##### ###### ### ########## ########## ########## #### ## ########## ########## ########## #### # #### ######## ##### ##### #### ## ##### #### #### #### #### ### #### #### #### #### ############# ######### #### #### ########### ######### #### #### #### #### #### ######### ######### ### #### #### ######### ######### ### ## #### ######## ######## ## # #### =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ## =-=-=-= INTERNATIONAL INTERNET WRESTLING FEDERATION =============================================== W + E + D + N + E + S + D + A + Y W + A + R R + O + O + M ----------------------------------------------- + 30 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 once more to the War Room! I'm Tim Dross, and over the next sixty minutes, I'll be bringing you news on all the latest developments here in the IIWF, including the regular midweek house show card in the IIWF Coliseum, the last before Birthday Bash. Next week, War Room will be replaced by a special show -- the Inaugural IIWF Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. No official word as yet on just who will be honoured with being the first inductee into the Hall of Fame, but IIWF superstars past and present will be on hand on the day of the IIWF's first birthday to commemorate the achievements of one or two individuals who are no longer with us. And then, just three days later, we'll be coming back at you from the IIWF Coliseum with an incredible pay-per-view lineup... [Dross turns to face another camera. The shot cuts to follow him.] But back to tonight, as the IIWF superstars continue to limber up for Birthday Bash, which promises to be one of the most intense events the IIWF has ever seen. This is what you have to look forward to over the course of the next hour: [Footage of earlier action rolls on the video wall behind the desk: powerfully-built newcomer Scott Rogers makes his way down the aisle, slapping hinds with those fans who reach out to him.] I'll have details of the debut of a new IIWF superstar, Scott Rogers, who had a few words for the fans of the IIWF after his match. [Footage of "Sychosys" Joe Petrow bringing an official IIWF replica Requiem guitar crashing down on Steve Kowalski's head.] The war between Steve Kowalski and Joe Petrow continues -- and tonight, fans were treated to a preview of what we can expect at Birthday Bash next Saturday. [Footage of the Dark Disciples running to the ring carrying clubs.] Former IIWF World Tag Team Champions, the Dark Disciples, have gone right over the edge following the announcement that Pain Inc. have joined the Syndicate -- and the W & W Express were on the receiving end of their discontent tonight. [Footage of Mr. Damage being knocked to the mat by a dropkick from the top rope from Derek Mota.] Derek Mota made an attempt to end Mr. Damage's unbeaten streak tonight -- did he succeed? I'll tell you. [Footage of Otto Verhoeven and Lord Byron blasting Tony Starks with a steel chair.] Tony Starks may have been getting the last laugh on enemy Otto Verhoeven recently, but that all ended tonight when Starks faced Ike Sampson. I'll have more on that situation. [The IIWF logo fades back onto the video wall.] All that and a whole lot more action to come right here tonight, folks. So without further ado, let's get straight to it, starting with the debut of Scott Rogers: [Images of the wrestlers and their stats roll onto the video wall:] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Scott Rogers vs. Barnacle Brother Bluto 297lbs, 6'7" 250lbs, 6'0" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Scott Rogers is a name we'll be hearing a lot more of in the weeks to come. Larry and Becky will formally introduce him on Friday, but fans in the IIWF Coliseum had a good look at him in the ring tonight, and they were impressed with what they saw. Rogers is a powerful athlete, as evidenced by his muscular physique. He blasted Bluto with high-impact moves, including an impressive crucifix slam and a gutwrench powerbomb. The end came when Rogers placed Bluto on the top rope and hit an incredible belly-to-back superplex for the pinfall. After the match, my broadcast colleague, Larry Morton, stepped into the ring to speak with this newcomer: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." Larry Morton steps between the ropes with a microphone. Rogers climbs down from the mid-buckle and his rock music fades as Morton approaches the victorious debutant.] LM: Scott, first off, welcome to the IIWF. (Morton extends his hand. Rogers accepts.) SR: Well you know Larry it's just great to be here. [Big crowd pop] I'm finally in what I believe has been called the finest wrestling federation in the world, and there's no way I'm gonna give it anythin' less than my best shot. If it ain't enough, I'll have to hold my head high and apologise to these great fans [Rogers points around the arena to a face pop] but I just know that with their support I'll take on the best there is, and beat 'em. [Another big face pop.] LM: Well, Scott, you seem to have quite a rapport with these fans. SR: It ain't difficult, Larry. These people are like a tag partner to me. I feel it's my duty to dedicate my work to them. It's like a vicious circle that ain't so vicious after all! The more they cheer me, the better I do, and the better I do, the more they cheer me. Ain't that right? [Another big pop!] LM: You had an easy win out here against Bluto just a few moments ago, but what next? SR: Well Larry, I gotta find my feet before anything else. I gotta check out the competition, and then I'll tell ya what's next. Geez, I'm a bit overwhelmed right now, to be honest with ya. I never wrestled in front of more than a couple hundred of these fine people before. The feeling when I walked up the aisle just now and the fans realised I was on their side -- well, it's the best feelin' in the world, Larry, and, believe me, I've experienced a _number_ of great feelings. [Embarrassed fan reaction culminating in a big pop. A blonde in the front row shouts "I'll bet I could top it, stud!" and as security begin to cart her off, Scott exits the ring by climbing over the top rope and kisses her hand. She starts screaming and is completely restrained. Scott signs some autographs and poses for photos with the fans. Cut back to the studio.] TD: There you have it, folks. Rogers is a star with a great deal of talent. Only time will tell if this young lion can make it here in the mighty IIWF. [WINNER: Scott Rogers by pinfall in 3:57.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Tiger Claw vs. Majestic Maurice McArthur 220lbs, 6'2" 230lbs, 6'1" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: While Casey James continues to retain an apparently unbreakable grip on the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship, the man who has won more titles than any other in the IIWF, Tiger Claw, remains beltless. Perhaps the fact that in recent months he has once more become preoccupied with the Subway Psycho is the cause of his fall from title contention, but in the ring tonight against Triple M, Claw showed exactly why he is regarded as the greatest IIWF Intercontinental Champion of all time. He battered Triple M with his thai boxing assault from bell to bell, finishing him off with what is undoubtedly one of the most devastating finishing manoeuvres in the whole IIWF, the flying knee drop from the top buckle known as the Golden Tiger Strike. After the match, Claw went to his corner and started putting on his canvas handwraps, while Brian Lau entered the ring and began applying eyeblack to Triple M's face. What followed was a brutal assault too graphic to show here tonight -- but suffice it to say that I have not seen such rage from Tiger Claw for some time. It was perhaps fortunate that the Subway Psycho himself, at whom this little display was undoubtedly aimed, was not in the Coliseum tonight... but even so, it took IIWF security staff some time to drag Claw from the ring and end the assault. A semi-conscious McArthur was then stretchered from the ring. Don't forget, folks -- this Saturday Night, Claw and Casey James will team up to face their Birthday Bash opponents, the Psycho and Chris Quigley. I wouldn't want to miss that match for anything. [WINNER: Tiger Claw by pinfall in 6:18.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Nightwing vs. El Super Gecko 235lbs, 6'3" 220lbs, 6'1" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Native American Nightwing is headed for a big match this Saturday Night against former Intercontinental Champion Marty Warnett, and tonight, accompanied to the ring by the Highwayman, he was given the opportunity to test his current form against El Super Gecko. Nightwing made short work of the lizard, hitting him with trademark tomahawk chops, as well as his aerial assault of flying dropkicks, hurricaranas, and even leaped all the way from the top rope to the outside with an incredible splash onto a stunned lizard. The end came when Nightwing hit his patented "Totem Drop". He suplexed the Gecko from the top rope, retaining his balance, and then leaped down onto his felled opponent with a reverse moonsault for the pin, after which he helped the Gecko to his feet and shook his hand in a show of sportsmanship. A great performance from Nightwing tonight, but will it be so easy against Marty Warnett this Saturday Night? [WINNER: Nightwing by pinfall in 5:28.