the air. Silencer is almost sent flipping over the top rope but keeps hold of the cable, twisting his body so that he comes down feet first right on the apron. Desolation throws a devastating buzzsaw kick right at his head when Silencer ducks under it, the Dark Man turning into a full spin as a result. His side is now facing the cables which Silencer pulls himself over, twisting his body and taking Desolation around the back of the head in the process. He pulls him down sternum first right into his raised knees as Silencer collides back first with the canvas. Desolation flies backwards, slamming into the ring then flipping over in reverse.

Douglas: So much for Desolation’s vastly superior in ring capabilities aye?

Mayne: Nobody is perfect all the time Dan, except for me, but I’m what you can all abnormality.

Dan: I don’t find it difficult to believe that you’ve been referred to as abnormal.

Desolation is gripping at his chest while turning over onto his chest and stomach, Silencer rushing into the cables in front of him then jumping over the top rope. He lands feet first on the apron while Desolation rises in the center of the ring and now springs to the top rope, taking flight then coming down seat first right on top of the Dark Man’s sternum. Desolation crashes into the canvas with Silencer seated on his chest, the official dropping down to make the count.

Desolation reaches up with his legs, wrapping them around Silencer’s shoulders then sitting up, pushing him over onto his back. The Dark Man is seated on the canvas with Silencer pressed to the back of his shoulders only for him to roll over in reverse onto his knees. Silencer begins to stand up quickly only for Desolation to stand in front of him then deliver a brutal, stiff and deadly buzzsaw kick right to his opponent’s face. Silencer’s skull is almost cracked by the kick as he turns and falls to his spine, the crowd grimacing the sheer force of that strike. A tired Desolation tumbles to the ring, unable to capitalize on the vicious move he just delivered. Instead he’s attempting to catch his breath while sweat beads on his forehead.

Billy: Did you see that buzzsaw kick!?!

Douglas: I think I felt it. Too bad for Desolation that he’s too tired to make the pin.

A dazed Desolation is trying to gather himself as he rises to his feet in a sluggish manner, turning towards his still laid out opposition. He now approaches him and takes hold of his legs, lifting them into the air and beginning to wrap them around his own as he sets up for the Curb Stomp. The crowd is screaming at the sight of this, realizing that if he hits it, this bout will be definitively over. Unfortunately for Desolation, Silencer has regained some of his faculties, sitting up and open hand palm striking the face of his opponent. He delivers another strike hard to the cheek of the former multi time World Champion, who somehow is still holding onto the legs. Silencer is able to free one of his legs finally and lifts his foot into the air, driving the bottom of his boot directly into the temple of his long time rival. The shot is brutal enough to render Desolation almost unconscious, sending him turning away from Silencer yet remaining on his feet as he staggers around. Silencer rolls up behind him and reaches up, taking hold of the back of his opponent’s pants, then pulling him down into a school boy pinfall. He grabs hold of Desolation’s pants, lifting up on it in order to gain the upper advantage.

The referee stops his count though, standing and pointing at the hand of Silencer which is holding the back of his opponent’s pants for the leverage. An infuriated Silencer breaks the pinfall attempt as Desolation drops over backwards onto his elbows and knees, rising to his feet. Silencer is unaware of this as he argues with the official, turning just in time to be blasted right to the face with a sickening front dropkick from the Dark Man. The boots colliding with Silencer’s skull echoes throughout the arena and sends him crashing onto his back. A sluggish Desolation turns and crawls quickly into the cover, hooking both of his opponent’s legs and then realizing how close he is to the top ropes. The official drops down to make the count while Desolation lifts his feet, placing them to the middle rope for added leverage.

The official suddenly stops his count and stands, pointing at Desolation’s legs on the ropes and leading into even more cheers from the fans. Desolation drops onto his seat, glaring at the official in an angered state.

Billy: Do your damn job ref and make the count!

Douglas: His job description goes a little further than just simply slapping the canvas three times, Billy.

Mayne: Since when?

Desolation takes his foot off the ropes, dropping to his seat then glaring at the referee in spite, slowly getting to his feet in a very agonizing, sullen manner. He approaches the referee who puts his palms up in self defense, backing away and insisting that he’s only doing his job. The Dark Man doesn’t buy it as he digs his finger into the referee’s shirt and shoves him forcefully backwards then balls up his fist, threatening to make the official physically suffer for his insolence. The referee again pleads with him to get back to the action, Desolation unaware that Silencer is rising to his feet behind him. He doesn’t care though, instead shoving the referee violently down to the canvas and still pointing at him, shouting words of degradation and threats. It appears as if the referee’s head hit the canvas with force, rendering him momentarily out cold. Finally the methodical Dark Man turns towards Silencer, who is on his feet yet bent forward, palms pressed to his knees to keep himself upright. Desolation rushes forward when Silencer delivers a superkick right to his jaw, but wait, no, his foot has been caught before it could connect with the Dark Man’s jaw. Desolation glares at Silencer with malicious intent as he pushes the foot away, sending Silencer into a full circle where he turns to face his diabolical opponent who is charging forth. Silencer catches him across the neck then flips over backwards, hitting the Break the Silence. The crowd cannot help but to go nuts, everyone putting their hands together at the sight of the timely counter which has laid out the Dark Man completely.

Douglas: Silencer hit it, he delivered the Break the Silence!

Mayne: Oh no, he’s finally going to get his revenge if he actually decides to go for the pinfall this time.

Silencer gets to his knees, glaring down at the laid out Desolation with a smirk filling his face, feeling redeemed as he falls into the cover. For the first time in weeks Silencer is actually going for the pinfall, hooking Desolation’s leg in the process while wearing a huge grin spread across his face.

Douglas: Silencer actually going for the pinfall, his boycott is finally over! But wait, there’s no referee to make the count!

Mayne: Hahahaha, he finally goes for the pin, and there’s no one there to make the count!

Silencer still has his opponent’s leg hooked, looking to finally achieve the redemption he’s been looking for for months now, to get his retribution only to realize that the referee has been taken out by the disgruntled Desolation. Silencer rises to a knee, breaking the pinfall attempt while the fans are cheering and laughing at him. They take great pleasure in seeing Silencer get a taste of his own medicine as he rises to his feet, his face filling with anger as he now approaches the referee who is still trying to recover on the canvas. Silencer bends down and digs his fingers, which are stained with Sabre’s blood into the fabric of the referee’s shirt, pulling up on it with a tug. The referee’s head merely bobs lifelessly from his neck as Silencer shakes him in an enraged manner, trying to wake him desperately before the fans start to go absolutely nuts at the sight of a familiar face occupying the ring. Silencer is grabbed by the shoulder and spun around to face Johnny Kingdom, who delivers a quick kick to his gut before placing him in a front chancery. Silencer cannot block it as he’s lifted into the air then dragged down head first into the canvas with the Exodus Finale!

Douglas: Johnny Kingdom has just come out of nowhere and has laid Silencer out with the Exodus Finale!

Mayne: WHAT THE HELL!?! Where’d he come from?

Silencer is sprawled across the canvas, barely moving after taking that Exodus Finale while Kingdom slips through the ropes onto the apron and quickly begins to scale the turnbuckle. The entire arena is still screaming as Kingdom climbs to the top rope and steadies himself before taking flight. He flips through the air, crashing right into Silencer with the 450 splash! Everyone in the Manhattan Center is going nuts while Kingdom quickly rolls out of the ring, avoiding being spotted by the referee who is quickly recovering.

Mayne: I cannot believe Johnny Kingdom had the audacity, the unmitigated audacity to attack Silencer here tonight and possibly screw him out of his revenge against Desolation!

Douglas: Silencer brought this on himself through his actions over the past months.

Johnny is smiling from ear to ear while he backs up the ramp to the stage, remaining there as he watches the down Silencer trying desperately to recover after taking the 450 splash and the brainbuster DDT. Somehow on sheer instinct alone he’s beginning to turn onto his knees, trying to will his dazed, confused body up to his feet while Sabre is shockingly doing the same on the outside of the ring. The EMTs get Sabre to his feet on the outside mats with blood still gushing down his features, attempting to lead him to the backstage area before amongst a wave of cheers he shoves them away. In a surprising display the crimson covered Sabre forces his way through the EMTs and begins to stagger towards the ring. They try to plead with him not to do this but he isn’t listening as he slides under the ropes and into the ring.

Douglas: Sabre shockingly getting back into the ring!

Mayne: You’ve got to be kidding me! I thought he was taken out by Silencer for sure. Does this man have like zero brain cells at all!?!

Sabre climbs up onto the apron with blood gushing down his features before looking out over the screaming fans with aggression clouding his eyes and his teeth clinched tightly together.

Sabre: COME ON!!

The medical staff has no way of stopping him as he slips through the ropes into the ring, stumbling towards Silencer who has just recovered. As soon as he gets up Sabre spins around in a complete circle and clocks him viciously to the side of the face with a spinning back roundhouse kick. His heel almost knocks Silencer’s block off and sends him twisting, spilling through the ropes to the outside of the ring. The insanely bloodied Sabre turns in a circle now and staggers right into the waiting arms of Desolation who lifts into the air before delivering the Brand X. Sabre’s skull collides viciously with the ring, the Manhattan Center crowd vocalizing their outright disbelief and disgust.

Douglas: The Brand X just delivered by Desolation!!

Mayne: Nobody has better timing than the Dark Man. Except for John Travolta, but honestly, who can compete with him?

Sabre convulses on the ring, not moving as Desolation pushes him over onto his gut, steps through his legs then pulls back on his wrist. He now delivers the Curb Stomp which viciously rams Sabre’s face into he ring, the fans reacting with shock. Sabre’s bloody carcass is not moving an inch as Desolation thrusts him onto his back and falls into the cover rather effortlessly. He shoots a maniacal, intense gaze towards the referee who is still a tad loopy as he makes the count.

Desolation sits up and shakes his head, perhaps finding that victory too easy.

Douglas: Desolation has just defeated Sabre and as thus has won this triple threat encounter!

Mayne: Yay, yet another victory you can add to Desolation’s pretty much unblemished record.

Douglas: Desolation owes Johnny Kingdom a thank you after that bout.

The Dark Man rolls across the ring and drops to the outside mats, marching up the ramp with an unsatisfied expression residing on his features. He seems to crave more as he moves to the backstage area.

BREAK STUFF

Silencer now rises to his elbows and knees on the outside of the ring, taking a moment to realize what just happened. His eyes begin to cloud with hostility and his features twist with disbelief. Rising to his feet he now looks into the ring to spot what happened and immediately becomes dejected, gripping at the back of his neck and realizing that Johnny Kingdom just screwed him out of this long awaited match.

Douglas: Silencer is absolutely enraged ladies and gentlemen!

Mayne: And he should be after what just transpired. Kingdom may have overstepped things a little by costing him this match against Desolation.

Dan: I don’t Kingdom is worried in the slightest about what Silencer is going to do to him, but that maniacal glint in the former Champion’s eyes sure is unsettling.

Silencer slowly lifts his hands into the air and slides them through his hair, looking as if he’s starting to lose it. He’s trying his best not to implode, taking deep, uneasy breathes then turning just in time to grab a heckling chubby fan by the back of the head. The spectator is dragged over the barricade, flipped over and sent crashing onto the outside mats across his wide back. The out of shape fan yells in horrid pain as he rolls away from the absolutely psychotic Silencer, who takes hold of the fat man’s belt and removes it from his waist.

Douglas: HEY! What are you doing Silencer!?! Have you completely lost it! You can’t attack a fan!!

Mayne: Are you going to stop him? He’s absolutely snapped out here.

Silencer takes hold of the belt and begins to lash the chubby onlooker repeatedly over his wide gut and his back. The poor portly gentlemen is screaming in pain with each shot he takes from the belt, Silencer mumbling something hysterically beneath his breath in the process. He has completely and utterly lost it as the belt again cracks over the fans’ back and security begins to jump the barricade to try and stop this from continuing. Silencer slaps the belt over their heads, knocking them back then returns to lashing the fans who was degrading him verbally earlier. The incredibly disgruntled Silencer now slides into the ring and approaches the bloodied, almost unconscious Sabre, dropping down on his back and placing the belt around his neck. He roars with rage as he begins to pull back on the belt, choking the very life out of the already horribly bloodied Sabre.

Billy: Silencer is attacking everything that he sees!

Douglas: He’s completely and utterly lost it after what Johnny Kingdom just did.

More security is rushing from the back before Silencer stops strangling Sabre and instead steps towards the ropes, beginning to swing at them with the belt violently. They jump back avoiding it while Silencer spins around and delivers even more blows to the bloody flesh of Sabre.

Douglas: Someone get out here dammit! Someone get out here and stop this!!

Silencer continues to lay into Sabre with strikes from the strap while the show quickly fades to an impromptu commercial break.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

DURING THE BREAK

The show comes back with a replay of what just happened, featuring Johnny Kingdom unexpectedly laying Silencer out with the Exodus Finale before hitting him with the 450 splash.

Douglas: Ladies and gentlemen, what a shocking turn of events we just witnessed here on Riot!

Mayne: Johnny Kingdom screwed Silencer out of his victory.

Desolation is shown hitting the Brand X on Sabre, followed by delivering the Curb Stomp to win the match.

Dan: And then Silencer absolutely snapped.

Again Silencer is shown delivering repeated blows to the back of the fan with his own belt, then doing it to Sabre. Finally the shot comes back live as the fan is being shown, assisted up the ramp with his arms over the backs of several EMTs, who are also helping Sabre exit the ring.

Douglas: During the commercial break Silencer was finally escorted away from ringside vowing to get revenge on Johnny Kingdom.

Again video is shown that was taken during the break, showing Silencer shoving security away and kicking violently at the stairs. As he walks towards the ramp he rips the protective steel plate off of the barricade then begins to throw it back and forth in a threatening, dangerous manner. The show returns to the live feed featuring a disgusted Dan Douglas and the always optimistic Billy Mayne.

Mayne: We now understand that Silencer has been taken out of the building after he assaulted that fan, who might I add really might want to lay off the Big Macs.

Dan: This is no time to joke, we could be sued over this.

DESOLATION INSTIGATION

We cut to backstage, just past the gorilla position, as Desolation wearily makes his way through the curtain. He heads past the craft services table, quickly grabbing a cheese sandwich. He nonchalantly takes the cheese slice out and casually tosses it backwards over his shoulder, where it flops on the floor with a hilarious "plop". He begins chomping on the cheese-accented white bread triangles as he heads down the corridor, encountering two women talking to each other next to a wall...wearing Fully Loaded team jackets. He stops dead in his tracks behind the slightly taller one of them, a red-streaked-brunette with purple sleeves on her black jacket. The other one, a dark-blonde with black sleeves on her purple jacket (inverted from the first's), abruptly ends their conversation and taps the first's shoulder, pointing at the glaring Dark Man behind her. She turns to Desolation and quickly jerks backward in surprise at just how much taller 6'6" is than 5'9".

Desolation: ...Fully Loaded, huh? Didn't think their standards could be any lower...

The dark-blonde takes some offense to this and begins to square up to the much, MUCH taller Desolation, but the red-streaked brunette holds her back and tries to stay sensible.

Domino: We're just backstage guests tonight, Dark Man. Not wrestling, not looking for any trouble.

The dark-blonde seems to think the contrary, however, and her temper gets the best of her.

CB: The hell we aren't, Domino! We saw what you did to Axl at Redemption Roe, Desolation!

A grin suddenly flashes across Desolation's face as he remembers the vile trick he played on Evermore during their rather one-sided confrontation.

Desolation: I know. Wasn't that just a stroke of pure genius?

The red-streaked brunette, Domino, attempts to keep some kind of class as she responds.

Domino: Malice, maybe...but I wouldn't say "genius". Come on, Char, we need to get to our seats...

They begin to turn to head the other way to head to their seats, but Desolation stops Domino.

Desolation: ...Not...so...fast, DOMINO. YOU'RE coming with ME.

Domino: I'll pass, thanks.

Desolation: I wasn't offering.

He grabs her by the hair and begins heading back the way he came, chewing on his bread sandwich again as Char begins to fret. Desolation glares at her threateningly and talks through a stuffed mouth full of bread.

Desolation: If you value your career...and your uterus...you'll stay the hell out of this.

As he drags Domino back to ringside, Char runs in the other direction. We cut to the view of ringside as Desolation makes his way out with Fully Loaded member Domino Rouge in tow.

Douglas: Dammit, what the hell is Desolation DOING??

Mayne: He's going to teach that filthy tranny not to show its face in an IWC hallway!

Douglas: Dammit Billy, could you get any MORE offensive and backward-thinking?

Mayne: I could, but it'd take more work than I'm willing to put in.

Desolation drags Domino down the rampway by her hair as the smaller of the two unsuccessfully struggles to escape.

Desolation: Struggling's only gonna make it more painful, Domino. Heh heh heh.

He drags her around the ring, grabbing a microphone from the ring crew, and drags her behind him up the ring steps, and into the ring, all the while not letting go of her hair. As he raises the mic to his lips, the crowd viciously boos and hisses at him, getting an evil grin from him and an equally evil glint in his good eye.

Desolation: You know...last week in Osaka, you all saw me do what I consider to be the SMARTEST thing I've ever done lately to your much-beloved "Mr. N-Y-C", Axl Evermore.

A smattering of cheers for hometown hero Evermore interrupts the sea of jeers towards the Dark Man.

Desolation: I stepped into that ring, after Pat Evans utterly BLUDGEONED the man with a balled-up chain wrapped around his fist...grabbed that over-conditioned head of his...and instead of giving YOU PEOPLE what you wanted and putting the Michaelson Motormouth out of his misery with one final kick, I utterly HUMILIATED him by taking his OWN BLOOD and showing off my finger-painting skills by making his already damaged face a literal target for my excellent friend Hurse.

More boos emanate from the capacity crowd resulting from the mention of the World Heavyweight Champion as Desolation only grins wider and more devilishly. Domino continues struggling, but can't get anywhere as Desolation continues.

Desolation: And then? With the simplest of pins by placing one boot over his chest, the Alpha Generation eliminated Fully Loaded from the Global Tag-Team Crown Gauntlet, and I didn't have to throw hands with the Original Submission Super-boob even ONCE.

Douglas: Yeah, and then Jon Rich deservedly eliminated Hurse afterwards!

Mayne: Bah, details!

Desolation: But you see...I'm tired of playing these Reindeer Games with you, Evermore. So I'm just going to be very clear about this. I dragged your tranny buddy Domino out here to tell you once and for all that it's NEVER going to happen! I dragged her...

He looks an increasingly frightened Domino over, front and back, then shrugs.

Desolation: ...my bad. I dragged HIR, with an "i", out here to tell YOU, Axl Evermore, that you will NEVER have a match with me in the IWC, EVER! It's called "Double Indemnity"...because if you take it upon yourself to come out here to RESCUE your gender-bending fetish-video friend, I will make sure she...my bad again! I will make sure SHI, again, with an "i", will never even be able to look in the mirror again, much less wrestle!

Douglas: Oh come on! This is just SICK!!

Mayne: I know! It's utterly nauseous-making how someone that hot could've been a dude before! It sickens me to the pit of my stomach...and also turns me on a little! Does shi still have a penis??

Douglas: You really need professional help, you know that?

Mayne: I can't get professional help; I've been blacklisted by all the pimps in the tri-state area, Dan.

Douglas: I meant...oh, forget it.

As the crowd continues to verbally assault Desolation with boos, he continues his diatribe.

Desolation: And of course...if you DON'T come out to rescue the Little Tranny Who Could...I'm going to Curb Stomp "hir" TWICE as many times as if you had come out to make that rescue! I told you, Evermore -- Double Indemnity. And all because YOU just couldn't stop campaigning for a match with the Dark Man, the man who will ALWAYS be...and yes, I know it sounds like I'm lifting this from WWE...BETTER THAN YOU.

He drops the mic and turns to Domino with malicious intent on his face as she grows even whiter than before with pure fear. The crowd's yells grow even more fervent.

Douglas: Dammit Desolation, don't you have a heart anymore???

Mayne: If he did, then I wouldn't like him!

As Desolation is about to toss Domino down to Curb Stomp her, the crowd suddenly bursts into a huge cheer as Axl's tag partner, Max Craven, rushes in from behind Douglas and Mayne.

Mayne: Max Craven?! Where the hell did HE come from??

He slides in under the bottom rope and pushes up to his feet as Desolation, having noticed him, lets go of Domino, and begins brawling with him.

Mayne: What is he doing?!?! Isn't there a "no-contact" clause in his contract???

Douglas: That convoluted "no-contact" rule only applies to EVERMORE and Desolation, not CRAVEN and Desolation! Get him, Max! Get him!!

Max manages to somehow get the upper hand in the brawl and whips Desolation to the ropes. As he approaches them, he slides outside from under the bottom one, grabbing the mic on the canvas as he does so.

Desolation: You Xenu-damned Ron Jeremy wannabe! I pull all of one string to get you into this company, and THIS is how you repay me???

Douglas: One string???

Mayne: Yeah! Desolation has so much stroke backstage, he only NEEDS to pull one string!

Max, while helping Domino up, nods aggressively, yelling out obscenities towards Desolation that are almost inaudible over the roaring crowd.

Desolation: But since YOU'VE taken it upon yourself to show up to the ring early...I guess I'll kill two birds with one stone! Your match with Christian "Bumblefuck" Savior will start NOW! Get out here, Hank!

Douglas: What! He's calling for the X-Class Title match to start NOW??

Mayne: Good! Maybe Savior will come out here and do to Craven what he did to Max POWER last year in his debut!

Douglas: ...Are you serious?

Mayne: Always and never, Dan. Always and never.

Douglas: Why do I even bother? Folks, we have to take a commercial break, but when we come back, Christian Savior will defend the X-Class Title against Max Craven! And with Desolation still out here, a very viable threat still looming over Max AND his transgendered teammate Domino at ringside, I can "guarantee" that this match won't be just plain ol' vanilla!

Mayne: Is it EVER here in the IWC?

Douglas: ...I guess not!

CHRISTIAN SAVIOR © VS. MAX CRAVEN

10...

9...

8...

7...

6...

The crowd starts booing as the countdown continues, as it signifies the arrival of a certain superstar. Their jeers quiet as the countdown reaches 5, while Desolation is still remaining at ringside, glaring into the squared circle at Max who is helping Domino down to the other side of the ring where her friend has come down to protect her.

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.

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

Spinning around, the figure reveals himself to be Christian Savior, wearing his black pants and phoenix-logo shirt, along with a long black trenchcoat. Also adorning his frame is the X-Class Championship belt, glistening brightly about his waist. Looking around, a smirk soon graces his lips as the audience boos, Max’s focus still elsewhere, on glaring at the conniving smirk present upon Desolation’s face.

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. He removes his X-Class title and thrusts it over his shoulder while briefly glancing at Desolation then back at the ring with a smirk still present on his features.

Douglas: Christian Savior is out here and I can only assume now that this match is officially going to get underway, yet Max is still distracted by Desolation’s presence here at ringside. This is almost exactly what happened in our other title match earlier tonight ironically, neither champion nor challenger have been prepared for the timing of their bouts.

Mayne: Max Craven is stuck between a rock and a hard place if you ask me. Savior being the hard place, and Desolation being the….

Dan: I get it, I get it!

