[Open with a shot of two facing icebergs. The sky quickly darkens and video clips flash on the face of each iceberg, the ice adding sparkle to the scene. A voiceover provides the narration.] VO: Two men... one prize. They have battled before with survival -- not victory -- the ultimate goal. [On the face of one iceberg is Dan "Flash" Kauffman whipping Deathbringer into the ropes and hitting a devastating dropkick on the return. On the other iceberg, Deathbringer hoists Kauffman for the Burial and slams him into the mat. Both scenes slowly fade.] VO: Two men... one prize. One must prove he is worthy of the belt he wears, while the other seeks to vanquish his foe. [The scenes on the icebergs change to shots of Billy Shakespeare and Billy Sexton. On one, "Spotlight" hits Sexton with the Curtain Call and holds the IIWF Intercontinental belt aloft. On the other, Sexton locks his armbar submission hold on Shakespeare, turning the champion's face into a painful scowl. Both scenes slowly fade.] VO: Three men... one prize. They are gallant warriors living by codes long past. Once enemies... once friends... now competitors chasing the same goal. [Scenes of Tiger Claw, Takezo Musashi, and Hakiro Matsuoko flash on the ice. An identical shot of Matsuoko raising the IIWF Cruiserweight belt flashes on both icebergs before fading.] VO: Six men... one prize. All former champions, they know what it takes to walk away with gold around their waists... and they all know how it feels to have that gold slip from their grasp. [Scenes of Rising Sun Revolution, Armed Forces, and the High Plains Drifters flash on the icebergs. Before the shots fade, images of Pale and Easy Rider flash on the respective icebergs, their title belts gleaming.] VO: Twenty-four men... one battle royal. Friends and foes work together for the sake of pride... for the sake of one prize. [Images of the entrants in the Lethal Lottery flash quickly across the icebergs. As they speed up, steam begins to escape from fissures in the ice. It begins to build.] VO: The stars of IIWF have come to heat up the Alaskan winter. [As the steam pours from the fissures, both icebergs simultaneously explode sending balls of flame toward the screen. Over that image appears:] ================================================= LIVE FROM ALASKA, THIS IS THE COUNTDOWN TO.... ================================================= ##### ###### ### ########## ########## ########## #### ## ########## ########## ########## #### # #### ######## ##### ##### #### ## ##### #### #### #### #### ### #### #### #### #### ############# ######### #### #### ########### ######### #### #### #### #### #### ######### ######### ### #### #### ######### ######### ### ## #### ######## ######## ## # #### =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ## =-=-=-= THE LEADER IN E-WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= @@@ @@ @@ @@@ @@ @@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@ @@ @@ @@ @@@@@ @@@ @@ @@@@@ @@ @@ @@@@@ @@ @@ @@@@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@@@@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@@@@ @@ @@ @@@@@ @@@@@@@@ @@@@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@@@@@@@ @@@@@ @@@ @@ @@ @@@ @@@@@@ @@@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@@@@@ @@@@@ .---------------------------------------------------------------------. | Armstrong Air Force Base, Alaska + Friday, December 20, 1996 | '---------------------------------------------------------------------' [Cut to a large airplane hangar at Armstrong Air Force Base in northern Alaska. Portable risers have been erected in the hangar and airmen and their families pack the makeshift studio. A remote aerial camera zooms over the fans. An enlisted man waves a Casey James "Blackheart" Foam Hand that has been doctored so that only the middle finger is erect. An officer in a "Deathbringer Shall Rise Again" t-shirt signals for the Military Police to take the enlisted man away. In the cheap seats, a group of airmen unfurl a "Welcome Armed Forces" banner. Zoom to Tim Dross, Larry Morton and Becky LaRue sitting at the broadcast desk.] TD: Hello everyone and happy holidays from the land where everyone is celebrating a white Christmas! We're just twenty-four hours away from what promises to be an event of epic proportions, and as you can already tell, everyone here at Armstrong Air Force Base is ready for Snow Brawl! [Whoops and screams fill the hangar as the aerial remote camera quickly pans the stands.] Beside me tonight are the usual hosts of "Countdown to Saturday Night," Larry Morton and the beautiful Becky LaRue. [Cheers and catcalls follow Becky's name and she waves at a group of airmen in the front row.] BL: Ah, so many men and so little time. I really would have preferred an Air Force Base in Bermuda this time of the year, but I suppose I'll just have to find some way to stay warm. [More catcalls] LM: That's never been a problem before, but we're here to talk about one of the biggest events I've even been a part of in the IIWF... BL: You're coming out of the closet, Larry? LM: Wha-- huh? NO! BL: So you're staying in the closet. Oh well, you know the military's stance... don't ask, don't tell. LM: But... I... I'm not... BL: You'd probably have a good time with Bobby Lincoln and his gay lover Todd Franklin. You DO remember the Universal Losers, don't you? Apparently they were kicked out of several federations for trying to "buddy up" to other wrestlers. Big Brody Thunder threatened to kick both of their asses, but he only made Lincoln cry. Franklin started "comforting" him there on the spot. Jeez, those guys disgust me! What a couple of wussies. LM: You're just jealous because you and Lincoln were competing for the attention of the same guys. BL: Well fortunately they've been banished to another fed. I'm telling you, those two queer boys put the "pew" in FoPEW. Those other wrestlers better not drop the soap in the shower. Hehe. TD: As I was saying, we're just 24 hours away from the kickoff of Snow Brawl. All four of the IIWF's titles will be on the line, two of which will be in triangle matches. Dan Kauffman defends the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship against his old nemesis Deathbringer. "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare puts his IIWF Intercontinental belt on the line against "Painbringer" Billy Sexton. Hakiro Matsuoko defends his IIWF Cruiserweight Championship against _both_ Tiger Claw and "Enigma" Takezo Musashi. And the recently-crowned High Plains Drifters will try to hold onto their belts against two former champions -- Rising Sun Revolution and The Armed Forces. [Cheers go up at the sound of the Forces' name.] LM: And let's not forget the Lethal Lottery, which will pit 24 friends and foes in some odd pairings as they attempt to earn a shot at the World title. Those 24 men will be trimmed to a field of 12, and then a battle royal will cut the field to just two men. Sounds like a normal night in Becky's bedro... [there is a quick movement under the table] URK! AGH! PAIN! PAIN! BL: As Larry Moron was saying, the winner of the battle royal gets a shot at the World title, and the runner-up earns a shot at the Intercontinental belt. We've also got the Valet Match, the Winner Gets a Contract Match, and the big Tag Team battle royal to determine the number one contender. TD: Indeed, that's a lot of action and we have a lot to cover tonight. We'll have news, notes, predictions, and interviews with the stars of the IIWF on the eve of this great event. But let's start things off with a quick look back at the events of Wednesday night in the Tokyo Egg Dome -- the final event before Snow Brawl. ************************************************************************** -------------------- IIWF WEDNESDAY WAR ROOM RECAP ---------------------- ************************************************************************** TD: It was a night in which many wrestlers took front-row seats to scout not only their competition for Snow Brawl, but also their partners. And, along with a crowd in excess of 70,000 in the Egg Dome, they saw some tremendous action: * THE PLAYERS' CLUB def. THE BARNACLE BROTHERS * THE ARMED FORCES def. THE ROTUNDOS * RONNIE PARIS def. EL SUPER GECKO * VENUSIAN DEATH CELL def. MAJESTIC MAURICE McARTHUR * STUD STETSON def. ONSLAUGHT * HARLEQUIN CHAOS def. THE SANDMAN * CREED def. AMERICAN PATRIOT * CHRIS QUIGLEY def. BILLY SEXTON (default) * NO CONTEST: THE ALPHABET BOYS vs. DOMINATION * NO CONTEST: TAKEZO MUSASHI vs. THE WHITE PHOENIX BL: These matches told me a lot about what _could_ happen tomorrow night, Timmy. For example, Creed adopted a "win at all cost" attitude. Billy Sexton didn't want to wear himself out against Chris Quigley so he left the ring. Ronnie Paris didn't look happy with his Lethal Lottery partner Stud Stetson. And what a wild finish we had in the main event between Musashi and Phoenix. I'm telling you, Claw, Musashi, and Matsuoko may kill each other tomorrow night. LM: Speaking of "killing," do you sharpen those heels before jabbing them into my foot? BL: Some men pay for that privilege. TD: [his mouth agape] Let's move quickly along to the business at hand -- discussing the matches you'll all see tomorrow night at Snow Brawl. ************************************************************************** -------------------------- SNOW BRAWL PREVIEW --------------------------- ************************************************************************** =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- IIWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dan "Flash" Kauffman vs. Deathbringer ------------------------------------------ TD: Perhaps not since the Subway Psycho met Outlaw J.W. Hardin at the first Ring Wars have two men known each other better in their battle for the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship. LM: And Ring Wars I was the night of a classic battle between Kauffman and Deathbringer -- resulting in Dan Kauffman being sent to the hospital. It was perhaps more a brawl than a wrestling match. BL: With Deathbringer coming in fresh, Danny boy had better worry about getting busted up once again. You know these Air Force hospitals really suck -- especially the ones in the sticks... like Alaska. Hehe. TD: One thing Becky says is true: Deathbringer will come into this bout rested. He hasn't wrestled since December 7 when he defeated Stud Stetson. I think that's been the longest period he's ever gone in the IIWF without wrestling. BL: And it's all with one goal in mind -- beating up Dan Kauffman and recapturing the IIWF World Title. And what better place for Deathbringer than a cold, barren place like north Alaska. Jeez, this place is colder than Lady DeWinter's bedroom. Hehe. TD: But Dan Kauffman is coming into this match prepared: [Clips roll across the screen... Dan Kauffman works out in "Hell's Abyss" at a feverish, almost maddening pace, irritated with himself. Images appear from the last few days, superimposed in the background... a disappointing FWLI loss to "Space Age Playboy" Space O'Ryan, another bitter defeat to FWLI World TV Champion Jean-Pierre Vachon, Kauffman being splashed and pinned by 520-pound Maelstrom as tag partner J.J. Denver looks on helpless, an attack on Kauffman by FoPEW arch-enemy Bubba Ellner, and subsequent save by Chris Deugeau, Kauffman having to be helped out of the LaValle Cup Tourney Arena... and the towering images of Casey James, Chris Quigley, Serge Annis, and most of all, Deathbringer, appear in the background. the images dissipate, but Kauffman breaks out into a fury with the heavy bag in bitter rage.] DK: NASSAI... HAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEE!!!! [With the war cry, Kauffman launches three spinning back kicks into the bag, splintering the thing. Kauffman collapses from the workout, and lays motionless on the ground as his student, J.J. Denver, comes running from upstairs to help his teacher... the scene slowly fades and Kauffman's voice is heard over the black screen.] DK: Control. It is something I almost always have. But control is only seconds from being lost. Even for me. [Those words seem to reverberate as the blackness slowly lifts, and the arctic Alaskan skyline comes into view. Dan Kauffman walks along the sidewalk leading to the Armstrong Air Force Base arena, his breath gleaming white in the frigid air.] DK: It hasn't been the kindest of weeks for me, and they say timing is everything. Timing is not on my side, as you have seen just now. I don't let emotion take over, but I just haven't been performing to my own standards as of late, outside of the IIWF... and at times, even IN the IIWF. I got to thinking a little, and what I realized is that I've lost my true focus of wrestling. [Kauffman walks a few steps, and a fan comes running up, recognizing Kauffman from a distance. Dan calmly signs the fan an autograph, shakes his hand, and the fan runs off.] DK: I'll always be there for them. My fans are all I need... not some championship that can be won or lost in seconds, not philosophy sessions with fellow athletes, not careless losses and this carefree attitude I've trapped