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Right, let's get a review up!
Sery/Carstein/Open: Decent start to the show, foreshadowing what's to come and show's that you just can't keep a good vampire down!
Quentin Cosmo vs Xavier Avana: Again, a decent little match. I think we all knew who was gonna come out the winner, but it's still cool to have a few more npc's (as far as I can tell anyway! :-P) to throw around! Good story and some decent spots throughout. I';ll also say, Cosmo's gimmick is kinda fun and quirky and has the potential to become obnoxious very quickly, which is not a bad thing! Good stuff!
Madeline Phoenix vs Bruce Rigg: I gotta say, I always enjoy reading Paige's stuff, and this was no different. The addition of Hazel to it was fantastic, and I loved the way you made out that she appeared from nowhere and proceeded to out commentate Jeffrey! Wonderful aside to this match. And now, this match. As gruelling and hard hitting as we would expect from these two and it was well handled. Having such stark size differences can be tricky, and again, it was well handled. A good story throughout, showing Riggs ruthless aggression, Maddie's stoicism and relentlessness, not to mention her general toughness. It was nice seeing the Black Flames penchant for outright breaking the rules backfire on them, and I enjoyed the keelhauled spot, we really should get that in more often... Fantastic stuff, and I'm sure we've still not seen the end of this fued!
4CW Hardcore Championship - Dark Lotus (c) vs Mark Redman: Well, this was an interesting one! I actually kinda like Mark Redman in a way, he's just such a douche, and to an extent, I'm not entirely sure of how aware he is if that! It makes for very satisfying matches when he get's his ass handed to him, which of course happens here! This Dark Lotus storyline has become quite interesting too, especially as it's integrated the supergroup. Looking forward to where this one goes. As for the match itself, I think the implications were more interesting than the match itself, I have to admit, bit still some decent action and a nice filler I think.
4CW Tag Team Championships - Run 'N' Gun (c) vs Silent Sorcery vs Synth City Thrillers: Wrote it... eventually! :-P
4CW Custom Cup Championship - Phil McGroin (c) vs Dirk Meyer, Chairs match: I loved how McGroin actually tried to wheedle his way out of this match in a way, by saying he kinew how Dirk felt and that maybe by following his example, Dirk would be in McGroin's shoes the next year. So very like McGroin, and of course, Mr Mayer ain't having it! Quick and short match, but that's to be expected with a chairs match. That pile of chairs in the ring gave me some old school E-C-DUB vibes which was fun. McGroin win's this round, but ends up with a bigger mountain in front of him in the form of Senecca, so good luck to him there!
Valentine/Inferno/Dubois Segment: More questions, less answers and a very worried Sery finishes this segment! Carstein's gonna be pissed when he has to pick up Marie from the hospital. And I really want to know Inferno's deal here. I'll also be honest, I don't know much of the backstory with Inferno and Carstein, except that they were tag champs and have feuded in the past, but what good tag team hasn't in this day and age! It's gonna be interesting to see if we can wring any answers out of Inferno or if Carstein will have to beat them out of him!
Rhys Cain vs Clyde Bonham, No Disqualification: Now, this was actually kind of weird for me, cus White does have old beef with Bonham, but any time Cain gets his arse handed to him is a good day, so I guess, go on Bonham...? This was an insane match, lot's of back and forth, crazy spots and a lot of good storey telling. Even Erica Moxie coming in could save Cain, and that was fine by me! I know we're a long way from extinguishing this annoying little candle, but it's a start, any chink in the armour is a weakness to be exploited and I love that! Well done Rhys for a great closing match, it was a lot of fun!
Match of the Night: It's tough, but I'm going for Maddie vs Rigg!
Moment of the Night: Bonham getting the 123 on Cain!
MVP of the Night: I'm gonna go with Maddie Phoenix.
Graphic of the Night: I like the Stormfront Atonement graphic.
4CW Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Triple Crown Champion 2020. 2 times Universal, 2 times Tag team and 1 Time World Heavyweight Champion.
Wrestler of the Year 2017, Champion of the Year 2017, Most Improved 2017
**PYRO**
**PYRO**
**PYRO**
Phoenix: Ladies and gentlemen, WELCOME to 4CW STORM FRONT! I am Scott Phoenix, joined as always by Ray Jeffrey and James Roberts! We are coming off hot from the biggest show of the year, Revival XIV! What an incredible show it was, and there's so much to talk about, but we have to also talk about what's in store tonight!
Jeffrey: That's right and in our MAIN EVENT tonight, it's a No Disqualification GRUDGE MATCH as Rhys Cain goes one on one with his former partner, Clyde Bonham!
Roberts: Bonham had enough of Cain's attitude and took him out at Revival - now it's time to settle the score tonight!
Jeffrey: And if that's not enough for you, we also have the Storm Front IN-RING DEBUT of 4CW Hall of Famer Jacob Scharff's son, Xavier Avana, as he will go one on one with another new 4CW signing, Quentin Cosmo!
Phoenix: Madeline Phoenix will take on Bruce Rigg in singles action! After Phoenix put his factionmate Erica Moxie through the sea of tables at Revival, Bruce Rigg has sworn revenge! Phoenix on the other hand, will look to build some momentum after coming only seconds away from winning the Lightning in the Bottle at Revival, before being beaten by just seconds by Phil McGroin!
Roberts: And we also have a championship match tonight! The new 4CW Tag Team Champions Run 'N' Gun are scheduled to defend the championships in a triple threat match versus the former champions Silent Sorcery and up-and-coming tag team the Synth City Thrillers!
Phoenix: All this and so much more, coming to you tonight! Only on the best wrestling show in the world, THIS is 4CW STORM FRONT!
There's a momentary silence, as if someone missed their cue, and then...
Roberts: I'm being told there's some commotion going on backstage.
Jeffrey: What's happening?
Roberts: A camera crew is arriving, we should see what's going on now.
We cut to the parking area, where a group of referees and agents seem to be stopping someone from entering the arena. The camera crew get closer, and we can see that it's Carstein, and boy, does he look bad! A bandage wrapped around his head, his left arm in a sling, his right arm with a crutch.
Carstein: Where is he? Where is the son of a bitch?
Marie Dubois is with him, trying to convince him not to go inside.
Marie: Look at you! You're in no state for this!
Carstein: I don't care, I want that fucker dead!
Ref #1: C'mon man, not now!
Ref #2: Leave it, you're too banged up!
Carstein ignores the lot of them, and tries to push pass them to get into the building.
Carstein: Out of my way!
Agent #1: We can't let you in, you're not cleared!
General Manager Sery, with some very visible grey under his eyes from tiredness and stress, appears.
Sery: Carstein! Carstein!
Carstein stops and looks at Sery.
Sery: I can't let you in man, look at you.
Carstein: Sery, if you don't move out of the way -
Sery: Listen, I'm not happy with what Inferno and Valentine did. But you can't come in with your injuries, we won't be cleared if anything happens.
Marie: Listen to him! You can't take on Inferno like this. Go back to the apartment, I'll see to that piece of shit.
Carstein knows he won't be getting his way, and sighs. He points at Sery.
Carstein: If anything happens to her, I'll hold you personally responsible.
Sery gulps slightly.
Sery: You've got my word, she'll be safe.
Carson: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!
"Between II Worlds" by NERO hits the PA system. The arena lights darken, and the spacey vibes of the music is accompanied by stars and planets swirling through a wormhole on the tron. Strobe lights flash around the stage and the crowd give a moderate pop for the eerie atmosphere that precedes the first competitor, Quentin Cosmo, as he comes out on stage as the beat drops on his entrance theme.
Phoenix: This man made his debut at Revival, in a losing effort against two other debutants. But tonight, he will look to prove that he isn't just some random jobber... and that he has more to give than he did at Revival.
Jeffrey: Not only that, he's also a nutjob who thinks he has come from the future, or something.
Roberts: Legend has it Doctor Who was inspired by the legend of Quentin Cosmo. His twenty-year break from time travelling to pursue a Pro Wrestling career is an ambitious goal! You can't stop time during matches HERE - that's against the rules!
Jeffrey: I - just - SHUT UP, ROBERTS!!
Carson: Introducing first, making his way to the ring from The Wider Universe... weighing in at 217lbs.... QUENTIIIIIN ... COSMOOOO!!
Cosmo gets to the ring and slides in under the bottom rope, then kips up to his feet.
"You Ain't Ready" by Skillet hits the PA system and the upbeat tune gains a bigger pop from the crowd as another Revival debutant comes out on stage.
Carson: And his opponent, making his way to the ring... XAVIEEEER ... AVANA!!
Phoenix: And here is Xavier Avana, making his Storm Front debut also! At Revival, he was revealed by his father and 4CW Hall of Famer Jacob Scharff, as the newest member of the 4CW roster!
Jeffrey: And unlike that time travel weirdo, Avana actually WON his match! He beat Mark Redman in quick fashion!
Roberts: Both men are hungry with something to prove, and that can only be a good thing for us watching tonight!
Avana gets into the ring and takes his corner as the referee Jason Trent does his usual pre-match checks and talks to each competitor. When he is satisfied they have understood his instructions, Trent calls for the bell and the match gets underway!
Avana and Cosmo lock up in the middle of the ring. Avana turns Cosmo into a headlock position, but Cosmo soon turns things around and puts Avana in a headlock. A quick takedown by Cosmo is rolled through by Avana who manages to get back to his feet and dropkick a seated Cosmo in the face for a quick cover! 1... no! Kickout!
Phoenix: Agile and impressive, but Avana is going to put no-one away with that.
Avana gets back to his feet, and after a moment, Cosmo is right behind him. Avana runs at Cosmo and jumps up into a headscissors, taking him down and transitioning into an armbar!
Roberts: Nice maneuver!
The crowd think so too, as they cheer in approval, but Cosmo quickly recovers, flipping himself over into a position to cover Avana! 1..2...no! Avana kicks out! Both men jump back up to their feet and stand off, and the crowd applaud at the very little between them.
Phoenix: Xavier displaying Revival wasn't a fluke and Cosmo showing he is not to be underestimated either!
The two clash again. Cosmo sends Xavier to the ropes and takes him out with a clothesline upon his return. He then repeats the process, picking up Xavier and once again sending him to the ropes. This time, Xavier sees the clothesline coming, ducks under and continues to the opposite. ropes. Cosmo spins on the spot as Xavier comes storming back - and manages to take him down with a snapmare takedown!
Phoenix: Cosmo can think fast on his feet!
Cosmo takes position behind Xavier and locks in the bow and arrow hold, using his knee in Xavier's back for extra leverage. Xavier struggles for a few moments, but then finds the strength to pull forward with his arms and break the hold. Xavier gets back to his feet as Cosmo marches forward with a few knife edge chops which rock Xavier and send him towards the corner. Cosmo takes a few steps back and then runs forward for a corner uppercut, but Xavier sidesteps and delivers a forearm which causes Cosmo to crumple in the corner, falling to a seated position.
Xavier swiftly moves away from Cosmo then runs forward and hits a CANNONBALL in the corner!
Phoenix: And there's the Phoenix Egg! Nice name, even if I do say so myself!
Jeffrey: But more importantly, he has Cosmo right where he wants him!
Xavier lifts up Cosmo so that he's standing up in the corner and runs forward, swinging his boot up to hit Cosmo - but Cosmo slips under and rolls out of the way while Xavier gets his leg stuck up on the turnbuckle. Cosmo rolls up Xavier from behind! ONE ... TWO ... KICKOUT! Xavier survives!
Phoenix: He attempted the Bent Outta Shape kick there, but Cosmo has obviously done his homework, and knows what Xavier had to offer!
Roberts: And he almost stole a victory there!
Cosmo and Xavier once again meet in the middle of the ring at around the same time but Cosmo is a little faster to make a move and hits the Atomic Drop! Cosmo then follows up with a superkick! Xavier rocks but doesn't go down - instead, he retaliates with his own superkick! Cosmo doesn't fall either, he grabs Xavier and throws him to the ropes, but Xavier jumps up onto Cosmo's shoulders on his return and hits the POISONRANA!
ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Cosmo kicks out!
Phoenix: What a sequence! And neither man is showing signs of quit just yet!
Xavier recovers quickly, trying to take advantage of a weakened Cosmo as he picks him up and lifts him up his shoulders - and hits a fireman's carry neckbreaker!
