________ ______ __ ____ ___ __ . _ ___ | || |\ \ /\ / /| __| / /\ | | || \| \ /\ \ / |\ || / \| | | | || | \ v v / | __| \__ /__\ | | ||__/| |/__\ v | \||| __|-| | |_||_| \_/\_/ |_| \ \| v | \|__/ \| | || \_|| | | __________________________/...hour two...\........|...|.......|....| LIVE! IIWF Coliseum, Portland, Oregon 18 April 1998 [The graphics fade through to interior shots of the jam-packed IIWF Coliseum, the sea of fans cheering and waving their signs as a volley of fireworks erupts in the rafters high above the ring. The shot pans down past row upon row of excited faces, coming to rest on the squared circle as the lights rise. In the centre of the ring stands Tim Dross, who clutches a microphone. He waits for the crowd noise to die down, and then raises the mic to his mouth:] TD: Ladies and gentleman, it's now time to introduce to you a man whom you all know as a former IIWF World Heavyweight Champion. He has been a competitor in the IIWF ever since its first event nearly two years ago and he has been involved in some great, impressive feuds with all-time superstars like Dan Kauffman, Otto Verhoeven and Requiem... Tonight he's here to answer a few questions concerning the events we all had to witness on last week's editon of IIWF Saturday Night. So now, would you please welcome, the Dark Destroyer himself, DEATHBRINGER! [Mixed pop, as a single red spotlight picks out the Blind Guardian, who's wearing his usual attire and holding Deathbringer's scythe in his right hand. The old man slowly approaches the ring, ignoring the few fans who are holding out their hands towards him. He finally climbs up the steps to the squared circle, enters the ring and raises the scythe high into the air, causing another big mixed pop from the crowd. The Guardian then moves over to Dross, extending a hand to him, which Dross, who at the same time is still looking towards the head of the aisle, shakes.] TD: Blind Guardian, it's a pleasure to have you here, but may I ask where the Deathbringer is? BG: He ain't here, Dross, and that's it. But of course I'll be willing to answer _all_ of your questions. TD: [confused] Well, all right then. Blind Guardian, there are always many questions which _I_ would like to ask the wrestlers and the managers here in the IIWF, but currently there's one question which, I'm sure, almost _anyone_ here in the arena would like to ask you: what was the -- excuse my words -- despicable display, the Deathbringer put up last week, good for? What was it in aid of? [Meanwhile, the video wall shows footage of last week's edition of IIWF Saturday Night, showing the Deathbringer pull out four wrestlers and helping in eliminating a fifth. The scene then shows Deathbringer executing the Burial on Chris Staley from a number of different angles. The Blind Guardian smirks, as Dross reaches the microphone over to him and begins to laugh out aloud as he takes it.] BG: Despicable display... Nicely chosen words, Dross. What ya all saw here on last week's edition of Saturday Night wasn't a despicable display. It was an unnecessary brutal, merciless, cruel and lethal display -- of superiority. [mixed pop, tending to be a heel pop] What's up, folks? Aren't you the very same fans who enjoyed watching the last PPV? I would say that what Deathbringer did to those preliminary wrestlers last week was just a logical continuation of that huge event. And in the end, you'll all agree that he could have inflicted far more damage if he had wanted to. TD: You just mentioned the PPV, Guardian. Now there's a little difference in my eyes: the PPV consisted of matches which all wrestlers agreed to. And as far as I know, no one asked your man, Deathbringer, to come out and cause havoc in that battle royal! BG: And no one _has_ to ask Death himself to cause havoc. The Reaper does whatever he wants. He does it when he wants it, where he wants it and _HOW_ he wants it. Now if you haven't understood this simple rule yet, wrestlers of the IIWF, then I'm really sorry for you. TD: So does this mean that you, as Deathbringer's manager, support his actions and perhaps even help him in continuing these vicious assaults? BG: [looks at Dross for a second, before answering the quesiton] There's just one thing I agree to, Dross. The scenes we all witnessed last week _were_ vicious assaults. _BUT_ [pauses again to emphasise the word]... I right now want to make something perfectly clear: I am not, let me repeat this, _NOT_ the manager of Deathbringer. This is something you thought since I entered this league, is it not? Until now I was quite amused whenever I heard some of you call me the 'Bringer's manager, but that just ain't true. Just think about it for a minute, do you honestly think a creature like the Reaper himself would need a mortal assistant to fulfil his duties? Do you honestly think a creature like Death itself would need an old man to support him? Certainly not... TD: What, if I may ask, _IS_ the purpose of you being here, then? BG: [shrugs] To watch his back. Now please don't get me wrong, the big man doesn't really need someone to do this, but in this league you _always_ have to look behind you, because someone might be standing there, holding a chainsaw in his hands. In the past the Dark Destroyer was jumped from behind again and again, ever since he dropped the Coroner as his manager he was battered down again and again by guys who thought they could mess with the most dangerous entity that walks across the face of the earth. None of them could... But still every single preliminary wrestler tries to do so, just look at this Harlequin guy, I think his name was Tragedy. But to come back to your question, do I support the 'Bringer's action here in the IIWF? I don't have to support them. The Reaper is more than capable of fulfilling his duties, as I called it earlier on, on his own two feet. And I don't have to agree to his way of acting here in the IIWF. After all, who would dare to disagree with Death himself? I don't even have to _think_ about what he does. In the end, this all is written down in the Books of History, and if it has to happen this way, it _will_ happen this way. No way around that... TD: I asked the following question a few minutes ago already, and you obviously wanted to avoid answering it, but I've to ask it again. Deathbringer is known to be a man of few words, he's a man who lets his actions speak for him. But he's also known to be a man who always justified his deeds by stepping in front of the camera in the past. Now I wonder: Where is he now? Why did he ask _you_ to come out here tonight? BG: [smirks] Well, he's right here with us tonight... [As if to emphasise these words, the lights drop for a second, but as they come back, the Deathbringer still is nowhere to be seen] BG: Just because you can't see him doesn't mean he's not here! But why isn't he _visible_ to you, why doesn't he speak to you personally, Dross? Well, he will... In the weeks to come he'll give you plenty of opportunities to listen to his words of wisdom, I guarantee you that. Tonight, however, it's _my_ pleasure to be here with you, and I'm the one to talk to you, Dross, because the big guy knows that I'll say what he would say and he knows that he doesn't have to waste his time, speaking endlessly with you about what happened last week. You know, this worked quite well on the Road To Ring Wars 5, why shouldn't it work well now and here as well? TD: I see... Now you were talking about your relationship towards Deathbringer and you made clear that you're not his manager. I think that the fans would like to hear more about this relationship, Blind Guardian. BG: I don't quite know why this should be too interesting, but if you insist... A few years back I met the Dark Destroyer face to face in a wrestling ring in an other, now defunct league. I held the heavyweight championship title in that organisation, and I did never think anyone could defeat _me_, the Blind Guardian. The Deathbringer noticed my arrogance and asked for a match, which I granted. Then, as we stood in that ring and looked into each other's eyes, I knew I would lose the title on that very night, but I also knew I had found an ally, someone who exists because of the same reasons I do, even if we have different ways of approaching our common goal. I believe the Deathbringer had the same thoughts, as after he had won the match, he came over to me, looked into my eyes again and nodded before he left. Just that, not a single word, but that wasn't necessary. In the years to come, we met again and again, in all kinds of leagues, we even became tag team champions at a point. But it wasn't before Snowbrawl, that the 'Bringer visited me on a dark, cold night and asked me to join him in the IIWF. Not as a tag team colleague, not as a manager. Just as someone whom he could trust, who would watch his back, and who would be his official spokesman in this league. I agreed. And here I am. Now get this right: I might not agree on everything the big man does, but that's not my job. I might not agree with the plans he has in this league, but that's not my job either. I am just here to be an official representative. And that's exactly what I am here for today. [The Blind Guardian raises the scythe slightly, which he's still holding in his hand] This here is a sign of trust. This item, this scythe, is of great importance to the 'Bringer, just like his mask. By giving me this instrument of power, he shows me his respect and trust. And I'll certainly not disappoint him. [Just as Dross wants to ask another question, the Guardian interrupts him again] Oh, I almost forgot about this... This Staley-boy had something to say on the last edition of Monday Musings, something that amused me and the big guy. I guess we're looking, once again, at someone, keen on jumping into a bodybag as soon as possible. Kid, the 'Bringer had some words for you, which he wanted me to tell ya right now. I can't quite remember the words he used, but what he meant was something like this: "SHUT THE HELL UP!" As I said, that weren't exactly his words, but I guess you get the point. Back to you, Dross. TD: Thank you. Now that you're his official spokesman... What's next? What are his plans in the IIWF? More run-ins? More vicious attacks? BG: I am certainly not here to discuss the 'Bringer's plans with you, Dross. But I can say something general about what is going to happen in this league. First of all, yes, all of his attacks will be vicious, and I'm sure there won't be a single guy who disagrees about the viciousness the Dark Destroyer has shown to the world in the last months and years. Sure, there might have been times when he seemed not to be in top condition, but tell me, folks, has there ever been such a time since I appeared on the scene? [pauses] No... Since I am here, the Deathbringer has regained his focus. Look at the feud with Harlequin Tragedy, look at all those incidents, when the Reaper defended against Chaos, Tragedy, Terror and how else they call themselves. Look at all those incidents, and look at how he came out on top. Look at how he handled Requiem, in what turned out to be the Angel of Destruction's last match-up. Look at the intensity with which he engaged him in that bout. There can't be any doubts about the intensity, about the power, about the strength displayed by the Reaper. There can't be any doubts about the ability to fight, torture and defeat _any_ of those preliminary wrestlers in this league [heel pop]. And there certainly can't be any doubts about the future of the IIWF... I hereby guarantee you, that we'll see a new champion in this league. Not too long, and the bony hands of Death itself will grab a golden belt, the belt that represents this league's honor and pride. TD: Now I think that men like Steve "the Fury" Kowalski [fury pop] will have some problems with that goal of your man... BG: [interrupting Dross] ...but who cares about a mortal man's problems on this earth, Dross? And especially _WHO_ cares about the sobbing of one Stevie Kowalskowa? [HUGE fury pop, mixed with a heel pop for the Guardian] I heard what he had to say last week on IIWF Saturday Night, I heard him say that Deathbringer is just a shadow of the past. I heard it and so did the 'Bringer. Wanna know what he had to say about it? "I DO NOT CARE"... [pauses] And neither do I. You folks have to learn that this league stands and falls with the Reaper. It was created because his former manager, the Coroner, was what one could call a charter member of this league, and because he took the 'Bringer with him. This league grew beyond all beliefs, because Deathbringer was here and allowed it to live. And one day, this league will die, just because of a single man leaving this arena and sailing into remembrance. On that very day you'll understand what the 'Bringer was all about. And you'll understand that everything he said was true. But that day is far from tomorrow. And it certainly has no place in the near future. Last week, just a few hours prior to what you all witnessed here in this arena, the Deathbringer came to me and all he said were three words, spoken in an evil sounding voice, a voice which I never had associated with him. He said "VENGEANCE IS MINE". He turned around and started to move caskets through the mortuary, arranging them in a menacing, unearthly way. I myself must admit that this hall of peace now drives fear into my heart