[Fade in to the mortuary. IIWF World Heavyweight Champion Deathbringer stands in the shadows.] DB: Is this the best you can do... Is _this_ the best you can do... Outlaw, since you said those words they keep echoing in my mind. Is this the best you can do... If you really knew what starting this war is all about then you should not be asking this question. You should know about me, my real being and the powers that come along with it. You say that my side is losing, you say I cannot trust anybody. But at the same time you attack my former comrades to make sure that they will not participate in our battle. You know that if I did the same it would come down to the two of us... I do not understand you, Outlaw, what is it you want? You say you do not chase after the belts, but you team up with men that do... Do you fear that you are not powerful enough to stand up against Death himself on your own? Of course you are not. I know it and... you know it. Is this the best you can do... Certainly do you wish it was the best I could do, but you know it better. It was not the best, it was not even the worst. It was a vision, a vision that still lies in the future. Outlaw, I know what the true prize is and you know it as well. But you also know that your book of history is already written and that you cannot cheat your own fate. You will end up in that casket, one way or another. You will not survive our battle, and if it should be the last thing that I do as the creature that I am right now... [pause, as Deathbringer seems to be concentrating on something] In the distance I can hear backpipers playing the tunes of war. But by now they just play an overture. Soon the sound of marching feet will fill the air, wild horses will be running free, bareback warriors will be riding again, and an ancient battlecry will start the war. You say my side is losing already, then tell me what side I am on. Every casualty will be a victory for me, as I take them to the dark side, no matter what uniform they wear. With every man you take out you strengthen my power. There is no way you can overcome Crimson Death. But if you really think you can defeat me and all that I stand for, then I guess you are far from stopping to betray yourself... [Deathbringer turns around as if he wants to leave, but comes to a halt and turns to the camera again.] DB: One last thing... [The scene around Deathbringer fades into darkness, leaving nothing but his glowing red eyes. The surroundings lighten up again and reveal the cemetary of the Outlaw's last interview] DB: Yes, you have been here, Outlaw. I can feel a background impression of your fear. [Deathbringer walks over to the tombstone with DEATHBRINGER...RIP written on it. He lifts it out of the ground and turns it around. It is obviously a fake.] DB: Is this the best _you_ can do, Outlaw? [He plants the tombstone back into the earth.] DB: Is this the best _YOU_ can do? [The figure of Deathbringer slowly fades away, while his demonic laughter is heard.. As he is gone, a flash strikes down at the tombstone, it explodes into a thousand pieces. Fade through to opening graphics:] ##### ###### ### ########## ########## ########## #### ## ########## ########## ########## #### # #### ######## ##### ##### #### ## ##### #### #### #### #### ### #### #### #### #### ############# ######### #### #### ########### ######### #### #### #### #### #### ######### ######### ### #### #### ######### ######### ### ## #### ######## ######## ## # #### =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ## =-=-=-= INTERNATIONAL INTERNET WRESTLING FEDERATION =============================================== Control Centre Update - 3 September 1996 ----------------------------------------------- [Cut to Tim Dross seated in the IIWF Control Centre.] Hi there, fans, and welcome to another IIWF Control Centre update! Tim Dross here with all the latest results, news, comments and rumour from the action-packed world of the IIWF. This past weekend saw the plans of the Outlaw, J.W. Hardin, shock the world once more as the Subway Psycho was the victim of a set-up and left the IIWF Coliseum on a stretcher! We'll hear a whole lot more about that, and a great deal else, so stay tuned! Coming up in today's report: - a complete run-down of the results of Saturday Night's card - a look ahead to tomorrow night's Midweek Mayhem - more news on newcomers to the IIWF - an update on the progress of the IIWF Cruiserweight Championship Tournament and much more! Let's get straight to it! IIWF Saturday Night - 31 August 1996 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It may be the end of the summer, but it was still hot and heavy in the IIWF Coliseum on Saturday Night as the superstars of the IIWF put on another fantastic show for the capacity crowd and the international live television audience. Before we speak about the matches, let's first address the brutal and vicious attack on the Subway Psycho that we witnessed on Saturday Night. We had been led to believe that a concerned fan, after seeing Mench beaten up at the hands of the Outlaw last Wednesday, had donated a beautiful award to be presented to the Psycho as a symbol of the respect and love of the IIWF's fans the world over, officially titling him their "People's Champion". But as events unfolded at the presentation ceremony on Saturday Night, it became clear that the former IIWF World Champion had been set up. Firstly, the Psycho dropped the bombshell that he is taking some time off from the rings to get himself together, but in the end, that sabbatical was enforced by the actions of J.W. Hardin and his cronies. Out came the Outlaw, Otto Verhoeven, Pale Rider, and Joe Latta, and proceeded to attack the Psycho. Great fighter that the Psycho is, he couldn't stand up to the four on one odds, and ended up battered and beaten on the arena floor. But the Outlaw had to add insult to injury; he called out Tiger Claw, and presented him with the beautiful award, which, it turned out, was not from an anonymous fan at all, much to the distress of the fans. The Psycho had to be stretchered from the arena, and although his injuries are luckily not severe, whether he plans to return to the IIWF or not, he's been told to rest up for a few days and give his bruises a chance to heal. It's a miracle that no bones were broken in the attack, and I'll also say this: it's going to take a miracle to keep the Outlaw, Tiger Claw and the rest of his cronies safe if the Subway Psycho returns to the IIWF! I say "if" because rumours are currently circulating that the Psycho has retired from the IIWF for good! I sincerely hope this isn't true, folks, but it wouldn't be the first time that a great athlete has been forced into retirement by the actions of other wrestlers. Let's move on: 1. HEAVY METAL downed LAW & DISORDER in the opening match, putting Ace Maverick in the Olympic Slam for the pinfall victory. Let's hear from Robo Stone and his men: [SCENE: The Stone Stable stand in the IIWF interview area.] RS: THIS is a message to ALL who will challenge my boys. HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! FF: HANGMAN!!!!! You have felt the POWER of BRUTALITY!!!! You have felt the SPEED of FLASH!!!!! And you have ALSO felt the STRENGTH of the IRON FIST!!! You will NEVER, EVER be the same tough man that you were. NEVER!!!!! And Deathbringer, you have ducked the REAL MAN in the IIWF for LONG ENOUGH. NOW it's time to RUMBLE!!!!!!!!! RS: Then there's the Armed Farts!!! The High Plains Jerkers!!! The Atomic Dummies!!! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! I can't even stop laughing from all the so-called TALENT in the tag ranks of the IIWF. There IS NO team that can match the INTENSITY, the POWER, or the ABILITY of HEAVY METAL!!!!! They've been trainin' for a long time to get to the prestigious IIWF; and they're ready to destroy ANYONE that gets in their road to the gold. AS: It's only a matter of TIME!!! It's only a matter of time until me and my bro Apollo get the title shot that we rightfully deserve!!! If any team feels that we can be beaten, well then let's just get into the ring and see who's the SUPREME TEAM!!!!!! AS: We CAN'T be beat!!!! And we WON'T be beat!!! We're here in the IIWF to STAY!!!! So ALL ya' rejects, punks, and wimps better prepare to taste HEAVY METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RS: Need I say more? Guess not. WHY??? 