A video montage featuring countless highlights from EWI matches to date aired, set to the tune of Grinspoon's "Champion". Clips from the tag team championship tournament were heavily featured, and the latter half of the video featured the contenders in the world title tournament, Diamond King, Seta Soujiro, Twisted Steel, and Psychotic Sam. At it's conclusion the shot shifted to inside the Cow Palace, and with a loud bang and a flash of blue, green, and white pyro, the EWI Gold Rush took to the air. The arena was 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 faces of play-by-play announcer Blake Underwood and color man/manager of Twisted Steel Adam Kogler, who were at ringside to call the night's action, appeared on the video screen and televisions across the world.
Underwood: Welcome to San Francisco ladies and gentlemen. This is Elite Wrestling International, and we are in the midst of a Gold Rush! Hi everybody I'm Blake Underwood sitting alongside Adam Kogler, on pay per view with EWI for the very first time. This is the night we've all been waiting for as we will crown not only the first EWI universal champion and EWI hardcore champion, but the EWI world championship tournament concludes tonight as well. Someone is going to walk out of Gold Rush as the first ever EWI world heavyweight champion!
Kogler: You got that right, Blakey! You know who my money's on in the World Title tournament, but no matter what happens, we're going to see some awesome battles! Contenders determined, Titles decided, and I'm getting ready to become the manager of the first-ever EWI World Champion! What a night this will be; it doesn't get any better than that!
Underwood: Of course my collegue whole-heartedly behind his man Twisted Steel, who is one of the four men in the tournament tonight, but it won't be nearly as easy as Adam Kogler is suggesting, with Psychotic Sam, Diamond King, and Seta Soujiro all standing in the way before Steel can claim to be world champion. Also later on we will see ten men battle it out all around the Cow Palace until finally one man will climb the ladder in the middle of the ring and claim the hardcore championship. The universal championship will be decided, although there is a ton of controversy circulating backstage as to just exactly what is going to happen in that match and just who exactly will be involved when it finally goes down. And, of course, the final series of matches in the tag team championship tournament will also take place tonight, setting the stage for us to crown tag team champions in a couple of weeks time.
Kogler: And now Blake, I'm sorry to have to do this to you, but you're going to have to try and get through the next match without having me carry your ass through the thing! It's time to feel the Steel, Underwood!
Kogler got up and left the announce position, heading for the backstage area, leaving Underwood alone.
Underwood: Yes, we're kicking things off in a big way tonight. Our first match is the first semi-final in the EWI world title tournament. Diamond King clearly has the experience. As he is so fond of reminding us, he is a five time world champion. He held the HWA title, the CWA title, and the MMP title on three separate occasions. There are few if any men in wrestling who can match up to that resume. Twisted Steel, on the other hand, has only been in the game for less than two years, but in that time he has been borderline unstoppable. A disqualification was the only blemish on his record in the MMP. His only pinfall defeat came almost a year ago in the CWA. Some think he may just be unbeatable. Regardless of which side you take, two of the biggest names in wrestling are about to do battle, and it's our opener here at Gold Rush.
