Post by Danny on Jul 18, 2019 15:44:40 GMT -6
As the logo is seen, things go live to the inside of the arena as pyrotechnics go off from the stage and the camera pans around to get a shot of the Revolution fans in attendance before panning to the commentary table where Corey Graves, Mauro Ranallo, and Tom Phillips are standing by.
Tom Phillips: Hello ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Revolution! I’m Tom Phillips.
Mauro Ranallo: I’m Mauro Ranallo.
Corey Graves: And I’m Corey Graves. It’s the first show since Backlash and it’s all about the King of the Ring qualifiers. Seven spots, twenty-one competitors, so it’s triple threats galore. Like Samoa Joe versus newcomers Paul London and Shibata.
Tom Phillips: We also have giants in action as Kevin Nash takes on AJ Styles and Drew McIntyre. And in another match, the new Television Champion the Big Show takes on Chris Jericho and the returning Umaga.
Mauro Ranallo: Not to mention Oney Lorcan versus Adrian Neville versus Jimmy Havoc. And the returning Ultramantis Black versus the returning Finn Bálor versus Noam Dar.
Corey Graves: Plus, Roman Reigns versus former Television Champion Aleister Black versus the debuting El Ligero. Then in our main event, former UWF Champions collide when it’s Larry Sweeney versus Johnny Morrison and in the mix is Chris Brookes.
Tom Phillips: And you can bet Xavier Woods who has spot number eight and the UWF Champion Vinny Marseglia will be watching closely.
Corey Graves:Also a very special interview.
COMING UP TONIGHT....
Corey Graves:About time Noam Dar gets the spotlight he deserves.
Mauro Ranallo:Lots of important stuff going down tonight but first, let's head down to the ring where the Owner of UWF EC3 is standing by!
The feed moves down to the ring where EC3 is standing by. The ring is covered with a red canvas, a throne sitting behind him as well. He lifts the mic to speak.
EC3: As you all already know, tonight's show is all about the King of the Ring. Every active singles competitor has a chance to become the King of the Ring except for our current champion and the previous challenger. There's been a lot of people running around saying I don't give them opportunities and yet none of these guys have the balls to tell me to my face. Luckily for them, they won't have to. All they have to do is back up their egos and prove how good they are by outlasting every other man. The finals of the King of the Ring tournament will take place on a special supershow, the return of Heatwave. The winner of the King of the Ring will go on to Summerslam to face the current champion, Vinny Marseglia in the main ev-
Carter, Carter, Carter, why are you wasting so much air? don't you know that the carbon dioxide in our breath is helping Climate Change kill us all?
We all know this voice, we all love this voice, actually only I love it, the crowd hates it, it's Despy! he's interrupting EC3! did he forget to bring a check for the wedding? did the check he bring was too little? outrageous
Vinny Marseglia is such a long name, way too much air being spent saying that, you need someone with a shorter name which equals less carbon dioxide which means humanity won't die! don't you want humanity to live Carter? of course you do! and I assume you also know that paper hurts the ecosystem right? well, you just happen to have a paper champion leading your company! I have the solution for both problems, it's called Minoru Suzuki, he has the shorter name and he already proved that compared to him Marseglia is nothing, he was playing with Vinny during their match and had him fighting for his life while never actually tried to win! he had one pin attempt out of countless opportunities, but now Minoru decided he has played enough and that this time it'd be for real, better inform the tournament participants that they'd be facing Suzuki at the end of it and not Vinny, will probably get most of them to re-evaluate the whole thing.
Despy is now standing in the ring near EC3, he lowers the mic and chuckles as he waits for a response
EC3: You ever think maybe this little plan would be a little more effective if he came out here and told me himself? Maybe he could try and intimidate me since he's the UFC Champion and all and I'm supposed to be impressed by that or something. Nevermind, the answer is no. If he was so preoccupied with sending a message rather than winning the UWF Championship, he doesn't deserve another title shot. Not to mention he lost so the answer is no. Instead Vinny will have that night off the prepare for the winner of the King of-
Carter, Carter, Carter, why are you wasting so much air? don't you know that the carbon dioxide in our breath is helping Climate Change kill us all?
We all know this voice, we all love this voice, actually only I love it, the crowd hates it, it's Despy! he's interrupting EC3! did he forget to bring a check for the wedding? did the check he bring was too little? outrageous
Vinny Marseglia is such a long name, way too much air being spent saying that, you need someone with a shorter name which equals less carbon dioxide which means humanity won't die! don't you want humanity to live Carter? of course you do! and I assume you also know that paper hurts the ecosystem right? well, you just happen to have a paper champion leading your company! I have the solution for both problems, it's called Minoru Suzuki, he has the shorter name and he already proved that compared to him Marseglia is nothing, he was playing with Vinny during their match and had him fighting for his life while never actually tried to win! he had one pin attempt out of countless opportunities, but now Minoru decided he has played enough and that this time it'd be for real, better inform the tournament participants that they'd be facing Suzuki at the end of it and not Vinny, will probably get most of them to re-evaluate the whole thing.
Despy is now standing in the ring near EC3, he lowers the mic and chuckles as he waits for a response
EC3: You ever think maybe this little plan would be a little more effective if he came out here and told me himself? Maybe he could try and intimidate me since he's the UFC Champion and all and I'm supposed to be impressed by that or something. Nevermind, the answer is no. If he was so preoccupied with sending a message rather than winning the UWF Championship, he doesn't deserve another title shot. Not to mention he lost so the answer is no. Instead Vinny will have that night off the prepare for the winner of the King of-
Suddenly the lights go out in the middle of Ethan talking.
”GET ON YOUR KNEES
AND BOW
DOWWWNNNN!”
As the screaming prolongs and the instrumentation picks up, suddenly Vinny appears from the back with a red balloon in one hand, his UWF Championship over his shoulder, and his axe at his waist as he makes his way towards the ring.
Vinny steps up onto the apron, and releases the balloon as he leans back and seems to take in the fear in the air.
Vinny enters the ring as the lights come all the way up as he signals for a microphone and a ringside official runs around the ring to the side he’s standing nearest to give him one. Vinny now raises it to his mouth.
Vinny Marseglia: The King of the Ring tournament. Seems like just yesterday I was making my way through the brackets to be coronated. This go around, after coronation, I’m the one that’s going to get gunned after and I couldn’t be happier about that result because these bare hands are itching for more skin to break and more blood to draw. And soon they will, but I’m not interested in waiting around until the tournament concludes to do so, I want blood before then and from someone else than the future King of the Ring winner.
Vinny removes the axe from his waist and points at Despy with it.
When you’re caretaking for a senior, you’re supposed to have their best interest and safety at the forefront because they aren’t mentally capable of knowing what that is or physically capable of following through, but you keep goading Grandpa into following his dreams. And it makes me wonder how many times I have to teach the old man this lesson, but that’s a question I have a quick answer for: one more time.
Vinny lowers the axe.
Not because he deserves another opportunity at the UWF Championship but because he deserves another brutalizing and I want to be the one to do it. I don’t care when, I don’t care where, but I do care about the how. Much like I proposed with Larry Sweeney at Wrestlemania, I’m saying we up the ante this time. I say we make this a Last Man Standing match, because I don’t want restrictions in place. I want to be able to maim Suzuki to the maximum. And most of all...
Vinny hurls the axe at Despy, who barely avoids it, as it gets stuck in one of the turnbuckle pads.
I want to be the reason the ancient alpha male complex falls and can’t get back up!
Vinny lowers his microphone with a smile. The two men stare at one another until EC3 raises his mic to speak.
EC3: Well I wasn't planning on having you defend the UWF Championship at Heatwave but another marquee match is sure to move the needle a bit more so why not. At Heatwave it'll be Vinny Marseglia defending the UWF Championship against Minoru Suzuki in a Last Man Standing match.
The crowd pops for the match being made official. EC3 is grinning from ear to ear, practically already seeing the money while Despy just smiles back at Vinny before leaving the ring. Marseglia walks over and digs out his axe from the corner and raises it up high as the crowd cheers on and Revolution heads elsewhere.
It fades into a shot of a now-familiar figure in a dark room, clawing at his face. Aleister Black turns his head to face the camera, a manic look on his face.
Aleister: So this… is how it ends.
You think you can just sully my record like that, Paul? You think you can take advantage of me when I'm not looking, you think you can take what's MINE? You think you can walk into my domain and SLIGHT ME? Do you now, you perverted, obsessive, psychopathic bald-headed BASTARD?! If it weren't for my partner's interference, that belt would be on MY shoulder. I won… I won, I won, I won, I won, I won. I… won…
He looks down for a few seconds, and then looks up and to the ceiling with tears in his eyes. Not out of sadness or anger, but out of joy. What a sick bastard.
Aleister: But finally… I've been freed! That belt has been cut loose… and now nobody… is safe from me. I've said it before, and I'll say it a thousand times over. That belt... I wasn't protecting it from you… No, no, no no no, wrong. That belt… was protecting you from me. I was stuck at the bottom of the card, fending off non-entities and giving them the scraps of my food under the table. So consider us done, Paul, and remember me when you're getting what's left of your ass kicked by Umaga and Jericho. So many new opportunities lie ahead. An opportunity at the world title. An opportunity to become King… of the Ring. King of the world. King of the universe. King of… everything.
The wall behind him turns to a shade of red and eyes open up in it again. This time, arms reach out from the world and begin grabbing at him, but are unable to reach. The door from before is still in the wall behind him.
Aleister: I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The layout of this company is making itself known to me. I am finally being rewarded for the months I've been here. None of you out there can stop me. You can't even if you try. And if you do, I will be sure to thoroughly destroy you. Because you're getting in my way. You're stopping me from getting to my goal. That crown belongs to me, and only me. I don't care if the top guys come to get me. I don't care if former champions like Jericho and Neville and Sweeney's zombified corpse lie in my way. I need that crown. It must end up in MY hands.
He turns around to look at the door behind him. Words begin to etch into the wall above it, saying "Abandon hope, ye all who enter here."
Aleister: But if I were to fail... If victory were to simply… slip from my grasp, then I'm afraid that there would be only one option left. An option that breaks a man. An option that changes a man into a completely different person.
He turns back.
Aleister: But it's best not to speak of it now. It would be… anti-climactic… if I were to speak of the door's secrets here today. Just know that no one will survive me, Ligero, and Roman's little match tonight. No one, save for me. This tournament... is mine. This company... is mine. This world... is mine.
He laughs. His laugh is even more sick and deranged than usual. He gets up and walks out to the right as the camera slowly zooms into the door. Whispers begin emanating from the door, forming layers of what can only be described as white noise. They all combine together to form one word, before swiftly devolving into nothingness again.
"KILL."
Revolution heads elsewhere.
As the scene switches from one to another we see a familiar face, one which belongs to Chris Brookes. Brookes is sitting at what can be assumed to be his bed, or perhaps just a hotel... the latter seems more likely, especially from what we've seen from his social media, such as his Twitter, or his Instagram, whatever the case, he's most likely in Japan, seen as regardless of the fact he joined the UWF, he still dabbles around from company to company, with UWF being his main "job". Just recently, Chris had a match in a pool... a fucking pool... like why?... and how? He's definitely in Japan. And with that, he begins to tweet something.
Chris "The Calamari Catch King" Brookes
What to type?... what to type? Aha! I've got it.
So, he begins to type, I'm not going to have to monologue you through this, am I? It's quite obvious what he's going to type... But I suppose I will... for the sake of padding, of course. But needless to say, Brookes is a master at... tweeting, his fingers move faster than lightning... almost... and the tweet appears before his and our very eyes!
There. There it is. And in an instant, it's already got the like cap, oh boy... Twitter are sure gonna have to notice this one... They already gave him the precious blue tick, what are they gonna give him now, a crown... a crown for the Calamari Catch King... And now, the KING OF TWITT--
Oh... oh well then... that's... that's uh... a problem. And now he's on Instagram... Okay. I think we'll get back to him later.
The lights fade to black as the beginning of Out of the Black by Royal Blood breaks the silent suspense of the crowd. Mist begins cascading across the stage as nothing exists to light the stage other than the candles lining it and the light from the titantron. The music begins slowly building up to Aleister Black's inevitable entrance. Various shots of the occult; summoning circles, all-seeing eyes, and the like, appear on the titantron, along with Aleister Black sitting cross-legged in the light of a stained glass window.
Aleister begins rising from the mist, stands there for a moment, before calmly walking to the middle of the middle of the stage, staring out into the crowd blankly. He starts walking down to the ring with a purpose, his nameplate appearing on-screen.
Tony Chimel: Making his way to the ring, weighing in at 215 pounds, from Amsterdam, Holland... Aleister... Black!
He pauses for a bit before the ring. He starts surveying his surroundings; the crowd, the ring, and the ringside area. He then takes a turn around the side of the ring opposite hard cam, climbing the stairs and launching himself over the top rope, landing in his signature seated position. He sits there for a couple of seconds, before getting back to his feet and moving to his own corner.
A Cartoon Narrator says "Ladies and Gentlemen, Its time for the Amazing Adventures of your Favourite Luchador.....El Ligero!!!" as the song cues and an excited Ligero runs from the back and looks out to the crowd, he walks down the ramp, high fiving as many fans as he can before he gets to ringside where he steps up to the apron and Springboards over the top rope and back 3 or 4 times before entering the ring and running to the Hardcam's Right corner and poses.
Announcer: Introducing from Los Sanchos, Mexico, the Amazing, Elllllllllllllllllllll Ligerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Tony Chimel: And from Pensacola, Florida, weighing 265 pounds, Roman Reigns!
The Truth of Reigns hits the speakers and Roman Reigns comes out from behind the curtain. The crowd start cheering him on as he walks down the aisle. The Big Dog enters the ring and stares across at both Aleister Black and El Ligero.
As the bell rings, the three men in the ring begin to circle around, each moving their eyes back and forth from one to the other, when suddenly Black cuts out and hits Reigns with a back elbow to the head which catches the Big Dog completely off guard and dazes him. Black then moves in lightning quick fashion to deliver strikes to Ligero who blocks a few but ends up being forced into the corner. Black continues to deliver a mixture of punches to the head and body, when suddenly he catches Reigns in the corner of his eye charging towards the corner. Using speed to his advantage, Black ducks of the way and Reigns ends up connecting with a corner splash on Ligero.
Corey Graves: Great awareness from Black to duck out the way of that one and let Ligero take the hit, smartest man in that ring right now.
Mauro Ranallo: Black has undoubtedly got a chip on his shoulder after his TV title reign came to an end at Backlash, but Reigns and Ligero certainly aren't gonna lie down for him when you consider the opportunity that's at stake here.
Ligero drops to a seated position in the corner in order to recover as Black and Reigns meet in the middle of the ring to start delivering back and forth shots to one another. Black again gains the upperhand and clubs Reigns with a right hook to the chin which can be heard all around the arena. Black makes a run for the ropes in order to gain some momentum for his next hit, but Reigns counters with a clothesline that knocks the Dutchman down. Fans cheer as Reigns prepares for his next move as Black rises back up to his feet. Reigns elevates him onto his shoulder to prepare for a powerslam, but Black rolls completely over and lands low down to deliver a strike to Reigns right calf which takes him down to one knee. Black goes to stand up him up in in the hopes of dishing out some lethal kicks, when suddenly Ligero flies in with a diving crossbody from the top rope that connects with both men and sends them down to the mat. Black then rolls out of the ring to the floor whilst Reigns lays dazed inside as Ligero attempts a cover...
1...
2...
Kickout!
Mauro Ranallo: It seems like both men took their eyes off the ball there, El Ligero with a beautiful crossbody from out of nowhere, and now with a great chance to take full control of this match.
Tom Phillips: Remember that this is Ligero's UWF debut we're watching, so how amazing would it be if he were to pick up the upset win here tonight?
Corey Graves: Yeah you'd love that wouldn't you!
Ligero is naturally disappointed but not completely disheartened at being unable able to put Reigns away for the three count, instead clapping himself on to go again. Ligero is back to his feet first and Reigns slowly follows thereafter, the masked man runs the ropes and swings his legs up to try and send Reigns flying, however Reigns catches him and lifts him up above his head for an attempted counter powerbomb, but Ligero answers with a counter of his own by tucking in and delivering a hurricanrana which sends Reigns tumbling across the ring. The Big Dog looks like he doesn't know what's just hit him as the crowd begin to really get behind Ligero.
Corey Graves: Two well-executed moves doesn't make a superstar people.
Tom Phillips: I think Ligero's got a lot more in his locker Graves, just wait and see.
