##### ###### ### ########## ########## ########## #### ## ########## ########## ########## #### # #### ######## ##### ##### #### ## ##### #### #### #### #### ### #### #### #### #### ############# ######### #### #### ########### ######### #### #### #### #### #### ######### ######### ### #### #### ######### ######### ### ## #### ######## ######## ## # #### =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ## =-=-=-= INTERNATIONAL INTERNET WRESTLING FEDERATION =============================================== W + E + D + N + E + S + D + A + Y W + A + R R + O + O + M ----------------------------------------------- + 16 April 1997 + [Fade through to a darkened studio: a figure sits behind a curved desk, behind which a large video wall, made up of a number of individual television screens, fades into life, each screen showing highlights from a different recent IIWF match. The studio lights rise, and the figure is revealed to be veteran announcer Tim Dross, who looks up from his papers and speaks:] TD: Howdy, folks, and welcome to another late-night edition of IIWF Wednesday War Room, your sixty minute look at the latest happenings in the world's premier wrestling organisation, centred around the action that went down earlier tonight at the regular midweek show at the IIWF Coliseum. But before we get to that action, let's get the latest developments in the saga concerning Spur and Billy Shakespeare. The world was shocked last Saturday Night when Spur was unmasked and it turned out that the mysterious and mischievous wrestler, responsible for turning Luke Steele, Mr. Damage and Ronnie Paris into sworn enemies, and who wreaked havoc at Ring Wars III, was none other than the long-time favourite, Billy Shakespeare. Yesterday, I detailed the turn of events surrounding Spur's arrival in the IIWF and his subsequent career, and today, I have an exclusive interview with Billy Shakespeare's physician, Dr. Steven Thorson. [Tim Dross turns to face the video wall behind him, on which appears an important looking gentleman in a lab coat on the other. The caption "Doctor Steven Thorson: Presbyterian University Trauma Research Center" runs below him.] TD: Doctor Thorson, let's get right to it, what is the diagnosis on Billy Shakespeare? ST: Mr. Shakespeare suffered a series of blows to the head which caused him to develop a schizophrenic condition. A "split personality" if you must. We believe that neither personality was aware of the other's existence. However, the shock of his unmasking Saturday night, and the public embarrassment and humiliation that followed, seems to have snapped Mr. Shakespeare back into reality. TD: Are you saying that the "Spur" personality is gone forever? ST: No, I am not. I am only saying that there is now only one personality living in Billy Shakespeare's head. Perhaps it is Spur, perhaps Shakespeare. Perhaps neither, possibly both. I can say that it is unlikely that any second identity will return, and I see no reason why he cannot return immediately to his job as a professional wrestler. TD: So Shakespeare is clear to wrestle Ronnie Paris on Saturday? ST: Paris... Paris... that name came up a number of times under hypnosis. But yes, Tim, the physical damage suffered has long since healed. The psychological scarring could remain for some time. SR: [interrupting over a crackling phone line] Steve Roberts here... TD: [looking around] Steve? Where are you? SR: [over the phone] I'm at a bar, watching the show, Dross. Thought I'd call in and give the War Room another touch of greatness. Anyhow, doc, it's Steve Roberts here. ST: Yes, Steve, I still remember you. SR: Um, er, never mind that. What's up with that name "Spur"? ST: To the best of our understanding, it is either a shortened form of "Hotspur", which is Henry the Fifth's nickname in the Shakespearean histories. Or it is an abbreviation of "Shakespeare". TD: What could have caused "Spur" to appear in the first place? ST: As I mentioned earlier, the blows to the head were the decisive factor. Indeed, I have seen footage of the IIWF matches and I am surprised this sort of thing doesn't happen more often. Spur, the wrestler, however, seemed to manifest in times of great pressure or stress. Perhaps we are fortunate that he was revealed, for it seems that Spur was beginning to appear more often than Billy Shakespeare. I understand he even challenged his alter-ego to a match. What brazen impudence! TD: Yet you say that neither knew of the other's activities? ST: I am fairly certain that neither consciously knew of the other. TD: Thank you, Doctor Thorson, and we wish the best to Billy... SR: [over the phone] I don't. ST: Still battling that Oedipus Complex, Steve? TD: Goodnight, Doctor. ST: Just as well. The wrestler formerly known as The Punster has been our prisoner... er... _guest_ here for some time and he is crying out for painkillers again. [The IIWF logo fades back onto the video wall. Dross turns back to face the cameras.] TD: You know Doctor Thorson, Steve? [There is a "click" as Roberts puts the phone down. Dross turns to face another camera. The shot cuts to follow him.] I guess Steve doesn't want to talk about that. No problem. Let's turn our attention to the action that went down in the ring tonight. Coming up in this hour: [Footage of earlier action rolls on the video wall behind the desk: a burly man dressed like Cheshire steps into the ring.] All was not what it seemed when "Cheshire" arrived at the Coliseum for action tonight. [Footage of two masked wrestlers walking down the aisle, led by the former weightlifter, Mr. Friday.] Mr. Friday finally unleashed his veteran partnership of El Diablo and the Masked Avenger -- collectively known as the Last Resort -- on the rings tonight. [Footage of Requiem making his way to the ring, playing his jet black guitar, under the dimmed lights of the Coliseum.] Requiem faced cocky newcomer Derek Mota in the ring -- but neither man was allowed to concentrate on the match at hand. [Footage of Night Patrol standing at the foot of the aisle, looking up into the ring, where the rabid Dark Disciples are held back by Don McQueen.] Former United States Tag Team Champions Night Patrol battled former World Tag Team Champions the Dark Disciples. What a battle it was. We'll have all the