'Cause the Stone Stable... RULES THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [Fade] 2. "PAINBRINGER" BILLY SEXTON continued his unstoppable rise with a win over PRISONER #109. Sexton got the pinfall victory when he rolled up the ex-con from behind as he argued with the official over what he believed was a slow count earlier in the match. Let's hear from the defeated ex-con: [SCENE: Prisoner #109 seated in his prison cell, clearly bruised.] P109: Billy Sexton look what you did to me... You made me have to get 25 stitches on my left knee.. Now you must pay dearly.. I better not see your ass. If I do I will beat you down. I am not going to lose to you Billy Sexton.. Never again.. If it wasn't for that dumb ass ref I would have pinned you anyway.. Billy next time we meet it will be a beat down... That's no lie!!!!!!!!!!! Now I have to fight "Badboy" Randy Acorn.. Randy you might be the coolest person.. But when I step in the ring I mean business... So this Wednesday I won't be aruging with no referee.. I will be hearing you scream in pain to give up... Got that!! Randy your first mistake was entering the league... Your second is stepping in the ring with me... Billy you might be on a winning streak.. But if I have something to say about it you won't be much longer.... Billy you can't run nor hide... I'll tell you this: every match you wrestle you better watch your back.. You never know who will be behind you waiting to kick your ass... Got that Billy Sexton?! [Fade as P109 begins beating on the walls of his cell.] 3. MAN OF STEEL was victorious by default over BLACKJACK HALEY, when the giant failed to show up for his match. I don't know what to tell you, folks. Repeated efforts to contact Haley have failed. To all intents and purposes, he has vanished. This is a most mysterious occurrence, although amazingly not unique here this week -- more on that in a moment -- and the IIWF front office has been given a major headache on this front. More news as and when we have some. In any case, Steel isn't resting on his laurels. Not only is he focused on victory in the IIWF Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, but he wants to build an alliance strong enough to withstand the onslaught of men like the Outlaw. Let's go to his comments: [SCENE: a room in total blackness. The Man of Steel begins to speak over the blackness....] MOS: Blackness encompases the IIWF... The Outlaw was right when he stated this. However, even darkness has its weaknesses. When evil begins to think of its own desires and not those of its allies, weakness creeps in. [A small spotlight pierces the blackness.] Darkness has its strengths, but so does the light. As darkness creeps forward, the men of the light will push it backwards. [A second spotlight appears, and both begin to slowly enlarge in size.] When Light and Darkness clash, as they must, we of the light WILL be succesful. We will fight for what's right and make sure that the IIWF remains a place that parades athletes that the good people can look up to. I look, like J.W. Hardin does, at what is happening here. But unlike him, I do not like what I see. Yes, what he has done, we must all admire. He has banded together all that share his ideal. The Syndicate have already expressed that they are with him, and the Dark Knights seem certain to follow. [The lights have now totaly lit up the area. The Man of Steel is now clearly visible standing in a bare room. He wears his normal garb and holds a rolled up piece of paper in one hand.] But like Mr. Hardin has done, we must do also. When I look to the ranks of darkness growing and swelling I see strength. I look to our ranks and all I see is disorder. This I have seen and have thought long and hard. With organisation comes strength. With disorder comes weakness. At this time all I see disorder, but I see a future that shows us united and strong. But for that to come, we must all make the move to show our own desires. [The Man of Steel unrolls the paper and holds it up to the camera.] This contract is how we organise ourselves and gain strength. I call to everyone here in the IIWF that wants to stop the growing evil that is begging to engulf all of us here. Step forward now and prove to everyone that we are not going to stand idly by and watch this great federation fall to ruin at the hands of Brian Lau and The Outlaw J.W. Hardin. My name is already here, and all I can now ask is that you all look deap inside yourselves and at what you really want. Soon everyone must choose a side. Will you side with me... or the Outlaws? [As he continues to speak, smoke begins to slowly fill the room from beneath the door.] Dan Kauffman? Deathbringer? The true People's Champion, The Subway Psycho? What have all of you to say? There is still time to stop what is slowly happening. This CAN be stopped. But to stop it we must be solid and dedicated, together and not divided. Join me and we will be succesful... [Smoke has completely filled the room. But as the camera fades, the smoke begins to disappear finally fading out on a perfect shot of the Man of Steel.] 4. MAGUS pinned CRIMSON STORM after a powerbomb. 5. STUNT TEAM USA, complete with new manager, "Wizard" Belgarath McEndeavour, downed THE FINAL TRUTH in what has proved to be the defeated team's final appearance. Let's hear from Ron and Steve as they continue their training with the Wizard: [SCENE: A forest. The camera slowly pans down through the branches until an old footpath is seen. Ron Fire walks along this path, holding a bow in his hand. He cautiously looks around himself, as if expecting something to happen.] RF: Now the Wizard knows some about learnin' to concentrate... If I wasn't concentrating on staying here I'd run back to town and get some nice, cold... [Suddenly a figure leaps out of a bush, jumps at the stunned "Danger Freak", disarming him. In one hand the figure holds some kind of a stick, with which he starts to choke Ron for a second, but then lets him go.] RF: What the... Wizard, you? BM: Yes, noble knight. Pardon my sudden appearance, but I wanted to test the development of your skills." RF: Well... What do you think? BM: I think we have a lot work to do. You must concentrate on what you're doing. Don't think about anything else. Focus on it." RF: I thought I was focused... BM: At least until you wanted to get that nice, cold cherry coke. RF: How d'ya know? BM: They don't call me the Wizard for nothing. So, my noble knight, get back up on yer feet and continue the hunt. Farewell... [The Wizard turns around and walks off the screen, back into the bush he came from] RF: Wait, Belgarath, where ya goin'? [Ron searches around the bushes for a moment, but comes back empty handed] RF: Well, nice vanishing trick. I remember having had a stunt job in a film with some nice vanishing tricks a few years..." [He trips over a tree stump and falls down] RF: [slowly getting up] Alright, Wizard, I learned my lesson! [He prepares his bow again and walks down the footpath. Fade.] Sabin Figaro is once again left minus a tag team partner. He issued the following statement concerning the mysterious disappearance of his partner, "Illuminiti" Bob Hansen: -- FAX: From: Figaro, S To: IIWF Front Office I'm sorry to say that "Illumaniti" Bob Hansen has... vanished. We just can't find him. This note was left. __________________________ | | | D#^r S@b.... | | | | !lluman*t! k!d#@p. | | B% go#e. | | | | -B0B |-|. | |__________________________| Take it as it is. So now, I'm wrestling singles. Como'n, if you want a shot at the legend, let's dance.... Regards: S. R. Figaro -- The "Royalty of the Street" has, it appears, decided to step into the ring on his own. His reputation goes before him, so who will face him one on one? 6. MARTY WARNETT pinned "SHOWSTOPPER" SIMON LEBEC after a Northern Lights Suplex. However, one Billy Shakespeare came down to the ring and began flirting with Lebec's valet, Miss Crystal, which threw the "Showstopper" out of his rhythm, and although Shakespeare left the ringside area without any scuffle, Lebec's hot temper landed him in trouble in the ring, and the rookie Warnett got the victory: [SCENE: Backstage after his match on Saturday Night, Marty staggers into view, holding lower back, sees camera crew and interviewer, tries to straighten up.] TD: Marty, how do you feel, your first victory? MW: You know, I came to the IIWF to rock to the top ... the Butcher showed me something, there are so many monsters running around this fed. I'm learning every day ... and right now there's going to be one hell of a party tonight! TD: You showed signs of a decent offense against the Butcher, but tonight you had to dig real deep... MW: Yeah, like I said there are monsters loose here, and you need some pretty high impact offense just to take 'em off their feet. Tonight was a gutcheck, or more accurately, a backcheck. LeBec, you tried to beat me like a dog, you didn't respect me and paid the price, dude! TD: Some might call the ending of the match somewhat controversial... MW: Hey, don't put down the win! Shakespeare's a stand up guy. I guess he has his own agenda for being there at ringside. I didn't ask him to be there, and had no contact with him whatsoever. LeBec, you didn't respect me, made the mistake and didn't get the job done. TD: What's next for the party maniac? MW: Hey, you're learning the name! [laughs] Like I said, the win-loss record is irrelevant at the moment, the key is to learn. You do that by facing the best, my contract is open by the way, and the party has begun, I got a good reaction from the fans, which is really appreciated, guys!" TD: And