.------------------------------------------------------------------. | From the revolutionary force in e-wrestling entertainment! | `------------------------------------------------------------------' ##### ###### ### ########## ########## ########## #### ## ########## ########## ########## #### # #### ######## ##### ##### #### ## ##### #### #### #### #### ### #### #### #### #### ############# ######### #### #### ########### ######### #### #### #### #### #### ######### ######### ### #### #### ######### ######### ### ## #### ######## ######## ## # #### ## ###### ###### ###### ###### F ###### # # # # # # # # # # # ###### ######## ###### ######### O ######### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ###### ###### R # # ###### ###### # # .-------------------------------------------------------------------. | LiVE! + Saturday 22 March 1997 + Skydome, Toronto, Canada + LiVE! | `-------------------------------------------------------------------' [The opening graphics fade through to a spectacular aerial shot of the Skydome taken from a helicopter. The CN Highpoint Tower is seen in the background as the shot zooms in over the Skydome itself, the huge retractable roof still open, allowing a clear view all the way down into the arena. The ring looks tiny in the centre of the arena floor, and all around is a sea of fans. Beams of light are thrown into the air by lights situated all over the arena. Cut to interior shots, an even more astounding sight: ninety thousand or more fans pack the Toronto Skydome from floor to ceiling; all the tiers of seating are awash with the excited faces of fans young and old, many waving hand-made signs, and many bedecked in official IIWF merchandise. The shot cuts to show the huge video wall high at one end of the dome, then cuts again to show the Hard Rock Cafe high at the back of the Skydome, where some fans wave through the glass windows that look down on the arena. The shot pans down, past the upper tier of seating, and then hits a huge lighting rig and video wall. The screen is thirty feet across and fifteen feet tall, and is surrounded by a huge lighting rig. The screen displays an animated IIWF logo spinning and twisting in time to the pulsing music which beats in the background. The spotlights cast their coloured beams on the fans in the crowd. Over these scenes comes the voice of Tim Dross, straining to be heard over the cheers:] TD: [voice over] Welcome, everybody, to Toronto, Ontario, Canada! Welcome, everybody, to the Skydome! Welcome to the biggest night of wrestling entertainment the world has ever seen! [The shot pans down past the video wall to show the entrance curtain, from behind which lasers shoot out shifting patterns in a piercing blue light. Banks of floor-mounted spotlights on either side of the raised aisleway cast their beams out into the evening sky. The camera turns and makes its way down the walkway, fans on either side waving their arms and signs to get in shot. The camera approaches the ring, already enclosed in a fifteen foot steel cage, above which is another huge lighting rig, its powerful lights casting kaleidoscopic colours all over the arena.] TD: [voice over] More than ninety thousand fans are on hand here tonight to witness _live_ action as only the IIWF can provide... and a worldwide television audience of millions also joins us for this historic occasion! [The shot finally cuts to the broadcasters' table in the ringside enclosure, on the side of the ring furthest away from the aisle. Standing in front of the table are IIWF announcers Tim Dross, "Soundbite" Steve Roberts, and Becky LaRue. Dross and Roberts wear tuxedos, while Becky is dazzling in a sequinned evening gown which is almost too close-fitting for comfort. In the background, fans wave signs -- "Don't Go Dan!" -- "Petrow 3:16" -- "Who's Your Daddy?" -- and cheer wildly as Dross speaks once more.] TD: I'm Tim Dross, and alongside me are my broadcast colleagues, "Soundbite" Steve Roberts and the lovely Becky LaRue. This is the Ring Wars III Free For All, and we are now just under thirty minutes away from what looks like being the most incredible night of wrestling action for a very long time. SR: You're not wrong there, Dross. Hell, even I'm excited about this one. BL: More than forty hunks of humanity will be competing in the ring that stands before us now over the course of the next three and a half hours... I don't know whether I'll be able to control myself. TD: Nor do we, Becky. Fans, we've got some incredible action coming your way here on the Free For All in just a few moments, as well as looking ahead to the tremendous, epoch-defining matches scheduled for the big Ring Wars III card itself, but before we get up to the ring, a couple of important announcements that could dramatically change the complexion of two matches later tonight. First of all, an extra variable has been added into the Wild Card match pitting Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven's team against Ronnie Paris' team later tonight. Last week, due to the injury of the American Patriot, the IIWF President secured an extra Mystery Partner to join Paris, "Superstar" Stud Stetson and "Badboy" Randy Acorn in the match, and we still have no idea who that Mystery Partner might be... However, earlier today, the IIWF President received a call from Stud Stetson informing him that due to being made a better offer by one of the "loop" feds, he wanted out of his IIWF contract with immediate effect. SR: This is ridiculous, Dross. How long are the suits going to let the "loop" walk all over the IIWF? TD: Well, Steve, in this case, President Dan was left with little option. Stetson had refused to join the rest of the IIWF's athletes on their charter flight to Toronto a couple of days ago, and it now appears that the reason for him remaining in Portland was due to him being courted by another organisation. The IIWF President is unable to force Stetson to fly to Toronto and compete here tonight, so Paris' team could well be down to _three_ men. SR: You know, Dross, this could actually be good news. If Paris only has that washed-up has-been Acorn and some hokey Mystery Partner, who'll probably turn out to be El Super Gecko or something, then it's a shoo-in that Verhoeven's team will butcher widdle Wonnie! BL: Steve could have a point there, Timmy. If it really does come down to four on three, things don't look good for Paris' team, right from the opening bell. TD: I understand that the IIWF President is looking into this matter as we speak, and we'll just have to wait and see what happens when it's match time! As for Stetson, the front office will be looking to pursue