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven vs. Jumpin' Jack 340lbs, 6'8" 250lbs, 6'1" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Otto Verhoeven, accompanied to the ring by Nurse Heidi and his partner in the European Alliance, IIWF Intercontinental Champion and ESWP European Champion, Lord Byron, is clearly in no mood to be messed around with following his shocking defeat at the hands of Duncan Macbeth on Saturday Night. Tonight he decimated Jumpin' Jack in record time, blasting him with not one Slaughterslam, not two -- but three. Jack was out cold after the assault, and Verhoeven, who has been questioning his self-assurance in the light of his recent slippage, quickly left ringside, as if to say that beating opponents like Jumpin' Jack proved nothing. But Verhoeven and Byron would certainly prove a point later in the evening... about which more later. [WINNER: Otto Verhoeven by pinfall in 1:44.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "Sycohsys" Joe Petrow vs. Bobby B. Goode 227lbs, 6'3" 240lbs, 6'1" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: The scheduled match between Joe Petrow and Bobby B. Goode never actually took place -- instead, fans saw yet another chapter in the seemingly endless war between "Sychosys" and Steve "the Fury" Kowalski. As Goode made his way to the ring, Petrow jumped him from behind and bulldogged him to the floor, laying him out cold. What followed is largely too graphic to show on this programme, but here are some edited highlights... or should that be lowlights? [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." The Sychopaths go wild as Petrow picks himself up in the aisle and makes his way down to the ring, grabbing the house mic before stepping into the squared circle. He waits for the noise to die down before speaking:] JP: Hey, Kowalski! Hey, Doughboy!  Yeah, I know you're back there somewhere, you're too paranoid to let me outta your sights for a second!  It seems that I need a new opponent now, this last one couldn't make it to the ring without keeling over! I don't care if it's Wednesday, you get your 239 1/2 pound ass out here to get pumped! [The screen flashes. Kowalski is shown making his way down the aisle. He stops at the head of the aisle, hands on hips, and the microphone on the camera picks up his comments:] SK: Okay, mother[BLEEP]er! My afternoon's free to kick some ass! Let's dance! I'll lead! [With that, Kowalski dashes down the ring and a huge brawl between the two men begins. It immediately spills out to ringside, where Petrow grabs a jet-black replica Requiem guitar from a Sychopath in the front row, and proceeds to beat Kowalski with it, finally bringing it crashing down on Kowalski's head, snapping the guitar away from the neck. Kowalski goes down. The screen flashes again. Now Kowalski is in control. He grabs a Creed t-shirt from a ringside Fury and throws it in the staggered Petrow's face, and then grabs an umbrella from another fan. He beats "Sychosys" with the umbrella, and stabs at him with the sharp metal pointed end, opening up a wound in his torso. The screen flashes. Security are shown trying to keep Kowalski and Petrow apart as they drag them back towards the locker room. Cut back to the studio.] TD: What a wild brawl it was. Don't forget, folks, the use of objects taken from the crowd will be perfectly legal in the "Birthday Bash" match between these two men next Saturday night, May 10. It's sure to be an unforgettable match. [Match ruled a NO CONTEST.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ike Sampson vs. Tony Starks 304lbs, 6'6" 269lbs, 6'6" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Tony Starks has reawakened the beast in the Butcher with his recent actions, and that was certainly evidenced by the turn of events in this match between the brawny newcomer, Ike Sampson, and the Staten Island Sensation. Starks strategy going into the match was clear: at a weight disadvantage, he knew that the way to beat Sampson was to eliminate his impressive upper body strength, and that strategy seemed to be working well in the early going. Starks used his knowledge of leverage holds to keep Sampson grounded and away from his power base, but the appearance of Lord Byron at ringside distracted Starks sufficiently for Sampson to knock him over the ropes to the outside. At that moment, Byron leaped to the apron, distracting both Sampson and the referee, allowing Otto Verhoeven to leap out of the crowd and blast Starks with a steel chair before rolling him back into the ring and returning to the crowd. Sampson eventually nailed Byron to knock him from the apron, and he then turned back to Starks, who was laid out on the mat. Although he hesitated, eventually, the desire for victory was too strong, and Sampson hit Starks with his "Deep Freeze" underhook piledriver for the pinfall victory. After the match, the European Alliance stormed the ring again, beating down both Starks and Sampson. The Butcher was completely unhinged, yelling in Starks' face in between stiff blows with his fists, feet, and a steel chair. Sampson was jumped from