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 Faust hanging upside down from one of the corners, his fangs flashing through his smiling lips. That’s before it cuts to a huge crowd of people, clamoring to enter the Manhattan Center.

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 Johnny Kingdom and Orlando Cruze glaring at each other awkwardly before shifting to Aurora Rose running down the ramp, with a big smile. 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 delivering the Break the Silence on a hapless victim. 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 Jackson Adams smiling pompously into the camera before shifting to a bloodied grinning face of Psycho, his dementia clear within his wide deranged eyes. Riggs is shown springing to the top rope and then flying through the air over the barricade. Police are shown beating some looter with their knight sticks until Dan Douglas’ chuckling face overtakes the screen. 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 Axl Evermore standing face to face with the Ladder which holds the Cartel title. 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

Orlando is shown standing amongst family and friends, being showered by confetti while the World Title belt is raised 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. Riggs is shown seated in the corner of the ring 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!

SPIN THE WHEEL….

The loud howl of a wolf can be heard while the camera briefly opens on a full moon hanging over head. Quickly we are brought to a live feed of the inside of the Manhattan Center where fog is rolling ever so dramatically down the rampway and sinister tunes heighten the suspense.

SPIN THE WHEEL…make the deal. SPIN THE WHEEL…make the deal.

The crowd gathered for this evening have no idea what to make of this situation as the ring is surrounded by a collection of leather clad Loons. They all continue to chant while thumping the sides of their fists on the apron, the camera briefly cutting to Crazy Eddie Mitchell locked in a small cage with a stray jacket binding his arms and his mouth covered by a Hannibal Lector mask. Inside of the ring is a giant, menacing looking wheel operated by a large lever that one Hellkat has her hand wrapped around in anticipation. Located directly beside this wheel, which has various match types listed across its surface is the Cartel Champion itself, LADDER.

Susie Moore: Mark, I’m scared.

Mark Comeau: Thanks for joining us tonight on Riot!, please, please don’t change the channel.

As soon as this plea is made a close up is provided of a small midget wearing an eye-patch, anxiously hopping excitedly in front of Hellkat.

Midget: Spin the wheel, spin the wheel.

Chanting Loons: SPIN THE WHEEL…make the deal, SPIN THE WHEEL….make the deal!

The show briefly cuts to Bob standing at ringside with a ham grease covered rag draped over his shoulder and a butter knife in his hand, which he licks euphorically. Those in attendance boo rather loudly at the sight of Desolation seated in the corner of the ring upon a chair, overlooking this insanity with a smile on his face. The midget inside of the ring now begins to hand various objects to Hellkat for no apparent reason.

Midget: What about this?

A pear of pruning sheers are handed to Hellkat who overlooks them. The camera briefly cuts to Desolation, who is shaking his head “no.” Hellkat glances back down at the midget with disappointment.

Hellkat: NYAH….too melodramatic.

Midget: This, THIS!

Inexplicably a mackerel is handed to Hellkat, glancing towards Desolation for approval. Now the Dark Man is smiling and nodding his head in a slow, methodical manner. She shrugs, taking a bite of the fish then backing towards the lever.

Comeau: This has to be the oddest thing I’ve ever seen.

Susie: It’s making me hungry.

Hellkat holds the lever in a contrived sexual manner while the fists of the Loons continue to strike the apron.

Chanting Loons: SPIN THE WHEEL….make the deal, SPIN THE WHEEL….make the deal!

Ever so dramatically all attention shifts towards the entry way now as Step Up hits the PA system, fueling a loud reaction from the sold out crowd.

Mark: Now things are about to get more interesting, or twisted, either way the entertainment level should escalate.

Moore: Aren’t things twisted enough?

Through the curtains, and a layer of fog marches Axl Evermore, who stops on the stage, fists wedged to his hips. A disapproving expression resides on his face, yet a slight smile cannot help but to peek through his stoic exterior. Desolation is shown smiling before he covers his mouth with his hand, tilting his head towards the midget.

Desolation: We need more fog, and turn that “Halloween Sounds” tape over onto side B.

The midget scurries away in a hurry while Evermore starts towards the ring, rubbing at his eyes in disbelief over what he is seeing. It’s obvious that he is having trouble accepting that Desolation went through this much trouble just for the sake of ribbing him. The former Cartel Champion hops to the apron and slips through the ropes into the ring, overlooking the new UNSANCTIONED title holder, Hellkat, as well as her demented husband. The Dark Man is promptly handed a microphone yet refuses to rise from his chair to greet the number one contender for the Cartel title.

Desolation: Axl, I knew you’d come, it was just a matter of time.

The Fully Loaded leader continues to overlook his ludicrous surroundings.

Evermore: Yeah, yeah, I’m here, how much did you spend on this set-up; five bucks?

Loons: EEWWWW…

Axl gives the Loons a sideways glance while Desolation merely smiles over this accusation.

Axl: Alright, alright, where’s the fiery table and the strap that ties both our wrists together?

Desolation repeatedly swipes his fingers in front of his throat, brushing his palm through the air.

Desolation: Damn your ignorance Axl, your thinking of the White Castle of Fear.

The smirk grows on Evermore’s face, shrugging his shoulders in response.

Evermore: Oh, well those segments tend to blend together in their sheer idiocy. So can we get on with this so I can beat the Ladder already and take back my belt?

Desolation: Axl relax, what’s your hurry? I’m going to take my time and enjoy this moment.

The diminutive midget steps to Desolation side pointing at the watch around his wrist.

Midget: Actually Desolation, we were only given ten minutes for this segment.

Desolation: Screeching sounds of a Cthulhu! Alright, moving right along then, as you can see Axl, the deal is on the wheel.

Loons: EWWWW….

Evermore: STOP THAT!

The Loons jump back in fear over Axl’s sharp, annoyed demand.

Desolation: It all comes down to this Axl, there are twelve of the most barbaric matches in wrestling history on this wheel. Such as an Evening Gown Match, a Cole Miner’s Glove match, a Rock, Paper, Scissors competition, a Potato Sack race, a Cream Corn Massacre, and a special mystery match. All you need do is step up, take the lever and spin the wheel, if you have the courage that is, MWAHAHAHAHA.

Axl doesn’t say anything although he appears conflicted over the listing of matches on the wheel. Hellkat steps back, motioning to the lever that will spin this demonic wheel, Axl slowly approaching it despite being very vexed.

Axl: Okay, enough, no more waiting, let’s get this over with before we end up in the next Wrestlecrap book.

Axl steps towards the lever, grabbing hold of it while the Loons grow excited around the ring, again slamming their fists on the apron.

Loons: SPIN THE WHEEL…make the deal, SPIN THE WHEEL….make the deal!

The crowd is chuckling as Axl pulls down on the lever only to have Desolation step up in front of him in a truly intimidating fashion.

Desolation: Okay, here’s the part where laser beams shoot from our eyes and we lose all credibility.

The wheel is spinning as Axl glares at Desolation awkwardly for several seconds.

Axl: How about we wait till after the wheel has finished spinning?

Desolation: Works for me, the IWC was too cheap to spring for the special effects anyway.

Ladder watches on with the belt shimmering from one of its rungs as the wheel continues to spin obnoxiously. The Loons are still slamming their fists on the apron and stomping their feet in anticipation over the wheel’s decision. Finally the spinning stops and a match has been selected. The arrow points down at “Mystery Match,” to a mixed ovation from the crowd. Desolation rubs his jaw rather sinisterly, yet Axl is growing flabbergasted.

Evermore: Mystery match, Mystery match!?! This has to be the biggest cop-out ever, what the hell was the point of the wheel in the first place if it was just going to pick a match that leaves you with no answers whatsoever?

To this question Desolation can only respond via a shrug of his shoulders.

Desolation: Don’t you fret Axl, for the answer to the mystery of spin the wheel, make the deal will be revealed in due time…

Evermore: But that makes this whole debacle utterly, UTTERLY, pointless!

Before any answers can be given in regards to what match the Mystery match truly is, a forearm is driven violently right into the back of Axl Evermore. The crowd is enraged at the sight of Jackson Adams entering the ring and beginning to stomp away at the Fully Loaded member. Desolation is then spun around and cracked in the face with the chair he was just sitting on at the hands of Too Magnificent.

Comeau: The former Alpha Generation members are assaulting Desolation and Axl Evermore before we could get an answer in regards to what match the Wheel has chosen.

Susie: Boooo, I was hoping the wheel would have landed on “staring contest” it would pretty much guarantee a Ladder victory.

The fans are flabbergasted at the sight of this assault continuing, Too Magnificent and Jackson Adams progressing in their beat down of Evermore and Desolation, the duo trying their best to get back up. The second they try to stand their thwarted via more stomps from the former Alpha Generation members. Hellkat is physically restrained outside the ring by the Loons, making sure no harm comes to her while Adams and Too Mag now look up at Ladder in the corner. Evil intentions inhabit their eyes while they step over the Dark Man and Mr. N.Y.C, moving immediately towards the defenseless Cartel Champion.

Moore: Oh no, they’re going after the Ladder, run Ladder, RUN!

Mark: The Ladder is certainly in a lot of trouble.

As Adams and Too Magnificent continue towards the Ladder, rubbing their palms together gleefully the titantron comes to life, revealing some strange occurrence going on backstage. The camera in the back is locked on an entrance with a strange pink light filling it. Robotic sounds can be heard emanating from this hallway as the camera begins to static and falls over for no apparent reason. The lens stays active long enough to reveal a set of robotic feet moving past it towards the ring.

Susie: What was that? Mechastreisand?

Comeau: I shudder to think.

Too Magnificent and Jackson are on the verge of inflicting damage to the Ladder when their attention deviates to the entry way where Max Craven has emerged, dressed in a rather cheap Robocop-esque costume that seems to have been made out of someone’s grill and various car parts.

Moore: It’s ROBOCRAVEN!

Mark: I just went retarded.

The crowd is cheering and laughing as Robocraven makes his way down the ramp with robotic gyrations and steps. Too Magnificent looks panicked, as does Adams, both men turning towards the approaching cybernetic organism, unsure of what to think. Robocraven makes his way up onto the apron but can’t get through the ropes as he’s unable to bend forward. Therefore he points menacingly at the former Alpha Generation duo, who quickly vacate the ring in terror. They jump over the barricade into the sea of humanity.

Moore: Robocraven has come to the rescue! He’s my new hero.

Comeau: How much longer is this going to continue.

Finally Robocraven has managed to find way through the cables, stepping to the center of the ring. He takes long robotic strands across the ring before ending up at the sides of Evermore and Desolation. Both men get to their knees, holding their craniums while Axl uses his robotic associate to pull himself to his feet.

Mark: Well Too Magnificent and Jackson Adams tried to get the drop on the Ladder, aka our Cartel Champion but it was stopped by Robocraven. Can we go to the break because I really need to speak with Douglas about renegotiating my contract.

Susie: What a chaotic start here to Riot!

Axl leans on his partner for support while Max tries to discreetly whisper something to him.

Craven: How am I suppose to scratch my nuts in this thing?

COMMERCIAL BREAK

IWC…. Where self mutilation is all the rage

NATHAN CREED VS. AURORA ROSE

Tension fills the air in anticipation of the next superstar to enter the ring when the lights dim down. Adam Gontier's soothing voice cuts the tension swiftly

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

The drum beat kicks in for Three Days Grace's song 'Pain' and the lights flash syncronized to the beat. Nathan Creed walks from behind the curtain, his expression stoic as he stares down at the ring. He snaps his neck from side to side whilst ringing his wrists. The song takes a change in mood and softens as Creed starts a slow walk towards the ring accompanied by a low blue light that replaces the strobes

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

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

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

The start of the chorus causes Creed to scream, throwing his arms to the side in a Dreamer-esque pose. He stretches his arms by tugging onthe ring ropes and begins a quick warm up technique before pacing around the ring, eyes sharp and focused, waiting for the technical display, that is a Nathan Creed match, to begin.

Mark: Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal is over, no more Robocraven, it’s time for some good old fashioned wrestling.

Susie: So we’re getting back to the melodrama?

Comeau: Exactly. This match certainly has an interesting back story to it of sorts as Nathan Creed has been awfully chummy with his opponent Aurora Rose over the past few weeks, something that Krissie McMorris, Nathan’s crazed ex-girlfriend has taken notice of. Therefore Krissie has forced Nathan and Aurora to compete against each other here tonight.

Moore: Yay, the more the IWC reminds me of Days of Our Lives the happier I get.

Its obvious that Nathan doesn’t really want anything to do with this match as he saunters back and forth in the ring, waiting for Aurora Rose to come out. That’s when “Coming Undone” starts over the PA system, sending the majority of the fans to their feet, cheering loudly over the impending arrival of the Punk Rock Princess. She steps through the curtains with dread clear in her features yet nevertheless lifts her palm above her to a rousing response. She completes her punk rock gesture before making her way down the ramp, unable to bring herself to look in Nathan’s direction, finding it too difficult to eye the man she’s about to face. She hops onto the apron and then flips backwards over the top rope into the ring, turning with her hand raised in another punk rock gesture.

Susie: Aww, Aurora doesn’t look like she wants to wrestle Nathan. Does she have to?

Mark: It’s kind of her job unfortunately, and besides there’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition.

Creed has his hands on his knees, leaning forward and eyeing Aurora, who brushes her hair back, finally turning to observe the Future. The bell sounds as both athletes slowly progress in one another’s direction. Both Creed and Rose are obviously conflicted by this encounter yet extend their hands, shaking one another’s palms. They then step back as the bell begins to chime, preparing their strategies. Finally the two lunge forward into a collar elbow lock, jockeying for positioning before Creed quickly pushes the much lighter Aurora backwards into one of the turnbuckles. She falls against it and now gives Nathan a very angered stare, Creed tilting his head and shrugging his shoulders.

Comeau: Creed sending a message right there, telling Aurora that he’s not going to hold anything back through his facial reactions.

Susie: Whenever I send messages I tie them to the feet of birds.

A slight grin comes to Aurora’s face as she slowly steps out of the corner, mouthing the words…

Aurora: If that’s the way you want to play it.

Aurora reaches forward for another collar elbow which Nathan is more than willing to oblige only to have her change it up at the last second, switching around behind his back. She jumps into the air and wraps her arm around Nathan’s neck, applying a side headlock then altering it into a neck cravat. Creed’s head is twisted at a rather painful angle by Rose before he twists his body around, getting free then stepping behind her back, clamping his arms around her waist. He has her a reverse waist lock when Aurora reaches back with her legs, wrapping them around Creed’s ankle, then connecting with a drop toe hold. Nathan tumbles face first into the canvas as Aurora jumps into the air, twisting around and landing on her knees in front of him, applying a front chancery submission hold at this point.

Moore: I can’t believe they’re both trying to hurt each other, I thought they were friends and junk.

Comeau: Friends or no friends it all comes down to victories Susie, and that is what this match is about, picking up a win.

Susie: So victory is more important than friendship, awww, that’s sad.

Creed tries to roll over sideways and free himself from the hold, but Aurora rolls along with him, getting back to her knees with the front chancery still applied. An increasingly aggravated Creed begins to force himself upwards, Aurora still gripping him tightly around the neck, trying to cut all the air off from his cranium. The second they reach their feet Creed places his hands to the Punk Rock Princess’ ribs, pushing her up into the air in order to throw her off the submission. Before he can toss her Aurora slips over top of his shoulder and down his back, wrapping her arms around his waist then trying to pull him down into a sunset flip.

To her dismay Nathan remains upright, refusing to be taken down into this sunset flip as he slaps one of her hands away from his hip. He then steps around the other arm and drops to his seat at her side, locking in a modified version of the side headlock submission leaving her stretched across her back. She braces her feet to the canvas however and now bridges her body up off of the canvas. She frees her head by pushing her body up off of the canvas with her feet, sending her flipping over Nathan’s shoulder and landing on her knees in front of him, once again establishing a front chancery.

Mark: A very intelligent counter by Aurora Rose.

Moore: It was intelligent, just as intelligent as me.

Comeau: HA!

An intense Creed forces his way up to his feet with Aurora still clamping on the front chancery before he places his hands to her stomach. He pushes her back a little and now grabs her arms, forcing them away from her throat enough to free his body and deliver a vicious knife edge chop right across her sternum. Rose tumbles onto her posterior, glaring up at Nathan in shock over the violent strike that he nailed to her chest. He shrugs his shoulders and reaches down with his hand, Aurora taking hold of it before she nips up to her feet and now turns, dragging Creed down into an arm drag. Creed rolls forward across the canvas onto his feet, turning towards Aurora then barreling in her direction for a devastating big boot. At the last second Rose rolls under the attempted boot though, standing up then jumping into the air, landing on top of Nathan’s shoulders. She falls forward, pulling Creed down into a victory roll pin.

Nathan kicks out, sending Aurora rolling over in reverse onto her feet. A stunned Creed nips up onto his feet and turns, rushing towards his opponent who jumps into the air, spinning around and connecting with a huge heel kick right to his sternum.

Comeau: Aurora nailing Creed….

Susie: Really, is she auditioning for Craven’s “Porn Star Search?”

Mark: Not nailing in that sense.

The kick disorientates Nathan who rolls to his feet only to have Aurora step to his side, dropping down into a leg sweep. Both of Creed’s legs are knocked out from under him as he crashes onto his back, Aurora standing up at his side then jumping into the air with a twisting corkscrew splash. She crashes onto Nathan and hooks his leg.

Nathan launches his shoulder from the ring, avoiding the three count. A very quick Aurora gets to her feet and lunges into the air with an extension of her leg, planting it right across Creed’s throat. The leg drop leaves the Future writhing in pain, sitting up on the canvas and gripping at his larynx in pain. Aurora stands up behind him as Creed slowly turns over to his elbows and knees, trying to stand up. However, Aurora moves in, taking hold of his arm and tucking it between his legs, placing him in a pumphandle slam position.

She groans as she tries to lift Creed but just doesn’t have the strength to lift her larger opponent. As a result Creed is able to step over Aurora’s hand that was clutching his arm and turn her back towards him, pulling her forward and catching her under his arm. He now drags her forward for a Canadian backbreaker only to have Rose lift her legs into the air, wrapping them around Creed’s neck then snapping over into a huge head scissors. Nathan flips over, crashing forcefully spine first into the ring. He sits up reaching for his kidneys while rolling slowly to his feet. In his dazed condition he backs into one of the corners, Aurora charging in and jumping into the air, connecting with a step up knee strike right to Creed’s jaw. She drops down to the canvas then rushes back to the center of the ring before barreling forward at her opponent again. Aurora lunges into the air, planting both of her knees right to Nathan’s chest this time.

Mark: Aurora’s speed beating Nathan’s technical prowess now.

Moore: She is fast, as fast as a cat, yeah, cats are fast.

Comeau: Yeah, sure.

The Punk Rock Princess drops to her feet in front of Nathan and now lunges into the air, wedging her feet to his gut while interlocking her hands behind his head. She is going for a monkey flip only to have Creed wrap his hands around the back of her legs, throwing her up into the air onto his shoulders then rushing out of the corner for a powerbomb. At the last second Rose snaps over backwards, hitting a hurricarana to the shock of the Manhattan Center crowd. Creed slams into the ring across his spine but then ends up on his feet, stumbling into the opposite corner back first now. Aurora stands and comes roaring towards him, jumping into the air for the monkey flip yet again. This time Nathan steps out of the way, Rose landing feet first on the second rope as a result. Creed steps up behind her, wedging his shoulder to her spine then pulling her out of the corner, turning around to face the ring then pushing her around into a twisting sit-out powerbomb.

Mark: A big, much needed counter for Creed.

Susie: He hurt Aurora though, that isn’t nice.

A battered Creed is laid out next to Aurora yet slowly begins to force himself to his feet. He finally stands and now scoots up behind the damaged Aurora, sitting her up then clamping his arms around her waist. The ever intense Nathan stands and hoists Aurora to her feet before dropping back into a release German suplex. At the last second though, Aurora flips over and lands on her feet, avoiding being hit with the German. She staggers backwards into the cables, flipping over them in reverse and landing feet first on the apron. She now takes hold of the top cable, springing to it and taking flight right at Creed who drops down, avoiding whatever it was she intended to hit. As a result she lands on her feet with her back aimed towards Nathan, who quickly takes her around the waist and this time emphatically drops back into a bridging German suplex.

Aurora launches her shoulder from the canvas right before the three count.

Moore: Ewww, she kicked out.

Comeau: Nathan’s deadly German suplexes not enough to put her down.

Susie: Usually it only takes two shots of Tequila to put me down.

After enduring such a brutal German suplex Aurora falls to her elbows and knees, desperately trying to get up. An aggravated Nathan turns towards her, stepping in and locking on a front chancery. He forces Aurora to her feet then lifts her into the air before dropping her face first into the canvas with a modified reverse suplex. Rose crashes viciously against the canvas sternum and face first, immediately beginning to stand up on instinct while Nathan rushes into the ropes in front of her. The second Aurora gets to her feet Creed launches himself forward boot first right into her face. The stiff impact of the boot connecting with her jaw knocks Rose into a backwards flip, crashing across the back of her skull.

Susie: YOWZERS!

Mark: A disturbing big boot from Creed! Whatever surgeries may have been done to enhance Aurora’s looks have just been undone.