Roberts: And there's the Ushigoroshi from Xavier Avana!
Xavier covers! ONE ... TWO ... NO! Cosmo kicks out!
Despite Cosmo's resilience, Xavier doesn't stop. Immediately, he heads for the corner and climbs the turnbuckle all the way to the top. Xavier waits patiently as Cosmo groggily stumbles to his feet. When Cosmo finally faces Xavier, he jumps off with a Shooting Star Press DDT!!
Phoenix: Burn Out!!
Jeffrey: That move is just as impressive, no matter how many times you see it!
Xavier hooks Cosmo's leg decisively, and the referee counts ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Here is your winner... XAVIEEER ... AVANA!!
Win-Loss Records:
Xavier Avana 2-0
Quentin Cosmo 0-2
Phoenix: On his Storm Front debut, Xavier Avana comes out with a victory!
Roberts: What a start for this young man! It'll be interesting to see what he can achieve from here on out!
Xavier Avana celebrates his victory as we fade to commercial.
Jeffrey: Welcome back to Storm Front! And now, it's time for more singles action, boys!
The Volkor K remix of Scandroid's "Phoenix" takes over the PA system, complemented by dimmed lighting and dancing red spotlights.
Madeline Phoenix steps out onto the stage to the sounds of a hugely positive and vocal crowd. The red spotlights encircle her, then merge into one light that centres over Phoenix herself. With her glossy black-and-red lycra attire, wild two-toned hair and trailing streaks of eyeshadow, Madeline Phoenix's presentation is eye-catching and intense. Across her shoulders and extending down her arms to the wrists is an ornate pair of scarlet "wings", made of self-tailored fabrics and an intricate feather formation. Lit from above, The Mad Phoenix throws her head back and spreads her wings wide—an action that is met with blasts of colourful pyro going off on either side of of the 4CWTron! The aftermath of these pyro blasts sees two columns of red-hot flames licking at the steel frame of the Tron structure. Madeline is a ball of energy, bouncing on her heels as she feeds off the crowd response.
Scott Phoenix: There's my girl!
Witch Hazel: And heeeeere's Hazel!
*All three official commentators jump about 10 feet in the air.*
Ray Jeffrey: GAH!
James Roberts: Uhhhh... hello, Hazel.
Hazel: Hi!
Jeffrey: Where did you even come from?!
Hazel: Hazel doesn't know! 😄
Roberts: Uhh... riiight...
Carson: Making her way to the ring, FROM THE ASHES OF THE PAST... weighing in at 128 lbs... MADELINE... THE MAAAD... PHOEEENIIIX!!!
The lights returns to normal as Madeline Phoenix runs down and slides into the ring at an angle. In one smooth motion, she spins round on hands and knees such that she slips under the ropes and onto the ring apron. Here, she rises up, turns toward hard-cam and spreads her wings wide once more—an action that is mimicked by many of her fans.
Roberts: Madeline Phoenix had a great, if unsuccessful, run at RevivalWorld in the second annual Lightning in the Bottle match. Now, it's onward to one-on-one competition and she really has her work cut out for her tonight with a familiar foe!
Jeffrey: Yeah, there's a lotta history between the respective factions Rigg and Phoenix represent. We all learned fast that she's as tough as they come, but a one-on-one match with a tank like Rigg could prove to be too hard a mountain to climb!
Hazel: Well, Hazel says a Phoenix never truly dies, no matter what!! 😄
Phoenix: That's just might be the best call I've heard all damn year!
Ray & James: HEY!!
Before Ray can get on Scott's case for that one, the lights go down and Killswitch Engage's "Eye of the Storm" begins pummeling the sound system, closely followed by the intimidating silhouette of Bruce Rigg as he approaches the stage area. When he appears on stage proper, the raucous crowd lets him know exactly how they feel about The Black Flame!
Phoenix: And here comes big Bruce Rigg, complete with the chip he perpetually carries on his shoulder!
Jeffrey: Hey Hazel, if a Phoenix never dies, how about being buried alive? 'Cause that's just the man to do it right there!
Hazel: OooOOOoooh, a conundrum! Hmm... let Hazel think about it!
Paying the crowd no mind, Rigg stomps on down the ramp, looking about as approachable as a gator with a toothache.
Carson: And her opponent, from hailing from Glasgow, Scotland and weighing in at 310lbs... BRUCE... RRRIIIGG!!!
Bruce Rigg steps into the ring via the middle rope. In the ring, he simply moves to the nearest corner and stands there glowering at Madeline Phoenix. The latter, meanwhile, calmly walks along the apron and climbs up the ropes in the opposite corner. In the dark of Rigg's entrance lighting, Phoenix just stands with her feet astride the ropes at either side of the top turnbuckle, visible as little more than a silhouette in red. Fearless as ever, she doesn't look even remotely intimidated. All at once, Rigg's music just cuts out altogether and The Mad Phoenix silently spreads her wings wide, summoning crackling clusters of red pyro overhead—like red thunderclouds. Illuminated by the pyro, Phoenix is seen throwing her head back and laughing. In these short few seconds, Rigg's stoic front cracks slightly; he recovers it quickly, but some of the fans catch this and a brief "You got scared!" chant breaks out.
Roberts & Hazel: WHOA!
Jeffrey: For once, I agree with Roberts—that was wild! Did you know about the new entrance, Scott?!
Phoenix: Not at all! Frankly, I'd be just as surprised as you are if I didn't know my girl's talent for presentation!
The lights return to normal as Phoenix hops down from the top rope and settles into her corner.
Jeffrey: Oh! Almost forgot—did you think of answer, Hazel?
Hazel: Uhhh... Hazel forgot to think on that one, but yes she does, Mr Jeffy! Hazel says a phoenix always rises, even from a coffin! They're kinda like vampires that way.
*Ray is already struggling to stay on this ride.*
Jeffrey: Riiight... why didn't I think of that?
*Hazel shrugs.*
Hazel: Maybe you're a dumb-dumb!
Referee Anna Molly approaches the centre of the ring, prompting each competitor to do the same. Rigg, of course, towers over his opponent. In a close-up, Madeline tousles her dark, two-toned hair and we get a good look at her face; tonight, she's foregone her usual streaks of black makeup for fire-red lipstick and some glittery red eyeshadow with black and silver on the brow-line—a look that complements her updated, glossy red attire.
DING-DING-DING!
While the bell is still ringing, Rigg rushes forward and shoves Phoenix down on the mat with all his might! Anna Molly—who barely had time to get just two feet out of the way—is immediately up in his face about this, and the crowd lets him have it with a chorus of boos!
Roberts: Oh, you've gotta be kidding me!
Hazel: What a meanie!
*Hazel unwittingly squeezes Licky #98 harder as she angrily pouts; it looks like the poor plushie's head is gonna pop off.*
Phoenix: Boy that Black Flame attitude has really permeated everything The Liberation does of late, hasn't it? Just rotten to the core!
Now the fans have Rigg's attention—he can't help chuckling at all their outrage. All at once, Madeline Phoenix springs up off the mat, leaps at Rigg from a running start and rocks him with a forearm smash to the face; simultaneously, she grapevines her legs around the big man's waist so she can follow up with clubbing strikes to the shoulders! Rigg reels, momentarily off-balance, but doesn't go down. He then sets about breaking Phoenix's double-leg waistlock, succeeds and aggressively pushes her away again! Fired up and ready for it this time, Phoenix rolls through the landing—Rigg darts straight for her, gets sidestepped and finds himself clobbering nothing but turnbuckle! The 310-pounder wheels around and swings an arm out with surprising speed, but Madeline ducks the attack and catches Rigg off-balance with a dropkick to the chest to knock him right back into the corner! Phoenix follows in and lights Rigg up with a flurry of knife edge chops, then brings her leg up for a shoot kick only for Rigg to block it, shove her leg away and mow her down with a big shoulder block out of the corner!
Roberts: Hot action right from the word "go" in this contest!
Jeffrey: No kidding! And I know a thing or two about hot action, believe me!
Roberts: Can we just not go there tonight? Please?!
Jeffrey: Fine, seeing as it's your birthday and all.
Roberts: What are you on about? It's not my birthday, Ray.
Phoenix: Aww, ya blew it, James—
Jeffrey: SO JAMES' MOM, RIGHT? You wouldn't belieeeve—
Roberts: SOMEBODY MAKE IT STOP!
Hazel: Okey dokey, artichokey!
*Hazel casually whips her hair in Ray's open mouth and reels it back to herself, leaving him spluttering.*
Jeffrey: Ptt! Pleh! What the hell?! *(2 seconds later)* So, are you like, into older women? 'Cause I have this idea for a crazy-hot thr—
Phoenix: RAY!
Back in the ring, Bruce Rigg roughly hauls Madeline back up off the mat, sends her off the ropes and sky-high with a big back body drop! Madeline lands in a heap by the ropes, nursing her back with her left arm while instinctively scrambling to grab the middle rope with the right. Rigg is quick to follow up as she gets her left hand on the top rope. She struggles to pull herself upright as Rigg charges in for a clothesline, but Phoenix evades and strikes back by cleverly swinging herself sidelong and delivering a pendulum gamengiri! Rigg stumbles back, stung!
Phoenix: Oh that was one hell of a way to get outta that situation!
Jeffrey: When all else fails—and you're the acrobatic type—see-saw a boot upside his head!
Hazel: Yay!
Rigg shakes his senses back in order just in time to evade Phoenix's dropkick follow-up and yanks her onto her feet. Rigg sets her up for the belly-to-belly suplex, wisely making sure to trap an arm in the process. Before the lift, however, Madeline stomps down hard on his foot, momentarily breaking his vise-like bearhug. Undeterred from his plan of action, the brutish Scotsman sets her up again but this time, Madeline has both arms free. She puts them to good use, ringing Rigg's bell by clapping him round the ears! Rigg is now the one who's quite literally up against the ropes, and Phoenix wastes no time in bolting off the ropes and leaping at Rigg, driving her opponent—and self—out of the ring with a high crossbody! Phoenix catches herself using the top rope, while Rigg tumbles all the way down to the floor!
Phoenix: Maddie just threw caution to the wind and created a huge opening with that play!
Jeffrey: Always impresses me just how fast Madeline is, she took off like a shot just now!
Phoenix impressively skins-the-cat to get herself back into the ring, then does some mental calculations as she looks down at her opponent, who's currently leaning on the apron to help get himself back up. The moment he does, The Mad Phoenix slingshots herself over the top rope, comes down plancha-style and ends up being caught in mid-air! Rigg immediately takes off for the nearest corner and wraps Madeline Phoenix right around the ring post!! Without letting go or setting her down, the gruesome Glaswegian turns on his heels and rams Phoenix into the adjacent ring post and finishes by powerslamming Phoenix right on the floor!!! All at once, Scott Phoenix is on his feet, the fans are giving Rigg all manner of hell and Hazel is in Culkin-era Home Alone shock mode at ringside.
Roberts: How cold to the touch is Bruce damn Rigg?! Good lord the brutality!
Jeffrey: Scotty called it alright—these Black Flame goons need to be taken down a peg or ten!
Hazel: Preferably ten. Ten is bigger than one!
Jeffrey: Exac—
Hazel: Unless if the one is an ace, then it might be bigger 'cause it could be eleven! 😮
Ray keeps Scott at bay while Anna Molly heads out to check on Madeline, but Anna barely gets down on her knees before Rigg—looking satisfied with his handiwork—dumps his lifeless opponent onto the apron. Anna slides back in, Rigg rolls Phoenix along and follows in after for a cover...
One!
Two!
Th–break!
Madeline Phoenix instinctively sticks a foot out onto the bottom rope for the rope break! Anna Molly clearly raises her arm with just two fingers held high on one hand; Rigg's nostrils flare in response. Maddie tries to get back up with some help from the ropes, but Rigg just mercilessly clubs her down and stomps away on her back. After bringing Phoenix back up off the mat, Rigg shoots her off with an irish whip toward the near corner, only for Phoenix to awkwardly stumble as she goes; nonetheless, she pulls off a clumsy, last-second baseball slide to keep from falling into the middle turnbuckle. Rigg's body tenses as he readies himself for Phoenix to pop back up and retaliate, but she just lies there, favouring her lower back. Anna wants to go in for a closer look, but Rigg just shoves past the young referee with a look of destructive intent crossing his face.