Shakespeare? MW: Boy, you're like a dog with a bone, aren't you? Billy has achieved great things, no doubt about that. I would be grateful for any help outside the ring from talent like himself, Quigley, Kauffman, whoever - hey, if you're going to learn, learn from the best. Sorry, gotta go, need a shower, and I'm sure I'll get a massage! Oh yeah, LeBec, nice to see your award didn't come into play for once! [Fade] However, Lebec is more concerned with Shakespeare than the victorious Warnett: [SCENE: Camera opens with Simon Lebec, Miss Crystal and Francois in Lebec's penthouse apartment.] SL: So, Mr. Shakespeare reads a couple of books and he thinks Crystal wants him?? Show him baby!! [Crystal leans over and plants a deep kiss on Lebec] See friend....... You can woo them with your intellect, but it still won't change the fact that you look like a ripple in a shitbucket!!! HA!! You're a joke Wild Bill!! You want a piece of me??? Alls ya gotta do is ask. No games. No tricks. Sign your name. See you there. As for you, Warnett, congrats. You beat the best thing going today. You saw an opportunity, and you took it. I commend you. It won't happen again. Later, all. I've got better things to do than talk any longer to LOSERS like you!!! HA!! I amaze myself sometimes. [Fade] 7. OTTO "THE BUTCHER" VERHOEVEN continued his seemingly unstoppable course of destruction as he decimated THE CRIPPLER. It seems the stock in Josey Wales' Posse has fallen somewhat since the Outlaw began distancing himself from Wales, and the Crippler wasn't able to put up much of a fight against Verhoeven, falling victim to the devastating "Slaughterslam". "Soundbite" Steve Roberts went backstage on Saturday Night to get Verhoeven's comments, and came back in no doubt that _nobody_ is safe from this newcomer: [SCENE: A locker room after Saturday night. Nurse Heidi is massaging Otto Verhoeven's shoulders. "Soundbite" Steve Roberts is there to interview him. The announcer casts a dirty smile at Heidi, then turns to begin the interview.] SR: Wow, Otto, you really taught the Crippler a lesson tonight. I don't think he even got a shot in at you... [Otto jumps up and grabs Roberts' throat with one hand, the microphone with the other.] SR: ...arrrghhhh... OV: FIRST, if you ever, ever look at my girl again, I will rip out your spine! NH [giggling]: If that vorm has one. SR [goes down on his knees]: ...ktktkt... OV: SECOND, do not call me Otto! I am Herr Verhoeven for you! SR [turns blue]: ...ghtghrrrr... OV: And THIRD, [he lets Roberts slump to the ground], you are right, the Crippler was just another victim of the Butcher. He felt my raw power like everybody who stands in my way will feel it. NH: Oh, tonight was so great! How you manhandled that underground man. Terrific. OV: Ja, when the Outlaw asked me to take part in that little scene and give the award to a true champion I was more than honored. That stinking Psycho experienced firsthand one of my devastating chokeslams. No wonder he never got up again. NH: I vont miss him. OV: Nun, the Canadian punk Quigley actually had the guts to insult me when I am in the same arena. More then I exspected from him. NH: Best vrestler in the world today, oh god, I had to lauff so hard I could hardly breathe. OV: He thinks he is confident, I say he is just stupid. I have never heard of most of the leagues where he won all those titles. Let me guess, they are owned by his uncle and his cousins are the referees. That's the only way an imbecile like that can have any success. NH: Genau. You have to take him out, schatz, so that he learns to respect his opponents. OV: I will meet him soon, Heidi, but he is currently occupied with Brad Kinder and that wimp tournament. I only hope the "Bodybag" leaves something for me to pound on. NH [turns more serious]: Ahem, have you seen the last interview of these shady Italians? They mocked Germany's defeat in the world wars and that fat thug called you ... [a disgusted look crosses her face] Hitler. OV: Ja, and that is something I do not take lightly. You see, Vincent, I am a proud patriot who despises the Nazi movement. Everybody who knows me is wise enough not to provoke me like that. Our honorable nation was ruined by the wars, but, like you said, the German people are determined and strong, and today Germany is one of the most advanced countries worldwide, even though most Americans are ignorant of this fact. But to hear these words from an Itlian is just plain weird, because the Italians were Hitler's allies. They were also the first to surrender once the tide of the war turned, which proves that these guys were just cowards. But enough history and political lessons. Vinnie Cappucino, or whatever, you demand a fight? You shall have one! No dirty ghetto thug has the right to mock my home country and I will TEAR YOUR UGLY HEAD FROM YOUR SHOULDERS! FOR THAT INSULTS YOU WILL PAY, LITTLE MAN, PAY WITH YOUR BLOOD AND YOUR CAREER! I WILL CRIPPLE YOU, BREAK YOUR BONES, CRACK YOUR SKULL OPEN, EAT ... NH [obviously concerned]: Please Otto, calm down. You will get him. OV: Ja, yes I will get him. The Family, the self-proclaimed enforcers of the IIWF, have now one more enemy, and it will be me who shatters them! [Swearing in German, Otto leaves the room, followed by Heidi. The camera points to the floor, where Roberts is still struggling to catch his breath.] SR: Cut, cut. Boy, he _is_ crazy. [Fade] 8. THE SANDMAN was victorious over JOE LATTA in a controversial match. Dan Kauffman came out to the ring and shocked the crowd by attacking Latta with a steel chair, which caused the referee to disqualify the Sandman on the grounds of outside interference. The Sandman denied all knowledge, and the referee then reversed the decision, deeming the match to be a double disqualification. Brian Lau wasn't happy with that decision, and so the match continued. However, Latta wasn't in much of a state to continue the match, and soon succumbed to the Sandman: [SCENE: Monument Valley, three figures stand in front of a red sun piercing through large rock forms and sand structures.] Sandman: As sure as the day brings light, the Knight brings the dark! We are standing here among the sands of time in Bodybag's home ground. Notice how the elements have worn away rock and how much things have changed since the beginning. There are changes in the IIWF occurring. Something is brewing and it may be sour. Lines are being drawn and people are taking sides. A confrontation of good and evil approaches. Enemies are bonded together by common goals. A man named the Outlaw has the foresight to try to bring the darkness of the IIWF together as one unified force. How noble. A wild outlaw who sold out his former stable mates. Hummm...... So now we anti-up and kick in..... This is the time when you set aside personal ambitions and work with those you hate. But who do you trust, and what happens when tempers FLARE? Flare, an interesting choice of words. It may drive a person to do the unexpected. Seriously, who knows what's running through a dark mind? Some may leave and some shall return......... What's next for the Knights and where do we stand in this yin and yang game? Who's to say? I know where I stand and so do the Knights. The question is: what am I going to do? And the awnser is I'll do what it takes to satisfy the Knights and I. Just remember there are two sides....... Darkness will always prevail, it is always one-sided, no matter how you look at it. Deathbringer, I am coming..... [Fade] Let's get comments from the man who put Latta's lights out: Dan Kauffman... [SCENE: a darkened room where the only light filters through an open set of blinds, the sillouette of Dan Kauffman is seen working out vigorously with aerobics and strength/agility training. Kauffman is breathing fairly heavilly by the time he puts down the barbell, and speaks between breaths, a slightly menacing look in his eyes...] "Joe Latta, I told you that you had sealed your fate, and with the slap you gave me on Midweek Mayhem, is it any wonder why I did what I did to you? Of course not. But you know, I really didn't overly enjoy doing that. It's just the fact that you've pushed me to that point. I may not have liked it, but I didn't care either. Latta, how does it feel to be on the receiving end of an attack the kind which you often give out? How does it feel to know what you're all about? Turnabout is fair play, and now we're on equal footing. Want to confront me a third time now? Of course, you'll claim you want to, but I know you better than that. You'll come at me when my back's turned. And buddy, if you decide to do that, you'll have more than fate against you, I promise. "A lot of people have asked me why I went so far as to clobber a man with a chair. I guess they never see the fact that the Lattas, Claws and Outlaws of the world do things like that on a routine basis. There comes a time in wrestling when a man has to decide enough is enough. I reached that point. I'm still a thinking man's wrestler, I'll still do things the way I see them right. I'm just adding another element to it, one that is needed in this day and age. "So now my next obstacle lies in Hakiro Matsuoko. Cruiserweight Championship Semifinal match. Hakiro, if you try the cheap crap that is so common of the Syndicate, you'll be treated like I treated Latta... with no mercy. On the other hand, if you step up to me face to face, then I guess we'll see who is the better man. And if Latta makes his presence known, then I'll make mine known. Latta, you'd best stay away, or you... and Matsuoko... will be in for a long damned day. End of story." [Kauffman goes back to his training as the camera fades to black.] 