(CUEUP: ‘The Touch’ by Stan Bush. The crowd gets on their feet and begins to boo loudly as ‘Gentleman’ Jonathan Marx steps through the curtain.)
GHEORGHE: “There’s one half of DREDD!”
JIVE: “Marx does not look happy, Tom.”
MARX: “Wait .. just .. a moment.”
(The crowd quiets down and turns toward Jonathan Marx.)
JIVE: “ Sparks are going to fly!”
MARX: “So you’re out here tonight to challenge that good for nothing New ERA World Champion Rabesque to a debate …”
GOP: “Yes, that is corre..”
MARX: “That was rhetorical. Don’t talk.”
GHEORGHE: “ Jonathan Marx seems to have something against the Phantom Republican taking on Rabesque in a debate…”
MARX: “Ever since BattleBRAWL … hell, ever since Jean Rabesque has won the World title … DREDD’s main purpose has been to take it away from him and to send him out of New ERA with his tail tucked between his legs…”
GOP: “Well, you’ve fa…”
MARX: “I said DON’T TALK.”
(The crowd continues to look on in awe.)
MARX: “Somehow you think that just because you won the World Title shot for the first RAUCOUS after International Intrigue that you can waltz out here and act like Rabesque is going to bow at your feet. Well you’ve got another thing coming. Jean Rabesque is DREDD’s target, GOP… at International Intrigue he’s going to feel pain like he’s never felt before.”
GOP: “But his title WILL be mine.”
MARX: “YOU DON’T DESERVE THE TITLE SHOT!”
(SFX: Crowd pops huge!)
JIVE: “Marx’s true feelings come to the forefront!”
MARX: “In fact .. you getting the title shot is the biggest disgrace I have ever seen…”
GOP: “Jealousy will get you nowhere.”
MARX: “How about … you and I go one on one … FOR YOUR TITLE SHOT!”
(SFX: CROWD EXPLODES!)
GHEORGHE: “He is challenging GOP for the World Title shot for next RAUCOUS!”
GOP: “I’m sorry, Jonathan … you’re too late. I’ve already issued a challenge to the World Champion for a good, old-fashioned debate.”
(Marx smirks.)
MARX: “I wasn’t talking about next week, Phantom… I WAS TALKING ABOUT RIGHT HERE …. RIGHT NOW!”
(Marx throws down the microphone and charges the ring!!)
JIVE: “WHAT THE HELL?!”
(GOP tells the referee to ring the bell. SFX: Bell rings.)
GHEORGHE: “OH MY GOD!!! We’re having a #1 Contender match RIGHT NOW! Jonathan Marx and The Phantom Republican are going at it!”
JIVE: “Marx was serious when he said he wanted that title shot!”
GHEORGHE: “Marx has slid into the ring and the Phantom Republican immediately begins stomping on his back. Phantom Republican driving the boots into the small of the back and Marx hasn’t even had a chance to get to his feet yet. GOP now drops his knees and applied a front face lock and Marx is trying to claw at his face!”
JIVE: “All Marx has to do is a quick shot to the eyes or to the groin and he can turn this match around..”
GHEORGHE: “Marx wouldn’t do that. He’s one of the greatest technical wrestlers in the game today … he doesn’t need to resort to low measures. Marx manages to swing himself around and now he’s got a hold of GOP’s arm … and he drives it to the mat and locks on an arm bar! Marx yanking on the arm of GOP … and now GOP rolls him onto his back … ONE …. But Marx kicks him off.”
JIVE: “ Jonathan Marx wants to be the one to end Jean Rabesque’s title reign .. and he’s going to make sure that only he has the chance. He probably had this planned the entire time out back… he knows what he is doing.”
GHEORGHE: “Both men on their feet now … Marx comes in … and takes GOP down with a single leg takedown. Marx grabs the leg of GOP and he is trying to lock on the figure four!”
JIVE: “How ironic would this be…”
GHEORGHE: “Marx wrap… no… Phantom Republican with a boot to the backside sends Marx flying to the mat face first! Phantom Republican gets back to his feet as Marx turns around …. AND HE TAKES MARX DOWN WITH A BEAUTIFULY PLACED DROPKICK!”