legal action for breach of contract. But that's not the only alarming development I have to report here tonight, fans. Monster, the huge albino athlete who is one half of the challengers, Domination, in tonight's IIWF World Tag Team Championship Match against the Dark Disciples, was injured this afternoon in suspicious circumstances. While it isn't known who the attackers were, Monster sustained a moderately serious injury to his right ankle in the attack, and won't be able to compete here tonight. SR: [sarcastic] Gee, what a shame. No Dumb-ination at Ring Wars III. I'm so upset. TD: Steve, please. While it isn't clear at this stage who is responsible for the attack on Domination, speculation has already arisen that whomever put Monster out of commission was reacting to the controversial allegations of conspiracy being touted by his partner, "Perfect" Dani Jarvier, who was not in the locker room when the attack occurred. BL: Are you trying to tell me that the IIWF's suits hired someone to shut Domination up? TD: I'm not saying anything of the sort, Becky -- just passing along the current speculation. In any case, after an emergency meeting with the IIWF Special Concerns Committee, President Dan has ruled that the top contenders for the World Tag Team Championships, namely newcomers Cold Spell, the Harlequins, and a trio of former championship-winning teams, the Armed Forces, the High Plains Drifters and Rising Sun Revolution, will draw lots just before the scheduled tag title match, and the Disciples will defend against whichever team wins the draw. SR: That's outrageous, Dross! How're the Disciples going to prepare for wrestling any one of five different teams in the space of a couple of hours?! TD: Anything can happen here in the IIWF, Steve. Okay, fans, that's brought you up to speed on the latest developments concerning action coming up later tonight. I'm now told that we're going to cut away a moment to what I'm told is a special request, remote in the locker room. [Cut to the locker room. Spur stands with Nightwing, who is quite suspicious. Spur holds something behind his back.] S: Nightwing, I want to offer my sympathy. We have all lost someone close to us. Just to show you that we in the IIWF aren't nearly as hard-hearted as we act, the other wrestlers and I took up a little collection to buy you a new bird. [From behind his back he produces a stuffed chicken attractively mounted on a wooden base. Nightwing is unamused and disappears out of the shot.] S: Hello Polly? Are you pining? [Notices that Nightwing has left] Hey, Featherhead... do you want this bird or not? [Nightwing assumes a defensive posture. He reacts quickly in his defense as Spur does the expected and starts hammering away with the stuffed bird. Nightwing covers his head and drops to his knees in a cloud of feathers and stuffing. Spur drops the bird and turns to the camera.] S: This guy is a as much a wimp as Damage and Paris. People are paying to watch these guys fight each other? Now get that freaking camera out of my face. [Cut back to the broadcast table.] TD: Nightwing attacked by Spur... and he's not even suposed to be here tonight. I don't recall him being on the plane... SR: This may ruin my reputation as a tough guy, but I really like the way this Spur makes his move. TD: Apparently Nightwing isn't hurt badly, folks, but Spur could be if Nightwing is able to get his hands on him. Anyway, without further ado, let's get this crowd warmed up with our first match here on the Free For All -- a wild Steel Cage match between long-time rivals Pain Inc. and the Zodiac Connection. SR: All right! Let's see some heads roll! TD: Let's remind ourselves how this match came to be signed: [A fast rock beat accompanies reduced-frame black and white footage of various scenes from the past few months: the Zodiac Connection pin the Dark Disciples thanks to Domination and raise the IIWF World Tag Team Championship titles. Voice over:] VO: It was written in the stars. It was their destiny. The Zodiac Connection, for so long the whipping boys of the tag team division here in the IIWF, shocked the world by capturing the gold. Their mysterious managers, Gemini, seemingly held the key to their success. [Cut to footage of the Zodiacs leaving the ring, following the identical twins. The screen flashes and the footage is now from the next week's IIWF Saturday Night. Morningstar and Hellraiser begin to hassle the Zodiacs out in the aisleway, as the Zodiacs have their belts readied. Heated words are traded, until both teams get blindsided by the Dark Disciples, who fly out of the crowd. The attack happens so fast that Pain Inc. is obliterated down within seconds, and the Disciples start to go to town on the Zodiacs, to whom they lost the tag titles last week. Kane and Wulf pick up the title belts and start whipping the Zodiacs with them! The Night Patrol fly down the aisle and threaten the Disciples while helping Pain Inc, but the Disciples are too worried about beating up the Zodiacs to notice. The original commentary is heard:] TD: This is total carnage! SR: This is exactly what the Zodiacs ordered last week! I love it! [The shot freezes on a close-up of the Zodiacs as they recover from the attack in the aisle.] VO: But a powerful force challenged the destiny of the Zodiac Connection. Long-time enemies, Pain Inc., had become more dangerous, allying themselves with the Night Patrol to create the mob known as Team Brutality. Providing the perfect distraction, the predatory Dark Disciples were able to get the better of the Zodiacs, and from there, the inevitable happened... [Cut to footage of later in the same night, the return match between the Dark Disciples and the Zodiac Connection. Wulf is laid out due to a powerslam, and Taurus grabs Kane and lifts him up again, in a big chokeslam! Huge pop! Suddenly, Team Brutality, all four members strong, rushes down to ringside as Mr. Mic distracts the referee from seeing a pin attempt by Taurus on Kane! Morningstar and Hellraiser grab the championship belts and enter the ring, crowning the Zodiacs with the belts. Huge heel pop! Morningstar rolls Kane on top of the unconscious Scorpio as Mr. Mic walks away. The ref turns around and counts... 