vi. 'The Egobuster' Dan Ryan v. Castor V. Strife
(FADEIN: The ESEN PBP desk, where OBERSTARR, MILLWOOD, and MYLDE are sitting)
OBERSTARR: “Well gentleman, it’s been a memorable night so far, and if we ended now, you’d say it was a four-star night; big names, big action, exciting outcomes. But we’re about to go to the fifth-star, because the time has come for our main event. Two juggernauts of the industry: DAN RYAN versus CASTOR STRIFE. We’ve analyzed this one to death – let’s move to speculation. Who do you got? Dan or Castor? Devin, we’ll start with you.”
MILLWOOD: “No way. This is too close, and I know better than to pick against either one of these guys.”
OBERSTARR: “Jimmy?”
MYLDE: “I’ll say this: if Castor hits the Director’s Cut, he will probably win. If Dan Ryan hits the Humility Bomb, then HE will be the one who probably wins.”
MILLWOOD: “Way to go out on a limb, Jimmy.”
MYLDE: “That’s why they call me The Mylde One – never BOLD!”
OBERSTARR: “Let’s take it over to Jimmy Lennon Jr. for the announcements!”
(SFX: Bell rings three times)
(CUTTO: JIMMY LENNON JR., world famous boxing announcer, standing at center ring wearing a black tuxedo and holding cue cards)
LENNON JR: “Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Jerry World in BIG D, the entertainment capital of the southwest, Dallas, Texas. It is TIME for our MAIN EVENT of the EVENING, brought to you by Castor Strife Productions, Dan Ryan Entertainment Inc, Jerry Jones, and Red Bull.”
(BIG CHEERS!)
LENNON JR: “For the thousands in attendance and the millions of people watching at home on ESEN and SETANTA SPORTS...IIIIIIIIT’S SHOOOOWWWWWTIME!”
(CHEERS!)
(Pan from the crowd as the arena GOES DARK. Camera cuts to the entrance where one by one, horizontal lights of different color pop on with dramatic effect and a electronic sound effect: WHITE, BLUE, GOLD, RED, BLUE, GOLD, ORANGE, PURPLE, WHITE, GOLD, RED, BLUE. Now they flicker, each one timed faster than the next as a wall of gray mist lights begins to grow on a mobile screen located directly behind. The big screen above suddenly turns on with a sound effect and a picture of a black bunny-eared gas mask pasted over a bright white background. The crowd POPS when they see this)
(CUEUP: “Ultra” by KMFDM)
(Spotlights form over three circular elevator platforms one by one. On the far left, the first platform rises up with a MAN IN A BLACK SAMURAI STYLE GASMASK. He stays still, as the second platform, on the far right, lights up and rises with a SECOND MAN IN A PURPLE MICKEY MOUSE GAS MASK on it. He also stands there unmoving, as the third and middle platform lights up and rises with a much larger THIRD MAN IN AN ELEPHANT DEVIL GAS MASK standing on it)
(CROWD POPS!)
(All three men survey the crowd and each other, walking out in unison to the top of the entrance ramp. They stop and look around once more. The man on the left rips off his mask and reveals NOT CASTOR STRIFE. The man on the right now removes his ask and reveals NOT CASTOR STRIFE. Finally the man in the middle removes his mask and reveals...NOT CASTOR STRIFE!)
(CROWD GASPS IN CONFUSION!)
(Suddenly, another man appears power walking from the entrance, this one wearing a DAN RYAN GAS MASK; the crowd gets louder, and the man continues his power walk as he removes his mask – this time it’s the real CASTOR V. STRIFE! The crowd POPS HUGE as the three impostors put their masks back on and follow him down to the ring)
“And when you take me in your mind,
Into this dirty sodden shrine.
I do not need you anymore,
You cannot hurt me anymore”
(CASTOR throws his mask into the crowd. He is wearing blue spandex tights with yellow stars and zodiacal signs imprinted all over. He is also wearing a black t-shirt featuring a photo of Jerry Jones and the word ‘GANGSTER’ written above)
“Keep it away from the fire unless you want it to burn,
It burns wildfire.”
“GIVE IT TO ME!
Your wildfire,
Don’t take it from me!
Wildfire – GIVE IT TO ME!
Set on fire – don’t take it from me!”