details. [The IIWF logo fades back onto the video wall.] TD: All that and a lot more to talk about tonight -- before we get to the in-ring action, I must first report some action which took place outside the ring backstage at the IIWF Coliseum earlier tonight. Mad Dog Watkins and Brody Thunder, despite the fact that neither man was scheduled to wrestle in tonight's event, were both in the locker room area, and just as soon as they caught sight of one another, they got into a scuffle which had to be separated by security officials. Head of the IIWF Special Concerns Committee, Poutine Janois, finally returning to active duty after a spell of convalescence following his brutal attack at the hands of Steve Kowalski nearly two months ago, ordered that both Watkins and Thunder be ushered from the Coliseum. It seems that whenever the Mad Dog and the Lone Wolf are even in the same building, trouble brews faster than spilt coffee from the IIWF Cafeteria burns through hard woods. In any case, I understand that both men are petitioning IIWF officials to bring their clash at Birthday Bash forward a couple of weeks. No word yet on whether officials will comply. Okay, folks, it's time to talk about all the action we've seen in the ring tonight, starting with the bizarre situation surrounding the clown, Cheshire: [Images of the wrestlers and their stats roll onto the video wall:] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cheshire vs. Scott "the Whine" Bloom 320lbs, 6'4" 220lbs, 6'1" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Last week here in the War Room, I showed you some very interesting footage featuring Cheshire's father, Herr Werner Cherforth, and the man who has purchased not only the Herforth circus, but also apparently the rights to the character likeness of Cheshire the Clown, one Liebrecht Kaiser. Now things have taken an even more bizarre turn. Let's go to footage recorded earlier tonight. Your commentators at ringside are Larry Morton and "Soundbite" Steve Roberts: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." Scott "the Whine" Bloom stands in the middle of the ring, his face set in a stern expression, waiting for his opponent.] RA: And his opponent, hailing from Germany and weighing in at... 320lbs?! Here is Cheshire! ["The Trick" kicks in over the PA, but instead of the wiry figure of Cheshire, a huge, blonde bodybuilder steps through the curtain. Confused pop!] SR: Wow, Cheshire's sure put on some weight, Barry! He must have been at the biscuits! LM: That's not Cheshire, Steve! SR: Sure it is. Look at the costume! LM: Don't be ridiculous. If I'm not mistaken, that's Liebricht Kaiser's bodyguard, Hinz. [Although Hinz wears the same colourful ring attire as the real Cheshire, he doesn't even try to play the clown. Instead he abuses the crowd as he makes his way down the aisle. Both Bloom and Sparkplug Lee look confused when the large German steps into the ring, but Lee just shrugs his shoulders and leaves the ring. Ding! Ding! Ding! The Whine decides to lock up with his larger opponent, but immediately regrets it, when "Cheshire" pushes him down with ease.] LM: I can only assume that Kaiser is exercising his rights to the name and character likeness of Cheshire. SR: Enough already with the legal jargon, Moron. All that matters is that this new Cheshire is a real powerhouse. [Suddenly the crowd gives a big pop, as the former Cheshire Chris Herforth, wearing his usual ring attire, comes running down the aisle and jumps into the ring. The referee signals for the bell once more. Ding! Ding! Ding! Bloom crawls into a corner and watches the two Germans stare each other down, Herforth looking up, barely in control of his anger, and Hinz looking down with a mocking smile. Suddenly Herforth makes a small hop and smacks his forehead into Hinz's face. Big pop!] LM: Wow! Cheshire headbutts, uh, Cheshire! SR: He's busted open! Can you believe that?! [The larger man sinks down to his knees, holding his bleeding broken nose. Herforth throws himself into the ropes behind Hinz and executes a brutal bulldog on him. Hinz rolls on his back, holding his badly bleeding nose. Herforth turns around with a bitter smile on his face and takes a deep breath. He stands there for a few seconds, then he jumps over the top rope and walks up the aisle to leave. Cut back to the studio.] TD: It appears that Herr Kaiser has decided to exercise his rights to the character likeness of Cheshire. I understand that the IIWF's legal department are in the process of examining Cheshire's contract to determine the IIWF's official position concerning the replacement of Chris Herforth with Herr Hinz as it relates to competition in the squared circle. I'll keep you updated on this bizarre situation as it develops. [Match ruled a no contest.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W & W EXPRESS vs. El Super Gecko & Doug Wayne & Clark Watson Jumpin' Jack comb. 500lbs comb. 470lbs =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: The W & W Express are a pair of straightforward, no nonsense grapplers, and to see their driven and determined -- if at times a little illegal -- style in the ring is a welcome relief from the myriad teams in the IIWF who have an entourage of valets and props. These two men have decided to stand or fall on the merits of their athletic abilities, and for that I applaud them. Could these two men be the most misunderstood partnership in the IIWF? [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Toight." The W & W Express in the back locker room.] WAYNE: The Dark Horse team rides again tonight. The suits threw Jumpin' Jack and the Lizard Man into the lion's den. WATSON: It seems like everyone is afraid of the Express. They want to ignore us. No, we won't go away. We are just going to keep going and going. One of these days one of these paper champions of yours is going to look over their shoulder and see the W & W Express staring right at them. Then they'll realize their time is up. WAYNE: Like the invisible man we go unnoticed. Slowly, but surely, up the tag ranks. Whether it's Armed Forces, Cold Spell, or the Night Patrol, makes no difference to us. They are just victims. WATSON: We get asked the same question. Who's next? Who's going to be the next team to get run