##### ###### ### ########## ########## ########## #### ## ########## ########## ########## #### # #### ######## ##### ##### #### ## ##### #### #### #### #### ### #### #### #### #### ############# ######### #### #### ########### ######### #### #### #### #### #### ######### ######### ### #### #### ######### ######### ### ## #### ######## ######## ## # #### =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ## =-=-=-= INTERNATIONAL INTERNET WRESTLING FEDERATION =============================================== C + L + A + S + S + I + C + S ----------------------------------------------- April 24, 1997 [Fade through to an IIWF studio. "Soundbite" Steve Roberts is seated at a desk in front of a bank of small video monitors, each of which is showing footage of various cataclysmic encounters from the IIWF's archives. The shot closes in on his face, and he speaks:] SR: Welcome, morons and "L'il Soundbiters" alike to another rip-roaring, edge of your seat edition of IIWF Classics. I am, as if you didn't already know, "Soundbite" Steve Roberts, the finest damned broadcast journalist in this great sport, and tonight, we're taking a look back at one of the most controversial nights in the history of the IIWF Intercontinental Championship. The greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, the Syndicate's Tiger Claw, and the Italian grease-spot, Don Antonio, locked up in a match which culminated in the shortest-lived champion in IIWF history. I would say more, but I'm not paid by the second. I just have to show up here once a week. In fact, I don't even have to turn up especially for this show. It's taped earlier in the week. So while you're watching this, the "Soundbite" is out eating a few biscuits, drinking a few beers... So try not to be too despondent that you're stuck in front of the television while the "Soundbite" is out living the high life. Roll the tape, boys. I'm outta here. [Cut to footage subtitled, "September 7, 1996." Tim Dross and "Soundbite" Steve Roberts are seated at the broadcast table in the jam-packed IIWF Coliseum.] TD: Let's move on to our second title match of the night, as Don Antonio, self-appointed judge, jury and executioner, attempts to take the Intercontinental title away from Tiger Claw. SR: I've been looking forward to this one, Dross. Don Antonio's going to have to eat his spaghetti pureed after Tiger Claw's done with him tonight. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= IIWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Tiger Claw vs. Don Antonio =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= [Sparkplug Lee takes to the ring.] SL: Ladies and gentlemen, the following encounter is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the IIWF Intercontinental Championship! [Pop] Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Salvatore Fiorello and Vinny Cappicola, hailing from Sicily, Italy, and weighing in at 275lbs, here is the challenger: Dooooon Aaaaantoooonioooo! [Big pop for the Family as they appear at the head of the aisle to the strains of the theme from "The Godfather". The Don leads the way, with Sal and Vinny bringing up the rear. The Don hi-fives the fans as he makes his way to the ring, and then climbs the steps. He hops over the top rope and jogs across the ring. He raises his arms aloft as fireworks explode above the ring. Big pop!] TD: The Don sure looks confident here, Steve. And that attack from Verhoeven doesn't seem to have had any real adverse effects. He looks ready. SR: I would suggest that it's just a calculated exterior designed to fool his opponent, but the Don's too stupid for that. SL: And introducing the champion: accompanied to the ring by Brian Lau, hailing from Thailand, weighing in at 220lbs, here is: Tiiiigeeeeer Claaaaaaaw! [The Thai boxing music that accompanies Claw's entry blares out over the PA, and there is a big heel pop as the IC champ and Brian Lau, who is carrying a baseball bat, make their way down to the ring. Both Claw and Lau climb the ringsteps and enter the squared circle.] TD: Hey, what's Lau doing with that baseball bat?! [Lau signals to Sparkplug Lee for the microphone, which he snatches. Sparkplug slinks out of the ring.] BL: Ladies and gentlemen, earlier tonight, I spoke of Tiger Claw's power. Before he rips apart this liar over here... [Don rushes forward, but the ref holds him back, telling him to wait for the bell. Don calms down, and patiently waits.] BL: As I was saying before being so rudely interrupted, before Tiger Claw takes apart this Don Antonio, we would like to demonstrate the strength of one of Tiger Claw's kicks. I hold here a baseball bat. I'm sure all you people have seen one of these. Tiger Claw will break it with a single shin kick. [Brian holds the bat out, and Tiger Claw readies