Post by Akiko on Sept 19, 2021 21:41:48 GMT
(‘Miami Vice’ brings the crowd to a bit of a cheer for the beginning of the action on the Gateway Showcase prior to Blitzkrieg. Derek Trigg makes his way through the curtain, garnering a horrible reaction. He throws his hands apart, talking about how perfect he is. Stepping out behind him is a new face to SWWS, Kamile Sokovic. She doesn’t seem impressed as the two make their way down to the ring.)
Ring Announcer: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THE FOLLOWING IS A MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL. FIGHTING OUT OF SEPARATE ROOMS AT THE HOTEL SHERIDAN, WEIGHING IN AT 85LBS WITH WEIGHTS ON THEIR BOOTS.. THE TEAM OF DEREK TRIGG AND KAMILE SOKOVIC!!!
(Camera cuts to the back, showing that it’s Isaiah Andrews on the mic. He looks over at Andre Boone, who doesn’t bother holding in the laughter. Back to the ring, Kamile enters the ring first, followed by Trigg. This is the first look at the young lady out of Estonia, unfortunately for her she has to deal with Trigg along the way.)
Isaiah Andrews: Wow, look at them! Andre, she’s impressive. Who booked this shit?
Andre Boone: I’m guessing Morgan, but I figured he’d learn not to book Mr. Stranger in the Bathtub after the ass kicking he got last time around.
(The two try talking strategy, but Kamile mostly ignores Trigg. The music begins to fade out, leading into the next team. “The Unspoken Mass” hits the speakers to hopefully a better reaction as Noach Van Norden steps out onto the stage. Following him out is Cerys Davies. The two look at each other, making their way to the ring.)
Isaiah Andrews: AND THEIR OPPONENTS.. FIGHTING THEIR WAY OUT OF YOUR LOCAL IKEA, WEIGHING IN AT 300LBS OF TWISTED STEEL AND WELSCH APPEAL.. THE TEAM OF NOACH VAN NORDEN AND CERYS DAVIES!!!
(Confused by the ring introduction, the two walk up the steps to the apron prior to getting into the ring. Van Norden watches Derek Trigg, who leans in the corner with a smile on his face, while Davies looks intimidated by Sokovic.)
Andre Boone: You just had to bring it up.
Isaiah Andrews: You texted me, saying that you were there this morning.
Andre Boone: The girls wanted to know what the big building was. How can you say no when Mei is singing THAT song loudly?
Isaiah Andrews: Come on, just say no!
(It appears that Derek Trigg and Noach Van Norden are kicking this one off. Trigg, apprehensive about the opponent, looks over at Sokovic in hopes that she’ll start instead.)
(DING DING DING!!!)
Gateway Showcase Match - Pre Show
Derek Trigg & Kamile Sokovic vs. Noach Van Norden & Cerys Davies
(Trigg circles the ring, trying to read Van Norden, but the man out of Amsterdam has no interest in the mind games. The two quickly lock up in the center of the ring, allowing Van Norden to power him backwards to the canvas. Trigg looks up upon hearing the reaction from the audience, immediately rising to his feet.)
Derek Trigg (off-mic): SHUT UP!!!
(The two begin to circle again, this time locking up with more intensity. Van Norden again overpowers Trigg, but the savvy rookie pulls him by the neck into the corner, putting his leg through the ropes as the referee begins to count the break. Van Norden struggles for a moment, but is able to once the referee physically interjects between the two of them. This allows Trigg to throw in a cheapshot into the head of Van Norden, forcing him to step back. Trigg, excited by his success, charges in at Van Norden, only to take a hip toss to the middle of the ring. Trigg is quick to his feet, charging in with a right, but Van Norden ducks under, catching him with a back kick to the chest, immediately following up with a snapmare to the canvas. Van Norden teases kicking him across the back, but changes his mind with a hard open hand smack between the shoulder blades. A high pitched scream comes from Trigg as he immediately crawls on his knees to his corner to Kamile.)
Isaiah Andrews: Oh damn! Andre..You still with us?
Andre Boone (Laughing off-mic): Shit, sorry.
(The laughter grows more intense)
Isaiah Andrews: I think we just lost my partner. He has gotten up from the table.
(Kamile Sokovic tags herself in. Cerys Davies tags herself in as well. The two circle the ring, giving a little respect to each other before teasing the lock up. Kamile, with her height advantage, brings a hand up in an attempt of a test of strength. Cerys obliges, locking hands with the Estonian fighter. They lock the second hands, and immediately try to overpower one another. Kamile immediately tries to overpower Cerys, but the Welsh wrestler has different thoughts, pushing all of her weight into Sokovic. The two continue to gain ground on each other, eventually leading to a knee lift from Davies. A hard forearm from her sends Sokovic back a few steps, leading to a delayed body slam from Davies.)
Isaiah Andrews: She got some power to her!
(Davies takes advantage of the situation by sitting Kamile up, driving a knee into the back followed by another. Kamile arches back in pain, allowing Davies to bring her back to the mat, and following up with an elbow drop to the chest. She looks for the cover, but Kamile is quick to kick out before the count could even begin.)
Derek Trigg (off-mic): Get up!! What’s wrong with you??
(Kamile sits herself up, holding her back until Davies pulls her back up. She twists the arm of Sokovic, backing into the corner to tag out to Van Norden. Van Norden climbs into the ring, throwing an elbow strike across the arm of Kamile, knocking her back to the canvas. The referee quickly stops Van Norden.)
Isaiah Andrews: In case they forgot, I’m hearing that the men must fight the men, and women must fight the women in these Showcase matches. It looks like Trigg needs to get into the ring.
(The referee storms over to Derek Trigg, demanding that he get into the ring. After the whining spells are complete, Trigg climbs into the ring and immediately goes after Sokovic!! He stands over her, shouting at her for getting beaten down so much. Van Norden stalks behind Trigg, watching as Sokovic is slowly getting up. Trigg continues brow beating his tag team partner for making him look back...SOKOVIC JUST CLOCKED DEREK TRIGG WITH A HARD RIGHT HAND TO THE FACE!!! TRIGG TURNS TOWARDS VAN NORDEN, WHO THROWS HIM UP INTO A MILITARY PRESS, DROPPING HIM INTO A FRONT POWERSLAM!!! SOKOVIC SMILES AS SHE EXITS THE RING, PRETENDING TO REACH OUT FOR THE TAG TO TRIGG. VAN NORDEN DROPS DOWN INTO A COMFORTABLE PIN ON TRIGG..)
Referee: ONE!!! TWO!!! THREE!!!
(DING DING DING!!!)
(‘The Unspoken Mass’ hits again as Cerys Davies climbs into the ring to celebrate with Van Norden. Out of respect for his teammate, Van Norden walks over to the ropes, holding them open for her. She exits, as the two stand on the apron to watch Kamile get back into the ring. Trigg slowly gets to his knees, begging Kamile not to strike him.)
Andre Boone: What’d I miss?
Isaiah Andrews: The entire match?
Andre Boone: Oh! Shit, sorry.
(Loud chants of ‘Kamile’ burn through the audience as she looks around. She kneels down by Trigg to meet him at eye level, grabbing him roughly by the chin.)
Kamile Sokovic (off-mic): You and me..One on one.
(Pie facing her former teammate to the canvas, Kamile gets back up. She notices Cerys and Van Norden holding the ropes for her, allowing her to make a prompt exit from the ring. The three jump down from the apron as they make their way up the ramp. Derek Trigg is stuck by his lonesome, holding his cheek in anger while shouting nonsense at the three.)
Isaiah Andrews: Oh..fuck I forgot. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE ARE YOUR WINNERS..THE TEAM OF NOACH VAN NORDEN AND CERYS DAVIES!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND DEREK TRIGG IS A BITCH!!!
(The crowd laughs at the last part of the result, leaving Trigg to kneel up to shout at the fans to be quiet. He storms to his feet.)
Derek Trigg (off-mic): I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!!!
(Loud biohazard sirens begin to go off as the lights flicker in and out for the countdown. Trigg throws a fit in the middle of the ring as the countdown begins..
“10!”
“9!”
“8!”
“7!”
“6!”
“5!”
“4!”
“3!”
“2!”
“1!”
(Loud Biohazard Siren takes over the speakers momentarily, leading into the video playing over the wall. ‘Feed The Wolf’ by Breaking Benjamin starts up, going over the Blitzkrieg logo as we head into the lyrics.)
“I Can See The Devil Closing In”
(‘The Raven’ Matt Knox sits in the corner of the ring, glaring past the camera.)
“I Choke The Breath That Dies To Cry For Help”
(Andrej Jankovic deadlifts Edward Cronin, allowing Theodor Pavel to strike him before the German Suplex connects.)
“I Feel The Pull Of Gravity”
(MYOJIN Falls From Heaven onto Ramesses, the beautiful inverted 450 Splash.)
“I Bleed No More, And Rise Again”
(Mitchell Ryan lifts Ramesses onto his shoulders while Inevitable members Kimberly Chase and Alandra point towards him.)
“I’ve Lost It All”
(Johnny Sykes warms up inside of the locker room, getting his game face on for the first ever main event of SWWS against Matt Knox.)
“Carry Me Through This World Of Lies”
(Mimic harbors in the shadows of SWWS, sitting in the rafters.)
“I Feel No More, The Suffering”
(Ramon Vidal flies over the top rope into a long distance suicide dive onto Adrian Drake.)
“Bury Me In This Cold Light”
(Guthrie Graupe delivers a snapping German Suplex to Jose Rivera into the turnbuckles, followed by a charging splash by Nikos Mantzios.)
“Feed The Wolf, And Shed My Skin”
(Quick shots of Reginald Baroni’s Dungeon DDT, Adrian Drake’s The Face, MYOJIN’s Orion, and Matt Knox’s Raze and Ruin are shown as the video comes to an end.)
(The music continues playing through the speakers, with the ring announcer and a referee in the ring. Banch Morgan, Karl Stinson, and Eugene Youngblood sit at the ringside table. Quick camera shots to the fans in attendance. We finally get to the announce team of Dilan Valentine, Leo Criss, and Lori Swick.)
Dilan Valentine: On a night where we get to see two of the most prestigious champions in IW-RUSH in Goliath Studios, we welcome you to Blitzkrieg!!! Hello everyone, I’m Dilan Valentine, alongside the antagonistic little prick Leo Criss, and the smartest one at the desk and world renowned wrestling historian, Lori Swick!! This is absolutely crazy, we have a few major matches tonight but looming over us right now is that fifteen foot high steel cage. Tonight in our main event we will be seeing Matthew ‘The Raven’ Knox battle Johnny Sykes in a rematch from their physical contest at Prologue. Leo, a lot of intensity going into this episode.
Leo Criss: There is not one wrestler in that backstage area that has been happy with this decision to bring in talent from the Kazoka Office for tonight’s event. We get to see some amazing wrestlers in the squared circle, yes, but at what cost will there be by the end of the night?
Lori Swick: It’s been hard to get a read on the RUSH talent as they entered the Studio for tonight’s event. BLOOD has been seen before, but this is the first time the RUSH Grand Championship has ever touched the United States, and their Champion hasn’t seen action here since he was 20 years old. There’s a whole range of emotions back there, let’s see what happens.
(‘Stayin’ Alive Remix’ hits the speakers to a huge ovation from the audience. Without hesitation steps the brand new SWWS World Tag Team Champions. Ted Hot, Chuck Funger, the Hot Fungers walk out with the title belts wrapped around their waists. Ted Hot, who seems to be the more excited of the two, separates from his teammate and puts his hotel key between his lips. A young lady in the crowd waves him over, taking the key from the lips of Hot before planting him with a kiss on the cheek. Hot nearly goes into convulsions, shouting to the camera.)
Ted Hot (off-mic): That’s how the Champions do it!!
(The two climb up onto the apron, getting into the ring as they both bust out the Fargo strut to a massive reaction from the audience. Chuck Funger begins to break out some dance moves, being joined by Hot. Immediately climbing into the ring behind them is the interviewer for SWWS, Pazia Mantzios. She looks confused by the two, who are now dancing with her!! She can’t help but laugh, but backs away from them as they showcase their new Championships!!)
Dilan Valentine: In case you all missed it. At the Labor Day Festival in Santa Monica, The Hot Fungers won an eight team tournament to crown the first ever SWWS World Tag Team Champions. They outlasted some amazing teams to get to this stage, even outlasting the veteran Revolucha to win the Championships.
Lori Swick: It was a great night for the Hot Fungers. Rumor has it, they tried to get into every night club they could.. They did it during the late afternoon though.
(The music begins to fade out to a thunderous ovation for the Hot Fungers takes over. Pazia walks over to them, giving a smile as she’s about to begin.)
Pazia Mantzios: Hi guys! Congratulations on winning the Championship. How does it feel to be the first ever Tag Team Champions?
Ted Hot: Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazia….It feels great. Everyone knew when the lights were on brightest..
Chuck Funger: That was the sun. I got burned.
Ted Hot: The sun may have been hot, Chuck. There was one thing hotter though, and that was THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HOOOOOOOT FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNGERS!!! Seven others came along, seven other teams went home with nothing but a cheap suntan and some speedo clad volleyball players giving them a nice look. We brought home the gold and we brought home the booty, am I right??
(Hot goes for a high five, not reciprocated by Funger. However, feeling bad about it, Pazia high fives him!)
Chuck Funger: We celebrated, but in the end, all I could think about was how we’re going to use these belts to bring tag team wrestling to a new level. Ted over here, he loves his parties, he loves his ladies. I love taking this mitt and smacking everyone around who gets in our way.
Ted Hot: That’s right! We are here as the standard bearers of all the champions in SWWS! And you know, we’re pretty energetic guys. Just last night I saw Chuck hitting the dance floor. The man went all night, drank a fifth and went even longer. The girls clamored to him, asking why he doesn’t have any fingers.. Chuck, a man of his word, said that he has the finger that counts.. OOOOOOH!!!!
Pazia Mantzios: OOOOOH??
Ted Hot: You don’t get what we’re laying down? That’s alright, darlin’. I’m saying that Chuck and I are both in the upcoming Legacy Gauntlet match. We will be heading to all the clubs in West Hollywood with the Gauntlet, the SWWS World Championship, four girls on our arms, and the SWWS World Tag Team Championship intact. Hell, we’re so confident that we WILL even put up our tag team championship at that same show!!
Pazia Mantzios: Wrestling twice? But why?
Chuck Funger: We both think that if we’re going to be Champions, we’re not going to sit around and wait for someone to come. We’ll come to them. Anyone who wants a shot at us, we’re here.
Ted Hot: Come on down! Anyone! Pazia, I know your man and Graupe want a match with us! They’re cool cats, we’d love to face them. How about Revolucha? We can get it done with you guys again.. How a..
Voice through the PA: ARE YOU KIDDING ME??
(‘Shake It Off’ hits the speakers. Out steps Marisol Vilaró heads out onto the stage. A headset microphone is attached to her as Miguel and Lorenzo make their way out as well. Rather than being intimidated by the opponents, Ted Hot and Chuck Funger begin dancing to the song, even bringing in Pazia for some of the fun.)