9. "QUICKSTRIKE" CHRIS QUIGLEY defeated the "ENIGMA" TAKEZO MUSASHI to advance in the IIWF Cruiserweight Championship Tournament when the Enigma's manager, "Big Bucks" Don McQueen, got embroiled in the action and inadvertently distracted his man. The Enigma was thrown off-balance, and Quigley was quick to capitalise, scoring a pinfall after a snap-thrust kick at the climax of another unbelievable match from both competitors. Before we address the Enigma's situation, let's hear from the confident Chris Quigley: [SCENE: Chris Quigley is leaving the arena after defeating Takezo Mushashi in the first round of the IIWF Cruiserweight Tournament. Tim Dross spots Quigley and rushes to get an interview.] TD: "Quickstrike"! Great match tonight! You really showed us something out there against a man with the wrestling skill of Takezo Mushashi! His manager was his main downfall, don't you think? CQ: No, I don't. TD: Umm...how do you mean? CQ: The pinfall I got against him was obviously an event caused by his manager, but right before his manager got involved, I had Mushashi finished anyway! The Quickstriker was going on and there was nothing "The Enigma" could do about it! Hell, I beat the guy twice. He's a good wrestler, but he has a way to go yet. TD: You've made it past the "Enigma", but now you must face the renowned Billy Shakespeare. CQ: Renowned? That's funny, I've never heard of him before I entered the IIWF. But I guess he's an IIWF mainstay and a big name here, and that's what really matters then, isn't it? Well Shakespeare, you're facing a REAL world renowned superstar now, and I don't like your odds. Despite what I did in the first round, there may still be some doubts on people's minds. Obviously, people respect you a lot, and I'll be the first to tell you that you are a great wrestler, but if I gotta thrash you to get to the top, then that's what I'm gonna do! You are the King of the IIWF, and I'm gonna make like Macbeth and take you OUT! TD: You are facing Brad "The Bodybag" Kinder on Wednesday, September 4th. Any comments on this task up ahead? CQ: Well I think I made it pretty clear what I think of Brad Kinder. He's a big guy, he's gotta lot of power. I wouldn't go in there and try to match power with him. But what I would do, is I'd take out the knees...I'd get him on the mat where everyone is the same size! I'd use every bit of mat wrestling I know, and maybe I'd whack him a few times with a chair, if I gotta. That's what it takes to win, Tim. You have to pull out all the stops. Be as mean as you gotta be! TD: To some Chris, your popularity is amazing. Some see you as conceited...they see some of your actions in the ring as dirty... [Clips show on the screen of Quigley nailing "Awesome" Mike Austin in the groin... Quigley tying up Dean Ferris's legs with a TV cord... Quigley smashing Tonnage with a chair...] TD: ...and they think you really don't care much about the fans at all. CQ: That is 100% false! I'm not conceited, I'm totally CONFIDENT. Why the hell shouldn't I be? Confidence is the best thing you could have, and I have it, and I have what it takes to earn the right to be confident in the first place. As for cheating in the ring? I didn't get disqualified, did I? The referees usually know that in big match situations, they guys are gonna pull out all the stops. I saw that clip of me tying up Ferris's legs. Ferris sent me through a table during that match. Was that sportsmanlike? No, not really, but I understand that's what he felt he had to do to beat me. It didn't work, but he gave it his all. That's why I like Dean Ferris... he hurts you. [Quigley smiles] TD: Thanks for the comments, Chris, and good luck against Kinder. CQ: Thanks a lot. [Fade] While Quigley is happy with his performance, and ready, as usual, to dismiss out of hand the other wrestlers here in the IIWF -- an attitude that's sure to cost him dear at some stage down the road -- the Enigma is less than content with the events of Saturday Night. In an exclusive bit of footage captured while Saturday Night's show continued, we sent a camera crew back to the Enigma's locker room: [As the interview team heads towards the Enigma's locker room, a heated argument can be heard emanating from behind the door. As the team enters, Takezo Musashi is looking extremely angry and shouting at Don McQueen in Japanese... McQueen is trying to calm Musashi down while visibly straining to hold back his own temper...] DMcQ: Hey, Hey, I was trying to give you a hand out there! You shouldn't have been so clumsy knocking me off the apron! Enigma: The Enigma does not need help in his matches! The Enigma is the most talented new force in wrestling! I would have had the match won if you hadn't interfered! DMcQ: Hey, just remember who got you into the IIWF in the first place, just remember who brought you here to make you a star, if it wasn't for me you'd still be stuck wrestling amateur bouts in Japan.... Hey, wait a minute, who let the camera in here? [Don McQueen hurries over to the camera and shoves his hands over the lens] DMcQ: No interviews without my permission! Get the [bleep] outta here! [As the interview team leaves the camera gets a glimpse of Musashi flying into a rage and savate kicking the wall mirror. It shatters into fragments. Fade] Clearly all is not well in the Enigma's camp. However, comments we received yesterday from Takezo Musashi were less heated: [SCENE: Takezo Musashi stands in street clothing in the IIWF interview area.] Enigma: For legal reasons I cannot comment on the situation between McQueen and myself at this time. Let us just say that both of us have conflicting interests which are causing friction right now. Don feels that he must help me in my matches, but the Enigma is good enough to triumph through his own courage and skill! Don is too concerned with the money side of things. The money I make here in the IIWF means little to me, what is important is establishing my legend as the greatest warrior of all time! Right now that is just not happening! [Musashi visibly gets riled up for a moment but quickly calms himself down again] I must not let these distractions bother me. My focus will not waver! Some people here might have written me off because I have lost two matches in the IIWF, but take a close look at those matches. I battled two wrestling legends in my first professional bouts and I took them both to the limit. I have proven I have what it takes to succeed. I might be eliminated from the tournament, but I assure you that the Cruiserweight title will be around my waist one day. The God's will grant me their favour, it is my destiny! Now I must turn my focus away from the Cruiserweight title for a while. I have tested myself against two veteran wrestlers, now I would like to battle some of the newcomers, I will prove myself to be the most fearless warrior among them! Marty Warnett, I see that you are a recent entrant to the IIWF. I have watched you wrestle closely, you have some impressive moves, but I don't think you have the discipline necessary to succeed. Your rock and roll partying attitude has no place in the wrestling ring. Only those who train hard and live combat every breathing moment will conquer! I will prove this to you if you have the courage to accept my challenge... you will sink like a black hole, whilst I will catapult to the cosmos like a blazing comet! [Fade] Don McQueen still finds it difficult to look at things philosophically, however: [SCENE: Don McQueen is pacing back and forth in his office with an angry frown on his face when the camera crew comes to interview him.] DMcQ: Will you parasites quit bothering me! I have no comments and refer all questions to my attorney. Now for one last time get the [bleep] outta here! [Fade] Quite what this rift means for the future of the Enigma in the IIWF isn't clear, but Musashi is scheduled up for action on all forthcoming IIWF cards, so clearly he's not going away. Something tells me that he'll be taking no prisoners from here on in. 10. "SPOTLIGHT" BILLY SHAKESPEARE bested the "BADBOY" RANDY ACORN in another Cruiserweight Tournament match, despite Acorn's efforts to knock Billy out with a weighty Shakespeare tome at the beginning of the match. Out of nowhere, at the climax of a hard-fought battle, Billy hit the Curtain Call for the pinfall victory to advance and face Chris