himself to break it. Don Antonio turns to talk to Vinny, who is standing on the apron, and makes a snide comment, and Tiger Claw takes that time to jump towards him with a flying knee. Lau dives from the ring, still clutching the baseball bat, as the referee hurriedly signals for the bell. Ding! Ding! Ding!] TD: What a cheap shot from Tiger Claw! Lau's setting the tone of this match early on here. [The Don is rocked by the impact of the knee and tumbles against the ropes, knocking Vinny from the apron. The Don's right hand man clatters against the steel crowd barrier. Meanwhile, in the ring, Tiger Claw sets about the Don with a series of kicks. He whips the Don into the ropes and hits a back heel kick. Don goes down and rolls from the ring to collect himself, but Claw throws himself out of the ring over the ropes onto his staggered opponent. Vinny Cappicola pulls Claw off the Don, and is met by a vicious chop to the throat. Vinny staggers backwards, clutching at his neck.] TD: That chop could collapse your trachea! The referee ought to disqualify Tiger Claw right there! SR: And of course it's Cappicola's job to start roughing up other wrestlers, is it, Dross? TD: Well, no... but he was defending Don Antonio, and... SR: [interrupting] And Tiger Claw was defending himself from that musclehead. Case closed. [The referee leaves the ring to check on Vinny, allowing Claw and Lau to enact a double-teaming plan. Claw holds Antonio captive while Lau sizes him up with the baseball bat. As he winds up to take a shot at the Don, Salvatore Fiorello grabs the bat and yanks it away from Lau. He brandishes it at the Syndicate's manager, who backs away. The Don wriggles free of Claw's grip and clotheslines the champ to the floor. Big pop as Don turns his attentions to Brian Lau. He is about to nail Lau when Claw hits him from behind. Claw rolls him back into the ring, and follows him in. On the outside, Fiorello keeps hold of the baseball bat and tests its weight in his hands.] SR: Fiorello had better not be getting any ideas. If he goes near Lau or Tiger Claw with that bat... TD: And I'm sure Lau had no intention of using something as innocuous as a baseball bat as a weapon, Steve. SR: Sarcasm just doesn't become you, Dross. [The referee follows the two athletes back into the ring. Claw drags the Don to his feet and tries to whip him into the ropes, but the Don reverses, and sends Claw for the ride. As Claw hits the ropes, Fiorello strikes Claw's back with the bat, and the Intercontinental Champion crumples into the ring! The Don quickly capitalises, hoisting Claw up above his head in position for a press slam. Big pop.] TD: What a power display from the Don! This is the setup for the new move he was describing earlier... this is the setup for Truth and Honor! [The Don bounces himself off the ropes, and then drops Claw down onto his extended knee in a spike backbreaker. Big pop! Don Antonio covers Claw, and the referee makes the count - 1 - 2 - 3! Ding! Ding! Ding! The crowd goes bezerk, and so does Brian Lau!] SR: No way! You can't try and tell me that the referee didn't see that blatant attack?! Truth and Honor?! This is the biggest miscarriage of justice I've ever seen in all my years in wrestling! TD: What a devastating move from Don Antonio! Unbelievable! He dropped Claw straight onto that knee... And what a victory! [The referee raises Don Antonio's arm in victory as the crowd continues to pop for the Family, who have crowded into the ring to celebrate with the Don. Sparkplug Lee begins to announce the decision:] SL: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner, and _NEW_ IIWF Intercontinental Champion: Do -- eerk! [Brian Lau snatches the microphone away from Lee and shouts at the official. The crowd jeers as the celebrations are broken up in the ring.] BL: Hold it! Hold it! You're not giving that title belt to this barbarian! Don Antonio could never have pinned Tiger Claw without cheating, and he, his useless manager Salvatore Spaghetti, and Winnie Cappucino, all know it! I demand you get another official out here! Salvatore Florentino struck Tiger Claw with that baseball bat as he was thrown into the ropes by Antonio. It was all a premeditated plan to rob the IIWF's greatest Intercontinental Champion of his title! Just typical of you dishonourable Westerners! And particularly you slimy, greasy-haired Italians... This is a travesty. Get another referee out here now! TD: I can't help but feel that Lau's being a crybaby here, Steve. I believe you often say, "live by the sword, and die by the sword." Well, Claw just got his head cut off right here, and now Lau's calling for the paramedics. It's too late! The referee's decision is final. This match is history! SR: You're kidding me, Dross, right?! There's no way that this