Your wildfire – TAKE IT!”
“ON FIRE!
ON FIRE!”
(CASTOR steps into the ring as the lights come on. His impostors exit through the crowd, and he throws his arms up to mass cheers)
OBERSTARR: “Few have dominated the industry the way that man has. In just a few short years, he racked up over 30 victories and four major World Championship victories, starting with the PRIME Universal Title. He won that belt in only three months time, setting a record in that organization. Then came the A1E World Heavyweight Championship, and of course the heralded NFW World Heavyweight Championship. He capped it all off last fall by racking up six victories en route to being crowned the 2012 ULTRATITLE Champion.”
MILLWOOD: “And that was the night Dan Ryan appeared to crown him – literally. He planted Castor in the center of the ring, and laid down the gauntlet for tonight’s match.”
OBERSTARR: “That’s right. Ever the showman, Strife is, with the entrance he just made. You know this night is one of the most important in his career.”
MILLWOOD: “He said it himself, leading up to this!”
(CASTOR backs up into a corner and leaps up to sit on the top turnbuckle in wait of his opponent)
(Lights dim – five second pause – CUEUP: “Zero” by The Smashing Pumpkins)
(CROWD POPS!)
(CUTTO: A platform rises from beneath the center of the platform. As it approaches the surfaces, we begin to see a giant flag, and then DAN RYAN who is carrying that flag. Dan is all business in his Spartan-like attire – black trunks to match his elbow and knee pads. He’s also wearing a t-shirt featuring Tony Romo agonizing on the field with injury)
“My reflection, dirty mirror
There’s no connection, to myself
I’m your lover, I’m you zero
I’m the face in your dreams of glass.”
(As Dan begins to make his way to the ring, the stadium erupts in BOOS when they see the image on his flag – a Dallas Cowboys helmet with a giant black X over it)
MYLDE: “As a New Jersey native, I wholeheartedly APPROVE this message!”
OBERSTARR: “I’ll stay neutral on this one.”
MILLWOOD: “I won’t. Go Ravens.”
MYLDE: “Hey, suck an egg Millwood! This is NFC East business.”
OBERSTARR: “Dan Ryan is a Texans fan!”
MYLDE: “WELL HE’S INVOLVING HIMSELF IN NFC EAST BUSINESS! It’s all about Big Blue down in Big D, Oberstarr. Get with it!”
“So save your prayers
For when we’re really gonna need ‘em
Throw out your cares and fly
Wanna go for a ride?”
(Dan slides the flag into the ring and follows by pulling himself up on the apron and entering. Now in the center of the ring, he begins waving the anti-Cowboys flag proudly to raucous BOOS! They grow to a fever pitch when he promptly flips off Jerry Jones up in the skybox. CUTTO: Jerry Jones pursing his lips and shaking his head. CUTTO: Castor Strife shrugging)
OBERSTARR: “Well...somebody had to be the bad guy tonight, it might as well be Dan! These two men are incredibly popular worldwide, and I know the fans have been split on the question of WHO WILL WIN?”
MILLWOOD: “I’ve spent a lot of years watching both men, and I’ve come to the conclusion that while Castor Strife definitely feeds off positive vibes from the crowd, Dan Ryan is completely the opposite. The more hate you send his way, the harder he’s going to shove it down the throat of his opponent.”
OBERSTARR: “Here is Jimmy Lennon Jr. with the introductions!”
(SFX: Bell rings three times, slow)
(CUTTO: Ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. in a black suit and bowtie as the mic drops in front of him)
LENNON JR: “For the wrestling fans in attendance and those watching LIVE on ESEN...iiiiiiiiitttttt’sss SHOWTIME! (CUTTO: Castor bouncing up and down in his corner; CUTTO: Dan Ryan pacing in his) One fall and a time limit of ZERO as we prepare to watch these two prolific heavyweights go to battle for a THIRD time! INTRODUCING FIRST...standing in the corner to my left...”