1 -- 2 -- 3! Ding! Ding! Ding!] VO: The titles stolen, the Zodiac Connection simply snapped. [The tempo picks up as footage of the Zodiac Connection on their steel pipe rampage is shown: Scorpio nailing Hellraiser in the knee with the pipe; the brawl in the aisle with Hades and the rest of Team Brutality; the appearance in the rafters of the IIWF Coliseum, pipes in hand.] VO: The Zodiac Connection are on a mission to fulfill their destiny and take back the titles. Can Team Brutality stand in their way? [Cut to a dramatically-lit shot of the ring enclosed in the fifteen-foot walls of steel. Fade. Cut back to the announcers' table.] TD: Pain Inc. cost the Zodiac Connection the IIWF World Tag Team Championship, and the Zodiacs cost Pain Inc. the same belts in return by injuring Hellraiser. SR: Yeah, but he's back in action tonight, Dross. Those two star-gazing idiots are going to be diced through the bars of that cage. BL: Although the big question mark in this match isn't over the wrestlers at all -- rather it's Mr. Mic's bodyguard, Hades, who just last night turned on Team Brutality and announced his intention to be in the Zodiacs' corner. TD: Indeed. We'll see what happens as we go up to the ring for tonight's opening match! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= STEEL CAGE MATCH: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Pain Inc. vs. Zodiac Connection ------------------------------- WRITER: DK [Sparkplug Lee steps in front of the packed Toronto Skydome and takes center cage as the crowd cheers on the first announcement of the first match of the night in growing anticipation.] BL: I bet you anything Lee makes a fool of himself right now... [Instead, Lee stands straight, tall and proud, and with booming voice...] SL: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! Tonight, you stand witness to the greatest IIWF Event in history! [Crowd Pop!] The following contest, the first match here in Toronto, is a Tag Team Cage Match! [Huge Pop!] There will be no disqualifications, no pinfalls or countouts. The only way a team can win is to have both members escape the cage! Now, introducing the participants... ["More Human Than Human" by Zombie starts to play through the Skydome, and thousands stand and jeer Pain Inc as they appear, Mr. Mic looking nervously around for any sign of Hades. Morningstar and Hellraiser protect Mr. Mic as they walk to the ring, eyeing the cage.] SL: First, accompainied to the ring by Mr Mic, at a combined weight of 585 pounds, one half of Team Brutality... here are Morningstar and Hellraiser... PAIN INCORPORATED! [Morningstar and Hellraiser enter the cage walls as Mr. Mic chatters nervously and continues looking around like a scared puppy.] BL: This really isn't fair to Mr. Mic. His men are in the cage ready for battle, and should that maniac Hades appear, Mr. Mic is a dead man, completely without protection. It just seems a bit unmerciful. TD: Indeed, Mr. Mic has quite a problem on his hands, should Hades appear. Hades looked ready to decimate Mr. Mic yesterday night, and we know Hades is here, that much is for sure. SR: The real battle will be in that 15-foot high cage! Pain Inc. will take it to these scum-sucking Zodiacs faster than lightning... Uh-oh... What the hell?! ["East 1999" pumps up at full blast, and the capacity crowd stand and cheer full volume along with the music!] TD: I do believe that the Zodiacs are IN... THE... HOUSE! [The crowd erupts as the Zodiacs appear in the crowd at the back of the lower level, swarming full speed towards the ring! Taurus leads the way as he runs through the crowd, looking dead at Morningstar and Hellraiser, who have yet to see the Zodiacs! Scorpio brings up the rear, but not by much as the crowd is leading the Zodiacs on!] SR: Where did these guys come from? TD: Does it matter? The Zodiacs are here to fight tonight! And that's exactly what they are going to do! SL: And their opponents... at a combined weight of 575 pounds... Scorpio... Taurus... THE ZODIAC CONNECTION! [The crowd erupts at the mention of the Zodiacs' names, but as the eruption occurs, the Zodiacs finally hop over the crowd barrier and immediately leap up onto the cage wall! Pain Inc. waits inside, and they don't have to wait for long, as...] SR: Holy cow! They leaped all the way from the top! BL: This is better than I thought! Timmy, what could be better than four grown men brawling tooth-and-nail? TD: They are at each other's throats, and listen to this crowd! [The ninety thousand fans are on their feet as Scorpio and Taurus, after having leapt onto Morningstar and Hellraiser from the top of the cage, start to brawl with the two in the cage! Chants of "TAU - RUS! TAU - RUS!" and "GO SCORP GO!" are heard as The Zodiacs mount an all-out offensive, Taurus sending big Hellraiser head-first into the cage wall! Scorpio starts unloading with kicks to Morningstar's stomach and forehead, then takes him for the ride into the turnbuckles and turning him inside out with a MASSIVE dropkick! The fans are cheering non-stop as Taurus and Hellraiser brawl in one corner and Scorpio and Morningstar choke out each other and stomp away! Taurus lifts up the 305-pound Hellraiser with ease, and flings him backwards into the steel cage! Hellraiser lies on the canvas stunned as Scorpio slams two big rights into the skull of Morningstar!] TD: The Zodiacs have taken the initiative early on! They knew they'd have to fight with emotion and tenacity, and they've come out ready for war! SR: Is it any wonder? Pain Inc. and Mr. Mic are preoccupied with the sudden abandonment of Hades... they have a bad deal to begin with! If this had been an even playing field, things would be a lot better for them... but this match just started, too! BL: Guys, pay attention! You just missed one HELL of a thrust kick! [Morningstar retaliated against Scorpio, sending the small Zodiac crashing down! Morningstar flies across the ring to attack big Taurus, who has laid Hellrasier out on the canvas. Three right hands stun the big guy, but an ill-advised double-axehandle leaves Morningstar vulnerable to a kick to the gut... then a HUGE gut-wrench suplex from Taurus!] TD: Taurus has been unstoppable in there! SR: If you were that big, you would be, too! [Scorpio starts to revive as Taurus tries to climb the cage. A slowly-rising Hellraiser is able to get to his feet amidst a big crowd roar for Taurus to exit the cage, and grabs Taurus by the ankle, pulling him down and making Taurus split the top rope! The crowd gasps as Taurus crumples down on the mat, and it's now Hellraiser who starts to initiate an offennse, pounding away with stomps, punches, chokes and elbow drops on the big Zodiac! Hellraiser is blindsided by a flying Scorpio, who actually takes Hellraiser down with a quick reverse spin kick! POP! The atmosphere is electrifying as Scorpio drags hellraiser into the corner and starts to go to work until a revived Morningstar back suplexes Taurus! HEEL POP! The crowd becomes silent as a stunned Hellraiser makes an attempt to climb the ropes as Morningstar works over Scorpio and Taurus gets to