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Review for 4CW Storm Front, June 24th, 2018
Opening Skywolf/Hazel Segment
- Wrote it. Fun times with The Wolfboss.
Supergroup Backstage
- Are you ready for the beginning... to begin?
- WWE has its Dead Man. 4CW has a Dead Bro. What? Too soon? 😮
- Taking off an imaginary Aussie point for no "Thunderstruck" joke during the Scharff spiel.
Robert Smith Interview
- Yep / Mmmyep / Mmhmm.
Robert Smith vs Local Talent
- Biggest Baw Gawd Body Slam EVARR!!!1!1!
- It's all in the hips execution!
Fischer Interview
- Low-key kinda stuff. Confident, mind.
- Good closing line.
Skywolf/Reed Segments
- Uh oh, Spaghetti-Os!
Fischer vs Yesgill
- This was alright. Logical next step from last month and leading into Duskfall.
- A few too many dropkicks for my liking.
- I've said it before, but "The Rotterdam Raven" is a great moniker.
Janitur Gorilla Position Segment
- Just waiting for the pay-off, whatever that may be.
Soul Survivor Semi Final
- Wrote it.
- This match idea originated as a gag.
- For Pride Month (ingoring the fact the show went up in July) I wanted to make basically the queerest entrances I could for this match. Throw in the "(4CW) is everyone" graphic Rhys made and this is a gloriously gay show.
Post-Match
- Yes, indeed, folks: a Hot Date match.
- It's possible this idea was... half-baked.
Cain/Reamer Promo
- Shit just got real. Again. 😋
- Good verbal back-and-forth.
- E4CW! 4CW!
Wolfbaine vs Bonham
- I like the overall pace of this match. Lots of high-impact offense on display from both guys, signature moves and near-falls galore.
- Bonham is such a vindictive bastard!
- Great match.
Post-Match
- Very in-keeping behavior for all the characters involved. Highly anticipated match for Duskfall.
MVP of the Night
- Eddie Wolfbaine
Match of the Night
- Bonham vs. Wolfbaine
Graphic of the Night
- The Bro Show (Supergroup graphic)
Last edited by Pilgrim Paige (Mon-16-Jul-2018 00:26:04)
~☆~☆~Pronouns: she/her/hers~☆~☆~
~☆~☆~4CW Grand Slam Champ~☆~☆~
Opening Skywolf/Hazel Segment:
Skywolf is such an entertaining character and I always like to see him when I'm not myself writing him. Then add Hazel to the mix and you have what is certain to be a hilarious and weird medley that is an opening segment. And certain it was. The interactions were just hilarious and we have our Soul Survivor stip, which only adds to the hilarity.
Supergroup Backstage:
Wrote it.
Robert Smith Interview:
Sery has a knack for coming up with what should be terribly bad characters and making them fantastically brilliant. I look forward to seeing the MONSTAR effect on this new character Robert Smith.
Robert Smith vs Local Talent:
That bodyslam, tho. Just sayin'.
Fischer Interview:
Wrote it.
Skywolf/Reed Segments:
Wrote it.
Fischer vs Yesgill:
See above.
Janitur Gorilla Position Segment:
Ditto.
Soul Survivor Semi Final:
This was a great match with many entertaining aspects. The entrance portion alone is worth a mention. Phil McGroin's whole thing is just great. He doesn't particularly give a shit about the LGBT movement, but if it means he gets more fans and rainbow chairs, he's all for it. Great stuff. Then the match content itself is great. Hazel's mind games with the other two is great storytelling as always and really puts over how ridiculousy unpredictable she is. The added dynamic of the Young/Hazel relationship not only fleshes out the narrative and helps the match flow better but also enhances the Final we have ended up with.
Post-Match:
And on that note, we have a Hot Date match. Because of course we do. I didn't expect anything less... Hazel-y. I'm sure it'll be an entertaining barn burner like all these Hazel-related things are. It will be interesting to see which of these two rising stars adds the coveted Soul Survivor to their achievements too.
Cain/Reamer Promo:
Wrote it.
Wolfbaine vs Bonham:
Wrote it.
Post-Match:
Ditto.
MVP of the Night: Witch Hazel.
Match of the Night: Soul Survivor
Graphic of the Night: The Confused Adventures of Licky & Hazel. Would read.
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
Anyone else read this show?
~☆~☆~Pronouns: she/her/hers~☆~☆~
~☆~☆~4CW Grand Slam Champ~☆~☆~
I did, I did, calm thyself 😉
Opening Skywolf/Hazel Segment:
First off, the fan signs are stupid. President Sery would be a downgrade from what we have now. I never knew I wanted Drunk-Skywolf, but now I can't get enough. Same for a Snakes and Ladders Match. Hell we could spam or across a whole PPV! And seriously, Hazel is just the best.
Supergroup Backstage:
Still hate these douches. Definitely the 4CW Ellsworths though.
Robert Smith Interview:
Interesting way to introduce him, I just hope we get more character out of him in the future.
Robert Smith vs Local Talent:
Interesting concept for Smith. I hope he goes heel though, he's waaay too easy to hate (in a good way).
Fischer Interview:
Solid promo. It really sold how important the team was to him without selling himself short.
Skywolf/Reed Segments:
Intriguing. Massive pop at Skywolf's calendar being wrong. That explains so much!
Fischer vs Yesgill:
Coming out to KsE? Must be one of Rhys's guys 😉. Fast and furious action, love it. Great match altogether. I'm really starting to come around on both these teams- they're going from "the new guys" to part of the roster and that's great to see.
Janitur Gorilla Position Segment:
Poor Janitur. Always barred from the wedding, never the bride.
Soul Survivor Semi Final:
Loving McGroin pre-match, especially towards Hazel. I love the chaos. It's clearly a triple threat match, not a series of 1 on 1 segments, if that makes sense. I need more "middle dropkick, bitches!" in my life as well. Tommy Young with an Inverted Cunt Punt? Hella spot with the pole on the outside. The super chair toss from Young is almost beyond belief... almost 😉.
Post-Match:
I'm sad to see McGroin go, but glad Young got the W. And the Dusk fall stip is... interesting to say the least. I'd call it stupid, but Paige always delivers, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.
Cain/Reamer Promo:
Talk forever! Seriously, what a masterful segment.
Wolfbaine vs Bonham:
I love how the match always builds towards the end. Great planning. It's clear both guys want to tear each other apart for the sake of doing it. Not the ending I wanted, but I have a long memory. Watch your back, bub.
Post-Match:
Wonderful idea. Everyone involved ended up looking like they needed to going into Duskfall.
MVP of the Night: "That gorgeous lady Hazel met at the concessions stand" for sure.
Match of the Night: Licky on a Pole, with a special shout out to Rhys/Reamer.
Graphic of the Night: I'd say 4CW is for everyone, but I don't do plotholes.
The asshole formerly known as Jaco
Founding member of The Cult of [chux]
Coming out to KsE? Must be one of Rhys's guys 😉
If it were up to me, we’d all be coming out to KsE 😄
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
4CW Presents... Storm Front
Jun 24, 2018
Live from the Resch Center - Green Bay, Wisconsin
Attendance: 9,972
"Vertigo" by Eclipse plays over the usual opening video package, highlighting the champions Eddie Wolfbaine, Clyde Bonham, Umbra Maxima and Witch Hazel - as well as a plethora of other stars in the forms of Jacob Scharff, Phil McGroin, Glock Nine, Brian White, Tommy Young and more. We then cut to the Resch Center and pan around the live crowd. Signs that are featured include "CUNTFLAPS", "VIPE NATION" and "SERY FOR PRESIDENT".
Phoenix: Welcome one and all to 4CW Storm Front! We are live from the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin! I'm Scott Phoenix and I am joined as always by my broadcast partners, Ray Jeffrey and James Roberts!
Jeffrey: And I am EXCITED for tonight! The Soul Survivor Semi Final is coming up in tonight's show! Two of the three competitors will advance to the final at Duskfall and fight to walk out with the 4CW Custom Cup Championship! Hazel, the champion, and McGroin and Young, the challengers! Tonight, one of them, will be eliminated!
Roberts: And if that's not enough, we have a STELLAR main event! It's World Champion vs Universal Champion! It's Eddie Wolfbaine vs Clyde Bonham! With such a collision for the ages set for tonight, I can't wait to get started!
The lights begin to slowly dim cut as the familiar drumming intro of Volbeat's "A Warrior's Call" overtakes the speakers. With a hum, the lights cut out, and the song kicks into full-gear. The words "The Lord of the Ring" flash on the 4CWtron just as "Let's get ready to rumble!" echoes throughout the arena. The crowd cheers as a single ding from the ring bell prompts a quick burst of pyro, bringing the lights back on and a rather weary-looking Lord Skywolf—complete with disheveled suit and loose tie—onto the stage. The fans are abuzz with murmurs and side-talking; some gasp and point. Skywolf takes a deep breath, nods to himself and heads down the ramp with no further fanfare.
Carson: Please welcome at this time, 4CW General Manager Lord Skywolf!
Roberts: Boy, Skywolf has sure seen better days.
Phoenix: Been a hellish go of things pretty much the whole year, straight through. Can't help but feel a measure of sympathy for ol' Wolfie.
Jeffrey: Hey, if you can't take the heat, stay the hell away from the kitchen, I say.
Once in the ring, the music cuts out and the audience buzz dies down. Referee Anna Molly stands nearby, prepped for the upcoming opening match. She retrieves a mic and hands it off to the General Manager. Skywolf raises the mic to his chin. When he speaks, he slurs his words slightly.
Skywolf: Right. Last month, we saw round two of the Soul Survivor tournament go down in the form of a scintillating Ultimate X match. How'd everyone enjoy that?
The fans roar their appreciation.
Skywolf: Good stuff, right? Well, Witch Hazel came out of that debacle as our next round's stipulation selector. I'm way too hungover for this, but fuck it. HERE COMES HAZEL!
Jeffrey: So much for staying away from hot stuff, or whatever I said earlier. Out of the frying pan and into the fryer! There's no hope for the man.
The crowd buzzes as Lycia's gothic dirge "Baltica" begins. Bluish-white spotlights dance about the stage. A pair of silvery, cat-like eyes appear on the 4CWTron. Suddenly, it malfunctions, glitching into broken images and then freezing. The lights, tron and music all cut out at once. Dancing, colorful spotlights illuminate the stage as the jumbotron restarts. Brightly-lit carnival rides and colorful game stalls are displayed for a few moments. Suddenly, the imagery switches out to show eerie, abandoned amusement parks under dark, foreboding skies. The imagery fades to black, and those silvery eyes reappear on the screen. The PA system unleashes the madness of Sigh's "Inked in Blood" upon the Resch Center crowd! The lights dim and a spotlight illuminates Witch Hazel as she darts out from behind the curtain to a loud pop! Hazel is wearing casual clothes, as well as the Custom Cup belt around her waist, with Licky in her right hand.
Carson: Please also welcome the reigning 4CW Custom Cup Champion... WITCH HAZEL!
Hazel takes a quick look around, then charges to the top of the ramp and bends low, windmilling her hair around like mad!
Jeffrey: WOOOHOOOHOOO! <3 *Ray Jeffrey swoons*
Roberts: Would you control yourself, Ray?
Jeffrey: Title of your mom's porno!
Phoenix: RAY!
Witch Hazel makes Licky headbang for a while; so do the fans in the arena with their own Lickys. (Available at SeryShop.com!) Hazel foregoes her usual parkour antics and instead makes Licky slap "hands" with the fans lining the entrance ramp. At ringside, Hazel slides into the ring and sets Licky on the nearest turnbuckle, then removes the belt from her waist and holds it high.
Jeffrey: Look at her in those jeans!
*He fans himself with a stack of paper.*
Skywolf points at the title belt, confused.
Skywolf: Hey, I don't remember signing off on that!
Indeed, the Custom Cup Championship belt has been redesigned: the strap itself is now a deep, wine red; the gold side plates have been swapped out for silver plates, each one cut in the shape of a side-profile unicorn head and topped with a golden horn; and finally, the center plate resembles a craggy golden moon with an overlay of silver trees, beneath which stands a rainbow-maned unicorn—not unlike Licky. Along the top of the moon is a metal trim in charcoal, bearing the words "4CW Custom Cup Champion" in gold. The underside of the moon has been similarly emblazoned with "Witch Hazel".
Skywolf: Nice belt, CrazelImeanHAZEL! Looks expensive. Wait, who the hell signed off on that thing?
Hazel, looking confused, retrieves a mic from ever-prepared referee Anna Molly.
Hazel: Uhhh... you did, Mr. Wolfboss. You like it? It's Hazel's own design!
Hazel produces a neatly folded sheet of paper from her ass pocket and hands it off to Skywolf with a look of immense pride.
