022: “ADVENT”
Live from the Cologne Christmas Markets in Köln, Germany.
Saturday 26th November, 2022.
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The camera settles on a peculiar setting for a wrestling show, as we are perhaps now accustomed to from Fallout programming. We are in a high, aerial shot from a helicopter above a christmas market - the world-famous Köln Christmas Markets, to be specific - that has a wrestling ring set up in one large clearing, amongst the various wooden huts in which the more festive stores sell their souvenirs. Around the wrestling ring are a series of bleachers, climbing high above the ring on each side, with just under a thousand wrestling fans crammed into this temporary seating. It is night and it is cold, with the audience dressed accordingly in their winter gear, but excitement none-the-less abounding from them as the Fallout opening music continues to play…
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Welcome, wrestling fans, to this twenty second edition of FWA: Fallout, and we’re coming to you live from the Köln Christmas Markets… the markets don’t even open until tomorrow, folks, so think of this as a grand opening for the festive season… Fallout: Advent is here, and it’s packed full with exciting action from the F1 Climaxxx tournament…”
Allen Price: “That’s right, J-L! Our European river tour continues into Germany, where there is no less than five F1 matches to come, with all of the week two matches taking place here in Köln. We also have tag team action inbetween the Pool A and Pool B matches, with Jeremy Best and XYZ preparing to take on the Undisputed Alliance in a match that has quite a lot of history and bad blood…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “But before we get there, Price, we’ve two Pool A battles to settle. Following the withdrawal from tournament action of both Mike Parr and Cornelius Aurelius Caesar last week, the decision was made for the pool to go on with only five competitors. That means Tommy Bedlam gets a week off in the F1 this week, but Michelle von Horrowitz will face a mystery opponent in our second contest.”
Allen Price: “Before that, though, it’s time to see the brand new FWA World Champion in action, J-L! Expect this place to explode!!”
Natalie Rosenberg: “This opening match is an F1 Climaxxx match and it is scheduled for one fall with a 30 minute time limit!”
“Vampire” by Versailles blares through the air of the Cologne Christmas Market as the lights around the stage flash between pink and purple. The fans give a respectable reaction as the smoke rises as Vampyra makes her way out, wearing all black and white, her cape flowing behind her. She puts her arms out to the side as fire shoots up from the sides of the stage, tilting her head. Putting her hand up, she does a throat slash with her finger before making her way down the ramp.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing first, representing MAYHEM’s YOKAI Death Squad, from Osaka, Japan, she is the Dark Huntress, Vampyra!!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Impressive as Vampyra has been, she has massive shoes to fill in this tournament, filling the void of our, sadly now former champion, Danny Toner and an 0-1 start is not something she would wish for.”
As she gets towards the end of the ramp, Vampyra brings her hand up to the camera and does a small throat slashing gesture before spinning around and walking around the ring. She unclips her cape and slides onto the apron where she hangs upside down like a bat.
Allen Price: “As short notice as it was, her and Tommy Bedlam put on a show for Fallout 021 with both of them really out to show they belong in this tournament. With an FWA Television Championship match on the horizon, this F1 Tournament is less about the end result for Vampyra and more about making waves for her being so new to FWA yet being given this amazing opportunity, especially against our NEW FWA World Champion-”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Please don’t remind me…”
Unhooking herself from the ropes, Vampyra slides into the ring and quickly heads to the top turnbuckle. The Dark Huntress takes off her entrance mask and holds it in her hand before holding down the MAYHEM “M.” She jumps down and goes to her corner. Placing the mask on the apron as her theme music fades, she folds her legs and sits down in the corner. She keeps calm, knowing that, for this match, she has no choice but to bring her “A” game.
Drawing a stronger reaction for his impact in FWA is the theme music for the FWA X Champion and NEW World Champion, Alyster Black. After the introduction, the man with a more iconic mask in FWA makes his way out, now having two championships one in each hand. He kneels down on the stage before putting his hands out in a mock Messiah pose with both pieces of hardware in his grasp.
Natalie Rosenberg: “And her opponent, from Melbourne, Australia and currently residing in San Dimas, California, weighing in at 220 pounds, he is the FWA X Champion and your NEW FWA World Champion, ‘Black Jesus,’ 'Blacky Dos Belts,' Alyster Black!!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I had no doubt that Danny Toner would defeat Alyster Black at Lights Out, even if Black gave us a scare. My point was proven despite that, he needed Danny Toner out of the picture to be World Champion. So congratulations, but you need to put in work to fill his shoes. Personal opinion of him aside, this is a make-or-break moment for Vampyra as she is against one of the best in FWA, a champion for over a year and now a world champion. Vampyra even holds her own with him, she’s the favourite in the FWA Television Championship match next week. She pulls an upset, Executive Excellence may need to open the door for her because she needs to aim even higher!"
Allen Price: "I have to agree somewhat, Jean-Luc. Alyster Black, after beating former FWA North American Champion, Mike Parr, in round one, he’s really placed himself to be a favourite in Pool A. A win here can just ensure that all eyes are on him as if isn’t already there with him holding the prize. But, don’t overlook Vampyra. She has experience in tournaments similar to the F1 and size or not, she’s used to hard hitting encounters like what Black will give her."
The FWA X Champion makes his way down the ramp being cheered on by his followers. German metal song in Germany, he’s got the Köln crowd behind him. Black heads up the steps and into the ring. He holds up both his championship belts, showing a bit of intensity with the crowd behind him. Handing his championship off to the official, Alyster Black stares across the ring to Vampyra. A battle of masks. “Sonne'' fades and Vampyra pulls herself up from the ropes.
Allen Price: “But if we can play devil’s advocate, how would Alyster Black feel just winning the FWA World Championship for the first time, being a double champion and then losing here tonight?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Then he might as well vacate the championship again and we can have another battle royal next week.”
Then, we hear a familiar chant with a hint of a German accent.
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
There is a hint of hesitation from Vampyra, still getting used to being the smaller wrestler by an even wider margin than normal. Alyster Black continues to hear the fans chant for him as he gets into a collar and elbow tie up with Vampyra. There is an attempt from the smaller Vampyra to get a front facelock on Black, but the World Champion picks her up and throws her back into the corner. She hits the turnbuckles with a thud and Black forearms her in the face, then a huge knife edge chop from Alyster!
The crowd winces from the impact then Alyster Black does a second chop across the chest!
Allen Price: “OOOH…. Ouch!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: "He’s going to cave her chest in by the end of the match, I just know it."
Grabbing the ropes, Vampyra winces, catching her breath as the chants from the crowd continue…
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
Getting out of the corner, Vampyra is met with a second forearm strike from Black! She drops to a knee as Alyster Black winds back with another forearm before grabbing her with a mask-to-mask headbutt-
And Vampyra gets up from it immediately! Glares a hole through the mask of Alyster Black. The FWA X Champion leans his head down, meeting her forehead-to forehead, daring her to show what she can bring and Vampyra responds in kind with a heavy elbow strike! Alyster Black is taken back by the strength of her forearm and she follows it up by grabbing him by the head and hitting a flurry of forearms to the head! The fans are surprised that she is even half the striker that Black is! The double champion is dazed and Vampyra… puts her three fingers down in an “M” and shoves it in Alyster Black’s face! Some intensity from the newcomer!
She chops him in the chest with a loud slap before she kicks him in the leg! The next kick she goes higher, getting him in the ribs. The third goes up to the chest and it hits with a loud thud! Vampyra is actually starting to match the striking game of the expert brawler and she runs off the ropes-
To be taken down with a hard shoulder block!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And there is Vampyra’s Achilles heel, her size! She somehow managed to chop Black back, but there is an over 100 pound difference between them!"
Allen Price: "In some ways, you shouldn’t be surprised with Vampyra’s striking game. The common Joshi style is very much high-flying mixed with that strong style of striking and a technical flare. Just in FWA, she may have to rely more on that speed."
Pulling Vampyra off the mat, Alyster Black pulls her by the wrist and sends her sternum first into the corner with an Irish whip! He gives her a body splash into the corner then drags her back towards the middle of the ring, folding her overhead with a Saito suplex!
Vampyra lands hard on her neck, an experience every young Joshi gets used to rather quickly. She rolls close to the corner and Alyster Black stomps her repeatedly, forcing her into the corner. The official counts until four as Black stops, but the chants continue.
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
Scraping Vampyra off the mat, Alyster Black puts her onto the second turnbuckle and does ANOTHER hard chop to her chest. He’s thinking big early on, just to put her away quickly. As he ascends to the second rope to join her, Vampyra delivers a headbutt of her own! Then two forearms to push Black off. The FWA X Champion lands on his feet, but he stumbles on the landing. Vampyra moves up to the top rope and jumps hitting a diving hurricanrana! Alyster Black crashes into the mat and bounces back up as Vampyra runs hitting a calf-kick just under the chin! The Dark Huntress is building speed as she jumps off the middle rope landing a springboard crossbody! She manages to get him down for a pin.
One-
And a quick kick out from Alyster Black. There is some clapping from the Cologne fans, somewhat impressed after the flurry of moves.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Now THAT is what Vampya may need to do to get one over on the FWA World Champion… Still need to get used to that."
Allen Price: "Her high-flying ability is one of the better in FWA at least so far. It’s her bread and butter. "
Keeping on top of her opponent, Vampyra chops Black in the chest as he gets back to his feet and forces him into the corner. Rolling back, she runs and hits a double knee strike into the corner! Even at just a bit over 100 pounds, she has the speed to make it feel like you got hit by a speeding motorbike! She ascends to the second turnbuckle and wraps her legs around the neck of the champion. She leans back over the ropes, hanging like a bat, and begins to choke him! The official counts. One! Two! Three-
And Alyster Black hits her in the leg to break her grip.He grabs both of Vampya’s legs and carries her while she is hanging upside down closer to the middle of the ring and slams her face first into the mat with a reverse alabama slam! The Japanese star bounces off the mat, going to her knees as Black runs off the ropes, hitting a roaring elbow to the side of the head! He rolls over over for a pin.
One! Two-
And Vampyra, although having her jaw nearly dislocated off of the elbow strike, kicks out at two.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And Vampyra made the mistake of trying to slow things down a moment and that cost her."
Allen Price: "And with this opening for Alyster Black, Vampyra may get a bitter taste of what it takes to compete in this tournament."
On her hands and knees, Vampyra is dazed. Picking her up, Alyster Black elbows her another time then knife-edge chops her! The crowd winces from the chop and he pushes her back into the corner. Violence Party? Alyster Black starts to do a collection of chops and forearms, but the smaller Vampyra ducks under it and slides between his legs. She runs back for a dropkick-
And Alyster Black side steps as Vampyra crashes into the mat! She is lying at the base of the turnbuckle as Alyster Black runs off the opposite ropes and hits a big boot to her face, a running face wash! Vampyra lies in the corner, blinking, dazed and Black pulls her in the middle of the ring for a pin.
One… Two…. and another kick out from Vampyra. The FWA World Champion’s size advantage and sheer ability to knock people out has been a big difference maker.
Scraping Vampyra off the mat, Alyster Black scoops her up, parading her around the ring before dropping her with a body slam! Classic, simple, but effective. Vampya sits up after the shock to her spine and Black follows with a dropkick to the back of the head! The fans continue to chant 'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH,' showing support for the new champion. Putting Vampyra in a full nelson, Alyster lifts her off the mat then overheads with a snapping Dragon Suplex! Vampyra rolls into the corner from the move and now it is time to break her down.
A big collection of chops and elbows in the corner!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Violence Party!!!”
Allen Price: “Thanks for coming, Vampyra!”
Alyster Black chops and elbows Vampyra until she can’t stand anymore and he pulls her out of the corner with headbutts and knees, dropping her down to the mat. Holding up his arm, Black is ready.
Allen Price: “And a One Shot Kill incoming.”
Alyster Black runs off the ropes full steam ahead. He extends his arm for the lariat-
And Vampyra flies through with a Spanish Fly!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And Vampyra just avoided disaster! Hell of a Spanish Fly!"
Allen Price: “She clearly has done some scouting on the champion. Black has one of the best lariats in the game.”
Mouth open, Vampyra is breathing heavily. She’s used to her fair share of hard hitting match-ups, but Black is perhaps at a higher level. As Black gets to his feet, Vampyra runs off the ropes and dropkicks him in the back of the head, he flies forward and lands on the middle rope! Vampyra has some distance and runs off the ropes. She grabs the ropes to swing herself around for a tiger feint kick-
And Black grabs her legs! Pulling her into the middle of the ring he steps over, gets the toe hold and a front facelock, STF!
Allen Price: “STF is in! Alyster Black caught the Moonlight Kick and he has her in a submission, grounded on the mat!”
With the massive size difference, the submission is perhaps even more devastating as Alyster Black wrenches back. Vampyra raises her hand, struggling to escape. The FWA World Champion keeps the hold in tight and Vampyra tries to crawl on the mat but it is too much weight. She holds out her hand, trying to reach for the ropes, but it is too far. There is no way she’s going to crawl to the ropes.
Realising she has little other option, she reaches up and pulls on Alyster Black’s mask! She doesn’t try to rip it off, but she gets it somewhat turned around and Black is forced to let go to adjust. Vampyra rolls to her stomach and forearms him several times and finally gets him off!
Backing up, Vampyra hits a big roundhouse kick to the side of the head. The World Champion doesn’t drop, but he appears dazed. Vampyra runs off the ropes for more momentum-
And Alyster Black pops her up into a Death Valley Driver!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And Vampyra’s escape route is cut off again!!!"
Black goes for a cover on Vampyra.
One… Two… T-
And Vampyra rolls her shoulder off the mat. The FWA World Champion sits up on the mat and his mask glances down at Vampyra. Is he frustrated? In disbelief? Impressed?
Allen Price: "She’s been hanging on and taking punishment, but each time she gets something going, Alyster Black cuts her off."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "This is the cream of the crop, kid, like it or not, and I certainly don’t. You want to be a top star here? You need to take this on a nightly basis."
Crawling towards the corner, Vampyra rests one arm on the middle turnbuckle. Throughout her brief-time in FWA, she has experienced nobody like this and he has thrown her around like nothing. Pulling Vampyra up, Alyster Black lights her chest up again with a vicious knife edge chop! Vampyra slumps and we can hear the FWA Champion mutter through his mask, “Should have stayed out of the F1, kid.” and he has a big open hand slap against her face-
And Vampyra stands up immediately and has rage in her eyes!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "WHAT THE F-"
Jean-Luc Watkins catches himself before he can drop a big F bomb but the German crowd are shocked, letting out a big cheer! She’s taken a beating and yet she is still standing. She quickly comes to life with a pumping knee strike and she catches the champion on the chin! Darting off the ropes, the Dark Huntress goes low with a hard dropkick to the knee and that drops Alyster Black!
Seeing Black on his knees, the MAYHEM member runs off the ropes and spikes him into the mat with a Hurricanrana Driver!
Allen Price: "Death Spike!!"
She goes for a cover and hooks both the champion’s legs.
One! Two! Th-
And Alyster Black powers out at two!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And Vampyra somehow found that second gear and she almost pulled the upset of the F1!”
Vampyra sits up on the mat, her breathing has become heavier and heavier by the moment. Bruises are beginning to form around her neck and chest. Alyster Black shakes his head, having some cobwebs after getting his head spiked into the mat. Vampyra rolls to the apron and readies herself. As the FWA World and X Champion gets to his feet, Vampyra leaps and hits a springboard dropkick right on the mark! The impact forces Black down to the mat and he rolls out of the ring!
Pulling herself back up, Vampyra sees Alyster Black trying to collect himself on the outside and this is a time where any wrestler with her level of agility is thinking the same thing.
Take a risk.
Catching her breath, Vampyra darts off the far ropes and dives between the middle and bottom rope with a suicide dive! Even with her size, she pushes Black into the barricade!
Allen Price: “Suicide Dive by Vampyra!!!”
Vampyra bounces off of him and quickly rolls back into the ring to catch her breath and, she hears something she hasn’t really heard strongly in FWA yet, or even in Japan since the pandemic. Though the FWA World and X Champion has his fair share of supporters, we begin to hear from a growing section of the crowd:
“Vam-py-ra!”
“Vam-py-ra!”
“Vam-py-ra!”
A genuine chant for her. Not a sassy song like in the UK, but fans actually supporting her when she’s fighting from behind. Shocked at the response, Vampyra can’t help but break a smile, a bit of the woman under the mask showing herself.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I can’t believe, some fans are actually coming around to Vampyra!”
Allen Price: “We have discussed how impressive she has been in such a short time, but somehow she is really starting to show she belongs with some of the top in FWA, if not now, then in the future.”
Feeling a bit of an adrenaline rush from the fans, Vampyra goes again and with even more speed she nails a second suicide dive in a row! This time, she falls to the floor with Alyster Black and both of them are feeling the effects of the dive!
Allen Price: “Dive by dive, Vampyra is trying to make up that deficit she was in early on.”
Vampyra is the first to get up, pulling herself onto the apron, catching her breath. Alyster Black begins to get up on the outside and Vampyra tries for another risk. She jumps off the middle rope and leaps through the air with a moonsault-
And the FWA World Champion catches her and drops her on the outside floor with a body slam! She lands with a thud and Alyster Black rolls in the ring to break up the count and he sits on the apron.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I think even Alyster Black is getting winded. We’re nearing the 20 minute mark now according to my watch and both competitors were in the battle royal on Thursday night, Vampyra has had matches on both Fallout and Meltdown last week as well.”
Allen Price: “I think this may actually be a time where Vampyra, having competed in the Comet GP, which is a 20 person version of the F1 format, may come in handy.”
Rolling back into the ring, the FWA World Champion decides to take a risk of his own as Vampyra coughs, feeling her back ache after the body slam. Black runs and he leaps over the top rope, nailing a Fosbury Flop!!!
Allen Price: “And the FWA World Champion with a dive of his own!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “God, I hate that it was so impressive…”
Quickly picking Vampyra up, Alyster Black pushes her into the ring. His smaller opponent lies on the mat and Black deadlifts Vampyra with a gutwrench. With an added spin he drives her back and neck into the canvas with a big sit-out powerbomb!!!!
Allen Price: “GAMMA BOMB!”
ONE! TWO! THREE-
KICKOUT! KICKOUT!
Vampyra practically rolls on her neck to kick out of it and she lies on the mat, breathing heavily. Black stares long at her. Even with the mask, we know his reaction, “How on earth is this woman still in this!?” There are some cheers from the fans before they split into two distinct camps, different from the start of the match-
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
‘VAMPYRA’S GONNA BITE YOU!’
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'VAMPYRA’S GONNA BITE YOU!”
Looking for something different, Alyster Black holds her in a front facelock. He needs to just drop her on her head. He puts her arm over his head, ready for his finishing Satan’s Spike Brainbuster, but out of desperation, Vampyra wraps both her legs around one of his and just holds on. Frustrated, Alyster Black repeatedly elbows her in the upper back/neck area. He keeps hammering and hammering away until the official has to step in, drawing a mixed reaction from the fans.
Allen Price: “Frustrating setting in on the FWA World Champion.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Beat him for Toner- I mean, uhh, nothing.”
Vampyra is still breathing heavily on the mat. Now her back is becoming red from the bruises. She is against one of the hardest hitters in FWA, perhaps all of wrestling, and she can barely stand. Alyster Black is about to try and pick her up again…
AND VAMPYRA GETS HIM IN A SMALL PACKAGE PIN!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Pin! SHE HAS A PIN!”
ONE! TWO! THREE-
NO!
Allen Price: “Again, almost the upset!”
Vampyra stumbles to her feet, just getting up a hair before Alyster Black. She lunges forward, nailing him on the chin with a Superkick! Hooking both his leg and an arm, Vampyra forcefully trips and slams the FWA World Champion on the mat with a Lightning Spiral!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “DARK LIGHTNING!”
But no pin. Vampyra lies on the mat with Alyster Black. She’s on empty. As she turns to go for a pinfall, Alyster Black rolls over to his stomach and she doesn’t have it in her to roll him to his back. But the FWA World Champion, maybe out of instinct, makes an error. He crawls towards the ropes, grabbing the middle rope.
Allen Price: “Hold on, Alyster Black is in position. The Moonlight Kick is her precursor to her frog splash.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I can’t believe it, two nights after Alyster Black has won the FWA World Championship, Vampyra is going to pull a giant upset.”
Groggily getting to her feet, Vampyra makes her last ditch effort. She runs off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring, but it is too much time-
ALYSTER BLACK SPRINGS TO LIFE AND TAKES HER HEAD OFF WITH A VICIOUS LARIAT!
Allen Price: “ONE SHOT KILL!”
Vampyra flips from the impact of the lariat, landing on her stomach! Alyster Black falls to a knee, putting everything he had into that clothesline. He rolls Vampyra over and the pin count is made.
ONE! TWO! THREE!
Getting on his hands and knees, the FWA Double Champion catches his breath as Natalie Rosenberg announces his victory
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner, FWA World and X Champion… ALYSTER BLACK!”
His theme music plays and the match official raises his hands before he heads to get both of his championships. A tired and aching Vampyra rolls to the outside of the ring where she collapses on all fours.
Allen Price: “Statement win for our new FWA World Champion, and in a weird way, a statement despite the result for Vampyra. She went toe to toe with Alyster Black and did better than probably anyone would have expected, especially for a replacement.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “But we don’t deliver pity points here. Especially with the reduction of Pool A’s number, I think winning the F1 Climaxxx is a bit of a pipe dream for her. Let’s see the standings."
Allen Price: “That win puts Alyster Black clear of Tommy Bedlam, who doesn’t have a match this week, at the head of the standings with four points. The world champion is in a dominant position, with Michelle von Horrowitz to compete against Mike Parr’s mystery opponent in our next match…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Vampyra, meanwhile, slumps to a second defeat. She gets her own bye next week, which will be a chance for her to regroup before going into her last two matches in this stage. She’ll need other results to go her way to qualify for the semi-finals, but I’m sure Vampyra will want to finish strongly none-the-less…”
In the ring, Alyster Black is handed both his FWA World Championship and FWA X Championship and holds both of them up proudly. He worked a year to raise the X Championship to be more than just a “hardcore” title, and now also being the FWA World Champion legitimizes his other championship.
Vampyra has a limp as she heads up the ramp holding her entrance gear, as an official walks alongside her just out of precaution. This match certainly will rank near the top of her most hard hitting matches in her career. But she stops. Near the barricade, she sees a young girl with a Vampyra mask. She stops and grabs the mask from her entrance, handing it to the young girl. She jumps up with joy and Vampyra can't help but have a small grin herself. Therapeutic after a tough loss.
Back in the ring, Alyster Black raises both his championships again, this time heading to the top turnbuckle.
Allen Price: “One again, great match-up from both Alyster Black and Vampyra and that is just the opening match. More Fallout action coming up including the North American Championship being on the line in our main event! Lizzie Rose defends against Big Bryan Baxter with the championship AND F1 points up for grabs!"
As we return to Fallout, Jon Russnow is standing in the centre of the ring, as his music fades out with the FWA Brand Consultant having made his entrance during the commercial break. Russnow holds a microphone and waits for his cue to begin talking; in his other hand is a folder and he is also not alone. FWA referee, Joey Ortiz, stands next to him with his hands out in front of him. Russnow clears his throat.
Jon Russnow: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Fallout. With six F1 Climaxxx matches in total tonight and a couple of other important announcements to come, I apologise for having to take up time on this show for a matter that all of us in the FWA view as regrettable. Please, understand that I am sorry, but this has to be done.”
Russnow waits for a moment and then continues.
Jon Russnow: “However, I made a promise to investigate a matter that was raised to me by a member of the FWA roster and I make sure that I keep any promises that I can to my talent. So, to that end, I’d like to invite Shawn Summers to join me out here.”
Immediately, the crowd descends into boos, although there are some cheers for ‘Der Bastard’, given where we are currently located. Summers comes out from the back, dressed in a suit as opposed to his wrestling gear.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “For those unaware, Shawn Summers has taken severe umbrage with the decisions taken by FWA management after he feels that he was cheated out of the FWA Television Championship at Lights Out due to poor decision making by the official in his match with Phillip A. Jackson, Joey Ortiz.”
Allen Price: “Hey, I’m a Shawn Summers guy. However, even I can admit that this is all tenuous at best, as much as I’d love to be able to say that he is still the FWA Television Champion.”
Summers snatches a microphone of his own from someone at ringside and then gets into the ring. ‘Cola’ fades out and he stands with his eyes focused on Ortiz, who does his best to show that he is not intimidated by the man who has accused him of cheating.
Jon Russnow: “Shawn, thank you for joining us out here, I-”
Shawn Summers: “I've been gracious, Russnow. I had planned to come out on Meltdown and end that clown’s career, but at the last minute, I decided to be gracious and show him some mercy. I decided that wouldn't be fair to him, his family, and everyone he cared about. I gave him more grace than the FWA and you have given me. So, Russnow, I'm done waiting. Tell me your findings and tell me what I want to hear.”
Russnow takes a deep breath and nods his head, feeling slightly nervous due to the intensity radiating from the former Television Champion. The fans listen intently.
Jon Russnow: “I have looked into this matter for you as I promised, Shawn. I remained unbiased throughout. I reviewed the footage over fifty times, I conducted interviews with Joey here, the commentators, cameramen and even reached out to some fans who were in the front row. Shawn, I’m sorry to say it, but I can’t in good conscience say that Joey did anything wrong. So, my findings are that the result stands. Nothing is going to happen, Shawn.”
The fans cheer very loudly and Ortiz breathes a sigh of relief. However, as expected, Shawn Summers is irate.
Shawn Summers: “That's fucking bullshit. That's bullshit, Russnow. You're trying to protect this company - a company that doesn't give a shit about you and will replace you the moment you do something they don't like. You found nothing? Okay, alright. Alright, you found nothing. That's cool. I'm sure my attorneys, my Uncle Ru's attorneys, will be able to find what your team couldn't.
Jon Russnow: “Shawn, there’s simply nothing that can be done-”
Shawn Summers: “Shut up. Shut your fucking mouth when I'm talking. You think this is a game. You think this will just go away because you want it to but that's not how this works. This isn't a game. This is my LIFE and I'm willing to go to lengths no one else in this company would to right the wrongs that have been done against me.
I'm willing to take this whole thing to trial, Russnow. I'll have each and every one of your officials, producers, stagehands, commentators, interviewers, EVERYONE investigated and shut this whole tour down.”
Summer points around the entire ringside area and at the fans, who boo him loudly.
Jon Russnow: “Shawn, the matter is settled as far as we’re concerned. If your benefactor is happy to waste his resources, then let him. But we’ve got resources of our own and we will not bow to pressure. You need to just chill out!”
Despite Russnow’s words, he seems unsure and is potentially bluffing. Summers shakes his head and takes a step closer to the much smaller man.
Shawn Summers:“You want me to chill? Okay, I'll be chill. Just give me a match next week on FALLOUT! I’m done competing on that B-rate show, Meltdown!”
Russnow smirks and chuckles under his breath.
Jon Russnow: “I am not giving you a match for the Television Championship, Shawn! Vampyra is the rightful contender and if you want a shot you’re going to have to earn it just like everyone else.”
Even though Russnow laid down the law, Summers laughs to himself and then motions towards Russnow.
Shawn Summers: “See, that's your problem. You think it's about the belt, and it's not. It was never about the belt. It was ALWAYS about protecting my self-respect. I just want a match. One match. One match with the person that fucked everything up. Give me a match against the referee that officiated the match between me and Jackson at Lights Out and I'll drop the entire thing. One match and everything goes back to normal. You give me a match with that sorry sack of shit right there and this all… goes… away.”
The finger of Shawn Summers is pointing at Joey Ortiz. The referee baulks at the suggestion and shakes his head but the look on the face of Jon Russnow shows that he is thinking this over. Summers repeats the last line again off-mic.
Jon Russnow: “If that’s what it is going to take? Fine. Shawn Summers versus Joey Ortiz on Fallout 023 in Vienna. You’ve got your match.”
Summers nods his head grins upon getting what he asked for and Russnow immediately leaves the ring with a concerned and frustrated Joey Ortiz following him to plead his case and ask him to reconsider. ‘Cola’ plays again and Shawn Summers seems extremely content with how this has played out.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Someone call Phil Leotardo, because we’ve got ourselves a compromise! Shawn Summers has agreed to drop all legal action against the FWA, and all it took was the promise of a match with Joey Ortiz on Fallout 023.”
Allen Price: “This isn’t fair! Ortiz isn’t a wrestler, he’s a referee! He shouldn’t be made to compete in a match! How could Russnow agree to that?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Price, people doing things they have no credentials for us not a conversation that you want to be part of.”
With Russnow and Ortiz out of sight, Summers leaves the ring and wears a devilish smirk as he waves to the crowd before we fade away.
There's a reasonable pop around the Christmas markets as Michelle von Horrowitz walks out onto the stage, her championship belt upon her shoulder and a look about her that suggests she's focussed on the task at hand. She surveys the German audience from the stage before beginning her way down the ramp.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one-fall…"
ONE-FALL!
Natalie Rosenberg: "… with a thirty minute time limit, and is a Pool A match-up in the F1 Climaxxx tournament. Introducing first, weighing in tonight at fifty three kilograms, she is one half of the FWA World Tag Team Champions… from Rotterdam in the Netherlands… 'Dreamer'... Michelle… von… HORROWITZ!!"
Allen Price: "MvH may have won her first match of the F1 process last week against Cornelius Aurelius Caesar… but that was all for nothing, given that the Roman has had to withdraw from the tournament. Those two points she won had been scrapped from the record, meaning she'll have to start over again here against a mystery opponent…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "We just saw how the FWA World Champion's win over Vampyra affected the Pool A standing, with Alyster Black moving to four points, ahead of Tommy Bedlam who gets a bye week this time around. Michelle will surely want to keep pace with Black Jesus, but she's already voiced her displeasure at having to face the unknown tonight."
Allen Price: "Nature of the beast, J-L!"
Von Horrowitz slides into the ring and walks into one of the corners opposite the ramp. She takes a seat with her head propped up against the second turnbuckle, staring off towards the stage as her music fades out.
The pause stretches out, as everyone on the bleachers surrounding the ring joins Dreamer in looking up at the stage in anticipation…
Allen Price: "Who's it going to be?!"
There's a positive pop at first, the excitement about the forthcoming match clear amongst the assembled fans, but this turns to a more mixed reaction when Gabrielle walks out onto the stage. She stares down the ramp at Michelle, the camera cutting to Dreamer as an odd little smirk appears on her face.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And her opponent… weighing in at fifty seven kilograms… she is the Goddess… GABRIELLE!!"
Allen Price: "Wow!! Gabrielle is Mike Parr's replacement in the F1 Climaxxx! I guess Executive Excellence will still be represented in this tournament…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I guess so, Price! And a certain deja vu will descend on those of you who watch all of FWA's programming… this is actually the second time that Michelle von Horrowitz has faced Gabrielle as a mystery opponent, having done so on Meltdown at the start of this year. MvH came out on top in that singles match, though a lot has happened since that encounter back in the spring."
Allen Price: "Indeed it has, including - most recently - a coordinated attack by Cthulhu's Nephews, who just happen to be Michelle's staunch allies, on Gabrielle, her tag team partner Kayden Knox, and other tandems forty eight hours ago on Meltdown. That assault was no doubt meant as a warning shot ahead of the forthcoming tag team Mile High Massacre match on Fallout 024, but Dreamer would've been unaware that Gabrielle would actually have a chance for vengeance far sooner!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Also interesting to note that neither of these women have their tag team partners at their side tonight… although that doesn't mean Michelle won't have some sort of support from her back-up at some stage during this contest. Gaby is going to need eyes in the back of her head, I fear…"
Gabrielle has climbed into the ring and Michelle to her feet, the two coming towards each other for a brief stand-off. The official, DJ Franchise, comes between them, forcing them back towards their own corners, where the stand-off continues but from afar. Eventually, with anticipation for the unexpected contest reaching further pitch, Franchise calls for the bell…
The crowd winces from the impact then Alyster Black does a second chop across the chest!
Allen Price: “OOOH…. Ouch!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: "He’s going to cave her chest in by the end of the match, I just know it."
Grabbing the ropes, Vampyra winces, catching her breath as the chants from the crowd continue…
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
Getting out of the corner, Vampyra is met with a second forearm strike from Black! She drops to a knee as Alyster Black winds back with another forearm before grabbing her with a mask-to-mask headbutt-
And Vampyra gets up from it immediately! Glares a hole through the mask of Alyster Black. The FWA X Champion leans his head down, meeting her forehead-to forehead, daring her to show what she can bring and Vampyra responds in kind with a heavy elbow strike! Alyster Black is taken back by the strength of her forearm and she follows it up by grabbing him by the head and hitting a flurry of forearms to the head! The fans are surprised that she is even half the striker that Black is! The double champion is dazed and Vampyra… puts her three fingers down in an “M” and shoves it in Alyster Black’s face! Some intensity from the newcomer!
She chops him in the chest with a loud slap before she kicks him in the leg! The next kick she goes higher, getting him in the ribs. The third goes up to the chest and it hits with a loud thud! Vampyra is actually starting to match the striking game of the expert brawler and she runs off the ropes-
To be taken down with a hard shoulder block!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And there is Vampyra’s Achilles heel, her size! She somehow managed to chop Black back, but there is an over 100 pound difference between them!"
Allen Price: "In some ways, you shouldn’t be surprised with Vampyra’s striking game. The common Joshi style is very much high-flying mixed with that strong style of striking and a technical flare. Just in FWA, she may have to rely more on that speed."