Hazel: Uh-ohs!
Roberts: Yes, that. Another ace call, Hazel.
*Hazel beams.*
Rigg scoops Phoenix up high for the Freedom Bomb, but Madeline springs into action and starts hammering away at his head and shoulders. Rigg goes momentarily off-balance and soon finds himself draped on the middle rope courtesy of a release hurricanrana! Phoenix hits the ropes while Rigg scrambles back up and readies himself to counter, but Rigg thinks high while Madeline goes low with her dropkick, taking Rigg down to his knees! Lightning-quick, Phoenix runs the ropes behind Rigg and takes him down with a running dropkick to the back of his head! The fans pop and Phoenix (laboriously) shoots the half...
One!
Two—Rigg tosses Phoenix overhead with such authority, she ends up bouncing off the corner turnbuckles before hitting the mat!
Jeffrey: In an alternate dimension, that's just how Bruce the Brutal FedEx Guy delivers air cargo.
Hazel: Efficient!
Both competitors get back up at about the same time, with Rigg being a half-step ahead. The big Scottish bull rushes his prospective meal, but Madeline pushes herself up high using the ropes and Rigg eats nothing but boots! With her opponent dazed, Phoenix wraps one of Rigg's meaty arms around his own neck, goes back-to-back and springboards off the near ropes, coming down on her back to drive Rigg down hard with a supersized Regal Cutter!! Lying on the canvas, Rigg looks like he doesn't know where he is!
Phoenix: That had to be Maddie's biggest String Cutter yet! The fans love it, I love it and Rigg doesn't even know what hit him!
Anna Molly slides into position as Phoenix covers!
One! (Phoenix has good body-to-body but struggles to hook a leg...)
Two! (Rigg's near leg is cradled!)
Th–kick-out!
Undeterred, The Mad Phoenix gets right back up, slingshots herself onto the apron and slingshots herself back in, sidelong, to hit the Firebird Splash!
*Phoenix goes for a pin at the same time Roberts begins to comment.*
Roberts: Corkscrew—and the cover!
One!
Two!
Th–no! Rigg rolls a shoulder up!
Keeping up the pressure, Phoenix lays into Rigg with a series of stomps to the abdomen; all the while, Rigg tries to pull himself up with the ropes, soon finding himself seated with his back against the ropes. Rigg eventually manages to bring his legs in toward himself and push Phoenix away with both boots. Madeline is momentarily thrown off-balance but regains it quickly, then runs the ropes with great speed and slides right by Rigg, hitting him along the way with a big forearm smash and stopping herself on the apron!
Roberts: Just look how much the pace quickens when Madeline Phoenix gets on a roll!
Phoenix: She's up there amongst the fastest and most agile talents 4CW has ever seen, no doubt! Even to me, it's still phenomenal to witness. Hell, Maddie may even be quicker and slicker than you, Hazel!
Hazel: Hmm.. Elder Phoenix might be right. Maybe a friendly parkour race would be fun sometime!
Phoenix, meanwhile, pulls herself vertical, catches her breath and walks along the apron. As she climbs the nearest corner, Rigg begins to stir. Madeline skips the second rope and hops the rest of the way up, but before she can situate herself Rigg slams a forearm down on the top rope, causing Phoenix to slip and awkwardly tumble ass-first onto the top turnbuckle! Rigg uses this opening to collect himself and his breath before approaching the corner himself. Rigg makes his way up onto the second rope and gets his shoulderblades pummeled along the way. Rigg finds his balance anyway, then offers some return fire and sets Phoenix up for a superplex!
Jeffrey: Uh-oh!
Roberts: This could spell disaster for The Mad Phoenix!
Bruce Rigg makes his way up onto the second rope and gets his shoulderblades pummeled along the way. Rigg finds his balance anyway, then offers some return fire and sets Phoenix up for a superplex! Madeline tries to bludgeon her way out of it, but Rigg powers through and brings one foot up onto the top rope, soon followed by the other. The fans are on their feet in anticipation of unbridled carnage! Phoenix continues to fight back, but Rigg is just too close and too solid for her to land a heavy strike. The moment she runs out of fuel, Rigg hoists the weary upstart vertical, an action that is met by Madeline swinging her legs forward like mad and forcing an overbalance that puts right her back down on the top rope! Throwing caution and good sense out the window, Phoenix repeatedly rams her head against Rigg's and only stopping before the referee's count of 5 because she ends up too dazed to keep it up! Somehow still conscious and defiant, Rigg wraps his huge hands around Phoenix's throat and pulls her toward his face as he thrusts his own head forward, bashing her nose with animal-like fury! Bruce Rigg topples, stunned, to the canvas; Phoenix—nose bleeding and likely broken—sways insensibly on the top turnbuckle! The Fight Island fans and commentary team alike are in muted awe and for a long moment, and even the referee isn't sure what to do next. Eventually, her instincts override her bewilderment and she sets about checking on each competitor.
Hazel: OoooOOOoooh!
Jeffrey: The last thing anyone would've expected going into this match was a brutal slugfest and now look where we are!
On the top turnbuckle, Madeline Phoenix ends up slumped back with her head resting on the corner post. Referee Anna Molly leaves Rigg's side and heads out onto the apron to see whether Maddie is actually conscious or not, the result of which seems to indicate the latter. Reluctantly, referee Anna Molly is forced to call for the bell—
MADELINE GRABS ANNA'S ARM AND LOWERS IT!!
The collective commentary team: YES!!
Hazel: See? A phoenix never dies!
In the heat of the moment, Anna yanks her arm out of Madeline's grasp, clearly taking umbrage with being puppeteered. A second later, she realizes what this means and waves off the timekeeper before he can hit the bell!
Phoenix: And Anna Molly says this ain't over til it's over!
Roberts: Is Phoenix really in any condition to continue, though?
As if it answer Roberts' question, The Mad Phoenix musters her strength and proceeds to raise herself back to a standing position astride the top rope, forcing Anna to release the top rope and drop to her knees on the apron, keeping out of harm's way. Struggling with her balance and losing it just as she leaps, Phoenix has to pull together a mid-air adjustment, ultimately swinging herself sidelong to splash down on Rigg's back, knocking the wind out of him with a big rounding moonsault!! Groggy as she is, Madeline may not know it, but she's right on top for the cover! The crowd is hyped!
Phoenix: In a Haze, straight outta Hazel's playbook!!
Hazel: Aw, friends should ask before they borrow! But also YAY!!
Roberts: That was some really quick thinking on the part of Madeline Phoenix—any other kind of rotation or any less of what she just did, and this really would have been a knock-out for Rigg!
Referee Anna Molly clambers back into the ring from the apron and slides into as good of a position on the mat as she can, right up in Phoenix's face; all the while, the fans are going nuts!
Jeffrey: Hey wait a minute!
One!
Two!
FISHER OUTTA NOWHERE WITH THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS ON ANNA AND MADDIE!!!
Roberts: GOOD LORD!!
Phoenix: Dammit! If I hadn't been watching my monitor, I would've mowed this goon down!
Jeffrey: Don't beat yourself up, Scott. We were all watching our monitors, that's what we get paid to do. Minus Hazel.. who's still here for some reason. Still though, I knew I spotted movement outta the corner of my eye!
The atmosphere around the sea of fans is one of pure chaos, boiling over with a cacophonous roar of voices. Fisher, meanwhile, casually stomps on the back of Phoenix's head and stands in the middle of the ring looking pleased with himself.
Phoenix: Well Garret Fisher's got a hefty fine headed his way, not that he cares any. I said it right at the starting bell—the damn Liberation are so deep in this Black Flame rhetoric of dominance for the sake of it, there's nothing they won't do!
Roberts: And now we've got no referee!
Hazel: And the poor timekeeper got blue-belled! 🙁
Hazel gets up and sneaks around ringside (opposite hardcam), stalking her prey, but Fisher heads to the ropes on hardcam side and rolls out. At the same Fisher exits the ring, Tsukiko Mizuno and Oki-Kira come running down the ramp (to a big pop), apparently having the same idea as Hazel! The former tag team champs slide into the ring in tandem, and Kira mimes to Hazel that he and Kiko can handle this one. And with that, Tsukiko dives through the ropes, knocking Garret Fisher down with a suicide dive! Not done by a long-shot, Tsukiko throws the ring apron back, grabs herself a leg and ducks under the ring, dragging Fisher along for the ride!
Roberts: What the hell does Tsukiko think she's doing?!
Jeffrey: I dunno, but this match has devolved into Liberation-whoopin' madness and I'm here for it baby!
Back in the ring, Rigg finally finds his feet and immediately walks himself right into a
Roberts: KINSHASAAA!!!
Back outside, Hazel heads back to the commentary desk. All the while, Fisher can be heard screaming and yelping somewhere beneath the ring! Opposite hardcam, we're treated to handheld footage as Tsukiko Mizuno comes out from beneath the ring—still gripping Fisher's leg in one hand, and a balled-up spare referee shirt in the other. Kiko tosses the shirt in to Kira, but he flubs the catch, earning a cheeky "YOU FUCKED UP" chant from the crowd. Kira shrugs, playfully flips the fans off and yanks the shirt on to find it's about two sizes too small and the bottom half is torn to shreds. Back on the handheld at ringside, we see Kiko mugging for the camera as she sticks a boot up on the apron to reveal that it's peppered with countless thumbtacks!
Phoenix: I think The Rotterdam Raven just got keelhauled by 4CW's resident siren!
Jeffrey: If that means what I think it means, I like where this is going!
Sure enough, moments later, Garret Fisher comes crawling out from under the ring, wearing enough tacks and staples in his exposed skin for it to be considered a fashion statement!!! The crowd pops big for Silent Sorcery's enactment of vigilante justice.
Jeffrey: WOOHOOHOO!! Y'know, normally I'd say stick a fork in him, but I don't think there's any room left for one!
Hazel: Hazel says a shrimp fork would fit and complement nicely!
All at once, Sery appears on stage (to a big pop) with a live mic.
Sery: What the hell is going on out here?! I just had a catering guy come running into the office, telling me Tsukiko Mizuno is out here trying to make all-meat shish kabobs! You know we can't have open fire in the arena, people! .. not after what happened last time..
Sery clears his throat.
Sery: Now, you just come up here and explain yourself, missy!
Tsukiko trots up the ramp, signing in ASL along the way.
Sery: Oh. Right—the no-talk stipulation. Ugh. Meanwhile, I can't remember half the ASL I ever learned! This is just great.
Sery turns his attention to Kira, who's standing in the ring wearing a referee's top that's two sizes too small. Sery turns to Kiko.
Sery: Look, at least go tell that idiot he's not a referee, okay?
Tsukiko replies by leaning into the mic and loosing the Siren Song to end all Siren Songs, aging an arena's worth of frequency perception by about 20 years all in one go. For a long moment, Sery just stands there, looking like he's just slipped into an altered state of consciousness. Eventually, he regains the power of speech.
Sery: Welp, can't argue with that shit! You know what, carry on!
Sery merrily fucks off, so Tsukiko just shrugs and moseys back to ringside to see what's up in the ring. Lucky for her, she's just in time to see Madeline Phoenix finally coming to her senses. Phoenix hauls herself back up with the aid of the ropes and pushes her matted hair back; a camera view from ringside zooms in on her face as she wipes away what little still-wet blood remains, clearing up her vision before taking to the apron once again!
Roberts: I don't doubt her resolve, but after everything she's been through in this match, can the Phoenix still take flight?!
Out on the apron, Phoenix isn't moving along as fast as she'd like, but she nonetheless successfully climbs the corner and takes her place on the top rope. Her legs are weak and standing up straight makes them burn, but this time, The Mad Phoenix catches her balance and takes to the skies, twisting down onto Rigg with a picturesque corkscrew star press!!!
Phoenix: PHOENIX RISING!!!
Jeffrey: If Garret Fisher is shish kabob, then Bruce Rigg is about to be a pancake!
Hazel: OooooOOoooh, that's one big-ass pancake! 😄
Crop-top Ref Action Kira slides into position for the count...
One!
Two!
THREE!!!
The timekeeper rings the bell with orgasmic joy, and the crowd goes wild!
DING-DING-DING!!!
A flustered Michael Carson goes live on the mic at ringside.
Carson: Here is your winner... MADELINE PHOENIX!!!