myself with. I told the Player's Club earlier in the week that the time for business has come. And so has my time of business. Respect is what I'm about, and I didn't do that idea any favors in losing three out of four this week. There will be no more excuses. [Kauffman comes to the arena doors, and turns around.] DK: Danny Dynamite, from now on, I am a part of the Players' Club... you have my word. That word turns into action, and it turns into action now. Dynamite, Reyna, I went my own way recently, and the path is one I don't like. Now it's time for business... In the FWLI, in the FoPEW, and here in the IIWF. Dynamite, watch my back, and be sure that I have yours. Same goes to Reyna. [Pause, then...] DK: There is no more room for pleasure. I came here with a "get-the-job- done" attitude. That attitude comes back into play, and it comes into play NOW! No more tolerance. Deathbringer, we'll have our war, and I still stand by my words. But there will be no fancy costumes, no light shows, no more "acts" for the fans. I'm going to start doing things my way. If that means that chairs, tables, and the kitchen sink will be pulled out, that's how it will be. Quigley, you've changed your attitude? James, you want to play mind games? Does Serge want my head? [Another pause...] DK: A famous wrestler once said "I'm not greedy for money... I'm greedy for respect." I completely agree. [The shot fades to black as Kauffman enters the arena. Cut back to the studio as several fans begin a "Kauff-man, Kauff-man" chant. It is countered with a "Bring-er, Bring-er" chant from other fans.] TD: With all of the information in, it's time for the three of us to make our picks for this match. Personally, I think Dan Kauffman proved himself against Cadaver. He has exorcised his demons and he's learned from his previous battles with Deathbringer. I say never bet against the champ in a big match, so I'm picking Kauffman. BL: Get real, Timmy! Deathbringer has Kauffman's number. Quigley's correct that Kauffman is still running scared from the dead guys, and Deathbringer's about as cold as they come. We're gonna have a new champ, and it's gonna be Deathbringer. LM: I think Dan Kauffman has survived his fear of the dead guys, but he also has a lot of other people gunning for him. If the referee keeps his eyes open, Deathbringer will be disqualified. If not, someone like Casey James or Serge Annis could sneak up and do a lot of damage. Personally, I think this match should have been held in a cage. BL: So you're picking...? LM: Call it a draw. BL: I'll call _you_ a wimp! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- IIWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare vs. "Painbringer" Billy Sexton ------------------------------------------------------------ TD: When you talk about controversy in the IIWF, these two guys' names are at the top of the list. BL: Yeah, but Spreadbury's ain't far behind. TD: Well the IIWF President's name has surfaced frequently as "Painbringer" Billy Sexton allegedly uncovered a conspiracy against him -- a conspiracy supposedly headed by Billy Shakespeare and reaching to the very top of the IIWF. LM: And the key word is "supposedly." BL: How can you guys be so distrustful of Billy Sexton? Look what happened when he demanded a new referee in his November 30th match against Shakespeare. Sexton whipped the champ in record time. TD: In all fairness to Billy Shakespeare, he _was_ injured.... BL: Then Sexton got screwed over by a referee in his match against Steve Kowalski. THEN, he has a car accident with a IIWF employee. THEN he isn't on the IIWF's chartered flight to Tokyo this week. And not to mention all the photos of Shakespeare paying off IIWF officials! TD: Well the IIWF is attempting to avoid any further allegations by sending a private jet to fly Sexton to Snow Brawl. Maybe that will finally end this nonsense. BL: Maybe the suits are finally giving Sexton the respect he deserves. Or maybe they're just running scared. Or maybe they DO have something to hide. LM: All "maybes" aside, this is the chance for "Painbringer" Billy Sexton to put all the controversy aside for one night. This is the situation he's been wanting -- Billy Shakespeare in a title match. I don't think anything -- conspiracies, tapes or photos -- will keep Sexton from turning in a great performance tomorrow night. TD: Well, Sexton certainly seems focused on the match and nothing else. He refused our requests for an interview, just as he did Wednesday night in Tokyo after walking out of the ring. BL: Sexton will let his actions speak for him tomorrow night. TD: I'm sure Billy Shakespeare will also let his actions speak for him tomorrow night, but _he_ is also here live to speak with us tonight. I'm going to make my way to our interview area now to conduct that interview. [Dross leaves the broadcast table] BL: With everyone chasing Shakespeare, he'll be lucky if he escapes Snow Brawl in one piece. LM: Methinks thou dost underestimate yon hero Billy Shakespeare. BL: You dweeb. LM: Well, Tim Dross is standing by in the interview area, so let's go to him now. TD: Thank you very much, Larry. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, he is the IIWF Intercontinental Champion... he is "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare! [Big pop as "Little Willie" plays on the sound system and the fans in the hangar/studio begin a "Bil-ly, Bil-ly" chant. Billy Shakespeare enters with a grand bow and joins Tim in the interview area.] TD: Billy, you said you have something you'd like to share with the other wrestlers of the IIWF. Something you alluded to last Friday. BS: "An honest tale speeds best being told plainly." I know not which has compounded faster, Billy Shakespeare's injuries, or his enemies. Tomorrow, I am to defend my belt against Billy Sexton. Why then do I fear that "The Fury" Kowalski will seek to vent his wrath from a 10 day suspension upon me? Perhaps Billy Sexton has forgotten, but I have not, that it was the Syndicate who put me in these bandaged straits. I know that they want the IC belt again, and nought will stop them. And what is this? I have drawn the attention of VDC? Tim, I do not need to remind you of how this man attacks unexpectedly. [Tim winces in memory.] BS: There are many who would like to dim the "Spotlight." I am not a large man. And while I can bear far more than they can inflict, these ribs testify that the bearing is not always easy. To to put it simply, I have chosen to armour myself with a bodyguard. He is one of the possibly the strongest man in this fed, and one willing to take the task. He is... Brody Thunder. [Thunder stalks out. The crowd is abuzz with confused murmuring. Tim Dross looks aghast, soundlessly looking from Shakespeare to Thunder and back to Shakespeare.] TD: Who...? Him...? But...? [Brody comes down and puts his hand on Dross' shoulder rather roughly.] TD: Wha... what is this?! Brody Thunder is your new bodyguard?! How can you team up with this man? BS: Team up? Oh no Tim, thy tongue betrays thee. This is purely business. Indeed, having been on the end of this man's aggression, I can testify that I am gaining the benefit of one of the toughest men in the IIWF. He reminds me strangely of Outlaw Hardin. Hakiro's betrayal showed that I can't trust anyone, so why not have as my bodyguard a man _I KNOW_ I can't trust? TD: Brody Thunder why on earth did you agree to become this man's bodyguard? Not too long ago you guys were beating each other's brains in. Why the sudden change of heart? BT: [smirking] Why's yer mouth on the floor Drossy? This ain't so shockin'. I always said that I was in this game fer money an' belts. I didn't say in what order. The punks o' the IIWF better listen up. The rules o' the game just changed, Drossy. Y'see Mr Shakespeare here has made it,shall we say ....'financially beneficial' ..to watch his back against the backjumpin' cowards in this organization. At least when ol' Billy-boy here stepped in the ring with me he did it straight up an' no help. I respect that. Now this don't mean that he an' I are gonna go pound down a few brewskis after work. It just means that when he's in that ring I'll make sure it's a one-on-one situation... or else. TD: Or else... what? BT: ...or else there's gonna be a few people with more than a bruised ego... if ya get my meanin'. TD: Yes, well, Billy, how do you know you can trust this man to watch your back? BS: Because... [Brody interrupts] BT: BECAUSE I gave him my word, Dross. That's all he needs. TD: Billy? BS: I quote from Macbeth: "Who can be wise, amazed, temperate, and furious, Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man." What better place to watch your enemy than at your side? I'm well aware that "Bolt and Leave" Bobby Lincoln left this man angry at the way our match ended. I'm aware that he wants me in the ring again. This is the business, to gain fame you must drag down those ahead of you. But this man has a code of honor. He knows how shallow a victory over an injured Billy Shakespeare would be. He's going to insure that I stay healthy till we meet again. [Shakespeare and Thunder walk away from the interview area. Thunder looks straight ahead while Billy waves to the fans and gives them a "thumbs up" sign.] TD: I'm not sure what this means. Shakespeare banding with Thunder? Or is it the other way around? If indeed Billy Shakespeare's enemies seek to confront him in other than conventional fashion, I think Mr. Thunder is going to make them reconsider. [Cut back to the desk, where Becky is preening with the help of a compact mirror.] LM: Billy Shakespeare and Brody Thunder together? What a team that is! BL: Weren't you listening? It's no team -- it's a business partnership. Thunder wants to pick up a little of that cash Shakespeare has been throwing at the IIWF officials. [Dross joins them at the broadcast desk.] LM: It's time for our predictions for this match. Who do you like, Tim? TD: Again, I believe you have to pick the champion to win the big matches, and Billy Shakespeare has shown time and time again that he rises to the occasion when necessary. I'm picking Billy Shakespeare to retain the IIWF Intercontinental Championship. BL: Nope. Uh-uh. No way. Shakespeare may have had two weeks off, but he knows that Sexton hurt him and beat him in record time recently. That gives Sexton the psychological edge he'll need to walk away with the gold. LM: I hate to agree with Becky on this one, but I don't believe Billy Shakespeare has sufficiently healed. He suffered some severe injuries at the hands of the Syndicate, and hasn't looked good since. I think that will give Sexton the edge he needs to win the belt. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- IIWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= High Plains Drifters vs. Rising Sun Revolution vs. The Armed Forces ---------------------------------------------- TD: This match is becoming oddly reminiscent of the IIWF Tag Team Championship match at Ring Wars II. The only team missing is Stunt Team USA and... LM: You don't think they might...? TD: [glancing at Larry and raising an eyebrow, then laughing] Nah! But just as Rising Sun Revolution was added to the title match at Ring Wars II, Aaron the Caddy has managed to get his men entered in _this_ title match -- and it drastically alters the complexion of the match. BL: You could stand to alter your own complexion, Timmy. Everyone knows there is a big difference between a regular tag match and a triangle match. Just like those Rising Sun guys, Hairball and Rudy -- or whatever their names are -- took advantage of the rules at Ring Wars II, Aaron has taught his guys the same strategy. LM: And if there such a thing as a home-ring advantage in wrestling, this may have to be it. These Air Force men desperately want to see The Armed Forces walk away with the gold -- even if there is no "AirCom" on the team. Hey, you don't think they might...? TD: [glancing at Larry and raising an eyebrow, then laughing] Nah! But "Soundbite" Steve Roberts is standing by LIVE outside with The Armed Forces as they prepare for this big matchup: [Cut to Steve Roberts, who is standing outside the Armstrong Air Force Base Arena, the site of Snow Brawl. He is surrounded by men dressed in military fatigues. It is snowing, but looks somewhat pleasant for this time of the year. Larry is joined by the Armed Forces, NavCom and DefCon, who look very happy and at ease.] SR: NavCom, DefCon, as we stand here in the God-forsaken wasteland we call "Alaska," you two don't look cold or nervous at all. How is it that you're staying so loose? DC: Well, it isn't too tough, really. We've got 400 friends from Omaha's SAC Air Force Base here to cheer us on, and the Air Force guys up here are really taking to us as well. It's a great feeling to walk into a place where everyone knows your name. SR: Well, aside from the "Cheers" analogy, how do you guys feel about tomorrow night's big title match, that deadly triangle with the Rising Sun Revolution and the High Plains Drifters? NC: There's no doubt it is going to be a great tag team match, a wild brawl for the belts. Three teams times two men a team, makes