XXIII: “398 DAYS.”
Live from the Max-Marlock Stadion in Nuremberg, Germany.
Thursday 8th December, 2022.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, your opening contest is a twelve-person tag team contest is scheduled for one-fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first: Michelle von Horrowitz, Uncle J.J. JAY!, Thomas West, Quiet, Harry the Same Wizard, and Maid of Death… they are… CTHULHU'S NEPHEWS!"
There's a mixed reaction in Nuremberg for the Nephews opening the show20, though the cheers do seem to have the day and there is positivity within the Arena when MvH leads the way out onto the stage. She has considerable back-up, but this evening it is (for once) legitimate ahead of the twelve-person bout to follow…
Rod Sterling: "This match came about thanks to the nefarious deeds of Uncle and the rest of his squad two weeks ago on Meltdown XXII, when the Nephews descended upon the ring following Bad Reputation's loss to The Coven, laying waste to all four of the competitors in that match…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Uncle was involved in the finish of the Connection's win over the Lumberjacks, too, though Jon Russnow at least lays the blame for orchestrating those attacks on Michelle von Horrowitz… and not Gerald Grayson, who is excused from his duties here tonight."
Rod Sterling: "Indeed, it's a Nephews without the Daredevil tonight, as he prepares to go one on one with Phillip A. Jackson later on as part of the F1 Climaxxx. It will be interesting to see how the Nephews fare tonight without him…"
The absence isn't bothering them too much on their entrance to the ring, it seems, with the Nephews as boisterous as ever. The Maid is busy confiscating anti-Nephew signs, whilst Harry the Sane Wizard throws business cards (with the details of his new Twitch stream, a co-venture with Gerald) into the audience. Uncle has a t-shirt gun, and periodically sends merch for long-forgotten FWA superstars from the annals of history into the audience. One fan is lucky to catch a Ryan Hall poncho. Eventually, they make it to the ring and wait in their corner as their opponents make their entrances.
There's a more positive but perhaps quieter reaction as the next entrance music hits, Nuremberg excited for the prospect of six wrestlers willing to take it to the Nephews. Three women - sisters Blair and Celestia along with Kleio De Santos - walk out onto the stage, survey the audience, and then begin their walk to the ring.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And their opponents… first, accompanied to the ring by Kleio De Santos…. at a combined weight of two hundred and twenty pounds… Blair and Celestia Ravenwood… THE COVEN!"
Rod Sterling: "And it's a Coven who have been on a bit of a hot streak since their arrival in the FWA, recording two wins in their first outings, including over former tag team champions - and their partners tonight - Bad Reputation."
Anzu Kurosawa: "With that form you'd think the Coven's participation in Mile High Massacre is all-but confirmed… a win over one of the champions tonight would seal it."
Rod Sterling: "And how good is it to see Kleio De Santos back at the Coven's side."
Anzu Kurosawa "You know we tagged once? Good times."
The Coven, undaunted by the large number of Nephews in the ring, slide into it and occupy the opposite corner. Their music fades out…
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And their partners… from the Yukon in Canada and at a combined weight of six hundred and twenty five pounds… Doug and Dan LuPone!!"
The Lumberjacks walk out onto the stage and get a pop from the Nuremberg audience. Dan gives an obligatory cry of TIIIIMBEEEEER before they begin their walk to the ring.
Rod Sterling: "Dan and Doug LuPone have a less even record since debuting at a similar time to the Ravenwoods, having won one and lost one… but that defeat came at the hands of the Connection, with the aforementioned help from Uncle…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "The Lumberjacks will be looking to press their case for Mile High Massacre inclusion tonight, too, having already come so close to defeating the champions already, albeit in a non-title match. Second time's the charm!"
The LuPones enter the ring and awkwardly stand next to the Ravenwoods, not quite sure how to interact with their partners for the evening. They tower over them as their music fades out…
The Max-Morlock Station rains down the boos as the fourth and final entrance music before the match sounds out. They double down on their negativity as the two members of Bad Reputation appear through the curtain…
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And finally… representing Executive Excellence… they are Kayden Knox and Gabrielle… they are… BAD REPUTATION!!"
Rod Sterling: "The former FWA World Tag Team Champions, who will no doubt be looking to reclaim that prize in just sixteen days time within the demonic structure known as Mile High Massacre. Gabrielle is the only likely competitor in that match with experience of that cage, which surely bodes well for the Goddess and, by extension, Kayden Knox."
Anzu Kurosawa: "They have to negotiate this twelve-person contest first, and it's not just their opponents they need to keep their eye on. We mentioned Bad Reputation's defeat to The Coven last week, which will surely still be on their minds. There will be jockeying for position amongst the challengers and supposed partners tonight, too…"
The final tandem enter the ring and, as Anzu alluded to, there does seem to be some tension in the air as they eye up their partners. Bad Reputation’s music is still playing, but…
???: "Hey, hey, hey… cut the music!"
Much like the events of last week, A match between The Connection and the Lumberjacks is momentarily postponed but this time, it's both Danny and Doug with mics and they're PISSED.
Doug LuPone: "Last week before our Little Miss Sunshine over there made us wait to talk bullshit, so we're going to return the favour, but we only talk MOOSE-SHIT-!"
The slightly intense vibe from The Lumberjacks is somewhat broken as Dan raises an eyebrow at his brother for using quite possibly the worse buzz phrase in FWA history, someone somewhere is gonna put that on a t-shirt
Doug LuPone: "Now, we might be new around these woods, so let me just tell you what I see."
Doug points over to the Connection in the opposite corner.
Doug LuPone: "I see a brat who whines and complains about everything under the sun, and her little lapdog struts around here, calling themselves the best. Talk about how they're the best. How they're the standard in tag team wrestling, how they're fighting champions and how they're unstoppable."
Dan LuPone: "That's interesting Doug, because you know what I see?"
Doug LuPone: "What's that, Danny?"
Dan LuPone: "I see a tag team that has to hide behind an army of about...let's see...one...two...three...four...FIVE guys to get the job done."
Doug LuPone: "See, last week, we made a mistake. We thought you could actually back up the hype around The Connection, but you guys? Turns out you're just a pair of HOSERS!”
Dan LuPone: "Wow. That's harsh, Doug."
Doug LuPone: "Has to be said, Danny. Because we bought the bullshit from Gerald Grayson about waiting to win the right way, and if you beat us, fair and square, we'd have no problems, but if that's how you wanna do business, then it's time we broke our axes out and bury them in some Nephew asses!"
Dan LuPone: "It's about time someone did, you guys have been WAY too annoying for way too long. We know, your MO. We know you're going to get between us and your meal ticket."
Doug LuPone: "Just know...When you two are locked in a cage with us? There ain't going to be no J.J Jay....”
EH?!
Dan smirks as the "EH?!" chant begins to catch on, and Doug starts playing to it.
Doug LuPone: "....No Tomas West...."
EH?!
Doug LuPone: "... No Quiet..."
EH?!
Doug LuPone: "... No Sane Wizard...."
EH?!
Doug LuPone: "... No Maid of Death..."
EH?!
Doug LuPone: "...To stop us from turning both your asses into MULCH!"
Uncle looks across the ring at the six tag team stars there, but mainly at the Lumberjacks. He appears somewhat consternated, possibly nonplussed at the Canadians' assertion that he and his Nephews won't be able to assist the Connection in Mile High Massacre. The official looks to begin his final checks, but Uncle shakes his head and charges to the side of the ring, shouting something out at the timekeeper's area.
Rod Sterling: "Looks like Uncle's got something to say, too. He's demanding a microphone…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Um, looks like he's demanding six microphones…"
Indeed, the microphones are thrown out to each of the Nephews until all six have one, and only then does Uncle readdress the Lumberjacks. He looks to begin speaking, but Michelle cuts him off.
MvH: "Adorable, they can talk! A little bit better than they can wrestle, even. But your quality of content leaves a lot to be desired. Gerald and I fought better teams than are before us now before Uncle has even set foot in an FWA ring. Your threats of enclosure with you don't invoke fear, but rather pity. Pity for you, and whoever else Russnow finds for this extravaganza, who find themselves locked up with - yes - the standard in tag team wrestling. Don't doubt it, tulips: throw yourselves in."
Uncle J.J. JAY!: "And you better believe, ladies and gentlemen, that although we can't be in the cage, we are certainly going to be around it…"
Thomas West: "... and on top of it."
Quiet: "... …… … …. .. …"
Harry the Sane Wizard: "... and maybe even underneath it!"
Maid of Death: "A thin steel mesh won't be enough to save you from us. Just accept it: the Nephews are everywhere. Stop trying to fight it."
Uncle J.J. JAY!: "Take our hands, as Dreamer would say. But she's already done one catchphrase, so I'm saying it instead. Now let's get this started. I haven't had a match in months..."
The official rolls back into the ring, hoping to get this started… but before he can the Coven charge over to the timekeeper's area. They ask for microphones, two more being thrown up towards the Ravenwoods and a total of ten now in the ring. The sisters stand in their corner, next to Kleio, who is still in the ring, taking prominence in the shot now as they speak…
Celestia Ravenwood: "It's nice to see the Nephews so boisterous… so boisterous and so flippant. We'd expect nothing else. You seem to have your opinion all worked out already, based on… well, based on nothing much at all really."
Blair Ravenwood: "Because although we are yet to have the privilege of sharing this ring with you esteemed Nephews between the bells, we happen to be undefeated in two-on-two tag team competition, something nobody else in this ring can say…"
Blair pauses to let her words settle, and even affords herself a sideward glance at Kayden and Gabrielle. It is not forgotten that the Coven triumphed over Bad Reputation on the last episode of Meltdown.
Blair Ravenwood: "So go ahead. Keep underestimating The Coven. Keep thinking that Nephew skullduggery will be enough to save you on Fallout 024. We've faced skullduggery before. More skullduggery than you could imagine, Nephews. You don't phase us."
Celestia Ravenwood: "Sixteen days, friends. Sixteen days until Mile High Massacre. Until you realize your mouth has written a cheque that you cannot cash. Tonight?"
The sisters both smile.
Blair Ravenwood: "Tonight is just a taste."
Blair finishes up with her comments, and the official again begins to make his final checks… only for Kayden to walk away from him when it's his turn, demanding a microphone from the timekeeper's area. Katie-Lynn looks at him anxiously, and then shrugs her shoulders.
Rod Sterling: "I think we're out of microphones!"
Seeing this, Gabrielle walks slowly across the ring to Uncle, and then takes the microphone out of his hand like she’s owed it. JAY! doesn't seem to enjoy the gesture, and narrows his eyes in the direction of the Goddess. She doesn't quite re-join her side of the ring, microphone now in hand…as she stands off to the side of her ‘partners’. Her mood souring as she looks upon everyone currently sharing the ring with her with varying degrees of disgust other than Kayden.
Gabrielle: “You all bore me…if I’m going to be required to waste my time with whatever this is, or whatever this match is, at least entertain me. I’ve been around long enough to have heard everything you’re all saying before…granted ‘Moose Shit’ is new…”
A small “Moose Shit” chant briefly breaks out before it thankfully dies out.
Gabrielle: “And long enough to know that all this bickering is pointless. Winning this match, losing this match…it’s nothing. It means nothing and will amount to nothing. You want to be special, then it’s next time out that matters. Mile High…a match I have won more than any other person in HISTORY. Bring all the nephews, I dont care. Each and every single one of them are a joke…especially you Michelle for spending your time with these losers willingly.”
The Goddess glares at Dreamer, for a moment the stare down between two of the most successful women in FWA History is all that matters as the FWA fans cheer on loudly.
Gabrielle: “This week I get to fight a meaningless battle with nothing on the line, dragging you all into it with me. Next week we’ll do it all over again with some cheap trinkets on the line in a steel cage. That's the fight I’m looking towards…”
Finally, we seem ready to begin, with some brief discussions on each side of it before several wrestlers climb out of the ring. Uncle J.J. JAY! waits inside of it, for whoever might challenge him. Kayden Knox steps forward from his team, signifying that it'll be him to start this one off for them. The official, content that the other ten are safely out on the apron, calls for the bell…
Uncle J.J. JAY! and Kayden Knox hesitantly come together, as if they're going to hit a collar and elbow… but before contact is made, all five of the other Nephews hit the ring! They charge across it at their forthcoming challengers, who try to enter the ring also, but most of them are cut off at the pass by the marauding Nephews. Gabrielle is engaged by Michelle, the two of them trading hands until MvH falls and rolls under the bottom rope, Gaby following her out. Celestia Ravenwood is clotheslined over the top rope by Maid of Death, whilst the massive Doug LuPone suffers the hands of a double clothesline from Quiet and Thomas. This does leave Dan LuPone free, though, and the podcast host turns around into a big boot from Dan! But then Quiet connects with a dropkick! Both LuPone and West roll to the outside, with Quiet noticing a large mass of people trading blows on the outside nearby… and so he slingshots over the top rope with a plancha!!
Rod Sterling: "Quiet takes that sea of humanity out on the outside!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "I think just as many Nephews were taken out there as opponents, though!"
Uncle and Knox, meanwhile, have essentially ignored the flurry of activity around them, and still weigh each other up for a collar and elbow. They come together, but Knox ducks beneath and then connects with a poisonrana! Uncle is spiked on his head, just like he was last week on Fallout! Kayden with the early cover…
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Rod Sterling: "Kayden Knox almost picks up the win after just one minute! Uncle is reeling!!"
Kayden attempts to settle into a rhythm as his teammates recuperate on the outside. He first hits a snap suplex followed by a cutter, the latter of which gets him a two count. He tags in Gabrielle, who comes into the ring from the top rope, hitting her head over heels hurricanrana! Another early cover…
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Uncle gets the shoulder up! Celestia and Blair are both reaching out for a tag, but Gabrielle instead chooses to tag Knox back into the match…
Rod Sterling: "Gabrielle prioritising her own partner over the others in this match… maybe a lack of trust there from the potential challengers?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Blair Ravenwood has other ideas, though, tagging herself in!!"
Rod Sterling: "Kayden doesn't look best pleased about that!"
He reluctantly exits the ring, though, and Blair Ravenwood hops into it over the top rope. Her and her sister employ some frequent tags, isolating Uncle and hitting some double team offence when both are in the ring, like a double suplex and later a double back elbow. They also cycle through their own offence, with Blair hitting a snap DDT and a step-up enziguri followed by a low dropkick and a shining wizard, the latter combination again earning a two count. Celestia, meanwhile, puts Uncle in a Boston crab, forcing COSMIC HORROR to endure for a lengthy period of time before finally scrambling to the ropes. After a similar passage with Celestia putting him in the Figure 4, she tags in Doug LuPone, the Lumberjack coming in to a pop from the crowd. He hits the rising Uncle with a big shoulder block before throwing him stupidly high into the air with a big back body drop. His brother is tagged in, the pair combining for a dual big bout before Dan hits a delayed vertical suplex, again going for a cover…
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Rod Sterling: "Uncle needs a tag and fast…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "He's been in this match since its very start. The Nephews need to come to his aid!”
As if they heard the announcers, Thomas West presently bounds into the ring and knocks Kayden off the apron with a shoulder block of his own. Quiet is also trying to get into the ring, and the official struggles to regain control of all twelve competitors… which provides Uncle with just enough of a distraction…
Anzu Kurosawa: "PINK MIST!! PINK MIST!!"
Rod Sterling: "Uncle J.J. JAY! blinds Dan LuPone whilst the official's back is turned!!”
The official seems to be regaining some sort of order as Uncle bounds off the ropes…
Rod Sterling: "WORLD'S MOST COMPLICATED DDT!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "OUT OF NOWHERE!!"
LuPone rolls away from JAY!, and it doesn't seem as though the fatigued COSMIC HORROR can follow up. Instead, he rolls to his corner, and tags in Thomas West, just as Blair Ravenwood reaches over the top rope to tag herself in…
… but it's not just these newly legal competitors that enter the ring! Almost in unison, the ten competitors outside of Uncle and Dan all climb into the ring and charge, the referee with his head in his hands. The Maid connects with a shotgun dropkick on the other LuPone, knocking him off his feet and to the outside, allowing her to follow up with a baseball slide. Celestia Ravenwood, meanwhile, connects with a spin kick to MvH's gut, followed by an attempt at a vertical suplex, with MvH managing to shift her weight and land on the apron on her feet. She attempts to suplex Celestia to the outside, but this time it's Ravenwood who lands on the apron on her feet, still engaged in the front facelock. Celestia blocks an attempt to lift from MvH, before reversing with a snap suplex onto the apron!! Harry, meanwhile, ran directly through the legs of Doug LuPone, which required only a small duck, before being wiped out by a roundhouse kick from Gabrielle. Montgomery hoists Harry up and dumps him unceremoniously from the ring… but then turns into a boot to the midsection from Quiet… and then a DDT! Quiet rises… into a clothesline from Knox! Sending him to the outside, too!!
After Thomas West knocks Blair Ravenwood down with a big pounce, he gets up to receive a backstabber from Knox. Kayden then re-addresses the rising Nephews on the outside, who have conregated for a conflab…
Rod Sterling: "… SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!! Kayden goes from the inside to the outside, wiping out most of the Nephews!!"
