The hall is buzzing. Hundreds of fans have turned out in the Ogden Legion Hall in Calgary to see tonight's huge NAPW card. Fans are getting merchandise and last-minute snacks when Frank Warburton gets in the ring to announce the beginning of the show. A mighty cheer goes up from the fans as the unseated scramble back to their chairs. They don't want to miss a minute of this.
BILL HEWSON: Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to "UNIFIED!" I'm Bill Hewson, as always with my broadcast partner Jack "Attack" Jones, and we are PSYCHED over tonight's show!
JACK JONES: You're damn right we're psyched Bill Hewson, because tonight we get to watch CHRIS CASINO unify the Pure Honour and NAPW Titles, and walk out of here the GREATEST CHAMPION in the history of this business!
BILL HEWSON: Maybe, maybe not, but it looks like the Commissioner himself wants to start thing off tonight!
"More Human Than Human" hits the speakers, and the fans erupt as NAPW Commissioner REX CALIBER walks out from the curtains and makes his way up to the ring, gladhanding the fans en-route. He grabs a mic from Frank Warburton and these NAPW fans hush for him to speak as his music fades.
REX CALIBER: I'd like to take a minute to thank all of the Calgary NAPW fans for coming out here tonight, and a special thanks to anyone who made the trip from out of town!
The fans cheer!
REX CALIBER: And tonight, you're all in for a (BLEEP) TREAT!
They cheer again!
REX CALIBER: The tag titles are ON THE LINE! A shot for the Provincial Title is ON THE LINE! And by God, in tonight's main event, THERE MUST BE A WINNER! Ravager! Chris Casino! TITLE UNIFICATION!
These NAPW fans are pumped for action!
REX CALIBER: But first... some bad news.
The crowd murmers a bit and settles down.
REX CALIBER: It seems that the Bluegrass Mafia are unable to be here tonight due to a cancelled flight in Kentucky. Okay, settle down, now. Shit happens, and sometime's its out of our hands. Now, obviously this sucks because --
That's about as far as Rex gets. "NWO" by Ministry hits the speakers and "The Career Killer" JAKE PHOENIX storms out of the back, eyes blazing. Phoenix climbs into the ring, sneering at the booing fans, and gets himself a microphone, and starts talking over the jeers.
JAKE PHOENIX: Hold on a DAMN MINUTE, Caliber! Last week, I got ROBBED in that triple-threat, and I've got some serious steam to blow off! I came here tonight to kick some ass, and if you're telling me that I'm not getting a match then --
Pigeonhed cuts him off. The Career Killer's already angry expression darkens further as DONOVAN ASTROS steps out from the curtains and makes his way down to the ring. He gabs Frank Warburton's microphone on the way past, and slides into the ring as the fans boo him.
DONOVAN ASTROS: You idiots booing me? Well take a good look at a winner, because like the Detroit Red Wings, I know how to get it done!
That was NOT a nice thing to say! The Calgary fans are deafeningly hateful for almost a full minute. Astros looks smug, Rex Caliber is leaning against the ropes seemingly annoyed, and Jake Phoenix looks ready to punch someone. Hard. As the crowd quiets a bit, Jake Phoenix lifts his microphone.
JAKE PHOENIX: You've got a lot of nerve --
DONOVAN ASTROS: Simmer down, Jake. These fans don't care what you have to say anyway.
If it weren't for Rex Caliber, Phoenix would have just taken Astros' head off. The Commissioner holds back the Career Killer and shouts at him to settle down.
DONOVAN ASTROS: Now if you're through killing your own career by whining like a little bitch about how I "robbed" you in the triple threat last week, I have business with the Commissioner. Now listen close, Caliber. I've been waiting for THREE WEEKS to get my hands on Chad Kurtis and kick his sorry little ass. But you know what? It's cool. These fans aren't going to care if "No Show" Chad Kurtis isn't here, and they sure as hell aren't going to be missing anything if Jake Phoenix doesn't wrestle, but it's a CRIME to leave Donovan Astros off the card.
The fans boo again. Jake Phoenix glares at Donovan Astros, too angry for words. Donovan Astros just gives him a smug smirk. Rex Caliber looks between the two men, considering. As the fever-pitch of the crowd increases, Rex motions that he intends to talk, and the fans simmer down a bit to hear him.
REX CALIBER: You know what? You boys are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. Jake - you don't mind if I call you Jake - Jake, you DID come down here to kick some ass tonight! And I'll be damned if I don't love to watch a good ass-kicking! And these fans DO deserve to see Donovan Astros in action! In fact, why wait! Do you NAPW fans want to see these two get into it RIGHT NOW?
CHEER!
BILL HEWSON: Oh boy! These two men have history! They HATE each other!
JACK JONES: This is going to be one hell of a match!
REX CALIBER: Well then let's make it official! Right now! In THIS VERY RING! It's going to be "The Career Killer" JAKE PHOENIX!
Boo! The Career Killer smirks and cracks his knuckles, eyes boring eager holes into Astros.
REX CALIBER: And DONOVAN ASTROS!
Boo-er! Astros smirks right back at Phoenix, and starts shaking out his arms, getting ready for some action.
REX CALIBER: IN TAG TEAM ACTON!
Boo-huh!? Both men can't believe it!
JACK JONES: What the hell!?
BILL HEWSON: Is he serious!?
REX CALIBER: Against...
THE CALGARY CONNECTION!!!
"Raise a little hell, raise a little hell, raise a little hell!"
The NAPW fans cheer as hometown boys DAVE "The Hatchet" BENNET and "The Fixer" STU SMYTH emerge from the curtains, wearing Calgary Flames jerseys! They stop only long enough to pull off the jerseys and then rush into the ring, and lay into their stunned, impromptu opponents! Junior referee Morgan Smythe rushes out of the back as Rex Caliber vacates the ring, grinning, and THERE'S THE BELL!
Fixer is laying into Astros, while the larger Hatchet tangles with the mighty Phoenix. These four men are tearing it up! The crowd is chanting "HAT-CHET! FIX-ER!" and the hometown boys look like they're feeding off the love! The Hatchet with a big clothesline sends both himself and The Career Killer to the outside, while The Fixer takes down Astros with a hip toss, and locks in a side headlock on the canvas. Donovan Astros manages to twist free of the hold, reversing it into the Astrolock, but Stu is too close to the ropes, and quickly catches them with his feet. Smythe counts as far as four, and Astros releases the hold, reaches over, and tags in Jake Phoenix who has assumed a position at the corner. Phoenix angrily grabs The Fixer, whips him hard into a neutral corner, and follows up with a HUGE clothesline in the corner. The Fixer goes a little limp, and Phoenix goes up to the second rope and starts raining down shots on his head! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine... and a big number ten! Phoenix jumps down as the Fixer staggers forward, grabs him by the hair... BULLDOG. And Phoenix with the cover! Hatchet and Astros both make a move to enter the ring, but The Fixer kicks out at two. The Career Killer hauls Stu Smyth to his feet, and drives him into his corner, where he tags back in Donovan Astros. Astros climbs into the ring, rears back, and delivers a THUNDEROUS knife edge chop on The Fixer.
JACK JONES: That's got some mustard on it!
BILL HEWSON: Indeed a wicked chop from this arrogant young man, Donovan Astros. But never count out The Calgary Connection... not in their home town!
The crowd audibly groans as a cloud of sweat erupts from his chest. Stu doubles over forward, clutching his chest, and Astros catches the arms! Locks up... and hits his sick modified Butterfly Suplex! Then, impressively, Astros floats through, and locks in a straightjacket hold. Dave "The Hatchet" Bennet is desperately calling for the tag while the crowd starts clapping, trying to fire up the Fixer! He struggles against Astros' hold, and starts worming his way closer to his tag team partner. Seconds feel like minutes, but the Stu twists his foot out toward The Hatchet's outstretched hand... and Donovan Astros drops him backwards on his head, releases the hold, and hits an elbow drop as the fans jeer! He grabs The Fixer by the arm and pulls him back toward Phoenix, and once again tags the larger man in. Phoenix takes Stu by the arm, throws him to the ropes! Clothesline... no! The Fixer ducks at the last second, rebounds off the far ropes... DROPKICK! Both men drop in the middle of the ring! The crowd cheers... but The Fixer is looking pretty bad himself! He desperately needs to tag in The Hatchet! Both men start crawling toward their partners - Astros and Bennet are both eagerly holding out their hands, calling for the tag! Stu Smyth is SO CLOSE... but Jake Phoenix is taller and he gets the tag! Astros is in the ring... and The Hatchet gets the tag!
HOT TAG!
A running clothesline sends Donovan Astros literally head-over-heels, and the "Savior" of the NAPW crashes into the canvas in an upside down heap! Jake Phoenix rises like his namesake and charges The Hatchet with a fierce bellow, only to have Bennet duck aside! The Hatchet and The Career Killer both rebound off the ropes, and Bennet NAILS a lou thesz press! Phoenix crashes to the ring and Dave unleashes a flurry of shots! The crowd is on it's feet! Jake Phoenix rolls out of the ring as Donovan Astros shakily retakes his feet, and The Hatchet is right there to catch him. He hauls him up... powerslam! Square in the middle of the ring! And a cover! One! Two! And Astros kicks out at two! The Hatchet, unperturbed, pullss him up again, sets him up, and it's all powerbomb, baby! Another cover! One! Two! Foot on the ropes!?
BILL HEWSON: I'll be damned! Jake Phoenix put his foot there! He just saved Donovan Astros!
JACK JONES: They may hate one another, but a win's a win Bill Hewson! The Career Killer is too proud to let Donovan Astros lose this for him!
The Hatchet curses Phoenix - as do the fans in the front row - as the Career Killer returns to his corner, grimly. The Hatchet again pulls Donovan Astros to his feet and throws him into a neutral corner! He lets out a great bellow, and charges! Big body splash - no! Astros gets his foot up, and nails Bennet in the face! The Hatchet reels back long enough for Astros to duck aside and tag back in Jake Phoenix. Phoenix surges into the ring, driving the Hatchet into the ropes, locking up... spinebuster! Dave clutches at his spine and writhes, and Phoenix follows up with an elbow drop, then hooks the leg! One! Only one. Snarling, the large man pulls The Hatchet up, elbows him in the face, then whips him to the ropes! The Hatchet rebounds and is caught by the neck! He shakes his head "no" and the crowd rises in protest...
BILL HEWSON: CHOKESLAM!
JACK JONES: That MUST be all she wrote!
