[ America West Arena ] Phoenix, Arizona



PRESENTS ....

TAPED: Aug. 24, 2004
AIRED: Sep. 20, 2004
EPISODE: RAUCOUS 14, Chapter 4

(FADEIN: Ringside. The lights around the arena are flashing as a light blue, black, and purple strobe light goes off, covering the crowd in the array of colors. They begin to fade out as the lights in the arena come up, with the fans starting to make some noise as the theme song for RAUCOUS, ‘Who Said’ by Planet Funk, cues up. CUTTO: Tom Gheorghe and Nick Jive at the announce table.)

JIVE: “This is one of the loudest and rowdy crowds that we’ve ever had, Tom.”

GHEORGHE: “This is our first venture into the west, Nick, so they’re giving us a very warm welcome!”

JIVE: “And what a show they’ve been given so far!”

GHEORGHE: “And its just going to get better as we move on to our next match, a rematch from before New ERA’s first pay per view, as ‘Too Sweet’ Travis Smith will go one on one in that very ring with El Arco Iris!”


The Challenge

(CUEUP: ‘Forever’ by Kid Rock as the lights dim in the arena. The crowd begins to jeer as ‘Too Sweet’ Travis Smith makes his entrance through the curtains. He walks down the rampway and enters the ring. Before Carl Jacobs has a chance to introduce him, Travis Smith grabs the microphone away from as the lights come back on. Smith paces around the ring for a little bit, taking offense to the continued jeers from the crowd. He stops and raises the microphone to his mouth.)

SMITH: “For weeks .. hell, for months, I have come out here and put my all into every match I have had. And still you so-called fans boo me. Show me disrespect. And yet, as soon as El Arco Iris steps through that curtain, you’re going to hail him as the next coming of Christ…”

GHEORGHE: “I don’t think that’s exactly the case…”

JIVE: “Of course it’s the case, Tom. These fans don’t know their arse from their elbows… and they definitely don’t know a talented wrestler when he’s out in front of them!”

SMITH: “I don’t know what the big deal is about Iris, honestly. Sure he’s quick. Sure he’s got some fine high flying moves. But he lacks the one thing that separates him from ‘Too Sweet’ and that is the ATTITUDE needed to succeed!”

(At the point, some fans in the crowd begin throwing empty cups into the ring. After avoiding some close calls, Smith continues to talk.)

SMITH: “In fact, I’m so sick of hearing all these great things about El Arco Iris that I’m willing to challenge him to a special kind of match. A match that will determine just which one of us has the balls to continue to wrestle here in New ERA of Wrestling!”

JIVE: “Has Smith lost his mind? He can’t be thinking what I think he’s thinking!”

GHEORGHE: “I didn’t know you thought.”

SMITH: “That’s right, Iris … I’m challenging you right here … right now … to a LOSER LEAVES TOWN match! If I win, then El Arco Iris leaves New ERA of Wrestling … and if I lose, then I will pack up my shit … and catch the next bus to Cincinnati! Accept, Iris, IF YOU DARE!”

(Smith tosses the microphone to Jacobs, who looks as shocked as everyone else. He proceeds to climb the second turnbuckle, causing the fans to jeer once more.)

GHEORGHE: “TRAVIS SMITH IS CHALLENGING IRIS TO MAKE THIS A LOSER LEAVES TOWN MATCH!”


The Response

JACOBS: “The following match is scheduled for one fall .. and has a thirty minute time limit. Introducing first … he stands five foot seven and weighs 175 pounds … he hails from Cincinnati, Ohio ……. ‘TOO SWEET’ TRAVIS SMITH!”

(CUEUP: ‘Tunak Tunak Tun’ by Daler Mendhi as the fans pop huge. Rays of rainbow colors cover the crowd as El Arco Iris dances through the curtain. He stops for a moment on the edge of the ramp.)