(CUTTO: CASTOR STRIFE pulling back on the ropes before turning to face Ryan, bouncing on his toes)
LENNON JR: “He stands SIX FOOT THREE and comes to us tonight weighing in at TWO HUNDRED and FORTY SEVEN POUNDS! He is the former NFW World Heavyweight Champion, the former PRIME Universal Champion, the former A1E World Heavyweight Champion, and the REIGNING ESEN 2012 ULTRATITLE CHAMPION! Hailing from HOLLYWOOD, CALIIIIFOOOORRRNNIIIAAAA! (Cheers grow louder) ‘THE GOD OF SNUFF!’ ‘THE FINAL SCENE!’ ‘THE GOLDEN DREAM!’ CCCCAAAAAASSSSTTTOOOOOOORRRRRR VEEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSTTTTRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFFFEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
(Crowd ROARS with cheers as Castor throws his arms out like a victorious gladiator, nodding his head confidently to encourage more)
LENNON JR: “AND HIS OPPONENT! (BOOS!) Standing in the corner to my right...”
(CUTTO: DAN RYAN standing tall and stoic with his massive arms folded, sweat beading on his head and arms as he stares across the ring at Castor with a hard glare)
LENNON JR: “He stands SIX FOOT SEVEN and comes to us tonight weighing in at a massive THREE HUNDRED and TEN POUNDS! He is also the former NFW World Heavyweight Champion, the former GXW World Heavyweight Champion, the former A1E, REBEL Pro, VPW, and various other organizations too numerous to name tonight, WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, and the TWO-TIME and REIGNING CSWA UNIFIED WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Hailing from HOUSTON, TEXAAAASSSS! THE THIRTEEN TIME WORLD CHAMPIIIOOOOONNNN!!!! ‘THE EGO BUSTER’...DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN RRRRRRRRYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
(Some boos continue due to his anti-Dallas antics, but the crowd mostly erupts in cheers out of respect and admiration for the legendary Dan Ryan, who does not move, continuing to stare ahead at Strife. There is also a HUGE contingent from Houston in attendance that gives him a standing ovation!)
LENNON JR: “Our referee tonight is MITCH LONG.”
(CUTTO: Mitch Long, a 6’5 black man with the top heavy look of an old-time boxer, gather Dan and Castor at the center of the ring where a hard staredown commences)
LONG: “Gentleman, you know the rules. There is no time limit tonight. One fall wins it, and we MUST have a winner. I will not countout or disqualify either of you, but if outside interference or foreign objects are introduced into the match, I will call for a temporary stop in action. Do you understand the rules? (Both men nod) Alright, shake hands if you wish, and go back to your corners.”
(After a brief pause, Dan and Castor pound fists while keeping their stares, and move back)
OBERSTARR: “Both these men have a strong mutual admiration and respect for one another, which only compounds their desire to beat the other.”
MILLWOOD: “This is going to be a dogfight; an absolute dogfight.”
(SFX: Bell rings)
OBERSTARR: “Here we go! Ryan, Strife, TITANS OF THE INDUSTRY, and we must have a winner! (Crowd ‘OOOHs’) Dan comes right out with a charge, but Castor circles away! Dan drops his level, looks to pick an ankle BUT COMES UP HIGH AND HAMMERS A RIGHT HAND INTO THE FACE OF STRIFE! HE FOLLOWS UP WITH TWO MORE, but Castor bounces off the turnbuckle and escapes the corner before Dan can trap him!”
MYLDE: “Dan is headhunting!”
OBERSTARR: “Clearly Dan Ryan is looking to keep the pressure on here in the opening minute. This will certainly be a test of stamina for Strife, as the first two matches were. Castor now on all fours like a money, crawling at Ryan in a very unorthodox stance, AND EXPLODES WITH A FRONT DROPKICK! Castor lands on his back and quickly rolls back up to his feet.”
MILLWOOD: “I don’t know how much damage that did, but it was effective gamesmanship at the very least.”
OBERSTARR: “Dan smiles and lunges forward with a duck-under that Castor steps back to avoid. Amateur wrestling prowess on display from ‘The Ego Buster’. Now Castor leaps in with a leg-scissors takedown, but it’s blocked by Ryan! Dan lifts him up from the waist and DRIVES HIM DOWN INTO THE MAT FACE FIRST!”
MILLWOOD: “Big mistake on the part of Castor Strife! Dan Ryan’s is the pro-wrestling equivalent to Alexander Karelin, and Castor just got caught big time!”