With both of the legal competitors, Thomas West and Blair Ravenwood, down on the inside (but with both stirring), the official quickly climbs out to check on those outside. Most of the competitors are down in the same patch between the ring and guard rail, where Kayden landed with his shooting star…
… except for Harry, who landed in the opposite side of the ring, and has taken his opportunity to grab the tag team championship belt from the timekeeper's area. He slides it in to Thomas West, the podcast immediately picking it up and standing to face Blair…
Rod Sterling: "THOMAS WEST CLOCKS HER WITH THE BELT!!"
He throws the gold back out to Harry, who catches it and then collapsed into a heap again. Thomas hoists Blair up, not quite done…
Anzu Kurosawa: "FINISHER #2!!"
Thomas West connects with the spin-out fireman's carry buster, and then hooks the leg as the official slides in…
ONE… TWO… THREE!!
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here are your winners… CTHULHU'S NEPHEWS!!"
A mixed reaction greets the announcement, with Thomas and Harry the only members of the Nephews somewhat mobile when the bell is rung. They celebrate in the ring for a moment, Harry clutching Michelle's FWA World Tag Team Championship belt, before they head to the outside to rouse the rest of their team.
Rod Sterling: "Nefarious tactics are what it took, but the Nephews come away with a big win here, and only sixteen days out from Mile High Massacre!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "That match will have a whole other dimension, as Gerald Grayson rejoins Michelle von Horrowitz to reunite the Connection, but this win here in Nuremberg is huge for momentum."
All of the Nephews are gathered and begin to head up the ramp, Death Grips playing again to herald their victory. Meanwhile, with the Lumberjacks and the Coven recuperating outside of it with KDS, Kayden & Gabrielle are in the ring. Kayden is using the ropes to pull himself up as Gabrielle approaches him, helping him to his feet as he leans on the ropes. Kayden is still dazed as Gabrielle starts walking up the ramp. Kayden sits on the apron, taking a deep breath. Gabrielle gets to the top of the ramp when five men pass her by wearing black pants and a bulletproof vest working towards the ring.
Rod Sterling: "A tough loss for Bad Reputation here tonight. You would have to think they are kicking themselves trying to get back into a better mindset."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Wait Rod, who is that passing Gaby on the ramp? Are they interlopers?! I love interlopers!"
The men are now ringside and have surrounded the ring. The FWA cameras are trying to see what is going on as one of the men seems to block off the cameraman with the cameraman being told to back up.
Rod Sterling: "What in the world? Who are they to tell us to back up on our own god damn programming?!"
The commotion has caught Gabrielle's attention as she turns back to look down on the ramp. Then just as the cameraman finally is able to get a look at what's happening we can see Kayden Knox and one of the men are talking with one another. There is too much going on at ringside as Gabrielle is now at the mid-way ramp with a man stopping her from going any further down.
Rod Sterling: "It would seem whoever these men are they have some sort of business with Kayden Knox…"
There is some yelling going on from Kayden as the camera picks up a little of what he is saying.
Kayden Knox: "This is some bullshit. You can't be serious."
One of the men pulls a piece of paper from the back of his pocket. He shows it to Kayden who slaps it out of his hand. He then headbutts the first man as the two others attack him, throwing him to the ground and placing zip ties on his hands to restrain him. Gabrielle attempts to help her tag team partner but she is restrained herself. Kayden is taken past her as she screams.
Gabrielle Montgomery: Kayden! What is going on? Kayden!"
Kayden, who is now busted open and has blood rushing down his head as they take him up the ramp backstage.
Rod Sterling: "I have no idea what is going on but, these men have come down to the ring and have handcuffed Kayden Knox. I don't believe that they are policemen or… I just don't know what's going on!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "If they were feds then that was brutality!"
Rod Sterling: "And all of this… just sixteen days out from their tag title shot in Mile High Massacre…"
We cut to Gorilla position, where Jon Russnow is backstage with FWA security as they approach the men.
Jon Russnow: "Who the hell do you think you are to come onto this program and…"
The man shows the paper to Russnow who reads it as Gabrielle approaches. Jean-Luc Watkins is also now present, coming over to check on Kayden. Russnow tells the security to stand down as Kayden is taken to the parking lot. We reach the parking lot as a limo pulls in. The door opens and they throw Kayden into it before it takes off into the night. Gabrielle and Jean-Luc Watkins are talking with Jon Russnow. Gabrielle looks distraught as she yells at Russnow.
Jon Russnow: "There is nothing I can do."
We fade out.
An advert airs for a blender, followed by a commercial hyping up the forthcoming Fallout 023 episode. Particular focus is given to Phillip A. Jackson’s first FWA Television Championship defense, where he’s due to go up against Vampyra…
Meltdown returns from the commercial break to find MDC already in the ring, he gets a smattering of applause from some fans in attendance.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Introducing first, already in the ring, from Mendoza, Argentina and weighing in at 205 lb…Monstruo del Circo!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “MDC is a newcomer still looking for that elusive win in FWA.”
Rod Sterling: “Considering who his opponent is, that’s easier said than done, Anzu.”
“Go to Sleep” hits and after the opening lyrics start, “The Wildcard” makes his way out, and he doesn’t even bother to stop on stage as he continues his descent down the ramp to the ring.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “His opponent, from San Diego, California and weighing in at 234 lb…he is “The Wildcard”...Jason Raaaaandaaaaal!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “We’ve seen a shift in attitude from The Wildcard recently, and the fans haven’t taken much of a shine to this side of him.”
Rod Sterling: “I don’t think he cares either way, Anzu, and it’s about time Randall stopped trying to please people and started doing things his way.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Randall has made no bones about how he feels as of late, and it’s rubbed some folks the wrong way, whether it be the fans or the FWA higher-ups.”
Randall enters the ring and tosses aside his vest and before the referee can call for the bell, Randall pummels MDC in the corner and starts stomping away at him! The referee, Jonathan Monroe has no choice but to call for the bell…
Rod Sterling: "Quiet takes that sea of humanity out on the outside!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "I think just as many Nephews were taken out there as opponents, though!"
Uncle and Knox, meanwhile, have essentially ignored the flurry of activity around them, and still weigh each other up for a collar and elbow. They come together, but Knox ducks beneath and then connects with a poisonrana! Uncle is spiked on his head, just like he was last week on Fallout! Kayden with the early cover…
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Rod Sterling: "Kayden Knox almost picks up the win after just one minute! Uncle is reeling!!"
Kayden attempts to settle into a rhythm as his teammates recuperate on the outside. He first hits a snap suplex followed by a cutter, the latter of which gets him a two count. He tags in Gabrielle, who comes into the ring from the top rope, hitting her head over heels hurricanrana! Another early cover…
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Uncle gets the shoulder up! Celestia and Blair are both reaching out for a tag, but Gabrielle instead chooses to tag Knox back into the match…
Rod Sterling: "Gabrielle prioritising her own partner over the others in this match… maybe a lack of trust there from the potential challengers?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Blair Ravenwood has other ideas, though, tagging herself in!!"
Rod Sterling: "Kayden doesn't look best pleased about that!"
He reluctantly exits the ring, though, and Blair Ravenwood hops into it over the top rope. Her and her sister employ some frequent tags, isolating Uncle and hitting some double team offence when both are in the ring, like a double suplex and later a double back elbow. They also cycle through their own offence, with Blair hitting a snap DDT and a step-up enziguri followed by a low dropkick and a shining wizard, the latter combination again earning a two count. Celestia, meanwhile, puts Uncle in a Boston crab, forcing COSMIC HORROR to endure for a lengthy period of time before finally scrambling to the ropes. After a similar passage with Celestia putting him in the Figure 4, she tags in Doug LuPone, the Lumberjack coming in to a pop from the crowd. He hits the rising Uncle with a big shoulder block before throwing him stupidly high into the air with a big back body drop. His brother is tagged in, the pair combining for a dual big bout before Dan hits a delayed vertical suplex, again going for a cover…
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Rod Sterling: "Uncle needs a tag and fast…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "He's been in this match since its very start. The Nephews need to come to his aid!”
As if they heard the announcers, Thomas West presently bounds into the ring and knocks Kayden off the apron with a shoulder block of his own. Quiet is also trying to get into the ring, and the official struggles to regain control of all twelve competitors… which provides Uncle with just enough of a distraction…
Anzu Kurosawa: "PINK MIST!! PINK MIST!!"
Rod Sterling: "Uncle J.J. JAY! blinds Dan LuPone whilst the official's back is turned!!”
The official seems to be regaining some sort of order as Uncle bounds off the ropes…
Rod Sterling: "WORLD'S MOST COMPLICATED DDT!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "OUT OF NOWHERE!!"
LuPone rolls away from JAY!, and it doesn't seem as though the fatigued COSMIC HORROR can follow up. Instead, he rolls to his corner, and tags in Thomas West, just as Blair Ravenwood reaches over the top rope to tag herself in…
… but it's not just these newly legal competitors that enter the ring! Almost in unison, the ten competitors outside of Uncle and Dan all climb into the ring and charge, the referee with his head in his hands. The Maid connects with a shotgun dropkick on the other LuPone, knocking him off his feet and to the outside, allowing her to follow up with a baseball slide. Celestia Ravenwood, meanwhile, connects with a spin kick to MvH's gut, followed by an attempt at a vertical suplex, with MvH managing to shift her weight and land on the apron on her feet. She attempts to suplex Celestia to the outside, but this time it's Ravenwood who lands on the apron on her feet, still engaged in the front facelock. Celestia blocks an attempt to lift from MvH, before reversing with a snap suplex onto the apron!! Harry, meanwhile, ran directly through the legs of Doug LuPone, which required only a small duck, before being wiped out by a roundhouse kick from Gabrielle. Montgomery hoists Harry up and dumps him unceremoniously from the ring… but then turns into a boot to the midsection from Quiet… and then a DDT! Quiet rises… into a clothesline from Knox! Sending him to the outside, too!!
After Thomas West knocks Blair Ravenwood down with a big pounce, he gets up to receive a backstabber from Knox. Kayden then re-addresses the rising Nephews on the outside, who have conregated for a conflab…
Rod Sterling: "… SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!! Kayden goes from the inside to the outside, wiping out most of the Nephews!!"
With both of the legal competitors, Thomas West and Blair Ravenwood, down on the inside (but with both stirring), the official quickly climbs out to check on those outside. Most of the competitors are down in the same patch between the ring and guard rail, where Kayden landed with his shooting star…
… except for Harry, who landed in the opposite side of the ring, and has taken his opportunity to grab the tag team championship belt from the timekeeper's area. He slides it in to Thomas West, the podcast immediately picking it up and standing to face Blair…
Rod Sterling: "THOMAS WEST CLOCKS HER WITH THE BELT!!"
He throws the gold back out to Harry, who catches it and then collapsed into a heap again. Thomas hoists Blair up, not quite done…
Anzu Kurosawa: "FINISHER #2!!"
Thomas West connects with the spin-out fireman's carry buster, and then hooks the leg as the official slides in…
ONE… TWO… THREE!!
Winners: Cthulhu's Nephews via pinfall at 11:30.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here are your winners… CTHULHU'S NEPHEWS!!"
A mixed reaction greets the announcement, with Thomas and Harry the only members of the Nephews somewhat mobile when the bell is rung. They celebrate in the ring for a moment, Harry clutching Michelle's FWA World Tag Team Championship belt, before they head to the outside to rouse the rest of their team.
Rod Sterling: "Nefarious tactics are what it took, but the Nephews come away with a big win here, and only sixteen days out from Mile High Massacre!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "That match will have a whole other dimension, as Gerald Grayson rejoins Michelle von Horrowitz to reunite the Connection, but this win here in Nuremberg is huge for momentum."
All of the Nephews are gathered and begin to head up the ramp, Death Grips playing again to herald their victory. Meanwhile, with the Lumberjacks and the Coven recuperating outside of it with KDS, Kayden & Gabrielle are in the ring. Kayden is using the ropes to pull himself up as Gabrielle approaches him, helping him to his feet as he leans on the ropes. Kayden is still dazed as Gabrielle starts walking up the ramp. Kayden sits on the apron, taking a deep breath. Gabrielle gets to the top of the ramp when five men pass her by wearing black pants and a bulletproof vest working towards the ring.
Rod Sterling: "A tough loss for Bad Reputation here tonight. You would have to think they are kicking themselves trying to get back into a better mindset."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Wait Rod, who is that passing Gaby on the ramp? Are they interlopers?! I love interlopers!"
The men are now ringside and have surrounded the ring. The FWA cameras are trying to see what is going on as one of the men seems to block off the cameraman with the cameraman being told to back up.
Rod Sterling: "What in the world? Who are they to tell us to back up on our own god damn programming?!"
The commotion has caught Gabrielle's attention as she turns back to look down on the ramp. Then just as the cameraman finally is able to get a look at what's happening we can see Kayden Knox and one of the men are talking with one another. There is too much going on at ringside as Gabrielle is now at the mid-way ramp with a man stopping her from going any further down.
Rod Sterling: "It would seem whoever these men are they have some sort of business with Kayden Knox…"
There is some yelling going on from Kayden as the camera picks up a little of what he is saying.
Kayden Knox: "This is some bullshit. You can't be serious."
One of the men pulls a piece of paper from the back of his pocket. He shows it to Kayden who slaps it out of his hand. He then headbutts the first man as the two others attack him, throwing him to the ground and placing zip ties on his hands to restrain him. Gabrielle attempts to help her tag team partner but she is restrained herself. Kayden is taken past her as she screams.
Gabrielle Montgomery: Kayden! What is going on? Kayden!"
Kayden, who is now busted open and has blood rushing down his head as they take him up the ramp backstage.
Rod Sterling: "I have no idea what is going on but, these men have come down to the ring and have handcuffed Kayden Knox. I don't believe that they are policemen or… I just don't know what's going on!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "If they were feds then that was brutality!"
Rod Sterling: "And all of this… just sixteen days out from their tag title shot in Mile High Massacre…"
We cut to Gorilla position, where Jon Russnow is backstage with FWA security as they approach the men.
Jon Russnow: "Who the hell do you think you are to come onto this program and…"
The man shows the paper to Russnow who reads it as Gabrielle approaches. Jean-Luc Watkins is also now present, coming over to check on Kayden. Russnow tells the security to stand down as Kayden is taken to the parking lot. We reach the parking lot as a limo pulls in. The door opens and they throw Kayden into it before it takes off into the night. Gabrielle and Jean-Luc Watkins are talking with Jon Russnow. Gabrielle looks distraught as she yells at Russnow.
Jon Russnow: "There is nothing I can do."
We fade out.
An advert airs for a blender, followed by a commercial hyping up the forthcoming Fallout 023 episode. Particular focus is given to Phillip A. Jackson’s first FWA Television Championship defense, where he’s due to go up against Vampyra…
Meltdown returns from the commercial break to find MDC already in the ring, he gets a smattering of applause from some fans in attendance.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Introducing first, already in the ring, from Mendoza, Argentina and weighing in at 205 lb…Monstruo del Circo!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “MDC is a newcomer still looking for that elusive win in FWA.”
Rod Sterling: “Considering who his opponent is, that’s easier said than done, Anzu.”
“Go to Sleep” hits and after the opening lyrics start, “The Wildcard” makes his way out, and he doesn’t even bother to stop on stage as he continues his descent down the ramp to the ring.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “His opponent, from San Diego, California and weighing in at 234 lb…he is “The Wildcard”...Jason Raaaaandaaaaal!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “We’ve seen a shift in attitude from The Wildcard recently, and the fans haven’t taken much of a shine to this side of him.”
Rod Sterling: “I don’t think he cares either way, Anzu, and it’s about time Randall stopped trying to please people and started doing things his way.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Randall has made no bones about how he feels as of late, and it’s rubbed some folks the wrong way, whether it be the fans or the FWA higher-ups.”
Randall enters the ring and tosses aside his vest and before the referee can call for the bell, Randall pummels MDC in the corner and starts stomping away at him! The referee, Jonathan Monroe has no choice but to call for the bell…
DING! DING! DING!
Randall wastes no time unloading some corner stomps to MDC, who did not see that coming at all. MDC is slumped down in the corner, but Randall isn’t through with his punishment and starts to choke MDC with his boot until the referee gets him to back off. MDC tries to gather his bearings but Randall drills him in the corner with a running knee to the face! Randall drags MDC up with a front face lock and he sends MDC off the ropes and takes MDC down with a Thesz press followed up by some wildly thrown punches…
Anzu Kurosawa: “Randall is pulling no punches tonight!”
Rod Sterling: “Literally!”
Randall runs the ropes and comes back with a pointed elbow drop to MDC! Randall picks MDC up by the wrist but then immediately takes him down with a ripcord lariat! Randall stalks his prey as MDC tries to regain his composure but Randall knees him in the stomach before lifting him up and dropping him down with the Wildcard Special! MDC writhes around while Randall stalks him, and MDC gets back up with his back to Randall, and just as he turns around he’s met with a kick to the stomach…SNAKE EYES! Randall drops down and hooks the leg…
One…two…THREE!
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The winner of the match, Jason Randall!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Randall with the decisive victory!”
Rod Sterling: “I don’t think Randall even broke a sweat!”
Randall asks for the microphone and Katie hands it off to him.
Jason Randall: “This is it, huh? This is the best that they have to offer? This bum is the best they could throw at me, huh? Take this trash out of my ring and put him back where you find him, okay? Because I want a challenge. That’s right, a challenge. I don’t care who it is. Hell, it could be any one of you bottom-feeders here in this crowd right now…”
This comment draws the ire of the German fans and they begin to let Randall know how they feel.