Max is still glaring at Desolation and his good friend when Savior slides into the ring then rushes up behind him, delivering a hard clubbing blow over his back. The strike sends Craven tumbling forward chest first into the top rope, Savior beginning to drill him repeatedly to the lower kidneys with forearm strikes.

Douglas: And we’re off here ladies and gentlemen with the X-Class title match apparently, although it started under somewhat unusual odds!

Mayne: Excellent, Savior has got the drop on his opposition yet again, which pretty much makes his win all the more simplistic. Yay, I love opportunists.

Dan: I have no idea why your still speaking or even if you have the fondest notion of what your saying.

Savior spins Max around and delivers a hard knife edge chop across his sternum, followed by an equally as devastating strike. The blows knock Craven backwards into the cables, almost sending him flipping over them to the outside of the ring before he’s taken by the wrist then whipped across the ring into the opposite set of cables. However, Craven is quick to turn, placing the breaks on it the whip then pulling Savior towards him into a drop toe hold. Savior slams face first into the canvas while Max rises to his feet, stumbling and staggering around then rushing into the ropes at Christian’s side. He jumps into the air, landing feet first on the middle cable then springing off into a moonsault only to have Savior roll under him. Craven in turn flips over, landing on his feet while Savior stands up in front of him and is now barreling forward for the spear. Max leap frogs Savior though then rushes into the ropes behind Christian, springing to the middle cable and taking flight. He turns in mid-air and comes down on top of Savior’s sternum, taking him down to the ring with a big crossbody. The fans are cheering as Craven rolls off of Savior gripping at his mid-section.

Douglas: What a crossbody by Max, just flying off those ropes with incredible grace.

Mayne: How is he doing this? I thought Savior got the drop on him and thus would make this match conclude quickly?

Dan: Craven has got a lot of fight in him Billy, and he’s been waiting for this X-Class tile shot for ages now.

Max gets to his feet while Savior rolls to his knees in front of him, trying to stand up. Craven slugs him to the face with a hard closed fist, then follows it up with another strike before rushing backwards into the ropes. He bounces off the cables and comes rushing back in at Christian who stands just in time to catch his lighter opponent against his palms, pressing him up into the air. However, Max slips off of his palms and lands on his feet behind Christian then steps forward, jumping into he air and landing on his shoulders from behind. He seems to have him in position for the reverse hurricarana only to have Christian place his hands to the back of his opponent’s thighs. The X-Class Champion pushes up on Max’s seat, sending him flying over top of his head and landing on his feet right in front of him. Christian rushes forward at his opposition’s back when the challenger falls to his spine, rolling over in reverse and wrapping his legs around Savior’s neck. Craven pushes himself up off of his palms and begins to spin around in circles, dragging Savior along with him into numerous rotations before finally snapping off into a head scissors. Savior flips over and crashes to the canvas spine first, rolling to his elbows and knees in a state of shock.

Douglas: An impressive series of counters between these two men leading to that modified head scissors!

Mayne: Okay, it was mildly impressive, MILDLY.

The still stunned Savior is trying to stand up when Craven places him in a front chancery, dragging him up to his feet then rushing forward at the turnbuckle. He begins to step up it in order to hit the tornado DDT when Christian places his hands to his opponent’s ribs, shoving him over the top rope. Somehow Max is able to grab the top cable though and land gracefully feet first on the apron while Savior springs to the perpendicular middle rope. He takes flight before twisting into a dropkick right to Max’s face, sending him flying off the apron crashing to the outside mats.

Billy; Now that is what you call SUPER impressive!!

Dan: A timely counter by Christian, leading into that agile dropkick in what has been a fast paced bout for the X-Class title. You only see action like this in this high flying, fast paced division!

Savior rises to his feet inside of the ring, glaring over the ropes towards Max who is desperately trying to get up and recover. As soon as he stands Savior rushes to the same ropes he just sprung off of, jumping to the middle cable then springing from it. He twists around to fly over the perpendicular cables then flips forward into a senton pancha right on top of Craven. The crowd has a mixed reaction at the sight of this high risk diving move which has left both Champion and Challenger laid out at ringside. However, Christian is quick to get to his feet, taking Max by the hair and rolling him to his feet before dragging him in the direction of the ring. Craven is rolled under the ropes to the inside of the squared circle, reaching the center of the ring where he now lies across his back. Savior slides in himself then rushes across the ring, jumping over top of the sprawled out Max then lunging to the nearby middle rope. He springs off of it feet first then turns in mid-air, coming down with a leg drop right across Max’s throat. Craven’s body kicks up into the air as a result of this agile move, Savior turning and crawling into the cover on him with quickness.

Craven kicks out, barely getting his shoulder up before the three count.

Douglas: A nearfall by Savior, something tells me we’re going to be seeing a lot of those in this fast paced encounter.

Mayne: Oh please, we’re going to see only one more pinfall attempt, which will be Savior putting Max to the canvas for the three count.

A somewhat flustered Savior takes Max around the neck, rolling him over to his knees then placing him in a quick cravat. He is twisting at the neck of Max repeatedly, trying to rip his skull from his shoulders perhaps. A smirk is present on Savior’s face all the while as he keeps twisting and ripping at the neck as much as possible, with all of his upper body strength. Despite this submission being locked in Craven begins to rise to his feet, standing up beside Savior then spinning his body, freeing his neck as he steps behind Christian. He jumps into the air, landing knees first right on top of Christian’s shoulders then dropping forward, delivering a head scissors that sends Christian flying forward. He lands on the canvas across the back of his head, rolling across his spine right onto his feet. He turns to face Max then comes rushing in when Craven stands then lunges forward into a diving European Uppercut. Christian is taken down with force to the canvas while Max lands beside him, rolling across the ring to his knees.

Savior grips at his chin while rising quickly to a standing base, Craven stepping in delivering fist strike after fist strike to his opponent’s jaw. Each blow sends Savior reeling in reverse before Craven rushes into he ropes spine first in front of him. He bounces off and comes charging forward only to have Savior try to cut him off with a lariat. Craven ducks the shot, hooking Max’s arm with his own then jumping into the air, swinging around with his legs. They go over top of the back of Christian’s head, twisting his body around so that he sits on top of Savior’s shoulders, dropping back into the hurricarana pin. The crowd is screaming with delight at the sight of this agile move.

Savior kicks out to boos from the sold out crowd.

Billy: Another hurricarana!?! Can Max do a move that doesn’t involve flipping his opponent around with the use of his legs? Only women should be endowed with that much flexibility via the legs.

Douglas: Yes, the type of women who will have nothing to do with you Billy.

Mayne: That’s nothing a major credit card won’t fix.

Max rises rather quickly to his feet while Savior is trying to stand as well, both men racing one another almost. As soon as they stand Max lays the X-Class Champion out with a hard fist between the eyes. Christian crashes into the canvas then rolls across it right back to his feet only to be taken down with a diving back elbow to the sternum. Again the Rising Phoenix is knocked to he ring, Max rolling away from to the center of the ring. He gets to an upright base then rushes forward, taking hold of his knees as he lunges into the air and extends his back, dropping it right across Savior’s mid-section with an almost cannonball like senton. Christian begins to convulse while Max drops back and hooks the Champion’s leg.

Savior lobs his shoulder from the ring, narrowly avoiding defeat yet again and keeping hold of his prized X-Class Championship. He turns over onto his elbows and knees away from Max who rises at his side, still shaking off the effects of the earlier moves he withstood. As soon as Savior gets to his feet, albeit hunched over, Craven barrels across the ring and jumps over his head, catching the Champion around the neck then pulling him down into a flip over swinging neckbreaker. Savior slams into the canvas with force then begins to convulse while Max crawls into the cover on him yet again.

Somehow Savior is able to muster the strength to launch his shoulder from the ring, keeping his title in his grasp just barely.

Douglas: Max is really taking it to Savior, he is feeding off of what Desolation tried to do out here just a few short moments ago and turning it into aggression against the X-Class Champion.

Mayne: Savior is too exhausted, that’s all, and you would be to if you were defending your Championship at almost every show. Christian just put his title on the line against Scott Gray-Harris!

Douglas: When you’re a champion Billy, your expected to defend that belt as much as possible.

Billy: Expected to, yes, obligated to, no.

Craven quickly gets to his feet and approaches the struggling, stunned Savior, taking him around the neck then pulling him into position for the Craven Awakening. The crowd begins to scream as he sets for the reverse neckbreaker only to have Savior reach back and take Max around the jaw, swinging him body and pulling Craven along with him. He now turns his back to Max, placing him in position for the diamond cutter. Before he can connect Max shoves him off into the cables, Christian bouncing off then coming back into the waiting shoulders of his opponent. The crowd is screaming as Max holds the X-Class Champion in a fireman’s carry and now pushes him up into the air, trying to connect with a falcon’s arrow from that position. At the last second though, Savior flips forward out of the position, landing directly on his feet while Max rushes up behind him only to be caught with the code breaker. Savior turned just in time to hit the move which sends Max flying backwards and slamming into the ring, Christian turning and crawling with quickness into the cover. The fans watch on worried, realizing that this could be the end of this intense back and forth bout.

Again Max kicks out, keeping himself alive in this highly competitive, high risk X-Class confrontation. Savior sits up, appearing absolutely enraged with the speed of the official’s count and the fact that he is yet to have his arm raised in victory.

Billy: That was a three, it was a three dammit and the whole world knows it!

Douglas: Um, I don’t think it was a three.

Mayne: Well, your just some kind of weird, freakish anomaly.

The exasperated and increasingly flustered Savior takes hold of Max’s hair, rolling him to his knees then leading him up to his feet. He slaps Max to the side of the face, holding him up by the hair in the process, actually toying with the man who has come within mere seconds of almost taking his Championship. Christian steps forward and delivers a hard European Uppercut to Max’s jaw that sends him stumbling backwards into the turnbuckle, falling against it spine first. His arms tumble over the cables to keep himself upright while Christian comes charging forward, jumping into the air before burying his feet into Max’s ribs. He now drops back, monkey flipping him out of the corner only to have Max flip over and land directly on his feet. He spins around as Christian nips up onto his feet then comes barreling forward only to be caught against Max’s shoulders, being hoisted into the air in a fireman’s carry. Max lifts him up then turns into the falcon’s arrow, the crowd celebrating the sight of the Cupid’s Arrow. After hitting the ring with such force Christian sits up, appearing absolutely dazed while Max jumps over him, rushing into the ropes before his seated opponent. He comes barreling forward then jumping into the air, flipping over top of Christian’s head into the Big Stiffy (blockbuster).

Mayne: NOOO!!

Douglas: THE BIG STIFFY!

An exasperated Max lies beside Christian, trying to catch his breath, attempting to get his head straight before he rolls over and thrusts his arm across Savior’s sternum. The entire arena is going nuts as Max has seemingly won the X-Class title.

Douglas: NEW CHAMPION!

The entire arena is going nuts before they see Christian suddenly lob his shoulder from the ring, kicking out of the Big Stiffy much to the chagrin of everyone in the arena, most noticeably the Challenger. Max rolls away from Christian and slams the side of his fist against the canvas before rising to his feet in a truly exhausted manner. He now approaches Savior, taking him by the hair and rolling him to his knees before forcing his very sluggish opponent to an upright base. As soon as he’s got Savior to his feet he scoops him up onto his shoulder to deliver the North-Eastern Driver. Just as he is about to connect with it though Christian slips off of his shoulder and lands on his feet behind his somewhat shocked opponent who turns to face him in anger. Savior immediately kicks Max to the gut and bends his head forward, sticking it under his seat then wrapping his arms around his waist, lifting him up onto his shoulders into a powerbomb position. He begins to run forward in order to deliver it only to have Craven push himself up and over the head of Savior, landing on his feet directly behind him. Savior is stunned as he spins around to face Max who is rushing across the ring into the ropes before him. Craven lunges to the middle cable and springs off, twisting in mid-air then coming down right on top of Christian’s shoulders, pulling him over into a huge twisting hurricarana. The fans begin to scream at the sight of this aerial move as Max lands on top of Savior’s chest and he pins down the legs of his opponent. But somehow, Savior rolls through, pushing Max over onto the back of his shoulders then leaning forward into the back of his thighs, all the while gripping at his trunks. The fans are screaming at the sight of this counter as the official makes his count.

The Manhattan Center explodes into a wave of both shock and repulsion as Christian Savior has just retained his title.

Mayne: What a counter by Savior that just gave him another successful title defense, hahahaha!

Douglas: I can’t believe that he just countered the hurricarana into a roll up for a shocking pinfall!

Billy: Savior is still champion, so deal with it…

Dan: Yes, and your still a thirty seven year old virgin.

Savior quickly rolls across the ring and spills under the ropes to the outside of the ring, staggering his way in the direction of the time keeper who promptly hands him his X-Class title. Nevertheless he rips the championship away from the clutches of the individual and raises it above his head with a diabolical grin on his face. All the while Max is protesting what just happened, rising to a single knee and claiming that not only did Savior have hold of the back of his trunks, but that it was only a two count. The referee claims otherwise while Max’s sternum heaves and his face is twisted with repulsion. His eyes turn slowly, centering on the chuckling features of Savior who throws his belt over his sweaty shoulder.

Douglas: Savior has escaped here tonight by the skin of his teeth, but the next time he meets Max it might be a different story.

Mayne: Yeah, Savior will beat him much more quickly, hahahaha.

Christian is now backing up the ramp with the belt shimmering over his shoulder and Max glaring at him in an exhausted, enraged state. Max mouths the words “next time” repeatedly as Savior chuckles maniacally.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

THE CHAMPION’S CLUB

The despair of the crowd is only exacerbated as once again the camera finds itself just beyond the entry curtains where Christian Savior just happens to be strolling. A broad smile is on his sweaty face while the X-Class Championship is bound to his shoulder, his fingers caressing the golden plate of which soothingly. Although still wore out from that hard fought victory against Max Craven he continues onward down the corridor with a pep in his step. That’s until his happiness is derailed by a loud clap and a familiar face. The grinning World Champion is standing in one of the adjacent corridors he was passing, the gold hanging from his grasp and a referee shirt clinging to his upper frame. A genuine smile is forced onto Hurse’s face as he leans away from the wall he had his shoulder propped against.

Hurse: Christian, babe, haven’t seen you around for a while, how ya been?

Savior’s eyebrow raises, recalling the last conversation he had with the Alpha Generation, right before his team was screwed out of the Tag Team Titles. Therefore he just so happens to be a little leery of the World Champion’s intentions.

Savior: What do you want, Hurse?

The words are forced through a grit of the teeth, Savior trying to remain cordial despite his anger directed at the World Champion. Hurse bats his eyes and acts stunned as he steps back with a hand protecting his heart.

Hurse: Savior, Savior, Savior, your so distrusting. What did I ever do to make you so paranoid of me?

Savior is about to provide a lengthy explanation before Hurse cuts him off, raising a fruit basket quickly into the air.

Hurse: All I wanted to do was give you a nice fruit basket, a gift of sorts for joining the ever allusive club of Champions. Of which I’m not only the president, but also a member.

Hurse taps the World Title with the tip of his finger while also holding the fruit basket. He now extends the rather crummy, cheap offering out towards the perplexed Savior.

Savior: A fruit basket you say? Hmm, doesn’t have any opiates in it does it?

It takes Hurse a moment to get the joke, but once it finally registers a devious grin comes to his face.

Hurse: No, I ensure you it doesn’t. But inside the fruit there is plenty of essential vitamins and all that healthy junk people crave. Plus, there’s a little invitation in there as well.

Savior continues to glare at Hurse speculatively before reaching into the basket and finding a card. As he pulls it out he throws the rest of the fruit basket over his shoulder to the ground and begins to read. Hurse watches him with wide, eager eyes, not raising his voice at the sight of his cheap gift being destroyed with such blatant disregard.

Savior: Oh my, is this an invitation to join the Alpha Generation?

Hurse: It just might be, and a nice invitation as well, I had it Xeroxed at Kinkos and everything.

Savior feigns enthusiasm while looking up from the card but then pretend to be puzzled.

Christian: But wait, don’t you need Desolation’s consent before you go offering AG spots to people?

For a second Hurse cowers at the mention of Desolation’s name, looking around cowardly for his partner then playing it off.

Hurse: Are you kidding me, Desolation and I pretty much share the same brain, Christian. He’d support any decision I made, and if he were here right now he’d confirm that, he just hasn’t forgiven me yet for losing the Tag Titles.

The thought of what happened at Redemption Roe causes Christian to chuckle, unable to hold it back as he raised his hand towards his lips to try and conceal his laughter. Hurse overlooks him speculatively.

Hurse: Got a booger or something?

Christian finally takes his hand away from his mouth and palm.

Savior: Hurse, how can I express the gratitude I feel for this honor you’ve bestowed upon me?

The World Champion grins and snaps his fingers while placing his arm over Savior’s shoulders.

Hurse: Easy. All you have to do is a favor for me.

Christian: Oh?

Hurse: Yeah, you can consider it your initiation or something. I know you don’t like Jon Rich, and neither do I since he’s been consorting with my poor, fragile minded sweety puffs, so I say we make sure that neither here nor Cruze are left in any condition to make it to Paranoia V. I say that you and I go to the ring tonight and deprive that undeserving, fifteen minute of fame stealing Jon Rich, as well as the constant underdog, Orlando Cruze, of any shot at my World Heavyweight title. And if you do a satisfactory job of beating down Rich, you’ll have earned a spot in the prestigious ranks of the Alpha Generation.

Savior slaps his hands together and lets his jaw hang open as if ecstatic. However, he quickly changes back into being very serious.

Savior: Wow, I almost don’t know what to say. I can only imagine this has nothing to do with the fact that Desolation won’t be there tonight to watch your back, and as thus your far too much of a puss to go out there and attack Orlando and Rich on your own.

Hurse realizes his plan was obviously much more see through than he thought. Yet he grins and nods pathetically.

Savior: Although I do have plans for Jon Rich, and your little sweety puffs, as you called her, I’ll decide when and where they feel my wrath. As for your desperate little offer Hurse…

Christian crumbles up the card he was given and drops it to the ground, stomping on it maliciously. He grins in Hurse’s direction then walks away arrogantly, leaving the World Champion standing there with a frown. His finger nips at his chin several times while stretching his neck to shout towards Savior.

Hurse: So that was a “maybe?”

He sighs while reaching down to pick up the card, smoothing it out and placing it back in his pocket.

THREE WAY DANCE

There is a very thunderous ovation at the sight of Faust standing backstage, sweat still trickling down his frame after a truly exhausting, grueling encounter with Psycho for the Cartel Championship. But to lighten his mood the title he fought so hard for now rests over his slender shoulder. He is drained of energy, his body aching almost from head to toe, yet he seems strangely comforted by the seductive young lady standing before him. Susie Moore appears absolutely horrified, her microphone shaking in the palm of her hand as Faust brushes her hair off of her shoulder to reveal the nape of her neck. She can feel his eyes centered on it and hear him licking his lips as she nervously commences with this interview.

Susie Moore: Um, Faust, earlier tonight you were involved in an intense Cartel Championship match against Psycho in which you….

Faust takes Susie under the far side of her chin, turning her head towards him then placing his finger over her pouting lips to insist she fall quiet. That same gaze inhabits his eyes as he stares upon her lovely face.

Faust: Susie my sweet, innocent little dove, are you afraid of me?

She tries to turn away yet he keeps an arched finger placed to her chin, holding her gaze with his own.

Susie: Honestly? I think I might need some new panties after this interview is over.

Faust blinks his eyes awkwardly and removes his finger from her jaw, feeling the compulsive need to swipe his hand on the side of his pants.

Faust: Even your gross idiocy is not enough to dampen my spirits this evening Susie, for I’ve finally accomplished the task that has long since alluded me. I stand before you this evening, an official IWC Champion…

The Cartel Championship is slid from his shoulder and draped over his forearms.

Faust: I imagine you wish to know my feelings, how winning this belt has effected me on a deep, emotional level?

His eyes raise to Susie who doesn’t seem sure how to respond before finally just shrugging her shoulders and nodding with a grin.

Susie: Um, okay?

The grin on his face brings out his fangs, only further intimidating her.

Faust: Well, I’m sad to report that I really don’t feel anyth….

FEEL NOTHING, HUH!?!

Faust is irritated as he is cut off in mid-sentence, yet quickly tightens his fist as Psycho storms into the frame in front of him. Much like his opponent from earlier in the evening he too is still sweating profusely, but unlike his opposition he is not in a very good mood. His breathes snarl as he seethes the closer he gets to the Vampire Lord, who now thrusts his newly obtained title over his shoulder. Susie feels all the more concerned for her well being, if she wasn’t already worried enough as it is.

Psycho: Well I’ll feel plenty, namely, SCREWED!

The grin on Faust’s face does not falter.

Faust: Psycho, if you would merely plan for every possible contingency like myself, then perhaps you wouldn’t find yourself in these situations.

Psycho: Shut your fucking Count Chocula mouth and listen to me you Bram Stoker son of a bitch!

His finger digs into Faust’s chest yet the Vampire Lord doesn’t remove his eyes from the deranged Psychopath.

Psycho: If you think your going to have time to celebrate with my title your wrong, dead wrong. Because I’ve already got it arranged, next week, it’s going to be a rematch. You versus me for my Cartel Championship! How do you like….

Ahem…

The crowd inside of the Manhattan Center only gets louder as Axl Evermore now strolls forward into the camera frame, extending his arm as he slides it over the shoulders of Susie Moore. As if she couldn’t feel anymore uncomfortable she now has Axl leaning on her with a sly smirk present on his face. Psycho’s features tense up at the sight of Evermore, the man who alongside Max he’s waged a long feud against. Evermore rubs at Susie’s shoulder as she timidly buckles, Faust glaring at Mr. N.Y.C with confusion.

Psycho: What the fuck are you doing here Axl?

Evermore acts astounded by Psycho’s threatening behavior.

Evermore: Why Psycho, there’s no need to be so vulgar. You should know by now that I’m around to make your life as miserable as humanly possible. And I figured, what better way to again dampen your spirits even further than they already are, than by going to AWOL personally and demanding a rematch at my Cartel Championship.

Psycho lowers his head and begins to shake it while swallowing his face with his palm. Faust seems a little more attentive.

Psycho: I really don’t like where this is going.

Despite what went down earlier in the evening between Max and Desolation, Axl is still able to muster up a mighty grin.

Axl: Your right to be so worried, because I got a special match booked next week. It’s going to be Axl Evermore vs. Faust vs. Psycho in a Three Way Dance for the Cartel Championship!

A loud ovation is heard from the fans, really liking the prospect of witnessing this bout next week. Psycho groans yet grins slightly at the thought of getting his hands on Evermore, while Faust shrugs, indifferent either way.

Evermore: And I GUARANTEE that the title will return to where it belongs, this waist.

His fingers move across his waist.

Axl: Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I’ve got to go end a long standing issue. See you both next week.

Evermore moves between Psycho and Faust, both men watching him walk away with intense eyes. Faust’s eyebrow raises as he turns towards Psycho and grins. The Sadistic One isn’t smiling whatsoever.

AXL EVERMORE VS. PAT EVANS:
STEEL CAGE MATCH
N.H.B TITLE CONTENDERSHIP

The steel cage has fully been assembled around the squared circle, leading the Manhattan Center crowd to get anxious as they wait for the battle that shall be waged within it.

Douglas: The Steel Cage has been assembled ladies and gentlemen, and the final battle between Pat Evans and Axl Evermore is about to be waged.