Marisol Vilaró: STOP DANCING!!! CUT THE MUSIC!!!
(The music fades out, making the Hot Fungers stop what they’re doing. Pazia briefly keeps dancing, but is gently stopped by Funger.)
Marisol Vilaró: Boys, I know you’re happy right now with those belts around your waists, but do you really think you’re a good fit to be holding them? I mean, Ted. Ted Hot, the sex crazed lunatic who has successfully struck out with half of Los Angeles in the last week. Come on, look at you. Have you even been to a gym lately?
Ted Hot: Depends, how do you spell it?
Marisol Vilaró: Idiot, it’s G-Y…
Ted Hot: G-Y-RATION?? Oh, you’d love to see it, I’m sure.
(Disgusted, Marisol turns away as Ted begins to gyrate inside of the squared circle. Noticing the effect it has, Chuck begins to gyrate as well to a huge pop from the crowd.)
Marisol Vilaró: STOP IT!! THAT’S DISGUSTING!! Ugh, all that flab bouncing around in there… Okay, I won’t even look at the two of you when I can look at two symbols of perfection standing beside me. These men, these are the ones that SHOULD be holding those belts right now. I mean look at them! Miguel, one of the most athletic students I’ve had. And Lorenzo, the only man to successfully deadlift ninety two hu..
Ted Hot: No, he didn’t.
Marisol Vilaró: Yes he did!
Ted Hot: No, he didn’t.
Marisol Vilaró: I was there, and it wa..
Pazia Mantzios: No.. He didn’t?
(A high five from Ted Hot to Pazia, promptly giving Marisol a ‘Take that!’ gesture. Marisol doesn’t look too impressed.)
Marisol Vilaró: Okay, you know what? I don’t need to be insulted like this! You said you wanted to defend the titles at the Legacy Gauntlet? The Vilaró Legion accepts!!
(Chuck Funger looks over at Ted Hot, giving a nod. Hot runs over to the ropes, leaping over the second rope with his lower body as he sits on the ropes to stare at her.)
Ted Hot: Oh you do? You DOOOO? You’re on!!!
(Chuck Funger walks over to the ropes, standing over his teammate as he stares at the Vilaró Legion as well. ‘Stayin’ Alive Remix’ hits again as Hot bounces up and down on the second rope. With her disgust hidden by a sly smirk, Marisol Vilaró turns to the curtain, bringing along Miguel and Lorenzo with her as they make their exit.)
Dilan Valentine: We have a rematch set for the Legacy Gauntlet with the SWWS Tag Team Championship on the line! The Hot Fungers will be defending the titles against the Vilaró Legion. I’m astounded by how the Champions had no problem making the challenge despite being in the Legacy Gauntlet match later in the night.
Leo Criss: This is the perfect time for Marisol to exact revenge on the Fungers for the controversial finish in their match.
Lori Swick: Controversial? They won the match clean!
(A referee makes his way down to the ring, holding the ropes for Pazia to exit as we’re getting ready for our first match of the evening.)
Dilan Valentine: I guess we’re going to be having our first of the RUSH Showcase Matches.. Oh boy.
Lori Swick: That’s right, Dilan. And as tradition with all Kazoka Office contests, we have their Ring Announcer in the ring already. The beautiful and incredibly sweet Marionette!!
Marionette: 皆さん、RUSHを通じてカゾカオフィスの卓越した才能をご紹介します。しかし、まず、彼らの対戦相手。SWWSのゲートウェイブランドを代表し、彼らはピオコスタとドニーメイソンのチームです!
(‘Hell’s Bells’ hits the speakers to a good reaction from the audience, allowing Donny Mason to make his way onto the stage. Along with him, is SWWS’s resident little guy, Pio Costa. The size difference between the two makes the crowd laugh initially, but they both seem to be ready for the match. The intense nature of Mason seems to overshadow the relaxed mindset of Costa. Mason wastes no time climbing onto the apron and entering over the top rope while Costa tries to mimic him by climbing over the top rope, struggling to the point where he needs to step onto the second rope to get over. The two look to be ready for tonight’s contest.)
Dilan Valentine: Donny Mason is an absolute beast in the ring. He has really been impressing the bosses in the company with his mixture of power and speed inside the squared circle. He recently scored his first win on the last Blitzkrieg during the Gateway Showcase, and looks to bring that momentum into tonight’s contest.
Leo Criss: Then you have Pio Costa. I still don’t get him.
(Costa and Mason acknowledge Marionette, going to their corner as they begin to talk strategy.)
Marionette: そして今、私はあなたにRUSHグランドタッグチームチャンピオンを紹介します。彼らは大阪から来ました。彼らは今夜188キロで体重を量った。彼らはレスリングが彼らのために置いた地面を壊した男性です。遠藤！！！青木！！！！ブルーウー!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Guitar music begins to play, leading to the lights dimming down as the percussion takes place. Red flickering lights fade in and out as ‘Fall of Titans’ hits the speakers. Emerging from the curtain are the duo who have made such a negative impact since their introduction at Prologue. Endo and Aoki, collectively known as BLOOD, make their way down to the ring. Sporting the RUSH Grand Tag Team Championships around their waists, they slowly descend on the ring. A smattering of fans in the Studio begin to chant loudly.)
Small Group (off-mic): CHI!!! CHI!!! CHI!!! CHI!!! CHI!!!
(Both men separate, walking around each side of the ring. They seem to be taking their time as they refuse to even look at the fans or opponents. Right on cue, they slid onto opposite aprons, getting to their feet as they look slowly over at Mason and Costa before climbing into the ring. Both men simultaneously springboard over the top rope into the ring. They walk towards each other to the middle of the ring, with Endo immediately firing a hand over as it crashes into the canvas. Aoki raises his arms apart while standing over his brother. Flash photography goes off from all over the place.)
Dilan Valentine: I’ve heard so many stories about this team. They may have made their presence known to SWWS at Prologue, but they have a storied history in RUSH. Want to tell us about them, Lori?
Lori Swick: These men are no stranger to conflict inside of the ring. Both men were trained specifically to be fighters from a very early age. Endo is known as one of the fastest wrestlers in Japan, with remarkable agility to match. Aoki is the stronger of the two, but can break out incredibly fast when it’s warranted. Together, they have had only one loss inside of the ring in the last year, coming at the hands of Johnny Sykes and Majima during a tournament back in June. Some say it was that loss that brought them to SWWS.
(As the music fades and lights begin to go back to normal, we get our first view of BLOOD inside of the ring. The crowd is hot for this one with most of the crowd cheering on Costa and Mason, with the rest cheering for BLOOD.)
Dilan Valentine: What have we gotten ourselves into?
(DING DING DING!!!)
RUSH Grand Tag Team Champions BLOOD vs. Donny Mason & Pio Costa
(Costa and Endo are starting this one off. Pio looks excited, hyping himself up while Endo looks to be confident with his opponent. The two immediately lock up in the center of the ring. Costa tries to find ground early to get an advantage, but Endo quickly snaps in a tight side headlock. Dropping to a knee, Endo grinds in the headlock, causing Costa to cringe. Costa grips onto the neck of Endo, stepping over the veteran to reverse into a side headlock of his own! Endo hops back to his feet, pushing Costa into the ropes. Costa returns with a shoulder block, bringing Endo down. Costa charges off into the ropes, allowing Endo to quickly drop under. Costa jumps over him, hitting the ropes again and underneath the leapfrog of Endo. One more time off the ropes, Costa tries for a shoulder block, but is met with a swift kick to the back of the leg from Endo, who sends him to a seated position. Wasting no time, Endo charges off into the ropes with great speed, returning with a basement dropkick before sliding back up to his feet. Immediately, Endo looks over at Mason before returning to work, kicking Costa lightly across the back and shoulder.)
Dilan Valentine: This is already looking rough for Pio. That and the look that he just gave Donny Mason should show that there is no fear coming from BLOOD tonight.
(Another light kick across the back of Pio brings him to a knee. Endo grabs him by the neck, lifting him to his feet. He feigns whipping Pio into his corner, but reverses it intentionally to throw Costa into the BLOOD corner, charging in with a leaping back elbow prior to the tag for Aoki. The bigger brother climbs into the ring, allowing Endo to pull the arm of Pio back. A well placed right hand catches Costa across the side of his ribcage. Aoki pulls him in, sweeping his legs forward into a snap suplex to the middle of the ring. Quickly rolling over to his knees, he measures up Costa, delivering a fast elbow drop, crashing his body weight onto the chest of Costa before thinking about a cover.
Rather than going for it, he gives Endo his back, allowing for the tag to take place. Endo climbs to the top rope, allowing Aoki to hold the face of Pio to the side with his boot. Endo takes a step along the ropes, dropping in with a knee drop to the side of Pio’s face as the referee quickly moves Aoki to exit the ring. Endo looks more confident with each step he takes, pulling on the arm of Pio to bring him up to his feet. He steps back towards Aoki, making another tag. Endo makes a run to the middle of the ring with Pio’s arm, forcing him into the ropes with an irish whip. Endo immediately steps aside, allowing Aoki to catch him in a fireman’s carry. Endo charges off into the ropes, catching Costa with a running kick to the back of his head as Aoki goes forward into a Regal Roll. Once again, Aoki ignores making the cover, pulling Costa to his feet.)
Leo Criss: Pio really needs to make a tag to Donny Mason here.
Dilan Valentine: The scary thing about these two is that they are taking their time tonight. They knew what they were getting into and wanted to make an example out of their opponents.
(Aoki tightly grips around the ribcage of Costa, tightening the hold around them. He immediately deadlifts Costa, walking over to Donny Mason in the corner. He simply stares down Mason, throwing in a hard gutwrench suplex to Costa. Mason crouches down, bringing his hand out for the tag, but Costa is in no condition to stand up. Aoki grabs the ankle of Costa, pulling him to the corner. A tag out to Endo brings the faster brother in. The two stand over Costa like a pack of wild dogs playing with their injured prey. Aoki shouts something to his brother, bringing Costa to his feet. A straight right hand hits Pio as he stumbles into Endo, who delivers a spinning back kick. Both men whip Costa into the ropes, ready to catch him upon return for a flapjack set up, but Pio pushes off of their shoulders, front flipping to his feet.)
Dilan Valentine: NICE!!! BUT HE’S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING FROM MASON!!
(Pio ducks under a hard swing from Aoki, and catches Endo with a dropkick! Pio seems to have a chance now! He swings his hand forward, taking a leap.. HERE COMES AOKI..BUT DONNY MASON IS TAGGED INTO THE RING!!!)
Lori Swick: There we go!!
(Mason climbs in, and charges in with a full head of steam to take down Aoki with a clothesline! He fires one off at Endo as well, knocking him to the canvas. Mason quickly grabs onto Endo, pulling him up and throws him into the corner. A series of hard rights and lefts at Endo from Mason is getting a huge reaction from the audience. He grabs onto Endo under his arms, throwing him across the ring..and Aoki catches him!!! Mason charges in, and DELIVERS A HUGE SHOULDERBLOCK TO BOTH MEN!!! BLOOD IS DOWN!!!)
Dilan Valentine: Look at the fire in his eyes!! Donny Mason is ready to go!!
(Mason grabs onto Aoki, pulling him up. He lifts Aoki over his shoulder for an Oklahoma Stampede. Endo steps in, and Pio Costa charges in with a hard right hand!!! He has Endo the corner, throwing in the rights and lefts like his partner did before!! Aoki puts his feet on the ropes, causing Mason to struggle to move. Aoki flips over into a modified Diamond Dust, snapping the chin of Mason down across his shoulder!!! Aoki is back on his feet, charging off into the ropes, and is quickly caught with a powerslam from Mason!!! Costa watches Mason, shouting for him to go for the cover!! Mason climbs over to make the cover on Aoki!!)
Referee: ONE!!! TWO!!!
(Aoki throws a shoulder up to the dismay of most of the fans. Endo grabs onto Costa, pulling him down into the 2nd turnbuckle by the face. Endo charges in at Mason, leaping at him...Mason catches him!! He looks around to the fans, ready to deliver the Sick Flip...BUT ENDO GIVES HIM A VICIOUS THUMB INTO THE SIDE OF THE NECK!!! A SECOND ONE WITH MORE AUTHORITY, CAUSING MASON TO DROP HIM AND FALL TO A KNEE!!! )
Lori Swick: HEY!!!!
(Mason holds his neck in agony, feeling the nerve being raw from the attack with the thumb. Aoki leaps in, DELIVERING A SUPERKICK TO THE SIDE OF MASON’S HEAD!!! PIO COSTA STORMS IN QUICKLY, TURNING AROUND ENDO.. HE SHOVES ENDO, BUT EATS A SUPERKICK FROM AOKI AS WELL!!! )
Dilan Valentine: Guys, Donny Mason appears to be really hurt..
(Costa lays outside of the ring on the apron, holding his jaw. Mason is slow to get to his feet, cringing from his attack. Aoki walks up to him, delivering a series of leg kicks until Mason is able to finally catch a leg. Endo comes in, only for Mason to swing Aoki’s caught leg over to him. Endo swings it back into the direction of Mason, allowing Aoki to catch him with a stiff enzuigiri kick to the side of the head of Donny Mason, forcing him to hit the ropes, accidentally tagging in Pio Costa!!)
Leo Criss: Costa is the legal man!!
(Both Endo and Aoki kick Donny Mason to his knees. They each grab an arm, mocking a ‘Raven’ flight with their arms before hitting two bicycle knees, one on each side of Donny Mason’s head!!! He’s out on his knees!!)
Dilan Valentine: Guys, stop this!
(Costa scrambles into the ring to stop Endo and Aoki, fighting them off with rights and lefts for a moment. He charges off into the ropes, but Aoki catches him for a pop up...and Endo FIRES A KICK UP INTO THE FACE OF COSTA!!!! DONNY MASON IS LYING ON THE MAT MOTIONLESS, HE CAN’T HELP COSTA WHO IS LIFTED UP INTO A CANADIAN BACKBREAKER FROM AOKI… ENDO CHARGES OFF INTO THE ROPES, AND SWIFTLY RETURNS AS AOKI THROWS HIM DOWN TOWARDS THE CANVAS FACE FIRST, ONLY TO BE MET WITH THE SLIDING KNEE TO THE FACE OF COSTA BEFORE HE CAN HIT THE CANVAS!!! THEY CALL THAT MOVE ‘OF LITTLE DEATH’!!! ENDO IS TAKING HIS TIME MAKING THE COVER, LOOKING OUT AT THE CROWD WHILE AOKI STARES MASON DOWN, CROUCHING OVER HIS BROTHER..)
Referee: ONE!! TWO!!! THREE!!!
(DING DING DING!!!)
(‘Fall of Titans’ begins to play again as Marionette watches the carnage in the ring.)
Marionette: ここにあなたの勝者があります.遠藤。。。青木。。。ブルーウー!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Endo and Aoki stand over their opposition, watching with confidence in their eyes. The two slowly make their exit from the ring, glaring over at the executives. Trainers immediately run past BLOOD to get into the ring and check on Donny Mason, who still appears to be unconscious. Pio reaches faintly over to Mason, trying to will him on.)