Skywolf: What is this, crayon? Boy, that sure is great. Let's get a shot of that, huh? Yeah, just climb up on the apron there.
*Skywolf holds Hazel's crude, crayon-based concept art up for a camera man on the apron to zoom in on.*
Skywolf: Inspired stuff. If you were my kid, I'd put that shit on the fridge so fast. Also, the thoughts I'm having right now would be so wrong.
Hazel obliviously powers through this awkward moment, turning about and addressing the fans instead.
Hazel: HEIII, GREEN BAY!!! Ooh, that rhymes!
The Resch Center crowd cheers, hoots and hollers.
Hazel: Is everyone ready to hear Hazel's stipulation?
An affirmative response sounds out from the audience, as well as from Ray Jeffrey, who presently plunks a Mini-Licky™ down on the commentary desk.
Skywolf: Okay, cool, but I haven't signed off on anything and we need to keep the budget constraints in m—
Hazel: MUSICAL FLARES!!! 😄
Skywolf does a double take while the crowd murmurs. The troubled GM rubs his left temple and heaves a great sigh.
Skywolf: Fuck it, I'll bite. *he clears his throat and puts on a phony grin and tone* So what's that all about, Hazel?
Hazel: Um. So, you have flare guns hanging over the ring you have to retrieve and fire off at.... big music boxes?
Skywolf rubs his temple harder, in circular motions of varying sizes.
Skywolf (muttering to himself): That's it. That's the good stuff.
Hazel blinks and cocks her head like a confused puppy.
Hazel: So... yes?
Skywolf: No. Just... no. Try again; think smaller; and try to not tempt Death as much this time, okay?
Looking a bit deflated, 4CW's resident mystic takes a moment and gives it another go.
Hazel: Um... Snakes & Ladders but with real snakes and ladders?
Skywolf: Still too death-y.
Hazel appears to be getting flustered.
Hazel: Uh-uhm... S-s-snakes & L-ladders, the actual b-board game?
Skywolf: Are you kidding me?! The one with all those dice?! A branded board?! Are you purposely working backwards to find the biggest lawsuit that can be hurled my way? I'm dealing with all this MONSTAR bullshit as it is! Hell, come to think of it, I'm pretty sure your name came up—meeting-wise—the other day. Yeah—yeah, it did, now I stop and think. You're scheduled for a mental wellness exam, dollface!
Hazel at this point is now a shaky mess, unsure what to say or do.
Hazel: I-I... H-Hazel isn't... crazy. Hazel h-had b-bad medicine—
Skywolf: That you quit against doctor's orders.
Hazel: H-Hazel got r-reviewed last October. All c-clear!
Skywolf: That was before your idiot friends re-medicated you, and before you injured, uh... y'know—Paige's girlfriend. Wait. Ex-girlfriend? I can't keep up.
Hazel: K-K-Kiko. Tsukiko. B-BUT THAT WAS AN ACCIDENT! H-Hazel only p-pushed P-Paige, during the match! S-she fell on K-Kiko!
Hazel is just about in tears. The crowd boos, and Skywolf literally backs off a bit, taking a few steps out of Hazel's space.
Phoenix: Well, this degenerated quickly.
Jeffrey: Someone get out here and fire this idiot already! No one makes my Hazel cry!
Roberts: I'm all for consistent medical reviews, and Hazel is, well.. "unique", to be sure—Skywolf has conducted himself quite poorly in bringing this to Hazel's attention.
Jeffrey: I hate to agree with a moron like James, but yeah! The guy's clearly cracking under the pressure.
Skywolf takes a breath and speaks again, easing his tone and body language.
Skywolf: Hey, hey—it's okay. It's just a little check-up, y'know? Just tell them what you told me, and uh... be... yourself. If you're as not-crazy as you say you are, there's nothing to worry about! Just, ah—maybe don't bring Licky?
Hazel looks about to bawl. Skywolf scrambles.
Skywolf: What I meant to say is, uh—bring Licky, just keep him nice and warm in, like, a satchel or something! The offices at HQ can be kinda drafty. And don't you worry about the injuries. I believe you. My word doesn't go for much these days, but I'll vouch for you if you like. Near as I could make sense of it, those two earned the time they have off to lick their wounds and think good and hard about the dumb shit they did. *He sighs.* So, all good?
Hazel's sniffling finally ceases. Seconds later, she nods. Seconds after that, she smiles.
Hazel: Okey-dokey, Mr. Wolfboss.
Skywolf suppresses a sigh.
Skywolf: Right. So, got another stip idea?
Hazel: Juu! You just inspired Hazel! So, the next round will be a Licky on a Pole match!
An bemused pop of sorts buzzes through the crowd.
Skywolf: We'll need at least two Lickys and two poles for that, right? First retrieval gets the duke, no retrieval is eliminated?
*Ray Jeffrey stands up and tosses his Sery-brand Licky the Unicorn™ into the ring.*
Phoenix: What the hell are you doing?
Jeffrey: Helping out! I have about 50 of those!
Some of the fans with disposable income toss their Lickys into the ring as well.
Skywolf: Cool, right. And the poles? DON'T TOSS 'EM IF YOU HAVE 'EM!
Hazel's mind wanders off to what "poles" means to her and she winds up grinning. Emotional crisis averted and demeanor fully shifted, she seductively approaches Skywolf, batting her bedroom eyes knowingly.
Hazel: Hazel will provide the poles.
More fans throw Lickys and Mini-Lickys into the ring. Soon, the canvas is covered with them, and they begin spilling out to the floor.
Skywolf: *ahem* Well, there you have it, folks! A Licky on a Pole match to determine the final round of Soul Survivor!
Hazel scoops up a Licky and tosses it at the General Manager. Skywolf just blinks for a moment, then a thin smile crosses his lips. Soon, a plushie-fight breaks out between the two. Referee Anna Molly takes up arms, standing at Hazel's side. Ray Jeffrey practically boils over at ringside before he can't take it anymore and joins in the fray.
Phoenix: I swear this is the craziest job on the planet. Can you think of anything quite like this, James?
*Scott looks to his right, finding no sign of his broadcast partner, save for a still-spinning chair.*
Phoenix: James? ... Oh, dear. Et tu, James?!
James Roberts and Lord Skywolf pair off against Ray Jeffrey and the girls in a glorified pillow-fight. Michael Carson evens the teams' numbers as we cut to commercials!
We cut backstage to the interview area. There is no interviewer but instead the entirety of the Supergroup are crammed into camera. Zak E Justice and Nik Waverly up front, with Myback, Carlos Starr and Rane standing behind.
Justice: At Revival, The Supergroup achieved something no-one else could.
Waverly: We defeated MONSTAR, one, two, three, in the middle of the ring.
Justice: And bro, what happens?
Waverly: The dude dies and steals our spotlight!
Starr: Bro... not cool.
The five of them all exchange looks and nods in agreement.
Justice: Out of respect for the dead, we took a step back... but now it's time to move on, people!
Waverly: And after our historic victory, we are THE biggest stars in 4CW right now!
Justice: Bro, they should be giving us title shots against Eddie Wolfbaine, not that Thunderwave dude.
Starr: Bro, his name isn't "Thunderwave" ... it's "Thundershock"
Justice: Really? Well, Thunderwave, shock, it doesn't matter! We're the highlight! We're the top of the food chain!
Waverly: And we're expanding, bro...
They all nod excitedly among themselves again. Justice steps forward into the camera and removes his shades.
Justice: This is the beginning... of the beginning, bro.
The rest of the Supergroup "oooh" in awe of Justice's apparently intense finishing line and the five of them all holler and whoop as they head out of the area. The camera man is heard whispering "What the f--" as we cut to a break.
Jeffrey: Roberts, I had the most... Uneventful encounter today. Someone roll the tape!
Roberts: If it was so uneventful why do you want us to see it.
Jeffrey: Its not every day I talk to someone besides you guys and there are cameras around! ROLL THE FOOTAGE!
Roberts: You're so pleasant to be around...
Jeffrey: Lets just get this match over with, I'm already bored.
Roberts: Ladies and gentleman up next we got Robert Smith debuting in a match against a local talent named Max Guydaddy.
Max Guydaddy is waiting in the ring already when a rousing rendition of Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen hits the PA system and through the curtains comes out Robert Smith dressed in his black trunks. Robert Smith makes his way to the ring and does a fist pump to the crowd as he comes down to the ring.
Carson: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing already in the ring, Max Guydaddy! And his opponent, on his way down to the ring, weighing in at 197.5 pounds, hailing from Omaha, Nebraska ... The Amazing ... ROBERT ... SMITH!!
Robert Smith glares at Carson while he walks up the ring steps and steps into the ring "Its THE WRESTLER Robert Smith!". Robert Smith moves on and extends his hand to Max Guydaddy whos a small dude in a singlet with almost no muscle. Max Guydaddy shakes Robert Smith's hand.
Roberts: Robert Smith is a good sport atleast!
Jeffrey: Where the hell did they find this guy? At the YMCA?
Robert Smith and Max Guydaddy circle around each other and the bells rings. Robert Smith and Guydaddy lock up and Robert Smith manages to get Guydaddy into a headlock. Robert Smith really lays into the headlock and both guys drop to their knees.
Roberts: That may look like just a normal boring headlock. But look at that execution. Its perfect.
Phoenix: Its really weakening Guydaddy quick. Its not about the simplicity, its about the expertise execution I am seeing in front of my eyes right now.
Jeffrey: Normally I dont like to agree with you guys, but just look at the form and how perfect it is.
Robert Smith keeps the headlock in until Guydaddy manages to push towards the ropes and he grabs the ropes causing a rope break. Robert Smith breaks the hold right away even before a 1 count and backs away and gives Guydaddy a chance to stand up.
Roberts: That kind of sportsmanship is what our sport is missing!
Jeffrey: I'd have kicked him while he was down.
Guydaddy stands up and Robert Smith approaches him and grabs him and throws him into the ropes and when Guydaddy comes flying off the ropes Robert Smith lays a perfectly crisp clothesline on Guydaddy.
Roberts: I'm getting word that move is called The Robert Smith Clothesline.
Jeffrey: You really needed to get word on that?
Robert Smith gets the crowd involved by waving his hands in a waving motion to get them to cheer more. Robert Smith waits until Max Guydaddy gets to his feet before he picks him up and drops him with a regular body slam. Max Guydaddy lays motionless in the ring. Robert Smith yells "Thats the Robert Smith slam!" and hooks the leg of Max Guydaddy and the ref counts to 3.
Carson: And heres your winner, ROBERT ... SMITH!!
Robert Smith gets his hand raised and shakes Max Guydaddy's hand once again and gives him a pat on the back before making his way to the backstage area.
Roberts: Did you see that crushing body slam? He calls it the Robert Smith Slam. I've never seen a body slam so powerful and so precisely done.
Phoenix: Simple yet its all in how he lifts and how he puts him down just in the right exact place with the right amount of power to get the three count.
Jeffrey: I've been doing this along time guys and I think that was the best body slam I have ever seen in my life.
We cut backstage to the interview area to find Gabriel Crowe standing by.
Crowe: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, one half of The Liberation, Garret Fischer!
Garret Fischer comes into frame to a serviceable pop from the crowd. He's wearing his usual Liberation in-ring gear and a black shirt with the 'man free from chains' logo slapped on the front in white.
Crowe: Garret, tonight, you face one half of Umbra Maxima, Maximillian Yesgill. Both of your partners are banned from ringside, what does that do to your psyche going into this match?
Fischer: Personally, it does nothing negative. See, Bruce Rigg and I are a great team and he's always had my back - but when it came to one on one matches, we go alone. The only reason the match got thrown out last month is because Umbra Maxima didn't stick to the same code of honour. So tonight, it's just one on one, me vs Yesgill - and if I defeat him, Bruce and I will challenge for the 4CW Tag Team Championships once again... now, to be fair, Umbra Maxima got the better of us once - but now we've had a few months to get used to how they play the game. Tonight, despite everything Umbra Maxima have done to try and hinder us, I will enter that ring face to face with Yesgill and beat him. Then, Umbra Maxima will be liberated of the weight of those tag titles and we will take on the burden of being the best tag champions this place has ever seen.
Crowe seems pleased with the lengthy response as Fischer pats him on the shoulder and leaves the area to prepare for his match.
Phoenix: Well, one thing you can say about Garret Fischer, is that he is confident in his ability to succeed tonight.
Jeffrey: Anyone can talk the talk, let's see if he can walk the walk.
We cut to another backstage area where Lord Skywolf is walking down a hallway. He opens a door and enters the parking lot, just as a limo pulls up into the driveway. Skywolf hurries over, muttering to himself, and open the limo door. Out steps, dressed in a tailored blue suit, with shiny black shoes, a very rich, old businessman. He has an air of familiarity about him but no-one knows who he is.