Win-Loss Records:
Madeline Phoenix 2-3
Bruce Rigg 0-2
Kiko enters the ring as Kira raises Madeline's tired arm in victory. Then, together, they set about dumping Rigg out to ringside next to his teammate.
Roberts: What a bizarre contest this was, by any standard!
Phoenix: But any way you measure it, you can't deny the spirit of competition here in 4CW, and you definitely can't deny the gutsiness of the fast-rising star that is .. Madeline Phoenix!
Jeffrey: No question.
Hazel: Yay! Hazel's gonna go over there now!
Hazel leaves the commentary desk and goes skipping off to go celebrate with her faction-mates in the ring. At this point, the group works together to help Anna back to her feet, at which point the audience shows some love for the revived referee as well. All four members of the Order of the Phoenix, along with Anna Molly, have a laugh over Kira's itsy-bitsy, teenie-weenie, white-and-black ref shirtarini as we go to a pre-recorded video package
"Spiders on the Wall" by Magnolia Bayou hits the PA system as the lights go out and fog starts to fill the arena. Out comes a group of Swamp People, covered in rags and shadows. Then, out comes 4CW Hardcore Champion Dark Lotus, accompanied by Ol' Smokey himself.
Carson: The following contest is a hardcore match scheduled for one fall and it is for the 4CW Hardcore Championship! Introducing first, from Devil's Back Bone, Louisiana, weighing in at 275lbs... he is the 4CW HARDCORE CHAMPION ... DARK .... LOOOOOTUS!!
Dark Lotus enters the ring and the lights return to normal. Now in the lit arena, we get a closer look at the Swamp People. They cover their faces from the lights like vampires in the sun, but it is clear, their identities.
Phoenix: Oh my god - is that - that's - IT IS! Zak E Justice! Rane! The lot of them - it's The Supergroup!
Jeffrey: I think you mean the Super Swamp People, Scott. They are one with the Dark Lotus now!
Roberts: This is... so eerie... but I guess they are there of their own volition, so I guess... good for them?
Phoenix: You really believe they are there of their own volition?
Roberts: Well... it appears that way. Only they know the truth...
We cut backstage, where in a hallway, Janitur is seen watching the monitors. His masked face doesn't show much emotion, but his shaking head shows that he does not approve of this latest development.
"The Man" by The Killers hits the PA system.
Phoenix: Well, regardless of this latest twist in the tale, it is time for championship action and here comes the challenger!
Carson: And his opponent, from Miami, Florida, weighing in at 235lbs.. he is THE MAN ... MAAAARK ... REDMAN!!
Mark Redman, either through ignorance, stupidity, naivety, or a combination of them all, looks utterly unphased by the menacing Hardcore Champion, nor his cult-like entourage that surround the ringside area. In Mark Redman's world, no-one is more important than him, and he doesn't even look at The Supergroup as he rolls into the ring. As the bell rings, Redman isn't even looking at his opponent. Clearly not prepared, it's no surprise he eats an immediate big boot when he eventually does turn his focus to Dark Lotus.
Phoenix: BAM! Straight off the bat! Focus on your opponent, idiot!
Dark Lotus picks up Mark Redman, who suddenly kicks into survival mode, and throws some wild lefts and rights which actually gain some distance between himself and the Hardcore Champion. Redman back Lotus into a corner, and throws a few more shots, until he takes a second to take a breather. That quick second is enough for Lotus to retaliate, lurching forward and smashing Redman in the face with a brutal forearm that rocks him and sends him to one knee.
Lotus grabs Redman and throws him into the corner, and then delivers multiple shoulders to the gut.
Phoenix: Lotus dominating the early going, and look at all The Swamp People swarming around the ring.
Roberts: Who ARE these people?
Jeffrey: Well, I'm glad you asked!
Roberts: You know?
Jeffrey: I, uh - well, I know their names at least. Managed to get into a little chat with Dark Lotus. Eerie guy. Anyway, The Swamp People are Ol' Smokey, Blackie La Blanc, "Lizard" Lee Leppin, Bob and Delores Dolanin. And of course, the new members are The Supergroup.
Phoenix: Alright... so, all these names... which one is which?
Jeffrey: Beats me. I have no idea.
Redman stumbles out of the corner, holding his gut, leaving him in perfect position for Dark Lotus to take him out with a German suplex. Lotus rolls over and covers his opponent. 1...2... no! Kickout from Redman! Lotus grabs Redman and yanks him up, before tossing him out of the ring through the middle ropes like a ragdoll. Redman crashes on the outside and instantly, The Swamp Folk pounce. They each deliver kicks and stomps in an assault that seems to go on forever as Redman gets trapped halfway underneath the apron.
Then, suddenly, an eruption of water vapour engulfs the air where all The Swamp Folk were gathered. They all part, and Redman stands up - with a fire extinguisher in hand! He clonks Zak E Justice across the head with the fire extinguisher and then throws him into the group of Swamp Folk, where they fall over and each other. Redman turns the exntinguisher to Lotus inside the ring, and shoots it off. Redman uses this distraction to get into the ring. He runs at Lotus, extinguisher in hand - AND GETS CLOCKED IN THE FACE by a wild fist that seems to appear out of nowhere through the fog.
Phoenix: Redman is out cold!
Inside the ring, Dark Lotus emerges from the fog, a roll of quarters in his closed fist.
Phoenix: Old habits die hard! Quarter Pounder!
Lotus then picks up Redman and takes him out with a brutal and standard powerbomb, before hooking the leg for a comfortable 1...2...3!!
Carson: Here is your winner and STILL the 4CW Hardcore Champion... DARK ... LOOOOTUS!!
Win-Loss Records:
Dark Lotus 4-0
Mark Redman 1-3
Janitur is once again shown backstage, watching Dark Lotus and The Swamp People in deep thought. Finally, he walks away...
Phoenix: Well, I can't say this result is a surprise!
Jeffrey: Dark Lotus has looked pretty unstoppable these last few months, that's for sure! And The Swamp Folk - they are like a constant curse, looming over all of his opponents! It's eerie, man!
Dark Lotus is handed the 4CW Hardcore Championship by Ol' Smokey and he celebrates by raising it into the air as we cut to commercial.
The camera focuses on the ring where in the centre stands Michael Carson, microphone in hand.
Carson: Our next match is set for one fall and is for the 4CW World Tag Team Championship!
The crowd cheer as Carson does his best to hype up the small fight island crowd.
“Roadgame” by Kavinsky hits the PA and Reuben Kojo and Devon Drummond hit the stage with their customary enthusiasm and dance moves. Several members of the crowd near the entrance join in as they two boogie on down the ramp, air high fiving those they pass.
Carson: Introducing first, the challengers, from London, England, weighing in at a combined 454 pounds, Reuben Kojo and Devon Drummond, The SYNTH CITY THRIIIIILLLEEEEEEERRRSSS!!!!
The two men continue to dance around to the ring steps, before ascending and entering the ring, making their way to a corner to strategies on their match, their fun loving attitude now replaced by one of absolute seriousness.
The lights dim and a legion of blue spotlights bounce around the arena as some Japanese text appears on the 4CWTron. The spotlights dance toward the stage and spread out as the intro to "Forever Lotus" by RUDE. takes over the PAs. One by one, the lights begin to go out, until only the light that falls on center stage remains. Right before the song kicks into full gear, two bursts of blue pyro go off at stage left and right. Tsukiko Mizuno and Oki-Kira step out from behind the curtains to a mix of cheers, oohs and incredibly loud BOOS. They stroll to the edge of the ramp with an air of great purpose.
Carson: Making their way to the ring, the challengers, from Osaka, Japan, weighing in at a combined weight of 332lbs... KIRA ... KIKO ... SILEEEENT SOOORCERY!
The two turn and face one another, standing forehead-to-forehead. They stare into one another's intense, dark eyes for a long moment, then back off each other and run all the way down the ramp—ultimately sliding into the ring at full momentum. Oki-Kira slides headlong into the ring and front-flips to his feet, while Tsukiko simply rises up from the mat and climbs the nearest turnbuckle. When she hops back down, blue pyro blasts out from all four corner posts. Tsukiko and Kira then ready themselves for the match ahead, bouncing on their heels in anticipation.
Again, the lights fade to dark as the intro riff to Thundersteel by Riot hits. An animated graphic of a Spitfire with a flaming skull design on it's nose flies across the screen, it's engine noise blaring even over the music. It flies up and we see a steam train with a flaming skull at the front of it's boiler stack speeding along the line. The Spitfire begins to fly above it as the train turns to head towards camera. Drums come in as the flaming skull comes into centre screen and the words Run 'n' Gun can be read as Brian White and Tommy Young both hit the stage, White holding his belt over his shoulder whilst Young is wearing his underneath his trademark leather bomber jacket. Miss Teri comes to stand seductively between them, hand on hip, looking across the crowd with a half cocked smile on her features.
Carson: From Barry, South Wales, weighing in at a combined weight of 585 pounds, they are the 4CW World Tag Team Champions, “Top Gun” Tommy Young, Brian “The Freight Train” White, RUN 'N' GUUUUUUUUUUNNNN!!!
Linking her arms with both men, she leads them down the ring, Tommy smiling and waving as he goes, Brian resolute and serious, but still nodding at the fans as he goes. (This social distancing crap makes crowd interactions a bit awkward!). Miss Teri leaves the two men at the bottom of the ramp and heads to the stairs whilst Brian and Tommy climb the apron. Tommy hops over the top rope, White grabs the second rope, steps on the bottom rope and makes more room for Miss Teri to enter the ring, before stepping over himself. Tommy mounts the far corner post, whilst White takes the closest and they both pose for the crowd, Miss Teri standing in the centre of the ring, again hand on hip and smiling to the audience. The music fades as the two men step into the corner with their manager to confer.
Referee Anna Molly moves to retrieve the belts from the champions and hands them off to the time keeper before calling a member from each team to pull a straw from her hand. White's is decidedly shorter than the other two and he stalks back to his corner, letting Drummond and Kira start the match.
Phoenix: Well, we're ready to start and already the defending champions are at a disadvantage!
Jeffrey: Yep, they could lose their belts without ever entering the ring. The other two teams just have to be careful not to get in range of those massive tree trunks of his!
Anna Molly, happy with the preparations, calls for the bell to be rung.
DING! DING! DING!
Drummond and Kira both begin to circle each other, being careful to avoid the corner where White restlessly stands. Suddenly, they both go in for a lock up, Drummond using his slight weight and height advantage to gain the upper hand, through Kira does fight it, palming Drummond's face. With an effort, Kira breaks free and runs for the ropes, bouncing off then and going for a clothesline which, Drummond ducks, on the rebound, Drummond jumps over the speeding Kira, then lowers his head to hit a back body drop as Kira returns. Unfortunately for Drummond, Kira has this scouted and scoots over Drummond's back before hitting a devastating kick to the back of Drummond's knee, before turning and hitting a Leg Drop Bulldog on his surprised opponent.
Phoenix: The early stages of this match are certainly going in Silent Sorcery's favour here! That was a textbook Famouser by Oki-Kira!
Kira Turns the momentarily stunned Drummond over to cover, but the reff doesn't even have time to get into position before Kira is thrown off. Both competitors quickly regain their vertical base, though Drummond is holding his chin. Quickly looking behind, he backs into his corner and Reuben Kojo tags himself in.
Roberts: Veteran move by Drummond there, get his fresh team mate in.
Jeffrey: Veteran? More like cowardice! Drummond got his marbles shaken and he saw a way out!
In the ring, Kojo smiles down at the smaller man, a hungry look in his eyes. Oki Kira looks up into those eyes, a slight shiver going down his spine under that almost sinister gaze, and runs the ropes, bouncing off and hitting a clothesline, only to bounce off and land on his ass! Kojo laughs and grabs hold of Kiras head, pulling him back to a vertical base, only to pick him up and hit a body slam. Still smiling, he pulls the somewhat limp form of Oki Kira back to his feet and throws him into the ropes. White reaches out to swipe a tag, but misses by a hairs breadth! The crowd groan and Kojo laughs at the big man's consternation.
Phoenix: White almost got himself into the match there!
Jeffrey: And I think He's not the only one disappointed by that miss. Kira looks like he's gonna get flattened again!
