With a loud bang and a flash of blue, green, and white pyro, the EWI Collision is on the air. The arena is packed with several thousand rabid wrestling fans, waving signs and banners and cheering as loud as they can throughout the impressive opening display. As the noise dies down and the smoke begins to clear, the face of play-by-play announcer Blake Underwood, who is at ringside to call the night's action, appears on the video screen and televisions across the continent.
Underwood: We are live, we are Elite Wrestling International, and we are about to see a...
As Underwood began his intro, "Hostile" pierced the arena, as
Adam Kogler made his way to the ring. He grabbed the microphone from the ring
announcer, then made a "shoo" motion until the announcer left the ring. Kogler impatiently
waited for the boos to die down before finally beginning to speak.
Kogler: Now that you've finally taken it upon yourselves to shut your filthy
yaps, welcome to a very special edition of Kogler's Korner!
Kogler paused to take in the next rush of negativity, then continued.
Kogler: I love you too. Now, despite the fact that absolutely none of you
deserve them, you fans, the fans at home, and all of EWI are going to get
some answers! Not only that, but here to help me give them to you are two of
the premire superstars here in EWI, and we're going to kick things off with
the biggest star of them all! Ladies and gentlemen, the man who in less than
3 weeks is going to once again usurp the "almighty" himself, the man who
tonight is going to once again be the proverbial Buick to the "dog", YOUR EWI
World Champion, Twisted Steel!
"Bang Your Head" then came through the arena, as Twisted Steel walked out in his
wrestling attire and blue rhinestoned robe. After stepping through the top and middle ropes held open by Adam Kogler, Steel removed the world title from his waist and stepped to the second turnbuckle to strike a pose. After hopping down, Twisted Steel patted Adam Kogler on the back and slung the world title over Adam's shoulder, then brushed his hair back with both hands. The usual cocky smile on Steel's face was as apparent as ever as Kogler began the
interview.
Kogler: Now Steel, the question on everybody's mind, what we all want an
answer to - how you doing?
Steel: I'm doin', how YOU doin'?
Kogler: Fine. How you doing?
Steel: Doin' is doin'. How ya doin'?
The crowd booed the horrendus comedy routine/blatant stalling, which prompted
Kogler to laugh. After a moment, Steel slowly pulled the mic away from Kogler
and held it even with his mouth.
Steel: Alright, let's shut 'em up. Now, all of youse know that not only did I
successfully defend my World Title against Seta Soujiro last week, but your
Champ-een went above and beyond the call of duty. Let's go the video tape.
A clip was shown of last week's battle royal, in which Steel interjected himself into the match with his silver crowbar. Shots of him eliminating Pitch Black and Jamaal were shown before it faded to black.
Steel: Ya see that? That's what happens when ya cross me. Ya get on the Scrapper's revenge list, and bad things happen to ya. I woulda finished the job too, it if weren't for those meddling kids- I mean, officials. As is, looks like The Cult Master gets his shot at me at Destiny. Fine and dandy. I've beaten every sheep ya ever sent out at me, and as we all know, ya went and felt the Steel yourself a couple o' months ago yourself. Nothin's gonna
change at Destiny my man, 'cause ya know as well as I do that your entire Cult's destiny is servin' as my personal bitch.
Steel smirked to the crowd reaction, then continued.
Steel: But I ain't here tonight to worry about The Cult Master. Nah, I got
some other things goin' for me tonight, namely a challenge from the diggety
dog, the rabid little chihuahua himself, Lucas Coleman. Why, ya ask? Well, we
have a clip, do we not?
Last week's universal title match was then shown, where Twisted Steel hit Coleman
in the face with the world title belt to abruptly end the match. Other clips were
spliced in, leading up to the moment where Rukuss took out Heavy D, capped
off by the celebratory pose with Steel, Rukuss & Kogler. The screen faded to
black, as Steel chuckled and handed the mic back to Kogler.
Kogler: (Doing a crying pantomime) Awwwww, is little Lukey ang-wee? Does he
need his whiskey bottle after having his shot taken away from him? Hah! Twisted Steel is going to give you exactly what you asked for just a little bit later, and it won't be pretty! Which brings me, to Heavy D. Let's take one more look at some footage, this one goes back a few weeks, so all you slack-jawed yokels out there, try and keep up!
