[Fade up on a close-up of flames dancing on the screen. The shot pulls back, and through some video wizardry, the form of the White Phoenix is superimposed on the fire. Voice over:] VO: The mysterious White Phoenix. He who died by the flame has risen by the flame, and has hit the IIWF like a raging inferno. Within two months of entering the IIWF, he has risen like a phoenix to the top of the rankings. His vendetta against Brian Lau is like the ravenous fire that created the Phoenix, but can he channel his rage, or will the flames of fury consume him? [The Phoenix sinks down into the flames, and is replaced by Tiger Claw and Hakiro Matsuoko.] VO: Brian Lau's Syndicate has been on the rocks in the past few weeks. Having lost one member, and the Intercontinental Championship, Lau's men are up against the wall. But like wounded animals, the Syndicate could strike back more ferociously than ever. [The Syndicate sink back into the flames, and the image of a steel cage, ablaze, rises from the fire.] VO: Tonight, the White Phoenix will face both Tiger Claw and Hakiro Matsuoko inside a flaming steel cage, two on one. Tonight, the vendetta could be settled -- and careers could be ended. Tonight, on... [The flames engulf the screen, and the fast-paced title music kicks in as the opening graphics burst through the flames:] ##### ###### ### ########## ########## ########## #### ## ########## ########## ########## #### # #### ######## ##### ##### #### ## ##### #### #### #### #### ### #### #### #### #### ############# ######### #### #### ########### ######### #### #### #### #### #### ######### ######### ### #### #### ######### ######### ### ## #### ######## ######## ## # #### =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ## =-=-=-= INTERNATIONAL INTERNET WRESTLING FEDERATION =============================================== M + I + D + W + E + E + K M + A + Y + H + E + M ----------------------------------------------- + LiVE! + IIWF Coliseum + 6 November 1996 + [The opening graphics explode in a fireball, and the fast-paced intro music is almost drowned by the excited cheers of a twenty-thousand strong crowd who fill the IIWF Coliseum. Pan down past row upon row of excited fans, eventually coming to rest on the announcers' table in the ringside enclosure. Larry Morton, looking chirpy as usual, and Becky LaRue, looking markedly less chirpy and wearing sunglasses, are standing at the table.] LM: Welcome everybody to another exciting edition of IIWF Midweek Mayhem! We are coming at you _LIVE_ and _LOUD_ from th... BL: [interrupting] Sssh, Larry, please. LM: Sorry. I'd better keep it down. We're coming live from the IIWF Coliseum, and we've got another incredible action-packed show for you tonight. I'm Larry Morton, and beside me is a very hung-over Becky LaRue. What I want to know, Becky, is why I wasn't invited to the IIWF President's birthday party? BL: You wouldn't have enjoyed it. Just a bunch of suits getting drunk and slavering over me. LM: That sounds great to me... er, no, that's not right. BL: What did you say, you twerp? LM: Nothing... don't hit me! Anyway, folks, as you heard at the top of the show, tonight's main event pits the White Phoenix against Tiger Claw and Hakiro Matsuoko in a Handicap Flaming Cage Match. What on earth can have possessed Chow to sign a match like this? BL: One word: stupidity. LM: Perhaps so. We'll find out later on tonight. We're also in for a special Four Corners Match between Dan Kauffman and the "hired gun" Mr. Damage. As if Kauffman doesn't have enough to contend with as it is, without somebody paying Mr. Damage to take him out, Becky... BL: Who cares?! Have you got any more paracetamol? LM: Sorry, no. Are you going to take those sunglasses off? BL: No way. The lights are too bright. LM: In other action, we'll see the Zodiac Connection face Pain Inc. in a match where you spin the wheel to make the deal... We could see an exploding barbed wire cage firestorm earthquake death match later on here tonight! BL: Sounds rather like my headache... LM: The IIWF Cruiserweight Champion, "Badboy" Randy Acorn, will be defending his title against the impressive and as yet undefeated Onslaught, and the man who shares Acorn's moniker, or possibly vice versa, "Badboy" Mark Bagwell, will be making his IIWF debut tonight. That could be an interesting match, Becky. BL: Whatever. LM: In another debut, we'll see Marty Warnett take on the bizarre Harlequin Tragedy, who certainly made something of an entrance last Saturday Night. All that to come right here tonight! But before we get up to the ring for our first live match, let's just recap on the action we saw before coming on air tonight: - CASEY "BLACKHEART" JAMES narrowly defeated LEGION in a match which nearly went the twenty-minute distance. Both men were pulling out all their power moves throughout the match, but in the end, Casey scored the victory after his Black Death spinebuster. - "QUICKSTRIKE" CHRIS QUIGLEY forced FISTO FLASH to submit to his Quickstriker scorpion deathlock, but it was hardly an inspired performance from Quigley, who is looking increasingly worn out these days. Had it not been for the distracting presence of Onslaught at ringside, Flash might have pulled out the victory. Quigley really does look the worse for wear at the moment, Becky. What with all the hard knocks he's been taking as of late, there have to be some question marks over whether he's fit to be an active participant in the ring wars. BL: Those question marks were always there, Larry. Quigley isn't fit to tie his own bootlaces, let alone challenge for the World title. LM: I guess we'll see how well he fares against Verhoeven this Saturday Night, but on the strength of tonight's performance, I wouldn't hold out too much hope of seeing a new champion. In other action: - THE ALPHABET BOYS and THE PLAYERS' CLUB wrestled to a no contest when the Armed Forces stormed the ring and attacked both teams. Aaron the Caddy certainly seems to have his men fired up following their recent spell of misfortune, and it looks like the Forces are determined to turn that luck around. However, the ABoys and TPC worked together to banish the Forces from ringside, and left together on good terms. BL: How can one be on good terms with morons like Abie and Zed? LM: I'm sure if you give them sugar, they'll be your friends for life, Becky. Moving on: - STEVE "THE FURY" KOWALSKI pinned the MAN OF STEEL, who seemed decidedly depressed as he wrestled tonight. The fans jeered him solidly throughout the match, so it seems that some of Robski's scurrilous accusations have stuck to some degree. Despite Bibbo's attempts to get Steel fired up, he looked lacklustre against Kowalski, who finished him off with his brutal Skullpump double underhook piledriver. - LORD BYRON defeated DON ANTONIO when the Venusian Death Cell, who had apparently strayed out of the locker room for no discernible reason, came down to the ring and attacked Vinny Cappicola, the Don's right hand man, who was at ringside. The Don left the ring to expel the VDC, and was counted out. Byron continues on his winning ways. [The timekeeper's bell rings.] BL: Yow, not so loud, please! LM: Pull yourself together, Becky. We've got a big opener coming up tonight, as "Badboy" Mark Bagwell makes his IIWF debut. Let's go up to Sparkplug in the ring! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- "Badboy" Mark Bagwell vs. El Poco Seguente -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= [Sparkplug Lee climbs into the ring, but shies away from the brightness of the spotlight. He pulls a pair of sunglasses from his pocket and slips them on. The price tag is still attached to one of the arms of the shades, and it tickles his cheek as he raises his microphone:] LM: Looks like Sparkplug had a good night last night, too. Was I the only guy not to be invited? BL: Yup. LM: Charming. RA: Uh... Ladies and gentlemen... tonight's first live encounter is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, already in the ring, hailing from somewhere south of the border, and weighing in at 232lbs, here is... El... Poco... Seguente! [Negligible crowd reaction for the masked luchador-wannabe who attempts a backflip across the ring, but lands awkwardly and twists his ankle. He hobbles back to his corner, pretending he meant to do that.] LM: I did a little research into this guy's name, Becky. BL: That just proves you don't have a life, Larry. LM: Please try to be nice. Anyway, it's a curious mixture of Mexican and Italian. "Poco Seguente" means literally "little following", so I guess his name means something like "The Little Follower". BL: He certainly has a very little following. I think we were better off not knowing, Larry. LM: You might be right, Becky. RA: And introducing his opponent... making his IIWF debut, hailing from Toronto, Canada, and weighing in at 221lbs, here is... the "Badboy" Mark Bagwell! [Big heel pop as "Theme from Bad Boys" by Mark Mancina begins to play over the PA system. The arena goes black, and "black" lights turn up. A "Bad Boy" logo spins on the canvas in the middle if the ring. Mark Bagwell comes out from the locker room with a cocky smile on his face, holding his hands up high. He wears his usual wrestling attire, which consists of white jeans, with a silver belt, black cowboys boots, and also a black jean shirt with ripped-off sleeves, with "Bad Boy" written on the back. He also wears a pair of silver Oakley shades. As he gets about halfway to the ring, he lowers his shades a bit, and begins to insult a few fans at ringside. Once he begins to walk up the ring stairs, he flicks his chewing gum out, and jumps into the ring. He takes off his shades, fixes his hair, and gives out a loud "Wooooo!!!" A few of the fans reply with a "Wooo!" of their own. He gives them the finger for their trouble.] LM: What a cocky individual... We've heard a great deal from Bagwell about his exploits elsewhere, and how he has claimed time and time again to be the original "Badboy", but these fans are more interested at how he can mix it up in the ring. BL: He's no slouch, I'm sure, but I dare say he's no Randy Acorn. LM: Don't you start as well, Becky. [The bell rings to signal the start of the match, and Bagwell immediately charges Seguente, hitting him with a volley of punches and clotheslines, backing him up into the corner. The referee calls for the break, and Bagwell obliges, but not without getting in a sneak slap behind official's back. His ire raised, Seguente charges out of the corner, and is immediately hiptossed across the ring by Bagwell. He drags Seguente to his feet and executes a vicious double underhook suplex. He showboats to the crowd, who jeer him soundly.] LM: Bagwell is certainly on top of his game here... hang on, Randy Acorn is out here! Acorn's at the head of the aisle! BL: Larry, don't shout. LM: [whispering] Sorry. [Sure enough, the IIWF Cruiserweight Champion stands at the head of the aisle, his hands on his hips, and his gleaming belt around his waist. He looks up at Bagwell, who climbs to the second turnbuckle and gestures for Acorn to bring it on. Acorn smirks and shakes his head, but stands his ground. Bagwell shouts abuse at Acorn from the ring, and then leaps back to finish off his opponent. Seguente is struggling to his feet, and Bagwell sends him back to the mat with a big kneelift, before dragging him back to a vertical base and executing an impressive back suplex.] LM: Bagwell is something of a suplex specialist, Becky. BL: Do I look like I care? LM: I wouldn't want to say _what_ you look li... argh! BL: Tonight is not the night to get fresh with me, you little worm. LM: ...aaak. Pain... kneecap... [Bagwell points up the aisle at Acorn before applying his Boston "Bad" Crab. Seguente wastes no time at all in submitting. Ding! Ding! Ding! The referee signals to Bagwell to break the hold, but Bagwell pretends not to be able to hear the official. The referee lays the count on Bagwell, and finally the "Badboy" releases the hold. He leaves the ring and heads up the aisle to where Randy Acorn is standing, and the two of them have a standoff.] LM: This is a potentially messy situation. BL: Good. [Bagwell goes to put his hand on Acorn's belt, but Acorn pushes his hand away, saying something that the cameras don't pick up. The two men begin shouting at one another, and Bagwell shoves Acorn, triggering a brawl between the two. Before things can get out of hand, however, the two "Badboys" are separated by a security team and dragged back to the locker room.] LM: Wow. Bagwell sure didn't waste any time in making new enemies here in the IIWF. Well, folks, up next we're going to see another debut, as the somewhat unsettling Harlequin Tragedy makes his first IIWF appearance, battling Marty Warnett. Let's go to some pretaped footage from Tim Dross, who went to meet with the Harlequins in their home: [SCENE: It is night, and IIWF commentator Tim Dross can be seen walking through what appears to be a broken down amusement park.] TD: I can't believe they sent me on this assignment! Just look at this place... how can anyone live in a place like...[Dross is cut off by the sound of one of the rides collapsing nearby] Good grief! This place is a hazard! VOICE: A hazard, a cesspool, a breeding ground for rats, junkies and God knows what.... [The camera turns to the source of the voice and reveals Comedy sitting on top of an old hotdog stand.] COMEDY: ... Home sweet Home! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! TD: Very funny, Comedy. Look, I was wondering if I could get an interview with you and Tragedy. COMEDY: Hmmmmmm! [Looks deep in thought, then suddenly turns cheerful] Okay! [Comedy bangs her fist on the side of the stand and Tim Dross falls through a trap door in the ground. Comedy looks at the camera] Oh did I forget you Mr. Cameraman? [Comedy hits the stand again and the camera falls a few feet before going to static. When the camera is back on line, we see Tim Dross at the bottom of the pit. There is a tunnel close by.] TD: Is that thing on? Good, now let's see if we can find Tragedy. [Dross and the cameraman head down the tunnel which leads to a well kept library where Tragedy and Comedy are waiting.] COMEDY: Hey guys! What took you so long? TD: How'd you get down here so fast? COMEDY: Took the stairs. TD: Stairs? Couldn't you have shown us them instead of that deathtrap back there! [Comedy gets an embarrassed look on her face, then smacks her hand on her head.] COMEDY: Doh! TD: [sigh] Anyway, could I ask you a couple of questions? COMEDY: Shoot! TD: Well, then, what brings you two to the IIWF? COMEDY: I'm with Trag. TD: Tragedy? TRAGEDY: My reasons are solely my own. Your only concern is whether or not your life falls in the path of my plans. TD: Uhhh, Okay. Now, you are the son of the legendary Puppet Master. What was it like being the son of a professional