Jason Randall: “Hey, give yourselves some credit, at least you’d put up more of a fight than this clown. Anyway, it doesn’t matter who it is, I just want a challenge. When I ask for a match, I ask for a challenge, and while it was nice to beat the crap out of this clown, I would’ve appreciated more of a challenge. That’s all I ask, so if anyone in the back is watching that can make it happen, try to pull your head out of your ass one more time and find me a challenge, okay?”
Randall hands the microphone back to Katie as his music kicks back up and he exits the ring while the fans continue to boo him.
Meltdown returns to find Mr. Bill Scorpane, the agent of both Jeremy Best and Bryan Baxter, standing in the ring already.
Mr. Scorpane: "This following segment is brought to you by BIG BILL'S AUTO IMPORIUM! Now with locations in Charlotte and Orlando, along with our original location in Atlanta!"
The fans in Nuremberg boo loudly. Not just because they don't particularly like Mr. Scorpane, but also because the German fans probably don't care too much about some car dealerships in the southern United States.
Mr. Scorpane: "Yeah, yeah... I'm sure most of you people can't even afford a car anyway."
The audience boos, eating up the cheap heat.
Mr. Scorpane: "Moving right along. Allow me to get to the man you all came here to see tonight! He's a man you should all be proud to call your NEW NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION! BIG! BRYAN! BAXTER!
The booing continues and grows louder as Big Bryan Baxter walks out from the back. He stops on the stage to open up his "Buddy System" Letterman jacket to show off the North American Championship strapped around his large waist. Baxter ignores the boos of the crowd as he walks down to the ring, climbing up the apron and joining Mr. Scorpane in the ring. Scorpane shakes his hand as he climbs meets him in the center of the ring.
Mr. Scorpane: "Well I'll be damned if that thing don't look good on you!"
Bryan Baxter: "Not gonna lie... it feels damn good to have it."
Mr. Scorpane: "Of course it does! And you deserve it! Where's the YOU DESERVE IT chant you ingrates like to say? Let's hear it for YOUR North American Champion!"
The fans don't respond with any "You Deserve It" chant. Instead, they begin to chant, "LIZ-ZIE! LIZ-ZIE!"
Mr. Scorpane: "I knew these people were flat out stupid! She's not the champion anymore. She got KNOCKED OUT! Hahahaha!"
Mr. Scorpane laughs, slapping Baxter across the back while Baxter gives just an awkward smile back in return, seeming uncomfortable at the mention of how he defeated Lizzie Rose on the last episode of Fallout.
Mr. Scorpane: "You know Baxter, I'd be lyin' if I said I always knew you had it in ya. Because you know I didn't. But I'm a big enough man to admit when I was wrong. I underestimated you. Lizzie Rose underestimated you. Everyone in the locker room has underestimated you! THESE FANS have underestimated you. Hell... even JEREMY BEST underestimated you!"
"You've proven to be so much more than just the 'other guy' of the Buddy System. Look at all you've done. You're undefeated in singles competition! Jeremy can't say that anymore. You're at the top of your pool in the F1 Climaxxx. Jeremy Best can't say that... he's not even in it! And you've won championship gold. Jeremy Best can't say that. If anything... JEREMY is now 'the other guy.'"
"Forget Jeremy. We don't need him anymore. This is your time now, Bryan. You've shown FWA what you're capable of... and you just know that Chris Hancock is probably underestimating you too... and after you crush him on Fallout... it will be IMPOSSIBLE to underestimate you anymore!"
"So pay attention, FWA. Pay attention, world. Because the North American Championship is just the beginning! What happened on Fallout was JUST THE BEGINNING!"
Rod Sterling: "Here we go now! It looks like someone may have heard enough from Mr. Scorpane! The now former North American champion is on her way out and I can't wait to see what she has to say about what happened last week on Fallout!'
Despite the natural party vibes of Lizzie Rose's music, Lizzie doesn't seem in a dancing move. Yet, surprisingly after the rough break, she suffered last week, she doesn't seem aggravated in the least, even affording the crowd a quick bashful smile, completely at peace. She reaches the ring, puts her hands above her head as if to show she meant no hard, adjusts her Brooklyn Dodgers baseball cap and asks calmly for a mix from a nearby stagehand. (Which of course she gets because she asked nicely, there's a moral in there for us all)
Lizzie Rose: "Hi..."
Cue customary way too big of a reaction for a simple word. The power of Lizzie Rose, ladies and gents.
Lizzie Rose: "I know, you're in the middle of a celebration here, and I don't mean to interrupt; I'll just say what I came out here to say and leave you guys to enjoy yourselves."
Lizzie tries to steel herself as she steps forward to meet Baxter, which only highlights the MASSIVE size difference between them, but Lizzie isn't intimidated.
Lizzie Rose: "And this is important for you to hear, so I want you to look me in the eye while I say- I'm not upset about what happened last week. I'm not angry. I'm proud."
Eh?
Lizzie Rose: "I need you to know that. I'm proud of who I am. Where I come from and what I've done as North American Champion and even before I became champion and even without the belt. I'm still proud.
"....Can you say the same thing?"
Big Bryan Baxter doesn’t respond but his facial reaction shows some conflicting emotions.
Lizzie Rose: "I know you watched the match back, and I know you saw me take every single one of your best shots, and it still wasn't enough to keep me down I know you saw yourself pass out and have to be saved by him... No offence or nothin'"
Lizzie nods idly to Mr Scorpane before turning back to Bryan.
Lizzie Rose: "I know you say him hit me with a chair. I know you saw him pass you brass knuckles. The first thing you said when you walked down the ramp was that belt felt great around your waist....but....I somehow doubt that..no offence, but if I was in your position. I wouldn't be proud. I wouldn't be happy. I'd be embarrassed. I'd feel shame knowing that you NEEDED brass knucks, a steel chair and all the help in the world to beat someone you outweigh three times over."
Bryan Baxter: ”Hey no! I didn’t NEED any of that! I didn’t ask for anyone’s help!”
Mr. Scorpane: "That’s true. But it’s only because Bryan here was takin’ it easy on ya. He felt SORRY for you! He didn’t want to hurt Jeremy’s new lil’ friend. But rest assured, lil lady, he could’ve squashed you like a lil’ bug at any moment… consider yourself lucky! He earned that title and there’s nothing you can do about it!”
Lizzie Rose: "I may not be as experienced as you with titles and all, but I know there's a difference between winning a belt and becoming a champion. Last week? You didn't become a champion. You took the easy way out because you were so desperate to be someone, you'd be happy cheapening yourself....And if you're ok with that? If you want to be THAT guy? If the ends justify the means? Then God bless....but we both know....I deserve a rematch."
A quick excited pop goes through the crowd, eager to see another round between these two again after the classic they put on last time Meanwhile, Mr. Scorpane rolls his eyes.
Mr. Scorpane: "Ooooh… now we see what this is REALLY all about! Of course that’s why you’re out here!”
Lizzie Rose: "Let me clear; I ain't demanding, anything...I'm ASKING you, right here and right now, to define what kind of champion you want to be...and if the answer's no? I mean....when has anything ever come easy to me? In that case, I'm going to work from the bottom and earn that shot...because that title deserves nothing less than people willing to EARN it...
Ok...That's all I wanted to say...so umm...yeah...Sorry if I kind of killed the party vibes here guys...
Lizzie awkwardly backs away from the duo in the ring, stepping through the ropes and climbing back down the apron as the fans give her an astounding amount of support as she leaves Baxter and Scorpane in the ring. A chant of “REMATCH! REMATCH! REMATCH” begins to fill the arena.
Bryan Baxter: ”Look, I beat her once and I could do it again! I’m not afraid of her! I’m not afraid of anyone! It’s your funeral, Lizzie! If you want a rematch then…”
Before Baxter can utter those words, Mr. Scorpane cuts him off.
Mr. Scorpane: "Nooooot so fast! We’re not just handin’ out shots at this prestigious title! If little Lizzie Sunflower wants a shot… she’ll EARN IT, just like anyone else!”
BOOOOOOOO! The crowd clearly doesn’t like that decision from Baxter’s agent. Even Baxter seems surprised by the response. But Baxter doesn’t get much more word in as the tunes of Nickelback begin to play once again. Baxter and Scorpane trade some words with one another as they begin to leave the ring.
Randall wastes no time unloading some corner stomps to MDC, who did not see that coming at all. MDC is slumped down in the corner, but Randall isn’t through with his punishment and starts to choke MDC with his boot until the referee gets him to back off. MDC tries to gather his bearings but Randall drills him in the corner with a running knee to the face! Randall drags MDC up with a front face lock and he sends MDC off the ropes and takes MDC down with a Thesz press followed up by some wildly thrown punches…
Anzu Kurosawa: “Randall is pulling no punches tonight!”
Rod Sterling: “Literally!”
Randall runs the ropes and comes back with a pointed elbow drop to MDC! Randall picks MDC up by the wrist but then immediately takes him down with a ripcord lariat! Randall stalks his prey as MDC tries to regain his composure but Randall knees him in the stomach before lifting him up and dropping him down with the Wildcard Special! MDC writhes around while Randall stalks him, and MDC gets back up with his back to Randall, and just as he turns around he’s met with a kick to the stomach…SNAKE EYES! Randall drops down and hooks the leg…
One…two…THREE!
Winner: Jason Randall by pinfall at 2:05
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The winner of the match, Jason Randall!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Randall with the decisive victory!”
Rod Sterling: “I don’t think Randall even broke a sweat!”
Randall asks for the microphone and Katie hands it off to him.
Jason Randall: “This is it, huh? This is the best that they have to offer? This bum is the best they could throw at me, huh? Take this trash out of my ring and put him back where you find him, okay? Because I want a challenge. That’s right, a challenge. I don’t care who it is. Hell, it could be any one of you bottom-feeders here in this crowd right now…”
This comment draws the ire of the German fans and they begin to let Randall know how they feel.
Jason Randall: “Hey, give yourselves some credit, at least you’d put up more of a fight than this clown. Anyway, it doesn’t matter who it is, I just want a challenge. When I ask for a match, I ask for a challenge, and while it was nice to beat the crap out of this clown, I would’ve appreciated more of a challenge. That’s all I ask, so if anyone in the back is watching that can make it happen, try to pull your head out of your ass one more time and find me a challenge, okay?”
Randall hands the microphone back to Katie as his music kicks back up and he exits the ring while the fans continue to boo him.
Meltdown returns to find Mr. Bill Scorpane, the agent of both Jeremy Best and Bryan Baxter, standing in the ring already.
Mr. Scorpane: "This following segment is brought to you by BIG BILL'S AUTO IMPORIUM! Now with locations in Charlotte and Orlando, along with our original location in Atlanta!"
The fans in Nuremberg boo loudly. Not just because they don't particularly like Mr. Scorpane, but also because the German fans probably don't care too much about some car dealerships in the southern United States.
Mr. Scorpane: "Yeah, yeah... I'm sure most of you people can't even afford a car anyway."
The audience boos, eating up the cheap heat.
Mr. Scorpane: "Moving right along. Allow me to get to the man you all came here to see tonight! He's a man you should all be proud to call your NEW NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION! BIG! BRYAN! BAXTER!
The booing continues and grows louder as Big Bryan Baxter walks out from the back. He stops on the stage to open up his "Buddy System" Letterman jacket to show off the North American Championship strapped around his large waist. Baxter ignores the boos of the crowd as he walks down to the ring, climbing up the apron and joining Mr. Scorpane in the ring. Scorpane shakes his hand as he climbs meets him in the center of the ring.
Mr. Scorpane: "Well I'll be damned if that thing don't look good on you!"
Bryan Baxter: "Not gonna lie... it feels damn good to have it."
Mr. Scorpane: "Of course it does! And you deserve it! Where's the YOU DESERVE IT chant you ingrates like to say? Let's hear it for YOUR North American Champion!"
The fans don't respond with any "You Deserve It" chant. Instead, they begin to chant, "LIZ-ZIE! LIZ-ZIE!"
Mr. Scorpane: "I knew these people were flat out stupid! She's not the champion anymore. She got KNOCKED OUT! Hahahaha!"
Mr. Scorpane laughs, slapping Baxter across the back while Baxter gives just an awkward smile back in return, seeming uncomfortable at the mention of how he defeated Lizzie Rose on the last episode of Fallout.
Mr. Scorpane: "You know Baxter, I'd be lyin' if I said I always knew you had it in ya. Because you know I didn't. But I'm a big enough man to admit when I was wrong. I underestimated you. Lizzie Rose underestimated you. Everyone in the locker room has underestimated you! THESE FANS have underestimated you. Hell... even JEREMY BEST underestimated you!"
"You've proven to be so much more than just the 'other guy' of the Buddy System. Look at all you've done. You're undefeated in singles competition! Jeremy can't say that anymore. You're at the top of your pool in the F1 Climaxxx. Jeremy Best can't say that... he's not even in it! And you've won championship gold. Jeremy Best can't say that. If anything... JEREMY is now 'the other guy.'"
"Forget Jeremy. We don't need him anymore. This is your time now, Bryan. You've shown FWA what you're capable of... and you just know that Chris Hancock is probably underestimating you too... and after you crush him on Fallout... it will be IMPOSSIBLE to underestimate you anymore!"
"So pay attention, FWA. Pay attention, world. Because the North American Championship is just the beginning! What happened on Fallout was JUST THE BEGINNING!"
Rod Sterling: "Here we go now! It looks like someone may have heard enough from Mr. Scorpane! The now former North American champion is on her way out and I can't wait to see what she has to say about what happened last week on Fallout!'
Despite the natural party vibes of Lizzie Rose's music, Lizzie doesn't seem in a dancing move. Yet, surprisingly after the rough break, she suffered last week, she doesn't seem aggravated in the least, even affording the crowd a quick bashful smile, completely at peace. She reaches the ring, puts her hands above her head as if to show she meant no hard, adjusts her Brooklyn Dodgers baseball cap and asks calmly for a mix from a nearby stagehand. (Which of course she gets because she asked nicely, there's a moral in there for us all)
Lizzie Rose: "Hi..."
Cue customary way too big of a reaction for a simple word. The power of Lizzie Rose, ladies and gents.
Lizzie Rose: "I know, you're in the middle of a celebration here, and I don't mean to interrupt; I'll just say what I came out here to say and leave you guys to enjoy yourselves."
Lizzie tries to steel herself as she steps forward to meet Baxter, which only highlights the MASSIVE size difference between them, but Lizzie isn't intimidated.
Lizzie Rose: "And this is important for you to hear, so I want you to look me in the eye while I say- I'm not upset about what happened last week. I'm not angry. I'm proud."
Eh?
Lizzie Rose: "I need you to know that. I'm proud of who I am. Where I come from and what I've done as North American Champion and even before I became champion and even without the belt. I'm still proud.
"....Can you say the same thing?"
Big Bryan Baxter doesn’t respond but his facial reaction shows some conflicting emotions.
Lizzie Rose: "I know you watched the match back, and I know you saw me take every single one of your best shots, and it still wasn't enough to keep me down I know you saw yourself pass out and have to be saved by him... No offence or nothin'"
Lizzie nods idly to Mr Scorpane before turning back to Bryan.
Lizzie Rose: "I know you say him hit me with a chair. I know you saw him pass you brass knuckles. The first thing you said when you walked down the ramp was that belt felt great around your waist....but....I somehow doubt that..no offence, but if I was in your position. I wouldn't be proud. I wouldn't be happy. I'd be embarrassed. I'd feel shame knowing that you NEEDED brass knucks, a steel chair and all the help in the world to beat someone you outweigh three times over."
Bryan Baxter: ”Hey no! I didn’t NEED any of that! I didn’t ask for anyone’s help!”
Mr. Scorpane: "That’s true. But it’s only because Bryan here was takin’ it easy on ya. He felt SORRY for you! He didn’t want to hurt Jeremy’s new lil’ friend. But rest assured, lil lady, he could’ve squashed you like a lil’ bug at any moment… consider yourself lucky! He earned that title and there’s nothing you can do about it!”
Lizzie Rose: "I may not be as experienced as you with titles and all, but I know there's a difference between winning a belt and becoming a champion. Last week? You didn't become a champion. You took the easy way out because you were so desperate to be someone, you'd be happy cheapening yourself....And if you're ok with that? If you want to be THAT guy? If the ends justify the means? Then God bless....but we both know....I deserve a rematch."
A quick excited pop goes through the crowd, eager to see another round between these two again after the classic they put on last time Meanwhile, Mr. Scorpane rolls his eyes.
Mr. Scorpane: "Ooooh… now we see what this is REALLY all about! Of course that’s why you’re out here!”
Lizzie Rose: "Let me clear; I ain't demanding, anything...I'm ASKING you, right here and right now, to define what kind of champion you want to be...and if the answer's no? I mean....when has anything ever come easy to me? In that case, I'm going to work from the bottom and earn that shot...because that title deserves nothing less than people willing to EARN it...
Ok...That's all I wanted to say...so umm...yeah...Sorry if I kind of killed the party vibes here guys...
Lizzie awkwardly backs away from the duo in the ring, stepping through the ropes and climbing back down the apron as the fans give her an astounding amount of support as she leaves Baxter and Scorpane in the ring. A chant of “REMATCH! REMATCH! REMATCH” begins to fill the arena.