at certain times. [Pauses, then laughs] I'm boring you, am I not? Guess I should take this to an end. Forget about the Deathbringer you knew in the past. Forget about the man, claiming to be the Reaper, that man who carried out his message by remaining silent, that man, about whom a commentator once said: I am deeply impressed by the mercy in his eyes. Things change. Mortals change. And so does Death itself. But what can we expect? From now on, you'll see a creature, fitted with powers from the very depth of hell, able to cast spells, old and unknown, calling for demons to serve in his dark spells. You'll see a new Deathbringer, determined and focused just like the Deathbringer who once entered this league and went on to became a IIWF world heavyweight champion. You'll see a new Deathbringer, equipped with tactics, strategies and wisdom necessary to survive and rule supreme in this league as you know it nowadays. You'll see a new Deathbringer, willing to throw everything he got at his opponents, willing to take extreme damage to his own mortal shell, in order to inflict as much damage to his foes as possible. You'll see a new Deathbringer who's invincible, but not invulnerable, immortal, but standing at the edge of eternal damnation, defeatable, but ready to rule this league... You'll see the King of Destruction, the Master of Chaos, the Grave Dancer, the Shadowmaker, you'll see the creator and destroyer of it all... That's what you'll see... and that's what will happen. Because... [The Blind Guardian raises Deathbringer's scythe once again high into the air. The lights begin to flicker, and sounds of thunder are heard over the PA] I -- AM -- THE -- BLIND -- GUARDIAN... And you better remember what happened the last time I said these words... Now take me away from here! [As the lights drop completely, the video wall shows scenes of the Blind Guardian battling with Requiem, pushing him onto the track of the rollercoaster, a wagon of which hits the Herald of Damnation and in the aftermath caused him to end his career. The wall then shows the Blind Guardian, laughing and saying "SEE YOU _VERY_ SOON". The lights rise once more as the scene fades and the Blind Guardian is gone. Dross returns to the broadcast table and seats himself beside "Soundbite" Steve Roberts.] TD: Well, there you have it, folks -- the Blind Guardian promising more of the same from the Deathbringer in the weeks to come. Welcome back to the second hour of tonight's Saturday Night broadcast. We have four more incredible matches scheduled to come your way over the next sixty minutes -- including that huge championship double-header. In our main event, Steve Kowalski will defend the World Heavyweight title against the "Enigma" Takezo Musashi, and we will also see the IIWF debut of the one and only Caleb Temple as he partners Gunnar "Grizzly" Gaines to do battle with Team Sychosys for the World Tag Team straps. SR: What a night, Dross. TD: Indeed, Steve Roberts. Just a few minutes ago I received confirmation that Team Sychosys are here in the Coliseum, and have holed themselves up in their locker room. We're all set for what is sure to be an unforgettable match later on tonight. I also understand that there is potential trouble backstage courtesy of the "Enigma" Takezo Musashi. Larry Morton is in the locker rooms. Larry? [Cut to the locker rooms. Larry Morton stands, finger on earpiece, in front of a row of lockers, clutching a microphone.] LM: Thanks, Tim. Security is on full alert backstage here since the arrival of the "Enigma" Takezo Musashi during our first hour. Nobody has seen him since his arrival, but as he arrived at the Coliseum, he is said to have mentioned to one cable-puller stationed at the production truck that they shouldn't expect to have to run Steve Kowalski's theme music tonight -- because the Fury wouldn't be making it to the ring. TD: [over the headset] So Musashi is planning on attacking Steve Kowalski ahead of tonight's main event? LM: It would appear that way -- and the security staff here in the locker room are taking that threat very seriously. We've all seen what Takezo Musashi is capable of when in the grip of the so-called "chaos" side of his personality... and Steve Kowalski's locker room is currently being guarded to prevent Musashi from getting his hands on the champion. TD: [over the headset] I hope those guards are armed, Larry. The Enigma is a lethal weapon in human form. LM: Absolutely, Tim Dross. Word around the locker room also has it that Musashi may be enlisting the help of somebody else -- another wrestler -- to ensure that Kowalski doesn't make it into this match. TD: [over the headset] Any word on who that might be? LM: Well, the obvious choice would be Team Sychosys, since Joe Petrow has declared Musashi to be a "stable-mate" of sorts in recent weeks... but Team Sychosys have only just arrived at the arena, and are currently locked in their own dressing room ahead of their big match later on tonight. No, chances are that Musashi is looking outside of Team Sychosys for his help toni... hang on. [Sounds of shouting permeate the audio. Two security staff dash through the shot in front of Morton.] LM: Gentlemen, I'd better go see what's happening. Back to you at ringside. [Cut back to the broadcast table at ringside.] TD: It seems all hell is breaking loose backstage tonight, Steve Roberts. Folks, we'll try and get you an update on that situation just as soon as we can get it -- but right now, it's time for the second of tonight's King of the Cruisers matches, as the IIWF's Cruiserweight Champion, Icehawk, goes up against the man who has been called the "franchise" of the UWF -- and a man who has quite the history with Serge Annis -- Youth Gone Wild. This is definitely one of the high points of the first round, Steve. SR: Whatever. ________ ______ | || |\ \ /\ / /| __|.................................................. | || | \ v v / | __| KING OF THE CRUISERS TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND: |_||_| \_/\_/ |_| Icehawk [IIWF] vs. Youth Gone Wild [UWF] ....................................................................... WRITER: Ian Jalbert [The camera switches over to Sparkplug, who looks a bit green around the gills.] SL: Oohhhhh... enchiladas... Uhh... the next match... a ten minute time limit... first round in the King of the Cruisers Tournament. He's from the UWF, weighing in at 200lbs, he's... Youth Gone Wild... [Sparkplug clutches his stomach in pain as the sounds of Skid Row's "Youth Gone Wild" take over, blaring throughout the arena. After several seconds, Youth Gone Wild comes out, shaking the hands of the fans and exchanging high fives with others. The calm looking Youth then explodes, sprinting to the ring, where he does a somersault off the top rope into the ring. Youth then begins to warm up on the ropes, waiting for his opponent to enter the ring.] SL: And his opponent... the IIWF Cruiserweight Champion... he is the IIWF's own... Icehawk! Oh... I don't feel so... [The hapless ring announcer collapses in a heap on the mat. Serge Annis, shaking his head, leaves his seat at ringside and rolls Sparkplug Lee out of the ring. The Finn finally enters the arena to a huge explosion and a major pop from the hometown crowd! Icehawk is looking totally pumped, more enthusiastic than ever as he somehow manages to slap hands with every single fan at ringside, kissing babies, kissing women, almost somersaulting his way down the aisle. The fans greet him warmly as he finally enters the ring, where he reaches out his hand to Youth Gone Wild, who shakes it in return.] TD: Good show of sportsmanship by the two wrestlers. We may actually see a clean match here! SR: Not while all these jokers are at ringside! TD: Steve, I don't think you can call Serge Annis a joker. SR: No, you idiot, I'm talking about the Natural Predators! What the hell are they doing here? TD: Well, they've become good friends with Icehawk in the past few months, and I suppose they're trying to prevent outside interference in this match like last week's Cruiserweight match where Derek Mota interfered. SR: Mmm... I ran interference once... TD: Let's not even go there. [The two men lock up, exchanging a series of scientific holds without much effect.] TD: Icehawk is going for the armbars here, but Youth Gone Wild is as slippery as they come, and he manages to escape untouched. SR: This Youth Gone Wild kid. For a legend, he looks like a little punk to me! Shouldn't this guy be a part of the "clinging to the past" club along with the Down Boys? TD: Youth Gone Wild may have a few elements that were popular in the past... SR: Yeah, like bad clothes, bad hair... and he doesn't know how to wrestle. TD: The eighties weren't that bad, Steve. SR: They stopped the seventies. How good can that be? [Youth Gone Wild throws Icehawk into the ropes, who bounces back and leap frogs the Youth. Both wrestlers bounce against the far ropes and come out with a Drop Kick, hitting the air!] TD: Well, we went from a very reserved style to total high flying all in one second! SR: And it worked REAL good, didn't it? Those cruisers really have to learn when to fly and when to stay a jobber... uh, I mean grounded. Yeah, when to stay grounded. TD: Sure. [Both men get up rather quickly, but are a little more reserved during the next exchange. Icehawk hits an Arm Drag, throwing the Youth across the ring. YGW runs back and hits Icehawk with a jumping kick to the midsection.] TD: Youth Gone Wild just takes advantage of a mistake by Icehawk and takes over the momentum in the early moments of the match! SR: Dross, they're all early moments. These guys have ten minutes to put each other away here. TD: You're right there. And the "fans" at ringside are keeping an eye out for outside interference. The Natural Predators are standing by ringside, looking rather serious. SR: That Bear guy looked like he was asylum material last week after that Cruiserweight title match. Anybody who wants to cross this guy right now would have to be a total moron. [Roberts' fans throughout the arena hear the M word and suddenly light up, screaming "Shoot, Soundbite, Shoot!" before entering their beer induced daze once more.] TD: Before the action gets too heavy, we have to guess as to what Annis' presence at ringside is going to affect this match. We all know that he holds no love for Icehawk, but even more serious is the fact that he truly despises Youth Gone Wild from their days in the UWF. SR: Hey, tonight he's taken on the role of the "Lethal Protector" of the IIWF. He ain't gonna let any animosity get in the way of his objectivity. Yeah right! [Meanwhile, the two high flyers are duelling in the ring, Youth Gone Wild still barely keeping the momentum going as he hits a series of chops to the chest of Icehawk, knocking him into the corner. Youth climbs to the top rope, possibly hitting a Top Rope Frankensteiner on Icehawk, but decides at the last second to lay into him with a series of punches instead.] TD: Youth Gone Wild is being aggressive here, but he's not going all out! SR: He ain't stupid, he just looks that way! Icehawk may be an idiot, but gonna blow the match this early. Both of these guys know tons of these holds, so they gotta know how to reverse them too. TD: So their similar styles are going to help them in their counter wrestling tonight. SR: That's just what I said. [Icehawk is reeling from the series of punches, and steps out of the corner groggily. Youth Gone Wild just runs at him from behind and lays into him with a Bulldog!] TD: He's going for the cover! One... two... No! Icehawk is still in the real world, at least enough to kick out of that hold! [Youth Gone Wild picks up Icehawk for a snap suplex, but Icehawk just finds the wits to reverse the hold and send the Youth flying! 'Hawk falls to one knee, trying to regain a little bit of energy before starting his own streak.] TD: And now Icehawk just finds another reserve of strength to change the momentum. We have to see if he's ready to go on the offensive at this point. [Icehawk goes with the Irish Whip, hitting Youth Gone Wild with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! The crowd groans as they can feel that knee grinding itself into the Youth's midsection. Icehawk puts one hand on the ground to help him up, and he bounces against the ropes to land a diving headbutt.] TD: Interesting combination by Icehawk there. But his high-flying skills are starting to come to the forefront here. SR: The kid can fly, no one doubts that. But he just ain't tough enough to match up against guys like Kowalksi. TD: So far he's held the Cruiserweight Title a heck of a lot longer than Steve Kowalski, Steve. SR: Oh yeah, and he also weighed 239lbs, right? [Icehawk climbs to the second rope and jumps off with a flying knee drop to the head of Youth Gone Wild, but the Wild one just manages to pull out of the way and the Finn hits the mat hard, clutching his knee. Youth Gone Wild looks around at the fans and decides to take advantage of the moment, putting a kneelock on Icehawk, who screams in pain. 