Skywolf: Mr Reed! Wonderful to see you!
Mr Reed steps back slightly, waving his hand in front of his face.
Mr Reed: Eat a breath mint, Wolfie, your face smells like ass. What have you been drinking all night?
Skywolf: I - sir - right, Mr Reed.
Mr Reed: And for crying out loud, call me Sven. You've known me long enough.
Skywolf: Right... Sven, right this way.
Skywolf points in the direction of his office and Mr Sven Reed goes ahead.
Skywolf: *muttering to himself* Sven? Doesn't look like a Sven...
"Eye of the Storm" by Killswitch Engage blasts through the PA system. Garret Fischer comes out on the stage along wearing his usual white attire, with the 'shadowed man breaking free of chains' logo on Fischer's trunks and his black merch shirt.
Carson: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, representing The Liberation, from Rotterdam, Netherlands, weighing in at 220lbs, GARRET ... FISCHER!!
Fischer makes his way down to the ring confidently, taking the time to give the fans in the front row some personal attention by hitting their hands and exchanging some private words to a select few.
Phoenix: It's time for singles action! Fischer vs Yesgill! If Fischer wins this match, he and his partner Bruce Rigg will get a Tag Team Title match vs Yesgill and his partner, Simtul, who together make the tag team champions, Umbra Maxima!
Roberts: I've done my research on Fischer! The Rotterdam Raven is known for his technical and high flying style and he is the faster of the two members of The Liberation.
Jeffrey: What liberating insight you just provided, James.
Taking You Down by Egypt Central hits the speakers. The crowd turn into more of a mixed reaction after the previous questionable tactics of Umbra Maxima fresh in their mind. Maximillian Yesgill, with one of the 4CW Tag Team Championships hooked around his waist.
Carson: And his opponent, representing Umbra Maxima, from New York, weighing in at 205lbs, he is one half of the 4CW Tag Team Champions, MAXIMILLIAN ... YESGILL!!
Maximillian Yesgill comes down the ramp with the distinct lack of endearment to the crowd that Fischer showed, actively ignoring them.
Phoenix: Yesgill here has skyrocketed his career with Simtul by winning the Tag Titles in their debut match! Now tonight, he has to take out Fischer in one on one competition! And last week, he decided to get involved with Rigg's match vs Simtul - tonight, both tag team members are banned from ringside, to stop that from happening.
Jeffrey: That's not gonna be a problem. You know who trained The Liberation? It was that midget, Rhys Cain. Meaning they never learned how to do one very important thing: WIN! Hahaha!
Roberts: What liberating humour you add, Jeffrey. So funny, I forgot to laugh.
Jeffrey: SHUT UP, ROBERTS!
Yesgill gets into the ring and hands his title to the referee. The referee sends the title to ringside and both Yesgill and Fischer exchange some words not picked up by the camera. The referee quickly pats them both down for foreign objects, before ringing the bell and getting the match underway!
The two cruiserweights clash in the middle of the ring with a lock up. Yesgill confidently transitions into a headlock and holds Fischer in position. After a few wrenches for good measure, Fischer manages to slip out of the hold and send Yesgill to the ropes. Yesgill comes back off the ropes and Fischer ducks under his clothesline attempt, only to lock in a headlock of his own.
Yesgill immediately starts to fight back with punches to the gut so Fischer sends him to the ropes again. On his return, Yesgill charges at Fischer, but Fischer jumps to the floor and lies flat. Yesgill jumps over him and goes to the ropes, coming back at double the speed. This time, Fischer leap frogs Yesgill. Yesgill comes back from the ropes for a third time just as Fischer jumps into the air and hits a standing dropkick!
Roberts: Fischer with the first big strike!
Phoenix: Both these men are fast and athletic, but Fischer was slightly faster in that exchange!
Fischer hooks the leg swiftly but only gets a one count when Yesgill kicks out. Fischer picks up Yesgill and whips him into the corner. He then runs at Yesgill for a corner clothesline, but Yesgill ducks out of the way. Yesgill hits a few knife edge chops, then whips Fischer to the opposite corner. Yesgill chases after him and hits a dropkick in the corner!
Jeffrey: And Yesgill giving as good as he's getting with that dropkick in return!
Yesgill rolls back up to his feet and motions for Fischer to bring it. Fischer grabs the ropes and jumps back up to his feet and loosens himself up, before hooking up with Yesgill in the middle of the ring again. Fischer locks Yesgill in a headlock. Yesgill slips out and grabs Fischer from the waste. He throws Fischer up and over his head but Fischer lands on his feet. Fischer spins Yesgill around and kicks him in the gut, and then grabs him by the head and takes him out with a spinning neckbreaker! Fischer hooks the leg! 1..2.. NO! Yesgill kicks out!
Phoenix: A superb spinning neckbreaker but it's not enough to put away Yesgill!
Fischer and Yesgill both stumble up to their feet at around the same time. Yesgill ducks a clothesline attempt from Fischer. He spins Fischer around and whips him into the ropes. Fischer comes back and leapfrogs Yesgill, spinning on the spot and hitting Yesgill with a palm strike to the chest. Yesgill stumbles but comes back with a sharp elbow which causes Fischer to fall to his knees. Yesgill runs back off the ropes and comes back to attempt a dropkick, but Fischer jumps up and moves out of the way.
In a flash, Fischer goes to the ropes. Yesgill gets back up to his feet just in time for Fischer to take him out with a clothesline! Yesgill jumps back up to his feet, mostly from adrenaline, and Fischer comes back and takes him out with a Snap DDT! Fischer hooks the leg! ONE ... TWO... NO! Yesgill kicks out again!
Roberts: Fischer once again with a powerful move but Yesgill is showing his resilience!
Jeffrey: These two midgets are moving so fast I can barely keep up!
Before the commentators can even finish their spiel, both Fischer and Yesgill are back on their feet! Fischer is a second quicker and grabs Yesgill, taking him out with a Snap Suplex! Fischer stumbles back up to his feet and picks up Yesgill, whipping him into the nearest corner. He runs after Yesgill, who grabs the ropes at the last moment and flips up and behind Fischer, hitting him in the back with a dropkick, causing Fischer to slam into the middle buckle!
Phoenix: And there's the Crater Creator from Yesgill!
Fischer stumbles towards the middle of the ring and Yesgill launches at him again taking out Fischer with the Slingblade!
Jeffrey: And there's the Lunar Lasso! Yesgill is about to put away Fischer!!
Yesgill moves over and covers Fischer, hooking the leg. The crowd count along as the ref moves into position, ONE ... TWO... NO! Fischer kicks out!!
Phoenix: For a moment, I think the whole arena thought Yesgill had it! But no! Fischer lives to fight another day!
Fischer rolls around on the floor as Yesgill jumps to his feet, his adrenaline flowing through his veins! He goes to the apron, in a perfect springboard position!
Phoenix: It looks like Yesgill is going for Booster Descent!
Jeffrey: There's no way Fischer's jaw survives this!
Yesgill jumps up onto the top rope as Fischer gets to his feet, launches himself and hits a MASSIVE Superman Punch directly onto the jaw of Fischer!! Fischer falls back a few feet, and crumples to the apron.
Roberts: He hit it! Booster Descent! It's all over!!
Yesgill crawls over to try and pin Fischer - but Fischer somehow, instinctively, rolls out of the ring and crashes to the ringside area!!
Phoenix: A genius move by Fischer! He can't be pinned outside the ring!
Jeffrey: He's only delaying the inevitable!
Yesgill looks fraught with frustration as he realises his predicament. He takes a few moments to catch his breath, then rolls out to the ringside area to continue his assault. Yesgill grabs Fischer by the hair and drags him back up to his feet, roughly throwing him back into the ring. Yesgill takes another moment to catch his breath - but suddenly, Fischer is back on his feet, and he slides a baseball dropkick into Yesgill, knocking him down at ringside!
Roberts: A moment of reprieve for Fischer! What's his next move?
Fischer uses the ropes to drag himself back up to a standing position, then stares at Yesgill outside. The crowd get gradually louder and then - Fischer's decision is made! The crowd suddenly erupt as he runs to the opposite ropes and they realise his next move. He comes back from the ropes and launches himself over the top rope with a suicide dive, flipping 180 in the air and crashing into Yesgill!!
Phoenix: What an insane over the top rope Somersalt Senton by The Rotterdam Raven! THIS is what you can expect to see in FOUR CORNERS WRESTLING!!
Jeffrey: Calm down, Scotty. We don't want you bursting a blood vessel! But that was one hell of a dive!!
Both men crawl on the outside, trying to get back to their feet. The crowd have broken into a sea of cheers with a "THIS IS AWESOME" chant protruding through the noise. This seems to rally Fischer, who gets back up and throws Yesgill into the ring. Fischer climbs up onto the apron, sprinboards off the top rope and takes out a rising Yesgill with a springboard clothesline! Fischer then readjusts, grabs Yesgill in position, and locks in the Sovereign Crossface!!
Roberts: THIS IS IT! SOVEREIGN CROSSFACE!!
Phoenix: Look at the torque!! And Yesgill is in the middle of the ring with no-where to go!
Yesgill takes the brunt of the move for a few moments, clutching at the air around him for the ropes but when he realises he's trapped - HE TAPS OUT!! The bell rings!!
Carson: Here is your winner by submission, GARRET ... FISCHER!!
"Eye of the Storm" by Killswitch Engage hits the PA system and echoes around the arena. Yesgill rolls out of the ring and Fischer stumbles back up to his feet, exhausted and battered, but victorious. He lets the referee raise his arm and then climbs the turnbuckle to celebrate with the fans. Outside the ring, Yesgill grabs his tag title from the timekeeper.
Phoenix: And what this victory for Fischer means is at 4CW Storm Front: Duskfall, The Liberation will challenge Umbra Maxima for the 4CW Tag Team Championships!
Roberts: And Fischer proved that when he has to go it alone, he can like the best of them! Of course, a tag team match is a different animal - and Umbra Maxima are the champions for good reason! They've already beaten The Liberation once!
Jeffrey: And at Duskfall, they will beat them again. Mark my words!
Phoenix: Well, either way, the - hey, WHAT'S THIS?!
Fischer is suddenly knocked off the top rope by Elfan Simtul with a big clubbing blow to the back!! Yesgill runs into the ring and the two of them decide to stomp the hell out of Fischer! The crowd reign down a shower of boos - which turn into roars of excitement as Bruce Rigg sprints down to the ring to save his partner!! Yesgill is first in line - and Rigg hits him with a Belly-to-Belly - OVER THE TOP ROPE AND TO THE OUTSIDE! Simtul comes at Rigg with some clubbing blows, but Rigg eats them up and hits back with a brutal headbutt! Simtul falls onto the ropes and Rigg clotheslines him over the top and he crashes into Yesgill!
Phoenix: Bruce Rigg clears house and saves his partner! Umbra Maxima have been knocked down a peg tonight, for sure!
Jeffrey: I can't wait to see this match! Holy shit!
We are backstage again, in Lord Skywolf's office. He and Mr Sven Reed sit down at the desk.
Reed: What's happened to you, huh? When the Board was looking for a new GM, we thought you'd be able to handle it. That's why we chose you. Now this.
Skywolf: Sven, with all due respect, I knew MONSTAR was on steroids and I did everything I could to catch him out but - but I never could. He had an answer for everything.
Reed: You musn't blame the man, Wolfie. He had an addiction. And you, as his boss, should have spotted it.
Skywolf: But I DID - I -
Mr Reed puts his hand up to cut off Skywolf.
Reed: Now, you're in enough trouble, and I'm on your side - so maybe keep your trap shut.
Skywolf, as if fighting a raging, burning desire to argue back, clenches his jaw tightly and says nothing.
Reed: Here.
Reed pulls out a bottle of whiskey and takes two glasses from Skywolf's desk. He fills up a fifth in each and lifts his glass.
Reed: Cheers.
Skywolf: ... Cheers.
They both drink.
Reed: That one was OK, cos I gave it to you, but you gotta stop coming into work hungover. The rest of the board are really pissed at you, pal. It's good right?
Skywolf: Sure.
Reed: You can buy that at seryshop.com, you know? Two bottles for the price of one.
Skywolf: ...OK?
Reed: You can get gin, rum, all sorts.
Skywolf: Why are you pushing Sery's merch so hard?
Reed looks flustered, possibly even slightly offended.
Reed: I - what - Can't I appreciate a good drink and recommend it to an employee?
Skywolf: I guess. *sighs* So, what do you want me to do?
Reed: The board has decided that next month you will come in front of us and plead your case. The members of the board and a board appointed judge will decide whether you are responsible for the lack of awareness of MONSTAR's addiction. It's essentially a disciplinary.
Skywolf: Right... so, what you're essentially saying is, this is my last show.
Reed shakes his head vigorously, and his old, saggy cheeks wobble ridiculously.