The scene is the Collision from January 14, in which Twisted Steel and Adam
Kogler were facing off with Diamond King and Ray Brewer. The shot in
particular that's shown is the Ghetto Punch from Heavy D to Adam Kogler,
shown several times from different angles, which popped the crowd.
Kogler: Yes, wasn't that ever so much fun? That right there put Mr. D at the
very top of my revenge list! And what better way to attain cold, hard revenge
... than by attacking from the inside. That's right! You're looking at the
man that destroyed Criminal Nation! I am the Greatest Mind in Wrestling!!
The crowd booed heavily.
Kogler: I delved into that pit of despair, and plucked out the one diamond in
the rough! Now he knows that HIS destiny doesn't involve Heavy D or any of
his cretinous companions! Rukuss is far above that, and now that he knows it,
nothing will get in his way! But don't take my word for it - because I'm
about to introduce to you the fastest rising star in EWI, the man I, Adam
Kogler, recognize as the EWI Universal Champion, Rukuss!
"Bomb First" by Makaveli blasted over the speakers as the fans heavily booed once again.
The massive Rukuss entered through the curtains, carrying the stolen universal
title, and the fans jeered loudly at the traitor. He walked down the aisle, and easily stepped over the top rope. He then patted Kogler on the back, as he was handed the mic.
Rukuss: (in a deep ebonic voice) It feels great ... to finally get noticed.
The crowd booed even harder.
Rukuss: Shut up!! I am talking! And before I say anything else, I would like to thank these couple of homeboys right here, Kogler and Steel. These two have shown me the way, to finally step out of the shadow of this "notorious" one. Heavy Dumbass, you're damn lucky you're not in this building right now ... because if you were, you'd be sent straight to the hospital! I am sick
... and I am tired ... of people loving you! I AM THE BETTER ONE, AND MR. KOGLER HAS SEEN THAT!!! Perhaps ... you would like to know why I turned on you? Maybe everyone wants to know. Well, here it is: I loathed you too much.
The crowd booed again.
Rukuss: Hell, I'm serious! I got so sick and tired of that little asswad
getting all the attention; all of the spotlight ... when i was the one who
had da true talent. And now, thanks to Adam Kogler's guidance, i will be
unstoppable, and i do mean it-
Suddenly, Heavy D ran out from the back, and slid underneath the ring
ropes as Steel threw down his robe. D quickly nailed Rukuss square in the
face with an elbow, then turned towards Kogler and grabbed him by the shirt.
Alertly, Twisted Steel nailed Heavy D with the fallen mic, and locked the real
universal champ in a full nelson. Rather than deliver the Living End, Steel
held Heavy D in place, while Rukuss and Kogler got up from the canvas.
Kogler slapped a defenseless Heavy D in the face, to the disgust of the fans.
Kogler stepped back and laughed, as he watched Rukuss go eye to eye with Heavy
D. Heavy D could only stare back, as Twisted Steel held him tightly in the
full nelson. Rukuss hauled back his fist, and nailed Heavy D with his own
version of the "Ghetto punch". Heavy D fell to the ground, while the three
men celebrate in the ring.
Underwood: As I was about to say, welcome to Collision ladies and gentlemen, I'm Blake...
Kogler: The nerve of that idiot, interrupting MY segment! All I wanted to do was shake the foundations of the wrestling world as I so often do, and everything was going fine with Rukuss and the World Champion, and HE had to stick his nose where it doesn't belong?! I want Heavy D fined and/or suspended, Underwood! See to it, will you?
Underwood (clearly fed up with Kogler already): I have more important things to do than worry about your Adam Kogler's Bad Komedy Hour, thank you. In case you're not aware, we have a wrestling broadcast here tonight, and that means actual in-ring matches. Now that you and your antics have taken up so much time, we've got no time for introductions now, we're going right to our first match. Punisher and Pitch Black kick things off tonight at Collision!
Pitch Black
~VS.~
Punisher
*****
As the announcers finished their introductions, and the crowd began to grow
anxious, the lights cut out. A few die-hard fans cheered as "My Friend of
Misery" began to softly play over the sound system. But as it soon died down,
it became obvious that the riffs were coming from a different source. As the
lights returned, the crowd was delighted to see Pitch Black leaning against a
turnbuckle, with a black Flying V in hand, playing the song. Black handed the guitar to Blinding Light, who then took a seat at the commentary table. As Pitch Black threw his trenchcoat over
the top rope, "Rock 'N Roll All Night" by KISS blasted through the arena, as
Punisher made his return to the rings of EWI with Donovan by his side.