Billy: It’s about time, Pat finally gets to move on after this last little foray against Evermore, since he’s pretty much been kicking his ass now for like 6 months.

Dan: Actually, this has been a very back and forth feud between both of these men. If you recall this feud really got intense at IWC Breathless….

A clip cuts across the screen featuring highlights from the Submission Series, as Pat Evans is shown swinging a chain into the back of Axl Evermore’s head, as well as powerbombing Helix on top of his rival. It then switches to Evermore connecting with a superkick on Evans before switching to a shot of him locking Pat in the Straight-Shooter. It then cuts to Pat marching up the ramp in reverse with the Submission Title held high above his head and sweat racing down his exhausted features.

Mayne: Yes, and as the clip just displayed Pat made it out of that match with the Submission Title in his grasp. So thanks for reiterating my point.

Douglas: Oh yeah, then what about what happened at Extinction?

More clips are featured of the triple threat between Evermore, Evans, and Chapel, all three men fighting it out for the Cartel title. Various action shots are shown such as Evermore throwing himself over the ropes with the Sasuke Special, as well as Pat placing Axl in the Time to Go to Sleep, choking the very life from his frame. The images proceed into shots of Aurora Rose busting a crutch over Axl’s back then switching to a scene depicting Evermore moving out of the way causing Evans to spear his seductive helper off the apron to the mats below. The final image from Extinction features Evermore holding the Cartel Championship above his head.

Dan: There have certainly been a lot of run ins between these two who have constantly found one another at each other’s throats, but now the final culmination comes in the form of this Steel Cage showdowm.

Mayne: Evans will finally put Axl in his place, and move onto bigger, more productive things.

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 Evermore-in-action impact clips are shown. It fades to a front view of the stage, with Evermore--wearing his Fully Loaded team jacket--looking down on one knee, arms outstretched like he just landed from a jump. He stands up and he RVD's a thumbs pose, shouting "A...X...L!" as the crowd chants along, then thrusts open the snaps of his jacket, revealing his well-toned waist.

Kaily Wolf: Heading to the ring, hailing from NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK...weighing in at 246 pounds...AXL...EVERMORE!!

He heads to the ring with stern focus and an energetic gait as the crowd cheers, then jumps onto the steel steps, climbing them quickly before taking one last look at the steel cage. He smirks and slips through the ropes, tumbling forth into a hop, into a standing position at the center of the ring. He jogs to a corner, climbs it and thrusts his arms up and points to himself again, shouting "A...X...L!" as the crowd chants along. He hops down from the corner, takes his jacket and shades off, putting the shades in a jacket pocket, and draping the jacket over a corner post, 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. All the while his eyes scan the imposing steel structure erected around him.

Douglas: Evermore looking more determined and focused than ever here tonight ladies and gentlemen. Especially given what happened to him at Redemption Roe, when he and his partner Max Craven were heinously assaulted by Aurora Rose and Pat Evans after Pat had already gotten his team disqualified.

Billy: No amount of determination will carry him to victory against the Godly great Evans.

Dan: Tonight within the boundaries of this Steel Cage, anything can happen.

Evermore is still hoping in place, a slight gash noticeable beneath his hairline, created by the shots from that steel chain. “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 with the Submission Championship hanging over his shoulder and Aurora Rose sauntering out to his side. The crowd boos rather disgustedly as he makes his way down the ramp with Rose’s hand on his shoulder, but Evans merely ignores their fanfare and walks up to the Steel Cage, examining it with a trace of a grin on his face. He looks up at it before walking to the steel steps. He then walks along the apron and enters the ring through the cage door. He takes off his black trenchcoat and title belt, throwing them through the ropes to Aurora at ringside before turning to face his opponent who drills him to the face with a closed fist. The crowd reacts with a loud ovation as Evermore pops Evans under the jaw with closed right hand after closed right hand.

Douglas: And this match is getting underway immediately with Axl Evermore assaulting Pat Evans before the bell could even ring.

Mayne: That cheater! That no good cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater! That’s right, I went there.

Dan: Axl unable to control his rage when it comes to the Submission Champion.

Evans falls back first against the turnbuckle as he’s punched again and again straight across the jaw and now stomped repeatedly to the ribs. Evermore steps to his side and rips his shirt open to exposed his chest, immediately delivering a devastating knife edge chop right across his chest. Evans is still too shocked to put up much of a fight as Evermore delivers yet another searing knife edge chop which finally takes Pat off of his feet, sending him crashing onto his seat. Aurora is screaming at him to get up while still holding the Submission title and his trenchcoat at ringside. Axl rushes across the ring into the ropes, bouncing off of them and then bolting forward at Evans who he gives a vicious, dangerous face wash. Evans’ eyes roll to the back of his head, appearing very dazed by the strike while Axl backs up, fuming in rage then rushing forward from the center of the ring. He now flips forward, crashing upside down back first right into Evans’ sternum, sending the crowd into a louder uproar.

Billy: COME ON EVANS!

Dan: Axl just tearing Pat apart at the onslaught of this already physical Steel Cage match.

Evermore rolls over backwards onto his feet hen climbs up the turnbuckle over top the seated Evans then slaps his fists against his chest. The crowd cheers at the sight of this while Evermore grabs the top rope and pushes his legs up into the air, about to swing then down into the sternum of Evans who suddenly stands up, catching Axl against his shoulders. He has him in a fireman’s carry as he steps out of the corner, about to deliver a timely, yet dangerous move when Evermore slips free. He slides down Pat’s back, taking him around the waist and rolling the Submission Champion up into a sunset flip. He now stands and takes hold of Evans’ leg, trying to push him over onto his stomach to lock in the Straight-Shooter. Evans however lifts his foot and drives it into Axl’s sternum, then does it once again, desperately trying to free himself. He gets his leg out of Axl’s grasp and now reaches out with it, using his other one as well to wrap up Evermore’s ankle and drop toe hold him forward into the canvas. Evans twists his body and rolls over top of Evermore’s spine, ending up on his knees over top of Evermore’s head and upper spine. He lifts his forearms into the air, beginning to drive both of them over the upper spinal cord of Axl, perhaps trying to severe it.

Evans stands up and places his foot to the back of Axl’s head, pressing down on his knee now in order to inflict further damage to the neck. Evermore kicks his feet against the canvas, trying to push the foot away before Pat drops to his seat at his side, locking him in a quick side headlock submission hold. It appears that Evans is trying to slow this match down and do so quickly so as to force Evermore to exert as much energy as possible.

Dan: Pat locking in the side headlock, attempting to turn this into a pure wrestling bout.

Mayne: Evans is a true methodical technician in that ring, in any style of match you’ll see him bust out those submission grapples and wear down his opponents, in fact, I get tired just watching it.

Pat squeezes at the neck of the Fully Loaded member who rises to his knee, attempting to force his head free from this submission predicament. Both men finally rise to their feet thought with Evans still aggressively squeezing at Axl’s neck before Evermore lifts his opponent into the air then drops him posterior first right on top of his knee. Evans jumps forward grabbing at his rear-end when Axl takes him by the back of the head, rushing him towards the steel cage wall. Evans is thrown over the top rope, face first into the steel wall, the mesh bashing against his features. His skull collides with the solid mesh and sends him staggering backwards, Aurora yelling at him to do something before Evermore catches him by the back of the head, proceeding to repeat what he just did. He rushes Evans forward and throws him facial features first into the mesh yet again. The violent impact shakes the cage wall and sends Pat staggering backwards with a very dazed expression on his face. As soon as he turns around Evermore meets him with a kick to the gut and then places him in a front chancery, snapping over backwards into a vicious vertical suplex.

Billy: No, Evans thrown face first into the unforgiving steel cage wall repeatedly. That’s going to leave quite a blemish on his face, but I do know the number to a good make up artist, so he shouldn’t be too worried.

Dan: Your feminism again ruins a tremendous moment.

Mayne: I’m not feminine, I’m just high strung.

Evermore pulls Evans over onto his knees, again applying a front chancery then forcing him to his feet and snapping back into yet another vertical suplex. Evans’ spine collides forcefully with the canvas, sitting up and arching it from the ring in pain. He grabs at his lower back with his shirt ripped open and a large red streak left on his sternum from those devastating chops. As he turns onto his knees Axl takes him by the hair, forcing his long time rival to his feet and now dragging him towards the cage wall. Pat’s face is stuck over the ropes and shoved against the cage, the crowd screaming as Axl grates it back and forth across the mesh, Evans roaring in pain throughout the process. A dribble of blood oozes from a gash opened in his forehead before Evermore turns him around and delivers yet another knife edge chop straight across his sternum. Pat almost tumbles to the canvas as a result, barely holding himself up with the use of the ropes as this physical onslaught continues within the confines of the cage.

Axl isn’t through punishing him by any stretch of the imagination, taking him around the neck now in a bulldog position then rushing forward across the ring, dragging Evans along behind him. He now jumps into the air and pulls Pat down face first into the canvas with the running bulldog, sending the crowd into another loud ovation. Evans’ features collide with the canvas forcefully before he sits up and tumbles onto his side, looking dazed, winded, and incredibly confused. More blood is beginning to dribble from the laceration in his forehead as the spiteful, angry Evermore crawls on top of Evans’ sternum and starts to slug him repeatedly to the forehead. Aurora has her hand cupped over her face as she watches Axl deck Pat repeatedly in the face, opening up his gash further and further. Claret is starting to really flow from the wound in his forehead as Evermore takes him by the hair and forces him to his feet. Again Axl places him in a bulldog like position then rushes forward across the ring, jumping into the air. Suddenly Evans lifts Axl up high though and throws him over the ropes side first into the cage wall. The collision is absolutely devastating and results in a groan from the crowd as Evermore drops between the ropes and the wall, tumbling onto his posterior across the apron.

Billy: Hahahaha, yes, yes! Evans through Evermore into that wall like he were , ummm, uhhh, help me out here.

Douglas: Like he was your mother when you were an infant.

Mayne: Exactly….wait a minute.

Dan: Pat changing momentum by throwing Evermore into that wall with incredible force, finally getting on the offensive.

Pat has dropped to his knees, looking incredibly dazed as blood flows down his features and spills from his jaw. Axl is in bad shape as well, holding onto the ropes as he gets up, also using the cage wall to steady himself. Just as he stands though, Pat rushes across the ring and delivers a big boot right to his face, sandwiching his skull between the sole of his foot and the cage wall. Axl immediately grabs at his head and again falls to the apron, many of the fans gasping as a result of what they just witnessed. A loud scream of approval can be heard from Aurora at ringside, vehemently supporting Evans’ actions. Pat steps back across the ring, moving to the center of it where he doubles over and attempts to recuperate. All the while Evermore is rising to his feet on the apron yet again, this time facing the cage wall as he does so and using it to prop himself up. As his opponent stands Evans rips off the remnants of his shirt, twirling it between both of his hands then placing it around the throat of Axl. He leans back, choking the very life from Evermore’s body with the use of this article of clothing. Evermore reaches up and tries to pull the shirt away from his throat yet is unable to do so, the crowd screaming, getting on Evans’ case as a result of what he’s doing. The referee inside of the ring is imploring him to stop yet Pat simply won’t listen.

Mayne: There’s nothing you can do about this ref, everything is legal inside of the steel cage.

Douglas: How can you get such twisted joy out of seeing someone choke the life out of another person?

Billy: I’ve shown you my credit card bill Dan, you’ve seen how much I enjoy S&M.

Life is beginning to escape Axl’s eyes as Evans pulls the shirt away from his throat finally and now sticks his boot over the top rope, wedging it to the back of Evermore’s skull. He pushes his face forward into the cage wall, grinding his features against the steel with the fans shouting in rage over what they are seeing. Axl’s face is being mutilated as the mesh embeds itself in his flesh, Evans getting a twisted delight out of this torment. He finally takes his boot away from Axl’s head and turns him around, taking him around the back of the cranium then dropping to his knees, delivering a jaw breaker onto the top rope. Evermore’s throat bounces off the cable which launches him backwards into the cage wall. He bounces off of it and drops to his seat as Evans reaches under the ropes, grabbing him by the ankle then dragging him into the ring. He falls down on top of Axl, hooking his leg for the pin while claret continues to seep down his cheek.

Evermore kicks out, getting his shoulder up off of the canvas with just a few moments to spare. An angered Evans rises to his knees, shooting an intimidating glare in the direction of the official. He now takes hold of Evermore’s hair, forcing him over to his knees then slapping on a front chancery as he drags him up to his feet. Evans drops back into a DDT only to have Axl grab hold of the top rope, avoiding being pulled cranium first into the canvas. Pat’s spine collides hard with the ring as he now lies there, groaning in pain and rolling to the center of the squared circle.

Douglas: Axl with a much needed counter!

Mayne: Damn his desire to win, this is Evans’ match, doesn’t he realize that?

Pat is still arching his spine from the ring while the dazed, disorientated Evermore tries to shake off the shots he suffered to the head. He now turns and begins to climb up the rope, turning his back to the cage yet holding onto it as he spins to face his prone opponent. After balancing himself he now throws his body off into a senton bomb, however, Evans rolls towards the ropes he launched himself from, avoiding the collision. Evermore is forced to tuck his head and roll across the canvas right to his feet, turning to face the rising Evans and bolting straight at him. Evans side steps his inbound opposition, taking him by the back of the head then throwing him over the ropes face first into the cage wall. The steel doesn’t budge as Evermore’s face bounces off of it and he tumbles to the canvas, flipping over backwards in an almost unconscious condition. Evans leans on the ropes with a morbid expression on his bloodied face, watching Evermore try desperately to fight off the effects of that head first impact with the cage. He rises to his knees and almost falls to the canvas while a gash has noticeably been opened in his forehead, just like Evans who rushes forward, delivering a hard kick right to Axl’s face. The Fully Loaded member tumbles onto his back while Pat steps past him with a maniacal twinkle present in his eyes.

An “A-X-L” chant starts from the crowd while Evans places his boot to Evermore’s lacerated forehead and scrapes his heel right across it. Evermore sits up as a result, rubbing at his face while more claret begins to flow. Evans takes him around the jaw and rolls him from a seated position up to his feet, placing him in a quick front chancery then dropping back into the dangerous DDT he was looking for earlier. Axl’s skull collides unfavorably with the canvas, sending him onto his back as Evans slithers into the cover.

Evermore kicks out again to a wave of approval from the fans to agitation from the Submission Champion.

Billy: Now your starting to see the methodical destruction of Evermore at the hands of the great, incomparable, indestructible Evans. I know my descriptive dialogue.

Dan: It’s not so much descriptive as it is one sided and bigoted.

Mayne: It is really is great isn’t it.

Evans pulls Axl’s head off of the canvas and begins to slug him repeatedly to the gash in his face. He now sits him up on the canvas, beginning to deliver elbows to the top of his head over and over again. These shots are really starting to weaken Axl as well as send more claret flowing from his forehead. Evans continues his methodical destruction by pulling Axl over onto his knees then taking him by the wrist, whipping him directly into the ropes. When Axl hits them he takes hold of the top cable though, keeping from coming back in at his waiting opponent who becomes enraged. Pat now rushes forward, jumping forward at Axl who drops down out of the way, pulling downward on the top rope as well and as thus sending Evans flying over it head first into the cage wall. He collides viciously with the steel, his bloodied frame tumbling to the apron sideways as a result while Axl rolls to his elbows and knees in the center of the ring.

Dan: Axl still has some fight left in him!

Mayne: Terrific, it means nothing, cause Evans will beat that fight out of him.

Axl and Pat are both rising to their feet, looking bruised and bloodied before Evermore rushes across the ring lunging into the air. He delivers a dropkick over the ropes into the side of Pat’s body, knocking him into the cage wall with force. Pat ricochets off the steel then tumbles through the cables back into the ring, where the crimson smeared Evermore crawls into the cover.

Pat kicks out, getting his shoulder from the canvas with mere moments to spare. As a result Evermore rises to his knees, looking downright depressed over this inability to put Evans away before he sets his sights on the cage wall. He slowly, staggeringly rises to his feet and makes his way towards the wall, reaching over the ropes and taking hold of the mesh. In a sluggish, battered and banged up state he begins to climb the ropes and make his way up the cage in an attempt to escape the confines of the steel abyss. Evans is barely moving in the ring, still very dazed by the head first impact with the cage wall, unable to gather himself.

Douglas: Evermore looking to escape the cage Billy!

Mayne: Get up Pat, get up and do something about this, you can’t face this type of humiliation.

Although sluggish Evermore is moving up the cage wall at a good pace, already mere inches away from reaching the top of it. The Manhattan Center crowd is cheering loudly as Axl’s hand raises and takes hold of the top edge of the wall, lifting himself up and mere seconds from climbing over it. That’s when his ankle is unexpectedly grabbed by Evans, who refuses to allow him to escape so easily. Axl is holding onto the cage wall with all his might as Evans tugs on the ankle repeatedly, trying to get him down off the wall, but Evermore just won’t let go. He kicks back with both of his legs, trying to knock Evans away before one grazing shot disorientates Pat enough to send him staggering backwards, releasing his ankle. Evermore now turns around with his back pressed to the cage then launches himself off, landing on top of Pat’s shoulders and dropping back into a hurricarna with the pin. The fans are screaming with joy at the sight of the beautiful hurricarana, the official dropping down to make the count.

Evans kicks out and sends Evermore dropping over onto his back. To make things worse Pat stands up holding Axl’s ankle, rolling him onto his chest and stomach as he applies the ankle lock. The fans’ reaction has drastically altered as Evermore shoves himself up onto his elbows, roaring in agony over this twisting and ripping of his ankle.

Mayne: A beautiful, beautiful counter!

Douglas: A dangerous hurricarana now reversed into the dangerous ankle lock!

Billy: These two know each other so well.

Axl is roaring in pain as he pushes himself up onto his elbows, Evans still ripping and tearing at the ankle with all of his strength and a demented glint in his eyes. Suddenly Evermore rols onto his back and wedges his feet to Pat’s sternum pushing him off backwards. Evans flies in reverse and crashes into the canvas, rolling across it onto his elbows and knees in a very confused condition. Axl gets to a standing base with the help of the ropes, hobbling in the process but then blocking his pain as he rushes forward at his very dazed opponent. As he comes barreling forward Evans shockingly stands, catching him across the sternum then hoisting him into the air, delivering the Spinal Tap (Uranage Backbreaker). The entire arena reacts with shock Axl bounces off of the knee then tumbles over onto his side, groaning in anguish. Evermore rolls across the canvas with crimson leaking down his face and pain emitting from his spine while Evans falls sideways into the cables, clutching at them desperately to hold himself up. His attention now shifts to the cage wall, taking hold of it and beginning to scale the steel structure, starting to make his way towards the top.

Billy: Evans is going to escape the cage, he’s out of here after the Spinal Tap! Mwahahahaha, allow me to reiterate, mwahahahaha.

Douglas: Your diabolical laughter is about as ominous and threatening as Bambi.

Evans begins to scale the cage as quickly as his battered torso will allow. He briefly reaches for his face in the process, perhaps suffering from a migraine but shaking it off and continuing up the steel mesh. He is huffing and puffing as he reaches the top of the steel structure, beginning to reach over the top when Evermore rushes in, jumping into the air then delivering a hard forearm strike right between Evans’ kidneys. A loud groan emanates from Evans, who almost loses his footing, reaching for his spine in the process. He almost slips off the cage wall as Evermore begins to scale up beside him, reaching the point right beside his opposition. All the pain coursing through his spine is being blocked from his mind as Axl takes Evans by the hair, thrusting his face into the cage wall, then doing it once again. The wall reverberates as Evans is still somehow holding onto the mesh, keeping from collapsing to the ring below. Axl yanks back on Pat’s head then rams him face first into the mesh wiring once more, his face busted open even more than before, claret gushing down his features.

Axl now slams Evans’ face against the cage wall yet again the strike causing his hands and feet to slip, sending him tumbling testicles first right onto the top rope. A loud groan emanates from Evans, reaching for his genitals as he continues to straddle the top cable, Evermore stepping towards him across the top rope. He now jumps into the air, wrapping his legs around Pat’s neck then falling back into the ring, hurricaraning Evans off the cables and into the ring. Both individuals slam into the squared circle, Evans beginning to convulse as a result of the impact.

Douglas: What a tremendous move from Evermore! He’s keeping himself in this grudge bout despite the condition of his own body.

Mayne: His offensive is based around nothing more than luck, sheer, sheer unequivocal luck, and once I figured out what the word unequivocal means, that statement will be far more scornful.

Dan: Your limited vernacular never stops amazing me.

Billy: You lost me.

Douglas: My point exactly.

Evans is lying on the canvas, still feeling the agony slip through his body from this brutal steel cage encounter, blood gushing from his forehead. Axl is crawling in the direction of the cables, taking deep breaths in the process then grabbing hold of the ropes, utilizing them to force his frame up to his feet. He almost tumbles to the canvas yet is able to keep his grasp on the cables, turning slowly in the direction of the struggling Evans who is trying to get up. As soon as he stands and turns around, Evermore steps away from the cables, drilling Pat under the jaw with a brutal superkick. The fans respond with a loud ovation as Pat has just been knocked to the canvas, laid out completely with Evermore staggering around then falling into the cover.

Douglas: A superkick by Evermore, a straight superkick landed to the JAW!

The referee drops and makes the cover, the Manhattan crowd chanting along.

Everyone in the building applauds before they realize Evans kicks out, turning their reaction into shrill screams of disbelief. Evans rolls onto his side, his face caked with blood and his eyes blinking sporadically as he tries to remain conscious. All the while Axl rolls away from him, looking absolutely exhausted at this point and reaching for his spine in the process. He begins to stand up while Aurora has knocked the other official on the outside of the cage to the ground and is opening the door to the steel structure. Contained with her hands are a steel chair and a chain. She slides the chair into the ring and throws the chain over the cables into the cage as well. Finally the referee steps in and starts to argue with Aurora, closing the door as Rose steps back, threatening the official with bodily harm if he tries to touch her.

Dan: Oh no, what the hell is Aurora doing!?! She’s helping Evans cheat yet again.

Mayne: He requires none of her assistance, he can handle Evermore completely on his own.

The referee closed the cage door prematurely it seems, as Evermore is now crawling instinctively in it’s direction, looking to escape the confines of the steel structure in his very dazed state. He stares through the blood caking his eyes towards his salvation the cage door which the official reaches up to open. But to boos from the crowd Aurora now clubs the official over his upper back, knocking him face first into the cage wall before he bounces off of it and tumbles to the outside mats. A grinning Rose reaches out and holds the cage door closed, not even looking at Axl who has just risen to his feet and is now bolting forward. He jumps into the air and dropkicks the cage door, sending it flying backwards right into Aurora’s face. The impact echoes throughout the arena, knocking Rose off of her feet and sending her tumbling back first to the outside mats.

Dan: Aurora’s cheatery back fires!

Mayne: How dare Evermore! How does he know if Rose wasn’t just trying to open the door for him.

Dan: You know that’s the biggest line of bullshit you’ve ever spewed forth from your vile lips.

Aurora lies on the outside mats, looking completely unconscious while Axl rises to his feet, trying to balance himself then turning back towards the center of the ring. Out of nowhere he’s booted to the ribs, doubling him over forward before he’s placed in a front chancery, Evans dropping back into a sickening DDT right on top of the steel chair. Axl’s skull bounces off the steel, sending him rolling onto his back, where he lies just as motionless as Aurora.