GHEORGHE: “El Arco Iris is standing on the top of the rampway … and he’s staring down at Travis Smith who is now pointing at him as he stands on the second ropes ….”

(Iris looks around at the fans in attendance before turning back to Travis Smith. Raising his right arm, he gives Smith the thumbs up, causing the fans to go into a frenzy!)

JIVE: “AND EL ARCO IRIS JUST SEALED HIS NEW ERA CAREER!”

GHEORGHE: “EL ARCO IRIS HAS ACCEPTED TRAVIS SMITH’s CHALLENGE! THE LOSER OF THIS MATCH IS GOING TO BE OUT OF A JOB!”

JACOBS: “And his opponent …. He stands five foot six and weighs 190 pounds ….. hailing from the other side of the rainbow…. EL ARCO IRIS!”

(SFX: Bell rings)

GHEORGHE: “I can’t believe this! I have just received word from the back that President Marcus LaRoque has APPROVED this Loser Leaves Town match!”


Loser Leaves Town
Travis Smith vs. El Arco Iris

JIVE: “He wants Iris out of New ERA as bad as Travis Smith!”

GHEORGHE: “Iris steps through the ropes and Smith runs over to him! IRIS LOWERS HIS HEAD AND BACK BODY DROPS TOO SWEET OVER THE TOP ROPE AND TO THE ARENA FLOOR!”

JIVE: “Not a fun way to start out the match!”

GHEORGHE: “Iris now holding onto the top rope …. AND HE HOPS OVER THE TOP ROPE AND PLANCHAS ONTO SMITH! Both men are on the arena floor and Iris is now punching Smith right in the face!”

JIVE: “These men picking right up where they left off! The first encounter between these two was an incredible match.”

GHEORGHE: “Iris now picking up Smith by the head and rolls him back into the ring … Smith getting to his feet as Iris POUNCES ONTO THE TOP ROPE!! SMITH TURNS AROUND AND IRIS COMES OFF AND CATCHES HIM ….. AND HURRICANRANAS HIM TO THE MAT!!!! El Arco Iris with the cover …. ONE …….. TWO …….. KICKOUT BY SMITH!”

JIVE: “Travis Smith was a nanosecond away from having to pack his bags!”

GHEORGHE: “El Arco Iris back up … and Travis Smith getting to his feet as well … Iris grabs the arm of Smith … irish whips him into the ropes …. Smith on the rebound, Iris drops to the mat as Smith hops over him … Smith against the other ropes …. Iris with a leap frog over Smith on the return …. Smith on the rebound again as El Arco Iris puts his head down for the back body drop ….. BUT SMITH WITH A SUNSET FLIP ….. ONE ……….. TWO …….. KICKOUT BY EL ARCO IRIS!”

JIVE: “Iris trying for the back body drop again, but I don’t think ‘Too Sweet’ is THAT slow!”

GHEORGHE: “Travis Smith and Iris get back up .. Smith with some quick kicks to the stomach of El Arco Iris … Iris is doubled over … AND SMITH CONNECTS WITH A SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Travis Smith is now heading over to the corner!”

JIVE: “I think he’s going for the diving headbutt!”

GHEORGHE: “Travis Smith is on the top turnbuckle …. He flies off …. BUT IRIS MOVES! SMITH LANDS ON HIS FEET THOUGH!! IRIS GETS UP ….. AND SMITH CONNECTS WITH A BEAUTIFUL SUPERKICK!”

JIVE: “Iris is done!”

GHEORGHE: “Travis Smith with the cover ….. ONE ……. TW—NO! Kickout by Iris!”

JIVE: “How unfortunate! What a great start to the match, Tom… I’m going to have to watch my blood pressure with matches like these!”

GHEORGHE: “Smith waiting for Iris to get up … Iris on his feet now as Travis Smith bounces against the ropes … El Arco Iris turns around … AND TRAVIS SMITH WITH A CRUCIFIX PIN ATTEMPT!! ONE ….. KICKOUT BY IRIS!”