a knee...] TD: Hellraiser is on his way out! SR: That's one down, one to go, Dross... TD: He isn't there yet, Steve... and besides, if Hellraiser gets out, it's two on one against his partner, and that's no good! BL: Once again, the men at this table are arguing about a moot point, because Taurus caught Hellraiser... They're going up! TD: What in the world?! [Hellraiser, at the top of the cage, is surprised to see Taurus climbing up alongside him! The Pain Inc. member issues two hard rights to ease the pressure, but Taurus shakes them off, then hits Hellraiser with a headbutt! As Hellraiser rocks back from the impact, and Scorpio turns the tide against Morningstar with a reverse whip into a corner followed by a splash, Taurus back suplexes Hellraiser all the way down off the top of the cage!] TD: Hellraiser is out cold! SR: I hate to say this, but I think you're right! What a move that was! Wow! BL: Wrong! Hellraiser is still moving! TD: What?! Yes he is! I don't know how, but Becky is right! This crowd just about exploded after that tremedous move, but Hellraiser is not out! BL: I hate to say, "I told you so..." [Scorpio has his head taken off by an explosive clothesline of Morningstar! Taurus starts to walk that way, and Morningstar greets him with a rake of the eyes, a kick to the gut, and a scissors kick coming off the ropes that dazes Taurus! Hellraiser amazingly gets to his feet, and the two of them whip Taurus off the ropes, hitting him with a double-back body drop into the steel cage! The crowd erupts into a HUGE heel pop!] TD: Hellraiser absorbed a huge blow, but can Taurus? SR: Move after move after sensational move! How much more of this can I take? How about some blood? TD: Please! Wait a minute, Pain Inc. has Scorpio! They're going to try to put him out as well! [The crowd starts a decent heel pop as Scorpio is hauled up and whipped off the ropes, but the double-back body drop, executed well, winds up as moot because Scorpio sdomehow lands feet-first on the cage wall, then backfljips with an amazing moonsault onto both Pain Inc. members! The crowd erupts into a frenzied face pop as all four wrestlers lie on the canvas exhausted!] TD: This is unbelievable! What a moonsault! BL: Oh no! Those bottle blonde cheerleader wannabes, Gemini, are here! [The crowd continues to roar as Gemini, the identical blonde female twins carry four identical steel pipes down to ringside! Gemini has a microphone...] GEMINI: Zodiacs, prepare for Operation Termination! [Gemini then watch as Scorpio and Taurus rise with Pain Inc. almost simultaneously... Mr. Mic is going crazy on the outside watching for Hades, and seeing Gemini, and steel pipes to boot, Mic nearly faints! Gemini throw a set of pipes into the cage and to Scorpio and Taurus...] TD: This can only mean one thing! SR: I can't stand to watch this... BL: Chicken... LOOK OUT! [Gemini stands watch, and the capacity crowd comes alive, not because the Zodiacs have unloaded with the steel pipes, but because the mat has been ripped open from underneath!] TD: What the...?! [...and out emerges Hades to a huge face pop!] SR: Oh boy, this has just gotten real bad for Pain Inc! [Mr. Mic is having a huge fit on the outside, flailing, pointing and swearing at Hades while looking for protection! The Zodiacs are just as stunned, and in fact drop the steel pipes as Hades unloads on Pain Inc! Hades drops Morningstar with a HUGE lariat that knocks him out! Hades then meets Hellraiser with a fist to the gut and a powerbomb! Both Pain Inc. members are laid out cold!] TD: This match is history, and Hades has made sure of it! SR: What a travesty this is! I completely agree with Mr. Mic... this match was never fair to start with! BL: It isn't over, boys... I have a little hunch about this... [Hades, in the midst of the huge pop from the crowd, signals Taurus to climb out of the cage! Taurus obliges as Hades goes and raises Scorpio's hand in victory! Scorpio accepts the raising of his hand, and the crowd cheers wildly... Then jeers wildly as Hades decapitates Scorpio with a thunderous clothesline! Pain Inc. springs to its feet and rush to attack the Zodiacs! The heel pop is deafening!] TD: IT WAS A SET-UP! SR: It sure was! Look at Mr. Mic! There's the brains behind this whole thing! What a set-up this was! BL: I told you I had a hunch! [Hades dispatches of Scorpio with a bruising jackknife powerbomb as Hellraiser is tossed a Coal Miner's Glove by Sgt. Blazer of the Night Patrol, who have come down to ringside in the mad rush and have distracted Gemini! The two twins have no clue as to what is happening in the ring as Hellraiser puts the glove on, then grabs Taurus by the throat...] TD: NO! SR: YES! [The ensuing chokeslam shakes the entire mat, as taurus is bounced off of the canvas with force! Both Scorpio and Taurus lie in a heap, as Pain Inc. walk out the now-opened cage door... followed by Hades... courtesy of Mr. Mic. As the two Pain Inc. members touch the floor the bell is rung... and immediately afterwards, the three men reenter the cage and start pounding away again!] TD: This is uncalled for, get these men away! SR: You mess with Team Brutality and you pay the ultimate price, Dross. That's the way it is! [The Night Patrol continue to ward off Gemini from helping with their nightsticks on the outside, and the fans are heering loudly. Then the crowd murmurs, and starts to cheer as the Armed Forces, Navcom and Defcon, tear down, straight through the Night Patrol, and into the ring! Pain Inc. and Hades immediately clear the cage over the top as the Armed Forces rush in! Mr. Mic leads Pain Inc., Hades and Team Brutality back to the locker rooms as The Armed Forces and Gemini stand asking for help for the brutalized and beaten Zodiacs...] TD: Folks, we may have just been witness to one of the most dastardly plots ever created in the IIWF. The Zodiacs could be severely hurt right here. SR: I hope they got put out forever! TD: Steve! Pain Inc. gets this win, and you can be sure that the Armed Forces aren't far behind them. BL: This was a great opening match, fellas! If the entire card is like this, look out Toronto! That's Ring Wars III, taking place in less than thirty minutes! Call your cable operator and tell them you want to see the premier wrestling event of all time, Ring Wars III! [The crowd is hushed as the Forces help the beaten Zodiacs to their feet. Big pop! An EMT crew comes to ringside as the Forces, the Zodiacs and Gemini make their way out of the ring. The medical team swarms around the athletes as they slowly make their way back up the aisle. Meanwhile, as the ring crew congregates around the squared circle, beginning to dismantle