Reigns slowly tries to get back to his feet, but Ligero is quick to prevent him from doing so by delivering a kick to the mid-section with his left foot. He then delivers another with the right foot, but as he goes for another with the left in order to start a chain sequence, Reigns catches his boot and with brute force shoves him away and down to the ground before he can launch another counter strike. Both men rise to their feet as Ligero makes another run at Reigns, but this time the Big Dog is completely ready for it as he turns, picks him up and delivers a powerful side slam which shakes the ropes around them. Seeing an opportunity to end it, Reigns goes for the cover...
1...
2...
Black breaks up the pinfall!
Seemingly unbeknownst to both Ligero and Reigns, Black was waiting on the outside for the right time to re-enter the fray. The former TV champion then picks up Reigns and throws him through the middle rope and down to the outside.
Corey Graves: Aleister Black with the eyes of a hawk, picking and choosing the precise moment to strike, genius!
Mauro Ranallo: And it seems he wasn't best pleased with Ligero's crossbody earlier on, this could spell trouble for the British Luchador.
Black is indeed ticked off and appears to snarl as Ligero tries to crawl towards the ropes, however Black quickly cuts off the crawl and in the upright position wraps his arms around Ligero's waist and deadlifts him up into a bridging German suplex with the direct pin...
1...
2...
Kickout!
As Ligero makes a slow roll into space for some breathing room, Black shakes his head as he gets up again to chase him down. The Dutch Destroyer goes across and delivers a couple of stomps to Ligero's back, but as he switches to try and to pick up the high-flyer's legs, presumably with the Boston crab in mind, Ligero suddenly sits up and catches Black off balance to pull him down into a small package...
1...
2...
Kickout!
Tom Phillips: This is some solid, fast paced back and forth going on, one guy hoping to catch the other out.
Mauro Ranallo: If brains don't win this thing then it may well come down to which man can endure the most punishment.
Both Black and Ligero rise up to their feet in sync, but Ligero responds first with a dropkick that sends the Dutchman back down again. Black tries to rise up again straight away and is met with the exact same outcome, only this time it keeps him down. With the match now seemingly in his control, Ligero looks to the fans in the crowd who are egging him on to do something big. More than happy to oblige, Ligero transitions to the outside apron, steadies himself and springs off the ropes looking to hit the Mexican splash, but Black rolls out of the way, leaving the masked man to connect directly with the mat. Seeing a new opportunity to strike, Black props the fallen Ligero up by his neck and locks in the dragon sleeper.
Corey Graves: Yet again, amazing awareness from Black to swing the match in his favor, and now he's got Ligero right where he wants him.
Mauro Ranallo: Ligero seemingly took a little too long to set up for the Mexican splash, Black made him pay for it and this could be lights out.
Black begins to viciously yank in order to quickly wear out Ligero once and for all. Ligero doesn't tap and tries with all his might to break free, but it's clear for all to see that he's beginning to fade. The referee moves in and gets ready to make the call, when out of the blue Reigns returns to the ring under the bottom rope and charges towards Black. Reigns has the Superman punch in mind and Black has no choice but to let the hold on Ligero go as by the skin of his teeth he ducks out of the way. The Big Dog attempts the move but ends up completely missing and slams into the ropes instead. Ever the opportunist, Black comes in behind and rolls him up with a schoolboy...
1...
2...
Kickout!
Tom Phillips: Roman may have saved the match from ending, but missing that Superman punch looks to have cost him some much needed momentum.
Corey Graves: The Big Dog favored brawn over brains in this instance and it backfired big time.
Both men return to their feet and like before begin to duke it out with a combination of chops and punches to the upper body, only this time Reigns manages to gain the upper hand by catching Black off-guard with a vicious right uppercut that knocks him towards the corner. Looking to make amends from the missed Superman punch, Reigns chants 'Oohaah!' in unision with the crowd as he looks to put the match to bed with The Spear on Black, but as Reigns starts the run up, Black makes a desperate dive out of the way, forcing Reigns to fly through the middle ropes and connect directly with the ringpost. The screams of pain are heard all around as Reigns takes a moment to try and recompose himself before pushing himself back through the gap, but he seems completely unaware that Black is back up and waiting for him. As soon as Reigns turns back around, the Dutch Destroyer is there to meet him with a devastating Black Mass.
Mauro Ranallo: Black Mass connects!!!
Corey Graves: Goodnight Roman!
With Reigns down, Black glances over his shoulder to see that Ligero is still down but beginning to stir, taking no chances Black darts across the ring and uses his feet to roll Ligero to the outside before diving in to make the cover on Reigns...
1...
2...
3!!!
Tony Chimel: Here is your winner, ALEISTER BLACK!
Black rolls off of Reigns fallen body and sits in the middle of the ring with his legs crossed and eyes closed as the lights suddenly darken.
Mauro Ranallo: And just like that, Aleister Black makes up for his loss at Backlash by punching his ticket to the King of the Ring Quarter-Finals.
Tom Phillips: On another night and with a bit more luck this could have perhaps been a different story for Ligero and Reigns.
Corey Graves: Oh pipe down Phillips! There's a reason why the man that held the TV title for 176 days is progressing to the next round, and it's because he's a step above the competition!
A spotlight appears in the darkness and focuses on Black who opens his eyes and simply observes the surroundings as the camera begins to fade and open up elsewhere.
AJ Styles is walking into the arena and UWF reporter Charly Caruso comes up to him. Styles goes and he rolls his eyes and he talks before she can speak
AJ Styles: Stop stop stop. Charly look I know your trying to do your job, and don't get me wrong I appreciate that you want to get questions from me, but right now Charly I just came into the arena. My match is coming up soon, and I need to decompress. Every week Charly do you know what I deal with? I deal with these fans disrespecting me, but not only that my own peers. Instead of them thanking me for all my hardwork,and all I do for the UWF. All they seem to do is insult me, and belittle me. So Charly if I wanted to do an interview. If I wanted to talk to you I would have asked for the interview. So if your done here let me know.
Charly Caurso: Actually AJ I am not here to interview you I was actually awaiting for one of your opponents Drew McIntyre.
AJ Styles: See now that is just disrespectful.
Styles throws his suitcase on the ground in frustration
AJ Styles: You could have just let me walk off, but than you have the audacity to tell me you weren't even coming to interview me. See this is the type of disrespect AJ Styles has been getting as of late. You can make up the excuse we were walking the same way and Charly the way you walk it always seems like you have an agenda. So of course you want an interview, but to tell me you weren't here for me just annoys me because it seems like no matter how much I prove to everyone here in the UWF all I get is the same old disrespect. Charly do you know what my record here is in the UWF?
Charly shakes her head and AJ Styles pulls out his Samsung S10 and he yells
AJ Styles: Hey Bixby!
Bixby: Yes 'The Phenomenal' AJ Styles.
AJ Styles: What is AJ Styles record since returning here in the UWF?
Bixby: Lets see... Here we go AJ Styles record since returning to the U Double F is 5 wins and 1 loss. Do you want to know anything more?
AJ Styles: Nope that's all for now. See that Charly 5 and 1. 5 and 1. My one loss too is not even 100 percent my fault. Velveteen Dream decided to get into my business, and once I win this match hopefully he wins and hopefully we will be seeded in the same bracket and not only will I beat that goof, but I will go on to get my revenge on Neville if we cross paths. Than I will go on and become the King of the Ring, and than earn my rightful shot as the UWF Champion. Though if that isn't the route than it is what it is but at the end of the Charly the route will be the same. AJ Styles doing what he does best.... WIN! Hey Bixby.
Bixby: Yes 'The Phenomenal' AJ Styles.
AJ Styles: Play that win song by Jay Rock.
Bixby: Okay playing WIN by Jay Rock of Google Play music
The music plays from Style's phone as he picks up his suitcase and walks away from Charly Caruso
The scene opens and it sees Adrian Neville looking extremely grumpy in front of a camera which shows a black background behind him and then tilts his head slightly down. He stops his head going down and huffs slightly.
Adrian Neville: I stand on top of the castle as the ruler, and the dirty rascals beneath me won’t shut their fucking gobs. Chatting about victory, chatting about success. But how far will that get you? A delay in the inevitable fall? A step closer to failure. That’s all I see around here, false promises and failure. Is it all their fault? Not necessarily. It’d be hypocritical if I said it was.
After all, I dropped that buffoon otherwise known as Nigel McGuinness and look at me now! A shitty marketing campaign dropped, and a step outside of the box and I reign supreme. Yet I’m still not done yet, not satisfied. I want more blood… and blood I shall get as I choose fit. As tonight there is a new task upon the horizon for me.
The tournament to finally be recognised as the King of the Ring, to be recognised as the only man worth of holding something like that. Yet many other tonight walk forward to try and attempt to claim the same fate, but like I said earlier, that fate won’t be reached and those false promises and failure will overwhelm you all. I’ll see you soon Vincent.
Tony Chimel: Ladies and gentlemen the following contest is a triple threat King Of The Ring qualifier match set for one fall! Introducing first and already in the ring, Drew McIntyre!!
The Scottish psychopath steps forward and scans the arena with a smug look on his face, he's better than them and he's telling them, most of the fans start booing him but some cheer, they like to be humiliated like that, I don't kink shame
Tony Chimel: And now introducing his first opponent...
WOLFPAC IN DA HOUUUUUUUSE!
The crowd erupts in cheers as the Wolf howl echoes throughout the arena. Scott Hall comes sliding from behind the curtain in his signature fashion. He pauses a moment on the entrance stage and throws one arm out to the side and the other over his head and pointing towards the stage as Kevin Nash comes walking out in all his coolness. Nash pauses to give Scott a Wolfpac salute before hoisting his fist up over his head.
Tony Chimel: And last but not least...
'Demi-Gods' hits and the Phenomenal AJ Styles comes out from the back. Styles walks up to the ramp and he looks into the crowd. The fans give a mix reaction as Styles goes and he throws up the P1
Styles puts his hands down and he walks down the ramp. Styles is looking around as the crowd and he looking to get psyched up for the challenge in hand. AJ always loved hearing the emotion from the UWF Universe. Styles goes and he slides into the ring and then Tony Chimel begins to speak
Tony Chimel: Already in the ring from Gainseville, Georgia. The Phenomenal A...J...Styles
Styles follows what Chimel says and he spreads his arms out as a flux of pyro begins to shoot off from the stage. Styles smiles and he looks into the camera and starts to talk into it as it zoom closes too it. Styles begins to jump in the ring getting excited for the match to start.
DING DING DING!
The three men stare each other down and start to circle the ring, no one wants to do a mistake the other could capitalize on, after a shit ton of time Big Sexy gets tired of the whole thing and suddenly clubs Style on the back then knees him in the gut and throws him out of the ring! he turns over to Drew with a big smirk on his face and Drew returns the favor and they go for a lock-up, at first it looks like the thiccness of Nash is enough to win the exchange for him as he drives Drew back a few steps but Drew shows his big boy muscles by driving Nash back all the way into the corner where he quickly releases the hold and starts raining punches on the giant! Nash quickly covers up and manages to block most of the blows but then Styles sneaks up behind the corner and pulls Nash's feet from under him and his little Kevins get a close meeting with the steel! Hall rushes to take care of Styles but he jumps into the ring before the bad guy can do anything
Tom Phillips: Kevin's got nards!
Corey Graves: What are you doing Phillips the joke died months ago.
Mauro Ranallo: It looks like Styles didn't get the memo either, and he should watch out!
Styles started laughing hysterically at Nash but he quickly gets shut up by Drew who grabs him from the back and launches him into the other side of the ring with a german suplex! Styles uses the momentum of the suplex to roll backward and try and catch Drew off-guard but as Styles charges him he launches his boot into his Phenomenal face! Styles it out and Nash is still trying to recover all of the unborn children he lost and Drew takes this time to taunt the crowd, but just a little bit, after finishing he picks up Styles again and whips him across the ring so he'll rebound off of the ropes, but he did that too hard and tripped and as he gained his footing back Styles jumped onto the ropes and back into a beautiful Reverse DDT! a Stylin' DDT even, Styles follows the DDT by quickly jumping to the top rope but before he can do anything Nash gets on the apron and shoves him into the ring before starting to pound the turnbuckle signaling he's about to climb it!
Corey Graves:Pff, someone should tell him Godzilla can't fly
Tom Phillips: Well he can use his atomic breath to launch himse...
Corey Graves: Shut up Phillips you nerd!
Nash starts climbing the bottom turnbuckle, then the second turnbuckle as the fans erupt in cheers, he soon realizes how bad that idea is and climbs down then rolls Mcintyre out of the ring before taking a few steps back and jumping in the air while dropping an elbow on Styles' lungs and staying there for a pin as he hooks one leg
1...
tw.
NO!
Styles manages to tie up Nash' arms with his arms and legs respectively and turn him over for a crucifix pin!
1...
2...
NO!
Nash and Styles both get up at the same time and before the giant can do anything Styles quickly starts lighting him up with fast punches, low kicks and elbows and a lariat to top it all off but the lariat gets blocked and Nash manages to get a hold of the wrist but Styles doesn't let Nash capitalize as he quickly nails him with a jumping enzuigiri! Nash stumbles back, slightly dazed but not out yet and Styles hits him with a dropkick to the chest driving him out of the ring over the top rope but he manages to land on his feet although he's still dazed, Styles sees the opportunity and charges and rebounds off of the other ropes before launching himself onto Big Sexy with a suicide dive but when he lands it's not Big Sexy he's facing it's Drew Mcintyre who in a second managed shoulder block Nash out of the way and catch Styles! Drew gives Styles a cocky smile before throwing him overhead something with a belly to belly suplex! Styles lands hard on the ramp but is again quick to his feet, maybe to relieve the pain, but that proves to be an even worse mistake now when Mcintyre charges him and blasts him with the Claymore!
Mauro Ranallo: MAMA MIA, AJ STYLES IS KNOCKED OUT COLD AND HE MIGHT NOT RECOVER FROM THIS!
Corey Graves: Might not recover? Mauro to recover from a Claymore you need a chin made of diamond and be the toughest man on the planet, AJ Styles will not recover.
Drew takes a minute to gloat about his dominance but quickly realizes he's not done yet, he goes to pick up Nash but sees that Hall is too close for his liking and leaves him then enters the ring and signals for Nash to come on, Nash is happy to do so as he gets up using the barricade and enters the ring, as soon as he's inside, Drew charges him hoping to catch him off-guard but before he can do anything Nash clocks him on the jaw with a thunderous Right Hook! the hook had enough power in it to drop a horse but Drew manages to stay on his feet although he's stunned and Nash takes advantage of that as he quickly grabs Drew by the throat and drops him with a Chokeslam! he falls on top of him for the pin
1...
2...
th...
NO!
Drew got his foot on the rope! Nash doesn't spend time arguing with the ref for he knows it won't help him at all, instead, he picks up Drew and walks with him to the center of the ring where he hoists him up and drops him with the Jackknife powerbomb!! he falls on top of Drew for the pi
1...
2...
AJ is moving!
3!
DING DING DING!!
Tony Chimel: Here is your winner who is advancing in the King Of The Ring Tournament, Kevin Nash!
Nash gets his hand raised in victory and his best bud joins him to celebrate while EMTs attend to Drew and Styles and the fed moves on
Todd Grisham: Ladies and gentleman please welcome my gues-
Grisham is cut off when loud pipes are seemingly knocked over beside him clanging on the cement floor, the Camera tries to pan over but only shakes as Grisham tries to back away but a rushing Tanga Loa shoots into the frame and wraps his arm around Todds head and neck stopping him from getting away.
Tanga Loa: Whoa Whoa Whoa Where do you think YOU'RE going?
The camera shakes again, as behind the visual spectrum of it Tama Tonga has smacked down the camera guy, but all you can hear is the smack of him hitting the floor and him squirming away coughing in pain.
Todd Grisham: Guys come on I'm just tryin to do my job-
Tanga Loa: Fuuuuck, you hear that Tama, apparently it's this little white boys job to run away. Well then get going kid.
Tanga lets go of him and Todd turns to leave but immediately Tanga grabs the collar of the back of his neck choking him back to wrap his arm around his neck, turning him to face the camera.
Tanga Loa: No no no I remember now, you're supposed to interview the wrestlers aint ya? It's supposed to be your job to come on camera, say "my guest blah blah" and ask people questions... Well to quote Robert De Niro. "I've got nipples, can you milk me?"
Todd Grisham: w...what
Tanga smacks Todd on the forehead with an open palm.
Tanga Loa: Ask us a question dumbass!
Todd grimaces in pain and struggles to clear his throat with Tangas arm around it but he tries.
Todd Grisham: uh- so-What will-What are your thought-
Tanga Loa suddenly smacks his hand over Grishams mouth to shut him up as Tama Tonga cartoonily slides into frame with a smile on his face as he stares straight to camera.