JIVE: “Smith is trying to wear Iris down with all these quick pin attempts. One of these times he’s going to catch Iris off guard!”

GHEORGHE: “Travis Smith is up … he walks over to El Arco Iris … BUT IRIS WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK THAT FLOORS SMITH! Travis Smith sits up holding his mouth … AND IRIS WITH THE HENNIG FLIPPING HEAD SNAP!”

JIVE: “What a slap in the face to not only Travis Smith, but Hennig.. to butcher such a great move.”

GHEORGHE: “Iris did that move as well as anyone I’ve ever see do it.”

JIVE: “Bah!”

GHEORGHE: “Iris now on the offensive … He grabs Smith and brings him to his feet … Iris with another roundhouse kick … BUT TRAVIS SMITH CATCHES HIS FOOT! BUT EL ARCO IRIS CONNECTS WITH AN ENZIGUIRI AND TRAVIS SMITH DOES A 180!”

JIVE: “Smith has got to put more effort into stopping Iris! COME ON, TRAVIS!”

GHEORGHE: “El Arco Iris now waiting for Travis Smith to get to his feet ….. AND HE IMMEDIATELY TAKES HIM BACK DOWN WITH A FUJIWARA ARM BAR!! El Arco Iris has that Fujiwara arm bar submission locked on … and there is absolutely nowhere Travis Smith can go, Nick!”

JIVE: “If Iris thinks he is going to get Smith to submit, then he is seriously misguided! They don’t call him ‘Too Sweet’ for nothing, Tom. He can find his way out of anything!”

GHEORGHE: “The referee is over to Smith asking if he wants to give up …. And Smith is shaking his head ….. the ref asks him again … AND TRAVIS SMITH GRABS THE REFEREE’s SHIRT AND PULLS HIM INTO EL ARCO IRIS! Iris releases the grip to brace himself, and he catches the referee!”

JIVE: “I told you.”

GHEORGHE: “Smith struggling to get to his feet as Iris comes over to him … BUT SMITH GOUGES IRIS IN THE EYES! El Arco Iris turns to get away, and Smith locks his arms … SMITH WITH A BACKSLIDE …… ONE ….. TWO …….. BUT IRIS FLIPS BACKWARDS ONTO HIS FEET!”

JIVE: “How did he do that?!”

GHEORGHE: “Travis Smith looks up …… AND EL ARCO IRIS WITH THE HAPPY DANCE!”

JIVE: “NO! SMITH DUCKED!”

GHEORGHE: “Travis Smith ducked the Happy Dance ….. El Arco Iris turns around ….. HURRICANRANA BY TRAVIS SMITH …… NO!!! EL ARCO IRIS CATCHES HIM …. IRIS REARRANGES HIS HANDS …. AND CONNECTS WITH A SITDOWN POWERBOMB!!! ONE ………….. TWO …………… THREE!”

JIVE: “TWO AND A HALF!”

GHEORGHE: “Somehow ‘Too Sweet’ managed to kick out of the sit down powerbomb! El Arco Iris is back on his feet … AND HE IS HEADING UP TOP!”

JIVE: “Get up, Travis! GET UP!”

GHEORGHE: “El Arco Iris is straddling the top turnbuckle as he waits for Travis Smith to get to his feet …. Smith is up and he’s looking around for El Arco Iris ….. Smith turns …. AND EL ARCO IRIS FLIES OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE AND HITS SMITH WITH A MISSILE DROPKICK! Travis Smith goes flying into the ropes … AND HE FALLS BETWEEN THE MIDDLE ROPE AND TO THE ARENA FLOOR!”

JIVE: “Good, at least he’ll have some breathing time.. He can recoup and take Iris out!”

GHEORGHE: “I don’t think so, Nick!”

JIVE: “WHAT THE HELL IS IRIS DOING! That’s not fair!”