Dilan Valentine: Guys, we’re not sure on how to even respond to that. Everyone wanted BLOOD in this ring so badly, we didn’t know what the cost would be.. I think we just found out.
(BLOOD stands at the top of the stage, raising their RUSH Grand Tag Team Championships briefly before bowing. They make their exit, but some loud noises are coming from the back!!)
Leo Criss: What was that??
(The camera cuts to the back, as BLOOD is shown standing in front of several officials. On the other side is a rabid Matthew Knox!! Security officials, Mitchell Ryan, Raul Ramirez, The Hot Fungers, and others are trying to keep the two sides separated. Even Lexi Gold and the Crimson Bouquet are trying to help out, but are kept back by everyone.)
Matthew Knox: Enough of this shit!! I’m right here!!
(Without even a response to Knox, Endo and Aoki look at everyone with a smile before walking past them. Knox tries going after them, but is bearhugged by Ryan.)
Raul Ramirez: Keep him back guys, come on. Knox, you’ll get ‘em soon enough. We got this, we got this.
(Undeterred, Knox continues fighting to get by, to no avail as the shot fades out as we head back to ringside.)
Dilan Valentine: I know a lot is going on right now, but let’s try and continue here. We do have a special interview by satellite. Let’s see if we can get this rolling.
(Dilan removes his headset, grabbing the live microphone as a video appears on the screen. Ramesses and Kimberly Chase show up on the video, live from their cruise.)
Dilan Valentine: Ramesses, Kimberly. You just saw what happened..
Kimberly Chase: No, we didn’t. We’re not going to watch this.
Dilan Valentine: Donny Mason and Pio Costa just suffered a tough def..
Kimberly Chase: We don’t care.
Dilan Valentine: Excuse me?
Ramesses: She said we don’t care. Why would we? Last time I checked, you had a bunch of people in masks running around attacking people. You had all of this time where people were bitching and moaning about said masked men. Not one word about me. Not one word about Kimberly. That seems to be a trend around here.
Dilan Valentine: We were meaning to ask you about your recent departure from an..
Ramesses: Don’t. See, you can’t say I departed from a company that I was never really part of. I was never one of them. They wanted it, they needed it. They needed a guy like me, but not for the reasons that smart people would want me for. Not to drive ticket sales, not to sell merch, but to make inferior talent look like they were unstoppable. It wasn’t a departure, it was us saying ‘NO MORE’. Why waste our time? Our time is pretty valuable around here, and especially if you have a locker room full of angsty children who want to beat up an old guy, endorse a man who wants to punch a pregnant woman, and even take shots at a ring announcer who isn’t even with our company. This is what you want me to come back to? Kimberly, what the hell is this?
Kimberly Chase: I think what we have here are man-children parading around as warriors, when none of them would know what it’s like to fight like our lives depend on it. It’s all bickering, it’s all so childish. Why come back to that kind of drama?
Dilan Valentine: Just so you two know, you’re scheduled to be in the Legacy Gauntlet coming up. How do you feel you’ll do there?
Kimberly Chase: Dilan, if you need to ask, you don’t deserve an answer.
Ramesses: I’ll give one. Twenty nine other people in there, and you expect me to sweat the competition? Everyone is going for the same thing, and it’s not for the Gauntlet. It’s not for the Championship, it’s so they heal their wounded pride since they keep getting embarrassed by those guys. I’ll be seeing all of them, seeing as I’m entering #1, you can rest assured I will be there at the end. Unless you boys plan on actually giving me some competition, I’ll be running you boys out of town, one by one until I’m the SWWS Blitzkrieg World Champion. Not hard to decide on that strategy, that’s the name of the game. No silly gimmicks here, I ain’t wearing bedazzled shit to make people laugh. I’m going to go out there and systematically embarrass every single one of you.
Kimberly Chase: That’s so inspiring. I hope there will be enough people in the ring by the time I get there. I will be clinching the win by any means, entering at #30 as I was told this morning via text.
Dilan Valentine: Wait, what? Kimberly, I sent you that text. I never said you were number thirty, I said you’ll be the first of thirty people. You have twenty nine opponents, and you’re the #1 entrant as well!
Kimberly Chase: Oh ha ha. You’re funny.
(Kimberly looks down at her phone, still half chuckling. The smile fades away very fast.)
Kimberly Chase: WHAT?
Dilan Valentine: Yeah, you and Ramesses both will be entering #1. Crazy how that turned out!
Kimberly Chase: THIS ISN'T FAIR!!! NOBODY WINS FROM #1!!!!
(Ramesses looks away, a bit discouraged by that comment.)
Dilan Valentine: Oh, would you look at that, we’re running out of time! Have a nice cruise guys!! See you soon!!!
Kimberly Chase: BUT WAIT… I THOUGHT YOU TE..
(The feed cuts out, leaving the announcers to talk about more of the event.)
Dilan Valentine: We have received word that Donny Mason is being checked over by doctors here at the Studio. Preliminary reports are saying that he got damaged by some very direct thumb shots to the side of the neck from Endo of BLOOD during the tag team match. We don’t know the severity, and will hopefully have an answer for you soon.
Leo Criss: That was intense, but will it be as intense as this next match?
Dilan Valentine: That’s right, coming up next is another Kazoka Showcase that so many people have been talking about. Ramon Vidal won a six man scramble two weeks ago to get the opportunity to face the RUSH Grand Champion, Amida Kumagai. It’s been all over social media and even the newspapers in Japan about Kumagai making his long awaited return to the United States for this contest.
Lori Swick: Sources close to Kumagai have said that he isn’t sure how the fans are going to react to him, but in the end, it wouldn’t matter as long as his hand was raised. I think Vidal is in trouble tonight. Either way, let’s take it to the lovely Marionette for this one.
(Marionette stands inside of the ring with a pleasant smile on her face. She looks at everyone for a moment until it’s time to go.)
Marionette: 次のコンテストは、ブリッツクリーグで開催されるカゾカ・ショーケースの第2戦です。1回の秋に予定され、30分の制限時間が設定されています。最初に紹介すると、彼は「SWWSの太陽のクモ」、ラモウーンVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDALです!!!!
(‘Risen’ hits the speakers to a huge ovation from the audience. Emerging from the curtain is Ramon Vidal. Known as the Sun Spider, Vidal fires up the crowd, hoping to have better luck than Donny Mason and Pio Costa had earlier on. He makes his way down the ramp, tagging the hands of various fans before leaping up onto the ring apron. Springboarding into the ring, he immediately slides to his knees in the middle of the ring, as golden lights fall on him. He quickly rises up and removes his coat before handing it out.)
Dilan Valentine: So many people are quick to discount Ramon Vidal tonight. He was a wild card in the Scramble match two weeks ago, but managed to use his intelligence and agility to levels that we’re not used to seeing from him. He wants the victory, and a win over Kumagai might actually put him on the biggest platform that a wrestler in 2021 can be at this junction.
Lori Swick: He’s a phenomenal wrestler. A three year pro out of Puerto Rico, Vidal has all the makings of a being a tremendous star in the business, but this match is going to be his biggest test.
(Vidal’s music fades out. He looks down at the mat, taking in deep breaths as he attempts to focus on the task at hand.)
Marionette: 私は彼の対戦相手を歓迎します。長崎から戦う。260ポンドで、彼は6年間負けていない。彼の対戦相手はまだ彼を2カウントのために抑えていない、そして今夜、彼はRUSHグランドチャンピオンとしてこの試合に入ります。彼はカゾカ事務所の人間の岩であり、無敵です.アミダ・クウマガイ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(The rumbling through the crowd isn’t from any music being played, but the involuntary steps that the fans are taking while seated. On the video wall, a door is shown swinging open as several Kazoka executives are exiting the room, finally the Grand Champion makes his exit as well. They are taking the long walk down the hallway with determination in their eyes. Through the black sunglasses of the Champion, he looks down at his flowing black trenchcoat. The crowd has erupted here at Goliath Studios!
Dark violin music begins to play as Amida Kumagai steps into the gorilla position, surrounded by several wrestlers from both Blitzkrieg and Paradigm who are just there to see him. Even some free agents are in attendance as well for the Human Boulder, who simply walks by everybody. The music grows darker before kicking into ‘The Forgotten Ballad’ hits the speakers. The somber, strong instrumentals bring out the Champion to a huge ovation from the audience. He takes his time heading out to the ring, no expression on his face. He has his eyes locked on Vidal the entire walk, even as he walks up the steps to the ring apron. Vidal paces back and forth, watching Kumagai while he stands on the ring apron, prior to entering the ring. Only moving into his corner, he continues staring at Vidal through his sunglasses.)
Dilan Valentine: We have ourselves a locker room sellout for this one!
Leo Criss: Oh boy..
(Kumagai removes his coat and sunglasses, handing them out to the ring attendant. Still no expression while he removes the RUSH Grand Championship from around his waist, handing that out as well. Ramon’s eyes are locked on the Champion, even sneaking a glance at the title as well. The referee is watching both of them, hearing the music fade out to a string of various chants.)
Half the fans: Let’s go Vidal!!
Other half of the fans: KUMAGAI!!
(The referee looks at both again, before calling for the bell as the crowd erupts in cheers.)
(DING DING DING!!!)
RUSH Grand Champion Amida Kumagai vs. Ramon Vidal
Dilan Valentine: And here we go!!
(VIDAL COMES SCREAMING ACROSS THE RING, DELIVERING A DROPKICK TO THE HEAD OF AMIDA KUMAGAI!!! HE STOMPS AWAY AT THE GRAND CHAMPION, TRYING TO PULL HIM UP QUICKLY. HE STRUGGLES, BUT KUMAGAI ENDS UP GOING WITH HIM!!! VIDAL TRIES IRISH WHIPPING HIM INTO THE ROPES, BUT KUMAGAI REMAINS STILL. A RIGHT HAND FROM VIDAL, AND HE TRIES AGAIN!!!)
Leo Criss: At first, I thought Vidal had him!! Now, I’m not so sure.
(Kumagai throws him viciously into the ropes, but Vidal lands in the spider position in the ropes, challenging Kumagai to come at him. The Human Boulder refuses to move, frustrating Vidal.)
Ramon Vidal (off-mic): Come on, Mother Fucker!!!
(Not the brightest idea, Vidal continues to egg on Kumagai who casually walks over. Vidal swings his legs over for his signature kick, but Kumgai promptly swats him away, knocking Vidal to the canvas. A stiff kick to the shoulder of Vidal knocks him towards the middle of the ring. Another kick grounds the Spider. Kumagai raises his boot high, and slams his full weight down, missing Vidal by mere inches thanks to the Spider’s reflexes! Vidal crawls away, shocked at what Kumagai was willing to do. Vidal jumps up to the second rope, diving off with a dropkick at the Grand Champion. It connects, knocking Kumagai back slightly. Vidal is back up, throwing in kicks of his own. They don’t carry the same sting as the Champion’s kicks, but they are throwing him off his game. He throws a punch at the Champion, but it’s quickly blocked. Kumagai grabs the head of Vidal, wrenching on him viciously before delivering swinging his entire body into a headbutt against Vidal!!! Down goes the Spider as the crowd erupts, mostly in cheers!)
Lori Swick: I think we should be a little surprised by the reaction of the fans, but they are really behind Kumagai right now.
(Vidal is trying to get up, but Kumagai seems to be toying with him. As soon as Vidal stands up, Kumagai quickly applies a neck crank.. He locks his hands tightly, throwing Vidal up and over into a Neck Crank Suplex to the middle of the ring!! Vidal is holding his neck in agony, allowing Kumagai to climb over into a cover.)
Referee: ONE!! TWO!!
(Vidal makes the kick out, trying to sit up. Kumagai kneels up, looking down at Vidal as he applies a claw hold!! Vidal feels his face beginning to tense up from the nerve points being struck. He tries getting to his feet, grabbing the hand with all he has while throwing in kicks to the chest and side of the Champion. Vidal swings his legs up, AND APPLIES A TRIANGLE CHOKE ON KUMAGAI!!!!)
Dilan Valentine: HERE WE GO!!! COME ON RAMON!!!
(Vidal tries keeping his shoulders off the mat while wrenching the hold in. Kumagai releases the claw hold, standing himself up. He reaches behind the neck and waist of Vidal, lifting him off the mat. Vidal is wrenching on the hold with all he has, but he is right on the shoulders of Kumagai. The Grand Champion lets go of his waist..AND DELIVERS A SICKENING ONE HANDED POWERBOMB!!! RAMON VIDAL IS OUT COLD!!!!)
Lori Swick: He’s out!! Stop this match!!!
(Kumagai, following his traditions, slowly picks up the unconscious body of Ramon Vidal. He lifts the Sun Spider up into a fireman’s carry. The crowd is roaring with excitement, but BLOW UP AS KUMAGAI LOCKS HIS HANDS. HE DROPS HIMSELF SIDEWAYS INTO A VICIOUS DEATH VALLEY DRIVER THAT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS THE FALL FROM THE PEAK. RAMON CRASHES TO THE MAT UNDER THE BODY WEIGHT OF KUMAGAI, ALLOWING THE GRAND CHAMPION TO MAKE THE COVER.)
Referee: ONE!!! TWO!!! THREE!!!
(DING DING DING!!!)
(‘The Forgotten Ballad’ hits the speakers once again as Amida Kumagai kneels himself up, resting a hand on the chest of Ramon Vidal.)
Marionette: ここにあなたの勝者があります。無敵.人間の巨石.アミダ・クマアガイ!!!!
(Kumagai stands himself up, looking down at the fallen Sun Spider as the referee raises his hand. The Grand Champion is handed his belt, and proceeds to put it on in the middle of the ring. After a series of bows to the audience, Kumagai makes his way to the ropes, exiting the ring to the outside. Kazoka Executives run up to Kumagai, leading him up the ramp to the top of the stage. Ramon Vidal leans his head on the bottom rope, watching the entourage on the top of the stage. Disheartened, all he can do is watch them.)
Dilan Valentine: I love Ramon Vidal, I really do. He was not ready for what this man could do.
Leo Criss: Absolutely not. I feel so much for the guy, but there was not a chance for him.
(Kumagai looks back at the ring, specifically at Vidal prior to exiting to the backstage area as the shot fades out.)
(We’re backstage now with Pazia Mantzios, standing with Johnny Sykes.)
Pazia Mantzios: Johnny, hello.
Johnny Sykes: Pazia, hello.
Pazia Mantzios: After over a month of frustration following Prologue, you recently had an exchange with Matthew Knox that has led to our main event tonight. You’ll be inside of a cage. How do you feel about that?
Johnny Sykes: I think if anyone was going into this with expectations of a clean fight, they were destined to be disappointed. Matthew Knox just doesn’t get it, it seems. He doesn’t know me as a person, he certainly doesn’t know me as a wrestler. Unlike him, I’m not exactly known for doing my talking on twitter, that’s for cowards. I say my peace, move on, and get into that ring to show the world what I can do. Unfortunately for him, that mouth of his has led him to tonight. Inside of a steel cage in front of the entire world.
Pazia Mantzios: He has won titles in so many companies. I don’t recall you having any.