OBERSTARR: “Ryan picks Castor back up and SNAPS him back with a suplex! Ryan is wasting no time going after Strife with high impact slams and hard amateur wrestling in the opening minutes. Now he sends Strife into the corner and RUNS IN WITH A FOLLOW-UP BACK ELBOW! He backs him into the corner again and this time holds a boot into the neck of the Ultratitle Champion! Mitch Long is letting it go, and by Ryan relents of his own choosing. Castor slowly moves out of the corner BUT RYAN TURNS AROUND AND CLOTHESLINES HIM BACK IN!”
(Ryan backs off to the center of the ring and taunts Castor to come and meet him there)
MYLDE: “Castor looks like he’s in a fog. Dan is getting cocky now!”
MILLWOOD: “I don’t know if that’s cockiness, Jimmy. Dan believes he can beat this man and he’s confidently displaying that ability early on.”
MYLDE: “Cocky is confidence with a semi. Remember that, kid!”
OBERSTARR: “Castor opts to slide to the outside of the ring for a breather – BUT DAN CHASES AFTER HIM! Castor quickly slides back in...”
(Castor gets ready to pelt a re-entering Dan Ryan with a soccer kick, but Dan pauses, smiles, points to his head and walks up the steps. Crowd ‘OOOHs’)
OBERSTARR: “Oooh, wise move by the 13-time champion.”
MYLDE: “That’s one of Castor’s favorite little bait and switch moves. I’ve seen him use it countless times to swing momentum in a match. Dan took the bait on the purpose, just to expose it and send a message. That’s a chess counter right there!”
MILLWOOD: “I’m surprised Castor went for it that early. It’s a little desperate, to be quite honest.”
OBERSTARR: “Nevertheless it gave him some breathing time. Now the two men lock up at center-ring, and Ryan immediately takes Castor with a waist-lock! Castor drops his base, locks up a kimura, and takes Ryan over with a sweeping hip throw! The Japanese judoka call it harai goshi. Castor transitions to an armbar and holds Ryan, but Ryan now LIFTS CASTOR UP AND SLAMS HIM AGAIN! THIS TIME ON HIS HEAD! HE GOES FOR A STOMP BUT CASTOR ROLLS AWAY AND COMES BACK WITH A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE THAT KNOCKS RYAN DOWN!”
MILLWOOD: “Great explosive power from Strife! The fact that he could execute both the throw and the knockdown clothesline on a guy of Ryan’s size with such ease shows you what a threat this guy is!”
OBERSTARR: “Castor sends Ryan with an Irish whip, and comes running off the ropes himself with a FLYING KNEE – NO! RYAN CATCHES HIM MID-AIR! CASTOR TRIES TO ROLL OVER HIS BACK BUT RYAN JUGGLES HIM INTO A HOLD – DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!”
(CROWD: “OOOOOOHHHHH!!!!!”)
OBERSTARR: “RYAN MAKES THE COVER! ONE! TWWWOOOO!!! CASTOR KICKS OUT!”
MILLWOOD: “Just when you think the momentum’s turned, Ryan pulls a devastating stopper like that from his arsenal! No matter how hurt you think you have him, Dan Ryan can brutalize you at a moment’s notice!”
MYLDE: “He should have pushed Strife higher and let him land. He might have broken his neck, Sterling Sharpe style!”
MILLWOOD: “You can kiss that ESPN dream job goodbye after that, Jimmy.”
MYLDE: “Screw them, I’m on ESEN, baby! With an E!”
OBERSTARR: “Dan puts Castor into the corner and DRIVES a front elbow into his jaw! He follows it up with another one! Irish whip to the opposite corner, but Castor leaps back off the second turnbuckle – CAUGHT AGAIN! AND RYAN DROPS HIM IN A VICIOUS BACKBREAKER! Quick cover! ONE! TWO! And a kickout by Strife!”
MILLWOOD: “Castor is trying to match him tit for tat, and I think that’s a mistake. He can’t impose his will on Dan Ryan the way he does with most everybody else, and that’s a lesson he learned in the first two matches. There is no question that in both those matches, Dan had the majority of offense, and it was for this very reason. Castor needs to string together a series of effectively timed maneuvers that sets Ryan up for a potential finish.”
MYLDE: “Good thinking, General Custer. Why don’t you go in there and try it out yourself?”
