Friday Night Fury 4/21/2023

Post by Peter Vaughn on Apr 21, 2023 18:14:13 GMT -5

*The shot opens to the FNF Logo, to the words "LAST FRIDAY NIGHT FURY". Those words fade to a  shot of  an exploding limo. The shot goes from the limousine burning, pieces of the vehicle scattered about. And there, making his way towards us as he enters frame from behind the burning car, we see Jay C. Phoenix. A second figure, this one female with just past the shoulder-length red hair, making her appearance FLOATING above the car and through the rising smoke, as well towards our POV, is none other than non-TPW roster member Arcana. The shot fades from Jay C. Phoenix and Arcana.

The scene suddenly cuts to the back hallway where we see a determined Nova Skye striding down it. She knocks on a doorway as she bursts through, not even pausing for a response.

The blond man at the desk looks up at the intrusion as she comes to a stop before him. *

NOVA SKYE: “Hey, I want Phoenix in a no DQ match tonight.”

*Alexander Marshall stares at her for a few moments in silence, slowly setting down his pen and pressing his hands together as he regards her. *

NOVA SKYE: “.......... please.”

*She adds as an afterthought, as he continues to stare silently. *

ALEXANDER MARSHALL: “Normally, I wouldn't allow such a violent match…”

*He holds his hand up as Nova starts to protest, and she subsides. *

ALEXANDER MARSHALL: “But as a dog lover…I hope you destroy him.”

*A grin flashes over Nova’s face.*

NOVA SKYE: “Thank you Mr. Marshall!”

*He nods and picks up his pen, returning to business as she leaves the office, a satisfied gleam in her eyes. The shot fades from the vengeful face of Nova Skye to the Friday Night Fury opening video. *

*The video fades to a live shot of the Lightning Plex, and pans around the crowd as "Thunder Struck" by AC/DC can be heard playing the in the arena. The crowd is on their feet and cheerng loudly as the camera pans around and begins focusing on individual sings. *

"DON'T DO IT MARCUS!"

"I WANT TO SEE NOVA'S PUPPY...'S"

"I'LL TAKE PAGE'S CHALLENGE!"

"DREAM WEAVERS DREAM COME TRUE!"

"TPW > PV"

"WHAT DOES TLS STAND FOR?"

*The shot switches from the crowd to a a shot of the parking area. *

*“Earlier Today” flashes across the screen:

We cut outside to the loading dock of the Lightning Plex in beautiful Clearwater, Florida where we come across a black limo pulling to a smooth stop as it enters the arena through a massive roll-up door. Seconds after coming to rest the back driver-side door kicks open with a purpose and we see thick white smoke billowing out of the back. We get a loud, mixed reception as Chris Page emerges from the back of the limo in street clothes wielding the TPW International Championship. Chris is followed by Kat Jones who is coughing uncontrollably. Chris and Kat walk toward the backstage hallways as we pick up a piece of the conversation. *

CHRIS PAGE: Do you think Marcus is going to accept or decline the offer?

KAT JONES: If he’s smart he’s accepting it. It’s not every day we give out these positions in CCPE. Our talent roster reads like a who’s who of our sport.

CHRIS PAGE: I guess we’re going to see what’s up in a bit.

KAT JONES: I think you should be less concerned about Marcus and more concerned about this open challenge you laid out for tonight. Defending the TPW International Title against an unknown opponent put you at a huge disadvantage.

*Chris smirks as they continue down the backstage hallway. *

CHRIS PAGE: Does it look like I’m concerned?

*Chris asks as he continues. *

CHRIS PAGE: When you’re not supposed to be the man it doesn’t matter when it’s taken away from you, you enjoy the ride while it lasts. I turn fifty-four years old this year, I’m wielding TWO World Titles, and the last thing I need is validation. I could have easily just “held” this title without doing anything with it as we head to Retro-Mania… What does that do for me?

KAT JONES: Nothing.

CHRIS PAGE: Exactly.

*Chris then states. *

CHRIS PAGE: It doesn’t matter who answers the open call. I’ll win or I’ll lose… either way, I’m moving on to the next thing, it’s going to be a lot of fun either way.

*They reach a door marked “CHRIS PAGE”. Kat opens the doors for Chris who enters his dressing room followed by Kat Jones. The door closes behind them, and as it does the shot cuts to the commentary table. *

Markson: WOW! The hubris of Chris Page knows no bounds. Issuing an open challenge this close to RetroMania.

Hotcakes: Chris Page is cocky, he is confident. Page believes he is the best, and he is going to prove. AND WHY SHOULDN'T HE BELIEVE IT!?!

Markson: It just doesn't seem smart to me Harry.

Hotcakes: It doesn't seem mart to you, because you aren't a warrior who wants to prove they are the best in the world.

Markson: Speaking of someone wanting to prove they are the best in the world, it is time for our opening contest featuring Marcus Ka'Derrion.

Hotcakes: HEY! LOOK WHO IS HERE!

*Chris Page sits down at the commentary dsek, putting on an extra headset as he pushes Markson out of the way while sitting down. *

Hotcakes: Chris Page, so happy to have you here with us.

Chris Page: Yes, the pleasure is all yours.

Steve Cotton: Ladies and gentlemen the following match is our opening bout, scheduled for one fall with a ten-minute time limit!

*The song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day begins to play, causing the fans to turn towards the entrance. “Prince of Pain” is displayed on the big screen and the crowd, who by now has gotten to their feet, cheer loudly as Paco "The Drinking Time Bomb" Perez comes out followed shortly after by Marcus Ka’Derrion, wearing his black and blue gear and sporting a sleeveless “Green Day Rocks” t-shirt. As they make their way to the ring, the video package on the Terry-Tron shows highlights of his Caribbean Cup win. Once they get to the ring area, Marcus goes up the steel steps as Paco walks around the ring, looking at the fans, seeing who's got a free beer for him. Marcus gets inside the ring, climbs to the second turnbuckle and throws his arms to the side getting more cheers from the crowd. He then looks at Chris Page and nods and Chris Page nods back. He then takes off the t-shirt and throws it to a lucky fan. He then hops down and awaits the start of the match. *

Markson: You want to tell us what that nod is all about Chris?

Chris Page: Maybe.

Hotcakes: Yeah, mind your business, Mark.

* “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X begins to play and the crowd rolls their eyes and sit back down… After what appears forever, even though it’s only been a few seconds, no one comes out and the Terry-Tron comes alive, showing the gorilla position where we see that Cole Dominguez, Marcus’ opponent, has been laid out! *

Markson: Someone laid The Dude out!

Hotcakes: You sure he didn’t just trip on his way up? He’s done that before.

Chris Page: Well, look at that, isn’t that unfortunate… Who’s going to face Marcus now?

*Mark and Harry both look at Chris who has a very suspicious smile on his face. *

Markson: What the heck is this?

Hotcakes: No, it can’t be!

*But it is, Coding Rhodes steps out from the back in all his glory and the crowd boos loudly. Steve Cotton goes to talk to the TPW official at ringside as Marcus simply shakes his head. Chris Page is laughing as Harry and Mark look at him in disbelief. *

Markson: Are you behind this Chris?! Did you pay off Coding Rhodes to take out Cole Dominguez?!\

Chris Page: Of course, I’m behind it! Look, Marcus was going to run right through “The Dude”, we all know this… So, I decided to work some of the magic only I can work, and brought to TPW, a man, who has been wreaking havoc in my promotion, WGWF, for months now! He’s going to prove to be a much better challenge than “The Dude” for Marcus.

Hotcakes: Is he though….?

*Chris simply shrugs, back in the ring, Steve Cotton have been given his instructions. *

Steve Cotton: Ladies and gentlemen, due to Cole Dominguez being unable to compete tonight, he has been replaced by the man making his way to the ring right now… He is everyone’s nightmare…. Coding Rhodes!

*Coding Rhodes gets inside the ring and taunts the crowd as they boo him louder than anyone they have ever booed before, including Peter Vaughn. Marcus is talking with Paco on the outside when Rhodes, after taking off his robe, charges at Marcus and begins pummeling him with forearm shots! *

Markson: Wait a minute, the bell hasn’t even rung yet!

Chris Page: See, mistake number one by Marcus! Turning his back on his opponent. He does that against me, what do you think is going to happen?

Hotcakes: Exactly, never take your eyes off your opponent, no matter who it is!

*Coding Rhodes has pummeled Marcus all the way down to a seated position where he now stomps a mudhole dry on him. The ref for this one, Dizzy Dan, gets in between the two finally and pushes Rhodes back… He simply throws his arms to the side and says: ‘alright, alright’ as he backs off, letting Dizzy Dan check on Marcus to make sure he wants to start the match. “DO IT!” he yells at Dan who reluctantly calls for the bell. As soon as he does, Rhodes is back on Marcus with kicks and punches. *

Markson: This is definitely not the way Marcus was expecting this contest to go! He’s been totally caught off guard by Coding Rhodes!

Chris Page: Mistake number two by Marcus, always expect the unexpected.

Hotcakes: Most definitely.

*Coding Rhodes drags Marcus towards the middle of the ring and pins him but he doesn’t even get a one count as Marcus pushes him off. Rhodes gets to his feet right away and picks up Marcus, backing him to the ropes and then whipping him to the opposite side. Marcus manages to reverse it and Rhodes bounces off. Marcus goes for a back body drop but Rhodes puts on the breaks, drops on his back and hits Marcus with a right hand! Marcus stumbles backwards towards the ropes and Rhodes kips up and taunts the crowd some more. Rhodes goes after Marcus now, grabbing him and whipping to the opposite side, Marcus bounces off and Rhodes goes for his patented 360 power slam, but Marcus puts on the breaks and Rhodes spins around awkwardly and falls flat on his face. He stumbles to his feet, holding his chin and turns to Marcus who lifts him and nails him with an inverted atomic drop followed by stiff lariat that drops Rhodes to the mat!*

Markson: and Marcus finally explodes with some offense!

Chris Page: It was about time, getting bored here.

Hotcakes: I’m not, I definitely popped for those two moves right there, I love that Marcus wrestles an old school style, you don’t see that combination that often any more in wrestling.

*Marcus gets on top of Rhodes now and begins to pummel him with closed fists. Dizzy Dan is right on him with the count and Marcus breaks it as he reaches four. Marcus then picks up Rhodes, but he reaches for his face and rakes the eyes! Marcus stumbles backwards into the corner as Rhodes brushes off Dan giving him a warning. Rhodes grabs Marcus and sets him up on the top turnbuckle. He then climbs onto the second one himself and hooks Marcus for a suplex! No, Marcus fights him off, nailing him with a couple of left hands followed by a headbutt that sends Rhodes crashing to the mat below. Marcus now stands on the turnbuckle and jumps off, driving his elbow to the heart of Rhodes, if he has one! Marcus gets to his feet, checking his eyesight and now appears to be pissed off. He picks up Rhodes and then hooks him between his legs, he then lifts him up into a crucifix position before dropping him with a power-bomb!*

Markson: Marcus calls that move His Legacy, as that was a trademark move used by his father.

Chris Page: Not bad.

Hotcakes: and that may be all he needs to beat Rhodes who appears to be out.

*Marcus gets on top of Rhodes and makes the pin.*
*One!*

*Two!*

*Th.. no! Marcus pulls Rhodes up by his hair!*

Markson: What is this? Looks like Marcus isn’t done!

Hotcakes: Maybe he wants to show you something Chris!

Chris Page: Alright, let’s see it then, what do you got Marcus?

*Marcus brings Rhodes back up, hooks him by one leg at his side, lifts him up and drops him with a knee-breaker! Marcus doesn’t let go of the leg, instead, he grabs the other, wraps them around each other and flips Rhodes onto his belly, then sits back, applying his submission finisher: “The Punisher” Texas Clover Leaf. He is looking right at Chris who is staring right back at him. It takes only but a second for Rhodes to tap out. The bell rings. *

Steve Cotton: Here is your winner… “The Prince of Pain” Marcus Ka’Derrion!

*Chris stands up and claps, almost sarcastically, as Marcus hangs on to the submission just a few seconds longer than he needs to. When he finally breaks it, Dizzy Dan raises his arm in victory. *

Markson: Well so much for Coding Rhodes, eh Chris? Marcus takes him out with the move he named after his father’s wrestling name.

Chris Page: Yeah, yeah, yeah, he loves his daddy, I get it. Look, don’t worry about Rhodes, that bastard always comes back.

Hotcakes: Not a bad showing by Marcus though, would you agree?

Chris Page: Not bad, no… But no where near enough what he needs if he chooses to face me.

*Marcus hops to the outside and joins Paco who hands him a t-shirt, ‘the’ t-shirt. Marcus walks around so he is in front of Chris and the commentating team. Chris once again slow claps at Marcus who extends the shirt, looks at it, acts as if he’s going to put it on but then just throws it over his shoulder. “I’ll see you later” he tells Chris as he then turns and walks off with Paco. *

Chris Page: Yes you will.

Markson: Well fans it looks like Marcus isn’t quite ready to make the decision to join CCPE.

Hotcakes: No need to rush things, he has a couple of hours before we get to watch Chris Page defends his International title in the main event.

Markson: Yes, and Marcus will join us for your match Chris and provide commentary. Any thoughts on that?

Chris Page: Good, he’ll definitely learn a thing or two from me, guaranteed.

*Page stands up and tosses his headset down as the show fades to a commercial break. *

*The shot returns from the commercial break to Steve Cotton standing in the middle of the ring. *

Steve Cotton: The following contest is a.... S.E.X CUP QUARTERFINALS MATCH!!!

*Crowd Pop. *

Steve Cotton: Introducing first, at a total combined weight of 437lbs, the team of “Big Money” Tyler Cage, and “The People’s G.O.A.T” James Raven, this is…. YOUNG AND GOATED!!!

*Tyler by Jack Harlow plays over the speakers and then the light flicker to the beat until Tyler Cahe comes out of the entrance and onto the stage in gold and white MMA shorts and a rope that says BIG MONEY on the back. As he stops on stage he flashes a confident smile at the camera and then a bunch money comes falling down around the arena with his face on it and then two female Baddies come out on stage and escort him down the ramp as he gets a mixed reaction from the fans. Cage stands at the top of the entranceway as his music fades out.

The entire arena slowly fades to black as the audience excitedly awaits the entrance of "The Peoples GOAT". The drum beat and guitar solo start and a series of white and blue spotlights come up and pan the crowd. Mike Shinodas voice is heard on the speakers singing.

“Now here we go for the hundredth time, hand grenade pins in every line, throw ‘em up and let something shine, going out of my Fudgeing mind… filthy mouth, no excuse, find a new place to hang this noose, string me up from atop these roofs, high and tight so I wont get loose.”

By now the fans are going wild and cheering as the spotlights slowly make their way to the top of the entrance ramp where a dim fog begins to form.

“Truth is you can stop and stare, rub myself out and no one cares, dug the trench out and lay down there with a shovel up, out of reach somewhere… yeah, someone pouring in, make it a dirt glass floor again, say your prayers and stomp it out when they bring that chorus in.”

The spotlights come together as one, and the fog fills the top of the ramp until the downbeat hits and a major blue and silver pyrotechnic display goes off and the rest of the arena lights turn up to full. When the smoke clears James Raven is seen on top of the ramp, his hands thrown up over his head and a huge smile on his face. Tyler Cage stands beside him with his hands in the air as well.

James and Tyler make their way down the ramp, James is high-fiving fans and posing for pictures with several of them until he reaches the base of the ramp. Young and Goated pause for a few seconds before sprinting for the ring, diving in under the bottom rope and sliding into the center of the mat. They pose together for a second, then get up and run for the turnbuckles, climbing up and posing yet again for the fans. They both hop down as the music fades and they await their opponents. *

Steve Cotton: And there opponents, weighing in at a total combined weight of 225lbs, the team of Brooke Blakely and Junko Souman, they are…. THE DREAM WEAVERS!!!

*The lights in the arena dim as “Evolution” by Ayumi Hamasaki begins to play over the PA. Junko and Brooke storm out onto the entranceway and look at each other. They high-five and then head down the entrance way high-fiving fans as they make their way down. They slide into the ring and climb to the top turnbuckle and pose for fans as the lights come up and their music fades out. *

Markson: This is going to be a very interesting contrast in styles.

Hotcakes: It's going to be rough going for the Dream Weavers, I think their dream is about to turn into a nightmare.

*The bell sounds as we are underway in our next S.E.X. Cup confrontation. Tyler Cage starts things off for Young and Goated while Brooke Blakely starts off for hers. Cage smirks as he points and laughs at her garnering boos from the crowd. Blakey blows Cage a kiss before they start to circle each other. They look to lock up with Cage driving a boot to the midsection instead that doubles over Blakely. Cage lands a clubbing blow across Blakely’s back sending her crashing down to the mat. Cage taunts the crowd, drawing more boos before returning to Brooke. Cage picks Brooke up off the mat, he scoops her up over his shoulder only to see Blakely slide down the back of Cage and roll him up with a School Boy. *

1!!


2!!


THR…

Markson: Brooke Blakely, looking to put it away early here tonight.

Hotcakes: She knows she has too. Dream Weavers are considered major dogs.

Markson: Uh Harry…

Hotcakes: I mean major UNDER DOGS!

*Cage escapes with a kick out! Both Blakely and Cage are back to their feet with Cage swinging with a right hand, Blakely ducks and catches Cage with a Pele Kick upon him spinning back around. Blakely pops back up to her feet where she starts unloading with a series of forearm smashes to the jaw before backing Cage up against the ropes. Blakely looks to shoot Cage across the ring with an Irish Whip, Cage reverses and it’s Blakely bouncing off the far side and into a spinning heel kick that’s on the money. Cage presses a cover. *

1!!


2!!


THR…

*Blakely escapes with a kick out! *

Markson: Blakely showing that toughness that has made her undefeated thus far in TPW.

Hotcakes: Her and Junko are as tough as Dollar Tree steaks.

*Cage gets back to his feet where he picks Blakely up and drives her back into the Young and Goated corner. Raven makes the tag and steps through the ropes while Cage starts laying a series of shoulder blocks to the midsection of Blakely. Raven backs up halfway across the ring and charges forward delivering a running step-up knee strike to the jaw of Blakely while Cage has her pinned against the buckles. Raven backs out of the corner allowing Cage to slip out to the apron before the referee’s five count.

Raven brings Blakely out from the corner with a running bulldog. Raven rolls her over making a cover.

1!!


2!!


THRE…

Blakely escapes with another kick out. James Raven steps back up to his feet where he picks Brooke up and shoots her into a neutral corner. Raven charges in after her where Blakely throws a reverse elbow to the jaw rocking Raven back out toward the center of the ring which allows Brooke to do a forward roll toward her corner and tag in Junko! Junko runs down the apron to the far corner and scales up to the top rope where she leaps off the top with a high angle cross body block down on top of Raven with a cover! *

1!!


2!!


THR…

*Raven kicks out. *

Markson: James Raven popped out of that pin at the last possible millisecond.