Pulling Vampyra off the mat, Alyster Black pulls her by the wrist and sends her sternum first into the corner with an Irish whip! He gives her a body splash into the corner then drags her back towards the middle of the ring, folding her overhead with a Saito suplex!
Vampyra lands hard on her neck, an experience every young Joshi gets used to rather quickly. She rolls close to the corner and Alyster Black stomps her repeatedly, forcing her into the corner. The official counts until four as Black stops, but the chants continue.
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
Scraping Vampyra off the mat, Alyster Black puts her onto the second turnbuckle and does ANOTHER hard chop to her chest. He’s thinking big early on, just to put her away quickly. As he ascends to the second rope to join her, Vampyra delivers a headbutt of her own! Then two forearms to push Black off. The FWA X Champion lands on his feet, but he stumbles on the landing. Vampyra moves up to the top rope and jumps hitting a diving hurricanrana! Alyster Black crashes into the mat and bounces back up as Vampyra runs hitting a calf-kick just under the chin! The Dark Huntress is building speed as she jumps off the middle rope landing a springboard crossbody! She manages to get him down for a pin.
One-
And a quick kick out from Alyster Black. There is some clapping from the Cologne fans, somewhat impressed after the flurry of moves.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Now THAT is what Vampya may need to do to get one over on the FWA World Champion… Still need to get used to that."
Allen Price: "Her high-flying ability is one of the better in FWA at least so far. It’s her bread and butter. "
Keeping on top of her opponent, Vampyra chops Black in the chest as he gets back to his feet and forces him into the corner. Rolling back, she runs and hits a double knee strike into the corner! Even at just a bit over 100 pounds, she has the speed to make it feel like you got hit by a speeding motorbike! She ascends to the second turnbuckle and wraps her legs around the neck of the champion. She leans back over the ropes, hanging like a bat, and begins to choke him! The official counts. One! Two! Three-
And Alyster Black hits her in the leg to break her grip.He grabs both of Vampya’s legs and carries her while she is hanging upside down closer to the middle of the ring and slams her face first into the mat with a reverse alabama slam! The Japanese star bounces off the mat, going to her knees as Black runs off the ropes, hitting a roaring elbow to the side of the head! He rolls over over for a pin.
One! Two-
And Vampyra, although having her jaw nearly dislocated off of the elbow strike, kicks out at two.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And Vampyra made the mistake of trying to slow things down a moment and that cost her."
Allen Price: "And with this opening for Alyster Black, Vampyra may get a bitter taste of what it takes to compete in this tournament."
On her hands and knees, Vampyra is dazed. Picking her up, Alyster Black elbows her another time then knife-edge chops her! The crowd winces from the chop and he pushes her back into the corner. Violence Party? Alyster Black starts to do a collection of chops and forearms, but the smaller Vampyra ducks under it and slides between his legs. She runs back for a dropkick-
And Alyster Black side steps as Vampyra crashes into the mat! She is lying at the base of the turnbuckle as Alyster Black runs off the opposite ropes and hits a big boot to her face, a running face wash! Vampyra lies in the corner, blinking, dazed and Black pulls her in the middle of the ring for a pin.
One… Two…. and another kick out from Vampyra. The FWA World Champion’s size advantage and sheer ability to knock people out has been a big difference maker.
Scraping Vampyra off the mat, Alyster Black scoops her up, parading her around the ring before dropping her with a body slam! Classic, simple, but effective. Vampya sits up after the shock to her spine and Black follows with a dropkick to the back of the head! The fans continue to chant 'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH,' showing support for the new champion. Putting Vampyra in a full nelson, Alyster lifts her off the mat then overheads with a snapping Dragon Suplex! Vampyra rolls into the corner from the move and now it is time to break her down.
A big collection of chops and elbows in the corner!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Violence Party!!!”
Allen Price: “Thanks for coming, Vampyra!”
Alyster Black chops and elbows Vampyra until she can’t stand anymore and he pulls her out of the corner with headbutts and knees, dropping her down to the mat. Holding up his arm, Black is ready.
Allen Price: “And a One Shot Kill incoming.”
Alyster Black runs off the ropes full steam ahead. He extends his arm for the lariat-
And Vampyra flies through with a Spanish Fly!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And Vampyra just avoided disaster! Hell of a Spanish Fly!"
Allen Price: “She clearly has done some scouting on the champion. Black has one of the best lariats in the game.”
Mouth open, Vampyra is breathing heavily. She’s used to her fair share of hard hitting match-ups, but Black is perhaps at a higher level. As Black gets to his feet, Vampyra runs off the ropes and dropkicks him in the back of the head, he flies forward and lands on the middle rope! Vampyra has some distance and runs off the ropes. She grabs the ropes to swing herself around for a tiger feint kick-
And Black grabs her legs! Pulling her into the middle of the ring he steps over, gets the toe hold and a front facelock, STF!
Allen Price: “STF is in! Alyster Black caught the Moonlight Kick and he has her in a submission, grounded on the mat!”
With the massive size difference, the submission is perhaps even more devastating as Alyster Black wrenches back. Vampyra raises her hand, struggling to escape. The FWA World Champion keeps the hold in tight and Vampyra tries to crawl on the mat but it is too much weight. She holds out her hand, trying to reach for the ropes, but it is too far. There is no way she’s going to crawl to the ropes.
Realising she has little other option, she reaches up and pulls on Alyster Black’s mask! She doesn’t try to rip it off, but she gets it somewhat turned around and Black is forced to let go to adjust. Vampyra rolls to her stomach and forearms him several times and finally gets him off!
Backing up, Vampyra hits a big roundhouse kick to the side of the head. The World Champion doesn’t drop, but he appears dazed. Vampyra runs off the ropes for more momentum-
And Alyster Black pops her up into a Death Valley Driver!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And Vampyra’s escape route is cut off again!!!"
Black goes for a cover on Vampyra.
One… Two… T-
And Vampyra rolls her shoulder off the mat. The FWA World Champion sits up on the mat and his mask glances down at Vampyra. Is he frustrated? In disbelief? Impressed?
Allen Price: "She’s been hanging on and taking punishment, but each time she gets something going, Alyster Black cuts her off."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "This is the cream of the crop, kid, like it or not, and I certainly don’t. You want to be a top star here? You need to take this on a nightly basis."
Crawling towards the corner, Vampyra rests one arm on the middle turnbuckle. Throughout her brief-time in FWA, she has experienced nobody like this and he has thrown her around like nothing. Pulling Vampyra up, Alyster Black lights her chest up again with a vicious knife edge chop! Vampyra slumps and we can hear the FWA Champion mutter through his mask, “Should have stayed out of the F1, kid.” and he has a big open hand slap against her face-
And Vampyra stands up immediately and has rage in her eyes!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "WHAT THE F-"
Jean-Luc Watkins catches himself before he can drop a big F bomb but the German crowd are shocked, letting out a big cheer! She’s taken a beating and yet she is still standing. She quickly comes to life with a pumping knee strike and she catches the champion on the chin! Darting off the ropes, the Dark Huntress goes low with a hard dropkick to the knee and that drops Alyster Black!
Seeing Black on his knees, the MAYHEM member runs off the ropes and spikes him into the mat with a Hurricanrana Driver!
Allen Price: "Death Spike!!"
She goes for a cover and hooks both the champion’s legs.
One! Two! Th-
And Alyster Black powers out at two!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And Vampyra somehow found that second gear and she almost pulled the upset of the F1!”
Vampyra sits up on the mat, her breathing has become heavier and heavier by the moment. Bruises are beginning to form around her neck and chest. Alyster Black shakes his head, having some cobwebs after getting his head spiked into the mat. Vampyra rolls to the apron and readies herself. As the FWA World and X Champion gets to his feet, Vampyra leaps and hits a springboard dropkick right on the mark! The impact forces Black down to the mat and he rolls out of the ring!
Pulling herself back up, Vampyra sees Alyster Black trying to collect himself on the outside and this is a time where any wrestler with her level of agility is thinking the same thing.
Take a risk.
Catching her breath, Vampyra darts off the far ropes and dives between the middle and bottom rope with a suicide dive! Even with her size, she pushes Black into the barricade!
Allen Price: “Suicide Dive by Vampyra!!!”
Vampyra bounces off of him and quickly rolls back into the ring to catch her breath and, she hears something she hasn’t really heard strongly in FWA yet, or even in Japan since the pandemic. Though the FWA World and X Champion has his fair share of supporters, we begin to hear from a growing section of the crowd:
“Vam-py-ra!”
“Vam-py-ra!”
“Vam-py-ra!”
A genuine chant for her. Not a sassy song like in the UK, but fans actually supporting her when she’s fighting from behind. Shocked at the response, Vampyra can’t help but break a smile, a bit of the woman under the mask showing herself.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I can’t believe, some fans are actually coming around to Vampyra!”
Allen Price: “We have discussed how impressive she has been in such a short time, but somehow she is really starting to show she belongs with some of the top in FWA, if not now, then in the future.”
Feeling a bit of an adrenaline rush from the fans, Vampyra goes again and with even more speed she nails a second suicide dive in a row! This time, she falls to the floor with Alyster Black and both of them are feeling the effects of the dive!
Allen Price: “Dive by dive, Vampyra is trying to make up that deficit she was in early on.”
Vampyra is the first to get up, pulling herself onto the apron, catching her breath. Alyster Black begins to get up on the outside and Vampyra tries for another risk. She jumps off the middle rope and leaps through the air with a moonsault-
And the FWA World Champion catches her and drops her on the outside floor with a body slam! She lands with a thud and Alyster Black rolls in the ring to break up the count and he sits on the apron.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I think even Alyster Black is getting winded. We’re nearing the 20 minute mark now according to my watch and both competitors were in the battle royal on Thursday night, Vampyra has had matches on both Fallout and Meltdown last week as well.”
Allen Price: “I think this may actually be a time where Vampyra, having competed in the Comet GP, which is a 20 person version of the F1 format, may come in handy.”
Rolling back into the ring, the FWA World Champion decides to take a risk of his own as Vampyra coughs, feeling her back ache after the body slam. Black runs and he leaps over the top rope, nailing a Fosbury Flop!!!
Allen Price: “And the FWA World Champion with a dive of his own!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “God, I hate that it was so impressive…”
Quickly picking Vampyra up, Alyster Black pushes her into the ring. His smaller opponent lies on the mat and Black deadlifts Vampyra with a gutwrench. With an added spin he drives her back and neck into the canvas with a big sit-out powerbomb!!!!
Allen Price: “GAMMA BOMB!”
ONE! TWO! THREE-
KICKOUT! KICKOUT!
Vampyra practically rolls on her neck to kick out of it and she lies on the mat, breathing heavily. Black stares long at her. Even with the mask, we know his reaction, “How on earth is this woman still in this!?” There are some cheers from the fans before they split into two distinct camps, different from the start of the match-
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
‘VAMPYRA’S GONNA BITE YOU!’
'ALY BLACK AINT NOTHIN' TA FUCK WITH'
'VAMPYRA’S GONNA BITE YOU!”
Looking for something different, Alyster Black holds her in a front facelock. He needs to just drop her on her head. He puts her arm over his head, ready for his finishing Satan’s Spike Brainbuster, but out of desperation, Vampyra wraps both her legs around one of his and just holds on. Frustrated, Alyster Black repeatedly elbows her in the upper back/neck area. He keeps hammering and hammering away until the official has to step in, drawing a mixed reaction from the fans.
Allen Price: “Frustrating setting in on the FWA World Champion.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Beat him for Toner- I mean, uhh, nothing.”
Vampyra is still breathing heavily on the mat. Now her back is becoming red from the bruises. She is against one of the hardest hitters in FWA, perhaps all of wrestling, and she can barely stand. Alyster Black is about to try and pick her up again…
AND VAMPYRA GETS HIM IN A SMALL PACKAGE PIN!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Pin! SHE HAS A PIN!”
ONE! TWO! THREE-
NO!
Allen Price: “Again, almost the upset!”
Vampyra stumbles to her feet, just getting up a hair before Alyster Black. She lunges forward, nailing him on the chin with a Superkick! Hooking both his leg and an arm, Vampyra forcefully trips and slams the FWA World Champion on the mat with a Lightning Spiral!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “DARK LIGHTNING!”
But no pin. Vampyra lies on the mat with Alyster Black. She’s on empty. As she turns to go for a pinfall, Alyster Black rolls over to his stomach and she doesn’t have it in her to roll him to his back. But the FWA World Champion, maybe out of instinct, makes an error. He crawls towards the ropes, grabbing the middle rope.
Allen Price: “Hold on, Alyster Black is in position. The Moonlight Kick is her precursor to her frog splash.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I can’t believe it, two nights after Alyster Black has won the FWA World Championship, Vampyra is going to pull a giant upset.”
Groggily getting to her feet, Vampyra makes her last ditch effort. She runs off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring, but it is too much time-
ALYSTER BLACK SPRINGS TO LIFE AND TAKES HER HEAD OFF WITH A VICIOUS LARIAT!
Allen Price: “ONE SHOT KILL!”
Vampyra flips from the impact of the lariat, landing on her stomach! Alyster Black falls to a knee, putting everything he had into that clothesline. He rolls Vampyra over and the pin count is made.
ONE! TWO! THREE!
Winner: Alyster Black by Pinfall. 22:51
Getting on his hands and knees, the FWA Double Champion catches his breath as Natalie Rosenberg announces his victory
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner, FWA World and X Champion… ALYSTER BLACK!”
His theme music plays and the match official raises his hands before he heads to get both of his championships. A tired and aching Vampyra rolls to the outside of the ring where she collapses on all fours.
Allen Price: “Statement win for our new FWA World Champion, and in a weird way, a statement despite the result for Vampyra. She went toe to toe with Alyster Black and did better than probably anyone would have expected, especially for a replacement.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “But we don’t deliver pity points here. Especially with the reduction of Pool A’s number, I think winning the F1 Climaxxx is a bit of a pipe dream for her. Let’s see the standings."
Allen Price: “That win puts Alyster Black clear of Tommy Bedlam, who doesn’t have a match this week, at the head of the standings with four points. The world champion is in a dominant position, with Michelle von Horrowitz to compete against Mike Parr’s mystery opponent in our next match…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Vampyra, meanwhile, slumps to a second defeat. She gets her own bye next week, which will be a chance for her to regroup before going into her last two matches in this stage. She’ll need other results to go her way to qualify for the semi-finals, but I’m sure Vampyra will want to finish strongly none-the-less…”
In the ring, Alyster Black is handed both his FWA World Championship and FWA X Championship and holds both of them up proudly. He worked a year to raise the X Championship to be more than just a “hardcore” title, and now also being the FWA World Champion legitimizes his other championship.
Vampyra has a limp as she heads up the ramp holding her entrance gear, as an official walks alongside her just out of precaution. This match certainly will rank near the top of her most hard hitting matches in her career. But she stops. Near the barricade, she sees a young girl with a Vampyra mask. She stops and grabs the mask from her entrance, handing it to the young girl. She jumps up with joy and Vampyra can't help but have a small grin herself. Therapeutic after a tough loss.
Back in the ring, Alyster Black raises both his championships again, this time heading to the top turnbuckle.
Allen Price: “One again, great match-up from both Alyster Black and Vampyra and that is just the opening match. More Fallout action coming up including the North American Championship being on the line in our main event! Lizzie Rose defends against Big Bryan Baxter with the championship AND F1 points up for grabs!"
As we return to Fallout, Jon Russnow is standing in the centre of the ring, as his music fades out with the FWA Brand Consultant having made his entrance during the commercial break. Russnow holds a microphone and waits for his cue to begin talking; in his other hand is a folder and he is also not alone. FWA referee, Joey Ortiz, stands next to him with his hands out in front of him. Russnow clears his throat.
Jon Russnow: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Fallout. With six F1 Climaxxx matches in total tonight and a couple of other important announcements to come, I apologise for having to take up time on this show for a matter that all of us in the FWA view as regrettable. Please, understand that I am sorry, but this has to be done.”
Russnow waits for a moment and then continues.
Jon Russnow: “However, I made a promise to investigate a matter that was raised to me by a member of the FWA roster and I make sure that I keep any promises that I can to my talent. So, to that end, I’d like to invite Shawn Summers to join me out here.”
Immediately, the crowd descends into boos, although there are some cheers for ‘Der Bastard’, given where we are currently located. Summers comes out from the back, dressed in a suit as opposed to his wrestling gear.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “For those unaware, Shawn Summers has taken severe umbrage with the decisions taken by FWA management after he feels that he was cheated out of the FWA Television Championship at Lights Out due to poor decision making by the official in his match with Phillip A. Jackson, Joey Ortiz.”
Allen Price: “Hey, I’m a Shawn Summers guy. However, even I can admit that this is all tenuous at best, as much as I’d love to be able to say that he is still the FWA Television Champion.”
Summers snatches a microphone of his own from someone at ringside and then gets into the ring. ‘Cola’ fades out and he stands with his eyes focused on Ortiz, who does his best to show that he is not intimidated by the man who has accused him of cheating.
Jon Russnow: “Shawn, thank you for joining us out here, I-”
Shawn Summers: “I've been gracious, Russnow. I had planned to come out on Meltdown and end that clown’s career, but at the last minute, I decided to be gracious and show him some mercy. I decided that wouldn't be fair to him, his family, and everyone he cared about. I gave him more grace than the FWA and you have given me. So, Russnow, I'm done waiting. Tell me your findings and tell me what I want to hear.”
Russnow takes a deep breath and nods his head, feeling slightly nervous due to the intensity radiating from the former Television Champion. The fans listen intently.
Jon Russnow: “I have looked into this matter for you as I promised, Shawn. I remained unbiased throughout. I reviewed the footage over fifty times, I conducted interviews with Joey here, the commentators, cameramen and even reached out to some fans who were in the front row. Shawn, I’m sorry to say it, but I can’t in good conscience say that Joey did anything wrong. So, my findings are that the result stands. Nothing is going to happen, Shawn.”
The fans cheer very loudly and Ortiz breathes a sigh of relief. However, as expected, Shawn Summers is irate.
Shawn Summers: “That's fucking bullshit. That's bullshit, Russnow. You're trying to protect this company - a company that doesn't give a shit about you and will replace you the moment you do something they don't like. You found nothing? Okay, alright. Alright, you found nothing. That's cool. I'm sure my attorneys, my Uncle Ru's attorneys, will be able to find what your team couldn't.
Jon Russnow: “Shawn, there’s simply nothing that can be done-”
Shawn Summers: “Shut up. Shut your fucking mouth when I'm talking. You think this is a game. You think this will just go away because you want it to but that's not how this works. This isn't a game. This is my LIFE and I'm willing to go to lengths no one else in this company would to right the wrongs that have been done against me.
I'm willing to take this whole thing to trial, Russnow. I'll have each and every one of your officials, producers, stagehands, commentators, interviewers, EVERYONE investigated and shut this whole tour down.”
Summer points around the entire ringside area and at the fans, who boo him loudly.
Jon Russnow: “Shawn, the matter is settled as far as we’re concerned. If your benefactor is happy to waste his resources, then let him. But we’ve got resources of our own and we will not bow to pressure. You need to just chill out!”
Despite Russnow’s words, he seems unsure and is potentially bluffing. Summers shakes his head and takes a step closer to the much smaller man.
Shawn Summers:“You want me to chill? Okay, I'll be chill. Just give me a match next week on FALLOUT! I’m done competing on that B-rate show, Meltdown!”
Russnow smirks and chuckles under his breath.
Jon Russnow: “I am not giving you a match for the Television Championship, Shawn! Vampyra is the rightful contender and if you want a shot you’re going to have to earn it just like everyone else.”
Even though Russnow laid down the law, Summers laughs to himself and then motions towards Russnow.
Shawn Summers: “See, that's your problem. You think it's about the belt, and it's not. It was never about the belt. It was ALWAYS about protecting my self-respect. I just want a match. One match. One match with the person that fucked everything up. Give me a match against the referee that officiated the match between me and Jackson at Lights Out and I'll drop the entire thing. One match and everything goes back to normal. You give me a match with that sorry sack of shit right there and this all… goes… away.”
The finger of Shawn Summers is pointing at Joey Ortiz. The referee baulks at the suggestion and shakes his head but the look on the face of Jon Russnow shows that he is thinking this over. Summers repeats the last line again off-mic.
Jon Russnow: “If that’s what it is going to take? Fine. Shawn Summers versus Joey Ortiz on Fallout 023 in Vienna. You’ve got your match.”
Summers nods his head grins upon getting what he asked for and Russnow immediately leaves the ring with a concerned and frustrated Joey Ortiz following him to plead his case and ask him to reconsider. ‘Cola’ plays again and Shawn Summers seems extremely content with how this has played out.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Someone call Phil Leotardo, because we’ve got ourselves a compromise! Shawn Summers has agreed to drop all legal action against the FWA, and all it took was the promise of a match with Joey Ortiz on Fallout 023.”
Allen Price: “This isn’t fair! Ortiz isn’t a wrestler, he’s a referee! He shouldn’t be made to compete in a match! How could Russnow agree to that?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Price, people doing things they have no credentials for us not a conversation that you want to be part of.”
With Russnow and Ortiz out of sight, Summers leaves the ring and wears a devilish smirk as he waves to the crowd before we fade away.
There's a reasonable pop around the Christmas markets as Michelle von Horrowitz walks out onto the stage, her championship belt upon her shoulder and a look about her that suggests she's focussed on the task at hand. She surveys the German audience from the stage before beginning her way down the ramp.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one-fall…"
ONE-FALL!
Natalie Rosenberg: "… with a thirty minute time limit, and is a Pool A match-up in the F1 Climaxxx tournament. Introducing first, weighing in tonight at fifty three kilograms, she is one half of the FWA World Tag Team Champions… from Rotterdam in the Netherlands… 'Dreamer'... Michelle… von… HORROWITZ!!"
Allen Price: "MvH may have won her first match of the F1 process last week against Cornelius Aurelius Caesar… but that was all for nothing, given that the Roman has had to withdraw from the tournament. Those two points she won had been scrapped from the record, meaning she'll have to start over again here against a mystery opponent…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "We just saw how the FWA World Champion's win over Vampyra affected the Pool A standing, with Alyster Black moving to four points, ahead of Tommy Bedlam who gets a bye week this time around. Michelle will surely want to keep pace with Black Jesus, but she's already voiced her displeasure at having to face the unknown tonight."
Allen Price: "Nature of the beast, J-L!"
Von Horrowitz slides into the ring and walks into one of the corners opposite the ramp. She takes a seat with her head propped up against the second turnbuckle, staring off towards the stage as her music fades out.
The pause stretches out, as everyone on the bleachers surrounding the ring joins Dreamer in looking up at the stage in anticipation…
Allen Price: "Who's it going to be?!"
There's a positive pop at first, the excitement about the forthcoming match clear amongst the assembled fans, but this turns to a more mixed reaction when Gabrielle walks out onto the stage. She stares down the ramp at Michelle, the camera cutting to Dreamer as an odd little smirk appears on her face.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And her opponent… weighing in at fifty seven kilograms… she is the Goddess… GABRIELLE!!"
Allen Price: "Wow!! Gabrielle is Mike Parr's replacement in the F1 Climaxxx! I guess Executive Excellence will still be represented in this tournament…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I guess so, Price! And a certain deja vu will descend on those of you who watch all of FWA's programming… this is actually the second time that Michelle von Horrowitz has faced Gabrielle as a mystery opponent, having done so on Meltdown at the start of this year. MvH came out on top in that singles match, though a lot has happened since that encounter back in the spring."
Allen Price: "Indeed it has, including - most recently - a coordinated attack by Cthulhu's Nephews, who just happen to be Michelle's staunch allies, on Gabrielle, her tag team partner Kayden Knox, and other tandems forty eight hours ago on Meltdown. That assault was no doubt meant as a warning shot ahead of the forthcoming tag team Mile High Massacre match on Fallout 024, but Dreamer would've been unaware that Gabrielle would actually have a chance for vengeance far sooner!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Also interesting to note that neither of these women have their tag team partners at their side tonight… although that doesn't mean Michelle won't have some sort of support from her back-up at some stage during this contest. Gaby is going to need eyes in the back of her head, I fear…"
Gabrielle has climbed into the ring and Michelle to her feet, the two coming towards each other for a brief stand-off. The official, DJ Franchise, comes between them, forcing them back towards their own corners, where the stand-off continues but from afar. Eventually, with anticipation for the unexpected contest reaching further pitch, Franchise calls for the bell…
The two women start the match by circling the ring widely and slowly, the audience collectively inching towards the edge of their seats as they do so, before finally bringing it together in a classic collar and elbow tie up. Gabrielle forces Michelle back towards a corner first… before Dreamer bucks and starts to edge the Goddess back towards the opposite corner… and then the momentum reverses again, Gabrielle succeeding in backing MvH all the way up into a set of turnbuckles. The official tries to instigate a clean break… not observed by Gabrielle, who hits MvH with a hard knife edge chop, and then a second, and a third! She takes Dreamer by the wrist and attempts an Irish whip into the opposite corner, but it's reversed by Michelle, Gaby sent into the turnbuckles instead. Dreamer charges across the ring for an attempted clothesline, but it's evaded and Michelle hits the turnbuckles chest-first… and then eats a dropkick from Montgomery! Michelle is back to her feet quickly, but is sent back down again with a spinning heel kick!
Michelle thinks better than to quickly scramble to her feet a second time, instead rolling beneath the bottom rope and observing her opponent from the outside. Gabrielle watches on from inside the ring with her hand on her hips, a gentle smile on her lips.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Gabrielle comes out on top of the opening exchange here in this one, with Michelle von Horrowitz taking to the outside to re-evaluate her options."
Allen Price: "She's doing a full circuit of the ring here, J-L, and makes Gabrielle wait for her to get back into the ring. A surprising attempt to slow the pace down from Dreamer."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I think she's just wary of catching another dropkick, Price…"
Eventually, when the official's count reaches seven, Michelle does roll back into the ring. Gabrielle allows her to rise unmolested, and the two once more begin to circle. It looks as though it's to be another collar and elbows, but this time Michelle slips underneath her grasp and goes behind into a rear waistlock. Dreamer tries to wrench her up for a German, but Gaby blocks it by placing her leg behind one of Michelle's, and then begins to reel off a series of elbow strikes. There's four in total before Gabrielle goes behind into a rear waistlock of her own. MvH blocks Gabrielle's own attempt at a German suplex in the same way, and so Montgomery hits a couple of clubbing blows to the back before bundling her forwards into the ropes in the rear waistlock. She attempts an O'Conner roll, but Dreamer clutches onto the top rope so that Gaby rolls back without her. Gabrielle is back to her feet and sees Michelle coming at her for a discus forearm. She's able to duck beneath it, into a rear waistlock, and there's the German! Gabrielle bridges for a cover…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Michelle kicks out… and then pulls herself under the bottom rope again, back onto the outside.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Looks like it's time for another breather for Michelle… but Gabrielle says not this time! She follows MvH onto the outside!"
Gabrielle grabs Michelle by the scruff of the neck, before throwing her face-first onto the apron, and follows up with an Irish whip into the barricade! A few chops and forearms follow, before Gabrielle drags Michelle away from the barricade in a front face lock. The crowd are booing her exploits, and so Gabrielle offers those in the immediate vicinity a cunning smile before delivering a snap suplex on the outside! Gabrielle gives a deep bow for the German audience, who shower her with derision again, especially considering this specific gesture is one that MvH has used herself in the past. Gaby notices that the official is already up to seven in her count, so she rolls back into the ring and back out again.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Gabrielle interrupts the count there, which gives her another ten to inflict as much damage as she can on the outside."
Allen Price: "Interesting that the Goddess is seemingly uninterested in a countout victory. I think she wants to return the favour following her loss to Dreamer way back in January."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Well, she's going about it in the right way… LOOK OUT, PRICE!"
Price and Watkins scatter as Gabrielle first throws Michelle face first onto the announce desk, before launching her over the top of it! The commentators manage to get out of the way (just about) as Michelle lands in a heap, amongst the wires and chairs that assist the broadcast. Gabrielle takes another moment to smirk at the partisan crowd before she moves around the table to hoist Michelle up. Dreamer attempts to fight back with some fists to the gut, but Gabrielle responds by lifting a knee into the abdomen and then throwing her back over the table, MvH landing in a heap again and immediately clutching her lower back. The Goddess hoists her up, nails a trio of knife-edge chops, and then attempts to Irish whip Michelle into the nearby steel ring steps… but reversed by Dreamer! Gabrielle goes shoulder first into them instead!
This time, it's Michelle's turn to roll in and out to interrupt the count, and then she follows up with a series of stomps to Gaby, one to each of her limbs and then a quartet to the head. Michelle sucks in some oxygen before she lifts Gabrielle up by the hair, connecting with an overhand chop and then a spin kick to the gut. Montgomery is doubled over, and Michelle applies a front facelock…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "MvH going for her brainbuster here, a move she learned from our broadcast colleague Anzu Kurosawa… and on the outside, too!"
Allen Price: "This could be devastating for Gabrielle, and I think the Goddess is fully aware of that… she drops down to a knee to anchor her weight and block the move."
Michelle releases the front facelock to hit a series of clubbing forearm blows to the back, before trying to wrench the Goddess' weight up again, but once more Gaby anchors her weight down. Michelle changes tact, shifting from her front facelock into a double underhook, and delivering a DDT on the outside!! Gabrielle is spiked on her head, the crowd popping for the move and once again when Michelle takes her own deep bow. The reaction is quite different than it was to Gaby's mimicry.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Michelle is in no rush here, although you'd have to think a pinfall attempt after such a move is the wisest course. Instead, she is basking in the adulation of this German crowd. This is, of course, one of the two countries she got her start in, and one that she lived for a number of years."
Allen Price: "Dreamer finally now begins the process of lifting Gabrielle up to her feet, rolling her under the bottom rope before hopping up onto the apron. Michelle isn't going for the cover straight away, looks like she's going up top…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Too much posing for the fans! She's taking far too long!"
Indeed, by the time Dreamer has placed one boot in the top rope, Gabrielle has climbed to her feet and charges to the corner to hit a forearm to Michelle. It knocks her off balance, Gabrielle immediately climbing up the ropes on the inside. She places Dreamer in a front facelock whilst positioned on the second turnbuckle, but Dreamer wants none of the attack, trying to figure out with right hands to the ribs. Gabrielle hits back with some of her own, and then releases the hold for a moment to deliver a headbutt! Gaby reapplies the front face lock and steps up onto the tippy top… SUPERPLEX!!! The Goddess brings Dreamer crashing down into the ring! And she hooks the leg, maybe taking a second or two to long to get into position to do so…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Michelle thrusts the shoulder up, and immediately Gabrielle turns her over onto her front. She picks up the leg, maybe going for her Suffer in my Grasp submission finisher…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Gabrielle is looking for her modified STF, here, but Dreamer immediately recognises her peril! She scrambles to the ropes, managing to hook onto the bottom one…"
Allen Price: "Gabrielle was never able to lock the move in properly, but we saw the peril in Michelle's eyes there."
Dreamer rolls out onto the apron, but Gaby reaches over the top rope and grabs her hair, using the grasp to drag Michelle up to her feet. MvH, though, grabs Gabrielle's head and brings her down throat-first onto the top rope! The Goddess stumbles into the middle of the ring and Dreamer lines her up, waiting for Gaby to turn around before springboarding to the top rope and taking the Goddess out with a clothesline! Gabrielle quickly fights up to her feet, but turns around into a forearm from Michelle, and then a half-dozen more to back her into the ropes. Von Horrowitz whips her into the opposite set before winding up for a discus forearm, which Gabrielle is again able to duck beneath and hit the ropes again. Gabrielle goes for a clothesline upon re-approach and it's Dreamer's turn to duck beneath it. She transitions smoothly into a rear waistlock, again going for a German, but Gaby blocks it in the same manner as at the start of the match. Dreamer changes tact into a full nelson… dragon suplex!! Gabrielle lands on her front, and MvH heaves her over onto her back before hooking the leg.
ONE… TWO… NO!
Gabrielle kicks out, and now Michelle takes her turn in going for a submission. She picks the ankle of the grounded Goddess, attempting to turn her back onto her front with an ankle lock, but Gabrielle lashes out with a savagely placed boot, catching von Horrowitz flush in the face with it and sending her stumbling back towards the turnbuckles. Gabrielle scrambles to her feet, and then tries to charge at Dreamer for a cornered clothesline, but she ducks and hoists Gabrielle up and over the top with a back body drop. The Goddess lands on her feet on the apron, and when Michelle turns around she's caught by a big headbutt from Gabrielle! Michelle is rocked towards the centre of the ring, allowing Gabrielle to climb up to the top rope. She waits patiently for Dreamer to turn and face her…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Head over heels!! Gabrielle connects with the top rope hurricanrana! No pinfall attempt, though…"
Allen Price: "Instead she's biding her time in the corner, waiting for a groggy Michelle von Horrowitz to lift herself up to her feet…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "SAVATE KICK! Gabrielle nearly takes her head off!!"