The screaming from the gathered masses escalates after witnessing that deadly strike by Creed who again crawls into a lateral press, this time placing her in a half nelson cover.

Somehow Rose kicks out, Creed immediately standing up and taking hold of her ankle. He lifts up on it, rolling Aurora over backwards onto her feet then dragging her arm through her legs. He hooks the other arm and lifts her into the air in a pumphandle position only to transition into the pumphandle half nelson driver, planting Rose hard across the back of her neck. He holds onto the back of her legs, folding her up like an accordion for the pinfall.

For the third straight time Aurora kicks out just before the three count.

Comeau: Creed very close to pinning Rose on three separate occasions there.

Creed rolls away from the opponent he’s brutalized, his former partner who looks drained after all this physicality. He now develops a strategy, rising to his feet then rushing into the cables at her side, jumping into the air and landing feet first on the second rope. She springs over backwards into the moonsault only to have Aurora surprisingly roll out of the way. Creed crashes hard face first into the ring, pushing himself up onto his knees and covering his sternum and jaw in pain. Aurora gets up in front of him and charges in, jumping into the air and standing on top of Creed’s back. She then lunges into the air and twists as Nathan stands all the way up, wrapping her legs around his neck and pulling him over into a hurricarana pin.

Creed sits up, rolling Aurora over backwards onto her feet as she then dives forward. Her back hits Creed’s sternum, knocking him onto his spine as she pulls up on his legs, placing him in a jackknife cover.

Nathan sits up again, pushing Aurora over onto the back of her shoulders as the referee makes the count.

Aurora rolls over in reverse yet again onto her feet then jumps forward into a flip over neckbreaker. She connects with a blockbuster variation, pulling the back of Nathan’s head down into the canvas to screams from the fans.

Comeau: Some quick offense from both athletes.

Susie: Another exciting opening match! Don’t we have one of these every week?

A winded Aurora rises to her feet and steps towards the ropes, climbing up the turnbuckle and then turning towards the laid out Creed. Although she is exhausted she stands up straight and launches herself through the air with incredible grace, connecting with a senton bomb right across Nathan’s ribs. Creed wraps his arms around his ribs, looking to be in a lot of pain while Rose leans back into the hook of the leg.

Again Nathan kicks out to a huge ovation from the crowd.

Moore: Aurora used her hard head as a weapon and it still wasn’t enough.

A flabbergasted Aurora grabs Nathan around the neck, pulling him up to his feet then turning him towards the ropes. She now charges forward, setting up for the Sinful Desires (Stratusfaction). At the last second Creed pulls his head out of the side headlock and grabs the back of Aurora’s hair, bending her over backwards in order to connect with his version of the Eye of the Hurricane. Aurora pushes up with her legs, flipping in reverse in almost a reverse suplex position. At the last second though, Aurora lands right on top of Creed’s shoulders, seated behind his neck. She now drops back, connecting with a reverse hurricarana that spikes Nathan right on top of his head. The fans react with astonishment as Nathan bounces off of his cranium and he rolls onto his back. Aurora turns over, crawling into the cover.

Those in attendance are stunned as Aurora has just picked up a huge win.

Comeau: Aurora victorious here tonight after an amazing reverse hurricarana counter. That’s two consecutive wins in a row for Rose. Better turn away from the ring now before our skin melts away.

Moore: Yay, Aurora wins, she’s on a winning streak, a winning streak. If I repeat myself it makes things sound more dramatic.

An exhausted Aurora sits up on the canvas, breathing heavily and eyeing Creed with great sympathy. Nathan has regained some of his functions, pushing himself up onto his side sweating and glaring at Rose longingly, depressed by this loss. Aurora shrugs her shoulders, unsure of how else to react.

Comeau: A very intriguing opening match here on Riot!, which seems to have made complex issues all the more complex.

Moore: My mind can’t handle complex things.

Mark: Which is obviously why you were picked for this job….hold on, my headset is telling me that something is going down backstage!

Susie: How come my headset never talks to me?

PAYBACK

Referee Alex Ingelson is staggering backwards through one of the corridors leading to the ring. He looks highly disorientated with his referee shirt ripped and his arms flailing to keep himself upright. The source of his disarray is one Silencer, who steps in and slugs him violently right to the forehead. Alex is knocked to the ground, revealing blood trickling from his hairline and down his cheek. An irate Silencer hovers over him, twisted by his hostility.

Silencer: Oh no you don’t you limey son of a bitch. Your not getting off that easily.

Silencer grabs Ingelson by his bleached blond hair, forcing him up to his feet and physically dragging him across his knees in the direction of the ring. As they pass by the camera Silencer shoves it out of his way, knocking it out of the hands of the employee who was holding it.

Comeau: Silencer attacking referee Alex Ingelson backstage and he is now dragging him to the ring.

Susie: He must be mad at Alex for what happened during last week’s title match. Wow, I remembered something long enough to be consistent.

Mark: They’re on their way out here, we’ll be following this up after the commercial break.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Coming Soon to DVD

REDEMPTION

The curtains part to reveal Alex Ingelson rolling out onto the stage as the show comes back live to the inside of the Manhattan Center. He ends up spread across his back on the steel, blood still flowing from a gash in his forehead. Now standing over him is the intimidating, irate Silencer, his eyes burning with malice and hate.

Susie: Oh no, look at the referee, he’s all beat up. Bad Silencer, bad!

Comeau: An irrational Silencer assaulting Alex Ingelson in the back before the break and now dragging the noble official out here in front of us all to perhaps serve as an example.

Moore: Why does he have to be so mad just because Ingelson took a stand? Sure it cost him the World title, but he needs to buck up.

Alex’s eyes are fluttering as he tries to remain conscious, Silencer continuing to stand over him with his face shadowed by his long dark locks. With trembling, claret smeared fingers he takes Alex by his died blond hair and forces him to his feet only to slug him to the face and send him crashing right back down to the ramp. He rolls down the steel and towards the ring with Silencer following closely behind him, now looking strangely unemotional. Through the curtains behind him saunter Pat Evans with the Submission title, Christian Savior holding his N.H.B gold, and Dan Douglas occupying the space between them. All three men smile joyously over the brutality being inflicted on the man who took part in ruining all their well laid plans last week.

Mark: And here comes the rest of the Conspiracy to bask in this brutality. Although I must admit, beating up referees can provide some entertainment.

Susie: It looks about as fun as Hungry Hungry Hippos. Which I’m currently playing mind you.

An incoherent Ingelson sits up with his back pressed to the ring and Silencer repeatedly slugging him right between the eyes, further opening up his laceration. Alex is calling out in pain as this brutality continues, groaning with each closed fist shot to his skull. Finally Savior steps in and takes Alex by his ripped shirt, dragging him forcefully to his feet then rolling him into the ring. He ends up laying in the center of the squared circle, blood flowing steadily down his face. A huge grin resides on Dan Douglas’ face as he watches this brutality being inflicted, quite enjoying the message that is being sent by the Conspiracy.

Comeau: Douglas pleased with the handiwork of the Conspiracy, as it was Ingelson and Kingdom who ruined Silencer’s chances of walking away with the World title last week. You’d have to believe that he wouldn’t be so happy though, if it weren’t for the fact that neither Orlando Cruze or Johnny Kingdom are here yet due to transportation issues.

Susie: How do you not run out of breath?

A damaged Ingelson pushes himself over onto his elbows, trying desperately to get up when Pat Evans slides into the ring, scooting up behind him and snatching hold of his ankle. Alex’s leg is lifted into the air and he is placed in the ankle lock to screams from the fans. Roars of anguish emanate from Ingelson, who immediately begins to tap out to the pain of this submission. Silencer drops to the canvas, getting eye to eye with him, speaking in a cold, unsympathetic tone.

Silencer: All you had to do was look the other way, but now you see where being a hero gets you.

Evans stands up and continues to rip and tear without mercy on the ankle to the point that it almost snaps. A chuckling Savior watches on from the corner, entertained by this blood letting while Douglas stands up on the apron, fishing a microphone from his jacket pocket.

Douglas: DO YOU SEE! DO YOU ALL SEE!?!

A finger is cast out in the direction of the viewing audience.

Dan: This is what happens to those who don’t follow orders, those who try to FUCK with our plans.

Wails continues to emit from Ingelson, who is in absolute anguish over the beating he’s receiving for reversing his decision last week. Evans finally throws down his almost broke ankle and now steps to one of his sides, taking hold of his arm. Savior steps out of his corner, handing his N.H.B belt to Douglas while taking hold of Alex’s other arm. He is raised to his knees, blood gushing down his face and Silencer standing in front of him wearing a maniacal expression.

Douglas: Alex Ingelson will serve as the sacrificial lamb for our revolution, because there’s no one who is going to come out here and help him. Orlando Cruze and Johnny Kingdom aren’t in the Manhattan Center yet due to traffic issues, so they’ll be no help for you ALEX! And when they do get here, they’ll suffer the same fate you’re your about to Ingelson.

Douglas chuckles diabolically as Silencer now reaches down and slides something out of his boot, a giant spike. The crowd begins to squeal and scream over what they’re seeing as Silencer holds the spike between his fingers, Savior pulling back on Ingelson’s hair so that his bloody face is aimed towards the former World Champion.

Susie: I hope Silencer is about to knit something with that.

Comeau: This is going a little overboard.

Moore: A little?

Those in attendance watch on in fear as Silencer bends down, getting eye to eye with Ingelson and pulling the spike back dramatically. He swings the spike right for Alex’s face when the lights in the building suddenly cut out. Everything and everyone is enveloped in darkness.

Moore: It’s dark, I want my teddy.

Comeau: What is this about now?

Anticipation builds in the Manhattan Center in regards to what is happening here, the ring still blanketed by shadows. Suddenly the house lights raise to reveal Faust hanging upside down in the corner of the ring, a Singapore cane in his hand and blood dripping from both corners of his mouth. The Manhattan Center erupts at the sight of the former six time SCW World Champion, Savior appearing stunned by his brother’s presence.

Comeau: Faust is in the ring!

Moore: He’s back, and I’m so frightened I just miscarried, and I wasn’t even pregnant!

Pat Evans’ face twitches with hostility at the sight of Faust who drops down out of the corner then rushes at the trio of Conspiracy members. Silencer quickly high tails it through the ropes while Pat and Savior drop to the canvas, rolling under the cables to the outside of the ring. An intense Faust swings the cane at their escaping bodies, turning in circles with his gothic eyes to make sure nobody can get the drop on him. Finally his eyes settle on Dan Douglas occupying the apron, charging at him with the cane.

Comeau: Faust is even going after Douglas!

Susie: Is he allowed to do that? I thought beating up on the boss was a no, no.

The cane is swung directly at Douglas’ skull but he quickly drops down out of the way, avoiding the shot by mere inches. He drops to the mats, backing towards his Conspiracy cohorts who have gathered at the end of the ramp. Although Douglas is about to express his outrage by speaking through the microphone, a much more irate Savior has the audacity to snatch it out of his hands.

Savior: FAUST, you kooky son of a bitch!

Faust steps back to the center of the ring, tilting his head and confusingly mouthing the insult his brother just lobbed at him.

Christian: Did you think we’d let you get away with this? No, nobody gets away with trying to hurt me!

Now Evans, Silencer and Douglas exchange awkward glances.

Savior: Your not going to put your hands on me, or any other member of the Conspiracy tonight, because your going to be busy, very busy.

The twisted Faust crouches in the ring with the cane still gripped in his palms and leaning over his shoulder. A bloodied Ingelson is rolling out of the ring behind him, making sure to get away from the Vampire Lord.

Christian: Your going to be preoccupied fighting a monster just like you….PHANTOM!

A snide grin comes to Savior’s face while he, Evans, Silencer and Douglas gaze towards the entry way where fog is rolling in. A purple haze has settled over the stage before a figure is revealed towering amongst the mist. The crowd has a loud mixed reaction at the sight of the dark, deranged and gothic Phantom, his glowing eyes locked on Faust in the ring, who relishes in the blood being licked from his lips. Douglas finally finagles the microphone free from Savior’s hand, lifting it to his own lips.

Dan: That’s right, your match with Phantom starts right now, ring the bell and get a referee who can follow orders out here!

Phantom starts towards the ring with sinister intentions obviously in store for Faust, who isn’t backing down or looking even remotely frightened by his much bigger opponent. Referee Stuart Wright rushes from the back and around the ramp, barreling at an exasperated pace towards the ring. Unlike last week Phantom doesn’t appear as confused and lost as he progresses towards the squared circle, by contrast looking very focused tonight.

Mark: Phantom being sent out here now to deal with Faust, don’t go anywhere, because this match is next.

Susie: This isn’t good, it’s like all the scary cartoon characters on my breakfast cereal boxes came to life and are about to tear each other apart.

As Phantom passes by Douglas he repeatedly gestures towards the ring, shouting at the giant who doesn’t even turn to acknowledge his presence.

Douglas: Destroy that disrespectful son of a bitch, you hear me, destroy him!

COMMERCIAL BREAK

PHANTOM VS. FAUST

The show comes back live as Faust comes flying off the apron and slapping a Singapore cane right over the huge skull of Phantom. The crowd inside of the Manhattan Center is going nuts as the big man is reeling, trying his best to remain conscious.

Comeau: Welcome back to Riot! and all throughout the commercial break Faust has been wearing Phantom out with the Singapore Cane!

Susie: This match still hasn’t started, because I didn’t hear a bell, and I didn’t see my favorite wrestler Festus go into a rage.

The massive Phantom is staggering backwards, rotating his arms at his sides to keep himself upright while Faust swings the cane into his ribs. The giant is doubled over while Faust steps back and now swings the cane with all of his strength right into the huge skull of his opponent. Those in the Manhattan Center are going nuts with each blow landed by the Vampire Lord. The camera briefly cuts to a blood soaked Alex Ingelson being assisted up the ramp by his fellow referees, leaving the madness behind them.

Mark: Officials and EMTs finally getting Ingelson out of here after he was viciously beaten and almost spiked by the Conspiracy.

Moore: Thank God they got him away from the vampire with all that blood gushing. It’s even making me thirsty.

The last shot from the cane causes Phantom to turn away from Faust and roll under the ropes into the ring, trying to escape the wrath of his adversary. Faust slips into the ring under the ropes with the cane still in hand, official Wright turning to motion for the bell. As soon as the Vampire Lord begins to stand up clutching the cane, Phantom puts his foot down on top of his weapon, keeping it from being picked up. The more intense big man now reaches down, grabbing hold of Faust’s hair then yanking him up straight to his feet. The second that he lands in an upright base Phantom steps forward with an attempted lariat. Before the arm could connect Faust drops into a roll, avoiding the shot and ending up on his feet behind the big man. Phantom turns around when his opponent lunges in with a forearm to his jaw.

Susie: Look, Faust is too quick for the big fatty fat fat fat.

Comeau: Elegant as always Susie, and surprisingly accurate, Phantom is having trouble getting his hands on the much quicker Faust.

The speedy Vampire Lord rushes backwards into the cables, bouncing off then charging all the way across the ring and launching himself into another forearm strike. The blow lands right under Phantom’s jaw but isn’t enough to take him off of his feet. Somehow the gothic behemoth is still on his feet, staggering around after these shots and leaving Faust slightly shocked. He rushes into the cables once more, bouncing off them then coming back in at Phantom who suddenly steps forward and catches him by the sternum and stomach. Faust is gorilla pressed into the air only briefly before he slips off of his opposition’s palms, landing on his feet behind him. A stunned Phantom begins to turn around while Faust jumps into the air, connecting with a front dropkick right to his gigantic sternum.

Mark: Faust may be quick but his strikes aren’t enough to knock Phantom from his feet.

Moore: It’ll probably take a forklift to do that. Hahahaha, I made a funny.

Phantom is still on his feet, leaving Faust absolutely stunned as he steps in, slugging his bigger opponent to the jaw repeatedly. He now turns and rushes into the cables, jumping over them and landing on the apron before springing to the top rope. The light Faust takes flight, soaring half way cross the ring then connecting with a lariat on his opposition. Although the Vampire Lord tumbles to the canvas Phantom is still standing, looking dazed and wobbly but refusing to be knocked to the ring. Faust rolls to his knees with obvious confusion setting in, perhaps asking himself what it will take to put down his massive opponent.

He stands up and quickly rushes into the cables yet again, bouncing off then coming back in at the disorientated Phantom. Without warning he steps forward and catches Faust coming in, throwing him up high into the air with a gorilla press then letting him go. As a result his vampristic opponent comes crashing down from a tremendous height right into the canvas. He bounces off of it face first and now rises to his knees, looking incredibly dazed by the violent landing.

Comeau: Ohhh, talk about a tempo changing move.

Susie: I didn’t hear a sound change.

His splat against the canvas leaves Faust very groggy as Phantom steps in, locking on a front chancery. He now takes hold of Faust’s pants and actually dead lifts his much lighter opponent from his knees to an upside down vertical suplex position. The intense goliath drops back into a huge vertical suplex that slams Faust viciously against the canvas. He arches his back from the ring, gritting his fangs in pain while Phantom rises surprisingly fast, rushing right into the cables at his side. He bounces off, coming back in at the laid out Faust then lunging into the air. He comes crashing down right into the canvas with a big splash, his fanged opponent rolling out of the way at the last second.

Phantom pushes himself up onto his knees and covers his sternum in pain while a groggy Faust charges in and jumps into the air. He turns his back towards his adversary, wrapping his ankles around his neck then pulling him down off of his knees into a head scissors. Phantom rolls forward across the canvas to his feet, looking flabbergasted by the speed of his opposition while Faust gets his feet and comes charging in. He barrels towards the big man at full speed when Phantom wedges his hands against Faust’s mid-section, throwing him up high into the air. Phantom stands, catching Faust on his shoulders then violently powerbombing him down to the canvas.

Moore: That looked like it hurt.

Comeau: A career threatening powerbomb from this menacing monster. Why must my commentary be so laden with clichés?

The brutal powerbomb seems to have completely rendered Faust unconscious before he is now taken by the legs. Phantom begins to spin in circles, lifting his lighter opponent from the canvas into a giant swing. He makes one rotation after another and another and another with some of the fans counting along with each spin.

Moore: Quick, someone get me a bag, I’m getting sick.

After almost twenty full rotations Phantom lets Faust go, sending him flying across the ring and spilling across his back. The gothic goliath staggers and stumbles around, flailing his arms to remain upright in his very dizzy condition. He blinks his eyes awkwardly to fight off the effects of all these spins before finally stumbling towards Faust and falling into the cover on him. Referee Wright drops down and makes the count.

Faust gets his shoulder up before the three count even though he is quite dizzy and discombobulated himself. His dazed opponent quickly locks him in a version of the cobra clutch at this point, kneeling behind him and really applying the pressure.

Mark: Phantom with the cobra clutch. This is much more than we saw out of him last week against Robin Brooks.

The submission is draining the life from Faust’s body, which appears diminutive when compared to Phantom’s extreme girth. Despite the pain which may ravage his frame, Faust steadily begins to rise, forcing himself towards his feet while the monster behind him stands as well. The crowd is cheering for the Vampire Lord and slapping the barricades, rallying behind him before both men reach their feet. Suddenly Phantom turns though, lifting Faust off of his feet and throwing him across the ring with a release cobra clutch slam. The move sends Faust crashing hard into the canvas across the back of his neck and shoulders. He sits up after the nasty landing, reaching for his neck when Phantom steps in drives his forearm right into the back of it, where the head meets the spinal column. Faust cringes as a result of this blow while his bigger opponent locks his arm around in front of his throat, now applying the dragon sleeper.

Susie: Wow, you mean fat men can technical wrestle as well?

Comeau: A few can, when allowed.

Phantom has the hold pugnaciously locked in, his brow furrowed and his mouth salivating at the temptation to snap the Vampire Lord’s neck. However, Faust will not give him that honor, shooting one of his knees into the air which lands against Phantom’s forehead. He now connects with another hard knee strike right between Phantom’s eyes before beginning to will himself towards his feet. The crowd is cheering and showing Faust support as he reaches a standing position, albeit bridging over backwards into the arm of Phantom. The ghoulish beast now drops back, lifting Faust into the air and slamming him down stomach first into the canvas with the reverse suplex. A collective sigh is taken by the crowd while Phantom pushes Faust over onto his back and crawls into the cover yet again.

Faust launches his shoulder from the ring, kicking out right before the three count. An angered Phantom gets to his feet, rushing backwards into the ropes then bouncing off and coming back in, lunging high into the air. All of his weight comes crashing down right on top of Faust, swallowing him whole beneath his girth. Again official Wright drops down to make another count.

The crowd cheers as Faust kicks out for a second straight time.

Susie: I have no idea how Faust got his shoulder up out from under that huge thing. He has to be flat.

Comeau: Just like your character.

A much more intense Phantom rises to his feet and takes hold of the Vampire Lord’s hair, dragging him up as well. As soon as Faust reaches his feet he’s given a devastating headbunt that sends him flying backwards into the turnbuckle. He falls against it spine first, his eyes fluttering as he tries to maintain consciousness. The brutish Phantom comes charging towards him and again engulfs Faust in the folds of his fat with a big splash. Gasps and sighs come from the crowd at the sight of Faust being squashed by his much bigger opponent who now backs towards the center of the ring. Somehow Faust is still upright while Phantom scrapes his heels against the canvas, preparing himself for another big splash. He comes barreling forward and again slams all of his weight right into Faust’s possibly already shattered body.