behind by Byron, who laid him out with his brass-topped cane, and the European Alliance appeared to be in control -- until Creed charged down from the locker room and cleared the ring. The crowd went crazy as the red-gloved rookie first knocked Verhoeven from the ring with a clothesline, and then grabbed a retreating Byron, hitting him with that incredible torque-based whirling chokeslam. Verhoeven rolled the stunned Byron out of the ring as security poured down the aisle to defuse the situation. This Saturday Night, Creed and Starks will team to face Verhoeven and Byron -- but the question has to be asked: what kind of shape will Starks be in following the brutal assault to which he was subjected tonight? Time will tell. [WINNER: Ike Sampson by pinfall in 17:33.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W & W EXPRESS vs. THE LAST RESORT Doug Wayne & Clark Watson El Diablo & Masked Avenger comb. 500lbs comb. 515lbs =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: The W & W Express and the Last Resort are the two unknown factors in the tag division of the IIWF. Doug Wayne and Clark Watson have been plugging away for several months now, and they've been steadily rising up the rankings. Meanwhile, the masked duo of El Diablo and the somewhat green Masked Avenger have been flourishing under the guidance of Mr. Friday, and have pulled off two stunning upsets since arriving in the IIWF a few weeks ago. Tonight, these two dark horse teams clashed in the ring, and the Resort had a few comments for their opponents before the bell: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." Mr. Friday and the Last Resort stand in the IIWF interview area.] MF: I'm so proud of my boys. I never dreamed that we would have had such a good start here in the IIWF, three for nothing, and you know what my boys can only get better. ED: Is very good, no? Just look at teams we beat High Plains Drifters and Night Patrol you not find many better teams. So we very proud of what we achieve so far. MA: So next we have to face up against a couple of no good beach bums who go by the name of W & W Express -- excess, more like! Ha! It's gonna be like a stroll in the park. [El Diablo shakes his head.] MF: Now what have I told you about respecting everyone you face in the ring N... Avenger? That way you're not going to underestimate them and get yourselves beat. MA: But you said yourself that we can only get better... MF: I thought that you would have at least learned something from your experiences, Avenger. MA: I have, but so will W & W Express, when they're on the recieving end of my new move. ED: No, not yet, is not ready for that yet... [Cut back to the studio.] TD: And as it happened, it was the Avenger's new move that cost the Resort their fourth successive victory here in the IIWF. Mr. Friday's partnership came to the ring to the theme from "Hawaii Five-O" and the Avenger, as usual, started off the match. However, although an early rally had Watson rocked, the Avenger blew a dropkick attempt as Watson came off the ropes, and the "Beach Bum" was able to tag in Wayne, who began to wear the Avenger down. The Express used numerous double-team manoeuvres on the rookie, but couldn't put him away. Eventually, one double-team backfired, and the Avenger was able to make the hot tag to El Diablo, who cleared house. After a few minutes, the Avenger reentered the ring and hit a stunning enzuigiri on Wayne, laying him out. He then climbed to the top rope and hit him with a moonsault, but then failed to make the cover. As El Diablo looked on, shaking his head in disapproval, the Avenger once more climbed to the top, and then attempted what looked like a Starsault Press, the phenomenal flying somersault bodypress made famous by the "Enigma" Takezo Musashi -- but messed up the move and landed badly, missing Wayne completely, who was then able to make the tag to Watson. From there, it was simply a formality for the Express to get the pinfall. After the match, however, the Express were given little time to celebrate -- and indeed, the Last Resort were given little time to comiserate -- as the Dark Disciples charged down to the ring carrying a couple of heavy, medieval style clubs, with which they proceeded to attack the victorious Express. After knocking both El Diablo and the Avenger from the ring, Kane grabbed a microphone, and yelled out: "There's no room on the Dark Disciples' turf for a couple of maggot brained hippie drifters!" With that, the Disciples made their way back to the locker room to the jeers of the crowd, and the Last Resort helped the injured W & W Express from the ring. The Dark Disciples have snapped, folks -- there's no telling who might be the next targets on their course of destruction. [WINNERS: W & W Express by pinfall in 12:32.