Now Gabrielle goes for the lateral press…
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
Michelle with the shoulder up… and again Gaby immediately heaves her onto her front. She grabs Michelle's leg… SUFFER IN MY GRASP!! Gabrielle has the Fearless Lock/STF combo locked in, and Dreamer is sundered in the middle of the ring! Michelle has her arm extended in front of her, her palm parallel with the mat, presented towards it as if she might tap at any moment… she screams out in agony as Gabrielle wrenches back further on the hold!! The audience are losing it, most of them cheering for Dreamer to somehow break the hold, which doesn’t seem the most likely outcome. She tries to drag herself across to the ropes, the nearest set about two metres away from her on the right, but she can only manage a handful of centimetres, Gabrielle’s full weight upon her back and pinning her against the mat…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "It looks like there might be no escape for Michelle von Horrowitz here! Gabrielle has her locked in Suffer In My Grasp… and I think she’s fading!!"
Allen Price: "Looks that way, Jean-Luc!"
Indeed, Michelle’s movements suddenly become less animated, and her hand slumps onto the mat. The official comes over to check her arm, lifting it up again… but Michelle clenches her hand into a fist! The crowd pops at her resilience, as she drags herself, centimetre by centimetre, until finally she can reach out and touch the bottom rope with an outstretched finger! Gabrielle waits until four before she releases the hold, and when she does Michelle immediately rolls over and lands in a heap on the outside of the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Michelle just about manages to reach the sanctity of the ropes there and force a break… but there’s no telling how much damage that hold did to her! An extended period of time in Suffer In My Grasp won’t set her up well for the rest of this match."
Allen Price: "And we’re deep into this one, approaching the fifteen minute mark, as these two former world champions go at it for their first F1 Climaxxx points… Gabrielle is in the driver’s seat as she follows Michelle von Horrowitz onto the outside once again…"
MvH is on her hands and knees as Gaby looms over her, but as Montgomery grasps Michelle's hair again Dreamer reaches up and rakes her eyes! The official is climbing out himself and doesn't see it, but the tactic allows Michelle a few more seconds to recover after the submission. The official tells both women to get it back into the ring before beginning his count. Dreamer is up and stumbles towards Gabrielle, unloading with a few more forearm strikes, before the Goddess replies with some of her own, successfully backing Michelle up into the barricade. It's a series of alternating European uppercuts and forearm strikes from Gabrielle with Michelle against the barricade, before Gaby takes her by the wrist and whips her hard into the apron, which Dreamer collides with stomach-first! Michelle stumbles back towards a waiting Gabrielle, who grabs her in a rear waistlock and hits a German suplex on the outside!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "MvH is dropped at an ugly angle on the outside of the ring! At times this one hasn't been pretty, Price…"
Allen Price: "There have been points where it's been nothing short of a brawl, J-L!"
Gabrielle once again rolls in and out of the ring to break up the count, before hoisting Michelle up and rolling her onto the apron. She follows her up onto it, deciding not to enter it and to instead pull Michelle's head into position between her legs. She looks to be going for a piledriver or a powerbomb, trying to wrench Michelle up, but Dreamer drops to a knee to block it. Gabrielle rains down with clubbing forearms, and then yanks Michelle's head into position again. Once more, Dreamer evades the piledriver by dropping to her knee… and then she lifts Gabrielle up and over with a back body drop!! Gabrielle lands spine-first on the apron!
Michelle spends a little time recovering in a seated position on the apron, adjusting her kneepad before she eventually climbs up to her feet, using the ring ropes for support. Her knee is clearly giving her bother as she gathers Michelle in a front facelock, before wrenching her up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "BRAAAAAAINBUSTAAAAAAAH!!!!"
Allen Price: "On the apron!! The hardest part of the ring!"
Gabrielle lands sprawled on the apron itself before toppling down onto the outside, whilst Michelle remains in a seated position on the apron, clutching at her knee. It's clear that she's in no position to follow up, having aggravated her leg in wrenching the Goddess up and over. The official begins a count with Gabrielle down on the outside.
ONE!!
Michelle, upon hearing this, rolls back under the bottom rope. She isn't able to manage a vertical base, instead continuing to roll over into a corner and removing her knee pad to inspect the damage to her knee.
TWO!!
Gabrielle, meanwhile, shows very little signs of life on the outside, where she's lying on her back with her arms outstretched after taking the brainbuster on the apron.
THREE!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Doesn't look like either woman can realistically follow up here, with one down inside the ring and one down outside of it…"
FOUR!
MvH pulls her kneepad back into position and then grasps the top ropes either side of her, pulling herself up out of her seated position in the corner. She hesitantly puts some weight down on the knee, but her grimace makes it seem anything other than comfortable…
FIVE!
Allen Price: "Remember at the start of this match, when these competitors took it in turns to roll in and out of the ring so as to break up the referee's ten count. Note that there's no attempt from Michelle to do that now…"
SIX!
Outside of the ring, Gabrielle is finally stirring, and is using the barricade to help herself up onto her feet. It's hard going, though, the cobwebs proving rather difficult to shake off…
SEVEN!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I doubt Michelle has the strength to gather Gabrielle and get her back in the ring before ten, even if she wanted to… and something tells me she might not, given that her knee had obviously deteriorated in some fashion thanks to Suffer In My Grasp."
EIGHT!
Michelle is moving gingerly in the ring, whilst Gabrielle stumbles towards the apron… she falls down onto her knees once more, still clutching the back of her head after the the brainbuster…
NINE!
Michelle has a half-hopeful look on her face as the official nears the end of his count, but Gabrielle sluggishly rises to her feet and throws herself beneath the bottom rope. The audience, despite being firmly on Michelle's side, is seemingly pleased that the match isn't going to end in a countout (at least not yet), whilst Gabrielle pushes herself up onto her feet for one more push. Michelle, though, is on her in an instant and has other ideas, stumbling towards her whilst still struggling to put weight on one of her legs. She takes Gaby in a bearhug, perhaps looking to throw her across the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex, but the Goddess fights out by driving the point of her elbow down into the top of Michelle's head. Dreamer is forced to release, and Gabrielle connects with a spin kick to the gut. MvH stumbles backwards, which allows Gabrielle to see that she's favouring her right knee heavily… and so the Goddess connects with a low dropkick, taking Dreamer out at the knees!! Michelle instantly crumbles to the mat!!
Gabrielle engages in momentary rest before she re-addresses her opponent. She picks up Michelle's right boot and hits a trio of stomps on the injured knee joint, before following up by driving the point of her elbow into it. She then looks to be going for a Figure 4 leg lock, but when Gabrielle is turned around, Dreamer connects with a boot to the backside, pushing her off and gaining separation. Gabrielle comes back towards her, but as she approaches Michelle reaches up and catches her in a small package!
ONE… TWO… NO!
Gabrielle kicks out and, despite the heavy wear and tear of the match, both women fight to their feet, but it's Gaby who is up a moment earlier. She charges Michelle, executing a sunset flip roll-up…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Another kickout! And again these two women scramble up to their feet… Michelle looking for that discus forearm again, but once more Gabrielle is able to float beneath it… into a backslide! Shoulders are down!"
ONE… TWO… T – NO!!
Michelle kicks out again! Gabrielle looks to drag Michelle up in a rear waistlock, maybe going for a German again… but Dreamer goes behind into one of her own, transitions…
Allen Price: "… SCHOOOOOOLBOOOOY ROLL-UP!"
ONE… TWO…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And Michelle has a handful of tights!"
… THR – NO!!!
Allen Price: "But still Gabrielle kicks out, even with the extra leverage!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "This match rolls on past the twenty minute mark, and still we're no closer to finding a winner…"
Gabrielle is trying to find her feet, and Michelle helps her some of the way before putting her in position for what looks like a saito suplex… only for Montgomery to fight out with some elbows driven into the side of her head. Michelle stumbles away, but instantly Gabrielle is on her with a boot to the midsection. She drags the doubled over Michelle's head into position between her legs and wrenches her up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "PILEDRIVER!! Michelle is spiked onto the top of her head!!"
Allen Price: "We saw Gabrielle going for that move earlier on in this match on the ring apron, and finally she's successful with it in the centre of the ring… all she needs to do is hook the leg, surely?!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I think the Goddess has other ideas… and don't call me Shirley."
Gabrielle drags Michelle up onto her feet, and applies a front facelock. She hoists Dreamer up for a suplex, but instead connects with a hangman's neckbreaker! Michelle is sprawled face-down on the mat, and the Goddess picks her leg…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "She's going for Suffer In My Grasp again! Gabrielle is returning to the leg, and Michelle is in deep trouble…"
Allen Price: "Dreamer senses it, too! She reaches up and rakes the eyes again!! Right in front of DJ Franchise!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "The referee isn't happy, but Michelle wastes no time… another small package!"
ONE… TWO… TH –
Gabrielle adjusts her weight slightly, rolling so that it's Michelle's shoulders that are down instead…
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Michelle kicks out and gets to her feet, but instantly goes down to her knee, clutching at the right leg again. Gabrielle takes the opportunity, connecting with a European uppercut, then a forearm, and then a spin kick to the gut to double Michelle over…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Front face lock… I think Gabrielle is going for The 34 Double DDT!"
Allen Price: "If she hits this, it's over!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "But a reversal from Michelle… Northern Lights Suplex! With a bridge…"
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Gaby gets the shoulder up, and MvH struggles to lift her up to her feet, but eventually manages and then hits a mule kick to double her over. Michelle drags her head into position between her legs, hoists her up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "… RUNNING LIGER BOMB!!!"
Allen Price: "Shoulders down!! Michelle's got it!"
ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!!
GABRIELLE KICKS OUT! Somehow!! She rolls away from Dreamer, neither woman able to follow up, a look of frustration and surprise etched on Michelle's exhausted face. The crowd whip up into a frenzy as both women lay on the mat…
Natalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your… FOUR MINUTE WARNING!!"
Michelle rolls onto her front, as if spurred on by Rosenberg's warning that we've gone past twenty six minutes, with only four left to seal the victory. She uses the ropes to help herself up, and notices that Gabrielle is up to her knees also. Dreamer staggers over and yanks Gaby up to her feet, before hoisting her up in a fireman's carry.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Michelle thinking about that Death Valley Driver that she likes to utilise, but Gabrielle wants nothing to do with that plan…"
Allen Price: "The Goddess is driving that elbow into the side of Michelle's head, and then slips out of the lift and behind Dreamer… MvH turns around…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "… caught by a step up enziguri from Gabrielle!! Dreamer staggers back into the ropes, bounces off them… and returns fire with a discus forearm!"
Allen Price: "That's the third or fourth time that Michelle has gone for it this match, and finally she finds success!!"
Gabrielle stumbles to a knee, and Michelle hits the ropes once more, looking to repeat the gesture with a second discus… only for the Goddess to propel herself to her feet and cave in Michelle's chest with a running thrust kick!!! Michelle slumps to the mat immediately, but Gabrielle is feeling the momentum shift into her favour, and quickly drags Dreamer back up to her feet. She hits a pair of forearms and then a boot to the midesction…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "GaBuster!!! Gabrielle connects with the reverse lungblower!!"
Allen Price: "She hooks the leg…"
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Shoulder up! Michelle gets the shoulder up! Frustration passes over Gabrielle's face, but she signals that it's time for this one to finally be over. She hoists her up, and Dreamer fires back with a forearm, but Gabrielle absorbs it, returning with a trio of her own forearms, then a big European uppercut, followed by a boot to the midsection… front face lock…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "34 DOUBLE DDT!!! Gabrielle nails it, planting Michelle von Horrowitz onto the top of her head!!"
Gabrielle sinks down into a cover…
ONE… TWO… …
…
Allen Price: "… is that it!!?"
…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Foot on the ropes!! Michelle von Horrowitz has a foot on the ropes!!"
Gabrielle spots the reason for the referee stopping counting and rolls out of the cover, visibly disappointed that the finisher didn't quite get the job done thanks to the rope break. She rolls all the way to the corner, where she uses the ropes to start dragging herself up to her feet…
… but the camera cuts to the ramp, where an interloper has appeared on the stage, garnering a mixed reaction from the fans in Köln. Uncle J.J. JAY! strides down the ramp, waving at the audience with a smile on his face. Some of them cheer, but it seems a lot more of them are booing, perhaps hoping for a finish to this match free of interruptions…
Allen Price: "Uncle J.J. JAY! has no business here! We saw him - along with his cronies - getting involved in matches involving the tag team division forty eight hours ago on Meltdown XXII… and it looks as though he's here in Germany to help out his stable-mate once again!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Don't think that will be as easy as he thought…"
The crowd reacts again as, begins Uncle J.J. JAY!, Gabrielle's 'Bad Reputation' teammate emerges through the curtain and begins running down the ramp to intervene…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Kayden Knox to the rescue!!"
Knox catches up with Uncle at the foot of the ramp, and grabs JAY! from behind to turn him around. Uncle tries to unload with the pink mist… but Karden ducks beneath it and goes behind. He hops up onto Uncle's shoulders…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "POISON RANA!! BRUTAL!"
Allen Price: "Uncle spiked on his head on the ring ramp!! Kayden Knox gets a small measure of revenge after the Nephews' involvement in Bed Reputation's match against the Coven last Thursday…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Uncle's run roughshod over the tag team division for too long!"
The intervention from Knox, though, has caused a distraction in the ring. The referee is leaning through the middle and top rope, telling the two of them to stay away, and instructing Kayden to return to the back. Gabrielle is looking on at the fermenting situation, too, her hands on her hips as she gazes at her tag team partner taking out Uncle on the outside. She has her hands on her hips and is breathing heavily, quite clearly struggling after twenty nine minutes in this match (along with the over thirty minutes of ringtone she had on Meltdown XXII). Eventually, she turns around and sees MvH, back to her feet and waiting…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Rake of the eyes!! With the referee's back turned!"
Allen Price: "And then a low blow!!! Michelle lifts a boot up into Gabrielle's nether-regions!!"
Gabrielle is keeled over as the official turns, and immediately Michelle drags her head into position between her legs. She hooks both legs, hoists her up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "TIGER DRIVER '98!!! Gabrielle spiked on her head, and a lateral press from Michelle…"
ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!!!
Allen Price: "Shoulder up!! Gabrielle kicks out!! Somehow! Some way! Gabrielle is still just about in this match-up…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "But I'm not sure about her presence of mind, Price – Gabrielle landed at a brutal angle on that piledriver, but MvH has no time to be frustrated at only getting a two. Time is working against her…"
Dreamer seems to know this, too, and she does her utmost to hoist Gabrielle up to a vertical base once more. She's in position behind Gaby, and puts her in place for a pumphandle. Dreamer allows herself a glance at Kayden Knox, who is still standing at the bottom of the ramp and almost guarding the fallen Uncle, before hoisting the Goddess up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "PSYCHO DRIVER #2!! Michelle covers, one last time…"
ONE… TWO… THREE!
MvH isn't in any hurry to get to her feet, instead simply collapsing backwards and lying on her back, staring up at the night's sky. The heavy breathing if both wrestlers is evident as they both lie there spent after the match.
Allen Price: "What a contest! Michelle von Horrowitz gets the win right at the dying breath!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "But, it must be said, with the use of some nefarious tactics… as we are used to seeing from Dreamer as of late."
The official tries to help MvH up to her feet, but she pushes him away and rolls to the ropes, using them to help herself up, instead.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Here is your winner… Michelle von Horrowitz!!"
Dreamer doesn't wait around in the ring for Franchise to lift her hand in victory, instead climbing out of it and beginning to stagger towards the ramp. Kayden Knox stands at the foot of it, and clenches his fist as she approaches. She walks right past him, ignoring his presence completely and collecting her title belt from the timekeeper's area.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "It looks as though retribution is on the mind of Kayden Knox. He'll be fully aware that MvH was responsible for that Nephew attack in Rotterdam, but Knox allows von Horrowitz to pass by him on the ramp."
Allen Price: "Perhaps he knows that better opportunities will come for him to get his hands on MvH. Bad Reputation will join forces with The Coven and The Lumberjacks to face six of Cthulhu's Nephews in twelve days time on Meltdown, and then two weeks after that Knox and Gabrielle will have a chance to reclaim the titles in Mile High Massacre…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "That's on Fallout 025, almost a month from now. Incredible restraint on display from Knox, which isn't often an attribute you expect from him."
Michelle helps Uncle the rest of the way up on the ramp, with JAY! still rubbing the back of his head after the poison rana from Knox on the ramp. They continue up towards the exit together, whilst Kayden enters the ring to help his visibly frustrated partner to her feet.
Allen Price: "It may have been her first match in the tournament, but it will go down as Gabrielle's second loss, with her inheriting the record of her Executive Excellence partner Mike Parr after he withdrew from the tournament. That leaves her at the base of the Pool A standings along with Vampyra…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Michelle, meanwhile, gets off to a winning re-start, after her initial win over Cornelius Aurelius Caesar in Christiana was scratched from the record due to another withdrawal. She joins Tommy Bedlam on two points, as part of that chasing pack behind FWA World Champion Alyster Black, who is currently sitting pretty on four points."
Allen Price: "Things are heating up in Pool A, J-L!"
The standings graphic fades out and we get one more shot of Bad Reputation, both now standing in the ring and staring up the ramp. Michelle von Horrowitz stands at the top of it, lifting her FWA World Tag Team Championship belt into the air with Uncle at her side. We fade from the scene.
We cut to backstage to find Todd Salum standing by with a microphone in hand. He is standing by with the reigning North American Champion, Lizzie Rose.
Todd Salum: "I’m standing by with FWA North American Champion, ‘The Rave’ Lizzie Rose, who later tonight in the main event will be defending the FWA Championship against Big Bryan Baxter. Now Lizzie, this is a man who is more than double your size…perhaps your biggest challenge to date, what are your thoughts heading into this critical F1 Climaxxx matchup?”
Lizzie Rose: "So, yeah, about that…it’s like I was tellin’ my mom, just the other day…”
???: “Excuse me…”
Lizzie is quickly interrupted as Jeremy Best walks into the shot.
Jeremy Best: "Hi Lizzie, I’m so, so sorry to be interrupting your interview here…”
Lizzie Rose: "Oh hi Jeremy! No worries, I’m still really sorry about what happened last week…”
Jeremy Best: "It was no problem at all! It was my fault anyway, I can’t apologize enough for it.”
Lizzie Rose: "Don’t be silly, of course it was my fault!”
Jeremy Best: "And I’m also really sorry about the way I was acting last week. You were being very generous with your offer and I just was so rude.”
Lizzie Rose: "I didn’t think it was rude at all. I’m just sorry that you’re having some friendship problems with Bryan.”
Jeremy Best: "If anyone is sorry about that, it’s me.”
Lizzie Rose: "I don’t know, Jeremy. If anyone has anything to be sorry about in that situation between you two, it’s not you.”
Jeremy Best: "I guess you’re right. But anyway, what I just wanted to see if the offer from last week was still on the table. I could probably use someone to talk to right now.”
Lizzie Rose: "Absolutely, it is! C’mon!”
???: “What the Hell is this?”
The segment is interrupted once more as Lizzie’s opponent and Jeremy’s tag partner, Big Bryan Baxter enters the frame.
Lizzie Rose & Jeremy Best: “Sorry?”
Bryan Baxter: "Enough with the sorries!! What the Hell is going on here? Jeremy, if you want to talk… let’s talk. And you…”
Bryan looks down directly at Lizzie.
Bryan Baxter: "You need to mind your own damn business. This is an A, B problem so C your away out of it.”
Lizzie Rose: "Tell me you didn’t just say that!”
Jeremy Best: "Look Bryan, I’m not ready to talk to you, yet okay?”
Bryan Baxter: "But you’ll talk to HER? You realize she’s fighting me tonight, right? She doesn’t want to HELP you, she’s probably just playing some mind games. Trying to get to me. Wanting to find a weakness…”
Lizzie Rose: "Is it working? ……”
Lizzie pauses awkwardly for a moment before starting to laugh at herself.
Lizzie Rose: "Just kiddin’! Look, don’t be such a bully. I’m just trying to be a friend to someone who clearly needs another one he can trust. So… like, shut up or whatever… please. C’mon Jeremy, let’s go have our talk.”
Jeremy Best: "Thanks, Lizzie. Bryan…just give me some time…I am sure you have plenty you want to say but…I just can’t right now. But good luck tonight.”
Lizzie Rose: "Ha! He’ll need it! …Maybe!”
Lizzie laughs awkwardly again as she and Jeremy walk away from Todd and Bryan, but only briefly as Bryan and Jeremy’s agent, Mr. Scorpane walks over and puts his arm around Bryan.
Mr. Scorpane: "See, this is the problem. Everyone is too worried about friends. There’s no friends in this business, Bryan. Everyone is out for themselves. If you want to get to the top… if you want to win championship gold, you gotta think about yourself. Stop worrying about this Jeremy drama. You go out there tonight and you kick her little puny ass…and do whatever it takes to win. Show FWA what you’re capable of. You’re not the second man in the Buddy System. You’re a beast. You’re a monster. You’re BIG Bryan Baxter! Hahaha!”
While Mr. Scorpane laughs and pats Bryan on the shoulder, Baxter remains silent, staring off into the distance intensely as we head back to the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Coming up next wrestling fans is a bit of rivalry renewed as we’ll see Jeremy Best team up with XYZ to take on his old rivals in The Undisputed Alliance.”
Allen Price: “That’s right, J-L, and this all came about after XYZ scored a win over Nate Savage, and needless to say; Savage did not take that result well.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’m afraid that’s an understatement, but regardless, it’s sure to be a heated affair.”
Natalie Rosenberg: “The next contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall with a 20-minute-time-limit!”
After a few seconds of the intro to “Bow Down” plays out, the song kicks into high-gear and The Undisputed Alliance make their way out to jeers from the Köln crowd. Fenix responds with crude gestures toward some fans while Savage seems focused as usual.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing first, weighing in at a combined weight of 476 lb, the team of “Nasty” Nate Savage and “Action” Jackson Fenix…The Undisputed Alliance!”
Allen Price: “Action? What kind of moniker is that?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It’s probably best to not question it, Price.”
“One Headlight” now fills the room and XYZ steps out on stage to uproarious delight from the fans in attendance.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Their opponents, first from Sitka, Alaska and weighing in at 180 lb…XYZ!”
XYZ postures for the fans and waits on stage as his music fades out, and soon it’s replaced by “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” and the crowd continues to cheer for Jeremy Best. Jeremy greets XYZ on stage with a hug and then they make their way down to the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: “and his tag team partner, from Friendship, North Carolina and weighing in at 180 lb…he’s “Your New Best Friend”...Jeremy Best!”
Fenix stares at Jeremy and makes a face from inside the ring, and then he gestures for Jeremy to “suck it” with a crotch chop. Jeremy shakes his head before sliding into the ring as XYZ follows suit.
Allen Price: “Fenix trying to resort to childish mind-games but it doesn’t seem to have an effect on Jeremy.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Sophomoric behavior is nothing new from Jackson Fenix, and Jeremy is well aware of that.”
Referee Giovanni Blanco checks both teams before calling for the bell.
Michelle thinks better than to quickly scramble to her feet a second time, instead rolling beneath the bottom rope and observing her opponent from the outside. Gabrielle watches on from inside the ring with her hand on her hips, a gentle smile on her lips.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Gabrielle comes out on top of the opening exchange here in this one, with Michelle von Horrowitz taking to the outside to re-evaluate her options."
Allen Price: "She's doing a full circuit of the ring here, J-L, and makes Gabrielle wait for her to get back into the ring. A surprising attempt to slow the pace down from Dreamer."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I think she's just wary of catching another dropkick, Price…"
Eventually, when the official's count reaches seven, Michelle does roll back into the ring. Gabrielle allows her to rise unmolested, and the two once more begin to circle. It looks as though it's to be another collar and elbows, but this time Michelle slips underneath her grasp and goes behind into a rear waistlock. Dreamer tries to wrench her up for a German, but Gaby blocks it by placing her leg behind one of Michelle's, and then begins to reel off a series of elbow strikes. There's four in total before Gabrielle goes behind into a rear waistlock of her own. MvH blocks Gabrielle's own attempt at a German suplex in the same way, and so Montgomery hits a couple of clubbing blows to the back before bundling her forwards into the ropes in the rear waistlock. She attempts an O'Conner roll, but Dreamer clutches onto the top rope so that Gaby rolls back without her. Gabrielle is back to her feet and sees Michelle coming at her for a discus forearm. She's able to duck beneath it, into a rear waistlock, and there's the German! Gabrielle bridges for a cover…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Michelle kicks out… and then pulls herself under the bottom rope again, back onto the outside.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Looks like it's time for another breather for Michelle… but Gabrielle says not this time! She follows MvH onto the outside!"
Gabrielle grabs Michelle by the scruff of the neck, before throwing her face-first onto the apron, and follows up with an Irish whip into the barricade! A few chops and forearms follow, before Gabrielle drags Michelle away from the barricade in a front face lock. The crowd are booing her exploits, and so Gabrielle offers those in the immediate vicinity a cunning smile before delivering a snap suplex on the outside! Gabrielle gives a deep bow for the German audience, who shower her with derision again, especially considering this specific gesture is one that MvH has used herself in the past. Gaby notices that the official is already up to seven in her count, so she rolls back into the ring and back out again.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Gabrielle interrupts the count there, which gives her another ten to inflict as much damage as she can on the outside."
Allen Price: "Interesting that the Goddess is seemingly uninterested in a countout victory. I think she wants to return the favour following her loss to Dreamer way back in January."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Well, she's going about it in the right way… LOOK OUT, PRICE!"
Price and Watkins scatter as Gabrielle first throws Michelle face first onto the announce desk, before launching her over the top of it! The commentators manage to get out of the way (just about) as Michelle lands in a heap, amongst the wires and chairs that assist the broadcast. Gabrielle takes another moment to smirk at the partisan crowd before she moves around the table to hoist Michelle up. Dreamer attempts to fight back with some fists to the gut, but Gabrielle responds by lifting a knee into the abdomen and then throwing her back over the table, MvH landing in a heap again and immediately clutching her lower back. The Goddess hoists her up, nails a trio of knife-edge chops, and then attempts to Irish whip Michelle into the nearby steel ring steps… but reversed by Dreamer! Gabrielle goes shoulder first into them instead!
This time, it's Michelle's turn to roll in and out to interrupt the count, and then she follows up with a series of stomps to Gaby, one to each of her limbs and then a quartet to the head. Michelle sucks in some oxygen before she lifts Gabrielle up by the hair, connecting with an overhand chop and then a spin kick to the gut. Montgomery is doubled over, and Michelle applies a front facelock…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "MvH going for her brainbuster here, a move she learned from our broadcast colleague Anzu Kurosawa… and on the outside, too!"
Allen Price: "This could be devastating for Gabrielle, and I think the Goddess is fully aware of that… she drops down to a knee to anchor her weight and block the move."
Michelle releases the front facelock to hit a series of clubbing forearm blows to the back, before trying to wrench the Goddess' weight up again, but once more Gaby anchors her weight down. Michelle changes tact, shifting from her front facelock into a double underhook, and delivering a DDT on the outside!! Gabrielle is spiked on her head, the crowd popping for the move and once again when Michelle takes her own deep bow. The reaction is quite different than it was to Gaby's mimicry.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Michelle is in no rush here, although you'd have to think a pinfall attempt after such a move is the wisest course. Instead, she is basking in the adulation of this German crowd. This is, of course, one of the two countries she got her start in, and one that she lived for a number of years."
Allen Price: "Dreamer finally now begins the process of lifting Gabrielle up to her feet, rolling her under the bottom rope before hopping up onto the apron. Michelle isn't going for the cover straight away, looks like she's going up top…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Too much posing for the fans! She's taking far too long!"
Indeed, by the time Dreamer has placed one boot in the top rope, Gabrielle has climbed to her feet and charges to the corner to hit a forearm to Michelle. It knocks her off balance, Gabrielle immediately climbing up the ropes on the inside. She places Dreamer in a front facelock whilst positioned on the second turnbuckle, but Dreamer wants none of the attack, trying to figure out with right hands to the ribs. Gabrielle hits back with some of her own, and then releases the hold for a moment to deliver a headbutt! Gaby reapplies the front face lock and steps up onto the tippy top… SUPERPLEX!!! The Goddess brings Dreamer crashing down into the ring! And she hooks the leg, maybe taking a second or two to long to get into position to do so…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Michelle thrusts the shoulder up, and immediately Gabrielle turns her over onto her front. She picks up the leg, maybe going for her Suffer in my Grasp submission finisher…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Gabrielle is looking for her modified STF, here, but Dreamer immediately recognises her peril! She scrambles to the ropes, managing to hook onto the bottom one…"
Allen Price: "Gabrielle was never able to lock the move in properly, but we saw the peril in Michelle's eyes there."
Dreamer rolls out onto the apron, but Gaby reaches over the top rope and grabs her hair, using the grasp to drag Michelle up to her feet. MvH, though, grabs Gabrielle's head and brings her down throat-first onto the top rope! The Goddess stumbles into the middle of the ring and Dreamer lines her up, waiting for Gaby to turn around before springboarding to the top rope and taking the Goddess out with a clothesline! Gabrielle quickly fights up to her feet, but turns around into a forearm from Michelle, and then a half-dozen more to back her into the ropes. Von Horrowitz whips her into the opposite set before winding up for a discus forearm, which Gabrielle is again able to duck beneath and hit the ropes again. Gabrielle goes for a clothesline upon re-approach and it's Dreamer's turn to duck beneath it. She transitions smoothly into a rear waistlock, again going for a German, but Gaby blocks it in the same manner as at the start of the match. Dreamer changes tact into a full nelson… dragon suplex!! Gabrielle lands on her front, and MvH heaves her over onto her back before hooking the leg.
ONE… TWO… NO!
Gabrielle kicks out, and now Michelle takes her turn in going for a submission. She picks the ankle of the grounded Goddess, attempting to turn her back onto her front with an ankle lock, but Gabrielle lashes out with a savagely placed boot, catching von Horrowitz flush in the face with it and sending her stumbling back towards the turnbuckles. Gabrielle scrambles to her feet, and then tries to charge at Dreamer for a cornered clothesline, but she ducks and hoists Gabrielle up and over the top with a back body drop. The Goddess lands on her feet on the apron, and when Michelle turns around she's caught by a big headbutt from Gabrielle! Michelle is rocked towards the centre of the ring, allowing Gabrielle to climb up to the top rope. She waits patiently for Dreamer to turn and face her…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Head over heels!! Gabrielle connects with the top rope hurricanrana! No pinfall attempt, though…"
Allen Price: "Instead she's biding her time in the corner, waiting for a groggy Michelle von Horrowitz to lift herself up to her feet…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "SAVATE KICK! Gabrielle nearly takes her head off!!"
Now Gabrielle goes for the lateral press…
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
Michelle with the shoulder up… and again Gaby immediately heaves her onto her front. She grabs Michelle's leg… SUFFER IN MY GRASP!! Gabrielle has the Fearless Lock/STF combo locked in, and Dreamer is sundered in the middle of the ring! Michelle has her arm extended in front of her, her palm parallel with the mat, presented towards it as if she might tap at any moment… she screams out in agony as Gabrielle wrenches back further on the hold!! The audience are losing it, most of them cheering for Dreamer to somehow break the hold, which doesn’t seem the most likely outcome. She tries to drag herself across to the ropes, the nearest set about two metres away from her on the right, but she can only manage a handful of centimetres, Gabrielle’s full weight upon her back and pinning her against the mat…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "It looks like there might be no escape for Michelle von Horrowitz here! Gabrielle has her locked in Suffer In My Grasp… and I think she’s fading!!"
Allen Price: "Looks that way, Jean-Luc!"
Indeed, Michelle’s movements suddenly become less animated, and her hand slumps onto the mat. The official comes over to check her arm, lifting it up again… but Michelle clenches her hand into a fist! The crowd pops at her resilience, as she drags herself, centimetre by centimetre, until finally she can reach out and touch the bottom rope with an outstretched finger! Gabrielle waits until four before she releases the hold, and when she does Michelle immediately rolls over and lands in a heap on the outside of the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Michelle just about manages to reach the sanctity of the ropes there and force a break… but there’s no telling how much damage that hold did to her! An extended period of time in Suffer In My Grasp won’t set her up well for the rest of this match."
Allen Price: "And we’re deep into this one, approaching the fifteen minute mark, as these two former world champions go at it for their first F1 Climaxxx points… Gabrielle is in the driver’s seat as she follows Michelle von Horrowitz onto the outside once again…"
MvH is on her hands and knees as Gaby looms over her, but as Montgomery grasps Michelle's hair again Dreamer reaches up and rakes her eyes! The official is climbing out himself and doesn't see it, but the tactic allows Michelle a few more seconds to recover after the submission. The official tells both women to get it back into the ring before beginning his count. Dreamer is up and stumbles towards Gabrielle, unloading with a few more forearm strikes, before the Goddess replies with some of her own, successfully backing Michelle up into the barricade. It's a series of alternating European uppercuts and forearm strikes from Gabrielle with Michelle against the barricade, before Gaby takes her by the wrist and whips her hard into the apron, which Dreamer collides with stomach-first! Michelle stumbles back towards a waiting Gabrielle, who grabs her in a rear waistlock and hits a German suplex on the outside!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "MvH is dropped at an ugly angle on the outside of the ring! At times this one hasn't been pretty, Price…"
Allen Price: "There have been points where it's been nothing short of a brawl, J-L!"
Gabrielle once again rolls in and out of the ring to break up the count, before hoisting Michelle up and rolling her onto the apron. She follows her up onto it, deciding not to enter it and to instead pull Michelle's head into position between her legs. She looks to be going for a piledriver or a powerbomb, trying to wrench Michelle up, but Dreamer drops to a knee to block it. Gabrielle rains down with clubbing forearms, and then yanks Michelle's head into position again. Once more, Dreamer evades the piledriver by dropping to her knee… and then she lifts Gabrielle up and over with a back body drop!! Gabrielle lands spine-first on the apron!