JIVE: “ Phantom Republican has more power than Marx, but he’s also a mighty fine technician as well.”
GHEORGHE: “The Phantom Republican now brings Marx up by the hair … and he whips him into the corner! Jonathan Marx hits the pads hard … AND GOP FOLLOWS IT IN WITH A CLOTHESLINE! Marx’s head snapped back with a lot of force.”
JIVE: “GOP has stunned Marx momentarily.”
GHEORGHE: “ Phantom Republican now with some quick kicks to the midsection .. and now he grabs the head of Marx AND DRIVES IT INTO THE MAT WITH A DDT! Phantom Republican with a quick cover…”
JIVE: “He might have stunned him long enough to get the three…”
GHEORGHE: “ONE ……. TWO ….. KICKOUT by Jonathan Marx! GOP gets back up and drags Marx to the center of the ring … and now he is dropping his knee into the head of the ‘Gentleman’… Phantom Republican with a legdrop across the throat of Marx and he covers him… ONE ….. TW—no.. Marx with a kickout.”
JIVE: “ Phantom Republican showing some cockiness there … but I’m not sure if that’s going to help him or hurt him!”
GHEORGHE: “The Phantom Republican gets back to his feet and waits for Marx to get up …. Marx gets back up with his back to the Phantom Republican… AND GOP HOOKS THE WAIST …. AND BRINGS HIM OVER WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! No bridge by the Phantom Republican ….. he bounces off the ropes … AND BASEBALL SLIDES RIGHT INTO THE FACE OF JONATHAN MARX! ONE ……… TWO …….. KICKOUT!”
JIVE: “ Phantom Republican with early pinfall attempts in the match trying to cause Jonathan Marx to expend as much energy as possible in trying to get out of them.”
GHEORGHE: “Marx struggling now to get to his feet as the Phantom Republican has seemingly taken control of the match. GOP with Marx and he whips him into the corner again … and Marx hits the pads hard! GOP coming in after him …. And he drills an elbow into the face of Marx! GOP hooks the tights … AND HE PLACES MARX ON THE SECOND TURNBUCKLE!”
JIVE: “GOP is taking him airborne!”
GHEORGHE: “ Phantom Republican climbing the ropes with him … BUT MARX STARTS FIGHTING HIM! Marx with some left hooks ….. GOP starting to wobble … BUT GOP WITH A THUMB TO THE EYE STOPS MARX’s PROGRESS! The Phantom Republican hooks the arm and tights ….. AND TAKES HIM OVER WITH A SUPERPLEX!”
JIVE: “Marx tried to stop the superplex, but all he did was delay it…. And lose his eyesight in the process!”
GHEORGHE: “The Phantom Republican heading back over to the corner … and he’s going up top again!”
JIVE: “He’s signaling for the Star Wars! If he nails this high arching moonsault Jonathan Marx can kiss any chance of winning that title shot goodbye!”
GHEORGHE: “GOP braces himself …. AND FLIES OFF THE TURNBUCKLE …….. AND NAILS JONATHAN MARX’s KNEES!!!!!!!! Marx got those knees up at the last moment and now GOP is rolling around on the mat holding his ribs!”
JIVE: “Marx is a smart cookie. He probably telegraphed that move five minutes ago!”
GHEORGHE: “Both men on the mat ….. and the World title shot is hanging in the balance for both men …. The Phantom Republican is the current #1 contender … but DREDD’s Jonathan Marx called him out tonight for this special #1 contender match … and now both men are looking worse for wear! Marx is using the ropes to get to his feet as Phantom Republican is on his knees …. GOP on his feet now and both men walk to the center of the ring … GOP with a wild right punch, and Marx ducks ….. AND TAKES HIM TO THE MAT WITH A FIREMAN’s CARRY! Jonathan Marx now hooks on a bow and arrow!!!!”