wrestler, and why didn't you initially try to market yourself based on that fact? TRAGEDY: As a few second generation wrestlers may tell you, it has its advantages and disadvantages. I have learned a lot from my father, at the cost of him not being around all the time. As for my... persona... I chose not to ride on my father's reputation, but to create one for myself, it's worked fine so far. TD: Speaking of second generation wrestlers, Steve "The Fury" Kowalski is in the IIWF, have you two met before? TRAGEDY: Only in passing. TD: So he wouldn't know you off the bat. TRAGEDY: I seriously doubt that. TD: Going back to your... appearance. Your look shares some similarity with another IIWF Superstar, "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare. COMEDY: You mean the masks? TD: Uh, yeah. Any connection there? TRAGEDY: Merely a coincedence. We've been wearing these masks for almost a year now. COMEDY: We never even heard of this Shakespeare guy until we went to the show last week. TD: What was that with the two of you at the Coliseum? What were you doing in the rafters? COMEDY: Oh I don't know. Watching, scouting.... TRAGEDY: Stalking. TD: [startled] Okay, now both of you have held titles in other federations, what are your aspirations in the IIWF, titlewise? COMEDY: That depends. TD: Depends on what? TRAGEDY: On which champion is going to fall first. TD: I don't understand. TRAGEDY: [his eyes glow brighter] Then I'll make you understand. You see Mr. Dross, everything that is wrong in this world is in my domain. Death, disease, starvation, pain, suffering, all of these are part of tragedy. All of these are mine to control. And NOONE is immune to it. Bad things happen to good people and bad people get what's coming to them. Like I said on Saturday, It's not whether or not I will get you, it's WHEN. And when I decide that it's your turn, there is nothing you can do to stop me! TD: Ahem... Well, I really must be going. TRAGEDY: Watch where you tread Mr. Dross. You wouldn't want to fall into my path. COMEDY: Bye bye Timmy! [Dross hurries out of shot, and the Harlequins disappear into the gloom. Cut back to the announcers' table.] LM: Well, what did you make of that, Becky? BL: [long pause] LM: Becky? Are you asleep? BL: Snort. LM: Let's get back up to the ring. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Marty Warnett vs. Harlequin Tragedy =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= [Sparkplug Lee screws up his face in discomfort as he steps into the spotlight once more.] RA: Ladies and gentlemen, the following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, making his IIWF debut, accompanied to the ring by Harlequin Comedy, hailing from Sleepy Hollow, Illinois, and weighing in at 220lbs, here is... Harlequin Tragedy! [Mixed pop as "Piece of Heaven" starts up over the PA. Tragi-comedy masks are cast onto the aisle by spotlights in blue and red, and dry ice begins to pour from the entranceway as the Harlequins appear. Tragedy wears tights that are blue on the left and red on the right, and a sleeveless shirt that is red on the left and blue on the right. He wears his polished steel "tragedy" mask. Comedy wears a one piece swimsuit that is blue on the left and red on the right, and her steel "comedy" mask.] LM: The fans don't know what to make of this individual, Becky. I must admit that I find him a little... bizarre. BL: Snort. [Tragedy reaches the ring, and steps over the ropes. He removes his steel mask to reveal his face, which is painted like a skull. Comedy also removes her mask, revealing the make-up of a mime. She fusses around Tragedy for a few moments.] RA: And introducing his opponent: coming down the aisle, hailing from Cardiff, Wales, and weighing in at 245lbs, here is the one and only Party Maniac.... Marty Warnett! ["Cold Gin" blasts out over the PA system, and Warnett appears at the head of the aisle to a huge face pop. Particularly enamoured are a group of teenage girls who wave a large bedsheet adorned with the words, "Marry Us Marty!". Marty winks at them and continues down to the ring, hi-fiving the fans as he comes. He climbs the ringsteps and steps between the ropes, raising his arms to the appreciative crowd.] LM: It seems every time this man steps between the ropes, he earns more fans, and deservedly so. Warnett is quickly shaking off his inexperience, and is growing in stature with every match. I wouldn't be surprised to see him with gold around his waist in the near future. BL: Snort. LM: I do apologise for my broadcast partner, folks. [The bell rings to signal the start of the match, and Comedy leaps out of the ring. Warnett and Tragedy circle one another, and simultaneously launch in to tie up collar and elbow. Tragedy sends Warnett for the ride, and attempts a clothesline. Warnett ducks underneath it, and both men attempt a flying cross-body block on the rebound. They crash to the mat, and both kip up to their feet at the same time. Big pop. They lock up again, and Warnett slips Tragedy into a headlock. He whips the Harlequin into the ropes, and then hits him with a drop toe-hold. Tragedy goes down, and Warnett quickly drops for a hammerlock. Tragedy fights to his feet, and flips out of the hammerlock, reversing the hold. Warnett looks out into the crowd, and then twists his arm round, crashing into Tragedy with a short-arm clothesline. He drops an elbow on the Harlequin and goes for the cover - 1 - 2 - kickout!] LM: We're seeing some fine technical wrestling between these two athletes right from the get-go, folks. BL: Snort. LM: Except for Becky, of course. [Both men get to their feet, and Warnett charges at Tragedy, who has staggered up against the ropes. Tragedy ducks out of the way, and Warnett tumbles to the outside. The Harlequin sizes up his opponent, and bounces against the ropes, launching himself with a plancha at the Welshman. Cameras flash all over the Coliseum! Big pop! Tragedy picks Warnett up and rolls him back into the ring, climbing to the top turnbuckle as he returns to the ring. He launches himself with a splash from the top rope, and connects. He makes the cover - 1 - 2 - kickout by Warnett! Pop!] LM: Warnett's showing us that increased stamina and resilience here. BL: Snort. LM: Quite. [Warnett staggers to his feet, stunned, and Tragedy bounces off the ropes with a fist to Warnett's temple. The Welshman goes down, and rolls out of the ring under the bottom rope. Tragedy follows him out, and attempts to whip him into the steel ringsteps. Warnett counters, but Tragedy is nimble enough to flip over the steps, landing on his feet in the aisle. Warnett gets back into the ring, and Tragedy attempts to follow him back in, but finds himself brought back over the top rope with a suplex. Tragedy crashes to the mat and Warnett hooks the leg - 1 - 2 - kickout! He gets to his feet and signals for The End, his patented figure four leglock, and slaps it on Tragedy before the Harlequin has time to pull himself together. Big pop as Warnett cinches in the hold.] LM: This could be all over for Tragedy right now, folks. Hang on -- no! Here comes Lord Byron! [Byron saunters down the aisle in his full regalia, complete with brass-topped walking cane. He ignores the jeering fans, but Warnett is soon aware of his presence, and releases the leglock. He gets to his feet, and starts hurling abuse at the blueblood from the ring. Byron simply laughs at Warnett, and leans on his cane at