Tama Tonga: What a fine question Tim, when I think about what's next for Tanga and I as a tag team all I can really picture is...Whatever the fuck we want. Ya see when you've got the talent we got, shit just comes naturally. That's why the little shit that would slow other people down, aint even gonna phase us. It's pretty damn simple, whenever we wanna fuck shit up some more, we'll do it, and whenever we don't give a fuck, we'll do whatever we want. Right now the focus is on sitting back and watching the boss take care of his business and become the Kingpin of the motha fuckin ring.
Todd Grisham: Then why-
Tanga torques his grip to stop Grisham mid sentence, Tama steps to one side as Loa looks towards the camera.
Tanga Loa: Message? Well I wouldn't say we have any message to send to the bitch asses who aint taken us seriously, fact is Tom, we love hearing all the shit talk going on. We love it when pissant fuckers try and run their mouths on our shit when they don't know shit bout our shit. It's what makes fucking them up that much more fun, and at the end of the day that's all we're here to do. So any tag team that thinks less of us, any person who looks at us as just lackeys or henchmen or some such bullshit, let them step up to us face to face and say some shit.
As Loa is holding on to Grisham, Tama reaches over and grabs his ear, twisting it in his grip making Grisham shout out in pain "OWWWW"
Tama Tonga: I never thought of it that way Terrance but what you gotta know is aint no other mother fuckers who are on our level and that's a fucken promise, Bitch ass marks working your own damn selves into thinking we on some same shit. Fuck yo ranking shit, fuck yo pussy ass contenderships, FUCk yo goddamn straps too. We aint here for no ranks, points, star ratings bullshit we here to fuck shit up and that's exactly what we'll always do cause none of yall are shit to us.
Loa lets go of Grisham and he drops to his knees, he immediately tries to scurry away and Tama kicks him in the ass as he does, out of the shot and to the floor causing more poles to clang on the floor.
Tanga Loa: We don't give a Dot Dot Dot, FUUUUUUUCK. So remember that when you think it's safe, remember that when you think we've stopped caring bout what goes on in our careers, because just like this interview time reserved for some other wannabe motha fucka, all it takes is us Deciding to want it for us to come here and motha Fuckin TAKE IT. Believe that shit.
Tama reaches over and kicks the camera tripod causing it to fall to the floor and static to fill the screen before Revolution continues on.
The titantron switches from the UWF Revolution graphic to a live feed from backstage. Renee Young, the company's most earnest and honest backstage reporter, marches right up to a door. A private dressing room, with the familiar "SWEET N' SOUR INC." sign nailed on to it. She pounds on the pine impatiently.
Young: Sweeney, get out here! You were scheduled for a segment in the first hour! I've got better things to than run around backstage trying to track down all your narcissistic diva boys. So open up the door and we can get this over wi -
The door opens just enough for Kyle O'Reilly to slip out. He closes it tight behind himself.
K'OR: Yo, would you chill the hell out Renee? The Champ is getting in the zone. Tonight's his big homecoming.
Young: Yeah. I know. That's why he was booked for a big interview to open the show. Carter made it crystal clear in the production meeting that he wanted a face-to-face with Larry. He's having doubts. Everyone is. Have you seen the reports? It's not just those hacks Meltzer and Wiggler. McCallhan has a whole exclusive up on her site this week. We're talking front page stuff, Kyle. The word's out. Larry wasn't released from the hospital. He broke out. There are doctors on record saying that not only is it a significant medical liability for him to be in that ring tonight, but that he's totally cracked up. He's lost it. They think he's gone insane.
K'OR: Yeah... well... maybe they just don't understand his genius.
Young: I'd like to find out for myself if you don't mind.
Renee tries to brush past Kyle to get into the locker room but he blocks her off.
Young: KYLE!
K'OR: Nope. No way. Nu-uh. Sorry Renee. It's not happening. Larry told me he's not making any appearances before the match. He's got something special in mind. And as for all the questions and concerns about if he's crazy now? I'd remind you that real life Jason Voorhees actually murdered him in the ring and is walking around with HIS UWF Championship right now. How would you feel? Huh? If you never got pinned to lose a wrestling title. It's literally the stupidest thing in the world.
Trust me. I get it. EC3 is desperate to have Larry back on TV. He's the only real superstar this company has. Not to mention the best wrestler alive today. You think Carter or anyone on the board wants that maniac as the world effing champ? Hell no, babe. Hell no. But you can run back to Ethan and let him know that its all good in the hood. We've got it under control. He doesn't need to check out Larry in an interview or serve him softballs like Morrison and Brookes. Larry Sweeney is the best in the game. He's ready for his rematch. Forget the King of the Ring. I mean, sure, yeah, he'll win it again if he has to. But the best thing to do... the right thing to do... is to just straight up book the rematch. This time we want two referees, and we want it by the book. No axes. No gimmicks. Just a pure, plain old professional wrestling match. Something Vinny Marseglia doesn't know the first thing about.
Larry isn't sick. He isn't crazy. He's angry. In fact -
There's a loud clanging and clattering from inside that sounds like somebody falling down. Through a table maybe. Knocking lots of stuff over. Renee loos curious. Kyle looks concerned.
Young: What was that?
K'OR: Ummmmmmmm... I'm just... gonna.... like... go and check that out. We'll catch up later.
Young: No... wait... Kyle get back here! Let me in there!
O'Reilly shrugs her off and sneaks back through the door, quickly locking it behind him. Renee groans, exasperated. The nerve! She storms off and Revolution continues elsewhere.
Larry King: For the best part of the last decade, the UWF has become a staple of prime time television. From its incredible matches to its jaw dropping stories. But what's really helped UWF leave its mark on the world has been its platform to showcase all sorts of charming and colorful characters over the years. Just recently it welcomed a host of household names such as Dean Ambrose and Kevin Steen into its Hall of Fame. Whilst from its current crop, the reigning International Heavyweight Champion Vinny Marseglia has built his reputation as a twisted axe wielding maniac. But there's one fairly new individual on the block who has managed to catch the eye with their solid yet sneaky in-ring work, but also their unique presentation outside of the ring, and that very individual joins me at this time. The Scottish Supernova, Noam Dar, welcome to the show.
Noam Dar: Thank you very much Larry. Now although it's a well-known fact that I have requested, nay - demanded on previous occasions that Scoops McCallahan be the one tae ask me questions for interviews that are being aired on UWF television, but in this instance I am prepared tae make an exception, and I know you're absolutely delighted to have a guest of my caliber and stature appearing on your show.
King isn't completely won over by Dar's attitude and beliefs, but is keen to remain professional.
Larry King: Yes, quite... But let's get to it, you first cropped up on screen around Wrestlemania season, where you gave the viewing audience your own personal tour of the city of London, and then followed it up in the coming weeks with Dar Wars, your own take on a popular movie franchise. So already less than a month in to your UWF tenure, you're already starting to turn heads with this unique style of presenting people with information.
Noam Dar: First of all I'd just like to correct you on one thing, Dar Wars is not a take on anything, it is its own entity, and there's nothing out there that can compare tae it. But other than that Larry, you've pretty much hit the nail on the head. You see when I joined the UWF, I had no intention of appeasing fans or making friends, because the only person I care about pleasing is myself, and I'm not ashamed tae admit that. But at the same time, my plan was not tae be of being one of those bland, dull, boring guys that goes out every week and does a half-arsed job of trying tae make a name for themselves. So I set about making sure I standing out from the pack right from the get-go, and being that ace in the hole that you can always count on tae offer you something alternative. But I don't care whether anyone likes it or not, cause at the end of the day I'm just trying tae live UWF life tae its fullest.
Larry King: Moving on to your work in the ring, you've just mentioned the words bland, boring and dull...
Dar's eyes widen and he's quick to cut in...
Noam Dar: Hey! You'd better not be saying what I think you're about tae say!
Larry King: If you'd let me finish, you've mentioned those particular words, and it seems that you associate them with guys like Oney Lorcan, the man you recently faced at Backlash, why is that?
Noam Dar: Smart recovery Larry. Let me try and explain it this way. If the question is whether I would like to see an Oney Lorcan match or observe some home decorating. I'll be sitting in a room watching paint dry every single time. I swear that the charisma vacuum is on full blast all day and night with that guy. He is my complete polar opposite, and I just felt that the whole world needed tae know that fact. He of course didn't take too kindly tae that, but when he was given a chance tae do something about it at Backlash, he didn’t take it, and that’s just because his natural place in life is tae be a failure. He doesn't know any differently. It's kind of sad really. Don't you think?
Larry King: Well that's really not for me to say Noam, I'm just asking the questions. The next of which relates to some more outside of the ring shenanigans. You recently received a notice from UWF Management informing you that you would be facing serious disciplinary action if you did not make your dialect more attractive and understandable to television viewers. Now I can confirm just from speaking with you in this interview that you sound pretty clear and understandable to me for the most part, which leads me to believe that you are indeed taking this incident seriously.
Noam Dar: Well I think I made it quite clear that I wasn't particularly happy about having tae read that particular piece of correspondence. And whilst I probably should apologize tae the poor young lad that was on the receiving end of my actions that followed, I just don't want tae. But you're right, I am indeed trying tae take this seriously, but not because I'm trying tae appeal tae management or the stupid fans, but because deep down I know they all want tae see me fail, they are all licking their lips at the prospect of me getting thrown out of the door, so my natural response is tae take a pish on their chips. It's survival of the fittest round these parts, and I'm doing exactly what I need tae in order tae survive. You cannae' get rid of Supernova 11 that easily!
Larry King: My understanding is that you've been working with a vocal coach to improve on your accent and wording, but is that really necessary? I mean just a few weeks ago we saw you presenting some information from this ‘company’ known as Supernova Technological Industries, and for that you were speaking more or less perfect English.
Noam Dar: I'm gonna have tae correct you again Mr King, contrary tae what people believe, that wasn't me presenting that night, it was Norman Darnley, a well-respected associate of mine. He put that fine showcase together himself, and presented it in a style that I can take some inspiration and pointers from, so as tae ensure that I’m not waking up a few weeks from now and finding that the postman has delivered me a pink slip instead of birthday cards.
King appears somewhat flabbergasted by this response.
Larry King: So you’re seriously telling me that wasn't you giving that presentation that night?
Noam Dar: Hand on heart, I completely understand how people see the similarities between us, but I'm more of an in your face kind of guy that will say and do what I want, whenever I want, and tae hell with the repercussions. Darnley on the other hand prefers to keep a low profile and only makes appearances as and when it's considered relevant tae do so, such as when STI has something new that they want tae spread around the world. So you won't have tae worry that regularly about getting the two of us mixed up.
For all Dar is trying to be assertive on the matter, King just isn't buying it.
Larry King:....Let’s try something different. I’m going to give you a list of names, and with each one I want you to say the first thing that comes into your head. Let’s start with Oney Lorcan.
Noam Dar: Insipid.
Larry King: Velveteen Dream
Noam Dar: Broken.
Larry King: Adrian Neville.
Noam Dar: Misunderstood.
Larry King: Johnny Morrison.
Noam Dar: Cosmic walloper.
Larry King: Liam & Noel Gallagher.
Noam Dar: Saints.
Larry King: Vinny Marseglia.
Noam Dar: Chief dafty.
Larry King: Piers Morgan.
Noam Dar: Bawbag.
This response does draw minor chuckle from King.
Larry King: Chris Jericho.
Noam Dar: Tragic.
Larry King: Jimmy Havoc.
Noam Dar: Fork.
Larry King: AJ Styles.
Noam Dar: Bixby.
Larry King: Scoops McCallahan.
Noam Dar: The Best
Larry King: El Desperado, Corey Graves, The Loch Ness Monster.
Noam Dar: Guitar, Hero, Fraud.
Dar appears proud of his quickfire responses as King prepares his next question.
Larry King: Now it was recently announced on UWFNetwork.com that an old favourite will be returning to our screens this week. The King of the Ring tournament. A competition that inspires to bring out the best from its competitors, with the winner usually going on to find future success and cement their UWF legacy. Noam you are just one of many participants looking to earn a coveted spot in the Quarter Final round, but in order for you to do so you’ll have to overcome both Finn Balor and Ultramantis Black, two of the more darker and bizarre members of the roster. Are you feeling confident for this one?
Noam Dar: Wow Larry, you could pass for a UWF announcer! I thought by now a man of your supposed intelligence would have gathered that confidence is something that I’m certainly not short of. What have we even been doing here this whole time!? Yeah there’s a lot of guys that are in it tae win it this year, but only one can sit on the throne, and you’re looking at the one right now. People will probably have a glance at me, Balor and Black and say that we’ve all got no chance of winning this thing, mainly because we’re too busy doing strange things in our own respective weird and wonderful worlds. And they’d be spot on about those two roasters, but I’ve managed tae set myself apart from the herd by combining my fun with getting the work done when it matters the most, and that’s in the ring. I haven’t laid down for a soul so far since I got here, and I’m certainly not planning tae start doing so this week. So get ready tae roll out the red carpet and have the marching band at the ready for the next time I'm in town Larry, because you, your camera crew, your agents, everyone here, will all be bowing down tae the newly crowned, King Dar!
As Dar sits there with a wide grin on his face, King looks at his cue cards to see what his next question is, but instead of asking away he appears to have run out of patience with the Scotsman's antics and is now keen to wrap up.
Larry King:....Noam Dar, I guess it goes without saying, thank you for your time, and good luck.
Noam Dar: A few shaky moments, but overall you did well Larry. Good for you. And just remember, watch this space!
Dar shakes King's hand and adjusts his jacket before walking off set. The cameras still appear to be rolling though as an assistant walks on set to move a chair King tidies up his desk and adjusts his glasses...
Larry King: Jesus. What a prick!
The camera feed then cuts out.
The crowd pop to hear "Seven Nation Army" as they begin to sing along to the instrumental "Jimmy Fucking Havoc"
A few moments pass as Havoc comes from the back with a axe over his shoulder, slowly Havoc walks towards the ring, The crowd keep up the singing as he enters the ring.
Havoc goes straight to his corner as the music subsides the crowd continue "Jimmy Fucking Havoc" in the style of seven nation army as they wait in anticipation for the slaughter to begin...
Dropkick Murphy’s “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” begins to blare through the arena’s speakers, as do a series of cheers from the audience in attendance. From behind the curtain emerges the Boston Butcher himself, Oney Lorcan, who marches briskly down the ramp with a ‘Number One’ hand gesture in the air, determination and aggression written on his face and traced in every step he takes.
Tony Chimel: “Making his way to the ring, from Boston Massachusetts, weighing in at 200 pounds, ONEY LORCAN!”
Reaching ringside, Oney slaps a few hands of the fan’s hands as they extend themselves, and hops up onto the ring apron. A modest “OH-NEY RULES” chant breaks out, as he throws up a big ‘Number One’ hand sign on the middle turnbuckle, before hopping back down and stepping through the ring ropes. Oney performs the same gesture again, this time to the audience as he wildly throws himself at the ring ropes.
The song “Rottweiler” by IDLES blasts into the arena blasting the arena with some aggressive scrappy tunes representing the fire that is now within the Intercontinental Champion, Adrian Neville.
“THERE’S A SNAKE IN MY BOOT...
THERE’S A RAT IN MY CAGE...
THERE’S A SHARK AT MY FEET…
THAT’S BEEN CIRCLING FOR DAYS...”
As the chorus kicks in on the song Adrian Neville blasts through the curtain aggressively, belt swinging about, nothing else special. He pulls up his Intercontinental Championship and slaps the face of it several times and then smiles cockily off to the crowd with a grin on his face.
Tony Chimel: “Weighing in tonight at 194lbs, from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, Adrian Neville!”
Neville lowers his championship and then drags it down by his side, stomping down to the ring quickly and disregarding everyone in attendance tonight. He then stops at the side furthest from the hardcam, and swings his title up into the ring.
Neville then slides in and then picks up the championship on the ground and heads over to the middle of the ring and looks at his title, and then chucks it aside, connecting hard with the turnbuckles and then Neville runs up on the ropes to pose.
Neville then gets down off the ropes and heads into the corner and scoops up his beaten championship and readies himself for the matchup, folding the title up and then passing it off to the referee.
DING! DING! DING!
The bell rings and Oney comes running out the gate and hits Neville with a nasty European uppercut that sends him into the turnbuckle and to roll out the ring.
Mauro Ranallo: Oney, is not playing tonight after an upsetting loss to Dar at Backlash!