Indeed, Kira rebounds off the ropes and runs straight into the size 20 boot of Reuben Kojo. His head bounces off the canvas as Kojo lowers himself to pin his opponent. Kiko is screaming at her partner, her arm outstretched, trying to get some life back into him, and even White and Young have their arms outstretch, both giving Kira more options to get out of there and to get themselves back into the match.
Anna Molly, dives down and starts counting the pin.
1!
2!
Quick as lightning, Tommy Young comes flying in with a drop kick to the back of Kojo's head, breaking up the pin. Before Anna Molly can really chastise the young man, he's already back in his corner, a look of pure innocence on his face. Kojo looks shocked into their corner and yells at them, this distraction, giving Kira a chance to crawl back to his own corner and tag in his partner.
Jeffrey: What just happened? I think I saw a blur or something...
Phoenix: Tommy Young certainly showing his speed there!
Kiko comes rushing out of her corner, hoping to take advantage of the distraction in Kojo and begins striking out at the big man, slamming multiple knee smashes into his face before jumping and hitting a standing dropkick, flooring his opponent. She quickly goes for a pin, but as Anna Molly counts one, she's bodily thrown off, landing five feet away, as Kojo begins climbing back to his feet, no longer smiling and a trail of blood running from his nose.
Kiko also regains her feet rather quickly, but is mown down as Kojo now seems fired up. He lifts her up, turns to face the champions, and positions Kiko for the Reubenage, mouthing off at the seething White.
Phoenix: Looks like Kojo is looking to put this one to bed!
Before he has a chance to hit his finisher, Kiko grabs the side of Kojo's head and screams directly into his ear, socking him into dropping her. Kojo staggers around the ring, clutching at his head, and in his disoriented state, he feels an almighty slap against his back. White climbs into the ring triumphantly, having stolen the tag as Kojo staggered in range. Kiko, somewhat worn as she was looks up at the fresh and a little angry champion, shakes her head slightly and dodges away towards her corner, only to see Kira still kneeling against the ropes and breathing heavily, then dodges the other way, surprising Devon Drummond with a tag before she escapes through the ropes and to her own corner. Drummond, who had been trying to help his partner, looks up in shock as Referee Anna Molly invites him to enter the ring.
Jeffrey: Now that's a smart move from Tsukiko, right there!
Roberts: Hang on, you said not five minutes ago that Drummond was a coward for doing...
Jeffrey: Shut up Roberts!
Drummond enters the ring with some trepidation. He circles the larger man, who's nonchalantly turning, keeping his eyes on the smaller man. Drummond darts in with a shoot kick to the knee. White winces and tries to strike out, but Drummond darts back. Drummond grins and goes in again, striking for the same knee again. White dodges, but not quite fast enough, only taking a glancing blow, but does manage a clubbing blow onto the back of Drummond as he retreats back. Drummond again makes his attack, this time going for the other knee, but White finally manages to grab hold of the smaller man, landing a stinging blow to his back and throwing him back onto the matt.
Roberts: Seems like Devon Drummond has the right idea. Go for the legs and try to chop down that massive redwood!
White steps towards his victim, though he does show a slight limp. With a grunt, he lifts Drummond to his feet and throws him into the empty corner, quickly running after him and hitting a devastating stinger splash. The air is blown out of Drummond as he drops to the matt, and White takes the time to play to the crowd, who cheer appreciatively. White then goes back to the fallen Drummond and begins to stomp a mudhole into him. Kojo has regained his composure and is shouting towards his partner for a tag. White looks over and grins at him. Turning his back on Drummond he walks back to his own corner and tags in Tommy Young. Tommy jumps in, White takes hold of Tommy's arm and slings him towards the opposite corner, where Drummond awaits. With a groan of pain from the crowd, Tommy hits a rocket of a dropkick, right into Drummond's chest!.
Jeffrey: That's gotta be it for Drummond!
Phoenix: Lesser men have had ribs broken by an impact like that!
Coughing, Drummond slumps over and Tommy pulls him to the middle of the ring. Tommy moves to grab Drummond's arm, but out of nowhere, Drummond grapvines the arm and locks in an armbar!
Phoenix: Something of a desperation move, but effective here!
Young shouts in pain and surprise, but Drummond's positioning isn't great, meaning Young is able to drop his knee right into the kidneys, loosening Drummond's grip and allowing Young to slip out. Drummond rolls towards some ropes and feels a tag, dropping under the ropes in relief, until he sees Tsukiko Mizuno grinning down at him. He climbs to his knees as sees Oki Kira squaring up against Tommy Young. Cursing silently to himself, he makes his way slowly round the ring to his own corner, clutching at his chest in pain.
Phoenix: Not often you see a mistake like that! It just goes to show, that even ring veterans can make mistakes with their ring awareness.
Jeffrey: Can you blame him after getting his entire body scrambled by Run N Gun?!
Oki Kira squares up to Tommy and grins. Tommy returns the grin and the both charge. The two exchange strikes and kicks and almost instantaneously, as they work to each others behind, they both launch into the air to try a Pele kick. Both hit nothing but air and quickly realise what happened as the crowd react with amusement.
Tommy is slightly quicker to his feet and lands a stinging shoot kick to Oki Kira's chest as he reaches his knees.
Phoenix: Oki Kira's in a bad position there, no one has the speed and ferocity in their kicks like “Top Gun” Tommy Young!
And indeed, Young shoots a second, then a third, with the crowd beginning the count. Four! Five! Six! The speed in increasing with each kick. Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten! At this point Tommy's kicks are going so fast the crowd can't keep up and Kira finally collapses against the onslaught, breathing hard, his chest bruising up before their eyes. Tommy seizes his chance and goes to his corner, jumps to the top rope, and takes aim.
Roberts: Tommy Young, going for the bombs away! This could be it!
The crowd roar as Tommy takes flight, but he hits only matt as Oki Kira rolls away. Dazed as he is, he rolls a little too far and Reuben Kujo manages to make the tag, climbing into the ring with bad intentions. Tommy, breathing hard and clutching his ribs, regains his feet.
The larger man charges immediately, hoping to take the winded champion by surprise, but Tommy matrix dodges a clothesline, leaps in the air as Kojo comes off the rebound, passing over his head, before hitting a picture perfect dropkick, stunning Kojo and dropping him to the matt. Tommy lies motionless as well, breathing hard.
Roberts: This match is taking a lot out of the competitors. Not to mention being difficult to keep track of the legal man.
Jeffrey: Humph... If there were a real bad ass team in this fight, it would be complete chaos, as these kinds of matches are meant to be! Whoever booked this match to only have these "honourable" teams is an idiot!
Phoenix: *Ahem* That would be our boss, the man who signs the pay cheques...
Jeffrey: Oh! Yeah, right... genius, obviously.............. Shut up Roberts....
Roberts: What?!
The two legal men are still down, and Anna Molly is about to start the count when Tommy rises himself to his knees. Drummond is stamping his feet and reaching out to his partner, Silent Sorcery are both stood at their corner, Kira obviously resting, Kiko raring to get back into this match and White just nods at his partner, who nods back.
Young is back on his feet as Kojo finally begins climbing to his own. Tommy takes this opportunity to unleash the machine gun kicks onto his opponent, wearing him down further. He ends his attack perhaps a little prematurely and steps back, goading the big man to come at him. Dazed and maybe a little delirious, Kojo ignores the pleas of his partner and lumbers after the smaller man, who just smiles!
Tommy hits a low dropkick to Kojo's knee, draping the bigger man across the second rope. Tommy stretches out his arm and White tags in just before Tommy sprints to the opposite rope, rebounds, comes flying back to hit a tiger feint kick right in Kojo's jaw!
Phoenix: This could be it folks, White is gathering steam!
And indeed, as Kojo staggers back, White runs right through him with a devastating spear! Kojo is out and White goes for the cover. Anna Molly drops down and begins the count.
1!
Drummond charges through the ropes only to meet Tommy who hits a massive super kick! Drummond rolls out of the ring.
2!
Silent Sorcery also begin to charge, but again, Tommy Young is on the move and manages to crossbody both members before they can reach White!
3!
DING! DING! DING!!!
Carson: Here are your winners, and still 4CW Tag Team Champions, RRRRRRUN 'N' GUUUUUUUUUUNNNN!!!
Win-Loss Records:
Brian White 4-5
Tommy Young 4-4
Reuben Kojo 1-1
Devon Drummond 1-1
Oki-Kira 1-4
Tsukiko Mizuno 1-4
White climbs to his feet and raises his arms as the small crowd cheers enthusiastically. Young joins him in the centre of the ring, winded again due to the speed he was moving and allows his arm to be raised by Anna Molly as Miss Teri, belts in hand, enters the ring to stand with her men.
Phoenix: And there we have it, thanks to some incredible defence work by “Top Gun” Tommy Young, Run 'N' Gun have their first title defence!
Roberts: And what a doozy it was!
Jeffrey: Humph... well, I'll tell you what else, we're barely getting started! Coming up next, the 4CW Custom Cup Champion and Lightning in the Bottle holder Phil McGroin defends his Custom Cup title against Dirk Meyer! Don't go anywhere!
Carson: The following contest is a CHAIRS match, scheduled for one fall, and it is for the 4CW Custom Cup Championship!!
"Step" by Ministry hits the PA system. Dirk Meyer, a month removed from his vicious plunge into the sea of tables, still moves a little gingerly, and there's a yellow-tinged bruise still visible on his left upper arm.
Carson: Introducing first, the challenger, from Valhalla, New York, weighing in at 240lbs, DIRK ... MEYEEEER!!
Phoenix: This is a huge opportunity for Dirk Meyer tonight, to obtain singles gold for the first time in his 16-year 4CW career... but more than that, this one is personal. Let's take a look back at what happened in the Lightning in the Bottle match at Revival between Phil McGroin and Dirk Meyer...
Phoenix: Now Dirk Meyer, certainly not 100%, will take on the 4CW Custom Cup Champion and Lightning in the Bottle holder, Phil McGroin, in a chairs match!
As Meyer gets to the ringside area, he flips up the apron. He pulls out two chairs and throws them into the ring. He grabs a third, and rolls into the ring with it. Meyer then waits, holding the chair, for his opponent.
"Numb" by Linkin Park hits the PA system. Out comes Phil McGroin, flanked with his ever-present Camera Man. Camera Man gets the best shot of McGroin, with the 4CW Custom Cup Championship around his waist, a steel chair in one hand and the Lightning in the Bottle in his other hand.
Phoenix: Phil McGroin is looking like a pirate who just found the treasure at the moment!
Roberts: I'm not sure I've ever seen him look so smug.
Carson: And his opponent, from Helston, England, weighing in at 14 stone, he is the Lightning in the Bottle holder and the 4CW CUSTOM CUP CHAMPION ... PHIIIIL ... MCGROIN!!
McGroin comes down the ramp, handing off his Lightning in the Bottle to Camera Man with strict instructions that if the bottle gets hurt, so does Camera Man. He then unstraps his belt and hands it to a ringside official, before sliding in the ring and meeting Dirk Meyer across the ring, eye to eye, both holding steel chairs, both ready to strike at any given moment.
McGroin: Don't take it personally, Dirk! I went through the sea of tables myself last year, and now look! Next time out, I won the whole thing. Maybe next year will be your year!
Dirk doesn't reply, he just waits with a ghost of a smirk on his face for the bell to ring. When it finally does, Meyer charges at McGroin and swings. McGroin holds his own chair up in defence, the shockwave of which causes McGroin to drop his own chair. McGroin swiftly falls to the mat and rolls out of the ring to recompose himself and rethink his strategy. He flips over the apron and pulls out another chair. He then throws another chair at Camera Man and demand he get up on the opposite side of the ring to trap Meyer.
Sighing, and completely against his own will, Camera Man does as he is told. He grabs the chair, putting down his camera, and both he and McGroin surround Meyer in the ring from opposite sides. Meyer realises his predicament, shrugs, then runs for McGroin - before stopping, and turning in the opposite direction, knocking Camera Man off the apron with a chair shot! Camera Man goes down and McGroin gets into the ring, smacking Meyer across the back with his own chair.
Phoenix: Well, Meyer knew he was in trouble there and I guess he figured, get rid of the interference first and deal with McGroin later.
Jeffrey: And that got him a chair shot! Good job!
McGroin slams the chair into the back of Meyer again, who falls to his knees. McGroin then throws the chair on the floor, picks up Meyer, and hits a snap suplex into it! Quick cover! 1...2...no! Meyer kicks out!