Hotcakes: James Raven, plays defense like the Buffalo Bill, with the offensive ability of Lamar Jackson.

*Junko is back to her feet where she picks Raven up off the mat and takes him back into the ropes. Cage makes a blind tag as Junko looks for the Irish Whip, Raven reverses and it’s Junko bouncing off the far side, Raven drops down to his chest, Junko leaps over Raven only to be met with a Buckshot Lariat from Cage! *

Markson: Tyler Cage almost took Junko’s head off.

Hotcakes: I bet none of those Yakuza members hit that hard.

*Cage makes the cover while Raven slides out to the floor.

1!!


2!!


THRE!!

Junko pops a shoulder off the mat to a pop from the crowd. Tyler pops back up to his feet where he gets in the referee’s face putting three fingers in his face and complaining about the count. The referee shows him two fingers. Cage scoffs at the referee before turning his attention back toward Junko. He picks her up off the mat before looking for a Superkick! Junko ducks, Cage spins around and walks into a Code Breaker from Junko. *

Markson: Did Junko just crack the code of Young and Goated?

* Junko makes the cover.

1!!


2!!


THRE…

Cage escapes with another kick out. Junko hammers down with right hands to the forehead of Cage! Junko gets back to a vertical base and picks Tyler up before planting him with a DDT! Junko nips up to their feet and makes the tag back to Blakely. Brooke springboards off the top rope dropping a leg across the back of the neck of Cage!

Blakely rolls Tyler over making the cover. *

1!!


2!!


THRE…

*James Raven makes the save stomping on the back of Blakely. *

Markson: Back to back close falls for both teams.

Hotcakes: This is a real nail bitter.

*The referee gets Raven back out to the ring apron while Blakely starts getting back to her feet. She reaches down picks Cage up off the mat where she takes him back into the ropes, she shoots him across the ring, and Cage bounces off the ropes, Blakely ducks her head looking for a back body drop only to have Cage put on the brakes and hoist up Blakely before driving her down into the mat with a Powerbomb! Cage falls back into the ropes where Raven makes the tag. Raven climbs up to the top rope and sets sail with a Diving Elbow across the chest of Blakely! Raven quickly makes the cover hooking the near leg. *

1!!


2!!


THRE…

*Junko dives on top of Raven breaking the count! Cage re-enters the ring and starts trading blows with Junko while Raven starts to get back to his feet. Cage gets the better of the exchange with Junko backing them up against the ropes. Cage charges looking for a lariat that Junko ducks and sends Cage over the top rope and out to the floor with a back body drop! Junko turns around and they walk into a FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN! *

Markson: FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN!!!

Hotcakes: Well, that's a wrap, the dream is over.

Markson: WAIT! NOT SO FAST!

*Junko rolls out to the floor while we see Tyler Cage climbing back up on the ring apron in his corner while Raven gets back to his feet and picks Brooke up off the mat, he scoops her up only for Blakely to slide down the back taking a back waist lock where she drives Raven into the ropes where Cage makes another tag, Blakely rolls up Raven only to have Cage enter the ring and look for a Superkick! Blakely catches the foot of Cage and spins it, Raven kicks out of the cover shooting Blakely toward the back of Cage where she smashes into him and sends him bouncing off the ropes swinging with a lariat, Blakely ducks, and as Raven gets to his feet Blakely shoves Cage into Raven sending him across the ring.Junko reaches under the bottom rope pulling Raven out to the floor under the bottom rope as Blakely spins Cage around blasting him with a Superkick that rocks him backward. Brooke is out to the ring apron where she lands her own version of the Buckshot Lariat dropping Cage where he stands! Brooke makes the cover while Junko restrains Raven! *

1!!


2!!


3!!!

Steve Cotton: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS, ADVANCING TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE S.E.X CUP…. DREAM WWWEEEEAAAAVVVEEERRRSSS!!!

Markson: THE DREAM GOES ON!!!

Hotcakes: I've got to admit I am impressed. Young and Goated was my pick to win it all. Dream Weavers have busted my bracket.

Markson: The Dream Weavers keep their dreams alive. And now we are going to get word from acting TPW President, Alexander Marshall.

*The Chase" by Giorgio Moroder begins to play over the PA and the crowd gives a mild reactions as Alexander Marshall makes his way to the ring. Alexander is very professional, dressed in a suit as he waves to everyone. Alexander is handed a microphone by Steve Cottn as he steps into the middle of the ring. The crowd gives a curious cheer as Alexander Marshall waves and his music "The Chase" by Giorgio Moroder fades softly. Alexander has a microphone and as the crowd and music quiets down he begins to speak. *

Alexander Marshall: HELLO EVERY…

*Alexander is cut off as the crowd begins to roar with cheers as the Terry-Tron comes to life. The screen shows outside of the Lightning Plex with a red and yellow Hummer limo coming to a stop. From the back door steps "Thundering" Terry Marshall, and the crowd gets even louder. Marshall is dressed to fight in his TPW shirt and jeans, and wastes no time heading for the entrance.

The camera pans with Marshall and reveals a massive army of security guards in Riot gear all around the arena. Cannon Gunner and Charles O'Patrick stand in front of the main door. They nod at Marshall as they step aside and open the door for Marshall. Terry stops, shakes their hands, and thanks them before heading into the arena. Once in the arena, Marshall heads straight for the ring, as he does he notices Mac Bane, Tristan Slater, and Death warming up. Marshall stops as he and Death stare intensely before Marshall looks at Tristan. *

Terry Marshall: You, Tristan dude. I need to talk to you later about that phone booth. Got big plans for it brother.

Tristan Slater: Yeah brother, hit me up.

*Marshall looks Death up and down one last time before scoffing and walking away. As Marshall gets out of earshot Mac nudges Death. *

Mac Bane: What was that about?

Death: Ehh, I’ve been after him for years.

*The crowd erupts even louder as “Thunder Struck” by AC/DC begins to blare over the PA and Marshall steps through the top of the entranceway. Marshall looks around the sold-out Lighting Plex and the roaring Thundermaniacs. Marshall nods his head and heads straight for the ring. Marshall hops into the ring where Alexander hands him the microphone. Terry immediately signals for the music to be cut and it ends abruptly. *

Terry Marshall: YO DUDES!!!

*Crowd Pops. *

Terry Marshall: Look brothers and sisters, I’m not gonna be my usual fun-loving self tonight. I’m here for business, and I’m here to pick a fight.

*Crowd Pops. *

Terry Marshall: PETER VAUGHN! Brother, I saw what you did here last Fury, and that flat out PISSED ME OFF!

*Crowd Pops. *

Terry Marshall: You want to attack me, that’s fine. I’m a man, and I've bled all over this planet, I’m not concerned about bleeding in this arena. So, Peter Vaughn you want a fight, YOU GOT ONE! But, you aren’t getting the fight until RetroMania. Until then you are suspended, and until then my brother is running the show because I’m focusing on training to KICK YOUR ASS!!!

*Crowd Pops. *

Terry Marshall: But, Peter Vaughn, I’m making sure that when I put you down, you stay down. See, it isn’t going to be just any old match, NO WAY BROTHER! You and me…. TEXAS DEATH MATCH!!!

*Crowd pops.As Marshall finishes speaking, there’s a loud reaction from the crowd… but for some reason, it changes halfway through, turning into boos. Marshall looks around, surprised, but realizes that it’s not for him. The Tron has come on again, and we now see Peter Vaughn, close up, smiling as he stares towards the ring. Terry immediately glares at Vaughn’s face, while Alexander is already on his phone, trying to figure out what’s going on. Vaughn, for his part, begins to laugh as he shakes his head.*

Peter Vaughn: Terry, Terry, TERRY… you went a little overboard on the security budget there, didn’t you, ‘boss’? I guess you thought I was going to be predictable and make an appearance there, to show you once again why TPW is MY company, not yours. Well, I’m afraid you wasted your money this time. I’m nowhere near the arena, and I have no intention of making my point there once again.

Terry Marshall: OF COURSE YOU AREN’T HERE, YOU COWARD!

*The camera is very slowly zooming out, although we still can only really see Vaughn in the shot.*

Peter Vaughn: So you say we’re going to be fighting at RetroMania. That certainly lives up to the name, boyo, because fighting you feels like something that should only happen in the past. But I’m more than willing to take that deal, Terry. As for my being suspended until then, well, you know one thing about suspensions… they give you plenty of available travel time.

*As Vaughn leans backwards, we can see that he’s got his truck, Gabriella, behind him. We can also start to see some of the homes close by, giving us more clues as to where Vaughn is.*

Markson: Where is he? That’s clearly not outside the arena… and honestly, it doesn’t even look like Florida to me.

Hotcakes: Actually, there’s something awfully familiar about those homes…

*We can see Terry tensing up, as if he, too, is recognizing something, although the crowd hasn’t figured it out yet. In the meantime, Vaughn starts singing, a simple tune, but an extremely familiar one.*

Peter Vaughn: “Country Roads… Take Me Home… To the Place… I Belong…“

*As Vaughn continues to sing the tune in slightly disturbing fashion, he reaches into the open window of his truck, pulling out his favorite weapon as of late: a large metal wrench. He swings it back and forth to the rhythm of the song.*

Peter Vaughn: “West Virginia… Mountain Mama… Take Me Home… Country… Roads…”

*The camera has finally zoomed out enough to see the entire area as Vaughn steps around the truck. We can now see the mailbox set up near the curb of the house Vaughn is parked in front of. It’s lovingly decorated, with the words “The Marshalls” clearly listed on it. Terry, his worst fears confirmed, grabs Alexander’s phone from him, immediately putting in his own number.*

Markson: Is that…

Hotcakes: That’s Terry’s house!! Why is Vaughn at Terry’s house??

*Vaughn is near the mailbox now, staring over at the house that stands in front of him. He turns to the camera one more time, leaning towards it.*

Peter Vaughn: You never do have your family come with you to Florida, do you, Terry? Interesting decision, since it leaves them… on their own. I told you, didn’t I, Terry? You decided to take everything from me. I told you I’d take everything from you, too. See you at RetroMania… boss…

*Vaughn nods, then rears back with the wrench, smashing it into the side of the mailbox, crumpling it. He then turns and walks towards the house, even as the picture cuts out. We’re now fully shown the ring, as Terry is frantically pacing back and forth, hoping that someone answers on the other end of the phone. He looks frustrated, though, as it likely goes to voicemail, because he throws the phone back towards a startled Alexander and turns, quickly rushing out of the ring and heading towards the back.*

Markson: You don’t think that Vaughn would… bring family into this, do you?

Hotcakes: This man is completely unstable at the moment, Mark! We need to call WVPD right now!!

Markson: Things have certainly taken a dark turn…

*The camera shows Terry disappearing through the curtain, likely working on ways to get some security to his house, as we cut away to a commercial break. *

*The shot returns from commercial break to Steve Cotton standing in the ring. *

Steve Cotton: The following contest is a S.E.X CUP QUARTERFINAL MATCH! Introducing first at the total combined weight of 445lbs, the team of Gabe and Jethro Dawson, they are THE GANGSTERS OF CHRIST!!

*The sounds of a Country boy can survive. starts to pick up over the sound system as the lights dim out with a spotlight hitting the top of the ramp to find Michael Dawson taking the lead out through the curtain dressed in his Sunday’s best, bible in hand clutched at his chest.

The crowd's reaction is neutral as Gabe and Jethro Dawson emerge behind their father.

Micheal leads Lizard Licks best down toward the IIW ring. Once ringside Michael spins around drawing a crucifix in the air across the face of Jethro and then followed by Gabe before the Gangsters of Christ slide into the ring and get to their feet waiting for the match to start. *

Steve Cotton: Introducing their opponents, t the total combined weight 478lbs, the team of Joe Montuori and Thaddeus Duke, they are THE MANHATTAN PROJECT!!!

*The lights in the arena go out and 'My Name Is Human' by Highly Suspect begins to play over the PA as the crowd begins to cheer. Thad's pet lion, Mufasa, belts out a loud roar and with it, the stage and the ring light up in a dim gold colored lighting. Mufasa paces the stage as "My Name Is Human" by Highly Suspect plays throughout the stadium to a roar from the crowd.

Thad enters the stage with his hood up. Standing on stage, Thad gives his 'messiah pose' as a triple pyro shot from the top of the Tron toward the ring. When it bursts, it reveals a sparkling golden image of a roaring lion above the ring, bringing cheers. After the pyro bursts, the music twist and is transitioned to "Money, Power, Respect" By The Lox and DMX.

Pyros shoot off like its the 4th of July. When the smoke clears, JMont is standing on the entrance way with a grin that all the fans cant stand. JMont and Thad walk down the aisle to cheers and boos, JMont just laughs it off. Meanwhile Thad in his custom white leather Lionheart jacket, throws his hood off as he begins down the ramp. At the bottom, he slaps a few hands before climbing the ring steps. At the top of the steps he pauses, looking over his shoulder toward the cheering fans with his sweet smile. When the team gets into the ring, they climbs up the top turnbuckle, looks around then raises his arms like he is the king of the world.. *

DING DING DING!

*Jethro and Thaddeus stare one another down in the center of the ring, eyes locked on one another as the crowd anticipates who will make the first move in this heated match up. Extending his right hand out, Dawson continues to look at Thaddeus who raises his own left hand before placing his hand atop Dawson's and locking his fingers in between as Jethro raises his own left hand. Instead of doing the same with his right, Thaddeus drives his right knee into the solar plexus of the unsuspecting Jethro, doubling him over so that Thaddeus can apply a front facelock and fall backwards to execute a sharp DDT.*

Markson: "Thaddeus knows he doesn't want to get into a test of strength against someone like Gabe, especially as his technical advantage is key against someone who has him beat in the size and strength department."

Hotcakes: "Those country boys know how to grapple, I'll give them that. They've been doing it all their life on the farm, so if I was Thad, I'd have done the same."

Markson: "You're not wrong. Farmers do tend to know how to grapple with the best of them, so if Thad and Joe can avoid engaging in a test of strength and focus on wrestling at their pace, they should be in a good position to win in the long run."

*Standing immediately, Thaddeus drops a knee onto the upper back of Jethro, causing him to wince as he plants his hands on the mat and tries to push upward, only to be prevented from doing so by a second knee drop. Crashing onto the mat chest first, Jethro turns his head so that he is looking in the direction of Duke but is unable to do anything to prevent himself from being on the receiving end of a toe kick to his ribs, resulting in him instinctively turning onto his side to clutch them. Looking across at his tag partner, Thaddeus curls his lips into a small smile before turning back to his side-lying opponent and bending over and obtaining control of his left wrist and pulling him upward. *

Markson: "Those knees to the back are going to add up in the long run. Really takes the power away from Jethro and wears him down so that he can potentially become easy pickings as the battle wears on. I like this strategy a lot."

Hotcakes: "He has to be wary though, because I hear you can't keep a country boy down long. They're like hogs in that you have to shoot them if you want to keep them on the ground."

Markson: "I don't think he has to go that far, but I'll give you that the Gangsters of Christ are tough to keep grounded."

Hotcakes: "He might have to go that far though. Otherwise, they'll keep rising and fighting."

*Pulling him closer toward him, Thaddeus attempts a forearm strike to the jaw, but Jethro manages to loosen the hold Thaddeus has on his wrist and side step the move, driving his own right knee into the solar plexus of Thad and keeling him over before wrapping his arms around Duke's waist and connecting with a gutwrench suplex that sends Thaddeus halfway across the ring, landing about two feet from the ropes. *

Markson: "There's the power of Jethro on display there. He just tossed Thaddeus like he was nothing."

Hotcakes: "See what I mean? Gotta shoot them if you want to keep them down, otherwise they'll throw you like you're a red solo cup."

*Jethro's face contorts into a half scowl, half grimace as a jolt of pain shoots upward from his ribs, Jethro winches as he stands, but is able to do so in time to see the already risen Thaddeus running in his direction before leaping into the air like a missile, aiming for a dropkick, which is blocked by Jethro's forearms. Using his right hand to grab the left wrist of Thaddeus, Jethro lifts him back upward, pulling him in and wrapping him into a bearhug, only for Thaddeus to connect with a trio of forearm strikes to the jaw, enough to cause his grip to loosen and Thaddeus to wiggle himself free. *

Markson: "Thaddeus showing his ring awareness and IQ there. He knew Jethro wanted to go back to the suplex well and snuffed it out with crisp, clean forearms. Opening up the window for a counterattack."

Hotcakes: "Thaddeus is resisting, because he knows if he doesn't, he'll get eaten alive and left as nothing but flesh and bones."

Markson: "They might fight like hogs and be called the Gangsters of Christ, but they're not cannibals."

Hotcakes: "Could've fooled me."

*Spinning, Thaddeus lands a discus backfist to the jaw that staggers Jethro further, before taking three steps toward him and driving him into the mat with a STO, lifting his arm and rolling onto his back as Jethro grimaces. Both them then make their way to their feet, as Thaddeus obtains a grasp on Jethro's right wrist, tugging at it to try and Irish whip him, only for Jethro to hold his ground and send Thaddeus toward the ropes instead before bending over as Duke bounces back before rising up the moment Thaddeus reaches him, using his momentum to hoist him up and over his back and send him back first into the mat with a back body drop.*

Hotcakes: "Threw him like he was a barrel of hay back on the farm in Lizard Lick."

Markson: "That's one way of putting it, but Jethro did one-up Thaddeus there. That much is certain."

*Glancing over to his brother, he then turns to look at the downed Duke, before wandering over to him and driving his foot into his supine opponent's sternum before walking over to Gabriel and slapping his outstretched hand for the tag while Thad clutches at his sternum. Stepping into the ring through the top and middle rope, he briskly walks over to the gingerly rising Duke, raising his right knee along the way, aiming for Thad's head, however, Thaddeus drops down and wraps his legs around Gabe's left leg, twisting to his side in order to guide him to the mat chest and headfirst while Thad plants his palms onto the mat and pushes himself upward.*

Markson: "Quick thinking there from Thaddeus. Avoided what would likely have been a vicious knee to the skull off the tag with a drop toe hold, setting himself up to regain control of this swinging pendulum of a match. Showing what it means to be in a competition like the S.E.X cup."

Hotcakes: "Terry avoided having a possible concussion to a roster member to deal with as well as everything else that has been going on. At least he won't be getting sued because of Thad."

*As soon as he reaches a standing position, he turns to notice Gabriel already on his feel, arm outstretched and running in his direction with a clothesline attempt, leaping horizontally and thrusting his legs forward for a dropkick to the face of Gabe, sending him back down onto the mat as Thad lands on his left shoulder. Rolling into a prone position, Thaddeus pushes himself upward and begins to make his way toward his corner and the outstretched hand of Montuori, sidestepping around the body of Gabriel, specifically his legs in order to do so. Reaching the corner, he slaps Joe's hand before stepping onto the apron as Joe steps into the ring, just as Gabriel launches himself in that direction with a shoulder tackle, which connects with Joe's chest and sends him back into the ropes, then onto the mat.*

Markson: "Tag made, but Gabriel knows he can't afford to let Joe gain momentum, especially against somebody as dangerous as Joe Montuori. He's one of the most credentialed wrestlers in the ring and will pick you apart if he even gets a scent of blood in the water."