Oney quickly gets up, and Havoc and him have a brief stare down before going at one another. Havoc makes the first move and comes running in for a dropkick but Oney sides steps and hits a rather mean knee strike to the head of Havoc. Havoc staggers to his feet to see Oney coming at him to hit a lariat but ducks underneath and grabs the arm to roll him through into a DDT position. He hits it and Oney lays flat on the mat for a pin.
ONE…
KICKOUT AT ONE!
Mauro Ranallo: Not even close to enough to take out Lorcan.
Corey Graves: Havoc taking every opportunity he can get to progress to the actual tournament.
Jimmy quickly gets Oney up to his feet and begins laying in some boots into the gut of Oney. After about 3 kicks to the gut, Havoc goes an Irish Whip into the corner, but Oney reverses it into a whip of his own and Havoc bounces hard off the turnbuckle and straight into a lariat.
Oney hypes himself up as he looks to the crowd but when he turns around, he gets caught by a springboard missile dropkick from Neville. Neville gets Oney up and chucks him out of the ring and goes to focus on Havoc. Havoc is getting to his feet when Neville begins to lay in some side-kicks to the side of Havoc.
On the final kick, Havoc catches the leg and gets to his feet. Neville hobbling on one leg jumps up to hit an Enzuigiri that staggers Havoc, but once Neville gets to his feet hits a Death Valley Driver from out of nowhere!
Tom Phillips: Neville may have just got sent off his rocker with that one!
Mauro Ranallo: And with that, Havoc is now able to take full control.
Havoc gets to his feet and sees Oney stirring to his feet outside, Havoc runs the ropes and goes through the middle rope to hit a suicide dive but gets caught by an European uppercut. Havoc falls backwards next to Neville, and Oney gets back in the ring. Both competitors to Oney, lay flat in the center of the ring. Oney sees this and rebounds off the rope to hit a double foot stomp on Havoc, then while trying his best to keep balance, jumps off of Havoc and hits a double foot stomp on Neville!
Mauro Ranallo: Now that's some innovative offense, Corey!
Corey Graves: And Oney is taking it to both Havoc and Neville here. He wants to win this match, and he's pulling out all the stops.
Oney then gets Neville up to hit the Half and Half Suplex but Neville rolls him through into a roll up!
ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT AT TWO!
Neville holds his gut in pain as both men get to their feet. Oney comes running at him but Neville clocks him with a stiff elbow that dazes Oney. Neville then runs the ropes and hits a hurricanrana on Oney, and Oney lands right on top on Havoc, which inadvertently causes the ref to start the count!
ONE…
NEVILLE BREAKS THE PIN AT ONE!
Neville gets Oney up by the tights and runs him through the middle turnbuckle causing Oney to hit his shoulder. Neville goes over to Oney and pulls him out of the middle turnbuckle by the tights and hit a German Suplex!
Oney goes crashing into the floor as Neville gets up wide eyed. Oney pulls himself up with the turnbuckle and Neville is stalking him to hit a big running corner move. Once Oney is up Neville comes running at him but gets caught out of nowhere with a kendo stick from Havoc!
Tom Phillips: Havoc finally bringing out the weapons to settle the score!
Mauro Ranallo: I'm sure Havoc Ken-do this without needing for weapons.
Corey Graves: First off: Get out of here with the puns. Second off: This is all legal!
Neville drops to all fours as Oney tries to come out of the corner to attack Havoc but gets hit with the stick into his gut for his troubles - Oney falls to all fours. A murderous look is in the eye of Havoc as he wails both Neville and Oney with the kendo stick repeatedly! The crowd are roaring load for the British hardcore wrestler as Neville and Oney squirm from each shot. The stick finally breaks over Neville's back and Havoc goes to look for another weapon.
Mauro Ranallo: He isn't done!
Havoc rolls out the ring and pulls out a chair covered in barb wire ready to go full deathmatch! He gets in the ring as Oney is the first to his feet. Havoc comes running at him with the chair and swings but Oney stops it with his hands as the barb wire make cuts into the hands of Lorcan. Oney grits through the pain as he out powers Havoc and throws the chair to the side, and hits Havoc with a knife edge chop.
Tom Phillips: Did… Did Oney just purposely grab that barb wire chair? That man is tough as nails!
Corey Graves: It was either grab it with his hands or get clocked over the head, Phillips—I'm sure it was worth the risk of getting a few cuts on his hands.
Jimmy holds his chest as we walks over to the corner. Oney lays another chop that echoes around the arena and the crowd are cheering loud for it. Oney then gets Havoc onto the top rope and begins to climb up himself. He wraps Havoc's arm around his shoulder for the Superplex!
BUT WAIT! Neville runs in and gets Oney in a Powerbomb position with Havoc still in the Superplex! With a pure test of strength Neville lifts Oney off the turnbuckle and Oney lifts Havoc into the air for the Superplex. Neville and Oney hold their respective moves for 3 seconds before Neville sends Oney crashing straight to the mat with Havoc following suit! Neville scrambles for the cover on Lorcan!
ONE…
TWO…
THRE-
KICKOUT AND TWO AND THREE Fourths! NEVILLE THEN SCRAMBLES FOR HAVOC!
ONE…
TWO...
THR-
KICKOUT AT TWO AND TWO FIFTHS!!
Neville just falls back exhausted; he doesn't know what to do… but he does. He needs to finish it. He needs to finish this match right here, right now. He gets up and tiredly drags Havoc on Lorcan. Neville goes to the top rope, and the crowd and commentary may know what's next.
Corey Graves: Neville… I think Neville may be looking for the home run here. I think he's looking to hit the Black Arrow on both opponents at once!
Mauro Ranallo: He's trying to kill two birds with one… well, one arrow… A BLACK ARROW!
And Mauro is right—Neville comes leaping off the top rope for the Black Arrow but Havoc rolls out the way and Neville connects with Oney! Neville—thinking Havoc is still out—makes the cover!
ONE…
TWO…
THR-
HAVOC CHUCKS THE CHAIR AT NEVILLE!
The ref breaks the pin count, and Neville holds the side of his head (which now is busted open) as he rolls off Lorcan. Havoc has a sadistic smile on his face as he gets Neville up to set him up for the Acid Rainmaker! Havoc hits it and makes the cover!
ONE…
TWO…
ONEY BREAKS IT UP AT THE COUNT OF TWO!
Oney with desperation groggily gets him and Havoc to their feet. Havoc hits a forearm that sends Oney back, but Oney replies with a European uppercut! Havoc bounces off the ropes and hits a running lariat that sends Lorcan to the ground!
BUT LORCAN GETS RIGHT BACK TO HIS FEET AND HITS A JUMPING ENZUIGIRI!
Mauro Ranallo: It's like watching ping pong! These men are going back and forth!
Havoc turns around and staggerly falls into the ropes to keep himself up. Oney walks towards him but Havoc hits a wild haymaker to get Havoc off of him. Oney falls to his knees where Neville comes to hit a running basement kick! Oney rolls out the ring, and now it's Neville and Havoc once more! The men coming running at each other brawling it out. Both these men want to progress in this tournament and the only people in their way seems to be each other! Havoc starts to tire out first, and falls to a knee.
Mauro Ranallo: The beginning of the end it seems!
Tom Phillips Neville may have it here!
Neville runs the ropes but when he comes back to face Havoc, who he still expects to be on his knees, he instead gets caught by the arm and worked down into a crossface. Havoc has the hold locked in as the ref asks if he wants to tap but Neville isn't giving up. Havoc releasing the hold for a second and begins clocking Neville's bleeding face with forearms until he eventually gets out a rusty fork and reapplied the crossface but with the fork being pushed against the open wound gash!
Corey Graves: THIS IS SICKENING! COME ON, MAN!
Neville begins to power out and grabs the fork from Havoc and stabs him in the eye. Havoc, obviously and swiftly, releases the hold to tend to his eye. The ref comes to check on him but Neville is done playing. He gets up to attack Havoc but Oney hits Neville out of nowhere with a German Suplex from behind! Neville rolls out the ring while Havoc turns around and blindly swings for Oney, but Oney—with the advantage of being able to see—ducks the swing and works his way behind to hit the Half and Half suplex.
ONE
TWO…
THREE…
DING! DING! DING!
HERE IS YOUR WINNER AND PROGRESSING INTO THE KING OF THE RING TOURNAMENT, ONEY LORCAN!
Mauro Ranallo: After an upsetting loss at Backlash - Oney rebounds with an amazing win here tonight to progress into the KotR tournament.
Tom Phillips: To me, this was more about the tourney for him, he went into this wanting to prove one thing, to prove why he's the best, to prove two words: Oney Rules.
Corey Graves: Neville surely would've won it if it wasn't for Oney, and one's to think this isn't going to be the last time these two will cross paths with one another, and the next time they do—I'm sure Neville will want some payback.
The crowd erupts into cheers as Oney gets his arm raised by the ref and with his free hand holds his finger up. The crowd chant "Oney Rules" as a smirk appears on his face cause he knows he's one step closer to a future UWF Championship opportunity. Revolution rolls on.
Neville walks through the frame to the backstage area after his matchup with Jimmy Havoc and Oney Lorcan in which he failed to qualify for the King of the Ring. He has his hand placed over his head, and the other is dragging along his Intercontinental Championship beside him. The camera man waits for him for comments without any specific interviewers around him to ask a question, as they take that he wouldn’t be too happy about it.
Adrian Neville: What was that shit then? Oney fucking Lorcan, eh? Are you fucking serious? You decided to fuck with me, you decided to take my opportunity away from me to have a fight with that horror creep, and shown that not only do I reign as THE champion, but me being the KING.
Neville spits down on the ground from the exhaustion he faces from having that reasonably long matchup, and recovering. He then looks up and speaks once more.
Not only that but the crowd were eating that piece of shit up! They were scooping up every action. It makes me sick! They were chanting, “ONEY RULES, ONEY RULES, ONEY RULES”, pft, give me a break, Oney Fuckin’ Sucks. Not even to mention that plastic bag of a man Jimmy Havoc who couldn’t even make it out of a suplex, A SUPLEX. Pathetic.
Throws his body around and when he can’t fall back on foul tactics he panics and can’t do anything! Ugh… what now then? Those bastards over at the headquarters will just shovel me some more nobodies? I don’t have an issue with that, as I said earlier tonight, I wanted blood, I don’t give a toss who’s. I’m not even near done, bring me the blood.
Neville storms off in anger from what happened earlier and the camera pans off to him walking back off, dragging his belt with him.
And now, the scene changes to a more, amusing one, shall we say? As Chris Brookes posts about his suspension from Twitter, on Instagram, a new image pops up on his story, again, quite an amusing one.
Chris "The Calamari Catch King" Brookes
Seriously though, fuck you Sweeney, I'm going to kick your ass. Tell O'Reilly he's a bitch.
He says, before just walking off, placing his phone in his pocket as the image is uploaded onto his story. Nothing to eventful, just Brookes being Brookes, that cocky bastard. He's a madman for even turning up to the show because for all he knows, this could be his first and last main event, after all, he's never seen Sweeney in action, he could be a really formidable opponent, or even, just an over-hyped sham. Nevertheless, onward with the show.
Wait... hold on a second. Fifty-three minutes ago?! Jesus, we're already behind the times. We should really catch up... Okay, what the scene really shows now is Chris getting ready for his match, I mean how did we end up back there? I should check the machine some time soon. Whatever, I'm being stupid. How did he get from Japan to the middle of nowhere in fifty three minutes? Who the fuck knows, I mean, we're in the UWF, who cares... the space-time continuum doesn't exist while a show goes on, that's how it's transcribed so quickly into text form, right? I'm getting carried away with my tin-foil hat theories, what matters is that Chris says he's going to send a previously hospitalised man back to the hospital, perhaps even the grave, and we're all only here to watch that pan out. Now we can go onward with the show then?
DING DING!
Tony Chimel: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first...
As Bálor's theme begins to play and smoke fills the top of the stage. As the song drops, Finn Bálor walks out from amongst the smoke with his jacket held open, with a huge grin on his face.
He walks slowly to reach the top of the ramp and turns around to show the back of his jacket that reads; 'The Demon King'. He struts down the ramp whilst doing the odd finger gun and fiddling with his jacket.
Tony Chimel: "Making his way to the ring, fighting out of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. Weighing in at 180lbs, Finn Bálor!"
Finn approaches the barricade opposite the steel steps and crouches into it, resting on it for the moment. He quickly scurries away on to the apron where he spreads out his arms and leans on the ropes whilst looking deep into the crowd.
The Demon King hops over the ropes and walks around the ring like he owns the place. He takes his jacket off, throws outside of the ring and heads into a corner where he crouches down and leans for the final time.
Tony Chimel: And the opponent...
As "Morning Glory" by Oasis blares out around the arena, the sold out crowd in attendance makes their displeasure known as Noam Dar takes to the stage. The Scottish Supernova stands arms crossed behind his back for a few seconds before kissing his left wrist and heading down the ramp.
"From Ayr, Scotland, weighing in at 178 pounds, he is The Scottish Supernova, Noam Dar!!"
Dar performs the calm motion with his right hand to hush up the crowd members near ringside who are giving him an unwelcome reception before climbing the apron and scaling the top turnbuckle to perform the crossed motion once again.
Dar then drops into the ring and undoes his jacket in preparation for the upcoming contest.
Tony Chimel: And last but not least...
The screams fills the arena as Ultramantis Black accompanied by Dr Cube step out through the curtain. Ultramantis Black raises his staff as he walks down to the ring. Dr Cube laughs Maniacally as the Devious one enters the ring.
“Coming down to the ring from The Black Tea Garden, The Great and Devious ULTRAMANTIS BLACK”
Ultramantis Black kneels down in the center of the ring holding the staff chanting a mantra.
DING DING!
As the ring bell sounds, all three competitors meet in the center of the ring and start unloading with punches. The three men’s fists keep colliding with one another in a way that appears like a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors where everyone is playing Rock thrown at an angle. Dar is the first to notice this as he breaks from the cycle and throws a kick to the upper abdomen of Balor. Finn stops punching and catches Dar’s leg but he manages to leap up and back and corkscrew in the air, kicking Finn in the face with the other foot.
As Noam puts his arms in place to catch himself, UMB stomps on him to knock him flat and hits Finn with a forearm as he comes off the ropes as he staggers back into the ropes. This time Finn stops himself on the ropes but as he does, Noam is up as he charges him and clotheslines him over the top rope and Balor crashes and burns, hitting the apron on the way down to the floor. Mantis now grabs Dar from behind and applies a Full Nelson before quickly transitioning into a Full Nelson Slam.
While Ultramantis is getting up, Balor slides into the ring and delivers a punch to the kidneys. UMB turns around as Finn delivers a chop across the chest. UMB staggers back a step before returning the favor with a chop of his own. Finn goes for another chop but Mantis grabs Noam and pulls him in the way so that he takes the full brunt of the attack. After impact, Ultra pushes Dar towards Finn but Finn catches him and pushes him back as he leaps up and hits with a Shotgun Dropkick that sends both men into the nearest corner.
Noam staggers out of the corner first as Balor connects with a Sling Blade. As he gets up, he’s goozled by Mantis, who pulls him in before pushing forcefully forward, releasing at the end of the push as Finn hits Dar as he’s getting up as both men are now on the mat. Finn and Noam both kip up as Mantis takes them back down with a double clothesline before falling back and throwing his elbows down into the bodies of both men to each side of him.
Balor and Dar sit up holding where they were struck as Ultra is getting to his feet. Dar sweeps the leg nearest him with his own leg as Mantis manages to land on his knees and stands up but as he does, Finn brings him to the mat with a Sling Blade! Finn gets up surveying what he’s done with a smile but that takes his eyes and focus from his other opponent, who catches him with a Pele’ Kick!
Tom Phillips: And Dar makes Finn pay!
Mauro Ranallo: Mamma Mia, what a brain scrambling attack!
Corey Graves: This one’s got all three men firing on all possible cylinders in the early going. This is the hunger of wanting to be King of the Ring!
In the ring, Noam is up from delivering the Pele’ Kick as Mantis sneaks up behind him and goes for a Full Nelson but before he can lock it in, Dar brings his arms down, breaking the hold as he turns around and punches UMB in the jaw. Ultra holds where he was hit as Dar stomps on his foot. Mantis brings his foot up, holding it in pain, as Dar sweeps his other leg and Mantis hits the back of his head on the mat.
As the moment Black hits the mat, Balor is up as he hits Dar with a Pele’ Kick of his own as Dar falls over top of Black, his shoulders to the mat as Finn covers Dar.
ONE!
TWO!
NO!
Noam gets the shoulder up as Finn rolls off of him as Dar hooks Black’s leg.
ONE!
NO!