Phoenix: Tough shots to take, but Meyer has the veteran experience!
McGroin immediately jumps back on the offence and sends Meyer to the ropes. On his return, McGroin takes him down with a clothesline. He then impressively jumps into the air for a standing 360 splash which he hits on a fallen Meyer and covers again! ONE ... TWO ... KICKOUT! Meyer rolls away from McGroin but McGroin grabs him and whips him into a corner.
Roberts: Impressive moves from McGroin and he is properly in the driver's seat now.
Jeffrey: And that's why he's Custom Cup Champion, Roberts!
McGroin stands over Meyer in the corner and unleashes a series of knife edge chops, but after the third, something awakens in Meyer. He punches McGroin in the jaw with a jab, then puts McGroin in the corner, and unleashes his own flurry of knife edge chops, considerably faster than the champion's! After eight or nine of these chops, Meyer takes down McGroin with a snapmare and finishes with a dropkick!! He quickly covers the champion.... 1...2...NO! McGroin kicks out!
Phoenix: Meyer has found an opportunity here - can he take advantage?
McGroin scrambles to his feet, not wanting to give up the opening domination he has so far enjoyed, but Meyer is already three steps ahead. Meyer grabs McGroin and hits a suplex of his own - and he too, like McGroin, lands the suplex on top of the steel chair. McGroin still tries to scramble up, this time gingerly holding his back and falls into a second suplex, this time landing on the mat. Meyer covers McGroin again. 1...2...no! McGroin kicks out!
Phoenix: And Meyer has turned things around here! McGroin could be in trouble!
Jeffrey: No way! McGroin still has plenty left in the tank!
Once again, Meyer is first to his feet. And once again, Meyer grabs McGroin, this time he locks him in a Full Nelson. But he doesn't put pressure on the hold, instead Meyer spins on the spot and hits a modified neckbreaker!
Phoenix: Signature, unorthodox style of Meyer! Full Nelson Spinning Neckbreaker!
Roberts: Could this be it for McGroin?!
Meyer covers and the ref slides in to count... ONE ... TWO ... NO!! McGroin kicks out!
Jeffrey: McGroin kicks out! This is why cows are terrified of him!
Meyer once again gets up, this time starting to feel the fatigue set in, and grabs McGroin, pulling him up with some considerable effort. He then puts McGroin in position, and Phoenix knows what's coming.
Phoenix: Are we going to see the The Eclipse?! - NO!
McGroin slips away from Meyer's grasp and spins him around, grabs Meyer and hits a back suplex! McGroin then stumbles back up and decides he's had enough wrestling, and grabs all the steel chairs he can find around the ring and down at ringside (passed up by a recovering Camera Man) and piles them in the middle of the ring so that there are at least 7 or 8 chairs stacked in a pile.
Roberts: I wonder what despicable thing McGroin has planned?
Jeffrey: Whatever it is, it's putting away Meyer and the champ will continue to reign!
McGroin grabs Meyer and puts him in position for the Eggcution DDT, right over the pile of chairs!
Phoenix: He's setting it up! If Meyer eats this, he's done for!
Suddenly, Meyer reverses. He slips out of McGroin's grasp and much like McGroin did, he spins him on the spot, and lifts him for a back suplex - AND LANDS ON THE PILE OF CHAIRS!
Phoenix: McGroin went through the chairs! Hoisted by his own petard!
Jeffrey: Oh no! Is McGroin done for?!
Meyer goes to cover but the referee points out pinfalls can only take place on the canvas of the mat, not on a pile of chairs. So, frustrated, Meyer grabs McGroin and drags him from the chairs, and finally hooks the leg when he has canvas to pin him on. The referee counts... ONE ... TWO .... TH--NO!! MCGROIN KICKS OUT!
Jeffrey: Resilience only a champion possesses!
Phoenix: McGroin is certainly still in this match but with all these chairs everywhere, it feels like one move could end it all!
Meyer is visibly exhausted at this point, but he continues onwards, not wanting to give McGroin a chance to recover. He drags himself up and pulls up McGroin. He half-carries McGroin over to the pile of chairs, and once again puts him in position for the The Eclipse once again, but McGroin isn't as dead on his feet as he appears! He suddenly reverses, hooks up Meyer AND HITS THE EGGCUTION DDT ON THE PILE OF CHAIRS!!
Phoenix: MCGROIN! THE EGGCUTION! What a reversal!!
McGroin frantically finds the energy to stumble to his feet, dragging Meyer along behind him, until the referee is satisfied. Then, he falls down and covers Meyer!! ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!
Carson: Here is your winner, and STIIIIIIILL 4CW Custom Cup Champion... PHIIIIIIL ... MCGROOOOIN!!
Win-Loss Records:
Phil McGroin 4-0-1
Dirk Meyer 1-4
Phoenix: An impressive, and brutal victory, from the 4CW Custom Cup Champion tonight!
"Numb" by Linkin Park hits the PA. The crowd boo as Camera Man stumbles into the ring with the Custom Cup Championship in one hand and the Bottle in the other. He tries to hand both to McGroin but McGroin shakes his head, explaining he's not ready to take them yet. He then goes over to the pile of chairs and picks one up.
Phoenix: Oh, come on now! You've won the match, McGroin - this is unneccesary!
McGroin inches towards Meyer and raises the chair in the air - when, suddenly, "Head Like A Hole" by Miley Cyrus blasts over the PA and SENECCA runs down to the ring at top speed!!
Phoenix: Senecca is here!
Roberts: And McGroin is scarpering!
Senecca has no chair, and has no need for one. He bulldozes his way down the ramp and rolls into the ring with surprising speed, to which McGroin and Camera Man exit the other side of the ring just as speedily, hopping over the barricade and away from danger. Senecca leans over and helps his friend and partner back to his feet. Meyer is still groggy and Senecca "dusts him off", and then Senecca turns to McGroin and points menacingly, before signalling for a belt around his waist!
Phoenix: It seems Senecca is saying: Phil McGroin, I'm your next challenger!
Roberts: And Senecca isn't the kind of guy you can say no to!
McGroin and Camera Man stare into the ring at Senecca, as McGroin is shouting profanities and shaking his head. Senecca just stands there, motioning for a belt around his waist, with a big smile on his face as we cut to commercial.
Phoenix: And…..and what’s this, now...?
Jeffrey: Looks to me like Mike Kim and Julian MagneZ walking down the ramp side by side.
Roberts: We can see that Ray. What are they doing out here now?
Jeffrey: Well I see they each have a microphone in hand, I've got to assume they want to speak.
MagneZ and Kim both pick up speed at the bottom of the ramp and slide into the ring under the bottom rope. Kim pops right up and then kind of grabs his side in some sort of pain. MagneZ gets up slowly like the decision to run and slide was a big mistake. Both men do look to be nursing some soreness and bruising. MagneZ sporting a fat right upper lip and Kim with mild bruising under both his eyes and heavy on the bridge of his nose. They finally get settled and MagneZ raises the microphone to his lips.
MagneZ: Oh what a night! What a night! Revival XIV was quite the night to remember!
The crowd boos, but Kim chimes right in.
Kim: Just when I thought I was the only one. The only one who felt betrayed by Carstein. There was another…..all along!
MagneZ: Let’s not jump the gun Mikey. *Whispering but clearly being picked up on the mic* Stick to the damn script.
Kim: Yes! Without further ado. Allow us to introduce the man of the hour. The man of the night. The man of the year!!!!!
“Supernova Goes Pop” by Powerman 5000 hits and the lights dim. The music doing its best to drown out any booing. The titantron comes alive and shows Carstein falling from the top of the cell through the table. Jack Valentine reaching up and pulling down the titles. Celebrating with his cronies.
MagneZ: He…..is…STILL!
Kim: And NEW!
MagneZ: 4CW…...Heavyweight!
Kim: And Undisputed!
MagneZ: Champion!
Kim: Of the??
MagneZ: WOOOOOORRRLLLDDDD!!!!
The fireworks simultaneously go off up and down the ramp and around the stage, before finishing off with four large pyros, two on stage and two at the bottom of the ramp. After everything settles, Valentine finally appears from behind the curtain. He is dressed in an all black 1920s style Peaky Blinders Suit, Shirt, and Jacket. Fitted with a matching vest and even black dress shoes and gloves. His hair pulled tightly back into a perfect dangling ponytail. His shiny championship title securely on his shoulder and an albatross of a bandage on his forehead from where he was cut open. The eye closest to the cut is also bloodshot, but he smiles widely as he struts down the ramp toward the ring. He’s notably holding a large, thick, rectangular package at his side. He waltzes up the ring steps and MagneZ sits on the middle rope and lifts the top rope up with his hands. Valentine easily moves into the ring. Mike Kim trades the microphone for the parcel and stands back. MagenZ joins them in the center of the ring and holds his microphone behind his back, Valentine nods his head out to the booing crowd in sarcastic appreciation, as the music cuts out.
Valentine: You two fools forgot longest reigning champion as well, but that’s ok! And why is that ok? Why is Jack Valentine allowing such an important oversight to slide? Well that’s because Jack Valentine did the impossible. He walked into Revival as the reigning champion! And he walked out of Revival the reigning Champion! But that’s just the important part. I don’t want to wait another agonizing second. Let’s get to the fun stuff! Ladies and gentleman, allow me to show you some secret content to the Inferno attack!
MagneZ and Kim both hold up their hands in the air for air quotes as Valentine says “Inferno Attack” as the lights dim and the Titantron starts rolling again and shoots to the video seen weeks prior with Inferno laid out in the boiler room, blood all over his face. After a few moments, he suddenly sits up. He looks behind the camera and an off screen towel is thrown to him, as he wipes the blood off his face. Then a hand is extended to him, which he grins at, grabs, and gets up off the ground. He then walks off camera and maniacal laughing can be heard starting and getting louder. Then the camera shakes and shuts off. The lights turn bright again in the arena and faces in the crowd glare at Valentine.
Valentine: I’ll take the silence as a compliment. You’d expect nothing less. As you know, I take zero chances. You think that’s unfair? I challenge you all, to tell me what’s unfair!
Valentine takes the belt off his shoulder and holds it up high to see.
Valentine: I am the 4CW World Heavyweight WRESTLING champion! Wrestling! What took place at Revival was no wrestling match! It was a no holds barred massacre. I played completely within the rules. And it takes more than heart and desire to win and keep this title. You have to use your head! Approach every challenge from all angles! And that is why I'm holding this REAL championship title.
Valentine looks at his own reflection in the glimmering belt and then tosses it over MagenZ, who barely manages to catch it and not drop the microphone. Valentine then takes a step over to Mike Kim.
Valentine: I don’t know what’s more impressive. Turning not one, but two former partners and friends against Carstein. And having them do it during the biggest match of Carstein’s career. But turning one devilish man. Turning my oldest and first, mind you. Most heated and hated rival against his Hall of Fame friend. It was almost better than winning in front of all you fools on Fight Island that night. Watching Carstein literally fall from grace. Then holding up, both championship titles. Speaking of which! You’ve seen mine, let’s see Carstein’s!
With one swift movement, Valentine reaches out and rips the paper parcel like a Christmas gift. Kim allows the paper to fall to the mat and it reveals a golden plaque on a wooden backboard. Engraved in gold it states:
“4CW”
“April 26th 2020”
“Revival XIV Main Event”
“Fight Island”
“Jack Valentine triumphs over the Pretender”
“Here’s to the Undisputed Champion”
Valentine finishes reading it aloud and the crowd has stopped booing and instead battles back with silence. The occasional “Boring!” Or “Carstein Got Screwed!” yell can be heard.
Roberts: This is insufferable. When will balance come to 4CW!?
Jeffrey: You’ve lost James! All is lost! Mwhahaha!
Phoenix: You kind of opened yourself up for that response James.
Valentine: What do you think fellas? Hang this up on my wall at home or bring it with me on the road for the locker room?
Valentine and his goons admire the plaque for another moment and then Valentine turns away. He looks down at the mat and starts speaking.
Valentine: Now there’s one more little thing I’d like to address. Last year. Last year I won the Universal Title from Brian White at Revival. I then valiantly defended that title in a steel cage match! I was again victorious! Only! Only to have Supreme steal that title from me with this new ridiculous money in the bottle concept!