The Vampire Lord is left almost shattered after this second big splash before he is pushed down out of the corner. Faust rolls onto his back, eyes fluttering and fighting the temptation to succumb to unconsciousness. His menacing opponent steps over the ropes and walks across the apron, gingerly making his way up the turnbuckle. The massive Phantom reaches the top rope to screams from the crowd.

Mark: You’ve got to be kidding me, Phantom is going to the top rope.

Susie: Can the turnbuckle hold that much weight? It’s supporting a baby whale right now.

Phantom suddenly takes flight, soaring through the air with a flying big splash that connects against the canvas. The fans are on their feet at the sight of Faust rolling out of the way at the last second, avoiding the big man’s move. Phantom has hit the ring hard, pushing himself up slowly when Faust rushes in and jumps into the air, wrapping his legs around the big man’s neck. Phantom is flipped over into a hurricarana, driving him hard spine first against the canvas.

Comeau: Faust using what I guess you’d call his vampire sense to get out of the way of that big splash.

After hitting the canvas across his back Phantom rolls to his knees, slowly beginning to stand up while Faust rolls under the ropes in front of him. He stands up on the apron and now springs to the top cable, flying off and delivering a front dropkick that connects with enough force to finally take Phantom off of his feet. The Manhattan Center crowd explodes as Phantom falls to his back, Faust landing beside him then rolling away.

Susie: Phantom finally fell down, I think the world was just knocked off of its axis.

Comeau: Wow, you know about the Earth’s axis?

Moore: Yeah, it’s what people take when they want to party, right?

The fans are just as floored as Phantom over the fact that Faust has finally removed his opponent from his feet. The Vampire Lord tries to capitalize on this moment, rising to his feet and moving towards Phantom who is rising to his knees. Faust quickly wraps his arm around his neck then drops back, connecting with a downward spiral on his kneeling opponent, slamming him face first hard against the ring. The demonic behemoth rolls onto his back as Faust steps over him, sweating and exasperated by the pain that has been inflicted on him so far. He slips through the ropes onto the apron then scales the turnbuckle to the top rope, the crowd beginning to grow very excited. Faust stands tall on the top rope before taking flight, soaring through the air and connecting with the Night Flight (450 Splash). All the air is knocked out of Phantom’s body while Faust hooks his big leg.

Somehow the massive arm of Phantom is launched from the canvas.

Comeau: Even after tolerating the 450 splash Phantom is able to kick out.

Moore: These guys are hitting more splashes than kids at a pool. Hehehe, did you hear me, I made an analogy.

Mark: I’m shocked, that you even know what an analogy is.

An aching Phantom turns over to his elbows and knees, desperately trying to get up. Faust moves in though, blasting him across the jaw with a hard right hand, then another. The shots are weakening him before Faust steps in, blasting him right under the jaw with a knee strike. The blow surprisingly causes Phantom to stand upright, flailing his arms to maintain his footing. Again Faust steps in, drilling him to the jaw with a closed fist then connecting with a diving forearm. These strikes have severally disorientated Phantom as Faust steps back and gets a running start to try and knock him down to the canvas yet again. However, Phantom side steps him, catching Faust under his arm and hoisting him into the air before delivering a sickening side slam. All of the air is knocked out of Faust’s body as he is viciously driven into the canvas across his back, Phantom hooking both of his legs.

Somehow Faust gets his shoulder up before the three count.

Mark: Another last second kick out in this very back and forth encounter. It certainly wouldn’t sit well with the Conspiracy should Phantom be unable to defeat Faust here tonight.

Susie: Yeah, and he already has enough going against him. Hahahaha, oh I’m wicked. See, I’m the mean commentator now.

Phantom is disgruntled over the kick out, slowly getting to his feet when something slips out of his boot. A folded up piece of paper, resembling some type of note falls to the canvas, Phantom unaware of this. Phantom turns towards Faust and bends down, hands pressed to his knees in anticipation of connecting with the Insomnia (Olleyoop). A battered Faust sluggishly moves towards his feet with Phantom preparing for his big finisher, ready to end this contest. The Vampire Lord has finally stood up when Phantom glances down at the note, realizing that it fell out of the safety of his boot. He looks very panicked, reaching down and grabbing the paper when Faust turns around, catching him around the neck and delivering the Darkness DDT.

Comeau: Phantom distracted by that note falling out of his boot and it allowed Faust to hit the Darkness DDT! What is so important about that paper?

Susie: It’s probably a doodle he’s real proud of.

Phantom rolls onto his back as Faust gets to his feet, approaching the ropes and slipping through them onto he apron. He approaches the turnbuckle, scaling it to the top rope and then flying off, connecting with the Night Flight (450 Splash). He sits up holding his ribs in pain but quickly crawls into the cover, using all his strength to lift both of his legs for the pinfall.

The crowd releases a wave of astonishment as Faust has just defeated his much bigger, brutish opponent. He sits up, drenched with sweat and raising his arms slowly towards the heavens, all the while wearing a very diabolical expression on his face.

Comeau: Faust scoring a big return victory here this evening.

Moore: Yay, but I wonder what was on that paper and why it distracted Phantom so much? Maybe it was his finger paintings, I love finger paintings, especially the way they taste.

Faust stands up and runs to one of the corners, hopping onto it and then overlooking the screaming fans while he pants slightly but maintains that same twisted grin. Phantom in the meanwhile has turned onto his side, stuffing the folded up paper down into his boot to make sure its secure.

CONVIENANCE

To a huge ovation the giant blue door leading into the Manhattan Center’s backstage corridors flies open and in strolls the World Heavyweight Champion Orlando Cruze. An incredibly loud ovation echoes throughout the halls of the building as the Icon lugs a bag on rollers behind him and a collection of belts over his shoulder. The World title gold stands out the most, but it’s obvious that he’s carrying two other straps beneath it, perhaps the Tag Team belts. Although adorned in dapper duds he looks anything but composed, storming into he building without caution or hesitation. A stagehand is standing just a few inches removed from the door, clipboard in hand and nosed buried in the papers before Orlando riles her out of her contemplation.

Orlando Cruze: Hey, you, dressing room, where is it?

He impatiently snaps his fingers, obviously not the same cool and casual Champion we’ve seen over the past few weeks. Although startled the female stagehand tries to offer a prompt response.

Stagehand: Ummm, uhhh, it’s right down this hall, hang a left and you should find it, third or fourth door on the right with your name plastered all over it.

Orlando nods, in o mood to stay here and make small talk, already beginning to take off down the hallway. However, something compels him to stop, turning around slowly to face the frazzled female who’s attention had already retuned to her clipboard. Again he alarms her by snapping his fingers.

Cruze: Do you know if Johnny Kingdom has gotten here yet?

The young lady looks very, very confused by this inquiry.

Stagehand: Oh, I don’t think so, I’m pretty sure he was stuck in traffic just like you.

This explanation doesn’t sit well with the clearly agitated Icon.

Cruze: How convenient, he miraculously wasn’t there to save Ingelson.

The Stagehand has no idea how to respond, saying the first thing that comes to mind.

Stagehand: So, you heard about what happened to Alex earlier?

Orlando: HEARD? I saw it on the television in my limo, and needless to say I’m just a tad bit upset that the Conspiracy laid out one of the only men with some integrity around here.

Once again the staff member has absolutely no idea how to indulge the angered ramblings of the World and Tag Team Champion. Therefore she just nods much to Orlando’s annoyance, who finally gets the point.

Cruze: I’ll deal with that later though, right now I want you to do me a favor.

Stagehand: S-s-sure.

Orlando: When Johnny Kingdom arrives here tonight, I want you to tell him that I’m looking for him.

Nervously the Stagehand nods her head, Orlando giving her a long awkward stare before finally making his way down the corridor towards his lockeroom. The young lady is left in much the same predicament the fans are, confusion in regards to why Orlando is looking for Johnny Kingdom.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

NOW ON DVD

THE MESSENGER

The sound of chattering teeth personifies the horror and dread inhabiting a ghostly white Billy Mayne. Sweat is collected across his brow and his nails are stuck between the teeth that keep clanking against each other in a highly nervous state. His other hand clutches a microphone which is held to his trembling lips as he strolls through the shadows of some dark, dank backstage corridor.

Billy Mayne: Ummm, this is Billy Mayne, the soon to be richest man in the world once my lawsuit against the IWC goes into effect, and I’m just, uh, uh….

He has trouble getting his words out, tugging nervously on his collar.

Billy: Looking for….

All the muscles in his face cringe with horror upon completing his statement.

Mayne:…Faust.

Those in the Manhattan Center react with a loud ovation at this name being revealed. The echoes of their ovation sound throughout this dimly lit corridor and cause Billy to jump. He takes a deep breath with his hand placed over his heart, trying to calm himself down.

Bily: Your okay Billy, your okay. Faust is nothing more than a movie monster, he’s not real, he’s not real, he’s not real, and just in case he is I filled my pepper-spray can with garlic and brought my rape whistle with me.

Comfort is derived from patting the whistle hanging around his neck as he continues down the corridor. The shadows almost become too thick for him to find his way through, anxiously reaching out with his palm to find his path. That’s when a strange light can be seen, a flickering brightness that almost blinds him.

Look here ladies, we’ve been joined by a weary traveler.

Laughter in the form of deranged giggles can be heard from off to the side of the camera, Billy’s eyes opening widely and a huge grin appearing on his face. His fear has subsided due to the presence of three enchanting beauties dressed in alluring wear. Candles have been lit in an arching pattern around their feet as long, almost see through white dresses barely conceal their seductively proportioned, pale bodies. Their pouting lips grin intoxicatingly, causing Billy to feel immediately relaxed and enchanted.

Oh goody, won’t our company come and sit with us for a spell?

One of the trio of ladies crawls slowly away from the others, her dark pupils fixated on the smitten Mayne.

Billy: Well, I don’t know, have you had your shots? Hahahahaha.

His pathetic one liner surprisingly doesn’t send the three captivating gals running for the hills, instead they laugh in a deep, almost menacing tone. Billy continues to chuckle as he swipes his hand through the air, truly proud of himself.

Mayne: Hahaha…oh I’m just joshing ya. In all seriousness I’d love to join you pretty young things….

He begins to approach them, licking his thumb them swiping it across his eyebrows to smooth them out. The lady who had crawled towards him now licks her lips in anticipation, while another pats the floor beside her, signaling for Mayne to have a seat.

Billy: Hanging out with you little chickadees will be much better than tracking down that Christopher Lee wannabe Faust and telling him that Dan Douglas has suspended him from the building for the rest of the night. Now make some room for a slice of always refreshing Billy pie.

He begins to finagle his way in between the three ladies, their long nails reaching up and sliding across his slacks when he is shockingly interrupted.

Pardon?

Faust drops from the ceiling, hanging upside down with his face positioned right in front of Billy’s. Mayne’s skin turns a pale shade of white, his mouth opening but incapable of producing a scream due to his sheer horror.

Faust: You have a message for me?

Finally Billy is able to express his terror.

Mayne: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!

The high pitched girlish wail could crack glass while Billy scampers away as quickly as his frail little body will allow. He almost trips over his own feet upon continuing to flee in absolute horror. Faust shakes his head with a slight smile on his face. The three ladies beneath him playfully express their woe over Billy being chased away before they could get a taste.

Faust: Relax my lovelies, this isn’t a buffet, you’ll have to wait till we get home for supper. And our return home will happen much sooner than expected.

For some reason his chilling smile doesn’t fade, even upon hearing that he has been barred from the building for the remainder of the show.

Your not upset?

Faust: Why would I be? I’ve accomplished what I set out to tonight, the rest of my scheme can wait.

Some fear inspired snickers are heard from the gathered beauties beneath the hanging Vampire Lord.

FULLY LOADED
VS.
PAT EVANS & SILENCER

The arena lights go down as a shrill voice similar to Angus Young's shrieks out over the PA system:

STAND UP FOR ROCK AND ROLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!

And "Stand Up for Rock 'n' Roll" by Airbourne hits over the PA as the fans stand up and cheer, throwing rock fingers in the air as the lights flash blue and yellow all over the arena. Soon, Axl Evermore & Max Craven enter through the curtains, wearing their Fully Loaded team jackets, to a huge cheer from the crowd. They stand at the center of the stage, look around the arena, then thrust their arms up in the air and point to themselves in tandem as the crowd chants along, "ROCK...AND...ROLL!"

Kailey Worf: On the way to the ring...hailing from NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK...

The hometown crowd gives a huge cheer.

Kailey Worf: ...at a combined weight of 466 pounds...Axl Evermore...Max Craven...they are FULLY LOADED!

Evermore and Craven punch each other's fists, point to the crowd, and jog down the ramp to the ring, hopping up to the apron then running around to opposite sides of the ring, turning out to the crowd, and pointing to them, which gets a quick cheap pop as they cup their ears to hear the reaction. They hop over the ropes into the ring, Max doing a straddle jump while Axl does a standard jump, and climb diagonally opposite corners, pointing to themselves, shouting out encouragements to the crowd, and generally enjoying the loud crowd pops before they raise their arms, close their hands into fists with their thumbs stuck out, and point to themselves once more as the crowd once again chants "ROCK...AND...ROLL!" They hop down and punch fists again as they go to a corner and hop in place, warming up for the match.

Mark: Faust was banned from the building right in the nick of time apparently, because up next we’re about to see the Conspiracy involved in in ring action against Fully Loaded. This is just one of two tag team tune up matches for the Tag Title match at Awaken.

Moore: Tune up? Oh, are they going to use wrenches and stuff to improve Robocraven?

Comeau: Please stop reminding me of how are show started tonight. I would suggest that neither Pat Evans or Silencer consider Axl Evermore and Max Craven tune up opponents though considering just how dominant of a tag team Fully Loaded is.

Both men stand in one of the corners now, waiting for the Paradoxical Paradigm. Their anticipation doesn’t last very long.

You can’t quit until you try
You can’t live until you die
You can’t learn to tell the truth
Until you learn to lie

You can’t breathe until you choke
You gotta laugh when you’re the joke
There’s nothing like a funeral to make you feel

ALIVE!

The duo representing the Conspiracy and colorfully dubbing themselves the Paradoxical Paradigm now stroll through the curtains. Silencer and Pat Evans stop on the stage, overlooking the crowd with malice and disgust. They scoff over the reaction they’re receiving from the audacious Manhattan crowd before strolling down the ramp. No attention is paid to the crowd who have abandoned all appreciation for the Conspiracy members. Pat and Silencer jump to the apron upon reaching the ring, shooting disgusted glares towards the duo who interjected themselves in last week’s beat down of the Alpha Generation.

Moore: Why do Silencer and Evans have to be so mean? They’re great big poopy meany heads.

Comeau: It’s their rage and hostility towards the roster and society that fuels them apparently. Tonight they’ve got a little more motivation though, considering that Fully Loaded intercepted them last week when they were preparing to destroy the Alpha Generation.

Susie: That was surprising, Alfalfa Generation and Fully Bloated working together last week.

Inside of the ring Axl Evermore is conversing with Max Craven, the two discussing their plans when Pat Evans rushes across the ring. He barrels up right behind Axl, throwing a fist when Evermore turns, blocking his inbound fist with his forearm. Evermore now delivers a vicious chop across Pat’s sternum, then another, and another, staggering the Submission Champion backwards across the ring.

Comeau: Pat trying to get the drop on Evermore but being destroyed with these chops. From my understanding, these two have a lot of history with one another.

Susie: Yeah, I think they tried to kill each other a few times, which sounds fun.

Another blistering chop connects with Pat’s sternum, leaving him in a great deal of pain. Axl goes for another of these insanely stiff strikes when Evans kicks him to the gut, doubling him over forward. An angered Pat steps in and slugs Axl to the face, before following it up with another hard closed fist shot. Somehow the Fully Loaded member remains upright as his long time nemesis goes for another right hand. At the last second Axl ducks the shot though, stepping behind Evans who turns around to receive yet another violent chop across the sternum.

Comeau: These two going back and forth with these heated strikes.

Finally Evans reaches out and rakes both of Axl’s eyes, causing him to step back swiping his palms at his face. Pat grabs him by the wrist and whips him towards the corner. Before he can connect with the turnbuckle Axl surprisingly begins to step up the ropes, flipping over backwards. Evans charges in under him as Axl lands on his feet in almost the center of the ring, Pat turning around right into a violent chop across the sternum yet again. The stiff strike knocks the Submission Champion backwards into the turnbuckle, falling onto his seat in a pain ridden condition.

Susie: Axl moves faster than I can think.

Comeau: A snail moves faster than your thoughts Susie.

Axl now barrels towards his seated opponent, launching a knee right into his face and then reaching over the ropes, slapping Max Craven’s hand. Mr. N.Y.C backs out of the corner while Craven takes hold of the top rope, pulling himself over it and then twisting around, launching his boots right into Pat’s sternum with a modified slingshot basement dropkick. The dropkick leaves Evans convulsing in the corner while Craven rolls backwards onto his feet and now comes barreling towards his partner. Evermore catches Max under the arm and hip tosses him back first right on top of the seated Evans.

Those packed into the Manhattan Center react with a huge ovation while Craven rolls backwards away from his opponent, taking the Submission Champion by the ankle and dragging him towards the center of the ring. Craven drops down right on top of him with a lateral press.

Silencer enters the ring stomping Craven to the back of the head.

Moore: Hey, that little meany Silencer just stopped the three count. I’m gonna stick my tongue out at him, is that allowed?

Mark: Sure, assuming that he doesn’t spike it like he was going to do to Ingelson earlier.

Susie: I wouldn’t care, I’ve always wanted a tongue ring.

The sadistic Silencer slips through the ropes and onto the apron when Craven charges at him, delivering a forearm to the side of his face. The blow knocks the Conspiracy member from the apron and sends him crashing to the outside mats to a loud reaction. An angered Craven steps backwards when Pat grabs him by the tights from behind, rolling him up into a school boy. Max slips free before the three count can be made, dropping over onto his knees when Pat places him in a front chancery, dragging him up to his feet. Evans snaps back into an evenflow DDT, planting his opposition hard head first right into the canvas. After connecting with the DDT he maintains the front chancery, rolling over backwards and pulling Craven up to his seat in front of him. Once Max is in a seated position the Submission Champion jumps forward into a brutal dropkick connecting with his sternum. The strike knocks the Fully Loaded representative onto his back while Pat rolls away from him, making the tag to Silencer who has now pulled himself back into his corner.

Susie: My Susie sense tells me that Silencer is going to make Craven pay for attacking him.

Comeau: Your Susie sense? I have no idea how you pulled it off, but you’re the world’s first nerdy idiot.

Moore: Yay, I think.

The quick Silencer moves towards Craven who is slowly trying to stand up. He’s slugged repeatedly between the eyes from Silencer who is blatantly using closed fists. Silencer now takes Craven by the wrist and whips him into he ropes, sending him charging back first into the cables. He bounces off and comes back in at Silencer who drops to his stomach in front of him. Craven cartwheels over top of his opponent, ending up standing right beside Silencer before flipping forward into a senton leg drop. Silencer sits up though as Craven lands on his seat right in front of him. He now stands up and rushes into the cables in front of his seated opposition, bouncing from them and launching himself into a forward flip. His back connects with Craven’s sternum, knocking him onto his spine with Silencer landing on top of him with almost a jackknife cover.

Craven wraps his arms around Silencer’s waist and bridges both men up to their feet. As soon as they stand up they both turn with Craven holding his adversary in a powerbomb position. He jumps over his back however and pulls Silencer down into a sunset flip.

Silencer rolls in reverse onto his feet then charges in for a knee strike to Craven’s face. Max drops onto his back, avoiding the blow with Silencer now standing beside him, his back aimed towards his opposition. Craven stands up behind Silencer and places him in a side headlock, rushing forward for a bulldog only to have the former Champion shove him off. Max charges into the ropes, bouncing off then coming back in at Silencer who drops to his stomach, Craven hopping over him once again. He charges into the opposite ropes and bounces off, coming back in at Silencer who jumps to his feet and now lunges into the air for a dropkick. Unfortunately for Silencer he’s caught on top of Max’s shoulders, being dropped into a sit-out powerbomb. Craven leans forward with his shoulders wedged to the back of his opponent’s knees.

Evans stomps Craven to the side of the face, breaking up the pinfall attempt.

Comeau: Fast paced action from Silencer and Craven.

Susie: I got dizzy just watching them.

Craven rolls over backwards after the kick, ending up on his knees then reaching out towards Axl who makes the tag. Evermore enters the ring and crouches beside Craven, both men going into a three point stance. An aching Silencer gets up in front of them when both Craven and Evermore charge forward, connecting with a double shoulder block. The blow sends Silencer flying backwards across the ring, crashing into the canvas then rolling in reverse onto his knees. Evermore takes him down out of this kneeling position with a big running buzzsaw kick delivered directly to his sternum. The strike echoes throughout the arena as Silencer falls onto his back, Evermore coming down on top of him with another pin.

Silencer gets his shoulder up, looking very dazed by the brutality thus far inflicted on him at the hands of the Conspiracy.

Comeau: Fully Loaded showing their tag team continuity.