Finn stomps on Noam’s back and rolls him off of Mantis who now grabs Finn and rolls him up.
ONE!
TWO!
THR...NO!
Balor manages to kick out at the last second as Mantis stands up, creating some distance as Finn lies there and tries to catch a breather after all the energy he exerted to kick out.
Tom Phillips: That truly could’ve been anyone’s just now!
In the ring, Dar is up as he and UMB have a staredown from the short distance between them. Black motions for him to bring it but soon regrets that request as Noam catches him with a Running European Uppercut as Black goes staggering towards the ropes. UMB catches himself but Dar charges after and connects with another stiff Running European Uppercut as UMB goes flying over the top rope and hits the outside floor.
Finn runs up behind Noam and hits him with a clubbing forearm to the upper back before dumping him over the top to the outside as well. Finn now heads to the nearest corner and climbs up to the top as the crowd gives a mixed reaction.
Mauro Ranallo: Mamma Mia! Is he really gonna do it?
Sure enough, Balor leaps from the top and connects with a Coup De Grace to Noam Dar! Noam sits up and actually coughs up some blood as Finn hits him with a kick to the head to lay him back out. Finn now heads over to the crowd barricade near the end of the ramp and climbs up onto it.
Corey Graves: I don’t think Finn’s done here, guys.
Just as Finn’s going for another Coup De Grace, Mantis is up and punches him in the stomach. Stunned, Finn leans forward as Mantis puts him in his shoulders in modified Electric Chair Drop position as he grabs Finn’s wrists before stepping away from the barricade and turning as he falls back, dropping him onto the ramp with the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex!
Tom Phillips: Oh my!
Mauro Ranallo: I know it’s getting said a lot tonight but Mamma Mia! What a devastating reversal!
Corey Graves: Normally it’s a bridge into a pin but since they’re outside the ring, Ultramantis just slammed him on the steel!
As Black gets up, Dar is up holding his ribs with one hand and his head with the other. Black charges Dar but he turns and runs, leaping up onto the ring apron and running before turning and leaping off, connecting with a Running Enziguri to the head! Dar gets up, breathing a bit heavy, as Finn sits up holding the back of his head with one hand and his other hand on his lower back as he manages to stand up.
Noam charges him, going for a Running Enziguri but Finn reverses it into a Switch Blade! Finn gets up and, once again favoring his head and lower back, limps over to UMB and brings him to his feet once he arrives there, rolling the “Great and Devious” man into the ring as Finn heads to the top. There’s another mixed reaction as Balor connects with the Coup De Grace and goes for the pin but Dar reaches in and grabs Mantis and pulls him out of the ring forcefully.
As Black is stunned by how he lands, Finn is wondering what happened and as he is, Dar enters the ring on a different side and rolls him up.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Tony Chimel: Here is your winner and the next to advance to the Quarterfinals, Noam Dar!
Noam celebrates his win as Finn is still down on the outside and Ultramantis is still down in the ring.
Tom Phillips: Well I don’t like how he did it, but you’ve got to give it to him, he’s resourceful.
Mauro Ranallo: We could’ve seen any man advancing tonight but it’s Noam Dar leaving with that honor.
Corey Graves: Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy, if you ask me. Congratulations are in order!
LIBERTY PARK, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
1:47 P.M. LOCAL TIME
We come to a large green space established with a number of b-roll shots of children frolicking and people walking their dogs in a picturesque park. Finally, we are shown a bench where a familiar face sits with what looks like a tie around his forehead, seemingly distraught.
DRAKE MAVERICK
I just don't get it, really. I worked so hard, so tirelessly for that man and that company for... for years! And now I'm just on the outside looking in. A convenient scapegoat, thrown under the bus because things got rough through no doing of my own. The chaos could have happened under anyone, but because I'm not the golden boy, I was the one who was punished. It's just... not... fair.
Maverick stinks of booze, sweat and sick. He hasn't shaved in what looks like a week, but he's still relatively babyfaced. People are actively avoiding his bench. It could be the stench, or it could be his generally bad attitude.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER
Jeez, Drake. You've, uhh... you've looked better.
The camera pans to reveal the owner of the voice: Johnny Morrison.
What's going on, man? I got a call from a mutual friend who tipped me off that you might need a hand. Why are you out here getting trashed? Why aren't you at home?
Drake hiccups loudly. He looks up at Morrison and his eyes narrow.
It's all your fault. If I hadn't arranged that meeting for you with Carter, he wouldn't have blocked my number...
Morrison raises a finger to his lips and hisses a soft "shh."
Look, Drake, I understand you took a risk for me, putting my name out there as someone Ethan might want to consider, and I appreciate the heck out of that. But I'm not the reason you're sitting here smelling like one of the nastiest strip clubs in existence combined with the bathroom of a frat boy who has been on a six-day bender. If you're not willing to take responsibility for your own failings, than you'll never be able to improve yourself or your lot in life. You know that, right? All of this resentment you've got that you're just looking to dump onto someone else... it's not good for the soul, man. You've got to let it go.
Morrison nods confidently at what he has just said. Drake sits in a stunned sort of silence as he considers it, but then he belches and starts to ramble again, the depth of the remark clearly too much for his booze-besotten brain.
I'm not gonna let you trick me with your fancy words, Johnny. I'm not one of those "fans" you can easily take in with your optimism and spiritual nonsense.
Johnny smirks.
Look, it's not nonsense. It saved my life. And it could help you save yours, too. Because all of this drinking and hard living will get you nowhere but an early grave. So let me help you as repayment for the help you gave me. You can come crash on my sofa and clean yourself up, all right, man? Maybe find yourself a new line of work you can excel in now that Carter's moved on from using you as his whipping boy. Sound good?
Morrison offers a hand to Maverick. Drake looks down at it, stares at it for a good five seconds, then grabs it in his own.
Deal.
The feed moves along as Morrison pulls Drake to his (unsteady) feet.
UWF Revolution goes backstage where Samoa Joe is shadow boxing, preparing for his match before he begins to talk as he checks his wrist.
Samoa Joe:
I am Samoa Joe, and I have been here a long time. Longer than most even realize, With the ever changing landscape, with the premiering and cancellation of shows and brands, with the ever revolving door of talent. People see talents like Vinny Marseglia, and the recently reestablishing AJ Styles and see them as tent poles of this company. To the eras of a Larry Sweeney, to the rule of an EC3, UWF is rich with history and I was here before all of them. Was I successful? only to the limitations they put in front of me, was I a Top name, again there was a cap I wasn't supposed to surpass. So much so, that I was given my walking papers and I've spent years in between stints here in the UWF. The Chris Jerichos, The Big Shows, and the John Morrisons of this world seem to come and go as they please but I was always considered this cursed figure when it came to signing with the Ultimate Wrestling Federation. But as that happened, I waited and bided my time until they came knocking on my door once again. And in all the legal proceedings, all the "Hurry, our new show and brand is about to premiere" I got a contract to ensure my stability in this company. I've had my setbacks outside of the control of this weekly show, but because of my foresight I am able to overcome and remain a fixture. But just because I've finally reaped all the seeds I've sowed, just because I've gained retribution for those that transgressed me in my past...it doesn't mean I am content in the least.
Joe flicks the side of his nose with his thumb as he thinks about his next words for a moment.
No, I have sat on the sidelines watching for years as accolades and accomplishments past me by without so much as an acknowledgement. I was around when the King of the Ring tournament came to life for the first time here in UWF, and I still have never been included in it. Never had MY name upon that bracket, this tournament is a land of opportunity where all you have to do is work harder than everyone else in it to gain your grand reward. It's not luck like the Rumble, it's not positioning like any kind of Battle Royal, Who your teammates are like Survivor Series, or timing like the Money in the Bank. This Tournament is all of the weight on YOUR shoulders and your shoulders alone. It is designed for people like me, and yet this Land of Opportunity has been NOTHING but a Land of Handouts since it's inception. Because by MY mere absence, every single King of the Ring down the line has had it EASY. Coddled and Catered to champions who are convinced they are better in some way for winning a tournament with others not worthy of the shot. But that changes starting tonight, because I am here at the door of the tournament ready to break that door in and enter its So called hallowed ground for the first time. And I will TAKE my opportunity, I will TAKE what is rightfully mine, and I will DESTROY anyone who dares try and stop me.
Joe puts his hands on his towel taking a breath to calm down before finishing up.
They say that Ambition makes for strange victims, and unfortunately for the newly signed Katsuyori Shibata and Paul London...Their ambition has labeled them My Victims. In a Perfect world, they would both have their hands raised in their grand debuts on Revolution. Paul London would return from his long hiatus, BETTER than he ever was and be triumphant for all of those dying to see him return. Katsuyori Shibata would make his long awaited debut in UWF and prove everyone who has been dying to see his Strong Style in the UWF ring right for doing so. But these are perfect predicaments sought after in an imperfect world, and in my Reality...Fairy tale stories do no exist. In MY Reality, all of their dreams matter not in the wake of my vision. But Fret not my two very talented opponents, your ambition, your hunger, and your plans will not by for not. Because as you step up to me, as you try and stop me from what the Kingpin is destined for, I will be Putting you to sleep so that you may revisit the happy sugarplum filled PERFECT worlds that exist within your dreams. Consider it a parting gift, and a gift it is...because you will both realize sooner than most what Reality really is around here. Some are still living in their dreams, some are still unaware of the danger looming, but once my crown is official adorned on my mind, There will only be one absolute truth looming over the dreams of each UWF Superstar. Because when I become King of the Ring and go on to become UWF Champion, every single UWF superstar DREAMING of becoming champion, will see the man who holds that crown and recognize their dreams as only nightmares. Long Live the King, The King...is gonna Kill you.
Our camera cuts away from our in-ring action as we shift our focus away from the hard hitting action, onto a remotely young looking man. He adorns a flashy looking suit, and an even better looking scarf over his neck. He's seated firmly in a solid silver trimmed chair, with what appear to be a fine beverage. He slowly takes a sip of the beverage before letting out a satisfied sigh. Take note, Pepsi!
MJF
Alright nerds, we interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you something that actually matters. For all you closet dwellers, my name is Maxwell Jacob Friedman, but you people can call me MJF, but trust me, you'll get used to this name soon enough. (A soft chuckle escapes MJF who shakes his head.) Now it's no secret that I am the salt of the Earth, a very special attraction. A mark key signing for the UWF. At the age of just twenty-three, I've got it made. I've got the fortune, I've got the fame, and I've got this entire company in the palm of my hand. (MJF would casually shrug his shoulders.) You people don't get it. You nimrods actually believe for a second that I'm coming to this company to be just another average joe? You simply don't get it. MJF is a star. 'Cause what everybody else can do, I can do so much better. Stay tuned, losers -- Stay humble, and accept the fact that I'm just better than you... (MJF would raise his glass as he takes a small sip.) ...And you know it!
Those would be the closing words as MJF would take one final sip from his beverage before letting out a bestowled chuckle. Leaving us, the viewers with many unanswered questions. Who was MJF? What was he capable of?
DING DING!
Tony Chimel: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first...
SWEET N' SOUR INC.
The titantron flashes the words in neon colouring as Icky Thump blasts through the PA. Hard Times are coming. The first and only ever Triple Champion struts out on the ramp, smiling from ear to ear. A stunning pink boa decorates his neck, he's wearing shades inside and his boots are made for walkin'. He's the tallest cigarette in the pack. If looks could kill, the match would already be over. He's Larry Sweeney - the new face of classic professional wrestling.
Tony Chimel: Ladies and gentlemen... weighing in at Championship Weight... from Chicago, Illionis... Larry Sweeney!
As Sweeney strolls down the ramp, Kyle O'Reilly comes out behind him, holding all three of his title belts - the International Championship, the Technically Unified UWF Television Championship, and, of course, the UWF Transatlantic Championship. The uncrowned King of the Ring climbs into the squared circle as Kyle heads over to their corner. Larry tans in the spot light while the fans make a lot of noise - he tunes out the specifics. Whatever they're saying, its loud. Loud means money. Ditching the boa, shades and other accessories, Larry prepares for the match to come.
Tony Chimel: And the opponent...
Red light filled the arena, white spotlights moved around the crowd as the letters "CCK" and the name "Chris Brookes" appeared on the main titantron.
As the drum fill ended, and in came the band in full, Chris Brookes walked out from the back, slowly strolling down the main stage, jamming out with an air guitar to compliment Jimi Hendrix's guitar skills as he walked down the ramp before stopping at the halfway mark, looking out to the crowd before puffing the collar of his signature leather jacket outward, before walking toward the ring, as he did, Tony Chimel began to announce his name, though everyone already knew it.
Tony Chimel: Hailing from Tipton, England, UK, weighing in at 187 pounds. He is THE Calamari Catch King! Chris... Brookes!
Brookes would circle the ring, tagging a single fan as he passes by, he clambers up the apron nearest to the 2nd turnbuckle, turning around to face the crowd and the close-up camera. He hooks his arms onto the top ropes, leaning in at the camera, only stopped by the ropes.
Shortly after, he would pull himself back to the ropes, threading himself in between the top and middle ropes before running up to the turnbuckle on his side of the ring, standing up on the middle turnbuckle, tall, before sitting down and waiting for his other opponent to get ready.
Tony Chimel: And last but not least...
Every light in the arena suddenly cuts out and the fans start to buzz, a low rumble washing over the stands as they begin to question what's going on as moment after moment passes. Then, an iconic bassline, the tap-tap-tap of some drums and a legendary riff begin to play over the arena soundsystem.
The fans are still unsure who this new song heralds, but some spotlights flare to life, sweeping over the crowd as Pink's voice echoes through the air. Then, suddenly, a silence so perfect you can hear a pin drop overtakes the arena, followed by a loud pop as the chorus of "White Rabbit" kicks in and the spotlights merge into a single spot at the center of the stage. A deafening pop and a blinding pyrotechnic explosion follow, and once the smoke settles, a man unseen in the UWF for many years stands with an arm raised at the top of the ramp, smiling widely.
Tony Chimel: From the Place Between Time and Memory, weighing in at 215 pounds, he is the Cosmic Crusader... Johnny Morrison!
Moments pass, and then the fans erupt in a massive pop for the Intergalactic Guru of Greatness, first-ever UWF King of the Ring and former European Champion as he makes his way down the ramp. He claps palms with the adoring masses. He jogs up the ring steps. He enters the squared circle. And then, after removing his accessories, he finds a corner and leans in it as he meditates, beseeching the Cosmic Gods for inner peace and harmony before the beginning of this contest.
DING DING!
As the ring bell sounds, Brookes and Morrison both go after Sweeney with Brookes diving at the legs and Morrison hitting a clothesline. After Sweeney hits the mat, Brookes is up to his feet as he and Morrison both start putting the boots to the former UWF Champion. While this is going on, Chris quits stomping and goes for a Yakuza Kick but Johnny is able to sidestep out of the way and Chris gets hung up on the top rope.
Morrison now runs over and hits Brookes with a knee to the lower back. The “Dimensional Explorer” then grabs Brookes and makes him bend backwards as Johnny hooks his arm around Chris’ neck and brings him down with a Scorpion Death Drop.
Tom Phillips: Nice homage to the, “Icon” Sting there.
Morrison gets up as Sweeney runs up behind him and leaps onto his back, applying a sleeper hold with a body scissors. Larry wrenches on it as much as he can and has his legs locked tightly around his opponent’s waist as Johnny falls backward onto the downed Chris Brookes, effectively breaking the hold as both men are now lying in a heap.
Johnny grabs Sweeney and pulls him up, forcefully doing an Irish Whip into the nearest corner as Larry hits chest first. Larry comes staggering backward as Morrison puts him in position and brings him back to the mat with a Scorpion Death Drop as well.
Mauro Ranallo: Well he may have lost at Backlash, but Johnny meeting Sting no doubt had a positive impact.
Johnny gets to his feet but as he does, Chris turns him around and hooks his head, lifting him and placing his legs on the top rope, spinning out quickly and dropping him with the Rope Hung Whiplash! With Johnny and Sweeney both down, Chris looks at both before going after Larry as he grabs him and stands him up but as he does, Sweeney hits him straight in the nose with a punch, then follows up with another, and another, and one more for good measure before dropping the Bionic Elbow on his head!
Brookes staggers back and leans on the ropes as Larry charges him, looking for some follow-up offense but Chris comes off the ropes and flattens him with a Yakuza Kick! Chris goes for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
NO!
Johnny leaps onto Brookes with a double axe handle as Chris rolls off of Sweeney.
Tom Phillips: You could taste how close that was!
Mauro Ranallo: Johnny Morrison wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip through his fingers!
Corey Graves: It’s all about going on to Quarterfinals. Things are at a fever pitch!