'Hawk begins to strain, feeling the pain on his knee, but not giving up on the referee's request. He finally gives another burst of effort, grabbing a handhold of rope, causing the break of the move.] TD: At least we see some sportsmanship here, Steve. These men are both professionals, and they both deserve to win this match. SR: Aw, don't make me puke! I'm gonna pull a Sparkplug here if you don't shaddup! And trust me, I'm gonna ralph right in your lap! TD: I'd rather not see that happen. [Icehawk is still on his back, and Youth Gone Wild grabs him by the leg, hitting him with a hamstring pull. Icehawk is grinding his teeth, unable to make it back up to his feet. Finally the Youth picks up the Finn by the arm, tossing him into the ropes.] SR: Flying body press by Youth Gone Wild! TD: But he missed! Youth Gone Wild goes flying out of the ring! SR: Here we go with some interference! [Youth Gone Wild gets up, looking up directly into the eyes of Serge Annis who is standing up, brandishing his barbed wire baseball bat in his hand. Both men stare at each other for several seconds until Annis somehow keeps control, beginning to step back to let the Youth get back into the ring. All of a sudden, Icehawk comes bouncing off the ropes, catching both men in a corkscrew plancha! All three men are laid out on the concrete floor, having taken lots of damage during the impact.] TD: Wow! You don't see things like that happen every night! Icehawk risked his career to get a piece of the Youth! And Serge Annis was unfortunately caught in the crossfire! SR: Icehawk knows he's a total loser, he's just trying to make up for it with a couple of crazy moves. The kid's just mental. [The Natural Predators are becoming a little agitated after seeing Annis becoming a part of the match, and begin to head towards the pile of unconscious wrestlers. Meanwhile, in the ring, the referee has reached the count of four and continues to count both wrestlers out.] TD: We could see a double count-out here! The winner of the Rappoport vs. Spector match tomorrow night in Japan could have a free ride through the second round if someone doesn't get back into the ring! SR: It'd be worth it to get rid of two of the most irritating wrestlers in the history of the earth at the same time! I'd even cheer to see Bear Power Bomb all of those losers right here and now! TD: I don't think Bear intends on interfering in this match, Steve. He's here to prevent this stuff from happening. SR: Like that ever works. [Right on cue, Derek Mota sprints into the ring from the dressing room area, unnoticed by the other wrestlers outside the ring. Mota grabs Icehawk's Cruiserweight Title from ringside, holds it above his head in triumph, and runs back to the dressing rooms like nothing had happened.] TD: Derek Mota just came to ringside! What was he doing here? SR: Who cares? Watch this! [Outside the ring, the Natural Predators are separating the participants from Serge Annis who picks up his barbed wire chair from the floor. It looks as though he will hit the Grey Phoenix over the head with the chair, but he thinks twice and lets the two men slowly make their way back to their corner.] SR: Dammit, we almost saw a cool brawl there! I could've seen blood! [The referee's count reaches eight when Icehawk crawls back into the ring, obviously still stunned from the Plancha. Youth Gone Wild is still outside, possibly missing the ten count when Serge Annis decides to toss him back into the ring.] TD: What the...? Why did Annis interfere in this match? SR: He just wants to see a clean ending! Don't we all? [Youth is slowly crawling back up to his feet when he looks up to see Icehawk coming off the top rope with a flying leg lariat! The Youth gets caught hard, doing a somersault before hitting the mat once more. The official makes the count: 1 -- 2...] TD: No! Another kickout! I don't know where Youth Gone Wild found the guts to kick out of that one! If only he could put together another offensive run here! SR: No chance! Not against anybody from the Double Eye! TD: These guys may have been more than anybody thought, Steve! Look at this! [Icehawk picks up Youth Gone Wild for a powerbomb, but the Youth somehow manages to go forward with the momentum, getting Icehawk in a victory roll! Again, the count: 1 -- 2... no!] TD: Kickout! He kicked out! Youth Gone Wild almost pulled off the upset there! [The fans are cheering loudly as the Youth climbs to the second turnbuckle, preparing for a risky manoeuvre of his own. He raises his arms in the air and flies... reaching heights unparalleled in the IIWF!] TD: Reversed! Reversed! Icehawk just caught Youth Gone Wild in a powerslam! Just when we thought the tide had turned, Icehawk showed us just what he's made of! SR: Ya gotta have some respect for the Double Eye, baby dolls! [This time it's Icehawk's turn to climb to the top turnbuckle, trying to end the match in one move. 'Hawk leaps...] SR: Shooting Star Press! He connected! This one's over! [The official drops to the mat yet again: 1 -- 2... Big pop!] TD: Another kickout! Youth Gone Wild is unable to get in any offence here, but he is putting on a brilliant performance at the same time! Any other wrestler would have given it up at this point! SR: And there ain't too much time left, baby dolls! We've got about three minutes to go! [Icehawk shakes his head in frustration, unable to secure the pin on the plucky Youth Gone Wild. 'Hawk, a look of confusion on his face, picks up the Youth and goes for a bodyslam.] TD: Reversed! SR: Small package! TD: One... two... three! No! SR: He got it! TD: No, he didn't! The referee is signalling to the timekeeper that it was only a two count! [Both wrestlers are lying face first on the mat, completely exhausted as the referee checks to see how much time is remaining in the match. The ref relays the information to the wrestlers, who just don't seem to be comprehending anything at this time. Eventually he starts the count on them, reaching six before anybody even begins to move. Both wrestlers start getting up to their feet, grabbing a hold of the ropes to prop themselves up. Both wrestlers barely beat the count, getting ready to lock up for what could be the final time this evening. All of a sudden, the crowd lights up again!] SR: He's back! TD: Derek Mota is making his way back to ringside, holding the IIWF Cruiserweight Title around his waist! I don't know what he's trying to accomplish here, but this isn't the time or place for this kind of stuff! [Mota reaches ringside before meeting up with both Serge Annis and the Natural Predators. Tension is high as the Predators and Serge can barely co-exist, let alone stand together against an opponent. Mota gives his usual cocky smile, finally removing the belt and handing it to Annis before backing off quickly, making his way back to the dressing room.] TD: That's it? He came back down to ringside just to give the Cruiserweight Title back! SR: No way. Something else had to happen. Mota ain't stupid. When you get a hold of a title, you don't give it back without a fight. And Mota ain't no coward. TD: I may disagree with you on that one, Steve. [Icehawk notices Mota at ringside and lets loose a few choice words to his "friend". Mota doesn't notice as he's busy sprinting away from Bear and Serge Annis. But it gives the Youth a few short seconds. Just enough for Youth Gone Wild to take a few seconds and hit a German suplex from behind!] TD: Youth Gone Wild just tosses Icehawk in the air like he weighs nothing! SR: That's cause he does! TD: Big mistake for Icehawk as he lets Mota get under his skin! And now Youth Gone Wild has his chance to show his stuff! [Icehawk slowly gets to his feet, trying to shake off the cobwebs as the Youth grabs him by the shorts and tosses him out of the ring. The fans enter a fever pitch as they realise that another suicidal move is coming up... everyone is up to their feet as Youth Gone Wild runs against the far ropes, jumps onto the top rope and hits a cannonball onto Icehawk right through a table! The fans throughout the arena start chanting "Youth Gone Wild!" over and over again as the little cruiserweight forces his way into their hearts. The referee doesn't even bother counting, both men outside the ring, almost unconscious try to crawl back into the ring.] TD: Incredible! This is the kind of match that shows off just what the cruisers are capable of! SR: I gotta say they're even starting to get to me! Uh... though give me the Meatman any day over these guys... except for Tiger Claw. That guy can go... did I just say something? TD: Steve, we learn to ignore you when you get like this. [Only a minute remains in the match as the referee even steps out of the ring to help the wrestlers in, not wanting the match to go to the time limit. Youth Gone Wild tosses Icehawk into the ropes, coming back with a Vertical Body Press, but Icehawk ducks under it, bouncing off the ropes himself, until both men meet in mid-air!] TD: Spinebuster Slam! That's the Shipwreck Slam! That's Edmund Fitzgerald's move! Icehawk just used his tag team partner's finisher on Youth Gone Wild! This one could be over right here! [Yet again, the official makes the count: 1 -- 2 -- kickout!] SR: I can't believe it! The little bugger kicked out again! You can't pin this little sonuvabitch! TD: This is it right here though! Icehawk is climbing to the top rope! We all know what's coming up here! Artic Blast time! SR: Not this time! TD: Youth Gone Wild is up to his feet! There's no way this is possible! Icehawk is standing on the top turnbuckle and the Youth jumps up to the top himself! SR: Both men are standing on the top rope here! Any move and this one could be over! That's good, cause there can't be more than 30 seconds left in this match! TD: Icehawk goes to shove him off, but the Youth got a little piece of him! He got the momentum going! SR: Frankensteiner from the top rope! [The official's hand slaps the mat once... twice... three times! Ding! Ding! Ding!] TD: Who got it? SR: Youth Gone Wild got the pin! The little bastard just managed to get a piece of Icehawk and carried it right down to the mat for the three count! TD: Great match by both men here! I think that Icehawk certainly had the upper hand throughout the majority of this match, but Youth Gone Wild never gave up, showing tremendous tenacity, and managed to come out with the win with less than twenty seconds to go! SR: I gotta say this is a major upset here! The whole damn tournament is IIWF sponsored and our champ goes out in the first round! What kind of a tournament is this anyways? TD: Just goes to show that there are a lot of talented cruiserweights in the world, and that any of them could take the win on any given day. But I have to agree with you there, this was definitely a major upset in this tournament! [Inside the ring, Youth Gone Wild is celebrating his win, posing to the cheering crowd until Icehawk turns him around. Both men stare at each other for a few seconds, until Icehawk reaches out his hand and both men congratulate each other on a hard fought match. Icehawk raises Youth's arm in the air before finally stepping out of the ring, taking the long walk back to the dressing room.] TD: Tough break for Icehawk there. He was just looking for respect tonight, and he doesn't think he got it! But ask any of the fans here, and they'll tell you that Icehawk put on a real show tonight. SR: He still lost. Now you gonna tell me that story about how it doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you have fun? TD: No. SR: Loser. TD: So Youth Gone Wild moves on in this tournament, facing off against the winner of the Joey Rappoport vs. Steve Spector match tomorrow night in Japan! We'll certainly see a great match coming out of that night! [Wild finally ends his celebrations, and leaves the ring, heading up the aisle with a big smile on his face, despite his exhaustion. He slaps hands with the fans all the way back to the entrance curtain. Cut back to the broadcast table at ringside.] TD: Folks, before our next match, let's go backstage to Larry Morton, who has an update on the disturbance we heard about before that match. Larry, can you hear me? [Cut to backstage. The locker rooms are in a state of chaos, and Morton is jostled roughly from all sides as security staff and officials hurry about, shouting and yelling.] LM: Tim, it's bedlam back here -- I'm not sure exactly what happened, but it seems Musashi got to Kowalski somehow. All I know is that the two guards outside Kowalski's locker room were attacked by Musashi and one other man -- the identity of whom is unknown at this time -- who then proceeded to burst into Kowalski's locker room, and an almighty fight broke out. I've not been able to get a word with Kowalski because he's currently receiving medical attention, but according to one member of the medical team, it doesn't look good for tonight's main event. [An official shoves Morton out of the way. Larry struggles back into the centre of the shot.] LM: However, gentlemen, I believe that no matter how serious his injuries, Steve Kowalski _will_ wrestle tonight. According to one fellow wrestler who was among the first on the scene, arriving just as Musashi and the other attacker, who was masked, fled the locker room, Kowalski was bleeding heavily, but he was cogent, and made some remark to the effect that he was going to get his revenge before the end of the night. I'll try and get an update on Kowalski's condition -- as well as the identity of the mystery attacker -- as soon as I can. For now, back to you at ringside. [Cut back to the broadcast table at ringside.] TD: Well, Steve Roberts -- yet again, Kowalski is truly a marked man here in the IIWF. Folks, we'll try and get