Michelle spends a little time recovering in a seated position on the apron, adjusting her kneepad before she eventually climbs up to her feet, using the ring ropes for support. Her knee is clearly giving her bother as she gathers Michelle in a front facelock, before wrenching her up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "BRAAAAAAINBUSTAAAAAAAH!!!!"
Allen Price: "On the apron!! The hardest part of the ring!"
Gabrielle lands sprawled on the apron itself before toppling down onto the outside, whilst Michelle remains in a seated position on the apron, clutching at her knee. It's clear that she's in no position to follow up, having aggravated her leg in wrenching the Goddess up and over. The official begins a count with Gabrielle down on the outside.
ONE!!
Michelle, upon hearing this, rolls back under the bottom rope. She isn't able to manage a vertical base, instead continuing to roll over into a corner and removing her knee pad to inspect the damage to her knee.
TWO!!
Gabrielle, meanwhile, shows very little signs of life on the outside, where she's lying on her back with her arms outstretched after taking the brainbuster on the apron.
THREE!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Doesn't look like either woman can realistically follow up here, with one down inside the ring and one down outside of it…"
FOUR!
MvH pulls her kneepad back into position and then grasps the top ropes either side of her, pulling herself up out of her seated position in the corner. She hesitantly puts some weight down on the knee, but her grimace makes it seem anything other than comfortable…
FIVE!
Allen Price: "Remember at the start of this match, when these competitors took it in turns to roll in and out of the ring so as to break up the referee's ten count. Note that there's no attempt from Michelle to do that now…"
SIX!
Outside of the ring, Gabrielle is finally stirring, and is using the barricade to help herself up onto her feet. It's hard going, though, the cobwebs proving rather difficult to shake off…
SEVEN!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I doubt Michelle has the strength to gather Gabrielle and get her back in the ring before ten, even if she wanted to… and something tells me she might not, given that her knee had obviously deteriorated in some fashion thanks to Suffer In My Grasp."
EIGHT!
Michelle is moving gingerly in the ring, whilst Gabrielle stumbles towards the apron… she falls down onto her knees once more, still clutching the back of her head after the the brainbuster…
NINE!
Michelle has a half-hopeful look on her face as the official nears the end of his count, but Gabrielle sluggishly rises to her feet and throws herself beneath the bottom rope. The audience, despite being firmly on Michelle's side, is seemingly pleased that the match isn't going to end in a countout (at least not yet), whilst Gabrielle pushes herself up onto her feet for one more push. Michelle, though, is on her in an instant and has other ideas, stumbling towards her whilst still struggling to put weight on one of her legs. She takes Gaby in a bearhug, perhaps looking to throw her across the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex, but the Goddess fights out by driving the point of her elbow down into the top of Michelle's head. Dreamer is forced to release, and Gabrielle connects with a spin kick to the gut. MvH stumbles backwards, which allows Gabrielle to see that she's favouring her right knee heavily… and so the Goddess connects with a low dropkick, taking Dreamer out at the knees!! Michelle instantly crumbles to the mat!!
Gabrielle engages in momentary rest before she re-addresses her opponent. She picks up Michelle's right boot and hits a trio of stomps on the injured knee joint, before following up by driving the point of her elbow into it. She then looks to be going for a Figure 4 leg lock, but when Gabrielle is turned around, Dreamer connects with a boot to the backside, pushing her off and gaining separation. Gabrielle comes back towards her, but as she approaches Michelle reaches up and catches her in a small package!
ONE… TWO… NO!
Gabrielle kicks out and, despite the heavy wear and tear of the match, both women fight to their feet, but it's Gaby who is up a moment earlier. She charges Michelle, executing a sunset flip roll-up…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Another kickout! And again these two women scramble up to their feet… Michelle looking for that discus forearm again, but once more Gabrielle is able to float beneath it… into a backslide! Shoulders are down!"
ONE… TWO… T – NO!!
Michelle kicks out again! Gabrielle looks to drag Michelle up in a rear waistlock, maybe going for a German again… but Dreamer goes behind into one of her own, transitions…
Allen Price: "… SCHOOOOOOLBOOOOY ROLL-UP!"
ONE… TWO…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And Michelle has a handful of tights!"
… THR – NO!!!
Allen Price: "But still Gabrielle kicks out, even with the extra leverage!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "This match rolls on past the twenty minute mark, and still we're no closer to finding a winner…"
Gabrielle is trying to find her feet, and Michelle helps her some of the way before putting her in position for what looks like a saito suplex… only for Montgomery to fight out with some elbows driven into the side of her head. Michelle stumbles away, but instantly Gabrielle is on her with a boot to the midsection. She drags the doubled over Michelle's head into position between her legs and wrenches her up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "PILEDRIVER!! Michelle is spiked onto the top of her head!!"
Allen Price: "We saw Gabrielle going for that move earlier on in this match on the ring apron, and finally she's successful with it in the centre of the ring… all she needs to do is hook the leg, surely?!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I think the Goddess has other ideas… and don't call me Shirley."
Gabrielle drags Michelle up onto her feet, and applies a front facelock. She hoists Dreamer up for a suplex, but instead connects with a hangman's neckbreaker! Michelle is sprawled face-down on the mat, and the Goddess picks her leg…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "She's going for Suffer In My Grasp again! Gabrielle is returning to the leg, and Michelle is in deep trouble…"
Allen Price: "Dreamer senses it, too! She reaches up and rakes the eyes again!! Right in front of DJ Franchise!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "The referee isn't happy, but Michelle wastes no time… another small package!"
ONE… TWO… TH –
Gabrielle adjusts her weight slightly, rolling so that it's Michelle's shoulders that are down instead…
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Michelle kicks out and gets to her feet, but instantly goes down to her knee, clutching at the right leg again. Gabrielle takes the opportunity, connecting with a European uppercut, then a forearm, and then a spin kick to the gut to double Michelle over…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Front face lock… I think Gabrielle is going for The 34 Double DDT!"
Allen Price: "If she hits this, it's over!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "But a reversal from Michelle… Northern Lights Suplex! With a bridge…"
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Gaby gets the shoulder up, and MvH struggles to lift her up to her feet, but eventually manages and then hits a mule kick to double her over. Michelle drags her head into position between her legs, hoists her up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "… RUNNING LIGER BOMB!!!"
Allen Price: "Shoulders down!! Michelle's got it!"
ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!!
GABRIELLE KICKS OUT! Somehow!! She rolls away from Dreamer, neither woman able to follow up, a look of frustration and surprise etched on Michelle's exhausted face. The crowd whip up into a frenzy as both women lay on the mat…
Natalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your… FOUR MINUTE WARNING!!"
Michelle rolls onto her front, as if spurred on by Rosenberg's warning that we've gone past twenty six minutes, with only four left to seal the victory. She uses the ropes to help herself up, and notices that Gabrielle is up to her knees also. Dreamer staggers over and yanks Gaby up to her feet, before hoisting her up in a fireman's carry.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Michelle thinking about that Death Valley Driver that she likes to utilise, but Gabrielle wants nothing to do with that plan…"
Allen Price: "The Goddess is driving that elbow into the side of Michelle's head, and then slips out of the lift and behind Dreamer… MvH turns around…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "… caught by a step up enziguri from Gabrielle!! Dreamer staggers back into the ropes, bounces off them… and returns fire with a discus forearm!"
Allen Price: "That's the third or fourth time that Michelle has gone for it this match, and finally she finds success!!"
Gabrielle stumbles to a knee, and Michelle hits the ropes once more, looking to repeat the gesture with a second discus… only for the Goddess to propel herself to her feet and cave in Michelle's chest with a running thrust kick!!! Michelle slumps to the mat immediately, but Gabrielle is feeling the momentum shift into her favour, and quickly drags Dreamer back up to her feet. She hits a pair of forearms and then a boot to the midesction…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "GaBuster!!! Gabrielle connects with the reverse lungblower!!"
Allen Price: "She hooks the leg…"
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Shoulder up! Michelle gets the shoulder up! Frustration passes over Gabrielle's face, but she signals that it's time for this one to finally be over. She hoists her up, and Dreamer fires back with a forearm, but Gabrielle absorbs it, returning with a trio of her own forearms, then a big European uppercut, followed by a boot to the midsection… front face lock…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "34 DOUBLE DDT!!! Gabrielle nails it, planting Michelle von Horrowitz onto the top of her head!!"
Gabrielle sinks down into a cover…
ONE… TWO… …
…
Allen Price: "… is that it!!?"
…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Foot on the ropes!! Michelle von Horrowitz has a foot on the ropes!!"
Gabrielle spots the reason for the referee stopping counting and rolls out of the cover, visibly disappointed that the finisher didn't quite get the job done thanks to the rope break. She rolls all the way to the corner, where she uses the ropes to start dragging herself up to her feet…
… but the camera cuts to the ramp, where an interloper has appeared on the stage, garnering a mixed reaction from the fans in Köln. Uncle J.J. JAY! strides down the ramp, waving at the audience with a smile on his face. Some of them cheer, but it seems a lot more of them are booing, perhaps hoping for a finish to this match free of interruptions…
Allen Price: "Uncle J.J. JAY! has no business here! We saw him - along with his cronies - getting involved in matches involving the tag team division forty eight hours ago on Meltdown XXII… and it looks as though he's here in Germany to help out his stable-mate once again!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Don't think that will be as easy as he thought…"
The crowd reacts again as, begins Uncle J.J. JAY!, Gabrielle's 'Bad Reputation' teammate emerges through the curtain and begins running down the ramp to intervene…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Kayden Knox to the rescue!!"
Knox catches up with Uncle at the foot of the ramp, and grabs JAY! from behind to turn him around. Uncle tries to unload with the pink mist… but Karden ducks beneath it and goes behind. He hops up onto Uncle's shoulders…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "POISON RANA!! BRUTAL!"
Allen Price: "Uncle spiked on his head on the ring ramp!! Kayden Knox gets a small measure of revenge after the Nephews' involvement in Bed Reputation's match against the Coven last Thursday…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Uncle's run roughshod over the tag team division for too long!"
The intervention from Knox, though, has caused a distraction in the ring. The referee is leaning through the middle and top rope, telling the two of them to stay away, and instructing Kayden to return to the back. Gabrielle is looking on at the fermenting situation, too, her hands on her hips as she gazes at her tag team partner taking out Uncle on the outside. She has her hands on her hips and is breathing heavily, quite clearly struggling after twenty nine minutes in this match (along with the over thirty minutes of ringtone she had on Meltdown XXII). Eventually, she turns around and sees MvH, back to her feet and waiting…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Rake of the eyes!! With the referee's back turned!"
Allen Price: "And then a low blow!!! Michelle lifts a boot up into Gabrielle's nether-regions!!"
Gabrielle is keeled over as the official turns, and immediately Michelle drags her head into position between her legs. She hooks both legs, hoists her up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "TIGER DRIVER '98!!! Gabrielle spiked on her head, and a lateral press from Michelle…"
ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!!!
Allen Price: "Shoulder up!! Gabrielle kicks out!! Somehow! Some way! Gabrielle is still just about in this match-up…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "But I'm not sure about her presence of mind, Price – Gabrielle landed at a brutal angle on that piledriver, but MvH has no time to be frustrated at only getting a two. Time is working against her…"
Dreamer seems to know this, too, and she does her utmost to hoist Gabrielle up to a vertical base once more. She's in position behind Gaby, and puts her in place for a pumphandle. Dreamer allows herself a glance at Kayden Knox, who is still standing at the bottom of the ramp and almost guarding the fallen Uncle, before hoisting the Goddess up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "PSYCHO DRIVER #2!! Michelle covers, one last time…"
ONE… TWO… THREE!
Winner: Michelle von Horrowitz via pinfall at 29:51.
MvH isn't in any hurry to get to her feet, instead simply collapsing backwards and lying on her back, staring up at the night's sky. The heavy breathing if both wrestlers is evident as they both lie there spent after the match.
Allen Price: "What a contest! Michelle von Horrowitz gets the win right at the dying breath!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "But, it must be said, with the use of some nefarious tactics… as we are used to seeing from Dreamer as of late."
The official tries to help MvH up to her feet, but she pushes him away and rolls to the ropes, using them to help herself up, instead.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Here is your winner… Michelle von Horrowitz!!"
Dreamer doesn't wait around in the ring for Franchise to lift her hand in victory, instead climbing out of it and beginning to stagger towards the ramp. Kayden Knox stands at the foot of it, and clenches his fist as she approaches. She walks right past him, ignoring his presence completely and collecting her title belt from the timekeeper's area.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "It looks as though retribution is on the mind of Kayden Knox. He'll be fully aware that MvH was responsible for that Nephew attack in Rotterdam, but Knox allows von Horrowitz to pass by him on the ramp."
Allen Price: "Perhaps he knows that better opportunities will come for him to get his hands on MvH. Bad Reputation will join forces with The Coven and The Lumberjacks to face six of Cthulhu's Nephews in twelve days time on Meltdown, and then two weeks after that Knox and Gabrielle will have a chance to reclaim the titles in Mile High Massacre…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "That's on Fallout 025, almost a month from now. Incredible restraint on display from Knox, which isn't often an attribute you expect from him."
Michelle helps Uncle the rest of the way up on the ramp, with JAY! still rubbing the back of his head after the poison rana from Knox on the ramp. They continue up towards the exit together, whilst Kayden enters the ring to help his visibly frustrated partner to her feet.
Allen Price: "It may have been her first match in the tournament, but it will go down as Gabrielle's second loss, with her inheriting the record of her Executive Excellence partner Mike Parr after he withdrew from the tournament. That leaves her at the base of the Pool A standings along with Vampyra…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Michelle, meanwhile, gets off to a winning re-start, after her initial win over Cornelius Aurelius Caesar in Christiana was scratched from the record due to another withdrawal. She joins Tommy Bedlam on two points, as part of that chasing pack behind FWA World Champion Alyster Black, who is currently sitting pretty on four points."
Allen Price: "Things are heating up in Pool A, J-L!"
The standings graphic fades out and we get one more shot of Bad Reputation, both now standing in the ring and staring up the ramp. Michelle von Horrowitz stands at the top of it, lifting her FWA World Tag Team Championship belt into the air with Uncle at her side. We fade from the scene.
We cut to backstage to find Todd Salum standing by with a microphone in hand. He is standing by with the reigning North American Champion, Lizzie Rose.
Todd Salum: "I’m standing by with FWA North American Champion, ‘The Rave’ Lizzie Rose, who later tonight in the main event will be defending the FWA Championship against Big Bryan Baxter. Now Lizzie, this is a man who is more than double your size…perhaps your biggest challenge to date, what are your thoughts heading into this critical F1 Climaxxx matchup?”
Lizzie Rose: "So, yeah, about that…it’s like I was tellin’ my mom, just the other day…”
???: “Excuse me…”
Lizzie is quickly interrupted as Jeremy Best walks into the shot.
Jeremy Best: "Hi Lizzie, I’m so, so sorry to be interrupting your interview here…”
Lizzie Rose: "Oh hi Jeremy! No worries, I’m still really sorry about what happened last week…”
Jeremy Best: "It was no problem at all! It was my fault anyway, I can’t apologize enough for it.”
Lizzie Rose: "Don’t be silly, of course it was my fault!”
Jeremy Best: "And I’m also really sorry about the way I was acting last week. You were being very generous with your offer and I just was so rude.”
Lizzie Rose: "I didn’t think it was rude at all. I’m just sorry that you’re having some friendship problems with Bryan.”
Jeremy Best: "If anyone is sorry about that, it’s me.”
Lizzie Rose: "I don’t know, Jeremy. If anyone has anything to be sorry about in that situation between you two, it’s not you.”
Jeremy Best: "I guess you’re right. But anyway, what I just wanted to see if the offer from last week was still on the table. I could probably use someone to talk to right now.”
Lizzie Rose: "Absolutely, it is! C’mon!”
???: “What the Hell is this?”
The segment is interrupted once more as Lizzie’s opponent and Jeremy’s tag partner, Big Bryan Baxter enters the frame.
Lizzie Rose & Jeremy Best: “Sorry?”
Bryan Baxter: "Enough with the sorries!! What the Hell is going on here? Jeremy, if you want to talk… let’s talk. And you…”
Bryan looks down directly at Lizzie.
Bryan Baxter: "You need to mind your own damn business. This is an A, B problem so C your away out of it.”
Lizzie Rose: "Tell me you didn’t just say that!”
Jeremy Best: "Look Bryan, I’m not ready to talk to you, yet okay?”
Bryan Baxter: "But you’ll talk to HER? You realize she’s fighting me tonight, right? She doesn’t want to HELP you, she’s probably just playing some mind games. Trying to get to me. Wanting to find a weakness…”
Lizzie Rose: "Is it working? ……”
Lizzie pauses awkwardly for a moment before starting to laugh at herself.
Lizzie Rose: "Just kiddin’! Look, don’t be such a bully. I’m just trying to be a friend to someone who clearly needs another one he can trust. So… like, shut up or whatever… please. C’mon Jeremy, let’s go have our talk.”
Jeremy Best: "Thanks, Lizzie. Bryan…just give me some time…I am sure you have plenty you want to say but…I just can’t right now. But good luck tonight.”
Lizzie Rose: "Ha! He’ll need it! …Maybe!”
Lizzie laughs awkwardly again as she and Jeremy walk away from Todd and Bryan, but only briefly as Bryan and Jeremy’s agent, Mr. Scorpane walks over and puts his arm around Bryan.
Mr. Scorpane: "See, this is the problem. Everyone is too worried about friends. There’s no friends in this business, Bryan. Everyone is out for themselves. If you want to get to the top… if you want to win championship gold, you gotta think about yourself. Stop worrying about this Jeremy drama. You go out there tonight and you kick her little puny ass…and do whatever it takes to win. Show FWA what you’re capable of. You’re not the second man in the Buddy System. You’re a beast. You’re a monster. You’re BIG Bryan Baxter! Hahaha!”
While Mr. Scorpane laughs and pats Bryan on the shoulder, Baxter remains silent, staring off into the distance intensely as we head back to the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Coming up next wrestling fans is a bit of rivalry renewed as we’ll see Jeremy Best team up with XYZ to take on his old rivals in The Undisputed Alliance.”
Allen Price: “That’s right, J-L, and this all came about after XYZ scored a win over Nate Savage, and needless to say; Savage did not take that result well.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’m afraid that’s an understatement, but regardless, it’s sure to be a heated affair.”
Natalie Rosenberg: “The next contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall with a 20-minute-time-limit!”
After a few seconds of the intro to “Bow Down” plays out, the song kicks into high-gear and The Undisputed Alliance make their way out to jeers from the Köln crowd. Fenix responds with crude gestures toward some fans while Savage seems focused as usual.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing first, weighing in at a combined weight of 476 lb, the team of “Nasty” Nate Savage and “Action” Jackson Fenix…The Undisputed Alliance!”
Allen Price: “Action? What kind of moniker is that?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It’s probably best to not question it, Price.”
“One Headlight” now fills the room and XYZ steps out on stage to uproarious delight from the fans in attendance.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Their opponents, first from Sitka, Alaska and weighing in at 180 lb…XYZ!”
XYZ postures for the fans and waits on stage as his music fades out, and soon it’s replaced by “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” and the crowd continues to cheer for Jeremy Best. Jeremy greets XYZ on stage with a hug and then they make their way down to the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: “and his tag team partner, from Friendship, North Carolina and weighing in at 180 lb…he’s “Your New Best Friend”...Jeremy Best!”
Fenix stares at Jeremy and makes a face from inside the ring, and then he gestures for Jeremy to “suck it” with a crotch chop. Jeremy shakes his head before sliding into the ring as XYZ follows suit.
Allen Price: “Fenix trying to resort to childish mind-games but it doesn’t seem to have an effect on Jeremy.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Sophomoric behavior is nothing new from Jackson Fenix, and Jeremy is well aware of that.”
Referee Giovanni Blanco checks both teams before calling for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Jackson Fenix and Jeremy Best start off the match for their respective teams, and Fenix continues to mock Jeremy and makes crude gestures. Jeremy ignores that and he extends his hand out for a handshake, and Fenix looks at it with a smirk, then he looks out at the crowd and back at Savage. Fenix looks back at Jeremy and acts as if he’s going to accept the handshake, but then he throws his hand back over his head and arrogantly laughs at his trick. He begins to posture and taunt the crowd as they boo him, and he turns around into a hug from Jeremy, which catches Fenix by surprise but he has little time to react as he’s taken down with a belly-to-belly suplex from Best! Fenix springs up to his knees while clutching at his lower back, and Best is ready to strike again but Fenix begins to plead with him.
“Please, come on Jeremy, I was just kidding around! Undisputed Amigos, remember?”
Fenix extends his hand out and Best takes it but instead of a handshake he takes Fenix down with an armdrag!
Allen Price: “Fenix tried to play the friend card and it backfired on him!”
Best wrenches back on Fenix’s arm with an arm lock and the two men are back on their feet now with Best keeping the hold applied, but Fenix does his best to wriggle his way free and he sends Best into the ropes only for Best to reverse and send Fenix into the ropes but Fenix hangs on. Best charges forward toward Fenix, but Fenix flips him over behind him and Best manages to land on the apron. Best spins Fenix around and drives his shoulder right into the midsection! Fenix stumbles backward, doubled over, and Best leaps back in the ring and he hits Fenix with The Buddy Bomb into a pin!
One…TWO-NO!
Fenix kicks out and rolls over on his belly and he begins to slowly crawl over to his corner to tag in Savage, but Best pulls Fenix back by the boot, and as he brings Fenix back up he’s struck with an enziguri from Fenix! Best drops down to a knee and Fenix hits a running knee strike right to the dome, sending Best to the mat! Fenix uses this opening to tag in Savage, and Savage doesn’t miss a beat as he enters the ring and hits a running senton on Best! Savage isn’t finished yet as he runs the ropes and returns with a jumping seated senton! Savage then hooks the leg as he sits on Best’s chest…
One…TWO-NO!
Savage takes Best up with a front face lock but Best counters with a jawbreaker! Savage stumbles back a few steps and holds his jaw while Best tries to recover, and Savage runs toward him but Best does a leapfrog over Savage and turns around to hit a standing dropkick on Savage that takes him off his feet! Best makes the tag to XYZ and XYZ comes in hot while Savage is unaware of the tag being made as he’s rolled to a corner to recover, and he finds out the hard way with a big running splash from XYZ! Savage stumbles forward and XYZ takes him down with a headscissors takedown! XYZ then runs the ropes and hits a leg drop on Savage for the pin!
One…two…NO!
XYZ brings Savage up to a vertical base, and XYZ begins to unload on Savage with vicious kicks to the thighs and shin area for 20 seconds before X sends Savage to a corner, and X charges forward toward Savage but Savage gets a boot up to stop XYZ dead in his tracks! Savage strikes again with a low spinning heel kick right to the midsection, and XYZ is doubled over and Nate brings him up in position before planting him on his head with a vertical suplex into a DDT! Nate immediately hooks the far leg!
One…two…NO!
Savage drags XYZ over to his corner and makes a tag to Fenix, and together they perform a double team suplex on XYZ and Fenix follows up with another pin!
One…two…NO!
Fenix tags Savage back in again and Savage lays into XYZ with some stomps while splicing in some trash talk with each stomp, and Savage runs the ropes and goes for another running senton but this time XYZ rolled out of harm’s way! Savage gets nothing but canvas and he howls in pain as he clutches at his back while XYZ crawls over to make the tag to Jeremy and the crowd comes alive for Best! Jeremy feeds off the energy from the crowd as he takes Savage into the corner and unloads on Savage with a rapid-fire chest kick combination!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Jeremy Best with a little Friendly Fire for Nate Savage!”
Allen Price: “There’s nothing friendly about those kicks by the looks of it!”
Savage stumbles from the corner and eventually falls face first to the mat, and Jeremy continues to revel in the crowd’s appreciation for him. Savage has rolled over on his back and Jeremy notices an opening as he goes to perform a springboard moonsault, but Savage rolls out of the way in time yet fortunately for Jeremy he managed to land on his feet, albeit gingerly and it costs him as Savage pops up and nails Jeremy with a discus elbow smash that rocks Jeremy! Nate unleashes a spinning forearm to Jeremy, followed up by a bionic elbow, and Jeremy is stunned as Savage hoists him up and hits a pump-handle neckbreaker on Jeremy! Jeremy crumbles to the mat and Savage makes the cover!
One…two…THREE-NO!
Allen Price: “Jeremy hangs on, but how much more punishment can he endure?!”
Savage tags in Fenix as Jeremy crawls over and tags in XYZ, and XYZ ducks a clothesline from Fenix and he nails a standing dropkick that knocks Fenix back into the ropes, and XYZ nails Fenix with a clothesline that sends him over the rope to the apron and this allows XYZ to connect with a triangle dropkick on Fenix! Fenix falls to the floor outside, but XYZ tosses him back inside the ring and XYZ is preparing himself on the apron as he goes for his springboard moonsault but he does the fake-out as he lands on his feet…
That backfires on XYZ however as Fenix pops up and cuts XYZ off at the legs with a low dropkick, and Fenix strikes with a shining wizard! XYZ is crawling to his corner to tag in Jeremy, and Fenix tries to keep him away but XYZ kicks away long enough to make the tag and Best takes Fenix down with a clothesline! Jeremy follows up with more clotheslines on Fenix! Jeremy then takes Fenix by the wrist and locks in the Friendship Bracelet! Fenix has nowhere to go and he looks like he’s about to tap when Savage makes the save as he breaks it up by crushing Jeremy with a running senton!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Jeremy almost took it home for his team but not on Nate Savage’s watch!”
Savage knocks XYZ off the apron and he follows XYZ to the outside and he drops XYZ on the outside floor with a package fallaway powerbomb!
Allen Price: “Nate Savage just eliminated XYZ from the equation right in front of us! Jeremy is seemingly on his own!”
Fenix has risen up first and he waits for Jeremy to rise, and Fenix goes for Superkick Me Baby One More Time, but Jeremy sees it coming and catches Fenix by the boot. Jeremy spins Fenix around before hoisting him up in a vertical suplex position, but Fenix flips out of it behind Jeremy and Fenix quickly strikes with a snap-dragon suplex and follows up with a bicycle knee strike!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Double shot from Fenix! He has Jeremy dead to rights, but can he capitalize?”
Fenix doesn’t miss a beat and he takes Jeremy up by the head before lifting him up…SIN CITY HANGOVER! Fenix makes the cover!
One…two…THREE!
Natalie Rosenberg: ”The winners of the match…Jackson Fenix and Nate Savage…The Undisputed Alliance!”
Fenix and Savage celebrate together with Fenix acting like he won the Super Bowl or something of that magnitude, while Jeremy Best lays on his back with a pained but deflated expression. Jeremy slowly rolls out of the ring where he’s met by XYZ and XYZ assists Jeremy to the back while Fenix and Savage continue to celebrate in the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: ”What a match and what a win for Undisputed Alliance!
Allen Price: ”A tough loss for Jeremy Best and XYZ, that has to sting for Jeremy to lose to his former friend and rivals.
Jeremy reaches the back with XYZ and bumps into Bryan Baxter.
Bryan Baxter: “Hey Jeremy, I’m sorry you lost to those two jerks, and I’m sorry about earlier but…”
Before Bryan can finish, Jeremy brushes past him with XYZ quietly following Jeremy. Bryan turns around with a look of concern for his friend as the show cuts to a brief ad break.
An advert airs hyping of Fight Night: The Final 4, to feature semi-final matches in the F1 Climaxxx Tournament, live on the WCNetwork on the 27th January, 2023.
Dave Sullivan appears to a mixed reaction from the crowd, but a loud one never the less. The smarks are cheering loud, and the marks are booing even louder as the two time FWA World Champion appears at the top of the stage. The rumor mill has been working on overtime regarding Sullivan as the report came out earlier in the week regarding an injury to Team HWA. One of Bullet Broc and Saint Sulley were injured, and it was all but confirmed that Bullet Broc was the one after he was spotted with crutches and a boot. And with their status as a team put on hold, it would make perfect sense for Saint Sulley to return to FWA.
The rumors picked up even more speed when, in the middle of the week, Saint Sulley made a vague tweet about the X Championship.
Now, as the cameras pan across the crowd, it's pretty clear what everyone in the arena thinks is about to happen.
Saint Sulley, the man with the longest X Championship reign in FWA history...the man who has more X Championships than anyone, and more days combined with the title than anyone, is going to challenge Alyster Black for the title. With Alyster Black a few months away from breaking that prestigious record, would King Sullivan allow it?
The Saint Sulley vs Alyster Black signs in the crowd would suggest otherwise.
However, the confusion begins to set in as the crowd notices someone else walking with Sullivan down the ramp. It isn't Broc, or Kujo, or anyone else you might expect...instead it's Sammie Sullivan. The boos get a little quieter, perhaps some fans not wanting to boo a man in front of his own kid?
Sullivan and Sammie walk proudly down the ring together. Sullivan raises a rope, and allows his daughter to climb in as he gets a microphone from the side...joining her soon after.
Sullivan stands in the ring and smiles as he holds the microphone. His daughter is next to him, looking a little nervous as she stands in front of such a large crowd.
Finally, after a long moment of anticipation, Sullivan speaks.
Dave Sullivan: "The last time I was in this ring, I made a decision...a decision to return to hardcore. It was a decision, at 36 years old, that I didn't make lightly. But it was one I made because I didn't think the FWA was hardcore enough. I didn't think the direction that the Watkins family was taking it was the same direction I wanted to go in. I didn't think that Alyster Black was going to represent the X title the same way that I thought a hardcore title needed to truly be represented. And so...I made the decision, with my cousin and best friend, to leave this company.
We started a tour of warehouse shows across the United States. An HWA Reunion tour...so that Broc and I could relive what the true hardcore feeling felt like.
So I could relive what it felt like to be a hardcore champion. This time not with the X Title, but with the HWA Tag Team Championships. Call it a paper title or whatever you want to call it, but for the first time...I was a tag team champion. I worked as a team, and I defended those titles at every opportunity. And every time I did, I defended the hardcore values that go along with it. But defending those hardcore values comes with a risk...a bodily risk. I'm sure you all have heard that one of Broc and I were seriously injured in our last match. It was a Hell in a Cell match against Johnny Hot and Alex Kidd. While those two left on stretchers, Broc and I weren't left without our own battle scars. And as I know you've all seen...Broc hurt his leg during the match. So, everyone has been asking...with Broc hurt, does that mean you are going back to the FWA? Does that mean you're challenging Alyster Black for the X Championship?
Fortuntely for Broc, while he is in a walking boot...it's because he suffered a severe high ankle sprain. He said it hurts, but he'll be back in action in a few weeks worst case.
I on the other hand...was not as lucky. At one point during the match, I had speared Johnny Hot off of the top of a 20ft cell. We both landed on the ground, but I landed on my back. I got up after and walked it off...like so many of my injuries I didn't feel a thing. The adrenaline you feel in a hardcore match? It doesn't let you feel a thing. I hit an RKO on Alex Kidd and I pinned him to keep the HWA Tag Team Championships around our waists. But, when Broc and I were on the airplane the next morning....the pain started to hit me. I started losing feeling in my arms and hands. When we landed in Pittsburgh, I immediately went and got an MRI....
What happened when I fell off of that cell, is what could happen to anyone one of us who step in that ring. That defend those hardcore values, and do it for you fans. We risk our bodies, we risk our health, we risk everything. What happened when I hit the ground, was I reaggravated an injury that happened to me a decade ago. One that I thought I healed from.
But I've been doing MRIs and tests for the last week, and....every doctor is telling me that I didn't. I've been diagnosed with what they're calling cervical spinal stenosis. I have seen about twenty different doctors looking for a different opinion, including Dr. James Bradley who's the head doctor for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Everyone recommended the same thing to me...if I want to keep walking...never wrestle again.
And I'll be honest...even when presented with that option, I still had to think about it. I still had to think about whether or not I wanted to walk away from this sport that I love. After Back in Business XV I was ready to walk away, and then...I made the decision that I wasn't. I made the decision that I wasn't going to walk away until I became an FWA Grand Slam champion. And I didn't accomplish that...so then I had to make the decision on whether or not that was ok. On whether I was satisfied with everything I did accomplish...and the truth is...I am.
I am going to take the doctor's advice, and I am going to retire."
The crowd's stunned silence soon turns into a positive standing ovation.
Sullivan smiles and wipes some small tears from his eyes as the crowd begins to chant.
"THANK YOU SULLEY!"
"THANK YOU SULLEY!"
Sammie Sullivan looks proudly at her dad. Dave looks around at the crowd and takes it in. After a good half minute or so, Sullivan continues to go on.
Dave Sullivan: "I wish I could say this was a trick or an angle. That this was some storyline and I'm going to be back again. I did it before right? I wish I could say that's what it was. But I am not here as Saint Sulley tonight...I'm not here as The Redemption, or King Sullivan, or any of that. I'm just here as Dave. For once, maybe for the first time ever...I didn't want to be a character to you. This is who I am, Dave Sullivan...you people deserve to get this news not from a whacky king, or an egomaniac, but from me. The man behind the curtain.
I'm not going to lie. When I first got the news, I was angry. I was angry and upset, because I still...even at that time, felt like I had so much left to do. At 36 years old I felt like I could still win another couple FWA World Championships, I felt like I could still win the FWA Tag Team titles and became a Grand Slam Champion. I felt like I could even win that new FWA Television Championship people are talking about...I could wrestle Gabrielle one more time, I could have that rematch with Chris Kennedy, I could team up with Kleio. I could do so much more...