In the ring, Brookes is to his feet as Johnny lunges at his throat with both hands and grabs him, turning and throwing him through the air into the nearest corner as Chris hits back first and slumps into a seated position. Morrison takes off running and baseball slides in between the spread legs of his opponent and connects directly with the jewels. Johnny gets up and guides a pained Brookes upward before leaping up and putting his feet in Chris’ abdomen before doing a Monkey Flip to throw Chris to the center of the ring.
Brookes makes impact with the mat and pops up. As he does, Johnny comes charging and drives Chris into the mat with a Running Bulldog. At this time, Larry rejoins the fray as he spins Johnny around and connects with a Bionic Elbow! As Morrison goes down, the head of, “Sweet ‘n Sour” starts doing the Sweeney Stomp to both of his opponents.
Corey Graves: Aww yeah! It’s been too long since we’ve seen this!
On one of the revolutions Larry’s making around Brookes, Johnny gets up and hits Larry with the superkick known as the Extradimensional Rift! As Sweeney hits the mat like a sack of bricks, Johnny heads over to the corner and leaps up onto it, connecting with the Cosmic Calamity! Johnny goes for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
NO!
Brookes breaks up the pin by grabbing two handfuls of Johnny’s hair and pulling him up off of Sweeney. He hooks his arm through Johnny’s leg and scoops him, turning Johnny upside down as he locks his arms around Johnny’s waist. Brookes hits the Tombstone Piledriver onto Sweeney before covering Sweeney.
ONE!
TWO!
THRE...NO!
Sweeney somehow kicks out of the pinfall as Chris gets up and looks beside himself.
Tom Phillips: How? How did Sweeney kick out of that?
Mauro Ranallo: Mamma Mia! The resolve of Larry Sweeney is remarkable!
Corey Graves: That’s what greatness looks like, boys!
Sweeney sits up as Chris starts laying into him with punches. Larry covers up and sits there taking the abuse until Morrison gets involved in things again and catches Brookes off guard with an Extradimensional Rift that lays him out. As Chris falls down, Morrison runs to the ropes and comes off of them, hitting a still sitting Sweeney with the running knee strike known as the Brave New Reality!
Brookes gets up and Johnny kicks him in the stomach, hooking his head and hitting him with another well-known finisher of his onto Sweeney!
Tom Phillips: Well it used to be known as the Moonlight Drive but I’m not sure what he’s calling it nowadays.
Morrison covers Sweeney now.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Tony Chimel: Here is your winner and the next to advance to the Quarterfinals, Johnny Morrison!
Johnny heads over to the nearest turnbuckle and ascends it, striking his famous pose in celebration.
Tom Phillips: What a way to put the first check in the win column here tonight! Johnny Morrison is heading to the Quarterfinals!
Mauro Ranallo: A spirited contest for sure, putting Johnny one step closer to attaining perfection.
Corey Graves: It should’ve been Sweeney leaving this the victor! He’s clearly not one hundred percent after what that maniac Vinny Marseglia did to him at Wrestlemania!
The camera fades to a dojo where several young wrestlers are training, overseen by one man, Katsuyori Shibata. We see that an interview is to take place with Shibata, right inside his dojo. Shibata smiles at the interviewer and climbs into the ring in the middle of the dojo. He takes a second to sit down cross legged and invites the interviewer to do the same. The interviewer gets tangled in the ropes and Shibata has to get up to help him get in the ring. Once they are both positioned cross legged in the middle of the ring, the interview starts.
Interviewer: So Katsuyori, it is obvious that your love for wrestling is very high, where did this start for you?
Shibata: As a child, I watched all forms of martial arts. Wrestling was the one that stood out to me. Amateur wrestling, professional wrestling. They were both among my favorite things to do and watch. The forearms and the headbutts and the intensity they brought to the ring stood out to me. I'd never seen someone be so passionate for something, and that passion was given to me by watching them.
Interviewer: Interesting, how did you go about starting your wrestling career?
Shibata: I signed up for amateur wrestling at a young age. I loved it, I devoted all my time into getting better and better. I eventually worked hard enough to compete at a National level. However, I still wished to be a professional wrestler. This was always my main goal. Amateur wrestling was my start.
Interviewer: Ok then how did you go from young amatuer wrestler to established master of strong style?
Shibata: Strong style was always in wrestling. Strong Style matches were my favorite to watch as a kid. I had been working on that kind of style for a very long time. My family didn't approve of it and I don't blame them for that. It was dangerous but it was still my biggest love. I worked on the style with a mentor in secret for many years. In my early wrestling years, I realized I would need to gain an edge somehow. I had to learn something new. This is when I began my MMA career. I was blessed to train with some of the best. I learned how to damage my opponent the most, how to make my strikes devastating and hard. Combine this teaching with my wrestling ability and I had evolved strong style into a new stage. I wouldn't call myself a master of the art that I saw as a child. My style is a bit different, but many have adopted it and consider me the true master of strong style.
I cannot say this is true as I don't believe it is. I've always had people I've learned from, styles I have blended into mine. I'd never call myself the master.
Interviewer: Great answer, now you seem to be a sort of wrestling vigilante? You wish to purify wrestling and make your style the one true wrestling form. care to comment?
Shibata: That is wrong. Wrestling can have many forms, I have chosen to pursue the form I believe is the best and most honorable. Wrestling needs more than just my style though, it is fine to have a different style than me. Attitudes opposite to me are what should be gone from this sport. People who have no true passion for wrestling. People that don't contribute to wrestling. They must be gone. And no, I am not a vigilante, I am just correcting my actions from long ago. I too treated wrestling badly. I did not honor the ones that taught me, I did not treat wrestling with respect. That changed when I was humbled and realized the potential that true wrestling had. I feel as if I must pay wrestling back for the actions I committed years ago. Maybe I can humble those that have attitudes opposite to me, just as I was humbled.
Interviewer: Ok, next que- A scream is heard within the dojo. One of the trainees is screaming in pain, he seems to have hurt himself while training with another young wrestler. Shibata hurriedly jumps up and sprints to the rope to aid the young man. The interviewer suddenly grabs him to yell something.
Interviewer: Surely this can wait, this interview is very important, I am sure he will be fine just tell them to call 911!
Shibata swats the interviewer's hand away with a look of disgust on his face.
Shibata: No! That young man is why I wrestle, to help carve a good future for wrestling. I cannot allow anyone to be injured here, this is all my fault. This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't agreed to an interview. Now let me help the kid, what am I if I cannot help the ones I teach to be safe. I'm here to help wrestling, standing here while he screams in agony isn't doing that. My trainee's well being is much more important than your interview.
Shibata kicks away the camera as it falls to the ground. A black screen is bestowed upon the screen as we hear Shibata's footsteps run towards the young wrestler.
INT. TELEVISION STUDIO - NIGHT
I feel like everything you need to know are in the paragraphs above and below this one. What are you doing reading this one when you could be reading one of those other ones?
Television Host: Hello, my name is Television Host, the host of Television Show That Exists Only For Plot Convenience. I’m here with Rich Ward of the band “Fozzy”, who have just wrapped up their second world tour, appropriately titled “Fozzy World Tour 2”. Now Rich, what are your plans for the band’s future?
Rich Ward: Well, we’re gonna take a bit of time off to recuperate, since we just went on two straight world tours, but hopefully we can get back into the studio soon and get some new songs out to the masses.
Television Host: I can’t imagine how stressful that has to be with all your newfound success…
Rich Ward: It’s all worth it for the fans that sell out our shows every night.
Television Host: ...and all of this without your founding member and former lead vocalist Chris Jericho. That must add some pressure to the rest of the band to live up to the frontman.
Rich Ward: Oh, we’ve moved long past that. Hell, it’s been almost a year now. It’s sad that after almost 20 years of balancing music with wrestling he suddenly decided one was more important. I think it was the best for both of us; he got to live out his career as Transcontimeripean Champion or whatever, and we just kept rocking and rolling like we were born to do.
Television Host: You mentioned you guys are coming up on your 20th anniversary as a band. Would you say there are any surprises in store for long-time fans? Potentially a reunion?
Rich Ward: I try not to think about how old I’m getting, so a 20th anniversary celebration hasn’t really crossed my mind all too much. Besides, I haven’t talked to Chris in months…
Television Host: I’d say he’s ready to talk to you right now.
Television Host looks past Rich and toward the end of the stage, where none other than Chris Jericho is standing.
Chris Jericho: Hey man, haven’t seen you in a while, figured I’d stop by and-
Rich Ward: Oh no. No no no no no. You can’t do this.
Chris Jericho: What do you mean I can’t? I clearly can and am.
Rich Ward: No, you can’t, and no, you won’t. I don’t know how you can expect to pull a publicity stunt like this and expect me to just welcome you back with open arms.
Chris Jericho: But… things are different now. Everything’s better now.
Rich Ward: Yes Chris, things are different. It’s just me and the boys now, and we’re having more fun on this tour than we ever did before.
Chris Jericho: But… but… I-I don’t get-
Rich Ward: I’m not going to go into it any more in a public setting like this. If you really want to talk, you have my number.
Rich begins to walk off the set, but first turns around and addresses the public.
Rich Ward: Thank you Mister Television Host for having me, and thank you Seattle. You were a great crowd.
Rich walks out, leaving Chris alone with the audience and Television Host.
Television Host: Well, Mr. Jericho, welcome to the show. If you would have a seat, we’d love to get a few questions out of you.
Chris Jericho: Oh, uh, no thanks. No offense to you guys, I’m sure you do a great job here, but I’d rather just be around my normal interviewer right now.
With that, Chris walks off the stage across from where Rich went, as an awkward silence falls upon the audience.
Television Host: Well, that was definitely something wasn’t it folks. Next up after this commercial break, we’ll be talking with a local conspiracy theorist on what his vacation plans are for this September.
The live audience claps as a crane shot leads to the feed fading out, presumably for the program to go to commercial. Will they ever come out of commercial? Who knows! Does it even matter? Perhaps, or perhaps not. That’s your call.
Fin.
Chimel: The following contest is a King of the Ring qualifier and is a Triple Threat Match!
Shibata does not come out until the he is introduced. His music begins as his name is announced.
Chimel: Walking to the ring, coming from Kuwama, Japan. Weighing in at 210 pounds, THE WRESTLEEEEER, SHIBATAAAAAAAAAA KATSUUUUUUYORIIIIIIIII!!!!
Shibata calmly walks out with his head down. He does not look up at anybody or anything, even while fans touch his shoulder and scream his name, he is only focusing on what lay ahead of him. He quickly walks before the ring.
Shibata pauses before the ring, closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He puts his hands on the apron and bows his head. Head still down. He climbs onto the apron and enters the ring. He stretches his legs and sits down with his legs crossed. He finally lifts his head as he stares at the entrance waiting for his opponent.
Ranallo: The intensity of The Wrestler is unrivaled regardless of what country or promotion he is competing in or for. The UWF has struck gold with its latest signing from Japan.
Phillips: Even for a man billed at 6'10", it'll be a tall order for Katsuyori Shibata to pick up the win in triple threat this stacked. But if anyone is up to the task of impressing in their debut, it's this man.
Graves: Shibata's reputation proceeds him. He's a man of violent and focus and I'd favour him against almost any other wrestler in the world besides The Kingpin.
Ranallo: One might suggest jetlag or a style adjustment being factors working against Shibata tonight, but to suggest that he would come to the UWF with anything bust his best effort would be insulting if it weren't comical. Woe to any opponent who underestimates him.
Shibata continues to wait for the others to arrive.
Chimel: Next... weighing in at 180 pounds... from Austin, Texas... Paul London!
As the sound of a tambourine fills the arena, it gets bathed in blue, purple, and pink light, swirling around as the titantron shows only a beautiful picture of space, the same colors interspersed with stars. As the clapping and sounds of back up singers begin, the sounds cut out for a moment and the lights all converge at the entrance ramp where from behind the curtain emerges The Intrepid Traveler himself, Paul London. As the song continues he makes his way down the ramp, ready for action.
Phillips: On the topic of debuts, it's great to have London back on the UWF roster. He is one of the most dynamic and unique talents in pro-wrestling and I think a lot of people are underestimating him coming into the tournament.
Ranallo: London has of course spent most of his time in the UWF competing in the tag team division, but he'll now look to find success running solo.
Graves: Yeah, this guy's weird. He kinda gives me the creeps. You wanna go on a spiritual journey? Cool, pal. But nama-stay the hell away from me. I don't wanna hear about it.
London climbs into the ring and poses up on one of the turnbuckles while Tony announces the third and final combatant.
"Destroyer" starts to play through throughout the arena, the crowd stands up as the roar of the theme hits and you see the curtains fly open as Joe comes out on stage and starts to walk down the ramp with a swagger that matches each step with the beat of his music as he looks straight ahead with a serious face while the crowd chants in unison with the music "Joe! Joe! Joe! Joe!". Joe turns towards the steps looks at the front row as the crowd are swaying back and forth to his theme shouting his name, he smirks before turning around and running up the steel steps.
Chimel: From Huntington Beach, California, Weighing in at two hundred and eighty two pounds...He is the Samoan Submission Machine...Samoa Joe!
Joe steps into the ring and in time with the announcement of his name he spins around taking the towel off his neck and lifts up his hand in a Shaka hand gesture.
Joe lowers his hand and cracks his neck to one side stepping back into the corner, he hangs up his towel in the turnbuckle and bounces on his feet for a moment shadow boxing as he prepares for his opponent.
Graves: Joe of course coming off a huge win at Backlash over Chris Jericho. With two huge pay-per-view wins in a row coming off his own return to the company, you could easily make the case the Samoa Joe is already the rightful contender to the UWF Championship.
Ranallo: Maybe, but whoever wants the next crack at Vinny Marseglia is going to have to go through the King of the Ring tournament, and Joe has his work cut out for him here.
Phillips: Lets see if he can get through a match without any help from the G.O.D. guys.
Graves: Um, do you see Tama Tonga or Tanga Loa out here, Phillips? No? So shut up.
Chimel bails out of the ring. The Referee makes sure everyone is ready to and then calls for the bell.
DING DING
What we've got here, folks, is what you might call a traditional, by-the-book Mexican Stand-off. Three fellas, all eyeing each other up and down, none too eager to make the first move lest it turn into the first mistake. They circle. They glare. Tension builds. Palpable kinetic energy swells throughout the arena. There's a buzz going around the capacity crowd. It's reaching a boiling point. Shibata steps forward! London braces himself! Joe bails through the ropes! The crowd boos.
Phillips: Looks like Samoa Joe doesn't want any part of this brawl that's about to go down.
Graves: This is actually an excellent game plan. Let the other guys duke it out. They're both eager to prove themselves and Joe can wait to move in for the kill later on. See, whenever Joe is in that ring, he's the smartest person in there.
Ranallo: Worth noting that he's no longer in the ring...
Joe takes a powder and paces around the outside, ignoring the jeers. He knows what he's about and he doesn't care what the people say. London and Shibata probably know they're playing into his hand, but whatevs. They cam to wrestle so they're gonna wrestle each other.
Shibata runs are London and means to take off his whole head with a running boot. The Intrepid Traveler ducks, bounces up and catches the Japanese on the turn-around with a headscissors. He flips The Wrestler over, but Shibata lands on his feet. Impressive. Spinning around, Katsuyori tries for a Buzzsaw kick. London ducks is and then jumps over a legsweep as his opponent spins all the way around and goes low. Paul counters with a switch kick, trying to get some offense in there of his own. Shibata leans out of the way, but just as far as he needs to. A hair's width. This ain't his first rodeo. He sticks tight, keep the gap small and times to offbeat off London's striking rhythm to find his opening. His elbow clips London across the head, staggering the shorter man. A knee lift follows that, then a kick to the chest.
Paul catches a chop before it can land, tugs the arm and whips Shibata towards the ropes. Or, at least, he tries. The Wrestler counters, plants his feet, and using his weight advantage, reverses the whole thing to instead send London careening towards the ropes. He bounces back. Shibata anticipates one thing and finds himself greeted with another when the hyper-athletic hippy hops high into the sky and catches him with a second headscissors takedown, flexing those lucha roots. London twirls around a few times to unbalance his foe before leaning back to successfully get the guy off his feet.
Katsuyori lands on his back and before he can get up, London, quick fella that he is, nails him with a double foot stomp right to the chest! It hits hard and winds his fellow newcomer. The former American Dolphin shoots the half.
1...
2...