Susie: They do work well together, their a better pear that my breasts.

Mark: I’m not sure I’d go that far.

The Conspiracy member sits up in a dazed state while Evermore snatches hold of his hair, forcing him up to his feet. He now delivers a jab to Silencer’s jaw, following it up with another strike, unleashing some lethal boxer like blows to his opponent’s face. Finally he steps in for the knock out shot when Silencer side steps it and catches him with a knee to the ribs. The blow doubles Axl over while Silencer steps to his side and rushes in for a swinging neckbreaker. He catches Axl around the neck, pulling him around for the move when Evermore drags his head free and grabs Silencer’s wrist. He tucks on it, turning Silencer around then placing him in a front chancery, calling out for the Shotgun to a huge reaction from the crowd. He lifts his Conspiracy opponent into the air but receives a knee to the forehead. As a result Axl drops Silencer back down to his feet, the former Champion spinning free from the front chancery then taking his opponent by the wrist. He pulls Evermore forward and jumps into the air for a spinning heel kick. However, the bigger Axl catches Silencer across his sternum.

Comeau: Silencer in a bad position.

Susie: Fully Bloated continuing to dominate.

Mark: Um, Susie, it’s actually Fully…meh’.

Evermore uses all his strength to push Silencer up off his sternum and onto his shoulders only to then be hit with a hurricarana. He is sent flipping forward and hitting the ring hard while Silencer ducks his head, rolling across the canvas to make the tag to Evans. Although hurting from the hurricarana Axl rises to his feet right as Silencer and Pat step in, both men simultaneously connecting with right hands to his face. The shots leaves Evermore quite dazed before he is taken by the wrist, Evans forcing his arm through his legs then hoisting him into the air with a pumphandle slam.

However, Evermore slips up and over Pat’s shoulder, dropping onto his feet behind him then shoving his opponent right at Silencer. Pat’s partner drops down into a baseball slide between his partner’s legs though, ending up in a seated position. Axl now rushes forward for some type of big strike with the use of his legs when Silencer reaches out, catching hold of them. He drops onto his back, causing Evermore to fall forward into the ring across his stomach. Silencer stands up and turns around, pulling Axl’s jaw up with both hands while Evans bounces off the cables, coming back in with a front dropkick right to the completely exposed face of Evermore.

Susie: Now Silencer and Evans working as a good team.

Comeau: These two have showed flashes of brilliance working as a team, and should be a real challenge for Cruze and Kingdom come time for Awaken.

The dropkick leaves Evermore quite dazed while Silencer lets go of his jaw, jumping into a forward roll across the canvas. Evans quickly steps over Axl’s legs, wrapping his arms around his waist then lifting him up into a wheelbarrow position just as Silencer bounces off of the ropes. He comes charging back in and lunging into the air now, wrapping his hands around the back of Axl’s head then pulling him down out of the wheelbarrow into a codebreaker. Axl’s sternum bounces off of Silencer’s knees, causing him to ricochet back up to his feet where Evans grab him around the waist and snaps back into a violent bridging German suplex.

Susie: Did you see that cool move? Evermore must be hurting real, real bad.

Comeau: I imagine that he would after that sequence of high impact maneuvers.

The referee drops down to make the count.

Axl gets his shoulder up right before the three count, falling over onto his knees in the process. An aggravated Evans stands up and locks him in a front chancery, hooking his leg as well then dropping back into a rather powerful fisherman suplex.

Axl kicks out to a resounding ovation from his hometown crowd. Silencer has vacated the ring and is now storming back and forth on the apron, flabbergasted by Evermore’s constant kick outs. Evans rises to his feet holding onto Axl’s hair, pulling him to his knees then hooking both of his arms. Evermore is lifted into the air from a kneeling base then twisted around and dropped with a back breaker right across Pat’s knee. The double underhook release backbreaker leaves the Fully Loaded member in anguish yet he is still draped over Pat’s knee. His leg is hooked and so is his neck before he’s lifted into the air and dropped again back first right across the Submission Champion’s knee. The second backbreaker sends Evermore into convulsions, flipping over backwards and then landing on his knee. Evans stands up and hooks both of his arms, dropping back into a double underhook bridging suplex.

To the despair of the Conspiracy Evermore kicks out yet again.

Susie: Why does Pat keep trying to pin Evermore?

Mark: That’s the objective of the match.

Moore: Ohhh.

An angered Silencer shouts some discouraging comments at Evermore, who is taken by the hair and rolled yet again to his knees. Pat clobbers him to the side of the face with stiff forearms before forcing him to his feet, shooting his arm across his sternum.

Pat: You should have left this issue buried Axl!

He now lifts him up into the air for the Spinal Tap (uranage backbreaker) when Evermore twists his body, reaching out with his legs and wrapping them around Pat’s far arm. He is pulled down into a crucifix bomb, Evans crashing across the back of his head and shoulders to a huge reaction from the crowd. The collision causes Pat to fall over onto his chest and stomach, looking lost after being hit with that move. Evermore slowly stands up aching from head to toe when Silencer comes barreling towards him. He is caught right against Axl’s shoulders and hoisted into the air before being given the DVD over the top rope. Silencer flips forward and crashes with force against the thin protective matting. A gasp emanates from the crowd in regards to the last move while Evermore turns back towards Pat who is back on his feet. Evans nails him to the jaw with a thrust kick, leveling Axl yet again while the Submission Champion restores his bearings.

Moore: He hit Axl with his foot, not only does that have to hurt, but it’s got to stink too.

Comeau: How wonderfully introspective.

Evans now rushes into the cables, bouncing off and coming back in at the laid out Evermore before lunging into the air. He extends his back for a spine first splash when Axl raises his knees. As a result Pat crashes spine first right into the raised knees, causing the Submission Champion to writhe in anguish. He rolls across the ring holding onto his kidneys while a battered Evermore turns to a crawling base, lunging across the ring and slapping the hand of Craven. Max immediately springs to the top rope and takes flight, soaring through the air right towards a rising Evans and crashing into him with a big crossbody.

Comeau: Craven re-entering this fast paced tag match with a huge crossbody.

Susie: He’s so agile, just like a clown. Uh oh, I’m afraid of clowns.

Craven rolls away from the laid out Evans, getting to his feet while Silencer pulls himself back up onto the apron. He is just starting to regain his senses when Craven charges at him, dropping down into a baseball slide between both of Silencer’s legs. Max drops to his feet on the mats then grabs Silencer’s ankles, pulling back on them, as a result his opponent comes crashing down face first right off of the apron. The crowd reacts with shock over the sickening impact of Silencer’s face aginst the apron while Craven climbs up onto the same portion of the ring he just used as a weapon. He grabs the top rope while Evans rises to his feet and comes charging towards him. Max flips over the top cable, his legs landing on his shoulders then puling him around into a huge head scissors. Pat flips over, crashing hard spine first into he canvas then sitting up arching his back in anguish.

Craven stands up absolutely on fire thus far when Silencer climbs onto the apron behind him, wrapping his hands around his jaw. He now drops off of the apron, pulling the back of Max’s head down into the top rope. Craven bounces off the top rope and staggers forward into the slowly rising Evans. As soon as he gets within arms length Pat catches him with a t-bone bridging suplex.

The crowd reacts rather favorably as again Craven kicks out. Silencer stands up on the outside mats then turns towards Evermore who flies off the apron with a twisting back elbow. The elbow connects right against Silencer’s sternum, knocking both men down hard to the mats. Craven slowly begins to stand up while Evans does the same, both men racing each other to their feet. Evans steps in going for the roaring forearm only to have Craven duck down out of the way. As a result Evans spins right into Axl Evermore, who has re-entered the ring and now delivers a stiff superkick right to his jaw. Pat is knocked loopy by the shot while Craven delivers a superkick to the back of his head now. The stiff strike knocks Evans down to his knees, looking very dazed while Fully Loaded step in front of him in crouched positions.

Moore: Uh oh, they’re going to hit something, something nasty I’m sure.

Comeau: It looks like Fully Loaded are setting up for the double superkick.

Both men begin to step forward to deliver the move when Evermore is grabbed by the shoulder and spun around, Silencer jumping into the air and placing him in a front chancery. He wraps his legs around Axl’s waist, placing him in the Suffocation (front chancery, body vice combo) while Craven steps in to complete his superkick on Evans. At the last second Pat catches Max’s leg, wrapping his arms around his ankle then standing up. Max falls to his elbows being placed in the ankle lock to the despair of the crowd. Craven pushes himself up onto his palms, yelling in pain over the twisting of his ankle while Silencer exerts as much pressure as possible on Axl with the Suffocation. He squeezes tightly on Axl’s neck, choking the very life out of him while his legs squeeze his waist.

Comeau: Axl and Max locked in double submissions by the Conspiracy.

Susie: I haven’t seen this many contortions since the last time I went to the circus. Oh no, I just reminded myself of those scary clowns again.

Mark: Will Max or Axl tap?

Both Fully Loaded members are roaring in pain trying to fight through these holds when Axl falls forward, slamming Silencer spine first into the canvas. He grabs the legs of Silencer and forces them away from his waist, flipping forward into a jackknife cover. At the same time Max ducks his head pulling Evans down into a forward roll up. He is seated on Evans’ sternum, gripping at the back of his legs for a big pin. The referee drops and makes a double count for both simultaneous pin fall counters.

Evans and Silencer kick out before the three count can be made on either one of them.

Comeau: Fully Loaded close to pinning both members of the Conspiracy!

Moore: This is like so totally dramatic, like Party of Five dramatic.

Silencer and Evans quickly rush to their feet after kicking out, going for simultaneous clotheslines on their Fully Loaded opponents. Both Evermore and Craven duck these moves, stepping behind their opposition and pushing them forward right into each other. Instead of the Conspiracy members bumping into one another they hook each other’s arms, turning one another around into a full circle then rushing back in at their opponents. Axl catches Silencer with a tilt a whirl into the back breaker and Evans is caught with a huge back drop, sending him flying through the air then crashing spine first hard into the ring. Silencer rolls onto his knees reaching for his spine while Axl and Max step in front of him, both men moving in with a simultaneous superkick to his jaw. The two superkicks seem to render him completely unconscious, tumbling onto his back with Craven quickly falling into the cover. The official informs Craven that Silencer is not the legal man though, leaving him quite miffed as a result.

Mark: Fully Loaded might have had the victory if Silencer were the legal man in this tag team encounter, but that is not the case.

Susie: That’s not fair, they should be allowed to pin any one that they want.

Craven looks flustered while his partner turns to face the rising Evans, barreling towards him quickly. He’s caught across the sternum however, Pat lifting Axl into the air then delivering a sit-out spinebuster. Evermore is driven hard to the canvas between the seated Evans’ legs, which he places over his shoulders for the pin. The referee now informs Pat that Axl is not the legal man, but before he can explain any further, Craven comes charging in. He jumps over top of Pat’s head, catching hold of it then pulling him down into the Big Stiffy (Blockbuster). The crowd reacts with a loud ovation while Craven turns over into the lateral press.

Silencer dives into the fray at the last second, dropping a double axehandle to the back of Max’s head, breaking up the three count.

Moore: Wow, that was so close, did you see how close it was, because it was close.

Comeau: Yes, you’ve emphasized it enough already.

Although a lot of punishment has been inflicted on him, Silencer begins to stand up, Craven immediately moving in and blasting him right across the face. He delivers another hard right hand, followed by another that knocks Silencer backwards into one of the corners. He now comes charging in and jumping high into the air, landing with his feet pressed to Silencer’s ribs for a monkey flip. At the last second Silencer pushes him off though, sending Craven flipping over backwards and landing right on his feet. The crowd is stunned by his agility before his arm is hooked from behind by a now conscious Evans and he is hoisted high into the air. Pat turns him in his dazed state, connecting with a modification of the Spinal Tap, dropping Max viciously across his knee. The Submission Champion stands up with his arm still wrapped around Craven’s sternum, pulling him up to his feet as well. As soon as he reaches an upright base Silencer steps out of the corner and drills Craven with a superkick right under the jaw. Craven is knocked backwards into Evans who catches him with a school boy pin.

Comeau: Two finishers just connected with back to back by the Paradoxical Paradigm!

Susie: The Papadapolis….

Mark: Don’t even try to say their name correctly.

The referee drops down and makes the count.

Everyone in the building expresses their outrage over the fact that the Conspiracy team has just picked up a huge tag team victory.

Mark: Craven is tough but he wasn’t able to survive both the superkick and the Spinal Tap in this fast paced out of control tag team encounter. The Paradoxical Paradigm have a lot of momentum on their side heading into Awaken.

Moore: I hope that Kingdom and Cruze block that momentum with momentum of their own. Two counteracting momentums cannot occupy the same space at the same time….

Comeau: ENOUGH!

Craven grips at his jaw and his back while rolling across the ring, Evermore standing on the outside and assisting him from the squared circle. Although Axl would like nothing better than to continue this brutality he opts not to, allowing the Conspiracy to have this moment for the time being.

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

Those in attendance are vocalizing their outrage over what they’re seeing in the ring where Silencer and Pat Evans are still standing. Their bodies are drenched with sweat and exhaustion has overtaken them as the Submission Champion snaps his fingers in request of a microphone. One is promptly dispatched unto him by a reluctant Kailey Worf.

Comeau: And here I thought we had heard enough from the Conspiracy tonight.

Susie: They get more airtime than Tori Spelling in Beverly Hills 90210. And I didn’t even watch that show, it was always too complicated for me.

Pat steadily approaches his partner, tossing him the microphone as Silencer snatches it out of the air. The crowd is positively repulsed by the former Champion who slowly lifts the microphone to his grinning lips.

Silencer: Earlier tonight may not have gone according to plan but I think Alex Ingelson as well as the rest of you got the message. You don’t stand in the way of a revolution.

Evans nods amongst spiteful boos from the crowd.

Silencer: Change is upon us, and there’s no escaping it. Guys like Orlando Cruze and Johnny Kingdom will learn this just like Ingelson did. They’ll experience change in more ways than one, because not only are we going to defeat them for their belts at Awaken, but we’re going to plunge them into a world of misery.

Unsettling grins are present on the faces of the number one contenders for the Tag Team titles, creating even more animosity from the Manhattan crowd.

Silencer: They forced us down into the very pits of despair, but now it’s their turn to suffer, it’s their turn to writhe in wallow. When Pat and I introduce them to this suffrage, to this longing despair that we in the Conspiracy have dealt with for far too long, they should be grateful, yes, GRATEFUL. They’re complacent, apathetic towards the titles they own and their spots on the card, but after Awaken, they’ll learn just how valuable their belts and celebrity status truly was. After all, you don’t appreciate something until you lose it, or more accurately, until it’s TAKEN from you.

This bold statement brings down the full wrath of the crowd on the Conspiracy. Pat is now handed the microphone, the Submission Champion audaciously strolling to the center of the ring.

Pat: But this moment isn’t about the Tag Team titles, Johnny’s over inflated ego, the undeserved chip on Orlando’s shoulder, or how many vampire clichés Faust can exploit, it’s about expanding our revolution. That’s right, the Conspiracy is about to grow.

Comeau: I wonder what Evans is talking about here.

Moore: Taking growth hormones?

A maniacal light shines in Pat’s eyes while continuing.

Evans: And the only way to grow is to enlighten others to join your cause. And we’re on the verge of awakening one man’s mind, one man who we’ve had our eyes on for quite some time, one man who has suffered for far too long.

Comeau: I have a vague idea who they’re referencing here.

Moore: Chevy Chase?

Silencer is nodding towards those in attendance, who continue to express their disgust.

Pat: In just a few moments we’re going to put him to the ultimate test, to see rather he’s ready for the pressure of the Conspiracy. The best way to test him is to put him against one of our very own brethren. So although we may not be at ringside, we’ll be watching, very, very closely…..Riggs.

The eyes of Silencer and Evans transfer slowly towards the entry way when the Sacrament starts o play over the PA system. A mixed reaction commences from the crowd as a confused Riggs steps onto the stage. He stops in the shadows of the entry way, his eyes filled with confliction.

Susie: You mean their offering Riggs a spot in the Conspiracy?

Mark: They have their eyes on him apparently, but Riggs doesn’t look like he has his eyes on the Conspiracy.

Moore: He only has two eyes, Comeau.

His entrance music continues to play while he heads slowly towards the ring, his face twisted by his confusion. Pat and Silencer watch the approaching competitor on the verge of challenging for the N.H.B title, doing so rather proudly. The painted warrior jumps onto the apron, giving both men an awkward stare, unsure of their motives. Finally he slides through the ropes into the ring while Pat and Silencer are vacating the squared circle. They stand on opposite aprons, glaring over the ropes right into Riggs’ face while he steps cautiously to the center of the ring. The Conspiracy members drop from the apron and gather at the end of the ramp, their smiles unwavering at the sight of the painted apparition.

Comeau: Riggs looks as uncertain of the Conspiracy’s intentions as I do. I would suggest he grow eyes in the back of his head….

Susie: COOL!

Mark:…not literally, because up next he faces Conspiracy member Christian Savior for the N.H.B title and I wouldn’t trust Pat Evans’ and Silencer’s motives on this violent night.

Riggs crouches in the ring, glaring towards the departing Conspiracy members but trying to keep his mind focused on the title match tonight.

CHRISTIAN SAVIOR © VS. RIGGS

Riggs continues to kneel in the ring, keeping a watchful gaze on the entry way in anticipation of Savior’s arrival.

Susie: Welcome back, before the break we saw two guys say something to someone to set up whatever this match is.

Comeau: Your analysis is astounding, but just for shits and giggles how about I give it a try?

Moore: Sure, but I think I accurately summed it up.

Mark: Noted. Before we went to commercial, Pat Evans and Silencer of the Conspiracy stated that they had their eyes on Riggs and were going to be watching this match very closely. Apparently they want Riggs to join the Conspiracy and are using this match to gauge his abilities.

Susie: I summed it up better.

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…

4…

3…

2…

1…

A series of bright fireworks go off as people yell and boo the recognizable countdown.

You think you know me?!

I’m…

As the smoke clears, Christian Savior is seen with his back to the audience, his arms outstretched!

Falling in the black
Slipping through the cracks
Falling to the depths can I ever go back
Dreaming of the way it used to be
Can you hear me Spinning around, the figure reveals himself to be Christian Savior, wearing his black pants and phoenix-logo shirt, along with a long black trenchcoat. The N.H.B gold glistens from around his waist to the disgust of the gathered masses. Looking around, a smirk soon graces his lips as the audience boos.

Falling in the black
Slipping through the cracks
Falling to the depths can I ever go back
Falling inside the black
Falling inside falling inside the black

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

Tonight I'm so alone
This sorrow takes ahold
Don't leave me here so cold
(Never want to be so cold)

Your touch used to be so kind
Your touch used to give me life
I've waited all this time, I've wasted so much time

Don't leave me alone
Cause I barely see at all
Don't leave me alone, I'm

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

Falling in the black
Slipping through the cracks
Falling to the depths can I ever go back
Dreaming of the way it used to be
Can you hear me
Falling in the black
Slipping through the cracks
Falling to the depths can I ever go back
Falling inside the black
Falling inside falling inside the black

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

You were my source of strength
I've traded everything
That I love for this one thing
(Stranded in the offering)

Don't leave me here like this
Can't hear me scream from the abyss
And now I wish for you my desire

Don't leave me alone
Cause I barely see at all
Don't leave me alone, I'm

Savior approaches the turnbuckle and holds is arms out in a cross-like form, the smile never leaving his face and the gold still shinning around his waist.

Comeau: That has to be the longest entrance in IWC history. Christian Savior, N.H.B Champion sent out here to put Riggs to the test, placing his gold on the line as well to further Riggs’ drive for victory.

Moore: Beating someone up sure is a weird way to make them your friend.

Mark: Sometimes when you give a man a beating they learn to respect you for it.

Susie: STTUUUPPIIIID

The belt is thrown to the official while the Champion turns to examine his challenger. Christian Savior and Riggs stare one another down from across the ring, giving each other a very uneasy glare before they start out of their respective corners. The crowd is surprised as the conniving, egotistical Savior extends his hand out towards Riggs, his palm open and inviting.

Comeau: Savior looking for a handshake, but who knows what he’s really planning.

Susie: I wouldn’t shake Christian’s hand, regardless of rather he’s trying to recruit me or not, who knows what he’s touched.

The painted warrior continues to glare down at the palm of his opponent, questioning himself as to rather or not he should shake his hand. Finally he reaches out, putting his palm into Christian’s to a very mixed response. Suddenly Christian turns, reaching back with his arms and wrapping them around Riggs’ head, looking for the diamond cutter. However, Riggs pushes him off, sending Christian charging forward at the cables. Before he can hit the cables a diabolical Savior drops down into a baseball slide, going under the ropes and falling feet first onto the mats. He now turns back towards the ring shrugging his shoulders but unaware that Riggs is flipping over the top rope, crashing down into his shoulder with a senton plancha.

Comeau: I think its safe to say that we’re officially underway with this match.

Moore: Yay, I get to call some mindless violence.

Mark: Yes, and “mindless” is certainly a word often associated with yourself Susie.