Quigley this Saturday Night. Acorn is disappointed to be out of the tournament, but is turning his attentions to future challenges: [SCENE: Randy Acorn is seen sitting in the locker room after his match with Billy Shakespeare. He has a confident grin on his face as he wipes the sweat from his brow with a towel. He holds the book that he nailed Billy with. He looks up at the camera and begins to speak in an arrogant tone] RA: Looks as if I had my first lo..well you morons know what it was, I don't need to say it. If it wasn't for that terrible officiating, I would be sitting here with my second win instead of my first lo..like I said, you know what it is. This damn book knocked him a good one but I guess not as good as I thought it would. Those damn Shakespeares never can come through when you need them. [Randy throws the Shakespeare book into the wastebasket, then turns his attentions back towards the camera] Prisoner #109, you may be laughing at my defeat tonight but I am also laughing at yours. You see, I lost to a formidable opponent, in a decent time, while you got slapped around like a little girl. It must've reminded you of the way Bubba treated you in jail. Well I challenge you to step into the ring with me at Midweek Mayhem and see which one of us walks out the winner. Remember, you made the first official challenge, now I'm making the one that counts. [Randy slams his locker door shut and then stands up, still wiping himself off with his towel] Shakespeare, believe me when I say we will meet again. I take this sport too seriously to let you get away with a cheap victory like that. And Inmate Looseass, we'll meet even sooner, this week. And that's when I teach you it would've been better if you had stayed quiet but instead you had to open your mouth. I guess I must make an example out of you. Once again my time for talking is up, so for my final thoughts, EAT [bleep]!!!!! [Fade] Billy, too, has his mind on the future: [SCENE: The old theatre. The names "Acorn", "Quigley" and "Claw" appear projected in light on the backdrop. Billy Shakespeare holds his chin, contemplating them dramatically.] BS: New guys just keep coming, but they can't win the lead role away from yours truly. "Badboy" Acorn, I didn't know that they made comic books that big. Or was that that copy of the Bard's work written in REALLY wide type for slow readers? Either way, you'll have plenty of time to finish reading it, seeing as how you won't be bothered with the tournament anymore. [Slowly "Acorn" fades from view] Next is "Quickstike" Quigley. So far you've backed up your words; And there's been a lot to back up. I know that you're no stranger to the ring, but appearances elsewhere are rarely enough to prepare you for the Spotlight. [Quigley's name fades] And that leaves Tiger Claw. So, Brian lau, you've given me my shot. As I recall, last time I wanted one, you made me audition for the part. This time, I'll accept my shot...when you come begging me to take it. I decide when I do a show, and if you want a command performance, you're gonna have to come crawling asking for it. Hmm, curious, Miss Crystal said about Simon Lebec being good at that sort of thing. [Claw's name abruptly shuts off] I leave all you wrestlers who want a piece of me a thought from Henry VI part 2. If you don't have a copy, borrow Acorn's comic. "True nobility is exempt from fear: More can I bear than you dare execute." [Fade] 11. FISTO FLASH was victorious over THE HANGMAN in a No Countout, No Disqualification Match, when the stablemate tag teams of both competitors got involved. First to arrive on the scene was Robo Stone's Heavy Metal, who came to protect Fisto. Of course, it didn't take long for the Atomic Destroyers, with Larn only just out of hospital, to get involved, but the damage was done, and Fisto was able to get the pinfall over the Hangman in a very brutal and bloody encounter. 12. The ARMED FORCES were victorious by default over the challengers to their IIWF Tag Team belts, the High Plains Drifters, when Pale and Easy decided that their shot was better spent meting out a little rough justice on the Forces' manager, Aaron the Caddy, rather than going after the gold. The Drifters may have satisfied their thirst for revenge against the man who cost them the titles, but now they'll have to wait in line for another shot. Let's hear from the champions now: [SCENE: Aaron the Caddy's offices at Coral Gables, Florida. NavCom and DefCon, the Armed Forces, are sitting in Aaron's waiting room, talking about the malicious attack by the High Plains Drifters.] NavCom: They just jumped him. We couldn't do a thing about it. I feel so bad. I wanna....AHHHHH.... DefCon: I know. Poor Aaron's in the hospital thanks to those 2 goons. The punks. What can we do? [The phone rings inside the office. NavCom runs in and answers it.] NavCom: Hello? [Aaron the Caddy is on the phone, calling from the local hospital.] Aaron: Hi, NavCom. How are you? NavCom: Fine... How are you, Aaron? Aaron: Oh, I'm doing better. The knee should be back to shape soon. I'll be with you for the next match. Oh, by the way, I just got off the phone with President Dan down at IIWF. He said that we got the win over the Drifters by forfeit. So, I did my job. Like any good manager, I did whatever it took to get his team a win. NavCom:But you paid too much. Aaron: No. I made the sacrifice. I know you could've beaten them. I just wanted to make sure. We'll get them back. NavCom: Thanks, chief. See ya later. Get better soon. Aaron: No problem. Later. [Phone is hung up by NavCom.] NavCom: That was Aaron at the hospital. He's going to be alright. DefCon: Drifters, we've had 2 matches with you, and you haven't beaten us yet. We gave you a rematch. But you wouldn't take it. No. You went and jumped a defenseless manager. You want these belts? FORGET IT!!! No more title shots. You've had 2 matches with us, and you've come up empty handed. Live with it. NavCom: That's right. You had your chance. But you blew it. You say you lost the match because of golf clubs? You wish. Those clubs never touched you. One accidentally bumps the top rope, and all of the sudden you deem it right to attack a manager with them? That's real tough. Takes a real man to do that. Man, what a week for the Posse. Saturday Night, lose the titles. Wednesday, have a guy job out of the tournament, and that pussy, the Crippler loses too. Then, the next Saturday, have a title shot, and be too scared to show up. That's what it was. FEAR. Rather than show up and lose another match at the hands of the Armed Forces, you just jump Aaron. Well, you lost the match, and YOU'VE LOST THE WAR. [He holds up the World Tag Team Titles.] NavCom: We've got 'em, you don't. And you never will again. Screw off, Drifters. Go worry about guys like Law and Disorder. DefCon: Oh, and Wales...buddy. You think it's funny to have your guys beat up managers? Watch your back. Watch your back. We'll be right there. We have been all along. You're a marked man. Now. On to new business. Gump Team. Forrest and Jenny. You guys were cryin' about how we beat you. Waah. We lost to the Armed Forces, we didn't get a title shot, we didn't win at Midsummer Madness. Well, ya know why???? YOU SUCK!!! Wake up, guys. You've got NO skills!! Go back to the movies, losers. You wanna shot? You're not worthy!!! NavCom: But, here's what we'll do. Yeah, you guys suck. But lately, the Armed Forces have been getting a lot of flack from this Chump...I mean Championship Committee about the "Top Contenders". And the rumor is that HPD are #1. DefCon: Ha ha. Beat them up. Scared them off. Next. NavCom: And Bungle Team is #2. Well, ok. We love to fight. But, more so, we like to beat people up. And you're just the squad we wanna beat up next. So, Slump Team. You want a shot? You got one. But, mark my words. YOU WON'T WIN. DefCon: Ron Fire...you felt the Missile before. You'll feel it again. Steve, uh, what's his name... NavCom: Oh, shoot. I can't remember. [NavCom and DefCon laugh.] DefCon: [between chuckles] Yeah, whatever. Where was I. Oh yeah, Steve, I'm gonna leave you layin', too. NavCom: Plain and simple fact. We should've been in the tournament. But we weren't. We should've gotten the first shot. But we didn't. But....ha ha. We jockeyed our way into a match, and look what happened. DefCon: May you all bow at the feet of The Armed Forces!!! NavCom: Ace and Marshall, YOU'RE AFTER THE SQUAT TEAM!!! [The Armed Forces cockily show off the Tag Team Belts and walk off. Fade] However, the Drifters are convinced that it's not over until it's over: [SCENE: Josey Wales sits at a table in a saloon with his High Plains Drifters. They're all laughing and drinking beers.] JW: Ha, ha,..wait, hold on, you're killing me. PR: And then, ha, ha, ha, and then I say "Fore!" and hit him with the driver, the putter, and the 7 and 8 irons on one swing! [Easy Rider laughs so hard beer comes out his nose.] JW: Ah, boys I can't tell you the last time I laughed so hard. So Mr. Caddy, do you now know what