EWI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - SEMI-FINALS
Diamond King
with Jamaal & Ray Brewer
~VS.~
Twisted Steel
with Adam Kogler
*****
Adam Kogler led out Twisted Steel to begin the show. Steel was wearing a brand new red cutoff robe plastered with black zebra stripes and dangling silver chains. Kogler held the ropes for Steel, who entered the ring and hopped up to the second turnbuckle, smirking at the crowd and raising his arms across his chest. "Sad But True" then came over the PA system as Diamond King made his way towards the ring for this huge match, accompanied by his bodyguard Jamaal and manager Ray Brewer. As soon as the trio stepped into the ring Brewer pointed over at Kogler, warning him to go back to the announce table and keep far away from the action in the ring. Kogler responded by pumping his fists at Brewer, but did so while telling Steel to hold him back. Once the referee got all the seconds out of the ring, Twisted Steel tossed his robe to the canvas with a smile and stepped up to Diamond King, who didn't back down an inch. The two men looked each other eye-to-eye center ring, and the bell rang to start the match. Steel slowly brushed back his long hair with both hands, then quickly shoved DK back into the turnbuckle. DK simply smirked, knowing better than to be taken in by Steel's mind games. He walked back out to the middle of the ring where the two combatants locked up, with DK getting the advantage, reversing Steel's arm back into a hammerlock. Before Steel could counter DK dropped to his knees and took his opponent over with a fireman, harking back to his amateur wrestling days, and then quickly applied an arm-scissor hold, pulling back and trying to hyper-extend the elbow. Steel used his legs to manuever to the ropes as fast as he could, wrapping his ankles around the bottom strand to force the official to break the hold. DK let go right away, shot back to his feet, and stood in the middle of the ring once again, waiting for Steel to respond. When Steel turned around DK simply smirked at him, as if to tell him that it could all be over that quickly. The two men locked up again and again DK got the upper hand, going behind Steel and hooking him in a waistlock. He quickly took Steel over with another amateur-style takedown and went for another submission, this time an STF. Before DK could get the hold fully applied, though, Steel rolled of it and got to his feet, kicking DK in the ribcage before the Canadian could respond. He then pulled DK up and hit him with a quick kick to the midsection before hooking him in a headlock and delivering a running bulldog, driving DK face first to the canvas. As DK rolled over onto his back Steel bounced off the ropes and caught him with the somersault legdrop, but rather than going for a pin Steel pulled his opponent up and whipped him into the ropes. When DK rebounded Steel caught him in the jaw with a picture perfect standing dropkick, dropping DK flat on his back. Steel ran the ropes again, this time coming off with a double elbowdrop before finally going for a cover. He got a two count before DK kicked out, but Steel looked as if he didn't expect to get the pin there and went back on the offensive right away, pulling DK to his feet and setting him in position for a DDT. Steel raised his arm to signal the move that was coming before driving his opponent down to the canvas once more. This time Steel rolled DK over and made a very non-chalant cover, using only one knee to cover the five-time world champion, a move which proved to be a mistake. After only a one count DK grabbed Steel's leg, rolled out of the pin, and got a reverse leg grapevine on the Trenton, NJ native. DK wrenched back as hard as he could, but Steel was only a couple inches away from the ropes and easily grabbed the bottom strand, forcing a break for the second time in the match. Again DK let go of the hold right away, letting Steel get to his feet. Rather than standing back and waiting for a lockup, this time DK nailed Steel with a big running clothesline, knocking the man flat on his back. DK paused for a brief rest while a stunned Steel pulled himself up, and once his opponent was vertical DK moved in, nailing Steel with repeated kicks to the right shin before picking up his left leg and taking him down with a dragonscrew leg whip. The Canadian maintained hold of the leg and shot right back to his feet after the takedown and began droping elbows down across the left knee of Steel. After dropping the third elbow DK applied a stepover toehold, reaching down and slapping Steel across the face as he struggled for a counter. Steel finally did find a counter, rolling DK up into a small package, scoring a two count and nearly winning the match right there. Both men were quick to their feet, but as Steel lunged at his opponent DK leg dived the man, dropping Steel to the mat once again. DK continued working on the left leg of Twisted Steel, wrenching the knee with a series of jolts before applying a figure four leglock. Steel reached back and grabbed for the ropes, but this time DK had him positioned in the middle of the ring and the ropes were out of reach. DK stretched back to apply extra pressure to the hold, and it looked as if Steel might have to give it up when Adam Kogler jumped up from his announce position at ringside, reached into the ring under the bottom rope and raked DK's eyes, causing him to lose his grip on the hold. As Kogler celebrated his bold action, he turned and saw DK's manager Ray Brewer quickly advancing on him. Just as he had done before the match Kogler put up his fists and called Brewer on, despite taking short steps backwards. Brewer continued advancing and Kogler kept backing away...until he backed into the enormous Sudanese bodyguard Jamaal, who didn't hesitate for more than a second before grabbing Kogler and shoving him into