over by the Express? WAYNE: The Express goes and goes. Where it stops nobody knows. [Cut back to the studio.] There was no misunderstanding their intentions in the ring tonight. Wayne and Watson made short work of their opponents -- the hitherto untested partnership of El Super Gecko and Jumpin' Jack -- finishing them off with their vicious Vegginator. However, as the two men celebrated in the ring, they were interrupted by a message from the Zodiac Connection. Let's take a look: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." Wayne and Watson stand in the ring with their arms raised, basking in the jeers of the crowd, when the video wall flickers into life. The W & W Express turn to see the faces of the Zodiac Connection, Scorpio and Taurus. Big pop from the crowd!] SCORPIO: Hey, Weird and Wacko Express, we heard you running off those fat mouths about some of the tag teams here in the IIWF. But Taurus and I were a little bit concerned that you guys didn't include our names on that list. We have to wonder, are you clowns afraid of being stung? TAURUS: Step right up... we're waiting for you! [The IIWF logo fades back onto the video wall. Big pop from the crowd as Wayne and Watson beckon for the Zodiacs to come on down. Cut back to the studio.] TD: After the events that befell the Zodiac Connection later in the evening, any match between these two teams may have to wait, but I for one would love to see them get it on. [WINNERS: W & W Express by pinfall in 6:44.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LAST RESORT vs. THE ROTUNDOS El Diablo & Masked Avenger Rotundo #1 & Rotundo #2 comb. 515lbs comb. 845lbs =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: We've seen and heard quite a bit from Mr. Friday, manager of new tag team partnership, the Last Resort, in the past few weeks, but tonight was our first chance to see the two men in whom he has put his faith in action. Folks, I'll be honest with you, I don't see the potential in either of these guys that Friday has seen -- El Diablo is an ageing Mexican star who never made it big in his home country, and whose body simply isn't limber and supple enough to take the kinds of bumps that luchadors take, while the Masked Avenger, while somewhat younger than his partner, seems to be highly nervous in the ring, and not exactly possessed of the most phenomenal wrestling skills. Friday, however, is confident that his team can make waves, and they shook off early wobbles tonight to defeat the Rotundos in their first IIWF appearance. The Avenger started things off for his team, and attempted a number of high-flying manoeuvres, all of which failed -- the result being that he had the full four hundred pounds plus mass of one half of the Rotundos dropped on him on more than one occasion. To his credit, the Avenger managed to survive and tag in El Diablo, who went to town in far more accomplished fashion, cleaning house and scoring the pin with his "Diabolic", an inverted DDT, to the delight of the crowd. The Avenger, excited by the victory, leaped into the ring to join his partner, but tripped over the ropes, and unfortunately landed flat on his face in the ring. He must have been taking lessons from Sparkplug Lee, poor guy. Nonetheless, the klutz seemed to only endear the team further to the crowd, and when Mr. Friday threw the bag he carried down with him into the ring, the laughs continued. Both men pulled out cowboy hats and neckerchiefs, and cap pistols, and proceeded to send up the High Plains Drifters, their opponents this Saturday Night, leaving the ring to the theme from "Bonanza". Mr. Friday followed his men up the aisle, laughing his loud and infectious laugh as he went. Something tells me that the Drifters won't take kindly to the "tribute" paid them by the Last Resort, and with the questionable skills showcased tonight by the new team, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Last Resort being made an example of this Saturday Night. [WINNERS: The Last Resort by pinfall in 5:41.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ZODIAC CONNECTION vs. BARNACLE BROTHERS Scorpio & Taurus Bluto & Seadog comb. 575lbs comb. 569lbs =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: The Zodiac Connection were all set to wrestle the Barnacle Brothers for the second straight week, but their match was thrown into some confusion when it was reported that the Barnacle Brothers had been involved in an automobile accident on their way to the IIWF Coliseum. Apparently, the brake lines in their car had been tampered with, and the police are already investigating. Thankfully, neither man was seriously injured, but Bluto, the driver, sustained a slight concussion, and Seadog, his passenger, bruised knees and shoulders, as the car hit a wall. Poutine Janois, having heard of the accident, was then somewhat surprised to see the latest members of Oak's cult, returning tag team Domination -- they have allegedly been undergoing a period of "purification" at Oak's lodge over the past few weeks since Monster was injured before Ring Wars III -- approach him and ask to take the Barnacles' place, particularly as Janois had made no announcement about their injury. Far be it from me to implicate Oak's cult in any kind of foul play in order to get Domination an early return to the ring -- they were not scheduled to return until next Wednesday night -- but that is, I understand, what the IIWF's Special Concerns Committee will be discussing over the next few days. Scorpio and Taurus were most displeased when they heard that they would be facing Domination on less than half an hour's notice, but being the team players that they are, they consented to the match, and retired to their locker room with the Gemini twins and the burly Cancer to do whatever preparation the little time allowed. So the match got underway, with Monster and "Perfect" Dani Jarvier accompanied to the ring by their leather-clad manager, Mistress. It is understood that former Domination-member, Mr. Psycho, who was put out of action with a back injury earlier this year, was also present tonight, but Poutine Janois refused to grant him a manager's license to be present at ringside. Monster, starting things off for Domination, wrestled his usual high-impact style, taking