it's like to tangle with the Posse? How dare you ever imply that we were ever once friends. This little incident surely should put to rest any of those rumors. ER: Now that we're taken care of your caddy, Armed Forces, we're coming after our belts too. PR: Enjoy 'em while you can, 'cause they'll be back around our waists, where they belong, real soon. [Fade] 13. TIGER CLAW and the PRINCE OF DARKNESS fought to a no-contest in a battle for the IIWF Intercontinental Championship when the mysterious Archangel, a huge 7'3", 400lbs monster, attacked the Dark Prince: [SCENE: the Prince of Darkness standing in a cold, dark locker room following his battle with Tiger Claw:] PoD: 7'3"???? I've beaten taller. Over 400 lbs.? I've beaten bigger!! A little note for all you punks from the Punster right on down to this so called "monster" that showed his face tonight.......the POD's here to stay. Big man!! You've got nerve costing me that title. I'm not afraid of big men. They prove to be the biggest cowards. Punster.......I've got you this Wednesday night. I promise......you won't be laughing once I'm done with you. That's a promise!!! Tiger Claw........how good are you one on one??? Not good enough, I guess. You needed your big friend to save that title of yours. Are you a champion or a chumpion??? One challenge, that's all I ask. You and me in a steel cage so you can't escape. Accept my challenge, and you'll gain my respect. However, you'll lose your title. Another promise!! [Fade] It was another night of action, another night of surprises, and another night of challenges. Don Antonio came out before Tiger Claw's match and demanded he get a shot at the Intercontinental Championship as soon as possible. Brian Lau signed the contract, and the match is on, this Saturday Night! Let's get comments from the Syndicate: [SCENE: Shot opens on a gleaming trophy. It is the People's Champion trophy that Tiger Claw left the ring with on Saturday night. On the plaque, the name Subway Psycho has been obviously scratched out, and the name Tiger Claw has been written with a marker above it. The camera widens its shot, and the Syndicate can be seen admiring the trophy.] BL: You know, I almost passed out on Saturday, I was laughing so much. CJ: Joe, you did a good "anonymous fan," where'd you come up with that? JL: Hardin, man... The guy's cold... Makes that black heart of yours look overburdened with warmth and compassion... KT: Hold on, guys... We're on... Hello, folks, this is Kenny Tanaka coming to you from the trophy room of the Dojo, and the Syndicate is here in full force. What a card we saw this past Saturday. BL: Yes... And the high point was the stretcher job from the Psycho. I think we've sent a message to all those who have wronged us in the past. With the strongest atheletes in the IIWF teamed together, nobody is safe. You saw it... Verhoeven, The High Plains Drifters, The Syndicate, and the man who brought us together, The Outlaw, J.W. Hardin. Sometimes you have to wonder what made this man so bad. I don't care what caused it, I just like the results! The Psycho has been taken out. How does that make you feel, Sasha? Sasha: I'm sad, Brian... BL: Huh? Sasha: Well, if he's not wrestling, he's not getting paid... That means we don't get his wages! BL: Worry not, my dear. I think we've get a firm grip on the financial situation. Money is great, but there's a greater joy. The joy of crushing your enemies. And, of course, being recognized as the People's Champion, right Tiger Claw? [Tiger Claw laughs off camera.] BL: Who's next? Well, let's check the rest of the existing roster of the Alliance of Excellence... Dan Kauffman, Joe is going to take you and bury you... JL: Danny boy, you hit me with a friggin' chair. How do you think that makes me feel? Did you think that would lower my intensity? What you did was cause me to lose an important match. That made me mad. You also gave me this nagging pain from the bruises. This also made me mad. Get ready for what I've got in store for you, Coughdrop, because it's going to be vast worlds of pain. I've got a whole army behind me. What do you have? A mouth. well, I'm going to knock the teeth out of that puppy... See how easy it is to talk when all you have is gums. BL: And who else is on our hit list? Oh, YES! Deathbringer. Hardin's got your number, and we're going to make sure that number comes up. We'll see how easily you keep getting up when Hardin rips your head off. KT: What are your thoughts on the Don's challenge? BL: You know, it's funny... Here comes these guys who make airs of being part of the supposed largest crime ring in the world. Let me ask you something, Don, have you ever heard of Yakuza? The Japanese invented that which you have made a mockery of for hundreds of years. And go figure... I'm Japanese. With some help from my men here, We're going to teach you a lesson in enforcement. Casey here taught you what you know about being a lawman in the IIWF, so don't go preaching about Justice... Oh, and Tiger Claw doesn't eat chicken chow mein... That's Chinese. He's Thai... I realize that to your limited intellect, we all look the same, you racist scuzzball. The People's Champion will teach you a thing or two about combat in that ring on Saturday, Don, you can bet on it. KT: But first Tiger Claw is fighting MOS, who also wants a title shot. BL: Yes, I've been pondering his challenge carefully. He wants Tiger Claw to put the belt up in the tournament match. Unfortunately, this cannot happen. You see, technically, this tournament match is a title match, and if you read the fine print in the rules, you can't have two singles titles on the line in one match unless there are special stipulations. Furthermore, the paperwork has all been drawn up, and cannot be changed. My hands are tied, Steel, but I'll tell you what. During this match, I will send a representative to scout you, and we'll consider a title shot after that. Let me see... Who shall I send... Casey, you're not busy that night, are you? CJ: You know, Brian, come to think of it, I'm not! I'd be honoured to scout Man of Steel for you! BL: Wonderful! Well, there you have it, MOS. I think this is completely fair, don't you? HM: I think you can only see this as fair, MOS. Here you have a chance of a lifetime to put yourself in line for two belts. If you win the match, you will definately get a shot, and you will also advance to the finals, where you will more than likely meet me. I have no doubt that I will be able to defeat Dan Kauffman. It may not be easy, but I will do it. But this is wishful thinking, of course. I've been watching the rest of the tounament, and I was pained to see that Takezo Musashi was beaten by Chris Quigley. I was looking forward to meeting Musashi in the finals. It was only a matter of time, wasn't it, Takezo? I have been awaiting the moment when we would meet once again in the arena. I've worked long and hard, preparing for the time when our paths would cross for a second time. I'm not going to let the opportunity slip through my fingers again, Musashi. You have been marked, and being marked by a member of the Syndicate is what keeps a lot of the athletes in the IIWF laying awake at night. BL: You know, with all the new talent coming into the IIWF, I feel like a senior watching all the freshmen coming to school. The new kids that were a big deal in the lower levels come to the big leagues to find that there's a lot of bigger, more frightening people that they have to deal with. There's definitely some promise, don't get me wrong. Verhoeven has quickly learned how to get ahead in the IIWF, and that's to ally yourself with those like yourself. The battlefield has been chosen, the lines are being drawn up. There will be an epic battle between the two major forces in the IIWF, and it will all come to a head at Ring Wars. Get ready, kids, because this one's going to be intense. KT: There you have it, folks. The Syndicate knows exactly where they stand, and they know exactly who their next targets are. Those of you mentioned better watch that back, because you can be assured that The Syndicate is keeping track of your actions. [Fade] IIWF Midweek Mayhem - 4 September 1996 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tomorrow night will see another action-packed night of wrestling entertainment, live from the IIWF Coliseum. Let's run down the card as it stands: Vinny Cappicola vs. Mr. Damage [D] Vinny Cappicola may have a date with Otto Verhoeven at some point in the future, but tomorrow night he must turn his attentions to the Antipodean athlete, Mr. Damage. Hot on the heels of his success as a member of the Senate, Mr. Damage is determined to keep his winning streak alive. This match promises to be a technical vs. power battle; Damage's technique relies on focusing on a body part and working it over, whereas Vinny will just hit you and hurt you with his power moves. Let's hear from Mr. Damage now: -- Letter to Vinnie Cafe Latte Vinnie Cappicola, I hate you, I hate your