Punisher kicked off the match with an unloading of rights and lefts that
backed Pitch into the corner. He yanked Pitch out of the corner and dropped
him with a DDT, then removed his trenchcoat. The Punisher then wrapped his
trenchcoat around Pitch Black's throat and began to choke, only ceasing when
the referee threatened to disqualify him. Punisher whipped Black into the
ropes, Pitch reversed, then nailed Punisher with a snap kick to the head,
sending Punisher into the ropes once more. As Punisher came off again, he was
met with a spear that took him down to the canvas. As Punisher slowly got to
his feet, Pitch Black raised both arms to challenge Punisher to a test of
strength. The larger Punisher gladly obliged, but just as the men went to
lock up, Black kicked Punisher hard in the knee, drawing a pop from the
crowd. Black took a cheap shot to Punisher's ribs, then backed into the
corner as the ref checked on Punisher. Suddenly, the camera cut to a scene in
the crowd, where a man in a teddy bear suit was walking from fan to fan and
giving them hugs. The shot just as soon returned the ring, as Punisher
quickly shook off the cobwebs and charged at Pitch Black. Black ducked as
Punisher ran into the turnbuckles, but was able to brake himself. Punisher
again ran at Pitch Black with a clothesline, but was taken over by a hiptoss.
As Punisher got to his feet, Pitch Black muscled him over with a snap suplex.
Pitch Black went for another suplex, but this time kept Punisher suspended in
the air in an impressive display of strength. As Punisher was brought down
though, he managed to land on his feet, and lock in The Judgment out of
nowhere! Punisher wrestled Pitch Black to the mat with the painful hold, and
the referee eventually awarded the match to Punisher by submission when Black
could no longer respond. Punisher quickly relinquished the hold, but motioned
to Donovan for a steel chair. Punisher shoved Black's leg into the chair,
then climbed to the top rope before coming down feet first onto the chair.
Black yelled in pain as Punisher demanded a mic.
Punisher: That is what anyone who gets in my way to a Championship will get.
Punisher left the ring as the official tended to Pitch Black.
Underwood: A great effort from both competitors here tonight, but it's Punisher that comes out on top. Certainly a big win for that man as he embarks on a singles career here in EWI after the break up of his tag team with Ronin. I have to say I thought Pitch Black was going to come out on top after his disappointing performance against The Destroyer last week, but Punisher pulled it out. Is this how you saw things working out tonight?
Kogler: As you know Woody, I'm very familiar with both of these men. Now
typically, when you pit a braindead drifter against a drunken Irishman, the
matchup is pretty even. However, we can't forget that Punisher spent several
months under my tutelage, and I firmly believe that that's what carried the
man to victory in his first EWI match in several weeks! Congratulations to
The Punisher!
Underwood: Should have known you'd try and claim credit for this somehow. By the time our next match is over, you'll probably be claiming that you got Rincon into the military or that you taught Androsovich about rats. This should be a good one, folks. If you ask me, these are two of the best prospects to hit EWI since we opened our doors a few months back. Nathan Rincon looked impressive in his debut last week in the battle royal, making it to the final six, while all reports on Mikhail Androsovich are that he has a very unusual ring style and incredible flexibility for a man his age. This should be a very interesting match to say the least. Let's go back to the ring.