MagneZ leans in and seems to whisper *Lightning*
Valentine: Shut up! Point is I was screwed last year with a second rate title. This time around, I’ve got the grand prize and listen to me McGroin! If you so much as even think about trying to take what’s mine. You’re going to have to go through these two gentlemen right here. And whether you are successful or not. I will make it my mission to make your life a living hell! Be warned you little twerp! I should march back there and break both your legs, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. I’m tough, but I’m fair. Like the great leader of 4CW I am. Don’t make me regret it.
The boos pour in at the notion of Valentine being a leader of anything.
Phoenix: I think that’s gotta be the last thing Jack Valentine is. Champion or not.
Jeffrey: I’m sure he’d settle for Emperor.
Valentine walks towards the ropes facing the stage and looks as if he’s going to continue. He looks up and stops in his tracks. Already making his way down the ramp is none other than Inferno himself. Valentine looks shocked and backs up a bit. He motions for MagenZ and Kim to hold the ropes open for him. The crowd begins to stir.
Phoenix: I can’t believe that dastardly man would dare show his face!
Jeffrey: I for one, would love to hear what he has to say.
Roberts: For once I’m in agreement Ray. I want answers as well!
Inferno ascends the steel steps and walks along the apron. He ignores the gesture and instead enters the ring over the top rope. He looks at MagneZ and then down at the mic. MagneZ immediately hands it over and back off. He turns his head and looks at Kim. Kim holds the plaque in a defensive position and slowly backs off. Inferno walks towards Valentine in the center of the ring. Valentine backs away.
Valentine: The floor is yours big man.
Valentine walks to the turnbuckle and leans against it. Inferno stands in silence for a bit, thinking of what he's going to say.
Phoenix: Oh this better be good.
He lifts the mic up to his mouth, still thinking of what to say.
Inferno: I did what I had to do.
The Insane One drops his mic and takes a step back.
Roberts: What's that supposed to mean?
Phoenix: Is that it?
Ozzy Osbourne's "Mr. Crowley" plays, and out marches Marie Dubois, mic in hand, looking very pissed off.
Phoenix: Oh no. I'm not sure how much of a good idea Marie coming out here is!
Marie: Is that all you've got to say?
Marie walks down the ramp.
Marie: Huh? Is that it, you piece of shit?
Inferno just shrugs as Marie reaches the bottom of the ramp, and looks up at him.
Marie: How could you?
Marie stomps up the ringside steps, and stands on the apron.
Marie: How could you turn your back on us like that? Betray us, spit on everything we've done together?
Marie climbs into the ring, and Inferno just stares at her.
Marie: Answer me, you mother fucker!
Roberts: Careful Marie, Inferno could snap at any moment.
Marie stands right in front of Inferno, staring into Inferno's eyes, trying to read him. But Inferno's like a closed book, his eyes like empty, soulless pits, bereft of any feelings or emotions.
Marie: What the fuck was Revival all about?
Still no answer. Frustration and anger bubbling up inside her, Marie slaps Inferno across the face.
Phoenix: Oh no.
Inferno's empty eyes flare up with anger. Before Marie can do anything, he knees her in the stomach.
Roberts: Oh God no! C'mon!
Marie clutches her stomach and falls forward into Inferno. The Hall of Famer grabs a hold of her hair, and pushes he down, setting her up for a powerbomb.
Phoenix: Inferno no! This is uncalled for!
Without any hesitation, Inferno hoists Marie up into the air, and drops her down onto her back with a devastating Inferno Bomb. Valentine and his goons watch on, not sure how to react. Sery emerges from the back, sprinting down the ramp with a band of referees and agents.
Sery: The hell's wrong with you?
Some medics appear from the back, running behind the referees. Inferno ignores Sery, and gets to his feet. He looks down at the unconscious Marie, then spits on her.
Phoenix: What the Hell's going on with Inferno?
The medics slide into the ring to tend to Marie, and the refs try to form a protective ring around them. But there's no need, Inferno, Valentine and his goons climb out of the ring and leave.
Jeffrey: Carstein said he'd hold Sery personally responsible if anything happens to Marie. I do not want to be Sery when Carstein's back.
"3's & 7's" by Queens of the Stone Age hits the PA system. The crowd cheer in approval of Clyde Bonham, if only because the last time they saw him he took out Rhys Cain, who they collectively and unanimously detest.
Carson: The following contest is our MAIN EVENT of the evening and it is a NO DISQUALIFICATION match! Introducing first, from Death, Falls, Nevada, weighing in at 231lbs, 4CW Hall of Famer... CLYYYYDE ... BONHAM!!
Bonham makes his way down to the ring, with what looks like knuckle dusters on his right hand, which of course is completely legal in this match. Bonham rolls into the ring and stands in his corner, wanting to waste no time in getting this match underway. He signals for Cain to "bring it" by beckoning towards the stage.
"As I Am" by Dream Theatre hits the PA system. The haunting opening riffs fill the dark arena with an eerie atmosphere. The drums kick in with the new LED lighting up with flames on a burning road to the ring.
Carson: And his opponent... from THE SCORCHED PATH, weighing in at 225lbs, 4CW Hall of Famer... THE BLACK FLAAAAAAAME ... RHYS ... CAAAAAAAIN!!
Cain walks down the scorched path to the ring, having no eyes for the mercilessly booing crowd, sounding ten times their actual size in venom, but instead eyes only for Clyde Bonham inside the ring. Cain has no weapon or no allies... but a ferocity seen only a handful of times in 4CW history.
Phoenix: For those who may not be up to speed, let's talk about the history between Cain and Bonham! At Revival, Cain got what was coming to him! After cheating his way into the Soul Survivor Final and literally stealing the 4CW Grand Slam Achievement, Clyde Bonham decided he didn't need him anymore and gave him the slap around that people have been waiting for! Of course, Rhys Cain is a vengeful man. Tonight, he gets Bonham, one on one, No Disqualifications!
Jeffrey: And you can say what you want about how you feel about Cain personally, but everyone knows his history with this kind of match. He made his career in his early years with his success in anything goes, hardcore death matches. Tonight, he revisits his old stomping grounds with Clyde Bonham!
Roberts: Cain has always been a lone wolf of sorts in 4CW. He finally found his people in The Black Flame, but then this Bonham alliance came out of nowhere. He didn't think that Bonham doesn't need Cain like his allies in The Black Flame, and that realisation cost Cain his ultimate celebration at Revival. He lost the tag team titles as quickly as he won them, and he's clearly in one hell of a foul mood tonight.
Jeffrey: And it seems he comes alone tonight. This is a fight he must battle alone.
Phoenix: We'll see if that remains true once the ass kicking starts, Ray!
Cain reaches the bottom of the ramp and Bonham decides to take a few steps back to the other side of the ring, to allow Cain to enter, and for Cain to have no excuses of being jumped. Cain gets up on the apron and enters the ring through the ropes without ever taking his eyes off his opponent. The first thing that is noticeable when the light come back to their normal setting, is that Cain has had both a hair cut and hair growth. Now sporting a messy medium-length cut with a thicker-than-ever-before beard to match, he looks wilder and angrier than he ever has before.
Roberts: Cain looks both unkempt... and stylish? That beard is wild, but his shorter wavy hair actually looks pretty sleek. Nasty though... that's the vibe I get here.
Jeffrey: It's called Stylish Aggression, and it's probably one of the only things I like about this dickwad. I've never seen such a magnificent beard.
Cain and Bonham stare each other down as the music cuts out and the referee, Jude O'Cater tells them both the rules - which is pretty short considering, there aren't any! He steps back and out of the ring and calls for the bell... the crowd are expecting the two men to smash into each other like a pair of bulls - but neither man moves an inch.
Phoenix: The tension is thick. I guess Cain doesn't like betrayal when it's a knife in his OWN back.
Roberts: One of these two men is going to break first - it's almost a battle in itself to see who will make the first strike!
Jeffrey: Pride is a fickle thing! Just pummel each other already!
Cain and Bonham stare at each other with glares that could burn through steel. Eventually, Cain makes the first move - but not, as expected, towards Bonham. Instead, he KNEELS down!
Roberts: What the hell is he doing?
Phoenix: You know what? I'm getting a real, creeping sense of deja vu right now.
Bonham looks slightly confused, but hides it well, not wanting to give Cain the satisfaction of knowing he is possibly getting to him.
Bonham: I can do this all day, Cain. Get on your feet, so I can drop you like a man.
Cain shakes his head slightly, almost in disappointment at this reaction. He finally breaks his gaze and looks down, still shaking his head. But Bonham doesn't attack. He waits. This turns out to be something of a giant mistake, as Cain suddenly shifts forward and slams his arm between the legs of Bonham, hitting him with a savage low blow!
Phoenix: DIRTY - STINKIN - **GRSSZZHHHHH!!!**
We are unable to see Phoenix's reaction, but Jeffrey quickly explains the sitation.
Jeffrey: It seems Scott here is having some... technical difficulties... the difficulty being that he technically broke his headset.
Roberts: A tragedy as that is, look! Cain is laying into Bonham!
Inside the ring, Cain has snapped. Now that he sees Bonham in a position of vulnerability, he strikes like a shark in bloody waters! Lefts and rights, quickly hailing down on any part of the body Cain can get a hold of. Cain grabs the knucks from Bonham's hand and throws them outside the ring. Bonham covers and scrambles as Cain continues to attack like a rabid dog, until Bonham reaches the apron and slips off, hitting the outside of the ring with a thud. Instantly, Cain rolls out to the outside and lands on his feet, then begins to stomp the hell out of Clyde Bonham!
Roberts: We know Cain can be a nasty piece of work, but it's rare we see him this frantic and out of control!
Cain picks up Bonham and immediately whips him, sending him crashing shoulder-first into the steel steps, which implode upon impact. Cain then picks up Bonham and whips him into the barricade. Bonham hits the barricade gut-first and keels over, leaning on the barricade for support. Meanwhile, Cain grabs one half of the disconnected steel steps and lifts it up above his shoulders. He roars as he runs forward with the steel steps, but Bonham luckily comes to his senses, and slips out of the way. Cain throws the steel steps and it flies into an empty corner of 4CW Fight Island, luckily away from any fans in attendance.
Cain turns around upon realisation that he missed his target, and eats a slap right across the face. Cain runs at Bonham, who ducks with agility and lifts Cain up and over with a backbody drop on the outside! A painful CLUNK is heard as Cain lands hard on his back. He howls like he's winded, gasping and trying to get back up, but Bonham is now on the attack. Bonham grabs Cain and picks him up. Bonham throws a left jab to Cain's chin for good measure, then grabs the groggy Hall of Famer and smashes his face into the turnbuckle beam! Cain goes down and Bonham takes a moment to recover from the early assault.
Phoenix: These two men are not here to wrestle. Make no mistake; this is a fight!
Bonham grabs his opponent and lifts him back up again, this time opting to roll Cain back into the ring under the bottom rope. Bonham flips up the apron and pulls out a kendo stick. He grins as he eyes up the stick, and then rolls into the ring with it. Bonham stalks Cain as he rolls around the ring, trying to get his breath back. Without giving Cain a chance to even get to all fours, he whips him across the back with the kendo stick. A *thwack* from the shot gets an "oooh" reaction from the crowd, but they cheer loudly as Bonham unleashes a flurry of strikes with the stick, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight shots!! Finally, Bonham gets bored and throws the kendo stick to the outside. Cain writhes around on the mat as the welts start to quickly form on his back, at least one of which has split his skin and caused his back to bleed.
Phoenix: Vicious! I'm happy to see Cain take whatever beating he has coming to him, but even I find those shots hard to watch. Ripping your skin open sucks even if you're the world's biggest asshole!
Jeffrey: We were talking earlier about Cain's history in these types of matches, but let's not pretend that Bonham isn't exactly in his element right now! Bonham has made a career of being brutal, unrelenting and vicious and he is exemplifying those traits right now!
Bonham grabs Cain and half-whips, half-throws him into the turnbuckle corner. Within two quick strides, he is right in front of Cain and unleashes a savage elbow to the cheek, which rocks Cain and causes him to slump down to a seated position. Bonham takes a few steps back, then runs at Cain and hits him with a corner dropkick! Cain groans in pain as he rolls back out of the ring and slumps on the outside. Bonham, of course, rolls right after him.