But, the truth is, I looked at my daughter here and I realized all the things I could still accomplish outside of the ring. She's 12 years old, and I have already missed so much of her life. While I was breaking X Title records, and beating Cyrus Truth, and headlining Back in Business...she was having so many of her own firsts. Things I didn't get to see. When it came to being a champion in the Dad world I had no reigns. No records. I realized this news...this injury, it was an opportunity to become a Grandslam Dad. The titles I used to win aren't the same ones I want anymore...I want to be a winner when I see her get a great grade in class. Or become a winner when she drives her first car, or gets her braces taken off. When she opens her presents from Santa on Christmas morning. Those are the accolades I want to be chasing.
I have enough FWA accolades. I am one of a couple handfuls of Triple Crown Champions. I held the FWA Championship, the North American Championship, and the X Championship all at the same time. I have the second longest FWA Championship reign ever, and I hold every record you can think of when it comes to the X Championship. I've beaten some of the greatest legends to ever step in this ring including Chris Kennedy, Devin Golden, Cyrus Truth, Gabrielle, and Stu "The Snake" St. Clair. I hope doing all of that has earned maybe earned me a seat next to those guys in the end.
Even though I'm walking away, because I have to walk away...I want you all to know that I still love this business. I am still a fan of this sport...and I'm going to still root and cheer for so many of the friends I made in that locker room. People thought that I was going to come out and challenge Alyster Black for the X Championship tonight. Alyster Black is a man that I wrestle and bled with...we fought together as San Esterellas in the Warehouse Tag Team Tournament, and we put on a hell of a show that night. I hope someday you get to see it, but let me tell you...he was awesome. He has by all accounts proven what it is truly like to be an X Champion, and yeah I'd have loved to someday get in the ring and fight my good friend in one of the most brutal hardcore matches ever and keep my records in tact. But the truth is, I can partly blame those same records for why I have to walk away in the first place. If I had to pick a new hardcore king to wear that crown, I couldn't think of a better person to do it than Alyster Black. He is one of the most talented stars on the roster...the way he has developed and the star he has become since we fought at Payback two years ago is incredible. And if I fought him at the skill level that he is at right now, I don't think I would have walked out of Payback with my title. He is the new King of Hardcore, and he is going to reign for a long time. Krash and Alyster let me sit at their lunch table a long time ago, and they will forever be fans of mine.
Alyster's reign makes walking away from this a whole lot easier. The fact that I can watch him compete at the same level that I did, breaking skulls and defending that belt...he has given some closure in the fact that I have to walk away, because I know there's someone I can pass the torch onto. There's someone I can root for and cheer on, and keep fighting for hardcore wrestling. And even though hardcore wrestling has done some horrible things to my body, it's still the part of the sport that makes it what it is. It's the reason why for so long I have fought for respect to those of us who compete in X Rules matches, and tables matches, and everything else on a weekly basis...we put our bodies on the line every day. And the rest of them in that locker room are going to keep fighting...
It's taken me a lot to be able to accept this, but I don't have to fight anymore.
For the first time, instead of being an FWA Champion, an HWA Tag Team Champion, an FWA Wrestler...I get to be a dad. I get to be a proud dad who has had one hell of a career here...and I want to thank you for all of that. Despite my characters, and some of the wicked things you have seen me do on the screen all those years, you are all the reason why I put my body on the line in the first place. And even with how it's all turned out, you are all the reason why if I live another life I'd do it again. And again. And again. Whether you cheered me or you boo'd me...you made me who I was. Thank you all, I love you...and goodnight."
With that, Dave Sullivan drops the microphone.
He hugs his daughter in the ring as the fans stand up and cheer again. He gets another ovation, as both he and his daughter are hugging and crying.
The two walk out of the ring and back up the ramp together as the fans continue to chant.
"THANK YOU SULLEY!"
"THANK YOU SULLEY!"
"THANK YOU SULLEY!"
Just a little something to add at the ending there...
They pause at the top of the entrance ramp, stopping to take one last look back at the crowd. As they do a man steps out from behind the curtain, it's Alyster Black. The current X Champion is holding a black sack in his arms.
He taps Sulley on the shoulder and opens the bag, pulling out the classic version of the X Championship, the one synonymous with Dave Sullivan. It shines brightly having been freshly polished, the silver and gold plates reflective having been restored for this occasion. The name plate bares the name "Saint Sulley". This is and always will be his championship belt.
Alyster takes the belt and fastens it around Sulley's waist before stepping back and offering his former rival and partner a handshake. Alyster bows as a sign of respect before leaving Sulley and Sammie alone to take in the adulation of the audience for a while longer.
Sulley poses proudly with the X Championship around his waist, with his daughter by his side and bids farewell to the FWA faithful who match his emotional state.
Natalie Rosenberg: “This next match is scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit. Introducing first, from Bristol… weighing in at two-hundred and thirty-five pounds… he is the FWA Television Champion…PPPHHHILLLLIP A. JJJJAAAAAAAACKSON!”
It’s a warm round of boos for the Television Champion as Philip A. Jackson saunters out onto the stage, seeming to enjoy the reaction of the fans.
Allen Price: “What a difference a couple weeks make!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Last time we saw PAJ, he was receiving a hero’s welcome in his hometown, but things feel much more normal here!”
Allen Price: “It may have been a hero's welcome but it wasn’t much of a hometown happy ending for him on Meltdown two weeks ago, when he lost to Lizzie Rose.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “This will be a battle of guys looking to turn their luck around, but unlike his opponent, PAJ decided to sit out the World Title Battle Royal in order to focus on this F1 match. We’ll see tonight if that paid off.”
Jackson makes his way down to the ring, continuing to soak up the jeers before climbing into the ring. PAJ climbs the turnbuckles, holding up his title for all to see, which of course just brings in another round of boos from the fans.
Natalie Rosenberg: “And his opponent, from The Long and Winding Road… weighing in at two-hundred and twenty-seven pounds… he is “THE EXILE”... CCCYYYRRRUUUUSSSSS TRUTH!”
There’s a big pop from the fans as Cyrus Truth trots out from the back, his grey hoodie popped up over his head. Though the crowd is solidly behind him, Truth is more focused on PAJ in the ring, his eyes already locked in.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You can just see the determination of The Exile’s face here tonight. Last week on Fallout, he suffered a tough loss to Chris Peacock in the opening round of the F1, much like PAJ, giving him an early disadvantage…”
Allen Price: “Hey, a tough loss to Chris Peacock is nothing to be disappointed about! Besides, he turned it into a really strong showing on Meltdown…making it to the final four of the World Title Battle Royal.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I agree…with the second part of that statement anyway. But he has a chance here tonight to continue to right the ship, and you know he’s going to try and do just that.”
Cyrus slides into the ring, removes this jacket, tossing it aside and the match is ready to get underway.
Jackson Fenix and Jeremy Best start off the match for their respective teams, and Fenix continues to mock Jeremy and makes crude gestures. Jeremy ignores that and he extends his hand out for a handshake, and Fenix looks at it with a smirk, then he looks out at the crowd and back at Savage. Fenix looks back at Jeremy and acts as if he’s going to accept the handshake, but then he throws his hand back over his head and arrogantly laughs at his trick. He begins to posture and taunt the crowd as they boo him, and he turns around into a hug from Jeremy, which catches Fenix by surprise but he has little time to react as he’s taken down with a belly-to-belly suplex from Best! Fenix springs up to his knees while clutching at his lower back, and Best is ready to strike again but Fenix begins to plead with him.
“Please, come on Jeremy, I was just kidding around! Undisputed Amigos, remember?”
Fenix extends his hand out and Best takes it but instead of a handshake he takes Fenix down with an armdrag!
Allen Price: “Fenix tried to play the friend card and it backfired on him!”
Best wrenches back on Fenix’s arm with an arm lock and the two men are back on their feet now with Best keeping the hold applied, but Fenix does his best to wriggle his way free and he sends Best into the ropes only for Best to reverse and send Fenix into the ropes but Fenix hangs on. Best charges forward toward Fenix, but Fenix flips him over behind him and Best manages to land on the apron. Best spins Fenix around and drives his shoulder right into the midsection! Fenix stumbles backward, doubled over, and Best leaps back in the ring and he hits Fenix with The Buddy Bomb into a pin!
One…TWO-NO!
Fenix kicks out and rolls over on his belly and he begins to slowly crawl over to his corner to tag in Savage, but Best pulls Fenix back by the boot, and as he brings Fenix back up he’s struck with an enziguri from Fenix! Best drops down to a knee and Fenix hits a running knee strike right to the dome, sending Best to the mat! Fenix uses this opening to tag in Savage, and Savage doesn’t miss a beat as he enters the ring and hits a running senton on Best! Savage isn’t finished yet as he runs the ropes and returns with a jumping seated senton! Savage then hooks the leg as he sits on Best’s chest…
One…TWO-NO!
Savage takes Best up with a front face lock but Best counters with a jawbreaker! Savage stumbles back a few steps and holds his jaw while Best tries to recover, and Savage runs toward him but Best does a leapfrog over Savage and turns around to hit a standing dropkick on Savage that takes him off his feet! Best makes the tag to XYZ and XYZ comes in hot while Savage is unaware of the tag being made as he’s rolled to a corner to recover, and he finds out the hard way with a big running splash from XYZ! Savage stumbles forward and XYZ takes him down with a headscissors takedown! XYZ then runs the ropes and hits a leg drop on Savage for the pin!
One…two…NO!
XYZ brings Savage up to a vertical base, and XYZ begins to unload on Savage with vicious kicks to the thighs and shin area for 20 seconds before X sends Savage to a corner, and X charges forward toward Savage but Savage gets a boot up to stop XYZ dead in his tracks! Savage strikes again with a low spinning heel kick right to the midsection, and XYZ is doubled over and Nate brings him up in position before planting him on his head with a vertical suplex into a DDT! Nate immediately hooks the far leg!
One…two…NO!
Savage drags XYZ over to his corner and makes a tag to Fenix, and together they perform a double team suplex on XYZ and Fenix follows up with another pin!
One…two…NO!
Fenix tags Savage back in again and Savage lays into XYZ with some stomps while splicing in some trash talk with each stomp, and Savage runs the ropes and goes for another running senton but this time XYZ rolled out of harm’s way! Savage gets nothing but canvas and he howls in pain as he clutches at his back while XYZ crawls over to make the tag to Jeremy and the crowd comes alive for Best! Jeremy feeds off the energy from the crowd as he takes Savage into the corner and unloads on Savage with a rapid-fire chest kick combination!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Jeremy Best with a little Friendly Fire for Nate Savage!”
Allen Price: “There’s nothing friendly about those kicks by the looks of it!”
Savage stumbles from the corner and eventually falls face first to the mat, and Jeremy continues to revel in the crowd’s appreciation for him. Savage has rolled over on his back and Jeremy notices an opening as he goes to perform a springboard moonsault, but Savage rolls out of the way in time yet fortunately for Jeremy he managed to land on his feet, albeit gingerly and it costs him as Savage pops up and nails Jeremy with a discus elbow smash that rocks Jeremy! Nate unleashes a spinning forearm to Jeremy, followed up by a bionic elbow, and Jeremy is stunned as Savage hoists him up and hits a pump-handle neckbreaker on Jeremy! Jeremy crumbles to the mat and Savage makes the cover!
One…two…THREE-NO!
Allen Price: “Jeremy hangs on, but how much more punishment can he endure?!”
Savage tags in Fenix as Jeremy crawls over and tags in XYZ, and XYZ ducks a clothesline from Fenix and he nails a standing dropkick that knocks Fenix back into the ropes, and XYZ nails Fenix with a clothesline that sends him over the rope to the apron and this allows XYZ to connect with a triangle dropkick on Fenix! Fenix falls to the floor outside, but XYZ tosses him back inside the ring and XYZ is preparing himself on the apron as he goes for his springboard moonsault but he does the fake-out as he lands on his feet…
That backfires on XYZ however as Fenix pops up and cuts XYZ off at the legs with a low dropkick, and Fenix strikes with a shining wizard! XYZ is crawling to his corner to tag in Jeremy, and Fenix tries to keep him away but XYZ kicks away long enough to make the tag and Best takes Fenix down with a clothesline! Jeremy follows up with more clotheslines on Fenix! Jeremy then takes Fenix by the wrist and locks in the Friendship Bracelet! Fenix has nowhere to go and he looks like he’s about to tap when Savage makes the save as he breaks it up by crushing Jeremy with a running senton!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Jeremy almost took it home for his team but not on Nate Savage’s watch!”
Savage knocks XYZ off the apron and he follows XYZ to the outside and he drops XYZ on the outside floor with a package fallaway powerbomb!
Allen Price: “Nate Savage just eliminated XYZ from the equation right in front of us! Jeremy is seemingly on his own!”
Fenix has risen up first and he waits for Jeremy to rise, and Fenix goes for Superkick Me Baby One More Time, but Jeremy sees it coming and catches Fenix by the boot. Jeremy spins Fenix around before hoisting him up in a vertical suplex position, but Fenix flips out of it behind Jeremy and Fenix quickly strikes with a snap-dragon suplex and follows up with a bicycle knee strike!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Double shot from Fenix! He has Jeremy dead to rights, but can he capitalize?”
Fenix doesn’t miss a beat and he takes Jeremy up by the head before lifting him up…SIN CITY HANGOVER! Fenix makes the cover!
One…two…THREE!
Winners: The Undisputed Alliance at 17:56
Natalie Rosenberg: ”The winners of the match…Jackson Fenix and Nate Savage…The Undisputed Alliance!”
Fenix and Savage celebrate together with Fenix acting like he won the Super Bowl or something of that magnitude, while Jeremy Best lays on his back with a pained but deflated expression. Jeremy slowly rolls out of the ring where he’s met by XYZ and XYZ assists Jeremy to the back while Fenix and Savage continue to celebrate in the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: ”What a match and what a win for Undisputed Alliance!
Allen Price: ”A tough loss for Jeremy Best and XYZ, that has to sting for Jeremy to lose to his former friend and rivals.
Jeremy reaches the back with XYZ and bumps into Bryan Baxter.
Bryan Baxter: “Hey Jeremy, I’m sorry you lost to those two jerks, and I’m sorry about earlier but…”
Before Bryan can finish, Jeremy brushes past him with XYZ quietly following Jeremy. Bryan turns around with a look of concern for his friend as the show cuts to a brief ad break.
An advert airs hyping of Fight Night: The Final 4, to feature semi-final matches in the F1 Climaxxx Tournament, live on the WCNetwork on the 27th January, 2023.
Dave Sullivan appears to a mixed reaction from the crowd, but a loud one never the less. The smarks are cheering loud, and the marks are booing even louder as the two time FWA World Champion appears at the top of the stage. The rumor mill has been working on overtime regarding Sullivan as the report came out earlier in the week regarding an injury to Team HWA. One of Bullet Broc and Saint Sulley were injured, and it was all but confirmed that Bullet Broc was the one after he was spotted with crutches and a boot. And with their status as a team put on hold, it would make perfect sense for Saint Sulley to return to FWA.
The rumors picked up even more speed when, in the middle of the week, Saint Sulley made a vague tweet about the X Championship.
Now, as the cameras pan across the crowd, it's pretty clear what everyone in the arena thinks is about to happen.
Saint Sulley, the man with the longest X Championship reign in FWA history...the man who has more X Championships than anyone, and more days combined with the title than anyone, is going to challenge Alyster Black for the title. With Alyster Black a few months away from breaking that prestigious record, would King Sullivan allow it?
The Saint Sulley vs Alyster Black signs in the crowd would suggest otherwise.
However, the confusion begins to set in as the crowd notices someone else walking with Sullivan down the ramp. It isn't Broc, or Kujo, or anyone else you might expect...instead it's Sammie Sullivan. The boos get a little quieter, perhaps some fans not wanting to boo a man in front of his own kid?
Sullivan and Sammie walk proudly down the ring together. Sullivan raises a rope, and allows his daughter to climb in as he gets a microphone from the side...joining her soon after.
Sullivan stands in the ring and smiles as he holds the microphone. His daughter is next to him, looking a little nervous as she stands in front of such a large crowd.
Finally, after a long moment of anticipation, Sullivan speaks.
Dave Sullivan: "The last time I was in this ring, I made a decision...a decision to return to hardcore. It was a decision, at 36 years old, that I didn't make lightly. But it was one I made because I didn't think the FWA was hardcore enough. I didn't think the direction that the Watkins family was taking it was the same direction I wanted to go in. I didn't think that Alyster Black was going to represent the X title the same way that I thought a hardcore title needed to truly be represented. And so...I made the decision, with my cousin and best friend, to leave this company.
We started a tour of warehouse shows across the United States. An HWA Reunion tour...so that Broc and I could relive what the true hardcore feeling felt like.
So I could relive what it felt like to be a hardcore champion. This time not with the X Title, but with the HWA Tag Team Championships. Call it a paper title or whatever you want to call it, but for the first time...I was a tag team champion. I worked as a team, and I defended those titles at every opportunity. And every time I did, I defended the hardcore values that go along with it. But defending those hardcore values comes with a risk...a bodily risk. I'm sure you all have heard that one of Broc and I were seriously injured in our last match. It was a Hell in a Cell match against Johnny Hot and Alex Kidd. While those two left on stretchers, Broc and I weren't left without our own battle scars. And as I know you've all seen...Broc hurt his leg during the match. So, everyone has been asking...with Broc hurt, does that mean you are going back to the FWA? Does that mean you're challenging Alyster Black for the X Championship?
Fortuntely for Broc, while he is in a walking boot...it's because he suffered a severe high ankle sprain. He said it hurts, but he'll be back in action in a few weeks worst case.
I on the other hand...was not as lucky. At one point during the match, I had speared Johnny Hot off of the top of a 20ft cell. We both landed on the ground, but I landed on my back. I got up after and walked it off...like so many of my injuries I didn't feel a thing. The adrenaline you feel in a hardcore match? It doesn't let you feel a thing. I hit an RKO on Alex Kidd and I pinned him to keep the HWA Tag Team Championships around our waists. But, when Broc and I were on the airplane the next morning....the pain started to hit me. I started losing feeling in my arms and hands. When we landed in Pittsburgh, I immediately went and got an MRI....
What happened when I fell off of that cell, is what could happen to anyone one of us who step in that ring. That defend those hardcore values, and do it for you fans. We risk our bodies, we risk our health, we risk everything. What happened when I hit the ground, was I reaggravated an injury that happened to me a decade ago. One that I thought I healed from.
But I've been doing MRIs and tests for the last week, and....every doctor is telling me that I didn't. I've been diagnosed with what they're calling cervical spinal stenosis. I have seen about twenty different doctors looking for a different opinion, including Dr. James Bradley who's the head doctor for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Everyone recommended the same thing to me...if I want to keep walking...never wrestle again.
And I'll be honest...even when presented with that option, I still had to think about it. I still had to think about whether or not I wanted to walk away from this sport that I love. After Back in Business XV I was ready to walk away, and then...I made the decision that I wasn't. I made the decision that I wasn't going to walk away until I became an FWA Grand Slam champion. And I didn't accomplish that...so then I had to make the decision on whether or not that was ok. On whether I was satisfied with everything I did accomplish...and the truth is...I am.
I am going to take the doctor's advice, and I am going to retire."
The crowd's stunned silence soon turns into a positive standing ovation.
Sullivan smiles and wipes some small tears from his eyes as the crowd begins to chant.
"THANK YOU SULLEY!"
"THANK YOU SULLEY!"
Sammie Sullivan looks proudly at her dad. Dave looks around at the crowd and takes it in. After a good half minute or so, Sullivan continues to go on.
Dave Sullivan: "I wish I could say this was a trick or an angle. That this was some storyline and I'm going to be back again. I did it before right? I wish I could say that's what it was. But I am not here as Saint Sulley tonight...I'm not here as The Redemption, or King Sullivan, or any of that. I'm just here as Dave. For once, maybe for the first time ever...I didn't want to be a character to you. This is who I am, Dave Sullivan...you people deserve to get this news not from a whacky king, or an egomaniac, but from me. The man behind the curtain.
I'm not going to lie. When I first got the news, I was angry. I was angry and upset, because I still...even at that time, felt like I had so much left to do. At 36 years old I felt like I could still win another couple FWA World Championships, I felt like I could still win the FWA Tag Team titles and became a Grand Slam Champion. I felt like I could even win that new FWA Television Championship people are talking about...I could wrestle Gabrielle one more time, I could have that rematch with Chris Kennedy, I could team up with Kleio. I could do so much more...
But, the truth is, I looked at my daughter here and I realized all the things I could still accomplish outside of the ring. She's 12 years old, and I have already missed so much of her life. While I was breaking X Title records, and beating Cyrus Truth, and headlining Back in Business...she was having so many of her own firsts. Things I didn't get to see. When it came to being a champion in the Dad world I had no reigns. No records. I realized this news...this injury, it was an opportunity to become a Grandslam Dad. The titles I used to win aren't the same ones I want anymore...I want to be a winner when I see her get a great grade in class. Or become a winner when she drives her first car, or gets her braces taken off. When she opens her presents from Santa on Christmas morning. Those are the accolades I want to be chasing.
I have enough FWA accolades. I am one of a couple handfuls of Triple Crown Champions. I held the FWA Championship, the North American Championship, and the X Championship all at the same time. I have the second longest FWA Championship reign ever, and I hold every record you can think of when it comes to the X Championship. I've beaten some of the greatest legends to ever step in this ring including Chris Kennedy, Devin Golden, Cyrus Truth, Gabrielle, and Stu "The Snake" St. Clair. I hope doing all of that has earned maybe earned me a seat next to those guys in the end.
Even though I'm walking away, because I have to walk away...I want you all to know that I still love this business. I am still a fan of this sport...and I'm going to still root and cheer for so many of the friends I made in that locker room. People thought that I was going to come out and challenge Alyster Black for the X Championship tonight. Alyster Black is a man that I wrestle and bled with...we fought together as San Esterellas in the Warehouse Tag Team Tournament, and we put on a hell of a show that night. I hope someday you get to see it, but let me tell you...he was awesome. He has by all accounts proven what it is truly like to be an X Champion, and yeah I'd have loved to someday get in the ring and fight my good friend in one of the most brutal hardcore matches ever and keep my records in tact. But the truth is, I can partly blame those same records for why I have to walk away in the first place. If I had to pick a new hardcore king to wear that crown, I couldn't think of a better person to do it than Alyster Black. He is one of the most talented stars on the roster...the way he has developed and the star he has become since we fought at Payback two years ago is incredible. And if I fought him at the skill level that he is at right now, I don't think I would have walked out of Payback with my title. He is the new King of Hardcore, and he is going to reign for a long time. Krash and Alyster let me sit at their lunch table a long time ago, and they will forever be fans of mine.
Alyster's reign makes walking away from this a whole lot easier. The fact that I can watch him compete at the same level that I did, breaking skulls and defending that belt...he has given some closure in the fact that I have to walk away, because I know there's someone I can pass the torch onto. There's someone I can root for and cheer on, and keep fighting for hardcore wrestling. And even though hardcore wrestling has done some horrible things to my body, it's still the part of the sport that makes it what it is. It's the reason why for so long I have fought for respect to those of us who compete in X Rules matches, and tables matches, and everything else on a weekly basis...we put our bodies on the line every day. And the rest of them in that locker room are going to keep fighting...
It's taken me a lot to be able to accept this, but I don't have to fight anymore.
For the first time, instead of being an FWA Champion, an HWA Tag Team Champion, an FWA Wrestler...I get to be a dad. I get to be a proud dad who has had one hell of a career here...and I want to thank you for all of that. Despite my characters, and some of the wicked things you have seen me do on the screen all those years, you are all the reason why I put my body on the line in the first place. And even with how it's all turned out, you are all the reason why if I live another life I'd do it again. And again. And again. Whether you cheered me or you boo'd me...you made me who I was. Thank you all, I love you...and goodnight."
With that, Dave Sullivan drops the microphone.
He hugs his daughter in the ring as the fans stand up and cheer again. He gets another ovation, as both he and his daughter are hugging and crying.
The two walk out of the ring and back up the ramp together as the fans continue to chant.
"THANK YOU SULLEY!"
"THANK YOU SULLEY!"
"THANK YOU SULLEY!"
Just a little something to add at the ending there...
They pause at the top of the entrance ramp, stopping to take one last look back at the crowd. As they do a man steps out from behind the curtain, it's Alyster Black. The current X Champion is holding a black sack in his arms.
He taps Sulley on the shoulder and opens the bag, pulling out the classic version of the X Championship, the one synonymous with Dave Sullivan. It shines brightly having been freshly polished, the silver and gold plates reflective having been restored for this occasion. The name plate bares the name "Saint Sulley". This is and always will be his championship belt.
Alyster takes the belt and fastens it around Sulley's waist before stepping back and offering his former rival and partner a handshake. Alyster bows as a sign of respect before leaving Sulley and Sammie alone to take in the adulation of the audience for a while longer.
Sulley poses proudly with the X Championship around his waist, with his daughter by his side and bids farewell to the FWA faithful who match his emotional state.
Natalie Rosenberg: “This next match is scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit. Introducing first, from Bristol… weighing in at two-hundred and thirty-five pounds… he is the FWA Television Champion…PPPHHHILLLLIP A. JJJJAAAAAAAACKSON!”
It’s a warm round of boos for the Television Champion as Philip A. Jackson saunters out onto the stage, seeming to enjoy the reaction of the fans.
Allen Price: “What a difference a couple weeks make!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Last time we saw PAJ, he was receiving a hero’s welcome in his hometown, but things feel much more normal here!”
Allen Price: “It may have been a hero's welcome but it wasn’t much of a hometown happy ending for him on Meltdown two weeks ago, when he lost to Lizzie Rose.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “This will be a battle of guys looking to turn their luck around, but unlike his opponent, PAJ decided to sit out the World Title Battle Royal in order to focus on this F1 match. We’ll see tonight if that paid off.”
Jackson makes his way down to the ring, continuing to soak up the jeers before climbing into the ring. PAJ climbs the turnbuckles, holding up his title for all to see, which of course just brings in another round of boos from the fans.
Natalie Rosenberg: “And his opponent, from The Long and Winding Road… weighing in at two-hundred and twenty-seven pounds… he is “THE EXILE”... CCCYYYRRRUUUUSSSSS TRUTH!”
There’s a big pop from the fans as Cyrus Truth trots out from the back, his grey hoodie popped up over his head. Though the crowd is solidly behind him, Truth is more focused on PAJ in the ring, his eyes already locked in.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You can just see the determination of The Exile’s face here tonight. Last week on Fallout, he suffered a tough loss to Chris Peacock in the opening round of the F1, much like PAJ, giving him an early disadvantage…”
Allen Price: “Hey, a tough loss to Chris Peacock is nothing to be disappointed about! Besides, he turned it into a really strong showing on Meltdown…making it to the final four of the World Title Battle Royal.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I agree…with the second part of that statement anyway. But he has a chance here tonight to continue to right the ship, and you know he’s going to try and do just that.”
Cyrus slides into the ring, removes this jacket, tossing it aside and the match is ready to get underway.
With the ring of the bell, things get underway quickly as Cyrus wastes no time going right after PAJ. While both of these men may have lost their opening F1 contests, Cyrus seems to particularly have a chip on his shoulder out of the gate as he skips the typical opening match lock ups and goes straight at PAJ with a combination of right hands and knife edge chops.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Cyrus wasting on time taking it to Philip A. Jackson! He does not want to leave Fallout in a 0-2 hole.”
Allen Price: “I’m sure PAJ feels the same way! He’s fighting right back!”
PAJ fights back, going blow for blow as the two savvy veterans both are hungry to avoid that huge deficit to start the F1. Cyrus eventually gets the upperhand in the slugfest, and works PAJ into the corner. He continues his barrage of chops and now mixes in some elbows to the head until Jackson finds himself slumped over in the corner.
Truth now unleashes some brutal First Five Steps to the fallen PAJ, much to the delight of the crowd. Cyrus backs up, clearly feeling energized by the hot start. He waits and lets Jackson pull himself up before he charges into the corner for a running knee strike, but PAJ moves out of the way! Truth’s knee collides hard with the middle turnbuckle and he staggers away showing the effects of the missed move.
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““Philip Jackson was lucky to avoid that one and it may have just created an opening for him here…”
Allen Price: “PAJ is no rookie, to say the least! He’s going right after that knee!”
A chop block to the knee from PAJ sends Truth down to the mat and begins Jackson’s targeted attack on Truth’s knee while taunting his opponent aggressively. PAJ’s attacks to the knee include a variety of stomps, knee drops, and elbow drops followed by a leg grapevine submission.
But Cryus refuses to give up, pulling his way to the ropes and breaks up the submission. But PAJ is right back on the attack, striking with a running one handed bulldog as Cyrus was getting to his feet before following it up with a springboard moonsault for the pin.
One! Two! KICKOUT by Cyrus!
The offensive attack from PAJ continues as he pulls Truth back to his feet before Irish Whipping him into the ropes, but Cyrus instead counters it with a discus punch! Jackson drops down but is quick back to his feet, taking a wild right hand at Cyrus, but The Exile ducks and with a go-behind lands a Dragon Suplex to take PAJ back down to the mat, bridging for the pin.
One! Two! KICKOUT!
Allen Price: “Cyrus can’t quite keep Jackson down with that one!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I wonder if that knee Jackson has been working over kept Cyrus from being able to get a solid bridge on that pin.”
Truth shook his leg to loosen up as he gets back to his feet. Jackson begins to get to his feet as Cyrus moves in from behind, looking for a German Suplex…but Jackson flips over and lands on his feet! He then grabs Cyrus from behind in a waistlock himself, going for his own German, but Cyrus blocks it and breaks free with a pair of back elbows. A go-behind from Cyrus and another waist lock…and this time he executes the Release German Suplex onto PAJ!
Cyrus seems to be in the driver seat as he continues to control the offense, soon looking to end things with the Journey’s End as he lifts PAJ up into a fireman’s carry. But PAJ fights it off, delivering some elbows to the side of the head and then slides down Truth’s back to escape. Truth turns around and is caught with the PAJle kick to send him down to the mat!
Allen Price: “I thought PAJ was done for but he manages to break free from the Journey’s End! Can he gain some momentum here and capitalize on it?”
Meanwhile, we see Vampyra watching the match from a monitor backstage. Clearly keeping a close eye on the FWA Television Champion..
Jean-Luc Watkins: “While Jackson looks to take advantage of some momentum here, he’s being watched closely by the woman who has earned a shot at his TV Title! I am looking forward to seeing that match, but obviously PAJ has to keep focused on the match at hand.”
Back in the ring, after gaining control back in the match, PAJ delivers some kicks to the fallen Truth while extending his arms out, once again actively taunting both the crowd and his opponent. The taunts can be seen starting to get to Truth on the mat…
Allen Price: “I don’t know, taunting Cyrus Truth seems like a bad idea.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I have to agree. Not something I would recommend…”
Sure enough, Truth starts to battle his way back to his feet, delivering some hard boxing style punches to begin to wear Jackson back down, but PAJ quickly slows that momentum with a quick rake of the eyes of Truth!
Jackson ignores the warning from the referee and moves back in on the attack, taking Truth down with a backbreaker!
With Cyrus laid out, PAJ decides to head to the top rope, looking to end things with the Amazing Splash…
But Cyrus rolls out of the way!
PAJ frog splashes the canvas and staggers back up to his feet to a waiting Truth who lifts him up into the Fireman’s Carry and spins him around into..
THE JOURNEY’S END!
Truth hooks the far leg…
One! Two! Three!
Cyrus pulls himself to his feet, showing little emotion for his victory as the referee lifts up his arm.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner…CYRUS…TRUTH!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That’s a big win for Cyrus as he gains some momentum in the F1 Climaxxx. Still plenty of matches to go and despite the loss last week, he still has to be considered one of the favorites in this pool.”
Allen Price: ““I wouldn’t argue with an eventual rematch with Peacock, that’s for sure.”
Cyrus heads back up the aisle victorious while PAJ begins to stir in the ring, his face showing his disappointment while the crowd seems to relish in his defeat.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Meanwhile, PAJ now has a pretty steep hill to climb AND he has both Vampyra and former champion Shawn Summers breathing down his neck for his Television Title.”
Allen Price: “And this defeat sees Jackson slump to the bottom of Pool B, with two defeats to open his account in the tournament…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Cyrus Truth goes some way in setting himself on the right path after last week’s loss to Chris Peacock, moving alongside Bryan Baxter, Lizzie Rose, and indeed Disco’s Last Warrior on two points…”
Allen Price: “... all of whom are still to compete later on tonight. But Cyrus Truth remains in control of his destiny, just about, after two matches in the F1. But he’ll remain in a must-win situation throughout the tournament, most likely, including next time out when he faces Lizzie Rose.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “So Cyrus Truth can relax… but not for too long.”
Cyrus Truth scans the scene once more from the stage, his theme music heralding his victory, as his music fades out.
As we return from break, we pick up as Kayden Knox & Gabrielle are backstage inside their locker room. There we see the two of them as they still show the effects of the attack by The Nephews on Meltdown. Kayden sitting in the corner has an ice pack on his head he turns to Gabi who is focused on the Television.