the steel cage, cut back to the announcers' table.] TD: Okay, folks, later on tonight, two of the longest-standing competitors in the IIWF will clash in one half of tonight's double main event. I'm talking about the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship Match between the Syndicate's Casey "Blackheart" James and the "People's Champion", the Subway Psycho. I caught up with the Psycho as he arrived in Toronto this morning. [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Today." Union Station, Toronto. People bustle to and fro. As the camera moves through the crowd it focuses on Tim Dross.] TD: Hello, and welcome to beautiful Toronto! I'm here in Union Station, the stop for Skydome, the site of Ring Wars III. As you may have guessed, where there's a subway station, the Subway Psycho is not far away. There have been rumours that the IIWF superstar has just arrived in Toronto and has been seen in this station. Let's hope he shows up during this segment... [Out of the crowd from directly behind Dross emerges the Subway Psycho. He's dressed in a long blue trench coat and fedora.] SP: Hello, Tim, looking for someone? TD: Whoa... right on cue! Subway, you have one of the biggest matches of your career tonight. You have a shot at the most prestigious title in the world! A chance at becoming the only two-time IIWF World Heavyweight Champion. Tell me what is going through your mind? SP: What goes through the mind of a pitbull when he locks his jaws? What goes through the mind of a shark when he rolls his eyes back just before he attacks? What goes through the mind of a wolf as he tears into the jugular of his prey? It is nothing but pure, ferocious, animal instinct. The image of Casey lying flat on his back as I de-rail him is all that is in my head. There is only so much preparation, so much strategy, and so much trash talking one can do before a match. When the bell rings, that all goes out the window, and you must rely on the basics of your skills... your instincts, your heart, and your guts! I'm running on pure adrenaline right now. Now Casey James, as we all know, has nothing that can stop me from getting that title for the second time. This time when I get that title I'm not giving it up for anything... I am the best wrestler to have ever worked in the IIWF and I fully expect to represent the IIWF in the Summit. But make no mistake... I am not looking past Casey James... how could I? His fat ass is hard to see around... Casey, you felt the De-Railer once, and you'll feel it again -- and you'll feel what its like lose a championship. TD: Well, you're certainly confident. Sounds like these Toronto fans can expect one heck of a match. SP: They can expect the Subway Psycho let everything hang out tonight... there'll be no holding back, no mercy, and no remorse for what I have to do to get what I want. I am the People's Champion and I won't let the people down... so get on board... you're in for the ride of your life! Casey, you're about to be De-Railed, and you're tied up to my track, on this train of consequences there ain't no turning back. [The Subway Psycho turns and throws his arms up in the air and the crowd that has gathered erupts into chants of "Psy - cho! Psy - cho!"] TD: Well, there you have it. The former World Heavyweight Champion sounds intent on once again becoming the top dog in the IIWF. Who will it be tonight -- James or Psycho? We'll be finding out a little later in one half of our double main event. [Cut back to ringside. The crowd, who have been watching the segment on the huge video wall above the aisle, begin to settle again. Cut back to the announcers' table.] SR: Don't make me laugh. The Stinker doesn't stand a chance in that match. TD: He's been training with Tiger Claw, Steve. Nobody knows the strengths and weaknesses of the Syndicate any better than Tiger Claw. SR: You can't teach an old rat new tricks, Dross. The Stinker's going down. TD: One of the other marquee matches coming up on the Ring Wars III card itself is the battle between Lord Byron and Marty Warnett, not only for the IIWF Intercontinental Championship, but apparently also for the affections of Byron's ward, the Lady DeWinter. I understand that Steve Summer is backstage with the "Party Maniac" at this moment. Steve? [Cut to shot of a backstage locker room. There, Marty Warnett, dressed only in jeans, arm curls a sizeable amount of weights, whilst a blonde teenage girl looks on in awe. IIWF rookie reporter Steve Summer steps into the frame.] SS: Well, fans, here, as an exclusive segment only available on the Free For All, I'm backstage with Marty Warnett just two scant hours before his Intercontinental title shot. Marty, how do you feel? [Marty puts the weights down, and walks over to the camera.] MW: Well, Steve, the very first IIWF pay-per-view event I fought in was against a Canadian, LeBec, remember? [Summer nods his head] That was an important match for me, but it pales into comparison to tonight's bout. Tonight, I'm _in_ Canada, and the support from everybody has been incredible. SS: Marty, Byron is tough. MW: Yeah, Steve, he is. He's a great competitor, no doubt about it. When it boils down to it, the fact remains that we are both more or less equal on the mat. The main difference has been Byron's use of that cane... tonight, Byron, you'll have to hit me with some kind of thermonuclear device to stop me taking that belt back for the people. [The young blonde giggles, causing Steve to look round.] SS: Marty, I thought you and DeWinter... MW: Steve, wash your mouth out! [Calls girl over] Hey, honey, introduce yourself to all the people out there. GIRL: Hi. I'm Shawni, Shawni Michelle. I'm sixteen, and at high school nearby. SS: I'm shocked... MW: [getting annoyed] Steve, I believe in the fans, just like they believe in me. The reason Shawni's here today is than my fan club ran a lottery, the winner being my ring attendant for the night, to take my robe backstage. Gee, what a mind you have... [Shawni giggles again.] SS: Now, what about DeWinter? She disses you, then kisses you... MW: Wow, Steve, that was almost... poetic. I don't know, I heard nothing from her after she went back with Byron. My phone calls weren't being returned, and she was around. Then she turns up during the Quigley bout, and gets hurt. I looked for her after the loss, but apparently Byron took her away, I guess he didn't trust the medics. I really hope she wasn't badly hurt, y'know? Now if you'll excuse me, I have to prepare. See y'all later, guys. [Cut back to ringside.] SR: Hey, that sixteen year old was kinda cute, don't you think? BL: For a braindead, pre-pubescent bottle-blonde