Mikhail Androsovich
~VS.~
"The Recon" Nathan Rincon
*****
The arena was totally dark. After a few moments, the deep, heavy beat of Berlioz' "Dies Irae" began to sound, filling the entire arena with a sense of doom. A light then appeared at the top of the runway and a figure appeared, wearing a flowing white gown with long white sleeves, and began to float down the runway toward the ring. When she reached the side of the ring, she stopped, and with the end of the music she pointed into the ring. Immediately the arena lights came on, and Mikhail Androsovich was standing on the opposite side of the ring. He was wearing white boots, tights, and a tight white shirt. The shoulders of the shirt were black, as was the back. Raisa, the woman on the outside, began to glide around the ring, pausing to smile at the announcers. "The Recon" Nathan Rincon was then introduced, and once he was in the ring Mikhail moved right to him, standing face to face with the former reconnaissance officer. The two stared at each other briefly before Mikhail took the first shot, locking his hands behind Recon's head and delivering a thunderous headbutt. Recon was staggered but Mikhail held the man up and backed him towards the corner. Before they made it the whole way Mikhail stopped and dropped to his knees, delivering a form of jaw breaker that snapped Recon's head back. As Recon shook the stunning effect of the hold Mikhail spun around behind him, hooked an ankle, and used a shoulder thrust to the back to drive Recon face first to the turnbuckle. Recon's head snapped back once again, and Mikhail followed up the unorthodox move with an atomic drop that caused Recon to stumble a couple of paces before collapsing to the canvas. Recon was clearly shaken by the fast paced offense of the newcomer, but Mikhail never gave him a chance to gather his senses. By the time Recon was to his feet Mikhail nailed a spinning backfist right to the back of Recon's neck, and then spun him around to deliver an inveret atomic drop. Again Recon fell to the canvas, but this time instead of waiting for Recon to get up Mikhail was right on him. He grabbed Recon's left leg and stretched it up towards the man's head, putting immense pressure on Recon's hamstring. Wrenching the leg as he let go, Mikhail stepped back and let Recon regain his footing, but the military men hobbled as he did so, suggesting that Mikhail had in fact done considerable damage to the hamstring with his latest unusual hold. Recon lunged at Mikhail but the Russian, who had controlled the match to that point, was still fresh and thus able to avoid the attack and hook Recon in a full nelson, which with a quick sweep of the legs he used to drive Recon face first into the canvas, with a variation of Diamond King's Face Down in the Gutter move. Recon was slow to respond this time, allowing Mikhail to mount his back and apply what could best be described as a modified bow and arrow submission hold. Mikhail hooked Recon's legs, then after delivering a series of blows to the back of Recon's head managed to hook the arms before arching back. Recon's extremities were all tied up so he was not able to tap out, but when the referee asked him if he wanted to continue he had no escape and thus no choice but to give up. The bell sounded and Mikhail immediately let go of the hold. He got up and, without any celebration, left the ring. He met Raisa on the outside and they smiled at each other as they made their way to the back.
Kogler: Well, Mikhail Andro- Ando- Androsandwich certainly was impressive in his EWI debut. I think everyone should keep looking over their shoulders from
now on, I don't trust guys with accents that play with rats! You think I could get him to shorten his name to "Andy"?
Underwood responded simply by looking over at Kogler with an expression of disbelief and shaking his head.
The arena fell into darkness as "Clubbed to Death" began to play, carrying a deep tone throughout the building. A faint glow of orange and red emanated from the bottom of the video screen as a hard-set gray jaw came into view, illuminated only by the faint light. As two yellow eyes snapped open, seeming to float in the darkness on the upper screen, a quiet yet hard voice came from the vision's barely-moving lips.
Voice: For many weeks, I have known this would happen. For no better time that I come back then for a show that many call 'Destiny.' ...... It is MY destiny to return to the glory that has always been mine. None can prevent what I have foreseen ... it IS the future. Be things as they may, I will begin my reign of terror as is fitting: the Destiny of the EWI and my destiny will coincide as I accept the offer of dismantling The Overnight Male. For this is the way things are and have always been ...... I have SEEN it!
The apparition-like figure on the screen disappeared with a flash of mottled red-and-orange light as the lights came back up.
Kogler: I suppose you're going to deny any knowledge of THIS mystery man too, eh? Don't you worry, the Greatest Mind in Wrestling always figures it out! ...As long as I don't have to get too close to him, that is.
Underwood: Terrific. Well, when you do figure it out, you be sure to let us know. Maybe this man, whoever he is, can shorten his name for you too. This next match should be of special interest to you, Adam, as your newest protege Rukuss is about to do battle with a man you and Twisted Steel know very well, Seta Soujiro. Looks like we're about to find out just how much your guidance has meant to the big man as he faces his biggest challenge to date here in EWI.
Seta Soujiro
with The Destroyer
~VS.~
Rukuss
*****
Soon after Rukuss made his way to the ring to a loud chorus of boos, a single
spotlight illuminated the stage, revealing Seta Soujiro, along with The Destroyer. Both men made their way to the ring, with Soujiro shedding his robe and rolling under the bottom rope as Destroyer took his place on the outside. For the first time in his career, the fans were on Soujiro's side, still roundly booing the Criminal Nation turncoat. Rukuss attempted to sneak
in behind Seta, but Soujiro nailed a reverse thrust kick to send a surprised Rukuss to the canvas. Soujiro was quick to capitalize, locking in a half-Boston crab on the larger man. Rukuss quickly kicked Soujiro off, but as Rukuss pulled himself up, Seta immediately jumped on him with a crossface. Rukuss flailed about in pain before grabbing the top rope to force the break.