the smaller Scorpio outside the ring and attempting to brutalise him. However, the huge Cancer drew some of the fire away from the winded Scorpio, and Taurus was able to tag into the ring and go to work on Monster. Eventually, it came down to Scorpio and Jarvier in the ring. Scorpio appeared to have injured his back in a nasty fall out of the ring, and when Jarvier began to mercilessly focus his attack on Scorpio's lower lumbar area. Jarvier trapped Scorpio in a torture rack, but the tenacious Scorpio refused to submit. In the end, Taurus and Cancer stormed the ring, forcing the referee to disqualify the Zodiac Connection, and Domination headed out back up the aisle, attempting to avoid confrontation. Fans, I'm disturbed by the implications of Domination's undeserved victory in the IIWF Coliseum tonight. If this display -- both in the ring and, allegedly, out of it -- is any indication of what is to come from these former fan favourites, I'm sure the IIWF President and his staff will keep a close eye on these latest cult members. Scorpio, meanwhile, is understood to have suffered three bruised vertebrae, and will be unable to wrestle for seven to ten days. However, the Zodiac Connection will still be at ringside this Saturday Night to accompany their friends the Armed Forces as they attempt to wrestle the IIWF World Tag Team Championships away from Pain Inc. -- who we'll be hearing from later on tonight. [WINNERS: Domination by disqualification in 15:46.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Mr. Damage vs. Bobby B. Goode 245lbs, 6'3" 240lbs, 6'1" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Mr. Damage is proving to be something of a dark horse in the crowded singles ranks here in the IIWF. Perhaps the best way to describe the Antipodean athlete with an attitude would be as a "slow burner". He made his debut last July, but it has only been since the beginning of this year that Mr. Damage has started to fulfill his undoubted potential -- in fact, the man who has christened his own impressive arms "the Guns of Navarone" has yet to be beaten in 1997, and he looks to be working himself up for a run at one of the IIWF's singles titles. This Saturday, he faces his toughest match yet as he goes up against the Deathbringer, and tonight, he went out in front of the crowd in the IIWF Coliseum to show what kind of form he has hit. Folks, it was an impressive showing. Damage manhandled Bobby B. Goode right from before the opening bell, and didn't relent until he had driven Goode through the canvas with his Thunderstruck legdrop from the top rope for the three count. Throughout the course of the short match, Damage kept Goode off balance, blasting him with body shots and working over his neck area, all in the interest of making the devastating Thunderstruck even more effective. There was no sign of the Deathbringer in the IIWF Coliseum tonight, despite the fact that the man with whom he has forged an enigmatic relationship, Requiem, was wrestling in the main event, but I'm sure word will reach him that he would be making a very grave mistake -- no pun intended -- to underestimate Mr. Damage. [WINNER: Mr. Damage by pinfall in 3:58.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Marty Warnett vs. Majestic Maurice McArthur 245lbs, 5'11" 230lbs, 6'1" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Former Intercontinental Champion Marty Warnett seems to have recaptured at last that happy-go-lucky good-naturedness which made him such a favourite as he battled his way up the ladder of success after he first arrived in the IIWF last August. Despite defeat at the hands of a very determined "Lone Wolf" Brody Thunder last Saturday Night, Warnett bounced right back and announced his intentions to get straight back into the thick of things, and he dusted off the cobwebs in the ring tonight against Majestic Maurice McArthur. Warnett successfully worked over Triple M in under five minutes, finishing him off with that stomachbreaker/flying headbutt combination, the Hangover, for the pinfall victory, much to the delight of his legion of fans in the Coliseum. [WINNER: Marty Warnett by pinfall in 4:16.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= PROPHETS OF RAGE vs. G.W.R. Derek Rage & Shadoe Rage Loco & Spoiler comb. 573lbs comb. 545lbs =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: The Prophets of Rage have been not only prophesying but performing their particular brand of rage for some time here in the IIWF as they direct their anger towards the goal of wearing tag team gold. The latest team to feel their vengeful anger was General Kane's struggling G.W.R., whose contracts may have been terminated by IIWF officials following a series of increasingly lacklustre performances. The Prophets weren't concerned with such paperwork -- they simply wanted to bash some heads together: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." The Prophets of Rage eagerly await their match up. Shadoe, hopping from foot to foot in his ring gear, spies the camera.] SR: Tonight's the night. The Prophets make their long awaited return to the ring. G.W.R., you've stepped in against the winningest team in the IIWF. You think that happened for no particular reason? DR: We prepare. We focus. We hunger. You guys are big strong men. We've met before in other places for other goals. We respect all that you and General Kane can do. But we're on a mission to establish ourselves as the greatest tag-team in the IIWF. It isn't enough just to beat the champions. We've got to beat everyone else, too. SR: And that means you. Tonight, G.W.R., Loco, Spoiler, you've just come to the end of the line. Pun intended. Oh yeah. DR: [flashing a peace sign to the camera and blowing a kiss] Bye-bye, hope you'll enjoy the ride. [Fade. Cut back to the studio.] TD: And what a ride it was. The Prophets jumped G.W.R. just as soon as they appeared through the entrance curtains, and they brawled down the aisle and, finally, into the ring. The referee struggled to get control in the early going, as Derek and Shadoe kept Loco isolated in the ring while, on the outside, Medusa and Pizzazz, in a formidable display which proves that these two are ladies not to be messed with, kept Spoiler occupied. Every time the official's