GHEORGHE: “El Arco Iris is climbing the turnbuckle on the other side now … Travis Smith is lying on the mat on the outside … and I don’t even think he realizes that El Arco Iris is on the turnbuckle….”

(SFX: Huge crowd pop.)

CROWD: “N . E . W ! N . E . W !”

GHEORGHE: “OH MY GOD! EL ARCO IRIS WITH A 450 SPLASH FROM THE TOP TURNBUCKLE AND HE JUST SQUASHED TRAVIS SMITH ON THE OUTSIDE!!! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN ON THE ARENA FLOOR ….”

JIVE: “What happens with a double countout? Do they both go?!”

GHEORGHE: “Well, I guess they both would stay, since technically neither man loses.”

JIVE: “Good.”

GHEORGHE: “The referee is at four … and neither man is moving much.”

JIVE: “Come on, Travis .. get on your feet.”

GHEORGHE: “I don’t think Smith is going to be moving for a long time, Nick. The referee is at six now … AND EL ARCO IRIS IS STARTING TO STIR!”

JIVE: “No! If Iris gets the countout victory here … that’ll be the cheapest thing I have ever seen!”

GHEORGHE: “The referee at eight as Iris picks up Travis Smith … Iris rolls Smith in the ring at nine, and then rolls in himself! Phew, Nick! I thought we were going to have the end of this match right there!”

JIVE: “I was hoping so.”

GHEORGHE: “El Arco Iris now covering Travis Smith, and it’s all over now .. ONE …………… TWO ………….. THREE ………… NO!!!! TRAVIS SMITH SOMEHOW KICKED OUT!”

JIVE: “WHAT!”

GHEORGHE: “Travis Smith kicks out … and Nick Jive thought he was through there…”

JIVE: “Uh, no.. I was .. just thinking that that was only going to be the 2 nd time the ref’s hand went down.”

GHEORGHE: “El Arco Iris now up walking around … and he is waiting for Travis Smith to get to his feet… Smith VERY slow to get to his feet … Iris walks over to him .. and Smith now with some shots to the gut of Iris trying to slow him down … Travis Smith with an irish whip into the ropes ….. BUT EL ARCO IRIS COMES BACK AND CONNECTS WITH THE FLYING FOREARM! EL ARCO IRIS KNIPS UP ….. AND I THINK THIS MATCH IS JUST ABOUT OVER!”

JIVE: “NO! ISNT THE TIME LIMIT UP?!?!”

GHEORGHE: “El Arco Iris now waiting for Travis Smith to get to his feet …… Smith on his knees shaking out the cobwebs …… SMITH IS ON HIS FEET …….. SMITH TURNS AROUND ………………………………… AND GETS DRILLED IN THE CHIN WITH THE HAPPY DANCE!!!!!! Smith goes down like a ton of bricks!!!!! ONE ………………….. TWO ……………………….. THREEEEEE!”

(SFX: Bell rings as the crowd pops huge!)

JIVE: “I can’t believe it!”

JACOBS: “The winner of the match via pinfall …… EL ARCO IRIS! ‘Too Sweet’ Travis Smith is now FIRED.”

GHEORGHE: “Travis Smith is lying in the middle of the ring, Nick, and I’m sure when he wakes up, he’s going to heavily regret challenging El Arco Iris to this Loser Leaves Town match …. Because now Travis Smith is no longer employed by New ERA!”

JIVE: “Ugh, I can’t believe it. Now whose going to focus on taking out John Doe.”

GHEORGHE: “That’s true, Nick … the Travis Smith and John Doe match that was postponed from Destrucity will probably never happen now.”

JIVE: “Oh the disappointments I deal with every day of my life.”

GHEORGHE: “Speaking of John Doe, he’s in action next … as he will take on Jonathan Marx in what should be a technical affair like no other!”

JIVE: “I agree .. if by that you mean, Jonathan Marx just totally wiping the mat with John Doe like we’ve never seen before.”

GHEORGHE: “Nick….”


( continued... )