Kayden Knox: "Son of a Bitch, I thought that piece of shit, Uncle was gone. I have no idea what he sprayed me with, but this is worse than being maced. You know The Nephews should have stayed dead and buried. Alyster Black has the FWA World Championship, and Chris Peacock has the GO. I wonder what we need to do next? What would Danny do?"
Gabrielle: "I would imagine he just dust it off and get back to it. We can't fix the past, it's time to look to our future. We both know that FWA can change on a dime. So we back up take a deep breath and get our revenge. MVH wants to play games, she wants to try and take us out she's a coward and she knows she couldn't hang with The Goddess in a fair fight. We are going to take all of them out and then we are reclaiming what is OURS, the FWA Tag Team Championship."
Kayden smiles as he stands up walking towards Gabrielle. He puts his hand on her shoulder and she turns to him with a smile and brushes his face.
Gabrielle: "Everyone wants to count us out, everyone thinks that we are broken, we have been broken we are just separated from Danny & Mike right now.”
Kayden Knox: "Yeah you're right everyone wants to count us out. Danny & Mike will be back and when they are, they will be better than ever as for us... Well gold is never far from our reach."
Gabrielle: "Well I am going to go and take a shower. Then why don't we go out to dinner the two of us? Do you mind getting us a reservation somewhere?"
Kayden Knox: "Yeah, Sure no problem. Do you have any place in mind?"
She shakes her head and takes off her clothes behind a locker. The locker closes back up you can see her in a white towel as she walks into the shower. There is a knock on the door as Kayden goes to walk outside, to see who it is. There is a young boy mid-twenties with an FWA crew shirt on. He is holding a letter and hands it to Kayden Knox. Kayden seems confused as he looks at the letter.
Kayden Knox: "What's this?"
The FWA crew worker speaks.
FWA Crew Worker: "It was found backstage, and had your name on it. I figured I deliver it to you."
Kayden Knox still holding the letter in his hand talks on.
Kayden Knox: "I imagine probably some fan mail or something. You can leave now."
The FWA crew worker scoffs as Kayden walks back inside and Gabrielle walks back out in her towel peaking her head from the bathroom.
Gabrielle: "Who was it? What did they want?"
Kayden quickly looks up at Gabrielle smiling.
Kayden Knox: "Oh it's nothing, just some fan mail. Go ahead and take your shower, I still need to make the reservation."
Gabrielle turns back in the shower. Kayden is listening for the water to turn back on in the shower. When it does he looks back down at the letter and you can see a level of concern on his face before he puts the letter in his pocket as we go to break.
There is a good response from the Christmas market, and as was the case in Rotterdam on Meltdown, Gerald Grayson is being given support from the fans through his association with Michelle von Horrowitz. Grayson jumps in the air and then lands in a crouched position at the top of the walkway in between the ring and the entrance area. He makes his way towards the ring and shakes out his wrists as he does so, looking to limber up.
Natalie Rosenberg: “The following contest is an F1 Climaxxx Pool B match, scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit. Introducing first, representing Cthulhu’s Nephews… from Raleigh, North Carolina and weighing in at two-hundred and twenty pounds… he is one half of the FWA World Tag Team Champions… GERALD GRAAAAAYYYYYSSSSONNNNNNN!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Price, well it is time for the match that I know that you have been waiting for all night, as Gerald Grayson looks to get off the mark in Pool B of the F1 Climaxxx against Chris Peacock. Should be an exciting contest that we are about to see.”
Allen Price: “It should, and I have been looking forward to this one. Gerald Grayson has a point to prove in this match from where I am sitting; he’s shown some frustration with the decisions of Michelle von Horrowitz as of late and he was unsuccessful in capturing the FWA World Championship on Meltdown, the second time this year he has tried and failed, Jean-Luc.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You know what they say about those in glass houses, don’t you? Alas, Gerald Grayson has committed to the vow that he made to Peacock on Fallout 021 when there was a minor run-in between Peacock and the Nephews - he’s out here on his own. I bet Peacock was pleased with himself that he was able to goad Grayson into going along with that, wasn’t he?”
Allen Price: “This is what Gerald Grayson wants, Jean-Luc! He wants to show that he can stand on his own two feet and I do have to admire him for that. That being said, he is still a Nephew and not even I’m foolish enough to trust a word that any of them says, or mumbles in the case of Quiet.”
Grayson settles in the ring and stretches using the ropes for assistance after placing his championship under the bottom turnbuckle in one of the corners. He bobs on the spot as he waits for his opponent to come out.
Despite the reaction on Thursday in Rotterdam being largely negative towards Chris Peacock, the German FWA fans are slightly kinder to him and are leaning on the side of cheers. Peacock still has the Golden Opportunity briefcase in hand and in the spirit of Christmas, his Singapore cane has been decorated with red and white tape to make it look like a candy cane. Peacock is also wearing green and red trousers, as opposed to his usual purple or black ones.
Natalie Rosenberg: “His opponent… from Boogie Wonderland, by way of New York City and weighing in at two-hundred and ten pounds… he is the holder of the Golden Opportunity briefcase… CHRISSSSS PEEEEAAAACCCOOOOOOCCCCCKKKKK!!”
Allen Price: “I was disappointed that Chris Peacock fell just short of winning the FWA World Championship on Meltdown, but I am extremely proud of this man. He decided to be the bigger person and let Alyster Black have his moment. I’ll admit that Chris Peacock doesn’t show many people in the FWA respect, but he does hold some for the new FWA World Champion.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Chris Peacock finishing second in things, after the farce that was Lights Out, I am glad to see that a natural order has been restored, Price. Peacock did outlast a lot of people that I thought he would not, but as he is used to, he just did not have enough on the night to get the job done.”
Allen Price: “What he did do during that match though was send a message to anyone that doubted him that when the title is on the line they can expect him to be competitive. This is a man with a recent victory over Cyrus Truth, I should remind you, Jean-Luc.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “If you didn’t remind me, I am sure that Peacock will do every chance he gets. That surprise victory over Truth means that Peacock can move to the top of Pool B in the F1 Climaxxx with victory tonight if he does make it past the stiff challenge that I am sure Gerald Grayson will offer him.”
Peacock gets into the ring and a small smirk forms on his face when he sees Gerald Grayson becoming agitated by his presence after the events that transpired during the Battle Royal on Meltdown. Peacock sets down his accessories by the ring steps and then gets into the ring where he begins to limber up himself, whilst keeping his eyes focused on Grayson. Referee John Mills (with bandana) motions for the competitors to star and calls for the bell.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Cyrus wasting on time taking it to Philip A. Jackson! He does not want to leave Fallout in a 0-2 hole.”
Allen Price: “I’m sure PAJ feels the same way! He’s fighting right back!”
PAJ fights back, going blow for blow as the two savvy veterans both are hungry to avoid that huge deficit to start the F1. Cyrus eventually gets the upperhand in the slugfest, and works PAJ into the corner. He continues his barrage of chops and now mixes in some elbows to the head until Jackson finds himself slumped over in the corner.
Truth now unleashes some brutal First Five Steps to the fallen PAJ, much to the delight of the crowd. Cyrus backs up, clearly feeling energized by the hot start. He waits and lets Jackson pull himself up before he charges into the corner for a running knee strike, but PAJ moves out of the way! Truth’s knee collides hard with the middle turnbuckle and he staggers away showing the effects of the missed move.
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““Philip Jackson was lucky to avoid that one and it may have just created an opening for him here…”
Allen Price: “PAJ is no rookie, to say the least! He’s going right after that knee!”
A chop block to the knee from PAJ sends Truth down to the mat and begins Jackson’s targeted attack on Truth’s knee while taunting his opponent aggressively. PAJ’s attacks to the knee include a variety of stomps, knee drops, and elbow drops followed by a leg grapevine submission.
But Cryus refuses to give up, pulling his way to the ropes and breaks up the submission. But PAJ is right back on the attack, striking with a running one handed bulldog as Cyrus was getting to his feet before following it up with a springboard moonsault for the pin.
One! Two! KICKOUT by Cyrus!
The offensive attack from PAJ continues as he pulls Truth back to his feet before Irish Whipping him into the ropes, but Cyrus instead counters it with a discus punch! Jackson drops down but is quick back to his feet, taking a wild right hand at Cyrus, but The Exile ducks and with a go-behind lands a Dragon Suplex to take PAJ back down to the mat, bridging for the pin.
One! Two! KICKOUT!
Allen Price: “Cyrus can’t quite keep Jackson down with that one!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I wonder if that knee Jackson has been working over kept Cyrus from being able to get a solid bridge on that pin.”
Truth shook his leg to loosen up as he gets back to his feet. Jackson begins to get to his feet as Cyrus moves in from behind, looking for a German Suplex…but Jackson flips over and lands on his feet! He then grabs Cyrus from behind in a waistlock himself, going for his own German, but Cyrus blocks it and breaks free with a pair of back elbows. A go-behind from Cyrus and another waist lock…and this time he executes the Release German Suplex onto PAJ!
Cyrus seems to be in the driver seat as he continues to control the offense, soon looking to end things with the Journey’s End as he lifts PAJ up into a fireman’s carry. But PAJ fights it off, delivering some elbows to the side of the head and then slides down Truth’s back to escape. Truth turns around and is caught with the PAJle kick to send him down to the mat!
Allen Price: “I thought PAJ was done for but he manages to break free from the Journey’s End! Can he gain some momentum here and capitalize on it?”
Meanwhile, we see Vampyra watching the match from a monitor backstage. Clearly keeping a close eye on the FWA Television Champion..
Jean-Luc Watkins: “While Jackson looks to take advantage of some momentum here, he’s being watched closely by the woman who has earned a shot at his TV Title! I am looking forward to seeing that match, but obviously PAJ has to keep focused on the match at hand.”
Back in the ring, after gaining control back in the match, PAJ delivers some kicks to the fallen Truth while extending his arms out, once again actively taunting both the crowd and his opponent. The taunts can be seen starting to get to Truth on the mat…
Allen Price: “I don’t know, taunting Cyrus Truth seems like a bad idea.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I have to agree. Not something I would recommend…”
Sure enough, Truth starts to battle his way back to his feet, delivering some hard boxing style punches to begin to wear Jackson back down, but PAJ quickly slows that momentum with a quick rake of the eyes of Truth!
Jackson ignores the warning from the referee and moves back in on the attack, taking Truth down with a backbreaker!
With Cyrus laid out, PAJ decides to head to the top rope, looking to end things with the Amazing Splash…
But Cyrus rolls out of the way!
PAJ frog splashes the canvas and staggers back up to his feet to a waiting Truth who lifts him up into the Fireman’s Carry and spins him around into..
THE JOURNEY’S END!
Truth hooks the far leg…
One! Two! Three!
Winner: Cyrus Truth at 09:17
Cyrus pulls himself to his feet, showing little emotion for his victory as the referee lifts up his arm.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner…CYRUS…TRUTH!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That’s a big win for Cyrus as he gains some momentum in the F1 Climaxxx. Still plenty of matches to go and despite the loss last week, he still has to be considered one of the favorites in this pool.”
Allen Price: ““I wouldn’t argue with an eventual rematch with Peacock, that’s for sure.”
Cyrus heads back up the aisle victorious while PAJ begins to stir in the ring, his face showing his disappointment while the crowd seems to relish in his defeat.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Meanwhile, PAJ now has a pretty steep hill to climb AND he has both Vampyra and former champion Shawn Summers breathing down his neck for his Television Title.”
Allen Price: “And this defeat sees Jackson slump to the bottom of Pool B, with two defeats to open his account in the tournament…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Cyrus Truth goes some way in setting himself on the right path after last week’s loss to Chris Peacock, moving alongside Bryan Baxter, Lizzie Rose, and indeed Disco’s Last Warrior on two points…”
Allen Price: “... all of whom are still to compete later on tonight. But Cyrus Truth remains in control of his destiny, just about, after two matches in the F1. But he’ll remain in a must-win situation throughout the tournament, most likely, including next time out when he faces Lizzie Rose.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “So Cyrus Truth can relax… but not for too long.”
Cyrus Truth scans the scene once more from the stage, his theme music heralding his victory, as his music fades out.
As we return from break, we pick up as Kayden Knox & Gabrielle are backstage inside their locker room. There we see the two of them as they still show the effects of the attack by The Nephews on Meltdown. Kayden sitting in the corner has an ice pack on his head he turns to Gabi who is focused on the Television.
Kayden Knox: "Son of a Bitch, I thought that piece of shit, Uncle was gone. I have no idea what he sprayed me with, but this is worse than being maced. You know The Nephews should have stayed dead and buried. Alyster Black has the FWA World Championship, and Chris Peacock has the GO. I wonder what we need to do next? What would Danny do?"
Gabrielle: "I would imagine he just dust it off and get back to it. We can't fix the past, it's time to look to our future. We both know that FWA can change on a dime. So we back up take a deep breath and get our revenge. MVH wants to play games, she wants to try and take us out she's a coward and she knows she couldn't hang with The Goddess in a fair fight. We are going to take all of them out and then we are reclaiming what is OURS, the FWA Tag Team Championship."
Kayden smiles as he stands up walking towards Gabrielle. He puts his hand on her shoulder and she turns to him with a smile and brushes his face.
Gabrielle: "Everyone wants to count us out, everyone thinks that we are broken, we have been broken we are just separated from Danny & Mike right now.”
Kayden Knox: "Yeah you're right everyone wants to count us out. Danny & Mike will be back and when they are, they will be better than ever as for us... Well gold is never far from our reach."
Gabrielle: "Well I am going to go and take a shower. Then why don't we go out to dinner the two of us? Do you mind getting us a reservation somewhere?"
Kayden Knox: "Yeah, Sure no problem. Do you have any place in mind?"
She shakes her head and takes off her clothes behind a locker. The locker closes back up you can see her in a white towel as she walks into the shower. There is a knock on the door as Kayden goes to walk outside, to see who it is. There is a young boy mid-twenties with an FWA crew shirt on. He is holding a letter and hands it to Kayden Knox. Kayden seems confused as he looks at the letter.
Kayden Knox: "What's this?"
The FWA crew worker speaks.
FWA Crew Worker: "It was found backstage, and had your name on it. I figured I deliver it to you."
Kayden Knox still holding the letter in his hand talks on.
Kayden Knox: "I imagine probably some fan mail or something. You can leave now."
The FWA crew worker scoffs as Kayden walks back inside and Gabrielle walks back out in her towel peaking her head from the bathroom.
Gabrielle: "Who was it? What did they want?"
Kayden quickly looks up at Gabrielle smiling.
Kayden Knox: "Oh it's nothing, just some fan mail. Go ahead and take your shower, I still need to make the reservation."
Gabrielle turns back in the shower. Kayden is listening for the water to turn back on in the shower. When it does he looks back down at the letter and you can see a level of concern on his face before he puts the letter in his pocket as we go to break.
There is a good response from the Christmas market, and as was the case in Rotterdam on Meltdown, Gerald Grayson is being given support from the fans through his association with Michelle von Horrowitz. Grayson jumps in the air and then lands in a crouched position at the top of the walkway in between the ring and the entrance area. He makes his way towards the ring and shakes out his wrists as he does so, looking to limber up.
Natalie Rosenberg: “The following contest is an F1 Climaxxx Pool B match, scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit. Introducing first, representing Cthulhu’s Nephews… from Raleigh, North Carolina and weighing in at two-hundred and twenty pounds… he is one half of the FWA World Tag Team Champions… GERALD GRAAAAAYYYYYSSSSONNNNNNN!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Price, well it is time for the match that I know that you have been waiting for all night, as Gerald Grayson looks to get off the mark in Pool B of the F1 Climaxxx against Chris Peacock. Should be an exciting contest that we are about to see.”
Allen Price: “It should, and I have been looking forward to this one. Gerald Grayson has a point to prove in this match from where I am sitting; he’s shown some frustration with the decisions of Michelle von Horrowitz as of late and he was unsuccessful in capturing the FWA World Championship on Meltdown, the second time this year he has tried and failed, Jean-Luc.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You know what they say about those in glass houses, don’t you? Alas, Gerald Grayson has committed to the vow that he made to Peacock on Fallout 021 when there was a minor run-in between Peacock and the Nephews - he’s out here on his own. I bet Peacock was pleased with himself that he was able to goad Grayson into going along with that, wasn’t he?”
Allen Price: “This is what Gerald Grayson wants, Jean-Luc! He wants to show that he can stand on his own two feet and I do have to admire him for that. That being said, he is still a Nephew and not even I’m foolish enough to trust a word that any of them says, or mumbles in the case of Quiet.”
Grayson settles in the ring and stretches using the ropes for assistance after placing his championship under the bottom turnbuckle in one of the corners. He bobs on the spot as he waits for his opponent to come out.
Despite the reaction on Thursday in Rotterdam being largely negative towards Chris Peacock, the German FWA fans are slightly kinder to him and are leaning on the side of cheers. Peacock still has the Golden Opportunity briefcase in hand and in the spirit of Christmas, his Singapore cane has been decorated with red and white tape to make it look like a candy cane. Peacock is also wearing green and red trousers, as opposed to his usual purple or black ones.
Natalie Rosenberg: “His opponent… from Boogie Wonderland, by way of New York City and weighing in at two-hundred and ten pounds… he is the holder of the Golden Opportunity briefcase… CHRISSSSS PEEEEAAAACCCOOOOOOCCCCCKKKKK!!”
Allen Price: “I was disappointed that Chris Peacock fell just short of winning the FWA World Championship on Meltdown, but I am extremely proud of this man. He decided to be the bigger person and let Alyster Black have his moment. I’ll admit that Chris Peacock doesn’t show many people in the FWA respect, but he does hold some for the new FWA World Champion.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Chris Peacock finishing second in things, after the farce that was Lights Out, I am glad to see that a natural order has been restored, Price. Peacock did outlast a lot of people that I thought he would not, but as he is used to, he just did not have enough on the night to get the job done.”
Allen Price: “What he did do during that match though was send a message to anyone that doubted him that when the title is on the line they can expect him to be competitive. This is a man with a recent victory over Cyrus Truth, I should remind you, Jean-Luc.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “If you didn’t remind me, I am sure that Peacock will do every chance he gets. That surprise victory over Truth means that Peacock can move to the top of Pool B in the F1 Climaxxx with victory tonight if he does make it past the stiff challenge that I am sure Gerald Grayson will offer him.”
Peacock gets into the ring and a small smirk forms on his face when he sees Gerald Grayson becoming agitated by his presence after the events that transpired during the Battle Royal on Meltdown. Peacock sets down his accessories by the ring steps and then gets into the ring where he begins to limber up himself, whilst keeping his eyes focused on Grayson. Referee John Mills (with bandana) motions for the competitors to star and calls for the bell.
Gerald Grayson immediately looks to go on the offensive, after some sort of retribution for Peacock stabbing him in the back on Meltdown and he leads with a front kick, but Peacock catches his boot, anticipating such a move, and then spins Grayson around and cracks him with a forearm to the face. This turns Gerald around and Peacock immediately goes for a stiff kick to the back of the leg and the slapping sound reverberates around the Christmas market.
Whilst Grayson was hot out of the gates, Peacock is composed and calculated, hitting another kick to the back of the knee and this causes Grayson to become unable to put weight down on it momentarily. Grabbing his opponent’s leg, Peacock pulls Grayson back, causing him to fall onto his front on the mat. Peacock attempts to grapevine Gerald’s leg around his own and once he has done so, he raises his foot and then stomps Grayson’s knee into the mat! Groaning, Grayson grabs his leg as soon as Peacock relinquishes him from the grapevine.
Allen Price: “You see, this is where Gerald Grayson allowing Michelle von Horrowitz to book him in all of these matches is a detriment to his own career, Jean-Luc. If he’d have had a chance to scout Peacock properly, he’d have known this is what Chris is going to do. It is what ultimately won him the match against Cyrus Truth on Fallout 021 and there’s no reason to change a winning formula.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Grayson should not expect any favours from Chris Peacock either, this Climaxxx is just a route to another World Championship opportunity that he will assuredly squander. However, grounding a high flier like Grayson does make sense from a match perspective.”
It is clear that Peacock’s plan is to once again work on the knee of his opponent to wear them down in order for him to be able to use the Commentator’s Curse, as was the initial idea against Cyrus Truth. Peacock turns Grayson onto his back and holds the leg back in an attempt to work on it some more, but Grayson wisens up to the danger of the trajectory that the match is headed in and he kicks out at Peacock with his other leg a few times, and one such kick connects with Peacock in the face, knocking Chris away.
This gives Grayson a bit of time to rise up from the mat himself and once he is stood up, he slaps his knee a couple of times to bring it back to life and this allows him to charge at Peacock, but Peacock drops his shoulder and gets lower and he is able to tackle Grayson back and towards the turnbuckle, and he looks to come off of it with the ROLLER DISCO SPINEBUSTER - but Grayson hooks his feet around the middle turnbuckle to stop Peacock from being able to turn around.
Peacock comes away from the corner as if he would be hitting the move, but stops when he sees that he did not bring Grayson with him. He rises up and from the middle rope, Grayson kicks him squarely in the nose and this causes him to recoil back. This permits Grayson to adjust his footing and jump from the middle rope to the top rope and GRAYSON TAKES FLIGHT FOR THE SKY HIGH MOONSAULT TO THE STANDING PEACOCK - AND HE FINDS HIS MARK!! Both men are on the mat, but Grayson is holding his knee as soon as he landed and Peacock immediately rolls out of the ring, holding his face.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Sky High from Grayson! This could be it already for Chris Peacock, Price, but something doesn’t seem right with Grayson, either - did he tweak his knee or something?”
The replays are shown on the erected screen and it is shown in slow motion that Grayson’s knee struck Peacock directly on the nose, and it was not the cleanest contact on the move. Grayson landed awkwardly as a result, hence his struggles. The camera then cuts to Peacock at ringside, and blood is gushing from his nose onto the floor on the outside as well as down onto his mouth, neck and chest.
Allen Price: “Oh no! Chris! I think his nose could be broken, Jean-Luc! This isn’t good.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well, the referee is down there to check on Chris Peacock’s condition, but that high risk move from Grayson has caused injuries to both himself and his opponent. A decision has to be made if Peacock can carry on in this match. As much as I dislike him, losing a match through injury is unfortunate to see happen to anyone, regardless of how you feel about them.”
John Mills has his black gloves on and he undertakes an initial assessment of Chris Peacock and does what he can to stem the flow of blood coming out of his nose. Peacock is insistent that he can carry on with the match and pulls himself up to his feet using the ring apron, but due to the impact of Sky High as well as the nosebleed, he is not fully stable on his feet as he tries pulling himself up onto the apron from the floor.
In the ring, Grayson is up to his feet and is at some sort of moral quandary as he thinks about going straight in for the kill on his weakened opponent, but Grayson does allow Peacock to get into the ring before he advances towards him. Peacock drops to a knee as soon as he is through the ropes, clearly not in a good way, and Grayson hesitates for a moment as he holds Peacock’s head up in his hands. Grayson balls his fist but does not strike at Peacock initially and instead pushes him back into the corner.
Grayson lays into Peacock with some body shots, making sure to avoid his face. Peacock reaches up and puts his hand on Grayson’s face in an attempt to create some separation, but Grayson breaks free and does this time strike Peacock in the face with a punch. Any initial hesitation dissipates instantly for Grayson and he mounts the middle turnbuckle once again and begins to rain down forearm shots to the face of Peacock as the fans count along in German.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Peacock has been in an adversarial role for Gerald Grayson for some time now, as well for the rest of the Nephews. Perhaps he is unleashing some of that stored frustration on a familiar face?”
The final, tenth blow lands and Grayson then jumps down from the perch in front of Peacock and the Golden Opportunity holder steps forward from the corner and Grayson catches him under the nose with a European Uppercut which sends him falling backwards to the point where he is slumped up against the bottom turnbuckle. Grayson wastes no time in running the ropes and he returns to drive his boot into Peacock’s face with a Face Wash! Grayson grabs Peacock’s legs and drops down into a cover.
ONE… TWO… NO!!
Allen Price: “Despite all of the punishment that he has taken in the match so far, including a potentially broken nose, Peacock has enough awareness about him to ensure that he can kick out of the pin.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It is good to see Grayson letting go of some of that frustration, Price. We know that on the next cycle of shows he will be allowed to focus on the F1 Climaxxx, with Jon Russnow booking Michelle von Horrowitz and the rest of the Nephews in a Twelve-Man Tag Team Match.”
After getting his shoulder up, Peacock starts to roll off of his back and get himself back up, but he has to be helped by Gerald Grayson who kicks Peacock in the knee to knock him down to a knee, and Grayson looks to run the ropes again and he is going for a Running Knee Strike, but Peacock leans back out of the way and he grabs Grayson, and rolls him up from behind!
ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!!
Despite being in a much worse condition than his opponent, Peacock still finds the ability to almost roll Grayson up in the same manner that he did to Cyrus Truth. Both men pop up from the pin attempt and from the mat, Grayson goes for a kick to Peacock’s side, but Chris catches his leg and gets back to his feet whilst keeping hold of Grayson. Gerald tries to kick out at Peacock once again, but Peacock traps the other leg as well and then shifts his weight back and this catapults Grayson the other way, but Grayson lands on the middle turnbuckle!
This is not noticed by Peacock and Grayson is once again in perfect position to jump onto the top rope and he LOOKS FOR SKY HIGH AGAIN - BUT PEACOCK SIDESTEPS IT - AND GRAYSON LANDS FLAT ON HIS STOMACH! Gerald springs up, holding his ribs and Chris Peacock IMMEDIATELY CHARGES IN AND KNOCKS GRAYSON DOWN WITH THE STRUT!!! Grayson is left down flat on his back and Peacock is also down on the mat on his front, some more blood pooling underneath his nose.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Peacock with the Strut, but I think that he is running on nothing but fumes at the moment, it looks like he has absolutely NO idea where he is, wrestling fans.”
Allen Price: “That Strut might be effective just to halt the momentum that Gerald Grayson has built in this match, even if Chris is unable to fully capitalise on it. I am concerned about the amount of blood that Peacock has lost, though.”
The referee clearly shares the concern for Chris Peacock’s condition, as he drops down next to him and asks him whether he is able to continue and Peacock adamantly states that he can to no one in particular. Peacock gets up and forces caught up blood out of his nose out of the ring and he then turns his attention back to Grayson and leaps into the air, dropping a leg down across the throat of his opponent. Grayson sits up holding his throat after the impact and Peacock delivers a stiff kick to his back and this causes Grayson to hunch forwards on the mat and Peacock lines him up as he rises and backs into the ropes, coming back with a Scissor Kick Famouser!
It is Grayson holding his nose now as it is driven into the mat by the entire weight of Peacock’s leg landing across the back of his head. Grayson gets back up, still holding his nose and Peacock kicks him in the midsection - DISCO THRILLER STUNNER!!! Grayson gets some air time, but not in the way he is used to, and he lands flat on his back. Peacock dives on top of him for a cover.
ONE… TWO… THRE-NO!!!
Grayson gets the shoulder up just in time and Peacock sits up on the mat and looks to the turnbuckle himself now in his attempt to put this match to bed now that the momentum has swung around into his direction. He ducks through the ropes and scales the turnbuckle from the outside and waits on Grayson to get up… and PEACOCK LANDS ON TOP OF GRAYSON WITH THE GLITTERBALL DROP!! The Seated Senton finds its mark and Peacock stays on top of Grayson, reaching back and holding his feet up to have him trapped in another pin attempt!
ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!!
Allen Price: “Right there is about as close as someone can get to winning a match without doing so, Grayson did very well to power out of that, he has Peacock’s entire weight on his shoulders, pinning him down onto the mat. Frustration could be about to start setting in for Peacock.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Everyone is always so quick to point out how resilient Chris Peacock is, but Gerald Grayson is showcasing his own by not allowing Peacock to put this match to bed.”
As he runs his hands through his hair, Peacock looks slightly bewildered as he ponders how far it is he will need to go in order to finish Gerald Grayson off once and for all. Both start to rise at the same time and when up, neither are in the best condition but Peacock still finds it in himself to cock his hand back and he strikes Grayson across the face with a Pimp Slap! The backhand is disrespectful and erodes some of the goodwill that Peacock had rebuilt with the FWA audience as they show their disapproval of him using the move.
Grayson himself seems slightly stunned by the move, BUT HE SPINS ON HIS HEEL AND SMASHES PEACOCK IN THE FACE WITH A SPINNING BACK FIST OF HIS OWN!! Blood splatters on the ring from Peacock’s face as Grayson absolutely rocks him with the move, but Peacock does manage to stay on his feet, albeit very woozy. This leaves him in prime position for Grayson to run the ropes and THEN COME BACKS WITH A SLINGBLADE!! Peacock is down once more, but makes overtures about getting back up and Grayson - with a second wind - is very agile as he hops over the top rope and lands out onto the apron.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That was the Slingblade from Grayson and now ‘The Daredevil’ could be on the verge of ending this one as it could be some time for Extreme Impact-”
As Peacock rises back up, Grayson waits for him to turn around and then he slingshots himself over the ropes… LOOKING FOR EXTREME IMPACT - BUT PEACOCK DUCKS IT!! Peacock avoids the Clothesline, and then runs the ropes and comes back at Grayson, cutting him in half with a Spear! It is not a move seen very often from Peacock, but it is effective as it then allows him to pluck Grayson up from the mat and he puts him over his shoulder…
Allen Price: “Here we go… ALL ABOARD THE ROLLER DISCO!”
Peacock runs Grayson into one of the turnbuckles and then PLANTS HIM ON THE MAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING WITH THE ROLLER DISCO!! Peacock leans forward over Grayson after the Spinebuster, stacking him up as his shoulders are on the mat!
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
The crowd are mixed in their response to the result of the match, with some wishing that Peacock did not come out victorious, and others happy to see him bounce back after being the runner-up in the Battle Royal on Meltdown. Peacock’s nose is still dripping with blood as his Golden Opportunity briefcase is handed to him by the referee and he looks into the conduit for his guaranteed shot at the FWA World Championship with some relief and a smile on his face.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner, CHRIS PEACOCK!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well, Chris Peacock move to the top of Pool B in the F1 Climaxxx competition, ahead of Lizzie Rose, Big Bryan Baxter and Cyrus Truth who are all sitting in two points a piece. For the visual learners out there, let’s see what the standings currently look like.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Up next for Peacock is Big Bryan Baxter, who could be joining him on four points if he is victorious in tonight’s main event. Gerald Grayson will be facing off against Phillip A. Jackson in a battle of champions!”
Allen Price: “My advice to Gerald Grayson would be to bring those Nephews out here with him when he faces Jackson next time, because he might need all of the help he can get if he wants to get out of this Pool and he will need a victory over PAJ in order to do so.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “If he does go for that option, I’d be interested to know what Jon Russnow makes of it given the appropriately hard stance he took with the Nephews on Meltdown.”
A bloodied Peacock offers a thumbs up to Allen Price, which Price is shown gladly reciprocating. He then leaves the ring without giving Grayson a second look and despite his bloody nose, he looks very pleased with the outcome of tonight’s match. Gerald Grayson holds his ribs as he gets up, also covered in Peacock’s blood and he retrieves his FWA World Tag Team Championship belt before also leaving the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “This was never supposed to be, but this match turned into somewhat of a bloodbath! Just remember, wrestling fans that this match was brought to you by the makers of ‘Violent Night’, to be released in theatres around the world on December 2nd. When Christmas is under threat, Santa Claus is the one that better watch out!”
The opening screen is pitch black for 3 seconds before it blinks to an overhead shot of 2 large metal doors. Slightly panning in on these doors, there's a sudden hefty thud from behind them. Something... or somebody... seems to be trying to get out as it continues to push on the doors time and time again. The big steel chains rattle as they remain through the restraint loops attached on all four corners. The strong thrusts against the doors increase and then... they just simply stop. Whatever it was realized that it could not get through... or so we thought as one mighty push snaps the chains and bends the large steel doors wide open as well. There's nothing but a small dust cloud that surfaces out of this bottomless hole from below. But then the camera shot cuts to a normal upright view and a dark mysterious figure comes crawling out of the abyss.
Although the moonlight pierces through the small basement windows, little to no details can reveal the thing that has come out of imprisonment. What can be observed is some faint snarls and grunts coming from the darkest corner in this room. Eventually the muscular figure that's only shown from behind, goes to make its way up the rickety staircase. The hidden figure gets to the door which requires a passcode to open. It waits at the door motionless for a brief moment in silence before slowly tapping the 4 digit numeric code. The door slides opens to reveal... the boarded up remains of an old home covered in dust, busted scraps, leftover trash and cobwebs. And as the mysterious creature takes a look from the right to the left, a familiar yet haunting voice begins to speak in the far distance.
???: "Ahhhh... welcome home. It so great to have you back where you belong. I know that you may not recognize this all off rip. But it'll soon become clear again."
The creature takes a step forward out of the basement doorway and towards the shining moonlight coming through one of the windows. The room seems to resemble a kitchen and one that hasn't been properly used nor cleaned in some time. The back of the creature is now better visible as a real life person. This looks to be a tall, shirtless, dark skinned guy with unkempt black hair covered in the dirt, bruises, dried up claw marks and other battle scars. The man lets out a deep exhale and the voice starts up again.
???: "Yesss... it's alright. Don't worry about talking, just take a deep breath. I know that you've taken a recent vow of silence. Maybe even lost the ability to form any coherent and intelligent English words. But you'll hardly even need them anyways."
The exhausted and lost human being walks forward a few more feet and then takes more slow dragging steps into the next room. This room happens to be a small but average sized living room for a house of this size. He takes a seat in the dusty armchair closest to himself as the other male speaks again.