The crowd is going nuts over Riggs’ move as he stands tall, listening to their reaction somewhat conflicted. He turns back towards Savior who is slowly standing up at ringside, delivering a swift kick right to his sternum. As a result Savior is launched from his feet back first against the apron, leaning against it for support. Riggs moves in now and delivers a double handed chop right across his sternum., the blow sounding throughout the Manhattan Center. Savior doubles forward with his arms crossed over his sternum, being grabbed by the back of the head and dragged towards the table. Faust pulls back on his skull and rams him face first right across the surface of the announce table.

Susie: Yikes, look, there’s an impression of Savior’s face in the table, mind if I take this home with me after work?

Comeau: Sure, if there’s a table to take home after this match that is.

A very dazed glint inhabits Christian’s face before he is again driven skull first into the table. His head bounces with a resounding thud from the surface of the announce table, turning away from Riggs who grabs him by the shoulder. He is spun around and taken by the wrist, whipped with all of Riggs’ strength straight towards the steel plated barricade. Christian turns and slams into it hard spine first, his back arching from the steel and agony clear in his eyes.

Mark: Regardless of Riggs’ invitation to join the Conspiracy he’s giving Savior a real beating here in the early goings of this No Holds Barred title match.

Susie: That’s what N.H.B stands for? I thought it meant some kind of sex drug.

The focused Riggs now comes barreling towards a reeling Savior who suddenly steps forward, catching his inbound opponent under the arm. The Challenger is flipped forward via a hip toss, crashing across his upper back right along the top edge of the barricade. His spine curls around it before falling knees first into the sea of humanity.

Comeau: Ohhh, Riggs hip tossed on top of the barricade.

Shock sweeps through the crowd while Riggs deliberately moves back to his feet, still holding his spine. As soon as he turns towards Savior, Christian reaches over the barricade, taking him around the neck then dropping down to his seat. As a result Riggs is given the stunner jaw first right onto the barricade, rendering him almost dead on his feet. He falls to his knees, now gripping at his jaw while the fans react with both astonishment and disgust. All the while Savior has taken hold of one of the steel plates attached to the barricade, ripping it off then placing it across the top of the barrier and the apron. It forms a little platform of dangerous steel that Savior will undoubtedly employ to try and take out his vicious opponent.

Susie: Is Savior building a fort? I hope he doesn’t have a “no girls allowed” policy.

Mark: That’s no fort, that’s a very dangerous weapon now. I guess Savior thinks the best way to curry Riggs’ favor is by showing him just how barbaric the Conspiracy members can be.

Riggs drags himself up onto the barricade, leaning over it in a very groggy condition before Savior grabs him by the hair. An intense Savior drags Riggs over the barrier onto the thin protective mats before taking him by both arms. He snaps over backwards, throwing Riggs through the air before he comes slamming down hard across the mats. The double arm suplex leaves Riggs writhing in anguish, reaching for his back yet smiling slightly due to the pain that corrupts his body. Savior is right on top of him, taking Riggs around the jaw and leading him up to his feet before springing into the air, dropkicking him right to the sternum. The kick sends Riggs reeling backwards, falling against the barricade for support, his eyes glossed over.

The much more focused and determined Savior rises to his feet, backing across the mats then barreling towards his Challenger. He bends forward for the Blaze of Glory (Spear) when Riggs side steps him, pushing Savior along head first into the steel plating of the barricade. The plate bends inward around Christian’s skull while the crowd reacts in shock over the sickening collision, sounding like a gun shot being fired throughout the building.

Moore: Ewwe, a spear into the barricade, get that barricade Savior, get it good.

Comeau: He was actually going for the spear on Riggs but he side stepped it at the very last second. Who knows how much damage Christian just did to himself.

Savior looks incoherent at this point yet is slowly rising to his feet on the outside mats, trying to shake off the effects of his head first collision with the steel. Just as the Champion stands and turns to face the ring, Riggs comes barreling across the apron, diving off into a flying lariat. His arm connects right against Christian’s throat, knocking him down hard to the mats. After connecting Riggs jumps right to his feet, arms thrust out to his sides and the crowd giving him a shockingly positive ovation.

Despite having taken a big lariat Christian begins to stand up, Riggs moving in with a jab to his jaw, followed by another, and another. He now connects with a double knife edge chop right across Savior’s sternum before taking him by the wrist and the hair, dragging him towards the ring. Savior is rolled in under the ropes, looking very dazed still while Riggs reaches under the ring, retrieving a speed limit sign and a steel chair, both of which he tosses over the ropes into the ring.

Mark: Riggs bringing in the tools of the trade.

Moore: Things are going to get even more violent?

Savior slowly pushes himself up to his feet and turns to face Riggs who slams the speed limit sign brutally over his skull. The sound of the steel connecting with his cranium echoes throughout the arena and causes Christian to drop to his knees side first against the ropes. His eyes barely remain open as he pulls himself to his feet and receives yet another devastating strike between the eyes via the dented speed limit sign. A groan comes from the crowd as a result of both these shots, Riggs getting a twisted delight from the damage he is inflicting. Savior falls back first against the corner, his eyes fluttering as he tries to remain conscious. The sign is thrown to the canvas and Riggs snatches up the chair he brought in, turning and rushing right at the incoherent Savior. Christian gets one of his feet up into the air, driving it right into the chair which bounces back against Riggs’ face. An incredibly dazed Riggs now staggers backwards with the chair still gripped in his hand, desperately trying to remain upright while Christian pulls himself up backwards onto the second rope.

Christian now dives through the air, flipping over Riggs’ back and catching him around the waist, rolling him over into a sunset flip.

Riggs rolls backwards onto his feet then jumps into the air, wedging the steel chair beneath his heels and dropkicking it violently right into he seated Savior’s face.

Comeau: A brutal counter by Riggs!

Susie: There just went Savior’s glamorous looks.

The quick Riggs crawls right into the cover on Savior.

Christian launches his shoulder from the ring, avoiding the three count just barely. He turns onto his knees appearing stunned by that last offensive move while Riggs snatches up the chair, stepping in and waffling Christian over the head with it. The sound of the steel almost breaking upon impact with Christian’s head echoes all throughout the building and causes many of the fans to cringe. As a result Savior tumbles onto his back, Riggs sticking the chair under his legs and jumping into the air. He comes down with a double leg drop, chair wedged under them, right across Savior’s face and sternum. After connecting Riggs rolls in reverse to his knees then crawls into the cover yet again.

Again Savior has the strength remaining to get his shoulder up, saving his N.H.B gold for the time being.

Moore: That was scary; Savior almost lost his belt twice.

Comeau: I haven’t seen this many pins since that snuff film I was forced to watch in China.

As a result of Savior kicking of that brutal offense twice Riggs is now the one growing aggravated. Therefore he takes hold of the Champion’s hair, dragging him up to his feet then scooping him into the air onto his shoulder. He looks prepared to connect with the Hopscotch and do so right on top of the chair, the same way he defeated Nathan Creed last week. At the last second Christian slips off of his shoulder, landing behind him and taking hold of both his arms. Riggs is spun around into position for the unprettier on top of the chair. Before he can connect Riggs pulls his head fre, placing his hands to Savior’s back then shoving him forward into the cables. Savior bounces off of the ropes and is launched right back towards Riggs who reaches out to catch him, his palms placed to his chest and thigh. As he is hoisted into the air Savior slips off of his opponent’s hands, landing gracefully behind him, Riggs spinning around only to be caught by the neck and dragged down face first into the chair via the diamond cutter.

Mark: Diamond cutter onto the chair, if it doesn’t score Savior the win it will definitely change the pace of this title match.

Moore: I think Riggs is going to need even more face-paint to hide the bruises after this match. He can borrow my makeup kit if he wants, and my glitter, glitter solves any problems.

Riggs rolls onto his back, Savior a little too winded to make the cover right away. He agonizingly crawls towards his Challenger and hooks both of his legs for the pin.

To the shock of the gathered masses Riggs launches his shoulder from the ring, kicking out of the diamond cutter. Christian sits up, almost snarling after not being able to finish off his opposition this evening. Christian slowly starts to stand up, his legs looking a little wobbly at this point with Riggs left in the same condition. The painted Warrior forces himself upwards as well while Savior approaches the chair, snatching it off the canvas. He lifts into the air, waiting anxiously for Riggs to stand in order to uncoil his wrath. The second Riggs gets to his feet, Savior barrels towards him, swinging the chair right at his cranium. Somehow the Challenger ducks under the shot from the steel, rushing into the ropes behind Christian. He ricochets from the ropes and comes back in at Christian, jumping into the air for a spinning heel kick.

Savior turns to face the incoming heel and ducks under it, Riggs landing on his feet behind his opponent. He turns around as Christian throws the chair directly at him, Riggs catching it in front of his face when his opposition superkicks the steel right into his cranium. A collective gasp emanates from the crowd as Riggs is seemingly knocked completely out cold, tumbling onto his back with Savior falling into the lateral press.

Mark: A violent superkick into the chair and into Riggs’ face, Savior may be on the verge of retaining his gold.

Moore: That hurt even me, and usually my senses are dulled due to eating too many paint chips as a child.

The referee drops to make the count.

Again Riggs launches his shoulder from the ring and sends Savior into a blind rage.

Comeau: Another kick out from Riggs, this man can take an awful lot of punishment, as we saw in his classic Tables Are Legal bout against Psycho at Paranoia V.

Christian grabs the dented up chair off of the canvas and sets it up properly in the center of the ring. Arrogantly Savior sits down in the chair and begins to motion for Riggs to stand up, catching his breath in the process. A “Riggs” chant has started in the crowd as the painted warrior agonizingly, slowly begins to force himself upwards. Although he is in a great deal of pain throughout his entire body, Riggs reaches his feet, slowly beginning to turn towards Savior who steps in snatching him around the neck. Christian rushes towards the chair, jumping into the air for a diamond cutter. At the last second Riggs pulls his head free and shoves Savior forward, sending him crashing down back first right onto the set up chair.

Susie: A counter from Riggs, a counter from Riggs! Oh, I just made myself get light headed.

Comeau: An impressive counter sending Savior plummeting back first right into the steel.

The chair is now broken, unable to be sat up with Savior’s spine perhaps left in the same condition. He arches his back with his mouth hanging open, no sounds being produced due to the shocking, blinding pain. Nevertheless he turns over onto his knees as Riggs comes charging forward, delivering the shinning wizard right to Christian’s face. The move leaves both men laying on the canvas, barely mobile after the punishment they’ve inflicted on another in this fast paced N.H.B title match.

Mark: Both Riggs and Savior are down after that shining wizard. See, I still remember some of the moves from my former wrestling days.

Susie: Yeah, that was only a hundred years ago.

Several of the fans are slapping their hands on the barricade in support for Riggs, creating a loud ruckus that seems to awaken him. Both the Champion and his Challenger rise towards their feet, ravaged with pain upon reaching an upright base. Immediately Riggs nails Savior between the eyes with a closed fist then, delivers a double handed chop right across his sternum. He now jumps into the air, spinning around and connecting with a shin cross kick that connects right against Savior’s sternum. Christian is knocked back first into one of the turnbuckles, leaning on it for support in his highly dazed condition.

A fired up Riggs steps in and begins to kick him repeatedly to the stomach and sternum before jumping into the air, spinning around into a back heel kick that lands right against Christian’s jaw. Savior is knocked down to the canvas across his seat while Riggs steps towards the center of the ring. He now barrels towards his seated opponent and launches his knee right into his face, resulting in groans from the excited crowd. A groggy Christian tries to remain conscious as Riggs takes him by the hair, standing him up then lifting him into the air so that he can sit on the turnbuckle. Riggs slips through the ropes onto the apron and begins to scale the turnbuckle now in his battered condition. He reaches the top rope and grabs Savior’s hair, beginning to turn him around and trying to lift him up onto his shoulder in order to hit the Hopscotch from the top rope.

Moore: What’s Riggs trying to do; lift Savior high enough to change a light-bulb? It usually takes me and two other friends to figure out how to do that.

Comeau: Nooo, he’s setting up for the Hopscotch from the top rope.

Riggs is having trouble lifting Savior up, as his opponent has tangled his legs around the top cable. Savior now digs his fingers into Riggs’ eyes, raking them before placing his hand under his opposition’s seat. He shoves Riggs off the top rope to the outside of the ring, sending him flipping over forward and crashing hard spine first right into the portion of the barricade that was set up like a platform between the barrier and the apron. The crowd squeals in shock as the steel almost breaks in half beneath Riggs’ body, the veteran wrestler going into convulsions as he drops to the outside mats.

Mark: MY GOD!

The fans are on their feet screaming.

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

Susie: I can’t think of any biblical references to blurt out right now!

Comeau: Riggs thrown from the top rope right into that barricade that Savior set up earlier!

The crowd is still screaming over what they just witnessed while Savior remains seated on the top rope, incredibly dazed over from this highly competitive confrontation. After only a moment’s delay he drops to the apron then to the mats, approaching Riggs who seems incapable of moving so much as an inch. He’s taken by the hair and forced to his feet, then rolled into the ring under the ropes. An aggressive Savior slides into the ring and crawls into the cover, shooting the half nelson in the process.

The crowd is stunned as Riggs launches his shoulder from the ring yet again, leaving Savior just as astonished. He rises to his knees, shaking his head in disbelief.

Mark: Can you believe this? Riggs just kicked out, after being slammed into that barricade made into a platform. Is there anything that can stop this man?

Susie: Cheese, if he’s lactose intolerant.

Riggs is already starting to recover, willing himself to his feet in tremendous pain. His entire body may be aching yet he finally gets his feet beneath him, slowly turning towards Savior who comes roaring in going for the spear. At the last second Riggs jumps into the air, leapfrogging Savior then catching him around the waist. Christian is dragged down into a sunset flip pinfall out of nowhere, countering the spear to the shock of all those packed in the Manhattan Center.

The official drops down and makes the count. However, Savior rolls backwards over onto his knees as does Riggs until he charges forward, connecting with the shining wizard for a second time. The kick renders Savior unconscious, Riggs falling into the cover.

Comeau: Riggs just caught Savior, he caught Savior with the shinning wizard for the pinfall! We have a new N.H.B Champion!!

Moore: BWAH! You hurt my ears with your screaming.

The building is shaking with a thunderous applause over what just transpired, Riggs rolling to his knees with shock in his eyes. A feint grin is present on his face over the fact that he just claimed the N.H.B title, the very belt that is now being handed to him by the official. He pulls it in close, gazing upon the first belt he’s won in the IWC. A shocked, stunned Savior sits up regaining his consciousness, running his hands through his hair in sheer disbelief that his N.H.B title has been taken from him.

Moore: What a surprising moment, we have a new N.H.B Champion. Now if only I knew what N.H.B stood for.

Comeau: Riggs winning his first major title here in the IWC, and I can imagine that it’s just starting to sin….

A REVERSAL OF FORTUNES

“Savior” by 30 Seconds to Mars erupts over the PA system to the confusion of many, Dan Douglas now sauntering through the curtains with a snide expression on his face. His eyes are focused on the ring where both Savior and Riggs are kneeling, both men still in shock over what just unfolded. Without hesitation the grinning Douglas proceeds towards the ring, microphone in hand and conniving smirk present on his face, much like earlier when dealing with Faust. He climbs up onto the steps revealing a microphone in his hand then slips through the ropes into the ring, immediately progressing towards Riggs, who holds the N.H.B belt glistening over his shoulder.

Mark: Dan Douglas now coming out here, although I can’t imagine why he’s needed.

Moore: Maybe he wants to congratulate Riggs and welcome him into the Conspiracy fold. Hey, that actually sounded reasonable, yay!

The former commentator turned owner steps towards Riggs, right past the kneeling Savior who’s hands are ravaging his hair in astonishment. Shockingly Douglas shows no hesitation upon stepping up right into Riggs’ face, his smile quickly fading.

Douglas: Just who in the hell do you think you are!?!

This inquiry leaves Riggs a bit confused, still breathing heavily from that grueling encounter he took part in against Savior.

Dan: I didn’t book this match for you to take the N.H.B title from Savior. I thought you knew that.

Riggs’ eyes become more clouded, now filling with dread and ambiguity all at once.

Douglas: I thought you were smarter than this Riggs. I booked this match because I believed you’d use it as a platform to pledge your allegiance to the Conspiracy. And the best way to demonstrate said allegiance was to come out here and lay down so that Savior could pin you for the quick three count. Where’s your head at!?! What were you thinking? It’s almost like you don’t even want to be a member of the Conspiracy.

Riggs tilts his head and shrugs his shoulders, certainly not disagreeing, which seems to further aggravate Douglas.

Dan: I’m already tired of your resistance to give the Conspiracy a clear cut answer, so I tell you what, I’m gonna give you some incentive to help you make up your damned mind, starting with this….

Before Riggs has the chance to respond the N.H.B belt is stripped from his shoulder by an angered Douglas. Dan quickly turns and holds the gold out towards a laughing Savior, who grasps hold of his belt, pulling it in close. The painted warrior pulls back his fist, aching to unload on the new owner.

Douglas: You are NOT the N.H.B Champion, and you will not be a Champion until you make up your mind and join the Conspiracy. I am flexing my political muscle to officially change the outcome of this match, therefore your real winner, and still N.H.B Champion, Christian Savior.

Susie: HUH!?! Can he do that?

Comeau: Well he does have power, and apparently he’s drunk with it.

To a loud outcry of boos Savior stands up, the opportunistic champion raising his belt high above his head. Riggs is still fuming, on the verge of laying out the pompous Douglas.

Dan: To hell with the referee’s decision, I’m the only one with real power around here and it’s about time that people like you Riggs realized it. But I’m not through with you yet Mr. Indecisive.

He points straight into the menacing features of the shadowy and now screwed over competitor.

Douglas: Because I’m going to give you some time off to help you reach a decision. Consider yourself on a leave of absence; you will not be booked until you render a choice. And for the sake of your career I hope you make the right one.

Douglas steps back, shooting a very menacing glare towards Riggs who is fuming over this clearly biased decision. Savior has slid through the ropes onto the apron, breathing heavily while throwing his belt over his shoulder, amused by Riggs’ turmoil. Now inside of the ring the highly unstable Riggs drops to his knees, paint melting from his face and his rage rising.

Comeau: Unbelievable. Riggs stripped of the N.H.B Title which was given right back to Christian Savior, and now he’s been suspended until he gives the Conspiracy an answer in regards to where his allegiances lay.

Moore: Poor Riggs, I just want to pull him in close and give him a big old cuddly hug.

Riggs’ hands are shaking as they slide into his hair, his flesh trembling with repulsion.

PARANOID….AGAIN?

Another thunderous reaction can be heard from the Manhattan Center crowd at the sight of the Team Leader finally arriving at the building. A suit is contained in plastic and thrown over his shoulder and a cell-phone is held to his ear as Johnny Kingdom moseys down one of the hallways in the direction of his dressing room. He appears only slightly aggravated over his late arrival but more predisposed with his conversation on the phone.

Johnny Kingdom: I seriously need to get a new driver, the guy could barely speak English and he was American, what does that tell you? I wouldn’t be surprised if my match is already over I’m getting here so late, no skin off my back if it is of course.

He stops just a few inches removed from his dressing room, a big golden star with his named spelled inside of it pasted on the door. The Team Leader overlooks it, a tad disappointed that the star isn’t a little bigger.

Johnny: Well I’m here now so I’ll have to let you go.

Pausing he listens to the voice on the other end, looking mildly agitated.

Kingdom: Yeah, yeah, I’m all for it, I’m 100% on board with the plan. Nobody will ever see it coming….

Orlando: Ahem?

The camera pans out while Kingdom looks up to spot World Heavyweight Champion Orlando Cruze standing in front of him. A deafening reaction emanates from the Manhattan Center crowd at the sight of the two IWC legends standing face to face. Although Orlando is clearly judging Kingdom given the look in his eyes, the Team Leader merely smiles and wraps up his conversation.

Johnny: I need to go now, the bellhop is here.

He hangs up the phone and slides it into his pocket, extending his plastic wrapped suit towards Cruze.

Kingdom: Hang this up for me and make sure it doesn’t get wrinkled. And when your done with that would you be a doll and park my car close to he exit so I’m not mauled by my admirers after the show?

The Team Leader begins to fish in his pocket for a set of keys but Orlando fails to find the humor in his dialogue.

Cruze: Real cute Kingdom, but drop the charade, you know full well who I am…

A pompous smile continues to extend across Johnny’s face as he places his finger to his chin, momentarily perplexed. Finally he seems to have that “ah-ha” moment, wagging his finger towards the Icon.

Johnny: Oh yeah, your that guy who’s ass I saved last week. I can assume you came back here to thank me?

The assumption clearly isn’t well founded.

Orlando: I will admit that if it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be standing here with the World title right now, but I didn’t ask for your help, and I didn’t want it.

Kingdom: Okay, your welcome.

Cruze shakes his head while Kingdom tries to get around him to his lockeroom.

Cruze: Where were you earlier, Johnny?

The inquiry confuses Kingdom.

Orlando: I mean if your going down this whole noble, redeemed route, then how come you weren’t there to save Alex Ingelson earlier?

Johnny: Uhhh, I was stuck in the same traffic that you were if it’s really any of your business, and besides, I don’t even like Ingelson, so chances are I wouldn’t have been clamoring to save him if I were here.