Johnny Sykes: Titles are parking spaces, as a great man once said. I haven’t been around so many blocks where I would be in title matches every month in twenty other companies. I stick to one, and I stick to the one that’s going to bring me real competition. Now, that brings me to tonight inside of the cage where the entire idea is for others to be kept out. That’s fine. We can keep them out, but you made one mistake when asking for this. Not only are they going to be kept out, but you are going to be kept in. Let’s see what happens when a Raven gets caged, and is met with a wolverine who hasn’t eaten in a week. Can’t hide behind twitter for this one, old man.
(Without any follow up, Johnny Sykes walks away, leaving a confused Pazia.)
Pazia Mantzios: Wait, is he done? Oh. Back to you Dilan! Hi Lori!
(Back to ringside, where the announcers are cracking up.)
Lori Swick: Hi Pazia!! You’re lovely!
Dilan Valentine: Well, I think the talking is about done. We’re getting ready to head into tonight’s main event where we are seeing this huge cage come down. Now, when they spoke about the match initially, I never heard anything about them putting a top on the cage. It appears they have done so, possibly to eliminate any possible threat from intrusion. What do you think Leo?
Leo Criss: I think this is going to be a bad night for both of these men. They want at each other’s throats so badly, no way are they leaving this unscathed.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Dilan Valentine: Let’s take it to our ring announcer for tonight’s Main Event!
Ring Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is your main event of the evening. It is a steel cage match, where the only way to win are by pinfall, submission, or knockout.
(‘Guile’s Theme’ hits the speakers to a pretty good reaction from the audience. Stepping through the curtain is Johnny Sykes, fired up for the contest. From behind the curtain a drunk voice is heard shouting “COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBRA” Sykes maintains a straight face, lowering his head slightly. After a few short moments, he throws a fist out and shouts to the crowd…)
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, fighting out of Tacoma, Washington. Weighing in at 235lbs. HE IS JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHNNNNNNNNNNNNNY SSSSSSSYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!
(Sykes makes his way down to the ring, coming to a stop at the bottom of the ramp to remove his dog tag. He looks over at a fan, nodding to them while he puts the chain around their neck. He backs up for a moment, giving the fan’s family a salute before walking up the steps to the opened cage door. He removes his shirt, throwing it out prior to getting into the ring. He looks around through the fence, then up at the top of the cage.)
Dilan Valentine: So much pride in this young man. He’s one of the toughest kids we ever met, and has been embroiled in an investigation into corruption in the Kazoka Office. Oddly enough, this drew ire from The Raven, who is ready to come out and give a fight to the US Marine.
Leo Criss: These two are alpha males. Knox has a reputation of always wanting a fight, Sykes has a reputation of picking his fights carefully. For this to happen, a lot must have been taking place.
(Sykes hears his theme fade out, watching the stage intently. The fans grow louder with anticipation, leading to the arena lights all shutting off around Sykes. Suddenly, a murder of crows are heard through the speakers, giving out their battle cry as it leads into ‘Hell Broke Loose’ to a huge ovation from the audience. A filtered white strobe light replaces the darkness around the arena as Matthew Knox stands on the top of the stage, facing the curtain with his arms spread out.)
Ring Announcer: And his opponent, fighting out of Baltimore, Maryland. Weighing in at 244lbs… HE IS THEEEEEEEE RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVEN…. MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTHEEEEEEEEEW KNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXX!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Knox slowly makes his way down to the ring, watching Sykes through the cage. He stops at the bottom of the ramp, looking back at the stage, then at Mr. Morgan at ringside. He nods as he climbs up the steps to the opened door, climbing into the cage with Sykes and the referee. He appears to be cold and calculated on the outside, but there has to be some fire burning inside.)
Dilan Valentine: Last time these two met, it was Knox who nearly had the match won against Sykes. This time, it feels like Knox has even more to prove.
Lori Swick: Last time was about pride inside of the ring, this time it feels like complete hatred for one another. This is the match Matthew Knox demanded, and a match that Mr. Morgan had to accept without any distractions. Both men passed their physicals, both men seem to be ready to go. This is going to be vicious.
(The door closes, locking up as now all three men are inside of the cage together. Knox and Sykes are staring holes through each other.)
Dilan Valentine: I think it’s time, the referee is signaling for it.
(DING DING DING!!!)
Main Event - Steel Cage Match
“The Raven” Matthew Knox vs. Johnny Sykes
(Matthew Knox and Johnny Sykes are still staring at each other. No poses, just two men wanting to fight. They approach one another.)
Johnny Sykes (off-mic): So, this is what it has come down to? You don’t get it.
Matthew Knox (off-mic): All you had to do was mind your own business, Sykes. Nobody wanted you to interrupt everything, and now you get to suffer for it.
Johnny Sykes (off-mic): I think we both are. (Looking at the top of the cage) Good choice.
(As Sykes looks down, he’s met with a right hand from Matthew Knox!! Knox pounces on the Marine with a series of right hands!!!)
Matthew Knox (off-mic): WHERE’S NAOKO!!!?
(Sykes swings his legs up into a body scissors, whipping Knox to the canvas. He drives his forearm across the throat of Knox. He tries momentarily to choke out Knox with his forearm, but pulls back, driving it across his jaw before getting up. Sykes adjusts his jaw momentarily, allowing him time to kick Knox across the ribs.)
Johnny Sykes (off-mic): Outside of this cage, like everyone else. Do you want to fight, or talk? Maybe you forgot your phone?
(Knox is back to his feet, swinging wildly at Sykes, who defends himself in a boxing stance. A quick jab from Sykes sends Knox back. He goes for a quick single leg on The Raven, but is pulled into the corner. A series of hard knee lifts come from Knox, followed by a choke in the corner.)
Matthew Knox (off-mic): Shut up and fight!!
(Sykes swings his arm over, quickly back elbowing Knox across the neck. He sends Knox back with a second elbow, but is caught quickly...thrown over with a Capture Suplex!! Knox rolls over, refusing to cover as he grabs the top of Sykes’ head, threatening to punch him.
Matthew Knox (off-mic): I’ll give you one last chance.
(Knox brings his fist back, but Sykes grabs around the planted hand of Knox, swinging out from under him into a Fujiwara Armbar. He locks his legs around the arm and grabs onto the neck of Knox to apply a crossface. Knox scrambles, but is stuck to the mat for the moment. As the neck is wrenched back, Knox reaches for the ropes before realizing it wouldn’t stop the hold. Instead, Knox fights through the pain and catches Sykes with a thumb to the eye. Sykes releases the hold, blinking a few times to try and soothe the pain in his eye.)
Dilan Valentine: This is definitely not a wrestling match.
(Knox pulls himself together and gets to his feet, driving in a kick across the side of the head of Johnny Sykes. The Marine goes down, allowing Knox to continue stomping on him. The referee steps in to ask about the eye poke, but Knox shoves him away before trying to stomp at Sykes again. This time, Sykes catches his leg, rolling backwards into a modified kneebar!!!)
Lori Swick: OH MY GOSH!!! HIS KNEE IS ON THE VERGE OF BEING HYPEREXTENDED!!!
(Knox scrambles in the hold, bringing his free leg up, slamming it down onto the shoulder of Sykes! He follows in with a second kick, this time hitting the neck of the Marine! Knox finally gets out of the hold, and immediately drives in Muay Thai knees across the side of Sykes. Despite the pain, Sykes does all he can to keep the knees of Knox as close to his side as he can to stop the distance. Knox tries pulling himself free, eventually getting there. Before Knox can take advantage though, Sykes has Knox down in the side mount, throwing in a stiff knee of his own. Aiming directly for the kidneys, Sykes hangs onto him to keep him from moving.)
Dilan Valentine: This is getting ugly.
Johnny Sykes (off-mic): All you gotta do is listen to me Matt, we’re on the same fucking side!!
(Knox catches Sykes with a back elbow to the side of his head, following up with more of them!! KNOX IS ON TOP OF JOHNNY SYKES, THROWING IN HEAVY ELBOWS ANYWHERE HE CAN LAND THEM!!! THE REFEREE IS TRYING TO STOP THIS THING, BUT KNOX WON’T LET UP!!)
Dilan Valentine: Knox looks like he has Sykes beat, but those elbows are going all over the place!! He is being driven by emotion!!
(KNOX STOPS FOR A MOMENT TO SCREAM AT THE REFEREE, ALLOWING SYKES TO GIVE HIM A RIGHT CROSS TO THE FACE!! KNOX FALLS BACKWARDS TO THE CANVAS!!!)
Leo Criss: Did a tooth just fly out?
Lori Swick: It looked like saliva.
(Sykes backs himself up into the ropes, feeling the effects of the wild elbows coming from The Raven. Knox is back up, and charging at Sykes. He tries for a kick, but misses the mark. Sykes is back on his feet, pushing into Knox and delivers a series of body shots to the ribs and side. Knox fires back with a punch to the back of the head, leading to a double leg takedown from Sykes. Knox manages to promptly swivel his legs around, applying the gogoplata on Sykes!!! SYKES IS GASPING FOR AIR, TRYING TO REACH OUT. HE GETS TO HIS FEET AS FAST AS HE CAN..AND STARTS STOMPING AT THE HEAD OF MATTHEW KNOX!!! THOSE VICIOUS STOMPS ARE TARGETING THE HEAD AND NOTHING ELSE!!! THE GOGOPLATA IS RELEASED, ALLOWING SYKES TO HOOK ONTO THE ARM AND SWITCHES OVER INTO A CROSS-ARM BREAKER!!!! KNOX LOOKS TO BE DAZED, REACHING OUT!!!
Leo Criss: I think this could be it!!!
(KNOX SWIVELS HIMSELF BACK TO ESCAPE THE HOLD, BUT SYKES ROLLS IT THROUGH INTO A KNEELING VERSION OF THE ARMBAR!!! HE UNDERHOOKS THE FOREARM OF KNOX, GOING INTO FULL HYPEREXTENSION ON THE SHOULDER!!!! KNOX IS FIGHTING IT!!!!)
Dilan Valentine: LOOK AT HOW HIS ELBOW IS BEING PUSHED IN!!!
(KNOX IS ON THE VERGE OF REACHING OUT TO TRY AND FIGHT, BUT HE’S LOSING FIGHT…)
Lori Swick: WAIT A MINUTE!!!! LOOK IN THE CROWD!!!
(MASKED WRESTLERS ARE COMING THROUGH THE CROWD!!! THEY HAVE JUMPED THE RAIL AND ARE SURROUNDING THE CAGE!!!)
Dilan Valentine: What in the Hell, these men are huge!!
(SYKES, UNAWARE BY THE MEN OUTSIDE OF THE CAGE, WRENCHES BACK AS TIGHT AS HE CAN...THE REFEREE SWINGS A CHAIN AROUND THE NECK OF JOHNNY SYKES!!!! SYKES DROPS BACK FROM THE SURPRISE. KNOX’S ARM IS PULLED THROUGH THE, AND IS BEING HANDCUFFED TO THE CAGE BY ONE OF THE MASKED MEN. SYKES MANAGES TO FREE HIMSELF FROM THE REFEREE, PUNCHING AWAY AT HIM. HE STUMBLES TO HIS FEET, SEEING THE MEN SURROUNDING THE CAGE. IMMEDIATELY, SYKES CHARGES OVER TO KNOX, TRYING TO HELP HIM UP.)
Johnny Sykes (off-mic): DAMN IT KNOX.. COME ON!!
(IN THE CORNER OF THE RING, A BLADE COMES THROUGH THE CANVAS, OPENING IT UP. ONE OF THE MASKED MEN COMES THROUGH THE CANVAS, CATCHING THE ATTENTION OF SYKES!!)
Dilan Valentine: GET EVERYONE OUT HERE!!!
(MORE OF THE MASKED MEN CLIMB INTO THE CAGE. SYKES GRABS ONTO KNOX AND TRIES TO PULL THE CHAIN OF THE HANDCUFFS LOOSE, BUT IS ATTACKED BY ONE OF THE MASKED MEN!! BOTH KNOX AND SYKES ARE BEING ATTACKED BY ALL THE MASKED MEN!!!)
Leo Criss: RAISE THE CAGE SO SECURITY CAN GET IN THERE!!!
Dilan Valentine: NO!! KNOX IS HANDCUFFED TO THE CAGE!!
(WRESTLERS FROM BOTH BRANDS ARE RUNNING OUT TO THE RING. MANY OF THEM ARE CLIMBING UNDER THE RING TO TRY AND GET THROUGH THE CANVAS, BUT ARE BEING MET WITH STOMPS FROM THE MASKED MEN!!! ONE OF THE TECH’S IS RUNNING OUT WITH A PAIR OF BOLT CUTTERS. HE GOES TO WORK ON THE LOCK TO THE DOOR, BUT IS KNOCKED OUT OF THE WAY BY ANDREJ JANKOVIC!!! JANKOVIC GRABS ONTO THE LOCK, PULLING IT WITH ALL HE HAS UNTIL IT SNAPS APART!!)
Dilan Valentine: JANKOVIC!!!
(ONE OF THE MASKED MEN PULLS UP SYKES, LOOKING AT THE WRESTLERS SURROUNDING THE CAGE. HE QUICKLY SNAPS UP SYKES, AND DELIVERS A HARD BACKDROP DRIVER TO THE WOUNDED MARINE!! THE DOOR HAS SWUNG OPEN AND THE ROSTER HAS HIT THE RING!!!! THEODOR PAVEL AND NIKOS MANTZIOS IMMEDIATELY SLIDE IN FRONT OF KNOX TO PROTECT HIM WHILE GUTHRIE GRAUPE TAKES THE BOLT CUTTERS TO THE HANDCUFFS, EVENTUALLY SNAPPING THE CHAIN. JANKOVIC, MITCHELL RYAN, ANDRE BOONE, ISAIAH ANDREWS, AND EVEN BANCH MORGAN HAVE ENTERED THE CAGE AND A PIER SIX BRAWL ENSUES!!!)
Dilan Valentine: THERE WE GO!!!
(IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG FOR THE WRESTLERS TO OVERTAKE THE MASKED MEN, GROUNDING THEM WITH A SERIES OF PUNCHES AND KICKS. ONE IN PARTICULAR, THE MAN WHO HIT SYKES WITH THE BACKDROP DRIVER, MANAGES TO EXIT THE CAGE WITH A SPRINT UP THE RAMP!!!)
Lori Swick: Oh..no..
(NICHOLAS GABRIEL ARRIVES ON THE STAGE. HE LOOKS AT THE MASKED MAN WITH A SMILE, REMOVING THE MASK FOR THE WORLD TO SEE.)
Dilan Valentine: Wait, what?? He’s one of ours!!
(FUMIHIKO THROWS THE MASK DOWN, LOOKING AT NICHOLAS GABRIEL.)
Nicholas Gabriel (off-mic): Trust me, there are more of you to come.
(WITH ALL THE WRESTLERS IN THE RING, MOST OF THE ROSTER IS STUNNED BY THE SUDDEN DEFECTION FROM FUMIHIKO. THE SIGNATURE TO END THE SHOW ROLLS OUT, WITH MORGAN CHECKING ON KNOX AND SYKES, BEYOND ANGRY WHILE GABRIEL AND FUMIHIKO SHAKE HANDS FOR A JOB WELL DONE TO CLOSE OUT THE SHOW.)