Hotcakes: "So, he's like a shark?"

Markson: "You could say that."

*Grabbing onto the middle rope, Gabe stands, stomping with his left foot diagonally and downward, accelerating as it nears Joe's sternum in order to prevent him from doing the same. JMont grabs at his chest, trying to regain his breath as another stomp is dropped down onto him, this time to his face before Thaddeus makes his way over so that he is directly in front of Gabe, grabbing his head and jumping off the apron to deliver a hot shot, driving Grabiel's throat into the top rope.*

Markson: "Thaddeus knows what the stakes are here. He knows he can't afford to let any advantage slip or for the Dawsons to gain any sort of foothold here."

Hotcakes: "The old windpipe crushing strategy. I like it, plus it acts as a taser for when you don't have one handy. Also helps your teammate in a pinch."

*Wandering over, the referee admonishes Thad as Gabriel stumbles back while Joe is able to grab the middle rope and use it to push himself up, using the top rope as further leverage once he reaches a vertical position. He then charges at Gabriel, taking him to the mat with a clothesline as he taunts the crowd, a smirk across his face. Returning his taunts with a shower of boos, the crowd react further when JMont turns around and clutches the right wrist of Gabriel, pulling him up and into his body, then hoisting him while twisting his body for a T-bone suplex.*

Markson: "If I was JMont, I would focus less on the crowd and more on my opponents, but there is a reason he is one of the most talented wrestlers in the world, so I'm not going to stand up and tell him that."

Hotcakes: "So, you're scared of him?"

Markson: "No. I just know when to pick and choose my fights and when to bite my tongue."

Hotcakes: "So, you're scared. Just say that next time."

Markson: "I'm saying I'm a commentator, not a wrestler. So, I'm not going to risk my limbs if I don't have to. I'd like to remain in one piece."

*Immediately pushing himself up, Montuori leaps into the air, crashing down onto the chest of Gabriel with a knee drop delivered with the point of the knee and causing Gabriel to groan in agony as his chest cavity tightens and he finds it difficult to breathe. Measuring him up, Joe waits for him to begin standing up, glancing across at the agitated Jethro on the apron, who is trying to rally his brother and the fans to get into the match, laughing before returning his focus to Gabriel and deciding to simply lift him up the hard way. Swiveling his hips, he looks to send him into the turnbuckle where Thaddeus is standing, only for the Dawson brother to instead toe kick him in the solar plexus before applying a front facelock, wrenching it in for about five seconds before using his left hand to elevate JMont and slam him down with a vertical suplex.*

Markson: "What power on that suplex. Simple, but effective. Just like the Gangsters of Christ."

Hotcakes: "These country boys know how to throw their weight around, that's for sure. Farm bred and built like lumberjacks. There's a reason they've made it this far in the tournament as a unit. As good as the Manhattan project are as two individuals, there isn't a substitute for good old country brothers."

*Both men lay on the mat in a supine position, staring up at the lights shining down on them from the ceiling. the encouragement from each of their partners blending in with the mixed response of the crowd before they are able to make their way back to their feet, Gabriel slightly faster than Joe in doing so. He is able to use that to his advantage by stepping forward and swinging his balled up fist into the jaw of Montuori with an uppercut, causing him to stumble backwards, then send him back to the mat with a shoulder block. Glaring at Thaddeus and making a mental note of how eager he looks for Joe to crawl over for a tag, Gabe stomps down on the chest of Montuori before grabbing his right wrist and maintaining control as he delivers a series of six rapid fire stomps to his sternum area, each one eliciting gasps from the downed JMont as he struggles for air.*

Markson: "Gabriel stomping a mudhole in Joe while positioning himself to deny him any avenues to make a tag. It's always risky when you're in the opponent's corner, but he knows what he's doing and how to keep control over the isolated Montuori."

Hotcakes: "It's simple. He wants to wear Joe down and keep the fresher man from re-entering. Strategy 101."

*Gabriel's face contorting into a scowl as his nose crinkles, he then hoists the weight of Montuori upward, using the momentum to whip him across the ring and send him crashing chest first into the corner opposite to Thaddeus, his father applauding on the floor as JMont brings back before falling back-first onto the mat. Gabriel briskly makes his way over to the supine Joe, deadlifting him off the mat, turning so that he is heading in the direction of his team's corner and taking three steps forward, only for Montuori to slide off his shoulders just as he is about to fall forward for the powerslam, instead finding himself pushed forward and toward the ropes.*

Markson: "JMont's with the wherewithal to avoid being driven into the mat."

Hotcakes: "He's slithery like a snake in the grass."

*He manages to halt his momentum and turn around, but is too late to prevent the flying knee strike to the skull that crumples him down onto the mat, JMont standing over him before bending over and grabbing his right wrist while attempting to manage his own breathing, still feeling the effects of the stomps. Thrusting his foot upward, Gabe connects with a toe kick to the temple, causing Joe to limply drop to the mat in a prone position and enabling the Dawson to make his way to his feet while holding the right arm of Joe as he drags his weight over to their corner and slaps Jethro on the chest to tag him in.*

Markson: "That kick may have knocked Joe out, at least temporally. What impact, and now the Gangsters are asserting their unity and cohesion."

Hotcakes: "Joe shouldn't have exposed his head to Gabriel then, if he didn't want to be dropped like a sack of potatoes."

*Stepping between the top and middle ropes, he walks around the head of Joe, who is still being held by Gabe before driving his knee down into his spine as Gabe releases his grip and leaves the ring on the referee's instruction. Coughing, Joe attempts to keep himself alert as his eyes widen, a second knee drop causing him to arch his body upward before lying still once more. Kneeling down next to the downed body of Montuori, Jethro positions his arms on either side of his head before placing his hands on his jaw and cranking back with a crossface, leaning back to apply further pressure as JMont attempts to acquire a hold on the ropes about five feet away and Thaddeus leaps into the ring.*

Markson: "The ropes are so close, yet so far for JMont. Especially when the crossface is wrenched in as tight as it is."

Hotcakes: "I don't think he'll tap but you can tell he's in a lot of pain right now."

Markson: "His neck is being unnaturally pulled back. Of course he's in pain."

*Jethro's face contorts as he continues wrenching back, using his body weight to prevent Joe from inching closer to the ropes, though the hold is broken when Thad drives his elbow into the Dawson brother's temple, enabling Joe to wiggle himself free and roll toward the ropes, then under the bottom one while avoiding the legs of Gabe. Thaddeus heads back to his corner as Jethro, dazed from the blow makes his way back to his feet, staggering a little as he attempts to maintain his balance while the referee begins to count JMont out.*

Markson: "Joe looking for a breather and hopefully, for his sake, a recalibration of his strategy."

Hotcakes: "That's if the Dawson's let him. I think they'd rather him in the pen rather than outside of it."

ONE!

TWO!

*Using his palms as a base, Montuori is able to rise, albeit disoriented by the effects of the assault he has been through from both Dawsons before shaking his head in an attempt to regain his bearings. Jethro makes his way over to the ropes, motioning at JMont to either step into the ring or he will bring him back in himself, receiving a shake of the head and a laugh in response as JMont begins to walk away from him and toward the steps nearest the other turnbuckle.

THREE!

Reaching the "W" part of the TPW logo on the apron, Joe decides to roll back into the ring, pushing himself up slowly as he turns his head to watch Jethro making his way toward him as he rises, only for the slapping sound of a high impact knee against the flesh and skull to be heard, resulting from Jethro's running knee strike lying JMont back onto the canvas.*

Markson: "Did you hear that? What impact from the knee. I wouldn't be surprised if Joe is out cold."

Hotcakes: "I think the whole neighborhood heard it. I just hope we don't have to hear about concussion or CTE after this match, because that's the sort of knee that would cause either."

*Facing the now prone body of his opponent, Jethro grabs his right arm, violently jerking him upward before driving him neck and headfirst into the mat with a belly to back suplex, the impact causing JMont to land on the mat with a sickening thud that can be heard even up in the nosebleed sections of the arena. His eyes glazing over, Joe drops to the mat, his muscles relaxing as he goes limp and Jethro grabs his left wrist, turning his body so that he is parallel to the ropes before turning him over and lying across him.

ONE... TW...

Joe manages to raise his right shoulder off the mat, to the annoyance of both Jethro and the crowd.*

Markson: "Joe saves himself from what looked like certain defeat there."

Hotcakes: "No Poop. He doesn't want to be the one to take the fall and knock the Manhattan Project out of the cup. I'd dig deep to kick out if I was Joe too."

*Making his way to his feet while Joe weakly pushes himself up, Jethro attempts a sharp cross, aiming for Joe's jaw, only for Montuori to duck under it and nail him with a straight right to the face, jerking the Dawson's head back and causing him to stagger backward while giving JMont some breathing space. Regaining his bearings, Joe extends his right arm outward and runs at Jethro, striking him in the windpipe with a clothesline to take him to the mat before standing over his head and dropping down with a knee to the jaw. He rises, sauntering his way over to his corner as Jethro is encouraged by his father to make his way to his feet and cut JMont off before he can reach Thaddeus. On all fours, Jethro starts to inch his way closer to Joe, but he manages to remain a considerable amount out of Jethro's reach before tagging his partner into the match.*

Markson: "There's the much-needed tag by Joe. Thaddeus is rearing to get back into this one and hopefully lead the Manhattan Project to victory."

Hotcakes: "We'll see. He might be the fresher man, but he's still wearing some battle scars from this match."

*Thaddeus jumps onto the top rope as soon as the tag is made, leaping off with a double foot stomp to the back of the crawling Jethro, causing his chest to be driven into the mat and a small shake to occur. Running toward the ropes, Thaddeus springs back, connecting with a basement dropkick to the temple of Jethro while the latter is on all fours, having attempted to push himself upward using his forearms. Kipping up, Thaddeus grabs both of Jethro's wrists, pulling them to pull him into a kneeling position before stepping in and driving his knee into the jaw of the Dawson, the impact resonating throughout the arena as Jethro slumps to the mat, eyes glazed over and muscles relaxing while Thaddeus rolls him over and drops down, hooking the outside leg.*

Markson: "I think that knee strike may have been louder than Gabriel's one to JMont earlier. I'd be stunned if Jethro isn't knocked out, or at the very least, doesn't have a headache in the morning after that."

Hotcakes: "Jethro's a tough son of a gun. I'm sure some beer and ice will sort him out just fine."

*ONE...TWO..

The pin is broken up by a double ax handle to the skull by Gabe, enabling Jethro to push Thaddeus off him as JMont arrives, connecting with a lariat on Gabriel to take him to the mat before he exits when the referee looks in his direction.*

Markson: "Gabriel with the save. Who knows if that would have been it if he didn't come in and help his brother out."

Hotcakes: "Isn't that what partners are for?"

*Thaddeus is the first to make his way to his feet, extending his right hand to grab Jethro's as he works his own way up, only to cop a hook to the jaw which causes him to take three steps back, before an attempt at a running forearm strike by Thad is met by Jethro lifting him into the air and twisting his body to land atop of the Manhattan Project member with a snap powerslam. Pushing himself up, Jethro is a little bit disoriented and dazed from the knee but manages to shake it off and pull Thaddeus toward the Gangsters of Christ corner, where the outstretched hand of Gabe greets him. Slapping it, Jethro lifts Thad to his feet and applies a full nelson as Gabriel measures him up, delivering a stiff knee to the solar plexus as Jethro releases his hold, grabbing him into a front facelock and kicking his leg forward, falling back with a DDT, Thaddeus's head bouncing off the mat on impact. Gabriel then rolls him over and lays across his body.*

Markson: "Gangsters of Christ showing their tag team experience with that double team. They've worked together their entire lives."

Hotcakes: "They're the tag team here, so they know they need to use that to break down their opponents who are known more as individuals rather than a team. Even if they have worked in unison throughout the tournament."

*ONE...TWO..

JMont rushes in their direction, dropping a knee on Gabriel just as Thad gets his shoulder up and Jethro races in the direction of Joe, looking to spear him to the mat. Joe manages to raise his knee and strike Jethro in the sternum as the two legal men rise to their feet and the referee attempts to tell the non-legal parties to exit the ring. Joe responds by delivering a sharp forearm strike to the back of Gabriel's skull, enabling Thaddeus to take him to the mat with an enzuigiri as Joe wanders back to their corner and steps out through the top and Middle ropes, grabbing the tag rope once more. Thaddeus rises, as does Pope, albeit a little slower than his adversary before the former lifts the latter up and over his body with a belly to belly, the momentum upon falling causing Gabriel to roll under the bottom rope and land on the outside matting as Thaddeus stands, making his way toward the ropes and stepping onto the apron. He leaps down with a double foot stomp, landing between Gabe's shoulder blades.

ONE!

TWO!

Thaddeus grabs Pope by the wrist as soon as he manages to make his way back to his feet, twisting his body and pushing him into the steel steps. Gabriel manages to brace for impact and hits them shoulder first while Thad rolls back into the ring.*

Markson: "Sickening clash of flesh with steel. The din echoed throughout the arena."

Hotcakes: "Looked like he may have injured his shoulder on impact, judging by the way he's gritting his teeth."

Markson: "I wouldn't be surprised if he did. He landed hard against the unforgiving steel."

THREE!

FOUR!

*Gabriel works his way back up to his feet, gritting his teeth as he rolls back into the ring, Thaddeus runs at him, bending his arm as he looks for a baseball slide forearm, only for Gabe to maneuver himself out of the way and force Thaddeus to halt his momentum before he hits the ropes, giving the Gangster of Christ enough time to push off his hands and knees and to a completely vertical position, shaking off the pain in his shoulder. Noticing the expression upon his opponent's face, a lightbulb seemingly flicks on inside of Lionhearted's head as he grabs Gabriel's right wrist, twisting his arm into a hammerlock in order to increase the pressure, causing Pope to grit his teeth, grinding them against each other as Thad bends his arm up further, pushing Gabe down to his knees by driving the sole of his foot into Pope's right knee.*

Markson: "Thaddeus picking apart the shoulder now. He knows if he can take that away, Gabriel's power game becomes a lot weaker."

Hotcakes: "Like a shark. Smell blood and attack it."

*After about thirty seconds, Thaddeus elects to release the hold, instead grabbing Pope's arm and pulling him over to Joe in the corner, tagging Montuori in before he delivers a straight right to Pope's shoulder, causing the latter to scream in pain as JMont then lifts him up onto his shoulders, driving him shoulder first into his bent knee. Joe then lets Gabriel drop to the mat, tagging Thaddeus back in so that he can lift Gabriel up, holding him in an inverted facelock before falling back with a reverse DDT, then covering him immediately after.

ONE...

Gabriel is able to get his foot onto the bottom rope, despite Joe pushing it off in the hopes that the referee wouldn't see it. Unfortunately for him and Thaddeus, he did and motions toward it as Thaddeus stands up, slight frustration evident across his face. Grabbing Pope by the wrist, he drags him away from the ropes and drops down once again, this time hooking the inside leg.

ONE...TWO...TH... *

Markson: "Is this it?"

*Gabriel raises his outside shoulder, just as JMont, who had entered the ring during the count, is able to extend his leg out in front of him and connect with a big boot to the skull of Jethro, who twists his body as he falls, landing prone on the mat, his head turned so that he is staring in the direction from which Joe hit him.*

Markson: "No, Gabriel gets the shoulder up at the last second, saving his and his brother's chances."

Hotcakes: "Do what you have to in order to survive."

*Looking across at his downed Brother, Pope is unaware of the fact that Thaddeus is standing right in front of him until he is lifted into the air, though lands a stiff straight right to the skull of Thad, causing him to drop him from the attempted spinebuster, before placing his arm across the latter's throat and hoisting him up, then down for a uranage. Gabe then turns his body, slowly making his way toward his corner as Thaddeus crawls after him, managing to obtain a hold of his left ankle in order to halt his momentum before rising, keeping his grip on the ankle as Pope uses his right to attempt to balance himself before Thad drives his knee into the mat, causing him to grit his teeth once more, pain shooting from both his shoulder and the impacted knee. Thaddeus taunts outward toward the fans, though makes sure not to take his eyes off the downed Dawson at his feet, before grabbing both of Gabe's wrists and pulling them back then driving his foot into the back of Pope's head, releasing as his face slams into the mat.*

Markson: "Thad with the brutal curb stomp to the back of the head."

Hotcakes: "That's sure to leave a mark."

*Taunting the fans, JMont then extends his hand for the tag once more, an act that Thad obliges with, the two trading positions. Gabriel attempts to stand, his shoulder and knee beginning to throb with pain, but is prevented from doing so by a toe kick to his ribs from JMont, who then turns him over and begins to stomp on his shoulders, wrists, knees, ankles and head while moving in a clockwise direction before grabbing his right wrist, attempting to drag him toward the ropes, but Gabriel is able to drill his fist into Joe's solar plexus, causing him to double over and allowing Gabe to break free from his grip and continue his slow, painful crawl toward his corner and the leaning, outstretched hand of Jethro. Successfully reaching his brother, he pushes himself forward and slaps his hand to the roaring approval of the crowd, before rolling under the bottom rope and lying outside. Running straight at JMont, Jethro takes him down with a shoulder block before lifting him up and dropping him back down with a scoop slam, then knocking Thad off the apron and to the mat with a big boot. Turning around, he walks back to JMont, lifting him up once again and this him kneeing him in the solar plexus before placing him between his legs and connecting with a Jack-knife powerbomb, holding on for the pin.

ONE... TWO... THREE...

Right as the referee's hand is about to hit the mat, Montuori is able to lift up his left shoulder, causing Jethro's expression to become visibly frustrated as he turns to the referee and mouths "It was three" but only getting a gesture of two fingers raised by the ref.*

Markson: "I thought for sure that was it there, but no. Just two."

Hotcakes: "Jethro seems to agree with you that it should have been three. Referee counted a little slower from where I'm sitting."

Markson: "I disagree, but Jethro should know he can't afford to let it get to him."

*Nonetheless, Jethro slowly works his way to his feet, managing to rise before the dazed and pained JMont, wrapping his arms around the latter's waist before hitting an overhead belly to belly suplex, tossing him to the dead center of the ring. On the outside of the ring, both Thad and Gabriel have made their way back to the apron, albeit worn and feeling the effects of their respective assaults. Jethro then grabs a hold of Joe's right ankle, applying an ankle lock as pain is etched upon Montuori's face and he tries to use his left leg to push off as well as twisting his body, though Jethro drags him back and shifts his own body weight to prevent the latter occurrence.*

Markson: "Jethro got the ankle lock in nice and tight. Joe is screaming in pain but has to find a way to escape or tap out here. I don't think he's going to be able to reach the ropes."