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Serge Annis vs. Chris Herforth 293lbs, 6'8" 220lbs, 6'0" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Serge Annis has been conspicuous by his silence in recent weeks, and I have finally discovered what has been keeping him so occupied that he's hardly made a whisper in the IIWF since Ring Wars III. Annis has been involved in a blood feud with a wrestler by the name of Youth Gone Wild in another federation, culminating in a wild brawl at an event last weekend. Annis, still sore from the beating he took in that hard-fought victory, is now ready to commit himself to the IIWF once more... Let's hear from him, and his opponent tonight, Chris Herforth: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier This Week." The screen is black. A little white dot fades into the center of the screen. The dot gets bigger slowly as if it were the light at the end of a tunnel. A voice laughs. The light gets bigger, and brighter. The voice laughs again. Finaly, the light engulfs the whole screen. The screen then drops to black. The camera pulls out, revealing the blackness to be the pupil of an eye. The eye stares into the camera. It is icy blue. A voice is heard.] VO: Ha ha ha... look into my eyes. What do you see? What do you see when you look into the eyes of a mad man? The eyes are the window to the soul. Look close... look very close and see... see into the soul of Serge Annis... ha ha ha! [The camera zooms straight into the pupil of the eye again. The screen is engulfed in black, and then into a black and white shot of an empty IIWF arena, with the ring set up. Serge Annis stands in the ring, by the ropes. The camera pans up to him. Annis looks around the arena, all the while blurting out the following. He does it to a sort of rhymthic beat.] SA: Silence is a brutal weapon... emotion is a plea for help... No help is necessary... you are all alone... evil... feel warmth in the fire... evil... destroy all that oppose your darkness... evil... your darkness is greater than any other... brighter than light... yet darker than death... [Annis looks into his hands, and he pulls out his gold Zippo lighter. He lights the lighter and he stares into the flame.] That is what goes on inside the mind of so-called mad man. Those are the thoughts that run through my head every day. They are those which fill me with ice cold hatred. They are adapted from a sheer hatred for living... for life. Not many know of the real Serge Annis... and it shall stay that way. All that is needed to be known is this: these flames represent the only thing in life I could ever possibly enjoy... for those fools who think I'm a psychopath who happens to be a pyromaniac -- give me more credit than that! [Annis closes the lighter and stares straight into the camera.] SA: I have been... shall we say... silent for the past few weeks... at least here in IIWF. There are several reasons for my not being vocal... but perhaps the biggest reason of all was Youth Gone Wild... a wrestler whom not many of you have been acquainted with. Wild had taken up my time... so I could learn him. So I could follow him. So I could understand him, and some say stalk him. But on Saturday night, it all came to an end. The countless days of preparation paid off, and Youth Gone Wild is nothing more than a blemish on the staircase where I chokeslammed him, and received the victory. Now, Youth Gone Wild is merely a memory, and I can now focus on where I need to look. The IIWF sees me as being some psychotic pyromaniac that cannot get the job done. Well, I have tried to prove against that by challenging four men. White Phoenix... Deathbringer... Requiem... and Highwayman. Oddly enough, none even answered the challenge of Serge Annis. Out of fear? I only assume so as I cannot talk for them. But the fact that stems from this challenge is that people are afraid of Serge Annis. But you will never see why, because time is taken to whatever the hell the likes of Chris Quigley, or anyone along those lines, are doing this week. People like myself are left behind. Well, no more. I soon have a match with one Chris Herforth... the former Chesire... HA HA HA HA! [Annis looks to the ceiling as he laughs.] Where is he? Where is the devilish grin the invisible cat wears? Where are the fancy jokes, where are the striped pussy cats, and WHERE ARE YOU, HERFORTH? IF YOU THINK FOR ONE DAMN SECOND THAT A NAME CHANGE WILL HELP YOU OVER SERGE ANNIS, you are dead wrong. I see that you've been thinking about your past sins and deeds... Well, they don't matter. NOTHING like that matters to Serge Annis. Herforth, you and I shall do battle, and I shall rise above you like none before. Look at me... look at this monster of a man... Herforth, your claw is deadly. Well, I shall declaw the cat, so to speak, for you are getting that hold NOWHERE on me! Look into my eyes, Chris