Soujiro launched a flurry of quick kicks to knock Rukuss toward the center of the ring, with the last one hunching the big man over. Soujiro hooked the neck and took Rukuss down with a neckbreaker, then applied a camel clutch. While this was going on, two scrawny men and one overweight individual started circulating through the arena, dressed in white shirts, tutus, and big yellow happy face masks with blond hair extensions on the back. They slowly made their way towards the ring, dancing and waving around tin cans in their hands. Rukuss soon stretched his huge leg over the bottom rope, with Seta quickly breaking the hold. Soujiro slowly pulled Rukuss up and sent him face first into the corner, then followed with a variation of Twisted Steel's Crazy Train dropkick. Soujiro flashed a sly smirk at Kogler at ringside before climbing to the top rope and executing a mimicry of the Bad Moon Rising moonsault. Soujiro rolled off before the ref can even begin to count, then locked in the Walking Wounded, and with the neck of Rukuss having been worked on the entire match, Rukuss slowly slumps down before giving it up. The referee raised the hand of Seta Soujiro, who curiously cocked his head toward the fans that cheered him. As the match ended, the three masked men made it to ringside, and danced around the mighty Destroyer out on the floor. This only added to Soujiro's uncertainty, as he looked questioningly at the three strangers surrounding his "Brother". Suddenly, someone dressed in a teddy bear suit came running through the crowd, hopped over the guardrail, and grabbed a chair from the timekeeper. He slid into the ring and nailed Soujiro across the back of the head with the chair, and before Destroyer could respond, the arena went dark. A pair of green eyes appeared on the video screen and a booming voice declared "The fairy tale is almost over". When the lights came back on Destroyer was in the ring, but the intruders were nowhere to be found. Destroyer helped Soujiro to the back, looking around cautiously for another attack as he did so.
Kogler: Teddy Terror. Teddy Terror, Underwood. This is what's it come to. So tell me, what's our main event next week, Peter Pan and Captain Hook in a "Walk The Plank" match? Give me a break!
Underwood: Yes, I suppose that was a little out of the ordinary. By the way Adam, what happened to your would-be universal champion out there? It looked like Rukuss...
Kogler: (Quickly writing on a pad of paper) Er, I'm busy Underwood, can't you
handle this by yourself for once?
Underwood: You know, for the so-called Greatest Mind in Wrestling, you're really making an ass of yourself tonight. Don't you want to respond to Soujiro knocking off the man who you are claiming is the rightful universal...
Kogler: Oh, cram it! So the little Cult fledgling got a lucky win. He only got it by copying our beloved World Champion, Twisted Steel! Did you see that, Underwood? I've sued for gimmick infringement in the past, and I'll do it again! And don't you worry, the Universal Champion will bounce back next time.
Underwood: Of course you realize that Heavy D is really the universal champion. Just because you have Rukuss parading around with the belt does not make him a champion. The fact that you're concerned about gimmick infringement...let me just say it's no wonder that your insight didn't do Rukuss much good tonight the way you're carrying on out here. The first half of our double main event is up next with Diamond King taking on Ronin in what has become a very personal conflict over the past few days. Apparently there is more history between these two men than we initially thought. It should make for an outstanding match, and it's coming up next.
Before the match started, the first ad for EWI Destiny aired. Set to the tune of "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz, The Cult Master was featured prominently throughout the video, with clips of Twisted Steel with the world championship belt were scattered in between. The final clip was of Steel, with his feet on the ropes, pinning Cult Master in the world title tournament. The Destiny logo then appeared on the screen, with the background fading to black behind it.