Hotcakes: "Jethro not letting go. He doesn't care if he breaks JMont's ankle. Winning is the only thing on his mind right now, as it should be."

*Both of the non-legal men enter the ring and make a beeline for the hold, with Gabe able to hit a running forearm smash to Thad, causing him to fall backward onto the mat as Pope begins to stomp a mudhole on him as his brother maintains the vice like grip on Montuori's ankle. On his fifth attempt to turn onto his back, JMont is able to, and uses his left leg to kick Jethro in the sternum and force him to relinquish the hold, before clutching at his ankle with his hands. Jethro then lifts Joe upward, connecting with a side belly-to-belly suplex, maintaining his hold on Joe before hitting a second one, then locking in the Exorcism.*

Markson: "There it is. The kata-ha-jime is locked in and JMont is trapped. Jethro making sure that there isn't any way he can escape from this."

Hotcakes: "He's got the man hogtied and is just waiting for him to fall asleep now, so he can chuck him on the spit roast."

Markson: "What's with you and these farm references?"

Hotcakes: "Got to stay hip with the country lingo."

*Joe struggles to break free from the hold, even throwing his elbows back as Thaddeus jumps into the ring, racing over to attempt to break the hold, only for him to crash down to the mat when Gabriel, who had also raced into the ring, nails him with a clothesline. Keeping the hold wrenched in, Jethro's face begins to show signs of strain as Joe slowly but surely goes limp, his eyes rolling back into his head as the referee bends down, checking for a submission. Noticing that Joe is unresponsive as the hold continues to be locked in, they call for the bell. *

Steve Cotton: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS, ADVANCING TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE S.E.X CUP.... THE GANGSTERS OF CHRIST!!!

Markson: "That's it. The Gangsters of Christ have done it. They've silenced the Manhattan project and proven why they are a top tag team."

Hotcakes: "They've given them a good ole fashion country whipping."

Markson: "That they have. Speaking of country, we have some words coming up from Mud Mouth.

*The scene opens up to a shot of the Louisiana Swamp at dusk. The camera is practically water level. A snake slithers by and turtle pops up and floats along the surface. The sun sinks a bit lower in the sky until it dips down below the tree line and the shadows grow longer.

The camera tracks a fish crow as it swoops across the surface of the water before lifting up a bit and eventually gliding a ways across the property away from the water’s edge. The blackbird comes to land slowly on a tombstone in the Mud Mouth family graveyard as the sun’s last rays on light give way to the night. The camera now switches to night vision and we can see Mud Mouth and his manager Clement Claremonte standing along the tree line. They say something, just staring into the camera. Their eyes glowing in the night vision like nocturnal animals before the feed cuts off and goes to a commercial break. *

*The shot returns to Steve Cotton standing in the ring. *

Steve Cotton: Ladies and gentlemen the following match is a Prestige Championship Qualifier Triple Threat Match scheduled for one fall!

Markson: Here we go Harry, time to find out who will challenge for the newest TPW championship!

Hotcakes: That belt is so beautiful, it makes me want to come out of retirement and challenge for it myself.

*Gold Medal" by meltdown plays on the speakers for a moment and as the beat drops he appears being lifted up on a podium and as it stops he lifts his hand in the air and then fireworks go off behind before heading down the ring with a focused look on his face.*

Steve Cotton: Introducing first, from Gray, Georgia… Weighing in at 230 pounds and standing at 6’3” tall… Here is Jared Reed!

*He gives a couple fans high fives before running up the steel steps and enters the ring, he kneels down in the center of the ring and now this head as he does a quick prayer and then suddenly stands up with excitement and gets hyped as he waits for the match to start.*

Steve Cotton: and his opponent…

*Everyone knows I'm Hog Wild!" Hank Williams Jr starts the intro as the fans all turn to look at the entrance. The heavyweight known as Aaron Warthog comes out, jutting out his chin on the stage and facing the audience.*

Steve Cotton: Making his way to the ring from Charleston, South Carolina… Weighting in at an impressive 330 pounds and standing at a shocking 6’2” tall… Here is Aaron Warthog!

*He starts down to the ring, pounding on his stomach along the way, ready for another brawl. He gets up on the apron, flashing a signal to the camera, a sign of his love for his wife and child, before stepping through the ropes. Jared studies the big man in front of him and Aaron friendly nods, the lights suddenly dim in the arena as thick fog rolls in, engulfing the entrance ramp. The sound of heavy footsteps reverberates throughout the arena. Suddenly, the lights flicker out, the arena plunges into total darkness. Arise by Sepultura begins to play on the PA system. A single bright spotlight hits the fog, the crowd grows uneasy as they catch their first glimpse of the imposing figure. As the guitar comes into the song, he begins to make his way down the ramp. His steps slow and deliberate, his gaze fixed straight ahead at the ring. Volkane pauses at the edge of the ring, surveying the crowd with a cold, calculating stare before jumping onto the apron and stepping over the top rope. The crowd erupts into boos as he is introduced by Steve Cotton...*

Steve Cotton: and their opponent… Hailing from Tampa, Florida, weighing in at 299 pounds and standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, he is the “The Dragon”.... Voooollkaaaannneeeeee!

*With a fierce snarl, Volkane raises his arms to the sky, his muscles bulging with raw power. The sound of his bone-chilling roar echoes through the arena, and the crowd is left in stunned silence.*

Markson: Wow, what an entrance by Volkane.

Hotcakes: The man is very impressive, and just by size alone he has got to be the favorite to win this one.

* “Mullet” Matthews calls for the bell to get the match started; Volkane walks up and stands the tallest in the middle of the ring. Warthog and Reed look at each other, contemplating their first move, but as they do, Volkane makes them pay for their hesitation, hitting Aaron with a big boot that sends him stumbling backwards and through the ropes to the outside. Reed readies himself but the big man is already on him with lumbering forearm shots, backing him to the corner. Volkane then whips him towards the opposite side where Aaron, who had gotten back in the ring, delivers a devastating lariat! The crowd let’s out a loud “ooooh!” as Reed nearly loses his head and then rolls out of the ring slowly. Aaron then goes to stand in the middle of the ring and invites Volkane to bring it which he right away does… Volkane got about 6 inches in height on Warthog, but he has about 30 pounds on Volkane so it about evens out.*

Markson: It’s a hoss fight Harry!!

Hotcakes: Hoss? These two are more like damn kaijus!

*Volkane looks down at Warthog and mouths something at him but it doesn’t faze Memphis Belle’s sugar bear so Volkane points towards the ropes and tells Warthog to bring it. Warthog smiles as he nods up and down and then runs towards the ropes, bouncing off and going for a shoulder tackle that only manages to move Volkane back one foot. Volkane laughs and tells him he better try again. Aaron is no longer smiling as he charges the ropes, bounces even harder now and delivers a second shoulder tackle to Volkane. This time he manages to make him go two steps back but that’s it, so now Aaron tells him to hit the ropes and Volkane nods. He then charges at the ropes, no, acts like he is going to but instead comes back and stunts Warthog with a forearm shot! Warthog holds his ear in pain and doesn’t notice Volkane who comes at him with a vicious clothesline, knocking him down! The crowd boos loudly.*

Markson: Well that ain’t right! If you’re doing a test of strength, then do a test of strength! Don’t cheat!

Hotcakes: Hey, Volkane got nothing to prove. Aaron tried twice and failed; he wasn’t going to give him a third chance.

*Volkane makes the first official pin of the match, but before The Mullet can get down to make the count, Jared Reed has gotten back in and kicks Volkane in the head to get him off Aaron. He then begins to pummel him with hard forearm shots to the back of his head, hoping to soften him up. Reed then brings him to his feet and whips him towards the ropes but Volkane easily reverses it. Reed bounces off and ducks the clothesline attempt from Volkane before hitting the brakes. Both men turn towards each other and Reed rocks Volkane with a superkick! Volkane stumbles backwards but doesn’t go down, so Reed delivers a superkick but this time to one of Volkane’s knees, causing him to drop down onto it. Reed then quickly moves in, hooking Volkane’s head and dropping him with a DDT! Reed now quickly flips the big man over and makes the pin! The Mullet goes to make the count but this time Warthog interferes, having bounced himself off the ropes and landing on top of both men with a splash!*

Markson: No man is getting the early advantage in this match, the minute one hits a move or two on one, the other one is there to break things up.

Hotcakes: Yeah, it’s going to go like that until one of them is able to completely disable one long enough to pin the other…

*Aaron gets to his feet and grabs Jared by his hair, bringing him up and whipping him towards the ropes. Reed bounces off but tries to surprise Aaron with a cross body block! Warthog catches him however, spins around and drops him forward with a slam. Volkane is back to his feet and Warthog sees him coming, he moves over to him and nails him with right hand. Volkane returns it, rocking the man with the singing voice of an angel… He hits him a second time and a third, backing Warthog to the ropes. Volkane now tries to whip him to the opposite side, no, reversal by Warthog who pulls him instead, wraps his beefy arms around him and drops him with a belly-to-belly suplex! The ring shakes with the big impact of the two crashing into the mat and the crowd applauds the big effort. Warthog makes the pin now and with Reed still hurting, The Mullet is able to make the count!*

*One!*

*Two!*

*Kick out by Volkane!*

Markson: Aaron Warthog showing his power there, delivering that suplex.

Hotcakes: and I did wonder if Aaron was going to be able to lift the big man, and granted, it was to the side and not over the head, but still a very impressive move by the hog man.

*Warthog gets to his feet just as Reed is getting to his, the two move towards each other and lock up in the middle of the ring. There is a power struggle, and even though Reed is younger and newer to the sport, he is holding his own against Warthog and manages to get him in a headlock. Warthog tries to push him off but Reed holds on so Warthog reverses the move on him, applying a hammerlock. Reed is able to reverse it right back, but Warthog again reverses it and this time cranks on it before turning Reed around while keeping the hammerlock, switching arms, then hooking his other arm before lifting him and dropping him with a hammerlock capture suplex. Warthog rolls on top of Reed for the pin.*

*one!*

*But Volkane is there to pull Warthog off.*

Markson: It didn’t take long for Volkane to recover.

Hotcakes: No sir, Warthog and Reed for that matter, are going to have to work hard for this one.

*Right after pulling Warthog off, Volkane drops an elbow to the back of his head to daze him. He gets to his feet quickly, showing great agility for a big man and drops a second elbow that rocks Warthog. Volkane gets back to his feet and this time brings Aaron to his and whips him to the ropes, no reversal by Warthog. Volkane bounces off and Warthog goes for a clothesline, no, Volkane kicks Warthog’s arm causing him to spin around and then Volkane traps him from behind with a sleeper hold! Warthog swings his arms wildly, trying to fight off the hold and then tries to push off on Volkane’s arms to no avail. While this is going on, Reed has crawled to the corner and uses one arm to pull himself up, clearly his other shoulder bothering him from the previous move. He watches on as Volkane tries to put the man from Charleston away. The Mullet, seeing Warthog fading away, his knees buckling, moves in and grabs one of Warthog’s arms. He lifts it up, it drops! He lifts it a second time, holds it for a second and lets it go, it drops a second time! The Mullet doesn’t get a chance to raise a third time as reed explodes out of the corner with a chop block, clipping Volkane from behind, breaking the hold.*

Markson: I’m not sure if Warthog was going to drop the arm again, so Reed did the smart thing there, breaking up the hold.

Hotcakes: He may be young in years and new to the sport, but that was a veteran move he just pulled there. Buying his time to recover and then save the submission finish at just the right moment.

*With both men down, Reed goes to work on both, taking turns stomping each man to soften them up. He then goes towards Aaron’s legs, and tries to wrap them for his trademark scorpion death lock but realizes his legs are too thick. So he moves in on Volkane, and while taller, he finds his legs more manageable, especially after the chop block. He hooks the legs and goes to spin him around but Volkane is fighting him off. This gives time to Warthog to get to his feet, having shaken the cobwebs off from the sleeper hold. He gets behind Reed, hooks him by his arms, applying a submission hold of his own: a full nelson! Reed disentangles his legs from Volkane’s and tries to use them to fight off Warthog and manages to stomp on his left foot. Warthog doesn’t let go so he stomps on the other foot and this time he loosens the hold. Reed then powers his way out of it, and runs towards the ropes, skipping over Volkane, bouncing off, skipping over Volkane again but only to get caught by Aaron again, this time with a bear hug!*

Markson: Talk about going from bad to worse for Reed.

Hotcakes: No kidding!

*The Mullet asks Reed if he wants to give up and it’s hard to get an answer as Warthog is swinging him around like a rag doll. Volkane gets to his feet and looks on, deciding his next move. The ref keeps an eye on him, but once he realizes he isn’t moving in, he goes back to asking Reed if he gives up but the youngster yells: “no!”. Volkane appears to have seen enough, as he bounces himself off the ropes, once, then twice, then a third time before finally targeting his opponents and pouncing on them! Both Aaron and Jared go flying across the ring, Reed going through the ropes and falling to the outside but Warthog stumbling onto the corner. Volkane gets to his feet, goes to the opposite side, measures Warthog before taking a running start and delivering an elbow that rocks and drops Warthog to the mat. Volkane isn’t done, picking Warthog back up and whipping him to the ropes. Aaron bounces off and Volkane catches him this time into a bearhug! Aaron, knowing this move quite well, is able to get out of it by slapping his hands together, ringing the ears of Volkane. Volkane releases him and Aaron stumbles backwards towards the ropes and then bounces himself off, charging at Volkane but he gets caught again into a bearhug, no, Volkane spins around and plants him with a spinebuster! The crowd lets out a loud “OOOOOH!” after the move and Volkane hooks the leg for the pin!*

*One!*

*Two!*

*Th… and Reed comes out of nowhere to make the save!*

Markson: Did we reinforce the ring Harry? Because I think we should have reinforced the ring.

Hotcakes: Every time these two hit the mat hard we feel it all the way over here on our table.

*Reed brings Volkane to his feet and tosses him to the outside in one swift move. He then runs towards the ropes, jumps onto the second one and delivers a springboard moonsault onto Aaron! He now makes the pin and The Mullet is all over it.*

*one!*

*two!*

*Volkane stops the count, pulling Reed off from the outside, and then drags him all the way out. The two now begin to exchange rights and lefts and the crowd is on their feet cheering them on. Referee Matthews begins the 10 count as Volkane manages to get the upper hand, delivering a knee to Reed’s mid-section. He then whips him towards the steel steps, no, reversal by Reed who whips him towards the other side and Volkane crashes against the steel post! Volkane is rocked and Reed comes from behind, lifting him and dropping him with “Country Strong”, an Angle slam! The crowd cheers loudly and Reed takes a moment to soak in the cheers. He then hears the ref reach 6 on the 10 count and slides in, and noticing Warthog still down, decides to double up on his previous move. He goes to the corner and climbs it. He then turns to face Aaron and asks for the fans with his hands to bring the cheers on. They get to their feet and applaud as he takes off and goes for a frog splash! But Warthog sees him coming and gets his knees up at the last second! Reed bounces off hard and Warthog quickly moves in on him for the pin!*

*one!*

*Two!*

*Kick out by Reed.*

Markson: The intensity of this match has picked up and you know with all these big men, they could be just one power move away from putting the other away.

Hotcakes: Maybe, but all 3 have shown they have submissions in their repertoire, so really, it’s anyone’s guess on how this one is going to end.

*Warthog gets to his feet and brings Reed to his, and then whips him towards the corner. Reed hits hard and Warthog now charges at him and delivers his trademark move Avalanche, a big belly splash in the corner! Reed falls to the mat like a leaf of paper and Warthog goes for the pin, no, Volkane is back in the ring and he turns Warthog around and gives him a kick to the gut! He then bends him over and hooks him between his legs for a power bomb! The crowd gasps as they wonder if he can even get him up for it, but before he can try, Warthog is able to back body drop him right on top of Reed, unwillingly delivering a senton bomb! Warthog pushes him off and goes to pin Reed but Volkane pushes him off right back. Both men now get to their feet and the two begin to exchange vicious forearm shots as Reed crawls away and uses the ropes in the corner to get to his feet. As the two big men continue to fight, he climbs to the top, and without thinking twice about it, he jumps off, going for a shooting star press! He lands right between the two, splitting them up and dropping them to the mat.*

Markson: Fallen Star from Heaven! Reed connects with his finisher!

Hotcakes: Now pin one of them kid, you got this!

*Reed makes the pin on Volkane!*

*One!*

*Two!*

*Kick out by Volkane. Reed now jumps on top of Aaron!*

*One!*

*Two!*

*But Aaron also kicks out. Reed gets to his feet and brings Volkane to his feet, hooks him by the side and goes for another Country Strong, but Volkane breaks free, falling behind Reed. Reed turns around right into a heart punch Volkane calls “The Dragon’s Claw!” Reed goes down and Volkane goes to pin him, no, he sees Aaron coming at him out of the corner of his eye, he turns, but can’t react in time… Stampede Spear! Volkane goes down hard, but Aaron isn’t able to pin him as he rolls to the outside! Warthog slaps the mat but then sees Reed down right in front of the corner… He quickly gets up, skips over him, jumps onto the second turnbuckle, bounces himself up and down a few times before pushing himself off and delivering a Belle Bomb onto Reed! Warthog hooks the leg now for the pin as The Mullet moves in!*

*One!*

*Two!*

*Volkane is up on the outside and tries to reach in but he doubles over in pain from the spear.*

*Three!*

*The bell rings.*

Steve Cotton: Here is your winner, earning himself a shot at the Prestige championship…. AARON WARTHOG!

*“Hog Wild” begins to play as the crowd cheers loudly for the family man.*

Markson: Aaron Warthog has done it Harry, he has earned himself a shot at glory!

Hotcakes: and if I’m not mistaken, this is the first title shot in his wrestling career, congrats to the big man!

*“The Mullet Mathews raises Aaron’s arm in victory as on the outside Volkane shakes his head in disappointment, still holding his midsection in pain. The ring side doc is checking on Reed along with a TPW official as he appears to have suffered an injury.*

*The saxophone intro to " Careless Whisper" by George Michael plays as a spotlight shines on the entrance way. The Lost Soul appears and stands in the spotlight. He gives the TPW fans a moment to react.*

Hotcakes: Last time we saw TLS he was distracting FOOK N HOOT.

Markson: I wouldn't go that far. It looked like he just wanted a front row seat to see some old colleagues.

*The crowd is mixed as he makes his way slowly to the ring.

Hotcakes: For fans out there unfamiliar with TLS, he's been an OCW stalwart for years.

Markson: I'm just as interested as anyone else to see why he's shown up at TPW.

*TLS slides under the bottom rope and stands in the center of the ring, he pulls out a mic.*

TLS: TPW! I've always been a fan of this place. I was given a special invitation to see some action live and I accepted it. There was no intent for my presence to be a distraction to my old buddies CJ ( the crowd boos) and Alice ( the crowd cheers) . I wanted to see if the grass was indeed greener. When CJ left OCW without a goodbye, I never thought he would dance again, his guilty feet have got no rythym. Though it's easy to pretend, I know he's not a fool. He should've known better than to cheat a friend, wasted chance that he was given…..