you an update on the Fury's condition as soon as possible. Right now, it's time for our second Intercontinental Championship Tournament match, as Marty Warnett battles the "Real Deal" Luke Steele. Let's get up to Sparkplug in the ring. ________ ______ | || |\ \ /\ / /| __|.................................................. | || | \ v v / | __| INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST ROUND MATCH: |_||_| \_/\_/ |_| Marty Warnett vs. "Real Deal" Luke Steele ....................................................................... WRITER: Mike Sonby [Sparkplug Lee heads up to the ring, microphone in hand. Just as he is about to speak, a cup of soda comes flying out of the audience into the ring, and nails Lee in the face. The soda spills all over his powder blue suit. A drunken man, wearing a BEAVER TRAP T-shirt, begins jeering loudly and bragging about his throw. Before Lee can say anything, two burly men wearing T-shirts reading SPARKPLUG'S FAN CLUB approach the thrower and begins pummelling him, to the delight of the crowd.] TD: It looks like Sparkplug has some allies in the audience. SR: Yes! Sparkplug's thugs are going medieval on that bastard. [Sparkplug looks into the audience, shocked, until a cloth is thrown into the ring. It's the shirt from the thrower. Sparkplug grins and wipes off his suit with the shirt, then throws the shirt into the audience.] TD: While we get this disturbance ironed out, let's go back to the locker room and hear from Luke Steele. [Cut to a hallway setting backstage somewhere in the Coliseum. As we open on the new scene, Luke Steele opens the door from his dressing room and begins to head down the hall towards the arena. Outside we can hear the crowd on its feet, and Steele pauses for a second. He's dressed in his ring attire: black full leg tights with "Moxy" down the left leg in blue glittery writing, and "Real Deal" down the right leg. His boots are red, and he also wears a black t-shirt with the sleeves cut off that reads "Righteous Revival Tour, 1998" in blue. Steele runs his hands over the top of his shaven head as he looks at the camera, stretching for his match.] LS: Seems we've done this before, Marty old pal. About a year ago in my hometown of Cleveland. That night you complained that I had help from Lord Byron, and that's why you didn't win. Well, Marty, Byron isn't here anymore, so tonight you won't have anything to complain about when I bounce your head off the mat and cover you for the first of four pinfalls in this tournament. Yeah, you've held the belt before, yadda yadda yadda. Big deal. [Steele makes the universal motion of "I want a belt" around his waist.] Just because you've held the Intercontinental Championship in the past doesn't mean you've got an automatic claim to it. I came out last year and spoke on how it was time for the young guns to start getting recognition. Well it's about that time again, but you aren't one of those young guns anymore. You're looking old and tired, Party Maniac. I really don't have anything against you, Warnett, at least not without the rest of 4D. And by the way, I realise that all of your group plotting consists of watching old tapes of Genesis, but if you think you're going to jump me as easily as Requiem and Annis did, think again. I've got the immovable object right here [Steele points behind him as Stone comes out of another locker room, with Awesome T right behind him.] on one side of me, and on the other side, the smartest man in wrestling. He guided the Down Boys to the belts and in the process outsmarted two of your pals, what makes you think the result will be any different? [Steele points to his t-shirt.] I've got specific motivation to go out there and win tonight, Marty. Can you say the same, or is it the same old tired "I want what I had back"? Let's go find out. [Steele walks towards the entranceway as the start of "I Am The Man" can be heard, and the bell rings. Cut back to the arena.] SL: This match is a one-fall affair, and is a first round match for the IIWF Intercontinental Title! Introducing first, from Cleveland, Ohio, weighing 275 pounds, the number eight contender for the title, here is the "REAL DEAL", LUKE STEELE! [Steele walks out into the aisle. By his side is the massive Stone, who silently walks by the wrestler. Awesome T stands behind both of the big men, making a belt motion with his hands. Steele has his Black & White Discordiacs T-shirt with him. He has a determined stare on his face, and ignores almost the entire crowd. Near ringside are a small group of the "True Blue", Moxy's fan club, and Steele stops to high-five several of them. He then rolls into the ring.] SL: And his opponent, the number one contender for the Intercontinental title, weighing 247 pounds, from Cardiff, Wales, in the United Kingdom, here is MARTY WARNETT! [Just Like Paradise begins, and Marty comes out to a huge response from the Party Maniacs. He walks down the aisle, slapping hands along the way. He passes by Serge Annis, and slows down, as if waiting for an attack. But Serge just looks at him, and doesn't move. Mary passes him by, and rolls under the ropes into the ring.] TD: Marty Warnett and Luke Steele. Who do you see advancing in this tournament, Steve Roberts? SR: It doesn't matter. Neither one of them is any good. And whoever does win... or maybe I should say, whoever doesn't lose- is going to be killed later on in the tournament. Right now, the only reason I'm even bothering with this match is because my contract says I have to. [DING! DING! DING!] SR: The match is finally done. A good thing, too. I was bored stiff. TD: Soundbite... that bell was for the start of the match. [Steele and Warnett lock up in the middle of the ring. Steele muscles Warnett into the corner, and the referee tries to separate them. Luke Steele backs up a step, only to reach over the referee and slap Warnett hard across the face. Warnett tries to charge, but the referee gets in the way. Steele laughs at Warnett and steps back to the middle of the ring.] TD: Luke Steele should not get Marty Warnett angry. SR: What can Warnett do? Make him listen to Twisted Sister albums? [Steele raises his arms and challenges Warnett to a test of strength. Warnett looks around to the crowd, and they respond with a loud "NO!" But as Marty turns back, he is met with a clothesline from Steele. Luke follows it up with a bodyslam, then a kneedrop on Warnett's forehead. Luke grabs Warnett in a front chinlock, but Marty makes his way to his knees...] SR: Oh, goody. Marty's favorite position. TD: Soundbite, would you lay off the insults to Marty Warnett? SR: Why, Dross? You want to take a few pot-shots of your own? TD: No, I don't... SR: Sure you do! It's fun, and it's easy. TD: Marty Warnett with an elbow shot to Steele's ribs... and another. Warnett is free. He bounces off the ropes... dropkick! SR: Nine out of ten psychologists claim that making fun of Marty Warnett is good for your self-esteem. TD: [sighing] What did the tenth suggest? SR: Orgies with college cheerleaders. [As Steele gets to his feet, Warnett hits him with s neckbreaker, then drops a leg on Steele. Warnett picks up Steele and whips him to the ropes, then charges in for a monkey flip. Steele steps to one side, but Warnett scales the turnbuckle, springboards off the ropes, and hits Steel with a legwhip. He covers for a one count.] TD: Luke Steele is in trouble. SR: Luke Steele is always in trouble. [Warnett scales the ropes as Luke slowly gets to his feet. Just as Steele stands up, Marty Warnett leaps off with a picture-perfect high-cross bodyblock... that connects. Marty hooks the leg for a cover of 1 -- 2 -- kickout! Marty pounds the mat in frustration.] SR: Figures. Marty Warnett can't even put Luke Steele away. [Warnett must have heard Steve Roberts' comments, for the IIWF Superstar gets to his feet and points at Roberts with a wicked grin on his face. He points to the ropes, runs to them, leaps on the top rope, and...] TD: Asai Moonsault! [And then...] TD: Onto Steele's knees! Luke Steele raised his knees, and Marty Warnett crashes into them. SR: That'll teach that punk! No one, certainly not a Bon Jovi reject like Marty Warnett, tries MY move! [Warnett rolls around the mat, clutching his ribs in agony. Steele gets to his feet, picks up Warnett, and drops Warnett on his knee. He covers Warnett for a count of 1 -- 2 -- Kickout. At ringside, Timothy N. Turner scribbles down some notes, while Serge Annis looks around menacingly. Stone stands impassively. Luke Steele whips Warnett into the ropes, and grabs him in a belly-to-belly suplex on the rebound. He covers again for a 1 -- 2 -- Kickout! Steele yanks Warnett back up, only to lift him off the ground and grab him in a bearhug.] TD: Marty may have injured his ribs on that failed moonsault, and Luke Steele is taking advantage of that. SR: That bearhug ain't going to make anyone- even Marty Warnett- give up, but it will hurt those ribs some more. [The referee asks for a submission, but Warnett refuses. A "Marty!" chant starts up, and Warnett raises his arms. Steele cranks up the pressure, but Warnett hits Steele with three closed fist to the nose, and Steele drops Warnett. As Steele steps forward, Warnett tries a desperation standing dropkick... that Steele sidesteps, with Warnett crashing into the mat.] SR: Oh, joy. "D" idiots are heading down to ringside. TD: The Natural Predators are heading down, obviously to cheer on their partner, who needs the encouragement right now. [As the Natural Predators approach ringside, Serge Annis steps over to intercept them, chair in hand. A heated discussion begins between Serge and the Natural Predators over who can stay at ringside. Luke Steele sees the confusion, and nods at Stone. Steele throws Warnett through the ropes, then begins arguing with the referee with Awesome T. While the referee is outside, Stone quietly walks over, grabs a chair, and blasts Warnett in the ribs with it.] SR: I'll be... Steele is actually learning some of the basics on being a decent heel. TD: Annis kept the Predators busy while Stone did the damage... is he working with Luke Steele? [Security arrives to escort the Predators back, but not before Bear points out Stone's rulebreaking. Annis turns around to spot Stone with the chair, and a look of pure anger overcomes the Epitome of Evil. Grabbing his barbed-wire chair, Annis rushes down to ringside and charges at the seven-foot monster.] TD: Annis raises the chair at Stone... Stone blocked it with his own chair, and now they're going at each other! SR: No, no! Stone and Annis should work together to cripple the OTHER guys... Steele and little Marty. [Annis and Stone continue to brawl outside of the ring, almost going into the audience. In the ring, Steele points out the fight, and demands that Annis be barred from ringside. The referee looks at the brawl, and makes a decision...] TD: The referee is ordering STONE to leave the arena! Luke Steele must have offended the referee. SR: Luke Steele IS an offence... not just to the referee, but to everyone with the same taste as the Soundbite. TD: Sure thing, Baby Doll. [Luke Steele's world is suddenly turned upside-down, as Marty Warnett grabs him in a German suplex. The crowd explodes in cheers for their hero, and Marty follows it up with a kneedrop. Marty covers for a count of 1 -- 2 -- Kickout! Annis and Stone continue to pound each other as several orange-shirted security people come down to separate the two monsters. Warnett then applies a drop-toehold and twists Steele's ankle.] TD: Stone and Annis continue to brawl... right next to Timothy N. Turner! Turner ignores them and concentrates on the opponents in the ring. SR: If he had any sense, he'd watch the fight outside of the ring. It's a hell of a lot more interesting. [Warnett drops a knee on the back of Steele's leg, then grapevines the leg. Steele's shoulders are on the mat, but the referee only counts one before Steele gets a shoulder up. Steele uses his other leg to shove Warnett off, then allows Warnett to leap over him. On the rebound, Marty is met with a vicious clothesline, and Steele begins to pummel Warnett with a series of vicious shots. A blatant chokehold is released at the four count, and Steele then doubles Warnett and lifts him up for a piledriver. Warnett's neck compresses and Steele goes for a cover... 