Cruze: That’s exactly what I thought you’d say. See, you haven’t changed one little bit. I find it highly convenient that you weren’t there to save Ingelson tonight and now I overhear your conversation….

He motions towards the phone in Kingdom’s pocket while the Team Leader grins.

Kingdom: Overheard? Oh, you mean you eavesdropped.

Orlando: Regardless I heard what you had to say, who were you talking to, huh, huh?

As the Icon steps towards him a hand is pressed to his sternum, holding him back.

Johnny: Jeez Orlando, how many times are you going to go down this whole paranoid route, it happens like every year. If you must know I was talking to my agent about doing some Subway ads.

Orlando is utterly vexed by this revelation.

Kingdom: Are you happy now, are you convinced I can be trusted? Don’t come chewing me out just because you feel guilty that you couldn’t be there for Ingelson, it isn’t my fault. You seriously need to learn to trust people Cruze, otherwise you’re going to keep chasing them away. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to rest in my nice, lavish dressing room.

His hand takes hold of the doorknob when Orlando steps in front of him yet again, his tag partner for tonight blocking his path.

Orlando: I’ll trust you when you prove that you could be trusted. Here, you forgot this….

The Tag Team title is raised into the air then thrown forcefully at Kingdom, who catches it against his sternum with a slight smile. Orlando begins to walk around him before snapping his fingers much like earlier and then spinning around to face Kingdom’s back.

Cruze: Oh, and if your lockeroom is anything like mine your not going to be happppppyyyy.

Johnny’s eyes bat in confusion over this statement while Cruze saunters away. Finally Kingdom opens his dressing room to find that it’s nothing more than a small broom closet stuffed with mops and buckets. Johnny slowly closes the closet door with a broad smile still inhabiting his face.

Kingdom: Well played Douglas, well played.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

IWC….At least there are no shitty powerbombs

DAVID FREAK VS. DESOLATION

Paul Stanley's "Live To Win" roars over the PA system as Freak immediately appears on the stage flexing and showing off. Sparks fly about the stage as he makes his way down looking quite assured of himself and giving a second look to a few women. He reaches the ring and slides in under the bottom rope. He stands and struts to the middle of the ring flexing and raising his arms taking in both boos and cheers.

Susie Moore: It’s Freaky, hey Freaky, I missed you.

Mark Comeau: I didn’t. David Freak had a rather mysterious nose bleed last week that led to his defeat at the hands of Aurora Rose, lets just hope he’s got a steady supply of tampons ready to stop any blood flows.

Moore: I don’t use those thing, I just dribble wherever I go. I hope David Freak’s opponent brings out that big wheel again so we can find out what match Axl Evermore will have against Ladder.

David drops to the ring, hopping in place and giving the ring an ever so arrogant stare. 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.

The crowd has a very distasteful response towards the man who forced them to relive the highly ridiculous nature of WCW’s past booking faux pas, yet he cares not for their opinions. Instead his attention is focused on the ladder that he carries at his side. The Cartel title gold twinkles as it’s wrapped around several of the rungs, Desolation seemingly conversing with his new pupil while carrying it towards the ring. He now sets the Cartel Champion up at ringside then steps up onto the apron, his eyes diabolically centered on a surprising un-phased Freak.

Susie: Desolation has brought his protégé to ringside so it can get a good view of his match, maybe learn a few things.

Comeau: I again must stress the highly preposterous nature of this whole scenario. But thank God for alcohol, as it will greatly reduce the memory of what happened earlier tonight.

Desolation slips through the ropes and into the ring, quickly spinning to face Freak who steps out of his corner, promptly running his mouth. A carefree smile exists on his face as he moseys insultingly towards Desolation, the bell sounding in the background.

Freak: So you’re the big bad son of a bitch around he…

Before he can finish his sentence he’s silenced by a stiff open hand slap to the face. The crowd has a mixed reaction as David staggers backwards and then is slapped to the opposite cheek by Desolation.

Comeau: Desolation not wanting to hear it.

Moore: Those are some hard slaps, I’d hate to get into a cat fight with him.

Desolation continues to deliver vicious palm strike after palm strike to both sides of Freak’s face, backing him across the ring in a highly disorientated state. He now spins around into a back fist that Freak ducks under, wedging his shoulder to the Dark Man’s ribs and powering him in reverse across the ring. Desolation is driven spine first against the corner as David stands up in front of him, delivering a stomp to his ribs, then another, doubling him over forward in pain. A hard forearm is driven over Desolation’s back, causing him to stagger forward out of the corner. Freak steps up behind him, hitting another forearm, then another. Desolation stands upright finally with his back pressed to the cables as David delivers a hard knife edge chop across his sternum.

Mark: Freak actually trying to go strike for strike with perhaps one of the hardest strikers in the world.

Susie: So Desolation spends a lot of time picketing?

Comeau: Not that type of striker Susie.

An upset David grabs Desolation’s hair, pulling him away from the ropes then driving his forearm into the side of his face. The blow is surprisingly effective, almost causing Desolation to lose his balance before he’s grabbed by the wrist and pulled forward into a knife edge chop. At the last second the Dark Man twists his body, sliding under the chop across his knees then standing up behind David. The quick Freak spins around and rushes at Desolation who catches him with a deep spinning powerslam. Freak is driven hard into the canvas, causing him to convulse as he rolls away from his adversary, turning to a crawling position. Desolation steps up beside him, taking hold of the back of his head then delivering repeated upward kicks to his face.

Moore: Ewww, those kicks look painful.

Mark: Yeah, I can attest to just how painful they are.

The kicks continue to land against Freak’s face, almost shattering his nose yet somehow he wills himself up to his feet. He stands up looking groggy when Desolation moves towards him, delivering a buzzsaw kick right to his sternum. David covers his sternum but then motions for another kick to his chest, claiming that he can take it. This request leaves Desolation a little vexed before he steps in, preparing to deliver another buzzsaw strike to the sternum. At the last second though, he lifts his other leg into the air, nailing a Kawada style kick right to the back of Freak’s head. David drops to one knee, looking incredibly dazed while Desolation rushes into the cables in front of him, bouncing off then coming back in with a basement dropkick. Both of his heels connect rather viciously right with David’s face, knocking him onto his spine in a truly dazed, incoherent condition. Desolation rolls to his knees then crawls into the lateral press.

Before a three count can fully be made the more arrogant Freak kicks out, forcing his shoulder from the ring.

Comeau: Freak getting his shoulder up after a lethal array of dazzling kicks.

Susie: Freaky must be pretty strong.

Mark: Wonderful follow up.

Although dazed Freak begins to force himself towards his feet. He gets to a knee when Desolation takes him around the jaw, holding his face up then going again for a violent spinning back fist. Again David ducks the incoming fist, causing Desolation to turn his back towards Freak, who stands up behind him and jumps into the air. He dropkicks the Dark Man to the back right between his shoulder blades, knocking him forward into the ropes. Desolation ricochets from the ropes and comes charging in at his opponent who bends down for a back drop. At the last second the Alpha Generation member stops, delivering a hard, violent kick upward right into David’s sternum, causing him to stand up straight in a groggy state. Desolation now rushes forward when Freak lunges into the air, connecting with another dropkick this time connecting right against his opposition’s face.

Desolation crashes to the canvas while Freak lands beside him, the bright up and comer diving into a hook of the leg.

Before another count could be made Desolation lobs his shoulder from the ring. He turns over onto his knees as Freak gets up in front of him, delivering hard forearm after forearm into the side of his cranium. David steps back, stomping him to the forehead continuously, lighting the Dark Man up with as many strikes as he can. As Desolation begins to stand Freak hits him with more and more forearms to the cheek and jaw.

Moore: David hitting more forearms than I can count.

Comeau: He’s only hit three of them.

David spins around into a discus forearm that connects with Desolation’s jaw. What would render a normal man unconscious leaves Desolation just dazed, still forcing himself upwards. David now spins around into another roaring elbow that lands right across his opponent’s jaw, finally knocking him backwards into the cables. He bounces off of the ropes and comes back in at David who bends forward, catching him against his shoulder then launching him up into the air. Desolation flips through the air then crashes into the canvas spine first to some actual cheers from the crowd.

He sits up reaching for his kidneys while Freak steps in, blasting him over the upper back with a forearm then placing him in a front chancery. He forces Desolation to his feet before dropping back into a hard DDT. The skull of the former World Champion bounces forcefully from the ring, leaving him in a near comatose state. David crawls into another lateral press on him.

To Freak’s despair Desolation again launches his shoulder from the ring, kicking out a few moments before the three count. David takes his adversary by the hair, rolling him to a crawling base then delivering repeated knee strikes to the top of his cranium. Both knees land with devastating force over and over again, almost disabling Desolation.

Comeau: I am stunned that David is keeping at this, still trying to out strike his deadly opponent.

Susie: He’s doing a decent job of it thus far too.

The barrage of knees looks to have disorientated Desolation who nevertheless is standing up only to have Freak take him around the neck. He is spun around then planted to the canvas with a reverse neckbreaker. Freak floats over and palms Desolation’s face, lifting his knee up off of the canvas then launching it downward repeatedly into the side of his opponent’s skull. He stands up and jumps high into the air, coming down knee first directly into his face, causing the Dark Man’s body to convulse. An aggressive David stands up, lunging into the air and again coming down for another knee drop only for his opposition to roll out of the way. David slams knee first into the canvas, causing him to groan in pain and reach for his leg.

Comeau: David couldn’t use those knee strikes forever.

Susie: Yeah, they’re not like punch-lines.

Freak rises to his feet, stumbling a bit towards a kneeling Desolation who catches him with a hard knife edge chop. The strike lands with force across David’s sternum, causing him to wince and stumble in reverse. He drops to one knee after the chop while Desolation stands up at his side then comes charging forward. The Alpha member steps off of David’s own knee, launching himself forward into a hard, brutal kick right to the side of Freak’s head. A groan comes from the crowd at the sight of this highly vicious stomping kick that knocks David onto his back, leaving him barely conscious. Desolation stands up and jumps into the air, crashing posterior first right into Freak’s sternum.

Susie: Wow, Desolation doing what Freak asked me to do backstage by sitting on his chest.

Mark: The Dark Man utilizing his body as a weapon.

The wind has been knocked from David’s lungs as he sits up, keeping his arms tucked around his mid-section. He is taken by the wrist and dragged to his feet by the Dark Man who quickly strikes him across the sternum with a knife edge chop. David unleashes a gasp of agony before he’s chopped right across his blistering sternum yet again. Desolation now whips him across the ring into the cables, Freak bouncing off and coming back into a diving forearm smash to his face. The blow knocks David to the canvas with Desolation landing on his feet beside him then charging forward, jumping into the air and coming down back first right across his opponent’s mid-section. The back first senton splash leaves David convulsing on the canvas, Desolation sitting up at his side with a twisted gaze inhabiting his eyes.

He finally rises to his feet and jumps into the air, coming down leg first right across David’s throat, again causing him to writhe in anguish. He grips at his throat, rolling across the ring towards one of the turnbuckles then agonizingly rising to his feet. Quickly the Dark Man steps towards him only to walk right into a flick to the eyeball. Desolation grabs at his face only to be taken around the cranium and then dragged down into a sit-out jawbreaker. As soon as Freak connects with the jawbreaker he rolls over backwards into the corner, pulling himself up onto the second rope. He now launches himself off at the dazed Desolation, hitting a dropkick right to his sternum. The third dropkick of the contest sends his opponent tumbling to the ring, laid out across it.

Susie: He hit another dropkick, did you see it, did you see it?

Mark: Considering it’s my job to see it, then yes, yes, I saw it.

The dropkick from the second rope has left both men laying on the canvas, yet David is the quicker of the two to recover. He crawls towards Desolation and takes him by the hair, beginning to slug him to the face several times. He now sits up on the canvas after being reprimanded by the official and rushes in, delivering a hard running knee strike right to Desolation’s face. The knee connects brutally against the skull, knocking the Dark Man to the canvas yet again while the eager young star falls back into a cover.

Desolation catches both of Freak’s arms and rolls him over backwards into a shocking crucifix pin counter. He lets David drop out of it though, landing on his elbows and knees while Desolation stands up in front of him. The Alpha rep takes Freak by the back of the head and begins to deliver repeated upward kicks to his face yet again. Those in the Manhattan Center cringe as each kick lands with vicious velocity against David’s face, leaving him very dazed yet remaining upright. He is doubled over in the ring while Desolation rushes into the cables at his side, bouncing off then coming back in and jumping into the air, driving his knee right into the side of David’s face.

Susie: These guys accomplish more with their legs than even me.

Comeau: That is certainly a bold statement.

The knee knocks Freak onto his back, yet in his dazed condition he still rolls across the canvas to an upright base. Desolation now steps in and boots him to the mid-section, wrapping his arms around his waist then lifting him up into the air in an awesome bomb position. He is about to hit a big maneuver when Freak slips free, landing on his feet behind Desolation then taking hold of his arms. David is now trying to pull Desolation down into a back slide but is unable to get him over. Desolation’s feet are wedged firmly to the canvas, refusing to be taken over into the back slide. He now frees one of his arms and turns, taking hold of Freak’s wrist then spinning him around and pulling him forward for a short arm clothesline. David ducks it, catching hold of the back of Desolation’s pants and dragging him down into a school boy.

Desolation kicks out and rolls over backwards onto his knees only to have David move in, delivering a step up enzugari to the back of his head. The blow almost knocks him out as he tumbles slowly into the canvas, Freak pushing him onto his back and going into another cover.

To the shock of several Desolation gets one shoulder free from the ring, David immediately protesting the speed of the count.

Mark: I must say that I am surprised by David Freak’s performance here tonight, he’s definitely giving Desolation a challenge.

Moore: See, that’s why I like Freaky so much.

An aggravated David stands up and motions for Desolation to get to his feet all the while winding up his arm for the short arm lariat. His groggy opponent is trying desperately to achieve a standing base and regain his faculties. He moves towards his feet at a deliberate pace when David comes barreling in, delivering his clothesline from hell. Desolation ducks the lariat at the last second, Freak stopping behind him in anger. He spins around when the Dark Man almost decapitates him with a spinning back fist right to the jaw.

Comeau: AHH, a spinning back fist that almost beheaded Freak!

David is knocked to the canvas after the vicious strike while Desolation steps up behind him, grabbing hold of his legs and wrapping them around his own. Freak is pulled to his knees and driven face first into the canvas with the Curb Stomp. Desolation falls to his seat, looking a little too winded to go for the cover.

Comeau: Desolation has caught Freak with the Curb Stomp in this insanely hard hitting encounter.

Moore: AYEEEE!

Desolation sluggishly pushes Freak over onto his back and now hooks his leg to screams from the crowd.

Comeau: And Desolation has done it.

Susie: Huh? I thought there was a mandatory kick out rule for first time finishers.

Desolation slowly forces himself to his feet, looking very winded due to this grueling competition, unable to celebrate. He is doubled over catching his breath, the camera briefly switching to Ladder at ringside.

Moore: What a lovely little match.

Mark: I don’t think I’d use that description for this smash mouth encounter….oh COME ON!

Into the ring now slides Jackson Adams and Too Magnificent yet again. Both men rush right at Desolation, who turns in time to begin slugging them both in their inbound faces, the bell chiming repeatedly.

Comeau: Magnificent and Adams again trying to get the drop on Desolation after his match.

Susie: Robocraven! Where’s Robocraven!?!

…MAKE THE DEAL

David Freak is rolling out of the ring in his battered condition while Desolation continues to turn back and forth, nailing right hands to both Jackson’s and Too Mag’s faces. Finally Too Magnificent bends forward, wedging his shoulder to a tired Desolation’s stomach and powering him backwards into one of the corners violently. Jackson steps in, slugging his rival to the face angrily.

Mark: Now the old AG have gotten the better of Desolation, why must these guys constantly interject after Desolation has already competed?

Susie: Because he’s weak that way silly.

Comeau: It was a rhetorical question.

Too Magnificent drives his shoulder into Desolation’s ribs repeatedly while Jackson slugs him right between the eyes with hard closed fists. The fans suddenly erupt at the sight of Axl Evermore rushing down the ramp towards the ring, passing by the Cartel Champion at ringside then sliding in under the cables. He storms towards Jackson Adams who turns around, rushing at Evermore only to be drilled to the throat with a lariat. Jackson crashes to the canvas, rolling across it to his feet only to be taken down with another running lariat from an angered Axl.

Mark: Axl Evermore coming out here for the second straight week to get his hands on the former Alpha Generation members, and at the same time coming to Desolation’s aid oddly enough.

Susie: I’m losing respect for Ladder, how come it didn’t come to Desolation’s aid?

Desolation knees Too Magnificent to the sternum, causing him to stand upright before he steps out of the corner, chopping the big man to the chest. The giant staggers backwards before he is chopped violently across the chest yet again. Too Magnificent now rushes forward for a lariat when Desolation bends down, catching him across his shoulders. Desolation holds Too Mag upside down stretched across his back, stepping to the center of the ring while Evermore forces Jackson into a front chancery. He holds him by the pants and turns, eyeing Desolation, the two exchanging a long, awkward stare. Evermore now lifts Jackson into the air, allowing him to float over his shoulder into a stunner, hitting the Shotgun at the same time that Desolation delivers the Brand X. The crowd is at a fevered pitch at the sight of Evermore and Desolation hitting their trademark moves on their common enemies.

Comeau: What a sight here on Riot!, Desolation and Axl Evermore working cohesively to take out my former allies!

Moore: That is so sweet.

Jackson and Too Magnificent flop around on the ring, laid completely out while Axl gets to his feet, Desolation standing right in front of him. The two men step towards each other, getting eye to eye to a huge reaction from the Manhattan Center crowd.

Susie: Be nice guys.

Mark: What are we going to see now between these two?

Anticipation swells around Evermore and Desolation’s stare down, the crowd waiting anxiously for something to happen when suddenly the spotlight switches to Hellkat standing on the stage. To make matters all the more interesting the Wheel from earlier tonight is positioned right beside her.

Comeau: Oh no, not more of this crap.

Moore: It’s the big wheel again, I hope Evermore buys a vowel this time.

Mark: It’s not that type of wheel.

A microphone has been handed through the ropes into the palm of Desolation all behind Axl’s back, his eyes now having shifted to the Wheel at the top of the ramp.

Desolation: I guess the wait is over Axl, and although I wanted to do one of those derivative cliff hanger continuations that these situations call for, apparently the IWC wants to generate a higher buyrate for their payper-view so the mystery surrounding your match with Ladder ends right now. Hellkat, reveal what deal the wheel has decided upon.

His finger points to the steel wheel while Evermore crosses his arms, waiting angrily for this revelation. Hellkat steps in front of the wheel and grabs the large sticker with “Mystery Match” written across it. She rather anticlimactically rips it off, revealing the words “Handicap Match.” Evermore looks perplexed by this match choice as Desolation steps up behind him, having the audacity to slap his hand down on Axl’s shoulder.

Desolation: Ohhh, tough luck there Axl, I guess that means at Awaken your not only going to be facing Ladder for the Cartel Championship, but a partner of its choosing as well. And I think it’s a safe assumption that our prestigious Cartel Champion will be selecting not Robocraven but yours truly as his partner.

An angered ovation is heard throughout the building over this reveal yet Evermore smiles, quite liking the concept of getting his hands on Desolation one more time in the center of the ring.

Susie: Oh no, Axl definitely has the dominos stacked against him now.

Mark: You mean the deck…

Moore: Like the deck on a boat?

Comeau: Noooo…. I’ll let you mull that over. It’s just been made official ladies and gentlemen, Axl Evermore will challenge Ladder for the Cartel title at Awaken, but now it’s a handicap match, with Desolation teaming with the champ.

Desolation drops to the outside of the ring and places his arm over the rungs of the Ladder, staring towards the ring at a mildly conflicted Evermore.

Desolation: Axl, you spun the wheel, and now its time for you to make the deal.

A broad smile sweeps across his face while he and Axl stare each other down here on the last stop before Awaken.

AWAKEN

Some sultry Spanish tunes fill the VIP dressing room and seemingly enchant the lovely Krissie McMorris. Her eyes are half opened while she sways from side to side, carried away by the Spaniard clad in a Mariachi ensemble. With each string of his guitar she finds herself a little more light headed, almost falling off the edge of the desk that she is seated on. A much different reaction is elicited from Sallie, who is planted on a sofa to the opposite side of the Mariachi singer, a huge twirly mustache covering half of his face. The Mariachi singer has also captivated little Becca, who is positioned at her mother’s feet, glaring at the performer long enough to forget the Barbie Dolls in her hands.

Before so much as a word can be sung Krissie lets out a squeal of delight.

Krissie: Stop, just stop now, that was absolutely heavenly. You’ll make the perfect wedding performer.

Although the lower half of his face is obscured by his big bushy mustache one can assume that the Mariachi performer is smiling, nodding his head with gusto. Sallie glares at her fellow conspirator in disbelief, obviously not as impressed as she is.

McMorris: I’m sure Nathan will just love to walk down the isle to that authentic Spanish beat, he needs to learn to be more multicultural anyhow. Now what was your name again sir?

All eyes eagerly turn towards the singer, who’s eyes suddenly become anxious, cutting back and forth between the two lovely ladies.

Mariachi Singer: Umm, no hablo Ingleas….