Brewer, who floored him with a right hand. In the ring DK recovered from the rake of the face and went to pull Steel to his feet, but was caught with a second shot to the eyes, this time enabling Steel to hammer him with right hands that backed DK into the corner. Steel then whipped his opponent across the ring into the far corner and charged in after him, connecting with the Crazy Train running dropkick to the back of DK's head. The former world champ stumbled backwards and walked right into a full nelson, the precursor to Steel's Living End finisher, but he managed to reverse the hold, putting a full nelson on Steel. Before DK could do anything with it, though, Steel reversed the move again, putting DK in a full nelson for a second time. Rather than using the Living End, though, Steel instead hooked his leg around the front of DK's and took the Canadian down with his own Face Down in the Gutter finishing move! The crowd gasped in amazement at the sight of DK being taken down with one of his own patented moves as Steel rolled the man over and covered him for the 1...2...DK shot a shoulder up before 3, causing Steel to slam the mat in frustration. Steel, from his knees, began screaming at the referee to learn how to count a fall, distracting him from the fact that The Destroyer, the giant seven-footer from The Cult, was making his way towards the ring. He pulled DK to his feet, still oblivious to the fact that Destroyer stood on the outside, and when he saw the big man out there it provided a momentary distraction that enabled DK to reverse Steel's hold on him into the Spirit Breaker! Both men were down on the canvas for a moment before DK slumped over and put an arm over Steel, scoring a 1...2...this time it was Steel shooting his arm up at the last minute, forcing the match to continue. Both men were very slow getting to their feet, both near exhaustion after such a gruelling match. While DK and Steel were struggling to get up, The Regulator came running down the aisle, with a golf putter in hand and wearing an EWI referee's shirt. He started arguing with the referee in the ring, distracting him from the match that was continuing behind him. By this point both men were up and DK went to whip Steel into the ropes but it was reversed, and as DK rebounded Steel took him down with a drop toehold which he carried through into the Dirty Deed half crab. Steel reared back and yelled for the referee to come and check for a submission, but before the official could turn around DK reached back, grabbed Steel's leg, and reversed the hold into his own version of the Dirty Deed! He didn't have the hold on for long before Steel kicked him off, sending DK into the ropes over by where Destroyer was watching the match...but as DK came close to the ropes Destroyer hopped up on the apron and nailed the former world champ right between the eyes with a pair of brass knuckles. DK collapsed flat on his back in the ring and Destroyer simply turned and walked away, leaving Steel with a confused look on his face as he turned and saw his opponent lying prone on the mat. Seeing his opportunity Steel walked over and tried to grab the referee, which got Regulator yelling right up into Steel's face. Steel shoved Reg back and motioned for the ref to come over, but before he could make a cover Reg came up from behind and nailed Steel across the back of the head with his putter! Steel collapsed right next to Diamond King, and the referee called for the bell. The crowd let out a deafening chorus of boos at seeing such a competitive match end like this, but the referee had no choice. He disqualified Diamond King for Regulator's interference, putting Twisted Steel through to the finals of the world title tournament. Irate, Jamaal climbed in the ring and went after Regulator, but Reg was too quick and got away before the big man could get his hands on him. Brewer tried to revive DK and explain to him what happened while Adam Kogler slumped back to the announce booth.
Kogler falls unceremoniously back into his chair at the announce position and starts shaking Underwood by the shirt.
Kogler: Yes! Yes! The King is dead! Long live the Steel! We're in the finals, baby! Whoo!
Underwood: You call that a victory?! The Regulator clubbed your man over the head with a damn golf putter! And what the hell was Destroyer doing out here? How can you be happy with that? That match could have gone either way. By the way, how's your jaw?
Kogler stared blankly at Underwood for a moment before responding.
Kogler: One down, one to go! EWI World Title, here we come! Oh yeah!
Underwood: Well, regardless of the circumstances, Twisted Steel is in the finals of the EWI world title tournament. I tell you, I think we've just seen an early match of the year candidate. I can't believe how many near falls there were in that match. I don't know if it ever would have ended if not for the interference of The Destroyer and The Regulator. I can tell you this, though, Steel is going to need every second and every breath he can get to recover from that match in time to face the winner of our next contest. This match features another former world champion in Psychotic Sam, who held the MMP world title briefly in 2000 but was also considered in many circles to be the top contender to that title for nearly two years despite receiving few if any shots at the title. His opponent tonight is another relatively inexperienced competitor in Seta Soujiro, the young prodigy from The Cult. Soujiro, though, has been very impressive so far in this tournament, advancing very quickly over both Trickster and The Joker's Child to get to this point. Sam has to be considered the favorite, but with the roll Soujiro is on he's going to be very difficult to stop.
The shot cuts from the announcers, where Kogler is rubbing his jaw, to the entrance of Psychotic Sam, who is flanked as usual by the hobos.