Ring Announcer: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THE FOLLOWING IS A MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL. FIGHTING OUT OF SEPARATE ROOMS AT THE HOTEL SHERIDAN, WEIGHING IN AT 85LBS WITH WEIGHTS ON THEIR BOOTS.. THE TEAM OF DEREK TRIGG AND KAMILE SOKOVIC!!!
(Camera cuts to the back, showing that it’s Isaiah Andrews on the mic. He looks over at Andre Boone, who doesn’t bother holding in the laughter. Back to the ring, Kamile enters the ring first, followed by Trigg. This is the first look at the young lady out of Estonia, unfortunately for her she has to deal with Trigg along the way.)
Isaiah Andrews: Wow, look at them! Andre, she’s impressive. Who booked this shit?
Andre Boone: I’m guessing Morgan, but I figured he’d learn not to book Mr. Stranger in the Bathtub after the ass kicking he got last time around.
(The two try talking strategy, but Kamile mostly ignores Trigg. The music begins to fade out, leading into the next team. “The Unspoken Mass” hits the speakers to hopefully a better reaction as Noach Van Norden steps out onto the stage. Following him out is Cerys Davies. The two look at each other, making their way to the ring.)
Isaiah Andrews: AND THEIR OPPONENTS.. FIGHTING THEIR WAY OUT OF YOUR LOCAL IKEA, WEIGHING IN AT 300LBS OF TWISTED STEEL AND WELSCH APPEAL.. THE TEAM OF NOACH VAN NORDEN AND CERYS DAVIES!!!
(Confused by the ring introduction, the two walk up the steps to the apron prior to getting into the ring. Van Norden watches Derek Trigg, who leans in the corner with a smile on his face, while Davies looks intimidated by Sokovic.)
Andre Boone: You just had to bring it up.
Isaiah Andrews: You texted me, saying that you were there this morning.
Andre Boone: The girls wanted to know what the big building was. How can you say no when Mei is singing THAT song loudly?
Isaiah Andrews: Come on, just say no!
(It appears that Derek Trigg and Noach Van Norden are kicking this one off. Trigg, apprehensive about the opponent, looks over at Sokovic in hopes that she’ll start instead.)
(DING DING DING!!!)
Gateway Showcase Match - Pre Show
Derek Trigg & Kamile Sokovic vs. Noach Van Norden & Cerys Davies
(Trigg circles the ring, trying to read Van Norden, but the man out of Amsterdam has no interest in the mind games. The two quickly lock up in the center of the ring, allowing Van Norden to power him backwards to the canvas. Trigg looks up upon hearing the reaction from the audience, immediately rising to his feet.)
Derek Trigg (off-mic): SHUT UP!!!
(The two begin to circle again, this time locking up with more intensity. Van Norden again overpowers Trigg, but the savvy rookie pulls him by the neck into the corner, putting his leg through the ropes as the referee begins to count the break. Van Norden struggles for a moment, but is able to once the referee physically interjects between the two of them. This allows Trigg to throw in a cheapshot into the head of Van Norden, forcing him to step back. Trigg, excited by his success, charges in at Van Norden, only to take a hip toss to the middle of the ring. Trigg is quick to his feet, charging in with a right, but Van Norden ducks under, catching him with a back kick to the chest, immediately following up with a snapmare to the canvas. Van Norden teases kicking him across the back, but changes his mind with a hard open hand smack between the shoulder blades. A high pitched scream comes from Trigg as he immediately crawls on his knees to his corner to Kamile.)
Isaiah Andrews: Oh damn! Andre..You still with us?
Andre Boone (Laughing off-mic): Shit, sorry.
(The laughter grows more intense)
Isaiah Andrews: I think we just lost my partner. He has gotten up from the table.
(Kamile Sokovic tags herself in. Cerys Davies tags herself in as well. The two circle the ring, giving a little respect to each other before teasing the lock up. Kamile, with her height advantage, brings a hand up in an attempt of a test of strength. Cerys obliges, locking hands with the Estonian fighter. They lock the second hands, and immediately try to overpower one another. Kamile immediately tries to overpower Cerys, but the Welsh wrestler has different thoughts, pushing all of her weight into Sokovic. The two continue to gain ground on each other, eventually leading to a knee lift from Davies. A hard forearm from her sends Sokovic back a few steps, leading to a delayed body slam from Davies.)
Isaiah Andrews: She got some power to her!
(Davies takes advantage of the situation by sitting Kamile up, driving a knee into the back followed by another. Kamile arches back in pain, allowing Davies to bring her back to the mat, and following up with an elbow drop to the chest. She looks for the cover, but Kamile is quick to kick out before the count could even begin.)
Derek Trigg (off-mic): Get up!! What’s wrong with you??
(Kamile sits herself up, holding her back until Davies pulls her back up. She twists the arm of Sokovic, backing into the corner to tag out to Van Norden. Van Norden climbs into the ring, throwing an elbow strike across the arm of Kamile, knocking her back to the canvas. The referee quickly stops Van Norden.)
Isaiah Andrews: In case they forgot, I’m hearing that the men must fight the men, and women must fight the women in these Showcase matches. It looks like Trigg needs to get into the ring.
(The referee storms over to Derek Trigg, demanding that he get into the ring. After the whining spells are complete, Trigg climbs into the ring and immediately goes after Sokovic!! He stands over her, shouting at her for getting beaten down so much. Van Norden stalks behind Trigg, watching as Sokovic is slowly getting up. Trigg continues brow beating his tag team partner for making him look back...SOKOVIC JUST CLOCKED DEREK TRIGG WITH A HARD RIGHT HAND TO THE FACE!!! TRIGG TURNS TOWARDS VAN NORDEN, WHO THROWS HIM UP INTO A MILITARY PRESS, DROPPING HIM INTO A FRONT POWERSLAM!!! SOKOVIC SMILES AS SHE EXITS THE RING, PRETENDING TO REACH OUT FOR THE TAG TO TRIGG. VAN NORDEN DROPS DOWN INTO A COMFORTABLE PIN ON TRIGG..)
Referee: ONE!!! TWO!!! THREE!!!
(DING DING DING!!!)
(‘The Unspoken Mass’ hits again as Cerys Davies climbs into the ring to celebrate with Van Norden. Out of respect for his teammate, Van Norden walks over to the ropes, holding them open for her. She exits, as the two stand on the apron to watch Kamile get back into the ring. Trigg slowly gets to his knees, begging Kamile not to strike him.)
Andre Boone: What’d I miss?
Isaiah Andrews: The entire match?
Andre Boone: Oh! Shit, sorry.
(Loud chants of ‘Kamile’ burn through the audience as she looks around. She kneels down by Trigg to meet him at eye level, grabbing him roughly by the chin.)
Kamile Sokovic (off-mic): You and me..One on one.
(Pie facing her former teammate to the canvas, Kamile gets back up. She notices Cerys and Van Norden holding the ropes for her, allowing her to make a prompt exit from the ring. The three jump down from the apron as they make their way up the ramp. Derek Trigg is stuck by his lonesome, holding his cheek in anger while shouting nonsense at the three.)
Isaiah Andrews: Oh..fuck I forgot. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE ARE YOUR WINNERS..THE TEAM OF NOACH VAN NORDEN AND CERYS DAVIES!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND DEREK TRIGG IS A BITCH!!!
(The crowd laughs at the last part of the result, leaving Trigg to kneel up to shout at the fans to be quiet. He storms to his feet.)
Derek Trigg (off-mic): I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!!!
(Loud biohazard sirens begin to go off as the lights flicker in and out for the countdown. Trigg throws a fit in the middle of the ring as the countdown begins..
“10!”
“9!”
“8!”
“7!”
“6!”
“5!”
“4!”
“3!”
“2!”
“1!”
(Loud Biohazard Siren takes over the speakers momentarily, leading into the video playing over the wall. ‘Feed The Wolf’ by Breaking Benjamin starts up, going over the Blitzkrieg logo as we head into the lyrics.)
“I Can See The Devil Closing In”
(‘The Raven’ Matt Knox sits in the corner of the ring, glaring past the camera.)
“I Choke The Breath That Dies To Cry For Help”
(Andrej Jankovic deadlifts Edward Cronin, allowing Theodor Pavel to strike him before the German Suplex connects.)
“I Feel The Pull Of Gravity”
(MYOJIN Falls From Heaven onto Ramesses, the beautiful inverted 450 Splash.)
“I Bleed No More, And Rise Again”
(Mitchell Ryan lifts Ramesses onto his shoulders while Inevitable members Kimberly Chase and Alandra point towards him.)
“I’ve Lost It All”
(Johnny Sykes warms up inside of the locker room, getting his game face on for the first ever main event of SWWS against Matt Knox.)
“Carry Me Through This World Of Lies”
(Mimic harbors in the shadows of SWWS, sitting in the rafters.)
“I Feel No More, The Suffering”
(Ramon Vidal flies over the top rope into a long distance suicide dive onto Adrian Drake.)
“Bury Me In This Cold Light”
(Guthrie Graupe delivers a snapping German Suplex to Jose Rivera into the turnbuckles, followed by a charging splash by Nikos Mantzios.)
“Feed The Wolf, And Shed My Skin”
(Quick shots of Reginald Baroni’s Dungeon DDT, Adrian Drake’s The Face, MYOJIN’s Orion, and Matt Knox’s Raze and Ruin are shown as the video comes to an end.)
(The music continues playing through the speakers, with the ring announcer and a referee in the ring. Banch Morgan, Karl Stinson, and Eugene Youngblood sit at the ringside table. Quick camera shots to the fans in attendance. We finally get to the announce team of Dilan Valentine, Leo Criss, and Lori Swick.)
Dilan Valentine: On a night where we get to see two of the most prestigious champions in IW-RUSH in Goliath Studios, we welcome you to Blitzkrieg!!! Hello everyone, I’m Dilan Valentine, alongside the antagonistic little prick Leo Criss, and the smartest one at the desk and world renowned wrestling historian, Lori Swick!! This is absolutely crazy, we have a few major matches tonight but looming over us right now is that fifteen foot high steel cage. Tonight in our main event we will be seeing Matthew ‘The Raven’ Knox battle Johnny Sykes in a rematch from their physical contest at Prologue. Leo, a lot of intensity going into this episode.
Leo Criss: There is not one wrestler in that backstage area that has been happy with this decision to bring in talent from the Kazoka Office for tonight’s event. We get to see some amazing wrestlers in the squared circle, yes, but at what cost will there be by the end of the night?
Lori Swick: It’s been hard to get a read on the RUSH talent as they entered the Studio for tonight’s event. BLOOD has been seen before, but this is the first time the RUSH Grand Championship has ever touched the United States, and their Champion hasn’t seen action here since he was 20 years old. There’s a whole range of emotions back there, let’s see what happens.
(‘Stayin’ Alive Remix’ hits the speakers to a huge ovation from the audience. Without hesitation steps the brand new SWWS World Tag Team Champions. Ted Hot, Chuck Funger, the Hot Fungers walk out with the title belts wrapped around their waists. Ted Hot, who seems to be the more excited of the two, separates from his teammate and puts his hotel key between his lips. A young lady in the crowd waves him over, taking the key from the lips of Hot before planting him with a kiss on the cheek. Hot nearly goes into convulsions, shouting to the camera.)
Ted Hot (off-mic): That’s how the Champions do it!!
(The two climb up onto the apron, getting into the ring as they both bust out the Fargo strut to a massive reaction from the audience. Chuck Funger begins to break out some dance moves, being joined by Hot. Immediately climbing into the ring behind them is the interviewer for SWWS, Pazia Mantzios. She looks confused by the two, who are now dancing with her!! She can’t help but laugh, but backs away from them as they showcase their new Championships!!)
Dilan Valentine: In case you all missed it. At the Labor Day Festival in Santa Monica, The Hot Fungers won an eight team tournament to crown the first ever SWWS World Tag Team Champions. They outlasted some amazing teams to get to this stage, even outlasting the veteran Revolucha to win the Championships.
Lori Swick: It was a great night for the Hot Fungers. Rumor has it, they tried to get into every night club they could.. They did it during the late afternoon though.
(The music begins to fade out to a thunderous ovation for the Hot Fungers takes over. Pazia walks over to them, giving a smile as she’s about to begin.)
Pazia Mantzios: Hi guys! Congratulations on winning the Championship. How does it feel to be the first ever Tag Team Champions?
Ted Hot: Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazia….It feels great. Everyone knew when the lights were on brightest..
Chuck Funger: That was the sun. I got burned.
Ted Hot: The sun may have been hot, Chuck. There was one thing hotter though, and that was THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HOOOOOOOT FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNGERS!!! Seven others came along, seven other teams went home with nothing but a cheap suntan and some speedo clad volleyball players giving them a nice look. We brought home the gold and we brought home the booty, am I right??
(Hot goes for a high five, not reciprocated by Funger. However, feeling bad about it, Pazia high fives him!)
Chuck Funger: We celebrated, but in the end, all I could think about was how we’re going to use these belts to bring tag team wrestling to a new level. Ted over here, he loves his parties, he loves his ladies. I love taking this mitt and smacking everyone around who gets in our way.
Ted Hot: That’s right! We are here as the standard bearers of all the champions in SWWS! And you know, we’re pretty energetic guys. Just last night I saw Chuck hitting the dance floor. The man went all night, drank a fifth and went even longer. The girls clamored to him, asking why he doesn’t have any fingers.. Chuck, a man of his word, said that he has the finger that counts.. OOOOOOH!!!!
Pazia Mantzios: OOOOOH??
Ted Hot: You don’t get what we’re laying down? That’s alright, darlin’. I’m saying that Chuck and I are both in the upcoming Legacy Gauntlet match. We will be heading to all the clubs in West Hollywood with the Gauntlet, the SWWS World Championship, four girls on our arms, and the SWWS World Tag Team Championship intact. Hell, we’re so confident that we WILL even put up our tag team championship at that same show!!
Pazia Mantzios: Wrestling twice? But why?
Chuck Funger: We both think that if we’re going to be Champions, we’re not going to sit around and wait for someone to come. We’ll come to them. Anyone who wants a shot at us, we’re here.
Ted Hot: Come on down! Anyone! Pazia, I know your man and Graupe want a match with us! They’re cool cats, we’d love to face them. How about Revolucha? We can get it done with you guys again.. How a..
Voice through the PA: ARE YOU KIDDING ME??
(‘Shake It Off’ hits the speakers. Out steps Marisol Vilaró heads out onto the stage. A headset microphone is attached to her as Miguel and Lorenzo make their way out as well. Rather than being intimidated by the opponents, Ted Hot and Chuck Funger begin dancing to the song, even bringing in Pazia for some of the fun.)
Marisol Vilaró: STOP DANCING!!! CUT THE MUSIC!!!
(The music fades out, making the Hot Fungers stop what they’re doing. Pazia briefly keeps dancing, but is gently stopped by Funger.)