the bottom of the aisle. Meanwhile, Tragedy gets to his feet, and cradles Warnett from behind - 1 - 2 - Warnett just kicks out! He is quick to his feet, and drags Tragedy to his feet too. The two men grapple in the centre of the ring, and Byron casually turns so that his back is against the ring apron. Tragedy attempts to whip Warnett into the ropes, and Byron holds his cane up in the ropes... Warnett reverses the whip attempt, and sends Tragedy for the ride. Tragedy careers into Byron's cane, the brass knob catching him at the base of the skull. He staggers into the centre of the ring, and Warnett takes him down with reverse neckbreaker, bringing him down hard on the back of his head. He makes the cover - 1 - 2 - 3! Ding! Ding! Ding!] LM: No! Byron's plan backfired, and instead of taking out Warnett, he nailed the newcomer, Harlequin Tragedy. Comedy's beside herself! Look at her going at Byron! BL: Snort. [Comedy has dashed around to Byron and begins berating him verbally. He is disdainful of her, barely even bothering to explain his mistake, and waves her away as he makes his way up the aisle. She grabs his arm, and spins him around. She shoves him in the chest, and his eyes light up with anger. He begins threatening her. Huge heel pop! Warnett leaps from the ring and comes to Comedy's aid, leathering Byron with a big clothesline. Byron retreats up the aisle as Warnett listens to Comedy complaining about the decision. Warnett seems upset, and gets back into the ring, where he helps Tragedy to his feet. He raises Tragedy's arm in a sign of respect, and the crowd give a predominantly face pop for the duo. Warnett helps the groggy Tragedy from the ring, and walks up the aisle with the Harlequins.] LM: Have we seen a friendship made here tonight? Warnett seems to be a little dissatisfied with the nature of that victory, and Tragedy is no doubt going to want to have words with Byron following that incident. BL: Snort. LM: Becky, wake up! BL: Snor... wha?! What do you want? LM: Becky, you missed an entire match. BL: Yeah? Wow, what a tough break. LM: Well, folks, up next we're going to see the Zodiac Connection go up against Pain Inc. in a "spin the wheel, make the deal" match. Let's go up to the ring. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Zodiac Connection vs. Pain Inc. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= [Sparkplug Lee raises his sunglasses to squint at the card in his hand.] RA: Ladies and gentlemen, the following tag team contest is a special "spin the wheel, make the deal" match. The Zodiac Connection will spin the Zodiac Wheel to determine what type of match they will fight against Pain Inc. here tonight. [The video wall lights up with the image of Taurus and Scorpio backstage in the locker room with their Zodiac Wheel. They spin the wheel, and the shot zooms in on the gyroscopic colours as they rotate. The crowd cheer as the wheel spins, and clap as it stops on "Gemini".] RA: The following will be a Gemini Match -- where all four men will be legal in the ring at all times! This match will continue until one man has been pinned, forced to submit, or disqualified, or _both men_ on one team have been counted out. [Pop] BL: What was that? My head's still spinning. RA: Introducing the teams: coming down the aisle, accompanied by Dr. Insane, hailing from the streets of Hollywood, California, at a combined weight of 575lbs, here are Scorpio and Taurus -- the Zodiac Connection! [Moderate pop as the Zodiac trio jog down the aisle. They hi-five the fans as they go, and then climb the ringsteps. They disrobe and prepare to wrestle.] RA: And introducing their opponents: accompanied to the ring by Mr. Mic, hailing from Jakarta, Indonesia, and weighing in at 585lbs, here are Morningstar and Hellraiser.... Pain Incorporated! [Big heel pop as Pain Inc. dash down the aisle, with Mr. Mic walking smugly behind. MS and HR roll under the ropes and into the ring, where they are immediately stomped upon by the Zodiac Connection. Scorpio whips HR across the ring towards Taurus, who clotheslines HR to the mat, and MS gets the same treatment. MS and HR roll from the ring, and the Zodiacs hi-five in celebration. Mr. Mic jumps up onto the apron, and Scorpio and Taurus go to catapult him into the ring, but are jumped from behind by MS and HR, who belt them across the back of the head. The brawl continues, and MS hits Scorpio with a reverse neckbreaker, before HR drops an elbow on the prone Zodiac. Taurus gets back to his feet and tries to drop a leg on HR, but the Indonesian rolls out of the way. Big heel pop. Taurus looks stunned and is subjected to a double-clothesline by Pain Inc.] LM: This is chaos! There's too much going on in the ring to call here, folks! BL: Even if they were sweeping the ring before the matches even got underway, that would be too much going in the ring for you to call, Larry. [Suddenly there is a big face pop as Domination streak down the aisle in hot pursuit of Pain Inc. and attack the Indonesians without remorse. The referee signals for the bell as an uncontrollable brawl breaks out between the two warring teams.] LM: It looks like Domination have cost the Zodiac Connection this match, and I dare say they won't be too pleased. Domination seem to have gained the upper hand in this brawl... Pain Inc. have been ejected from the ring, but the Zodiacs are getting to their feet... [A small argument breaks out between the Zodiac Connection and Domination, but their dispute is soon ended by the rallying Pain Inc., and all three teams start fighting back up the aisle, and the Jobber Justice Squad descend on the aisle to try and break up the war. Mr. Psycho and Monster whip MS into the steel crowd barriers, and then perform a double back suplex, driving MS's head into the opposite barrier. MS goes down, and Domination continue to beat on him until being dragged away by a security team. Morningstar remains motionless in the aisle as the dispute is cleared away.] LM: Folks, this looks serious. I think that double blow to Morningstar's head has rendered him unconscious. A team of medics is running down to the ring to take him out to the locker room area on a stretcher. I hope he's not seriously injured. [Morningstar is carried back up the aisle on a stretcher, and the crowd finally begins to settle.] BL: Domination will pay for that attack, Larry. LM: Maybe so. We've got to get on to our next match, as the IIWF Cruiserweight Championship is up for grabs. Current champion "Badboy" Randy Acorn defends against the undefeated Onslaught. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- IIWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "Badboy" Randy Acorn vs. Onslaught -------------------------------------- LM: This one should be electric. Onslaught has shown his great skills here in the IIWF already, and Acorn didn't get the Cruiserweight title for nothing. BL: I'm thinking the real "Badboy" will come out on top tonight. LM: Becky, are you trying to fuel the fire between Mark Bagwell and Randy Acorn? BL: What fire? Acorn was the first "Badboy" in the IIWF. LM: But Mark Bagwell has been in countless federations before... BL: So what? It's the IIWF that counts. LM: Why, Becky... Never before have I seen you plug the IIWF so willingly. BL: Speaking of plugs... LM: [interrupting] Well, let's get down to ringside for the action... RA: Ladies and gentlemen, this next match is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the IIWF Cruiserweight Championship. [Big pop] Introducing first, weighing in at 229lbs and hailing from Mexico City, here is the challenger: Onslaught! [The lights drop, and the theme from "Dune" begins to play. A bank of red lights flood the head of the aisle, and red smoke billows from the entranceway. Onslaught appears, dressed in his armor-like outfit. The crowd pops as he walks down the aisle. Upon reaching the ring, he leaps to the apron, then onto the top rope. He then executes a flip into the ring and raises his arms, and a series of rocket flares shoot high into the air.] LM: What an impressive entrance! BL: Entrances mean nothing. It's what happens when both men get into the ring that you should be impressed with. RA: His opponent is the IIWF Cruiserweight champion. He weighs in at 227lbs and hails from Newark, New Jersey. He is the "Badboy," Randy Acorn! [The crowd gives a solid heel pop as Randy Acorn appears at the head of the aisle. He waltzes up to the camera, pointing to himself, saying "Here's the _real_ badboy!" The crowd continues to boo as he threatens to swat a few kids at ringside, then he gets into the ring. He takes his belt off, and drapes it over the ring post.] LM: That belt could be in jeopardy tonight, folks. BL: Not a chance. Onslaught may be good at zipping around, but Acorn is a sound technical wrestler. LM: Well, we're going to get the chance to see which style comes out on top, as this match is about to get underway! [The bell rings, and both men circle each other in the ring. They both lock up collar and elbow, and Acorn gets the upper hand, then hip tosses Onslaught to the mat. Onslaught springs back up, and Acorn tries to follow up with a clothesline. Onslaught dodges, catches Acorn's arm, and swings up for a crucifix takedown. Acorn reverses into a Samoan drop, and goes for the cover... 1 - Kickout by Onslaught. Both men get up at the same time, but Onslaught is ready first, and drives a knee into Acorn's midsection. Onslaught comes off the ropes and uses the bent over Acorn to flip himself over. Acorn turns and catches a high dropkick by Onslaught. Acorn falls to the mat, and Onslaught follows up with a spinning elbow drop. Big pop. Onslaught gets to his feet and goes to the ring apron. He leaps up and executes a springboard shoulder tackle as Acorn gets to his feet. Acorn goes down again, and rolls out of the ring, shaking out the cobwebs.] BL: Stay out there, Acorn. Take your time... He's got to come to you. LM: That's just what Onslaught is doing! Look! [Onslaught rebounds off the opposite ropes and launches himself over the top rope, executing a plancha on the recovering Acorn. Both men go down, with Onslaught on top. Onslaught capitalizes with a few punches to Acorn's head, then throws the champ back into the ring. Onslaught rolls in as well, but Acorn is waiting, and drops a knee onto him. Onslaught seems stopped in his tracks, and Acorn locks on a fully extended Boston crab. The ref checks for the submission, but doesn't seem to be getting it from Onslaught.] BL: There we go... Once you slow Onslaught down, he's nothing. LM: I must admit, when the match goes to the mat, Onslaught is at more of a disadvantage than Acorn is. [Acorn applies more pressure on the crab, but Onslaught manages to get to the ropes. The ref counts to 4 before Acorn lets go of the hold. Acorn leaps up and lands on Onslaught's back. Heel pop. Acorn drags Onslaught up and hits a German Suplex, bridging nicely. The ref counts... 1 - 2 - Kickout by Onslaught. Acorn once again drags Onslaught up and throws him into the ropes. He attempts a flying cross body block, but Onslaught hits the mat, allowing Acorn to sail right over him. Both men remain on the canvas, and the ref begins a count. Onslaught kips up and raises his arms to the crowd. Big pop. Onslaught drags Acorn up and throws him into the ropes, then hits a hurricarana on the rebound into a pinning situation. The ref counts... 1 - 2 - Kickout by Acorn. Onslaught drags Acorn up yet again and throws him into the ropes again. Onslaught runs into the opposite ropes, leaps up, and bounces off the second rope, rebounding with a beautiful moonsault that catches Acorn. Onslaught goes for the cover again... 1 - 2 - Acorn just barely kicks out. Onslaught jumps up and lands a leg drop on Acorn.] LM: Onslaught has brought the tide of this match over to himself again. BL: It would seem that way... But Acorn's not out yet... LM: Wait a minute... There's a disturbance at the head of the aisle... Who is that? BL: Oh, damn... It's that Mark Bagwell guy... [In the ring, Onslaught looks to be setting Acorn up on the top rope, but Mark Bagwell slides into the ring and lays a few shots on Acorn. The ref frantically calls for the bell as Onslaught is pushed aside. Bagwell lays a few chops on the CW champ, staggering him. Bagwell then goes over and grabs the CW title belt, and clocks Acorn with it, sending him out of the ring. The crowd gives a mixed pop for Bagwell, who gives a "Wooooo!"] RA: Ladies and gentlemen, this match, as a result of a disqualification, is awarded to "Badboy" ... [Mark Bagwell points to Sparkplug Lee and says something.] RA: Ummm... This match is awarded to "The pretender" Randy Acorn. LM: Come on... There's no call for that... BL: I can't wait to see these two guys go at it... LM: That may very well be a great match, but looking to the present, Onslaught has got to be upset about this... [As if on cue, Onslaught walks up behind Mark Bagwell and spins him around. He begins shouting at Bagwell, and Bagwell backpedals a bit with his hands up. He then exits the ring, saying "Now calm down..." Bagwell walks back up the aisle as Randy Acorn rolls around on the floor, holding his head. Onslaught is clearly upset about the decision.] BL: What a crybaby. LM: Well, you can't blame him for being upset. It looked like he could have won that match if it weren't for Mark Bagwell. BL: Yeah, but he didn't get the win. You can't argue with the official decision, can you? LM: Usually, I'd agree with you, but this time... Well, I want to keep my job... BL: Even though you do it poorly. LM: At least I don't turn up for work dead drunk. Yow! Pain! Pain! ...aak! BL: You watch what you're saying, you moron. [The official manages to persuade Onslaught to head up the aisle, and the Luchador goes, half-heartedly slapping the hands of the fans as he goes. The referee helps Acorn to his feet, and Acorn grabs his belt before making his way back up the aisle.] BL: You want to introduce the next segment, Larry? LM: ...aaak... BL: No? Okay then. We received some pre-recorded footage from the sinister Cadaver earlier today. Although the front office told us not to run this tape, since Cadaver isn't under contract, and it could be potentially litgous, we're going to run it anyway. There's nothing I like more than a good law suit. Except hitting Larry. LM: Aargh! Foot! Pain! BL: Wow, that feels good! Almost makes me forget about my headache. Okay, let's go to that footage! I'll never tire of saying that... [Cut to an apparently blank scene. The muffled whistle of the wind can be heard buffetting the microphone on the camera as the camera pans round. After a few more seconds of darkness, a dancing orange glow becomes evident in the distance. The camera focuses in on a high hill, some way off in the distance, where the glow is centred. The shot moves in, and as it goes, it becomes apparent