Herforth, and feel the burn of my rage, and the sting of my strike... he he he... I shall see you soon, oh grinning cat! I shall send you back to your circus... and I'll even help you with your acrobats... [The camera pans back into his eyes.] ...AS I LAUNCH YOU THROUGH THE AIR LIKE THE BEENIE BABY YOU ARE! I am the Epitome of Evil, Herforth... and I think now is a good time to show why. Ha ha ha! [As Annis laughs, the camera zooms backward revealing the dark tunnel again. The light however gets farther and farther away. Serge is still heard laughing as the camera fades to black. The screen spins, and cuts to Chris Herforth, wearing his new ring attire. He and Doctor Hinterhalt are sitting in the locker room in front of a TV set, watching Countdown to Saturday Night from March 14th. It's the scene where Serge Annis is kneeling an a tombstone. The volume is switched off. Actually it's only Herforth who's watching, while Hinterhalt seems to be occupied with his notes.] CH: Man, look at those eyes. It's scary enough to watch that guy _outside_ the ring, and I have to meet him _in_ the ring tonight. Hey, Doc, look at those eyes. Can you see the fire? That guy is downright mad. DH: There is no reason for me to take a closer inspection of the "mirrors to his soul". It is an undeniable fact that he is a necrophilic psychopath. CH: Uh, yeah, right. Stomping _him_ into the mat will show the world that I am more than just a retired clown, "the athlete formerly known as Cheshire". They will read it in the eyes of that monster, when they roll up in the moment he falls unconscious under the pain of the Humorizer. [Cut back to the studio.] TD: Fans, here are two men whose IIWF careers have been on the slide, two men who sought victory to redeem themselves in their own eyes. However, only one man could come away with his hand raised, and tonight, it was Chris Herforth. Herforth weathered the early storm from Annis, who took the match outside the ring and blasted his opponent with various illegal objects and rule-breaking tactics, but Herforth used his superior speed and agility -- as well as his remarkable tolerance to pain -- to stay in the match. Annis deliberately targeted Herforth's hands, as the Highwayman did so effectively last weekend, in an effort to disable the threat of the Humorizer mandible claw, but Annis didn't count on Herforth pulling out the victory in a completely different way. In the end, Herforth scored a shock pinfall after a jumping DDT, although Annis managed to get his foot on the bottom rope, the referee didn't see, and despite his protestations, it was decided that the result would stand. Annis attempted to attack Herforth after the match, but Hinterhalt and his charge made a quick exit, evading a further beating. [WINNER: Chris Herforth by pinfall in 15:33.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Mad Dog Watkins vs. "Real Deal" Luke Steele 269lbs, 6'5" 275lbs, 6'4" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Luke Steele humiliated both Mad Dog Watkins and Brody Thunder some ten days ago by muzzling them at the climax of his match with Watkins. Tonight, he had to be prepared for Watkins to go looking for vengeance, and as he told Steve Summer, he was ready to go down fighting: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier This Week." Fade up to a midsized loft apartment, situated in downtown New York City. It's Luke Steele's home, and he's invited Steve Summer and an IIWF ENG crew over for an interview.] SS: Hey there IIWF fans, I'm Steve Summer and I'm here at the home of the Real Deal, Luke Steele.  Luke, you asked for this interview specifically. Why is that? LS: I wanted to meet the man who's [slips into a bad hispanic accent]... taking over!  I mean... take a look... at you. [Steele and Summer both chuckle, and Steve composes himself before trying again.] SS: Seriously though, why did you want this interview? LS: I've been in the IIWF since December, and I'd yet to be interviewed by a journalist. SS: What about Becky LaRue, and LaRue's Lair? LS: I said a journalist, Steve.  No, I just wanted to establish myself a little before I spoke out, and I think after all this mess with Paris and Shakespeare, the fans deserve to see what the real Luke Steele is all about. SS: I noticed you didn't greet everyone with "baby doll".  That's probably the one thing that fans have come to recognize about you outside of the ring, your brash attitude about being the "real deal". LS: That's because I'm at home, Steve. Out on the road, in the arenas, at the events, Luke Steele is the Real Deal.  He has to be, otherwise he's just another Maurice McArthur.  No offense, Triple M.  But here, I'm just Luke Steele, a regular guy.  I don't have to proclaim myself the best, I can just relax.  That's why I consider New York my second hometown, after Cleveland of course. SS: Well, what about Ronnie Paris?  