EWI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - SEMI-FINALS
Psychotic Sam
~VS.~
Seta Soujiro
with The Destroyer
*****
With Psychotic Sam stumbling and mumbling around the ring and Mr. Beumont, Welfare William, and Hobo Richard arguing on the outside, the lights went out and "Walking Wounded" by The Tea Party began to play over the loudspeakers. A lone, shadowy spotlight appeared at the entrance, and out came Seta Soujiro, accompanied as always by The Destroyer, who glared menacingly at the hobos as Soujiro shed his robe and entered the ring. The bell rang and Psychotic Sam charged immediately, but Soujiro sidestepped the attack and hit a stiff thrust kick as Sam turned around, sending the crazy man down. Soujiro immediately went off the ropes as Sam got up, and delivered a flting scissors kick to his opponent. The Cult member made the cover but only got a one count. Soujiro then dragged Sam to his feet and sent him hard into the corner, following quickly with a running dropkick, a version of Twisted Steel's Crazy Train. As Sam stumbled out of the corner Soujiro climbed to the top rope and dove off with a flying bulldog that rammed Sam's head sickeningly into the canvas. Again, Soujiro covered, but only got a 2 count. Soujiro pulled Sam to his feet by the hair, but Sam broke free and charged the odd man. Soujiro simply ducked, however, and Sam was sent over the top rope to the outside. Following quickly, Soujiro shot himself over the top rope, and came crashing down on Sam just as he was getting to his feet. Soujiro then picked Sam up and sent him into the steel steps, following quickly with a rolling savate kick. Still wasting no time, Soujiro grabbed Sam and threw him into the ring. He followed quickly after Sam, nailing a springboard legdrop before dragging the man over to the corner. Once there, Soujiro climbed to the top rope, and delivered the Heart of Sword, pinning Sam quickly for the win to advance to the finals of the tournament.
Kogler: Well I'll be damned! I can't say that I gave this new Cult zombie
half a chance against a seasoned, if not mentally crippled veteran the
caliber of Psychotic Sam, but he went out there and did it. And his reward?
The first ever man to be defeated by Twisted Steel in a World Title match!
Can you feel it, Underwood?
Underwood: All I can feel is that your boy Twisted Steel could be in some serious trouble. He went through a war with Diamond King, but Soujiro has only had to endure what was a surprisingly short match against Psychotic Sam. If nothing else, fatigue alone could be the deciding factor in the final match later tonight as we now know it will be Twisted Steel and Seta Soujiro going one on one to determine the first-ever EWI world champion.
The scene cuts backstage, as The Regulator is walking towards the parking lot exit. EWI reporter Steve Lewin chases after him.
Lewin: Regulator, a few words please.
Regulator: A few words. What is it that you want?
Reporter: Well.. what was all that business with Diamond King.
Regulator: I found out that Diamond King paid the referee of my match against Joker's Child. You see he knew the competition on my side of the bracket was weak and he wanted to get me out of it.
Reporter: So this is what you believe?
Before Regulator can answer, a metal pipe slams against the back of Regulator's head. As the camera pans over the assailant is identified as Jamaal, Diamond King's huge Sudanese bodyguard. Diamond King then slowly walks over and stands above Regulator's fallen frame. He speaks, but with an angry tone rarely heard.
Diamond King: Always with an excuse at the ready, eh Cooper? What gave you and your paranoid nonsense the right to interfere in my match? That championship was mine, you little miscreant! You've ruined everything! I just hope you're proud of yourself, because I'm going to make it my personal business to ruin you just the same. You've pissed off the wrong man. And Twisted Steel, you were a beaten man and you know it. If you get past Soujiro tonight, I'll be coming for what's rightfully mine. Sooner, not later, I'll have another crack at you and I'll finish the job.
DK starts to walk away as Regulator slowly gets to his feet. Once up Regulator rushes DK from behind, tackling him into a wall. He gets several shots in before Jamaal can intervene, and not long after that a crowd of EWI officials hurries in to break up the skirmish.