Mayne: A DDT onto the CHAIR! YES! YES!!!

Douglas: Evermore could be spent at this point, he could be out of this match completely.

Both men are spread across the canvas, bleeding and breathing heavily before Evans starts to crawl in the direction of Axl. He doesn’t seem to be aware of where he is, or what he’s doing yet still has the wherewithal to place his arm over Axl’s chest, the crowd screaming as the official makes the count.

Evermore kicks out just barely getting his shoulder up amongst a loud wave of cheers from the packed house.

Billy: How in the hell did he kick out!?!

Douglas: Evermore again getting his shoulder up after taking a hard shot to the cranium.

Mayne: Has his skull been replaced with silly putty or something?

A steady amount of blood is now streaming straight down Evermore’s face while Evans sits up on the canvas, bleeding just as profusely. He blows a strand of hair out of his face, asking himself what it’s going to take to put Axl away in this violent steel cage encounter. Slowly he reaches down and grabs the chain off of the canvas, lifting it up into the air then wrapping it slowly around his fist. As soon as he stands and glares at Evermore rolling towards the cables though he grins and unravels the chain from around his fist. Instead he grabs one of Axl’s wrists, pinning it against the top cable then using the chain to tie it up with the ropes. He puts the other wrist to the cables and begins to tie it up as well before backing up in the direction of the dented steel chair. Evermore is too dazed to realize what’s going on, unaware that his hands have been tied to the top rope.

Dan: Oh God, what is Pat Evans doing?

Mayne: What lengths would he not go to in order to win this match, Dan? Don’t pretend to be shocked by his actions.

Axl slowly begins to regain his faculties as he stands up, realizing his hands have been tied to the rope with the chain. He tries to pull himself free but can’t as his vengeful eyes glare through the blood streaming down his face in the direction of an intense Evans clutching hold of the chair. Pat lifts the steel into the air, beginning to rush forward as if threatening to strike Axl with it but stopping and chuckling, he’s just toying with him at this point, savoring this moment. His behavior is drastically altered though as Evermore begins to shout every four letter word he can think of at Pat, and is now actually begging him to use the chair.

Evermore: Come on you mother fucker! HIT ME WITH THE CHAIR, DO IT BITCH!

Evans’ eye open wide and he nods his head almost maniacally, slamming the chair against the canvas.

Evans: You want it, you GOT IT!

Evans rushes forward lifting the chair into the air when Axl suddenly pushes himself up against the cables, lifting his feet into the air and driving them into the steel. It is knocked backwards right into Pat’s face, causing him to be staggered, turning away from Evermore as he moves to the center of the ring. He bends forward, still holding onto the chair instinctively while Axl is able to untie his hands from the chain, freeing himself. He now rushes right at Evans who turns and slams the chair with all of his strength right between Axl’s eyes. The fans respond with sheer outrage and disgust as Evermore tumbles onto his back, lying motionless, Evans trying to keep himself upright.

Billy: OHHHH, I don’t care what his head is made of, it’s got to be badly damaged after that shot with the chair!

Douglas: That shot echoing throughout the arena! Hope quickly fading for Evermore!

Pat keeps trying to balance himself before stepping over Evermore’s badly bloodied head, sticking the top edge of the chair against the laceration in his forehead. He leans down into the chair, scraping it back and forth, trying to open him up even further while Evermore is roaring in pain. In his weak, dazed, damaged state he tries to force the chair away from his cranium, which is gushing pints of claret at this point. After being satisfied that enough damage has been inflicted Evans steps back, throwing down the chair then falling into the cover on his opponent, hooking his leg sluggishly.

Somehow Axl is able to kick out, lobbing his shoulder from the ring while Evans rises to his knees, his face weighed down thick with disbelief.

Mayne: HOW DOES HE KEEP KICKING OUT!?! This is downright irritating!!

Douglas: Much like your commentary. Evermore knows this is his last battle against Evans, he needs to emerge victorious from this.

Another “A-X-L” chant has started from the fans while Evans begins to stumble and stagger in the direction of the cage door, looking to escape, attempting to place his feet on the outside mats, thus ensuring himself a victory in this feud ending match with Evermore. He almost falls over his own feet in the process of moving towards the cage door, reaching through the ropes and pushing it open. He begins to step through the ropes to escape when the fans react with a loud ovation at the sight of Evermore jumping forward and catching his ankle. Evans kicks desperately and knocks his hands away before stepping through the ropes onto the apron. He has one foot on the apron and the other still stuck through the ropes into the ring, which is exactly what Axl grabs hold of it, gripping it tightly. Evans tries to fall sideways out of the cage door now, tugging at his leg repeatedly in order to free it from the grasp of Evermore. However, Axl is like a pitbull without the fangs, digging his claws into Pat’s leg with no relent. Evans finally slips back into the ring and stomps Axl right to his blood soaked face, finally breaking his hands away from his ankle. The referee on the outside of the ring has finally recovered enough to stand, falling into the cage door and shutting it closed.

Mayne: Pat almost escaped, he almost escaped!

Dan: Evermore pugnaciously holding onto Evans, keeping him from touching those outside mats. This match is still going ladies and gentlemen.

Billy: Damn Axl, damn cage matches, damn it all to hell in a handbag! A cheap, cheap handbag, the type that smells like mothballs!

Blood now covers Evans’ fists, derived from the lacerated forehead of Evermore who rolls away from him towards the center of the ring then gets to his feet, staggering in his opponent’s direction. The enraged Pat slugs him right under the jaw, sending him down to the canvas back first then shouting for him to get up, motioning with upward thrusts of his palms in the process. Axl rolls to his knees, trying to stand up when Evans jabs him again right between the eyes, taking Axl to the ring for a second time as blood splatters across the canvas. Evans steps back, bending forward with crimson covering his face as he motions with his palms for Axl to get up so he can take him down to the canvas yet again. Evermore rolls to his knees, beginning to force himself upwards yet wobbling back and forth, barely able to maintain his upright base. Axl gets to his feet and now begins to motion for Evans to bring it, demanding that he hit him as Pat grins slowly, his smile appearing beneath a layer of blood. He rushes forward and throws a fist only to have Axl block it with his forearm then respond with a shot of his own. Pat is staggered before he throws another punch only to have Evermore block it again and jab Evans right to the jaw a second time. Somehow Evans is remaining upright as Axl begins to punch him repeatedly, time and time again, backing him up in the direction of the turnbuckle.

Douglas: Evermore is fighting back, he’s fighting back in this match ladies and gentlemen! I have no idea how he’s doing this but he’s coming back even after those vicious chair shots!

Mayne: Somebody injected this man with horse steroids or something!

Evans falls spine first against the corner, his arms tumbling over the ropes while Axl comes rushing forward right into a boot to the face. Somehow Evans avoided the intended shot by Evermore, sending him staggering in reverse while he now pulls himself up onto the second rope in his incredibly dazed condition. Even with blood dripping from every inch of his face Evans takes flight, soaring right towards Axl who suddenly jumps into the air and meets him with a big knee right to the face. The fans react with cheers as both men spill to the canvas, lying there in a heap, barely able to move after the hell they’ve inflicted on one another’s bodies.

Douglas: What an amazing counter by Evermore, jumping up in time to meet the inbound Evans with that devastating knee strike!

Mayne: This is implausible, absolutely implausible I say!

Neither man is moving while the referee inside of the cage looks back and forth at them, stunned by the hell they’ve put each other through. He is shaking his head as he realizes his presence here is pointless, there being nothing he can do until one of these men makes a pinfall attempt. The battered, incoherent Evermore turns onto his elbows and knees, rising to his feet and then falling over onto his side immediately. He pushes himself up though, shaking off the shots to his cranium as blood dissipates through the air. After struggling for several moments he finally gets himself upright and begins to move in the direction of the turnbuckle, stepping past the laid out Evans then beginning to climb the corner. The fans are cheering as he reaches the top rope and now grabs hold of the cage wall, beginning to scale it ever so sluggishly, in a truly, battered, brutalized condition.

Mayne: No Evermore no! You don’t really want to win this match, stop now and think about what your doing!

Douglas: Axl is going to escape if he can just climb to the top and get over to the other side, Evans seems to be in no shape to stop him.

Billy: Get up Pat, get your lazy ass up off that canvas, stop goldbricking!

The insanely tired, agonizing Evermore reaches the top of the cage, throwing his arm over the wall and beginning to pull himself up onto the very top of the steel enclosure. He throws his leg over it as well, now sitting on the top of the wall while breathing heavily, allowing his blood to settle in a puddle on his face. The crowd is screaming, the Manhattan Center begging him to climb over to the other side as Evermore painstakingly begins to do so. Shockingly though Evans is climbing up the turnbuckle unbeknownst to Axl, reaching the top rope surprisingly quickly. He now begins to climb the cage as Evermore throws his other leg over to the opposite side, starting to move down it. Just when it seems that victory is within his grasp Evans reaches over the top of the cage, grabbing hold of Axl’s hair, keeping him from going any further. The fans are reacting in shock as well as outrage, realizing that Evermore has been stopped before he could conclude what has been an emotional roller coaster of a match thus far. Evermore is trying to drop down off the cage wall but Pat still has hold of his hair, pulling on it with all of his strength. As a result Axl begins to be dragged over the cage wall back inside of the ring no matter how hard he fights. He now lies stomach first across the top of the cage and grabs Pat’s hair though, headbunting him hard right to the skull. Pat almost looses his footing on the top rope, barely keeping himself upright while Axl drops over the cage wall and climbs down onto the top rope at his side. He now delivers a stiff, vicious chop across Evans’ sternum, followed by another such strike. Somehow Pat keeps hold of the cage to make sure he doesn’t crash back into the ring, Evermore grabbing him by the hair and pulling him forward into another lethal headbunt.

Axl turns away from Evans, beginning to scale the cage wall yet again to cheers from the fans. To the despair of everyone though Pat steps forward and shoots his arm across Evermore’s sternum, pulling him off the ropes and wall all the way down to the ring with the Spinal Tap!

Douglas: AAAAHHHH!!

Mayne: THE SPINAL TAP FROM THE TOP ROPE!!

The Manhattan Center fans are screaming with absolute shock as Evermore lies on the canvas across his stomach, his hand over his lower back and his body wriggling around on the ring like a dying fish. Evans lies on his side holding his knee before crawling into the cover, the crowd roaring.

Mayne: HE’S DONE IT!

3!!

Everyone in the building is screaming at the sight of Evans’ victory, Pat picking up the win finally….wait, no, Evermore KICKED OUT! Pat rises to his knees, his wide opened eyes providing the only other color in his crimson covered face.

Dan: Evermore got his shoulder up, he kicked out, he kicked out!!

Mayne: IMPOSSIBLE!

There is not an occupied seat in the entire house while Evans remains on his knees, huffing and wheezing, unable to accept that Evermore has kicked out. His fingers run through his blood soaked hair while he tries to force his battered, almost broken body up to his feet, stumbling in the direction of Evermore’s leg then reaching down and taking him by the ankle. He lifts it up into the air and begins to twist and rip at it, Axl awakening from his almost comatose state to roar in agony as he pushes himself up onto his elbows. He shakes his head and refuses to tap out while the entire arena is screaming, begging him not to give up. His desire to submit is increasingly though as the shockwave of pains rip all through his body. His hand is shaking above the ring, moments away from slapping it, from giving into this anguish, the fans slapping the barricades, stomping their feet, doing whatever they can to motivate him.

Mayne: He’s going to tap, he’s going to tap!

Douglas: He’s fighting it Billy, he’s fighting it!

Billy: There’s no point!

Evermore is about to tap out as Evans’ eyes fill with vindication and rage. Suddenly Axl bends his head and rolls forward, pulling Evans down with him. He sits on top of Pat’s chest and holds down the back of his legs, the official dropping to make the count with the Manhattan Center crowd screaming.

Mayne: NOOO!!

The entire crowd is floored almost as Evans kicks out with just mere seconds to spare, sending Evermore rolling over backwards. He gets to his knees and then falls sideways onto the canvas, Evans rising quickly to his feet then approaching him with a second wind. He reaches down, grabbing Axl by the hair when Evermore suddenly swings a chain wrapped fist right between his eyes. The crowd erupts as Pat tumbles onto his back, Axl sitting up at his side with a chain wrapped about his knuckles, having been pulled from his pants pockets.

Mayne: THAT CHEATER!

Douglas: Evermore just hit Evans with a chain! He just gave him a taste of his own medicine!

Pat is completely laid out by the chain shot as Evermore turns to his knees, crawling desperately into the cover. Everyone in the building is screaming as the referee drops down to make the count.

Mayne: It can’t end this way!!

The entire arena explodes into a wave of cheers over Axl’s well deserved victory, truly starting to commemorate it when their hopes are dashed at the sight of Evans’ shoulder shooting from the canvas right before the count could be fully made.

Billy: He kicked out, dear lord he kicked out!

Douglas: Pat Evans getting his shoulder up after taking that shot from the chain! What do these men have left in their arsenal at this point!?!

Axl is sitting up on the canvas with blood streaming down his face and his mouth hanging open, he can’t believe that his match is continuing even after the use of the chain. He slowly, agonizingly begins to turn his body, switching over onto his knees and then stepping over top of Evans, beginning to move in the direction of the turnbuckle in order to climb out of the cage. As soon as he steps over him Pat reaches up and catches hold of his ankle, lifting it into the air and causing Axl to crash forward as Evans begins to stand up behind him, applying the ankle lock. The Manhattan Center is erupting into screams of sheer disbelief as Pat rises to his feet and really begins to twist and rip at the ankle of his opposition.

Dan: Not the ankle lock yet again!

Mayne: Pat is determined to break his ankle, he’s determined to rip it in half!

Roars of rage and anguish emanate from Evermore who is still shaking his head, trying to resist with everything that he has left the temptation to tap. It’s becoming increasingly more difficult with each and every twist and yank of the ankle. Again his palm is raising into the air, looking ready to tap only to ball his fingers up into a fist and now begin to crawl desperately for the ropes. Everyone in the Manhattan Center are standing as Evermore grabs hold of the bottom rope, the official stepping in and demanding that Evans break his submission. Pat won’t do it though, outright refusing as he realizes the referee is powerless to stop him. Evermore pulls himself up the ropes until he’s leaning chest first against the top one and hopping up and down on one foot. He now pushes his body into the air and falls over top of the uppermost cable, pulling Evans forward as a result and sending him flying over the ropes face first into the cage wall. The collision is brutal as Pat now staggers backwards, flailing his arms at his sides to keep himself upright.

Axl rolls under the ropes back into the ring and limps towards Evans, booting him to the ribs then hooking both of his arms. The crowd cheers as they realize that he’s setting up for the Flipside. He begins to lift Evans but then roars in pain, dropping him back to his knees and then staggering in reverse, reaching for his ankle in horrid pain. He drops Pat right on top of the chain, which he now begins to wrap around his fist. Axl hops on one foot as he steps back towards Evans who stands and swings the chain right at his face. Somehow Evermore has the gumption to duck the shot, stepping behind Pat who turns around right into the superkick. Wait, no, Pat catches hold of Axl’s leg and is now trying to turn him back over into the ankle lock. Axl is hoping on one foot though in an attempt to avoid being locked in this hold, fighting it with all of his strength. He now jumps into the air and nails the enzugari to the back of Evans’ skull, rendering Pat almost unconscious, yet still remaining on his feet.

Evermore rolls to his knees, limping as he stands up and approaches the dazed, confused Evans who suddenly lobs his chain wrapped fist right into Axl’s face.

Douglas: NOO!!! The chain used once again!

Mayne: This time Evermore felt it’s wrath!!

Axl is completely dazed by the shot from the chain as he turns in a full circle towards Evans who catches him across the chest then hoists him into the air. Pat now drops Evermore spine first right across his knee with the Spinal Tap. Evermore bounces off the knee into a spin as he crashes to the canvas, Evans falling on top of him in his horribly disorientated condition.

The entire arena is stunned by this outcome as Evans has just narrowly defeated Axl Evermore in what was one of the most violent, unbelievable Steel Cage bouts ever waged in the IWC.

Mayne: Evans is victorious, oh thank you lord!

Douglas: What an unbelievable outcome to an unbelievable cage match!

Every fan in attendance is either booing or cheering, but they all stand after one of the most gutsiest performances ever seen. Evans drops off of Evermore onto his back, lying there a bloody mess at this point with his eyes flickering as they attempt to remain open. He doesn’t even seem to know where he is while Evermore lies beside him, in just as bad of shape if not worse. The official raises Pat’s arm into the air to symbolize his victory only for Aurora to crawl across the ring, having regained her senses and slap the hand of the referee away. She bends down, taking the bloodied head of Evans in her arms then sitting him up on the canvas while the crowd is still screaming over the outcome of this one on one encounter.

Mayne: The final battle between Evermore and Evans is over, and Pat stands tall in the end.

Douglas: What the hell are you talking about? He can’t stand at all.

Outsider begins to play in the background while Aurora rocks back and forth with the bloodied, crimson covered skull of Evans buried to her sternum. Evermore rolls onto his side, looking to be in an almost drugged state as he lifts his hand into the air only to immediately pass out all over again.

Douglas: What a phenomenal Steel Cage encounter between Pat Evans and Axl Evermore.

Mayne: These guys just tore each other apart in this feud ending battle.

Dan: I dare say that they’ll be talking about this match for years to come here in the IWC.

Mayne: I’ll tell you something else fans will be talking about, besides their disproportionate testicles, the special video that we were sent by Sallie earlier today.

The thought of this video playing seems to create a mixture of emotions in Dan Douglas.

Douglas: Perhaps, but I’m naturally leery to see what Sallie had to say in this interview of sorts filmed at the IWC head offices. And thank you again Billy for killing the buzz set by that battle we just witnessed.

Billy: It was my pleasure. Role the footage boys.

The video slowly begins to play.

A LONG KEPT SECRET

The words “previously recorded” remain in the bottom left hand corner of the screen where the co-boss Sallie is also positioned. She looks very emotional, her feelings unrestrained for once while she sits on a stool with a plain black backdrop residing behind her. It’s clear that she’s in pain over what she’s about to do, her eyes welting a little and her head shaking slightly. The secret, the hidden truth about Orlando Cruze that she’s kept buried for so very long appears on the verge of coming out.

Sallie: Ladies and gentlemen, for many years I’ve been forced to hide a secret. I’ve been burdened with a truth that has long since plagued me emotionally and physically…

She stops speaking, far too pained to continue before forcing a smirk and shaking her head quickly, trying to get through her emotion.

Sallie: It’s a secret that Orlando has tried to keep buried for so long, and probably pretends to not even know of it’s existence. He’s played dumb for months every time I’ve brought up revealing his dark, obscured history, but he knows the truth, even if he’s not willing to admit to it. Hahahaha….

Instead of being overly emotional now she appears almost mad, chuckling somewhat diabolically to herself. Her brazen eyes raise to glare through the camera lens now into the faces of all those watching her around the world.

Sallie: But the time for Cruze to keep running from his past has come to an end. There’s no longer any need for me to protect Orlando, to try and hide his past, he’s got to face it. Orlando has to face what he’s done, he’s got to face the fact that he’s been lying to you fans for so very long, and as thus face the repercussions of his past misdeeds.

Again Sallie snickers a little.

Sallie: You people honestly still see him as a hero, well you won’t soon enough. Not after you see what he put me through, the condition he left me in, the pain he forced me to endure for years after abandoning me. You all think he’s a noble, honorable human being, someone that your kids can aspire to be like? Bullshit! He’s nothing more than a dead beat, a liar, a manipulator, and a traitor. He turned his back on me when I needed him the most, he betrayed me and left me all alone, yet you people still cheer him, you still respect him!?!

She brushes the long locks of her hair out of her face while laughing to herself in a truly distraught manner. The words coming out of her mouth are even difficult for her to endure.

Sallie: You people are lying to yourselves, your allowing yourselves to be fooled whenever you cheer for Cruze, whenever you support his actions, whenever you look up to him. There’s nothing redeemable about the great Orlando Cruze, his entire persona is based on lies and deception. He’s clouded the truth from you people for far too long, but I’m not going to any longer. I’m through protecting him, and I’m through shielding you people from his disgusting, dark history. You people think I’m the villain in all of this, that I enjoy what I’m doing, that I get some sick thrill out of being here? Well I don’t! I’m forced to do this.

A single tear can be seen streaming from Sallie’s eye and down her cheek while she lowers her head, unable to even look at the camera any longer.

Sallie: Next week, in the center of that very ring, it’s time for the truth to come out. Then you’ll see, then you all will realize why it is that I’m here, and why it is that I look at Orlando as nothing more than a coward!

Sallie pulls the clipped on mic from her blouse and stands up, walking off camera in a very emotional state, trying to hide her features behind the palms of her hands.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

CATCH THE REPLAY ON PAYPER-VIEW

AFTERMATH OF THE BLOODBATH

Jeers carry out from the Manhattan Center crowd as the camera switches backstage to reveal a blood soaked Pat Evans being assisted through the backstage corridor. He leans on the shoulders of Aurora Rose, barely able to hold himself up yet still gripping tightly to the Submission title. The only other color discernable besides the crimson on his face are the whites of his eyes which are only half open. He almost looses his balance while being led forward through the corridor, even with the assistance of Aurora Rose propping him up. Although Rose appears quite proud of her man she keeps glancing at a watch around her wrist as she leads him towards a stack of crates.

Aurora: Pat, I am so proud of you….

Even through his pain and despair Evans is able to roll his eyes.

Evans: There’s nothing to be proud of, haven’t you learned a single God damn thing from me yet?

His sharp tongue lacerates Aurora yet she doesn’t allow herself to be effected while helping him to sit down on one of the crates. He leans forward with his hand pressed to one of his possibly cracked ribs, having difficulty breathing and although Aurora looks eager to stay and help him she’s just as anxious to get to the ring.

Aurora: I’m sorry. I need to get to the ring though, my match is suppose to start next. Is there anything I can get you before I go?

Pat: Just go! Take care of that bitch and then get back here!

He grimaces yet again while gripping at his ribs and shivering from the sheer amount of blood loss and brutality his twisted frame has endured. Aurora nods as she backs away from the man who has become so much more to her than just a mentor. Finally she turns and rushes towards the ring, eager to get her hands on Robin Brooks and as thus win the number one contendership at the X-Class Championship. All the while Evans continues to sit in both anger and agony. These two feelings are only exacerbated when a loud holler is heard from beside him.

Wow, that’s all I can say, wow!

Through the blood caked on his eyes Evans turns his eyes before rolling them at the sight of the World Heavyweight Champion Hurse moving towards him. He is still adorned in his referee shirt and a broad smile is cut across his face as he steps to Evans’ side and slaps him on the shoulder. Shockwaves of pain course all throughout Evans’ body as a result of this playful slap, causing him to wince away from the World Champion.

Hurse: What you did out there in that ring tonight was sheer brilliance. It was masterful, it was almost Machiavellian or something. All I have to say is that I’m glad I’ve got you on my side.

Pat’s pupils fix vindictively upon Hurse, who is far too dense to get the meaning of such a penetrating stare.

Evans: Your side, huh?

Hurse: Exactly, I mean, we made such a great team at Redemption Roe didn’t we? The way you and Aurora beat the….

Pat: Yeah, yeah, yeah….

