[In.] [Backstage, or what could be considered backstage in a warehouse, and NEO-I’s newest machine, one Eric Dane, was walking idly, looking for someone.] [Dane, already dressed to wrestle in his black and silver tights along with a hooded ring-jacket baring the infamous TEAM DANGER logo, had a rolled up shopping bag in one hand and he peeked into each door as he passed by, finally finding the person he’d been searching for over the past few moments.] ED: S’up, negro? [Inside the small dressing room was Tyrone Walker, a man who Eric Dane had fought alongside of in many a battle. Walker, getting ready for this match this evening, was half-dressed and getting ready to make his way out to battle.] TW: S’up, cracka? [Ty looks up at his friend and comrade after lacing up a pair of boots. He gives Dane a half smile and a “Whassup?” nod before going back to dressing himself.] TW: You ready to mess this Kung Fu Charlie sucker up or you gonna get owned by the Fighting Spirit or whatever it's them crazy ass Asians do for hulking up? [He smirks a bit more with an audible 'heh' as he was being kidding. Of course Dane would win, wouldn't he?] ED: You know me, King’s Road and all. [Walker nods his head, motioning for Dane to bring his ass in and shut the door.] TW: Word, true. So uh, yeah, s’up dude? I figured I'd stick around for you to get your fight and bail off to the bar before going back to Vegas, warm weather. [The cold sucks.] ED: Well, eh, to be honest I’ve got a favor to ask you. [Eric stalls, there’s an uneasy tension from past arguments hanging in the air.] ED: I know things got kinda fucked up there for a while, and we quit doing Tee-Dee and all, but I was hoping you might do something for me. TW: Sure. [Dane still hesitates.] ED: Well, we’re doing this whole Strong Style thing, ya know, streamers and the whole shebang, and they want us to have seconds, like in Japan. You know how I am, I ain’t got too many friends around here so they offered me a few kids they rounded up backstage, but, eh.. [He pauses.] ED: Well, I’d rather if you’d do it. TW: Jesus, that's it? [Dane nods.] TW: Why not? [Walker nods with a crooked smile, pulling on an old ACW Property tee shirt.] TW: Best seat in the house and such. [A knowing smirk forms on Dane’s face.] ED: In that case... [Eric opens the bag in his hand.] ED: Throw this on. [He tosses Walker a suit of orange and black TEAM DANGER warm-ups.] ED: And let’s go rock this bitch. [Cut elsewhere as Walker begins putting the warm-ups on over his street clothes... ...more specifically into the jam packed, festively decorated warehouse NEXCT has rented for this evening's fun! A big digital clock hangs on one wall, a couple bars in the far back. People are drinking, you better believe it, as many standing as sitting in the rows of chairs around the ring. The rings sitting in the middle of the main area, new paint job making it look all spiffy and clean and shiny. Worn metal guard railings surround it with chairs in rows behind them. This time more people are here, there's gotta be like seventy or more this time. Word is starting to get around! Lots of merchandise is being sold, many of the seemingly 18-35 make demographic have food and drink, more then most plastic cup beers. Attendance? A good one hundred and twenty or so! Hard to tell with everyone moving around so much Along the railings are a few sponsors' banners: On The Border Gentlemen's Club, WHQG The Hog 102.9FM, La Perla Mexican Restaurant. An entrance curtain hangs at the back of the stage area, a meagre NEXT sign sitting right above it. A few speakers, the venues lighting system... yeah. It's not big, but it's something! In the ring? Nope, not Scott Rossman. It's... the ring announcer?!] RA: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN... WELCOME TO THIS LAST DAY OF 2005... [CHEERS!] RA: AND WELCOME TO NEXT WRESTLING! [POP!] RA: If you'll take your seats... or not... we're about ready to get underway because... THIS IS OUR FIRST MATCH OF THE EVENING! Introducing now, he hails from Sacramento, California... ["Sooner or Later" by Breaking Benjamins kicks up over the announcing system, as Seth Kinsey rushes through the curtains to a good sized pop.] RA: He hails from Sacramento, California.. [Seth swaggers down the ramp way with a mischievous grin and clad in basic white types with the word ‘Kinsey’ running down his right leg in blue letters. The tights are usually pulled under his black boots. His wrists are tape and he’s wearing a shirt that says, 'Who's next?!'] RA: He stands at 6’3 and weighs in at 215 pounds.. Here is... SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETH KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINSEY!!! [Seth hops onto the ring apron, catches the ropes, and springboards into the ring, double pumping his fists in the air to another decent pop. Seth reaches over to grab the mic.] SK: Okay.. so that toothless hack didn't wanna show his face last week. That's cool. [Seth smiles.] SK: 'Cause I got some business to settle with another punk. I've been living in your shadow forever.. and I hate you for it. I hate everything about you.. you second-rate Eddie Van Gibson doing a third-rate Seth Kinsey shtick. [That doesn't even make sense!] SK: So Luke.. why don't you roll your overrated, over tanned butt down to this ring so we can finish what I started at the last family picnic! [The ring announcer leans in and whispers something into Seth's ear, who nods all the while.] SK: Oh.. uh huh.. okay.. SO you're saying Luke is too busy getting jerked off by Mike Beeby over in the UWF... you're saying the front office can't wait to job their top guys to Luke.. guys who by the way have been company men for years, who only want the best for the UWF.. to a guy who lost match after match to Juan Vasquez and Shane Destiny? You're saying Luke probably doesn't even care about the UWF, only winning their World title and then jetting on the company the moment things turn sour? [The ring announcer shrugs. So does Seth.] SK: Okay. Hey, Luke.. [Seth looks into the camera.] SK: No hard feelings, okay? I'll see you at the next family reunion.. we'll swap wrestling stories. You can tell me how easy it was to piss on the UWF's entire under card while I enjoy some fine potato salad with a nice slab of grade A pork. [Seth gives the double thumbs up before taking his side on his team.] RA: And his partner... [The opening laid back but never the less funky guitar riff of 'Sunday Shining' by Finlay Quaye comes up over the P.A. system as 'The Flyin Hawaiian' Elvis Sunday himself steps out through the entrance curtain in a bright as heck orange surf shirt and black boardie shorts. On his arm, and towering over him is the gorgeously blonde Happiness in a pink two-piece bikini with a white shirt covering her top.] # Make It # Sun is shining # Weather is sweet yeah # Makes you want to move those dancing feet # Uh Here I am # Want you to know now that here I stand RA: Weighing in at 165lbs and making his in ring NEXT debut, this is... ...ELLLLLLLLLLLLVIS SUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNDAYYYYYYYY! [Elvis jives to the ring slapping as many hands as he can as Happiness dances beside him, he hops up the ring steps and opens up the ropes for Happiness to step through, which she does, bending down as far as possible to a CRAZY WILD drunken New Years Eve pop. Elvis clasps a hand on his heart before springing over the top and running against the ropes, stepping on each one before springing himself over the head of Happiness who has by now unbuttoned her shirt.] RA: And their partner and captain of the team... ["California Dreaming" by the Beach Boys plays over the house speakers as Justin Harper steps out to a decent pop. Though acknowledging the fans he keeps his focus on the ring and the people he's going to be fighting.] RA: Introducing the Team Captain. He hails from Cedar Ridges, California and he weighs in at 240 lbs. Here is Justin HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARPER! [Justin acknowledges the fans cheers as he comes down the aisle, hopping onto the ring apron to confer with his teammates before the match begins.] RA: And their opponents... ["Instigator" by D12 faintly begins to play.] RA: First, the Team Captain! From Little Rock, Arkansas, weighing in at 220lbs, this is... "THE RICH ONE" STEVE GREEEEEEEEEEEEDY! [The volume, and tempo of the song picks up, as the normally well dressed, but tonight very casually dressed "Rich One" Steve Greedy parts the curtains, and looks out over the buzzed crowd. Greedy shakes his head at the stage area, before starting his walk, stopping mid aisle. With all the boo's being heard, he definitely has their attention. "I want a scotch after my match boys, and a lil fun with the blonde setting at the end" Greedy hollers, as the boo's get louder, along with a few gestures being made cause of the words just said. Greedy sighs before rolling into the ring, as his music cuts out on que.] RA: And his partner... [Cue the slow beat.] # Neckbone or backbone neckbone or back # You got no fiction if you've got no fact [As the intro gives way to the fast & heavy rhythm of Powerman 5000's "Neckbone", Tyrone Walker bursts through the curtains sporting his usual attire consisting of; Black Psychopathic Red Star football jersey and boardshorts that are red with white and black designs. Finally, amateur style wrestling shoes, knee & kicks pads that are all black and his fists are taped in black from the knuckles to mid-forearm with extra red tape that spirals up.] RA: And now coming to the ring, making his NEXT debut... Hailing from Las Vegas by way of Detroit, Michigan and weighing 230 pounds... The... [what?] The "Moses of Mayhem," the "Gabriel of Grappling," the "Peter of Pounding Rats," the "Job of..." [wtf?!?], the "BLACK JESUS" TYYRRROOONNNE WAAAALLLLLKKKKEEERRRR!!! [Walker hits the ringside area, circling before heading back up the aisle to stand with el capitaine.] RA: Annnnnd... their partner... [There's silence...then a a bell rings. The bell rings again, bringing with it strains of guitar, starting slow and low. The bell continues to ring and the guitar speeds up and grows gradually louder, obviously preparatory until it all comes to a head and stops dead...] Deep, Slowed Down Voice: KING...OF...SPORT... [Silence.] # Try to be best # # Cause you're only a man # # And a man's gotta learn to take it # [The Great DAVE walks out of the back, seconded by his translator Hiroshi. He stands with his hands on his hips, looking around at the crowd through his mask, his long blonde hair falling around it. Other than his normal ring attire of white with orange flames, he wears a red towel around his neck.] # Try to believe # #Though the going gets rough # # That you gotta hang tough to make it # [DAVE and Hiroshi make their way to ringside, stopping midway to meet their team.] # History repeats itself # # Try and you'll succeed # # Never doubt that you're the one # # And you can have your dreams! # [DAVE goes to a corner, climbs onto the second rope, and throws his head and arms to the sky to receive the pure power of the words to come has words with several nearby fans, Hiroshi 'translating' for him.] # YOU'RE THE BEST! # # AROUND! # # NOTHIN'S GONNA EVER KEEP YOU DOWN! # # YOU'RE THE BEST! # # AROUND! # # NOTHIN'S GONNA EVER KEEP YOU DOW-OW-OW-OW-OWN! # [The rudo trio stands mid-aisle, looking up at the tecnico team. The faces stand shoulder-to-shoulder, calling for the heels to come on. The heels exchange looks, nod, then take off running toward the ring. As soon as they get to the ring apron, they all put on the brakes and back up a few steps, and begin arguing with each other. The crowd half boos, half laughs.] SR: All three members of the rudo team decide to hang their partners out to dry, but all three remain wet. Now they're arguing with each other in the aisle way! Remember folks, this match is a Lucha Rules match! That means it's two out of three falls, with a fall occurring if a captain, Justin Harper for one team and Steve Greedy for the other, is pinned or submitted, or if the other two members of the team are pinned or submitted. There are no count outs and if one team member leaves the ring, another can enter without the tag! [The official calls for the three to enter the ring as they seem to come to a consensus.] DING DING! SR: Looks like they're going to try it again. [The three rudos nod to each other again and take off toward the ring. This time, only Steve Greedy and The Great DAVE stop short at the apron. Tyrone Walker slides into the ring.] SR: Walker's in the ring! He's on his feet and dashing right at captain Justin Harper! Harper looks surprised...NOT THAT SURPRISED! Big back body drop by Justin Harper sends Tyrone Walker WAY up and just as far back down! Walker rolls out of the ring to compose himself. [DAVE and Greedy now are having words with each other.] SR: Greedy and DAVE having it out, but they're very close to...and now they pay for it! [Elvis Sunday and Seth Kinsey, tired of waiting, reach down through the ropes and grab handfuls of hair, bringing their opponents up onto the ring apron. They grab front face locks and arms...] SR: Vertical suplexes in stereo! Now five of the six competitors are in the ring... [DING DING DING!] SR: ...and now Greedy and DAVE escape yet again. The match is underway, but we still don't have two wrestlers squaring off in the ring! [Sunday and Kinsey exit the ring and follow their prey, Kinsey after Greedy and Sunday after DAVE. The fans at ringside haven't had a chance to sit down yet, and Greedy easily snatches a chair out from under one of them, a small boy. He brandishes it at Kinsey, who take a tentative step backward.] SR: Steve Greedy has now taken a chair and is threatening Seth Kinsey with it! Sunday is brawling with The Great DAVE on another side of the arena floor. The official is now out, standing between Greedy and Kinsey, trying to get him to put the chair down and get into the ring! Harper is waiting for his opponents to...hey! That's my chair! [Tyrone Walker, amidst all the commotion, takes Scott Rossman's chair and slides back into the ring.] SR: Tyrone Walker just stole my chair! Justin Harper is intently focused on the Greedy-Kinsey stand-off and doesn't realize he has company...my God! He's going to...! [CRACK!] SR: TYRONE WALKER JUST WALLOPED JUSTIN HARPER IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH MY CHAIR! [Harper goes down and hard. Walker tosses the chair out of the ring and drags Harper back to the middle, dropping down for a cover. Greedy, not ever fully focusing his attention on the ring, unfolds the chair, places it down next to the little boy, and pats him on the head, smiling. The official gives him a few more words for good measure, then climbs back into the ring, immediately seeing the pin.] SR: The referee is returning to the ring, further the injustice. [Kinsey turns and sees the pin, just as Greedy dives forward and grabs one of his ankles, holding on for dear life. Kinsey stomps him a couple of times, to no avail.] Seth Kinsey: ELVIS! ELVIS GET IN THE RING! [Elvis, who