Marisol Vilaró: Boys, I know you’re happy right now with those belts around your waists, but do you really think you’re a good fit to be holding them? I mean, Ted. Ted Hot, the sex crazed lunatic who has successfully struck out with half of Los Angeles in the last week. Come on, look at you. Have you even been to a gym lately?
Ted Hot: Depends, how do you spell it?
Marisol Vilaró: Idiot, it’s G-Y…
Ted Hot: G-Y-RATION?? Oh, you’d love to see it, I’m sure.
(Disgusted, Marisol turns away as Ted begins to gyrate inside of the squared circle. Noticing the effect it has, Chuck begins to gyrate as well to a huge pop from the crowd.)
Marisol Vilaró: STOP IT!! THAT’S DISGUSTING!! Ugh, all that flab bouncing around in there… Okay, I won’t even look at the two of you when I can look at two symbols of perfection standing beside me. These men, these are the ones that SHOULD be holding those belts right now. I mean look at them! Miguel, one of the most athletic students I’ve had. And Lorenzo, the only man to successfully deadlift ninety two hu..
Ted Hot: No, he didn’t.
Marisol Vilaró: Yes he did!
Ted Hot: No, he didn’t.
Marisol Vilaró: I was there, and it wa..
Pazia Mantzios: No.. He didn’t?
(A high five from Ted Hot to Pazia, promptly giving Marisol a ‘Take that!’ gesture. Marisol doesn’t look too impressed.)
Marisol Vilaró: Okay, you know what? I don’t need to be insulted like this! You said you wanted to defend the titles at the Legacy Gauntlet? The Vilaró Legion accepts!!
(Chuck Funger looks over at Ted Hot, giving a nod. Hot runs over to the ropes, leaping over the second rope with his lower body as he sits on the ropes to stare at her.)
Ted Hot: Oh you do? You DOOOO? You’re on!!!
(Chuck Funger walks over to the ropes, standing over his teammate as he stares at the Vilaró Legion as well. ‘Stayin’ Alive Remix’ hits again as Hot bounces up and down on the second rope. With her disgust hidden by a sly smirk, Marisol Vilaró turns to the curtain, bringing along Miguel and Lorenzo with her as they make their exit.)
Dilan Valentine: We have a rematch set for the Legacy Gauntlet with the SWWS Tag Team Championship on the line! The Hot Fungers will be defending the titles against the Vilaró Legion. I’m astounded by how the Champions had no problem making the challenge despite being in the Legacy Gauntlet match later in the night.
Leo Criss: This is the perfect time for Marisol to exact revenge on the Fungers for the controversial finish in their match.
Lori Swick: Controversial? They won the match clean!
(A referee makes his way down to the ring, holding the ropes for Pazia to exit as we’re getting ready for our first match of the evening.)
Dilan Valentine: I guess we’re going to be having our first of the RUSH Showcase Matches.. Oh boy.
Lori Swick: That’s right, Dilan. And as tradition with all Kazoka Office contests, we have their Ring Announcer in the ring already. The beautiful and incredibly sweet Marionette!!
Marionette: 皆さん、RUSHを通じてカゾカオフィスの卓越した才能をご紹介します。しかし、まず、彼らの対戦相手。SWWSのゲートウェイブランドを代表し、彼らはピオコスタとドニーメイソンのチームです!
(‘Hell’s Bells’ hits the speakers to a good reaction from the audience, allowing Donny Mason to make his way onto the stage. Along with him, is SWWS’s resident little guy, Pio Costa. The size difference between the two makes the crowd laugh initially, but they both seem to be ready for the match. The intense nature of Mason seems to overshadow the relaxed mindset of Costa. Mason wastes no time climbing onto the apron and entering over the top rope while Costa tries to mimic him by climbing over the top rope, struggling to the point where he needs to step onto the second rope to get over. The two look to be ready for tonight’s contest.)
Dilan Valentine: Donny Mason is an absolute beast in the ring. He has really been impressing the bosses in the company with his mixture of power and speed inside the squared circle. He recently scored his first win on the last Blitzkrieg during the Gateway Showcase, and looks to bring that momentum into tonight’s contest.
Leo Criss: Then you have Pio Costa. I still don’t get him.
(Costa and Mason acknowledge Marionette, going to their corner as they begin to talk strategy.)
Marionette: そして今、私はあなたにRUSHグランドタッグチームチャンピオンを紹介します。彼らは大阪から来ました。彼らは今夜188キロで体重を量った。彼らはレスリングが彼らのために置いた地面を壊した男性です。遠藤！！！青木！！！！ブルーウー!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Guitar music begins to play, leading to the lights dimming down as the percussion takes place. Red flickering lights fade in and out as ‘Fall of Titans’ hits the speakers. Emerging from the curtain are the duo who have made such a negative impact since their introduction at Prologue. Endo and Aoki, collectively known as BLOOD, make their way down to the ring. Sporting the RUSH Grand Tag Team Championships around their waists, they slowly descend on the ring. A smattering of fans in the Studio begin to chant loudly.)
Small Group (off-mic): CHI!!! CHI!!! CHI!!! CHI!!! CHI!!!
(Both men separate, walking around each side of the ring. They seem to be taking their time as they refuse to even look at the fans or opponents. Right on cue, they slid onto opposite aprons, getting to their feet as they look slowly over at Mason and Costa before climbing into the ring. Both men simultaneously springboard over the top rope into the ring. They walk towards each other to the middle of the ring, with Endo immediately firing a hand over as it crashes into the canvas. Aoki raises his arms apart while standing over his brother. Flash photography goes off from all over the place.)
Dilan Valentine: I’ve heard so many stories about this team. They may have made their presence known to SWWS at Prologue, but they have a storied history in RUSH. Want to tell us about them, Lori?
Lori Swick: These men are no stranger to conflict inside of the ring. Both men were trained specifically to be fighters from a very early age. Endo is known as one of the fastest wrestlers in Japan, with remarkable agility to match. Aoki is the stronger of the two, but can break out incredibly fast when it’s warranted. Together, they have had only one loss inside of the ring in the last year, coming at the hands of Johnny Sykes and Majima during a tournament back in June. Some say it was that loss that brought them to SWWS.
(As the music fades and lights begin to go back to normal, we get our first view of BLOOD inside of the ring. The crowd is hot for this one with most of the crowd cheering on Costa and Mason, with the rest cheering for BLOOD.)
Dilan Valentine: What have we gotten ourselves into?
(DING DING DING!!!)
RUSH Grand Tag Team Champions BLOOD vs. Donny Mason & Pio Costa
(Costa and Endo are starting this one off. Pio looks excited, hyping himself up while Endo looks to be confident with his opponent. The two immediately lock up in the center of the ring. Costa tries to find ground early to get an advantage, but Endo quickly snaps in a tight side headlock. Dropping to a knee, Endo grinds in the headlock, causing Costa to cringe. Costa grips onto the neck of Endo, stepping over the veteran to reverse into a side headlock of his own! Endo hops back to his feet, pushing Costa into the ropes. Costa returns with a shoulder block, bringing Endo down. Costa charges off into the ropes, allowing Endo to quickly drop under. Costa jumps over him, hitting the ropes again and underneath the leapfrog of Endo. One more time off the ropes, Costa tries for a shoulder block, but is met with a swift kick to the back of the leg from Endo, who sends him to a seated position. Wasting no time, Endo charges off into the ropes with great speed, returning with a basement dropkick before sliding back up to his feet. Immediately, Endo looks over at Mason before returning to work, kicking Costa lightly across the back and shoulder.)
Dilan Valentine: This is already looking rough for Pio. That and the look that he just gave Donny Mason should show that there is no fear coming from BLOOD tonight.
(Another light kick across the back of Pio brings him to a knee. Endo grabs him by the neck, lifting him to his feet. He feigns whipping Pio into his corner, but reverses it intentionally to throw Costa into the BLOOD corner, charging in with a leaping back elbow prior to the tag for Aoki. The bigger brother climbs into the ring, allowing Endo to pull the arm of Pio back. A well placed right hand catches Costa across the side of his ribcage. Aoki pulls him in, sweeping his legs forward into a snap suplex to the middle of the ring. Quickly rolling over to his knees, he measures up Costa, delivering a fast elbow drop, crashing his body weight onto the chest of Costa before thinking about a cover.
Rather than going for it, he gives Endo his back, allowing for the tag to take place. Endo climbs to the top rope, allowing Aoki to hold the face of Pio to the side with his boot. Endo takes a step along the ropes, dropping in with a knee drop to the side of Pio’s face as the referee quickly moves Aoki to exit the ring. Endo looks more confident with each step he takes, pulling on the arm of Pio to bring him up to his feet. He steps back towards Aoki, making another tag. Endo makes a run to the middle of the ring with Pio’s arm, forcing him into the ropes with an irish whip. Endo immediately steps aside, allowing Aoki to catch him in a fireman’s carry. Endo charges off into the ropes, catching Costa with a running kick to the back of his head as Aoki goes forward into a Regal Roll. Once again, Aoki ignores making the cover, pulling Costa to his feet.)
Leo Criss: Pio really needs to make a tag to Donny Mason here.
Dilan Valentine: The scary thing about these two is that they are taking their time tonight. They knew what they were getting into and wanted to make an example out of their opponents.
(Aoki tightly grips around the ribcage of Costa, tightening the hold around them. He immediately deadlifts Costa, walking over to Donny Mason in the corner. He simply stares down Mason, throwing in a hard gutwrench suplex to Costa. Mason crouches down, bringing his hand out for the tag, but Costa is in no condition to stand up. Aoki grabs the ankle of Costa, pulling him to the corner. A tag out to Endo brings the faster brother in. The two stand over Costa like a pack of wild dogs playing with their injured prey. Aoki shouts something to his brother, bringing Costa to his feet. A straight right hand hits Pio as he stumbles into Endo, who delivers a spinning back kick. Both men whip Costa into the ropes, ready to catch him upon return for a flapjack set up, but Pio pushes off of their shoulders, front flipping to his feet.)
Dilan Valentine: NICE!!! BUT HE’S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING FROM MASON!!
(Pio ducks under a hard swing from Aoki, and catches Endo with a dropkick! Pio seems to have a chance now! He swings his hand forward, taking a leap.. HERE COMES AOKI..BUT DONNY MASON IS TAGGED INTO THE RING!!!)
Lori Swick: There we go!!
(Mason climbs in, and charges in with a full head of steam to take down Aoki with a clothesline! He fires one off at Endo as well, knocking him to the canvas. Mason quickly grabs onto Endo, pulling him up and throws him into the corner. A series of hard rights and lefts at Endo from Mason is getting a huge reaction from the audience. He grabs onto Endo under his arms, throwing him across the ring..and Aoki catches him!!! Mason charges in, and DELIVERS A HUGE SHOULDERBLOCK TO BOTH MEN!!! BLOOD IS DOWN!!!)
Dilan Valentine: Look at the fire in his eyes!! Donny Mason is ready to go!!
(Mason grabs onto Aoki, pulling him up. He lifts Aoki over his shoulder for an Oklahoma Stampede. Endo steps in, and Pio Costa charges in with a hard right hand!!! He has Endo the corner, throwing in the rights and lefts like his partner did before!! Aoki puts his feet on the ropes, causing Mason to struggle to move. Aoki flips over into a modified Diamond Dust, snapping the chin of Mason down across his shoulder!!! Aoki is back on his feet, charging off into the ropes, and is quickly caught with a powerslam from Mason!!! Costa watches Mason, shouting for him to go for the cover!! Mason climbs over to make the cover on Aoki!!)
Referee: ONE!!! TWO!!!
(Aoki throws a shoulder up to the dismay of most of the fans. Endo grabs onto Costa, pulling him down into the 2nd turnbuckle by the face. Endo charges in at Mason, leaping at him...Mason catches him!! He looks around to the fans, ready to deliver the Sick Flip...BUT ENDO GIVES HIM A VICIOUS THUMB INTO THE SIDE OF THE NECK!!! A SECOND ONE WITH MORE AUTHORITY, CAUSING MASON TO DROP HIM AND FALL TO A KNEE!!! )
Lori Swick: HEY!!!!
(Mason holds his neck in agony, feeling the nerve being raw from the attack with the thumb. Aoki leaps in, DELIVERING A SUPERKICK TO THE SIDE OF MASON’S HEAD!!! PIO COSTA STORMS IN QUICKLY, TURNING AROUND ENDO.. HE SHOVES ENDO, BUT EATS A SUPERKICK FROM AOKI AS WELL!!! )
Dilan Valentine: Guys, Donny Mason appears to be really hurt..
(Costa lays outside of the ring on the apron, holding his jaw. Mason is slow to get to his feet, cringing from his attack. Aoki walks up to him, delivering a series of leg kicks until Mason is able to finally catch a leg. Endo comes in, only for Mason to swing Aoki’s caught leg over to him. Endo swings it back into the direction of Mason, allowing Aoki to catch him with a stiff enzuigiri kick to the side of the head of Donny Mason, forcing him to hit the ropes, accidentally tagging in Pio Costa!!)
Leo Criss: Costa is the legal man!!
(Both Endo and Aoki kick Donny Mason to his knees. They each grab an arm, mocking a ‘Raven’ flight with their arms before hitting two bicycle knees, one on each side of Donny Mason’s head!!! He’s out on his knees!!)
Dilan Valentine: Guys, stop this!
(Costa scrambles into the ring to stop Endo and Aoki, fighting them off with rights and lefts for a moment. He charges off into the ropes, but Aoki catches him for a pop up...and Endo FIRES A KICK UP INTO THE FACE OF COSTA!!!! DONNY MASON IS LYING ON THE MAT MOTIONLESS, HE CAN’T HELP COSTA WHO IS LIFTED UP INTO A CANADIAN BACKBREAKER FROM AOKI… ENDO CHARGES OFF INTO THE ROPES, AND SWIFTLY RETURNS AS AOKI THROWS HIM DOWN TOWARDS THE CANVAS FACE FIRST, ONLY TO BE MET WITH THE SLIDING KNEE TO THE FACE OF COSTA BEFORE HE CAN HIT THE CANVAS!!! THEY CALL THAT MOVE ‘OF LITTLE DEATH’!!! ENDO IS TAKING HIS TIME MAKING THE COVER, LOOKING OUT AT THE CROWD WHILE AOKI STARES MASON DOWN, CROUCHING OVER HIS BROTHER..)
Referee: ONE!! TWO!!! THREE!!!
(DING DING DING!!!)
(‘Fall of Titans’ begins to play again as Marionette watches the carnage in the ring.)
Marionette: ここにあなたの勝者があります.遠藤。。。青木。。。ブルーウー!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Endo and Aoki stand over their opposition, watching with confidence in their eyes. The two slowly make their exit from the ring, glaring over at the executives. Trainers immediately run past BLOOD to get into the ring and check on Donny Mason, who still appears to be unconscious. Pio reaches faintly over to Mason, trying to will him on.)
Dilan Valentine: Guys, we’re not sure on how to even respond to that. Everyone wanted BLOOD in this ring so badly, we didn’t know what the cost would be.. I think we just found out.