back was turned, the Prophets would use every object at their disposal to batter both members of G.W.R. all they could. Shadoe, the smaller half of this prodigous partnership, did the majority of the damage in the ring, exercising his speed and stamina advantage over brother Derek. Keeping out of Loco's way and striking from behind, and keeping Spoiler off the apron as much as possible with dropkicks and hard punches, Shadoe was able to successfully wear down the big Loco. It was total chaos around the ringside area, and the Prophets made good use of their numerical superiority -- an advantage they may not enjoy for much longer if new guidelines recommended by IIWF Special Concerns Committee head Poutine Janois are rubber-stamped by the IIWF President in the next few days -- to make sure the referee didn't know which man to keep his eye on. The huge Derek also had a brief spell in the ring against the smaller Spoiler -- who gave up to his opponent more than a foot in height and nearly one hundred pounds in weight -- and used his impressive arsenal of power moves to wear him out, leaving him prone to the high-flying assault of Shadoe. In the end, amidst the confusion, Pizzazz came flying off the top with the Headwrecker while the referee attempted to break up an argument between Medusa and General Kane's masked bodyguard on the outside, allowing Shadoe to cover Spoiler for the three count and the pinfall victory. An impressive display of what makes the Prophets of Rage so dangerous -- their strength in numbers, and their powers of diversion. Take either Pizzazz or Medusa away from ringside, however, and that power is cut in half. It will be interesting to see how the Prophets fare against more on-form competition if Janois' proposals are approved by the IIWF front office. In the meantime, the Prophets remain on course for their shot at the Harlequins' United States Tag Team Championships on April 26. [WINNERS: Prophets of Rage by pinfall in 14:44.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subway Psycho vs. The Cell 255lbs, 6'5" 322lbs, 6'5" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Scenes of chaos continued in the IIWF Coliseum after the carnage caused by the Prophets of Rage had been cleared. When you put the Cell, one of the most vicious competitors in IIWF history, in the same ring as the Subway Psycho, a former IIWF World Heavyweight Champion who has a chip on his shoulder about a mile wide, sparks are bound to fly -- but when they bring their friends and enemies, you've got an explosion on your hands. And that's precisely what happened in the Coliseum tonight. The Cell, accompanied by Oak and a number of "cloakers", came down to the ring to face the Psycho, who was watched from the stands by the "CEO" Jack Montgomery, manager of his opponent this Saturday Night, the sensational rookie Creed, but things didn't stop there. When Tiger Claw -- minus the rest of the Syndicate -- invaded the match after ten minutes of inconclusive brawling between the two combatants, and an all-out war between the "cloakers", the Cell, Tiger Claw and the Psycho began, prompting the referee to stop the match and rule it a no contest. Things looked black for the Psycho as the hordes all ganged up on him -- so imagine the surprise of the capacity crowd when Creed, the man who just over ten days ago powerbombed the Psycho in the middle of the ring and left him at the mercy of the Syndicate, ran down to the ring to make the save! Together, Creed and the Psycho cleared the squared circle of all the interlopers, but as the Psycho knocked Claw from the ring, he inadvertently hit Creed with a right hand shot which triggered a brawl between the two men. Even after security had swarmed the ring to try and drag the two men apart, Creed and the Psycho continued to break free of their clutches and take pot shots at one another. The volatile relationship between these two men promises to bring us a very interesting match this Saturday Night when the Psycho and Creed clash one on one. [Match ruled a no contest.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NIGHT PATROL vs. DARK DISCIPLES Lt. Keene & Sgt. Blazer Kane & Wulf comb. 530lbs comb. 615lbs =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: The new attitude of former United States Tag Team Champions Night Patrol might surprise those who expect a partnership essentially robbed of their shiny new belts after only two weeks, but then, Asst. DA Brenda Hawkings and her men have proven to be anything but predictable: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." Night Patrol are seen standing in the locker room, along with their manager, Asst. DA Brenda Hawkings.] BH: Dark Disicples, fallen from your throne... welcome back to the jungle! DK: Satanists, you're just a stepping stone back up to the top. Bring whoever you want, but bring a stretcher... It'll save the medics a little more time when they have to drag you out. JB: This isn't about the belts... this is personal. Take my advice and don't show up. [Cut back to the studio.] TD: Unfortunately for Night Patrol, the Dark Disciples -- who are much more the picture of the jilted former champions, since they lost their World Tag Team Championships to Pain Inc. some ten days ago -- did indeed show up, and thus set the scene for a real brawl between the two sides. With the support of the near-capacity crowd in the IIWF Coliseum, the Night Patrol showed their focus against the former World tag champs, weathering the early storm and allowing Keene to use his superior speed against Kane, working on the head with kicks and flying elbows to make him groggy. Kane managed to rally and tag out to Wulf, who took it to Keene with his vicious power moves. The Patrol's strategy had to have been keeping the Disciples worn down with quick tags, but it backfired on them here as Keene was trapped in the ring for more than five minutes. Blazer was forced into the ring to make the save on more than one occasion, affording the Disciples more time to double-team the ex-cop. Finally, Keene tagged in Blazer, and the Sergeant went to work on Wulf with a number of high-impact slams, cleaning house in the ring. Wulf tagged in Keene, who ended up on the receiving end of the Patrol's new double-team