JIVE: “This would be a feather in DREDD’s cap if they can get the Phantom Republican to submit … but I don’t think that’ll happen, Tom. Just like the Grand Old Party … The Phantom Republican will bounce back.”
GHEORGHE: “The referee is over there asking GOP if he wants to submit but he is screaming no …”
(SFX: Crowd begins to jeer heavily.)
JIVE: “Here come the ground troops.”
(John Doe, Carlee Marx and Brandon Jacobs come through the curtain all wearing black DREDD shirts.)
GHEORGHE: “Right when you think we’re going to have a great technical match between two of New ERA’s hottest stars …. The rest of DREDD has to come down to surely ruin it.”
(Jeffords walks over to the rampway and stands in between the end of the ramp and the ring. DREDD stops in their tracks and start trash talking him.)
GHEORGHE: “Jeffords is cutting them off from the ringside area as Marx continues to keep the bow and arrow on…. And now he sees this going on and he releases the hold!”
JIVE: “Jeffords is there to protect the Phantom Republican. He knows that DREDD is bad news.”
GHEORGHE: “Marx walks over to the ropes and starts yelling at Jeffords … Jeffords turns around to look at Marx …. AND JOHN DOE WITH A FOREARM TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD TAKES DOWN JEFFORDS!”
JIVE: “Don’t turn your back on Democrats!”
GHEORGHE: “DREDD IS NOW AT RINGSIDE AND THEY ARE WALKING AROUND THE RING LIKE VULTURES!”
JIVE: “The Phantom Republican is a carcass to them.”
GHEORGHE: “ Jonathan Marx walks back over the Phantom Republican and lifts him off the ma… NO! PHANTOM REPUBLICAN WITH A SMALL PACKAGE ….. ONE ………. TWO ………. THRE—NOOOOOOO! Jonathan Marx kicks out at the last second and DREDD looks like they’ve seen a ghost!”
JIVE: “Their hopes almost dissipated like THAT!”
GHEORGHE: “Marx now back to his feet and he drives his foot into the side of GOP … and he is kicking him across the ring! GOP gets to the ropes and holds on to them … and Jeffords is back on his feet and he looks none too happy!”
JIVE: “If I were DREDD I would hide…”
GHEORGHE: “The Phantom Republican rolls to the outside just as Marx was coming over to him … AND HE GRABS ONTO THE LEGS OF MARX AND DRAGS HIM UNDER! The Phantom Republican quickly rolls back into the ring and is now distracting the referee!”
JIVE: “Jeffords now has a lamb to slaughter…”
GHEORGHE: “JEFFORDS PICKS UP JONATHAN MARX ……. AND CHOKESLAMS HIM TO THE ARENA FLOOR! DREDD is now running over and Jeffords walks off to the other side as the referee comes back and sees DREDD attending to Marx!”
JIVE: “For all he knows Marx could have slipped on some sweat puddle or something…”
GHEORGHE: “ John Doe now yelling at the referee about Jeffords and the referee looks at Jeffords who is denying the entire thing!”
JIVE: “Politicians and their bodyguards are excellent liars.”
GHEORGHE: “The referee warns everyone on the outside to stay out of the match and DREDD helps Marx back into the ring … Marx on his feet and he shakes off the damage … both men meet in the center … and the Phantom Republican is challenging Marx to a strength test! They lock up one hand …….. and now they lock up the second! Both men struggling to get the upperhand ….. AND THE PHANTOM REPUBLICAN KICKS MARX IN THE MIDSECTION…… AND NOW LOCKS HIS WAIST AND TAKES HIM OVER WITH A BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX! GOP with the cover …. ONE …….. TW—KICKOUT! The Phantom Republican catching Marx just offguard and he took advantage of it without hesitation.”
JIVE: “I’m surprised Marx even went for the test of strength … GOP is clearly the stronger of the two.”
GHEORGHE: “The Phantom Republican catches Marx as he was getting up with a drop toe hold … Jonathan Marx slow to get to his feet …. AND THE PHANTOM REPUBLICAN LIFTS HIM ON HIS SHOULDERS ……….. TAX BREAKER! ONE ……… TWO …….. THREE!”