Bryan Baxter: ”Look, I beat her once and I could do it again! I’m not afraid of her! I’m not afraid of anyone! It’s your funeral, Lizzie! If you want a rematch then…”
Before Baxter can utter those words, Mr. Scorpane cuts him off.
Mr. Scorpane: "Nooooot so fast! We’re not just handin’ out shots at this prestigious title! If little Lizzie Sunflower wants a shot… she’ll EARN IT, just like anyone else!”
BOOOOOOOO! The crowd clearly doesn’t like that decision from Baxter’s agent. Even Baxter seems surprised by the response. But Baxter doesn’t get much more word in as the tunes of Nickelback begin to play once again. Baxter and Scorpane trade some words with one another as they begin to leave the ring.
There’s a split reaction, leaning on cheers (any boos definitely due to who Grayson is aligned with), as Gerald Grayson makes his way out from the back, forgoing the usual Nephews entrance through the crowd. Grayson nods his head and talks under his breath to psyche himself up ahead of this F1 Climaxxx match, and he holds his FWA World Tag Team Championship belt over his shoulder as he makes his way down towards the ring.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “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…. GERAAAALLLLDDDD GRAAAAAAAYYYYSSSSONNNNNNNN!!!
Rod Sterling: “Anzu, this match has big implications for Pool B of the F1 Climaxxx, potentially even more so than the match taking place between joint pool leaders - Chris Peacock and Bryan Baxter - on Fallout. Both Gerald Grayson and Phillip A. Jackson need to win here tonight to keep their chances of advancing into the Final Four alive.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Grayson has had a tough start in the pool, Rod, having faced both Baxter and Peacock already, but he was close to coming out victorious in both of those matches. The Nephews already picked up a win in tonight’s opening contest, so the pressure is really on for Grayson to pick up where they left off and also to keep his own Climaxxx ambitions alive.”
Rod Sterling: “Jon Russnow intentionally excluded him from the match featuring the rest of Cthulhu’s Nephews earlier on tonight, specifically to allow him a chance to prepare for this match. Uncle seems to think that Russnow has a vendetta against the Nephews, but seems to me like he was doing Gerald Grayson a favour.”
Grayson enters the ring and climbs up onto the middle turnbuckle and nods his head, pointing at some of the fans in Nuremberg.
Again, there is a somewhat mixed reaction for Grayson’s opponent in this match, but Phillip A. Jackson is not interested in the crowd’s feelings towards him. The FWA Television Champion is laser-focused on the ring and his opponent therein. He taps the championship around his waist, which pokes out from his open white and gold jacket, a couple of times before sliding into the ring.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “His opponent… from Bristol, England but now residing in Toronto, Canada… weighing two-hundred and thirty-five pounds… he is the FWA Television Champion… ‘The Cleanser’ PHILLIP A. JAAAAACCCKKKKSSSSOONNNNNN!!!”
Rod Sterling: “This of course is a Champion vs Champion match tonight in the F1 Climaxxx, with the current FWA Television champ Phillip A. Jackson going up against one half of the FWA World Tag Team Champions. Anzu, whilst Grayson was afforded the opportunity to focus entirely on this match, PAJ will have to have one eye on Vampyra and their match in the main event of Fallout where Jackson will be putting his title on the line.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “PAJ is a very experienced competitor, Rod. He knows that Vampyra is going to pose a serious challenge to him when they face off on Fallout, but he will also know that Gerald Grayson needs to be his focus right now, otherwise he won’t be able to get off the mark in the F1 Climaxxx.”
Rod Sterling: “Vampyra also has the benefit of not having a Climaxxx match herself this week, Anzu. Jackson is going to need to be very careful not to pick up an injury in this match, too. We saw the state that Peacock got into facing Grayson on Fallout 022, despite it not being intentional. We’ve got two competitors here that prefer that high-flying, high-risk style, so anything can happen.”
Jackson unclips his championship from around his waist as he stands in the middle of the ring after rising to his feet. He holds the title up into the air and then stretches his arms out to either side whilst tilting his head backwards. A smirk forms on his face as the referee, Richard Davis, looks to get things underway and both men prepped for the match to begin.
Once things get underway, it is the complete opposite of a cagey opening, with both Grayson and Jackson using their speed and quickness to their advantages as both continually avoid attacks from the other in the early goings, with Grayson looking to land some strikes and Jackson trying to entrap Gerald with some grapples and other holds. Grayson evades a Headlock from Jackson and then handsprings when he comes back and gets his legs around his opponent’s head, but Jackson impressively cartwheels out of it. Attempting to grab Gerald again, he goes for a Clothesline himself, but Grayson drops down onto his back and then kips up, and he manages to make something land with a back kick to Jackson’s midsection.
Grayson runs the ropes but Jackson follows him in and meets him with a knee to the midsection and then attempts to Irish Whip Grayson across the ring and when Gerald returns he flips up off of PAJ’s back and lands on his feet, however PAJ had sensed it coming and jumps into the air so as soon as Grayson lands on his feet, the PAJle Kick strikes him on the top of the head! Gerald stumbles back into the ropes and then comes back with a swinging Roundhouse kick, using the momentum, but PAJ ducks it and locks his fingers around Grayson’s waist… taking him over with a German Suplex!
Rod Sterling: “Both competitors have come quickly out of the gates in this one, Anzu. It is in Jackson’s interest to get this match over and done with as soon as he can as he is in action again in just two days’ time.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “PAJ definitely showed off his experience there by getting that PAJle off on Grayson, and as you can see, he is going to do what he can to stay on top of Grayson and control the match.”
As called by Anzu, it becomes clear that Jackson’s strategy is to keep Grayson grounded and under control by using his technical ability to wear his opponent down. PAJ keeps the waist lock applied on Grayson after the German Suplex and squeezes hard on the ribs of his opponent, which causes Grayson great discomfort as evidenced by his face. Grayson tries to get himself up by bridging, and Jackson releases to allow him to do so, but PAJ then connects with a Dropkick to the knee, which he follows up with an Enziguiri! Grayson crumbles to the mat and PAJ gets on top for an early cover.
ONE… TW-NO!!
Immediately, Jackson applies a hold around the head and neck of his opponent, trying to prevent any way for Grayson to get back into the match and he keeps his centre of gravity low as Grayson tries to force his way back to his feet. Grayson though backs towards the turnbuckle and kicks off of it, allowing him to flip forward and cause a break. Jackson attempts to grab Grayson once again, but Gerald rears back and catches PAJ flush on the jaw with a Spinning Backfist! The strike causes ‘The Cleanser’ to go jelly-legged for a moment, and Grayson rears back and follows up with a thunderous chop to the chest that sits Jackson down in the corner!
With PAJ slumped against the bottom turnbuckle, Grayson runs to the opposite corner and charges in, connecting with a low forearm strike to the face. ‘The Daredevil’ quickly rises to his feet once again and without missing a beat, repeats the action. Grayson then positions himself in an adjacent corner and charges in, connecting with a Facewash! Not stopping there, Grayson then drives his boot into Jackson’s face a few more times. He pulls PAJ from the corner by his boot and then jumps on top of him, hooking the leg.
ONE… TWO-NO!!
Rod Sterling: “Phillip A. Jackson kicks out of that one, despite taking a number of hits from Grayson in that flurry; I’m surprised that he even knows who he is still after that Spinning Backfist. It was right on the mark, Anzu.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Grayson knows how to hurt people, Rod. He might not be the most confrontational guy and his mean streak pales in comparison to his fellow Nephews, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t there, and you can see him now, just punching away at Jackson’s head and face, this is frustration at his recent singles losses coming to the top and boiling over here.”
It is evident from Grayson’s punches and aggression that he is using Phillip A. Jackson’s face and head as a punching bag almost, to clear out some of the frustration built up inside of him. He grits his teeth, as PAJ struggles to keep his guard up but Gerald is about to break through, but the wily veteran gets his feet tied up around the nearby bottom rope which makes Richard Davis come across and break it up, demanding that Grayson leaves Jackson alone. Bowing to the official’s words, Grayson holds his hands up as soon as he is told to and he steps away from the FWA Television Champion.
PAJ has to use the corner to get himself back to his feet and he does not get much time as Grayson runs in towards him, but Jackson gets the boot up and Grayson runs straight into it, turning around. This leaves him in a prime position for PAJ to takes a few steps behind him and drive his face into the mat with a One Handed Bulldog! Jackson does not go for the cover, especially as Grayson gets up onto his hands and knees almost straight away. Jackson steadies himself for a moment as he stands next to Grayson as he gets to his feet and he runs towards the ropes and springboards back off of the middle rope, landing behind Grayson, and he attempts to drop Grayson down with an Inverted DDT - but Grayson fights out of it.
Some well-placed punches and elbows from the tag champion stops Jackson from being able to execute the move, and Grayson then adjusts into a Jawbreaker, which sends Jackson away. Grayson himself looks like he is going to use the ropes for a Springboard of his own, a Back Elbow to be specific, but PAJ sidesteps and drops to a knee, causing Grayson’s back to land across the outstretched knee - Grayson landed himself into a Backbreaker!
Rod Sterling: “Fantastic awareness by Phillip A. Jackson to anticipate that move from Grayson and yo, that was a wack landing!”
Grayson’s back arches down on the mat, as he is in severe discomfort, and this is not helped when Jackson cruelly stomps on the small of his back and smirks out to the fans, before delivering another stomp. Jackson then squats down and puts his arms around Grayson’s neck and applies a Camel Clutch! There is immediately a lot of pressure being put on Grayson’s back, due to the angle it is being bent in and the full weight of his opponent on top of him as well. The referee gets down and asks Grayson to consider giving up and submitting to the hold, but Gerald vehemently shakes his head and refuses to give in.
After getting one of his legs underneath the two of them, Grayson is able to plant both feet on the mat and stand up with Jackson still on his back, and he runs him into the turnbuckle, sandwiching Jackson in between his body and the corner. This causes the break of the hold and Grayson looks to create some space but then quickly turns on his heel and charges in, but Jackson sidesteps him and Grayson collides with the turnbuckle! PAJ then leaps into the air and flips back, hitting another PAJle Kick!
The kick catches Grayson on the top of the head and the tag champion drops down, flat on his back and Jackson looks around the stadium and grins to himself once again. The fans express their annoyance as he scales up the turnbuckle.
Rod Sterling: “I think that he could be going for it! Gerald Grayson could be about to get cleansed!”
JACKSON TAKES FLIGHT FOR THE AMAZING SPLASH-
KNEES UP!!!
It is Grayson’s knees that are the difference maker this time, as he blocks the impact and PAJ rolls onto the mat, clutching his ribs. Grayson then wastes no time in steadying himself before charging towards the waiting corner… SKY HIGH MOONSAULT!! Grayson hooks both legs tightly…
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Here is your winner… GERALD GRAYSON!”
Grayson’s eyes are wide with excitement as he pops back up to his feet, quickly climbing the turnbuckles and celebrating to a warm reaction from the fans.
Anzu Kurosawa: “What a quick turn of events! Just when it looked like he was done for… the tables turn and it’s Gerald Grayson picking up the HUGE win in the F1!”
Rod Sterling: “Fortunes can change in an instant here in the FWA! Gerald picks up the much needed victory here to keep his chances in the F1 alive… while our TV Champ may find himself in a hill that’s just too much to climb back out of. Let’s take a look at the updated standings after this one.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “As we’ve said, it’s a busy week for PAJ and now it’s going to be important for him to not dwell on this tough loss… he has Vampyra this Saturday on Fallout with his TV title on the line!”
A frustrated PAJ rolls out of the ring and collects his TV Title as we see his challenger Vampyra smiling backstage, watching on the monitor.
An advert airs for the forthcoming Krash Memorial PPV in January. The commercial focuses on the ongoing F1 tournament, and alludes to the final, due to take place at this event.
The lights in the arena begin to flicker off and on before shutting off completely as the music begins to play. As the intro to the song finishes up, the lights flicker bright white.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, our next match is scheduled for ONE FALL and has a twenty minute time limit! Introducing first, making his FWA Debut… from Los Angeles, California… he weigh’s in at two-hundred and fourty-three pound… he is… The Dark Traveler… DAAAARRRIIIUUUUSSSS WRRRIIIIGHT!”
“The Dark Traveler” Darius Wright steps out onto the stage with a smirk on his face. Many fans are in awe of his presence, while some are reacting having recognized him from other promotions. Darius is wearing a sleeveless shirt that reads “FEARS… NOTHING”, which he gives a quick tug to adjust before he begins to slowly make his walk down the ramp.
Anzu Kurosawa: "That was quite the light show! Darius Wright quickly trying to make himself stand out here in his FWA debut.”
Rod Sterling: "This is a man with quite the colorful background and has certainly traveled the world prior to joining FWA, though I doubt that is the meaning behind his Dark Traveler moniker. Darius becomes another one of many new faces we’ve seen joining FWA lately.”
Anzu Kurosawa: "FWA is clearly the place to be, Rod!”
Rod Sterling: "That it is, Anzu. And Darius will no doubt be hoping to follow in the footsteps of rookie sensation Vampyra, who is already getting a TV Title shot this week on Fallout! And if he can pull off a win over XYZ tonight, that’d certainly be a way to impress people in your debut!”
Darius continues his slow walk down to the ring, arrogantly nodding his head to the music as he walks. He climbs up the steps to the apron before entering through the middle and top rope. He trots over to the center of the ring and raises up both arms in the form of an X before removing his shirt and tossing it to ringside as the lights flicker one last time to the chorus of the song before it cuts out.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And his opponent, from Sitka, Alaska… weighing in at one-hundred and eighty pounds… this is …X-Y-ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
The crowd is to their feet, giving XYZ a big favorable reaction as he jogs out from the back in his shimmering jacket and flowing green cape. The barefooted warrior gives a wave to his XYZites in the crowd as he looks energized for the match at hand.
Anzu Kurosawa: "X looks fired up tonight, Rod! He doesn’t seem intimidated by Darius at all!”
Rod Sterling: "XYZ has certainly taken on some pretty intimidating people in his time here in FWA! And he no doubt will be watching later tonight when Nate Savage and Alyster Black do battle for the X Championship, especially knowing that he has a very recent victory over Savage! But he can’t look past the debuting Wright!”
Anzu Kurosawa: "No doubt about that. And I doubt he will! He’s got to get back on track after a disappointing loss last week teaming with Jeremy Best against The Undisputed Alliance. This won’t be a walk in the park for XYZ, I don’t think.”
XYZ hands out some high fives as he runs down the aisle, sliding into the ring under the bottom ropes. He pops up to his feet, doing a couple spins in the center of the ring before wiping off his cape and jacket and then placing them at ringside.
Grayson runs the ropes but Jackson follows him in and meets him with a knee to the midsection and then attempts to Irish Whip Grayson across the ring and when Gerald returns he flips up off of PAJ’s back and lands on his feet, however PAJ had sensed it coming and jumps into the air so as soon as Grayson lands on his feet, the PAJle Kick strikes him on the top of the head! Gerald stumbles back into the ropes and then comes back with a swinging Roundhouse kick, using the momentum, but PAJ ducks it and locks his fingers around Grayson’s waist… taking him over with a German Suplex!
Rod Sterling: “Both competitors have come quickly out of the gates in this one, Anzu. It is in Jackson’s interest to get this match over and done with as soon as he can as he is in action again in just two days’ time.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “PAJ definitely showed off his experience there by getting that PAJle off on Grayson, and as you can see, he is going to do what he can to stay on top of Grayson and control the match.”
As called by Anzu, it becomes clear that Jackson’s strategy is to keep Grayson grounded and under control by using his technical ability to wear his opponent down. PAJ keeps the waist lock applied on Grayson after the German Suplex and squeezes hard on the ribs of his opponent, which causes Grayson great discomfort as evidenced by his face. Grayson tries to get himself up by bridging, and Jackson releases to allow him to do so, but PAJ then connects with a Dropkick to the knee, which he follows up with an Enziguiri! Grayson crumbles to the mat and PAJ gets on top for an early cover.
ONE… TW-NO!!
Immediately, Jackson applies a hold around the head and neck of his opponent, trying to prevent any way for Grayson to get back into the match and he keeps his centre of gravity low as Grayson tries to force his way back to his feet. Grayson though backs towards the turnbuckle and kicks off of it, allowing him to flip forward and cause a break. Jackson attempts to grab Grayson once again, but Gerald rears back and catches PAJ flush on the jaw with a Spinning Backfist! The strike causes ‘The Cleanser’ to go jelly-legged for a moment, and Grayson rears back and follows up with a thunderous chop to the chest that sits Jackson down in the corner!
With PAJ slumped against the bottom turnbuckle, Grayson runs to the opposite corner and charges in, connecting with a low forearm strike to the face. ‘The Daredevil’ quickly rises to his feet once again and without missing a beat, repeats the action. Grayson then positions himself in an adjacent corner and charges in, connecting with a Facewash! Not stopping there, Grayson then drives his boot into Jackson’s face a few more times. He pulls PAJ from the corner by his boot and then jumps on top of him, hooking the leg.
ONE… TWO-NO!!
Rod Sterling: “Phillip A. Jackson kicks out of that one, despite taking a number of hits from Grayson in that flurry; I’m surprised that he even knows who he is still after that Spinning Backfist. It was right on the mark, Anzu.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Grayson knows how to hurt people, Rod. He might not be the most confrontational guy and his mean streak pales in comparison to his fellow Nephews, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t there, and you can see him now, just punching away at Jackson’s head and face, this is frustration at his recent singles losses coming to the top and boiling over here.”