MILLWOOD: “Hey, that’s not my job, Jimmy. I’m an analyst, not an athlete.”
MYLDE: “You’re goddamn right you’re not!”
MILLWOOD: “Can we get back to the match please?”
MYLDE: “DID YOU BOTHER TO SERVE IN ‘NAM, PUSSY?!”
OBERSTARR: “JIMMY, ENOUGH!”
MYLDE: “Sorry...flasbacks.”
MILLWOOD: “Did YOU serve in Vietnam?”
MYLDE: “No, but I’ve been dealing with post-traumatic draft dodging disorder ever since I high-tailed it to Canada in ’71. Border jumping is stressful, kid, and I pray you never have to experience it yourself! Charlie’s idea of R&R was cold maple syrup and a little bacon meat.”
MILLWOOD: “Charlie who?!”
MYLDE: “Charlie Sutter, from Nova Scotia! Yeah, he housed me ‘til the whole draft business blew over, baby!”
OBERSTARR: “Aaaand back to the main event! Dan has Castor in the corner and PUNISHES him with a big forearm uppercut to the chin! Snap mares him out and now drives his knee into the spine of Strife!”
MILLWOOD: “Castor has prior back injuries that have plagued him in the past. Dan knows this, for sure, and is picking his spots wisely!”
OBERSTARR: “Right on the money Devin, as Ryan sends Castor off the ropes and DRIVES HIM DOWN hard with a spinebuster! Dan is signaling for the end – THIS MATCH ISN’T GOING THE DISTANCE! The Egosbuster wants to put an end to this rivalry, and a nail in Strife’s coffin!”
MILLWOOD: “It’s too early in the match for this! He needs to wear Castor down more!”
OBERSTARR: “He’s got him set up for the HUMILITY BOMB! But Castor pulls the legs out and steps into a Cloverleaf! Dan pushes him away! Castor comes running at him with a clothesline, but Dan ducks under! FULL-NELSON! OH NO! OH NO!”
“DRAGON SUPLEX! THIS COULD BE IT!”
“ONE!”
“TWO!”
“AAAAAAAND CASTOR STRIFE KICKS OUT!”
MYLDE: “Strife’s got too much left in the tank at this juncture!”
OBERSTARR: “Ryan sends Strife over to the outside and follows him there! Now he’s pummeling him with shots to the head. IRISH WHIP INTO THE STEEL RAILING!”
MILLWOOD: “This is Ryan sending a message: he’s going to break Castor early. He doesn’t just want to win – he wants the type of victory that sends a message to the rest of the industry on who DEFINITIVELY is the best around! “
OBERSTARR: “RYAN DROPS STRIFE CHIN FIRST ONTO THE RAILING! He’s walking over and pulls the folding chair out from underneath timekeeper Ricardo Montagno Esteban Rodriguez!”
MYLDE: “Come on, let the man sit!”
OBERSTARR: “Referee Rich Long is on the outside now, attempting to pull away the chair from Ryan!”
MILLWOOD: “Remember, he said there would be a stop in the action if anyone were to use foreign objects!”
OBERSTARR: “Ryan throws the chair at Strife’s head, and Long issues him a final warning! Ryan pushes the referee out of the way and resumes his assault on Strife!”
MYLDE: “Castor is bleeding from the mouth!”
OBERSTARR: “Ryan goes for the Irish whip to the other steel railing, but Castor reverses him! He runs over and PUNTS Ryan in the face! Ryan is rolling now, on his back! Strife gets back into the ring!”
(Ryan is slow to his feet, and Castor waits intently at the center of the ring)
OBERSTARR: “CASTOR OFF THE ROPES! HERE WE GO!”
“STRIFE TORPEDOES HIMSELF THROUGH THE ROPES AT DAN ON THE OUTSIDE! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!”
(BIG POP FROM THE CROWD!)
(Another minute passes before both men get up and crawl to the ring. Castor is in first, followed by Ryan)
MILLWOOD: “This is a big turning point in the match. Whoever wrestles control here may be on their way to victory!”
OBERSTARR: “Castor delivers a BIG KNEE to Ryan’s face! Belly to belly, and now Ryan is down!”