Hotcakes: He's just reciting the chorus to the song.

Markson: This is typical TLS, you just don't know what the man's going to do or say.

*All of a sudden, “The Distinguished” CJ O’Donnell appears standing on the entrance ramp. The Distinguished, never missing an opportunity to speak, already has a microphone in his right hand. He is not dressed to compete but is looking distinguished with beige khaki pants and a white polo to match.*

CJ ODonnell: Who knew TLS has become so good at rhyming. Seriously Lost Soul you have no business being inside of that TPW. You are not welcomed here. You should have stayed retired and if you keep sticking your nose in Hoot N Fook business I will make sure I bury you just like I did to The Incredible One.

*CJ continues to walk down the ramp never taking his eyes off of The Lost Soul in the ring.*

CJ ODonnell: Also I have never called you a friend and never will. You are a Pain In The Ass and a comedy act. So do us all a favor and say your goodbyes now. No one wants to hear what you have to say. We can do this the easy way or the hard way.

*CJ pauses as he slides underneath the bottom ropes and stands about eight feet away from TLS.*

CJ ODonnell: Easy way you apologize for your stunt two weeks ago and costing Alice and myself our tag team match. Or the hard way …

*TLS interrupts CJ. *

*The fans are up on their feet half the crowd chanting " TLS", half the crowd chanting " TPW". TLS puts his hands in front of him and motions for CJ to calm down.*

TLS: Look buddy I didn't come here to start a fight with you. You're one of the few familiar faces I know here so why don't we just put our differences aside and play nice?

*TLS extends his hand out for CJ. CJ smirks and looks down at TLS' hand.*

CJ ODonnell: Sure why not …

*CJ shakes TLS hand. But then swiftly CJ pulls TLS towards him and headbutts him to the mat. CJ then begins stomping away at the chest of TLS. TLS covers up as best he can but CJ then kicks him square in the rib cage. CJ picks up TLS and bite him across the bridge if the nose. As blood starts to trickle down TLS face CJ tosses him into the corner. CJ then begins to unload on TLS with kicks to his midsection. TLS slumps down in the corner and for the final shot CJ’s right knee connects to the side of TLS' face.*

CJ ODonnell: I will never …. _ever_ … be your friend. I will make sure you really do become The Lost Soul after I am done with you.

*CJ drops the mic and kicks TLS one more time for good measure. TLS crawls towards the mic and grabs it. He wipes away a trickle of blood and begins to smile. The music to " Careless Whisper" plays again as TLS speaks into the mic.*

TLS: Tonight the music seems so loud
I wish that we could lose this crowd
Maybe it's better this way
We'd hurt each other with the things we'd want to say……

*TLS begins to laugh as the crowd is confused with what just transpired. The shot focuses on TLS laughing as the shot fades to commercial.*

*The first thing the camera sees is canvas. Dirty, frayed, with patches darkened by years of sweat, tears, and - sometimes - blood. The kind of place where bright-eyed trainees and bruised-jaw veterans rub shoulders, mouth off, play their music too loud, but put in the work.

We pull back, to the sound of heavy breathing - deep, ragged inhales. A figure on the ground, on their hands and knees, slick with sweat. Exhausted. Cheap trunks and cheap boots and in over their head. The lighting’s dark, focused, but as our eyes strain slightly, and we pick out a single woman standing side on behind them. Her shoulders, too, rise and fall, hard, but slow. Head cocked down, staring at the figure on the floor. Contemptuous. A half-smirk under dirty, messy blonde hair.

She lets the scene hang for a moment… so when it happens it’s almost too fast to notice. Her left foot plants, her body pivots, arms drop as she *drives* her leg through the figure’s temple, smashing it aside like a battering ram. There’s a crack, sharp, quick, nasty, like a gunshot, the figure crumples, and is still, and there’s silence.

The lights turn off.

------

Central Birmingham, present day. We’re on a footpath by one of the city’s many canals, a ruddy-brown brickway with spots of green here and there where reeds and grasses push their way up. It’s a shame that it’s one of those British days where the sun’s up but only just, hanging low in the sky, crisp not warm. In the summer, it could really look quite pretty. But you can only do so much, and besides, it’s hardly why we’re here.

No, the camera’s much more interested in the two women nearby. Panning up and away from the rippling water we see the blonde figure from earlier, squatting on her haunches, a grey hoodie with a gym logo over black jeans and black boots. Next to her, leaning on one of the walls that carve the canal out from the buildings and rail tracks above, a taller woman watches calmly - muscular arms crossed over a simple black jacket. She notices the camera first, it seems, watching it cooly for a few moments until the blonde does too, and smiles.

There’s an awkward moment of nothing.*

Ava: “Hey.”

“Cool intro, huh? Bet you expected something bigger. Maybe some spooky voices or whatever. Someone going ‘oooooh I’m gonna kill your family ooooh I’m so scary.’ And some knockoff Scream mask or something.”

*The other woman speaks up.*

Alessia: “Or a nice story about how hard we worked to get here.”

Ava: “That too. You know, yay, let’s all give you a big cheer and a welcome and maybe a cake or something, I dunno. And hey, we’re not knocking it. Big-budget fancy stuff is a great way to hide that you can’t actually wrestle.” She pauses. “Hey, let me have a go.”

*Her hand closes dramatically around a discarded beer bottle, picks it up by the neck, and chucks it into the canal. Alessia gasps, exaggerated.*

Ava: “That’s a good villain intro right? Look at me, I’m so evil, I did some *littering*! I’m a real bad boy. I bet your mummy and daddy are going to take me seriously now.”

*Alessia laughs as Ava rocks back onto her heels and stands up, slowly - a few inches shorter, but with the same wound-up strength. It’s like a snake uncurling in the summer heat - you just know that, if provoked, it’d snap out lightning-quick.*

Ava: “Nah. Truth is we’re not here for that. I mean, come on. TPW has the budget for a massive sign with its own name outside - I guess in case someone forgets what show they’re literally already at - they could have given us some fancy costumes or something if we wanted.”

Alessia: “I suggested doing Arthurian knights.”

Ava: “Turns out it’s hard to do an armbar in full plate armour.”

*The camera just shifts, slightly, and although we’re in a cut we can see the distinctive Birmingham skyline behind them - the top of New Street, the Bullring, more.*

Ava: “But honestly? All you need to know is this - I’ll kick your head in, she’ll rip your arms off, and we’re better than you.” She cracks a quick smile - “Simple” - and the camera cuts again.

------

*Ok, this is clearly where the budget was spent. A slickly-edited highlights package plays - the footage is of… varying quality, but TPW’s editors have done a solid job bringing it all together. We’re cutting quickly across various UK indie rings - community halls, pubs, clubs, audiences of varying but decent sizes. Singles and doubles matches, even a couple of gimmicks, we see Alessia and Ava in action, serving to give a decent sense of the two as fighters. There’s a lot to list, so let’s pick out an example:

Somewhere in Cardiff, in a hazy underground room, Ava delivers a vicious elbow-strike to a redheaded man - raising high and crashing down hard, making him drop to his knees, deep-red blood trickling down his face. He clutches his nose in agony as boos ring out, but Ava just smirks, stands there for a moment, then without looking stretches a hand behind her. Alessia tags, slips between the ropes, and joins her - we see a tag partner try to intervene and receive a similarly vicious shot, dropping, rolling out of the ring. She has all the time in the world. Ava’s mouthing off at the crowd, but Alessia’s in her own world as she circles behind the kneeling man, crouches… and all of a sudden, reaches forward, drives her knee into his spine, grabs his wrists and just yanks them backwards into a vicious hold. The man screams, blood spraying as his head arches back, a few drops spattering on Alessia’s white trunks, but she’s unfazed, just gritting her teeth and applying the hold, harder, harder, harder… he taps.

Tinny speakers kick into life, playing a generic hard rock song as a bronze-coloured pair of belts are wrapped around Alessia and Ava’s waists. The two are breathing hard, and Ava’s standing a little gingerly on one of her legs, but compared to the squirming, splayed figure.

Another camera cut.

------

Back to the canal - Ava waves her hand dismissively. Alessia’s thumbs are hooked in the pockets of her jeans.*

Ava: “Yeah, we’ve won titles, all that kind of stuff. We’re good, yada yada, you get the message. But that’s not the point. Can we rewind a bit?”

*We cut back to that footage from Cardiff - closeup, still, on the bleeding face. Hold for a few moments, just enough for it to really sink in, then back to Ava.*

Ava: “THAT’s the point. Alessia, you want to explain?”

*Alessia rolls her neck, stretching, and takes a step forward.*

Alessia: “We’re going to hurt you. And I don’t mean that like some dumb ‘we’re going to ruin your life’ thing. I mean, specifically, medically, accurately. We are going to break your bones, tear up your joints, make you bleed. If you’re lucky we’ll knock you out. Then we’ll beat you. And then we’ll do it again. And again. And again. Night after night after night. It’s like Ava said.” She speaks slowly, rolling the words around her mouth, enjoying each one. “We are better than you.”

*The camera lowers as Ava drops into a crouch again, pulling closer to her face as she stares it down.*

Ava: “So you’ve got a couple of choices, I guess. Get in the ring with us and get hurt, get out of our way, or get out of TPW entirely and just retire. Before we make you.” She pauses for just a couple of beats, then smiles, almost cheesy. “See you soon!”

*And we cut to black, and return to the ring where Steve Cotton stands. *

Hotcakes: I hope you're ready for more S.E.X. Cup Duo action as Critical Hit takes on The Conventicle in the second round.

Markson: That's right this one should be action-packed as both teams took care of business in their respective first-round match-ups and now they look to take care of business tonight and get closer to winning Championship Gold.

Hotcakes: Yes this one is sure to be a thriller and lucky for us we don't have to wait long as that match-up is up next.

Steve Cotton: The following contest is a S.E.X CUP QUARTERFINAL MATCH! Introducing first, joined by their partner, Tech, at the total combined weight of 509lb, they are Mash & Spade, THE CONVENTICLE!

*The lights dim down as Through It All begins to play through the arena. From behind the curtain the three men all walk out to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Tech is hopping up and down with the energy of a thousand Red Bulls, Spade rolls his neck and leads the pack towards the ring. Mash simply looks forward with his eyes focused on the ring.

Tech runs towards the ring and slides under the bottom rope as Spade follows behind him. Mash grabs the top rope and uses it to pull himself up to the apron, and he steps over the top rope. All three men stand in the middle of the ring and raise their left hands into the sky. The two ready for the match prep for the match as the third man exits the ring and watches from the outside.*

Steve Cotton: Their opponents, weighing a combined 505 lbs, here are Buster Gloves & Larry Tact, CRITICAL HIT!!

*“Pieces of Man” by Drown plays over the arena speakers as the lights cut out. Royal blue lights flicker on the stage while golden spotlights scan the crowd before focusing on Larry Tact and Buster Gloves at the top of the stage. Larry opens his arms and puffs out his chest. Buster Gloves makes the cutthroat sign with his thumb across his neck, then scoops his arms up to pump up the crow. The two men soak in the crowd’s reaction before bellowing and making their way down the ramp, the spotlight following they. Buster Gloves fist pumps members of the crowd as Larry just glares. Buster climbs the ring steps like a silverback as Larry pulls himself up using the ropes, they both wipe their boots and entering the ring, heading towards separate corners to climb the second turnbuckle and pose for the crowd.*

*Bell Rings*

*It was Buster and Spade who was first in the ring while Tact and Mash stood in their respective corners as the bell sounded. Buster and Spade walked up to each other in the middle of the ring and begin the test of strength and at first their even matched but Spade hits Buster with a knee to the gut and then hits a snap DDT in the middle of the ring and quickly transition into a crossfire submission hold in the middle of the ring.*

Hotcakes: Spade transition beautifully into that submission hold and now Buster is in no man's land.

Markson: Buster is in deep trouble for now but can Spade make him submit is the real question.

*Spade applies more pressure as he stretches back on the hold while Mash shouts words of encouragement toward him. Tact yells at Buster to get up! Buster punches the mat in frustration and for a moment it looks like he might tap but instead he pushes himself up with his knuckles and then gets to a vertical base and shoots an elbow to the gut of Spade and then lifts him up for a back body drop and then instantly goes for the pin.


One…



Two..




KICKOUT!!!!


Spade kicks out and Buster gets off of him and instantly hits the ropes and comes back with a leg drop and then lays in with some punches. Buster then lifts Spade up and sends him into the corner and then meets up with a knee to the face then brings him out of their corner with a bulldog. Then goes for an elbow drop but Spade manages to roll out of the way and then pops back and hits a running Buster with a drop kick and then heads up top to the top turnbuckle.*

Hotcakes: Spade looking to go high-risk.

Markson: He better hope it is off or that's going to be a painful crash and burn.

*Spade turns around with his back facing Bister as he staggers up to his feet, after looking back one more time as Buster stands all the way up. Spade hits a moonsault on Buster and hooks both legs for the pin


One…






Two….




KICKOUT!!!!

Buster gets the shoulder up and now Spade slaps the mat in frustration and stares down Buster as he starts to get to a vertical base, they start trading a series of punches and chops that echo throughout the arena, and they both then back up, thinking of the same thing a story both go for a close line and take each out and now both men lay out in the middle of the ring as both their partners call their name for the tag.*

Hotcakes: Whoever gets the tag first could really change the momentum in this match for their team.

Markson: A critical moment in this match.

*As the fans get behind both teams Buster and Spade slowly crawl o their respected corners and as they both get close enough to their partners hand they both making a leaping tag and in forms Mash and Larry Tact who meet on the center of the ring and begin exchanging blows. Mash gets the upper hand and slings Tact into the corner and then meets him with a close line and then hits a belly-to-belly suplex out of the corner.*

Hotcakes: Hot damn!

Markson: Tact just got taken for a ride.

*Mash goes for the pin attempt but Tact kick out instantly and quickly rolls Mash up for a pin attempt but he kicks out as well and then they both stand to their feet and stare each other down for a moment before going back at each other with punches and then this time Tact gets the advantage and slings Mash into the ropes and waits for him to come back and hits a big time spine buster in the middle of the ring, Spade tries to come in help Mash but Buster quickly comes out of nowhere and spears Spade thru the ropes and they fall out to the outside of the ring while Tact and Mash pull themselves up by the ropes.

Mash charges at Tact and gets caught with The Humbling” (Uranage Suplex). Buster hop onto the apron and Tact tags him. Buster begins climbing to the top rope while Tact shows great strength lifting the massive Mash up on his shoulder in an electric chair position. Buster leaps off the top rope and Critical Hit delivers the "Limit Break" (Doomsday Device) To Mash. Buster makes the cover as Tact cuts Spade off from coming into the ring. *

One...



Two...



Three!

Steve Cotton: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS! ADVANCING TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE S.E.X CUP…. CRITICAL HIT!!!

*Critical Hit begins celebrating in the ring as the scene fades to a commercial break. *

*The shot fades into the Lightning Plex where the crowd's attention is turned to the TerryTron after the lights dim. Cheery music plays while the Thunder Pro Wrestling logo is displayed*

*The lights in the arena brighten up again and the shot changes to the announce booth where both announcers are looking outright confused.*

Markson: What the hell did just watch?

Hotcakes: I have no earthly idea but I'm a little creeped out and I'm sure all the TPW fans are too. Is this 999 guy actually going to come here and wrestle?

Markson: After that bizarre video we just saw, I don't think I'm looking forward to that.

Hotcakes: Speaking of bizzare.

Again for the fifth show, the arena lights go black. Arena is pitch black, only light sources are of those of the cell phone lights from the crowd. Out of nowhere, seemingly seeping from the ground is a gray mist. Rolling throughout the crowd, arena and ring. Light lining the entrance ramp begin to turn on, step by step. One at a time. Instead of bright white, the lights are a dark blue. Leading up to the stage. The sound of rain falling begins to sound throughout the arena. Alongside the melody being played by an organ this time. As the stage lights up it reveals five slabs of marble. The center of each slab are blacked out. All the lights flash on and then off rapidly as the sound of thunder clapping rolls throughout the arena. The cacophony of voices return. Louder. More aggressive this time than any time before.

We've come to this company for one purpose. One reason. One goal. We thought that introducing the maniac behind what we say slowly was the correct way. We brought to you all hints. Breadcrumbs. Ladies and gentlemen, have you solved the mystery of who we are? What we have brought to you? We have heard the whispers. We have seen the speculations of who we might be. We are not here to reveal that to you now. We are simply here to address the situation that occurred last Friday Night Fury. Also leave one last hint. One last breadcrumb for you all to chew on.

The voices echo throughout the arena as the entire arena fills with mist, but just enough to cloud the vision of those witnessing it live and those at home. The lights can be seen. The marble slabs are visible as red spotlights begin to light each slab. Slowly. One at a time.

So we seemed to have caught the attention of a certain arrogant supposed star of this company. He decided to make his presence known the last time we appeared before you all. He seemed to really take offence to the way we are presenting things. The way we speak. The way our maniacal beast is making his way into the hearts and minds of those of you out there witnessing this.

A brief moment of silence is broken with another clap of thunder just after all the lights that are illuminated flash. The voices return.

Mister Colton Maxim. You are the self proclaimed Gold Standard. The Gold Standard of what we ask? The Gold standard of throwing temper tantrums? Yes. Your little display of immature anger and tossing aside the breadcrumbs we have laid forth for the masses to mull over and speculate who we might be. Or who is truly behind all of this. As they saying goes Mister Maxim, don't kill the messenger. You see we cannot accept the challenge you have laid forth for this event known as RetroMania. We don't even know what this Bull Rope match you wish to have is. But you continue to act foolish. You continue to act like a child, our maniacal beast will respond and it will not be in kind. You see Mister Maxim, the one you really wish to speak to or shall we say fight? Is not one to take too kindly to the fit throwing antics you displayed Friday night before last. But if you really wish and want to find out who this beast of mania and carnage is. All you have to do is read.

The voices trail off in an echo. All the lights flash again, followed shortly by another rolling clap of thunder. The slabs of marble are all revealed. The word CHAOS is etched into the five slabs. A letter per slab. A deep male's sinister cackle begins to build within the arena. Just as it reaches maximum level, it is gone just as well as the arena lights return to normal. The mist is completely gone. Vanished as if it wasn't even there. But what does remain from this entire little display is the five slabs of marble spelling out the word CHAOS seemingly float above the stage. As the darkness fades the shot returns to Steve Cotton standing in the ring.

Steve Cotton:This next match is scheduled for one fall with a fifteen minute time limit and is NO DISQUALIFICATION. Introducing first...

The arena is plunged into midnight. Over the speakers we can hear Nova Skye's dog Charlie barking. It echoes through the Lightning Plex.



As "Bloodline" by Slayer begins to blast from the sound system, white spotlights hit the entrance stage and what appears to be blood begins raining down from either side of the egress curtains.