Hurse doesn’t take too kindly to being interrupted, yet doesn’t dare vocalize his anger.

Evans: But it’s not exactly like you stuck to your end of the bargain now is it. You were suppose to give Aurora and I a shot at the Tag Team Titles, but remind me, what happened at the end of that gauntlet?

Even through his pain Evans is able to interpret his frustration while Hurse just stands there with two wide open eyes reminiscent of a deer trapped in a set of car headlights. He grins and shrugs.

Hurse: Hey, freak occurrences happen Pat, like the popularity of William Hong’s rendition of She-Bang, or Ben Afflack’s acting credentials despite the absence of talent, it’s not like you can blame me for what happened.

Evans: Are you not the one who got pinned?

Disingenuously Hurse waves his palm at Evans, as if brushing the negativity away.

Hurse: Now you’re just splitting hairs Evans. Besides, I’m sure once Desolation has forgiven me we’ll regain the Tag Team Titles and are Alpha compatriots will be next in line to challenge for the belts.

He extends his knuckle, hoping Evans will strike it with his own to symbolize their continued alliance. Evans just glares at the fist though in repulsion.

Pat: Who’s to say that Aurora and I won’t take the Tag Titles off of Orlando and Rich first?

Hurse’s smile wavers.

Hurse: Yeah, that could happen, or not. But I wanted to talk to you about something else that’s right up your alley. I understand you’ve got a few scrapes and bruises…

Evans: I’m literally drenched in my own blood.

Hurse: Oh you lose more blood when you cut yourself shaving, don’t be a wuss. Anyway, since your now the number one contender for the N.H.B Title, I think it behoove you to assist me in beating down Rich and Orlando tonight to guarantee neither man is able to make it to Paranoia V, and that Jon is incapable of defending his title against you next week.

The pain ridden Evans finds himself contemplating this contingency as Hurse continues.

Hurse: And that way you fulfill your obligations to the Alpha Generation.

This last sentence snaps Pat out of it.

Evans: Obligations, aye?

Hurse: Of course. Consider yourself a drafted soldier in the army of the Alpha Generation. So what do you say, are you up for it, buddy?

Again he sticks out his knuckle desperately as Evans glances down at it.

Evans: Well seeing as I’m barely able to stand I doubt I would be of any use later tonight, so no.

Hurse’s face tenses and his knuckle lowers, not liking what he hears in the slightest. Finally he begins to throw a fit.

Hurse: Well fine then, but you better decide where your alliances lie Evans, because sooner or later your going to swear your allegiance to the Alpha Generation. Your going to decide rather your with us or against us, and then there won’t be anymore of this pussyfooting around.

In a huff the World Champion turns, storming down the hallway, enraged that he can’t find anyone willing to help him take out Orlando and Rich tonight since Desolation is still angered with him. Pat Evans watches him leave with blood still dripping down his face and the wheels in his head turning.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

As the lyrics of From Yesterday by 30 Seconds to Mars start to play gently at first in the background images pertaining to various IWC competitors are shown. Psycho is featured making his way down the ramp at Paranoia III amongst a loud outcry of approval from the fans. It switches into a shot now of Robin Brooks sitting on the canvas coveting the X-Class Championship with sweat racing down her face mixed with her tears.

He's a stranger to some
And a vision to none
He can never get enough,
Get enough of the one

Christian Savior quickly twists his head to stare at the camera with his upper lip pushed out over the bottom one and a diabolical smirk inhabiting his face. The next image correlates to Killjoy standing on a turnbuckle with his arms thrust out to his sides while cameras flash all over the arena at the sight of him doing his classic pose at Paranoia. As the music begins to pick up a little the image switches to Aurora Rose doing her patented entrance into the ring.

For a fortune he'd quit
But it's hard to admit
How it ends and begins
On his face is a map of the world
(A map of the world)
On his face is a map of the world
(A map of the world)
From yesterday, it's coming!
From yesterday, the fear!
From yesterday, it calls him
But he doesn't want to read the message here

Axl Evermore and Max are featured standing on diagonal corners pointing out over the crowd before the video transfers into a scene depicting Orlando Cruze holding the World Championship up high above his head with a very emotional expression on his face. Jon Rich is now shown moving across the ring with the N.H.B gold raised up high. As the harder portion of the song kicks in Silencer is featured delivering a superkick to Shinzan Valfane then switching into a scene of Faust flying through the ropes into a suicide dive. Nathan Creed delivers the move formerly known as the Total Domination on Jackson Adams. Psycho is featured roaring in slow motion from behind a puddle of blood that is his face until the scenes switch to Pat Evans twisting at Max Craven’s ankle with that vicious submission hold.

From yesterday, it's coming!
From yesterday, the fear!
From yesterday, it calls him
But he doesn't want to read the message here
From yesterday,
From yesterday,
From yesterday, the fear
From yesterday,
From yesterday
But he doesn't want to read the message
But he doesn't want to read the message

But he doesn't want to read the message here

A huge collection of fans are shown screaming for joy before cutting to Desolation delivering the Curb Stomp to the already badly bloodied Hurse. The video continues to move rapidly through shots of past Paranoia’s, now featuring Johnny Kingdom delivering the Exodus Finale on Chris Cortez then transferring with great haste to Robin Brooks flipping through the air with a shooting star press. Nathan Creed is now shown standing on the stage with the Livewire title held high above his head before switching to Riggs driving a railroad spike into the skull of Saul. A bloodied Hurse and Desolation are featured loaded on top of the shoulders of the Alpha Generation with the World Title held high and extended between their hands.

DREAM IS REALITY

AURORA ROSE VS. ROBIN BROOKS:
X-CLASS CONTENDERSHIP
SPECIAL REF: HURSE

The show returns to the ring right as some familiar, but un-welcomed music begins to play throughout the Manhattan Center, leading into a negative release of jeers from the audience.

There is a house in New Orleeeeannns
They call it the Risssiiinng Suuunnn
And its been the ruiiiinn of many a pooorr booyyy
And God I know I’m one…

Before the crowd properly has time to react with their disgust and outrage through the curtains strolls the source of their disgust, the World Heavyweight Champion himself, Hurse. Instead of being dressed to compete tonight, a stripped shirt clings to his body, adorned in your basic referee attire. It binds to his arms which are thrust out to his sides, while an ever confident grin resides on his face. He walks through the red laser lights shinning down upon him and flashing from his face, making his way to the ring where his referee duties await him.

Dan: And we move right along here at Riot! from one travesty to another.

Mayne: How can you call this a travesty, you get more Hurse!

Douglas: That’s never a good thing Billy. Besides I don’t know how anyone in their right mind could allow Hurse to be the special referee in this match, it’s almost pre-determined that he’s going to pick a side. There’s no way he’s going to impartial when one competitor is his ex-girlfriend that he’s trying to win back, and the other is a member of this fledgling alliance that he’s developed.

Billy: When has Hurse ever shown himself to be partial, or unfair?

Douglas: Um, pretty much every time we’ve seen him.

Hurse steps onto the apron, looking towards the fans with a grin before slipping through the ropes into the ring. For some reason he looks almost pleased to find himself in this situation, where he’ll be torn between his allegiances. “The Kill” by 30 Seconds to Mars now starts to play over the PA system, leaking into a loud ovation derived from pure anger and negativity. Hurse smiles wide as he glares towards the curtains which separate to reveal the villainous vixen that is Aurora Rose. She saunters through them onto the stage and overlooks the fans with a grin present on her face, one that only intensifies the fans’ rage. After kicking her hair back dramatically she proceeds towards the ring, shaking her head all the while over the reaction she is receiving but not allowing it to effect her. As she jumps onto the apron Hurse sits on the middle rope, separating the cables for the young woman who slips through them ever so slowly and seductively She stands up and shakes Hurse’s hand with confidence.

Douglas: What the hell is this? You never see a competitor shaking hands with the referee.

Mayne: Aurora is a sportsman at heart, you should know that by now.

Dan: Well she certainly has a very funny way of showing it.

Aurora steps to the center of the ring, bending forward with her hands on her knees while glaring towards the entry way in anticipation of her opponent’s arrival. Hurse also seems quite eager to see Brooks, even after she cost him the Tag Team Titles on Redemption Roe.

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 strolls onto the stage happy at first before her sights cross Aurora Rose then transfer to Hurse who is smiling as he winks in her direction. The Black Widow appears outright disgusted by the individuals inhabiting the ring she slowly, tentatively approaches, unsure of what lies ahead. She now jogs forward with pyro shooting from the stage behind her and slides under the ropes to the inside of the ring, rising to her knees and not removing her eyes from the World Champion. Shockingly Hurse is actually clapping for Robin which has drawn the uneasy Aurora’s attention.

Dan: Robin Brooks looks a little leery about competing in this match even though if she is victorious she will receive a rematch against Christian Savior for her X-Class Championship. You can’t blame her for being very speculative though.

Mayne: She’s paranoid, we get it, that’s why she betrayed Hurse in the first place.

Douglas: I think it was Hurse’s paranoia that led to her severing ties with him. Now can we stop talking about the referee and concentrate on what should be a spectacular X-Class encounter here tonight?

Billy: Maybe.

Hurse turns between both athletes as he steps to the center of the ring, a giddy expression coming to his face as he makes an announcement. All the while Brooks and Aurora have backed into opposing corners, glaring at each other vindictively, Robin trying to keep her mind on her opponent.

Hurse: Okay ladies, I need to check you both for weapons, hehehehe.

The World Champion is absolutely ecstatic at the prospect while Robin shoots a beaming glare in his direction. At first Hurse approaches Aurora who gives him a frightening look of disdain. The fierce stare causes him to pause in his step, reaching out with his hands and moving them in front of Aurora’s body without actually touching her. He does this ever so briefly before blowing her off.

Hurse: Your fine.

He now turns towards Robin who is shaking her head and lifting her fist into the air, threatening to use it as Hurse approaches her slowly. All the while he motions towards his referee shirt, insisting that she had better cooperate or else be disqualified. Hurse’s fingers twiddle as they move in the direction of her bosoms.

Hurse: Who knows what you can be hiding in this brazier.

Before his hands can possibly touch her she swipes them away and shouts back at him while wagging her finger.

Robin: I swear if you touch me I’ll scream rape.

Dan: How deplorable, Hurse hiding behind his referee position to try and cop a cheap feel.

Mayne: There’s nothing wrong with that, I’ve dressed as a police officer plenty of times to frisk unsuspecting babes, they like that whole control, domination thing.

Douglas: You can be arrested for literally everything you just said.

Robin is still threatening Hurse who is insisting that he check her for weapons when a loud scream is heard behind his back. Aurora rushes forward going for a double axehandle on Robin as she and Hurse both step out of the way. As a result Rose cracks sternum first into the turnbuckle, staggering backwards towards Robin who catches her with a school boy. She rolls Rose up and goes for the pin as Hurse stands there for a second, unsure of what he should do. Finally he drops to the canvas and makes the three count.

Rose kicks out, dropping over in reverse onto her knees then standing up as quickly as Robin does in front of her. Brooks steps forward only to have Aurora jump into the air, landing on her shoulders then dropping back into a hurricarana. Hurse again looks confused as to what to do before finally dropping and making the count.

Robin sits up, pushing Aurora off of her chest and onto the back of her shoulders. Rose rolls through though and gets to her feet, keeping from being pinned. She now rushes forward only to have Robin drag her down into a quick small package. Hurse rolls his eyes and makes another three count.

Rose kicks out again much to Robin’s disgust. The Black Widow quickly turns onto her knees and begins to shout at Hurse who informs her it was only a two count before using his stuck out fingers to blow Robin a kiss. Robin mouths some obscenities before Aurora moves up behind her, pulling her over backwards into a crucifix pin.

Robin kicks out, dropping over onto her knees then rising quickly to her feet before rushing into the ropes backwards. She bounces off of them as Aurora rolls in her direction, getting onto her chest and stomach, which forces Brooks to have to cartwheel over top of her. She lands back on her feet then turns to face the rising Aurora, charging right at her. At the last second Rose jumps into the air, leap frogging Robin as the Black Widow charges into the ropes behind her. She now drops onto her back and lifts her feet into the air, looking for a monkey flip on the incoming Brooks. However, Robin just jumps right over top of her body then ducks her head, rolling forward across the canvas directly onto her feet. She then springs off of them and lands on the middle cable of the ropes before her, lunging off of it in reverse. Aurora stands just in time to be hit to the sternum with a huge back elbow.

Mayne: Oh no, not the springboard back elbow! She could have busted an implant with that move.

Douglas: Counter after counter between these two, this is the type of fast paced action you’d come to expect from the X-Class division.

Robin rolls across the ring onto her knees and looks up as Hurse is jumping for joy, rushing forward with his palms held out. He is actually expecting Robin to give him a double high five in appreciation for her move only to have Brooks disgustedly shake her head. She rises and shoves Hurse aside, who looks strangely dejected by this motion, Brooks moving in the direction of the struggling Rose. She takes her around the neck and begins to force Aurora to her feet when the vixen rakes the Black Widow right in her eyes. Robin turns away, rubbing at her features as Hurse steps towards her quickly, taking her around the jaw and lifting up on her head to check on the condition of her eyes. Once she spots him she pushes his hands away and backs up right into Aurora who jumps into the air and dropkicks her to the back of the head. She crashes forward onto her elbows and knees as a result while Aurora rises, shooting a mean spirited glare in the direction of the referee, an accusing glance.

She quickly pounces on the struggling Robin though, jumping onto her back in a mounted position and beginning to drive forearm after forearm into the back of her cranium. Aurora is absolutely vicious with this assault as Hurse watches on cringing after each blow is delivered. Shockingly Robin is trying to rise to her feet in a defiant manner, actually getting to an upright base before Aurora takes her around the neck and drags her down to the canvas with a reverse neckbeaker. Robin’s head slams with force against the canvas before she sits up, wincing in pain. Aurora quickly gets up behind her and then jumps over top of her head, taking Robin around the back of the neck and pulling it forward in the process. Her neck snaps back violently before she tumbles onto her spine, Aurora turning around and crawling to her side. The vicious Rose grabs Robin by the hair, beginning to punch her repeatedly with closed fists to the face. Hurse interjects however, grabbing Rose’s arm and pointing at her closed fist, finally showing some referee knowledge it seems.

Hurse: HEY! No shots to the face, I won’t date any deformed chick!

Rose rolls her eyes and pulls her arm free, beginning to slug Robin to the forehead again.

Billy: Look, did you see that, Hurse doing the right thing and jumping on Aurora’s case for the use of the closed fist.

Douglas: He jumped on her case because she was damaging Robin’s face with those punches, in no way was it because she was using closed fists. This is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.

Aurora now takes Robin by both ears, lifting up on her head then driving it backwards into the canvas with force. A groan emanates from Brooks who reaches for her cranium, Aurora standing and dragging her up to her feet. As soon as Brooks is pulled to a standing base she is taken by the wrist and whipped in the direction of the turnbuckle. The Black Widow charges into it and now steps up the ropes to the top cable before flipping over backwards. Aurora charges under her as Robin lands on her feet right behind her back. The agile Black Widow rushes forward right into Aurora who turns, pressing her back to the corner and lifting her legs into the air, wrapping them around Robin’s neck. She pushes herself off the turnbuckle and swings around, pulling Robin over into a hurricarana that sends her flying through the ropes to the outside of the ring. She twists around and crashes into the outside mats, rolling across it to her elbows and knees in a dazed, disorientated condition. A petrified Hurse now steps towards the cables, pushing Aurora back and dropping to his elbows and knees as he shouts to the outside of the ring at Robin who is trying to recover.

Hurse: Are you okay my little baby chicken. I’m going to start a ten count but I’ll do it real slow!

He remains on his elbows and knees, starting to count to ten while Aurora watches all of this with an outright disgusted expression on her face. She now shakes her head and rushes forward, stepping off the back of Hurse and using him as a prop to dive over the ropes. Robin stands up just in time for Aurora to crash down on top her back first, both individuals tumbling to the mats with a hard thud. Hurse rises to his knees with his hands placed on top of his cranium and his eyes opened wide with shock over what he unintentionally assisted Aurora in doing.

Douglas: Aurora stepping off the back of our idiotic official and going high risk with that dive onto Brooks on the outside of the ring!

Billy: She threw caution to the wind and for once it paid off, just like when she decided to stop seeing all those vampire folks and started dating the Submission Champion, Pat Evans.

Dan: I fail to see how that has anything in common with what Aurora just did.

Mayne: I like to talk about vampires, expect for Faust.

Aurora gets to her elbows and knees while Brooks is trying to recover, absolutely frazzled by that last impact. As soon as she stands up Rose kicks her to the gut and takes holds of her wrist, whipping her with all of her strength towards the steel barricade. Robin charges into them and turns, slamming back first against the steel then dropping to her knees and tumbling forward into the mats. She grabs at the back of her neck while Hurse has no other alternative but to stand up and begin a ten count on both brawling ladies. Brooks stands up slowly as Aurora approaches her and throws a forearm over the back of her neck, followed by another such strike then rushes her towards the ring. Robin is rolled under the ropes to the inside of the ring as Hurse bends forward and checks on her condition, Aurora stepping onto the apron demanding he move aside. He slowly does so as Rose springs to the top rope and now flies off, crashing down right on top of Brooks with a big splash. The impact takes all the wind out of Robin’s lungs while Aurora hooks her leg. Hurse looks around, as if terribly bothered before dropping to the ring and making the count.

Brooks kicks out, getting her shoulder from the ring as an angry Aurora rises to her feet, imploring Hurse to make a quicker count next time. The World Champion backs up with his palms held in the air, insinuating that the count was completely fair and unbiased. Although Rose returns to her assault on Robin she gives Hurse a speculative glare all the while. The Black Widow is trying to get up, rising to her seat with her hand on the back of her neck when Aurora steps behind her. She grabs Robin under the jaw and by the top of the head, pushing it into a twist, ripping at the neck with all of her strength. Robin is screaming in pain, trying to keep herself from submitting, resisting the temptation to tap out since her X-Class title dreams rest on the line. She digs her fingernails into the palms of her hands and raises her fists into the air, the Manhattan crowd rallying behind her all the while. Hurse drops down to his knees in front of his pain ridden former lover and wears a giant grin on his face.

Hurse: I’ll say you tapped out if you don’t promise to give me a hug!

Robin spits in Hurse’s direction then screams in pain as Aurora places even further torque on the submission, gritting her teeth in the process.

Dan: This is just shameful, absolutely shameful what Hurse is doing, did he actually just threaten to say Robin tapped out if she didn’t give him a hug?

Mayne: That’s perfectly reasonable, referee’s need loving too, although the vast majority of them are forced to pay for it.

Aurora screams down at Brooks to tap out, demanding she give into the pain while the fans are reacting with cheers of support for the Black Widow, trying to inspire her to get up. She slowly starts to rise from her seat, inching her way closer and closer to a standing base while Aurora’s eyes are filled with astonishment. Hurse looks on in disbelief as well while Robin gets to her feet only to have Aurora club her violently over the back of the neck. Robin tumbles to her elbows and knees once again while Aurora steps across the ring to her side, lifting her boot into the air then slamming it against the canvas emphatically. A sinister expression overwhelms her features, as if she’s prepared to deliver that lethal running boot that she’s been utilizing over the past two weeks, a move that would prove disastrous for Robin’s title aspirations. A primal roar emanates from Aurora as she rushes forward only to have Brooks jump to her feet and dive into the air with a hard back heel kick right to Rose’s face. The crowd reacts with tremendous approval as Aurora is knocked to the canvas, Robin landing on the ring at her side. She pushes herself up onto her elbows and knees then goes into a head stand, flipping up onto her feet before flipping forward into a senton back splash right across the chest of her opponent. Robin now sits up and grips at the back of her neck in pain while Rose convulses on the canvas, trying to regain herself.

Douglas: Robin answering back with some great offense and avoiding taking that kick to the head.

Mayne: I’m sickened by Robin’s constant need to survive, it’s downright boring.

Robin gets to her feet and rushes forward into the cables at Aurora’s side, jumping to the middle one and springing off into a moonsault. Aurora rolls out of the way and causes Robin to have to flip over onto her feet, landing on them gracefully but wincing as she reaches for the back of her neck. Rose now stands and rushes forward directly at her only to have Brooks meet her to the face with a well timed dropkick. The sheer impact causes Aurora to crash onto her spine, wrapping her hands around her features. A shocked Hurse watches on, grinning as Robin rises to her knees and crawls into the cover, gripping at the back of her neck still. She drops down on top of Rose and hooks her leg, sure that she has the victory now. Hurse grins while dropping to the canvas and making the count quickly, the fans assured that Brooks may have the victory here.

Hurse’s hand stops before possibly making a three count, Brooks’ eyes shooting in his direction and clouding with rage. He now rises to his knees with a big grin befalling his features.

Hurse: Give me a kiss and I’ll make the three count.

Boos escalate from the crowd as Hurse puckers up his lips, moving his head forward in the direction of an outraged Robin with his eyes closed tightly together.

Douglas: Oh dear lord, Hurse refusing to make a three count until Brooks gives him a kiss, this is downright repulsive.

Mayne: Hahahaha, I think it might just be the most romantic gesture I’ve ever seen.

Dan: Of course, considering your idea of romance is renting My Giant and slipping mind altering drugs into your girlfriend’s drinks.

Billy: And that’s not romantic why?

Hurse’s eyes continue to be closed and his lips remain puckered when Robin rises to her feet and now rushes forward, connecting with a shinning wizard on her former lover. The crowd reacts with cheers as Hurse is knocked onto his back, convulsing and rolling across the ring in the direction of the ropes. He rises to his feet while gripping at his jaw and falling spine first against the ropes for support, Robin charging in and delivering a lariat to his throat. The impact sends Hurse flipping over the cables in reverse and crashing to the outside mats amongst a huge roar of approval from the Manhattan crowd.

Billy: HOW DARE SHE!

Douglas: Robin has had enough of Hurse and as a result she just dumped his ass right to the outside of the ring!

Mayne: She should be disqualified for blatantly putting her hands on an official!

Hurse lies on the outside mats in a very dazed condition while Brooks backs up shouting at him, only to walk right into the arms of Aurora. Rose catches her around the neck then charges forward into the ropes, stepping up them before pushing herself off and spinning around into the Sinful Desires (Stratusfaction). Robin’s face collides with force against the ring while the fans are screaming in outrage over this quick change in momentum. The impact with the canvas causes Robin to roll onto her back, lying there now motionless as Aurora quickly crawls into the cover, realizing that the X-Class contendership is within her grasp. She smiles deviously as she makes the cover and waits for the three count only to be shocked when she sees there is no official to make the count. Anger sets into her features, glaring back and forth and looking for the referee who is still laid out at ringside.

Billy: Dammit, Aurora has the pin, she’s going to face Christian for the title but thanks to that cheating Brooks, there’s no one left to make the three count.

Douglas: Hurse got what he deserved and now Rose is getting her comeuppance as well.