Phoenix hooks the leg again! One! Two! FIXER! Stu Smythe breaks up the pin with a double axe-handle and the crowd cheers! He unloads a few chops on Jake Phoenix's chest, but the huge Career Killer barely flinches. He growls, grabs The Fixer by the hair, and ejects him from the ring with AUTHORITY! Stu Smyth crashes into the guardrail! Phoenix huffs down at him, then turns... into THE HATCHET! Toe kick! The crowd explodes! Dave Bennet hooks up the arms... and Phoenix powers out! Back body drop right into the ropes! The Hatchet crashes to the ring, then desperately tries to regain his footing... but Phoenix catches him! He sets him up for the Tombstone! The Hatchet goes up! Donovan Astros smacks Phoenix on the shulder! The Hatchet goes down! Talk about burying the Hatchet! Phoenix covers with authority!
And Morgan Smythe just waves it off, shaking her head!
BILL HEWSON: Wait a minute --- Astros tagged himself in while Phoenix had Hatchet in the air! Astros is the legal man, not Jake Phoenix!
Jake Phoenix's face turns red and he angrily bellows at Smythe to count, but she shakes her head no and indicates that he's not the legal man. Phoenix wheels around to his corner but Astros isn't there! Donovan Astros is in the ring, baby! He pulls the pretty much done Hatchet to his feet, hooks up his arms... ASTROCIDE! But The Fixer is on his feet! He staggers toward the ring as Astros covers! One! Two! FIXER... is TOO LATE! THREE!
FRANK WARBURTON: Here are your winners... DONOVAN ASTROS and "The Career Killer" JAKE! PHOENIX!
The NAPW fans boo and jeer as Donovan Astros beats a hasty retreat from the ring. Jake Phoenix chases him as far as the ropes, and then angrily starts shouing down at his treacherous tag team partner.
BILL HEWSON: What was all that about? That showboat Astros just nearly cost his team the match because he couldn't let Phoenix get the three count!
JACK JONES: Hey, it's classic Donovan Astros! Let Jake Phoenix do all the hard work, and claim the glory for himself! Can you blame the guy? These fans are here to see him, and he's not going to play second fiddle to The Career Killer.
Jake Phoenix is pissed. He's just been screwed by Donovan Astros again. He wheels angrily on Stu Smyth, who's checking on his immobile tag team partner. Morgan Smythe tries to get in the way, but he shoves her aside, pulls The Fixer up... POWERBOMB! Right onto the prone Hatchet!
BILL HEWSON: No! Someone call security!
JACK JONES: You step into the ring with the Career Killer, Bill Hewson, you take your life in your hands! I don't envy his next opponent, he's got some serious rage issues!
In no time at all, Frank is back in the ring to bring out the next match. Calgary can't wait.
FRANK WARBURTON: The following match is a Triple-Threat contest set for one fall, with the winner earning a Provincial Title Shot! Entering first, weighing in at one-hundred-seventy-one pounds... from Staten Island New York! He is "Dynamite" Stonnnnnnne Zelloooooor!
"Bang Bang to Rock-N-Roll" begins to roar, but the crowd's cheers outdo the music. Stone's head pops out of the curtain. The crowd goes even crazier. Stone struts into the ring with a confident smirk. He looks into the crowd and winks at a good looking gal, she just melts. Slide into the ring.
FRANK WARBURTON: Now the next opponent from Hollywood, California... Weighing in at a phenomenal two-hundred -seventy pounds... Accompanied by Demona, this is Diablooooooo!
Kingdom blasts trough the arena, the boos turn it down. Diablo and Demona exit the curtains, they walk slowly. Demona takes exception to some of the jeers, Diablo simply looks around with a gaze of death...
FRANK WARBURTON: And finally! He's from Chinatown, Philadelphia. He's six feet tall. He's two-hundred-thirty-four pounds. He's managed by Su Short Wang... He's FATSOOOOOOOOOO SAZUKIIII!
Fatso Sazuki rushes through the curtains, slapping fives with the crowd, as Fresh Prince blasts from the PA. Sazuki is once again dressed like a late eighties hip-hop star, up to and including a clock hanging around his neck. Of course, the minute and hour hands of this clock look like chop sticks. Su Short Wang walks slowly behind Fatso Sazuki, waving politely at the crowd.
BILL HEWSON: Title shot on the line... This a big match up for all three men.
JACK JONES: You said it, this match will make or break your career. You can walk out here facing the Provincial champ, or you walk as you entered --- a loser. I bet Fatso knows all about that.
The three men approach to the center of the ring. Harsh words fly in every direction. Stone seems to be... talking the sweet, sweet sweettalk towards Demona? He begins to do a Big Wiggle. It doesn't last long --- Diablo sends your favorite pimp into the ropes and goes for a huge clothesline. The pimp, being one step ahead, ducks and catches the unsuspecting Fatso Sazuki with a spear! He goes for a pin, ONE, TWO, Diablo yanks Stone off the downed Fatso... only to lock in his armbar submission on Sazuki! Fatso is in pain, the eyes open up. He's stuck , dead center in the ring. Stone now sitting on the top rope. He just sits there and watches what's going on. "HE'S ONLY MAKING MY JOB EASIER!", he tells the crowd.
BILL HEWSON: That may be true, but this is a triple threat match. If Diablo taps Fatso out, the match is over - it's first pinfall or submission, not elimination.
However, it is Fatso Sazuki who makes the ropes, forcing a break. Referee makes his five-count --- watch out for Stone Zellor! Missile Dropkick connects to the back of Diablo's head! Stone picks up Fatso, tosses him out of the ring, and goes in for a secure pinfall on Diablo. Not even a one count. It's going to take a lot more than that.
Fatso now making it to his feet. Stone rushes to the ropes, Fatso is now resting on the apron. Stone has too much momentum to stop --- he goes on the second rope, a Lionsault? NO! Fatso grabs his legs while on the second rope, dropping Stone to mat. Still having his legs in possession, Fatso places them over the second rope and under the bottom rope. Fatso hopes over the ropes doing a one-eighty, landing on the chest of Stone. He uses the chest as a diving board he does a moonsault, trying to connect with Diablo. He does, just doesn't take him down. Diablo catches the body, slides him onto his shoulder, he then drops to his knee, CRUSHING the abdomen of Fatso. Fatso rolls away holding his gut. Diablo now reaching his feet, walks slowly towards Stone. Stone is trapped, he knows pain is awaiting. "LOOK WE CAN TALK IT OUT!" Diablo replies with "TALK IT OUT WITH MY FOOT." Diablo rushes to ropes and comes off with a HUGE boot to the face of Stone. The boot gives Stone the proper motivation to free himself from the ropes. Diablo looks around at the damage he's done. Demona cheers him on. The crowd boos loud. He snaps back at them. Fatso taps the shoulder of Diablo, Diablo turns around into a kick to stomach. Fatso places Diablo's head under his armpits, drags him into the center of the ring. He goes to pick him up for a suplex. Diablo disagrees, he goes to pick Fatso up for a suplex instead. Stone returns to drop a BIG forearm into the kidney of Diablo. He tells Fatso to follow his cue. He runs to the corner, rests on the tope rope. "LIFT HIM UP!" Diablo is now vertical in air, but not for long, as Stone delivers a dropkick to his lips. The crowd cheers for this one. Diablo is tossed out of the ring courtesy of Stone Zellor and Fatso Sazuki.
BILL HEWSON: Seems to me these two are working cohesively as a unit...
JACK JONES: Don't get used to it. It's winner take all!
Stone and Fatso now meet in the center of the ring for a test of strength. Fatso being the stronger of the two, bring his opponent to the corner. Fatso begins to unleash an array of chops. Each sounding louder then the last. Stone's chest grows apple red. Fatso whips to another corner, connects with a body splash to Stone. Fatso now places Stone on the ropes, Fatso goes in for a suplex. Stone doesn't want to take that ride --- he begins to battle it out with Fatso at the top. Each blow causes each man to stagger back a bit. Fatso looking to end this battle, delivers a HARD blow to the gut, knocking the wind out of him, he locks in the suplex. Diablo comes back into the ring, he gets Fatso in power bomb position.
JACK JONES: THIS IS GOING TO BE CRAZY!
Fatso does the suplex to Stone while Diablo does the power bomb to Fatso, simultaneously. Both men down and Diablo stands tall. He nods, confident, at Demona, who gives him a creepy, sultry expression in return. Apparently this is encouraging. Anyways, the crowd boos the heck out of them. Diablo walks around the debris and pays the crowd no mind. He lands a series of kicks to the chest of Fatso. He walks over to Stone, takes him to his feet, tosses him into the ropes. Diablo catches Stone with a Samoan Drop, dropping him on top of Fatso. He goes for a double pin, ONE, TWO, THR and KICK OUT! Diablo kicks Stone off of Fatso. He sends Fatso into the ropes, clothesline --- too slow! Fatso still running, Stone is in the way --- he leapfrogs Fatso! Fatso STILL running, rebounds... he leap frogs over Stone --- Diablo turns into it! Tornado DDT! The crowd goes crazy.
And in a flash, Stone is on the top rope! Diving head butt collides head first with Fatso. ONE, TWO, KICK OUT. Stone, now on his knees, shakes his head in disappointment, wondering what can he do to keep a man down for three. Diablo is already up. He boots Stone out of the equation. He picks up Fatso and delivers a STRONG whip, tossing Fatso into the turnbuckle. The force sends Fatso walking out of the corner and right into the grasp of Diablo, Belly-to-Belly! Over the top rope! Fatso lands outside of the ring. However, Stone Zellor gets Diablo with a chop block. Stone now stalks the downed Diablo. He's made one critical mistake though. Demona is close, she's on the apron, right behind Stone. LOW BLOW! "OWWW!" Demona favors her arm in pain.
BILL HEWSON: She forgot the number one rule about Stone Zellor, BALLS OF STEEL!
JACK JONES: Believe me, those balls are vicious.
BILL HEWSON: Would you care to explain?
JACK JONES: People talk.
Stone laughs, and Pimp Slaps the girl off the apron. The crowd goes WILD! Chanting "YOU GOT BITCHSLAPPED!" Diablo isn't amused at all by this. He stands calm and cool, looking at his prey. Stone turns around, Diablo takes his damn head off with a FIERCE clothesline.
JACK JONES: I was starting to think it was hopeless!
"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH HER. I END YOU NOW." Diablo places Stone in the Tombstone Piledriver position and advances towards a corner. He's at the top now, Fatso enters the ring --- low blows Diablo! Stone drops into the ring, Diablo falls out of the ring and hits the outside hard. After bringing Stone to his feet, Fatso rushes to the ropes going for THE MOVE OF A THOUSAND BLINDMEN --- blocked! Stone Zellor with a kick to the gut and SLAMMY TIME! Just like that! Stone hooks both legs of Fatso Sazuki --- one, two, three!