(BLOOD stands at the top of the stage, raising their RUSH Grand Tag Team Championships briefly before bowing. They make their exit, but some loud noises are coming from the back!!)
Leo Criss: What was that??
(The camera cuts to the back, as BLOOD is shown standing in front of several officials. On the other side is a rabid Matthew Knox!! Security officials, Mitchell Ryan, Raul Ramirez, The Hot Fungers, and others are trying to keep the two sides separated. Even Lexi Gold and the Crimson Bouquet are trying to help out, but are kept back by everyone.)
Matthew Knox: Enough of this shit!! I’m right here!!
(Without even a response to Knox, Endo and Aoki look at everyone with a smile before walking past them. Knox tries going after them, but is bearhugged by Ryan.)
Raul Ramirez: Keep him back guys, come on. Knox, you’ll get ‘em soon enough. We got this, we got this.
(Undeterred, Knox continues fighting to get by, to no avail as the shot fades out as we head back to ringside.)
Dilan Valentine: I know a lot is going on right now, but let’s try and continue here. We do have a special interview by satellite. Let’s see if we can get this rolling.
(Dilan removes his headset, grabbing the live microphone as a video appears on the screen. Ramesses and Kimberly Chase show up on the video, live from their cruise.)
Dilan Valentine: Ramesses, Kimberly. You just saw what happened..
Kimberly Chase: No, we didn’t. We’re not going to watch this.
Dilan Valentine: Donny Mason and Pio Costa just suffered a tough def..
Kimberly Chase: We don’t care.
Dilan Valentine: Excuse me?
Ramesses: She said we don’t care. Why would we? Last time I checked, you had a bunch of people in masks running around attacking people. You had all of this time where people were bitching and moaning about said masked men. Not one word about me. Not one word about Kimberly. That seems to be a trend around here.
Dilan Valentine: We were meaning to ask you about your recent departure from an..
Ramesses: Don’t. See, you can’t say I departed from a company that I was never really part of. I was never one of them. They wanted it, they needed it. They needed a guy like me, but not for the reasons that smart people would want me for. Not to drive ticket sales, not to sell merch, but to make inferior talent look like they were unstoppable. It wasn’t a departure, it was us saying ‘NO MORE’. Why waste our time? Our time is pretty valuable around here, and especially if you have a locker room full of angsty children who want to beat up an old guy, endorse a man who wants to punch a pregnant woman, and even take shots at a ring announcer who isn’t even with our company. This is what you want me to come back to? Kimberly, what the hell is this?
Kimberly Chase: I think what we have here are man-children parading around as warriors, when none of them would know what it’s like to fight like our lives depend on it. It’s all bickering, it’s all so childish. Why come back to that kind of drama?
Dilan Valentine: Just so you two know, you’re scheduled to be in the Legacy Gauntlet coming up. How do you feel you’ll do there?
Kimberly Chase: Dilan, if you need to ask, you don’t deserve an answer.
Ramesses: I’ll give one. Twenty nine other people in there, and you expect me to sweat the competition? Everyone is going for the same thing, and it’s not for the Gauntlet. It’s not for the Championship, it’s so they heal their wounded pride since they keep getting embarrassed by those guys. I’ll be seeing all of them, seeing as I’m entering #1, you can rest assured I will be there at the end. Unless you boys plan on actually giving me some competition, I’ll be running you boys out of town, one by one until I’m the SWWS Blitzkrieg World Champion. Not hard to decide on that strategy, that’s the name of the game. No silly gimmicks here, I ain’t wearing bedazzled shit to make people laugh. I’m going to go out there and systematically embarrass every single one of you.
Kimberly Chase: That’s so inspiring. I hope there will be enough people in the ring by the time I get there. I will be clinching the win by any means, entering at #30 as I was told this morning via text.
Dilan Valentine: Wait, what? Kimberly, I sent you that text. I never said you were number thirty, I said you’ll be the first of thirty people. You have twenty nine opponents, and you’re the #1 entrant as well!
Kimberly Chase: Oh ha ha. You’re funny.
(Kimberly looks down at her phone, still half chuckling. The smile fades away very fast.)
Kimberly Chase: WHAT?
Dilan Valentine: Yeah, you and Ramesses both will be entering #1. Crazy how that turned out!
Kimberly Chase: THIS ISN'T FAIR!!! NOBODY WINS FROM #1!!!!
(Ramesses looks away, a bit discouraged by that comment.)
Dilan Valentine: Oh, would you look at that, we’re running out of time! Have a nice cruise guys!! See you soon!!!
Kimberly Chase: BUT WAIT… I THOUGHT YOU TE..
(The feed cuts out, leaving the announcers to talk about more of the event.)
Dilan Valentine: We have received word that Donny Mason is being checked over by doctors here at the Studio. Preliminary reports are saying that he got damaged by some very direct thumb shots to the side of the neck from Endo of BLOOD during the tag team match. We don’t know the severity, and will hopefully have an answer for you soon.
Leo Criss: That was intense, but will it be as intense as this next match?
Dilan Valentine: That’s right, coming up next is another Kazoka Showcase that so many people have been talking about. Ramon Vidal won a six man scramble two weeks ago to get the opportunity to face the RUSH Grand Champion, Amida Kumagai. It’s been all over social media and even the newspapers in Japan about Kumagai making his long awaited return to the United States for this contest.
Lori Swick: Sources close to Kumagai have said that he isn’t sure how the fans are going to react to him, but in the end, it wouldn’t matter as long as his hand was raised. I think Vidal is in trouble tonight. Either way, let’s take it to the lovely Marionette for this one.
(Marionette stands inside of the ring with a pleasant smile on her face. She looks at everyone for a moment until it’s time to go.)
Marionette: 次のコンテストは、ブリッツクリーグで開催されるカゾカ・ショーケースの第2戦です。1回の秋に予定され、30分の制限時間が設定されています。最初に紹介すると、彼は「SWWSの太陽のクモ」、ラモウーンVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDALです!!!!
(‘Risen’ hits the speakers to a huge ovation from the audience. Emerging from the curtain is Ramon Vidal. Known as the Sun Spider, Vidal fires up the crowd, hoping to have better luck than Donny Mason and Pio Costa had earlier on. He makes his way down the ramp, tagging the hands of various fans before leaping up onto the ring apron. Springboarding into the ring, he immediately slides to his knees in the middle of the ring, as golden lights fall on him. He quickly rises up and removes his coat before handing it out.)
Dilan Valentine: So many people are quick to discount Ramon Vidal tonight. He was a wild card in the Scramble match two weeks ago, but managed to use his intelligence and agility to levels that we’re not used to seeing from him. He wants the victory, and a win over Kumagai might actually put him on the biggest platform that a wrestler in 2021 can be at this junction.
Lori Swick: He’s a phenomenal wrestler. A three year pro out of Puerto Rico, Vidal has all the makings of a being a tremendous star in the business, but this match is going to be his biggest test.
(Vidal’s music fades out. He looks down at the mat, taking in deep breaths as he attempts to focus on the task at hand.)
Marionette: 私は彼の対戦相手を歓迎します。長崎から戦う。260ポンドで、彼は6年間負けていない。彼の対戦相手はまだ彼を2カウントのために抑えていない、そして今夜、彼はRUSHグランドチャンピオンとしてこの試合に入ります。彼はカゾカ事務所の人間の岩であり、無敵です.アミダ・クウマガイ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(The rumbling through the crowd isn’t from any music being played, but the involuntary steps that the fans are taking while seated. On the video wall, a door is shown swinging open as several Kazoka executives are exiting the room, finally the Grand Champion makes his exit as well. They are taking the long walk down the hallway with determination in their eyes. Through the black sunglasses of the Champion, he looks down at his flowing black trenchcoat. The crowd has erupted here at Goliath Studios!
Dark violin music begins to play as Amida Kumagai steps into the gorilla position, surrounded by several wrestlers from both Blitzkrieg and Paradigm who are just there to see him. Even some free agents are in attendance as well for the Human Boulder, who simply walks by everybody. The music grows darker before kicking into ‘The Forgotten Ballad’ hits the speakers. The somber, strong instrumentals bring out the Champion to a huge ovation from the audience. He takes his time heading out to the ring, no expression on his face. He has his eyes locked on Vidal the entire walk, even as he walks up the steps to the ring apron. Vidal paces back and forth, watching Kumagai while he stands on the ring apron, prior to entering the ring. Only moving into his corner, he continues staring at Vidal through his sunglasses.)
Dilan Valentine: We have ourselves a locker room sellout for this one!
Leo Criss: Oh boy..
(Kumagai removes his coat and sunglasses, handing them out to the ring attendant. Still no expression while he removes the RUSH Grand Championship from around his waist, handing that out as well. Ramon’s eyes are locked on the Champion, even sneaking a glance at the title as well. The referee is watching both of them, hearing the music fade out to a string of various chants.)
Half the fans: Let’s go Vidal!!
Other half of the fans: KUMAGAI!!
(The referee looks at both again, before calling for the bell as the crowd erupts in cheers.)
(DING DING DING!!!)
RUSH Grand Champion Amida Kumagai vs. Ramon Vidal
Dilan Valentine: And here we go!!
(VIDAL COMES SCREAMING ACROSS THE RING, DELIVERING A DROPKICK TO THE HEAD OF AMIDA KUMAGAI!!! HE STOMPS AWAY AT THE GRAND CHAMPION, TRYING TO PULL HIM UP QUICKLY. HE STRUGGLES, BUT KUMAGAI ENDS UP GOING WITH HIM!!! VIDAL TRIES IRISH WHIPPING HIM INTO THE ROPES, BUT KUMAGAI REMAINS STILL. A RIGHT HAND FROM VIDAL, AND HE TRIES AGAIN!!!)
Leo Criss: At first, I thought Vidal had him!! Now, I’m not so sure.
(Kumagai throws him viciously into the ropes, but Vidal lands in the spider position in the ropes, challenging Kumagai to come at him. The Human Boulder refuses to move, frustrating Vidal.)
Ramon Vidal (off-mic): Come on, Mother Fucker!!!
(Not the brightest idea, Vidal continues to egg on Kumagai who casually walks over. Vidal swings his legs over for his signature kick, but Kumgai promptly swats him away, knocking Vidal to the canvas. A stiff kick to the shoulder of Vidal knocks him towards the middle of the ring. Another kick grounds the Spider. Kumagai raises his boot high, and slams his full weight down, missing Vidal by mere inches thanks to the Spider’s reflexes! Vidal crawls away, shocked at what Kumagai was willing to do. Vidal jumps up to the second rope, diving off with a dropkick at the Grand Champion. It connects, knocking Kumagai back slightly. Vidal is back up, throwing in kicks of his own. They don’t carry the same sting as the Champion’s kicks, but they are throwing him off his game. He throws a punch at the Champion, but it’s quickly blocked. Kumagai grabs the head of Vidal, wrenching on him viciously before delivering swinging his entire body into a headbutt against Vidal!!! Down goes the Spider as the crowd erupts, mostly in cheers!)
Lori Swick: I think we should be a little surprised by the reaction of the fans, but they are really behind Kumagai right now.
(Vidal is trying to get up, but Kumagai seems to be toying with him. As soon as Vidal stands up, Kumagai quickly applies a neck crank.. He locks his hands tightly, throwing Vidal up and over into a Neck Crank Suplex to the middle of the ring!! Vidal is holding his neck in agony, allowing Kumagai to climb over into a cover.)
Referee: ONE!! TWO!!
(Vidal makes the kick out, trying to sit up. Kumagai kneels up, looking down at Vidal as he applies a claw hold!! Vidal feels his face beginning to tense up from the nerve points being struck. He tries getting to his feet, grabbing the hand with all he has while throwing in kicks to the chest and side of the Champion. Vidal swings his legs up, AND APPLIES A TRIANGLE CHOKE ON KUMAGAI!!!!)
Dilan Valentine: HERE WE GO!!! COME ON RAMON!!!
(Vidal tries keeping his shoulders off the mat while wrenching the hold in. Kumagai releases the claw hold, standing himself up. He reaches behind the neck and waist of Vidal, lifting him off the mat. Vidal is wrenching on the hold with all he has, but he is right on the shoulders of Kumagai. The Grand Champion lets go of his waist..AND DELIVERS A SICKENING ONE HANDED POWERBOMB!!! RAMON VIDAL IS OUT COLD!!!!)
Lori Swick: He’s out!! Stop this match!!!
(Kumagai, following his traditions, slowly picks up the unconscious body of Ramon Vidal. He lifts the Sun Spider up into a fireman’s carry. The crowd is roaring with excitement, but BLOW UP AS KUMAGAI LOCKS HIS HANDS. HE DROPS HIMSELF SIDEWAYS INTO A VICIOUS DEATH VALLEY DRIVER THAT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS THE FALL FROM THE PEAK. RAMON CRASHES TO THE MAT UNDER THE BODY WEIGHT OF KUMAGAI, ALLOWING THE GRAND CHAMPION TO MAKE THE COVER.)
Referee: ONE!!! TWO!!! THREE!!!
(DING DING DING!!!)
(‘The Forgotten Ballad’ hits the speakers once again as Amida Kumagai kneels himself up, resting a hand on the chest of Ramon Vidal.)
Marionette: ここにあなたの勝者があります。無敵.人間の巨石.アミダ・クマアガイ!!!!
(Kumagai stands himself up, looking down at the fallen Sun Spider as the referee raises his hand. The Grand Champion is handed his belt, and proceeds to put it on in the middle of the ring. After a series of bows to the audience, Kumagai makes his way to the ropes, exiting the ring to the outside. Kazoka Executives run up to Kumagai, leading him up the ramp to the top of the stage. Ramon Vidal leans his head on the bottom rope, watching the entourage on the top of the stage. Disheartened, all he can do is watch them.)
Dilan Valentine: I love Ramon Vidal, I really do. He was not ready for what this man could do.
Leo Criss: Absolutely not. I feel so much for the guy, but there was not a chance for him.
(Kumagai looks back at the ring, specifically at Vidal prior to exiting to the backstage area as the shot fades out.)
(We’re backstage now with Pazia Mantzios, standing with Johnny Sykes.)
Pazia Mantzios: Johnny, hello.
Johnny Sykes: Pazia, hello.
Pazia Mantzios: After over a month of frustration following Prologue, you recently had an exchange with Matthew Knox that has led to our main event tonight. You’ll be inside of a cage. How do you feel about that?
Johnny Sykes: I think if anyone was going into this with expectations of a clean fight, they were destined to be disappointed. Matthew Knox just doesn’t get it, it seems. He doesn’t know me as a person, he certainly doesn’t know me as a wrestler. Unlike him, I’m not exactly known for doing my talking on twitter, that’s for cowards. I say my peace, move on, and get into that ring to show the world what I can do. Unfortunately for him, that mouth of his has led him to tonight. Inside of a steel cage in front of the entire world.
Pazia Mantzios: He has won titles in so many companies. I don’t recall you having any.