that the flickering glow is in fact the flames of a huge fire. The sound of the flames' crackle is set against the low whistle of the wind. From out of nowhere, but very close at hand, the low, rasping voice of the Cadaver suddenly draws breath and speaks its halting, menacing words:] "The stars and the firmament extol the glory of creation... by day and by night pour they forth their speech... and the mortal looks up into the black and empty void. He shudders as he regards the infinity of time and place. And sooner or later, his soul plunges into the eternal darkness of the infernal pits. His body, however, decaying and rotten, is incinerated in a pyre, replying to the silent speech of the night with the sickening stench of burning flesh. As the smoke rises from the pyre, and diffuses into the cold, forboding air, so too do the hopes of mortal man evaporate as the deathly chill of his mortality grips him. "The cold claw of death comes to all mortals. Man spurns death, he turns away from the horror and finality of its vision, but death, like a lover, pursues the object of its desire, relentlessly and obsessively. When its silent, frozen caress pulls the mortal soul into its embrace, the pursuit is over. Life is over, and the silent torment of eternal damnation. "The mortal Dan Kauffman, bereft in the surety of his own end, sought the caress of another mortal, sought the warmth of a woman's embrace. Clasp one another in terror, for the Cadaver walks abroad. Clasp one another in the misconception that together both are safe, for the cold grip of death shall pull you apart. Clasp one another to banish the waking nightmares that haunt you, for the shadow that has been two steps behind is now only one step behind. "The funeral pyre burns through the night, a beacon of the certainty of death. Dan Kauffman, your fate is now cast in iron... and your nightmare has barely even begun. The forces of death have come together... the work of the one is coming to an end, while the work of the other has yet to begin. The mortal may weep, but his tears will be dried in the flames of eternal rest. You, Kauffman, may weep... but weep not, for your lover comes to you... the cold embrace of death waits to envelop you. Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust..." [The shot loses focus, plunging into the centre of the fire, where the dancing flames become a dancing haze of golden light. The low, throaty laugh of the Cadaver is heard, and the haze turns blood red. The demonic laughter is carried away on the wind. Fade to black, and then cut back to the announcers' table.] LM: Well, folks, I don't know what to say. Let's go to that special Four Corners Match, pitting Kauffman against Mr. Damage. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FOUR CORNERS MATCH: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Mr. Damage vs. Dan Kauffman --------------------------- LM: What a night we've had so far... And it can only get better, because Dan Kauffman is in action next. BL: Get serious, you little feeb. Kauffman is all flash and no substance. Why do you think he decided not to call himself Dan "Substance" Kauffman? LM: Well, it doesn't exactly have the same ring to it... BL: My point is that he may be a fan favourite here, and he might have even been championship material here. But these days, he's a wreck. Between Cadaver, Joe Latta, and Chris Quigley, Kauffman's spreading himself a bit thin. LM: That's actually a good point. It seems that Dan's getting it from all sides lately. It looks like we're about ready to go here... Let's hear from Sparkplug Lee. RA: Ladies and gentlemen, this next match is a special Four Corners match. To win, a wrestler must drag his opponent to all four corners of the ring and touch the turnbuckles. Introducing first, weighing in at 245 lbs and hailing from Melbourne, Australia, here is Mr. Damage! ["I Hate People" blares over the PA, and the crowd gives a heel pop as Mr. Damage jumps out from the backstage area. He begins to walk down the aisle, and spots a person waving a flag that says "Give Blood, Job To the Fury!" Mr. Damage swats at the guy, but the fan quickly melts into the crowd. Mr. Damage continues on his way to the ring, grumbling under his breath.] LM: Mr. Damage has a problem with Kowalski, I guess. BL: Really, Larry? You have a gift for noticing things that I can't... LM: No need to get snarky, Becky. At least, no more snarky than you've been all night. RA: His opponent, weighing in at 230 lbs and hailing from Hagerstown, Maryland [The crowd begins to pop] Dannnnn Kaufmannnnnnn!!! [The lights drop, and there is a burst of light at the head of the aisle, which casts the silhouette of Dan Kauffman. The crowd goes nuts, popping for the star. Dan shakes the hands of the fans as he walks down the aisle.] LM: The fans really love Dan Kauffman! BL: But that doesn't matter, because the Guns of Navarone are going to blow him away! [Dan enters the ring and is immediately attacked by Mr. Damage. Dan catches several punches to the ribs and head, and finally takes an uppercut square in the face. Dan begins to stagger backwards, and Mr. Damage closes in and scoops him up in a backbreaker, driving him down onto his knee. Heel pop. Dan holds his back.] BL: There... See where Dan is holding? _That's_ where Mr. Damage is going to focus. [Damage drives his foot precisely where Dan is holding, and Dan tries to move in order to soften the blows. Damage drags Dan up and lifts him up into a vertical suplex, and drives Dan's back into the mat. Dan rolls over, and Damage locks on a camel clutch. Dan fights to his knees, and Damage releases the hold, but jumps up to land on Dan's back. Dan quickly gets out of the way, causing Damage to fall onto his backside. Dan get to his feet, as does Damage. Dan hits Damage on the chin with a reverse thrust kick, and Damage goes down again. Unfortunately, Dan is also affected, as the stretch hurts his back a bit more. Dan is slowed a bit, but keeps moving. Dan drags Damage up and throws him into the ropes. He executes his Tilt-a-Whirl backbreaker on the rebound, but his back begins to hurt, and Damage shifts his weight to land full force on top of Kauffman. Damage goes for the cover, but the ref waves his hands and shakes his head. Damage gets up and locks on a Boston crab.] BL: Do you see how Mr. Damage's style is superior here? Kauffman can't even do anything without feeling pain from his back. LM: I think Dan's being a little overzealous. He should stick to simple moves until his back recovers. [Damage releases the crab after some time, and drags Kauffman up. He picks Dan up in spinebuster position, and rams him full force into the corner. Kauffman slumps in the corner, holding his back, and Damage grabs his legs. Damage pulls Kauffman out of the corner, landing on his upper back and the back of his head. Damage turns to the crowd and flexes his arms, who give a solid heel pop. Suddenly, "Don't Fear The Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult begins to play over the PA, and Damage turns toward the aisle, where he sees Steve "The Fury" Kowalski standing. Kowalski begins to walk down the aisle and goes up to the fan waving the flag. He asks the fan for it, and the excited fan obliges, giving the flag to Kowalski. The Fury waves the flag for Damage to see, and Damage appears to be getting more and more upset. Kauffman seems to have taken this time to recuperate, and sneaks