FRANK WARBURTON: And your winner and number one contender for the Provincial title... "DYYYYYYNAAAAAMITE" STOOOOOOOOONE ZELLORRRRRR!
BILL HEWSON: A hard fought victory for Stone... and a great match. I can't imagine Diablo's all too happy about the way that went down, however. That's two weeks in a row he's been denied the opportunity to hit his top-rope Tombstone Piledriver and secure the win in triple-threat matches...
Stone exits the ring and struts away, puckering his lips at the girls in crowd. Diablo holds his "kids" in pain as Demona with a red face consults him. Fatso rolls out of the ring, Su Short Wang (wtf) offering words of encouragement...
FRANK WARBURTON: This next match is scheduled for one fall and it is for the NAPW Tag Team Championship!!
"Stinkfist" By Tool pounds the sound system and the fans pop HUGE baby!
FRANK WARBURTON: Coming to the ring first, they weigh in at a combined 464 pounds..."Superstar" Tommy Deathrow and "Sick" Billy Kryenik...they are the tag team champions, they are The DOOOOOOOOOMriders!
The dangerous duo make their way out from the back and head towards the ring. Neither man is smiling or acknowledging the fans. Tonight it's all business. It's all about the tag title belts around the waists of the Doomies.
"When The Lights Go Out" by The Black Keys (music only) replaces Tool on the speakers and the cheers turn to boos in a heartbeat.
FRANK WARBURTON: And their opponents, they weigh in tonight at 470 pounds...David Banks and The NAPW Provincial Champion "LDK" Lloyd Rees!!!
Rees and Banks makes their way confidently to the ring, Rees has his Provincial Title draped over his shoulder. They stop midway towards the ring as Banks gets into a war of words with some fans.
JACK JONES: I'm going on record now, I don't care if this IS "Superstars Rules" Rees and Banks WILL walk out of here as the new Tag Champs!
BILL HEWSON: Well they better watch out - Here come the Doomriders!
The DOOMriders have indeed bailed from the ring and bumrush the challengers! Billy is pummeling Banks with stiff right hands as Deathrow is putting the hurt on Rees! Deathrow smacks Rees in the face with his own title belt, and the Provincial Champion staggers towards the ring. Billy irish whips Banks into the ring barricade and then joins his partner in taking "LDK" Lloyd Rees into the ring.
BILL HEWSON: The DOOMriders are doing what they do best!
JACK JONES: Yeah --- cheating.
BILL HEWSON: There are no rules except SUPERSTAR rules, remember?
The DOOMies have rolled Rees into the ring and followed him in. Rees scrambles to his feet only to take a barrage of punches from the tag team champions! Rees is grabbed and takes a double Irish whip into the ropes and gets taken up into the lights by a high double back body drop! The tag champs high five each other and Deathrow takes his place on the ring apron as Billy pulls Rees up. One snap suplex later and the Provincial Champion is laying prone on the mat. On the outside David Banks sneaks up on Deathrow, grabs a leg and yanks "The Superstar" off the ring apron. Deathrows head bounces off the ring apron on the way down stunning him. Not content, Banks sends Tommy shoulder first into the ring steps laying out the DOOMrider! Banks rolls into the ring and takes a clothesline from Kryenik as soon as he gets to his feet! With Kryenik distracted, Rees drops the tag champ to the mat with a low blow!
BILL HEWSON: A desperation move from Rees might have just turned the tide towards the challengers!
JACK JONES: Desperation? Rees had lulled Kryenik into a false sense of security!
On the outside Tommy is getting back to his feet and tries to get into the ring to help his partner. Banks is quick on the draw as he hits a baseball slide into the face of The DOOMrider, sending him back to the floor! Back in the ring, Rees nails Billy with a DDT and goes for a cover. Billy kicks out at one and the challengers look frustrated. As the referee ushers Banks to the outside, Kryenik is pulled to his feet by Rees and shot into the ropes. It's reversed by Billy! Rees rebounds off of the ropes and almost gets his head taken off with a back elbow smash to the face! Kryenik starts to make his way towards his corner but is taken to the mat with a drop toe hold from The Provincial Champ! Banks reaches out and gets the tag as Billy tries to get back to this feet. Banks scales his way to the top rope and takes to the air driving a double ax handle to the back of a now standing Kryeniks head!
BILL HEWSON: The champs can't seem to get on track tonight.
JACK JONES: They're simply outmatched, Billy Boy! You're talking about facing "The East Coast Sensation" and "The Charismatic Colosuss!"
Banks pulls Kryenik to his feet but gets his head snapped back with a European uppercut from Billy! Billy tries to head for his corner but Banks takes him down to the mat with a low dropkick to the knee of the tag champ. Banks pulls Billy away from his corner but not before he spits at Deathrow! Tommy comes into the ring and clocks Banks with a left armed clothesline! Rees springs over the tope rope and rushes Deathrow only to be nailed with a brutal powerslam! The referee gets in Deathrows face and tries furiously to get him back towards his corner. Banks is getting back to his feet and takes a chop across the chest from Billy! A punch to the head, another chop, another punch! Banks is reeling, until Rees drives a knee into the back of Kryenik! The referee has finally gotten Tommy out onto the ring apron and turns in time to see Banks and Rees hit Kryenik with a double suplex!
JACK JONES: Billy is getting his DOOMrider ass handed to him!
BILL HEWSON: The challengers have used their technical abilities to keep this match in their favor that's for sure. They've cut the ring in half, keeping Kryenik isolated. It may be SUPERSTAR rules, but one rule is that Tommy Deathrow must tag in if he wants into this match-up!
Rees stays in the ring as Banks goes to the outside. Rees pulls Billy to his feet, Irish whips him to the ropes and nails him with a side slam! Rees gets a two count as the tough as nails Billy Kryenik kicks out! Tommy is stomping his foot on the apron trying to rally the fans. Rees tags out and Banks drives a knee into the ribs of the champ. Banks goes for his crossface finisher but Billy rolls through and pops David Banks with a forearm shot to the head! Banks uses a drop toe hold to ground Billy and tags in Rees. Rees leaps up to the top turnbuckle and drops a picture perfect elbow onto the DOOMrider! Rees gets another two count and quickly pulls Kryenik to his feet. Rees smirks at Tommy and hits the devastating Nish J Drop! Rees goes for another cover and again gets a count of two! Rees looks shocked and tags in Banks. Tommy has finally decided that he's seen enough and rushes into the ring. He hits Rees with a double leg takedown and tries to get to his partner. Rees however manages to hook a leg of Deathrow and keep "The Superstar" away from "Ill" Bill! Billy is trying to get to his feet when Banks locks in his Charismatic Crossface! Deathrow is kicking away at Rees with his free leg but the Provincial Champion won't release him!
BILL HEWSON: My God, David Banks has the Crossface on dead center of the ring! Deathrow trying to make the save, LDK has a heel hook on him --- they tumble to the outside!
JACK JONES: Think about your career, Kryenik! About your surgically repaired neck! Just tap out and end the torment!
BILL HEWSON: No! WAIT! Kryenik is alive! He's reaching for the ropes, this crowd on their feet! And --- Good Lord, Lloyd Rees just bent a steel chair over Tommy's head! Deathrow is down! But Billy Kryenik, by God, he's so close to the ropes! Reach out, Billy! Just get your fingertips on the ropes ---
And then Banks rolls backwards, hold still applied, until Billy is once again in the center of the ring. All his pushing for naught. Billy tries for the ropes a final time, a desperate lunge, but Banks cranks on the hold!
And Billy taps outs!
It's over.
BILL HEWSON: Oh my God! Billy Kryenik has just tapped out! We have new champions!
JACK JONES: I knew it! I KNEW it!
Banks and Rees roll to the outside and grab the belts from the timekeeper!
FRANK WARBURTON: The winners of this match...and NEW NAPW Tag Team Champions...David Banks and "LDK" Lloyd Rees!!!
Rees has a belt on each shoulder and Banks looks at his championship belt with awe. They're ecstatic as they head up the aisle... the stunned crowd watches the DOOMriders regroup inside the ring. They applaud the now-former champions.
BILL HEWSON: What a heartbreaker for Billy and Tommy.
Tommy helps Billy to his feet and the two men hug to a huge ovation to the crowd.
BILL HEWSON: They lost the belts but they're still the champions in the eyes of this crowd!
JACK JONES: That's loser talk. The only champions just walked through that curtain, and --- aiieeee!
BILL HEWSON: Can it, Jones, it's just a power failure. We seem to have lost power here momentarily, it's pitch black inside the Ogden Legion here... ah, there we go. Give credit to the Doomies, they --- wait a minute, where's Tommy Deathrow?
JACK JONES: Probably taking a nap underneath the ring.
Kryenik looks as stunned as Hewson sounds. The crowd is confused. The lights have indeed come back on...
But there is no Tommy Deathrow.
Kryenik looks around the ring, confused, even flipping up the ring apron. No sign of the Superstar.
Where could he be?
It's near the end of intermission, fans getting their snacks and pawing the merchandise. They're all waiting for Frank Warburton to announce the next match. They are certainly surprised when, for the second time tonight, "Kingdom" by VNV Nation plays. Diablo comes out to an enormous amount of boos from the fans. He walks over to Frank Warburton and grabs the microphone away before getting into the ring. He looks furious.
DIABLO: Shut up! All of you shut the hell up! For two weeks now, I've been in triple threat matches and you know what? I've yet to be beat! All I am asking is to give me an opportunity! I want to show you all that I can truly dominate and destroy in a singles-
Out comes Rex Caliber! Pop!
REX CALIBER: Diablo! Diablo! Diablo! Look man, I know where your coming from. And I, Rex Caliber want to give you that opportunity. But I don't think a singles match is good enough Diablo. (Pauses) Ah! I know! How about a Triple Threat Match!
DIABLO: Hey! I just said that I don't want to be in another Triple Threat!
REX CALIBER: Hey man, you don't have to ask twice, King of Triple Threat, thats what you'll be. And since we were just about to have James O'Ryan vs Jude Costigan... It'll be them vs DIABLO in a Triple Threat match! Bring those two out here!
Diablo looks furious and James O'Ryan and Jude Costigan are pushed out from behind the curtains. Diablo taunts the two and they shrug and rush toward the ring. O'Ryan slides in and Costigan quickly stops. He points at his head as O'Ryan gets stomped by Diablo. Morgan Smythe orders Costigan to get in the ring and he follows orders...This match is on!