Both Krissie and Sallie share in their confusion. After some deliberation though, McMorris shrugs.

Krissie: Oh well, we can work around that, and since he can’t speak English he won’t realize I’m paying him to next to nothing.

Sallie overlooks the eager Mariachi singer from the edge of the sofa.

Sallie: Krissie, seriously sister, you need to put a little more thought into this. You can’t really be considering going through with this shotgun wedding.

The idea of not going through with it and there being objections to said marriage surprises Krissie.

Sallie: Besides, there’s something off about this Mariachi singer….

Again the performer’s eyes cut back and forth rather cautiously.

Sallie: For one I don’t even think his fingers were touching the guitar strings and the entire song sounded like it was coming out of his back pocket.

He discreetly reaches behind his back and pushes a tape recorder down further into his pocket.

McMorris: Oh, you’re just being paranoid. Besides, he was the only one who answered the help wanted ad I put in the newspaper.

Her loving eyes turn towards the Mariachi performer.

Krissie: Consider yourself hired. Here, take this as a down payment on your services and we’ll call you when we need you.

A handful of lose change is placed into the outstretched palm of the singer, who’s eyes are wide with shock, perhaps stunned that this actually worked.

Singer: Uh, gracias, voy pegar muchas tacos.

He turns and begins to exit the dressing room, plucking the strings of the guitar but producing a horrid sound this time. Sallie glares at Krissie as the singer walks away, obviously not pleased by her friend’s choices whatsoever. Before she can discuss her outrage the door flies open and a menacing, outraged Too Magnificent enters. The crowd screams at the sight of the brute, who slams the sides of his fists down onto the desk and causes Krissie to jump back beside Sallie.

Too Magnificent: SON OF A BITCH, I’M TIRED OF THIS SHIT!

He is absolutely seething over what transpired out there tonight, ie being chased off by Robocraven and then having the indignity of being assaulted by Desolation and Axl Evermore. The brute is seething, looking to be on the point of implosion as he knocks the papers off of Dan Douglas’ desk.

Too Magnificent: I want the Alpha Generation, and I want Fully Loaded, and I want them right FUCKING NOW!

To emphasize his point he slams the side of his fist against the desk, frightening Becca Cruze, who Sallie holds tightly in her arms.

Sallie: Who do you think you are just barging in here like this? Nobody comes into Dan Douglas’ office making demands, NOBODY!

Too Magnificent: I don’t give a shit about Douglas and I don’t give a shit about either of you, all I care about is getting some payback!

Sallie: Fine! Will that make you leave?

The furious behemoth nods angrily while gritting his teeth.

Sallie: Okay then, at the pay-per-view you can have Max Craven one on one, in a um, uh, Manhattan Massacre match. Are you happy now?

A sinister smirk settles over Too Magnificent’s face while he rather dramatically nods his head yes, his expression now unwavering. Krissie finally works up the courage to step out of the corner.

McMorris: Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re trying to plan a wedding here.

Her voice trembles slightly while Too Magnificent backs up, still smiling sinisterly, as if he’s got some evil plot racing through his head. Sallie and Krissie begin to proceed with their conversation.

Krissie: Jeez, can you believe the nerve of some peop…

RABBLE, RABBLE, RABBLE!

Krissie jumps forward with her hand over her heart as David Freak now storms into the office as soon as Too Magnificent vacated it. He steps right towards the desk, picking up where Too Mag left off by slamming his fists down onto its surface.

David: I’m angry, no, I’m in a near steroid induced RAGE!

This outburst causes Sallie to let out of a sigh, rubbing at her eyes in anger.

Freak: Did you trannies see what happened out there? I was sucker punched, Desolation used a CLOSED FIST, he should have been disqualified. But no, everyone seems to look the other way when people are cheating against Freak. I’m upset, now make me happy!

David looks down at the desk, eager to ravage something but finding all the papers already in disarray. Therefore he grabs the documents Too Magnificent ruined and neatly puts them back together, tapping the ends against the surface of the desk to ensure they’re properly stacked. Now he throws them down onto the table and gives the two irritated ladies a piercing glare.

McMorris: Let me take care of this one Sallie.

Krissie holds her finger up towards her associate.

Krissie: I’ll tell you what David, I’m going to let you channel all your anger into beating someone who put a blemish on your record.

David: Oh?

Krissie: That’s right, because now at Awaken, it’s going to be a rematch between you and Aurora Rose, and I think you know what to do with her.

Laughter emanates from Krissie, anxious to see Aurora Rose destroyed for slapping her on the last telecast. A twisted smile comes to Freak’s face as he nods his head and slowly backs out of the dressing room.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

ORLANDO CRUZE & JOHNNY KINGDOM
VS.
ROBIN BROOKS & HURSE

There is a house in New Orleeaannnss
They call the Rissssiinnng Sun
It’s been the ruin of many a poor boy
And lord I know I’m one…

UHHHHHHH!!!

The packed Manhattan Center crowd reacts with repulsion as onto the stage saunters Robin Brooks, her head shaking and her arms crossed over her sternum, the X-Class title twinkling around her waist. Obviously she does not want to be here teaming with the man who now storms through the curtains behind her, the former World Heavyweight Champion. Hurse stops directly beside Robin with sadness inhabiting his eyes, taking her by the hand and trying to place a kiss on the back of it. She pulls it out of his grasp though and continues towards the ring, Hurse following behind with his head lowered in despair. He quits trying to placate Brooks as they finally reach the ringside area. She now points angrily at the cables as a saddened Hurse jumps onto it and parts the ropes for her. Even this noble display does nothing to remedy Robin’s concern as she climbs to the apron and slips through the cables. She steps to the center of the ring with her arms held up high now, displaying the X-Class title stretched out between them, Hurse scooting across his knees in her direction. He wraps his arms around Robin’s waist, leaning the side of his face against her pelvis while she continues to lift her gold up high.

Mark Comeau: The Alpha Generation certainly have their work cut out for them here tonight as these two are on the verge of competing against two of the greatest World Heavyweight Champions of all times in this tag team encounter. On top of that it doesn’t appear that Robin Brooks and Hurse are on the same page since Hurse lost the World title at Paranoia V.

Susie: Robin has to train her man, just like she’s doing right now. He’s like a little domesticated house cat. Besides, not like Orlando nor Kingdom are on the same page either.

Comeau: An astute synopsis there Susie, shockingly.

Susie: If I knew what you just said, I’d say thank you.

Robin grabs Hurse by the hair, tugging on it and forcing him up to his feet before pointing towards the corner. He tries to complain only to have Robin threaten him with a back hand, causing him to become quiet and somberly approach their corner. That’s when…

WAKE UP

…Hits the PA system, resulting in a tremendous ovation from all those gathered in the Manhattan Center. Onto the stage emerges the Team Leader to an even louder response, Johnny Kingdom standing there absorbing this ovation. He briefly overlooks the fans while the Tag Team title belt that was thrown at him earlier hangs from his closed fist. After taking a moment to bask in this appreciation he starts down the ramp, not even caring about the belt dragging across the steel beneath his feet. Johnny briefly ganders at those Alpha Gen members in the ring, bitterly recalling the disqualification victory Robin Brooks got over him several weeks ago but not outwardly displaying his angst. Instead he grins snidely and jumps onto the apron, throwing the gold over his shoulder while Robin shoots some verbal jabs in his direction. Hurse cowers coyly in his corner, looking fearful of his former tag team partner.

Comeau: You know, it’s still surprising to see Johnny Kingdom in an IWC ring, let alone holding a title belt, not to mention that the belt is the Tag Team title, and I can’t even fathom how he could hold it alongside of Orlando Cruze.

Moore: I’m still surprised I can shower and blow dry my hair at the same time. Which would explain why I’m slightly magnetic at times considering the sheer amount of times I’ve been electrocuted.

Mark: Unfortunately constant electrocutions can’t even explain half of your problems. Kingdom has to be out for some revenge against the Alpha Generation who since his return have found every conniving way in the book to avoid being defeated by him.

Robin continues to smile and wave towards Kingdom on the apron, who is rather anxious to get his hands on the Black Widow. “You Know My Name” by Chris Cornell now starts to play, resulting in another roar from the crowd. Without hesitation the World and Tag Champion storms onto the stage, looking more intense than ever before. He lifts the World Champion up high clutched in his fist as the crowd lavishes him with even more praise. The biggest belt in the IWC is dropped comfortably onto Cruze’s shoulder while he starts down the ramp, the tag title hanging with disregard from his other hand, much like with Kingdom upon making his entrance. He reaches the outside mats and then glares at Johnny, giving him an intimidating stare that fails to intimidate the Team Leader whatsoever.

Moore: Why can’t Johnny and Orlando be friends? They’d make a cute couple, their both bald and everything.

Comeau: Friendship cannot and never will exist between the Icon and the Team Leader, not after the five years worth of animosity that has developed between them.

Susie: Aw, if you put their heads together though they look like boobs, and that’s funny.

Mark: If your five maybe.

Orlando and Kingdom continue to stare at one another awkwardly, unsure of how this is going to work only for Robin to give them no time to develop a strategy. With Hurse pleading for her to develop a gameplan with him Brooks rushes right across the ring, bending forward for a shoulder block to Kingdom’s ribs. Johnny sidesteps her though, causing Robin’s head to be stuck through the top and middle rope. He immediately rushes in, delivering a knee to the side of her face. Brooks is rendered very dazed, standing up and staggering in reverse while Kingdom takes the top rope, pulling himself over it into a huge flying shoulder block to her sternum. The crowd is overjoyed as Johnny lands on his knees and Robin spills to the canvas, rolling around in a state of pain.

Susie: Oh man, Robin got hit and hit hard with a flying shoulder thingy from Kingdom. You’re a woman Robin, have some fallopian fortitude.

Mark: I really don’t even want to dignify that with a response, so I won’t. Much like earlier tonight in our other preview tag team match Robin tries to get the drop on her opponents only for it to backfire.

Moore: It was Hurse’s fault somehow I’m sure.

Robin rolls across the ring holding her chest as the Team Leader gets to his feet, eyes focused on the Icon who is now standing in the corner. Cruze smirks and shakes his head.

Orlando: What? Do you want a fucking medal?

This statement causes Kingdom to scoff but become more aggressive as he approaches the rising Brooks, slugging her under the jaw with a hard right hand. Robin crashes onto her back from the blow then rolls to her feet when Kingdom bounces off the cables, rushing back in and leveling her with a lariat. Again the Black Widow hits the ring hard, rolling in reverse onto her knees then scooting across them towards her corner, promptly slapping Hurse right on his thigh. The former Champion’s eyes open widely, as does his mouth out of sheer fear over the realization that he’s been tagged in. Robin rolls under the ropes to the outside and gives her partner an angered glare, demanding he get in there.

Mark: Robin making the tag although clearly Hurse didn’t want to receive it.

Moore: That’s right, send the man in there to do the work while you reap the benefits, that’s how a real woman does it.

Comeau: I think you just set women’s lib back about thirty years with that comment.

Finally Hurse turns back towards the ring when Kingdom reaches over the ropes, wrapping his arms around his former partner’s sternum. He drops in reverse, throwing Hurse over the top rope with a release belly to belly suplex. The former Champion crashes hard into the canvas across his back, Hurse writhing in anguish as he turns over onto his knees, trying to stand up. Kingdom turns, pulling himself up onto the corner in reverse then flying off, twisting in mid-air to connect with a European Uppercut right to the Master of Control’s jaw. The strike knocks both men to the ring with Kingdom rolling across it to his feet. He backs up raising both fists in the air and shouting loudly.

Kingdom: Exodus Finale!

The crowd goes nuts over this announcement while Hurse agonizingly tries to get up, his body hurting from head to toe. He stands completely unaware of Kingdom’s intentions when he’s booted to the ribs and placed in a front chancery for the Exodus Finale. Right when he’s about to connect Hurse pushes Kingdom off and in reverse, right into the cables where Orlando reaches over the ropes and slaps his partner’s back, tagging himself into this match. The crowd has a mixed reaction as Orlando enters the ring, staring at Kingdom who is returning the glare in anger.

Susie: Orlando tagged Kingdom, that’s innovative.

Comeau: Kill yourself please. Orlando bringing himself into this match and Kingdom doesn’t look very appreciative of that fact.

Kingdom spitefully vacates the ring when Orlando is spun around from behind by Hurse who quickly knees him to the ribs. The blow doubles over the Icon as Hurse drags his head under his seat and now signals for the Sanitizer, trying to rub it in Johnny’s face. Just before he can connect Orlando stands up, back dropping Hurse through the air then sending him plummeting spine first into the ring. There is a loud splat as Hurse meets canvas, sitting up with his back arched and his body aching. Robin occupies the corner with her head shaking in agitation over her partner’s numerous pitfalls. Although in pain Hurse tries to stand up, Orlando stepping in and clobbering him right across the jaw, knocking the Master of Control backwards across the ring. He is now given a vicious forearm right under the jaw and taken by the wrist, whipping right into the cables.

At the last second Hurse turns, trying to reverse the whip only for Orlando to ground himself, wedging his feet firmly against the canvas. He now pulls his opponent back towards him and pulls Hurse over his shoulders with a fireman takedown, spinning around on his knees and taking his opposition’s arm. He has a modified arm lock applied on the aggravated Hurse, who is stomping his heels against the canvas. The Alpha Generation representative rocks back and forth, trying to free his arm before nipping up right onto his feet then spinning towards Cruze with a forearm strike. Orlando side steps it and catches hold of his arm, trying to drag him down into the crossface.

Comeau: Johnny trying to lock Hurse into the crossface, the very move that forced him to tap out at Paranoia V.

Moore: How do you keep track of all these useless stats?

Mark: I take a lot of speed.

Hurse twists his body around free from the crossface position and wedges his back to Orlando’s, trying to pull him down into a back slide. However, the Icon keeps his feet pressed to the ring and now pulls down on Hurse’s arms. As a result Hurse is sent into a backwards flip over Orlando’s head, landing on his feet right in front of him. The second he lands Orlando spins around, delivering a vicious forearm strike right to his jaw. Hurse is taken down to the canvas across his back yet again, quickly rolling across the canvas in pain towards Robin Brooks. He desperately reaches out for a tag, still holding his jaw only to have Robin step back and shake her head, refusing to tag herself in. She angrily yells at her boyfriend to prove himself in this match before she’ll tag herself back in.

Moore: Yay, make Hurse the workhorse for once. Hahaha, Hurse and horse sound just alike, I wonder if its actually the same word.

Comeau: I don’t think I can accurately put into words your sheer stupidity.

A despondent Hurse slowly stands up when the Icon steps behind him, interlocking their legs then dropping back into a Russian Leg sweep. Hurse crashes hard spine first into the ring while Orlando floats over into the lateral press. Both his eyes are focused on Kingdom while making this pinfall, as if sending him a message.

Hurse launches his shoulder from the ring and sits up, looking absolutely exasperated. Orlando presses the advantage, locking his opponent in a quick rear naked choke, clamping his arms tightly around his throat. Both of Hurse’s cheeks flush red while Cruze really squeeze with all his abdominal strength. Despite being held in this time tested maneuver Hurse rises defiantly to his feet, Orlando really clamping on tightly with the hold. He suddenly rushes forward right at his turnbuckle, Orlando still holding onto the choke and being pulled along behind him. Hurse drops down in front of his turnbuckle, sending Cruze flying face first into the top corner pad. Robin makes the tag to her partner’s back while Orlando bounces off the corner, turning towards the Black Widow who flips over the top rope. Her legs land on Orlando’s shoulders who is then pulled around into a big head scissors. Cruze crashes across his back on the canvas then rolls towards the ropes, using them to start standing up. Almost immediately his shoulder is slapped from behind by Kingdom. Johnny insists that Orlando vacate the ring while he enters. The two exchange another long stare but Orlando willingly leaves.

Mark: Another blind tag made.

Susie: But both of these guys can see. Are they like Matt Murdock?

Comeau: I’m surprised you had the intelligence to read comic books.

Moore: I never read, just looked at the flashy, bright pictures.

Kingdom’s momentary exchange of glares with Cruze allows Robin to grab Hurse by the hair, forcing her boyfriend to his feet then whipping him towards the Team Leader. Kingdom jumps into the air though, leaping over his former partner, but as soon as he lands on his feet Robin springs off of hers and connects with the dropkick. Her boots connect right under Johnny’s jaw, knocking him down hard to the canvas amongst boos from the crowd. Hurse staggers forward and finds himself almost nose to nose with Orlando on the opposite side of the cables, becoming panic stricken. He begins to step back before pompously pie facing the Icon. Cruze becomes enraged, trying to enter the ring only for the official to cut him off and hold him at bay.

The Black Widow and the Master of Control capitalize on this moment, stepping to both of Kingdom’s sides and taking hold of his legs. They are lifted into the air then yanked apart violently like a wishbone. Kingdom sits up looking ravaged with pain while Hurse and Robin simultaneously rush backwards into the ropes, bouncing off then jumping into the air, hitting a double dropkick right to the Team Leader’s sternum.

Susie: Tag team wrestling moves by Robin and Hurse, that’s neat.

Mark: Yes, you expect to see those in a tag team match.

Moore: Really, that’s odd.

The double dropkick lays Kingdom out as Hurse rolls to the outside of the ring, Robin quickly stepping over the Team Leader, increasingly arrogant. She stands right on top of Johnny’s throat and bends down, verbally berating him. Finally he pushes her foot off of his throat and turns, gasping for air. Robin stomps him to the back of the cranium and now begins to stand him up before taking hold of his wrist. She chops him across the sternum, then does it once again, knocking Kingdom backwards before he is pulled forward into a knee right to his ribs. Johnny is doubled over while Brooks now rushes into the ropes in front of him, bouncing off and coming back in for a front dropkick. Kingdom steps forward and catches her leg though, lifting Robin into the air then dropping back into a huge flapjack slam. Robin is planted hard right into the canvas to a loud pop from the crowd.

Comeau: Big flapjack by Kingdom getting his team right back into this encounter.

Susie: I’d eat a big flapjack right now but it kill my diet, I’m only allowed to eat one piece of celery a day.

The Team Leader slowly progresses to his feet and makes eye contact with the World Heavyweight Champion, slowly approaching him with an extension of his hand. The crowd is shocked by this as Cruze cautiously reaches over the ropes and tags himself into this match.

Mark: Wow, that’s interesting, Kingdom willingly making the tag to Cruze?

Susie: That is interesting, very interesting. Why?

The World Champion slips into the ring then approaches a struggling Robin, grabbing her by the back of the head and then whipping her towards the ropes. Brooks charges at the cables and then shockingly jumps over them onto the apron, grabbing hold of the top cable then springing onto it. She flies through the air straight towards Cruze who drops down out of the way, Brooks ducking her head and rolling forward across the canvas. She springs out of this roll feet first onto the second rope, bouncing off and flying backwards right into Orlando, connecting with an elbow right to his sternum. The Icon falls to his back with the Black Widow landing beside him then quickly rushing to her feet. While she has Orlando down she charges into the ropes at his side, jumping into the air and landing feet first on the second cable. She springs off backwards into a moonsault then twists around into a version of the senton bomb right across the Icon’s sternum.

Moore: Robin is so agile and graceful, she reminds me of myself, if I were agile and graceful.

Comeau: That made about as much sense as you having this job in the first place.

After connecting with the move Robin rolls right onto her feet and continues into the other ropes. The X-Class Champion bounces off of the ropes then steps to Cruze’s side, flipping forward into a senton leg drop right across his thoat. Kingdom grimaces over these repeated blows while Orlando sits up, rubbing at his throat in pain. Robin stands behind him then takes him around the neck, placing him in a front chancery and dragging him towards Hurse who has his hand stuck out for the tag. Brooks begrudgingly slaps his palm, offering some words of encouragement in the process.

Robin: You had better now screw this up.

Hurse climbs up to the top rope and now flies off, dropping a double axehandle right across Orlando’s back. Cruze drops to his knee while Robin breaks the front chancery, vacating the ring. The man who Orlando defeated for the gold now begins to lock in an abdominal stretch to sighs from the crowd. Hurse has the hold tightly established, a grin settling on his features. He looks very proud of himself while winking towards Robin in their corner, but he Black Widow shakes her head, not looking happy of her man. Cruze slowly glances in the direction of his partner now who is shaking his head, Kingdom shrugging his shoulders and shouting something to his partner.

Kingdom: It’s okay Mr. Icon, if you want to tap out, I won’t hold it against you.

The pompous smile that forms on Johnny’s face causes Orlando to become all the more intense. He now stands up and tries to hip toss Hurse over onto the canvas and out of the abdominal stretch. At the last second as Hurse gets airborne he twists his body, wedging his feet to Orlando’s ribs then hitting a monkey flip counter. Cruze crashes painfully spine first into the ring, sitting up and grimacing. All the while Hurse rises to a knee, giving Robin a big thumbs up and then crawling towards his struggling opponent. He grabs Cruze around the neck, lifting him up on his head and repeatedly slugging him right between the eyes.

The official starts a five count, reaching four before Hurse stops unloading on him. He lifts his palms up into the air smiling then drops to his seat, locking in the Anaconda Vice on Cruze. The crowd vocalizes their outrage upon seeing the World Champion trapped in this submission hold at the hands of one of his longest and greatest rivals. Hurse has the hold effectively established much to Robin’s surprise while Orlando tries to rock his body, attempting to free his trapped arm and throat. He is unable to pluck his cranium out of the former Champion’s skull.