???: "Yeah there's a lot of plans for you, my dear boy. It's been too long and everything has changed now. It'll take some time to adjust to the new environments but the same goal applies. And that's completely and utter dominance... along with severe punishment, destruction and chaos. You've sworn to unleash the rage that was once ensnared in twine and tough wrappings.
Fear not for you will be able to show the masses who you are. You will show them all who-"
And just then, the front door to this abandoned, trash cluttered home swung open and two grown black men start to enter while having an interesting conversation. That's when the mood immediately changed upon seeing their new guest.
???: "So I told that raggedy ass skank don't come around here with n-"
The man from the basement stands up on his feet and stares off at the furniture and curtains in front of him. As the two guys stumble a bit as they shove each other towards opposite directions while in disbelief. They continue to ramble as they try to figure out the right words and approach to make at this moment. The head of the beaten down man rises over at them and the eyes squint from the brightness of some vehicle headlights coming from the front lawn.
???: "Oh heeeeeeeyyy man, ummm h-h-how did you make it back from... I mean how could anyone survive, let alone-"
Once again, the speech is cut off but this time it was due to this monster of a man squeezing at the vocal cords of the first visitor while the other got frightened by the sight and broke off running for safe cover. It is at this precise moment as the unknown man is reveal by the sinister deep voice.
???: "And just like that... our... Dark Traveler has returned. The new and improved Darius Wright is here... and he's here... to stay."
And now a closeup of a goatee belonging to a hooded man in the farthest shadowy corner of the living room can be seen to all eyes. Meanwhile, an emotionless Darius stands there holding the person a foot high and choking the life out of his latest victim... his best friend. The friend's body twitches relentlessly, struggling to get free until all of the life fades. Then the scene goes to a wide shot of the living room with the two of them gently fading off into darkness. And finally, the plop from pounds of flesh dropping to the floor and a loud gasp for air can be clearly heard as the startling situation is over... for now.
As Fallout continues on the lights go completely dark during the show. Then a video begins to play a video tron continues to play as, “Thrice - The Earth Will Shake” plays over the words that begin to flash onto the black screen.
The body only dies once the mind perishes.
If you free your mind, you free your body.
Once your body is free, anything is possible.
I will show you the way.
I will show you that anything is possible.
I will show you how to evolve.
As the final words fade from the screen, the music ends and the lights come back on in the square and the crowd is sitting there in confusion.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Eh….what?”
Allen Price: “Who exactly is setting up these cryptic messages? This is the second one in two shows from whoever this one is from and then there was that other one just now - that looked like Darius Wright!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Your guess is as good as mine Price, and with how hot FWA has been as of late it literally could be anyone that wants to make a splash in this company.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Oh, give me strength.”
JLW’s apathy is due to the entrance of Steve the Techno Vampire, whose music tells us all about him and who he is. Steve sways from side to side underneath his cape and then opens it out, with some toy bats falling to the floor next to him before he appears to be somehow gliding towards the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: “The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first, Steve the Techno Vampire!”
Allen Price: “Are you sitting this one out again, Jean-Luc? Well, wrestling fans, we’ve got something special in store for you tonight as we have a rematch from Fallout 021! Steve the Techno Vampire’s original opponent was unable to join us on our European excursion due to Visa issues, but he got a victory over the replacement!”
Steve walks up the steps one at a time and then gets into the ring and opens his cape up again and poses for the cameras, showing off his fangs.
There is a thudding sound heard along with the music and a brief shot of the commentary table reveals that it is due to Jean-Luc Watkins pounding his head on the table in anguish. Ratin Mikichin reveals himself - literally - due to the crowd and the candy-cane inspired mankini that was debuted at the Secular Spectacular at Mile High last year has made its return. Ratin walks in a gangly manner in time with his music as he has his eyes focused on Steve.
Natalie Rosenberg: “His opponent… Ratin Mikichin.”
Allen Price: “This rematch came about after Ratin expressed his disappointment with losing to Steve the Techno Vampire last time on Fallout and the manner in which he lost. A vampire bite to the ass!”
A shot of Ratin from behind shows that he has two plasters crossed over on his backside, to cover up the bite he received from Steve last time they faced, off which clearly has not healed correctly, yet. The referee forgoes any checks and order the match to begin.
Whilst Grayson was hot out of the gates, Peacock is composed and calculated, hitting another kick to the back of the knee and this causes Grayson to become unable to put weight down on it momentarily. Grabbing his opponent’s leg, Peacock pulls Grayson back, causing him to fall onto his front on the mat. Peacock attempts to grapevine Gerald’s leg around his own and once he has done so, he raises his foot and then stomps Grayson’s knee into the mat! Groaning, Grayson grabs his leg as soon as Peacock relinquishes him from the grapevine.
Allen Price: “You see, this is where Gerald Grayson allowing Michelle von Horrowitz to book him in all of these matches is a detriment to his own career, Jean-Luc. If he’d have had a chance to scout Peacock properly, he’d have known this is what Chris is going to do. It is what ultimately won him the match against Cyrus Truth on Fallout 021 and there’s no reason to change a winning formula.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Grayson should not expect any favours from Chris Peacock either, this Climaxxx is just a route to another World Championship opportunity that he will assuredly squander. However, grounding a high flier like Grayson does make sense from a match perspective.”
It is clear that Peacock’s plan is to once again work on the knee of his opponent to wear them down in order for him to be able to use the Commentator’s Curse, as was the initial idea against Cyrus Truth. Peacock turns Grayson onto his back and holds the leg back in an attempt to work on it some more, but Grayson wisens up to the danger of the trajectory that the match is headed in and he kicks out at Peacock with his other leg a few times, and one such kick connects with Peacock in the face, knocking Chris away.
This gives Grayson a bit of time to rise up from the mat himself and once he is stood up, he slaps his knee a couple of times to bring it back to life and this allows him to charge at Peacock, but Peacock drops his shoulder and gets lower and he is able to tackle Grayson back and towards the turnbuckle, and he looks to come off of it with the ROLLER DISCO SPINEBUSTER - but Grayson hooks his feet around the middle turnbuckle to stop Peacock from being able to turn around.
Peacock comes away from the corner as if he would be hitting the move, but stops when he sees that he did not bring Grayson with him. He rises up and from the middle rope, Grayson kicks him squarely in the nose and this causes him to recoil back. This permits Grayson to adjust his footing and jump from the middle rope to the top rope and GRAYSON TAKES FLIGHT FOR THE SKY HIGH MOONSAULT TO THE STANDING PEACOCK - AND HE FINDS HIS MARK!! Both men are on the mat, but Grayson is holding his knee as soon as he landed and Peacock immediately rolls out of the ring, holding his face.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Sky High from Grayson! This could be it already for Chris Peacock, Price, but something doesn’t seem right with Grayson, either - did he tweak his knee or something?”
The replays are shown on the erected screen and it is shown in slow motion that Grayson’s knee struck Peacock directly on the nose, and it was not the cleanest contact on the move. Grayson landed awkwardly as a result, hence his struggles. The camera then cuts to Peacock at ringside, and blood is gushing from his nose onto the floor on the outside as well as down onto his mouth, neck and chest.
Allen Price: “Oh no! Chris! I think his nose could be broken, Jean-Luc! This isn’t good.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well, the referee is down there to check on Chris Peacock’s condition, but that high risk move from Grayson has caused injuries to both himself and his opponent. A decision has to be made if Peacock can carry on in this match. As much as I dislike him, losing a match through injury is unfortunate to see happen to anyone, regardless of how you feel about them.”
John Mills has his black gloves on and he undertakes an initial assessment of Chris Peacock and does what he can to stem the flow of blood coming out of his nose. Peacock is insistent that he can carry on with the match and pulls himself up to his feet using the ring apron, but due to the impact of Sky High as well as the nosebleed, he is not fully stable on his feet as he tries pulling himself up onto the apron from the floor.
In the ring, Grayson is up to his feet and is at some sort of moral quandary as he thinks about going straight in for the kill on his weakened opponent, but Grayson does allow Peacock to get into the ring before he advances towards him. Peacock drops to a knee as soon as he is through the ropes, clearly not in a good way, and Grayson hesitates for a moment as he holds Peacock’s head up in his hands. Grayson balls his fist but does not strike at Peacock initially and instead pushes him back into the corner.
Grayson lays into Peacock with some body shots, making sure to avoid his face. Peacock reaches up and puts his hand on Grayson’s face in an attempt to create some separation, but Grayson breaks free and does this time strike Peacock in the face with a punch. Any initial hesitation dissipates instantly for Grayson and he mounts the middle turnbuckle once again and begins to rain down forearm shots to the face of Peacock as the fans count along in German.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Peacock has been in an adversarial role for Gerald Grayson for some time now, as well for the rest of the Nephews. Perhaps he is unleashing some of that stored frustration on a familiar face?”
The final, tenth blow lands and Grayson then jumps down from the perch in front of Peacock and the Golden Opportunity holder steps forward from the corner and Grayson catches him under the nose with a European Uppercut which sends him falling backwards to the point where he is slumped up against the bottom turnbuckle. Grayson wastes no time in running the ropes and he returns to drive his boot into Peacock’s face with a Face Wash! Grayson grabs Peacock’s legs and drops down into a cover.
ONE… TWO… NO!!
Allen Price: “Despite all of the punishment that he has taken in the match so far, including a potentially broken nose, Peacock has enough awareness about him to ensure that he can kick out of the pin.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It is good to see Grayson letting go of some of that frustration, Price. We know that on the next cycle of shows he will be allowed to focus on the F1 Climaxxx, with Jon Russnow booking Michelle von Horrowitz and the rest of the Nephews in a Twelve-Man Tag Team Match.”
After getting his shoulder up, Peacock starts to roll off of his back and get himself back up, but he has to be helped by Gerald Grayson who kicks Peacock in the knee to knock him down to a knee, and Grayson looks to run the ropes again and he is going for a Running Knee Strike, but Peacock leans back out of the way and he grabs Grayson, and rolls him up from behind!
ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!!
Despite being in a much worse condition than his opponent, Peacock still finds the ability to almost roll Grayson up in the same manner that he did to Cyrus Truth. Both men pop up from the pin attempt and from the mat, Grayson goes for a kick to Peacock’s side, but Chris catches his leg and gets back to his feet whilst keeping hold of Grayson. Gerald tries to kick out at Peacock once again, but Peacock traps the other leg as well and then shifts his weight back and this catapults Grayson the other way, but Grayson lands on the middle turnbuckle!
This is not noticed by Peacock and Grayson is once again in perfect position to jump onto the top rope and he LOOKS FOR SKY HIGH AGAIN - BUT PEACOCK SIDESTEPS IT - AND GRAYSON LANDS FLAT ON HIS STOMACH! Gerald springs up, holding his ribs and Chris Peacock IMMEDIATELY CHARGES IN AND KNOCKS GRAYSON DOWN WITH THE STRUT!!! Grayson is left down flat on his back and Peacock is also down on the mat on his front, some more blood pooling underneath his nose.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Peacock with the Strut, but I think that he is running on nothing but fumes at the moment, it looks like he has absolutely NO idea where he is, wrestling fans.”
Allen Price: “That Strut might be effective just to halt the momentum that Gerald Grayson has built in this match, even if Chris is unable to fully capitalise on it. I am concerned about the amount of blood that Peacock has lost, though.”
The referee clearly shares the concern for Chris Peacock’s condition, as he drops down next to him and asks him whether he is able to continue and Peacock adamantly states that he can to no one in particular. Peacock gets up and forces caught up blood out of his nose out of the ring and he then turns his attention back to Grayson and leaps into the air, dropping a leg down across the throat of his opponent. Grayson sits up holding his throat after the impact and Peacock delivers a stiff kick to his back and this causes Grayson to hunch forwards on the mat and Peacock lines him up as he rises and backs into the ropes, coming back with a Scissor Kick Famouser!
It is Grayson holding his nose now as it is driven into the mat by the entire weight of Peacock’s leg landing across the back of his head. Grayson gets back up, still holding his nose and Peacock kicks him in the midsection - DISCO THRILLER STUNNER!!! Grayson gets some air time, but not in the way he is used to, and he lands flat on his back. Peacock dives on top of him for a cover.
ONE… TWO… THRE-NO!!!
Grayson gets the shoulder up just in time and Peacock sits up on the mat and looks to the turnbuckle himself now in his attempt to put this match to bed now that the momentum has swung around into his direction. He ducks through the ropes and scales the turnbuckle from the outside and waits on Grayson to get up… and PEACOCK LANDS ON TOP OF GRAYSON WITH THE GLITTERBALL DROP!! The Seated Senton finds its mark and Peacock stays on top of Grayson, reaching back and holding his feet up to have him trapped in another pin attempt!
ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!!
Allen Price: “Right there is about as close as someone can get to winning a match without doing so, Grayson did very well to power out of that, he has Peacock’s entire weight on his shoulders, pinning him down onto the mat. Frustration could be about to start setting in for Peacock.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Everyone is always so quick to point out how resilient Chris Peacock is, but Gerald Grayson is showcasing his own by not allowing Peacock to put this match to bed.”
As he runs his hands through his hair, Peacock looks slightly bewildered as he ponders how far it is he will need to go in order to finish Gerald Grayson off once and for all. Both start to rise at the same time and when up, neither are in the best condition but Peacock still finds it in himself to cock his hand back and he strikes Grayson across the face with a Pimp Slap! The backhand is disrespectful and erodes some of the goodwill that Peacock had rebuilt with the FWA audience as they show their disapproval of him using the move.
Grayson himself seems slightly stunned by the move, BUT HE SPINS ON HIS HEEL AND SMASHES PEACOCK IN THE FACE WITH A SPINNING BACK FIST OF HIS OWN!! Blood splatters on the ring from Peacock’s face as Grayson absolutely rocks him with the move, but Peacock does manage to stay on his feet, albeit very woozy. This leaves him in prime position for Grayson to run the ropes and THEN COME BACKS WITH A SLINGBLADE!! Peacock is down once more, but makes overtures about getting back up and Grayson - with a second wind - is very agile as he hops over the top rope and lands out onto the apron.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That was the Slingblade from Grayson and now ‘The Daredevil’ could be on the verge of ending this one as it could be some time for Extreme Impact-”
As Peacock rises back up, Grayson waits for him to turn around and then he slingshots himself over the ropes… LOOKING FOR EXTREME IMPACT - BUT PEACOCK DUCKS IT!! Peacock avoids the Clothesline, and then runs the ropes and comes back at Grayson, cutting him in half with a Spear! It is not a move seen very often from Peacock, but it is effective as it then allows him to pluck Grayson up from the mat and he puts him over his shoulder…
Allen Price: “Here we go… ALL ABOARD THE ROLLER DISCO!”
Peacock runs Grayson into one of the turnbuckles and then PLANTS HIM ON THE MAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING WITH THE ROLLER DISCO!! Peacock leans forward over Grayson after the Spinebuster, stacking him up as his shoulders are on the mat!
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
Winner: Chris Peacock via pin fall at 18:29.
The crowd are mixed in their response to the result of the match, with some wishing that Peacock did not come out victorious, and others happy to see him bounce back after being the runner-up in the Battle Royal on Meltdown. Peacock’s nose is still dripping with blood as his Golden Opportunity briefcase is handed to him by the referee and he looks into the conduit for his guaranteed shot at the FWA World Championship with some relief and a smile on his face.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner, CHRIS PEACOCK!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well, Chris Peacock move to the top of Pool B in the F1 Climaxxx competition, ahead of Lizzie Rose, Big Bryan Baxter and Cyrus Truth who are all sitting in two points a piece. For the visual learners out there, let’s see what the standings currently look like.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Up next for Peacock is Big Bryan Baxter, who could be joining him on four points if he is victorious in tonight’s main event. Gerald Grayson will be facing off against Phillip A. Jackson in a battle of champions!”
Allen Price: “My advice to Gerald Grayson would be to bring those Nephews out here with him when he faces Jackson next time, because he might need all of the help he can get if he wants to get out of this Pool and he will need a victory over PAJ in order to do so.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “If he does go for that option, I’d be interested to know what Jon Russnow makes of it given the appropriately hard stance he took with the Nephews on Meltdown.”
A bloodied Peacock offers a thumbs up to Allen Price, which Price is shown gladly reciprocating. He then leaves the ring without giving Grayson a second look and despite his bloody nose, he looks very pleased with the outcome of tonight’s match. Gerald Grayson holds his ribs as he gets up, also covered in Peacock’s blood and he retrieves his FWA World Tag Team Championship belt before also leaving the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “This was never supposed to be, but this match turned into somewhat of a bloodbath! Just remember, wrestling fans that this match was brought to you by the makers of ‘Violent Night’, to be released in theatres around the world on December 2nd. When Christmas is under threat, Santa Claus is the one that better watch out!”
The opening screen is pitch black for 3 seconds before it blinks to an overhead shot of 2 large metal doors. Slightly panning in on these doors, there's a sudden hefty thud from behind them. Something... or somebody... seems to be trying to get out as it continues to push on the doors time and time again. The big steel chains rattle as they remain through the restraint loops attached on all four corners. The strong thrusts against the doors increase and then... they just simply stop. Whatever it was realized that it could not get through... or so we thought as one mighty push snaps the chains and bends the large steel doors wide open as well. There's nothing but a small dust cloud that surfaces out of this bottomless hole from below. But then the camera shot cuts to a normal upright view and a dark mysterious figure comes crawling out of the abyss.
Although the moonlight pierces through the small basement windows, little to no details can reveal the thing that has come out of imprisonment. What can be observed is some faint snarls and grunts coming from the darkest corner in this room. Eventually the muscular figure that's only shown from behind, goes to make its way up the rickety staircase. The hidden figure gets to the door which requires a passcode to open. It waits at the door motionless for a brief moment in silence before slowly tapping the 4 digit numeric code. The door slides opens to reveal... the boarded up remains of an old home covered in dust, busted scraps, leftover trash and cobwebs. And as the mysterious creature takes a look from the right to the left, a familiar yet haunting voice begins to speak in the far distance.
???: "Ahhhh... welcome home. It so great to have you back where you belong. I know that you may not recognize this all off rip. But it'll soon become clear again."
The creature takes a step forward out of the basement doorway and towards the shining moonlight coming through one of the windows. The room seems to resemble a kitchen and one that hasn't been properly used nor cleaned in some time. The back of the creature is now better visible as a real life person. This looks to be a tall, shirtless, dark skinned guy with unkempt black hair covered in the dirt, bruises, dried up claw marks and other battle scars. The man lets out a deep exhale and the voice starts up again.
???: "Yesss... it's alright. Don't worry about talking, just take a deep breath. I know that you've taken a recent vow of silence. Maybe even lost the ability to form any coherent and intelligent English words. But you'll hardly even need them anyways."
The exhausted and lost human being walks forward a few more feet and then takes more slow dragging steps into the next room. This room happens to be a small but average sized living room for a house of this size. He takes a seat in the dusty armchair closest to himself as the other male speaks again.
???: "Yeah there's a lot of plans for you, my dear boy. It's been too long and everything has changed now. It'll take some time to adjust to the new environments but the same goal applies. And that's completely and utter dominance... along with severe punishment, destruction and chaos. You've sworn to unleash the rage that was once ensnared in twine and tough wrappings.
Fear not for you will be able to show the masses who you are. You will show them all who-"
And just then, the front door to this abandoned, trash cluttered home swung open and two grown black men start to enter while having an interesting conversation. That's when the mood immediately changed upon seeing their new guest.
???: "So I told that raggedy ass skank don't come around here with n-"
The man from the basement stands up on his feet and stares off at the furniture and curtains in front of him. As the two guys stumble a bit as they shove each other towards opposite directions while in disbelief. They continue to ramble as they try to figure out the right words and approach to make at this moment. The head of the beaten down man rises over at them and the eyes squint from the brightness of some vehicle headlights coming from the front lawn.
???: "Oh heeeeeeeyyy man, ummm h-h-how did you make it back from... I mean how could anyone survive, let alone-"
Once again, the speech is cut off but this time it was due to this monster of a man squeezing at the vocal cords of the first visitor while the other got frightened by the sight and broke off running for safe cover. It is at this precise moment as the unknown man is reveal by the sinister deep voice.
???: "And just like that... our... Dark Traveler has returned. The new and improved Darius Wright is here... and he's here... to stay."
And now a closeup of a goatee belonging to a hooded man in the farthest shadowy corner of the living room can be seen to all eyes. Meanwhile, an emotionless Darius stands there holding the person a foot high and choking the life out of his latest victim... his best friend. The friend's body twitches relentlessly, struggling to get free until all of the life fades. Then the scene goes to a wide shot of the living room with the two of them gently fading off into darkness. And finally, the plop from pounds of flesh dropping to the floor and a loud gasp for air can be clearly heard as the startling situation is over... for now.
As Fallout continues on the lights go completely dark during the show. Then a video begins to play a video tron continues to play as, “Thrice - The Earth Will Shake” plays over the words that begin to flash onto the black screen.
The body only dies once the mind perishes.
If you free your mind, you free your body.
Once your body is free, anything is possible.
I will show you the way.
I will show you that anything is possible.
I will show you how to evolve.
As the final words fade from the screen, the music ends and the lights come back on in the square and the crowd is sitting there in confusion.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Eh….what?”
Allen Price: “Who exactly is setting up these cryptic messages? This is the second one in two shows from whoever this one is from and then there was that other one just now - that looked like Darius Wright!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Your guess is as good as mine Price, and with how hot FWA has been as of late it literally could be anyone that wants to make a splash in this company.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Oh, give me strength.”
JLW’s apathy is due to the entrance of Steve the Techno Vampire, whose music tells us all about him and who he is. Steve sways from side to side underneath his cape and then opens it out, with some toy bats falling to the floor next to him before he appears to be somehow gliding towards the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: “The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first, Steve the Techno Vampire!”
Allen Price: “Are you sitting this one out again, Jean-Luc? Well, wrestling fans, we’ve got something special in store for you tonight as we have a rematch from Fallout 021! Steve the Techno Vampire’s original opponent was unable to join us on our European excursion due to Visa issues, but he got a victory over the replacement!”
Steve walks up the steps one at a time and then gets into the ring and opens his cape up again and poses for the cameras, showing off his fangs.
There is a thudding sound heard along with the music and a brief shot of the commentary table reveals that it is due to Jean-Luc Watkins pounding his head on the table in anguish. Ratin Mikichin reveals himself - literally - due to the crowd and the candy-cane inspired mankini that was debuted at the Secular Spectacular at Mile High last year has made its return. Ratin walks in a gangly manner in time with his music as he has his eyes focused on Steve.
Natalie Rosenberg: “His opponent… Ratin Mikichin.”
Allen Price: “This rematch came about after Ratin expressed his disappointment with losing to Steve the Techno Vampire last time on Fallout and the manner in which he lost. A vampire bite to the ass!”
A shot of Ratin from behind shows that he has two plasters crossed over on his backside, to cover up the bite he received from Steve last time they faced, off which clearly has not healed correctly, yet. The referee forgoes any checks and order the match to begin.
Both men approach the middle of the ring and Ratin sloppily attempts to initiate a lock up on Steve, but manages to slap on an ugly-looking Side Headlock, and he backs into the ropes. Steve shoots Ratin off, and then stands firm and knocks the Kazakh down with a shoulder block. Ratin slams his hand on the mat and in anger points in Steve’s face, cursing at him in his native tongue. With the finger so close to his mouth, Steve cannot resist taking a chomp!
Allen Price: “Oh no! He bit him again!”
Ratin holds the end of his finger and winces, doing an awkward shuffle-like dance in the middle of the ring as does his best to conceal his pain. Steve tries to turn this into some offence for himself and he Irish Whips Ratin from the ropes and then catches him with a Drop Toe Hold, causing Ratin to fall flat on his face.
As Ratin holds his nose, Steve begins to pose for the fans with his cape and some of his props that he has hidden throughout his ring attire. Seeing the fake bats and plastic knives, the referee correctly confiscates them from the Techno Vampire and starts placing them outside of the ring.
Allen Price: “Hey, Steve came packing. Wait! Ratin Mikichin from behind - Low Blow!”
To the surprise of everyone, Ratin takes the low road and as Steve is in the process of falling back, Ratin rolls him up as the referee turns around, the official missing the illegal act by Ratin, and they make the count!
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
Ratin’s music plays to loud boos from those watching, and he stands up and has his arm raised in the air before he jumps for joy despite the underhanded method he chose to use en route to victory.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner… Ratin Mikichin.”
Allen Price: “Ratin wins! If my sources are correct, this is the first victory that Ratin Mikichin has obtained in his entire professional career, Jean-Luc.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You know what? I don’t blame Jason Randall for being pissed off. What was Russnow thinking, allowing this utter tripe to be a part of this show? This time last year we had a CIBERNETICO! Price, you’re part of the problem for enjoying this garbage. What a farce.”
Now out of the ring, Ratin continues to celebrate on his own. In the ring, Steve sits up and holds his hand in between his legs, disappointed to have lost.
Natalie Rosenberg: “It is now time for your Fallout main event!"
The crowd cheers wildly in excitement and anticipation.
Natalie Rosenberg: "The next contest is a scheduled for one fall with a sxty minute time limit, it is a F1 Climaxx Match and it is for the FWA North American Championship!"
The crowd meets Big Bryan Baxter with boos as he jogs out from the back in his glossy red, Buddy System letterman jacket, and it’s not just because of the tunes of Nickelback blaring through the speakers. Joining him is his agent, Mr. Bill Scorpane, who walks out with a confident swagger in his gray leisure suit. The pair ignore the boos from the crowd as they make their way down to the ring.
Allen Price: “The crowd certainly has done a full 360 on Big Bryan Baxter as of late, and a lot of it has to do with the arrival of this man, Mr. Scorpane, who has been appearing in Bryan’s corner instead of the popular Jeremy Best.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And we’ve certainly seen a different side of Bryan Baxter since then, but he continues to struggle with a guilty conscience as he wants to prove to Jeremy that he’s not the same guy he used to be…winning at any cost…while Mr. Scorpane is certainly pushing that ‘cheat to win’ agenda.”
Allen Price: “It was utilizing Jeremy's clean wrestling style that got him to this point. That’s something he needs to remember!”
The reaction for Lizzie Rose is a drastic change as she runs out from the back with a flurry of energy as she pumps her fists up for the crowd. Lizzie has the North American championship around her waist as she high fives fans down the aisle on her way to the ring.
Allen Price: “Lizzie Rose has been on a roll lately! Not only winning that North American championship back at Fallout 20, but defeating her rival Johnny Johnson at Lights Out and then last week she defeated TV Champion Philip A. Jackson to go up 1-0 in the F1 Climaxxx!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““It’s certainly been quite the run for The Rave, but she’s up against a man more than double her size tonight in Big Bryan Baxter. And Baxter himself is up 1-0 in the pool after his win at Fallout 21 against Gerald Grayson. This will be a real David vs. Goliath style match.”
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing the challenges, being accompanied to the ring by Mr. Bill Scorpane, from Hickory, Noooorrrtthh Caarrooolina, he weighs in at three-hundred and two pounds, he is BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG BRYAN BAAAAAAAAAAXTER!”
Bryan does some jumping jacks in his corner to warm up as the crowd continue to shower him in boos.
Natalie Rosenberg: “AND his opponent, from Broooooooklyn, NEW YORK, she weighs in at ninety-nine pounds… she is the reigning and defending FWA North American Champion… ‘THE RAVE’.... LLLLLLLIIIZZZZIIIIIIEEEE RRRRRRRRRRRRRROSE!”
The crowd cheers loudly as Lizzie perches the turnbuckles, holding up the North American championship.
She climbs down as the referee brings them to the center of the ring to get this match under way.
Allen Price: “Oh no! He bit him again!”
Ratin holds the end of his finger and winces, doing an awkward shuffle-like dance in the middle of the ring as does his best to conceal his pain. Steve tries to turn this into some offence for himself and he Irish Whips Ratin from the ropes and then catches him with a Drop Toe Hold, causing Ratin to fall flat on his face.
As Ratin holds his nose, Steve begins to pose for the fans with his cape and some of his props that he has hidden throughout his ring attire. Seeing the fake bats and plastic knives, the referee correctly confiscates them from the Techno Vampire and starts placing them outside of the ring.
Allen Price: “Hey, Steve came packing. Wait! Ratin Mikichin from behind - Low Blow!”
To the surprise of everyone, Ratin takes the low road and as Steve is in the process of falling back, Ratin rolls him up as the referee turns around, the official missing the illegal act by Ratin, and they make the count!
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
Winner: Ratin Mikichin via pin fall at 1:21
Ratin’s music plays to loud boos from those watching, and he stands up and has his arm raised in the air before he jumps for joy despite the underhanded method he chose to use en route to victory.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner… Ratin Mikichin.”
Allen Price: “Ratin wins! If my sources are correct, this is the first victory that Ratin Mikichin has obtained in his entire professional career, Jean-Luc.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You know what? I don’t blame Jason Randall for being pissed off. What was Russnow thinking, allowing this utter tripe to be a part of this show? This time last year we had a CIBERNETICO! Price, you’re part of the problem for enjoying this garbage. What a farce.”
Now out of the ring, Ratin continues to celebrate on his own. In the ring, Steve sits up and holds his hand in between his legs, disappointed to have lost.
Natalie Rosenberg: “It is now time for your Fallout main event!"
The crowd cheers wildly in excitement and anticipation.
Natalie Rosenberg: "The next contest is a scheduled for one fall with a sxty minute time limit, it is a F1 Climaxx Match and it is for the FWA North American Championship!"
]
The crowd meets Big Bryan Baxter with boos as he jogs out from the back in his glossy red, Buddy System letterman jacket, and it’s not just because of the tunes of Nickelback blaring through the speakers. Joining him is his agent, Mr. Bill Scorpane, who walks out with a confident swagger in his gray leisure suit. The pair ignore the boos from the crowd as they make their way down to the ring.
Allen Price: “The crowd certainly has done a full 360 on Big Bryan Baxter as of late, and a lot of it has to do with the arrival of this man, Mr. Scorpane, who has been appearing in Bryan’s corner instead of the popular Jeremy Best.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And we’ve certainly seen a different side of Bryan Baxter since then, but he continues to struggle with a guilty conscience as he wants to prove to Jeremy that he’s not the same guy he used to be…winning at any cost…while Mr. Scorpane is certainly pushing that ‘cheat to win’ agenda.”
Allen Price: “It was utilizing Jeremy's clean wrestling style that got him to this point. That’s something he needs to remember!”
The reaction for Lizzie Rose is a drastic change as she runs out from the back with a flurry of energy as she pumps her fists up for the crowd. Lizzie has the North American championship around her waist as she high fives fans down the aisle on her way to the ring.
Allen Price: “Lizzie Rose has been on a roll lately! Not only winning that North American championship back at Fallout 20, but defeating her rival Johnny Johnson at Lights Out and then last week she defeated TV Champion Philip A. Jackson to go up 1-0 in the F1 Climaxxx!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““It’s certainly been quite the run for The Rave, but she’s up against a man more than double her size tonight in Big Bryan Baxter. And Baxter himself is up 1-0 in the pool after his win at Fallout 21 against Gerald Grayson. This will be a real David vs. Goliath style match.”
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing the challenges, being accompanied to the ring by Mr. Bill Scorpane, from Hickory, Noooorrrtthh Caarrooolina, he weighs in at three-hundred and two pounds, he is BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG BRYAN BAAAAAAAAAAXTER!”
Bryan does some jumping jacks in his corner to warm up as the crowd continue to shower him in boos.
Natalie Rosenberg: “AND his opponent, from Broooooooklyn, NEW YORK, she weighs in at ninety-nine pounds… she is the reigning and defending FWA North American Champion… ‘THE RAVE’.... LLLLLLLIIIZZZZIIIIIIEEEE RRRRRRRRRRRRRROSE!”
The crowd cheers loudly as Lizzie perches the turnbuckles, holding up the North American championship.
She climbs down as the referee brings them to the center of the ring to get this match under way.
The bell rings as Lizzie and Bryan meet in the center of the ring. Bryan towers over Lizzie with a confident smirk as she looks up at him, not backing down.
Allen Price: “Just look at this size differential, JLW. It’s astonishing!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Big Bryan Baxter certainly represents one of the quite literally biggest challenges of her career. But one thing is for sure, we’ve learned you can never count ‘The Rave’ out!”
They start the match out with a collar and elbow tie up, but Baxter quickly exerts his strength advantage as he tosses her away to the mat with ease. Baxter rotates his neck, loosening himself up while sharing a laugh with Mr. Scorpane who watches on from ringside.
Lizzie cuts her eyes at both men as she quickly gets back up and charges in at BBB! Her clothesline doesn’t even cause Bryan to flinch but she unloads some chops and punches to her larger challenger, but Bryan is simply unphased before he grabs a handful of her hair and tosses her with ease into the far left corner of the ring. From there, Bryan begins to unload a series of knees to Lizzie’s ribs. He then raises his right arm high into the air and brings down an overhead open palm chop right to Lizzie’s chest. The sound of the chop echoes through the arena.
Bryan Baxter slowly walks backwards, taunting the crowd and receiving a warm round of boos for his actions thus far. He then charges in towards Lizzie for a corner splash…
But Lizzie telegraphes the incoming Baxter with a Pendelum Kick! He staggers backwards as Lizzie now ascends the turnbuckles…MISSLE DROPKICK!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Big Bryan Baxter perhaps getting a little too confident in the early goings of this one and Lizzie just made him pay!”