six... Pier 6. [NavCom grins and keeps going.] I hope that everyone will tune in tomorrow night, call the cable guy or the satellite guy or I think maybe Ted Turner might own a whole PPV station himself, I don't know... but whatever you have to do to get this, do it, because you'll see the top three teams in the IIWF do battle for IIWF World Tag Team Titles. SR: No Aaron tomorrow night. How's the confidence factor without your leader? DC: Well, it's just like what we said the other night -- he's been a great manager, but we _are_, in fact, good enough to win this match on our own. He's been our magic feather for so long, and tomorrow night, even without him, we'll fly. NC: I would like to take this opportunity to thank Aaron for all he's done in preparing us for the match. SR: Speaking of Aaron, where is he now? I thought that, perhaps, we'd be able to get a word... DC: We thought that since he won't be with us tomorrow night that we'd just do the interview alone, also. He'll be in the building with us tomorrow, though, don't worry. SR: Okay, let's talk turkey. Rising Sun Revolution and the High Plains Drifters... what about it? NC: For more than two months we've sat and fixated on the titles we so unjustly lost at Ring Wars II. We've thought about nothing but those World Tag Team Titles. We want 'em back. Bad. Tomorrow night, we're comin' to get 'em. DC: When we show up tomorrow night, Steve, it will be one heck of a sight. We're going to walk out into the arena, and there will be thousands upon thousands of military men, taking a break from serving their country, to cheer on _their_ representatives to the IIWF... The Armed Forces. NC: Ever since their magical reappearing act at Ring Wars II, the Rising Sun Revolution has been just feeding off the support of the fans. [As the microphone is held in NavCom's face, DefCon whispers something to Steve Roberts.] But, picture this, Ryudo and Hiroshi: You walk out into an arena of fans, like usual, only this time they don't like you. They hate you. In fact, you are booed and jeered by the crowd, people dressed in military garb who still haven't forgiven your "Rising Sun" for the cheap shot at Pearl Harbor. And they're all cheering your biggest enemies... the Armed Forces. The Forces proceed to rout you and the third team, the High Plains Drifters, to win the IIWF World Tag Team Championship. Sounds like a nightmare, huh boys? Well, don't worry, it'll all be over on the morning of the 22nd... only it won't have been a dream. SR: Well stated, NavCom, but I must admit that I missed some of that when DefCon whispered something to me about history being on your side. I can certainly see how you can think that about the High Plains Drifters, but what about the Revolution -- a team you've never beaten? DC: First of all, we do in fact have the upper hand on the Riders. I'd say that three out of four isn't too bad. Is that a Meat Loaf song or something? SR: Ah, I believe that was called... DC: Uh huh, whatever. Well, as I was saying, we've got the Drifters' number, we've whipped 'em time and time again, and it's likely to happen tomorrow night. Now, as to the comment on the Rising Sun Revolution and _history_. Let me take you back in history, nine and a half years actually, to June of 1989. Let's go halfway around the globe to Beijing, China, to a place called Tiannamen Square. On this day, a large group of students looked to start a revolution of their own, as they tried to fix some of the problems in the Orient. Tens of thousands of students began demonstrations at Tiananmen Square in May, and they kept at it for an extended period of time, long enough to anger the military. On June 3rd, 1989, hundreds of students were killed, and 10,000 people were injured in an attack by the People's Liberation Army. Rising Sun Revolution, your revolution will be destroyed, and we _are_ your Liberation Army. [The Armed Forces focus on the camera in a glazed-over state. Roberts tries to get in another word but the Forces refuse to acknowledge him. The camera bores deep into the determined eyes of DefCon. Fade. Cut back to the studio.] TD: The Armed Forces think they have the Drifters' number, but Pale and Easy Rider are not pleased with the IIWF's decision to permit the Forces to compete in this match. LM: That's right, Tim. And Josey Wales and his men vow to make the Armed Forces pay for negotiating their way into this match: [SCENE: A western saloon. Josey Wales sits at a table, drinking a beer and smoking a cigar.] JW: Ya know, me and my Drifters have gotten the raw end of the deal the last couple of pay-per-views. Last time it was a triangle match and then the Rising Sun idiots sneaked their way into it. This time the Armed Forces snuck their way into a match in which they don't belong. I promise you this: Not only will the HPD win that triangle match on Saturday, but they will put the Rising Sun and the Armed Forces into the ground! [He leans back and takes an extended puff on his cigar.] From this point on, the HPD will shadow the Armed Forces. The Rising Sun had the right to be in this match. Armed Forces have no such right. For the rest of your career, Armed Forces, the HPD will be there, screwing with all your affairs, just like you've interfered here. You wind bags just bought yourselves a long and painful journey. [Fade. Cut back to the studio.] LM: Wow, that brings up an interesting scenario. What if the Drifters and the Forces spend so much time beating on each other... BL: Like Bobby Lincoln and Todd Franklin? Hehehe. LM: ...that Rising Sun Revolution slips past both of them and regains the belts? You can't ignore the former champs Ryudo and Hiroshi. TD: It should be a tremendous matchup, but I'm sticking with my philosophy of picking the champs to retain their titles. Even without Outlaw Josey Wales at ringside, Pale and Easy Rider are ring veterans who know how to hold onto the belts. I'm picking the Drifters. BL: He can be annoying at times, but Aaron is still a master strategist. He'll have Nav and Def ready to pull off the big win and The Armed Forces will walk away with the gold. LM: I'll disagree with both of you. This type of match favors Rising Sun Revolution's style -- just like they showed at Ring Wars II. I'm picking Ryudo and Hiroshi to regain the titles as the Drifters and Forces go after each other. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= IIWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TRIANGLE MATCH: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "Angel of the Sun" Hakiro Matsuoko vs. Tiger Claw vs. "Enigma" Takezo Musashi ----------------------------------------------------- TD: For weeks, we've been anticipating the matchup between Hakiro Matsuoko and Tiger Claw -- a rivalry that dates back to the IIWF's first event, Coronation Clash. BL: And then Prez Spreadbury and the IIWF Championship Committee screw everything up by sticking the "Enema" in the title match. I understand that move ruined Brian Lau's weeks of planning and strategy... and now it's two against one. How unfair can you be? LM: If you'll recall, it was Tiger Claw himself who kept interjecting himself in the "Enigma's" and Hakiro's matches. I see three individuals with three separate goals in this match, but the ultimate goal for each is to hold the IIWF Cruiserweight belt. TD: The current champion, Hakiro Matsuoko, has been training in Tokyo since early this week and that's where our camera crew caught up with him: [SCENE: Tokyo, in the evening. Hakiro Matsuoko goes down a seedy alley and knocks on a door, a man appears and lets him in. Matsuoko walks down a dimly lit corridor to a large room, there is a platform with men fighting on it, people are jammed into the room and there are yells coming from every direction. Hakiro watches the matches with great interest.] HM: On this very platform years ago is where I won my first fighting title. There is only one rule here, to survive. To thrive in this environment I had to use all my heart, soul and knowledge as a fighter. My honor was on the line every night when I took the platform. Honor is everything to a warrior. Tiger Claw, our relationship has come full circle. At first we were bitter enemies, then we trained together and now, we have once again been dropped into the roles of enemies. I can never forget that you defeated me months ago. I give you my word that it will never happen again. Enigma, our relationship, too, has been through many seasons. We once trained together. Now we are opposing one another at Snow Brawl. You are a man of honor and you put everything on the line when you wrestle. I can respect you like I do Tiger Claw, but do not get my respect misconstrued with pity. I shall take no mercy on you or Claw. I shall defeat you both and hold on to my Cruiserweight Championship. My honor is all I have left. It will not be stripped from me. To both of you, bring your best. I only like fighting when that is true. [Fade. Cut back to the studio.] TD: Hakiro Matsuoko certainly appears focused on this match, but I still think the addition of Takezo Musashi to this match concerns him. LM: And well it should. The "Enigma" is a dangerous competitor who can put anyone away with his Starsault Press. BL: But he won't beat BOTH Tiger Claw and Hakiro Matsuoko with it. Those two may not like each other, but they'll want to get rid of Musashi early and then take care of their own business. TD: I think Musashi may disagree, and we'll find out right now. Joining us live in the studio is the "Enigma" himself. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Takezo Musashi! [Takezo Musashi walks down to the interview podium to a good pop from the fans at Armstrong Air Force Base. He bows in the traditional Japanese manner and takes the microphone.] TM: Fans of the IIWF world-wide, you are just hours away from witnessing my most important match to date in the IIWF. Last minute changes on behalf of the IIWF Championship Committee have been made to the Snow Brawl supercard. I am proud to say that I will now face both Hakiro Matsuoko and Tiger Claw tomorrow night for one of the most prestigious titles in the world of wrestling, the IIWF Cruiserweight Championship! [Big pop from the audience] The task set before me, a dream I have set for myself ever since I arrived on these shores, will now be made doubly difficult. Not only must I triumph over two dangerous opponents, I must triumph over two of the greatest practitioners of the martial arts in the world today! [The audience gives a mixed pop] How shall I overcome such tremendous odds? Well, in the same way I have emerged victorious from adversity ever since I was a young boy in Japan. Through the strength of my spirit and the courage it grants me. I have always been utterly without fear in the ring, I have always been able to take the match one more dangerous step above my opponents, and that is the key to my success. Tiger Claw, he is feared for his Muay Thai ability, but when it comes to actual wrestling, when it comes to taking it to the air and into the heights of utmost danger, he isn't in my class. Hakiro Matsuoko, he is a more well-rounded opponent, but I've already beaten him in the past, and the jealousy he still feels for it shall be his undoing. What is more, nobody has a counter for the Starsault Press. It is my most feared weapon and the most exciting move in the IIWF today. I have a feeling that it shall be unleashed twice tomorrow night. Three somersaults through the air for Tiger Claw, and three more for Hakiro Matsuoko! [Big crowd pop] My skills have been tested to the utmost in the past few weeks, I wrestled World champion Dan Kauffman to a draw, I battled my honorable friend the White Phoenix to the limits of our strength. Thus I have the edge coming into this match, my skills have been tempered as to a slashing katana, and I am still hungry for my first taste of championship glory. Tiger Claw and the Angel of the Rising Sun wish that it were so for them. They are hoping that resorting to skullduggery will be enough to overcome the "Enigma", but they shall be proved lacking. Come Snow Brawl, it will be my time to shine. Come Snow Brawl, it is I who shall hold the gold aloft in glory, while my opponents lay battered at my feet! [Takezo raises his arms to the air as the fans give a big pop. He bows once again, then leaves the studio looking very determined.] TD: Takezo Musashi is definitely ready for tomorrow's match. With his IIWF career secure, he can now focus on winning the gold. That's why I'm picking the "Enigma" to defeat both Matsuoko and Claw at Snow Brawl and win the belt. BL: Wrong again, Timmy. Never bet against Brian Lau when a belt is on the line. The Syndicate measures success by the number of belts in their camp, and Tiger Claw will walk away the winner -- by hook or by crook. LM: Well, since no one is picking the current champion, I'll go with Matsuoko. He has insight to both Tiger Claw and Takezo Musashi and the belt remains his to lose. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= LETHAL LOTTERY TAG TEAM ELIMINATION MATCHES: winning teams proceed to twelve-man battle royal =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: This may be the most interesting part of Snow Brawl tomorrow night because it relies on friends and foes working together if they hope to advance to the battle royal. LM: There are certainly many intangibles. I think _trust_ is one of the biggest ones. These men are not regular tag teams, and in many cases they don't even like each other. But they will have to trust each other if they hope to get a shot at the world title. TD: With that in mind, let's take a look at all of the first-round pairings and matches: ------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Damage & Harlequin Chaos vs. Subway Psycho & Mad Dog Watkins ------------------------------------------------------- TD: Injuries have to be taken into consideration in this match, as the Subway Psycho took quite a beating last Saturday in Berlin at the hands of Otto Verhoeven and "friends." BL: Being looney is also a consideration, as Mr. Damage will learn when he tries to work with Harlequin Straightjacket. LM: Well Mr. Damage isn't exactly a poster boy for mental health either. Check out what happened yesterday in Anchorage: [SCENE: A shopping mall in Alaska. Hundreds of kids are lined up to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas. Everyone is happy at this joyous time. The camera slowly pans to Santa, who has a child on his lap.] SANTA: And what would you like, young Lachlan? Ho Ho Ho! LACHLAN: I want a sail boat, a train set, a Tonka Truck... a bike... and finally a Subway Psycho Doll [Santa looks a bit shaken by this] SANTA: Why a Subway Psycho doll? Why not a Mr. Damage Doll? HO HO HO! LACHLAN: Mr. Damage? He Sucks! [Santa starts to look pale] SANTA: Are you going to watch Snow Brawl on Saturday night? LACHLAN: Yeah, Subway Psycho is gonna kick Mr. Damage's butt. SANTA: That's it! I have had it up to here with this [BLEEP]! I can't take it anymore! [SANTA throws Lachlan off his knee and stands up, taking off his hat and beard. He grabs a microphone, revealing his true identity -- Mr. Damage -- as the crowd gasps and children start to cry] MD: I am sick and tired of this. The IIWF sent me to do some promotion for this Eskimo Convention they call Snow Brawl. All I have had all day is "I want this" and "I want that," kids pulling my beard and babies crying on my knee. Well I got one thing to say: SANTA IS NOT REAL! IT'S YOUR PARENTS, YOU STUPID LITTLE MORONS! [All the children start to cry. A security guard comes up to Damage, but the wrestler dispatches him with a European uppercut.] MD: Listen up! This weekend, I team up with Harlequin Chaos for the Lethal Lottery. I personally believe that I've done well in this Lottery. I think that Harlequin Chaos and I can take it and finish Subway Psycho and Mad Dog Watkins for good. I have been looking at Harlequin Chaos a lot lately, I am sure we can work together well as a team. Psycho, I still have score to settle with you. Watkins, I don't know you and I have nothing against you except that you are on the other team and that you're are going to get hurt real bad. That I promise! [Two more security guards armed with night sticks come at Mr. Damage, who picks up a nearby elf and throws him at the security guards. Although the two guards catch the elf, there is enough time for Mr. Damage to double clothesline both of them. He drops an elbow on both guards and the elf for good measure.] MD: SEASONS BEATINGS Psycho & Watkins. This is the entree, you are the main course, and I am about to say grace: LORD PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR I DO NOT KNOW FOR WHAT I AM ABOUT TO DO.... [Damage starts to destroy Santa's toy factory. Children start to run away and parents are starting to cry and cringe in fear. A medical team rushes to the scene and begins working on the guards and the elf. Fade. Cut back to the studio.] TD: That was truly despicable! Whose brilliant idea was it to send some crazy man like Mr. Damage to a mall to play Santa Claus? LM: I think the IIWF Vice-President sent that order. He's always hated kids. TD: I understand mall officials wanted to have Mr. Damage arrested, but he slipped away before they could catch him. BL: Hehe... that makes him... AN ESCAPE CLAUS! BWAHAHAHAHA... snort! LM: Snigger... that's not... hehe... very funny, Becky. TD: Well you can be sure that the Subway Psycho and Mad Dog Watkins will fail to see the humor in any of Mr. Damage's threats. In fact, Watkins has vowed to look out for the Psycho's best interests until they win the preliminary match. BL: You've got to like the approach Watkins is taking -- all business. LM: Mad Dog wanted to deliver his message in person Wednesday in Tokyo, but... well, just take a look: [SCENE: A black limousine pulls up outside of the Tokyo Egg Dome early Wednesday afternoon, hours before the IIWF show to take place there later in the evening. Immediately, the vehicle is swarmed by a small pack of Japanese teenagers, eager to see who will emerge. Slowly the door opens, and out steps Mad Dog Watkins. Watkins is a middle aged black male, dressed in all black as usual -- black pants, black long-sleeve t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. The crowd immediately begins to boo and shout at Watkins who simply pushes his way through the crowd. He only stops long enough to grab a sign that reads in bad english "The Subway Psycho is Hero". He rips it up and hands the pieces back to the teenage girl, whose boyfriend holds up a sign which reads "Mad Dog -- We Came to Watch You Wrestle!". Watkins nods at the boy, allows a small grin, and proceeds into the building.] MD: [in a gravely voice which speaks quietly, almost to himself] Long way from Detroit... [The familiar IIWF intern rushes over to Watkins and takes his travel bag.] IN: Hello Mad... er... Mr. Watkins. I hope your flight was enjoyable. MD: Hunh. Never was much for first class. Where's the dressing room? IN: The dressing room? But you're not scheduled to wrestle this evening. It was my understanding that you were here for some scouting of the competition, and, of course, to answer some questions on the IIWF World Tour hotline. MD: Screw that. I'm here for one reason only. Ain't nothing in my contract about talking to some punk kids. Spreadbury brought me in here for what I can do in the ring, and that's what I'm concerned about right now. IN: But why the locker room? MD: I've got a message for the Subway Psycho. [Watkins sees "Nifty" Ned Norton making his way to the locker room door, and quickly heads that way. Norton, wary of a repeat performance from last week, quickly ducks for cover as Watkins bulls through the door and into the locker room.] MD: Where is he? [There, in front of Mad Dog, sits El Super Gecko, being attended to by one of the IIWF trainers who is taping Gecko's ankles.] ESG: Mad Dog? Who? What's up your a.... [Watkins cuts him off before he can finish that thought by shoving Gecko off the trainer's table and into the lockers. The trainer jumps back, startled by Watkins' actions.] MD: Don't even think of talking to me that way. I want the Subway Psycho! Where is his ass? TR: Hey! You can't hurt the lizard! Who do you think you are? [Watkins turns, and looks increasingly upset. He grabs the trainer by the collar of his purple IIWF pullover, raises him off of his feet, and slowly begins talking.] MD: Who am I? I'm the guy that's going to going to stick my foot so far up your ass that you won't be able to sit for weeks! I'm the guy who's going to turn you into sushi unless you tell me where the Subway Psycho is! TR: [visibly shaking] Uh... uhm.... he... he's not here yet! I swear to you! He comes to see me first thing, and I haven't seen him all day! MD: Well I've got a message for him. Think you can handle relaying it to him? Good. You tell him that I got stuck with his sorry behind as my partner for the Lethal Lottery, and he better show up in Alaska one hundred percent prepared! He'd better forget Otto Verhoeven, 'cause if he ain't totally focused and we lose to Damage and Chaos, then he's got me to worry about. I don't give a damn about Verhoeven kicking his ass from town to town. All I care about is winning. Snow Brawl will be Mad Dog's Day, and I plan on taking the whole she-bang. If he knows what's best for him, then he won't be the one who tries to ruin it for me. And if he doesn't understand that, then maybe I'll have to teach him a lesson. [Watkins slowly places the trainer back down to the floor, straightens out his leather jacket, and heads out the door. Cut back to the LIVE studio shot.] TD: Mad Dog didn't find the Subway Psycho Wednesday, but I was able to locate him in the pre-dawn hours Thursday. Here's what he had to say: [SCENE: Tim Dross in an alley in Tokyo in the early morning hours on Thursday. It is just hours before the IIWF's chartered flight leaves for Alaska.] TD: I'm here in another unusual place. These assignments take me to some odd locations. With Steve Kowalski being suspended, I can only assume I'm here to meet the Subway Psycho. [A dark figure limps up from behind.] TD: Psycho... is that you? SP: Yes Tim, it's me. TD: Please, if you could, tell us your condition and your thoughts about Snow Brawl. SP: Well I you can guess I was beaten up pretty badly last Saturday. But as a lot of people in the IIWF have learned the had way, the Subway Psycho is impossible to keep down. I believe it was the "Outlaw" J.W. Hardin who said the best thing to be said about me was that I'm a "quick healer." I suffered two broken ribs in last Saturday's attack from Otto and his friends... don't think for a second that I've let that go by. I look forward to working with a true professional like Mad Dog Watkins. I know we'll clean house the first round. He's dedicated to winning, and so am I. I see no problems with the two of us working together. TD: But Psycho, you've been consistently at the top of the rankings. With this loss to Otto, the first clean pin in your career, how will you recover? SP: You're right, Tim. Otto is the only one to ever pin me fair and square, in my opinion. It was in Germany and he was in his own backyard, but I will not make any excuses. He was the better man on that night. But what he did afterwards, calling out his goons, is unacceptable. OTTO... after Snow Brawl I challenge you to a THIRD RAIL CAGE MATCH! If you don't know what that is, look up your IIWF history. I intend to win everything Saturday... that means the Number One contender's spot. I'll put that on the line against you, Otto, in a Third Rail match. TD: Whoa... Psycho, the Third Rail Match is your signature match. You've beaten the like of Spam Marvelous Spam and Joe Latta soundly in that type of match. SP: That's right Tim. I don't challenge people to it often, because I know everyone is off balance in the match but me. I know I WILL WIN. Otto, you bit into more than you can chew. But don't think I'm taking Snow Brawl easily. Sasha, although she's never wrestled before, is feisty and tough. She'll do fine, even if I'm suspended above the ring. When Mad Dog Watkins and I step into that ring on Saturday, you'll see what determination is all about. And then in the battle royal afterwards, you'll see who the force to be reckoned with in the IIWF is. It's the Subway Psycho! [The Subway Psycho disappears back into the shadows. Cut back to the studio.] TD: The Psycho is more determined than I've ever seen him. Otto Verhoeven has struck a nerve and he has the Psycho off his game. Compounded with the Psycho's injuries, I don't think he'll be much good to Mad Dog Watkins tomorrow night. I have to pick Mr. Damage and Harlequin Chaos to advance. BL: You're finally talking sense, Timmy. Unless Harlequin Chaos forgets who his partner is, there's no way Mr. Damage won't advance. LM: Again, I'll disagree. The Subway Psycho is a quick healer, and how do we know that he's really hurt as badly as he says? He may be trying to throw Damage and Chaos off. I'm picking Watkins and the Psycho. ------------------------------------------------------- "Superstar" Stud Stetson & Ronnie Paris vs. Marty Warnett & American Patriot ------------------------------------------------------- TD: Stetson and Paris didn't appear impressed with each other Wednesday night, but they'll have to overcome that mutual disdain tomorrow night. LM: At least if they hope to advance. BL: Oh let's face it, Paris and the Patriot are excess baggage in this match. Everyone wants to see Stetson beat the snot out of Warnett and then they can go home happy. TD: I don't think you can discount the partners in this matchup, although Marty Warnett certainly seems more focused on facing Stetson than working with the Patriot. Our camera crew caught up with Marty following his workout this morning: [SCENE: A snow-covered landscape, pine trees occasionally popping up to interrupt the monotony of the bleak land. Marty Warnett, wearing a t- shirt and shorts, comes running into view. He stops, pausing for breath, spots the camera and jogs toward it] MW: You know, people have been saying in telecasts that I've been too injured to compete over the last week and a bit ... hey, guys, reality is just a little bit different. The front office staff have