manoeuvre, which I have since found out has been christened "The Felony" by manager Brenda Hawkings. Blazer whips Kane into the ropes, executes a shoulder toss out of the ring, onto a waiting Keene on the floor, who grabs him out of mid-air and drops him across the railing for a super hot shot. However, this illegal manoeuvre -- which is certainly both spectacular and devastating -- triggered a wild brawl outside the ring which threatened to end the match in a double countout. But that was not to be. The wily Brenda Hawkings, dressed once more in her more typical business suit, had been sipping from a crystal glass of water throughout the match, and using the diversion of the brawl, she threw the water in the face of Wulf, who began clawing at his face in obvious pain. Blazer was able to roll Wulf back into the ring and cradle him for the shock pinfall victory, much to the delight of the crowd. The Patrol made a quick exit, leaving McQueen and Kane to tend to Wulf, who appeared to have suffered some kind of burns to his face. Larry Morton asked Hawkings just what was in that glass, and Hawkings replied: "Holy water." Make of that what you will. One thing's for sure -- the Syndicate's former World Tag Team Champions will be more determined than ever to move back up the rankings to the titles which were taken from them by Pain Inc. [WINNERS: Night Patrol by pinfall in 19:47.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Requiem vs. Derek Mota 306lbs, 6'10" 224lbs, 5'10" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Tonight's main event proved controversial indeed. Newcomer Derek Mota, who has really been causing a stir since he made his debut last week, went up against the mysterious Requiem, who is headed for a confrontation with Deathbringer at Birthday Bash. Requiem very rarely grants interviews, so when Larry Morton cornered him backstage at the Coliseum tonight just minutes before his match with Mota, we were lucky to have a camera present and rolling: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." Backstage at the IIWF Coliseum. Requiem calmly leaves his shadowy candle-lit locker room to make the walk to ringside, his long black ring jacket swirling about him like a cape, his night black electric guitar draped over one shoulder. Gabrielle is nowhere to be seen.] LM: [Interjecting himself into Requiem's path] Requiem! Requiem, a word if you've got time. REQUIEM: Be quick, Larry Morton, be quick. The Choir awaits, and in the ring stands a man whose soul I must judge. Those who unduly keep me from my task regret it. LM: Riiight. Anyway, what was that all about at Saturday Night? REQUIEM: There is little to discuss. I am glad that I was able to help Nightwing, in whatever small way I was able. I hope he will find peace with the aid of the Highwayman. LM: Nightwing schmitewing. I meant afterwards. What is it between you and Deathbringer, anyway? Friends? Enemies? Close relatives? Does he owe you money? What? REQUIEM: Deathbringer and I are... I fear it is hard to put it in terms you would understand... two sides of the same coin. Two differing perspectives on the same inalienable truths that govern the reality that surrounds us. At Birthday Bash we shall see who has the truer perspective. It is as simple, and as complex, as that. LM: [sounding dubious] Uh-huh. I'll leave that for those great philosophers, Tim Dross and Steve Roberts. One final word on your match with Derek Mota tonight? REQUIEM: I go to stare into his soul, to see if it it is consumed by the Darkness. If it is, he shall know pain, he shall know suffering, and his immortal soul will know anguish. Stand aside, if you please, for I hear the siren call of my Choir... LM: And Gabrielle? She seemed angry with you on Saturday, and I can't help noticing she's not with you tonight... REQUIEM: She goes where she pleases, when she pleases. I am her brother, not her keeper. Now, Larry Morton, you will stand aside. LM: Okay, Okay! Geez, some people are so impatient. [Cut back to the studio as Requiem walks out of frame.] TD: But Requiem was forced to wait for the opening of the match, as one Duncan Macbeth interjected himself in the proceedings. Let's go to that footage. [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." Derek Mota patiently awaits his opponent. The lights in the IIWF Coliseum rise as Requiem steps into the ring. The referee gives a few last-minute words of instruction to the two athletes, when suddenly... Thunk!] LM: What the hell is that?! SR: Where did that come from?! [A long, thin metal object is now embedded in the mat, having plummeted from high in the rafters of the Coliseum. The object, which, despite being stuck a good foot and a half deep in the ring, is still taller than Derek Mota, whom it missed by mere inches.] LM: Mota could have been killed! SR: Why didn't that thing hit that awful Requiem? [Mota is clearly shaken, and backs away from the object. Requiem, as cool and unemotional as ever, doesn't bat an eyelid. The crowd, which was stunned into silence by the arrival of the object now begins to buzz as they understand its significance. The object in question is a Scottish claymore, engraved with Celtic designs and around the long oak-wrapped handle is tied a long strip of red woolen cloth, matching the tartan of Duncan Macbeth's kilt.] LM: This is a very powerful message from Duncan Macbeth to Derek Mota. [Mota, now recovered from the initial shock, looks up into the rafters furiously, clearly pumped up by the connotations of the claymore's arrival. A ring crew swarms into the squared circle to remove the sword from the ring, which takes a nearly a minute.] SR: That claymore's stuck in there pretty good, Barry. Just think what it could have done to Requiem! LM: That would have been horrible, Steve Roberts. SR: Nah, it would have been great. [adopts mock Scottish accent] Ach, the noo, can I hae me bloody great sword ba', please? Ach, sorry, it does seem to be embedded in yuir ugly great head, Requiem! LM: What a dreadful accent. SR: [in his normal voice] What would you know, Moron? You probably think Scotland's in Canada. LM: It isn't? [The sword is finally removed and the referee signals for the bell. Mota, still fired up by the attack, leaps at Requiem and immediately goes at