Roberts: Running away won't help you against Clyde Bonham! He will hunt you down to the ends of the earth if he wants to!
Bonham roughly throws Cain, who flips in the air and lands back first into the barricade. Bonham drags Cain back up and smashes his head against the roof of an announce table, and then spins around and whips Cain head-first into the corner post! Cain hits hard and goes down, barely moving.
Phoenix: The steel posts are perhaps the most unforgiving part of that ring - and look, Cain is busted WIDE open!
Cain scrambles towards the barricade for support, as he tries to get back up, The blood starts above his left eye and trickles down the left and middle of his face. Bonham sees his wounded prey and pounces, throwing hard, closed fists directly into the wound, so that Cain's face becomes a crimsom mask, and Bonham's hand just as bloody.
And then, suddenly - ERICA MOXIE jumps on Bonham's back!! She has a neck brace on and a bandage around her head, yet HERE SHE IS! She grips on to Bonham's neck with one arm and pounds fist after fist into his face repeatedly with the other. Bonham takes a few shots while he comprehends this new development, but then he gains his bearings, grabs Moxie by the head and flips her over his shoulder, pulling her down to the floor.
Roberts: Well, Moxie clearly isn't 100% after her fall at Revival and probably shouldn't be here tonight, and Bonham has proven that point right there!
Somewhat graciously, some might say, Bonham doesn't deliver a devastating maneuver to the already injured Moxie, but he does roughly dump her over the barricade, where she stays. Bonham then stands back up, takes a deep breath and turns back to his opponent - BAM!! Cain hits the DRAGON RAGE!!
Phoenix: Damn! Out of nowhere, Cain hits Dragon Rage! Bonham is out cold!
Jeffery: That may be true, but Cain still has to get Bonham INSIDE the ring if he wants to win this match!
Somehow, Cain, in between wiping blood from his eyes, grabs Bonham, pulls him up and manages to roll him into the ring. He rolls in after Bonham and it takes a moment, but he eventually gets the cover! The referee slides in to count ... ONE .... TWO .... TH--NO!! Bonham gets his FOOT on the bottom rope!
Phoenix: Wherewithal of a seasoned veteran, Bonham will seek every opportunity available to himself to stay alive in a match! That must have been some kind of pure instinct, because I don't think he had a coherent thought in his head!
Roberts: It's smart and it means that this match is not over yet!
Jeffrey: It may be soon, though, with the amount of blood Cain has lost!
Cain rolls away from Bonham and out of the ring again. He stumbles over to the announce table, grabs a white towel left there by the ringside doctor, who he dares to come close to inspect him before grabbing the towel and wiping his own face. A few moments later, he emerges looking a bit more fresh-faced, the deep cut now much more visible above his left eye. It still leaks some blood but Cain can at least see now. He leaves the stained towel on the announce table (which everyone slides their chair back away from) and Cain flips the apron up and pulls out ... A STEP LADDER!
With a malicious grin, Cain rolls back into the ring with the stepladder in hand. He gets up, lifts the weapon, and watches gleefully as Bonham struggles to get to his feet using the middle rope to pull himself up, breathing heavily. Bonham turns to face Cain and for the second time in the match, WHAM! Bonham is hit, this time with a stepladder to the face! Bonham does manage to get his hands up to protect most of the damage, but still takes enough force to fall back down on his back!
Phoenix: Bonham is in big trouble at this point...
Jeffrey: Cain is a dangerous, nasty man and this is his perfect scenario.
Cain covers Bonham and the referee slides in! ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Bonham kicks out this time!
Roberts: And Clyde is showing, as he always has, that he is one tough son of a bitch!
Cain gets up and sets up the step ladder. He then grabs Bonham and lifts him to his feet. Bonham can barely stand, dazed and groggy. Cain supports him on his feet before whipping him into the ropes. When Bonham returns, Cain swiftly goes down and drop toe holds Bonham, so that he falls face first and crashes into the upright step ladder!
Phoenix: VICIOUS! Bonham might have lost a tooth or two with that!
Roberts: His jaw hit that stepladder rung and I swear the thud echoed around this arena.
Jeffrey: This arena is open-air!
Roberts: Exactly!
Cain grabs the step ladder and brings it down hard on the back of Bonham. He then maticulously sets it back upright where it was, and turns to Bonham. Cain seems like he is going to go for another cover, but when he sees Bonham stomach-down on the mat, he changes his mind. And instead, he hooks up Bonham's legs in his arms and locks in the BACK SNAP!!
Phoenix: And Cain isn't happy with any old victory! He wants Clyde Bonham to TAP OUT! And after all the shots he's taken tonight, he could well do that!
Jeffrey: Many have met their end under Cain's application of the iconic Boston Crab.... but the fact he calls it The Back Snap really tells you all you need to know about what it does! I'm not sure how long even a man like Bonham can last under these conditions!
Bonham writhes and groans in agony as Cain wretches the hold, leaning back as far as he can and applying a ton of torque to Bonham's lower back. Bonham looks like he is about to pass out from the pain, sweat and a trickle of blood running down his face. Then, suddenly, Bonham gets a second life - he's suddenly adrenaline-filled again. He pushes himself up on to his hands with considerable effort - and begins to crawl towards the ropes!! Cain struggles to keep Bonham in the hold as he is slowly pulled backwards by Bonham's effort.
Finally, with a half-leap, Bonham grabs the bottom rope with his hand and the referee gets in to break up the submission. Cain is irate as he releases the hold and argues with the referee, but eventually changes his target and starts stomping Bonham in the back several times for good measure. He then takes a few steps back and prepares for another Dragon Rage. Bonham struggles to get up... half-turned, he pushes himself away from the ropes and wobbles to two feet. Cain runs at his target, and launches into the air - but Bonham sees it coming this time, and he side-steps Cain, who lands hard on his back.
Phoenix: Clyde Bonham was one step ahead of Cain that time!
Roberts: Not many have in-ring instincts like this particular Hall of Famer!
Bonham falls back down to one knee, the damage done to his back clearly causing him some issues. He takes a moment to try and regain his composure - and instantly regrets it, as he fails to see Cain get back to his feet, run up the step ladder and launch at him from behind HITTING A DRAGON RAGE TO THE BACK OF BONHAM'S HEAD!!
Phoenix: OH MY GOD! This is over! Bonham has to be unconscious!!
Jeffrey: He had no idea it was coming! It's definitely lights out for Clyde!!
Cain rolls over the unmoving Bonham and covers him with one arm. The referee counts ONE ... TWO ... THRE---NOO!!! BONHAM KICKS OUT!!
Roberts: WHAT?!
Jeffrey: HOW?!
Phoenix: I don't understand HOW or hell, even WHY - but Clyde Bonham has decided HE'S NOT DONE YET!!
Roberts: Incredible!
Cain is AMAZED at this latest development, and for the first time in this match, he looks devastated and in shock, because he was certain that step ladder assisted Dragon Rage was going to end it all. Cain grabs Bonham, both now sluggish from exhaustion, but still managing to bust out moves. Cain demonstrates this with a suplex! But he keeps the suplex hold locked in, rolls over and stands back up, keeping Bonham connected for a second suplex!
Phoenix: And we know what comes next!
Cain keeps the hold locked in again and stands up, staggers a little, but then delivers a third and final suplex!
Phoenix: There it is, triple suplex from Cain!
Cain then grabs Bonham and pulls him back up to his feet, but not for another suplex. There is only one big move left in Cain's arsenal which he hasn't tried yet - he puts his arm under Bonham's and throws Bonham's arm over his shoulder.
Phoenix: This is it! Cain's setting up for Avada Kedavra!!
Cain bends his knees in preperation for the leap, but Bonham's elbow suddenly comes to life and he throws it wildly into Cain's temple and neck. Cain releases the hold and stumbles back, and Bonham grabs Cain from behind and takes him down with a reverse Uranage!
Phoenix: Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma'am!! Bonham has an opening here!!
Bonham grabs Cain - who immediately throws his arm up and LOW BLOWS Bonham for the SECOND time in this match!
Phoenix: Oh come on! Where does his vileness end?
Cain hooks the leg! ONE ... TWO ... NO!! Bonham KICKS OUT again! Cain gets back up and gets in the referee's face. Jude O'Cater warns Cain, but Cain laughs, reminding the referee this is a NO DISQUALIFICATION match, and then he shoves the referee hard to the ground. The referee is clearly winded and rolls out of the ring. Cain then screams over to Erica Moxie, who is still behind the barricade. He tells her to "get over here" and "referee this match!" But it seems she is in no condition to do anything as she doesn't emerge.
Suddenly, "Red Flag" by Billy Talent hits the PA system.
Phoenix: Wait a minute, what's going on? Is Sery coming out here?
The music plays for a while, and Cain stands looking towards the apron, ready for Sery - but Sery doesn't come. The music cuts out and the crowd pop. At first, Cain doesn't understand why. But then he senses Bonham is back to his feet and turns around and Bonham leaps up and takes out Cain with a hurricanrana and then follows it up with a running leg drop!!
Cain lies on his back, seemingly out! Bonham sees his opportunity, he stumbles through the ropes and on to the apron!
Jeffrey: Wait a minute - could it be what I think it is?!
Bonham grabs the ropes and marks Cain in the ring. Then he leaps up, SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE ROPES and hits a SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!
Jeffrey: IT IS! BONHAM WITH THE INCAPACITATOR!!
Phoenix: Good call, Ray! That's gotta be it!!
Bonham flops an arm over Cain's chest!! The referee counts... ONE ... TWO ... THREE!!!
Carson: Here is your winner... CLYYYYYYYYYYDE... BONHAM!!
Win Loss Records:
Clyde Bonham 3-3
Rhys Cain 2-4
Phoenix: He's done it! Clyde Bonham has beaten Rhys Cain!
Roberts: Cain won't be happy with that!
Jeffrey: Great analysis as always, James... anyway, what a victory for Clyde Bonham! And Cain has gotten a healthy dose of karma tonight!
Inside the ring, the referee raises Clyde Bonham's hand in victory. Bonham eventually pulls his arm away, but then goes to the corner and climbs the turnbuckle, posing for the crowd a little (in his minimalist form) as they cheer the man they may not like that much, but like a hell of a lot more than Cain.
Phoenix: I can't pretend that any Storm Front that ends with Rhys Cain lying on the mat staring at the lights is a great night for me, personally, but I hope all of you amazing fans around the world have enjoyed it also! We'll be back next month, same place, same time, as we head into the go-home show for Storm Front: Rumble in the Storm III in July! Thank you for joining us, and we will see you next time! Goodnight!!
The show goes off the air with Clyde Bonham heading up the ramp, successful and satisfied.
Quick Results:
-Xavier Avana defeated Quentin Cosmo
-Madeline Phoenix defeated Bruce Rigg
-Dark Lotus (c) defeated Mark Redman to retain the 4CW Hardcore Championship
-Run 'N' Gun (c) defeated Silent Sorcery and Synth City Thrillers to retain the 4CW Tag Team Championships
-Phil McGroin (c) defeated Dirk Meyer in a Chairs match to retain the 4CW Custom Cup Championship
-Clyde Bonham defeated Rhys Cain in a No Disqualification match
Writing Credit:
-Sery/Carstein open: Compy
-Avana vs Cosmo: Rhys
-Phoenix vs Rigg: Paige
-Cain pre-recorded segment: Rhys
-Hardcore Title, Lotus (c) vs Redman: Rhys
-Tag Titles, Run 'N' Gun (c) vs Silent Sorcery vs Synth City: Gorgrim
-Custom Cup, McGroin (c) vs Meyer: Rhys
-Valentine/Inferno/Marie Dubois segment: Lheat/Compy
-No DQ, Cain vs Bonham: Rhys
Review Sheet:
Sery/Carstein/Open:
Quentin Cosmo vs Xavier Avana:
Madeline Phoenix vs Bruce Rigg:
4CW Hardcore Championship - Dark Lotus (c) vs Mark Redman:
4CW Tag Team Championships - Run 'N' Gun (c) vs Silent Sorcery vs Synth City Thrillers:
4CW Custom Cup Championship - Phil McGroin (c) vs Dirk Meyer, Chairs match:
Valentine/Inferno/Dubois Segment:
Rhys Cain vs Clyde Bonham, No Disqualification:
Match of the Night:
Moment of the Night:
MVP of the Night:
Graphic of the Night:
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!