wanted me to wrestle less anyway, having been on every card since I arrived here. The past week, I've been relaxing, training and reflecting upon my career in the IIWF. And more particularly, I've been pondering the mental state of you, Stud Stetson. CAMERAMAN: Ma-a-a-a-r-t-y-y, I'm-m-m-m c-c-c-o-o-o-l-l-l-d-d-d MW: Sorry, pal, see ya inside the Base. [The camera shot fades, and rises again to show in the inside of the Armstrong Air Force Base Arena, not much more than a refurbished massive hanger. Ring technicians are busy setting up the squared circle, and other event staff are erecting the seats and other rigging] MW: Better? Good. Anyways, Stetson. You claim a punctured lung and broken ribs have caused that young fan to have no future in Basketball? Boy, you have no faith in or knowledge of the medical technology available today, do ya? I've been visiting him regularly, and last week I accompanied him on the trip back from Rome after your assault. He'll be fine. I guess you're not so tough, huh? You claim you're gonna take me out. How? You couldn't seriously hurt me when you used a car, for God's sake. What could you possibly do now? Use an A-Bomb? I've taken your best, cheapest shots, and, Stud, Saturday Night, Snow Brawl, you'll see that Christmas is about charity, and I'm in a very, very giving mood. That's my surprise, what could yours be? But, Snow Brawl is an important event, you notwithstanding. The top two in that Battle Royal gain title shots - and the two athletes left standing through the carnage of the top IIWF stars deserve shots. All my brief career in wrestling, in the IIWF I've battled the odds. I've fought, and bested, Simon LeBec. I've battled hard against Lord Byron, who, for all his faults and cane usage, is a great technical wrestler who has won titles elsewhere. I've proved I belong in the IIWF, Stud. I've proved I can mix it up with good competitors, now I need to prove I can deal with top contenders, to earn title shots. And Snow Brawl is the perfect opportunity, to help realize my dream, and the dream of all those Party Maniacs out there, to hold gold in the IIWF. Dues have been paid, wrestlers fought, battles won and scars gained. Now is the time to get the reward, to keep up this winning streak, and to be part of the New Revolution, taking the IIWF to greater and greater heights than anybody ever dreamed of. Stetson, that's my dream. That's my goal, tomorrow night, my dream becomes your... nightmare. [Fade. Cut back to the studio.] BL: What an ego Warnett has. And that's exactly why Steton and the other guy will advance tomorrow night. That's my pick. TD: The "other guy's" name is Ronnie Paris and he was impressive in his debut. But I think experience has to be a factor in this match, and Warnett and the Patriot have the edge there. LM: I agree with Tim. If Stetson is too focused on Warnett, the American Patriot can put him away. I'll take Warnett and the Patriot. ------------------------------------------------------- Lord Byron & Harlequin Tragedy vs. Venusian Death Cell & Onslaught ------------------------------------------------------- TD: This may be the most interesting of the preliminary Lethal Lottery matches because of each team's style. LM: That's right, Tim. Byron and Tragedy are both great ring technicians, whereas VDC and Onslaught like to get physical and really mix it up. BL: That gives Onslaught and the Cell the edge. If you beat on someone enough, those technical skills won't matter anymore. TD: Our camera crew caught up with Onslaught and Tony Starks earlier this week in New York: [SCENE: Onslaught and Tony Starks are in a New York gym, Starks is working on a heavy bag and Onslaught is working on his legs. Starks sends out a hard left hook and twists his back a bit too much. The pain can be seen in his eyes, Onslaught gets off the leg machine and tends to Starks. Seeing that he is okay, he turns to the camera.] ON: I see that I have been paired with the Venusian Death Cell for the Lethal Lottery. I am looking forward to this. I have no trouble with you Death Cell. I hope we can work well together as a team. My goal is to get into that Battle Royal and get my hands on Casey James. I don't care about a shot a the title, I just want to end your career, Casey, and cut the head off of the Beast that is Kobiashi. I am giving you one last chance Casey. You and Brian Lau walk away before the vendetta that I have against Kobiashi swallows you as well. TS: Lau, you honestly don't know who you are dealing with do you? You know Kobiashi from the days when he stalked me in the Orient. He is a user, plain and simple. He paid you to take out me and Onslaught right? Well, if you do succeed, and I don't think that you have got the strength to do it, do you think he will leave you alone? If you fail him, what do you think he will do? You have seen what he has tried to do to me for walking away from him, right? Your greed will be your downfall. You, Casey, Claw and Kobiashi will all wish you had never crossed our path. ON: I am the sword, that shall strike you down with all the fury of heaven and Earth. No one is safe. No one. [With that, Starks nods his head in agreement and they go back to working out. Cut back to the studio.] TD: Despite his looming physical presence, Onslaught may be too focused on revenge right now. His mind is not on this match, and that will be bad news for the Venusian Death Cell. I'm picking Byron and Tragedy. BL: I'm sticking with VDC and Onslaught... unless you're planning to drug the Cell again, Timmy. TD: Er... uh... I have no idea what you're talking about. LM: Well I'm having trouble making a pick in this one, so I'll have to call this match a draw also. ------------------------------------------------------- The Sandman & Creed vs. Steve "the Fury" Kowalski & Otto Verhoeven ------------------------------------------------------- TD: There is certainly no love lost between The Sandman and Creed, but "The CEO" Jack Montgomery doesn't care about friendships. The bottom line to him is getting his man Creed into the battle royal. BL: That's what this whole Lethal Lottery is about -- putting your personal feelings aside until you get to the battle royal. Then you can beat the snot out of anyone you choose. LM: Well Montgomery feels Creed could advance on his own, but I'm not sure that's the case against two tough men like Kowalski and Verhoeven. Creed will need The Sandman in this match, even if he doesn't trust him... and vice-versa. TD: Let's hear from "The CEO" Jack Montgomery now: [SCENE: The garlic fields of Central California and the converted Air Force base over which "The CEO" Jack Montgomery presides. Creed is in the ring below The CEO's tower, this time opposed by four tag teams who are situated around the ring. As Montgomery speaks, shots of him are interspersed with shots of the ring work.] CEO: [hanging up his cellular phone] Several weeks ago, as we were contemplating entry into one of a few select federations, we happened upon what promised to be one of the finest cards in recent wrestling history -- Snow Brawl. Immediately, we made some acquisitions. Have you ever wondered what happened to all those U.S. Air Force bases downsized after the fall of Communism? Well, this one's mine. How could I have such a purchase? That's not really any of your concern. Suffice it to say that we have taken pain to replicate the conditions for Snow Brawl as exactly as possible. The Air Force Base. The overwhelming crowd noise. Creed has even become accustomed to the winter Alaska chill. He's also been wrestling tag teams. Hundreds of them. And he's been wrestling them by himself. You see, despite our many invitations, Sandman has elected not to come out to California to work with my man Creed. It seems that Sandman has no interest in being the tag partner of a man so much superior to himself. Fine. Creed is prepared to enter the ring at Snow Brawl the way he enters the ring every single day of his life... alone. If you want to show up Saturday night Sandman, I assume you know where the arena is. But if you have even a fleeting doubt as to your ability to stand up to men like Kowalski and Verhoeven, if you think even for a nanosecond that you might melt under the heat of the competition at Snow Brawl -- then Sandman, stay home. Better yet, I've managed to procure a couple of floor seats. Bring a date. We'll buy you a Billy Shakespeare ice cream bar or maybe a Dan "The Philosopher-Champ" Kauffman big foam finger. Whatever you want, Sandman. Just stay out of my man's way. [In the ring, all 8 men have descended on Creed. He cleans house with a series of thumping left handed chokeslams. Creed then picks up the most unlucky of his sparring partners in a fireman's carry, hoists him to the top rope and then splashes down with his patented flying superpower bomb, the "Goodnight, Farewell and Amen."] Oh, and Sandman, whatever you decide, keep that fairy dust of yours at home. As you can see, Creed doesn't need that kind of "help." [Fade. Cut back to the studio.] LM: But we know that The Sandman is on his own now, having forsaken seemingly all allies. TD: And he seems just as determined to ignore Creed tomorrow night: [SCENE: The Sandman is seated in the Iron Den with a masked wrestler, who sounds oddly familiar.] MW: Wow, the Iron Den. It's been a long time since I've been in here. Maybe too long. Anyway my guest with me is the Sandman. SANDMAN: Hello. MW: So calm and cool. I'm glad to see you've bounced back from the loss of the Dark Knights. A man of action now, with the addition of some dirty tricks. I like it! SANDMAN: Drastic times call for drastic measures. The world is there for the taking and I'm gonna get it! MW: That's what I like to hear kid, but at Snow Brawl you're teamed with Creed, a newcomer to the IIWF. SANDMAN: Yeah, yeah, I saw the drawing. Creed, you better not stand in my way! If you hold me back, I'll bleed you. I really don't need a partner but the big wigs in the IIWF state that I have to wrestle with some other random. I don't need anyone, not the Knights, not Creed, Nobody! MW: Woo, spoken with style. How about those Drama Twins? SANDMAN: What about them? One cried when the other was blinded. The one who cried found a victory but wished for ice cream. Do you want some ice cream, little boy? How about if I just put you on ice? I don't give a damn about Bruno, Drama twins, Tragedy and Chaos. [he shakes his head] It's not over, it's just begun! MW: Dirty tricks, picking fights, ya sound like some guys I used to run with. What's next? SANDMAN: Otto! We haven't had a proper introduction yet. I'm the Sandman and I'm going to bury you! Maybe for now I'll leave that to the Subway Psycho and I'll focus my attention on Heidi. Ha ha ha! I bet she'd like some fresh powder for her nose.. whaddya think, Otto? MW: Heh heh. Maybe I should get the bodybags ready? SANDMAN: Maybe... [The two laugh as the shot fades. Cut back to the studio.] BL: That's what I love about The Sandman... he has a "flair" about him. Hehehe... snort. TD: If this were strictly a tag team tournament, I'd have to pick the team of Kowalski and Verhoeven to go all the way. If you list the top brawlers in the IIWF, those two men would have to be at or near the top of the list. LM: That's true. They each have different talents, but they share a love of punishing their opponents. However, neither is proficient in tag team wrestling and that could prove to be a hindrance. BL: Aw, talent overshadows teamwork, but Otto Verhoeven is still excited about the idea of teaming up with "The New Jersey Nightmare." Take a look: [SCENE: Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven, Nurse Heidi and and Doctor Hinterhalt are in a small, sparsely furnished room. Armstrong Air Force Base is busy, with both soldiers and IIWF technicians scurrying around in a hurry. Otto has obviously worked out recently, as he is sweating and wearing his usual wrestling attire, plus a black, rubber knee pad. He grimaces for a moment as he adjusts it. Heidi is wearing an expensive looking, fox fur coat and Doctor Hinterhalt is in his usual white lab coat. He writes some notes on his clipboard while looking at Otto's knee with a concerned look on his face.] OV: So, this is where Snow Brawl will take place, eh? A U.S. Air Force base. Impressive from what I have seen. But I guess I should talk about one of the greatest night of my life instead, Saturday night! Carnage unleashed. First I beat the dirt out of the Subway Stinker... DH: Not without him nearly blowing out your knee. OV: Silence! That son of a bum surprised me, but I paid him back blow for blow, move for move. And then some of my best German friends granted him some more taste what German wrestling really means. It is all about pain Subway, and you now know very much about it. NH: He deserved every moment of it. That bastard struck me, Otto. Can you believe it? He hit ME, while I was busy crippling that old fool Dornow! Aber he cannot stop me at Snow Brawl, when I'll lock on that very hold and his ape-faced girlfriend cries out in pain. OV: And the most amusing thing is that that fool has to watch. I like it. I am also curious how he