him with arms and legs flailing. Big pop! Cut back to the studio. Footage of the match continues on the video wall behind Dross.] TD: As you can see, Derek Mota, his anger at Macbeth's actions very apparent, went at Requiem full-on, but he was unable to make a dent on his big opponent -- to whom he gives up nearly one hundred pounds in weight and a whole twelve inches in height -- since his strategy had clearly been disturbed not only by the shock of Macbeth's message and by the delay of the start of the match. However, the unflappable Requiem weathered the early storm of high-impact offense, and his cool head prevailed as the match continued. Once he succeeded in slowing his high-flying opponent down, Requiem targeted Mota's legs, using plenty of kicks, grapevines and other submission manoeuvres, rightly assuming that taking out Mota's legs would eliminate his aerial advantage. Mota seemed to be counting on his speed advantage over Requiem, but the big man showed that he is no slouch in the ring. His usual sedate style belies the fact that Requiem is actually able to move pretty quickly around the squared circle, and Mota was occasionally surprised by the quickness of Requiem's reactions. The big man slowed down the pace of the match with a barrage of power moves, including various suplexes, press slams, a nasty snap DDT, a neckbreaker and a spinebuster. However, Mota demonstrated his impressive resilience by managing to kick out from every pinfall attempt that Requiem went for. In fact, Mota managed a late rally, somewhere around the fifteen minute mark, despite having been on the receiving end of most of the offense for the past ten minutes, and began to wear Requiem down again. However, the big man seemed to draw power from his growing legion of fans, nicknamed The Choir, to weather the storm, and he swung the match back in his favour by catching Mota in midair as the smaller man leaped from the turnbuckle. Requiem drove Mota into the mat with an impressive powerslam, and the advantage was his once more. However, still Mota refused to lie down and die, and it took Requiem's "Redemption" rocker dropper out of nowhere to finally put Mota down for the three count. The rocker dropper is a devastating move, particularly when it has three hundred pounds plus of Requiem behind it, and after the assault absorbed by the Canadian throughout the match, this final move proved too much for Mota, who nonetheless demonstrated that he has a bright -- possibly golden -- future for him here in the IIWF. However, Duncan Macbeth wasn't finished with Mota yet. After Mota had walked from the ring under his own steam, Macbeth had another message for him -- this time in the form of a little speech issued from the video wall in the IIWF Coliseum: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." Mota makes his way up the aisle after the match and is about to disappear behind the curtain. Suddenly, the large video screen over the wrestlers' exit flashes, and the image of the IIWF logo is replaced by the image of Duncan Macbeth, his green eyes blazing, seemingly staring right through Mota. Mota stands and watches with an expression of irritation as Macbeth speaks:] DM: So THA'S th' future o' th' IIWF?! Seems t' me, Mota, tha' ye perform better in other people's matches than ye do in yuir own! Maybe ye ought t' hang up yuir tights an' become a referee, wha'! Ye seem t' have a knack fer stickin' yuir nose where it's nae wanted, but t' get t' th' top, ye need a knack fer WRESTLIN' as well, an' tosser, ye seem t' have come up a wee bit short tonigh'! Stick yuir nose in MY business ag'in, wee man, an' ye'll find out tha' Duncan Macbeth's a WRESTLER who can be a bit nosy HIMSELF! [At that moment a wild-eyed Duncan races out from behind the curtain holding a folded chair, as Mota watches his taped comments on the screen, and strikes Mota with a decidedly low blow. As Mota doubles over in agony, Duncan raises the chair and bring it down on the back of Mota's head, and gets in another good shot to Mota's back before being dragged away by security and the Jobber Justice Squad. Cut back to the studio.] TD: Thankfully, Mota was not seriously injured by Macbeth's attack, but he has suffered some bruising to his back and neck areas. Doctors say he was fortunate not to have sustained any fractured bones. It seems that the rivalry between newcomers Macbeth and Mota is set to escalate in the weeks to come. [WINNER: Requiem by pinfall in 19:33.] TD: That just about wraps up tonight's action, folks, but before I leave you tonight, let's take a quick look ahead to the action coming your way this Saturday Night. [The IIWF logo fades from the video wall and the logo for the Saturday show takes its place. Dross turns to face another camera.] TD: It's another stellar lineup coming your way. Three of the IIWF's five championships will be on the line this weekend. Tony Starks challenges Casey James for the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship, the Armed Forces go up against World Tag Team Champions Pain Inc., who we'll be hearing from in just a moment, and multi-federational champion Lord Byron faces a challenge for his IIWF Intercontinental Championship from former IC champ Steve "the Fury" Kowalski. The Fury would rather be facing the White Phoenix, but he doesn't seem bothered about the chance of taking back the gold he has already worn once here in the IIWF: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Yesterday." It's a foggy night outside, but on the inside of the Amber Bug it's smoky. The smell of old whiskey and cigarette butts sits in the air, hanging like a fog of its own. In the corner, where only the worst dregs hang out, Oscar Smiles and Steve "The Fury" Kowalski sit and discuss a course of action for Saturday night.] SK: It's not like yer my manager. What the hell do ya care if I win or lose? I just pay ya to patch me up after the matches. OS: Sure, but I like to bet on the matches. And so far, you've been easy money. You have a big one against Lord Byron coming up and I already bet on you. I'm just trying to protect my cash flow. SK: Yeah, I'm touched. So, Like I was sayin'... I'm campaignin' fer the Streamline strap, but I fall back into the IC race again. I guess that scarred little freak