An angry Rose gets to her feet and approaches the ropes, looking over them and spotting Hurse lying on the outside mats, desperately trying to recover. She shouts at him to get back in the squared circle, demanding he make the count while Robin is trying to get back to her feet behind her opponent. Aurora suddenly spins around with anger overwhelming her features, charging straight at Brooks and catching her neck. She charges forward into the ropes going for the Sinful Desires again when Brooks pushes her off, sending her rushing into the cables before her. Rose bounces off of them and comes rushing back into a well placed superkick under the jaw. Rose is taken to the canvas with the crowd reacting in cheers, Robin turning her back to the laid out Aurora then flipping over in reverse into the standing moonsault. The Manhattan Center is going nuts, everyone on their feet cheering as Robin instinctively hooks her leg, failing to realize that she took out the referee. To a huge reaction though, Alex Ingelson comes charging down the ramp towards the ring. He now slides in under the ropes and makes the count to a loud ovation.

Mayne: What is Ingelson doing here!?! I thought he was on probation!

Douglas: He’s doing his job!

The crowd is still screaming as Ingelson makes the emphatic count.

The entire Manhattan Center cheers accordingly as Robin Brooks has just defeated Aurora Rose despite Hurse’s best efforts.

Douglas: Robin has done it, she’s going to get a rematch for her X-Class Championship!!

Mayne: This isn’t fair, Hurse was the legal official dammit, not Ingelson!

The arena is still cheering while Robin rises to her knees, her arms lifted in victory. Ingelson has now been grabbed by the ankle and dragged out of the ring, dropping to his feet in front of a furious and now recovered Hurse. The World Champion points at his referee shirt while Ingelson gestures towards his own as well. Hurse can’t argue with Ingelson’s logic therefore he hauls off and punches him right between the eyes, sending the head referee crashing to his back on the outside mats, the arena responding with disgust at the sight of this.

Dan: Hurse laying out Alex Ingelson, but it doesn’t change the fact that Robin has gained a shot at the X-Class Championship.

Mayne: It should, Alex was the original referee, his decision should be overturned.

Robin stands up still gripping at the back of her neck, but celebrating nevertheless before Hurse is handed a microphone by Kaily Wolf, backing towards the ramp in the process.

Hurse: ROOOOBBIIIINN!!

The features of the World Champion are a dark shade of red while veins protrude through his flesh and saliva shoots from between his lips. Brooks turns slowly, glaring at Hurse backing up the ramp and seething in rage.

Hurse: THAT’S IT, I’M THROUGH! I’ve given you chance after chance after chance to come to your senses but instead you’ve acted like nothing more than an ungrateful SLUT!

Brooks shakes her head while still gripping at the back of her neck.

Mayne: It’s about time he came to his senses about Robin.

Douglas: How dare he talk to Robin like that, he looks like he’s absolutely snapped.

Hurse’s chest heaves with deep, emotional breathes.

Hurse: How dare you think you can do better than me, how dare you deny my AFFECTIONS! You’ve cost me everything Robin, and now it’s time, oh yes, it’s time now for your ass to suffer!

Robin is amused by the prospect.

Hurse: I want YOU in the ring next week, Hurse versus Robin Brooks one on one, and I’ll even put my World Heavyweight Championship on the line to make sure this happens!

The Manhattan Center cheers loudly at the thought of finally seeing Robin Brooks and Hurse collide one on one.

Billy: Wait a minute Hurse, think before you overstep your bounds a bit here…

Douglas: Oh my, Robin Brooks versus Hurse next week for the World Heavyweight Championship, what a match that should be.

Robin thinks about it for a second then nods her head eagerly which only further enrages the already overly emotional Hurse.

Hurse: Next week I’m going to make you suffer for making me look like a fool, for playing me like the patsy! I’m going to end your manipulative, whoring ways once and for all next week Robin!

With that Hurse drops the microphone to the ramp with a thud and backs up the ramp still seething and salivating at the mouth as he contemplates what he’ll do to Robin next week. Brooks gives him a penetrating glare while the fans continue to cheer at the prospect of these two finally meeting one on one next week, with the World Championship at risk.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

To an unbelievably loud ovation from the Manhattan Center crowd the face of Johnny Kingdom comes into view. His eyes are glaring forward penetratingly, filled with determination, and there resides little emotion on his face. There are no butterflies, no worries, or concerns as he makes his way down the corridor in the direction of the ring. All those packed in the Manhattan Center seem very overwhelmed with excitement as they realize that his return tonight is imminent, just moments away from the very first Johnny Kingdom match in close to a year.

Douglas: Ladies and gentlemen, like him or hate him, and to be honest I lean towards the latter of the two options, Johnny Kingdom is on his way to the ring to compete for the very first time in almost a year.

Mayne: That’s right boys and girls, the glorious Mr. Kingdom makes his triumphant return here tonight and I am almost giddy with excitement, as long as he stays under control for once. My God I’m so anxious my nipples are hardening, all three of them.

Dan: Johnny Kingdom returns to action, next!

Mayne: And this time he won’t be screwing over Silencer, he’ll be facing Creed.

Douglas: Can I for once get the last word?

Billy: Yes.

The look in Johnny’s eyes does not change or deviate even in the slightest while he continues to move forward, dramatically making his way to the squared circle, where Nathan Creed shall await.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DVD OUT-LETS

DEAL OF A LIFETIME

The camera comes back live to the inside of the arena just in time to show two ladies faces on the titontron, belonging to Sallie and Krissie, both of them blowing kisses towards the camera in a truly maniacal manner. “Gone Forever” now hits the PA system, leading into a loud reaction, mostly based on spite and disgust while Krissie marches through the curtains. She stops, striking a seductive pose with her hand on her curvaceous hip.

Douglas: Well, what a wonderful way to bring us back, instead of getting the Johnny Kingdom entrance many of the fans in attendance were waiting for, we get this abomination.

Mayne: Krissie is anything but an abomination, sure her choice in men might be, but definitely not her. Besides, I do believe she’s out here for a reason Billy, and it’s to lay the law down to that out of control Johnny Kingdom.

The fans are still vocalizing their outright disgust over what they are seeing as Krissie moves down the ramp in the direction of the ring, swaying her hips in a somewhat seductive manner. She pays no mind to the opinions of the fans while moving up the steps onto the apron then slipping quickly through the cables into the ring where Kaily Wolf is waiting to hand her a microphone. It’s quickly dispatched to her while her half opened eyes observe the disgruntled Manhattan crowd.

Douglas: Sallie noticeably absent at the side of her counterpart this evening, we heard from her earlier this evening…

Mayne: Yep, in a very moving, powerful and poignant pre-recorded interview, where she claims that she’s going to reveal Orlando Cruze’s darkest secret next week!

Dan: I can’t wait to see the ratings dive when that piece of filth airs on the next Riot!

Krissie waltzes about the ring with the microphone still tightly gripped and her eyes observing the booing fans which give her so much disgust.

Krissie: Okay, okay, I think we’ve heard enough of your snotty, vile little non-sense Manhattan, as that pretty much is all this city is capable of producing.

More boos are lobbed in the direction of the ring as Nathan Creed’s ex smiles ever so seductively and brushes her hair out of her face in a coy manner.

Krissie: You people are going to want to keep your fat, piggish mouths shut so that you can hear over top of your cheesy New York accents and listen to what I have to say. Before I go any further though, would everyone please show a little sympathy and try to cheer just a tad bit as we welcome Johnny Kingdom to the ring?

She tilts her head and half heartedly begins to clap her hands together while glaring up the ramp. It doesn’t take long for the fans to burst into a loud uproar when “Wake Up” by the Lost Prophet descends upon the ears and the curtains rip apart to reveal Johnny Kingdom residing in the entry way. The whole arena almost shakes as he makes his way out onto the stage, his eyes cutting one way and then the other.

Billy: My God, that reaction almost knocked me out of my friggin chair.

Dan: This reception for Johnny Kingdom is almost deafening!

Everyone in the building is jumping up and down in excitement at the sight of the longest reigning World Heavyweight Champion in history as he continues to observe the crowd. He seems almost stunned by such a positive reception given his track record but doesn’t seem to care how they react to him, instead he just makes his way towards the ring, undeterred. His body is draped in his long unseen wrestling attire, the black pants with his name written up the side and the dark singlet that clings to his upper body. The fans can feel the weight of his presence as his feet crash down at ringside and he now hops with agility to the apron, keeping his eyes on Krissie who is still giving him a condescending reception. He bends forward to slip through the ropes then makes his way right past Krissie, requesting a mic which is thrown over the ropes into the palm of his hand.

Kingdom: Okay Krissie McWhoriss, get on with whatever horribly generic, terribly redundant, cliché driven, unoriginal, Silencer like rhetoric that you have to disgrace my ears with, and do so with haste because my time is wasting away as quickly as your brain-cells.

A louder reaction is heard from the crowd at the sound of this long winded jab at Krissie, who’s smile is unfading as she shakes her head.

Douglas: Johnny certainly a wordsmith.

Mayne: Lord knows I’ve been a big fan of Kingdom, and at one time even his legal council, but I don’t condone the way he’s talking to Krissie McMorris tonight.

Krissie waits for the laughs and cheers from the fans to end while shooting a serious glare in the direction of the ever impatient Kingdom.

Krissie: You know what Johnny, that’s fine, because I’ve got better things to do with my time than to stand out here listening to hacks like you desperately trying to reclaim their fame.

The reaction from the crowd changes to boos while Kingdom wipes fake tears from his eyes.

Krissie: I told you at Redemption Roe that my employer has a deal for you that you can simply not refuse…

Johnny: Yeah, yeah, yeah, can we get past the whole Godfather derived dialogue here and get straight to the point please?

Krissie: I would if you’d stop interrupting me.

Johnny: Someone’s gotta keep these fans awake.

That last jab causes Krissie to lose face for a moment, getting pouty before continuing.

McMorris: Enough Johnny, I just wanted you to know that my Boss is willing to work with you.

Kingdom: Oh?

Krissie: Indeed. He’s willing to make you a once in a lifetime deal, and here’s the terms if you choose to accept.

Johnny: Your not going to blow up in five seconds are you, well, actually, you probably will blow something.

Another round of cheers and laughter comes from the fans as Krissie closes her eyes and sighs.

Krissie: You think you’re so….you know what, nevermind. Here’s the deal. In order for you to be allowed to compete in this ring, and in order for you to get your hands on Silencer, you must agree to these terms. You’ll be allowed to compete as long as you want, but if you lose even one match by having your shoulders pinned to the canvas, then your return is over, it’s ended, you’ll never be allowed to compete in this ring EVER AGAIN.

The crowd has a mixed response at the sound of this as Kingdom lowers his head and scratches at his jaw, contemplating rather he should accept such a ludicrous offer which favors him none.

Krissie: But wait, there’s more, because my Boss is an honorable, giving individual. Therefore, if you choose to accept these terms, and if you go undefeated until Paranoia V, where I can now confirm that you’ll be facing Silencer after your despicable actions earlier tonight, should you make it past the weeks building to that event without being pinned, and if you win at our biggest extravaganza, my employer will reveal himself on the following Riot!

A loud reaction cuts across the arena, the fans liking the sound of this. This revelation perks Kingdom up a little as well.

Mayne: Wow, what a deal. Let me see if I get this straight, if Kingdom can win every match building up to Paranoia V, and win at the big event against Silencer, then the mystery will be over, the Boss will reveal himself? But if he loses by pinfall even once, then he has to retire permanently?

Douglas: You got it right Billy, maybe our mystery benefactor is more swell than we thought he was.

Johnny is still mulling this over while Krissie waits impatiently.

Krissie: What’s it going to be Johnny?

The Team Leader continues to ponder his options before finally deciding.

Johnny: Well, seeing as there’s like zero chance I’ll be losing to the miscreants you’ve gathered in the back, then I’ll just say, what the hell, why not…..

"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 crowd is going nuts as through the curtains strolls Nathan Creed, his eyes locked on the ring with spite collected within them. For some reason he doesn’t appear happy with what he’s hearing as he now storms towards the ring with no hesitation.

Douglas: Nathan Creed cutting off Johnny Kingdom’s response, although I can’t imagine why, as he’s been dying to find out who the Boss is for months now.

Mayne: Creed’s probably still sore that he’s not one half of the Tag Team Champions, hahahaha, God it still makes me chuckle to think of how sad he must be.

Nathan is shaking his head as he makes his way towards the ring quickly, not paying attention to his loyal fans while moving up the steps onto the apron. Kingdom is shooting a bewildered glare in his direction while a smirking Krissie watches her agitated former lover slip through the ropes into the ring before her. Kaily hops onto the apron and hands a mic through the ropes to Nathan, who snatches it from her palm rather quickly.

Nathan: Pardon the interruption, but I’m afraid I have something to say…

Kingdom: Strangely, usually I’m the one cowering in fear of whatever horribly derivative remark that comes from your mouth.

A mixed response emanates from the fans as Creed stops and glares into the face of his former nemesis.

Nathan: Johnny, I don’t know what time warp they dragged you out of, but I’ve got business here to attend to, so why don’t you go back to playing shuffle board somewhere.

Kingdom smirks slightly and nods, not effected by the comment while Creed sets his sights on Krissie.

Creed: Now far be it from me to pass up the opportunity to have the manipulative son of a bitch who has been fucking with Orlando and I for months now revealed so that I can give him his well deserved ass kicking, but frankly, I feel I should be the one who brings him to justice!

Creed points downward to the center of the ring, true fire and grit in his demeanor while Krissie smiles deviously. Yet strangely her cheeks are a little red and she finds herself a little more sweaty than usual at the sight of this authoritative Creed.

Creed: After months of trying to unravel this mystery so I can smear the Boss’ blood across the palms of my hands, I’ll be damned if anyone is going to swoop in and take that honor from me…

Krissie: Aw, Creedy, are you still feeling neglected and robbed after Redemption Roe? It must really hurt to know that Orlando Cruze is Tag Team Champions with another person, even though you were his partner at the payper-view, is that why your out here sweety?

Nathan becomes quiet, listening to this with sunken shoulders and agitation clear in his features.

McMorris: Have you come out to stop me making this deal with Johnny Kingdom because you once again feel neglected, because you think your being deprived of an honor you deserve? Are you a little jealous, baby?

Creed: ENOUGH!

His words are quick and vicious as he steps towards Krissie, who doesn’t flinch or back down whatsoever.

Nathan: You know what I’m out here. It has nothing to do with what happened at Redemption Roe, I’ve made peace with that, but I refuse to step aside and let another man take away my accomplishment. Yes, it would be an accomplishment to me to end this nightmare by bringing the culprit who hired you to this ring, revealing him for the thousands of fans watching around the world, then beating him to within an inch of his life. That’s my job, that’s what I desire doing moreso than anything else in the world, and nothing, nobody is going to prevent me from doing it.

Krissie pulls on her collar a little, which is feeling hotter the closer that Nathan gets. She takes a deep breath though and shakes her head, fighting any desires that are creeping to the surface.

Krissie: Well okay then, I guess we can make a little alteration in the deal….

Dan: What?

Mayne: Uh oh.

Krissie: I mean, if Johnny Kingdom is pinned here tonight then he won’t make it to Paranoia V to fight Silencer, and that would mean it would fall on someone else’s shoulders to get the job done. So maybe you should think about that when the bell rings, which should be right about now, and your match against Mr. Kingdom begins. Ta ta boys.

She lowers the microphone and steps towards the ropes as Gone Forever again hits the PA system. She slips through the cables and onto the apron, briefly glaring back at Nathan Creed with a strange, remorseful twinkle in her eye before she drops to the outside mats. Nathan watches her closely, thinking about what he just heard, trying to make since out of his somewhat convoluted motivations before being interrupted.

Kingdom: You know what, all of this is really starting to bore the shit out of me so can we just start kicking each other’s asses?

Johnny throws down the microphone and rushes at Creed, hitting him with a right hand to the face as the fans go nuts and the bell chimes in the background.

Douglas: WHOA! And we’re off, this match is starting right here, and right NOW!

Mayne: Creed vs. Kingdom is underway and it’s suddenly become so much imporant.

NATHAN CREED VS. JOHNNY KINGDOM

Krissie McMorris continues to back up the ramp, now standing on the stage with her arms crossed and her head tilted, getting one last satisfying glance of Creed before moving to the back. Inside of the ring Nathan has been knocked backwards into the ropes by that sucker punch from Kingdom, who continues to land equally as vicious shots to his jaw. He now kicks Nathan to the gut and takes him by the wrist, trying to whip him across the ring. Nathan turns and places the breaks on it though, pulling Kingdom forward into an attempted knife edge chop. However, Johnny ducks it, stepping around behind Nathan then throwing another punch at his face. Creed ducks it as John turns to face his opponent only to walk into a vicious knife edge chop across the chest. The fans woo the sheer sickening strike as Kingdom is staggered yet remains upright. He now steps forward and delivers his own chop to Creed’s sternum, causing the Future to stumble in reverse.

Douglas: These two age old rivals going at it at a frenetic pace thus far, Johnny trying to end things quickly because if he loses his career is over.

Mayne: He’s got to get past this match with Nathan to reveal who the owner is, and honestly I don’t know why Nathan is trying to stand in his way.

Kingdom chops Creed hard to the sternum himself then steps forward to do it again only to be met with a boot to the gut. The shot causes him to bend forward before Creed lays him out with a devastating headbunt right to the skull. The brain scrambling shot sends the Team Leader collapsing to the canvas while Creed steps to his side, immediately stomping away at his sternum then his face. Something about Johnny disrupting the plans he had laid out to Orlando earlier has infuriated him. He now drops to his seat at Kingdom’s side, beginning to slug him repeatedly in the face with closed fists while official Princeton comes barreling towards the ring and sliding in under the ropes to officiate this contest. He steps towards Nathan, starting a five count before Creed breaks away, rising to his feet then rushing into the ropes back first. He bounces off and comes charging back in, lunging into the air as he throws his forehead down on top of the Team Leader’s sternum. Kingdom’s body kicks into the air as a result of this head first strike to his chest while Nathan falls into the lateral press, hoping it will be enough.

Kingdom kicks out, defiantly launching his shoulder from the ring in the nick of time. A flustered, more aggressive Nathan rises to his feet behind the seated Kingdom then stomps him violently to the back of the head. Creed now rushes backwards into the ropes, bouncing off them then charging forward into a huge dropkick to the skull of the former World Champion. Johnny falls to the ring side first, rolling across it with his hands gripping at the back of his neck.

Douglas: I don’t think I’ve ever seen Creed this aggressive!

Mayne: Something about the deal that was just made has really sent him off the deep end, aye? Hahaha, I just sounded so wonderfully Canadian, although that’s nothing to be proud of.

Creed moves towards Johnny with quickness, taking him around the neck, then rolling him over onto his knees as he slaps on a front chancery. He now drags the dazed, confused Johnny up to his feet and lifts him into the air for a vertical suplex. However, the Team Leader counters by launching a knee into the top of Creed’s head, causing him to release his opponent, Kingdom landing on his feet in front of the now dazed Nathan. Johnny quickly boots him to the gut, bending Creed forward as Kingdom places him in a front chancery and takes him by the back of the pants, calling out to the fans.

Kingdom: BRAINBUSSTTAAHHHH!!

The fans cheer as he is already setting up for the Exodus Finale, lifting Nathan into the air only to have Creed float over his shoulder, landing on his feet behind him. Creed quickly slaps his arms around Johnny’s waist, setting up for the German suplex to another loud wave of approval. Suddenly Kingdom begins to back-peddle, forcing Nathan in reverse towards the corner then driving him spine first against it. As a result Creed is forced to break his reverse waist lock, Kingdom turning around quickly and delivering a sensational European Uppercut right to his jaw. Nathan’s legs kick up into the air while Johnny steps to his side, blasting him across the sternum with a stiff, sickening knife edge chop. Shockingly it looks as if Kingdom hasn’t missed a beat in the ring as he takes hold of Nathan’s wrist and whips him across the ring. Again Creed puts the breaks on it though, turning and reversing the grip onto Johnny’s wrist then dragging him forward. As soon as he does this Kingdom drops into a baseball slide through the legs of his opponent then stands up behind him, pulling Creed’s arm under his own seat. Nathan is bent forward as the Team Leader steps to his side and hooks the far arm, lifting the Future into the air with a pumphandle. As soon as he gets up to his sternum Johnny pushes him around and down into a gut buster. The crowd reacts with another mixed ovation as Nathan bounces off the knee then raises to his feet, doubled over in pain while Johnny is rushing into the ropes in front of him. Kingdom jumps to the middle rope and springs off backwards into a leg lariat right to Nathan’s face, his heel connecting with the forehead. The strike takes Creed down, sending him rolling across the ring under the ropes onto the apron.

Mayne: Wow, look at Kingdom go, you’d think he’d be incredibly rusting having not been in there for almost a year, but he’s actually busting out new moves and everything.

Douglas: Although I don’t particularly care for his behavior, I got to respect what I’m seeing from the crafty veteran tonight.

Nathan is shaking off the effects of those shots he just withstood while rising to his feet on the apron, the crowd still buzzing with excitement over the fast pace of this contest thus far. Kingdom turns in the ring then rushes across it, delivering a big boot over the top rope right into Nathan’s face. The impact knocks Creed off of the apron and sends him crashing to the outside mats, rolling across then in the direction of the barricade. He begins to push himself up to his feet though while Johnny slips through the ropes onto the apron behind him and now comes barreling forward. Johnny dives off the apron, soaring through the air and connects with a flying lariat to the turning Nathan’s throat. The Manhattan Center crowd cheers accordingly while Johnny gets to his feet, looking all fired up, truly passionate after not hearing such a rousing response in such a vast amount of time.

He doesn’t take his eyes off of his struggling opponent though, turning and drilling him to the side of the face with a forearm then leading him to his feet by gripping the back of his head. Nathan is rushed at the ring and rolled in under the bottom rope, the Team Leader hoping onto the apron and beginning to slide through the ropes into the ring. Unfortunately, as soon as he gets half way through, Nathan rises to his feet and rushes up at his side, delivering a stiff, vicious knee strike straight to the slouched forward face of Kingdom. A groan emanates from the fans due to the stiff variety of the strike as Kingdom falls through the ropes back onto the apron, lying on it across his spine. Creed turns and reaches under the ropes, taking hold of his wrist and ankle then dragging him back into the ring. As soon as he is spread across the canvas Creed drops an elbow into his face. Johnny again turns away from Nathan, rubbing at his features while Creed sits him up on the canvas then rushes into the ropes in front of him. He comes barreling forward, delivering a timely kick boot right to Johnny’s face. The hard kick knocks Johnny onto his back while Nathan falls into the cover on him.

Kingdom launches his shoulder off the canvas again. A flustered Nathan rises to his knees, slapping his palms together as he implores the referee to make a quicker count.

Douglas: Again Nathan showing that he’s a little more vicious in this match than we’ve seen him in previous encounters over the past couple of years.

Mayne: He’s probably still pissed that he’s not a Tag Team Champion, but it’s no reason to take it out on the ever so loveable Kingdom.

Dan: I don’t think the words “loveable” and “Kingdom” have ever been used in the same sentence.

Nathan takes Johnny around the neck, rolling him to his knees then forcing him to his feet. He now spins Kingdom around, still gripping him around the head before falling into the reverse neckbreaker. The back of Creed’s skull collides violently with the ring, forcing him to sit up and appear truly dazed. Nathan quickly steps stands up and steps behind him, placing his legs over Johnny’s shoulders then falling onto his back. He pulls Kingdom down onto his spine, locking in a modified head scissors with the use of his legs. Kingdom stomps the back of his feet against the canvas, trying to find some type of escape from this hold as the life is drained from his cranium, the blood supply being completely cut off by his game opponent.

Mayne: Nathan slowing things down again like an old man with a plastic hip.