is mounted on top of DAVE raining blows, looks up as the referee is starting his count. DAVE reaches up, grabs his head, and pulls it down beside his own, trapping him in place.] SR: The referee begins his count! ONE! TWO! THREE! [DING DING DING!] SR: Fall one has been decided through underhanded tactics. [Kinsey and Elvis enter the ring to help Harper as Greedy and DAVE climb up on the ring apron in their corner. DAVE is rubbing his face painfully, but both congratulate Walker.] SR: A master plan or devious improvisation by Walker? Knowing these three, probably depends on who you ask. [Kinsey helps Harper up and walks him over to the corner. Elvis stays in the ring, staring coolly but intently across the ring toward his opponents. Greedy, chuckling, steps through the ropes and into the ring.] SR: Rudo captain Steve Greedy entering the ring now, seemingly amused by the diminutive size of his orange opponent. [Greedy, not a giant at six feet, has four inches on the Hawaiian. He places a hand out in front on him, Elvis taking it for the test of strength. Greedy wiggles the fingers on his other hand, preparing himself and slowly reaching out...then extending it up over his head.] SR: Greedy is laughing at Sunday now, who is trying to extend himself up far enough to take Greedy's other hand. He's up on his toes now...GREEDY DELIVERS A ROUND KICK TO THE RIBS! Elvis Sunday's side was left completely unguarded and stretched and Greedy just kicked him in the ribs! What a jerk! [Greedy pulls the doubled-over Elvis upright by the Afro and delivers a series of half-assed, mocking jabs to the jaw.] SR: Jabs by Greedy, then he just kicked Elvis' legs right out from under him! Stomp to the chest...no, is that a cover? Oh come on! ONE! Shoulder up. SR: Greedy with an insulting cover gets one. [Greedy pulls Elvis up again and whips him into the ropes. Greedy rears back and goes for a big lariat, but Sunday ducks it.] SR: Elvis Sunday just ducked that lariat, Greedy turns but Elvis is too fast! BIG JUMPING DDT TO GREEDY! Elvis Sunday is on his feet and he's fired up! He picked Greedy up by the hair, rears back, then...stops? [Elvis turns to his corner where Harper has mostly recovered and Seth Kinsey is staring into the ring intently. Elvis walks Greedy over.] SR: Elvis seems to be talking to Kinsey, asking him if he wants some of Steve Greedy. Kinsey is nodded an emphatic yes. Elvis smiles and makes the tag! Kinsey is in and looks angry! These two have something of a past and you know he's been thinking about this all month...I mean week. Ha. I joke about technical difficulties. That's what makes me a good commentator. [Kinsey is immediately all over Greedy, driving him into the corner and wailing away at him with rights, lefts, elbows, kicks, whatever he can throw. The official demands a break and gets one only at a count of four and 3/4, immediately followed by Kinsey attacking Greedy again. He pulls Greedy out near the middle of the ring and takes him over with a snap mare.] SR: Snap mare by Kinsey... [CRACK!] [CHEERS!] SR: Huge kick to the back by Kinsey! Greedy is rolling on the mat in pain! Kinsey picks him up just to put him back down with a body slam. Kinsey hops to the second rope, ASAI MOONSAULT! ONE! TWO! SR: Just broken up by Tyrone Walker! Good show of teamwork there, wouldn't have expected it from these three. [Walker is forced from the ring by the official as Kinsey goes back to work on Steve Greedy. He clubs him down to a knee, stands back...STEP UP ENZUIGIRI!] ONE! TWO! THR-broken up by DAVE! SR: Another near-fall by Seth Kinsey. Now here comes Tyrone Walker into the ring! He's attacking Seth Kinsey! [Justin Harper enters the ring to stop the assault but is poked in the eye by DAVE. DAVE and Walker whip Kinsey into the ropes and go for a double clothesline...] SR: Kinsey ducks and slides out of the ring, right between the legs of partner Elvis Sunday! Sunday hops up on the ropes, DOUBLE FLYING DDT ON DAVE AND TYRONE WALKER! Sunday throws DAVE from the ring and Harper goes to work on Walker, raining punches down in retaliation for that vicious chair shot! The referee is trying to break it up, as Walker is not the legal man but Harper is eligible under lucha rules. [With the referee distracted Seth Kinsey sneaks back into the ring, behind the recovering Steve Greedy. As Greedy gets to his feet, Kinsey nails him with a low blow behind the official's back and rolls him up. Harper leaves the ring and takes Tyrone Walker with him.] SR: Low blow by Kinsey! The referee sees the pin! ONE! TWO! THREE! [DING DING DING] SR: The fans are going crazy here as Kinsey has evened the score by devious means. Turnabout, as they say, is fair play. We've got an even number of falls for each team, the next official fall wins it. If I were them, I'd keep the captains out of the ring. [And that appears to be the plan. Justin Harper goes to enter but Sunday and Kinsey talk him out of it. Kinsey stays in the ring as The Great DAVE enters. DAVE stretches his legs out to the sides and drops into a low stance, slapping his hips and pushing his palms together. He lifts a leg and stomps it on the mat, then steps forward to the centre.] SR: DAVE has apparently finished his warm-ups and is ready to wrestle. Kinsey is unamused. [They lock up. DAVE, being significantly bigger, forces Kinsey in the corner and leans on him, prompting a call for a clean break.] SR: I don't think he's going to give him one. [He doesn't. Poke to the eye. But he doesn't follow up, as one would with such an illegal tactic at such a time. He backs away, as if the move is a simple, basic part of his offense.] SR: DAVE back to the centre with some more sumo stretches. Kinsey now, still over by the corner, steps through the ropes and stands on the ring apron! DAVE is flexing his muscles now, to the boos of the crowd but...to the DELIGHT of Seth Kinsey? Kinsey is just laughing...oh. [DAVE goes from the flexing to the "Immortal" pose. Elvis Sunday, unbeknownst to DAVE, is readying himself at the middle of the ring apron. DAVE begins to turn himself with his right foot. When he gets to the 180 degree position...] SR: Springboard, or Moonwalk, rather, dropkick to the face by Elvis Sunday! Perhaps DAVE should have spent less time on his pose work and more time learning the rules of this match. [I smell a spotfest coming on! DAVE was put on his ass by the move but gets right back up, still stunned. Sunday hits him with a tornado heart punch, doubling him over a bit. Elvis follows up with a rising knee to stand him back up. Elvis hits the ropes and nails DAVE with a high leg lariat, stumbling DAVE even more.] SR: There's an almost 100 lb. difference between these two, and Elvis Sunday is having trouble putting the man down! Springing over the top rope to the apron now...MOONWALK REVERSE BULLDOG PUTS DAVE DOWN! Cover! ONE! TWO! SR: GREEDY BREAKS UP THE PIN! Here comes Seth Kinsey meet Greedy! Sunday quickly hops up on the turnbuckle...FLYING LEGDROP! He covers DAVE... ONE! TWO! SR: Broken up by Walker! Here comes Harper! He's out to exact some measure of revenge on Walker for that chair shot in the beginning of the match! Now all six men are in the ring! Sunday has yet to be able to put DAVE away due the interference, but all that should be accounted for now! Sensing it, Sunday brings Dave up, locks his head...HAWAIIAN HANGOVER! COVER! ONE! TWO! THREE! SR: No bell has sounded because DAVE, being a non-captain, is worth one half of one fall! Now anyone of the rudo team can be pinned for a tecnico victory! [DAVE rolls onto the apron to recover. Greedy is whipped into the ropes by Kinsey and is sent flying from the ring via backdrop upon his return.] SR: Greedy groggily getting to his feet...suicide dive through the ropes by Seth Kinsey! [The crowd pops as the two men lay on the floor, recovering. Back in the ring now, Sunday rests in one corner as Harper assaults Walker in the corner. He gives him a couple of chops and elbows to the jaw, then brings him into a standing head scissors.] SR: Harper lifts Walker...POWERBOMB IN THE CORNER! OH MY! Before Walker could fully land, Harper grabbed him around the waist! Turning now...WALKER IS THROWN CLEAR OF THE RING BY A HUGE OVERHEAD BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX! The crowd exploded with cheers at the sight of that, and Harper isn't done! He's following to the floor! [DAVE, now recovered and on the apron, and Elvis Sunday, standing in the ring, are left standing. DAVE enters cautiously, then changes tactics and charges Sunday with a clothesline.] SR: Sunday ducks the advancing DAVE, then ducks his head for a backdrop! Somewhat premature as DAVE comes running back, double axe handle lifted above his head....SUNDAY WITH A SAMURAI DDT! NO! DAVE caught him at the zenith and threw the smaller man off and into the corner! [DAVE hits a throat thrust on Sunday.] SR: Wow, that move was semi-legal. DAVE grabs the back of Elvis' head and hits an elbow! Another! DAVE is fired up! He throws his head back and tenses his arms, making an X and then slowly, intensely bringing his arms down! He's spinning around, ROARING...eye poke? [DAVE hit the first two elbows, spun around, brought his arm as if for the third and roaringest of the roaring elbows, then stopped at the last second and poked Sunday in the eyes.] SR: I should have known. DAVE whips Sunday across the ring. He's going for the cartwheel elbow! He...doesn't do a very good job. [DAVE attempts a cartwheel but fails miserably, never really getting his feet very far off the ground. He recovers well, though, and attempts the elbow, but Sunday ducks out of it and front dropkicks DAVE in the chest.] SR: DAVE reeling now, slowly advancing after Sunday who's run up the ropes on the opposite side of the ring, turns in mid- air, looking for another Moonwalk Reverse Bulldog...caught by DAVE in a spinning scrapbuster! He calls that move the Space Tornado DAVE! S.T.D.! S.T.D.! DAVE just gave him the S.T.D.! [Greedy escapes from Kinsey and dashes back into the ring. Kinsey follows up is cut off by DAVE with an axe handle to the face. Greedy lifts Sunday, whips him into the ropes, and gives him the Bankrupt DDT!] SR: Bankrupt DDT by Steve Greedy! Harper is nowhere to be seen, brawling with Tyrone Walker! Kinsey is stunned by that clubbing blow to the face! Cover! ONE! TWO! THREE! SR: We have 1-1/2 to 1-1/2 falls! Next fall wins the match! [DAVE attacks the fallen Elvis, getting easy shots in on the downed wrestler. Sunday rolls from the ring to recover and DAVE follows.] SR: Steve Greedy and Seth Kinsey left alone in the ring together, the only two with any argument in this match up! Greedy begs for Kinsey to reconsider and not hurt him, but Kinsey hurts him anyway! [Kinsey punches Greedy into the corner and gives him some shoulders to the midsection. He whips him across the ring and follows in with a rope-climb shining wizard.] SR: Kinsey just flattened Steve Greedy in the corner and is going for the win! ONE! TWO! THR-Shoulder up! SR: Somehow Greedy made it out of that cover! Kinsey can't believe it! Oh no! Over near the aisle way, Justin Harper is brandishing a chair at Tyrone Walker! The official is over trying to stop it! Seth Kinsey is up and is calling for his captain to put it down! He knows that if Harper hits him, the team will lose by disqualification! [While everyone else is distracted, DAVE quietly pulls Steve Greedy from the ring and sends him over to occupy a recovering Elvis Sunday.] SR: DAVE has cleared Greedy from the ring and is up on the apron! He makes wild gestures with his arms, rubs his throat, lifts the bottom of his mask then taps Kinsey on the shoulder and places his hand across his mouth. Kinsey turns...VILE GREEN MIST TO THE FACE! [Kinsey stumbles back and away, trying to get the stuff out of his eyes. DAVE goes up to the top, leaps off, lands behind Kinsey, drops to a knee and delivers a low blow.] SR: FLYING LOW BLOW TO KINSEY! DAVE yells for the official and rolls Kinsey up! The referee is running to the ring, he's in position, Harper is right behind him! [DAVE grabs a handful of tights.] ONE! [DAVE puts his feet on the ropes] TWO! SR: Here's Harper! THR-Harper's foot is caught by Walker]-EE! [DING DING DING!] RA: The winners of the match, the team of Steve Greedy, Tyrone Walker, and The Great DAVE! SR: Wow...that is, without a doubt, the most cheating I've ever seen in such a small amount of time. And how our NEXT referee did not see any part of that before counting to three is just...wow. [The three celebrate by getting the fuck out of there immediately, as all three tecnicos (except for maybe the extremely calm Elvis Sunday) are pissed!] SR: Not the best way to start off New Years for Sunday, Harper or Kinsey... but I am sure a little bubbly will help! This is going to be one hell of a show and don't forget, we still got a Timebomb match coming up to determine the number one contender to Tobias Chapel Smith's North Eastern Jisatsu Championship! [Our view is filled with the backstage area of tonight's festivities. New Year's excitement is in the air, those awaiting retribution, resolution, and even reconciliation line the hallways. Away from the crowd sits Ran Jishu[pronounced like Ron Geeshoe], his massive torso heaving up and down with steady breath after steady breath. Wearing his ring attire, white trunks, white boots, and white kneepads he looks to be deep in thought.] [Standing in front of Ran looking down with the expression that would normally be accustomed to a proud father is Yoshinobu Yamada, showing much more emotion than Jishu probably ever thought about. A tailored suit covers Yamada's plump, short frame. Showing just how large Ran is, even sitting down he is nearly eye level to the much shorter Yamada. Turning to the camera and smiling the smile of a man who you might have a problem trusting, maybe even a salesman Yamada speaks in very clear, fluent English.] YAMADA: Tonight is the night. The night of a revolution. Tonight, in that very ring, in front of a choice and lucky few. Wrestling will be re-born in America. [Another wry smile, Jishu shows no emotion. Looking to be preparing more mentally rather than physical at the upcoming battle, in fact, Ran looks like he isn't hearing a word Yamada says.] YAMADA: I know what you may be thinking. You're thinking that promises like these have been made before, by many a man, maybe even one you were more familiar with than me. With this I promise though, Jishu is not here to disappoint. Would a wealthy businessman such as myself put his own money forward to bring an athlete to America thinking that he would fail? I think not my good Samaritan. Yoshinobu Yamada has been called many things but an idiot is definitely not one of them. Besides, how could I ever afford to look this good and build a multi-million dollar company if I didn't know "a thing or two" as you may say. [A jolly laugh from the plump Japanese man before he continues.] YAMADA: Tonight Ran steps forth into the ring for the first time in quite a while. Some may think this is an inconvenience to him, maybe even an advantage for his opponent