Comeau: An Anaconda Vice applied with vigor from the Alpha Generation lead…well, I certainly don’t think he wears the pants in the Alpha Generation any longer.

Susie: He doesn’t, because he’s wearing tights, not pants silly.

Mark: Were you dropped on your head a lot as a child?

Moore: And as an adult.

The crowd is screaming for Cruze to get up, pleading with him to fight his way free as he slowly begins to scoot across his back, jostling for everything he’s worth to escape. Hurse looks very proud of himself, realizing that he could be on the verge of avenging his tap out loss to Cruze at Paranoia V. Right as the Icon seems on the verge of tapping out he suddenly twists his body around free from the hold, grabbing the arm of Hurse that was stretched out across his throat. He forces Hurse down right into the crossface to a loud chorus of cheers.

Comeau: Cruze has got the crossface, a submission that has been proven to beat Hurse in the past.

All those in the Manhattan Center are slapping the barricades and jumping for joy before Robin slips into the ring, barreling across it and jumping into the air. She catches Cruze around the neck, hitting a modified blockbuster to break Hurse free from the crossface. A groan emanates from the onlookers while Orlando grabs at his neck, ravaged by pain. He rolls across the ring kicking his legs while Hurse grips at his shoulder, in just as much anguish over the damage inflicted upon it. Johnny watches this with a slight smirk on his face before sticking his hand over the ropes, now eager for a tag. Cruze slowly turns to a crawling base when Robin steps in, slugging him repeatedly to the forehead. The official tries to get her out of the ring but she won’t listen as she now takes Orlando around the jaw, leading him to his feet. Brooks shouts at Hurse to get off his lazy ass as the former Champion moves in, delivering a jab to the Icon’s jaw.

They both take Orlando by his wrists and whip him across the ring into the opposite cables. He bounces off, coming back in at them when they go for a double spinning heel kick. He ducks under both of their legs and continues forward into the cables behind them. As both Alpha Generation members spin around Orlando flies through the air, connecting with a huge double shoulder block to both of their sternums. The fans respond with a loud reaction as the Alpha Generation are driven to the ring, Cruze landing on his knees between them.

Moore: Alfalfa Generation tried to team up on Cruze but they were taken down.

Comeau: Cruze with a double shoulder block that was so impressive it makes me almost forget how big of a dumbass you are. Almost.

Hurse rolls across the canvas to his feet while Orlando stands, spinning around into a huge roaring forearm to his jaw. The blow takes down the Master of Control while Cruze spins in Robin’s direction, Brooks rushing forward with a chop. Cruze ducks it while Robin continues into the cables behind him, bouncing off then coming back in at Orlando who turns, catching her with a deep spinning powerslam. The Black Widow is rammed forcefully into the canvas across her spine, sending her into convulsions while Orlando rises to his feet, glaring straight at Johnny who still has his hand stuck out rather smugly for the tag.

Orlando: You want them, fine, prove you can be trusted.

Those in attendance scream even louder as Orlando tags in his long time nemesis Kingdom. Johnny slips through the ropes and immediately rushes at the standing Hurse who is also assisting Brooks to her feet. He dives right at them though, connecting with a double lariat to their throats, knocking them all down to the canvas amongst praise from the fans. Johnny rises to his feet and turns towards Orlando backed into their corner, watching this and acting somewhat impressed. However, the Team Leader could clearly give two shits about Orlando’s opinion of him, reaching down and snatching hold of Robin’s hair. He forces her up to her feet when she rakes him right in the eyeballs, momentarily blinding the Team Leader. She then rushes into the ropes behind Kingdom, jumping to the middle one and springing off. She twists around into a flying forearm smash right to the back of Johnny’s head, sending him reeling towards a rising Hurse who catches the Team Leader against his shoulder. Hurse snaps back into a bridging Northern lights suplex.

Johnny launches his shoulder from the ring, kicking out right before the three count.

Comeau: The Alpha Generation’s teamwork proving to be the undoing of this all star paring of Cruze and Kingdom.

Moore: If Kingdom and Cruze are all-stars then where’s the slam dunk competition?

The Master of Control sits up, looking infuriated, nay flabbergasted by this kick out while Robin has rolled to the outside of the ring. The former World Champion stands up then takes Kingdom around the neck, pulling him over onto his knees and forcing him up to his feet. He snaps backwards, flipping Kingdom over sideways so that he crashes violently face first right off of the canvas. His entire body stands on top of his face via the shellshock before he bounces up into the air and comes crashing down to the canvas. Hurse crawls into the lateral press on the Team Leader, wedging his forearm against his face.

The Team Leader launches his shoulder from the ring to a huge ovation from the sold out crowd. Hurse rises to his knees, looking towards the rafters in outrage over this kick out.

Mark: Another kick out from Kingdom, getting his shoulder up right before the three count.

Susie: He should stop doing that, it’s making Hurse mad.

Robin slaps her hand over her face as she watches on from the corner, Hurse deliberately grabbing Kingdom around the neck then forcing him to his feet. He takes him around the neck, yet again setting up for the shellshock. He begins to fall back when Kingdom frees his head, twisting around and stepping behind his opponent. He takes both of Hurse’s arms and drops back with a release dragon suplex. Hurse flips completely over and slams hard face first into the ring, the crowd gasping over the nasty landing. Johnny rolls to his side, starting to stand up when Robin illegally re-enters the ring, storming right towards him. She drills Kingdom to the jaw with violent forearm strikes, hitting one after the other. Cruze grimaces as he watches on from the corner, in shock over Robin’s pugnacious assault. Robin kicks Johnny to the gut at this point, stepping to his side and preparing for a flip over swinging neckbreaker. At the last second Kingdom spins around free from the neckbreaker position, turning to face Robin then going for a step up enzugari. She ducks down out of the way though while Hurse stands up at her side and receives the kick that was designated for her. The enzugari connects hard to the back of his head, the Master of Control tumbling to the canvas.

Johnny lands on his elbows and knees while Brooks rushes at him only for the Team Leader to stand, catching her against his shoulders. He pushes her around into a huge TKO diamond cutter, Brooks crashing forcefully into the ring then rolling onto her back.

Susie: Ohhh, that was painful, and wasn’t nice at all.

Comeau: A TKO by Kingdom who is again taking it to the Alpha Generation.

A sluggish Kingdom turns over onto his knees then scoots across them and sticks out his fist with a slight smile on his face. His knuckles are extended towards Cruze, who slaps the fist down out of the air, tagging himself into this contest. He slips through the ropes and stands beside Kingdom, his partner rising to his feet while both men exchange a long, awkward glare. Perhaps they have finally realized that all throughout this match they’ve been working as a team and are perhaps having trouble accepting it. Before this thought can properly sink in, both Robin and Hurse rush towards the Tag Team Champions, who turn and block the inbound fists of their opponents. Cruze launches a right into Robin’s jaw while Kingdom nails Hurse to the cheek with a hard jab.

Comeau: Not that the official had much control of this match since the start but now it’s completely broken down into insanity.

Moore: Yay, now we get to the part with all the fun, mindless spots.

Orlando continues to slug Robin before kneeing her to the gut and dragging her head under his seat. He now takes her around the waist, pulling her up into the powerbomb position. He begins to rush right towards the ropes, about to powerbomb her over them. To the shock of everyone though, Robin falls backwards over the cables and pulls Cruze over as well with the head-scissors. Orlando crashes to the mats with Robin landing on the apron. Inside of the ring Kingdom is continuing to slug his former partner to the face, knocking him to his seat against the ropes before he looks towards Brooks standing up on the apron. Suddenly Robin springs to the middle rope and moonsaults through the air, crashing down right on top of the upright Orlando’s shoulder The World Champion tumbles to the mats with Robin coming down on top of him, the Manhattan Center reacting with shock.

Moore: Robin just flew like tinkerbell, but she didn’t glow or anything.

Comeau: Um, okay.

The referee has deviated his attention to the outside where Robin and Orlando are laying side by side in a state of pain. Inside of the ring Kingdom is smirking over what he just saw yet turns his sights back towards Hurse who quickly pokes him right to the eyeball. The Manhattan Center jumps all over Hurse for this disgusting display as Kingdom turns away from his former associate, rubbing at his eyes in pain. He nor the official can see Christian Savior sliding into the ring and bending forward with evil intentions.

Mark: Christian Savior of the Conspiracy is in the ring!

Moore: But he didn’t receive an invitation did he?

Savior’s eyes are bugging out of his skull as he now barrels across the ring for the spear only to have Kingdom jump into the air. He leapfrogs Christian who rushes under his legs right into a spear to Hurse’s ribs. The Master of Control is removed from his feet and driven viciously into the canvas. Savior rests on his knees at Hurse’s side, looking somewhat stunned by his accidental spear but not really caring one way or another. He now stands up when Johnny comes charging in, giving him a vicious lariat that sends him flipping over the top rope.

Comeau: Savior came out here going for the spear on Kingdom but instead almost ripping Hurse in half. Obviously the Conspiracy were trying to screw over the Tag Team Champions and now Johnny is making him pay for it.

As Orlando and Robin are still fighting at ringside, Kingdom turns and dives into a jackknife cover on Hurse.

Comeau: Kingdom and Cruze have done it, they’ve defeated the Alpha Generation in this tag team encounter!

Susie: Was Johnny the legal man? I can’t remember.

Kingdom breaks the pinfall and stands up, immediately rushing across the ring and diving through the ropes at Savior as he reaches his feet at ringside. He connects with the suicide diving headbunt, knocking both men down hard to the outside mats.

Mark: Kingdom picking up the pinfall for his team then immediately launching himself at Christian Savior at ringside. This is insanity, more insanity than you’d see in a Quentin Tarantino picture.

Both Savior and Kingdom stand up at ringside with Johnny slugging Christian repeatedly under the jaw, battling him up the ramp towards the backstage area. Savior is returning the shots to the cheek of Kingdom, both men really ravaging one another as they continue to fight towards the backstage area. The referee is still imploring both Robin and Orlando to stop their brutality since this match has already concluded, the two fighting it out at ringside with Robin trying to whip the Icon into the steel steps. However, Cruze turns and reverses the whip, instead sending Brooks rushing head first right into the stairs which barely budge. Her body crashes off of them stiffly while Orlando leans against the apron, catching his breath, unaware that Kingdom is battling a stunned Savior through the curtains and to the back. Christian throws wild right hands as Kingdom repeatedly slugs him between the eyes and into the backstage area. Orlando now rolls back into the ring, looking in all different directions, clearly disgusted by the fact that Johnny is nowhere in sight and seemingly unaware that this match as even ended.

Mark: Orlando has no idea that Kingdom fought Savior to the back, he must be thinking that Johnny abandoned him out here.

Susie: He should look in one of those “Where’s Waldo” books for Kingdom, he’ll find him there.

The World Champion is furious, looking back and forth for his partner who is nowhere to be found. Unaware to him behind his back Silencer and Pat Evans are jumping over the barricades from the crowd.

Comeau: It’s the Conspiracy of Silencer and Evans!

Moore: What are they doing out here? Have they come to play with my Yugioh cards?

Orlando turns and notices Silencer and Evans sliding into the ring, immediately rushing at the World Champion. Cruze meets Silencer with a hard right hand to the face, knocking him to the canvas while Evans goes for a right hand only to have the Icon duck the shot. Both men spin around when Orlando charges in, leveling the Submission Champion with a European Uppercut. The official is again calling for the bell, hoping it will somehow subside the violence in the ring.

Comeau: The ref unable to stop this violence after the bell. Savior didn’t get the job done so now Evans and Silencer are trying to take out Cruze before Awaken.

Susie: It doesn’t look like they’re doing a good job at it, hahahaha.

Mark: Your hardly one to reprimand someone for doing a bad job.

An intense, enraged Icon spins around to face the kneeling Silencer only to have his legs swept out from under him. He collapses onto his back while Silencer scoots up to his side, beginning to drill him to the forehead with a barrage of right hands. The Submission Champion steps in and begins to stomp Orlando while he’s down, the Conspiracy absolutely bludgeoning him.

Comeau: Now the Conspiracy has gotten the better of Cruze.

Susie: Where is Kingdom?

Mark: I imagine that he’s still in the back fighting with Christian Savior, and I do believe the Conspiracy manipulated this situation to leave Cruze wondering why his partner isn’t out here to help him.

Silencer clamps his hands down around Orlando’s throat, strangling the life out of him while Evans spits at the struggling World Champion. Hurse has sat up in the ring, watching all of this and gripping at his ribs, he looks strangely conflicted by what he’s witnessing. His eyes slowly cut to Robin Brooks at ringside, who has pulled herself to her feet with the use of the apron. She now swipes her hand through the air, demanding Hurse vacate the ring and leave the Icon to be brutalized. Her face grows increasingly red upon making this demand, becoming increasingly flustered with her boyfriend. The former World Champion slowly drags himself up to his feet, gripping the ropes and his ribs, watching Orlando being heinously assaulted. A slight smirk is present on Hurse’s face at the sight of this brutality being inflicted on the World Champion, the man who took his Heavyweight gold.

However, the Master of Control’s smile begins to waiver as he now looks towards Robin on the outside.

Hurse: I’m sorry.

Hurse moves behind Evans, spinning him around and connecting with a step up enzugari to the back of his head. Those in attendance are going absolutely nuts as Hurse attacks the Submission Champion and at the same time comes to Orlando’s aid. Robin’s eyes are filled with pure rage as she steps back watching her boyfriend deliberately disobey her.

Moore: Look, Hurse is helping Orlando!

Comeau: This has to be the craziest thing I’ve ever witnessed.

The kick has sent Pat reeling forward into the ropes, falling against them for support. Hurse rises to his feet and steps towards a man who at one time he considered a possible friend, throwing a forearm into the side of his face. He now chops a shocked Evans across the sternum, almost knocking him backwards over the ropes. Robin climbs up onto the apron, looking absolutely enraged by what she is seeing from her boyfriend.

Robin: What are you doing you idiot! Stop it! STOP! Get out of the ring and let them have Cruze!

She puts her foot down by stomping it on the apron but Hurse is shockingly not paying any attention to her as he continues to unload on Evans. Out of nowhere a giant figure appears behind Brooks, grabbing her by the leg and spinning her around. Brooks lets out a high pitched scream as she’s dragged down on top of Phantom’s huge shoulder. She kicks and punches while a surprisingly smiling Phantom lugs her around the ring and up the ramp.

Mark: Now Phantom is abducting Robin Brooks! Where is he taking her?

Moore: I don’t know. Damn you Robin, you get all the men.

An exhausted Robin is incapable of freeing herself from the clutches of the giant Phantom, who is unaffected by her kicks and punches. He just chuckles and mumbles something under his breath while carrying her towards the backstage area.

Phantom: I found you, I found you.

The fans are confused as Phantom now carries Robin through the curtains to the backstage area, taking her who knows where. Inside of the ring Hurse is still slugging Pat across his jaw before he’s hit with a double axehandle from behind by Silencer. Hurse back elbows him to the ribs though, doubling Silencer over before he’s chopped across the sternum and knocked in reverse. A highly motivated Hurse is now spun around and drilled right to the cheek with a vicious superkick surprisingly from the Mariachi singer who was performing backstage.

Moore: Oh no, we’re being invaded by Mexico!

Comeau: What in the blue hell is this now? The Mariachi singer who was auditioning for Krissie McMorris backstage has just superkicked Hurse.

The blow causes Hurse to turn around and face Evans, looking dead on his feet when he’s taken across the sternum and lifted into the Spinal Tap by the Submission Champion. His back is almost broken over the knee of Evans, causing him to writhe in anguish upon tumbling to the canvas. The crowd is still utterly befuddled by what’s happening here as the Mariachi singer removes his oversized mustache and his sombrero, revealing his true identity. The fans react with quite a great deal of disgust at the sight of SCW’s James Exeter.

Comeau: It’s EXETER! How obvious!

Susie: EXETER!! Who’s Exeter?

Mark: SCW’s James Exeter invading the IWC and superkicking the man he’ll be facing at Rise to Greatness *cough*shameless plug*cough*

The fans are still in astonishment over what they’re seeing, the Extraordinary One standing in an IWC ring and having just given Hurse a taste of his own medicine. Pat Evans and Silencer both give a long awkward stare to Exeter who smirks slightly while slipping through the ropes and onto the apron. He waves to them with the back of his hand.

Exeter: Go ahead, carry on.

He drops to the mats and walks around the ring, removing his mariachi jacket and chuckling over this set up.

Mark: For weeks Hurse has been invading SCW telecasts and now James Exeter just threw it right back into Hurse’s face, literally.

Susie: What else is going to happen out here?

Exeter strolls arrogantly up the ramp in reverse, still smiling over the message that he has relayed to the former IWC World Champion. Pat and Silencer are now stomping away at the down Hurse amongst screams from the crowd.

Comeau: Silencer and Evans now taking out Hurse and Robin has been carted off by the menacing Phantom and James Exeter was dressed as a Mariachi singer. What is going on here tonight, did they put something in the drinking water?

Silencer assists Pat o his feet but neither of them are aware that Orlando is standing. As soon as they spot him Cruze rushes forward, leveling them both with a huge double lariat to screams from the crowd. He now crouches with his hands to his knees, preparing for the rock bottom on Silencer, the man he barely defeated last week on Riot! Everyone is on their feet in anticipation while Silencer turns over onto his knees, agonizingly starting to will himself upwards. Cruze is ravenously intense, waiting anxiously to connect with his trademark move then stepping in to uncoil his wrath. He shoots his arm across Silencer’s sternum to connect with the Rock Bottom only to have Evans rush up in front of him, slugging the Icon right between the eyes with a chain wrapped fist.

Moore: A chain to the face! Sick, so SICK! Sicker than sick, disgusting!

Comeau: Pat laying out Orlando before he could connect with the Rock Bottom.

Cruze has crashed to his back, reaching for his forehead that was struck so violently with the chain. A twisted Evans stands over him, burning with hate for the World Champion. He takes him around the jaw, rolling him to his knees and then pulling his arms behind his back, tucking them there. The crowd is disgusted at the sight of the Icon’s lacerated forehead, blood is slowly dribbling down it as a result of the chain shot. Silencer slowly stands up in front of the incoherent, defenseless Cruze, delivering jabs to his bloodied forehead. The crimson begins to flow in greater amounts with each vicious shot between the eyes. Silencer now bends forward, getting eye to eye with Cruze, his pupils widening with sheer dementia.

Silencer: You can’t stand in the way of CHANGE!

Silencer takes Cruze’s blood that is gathered on his hand and smears it down across his face. He actually licks the claret from his fingers while Evans continues to hold Cruze’s arms pinned behind his back. This disgusting, disturbing display is not over yet as Silencer reaches down and slides that spike out of his boot, slowly lifting it into the air.

Mark: Not the SPIKE!

Pat bends forward whispering into Orlando’s ear.

Pat: Where are your friends now Cruze? Where’s your tag team partner at? Isn’t it CONVENIANT that he isn’t here?

Cruze’s eyes flutter, opening just in time to spot the spike being swung at his face from an unemotional, detached Silencer. The crowd squeals and screams as the spike is driven right between Cruze’s eyes, tearing open his flesh violently. Pat lets go of him as the World Champion falls to the canvas, wrapping his hands around the gash opened in his forehead and rolling around writhing in anguish.

Moore: OUCH!

Comeau: Silencer just spiked Orlando! You were right Susie, this is depraved!

The spike drips with blood as Silencer glares at it, relishing in the sight of the flowing claret. The Master of Control agonizingly tries to pull himself up with the use of the cables, Hurse looking on the verge of unconsciousness. Somehow he stands only to be knocked right back down when Pat swings his chain covered fist into his forehead. A gasp is heard as Hurse tumbles onto his back, the Submission Champion standing over him with a very disturbed expression. He now drops to his knees at the laid out Hurse’s side, beginning to slug him over and over again to the face, busting him wide open and sending blood flowing down the former Champion’s skull.

Mark: You’ve proven your point already!

The Manhattan Center crowd is screaming over these violent shots to the face of Hurse, who is unable to defend himself whatsoever. Finally after the fifth consecutive shot with the chain Pat stands up, taking hold of Hurse’s wrist and dragging his motionless body to the center of the ring. He lets go of the hand, leaving Hurse laying on the canvas a bloodied, brutalized mess. Cruze is taken by the ankle and dragged to Hurse’s side by Silencer, both the World Champion and his Paranoia V opponent left laying side by side, drenched in their own blood.

Comeau: What a disturbing sight, Cruze and Hurse left laying in the center of the ring by the Conspiracy with an assist from James Exeter. These two are sending a clear cut message on the eve of Awaken!

Moore: There’s so much blood, I think I may pass out, please try not to molest me if I do.

Comeau: I will make no such promise.

Silencer and Evans stand side by side, holding a spike and chain that are dripping with blood. The number one contenders for the Tag Team titles grin widely and slowly look up towards the rafters, extending their arms out to their sides amongst a vile response from the disgusted masses. Laying at their feet are Orlando and Hurse, former rivals positioned side by side and soaked in a puddle of their own blood just weeks away from Awaken.

FADE TO BLACK