will fare in the Lethal Lottery. What do you think, doc? DH: Judging from the amount of punishment his back had to take I am sure that he won't be a very important factor. After all, he had to endure a Slaughterslam, a Powerbreaker and the Savagesault, so I predict only a weak performance from the underworld dweller. OV: Well said, doctor. DH: But you have to be careful, too, Herr Verhoeven. Your knee took some heavy blows, and although there was no severe damage done and our special therapy and the knee pad should almost cancel that drawback, it is your vulnerable spot for a couple of days. OV: Rubbish. I told you not to mention it in front of the camera, you imbecile. But, who cares, my tag-team partner is one of the most talented Americans I've ever seen. NH: Don't you think that he is a bad-mannered ruffian? I hope he doesn't embarrass us in front of millions of viewers. OV: Come on, Heidi, he has the style I would want my partner to have and I don't think that our opponents stand a chance. DH: You two are indeed the favorites. The Sandman hasn't been much of a force in the IIWF since the Dark Knights have disbanded, and Creed, although he has been impressive so far, but his victories against two other rookies, Cheshire and [sneering] the American Patriot, did only hint at his potential and Chris Quigley dispatched him with ease, so he remains a wild card. Steve Kowalski, on the other hand, has proven time and time again that he is a ruthless and dangerous competitor and I even predict him to be the last man to be eliminated in the battle royal. Naturlich, you should be able to win this, Herr Verhoeven. OV: Naturlich. DH: My analyze has brought two other favorites to my attention, namely Serge Annis and Chris... OV: Don't say that name. I will make sure that "Pigride" Quigley won't win this, but we shouldn't bother the public with our strategy discussion. At Snow Brawl, I'll transform that battle royal into a SLAUGHTERHOUSE! NH: Bet your soul on it! OV: [stands up and moves toward the camera] Now shut that damn thing off and get out of here, dummkopf! [Fade. Cut back to the studio.] TD: The other question about the Kowalski-Verhoeven team is how Kowalski will react after serving a suspension for attack Ned Norton and threatening IIWF President Dan Spreadbury. Kowalski's temper has been known to get the better of him as evidenced by the following footage from earlier this week: [SCENE: parking lot outside the IIWF arena. On top of IIWF President Dan Spreadbury's Volvo GL 940, sits Steve "The Fury" Kowalski, whose boots scratch the hood of the car as he stretches out.] SK: Best seat in the house. Its almost time for the Lethal Lottery. I'm so [BLEEP]in' scared! It wasn't named the LL 'til they signed me to it. As far as I'm concerned, this is just a stop off 'til I get to Shakes City! Sexton can have his shot. It don't make no difference to me. Shakes'll weasel out a win. The championship committee always lets him. But, scumbag, you can't weasel away from me. [The Fury slides off the car slowly, allowing for more scratches.] Back to the matter at hand. Partner or not, I will [BLEEP] ya up six ways to Sunday! The rest o' punks have jus' been tossed to the wolves! Hell hath no FURY like the Lethal Lottery. I'm outta here, [BLEEP]ers! [He turns around and kicks in the passenger side window. A minute after he walks away, a young parking valet runs up at the sound of the car alarm.] VP: Oh [BLEEP]! Mr. Spreadbury's going to kill me! [Cut back to the studio.] TD: That's just an example of Kowalski's temper. He could easily get himself and Verhoeven disqualified if he loses control tomorrow night. We sent a camera yesterday to get Kowalski's comments on Snow Brawl and he... well, look for yourselves: [SCENE: A close up of Steve "The Fury" Kowalski. A second later, he spits on the camera. Cut back to the studio.] TD: He never ceases to get his point across. Despite their talents, I can't help believing that Kowalski or Verhoeven will be caught breaking the rules. That would disqualify them, so I'm going with Creed and The Sandman to advance. BL: Nope. Talent shines through and Kowalski and Verhoeven will advance. LM: I side with Tim on this one. There is no denying the talent factor, but I'm not sure two egomaniacs like Verhoeven and Kowalski can work together. ------------------------------------------------------- The Hangman & "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley vs. Dirt Dog Unique Allah & Cheshire ------------------------------------------------------- TD: The long-awaited return of The Hangman comes tomorrow night, and he couldn't ask for a better partner in "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley. BL: Better partner? Quigley has a bye into the battle royal. Do you think he really cares what happens to The Hangman? He could sit out the entire match and then go to the battle royal fresh. TD: Well Chris Quigley will be flying to Alaska tomorrow morning, opting not to train here. However, he joins us now live via satellite from his home in Newfoundland and we'll find out exactly what he has planned. [Cut to a split-screen, with Chris Quigley, via live satellite link, in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada, on the right side and the broadcast team on the left. Quigley is seated, with a glass of water on a small table next to him. He is wearing a white "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley t- shirt, faded blue jeans, and a black Nike baseball hat turned backwards.] TD: Hi Chris, can you hear me okay? CQ: Yeah, you're coming through loud and clear, Tim. BL: Who cares about _him_? Can ya hear _me_, Quigley? CQ: Hmmm... nope, sorry all I hear is a high pitched whine. Can't make it out. BL: Oh, you're hilarious, Quigley. TD: Uh... mind if I interrupt this little exchange with an interview? CQ: Go ahead, man. Although I'm one of the rare people who get to talk to Becky without paying $5.99 a minute to dial a "1-900" number. BL: Why you.... TD: [sighs] Let's not get her ticked now, Chris. First of all, you were slated to face "Painbringer" Billy Sexton on Wednesday night, but he decided not to face you, and you ended up winning by forfeit. What are your thoughts on that result, and on Sexton? [Quigley reaches for his glass and takes a sip of water before answering.] CQ: Well, I think I wasn't the only one looking forward to locking up with Sexton. I'm sure the fans wanted to see the match as well. It would have been a great match, but Sexton used some lame excuse to get out of it. It bothers me to get a win like that, but what can ya do? I'll face Billy Sexton sometime down the road, I'm sure, and when I do, he's gonna feel the effects of the Quickstriker, just like everyone else. LM: Hey, Chris -- Larry Morton here. What do you think of The Hangman, and your chances with him in the Lethal Lottery portion of Snow Brawl? CQ: I'd like to make something very clear right now. There are some people saying that I'm going to just give a half-assed performance, because I have a bye into the battle royal. That is _not_ the case. I don't believe in doing _anything_ halfway. The way I see it, if myself and Hangman win the match, that's just one less guy I'll have to eliminate in the battle royal, and you can rest assured, we _will_ win. I've seen what Hangman can do, and I'm sure he'll hold his end of the bargain. And he's not going to lose any sleep worrying if _his_ partner is gonna give it 100%. He can count on it! TD: So are there any particular people you're after in that big battle royal? [Quigley cracks what looks like a devious smirk.] CQ: Absolutely! This is a great opportunity to get my hands on Otto Verhoeven! I understand Otto has a bit of a knee problem... that's really too bad. It'd be terrible if I happened to hook on the Quickstriker... or a kneelock... or a figure four... or something else, just to cripple the "Butcher." Heh... BL: Oh please, even with one bad wheel, he's still better than you. He should just be thankful he doesn't live in Corner Brook. When any of you Newfies get bad legs they shoot you and use you for bait. TD: Becky! Stop it! CQ: Oh, I don't mind the jokes, Dross. Becky knows all about leg problems. after all, hers are always wide open. [Dross and Morton try to contain laughter as Becky gets an evil look in her eyes.] BL: Yeah, and I understand an old girlfriend gave you the nickname "Quickstrike." At least the pizza boy delivers in 20 _minutes_ or less. You're a 20 _seconds_ or less kind of guy, aren't you, Quigley? TD: [butting in] *ahem* Chris, I... pardon me. Chris, what about the comments from Creed, claiming he beat you and he should be the one with the bye into the battle royal? [Quigley rolls his eyes] CQ: Please! That's a pathetic excuse and a pathetic request. The fact of the matter is, I dominated Creed and made him _submit_ to the Quickstriker. No ands, ifs, or buts about it. LM: So do you have a pick for the Kauffman/Deathbringer match? CQ: Kauffman will be the big loser in that match. LM: You predict Kauffman will _lose_?! CQ: No... I merely said he'll be the big loser, because after he beats the tar out of Deathbringer, he's gonna have to deal with _me_. That doesn't sound like good news for him in _my_ book. TD: Well, we'll have to wait and see who, as you put it, the big "loser" will be. Thanks for talking to us Chris, and best of luck to you tomorrow night. We look forward to seeing you! CQ: Thanks, Tim. Later, Larry. Stay loose, Becky. [Quigley gives a confident smile and reaches for his water again as the satellite feed goes black.] BL: And it's no mystery why Dan Kauffman is nicknamed "Flash." TD: Becky, please! With the return of The Hangman and Chris Quigley's new attitude, I don't see any way they can lose this preliminary match. I'm picking those two to advance. BL: Quigley won't care about the preliminary match, regardless of what he says. He'll leave The Hangman "hanging" out to dry and Allah and Cheshire will put him away. LM: Quigley and The Hangman are a formidable team. I don't think Quigley will sandbag, and I think those two will advance. ------------------------------------------------------- Casey "Blackheart" James & "Lone Wolf" Brody Thunder vs. White Phoenix & Serge Annis ------------------------------------------------------- TD: It's difficult to overlook the potential of a team like James and Thunder, but they also have a problem to iron out right now. It was just over a week ago that Casey James and his Syndicate cronies scored a tainted victory over Thunder and ended the cowboy's perfect IIWF record. BL: Ordinarily, James and Thunder would be the perfect tag team, but they ARE on bad terms right now. Not to mention Thunder's little "moonlighting" job as Billy Shakespeare's babysitter. LM: Casey James doesn't seem to think the history between he and Thunder will be a problem... at least not in the preliminary match. Take a look at this tape we received earlier in the week: [SCENE: The camera is pointed upward to show Casey once again sitting in the front seat of his car. He's fiddling with an old Rubik's Cube.] CJ: Heh... Okay, so the homeless people... Where do 95% of _their_ accidents happen? Oh, yeah... I'm on, I guess. Hi, folks. Okay, so here's the deal. I find out that Brody Thunder isn't too happy about our match, and he's offering a grand for me to get into the ring with him. Thunder, put your money away. I don't need money to coax me into the ring. You just look me in the eye and say "I want to dance with you one more time" and I'll be happy to oblige. Some people say that I had a loaded fist. Well, think what you will, but is it going to change the outcome of the match? No. It was my hand that was raised at the end. Thunder, we're going to meet in the ring against each other again, you can be sure of that. But first, we've got to get into the ring on the same side and try and win a tag team match. Now Thunder, I'm a professional, and I'm pretty sure you are too. We all know that a professional is more than just a guy who gets paid for doing something. A professional is someone who performs at one hundred percent, no matter what the circumstances. I'm willing to put our differences aside in order to get past the preliminaries at Snow Brawl and try for a shot at the title. I think you can see my logic here. Let's look at the big picture for a moment. We've got some personal rivalry, that's for sure, but does that compare to the most coveted prize in the IIWF? I don't think so. Thunder, I propose that we do our best to work together when we fight Chow and Annis. After that, we can beat the crap out of each other in the battle royal, where it's every man for himself. I don't want to rob myself out of a once in a lifetime opportunity like this, and I know that you feel the same. I want to get my hands on the champ, preferably Dan Kauffman. [Casey puts down the cube and looks into the camera.] CJ: Which brings me to the reason why I'm here in my car, freezing like an idiot in the middle of Maryland. Well, I recently found a useful tool that will be very useful in my quest for the gold. Call it my backup plan. If I happen not to win at Snow Brawl, I'm