tonight but I say differently. Ran is 31 years old, in his peak physical condition and is much more fresh than maybe anyone on this roster. Far what can be said for his competition tonight. [Yamada stops, looking to think a minute before he speaks, a quick glance towards Ran puts him back on track it seems.] YAMADA: Ah yes, the competition. Mr. Jishu will be stepping into the ring with a man with a very storied past, "The Only Star" Eric Dane. Countless titles have adorned the waist of Mr. Dane so believe me when I say that we do not look past him in regards to accomplishment. Ran has much respect for Mr. Dane, a little more than maybe I think he should, but it is indeed true. [Finally breaking out of his trance, Jishu gives Yamada a cold stare. Seemingly losing his training of thought from the look Yamada fumbles with his words before continuing.] YAMADA: Even more impressive has been his showing so far in NEXT, putting forth a great effort in the battle royal a few weeks ago. The peak so far in his short stay I'm sure most would agree would be his elimination of three competitors last week in his match, winning it for his team... With all due respect to Messiah, Steve Greedy, and Matthew Judas, Ran is nothing like those men. You see Eric, although you may call yourself the "Only Star" and everyone may be tooting your horn right now but the fact of the matter still remains that you have never stepped into the ring with someone like Ran. With power unmatched, a crisp arsenal and ring smarts that would and has cause jealousy from others Jishu is _THE_ perfect wrestler. So tonight, everyone get the cameras ready. Dane, tie your boots up real tight because in a few short moments your star is about to take a sudden fall, maybe even burning out for existence. I hope you're ready. [Yamada ends his talking with another huge grin. Looking none to impressed with speaking Ran rises from his chair, towering over Yoshinobu. A serious look etched across his face Jishu speaks to Yamada for the first time.] JISHU: I'm ready. [With that, we fade back into the ring and right back into the thick of things!] RA: Ladies and gentlemen... [He takes a sip of champagne!] RA: This next match is a special attraction match and is scheduled for ONE FALL! ["Beautiful World" by Rage Against the Machine begins playing over the sound system as the makeshift curtains open, bringing out Mr. Yamada. Yamada is an elderly Japanese man dressed in your normal, everyday nice suit. A large grin covers his face as the fans murmur, awaiting Ran Jishu.] #It's a beautiful world we live in# #A sweet romantic place# #Beautiful people everywhere# #The way they show they care makes me want to say# #It's a beautiful world# #Oh what a beautiful world# #For you# [A small pop expands from the crowd, more whispering among the people here as Jishu steps from the back. Looking to be built from stone, Ran is _MASSIVE_. His attire the ring is just as it was before, white trunks, white boots, and white kneepads. Jishu's hair is cut short, military style and a look of total concentration etches his face as he begins his march to the ring.] #It's a wonderful time to be here# It's nice to be alive# #Wonderful people everywhere# #The way they comb their hair makes me want to say# #It's a wonderful place# #Oh what a wonderful place# [Getting to the ring, Yamada walks up the ring steps very carefully, stepping through the ropes. Jishu reaches up to the top rope and pulls himself onto the apron, opening up the middle rope himself and entering the ring. Upon entrance, Jishu wipes his feet off on the side of the apron as the song ends.] #For you# #for you# #for you# #for you# #for you# #for you# #not me# RA: And his opponent... [Cue: "A Devil in God's Country"] SR: That can only mean one thing! [The fans at the warehouse pop large knowing that one of their favourites, "The Only Star," is about to make his way out to the ring.] SR: Here comes the guy who DESTROYED Team Malibu last week! Eric Dane is here ladies and gentlemen, and he's here to _STAY_! [The curtain pops open and out walks two men. On the left, Buckwheat afro and all, is "The Black Jesus" Tyrone Walker. On the right is the man on a mission to bring legitimacy back to North American Wrestling via NEXT, "The Only Star" Eric Dane. Walker is out of his wrestling tights and into orange and black TEAM DANGER warm ups, while Dane has on a hooded TEAM DANGER ring-jacket along with his silver and black tights. The two bump fists and make their way ring ward.] SR: These two have traveled the world as part of the now defunct Team Danger stable of wrestlers, and they've ran into each other again here tonight! Let's just hope they leave their TD reputation behind them and this stays a clean match! [Dane takes point and both men head to the ring. "The Only Star" slides under the bottom rope and quickly takes his corner and stretches against the ropes to get warmed up. Walker hops up onto the apron and whispers some last minute strategy into the ear of "The Only Star."] RA: Introducing first... to my left... he is seconded and managed by Mr. Yamada. A former E-Pro International Champion... he hails from Xi'An, China. Standing 6'5" tall and weighing in at 277lbs. This... is... ...RAAAAAAAN JIIIIIIIIIIIISHHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! [A TORRENT of white streamers flies into the air, covering him in his corner. Mr. Yamada annoyed, starts swatting them away. Jishu remains motionless, staring dead set on Dane.] RA: And his opponent, standing to my right, is seconded by fellow Team Danger member Tyrone Walker. A multiple time champion in multiple organizations he comes to us from Detroit, Michigan. Standing 6'4" and weighing in tonight at 240lbs... this... is... "THE ONE STAR" ERRRRRRIC DAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNE! [And he gets the streamers too, Black and orange and silver flying, COVERING him. He can't help by smile, Walker patting him on the shoulder as he leaves the ring. The referee clears the streamers as best he can, ringside helpers pulling them out, the crowd cheering both men on. Ring cleared. Wrestlers ready. It's on, suckers.] DING DING! [The referee still works on kicking out streamers. Eric Dane and Ran Jishu ignore the rivers of colour, instead solely focused on one another. The crowd buzzes... anticipation palpable.] SR: This is going to be something folks. I didn't dare say a word until now. I wanted their entrances and introductions to have the full impact they could. Now. NOW is the time for talking. Eric Dane and Ran Jishu, two of the hardest hitting, strong style wrestlers right now in North America and they are going one on one right here on New Years Eve. [The two slowly start to move from their corner, Dane releasing his grip on the top ropes. The two move towards each other, eyes locked finally colliding in centre ring.] SR: Standard collar and elbow lock up here. What you are going to see folks is each and every thing they do meaning something. This collar and elbow lock up is meaning something, both trying to get the upper hand... and Jishu starts pushing Dane back towards the ropes. [Dane's back hits, Jishu letting go as the ref steps in. Both keep their hands up... but in respect nothing happens as they go back to a neutral position.] SR: Back to their corners... and here we go again. The two moving towards each other and Dne locks up with the big CHinese man... and he pushes him back this time. [Jishu gets low, trying to stop it but Dane has the leverage and speed, pushing Jishu against the ropes. He leans back as Dane leans on him, the ref going for the five count. Dane backs off... hands up... ...and again nothing happens save a knowing smirk from the "One Star".] SR: This is SUCH a test for Eric Dane as he is about to head out on a tour with NEO International brother, Japan based Dream Fujin. [The two crack necks, stretching, before once again moving for another lock up, ready to get this match going. However, things don't go quite as planned, Dane just walking up...] "SLAP!" "OHHHHHH!" SR: Oh damn. OH.... damn. [Jishu, enraged, turns his head back quickly, ducking and pushing Dane into the corner. He breaks the arms away...] "THWAP!" "THWAP!" [...hitting a pair of VICIOUS chops!] SR: He _LIT_ Eric Dane up for that slap... Dane throws on a headlock! That will stop him from getting chopped... Jishu pushes him off... [And completely no sells a tackle attempt. He looks down, then back up into Dane's eyes, not believing he actually tried that. Dane sighs and hits the ropes again...] SR: And AGAIN nothing! Ran Jishu is refusing to budge for Eric Dane. That disrespectful slap across the face lit a fire in him! [Dane rolls his eyes, takes a deep breath and goes again. He hits the ropes, rebounding and ducking a hard clothesline. He comes sprinting back... ...and this time the tackle floors Jishu! POP!] SR: That did it! All he needed was some steam and he was able to floor Jishu, now locking him in a front face lock. Don't expect this match to fly at a hundred miles an hour like the trios match we just saw. This will be slower paced, methodical and hard hitting. [Keeping hold of Jishu's head, Dane throws his arm over his neck and reaches down grabbing the trunks. He goes to lift, Jishu not going up easily.] SR: A suplex attempt blocked... and again! Jishu is lowering his centre of gravity, not allowing himself to be taken over. [Dane tries again, hooking and heaving but Jishu blocks by dropping to a knee. Dane quickly let's go and hits a solid forearm to the upper back and shoulders, following with a quick second.] SR: A pair of hard forearms stun Ran Jishu, Eric Dane off the ropes, looking for the kill... "THWAP!" ...and runs into a HAARRRRRRD CHOP! [The crowd cringes at the skin ripping stiffness. Dane stops dead in his tracks, holding his chest, checking for broken ribs and torn skin.] SR: That will absolutely shatter your will as much as your body! Ran Jishu with a whip... Dane thrown into the corner and Jishu follows up with [THUNK!]... A STRAIGHT OUT KICK TO THE FACE! DAMN! [BIG STIFF POP!] SR: Eric Dane is in a heap of trouble right here, Jishu pulling him out and bending him over... "THUUUUUUUD!" ...DRIVING HIM TO THE MAT WITH AN ELBOW TO THE BACK OF HIS NECK! [OUCH!] SR: COVER! ONE! TW-- [Dane kicks out, immediately getting up to his knees, shaking off the impact. He grabs his nose momentarily, Jishu pulling him up by a wrist and his head.] SR: I was sure Eric Dane would be bleeding from a broken nose or maybe have lost some teeth by now but ever so resilient he is holding out. He is really putting a lot of heart here in the VERY early goings of this match. Jishu has him, goes for an Irish whip... Dane blocks it! Eric Dane blocks the Irish whip... elbow by Jishu! [Dane rocks on his heels, rebounding back with his own elbow... and then another... and then a machine gun flurry of quick, close range elbow shots! Jishu's head flies back with each one... until he let's out a wrenching scream! FIGHTING SPIRITI POP!] SR: It's on! IT'S ON! [Damn rights! Toe to toe, the two start launching all out elbows on each other's jaws! They come full force... ...until Dane reaches up, snatching a side headlock and taking Jishu down and over!] SR: Eric Dane did NOT want to take anymore elbow shots to the jaw, that's for sure. Smart man, I sure wouldn't, especially not by someone like Ran Jishu. This is a much better position for him, grounding the bigger, stronger man. [Scooting on his back, Jishu reaches out with a leg... and gets the bottom rope.] SR: Ran Jishu has the ropes, Eric Dane forced to break the hold... and he does. There is a lot of sportsmanship in this match. They are breaking the holds when told. [Jishu manages to get to the corner. He clutches his jaw... ...only to have his hand kicked aside.] SR: Jishu in the corner... FACEWASHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! [And Dane does it AGAIN, digging his boot into the man's face! Jishu's hand climbs to his mouth, Dane paint brushing him as he tries to get up.] SR: Neeeeevvvvvermind what I said earlier. Apparently Eric Dane feels the need to disrespect Ran Jishu at this moment and... OUCH! [That'd be a kick to the head.] "THWACK!" [That'd be another! HEEL POP!] SR: The normally popular Eric Dane is not impressing people with this behaviour! [And hits a third kick to the head before Jishu gets up, however stunned. He backs off, readying another...] "THWAAAAAP!" [SURPRISE!] SR: RAN JISHU WITH AN ENZUIGIRI OUT OF NOWHERE! ERIC DANE IS STUNNED! [And Jishu is not! He scoops up the One Star...] SR: BACKBREAKER! Right across the knee and he holds on, putting the pressure on! This is where his size and strength can really come into play. He can hold him, stretch him backwards over his knee and really do a lot of damage! [And he continues to hold him there, only he let's go of his forehead, reaches up and...] "SMAAAAACK!" [OHHHHHHHH!] SR: CHOP RIGHT DOWN ON THE CHEST! [And right after follows with an elbow smash so hard, Dane flies off head first, landing his skull on the mat as he hits canvas!] SR: IT IS PUNISHEMENT TIME COURTESY RAN JISHU... and we got another cover! ONE! TWO! [Kickout and mixed pop!] SR: And Eric Dane kicks out! Give credit where credit is due, he is taking the beating like a man so far! [And the battle already played out shows on both men's faces. Exhaustion drips off their faces, skin flushed. Still they get up, Jishu pulling Dane with him.] SR: This is slowly turning into a war and right now it is Ran Jishu, former E-Pro champion, putting Eric Dane on the defensive. Dane has faced a lot of adversity, he has won titles in many other organizations, but right now he is under perhaps the toughest scrutiny and in the middle of the biggest test of his career! [A head butt echoes through the building, Dane going to a knee from the impact. Jishu takes a deep breath...] SR: Off the ropes... LARIAAAA--DANE KICKED THE ARM! [POP!] "THWAP!" "THWAP!" "THWAP!" [OH DAMN!] SR: THREE VICIOUS CHOPS IN A ROW... [THWAAAACK!]