You and he had been at each other's throats for months, you finally meet in the ring and lose to him when your cornerman, Spur, throws in your towel.  Do you want a rematch with Ronnie? LS: Naturally, my first inclination is to climb right into that ring and call him on the first chance I get.  But then I take a look at the rankings, and I'm down near the bottom, along with Ronnie and a guy like Serge Annis.  Yes, Serge is the devil incarnate, and yes Ronnie and I don't get along, but I think at least in Ronnie and my cases, we've allowed our dislike from one another to cloud our objectives. SS: What is that objective, if I may ask? LS: To climb the rankings and eventually get in line for title shots, proving ourselves to be the best.  Of course I'm just assuming this is the way Paris feels, knowing how intense he can get.  Myself though, I'm through with letting my temper rule my actions.  Spur, Shakespeare, whoever you are, you'll get yours soon enough.  Paris was able to beat you, and if we ever meet, I shall do the same.  As for right now, there's two men I'm focusing on -- Mad Dog Watkins and Chris Herforth. SS: That brings up a good point.  Two weeks ago on Saturday Night you embarrassed both Mad Dog and Brody Thunder by nailing them with chairs and slipping muzzles over them.  They've each vowed revenge, how do you plan to avoid payback?  At least, payback from Brody outside of the match? LS: Well, it is true, most people think that it was my temper that went off as usual.  This wasn't the case.  I know the score between the two of them, and I brought them out ahead of time before the match just in case they started to go at it and cost me the match.  As it turned out I got the win, but I still didn't get that clean win.  I was told to "buzz off", to put it politely, when I told them to wait until the match was over to settle things.  That's when I decided to make them take notice and muzzled them. SS: It was definitely one of the highlights of my week, that's for sure. But still, you must be concerned with retribution from both of them. LS: Sure, I'm expecting Mad Dog to go at me with fire in his eyes, and as sure as the grass is green Brody will make an appearance too.  I'm telling you and everyone else right here Steve, Luke Steele will not go down without a fight.  I'm also saying right here that Luke Steele will not, I repeat, not use foreign objects against those two.  If they decide to come after me, then the only weapon I'll use is my speed, strength, and courage. SS: That's a tall order to live up to, Luke. Are you sure you want to do this? LS: I know it sounds like a suicide mission, but I'm not the type to normally swing a chair and I aim to reclaim my reputation as a fair man. SS: Your schedule also includes a match with Chris Herforth, the former Cheshire.  If you do in fact beat Mad Dog, what strategy will you employ against your second challenger? LS: That's tough to answer, Steve. I have to admit Chris Herforth hasn't exactly been high on my priorities lately.  I'm not all that familiar with his style of wrestling, but then again I doubt he's been keeping tabs on me.  I will have a chance to watch him in action Wednesday night, against probably the most underrated man in the IIWF, Serge Annis.  Chris, if you get past the Epitome, I'll see you in the ring. SS: Any final comments for the IIWF? LS: Yep, if anyone says my home is right out of "Friends", I'll take you out!  And that means you, Paris! [Luke grins]  Just kidding.  All I want to say is that I have an open contract, so whoever wants a piece of Luke Steele, come on down. SS: Thanks, Luke. This is Steve Summer signing off. [The camera fades out while the theme from "Friends" plays softly in the background. Cut back to the studio.] TD: Watkins came down to the ring carrying the muzzle that Steele had strapped on him a couple of weeks ago, clearly intending to teach the "Real Deal" a lesson. As it happened, Steele proved no pushover for Watkins, and the two had a fiercely-contested match for some ten minutes -- at which point, Brody Thunder made his way down to the ring, also carrying the muzzle strapped on him by Steele that fateful Saturday Night. Surprising many, Thunder was tonight instrumental in handing Watkins a victory: as the Mad Dog distracted the official, Thunder nailed Steele with a set of brass knuckles, laying him out and allowing Watkins to execute the "Every Dog Has His Day" Samoan drop on Steele for the pinfall. As soon as the bell rang, Thunder leaped into the ring and joined with Watkins in beating on the helpless Steele, until security stormed down to the ring and separated the two men, who seemed to show respect for one another by not taking pot shots at each other. However, all that respect will be thrown out of the window at Birthday Bash when they lock up for what may be the last time. [WINNER: Mad Dog Watkins by pinfall in 13:52.