It is evident from Grayson’s punches and aggression that he is using Phillip A. Jackson’s face and head as a punching bag almost, to clear out some of the frustration built up inside of him. He grits his teeth, as PAJ struggles to keep his guard up but Gerald is about to break through, but the wily veteran gets his feet tied up around the nearby bottom rope which makes Richard Davis come across and break it up, demanding that Grayson leaves Jackson alone. Bowing to the official’s words, Grayson holds his hands up as soon as he is told to and he steps away from the FWA Television Champion.
PAJ has to use the corner to get himself back to his feet and he does not get much time as Grayson runs in towards him, but Jackson gets the boot up and Grayson runs straight into it, turning around. This leaves him in a prime position for PAJ to takes a few steps behind him and drive his face into the mat with a One Handed Bulldog! Jackson does not go for the cover, especially as Grayson gets up onto his hands and knees almost straight away. Jackson steadies himself for a moment as he stands next to Grayson as he gets to his feet and he runs towards the ropes and springboards back off of the middle rope, landing behind Grayson, and he attempts to drop Grayson down with an Inverted DDT - but Grayson fights out of it.
Some well-placed punches and elbows from the tag champion stops Jackson from being able to execute the move, and Grayson then adjusts into a Jawbreaker, which sends Jackson away. Grayson himself looks like he is going to use the ropes for a Springboard of his own, a Back Elbow to be specific, but PAJ sidesteps and drops to a knee, causing Grayson’s back to land across the outstretched knee - Grayson landed himself into a Backbreaker!
Rod Sterling: “Fantastic awareness by Phillip A. Jackson to anticipate that move from Grayson and yo, that was a wack landing!”
Grayson’s back arches down on the mat, as he is in severe discomfort, and this is not helped when Jackson cruelly stomps on the small of his back and smirks out to the fans, before delivering another stomp. Jackson then squats down and puts his arms around Grayson’s neck and applies a Camel Clutch! There is immediately a lot of pressure being put on Grayson’s back, due to the angle it is being bent in and the full weight of his opponent on top of him as well. The referee gets down and asks Grayson to consider giving up and submitting to the hold, but Gerald vehemently shakes his head and refuses to give in.
After getting one of his legs underneath the two of them, Grayson is able to plant both feet on the mat and stand up with Jackson still on his back, and he runs him into the turnbuckle, sandwiching Jackson in between his body and the corner. This causes the break of the hold and Grayson looks to create some space but then quickly turns on his heel and charges in, but Jackson sidesteps him and Grayson collides with the turnbuckle! PAJ then leaps into the air and flips back, hitting another PAJle Kick!
The kick catches Grayson on the top of the head and the tag champion drops down, flat on his back and Jackson looks around the stadium and grins to himself once again. The fans express their annoyance as he scales up the turnbuckle.
Rod Sterling: “I think that he could be going for it! Gerald Grayson could be about to get cleansed!”
JACKSON TAKES FLIGHT FOR THE AMAZING SPLASH-
KNEES UP!!!
It is Grayson’s knees that are the difference maker this time, as he blocks the impact and PAJ rolls onto the mat, clutching his ribs. Grayson then wastes no time in steadying himself before charging towards the waiting corner… SKY HIGH MOONSAULT!! Grayson hooks both legs tightly…
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
Winner: Gerald Grayson via pin fall at 15:07
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Here is your winner… GERALD GRAYSON!”
Grayson’s eyes are wide with excitement as he pops back up to his feet, quickly climbing the turnbuckles and celebrating to a warm reaction from the fans.
Anzu Kurosawa: “What a quick turn of events! Just when it looked like he was done for… the tables turn and it’s Gerald Grayson picking up the HUGE win in the F1!”
Rod Sterling: “Fortunes can change in an instant here in the FWA! Gerald picks up the much needed victory here to keep his chances in the F1 alive… while our TV Champ may find himself in a hill that’s just too much to climb back out of. Let’s take a look at the updated standings after this one.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “As we’ve said, it’s a busy week for PAJ and now it’s going to be important for him to not dwell on this tough loss… he has Vampyra this Saturday on Fallout with his TV title on the line!”
A frustrated PAJ rolls out of the ring and collects his TV Title as we see his challenger Vampyra smiling backstage, watching on the monitor.
An advert airs for the forthcoming Krash Memorial PPV in January. The commercial focuses on the ongoing F1 tournament, and alludes to the final, due to take place at this event.
The lights in the arena begin to flicker off and on before shutting off completely as the music begins to play. As the intro to the song finishes up, the lights flicker bright white.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, our next match is scheduled for ONE FALL and has a twenty minute time limit! Introducing first, making his FWA Debut… from Los Angeles, California… he weigh’s in at two-hundred and fourty-three pound… he is… The Dark Traveler… DAAAARRRIIIUUUUSSSS WRRRIIIIGHT!”
“The Dark Traveler” Darius Wright steps out onto the stage with a smirk on his face. Many fans are in awe of his presence, while some are reacting having recognized him from other promotions. Darius is wearing a sleeveless shirt that reads “FEARS… NOTHING”, which he gives a quick tug to adjust before he begins to slowly make his walk down the ramp.
Anzu Kurosawa: "That was quite the light show! Darius Wright quickly trying to make himself stand out here in his FWA debut.”
Rod Sterling: "This is a man with quite the colorful background and has certainly traveled the world prior to joining FWA, though I doubt that is the meaning behind his Dark Traveler moniker. Darius becomes another one of many new faces we’ve seen joining FWA lately.”
Anzu Kurosawa: "FWA is clearly the place to be, Rod!”
Rod Sterling: "That it is, Anzu. And Darius will no doubt be hoping to follow in the footsteps of rookie sensation Vampyra, who is already getting a TV Title shot this week on Fallout! And if he can pull off a win over XYZ tonight, that’d certainly be a way to impress people in your debut!”
Darius continues his slow walk down to the ring, arrogantly nodding his head to the music as he walks. He climbs up the steps to the apron before entering through the middle and top rope. He trots over to the center of the ring and raises up both arms in the form of an X before removing his shirt and tossing it to ringside as the lights flicker one last time to the chorus of the song before it cuts out.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And his opponent, from Sitka, Alaska… weighing in at one-hundred and eighty pounds… this is …X-Y-ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
The crowd is to their feet, giving XYZ a big favorable reaction as he jogs out from the back in his shimmering jacket and flowing green cape. The barefooted warrior gives a wave to his XYZites in the crowd as he looks energized for the match at hand.
Anzu Kurosawa: "X looks fired up tonight, Rod! He doesn’t seem intimidated by Darius at all!”
Rod Sterling: "XYZ has certainly taken on some pretty intimidating people in his time here in FWA! And he no doubt will be watching later tonight when Nate Savage and Alyster Black do battle for the X Championship, especially knowing that he has a very recent victory over Savage! But he can’t look past the debuting Wright!”
Anzu Kurosawa: "No doubt about that. And I doubt he will! He’s got to get back on track after a disappointing loss last week teaming with Jeremy Best against The Undisputed Alliance. This won’t be a walk in the park for XYZ, I don’t think.”
XYZ hands out some high fives as he runs down the aisle, sliding into the ring under the bottom ropes. He pops up to his feet, doing a couple spins in the center of the ring before wiping off his cape and jacket and then placing them at ringside.
The bell rings and both men meet in the center of the ring for a collar and elbow lock up. After some jockeying for position, it's Wright who gets the upper hand as he overpowers the lighter XYZ into the corner before breaking up the lock up with a series of knees. XYZ being in the ropes causes the referee to break it up, but Wright continues to strike in a few more knees for good measure. XYZ shakes off the initial cobwebs, walking out of the corner into the waiting Wright who takes him down to the mat with a double leg takedown and he begins to unload a multitude of punches as he has XYZ mounted.
Anzu Kurosawa: "What a flurry out of the gate from the Dark Traveler!"
Rod Sterling: "He's certainly come out tonight to make a statement in his debut!"
Wright continues to dish out punishment to the grounded X as he gets back up to his feet and now delivers some stomps to the barefooted wrestler. But X sustains the initial offensive barrage from Wright, pulling himself back up to his feet with a slight smirk on his face.
Anzu Kurosawa: "XYZ is quite the peculiar personality here in FWA. He looks like he's enjoying the challenge of taking on the new comer."
Rod Sterling: "He's known for his unorthodox offense and character, for sure. And he looks like he wants to go toe to toe with Wright! Given Wright's MMA background, I'm not sure this is the best choice!"
XYZ motions for Wright to bring it on, and the pair, now both on their feet, circle the ring. Wright strikes first looking for a jab, but X dodges it! Wright goes for another but X is light on his feet and side steps it as well befoe delivering a swift kick to Wright's upper thigh! Wright absorbs the attack and goves for a lead hook, but XYZ ducks! This time it's a pair of kicks to the same thigh!
Rod Sterling: "I may have spoke too soon! XYZ is using his speed to his advantage here and it's working!"
Some frustration is setting in on Wright as he goes for another swing and it's another miss as this time X drops down to the mat and sweeps the leg of Wright to take him down to his feet! X follows up with a quick leaping elbow drop down onto the chest of the Dark Traveler!
It's a quick cover by XYZ. One! Kickout!
Wright pulls himself up as XYZ runs to the ropes. Coming back off the ropes, X ducks a lariat attempt from Wright and bounces back off the opposite ropes. X leaps into the air..
But Wright instead catches him in the air..Capture Suplex to XYZ! X rolls onto his back but Wright stays on the attack and locks in a rear naked choke.
Rod Sterling: "Wright has slowed XYZ down here and grounding him is a wise move here."
Anzu Kurosawa: "I don't suspect X is going to give up here though. He's resilient and he has the XYZites behind him!'
Those XYZites in the audience begin to cheer on X, helping him reach the ropes in order to break up the submission by Wright. But once again The Dark Traveler is hesitant to break the submission, holding it for the full five count before letting go. He then stomps on the side of X's head as he gets back up, earning a round of boos from the crowd.
Rod Sterling: "The Dark Traveler is certainly not endearing himself to the fans here in his debut!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "I don't think he really cares, Rod!”
Wright pulls XYZ back up to his feet... and X surprises him with a sudden standing dropkick, hitting Wright square in the chest and sending him to the mat! Wright quickly gets back up and is hit with a spinning kick to the side of the head, taking him right back down to the mat! X takes advantage, leaping onto the adjacent ropes and hitting a springboard moonsault onto Wright for a pin attempt!
One! Two! Kickout!
X quickly gets back up and ascends to the top turnbuckle while Wright is recovering...he comes flying off the top rope with a Missile Dropkick attempt, but Wright moves out of the way! X crashes to the mat and begins to get back up to his feet only for Wright to drop him back down with a jumping knee strike!
Wright delivers a few more stomps to the chest of X before pulling him back to his feet. He hooks X from behind and looks for a Backdrop Suplex, but X floats over and lands on his feet! Wright turns around into a spin kick to the midsection to double Wright over before X bounces off the ropes and leaps over into a Sunset Flip!
One! Two! Kickout!
Both men rolled back to their feet and Wright strikes first looking for a kick, but X catches it only for Wright to swing around and strike him with the Sweet Revenge dragonwhip! Wright now goes for the pin.
One! Two! Th...Kickout!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Wright was so close to pulling off a big win in his debut here!"
Getting back up, Wright immediately transitions into locking a kneebar to XYZ. X once again refuses to submit and luckily his ring positioning allows him to reach the ropes pretty quickly to break up the hold after Wright once again holds on for the five count.
Wright ignores some stern warnings from the referee as he waits for XYZ to pull himself to his feet. A groggy X is staggering as Wright pushes his way past the official and bounces into the ropes…comes back…RUNNING BIG BOOT to X sends him back down to the mat! Wright drops down for the cover.
One! Two! Thre…KICKOUT!
Rod Sterling: “XYZ is hanging in there! There is no quit in this guy!”
You can see the frustration continuing to mount for the Traveler as he gets back up and shouts at X, taunting him and demanding him to get back to his feet. The weary XYZ does pull himself back up and attempts to mount some offense with a kick, but it’s blocked by Wright who then rocks X with a pair of jabs before hitting a spinkick to the midsection, doubling X over. He then lifts X up into the air over his shoulder…
Anzu Kurosawa: "X is in a lot of trouble here!”
Rod Sterling: “Yes, it looks like Darius is going for his finisher, The Dark Cloud! This is definitely bad news for the XYZites!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Not so fast! X still has some life left in him!”
XYZ begins trying to wiggle free while being held up on the shoulder of Wright…and he manages to slide down the back to escape the finisher! Step Up Enziguri from X to Wright! The Dark Traveler staggers backwards as X moves in and begins to unleash kick after kick to Wright’s thighs and shins much to the delight of the crowd and eventually the damage brings Wright down to his knees.
X climbs to the top turnbuckles as Wright struggles back to his feet…Flying double knees to the chest of Wright!
X goes for the cover, hooking the far leg!
One! Two! Three-NO! Wright with the shoulder up!
XYZ is back up to his feet first and he jumps onto the ropes with a springboard into a Tornado DDT to the recovering Wright to plant him back on the mat! X KIPS UP as he has found the burst of adrenaline with this comeback and he scales the turnbuckles once again..
He tightrope walks across the top ropes and leaps into the air with the Front-Flip Springboard Leg Drop to Wright!
He hooks the far leg once again!
One! Two! Three! This time Wright can’t get his shoulder up in time!
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here is your winner… XYZ!”
XYZ rolls off of Darius, slow to get back to his feet as the strikes from The Dark Traveler had definitely taken it’s toll on him.
Anzu Kurosawa: “A strong showing from Darius Wright in his debut, I thought for sure he had XYZ right where he wanted him numerous times during the match!”
Rod Sterling: “I have to say, I was impressed with what I saw from the newcomer, but we once again saw the heart of XYZ as he refused to give up and he walks away with another big win here tonight!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of The Dark Traveler! If what we saw from him tonight is any indication, he could do some exciting things here in the FWA!”
An advert asks for donations to the Gaza Emergency Appeal.
Anzu Kurosawa: “It’s about that time Rod, it’s time for what everyone has been waiting for all night. The much anticipated rematch between former X Champion Nate Savage and the current X Champion and now World Champion, Alyster Black.”
Rod Sterling: “That’s correct, Anzu, and while the World Championship is not on the line, the X Championship will be defended. If fans remember correctly, Alyster Black’s reign as X Champion began on November 5th, 2021 in Melbourne, and the man that he defeated was the man he faces again tonight.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Yes, and you know that Nate Savage would love nothing more than to be the one that ended essentially what he started a little over a year ago.”
Rod Sterling: “Savage himself has proclaimed how poetic it would be if that were to happen here tonight.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “We would likely never hear the end of it from him, but it will be no easy task for him. Alyster Black has been a fighting champion for the X Championship, and has beaten everyone that has stood in his way. He’s revitalized the X Championship and I can bet that he will not let go of it that easily.”
Rod Sterling: “Nate Savage knows that and he’ll do whatever it takes to reclaim the championship, and in the process, earn his redemption.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Enough talk from us, let’s send it over to Katie Lynn!”
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The following contest is your main event of the evening, and it is for the X Championship and it is scheduled for one fall with a 60-minute-time-limit!”
The crowd roars with anticipation as the announcement is made…
The opening sound of “Bow Down” begins to play and after the words ``GET ON YOUR KNEES AND BOW DOWN!” echo throughout the Max-Marlock Stadion. After a few seconds, Nate Savage appears on stage, and he stands there motionless before hitting himself in the head and he lets out a loud roar before he makes his descent down the ramp toward the ring.
Rod Sterling: “Look at Savage, Anzu, that is a man that is laser-focused and ready for a fight tonight!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “He’ll have to be ready for a fight because he’ll definitely be in one, he’ll have to channel that Nate Savage of old if he wants to even think about walking out of Nuremberg with the gold.”
Rod Sterling: “We’ve seen glimpses of the Nate Savage of old, Anzu, and when he gets in that zone he’s like an uncaged, wild animal! As the kids would say, he goes full beast mode!”
Savage is in the ring and he impatiently paces around in one spot near the corner as he beckons for Alyster to come out…
The familiar sound of “Sonne” hits and the crowd goes ballistic for the champion. Alyster steps out on stage with X Championship wrapped snugly around his waist, while he has the World Championship draped over his shoulder. Alyster relishes in the crowd's support as they are all on their feet for him, and soon enough, Alyster marches down to the ring.
Rod Sterling: “What a deafening reaction for the champ!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It seems like everywhere we go, Alyster Black is beloved by all! He’s gained the respect of the fans for his fighting spirit and his chosen brand of violence!”
Rod Sterling: “He may not show it but he’s got to be a bundle of nerves going into this match, Anzu. He cherishes that X Championship, he sees it as almost like his child, he’s grown a kinship with it much he has with these fans, and to lose that would be a big blow for him.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “You’re right, Rod, and like we mentioned previously, he’ll do everything in his power to ensure that the X Championship remains with him.”
Alyster is in the ring and stands across from an eager challenger in Nate Savage as Katie Lynn is prepared to make the announcements.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Introducing first, the challenger, from Philadelphia, PA and weighing in at 266 lb….representing The Undisputed Alliance…”Nasty” NATE SAVAGE!”