... YAKUZA- [SHOCKED TO HELL POP!] SR: It... IT DID NOTHING! Ran Jishu is refusing to go down! Talk about spirit and he... HITS HIS OWN! [And Dane returns the favor, refusing to go down. He grits his teeth and runs backwards, bouncing off the ropes as he lifts his leg, slamming another boot into Jishu's face! He staggers... using the momentum to propel himself off the ropes... ...hitting yet another yakuza style kick!] SR: Look at this... DANE WITH ANOTHER KICK! [Jishu's head swaggers, his knee shaking... "THWAAAAAP!" ...but he digs down and fires off another, Dane going down and fast!] SR: Eric Dane goes down like a SHOTGUN and... holy crap! WHAT A WAR! HE IS GETTING UP ALREADY! [Shaking with determination he kneels up, screaming at Jishu to "bring it motherfucker!". Jishu does just that...] "WHACK!" [...with a roundhouse kick to the chest! OHHHHH!] SR: This crowd does NOT know what to think. These two men are absolutely creaming each other with each hit, Eric Dane nearly bent over backwards there! "WHACK!" [POP!] SR: Another kick, Jishu hitting the ropes perhaps for a running one... [But in mid return he is FLATTENED as Dane leaps up to his feet and into the air with a knee to his chest!] SR: KNEE LIFT! [And the pin!] ONE! TWO! [Jishu kicks out, rolling his jaw as he sits up, Dane getting back to his own two feet. He breathes deep before pulling Jishu up to his feet as well, whipping him hard against the turnbuckles.] SR: Dane gaining some speed... PLOWS into Jishu with an elbow smash... and right into another whip! [And to a POP hits another running elbow smash to the jaw, Jishu bending over the top rope from the impact. Dane backs off, letting Jishu stagger out to him.] SR: Front face lock and he grabs the trunks... up... holds! [And holds Jishu upside down some more...] "THUD!" SR: SUPLEX! Dane floats over... and into a lateral press. ONE! TWO! [And Jishu again kicks out, the crowd applauding the effort and the match so far.] SR: This is exactly what I mean, folks. Everything has meaning, even something as simple as a vertical suplex. Eric Dane had to fight for even that but when he hit it, it was enough to put Jishu down for a second. [Frustration starts to become evident as Dane laces into Jishu's spine with a particularly mean forearm. He hits several more, his meaty arms slamming high across the shoulders and neck. Jishu fights up through the assault...] "THWACK!" "THWACK!" [...his chest beat red after another pair of chops.] SR: These two are going to be SO sore tomorrow morning. [Jishu backs off, Dane hitting a kick to the chest. Jishu catches his balance...] "THWAP!" SR: Roundhouse by Jishu! "THWAP!" SR: And one by Dane... and Jishu doesn't even show it hurt! This guy is a freakin' machine that does NOT feel pain! This is incredible! [So Dane lights him up again. Nothing Again. Nothing. Again. Nothing... except for Jishu motioning him to bring it on!] SR: Ran Jishu is INCREDIBLE! He isn't going down! He is asking for more and... DANE HOOKS! "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" [BIG POP!] SR: EXPLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIIIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! [FIGHTING SPIRIT POP!] SR: RAN JISHU IS RIGHT BACK UP! [And hooks a shocked Eric Dane in mirror fashion!] "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" [BIG POP!] SR: EXPLODER ON ERIC DANE! THIS HAS TURNED INTO A SUPL--DANE IS UP! [BIG ASS POP! Dane fights back up, shaking heavily, fists clenched... "THWAP!" "THWAP!" "THWAP!" "THWAP!" ...dead.] SR: Holy... god. Ran Jishu just DEMOLISHED him with kick after kick! He is going to finish him off right here! [And he does as much, bringing Dane up. The One Star can barely even stand, Jishu pulling him up by his hair to get him to his feet... "THUUUNK!" ...only for Dane to hit a SICK head butt out of nowhere! STIFF POP!] SR: WHAT A GODDAMN HEADBUTT AND... and now Dane has him! Double chickenwing from behind! [And he starts pulling Jishu down to the mat. Blood trickles from the Chinese man's forehead, a thin rivulet from the head butt, errant or not.] SR: He's pulling him down, double chickenwing still on and... bridges over into a Cattle Mutilation! THE CATTLE MUTILATION IS LOCKED ON! [The crowd knows it and loves it, many on their feet, everyone else applauding or cheering Dane on!][ SR: He's looking for the submission right there! We could be looking at the end for Ran Jishu! [But... ever the veteran... he skirts his free legs around until they get near the ropes. Even upside down in a bridge, Dane realizes this and moves, spinning... locking one arm between his legs, reaching and grabbing the other into a double arm bar... Rings of Saturn... whatever you might call it! The crowd groans as Jishu's thick arms are bent way back!] SR: BLACK HOLE! He calls that the Black Hole! He has won matches with this before but will it be enough, even after the Cattle Mutilation, to put Ran Jishu away, to make him tap out in the ring right now here on New Years eve?! [But Jishu doesn't qu9it, still trying to get his feet to the ropes. Dane tries to hold him back, desperate not to release the hold.] SR: Ran Jishu has to be in a world of pain! His arms are being bent way back... but he's fighting! [And continues to do so... ...finally shooting a foot onto the bottom rope!] SR: He got them! The hold is broken and he is saved! [DISAPPOINTMENT POP, the crowd getting back behind the American.] SR: Eric Dane is putting one heck of a performance right now, throwing Jishu to his feet and into the corner. "SMACK!" "WHOOOOOOO!" [And follows the chop with an elbow to the side of the head!] "SMACK!" [And does it all over again!] SR: Ran Jishu is stunned after a pair of chop-elbow combinations... he turns him around! "SMACK!" "SMACK!" [ACK!] SR: And Dane turns him right back around... and a knee to the stomach stops that! Ran Jishu right back on the defensive after trying to come back with some chops of his own... and is being lifted up top! Eric Dane is trying to put him right up on the top turnbuckle! [But Jishu fights, punching Dane in the side as he tries to climb up after.] SR: Jishu pushing him down... and right back up he goes! [And this time he gets higher before Jishu pushes him right back off!] SR: Ran Jishu is just so strong and resilient. He isn't letting Dane get up there! [But Dane tries once again... only this time he only climbs up a bit before...] SR: LARIAT! [PANICKED POP! Jishu teeters... ...falling to the apron in a heap! He manages to stay on but stays down, holding his neck! The referee runs over to make sure everyone is alright as Eric Dane steps through and onto the apron himself.] SR: This is not safe! Fighting on the apron? Are you kidding me? This is... someone is just going to get hurt. [Jishu starts climbing to his feet, met with a boot to the chest as he does. He keeps going, getting up, a knee to the gut putting him into a front face lock! The crowd all around the warehouse get to their feet if they aren't up already, gasping as Dane lifts... ...Jishu falling to a knee to block!] SR: What is Eric Dane trying to do?! [And he tries again, lifting more. Jishu flails his feet and... ...blocks!] SR: Holy... man! This place would have erupted if Eric Dane managed to get him up! Ran Jishu just too strong, too full of fight to get up... [OH!]... KNEE TO THE FACE AND BACK TO THE FACELOCK... [He lifts...] "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMP!!!" [...and falls off the apron, Jishu vertical, landing head first to a HUUUGE POP!] SR: BRAINBUSTEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRDANGEROUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS [And the crowd goes absolutely animalistic, leaping out of their seats on impact!] HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! [Neither man moves save Dane holding his back. Jishu lays there, eyes closed hard, wincing.] SR: WHAT IN THE LIVING HELL POSSESSES A MAN TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT!? WHAT!? These men might need help, especially Ran Jishu! I wish we had replay so we could show you that again! He went STRAIGHT down with that brainbuster, straight down and into this barely padded floor. [The referee is even out there, checking Jishu as Dane limps away, holding his hip. He shakes his leg, leaning against the apron, Jishu still down.] SR: There might be no one getting up after that. This could be a count out! [Dane limps back over, pulling up on Jishu's head but it drops right back out and to the floor. He shakes his leg some more before reaching over and pulling up Jishu... not to his feet... enough to put him in a sitting position against the railing. He backs off, still rubbing the side of his leg. Jishu simply remains laying there, the blood from early mostly gone save a small amount dried on his brow.] SR: ERic Dane is working out the pain, the knot developing in his hip and leg after dropping Jishu so dangerously on the floor and... [OHHHH!]... A RUNNING FACE WASH! [The crowd is STUNNED at the impact, cheering like crazy. Dane just kind of leans against the railing, smiling before extricating himself and going back to the starting position. Ran Jishu... sits there.] SR: Don't tell me he is going to go for another! I don't know if Ran Jishu, let alone ANY man can take this! Here... he... comes... [But as he charges...] "SMAAAACK!" [..Jishu gets up, stopping him with a chest breaking chop! SURPRISED POP!] SR: If it wasn't for that ring barrier, Eric Dane would be flat on his back! I... hell, I think his skin might have been split open from that shot! [Still dazed, you can tell in his wobbling legs, Ran Jishu does his best to catch his bearings before lashing out with a killer kick to the chest.] SR: He almost knocked Dane over the railing with that [THWACK!] ANOTHER KICK! [And this time he teeters over, landing back on his feet as the crowd catches their collective breath. Like Dane before, Jishu wanders away,. this time parallel with Dane... ...before charging back in!] "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" SR: RUNNING KICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! HE IS DOWN! ERIC DANE WAS DESTROYED! [And Jishu knows it, almost non chalantly peeling him off the railing and rolling him under the bottom rope into the ring. He is very slow to follow, taking his time, gingerly moving as he rubs his neck.] SR: Ran Jishu is still suffering from that brainbuster! His neck is an absolute mess... and he is in, making the cover! ONE! TWO! THR-- [The crowd counts three but the referee doesn't, shooting up two fingers.] SR: Close! Very close there but Ran Jishu took too much time climbing back in. He is going to need to look for something big here, something to put away Dane once and for all. [And he starts looking, pulling Dane up and switching behind... into a full nelson! SR: DRAG--BLOCKED! [Dane breaks the full nelson, Jishu throwing his arms around his waist for a German! The crowd gasps as he goes to lift, Dane blocking and throwing back a wild elbow, luckily enough to catch Jishu just above the eye!] SR: That will smart! [Dane simply falls to a knee as Jishu backs away, holding at his eye. He checks for new bleeding, blinking rapidly as he presses his palm against his brow. He quickly turns back, remembering he is in a match...] "SMACK!" SR: Dane firing back with a chop! "SMACK!" SR: And Jishu with his own! [And then Dane retaliates...] "SMACK!" [And Jishu as well!] "SMACK!" SR: It's chopfest time! "SMACK!" [Dane fires back, Jishu staggering...] "SMACK!" [...hitting his own!] "SMACK!" SR: Dane fires back! Look at their chests! They're blood red! "SMACK!" [Jishu's turn.] "SMACK!" [Then Dane!] "SMACK!" [Jishu!] "SMACK!" [Dane!] "SMACK!" [The crowd responds to each sick thud of skin on skin with a groan, fans getting louder and louder with each one, getting right into it! "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" [Dane hits one last one, the crowd on their feet cheering wildly... ...until Jishu unleashes hell.] "SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!" [GAWWWWDAMN!] SR: BLOOD! ERIC DANE IS BLEEDING FROM THE CHEST! THIS IS CRAZY! "SMACK!" [But he fires back anyhow, however tired.] "SMACK!" [As does Jishu, his chest beat red, purple, swollen.] "SMACK!" [Then Dane.] "SMACK!" [Then Jishu.] "SMACK!" [The two men keep going back and forth, each chop shredding skin, sending sweat flying, sending the crowd into louder and louder levels of volume!] "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK! "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" [Dane staggers for a second, nearly collapsing... but then gets a second wind!] "SMACK!" [Jishu pauses... his head rolling on his thick neck... but he isn't done!] "SMACK!" "SMACK!" SR: This is a test of pure out and out balls! Who is the bigger man!? Who is going to quit first? I tell you this, folks... I don't know if ANYONE will quit! "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" [Dane reels...] "SMACK!" [...firing back hard, the crowd cheering as Jishu sinks to a knee... but then shoots back up!] "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" [Tears actually form in both their eyes, more from the impact then pain.] "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK! [Eric Dane shakes his head... and SCREAMS!] "SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!" [HUUUUUUUUUGE POP!] SR: That's it right there! Ran Jishu is done he is... "SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!" SR: ...NOT DONE! MY GOD! "SMACK!" [Nor is Dane!] "SMACK!" SR: THIS is the very definition of the word "epic". These two are going to war with chops like I have NEVER seen in the realm of wrestling in my life! "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" [They keep going... chopping away, however slow.] "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" [Maybe slower... but none less impactful!] "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" SR: This is getting hard to watch! We are talking about a hundred chops in a row! We are talking about both these men maybe needing stitches after tonight from this. About these two men not being able to wear a shirt for days! "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" [Both men pause, arms hanging wearily, chests trickling blood over bruises and lumps.] [The crowd sits stunned... erupting into a standing applause as they continue!] "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" [Once again, Eric Dane screams, fighting spirit coursing through him!] "SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!" [Jishu leans backwards with each one... then let's loose his own! "SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!" SR: CHOP FOR BLOODY FREAKING CHOP! HOW EITHER MAN IS STANDING IS ABSOLUTELY BEYOND ME! "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" "SMACK!" [Jishu stands, both men staggered... and then instead of a chop, hits a kick to the gut, shoves Dane into a standing head scissors and grabs him around the waist...] "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" [HUUUUUUGE POP!] SR: POWERBOMB! POWERBOMB! POWERBOMB BY RAN JISHU AND BOTH MEN, BOTH THESE WARRIORS ARE DOWN AND OUT! [And the biggest applause of the night, perhaps NEXT history, follows and appreciates perhaps the best all out, guts out, balls to the wall performance in NEXT history.] SR: FIGHTING SPIIIIIIRITTTTTTUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! [...] SR: Sorry, I don't know where that came from. [The crowd is certainly energetic, stomping and clapping as Jishu makes a move to recover, rolling over only to roll back, gingerly touching his annihilated chest. He gets to a knee, wincing, cringing with every movement.] SR: Ran Jishu is the first to get up and despite him being up first, trust me when I say he took as much damage from that absolutely incredible chopfest as Eric Dane did! [He grabs Dane's sweat slickened hair, his grip slipping before he get a good hold.] SR: He is pulling Dane up and... [THUD!] Side Slam connects! [But no pin! Instead he gets back up, going off the ropes... ...BIG POP!] SR: DANE MOVED! He moved and Ran Jishu missed his knee drop! [And is still down as Dane wipes the blood from his