Diablo looks over at Costigan who has just climbed in and quickly clotheslines him back out. O'Ryan manages to make it back to his feet and Diablo roughs him up with some of slaps before slapping on a headlock. Costigan manages to crawl back onto the apron and O'Ryan is instantly sent flying into Costigan. Both men are sent crashing down onto the floor, with Costigan meeting the security rail on the way down. Diablo slides out and nails O'Ryan with a kick to the ribs as he tries to get back to his feet. Costigan is clutching his head after his head to rail meeting as he attempts to crawl away from Diablo. Diablo then turns his attention to the downed O'Ryan and lifts him up to his feet and sends him spine-first into the apron. Morgan Smythe is yelling at the three to make it back into the ring... Diablo rolls O'Ryan in. He then turns away and walks toward Costigan who is rushing Diablo! Situations From the Crown! Diablo is nailed hard and falls to the ground. That running knee to the face definitely caught Diablo by suprise. Costigan grabs Diablo and rolls him into the ring. Here comes air O'Ryan! Standing Shooting Star Press onto Diablo. A cover! One! Two! Costigan with the save! O'Ryan rolls over and Costigan hooks the leg of Diablo! One! Tw- O'Ryan breaks the pin. WHAM! Costigan nails O'Ryan hard! BLAM! Diablo with a hard right out of nowhere! Costigan falls over and Diablo gets to his feet. O'Ryan's on the apron, Springboard Crossbo- CAUGHT!- Belly to Belly suplex! O'Ryan lands hard and Costigan rushes Diablo from behind, chopblock. Diablo is down to a knee and takes a kick to the back of the head by Costigan. Diablo goes down and O'Ryan rushes Costigan... "WAIT!" Costigan screams.
BILL HEWSON: "Wait?" Wait what? What's this kid talking about?
JACK JONES: You wouldn't know, Hewson. It's a rap thing. Word.
BILL HEWSON: Will you be serious?
O'Ryan stops and looks at Costigan confused. Costigan then points at himself and O'Ryan. Then he looks over at Diablo and signals for them to attack him. O'Ryan shrugs and the two head over to Diablo. He's up to his feet and he is FURIOUS! The two look at each other and begin to lay into Diablo who is firing back just as much, if not more then both the men combined. They manage to send Diablo reeling into the ropes and eventually beat him down to his knees. But Diablo just won't give up! He begins struggling, using every bit of energy in his body to get to his feet. Chickenwing by Costigan! Diablo is sent to the ground and Costigan won't let go. O'Ryan begins stomping Diablo and Morgan Smythe calls a rope break. The duo lift him to his feet and send him into the ropes, Clothesline! Diablo ducks! He jumps! Double Clothesline -CAUGHT- Double Spinebuster! They both leap for the cover and Morgan doesn't know which one to count! Costigan pushes O'Ryan off and gets a one count before O'Ryan pushes Costigan off for a one count. This process continues a little longer before Morgan Smythe simply refuses to count. They look at her and lift Diablo to his feet. Powerbomb by Costigan lays Diablo out. Costigan signals for O'Ryan to go to the top. O'Ryan shrugs and it's time for a little showing off! He leaps to the top with a single jump and he's about to be High Flyin' and Stylin' !!! Costigan runs up the corner --- Belly to Belly suplex! O'Ryan might be dead! Diablo comes to, just as Costigan hooks the leg of O'Ryan. He leaps nearly halfway across the ring to break it at a TWO. Costigan jumps to his feet and begins throwing hard lefts and rights, Diablo ducks one of them and German Suplex! He doesn't let go tough! And with a roll of the hips, the two are back to their feet for another German Suplex! He rolls the hips once more! Costigan stops it! Elbow to the back of the head by Diablo, he's going for another German --- Nope --- Costigan blocks it once more and swings back a huge elbow. It misses its target as Diablo ducks and plants a kick right to the guy of Costigan, DDT! Diablo goes for the cover! One! Two! Thre- O'Ryan breaks it! He lifts Diablo to his feet and Irish Whips him with all of his strength, only to have it reversed and get sent flying into the corner. Here comes Costigan! Kick to the gut by Diablo! Diablo capitalizes and whips im HARD into O'Ryan! Costigan crashes into O'Ryan and manages to stay on his feet...Here comes Diablo! SQUASH! Costigan collapses and rolls to the outside, O'Ryan stumbles forward and Diablo grabs him and sends him into the other corner, O'Ryan runs up the turnbuckle and Moonsault! DIABLO CATCHES HIM! He's climbing up to the top with a panicking O'Ryan on his shoulder...THIS COULD BE IT! FINAL JUDGMENT! The Tombstone Piledriver off the top rope! O'Ryan's career might be over!
ONE!
TWO!
COSTIGAN SLIDES IN!
THREE!!!
FRANK WARBURTON: Your winner of this match, via pinfall...DIABLO!
Costigan was too late! He jumps onto Diablo, hoping it wasn't too late and nails him with a couple of forearms to the back and neck. Costigan grabs hold of Diablo and lifts him to his feet. IRISH LULLA- REVERSED! TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER! Costigan is out, O'Ryan is out and Diablo stands tall.
JACK JONES: Winner of the match? More like OWNER. As in, O'Ryan and Costigan just got OWNED, Hewson. What a performance, I am in awe!
BILL HEWSON: I don't think all the ass-kissing in the world will get you a chance with Demona. Nevertheless, in his second match tonight... Diablo finally comes out on top in a Triple-Threat. I would not want to get on the bad side of that man, no sir. Diablo for the win!
"Kingdom" by VNV Nation starts to play and Diablo leaves the ring and looks back at the carnage he's caused. O'Ryan hasn't moved since his Final Judgment and Costigan has managed to roll onto his stomach. He laughs manically and turns his back to the ring and walks behind the curtain.
JACK JONES: ... and that's why I hate venison.
BILL HEWSON: Because of a school yard taunt?
JACK JONES: MY CHILDHOOD PAIN DOES NOT HAVE TO MAKE SENSE TO YOU!!!
Wow. If only someone's entrance music could break this awkward moment...
STONE COLD CRAZY!!!
And there we go. The fans go crazy for Simply Beautiful. The number one contender. The former Pure honor champ. And the man with a tall order to fill tonight.
FRANK WARBURTON: Ladies and gentlemen, this match is scheduled for one fall! Making his way to the ring, from Staten Island, New York, weighing in at two hundred and thirty five pounds.... SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!!!
A huge response for the young man. But a chant is starting in the back. Slowly getting louder, working it's way to the front. Nobody can ignore it:
"BEAST IS GONNA KILL YOU!"
"Knights of Cydonia" plays, and an equally huge pop for the former five time NAPW Tag Team champion. And another man with a title shot in his future.
FRANK WARBURTON: And his opponent, accompanied by Bill Fleming! From St. Albert, Alberta, weighing in at two hundred and seventy pounds... "THE BEAST" BRUCE RICHARDS!!
Richards is in the ring, and he doesn't take his eyes off of his sometime tag partner/current opponent. Simply Beautiful is confident, but wary of the man staring at him. The two men meet center ring and shake hands, which gets a good response from the crowd, and Referee Morgan Smythe calls for the bell! The two men lock up. Not surprisingly, The Beast has the strength advantage. SB is pushed to the ropes. He bounces back, ducks a clothesline, and gets a headlock on Richards. Richards easily pushes him off, SB hits the ropes again, comes back with a cross body, Beast catches, and slams the man from New York to the mat! SB is up almost immediately. He goes for another lock up, Beast tries to toss him to the corner - no SB with an armdrag! The Beast is down! SB goes for a quick cover, but the Beast kicks out with authority! Both men take a moment to catch their breath, and the fans applaud.
JACK JONES: What was that idiot thinking? Going for a pin so soon?
BILL HEWSON: It takes energy to kick out. Especially the way the Beast did. Also, Simply Beautiful may be playing some mind games as well.
JACK JONES: If he keeps it up, he's likely to get smashed into the mat...
The Beast and Simply Beautiful lock up again. SB tries for another arm drag, but Richards plants himself. SB tries again. Richards doesn't budge. One more time... and the Beast is done playing. A short arm clothesline damn near takes SB's head off! Richards drags the man back up, and hits him with a stiff palm strike. Then another. And another. And one more! SB is staggering. Beast hits the ropes and comes back with a roaring elbow that knocks SB into next week! The fans groan as Beast covers! One... Two... a kickout from Simply Beautiful! He rolls out of the ring for a breather, but Richards does not let up, as he hits a suicide plancha to the outside! Both men are down, but SB is the one who's hurt! Richards scoops up his opponent and tosses him into the ring. He follows, and sets up for the Chart Attack! The fans are on their feet, but it's too soon. SB gets a series of elbows to the side of Richards' head, forcing him to let go. SB goes for the Spin Doctor! But the Beast just tosses him into the corner turnbuckle! Simply Beautiful lands on his back, and slowly tries to re-orient himself and get back to his feet. He does, just in time for a boot to the face! SB is sent over the top rope to the floor, and the fans are on their feet chanting as one:
BEAST IS GONNA KILL YOU!
BILL HEWSON: I'm sure the fans mean no disrespect to Simply Beautiful, but it's hard not to be impressed by the power of Bruce Richards!
The fans keep the chant up as referee Smythe starts the count on Simply Beautiful. Richards doesn't want to wait though. He goes outside to drag his opponent back in, and get the decisive win. He has SB almost to his feet...
And then the desperation sets in. Simply Beautiful hits a drop toe hold, taking Richards into the guard rail. He quickly climbs to the ring apron, and then leaps onto his opponent, driving him into the railing. A smattering of boos for this, but most fans realize the situation Simply Beautiful is in:
Kill or be killed.
He rolls Richards back into the ring. Wasting no time he goes for the Triple Jump Moonsault, with the fans helpfully chanting BEST! MOONSAULT! EVER! He goes for the cover, but the Beast kicks out, though without the authority he had earlier. He goes for a head vice, trying to squeeze the energy and life out of his bigger opponent. Richards tries to fight his way to the ropes, but is too far. Simply Beautiful leans in a bit to see if the Beast is out...
And takes a fist to the face.
JACK JONES: Ooo. You gotta be sure he's out before you give an opening like that.