Reed: Now, Wolfie, I never said that. Frankly, I think you've been a bit of an idiot, but I don't want you to lose your job. Problem is, you've caused a lot of trouble and I'm only one person. You'll have eight more to convince.
Skywolf: ... Right.
Mr Reed downs the rest of his glass and stands up.
Reed: Turn that frown upside down, Wolfie! You've got a show to run and from what I've seen and what's to come, it should be a great show. Use this show to prove to the board you are still the right man for the job. Maybe spend less time upsetting the ladies, too.
Skywolf nods and Mr Reed goes to leave the office, when he stops at Skywolf's calendar.
Reed: Your calendar is a week late, didn't you notice?
Reed walks out as Skywolf looks up frowning; clearly he hadn't noticed anything of the sort.
We are backstage in the Gorilla Position with Janitur. He is holding a mop in one hand and dressed to compete. Suddenly, Skywolf steps into gorilla and stops and stares at Janitur.
Skywolf: What are you doing here?
Janitur: I? I is preparing for my Open Challenge.
Skywolf: Your what?
Janitur pulls out his contract, dried out and now turned into a hard piece of mouldy paper.
Janitur: If someone can beat I, they get my I's contract.
Skywolf stares at Janitur for a moment, then bursts out laughing.
Skywolf: Thanks for that, Janitur, I needed a laugh today. Now get out of here, the Soul Survivor match is about to begin -
Janitur: But - no, my open challenge. I need to defend I's contract.
Skywolf: Nada. Not happening. Get out of here before I slap you out.
Janitur: I - fine, but my open challenge will happen at Duskfall!
Skywolf: Sure, whatever you say. By the way, Myback spewed up some spaghetti in the cafeteria.
Janitur storms off as the camera cuts back to the arena.
Roberts: We're back from break and ready for some more Soul Survivor action!
*Ray is in a trance-like state*
Jeffrey: Yes. Action. Hazel. Poles...
4CW ring announcer Michael Carson enters the ring with mic in hand.
Carson: The following contest is the Soul Survivor semi-final round and is a... *he lowers the mic for a moment and sighs*... LICKY ON A POLE MATCH! The first competitor to retrieve a plush toy will be declared the winner, and will choose the final stipulation. The competitor who fails to retrieve a plush toy is eliminated from the tournament. A successful retrieval will only occur by way of climbing a pole and collecting a Licky™ plush.
The lights go down and the PA system springs into action, filling the arena with the moody "Numb" by Linkin Park. The faint silhouette of Camera Man can be seen dancing about with his camera, finding the best angles to shoot from as Phil McGroin appears from behind the curtains, carrying a typical blue steel chair. With Phil's emergence comes a spotlight that follows him to center stage, at which point the lights go up and two things happen almost at once: first, the usual chorus of boos goes up; second, this cacophony of distaste is offset by enthusiastic cheering from a minority of encouraging folks in his budding fanbase, who Phil now has sufficient light to see lining each side of the stage. Specifically, this batch of new eggs are waving LGBTQ Pride flags and wielding Phil McGroin fan signage—all while sitting on steel folding chairs that have each and all been painted in rainbow colors. Some fans in the official, designated seating areas cheer their approval for Phil's apparent inclusivity. McGroin bears a quizzical expression as he attempts to make eye contact with Camera Man—no easy feat, as both are mostly hidden behind a big, clunky camera. Finding success, the response he gets is a simple shrugging gesture and a meek smile from Camera Man. Phil looks annoyed with his personal videographer.
Camera Man: These nice folks are all big fans of yours, Phil! I told you they'd be here tonight, remember?
Phil doesn't remember, but the word "fans" is all it takes to satisfy Phil. He subsequently flashes a toothy grin to his adoring fans, strolls up a young man at his near right and tells him to stand. The enthusiastic fellow obliges and watches on as Phil grabs the rainbow chair for himself and hands the blue one off to the fan. McGroin folds the chair flat and holds it aloft; on the seat, it reads "CHAIR SHOTS ARE FOR EVERYONE!" And with that, Phil McGroin and Camera Man resume their usual entrance.
Carson: Introducing first... residing in Helston, England and weighing in at 14 stone... the man who once made a cow tap out... PHIL... MCGROOOIN!!
*Jeffrey shakes his head, snapping out of his post-pillow fight trance*
Jeffrey: Ahaha! Awesome stuff. How's that for celebrating Pride Month, Scotty Boy?!
Phoenix: Don't call me that. And it's unorthodox, that's for damn sure!
Roberts: No doubt about it!
Phil McGroin strolls down the ramp, confident as ever and posing his ass off for the camera(s). At ringside, McGroin climbs up the steps and into the ring, then raises the rainbow chair high above his head. Camera Man, meanwhile, takes a seat in the timekeeper's area as McGroin's theme cuts out. Referee Anna Molly is in the ring, again officiating a Soul Survivor round and—again—McGroin has his eye on her. She has a pink triangle patch sewed into the left shoulder of her officiating top, but McGroin seems oblivious to its meaning. He folds the seat of his chair down, sets it in place beside her and attempts to chat her up, as before. Anna politely explains the point of her shoulder patch, then compliments Phil on the rainbow chair and "surprisingly progressive" on-stage fanfare. McGroin awkwardly accepts a high-five from Anna.
Phoenix: Well, whaddaya know? Phil's makin' friends!
Roberts: Not what he was hoping for, to be—
Jeffrey: No shit, Sherberts! We already know that! Frankly, Phil shoulda talked to me first. I pegged that girl for a lesbian during that pillow fight earlier tonight. With an arm on her like that, there's no way—
Phoenix: RAY!
Jeffrey: What?! I was on her team and she almost took my head off! That's when I understood I'm not "on her team".
Phoenix: Right. That, or she pegged you for the deviant you are. I've read that book of yours, y'know!
Iron Maiden's "Aces High" takes command of the PAs and the crowd pops as the arena goes dark. Black-and-white scenes of war appear on the 4CWtron, with white lights dancing to the rhythm of the drums.
As the guitars take flight and Maiden bring the metal, pyro explodes up from the stage and Tommy Young soars through the fire to hit a perfect three-point landing! The young man rises to his feet, with his stance wide and a big grin on his face. Young raises his arms above his head, with forefingers and thumbs outstretched so his thumbs touch and his fingers are pointing above the ring.
Roberts: Here comes "Top Gun" Tommy Young, ready to dive into action!
Jeffrey: Ugh. Dammit, Roberts! Anyway, yeah; Tommy's great and all that. Frankly, I don't see why he gets so much of Hazel's attention! What gives? Sure, the dude can flip and fly around the ring, but I can do that stuff in the bedroom!
*Scott just sighs.*
Roberts: Uh... *ahem!*... In terms of guys that are earning their wings young, you can't help but think of this great upstart: Top Gun! He's been chomping at the bit in this tournament, and I mean hard!
Phoenix: Tommy's quickly established himself as a gifted high-flier and a pretty slick striker, to boot. That said, the competition is stiff: Phil McGroin is a confident, ruthless competitor with an opportunistic streak; then there's Hazel, who's proven herself similarly opportunistic, quick and deceptively clever. She's also been known to cause some "distraction" to Tommy, so the kid better be well-prepared and fully on his game tonight!
Tommy holds the pose for a few seconds before dropping his arms and making his way to the ring, slapping outstretched hands on either side of the ramp as he does so. The screen continues to show scenes of jet fighters flying in formation and gun cams showing missiles destroying bunkers, interspersed by stock footage of Tommy performing his dazzling high-flying maneuvers.
Carson: Next, from Barry, South Wales, weighing in at 195lbs... he is ... TOP GUN... TOMMY ... YOUNG!!
Tommy enters the ring and climbs the bottom left turnbuckle, again doing his "fighter jet" hand gesture as he takes in the great crowd response. He then jumps down and takes up a corner opposite McGroin, who for once is on good behavior—primarily because Anna is busy reprimanding him in the corner, scolding him for instinctively raising his chair with his eyes trained on Tommy.
Anna: Save it for the match, Smashy Smasherton.
"Aces High" cuts out as an attendant heads down to the ring. He slides in, hands a note off to Michael Carson and then returns to the backstage area.
Next, the lights, tron and music all cut out at once. One after another, six bursts of pyro ascend from the stage—each blast bringing in a different color of the rainbow. The crowd pops as Sigh's "Inked in Blood" shakes the sound system and those familiar silver eyes appear on the titantron. When the pounding metal track reaches the section with the laughing fit, each laugh is punctuated by a spotlight appearing at a random point on the stage for a split second and then disappearing, creating a rapid-fire sequence. Brightly-lit carnival rides and colorful game stalls are displayed on the screen as Witch Hazel and two unfamiliar people trot out onto the stage "riding" portable stripper poles—each one with Licky and on the front end. Hazel's pole has been painted in the colors of the rainbow and also bears her title belt. The trio "gallops" down the ramp with big grins on their faces, illuminated by trailing spotlights.
Carson finishes skimming through the note he was handed, shaking his head in apparent disbelief.
Carson: Making her way to the ring... *sigh*... riding her noble steed, Licky the Unicorn and accompanied by... *Carson rubs his temple*... "Some sexy male model" and "That gorgeous lady Hazel met at the concessions stand"... from both everywhere... and nooowheeere... weighing in at 128 pounds... the 4CW Custom Cup Champion.. WITCH! HAAAZELLL!
*At the commentary desk, Ray Jeffrey's eyes threaten to escape his head.*
Roberts: Calm down, Ray—
Jeffrey: Shut up, Roberts! My wildest dreams are coming true right before my very eyes!
Hazel and her trio begin to round ringside on their "horses". Hazel and her companions then dismount and enter the ring; they each stand with their Licky-topped poles raised like spears. Everyone in the arena just sits and stares as Hazel's model escorts lean in close to each other, stand cheek-to-cheek and gleefully receive a two-for-one lick from Hazel herself. Afterward, The Silver-Haired Sorceress points at Michael Carson just as he's about to make his exit, gesturing to the microphone. Carson stays put, electing to toss the mic to Hazel instead of bringing it to her. He then swiftly resumes his exit, evading any further interaction.
Horse-master Hazel addresses the audience.
Hazel: HEIII, GREEN BAY!
The crowd pops.
Hazel: Hazel is learning to embrace her sexual fluidity, and is having a fun Pride month! Hazel wishes Green Bay a Happy Pride! Nauti siitä!!
She receives a fairly warm crowd response, sprinkled with applause. Tommy grins—maybe a bit too wide and with some redness in his cheeks—seemingly, he is happy to see Hazel happy. As it happens, she turns and addresses her opponents next.
Hazel: Hei, boys! Who wants to horsey ride with Hazel? She'll even let you use her Pride Pole!
Phil's face contorts in bewilderment as he mouths some confused obscenities, but no words manage to sound out. Looking bewildered, he plunks his chair back down and takes a seat, shaking his head in disbelief. Hazel looks sad for all of one second, then perks up as she turns to the similarly perplexed Tommy Young.
Hazel: Tommy will ride with Hazel, yes?
Hazel wobbles her pole up and down, making the Licky plush "nod" in tandem with herself. She grins at Tommy with an eager, hopeful look on her face. Poor Tommy chuckles and looks away, blushing brighter than the naked sun on a cloudless day.
*Jeffrey is sipping an unexplained margarita from a massive cocktail glass.*
Jeffrey: This is the best night of my life!
Roberts: Are you drinking on the job?!
Jeffrey: If the boss-man can do it, so can I! WOOO!
Hazel awaits a reply, but Tommy is blushing too hard to do much of anything else.
*At ringside, Ray Jeffrey's arm is so high in the air he may secretly be Inspector Gadget,*
Jeffrey: ME ME ME ME ME...
Phoenix: What the hell's wrong with you?
Jeffrey: (...) ME! ME! ME! ... Me? Me? What's wrong with me? WHY THE HELL WILL NO ONE RIDE WITH HAZEL?! HAS THE WORLD GONE MAD?!
Hazel shrugs and picks up her mic.
Hazel: Aw, Tommy is shy! That's okay, Tommy. But if no one's gonna play horsey with Hazel, can someone help her set up the poles?
Hazel's model escorts and some ring attendants put themselves to work. A slightly buzzed Ray Jeffrey stands up and hollers his willingness to volunteer, but Scott settles him back down. After Tommy recovers from his embarrassment and takes a deep breath, he joins in as well. All the while, McGroin sits in his fabulous new chair, staring dreamily at his own abs. The poles receive an adjustment in length, ultimately extending and locking into place at roughly 14 feet. The motley ring crew proves to work pretty well together. Soon, the two chrome-finished poles have been set up along the posts and fastened securely into place, sticking up about 10 feet above the turnbuckles. Each pole, of course, has a Sery-brand Licky plush tied loosely to the top. When it's all said and done, a couple minutes have passed and the escorts have made their exit. Hazel also hands off her rainbow pole to the attendants as they slide out of the ring, setting it beside the timekeeper's table. With only his opponents and the ref left in the ring, Phil McGroin stands and offers a single, sarcastic clap. Referee Anna Molly calls for the bell!