Kogler: "King paying off the ref? That's a sorrier excuse than, well, Ray Brewer! This guy needs to accept the fact that he got outwitted by The Clown, and move on. Besides, Diamond King had much more important things to worry about before Gold Rush - more than he bargained for! Get it, Underwood? More than he bargained for! Because-
Underwood: Yes, thank you, I get it. With the finals of the world title tournament all set between Steel and Soujiro, it's time to shift our attention to the tag team championship tournament. This round robin has been going on for several weeks, and comes to a close with our final series tonight. Harbinger and The Destroyer, who will take on Punisher and Ronin later on, have already secured a birth in the title match scheduled in a couple of weeks, but after that things get very complicated. The Pinnacles of Perfection hold three victories and can advance to that title match with a win tonight, but should they lose there are a pair of teams right behind them that would love to move into that spot. We get things under way with The Love Connection, who scored an upset victory on Collision Monday night, looking to finish the tournament on a strong note against Hurricane and Twister, still in search of their first victory.
EWI TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT MATCH
The Love Connection
(Disco Pete & Hip Hoppin' Ron)
~VS.~
Hurricane & Twister
*****
Hurricane and Twister were already in the ring as "It's Raining Men" hit, summoning a loud chorus of boos and a mild amount of debris from the crowd. Ponch led Disco Pete and Hip Hoppin' Ron strutting down the aisle, and unfortunately for everyone watching, the dancing continued even after Pete and Ron were in the ring. The two members of the Masters of Destruction didn't show any patience for their two opponents and charged them before the opening bell, but Pete and Ron both side-stepped, sending both Hurricane and Twister crashing into turnbuckles. A big boot to the face from Disco Pete sent Twister toppling over the top rope while Ron ran in and nailed Hurricane a jumping ass-splash in the corner. Twister stumbled out a couple of steps before a clothesline from Ron knocked him flat to the canvas. The bell finally rang to start the match as Ron climbed the ropes by Hurricane and, after dancing more a moment on the second turnbuckle, Ron jumped down with It's Raining Ron, crashing down across Hurricane's chest and knocking the wind right out of him. The ref got down and counted three, giving The Love Connection an important win.
Underwood: The Love Connection picks up another victory, and this creates a very interesting scenario as we continue through the tournament. This gives Disco Pete and Hip Hoppin' Ron two wins, and temporarily puts them in a tie with Ronin and Punisher and with Richtor, who is going through these final series alone after Acid's abrupt termination from the company a week ago.
Kogler: I once again sit here in shock and disbelief, and this time it's not as a result of that awful outfit of yours, Underwood! Yes folks, The Love Connection have won the Battle of the Bulge here at Gold Rush, giving them TWO wins in the grand scheme of things - did you ever think you'd see the day?
Underwood: I admit, after their first couple of outings I had Pete and Ron completely written off, but after a couple of solid performances and some luck in the other matches, they have now put themselves in an interesting position. We'll have to see what happens in the other matches before speculating further on what might happen, so let's get right back to it. I understand Richtor is going to come out and give it another shot on his own, this time taking on The Pinnacles of Perfection. You've got to hand it to Richtor, even after what happened to him on Monday night he's not backing down and he's going to finish this tournament out like a man. I must say, though, against opposition the calibre of Big Daddy Cash and Suicide King, I don't like his chances.
EWI TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT HANDICAP MATCH
The Pinnacles of Perfection
(Big Daddy Cash & Suicide King the Hollywood Dream)
~VS.~
Richtor
*****
With Richtor already waiting in the ring, the entire arena went red and "Something Like A Phenomenon" blared through the speakers, signalling the entrance of Big Daddy Cash and The Suicide King, The Pinnacles of Perfection. Accompanied by Mr. Marvellous, the two tag team members posed and flexed for the un-impressed crowd for a bit before entering the ring. As the bell rang, Cash attacked an unsuspecting Richtor from behind with a clothesline. Cash stomped away on Richtor for a while until tagging in the Suicide King, who quickly applied an abdominal stretch. He finally let go of the hold, and dragged Richtor back to Cash's corner, where King applied an armbar and tagged in Cash, while holding on. Cash hit a nasty boot to Richtor's midsection and took over, quickly hitting a DDT. Cash the dragged Richtor to his feet, set the man on the top rope, and came up as well. Cash then nailed a superplex, sending both men crashing to the mat. The younger brother of Mr. Marvellous then threw Richtor to the outside, and began distracting the referee. Meanwhile, Suicide King went to the outside and nailed an atomic drop on Richtor, who fell forward face-first into the ringpost! He then threw Richtor back into the ring, where Cash took over once more, hitting a body slam before tagging in Suicide King, who delivered the Overdose, pinning Richtor for the 1....2....3 and the win.