bimbo, sure. TD: She sounds just your type, Steve. There you have it, fans -- Marty Warnett looking to take back what he considers to be rightfully his, the IIWF Intercontinental Championship, later tonight. And who knows what kind of a role the Lady DeWinter is going to play in that bout? Regardless, we must move on to our second match here tonight on the Free For All. Let's take a look at the situation which has resulted in the signing of this Tar and Feathers match: [Cut to black. An eagle's cry is heard, and the shot fades up on slow-motion footage of Native American Nightwing making his way to the ring with his eagle Chiquoit resting on his right arm. Over the footage comes Nightwing's voice:] NW: I live to bring respect back to my people. That is my one mission... My people are the protectors of nature, the children of the world. [Cut to footage of Nightwing in the ring battling Randy Acorn. Again, his voice echoes out over the footage:] NW: Ni chokquo lo michawa... Your fate is now in the hands of my spirits. They will tell you that your worst nightmare now has a name... Nightwing! [Footage of the match continues, when suddenly -- the lights go out, and horrendous shrill laughter fills the arena. Seconds later, the lights come back up, and the figure of a clown is seen disappearing into the curtains. The original soundtrack plays:] TD: What was that all about?! SR: Hey, where's Nightwing's pigeon? TD: It's an eagle, Steve! Whoa, where is it?! [Nightwing notices his friend's disappearance, and leaves a battered Acorn in the ring, racing back up the aisle in pursuit of his feathered companion. The distant regular beating of Native American drums is heard as the shot cuts to Cheshire, sitting in the IIWF's interview area, wearing a cowboy hat and gently stroking a small bundle of brown feathers. He speaks over the approaching drums:] CH: Hello Chickenwing. Are you missing something? All those Indians, oh, I'm sorry, Native Americans, they think they are spirit bound to their totem animals, hehe, and thus draw their strength from the presence of those animals, or at least that's what I've read. Hmm, I think these would make a good feather duster. On the other hand my pillow would need a new stuffing... [The shot freezes and begins to shake with the crescendo of the approaching drums. The ululations of Native American warcries is distantly heard as a voice over speaks:] VO: Nightwing... a man of honour fighting for his people. Cheshire... a malevolent clown with a bent for causing chaos. At stake... not just an eagle, but the spirit of the Cherokee people. [The shot quickly snaps through snatches of footage as the war drums and cries grow ever louder: Cheshire applying the Humoriser on a downed opponent, a crazed look on his face; Nightwing performing the Totem Drop on an opponent; Nightwing holding up the glasses and coat of Cheshire's manager, Dr. Hinterhalt; Cheshire clutching more feathers. Just as the rhythms reach their most intense point... the screen goes black and there is silence. Out of the darkness comes the calm, measured voice of Nightwing:] NW: Now, the gloves are off. The war has begun... and in any war there must be casualties. [Cut back to the announcers' table.] SR: Those video packages must have cost a fortune, Dross. Why don't they save their money and give me a pay rise? TD: There's no answer to that, Steve. Fans, the loser of this match will be tarred and feathered. Both men have a lot to gain and a lot to lose, but it's my opinion that we are going to see a Nightwing focused like never before here in the ring tonight. He wants his eagle back. SR: You mean "pigeon". TD: It's an eagle, Steve. Let's get back up to ringside. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TAR AND FEATHERS MATCH: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Nightwing vs. Cheshire ----------------------- WRITER: DK [Sparkplug Lee steps into the ring again, to a big pop from the crowd.] SL: The following contest, set for one fall, is a Tar and Feathers Match! [Big pop from the capacity vrowd!] Whoever wins the match will receive permission to tar and feather his opponent! [An eagle's cry is heard through the arena, causing a murmur to sweep through, then "The Trick" by Prodigy is heard over the PA system, and the crowd starts to stand in anxiousness...] SL: Introducing first, hailing from Germany, weighing in at 220 pounds, this is CHESHIRE! [Cheshire appears without expression, but the crowd gasps as with Cheshire, on his right, leather-gloved arm, is Chiquoit, Nightwing's valued eagle. Chiquoit flies around the arena as the stunned fans starts to watch its flight in awe. Several times as the expressionless Cheshire walks down to the ring, the eagle returns to his arm, until when in the rng, it perches...] TD: Well guys, it seems that, as hard as this is to believe, Cheshire has taken good care of Nightwing's eagle Chiquoit. Certainly, Cheshire made it known that he intended the prank just as a means to get a laugh... be as it may, a sick one. SR: Personally, I feel that eagle soup would have been quite tasty, but if Cheshire wants the eagle unharmed, that's his business. TD: I wonder how Nightwing will take to all of this. BL: I don't think Nightwing is amused. He's serious about tonight, Timmy. If anything, he'll be fighting with a lot of emotion in this ring. [As Cheshire stands with the eagle Chiquoit, the primal rhythms of a war dance start to play, and the arena goes pitch black as Nightwing appears at the head of the aisle, a war-like look masked on his face...] TD: There's an indication of Nightwing's mood right there, folks. This won't be pretty. [As Nightwing walks slowly down to the ring, Chiquios calmly flies away from Cheshire... Cheshire makes no attempt to keep the eagle in his possession... and Chiquoit flies onto the outstretched arm of Nightwing to a crowd ovation... Nightwing continues his walk to the ring in the darkness...] SL: And his opponent, from Cherokee, North Carolina, weighing in at 235 pounds... The Native American, NIGHTWING! [Crowd pop as Nightwing climbs the steps into the ring, Chiquoit flying to a perch on the ring post nearest the aisleway. Nightwing climbs in, and the music fades and the lights come on as a staredown takes place in center ring.] TD: You can feel the tension between these two men... even the crowd seems puzzled. SR: Nail him, Cheshire! BL: I think there's more to this staredown than psychological advantage. Something is being sent between the two... [The two men back away for a moment, then lockup in center ring. Nightwing forces the smaller clown-like Cheshire back into the corner and issues a war cry before sending a double-knifeedge chop into the chest of Cheshire! Cheshire slumps down, but offers no expression as he is whipped to the other buckle! Cheshire bounces out and ducks a clothesline attempt. Cheshire tuirns around, and is taken down by a breautiful cross-body block! 