(Competing crowd chants for both Castor and Ryan)
OBERSTARR: “Castor picks Ryan up in a fireman’s carry – HE’S SETTING HIM UP FOR THE CULT CLASSIC!”
MILLWOOD: “If he hits this, it’s the beginning of the end!”
OBERSTTAR: “Dan fights out and lands behind Castor! Full nelson again!”
(CROWD: “OOOOHHHHHH!!!!”)
“DRAGON SUPLEX! HE HIT IT AGAIN!”
MYLDE: “He’s not going for the cover!”
MILLWOOD: “Smart move, Ryan knows he can’t let up on Castor! He needs to transition this to more punishment!”
OBERSTARR: “Ryan has him up again!”
“ANOTHER DRAGON SUPLEX! HE HIT IT FOR A SECOND TIME!”
MILLWOOD: “THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR CASTOR STRIFE, BRIAN! Things are going downhill quick!”
OBERSTARR: “Dan is calling for the Humility Bomb, but...wait a minute, he’s taking Castor over to the turnbuckles.”
MYLDE: “What the hell?”
MILLWOOD: “Oh...my...GOD...”
OBERSTARR: “He’s climbing, with Castor! Dan Ryan is going to attempt the Humility Bomb from the TOP ROPE!””
(CROWD GASPS!)
MILLWOOD: “Dan has dominated much of this match, and as much I hate to call it early, this match looks over. It just...it looks over!”
OBERSTARR: “We’ve known Castor to be somewhat of a cat with 9 lives, but 8 of those might have been used up in the previous two matches with Dan Ryan!”
“Now Dan goes to lift him – but Castor DRIVES an elbow into his mid-section!”
“Dan axe-handles his back, and Castor winces and drops! Dan attempts again, but Castor is holding the rope! Now Castor pulls him out and KICKS the second rope! DAN FALLS GROIN FIRST ONTO THE TURNBUCKLE!”
MILLWOOD: “Great last gasp from Castor Strife. He needs to prolong this match as much as possible.”
OBERSTARR: “Castor throws a superman elbow at Ryan who is still hung up on the top turnbuckle! Here comes Castor off the ropes now...”
(CROWD: “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!”)
OBERSTARR: “DIRECTOR’S CUT! HE LEAPED AND GOT HIM FROM THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!”
MYLDE: “HOLY SH[BLEEP]!”
MILLWOOD: “WOW! WOW!”
OBERSTARR: “RYAN ISN’T MOVING! CASTOR CRAWLS ON TOP FOR THE COVER!”
“ONE!”
“TWO!”
“THREE!”
(SFX: Bell rings)
OBERSTARR: “THIS PLACE IS IN ABSOLUTE SHOCK!”
MYLDE: “What...just...happened?”
(CUEUP: “Ultra” by KMFDM)
MILLWOOD: “That was the most awkward landing I have ever seen in all my time covering the sport.”
(SLO-MO REPLAY)
MILLWOOD: “Take a look at the replay here. Castor left his feet, grabbed Ryan’s neck, and as he turns, Castor’s body continues forward while Ryan’s neck is pulled down. There is a delay before Ryan is eventually pulled off the turnbuckle, and he comes down with a ton of weight on that neck. It’s not quite a full neckbreaker, but Castor generated the same torque and power he usually does, and Ryan lands on the back of his head, with all that weight toppling down and driving him into the mat.”
OBERSTARR: “He literally knocked him out!”
MILLWOOD: “Exactly. And we see now Ryan is alert and asking Referee Rich Long what happened, and he looks to be in shock right now as this match looked to be in the bag for him. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Castor pushed around like that in a match. Ryan truly had the upper hand, but he became overaggressive and paid for it.”
OBERSTARR: “Ryan wasn’t out that long. It looked to be a flash knockout. His neck might have sustained more damage than his head – he landed extremely awkward, but from here he does look to be fine, and is now congratulating Castor Strife in a great show of sportsmanship from both men.”
MILLWOOD: “I have honestly not seen a shock ending like that since Pacquiao-Marquez. This finish reminded me very much of that bout.”