The announcement for Savage has drawn more ire from the fans but Savage doesn’t seem to notice nor care as he’s focused on Black.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “and his opponent, from San Dimas, CA, and weighing in at 220 lb…he is the current reigning FWA World Champion and the current reigning FWA X Champion…he is “Black Jesus”...”Blacky Dos Belts”...ALYSTERRRR BLAAAAACK!”
The crowd roars to life for the champion as he hands over both belts, and referee Larry Stevens holds up the X Championship before handing it off to the ringside area.
Before the referee can even call for the bell, Savage and Black start exchanging blows reminiscent of a hockey fight! Stevens notices this and quickly calls for the bell to make this thing official…
Anzu Kurosawa: "What a flurry out of the gate from the Dark Traveler!"
Rod Sterling: "He's certainly come out tonight to make a statement in his debut!"
Wright continues to dish out punishment to the grounded X as he gets back up to his feet and now delivers some stomps to the barefooted wrestler. But X sustains the initial offensive barrage from Wright, pulling himself back up to his feet with a slight smirk on his face.
Anzu Kurosawa: "XYZ is quite the peculiar personality here in FWA. He looks like he's enjoying the challenge of taking on the new comer."
Rod Sterling: "He's known for his unorthodox offense and character, for sure. And he looks like he wants to go toe to toe with Wright! Given Wright's MMA background, I'm not sure this is the best choice!"
XYZ motions for Wright to bring it on, and the pair, now both on their feet, circle the ring. Wright strikes first looking for a jab, but X dodges it! Wright goes for another but X is light on his feet and side steps it as well befoe delivering a swift kick to Wright's upper thigh! Wright absorbs the attack and goves for a lead hook, but XYZ ducks! This time it's a pair of kicks to the same thigh!
Rod Sterling: "I may have spoke too soon! XYZ is using his speed to his advantage here and it's working!"
Some frustration is setting in on Wright as he goes for another swing and it's another miss as this time X drops down to the mat and sweeps the leg of Wright to take him down to his feet! X follows up with a quick leaping elbow drop down onto the chest of the Dark Traveler!
It's a quick cover by XYZ. One! Kickout!
Wright pulls himself up as XYZ runs to the ropes. Coming back off the ropes, X ducks a lariat attempt from Wright and bounces back off the opposite ropes. X leaps into the air..
But Wright instead catches him in the air..Capture Suplex to XYZ! X rolls onto his back but Wright stays on the attack and locks in a rear naked choke.
Rod Sterling: "Wright has slowed XYZ down here and grounding him is a wise move here."
Anzu Kurosawa: "I don't suspect X is going to give up here though. He's resilient and he has the XYZites behind him!'
Those XYZites in the audience begin to cheer on X, helping him reach the ropes in order to break up the submission by Wright. But once again The Dark Traveler is hesitant to break the submission, holding it for the full five count before letting go. He then stomps on the side of X's head as he gets back up, earning a round of boos from the crowd.
Rod Sterling: "The Dark Traveler is certainly not endearing himself to the fans here in his debut!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "I don't think he really cares, Rod!”
Wright pulls XYZ back up to his feet... and X surprises him with a sudden standing dropkick, hitting Wright square in the chest and sending him to the mat! Wright quickly gets back up and is hit with a spinning kick to the side of the head, taking him right back down to the mat! X takes advantage, leaping onto the adjacent ropes and hitting a springboard moonsault onto Wright for a pin attempt!
One! Two! Kickout!
X quickly gets back up and ascends to the top turnbuckle while Wright is recovering...he comes flying off the top rope with a Missile Dropkick attempt, but Wright moves out of the way! X crashes to the mat and begins to get back up to his feet only for Wright to drop him back down with a jumping knee strike!
Wright delivers a few more stomps to the chest of X before pulling him back to his feet. He hooks X from behind and looks for a Backdrop Suplex, but X floats over and lands on his feet! Wright turns around into a spin kick to the midsection to double Wright over before X bounces off the ropes and leaps over into a Sunset Flip!
One! Two! Kickout!
Both men rolled back to their feet and Wright strikes first looking for a kick, but X catches it only for Wright to swing around and strike him with the Sweet Revenge dragonwhip! Wright now goes for the pin.
One! Two! Th...Kickout!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Wright was so close to pulling off a big win in his debut here!"
Getting back up, Wright immediately transitions into locking a kneebar to XYZ. X once again refuses to submit and luckily his ring positioning allows him to reach the ropes pretty quickly to break up the hold after Wright once again holds on for the five count.
Wright ignores some stern warnings from the referee as he waits for XYZ to pull himself to his feet. A groggy X is staggering as Wright pushes his way past the official and bounces into the ropes…comes back…RUNNING BIG BOOT to X sends him back down to the mat! Wright drops down for the cover.
One! Two! Thre…KICKOUT!
Rod Sterling: “XYZ is hanging in there! There is no quit in this guy!”
You can see the frustration continuing to mount for the Traveler as he gets back up and shouts at X, taunting him and demanding him to get back to his feet. The weary XYZ does pull himself back up and attempts to mount some offense with a kick, but it’s blocked by Wright who then rocks X with a pair of jabs before hitting a spinkick to the midsection, doubling X over. He then lifts X up into the air over his shoulder…
Anzu Kurosawa: "X is in a lot of trouble here!”
Rod Sterling: “Yes, it looks like Darius is going for his finisher, The Dark Cloud! This is definitely bad news for the XYZites!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Not so fast! X still has some life left in him!”
XYZ begins trying to wiggle free while being held up on the shoulder of Wright…and he manages to slide down the back to escape the finisher! Step Up Enziguri from X to Wright! The Dark Traveler staggers backwards as X moves in and begins to unleash kick after kick to Wright’s thighs and shins much to the delight of the crowd and eventually the damage brings Wright down to his knees.
X climbs to the top turnbuckles as Wright struggles back to his feet…Flying double knees to the chest of Wright!
X goes for the cover, hooking the far leg!
One! Two! Three-NO! Wright with the shoulder up!
XYZ is back up to his feet first and he jumps onto the ropes with a springboard into a Tornado DDT to the recovering Wright to plant him back on the mat! X KIPS UP as he has found the burst of adrenaline with this comeback and he scales the turnbuckles once again..
He tightrope walks across the top ropes and leaps into the air with the Front-Flip Springboard Leg Drop to Wright!
He hooks the far leg once again!
One! Two! Three! This time Wright can’t get his shoulder up in time!
Winner: XYZ by pinfall at 9:47
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here is your winner… XYZ!”
XYZ rolls off of Darius, slow to get back to his feet as the strikes from The Dark Traveler had definitely taken it’s toll on him.
Anzu Kurosawa: “A strong showing from Darius Wright in his debut, I thought for sure he had XYZ right where he wanted him numerous times during the match!”
Rod Sterling: “I have to say, I was impressed with what I saw from the newcomer, but we once again saw the heart of XYZ as he refused to give up and he walks away with another big win here tonight!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of The Dark Traveler! If what we saw from him tonight is any indication, he could do some exciting things here in the FWA!”
An advert asks for donations to the Gaza Emergency Appeal.
Anzu Kurosawa: “It’s about that time Rod, it’s time for what everyone has been waiting for all night. The much anticipated rematch between former X Champion Nate Savage and the current X Champion and now World Champion, Alyster Black.”
Rod Sterling: “That’s correct, Anzu, and while the World Championship is not on the line, the X Championship will be defended. If fans remember correctly, Alyster Black’s reign as X Champion began on November 5th, 2021 in Melbourne, and the man that he defeated was the man he faces again tonight.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Yes, and you know that Nate Savage would love nothing more than to be the one that ended essentially what he started a little over a year ago.”
Rod Sterling: “Savage himself has proclaimed how poetic it would be if that were to happen here tonight.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “We would likely never hear the end of it from him, but it will be no easy task for him. Alyster Black has been a fighting champion for the X Championship, and has beaten everyone that has stood in his way. He’s revitalized the X Championship and I can bet that he will not let go of it that easily.”
Rod Sterling: “Nate Savage knows that and he’ll do whatever it takes to reclaim the championship, and in the process, earn his redemption.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Enough talk from us, let’s send it over to Katie Lynn!”
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The following contest is your main event of the evening, and it is for the X Championship and it is scheduled for one fall with a 60-minute-time-limit!”
The crowd roars with anticipation as the announcement is made…
The opening sound of “Bow Down” begins to play and after the words ``GET ON YOUR KNEES AND BOW DOWN!” echo throughout the Max-Marlock Stadion. After a few seconds, Nate Savage appears on stage, and he stands there motionless before hitting himself in the head and he lets out a loud roar before he makes his descent down the ramp toward the ring.
Rod Sterling: “Look at Savage, Anzu, that is a man that is laser-focused and ready for a fight tonight!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “He’ll have to be ready for a fight because he’ll definitely be in one, he’ll have to channel that Nate Savage of old if he wants to even think about walking out of Nuremberg with the gold.”
Rod Sterling: “We’ve seen glimpses of the Nate Savage of old, Anzu, and when he gets in that zone he’s like an uncaged, wild animal! As the kids would say, he goes full beast mode!”
Savage is in the ring and he impatiently paces around in one spot near the corner as he beckons for Alyster to come out…
The familiar sound of “Sonne” hits and the crowd goes ballistic for the champion. Alyster steps out on stage with X Championship wrapped snugly around his waist, while he has the World Championship draped over his shoulder. Alyster relishes in the crowd's support as they are all on their feet for him, and soon enough, Alyster marches down to the ring.
Rod Sterling: “What a deafening reaction for the champ!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It seems like everywhere we go, Alyster Black is beloved by all! He’s gained the respect of the fans for his fighting spirit and his chosen brand of violence!”
Rod Sterling: “He may not show it but he’s got to be a bundle of nerves going into this match, Anzu. He cherishes that X Championship, he sees it as almost like his child, he’s grown a kinship with it much he has with these fans, and to lose that would be a big blow for him.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “You’re right, Rod, and like we mentioned previously, he’ll do everything in his power to ensure that the X Championship remains with him.”
Alyster is in the ring and stands across from an eager challenger in Nate Savage as Katie Lynn is prepared to make the announcements.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Introducing first, the challenger, from Philadelphia, PA and weighing in at 266 lb….representing The Undisputed Alliance…”Nasty” NATE SAVAGE!”
The announcement for Savage has drawn more ire from the fans but Savage doesn’t seem to notice nor care as he’s focused on Black.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “and his opponent, from San Dimas, CA, and weighing in at 220 lb…he is the current reigning FWA World Champion and the current reigning FWA X Champion…he is “Black Jesus”...”Blacky Dos Belts”...ALYSTERRRR BLAAAAACK!”
The crowd roars to life for the champion as he hands over both belts, and referee Larry Stevens holds up the X Championship before handing it off to the ringside area.
Before the referee can even call for the bell, Savage and Black start exchanging blows reminiscent of a hockey fight! Stevens notices this and quickly calls for the bell to make this thing official…
DING! DING! DING!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Black and Savage refusing to wait another second and this one is underway in a hurry!”
Savage and Black are not holding anything back as they trade blows and Black has Savage on the ropes as he’s backed into a corner, and Black takes Savage to a Violence Party but before any real damage is done, Savage blocks a strike and counters with a headbutt! Savage trades places and puts Black in the corner and starts wailing away on him with repeated forearm smashes until Black is slumped down in the corner and Savage sees the opening he was looking for and goes for his cannonball senton in the corner, but Black moves out of the way just in time, causing Savage to bounce off the turnbuckle back first and Savage flops to the mat in pain while Black recuperates on the apron…
Anzu Kurosawa: “Savage was looking for his signature cannonball senton but Black had that well scouted it seems!”
Black re-enters the ring and positions himself on the second rope before soaring off and connects with a pointed elbow drop on Savage! Savage writhes around in agony while Black exits the ring and plunders underneath the ring skirt where he retrieves a garbage can filled with hardware that’ll be put to good use in this match…
Rod Sterling: “Black found some goodies underneath the ring and that can be disastrous for Savage, who is in a vulnerable state right now.”
Black tosses the garbage can full of weapons over the ropes into the ring and he slides back inside. Black grabs a kendo stick and just as Savage is rising to his feet, Black swings for the fences but Savage must’ve sensed danger because he caught it mid-swing and he drives the opposite end straight into Black’s midsection! Black doubles over, clutching at his midsection, and Savage cracks the kendo stick right across Black’s spine! Black drops to a knee but he’s brought down with more strikes by Savage with the stick, and now Black is helpless on the mat as Savage continues to swing the kendo stick like a madman on Black it finally snaps in two! Savage improvises though and he stabs at the stomach of Black with one end of the kendo stick!
Rod Sterling: “Black is no stranger to sharp objects puncturing his chest or stomach area, but still, this is too much!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “The more violent, the better!”
Savage tosses aside his broken weapon and empties the rest of the contents of the garbage can onto the mat. Black is slowly beginning to rise as he’s on one knee, while clutching at his stomach, and little does he know that Savage is stalking him but he finds out the hard way as Savage takes him from behind and hits him with a sleeper suplex onto the garbage can! Black’s body flattens the garbage can from the impact and Savage rolls him over onto his back before hooking the far leg…
One…Two…THREE-NO!
Black kicks out!
Rod Sterling: “Black stays alive….and it looks like we have company…this didn’t take long to happen…”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Anything goes Rod, Jackson Fenix’s presence is perfectly legal, although it’s not good news for Alyster Black who is in dire straits at the moment.”
Jackson Fenix comes sprinting down to the ring, drawing the ire of the German fans. Fenix is wearing a backpack and as he enters the ring he hands it off to Savage, who puts it on his back. Fenix begins to stomp away on Black, who is slumped in the corner and Savage has Black in his sights…CANNONBALL SENTON IN THE CORNER!
Rod Sterling: “He got all of that time and Black seems to be out of it, what is in that backpack?”
Savage removes the backpack and pulls a steel chair out of it…
Rod Sterling: “How does that even fit in there?!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “However it did, it’s done the damage to Black, who is out of it! Wait, Savage isn’t done yet…CANNONBALL SENTON WITH THE CHAIR!”
Savage clutches at his back, hurting himself in the process as well as hurting Black, but he manages to fight through the pain as he drags Black’s lifeless body out of the corner and hooks the far leg again…
One…Two…THREE-NO!
Black kicks out!
Savage is growing irate now and he mounts Black and starts pounding away at him with closed fist punches! Fenix tries to join in with some stomps to Black…
Anzu Kurosawa: “It looks like Black will have some back up, here comes Violet Dreyer!”
Violet slides in the ring and the ring and takes Fenix down with a tackle! The two of them tumble around the ring while Savage continues to unload on Black, but Black counters a punch and drives a headbutt on Savage, knocking him off! Black is slow to his feet, but he gets there and he takes Savage by the head and slams into the turnbuckle before taking Savage to another Violence Party!
Meanwhile, on the other end of the ring, Violet is going to town on Fenix in the corner. She drags him out of there in a front face lock, but Fenix counters with a rake of the eyes! Violet is briefly blinded and Fenix takes a second recover from his beating, and he goes for Superkick Me Baby One More Time, but Violet’s vision has returned as she blocks it by grabbing by the boot and she spins him around and grabs him by the junk, much to his surprise and she takes him down with a ballsplex!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Violet with the ballsplex on Fenix!”
Rod Sterling: “The what?!”
To his credit though, Fenix is back on his feet while nursing his junk, and he manages to hit Violet with Superkick Me Baby One More Time!
Anzu Kurosawa: “I don’t think he got all of it, but it was effective enough to eliminate Violet from the equation!”
Black and Savage have been paying no mind to their cohorts as Black sends Savage over the ropes to the outside, and Black quickly follows up with an elbow suicida that knocks Savage back into the barricade! Black takes Savage and hits with a russian leg sweep into the steel barricade! Savage holds the back of his head but Black doesn’t allow him a moment of reprieve as he stomps away on Savage before bringing him to his feet and he hits a saito suplex on Savage on the outside floor! Black makes the cover on the outside…
One…Two…THREE-NO!
Savage gets a shoulder up and Black drives down some more stomps for good measure before plundering for more weaponry underneath the ring, and he retrieves a table from underneath there. He leans it up against the ring but he’s caught with a baseball sliding kick from Fenix that sends him spiraling back first into the steel barricade! Fenix then takes the table for himself and sets it up in a corner in the ring, and as Savage is recovering, Fenix tells him to bring Black in the ring and Savage takes Black by the head and starts to drag him toward the ring, but Black fends him off and slams Savage face on the apron and the sends Savage into the steel steps with an irish whip and Savage hits it with a loud thud shoulder first! Black drops down to a knee as he begins to recuperate…
Fenix is about to get Black back in the ring but Violet pummels him from behind, and begins to club him repeatedly on the back before she drags Fenix to the table set up in the corner and she props him up against it. She drives home a few forearm smashes for good measure before she backs up, sizes up Fenix and charges forward but Fenix moves out of the way. Violet stops herself before sending herself crashing through the table, and just as she turns around, Fenix nails her with Superkick Me Baby One More Time! Violet falls against the table and Fenix has a wicked idea as he sizes up Violet…SPEAR THROUGH THE TABLE!
Rod Sterling: “Jackson Fenix has definitely eliminated Violet from the equation now!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he took himself out in the process because neither one of them is moving!”