DING-DING-DING!
The three remaining Soul Survivor participants face each other down. McGroin poses the most immediate threat, what with his colorful chair of prideful doom, so Tommy and Hazel nod to one another, forming a temporary alignment. Phil isn't troubled a bit by this, encouraging them to bring it on. Tommy and Hazel engage in more quick non-verbal communication, and Hazel takes off like a shot, straight across the ring at Phil. McGroin swings and catches nothing but air as the hyper-fast Hedge Witch skids into a baseball slide along the way, slipping between McGroin's legs and ending up right behind him on her hands and knees. Tommy rushes McGroin and hits a high dropkick, sending McGroin tripping over Hazel's back and down hard onto his own! McGroin rolls out of the ring and hits the apron with his chair, then tosses it aside in frustration.
Phoenix: McGroin thought he had the leg up on the competition in this no-DQ environment, but—
Jeffrey: But that goof Tommy Young is dead set on taking Hazel away from me! I should teach that kid a lesson!
*Jeffrey takes another big sip of his massive margarita.*
Roberts: You're kinda delusional when you drink, huh Ray?
Jeffrey: ROBERTS, UP SHUT! Ha, get it? 'Cause I am clearly the Yoda of this team. And, ya know... Scott—"Old Scotty 2 Hotty"—"Scott to Trot"—is Obi-Wan. Right?
Roberts: *sigh* So what am I, then?
Jeffrey: You're the first Stormtrooper to get shot in Episode IV!
In the ring, as in past rounds, "Top Gun" Tommy Young and Witch Hazel find themselves squaring off in the middle of the ring. With the stakes high, the two skip technique and instead lock horns, throwing repeated forearms at very close range. Tommy gets the most of the strike-fest and breaks away from his opponent, creating the space necessary to throw a wicked shoot kick that puts Hazel off-balance. Young then delivers a second high-octane kick to the hamstring, driving the champ down onto her back. Tommy looks to follow up, but spots McGroin climbing back up onto the apron. Top Gun charges at him, but McGroin drops back down to ringside, evading the upstart young athlete. Young turns his attention back to Hazel and gets a dropkick upside the head for leaving her to recover a moment too long! Hazel turns away and takes off for the ropes, coming back to receive a big clothesline from the sneaky Phil McGroin!
Roberts: Pretty slick. McGroin was a step ahead of his opponents on both those exchanges!
Phoenix: Well, love him or hate him, the man is an opportunist and he picked his spots well right there!
McGroin drags Hazel to her feet and whips her into a corner that lacks a pole. The Cornish native drives the point of his boot into Hazel's ribs a few times, then sets her up on the top rope. McGroin climbs up to the second turnbuckle and hooks Hazel up for a superplex. Hazel's free hand grips the top rope for deal life, so McGroin throws a few shots to her ribs to wear her down. He finds success with this tactic and prepares for liftoff, but is interrupted by Tommy Young, who runs in and hits a leaping clubbing blow to McGroin's lower back, breaking the hold. Hazel subsequently kicks McGroin away, who lands on his feet, slightly off-balance on the mat. Tommy rushes Phil again, but winds up being back body dropped right into Hazel! The two awkwardly tumble off the buckle—Hazel is knocked down hard onto the apron, and Tommy awkwardly tumbles from the buckle and down to the canvas below! The crowd oohs and gasps!
Jeffrey: OH GEEZ YOU GUYS! ... **slurp*
Roberts: Talk about scary stuff! Yeesh.
Phoenix: That was a very nasty fall indeed, and we're just in the early goings of this triple threat pole match! Any more elevation or momentum, and that could've been a repeat of what happened to Pilgrim Paige at Gallows End a couple years back. Man, that was scary!
Seeing his opening, Phil McGroin hurries to the nearest corner with a pole strapped to the post. McGroin climbs all the way to the top rope with relative ease and reaches up, but is short of his goal. With an annoyed look on his face, McGroin gets a firm grip on the pole, steadies himself on the top turnbuckle and leaves his feet, locking his legs around the pole. He shimmies up with great speed, gets his fingers on the Licky plush and is pulled down to the mat by a still-recovering Hazel! Phil lands hard and Hazel falls to her knees, leaning heavily on the ropes in a recuperative state.
Roberts: Gotta hand it to Phil McGroin, he very nearly had this match in the bag after a well-played hand, but Hazel dug deep and pulled out some cards of her own just in time!
For a short while, all three competitors are simply recovering—each one in a different area than the others. Hazel is the first to stir and find her feet, then McGroin. McGroin grabs Hazel by the hair and prepares to tee off on her, but is met with a hard slap across the face. The Custom Cup Champion then pulls back on the ropes and propels herself straight forward, driving her shoulder into McGroin's solar plexus. Hazel uses the ropes to attack a second time, this time with a slingshot sunset flip that Phil struggles against, and ultimately manages to resist. McGroin again seizes a fistful of hair, pulling Hazel to her feet. He then sets himself up under Hazel's left arm, grabs the waistband of her tights and suplexes her T-bone style!
Roberts: Hazel hit the mat hard, right on that already aching back!
Phoenix: I tell ya, this match is gonna end early if no one can—
Jeffrey: MISSILE DROPKICK BITCHES!
Indeed, Tommy Young soars through the air with a dropkick to McGroin,, seemingly from out of nowhere! (In fact, it's from the top turnbuckle he previously fell off.) McGroin goes down hard and rolls out to the floor as The Resch Center crowd pops big!
Roberts: Breathtaking speed and accuracy!
Jeffrey: Boy, that kid—and kick—came outta nowhere!
Phoenix: Yes it did! Top Gun calls it Fox Two, as in "Heads up, it's an infrared missile launch!", and yes it's quite fitting!
Tommy seems to be having some trouble getting back to his feet, appearing to still be a little dazed from the top-rope tumble earlier. Some fans get a "TOP GUN" chant going and Tommy Young feeds off the crowd's energy, finding his feet with a little extra help from the ring ropes. Soon, he gingerly makes his way up the pole-equipped corner on the commentary team's side of the ring. Young makes it to the top, reaches high and is inadvertently crotched on the top rope by a recovering Witch Hazel! Oohs and groans from many in the stands.
Jeffrey (slightly slurred): Ahahahaha! Take that, homewrecker!
*Scott stands up and calls out to a ring attendant hanging around the timekeeper's area.*
Phoenix: Would ya mind taking that thing away from him, please?
*Soon, Jeffrey finds himself without his cocktail glass.*
Jeffrey: BOOOOOO! I miss Margaritaville already!
Taking advantage of Tommy's misfortune, McGroin climbs up onto the apron with his rainbow chair in tow. Phil runs the apron with the chair raised high, swings and bashes Tommy Young in the small of the back with it! The crowd reacts in diverse fashion, caused in part by the overwhelmingly positive response from the on-stage crowd of Phil McGroin fans.
Roberts: McGroin has been absolutely ruthless tonight!
Phoenix: Well, there's a lot at stake and he's fully aware of that fact. McGroin may be brusque and brutish, but he's got a sense for long-term gain. Can't operate a chicken farm without a sense for profit.
Jeffrey: This segment of "The Business Mind" has been brought to you by—WHERE'S MY DAMN MARGARITA, JACK?!
*Jack the ring attendant scurries well away from the commentary area*
Phil steps back into the ring and approaches Tommy Young, who has since dazedly fallen, unfortunately, into a Tree of Woe. Phil merrily kicks away at Young's abdomen. When he gets bored of this, he sets Tommy up for a rope-hung neckbreaker. At this point, Witch Hazel is up and back in the game. Observing her opponents, she makes a quick decision and charges at Phil. Hazel hits a low dropkick to McGroin's right calf that finds him dropping to one knee, unintentionally completing his intended neckbreaker on Tommy with a pained expression on his face. Hazel rains clubbing blows down on McGroin's back, then pulls him to his feet. With everything she's got, Hazel whips Phil into the opposite corner, where his back strikes the buckle hard. McGroin crumples down and winds up resting against the bottom turnbuckle. Hazel pumps the crowd up, dancing around the ring like she's riding a horse, and then runs at McGroin, jumping along the way with legs extended for a Bronco Buster! Hazel rides hard, busting the bronco she's made out of Phil McGroin!
Jeffrey: Pssh. Some guys have all the luck, huh?
Roberts: I have a feeling Phil McGroin might disagree with you there.
Phoenix: It's strange to not hear you hootin' and hollerin', Ray, ya old sourpuss! I have the feeling someone's been bit by the jealousy bug!
Once her horsey is all tuckered out, Hazel turns her attention back to Tommy Young, who's still in a daze in the tree of woe. Hazel just stands there looking sad for a moment, then decides to get Tommy's leg out of its vise; ultimately, she lets him down safely. Once that's done, however, she props Tommy up against the turnbuckle and prepares for another ride. Hazel gets a running start, leaps and is bucked off her new steed when Young instinctively sticks his boot up in the nick of time—sending Hazel crashing to the mat and rolling aside with her hands at her crotch.
Jeffrey: I'll kill him!
*Jeffrey stands.*
Phoenix: Sit down, Ray!
Jeffrey: Okey-dokey.
Soon, Top Gun's senses come back around and he realizes what he's done. Looking none too pleased with himself, Tommy turns around and begins to climb up the corner, but only makes it halfway to Licky before McGroin aggressively yanks him down to the canvas. Young lands at a high angle, using this to roll through the landing and find his feet as quickly as possibly. He then taunts McGroin, urging the man to attack. McGroin dashes at Tommy, receiving a deep arm drag for his troubles. McGroin springs back up and rushes Young again, this time receiving a Sling Blade after his clothesline attempt is dodged. Tommy Young pulls McGroin to his feet and hooks him up in a three-quarter facelock. From here, Young leans forward, sticks his own knee out and drives McGroin down onto it, stunning the man who once made a cow tap out!
Roberts: Oh, here we go; rapid-fire offense from Tommy Young on display now!
Phoenix: Nice sequence culminating in the Facebreaker DDT. Young can chain maneuvers together so quickly, so efficiently.
A stunned Phil McGroin staggers back toward the ropes on the ramp side of the ring, seeking assistance in keeping himself vertical. Top Gun hits the far rope, sprints back at McGroin and lands a high cross-body block that sends both men over the top rope! McGroin's back impacts on the apron and he tumbles to the floor; at the same time, Young grabs the middle rope along his way down and impressively lands on his feet on the arena floor!
Jeffrey: Dangit! There's no way I can pretend this kid isn't impressive.
Phoenix: I've said it before, but it bears repeating: Absolutely scintillating!
Top Gun looks confident, feeling the love from the Resch Center crowd. He turns his attention back to the ring, and is abruptly taken out by Hazel as she dives out through the ropes, knocking him into the barricade! Much like Tommy did earlier, Hazel manages to keep her feet post-impact!
Roberts: Hazel caught Young off-guard! That came outta nowhere!
Jeffrey: Woo! Take it to 'em, my unhinged goddess!
Not quite satisfied, Witch Hazel pulls Tommy Young back up his feet, goes behind him and ducks low. From this position, Hazel manages to hoist Young onto her shoulders and rise back up to her full height. She approaches the ring, pushes Tommy forward and drops him chest-first against the apron, knocking the young man senseless! An "ooh" from the fans.
Roberts: Vicious!
Phoenix: Nasty move! Young could be out cold.
drags Phil McGroin over to another area of ringside, on the hard-cam side, and lays him out supine in front of the barricade. She then heads to the timekeeper's area and retrieves her "Pride Pole", lugging it back over to where Phil McGroin is lying supine. Hazel asks a handful of fans if they can hold onto it for her. They do so, holding it steadily vertical.
Hazel: Good job!
And with that, she hops up onto the barricade and then onto the pole, shimmying up to near the top. With just a quick glance back, Hazel leaps back, twists in mid-air and lands a beautiful corkscrew splash/rounding moonsault variation from over 12 feet! The crowd goes nuts!
Roberts: Wow!
Phoenix: Hazel has put Phil McGroin In a Haze! She's pulling out all the stops tonight!
Jeffrey: An oldie but a goodie. Kinda like you, Scott!