family, I hate Don Antonio. I have a big problem with you. Do you always wear your hair like that, or are you trying to hide the circumcision scars? I have a gift for you. I don't want to ruin the surprise. I'm going to rub your nose in Linguini. Vinnie, I want to start something with you, then I'm going to finish it off. I'm going to kick your Ass so hard you are going to have open your mouth to go to the toilet. Nothing much would have changed then. Yours, Mr. Damage -- "Painbringer" Billy Sexton vs. Casey "Blackheart" James [D] Billy Sexton's impressive winning streak could come to an end tomorrow night as he goes up against the dangerous Casey "Blackheart" James. Sexton will have to try and stay out of the way of James' hard-hitting power moves, and take Casey down to the mat with his extensive mat wrestling ability. With Brian Lau on the outside, the odds are stacked against Sexton, but he's made quite a habit of turning odds around in recent weeks. Sexton sees Casey as one of the final obstacles in gaining a shot at Tiger Claw's IC title; will he jump the hurdle? Aces of the Deep vs. The Rotundos [J] [D] We've heard from Sam "Shark" Summers and Peter "Pirahna" Pouls before, but we've yet to see them in the ring, and we'll see them in action tomorrow night as they take on the IIWF's heaviest tag team, the Rotundos. Sabin Figaro vs. Majestic Maurice McArthur [J] [D] The "Royalty of the Street" Sabin Figaro will make his singles debut tomorrow night as he faces the blueblood Triple M. Sab possesses some great power moves, so we'll see what kind of a performance he can string together when he's not burdened by a tag partner -- some might say that he can't exactly do any worse. Heavy Metal vs. Steamroller [D] So far, no IIWF tag team has been able to stand up to the assault of Heavy Metal. They are 3-0 up, and planning to make it four tomorrow night as they battle Steamroller, the former IIWF Tag champs who, whilst growing in popularity with the fans of the IIWF, seem to have lost direction since ditching their manager, Dave Albanese. Whether they have kept their focus in the aftermath of the split is a debatable issue, and if they're even a single degree off top condition, Robo Stone's team will make them pay. "Badboy" Randy Acorn vs. Prisoner #109 There are few athletes in the IIWF as unpredictable and volatile as the vicious ex-con, Prisoner #109. Randy Acorn is going to have his hands full in this one simply trying to keep P109 under control, and we may see a different Randy Acorn to the arrogant, cocky athlete that we have hitherto seen in the ring. It seems to me that Acorn is going to be fighting for his life in this one, despite the arrogant comments we heard earlier on. Law & Disorder vs. High Plains Drifters Ace Maverick and Marshall Law have yet to really make an impact on the dwindling tag team scene here in the IIWF; they have only managed one win in four matches, and it's debatable whether they will make it two out of five tomorrow night. The High Plains Drifters are certainly a mean pair of hombres since they lost the IIWF World Tag Team titles just over a week ago -- we saw evidence of their state of mind on Saturday Night, when they decided that they would rather attack a manager with a set of golf clubs than chase the tag team gold that has been theirs in the past. They might well settle for just beating the snot out of Law & Disorder in this match, too. Punster vs. Prince of Darkness The Punster challenged the Prince of Darkness to this match last week, but since then it has transpired that the Dark Prince might well have other things to think about than the challenge of the irksome wordsmith. Of course, PoD's distractions concerning the Archangel will almost certainly work in the Punster's favour, and if PoD is looking over his shoulder throughout the match, it won't take long for the Punster to put him away. "Enigma" Takezo Musashi vs. Crimson Storm We've seen just about everything from Takezo Musashi in his first three matches here in the IIWF -- everything, that is, apart from three victories. I don't think I've ever seen an athlete put so much into a match and still come out with the loser's share of the purse money. Well, the Enigma vows that tomorrow night, his two-match losing streak will come to an end, and he will begin the inexorable climb up the IIWF's rankings which is his destiny. Expect another exciting, high-flying performance in this match. However, given the current bad terms between Musashi and his manager, "Big Bucks" Don McQueen, it is possible that the Enigma's mind will not be fully on this match. And just what was Hakiro Matsuoko talking about earlier when he mentioned meeting Musashi again? For all Brian Lau's bluster and bravado, one thing remains true: if he says you're marked by the Syndicate, you worry. ======================================================= IIWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINALS: ======================================================= Dan Kauffman vs. "Angel of the Sun" Hakiro Matsuoko Man Of Steel vs. Tiger Claw Two of the three semi-finals in the Cruiserweight Championship tournament will go down tomorrow night as Brian Lau's men attempt to both progress to the finals. Former IC champ Matsuoko is going to have a hell of a task getting past a very fired up Dan Kauffman, however, and unless Kauffman loses his focus in this match, I can't see Matsuoko beating him. Conversely, it's hard to imagine the Man Of Steel getting past current IC champ Tiger Claw, especially given that we have already heard the threats of Brian Lau earlier on today about having Casey "Blackheart" James on hand to lend Claw moral support. I believe that Claw must be the favourite in this tournament now, and he's set to continue making IIWF history; not only is he the first two-time IC champ, but soon he could be the IIWF's first double champion. We'll see in due course, but these matches will doubtless be outstanding encounters in any case. "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley vs. Brad "Bodybag" Kinder Chris Quigley has certainly captured the attentions of the IIWF superstars since breezing into the league a couple of weeks ago, full of tales of his achievements in other promotions. Talk just doesn't cut the mustard here in the IIWF, and Brad Kinder is going to send Quigley a big wake-up call tomorrow night. However, Kinder has been strangely quiet as of late, and rumours suggest that he has been back in the Arizona desert trying to get his focus back after a series of indifferent performances in recent times. Will this former IC champ measure up to the man who doesn't care who he goes through to get to the top here in the IIWF? Expect a real see-saw battle from this one, folks; Kinder is the consummate power wrestler who can also mix it up on the mat, while Quigley claims to be the finest technical wrestler in the world today. This one certainly promises a whole lot. Don't miss it. ========================================== IIWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: ========================================== Deathbringer vs. Fisto Flash IIWF World Champion Deathbringer faces another tough challenge tomorrow night in Fisto Flash. Deathbringer hasn't been able to concentrate on his status as World Champion since winning the belt, due to the efforts of the Outlaw and his burgeoning alliance, and one has to wonder whether Deathbringer is going to be focused enough on the task in hand when he steps into the ring against Fisto Flash. However, Flash also has a lot on his plate right now, his rivalry with the Hangman really hotting up. Who knows what could happen if the Outlaw shows up? Who knows what could happen if the Hangman shows up? This one will be a real battle, folks. Don't miss one moment of the action tomorrow night live from the IIWF Coliseum! Larry Morton and Becky LaRue will be your hosts for the evening, and with a line-up like that, you have no excuse not to be there! Newcomers ~~~~~~~~~ We got our first look at Archangel on Saturday Night; now let's take a look at his stats: ARCHANGEL Weight: 400lbs. Height: 7'2" Origin: Purgatory Manager: Bishop Right Appearance: wears white and black ring pants Orientation: face Five favorite moves: 1. power bomb 2. flying clothesline 3. flying tackle 4. choke slam 5. reverse piledriver Finisher: Judgement Day Drop - powerbomb off top turnbuckle Primary Attributes: 1. Strength 2. Technical 3. Intelligence Profile: Bishop Right was a wrestler in the 70s and 80s who was tired of all the heels. He journeyed to Purgatory where he found the Archangel. The Archangel would be his tool of retribution against all the forces of evil. [Handler: Adrian English (ADRIANE96@aol.com)] It's probably appropriate to reaprise ourselves of the impressive physical attributes of the "Royalty of the Street" Sabin Figaro, who is set to make his first singles appearance very soon: "ROYALTY OF THE STREET" SABIN RENE FIGARO Weight: 330 lbs. Height: 6' 6" Origin: The