JIVE: “NO MARX GOT HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!”
GHEORGHE: “How did Jonathan Marx ever get his foot on the ropes! Phantom Republican with that torture rack backbreaker ….. and Marx somehow had the ring presence to save himself!”
JIVE: “That’s what champions are made out of, Gheorghe … right there.”
GHEORGHE: “The Phantom Republican grabs the leg that Marx put on the ropes …. And he turns Marx over …. AND NOW HE IS DRIVING THE KNEE INTO THE MAT REPEATEDLY! Phantom Republican …. Locks on a single legged Boston Crab! Jonathan Marx looks to be in a LOT of pain as he is reaching for those ropes.”
JIVE: “Those ropes are just out of his reach, Tom …. Marx might be jettisoned from this match and from the title shot if he can’t get out of it.”
GHEORGHE: “ Jonathan Marx struggling to get that leg free ….. the referee asks him if he wants to give … AND MARX RESPONDS BY USING HIS FREE LEG TO KICK GOP IN THE FACE!!! GOP falls forward and both men are face first on the mat!”
JIVE: “I don’t know where Marx got the strength … but these two are putting on a hell of a match …. And this wasn’t even supposed to be on the show tonight!”
GHEORGHE: “The Phantom Republican slowly climbs to his feet and he is now back over to Jonathan Marx ….. AND MARX WITH AN UPPERCUT FLOORS GOP!!! Marx with the cover ….. ONE ……….. TWO……..”
JIVE: “LOOK AT CARLEE MARX! SHE’s HOLDING GOP’s FOOT DOWN!”
GHEORGHE: “THREEEEEE….. NOOOOOOOOOOO! The Phantom Republican kicked out and Carlee Marx went flying into the guardrail!”
JIVE: “AND HERE COMES JEFFORDS!”
GHEORGHE: “ Jonathan Marx picks up GOP …. AND HE DRIVES THE SHOULDER INTO THE BACK OF THE KNEE AND GOP GOES DOWN!”
JIVE: “And now Jeffords has a hold of Brandon Jacobs!!! BUT DOE JUST NAILED HIM IN THE BACK WITH A FOREARM! AND JEFFORDS TURNS AROUND AND IS STARING DOWN INTO DOE’s EYES!”
GHEORGHE: “JONATHAN MARX HAS THE MARXISM LOCKED IN!!! THE PHANTOM REPUBLICAN HAS NO PLACE TO GO!!!”
JIVE: “DOE JUST SLID INTO THE RING TO GET AWAY FROM JEFFORDS AND JEFFORDS FOLLOWS HIM IN!!!”
GHEORGHE: “What the hell are they doing?! John Doe just tried to run across the ring but Jeffords grabs him by the hair …. AND JEFFORDS IRISH WHIPS JOHN DOE INTO THE CORNER ….. AND FOLLOWS IT IN WITH A HARD SPLASH!!!!!!!”
(SFX: Bell rings!)
JIVE: “PHANTOM REPUBLICAN GAVE UP?!”
(Jonathan Marx releases the hold and begins jumping up and down celebrating his victory!)
GHEORGHE: “I can’t believe it!! The Phantom Republican lost his #1 Contender’s shot!!!!”
(The referee walks over to Marx and puts his arm down and shakes his head no!)
JIVE: “Wait a minute .. what is the referee doing?!”
JACOBS: “Ladies and gentlemen … due to the interference in the ring by John Doe and Jeffords…. The referee has called this match a DOUBLE DISQUALIFICATION!!! Therefore, retaining his spot as the #1 Contender to the New ERA World title………… THE PHANTOM REPUBLICAN!”
(Jeffords quickly rolls out of the ring and takes the Phantom Republican with him. Jonathan Marx and the rest of DREDD stand by the ropes looking on in disgust.)
GHEORGHE: “DREDD has got to figure out another way now to cause Jean Rabesque to lose his title to them … or else GOP might have a first crack at it!”
MARX: “THIS ISN’T OVER GOP…. THIS ISN’T OVER!”