Hazel gingerly returns to her feet, takes a few steps and walks right into a desperation sling blade from "Top Gun" Tommy Young! A little worse for wear, Young is slow to find his feet, working his way back up with some help from the ring apron. Soon, he gets up onto the apron itself and makes his way toward the pole on the same side as him. Bit by bit, he makes his way up to the top rope. Needing some extra height, he imitates Hazel's simple technique of leaping and latching on to the pole, eliminating most of the climbing time. With his legs locked around the pole, Tommy Young shimmies his way up until the Licky plush is in reach. He reaches out just as Hazel appears on the far turnbuckle and carefully walks the rope to where Tommy is. She grabs him around the waist and pulls him down by a foot, grabs him by the head and blasts him in the face with her Brain Fog! A fairly mixed response sounds out through the stands. Hazel wisely drops down onto the apron, positioned on hands and knees so as to avoid Tommy Young as he descends from the top rope, blindly thrashing about the ring.
Jeffrey: I thought the kid had it won!
Phoenix: Frankly, so did I; Hazel came outta nowhere with that incredible balancing act! I tell ya, everyone involved in this tournament has shown remarkable determination.
With a huge opening created, Hazel traces Tommy's steps of climbing to the top rope and leaping onto the pole. At ringside, Phil McGroin begins to stir and groggily pulls himself onto the apron as Hazel shimmies up the pole. Just as McGroin drags himself to Hazel's corner, The Silver-Haired Sorceress reaches out and unhooks the Licky plush!
DING!
Carson: Here is your winner... WITCH HAZEL! She will select the final round's stipulation! The remaining competitors will continue to compete, and the winner will be named Hazel's opponent in a one-on-one match for the Custom Cup title!
Hazel climbs down from the pole and referee Anna Molly raises her hand in victory.
Jeffrey: WOOHOO! That's my girl!
Phoenix: And once again, that Brain Fog has proven a very effective resource for The Hedge Witch.
Roberts: Well, by hook or by crook, Hazel has pulled off another win in the tournament!
Jeffrey: I can't wait to hear what the final round stipulation will be!
Meanwhile, Tommy has reeled away to the other side of the ring, throwing haymakers at nothing. Soon, he drops to the mat and down to ringside, unsure of what side he's on. On the apron, Hazel stands up. She looks sad; remorseful, even. Hazel decides to take action, dropping to ringside and walking over to the commentary table. Ray Jeffrey all but breaks his arm holding out a water bottle to her. Hazel's helpfulness is unfortunately sabotaged by a blindside attack courtesy of Phil McGroin. Not satisfied with the knock-down, Phil finds his weapon and brings it over, setting it down on the floor. He then picks Hazel up in a front facelock and delivers a sickening swinging neckbreaker on the rainbow chair! A chorus of boos rings out through the arena; even some of Phil's on-stage fans are more shocked than entertained, and the blinded Tommy Young grimaces at the sound of the impact. Referee Anna Molly, to her credit, is there in a flash to check on Hazel.
Jeffrey: Dammit!
Phoenix: That's barbaric!
*Phoenix addresses McGroin directly*
Phoenix: Satisfied now, genius? Here's a bright idea: how about you get the hell back in the ring!
McGroin shrugs the commentators off and saunters back toward the ring. A short distance away, "Top Gun" Tommy Young has been slowly feeling his way along the barricade, trying to find his bearings. Phil re-enters the ring after cockily climbing the nearest set of steps; he then walks the apron to the pole opposite Tommy. As Phil starts to make his way up the turnbuckles, Ray Jeffrey—against his own better judgment—tosses his water bottle in Tommy's direction. It lands at his feet, and Young tentatively picks it up, unsure at first what it is. He soon figures it out and rinses his eyes. Able to see again, Young slides into the ring and goes after McGroin, throwing a few clubbing blows to his kidneys before pulling him down from the top rope by one leg. Once Phil's feet are on the mat, Young spins him around and offers up a wicked knife edge chop that gets McGroin clenching his teeth. In turn, McGroin lays a return chop on Tommy, to similar effect. A chop battle ensues and then breaks down when Young breaks the rhythm with a swift shoot kick to the thigh. Top Gun follows up with a spinning heel kick to Phil's solar plexus, and then whips him off the ropes. Tommy's hip toss follow-up gets reversed into one of McGroin's own. McGroin pulls Young to his feet and sets up for a snap suplex, but the astute rookie has it blocked. Young elbows himself free of McGroin's grasp, kicks him in the abdomen and follows up with a running bulldog, planting McGroin square in the middle of the ring!
Roberts: Opportunity created right there!
With adrenaline outshining his fatigue, Tommy Young quickly does his fighter jet taunt, hits the near rope and springs off, leaping high to hit a massive double leg drop on Phil McGroin! The crowd pops. Top Gun then kips up and heads to the commentary side pole, sensing victory is at hand. It's at this time that Young spots Hazel sitting against the commentary desk in a stupor. Tommy looks up at the cute rainbow-maned unicorn plushie, then down at Hazel again. The young man's kind heart wins out—just as it did last month, and all the way back to War back in December. Tommy slides out to where Hazel and Anna are, and he, too, tries to communicate with Hazel. All the while, his back is turned to the ring, and to McGroin's recovery.
*Jeffrey addresses Tommy and Anna.*
Jeffrey: Hey Johnny-come-lately, you had the match won! And you *he points at Anna* should be officiating the match. So just leave it to me; she'll be in good, well-moisturized hands!
Tommy politely rejects this, staying by Hazel's side. He reassures Anna and she heads back to the ring. All the while, McGroin is again trying to scale the stripper pole, hand-over-hand and with legs grapevined. Tommy spots the movement out of the corner of his eye, both of which are wide at the moment as his brain scrambles for a solution.
Hazel (groggy): This is not a comfy way to sit. Can Tommy fix it?
Hazel pulls the slightly-dented rainbow chair out from under her and, thinking fast, launches it like a heat-seeking missile, catching Phil McGroin in the right shoulder! McGroin's grip gives way altogether and he slips down the pole, winding up crotched on the top turnbuckle! The fans alternately cheer and groan.
Roberts: Good lord, what a shot!
Jeffrey: Chair-shots really ARE for everyone! Ahaha!
Phoenix: Like a guided surface-to-air missile right there!
Tommy moves to stand up, but Hazel pulls his face close to hers. Half-expecting a lick or some more Brain Fog, Tommy instinctively tries to pull away.
Hazel (groggy): Hazel needs Licky.
Tommy: Okay; Tommy will go get Licky.
And with that, Tommy Young slides into the ring, runs up the ropes beside McGroin and drives him down to the canvas with a belly-to-back superplex! Young then hurries up the ropes, scurries up the stripper pole and yanks down the last Licky!
*DING-DING-DING!*
Carson: "Top Gun" Tommy Young has procured the second object of retrieval! Thus, he will face Witch Hazel in the final round of Soul Survivor for the Custom Cup Championship!
"Aces High" hits the speakers. Tommy is down from the pole and out of the ring so fast, Anna doesn't have get to raise his hand. Rather, he's immediately at Hazel's side again. He hands the hard-earned plush toy to Hazel, and she beams up at him in response. Soon, with Tommy's help, she is able to stand. Tommy's theme song cuts out as a ring attendant brings the Custom Cup belt to Hazel.
Roberts: And it's gonna be Tommy Young who squares off against Hazel at Duskfall in July!
Phoenix: Boy, seeing Hazel hurt really lit a fire under Tommy! He very nearly cost himself the match over her, which isn't a wise move; but in this case, it turned around in the end. Didn't it, Ray?
Jeffrey: Oh, yeah; rub that salt right in, Scott.
Phil McGroin rolls out of the ring with one hand at the back of his neck. He heads up the ramp with Camera Man, looking pissed off. Clearly wanting to be alone, his frustration is compounded by his second unexpected meet-and-greet with the LGBTQ fans on the stage. Phil sighs in defeat, signs some autographs and takes off with an undented rainbow chair as his consolation prize.
Tommy Young has a bit of an odd look on his face; somewhere between frustration. elation and sudden confidence. It's a somewhat quizzical look that overlaps with the disappointment of losing the match. He helps the somewhat dazed young woman into the ring and sits her down in the nearest corner. Young paces the mat for a bit, thinking to himself. A few moments pass and he calls for a mic. Upon receiving one, Tommy raises the mic, holding it with a bit more confidence than in the past. As he talks, his eyes never leave Hazel.
Tommy: Hazel, I've been doing a lot of thinking. And I think it's time for you and I to go... *he takes a deep breath*... on a DATE!
The crowd "oohs", and Hazel herself seems surprised; not in a negative way, though. Instead, she seems pleasantly surprised.
Tommy's mic-holding arm falls to his side; he bears a look of both shock and proud joy on his face as it dawns on him what adrenaline actually made him do! Hazel smiles in turn; the sort of girlish smile that could make a young man such as Tommy Young melt. She calls for a mic of her own, gingerly rising back up to her feet.
Hazel: What kind of date? Ooh, and when?
Tommy seems to be awestruck that Hazel may in fact be on board with this.
Tommy: A hot—wait—I mean fun—date! Any time you want!
Hazel considers this. The gears turn for a while, and her demeanor seems to shift a bit. Currently, one might call it "kittenish".
Hazel: Hazel thinks it should be a special time. And yes, it should be hot! A really hot date!
At ringside, Ray Jeffrey is beside himself. Tommy seems a bit bemused at this turn of events.
Hazel: Okey-dokey... let's see. Well, the ring—any ring—is always one of Hazel's favorite places to meet people! And her favorite time of day is at dusk! So, Tommy should meet Hazel in the ring at Duskfall for a hot date! It'll be a "date match!" A hot date match! 😄
Guess Who's "Clap for the Wolfman" jangles through the speakers as a careworn Lord Skywolf hits the stage.
Skywolf: Somebody fire the chucklefuck who played that. I mean it!
The crowd has a laugh at this. Skywolf ignores them and cuts to the chase.
Skywolf: Right... so, what the hell is all this "hot date" talk, hmm? Is it a date, or a match?
Hazel: It's both!
Skywolf sighs.
Skywolf: Sounds expensive! Can't we just bring some stuff from catering down to the ring? You could beat each other up with cocktail weenies and the like.
Hazel grins like an idiot brightly.
Hazel: Hazel will cook! In fact, Hazel will grill! Don't you like barbecue, Mr. Wolfboss?
Skywolf licks his alcohol-coated lips.
Skywolf: Hell yeah I do! Right; fuck it. Tommy and CrazelImeanHazel at Duskfall, in the first-ever "Hot Date" match!
"Clap for the Wolfman" runs for about 10 seconds before being amended to "A Warrior's Call" as Skywolf heads backstage.
Phoenix: So, Tommy and Hazel in a Hot Date match. And Hazel's gonna barbecue! What do you make of that, Ray?
Jeffrey: Gnnnn... *Jeffrey clutches at his chest and leans forwards, his head almost on the desk*
Phoenix: Ray, are you okay?
*Scott checks on his friend.*
Phoenix: Damn! Roberts, call for some med techs, now! I mean it!
We cut to the arena. The commentators are back in order.
Phoenix: How are you feeling now, Jeffrey?
Jeffrey: Fine, absolutely fine! I can't help it that Hazel is like viagra for my heart!
There's a few moments of silence and then "The Burden" by Bury Tomorrow hits the PA system. The crowd pop for their hero as The Bruiser steps out on to the stage. He's wearing jeans and a black shirt with a dragon emblazoned on the front in deep red and gold. The word BRUISER is splashed across the shoulders of the shirt in the same colours as the dragon.
Carson: Please welcome at this time, on his way to the ring, "The Bruiser" ... RHYS ... CAIN!!
Cain walks down the ramp looking a little unenthusiastic as he comes down.
Phoenix: Well, after Cain lost his match to Jacob Scharff last month, he sped off in a car when Marie Dubois tried to interview him. I wonder how much that loss has affected his psyche.
Jeffrey: Well, to be fair, he hates Marie Dubois anyway.
Rhys Cain slides into the ring and climbs the turnbuckle. He finds enough spirit in himself to do his usual 'looking out to his sea of fans' taunt, then jumps down and grabs a mic from ringside. The crowd quieten down to hear The Bruiser speak.
Cain: I'm not gonna bore you all with the same speech I've delivered seemingly endlessly these past few months. I'd explained why my achievements were so important to me and why I had to overcome my demons for another chance. And last month, against Jacob Scharff, that was my chance. I had no obstacles. I had no distractions. I had no targets on my back, only the man in front of me in that ring. It was my chance to climb the 4CW mountain a third time... and I... I blew it.
The crowd have a mixed reaction to this: most of them are fans of Jacob Scharff as well.
Cain: I'm not gonna make excuses - every one of you know that Jacob Scharff was better than me and he beat me, one, two, three, in the middle of the ring. And you know what, even I kinda wanna see Scharff and Wolfbaine go at it one more time after that amazing contest at Revival. Here's the problem... at Revival, I fought for my livelihood, fought for my career, and I came out on top. Now at Duskfall, those two warriors go at it again to try and beat what they did last time and me? Well, I don't really know what I'm supposed to do.
The crowd murmurs grow louder, a growing sense of uncertainty around the arena.