Joe decides that's as good a time as any to re-introduce himself to the contest. The Samoan Submission Machine slides under the bottom rope with that surprising suddenness of his and breaks up the pin. London protests but Joe takes the scruff of his neck in one hand and his tights in the other before unceremoniously lawn-darting him between the ropes and out of the ring to the cold, hard floor below. More boos from the crowd. Joe wipes his hands together like he just took out the trash.
Graves: How can you argue with results?
Ranallo: Ask Shibata!
Turning back around, Samoa Joe finds himself face to face with one Katsuyori Shibata, who has recovered sooner than you might've expected. He's staring down Joe. Mean mugging. They are men of violence and the crowd knows it and they're already chanting about how awesome it is to see the dream match playing out before a single blow is thrown. But then they come. The blows, I mean. Hard and heavy. Nasty. Forearms strikes, shot for shot, each man laying elbows into domes with enough ferocious intensity to fell an adult horse. Joe's shots are precise and pointed, while Shibata's are delivered with an almost inhuman indifference to the pain they're inducing. His expression remains calm and collected, placid as a lake surface while he goes to war with one of the sport's most dangerous strikers. Joe, tasting some blood in his mouth, can't help but smirk at the rare challenge. The crowd are on their feet and screaming as the count of traded hits passes into the dozens. Real strong style shit, nah mean? It's brutal. It's awesome. It's...
Ranallo: PAUL LONDON OUTTA NOWHERE WITH THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
Graves: What the hell???!?!?!
Yep. It's ya boy Paul London. That quirky son of a gun got himself back up off the ground, climbed the turnbuckle while those other dudes were busy clobberin' each other and decided to jump on them. With a gainer. Landing on two standing guys. All three bodies go down awkward. Its a total car wreck. Bowling shoe ugly. Fortunately for Paul, he's more or less on top of Joe enough to constitute a cover, and the Ref counts 'em for Paul for the second time tonight...
1...
2...
Nope! Joe kicks out! London is at peace with the universe and clearly it wasn't his destiny to win the match that way. No worries. He rolls off Joe and jumps on Shibata, trying his luck there...
1...
2...
Shibata's out at two! Aw shucks. Paul gets to his knees and takes a second to catch his breath. MISTAKE! Joe loves choking people. SO MUCH. The Kingpin grabs that dude around the throat and squeezes. Ska-weeeeeeeezed, baybay. Londong's face is like the Dark Side of the the Moon album art. At first white, it changes into a bright array of different shades. First red, then blue, and soon, purple. He's getting sleepy. Very sleepy.
Graves: Joe is going to choke London out!
Phillips: If London doesn't tap out soon he might pass out...
Shibata gets up and kneels right in front of Paul, who, also still kneeling, has Joe crouched right behind him the choke locked in. Shibata reaches out and grabs Paul's arms, preventing him from tapping out. He keeps his eyes locked on to London's face, just watching...
Graves: What's Shibata doing? What is this? Is he letting Joe win?
Ranallo: No... no I don't think that's it at all Corey. It's something much... much more twisted...
Surely London would've tapped by now but he just can't. His eyes start to roll back into his skull and at that very instant, Shibata springs up and boots Joe in the face. The Samoan has no choice but to let go. London collapses to the mat, just barely conscious. Katsuyori let him suffer right up until the Ref would've stopped the contest before intervening. That's effed up.
Shibata gets in the zone and starts stomping down on Joe like Steve Austin stomping a mudhole if the mudhole owed him money and also liked killed his dog or something. We're talking horrifying stomps. He points his heel down for maximum carnage. Joe turtles and rolls, trying to get out of harms way. Shibata lets him gets some space, but just to line him up for a PK! The Wrestler sprints forward and aims to blast his opponent with the most heinous kick in his arsenal.
But Joe catches the leg, and picks it, exploding up and forward to knock Shibata off balance. The Japanese dude wriggles free to get his foot beneath him, but Joe stays at at him, landing a brace of fast strikes before repelling him into the ropes across the ring. Katsuyori bounces back, lowers his head to avoid a clothesline, grabs Joe, spins him, hooks him, and hoists him to deliver a Brainbuster! KABOOM! Joe's head gets compressed against the canvas. He crumples in a heap on the mat and Shibata makes a cover! Count it, Stipes!
1...
2...
Joe powers out at a late two! Oh my oh my! Shibata stands up and towers all of his intimidating 6'10"-ed-ness over Joe, who, on autopilot after having his bell rung, is crawling towards the nearest corner. Like a killer shark that's about the killer another shark, Shibata pursues, only to have a dolphin sneak up behind him. Paul hits him from behind with a forearm shiver. Shibata turns around, gives him the Josh Barnett "Wow, you done fucked up now" look and just kicks the poor guy in the chest 300 style. The blast knocks London down into the far corner, seated, and of course that means its time for a DELAYED DROPKICK~!
Phillips: What a maneuver!
Ranallo: Shibata looking impressive in his debut!
You Yankees might only know it as the Woo dropkick but rest assured when Shibata does this thing, time itself freezes while he hangs in the air Matrix-style. Its rad. And then it connects. Like the gosh dang dinosaur-annihilating meteor. He blasts a hole through London. Shibata stands back up, as cool, calm and collected as they come. He notices Joe using the far turnbuckle to help himself up and it's time for one more DELAYED DROPKICK~! Joe's entire figure is married to the turnbuckle as its sandwiched there by the soles of The Wrestler's black boots. Following this, Shibata pulls Joe out, lifts him up again and hits his second Brainbuster of the night! Oh heck. He makes a cover...
1...
Joe powers out at one! What the heck? With an animalistic rage in his eyes, the Samoan Submission Machine gets right back up to his feet and even the folks out there that don't love him are chanting the time-honoured din.
JOE'S GONNA KILL YOU
JOE'S GONNA KILL YOU
JOE'S GONNA KILL YOU
But Shibata has the look of a man who welcomes the challenge of death and when big boy Joe at him like the angel of creeping death sweeping over ancient Egypt, Shibs might as well be a door absent the carmine lamb blood paint. Sure, he weathers the first few shots like a good sport. But as we all know, that dude loves to take a few to show how tough he is and that's ill advised against Joe when he's in a fit state. The Kingpin just effing obliterates the new guy with the stiffest right hand you'll ever see. And guess what? Totally legal. Fists fights are permissible under the laws (or lack thereof) of Triple Threat combat. That's the "threat" part.
The terrible irony here is that Joe punctuates his flurry with a concussive headbutt. It dazes and confuses Shibata something fierce.
Phillips: Katsuyori Shibata is on some shaky legs now.
Ranallo: The forecast for this match is showing clement weather patterns, and the only rule we're following is that of Murphy's Law where anything that can happen, will. There's no telling which man will be on top a minute from now, or a minute from then. We're dealing with the most combustible elements in three elite wrestling superstars.
Graves: And with the chance to enter the King of the Ring tournament on the line, you're going to see them at the best... and most desperate.
Joe grabs Shibata around the waist. He links his wrist. Hook 'em tight. Real tight. Joe leans back like Fat Joe before him. He instigates a German Suplex that nearly sends Shibata straight down through the ring into the planet's molten core. And hey, that would be enough to finish off an ordinary man. But Joe, he holds on, and he pulls Katsuyori right back up, and he transitions to a Full Nelson hold, and then he suplexes the guy again. Oof. After that? You guessed it. He drags the limp, lifeless husk of Shibata back to his feet, wraps his arms around himself and completes the trifecta of suplexes to summon or perhaps assemble the unholy beast - the CHIMERA -PLEX! He makes the cover...
1...
Ranallo; Joe going deep into his playbook to pull out one of his most devastating combinations.
2...
Graves: And it'll seal the deal, too. That's all she wrote, folks!
No! Shibata kicks out! How? Why? Joe's focused glare narrows. He's not angry. He's motivated. There's more havoc to wreak, yet. He pulls Shibata up one more time just to have the guy blast him right in the solar plexus with an esteemed push kick. Joe stumbles back, takes a knee, and finds himself on the wrong end of a desperate PK! Shibata treats the guys torso like a gosh dang soccer ball, and folks, let me tell you, Shibata disdains soccer balls. Big kick energy. Joe collapses like a singularity in on itself and Stripes dives down to count the cover he knows is coming. Shibs hooks a leg...
1...
2...
London slides in to ruin it all! The crowd pops! The affable weirdo is still in this thing! Paul picks Katsuyori up by the head, smacks him around with a European Uppercut and then hastily follows up with an astounding, high altitude drop-kick. The friggin vertical leap you'd need to connect to the upper chest of a guy standing at 6'10" is unimaginable for us mortals. Inconceivable.
More impressive still is the backflip London hucks coming out it, landing on Joe with a Dropsault after taking Shibata down with the kick. Whatever wind Joe had gotten back in his lungs gets blown out when London has fallen. Paul stays right there to make the cover...
1...
2...
Shibata, mustering some desperate trace of energy, kicks the Ref's hand out of the air while he's still lying on his back. Technically legal. It breaks up the count, too. London looks unnerved. Joe finds it in himself to push Paul off as he rolls towards the safety of the ropes. Shibata comes over to pick up London but Paul retaliates with some kicks to the leg, trying to soften him up. Shibata just stares at London who finally lifts up his head to see the kicks are having no effect. Shibata decides to show him how to throw a real kick, going straight for the head but that's easy for the smaller London to duck, kicking him right in his ass as he turns around to send him into the ropes. Shibata comes off and looks for a stiff forearm shot but London ducks once more, taking his back and hitting a devastating snap dragon suplex! Shibata lands high on his head but lands at such an angle that he rolls back onto his knees. London decides to take his head clean off with a superkick that takes the international wrestler down. Unfortunately for Paul though, Joe has crept up behind him and once again places him in the Coquina Clutch! London's eyes are practically bulging out of his skull and the ref calls for the bell.
Tony Chimel: Here is your winner and qualifying for the King of the Ring, Samoa Joe!
Joe gets his hand raised but pulls away from the ref to calmly head up the ramp, his job being done. The ref checks on London while Shibata realizes the match is over. The live feed goes elsewhere.
señoras y señores, el siguiente mensaje ha sido pagado por Estrada Enterprises
The camera fades in onto the logo of Estrada Enterprises, which now sits both above the doors to the building, as well as the sign out in front which is where the camera zooms out from showcasing, before then heading inside. Without any words, the cameraman makes their way through the lobby until coming across a door with the message ”Staff Only” plastered onto it. The door is opened, and seen waiting in the room is none other than the owner himself, Armando Alejandro Estrada, alongside Rosey Anoa’i and Jacob Fatu, each picking a side to stand, staying close to their manager and employer.
Armando Alejandro Estrada: ”Ah, thank you for showing up, you even got here early...I like that, real go-getter you are.”
Showing a brief smile, he cuts it off as he leans forward on the table. By the looks of how things were placed, the three of them had been playing some sort of card game, with playing cards and bottles of various liquors strewn about the table and floor.
Armando Alejandro Estrada: ”Ah, please do sit down, but watch your step. I didn’t exactly have time to clean the place up before la hora programada.”
The cameraman moves closer, pulling a chair out and sitting down, leaving just enough room between the camera and Armando to get a decent medium shot of him.
Armando Alejandro Estrada: ”So, tonight is the big night, no? La noche del ascenso del Salvaje Samoano. Tonight, Umaga Fatu makes his debut, the first of my three clients, and he advances to the first round of the King Of The Ring bracket whilst leaving two bodies, dos reliquias del pasado in his wake. And how can I be so sure of myself, you ask? Well, a man such as myself has got to have confidence in his clients, no, his soldiers. After all, I do seem like a fine general for these warriors of mine, no? Just a run of the ol’ razor away from looking like I came straight out of Pan’s Labyrinth. Ah, but it is not just confidence that I have in these men, I have faith. Faith that to some is only dedicated to the utmost importance of relationships in their lives. And, in a way, this is an important relationship: la relación entre un gerente y sus clientes debe ser fuerte, debe ser inquebrantable, de lo contrario se enfrenta al temor de que un día, sus hombres se vuelvan en su contra desafiando su guía.”
Noticing the confused look of the cameraman, he sighs.
Armando Alejandro Estrada: ”Ah, what I meant to say was that the relationship of a manager and his clients is one that is of pure necessity in this line of work. If you hold on too tight to a client, and force them into doing work for your own personal gain, then it is inevitable that one day they will revolt against you. But if you are too soft with them, and let them do as they please, they will abandon you when it is realized that they do not need your services to have success, or lack thereof. In order to keep the knowledge that you have their best interests at heart inside their own hearts, you must be firm, yet soft with your guidance. After all, I can tell these men to go out and destroy people each and every night if I wanted to, and it would all be for the personal benefit of watching each and every one of those luchadores patéticos get humbled and destroyed by my clients...but if they were to refuse? What exactly would I do, go in and fight them myself?”
Giving off a laugh, Estrada refocuses after the laugh turns dry.
Armando Alejandro Estrada: ”If these men wish to spare anybody inside the ring due to family relations, a favor owed to them, whatever it may be, I have no reason to say no to them. As long as they are doing what they want to do, and as long as I am getting to see it firsthand, who cares if a few slip through the cracks? The end goal is still the same, and whether my men break one or one thousand others to get to their own goals is none of my concern.”
Armando reaches down, and pulls up six shot glasses and a bottle of Jack Daniels. Pouring them out, he gives two each to his clients, leaving one for him as he slides the final one over to the cameraman. Looking inquisitive at it, Estrada gives the go-ahead, and the cameraman takes it without hesitation, his hands shaking as he downs the drink.
Armando Alejandro Estrada: ”Es bueno, ¿verdad? ¿Qué tal si nos sentamos unos minutos y hablamos de ti? Después de todo, ¿no sería bueno para ti ser el que está frente a la cámara?”
Cameraman: ”Mr. Estrada I-”
Armando Alejandro Estrada: ”Please, just call me Armando.”
Cameraman: ”Armando, I...I don’t think Mr. Carter would really like tha-”
The cameraman is cut off by Armando slamming his fist on the table, the camera shaking as one of the beer bottles falls off, not shattering on the floor surprisingly. He shakes his head though, and smiles.
Armando Alejandro Estrada: ”Listen, uh…-”
Cameraman: ”Doug-”
Armando Alejandro Estrada: ”Listen, Doug, it may be the drinks talking or the knowledge of Umaga succeeding tonight, but I’m in a good mood. Tell ya what, I’ve got a business proposition in mind for you. I just need you to tell me one thing: Do you like Mr. Carter as a boss?”
The camera cuts out right there, as does the mic, leaving the feed hanging for a few seconds before going elsewhere.
15 minutes after Becky & Sami vs New Day
The New Day are hanging backstage still shaken up after their match last night as they sit there in disbelief after their lost. Kayla ends up running up to them to talk to them as they are in mid conversation.
Kofi Kingston: I LOST TO A GIRL! WE WERE THIS CLOSE, MAN! THIS CLOSE! AND WE LOST!
Big E: Well, actually, you lost to the man.
Kofi Kingston: I ain't in the joking mood right now, E. I had Becky down and out, and she catches me out of nowhere!
Big E: You're not the only one upset, Kof. My back is going to be killing me tomorrow. Look, we just need to sit back and relax.
Xavier Woods: What E said. It's one lost. We have our whole UWF career for another opportunity for the tag titles. We just need to head back to the studio, play some videos, maybe record for my channel, and recoup.
The New Day finally notices Dasha and Xavier looks to be the one answering the questions.
Dasha Fuentes: New Day, you guys just suffered a very upsetting loss against Becky and Sami – who are still your UWF Tag Team Champions-
Xavier Woods: Yes, we know that, Dasha – thanks for rubbing salt on the wound. But, please, go ahead and continue.
Dasha Fuentes:Well, you guys failed to capture the tag titles but I've just received huge news for you guys. Xavier, EC3 told me to tell you that your prize for winning the Wrestlemania Royal Rumble is a spot in the upcoming King of the Ring tournament. That means you don't have to qualify in the upcoming triple threats!
The New Day have bit of shocked faces as they look at each other back to Dasha.
Xavier Woods: Now, I'm assuming I know what the prize is for winning the King of the Ring tourney but could you give me a, uh… reminder?
Woods has a very happy smile on his face and his New Day pals who were upset are now feeling a bit better.
Dasha Fuentes: You get a title shot for the UWF championship in the main event of Summerslam.
The New Day nods their heads as they lick their lips.
Kofi Kingston: Okay, Dasha, you have got our attention.
Big E: You guys knows what this mean?
Xavier Woods: It's the positivity gods giving us another chance for championship gold?
Big E: That, and it's the fact that YOU will be in the main event of Summerslam.
Xavier Woods: I think you mean "US". You guys are going to be out at ringside to see us witness us become the top champions of UWF!
Dasha Fuentes: Champions?