decision can be allowed to stand... [Sure enough, another official makes his way down to the ring. He motions to the match referee that he was watching the match on a monitor backstage, and saw the offence. Don Antonio looks on in disbelief. He motions Cappicola to get him the title belt, and Vinny grabs it from the timekeeper's table. The Don slings the gold belt over his shoulder and starts heading up the aisle, Cappicola and Fiorello in tow. The match referee motions to Sparkplug Lee to make an announcement.] SL: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has informed me that the decision in this match _will_ stand! Therefore, we _do_ have a new Intercontinental Champion, Don Antonio! [Big pop! Antonio stops in the aisle and turns back to face the ring. He raises his arms to the crowd, who cheer him on. Sparkplug Lee waits for the pop to die down before continuing.] SL: However... the official has also informed me that in the interests of fair play and sportsmanship, the new champion must wrestle an immediate rematch with the former champion, Tiger Claw. [Big heel pop! Lau claps in satisfaction, and continues to tend to the groggy Tiger Claw. Don Antonio throws his hands down in disgust, and turns back towards the locker rooms. Seeing Antonio's retreat, the referee again instructs the ring announcer.] SL: If Don Antonio fails to return to the ring for the rematch, he will be stripped of the Intercontinental Championship, and it will be awarded back to Tiger Claw by default! [Huge heel pop. Antonio is clearly incensed at the top of the aisle. He shouts at Sal and Vinny, who are also stunned by the decision.] TD: I know the referees here in the IIWF have total power in matches to make binding decisions, but I must admit that I'm as stunned as the Family are about this... SR: Sure, Dross. You're just part of the racist conspiracy that exists here in the IIWF. You just want to rob men like Tiger Claw of any respect they might have. How humiliating, to be beaten like a dog with a baseball bat by a European mobster, in no way your equal... TD: You have such a wonderful way of twisting the truth, Steve. SR: Twisting, my ass! [Antonio continues to stand at the head of the aisle. Brian Lau snatches the microphone from the announcer once more and taunts the Don:] BL: Come on, you coward! Get back in here! Think about it -- if you get back into the ring, you at least have a chance of walking out with the gold at the end of the match. If you don't, you'll lose the title for certain. I know you and your ignorant, moronic Family -- and what a bunch of inbreds they are -- are yellow from head to toe... isn't it ironic? Tiger Claw may have skin of a different colour, but he has the heart of a tiger. He has a warrior soul. You have a criminal mind, and all you're interested in is serving yourself. Do you think your all-important fans will be able to respect you, knowing that you cheated to wear the title belt that you then lost by default? Come back in here and prove yourself against the best! [Throughout this speech, the Don has been getting more and more agitated. Sal and Vinny have been holding him back, but finally he pushes them away, runs down the aisle, and hits the ring like a tornado! The referee hurriedly signals for the bell to restart the match, and the crowd pops as the Don attacks Claw with a flurry of kicks and punches. Lau bails out of the ring as the action resumes.] TD: Lau was saying earlier on that Don Antonio knew how to push Tiger Claw's buttons, but I think we've seen here that Lau knows even better how to press the Don's buttons. He's like a house on fire in there! [The Don kicks Claw in the lower abdomen, and Claw is doubled over. The Don executes a piledriver on his opponent. Pop! He goes for a cover - 1 - 2 - Claw kicks out! The Don drags Claw to his feet and whips him into a corner. He follows him in and rocks him with a series of vicious European uppercuts. He then bulldogs Claw out into the centre of the ring and bounces off the ropes, dropping an elbow across his prone opponent. He goes for the cover again - 1 - 2 - kickout!] SR: Just look at Claw, Dross! He gets labeled with a baseball bat, and he can still get up from everything Don Antonio can throw at him! What physical condition he's in... phenomenal. TD: It looks to me like Claw is still feeling the effects of that bat shot. He's clinging on for dear life right now. [The Don again whips Claw into the ropes, and hits with a devastating clothesline, nearly taking Claw's head off. He applies a reverse chinlock on his opponent in the centre of the ring, but Claw refuses to submit. There is a buzz in the crowd as Casey James and Joe Latta appear at the top of the aisle in street clothing. They walk down to the ring to a big heel pop.] TD: Oh-oh! This