Steve Cotton: Hailing from Oblivion, he stands 6' and weighs in at 223 pooooounds...JAY...C... PHOOOOOOENIIIIX!

*While the fans erupt with BOOOOOs, the white spotlights dim and turn a deep red. Flames immediately begin to spew from the stage, the blood rain sending steam into the air and slowly the man known as Jay C. Phoenix rises amidst the fire from an unseen lift below. Once at stage level, he takes a moment to flex before stepping slowly through the flames, seemingly unfazed, then begins walking confidently down the ramp towards the ring. Upon reaching the ring, Jay leaps up onto the apron and steps through the ropes while "Bloodline" plays on.*

Markson: There's not much support for this man either by our fans or the members of the locker room.

Hotcakes: Can you blame them? He's a DOGNAPPER!!

*Without warning, Jay stalks over to Steve Cotton and wrenches the mic from his hands.*

JAY C. PHOENIX: ”Cut the music!”

*The sound guy at gorilla does as he's told and the music fades.*

JAY C. PHOENIX: ”Nova, get your ass out here! You beat me tonight, you get your dog back....but should you lose....the dog DIES!”

*The arena is in a complete uproar of angry booing for a few moments, before the familiar lime green and teal spotlights start racing around the arena, eliciting an outcry of support and cheers.*



*“Inferno” by Rain Paris hits the speakers and fog begins to fill the ramp area when a figure appears... but this time, she doesn’t pose.*

Markson: Nova Skye is on a mission tonight!

Hotcakes: Look at her go!!

*Nova Skye hurtles from the back at a dead run, her eyes locked onto Jay C. Phoenix in the ring. As she charges his way, he crouches down, motioning at her to bring it on. She points at him as she abandons the American Championship ringside and launches herself first onto the apron then over the top rope!

The moment her feet touch the mat, she is running headlong at Jay, who dashes from his position, looking to nail the stampeding Nova with a spear. Nova hops into the air, flipping up and over him. She lands, her instinct serving her well as she twirls, looking for a spinning heel kick.

Jay stops himself, putting on the brakes and whirling around, expecting an attack. He snags Nova’s leg and yanks her in close, making her stumble as he wraps his arms around her, hooking her and lifting her from the mat, looking for a belly to belly suplex, but Nova wiggles free following a well-aimed elbow mid move and drops down behind. She locks her arm around his head, looking to rush forward with a Bulldog.

But Phoenix manages to muscle out of it, grabbing a strong hold of Nova’s tights, lifting her up into the air, prepared to drop her with a back body drop.

Nova somehow wrenches her body on the way up again, wrapping her legs snuggly around Jay’s neck, twisting around to send him flying with a headscissors, sending Jay flipping into the air!

He completes the flip however and lands on his feet!

Phoenix and Skye- hopping up -spin to face each other.

For a long moment they stare at one another, analyzing the situation.*

Markson: No matter how you feel about Phoenix, we've got two extremely skilled wrestlers in there right now.

Hotcakes: That was a great sequence of moves, but I'm really wanting to see Nova connect!

*Jay makes the first move, motioning for a test of strength. Nova moves to clasp his hands but receives a kick to the gut from Jay who then pulls her in bent over, tucking her head under his armpit for a DDT.

Nova powers as hard as she can against it, shoving Jay back, both still in the position, to the ropes. On the rebound, Nova manages to pull her head free and shove him forward to the opposite ropes but Jay casts his right arm back, latches onto her wrist and uses his momentum to spin and whip her to the ropes instead as hard as he can.

Confidently Jay follows close behind Nova who instead of rebounding off the ropes, leaps sideways, grasping the top and middle ropes with her right and left hands respectively and swings her body out between them, swinging back around in a tight circle to land both her feet and shins into the breadbasket of Phoenix! He backpedals in pain, as she alights on the mat, but bursts forward angrily with a hard clothesline, flipping Nova up and over the top rope to ringside.*

Hotcakes: No! Get up, Nova!

Markson: You know, we ARE supposed to still try and remain impartial...

Hotcakes: Not with a dog out there in mortal peril, Markson!

*Nova recovers quicker than Phoenix expects her to as he latches both hands onto the top rope to execute some form of slingshot maneuver but Nova hooks both his legs as he squats to jump and pulls hard, dropping him backward onto the mat in the ring. Using his legs she pulls him out onto the apron but before she can pull him onto the outside he cocks back with both legs and shoves her backward into the guard railing.

The fans in the front row are quick to rise and give Nova pats of encouragement on the back as Jay drops down to ringside and shoots forward with a shoulder block as she steps forward, smashing her harder against the guardrail.

Jay takes a step back and begins unleashing hard rights with closed fists to her head while she attempts futilely to block.

Overcome by his strength, Nova decides instead to mash a hard right knee to Jay's crotch. The fans explode with an "OOOOOOOOH!!" as he nearly doubles over in agony.*

Markson: The No Disqualification rule really worked against Phoenix right there...

Hotcakes: Normally, I'm heavily opposed to low blows, but tonight I'll make an exception!

*Nova takes the opportunity to grab Jay by the back of the mask and lead him to the guardrail where she SLAMS him face first into the bar. The fact he's wearing a mask unfortunately doesn't allow as mu h of an impact as she wants but the effect is still evident as Jay turns slightly and shakes his head in pain.

Again Nova presses the advantage, grabbing the back of his mask again and leading him onward towards the next guard railing-

--but instead of using that as a weapon, she grabs his left arm, spins both him and herself with all her might and whips him towards the steel steps.

Jay tried to stop himself but instead crashes into the steps with his shins, toppling onto and over them onto the ringside padding.

The fans can't be more pleased and Nova takes a moment to walk down the guard railing soaking in their approval as Jay begins to rise.*

Hotcakes: Way to go, Nova!

Markson: Skye showing us once again why she's one the top new superstars of TPW!

*The moment she notices him recovering she snaps to and runs over, hopping up onto the top step and leaving at him with a body splash-

--Jay CATCHES her in a bearhug, her feet dangling above the ground, then slightly turns and executes an over the head belly to belly release suplex! Nova crashes to the ringside padding and slides to a stop, rolling over onto her side.

Jay rises, clearly feeling the effects of the steel steps on his shins but is quick enough to reach her before she is able to get both feet beneath herself to rise. At that point Phoenix yanks her fully to her feet, clutching a handful of her hair to force her to bend over backward slightly-

-Nova hauls off with a massive slap that knocks Jay's mask askew. He releases her hair. The fans again let loose an "OOOOOH!" but Jay, angered, hauls off with a slap of his own, taking Nova by surprise and eliciting a shocked "OOOOOH!" from the fans as well.*

Markson: The slaps are flying!

Hotcakes: And the crowd is feeling every one of them!

*Losing her cool, Nova rears back to offer a second hard slap in return, Jay catches her by the wrist and turns, whipping her to the far corner of the ring and turnbuckle post
Nova smacks into it, using her forearm to block some of the impact but nonetheless backpedals in pain as Jay closes in to grab her again by the hair, spinning her around and forcing her back into the ring under the bottom rope.

As Nova begins to rise Jay rolls in as well and kicks at her legs behind the knees to force her back to the mat before he scrambles to his feet and lays his right boot across her throat, using the top rope as leverage to step down HARD.

Nova flails her legs, attempting to release the pressure, then begins clawing and punching at his ankle as the fans again BOOOOOO at his show of cruelty.

Dizzy Dan saunters over and chides Phoenix, despite the fact this is a No DQ match, and Jay releases his foot choke on Nova's throat to remind him...by grabbing him by the zebra shirtfront and bullying him backward into the far corner, screaming at him to back off.*

Markson: Dizzy Dan can't really do anything other than make the count tonight.

Hotcakes: Hey, technically, he could start slugging Phoenix, can't he?

Markson: I can't think of any way that would not end in a bad way for Dizzy Dan.

*Coughing and choking, Nova gladly takes the opportunity to recover while Dizzy Dan attempts to gain some control over Jay and remind him No DQ or not, assaulting an official will end the match. Jay finally releases his grip on Dan's shirt, raises his hands innocently and turns-

-to see Nova dashing in.

Before Jay can react, she's already leapt into the air and NAILS him with a hard dropkick that sends him stumbling back into Dizzy Dan, sandwiching him in the corner.

As Jay steps forward, Nova lands a STIFF kick to his crotch AGAIN, and AGAIN the fans erupt with pleasure as this time Jay nearly drops to his knees.

Nova executes several right and left kicks to the sides of his head, wisely targeting the unprotected areas free of the mask. She closes with a spinning kick that knocks Jay sideways onto the mat with force, seeing Nova dash, leap over Jay, hop once more up onto the second turnbuckle and somersault off with a gorgeous moonsault, landing perfectly atop Phoenix.
But she isn't finished, she rolls back off of him and rises, grabbing his mask by the straps and forcing him up to his feet, wrapping her arm around his head and DROPS him with a strong DDT.*

Markson: This may be the most intense contest we've ever had.

Hotcakes: Nova may not settle for a pin at this point!

*Nova screams down at Jay, "WHERE'S MY DOG?!" , landing several stomps to his chest, "WHERE IS HE?!" , several more stomps, "WHERE?!" , several MORE stomps.

Enraged, Nova again forces Phoenix up to his feet and whips him hard to the opposite corner.
Jay hits hard and begins to backpedal as Nova rushes in to-

--Jay sidesteps, Nova zooms past and smacks into the corner pads, stumbling back and into Phoenix's awaiting arms. He bends her slightly over backward, hooks his right arm down and around her throat, grabs a handful of tights with his left and lifts her, slamming her to the mat front first with an inverted vertical suplex!

Now Jay, overcome with his own bout of rage, foregoes forcing her to her feet, instead opting to lower down and straddle her just below her breasts and simply wraps BOTH hands around her throat, beginning to STRANGLE HER!

The fans don't like this at all, as not only BOOOOOOOs but a cascade of wadded up programs and beverage containers start raining down into the ring.*

Hotcakes: Oh no!

Markson: Phoenix may literally choke the life out of Nova here!

*Nova struggles as he cinches in tighter, kicking her legs as she struggles to breathe. She attempts to pull his hands from off her throat at the wrists but his grip is far too strong.

Dizzy Dan again runs over to ostracize Phoenix, not counting but scolding him for his actions. Jay ignores him this time, refusing to let up.

Nova's eyes begin to close-

-but spring back open. Wrapping her left hand around the back of his mask and pulling him down forward to land a stiff elbow to his temple.

The elbow shakes Jay and his grip loosens as he leans forward a bit further, allowing Nova to use her abdominal strength to swing her legs up and hook them around HIS throat!*

Hotcakes: Turnabout is fair play!!

*Jay instantly relinquishes his choke, reaching up to untangle her legs from his neck and throat and Nova uses the opportunity to PUSH downward, forcing Phoenix back onto the mat at which point Skye follows through by sliding her legs out from under him to back up and rise to her feet.

Jay rolls backward and rises as quickly as he can to his feet as well, but Nova is swifter, running in with a hard knee to his mask. He falls back and quickly Nova swerves in and drops two legs across his thirst and upper chest, only to roll drop another double leg drop. She recovers again, seeking to keep her momentum going.

Suddenly BOOING rises from the fans and Nova looks around in confusion, spinning toward the entry stage to see--

--Master Frye walking down towards the ring shaking his head, presumably getting impatient with Jay's inability to have already finished Nova off.*

Markson: We should have known...

Hotcakes: What the heck is he doing here?

*Master Frye makes his way to the hard camera side of the ring, shouting instructions into the ring at his former pupil as Nova, partially distracted, forces Jay to his feet and, after landing several knees to his left and right side, latching on and running forward with Jay to slam him face first to the mat with a bulldog.

Nova executes a standing senton splash, squashing Jay's stomach area, then rolls back to her feet to continue the assault--

--when AGAIN the fans let loose with a shower of BOOOOOs at the appearance of yet ANOTHER interloper.

Out comes "Pretty" Ricky Stanton with a mic in hand.*

Hotcakes: Damn it, another interruption! Doesn't anyone care about the doggie?!?!

*Nova pauses after pulling Phoenix up from the mat, her arms wrapped around him, her gaze flying towards the top of the ramp.*

PRS: “OOOHHH MYY look at this right here – Is....IS THIS A MATCH? OH, OH LOOK SHE'S GOING FOR A SUPLEX!”

*People boo as Ricky stands there laughing. Nova scowls and drops Jay, warily shifting her attention from one threat to the other, now having three out there to contend with.*

PRS: “Hey Skye don't stop your two-star match because of me. I’m here for the entirety of this straight-to- On Demand matchup!”

*Ricky walks down the ramp and sees a woman with a red M&M bag in the front row.*

PRS: “Hey there can I get some of those?”

*He snatches them out of her hand without waiting for a response, and pours some in his hand only to discover some red ones...*

PRS: I HATE RED M AND M'S !!!!!”

*He pours them on her head and keeps walking down the ramp, leaving the shocked fan behind and raising the mic again to mock Nova, who had started to put the boots to a stirring Phoenix, deciding that he was the bigger threat than Ricky.*

PRS: “Hey Skye you still wrestling? REALLY? I mean I thought you were a champ and all that stuff I figured this would be quick work but look at you breathing hard...”

*Ricky clutches his chest and mimics heavy breathing as Nova spares a moment to shoot him a death glare, before turning her attention back to Jay, reaching down once more to start and pull him to his feet.*

PRS: “Like...you...just ….ate....a …. full plate...of ...mashed potatoes.....”

*The crowd boos again, as Pretty Ricky comes to a stop, laughing uproariously at himself once more. Nova shoots Jay into the corner, somersaulting forward to land a handspring back elbow. The crowd roars its approval, going back to boos as Ricky lifts his hand, giving a thumbs down.*

PRS: “OH SHUT THE HELL UP! AND YOU PEOPLE IN THE BACK! I can't even hear you because you can't afford to hear me ALLLLL THE WAY DOWN HERE..... Ya'll were some ugly ass babies when ya'll were young and I think some of you were dropped!”

*The arena fairly echos with the disapproval of the fans, wanting to watch the match.*

PRS: “And THE REST OF YOU WERE THROWN AGAINST A WALL! WHAT'S THIS RIGHT HERE!! DID YOU BRING A BIG GULP TO A WRESTLING MATCH! DAMN DID YOU TOW THE WHOLE TRAILER HERE OR YOUR CAMPER HOUSE!!!”

*He continues down the ramp until he finally gets to ringside. Nova, who had climbed on top of Jay, hitting him with some hard rights and lefts, hops down and approaches the ropes, her eyes blazing with annoyance. She rattles off a few choice sayings, telling him just what he could do with himself as he smirks. She flips her hair and turns her back on him, heading back over to Jay, who is slumped in the corner. Stanton goes over to the Spanish Announcer's table and rips the headset from one of them and flinches at the other to leave, who complies and flees. Dizzy Dan yells down at Ricky, ordering him to leave ringside but he ignores him.*

Markson: Looks like we have a special guest commentator...

Hotcakes: This isn't good...

PRS: “OH MAN WE LIVE NOW. Now, let me tell y'all what we're seeing here. We're watching a broken cockroach in the ring with a one-eyed praying mantis and they're just swinging like they just got hit with some Raid spray and man, it's awful! “

*Nova gets back to Jay, only to find out that he had been playing possum!

He pops out of the corner with a big boot to Nova’s face that has her seeing stars.

Frye, who has been merely watching from the other side of the ring, yells at his former student to finish Nova off, reaching under the apron to grab ahold of a trashcan and tosses it in to Jay who catches it, turns and-

-has the trashcan SMASHED into his mask as Nova, seeing the plan, dashes in with a dropkick!

Frye slams his hands on the mat in rage.

Nova had started to go over to the trashcan, when that gains her attention. Her eyes narrow for the briefest of moments before she unexpectedly runs full tilt at the ropes, dropping to a baseball slide that saw Master Frye eating the bottoms of her boots.

He flies backwards.

Nova kips up and snags the trashcan on her way out of the ring. She rushes over, bringing the hard metal container over the massive man's back over and over...

Until he drops to a knee, where she could reach his head, putting some pretty heft dents into the can using his thick skull.

Abandoning her weapon, she ignores her aching arms as she grabs the collar of his shirt, dragging him, stumbling and trying to clear out the cobwebs, to the nearby Spanish announce table, and “Pretty” Ricky Stanton. Nova rolls Frye onto the table, as Ricky leans back slightly pulling the headset off, starting to mouth off at her. Nova mouths something right back, then goes up.

Up to the top turnbuckle, scaling it with speed, staring down at Ricky and Frye, before flying off...

Ricky jumps back from the table just in time...

As Frye is Supernova’d right through it!*

Markson: Oh my goodness!!

Hotcakes: Master Frye is totaled!

*Nova rolls off, using the barricades to hoist herself to her feet, one arm clutching her ribs. She flashes a cocky smile at Ricky who glares, raising one hand to give him the middle finger salute before turning to stagger back to the ring apron, turning her back on the jawing man she would face at the following PPV.

As she turns back to the ring she has no time to avoid the suicide dive from Jay as he flies between the ropes and smacks into Nova, forcing her to fall backward onto the ringside padding.

Wasting no time, Jay is quick to pull her up by her hair and run her back over to the ring to roll her in. He follows quickly, rises and again forces her to her feet.

Nova fires off a THIRD shot to his crotch-

--but Jay twists his left leg in to catch the blow before it connects then knees her hard to the gut. He spins her, latches on around her waist from behind and executes a MASSIVE German suplex!

But instead of releasing, he twirls his legs, brings her up and executes a SECOND...then a THIRD!

NOW Jay releases her, rolling over to rise to his feet and force her yet again to hers with a handful of hair. He then ROCKS her with his UCAP headbutt, seeing Nova apparently knocked out on her feet.

She starts to collapse backward but Jay quickly snatches her arm and pulls her in, tucks her head between his legs and lifts her...running her to the turnbuckle and SLAMMING HER hard with his Snuffed bucklebomb finisher!*

Markson: Despite a glorious fight, it looks bad for Nova Skye!

Hotcakes: No, no, it can't end this way... think of the pooch!!

*The fans are intensely displeased as the end appears certain now-

--but Jay doesn't pin Nova, instead dragging her over to the ropes, dropping to roll out, pulling her out and slinging her over his right shoulder. Frye grins and briskly walks over to join the two as Jay looks to the fans and SMACKS Nova hard on the ass before he and Frye start to make their way laughing up the ramp, taking their time as they abscond with Nova!

Dizzy Dan stands at the ropes, screaming at Jay to return with Nova but is, as usual, ignored.*

Markson: Wait, what's going on? This one could have been over!

Hotcakes: Remember, Phoenix was all about capturing Nova alive or dead... maybe he's chosen alive?

*Halfway up the ramp a flash of amber light manifests between them. The amber light spirals and Arcana materializes, starting to walk down the ramp towards the trio.