Xavier Woods: Oh, you didn't know? When we win the titles we're going to ALL be the champions. We will defend that belt… Well, if EC3 lets us, of course.
Dasha Fuentes: And if not?
Xavier Woods: We'll just call ourselves the champs anyways. Like how Larry Sweeney pretended he held a bunch of invisible titles!
Big E: But ours will be real and not a toy we bought from Walmart!
Kofi sits there still tired from his match and face of happiness is more of confusion.
Kofi Kingston: Hold up, guys. We got to WIIIN the tournament first. This is not an absolute.
Big E: Oh, he's definitely going to win this.
Kofi Kingston: Like how we were definitely going to win that tag match? That proves nothing is for sure. So, we need to train extra hard for this, cause I'm sure there's some tough competition in there.
Dasha Fuentes: Oh trust me, there's a bunch of names being thrown around already for the qualifying matches, and let me just say, they're not going to be a walk in the park.
Xavier Woods: I know the perfect trainer. He'll get me into tip top shape, AND help me prepare for Vinny because he's beaten him before.
A smile grows on Kofi and E.
Kofi Kingston: We think we know what you mean, Woods.
Xavier Woods: Alright, I'll call him up once we get to the hotel. This is gonna be our chance to redeem ourselves.
The New Day all look at the camera.
Kofi Kingston: King of the Ring competitors? WE'RE COMING BAYBEE!
Big E: BECAAAAAAUSE…
NEW DAY ROCKS! NEW DAY ROCKS! NEW DAY ROCKS!
The men walk off and Dasha has a smile as the segment ends.
The feed transitions backstage where the UWF Tag Team Champions Becky Lynch and Sami Zayn are standing by.
Becky Lynch: You tried to warn em!
Sami Zayn: I did!
Becky Lynch: I told them exactly what I was gonna do!
Sami Zayn: You did!
Becky Lynch: And we celebrated like no other that night.
Sami Zayn: We did!
Becky Lynch: Damn does it feel good to the champs.
Sami Zayn: It does! I doubt this is the last time we end up seeing the New Day but there's apparently a lot of people hot on our tails. World Warriors are still coming in hot.
Becky Lynch: Tryin' too at least.
Sami Zayn: The Usos are on a winning streak.
Becky Lynch: Who'd have ever thought those words would be strung together.
Sami Zayn: GOD is apparently back on the hunt.
Becky Lynch: I dare them to try and attack us agaijn.
Sami Zayn: Not to mention a brand new team, the Samoan Strike Force.
Becky Lynch: Isn't that just GOD?
Sami Zayn: No they're different and that's kinda racist?
Becky Lynch: I said it with my Irish charm though so it.s okay. Anyways, I don't care who they throw at us. Matter of fact, we could have both been in the King of the Ring qualifiers this week, won them both and then met all the way in the finals if we wanted to but no, we're here being the anchors of this division. There's plenty a times to win World Championships but right now UWF needs us here and we'll be happy to slap the heads off of anyone whgo wants to get in the way of Sami Zayn and Becky Lynch.
The two start to walk away, they're last bits on conversation being heard.
Sami Zayn: We really need a tag name. You think Bami is catching on?
Becky Lynch: God hope not.
The live feed heads back down to the ring where the Television Champion the Big Show is already standing by, waiting for his opponents.
Out from the back walks Armando Alejandro Estrada, no music playing. Instead, just making his way into the ring, microphone in hand.
Armando Alejandro Estrada: "Señoras y señores, ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce you to the new demolition crew of the UWF, to those who will actively destroy who stands before them! WELCOME, THE SAMOAN STRIKE FORCE!"
Out walk Umaga Fatu, Rosey Anoa'i, and Jacob Fatu, all walking in unison to the ring. They approach the steel steps, Umaga first, who lets out a roar to the crowd before walking up the steps, pounding on the top step as he walks up it, being followed by Rosey and Jacob. They get into the ring, and stand behind Armando. The referee then approaches Armando, informing him of who is in this match but he shrugs it off, seeming to ignore the referee before then turning around to inform his clients. They silently leave, leaving only that who competes inside the ring.
The lights go out in the arena as the former music of The Miz drowns out any other noise, signalling the arrival of the aforementioned former Intercontinental Champion's best friend Chris Jericho. The lyrical portion of the song begins playing, as a countdown appears on the titantron.
I know the score like the back of my hand
Them other boys, I don’t give a damn
They kiss on the ring, I carry the crown
10
Nothing can break
9
Nothing can break me down
8
Don’t need no advice
7
I got a plan
6
I know the direction
5
The lay of the land
4
I know the score like
3
The back of my hand
2
Them other boys
1
I don’t give a damn
The titantron goes out once more, leaving the arena in darkness, save for a small source of light at the top of the stage, shaped like a jacket.
I’m the man, come round
No-no-nothing can break, no-nothing can break me down
I’m the man, come round and
No-no-nothing can break
You can’t break me down
The song continues as "The Man" Chris Jericho struts down the ramp. The former and future UWF Champion oozes confidence, as he is, in his words, fighting for his friend.
Tony Chimel: From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada... weighing in at 227 lbs... Chris Jericho!!!
Y2J enters the ring with all the swagger of an American named Jack, and all the charisma of a Canadian Captain. The Lionheart is hyped for the match ahead, ready to take on all comers like the Alpha he is.
DING DING DING
As the ring bell sounds, Umaga hits Jericho between the eyes with a punch, stunning him. Umaga grabs Jericho and does a forceful Irish Whip into the nearest corner. Show rushes that corner and sandwiches Jericho between he massive weight and the turnbuckle as Jericho slinks down in the corner once Show steps away. Umaga charges and connects with a Samoan Wrecking Ball on Jericho as Chris falls to his side and Show nudges him with his foot, causing Chris to roll under the bottom rope and hit the outside floor. Umaga and Show now have a stand-off.
Tom Phillips: Uh oh, this could get volatile.
Mauro Ranallo: These two men have history for sure. Not only are they two big men in the same industry but back during the time of the Anarchy brand here in the UWF, they feuded over the Extreme Championship.
Corey Graves: Well Show almost has a full foot on Umaga and outweighs him by one hundred and eighty pounds so the, “Samoan Bulldozer” needs to watch it!
Fatu looks up at Show and snarls. The seven footer responds to this by shoving the savage that is his opponent but Umaga barely budges. Show shoves him again but it’s the same story, so the big man rocks forward and connects with a headbutt. Umaga no-sells the attack as Big Show looks a bit shocked that his opponent has this much wherewithal but that shock turns to anger as he puts his giant mitt around the throat of Fatu.
Fatu looks him dead in the eyes and opens his mouth, taunting Show with his teeth and tongue on full display before grabbing Show’s wrist with one hand and squeezing as he gradually forces the big man’s hand away, all the while holding eye contact and continuing to taunt as Show tries to force his hand back towards Umaga’s throat.
Tom Phillips: That size and weight difference doesn’t seem to be mattering right now, Corey.
Mauro Ranallo: Well, Umaga Fatu is a monster, after all.
Corey Graves: Freakish strength and endurance, that Umaga.
As Fatu successfully brings Show’s hand away, he throws the arm to his left and releases the hold. Show displays a look of pain as he briefly looks at his wrist but that’s soon replaced by frustration as he goes to latch on to Fatu’s throat with the other hand but Fatu smacks his arm away and leaps up, stomping on both of the Big Show’s feet, causing him to bend down and hold them in pain.
When Show does this, Umaga starts headbutting him in the shoulder blade a few times, then alternates to the other one for several strikes, and lastly lunges at the head of the big man as, after a few seconds, Show pulls away and creates some distance between them as he screams out in agony.
Tom Phillips: Good Lord, Umaga just bit a chunk of flesh out of Big Show’s head!
Umaga then loudly snorts inward before hocking the saliva soaked bite at Show’s feet.
Mauro Ranallo: Mamma Mia! He just spit it out!
Show is bleeding pretty good from the head as he looks down at what’s just been spat at his feet. Jericho re-enters the ring at this moment and starts teeing off on Show with punches but Show blocks one, causing Chris to throw a punch with the other hand, but that also gets blocked. Show pulls him up by his fists and swings him, placing him on the saliva covered flesh as Chris slips and hits the back of his head on the mat as Big Show follows up with a massive Leg Drop!
When Show makes impact, Umaga has begun charging since he was on his way down and hits Show with a modified Samoan Wrecking Ball that knocks Show flat on his back. Umaga leaps up and comes down with a headbutt to the sternum as Show sits up coughing and clutching his sternum. Umaga walks behind him and palms the top of his head with one hand squeezing as he plunges his other hand thumb first into the flesh on the side of the collarbone that’s part of the neck as Show immediately starts wincing and crying out from the discomfort and pain.
Corey Graves: And now the fan base gets to debate: is it worse to be Big Show right now or Chris Jericho?
As Fatu has the seven footer in the Tongan Death Grip with the added squeeze to the cranium, Jericho is back to his feet and he doesn’t look happy. Chris heads over behind Fatu and connects with the Judas Effect but this only seems to anger Fatu as the, “Samoan Bulldozer” immediately releases Show and turns to Jericho. Jericho goes for a Codebreaker but Umaga reverses into a Two-Handed Chokebomb as the former UWF Champion is slammed into the mat with disturbing force.
When Umaga gets up, Show is standing there with his hands on his hips as he shakes his head. Umaga motions for Big Show to go after Jericho himself as Big Show grabs Chris up from the mat and brings him back down with a thunderous Powerslam. Umaga shakes his head and looks to be going after Jericho but then goes for the Savate Kick on Show but Show grabs his leg underneath his arm, then goozles Umaga using his other hand as he hoists him up and drops him with a modified Chokeslam, making sure to make the landing as awkward as possible on Fatu’s leg.
Tom Phillips: Well it didn’t take long for the battle of one upmanship with Jericho to turn back into a battle of titans.
Mauro Ranallo: But the story this time is Big Show actually took Fatu off of his feet so maybe the monster is finally feeling some pain.
Corey Graves: I’ll tell you who’s in pain: Chris Jericho. From his pores to his pride. I’m waiting to see how much more punishment he can take.
Show bends down and grabs Umaga by the throat, hoisting him back up to his feet with his sheer strength. Umaga however fights back with a kick to the gut followed by a headbutt that stumbles the giant. Umaga then runs to the ropes and comes back only to get taken down with a big boot! Jericho is crawling over to the corner to try and pick himself up but Big Show is patiently waiting. Once Jericho picks himself up, Show runs over and squishes the former UWF Champion in the corner. Not satisfied with that, he picks Jericho back up and pushes his head far back with one hand, telling the crowd to shush with the other. He lifts it up to the sky before sending it crashing down, practically caving in Y2J's chest cavity with a thunderous chop! The crowd chants "one more time" and Big Show is happy to oblige them until Umaga comes running from behind him and squishes Show back into Jericho like a sandwich!
Umaga beats down on show with overhand chops to the back, all while yelling at him in an indistinguishable language. Sho tries to shove him away but Fatu just comes back with a kick to the side of the head. The giant is rocked but Umaga is able to get him back on both feet and whip him into the ropes. Show comes off the ropes and the Samoan Bulldozer is able to toss him into the air before dropping him right back down with a Samoan Drop! The whole ring shakes and the crowd could practically feel the earth under their feet move. Umaga makes the cover all while Estrada cheers him on.
1 . . .
2 . . .
Jericho breaks up the count with a lionsault at 2! All this seems to have done however is piss off the wild Samoan. Jericho high tails it out of the ring while Umaga gives him the chase. Jericho slides back into the ring and Umaga does the same as well but by the time he does, Jericho comes running over to kick him in the face as he's sliding with with a baseball slide! Jericho stays on the attack by putting the boots to him but it's not enough to keep Fatu down. Umaga powers through the hits to get back to his feet and so Jericho runs to the ropes to build some momentum for his next attack only for Umaga to catch him with a crossbody! Jericho rolls away to the corner seats himself there. Umaga realizes this and runs after him for another Samoan Wrecking Ball but he gets cut in half by a spear from the Big Show! He stays on top of Umaga for the pin!
1 . . .
2 . . .
Umaga kicks out!
Mauro Ranallo: I thought Umaga may have been broken in half right there Corey.
Corey Graves:I'm surprised Big Show had enough left to deliver that spear.
Show gets up to his knees, getting ready to pick himself up when Jericho comes running up from behind, grabbing his head and bringing him forward on top of Umaga with a bulldog! The ref immediately drops down to make the count since Big Show is back on top of Umaga but Jericho knows this and kicks Show in the side of the head right away before a 1 can even be counted. He's able to roll the giant off of Fatu and instead decides to work on the smaller but still quite larger opponent. He grabs Umaga's legs and tries to turn him over to put him in the walls. Umaga is such a contained hunk of mass that it makes it a bit hard to get any leverage and the Samoan Bulldozer seems to come alive during this attempt and kicks Jericho away!
Umaga rushes to his feet but Jericho tries to catch him off guard with another Judas Effect! Fatu however catches his elbow with one hand and shakes his head. A look of horror comes across his face until Umaga scoops him up over his shoulder. Jericho tries to wiggle free but he can't escape the Samoan's clutches. It's not until a rake of the eyes that he's able to fall behind Fatu and hit him in the back of the leg with a chop block! Armando is yelling at Jericho who gives him a slight smirk before just stomping down on the knee of his clients before putting him in a half crab. To make matters worse, he uses his free hand to start punching the knee, dealing out even more punishment. Luckily he's saved when Big Show takes Y2J's head off with a big boot! He goes for the cover right away.
1 . . .
2 . . .
Jericho gets the shoulder up at 2! Show stays on the attack by grabbing a fistful of Jericho's hair and bringing him back up to a vertical base. Chris tries to fight him off with some punches to the midsection but it's nothing a headbutt can't stop. Show then whips him into the ropes and when Jericho comes back, he's scooped up my the large arms of Show and planted into the mat with a sidewalk slam! He stays on top of him for the pin but Umaga comes over and gives him a kick to the face before a count can be made! Big Show comes off of Jericho holding his face. Umaga calls for him to get up and so Show does and the two stand face to face. Or at least as face to face as they can get, Show making sure Umaga knows every inch of advantage he has over him.
Mauro Ranallo:Umaga not backing down from the challenge of the Big Show here tonight.
Corey Graves:He took a chunk out of his head earlier, I don't think Umaga cares who's in front of him.
Big Show grabs Umaga by the throat and uses the other hand to give him a big overhand chop to the chest! Umaga retaliates with a chop of his own but it's not nearly as effective. Show delivers another chop but this time Umaga comes back with multiple headbutts to the chest, hitting him over and over to stun him. Umaga then runs backwards to hit the ropes, building some momentum but he runs right into a big overhand chop from Big Show that knocks him right down to the mat! Umaga sits up, then climbs to his feet as he beats his chest before baring his teeth and showing his tongue again. Fatu and Show approach each other but Jericho gets up and stands in the middle of them, keeping both men at arm’s reach. Both of them charge but as they do, Chris leaps back out of the way as the two collide face and upper body first. They stagger back a few steps from one another as Umaga connects with a Samoan Spike to Big Show as the seven footer drops to one knee.
Umaga Fatu winds back for another but Chris turns him so that they’re facing one another and leaps up, connecting with a Codebreaker that actually drops him but he pops up from the mat and remains on his feet. Jericho sees this and leaps up, connecting with another Codebreaker as the same thing happens, Fatu looking a bit dizzied now.
As Chris gets ready to do a third, Show throws the WMD but Chris moves and the, “Samoan Bulldozer” eats the hit instead as he leaves his feet and collapses on the mat with a loud thud. As Show smiles at his handiwork, Jericho leaps up and drops him with a Codebreaker, the knee being driven into where Umaga bit him as Show is now donning the crimson mask and falls onto his back. Chris covers.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Tony Chimel: Here is your winner and qualifying for the King of the Ring, Chris Jericho!
Jericho rolls out of the ring, wanting to be as far away from the two behemoths in the ring and celebrates on the outside.
Mauro Ranallo:Chris Jericho is now well on his way to notching another big tournament win under his belt and maineventing Summerslam once more!
Corey Graves: Let's hope for my sake, that never happens again.
Jericho heads up the ramp with his hand raised in the air, the crowd cheering him on as the show comes to a close.
END OF SHOW
Credits
Reigns vs Ligero vs Black - AndyDNU
Nash vs McIntyre vs Styles - Bodor
Lorcan vs Neville vs Havos - Max
Joe vs Shibata vs London - Fauche
Show vs Jericho vs Umaga - Dresden/Danny
Mantis vs Balor vs Dar, Sweeney vs Brookes vs Morrison - Dresden