up behind Damage. Dan leaps high into the air and dropkicks Damage over the top rope and onto the floor outside. The ref warns Kauffman about the tactic, so he doesn't notice Kowalski closing in on Damage. The Fury uses the flagpole to choke out Damage.] LM: Oh, my! What is going on here? BL: Do you ever think about what you're saying before you say it? [Kowalski lets go of the choke, and breaks the flag pole over Damage's head, virtually knocking Damage unconscious. Kowalski throws Damage back into the ring, where the ref is finished warning Kauffman. Kauffman drags Damage up and throws him into the ropes. Dan comes off the ropes as well and hits the flipping Lights Out clothesline, which gets a huge pop from the crowd. Kauffman drags Damage up and slings him over his shoulder. Kauffman goes to the first corner and hits the turnbuckle. The crowd shouts out "One!" Dan hits the second turnbuckle. "Two!!" Dan makes his way to the third corner, and slaps the buckle, getting a "Three!" shout from the crowd. Kauffman walks over to the fourth corner, gives a looks to the crowd, and slaps the fourth turnbuckle. The ref calls for the bell as Kauffman drops Damage into the corner.] LM: Dan Kauffman wins! After the beating his back took, he still wins! BL: Only because he was in cahoots with Steve Kowalski. LM: You're not suggesting that Dan Kauffman planned to have Kowalski come out during the match, are you? BL: Well, it certainly didn't hurt Kauffman, did it? [Kauffman celebrates in the ring, standing on the turnbuckles and waving to the crowd. Meanwhile, Kowalski heads up the aisle, ignoring the jeers of the crowd. The official helps Mr. Damage back to the locker room, and fireworks erupt in the rafters of the Coliseum as Kauffman goes to each corner in turn and raises his arms to the crowd. Suddenly, the lights flicker in the arena, and drop to nothingness. Huge pop from the crowd.] LM: Hey! What's going on here?! BL: Ah, at last. My headache might go away now... LM: Is Deathbringer here?! [A few seconds later, the emergency lights flicker into life, illuminating the ring dully. Kauffman stands looking bewildered in the centre of the squared circle. The crowd noise dies down as it becomes apparent that Deathbringer is not in the arena.] LM: Am I imagining it, or did it just get very cold in here? Folks, please don't adjust your set... I'm told that there's been a generator failure backstage. A team of engineers is already working on getting the lighting rig up and running again. Hey... hey, Becky, look at Kauffman! [Kauffman appears to start, all of a sudden, and he quickly slides out under the bottom rope and heads up the aisle, ignoring the fans.] BL: I can't see a thing with these sunglasses on, Larry. LM: Would you take those ridiculous things off?! Kauffman's just left the ringside area, folks, and he looks to be in an awful hurry. I don't know exactly what's going on here... please stay with us. Well, the ring staff have to construct the cage for tonight's main event, so... yes, we can go backstage to hear from Steve "the Fury" Kowalski. [Cut to backstage. With the broken flag over his shoulder, Steve "The Fury" Kowalski stands amidst the commotion of officials and engineers as they attempt to get the power back online. He turns to the camera with a sinister smile. His T-shirt says, "FREE BLADING HERE!" After wiping his brow, he starts to speak to the cameraman...] SK: Make sure ya get this. I want Mr. Damaged Goods to see this from the comfort of his hospital bed. [The camera "nods" as if to say "Okay."] I have a question for you, Damaged. Where were those famed Guns o' Navarone? [Laughs] I mean they didn't look that big to me! They aren't even good enough to stop a flag from bustin' your skull! Let me _spell_ it out for you. If you think I kicked your sorry Crocodile Dundee ass, YOU HAVEN'T SEEN [BLEEP] YET! _That_ was a love tap! I _LOVE_ whippin' the snot out of nonbelievers like you! Right the will, jot down the epitaph and dig the grave, junior! Your warranty just ran out! [Cut back to ringside. As the shot cuts to the announcers' table, the lights flicker back into life. The crowd give an appreciative pop.] LM: We seem to be up and running again, folks. It's time for tonight's main event -- Shinja Chow taking on two former Intercontinental Champions in the same match, inside a flaming cage. This is going to be one for the history books. BL: You're right, Larry. This is the match people will remember as The White Phoenix's last performance anywhere. I don't know what the hell Chow was thinking, but to throw himself into a cage with two members of the stable run by his bitter enemy is just insane. LM: It would seem that Shinja Chow is confident enough that he thinks he can take both men on. BL: You've got to be kidding me. Think about it. Hakiro Matsuoko is an ex-IC champ. He was beaten by Tiger Claw, who, if you ask me, should still be the IC champ. Speaking of which, Tiger Claw is going to be a bit angry about what happened Saturday night, so I think he'll take his frustrations out on Chow. No matter how you cut it, Chow's in for a world of hurt. LM: You seem to forget that Chow requested this match. You've got to think he's got something up his sleeve. Maybe he _does_ draw power from the flames that will rise from this cage tonight. Speaking of cages, it appears that the erecting of the cage is complete, and the flammable oil has been applied. Let's get down to ringside and get the word from Sparkplug Lee. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- FLAMING CAGE HANDICAP MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The White Phoenix vs. Tiger Claw & Hakiro Matsuoko -------------------------------------------------- [Sparkplug Lee stands in the spotlight, still wearing his sunglasses.] RA: Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for tonight's main event! [Pop!] The following encounter is a special handicap match to be held in a flaming cage. In order to win this match, a member of one team must pin a member of the other team. However, _both_ members of the Syndicate team must be pinned in order for Shinja Chow to score a victory. LM: What!? That's unfair! Not only is The White Phoenix going to be fighting two men, but only one of them needs to leave the cage? BL: I like this... Chow might be able to pin one of them on a really good night if he's really lucky, but there's no way he can pin both. LM: You've got to wonder who's a few hundred dollars richer tonight. RA: Now, introducing first, being led to the ring by Brian Lau, representing the Syndicate, here are two former Intercontinental champions, at a combined weight of 435lbs, here are: Tiger Claw and Hakiro Matsuoko! [The battle theme from "Conan the Barbarian" plays over the PA speakers as Brian leads Hakiro and Tiger Claw out into the aisle. Both men look fairly smug as they are booed by the fans. Tiger Claw has a hint of anger on his countenance.] LM: Look at Tiger Claw. If I were Shinja Chow, I'd be worried. BL: Even if Tiger Claw were all bubbly and giggling, Shinja Chow should worry. RA: Their opponent, hailing from San Fransisco, California, and weighing in at 220lbs, here is the White Phoenix! [A gong is heard, and the lights drop. The fans pop through the complete darkness, and as the sound of an eagle cry is heard, flames erupt from the cage, and Shinja Chow is perched on one of the corners. The crowd pops even louder, and Chow