Douglas: He’s putting that submission on Kingdom and not letting him up even in the slightest. I think Johnny’s ring rust is starting to hurt him at this point.

The crowd is slapping the barricades while stomping their feet, trying to rally behind Johnny. Other members of the crowd are screaming for Johnny to tap, supporting Nathan in his efforts to win here tonight, if it means the end of Kingdom’s planned run. Although the air is completely deprived to his cranium Kingdom is trying to fight, his arms lifting into the air with his fingers twiddling. Nathan is shaking his head as Johnny is trying his best to turn him, attempting to force him over onto his stomach in order to free his trapped head. To a loud outburst from the fans Creed is turned onto his chest and stomach, while Kingdom gets to his knees leaning forward with his head trapped between his opponent’s thighs. Creed is still trying to squeeze before Kingdom pushes himself up into a headstand then falls forward, trying to land spine first on top of Nathan’s back. However, Creed slides backwards at the last second, Johnny landing on his seat in front of a now kneeling Future, who traps him in a reverse waist lock. The crowd is screaming with shock as Nathan stands, pulling Kingdom up to his feet then dropping back into the German suplex. Johnny’s head collides with the canvas as well as his shoulders, falling over sideways with Nathan rolling along behind him. The intense Creed forces Johnny up to a standing base then drops in reverse once again, hitting another German suplex that drives Kingdom hard into the canvas. The fans are still screaming as Nathan rolls over to his knees, pulling Kingdom along with him then forcing the Team Leader to his feet. Again he snaps back into a bridging German suplex this time. The official drops and makes the count, Princeton quickly slapping the canvas.

Johnny kicks out, falling over onto his chest and stomach.

Douglas: Kingdom kicking out of a vicious series of German suplexes!

Mayne: I almost thought Nathan had it there for a second, which made me wiz a little in my underpants.

Dan: That’s shocking, when did you start wearing underwear?

The somewhat winded Creed gets to his feet and takes hold of Johnny’s hair, forcing him up to his feet then bending him forward as he hooks both of his arms. Creed now lifts him into the air and drops back, throwing Kingdom down into the canvas with a double underhook suplex. The collision lays Johnny out completely while Nathan rolls to his knees, scooting towards him then delivering jabs repeatedly to his forehead. He is trying his best to inflict as much damage as humanly possible before taking the Team Leader by the back of the head, rolling him over onto his knees. He then slaps on a front chancery, pulling Kingdom up to his feet then falling back into a vertical suplex. Kingdom slams into the canvas spine first while Nathan swings his hips, pulling his opponent along with him to a kneeling base. He forces Johnny up to a standing base then lifts him into the air again for another vertical suplex. However, as soon as he gets him up into the air, Johnny shifts his weight, pulling Nathan down into a small package.

Creed kicks out, the fans cheering as both he and the Team Leader rush to their feet. As soon as Johnny stands Nathan rushes forward and lays him out with a vicious lariat, sending the Team Leader into a corkscrew before he collides with the ring. Nathan turns and drops into the cover, hoping that last move will be enough.

Johnny gets his shoulder up once more, narrowly avoiding defeat and thus keeping his career alive.

Billy: Nathan still pressing the advantage!

Douglas: He is absolutely on fire tonight, more determined than I’ve seen him in a very long time as a matter of fact.

Johnny is gripping at his throat as he turns away from Nathan who pulls him up to a kneeling base and takes him by both ears. Creed delivers a hard headbunt right into his skull, followed by another shot, tremendously disorientating both men, yet the Future continues with his violent strategy. He goes for another headbunt when Kingdom dives forward, ramming his skull into Creed’s. The stiff strike echoes throughout the arena and results in a gasp from the crowd while Nathan becomes disorientated. He staggers around when Kingdom stands and takes him around the back of the head, pulling him down into a jawbreaker. Nathan’s jaw slams off the top of Johnny’s head, causing him to stumble in reverse while Kingdom gets to his feet and rushes into the ropes backwards. He bounces off and comes barreling back in when Nathan steps forward, meeting him with a knee to the ribs. Johnny flips over the leg and lands on his seat, wrapping his arms around his abdomen in anguish while Creed steps up behind him, taking his neck in his arm. Kingdom is now bridged up to his feet as Nathan sets up for the eye of the hurricane. He swings his arm towards Johnny’s throat only for the Team Leader to slip his head free, avoiding the move then placing his spine to Nathan’s, back sliding him into a pin.

Creed kicks out, rolling over backwards onto his knees when Johnny stands in front of him, delivering a swift, devastating kick right to Nathan’s face. The kick echoes throughout the arena while Johnny places Creed in the front chancery, lifting him to his feet then hoisting him into the air for the Exodus Finale yet again only for Nathan to try to float over his shoulder to avoid it. Before he can do so Kingdom turns his body, catching Nathan on top of his shoulders in a fireman’s carry then rushing forward and delivering a devastating Death Valley Driver. The crowd responds with screams of approval as Kingdom crawls quickly into the cover.

Nathan gets his shoulder up yet again to a mixed response from the crowd, Kingdom sitting up and looking flustered that he’s yet to put away his age old rival.

Douglas: Another kick out from Creed!

Mayne: Damn his persistence, it’s as annoying as Jeff Globlum’s acting.

Although tired, somewhat dazed the Team Leader rises to his feet and now approaches one of the corners. He slips through the ropes onto the apron and now begins to scale the turnbuckle, getting to the top rope as if he’s setting up for the 450 splash. The crowd is screaming as Johnny sets to take flight with no hesitation, not worried whatsoever about throwing caution to the wind even after being out of the ring for such a substantial amount of time. He steadies himself and now takes flight, flipping through the air into the 450 splash which connects against nothing but canvas. The arena responds with despair as Johnny pushes himself up onto his elbows and knees, Nathan had rolled out of the way with seconds to spare. He rises to his feet and rushes at the crawling Kingdom, jumping over his back and catching him around his neck as well as his thigh. Johnny is pulled over sideways into a roll up before Nathan stands over his legs, grabbing hold of them and trying to lock in the Against All Odds to loud screams from the fans. Suddenly Kingdom turns his body though and drags Nathan down into a small package.

Creed kicks out while Kingdom keeps him around the neck, rolling over to his knees and pulling Nathan with him. Both men stand up with Johnny holding Nathan in a front chancery then lifting him into the air, connecting with the Exodus Finale! The fans are going absolutely insane as Johnny now turns into the cover, hooking Creed’s legs.

Douglas: The Exodus Finale!!

Mayne: What an amazing counter!

Referee Princeton drops and makes the count.

Kingdom has done it!

Douglas: Johnny Kingdom has won his return match! Therefore he’ll be allowed to continue on his journey to Paranoia V!

Mayne: That’s good for Kingdom, but definitely not good for the boss.

Johnny sits up with some sweat collected on his face before throwing his arms up into the air to a loud celebration. Princeton tries to take him by the wrist but Kingdom pulls his arm away quickly, shooting a piercing glare in the official’s direction.

Dan: A hard fought victory for Johnny Kingdom here tonight on Riot! meaning his job is still intact and he can continue with his mission to bring our owner to justice. This certainly isn’t going to set well with Nathan Creed.

Mayne: Of course it isn’t, but he’ll just have to deal with it. There’s nothing that says he can’t continue his investigation, maybe he’ll reveal the owner before Kingdom does at Paranoia V.

Douglas: If he can beat Silencer, which is a big “if” considering the state that man has been in over the past few weeks.

Kingdom rolls under the ropes and begins to back up the ramp with sweat still seeping from his tired, somewhat out of shape frame. Nathan pushes himself up onto his elbow, watching Kingdom leave in a very flustered state as he still grips at the back of his neck in pain. Creed begins to look a tad demoralized though.

CHANGE IN THE AIR

To an insanely loud ovation Jon Rich is shown moving down the corridor in the direction of the ring. His big number one contender’s match is just moments away from occurring, giving the N.H.B and Tag Team Champion the chance to main event Paranoia V and add even more gold to his waist by winning the World Heavyweight title. Both of his championships already shimmer brightly over opposite shoulders while he progresses down the corridor, and he takes deep, anxious breathes. For the first time in a long while Rich actually looks nervous, realizing what is on the line in this battle, and who he is about to collide with in the center of the ring. His mental preparation is abruptly cut into though by the presence of a smiling Robin Brooks who emerges from behind the curtain. She is brushing her hair behind her ear and smiling widely at the sight of Rich, who stops to greet her.

Brooks: Thought you could make it to the ring without getting a classic Brooks pep talk huh?

Rich smiles coyly.

Jon: Actually I was looking to avoid it.

Robin shakes her head as she pretends to be insulted by the comment, but has gotten quite use to Jon’s brand of humor.

Robin: Well too bad, because I’m unavoidable.

Rich: Don’t I know it?

A grin is shared between them.

Brooks: Listen Jon, I just want to say good luck out there and don’t let the pressure get to you.

Jon: I should be saying the same thing to you in regards to next week.

A bright red color comes to Robin’s cheeks, trying to hide her excitement over facing Hurse on the next Riot! for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Brooks: Don’t worry about me Jon, you just concentrate on tonight. I certainly don’t want you to start looking too far ahead and thinking about the possibility that it could be me and you facing one another for the World title at Paranoia V.

The thought is almost pleasing to Rich, one half of his lips upturning into a smile.

Jon: Which is looking like a very real possibility.

Robin: Oh yeah, because my ex is finally going down next week. But keep your mind focused on tonight, Jon. No one gave you a chance at Redemption Roe, just like there’s so many doubting you tonight, but again it’s time to prove them all wrong. It’s time to shock the world. By the end of the night your going to Paranoia V, Jon, and there’s no denying it.

Jon can’t help but feel more motivated and energized no matter how cliché this speech might be. His grin now takes up both sides of his lips and he nods his head eagerly. His face looks towards the twinkling, excited eyes of Robin.

Jon: Looks like the world is in for some surprises tonight and next week.

After making this profound statement he moves down the corridor, heading towards the ring for what should be an unbelievable one on one encounter with Cruze. A smiling Robin watches him leave while nodding in agreement with his statement.

Robin: Don’t I know it, Jon, don’t I know it?

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We condone overselling. This has been a public service announcement.

JON RICH VS. ORLANDO CRUZE
WHO’S GOING TO PARANOIA V?

The show returns to the inside of the Manhattan Center, with a graphic now taking up the screen that is split down the middle, action shots of Jon Rich on one side and of Orlando Cruze on the other. The Paranoia V logo can be seen in the background, reminding everyone watching at home what lies on the line here in this sure to be epic main event.

Douglas: Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for perhaps the biggest main event we’ve ever had here on Riot!

Mayne: Or the most boring.

Dan: Your logic is just like your sex life, non-existent. Tonight Tag Team Champions will collide, and one of them will go to Paranoia V to face the winner of Hurse versus Robin Brooks for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Billy: Just say Hurse, Robin’s chances of winning next week are as small as her brawl size, hahahaha, I just made myself ill.

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 N.H.B title over his shoulder while the Tag Team title clutched in his palm. There is eagerness in his expression mixed anxiety, realizing that he’s about to compete in one of the biggest matches on his young career. 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 by holding his Tag Team Championship aloft.

Dan: What a stunning moment it was at Redemption Roe when Jon Rich and Orlando Cruze were declared the Tag Team title holders. The rules at the gauntlet bout were simple, whoever got the final pin would win the belts for his team, but in the end Jon Rich and Orlando Cruze, who were on opposing teams ended up getting a simultaneous deciding pinfall, therefore they were both declared the Tag Team Champions.

Mayne: It was illogical is what it was. How did Ingelson get away with making such a horrendous decision?

Douglas: His decision stands Billy, meaning Rich and Cruze are the Tag Champs and that’s what’s led us here, with both title holders fighting it out for the number one contendership at Paranoia V. This bout is between two men really deserving of such a huge opportunity.

Rich backs to the center of the ring with the N.H.B title still glistening over his shoulder and the Tag Team Title belt now hanging from his grasp. The referee is ordering him to hand over the belts but Jon seems to be hesitating while glaring towards the curtains swaying in the entry way. The Scorpion by Megadeth hits over the PA system as the lights dim and 'Cruze' flashes rapidly on the video screen. Down either side of the rampway white strobe lights flicker as Orlando strides through the curtain and to the top of the ramp with the Tag Team Championship belt gripped in his palm. He looks one way and then the other before walking down the rampway and to the ring, each strobe light extinguishing, and the arena lights getting bright with every step, the fans going absolutely insane at the sight of one of the two possible number one contenders. As he reaches the bottom he slides under the bottom rope and stands center of the ring with his arms outstretched, the Tag Title belt still hanging from his hand while the crowd bombards him with as much cheers as humanly possible.

Douglas: The Manhattan Center giving a warm welcome to one of two possible number one contenders upon the conclusion of this bout. Orlando also emerged from Redemption Roe with the Tag Title in his possession, and now he’s about to face the co-holder of his title to decide who goes to Paranoia V.

Mayne: Yeah, yeah, yadda, yadda, yadda, Orlando is just going to blow the opportunity yet again. Although I hate to admit it, Rich has been a role, and Cruze’s experience isn’t going to ensure him a victory in every encounter. Sooner or later he’ll actually have to develop talent.

Dan: He already has plenty of it while your bone dry my friend.

Rich steps forward, holding the Tag Team title belt up in front of Orlando’s face, Cruze’s reflection captured inside of it. A smirking Orlando lifts his gold into the air as well while both men continue to glare into one another’s faces in an intense, respectful, and yet untrusting manner. Official Wright implores them to hand over the belts, which is slowly and dramatically done, the referee stepping back and handing the belts to the time keeper outside of the ring. Rich extends his hand out in the direction of Orlando to show that he is truly honorable tonight as Cruze contemplates rather to shake it. A slight smirk comes to his face and he takes Jon’s hand, shaking it somewhat smugly.

Mayne: Oh boo! Come on, don’t tell me these two are actually going to have mutual respect for each other? That is soooo boring.

Douglas: You heard what they said earlier, when that bell rings, respect goes out the window.

The fans are cheering as the bell sounds, both men stepping back with their eyes focused on each other. They begin to circle the ring, their eyes still interlocked, not even blinking before Rich proves to be the aggressor, starting towards his opponent. Both men reach out tentatively hitting their fingers against one another before Cruze jumps in, the two tying up in a collar elbow lock, jockeying for positioning against each other in the opening seconds of this bout. They are still exerting all of their strength as they fight against each other, trying to get out to that necessary early advantage. With a grunt Rich suddenly swings around under Orlando’s arm then pulls it out to his side, twisting it violently forward. Orlando almost falls to a knee as his shoulder threatens to be snapped by the co-holder of the Tag Team Titles. He begins to force himself up to his feet though, rising to a standing base yet again then going into a spin in the direction of his arm. He arches his back and ducks under the bicep of Rich before turning in a full circle to face him, lifting his free hand into the air and slapping one of Jon’s forearms with incredible force. Jon bends forward as a result, Orlando quickly clamping a side headlock on upon him. Jon buries his feet to the canvas, wrapping his arm around Orlando’s waist to ensure that he can’t be dragged down into the side headlock takeover. Orlando seems content with twisting at his head in this position though, lowering down to torque it even further.

Jon reaches out with his foot and places it to the back of Orlando’s knee as he was hunching downward to apply further strength on his submission. As a result Jon is able to push Cruze all the way down to a kneeling base then lifts his other leg into the air, swinging it over top of Orlando’s head. This gives Jon the momentum to twist his head free from the side headlock and spin around to face the kneeling Cruze, grabbing hold of his arm and placing it in the arm ringer submission yet again. Some claps emanate from the crowd, who are quite pleased with this technical display they’re seeing thus far. A somewhat stunned Orlando remains kneeling on the canvas before reaching out with his free hand, grabbing hold of the back of Rich’s ankle then lifting up on it. As a result Jon is tripped over backwards, landing spine first on the canvas while Cruze jumps at him, landing beside him then establishing the side headlock yet again.

Douglas: Some quick chain wrestling between these two to start out this match, neither one wishing to rush too quickly into a move that would allow their opponent to achieve the upper hand.

Mayne: This is even more boring than I thought it was going to be, thank God I brought my Gumby doll and my night light in case I need to take a nap.

Orlando twists himself around so that his back is pressed to Jon’s chest, holding him in a better, more difficult to escape position. That’s what he thinks at first before Jon’s legs lift into the air, wrapping around Cruze’s neck, then pulling him down into a head scissors submission. Cruze quickly rolls over onto his knees though, twisting around and despite having his head trapped in between the thighs of his opponent he scoots across his kneecaps so that he and his opponent form a straight line with their bodies. As soon as Orlando does this in an attempt to counter out of the hold, Jon breaks his own submission, rolling over backwards then rushing forward and grabbing one of his opposition’s arms. He swings around under it and establishes the arm ringer yet again with the fans screaming in shock and delight at yet another quick counter back into this hold.

Again Orlando finds himself kneeling on the canvas, unable to free his trapped arm from the clutches of the ever so allusive and quicker Rich. The Icon begins to try and escape from this hold when Rich suddenly lowers his hand down to the canvas, pressing his palm against the ring then stomping hard onto his knuckles. Cruze grabs at his hand but Rich already spins around and places it in the arm ringer yet again. He now twists Orlando’s hand though so that the back of his hand is pressed to his forehead, dropping down to his knees quickly so that it collides violently against his skull in this contorted position. Orlando again reaches for his hand only to have Jon stand, spinning under it as he establishes the arm ringer once more.

Billy: Look, this is mildly interesting, Orlando is in actual pain, Jon is doing something more than boring me.

Douglas: You sure do give him a lot of credit don’t you?

Mayne: Much more than he deserves.

Orlando grits his teeth as he finds himself continuing to be trapped in this hold by Jon who has done some extensive training for this bout it appears. The Icon finally begins to stand up though as his arm is still being twisted and ripped at viciously by the intense Rich. As soon as Orlando gets to his feet he steps away from Rich, pretending he’s going to swing his body in that direction but then twists it back towards the confused Rich. He drops to his knees and pulls down on his wrist, causing Jon to bend forward over top of his shoulders, Orlando now fireman carry’s him over onto the canvas spine first. Orlando spins around quickly and drops to his seat at his side, establishing the side headlock yet again. Claps are heard from the fans at the sight of a counter leading right back to square one. Orlando lifts his fist into the air though and drives it directly into Rich’s face while he’s got him trapped. A groan comes from Cruze though, who shakes off his fist, that shot causing him some pain from his worked over hand. He puts even more of his strength into the side headlock though, grinding his teeth in the process while Rich is trying to find a way out of this hold. Suddenly he begins to bridge his way up out of the submission, freeing his head in the process then twisting around to face his seated opponent’s spine. He rushes forward when Cruze drops onto his back, lifting his legs into the air and placing them under Jon’s armpits. He pulls him down into a forward roll, sitting on Jon’s sternum and holding the back of his legs for the pin.

Rich kicks out, rolling quickly to his knees then rushing to his feet only to be caught around the neck then pulled down into a side headlock takeover. Rich crashes spine first into the canvas with Orlando burying his back against his opponent’s sternum. He is really tightening the submission grapple with a malicious expression on his face when Jon wraps his arms around his opponent’s waist, then rolling away from him. As a result Orlando is pulled off of his seat and over the body of Rich onto the back of his shoulders, finding them buried to the canvas while he is trying to keep hold of the submission.

Orlando is forced to break the submission in order to keep from being pinned, falling away from Rich right onto his knees. Jon grabs hold of Cruze’s wrist, the one closest to him then bridges his way up off the canvas straight from his back, swinging around under his opponent’s forearm, again trapping in the arm ringer. Orlando quickly drops away from him though, pulling Rich down towards him and catching him with a small package.

The quick Rich kicks out, shocked by all of Orlando’s sudden counters.

Douglas: These guys exchanging a lot of quick pinfall attempts intermingled with their submission holds. This is a true game of chess your seeing between these two opponent, who are trying their best to earn that coveted World Title shot at Paranoia V.

Mayne: Yeah, that’s right boys, do something to maintain my interest, although I am getting distracted by that nice lady with the big funbags in the front row. She winked at me, did you see it?

Dan: Billy, she has Bells Palsy.

Billy: Oh, well she’s still hot.

Orlando and Jon are quick to rush each other to their feet as Cruze suddenly catches Jon with the side headlock yet again. He tries to pull him down into the side headlock takeover only to have Rich reach in reverse, grabbing hold of the top rope. He blocks the attempt as Cruze falls away from him to his elbows and knees, Jon stepping over his arms. He hooks them both up then falls to his stomach, pulling Cruze up on top of his shoulders in a modified crucifix pin.

Cruze kicks out, and does so by falling spine first on top of Jon’s back. Rich quickly pushes himself up to his knees only to have Orlando swing around quickly and catch him around the neck, placing him yet again in the side headlock submission. The crowd is cheering at the sight of these timely, back and forth counters being exchanged as both men try their best to outdo the other with these holds. Orlando is really twisting at his opponent’s neck while pushing himself up onto a single knee, this allows Jon to squirm free though somehow, dropping down behind the Icon and catching him by the tights. He rolls him over backwards into a school boy.

Orlando kicks out, dropping over onto his knees while Jon stands in front of him, decking him right between the eyes. It’s obvious Jon has had enough of this one-upmanship, as he delivers right hand after right hand to Cruze’s features and now turns, taking him around the neck, leading him up to his feet then snapmaring him over seat first onto the canvas. Jon rushes backwards into the ropes to get a running start for whatever move he has envisioned only to have Cruze drop to the ring, rolling towards him. As a result Jon has to jump over the co-holder of the Tag Team Titles, charging into the opposite cables then bouncing off of them. Orlando rises to his feet and jumps into the air as Rich runs under him, avoiding his opponent with the leap frog. Cruze turns around quickly, bending forward when the inbound Rich twists so that he falls spine first into Orlando’s upper back. Cruze stands, sending Rich flipping in reverse off of his back and landing on his feet behind him. Jon charges spine first into the ropes behind his opponent bouncing from them then rushing right at Orlando who turns and catches Rich with a hard spinning powerslam. Jon is driven with force right into the canvas, the crowd groaning as a result of the devastating, high impact move which seems to knock all the air from Rich’s body.

Douglas: The first big move of this match just landed by Orlando and what a powerful, destructive move it was!

Billy: At least they’re no longer holding anything back or feeling each other out, which I thought was something you got arrested for doing to strange ladies on Subways.

Dan: Don’t describe your weekends Billy, the less we know the better.

Orlando rises to his feet and takes hold of Jon’s hair after the brutal powerslam, realizing it’s going to take much more than that to properly finish off his opponent. He pulls Rich over onto his knees then places him in a front chancery, dragging him up to his feet in between lobbing knees upward into Jon’s face, trying to weaken him to the best of his abilities. As soon as Jon is standing, albeit doubled over, Orlando steps to his side and moves in with a hard upward kick right to his sternum. The strike causes Jon to stand, swinging his arms to keep him upright before being struck right across the chest with a blistering knife edge chop. Orlando grabs him by the back of the head, bending his head forward and delivering a vicious, stiff European Uppercut right to his jaw. The strike causes Rich to stand up straight and yet still somehow remain upright, his flailing arms keeping him on his feet. Cruze now steps in front of him and spins around into a sure knock out shot, the LETHAL roaring elbow. However, it fails to connect as Jon ducked it at the last second, Cruze rushing into the cables behind him as a result and bouncing off. He comes barreling back towards Rich who turns and jumps into the air, meeting him with an absolutely beautiful dropkick right to the face. The impact echoes throughout the arena and causes many of the Manhattan Center fans to scream loudly, watching as Orlando flies from his feet and slams into the ring. Rich comes down beside him, trying to catch his breath while his opponent instinctively rolls away from him, trying to create some distance.