1 -- 2 -- Kickout!] TD: Security finally manages to separate Stone and Serge Annis... Several security guards need to restrain the seven foot monster... Stone just shoved three of the security men to the ground! SR: Dammit! Why is Awesome T wasting his time with Luke Steele when he could be leading Stone to the top? [Steele picks up Marty, whips him to the ropes, and lifts him up in a gorilla press. Marty reaches down and rakes the face, causing Luke Steele to drop Marty. On the way down, Warnett catches Steele in the face with a boot, and both men tumble to the mat. Luke Steele is up first, and pulls on Marty's long hair before grabbing him in a front facelock...] TD: He's going for the floating DDT! [Marty reaches down and grabs both of Steele's ankles, tripping him up. Marty jumps on top for a modified Thesz Press, and covers for a count of 1 -- 2 -- Kickout! Outside of the ring, The Security Guards have gathered en masse to tackle Stone, and are trying to escort him up the aisle. Without saying a word, Stone begins shoving off security men and throwing them to the floor. Marty begins working over the left leg again by twisting his ankle and falling back, wrenching the leg. Steele yells in agony as Warnett steps over the leg and applies a lot of pressure to the leg.] TD: Marty Warnett is setting up Luke Steele for The End of the Party Figure Four. SR: And whenever Warnett shows up, it's the end of the party. [Warnett leaps up and drops on knee on the leg again, then starts a step-over toehold. Luke Steele reaches up and rolls him up in a small package for a count of 1 -- 2...] TD: Luke Steele grabs a handful of tights! [...kickout!] SR: Dammit! This match was almost over! TD: Marty Warnett barely escaped that small package. SR: Screw it! Who cares! I want to see Stone throw around some more security men. [Unfortunately, the men and women in orange shirts are tired of this, and have handcuffed Stone and start to drag him back. He still struggles, and it takes several men to hold him down, but he slowly is taken up the aisle. Serge Annis watches the struggle with a small smile on his face. Inside the ring, Luke Steele whips Marty Warnett into the ropes, only to be reversed, and Marty catches Steele with a dropkick. Warnett covers for a count of 1 -- 2 -- Kickout! Warnett quickly scales the ropes, and leaps off the top rope, catching Steele's head with his legs...] TD: Frankensteiner... Reversed into a powerbomb! [Luke Steele smashes the smaller Warnett into the mat with a powerbomb. He covers for a count of 1 - 2 -- Kickout! Steele picks up Warnett and hooks him in a front facelock, only to make it a slingshot-suplex. He hooks the leg for a count of 1 -- 2 -- Kickout! Steele whips Warnett into the ropes, and nails a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, then covers for a 1 -- 2 -- Kickout!] TD: Marty Warnett showing a tremendous amount of resiliency against Luke Steele. SR: I don't want to see anything Marty Warnett is showing... and neither should anyone over the age of fourteen. [Steele throws Warnett out of the ring. The referee and Serge Annis immediately look over at Awesome T, who just sits there. Luke Steele has a different idea in mind, and he bounces off the ropes and leaps over the ropes without touching them, spinning around as he dives, right into...] TD: The steel guardrail! Somehow, Marty Warnett moved, and Luke Steele just did a screwdriver plancha into the steel guardrail! He may have been busted open on that move. SR: Wonderful. Some moron is going to go home and brag that Luke Steele bled on his $3.00 Wal-Mart T-shirt. He'll think it's the highlight of his life. And the sad thing is, he'll be right. [The referee starts a count, but Awesome T jumps up on the ring apron to prevent a countout, knowing that a double countout would cost Steele in the tournament. For several seconds, neither man moves. Finally, Luke Steele gets to his feet, a small trickle of blood coming down from his forehead. He goes over to Warnett, only to be met by a fist. Marty hits Steele again, and whips him to the corner, only to be reversed. Marty Warnett goes crashing into the steel corner, and Luke Steele quickly throws him back into the ring.] TD: Luke Steele looks like he is going for the kill. SR: Luke Steele couldn't kill a fly with a nuclear weapon. [Marty Warnett slowly climbs his way to his knees in the middle of the ring as Luke Steele grabs him in a front facelock... Marty Warnett strains and lifts Luke Steele up.] TD: Warnett using a Northern Lights Suplex to counter the Floating DDT. SR: Not yet! [Luke Steele, prepared for this counter, counters by flipping over into a sunset flip and hooking the legs: 1 -- 2 -- 3!] SR: It's over! It's finally over! Yes! [Luke Steele stands up with his arms raised in the air...] TD: No, it's not, Soundbite! The referee is pointing at the ropes. He's not counting the pin! SR: Warnett didn't grab the ropes! TD: When Warnett was hit with the sunset flip, his hands must have been under the ropes. He didn't try to reach them, but he was under the ropes, and the referee rightfully called for the break. SR: So disqualify Steele! Or disqualify Warnett! Or... anything, just let this match end! [Luke Steele sits on the mat in stunned amazement as the referee orders the match to continue. He starts to argue with the referee, but Awesome T hollers for Steele to go after Warnett. Luke Steele shakes his head in disgust and picks up Warnett and sets him up for another front facelock. Warnett shows signs of life by jumping over Steele while in the front facelock, setting up Luke Steele for a standing neckbreaker. A "Marty" chant begins again.] TD: The crowd coming alive to cheer on the Party Animal... SR: Alive... but brain dead. [Marty hops up to the second turnbuckle, and comes off with a legwhip that catches Luke Steele. He whips Luke Steele into the corner. Steele comes out charging, but Marty Warnett catches him with a reverse atomic drop, then follows it up with an enzuigiri. He lifts up Luke Steele's leg, and uses a shinbreaker on Luke Steele. He drags him to the middle of the ring, and spins around... Luke Steele shoves him off, then catches Warnett with a sidewalk slam on the rebound. Luke Steele makes his way to the top turnbuckle, leaps off with a high-cross bodyblock, and is met with a desperation dropkick from Marty Warnett. Warnett quickly scales the ropes and leaps off with a diving headbutt to the ribs...] TD: The Hangover! Here's the cover... We have one... two... three! [Ding! Ding! Ding!] SR: Is it over? TD: Yes, Steve, it's over. SR: It's REALLY over? TD: Listen to Sparkplug, Steve. SL: Here is the winner of the match... and moving on to the semi-finals... MARTY WARNETT! SR: A-men. TD: Steve, one would think you were a Marty Warnett fan. SR: Fan... no. Come to think of it, I hate the bastard. But this match is finally over, and I didn't care who the hell won the match. [Marty Warnett climbs out of the ring and makes a belt motion with his hands. He looks over at the announcer's table, and points a finger at "Soundbite" Steve Roberts.] SR: Hey, Warnett! If it weren't for my bad back, I'd be wiping the mat with your face and using your pimply face as a scrub brush! [Warnett shakes his head at Roberts and celebrates with the Party Maniacs. Meanwhile, Luke Steele grabs the Black and White Discordiacs T-shirt and walks out of the ring with a look of disgust on his face. Awesome T walks behind Steele, trying to lift his spirits.] TD: Luke Steele almost won the match. Indeed, if Marty Warnett hadn't been lucky enough to be under the ropes, Luke Steele would have won the match. But Warnett won, and is moving on to the tournament. Folks, we'll be right back in a moment with our huge IIWF World Tag Team Championship match, but first, a word concerning some new merchandise. [The camera fades in on the outside of a Hospital, marked with a giant red cross on the roof. The show slowly pans in towards a window. Voices from inside the room are heard. The back of a doctor in a white lab coat is seen through the glass.] DOC: All right then Mr. Ciccolella, we are almost all set for your operation later today. MC: Great! Thanks, Doctor Jones. I guess I'll go out and see Nurse DeWilicker and tell her that I am all ready. DOC: Not so fast, Mr. Ciccolella... there is one last preparation for today's surgical procedure. We have to clean out your system first... thus, we have to give you an enema. [The panic in Mr. Ciccolella's voice is apparent, even though he still cannot be shown as the camera takes forever to zoom.] MC: What?! An enema?! Is that safe? DOC: Oh, I assure you, Mr. Ciccolella, it's safe. An enema is simply a liquid solution inserted into your rectum and it helps to clean out your colon for today's surgical procedure. It's perfectly safe. MC: But I heard that it hurts. DOC: Oh no... no, no, no. It is completely painless. MC: Well, if you say it's painless. [We see the patient lay down on the table, and the Doctor prepare a needle. The camera slowly pans away from view of the medical procedure.] DOC: All right... here we go... [A loud explosion occurs in the room! The glass flies out of the window as smoke and fire explode from nowhere, inside the room. Mr. Ciccolella's voice is heard screaming amidst the huge explosion! The metal guitar riff solo from "Hands of Death" by Rob Zombie & Alice Cooper plays in the background as clips of Serge Annis are shown. A voice-over begins.] VO: Suffer your own "NAPALM ENEMA" and show your support for the Epitome of Evil with the newest IIWF t-shirt sweeping the stands for only 25 bucks... [A clip of a black t-shirt flashes on the screen, and spins around showing front and back. On the front of the shirt, the words "NAPALM ENEMA" are spelt out in red crimson blood lettering, mixed with barb wire, and on the back is the word "ANNIS" in the same lettering.] VO: To order the Serge Annis "Napalm Enema" t-shirt, pick up your phone and dial 1-800-IIWF-Stuff with three major credit card numbers. Add $5 more for shipping and handling, and an extra $500 if you want it to be delivered to your house by the IIWF's number one spokesperson, The Smooth. [A clip of The Smooth is shown wearing a Serge Annis "Napalm Enema" shirt, as The Smooth gives the camera a big thumbs up. The shot switches to a ring where Serge Annis stands in the dark.] VO: So go on... don't wait... [The four ringposts explode with six foot walls of fire as Serge slams his hands down, in trademark fashion.] VO: Suffer your "Napalm Enema" today! [Ordering information flashes up on the screen one last time along with the words: "Warning! A napalm enema may be dangerous to your health and to your sex life. Order at own risk!" Fade to black. Cut back to live footage of the Coliseum, as Serge Annis is shown seated on his steel chair at ringside with a smirk on his face. Cut to the broadcast table at ringside.] TD: Yes, folks, Serge Annis is still with us here at ringside in his role as an enforcer -- and he has just been getting involved in everything here tonight. Well, up next is the match that the world has been waiting for: the world tag-team champions put their belts up against two legends -- Grizzly Gaines and Caleb Temple! SR: Who's Caleb Temple? TD: Caleb Temple is one of the most-recognized figures in the sport, Steve Roberts! SR: How many matches has he won in the IIWF? TD: None. This will be his first match. SR: Then he ain't no legend. Joe Hauser hit 70 homers in one season -- but have you ever heard of him? Nope. It only counts if you do it in the big leagues. TD: Well, if that is true, he's about to get his chance. SR: Aw, you know I'm only a-kiddin' ya, Dross. I love this guy. He's gonna be great -- but he ain't no legend until the Soundbite says so. TD: Let's go up to Sparky. ________ ______ | || |\ \ /\ / /| __|.................................................. | || | \ v v / | __| IIWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: |_||_| \_/\_/ |_| Team Sychosys [c] vs. The Baddest Thangs Running ....................................................................... WRITER: Dave Hogg [Sparkplug Lee makes his way into the ring, only stumbling slightly over the bottom rope.] SL: The following match is for the IIWF World Tag-Team Championships! [Pop!] SL: First, the challengers! They are The Baddest Thangs Running -- Gunnar "Grizzly" Gaines and Caleb Temple! [Caleb Temple's music -- "Damaged One" by Black Flag -- strikes up, but only Grizzly comes through the curtains. Gaines comes about halfway to the ring, then looks back at the entrance.] TD: Where's Caleb Temple? These two have never liked each other -- maybe Temple has decided not to show up! [Gaines looks concerned for a moment, but then he smiles and points to his T-shirt -- adorned with Temple's face. As he does, Caleb steps into the arena. Massive heel pop!] TD: There he is! The legend, Caleb Temple, is in the IIWF! [Temple is a lean, well-built man whose body is covered in scar tissue and tattoos. The most obvious tattoo is a depiction of the Crucifixion that covers his entire back. He also has a large silver crucifix on a chain around his neck. As he approaches Gaines, he nods, and the two men make their way to the ring. As they pass Serge Annis, hard looks are exchanged, but nothing is said.] SL: Their opponents are the reigning IIWF World Tag-Team Champions -- Maurice McArthur and Joe Petrow -- TEAM SYCHOSYS! [As Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" plays, the first person through the curtains is a small boy, wearing a white Team Sychosys outfit.] SR: My god, Maurice has shrunk! I told Petrow not to put him in the dryer! TD: Actually, Steve Roberts, I believe that is Conor McArthur -- the son that 4M just was recently reunited with after several years. SR: Do you think he knows that his daddy is a loser? TD: His daddy is one-half of the World Tag-Team Champions, Steve Roberts. SR: Icehawk was once one-half of the world tag-team champions, Dross. What's your point? [4M follows his son out to ringside, dressed exactly like his son. Behind him comes Joe Petrow, wearing simple grey trunks and boots.] TD: Obviously, Conor's presence here is an answer to the Gaines family's exploitation of their small child. It looks like Maurice is bursting with pride. [The champs enter the ring, and Petrow prepares himself to start the match. That doesn't happen, though, as 4M motions his partner to step out to the apron.] TD: Look at the confidence written