The entire TPW security force comes barreling out from the egress curtains deadset on preventing a kidnapping but on quick order from Master Frye, Arcana waves her hands through the air, amber light enveloping her, Frye, Jay and Nova in his arms and as security reaches them, the quartet VANISH, teleporting to safety WITH Nova!

Chaos erupts as security has no idea whatsoever to do. But it's too late. The TPW American Champion is gone.  The scene fades to commercial.*

 

Steve Cotton: The following contest is a S.E.X Cup quarterfinals match, and is a DUOS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH!!!!

*The crowd pops. *

Steve Cotton: Introducing first, at a total combined weight of 525lbs, accompanied by Death, this is the team of TRISTAN SLATER AND MAC BANE!!!

*The opening guitar riffs of "The Enemy" by Godsmack play as the two big men make there way out. By their side is their manager, Death. The crowd is giving them a mixed reaction from the first sounds of his entrance. There are still more cheers than boos as he approaches the ring.

They only get louder as the trio makes their way toward the ring, they walk slowly, jawing with the occasional fan who's decided he's a tough guy. Mac simply laughs and continues down towards the ring, ad Death threatens them with his scythe.

Finally, they reach the ring steps and make their way into the ring. The trio approaches the center of the ring and raises their arms into the air. Then extending the middle fingers on both hands Mac and Tristan laugh as the boos reached a crescendo.*

Steve Cotton: Introducing their opponents. Weighing in at a total combined weight of 400lbs, they are THE THUNDER PRO WRESTLING DUOS CHAMPIONS! VICTOR AND HECTOR, THE MALVADOS!!!

*"Si Señor" by Control Machete begins to play and shortly after the Malvado's lowrider comes out from the side of the ring entrance, the horn going off, playing that sweet "La Cucaracha" tune. It comes to a stop by the ramp, and you see the brothers sittng on the back seat while their driver is none other than their advisor and father, Paco “The Drinking Time Bomb” Perez. He hits the switches, causing the lo-lo to bounce up and down and the crowd to pop big time. The Malvado Bros. jump out of the lo-lo and join their gorgeous manager and translator Leslie Jimenez who is waiting for them in the ramp, holding both Duos Championships. Once together, she hands them one title each and the brothers put them over their shoulders before making their way to the ring. Once at ringside, one of the brothers slides under the bottom rope while the other leaps over the top rope; Leslie simply walks around, looking on. They each go to a corner, jumping unto the second turnbuckle and try to get under the crowd's skin, taunting them and saying some mean words in Spanish but despite their efforts, the crowd continues to cheer. Once they realize there is no point they hop down and head to their corner to get ready for their match.*

Markson: This is going to be huge, the Duos titles on the line for the first time in the S.E.X Cup.

Hotcakes: The Malvados greatly protested this, but in the end the TPW legal team got the match in the ring and the titles on the line.

*The bell sounds as Hector and Mac start the match off. They got to lock up, but as Mac goes for a collar and elbow, Hector catches him with an arm drag. Mac hits and rolls right up, and as he does Hector catches him in a headlock. Mac fights a bit and shoots Hector into the ropes, as Hector comes off the ropes Mac drops down and Hector hops over him and keeps running. Mac jumps up and goes for a hip toss as Hector comes off the ropes, but Hector counters out of the hip toss into another hip toss. Mac hits and rolls up again, and turns around into a headlock takeover by Hector.*

Markson: The Malvados are going to have to use their speed in this one tonight.

Hotcakes: Yes they are because Tristan and Mac are bigger and strong for sure.

*Mac pushes himself up, but Hector keeps control of the headlock and pulls Mac to his corner, and tags in Victor. Victor hops to the top rope and drops down with a double axe handle across the back of Mac. Hector releases the headlock and Mac falls to his knees. Victor grabs the headlock on the kneeled. Mac powers his way up to his feet again and fires a forearm into the ribs of Victor. Mac shoots Victor off and as Victor comes off the ropes Mac goes for a back body drop, but Victor leapfrogs him. Mac spins around right into a headlock takeover from Victor.

Mac pushes Victor's head back and catches Victor with a head scissors, pulling Victor off the headlock. Victor quickly kips up out of the head scissors and to his feet. Mac spins to his feet and as he does Victor goes for a headlock again, but Mac ducks to avoid it, grabs Victor in a side waist lock and shoots Victor into the corner, and follows him in. Victor runs up the turnbuckles and backflips over Mac. Mac hits the corner and staggers around into a headlock takeover from Victor.*

Markson: Victor Malvado is showing great speed and agility.

Hotcakes: The Malvados are making Mac Bane look silly, and I know that is going to piss Mac off.

*Victor pulls Mac up, and to his corner while keeping the headlock on. Victor tags in Hector, the brothers then double whip Mac into the ropes, and as he comes off they deliver a double dropkick. Hector makes the pin as Victor exits the ring, and Referee Dizzy Dan makes the count. *

1…

KICKOUT!

*As Mac sits up from kicking out, Hector grabs a headlock again., Mac quickly rolls out, countering into a hammerlock. Mac holds onto Hector’s arm tightly, pulling Hector up and backing into the corner where he tags in Tristan. Tristan hops in and throws a front kick into the stomach of Hector. Tristan follows up with a hard right hand to the forehead of Hector, rocking Hector back into the corner. Tristan follows up with another boot to the stomach, and another, and another, and another, until Tristan has stomped Hector down into the corner, and only stops as Referee Dizzy Dan gets between Tristan and Hector.*

Markson: It appears Tristan Slater was not amused by the antics of the Malvados early in this match.

Hotcakes: Tristan made it clear leading up to this match that he is not a fan of the Malvados.

*Tristan grabs Hector by the mask and pulls Hector up and out of the corner. Tristan hooks Hector for a vertical suplex, but as he goes up, Hector spins out and comes down behind Tristan and grabs a waist lock. Tristan counters with a standing switch into a waist lock of his own. Hector smacks the hands of Tristan to loosen his grip and then cartwheels out of the waist lock. Tristan charges at Hector, and Hector catches Tristan with a drop-toe hold. Hector quickly floats into a headlock on Tristan.

Tristan pouches himself up to his feet and grabs a waist lock on Hector while Hector keeps the headlock. Tristan charges Hector towards a corner, but Hector runs up the corner and kicks off of it, taking Tristan over with a big headlock takeover. Tristan is obviously mad, and smacks the mat as Hector pulls Tritan up and moves to his corner where he tags in Victor.*

Markson: Smart tag team wrestling here by the Malvados, using quick tags and wearing their bigger opponents down.

Hotcakes: BORING! Do a dive and get a “this is awesome” chant.

Markson: Are you being serious?

Hotcakes: No, I’m not a goof.

*Hector and Victor double-whip Tristan into an empty corner. Hector nails a running splash into the corner, causing Tristan to fall to a seated position. Hector jumps out of the ring while Victor charges in and delivers a cannonball. Victor pulls Tristan out of the corner and then heads to the top rope. As Victor gets to the top rope Mac jumps into the ring drawing the Ref. With the Ref distracted, Death uses his scythe to hook the leg of Victor and pull Victor’s ankle, causing Victor to fall and crotch himself on the top turnbuckle.*

Markson: OH COME ON!!!

Hotcakes: How did that not cut Victor’s foot off?

Markson: It’s a fake Scythe Harry, we can’t have people wielding giant blades at ringside.

Hotcakes: Well it looks like Leslie and Paco are ready to battle Death.

*Tristan grabs Victor by the mask pulling him up and tagging in Mac. Mac hops into the ring and they whip Victor off the ropes. As Victor comes off, Tristan catches him and throws him straight into the air. Tritan steps to the side, and as Victor comes down Mac is there catching Victor with a big knee lift. Victor lands on his knees and appears to be out. Tristan hops out of the ring, while Mac charges off the ropes and comes back with a running boot to the back of Victor’s head, sending Victor flying onto his face. Mac drops down, shoots a half-nelson, and rolls Victor over for a pin.*

1…

2…

KICKOUT!

Markson: VICTOR MALVADO KICKED OUT!!!

Hotcakes: How do you know that is Victor and not Hector?

Markson: Ummm…. Good point.

*Mac grabs the leg of Victor, spins around it into a toe hold, and then drops a knee across the knee of Victor. Mac begins pulling up on the ankle of Victor, causing Victor great pain. Victor reaches up, grabbing the hair of Mac trying to pull Mac off of him, but Referee Dizzy Dan grabs Victor’s hands and pulls them out of Mac’s hair before admonishing Victor. Leslie begins yelling at Dan from the outside and this draws his attention. Tristan jumps into the ring, and Mac spins to his feet. Tristan and Mac each grab a leg and deliver a wishbone to Victor.

Tristan hops out of the ring, right before Referee Dizzy Dan turns around. As Dan turns around Mac tags in Tristan. Mac then grabs the ankles of Victor, pinning them to the mat as Tristan goes to the top rope. Tristan comes off the top rope with a frog splash onto the legs of Victor. Victor sets up in pain, but Mac shoves Victor down with his boot as Mac steps out of the ring. Tristan stands up, grabs the legs of Victor and goes right into a Texas Cloverleaf. Victor begins shouting in pain as he claws at the mat trying to get free.*

Markson: Victor Malvado is in a really bad spot right here.

Hotcakes: Or is it Hector Malvado that is in a bad spot?

Markson: Whichever Malvado it is, the Duo titles look like they might be changing hands very soon.

*Victor slowly crawls to his corner, but Tritan keeps pulling hard on the legs of Victor and weighing him down. Tristan stands up and pulls Victor back to the middle of the ring and as he goes to sit down again, Victor spins out and shoves Tristan back into the corner. Victor starts getting up when Tristan runs forward and kicks Victor in the ribs. Tristan pulls Victor up and whips him into the corner before delivering a Running Knee to the face of Victor, and following up with a running bulldog out of the corner.

Tristan rolls to his corner and tags in Mac. Tristan grabs one ankle while Mac grabs the other, both men lift Victor’s lower half up and slam his knees down into the mat. Tristan steps out of the ring, as Mac grabs Victor’s leg and goes right into spinning toe hold. Victor tries sitting up, but Mac drops him back down with a hard right hand and cranks the toe hold on harder.*

Markson: I don’t know how much more Victor Malvado can take.

Hotcakes: I hope he has been drinking his milk, cause he is going to need some strong bones to keep his tibia and fibula from snapping.

*Mac goes to spin around again, but as he does Victor uses his free leg to shove Mac in the butt, into the turnbuckles. Mac hits the turnbuckles and staggers back into a schoolboy, but Mac rolls through, back to his feet, and goes for a running knee to the rising Victor. Victor sees it coming and sidesteps sending Mac into the corner again. Mac immediately charges out with a clothesline, but Victor ducks his head, catches Mac, and takes Mac over with a standing Spanish Fly. Both Mac and Victor are down as the crowd begins cheering.*

Markson: This is Victor’s chance, he has to tag in Hector.

Hotcakes: Oh, you don’t think Victor Malvado with a bad leg could win this on his own?

Markson: NO, NOT AT ALL!

*Mac is up as Victor is on all fours crawling towards Hector. Mac grabs Victor by the bad leg, but Victor pushes himself up. Victor hops up and down on his good leg while Mac holds his bad one, suddenly, Victor jumps and delivers an enziguri to Mac. Mac falls to the mat as Victor rolls to his corner and tags in Hector to the delight of the crowd. Hector springs right to the top rope, and as Mac staggers up, Hector flies off with a cross body.

Tristan jumps into the ring and charges at Hector, but Hector sidesteps and Ole’s Tritan in the back sending Tristan into the ropes. As Tristan comes off the ropes Hector catches Tristan with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Hector is quickly back to his feet, as is Mac. As Mac gets up Hector lands a thunderous overhand chop to the chest of Mac that sends Mac staggering back into the ropes. As Mac hits the ropes Victor hits a jumping kick to the back of Mac’s head. Mac staggers forward into the waiting arms of Hector who lifts Mac up and drops him with a brain buster. Hector rolls Mac over and makes a pin.*

1…

2…

TRISTAN BREAKS IT UP!!!

Markson: Hector Malvado is a house of fire, and if Tristan Slater hadn’t acted so fast I think Hector would have put Mac away.

Hotcakes: HECTOR MALVADO IS EN FUEGO!!!

*Tristan fires another forearm to the back of Hector when Victor charges in nailing Tristan with a right hand. Victor is hammering Tristan with a right hand when Tristan kicks Victor in the knee. Victor falls to a knee, as Tristan pulls his fist back to hit Victor again when Hector superkicks Tristan from the side. Tristan falls between the ropes to the outside of the ring. Hector helps Victor up as Mac charges at both of them. The Brothers catch Mac and deliver Rolling Thunder (Double body slams followed by rolling thunders in sync, they then get up and point ala Terry Marshall, this being their tribute move to the boss).

Victor and Hector head for opposite corners and begin climbing to perform El Fin. As they get to the top ropes, Tristan and Death hop onto the apron. Death grabs to bad leg of Victor when Paco grabs Death and pulls him off the apron. Paco nails Death with a right hand, while Tristan shoves Hector off the top rope, sending Hector to the mat.*

Markson: DID PACO JUST KNOCK OUT DEATH?

Hotcakes: That isn’t possible, nothing beats death. Death and Taxes are the only constants in this life.

*Tristan hops into the ring and charges toward Victor who is still on the top rope. Victor jumps off the top rope and catches the charging Tristan with a top rope sunset flip for a pin. Referee Dizzy Dan waves it off though, stating neither of them is the legal man. Victor is acting as if he can’t understand Referee Dan, while holding the pin. Mac charges in nailing a stiff kick to the back of Victor breaking up the pin.

Mac turns to see Hector staggering to his feet and nails Hector with a discus punch. Mac grabs Hector by the mask and calls to Tristan as Tristan is getting up. Tristan nods and grabs Victor. Mac throws a right hand to Hector knocking Hector back into the corner. Tristan lands a hard forearm to Victor knocking Victor into the corner. Tritan call to Mac, and the two men nod their heads at each other. Tristan and Mac whip Hector and Victor to the middle of the ring at the same time, but The Malvado Brothers reverse and send Mac and Tristan into each other. Mac and Tristan knock heads with each other, and both stagger back around to a Malvado Brother. Hector and Victor both catch their opponents with dual inside cradles. Dizzy Dan drops and makes the count.*

1…

2…

3…

Steve Cotton: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS! ADVANCING TO THE S.E.X CUP SEMI-FINALS, AND STILLLLLLL DUOOOOOSSS CHAMPIONS!!!! THE MALVADOS!!!

Markson: THE MALVADOS DID IT!!!

Hotcakes: The Malvados were scared little babies coming into this tournament, maybe the just proved to themselves they are what they say they are, one of the best teams in the business.

*The Malvados roll out of the rings where they are met by Leslie and Paco with the Duos title. The Malvados hold the titles up above their heads as the shot fades to commercial.*

*The lights die out upon the countdown clock ticking away to zero before the theme from Terminator 2 hits the speakers. The crowd comes alive with a very loud, very mixed reception. White smoke bellows out from the ramp, and the reception grows even louder as seen walking through the smoky haze is none other than YOUR TPW International Champion, “Chronic” Chris Page. Chris is followed by the CEO of CCP Enterprises, Kat Jones who has the TPW International Championship on her right shoulder and The Entity World Title on her left. Chris stands at the top of the ramp listening to the reception which draws a smirk as he starts to make the walk to the ring.

Kat and Chris reach the ringside area.

Chris climbs up on the apron while Kat makes her way up the steel steps. Chris sits on the middle rope and raises up the top rope for Kat to step through the ropes and into the ring. Jones is followed in the ring by Chris Page who calls for a microphone. Kat walks across the ring where she reaches through the ropes taking the microphone from the ring announcer. The music fades away as she gives Chris the microphone.

The reception from the crowd is deafening.

Chris raises the microphone to his lips and starts to speak.*

CHRIS PAGE: I think it’s safe to say you guys and gals out there know me a little bit by now. So, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that I’m not standing in this ring to waste your time, or mine for that matter. A lot of things are happening in Thunder Pro Wrestling; some exciting, and some not so much… but hey, A for effort, right?

*The crowd starts to quiet down.*

CHRIS PAGE: When I won the TPW International Championship I had a choice to make. I could either walk around with a shiny new toy and call myself YOUR International Champion, show up and do a few segments and go to Retro Mania without breaking a sweat… OR… I could be a Champion that puts his money where his mouth is.

*Chris then states.*

CHRIS PAGE: Which brings us to tonight, right? I threw out the challenge, and if I’m lying I’m dying, I don’t have the first freaking clue who is going to walk down that aisle, step through those ropes, and try to lift the International Championship from my waist. And seeing as I’m not getting paid by the hour, I think it’s time we find out just WHO has accepted my open challenge.

*Suddenly, a loud, distorted guitar riff blasts over the sound system. A spotlight illuminates the stage, revealing a lone figure standing there. The wrestler is tall, muscular. A man of sophistication. He's wearing black trunks and a studded vest with no shirt underneath. It’s one half of Critical Hit, the CEO of Tact Enterprises, Larry Tact. The crowd roars in excitement as he raises his arms, egging them on.

He keeps himself on the stage, taking his time to soak in the adulation of the fans. He points at the upper box seats, playfully taunting some fans, and even poses for the camera. As the music finally dies down, he’s handed a microphone with the TPW logo on it, and looks out at the crowd before turning his attention to the TPW International Champion, Chris Page.

The two men stare each other down, and the tension in the arena was palpable.

Larry goes to speak, but Page cuts him off.*

CHRIS PAGE: “You? You really think you're the one to take my title from me, Tact?" Chris sneers. "What makes you so special?"

*Larry grins.*

LARRY TACT: "Page, I’m tired of seeing you treat the International title like one of your toys, practically throwing it down in front of the TPW roster. What for? Are you really trying to find someone with the gall and the guts to step up? Or, do you just think it’ll make a buzzy headline and push the brand of CCPE. Regardless if anyone – and I do mean, anyone – takes up on your challenge, I doubt you have respect enough to think they’re worth your time. The way I see it, I don’t think you even have respect for the International Title.

*The crowd rumbles at this notion.*

LARRY TACT: It’s a plaything, an accessory for you to shine up and pose with for a new t-shirt. While there are promising wrestlers giving everything they have in the Caribbean Cup for just a shot at that title, you fast-tracked your way by playing a game with Peter Vaughn and Terry Marshall. Much like CCPE, it’s your own sick brand of entertainment, and I’m not about to let it pass. This hostage reign ends TONIGHT and that’s a #TactFact!”

*Chris chuckles.

CHRIS PAGE: "You're just talk, Tact. I’m a better wrestler than you. I’m a better businessman than you. I’m smarter than you. I’m just… BETTER than you. If you think you’re going to get into the good graces of these people at my expense, think again. You could have let someone else become a star tonight, and instead you decide to take more for yourself. If you think you can do it, bring it on!"