Valley of the Shadow of Death Appearance: see http://www1.mhv.net/~megadiesel/mash.html for a picture. Theme Music: "Gangsta's Paridise" by Coolio Orientation: Face Five Favorite Moves: 1. Powerbomb 2. Inverted Atomic Drop (Done before Bum Rush) 3. elbowdrop off second rope 4. Headbutt 5. Diving Clothesline Finishing Move: Sabin has two. His main finisher is called "The Bum Rush". Sab picks up the opponent in a Inverted Atomic Drop, then starts to give quick, stunning punches at unknown speeds. His other is called "The Gangsta-Plex", a Fisherman's Suplex. Primary attributes: 1. Brawling 2. Strength 3. Teamwork [Handler: Bob Hansen (MegaDiesel@mhv.net)] We first heard from the Aces of the Deep, and , on Friday in our last report. Now let's take a look at their stats: ACES OF THE DEEP Origin: Depth City, USA Theme Music: Theme from "Jaws" Orientation: Face Wrestler: Sam "Shark" Summers Peter "Piranha" Pouls Weight: 234lbs 295lbs Height: 6'5" 6'9" Appearance: "Shark" is a tanned man with "Piranha" is a white male black hair and black eyes. He with brown eyes and hair. is a little thin for his height, He is very well-built. but his legs are strong. He wears His attire is yellow, a light blue uniform, with a adorned with piranhas. jaw drawn on front of it. 5 Moves: 1. Frankensteiner 1. Piledriver 2. Legdrop off tope 2. Bulldog 3. Dropkick 3. German Suplex 4. Russian Leg Lariat 4. Bodyslam 5. DDT 5. Diving Headbutt Finisher: Jaws - Bulldog off top rope Amazon Nightmare - piledriver from 2nd buckle. Primary attributes: 1. Intelligence 1. Strength 2. Aerial 2. Endurance 3. Teamwork 3. Teamwork Tag team finisher: Death on the Deep - "Piranha" slams the opponent, ups him over his head and "Shark" executes a Elbow Smash from the top rope. Profiles: Both wrestlers are former street fighters. "Shark" was also a former stuntman, and he is not afraid of using high-risk moves. "Piranha", however, likes the contact fight, and normally uses his strength in power moves. [Handler: Luis Garavello (lhgarave@dcc.unicamp.br)] IIWF Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Update ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We're now only just over a week away from the crowning of the IIWF's first ever Cruiserweight Champion! We now know who the semi-finalists are, and tomorrow night, we'll find out who two of the finalists will be. Let's take a look at the brackets: First Round Semi-finals Finals [ Dan Kauffman ]-. |-[ Dan Kauffman ]-. [ Bob Hansen ]-' | |-[ Finalist ] [ Hakiro Matsuoko ]-. | |-[ Hakiro Matsuoko ]-' [ Simon Lebec ]-' [ Man Of Steel ]-. |-[ Man Of Steel ]-. [ Pale Rider ]-' | |-[ Finalist ] [ Tiger Claw ]-. | |-[ Tiger Claw ]-' [ Crimson Storm ]-' [ Chris Quigley ]-. |-[ Chris Quigley ]-. [ Takezo Musashi ]-' | | [ B. Shakespeare ]-. |-[ Finalist ] |-[ B. Shakespeare ]-' [ Randy Acorn ]-' It's heartening to see that although the so-called "forces of darkness" are so strong in the IIWF at present, four of the last six men in this tournament are much loved by the fans. Unsurprisingly, the remaining two are both members of the Syndicate. Brian Lau has a better than average chance of bringing home another piece of silverware in the not too distant future. IIWF Saturday Night - 8 September 1996 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This Saturday Night's card is already shaping up to be a classic. Let's take a look at the matches already signed: - Archangel vs. Prince of Darkness - "Enigma" Takezo Musashi vs. Marty Warnett - Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven vs. Vinny Cappicola - IIWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL: = "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley vs. "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare - IIWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: = Armed Forces vs. Stunt Team USA - IIWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: = Tiger Claw vs. Don Antonio Marty Warnett has accepted the challenge of the Enigma, and that match will go down this Saturday: [SCENE: Marty talking to friends.] MW: Well, yeah, he was stomping on me, but I was in control, lulling him into a false sense of security ... Voice: MARTY! PHONE!!! MW: Hi Prez ... Enigma wants to fight? Hey, my contract is open ... I'll fight anybody. I'll even give you some comments for him... Enigma - I've seen your bouts, and you are one talented S.O.B, all those flying moves and stuff - but here's one thing you oughta know - name one Oriental rock group ... I'm here to fight, the party'll continue on Saturday. I agree to your challenge, but if you think I'm going to be your first win, and an easy victory, you have another thing coming. Music styles come and go, rock is here forever, it's in my heart and in my soul, and in that ring, we'll rock and roll. Yeah. You made the challenge - I make the stipulations - keep that manager of yours away from ringside. One on one, my friend. [Fade] More matches will be signed over the next few days, and I'll have the complete run-down in Friday's report. IIWF Golden Grapple Awards - 12 September 1996 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We're only just over a week away from this great event, where we'll be taking a look back at the best and worst things about the IIWF. All your favourite IIWF superstars will be there to present and accept awards as diverse as Best Match, Best Wrestler, Worst Interviewer, Funniest IIWF Moment, and many many more! We'll have more on this evening of fun and entertainment over the next week, but put the date in your diary now: you don't want to miss this one, folks! Departures ~~~~~~~~~~ In with the new, and out with the old. The following IIWF wrestlers have retired from active duty: - "Illumaniti" Bob Hansen (of tag team The Final Truth) - Phantom (of the Dark Knights) Next Report ~~~~~~~~~~~ That just about wraps up today's Control Centre update. Thanks for joining us here -- hang on... [Dross is handed a compact disc. He holds his hand up to his earpiece as he receives instructions from the director.] ... I understand that this is a CD-ROM received just a few minutes ago, with instructions for broadcast. Okay, we'll play it right now. Don't forget to tune in tomorrow night for another dose of Midweek Mayhem, and I'll be back on Friday with another IIWF Control Centre update. Until then, this is Tim Dross, saying: so long, everybody! [As the CD-ROM starts playing, a scene of a clear blue sky comes onto the screen. This shot stays on the screen for 10 seconds without any change, then slowly, a computerized voice starts speaking...] "It has been said that the forces of evil are starting to sweep across the realm of the IIWF... [An image of the Outlaw is shown superimposed over the now-darkening sky, as he makes his attack on Ned Norton. The camera shows the whole carnage that took place between the "good" and "evil" sides, and the voice speaks again.] "It started with the carnage that was left behind after the Outlaw and his minions demonstrated their brand of wrestling to the entire world. [The superimposed image switches to the Outlaw dropping the Cattle Buster DDT on the Subway Psycho on Saturday Night, and the sky flashes bright as lightning and rain starts to pound the scene.] "It continued with a set-up of one of the most beloved "good" men in the IIWF, and the Subway Psycho may never be the same again... [All of a sudden, everything goes pitch black, and the only thing still active is the voice...] "These men claim they are "the" forces of evil. They can claim to be evil, but I know that they are not. They are men, all of them, men that follow a different, more violent line than any others. They attack, they maim, they attempt to control others. And yes, they are indeed a brutal force. But they are not evil. For mortal men is what they are, living species. And a mortal life, however bad its acts, can not be evil. These men can be stopped, but not without cooperation from the men that want to see it stopped. I am one of those men. And although no one knows who I am, you all do know me. And when the time comes, I will lead to battle the forces that want the Outlaw and his forces stopped. "The Outlaw has started a war within the IIWF. Well, Outlaw, congratulations. You have exactly what you want. The question is, can you capitalize? [The screen flashes a brilliant white, then fades to black once more. However, as it fades, several scenes of real wars flash across, the last of which portrays a scene of horror...] "This war has just begun..." [Fade] +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I * I * W * F =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+ | Send mail to iiwf@sisko.demon.co.uk with the subject lines: | | "send faq" for the FAQ + "send singles" or "send tag" for the | | rosters + "send handlers" for a list of handlers | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | URL: http://www.sisko.demon.co.uk/ | President: Daniel Spreadbury | +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+