Cain: You know, I was chatting with Rigg and Fischer of The Liberation, two of my good friends, and they told me that I've achieved what most never would. I'm a Hall of Famer. I have nothing to prove. But, with all due respect my friends, you two are wrong. I have everything to prove. The fact I am a Hall of Famer and still wrestling means I have not only a reputation of being the best, but I like being the best!
Cain flashes a smirk but it's gone almost as quickly as it appears.
Cain: So when I'm not on top of the 4CW mountain, when I'm not representing the company as the World Champion and haven't for over a year, then it doesn't sit well with me. I want to be the best, all the time, for my entire career, until I physically can't be on top anymore and my body has given all it has to give! I'm in my prime physically, I've never been in better shape. But the record books aren't reflecting that. And so it's got me thinking -
“Little Green Man” by Project 86 hits the PA system. R-E-A-M-E-R appears in bold letters across the titan tron and out comes the man himself with a huge chorus of boos following him out on to the stage. Rhys Cain visibly tenses up as he sees Reamer, who is smirking and has a mic in hand.
Reamer: It got you thinking, huh? Did it get you thinking, that your win at Revival was a fluke? Did it get you thinking that people are starting to see you for how inefficient you are? Let me tell you what this situation has got me thinking... see, I was here last month, to see your match vs Scharff. I was actually in the crowd, well hidden, waiting for the perfect chance to strike and screw you over Cain... but the thing is, my faith got in the way. My faith in you, that is... see, I had my mind set, I was going to run in, slap Scharff across the face, giving him the win, then taking you out and putting you in the hospital. Instead, I decided, no... even though my faith had backfired on me at Revival, I kept my faith. My faith in you Cain, that you would independently and spectacularly fail on your own accord - and YOU DID! HAHAHA! REJOICE! MY FAITH PAID OFF! And I was gloriously happy about it Cain...
Reamer stops smiling suddenly.
Reamer: I was very happy about it until I saw you come out tonight and try to pander to these fans for some sympathy. Until I saw you grovel at their feet begging for them to tell you you're still good enough. I knew you were pathetic, Cain, but I didn't realise quite how pathetic until this moment. I thought when you ran off like a coward last month and sped off in a car, that would be the last we see of you. I thought, you'd at least have enough dignity never to show your face here again - and for that, I was wrong...
Reamer's face turns into a scowl.
Reamer: I was wrong... because you don't have any dignity. You act like you do, but you disguise your lack of dignity in this crowd's blind admiration. You show yourself for who you really are - you are a product, a product of fanboyism, of popularity contests, of a fake branded 'connection' to the crowd. We all know you don't give a shit about any of these people - you only care that they chant your name!!
In protest to Reamer and perhaps just to rile him up, the crowd break into a "LETS GO BRUISER" chant that gets louder and louder and echoes around the arena for a good thirty seconds. Reamer nods knowingly, Cain stares a hole through him, not moving a muscle.
Reamer: These fans are too stupid to realise when they are proving me right, but you're not Cain. You know I'm right, don't you? How does it feel? How does it feel to have all these fans cheering for you, paying for your merch, providing you with a living and you can't even get it done in the ring when it counts? Does it suck knowing the more you let them down, the less they'll cheer, the less they'll pay, the less they'll idolise you? Are you scared that you will become nothing but the dirt on the shoes of better people's careers? Does it -
Cain: Enough! ENOUGH! Shut the fuck up!
Some portions of the crowd gasp, others cheer. Reamer grins as if Cain just gave him exactly what he wanted.
Reamer: So easy you are Cain, to tip over the edge... and you know why? Because you aren't the wholesome guy you paint yourself to be and anyone who takes more than a quick glance at your career can see that. You're an edgy, angry, unbalanced man -
Cain: No, we're not doing this. I know what you're trying to do, Reamer. You're just a poor man's Carstein. You think you can paint me as this monster because I react to provocation and get angry. What you fail to realise is, my anger doesn't make me a monster to my family, or to the people. Maybe at one time it did, but I'm past that now - no, what you do when you make me angry, is you unleash a monster that YOU have to deal with inside this ring! That's why I beat you at Revival! The pressure was all on me. My career on the line. My honour I had to defend. And I. Beat. You.... call it a fluke if that helps you sleep at night, but if I lost to Jacob Scharff a hundred times it wouldn't change the fact that at Revival, we had a match, and I. BEAT. YOU.
Reamer snarls and looks like he is going to respond, but Cain beats him to the punch.
Cain: Don't even speak, boy, I'm not done.
A loud "OOOH" echoes around the arena.
Cain: I beat you... because I will ALWAYS beat you... Supreme.. now, he was a hell of a competitor - and as I understand it, he beat me... more than once... but you... this, thing, you've become... you are weak, because ironically you call me a monster and cite my anger, when you were BORN out of anger. A little part of Supreme's brain couldn't deal with the fact he had flaws and Reamer was born. And Reamer will never be the man that Supreme is.
Reamer: I'll tell you something, Cain -
Cain: I thought I told you I wasn't done! I know what you want. You want me in a match right? You wanna dance, one more time... but the funny thing is, you don't just want it. You NEED it. And I don't. I hold all the cards... so if you want to face me, Reamer, let's do it one more time. And this time, YOU can put YOUR career on the line!
The crowd explode in approval of this proposal and Reamer goes from angry at constantly being interrupted to laughing sarcastically.
Reamer: Put my career on the line? We both know I'm not that stupid.
Cain: We both know you are crazy enough to, though...
Reamer considers this with a frozen smirk on his face, then nods.
Reamer: You've got yourself a deal, Cain.
Cain nods and speaks again.
Cain: Good... and just remember one thing, Reamer. It won't be just me versus Reamer. No, no, it'll be me and EVERY - SINGLE - FAN - IN - ATTENDANCE versus Reamer. Because in this match, there will be no countouts, no disqualifications and the Fans Bring The Weapons!!
Cain throws the mic to the mat as "The Burden" by Bury Tomorrow replays around the arena. Reamer drops his mic too and the two men stare each other down, ramp to ring.
Phoenix: Wow! A war of words between these two men, and out of it comes a match for Duskfall! It's Rhys Cain vs Reamer, in a Fans Bring The Weapons match, and if Reamer loses, his career is over!
Roberts: Turnabout is fair play! Reamer wanted Cain to put his career on the line at Revival and Cain won! If he wants another chance to beat Cain, he has to match the sacrifice! The question is, did we just see Reamer on Storm Front for the last time?
Jeffrey: Are you kidding? I don't care who brings the weapons, Reamer is scary enough with his own hands - imagine what he can do when he gets his hands on potentially an endless variety of weapons?! If I was that midget Cain, I'd be getting ready to cry at home eating some Häagen-Dazs after yet another loss!
Phoenix: Well, either way, that match is official! And speaking of matches that are official, Eddie Wolfbaine will face Jacob Scharff one more time at Duskfall and put his 4CW World Title on the line - but tonight, he faces Universal Champion Clyde Bonham and that match - IS NEXT!
The sound of firecrackers begin to echo around the arena and smoke begins to fill the air. Sparks begin to shoot out of the ramp and the revving of an engine can be heard, followed by a car speeding away into the distance. The guitar kicks in as "3's and 7's" by Queens of the Stone Age begins to echo around the arena. Clyde Bonham steps out in a black wifebeater and blue, torn jeans, a slightly maniacal smile twisted on his face. His black leather jacket completes the ensemble, reflecting the sparks seemingly off of it. His 4CW Universal Championship hangs over his shoulder.
Carson: The following contest is our MAIN EVENT and is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Death Falls, Nevada, weighing in at 321lbs, he is the 4CW Universal Champion ... CLYYYDE ... BONHAM!!
He walks down the ramp, smirking at the fans a bit, occasionally acknowledging a sign or to that reference him. Clyde climbs the stairs and swiftly enters the ring via the second rope, spinning and raising his arms in the air. He removes the jacket and folds it over, handing it to the time keeper before rotating his wrists and bouncing on his legs to loosen himself up. He stops after a few seconds and leans back into the turnbuckle, looking up the ramp and awaiting his opponent.
The arena is suddenly plunged into darkness, save for a bank of lights on the stage, strobing to the rhythm of "Ten Thousand Against One" by Unleash The Archers.
"Ten Thousand Against One!"
At "one", the entire bank of lights simultaneously turn on, illuminating Eddie Wolfbaine standing alone on the stage, the 4CW World Heavyweight Championship Belt slung over his shoulder, and the giant screen above his head simply reading "WOLFBAINE" in white letters on a black background. He then slowly makes his way down to the ring, slapping the hands of a few fans here and there, but never losing his focus on the ring.
Carson: Aaand his opponent, from Detroit, Michigan, weighing in at 230lbs, he is the 4CW World Champion ... EDDIE ... WOOOOLFBAINE!!
At the bottom of the ramp, he pauses to collect himself before leaping up the steel stairs, two steps at a time and runs along the apron to climb the turnbuckle on the far side of the ring. He takes a few moments to yell back at the adoring crowd, slapping the belt on his shoulder for good measure, before turning and leaping into the ring. He and Bonham come face to face, both smirking, and are seperated only by the referee's orders. Wolfbaine lifts his title in the air as does Bonham, and the ref takes both men's titles for ringside.
Phoenix: This is indeed a non-title match, but both these men will be here to prove tonight why THEY are the best champion in 4CW!
Roberts: Jacob Scharff will no doubt be watching this match closely! I'd say Brian White is too, but frankly, I'm not sure he is! Rumours have been flying around that he's concussed, thanks to Bonham, and that's why he's not here tonight!
Jeffrey: That's what happens when you mess with Bonham! Wolfbaine might be finding that out tonight!
Phoenix: Well, regardless of the validity of those rumours, we hope White is good and well and back with us very soon!
The bell rings and both men circle the perimeter of the ring before coming together in the middle in locked horns. There is a moment of struggle, but then Bonham overpowers Wolfbaine and sends him flying back across the ring. Wolfbaine recovers quickly and looks up at Bonham, who grins. Wolfbaine gets back up and locks in another grapple without another word. There's the same moment of struggle, but this time Wolfbaine manages to push Bonham away! Bonham recovers just a little less gracefully that Wolfbaine and doesn't seem to appreciate the loss of the grapple as well as Wolfbaine did.
Bonham gets back up to his feet, lumbering across to Wolfbaine a little more aggressively and instead of trying a grapple, he throws some left hooks. He catches Wolfbaine with the first, but Wolfbaine ducks under the second and throws a right of his own. The two exchange some moderate punches back and forth until Bonham steps it up a notch by kicking Wolfbaine in the gut and hitting a snap suplex.
Phoenix: Well the match started with a technical flair and that lasted all of about 30 seconds.
Bonham picks up Wolfbaine and throws him to the corner. Bonham follows Wolfbaine into the corner and throws a few more left and right hooks. He throws a few gut punches which seem to wind Wolfbaine a bit, allowing Bonham to grab him and whip him into the opposite corner. Bonham runs after Wolfbaine with the idea of clotheslining him in the back of the head, but Wolfbaine senses it and ducks underneath, spinning around Bonham and taking him out with a DDT!
Roberts: Bonham is decently quick for his size, but Wolfbaine is probably faster and more agile, as demonstrated there!
Wolfbaine gets a weak two count from the DDT and picks up Bonham immediately after, setting him up for a suplex and executing it perfectly, then hooking the leg but still only getting a two count. Without stopping, Wolfbaine picks up Bonham and whips him into the ropes. Bonham comes back and Wolfbaine goes for a clothesline, but Bonham sees it coming and ducks underneath. Wolfbaine spins around to meet Bonham on his return, and ducks Bonham's own attempt at a clothesline. Bonham doesn't stop, going to the ropes and coming back, but Wolfbaine launches himself into the air from a standing position and takes out Bonham with a dropkick!
Phoenix: A wonderfully succinct dropkick from Wolfbaine!
Wolfbaine gets back up to his feet and gets himself in position as Bonham stumbles back up also. Wolfbaine positions himself behind Bonham and tries for a German Suplex. Bonham blocks the attempt and turns, positioning himself behind Wolfbaine and hitting a German Suplex of his own! Bonham releases the hold and rolls over to hook the leg! 1.. 2.. No! Wolfbaine kicks out!
Jeffrey: Bonham almost had Eddie with that surprise German Suplex!
Phoenix: These two are very evenly matched in the early going and it's made for a very exciting opening to this main event contest!