*Larry stands and crosses his arms, undeterred, when the arena lights suddenly cut out. The crowd begins to murmur with anticipation, wondering what could be happening. Suddenly, the sound of a bull snorting echoes through the speakers, followed by “Stabbing Westward - Burn (Cure Cover)” playing with a video featuring the words ‘BUSTER GLOVES’ appearing on the Tron. As the cheers grow louder and louder, Buster Gloves, the second member of Critical Hit!, steps onto the stage and claps Larry Tact on the shoulder. The crowd goes wild, and even Chris Page looks somewhat shaken by Buster's appearance.

The crowd cheers loudly as Buster claps Larry Tact on the shoulder. He points at Tact and encourages them to cheer for him as well. Then he takes a microphone from a stagehand and turns to face the audience, holding up a hand to quiet them down.*

BUSTER GLOVES: "Thunderamaniacs! Are you ready for an International Championship match tonight? I know you are…"

*Buster flashes a grin of his own.*

BUSTER GLOVES: "Because tonight, a king loses his crown."

*The crowd roars and Chris Page laughs as Larry and Buster stand at the top of the ramp.*

CHRIS PAGE: "You think you can intimidate me? It doesn’t matter to me if Buster is in Larry’s corner or if Larry is in Buster’s corner. I have CCPE in my corner and I'd still walk out the winner, because I’m a legend and I’m that damn good."

*Larry and Buster exchanged a glance, but they remained focused amidst a chorus of boos for Page.*

LARRY TACT: "It’s funny that you mention that. Because I don’t see Peter Vaughn here. In fact, rumor is that he’s a little unhappy with you at the moment. Which is probably the reason you’re so desperate to recruit Marcus Ka'Derrion. You’re running out of friends here. This isn’t WGWF, and we're not here to intimidate you, Chris."

*Larry gives a piercing glare.*

LARRY TACT: "Straight up, we're here to BEAT you!"

*Chris sneers.*

CHRIS PAGE: "Fine. You want a match? I’ll prove I’m a fighting champion. Let’s get this over with then. Which one of you is it going to be? I don't have all night."

*Buster steps forward, his eyes blazing with determination.*

BUSTER GLOVES: "Actually, Chris… the person you’re going to face… is BOTH OF US!!!”

*The fans go bonkers, building to a fever pitch at the announcement! Page shakes his head and laughs in denial for a second, until the crowd goes wild seeing a referee rushing towards the ring. Page then starts protesting.*

CHRIS PAGE: “No way. Why would I put out an open challenge only to have me, the Champion, at a clear disadvantage? Not happening!”

LARRY TACT: “Actually, your open challenge is just that. Open, and not limited to a sole opponent, Chris. This match has already been sanctioned by TPW. It’s officially a TRIPLE THREAT and if I were you, I’d get ready because it’s happening… right now!”

* As the two members of Critical Hit descend the ramp to the ring, Chris Page looks outraged, protesting that he wasn't prepared to face two opponents. Larry Tact relishes the moment, laughing and taunting Page. Buster Gloves keeps his stoic expression as he focuses on the task at hand. Chris Page stands in the middle of the ring, still fuming as the referee gets ready to start the match. The two men enter and the bell rings before Chris has devised a plan to handle this situation.

The bell sounds signaling the official start to the match, and as the bell rings Buster and Larry both begin nailing Page with rights and lefts. Page covers up the best he can and retreats back to the corner, but both members of Critical Hit continue their assault on Page by switching from punches to kicks. Page drops to the mat and rolls to the outside to escape the assault, but Larry jumps out of the ring after him. Page isn’t paying attention as he heads up the ramp, waiving Referee Mullet off.*

Markson: Well, that didn’t take long. It looks like Chris Page is getting out of Dodge.

Hotcakes: Do you blame him? He was probably expecting Greg The Handyman or Magic Mike Mason, but instead, he gets BOTH MEMBERS of Critical Hit.

Marcus: Didn’t he just say he wants to be a fighting champion? Is this what a fighting champion does?

*Page makes it less than halfway up the entrance ramp when Larry grabs him by the hair. Larry instantly throws Page right into the security railing. Larry grabs Page and whips him across the entranceway into the other side's security railing. Page hits back first and sinks against the railing, and Tact lights Page up with a big chop across the chest. Larry looks down the entranceway to see Buster has rolled out of the ring and stands at the bottom of the entrance ramp.

Larry pulls Page off the railing and whips Page down the ramp towards Buster. Buster catches Page coming in with a Pop-Up European Uppercut. Page falls on the ground at the bottom of the entrance ramp, but Buster pulls him up and rolls him into the ring, before following in and going for a pin. *

1…

2…

Kickout.*

Markson: Kick out there by the International champion, but how much abuse will Chris Page be able to take like that?

Hotcakes: This really isn’t fair to Chris Page, this is like a handicap match.

Marcus: I’m actually surprised they got one over Page, I mean he’s supposed to be this mastermind… How does he let a loophole like that get past him? I’m sure his lawyers are going to get an earful after this.

*Buster grabs Page by the head as he is getting up, while Larry rolls into the ring. Buster throws Page toward Larry, and Larry nails Page with a boot to the stomach doubling Page over. Larry hooks Page for a powerbomb, and as Larry slams Page down, Buster catches Page with a reverse cutter. Larry holds onto Pages leg’s and hooks him for a pin, as Buster rolls on top of Page as well. Referee Mullet drops to count but stops and looks at Larry and Buster and said only one person can pin Page.

Larry and Buster look confused as they begin arguing with the Ref. Referee Mullet tries to explain to them what is going on as Page rolls under the bottom rope and to the outside of the ring.*

Markson: Referee Mullet is trying to explain to Larry Tact and Buster Gloves why he couldn’t make the pin.

Hotcakes: It’s pretty obvious, only one of them can be champion, and this isn’t an elimination match.

Marcus: I call bull on this, they can both pin and be co-champions. Why the hell not? Well, then again no, that means I would have to go up against both of them and I definitely don’t want to be in Page’s shoes.

*Larry just waves the Ref off and heads for Page who is pulling himself up on the Spanish announce table. Larry grabs Page and spins him around, but as he does Page has grabbed the pencil from the announces desk and jabs it into the forehead of Larry. Larry grabs his head staggering back, and Page continues the assault by grabbing a monitor from the desk and smashing it into the head of Larry. Larry goes down and is busted open.

Page lifts the monitor over his head, but Buster yanks it out of his hands from behind. Page turns around as Buster throws the monitor down. Page goes for a boot to the stomach, but Buster catches it and spins Page around in a 360. As Page spins back around Buster catches Page with a Judo throw, sending Page flying overhead. Buster then turns his attention back to his partner as Larry lies bleeding on the ground.*

Marcus: Chris Page with the John Wick move right there.

Markson: Larry Tact has been busted open, get some medical attention out here for him.

Hotcakes: It’s Critical Hit's own fault, they put Chris Page in a desperate situation, and nothing is more dangerous than a cornered animal.

*As Buster is checking on Larry, Page gets up and comes from behind with the Judas Effect to the back of Buster’s head. Buster goes down, and Page staggers a bit catching his breath and shaking the cobwebs from his head. As Page clears his head he grabs Buster and rolls Buster into the ring. Page rolls in after Buster and makes a pin.*

1…

2…

Kickout.

Markson: And Buster Gloves kick out after that stiff elbow shot from Chris Page.

Hotcakes: Buster might have kicked out, but he is going to be left in a tough spot after getting his brain scrambled.

Marcus: I knew Chris Page is a world-class athlete and champion, but to see it live and in person, it’s something else. Gotta give it to the man, he is impressive.

*Page hooks a front face lock on Buster as he gets up, and as they get to their feet Page turns and drops Buster with a stalling neck breaker. When Page drops Buster, he holds onto Buster’s neck and rolls backward right into a seated guillotine choke on Buster. As Page cranks on the choke, Larry slides back into the ring behind Page. Larry takes three quick steps and punts Page in the back with a penalty kick. Page releases the choke and holds his back in pain as Buster rolls to the side. With Page still seated Larry hits the ropes and comes back with a clothesline to the seated Page.*

Markson: Larry Tact is back in the match, and pissed off.

Hotcakes: Larry Tact is reeing red in more ways than one.

Marcus: You know I don’t know much about Tact and Gloves, especially as a tag team… Well aside from the fact that my boys The Malvados beat them, but they are showing me a lot today and clearly, open challenge or not, deserve this shot for Chris’ title.

*Tact mounts Page and begins hammering Page with right hands. Tact stands up, pulling Page up by his head. Tact shoots Page into the turnbuckle and charges in, but Page sticks his boot up and Tact runs into it. Tact staggers backward holding his head while Page jumps to the second turnbuckle. Page leaps off with a double ax handle, but Tact catches Page in mid-air with a spine buster. Tact makes the cover.

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BROKEN UP!

Markson: BUSTER GLOVES JUST BROKE THE PIN UP!!!

Hotcakes: Do you blame him? Buster Gloves wants to be International champion just as bas as Larry Tact does.

Marcus: We knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, like you guys said, they can’t both be champs.

*Larry is on his knees staring at Buster in shock. Buster stands over Larry and mouths the words, “I’m sorry”. Larry slowly stands and the two partners stare at each other. Larry shoves Buster back and Buster staggers into the ropes and comes back with a shove of his own to Larry’s chest. Larry staggers back and comes forward shoving his forehead into Buster’s. The two men are forehead to forehead shoving each other and arguing, which gives Page time to retreat to a corner.*

Markson: It looks like Critical Hit is about to implode.

Hotcakes: Who is going to strike first?

Marcus: You guys focus on that while I focus on what Chris Page is doing, this is where he shows his veteran savvy. Sit back, recover, and let these two destroy each other.

*Page jumps to the middle turnbuckle and comes off with a drop-kick to the back of Tact, knocking him into Buster. Buster and Larry knock heads, and Buster falls backward between the ropes and out of the ring. While Larry is bent over holding his head Page strikes, landing a cradle DDT on Larry, leaving a red blot on the canvas from Larry’s blood.

Page starts to go for the cover when he sees Buster climbing onto the apron. Page charges and as Buster gets to his feet Pags hits him with a running jumping knee strike. Buster flies backward and crash-lands on the announcer's table. The table doesn't break, but Buster lands with a hard thud. Page turns to see Larry on all fours. Page pulls Larry into set up for the Page Plant, but Larry spins out and whips Page off, but Page reverses sending Larry into the ropes. As Larry comes off the ropes Page goes for a spine buster, but Larry stops it with a 12 to 6 elbow strike to the top of Page’s head. Larry lands on his feet, and Page is staggered. Larry goes for a clothesline, but Page ducks at the last second, catches Larry’s arm, and counters into a cobra clutch.*

Markson: Page is about to put Larry Tact to sleep.

Hotcakes: That dream will cost a million dollars.

Marcus: A little too on the nose don’t you think?

*As Tact begins to fade, he throws his upper body forward and pops his hips, arm dragging Page out of the cobra clutch. Page is to his feet first as Larry gets up. Page charges with a clothesline, but Tact ducks and catches Page with a backside. *

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2…

Kickout.

*Page kicks out, rolling back to his feet as he does. Larry is pushing himself up when Page grabs Tact by the hair and pulls his head between his legs. Page lifts Tact up and spikes him down with a piledriver. Page rolls Tact over and makes the cover. *

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FOOT ON THE ROPES!

Markson: Great ring awareness by Larry Tact, and great eye by the ref.

Hotcakes: I can't believe Larry Tact kicked out, if we were in Memphis, he'd be out.

Marcus: That is as good of a piledriver as you can deliver, Larry must be one hard headed mutha-

*Page is up and arguing with the ref as Tact starts pushing himself up to his feet. As Tact staggers to the middle of the ring Page plants a boot in his stomach, doubling Tact over. Page hits the ropes and comes back looking for High Times (flip piledriver), but Tact counters. Tact uses his strength to stop Page’s momentum mid-move and counters into an Alabama slam. Page hits hard and his head bounces off the mat. Tact crumbles having used all the energy he had left. The referee looks at both men on the mat and Buster on the outside holding his back. The referee has no choice and begins his count.*

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3…

4…

Markson: I can't believe this, all three men are down.

Hotcakes: This has been a brutal match.

Marcus: It has, but it can’t possibly end like this!

5…

6…

7…

8…

9…

*Buster rolls into the ring breaking the count and covers Page.*

1…

2…

*Page kicks out, but as he does Buster catches Page's arm and pulls Page right into a crippler cross-face. Page tries to struggle free, but Buster pulls harder. Page pushes himself up and tries rolling forward, but Buster rolls with him and keeps the hold on. Page lifts his arm as if ready to tap, when Tact grabs Page's arm, stopping him from tapping. Tact then applies a crippler cross-face on Page’s free arm, leaving Pags trapped in a double cross-face.*

Markson: I don't know how anyone gets out of this hold.

Hotcakes: Marcus, I don't think Chris Page is going to make it to RetroMania.

Marcus: I can’t see him getting out of this one, so you may be right.

*Page’s body appears to go limp, but Referee Mullet can’t delineate between who he should call the match for. Buster releases his cross-face and stands up, yelling at Larry. Tact releases his hold and stands up. Both members of Critical Hit begin yelling at each other again. Buster throws his hand up and takes a step back. Larry shakes his head and then extends his hand for a handshake. Buster shakes his head and shakes Tact’s hand. The fans begin to cheer, but then Tact pulls Buster in and catches Buster with a small package. *

1…

2…

KICKOUT!

Markson: I can’t believe Larry Tact, not TACTFUL!

Hotcakes: Never underestimate the sneaky.

Marcus: I’m surprised it took this long for them to turn on each other honestly.

*Larry stands up, holding his arms out and smiling through his bloody mask, but Buster doesn’t look a bit amused. Buster begins marching toward Tact, and Tact seeing Buster is angry puts his hands up to fight, but as he does Buster shoots a sweep single into a schoolboy on Tact. *

1…

2..

KICKOUT!

*Tact kicks out and rolls to his feet as Buster is up and going for the Heartbreaker (heart punch), but Tact blocks it to the side and follows up with a back elbow to the side of Buster’s head. Buster is staggered as Tact charges into the ropes and comes back with a Yakuza kick, but Buster ducks and charges into the ropes. Tact catches his footing and bounces off the ropes back at Buster. Buster and Tact meet in the middle of the ring with a thunderously loud double clothesline. Both Tact and Buster lay flat on the mat in the middle of the ring, with Page down laying in the corner. Referee Muller again has no choice but to start his 10 count.*

Markson: I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS! ALL THREE MEN ARE DOWN AGAIN!!!

Hotcakes: It’s clear the match with The Conventicle took its toll on the members of Critical Hit, and Page was probably stoned to the bone before he came out here anyway.

Marcus: Markson you need to calm down or you’re going to blow a gasket.

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7…

8…

9…

Markson: PAGE IS UP!!!

Hotcakes: Chris Page had to use the ropes to pull himself up, but he is on his feet as Buster Gloves and Larry Tact are trying to get up.

Marcus: That was way too close.

*Page heads out of the corner and goes right for Buster, but as Buster is getting to his feet he catches Page coming in and drops him with a back breaker. Buster keeps Page on his knee and signals for Tact to go up. Larry hops to the second rope and comes off with an elbow drop to Page as he is still in the backbreaker position. Tact rolls up, grabs Page by the head, and pulls him up. Tact tells Buster to go to the top rope as Tact bends down and picks Page up on his shoulder ready for the Limit Break" (Doomsday Device).

Buster makes it to the top rope and as Buster leaps off, Page rolls forward for a Victory roll. Buster crashes and burns onto the mat as Page has hooks Tact for the pin. *

1…

2…

BUSTER BREAKS IT UP!!!

Markson: BUSTER GLOVES JUST SAVED THE MATCH!!!

Hotcakes: Did Buster break up the pin to save Larry Tact, or to stop Chris Page from winning?

Marcus: I don’t think it matters.

*Buster breaks up the pin with a diving ax handle across the back of Page’s head. Buster grabs Page in a Muay Thai Clinch and begins The Richmond Knee Party (Muay Thai Clinch Knees). Page is left staggered, and Buster spins Page around and lifts him up for The Obliterator
(Description: Burning Hammer), as Page is flipped over though he lands on his feet, and boots Buster between the legs. Buster is doubled over and Page nails him with the High Times (Flip Piledriver)

Page begins getting to his feet ad as he does Tact comes out of nowhere nailing Page with The Humbling (Uranage Suplex). Page hits the mat and falls out of the ring. Tact turns around and covers Buster for the pin. *

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3…

Steve Cotton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… AND NEEEEWWWWWW THUNDER PRO WRESTLING INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION…. LAAAARRRRRYYYYYY TAAAACCCCTTTTTT!!!

Markson: I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!!

Hotcakes: Chris Page gambled big and it came back to bite him in the butt.

Marcus: IN THE ASS HARRY! IN THE ASS!!! Wow, I cannot believe Page actually just lost the title… you say gambled, but I say arrogance.

*Larry Tact is handed the TPW International title, and falls to his knees clutching the belt. Tact feels an arm on his shoulder and looks over to see Buster on his knees beside him. Buster grabs Larry’s hand and stands up, helping Larry to hi feet. Buster holds Larry’ arm up as the crowd begins cheering loudly. Buster and Larry hug as pyro goes off at the top of the stage.

The shot cuts to Marcus now standing over Chris Page as Page lays on the floor. Marcus extends the CCPE t-shirt and lays it on top of Page like a blanket, covering his face and upper chest. Marcus then grabs the headset again, and speaks into the mic.*

Marcus: So much for a tough decision huh?

*He then simply shrugs after looking down at Page one last time. He then turns his attention to Larry Tact in the ring and after thinking for a moment, he hops on the apron and stares at Larry who locks eyes with him.*

Markson: What does Marcus have in mind here Larry?

Hotcakes: No idea, but he’s outnumbered, so he better be smart about his decision.

*Marcus looks around at the crowd who are all standing, but a hush has fallen over them as they don’t know what to expect. Marcus smiles and then gets inside the ring and both Larry and Buster get into a fighting stance. Marcus however, after taking a few steps in their direction, stops and then throws his hands up as if to say ‘I come in peace’. He then stretches his hand out to Larry for him to shake. Larry looks at Buster who looks back at him and shrugs. Larry thinks on it for another moment or two and decides to shake Marcus’ hand. The crowd erupts in cheers.*

Markson: Alright, phew, no more violence tonight…

Hotcakes: We’ve had plenty, that’s for sure.

*Marcus raises Larry’s arm in victory and the crowd cheers even louder. Marcus then says a few words to Larry that only the three of them can hear and pats him on his shoulder respectfully. He then walks out of the ring, and heads up the ramp, facing the ring and is genuinely applauding the new International champion. Larry nods in appreciation, but then looks at Buster, still a bit unsure of what to make of Marcus. The camera focuses on Chris Page on the outside, who is now seated against the commentators table, CCPE t-shirt in hand, fuming.*

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*Thanks To Everyone Who Wrote Matches and Segments To Make This A Great Show!*