OBERSTARR: “And in the blink of an eye, Castor Strife has knocked out and defeated perhaps the greatest living wrestler on the planet, a man who has knocked down every door, won every title, and dominated just about every opponent he’s faced. Neither him or Castor could find a way to beat the other after two matches, but after tonight, Castor Strife – reigning Ultratitle champion who is coming off a year reign with the NFW World Heavyweight Championship – has defeated Dan Ryan and in doing so has made a serious argument for being the number one pound-for-pound wrestler in the world right now.”
MILLWOOD: “It’s between him and Impulse, who recently took his title in NFW. And I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing those two in the ring once again.”
MYLDE: “We can’t forget EPW’s World Champion, The First, who has quietly dominated and racked up one of the most impressive win streaks in the game today!”
OBERSTARR: “Wrestling fans will continue the debate, I’m sure, but tonight Castor Strife has put another HUGE feather in his cap with perhaps the most important win of his career. Let’s go over to Jimmy Lennon Jr. for the official decision.”
(CUTTO: Center ring, where a mob of people surround CASTOR STRIFE and DAN RYAN who each stand beside Referee Rich Long)
LENNON JR: “Ladies and gentlemen, Referee Rich Long has called a stop to this contest at 15:37 after a pinfall three-count. AND HERE IS YOUR WINNER VIA PINFAAAALLLLLL...CAAAAASSSTTTOOOORRRR VVVEEEEEEEEEE STTTRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFEEEEE!!!!”
(Referee raises Castor’s arm as Ryan walks over to congratulate him)
OBERSTARR: “Our very own Devin Millwood is standing by with the winner, Castor Strife.”
(CUTTO: Millwood with the microphone next to Castor)
MILLWOOD: “Congratulations on an epic win, Castor. It looked for a while that Dan had you finished. Did you feel at any point that the match was slipping away, and did that feed your sense of urgency?”
CASTOR: “Going for the finish that early was not part of my strategy, but as we know...you adjust on the fly based on what you see from your opponent. Dan took control of the match and decided to up the ante, and bring us into high-risk territory. He laid his entire hand on the table, and I responded in-kind.”
MILLWOOD: “Talk about what this win means to you.”
CASTOR: “Well, I would like to thank Dan for calling me out and putting this match together. What we have done here tonight is unprecedented, and he was as big a part of that as I was. Obviously Dan is one of the most feared men in this business, and has been for a long time. Our careers have certain parallels to them. Defeating him was important, especially in light of what happened the first two times we met. Neither one of us was content moving forward without resolving this little business of ours, and I am glad to end this chapter of my career on a positive note. Nobody has hurt me more in the ring than that man over there (points at Dan). He put serious doubt into me tonight, but I’ve been to hell and back, Devin. No man can stop me from destiny.”
MILLWOOD: “And what is that destiny?”
CASTOR: “My destiny is to reach a level of greatness that no other man has dreamed, let alone achieved. When I say I’m going to do something, I make it a reality. Dan has built up an industry around him, with EPW and his own brand. If you look at what I’m doing now, I have made Castor Strife Productions a force to be reckoned with. Any time I want, I can put on my own show, and draft talent of the highest level into the organization of my choosing. My disciples will dominate this industry long after I’m gone.”
MILLWOOD: “Is that a shot at NFW? Honestly.”
CASTOR: “Take it for what you will. NFW knows how to get in touch with me. I don’t need the New Frontier to be the best in the world, but they’ll get along just fine without me. But the question is: do they want to? See, they have a pest problem. We all know its name. And everybody knows that there is only one man capable of getting rid of him. I am the cure for the plague on the New Frontier. Eddie Mayfield, you have my number.”
(Castor steps away from the mic)
MILLWOOD: “Back to you, Brian.”
OBERSTARR: “It was a night to remember. Talent from the organizations all over the world, capped off with Impulse and Stevens in our co-main, and of course the shocking conclusion to our main event with Castor Strife defeating the legendary Dan Ryan. Jimmy, any final thoughts?”
MYLDE: “Yes. If this truly is my last night on cable television, I’d like to tell my bitch of an ex-wife that she’s never seeing another DIME from me, baby. THE KIDS ARE ALL GROWN UP! You can kiss child support GOODBYE!”
OBERSTARR: “Fair enough. For Jimmy Mylde, I’m Brian Oberstarr saying SO LONG!”
(ESEN Logo)
Copyright 2013 ESEN
(FADEOUT)