Beast gets another shot in. And another. Simply Beautiful lets go, but tries to get a DDT before Richards can get in the groove... no, too late. Richards pushes SB back, then clobbers him with a lariat! A huge pop from the fans as the Beast sets up for a pump handle slam... Simply Beautiful squirms out of it and gets a roll up! One... Two... Richards kicks out! He lunges at SB, and gets rolled into a small package! One... Two... Beast kicks out again! And again he goes for SB, swinging his fist hard enough to stop a truck! SB ducks, and slips behind to go for a crucifix pin! One... Two... Beast kicks out! SB tries it again... and gets a Samoan drop for his trouble. The look on Richards' face says it all:
Time to quit playing.
JACK JONES: Ladies and gentlemen, the ass kicking portion of this match will commence... NOW.
The Beast drags SB up, and plants him with a cobra clutch bomb! He covers! One... two.. Simply Beautiful with a foot on the rope! Richards looks slightly annoyed, but he drops an elbow on his downed opponent. Then another. He covers again! One... two... SB gets a shoulder up! ... Barely. The fans cheer, but the Beast rolls his eyes. He needs something more to end this... Richards goes to the top rope, and comes down with a diving moonsault! But Simply Beautiful rolls out of the way just in time! Both men are down! Smythe starts to count both men out!
One
Two
Three - Beast starts to stir.
Four
Five- Simply Beautiful shows a glimmer of life
Six - Richards is on his knees
Seven - Bill Fleming encourages his man as both men are trying to pull themselves up with the ropes
Eight - Both men are on their feet! Smythe stops the count. They come to center ring. Both men are exhausted, but the fight isn't over! Simply Beautiful with a punch! Beast responds! SB is shaken but he hits back! Beast gets in another shot! Then SB! Then the Beast! SB! BEAST! SB! BEAST! BEAST! BEAST! BEAST! BEAST!
BILL HEWSON: Simply Beautiful may want to rethink getting into a fist fight with Bruce Richards!
Richards has pounded on Simply Beautiful, who looks like he's out on his feet! Richards goes for the Chart Attack again! He has SB up! He throws SB's legs out to spin him into the face buster...
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL LANDS ON HIS FEET!!
SEXY KICK!!
BOTH MEN GO DOWN!!
Simply Beautiful crawls over to his downed opponent, and drapes his arm across for a cover! Smythe counts! One... Two...
BEAST KICKS OUT!
Massive pop from the fans!
It's Simply Beautiful's turn to roll his eyes. He staggers over to the turnbuckles, and climbs to the top rope...
BILL HEWSON: NEW YORK NIGHTMARE TIME!
JACK JONES: If he hits this it's OVER, Hewson!
And he does! Simply Beautiful hits it perfectly! The fans don't know who to cheer for at this point, but they seem happy when SB hooks the leg and Smythe counts
One
Two
BEAST KICKS OUT AGAIN!!!
You thought the pop was massive before!
JACK JONES: What do you have to do to stop that man?
Simply Beautiful is simply incredulous. But he doesn't waste any time. Back up to the top... and he hits ANOTHER NEW YORK NIGHTMARE! But wait! He doesn't pin! He leaps up to the top rope again, checks his man...
ANOTHER NEW YORK NIGHTMARE!
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL HOOKS THE LEG!
SMYTHE COUNTS!
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
FRANK WARBURTON: Here is your winner... SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!!!
BILL HEWSON: It took THREE New York Nightmares to do it, but he finally got the pinfall on The Beast! A huge gut check for Simply Beautiful, who gets the win tonight, and some momentum for his title shot in May.
JACK JONES: If he makes it till then. Look!
The Beast has made it too his feet. And he glares at Simply Beautiful. There is a hushed silence over the crowd. SB steps forward and offers his hand.
You can feel the tension in the building as the Beast...
accepts the handshake. The fans cheer for the sportsmanship shown, and the match they just saw... But then a masked monster bursts through the curtains and makes a bee line to the ring!
BILL HEWSON: CALIBAN?!?!? What the Hell is he doing here?
JACK JONES: Getting next weeks work done tonight!
Urged on by Miranda, Caliban goes right for Richards, who doesn't back down for a second! Security, officials, wrestlers rush in before the two behemoths can tear the place apart, even if the fans want to see this! Holy Hell! The Beast! Caliban! SB and security trying to keep these two from tearing each other and the ring apart!
BILL HEWSON: I know next week in REBEL Pro Wrestling, The Beast will wrestle Caliban in a special appearance! But I never thought I would see Caliban here, tonight, in Calgary!
JACK JONES: All I have to say, Hewson, is this: HOLEEE HELLL!
A dozen men are trying to keep the two powerhouses apart, as the crowd chants "LET THEM FIGHT, LET THEM FIGHT." It'll take a while to settle this one down...
BILL HEWSON: We have finally got things cleared up here, Caliban restrained and taken to the back... wow, what a night this has been. And we're not done yet.
JACK JONES: You're not kidding.
BILL HEWSON: Tonight is the night, Chris Casino vs Ravager II. And there must be a winner. The Pure Honor and NAPW titles will be unified by the end of tonight, and ---
JACK JONES: Oh God! Not again! Nooooo!
BILL HEWSON: Just go to your happy place, Jones. The second time tonight we've lost power in the building, and... well. Lights are back on, and... oh my word.
JACK JONES: Which word? And... oh.
Slowly the crowd begins to react similarly to Hewson and Jones. A stunned, horrified buzz races through the building as all eyes turn to the balcony...
The balcony where Sebastien Martyr has appeared. Sebastien Martyr, standing beside the bloodied, half-conscious figure that is Tommy Deathrow!
Deathrow is seated on a chair, hands duct taped behind him, ankles duct taped to the legs, mouth duct taped closed. Martyr has a microphone.
SEBASTIEN MARTYR: Not one of you believed me... certainly not this piece of shit right here. Last week... last week it was thought that I "got my comeuppance." That Tommy Deathrow finally "earned his revenge." I was HUMILIATED inside that ring by this man...
But he, and all the rest of you, thought that would be the end of it. That Sebastien Martyr would run with his tail between his legs all the way out of this godforsaken country. Well...
Martyr viciously backhands Deathrow. Tommy suddenly flails, straining against the duct tape. He's bleeding badly, and an ugly purple and black bruise is developing on his cheek. The crowd boos Martyr.
BILL HEWSON: My God, I think earlier tonight... I think Sebastien Martyr somehow, when the lights went out, attacked Deathrow. He abducted him --- look at the face of Deathrow, Jones! What the hell has Martyr been doing to him for the past hour?!
JACK JONES: ...I think he's been torturing him.
BILL HEWSON: He's sick! He's sick, a sick freak!
Martyr looks out over the crowd with contempt and disdain. But a small smile curls on his hateful lips.
SEBASTIEN MARTYR: Pathetic. Wastes of flesh one and all, especially little Tommy here. But no. You all need to learn... exactly who Sebastien Martyr is...
Martyr steps behind Deathrow, Tommy straining, no doubt cursing up a storm despite the duct tape over his mouth.
SEBASTIEN MARTYR: And exactly what Sebastien Martyr is truly capable of!!!
BILL HEWSON: MY GOD NO ---
JACK JONES: OH MY ---
Boot.
A single, hard kick to the back of Tommy's prison chair.
The horrified crowd watches as Tommy Deathrow, still attached to the chair, sails through the air.
CRASH
Deathrow crashes through the merchandise table positioned below the balcony. He sprawls, the force of the impact ripping him free from the chair. One wrist remains taped to the chair. The crowd is not chanting holy shit. The crowd is in shock. Deathrow is unconscious, his blood all over scattered t-shirts and posters.
He is not moving.
Up at the balcony, Martyr holds his arms out to his side, a strange, twisted smile of satisfaction on his face. He watches coldly, cruelly as trainers rush out to attend to Tommy Deathrow. Kryenik. Kneeling beside his best friend and tag partner. Earlier tonight, they lost the tag titles. Right now, that does not matter.
Kryenik stares up at matter, blazing hot anger in his eyes. Martyr merely smirks and walks off.
Though he desperately wants to kill the man, it will have to wait. Kryenik holds Tommy's limp hand, hoping for a sign of consciousness.
Several minutes later, Deathrow is loaded on a gurney, neck braced, and wheeled out of the Ogden Legion Hall, Billy Kryenik staying at his side. For they are Doomriders. They are friends. They are loyal. The crowd, unsure of how to respond, simply chants:
"PLEASE BE OKAY! PLEASE BE OKAY! PLEASE BE OKAY!"
Jack & Bill, looking concerned.
BILL HEWSON: I can't believe Sebastien Martyr. I knew he was twisted, but what he just did to Tommy Deathrow... he crossed the line, Jack Attack.
JACK JONES: Well you know, I'm a big fan of Martyr. I don't condone what I did, but I can understand it. Last week he was humiliated by Tommy Deathrow, doing that vile TNT move to him after a loss.
BILL HEWSON: That's no excuse! What did he do to the man backstage? And then throwing him off the balcony... my God. Deathrow has indeed been taking to the hospital, these fans are subdued. As they say, however, the show must go on. Let's go to the ring.
FRANK WARBURTON: Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for the main event of the evening! Please, welcome the participants...
"Smooth" kicks up. Only man in the wrestling world would choose a track like THAT for his music. And that man... is Chris Casino.
And he's NOT ALONE.
BILL HEWSON: Casino coming to the ring here, wearing the Pure Honor belt --- which he made by melting down the Kiniski Cup, appallingly --- and he's accompanied by his ex-wife Monique! When did this happen? Casino has nothing since his manager Raul Havok essentially stole his fortune out from under him.
JACK JONES: Can't you appreciate true love, Hewson? I for one think it's wonderful that Casino and his ex-wife are trying to work out their differences. Think of the children!
BILL HEWSON: I'm quite sure Chris Casino has no children... He's been talking all week about how he's got a plan, implying that any number of past associates are going to make sure he wins this huge match tonight against Ravager. Still, I didn't expect his ex-wife.
JACK JONES: And former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model!
Casino steps to the ring apron, holding the ropes open for Monique. She steps through, taking care not to catch her sparkling gown. Think Woman, Debra McMichael, any number of classic wrestling chicks. Casino kisses her hand and grins broadly at the boos that action receives. He smiles at the crowd, loving their hate as Monique applauds. Casino mock curtsies, further infuriating the Calgary crowd.
As if they needed another reason to explode when four cellos begin.
PATH.
BILL HEWSON: AND HERE COMES THE NAPW CHAMPION! This Calgary crowd has come unglued for Ravager, Jack Attack! And I wager they're looking forward to seeing him wipe that smug grin from Chris Casino's face.
JACK JONES: These fans don't know greatness when they see it. I mean, what do Calgary fans know about good professional wrestling?
BILL HEWSON: Well, this is the same city that produced the likes of Stu Hard, Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Bad News Allen, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Lance Storm, Davey Boy Smith, Dynamite Kid...