Black, on the outside still, takes Savage and tosses him back in the ring. Black briefly surveys the wreckage of Fenix and Violet before turning his attention back to Savage, but just as he does he’s decked with a flying steel chair to the dome! Black staggers backward, and Savage waffles him with the steel chair across the head and Black falls flat on his back! Blood begins to seep through his mask around his head and Savage lays the chair on top of Black and hits a running senton! Savage, again hurting himself, fights through the pain and rolls over for the pin…
One…two…THREE-NO!
Savage can’t believe it! He angrily looks at Larry Stevens, the referee he has history with, and starts to berate him. Savage grabs Stevens by the collar of his shirt and starts screaming in his face, but then Stevens is saved as Black clobbers Savage from behind! Black stomps down on Savage in the corner and begins to choke him with his boot in the corner! Black exits the ring and finds another steel chair and returns to the ring and sets up the two steel chairs next to each other. Black then sends Savage sternum first into the opposite corner with an irish whip, and Savage bounces hard off of that and stumbles into the waiting arms of Black, who hoists him up for a death valley driver on the two steel chairs!
Rod Sterling: “Nate Savage might be broken in half after that! There’s no way he’s getting up from that!”
Black drops down on top of Savage for the cover…
One…two…THREE-NO!
Rod Sterling: “I stand corrected!”
Black shows no signs of frustration but he is showing some signs of fatigue. He toughs it out though as he takes Savage up and he’s thinking of Satan's Spike, but as he lifts Savage up, Savage flips over behind him and Savage stomps the back of Black’s leg before lifting him up and Savage hits a pumphandle neckbreaker! Black, nearly lifeless, rolls onto the apron before dropping to the floor. Savage follows him outside and takes Black in position…APRON POWERBOMB! Black drops to his knees instantly, but Savage throws him back in the ring and Savage climbs up top and hits a swanton bomb on Black before hooking the leg!
One…two…THREE-NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Black still has some fight left in him!”
Rod Sterling: “Nate Savage is growing more and more irate each time he fails to put him away!”
“WHY CAN’T YOU JUST DIE ALREADY?! JUST STAY DOWN! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE MY REDEMPTION STORY YOU MISERABLE SON OF A BITCH! JUST STAY DOWN!”
Savage has mounted Black and is screaming these things at him. Savage brings Black up to his feet and they’re face to face now, both bloodied and beaten…
“THE SOONER YOU DIE THE SOONER YOU’LL BE REUNITED WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND IN HELL!”
Savage sends Black off the ropes and looks to catch him with a Nasty Bomb, but as he lifts him up, Black flips out of it and quickly runs the ropes and just as Savage turns around…ONE SHOT KILL! BLACK DROPS DOWN ON TOP OF SAVAGE FOR THE PIN!
ONE…TWO…THREE!
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The winner of the match, and STILL your FWA X Champion…Alyster Black!”
Alyster is handed his belt and has his arm raised but exhaustion catches up to him as he falls to the mat. He’s clutching at both belts now and lays flat on the mat while taking labored breaths before he eventually rolls out of the ring.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Wow, what a war we just witnessed, Rod!”
Rod Sterling: “You aren’t kidding, Anzu! That was indeed a war, these two just put each other through hell!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Nate Savage put up a hell of a fight but in the end Alyster Black lives to see another day as X Champion!”
Rod Sterling: “Blacky Dos Belts lives on! Good night from Nuremberg!”
With Nate rolling under the bottom rope to get assistance from Jackson Fenix, Alyster climbs to the second rope holding both the X Championship and World Championship up high until suddenly Sonne cuts out…
“ZOOOOMBIEEEEEEEEE!”
The crowd in Germany erupts with arms raised to the heavens and their voices bending the sound barrier to its breaking point. The reaction is a mixture of cheers and boos, but mostly cheers, as the theme music of one of the FWA’s legends plays for the first time since the night of the Golden Opportunity match.
“The Rotten Gold” Devin Golden appears from behind the black shadow surrounding the entrance curtain with his trademark strut: hunched over, one arm spread to the side and the other hand holding a black walking cane that he certainly doesn’t need. Atop the head of the FWA Hall of Famer is a black top hat – like Bill “The Butcher” from “Gangs of New York. Similarly, Golden sports a handlebar mustache to complete the look, moving from his emo style he had ever since 2014 to a circus ringmaster vibe. Fittingly, Golden has a black trenchcoat with no undershirt, revealing his aging abs, stomach, and midsection, plus pure black jeans.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Heeeeeee’s back Rod!”
Rod Sterling: “What an ovation for The Golden One who has been absent since Lights Out.”
Alyster Black is stationary inside the ring as Golden does a sideways step dance down the last few feet of the rampway. He then takes three very slow – almost in slow-motion – steps towards the ring before looking up at the reigning FWA World Champion and FWA X Champion. Golden offers a devilish smirk and a “HA-HAAAAAH!”, which is returned with Alyster looking down at him with his mask.
Golden then grabs the middle rope with his free hand to launch himself up to the apron and steps between the top and middle ropes with a hitch in his step, ending with three hops on his left foot and a final skip on his right before pausing on the other side of Alyster.
Rod Sterling: “One has to wonder just what Devin Golden wants right now.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I’d be remiss to assume that he’s just out here to congratulate our new World Champion on his victory.”
The crowd is electric watching these two standing in the ring once again. The last time we saw them was for the Anniversary Show, when Alyster Black and “The Rotten Gold” Devin Golden fell short in a triple threat match with Danny “F’n” Toner. Golden took the pinfall, but Alyster took one to Danny a few weeks later.
Now they are here – with Toner on sabbatical – as the two from that specific main event scene who withstood the test of time. They persevere, which could be considered a staple of Golden’s 14-year FWA career spanning now three TV networks, 13 title reigns, a Hall of Fame induction, and nearly 200 matches in an FWA ring, including a Back in Business main event and the greatest tag team match in the fed’s history.
Alyster Black is his own form of perseverance. He has outlasted numerous failed attempts to win the FWA World Championship and finally rose up, winning the Battle Royal on Meltdown 22. “Black Jesus” is also persevering beyond the onslaught of X Championship challengers and inching closer to a record length of title reign that many thought would never be toppled. These accomplishments are in addition to Alyster at one point not having an FWA contract and being an independent wrestler who had his FWA future in jeopardy for a bit. Oh, yeah, and the scarring, the letters “F” “W” and “A” etched into his chest with a blade of glass, a crime done by the very man who now inhabits the ring with him.
Anzu Kurosawa: “You can cut the tension between these two with a knife.”
Rod Sterling: “In spite of the war he’s just survived against Nate Savage, Alyster looks ready to chomp Devin Golden’s head off.”
Golden grabs a microphone and turns to Alyster. The crowd can feel the magnitude of the moment. Alyster’s two championship belts shine under the lights of the German arena and seem even bigger with the admiration of the thousands of fans surrounding this moment. Golden, now without any claim to a championship, real belt or paper belt, does not seem shrunk from standing in the ring with the dual champion. His career and accomplishments are big enough to match.
Devin Golden: “Ha-HAAAAAAA!”
The crowd responds with their own “Ha-Haaaah” as Golden smiles widely.
Devin Golden: “Before … I say anything … about whyyyyyyy … I am heeeeere …”
Golden begins with his trademark speech, elongated vowels and regular pauses that sets him apart with a microphone – and annoys the fans due to the sloth-like speed.
Devin Golden: “I want to congratulaaaate … you.”
The crowd cheers slightly as Golden pauses once more.
Devin Golden: “We’ve beeeeeen … to war and back … and there’s no neeeeeed … for a history lesson. But I can feeeeeeeel the joy … the happiness. The energy and vibes from you, Alyster … they remind me … of myself.
I know … you are having the best of dreeeeeams … the happiest of dreeeeeams right now. You’re laaaaying … in that hospital bed … smile on your face … arms up and embracing air … thick enough to fit two … championship beeeeelts.”
Another beat.
Devin Golden: “And now … heeeere you … are. In front of me … the happiest dreamer in the ultimate dream world. But wind the clock forwards or backwards, let the sun rise and set … whatever turns of the flowers and keys … everything … always … comes back … to me. HAH!”
Another pause and another round of cheers, but anyone watching has to wonder if Golden’s congratulations are sincere considering his past actions.
Devin Golden: “And … I admit … I was … roooooting for you, Alyster. I was rooooting for you because … well … my story … my tiiiime … in this big, beautiful … dream world … has to end.
The dance … is almost over … and the final song … is about to play.”
Golden pauses and nods his head, with the crowd mixed with disappointed boos and hopeful cheers that he actually is departing soon.
Devin Golden: “And Alyster … there is no better dance partner in mind … than yooooouuuuu.”
Golden points his black walking cane towards Alyster’s chest, which is about a foot from the tip of the wooden cane’s flat end.
Devin Golden: “And heeeeere’s … why.
Since I retuuuuurned to the FWA in 2019 … two people … have defiiiiiiined this run more than anyone … else.
Ooooone … is Danny “F’n” Toner … who unfoooooortunately … is not avaaaaaailable …
And the ooooother … is you, Aaaaaalyster.”
Golden again points his walking cane towards Alyster.
Devin Golden: “Now … I can admiiiit … that our … triple threeeeat match … would’ve been the fitting concluuuusion. But … I didn’t have … aaaaalllll the answers to … this place. This … world. This … existence … inside allllllll of our heads.
I didn’t have all the knowledge to finally … finally … wake up.
But … I do now.”
Golden smiles as he taps his head with the microphone, signaling some higher level of knowledge.
Devin Golden: “This is not a plaaaaace I created, Alyster. Oh no, it is soooooo much bigger and more beautiful than that. This is … a shaaaaared existence. You and me … and everyone … eeeeelse … tied together … in some unknown bond. I see it. I … understaaaaand it.
So now … I can gooooo to rest … in this place … in peace. I can waaaaake up … with nooooo … regrets.”
Golden is now pacing from rope to rope on his half of the ring, while Alyster remains stationary and watching.
Devin Golden: “You … juuuuust so happen to be … the FWA Woooooorld Chaaaaampion. There are soooooo many exclamaaaaaation points … I could make … as I finally wake up and leeeave this place … for good.
I could become a FIVE-TIME … FWA WOOOOOOORLD CHAAAAAAAMPION … which only a few … have done. And I could win my FOURTEENTH championship in the FWA … which would be … a record … that no one … not even Ryyyyyan Rooooondo … matches.
And I can end … with one more … magic bullet … a reminder … to everyone old and new … that I am … the greatest … of allllllll … tiiiiiiiime. Because this place … will live on past me … and you … and everyone else. This place … is forever … sieeeeempre. There will always be … lost souls … looking for a waaaay … out of their hell … that’s called … living. And they come here … to find themseeeeelves.
Just like I found … myself.
Just like you … found … yourself.”
Golden smiles and allows another beat, this time with the crowd cheering his proclamation.
Devin Golden: “This place is siempre … but what has this all beeeeeen … if people are forgotten? What is fourteeeeeeeeen yeeeears … if I become … a footnote? No, noooooo. HAH-HAAAAAH! Alyster … I want to make … that exclamation maaaaark. I want to remiiiiind … everyone … that even if I go … I, too, am … sieeeempre.”
Golden leans forward for the final word, almost whispering it into the microphone.
Devin Golden: “The question you … and others may haaaave … is, ‘Why would Alyster Black … accept this? What has Golden done … to get another shot … at the FWA World Championship?’
Fair question. And the answer … is … YOU … Aaaaalysteeeer … BLAAAACK!”
Golden continues pacing back and forth, now pointing his walking cane at Alyster.
Devin Golden: “I know you and others may … think … that you have one up on me from some of our … past battles. But that is not the case. Nooooo, not at allllll.
I have gotten one up … on YOU at every turn.”
Golden comes closer and now has the walking cane against Alyster’s chest.
Devin Golden: “Think about it, Aaaaalyster. You may have beaten me at last year’s Anniversary Show, but losses come and go. That scaaaar on your chest? It will live forever.
Yes, at Lights Out, you and Krash did win the Tag Team Championships from Golden Rock … but at Mile High … we got them BACK, under the guuuuuiiiiiise … of Osoooos Looooocooooos.
And then … at the Boountyyyy … it was me … Golden … sieeeempreeee … who won the World Chaaaaampionshiiiiip and sent Krash down a spiral that ultimately led … to his death.
YES, Alyster Black. I … killed … KRASH.
I didn’t shove him off the bridge, but I did sharpen the blade of Randy Ramon that did the deed, and I punctured Krash’s heart the night of the Bounty and TOOK HIS SOUL!”
A beat, as the crowd boos.
Devin Golden: “So … Alyster … at every turn … through our story … it has been me … getting one over … on you.
BUT … I give you the opportunity, Alyster. I give you the opportunity to get the biggest one-up on me possible.
I give you the opportunity … to beat me … in my last match. To retire me. To be the man … to send Golden back … to the place that you, too, one day will go. And to fittingly … and finally … proclaim … that you could be the very first person … to persevere beyond … me. Randy cannot say this. Ryan Rondo cannot say this. KRASH … cannot say this. Danny … Toner cannot say this.
It could be … you. And you will always have that on me.
Allllll you have to do … is accept.”
Golden takes one more beat.
Devin Golden: “I just want …
One … final … dance … before the music stops playing. Will you graaaant … an old man … with a walking caaaane … one last dance … Aaaaalyster?”
The masked man sways as the crowd grows silent. There's electricity in the air. Tension that threatens to explode. Alyster holds a hand up to his scarred chest and stares Devin Golden down before taking two steps forward, invading the Golden One’s personal space.
He holds the FWA World Championship up high in the air, serving as a backdrop whilst the two continue their staredown, and that act is enough to signify his answer.
Rod Sterling: “It’s on Anzu.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I cannot believe what we’ve just heard, Rod. Devin Golden is putting it all on the line for one last shot at the FWA World Championship.”
Rod Sterling: “He’ll risk everything to become champion one final time, even allowing Alyster Black to get the last laugh.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Nothing would please Alyster Black more than putting the final nail in Devin Golden’s coffin.”
Rod Sterling: “And nothing would please the Golden One more than prying that World Championship from Alyster Black’s cold dead hands.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Black and Savage refusing to wait another second and this one is underway in a hurry!”
Savage and Black are not holding anything back as they trade blows and Black has Savage on the ropes as he’s backed into a corner, and Black takes Savage to a Violence Party but before any real damage is done, Savage blocks a strike and counters with a headbutt! Savage trades places and puts Black in the corner and starts wailing away on him with repeated forearm smashes until Black is slumped down in the corner and Savage sees the opening he was looking for and goes for his cannonball senton in the corner, but Black moves out of the way just in time, causing Savage to bounce off the turnbuckle back first and Savage flops to the mat in pain while Black recuperates on the apron…
Anzu Kurosawa: “Savage was looking for his signature cannonball senton but Black had that well scouted it seems!”
Black re-enters the ring and positions himself on the second rope before soaring off and connects with a pointed elbow drop on Savage! Savage writhes around in agony while Black exits the ring and plunders underneath the ring skirt where he retrieves a garbage can filled with hardware that’ll be put to good use in this match…
Rod Sterling: “Black found some goodies underneath the ring and that can be disastrous for Savage, who is in a vulnerable state right now.”
Black tosses the garbage can full of weapons over the ropes into the ring and he slides back inside. Black grabs a kendo stick and just as Savage is rising to his feet, Black swings for the fences but Savage must’ve sensed danger because he caught it mid-swing and he drives the opposite end straight into Black’s midsection! Black doubles over, clutching at his midsection, and Savage cracks the kendo stick right across Black’s spine! Black drops to a knee but he’s brought down with more strikes by Savage with the stick, and now Black is helpless on the mat as Savage continues to swing the kendo stick like a madman on Black it finally snaps in two! Savage improvises though and he stabs at the stomach of Black with one end of the kendo stick!
Rod Sterling: “Black is no stranger to sharp objects puncturing his chest or stomach area, but still, this is too much!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “The more violent, the better!”
Savage tosses aside his broken weapon and empties the rest of the contents of the garbage can onto the mat. Black is slowly beginning to rise as he’s on one knee, while clutching at his stomach, and little does he know that Savage is stalking him but he finds out the hard way as Savage takes him from behind and hits him with a sleeper suplex onto the garbage can! Black’s body flattens the garbage can from the impact and Savage rolls him over onto his back before hooking the far leg…
One…Two…THREE-NO!
Black kicks out!
Rod Sterling: “Black stays alive….and it looks like we have company…this didn’t take long to happen…”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Anything goes Rod, Jackson Fenix’s presence is perfectly legal, although it’s not good news for Alyster Black who is in dire straits at the moment.”
Jackson Fenix comes sprinting down to the ring, drawing the ire of the German fans. Fenix is wearing a backpack and as he enters the ring he hands it off to Savage, who puts it on his back. Fenix begins to stomp away on Black, who is slumped in the corner and Savage has Black in his sights…CANNONBALL SENTON IN THE CORNER!
Rod Sterling: “He got all of that time and Black seems to be out of it, what is in that backpack?”
Savage removes the backpack and pulls a steel chair out of it…
Rod Sterling: “How does that even fit in there?!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “However it did, it’s done the damage to Black, who is out of it! Wait, Savage isn’t done yet…CANNONBALL SENTON WITH THE CHAIR!”