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Derek Mota vs. Mr. Damage 224lbs, 5'10" 245lbs, 6'3" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TD: Tonight, impressive newcomer Derek Mota met Mr. Damage, the Antipodean athlete with an attitude who has yet to be beaten in 1997. Each men was adamant that tonight would be his night: [Cut to footage subtitled, "Earlier Tonight." Mr. Damage stands in the IIWF interview area in his ring attire.] MD: Tonight, I will meet for the first time Derek Mota. What a striking young man he is! Mota, you have a lot going for you... Let's see, you're young, fit, handsome to such a degree that you have to beat women off with a stick, you're in the greatest promotion in the known world, the mighty IIWF, all this up until now, and at your age! I bet your parents are real proud. You have so much to live for, the scales are quite easily balanced in your favour... then on the other side of the scales is me, Mr. Damage. After this match tonight the little fairy tale that you have been living in up until now will crash down and become reality, the scales will be tipped in my favour and I will be reaping all the rewards. I am not going to lose to a little upstart and it looks to me after Saturday's effort you will be looking over your shoulder all night, so I might not even have to beat you up -- someone might do that for me. And believe me, if I do have to lay a finger on you, you WILL be sorry, and you will become another name in a long line of others. ["I Hate People" by the New Bomb Turks can be heard starting up over the arena PA as Damage walks out of the frame and towards the ring. The screen spins and cuts to the IIWF locker room, where Derek Mota is making last minute preparations for his match with Mr. Damage. Mota is putting on his kneepads as he looks up at the camera:] DM: What's in a name? [Mota straightens himself out and begins stretching.] DM: It's your first impression.  And what do I see here?  I see a man who's afraid to stand behind his name.  Mr. Damage, I ain't afraid to put my name in front of everything I do, because Derek Mota is a real person.  So you can hide behind your made up name and your paper streak, I'm gonna show you and the world why I'm the man to look out for at Birthday Bash.  Just ask Randy Acorn... oh yeah, he ain't around no more [Derek grins].  Take it from me, Damage ... [The camera zooms in on Derek Mota's face and his intensity level rises drastically.] DM: The streak ends tonight. [Cut back to the studio.] TD: In fact, Mr. Damage's streak didn't end tonight. Damage walked out with a countout victory over Mota when both Duncan Macbeth and Ike Sampson came down to ringside over the course of the match. Mota hit his increasingly familiar high-impact high-flying offense, taking Mr. Damage by surprise in the early going, but the tough Aussie was taking no prisoners, and weathered the storm to rally strongly. However, Mota's focus seemed to be broken by the arrival of Macbeth and Sampson, and while his fellow recent arrivals squared up to one another on the outside, Mota took it upon himself to launch himself out of the ring with a springboard plancha, leaping to the middle of the top rope and then to the outside, knocking both Macbeth and Sampson off their feet. From there, it was a repeat performance of last Saturday night's wild brawl, with the three men eventually separated by security. These three young athletes will apparently go to any lengths to prove themselves as superior to one another -- and it will all come to a head at Birthday Bash, in just ten days' time. [WINNER: Mr. Damage by countout in 19:22.] [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: Well, folks, that's just about it for tonight. Don't forget to tune in tomorrow night for another of Steve Roberts' trips into the archives with "IIWF Classics", and my broadcast colleagues Larry Morton and Becky LaRue will be here on Friday with "Countdown to Saturday Night." Then on Saturday Night, two more hours of the most incredible wrestling action in the world will be coming your way, featuring two incredible tag team matches: Subway Psycho and Chris Quigley team to face Casey James and Tiger Claw; while Tony Starks partners Creed to battle the European Alliance. On top of that, we'll see Cold Spell and the Harlequins duke it out for a shot at the United States Tag Team Championship at Birthday Bash, and Steve Kowalski gets a shot at the Cruiserweight Championship currently held by the White Phoenix... It could be another chaotic night in the Coliseum this Saturday -- don't miss a moment of the action. Until then, 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 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+