thinking Danny is going to beg me to get into the ring with him anyway. I want him to still have the belt by that time, so I'm taking care of any problems that might arise. What am I waiting for? Well, let me tell you. See, some of the IIWF folks might remember a guy that was around long enough to make his presence known. He even made it to Midsummer Madness where the Syndicate kicked his ass. He was Dan Kauffman's mentor, Brandon Bennett. He left the IIWF, and now apparently runs some two-bit wrestling school a few blocks from here. See, every night, Brandon walks down this street here to go god knows where. Dan, I know he has something of yours. I remember, and I'm sure if you think hard enough, you'll remember too. Wait a minute... Oh... I think that's him... Okay, folks... I'll be back. [Casey reaches towards the camera, and the shot switches to black, only to come in on another shot. Under the glow of a street light, Brandon Bennett squirms on the ground holding his knee. A pipe can be seen laying on the ground a few feet away from him. Brandon is also bleeding from a cut on his head. Casey can be heard behind the camera.] CJ: Tonya Harding, eat your heart out. Okay, Brandon, I think you know why I'm here. BB: Who the hell are you? CJ: You might remember me dressed up in the red white and blue. Then I beat your ass at Midsummer Madness. BB: What do you want? CJ: You know... I'm here for Dan Kauffman... He wants his tape back. BB: WHAT?! CJ: His Boyz II Men tape, Brandon. I know you have it. BB: What are you, crazy? CJ: Crazy's just a state of mind, Brandon. Now give me the tape. [Casey's foot is seen giving Brandon the boot.] BB: Leave me alone! I don't know anything about a stupid tape! CJ: What a weakling. And you taught Dan everything he knows, huh? Couldn't have taken long. You make me sick. Alliance of Excellence... Ha! [Casey gives one last kick before the shot turns off again, only to restart in the car.] CJ: Well that was a whole load of pointless.... I left Brandon to consider his situation. He'd better come up with that tape. So, Dan, I've tried bullying you, I've tried threatening you, and now I'm trying to take your side. I'm trying to look out for you. One way or another, I'm going to get my hands on you, and then that belt. [Casey picks up the Rubik's Cube] CJ: You remember these stupid things? They were all the rage in the early 80s. They were everywhere. You couldn't go anywhere without seeing some dork playing with one. But who remembers them now? They were just a "Flash" in the pan, if you know what I mean. Dan, you're the same way. You're today's hottest thing, but it isn't going to last forever. I'm dousing your flame, Dan. Here's the thing, though. I want to make sure that you have that shiny belt when I meet you, so for now, I'm on your side. As long as I have anything to say about it, you're not even going to twist an ankle. I want you in tip-top shape when we meet. And you're going to have to meet me some day, Dan, because I'm going to be the last one standing at Snow Brawl. You can count on that. I do what I say, Dan, and I say that I'm going to beat you. Case Closed. [Casey turns the camera off. Cut back to the studio.] TD: Thunder and James may not like each other, but they are an imposing team. Still, you can't count out the likes of The White Phoenix and Serge Annis. LM: I think the question of whether or not Annis and Chow can work together was answered Wednesday night. Annis says he and the Phoenix share a love of fire, and they hope to burn Brody Thunder and Casey James tomorrow night: [SCENE: Serge Annis stands backstage, alone. He is in the dark, but his huge shape can be made out. A lighter flicks and he draws the lighter near his face.] SA: In time, all will see Serge Annis cripple the Flash, Dan Kauffman. It is inevitable. But that is a future pleasure for Serge Annis, because tomorrow night is the Lethal Lottery, and it is the night I show everyone just how dangerous I can be. "Superstar" Stud Stetson underestimated me, and if his attitude reflects the attitudes of everyone else in this federation, there _will_ be a lot of sorry people by the time I am through here. I assure one and all that I am no "clone" of Satan. I am no fake grim reaper. I am Serge Annis, the Epitome of Evil. I've been on a trip through Hell and I survived. I saw the darkest and most evil of things in the deepest, darkest lights of Hell that no one else has seen. And yet I walk there today. God turned his back on me. a long time ago. There is no place for God with Serge Annis, and there is certainly no place for death within me. For those of you who do not believe me, stare into my eyes. Stare into the baby blue eyes of a tortured soul and see the fire that burns within me. This is no joke... I assure you of that. Serge Annis is real... and the threat, and the danger is even more real. LETHAL LOTTERY! SNOW BRAWL! WHITE PHOENIX! Phoenix, I told you on Wednesday that I will watch your back. And on Wednesday, I did just that, my friend. I want to win our tag team match. I want to work together as a team -- as a unit -- and we will, I promise you. Continue on to the Lethal Lottery, then I could care less what becomes of you. But until then, you have a 6'8, 293-pound monster watching your back. I am known for many things. One being the Epitome of Evil, but also the Lethal Protector. And I will get my chance to prove just how lethal Serge Annis can be. Casey James, Brody Thunder, may whatever gods you believe in have pity on your souls. [Annis spits and closes the lighter leaving the locker room black. Cut back to the studio.] TD: Even though they're at odds, I think Thunder and James will work well enough together to advance. If so, watch out in the battle royal, because they will be out for blood. BL: Yeah, but James will have to carry that team. Everyone knows if you want something done right, you have to call the Syndicate. I think James and Thunder will advance. LM: But "calling the Syndicate" is what got Thunder and James at odds. I see problems erupting before this match is over and I think those two won't wait until the battle royal to brawl. I'm picking Annis and the Phoenix to advance. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- LETHAL LOTTERY SURVIVORS BATTLE ROYAL: winner becomes #1 contender to World Title runner-up becomes #1 contender to Intercontinental Title -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: That brings us to the final showdown, and what a battle royal it should be. It's difficult to predict a winner in a match like this because so many things could happen, but I'm going with a couple of surprises. I think Lord Byron and Chris Quigley are both smart enough to wrestle well in the battle royal, and I'll pick them as the finalists. With his new attitude, I'm picking Chris Quigley to go all the way. BL: Too many people want to kick Quigley's butt -- and Otto Verhoeven has given his word that he'll know Newfie-boy out of the ring. I think Verhoeven and Kowalski are the logical choices and I'll go with Verhoeven on the basis of experience. LM: If either or both of them was healthy, I'd pick Marty Warnett and the Subway Psycho to make it to the finals. But I'll go with Chris Quigley and The White Phoenix in the final, with the Phoenix winning in an upset. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TAG TEAM BATTLE ROYAL: for #1 contendership to World Tag Team Championship =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Players' Club vs. Arabian Knights vs. Pain Inc. vs. G.W.R. vs. Dark Disciples vs. Alphabet Boys vs. The Hangmen vs. Zodiac Connection --------------------------------------------------- TD: Any of the teams participating in this battle royal has tremendous incentive to win. After all, a shot at the IIWF World Tag Team titles does not come along every day. BL: Unless you're Rising Sun Revolution, and then Spreadbury gives you a title show whenever you ask for one. LM: I wish you'd stop slandering the IIWF President, Becky. BL: If _slandering_ means what I think it does, the IIWF President pays me for the service. TD: I don't think it means what you think it does, Becky. Anyway, we were able to catch up with three of the teams participating in the battle royal, so let's hear first from Domination, the team which last week defeated the current IIWF Tag Team Champions, the High Plains Drifters. Mistress feels her charges are just coming into their own. BL: Hehe... coming into their own. That reminds of a Bobby Lincoln and Todd Franklin joke... TD: Well, save it for another time. Let's hear from Domination: [SCENE: Monster, Mistress & Mr.Psycho are in the locker room celebrating their non-title victory last weekend over the High Plains Drifters.] MO: Raaaaaoooooorrrrrr. MP: Damn right. Last time we fought 'em, the match didn't even get started and we were new to the fed. Now we're here, we're settled, and we're so good we're dominating the tag-team champs. MO: Rooooaaaaagghhhhhhhhh. MP: We shoved 'em left, we shoved 'em right. We squashed them, crushed them, flattened them and baked them. MI: [not so jubilant] And we won by countout. Psycho, Monster, if the titles were on the line and you'd won by countout, I would have been seriously annoyed. As it is, a victory like this helps to push us one step closer to IIWF domination. MO: Rooooooaaooorrr. MP: Yeah, yeah, yeah, you keep saying. But listen, to all you tag-teams out there, from the Alphabet Boys to the Zodiac Connection, Domination is still the team to beat. We may not have the gold, but we will -- VERY soon. MO: Roooaaaarrrrr. MI: IIWF, prepare to be DOMINATED! [Fade. Cut back to the studio.] TD: Domination... that's one confident team going into the battle royal. LM: And well they should be. But one team at the other end of the spectrum is the Zodiac Connection. Taurus and Scorpio have been seeking some confidence lately, and they again turned to the stars: [SCENE: The Zodiac Connection -- Taurus and Scorpio -- sit in the snow looking up at stars in the brilliant Alaskan night sky.] TA: I am just not happy not having a match last week. SC: We needed the rest, big man! We needed to really think about the events of the past few weeks. We needed to really think about what we need to do in order to regain the focus we once had. We needed to have the ability to go out and give the fans everything they demand. And we definitely needed to stop challenging teams for the sake of challenging them. We need to pick the opposition, and then get on the right track. We can hardly consider ourselves to be of any threat to anybody here in the IIWF the way we have been wrestling lately. TA: You're right brother. Let's see... we do have the battle royal shot coming up, and Pain, Inc. is back in action. SC: And everyone knows how much we love Pain, Inc. -- NOT!! TA: That's right. We need to resolve matters with Pain, Inc. as soon as possible before we can ever position ourselves as being viable threats to the IIWF World Tag Team Titles. SC: Pain, Inc... let's dance! [Fade. Cut back to the studio.] BL: You know, it's amazing how many teams are focusing on settling feuds during the battle royal. Jeez, there is a title shot on the line and all these guys want to do is fight. TD: That really mirrors the IIWF's tag ranks right now. But G.W.R. will be unable to settle its dispute with The Armed Forces tomorrow night because the Forces will be in the title match. LM: So you have to question how prepared Spoiler and Loco will be for the battle royal. But there is no question in their own minds: [SCENE: A darkened alcove. Both Spoiler and Loco are drinking coffee, and the general is playing chess against a computer -- and winning. Spoiler looks up at the camera, and puts his drink down.] SP: So, Snow Brawl is just around the corner. A tag team battle royal to see who gets a shot at the champions. [he pauses] Something we'll talk about more in a minute. But first, the Armed Forces and now, it seems, Pain Inc as well. It seems that we've got the Armed Forces rattled. [he pauses for a second, sipping his drink] Yeah, they beat us. [he pauses] Something they need to remind themselves of constantly. [another pause] But they seem to forget how they did it. They didn't outwrestle us. They hit him [he points to Loco] over the head with a golf club. That's how they beat us. You'd beat anybody that way. They know that in an even match they don't stand a chance. That's why they're running. [another pause] First, they weasel out of the battle royal to avoid facing us, and no matter what they say, that's exactly what they've done, then they get Pain Inc to come and try and deal with us. It doesn't matter. No matter how far you run guys, how many people you pay, you are still going to have to face us, guys. We're still here, we're still coming. [he pauses again] Now, the battle royal. Not normally our type of match, but we have a plan -- a plan that will ensure A Merry Xmas and a happy new year for us. Tell the world to get ready because 1997 is going to be our year. [Fade. Cut back to the studio.] TD: Again, it's difficult to make predictions in battle royals because anything can happen. But Mr. Mic has been oddly quiet since he's had his men working out in Indonesia, and I've got to believe that he has something in store for Snow Brawl. I think Pain Inc. will win. BL: But Pain Inc. hasn't been wrestling the whole time. The Hangmen are coming back from a world tour and they're hungry to show the IIWF that they still mean business. Tighten those nooses because The Hangmen will be your winners. LM: Those are both good choices, but I'm going with a longshot -- The Alphabet Boys. These guys are patterning their careers after Rising Sun Revolution, and I would pick RSR if they were competing. So I'm picking Abie and Zed to win. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WINNER GETS CONTRACT: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "Real Deal" Luke Steele vs. "Jackhammer" J.P. Steele ---------------------------------------------------- TD: We keep hearing that there is only room for one Steele in the IIWF, and after tomorrow that's all there will be. The winner of this match will be rewarded with a IIWF contract. BL: Can't we call it a draw and kick them both out? TD: No, we can't! Both of these men have been working hard for this match, but only one will get the contract. Let's hear first from "The Real Deal" Luke Steel: [Cut to "The Real Deal" Luke Steele inside a small New York City gym. He is inside a ring sparring with an unfortunate -- but financially compensated -- gym employee. Steele doesn't see the camera at first, allowing the viewers to watch part of his regimen. Steele grabs the sparring partner in an arm-wringer, then puts his neck under the armlock and lifts his opponent off his feet in a modified suplex. Steele quickly pops up and goes to the top rope, landing on the employee with a tumbleweed. Finally a sweaty but physically fit Steele notices the cameraman. He slides out of the ring after checking to see that the employee is more or less okay.] LS: Well hello out there. I guess you caught your first in-the-ring look at the "Real Deal," huh? That's what you're going to see at Snow Brawl, in the Winner Gets A Contract match. It's a shame that the Jackhammer and myself are fighting for one spot in the league, because from the tapes I've seen of ol' J.P. he is truly a great in this sport. Ironic though, isn't it? The only thing stopping the two of us from entering the IIWF is our last name. As the IC champion Billy Shakespeare would say: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." J.P., you're fond of saying I'm always watching. Well, never forget that while you are watching the IIWF, I'm watching you. [Steele's demeanor changes from jovial to serious] IIWF, I am coming. President Spreadbury has stated that there is no room for two Steeles, so that means I'm coming alone. Bank on it, baby doll. See you in Alaska. [Steele climbs back into the ring. The employee has just scraped himself up off the mat, only to get dropkicked into the turnbuckle. As Steele sets up for a superplex, the shot fades. Cut back to the studio.] BL: He's kinda cute. I guess he can stay. LM: Becky, it's not up to you to decide. BL: That's true. If Luke Steele is going to get the IIWF contract, he'll have to defeat Jackhammer J.P. Steele, which may be no easy task: [SCENE: A black screen. Suddenly, the screen comes to life as clips show Jackhammer J.P. Steele in a training gym/wrestling center in his hometown of River Valley, Michigan. The clips include J.P. doing sit-ups and push ups, running up and down bleacher seats, hitting a punching bag, training on a treadmill, and sparring in the ring. The words "SNOW BRAWL FREE FOR ALL" appear on top as the clips come to a close. The words "STEELE VS STEELE" appear next. Finally, "JACKHAMMER IN TRAINING" appears on the screen. Suddenly, the clips are engulfed in flame, and the screen again goes black. When the shot returns, J.P. Steele is standing in the same training facility. He is wearing a IIWF sweatshirt and blue jeans, and smiling. In the background, his manager Annie Mack can be seen rummaging through files for something.] JPS: December 21st. Alaska. Snow Brawl. A night that can and will make or break my career. Will I prove victorious and join the ranks of the greatest federation known to mankind, or will I crumble in defeat, never again to grace the IIWF rings? Baby, if I was a betting man I _know_ I'd put my bank account on the first choice. Luke Steele, minutes before the pay per view begins, we shall tangle. One man will stay, the other leaves. For many, many weeks I have spent hours on end in the IIWF Headquarters, trying to get a contract. I showed footage of my past accomplishments, I appeared on one card even in the crowd. Well... it appears my one repeated line has come back to haunt me: "One chance is all I ask." If I can't prove myself that time, then I will never again bother to plead for a contract. I used it as a last resort... and it may prove to be my downfall. [he sighs] What a tangled web we weave. But unlike some spider, I don't have some string coming out of my butt. However, I do have the quickness of a scurrying spider, the ferocity of an angry beast. I play by the rules -- live by the sword, die by the sword -- but I am still aggressive. If I have to use a devastating crippling move such as a spike piledriver or a plancha dive... I say go for it. I take risks. Sure, I'm a big guy, but unlike most big guys, it's not fat. Not an ounce. Solid muscle. And I keep in great shape. If you doubt that I can fly through the air with the best of them, you'll see. Okay, I'm no luchador, but for a big man I can get up there and move pretty darn good. Luke... December 21st. Both of us dream of stepping into the ring in the IIWF. On this night we will, but for one it will be for the first _AND_ last time. And believe me, I won't go away that easily. Pin me? Have to kill me first. Make me submit? I'd rather go cold from the pain than submit. It's not going to be easy, Luke. I'm not gonna be some rookie with no idea what I'm doing. For a guy wrestling pro for only 7 months, I can handle myself pretty well. Luke..I haven't seen you in action yet, and vice-versa for you. But I'm sure your very talented and I know it's not going to be easy, not a cake-walk. But I will say this:In the end, there can be only one. And Luke...I got 1 reason why... the patented Springboard Spin Wheel Kick. If you can get up from this... you are inhuman. No one survives the wrath of the Jackhammer unless I let them. And until I have assured victory and earned a spot on the roster, Luke... I will not stop my wrath. Only one Steele is staying...and logic and myself both say that it's going to be the guy from River Valley, The Jackhammer. December 21st... I'll be looking forward to it. Believe you me, I'm not going to let the shot of a life-time go by. One chance at glory... and J.P. Steele is all guts, all glory. IIWF... get ready for the Jackhammer. Because after Snow Brawl, I'll be here for good. Get used to it, because the fans have one more guy to look up to. I have everything it takes to succeed...the skills. And with the fan's support as always -- and the fans are aplenty -- The Jackhammer is going to make good on the promises. I say something, and I do it. And what I say is that J.P. Steele is going to meet and defeat Luke Steele. Real Deal? Jackhammer's going to show you who the real STEELE is come Snow Brawl. I'm waiting, a looking forward to it. Until next time, this is J.P. Steele saying Life is a mountain. And I have my hiking boots ready. [Fade. Cut back to the studio.] BL: Jeez, what a blowhard. I think he was trying to get a career's worth of interviews into one segment. Has Kauffman been coaching him? TD: I'm not sure we know enough about either of these men to make predictions, so let's just sit back and watch the match tomorrow. BL: Maybe J.P. will talk Luke into submission. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- VALET MATCH: with wrestlers suspended above ring in cages -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Mistress Sasha vs. Nurse Heidi (w/ Subway Psycho) (w/Otto Verhoeven) -------------------------------------------- TD: I'm really surprised that the IIWF sanctioned this match, but it was only at the request of Mistress Sasha, who feels she holds the key to ending this feud between the Subway Psycho and Otto Verhoeven. LM: But should she be a martyr because of it? Sasha may be the daughter of a former wrestler and used to hang around a wrestling school, but simply being around wrestling doesn't mean you know that much about it. BL: Larry is living proof of that! TD: The fact remains that Nurse Heidi is a former wrestler and Sasha is not. When you consider that the Psycho and Verhoeven will be suspended in cages above the ring and will be unable to help, it certainly looks bad for Sasha. I'll have to pick Heidi -- and hope that Sasha escapes unharmed. BL: I'm picking Heidi and I hope Sasha does NOT escape unharmed. LM: I have to agree that Heidi is the easy pick in this one. ************************************************************************** -------------------- CURRENT IIWF SINGLES RANKINGS --------------------- ************************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name F/H Fought W L D Win% Ranking (old) new ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dan Kauffman F 22 16 4 2 77% (WC) WC Billy Shakespeare F 26 17 8 1 67% (IC) IC Hakiro Matsuoko N 26 15 10 1 60% (CW) CW ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Deathbringer H 24 19 3 2 83% (1) 1 Brody Thunder H 6 5 1 0 83% (2) 2 The White Phoenix F 14 11 3 0 79% (3) 3 Chris Quigley F 14 11 3 0 79% (4) 4 "Enigma" Takezo Musashi N 20 15 5 0 75% (5) 5 Otto Verhoeven H 17 12 4 1 74% (6) 6 Steve Kowalski H 10 7 3 0 70% (7=) 7= Lord Byron H 10 7 3 0 70% (7=) 7= Subway Psycho F 23 14 7 2 65% (9) 9 Venusian Death Cell H 11 7 4 0 64% (15) 10 Marty Warnett F 24 15 9 0 63% (12) 11 Stud Stetson H 8 4 2 2 63% (18) 12 Casey James H 26 15 9 2 62% (13) 13 Billy Sexton H 23 14 9 0 61% (11) 14 Onslaught F 10 6 4 0 60% (10) 15 Harlequin Tragedy N 6 3 2 1 58% (16) 16 Tiger Claw H 35 19 14 2 57% (17) 17 The Sandman F 21 12 9 0 57% (14) 18 Mr. Damage H 19 9 10 0 47% (19) 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mad Dog Watkins H 2 2 0 0 100% (20) 20= Harlequin Chaos N 2 2 0 0 100% (21=) 20= Serge Annis N 2 1 0 1 75% (23) 22 Creed N 3 2 1 0 67% (24=) 23 American Patriot F 2 1 1 0 50% (21=) 24= Cheshire H 2 1 1 0 50% (24=) 24= Dirt Dog Unique Allah N 2 1 1 0 50% (26) 24= Ronnie Paris F 2 1 1 0 50% (27) 24= ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vinny Cappicola F 12 5 4 3 54% (-) - Don Antonio F 20 10 10 0 50% (-) - The Hangman H 11 4 4 3 50% (-) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************************************** ------------------- CURRENT IIWF TAG TEAM RANKINGS --------------------- ************************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name of team F/H Fought W L D Win% Ranking (old) new ------------------------------------------------------------------------ High Plains Drifters H 23 16 6 1 72% (WT) WT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rising Sun Revolution F 11 9 2 0 82% (1) 1 Domination F 6 4 1 1 75% (2) 2 The Armed Forces H 23 15 7 1 67% (3) 3 The Arabian Knights H 14 9 5 0 64% (4) 4 Pain Inc. H 12 7 5 0 64% (5) 5 GWR N 5 3 2 0 60% (6) 6 The Dark Disciples H 5 3 2 0 60% (7) 7 The Alphabet Boys F 14 7 5 2 57% (8) 8 The Zodiac Connection F 14 6 8 0 43% (9) 9 The Players' Club F 7 3 4 0 43% (10) 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Harlequins N 1 1 0 0 100% (11) 11 The Hangmen H 12 7 4 1 63% (-) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************************************** ------------------- UPCOMING IIWF BROADCAST SCHEDULE ------------------- ************************************************************************** TD: Just a reminder, fans, that everyone at the IIWF will be taking a week off following Snow Brawl to enjoy the holidays with their loved ones. BL: Note that's plural -- especially in _my_ case! TD: Uh, yes. But I'll be back to digest everything that happens at Snow Brawl in a special New Year's Eve edition of "Inside the IIWF" on December 31. We will then be back to business as usual, with "Wednesday War Room," "Countdown to Saturday Night" and "IIWF Saturday Night" returning to their regular dates and times. LM: But we have a big night of action looming before that little break, so be sure to join us right here from Armstrong Air Force Base tomorrow night for Snow Brawl. There is still time to call your local cable operator so you can be in on all the action. BL: So until tomorrow night, this is Becky LaRue for Timmy and Larry saying... LM: BECKY! TD: Oh, give her this one, Larry. It's almost Christmas. BL: NIGHTY-NIGHT! BWAHAHAHAHA... snort. [The remote aerial camera zooms over the crowd again as the servicemen and their families make their way to the broadcast desk for autographs. Cut to an outside shot of the barren Alaska terrain and the sun low on the horizon as the credits roll. 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 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+