ain't got the balls to put the belt on the line. That leaves me with a shot to get back the belt that was stolen from me. OS: What about White Phoenix? He could make an appearance. SK: Let 'im... let 'im come to me. That's what I want anyways. He'll get the beating of a lifetime if he steps in the ring. I'll lay his ass out... right next to Byron. OS: That's another thing. Byron is like the best technical wrestler in the sport. You can't match... SK: What's to match? Moves? I ain't sayin' I'm the best technical guy. Fer every two shots Byron gets in, I'll get one. If ya haven't learned by now, I'll take everything ya got an' give it back to ya IN SPADES! OS: Isn't Byron hooked up with "The Butcher"? That could be bad. SK: So what if he is? Its like this, anyone -- I mean, anyone -- crosses the ropes, they're gettin' their heads handed to'em. [BLEEP]! Line'em up! I got a fist full of mean that says I can whip anybody! I may end up plantin' a few punks when its all said an' done, but I'll definitely intro that limey [BLEEP] to a new age of hurt! OS: Okay. I'm convinced. My money's on you. So, how long is it since they screwed you out of the IC title? SK: Too [BLEEP]in' long. I got gold in my future, Oscar. I can smell it. I got the fed on its heels, wonderin' whether kiss my ass or run from me. As far as I'm concerned, that's just the way I like it. Hell hath no... ah, ya know the drill. OS: I sure do. All the way to the bank. [Cut back to the studio.] TD: That's going to be a tremendous match, folks. As I mentioned a few moments ago, Pain Inc. will face a team with whom they have had problems in the past, the Armed Forces, for the tag team titles this Saturday Night, but Mr. Mic seems more interested in bribing members of the announcing staff than investing any time in training Morningstar and Hellraiser: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." Steve Roberts stands in a locker room of the IIWF Coliseum with the Pain Inc. entourage.] SR: So, Mr. Mic, how does it feel to be managing the IIWF World Tag Team Champions? MM: Ya know, Steve, I knew we'd get here. It's been a hard road but eventually the titles would have to show up with us. SR: It seems that those back-stabbers Night Patrol got tired of your success. MM: 100% correct Steve. We approached Night Patrol trying to form Team Brutality, they accepted and we began a great stable. We let them defeat us in their match so they could go on in the US Tag Title tourney. They won, thanks to us, and Pain Inc. was right there to support them. Our goal was for them to win the US titles and Pain Inc. to win the World belts. We both reached our goals -- but Night Patrol and their Texas-sized egos couldn't handle us being the better team: more talent, more brains, more athletic... so they stabbed us in the back. Frankly, Steve, I almost thank God because we were getting tired of supporting them. SR: I hear ya, Mr.Mic. Now, what about this freak Cancer? MM: [laughing] God, I love how the Zodiac Connection comes up with these little plans to derail Pain Inc. They should be on Letterman. Cancer, you bring your big bad ass to Pain Inc. and Hades will personally break both your legs, punk! Hades is a world class athlete and an intellegent businessman. Cancer is nothing, absolutely nothing, and he is no match for Hades. Period! SR: Let's have a little more mudslinging. How do you feel about the Syndicate? MM: First of all I want to apologize to the Syndicate for comments made last week. I want to apologize to Don McQueen and Brian Lau as well as the Disciples, Tiger Claw, Brody Thunder and Casey James. SR: Why the change of heart, Mr. Mic? MM: Easy, Steve. Over the past few months Pain Inc. has been stabbed in the back by both the Armed Forces and Night Patrol. It seems the only real men in this federation who can stick to their words are the Syndicate. Last week, I flew off at the handle and happened to shoot off my big mouth near a hack reporter who felt it was okay to print it. SR: What a shameful piece of journalism. Are you trying to say you would like to become members of the Syndicate? MM: Not exactly, Steve. I understand Mr. McQueen is not too happy with Pain Inc. -- after all, we now hold the tag titles. I would like the IIWF Championship Committee to assist me in giving a peace offering. I wish to challenge the Dark Disciples to a rematch for the World Tag Titles. We do not wish to join the Syndicate -- however, we will be watching to see if others try to dethrone them. Subway Psycho, Creed, Chris Quigley, Prophets of Rage -- we're talking to you. SR: If there was interest from Brian Lau, would you like to join the Syndicate? MM: Of course, Steve. Business opprotunites like that don't show up every day. I would be honoured to manage within the Syndicate. I would like right now to give you something, Steve. [Mr.Mic reaches into his pocket and pulls out a Porsche keyring with a single key on it] Here you are -- for your excellence in journalism... a 1997 Porsche Boxster! SR: HOT DAMN! Thank you, Mr. Mic! I accept because, well, it's true. Thank you for this interview. Thank you very very much. [Roberts skitters out of shot in the direction of the parking lot. Cut back to the studio.] TD: It will be interesting to see how Brian Lau responds to Mr. Mic's comments -- and to see how long it takes Steve Roberts to write off that Porsche. Other great matches scheduled for this Saturday night see Ronnie Paris facing one of the most controversial figures in the IIWF at the moment, "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare, and the show is headlined by the Subway Psycho facing Creed, the man with the longest unbeaten streak in the IIWF's history. It's going to be quite a show this Saturday Night, and my broadcast colleagues Larry Morton and Becky LaRue will be back with you on Friday to run down all the action coming your way in detail. Make sure you don't miss a moment of the action! But for now, I'm right out of time here in the War Room. Until Saturday Night, this is Tim Dross, saying: so long, everybody! [The lights in the studio drop and the video wall fades to blackness as Dross resumes shuffling his papers. 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 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+