Johnny Sykes: Titles are parking spaces, as a great man once said. I haven’t been around so many blocks where I would be in title matches every month in twenty other companies. I stick to one, and I stick to the one that’s going to bring me real competition. Now, that brings me to tonight inside of the cage where the entire idea is for others to be kept out. That’s fine. We can keep them out, but you made one mistake when asking for this. Not only are they going to be kept out, but you are going to be kept in. Let’s see what happens when a Raven gets caged, and is met with a wolverine who hasn’t eaten in a week. Can’t hide behind twitter for this one, old man.
(Without any follow up, Johnny Sykes walks away, leaving a confused Pazia.)
Pazia Mantzios: Wait, is he done? Oh. Back to you Dilan! Hi Lori!
(Back to ringside, where the announcers are cracking up.)
Lori Swick: Hi Pazia!! You’re lovely!
Dilan Valentine: Well, I think the talking is about done. We’re getting ready to head into tonight’s main event where we are seeing this huge cage come down. Now, when they spoke about the match initially, I never heard anything about them putting a top on the cage. It appears they have done so, possibly to eliminate any possible threat from intrusion. What do you think Leo?
Leo Criss: I think this is going to be a bad night for both of these men. They want at each other’s throats so badly, no way are they leaving this unscathed.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Dilan Valentine: Let’s take it to our ring announcer for tonight’s Main Event!
Ring Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is your main event of the evening. It is a steel cage match, where the only way to win are by pinfall, submission, or knockout.
(‘Guile’s Theme’ hits the speakers to a pretty good reaction from the audience. Stepping through the curtain is Johnny Sykes, fired up for the contest. From behind the curtain a drunk voice is heard shouting “COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBRA” Sykes maintains a straight face, lowering his head slightly. After a few short moments, he throws a fist out and shouts to the crowd…)
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, fighting out of Tacoma, Washington. Weighing in at 235lbs. HE IS JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHNNNNNNNNNNNNNY SSSSSSSYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!
(Sykes makes his way down to the ring, coming to a stop at the bottom of the ramp to remove his dog tag. He looks over at a fan, nodding to them while he puts the chain around their neck. He backs up for a moment, giving the fan’s family a salute before walking up the steps to the opened cage door. He removes his shirt, throwing it out prior to getting into the ring. He looks around through the fence, then up at the top of the cage.)
Dilan Valentine: So much pride in this young man. He’s one of the toughest kids we ever met, and has been embroiled in an investigation into corruption in the Kazoka Office. Oddly enough, this drew ire from The Raven, who is ready to come out and give a fight to the US Marine.
Leo Criss: These two are alpha males. Knox has a reputation of always wanting a fight, Sykes has a reputation of picking his fights carefully. For this to happen, a lot must have been taking place.
(Sykes hears his theme fade out, watching the stage intently. The fans grow louder with anticipation, leading to the arena lights all shutting off around Sykes. Suddenly, a murder of crows are heard through the speakers, giving out their battle cry as it leads into ‘Hell Broke Loose’ to a huge ovation from the audience. A filtered white strobe light replaces the darkness around the arena as Matthew Knox stands on the top of the stage, facing the curtain with his arms spread out.)
Ring Announcer: And his opponent, fighting out of Baltimore, Maryland. Weighing in at 244lbs… HE IS THEEEEEEEE RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVEN…. MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTHEEEEEEEEEW KNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXX!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Knox slowly makes his way down to the ring, watching Sykes through the cage. He stops at the bottom of the ramp, looking back at the stage, then at Mr. Morgan at ringside. He nods as he climbs up the steps to the opened door, climbing into the cage with Sykes and the referee. He appears to be cold and calculated on the outside, but there has to be some fire burning inside.)
Dilan Valentine: Last time these two met, it was Knox who nearly had the match won against Sykes. This time, it feels like Knox has even more to prove.
Lori Swick: Last time was about pride inside of the ring, this time it feels like complete hatred for one another. This is the match Matthew Knox demanded, and a match that Mr. Morgan had to accept without any distractions. Both men passed their physicals, both men seem to be ready to go. This is going to be vicious.
(The door closes, locking up as now all three men are inside of the cage together. Knox and Sykes are staring holes through each other.)
Dilan Valentine: I think it’s time, the referee is signaling for it.
(DING DING DING!!!)
Main Event - Steel Cage Match
“The Raven” Matthew Knox vs. Johnny Sykes
(Matthew Knox and Johnny Sykes are still staring at each other. No poses, just two men wanting to fight. They approach one another.)
Johnny Sykes (off-mic): So, this is what it has come down to? You don’t get it.
Matthew Knox (off-mic): All you had to do was mind your own business, Sykes. Nobody wanted you to interrupt everything, and now you get to suffer for it.
Johnny Sykes (off-mic): I think we both are. (Looking at the top of the cage) Good choice.
(As Sykes looks down, he’s met with a right hand from Matthew Knox!! Knox pounces on the Marine with a series of right hands!!!)
Matthew Knox (off-mic): WHERE’S NAOKO!!!?
(Sykes swings his legs up into a body scissors, whipping Knox to the canvas. He drives his forearm across the throat of Knox. He tries momentarily to choke out Knox with his forearm, but pulls back, driving it across his jaw before getting up. Sykes adjusts his jaw momentarily, allowing him time to kick Knox across the ribs.)
Johnny Sykes (off-mic): Outside of this cage, like everyone else. Do you want to fight, or talk? Maybe you forgot your phone?
(Knox is back to his feet, swinging wildly at Sykes, who defends himself in a boxing stance. A quick jab from Sykes sends Knox back. He goes for a quick single leg on The Raven, but is pulled into the corner. A series of hard knee lifts come from Knox, followed by a choke in the corner.)
Matthew Knox (off-mic): Shut up and fight!!
(Sykes swings his arm over, quickly back elbowing Knox across the neck. He sends Knox back with a second elbow, but is caught quickly...thrown over with a Capture Suplex!! Knox rolls over, refusing to cover as he grabs the top of Sykes’ head, threatening to punch him.
Matthew Knox (off-mic): I’ll give you one last chance.
(Knox brings his fist back, but Sykes grabs around the planted hand of Knox, swinging out from under him into a Fujiwara Armbar. He locks his legs around the arm and grabs onto the neck of Knox to apply a crossface. Knox scrambles, but is stuck to the mat for the moment. As the neck is wrenched back, Knox reaches for the ropes before realizing it wouldn’t stop the hold. Instead, Knox fights through the pain and catches Sykes with a thumb to the eye. Sykes releases the hold, blinking a few times to try and soothe the pain in his eye.)
Dilan Valentine: This is definitely not a wrestling match.
(Knox pulls himself together and gets to his feet, driving in a kick across the side of the head of Johnny Sykes. The Marine goes down, allowing Knox to continue stomping on him. The referee steps in to ask about the eye poke, but Knox shoves him away before trying to stomp at Sykes again. This time, Sykes catches his leg, rolling backwards into a modified kneebar!!!)
Lori Swick: OH MY GOSH!!! HIS KNEE IS ON THE VERGE OF BEING HYPEREXTENDED!!!
(Knox scrambles in the hold, bringing his free leg up, slamming it down onto the shoulder of Sykes! He follows in with a second kick, this time hitting the neck of the Marine! Knox finally gets out of the hold, and immediately drives in Muay Thai knees across the side of Sykes. Despite the pain, Sykes does all he can to keep the knees of Knox as close to his side as he can to stop the distance. Knox tries pulling himself free, eventually getting there. Before Knox can take advantage though, Sykes has Knox down in the side mount, throwing in a stiff knee of his own. Aiming directly for the kidneys, Sykes hangs onto him to keep him from moving.)
Dilan Valentine: This is getting ugly.
Johnny Sykes (off-mic): All you gotta do is listen to me Matt, we’re on the same fucking side!!
(Knox catches Sykes with a back elbow to the side of his head, following up with more of them!! KNOX IS ON TOP OF JOHNNY SYKES, THROWING IN HEAVY ELBOWS ANYWHERE HE CAN LAND THEM!!! THE REFEREE IS TRYING TO STOP THIS THING, BUT KNOX WON’T LET UP!!)
Dilan Valentine: Knox looks like he has Sykes beat, but those elbows are going all over the place!! He is being driven by emotion!!
(KNOX STOPS FOR A MOMENT TO SCREAM AT THE REFEREE, ALLOWING SYKES TO GIVE HIM A RIGHT CROSS TO THE FACE!! KNOX FALLS BACKWARDS TO THE CANVAS!!!)
Leo Criss: Did a tooth just fly out?
Lori Swick: It looked like saliva.
(Sykes backs himself up into the ropes, feeling the effects of the wild elbows coming from The Raven. Knox is back up, and charging at Sykes. He tries for a kick, but misses the mark. Sykes is back on his feet, pushing into Knox and delivers a series of body shots to the ribs and side. Knox fires back with a punch to the back of the head, leading to a double leg takedown from Sykes. Knox manages to promptly swivel his legs around, applying the gogoplata on Sykes!!! SYKES IS GASPING FOR AIR, TRYING TO REACH OUT. HE GETS TO HIS FEET AS FAST AS HE CAN..AND STARTS STOMPING AT THE HEAD OF MATTHEW KNOX!!! THOSE VICIOUS STOMPS ARE TARGETING THE HEAD AND NOTHING ELSE!!! THE GOGOPLATA IS RELEASED, ALLOWING SYKES TO HOOK ONTO THE ARM AND SWITCHES OVER INTO A CROSS-ARM BREAKER!!!! KNOX LOOKS TO BE DAZED, REACHING OUT!!!
Leo Criss: I think this could be it!!!
(KNOX SWIVELS HIMSELF BACK TO ESCAPE THE HOLD, BUT SYKES ROLLS IT THROUGH INTO A KNEELING VERSION OF THE ARMBAR!!! HE UNDERHOOKS THE FOREARM OF KNOX, GOING INTO FULL HYPEREXTENSION ON THE SHOULDER!!!! KNOX IS FIGHTING IT!!!!)
Dilan Valentine: LOOK AT HOW HIS ELBOW IS BEING PUSHED IN!!!
(KNOX IS ON THE VERGE OF REACHING OUT TO TRY AND FIGHT, BUT HE’S LOSING FIGHT…)
Lori Swick: WAIT A MINUTE!!!! LOOK IN THE CROWD!!!
(MASKED WRESTLERS ARE COMING THROUGH THE CROWD!!! THEY HAVE JUMPED THE RAIL AND ARE SURROUNDING THE CAGE!!!)
Dilan Valentine: What in the Hell, these men are huge!!
(SYKES, UNAWARE BY THE MEN OUTSIDE OF THE CAGE, WRENCHES BACK AS TIGHT AS HE CAN...THE REFEREE SWINGS A CHAIN AROUND THE NECK OF JOHNNY SYKES!!!! SYKES DROPS BACK FROM THE SURPRISE. KNOX’S ARM IS PULLED THROUGH THE, AND IS BEING HANDCUFFED TO THE CAGE BY ONE OF THE MASKED MEN. SYKES MANAGES TO FREE HIMSELF FROM THE REFEREE, PUNCHING AWAY AT HIM. HE STUMBLES TO HIS FEET, SEEING THE MEN SURROUNDING THE CAGE. IMMEDIATELY, SYKES CHARGES OVER TO KNOX, TRYING TO HELP HIM UP.)
Johnny Sykes (off-mic): DAMN IT KNOX.. COME ON!!
(IN THE CORNER OF THE RING, A BLADE COMES THROUGH THE CANVAS, OPENING IT UP. ONE OF THE MASKED MEN COMES THROUGH THE CANVAS, CATCHING THE ATTENTION OF SYKES!!)
Dilan Valentine: GET EVERYONE OUT HERE!!!
(MORE OF THE MASKED MEN CLIMB INTO THE CAGE. SYKES GRABS ONTO KNOX AND TRIES TO PULL THE CHAIN OF THE HANDCUFFS LOOSE, BUT IS ATTACKED BY ONE OF THE MASKED MEN!! BOTH KNOX AND SYKES ARE BEING ATTACKED BY ALL THE MASKED MEN!!!)
Leo Criss: RAISE THE CAGE SO SECURITY CAN GET IN THERE!!!
Dilan Valentine: NO!! KNOX IS HANDCUFFED TO THE CAGE!!
(WRESTLERS FROM BOTH BRANDS ARE RUNNING OUT TO THE RING. MANY OF THEM ARE CLIMBING UNDER THE RING TO TRY AND GET THROUGH THE CANVAS, BUT ARE BEING MET WITH STOMPS FROM THE MASKED MEN!!! ONE OF THE TECH’S IS RUNNING OUT WITH A PAIR OF BOLT CUTTERS. HE GOES TO WORK ON THE LOCK TO THE DOOR, BUT IS KNOCKED OUT OF THE WAY BY ANDREJ JANKOVIC!!! JANKOVIC GRABS ONTO THE LOCK, PULLING IT WITH ALL HE HAS UNTIL IT SNAPS APART!!)
Dilan Valentine: JANKOVIC!!!
(ONE OF THE MASKED MEN PULLS UP SYKES, LOOKING AT THE WRESTLERS SURROUNDING THE CAGE. HE QUICKLY SNAPS UP SYKES, AND DELIVERS A HARD BACKDROP DRIVER TO THE WOUNDED MARINE!! THE DOOR HAS SWUNG OPEN AND THE ROSTER HAS HIT THE RING!!!! THEODOR PAVEL AND NIKOS MANTZIOS IMMEDIATELY SLIDE IN FRONT OF KNOX TO PROTECT HIM WHILE GUTHRIE GRAUPE TAKES THE BOLT CUTTERS TO THE HANDCUFFS, EVENTUALLY SNAPPING THE CHAIN. JANKOVIC, MITCHELL RYAN, ANDRE BOONE, ISAIAH ANDREWS, AND EVEN BANCH MORGAN HAVE ENTERED THE CAGE AND A PIER SIX BRAWL ENSUES!!!)
Dilan Valentine: THERE WE GO!!!
(IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG FOR THE WRESTLERS TO OVERTAKE THE MASKED MEN, GROUNDING THEM WITH A SERIES OF PUNCHES AND KICKS. ONE IN PARTICULAR, THE MAN WHO HIT SYKES WITH THE BACKDROP DRIVER, MANAGES TO EXIT THE CAGE WITH A SPRINT UP THE RAMP!!!)
Lori Swick: Oh..no..
(NICHOLAS GABRIEL ARRIVES ON THE STAGE. HE LOOKS AT THE MASKED MAN WITH A SMILE, REMOVING THE MASK FOR THE WORLD TO SEE.)
Dilan Valentine: Wait, what?? He’s one of ours!!
(FUMIHIKO THROWS THE MASK DOWN, LOOKING AT NICHOLAS GABRIEL.)
Nicholas Gabriel (off-mic): Trust me, there are more of you to come.
(WITH ALL THE WRESTLERS IN THE RING, MOST OF THE ROSTER IS STUNNED BY THE SUDDEN DEFECTION FROM FUMIHIKO. THE SIGNATURE TO END THE SHOW ROLLS OUT, WITH MORGAN CHECKING ON KNOX AND SYKES, BEYOND ANGRY WHILE GABRIEL AND FUMIHIKO SHAKE HANDS FOR A JOB WELL DONE TO CLOSE OUT THE SHOW.)