1 -- Kickout!] TD: We could be in for one heck of a match here, folks... [Cheshire gets to his feet and is rocked by two hard European uppercuts before being taken in the corner. Nightwing climbs to the second rope, issues another war cry to a HUGE crowd pop, and sends 10 straight rights into the skull of Cheshire! Cheshire steps out with Nightwing still up, and an inverted atomic drop sends Nightwing to the mat for the first time! Nightwing gets up swiftly, and Cheshire kicks him in the gut before hitting a quick DDT! Heel pop! Cover... 1 -- 2 -- KICKOUT! Nightwing explodes out, and gets to his feet fast. Cheshire kips up as Nightwing runs off the ropes, and Nightwing shoulderblocks Cheshire down! Nightwing runs off the other side, runs over top of the prone Cheshire, then gets dropkicked down by a rising Cheshire!] SR: This match is too quick! Back and forth they go! I want to see an all-out brawl, not this! BL: Hey, this isn't so bad... I think you've been corrupted by the Casey Jameses of the world... TD: Both men are back up... [Cheshire whips Nightwing off the ropes, then runs off the other side and attempts a flying forearm, which is countered with a superb belly-to-belly suplex, war-cry included, that brings the capacity crowd to life once more! Nightwing is up quick, and climbs to the top rope! As Cheshire rises, Nightwing drops a leg across the back of Cheshire's head, sending him down hard! Nightwing lands hard as well, and crawls over to cover... 1 -- 2 -- Kickout! Cheshire has no expression as he uses the ropes to pull himself up, then Nightwing clotheslines him over to the outside! Huge pop from the crowd as Nightwing waits in the ring!] TD: Both men have really shown us what they are capable of here in the early moments, and it's Nightwing with the edge so far! SR: Cheshire needs to turn this match into a free-for-all, where he has an edge. BL: I wouldn't be so sure of that. Cheshire just needs to get in a groove. That's all. TD: Wait a minute... The Harlequins are here! [As Cheshire recovers on the outside, Harlequin Comedy comes down to center aisle, where as Cheshire starts to enter the ring, Comedy says...] HC: Hey everybody! I got a question, who's the funniest in the IIWF? [The crowd shouts: "COMEDY"] HC: Well alright! So if I'm the funniest, then who's the most pathetic looking clown ever to step in the ring? [The crowd responds "CHESHIRE"] TD: That has thrown Cheshire off, Steve! he's now looking out at Comedy on the outside! SR: Once again, outside intervention is distracting an innocent person! I'm getting sick of this! [As Cheshire looks out at Comedy, Nightwing flies over the top rope, lets out another thunderous war-cry, and nails Cheshire back into the steel guard-rail with a suicida tope! The crowd gasps in awe as Nightwing hops up and sends the dazed, but still expressionless Cheshire back into the ring! Comedy celebrates on the outside as Nightwing German Suplexes Cheshire! 1 -- 2 -- Kickout! Nightwing drags Cheshire back to his feet and sends him into the corner, following with an avalanche splash! HUGE pop! Nightwing then executes a float-over suplex! Pop! 1 -- 2 -- Kickout! Nightwing heads for the top as Cheshire tries to regain his footing... Nightwing leaps off, and Cheshire leaps with a dropkick onto the descending Nightwing! The two men collide, and Nightwing hits hard as Cheshire also lands squarely on his lower back!] TD: That may have hurt both men just as much, but Cheshire definitely landed wrong on his back! He doesn't feel it, but that could be a big factor! SR: I don't know, Dross. Cheshire's game never was one of strength! [Both men start to get to their feet, and for the first time, start to brawl at center ring! The crowd comes alive, and is then silenced once more as from the entranceway, a Native American man, dressed in war garb, walks down the aisle. He is followed by about twenty others dressed similarly, but not as extravagantly as he. The Native Americans, Cherokees, to be precise, lead Dr. Hinterhalt down to the ring...] SR: Hey! This can't be fair! Twenty Indians, a Harlequin, and a lot of dead chickens at ringside, attached to these stupid Injuns! TD: That's "Native Americans" to you, Steve! And Dr. Hinterhalt is there as well. BL: He isn't pleased, either... [The sudden distraction of 20 Cherokees, and Dr. Hinderhalt, causes Cheshire to lose focus, and he becomes the victim of a quick roll-up... 1 -- 2 -- Kickout! Cheshire gets back to his feet, startes dead into the eyes of Nightwing, then Nightwing explodes with three quick thrust kicks into the abdomen, followed by a whip off the ropes and a lightning-quick thrust kick to the jaw! HUGE CROWD POP!] TD: Nightwing has come alive, and so has the crowd! [Nightwing drags Cheshire up and lifts him into a powerslam! Big cheer as Nightwing climnbs the ropes from the outside! Nightwing launches again, but meets the raised knees of a still-emotionless Cheshire! Nightwing crumples in pain, and Cheshire rises, favoring his back but not showing it in his expression whatsoever! Cheshire whips Nightwing into the ropes, and with 20 Native Americans and now four Harlequins looking on, catches Nightwing in a hurricarana! The cradle...] SR: One! Two! Three! He got him! TD: NO, HE DID NOT! Nightwing got out! He slid his left shoulder up in the nick of time! BL: This is some match for two lower-rung athletes... TD: There is nothing "lower-rung" about them, Becky. They are giving their all here in the Skydome! [Cheshire brings Nightwing up and whips him off the ropes, but Nightwing ducks a back elbow, comes off the other side, and has so much momentum that he runs into Cheshire full-speed, sending both men back, over the ropes, and to the outside hard in front of the Cherokee group! POP!] TD: The Cherokees are respectfully watching the battle, not getting involved here! That's a nice gesture. SR: It's nice. So leave it somewhere else. That's my motto. [Cheshire rolls into the ring, then as Nightwing steps to the apron, Cheshire hits him in the abdomen and sets him up for a vertical suplex! Cheshire lifts the Cherokee in the air, but at the apex of the suplex, his back gives in, and Nightwing falls down on top of Cheshire! 