JACK JONES: Well sure, but I mean BESIDES them.
Ravager is in no hurry to get to the ring, but he's by no means relaxed. He rolls his neck on the outside, eyes focused on his victim. The man is an assassin, after all. No mistakes. The crowd has taken up the chant of "FUCK HIM UP, RAVAGER, FUCK HIM UP!" Casino maintains an expression of cocky arrogance even as Ravager wipes his feet off on the ring apron and enters the ring. He stares at Casino, then hits the corner and raises his arms up high. Finally, each man takes a corner...
FRANK WARBURTON: This match is to determine the undisputed champion of New Alberta Pro Wrestling by unifying the Pure Honor and NAPW titles! It will be one fall to a finish with a sixty minute time limit, and will be contested under Pure Honor rules ---
Chris Casino suddenly grabs the microphone out of Frank's hands, an incredulous look on his face.
CHRIS CASINO: Hold it right there Frankenstein. I think you're mistaken. This match is set for THERE MUST BE A WINNER, no holds barred, no DQs, no count-outs. So announce it properly!
BILL HEWSON: Chris Casino taking exception to the announcement of Pure Honor rules in this contest... here comes the Commissioner Rex Caliber.
JACK JONES: Haven't we seen enough of him tonight? It's not the Rex Caliber show.
BILL HEWSON: Unfortunately, Rex has been busy tonight thanks to various wrestlers... what's he got to say?
Caliber gets in the ring. He has a word with Warburton and grabs the microphone, looking at Casino. Ravager calmly waits in his corner, non-plussed by the apparent controversy. Caliber nods at Casino.
JACK JONES: Casino was telling the truth! Caliber is on his side! Hahaha, this is great!
REX CALIBER: Hey Chris, I've got a print-out here of the advertisement for the show, you know, and you're right. Let's see, I put "The winner of the match will unify the NAPW Heavyweight and Pure Honor titles into one. There must be a winner. In the event of a draw, the match WILL be restarted until a clear winner has been determined." Hell, there's got to be a winner. Definitely.
Casino smirks, quite pleased with Caliber's words. He turns around to mouth off to the fans, only to freeze at Caliber's next words.
REX CALIBER: Yeah, it says "there must be a winner." It doesn't say nothing about being "No Holds Barred." Nothing about "No DQ" or "No Count-out." And I'm pretty damn sure that the contract you signed for this rematch said that it was going to be the same as last week. PURE HONOR RULES --- the rules you love so much, right Chris? I mean they give you an advantage, you wrestle them all the time, 7 title defenses. It's not like you need to cheat or get interference to win titles or anything, you know?
Casino is starting at Rex with wide eyes, all the color draining from his face.
REX CALIBER: So since these fine Calgary fans don't need to kept waiting anymore, lemme just make it real clear: There must be a winner, so if we get that draw? Then we're going to restart the match! And remember Chris, if you get DQed, the title DOES change hands. Not that you would do such a thing, not tonight of all nights. Take it away, Frank!
The crowd is cheering, even laughing at Casino. Chris grabs Rex by the arm and offers some heated words, but Rex shrugs him off. Casino grabs at him again --- only to be grabbed by Ravager. They're eye-to-eye, Ravager mouthing "You need to worry about ME, Chrissy." They look ready to get into it, referee Dick Kiebiech gets in the way, separating the two. Finally, Frank looks to finish his introductions.
FRANK WARBURTON: The match is under Pure Honor rules. Each wrestler has three rope breaks. When they have used all three rope breaks, the ropes are in play. There will be no closed fists. The first will net a warning, the second will cost the wrestler a rope break. The referee may, at his discretion, charge a wrestler a rope break for unsportsmanlike conduct.
NOW... introducing first to my left, wearing red and black He is tonight the longest reigning single champion in NAPW history, having held the Pure Honor title for a record twenty-three weeks. Standing five-feet, eleven inches tall and weighing two-hundred and twenty pounds... he is "The Future," "The Icon," HE IS CHRIIIIIIIIIIIISSSS CASSSSINNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!
Casino seems to have regained his composure, grinning as Kiebiech checks his boots for foreign objects. He's clean, apparently.
FRANK WABURTON: His opponent, to my right wearing black. He is the reigning two-time NAPW Champion... he weighs in today at two-hundred and ten pounds, standing five-feet, ten inches. Ladies and gentlemen, The Last Resort, the All-Business Ass-Kicker, the White-Collar Assassin... HE IS RAAAAAAAAAAAVAGERRRRRRRR!
Kiebiech pats down Ravager, who never takes his eyes off of Casino. Kiebiech asks for the NAPW title belt. Ravager undoes it, folding it with care and giving it a possible last look. Kiebiech takes it and shows it to Casino, who seems entranced. Then it's the shinining Pure Honor belt Chris Casino must relinquish. He kisses it. Kiebiech shows it to Ravager. He holds both belts up high in the center of the ring, displaying to the crowd just what is on the line. Ding. Ding. Ding.
Ravager offers a handshake to Casino per Pure Honor rules, but Casino brushes him off. The match is on, Casino and Ravager circling one another. A much different start from last week's contest, neither man wants to give up rope breaks or make a mistake in the early going. Collar-and-elbow tie up between two evenly sized and matched opponents, Ravager wins the tie-up and gets an arm bar. Casino tries to reverse, Ravager simply re-reverses, still in control. Casino wincing in pain, he suddenly somersaults forward and pops up, twisting Ravager's arm and taking him down, but Ravager does the same thing and ends up back on his feet --- and still in control. He twists the arm above Casino's head, Casino being on his knees on the canvas. The Pure Honor champion trying to get to his feet... he can't seem to get out, going to the ropes, whoa! Casino uses the ropes to do a front-flip, landing on his feet and seeming to take Ravager down, but Ravager kips up --- STILL holding the arm-bar --- and takes Casino right back down to the canvas. Casino kicks the mat in frustration as Ravager cinches down. Crowd showers the exchange with applause as Casino wears a grimace on his face. Ravager takes Casino down again, and this time --- oh ho ho! Ravager rides Casino on the canvas, then paintbrushes the back of Casino's head. This time, Casino is furious as they get back up to neutral corners. Casino is telling the referee, demanding action, but Ravager didn't break any rules.
He just completely schooled Casino in technical wrestling.
BILL HEWSON: If this match was being scored on points, Ravager would be way ahead after that opening exchange. Casino did everything but Ravager just would not relinquish that arm bar until he was good and ready.
JACK JONES: Are we watching the same match? There's no way Ravager can outWRESTLE Chris Casino, he's the Pure Honor champion! All Casino is doing is lulling Ravager into a false sense of security.
BILL HEWSON: Sure he is. You have to wonder how long this scientific match-up will last, though, given all the bad blood between the NAPW and the Pure Honor champions...
Back to a lock-up, this time Casino wins, cinching on a headlock. "How you like that?" Ravager backs into the ropes, using them to shove Casino off. That's not a rope-break, the ref didn't break the hold. Casino goes running, Ravager tries a back body drop, sunset flip from Casino gets Ravager over, one, two, Ravager pops out and now has Casino in a pinning predicament! One, two, kick-out there. No close calls there, but each man with a two-count on the other using speed and ability. Back to the vertical base and Casino unloads a big knife edge chop to Ravager before throwing him to the ropes. Ravager reverses! Casino rebounds ROLLING HALF CRAB! LANCE STORM'S SIGNATURE MANEUVER!
CROWD GOES MAPLE!
Ravager cinching back on the hold, Casino in the middle of the ring. He's crawling to the ropes, no, he's trying to get free without using a rope break. Casino trying to pull on a leg, he pushes up and manages to use his opposite leg to shove Ravager off. Ravager releases the Maple Leaf --- BUT DOESN'T LET GO OF THE LEG. And you know what?
Just when Chris Casino thinks he's gotten himself free, he's trapped in the MOTHEREFFING SHARPSHOOTER.
BILL HEWSON: THE SHARPSHOOTER! SHARPSHOOTER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! The move made famous by Calgary's favorite son BRET HITMAN HART! HE'S WON CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH THAT! Ravager could win it right now --- my God, this place is going crazy!
JACK JONES: Come on, Chris, you can get out of this one!
BILL HEWSON: Casinon trying to reverse it, but he's not having any luck! How long can he last before... he's got the ropes! Not even ten minutes in, and Casino has lost his first rope break!
FRANK WARBURTON: Chris Casino has used his FIRST rope break!
Ravager is forced to release the hold, although he does make sure to wrench back for good measure before doing so. Casino is on one knee, hand to his back. Unfortunately for him, Ravager isn't going to give him any breathing room. The NAPW Champion takes a hold of Casino's head SLAP. Casino just slapped Ravager right across the face! Ravager doesn't lose his cool, but he starts on Casino ... who quickly hits the corner. Ravager comes after him, but the referee gets between the two, you can't fight in the corner THUMB.
And right over the referee's head, Casino jams a thumb into Ravager's eyes. Kiebiech was trying to keep Ravager out of the corner! Kiebiech looks confused but can't call a damn thing. He looks at Casino questioningly, the Pure champ shrugs. And then he cinches in a headlock, keeping his back to Kiebiech. The ref tries to stay in position but not well enough to catch Casino popping Ravager in the side of the head with a closed fist. Ravager stumbles down as Casino smirks to the crowd. Kiebiech asks him about a closed fist, Casino says "no." Yeah, right. But Casino's underhanded tactics have indeed given him the advantage. He throws some forearm shivers towards the bridge of Ravager's nose. Sick. Thud. Thud. The sound of cartilage breaking. The referee pulls Casino off, saying the man is in the ropes. Not a rope break, no submission or hold was being applied... and a trick of red comes from Ravager's nose. Looks like it may be broken.
Perfect, thinks Chris Casino. He grabs Ravager by the single-arm... and hits Divorce Court, the single-arm DDT, mashing Ravager's face into the canvas. Sit-up, grin, cover gets two. Casino is cool with that, he didn't expect to win it there... he just wants to establish dominance over Ravager. Casino waits for Ravager to crawl to his hands and knees, then leaps up --- what a vertical leap the high-flier has! He brings the leg drop down across the back of Ravager's head, again smashing the already broken and bleeding nose into the canvas. All perfectly legal. You see a weakness, you exploit it. Casino with the front-face lock pulls Ravager up. Double-underhook into a picture perfect butterfly suplex. With Ravager splayed near the corner, it's time to go airborne. Casino to the second turnbuckle, drives off with a very Bret Hart style elbow smash to the face. And the crowd realizes it. Casino even goes so far as to do the Bret Hart shrug, hands out to the side.