Bonham decides not to waste any time and drags Wolfbaine back up to his feet. He tries to suplex Wolfbaine, but Wolfbaine blocks the lift with his leg. Wolfbaine pushes Bonham away and throws some leg kicks. He follows these up with a spinning back fist which catches Bonham and causes him to stumble for a split second. Wolfbaine kicks Bonham in the leg, knocking him down to one knee. Wolfbaine attempts an ambitious spinning kick, but Bonham swiftly moves out of the way and comes back with a combo of jabs, lefts and rights, which send Wolfbaine towards the corner. Bonham sends another one-two jab combination which is avoided by Wolfbaine, who throws a wild elbow, catching Bonham in the chin and sending him flying on to his backside. Wolfbaine runs forward and hits a dropkick into the seated Bonham, knocking him down on the mat. Wolfbaine hooks the leg... 1... 2... NO! Bonham kicks out!
Phoenix: What a back and forth melee that was!
Jeffrey: These two aren't holding anything back! Some vicious strikes that they will no doubt feel in the morning!
Roberts: This is why both men are champion - they show fantastic resilience week in and week out!
Bonham isn't so quick to get to his feet after that flurry and Wolfbaine gets up first, dragging the Universal Champion to his feet. Wolfbaine wastes no time in positioning Bonham, and executing a snap suplex! Then, he kips back up to his feet, which gets a big pop from the crowd! Wolfbaine feeds off the energy of the crowd as he grabs Bonham and lifts him up for another suplex. Bonham, however, manages to reverse and get back down to his feet. Bonham then chops Wolfbaine across the chin, which makes him clutch his face and pisses him off something rotten.
Bonham approaches Wolfbaine and Wolfbaine surprises him with a kick to the gut. Bonham stumbles and clutches his gut and Wolfbaine uses the temporary advantage to run forward and kick Bonham's face off with St. Michael's Revenge!!
Phoenix: No matter how much I see that brutal Yakuza Kick that Wolfbaine calls St Michael's Revenge, it remains brutal and vicious!
Jeffrey: I think Bonham might need a new chin after that one!!
Wolfbaine gets down to the mat and hooks the leg! ONE ... TWO ... TH--NO!! Bonham kicks out!
Phoenix: Wow! I have to be honest, I didn't think Bonham was kicking out of that one!
Jeffrey: Never count out Clyde Bonham, Scott! He didn't win that Universal Title for going down after one kick!
Wolfbaine looks slightly impressed but more frustrated at Bonham's kickout. Now looking visibly more tired, Wolfbaine grabs his opponent and lifts him back up to his feet. He whips Bonham into the corner. Taking a moment to get his breath back, he then runs at Bonham and takes him out with a clothesline! Before Bonham can fall to the bottom buckle, Wolfbaine pulls him out of the corner and whips him to the other side of the ring.
Bonham hits the opposite corner and slouches. Wolfbaine runs at him and attempts a running dropkick, but Bonham swiftly moves out of the corner at the last moment. Wolfbaine crashes to the mat. The World Champion gets back up to his feet pretty quickly, but not before Bonham can grab him from behind and hit a second German Suplex! Bonham hooks the leg! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Wolfbaine is still in this!
Phoenix: Those German Suplexes can take their toll! That's the second Wolfbaine has eaten and he'll do well not to fall victim to a third!
Bonham grabs the ropes to pull himself up to a standing position. He sees Wolfbaine groggily getting back to his feet and gets an idea, illustrated with another wide smirk. Bonham runs to the ropes and comes back in a run, as Wolfbaine gets back to his feet, and takes him out with a brutal clothesline to the back of the head.
Phoenix: What a sickening blow! Nasty clothesline from Bonham!
Roberts: It seems like Bonham might have tweaked his right elbow with that though!
Phoenix: We know he has historically had trouble with it - but he's learned to deal with the dodgy elbow over the years.
Bonham shakes his right arm as if trying to shake it back into life and then kneels down and covers Wolfbaine. ONE ... TWO ... Wolfbaine kicks out again! Bonham grumbles to himself in frustration at having still not put Wolfbaine away. He wastes no time in dragging the champion back to his feet, but Wolfbaine finds some kind of second wind and starts throwing wild punches. It's enough to send Bonham towards the corner. Wolfbaine grabs his right elbow - and slams it down over the top rope! Bonham clutches his arm in agony and tries to get away from Wolfbaine. Wolfbaine takes a second to shake off the cobwebs from the clothesline, then moves forward to his target.
Wolfbaine sends a few uppercuts to Bonham, keeping him trapped in the corner. He then takes a few steps back, and motions that he's going to go for a Yakuza Kick in the corner. He runs at Bonham, but Bonham ducks and avoids the blow. Bonham stumbles away and tries to get behind Wolfbaine, going for a THIRD German Suplex. Wolfbaine manages to block the move, and reverse his way out of it. He then jumps into the air with his knee prominent, grabbing Bonham by the back of the head and hitting an INVERTED CODEBREAKER!
Phoenix: OH MY GOD!!
Jeffrey: What a savage move! I kind of have to respect how sick that is! Wolfbaine, you wonderfully brutal man!
Roberts: If that clothesline from Bonham was bad, that has to be twice as bad!!
Wolfbaine turns himself around and covers Bonham. The referee slides into position and counts. ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Bonham gets his foot on the bottom rope!
Roberts: Amazing instinct from the Universal Champion! Bonham gets a foot on the rope!
The ref explains what happened to Wolfbaine and he looks distraught at how close he came - but instead of pondering on it, he stumbles back to his feet, almost losing his balance as he does so. Wolfbaine suddenly howls into the arena air and the crowd pop! Wolfbaine picks up Bonham and lifts him up on his shoulders!!
Phoenix: It's time! Wolfbaine is going for El Valle Del Lobo!
Wolfbaine hooks Bonham up into the Death Valley Driver position then runs forward - but Bonham manages to wriggle out of Wolfbaine's grip, landing on his feet. Wolfbaine stops and spins around, and eats a kick to the gut which brings him to his knees. Bonham launches himself forward and takes out Wolfbaine with the Shining Wizard! The contact of boot on skull echoes around the arena!
Jeffrey: And there we have, Bonham's aptly-named, Ouch!!
Phoenix: What a reversal from Bonham! And we know what comes after Ouch!! It's time for the Crossroads!
Bonham lifts Wolfbaine up to his feet, then ducks underneath him and lifts him up into the Electric Chair position! Bonham positions himself for the Crossroads, when Wolfbaine starts throwing quick punches directly into the top of his head! After four or five punches, Bonham has no choice but to drop Wolfbaine. Wolfbaine lands on his feet, runs at the ropes, comes back and takes out Bonham with the HAMMERSPACE LARIAT!!
Phoenix: Hammerspace Lariat out of nowhere!!
Roberts: Wolfbaine has taken out Bonham and turned the tides!! Now he just needs to get up to his feet and finish this match!
Jeffrey: Come on Bonham! Get up!!
Phoenix: With the momentum Wolfbaine has, I think getting up is probably the worst thing Bonham can do!!
Wolfbaine gets up to his feet and is unable to prevent himself from shaking with adrenaline. He paces and waits for Bonham to get back to his feet. Steadily, Bonham does so and Wolfbaine is able to put the groggy Bonham into the perfect position, grabbing him from behind and hitting the INVERTED SNAPMARE DRIVER!!
Roberts: Crescent Scythe!! Wolfbaine with another devastating move from his repertoire! This has to be it!
Jeffrey: Come on, Bonham!!
After falling to the Crescent Scythe, Bonham collapses right in the middle of the ring!! With his best opportunity for victory yet, Wolfbaine covers as quickly as he is able to! The ref slams down his hand to count... ONE ... TWO .. THRE--WAIT! NO!! Bonham kicks out again!
Jeffrey: Yes!! Go Bonham!
Phoenix: HOW?! How did Bonham kick out of that?! This must be nothing but purely instinct!
Roberts: I don't think Bonham is out of the woods yet! Look, Wolfbaine is going straight back on the offense!
Roberts is right. Wolfbaine is midway through lifting a broken Bonham up on to his shoulders again! He runs at the turnbuckle, attempting El Valle Del Lobo for the second time in the match - but Bonham AGAIN manages to slide out of Wolfbaine's grip! He falls to the mat and rolls out of the ring, escaping Wolfbaine's attempts to grab him again.
Jeffrey: Smart move by Bonham! Now he can get a moment to recover then come back and beat Wolfbaine!
Eddie Wolfbaine shakes his head and rolls out of the ring, right after Bonham! Wolfbaine catches up to Bonham around the timekeepers area. He grabs Bonham from behind, but Bonham spins around and rakes the eyes! Blinded, Wolfbaine stumbles back. Bonham suddenly reaches for the Universal Championship, runs forward - and SMASHES Wolfbaine across the face with the title!! The referee rings the bell immediately!
Carson: Here is your winner via disqualification, EDDIE ... WOOOLFBAINE!!
Roberts: What the hell was that then Ray? Looks like Bonham couldn't handle the fact he was moments away from losing!
Jeffrey: He did what he had to do to end up on top! You can bitch all you want, but which champion is laying on his back right now?!
After smashing Wolfbaine across the face with the 4CW Universal Championship, Bonham throws Wolfbaine back into the ring. Bonham slides in after Wolfbaine and jumps on top of him, raining down lefts and rights on the blindsided World Champion!
Phoenix: What the hell is this?! Bonham has no right! This is as unnecessary as it gets!
Roberts: Bonham has completely lost control!
"His World" by Crush 40 hits the PA system. The crowd explode as Jacob Scharff runs down to the ring as fast as he can go! Bonham stops the attack and gets back to a standing position, just in time to see Scharff get into his face. Scharff throws a punch, but Bonham dives down to the mat and rolls out of the ring. Scharff catches him with a rogue kick but ultimately Bonham escapes his wrath. Bonham flips the 4CW Universal Championship over his shoulder as he moves backwards up the ramp, not taking his eyes off Scharff.
Roberts: Thank goodness for Scharff making the save here!
Jeffrey: He should have let Bonham do the damage! It would only help him in his title match at Duskfall!
Phoenix: We all know Scharff has far too much dignity and honour to win in such a manner.
Jeffrey: A win is a win! And a DQ loss is a win too, as Bonham is proving considering he just took out Wolfbaine and lived to tell the tale!
Bonham is pretty smug with himself as he realises Scharff isn't going to chase him up the ramp. That is until "Wherever I May Roam" by Yashin hits the PA system and the crowd explode again! Bonham's smug look is wiped off his face as "The Freight Train" Brian White marches out onto the stage! Bonham turns around - and is taken out with a huge SPEAR from White on the ramp!!
Phoenix: Runaway Train! Brian White has taken out Bonham! And we can assume that's because Bonham doesn't know how to fight fair!
Jeffrey: I thought White was out with a concussion!
Phoenix: I did say those rumours were unfounded! I'm sure Bonham fell for them just like everyone else though! Never count out Brian White!
Roberts: And - oh - well I'm just getting confirmation from the back now that at Duskfall, Clyde Bonham will defend the 4CW Universal Championship against Brian White!
White laughs at Bonham on the ground and points to his wrist, as if wearing a watch, then at his waist, signalling a championship around his waist. As White walks backstage, the camera cuts back to the ring. Scharff is standing in the middle of the ring. Wolfbaine, still unaware of his presence, and facing the opposite direction, gets up to his feet and stumbles backwards.
Wolfbaine bumps into Scharff and spins around, jumping backwards with a startled expression. It only takes him a second to recover, but Scharff smirks. Scharff holds his hand out and counts 1, 2, 3, as the crowd counts along, and then held up a 5-1 sign. Wolfbaine stares a hole through his challenger and doesn't react. Scharff lowers his hand and offers a handshake.
Wolfbaine looks around to the hot crowd and then back at Scharff. Then, with the very slightest nod, he shakes Scharff's hand.
Phoenix: It's the rematch the whole world wants to see! It's World Champion vs Former World Champion! It's Hall of Famer vs Hall of Famer! It's Wolfbaine vs Scharff!! And it's happening at Duskfall! It doesn't get any better than this ladies and gentlemen, the mind games have been played and at Duskfall, these two men leave it all in the ring! Don't miss it! We'll see you in July!!
Quick Results:
-Robert Smith def Local Talent
-Garret Fischer def Maximillian Yesgill
-Licky On A Pole: Witch Hazel def Tommy Young and Phil McGroin in the Soul Survivor Semi Final
(McGroin eliminated)
-Eddie Wolfbaine def Clyde Bonham via DQ
Writing Credit:
Opening Skywolf/Hazel Segment: Paige
Supergroup Backstage: Rhys
Robert Smith Interview: Sery
Robert Smith vs Local Talent: Sery
Fischer Interview: Rhys
Skywolf/Reed Segments: Rhys
Fischer vs Yesgill: Rhys
Janitur Gorilla Position Segment: Rhys
Soul Survivor Semi Final: Paige
Post Match: Paige & Gorgrim
Cain/Reamer Promo: Rhys
Wolfbaine vs Bonham: Rhys
Post-Match: Rhys
Graphics Provided by:
Rhys
Paige
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!