Savage clutches at his back, hurting himself in the process as well as hurting Black, but he manages to fight through the pain as he drags Black’s lifeless body out of the corner and hooks the far leg again…
One…Two…THREE-NO!
Black kicks out!
Savage is growing irate now and he mounts Black and starts pounding away at him with closed fist punches! Fenix tries to join in with some stomps to Black…
Anzu Kurosawa: “It looks like Black will have some back up, here comes Violet Dreyer!”
Violet slides in the ring and the ring and takes Fenix down with a tackle! The two of them tumble around the ring while Savage continues to unload on Black, but Black counters a punch and drives a headbutt on Savage, knocking him off! Black is slow to his feet, but he gets there and he takes Savage by the head and slams into the turnbuckle before taking Savage to another Violence Party!
Meanwhile, on the other end of the ring, Violet is going to town on Fenix in the corner. She drags him out of there in a front face lock, but Fenix counters with a rake of the eyes! Violet is briefly blinded and Fenix takes a second recover from his beating, and he goes for Superkick Me Baby One More Time, but Violet’s vision has returned as she blocks it by grabbing by the boot and she spins him around and grabs him by the junk, much to his surprise and she takes him down with a ballsplex!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Violet with the ballsplex on Fenix!”
Rod Sterling: “The what?!”
To his credit though, Fenix is back on his feet while nursing his junk, and he manages to hit Violet with Superkick Me Baby One More Time!
Anzu Kurosawa: “I don’t think he got all of it, but it was effective enough to eliminate Violet from the equation!”
Black and Savage have been paying no mind to their cohorts as Black sends Savage over the ropes to the outside, and Black quickly follows up with an elbow suicida that knocks Savage back into the barricade! Black takes Savage and hits with a russian leg sweep into the steel barricade! Savage holds the back of his head but Black doesn’t allow him a moment of reprieve as he stomps away on Savage before bringing him to his feet and he hits a saito suplex on Savage on the outside floor! Black makes the cover on the outside…
One…Two…THREE-NO!
Savage gets a shoulder up and Black drives down some more stomps for good measure before plundering for more weaponry underneath the ring, and he retrieves a table from underneath there. He leans it up against the ring but he’s caught with a baseball sliding kick from Fenix that sends him spiraling back first into the steel barricade! Fenix then takes the table for himself and sets it up in a corner in the ring, and as Savage is recovering, Fenix tells him to bring Black in the ring and Savage takes Black by the head and starts to drag him toward the ring, but Black fends him off and slams Savage face on the apron and the sends Savage into the steel steps with an irish whip and Savage hits it with a loud thud shoulder first! Black drops down to a knee as he begins to recuperate…
Fenix is about to get Black back in the ring but Violet pummels him from behind, and begins to club him repeatedly on the back before she drags Fenix to the table set up in the corner and she props him up against it. She drives home a few forearm smashes for good measure before she backs up, sizes up Fenix and charges forward but Fenix moves out of the way. Violet stops herself before sending herself crashing through the table, and just as she turns around, Fenix nails her with Superkick Me Baby One More Time! Violet falls against the table and Fenix has a wicked idea as he sizes up Violet…SPEAR THROUGH THE TABLE!
Rod Sterling: “Jackson Fenix has definitely eliminated Violet from the equation now!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he took himself out in the process because neither one of them is moving!”
Black, on the outside still, takes Savage and tosses him back in the ring. Black briefly surveys the wreckage of Fenix and Violet before turning his attention back to Savage, but just as he does he’s decked with a flying steel chair to the dome! Black staggers backward, and Savage waffles him with the steel chair across the head and Black falls flat on his back! Blood begins to seep through his mask around his head and Savage lays the chair on top of Black and hits a running senton! Savage, again hurting himself, fights through the pain and rolls over for the pin…
One…two…THREE-NO!
Savage can’t believe it! He angrily looks at Larry Stevens, the referee he has history with, and starts to berate him. Savage grabs Stevens by the collar of his shirt and starts screaming in his face, but then Stevens is saved as Black clobbers Savage from behind! Black stomps down on Savage in the corner and begins to choke him with his boot in the corner! Black exits the ring and finds another steel chair and returns to the ring and sets up the two steel chairs next to each other. Black then sends Savage sternum first into the opposite corner with an irish whip, and Savage bounces hard off of that and stumbles into the waiting arms of Black, who hoists him up for a death valley driver on the two steel chairs!
Rod Sterling: “Nate Savage might be broken in half after that! There’s no way he’s getting up from that!”
Black drops down on top of Savage for the cover…
One…two…THREE-NO!
Rod Sterling: “I stand corrected!”
Black shows no signs of frustration but he is showing some signs of fatigue. He toughs it out though as he takes Savage up and he’s thinking of Satan's Spike, but as he lifts Savage up, Savage flips over behind him and Savage stomps the back of Black’s leg before lifting him up and Savage hits a pumphandle neckbreaker! Black, nearly lifeless, rolls onto the apron before dropping to the floor. Savage follows him outside and takes Black in position…APRON POWERBOMB! Black drops to his knees instantly, but Savage throws him back in the ring and Savage climbs up top and hits a swanton bomb on Black before hooking the leg!
One…two…THREE-NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Black still has some fight left in him!”
Rod Sterling: “Nate Savage is growing more and more irate each time he fails to put him away!”
“WHY CAN’T YOU JUST DIE ALREADY?! JUST STAY DOWN! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE MY REDEMPTION STORY YOU MISERABLE SON OF A BITCH! JUST STAY DOWN!”
Savage has mounted Black and is screaming these things at him. Savage brings Black up to his feet and they’re face to face now, both bloodied and beaten…
“THE SOONER YOU DIE THE SOONER YOU’LL BE REUNITED WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND IN HELL!”
Savage sends Black off the ropes and looks to catch him with a Nasty Bomb, but as he lifts him up, Black flips out of it and quickly runs the ropes and just as Savage turns around…ONE SHOT KILL! BLACK DROPS DOWN ON TOP OF SAVAGE FOR THE PIN!
ONE…TWO…THREE!
Winner: Alyster Black by pinfall at 34:13
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The winner of the match, and STILL your FWA X Champion…Alyster Black!”
Alyster is handed his belt and has his arm raised but exhaustion catches up to him as he falls to the mat. He’s clutching at both belts now and lays flat on the mat while taking labored breaths before he eventually rolls out of the ring.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Wow, what a war we just witnessed, Rod!”
Rod Sterling: “You aren’t kidding, Anzu! That was indeed a war, these two just put each other through hell!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Nate Savage put up a hell of a fight but in the end Alyster Black lives to see another day as X Champion!”
Rod Sterling: “Blacky Dos Belts lives on! Good night from Nuremberg!”
With Nate rolling under the bottom rope to get assistance from Jackson Fenix, Alyster climbs to the second rope holding both the X Championship and World Championship up high until suddenly Sonne cuts out…
“ZOOOOMBIEEEEEEEEE!”
The crowd in Germany erupts with arms raised to the heavens and their voices bending the sound barrier to its breaking point. The reaction is a mixture of cheers and boos, but mostly cheers, as the theme music of one of the FWA’s legends plays for the first time since the night of the Golden Opportunity match.
“The Rotten Gold” Devin Golden appears from behind the black shadow surrounding the entrance curtain with his trademark strut: hunched over, one arm spread to the side and the other hand holding a black walking cane that he certainly doesn’t need. Atop the head of the FWA Hall of Famer is a black top hat – like Bill “The Butcher” from “Gangs of New York. Similarly, Golden sports a handlebar mustache to complete the look, moving from his emo style he had ever since 2014 to a circus ringmaster vibe. Fittingly, Golden has a black trenchcoat with no undershirt, revealing his aging abs, stomach, and midsection, plus pure black jeans.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Heeeeeee’s back Rod!”
Rod Sterling: “What an ovation for The Golden One who has been absent since Lights Out.”
Alyster Black is stationary inside the ring as Golden does a sideways step dance down the last few feet of the rampway. He then takes three very slow – almost in slow-motion – steps towards the ring before looking up at the reigning FWA World Champion and FWA X Champion. Golden offers a devilish smirk and a “HA-HAAAAAH!”, which is returned with Alyster looking down at him with his mask.
Golden then grabs the middle rope with his free hand to launch himself up to the apron and steps between the top and middle ropes with a hitch in his step, ending with three hops on his left foot and a final skip on his right before pausing on the other side of Alyster.
Rod Sterling: “One has to wonder just what Devin Golden wants right now.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I’d be remiss to assume that he’s just out here to congratulate our new World Champion on his victory.”
The crowd is electric watching these two standing in the ring once again. The last time we saw them was for the Anniversary Show, when Alyster Black and “The Rotten Gold” Devin Golden fell short in a triple threat match with Danny “F’n” Toner. Golden took the pinfall, but Alyster took one to Danny a few weeks later.
Now they are here – with Toner on sabbatical – as the two from that specific main event scene who withstood the test of time. They persevere, which could be considered a staple of Golden’s 14-year FWA career spanning now three TV networks, 13 title reigns, a Hall of Fame induction, and nearly 200 matches in an FWA ring, including a Back in Business main event and the greatest tag team match in the fed’s history.
Alyster Black is his own form of perseverance. He has outlasted numerous failed attempts to win the FWA World Championship and finally rose up, winning the Battle Royal on Meltdown 22. “Black Jesus” is also persevering beyond the onslaught of X Championship challengers and inching closer to a record length of title reign that many thought would never be toppled. These accomplishments are in addition to Alyster at one point not having an FWA contract and being an independent wrestler who had his FWA future in jeopardy for a bit. Oh, yeah, and the scarring, the letters “F” “W” and “A” etched into his chest with a blade of glass, a crime done by the very man who now inhabits the ring with him.
Anzu Kurosawa: “You can cut the tension between these two with a knife.”
Rod Sterling: “In spite of the war he’s just survived against Nate Savage, Alyster looks ready to chomp Devin Golden’s head off.”
Golden grabs a microphone and turns to Alyster. The crowd can feel the magnitude of the moment. Alyster’s two championship belts shine under the lights of the German arena and seem even bigger with the admiration of the thousands of fans surrounding this moment. Golden, now without any claim to a championship, real belt or paper belt, does not seem shrunk from standing in the ring with the dual champion. His career and accomplishments are big enough to match.
Devin Golden: “Ha-HAAAAAAA!”
The crowd responds with their own “Ha-Haaaah” as Golden smiles widely.
Devin Golden: “Before … I say anything … about whyyyyyyy … I am heeeeere …”
Golden begins with his trademark speech, elongated vowels and regular pauses that sets him apart with a microphone – and annoys the fans due to the sloth-like speed.
Devin Golden: “I want to congratulaaaate … you.”
The crowd cheers slightly as Golden pauses once more.
Devin Golden: “We’ve beeeeeen … to war and back … and there’s no neeeeeed … for a history lesson. But I can feeeeeeeel the joy … the happiness. The energy and vibes from you, Alyster … they remind me … of myself.
I know … you are having the best of dreeeeeams … the happiest of dreeeeeams right now. You’re laaaaying … in that hospital bed … smile on your face … arms up and embracing air … thick enough to fit two … championship beeeeelts.”
Another beat.
Devin Golden: “And now … heeeere you … are. In front of me … the happiest dreamer in the ultimate dream world. But wind the clock forwards or backwards, let the sun rise and set … whatever turns of the flowers and keys … everything … always … comes back … to me. HAH!”
Another pause and another round of cheers, but anyone watching has to wonder if Golden’s congratulations are sincere considering his past actions.
Devin Golden: “And … I admit … I was … roooooting for you, Alyster. I was rooooting for you because … well … my story … my tiiiime … in this big, beautiful … dream world … has to end.
The dance … is almost over … and the final song … is about to play.”
Golden pauses and nods his head, with the crowd mixed with disappointed boos and hopeful cheers that he actually is departing soon.
Devin Golden: “And Alyster … there is no better dance partner in mind … than yooooouuuuu.”
Golden points his black walking cane towards Alyster’s chest, which is about a foot from the tip of the wooden cane’s flat end.
Devin Golden: “And heeeeere’s … why.
Since I retuuuuurned to the FWA in 2019 … two people … have defiiiiiiined this run more than anyone … else.
Ooooone … is Danny “F’n” Toner … who unfoooooortunately … is not avaaaaaailable …
And the ooooother … is you, Aaaaaalyster.”
Golden again points his walking cane towards Alyster.
Devin Golden: “Now … I can admiiiit … that our … triple threeeeat match … would’ve been the fitting concluuuusion. But … I didn’t have … aaaaalllll the answers to … this place. This … world. This … existence … inside allllllll of our heads.
I didn’t have all the knowledge to finally … finally … wake up.
But … I do now.”
Golden smiles as he taps his head with the microphone, signaling some higher level of knowledge.
Devin Golden: “This is not a plaaaaace I created, Alyster. Oh no, it is soooooo much bigger and more beautiful than that. This is … a shaaaaared existence. You and me … and everyone … eeeeelse … tied together … in some unknown bond. I see it. I … understaaaaand it.
So now … I can gooooo to rest … in this place … in peace. I can waaaaake up … with nooooo … regrets.”
Golden is now pacing from rope to rope on his half of the ring, while Alyster remains stationary and watching.
Devin Golden: “You … juuuuust so happen to be … the FWA Woooooorld Chaaaaampion. There are soooooo many exclamaaaaaation points … I could make … as I finally wake up and leeeave this place … for good.
I could become a FIVE-TIME … FWA WOOOOOOORLD CHAAAAAAAMPION … which only a few … have done. And I could win my FOURTEENTH championship in the FWA … which would be … a record … that no one … not even Ryyyyyan Rooooondo … matches.
And I can end … with one more … magic bullet … a reminder … to everyone old and new … that I am … the greatest … of allllllll … tiiiiiiiime. Because this place … will live on past me … and you … and everyone else. This place … is forever … sieeeeempre. There will always be … lost souls … looking for a waaaay … out of their hell … that’s called … living. And they come here … to find themseeeeelves.
Just like I found … myself.
Just like you … found … yourself.”
Golden smiles and allows another beat, this time with the crowd cheering his proclamation.
Devin Golden: “This place is siempre … but what has this all beeeeeen … if people are forgotten? What is fourteeeeeeeeen yeeeears … if I become … a footnote? No, noooooo. HAH-HAAAAAH! Alyster … I want to make … that exclamation maaaaark. I want to remiiiiind … everyone … that even if I go … I, too, am … sieeeempre.”
Golden leans forward for the final word, almost whispering it into the microphone.
Devin Golden: “The question you … and others may haaaave … is, ‘Why would Alyster Black … accept this? What has Golden done … to get another shot … at the FWA World Championship?’
Fair question. And the answer … is … YOU … Aaaaalysteeeer … BLAAAACK!”
Golden continues pacing back and forth, now pointing his walking cane at Alyster.
Devin Golden: “I know you and others may … think … that you have one up on me from some of our … past battles. But that is not the case. Nooooo, not at allllll.
I have gotten one up … on YOU at every turn.”
Golden comes closer and now has the walking cane against Alyster’s chest.
Devin Golden: “Think about it, Aaaaalyster. You may have beaten me at last year’s Anniversary Show, but losses come and go. That scaaaar on your chest? It will live forever.
Yes, at Lights Out, you and Krash did win the Tag Team Championships from Golden Rock … but at Mile High … we got them BACK, under the guuuuuiiiiiise … of Osoooos Looooocooooos.
And then … at the Boountyyyy … it was me … Golden … sieeeempreeee … who won the World Chaaaaampionshiiiiip and sent Krash down a spiral that ultimately led … to his death.
YES, Alyster Black. I … killed … KRASH.
I didn’t shove him off the bridge, but I did sharpen the blade of Randy Ramon that did the deed, and I punctured Krash’s heart the night of the Bounty and TOOK HIS SOUL!”
A beat, as the crowd boos.
Devin Golden: “So … Alyster … at every turn … through our story … it has been me … getting one over … on you.
BUT … I give you the opportunity, Alyster. I give you the opportunity to get the biggest one-up on me possible.
I give you the opportunity … to beat me … in my last match. To retire me. To be the man … to send Golden back … to the place that you, too, one day will go. And to fittingly … and finally … proclaim … that you could be the very first person … to persevere beyond … me. Randy cannot say this. Ryan Rondo cannot say this. KRASH … cannot say this. Danny … Toner cannot say this.
It could be … you. And you will always have that on me.
Allllll you have to do … is accept.”
Golden takes one more beat.
Devin Golden: “I just want …
One … final … dance … before the music stops playing. Will you graaaant … an old man … with a walking caaaane … one last dance … Aaaaalyster?”
The masked man sways as the crowd grows silent. There's electricity in the air. Tension that threatens to explode. Alyster holds a hand up to his scarred chest and stares Devin Golden down before taking two steps forward, invading the Golden One’s personal space.
He holds the FWA World Championship up high in the air, serving as a backdrop whilst the two continue their staredown, and that act is enough to signify his answer.
Rod Sterling: “It’s on Anzu.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I cannot believe what we’ve just heard, Rod. Devin Golden is putting it all on the line for one last shot at the FWA World Championship.”
Rod Sterling: “He’ll risk everything to become champion one final time, even allowing Alyster Black to get the last laugh.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Nothing would please Alyster Black more than putting the final nail in Devin Golden’s coffin.”
Rod Sterling: “And nothing would please the Golden One more than prying that World Championship from Alyster Black’s cold dead hands.”