Underwood: As many of us suspected, Richtor was simply no match for The Pinnacles of Perfection, who have now guaranteed themselves a spot in the tag team championship match, and they will face Harbinger and The Destroyer a couple of weeks from now in a rematch from the controversial match they had in the tournament just a couple of weeks ago. You've got to hand it to Richtor, though, just to go out and give it the effort that he did.
Kogler: There's a word for people like Richtor. Let me think ... brave, heroic, gutsy? No wait, I got it - stupid! This guy went down to Disco Pete and Hip Hoppin' Ron a few days ago, and he actually thinks he can bring it to two athletes that are actually semi-accomplished at what they do? There's only one explanation, Woody: I'd say that Richtor found himself a new partner
backstage before the match - Jack Daniels!
Underwood: Or it could just be pride, Adam. Not everyone in this business looks for the easy way out, you know. I'm sure Richtor will rebound. A man of that character always does. So the title match has been set, it will be Harbinger and The Destroyer taking on The Pinnacles of Perfection. We still have the matter, though, of determining the number-one contenders, and we may do just that in our next match. If Ronin and Punisher can knock off The Cult tonight, they will earn a guaranteed shot at whoever the tag champions may be at our next pay per view event coming up in February. If, however, they lose, they will fall into a three-way tie with Richtor and The Love Connection, and that creates all kinds of possibilities as far as the number one contendership is concerned. Of course The Cult has plenty of motivation going into this match, as a win would give them a perfect 5-0 record and cement them as heavy favorites going into the championship match. Let's go back to the ring for our final match in the tag team round robin tournament.
EWI TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT MATCH
Harbinger & The Destroyer
~VS.~
Ronin & Punisher
*****
After Ronin and Punisher made their way to the ring, the so far undefeated
team of Harbinger & The Destroyer slowly walked down the aisle, escorted to
ringside as usual by Seta Soujiro. As the bell sounded, Ronin found himself
staring straight up at the towering Destroyer. He attempted a surprise tactic
by quickly running off the ropes with a clothesline, but Destroyer showed
impressive agility by sidestepping in time, then hitting a powerful
clothesline of his own. With Ronin on the canvas, Destroyer grabbed his right
leg and delivered several hard elbows before tagging in Harbinger. Harbinger
quickly zeroed in on the damaged leg, and then began biting it! Harbinger
ceased at the referee's 4 count, then delivered some kneedrops to Ronin's
injured leg as his partner had earlier. Harbinger grabbed the leg and
attempted to cinch in a half-Boston crab, but Ronin was able to crawl to his
corner and tag in Punisher. As soon as Punisher stepped through the ropes,
Harbinger ran and dropkicked him right in the face, then dragged him to the
middle of the ring and began biting his forehead, before being pulled off by
the referee. Harbinger stood, looked down, then tagged in Destroyer, who
entered the ring, picked up Punisher, and nailed a sidewalk slam. With
Punisher barely moving on the canvas, the Will Breaker was academic, as
Punisher quickly gave up to the painful hold, giving Harbinger & The
Destroyer a perfect record in the tag team tournament.
Underwood: Harbinger and Destroyer have done it! They finish the tournament with an unblemished 5-0 record. That's got to be a huge momentum builder going into the title match against Cash and Suicide King. At the same time, there's all kinds of controversy surrounding the number one contender spot. Three teams are tied with two wins apiece, and all three have a legitimate claim on that first title shot.
Kogler: I don't know, Woodman. It seems to me that Ronin and Punisher might be good buddies, but they're on the road to nowhere as a tag team. Sorry boys, but it's time once again to start jerking curtains! Chalk another one up for The Cult, who were the most experienced team going into this thing, and might I add, my personal pick to come out on top. I still got it!
Underwood: Yes, of course. Your ability to prognosticate after the fact never ceases to amaze me. Well folks, we're going to send you now outside the building as it's time to crown the first EWI hardcore champion in a match never before seen. It's called the Survival Instincts match. The object is very simple. All ten men will start outside the building, and they're trying to be the first to get to the ring, climb any one of the ladders here about ringside, and grab that gold belt hanging from the ceiling. As the match goes on, a competitor can be eliminated from the event if he is pinned, made to submit, driven through a table, or is unable to answer a ten count from any of the five assigned referees. I understand that the participants are ready to go, so with that we send you out to the parking lot here at the Cow Palace for the Survival Instincts match!