across Maurice McArthur's face! He doesn't even seem to care that he is facing two superstars! SR: Well, I don't know who this Temple guy might be, but 4M needs to remember that the Grizz isn't your typical tag gay guy. He can go. [Gaines decides to start the match for his team, and after referee Dave D'Amato signals for the bell, he locks up with 4M.] TD: Here we go! [Instantly, it becomes obvious that Gunnar Gaines has a huge strength advantage. He tosses 4M across the ring like a rag doll. Petrow yells for his partner to tag out, but Maurice shakes his head and charges Gaines. Grizzly stays motionless until McArthur is nearly on top of him, then side-steps and brings his huge arm up into a vicious forearm smash to 4M's jaw. The Majestyk One drops in his tracks, looking for all the world like a man who has just been shot. The crowd seems stunned as Gaines casually tags in Caleb Temple.] TD: And now we get our first look at Caleb Temple! This man has been described as the biggest psychopath in the sport! [Temple climbs to the top rope, and as 4M groggily arises, the newcomer flattens him again with a missile dropkick. Luckily for the tag champs, the force of the blow sends McArthur crashing into his own corner, where Petrow makes the tag.] TD: Did you see that, Steve Roberts? He came off the top rope like a man 50 pounds lighter than himself! SR: Not bad. But that just makes him a cruiserweight that weighs too much to go after the title. Let's see what he can do with the original Sycopath. [Unlike McArthur, who looked so pumped up for this match that he was shaking with excitement, Petrow is the very picture of serenity. He steps into the ring, and approaches Temple. Caleb just watches as Petrow slowly walks toward him, then flashes into action...] TD: Slap! Caleb Temple just slapped Joe Petrow across the face! And Petrow doesn't even blink! He's just staring calmly at Temple. SR: Joe Petrow is one odd duck. But he's a smart one. He's not going to let these two get under his skin. [Temple throws a big right hand -- blocked by Petrow. A left -- blocked. Another right -- blocked again. Obviously frustrated, Temple reaches out with both hands to shove Petrow -- who suddenly isn't there! Petrow ducks under the shove, then takes Caleb down with an armbar submission move. Temple groans in pain, but is instantly relieved when Gaines enters the ring and kicks Petrow in the back of the head. Heel pop!] TD: Joe Petrow had Caleb Temple in some trouble there! SR: Had being the operative word. It doesn't look like he is in any trouble right now. [Gaines continues to viciously kick Petrow, ignoring D'Amato's orders to leave the ring, while Temple gets to his feet and climbs once again to the top. He leaps off, trying for a legdrop, but Petrow reaches up and pulls Gaines right into the move. Pop!] TD: Joe Petrow just saved himself -- and Caleb Temple just blasted his own partner! SR: And Grizzly Gaines doesn't look too happy about it, does he? [Gaines glares at Temple, then starts to tear off the Caleb Temple t-shirt that he is still wearing. Pop!] TD: He's ripping off the shirt! This could be the end of this team! Wait! There's another shirt under it.... SR: Or maybe it's not the end. [Gaines proudly shows off his brand-new Baddest Thangs Running shirt -- featuring himself and Caleb Temple together. Gaines grins, and high-fives Temple... but while they are distracted, Petrow levels both of them with a dropkick. Once again, Temple crashes into Gaines, sending both of them over the top rope and to the floor.] TD: Joe Petrow seems to realize that he's going to have to wrestle this match by himself -- Maurice McArthur is too badly overmatched. And he's doing a good job of it. SR: Gaines and Temple are making one huge mistake. TD: What's that, Steve Roberts? SR: They are trying to play mind games with Joe Petrow. Say what you want about his actual wrestling skills -- but no one plays mind games like he does. [Gaines tries to get under Petrow's skin from the floor, yelling something about children that the microphones don't quite pick up. Sychosys, though, doesn't even change expression -- he just stares passively at his opponent. Gaines keeps yelling, and Petrow keeps staring. The crowd goes silent, listening as Gunnar's abuse gets more and more personal. Petrow's face never changes -- but as he keeps watching Gaines, he doesn't see Temple coming back into the ring from the other side.] TD: Petrow doesn't know Temple is there! What's he going to... oh my! [Temple takes off at a dead run, and as he charges past Petrow, he grabs him in a headlock. 4M and Conor's simultaneous cries of "Joe!" are just too late -- as Temple leaps over the top rope, dragging the startled Petrow with him. Their bodies hang in mid-air for what seems like an eternity -- then they crash through the timekeeper's table.] TD: My god. SR: I take it all back. He's a legend. If he's still alive. [Gaines goes over to help up his partner, but before he gets there, he is interrupted by a voice on the public-address system.] VOICE: Ye call _this_ tag-team wrestling, wha'? TD: It's Duncan Macbeth! He and his cousin are in the aisleway! [The crowd starts to boo as they notice Black Watch making their way towards the ring. As they get about 20 yards from the ring area, Serge Annis waves his barbed-wire chair, motioning them to stop. Duncan raises a hand to Annis, and stops.] DM: This is nae a team! Temple, ye and Gaines should nae be getting shots at our titles! [Gaines makes an obscene gesture at the Macbeths, then goes back to helping his teammate get free of the wrecked table.] TD: I'm shocked that Caleb Temple is able to get up after he bulldogged Joe Petrow over the top rope and through a table! We have no idea how bad he or.... wait, I'm being told that there is another disturbance in the back! [The camera switches to the entranceway, where the Natural Predators are arguing. While the microphones aren't close enough to pick up their entire conversation, the gist is that Grey Phoenix and Kuyler are trying to stop an enraged Bear from doing something. "I will curse him with the mark of blood," screams Bear, and he races toward the ring.] TD: The massive Bear is angry about something, and here he comes! [The huge Native American raises down the aisle, carrying a bucket. He goes past the bemused Black Watch, but is forced to slow down at the sight of Annis' chair. The delay is just enough to let Gaines blindside Bear, dumping the bucket of red dye over his head. Bear screams a wordless cry of outrage, and attacks Gaines, with Annis trying desperately to get between them. Just as he succeeds, and Kuyler and GP start to pull the enraged Bear away, 4M attacks Gaines, sending both of them careening into the safety railing. Pop!] TD: Maurice McArthur has gone mad! He's throwing wild haymakers at Grizzly Gaines and he doesn't see what's happening in the ring! Caleb Temple is dragging a nearly-unconscious Petrow into the ring. We are about to have new tag-team champions! [Temple leaves Petrow lying in the middle of the ring, leaps up to the top rope, and springs back into an Asai Moonsault! Heel Pop as Temple covers... 1... 2...] TD: No! Gunnar Gaines just pulled his own partner off of Joe Petrow! I don't think Petrow was going to kick out! SR: And Temple is furious! Grizzly's about to feel the wrath of this lunatic! [Temple shoves Gaines, but Grizzly grabs him, lifting him up for his trademark Grizzly Slam!] TD: He's going for the Grizzly Slam on his own partner! He already put Caleb Temple out for six months once with this move! [Gaines lifts, and indeed does send Temple crashing down with his Grizzly Slam... right onto Joe Petrow! As 4M tries desperately to shake off the cobwebs and get back into the ring, D'Amato counts One... Two... and then the referee vanishes from sight!] TD: Andrew Macbeth just pulled the ref out of the ring! Dave D'Amato is signaling for the bell! This match is going to the challengers... but they won't get the titles! [The Macbeths point at Team Sychosys, making it clear that they intend to win their belts themselves. But before they can do more than gesture, they are attacked by The Baddest Thangs Running! Gaines takes the conventional route -- dropping to the floor and charging, but he's beaten to the punch by his partner, who flings himself over the top rope into a suicide dive!] TD: Black Watch and the Thangs are brawling outside the ring, while Joe Petrow and Maurice McArthur head for the safety of the Sycopaths! The IIWF's tag-team division has just heated up several notches! [Security are quickly on the scene, along with Serge Annis, who brandishes his barbed-wire chair wildly at all and sundry. The Black Watch wisely back away from the ring, allowing the orange-shirted security staff to form a human wall between them and the furious Gaines and Temple. The fans give a big, big pop for Gaines and Temple as they stand in the ring, chanting, "I-I-W-F! I-I-W-F!"] TD: Folks, there is a persuasive argument that we should have seen new tag team champions here tonight in the shape of these two men. Caleb Temple is here in the IIWF -- and what a performance in his debut. These two men are simply giants in this sport, and who knows what kind of havoc they will wreak here in the Double Eye in the coming months? SR: Whoo-hoo, Dross! This is the double-eye, double-U, f'n' F! [As Temple and Gaines finally leave the ring, cut back to ringside, where Team Sychosys has made their way over to the section of the ringside seats where their loyal Sychopaths have been cheering them on. McArthur lifts his young son Conor over the crowd barrier into an empty seat, then joins Petrow in having his face painted with chaotic symbols, similar to those worn by Takezo Musashi, by a pair of rather effeminate looking TS fans.] SR: Look, Dross! The American Drag-queens are giving out free makeovers! TD: Those aren't the American Dragons, Steve Roberts, and you know it. SR: [squinting] Yeah, it looks like you're right. Those two are _way_ too butch. They sure gives a whole new meaning to "any team, any time", though... TD: By the looks of that face-paint that Team Sychosys is now sporting, they may have plans to be involved in this upcoming main event! We've already seen a brutal sneak attack by the "Enigma" Takezo Musashi on IIWF Champion Steve Kowalski tonight, and the bad blood between Kowalski and Joe Petrow may lead to a further escalation in violence before the night is over! SR: And I'm sure that's just fine with the Fury, Dross-man. He's got more than enough Skullpumps to go around. [Cut back to a shot of Serge Annis at ringside, his blue barbed-wire wrapped steel chair in hand, as he keeps a sharp eye on Team Sychosys as they continue to remain in the aisle.] TD: Serge Annis continues to be vigilant down at ringside against outside interference, Steve Roberts. He's been fairly effective thus far, but you have to wonder if he'll now have his work cut out for him, trying to keep order in what could be a very volatile match coming up. SR: Yeah, well, where the hell was he when the Fury got jumped by the Sri Lankan, Dross? Looks like Sergie-pie's only interested in being an enforcer when there's a referee or a suit around to see him play the hero. Annis has been called a lot of things here in the Double Eye, but "ass-kisser" has never been one of them... until now. TD: We're still not certain what kind of shape the IIWF Champion is in after that heinous attack by Musashi. Kowalski has been battered on a weekly basis since he won the World Title, and his frenetic defence schedule has left him little time to sufficiently recuperate. You have to wonder just how many more of these kinds of attacks he can humanly take. SR: I doesn't matter one bit, 'cause there's the Fury, and then there's everybody else, baby dolls. The guy just operates on a completely different level than all the other ham-and-eggers. Sure, he's taken about as much punishment as a human can take, but then again, who said the Fury's human? TD: He's certainly pushing the limits, Steve Roberts. It looks like we're about to start, so let's get up to the ring! ________ ______ | || |\ \ /\ / /| __|.................................................. | || | \ v v / | __| IIWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: |_||_| \_/\_/ |_| Steve "the Fury" Kowalski vs. Takezo Musashi ....................................................................... WRITER: Shawn Kilpatrick [Sparkplug Lee climbs into the ring to a big cheer from the Coliseum crowd and shrill wolf-whistles from the two effeminate Sychopaths. Lee glances uncomfortably down at the two men, and crosses to the opposite side of the ring, drawing a disappointed groan from the two fans.] SL: Ahem... ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is your MAIN EVENT of the evening! [Huge pop from the fans!] SL: This match is scheduled for one fall, and is for the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship! [A chorus of "SKULL-PUMP! SKULL-PUMP! SKULL-PUMP!" begins to rise from the packed audience.] SL: Introducing first, the challenger! He hails from Kobe, Japan, weighs in at 210 pounds, and is a former IIWF Cruiserweight Champion! Here is... the "ENIGMA", TAKEZO MUSASHI! [The crowd explodes with a deafening heel pop as "Stellar regions" by John Coltrane plays from the P.A. and the "Enigma" steps boldly through the curtain at the head of the aisle and begins striding confidently to ringside. Musashi is looking like the cat that swallowed the canary, and his smug demeanour only inspires the fans to intensify the heel heat, and sever of them pelt the "Enigma" with paper cups and other trash. Musashi takes no notice, and just holds his arms out as he walks down to ringside, as if accepting the fans' outraged jeers.] TD: Listen to the response that Musashi is receiving from this capacity crowd, Steve Roberts! I don't think I've ever heard such an overwhelmingly negative reaction to any IIWF star in recent memory! SR: Yeah, he's about as popular as Pol Pot right now, Dross. And once the Fury gets his hands on him, Musashi just might be meeting ol' Pol face-to-face pretty soon. TD: Hold on... Team Sychosys have met Musashi in the aisle, and they're having some sort of conference! [Petrow and McArthur make their way over to Musashi, and the three allies begin to engage in some short pre-match strategies as the crowd suddenly begins to pop loudly!] TD: Serge Annis is on his way over! He wants this match to get underway! [Petrow and McArthur are suddenly yanked back from their conversation with Musashi, and as they spin around in confusion and anger, they see the imposing form of the "Lethal Protector" before them, holding his barbed-wire chair over his head and pointing to the stands!] TD: Annis is, um, inviting Team Sychosys to take their seats! We may see an altercation right now! [Joe Petrow just stares coldly up at Annis, but the newly-confident McArthur suddenly shoves Annis back angrily, to a surprised pop from the crowd. Annis backpedals a few feet, then steps forward and plants his hand on 4M's chest, sending him flying twelve feet across the floor and crashing into the crowd barrier in front of the Sychopaths! Petrow steps forward, but Annis just raises the steel chair, and gestures to Petrow once more. Petrow shrugs and makes his way over to the stands, but has to suddenly restrain McArthur as he picks himself up and rushes at Annis again!] TD: McArthur is hot! He wants to take on Serge Annis right now! SR: Let him, Joe! Maurice is a new man now! He can take a creampuff like Sergie-pie, easy! TD: Please, Steve! Despite his recent improvement, I really doubt that McArthur could last ten seconds against a wrestler like Serge Annis! SR: I lasted ten seconds once. Best weekend of my life. [Annis and McArthur begin jawing at one another, and the big Canadian stalks over to the stands, threatening Team Sychosys with the chair as Petrow steps over the guardrail and attempts to pull 4M over into the seats. Meanwhile, Musashi has been watching this scene closely, ready to intercede if violence broke out, but as Team Sychosys begin to return to their seats, he begins making his way back down the aisle, as the fans continue to jeer him. Suddenly, there is a commotion at the head of the aisle, and another loud pop rises from the crowd!] TD: The situation with Team Sychosys appears to be simmering down now, and... oh my goodness, who is that? SR: It's the Fury, Dross! But what's that on his back? [Musashi is oblivious to the entrance of Steve Kowalski behind him, the crowd noise deafening him to the Fury's approach as he hop-skips down the aisle towards the "Enigma", obviously hampered by a leg injury of some sort. Kowalski, wearing the gold World Title belt around his waist, still has a trickle of dried blood snaking down the side of his face, and his teeth are bared both from anger and from the discomfort of running as what appears to be a long brown leather bag bounces on his back. The crowd begins to pop insanely as Kowalski, within feet of Musashi now, reaches behind him into the bag and pulls out a long, thin metal object!] TD: He's... good lord, he's got golf clubs! SR: Remember what he did to Brody with those? Kowalski's gonna pull a "Lone Wolf" on the Cambodian, Dross! This is great! [Musashi is suddenly knocked sprawling to the floor as the Fury lashes out with what appears to be a four-wood, snapping the metal shaft as he brings the club down across the Enigma's skull! Big pop! As Musashi rolls on the concrete, clutching at his head, Kowalski sets the golf bag down and begins rummaging through the clubs, grinning a toothy grin and shouting out to the crowd as the Furies cheer wildly from ringside.] SK: Ya know, sometimes I toe that four-wood... [Kowalski pulls a three-iron out of the bag, regards it for a moment, then looks down at Musashi, who is slowly pulling himself up to his hands and knees. The Fury raises the three-iron over high in the air, and brings the shaft down across Musashi's back, snapping the iron in two! Another huge pop!] SK: And every once in awhile, I shank the three-iron... [As the Furies look on with glee, Kowalski pulls a five-iron out of the bag, and smashes the "Enigma" over the head again, snapping the metal club in half as he brings it down across the Japanese star's skull!] SK: And the five... [Kowalski pulls another iron out of the bag, and holds it up to the ringside camera. The iron has a large number "7" engraved in its steel head, and the Fury starts to laugh menacingly as this time, he measures Musashi with the steel club, holding the heavy end of the iron just inches from the stunned Musashi's temple!] SK: But the seven-iron... I _never_ miss with the seven-iron! [The crowd explodes as Kowalski pulls back the seven-iron and prepares to swing away at Musashi's head as if he were teeing off!] TD: Oh my goodness! Kowalski could kill him! SR: He sure could, Dross! Ain't it great? TD: It certainly is not, Steve Roberts! Someone had better... oh, thank goodness, here comes Serge Annis! SR: Great. Cream-puff to the rescue. Maybe the Fury will get to play the back nine, too! [Annis looks over from were he has just managed to get Team Sychosys into their seats, and sees Kowalski preparing to smash Musashi in the head with the seven-iron, and, grabbing his chair, charges towards Kowalski to break up the scene! Kowalski sees Annis approaching, drops the club, and grabs the heavy golf bag, heaving it at the "Lethal Protector"! The surprised Annis catches the golf bag right in the chest, and bag, golf clubs, and Annis all go careening into a crowd barrier as Kowalski grabs Musashi by the hair and drags him down to ringside, whipping his belt off and tossing it to referee Earl Alfonso as he passes the timekeeper's table.] TD: Takezo Musashi appears to have been cut over his left eye, but Serge Annis managed to save the "Enigma" from having his head completely opened up with that seven-iron, Steve Roberts! SR: Looks like Kowalski's gonna get a second chance, Dross. He's bringing Musashi over here, and now he's setting up for a Skullpump! [The Fury drags the "Enigma" over to the broadcast table, right in front of Dross and Roberts, and Kowalski winks at the two commentators as he puts Musashi's head between his legs, and hooks the "Enigma's" arms!] TD: He's going to Skullpump him onto our table! SR: Scatter, Dross! [Before Kowalski can yank Musashi up, though, Serge Annis suddenly charges up from behind, and breaks the armlock! Pop! Kowalski is livid, and begins cursing a blue streak at Annis, who shouts back at the IIWF Champion and tells him to "keep it in the ring", gesturing up at the squared circle as he motions Kowalski to get in the ring. The argument is suddenly broken up by Takezo Musashi, still bent double between the Fury's legs, as he drives his head into Kowalski's groin and breaks the leglock! Huge pop!] TD: Oh my! Musashi took advantage of that altercation between Kowalski and Annis to foul the champion and break out of the Skullpump! SR: That sneaky Vietnamese bastard... TD: Musashi is shoving Annis away from Kowalski, and now he just pulls the Fury up by hair and tosses him into the ring! Finally, this match is underway! [Referee Earl Alfonso calls for the bell to start the match as both wrestlers finally manage to get into the ring, and it is Musashi, still bleeding from the golf club attack, who attacks first, leaping over the top rope and driving an elbow right between the Fury's eyes! Pop! Kowalski clutches at his face as his legs pound the canvas in pain, and Musashi follows up the elbow by hopping up on the Fury's forehead and scuffing the soles of his boots across the Fury's eyes! Kowalski springs to his feet, trying to stay off the mat, but his eyes are tearing badly, and steps right into a rising drop kick from the Enigma! Big pop!] TD: Takezo Musashi off to a blazing start after that pre-match counter-attack from Steve Kowalski, and the IIWF Champion is reeling! [Kowalski scrambles to his feet again, and is sent to the canvas once more with another big dropkick from Musashi! The Japanese star waits as Kowalski leaps up one more time, still wiping tears out of his eyes, and turns to see Musashi flying at him with a third dropkick! This time, Kowalski manages to sidestep the kick, and grabbing Musashi's legs in mid-air, slams him viciously to the mat with a crunching spinebuster! Huge pop!] TD: Reversal by the Fury! SR: The Enigma went to the well once too... oh my God! TD: What, Steve? SR: I can't believe I was actually going to use that tired old cliché! TD: We won't hold it against you, Soundbite. SR: Thanks, moron. Now, get me some biscuits! [Kowalski is slow to get to his feet, obviously somewhat hampered by his right leg as he limps over to Musashi and drops his left knee onto the Enigma's forehead, then scoops up the Japanese and plants him into the mat with a Tiger Driver! Pop! Kowalski, rallying, scoops up the Enigma once again, and bellowing with the effort, sends the 210-pounder flying a full fifteen feet across the canvas with a fall-away slam, sending him crashing into a corner!] TD: Unbelievable! Steve Kowalski is keeping up with the smaller Musashi in there! SR: I told you, Dross-man... the Fury ain't human! Of course, softening up the Enigma with those golf clubs can't hurt his chances too much either! [Kowalski picks himself up off the canvas after the throw, wincing slightly as he struggles to his feet, and turns around to see the "Enigma" Takezo Musashi flying at him after climbing up the turnbuckle and launching himself at the Fury with a cross body block! Kowalski has no time to get out of the way, as Musashi slams into the champion and takes him down for a pin! Alfonso drops: 1 -- 2 -- kickout by Kowalski! Big pop!] TD: Musashi very nearly had the Fury there! [Both men scramble to their feet, but Musashi is like lightning as he springs up and cinches his powerful legs around the Fury's head, pulling him down with a Frankensteiner! Big pop as the Enigma goes for the pin again -- 1 -- 2 -- kickout! Another scramble, and this time it is Steve Kowalski who ducks a savate kick from Musashi and nearly decapitates the Enigma with a big clothesline that sends Musashi pinwheeling through the air! Pop!] SR: That's why I loves watchin' the cruisers, Dross. They bounce real good! TD: The pace of this match is incredible, and neither man is showing signs of slowing down! Kowalski drops the elbow... and connects! Kowalski now sending the Enigma for the ride... Hotshot onto the opposite rope! Musashi is in trouble now! [Musashi instinctively rolls under the bottom rope and out of the ring as Kowalski limps in a circle around the ring, keeping an eye on the Enigma the whole time as he tries to walk off the discomfort in his right leg. Alfonso begins to count out Musashi as he slowly passes by the hulking form of Serge Annis, and as Kowalski turns his back on the Enigma for the shortest of moments, Annis is suddenly caught by surprise when Musashi tears the barbed-wire wrapped chair out of the "Lethal Protector's" grasp, and charges into the ring! Big pop!] TD: He's got the chair! Musashi's going to attack Kowalski with Annis' chair! SR: If he hits the Fury, he'll disqualify himself! He'll lose the belt! He _is_ nuts, Dross! [Musashi doesn't seem to care as he rushes at Kowalski from behind, the chair raised high over his head, but at the last second, Kowalski turns and catches the chair before it strikes him! Huge pop! Quick as a flash, Kowalski drives a foot into Musashi's abdomen, causing him to lose his grip on the chair, and Kowalski tosses it to the canvas before he DDT's the Enigma to the mat! Incredible pop!] TD: Kowalski with a DDT! He saw that attack all the way, and the Fury stopped Musashi cold! SR: Look at Sergie-pie, Dross -- he wants his widdle chair back! Ain't that sweet! [Annis is up on the apron, preparing to step through the ropes to retrieve his chair, when Earl Alfonso spots him and rushes over, admonishing Annis to get down. Annis, frustrated, begins arguing with the official, pointing into the ring at the chair, and Kowalski takes advantage of Alfonso's absence to pick up the chair, and begins to climb up a nearby turnbuckle as the Furies begin to cheer wildly!] TD: Annis is still trying to convince Alfonso to let him retrieve his chair, and... oh my goodness, what is Kowalski doing? SR: He's up on the turnbuckles, and he's holding that steel chair across his chest! Jesus, Dross, you don't think... [Kowalski balances himself on the top turnbuckle, holding the chair tight against his chest, and looks back at the stunned Musashi before he shouts out to the Furies, "GET YER CAMERAS READY!" and moonsaults off of the corner! Deafening pop from the Coliseum crowd! Kowalski arcs through