is bad news for the Family -- and the referee! How can he hope to keep order with five people on the outside?! This could turn into a lumberjack match... SR: Brian Lau knows how to protect his interests, Dross. This is great! [Casey and Joe are immediately confronted by Vinny Cappicola, who muscles up to the two men. They attempt to push past him, but Vinny stands firm. Eventually, Blackheart and Latta tire of the blockade, and attack Cappicola, knocking him to the floor and putting the boots in. Meanwhile, the Don sees the carnage on the outside, and releases his hold on Claw. He leaps through the ropes and begins brawling with Joe Latta. The referee leaves the ring and tries to separate the melee, while Brian Lau sneaks up behind Sal and nails him, snatching the baseball bat back. He rams the bat into the back of Sal's knee, clipping him to the floor, before retreating back to the other side of the ring.] TD: That was despicable! Lau just nailed Sal in the knee with that bat! SR: Yeah, but it was Fiorello who threatened Lau with it first... TD: So that makes it okay to clip an ageing man's knee?! SR: Who needs an excuse anyway, Dross? [The brawl doesn't favour the spent Family, and Vinny and the Don soon find themselves flagging. Casey sends the Don clattering into the ringsteps, where he is intercepted by Tiger Claw. While the referee attempts to separate the warring factions outside the ring, Claw drags the Don into the ring and executes his knee fury on the exhausted Sicilian. Big heel pop as Lau throws the baseball bat into the ring. It is caught by Claw, who quickly kicks the groggy Don in the stomach, bending him double, and puts the bat under his torso, executing a powerbomb, using the bat to lift him. As the Don hits the mat, Claw continues to drive the bat into the Don's chest, and Antonio screams in pain. Claw throws the bat out of the ring and covers the Don... but the referee is still outside.] SR: I'm sure I heard one of the Don's bones snap! This is great! TD: Well, Antonio looks to be in a great deal of pain right now, and it's entirely possible that he could have broken a few ribs or cracked his sternum with a blow like that. Tiger Claw is simply brutal... Unbelievable. [Lau drags the referee away from the brawl, and orders Casey and Latta to leave Vinny alone. Cappicola is battered and exhausted, and leans up on the apron as the referee reenters the ring and counts the cover on Antonio - 1 -- 2 -- 3! Ding! Ding! Ding! Huge heel pop!] SR: Yes! Brian Lau's done it! TD: No! No! [Brian Lau grabs the belt from the timekeeper's table and leaps into the ring, joined by Casey and Latta. He straps the gold back around the waist of Tiger Claw and raises his man's arm.] SL: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner, and _NEW_ IIWF Intercontinental Champion: Tiger Claw! TD: I can't believe it! [Trash is hurled into the ring at the Syndicate as the Man Of Steel dashes down the aisle. Lau instructs his men to bail out as Steel tends to Cappicola and Sal on the outside before turning his attentions to the Don in the ring. Lau and his trio head up the aisle, patting each other on the back. Lau turns back to face the ring, and raises the baseball bat aloft. All four men laugh before continuing back to the locker room area, ignoring the projectiles hurled by the angry crowd.] TD: I'm disgusted by the Syndicate's actions, but I'm worried for the condition of Don Antonio... He's not moved, and he's still yelling out in pain. I think some damage has been done here, folks. SR: Who cares?! Of course, you know what this means, don't you, Dross? Tiger Claw is now a _three_ times Intercontinental Champion! Isn't that great? TD: This goes far beyond titles, Steve. The Syndicate have tried to end the career of somebody here tonight. SR: They say everybody's entitled to fifteen minutes of fame... well, Don Antonio had his fifteen seconds as Intercontinental Champion, and I hope he enjoyed it, because he'll never wear that title around his waist again. TD: Will you stop?! [A stretcher team comes to ringside and examines the Don in the ring. After a few moments, they carefully lift the Don onto the stretcher. Vinny helps Sal to his feet, and the manager appears to be unscathed. The two men look on concernedly as the Don is wheeled up the aisle on the stretcher to a big pop from the crowd. Gradually, the noise in the arena dies down.] TD: We'll try to bring you an update on the condition of Don Antonio before the end of the show tonight, folks... What a turn of events. I'm still in shock. SR: Get over it, Dross! Order was restored -- Tiger Claw took back what is rightfully his. What more is there to know?! [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 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+