chest... "THWAAACK!" ...hitting a big soccer kick! HOT DAYUMMMM!] SR: PK KICK! [He backs off...] "THWAAAACK!" SR: ANOTHER PK KICK AND IT CONNECTS WITH THE TIP OF JISHU'S JAW! [The bigger man collapses but Dane is merciless, pulling him up.] SR: Standing head scissors! It's Dane's turn to slam Jishu into the mat and he... BLOCKED! [Jishu drops to a knee, refusing to go up. Dane dabs his chest again as he gets a better grip and with a huge grunt lifts... ...turning... "THUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNK!" ...throwing him into the turnbuckles spine first! HUGE ASS POP!] SR: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!! TURNBUCKLE POWERBOMB! [One that gets it's fair share of dropped jaws and 'holy shit's!] SR: Jishu is down... COVER! DANE COVERS! ONE! TWO! THREE--NOOOOOO! [OHHHHHHSOCLOSE POP!] SR: HOW CLOSE WAS THAT?! We are talking two and nine tenths! [And he isn't done, picking up Jishu as the crowd buzzes!] SR: Listen to this crowd! Most were here to have a good time and watch some wrestling... but right now each and every one of these one hundred and twenty so people are captivated by what is happening in this ring. The drama, the grit... it is simply astonishing as Eric Dane picks up Jishu... "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" [POP!] SR: RELEASE FISHERMAN SUPLEX! [And he jumps on for another cover!] ONE! TWO! THRE--KICKOUT! [LOUD MIXED POP!] SR: ALMOST! [Dane gets back to his feet after the kick out, wiping his chest. He winces in pain, grits his teeth and waits for Ran Jishu to start getting back to his feet. He does... very slowly... very gingerly... Dane waiting... ...waiting...] SR: Ran Jishu getting back up, Eric Dane hits the ropes and... LARIAT--CAUGHT!! "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" [HEAD DROP POP!] SR: HALF NELSON SUPLEX! [A suddenly re-energized Jishu picks him up again, dragging him to a standing position and locking one arm again!] SR: HE HAS DANE AGAIN AND... "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" ...HITS ANOTHER HALF NELSON SUPLEX DUMPING THE ONE STAR RIGHT ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD! [Dane is wobbly, eyes rolling in the back of his head as he gets up, Jishu charging off the ropes and back, arm out stretched!] SR: HERE HE... "THWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!" ...LARIAAAAAAAAATOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! [HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE POP!] SR: COOOOOOVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER! ONE! TWO! THREEEEEE---NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! [EAR RATTLING SHOCKED POP!] SR: I hate to throw out Match of the Year comments but... damnit if this isn't one! These two are putting on a display of just epic, unforgettable proportions! Look at them! Their chests are raw hamburger, bleeding and swollen. They've been dropped on their heads, their jaws have been hit so many times they might not be able to talk for weeks. Incredible, simply incredible! [Jishu kneels beside his still downed opponent, eyes wide, frustration bringing him to near crying. He pounds the mat, pulling his hair before getting back up again.] SR: Ran Jishu has to be frustrated, has to be wondering why he cannot keep Eric Dane down! [Reaching down with conviction he grabs Dane and pulls him up. He laces, LACES into him with several loud cracking head butts!] SR: Right to the base of the skull.... "THWAAAAAAAAAP!" [OH GAWWWWWWD!] ...AND A CLOTHESLINE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! ENZUILARIAAAAAT! [But he doesn't go for a pin, instead pulling Dane back up and winding back...] SR: HERE IT... [POP!]... DANE DUCKS! [And reaches around Jishu, crossing his arms in front of his body!] SR: HE HAS... "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!!!" [OHHHHHHHH! HEAD DROPPING POP!] SR: AZTEC SUPLEX RIGHT ON THE DAMNED TOP OF RAN JISHU'S HEAD! RIGHT ON HIS HEAD AND... COVERRRRR! ERIC DANE IS TRYING TO PULL IT OUT RIGHT HERE! ONE! TWO! THREE-- [SUPPORT POP!] SR: KICKOUT BY JISHU! I AM OUT OF BREATH! [And this time Eric Dane is the one getting up. He motions for Jishu to get up, his voice hoarse as he screams.] SR: Ran Jishu getting up and I don't even think he realizes where Dane is or what is about to happen. [Dane whirls an arm, signalling the impending decapitation. The crowd buzzes... and Dane charges!] SR: LARIA.. [CAUGHT!] "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" [OHHHHHHHH!] SR: POWERSSSLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAM! COVERRRRRRR! ONE! TWO! THREE-- [FEEL THE HEAT! THE DRAMA!] SR: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! KICKOUT! ERIC DANE KICKS OUT OF THE POWERSLAM! [But Jishu isn't done! He doesn't sulk this time. Instead he pulls the dazed, stunned Dane right back up, maneuvering him towards the corner. From behind he lifts him right up... placing him sitting on the top turnbuckle. The crowd? On their damn feet of course.] SR: What is he going to do... [The crowd knows!] SR: Half nelson... HE IS GOING FOR A HALF NELSON SUPLEX OFF THE TOP ROPE! THIS WILL END THE CAREER OF ERIC DANE! THIS WILL... DANE IS FIGHTING IT! ["COME ONNNNNNN!" yells one fan as Dane fires back an elbow... then another.... then another!] SR: JISHU IS DOWN! [But comes right back after Dane... until Dane stops him with a back kick, putting Jishu down to the mat in a heap!] SR: RAN JISHU CRUMPLED! That kick caught him flush in the face... and Dane is staying up! He is staying up... repositioning himself... [The crowd is FREAKIN' EN FUEGO at this point!] SR: Dane standing high atop the turnbuckle, Jishu down and... [And he leaps, spinning backwards as he leaps forward... "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMP!" ...landing hard across Jishu's torso to a SHOCKINGLY THUNDEROUS OVATION!] SR: SHOOTING STAR PRESS! SHOOTING STAR PRESS BY ERIC DANE AND HE... HIS KNEE! [Rolling away Dane clutches his knee, grunting in pain as he rings it back and forth!] SR: He has a history of having a bad knee and that impact may have brought it back! [The crowd is on their feet, cheering for the move... Dane holding his knee, eyes shooting open as he realizes the predicament... and he rolls over to make the cover!] ONE! TWO! THRE--KICKOUT! SR: DAMN! I THOUGHT THAT WAS IT AGAIN! [So did the crowd, everyone cheering wildly, spilling drinks, blowing into their little party whistles. It's a madhouse in the building, the energy fuelling a trembling Eric Dane as he gets back up, favoring his leg.] SR: He might have done some serious damage, aggravating that bad knee of his or worse. Either way he is fighting through it like the warrior he is... and bringing Ran Jishu up [SMACK!] with a chop! "SMACK!" [And another!] "SMACK!" [Only for Ran Jishu to fire back!] SR: ANOTHER chopfest?! [The crowd starts anticipating such... ...until Dane stops Jishu with a hard elbow to the jaw!] SR: Another elbow and... face lock! [ANITICIPATORY POP!] SR: Eric Dane going for that brainbuster of his again... lifting... JISHU SLIPS BEHIND! [GASP! He reaches over Dane's shoulder... under a leg...] "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" [...hitting a reverse t-bone suplex! INNOVATION POP!] SR: REVOLUTIONARY! REVOLUTIONARY ON ERIC DANE! THIS IS... THE COVER! ONE! TWO! [The crowd ERUPTS again as Dane shows spirit and indomitable will, kicking out yet again! Their cheers? Quickly drowned as Jishu tugs him up and into a rear waist lock!] SR: HIS GERMAN! HE'S GOING FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX-- [Victory Roll!] --DANE HAS HIM! [HUGE SHOCKED POP!] ONE! TWO! THREE--KICKOUUUUUUUUUUUUT! [And both scramble up, desperation driving whatever engine fuels them!] SR: BOTH UP AFTER THAT ROLL UP AND-- "THWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!" [DEFLATED POP!] SR: LAAAAAAAAARRRRRIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAT! DANE DECAPITATED! [Anticipation, palpable.] SR: RAN JISHU FALLS ON TOP FOR THE COVER! ONE! TWO! THREE-- SR: OH MY GAWWWWWD! WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO KEEP SOMEONE DOWN?! [THUUUUUUUUNDEROUS CHEERS!] SR: HE IS GOING FOR ANOTHER! [And holds Dane by the hair as he does!] SR: He is going to knock Eric Dane's head into next week! Here it comes... [BUZZING!]... BURNING LARIIIIIA--DUUUUCKED! [And hooked!] SR: DANE... COBRA CLUTCH... [And lifts!] "TWWWWWUUUUUUUUUMMPCK!" [SHOCKED SICK BUMP POP!] SR: OHHHHHHHH DAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMN! COBRA CLUTCH SUPLEX... INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! [Jishu's neck is compacted, Dane collapsing as he tries to get back up. He staggers over, falling again, grasping for air, for the ropes... for Jishu!] SR: Look at this! Look at this effort, this fucking... sorry for the language, this fucking performance of a lifetime, the heart of a goddamned warrior! [The crowd sees it! Eric Dane, shaking, barely able to stand, covered in a mixture of sweat and blood from his sickly busted open chest, pulls at Jishu. He pulls his nearly unconscious opponent from the ropes, from the turnbuckles... ...and up.] SR: Front face lock and... [He screams... exertion straining every muscle and every fibre of every one of those muscles.] SR: UP AND... "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" ...BRAINBUSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! [And he holds on!] SR: He's coming back up! HE IS COMING BACK UP AND... [Lifts again... screaming the entire hoist. The crowd holds their collective breath and...] "THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" [_EXPLODES_!!!] SR: ANOTHER! ANOTHER BRAINBUSTER AND THE... THE COVER! ERIC DANE FALLS ON TOP! ONE! TWO! THREE! DING DING DING! [HUUUUUUUUUUUGE POP!] RA: YOUR WINNER... ...THE ONE STAR... ERIC... DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNE! [The crowd is on their feet, both men on their backs. Walker slides in, spraying Dane's neck with the special 'magic spray' so often seen in Japan. He pours water on his long time friend, shit eating grin of pride etched wide across his face. The referee does the same to Jishu, patting his shoulder as he pours water over his head.] SR: WHAT A WAR! I am so proud to have called that match! [The two are tended to, Dane demanding he be helped up. He's gonna take this win like a man! The crowd even further applauds his effort as Walker holds him up, supporting him in mind and body.] SR: Awesome. Just... awesome. [The crowd agrees, clapping like mad. Jishu is soon up himself, bag of ice on his neck. Dane sees him... Jishu sees him... the two lock stares once again. They continue to stare, anyone in between them moving. Dane nods... Jishu bows slightly, stepping out and leaving Dane in the spotlight.] SR: Great sportsmanship by Ran Jishu! [The crowd shows their appreciation as well.] *PLEASE COME BACK!* *PLEASE COME BACK!* *PLEASE COME BACK!* *PLEASE COME BACK!* *PLEASE COME BACK!* [Jishu generally ignores them, hobbling away with help. Dane smiles, sharing a joke with Walker in the ring, the crowd turning their direction to him... and to the last twenty minutes or so.] *THANK YOU!* *THANK YOU!* *THANK YOU!* *THANK YOU!* *THANK YOU!* [Eric Dane soon follows, his chest purple, lots of fans getting good pictures, more then a few absolutely disgusted by it. He vanishes away, behind the curtain, the ring left empty until... ..."Social Parasite" brings out "America's NEXT Top Superstar" Rockwell "The Method" LeMaster, and his ridiculous ring name. The crowd is pretty much still indifferent to Rockwell although he is garnering SLIGHTLY more attention from the people. Of course, most of these people are probably already ripped at this point, but... whatever. Anyway, Rock is wearing like six party hats all around his head, giving him some kinda weird... crown of thorns, but with party hats. What? He gets in the ring, grabs the mic, does NOT cough into it this time, but instead presents one of those... noise-maker party favor things and blows LOUD into the mic. Total party foul.] RLM: HAPPY NEW YEAR!... MILWAUKEE! [No cheap pop. Well, I mean there's the Shasta...] RLM: Have I got a treat for you people tonight here... in... uh... this... warehouse.[Pause.] Where!? [Rockwell holds out the mic.] RLM: THE WHEREHOUSE! No? Nothing? [Nope. Nothing.] RLM: H'okay. Anyway, I know, I know, the holiday known as Christmas has already passed--hope everyone got what they asked for. I myself donated all my gifts to, uh, charity. Well, except for the Magic Bullet. Have, uh, you... have you seen what that thing can do? I made chocolate mousse in like 3 seconds! 3 SECONDS! Tonight it's Presto Pesto. [Rockwell points to two girls in the crowd having a conversation and paying no mind.] RLM: YOUR MAMA SUCKS, FAT BOY! [...wha?] RLM: Anyway, I wouldn't normally spend New Years Eve in a, uh... crowded warehouse... in Milwaukee... but I'm here tonight because my expertise as a broadcast journalist and investigative reporter has led me to a HUGE scoop. And after The Great DAVE debuted last week-- another HUGE scoop-- you can just call ol' Rockwell LeMaster, "The Kellogg's Raisin Bran of NEXT!" [Please.... please don't.] RLM: Uh, you know? TWO HUGE SCOOPS? No? Alright, anyway... tonight sees the debut--the much anticipated debut, I may add, and I think I just may--of one of the most internationally known superstars in the uh world, I guess, today! He's from The Great White North... Pole. LADIES AND GENTLEMAN... SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANTA.... CLAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUS!!!!!!!!!!! [Rockwell REALLY sells it as a huge deal but the crowd still couldn't care less. Generic jingling bells brings out jolly ol' Saint Nick... but it's not like it usually is when wrestling promotions haul out the same tired Santa Claus sketch year in and year out... this doesn't appear to be a worker or an agent in Santa garb, it looks like a fat old man with a long white beard. He waddles his way down to ringside, Rockwell looking on with wide-eyed, child-like optimism and clapping his hands. What a tool.] RLM: Claus-y Baby... Welcome to... NEXT! SC: Oh Ho ho ho, MERRRRRRRRRRRRRY CHRISTMAS, NEXT! [Light smattering of boos for Jolly St Nick.] RLM: Ha... ha... OK. So, Santa, how was your haul this year? Good stuff? Thanks again for the Magic Bullet. Oh, but "Freedom", the red, white and blue-colored beanie baby horse? Yeah, uh, no. Swing and a miss on that one, big fella. Thumbs down. Thumbs WAY down. SC: Christmas time isn't about the gifts, Rocky, it's about love and family. RLM: Rocky? SC: Ho ho ho, is that not alright? RLM: Hey, you know, you're Santa. You're The Freakin' Claus, man. Who am I? I'm just some Wrestling Superstar, right? I mean... you're the guy, S.C., so you can call me anything you want--just don't call me Seth Kinsey! SC: Uh... ok. Anyway, I have my biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig bag of gifts with me leftover from Christmas--WHO WANTS A TOY?! [This gets some of the few people paying attention to pop; I mean who doesn't love free toys, right? RIGHT?!] RLM: RIGHT