motions to the flames rising from the rungs of the cage. Hakiro and Tiger Claw charge him, and Chow ducks under a double clothesline. Chow leaps up and dropkicks both men, hitting each one with one foot. Big pop as the two Syndicate members stagger back. Chow follows up by throwing Tiger Claw into the ropes, and executing a spinning leg lariat on the return. Claw goes down, and Chow rolls across the mat, taking Matsuoko's legs out from under him. Chow holds back at the opposite side of the ring, waiting for the two Syndicate members to get up again. They do, and Chow runs forward and hits both men with a high cross body block. Both men hit the mat, and Chow leaps up to showboat to the crowd. Big pop. As if synchronized, Tiger Claw and Hakiro both kip up and charge Chow again. This time, Chow neglects to notice the double clothesline rushing toward him, and gets hit full force.] BL: There you go... You see? There's no way Chow could stand up to these two guys. LM: Don't count him out just yet... [Tiger Claw begins to stomp on the prone Chow, and tells Matsuoko to come off the top rope. Tiger Claw drags Chow up and belts him with the Knee Fury. Matsuoko climbs up to the top turnbuckle, but encounters a patch of fire. He jumps back down, and walks back over to Claw and Chow. Matsuoko drives a forearm into Chow, and Tiger Claw looks over, asking Matsuoko what he's doing. Matsuoko tells Claw that the flames have them trapped, and Claw shrugs slightly and goes back to beating on Chow. Claw holds Shinja Chow for Matsuoko, who hits Chow with a reverse thrust kick. Claw lets Chow drop, and Matsuoko lays the boots to the White Phoenix. Claw showboats to the crowd while Matsuoko locks a cobra clutch onto Chow, and Chow looks like he's starting to slow down. Brian Lau cheers on the outside.] LM: I guess you were right, Becky. Chow's not doing very well. BL: It's not his fault, Larry... Anyone would go down quickly if they were facing two members of the Syndicate. LM: Hey! Can we keep your color commentary a little less colorful, Becky? BL: Huh?! What are you talking about, you moron?! [Matsuoko lets go of the cobra clutch, and Chow drops to the mat. Claw pushes past Matsuoko and covers Chow... 1 - 2 - Kickout by Chow. Matsuoko looks on as Claw, with a maniacal look on his face, drags Chow to his feet and over to the wall of the cage, trying to force Chow's face into a patch of fire that burns there. Chow grabs onto the ring ropes and tries to keep his head back. Matsuoko steps in and turns Claw around, shouting at him. The words "No need for that!" can be heard through the ring mics. Claw turns around, looking pretty annoyed. He shouts back at Matsuoko, telling him to leave if he can't take it. Matsuoko says something quietly to Claw, and Claw pushes him backwards. Matsuoko staps back, then comes back with a push of his own. Outside, Brian Lau is beside himself, yelling at his two men. All this time, Shinja Chow begins to get back to his feet, and begins to climb the cage.] LM: Could this be more dissention in the Syndicate? BL: Oh, no... I hope not. Don't tell me the Syndicate is falling apart... You know, I bet it's the Rising Sun Revolution... They've been polluting Matsuoko's mind with all these morals... LM: Classy, Becky. [Shinja climbs the cage, seemingly anticipating each movement of the flames before the movement occurs. Zigging and zagging, Chow makes it to the top of the cage. On the floor, Brian yells to his men to stop fighting with each other and go after Chow. Chow leaps off the top of the cage, flipping in the air, and landing right on top of Lau. Huge pop. Both men crash down to the floor, but Chow springs back up again, giving Lau a few shots to the head. Lau begs for mercy, and Chow stops and begins to walk around the ring to the aisle. The fans cheer as Chow raises his arms.] LM: What a plot by Chow! He brought two of the members of the Syndicate into this match and trapped them in the cage, leaving Brian Lau open! He wanted Lau this whole time! BL: And you're trying to tell me he had this scuffle planned? LM: I think that was just a bonus, Becky. [In the ring, Tiger Claw shouts at Matsuoko, pointing to the top of the cage, saying "Why don't you jump at him from up there?" Matsuoko's face shows his anger, and he turns his back on Tiger Claw. Claw waves him off, and goes after Chow, but can't find him. Claw begins swearing and stomping his feet, then goes back to Matsuoko, blaming him for letting Chow get away. The bell rings, and officials put the flaming cage out with fire extinguishers.] LM: It looks like Claw hit a nerve with that comment. BL: Well, that's how Matsuoko lost the belt to Tiger Claw at Ring Wars I... He came off the cage at Claw with a moonsault and missed. [Claw leaves the cage, leaving Matsuoko standing in the ring. Claw helps Lau up, and helps him up the aisle, Claw shaking his head. Matsuoko yells at Tiger Claw from inside the cage, but Claw isn't listening. Matsuoko leaves the cage, and stands for a moment outside. After some time, Matsuoko makes his way up the aisle with his head bowed.] LM: I'm not exactly sure what the official word is here, but I'd have to say that Chow scored a victory of sorts here tonight. BL: I don't know what to say... Chow got his hands on Lau, but I think the damage goes deeper than that... It looks like Matsuoko is a little upset about the atercation we've seen here. RA: Ladies and gentlemen, due to the fact that all the competitors have left the ring, and there was no pinfall, this match is declared a no contest. BL: That's all fine, but we're going to be seeing the ramifications of this match in the weeks to come. LM: It looks like The Syndicate has taken another huge blow tonight. First Joe Latta, then Hakiro Matsuoko. I guess Matsuoko actually took RSR's words to heart. BL: Wonderful. That's just what we need. Some goody boys running around, making life difficult for the rest of us... LM: Well, folks, that just about wraps things up for tonight's show. What tremendous action we've seen here at Mayhem! But there are even more incredible matches coming your way this Saturday Night, with three of the IIWF's titles on the line... We're going to see that rematch between Tiger Claw and Billy Shakespeare for the vacant Intercontinental Championship, IIWF World Champion Otto Verhoeven defends against "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley in what promises to be a match of the year candidate, and Rising Sun Revolution defend their titles against Heavy Metal. Plus we'll see the debuts of three more new IIWF superstars, and much more incredible action. Tim Dross will be looking ahead to the weekend and bringing you all the latest news on what we've seen tonight in Friday's Control Centre update, but until then, for the hung-over Becky LaRue, this is Larry Morton, saying: goodnight, everybody! [Cut to an aerial shot of the ring still surrounded by the steel cage. The IIWF logo spins on the canvas, and the fans at ringside wave up at the camera. Fade] +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I * I * W * F =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+ | President: Daniel Spreadbury | Vice-President: Steve Owens | | univ0322@sable.ox.ac.uk | sowens@admin.presby.edu | | iiwf@sisko.demon.co.uk | IIWFadmin@aol.com | +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- http://www.sisko.demon.co.uk -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+