BOOOOOOOOOOO.
Casino loves it, but he's not forgetting about Ravager. The NAPW champ is to his feet, Casino comes in --- only to eat a chop! The smack of Ravager's knife-edge against bare chest echoes through the building. Ravager throws another chop, backing Casino off. He charges --- drop toe-hold by Casino however takes Ravager back down, and Casino quickly leaps over Ravager to drive a forearm into the back of the man's head. Ravager is trying to shake the cobwebs loose, but Casino has been relentless on his nose and head attack. In fact...
It's time to finish it, says Casino.
BRAINAHHHHH BUSTERRRRRRRRRRRRR.
BILL HEWSON: This could be it right here! This could be all! The cover! ONE! TWO! ... kick out by Ravager!
JACK JONES: That was a slow count, where's that Henry Andrews referee when you need him?
BILL HEWSON: He was fired months ago for corruption. So, it stands to reason that you would want him refereeing this one. So predictable, Jack Attack.
Casino isn't entirely thrilled at the kick-out, but he's alright with it. He scoop slams Ravager down into perfect position before ascending the turnbuckle to the top rope! Crowd is on their feet as Casino gets set for no doubt the CASH OUT 450 Splash --- he flies! Ravager moves! Casino lands on his FEET! Ravager --- takes a SPINEBUSTER. Then Casino grapevines the legs, turns his man over...
Oh no. Chris Casino is USING THE SHARPSHOOTER.
Crowd hates it. Holy shit, do they ever hate it. Casino's only response is to wrench back, screaming out "TAP OUT YOU STUPID MONKEY!" And Ravager is in intense pain, mouth open as blood pours down from his nose. He screams in pain as Casino continues to sit back. Ravager tries to push up, no avail. He's got no choice... he begins to claw the canvas and reach forward...
He inches forward.
Forward.
Until he can get his hand around the bottom rope.
Kiebiech immediately calls for the break, Casino holding on. One, two, three, four, Casino breaks. He reminds the referee that he has a five count...
FRANK WARBURTON: Ravager has used his FIRST rope break!
BILL HEWSON: The gall of Casino, using the Sharpshooter in Calgary. It's an insult to these fans.
JACK JONES: Why is it an homage when Ravager does it but an insult when Chris does it, huh? I ask you that, Hewson!
BILL HEWSON: Because Chris Casino doesn't know the first thing about "respect!" Nonetheless, each man has used his first rope break... Jack Attack, Ravager is in a bad way. Look at that bloody nose, it's surely broken.
Casino takes a hold of Ravager's head, snapmaring him over. He cinches in a reverse chin lock to wear down Ravager. After a few moments, he changes tactics, standing up and soccer kicking Ravager in the small of the back. Oh, you thought that was all? Nah. Casino comes flying in, flipping over Ravager and grabbing ahold of the man's head as he does so, snapping it forward to the canvas, Mr. Perfect style. Certainly appropriate, Casino thinks he's "perfect" after all. And with Ravager still seated and dazed, Casino gets another run and delivers a running flying big boot into the man's face! Good Lord! Cover one, two, Ravager kicks out again. Casino doesn't waste time arguing with the referee, he pulls the man up. It's OVER --- Bankrupt coming up! He has the arms hooked behind Ravager's back and turns him over, WAIT! Ravager gets his arms free! He wraps around Casino's NECK LAST RESORT! CASINO STRUGGLING FRANTICALLY! IF RAVAGER HITS THIS IT'S OVER ---
Wait just a damn minute, Monique is on the apron! She's screaming at the referee, and in the melee, Casino's trick knee acts up, sending his calf directly into Ravager's groin. The referee tells Monique to get down or else, then turns around to see Casino
BANKRUPT.
DOWN.
He covers ONE, TWO, THREE
...
NO! RAVAGER GOT A FOOT ON THE ROPES! FOOT ON THE ROPES!
FRANK WARBURTON: RAVAGER HAS USED HIS SECOND ROPE BREAK!
BILL HEWSON: AND THIS CROWD IS THUNDEROUS! BANKRUPT! Casino's won so many matches with it, Ravager with enough presence of mind to get his foot on the ropes! But he's down to one rope break --- thanks to that damn Monique! Why didn't the referee charge Casino with a rope break for that?!
JACK JONES: For what? Monique didn't do anything, the referee didn't NEED to turn his attention to her away from Casino and Ravager!
BILL HEWSON: The damn low blow... And Chris Casino is pissed! Ravager is up, CASINO WITH THE RUNNING STO! COVER! ONE, TWO, KICK-OUT! Casino furious, leg drop across the face! ONE, TWO, kick-out! Casino again covers, one, two, kick-out! My God! Ravager will not die, and Casino is beginning to lose his cool! What does he have to do put Ravager away?
JACK JONES: The answer to that question is coming right up!
Casino stomps the canvas, hunched down as Ravager slowly gets to his feet. He expended a lot of energy kicking out so much in so short a span. Casino waits... and then! SUPERKICK! Except for the part where, you know, Ravager ducks it, knocks Casino's legs out from under him and locks on THE GARROTE! STF WITH CRAVATE! CASINO IS SUDDENLY IN DANGER AGAIN! But --- but. He's so close to the ropes. And he's quick to grab them.
FRANK WARBURTON: Chris Casino has used his SECOND ROPE BREAK!
Casino isn't too thrilled, Ravager doesn't want to let go. Kiebiech stays between the two men, keeping Ravager away. Casino is up quickly, and throws a closed fist --- right over Kiebiech's head, the referee never sees it. Ravager stunned, and Casino NAILS the superkick this time! Out of nowhere! Ravager collapses in a heap, and here goes Chris Casino. It's going to be the picture-perfect flying elbow drop I bet!
WHAM. Indeed it is, Casino driving the elbow right into Ravager's heart. He covers, this is all, ONE, TWO, THREEE
NO! NO! NO!
RAVAGER KICKS OUT!
Casino can't believe it, holding up two fingers towards Dick Kiebiech. Surely that would have put Ravager down. But dammit, it didn't happen. Casino furious, looks around... and suddenly, he scales the turnbuckle again! He's calling for number TWO ---
A SECOND ELBOW DROP!
COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THREEEEE---
SHOULDER UP! SHOULDER UP!
BILL HEWSON: How did he do it? How did he get out of that? Casino can't believe it, neither can this crowd, but he's done it! And --- again? Casino is going to the top again, he wants a third elbow drop! If he hits this, I'm sorry, Ravager will be all out of miracles ---
JACK JONES: Oh no!
BILL HEWSON: Wait a minute! Ravager is up! He's fighting with Casino on the top turnbuckle! He's reaching way down, where could he possibly be getting this energy from! And they're --- jockeying for position, who will get --- HOLD ON! RAVAGER HAS CASINO! HE LIFTS HIM UP --- AND --- AND ---
JACK JONES: HOLEEEEEEE HELLLLLLLLL!
BILL HEWSON: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! RAVAGER AND CHRIS CASINO FALL TO THE OUTSIDE THROUGH THE TIMEKEEPER'S TABLE! Last week it was only Ravager, this week it's both! They are in the wreckage! And referee Dick Kiebiech has no choice but to make the twenty-count!
He's already up to four and nobody's moving. Monique is trying to help Casino up, but he's nothing but dead weight right this second. And even then, the referee warns her away from him. Seven. Eight. Nine. Nothing.
Ten.
Eleven.
Twelve.
Thirteen.
LIFE.
Casino is the first up, no kidding. And he's pulling on the apron... he rolls in at fifteen!
A count-out win is as good as a pinfall under Pure Honor rules. Casino barely knows where is but that's better than Ravager, who is barely... wait! He's getting up! He is up! But he's in dreamland, his back against the ring apron, he may not even realize he has to beat the count back in.
EIGHTEEN.
NINETEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNN...
BILL HEWSON: HE'S IN! RAVAGER IS IN THE RING! My God, the title was half a second away from changing hands on a count-out! That would give Casino the victory and both titles, but Ravager somehow got in! But what can he have left?
JACK JONES: He just delayed the inevitable, Hewson! If he was smart, he would have stayed down and lived to fight another day. Now Chris Casino is going to tear him apart!
Casino is quite tired himself, shaking his leg. He may have hurt it in the fall, but he's just trying to walk it off. Limping, he pulls Ravager up. Scoop slam puts the man down, and now Casino is going back to the top rope. He climbs a bit slower than usual, face showing pain. Never pretend Casino is not full of guts, despite his nefarious ways. He's up top, calling for the 450 splash...
But Ravager somehow is up top! And once again they are fighting it out on the top turnbuckle precariously! The crowd chants "PLEASE DON'T DIE! PLEASE DON'T DIE!"
Wait --- Ravager --- he's got Casino! He's got him --- LIFTS HIM UP! IS IT! IS IT?!
BILL HEWSON: INSTANNNNT KARMAAAAA!
The brainbuster INTO the turnbuckle! Good God! Casino may be DEAD! It's been ages since Ravager brought that move out! He's dazed, but he manages to hook the leg on pure instinct!
ONE!
TWOOOO!
THREEEEEEEEE
ANNNNNND NO.
Chris Casino reached out and grabbed the bottom rope at the last split-second.
FRANK WARBURTON: Chris Casino has used his third and final rope-break, the ropes are NOW IN PLAY.
The ropes are in play, but does Ravager have it in him to win? We shall see, but right now he seems to be content to shift Casino onto the bottom turnbuckle. Casino's face is against the padding, and Ravager oh Good Lord. STIFF boot to the back of Casino's head. He calls that The Silencer. And now he pulls Casino up, it's going to be --- IS IT? YES IT IS! THE LAST RESORT! THE LAST RESORT! COVER! NO MORE ROPE BREAKS! ONE! TWO! THREEEE----
CASINO
KICKS
OUT.
JACK JONES: Yes yes yes YESSSS! THIS MAN IS THE TRUE CHAMPION OF NAPW!
BILL HEWSON: Unbelievable, unbelievable! Chris Casino has kicked out of the LAST RESORT just moments after also suffering Instant Karma! But wait! Does he have enough left to get out of... YES! THE SHARPSHOOTER IS APPLIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! And Jack Attack, Chris Casino is ALL OUT OF ROPE BREAKS.