Diamond King
with Jamaal & Ray Brewer
~VS.~
Ronin
*****
Accompanied by Jamaal and Ray Brewer, Diamond King made his way to the ring first, displaying prominently his two world championship belts - the CWA belt around his waist and the MMP title over his shoulder. He handed the belts to Brewer, who wasn't out there long before he got into a war of words with Adam Kogler at the announce table. As the referee went to the outside to separate the two men, the sounds of Moist's "Resurrection" came over the loudspeaker. The entrance way exploded in a blast of white flame, and through the smoke came Ronin, accompanied by his valet Kachiko, slapping hands with fans seated along the aisle as he made his way down. He slid into the ring and held his hands in the air as white sparks shot from the ringposts and fell from the ceiling. After passing his trenchcoat and shirt to Kachiko Ronin turned to face Diamond King, who looked on from the outside with a disgusted expression on his face, clearly not impressed with Ronin's pyro display. DK slowly walked up the steps and entered the ring, and the two men warily advanced towards one another. They moved in to lock up but Ronin's quickness gave him the advantage early, ducking away from DK's lunge and dropping him to the mat with his trademark ridgehand. A short legdrop to the throat winded DK early, and the larger of the two Canadians rolled over to the ropes to catch his breath. The ref warned Ronin to stay back while his opponet was in the ropes and Ronin obliged, letting DK get to his feet. DK complained about the shot to the throat being illegal but the referee simply brushed him off and told him to get on with the match. He attempted a lockup a second time and this time was successful, locking Ronin in an armbar. Being much smaller than his opponent gave Ronin room to manuever and he wrestled himself free, flipping out of the hold and taking DK over with a hiptoss. A spinning heel kick as DK got to his feet sent the five time world champion out of the ring to the floor. As DK recovered on the outside Ronin shot up to the top rope, and once the Calgary native turned to face him Ronin dove off with a flying bodypress. This proved to be a mistake, however, as DK easily caught the much smaller man and turned him over into a powerslam on the concrete floor! The crowd let out a disgruntled moan as they saw Ronin's fortunes turn. DK pulled Ronin up and shoved him right back into the ring before slowly following his adversary in. Once back inside DK targetted Ronin's neck and back, driving a pair of quick elbowdrops to the small of the back before setting Ronin on his knees, pressing his own knee into Ronin's back, and pulling back on his opponent's head. The referee did not even have to check Ronin because it was clear he was not going to give up, but the pace of the match had come right to a standstill after the quick opening, something that was clearly to DK's advantage. After a few moments Ronin started to fight to his feet, getting one foot back underneat him. As he tried to push up, though, DK loosened his grip on the hold and drove a kick to the back of Ronin's knee, bringing him back down. With Ronin on his knees in the middle of the ring DK grabbed him by the head and snapped him down in a variation of an inverted DDT, but with Ronin on his knees the force was felt more in the lower back rather than in the head and neck. DK then delivered a backbreaker and went for the first cover of the match, but got only a two count before Ronin could kick out. He stomped Ronin about the lower back several more times before pulling him to his feet and whipping him to the turnbuckle. As Ronin hit back first against the corner DK charged in and nailed a running clothesline, sandwiching Ronin against the buckle. Ronin was wobbling, and if not for the ropes holding him up he probably would have fallen flat on his face. DK saw that the match was well under control and started taunting Ronin, paintbrushing him across the face before hoisting him up to the top turnbuckle, in position for a superplex. He hooked Ronin, but the PEI native held onto the top rope and managed to shove DK off down to the canvas below. As DK stumbled to his feet Ronin positioned himself on the top rope, and perhaps with one last burst of energy he came off with a missile dropkick, sending DK flying across the ring. Both men were down, but Ronin slowly started to crawl. He finally draped an arm over Diamond King, but only got a two count before the bigger of the two men could get a shoulder up. The crowd let out a disappointed gasp when they saw that the match wasn't over just yet, but Ronin was not deterred. He backed DK into a corner and whipped him across the ring to the opposite buckle, and following him in he connected with a dragonfly splash! Diamond King was staggered, enabling Ronin to hook him in a headlock and deliver an inverted springboard bulldog. Ronin quickly shot DK over and made the cover, hooking the leg for a 1...2....DK shot his arm up at the last second, the second close call of the match. DK was slow to get up this time, and Ronin backed away, this time letting DK get to his feet on his own. Once DK was up Ronin ran off the ropes and came at his opponent with a running dropkick, but DK saw the move coming, swatted Ronin away, and caught his legs as Ronin hit the canvas. In a flash DK locked on the Lethal Injection, and Ronin looked like he was done for. He reached out desperately for the ropes, but they were well out of his reach. Just when it looked like Ronin was going to have to tap out, he reached back and grabbed Diamond King's ankle. Unbelievably, Ronin managed to trip Diamond King's foot out from under him, forcing the hold to be broken. Before DK could respond, Ronin fully countered the hold, locking Diamond King in the scorpion deathlock! The crowd errupted at the sight of DK yelling out in pain, and Ronin reared back with all his remaining strength to try and force a submission. DK kept trying to reach back and grab Ronin's leg to counter in the same manner as Ronin had just done, but he couldn't get a grip. Finally, he reached out and grabbed the bottom rope, forcing the hold to be broken. The referee, however, was slow to respond, and DK wasn't satisfied with just grabbing the rope. He pulled himself closer to the ropes, and then started to climb, grabbing the middle rope with one hand, then both hands, then finally grabbing the top rope with one and then both hands. The awkward positioning forced Ronin to let go of DK's legs, and the veteran took full advantage. Before Ronin could turn around he delivered a powerful knee smash to Ronin's lower back and then quickly connected with the Spirit Breaker! DK floated over right away and hooked both legs as he made the cover for the three count and the victory. The crowd booed loudly, knowing that DK was lucky to get away with the win, as Jamaal and Brewer helped DK back to the dressing room.