the air, legs splayed awkwardly as he fights for the rotation, and he just barely manages to get around as he slams into the chest of Takezo Musashi with a resounding BOOM that reverberates throughout the arena!] SR: HE LANDED IT! The sonofabitch landed it! TD: It wasn't pretty, but Steve Kowalski still makes the highlight reel with that gutsy move! He drove that steel chair into the chest of Takezo Musashi with all his weight behind it, and now he's going for the pin! [Kowalski pulls the chair off of Musashi and slides it across the canvas as he slowly crawls over to the prone Enigma and drapes an arm over the Japanese star's lacerated chest. Alfonso turns away from his argument with Annis, sees the pin, and rushes in for the count: 1 -- 2 -- Musashi drives a shoulder up! Big pop!] TD: Musashi kicks out! Where is he finding the energy? SR: Damn it, the Fury should have used his driver, Dross. [Kowalski rolls off the Enigma, the grind of the match now starting to tell on him, as he pulls Musashi to his feet, and with a groan, send him into the ropes and rushes at him with a lariat, but Musashi ducks under! Pop! Both men hit the ropes again, and this time, Musashi springs at the Fury with a cross body block -- and Kowalski catches him! Another pop! Kowalski, however, can't keep his balance, and he stumbles backwards and into the ropes, and both men fall through to the outside!] TD: Oh no! Kowalski is running out of steam, and couldn't hold on to Musashi! Both men are outside the ring now, and Musashi is rallying! [Kowalski tries to struggle to his feet, but grunts as his right leg suddenly gives out from under him, and he collapses back to the floor! Musashi takes advantage of his opponent's disability to yank him up by the hair and run him headfirst into a nearby steel crowd barrier! Pop!] TD: Steve Kowalski is injured! He must have aggravated that bad hip when he fell out of the ring, and now the Enigma is taking full advantage! SR: C'mon, Annis! Get your sissy ass over there and save the Fury! [Annis is indeed on his way to intervene, but can't get there before the maniacal Musashi yanks the crowd barrier loose from its supports, stands it up on end, and sends it toppling over on top of the helpless Kowalski! Big pop! The Fury lies motionless underneath the heavy steel structure as Annis finally grabs Musashi by the neck and forcibly walks him over to the apron, flinging him into the ring! Musashi is on his feet in a shot, cursing at the "Lethal Protector" from the ring, but Annis just shoots the Enigma a cold stare before he turns away and tries to lift the barrier off of Kowalski.] TD: Annis manages to get Musashi away from ringside before he can do further damage, and now he is working to free Steve Kowalski from under that heavy barrier! SR: He should have just Epitomized the Indonesian to hell right then and there, Dross. The old Annis would have! [The crowd suddenly lets loose with a huge heel pop as Musashi begins to climb up the turnbuckle, glaring down at Annis and Kowalski as he balances himself on the top rope!] TD: What's Musashi doing? Oh my goodness... SR: He ain't gonna... [Annis looks up from his toils just in time to see Takezo Musashi launch himself off of the top turnbuckle, diving through the air and slamming into the crowd barrier with a high-impact senton splash! Incredible pop! The force of the impact causes the barrier to flip over, revealing a battered, bleeding Steve Kowalski underneath!] TD: Musashi with a splash onto that barrier, and the Fury took the full impact of that blow! He looks unconscious, Steve Roberts! SR: No... it can't happen this way, Dross.. I just can't [BLEEP]in' happen this way! [Musashi, sensing that the match is now firmly within his grasp, pulls the stunned champion by the hair to the ropes and rolls him in, immediately going for the pin as Alfonso rushes over for the count -- 1 -- 2 -- Kowalski JUST gets a shoulder up! Pop! Musashi slams the mat, the frustration evident on his face!] TD: Only two! Kowalski is still alive! SR: That's why he's the champ, Dross -- the Fury just never quits. But how much more of this can he take? [As Musashi pulls up Kowalski once again, Petrow and McArthur, seeing their opportunity, leap over the crowd barrier and rush over to the timekeeper's table, where the World Title belt has been resting. Petrow snatches the belt off of the table, and begins dancing around the ring, holding the stolen belt high as the crowd boos him lustily. Annis spots Petrow with the belt, and immediately sets off after him, but McArthur runs interference for Petrow, shoving Annis back before he can intercept his partner!] TD: Now Team Sychosys is at ringside, and they've stolen the World title! Annis is in pursuit, but McArthur is keeping him away from Joe Petrow! Musashi in the ring... BACKDRIVER SUPLEX! Musashi just hit the Backdriver Suplex on Steve Kowalski! It's all over! SR: Get up, Fury! In the name of J. Dub Hardin, get the [BLEEP] up! [Alfonso rushes over again and drops for the count: 1 -- 2 -- Kowalski kicks out! Incredible pop! Musashi, nearly insane with rage and frustration now, picks Kowalski up and sends him into the ropes, and dashes to the opposite side, but on the rebound, Kowalski suddenly halts the Enigma by driving his foot into Musashi's gut, sending the wind rushing out of him! Pop! Kowalski's running on pure instinct as he reaches down, hooks Musashi's arms, heaves him into the air... and SKULLPUMPS Takezo Musashi into the mat! The Coliseum crowd leaps to its feet with a monster pop!] TD: SKULLPUMP! SKULLPUMP! Kowalski got him! SR: Look at Petrow, Dross! He's on the apron, and Alfonso is down! Petrow just knocked out the ref with the World belt! What the hell is that maniac doing? [The huge pop for Kowalski turns into a raucous chorus of boos, as Petrow looks on smugly as Kowalski drags himself over to the unconscious Musashi and covers him, waiting for the ref to rush over and count the pin. As Annis struggles to get past a persistently annoying McArthur on the outside, Petrow steps into the ring as the confused Fury looks around for Alfonso, and sees Petrow standing in the corner, with his World Title belt slung over his shoulder! Anger immediately flashes in Kowalski's eyes at the sight of Petrow, and he leaps to his feet, his hands balled into tight fists, but as he takes a step towards "Sychosys", the right hip gives way under his weight with a sickening popping sound, and the Fury gasps in agony as he collapses to the mat again, clutching at his right side as a burning pain begins to spread from his thigh all the way up his abdominals and ribcage!] TD: Kowalski is definitely injured, and badly! It looks like all the weeks of non-stop defences, of countless bruises and blows, have finally caught up to the IIWF Champion! SR: And look who's there to conveniently cash in on the Fury's injury, Dross! Looks like Petrow's gonna be ditching 4M sooner than we thought, but if he thinks that this is gonna be his ticket to the World Title, he's got another thing coming! Take a good look at that belt, Joe, 'cause that's as close as you're ever gonna get to it! [Petrow smirks as Kowalski crumples to the canvas, and reaches down for the ring mic, staring coldly at the Fury, who has now turned white with pain, as he raises the mic and begins to speak.] JP: You know, Steve, you may think you've proven something over the past few months. You may think you proved something at Ring Wars V, and you may even think that you're proving something here tonight. But the fact remains, you're looking at the only man in the IIWF who's ever beat you in the ring in a one-on-one match for a title... you're looking at the number one ranked wrestler in the IIWF today... and I don't recall ever being offered a world's title match with you! So as far as we're all concerned Steve Kowalski, you haven't proved a damned thing to us! [Petrow pauses as the crowd responds with a deafening heel pop, and to let his words sink in with Kowalski.] JP: But it's just as well, Steve. It wouldn't be fair. Because you know, if you ever stepped into the ring to defend your title against me... you WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT HIT YOU! [As Kowalski, through his agony, glares up from the canvas at Petrow who holds the World Title belt high over his head in derision, McArthur suddenly breaks away from Annis on the outside and dashes through the ropes into the ring, rushing towards the Fury from behind!] TD: Good God! McArthur is trying to attack Steve Kowaslki! SR: That goddamn jobber's gotta be put in his place, Dross! Kowalski must not be punked, especially by a talking speed-bump like 4M! [As fast as McArthur is, though, Serge Annis is surprisingly faster, and before 4M can reach the IIWF Champion, Annis lashes out with a huge forearm, and McArthur's eyes go wide as he suddenly finds the vice-like hand of the "Lethal Protector" around his throat! Incredible pop!] TD: Epitomizer Chokeslam! Serge Annis just hit Maurice McArthur with the Epitomizer! SR: It's about time that cream-puff did something useful tonight! He might as well have been wearing a striped shirt in this match! [McArthur is out cold on the canvas as Annis stands up from the chokeslam and turns his attention to Petrow, jabbing a finger at "Sychosys" and spewing threats at the tag champ. Petrow just grins at Annis, dangling the World Title belt in front of him... and then he tosses the belt into the crowd! HUGE heel pop! Annis takes a step towards Petrow, motioning him to get out of the ring! TD: Petrow just threw the IIWF World Title belt into the crowd! What an outrage! Annis is trying to clear Team Sychosys from the ring, but Petrow doesn't look like he's going to budge... GOOD GOD! [The crowd erupts in a HUGE pop as Annis is suddenly cut down from behind by "The Enigma" Takezo Musashi! Annis is caught completely by surprise as the former Cruiserweight Champ sweeps the legs out from under the big Canadian, taking him to the mat, and he leaps upon Annis, driving hard lefts and rights into the "Lethal Protector's" face! Petrow just shakes his head as Annis and Musashi brawl away, then moves over to where McArthur is beginning to come around, and pulls 4M out of the ring. The crowd pelts Team Sychosys with paper cups and trash as Petrow and McArthur slowly make their way out of the Coliseum, and a security team rushes down the aisle towards the ring to break up the raging battle going on between Serge Annis and Takezo Musashi.] TD: This is chaos, Steve Roberts! Petrow just tosses away the World Title... Annis and Musashi are brawling in the middle of the ring... Earl Alfonso is unconscious, and Steve Kowalski... Steve Kowalski looks like he can't even walk! [Back in the ring, Kowalski tries to get to his feet once more to avoid being trampled by Annis and Musashi, but as he rises to his knees, pain rips through his right side again, and his eyes roll back in his head as he slumps the canvas once more!] SR: He's... aw cripes, Dross, he's done. Kowalski's done. He's finally broken down. TD: We can't be sure of the extent of Steve "The Fury" Kowalski's injuries, folks, but I can safely say from our vantage point here at ringside that they appear to be very serious! We have an out-of-control situation in the ring now, as Serge Annis and the "Enigma" Takezo Musashi continue to hammer away at one another, Team Sychosys have left the ring area after Joe Petrow first stole and then threw away the IIWF World Title belt, and Steve Kowalski is helpless on the mat! We're out of time, folks! Out of time! We will update you on all of tonight's developing stories this Tuesday Night on "Inside the IWF", but once again, it appears that IIWF Champion Steve "The Fury" Kowalski has suffered what appears to be a serious leg injury of some sort! Will this spell the end of the Fury's magnificent reign as IIWF Champion? We will let you know as soon as we have some information on Kowalski's condition! For my broadcast colleague, "Soundbite" Steve Roberts, this is Tim Dross, saying: so long, everybody! [Cut back to the ring, as members of the JS and te Coliseum security team pour through the ropes and swarm Annis and Musashi as they swing wildly away at each other. The two combatants are quickly separated, but the jobbers and guards are having considerable difficulty dragging Annis and the Enigma out of the ring, as they strain with frightening power against their captors in their zeal to get back at one another. The shot pans across the ring to where an EMT crew is rolling Steve Kowalski onto a stretcher, the Fury bellowing in agony as medics work to immobilise his injured right leg. As the gurney rolls past the camera on its way up the aisle to a waiting ambulance, we see one last look at the face of the IIWF champion, sweat beading on his forehead and his teeth clenched in an agonised grimace as he fights back the surge to scream at the stabbing pain shooting through his right side and the shot slowly fades to black.] +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I * I * W * F =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+ | President: Daniel Spreadbury | Vice-President: Gregg Osterhout | | univ0322@sable.ox.ac.uk | ghost@frii.com | | iiwf@sisko.demon.co.uk | | +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- http://www.sisko.demon.co.uk -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+