The crowd is in a frenzy. "TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!" they cry as Ravager cinches back, roaring through the blood and sitting back on Casino. Chris shakes his head repeately, nonono, but the pain is intense. He tries to push up, but Ravager stops that. Casino's hand is raised high, WILL HE TAP? No! He bites his own damn knuckles to prevent himself from tapping, but how long can he last? Ravager screams "TAP OUT! TAP OUT OR I'LL BREAK YOU IN HALF!" Casino... crawls! And crawls! He reaches out and grabs the bottom rope but it does him zero good, because the man is all out of rope breaks. Casino grabs the middle rope, he's desperate to get out --- they tumble through the ropes to the floor! And that's the only thing that breaks the hold. Referee begins his twenty count as Ravager untangles himself from Casino. He pulls the man up, irish whip into the guard rail! Ravager charges with a running boot --- Casino drops down. Whether on purpose or from pain, who knows, but Ravager ends up crotching himself on the guardrail. Referee's count is up to six! Seven! Eight! Casino should get back in the ring, but what the hell is this? HE'S ON THE RING APRON! ASAI MOONSAULT OVER THE RAILING ONTO RAVAGER! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN, in the middle of fans and knocked-over chairs!
But Ravager is trying to get back, the referee at thirteen. Casino is more worse for wear right now. Ravager climbing the guardrail --- Casino grabs his ankle and holds on! Ravager trying to shrug it away, Casino writhing and holding onto the ankle, nearly hugging it, he's like a damn pitbull!
SEVENTEEN!
EIGHTEEN!
Ravager makes a final thrust to free himself and does
NINETEEN!
He lunges
TWENTY!
BILL HEWSON: Wait a minute... we... we have a double count-out! Well, now what?
JACK JONES: I thought Rex Caliber said there must be a winner! I knew he was a liar.
The crowd is confused, some booing, some just muttering. What's going on? Frank Warburton and Dick Kiebiech are conferring with Rex Caliber. Ravager has his hands on his hips. Casino, conversely, is sprawled on the floor...
But he's grinning.
The conference continues, Ravager looking on, trying to wipe some blood from his face ---
CLANG.
BILL HEWSON: What the --- wait a minute! OH MY --- THE CHAIR WRAPPED AROUND RAVAGER'S HEAD! The chair swung by... RAUL HAVOK?!?!?!?!
JACK JONES: HAHAHA! I knew it all along, Hewson! It was all a plot! It was all a set-up!
BILL HEWSON: The match is over, the referee is conferring with the comissioner, but --- where the hell did RAUL HAVOK come from? He stole Casino's money! What is he doing here! Why did he --- there's no match going on, but he just blasted the NAPW Champion with a steel chair! WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT'S GOING ON?!
This might do it. Havok leaping the guardrail and helping his former client to his feet... and embracing him. Havok raises Casino's arm high in the air and points at him to a shower of boos. Ravager is down on the outside, and now Kiebiech is checking on him.
REX CALIBER: Hold it, hold it! What the (BLEEP) hell is going on here? I said there was going to be a damn winner... if Ravager can't continue this match... I said we had one champion leaving here tonight, if Ravager can't continue, dammit, I'll have no choice but to award this contest to Chris Casino!
BOOOOOOO. Casino gloats, Havok slapping his shoulders with a big smile. They've entered the ring, joined by Monique. Casino makes the belt motion around his waist, yelling for the timekeeper to hand them over.
But first. Rex Caliber has gone over to Ravager. Two men who have little respect for one another, who engaged in perhaps the most violent and horrifying feud in NAPW history. They caused a riot.
Rex Caliber looks straight into Ravager's eyes and asks him one simple question.
And Ravager grabs the back of Caliber's head, making sure he's stariing right at him.
Nod.
REX CALIBER: So I tell you what... this man here says that HE'S NOT GONNA STOP, MOTHER(BLEEP)! So here's the deal! THERE MUST BE A WINNER! We just had a double count-out, so NOW... THE MATCH IS RESTARTED! FROM SCRATCH! RING THAT DAMN BELL, DAMMIT!
BILL HEWSON: THIS ISN'T OVER! THERE'S THE BELL --- but dammit, Ravager was just blasted by a sick chair shot! Casino has the advantage! You wonder if he planned this all along!
JACK JONES: Chris Casino is smarter than the average bear, and Ravager isn't even as smart as that! Get ready for the undisputed champion, Chris Casino, with Raul Havok and Monique back at his side!
And indeed the words seem true, as Ravager throws a chop at Casino, but is met with several forearm shivers. He just sags. He doesn't seem to have anything left. Casino sends Ravager to the ropes, dropkick puts the man down. Casino gets behind Ravager as he slowly, wobbly raises... and locks on the full-nelson? Wait a minute --- LAST RESORT FROM CHRIS CASINO ON RAVAGER! Casino hooks the leg, counting along with the referee.
ONE
TWOOO
THREEEEEEEEEEEE
...
...
...
KICKOUTKICKOUTKICKOUT!
BILL HEWSON: RAVAGER! KICKED! OUT! THIS PLACE --- HOW! HOW! HOW! BUT HE DID IT! HOW DO YOU CALL THIS? THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE! WHAT WILL IT TAKE?!
Casino is in absolute shock. Flabbergasted. HOW. IS. IT. POSSIBLE. He argues with the referee... Havok is on the apron, tearing the referee a new strip for a "slow count." Kiebiech argues with him, and that gives Casino the chance to grab a rising Ravager --- LOW BLOW! And ---
FRANK WARBURTON: For using a low blow, Chris Casino has been charged with ONE rope break!
BILL HEWSON: It backfired! It backfired! Kiebiech caught him at it, and Casino is down one rope break in this restarted match... my God, Casino was OUT of rope breaks in the last match! The restart --- he got them all back!
JACK JONES: It doesn't matter if he uses one, don't you see? It was brilliant! A brilliant plan! Ravager is DONE!
Casino is arguing with the referee, but he turns back to Ravager. He pulls the man up, looking for what, we will not know, because Ravager is able to hit a sudden desperation Snap DDT! He promptly slumps back to the canvas as both men are down. Kiebiech counts, standing ten count, could the match restart yet again?
Not this time. Casino is up at eight, Ravager just behind him. Casino comes in with a shot, but it's blocked, and countered by a stiff headbutt from Ravager! Casino blinks away the pain, tries another forearm shiver, Ravager knocks it away and HEADBUTT. Casino steps back drunkenly, Ravager gives him another one. Another one. ANOTHER ONE. FIVE HEADBUTTS now, and Casino falls backwards into the ropes. Ravager measures him up... CHOP. WHOOOOO! CHOP! WHOOOOO! CHOP! WHOOOOOO! Casino's chest redder and redder! He staggers out --- Ravager grabs him! NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! He bridges and gets ONE! TWO!
THREEEE
Casino kicks out!
BILL HEWSON: What will it take? WHAT WILL IT TAKE?
What will it take? Ravager putting Casino on the top rope. And hitting Business is Business.
THE MUSCLE BUSTER.
ONE! TWO! THREEE--- but AGAIN, Casino gets his foot on the ropes. And again, the match continues. The crowd is exhausted. The wrestlers are exhausted. Casino is up... And Ravager swoops down upon him, locking in the Kata-Hajime!
THE TAZZ-MISSION!
Casino Freaks out, Ravager yanking him into the center of the ring! Casino reaches for the ropes, fingertips brush, but Ravager falls backwards! He pulls Casino with him and wraps the legs around, but... Casino is out! He's done! But never count the Pure Honor champion out...
Because somehow, someway, he gets a foot on the ropes.
There's the break --- RAUL HAVOK! Havok takes a swing at Ravager from the apron, but it's ducked! Ravager hits him with the LAST RESORT, bringing him into the ring! Havok folds up like an accordian, but suddenly Chris Casino is behind Ravager! BANKRUPT ---- Ravager counters, LAST RESORT --- CASINO COUNTERS, BANKRUPT --- RAVAGER AGAIN COUNTERS!
KATA-HAJIME!
And Chris Casino is once again ALL out of rope breaks!
BILL HEWSON: Casino is struggling, he's trying to get out! CAN HE? He's out of rope breaks ---
JACK JONES: But that didn't stop him last time!
BILL HEWSON: Chris Casino could pass out, he could tap out! Ravager is trying to get him down, Casino refusing! And --- wait a minute, just like last week! Casino pushing up the turnbuckles and backwards on RAVAGER! THE PINFALL
ONE!
TWO!
The Crowd deflates...
RAVAGER ROLLS IT OVER!
KABOOOOOOM! THE CROWD ERUPTS!
HOLD STILL ON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! BODYSCISSORS APPLIED! CASINO!
HAS!
NOWHERE TO GO!
BILL HEWSON: CHRIS CASINO HAS NO ROPE BREAKS! HIS MANAGER IS DOWN! HE IS IN THE CENTER OF THE RING --- AND HE TAPS! HE TAPS! HE TAAAAAAAPS!
Ravager doesn't break the hold for another four, five, six seconds. But finally he releases, Casino slumping forward with a purple face. Ravager lays down, chest heaving rapidly. The crowd waits with bated breath...
FRANK WARBURTON: Here is YOUR WINNER...
AND UNDISPUTED NAPW CHAMPION...
...
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVAAAAAAAAAAAAAGERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
BILL HEWSON: HE DID IT! HE DID IT! RAVAGER HAS UNIFIED THE NAPW AND PURE TITLES! HE HAS BEATEN CHRIS CASINO, SOMETHING NOBODY HAS DONE IN SINGLES COMPETITION SINCE NOVEMBER! RAVAGER --- IS --- UNDISPUTED!
JACK JONES: I can't believe it! I just... I can't believe it!
In the ring now, the referee has helped Ravager up, presenting him with both title belts. Ravager leans into the corner for support, he can barely stand at this point. The crowd is going crazy. Ravager has won. Ravager has WON.
On the opposite side of the ring, Monique and Havok (holding his neck) are helping Casino up. Casino slumps forward over the turnbuckle, spitting bloody.
It takes time. The crowd going nuts. But suddenly Casino has the strength to turn and look across the ring at the man that ended his 23 week title reign. And Ravager, titles dangling from his left hand, steps to the center of the ring and extends his right hand.
Casino eyes the offered hand like it's some dead rat. Ravager shouts "come on! That was the match of a lifetime, shake my hand!" The crowd chants "SHAKE HIS HAND! SHAKE HIS HAND! BE A MAN! SHAKE HIS HAND!"
And for a brief moment, it looks that Casino is going to shake hands with his ultimate nemesis.
Just for a moment. Instead, Chris Casino waves off Ravager and rolls out of the ring, followed by Monique and Havok. Crowd boos. Ravager shrugs.
The final image is Ravager, ascending the turnbuckle, a title belt held aloft in each hand.
Undisputed.