HERE! OOOH! RIGHT HERE! [Rockwell waves his hand in the air like that obnoxious kid in 7th grade US History who just has to answer EVERYTHING. I'm lookin' at you Nick Balsalmo.] SC: Now, ho ho, hold on, Rocky. I've got you something extra special in my bag. RLM:[laughing] That's what >SHE< said! SC: What? RLM:[immediately somber] Go on. SC: You were a very baaaaad boy this year, Rocky. You cheated, you talked behind people's backs, you STOLE someone's deodorant in the lockerroom-- RLM: Still pending further investigation! SC: --and so I have something very very special for you... [Santa reaches into his bag and presents...] SC: ...this lump of coal! [I'm sure this was designed as one of those HUGE POP moments, but the crowd is distracted by two girls making out or... you know, a stack of boxes in the corner that vaguely make out the shape of a Tetris block. Pretty much anything but this.] RLM: What! This is an outrage. I am outraged. Look at my face, it is overcome with OUTRAGE! A lump of coal? I'm Rockwell LeMaster! I'm... haha, this coal is shaped like a big-ass jelly bean! Look, Santa! [Rockwell holds the coal close to Santa who peers in for a look... BAM! Rockwell brains him with it! Santa goes down like a bag of, uh, toys.] RLM: Yeah! Who's naughty now, big boy! [Rockwell immediately regrets his phrasing and hopes no one noticed.] RLM: You fat piece of crap! I'm Rockwell LeMaster! I've sold out arenas like this all over the greater Milwaukee area! Give me a lump of coal, will you. [Rockwell lines up and kicks Santa hard in his bowl full of jelly belly.] RLM: I'll give you a lump of my foot in your big red ass! [Rockwell with another kick! And another! The crowd could NOT care less!] SR: SOMEONE GET SECURITY IN HERE! [Rockwell attempts to power up Santa for some kinda high impact finishing-type manoeuvre, but he can't get the fat fuck up, and he ends up hurting his back. Now embarrassed, Rock plays it off as if he were setting him up for... A DDT! Wow... how, uh... anti-climactic.] RLM: [breathless] I JUST DDT'D SANTA CLAUS STRAIGHT... TO.... THE SOUTH POLE! [Rockwell clutches the small of his back. That Santa is weighty!] RLM: Everyone back to my place for Chocolate Mousse and Karaoke! [The fans boo... a lot. And Rockwell? No one's coming. We still got another match! He leaves, fans booing him as he does, "Social Parasite" remaining a kick ass song none the less. As he leaves a bunch of workers come out, boxes in hand.] SR: Here we go. They are setting up this next match! We have the contraptions for our explosion to hit exactly at midnight. We have our clock above the ring. We have... we have a couple guys about to get killed. [Fans murmur at the scene, small cylinders are connected to each ring post with wires running together ready to explode at midnight. A small clock hangs roughly 10 feet above the ring, right now it is frozen on 20:00 minutes.] SR: Ladies and gentlemen, things are about to get pretty ugly out here as coming up next is the Timebomb Deathmatch for the right to be the number one contender to Tobias Chapel Smith's North Eastern Jisatsu Title. Let's let our ring announcer take over. RA: FOLKS IT IS NOW TIME FOR OUR MAIN EVENT! [Pop for ensuing violence!] RA: Introducing first, the special guest referee... SR: WHAT?! [SHOCKED POP!] SR: We got a special guest referee for this match? [No music, no pyro, no fancy light effects. Not a damn thing, save our ring announcer, warns of the coming arrival of the man who just now parts the entrance curtain and starts to make his way towards the ring.] SR: Oh... this makes things interesting! [The crowd unleashes a rain of boos as the giant of a man makes his way slowly to the ring. In his hand is a steel chair, with what intent he plans to use it with we don't know.] RA: He is the holder of the North Eastern Jisatsu Title... ...TOBIAS CHAPEL SMIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTHHHHHHHH! SR: TCS has brought a chair down to the ring with him, what the hell does he think he's doing? [Smith uses one hand to reach up and grab at the top rope, he slowly steps over with chair in tow and enters the ring. The booing continues, for the time being.] RA: "Ladies and gentlemen, introducing first, he is from the great state of Texas, and weighs in at 286 pounds. He is the "Redneck from Rock Springs"..."KOWBOY"...CORWWWWWWWIIIIIIIIIIN!!!!" [The lights go dim as the opening riffs of AC-DC's " Thunderstruck" begin to blast over the P.A. System.] # I was caught In the middle of the railroad track (Thunder) I looked round And I knew there was no turning back (Thunder) My mind raced And I thought what could I do (Thunder) And I knew There was no help No help from you (Thunder) # # Sound of the drums Beatin' in my heart The thunder of guns (yea!) Tore me apart You've been - Thunderstruck # [A single spotlight shines down at the top of the ramp as "Kowboy" Corwin steps out onto the stage. Wearing a pair of full- length black tights with a flaming "KC" cattle brand superimposed over a white silhouette of the state of Texas on the right leg and the word "Kowboy" written down the side of the left in flaming white letters, a black duster, and a black Stetson hat, and carrying a flaming "KC" cattle brand, Corwin pauses at the top of the ramp and raises the cattle brand up over his head before making his way to ringside.] SR: Corwin is giving Tobias the once over, these two men definitely don't like one another. [The fans cheer loudly for Corwin as he takes his focus from Smith to the entrance.] RA: And his opponent... [Cue "Rock 'n' Roll Part II" by Gary Glitter.] RA: ...hailing from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [HOMETOWN POP!] RA: He stands 6'3" and weighs in at 305 pounds... BUCKY "THE BADGER" BLUUUUUUUUUUTARSKIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!! [The small crowd continues to cheer as the mountainous Bucky "The Badger" Blutarski lumbers onto the stage, a can of Miller Lite in each hand. He's dressed in a snug-fitting NCAA University of Wisconsin football jersey, the number "69" on front, back, and on each sleeve, a pair of red, black, and white Zubaz pants, and black wrestling boots. He raises a beefy arm into the air, taking one of the open cans of beer and chugging it to a pop from the rowdy crowd. He smashes the can on his forehead, then throws the twisted metal into the crowd, with a few fans scuffling over it. He then makes his way down to the ring, a smile on his face as the song continues to play, with the crowd shouting and clapping along. Reaching the ringside area, he enters the ring between the middle and top ropes, staggering a little as he does. Now inside the ring, he takes the time to polish off the second can, then throws it to the crowd. Walking to his corner, "The Badger" leans against the ropes, a bit winded from the walk, and waits for the bell.] SR: The fans love Blutarski, he's definitely the king of Wisconsin right now. Badger fans are hoping they can come away with a win just a few days from now as they take on Auburn in the Capital One Bowl. [Our great ring announcer steps from the ring, letting Smith take over.] SR: It looks like we're about to get started here folks! Take the women and children to bed, because it's about to get ugly. [Suddenly imposed on the screen marks a timer for the viewers watching this on DVD, etched in the right-hand corner is 20:00.] SR: Blutarski and Corwin are both staring at Tobias Chapel Smith, who doesn't even seem to really care and acknowledge the two. He needs to start this match! [The crowd boos a little more from Smith's obvious stalling, then lets out a wild cheer as Tobias calls for the bell.] DING DING SR: Blutarski still looking at Smith and gets a running knee to his huge gut by Corwin! [Doubling over from the impact of the big man, Bucky seems to be already fighting for air from the manoeuvre. Meanwhile, much to the chagrin of the fans Tobias Chapel Smith has now exited the ring with chair in hand.] SR: What the hell does Tobias think he's doing? He's the referee for christ-sakes! [Seeing this Corwin walks over to the ropes to yell at Smith to come back, giving Blutarski enough time to recover from the powerful knee he received earlier. Smith on the other hand, nonchalantly folds the chair out and takes a seat, pulling a half-chewed cigar from his pocket and resting it in his mouth. To add insult to injury if you will Smith props his legs up on the apron.] SR: This is despicable! Smith knows there's a timer for this match and he wants to waste as much time as possible so both men have to take the brunt of the explosion! [TIME: 19:02] SR: Blutarski doesn't seem to care about Smith though, he wants to get this started, he turns Corwin around and delivers a meaty European uppercut right to the chin of the Kowboy! [Corwin falls back, sweat flying from his face as he does so. Slumping against the ropes he ducks a wild punch from Blutarski.] SR: Bucky missing with the punch, his momentum turning him around and Corwin punches him in the back of the head! [The crowd pops, knowing it's about to be on like Donkey Kong.] SR: That punch didn't even look like it affected Bucky. See, a hard head can come into good use sometimes! Now both men are laying into one another! [Lefts and rights fly from both men as the crowd goes absolutely nuts, obviously they came to see a fight after all.] SR: These guys are just _WAILING_ into one another with fist after fist after fist, the sheer weight of these two men is causing the ring to shake from each punch. [Bucky seems to be getting the advantage though as Corwin's shots start to dip off, Blutarski's thick skull gives the fans another reason to cheer.] SR: Headbutt! Headbutt by Blutarski has Corwin wobbly, the large Texan is now getting whipped into the ropes by the hometown boy. [TIME: 18:00] SR: It looks like Bucky may be trying to backdrop Corwin over the top rope and to the floor by the way he's waiting. [Indeed, Blutarski is ducked down, awaiting Corwin.] SR: Corwin seems to have regained his wits though as he stops just before coming towards Blutarski and gives Bucky a big knee lift! [The crowd groans in unison, realizing how much it would hurt to get a knee to the head from a large Texan like Corwin. Bucky's clutching at his jaw, which looks to have already swollen from the stiff shot.] SR: Nothing but hard-hitting action so far folks, Corwin charges in and absolutely _MURDERS_ Blutarski with a big boot to the face, tumbling him to the outside and right by Tobias Chapel Smith! [Finally showing some sign of emotion, TCS looks over at Blutarski who looks to be in obvious pain from the flurry of attacks to his jaw by Corwin. In an almost comical way, TCS scoots his chair over a few feet then rests back down.] SR: This man doesn't care at all about refereeing this match, he just wants to see these two beat the hell out of one another. Either way it doesn't seem to be bothering Matt Corwin at all as he looks to be headed for the top rope! [Anticipation pop from the crowd!] SR: This can't spell good for Bucky Blutarski, Corwin isn't known as a high-flyer at all. In a match like this though, with so much on the line though one has to think both of these guys are going to pull out all the spots. [Obviously not used to being on the turnbuckle, Corwin sways a bit which sends the fans into a collective gasp hoping that he doesn't fall.] SR: Here he goes.. HE LEAPS!!! [Flying through the air with an elbow drop.] CROWD: OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! SR: AND HE MISSES! CORWIN MISSED THAT TOP-ROPE ELBOW DROP! BLUTARSKI MOVED OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND! [In obvious pain, Corwin yells, clutching at his right arm.] SR: This could give Blutarski the opportunity he needs, folks. [TIME: 16:37] SR: Luckily for these guys, they have plenty of time left to decide a winner, maybe they'll be lucky enough to not get trapped into the explosion. [Blutarski goes over to Corwin and grabs the Kowboy by his hair, pulling him to his feet.] SR: Bucky trying to regain the advantage here, and he whips Corwin towards the guardrail! JESUS! [The sound of metal echoes throughout the building from the velocity of the whip into the guardrail by Blutarski. Corwin clutches at his back as he crumples to his knees.] SR: Blutarski gives Smith a hateful eye and starts to stalk over to where Corwin is. [Triple B lifts Corwin to his feet, measuring him up for a shot.] SR: A big right hand from Blutarski has Corwin reeling! Bucky backs up a bit, lining him up. [Bucky runs....] SR: BLUTARSKI NAILS HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE, THE FORCE SENDING BOTH MEN INTO THE AUDIENCE! [Chairs and fans scatter as the two men tumble to the outside, the crowd begins cheering knowing that they're about to become a part of this brawl.] SR: Bucky up to his feet first and grabs one of the nearby chairs, folding it up. [Corwin drags himself up with help from the guardrail, turning in time for a swing of the chair by Blutarski.] SR: Blutarski swinging that chair.... *CLANK* ...AND CORWIN DUCKS JUST IN TIME! [Steel hitting on steel reverberates up the hands and arm of Blutarski, sending a jolt through his body. A grimace starts on his face.] SR: Corwin takes this opportunity to grab a chair of his own, and the fans know what's coming. [A huge pop from the crowd shows that Scott is right, Blutarski turns and sees the chair in Corwin's hands...and a smile goes across his face?] SR: Bucky smiling here folks, the man likes a fight that's for sure. It's time for duelling chairs! [Both men take swings at one another.] *CLANK* SR: The chairs collide.. *CLANK* AGAIN! *CLANK* AGAIN! *CLANK* AND AGAIN! SR: BLUTARSKI GOING LOW AND CORWIN GOING HIGH! *SMACK* *SMACK* [Crowd pops at the simultaneous shots, Corwin's across Bucky's head and Bucky's to Corwin's knee.] [TIME: 14:00] SR: Corwin has one hand on his knee and the other clutching at the chair, Bucky on the other hand looks a little worse for wear. He's still got the chair in his hand but he may not even know where he is. [The Kowboy swings his chair once again with one hand.] *SMACK* SR: Another brutal shot from Corwin, and Blutarski is cut open the hardway! [Blood begins trickling down Blutarski's face slowly but surely.] SR: Corwin brings his hand up from his knee and gets the chair firmly in his grip. HE SWINGS AGAIN! *SMACK* *SMACK* *SMACK* *SMACK* SR: FOUR MORE CHAIR SHOTS TO BLUTARSKI! BUCKY HAS FALLEN OVER AND BLOOD IS _COVERED_ ON THAT CHAIR! [One or two children that are in the audience scream at the sight of blood, Corwin drops the blood laden chair, a huge dent from Bucky's cranium is etched into the steel.] SR: Brutal shots by Corwin. These two may be friends but both of them sure as hell want a chance at Tobias Chapel Smith. [TIME: 12:02] [Speaking of Smith, he has an eye on the action from his chair, smirking after the shots from Corwin to Bucky.] SR: Matt Corwin is lifting Blutarski up to his feet slowly but surely, it looks like it's pretty hard for Bucky to even handle his own weight right now. [Blood has now dripped onto Blutarski's jersey as Matt finally gets