Billy: Ha, Orlando’s face just ate all boot. And kicks to the face don’t feel well, believe me.

Douglas: I do, I’m sure your mom gave you plenty of them to keep you in the cellar all hours of the day. Now what we just witnessed was a perfectly well timed and executed dropkick as these two are going tick for tack against each other thus far.

Cruze is pulling himself up the ropes, looking stunned by that dropkick and still reeling from it as Jon steps in, delivering a swift, stiff forearm to the side of his face. Orlando’s jaw is jacked by the elbow as Rich delivers another equally as high impact shot and now takes him by the wrist. With all his strength he tries to whip Orlando across the ring only to have Cruze reach in reverse, wrapping his arm around the top rope and keeping this from occurring. He plants his feet hard to the ring and keeps hold of the top rope before exerting his own strength to pull Rich towards him. Shockingly Jon comes back in his direction with a lariat that connects with such force that it sends Orlando flipping over the ropes backwards. He lands on his feet on the outside mats and staggers backwards into the barricade, hitting it spine first. The fans get even louder as Rich jumps up and down, a crazy look filling his eye then taking off across the ring. He bounces off the far ropes and comes rushing back towards the dazed Cruze on the outside of the ring, prepared it appears to deliver that devastating diving headbunt. Cruze suddenly steps away from the barricade though, turning his body and burying his back against the apron to avoid the strike. However, Rich changes up his move at the last second, instead jumping into the air and delivering a dropkick through the ropes into the back of Orlando’s head. The move sends the Icon charging forward into the barricade, turning as he crashes into it ribs first, his arm tumbling over it to keep himself upright.

Rich rolls over backwards in the ring onto his feet and now rushes forward, diving through the cables as he connects with the vicious suicide lariat. The force of his body connecting with Cruze’s, sends both men spilling over the barricade into the crowd.

Douglas: OOOOHHH! Jon throwing his well being out the window, and delivering a sensational suicide lariat! It’s going to take career risking moves like these to put their opponent’s down though.

Mayne: Yes, and the chances that one of their careers may be ended for a shot at the World title, does drawl my interest.

The crowd is slapping the barricades and starting a “IWC” chant at the sight of that last series of moves and now finding Jon Rich and Orlando Cruze spread across the concrete at their feet. Everyone is amazed by the aerial dare devilry on behalf of the N.H.B Champion who is slowly, agonizingly trying to rise to his feet. He falls side first against the steel barricade then begins to stomp at the down Orlando’s sternum repeatedly before taking him by the back of the head. Cruze is rolled onto his feet and then whipped into the barricade with tremendous force, Orlando turning and slamming into it hard spine first. He calls out in anguish from the impact with the steel while Jon comes barreling towards him only to have Orlando catch him against his shoulder, back dropping him over the barricade. Rich is able to float over though, landing on his feet on the outside mats as Orlando turns around and is immediately placed in a front chancery. Rich lifts him into the air over the barricade and drops back into a straight vertical suplex right on the outside mats.

Dan: Again Jon’s speed and agility getting him the upper-hand in this match, suplexing Orlando violently into those outside mats!

Mayne: Cruze is going to need see a chiropractor after this match, and a psychiatrist, a whole team of them in fact.

The Icon agonizes as he arches his back from the mats, rolling over slowly to his elbows and knees while Rich steps in and kicks him straight to the face. Orlando pops up to a kneeling base, his eyes fluttering due to the stiff strike while Rich takes him by the back of the head, forcing him up to his feet and continuing to press his advantage. He now whips him straight towards the barricade only for Orlando to turn, putting the breaks on it and now pulling Jon knees first into his shoulder. He stands up and throws Rich’s face right into the post, his skull bouncing off it viciously before he turns and tumbles with force to the outside mats.

Dan: Rich colliding face first with the STEEL POST!

Billy: Another momentum shift, dammit.

Rich tumbles to the mats and immediately covers his face with the palms of his hands while the frazzled Orlando moves towards him, stepping over his opponents legs then tucking them under his armpits. He gives Rich no time to rest before dropping back and catapulting Rich through the air skull first into the exposed turnbuckle post yet again. Jon’s face slams off the steel a second time as he turns and lands on the outside mats with a hard thud. The crowd is shocked by the sheer brutality these two are inflicting on one another as Rich is trying to recover, yet has absolutely no chance of doing so, his opponent pouncing upon him. Cruze has shaken off the effects of that offensive flurry he was hit with a few seconds ago as he takes Rich by the hair, leading him up to his feet then grabbing hold of his wrist and whipping him towards the barricade. Jon rushes across the mats and then turns, slamming shoulder first into the steel violently then standing up as a result and staggering towards his opponent. Orlando rushes forward, catching Jon’s stomach against his shoulder and lifting him up into the air in a spinebuster position. Instead of hitting a spinebuster though he rushes across the mats then dives forward, driving Jon with incredible force back first right against the barricade. The steel shakes as the crowd cringes from the full force in which Rich’s body collided with the steel. All the while Referee Wright can only watch on from the ring with a shaking head, unable to disqualify either man as this bout requires a definitive winner.

Douglas: Orlando brutalizing Rich on the outside of the ring, just using everything he can as a weapon.

Mayne: Vicious Orlando is almost acceptable, emphasis on the word, almost.

The fans are still groaning while Cruze staggers towards the ring, rolling in under the ropes to the inside then back out to break any extremely slow count the official was making. Jon remains seated back first against the barricade, agonizing after all the collisions he just withstood before Orlando forces him up to his feet. He now delivers a stiff, vicious knife edge chop right to Rich’s sternum, the blow knocking him over the barricade into the sea of humanity. The fans again clear out of the way while the Icon steps back, overlooking the fans with a twisted expression residing on his features. He appears much more intense than ever as he begins to slap his forearm, waiting for Rich to stand up on the opposite side of the barricade. The very sluggish, battered Jon begins to rise to his feet in his disorientated manner, getting his legs beneath him while leaning on the barricade for support. Cruze now rushes forward, hoping to capitalize on this offensive he is waging when Jon lifts his leg into the air, delivering a kick over the barricade right to the side of Orlando’s cranium. A groan emanates from the fans at the sound and the sight of the extremely stiff kick which sends the Icon staggering in reverse while Jon stumbles his way through the fans. He lightly brushes them aside then turns to face the extremely dazed Icon on the outside mats, rushing through the fans then jumping on top of the barricade and launching himself off into a flying forearm. Orlando suddenly reaches out and catches him though, pulling Rich around into a vicious, violent spinning powerslam right against the outside mats.

Billy: OOOOHHH!!!

Douglas: What a counter by Cruze, the spinning powerslam on the outside mats!

The fans in the Manhattan Center are screaming loudly, putting their hands together as the winded Orlando rises to his feet over Rich who is unable to interpret the pain rushing through his body vocally. Cruze rolls him into the ring then slides in himself, crawling quickly into the lateral press.

Rich somehow is able to muster a shoulder off the canvas, the fans screaming at the sight of his kick out. As a result of this Orlando sits him up on the canvas and now clamps on a textbook, yet effective reverse bearhug. He is trying to squeeze the very life from Rich’s mid-section with primal aggression. Jon roars in agony as the bearhug is tightly clamped on by a ferocious Orlando, who is shouting some derogatory terms in Jon’s ear.

Douglas: The bearhug now established on Rich in this highly competitive one on one bout. He’s got to hang in there, he’s got to fight his way free from this submission if he wants to go to Paranoia V.

Mayne: Any chance of that happening just went right out the window when he was powerslammed on the outside mats, Dan.

Roars of agony flow from Rich’s frame as he tries to get up, pushing himself to his knees only to have Cruze further establish the hold, really exerting all his strength to force the tap out. The fans are slapping the barricades and stomping their feet hoping it will be enough to motivate Rich to get himself free from this hold, while other members of the crowd are ordering him to tap out. Orlando further exerts his strength as Jon begins to inch ever so slowly to his feet, rising to a standing base then throwing a back elbow. The shot connects with Cruze’s face before Rich delivers another elbow to the side of his skull, starting to weaken the Icon. It seems one more elbow will do the trick, therefore Jon throws it at his opponent’s face only for Orlando to break the bearhug and grab hold of the inbound arm. Orlando twists Rich around, trying to drag him down into the crossface, the crowd screaming as Jon tumbles to his knees, desperately trying to fight it in his exhausted, battered condition. He is trying his absolute best to avoid this hold while Orlando is putting everything he’s got into establishing it. Suddenly Jon drops into a forward roll, getting to his feet and then rushing forward into the cables. He jumps to the middle cable, springing off of it then twisting around with his legs extending out to his sides only for Orlando to catch them, causing Rich to tumble onto his back as Cruze now steps through. He pulls Rich over onto his chest and the side of his face, establishing the sharpshooter to a huge reaction from the crowd. Everyone in the building is screaming as Jon pushes himself up onto his elbows, roaring at the top of his lungs as he finds himself trapped in this hold. Orlando leans back, roaring as he exerts all of his strength on the submission.

Douglas: The SHARPSHOOTER! Orlando has countered into the sharpshooter!

Billy: Yes, hahaha, yes, a submission is imminent, meaning I can take my well deserved nap.

Half of the fans are shouting at Rich to tap out while the other is begging him to reach the ropes, which he is now glaring at as he pushes himself up onto the points of his elbows. Orlando is leaning back further into the sharpshooter, his features snarled in the process. Although his frame is overwhelmed with pain Jon begins to agonizingly drag himself in the direction of the ropes, clawing at the canvas in the process. He moves ever so slowly towards the allusive cables, Orlando shouting out for him to tap yet Jon won’t listen as he now finds himself mere inches from the cables. His hand reaches out and wraps around the bottom rope to a loud reaction from the sold out crowd, who are going nuts at the prospect of this contest continuing. Orlando breaks the hold and steps forward, a stunned and angered expression befalling his face. He turns in the direction of the pain ridden, agonizing opponent who is trying to use the ropes to pull himself to his feet.

Mayne: Oh terrific, he reached the cables already, why did Orlando have to establish that hold so close to the ropes?

Douglas: Jon somehow fighting through that sharpshooter, keeping his Paranoia V desires alive! Although the damage may have already been done.

A sluggish Orlando steps towards Rich, bending forward and sticking his head under Jon’s seat. He stands up, lifting the N.H.B Champion into the air in an electric chair drop position then pushing him over his head in the direction of the cables, trying to drop him ribs first onto the ropes. Jon lands feet first on the middle cable though, springing off the rope then flying backwards over top of Orlando’s head, landing on his feet behind him. He reaches for his mid-section then rushes forward when Orlando turns, catching him against his chest and stomach, throwing him into the air then allowing his opponent to drop ribs first right onto the top rope! Rich bounces off the cables, staggering backwards in a state of agony, walking spine first into the waiting shoulder of Orlando who lifts him into the air then drags him down viciously into the canvas with a back drop suplex. Jon slams with force against the canvas, sitting up and appearing terribly disorientated.

Orlando scoots up behind him and clamps his arms about Rich’s ribs, applying the bearhug yet again. The crowd has a mixed response to the sight of this while Rich calls out in pain, the back of his boots colliding with the canvas and his features overwhelming with anguish. His eyes open widely and his lips tremble as he tries to force himself upwards, getting to a knee as sweat streams down his reddening features. Orlando stands up behind him bending forward with the bearhug still established and determination clear in his features. A primal roar emanates from Rich as he shakes his arms, fists clinched and sweat seeping from his frame. Now that he’s upright he finds it even more difficult to escape while Orlando puts everything he’s got into the hold, squeezing the ribs until they almost turn to powder. Rich throws a reverse elbow into the face of Cruze, then does it again before Orlando breaks his own hold, delivering a forearm over Jon’s upper spine. The blow causes him to double over forward as Cruze takes one of his arms, pulling it through his legs then hooking the other one. He lifts Jon up into the air with a pumphandle, placing him on his shoulder only for Rich to slip off of it, landing on his feet right behind a stunned Icon. He takes hold of his arms, setting him up for the Get Rich Quick to a loud reaction from the crowd. Cruze quickly drops to his knees though and pulls down on his arms in the process, flipping Jon over top of him. Rich ducks his head, rolling forward across the canvas right to his feet then turning and rushing right at Orlando who stands, catching Jon across his sternum in a Rock Bottom position. He lifts him into the air only to have Jon twist his pain ridden body and reach out across his back, locking his legs around Orlando’s far arm. He falls in reverse and pulls Orlando down into a crucifix pin to a loud ovation.

Orlando kicks out, escaping the hold just barely in time, avoiding losing his shot at Paranoia V.

Douglas: What a series of counters between both of these athletes, they went for their finishers but they both had them scouted!

Mayne: Damn all this forced drama, you would think this an episode of the Gilmore Girls or something.

Cruze drops over onto his elbows and knees while Rich gets up in front of him and steps over his head, reaching down to grab his arms. It looks as if he’s setting for the Pancake Piledriver only to have Orlando charge forward, pushing him backwards into the turnbuckle. Rich’s injured mid-section is driven forcefully against the corner, his arms falling over the ropes to keep himself upright while Orlando backs up, gathering himself then charging forward. Rich quickly pulls himself up the turnbuckle in reverse though and reaches out, catching Orlando around the neck as he comes in. He now pushes himself off the corner and spins around, dragging Orlando down head first into the canvas with a vicious tornado DDT. Cruze bounces head first off of the canvas and now flips over onto his seat, looking terribly disorientated before tumbling onto his back.

Douglas: What a TORNADO DDT! This could be it!

Jon turns and scrambles into the cover as fast as his body will allow, hooking both of Orlando’s legs.

Cruze kicks out, the crowd screaming, thinking that his dream of main eventing Paranoia V had ended, and others rejoicing at the thought of Rich heading to the big show. Jon sits up on the ring, his face weighed down thick with disbelief, his chest heaving in despair before he slowly rises to his feet, Orlando trying to get up in front of him. Jon steps in and delivers a hard jab to his face, followed by another strike, then a third before delivering a step up enzugari to the back of his head. The stiff strike echoes throughout the arena while Orlando tumbles forward into the ring. The blow seems to have rendered him almost unconscious while Rich crawls towards one of his arms, dragging it out to his side. He applies a fujiwara on Orlando and in the process, pulls back on the fingers of Cruze, targeting that same hand he was working on earlier in the contest.

Billy: Rich going back to that hand, which brings Orlando a lot of late night pleasure, if you know what I mean.

Douglas: He did some damage to that hand earlier, but will it be enough to force a submission!?!

Cruze is yelling at the top of his lungs, pushing himself up onto his one elbow while his hand is being mangled by a determined, vicious Rich. Suddenly Orlando rolls away from him though, pulling Rich over top of his body and down towards the cable across the back of his shoulders, forced to break the hold on the hand. Orlando stands up and steps through Jon’s legs, trying to establish the sharpshooter to a roar from the crowd. Rich turns back and forth, trying to free himself from this predicament while Orlando is fighting to get the sharpshooter established.

Mayne: Now Orlando going for the sharpshooter, yippee!

Douglas: Another amazing counter, if Orlando locks this in we may see a submission!

Rich is still fighting it though as Orlando is forced to take his leg away from between Rich’s, Jon rolling over backwards immediately. He gets to his feet quickly and rushes forward only to be caught across the sternum, Orlando looking for the Rock Bottom yet again, hoisting his opponent into the air. Rich squirms free though, transitioning in mid-air and landing on his feet behind Orlando, who spins around into another roaring elbow. Jon ducks it, rushing into the ropes behind him then springing to the middle rope. He flies off then twists in mid-air, Orlando turning to face him only to be caught with a blockbuster, the Up and Over! The crowd is going nuts as Rich throws himself into the lateral press.

The arena reacts with astonishment as Rich has done it, he’s heading to Paranoia V….hold on, Orlando got his shoulder up right before the three count!

Douglas: MY GOD! Orlando kicked out of the Up and Over!

Mayne: You mean it’s still going!?! Jesus!

The fans in the Manhattan Center are screaming as a very sluggish, exhausted Rich rises to his feet at Orlando’s side, taking him around the neck then rolling him over onto his knees. He pulls Orlando’s head under his seat and drags him up to his feet then lifts him into the air, holding him upside down as he connects with the pancake piledriver. Orlando’s skull slams viciously into the ring, his body twisting and tumbling to the canvas as the desperate Rich crawls into the cover again.

Orlando shoots his shoulder off the ring with mere seconds to spare, preventing Rich from heading to Paranoia V. A shocked, sweaty Rich gets to his seat in disbelief that he has not obtained that World title shot at the biggest payper-view of them all as of yet. He rises to his feet and pulls Orlando to his knees, sticking his head under his seat yet again then forcing him up to a hunched forward position, lifting him up into the air for another pancake piledriver. All of a sudden Orlando takes Rich around the back of the knees, lifting up on them and causing Jon to tumble backwards to the canvas, Cruze landing spine first on top of his sternum. He has him held in a shocking pinfall predicament.

Jon kicks out by sitting up, forcing Orlando over onto the back of his shoulders in the process.

Orlando kicks out, rolling over backwards onto his feet then rushing forward only to have Rich crawl between his legs, ending up behind him. Rich stands up and buries his spine against Orlando, hooking his arms then dragging him down into a backslide with the crowd screaming.

Just in time Orlando is able to kick out, dropping over onto his knees in front of the kneeling Rich then jumping over his arm. He grabs hold of it, trying to lock on the crossface yet again to loud screams from the fans only to have Jon duck his head, rolling forward across the canvas right onto his seat. Orlando scoots up behind him though and now hooks him up in almost an abdominal stretch, beginning to deliver repeated MMA elbows into the side of Rich’s skull. The fans are going nuts as each elbow connects viciously to Rich’s skull, beginning to weaken him immensely.

Douglas: THE MMA ELBOWS!

Mayne: It’s over now, it’s got to be over!!

The elbows are almost knocking Rich out yet he’s still fighting, attempting to keep from being rendered unconscious by these lethal strikes to the side of his head and temple. Rich is suddenly able to free both of his arms somehow and catch Orlando’s inbound elbow, extending his arm out over his shoulder then dragging his bicep down over top of it. Orlando roars in pain as his arm is almost broken. Rich now spins around, still holding onto the arm then forcing Orlando down to the canvas stomach first, applying the fujiwara once more and pulling back on the fingers of the possibly injured hand. The Manhattan Center crowd is again screaming with utter delight, everyone on their feet as Rich rips and tears at the arm as well as the fingers. Orlando’s face is overwhelmed with a physical interpretation of his pain, lifting his other hand into the air as if prepared to tap out. Some of the fans are screaming for him to do it, and his staunch supporters are begging him to stay in this contest.

Mayne: Another insane counter!

Douglas: Orlando is on the verge of tapping out, he could submit any second here!

Orlando’s fingers are being bent over backwards as far as possible until the point they almost snap, the Icon gritting his teeth against each other.

Fans: PLEASE DON’T TAP, PLEASE DON’T TAP!

The Icon’s hand is shaking above the canvas, his fist balling up in the process, resisting the temptation to tap before he turns his body onto his side. He turns to face Jon’s back then lifts his legs into the air, wrapping them around Rich’s farm and pulling it away from the submission. He now drags Rich over backwards into a crucifix pin only to allow him to fall onto his chest and stomach with Orlando strewn across his upper back. Orlando lifts his elbow into the air and begins to drive it repeatedly into the side of Jon’s face yet again with the crowd going nuts.

Douglas: Orlando is going back to the MMA ELBOWS!

Mayne: PLEASE BE OVER!

The arena is responding with tremendous approval as Orlando’s elbows connect repeatedly and violently against Rich’s skull. He’s only able to land a few though before Jon is able to slip out from under his opponent, standing up at his side then jumping over top of Orlando, catching him around the neck and the thigh. He pulls him over onto the back of his shoulders into the Oklahoma Roll.

The fans scream as it appears Rich has done it only to have Orlando kick out, dropping onto his knees then scooting up behind Rich who sits up on the canvas. Again he places him in a version of the abdominal stretch and goes back to the MMA elbows, sending the crowd into a roar of shock and approval.

Billy: He’s hitting them again!

Douglas: The MMA elbows from Orlando for a third straight time, there’s only so much of this that Rich can withstand after his skull hit that turnbuckle post twice outside of the ring!

Everyone in the Manhattan Center are standing, watching and screaming with each blow that is landed to the side of Rich’s cranium, doing who knows how much damage to the skull. Jon’s eyes begin to flutter until they come to a close, unable to put forth anymore fight against these elbows. The official steps in, checking on the condition of Rich then turning and motioning for the bell, insisting that Jon has been knocked unconscious.

Mayne: It’s over, this match is over!

Douglas: Rich has been knocked out by the elbows, Orlando is going to PARANOIA V!!

The rafters in the Manhattan Center are shaking from the sheer pandemonium emanating from the fans, who are going nuts over the fact that Orlando is now headed to Paranoia V. The Icon finally stops delivering the elbows as the bell chimes in the background and he tumbles onto his back, lying there in an exhausted heap. Sweat streams down Cruze’s features as he turns onto this side, listening to the loud ovation from the fans. The official steps to his side, taking hold of the Icon’s wrist then lifting it up into the air.

Douglas: It’s official ladies and gentlemen, Orlando Cruze will challenge for the World Heavyweight Title at the biggest payper-view of them all!

Mayne: Well, this gives me something to complain about then for the next few weeks.

Orlando is assisted to his knees and then helped to his feet by the official who is still holding his arm up high in victory. The Icon can barely remain upright while the crowd is still cheering as loud as they possibly can, quite pleased with the prospect of Orlando going to Paranoia V to face whoever the World Champion might be after next week. The Icon is sweating heavily as he bends forward placing his palms to his knees to keep himself upright. Rich is finally starting to regain some of his senses, shaking his head after all those blows delivered to his skull. Who knows how much damage may have been done yet Jon is fighting through it for the sake of rising to his knees and glaring into the features of the Icon.

Douglas: What a match we witnessed here tonight between Rich and Cruze for the number one contendership, but now it is definitive, there is no more questioning it. Orlando will move onto Paranoia V, and he will challenge for the title.

Mayne: I guess it was a competitive match, but all of this effort was for nothing, because Orlando will not emerge from the big payper-view with the title, it will yet again be another wasted opportunity.

Orlando reaches down and grabs hold of Rich’s palm, helping him up to his feet only to have Jon almost trip over his own feet. He nearly falls over several times while Cruze now holds him up, lifting his arm and pointing in the direction of the co-holder of the Tag Team Titles. Jon points back at Orlando in his almost unconscious condition then falls away from him to the canvas, rolling under the ropes to the outside of the ring. He backs up the ramp and almost falls over several times while clapping for Orlando who moves towards the turnbuckle, stepping up onto the second rope. Both of his arms are raised into the air, shaking with his fists clinched.

Douglas: Orlando Cruze is Paranoia bound!

The exhausted, sweaty Icon continues to celebrate amongst a roar of approval from the Manhattan Center crowd, one half of the Paranoia V main event now set in stone.

FADE TO BLACK