Underwood: A huge victory for Diamond King tonight. Between this and his performance in the battle royal, I don't see any way he can be denied a world title shot much longer. Whoever holds the title after Destiny, whether it's Twisted Steel or The Cult Master, will likely not be able to go too long without meeting this Canadian right there in the middle of the ring.
Kogler: Let me just add that Diamond King barely squeaked by Ronin this week, and that match could have gone either way at any time. These two had been jabbering back and forth all week, and I have a feeling this issue is far from over. Works for me, I don't like either of them!
Underwood: And it would also keep both men from pursuing Twisted Steel's championship, wouldn't it? You really have no shame, do you Kogler? All I can say is thank God I'm about to get a break from your blathering, as Twisted Steel is up next. Please Adam, go manage or do whatever it is you do, I'm about ready to go see Commissioner Owens about getting Mr. Marvellous his old job back. Just go, already!
EWI World Champion
Twisted Steel
with Adam Kogler
~VS.~
Lucas Coleman
with Malcolm Coleman
*****
Kogler got up from his seet at the broadcast position and paced outside the ring while Lucas Coleman made his way down the aisle, amidst a mix of cheers and boos from the undecided crowd. As Coleman waited in the ring, "Bang Your Head" played over the loudspeakers and the blue and silver spotlights of Twisted Steel appeared at the entranceway. Twisted Steel, alongside Rukuss, entered the arena, dressed only in his black wrestling pants. Instead of posing for the crowd, however, the world champion briskly made his way down the aisle, directing a few harsh words at Coleman. Steel slid into the ring right away, but before Coleman could get to him, he immediately slid back out and began confering with his manager, Adam Kogler. Rukuss made his way to the announce position as well, and simply stood next to Kogler with his arms folded. Steel finally finished speaking with his manager, and hopped up on the ring apron. But once again, as Coleman neared, Steel jumped back down, drawing many boos from the clearly annoyed crowd. After much posing, Steel finally flung his world championship over the ring ropes and jumped into the ring, going right after Lucas Coleman. The champ nailed Coleman with a few quick right hands and then sent him into the ropes. As Coleman came off, Steel grabbed him and delivered a swinging sidewalk slam. Steel looked at Coleman, scoffed at him, and climbed the ring ropes to pose a little more for the crowd. After doing so, Steel jumped off, hitting a double elbow drop on the still-prone Coleman. Steel picked Coleman up, and sent him high into the air with a vertical suplex, dropping him down right away. After hitting a somersault legdrop, Steel went for the pin but only got a two count. He then picked Coleman up by the hair and sent him hard into the turnbuckles, causing Coleman's shoulder to sickeningly crash into the ringpost. Steel then grabbed Coleman by the legs and yanked him out, driving Coleman face-first into the mat. From there, Steel grabbed one of Coleman's legs, and locked in the Dirty Deed. Coleman howled in agony and quickly tapped out, giving the victory to Twisted Steel. After the match, Steel grabbed the title belt as Kogler and Rukuss began to celebrate on the outside. Meanwhile, Twisted Steel began berating Coleman, shoving the title into his face and slapping him around. Suddenly, from out of the back came Heavy D! Heavy D ran into the ring and laid into Steel, sending him to the outside after several hard rights and lefts. Rukuss then entered, but was met with the same fate. The crowd cheered wildly as Twisted Steel and Rukuss made their way to the back, yelling insults at Heavy D all the while as the scene fades to black.