the big man to his feet.] SR: Corwin grabs Bucky by his arm and looks like he's going to whip him into the row of chairs out there! He tries but Bucky won't budge, Blutarski still has some life left in him. [Looking annoyed by the fact, Corwin tries to whip him again but Bucky continues to hold his weight.] SR: Matt with a quick kick to the gut of Bucky, trying to put him off-balance. He tries the whip again and looks to have him, but BUCKY REVERSES! *CRAAAASSSSSHHHHH* [A loud pop from the crowd as Bucky sends Corwin flying into a group of chairs, one crumples under Corwin's weight and the velocity of the throw while the rest scatter amongst the fans, who are cheering for the two men as Bucky makes his way over.] SR: Bucky eyeing one of the fans on his way to Corwin, what does he have in mind? [The fan in question is holding a Miller Lite beer in a BOTTLE~! Security in the indies isn't as good as the big boys as bottles probably wouldn't be allowed at one of those prissy "big" federations. The fan, knowing what Bucky is up to tries to chug his beer as quickly as possible.] SR: Blutarski grabs the bottle from the young man and holds it up to the crowd! [Bucky pours the remaining amount of beer into his mouth as the fans chant.] "CHUG" "CHUG" "CHUG" SR: Bucky obliging to the fans and finishes off his favourite beverage, now he looks towards Corwin who is slowly getting to his feet. [The Kowboy's eyes widen as Bucky reaches back.] *CRACK* SR: Miller Lite bottle right over the head of Corwin and now Matt is busted wide open! [Small cuts open up from the shards of glass, blood oozing slowly out.] [TIME: 10:00] SR: We're halfway to an explosion folks, one of these guys better try and get a pin and hope Tobias Chapel Smith will count it. [Cheers from the fans as Bucky brings Corwin to his feet and lands a big club to the side of Corwin's face, the sound of flesh knocking on flesh echoes through the small venue.] SR: Bucky back on the offensive, clubbing Corwin again and again in the side of the head! [One, two, three, four clubs to the cranium of the Kowboy, the fans around continue cheering. They love the fact that these two are out amongst them.] SR: Trying for one more but Corwin blocks the shot and punches Bucky right in the gut, doubling Blutarski over! [A stiff knee to the face of Blutarski sends the Badger fan reeling backwards.] SR: Those knee strikes by Corwin as taking a toll on Bucky as he stumbles backwards, Matt reacts quickly by picking Blutarski up and hitting him with a spinebuster right onto the concrete! [Seemingly finding his second wind, Corwin snaps up quickly and pumps his fist out to the fans who react with cheers to the man from Rock Springs.] SR: Corwin is fired up now and picks Bucky up by the hair once again. It looks as though Blutarski's bleeding is starting to wain a bit, not pouring out as much. I think it's going to take more than some blood loss to put Blutarski out though. Even though he hasn't won a match yet here in NEXT he gives it his all every time, a consummate competitor. [Corwin has Bucky and is taking him away from the chairs, but not back to the ring. They're headed from the concession area.] SR: Looks like sales are about to take a spike! Fans are following the two as they make their way around the arena. Bucky has recovered a bit and punches Corwin in the face once again! [Corwin reels but doesn't fall, hitting Bucky with a punch of his own. Both men stand their ground and begin swinging back and forth.] SR: Once again these two go back to their respective roots, brawling with one another. Punches are raining down from both and neither one is giving an inch to the other! [One of Corwin's punches reels Blutarski backwards, but before Corwin can take advantage Bucky charges!] SR: BLUTARSKI CHARGING AND TACKLES CORWIN RIGHT INTO THE SIDE OF THE CONCESSION STAND! *THUD* [Rabid cheering from the fans as Blutarski takes back control, mounting Corwin and laying into him with a vicious flurry of punches. The concession stand workers run away from the scene, leaving the area unattended.] [TIME: 8:04] SR: We're getting closer and closer to an explosion folks, Tobias Chapel Smith is _STILL_ sitting at ringside. He hasn't moved since the beginning of this match and the fans who are by the big man have been booing him the entire match. Add that to the fact that they can't see the action since it's all the way across the arena and you have some pissed off customers! [SPLIT-SCREEN~! opens up and we see Smith chewing down on his cigar on one side and Blutarski getting a hand to the throat by Corwin on the other, quickly we revert to full-screen on the fight at hand.] SR: Corwin pulling out all the stops to try and end the beating he's taking at the hands of Blutarski, he's choking the big man and Bucky's attention goes from wailing on Corwin to trying to get the death grip Matt has on him away from his throat. [Gasping for air, Blutarski rips away from Corwin and gets back to his feet, doubling over for air. The Kowboy isn't looking too good himself as his small cuts have now turned into gaping gashes.] SR: Matt to his feet and he takes advantage of the slumping Blutarski. He hooks him in a gut wrench. What the hell is he going to do. [Corwin uses all his strength to lift up the big Blutarski.] SR: HE LIFTS AND....... *THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD* "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" POWER-BOMBS HIM RIGHT ONTO THE UNFORGIVING WOOD OF THE CONCESSION STAND! [A sick thud from the manoeuvre as Blutarski's head hits right onto the thick wooden frame separating what would normally be patrons from workers, bags of popcorn fall to the ground from the impact.] SR: Folks, what an amazing display of strength by the Kowboy. He picked up all three-hundred and five pounds of Blutarski and just _KILLED_ him with that powerbomb. [Corwin grabs Blutarski by the feet and drags him down and to the floor.] SR: Corwin needs to bring him back to ringside, because I doubt Blutarski is going to kick out after that move. [TIME: 6:01] [Corwin obliges the thought and tries to get Blutarski to come back to the ring. Wobbly and still reeling though Bucky can barely even walk straight, let alone down to the ring.] [POP!] SR: Corwin just got a surprise European Uppercut from Blutarski. This guy just won't quit folks! He nails him with another, and another! Corwin's chin is going to be hurting in the morning, that's for sure. [More yells from the fans as Corwin and Blutarski make their way through the crowd.] SR: Blutarski now dragging Matt throughout the crowd and back towards the ring. They have made their way quickly, it's game time as they would say. [Blutarski grabs a chair on the way to the guardrail and turns to Corwin.] SR: Bucky looking to exact some revenge. Here we go. *SMACK* *SMACK* *SMACK* *SMACK* *SMACK* [Sickening thud after sickening thud goes through the arena.] SR: VICIOUS CHAIR SHOTS BY BLUTARSKI SENDS CORWIN UP AND OVER THE GUARDRAIL! [Blutarski throws the chair down and steps over the guardrail. He looks into the eyes of Tobias Chapel Smith, who looks on, showing no emotion at all.] SR: Tobias Chapel Smith has been a non-factor in this match, literally. There hasn't been a pin by these two men, they probably know better. The only reason Tobias Chapel Smith is even here is to make sure this ring explodes, whether or not either of these guys will be in there when it does is to be seen. [TIME: 4:07] SR: Four minutes left here folks. We're getting down to the nitty gritty. [Blutarski picks Corwin up in a scoop position and rests him over his shoulder. The taller Corwin's legs hang down Bucky's back as he drops down in a stiff shoulder breaker.] SR: Nice shoulder breaker there by Blutarski, and Bucky looks pissed to be totally honest. [Another glare at Smith shows the reasoning for Blutarski's anger. Corwin is trying to get up with the help of the ring apron.] SR: Corwin is still alive folks, both of these guys are as tough as nails and either one of them is deserving of trying to dethrone Tobias Chapel Smith. [The fans cheer wildly for both Corwin and Blutarski. Matt continues his way up, finally getting to his feet.] SR: Corwin is up and he nails Bucky with a kick to the midsection, the Kowboy has Triple B by the hair once again! [Corwin slams Bucky's head into the ring apron then focuses his attention on Tobias Chapel Smith.] SR: Matt Corwin is headed over to the North East Jisatsu Champion! What does he have in mind? [TCS rises from his chair, standing up to Corwin. Tobias is so large, even with Corwin's height of 6'7" he still looks down upon the Kowboy.] SR: Corwin and Smith nose to nose here folks! This could get heated. [Corwin turns though, snatching the chair Tobias was sitting in and turning, heading back to Blutarski.] SR: Smith doesn't retaliate! I think he just wants to see these two continue to fight it out and wear each other down. [Corwin gets next to Blutarski and unfolds the chair, setting it up.] SR: The Kowboy has something in mind and tries to scoop up the big man! [Blutarski doesn't budge at all.] SR: Bucky blocks and hits a head butt onto Corwin, breaking the hold. [Blutarski executes a go-behind on Corwin, lifting him up.] SR: HE'S GOT HIM UP, THIS COULD BE IT!! *CRAAAAAAASSSSSHHHHHH* "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" SR: REVERSE POWERSLAM THROUGH THE CHAIR BY BLUTARSKI!!! HE CALLS THAT THE SOUTH SIDE SLAM, THIS COULD BE IT!! [TIME: 2:01] SR: BUCKY GRABS CORWIN AND ROLLS HIM INTO THE RING! [Blutarski slides underneath the ropes and goes for the pin.] SR: He's got the pin! HE'S GOT THE PIN! [.......] [No count.] [Still no count.] [Boos rain down upon Tobias Chapel Smith who continues standing outside, not even attempting to count.] SR: Bucky gets up and walks over to the corner, yelling for Smith to get into the ring! [TIME: 1:30] SR: Only a minute and a half left, if he can't get the count, Blutarski better get out of the ring. [The booing continues as Smith and Blutarski continue to verbally spar.] SR: Corwin getting to his feet now and rushing in on Blutarski! [The ring shakes violently as Corwin nails Bucky with a splash to the back.] SR: A big splash from Corwin and he looks to be getting out of the ring, he's headed out of dodge! [Corwin does indeed look to be leaving, much to the surprise of the fans though he stops on the ring apron, grabbing the reeling Blutarski from behind.] SR: What is he doing?! What does Matt Corwin have in mind?! [TIME: 0:50:] SR: HE HOOKS BLUTARSKI'S ARM AROUND HIS HEAD AND REACHES OVER, GRABBING BUCKY'S LEG! [Fans gasp in anticipation.] SR: HE LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFTS! OH MY GOD!!!!! [Lifting and falling..... .....falling........ .....falling....... "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" SR: SUICIDE BACKDROP DRIIIIIIIIVER!!! [The fans are going apeshit as both men fall extremely hard to the ground.] [TIME: 0:20] SR: TWENTY SECONDS, THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME! NOOOOOOOOO!!! [Headset drops. Scott prepares for the explosion.] [Some fans take cover and duck while others begin chanting.] "10!" "9!" [Tobias Chapel Smith comes over and begins picking the men up.] "8!" "7!" [TCS slides Bucky in first, then picks Corwin up.] "6!" "5!" [He tries to roll Corwin in but Corwin tries to fight, although exhausted he doesn't want in. Smith forces him in but Corwin drags Smith in as well!] "4!" "3!" "2!" "1!" *BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM* *BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM* *BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM* *BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM* [Each post detonates, joining into one _HUGE_ explosion, the sound of the explosion plus the screams of the fans adds together for one ear-piercing screetch.] [The smoke _COVERS_ the air, leaving it almost impossible to even see into the ring.] [Slowly but surely the smoke begins to clear, we can hear fumbling on Steve Rossman's headset as he tries to come back.] SR: Jesus Christ, am I on? [Yes, you are.] SR: That was incredible folks, I'm sorry for the difficulties but none of us knew what the explosion would be like. We're just now getting to see the effects of the detonation. [First forming we see that the ring has crumpled underneath the explosion. The ring posts lay what could best be described as "limp" towards the ring, the ropes are broken and the mat has debris covering it.] SR: I see movement, I see movement! [Indeed, slowly we see the body of Tobias Chapel Smith showing signs of life. He gingerly moves himself up to his knees.] SR: Smith the first to recover obviously, he hasn't done anything more than I have this match! [Blutarski and Corwin on the other hand look near death, blood coating each of their faces and white dust covering the rest of their bodies. The fans begin duelling chants.] "CORWIN! CORWIN!" "BUCKY! BUCKY!" "CORWIN! CORWIN!" "BUCKY! BUCKY!" SR: The fans showing their support here, which man will recover first? They have both taken a massive beating here tonight. [Finally one of them move..It's Corwin, he looks groggy and out of his mind but rolls over, lying his hand across Blutarski's chest.] SR: Corwin with the cover, will Tobias count? [Tobias stares at the two, noticing the cover but not moving.] SR: COUNT IT TOBIAS! COUNT IT YOU SON OF A BITCH! THESE TWO HAVE RISKED THEIR LIVES TONIGHT, DON'T LET IT GO ANY LONGER! CROWD: "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" SR: In unison the fans are booing Tobias Chapel Smith, beckoning him to do the right thing here. [Reluctantly, Smith counts.] SR: Here it comes. ONE TWO [?] THREEEEEEEE!!! DING DING! [HUGE POP for their effort... and it's midnight! Fans singing intermingles with the cheers, the screams, the smoke.] RA: YOUR WINNER AND THE NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER... ...MATT COOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRWWWWWWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN! [The fans continue to cheer and party. In the ring? Blood. Soot. Chaos. A champion. A challenger.] SR: It's 2006! Happy New Years... I'm getting drunk! [And... fade.] ======================= DVD EXTRAS EXTRA 1: The Great DAVE EXTRA 2: Elvis Sunday EXTRA 3: Matt Corwin EXTRA 4: Justin Harper EXTRA 5: Steve Greedy EXTRA 6: Tyrone Walker =*=*=*=*=*= DVD EXTRA 1 =*=*=*=*=*= [Standing back at the ever popular popular NEXT banner is up-and-coming NEXT star "King of Sport" The Great DAVE and his illustrious translator who'd rather be anywhere but where he is right now, Hiroshi. DAVE is in his mask, his blonde hair flowing out from the open top. He wears his long, flared-bottom ring-pants, white with orange flames rising from the bottoms and a t-shirt that says, in no particular order or printed in any particular direction, "NIPPON KOKU-budo Jitsu-TGD KingISM" They both stand quietly, Hiroshi with his hands together at his waist, staring at the floor. DAVE stands with his hands on his hips, back straight, chest out, head cocked back-and-to-the-side, staring off into space. He says and does...nothing.] [......................] Hiroshi: ........... DAVE: ........... [.......................] Hiroshi: Hey...hey DAVE? DAVE: [not moving from his pose] Yes? Hiroshi: I don't think an interviewer is coming. I think you just have to talk. [DAVE breaks his pose and looks at Hiroshi.] DAVE: Are you serious? [Hiroshi nods.] DAVE: Goddammit! I don't have anything prepared...ok, I'll say some stuff, and you make it sound good, OK? Hiroshi: .... DAVE: I'm an improv genius! OK, OK, ahhhhhh, Rumpelstiltskin! Onomatopoeia! Brussel sprouts! Hiroshi: ...DAVE says that he is thrilled to have his first match here in NEXT. He truly enjoys the spirited competition of this fine organization and the way he has been treated since his arrival here. He wishes to extend a debt of gratitude to Mr. LeMaster for the warm greeting and looks forward to showing his unique style of wrestling and entertaining the wonderful fans here in NEXT. DAVE: Hooley-dooley! Ahhhhhhhh...Tito Garbanzo Lopez St. John! Fiddle-dee-diddle-dee-dee! Hiroshi: DAVE is excited by the special nature of his match. He is a one-on-one specialist, but also thrives in a team environment. The more members on his team, the better he likes it, because he loves the teamwork involved. He'll have his team's back without question or concern. DAVE: OK, tell them how I'm gonna poke'em in the eye, kick'em in the butt, and laugh in their faces when I single-handedly destroy them all and win the match! Hiroshi: ...DAVE feels that he has been improperly classified as a "rudo" in this lucha-style contest. He understands that there may have not been enough room to fit him onto the proper team, but he will use this unique opportunity to be a role model for his teammates and bring back the spirit of fair play and friendly competition. DAVE: I've had some time to think, and I have a few points of interest for you to fill them in on. One, I think "Steve Greedy" is a fantastic name and I look forward to working with him. Two, I think Elvis Sunday is a stupid doofus and will enjoy kicking the bejesus out of him. Seth Kinsey is dumb too, and did you know Justin Harper eats people? I heard this story about him in a submission match...