Allen Price: “But look at that! Even that dropkick couldn’t take Baxter off his feet!”
Sure enough, Baxter was staggered by the incoming Lizzie, but he wasn’t down! She starts targeting the tree trunk like legs of Baxter with some stiff kicks that finally takes Baxter down to one knee. Lizzie rushes the ropes but Baxter gets back up to both feet and catches Lizzie off the ropes in a POWERSLAM!
Allen Price: “Oooooh - that certainly took the wind out of her sails!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And Baxter stays on for the pin! One - Two - NO! It’s going to take more than that to keep Lizzie down!”
Baxter placed some boots to the ribs of Lizzie while she was on the mat before pulling her back up to her feet by the hair. Ignoring the warnings from the referee about the hair, Baxter pulls Lizzie to the corner once again and now slams her head repeatedly into the turnbuckles. After dishing out some damage in the corner, Baxter pulls Rose back and lifts her up for a back suplex…
But Lizzie flips over and lands on her feet behind BBB! Baxter turns around… STEP UP ENZIGURI surprises the big man and has him staggering once again! Lizzie leaps up to the middle turnbuckles before jumping off and hitting the Girl Meets Mat Tornado DDT to Baxter! BBB is down on the mat for the first time in the match and Lizzie wastes no time going for the pin!
One! Tw - NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And Big Bryan Baxter simply POWERS out of that pinning attempt by the champion!”
Lizzie is back to her feet quickly, bouncing off the far ropes as Baxter starts to roll to his feet, striking with a running dropkick square in the face to Baxter! Bryan stumbles back into the ropes as Lizzie rushes to the opposite side of the ring and once again charges in with a lighting quick dropkick, this one landing in the right shoulder but it sends Baxter toppling through the middle ropes, smacking the apron before landing on the ground at ringside!
Lizzie pumps up her arms, garnering a roar from the fans before she bounces off the ropes and takes to the air, flying out of the ring with a somersault plancha out of the ring to the recovering Baxter to take him back down!
Allen Price: “Look at ‘The Rave’ go! I don’t think Baxter knows what hit him, she’s so fast!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “If Baxter has underestimated what the champion can do, despite her size, he may have made a huge mistake here tonight.”
The fired up Lizzie takes a moment to high five some of the fans at ringside, clearly pumped up from the momentum she’s gained. But she notices Mr. Scorpane coming around the corner, trying to poke his nose into the match - but she gives him an intimidating point and he quickly decides to back off.
Rose climbs back onto the apron as Baxter pulls himself up. She runs the apron and leaps into Baxter, going for the Roseacarana in bloom hurricanrana off the apron..
But Baxter holds on as she is unable to take the big man off his feet! She’s leg dangling with her legs wrapped around Baxter’s neck as Baxter gives her a giant SWING into the steel ring post, her ribs connecting hard with the steel before Baxter pulls her back up..
POWERBOMB INTO THE RING APRON!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “My GOD! Baxter may have just broken her in half! Her spine just folded around the hardest part of the ring!”
Lizzie collapses over to the floor as Baxter shakes his head to get rid of the proverbial cobwebs while Mr. Scorpane encourages Bryan to ‘show no mercy’ outside the ring. Baxter seems to take his agent’s advice as he pulls Lizzie up by her hair before tossing her like a ragdoll head first into the ring post!
The boos rain down on Baxter, whose temper begins to get the best of him as he gets into a verbal altercation with a fan at ringside. This gives Lizzie the chance to try to recover, grabbing the curtain of the ring apron to valiantly try to pull herself up to her feet, but Baxter puts a stop to that as he comes in with a boot to the side of her head.
Baxter rolls Lizzie up onto the apron before he slowly climbs back up onto it himself. He pulls the North American Champion up to her knees before lifting her up…PILEDRIVER ONTO THE APRON!
Allen Price: “Oh dear! First the powerbomb and now a piledriver onto the apron as well! As you stated, JLW, it’s the hardest part of the ring!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““The champ is in trouble here! This could be it! Baxter is sending her back into the ring and he’s going for the pin!”
ONE! TWO! THRE…NO!
The champ somehow finds the wherewithal to get her left shoulder up off the mat from Bryan’s lateral press. Baxter questions the referee, but it’s reiterated that it was just a two count. Turning his attention back to the champ, Bryan leaps into the air with a DOUBLE FOOT STOMP to Lizzie’s ribs - bringing all 300 pounds of his weight crushing down onto her midsection.
Lizzie immediately rolls over on the mat, clutching her midsection and giving an agonizing scream. Bryan looks down and smirks at his handy work.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “All that weight coming down onto the diminutive Lizzie…she’s in a world of pain right now and I wouldn’t be surprised if she had some internal injuries! And Bryan Baxter is just SMILING at seeing her withering in pain!”
Allen Price: “We really are seeing a different side of Bryan Baxter without Jeremy Best in his corner! He just seems so much more ruthless.”
Not letting up and looking to take advantage of the situation, Bryan bounces off the ropes and comes in with a big falling splash to Lizzie before hooking the leg for another pin.
ONE! TWO! THRE…NO! Lizzie once again manages a shoulder up, much to the chagrin of both BBB and Mr. Scorpane.
While clearly frustrated, Baxter goes back to work as he pulls Lizzie closer to the near turnbuckle. Baxter marches over to the corner and to the surprise of just about everyone…begins to ascend them.
Allen Price: “Now wait just a minute…what’s Baxter planning here? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him come off the top besides when he was going for that briefcase in the Spooktacular!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I don’t know, Price…but whatever he has planned, I don’t like it for Lizzie one bit! With the damage she’s taken so far - imagine 300 pounds coming off the top rope onto her little 90 pound frame. We’ll be scraping her up off the mat like a pancake!”
A collective gasp goes through the crowd as Baxter teeters on the top rope, trying to catch his balance in a position he clearly isn’t very comfortable with. But he regains his composure…
BIG BRYAN BAXTER WITH A BIG MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
And down he came crashing…ONTO NOTHING BUT CANVAS!
LIZZIE HAD ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!
Allen Price: “Oh thank God!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “The high risk maneuver does NOT pay off for Baxter and THIS could be the opening Lizzie needs to get back into this match!”
Both competitors are down as the referee begins to do a standing ten count. Baxter slowly starts to stir, but Lizzie is also pulling herself up, clutching her ribs with one arm as she gets to her feet. But it's The Rave striking first, fighting through the pain, delivering kick after kick to the body of Baxter while holding her side. Baxter fells over into a seated position as Lizzie finishes off the kick combination by delivering the Calling Mr. Vain roundhouse kick right to the recovering Baxter’s head!
Lizzie goes for the pin!
ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!
Once again clutching her side, Lizzie grimaces as she gets to her feet, some blood showing in her mouth to indicate the internal damages she may have received during the match so far. But she battles through as she grabs Baxter and attempts to lift the big man up for a back suplex, but she can’t muster up the strength to get the three-hundred pounder up off the mat.
Instead, Baxter battles back with a boot to the midsection before sending Lizzie into the ropes with an Irish Whip. Baxter tries to take her head off with a clothesline, but Lizzie ducks and comes back off the ropes with The Brooklyn Flash! Lizzie goes for the pin once again!
ONE! TWO! THRE-KICKOUT!
The courageous Lizzie continued to ride the wave of her momentum, letting that adrenaline help ease her pain. Once back up to his feet, Lizzie leaped up onto Baxter’s shoulders before spinning around looking for the Rosecanrana, but once again Baxter counters by using his strength to hold on to the move! He pulled Lizzie back up into the air, looking to once again reverse it into a powerbomb…
But Lizzie battled back with punches to the top of Baxter’s head! She then positioned herself back onto Bryan’s shoulders in a shoulder mount position, laying the point of her elbow right into the top of BBB’s head before she slid down his back and locked in a DRAGON SLEEPER! She added pressure by wrapping her legs around Baxter’s massive body with a body scissors, leg legs just barely reaching around his trunk. Baxter stumbled around the ring before dropping down..
First just to one knee…but then both knees….
Allen Price: “Could this be it? Bryan looks like he could be a goner here!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “This is some solid strategy by The Rave! She isn’t going to be able to pick the big man up, so put him to sleep!”
The crowd is to their feet in anticipation as it looked like Bryan may be going down. With Lizzie firmly wrapping her legs around his body and clutching tight to his neck in that Dragon Sleeper, Bryan slumped down to the mat!
The referee checked in on him…he lifted up Baxter’s arm…
AND IT FELL TO THE MAT!
BAXTER IS OUT!
But behind the referee’s back, Mr. Scorpane had reached in and PUT BAXTER’S LEG ON THE ROPES!
The referee almost calls for the bell to award the match to Lizzie, but notices the leg! He waves off the finish and pats Lizzie on the back, instructing her to break the hold. Thinking the match is over, Lizzie jumps up in excitement.
Allen Price: “Oh no Lizzie! You should have the match won but thanks to Mr. Scorpane, it’s not over yet!”
The referee explains to Lizzie, pointing to his feet as Lizzie also notices a smirking Scorpane at ringside nearby. He holds up his hands, professing his innocence as Lizzie argues that it had to have been his interference. Lizzie walks to the ropes, warning Scorpane but the referee steps in, turning his back to both Scorpane and Baxter as she continues to argue with him..
Scorpane tosses something into the ring to Baxter.
Allen Price: “Wait just a minute! What was that?!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It’s those damn brass knux! Last week Baxter elected not to use them against Gerald Grayson…but this week the stakes are much higher!”
Baxter is up on his hands and knees on the mat, noticing the brass knuckles that Scorpane had slid to him.
But Baxter shakes his head and slides them BACK OUT OF THE RING!
Allen Price: “He’s still refusing to cheat to win! Maybe this man does have a conscience after all!”
As Baxter continues to pull himself up, Lizzie comes in from behind and grabs him by the head…she runs to the turnbuckle..
SLICED LIZ!
NO! BRYAN HOLDS ON AND TOSSES LIZZIE OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE FLOOR!
Baxter drops down to a knee, the referee now taking a moment to check on Baxter, who still seems a bit out of it from the Dragon Sleeper he spent so much time locked in. With the referee once again distracted, Mr. Scorpane once again elects to get involved…
AS HE CRACKS A CHAIR ACROSS LIZZIE’S BACK! Scorpane then rolls Lizzie back into the ring before innocently walking away, whistling like nothing happened.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It seems as if Bryan Baxter isn’t going to cut the corners, Mr. Scorpane has no problems doing it for him!”
Allen Price: “This is awful! I don’t want to see Lizzie go down like this!”
Unaware of Scorpane’s involvement, Baxter stumbles over and goes for the pin.
ONE! TWO! THREE!
We have a new…WAIT, now it was LIZZIE WHO GOT HER FOOT ON THE ROPE!
And now it's Bryan Baxter who thinks he has won the match! He climbs to his feet with his arms lifted up to the sky, but the referee steps in to break the bad news, pointing to the foot on the ropes. Baxter argues it was a three first and GRABS THE REFEREE BY THE COLLAR! His temper is starting to get the best of him.
Baxter is threatened with disqualification, so he lets go of the referee…
FLASH ROLL UP BY LIZZIE!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
NO! Bryan escapes in time!
Both get back to their feet but it's a DISCUSS LARIAT that FLIPS Lizzie head over heels and down to the mat! Bryan goes for the pin again!
ONE! TWO! THRE - NO! The fight in Lizzie continues as Bryan now punches the canvas repeatedly in frustration.
Allen Price: “There is just no quit in this girl!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And if he’s not careful, this frustration could really cost Baxter!”
With Scorpane encouraging Bryan to end things, Baxter pulls Rose back up to her feet, now positioning her in a front face lock before lifting her up into the air…
Allen Price: “This could be it…we’re going to have a new champion!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “He’s going for the Baxter Driver and if he connects, you’ll be right, Price.”
Baxter displays his strength as he holds Lizzie high in the air, letting the blood rush to her head before he spins her around going for the sitout piledriver finish of the Baxter Driver…
BUT LIZZIE SNEAKS FREE!
She slides down the back of Baxter! Baxter spins around…she grabs him by the head…RUNS UP THE TURNBUCKLES..
SLICED LIZ!
CONNECTED!
Lizzie goes for the pin!
ONE! TWO! THREE! The crowd counts…but there’s no referee!
Lizzie’s foot had arrantly connected with the referee in the transition from the turnbuckles in midair and he was down on his knees trying to shake off the incidental contact!
Allen Price: “For a second time in the match, Lizzie had this thing won!”
Lizzie gets up from the pin on Baxter and goes to check on the referee…as Mr. Scorpane ONCE AGAIN slides in the brass knuckles to Baxter!
Baxter rolls to his side..and sees them. This time he grabs them…
Allen Price: “I don’t like the look on his face right now!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““I think the frustration is getting to him, Price. I think Bryan wants this so bad…and he just can’t seem to put the elusive Lizzie Rose away…”
Baxter clutches the knuckles and begins to get to his feet…
But from the back, it’s Bryan’s tag partner and best friend Jeremy Best! Jeremy rushes down and jumps onto the apron, waving at Baxter to get his attention.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “What’s HE doing out here?”
Allen Price: “He doesn’t want to see his friend win like this!”
Sure enough, those are the words we can hear coming from Jerem as he pleads with his friend to not cheat to win. A furious Mr. Scorpane comes over and demands Jeremy to “mind his own business,” while Baxter just appears conflicted in the ring.
Lizzie turns around and notices Bryan and Jeremy arguing on the corner and she rushes in at Baxter..
But Baxter moves out of the way! LIZZIE COLLIDES WITH JEREMY on the apron! Jeremy falls to the mat and Lizzie stumbles backwards into…
THE POWER OF THE PUNCH FROM BRYAN!
As Lizzie drops to the mat, Bryan actually seems surprised that what he had done.
Allen Price: “No! He did it! Not like this! Not like this, Jean-Luc!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I can’t tell if Bryan meant to do that or if he was striking out of instinct when Lizzie rushed in! He actually seems shocked!”
Allen Price: “I don’t buy it, Jean-Luc! You said it yourself, he couldn’t keep Lizzie down and he had no choice but to cheat to win!”
Still confused by what had just happened, Bryan quickly flings the brass knuckles to ringside and opts to take advantage of the situation. He drops down and makes the pin on Lizzie as the referee gets back into position.
ONE! TWO! THREE!
Big Bryan Baxter sits up on his knees in disbelief as he has his arm lifted up in victory. Mr. Scorpane climbs into the ring with a big grin on his face as he carries in the North American championship to hand over to BBB.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner and NEW FWA NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION… BIG BRYAN BAXTER!
The announcement is met with loud boos from the crowd, but Big Bryan Baxter ignores them as he gladly accepts the title and his agent, Mr. Scorpane, greets him with a proud hug.
Allen Price: “Look at this celebration, JLW. You can’t tell me he didn’t mean to use those brass knuckles!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I don’t know what to think, Allen. But in any event, the results are what they are and Big Bryan Baxter has brought home The Buddy System’s first taste of gold here in FWA!”
Allen Price: “And he joins Chris Peacock at the top of the Pool B standings at the end of week two, to boot…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’m not sure that Bryan Baxter will be thinking of the F1… this is all about the FWA North American Championship! Baxter is ecstatic, and so is Scorpane!”[
Allen Price: “Yeah well, I don’t think Jeremy’s going to share in Mr. Scorpane’s excitement! Things continue to not be well within the Buddy System!”
Sure enough, Jeremy Best climbs into the ring, shaking his head as he sees his partner lifting up the North American championship. Baxter notices Jeremy joining them in the ring, and extends out his arms, looking to get a celebratory hug from him..
But Jeremy shakes his head and walks past Bryan, completely ignoring him, and goes over to check on Lizzie instead!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well how about that! It would appear you’re right, Jeremy wants nothing to do with this celebration!”
Jeremy helps Lizzie to her feet and the pair leave the ring together, Lizzie wrapping her arm around Jeremy’s shoulder to help keep herself up while her other arm clutches those damaged ribs.
Back in the ring, Mr. Scorpane wants Bryan to ignore Jeremy and celebrate…but Bryan is clearly distracted from the celebration as Fallout comes to as close as he watches his friend leave the ring with someone else.
Allen Price: “Just look at this size differential, JLW. It’s astonishing!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Big Bryan Baxter certainly represents one of the quite literally biggest challenges of her career. But one thing is for sure, we’ve learned you can never count ‘The Rave’ out!”
They start the match out with a collar and elbow tie up, but Baxter quickly exerts his strength advantage as he tosses her away to the mat with ease. Baxter rotates his neck, loosening himself up while sharing a laugh with Mr. Scorpane who watches on from ringside.
Lizzie cuts her eyes at both men as she quickly gets back up and charges in at BBB! Her clothesline doesn’t even cause Bryan to flinch but she unloads some chops and punches to her larger challenger, but Bryan is simply unphased before he grabs a handful of her hair and tosses her with ease into the far left corner of the ring. From there, Bryan begins to unload a series of knees to Lizzie’s ribs. He then raises his right arm high into the air and brings down an overhead open palm chop right to Lizzie’s chest. The sound of the chop echoes through the arena.
Bryan Baxter slowly walks backwards, taunting the crowd and receiving a warm round of boos for his actions thus far. He then charges in towards Lizzie for a corner splash…
But Lizzie telegraphes the incoming Baxter with a Pendelum Kick! He staggers backwards as Lizzie now ascends the turnbuckles…MISSLE DROPKICK!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Big Bryan Baxter perhaps getting a little too confident in the early goings of this one and Lizzie just made him pay!”
Allen Price: “But look at that! Even that dropkick couldn’t take Baxter off his feet!”
Sure enough, Baxter was staggered by the incoming Lizzie, but he wasn’t down! She starts targeting the tree trunk like legs of Baxter with some stiff kicks that finally takes Baxter down to one knee. Lizzie rushes the ropes but Baxter gets back up to both feet and catches Lizzie off the ropes in a POWERSLAM!
Allen Price: “Oooooh - that certainly took the wind out of her sails!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And Baxter stays on for the pin! One - Two - NO! It’s going to take more than that to keep Lizzie down!”
Baxter placed some boots to the ribs of Lizzie while she was on the mat before pulling her back up to her feet by the hair. Ignoring the warnings from the referee about the hair, Baxter pulls Lizzie to the corner once again and now slams her head repeatedly into the turnbuckles. After dishing out some damage in the corner, Baxter pulls Rose back and lifts her up for a back suplex…
But Lizzie flips over and lands on her feet behind BBB! Baxter turns around… STEP UP ENZIGURI surprises the big man and has him staggering once again! Lizzie leaps up to the middle turnbuckles before jumping off and hitting the Girl Meets Mat Tornado DDT to Baxter! BBB is down on the mat for the first time in the match and Lizzie wastes no time going for the pin!
One! Tw - NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And Big Bryan Baxter simply POWERS out of that pinning attempt by the champion!”
Lizzie is back to her feet quickly, bouncing off the far ropes as Baxter starts to roll to his feet, striking with a running dropkick square in the face to Baxter! Bryan stumbles back into the ropes as Lizzie rushes to the opposite side of the ring and once again charges in with a lighting quick dropkick, this one landing in the right shoulder but it sends Baxter toppling through the middle ropes, smacking the apron before landing on the ground at ringside!
Lizzie pumps up her arms, garnering a roar from the fans before she bounces off the ropes and takes to the air, flying out of the ring with a somersault plancha out of the ring to the recovering Baxter to take him back down!
Allen Price: “Look at ‘The Rave’ go! I don’t think Baxter knows what hit him, she’s so fast!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “If Baxter has underestimated what the champion can do, despite her size, he may have made a huge mistake here tonight.”
The fired up Lizzie takes a moment to high five some of the fans at ringside, clearly pumped up from the momentum she’s gained. But she notices Mr. Scorpane coming around the corner, trying to poke his nose into the match - but she gives him an intimidating point and he quickly decides to back off.
Rose climbs back onto the apron as Baxter pulls himself up. She runs the apron and leaps into Baxter, going for the Roseacarana in bloom hurricanrana off the apron..
But Baxter holds on as she is unable to take the big man off his feet! She’s leg dangling with her legs wrapped around Baxter’s neck as Baxter gives her a giant SWING into the steel ring post, her ribs connecting hard with the steel before Baxter pulls her back up..
POWERBOMB INTO THE RING APRON!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “My GOD! Baxter may have just broken her in half! Her spine just folded around the hardest part of the ring!”
Lizzie collapses over to the floor as Baxter shakes his head to get rid of the proverbial cobwebs while Mr. Scorpane encourages Bryan to ‘show no mercy’ outside the ring. Baxter seems to take his agent’s advice as he pulls Lizzie up by her hair before tossing her like a ragdoll head first into the ring post!
The boos rain down on Baxter, whose temper begins to get the best of him as he gets into a verbal altercation with a fan at ringside. This gives Lizzie the chance to try to recover, grabbing the curtain of the ring apron to valiantly try to pull herself up to her feet, but Baxter puts a stop to that as he comes in with a boot to the side of her head.
Baxter rolls Lizzie up onto the apron before he slowly climbs back up onto it himself. He pulls the North American Champion up to her knees before lifting her up…PILEDRIVER ONTO THE APRON!
Allen Price: “Oh dear! First the powerbomb and now a piledriver onto the apron as well! As you stated, JLW, it’s the hardest part of the ring!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““The champ is in trouble here! This could be it! Baxter is sending her back into the ring and he’s going for the pin!”
ONE! TWO! THRE…NO!
The champ somehow finds the wherewithal to get her left shoulder up off the mat from Bryan’s lateral press. Baxter questions the referee, but it’s reiterated that it was just a two count. Turning his attention back to the champ, Bryan leaps into the air with a DOUBLE FOOT STOMP to Lizzie’s ribs - bringing all 300 pounds of his weight crushing down onto her midsection.
Lizzie immediately rolls over on the mat, clutching her midsection and giving an agonizing scream. Bryan looks down and smirks at his handy work.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “All that weight coming down onto the diminutive Lizzie…she’s in a world of pain right now and I wouldn’t be surprised if she had some internal injuries! And Bryan Baxter is just SMILING at seeing her withering in pain!”
Allen Price: “We really are seeing a different side of Bryan Baxter without Jeremy Best in his corner! He just seems so much more ruthless.”
Not letting up and looking to take advantage of the situation, Bryan bounces off the ropes and comes in with a big falling splash to Lizzie before hooking the leg for another pin.
ONE! TWO! THRE…NO! Lizzie once again manages a shoulder up, much to the chagrin of both BBB and Mr. Scorpane.
While clearly frustrated, Baxter goes back to work as he pulls Lizzie closer to the near turnbuckle. Baxter marches over to the corner and to the surprise of just about everyone…begins to ascend them.
Allen Price: “Now wait just a minute…what’s Baxter planning here? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him come off the top besides when he was going for that briefcase in the Spooktacular!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I don’t know, Price…but whatever he has planned, I don’t like it for Lizzie one bit! With the damage she’s taken so far - imagine 300 pounds coming off the top rope onto her little 90 pound frame. We’ll be scraping her up off the mat like a pancake!”
A collective gasp goes through the crowd as Baxter teeters on the top rope, trying to catch his balance in a position he clearly isn’t very comfortable with. But he regains his composure…
BIG BRYAN BAXTER WITH A BIG MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
And down he came crashing…ONTO NOTHING BUT CANVAS!
LIZZIE HAD ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!
Allen Price: “Oh thank God!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “The high risk maneuver does NOT pay off for Baxter and THIS could be the opening Lizzie needs to get back into this match!”
Both competitors are down as the referee begins to do a standing ten count. Baxter slowly starts to stir, but Lizzie is also pulling herself up, clutching her ribs with one arm as she gets to her feet. But it's The Rave striking first, fighting through the pain, delivering kick after kick to the body of Baxter while holding her side. Baxter fells over into a seated position as Lizzie finishes off the kick combination by delivering the Calling Mr. Vain roundhouse kick right to the recovering Baxter’s head!
Lizzie goes for the pin!
ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!
Once again clutching her side, Lizzie grimaces as she gets to her feet, some blood showing in her mouth to indicate the internal damages she may have received during the match so far. But she battles through as she grabs Baxter and attempts to lift the big man up for a back suplex, but she can’t muster up the strength to get the three-hundred pounder up off the mat.
Instead, Baxter battles back with a boot to the midsection before sending Lizzie into the ropes with an Irish Whip. Baxter tries to take her head off with a clothesline, but Lizzie ducks and comes back off the ropes with The Brooklyn Flash! Lizzie goes for the pin once again!
ONE! TWO! THRE-KICKOUT!
The courageous Lizzie continued to ride the wave of her momentum, letting that adrenaline help ease her pain. Once back up to his feet, Lizzie leaped up onto Baxter’s shoulders before spinning around looking for the Rosecanrana, but once again Baxter counters by using his strength to hold on to the move! He pulled Lizzie back up into the air, looking to once again reverse it into a powerbomb…
But Lizzie battled back with punches to the top of Baxter’s head! She then positioned herself back onto Bryan’s shoulders in a shoulder mount position, laying the point of her elbow right into the top of BBB’s head before she slid down his back and locked in a DRAGON SLEEPER! She added pressure by wrapping her legs around Baxter’s massive body with a body scissors, leg legs just barely reaching around his trunk. Baxter stumbled around the ring before dropping down..
First just to one knee…but then both knees….
Allen Price: “Could this be it? Bryan looks like he could be a goner here!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “This is some solid strategy by The Rave! She isn’t going to be able to pick the big man up, so put him to sleep!”
The crowd is to their feet in anticipation as it looked like Bryan may be going down. With Lizzie firmly wrapping her legs around his body and clutching tight to his neck in that Dragon Sleeper, Bryan slumped down to the mat!
The referee checked in on him…he lifted up Baxter’s arm…
AND IT FELL TO THE MAT!
BAXTER IS OUT!
But behind the referee’s back, Mr. Scorpane had reached in and PUT BAXTER’S LEG ON THE ROPES!
The referee almost calls for the bell to award the match to Lizzie, but notices the leg! He waves off the finish and pats Lizzie on the back, instructing her to break the hold. Thinking the match is over, Lizzie jumps up in excitement.
Allen Price: “Oh no Lizzie! You should have the match won but thanks to Mr. Scorpane, it’s not over yet!”
The referee explains to Lizzie, pointing to his feet as Lizzie also notices a smirking Scorpane at ringside nearby. He holds up his hands, professing his innocence as Lizzie argues that it had to have been his interference. Lizzie walks to the ropes, warning Scorpane but the referee steps in, turning his back to both Scorpane and Baxter as she continues to argue with him..
Scorpane tosses something into the ring to Baxter.
Allen Price: “Wait just a minute! What was that?!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It’s those damn brass knux! Last week Baxter elected not to use them against Gerald Grayson…but this week the stakes are much higher!”
Baxter is up on his hands and knees on the mat, noticing the brass knuckles that Scorpane had slid to him.
But Baxter shakes his head and slides them BACK OUT OF THE RING!
Allen Price: “He’s still refusing to cheat to win! Maybe this man does have a conscience after all!”
As Baxter continues to pull himself up, Lizzie comes in from behind and grabs him by the head…she runs to the turnbuckle..
SLICED LIZ!
NO! BRYAN HOLDS ON AND TOSSES LIZZIE OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE FLOOR!
Baxter drops down to a knee, the referee now taking a moment to check on Baxter, who still seems a bit out of it from the Dragon Sleeper he spent so much time locked in. With the referee once again distracted, Mr. Scorpane once again elects to get involved…
AS HE CRACKS A CHAIR ACROSS LIZZIE’S BACK! Scorpane then rolls Lizzie back into the ring before innocently walking away, whistling like nothing happened.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It seems as if Bryan Baxter isn’t going to cut the corners, Mr. Scorpane has no problems doing it for him!”
Allen Price: “This is awful! I don’t want to see Lizzie go down like this!”
Unaware of Scorpane’s involvement, Baxter stumbles over and goes for the pin.
ONE! TWO! THREE!
We have a new…WAIT, now it was LIZZIE WHO GOT HER FOOT ON THE ROPE!
And now it's Bryan Baxter who thinks he has won the match! He climbs to his feet with his arms lifted up to the sky, but the referee steps in to break the bad news, pointing to the foot on the ropes. Baxter argues it was a three first and GRABS THE REFEREE BY THE COLLAR! His temper is starting to get the best of him.
Baxter is threatened with disqualification, so he lets go of the referee…
FLASH ROLL UP BY LIZZIE!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
NO! Bryan escapes in time!
Both get back to their feet but it's a DISCUSS LARIAT that FLIPS Lizzie head over heels and down to the mat! Bryan goes for the pin again!
ONE! TWO! THRE - NO! The fight in Lizzie continues as Bryan now punches the canvas repeatedly in frustration.
Allen Price: “There is just no quit in this girl!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And if he’s not careful, this frustration could really cost Baxter!”
With Scorpane encouraging Bryan to end things, Baxter pulls Rose back up to her feet, now positioning her in a front face lock before lifting her up into the air…
Allen Price: “This could be it…we’re going to have a new champion!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “He’s going for the Baxter Driver and if he connects, you’ll be right, Price.”
Baxter displays his strength as he holds Lizzie high in the air, letting the blood rush to her head before he spins her around going for the sitout piledriver finish of the Baxter Driver…
BUT LIZZIE SNEAKS FREE!
She slides down the back of Baxter! Baxter spins around…she grabs him by the head…RUNS UP THE TURNBUCKLES..
SLICED LIZ!
CONNECTED!
Lizzie goes for the pin!
ONE! TWO! THREE! The crowd counts…but there’s no referee!
Lizzie’s foot had arrantly connected with the referee in the transition from the turnbuckles in midair and he was down on his knees trying to shake off the incidental contact!
Allen Price: “For a second time in the match, Lizzie had this thing won!”
Lizzie gets up from the pin on Baxter and goes to check on the referee…as Mr. Scorpane ONCE AGAIN slides in the brass knuckles to Baxter!
Baxter rolls to his side..and sees them. This time he grabs them…
Allen Price: “I don’t like the look on his face right now!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““I think the frustration is getting to him, Price. I think Bryan wants this so bad…and he just can’t seem to put the elusive Lizzie Rose away…”
Baxter clutches the knuckles and begins to get to his feet…
But from the back, it’s Bryan’s tag partner and best friend Jeremy Best! Jeremy rushes down and jumps onto the apron, waving at Baxter to get his attention.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “What’s HE doing out here?”
Allen Price: “He doesn’t want to see his friend win like this!”
Sure enough, those are the words we can hear coming from Jerem as he pleads with his friend to not cheat to win. A furious Mr. Scorpane comes over and demands Jeremy to “mind his own business,” while Baxter just appears conflicted in the ring.
Lizzie turns around and notices Bryan and Jeremy arguing on the corner and she rushes in at Baxter..
But Baxter moves out of the way! LIZZIE COLLIDES WITH JEREMY on the apron! Jeremy falls to the mat and Lizzie stumbles backwards into…
THE POWER OF THE PUNCH FROM BRYAN!
As Lizzie drops to the mat, Bryan actually seems surprised that what he had done.
Allen Price: “No! He did it! Not like this! Not like this, Jean-Luc!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I can’t tell if Bryan meant to do that or if he was striking out of instinct when Lizzie rushed in! He actually seems shocked!”
Allen Price: “I don’t buy it, Jean-Luc! You said it yourself, he couldn’t keep Lizzie down and he had no choice but to cheat to win!”
Still confused by what had just happened, Bryan quickly flings the brass knuckles to ringside and opts to take advantage of the situation. He drops down and makes the pin on Lizzie as the referee gets back into position.
ONE! TWO! THREE!
Winner: Big Byran Baxter at 27:11
Big Bryan Baxter sits up on his knees in disbelief as he has his arm lifted up in victory. Mr. Scorpane climbs into the ring with a big grin on his face as he carries in the North American championship to hand over to BBB.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner and NEW FWA NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION… BIG BRYAN BAXTER!
The announcement is met with loud boos from the crowd, but Big Bryan Baxter ignores them as he gladly accepts the title and his agent, Mr. Scorpane, greets him with a proud hug.
Allen Price: “Look at this celebration, JLW. You can’t tell me he didn’t mean to use those brass knuckles!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I don’t know what to think, Allen. But in any event, the results are what they are and Big Bryan Baxter has brought home The Buddy System’s first taste of gold here in FWA!”
Allen Price: “And he joins Chris Peacock at the top of the Pool B standings at the end of week two, to boot…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’m not sure that Bryan Baxter will be thinking of the F1… this is all about the FWA North American Championship! Baxter is ecstatic, and so is Scorpane!”[
Allen Price: “Yeah well, I don’t think Jeremy’s going to share in Mr. Scorpane’s excitement! Things continue to not be well within the Buddy System!”
Sure enough, Jeremy Best climbs into the ring, shaking his head as he sees his partner lifting up the North American championship. Baxter notices Jeremy joining them in the ring, and extends out his arms, looking to get a celebratory hug from him..
But Jeremy shakes his head and walks past Bryan, completely ignoring him, and goes over to check on Lizzie instead!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well how about that! It would appear you’re right, Jeremy wants nothing to do with this celebration!”
Jeremy helps Lizzie to her feet and the pair leave the ring together, Lizzie wrapping her arm around Jeremy’s shoulder to help keep herself up while her other arm clutches those damaged ribs.
Back in the ring, Mr. Scorpane wants Bryan to ignore Jeremy and celebrate…but Bryan is clearly distracted from the celebration as Fallout comes to as close as he watches his friend leave the ring with someone else.