1 -- 2 -- 3! Ding! Ding! Ding! Cheshire stays on the mat without expression as Nightwing rolls outside...] TD: Nightwing wins it! Cheshire's back gave out! SR: Man, this is going to be painful, watching Cheshire's back covered with tar and run amock with feathers! BL: I think Nightwing has chosen not to tar and feather Cheshire, guys. He's making no motion to that tar pit... [Indeed, Nightwing pays no attention in the ring. His gaze is set on the Cherokee Chief who led the group of twenty of his tribesmen to the ring! The two meet and stare at each other in respect. Meanwhile, the Harlequins rush to the ring, Chaos grabbing the tar bucket.] TD: Uh-oh... Cheshire is getting tarred and feathered anyway! [Chaos enters the ring and lets rip with the hot tar, getting it all over Cheshire, who changes attitudes and giggles the entire time! the crowd is loving it as the feathers get dumped on the tar, and Cheshire is soundly tarred and feathered! The Harlequins continue to have fun until security escorts them away. Cheshire walks away under his own power, heading back to the locker rooms, giggling insanely all the way.] BL: I can't believe Cheshire enjoyed that! SR: What do you expect from a circus clown...? TD: Hush, guys! We've got a major development with the Cherokees at ringside! [Nightwing grabs a mic before talking to the chief of his people...] NW: Chuntuktu, the spirits are honored by your presence here tonight. Do you finally see that I fight for the honor of my people? CH: Honor? What do you know of honor, outcast known as Nightwing? Many years ago, you and others turned your backs on your people. Now you hope to earn favor in this way? NW: [obviously taken aback by Chuntuktu's words] I... I fight to show my... people... that there is still life in the old ways. That there is honor... CH: Do the old ways include seizing an old man [he points at Dr. Hinterhalt] against his will? You claim the spirits speak to you, Nightwing, but they are not _our_ spirits. NW: You do not understand.... CH: And speak not of _your_ people, for they have now turned _their_ backs on you. [Chuntuktu turns and leads the braves back up the aisle, leaving Nightwing looking crushed at ringside. As he looks at the retreating men, Nightwing shakes his head with a pained expression.] NW: You... you do not... understand! [Suddenly, an eagle's cry fills SkyDome. Chuntuktu and the braves duck to avoid being struck by the massive figure of Chiquoit, who soars low over the crowd. Nightwing looks up to see his old friend. For the first time since the end of the match, the fire returns to his eyes. Chiquoit circles the ring and lands beside him. Nightwing looks up the aisle at Chuntuktu and the Cherokee braves, all of whom meet his gaze before turning to leave once again.] TD: The Cherokees have abandoned Nightwing! This is going to hurt Nightwing fiercely! SR: Wow! I guess these Cherokees are smarter than they look... BL: Of course they are smarter than they look... Steve, even _you_ are smarter than they look! SR; Hey... thanks! TD: Steve, Becky, come on! Nightwing looks dejected at ringside as he stares at his friend Chiquoit. One has to wonder what this will do to this young warrior's psyche. [Nightwing eventually makes his way back up the aisle, Chiquoit now perched once more on his right arm. Cut back to the announcers' table.] TD: What a tremendous match that was. Okay, folks, coming up later tonight, when Ring Wars III itself gets underway, is that huge "Dead Man Rising" four corners match pitting Deathbringer, Requiem, the Highwayman and Serge Annis against one another. It was initially doubtful as to whether Annis would even make it to Toronto tonight, given that he suffered a brutal beating at the hands of three men earlier this week, but made it he has, and he's now with Steve Summer. Steve? [Cut to Steve Summer standing in one of the loading bays, deep in the recesses of Skydome.] SS: Tim, I have word that a security officer saw Serge Annis drive into the parking lot a few moments ago, and should be walking through these doors any second now. [Just as Steve Summer finishes those words, Serge Annis walks in, wearing black jeans, black sunglasses, and a black t-shirt with a black bag. The t-shirt is emblazoned with the word "EPITOME".] SS: Serge! Serge! Where have you been? You were schedualed to be here last night for the pre-Ring Wars Part... SA: [Interrupting] Shut up, Summer. You guys thought of everything, did you? Call the airports, see when my plane was coming in? I'VE BEEN HERE IN TORONTO SINCE WEDNESDAY! Did any of you plebians in the front office think of calling me at my home? SS: But I thought you were from Oakville, Ontario? SA: Oakville is five minutes outside Toronto, moron. Five minutes. SS: Oh. My mistake. Sorry, Mr. Annis. Serge, the last the world saw of you, you were beaten down by three other men and dragged away backstage. That was last Tuesday. Where have you been since? [Serge removes his glasses, revealing a black eye.] SA: Recuperating. I have an obvious black eye... I have twenty-four stitches in my back. But most of all, Summer, I have been plotting. Plotting the demises of Deathbringer, Requiem, and Highwayman. If they want to play the sin wars, then I am the sin eater. If they want to play the mind games, I am the master. Everyone is calling me the long shot to win this... well, Summer, I have gone through odds like that my entire life. The winner of this match will receive a lot of recognition... and it will be me! SS: Can you reveal your gameplan for each opponent? SA: No, Steve. I have a match to get ready for... I have no time for this silly talk. But let it be known, I will not go down without a fight! THESE ARE MY PEOPLE OUT HERE... and I plan on winning this match... and getting the true recognition I deserve here in the IIWF. [Annis storms out of shot, presumably towards the locker room area.] SS: Er, back to you at ringside. [Cut back to the announcers' table.] TD: Well, folks, we're now literally just moments away from the beginning of Ring Wars III itself... The battle for the ages pitting Dan Kauffman against Chris Quigley in a Submission Match... All of the IIWF's championships on the line... The Sandman and Steve "the Fury" Kowalski will slug it out in the CN Highpoint Tower... Creed and Mad Dog Watkins will get it on, Falls Count Anywhere style... Twelve of the most incredible matches in wrestling history coming your way over the next three hours. Stay tuned, and hang on to your seats! [Cut to the ring. Sparkplug Lee stands with microphone in hand, and begins a one minute countdown over the PA system. The crowd chants along excitedly as spotlights swirl all over the arena. The countdown approaches the ten second mark. 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 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+