[DAVE shudders]. And tell that Tyrone Walker kid that I don't care if it's his debut match, he'd better not be some inexperienced little weasel who's just going to get in mine and the Greed Machine's way. You tell him that I am offended he's even in this contest, much less on my team. And say the word "ass" as least once. Words like that are "tough words." They make you tough. Hiroshi: DAVE says he will do his best and work with his teammates to defeat his very worthy opponents. He will work hard to "kick some ass." Thank you for the time we have bee- DAVE: Say "burning spirit!" Hiroshi: Burning spirit. DAVE: Ha! That was GREAT! Damn I'm good. They didn't even know I wasn't even saying anything most of the time. Stupid idiots. Stupid GOON idiots. [They begin their walk out of the frame.] DAVE: Goon's a funny word. "Goon." Say it, go on. Say it! You'll like it if you just say it. Go on... [A door opens and closes. Silence.] =*=*=*=*=*= DVD EXTRA 2 =*=*=*=*=*= [Fully utilising the power of postproduction, we fade up from orange.] [Elvis Sunday sits with a fruit juice cocktail by his side at the gloriously mirrored bar in the Rave Vibe Room, his orange afro reflecting around the place like a hypnotic spirograph kaleidoscope.] ES: Hau`oli Makahiki Hou! [That means Happy New Year, and the 3 people watching in Hawaii are pleased. Elvis is tooled up in a pair of black knee length surfer shorts and a white vest with lovely palm tree detailing.] ES: And what better way to kick off the New Year than sipping Chi-Chi and then stepping out in front of the fantastic NEXT fans at the Rave. It’s humbling and, well, inspirational to think that at the start of the year I was just another ice-cream stand owner plying his trade in Kiholo Bay. Fast forward to New Years Eve 2005 and I get the chance to do the funky chicken in front of the most loyal, most vocal and out-right greatest fans on the scene today...They could be out wearing the beer goggles sucking face with some pigdog but instead they’ll be packing the Rave and cheering on the mighty SUPER HERO TECHNICOS against the EVIL RUDO TRIO~! [There’s a slight smirk as Elvis reaches deep down into the playbook of Lucha match sales pitches.] ES: For a little guy from Hawaii it’s an honour just to be allowed into a show like this with guys like Dane and Ran without having to pay. Saying that, stepping into the ring with a guy like The Great Dave, who is about as great as a dose of the crabs and twice as irritating isn’t quite what I had in mind! As for Steve Greedy, well, I think my super-duper teammate Seth Kinsey will be out to make him Steve in Needy tonight, in needy of his first few meals of 2006 being liquidated! [Another sip of Chi-Chi.] ES: I know I’m just the little guy, the fella’ that everybody laughs at and takes for granted but, Ty, you know me well enough to not take me lightly and, with a bit of luck and a lot of heart, tonight I’m gonna make sure that the EVIL RUDOS TRIO [again a smile creeps across his fuzzy wuzzy face] don’t put pay to my New Years Eve party and stamp an orange guaranteeee that 2006 will start off with a Sunday. [That isn’t just a co-incidence people, that is fate.] ES: Because, the future is bright... The future is... ORANGE~! [With a swig of a cocktail, and a mini umbrella in the eye we fade out to, well, orange of course.] =*=*=*=*=*= DVD EXTRA 3 =*=*=*=*=*= (Cut backstage to "Kowboy" Corwin as he sits calmly on a bench in the locker room and stares up at a "Countdown To...Something!" tour poster on the wall in front of him. Dressed in black jeans and a black duster with his trademark black stetson resting in his lap, Corwin stands up, sets his hat on his head, and turns to face the camera.) CORWIN: "You know, when I first signed my name on the dotted line to work for this company and agreed to leave the great state of Texas for the unforgivin' cold of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be main eventin' the biggest show of the year on New Year's Eve... "But here I am, in a warehouse on the north side of Milwaukee, just minutes away from facin' off against the only friend I've got in this company for a shot at Tobias Chapel Smith and the North Eastern Jisatsu Championship in, of all things...a New Year's Countdown Timebomb Deathmatch!!" (Pause.) CORWIN: "So just when I should be sittin' home by the fire, curled up with a pretty girl and a bottle of wine, or out partyin' my heart out to celebrate the comin' New Year, I'm gonna be out there, in that ring, wrestlin' in a match where I could get blown to hell at midnight... "And the funny thing is I that ain't the least bit worried about it 'cause I know that 2006'll be the 'Year of The Kowboy' here in NEXT. "You see, when I came down to ringside at the end of that match last week and stuck a flamin' cattle iron in the face of Tobias Chapel Smith, I was tellin' the man that he can't just take a belt he won in some other company, bring it here to NEXT, and crown himself champion, not unless he's ready to defend that belt against every man on the roster he cheated out of a shot at bein' the first to wear the gold. "And if he ain't ready to give his last drop of blood for that belt of his, the North Eastern Jisatsu Title and the man who's wearin' it ain't worth one goddamn cent." (Another pause.) CORWIN: "So, Bucky, when we're in that ring tonight, I want you to know that I'm not doin' the things I'm doin' 'cause I don't consider you a friend any more. "'Cause the blood we'll be sheddin' tonight is for the honor of NEXT... "And the privilege of tryin' to take back what Tobias Chapel Smith stole from this company when he brought that title here with him and presumed to put himself on a fkin' pedestal over the rest of us." (A final pause.) CORWIN: "And Tobias? If you're listenin', I want you to pay special attention to 'The Devil's Sinkhole'... "'Cause the next man who goes for a ride after tonight... "Is you!!" (And, with that, WE FADE.) =*=*=*=*=*= DVD EXTRA 4 =*=*=*=*=*= [The camera fades in on a beach someplace in California. Well presumably it's California as it's obviously rather warm for December, judging by the surroundings. Oh and the fact that Justin Harper is on said beach in just a pair of swim trunks, having a cookout with an older woman who's likely his mother and a younger one who's probably a sister. The family resemblence is quite strong after all. Upon seeing the camera Justin jogs over to it.] Justin: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all you NEXT fans. I hope the holidays find you all well, yeah that even goes for my opponents in the lucha match and Mr. Bitch too. [Justin smirks] Justin: Of course if you'd told me a few months ago that I'd be celebrating New Years Eve in a Lucha Libre match teamed with guys I hardly know, I'd have probably thought you were joking. On the other hand, had I told you that I couldn't think of a way I'd rather spend New Years Eve, you'd probably say I was nuts. So I guess that makes us even. [Justin grins and his sister, who apparently heard part of the conversation merely rolls her eyes in the background.] Justin: But what does it matter anyway? Seth Kinsey showed that he can get the job done in the ring last week and I've heard good things about Elvis Sunday. Oh and it doesn't hurt that I get a chance to get my hands on Steve Greedy once again. Hopefully the ref for the match will be competent this time. [Justin's mother calls his name, sounding a tad miffed that the family moment has been interrupted by wrestling business.] Justin: Looks like I have to get the interview short. Thanks for your time. [Fade to black.] =*=*=*=*=*= DVD EXTRA 5 =*=*=*=*=*= [The camera opens up on a dark view of the sharply dressed "Rich One" Steve Greedy in a corner of the old warehouse oddly enough. If it's so dark, how can you see him I'm sure your asking, well the lighting is good enough to see a blonde hair, blue eye'd pretty boy who is in Armani clothing at a dump on the north side of Milwaukee, okay smart ass.] Steve Greedy : Why is Eric Dane making my life difficult ? [Greedy steps closer to the camera, now revealing he has a cock tail in his left hand as the view is almost up to one - hundred percent now.] Steve Greedy : I don't even know this guy, yet he has pinned me, and eliminated me from a royal rumble. [Greedy shakes his head.] Steve Greedy : You made my holidays very un - pleasent Mr Dane, but my favorite holiday is amongst us now so I'm gonna give you a one time get out of trouble with Steve Greedy pass cause of the timing of our current situation, however don't let it happen again. Fuck Christmas. Fuck Thanksgiving. I love me some New Years. [Greedy takes a small sip of his mixed drink.] Steve Greedy : Not because people make deals with themselves they can't keep. I mean thats amusing, but my favorite part is the world encourages you to drink, and have fun. To live the first day of the new year like you would want to live the last day of your life. The drinking I'm doing now. .. and the fun is just starting to occur from my point of view. [Greedy takes a larger sip of his drink, this time "ahhing" as he lowers the drink from his lips.] Steve Greedy : So let the new year begin. [Greedy downs the remainder of his drink, dropping his cup to the ground as he finishes.] Steve Greedy : I could think of some places I would rather be than preforming for NEXT on New Years eve, but the bigtime federations were off tonight, and my ex is at my estate spending "quality" time with my kid. So I decided why not come down here, lead a lil team in a lucha type match, and see if I can't find at least one cute girl in Milwaukee to bring back to my hotel room afterwards. [Greedy pauses.] Steve Greedy : I'm not sold on the idea of being able to find a cute girl here, so to make sure I have a good time on New Years eve I am going to have some fun in other ways. Drinking, obviously. Laughing at people, without a doubt. But even more so in that squared circle. [Greedy pops his trademark smirk towards the camera.] Steve Greedy : Oh yes in that squared circle leading a newcomer, and a guy with the worst in ring name I have heard in my lifetime of being apart of this sport I am gonna have the time of my life. [Greedy chuckles.] Steve Greedy : Okay maybe not the time of my _life_, but a good time none the less. Since were competing in a mexican type match, I figured it would be okay for me to do some cheating out there tonight. So be on the look out Justin for some hair pulling, eye poking, ball snatching, type drama tonight. For shit's an giggles of course, not because I have to. I have proved I can beat you anyway I want to. [Greedy pushes his blonde hair back, and get's a bit more serious with his tone.] Steve Greedy : Harper, Kinsey, and Sunday I hope you had your merry Christmas, cause your gonna have an un - happy New Years. You can take that to the bank. [Pause for dramatic effect.] Steve Greedy : _MY BANK_ [Greedy winks to the camera.] Steve Greedy : So where are these guys I am supposed to lead to victory tonight ? I want to tell them about our game plan .. .. . <> Keep me in the damn ring at all times. .. . [With that Greedy exits our current view, and we cut.] =*=*=*=*=*= DVD EXTRA 6 =*=*=*=*=*= [DVD Extra #69.] "S'up all?" [Fade.] [This is Tyrone Walker. He's black just so you know. He sports a ridiculous Buckwheat afro that would make even Don King jealous. He's attired in non-stereotypical urban wear of grey cargos, black shoes, and a black jacket that remains slightly open.] "So this is NEXT, eh?" [He looks around at nothing at all important inside the halls of The RAVE in Milwaukee. The hall is covered with posters and pictures of various people who have performed here.] Walker - I guess it's a'ight. [Shrug.] Walker - You seen one fed claim to be the next hottest thing and you seen 'em all. Or somethin' like that. [The disinterest is apparent. He's a cynical one.] Walker - Anyway. They say NEXT is different. They say NEXT is the future. They say NEXT is where it's at. Well, here I am, where it's at, on the pulse of this vicious circle jerk of a game we play. Ready with razor in hand to bleed this place... Slowly... For all it's worth... [This is a pause. Inhale-exhale, a blink or two perhaps.] Walker - We'll see how that goes with this lucha six man I've been dropped into. Should be fun at the very least, I do love me a spotted monkey circus about as much as the next guy. So that's good. And then there's you, Dee... [Shifting gears. Focusing a bit more on the subject at hand.] Walker - Lots of issues there, but whatever. That's a story to be told for another time and place. Until then though. We can squash it and Team Danger this bitch up like we always do. Or we end up doin' this the _other_ way and show 'em all what happens when you mix two highly combustable elements together... Damage. Lots of it. Ridiculously so. Let's do it the _right_ way this time, eh? [Cut to the next super happy fun DVD Extra, #71.]