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So here it is. A couple of my matches aren't done yet, my fault. Ideally Mad Dog would have taken our match, but he's busy with the real world or some such lame excuse. As for the other parts, they're all basically filler. If anyone feels like writing any of it, please do!
Full review to come later.
Just wanna say wow what a show.
Compy that main event was awesome. Fantastic job. Loved the entrances too.
And Rhysus into the Hall of Fame was not expected but is greatly appreciated. Thats great. Five years of hard work have formed the character to what he is and its nice to have that reward. Congrats to Carstein and Sery too. They deserve it too maybe moreso.
Last edited by rhys (Mon-21-Apr-2014 03:24:20)
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
Where's the drake/belly match? I posted it in the bookers area...
Full review will come!
I just wanted to say thank you chux for picking Carstein for the HoF, and thanks to Hilds for suggesting me in the Card thread. It really means a lot, and was completely unexpected! And congratulations to Rhys and Sery!!
And a huge thank you to Rhys! This storyline, which started at last year's Revival, has been so much fun to do. It's been great brainstorming our segs and matches together, and this entire feud has practically written itself!
Original 4w Sign-up Date: 03/02/2004
Winner: 4w Draft V3.1
Slammy: Nicest Poster ‘08 & Poster of the Month: Nov ‘10
4CW: 2x Hall of Famer, World Champion, 2x Tag Team Champion & War Match Winner ‘08 & ‘19
Where's the drake/belly match? I posted it in the bookers area...
You privileged bum. PM it like everyone else. It's added now.
And a huge thank you to Rhys! This storyline, which started at last year's Revival, has been so much fun to do. It's been great brainstorming our segs and matches together, and this entire feud has practically written itself!
Same to you. Most fun ive ever had in 4cw.
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
It shows rhys. Your feud with compy has been great fun to read and this match was the cherry on top. Fantastic.
I'll get a full review up when I have time in the week. Suffice to say for now, it was a great read
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
Review!
Pre-Show
Midnight Court Intro
Nice way to hype up several matches at once. Starts the show with some interest.
Brian White vs Leo Banks
Brian White gets an important victory on his way to solidifying his spot on the roster. Hopefully, Gorgrim can get into a good feud with someone soon and we can see more of White.
Fans - Rhysus/Carstein
Nice way to hype the main event, fill pre-show time and also make Revival seem like a really big deal.
Zephyris vs JJ Blaze
Wrote it.
Sole Survivor Final - Renfield vs Penance
The match was a good opener for the show, gives Renfield a serious push and Storm/Penance looks to be leading from this match which I guess is good. Interested to see what Renfield's match type will be.
Everlast Championship - Chris Drake vs Belly
This match has been one of the better built of the card. Nice story with the whole grand slam thing. Drake's promo before the match was fantastic and got me excited for a good match. Match was suitable for such a big show although I did feel a bit ripped off by the finish. I know, that was the point. Regardless, this feud won't end like this and I'm interested to see what comes next.
The Unnatural Predators Seg
They're here! But there's no way they are leaving with the titles.
RockStarrs vs Afterlife
Thought this was fantastic. Angel and Demon being repackaged from Scotty Angel and Dom Stone was something I didn't see coming although looking back, I really should have. I know this is just filler but it was entertaining nonetheless.
Brian White/Hugh Knowles seg
Somehow, I don't think we've seen the last of Leo Banks, nevertheless, like I said earlier, looking forward to see White's character progress.
Universal Title - Redman vs Smoke
So Redman finally achieves his ambitions, great. Of course the D'Amicos had to get involved. Redman is one of the better stock characters we have and his stuff with Loveless is hilarious. As long as he keeps making me laugh, I'm all for him having a run with the title.
Valentine vs Chux
Hurry up, chux!
Hall of Fame announcements
Already said my bit. Thanks and congratulations to Sery and Compy.
Womens Title Triple Threat
Compy's gonna be busy with all these titles! Marie Dubois winning makes sense, it was way overdue since Spice has had the title for way too long. Lately, the womens division has been interesting and hopefully it'll only get better now we have a handler behind the champion.
Redman/Loveless seg
Hilarious as Redman always is.
Cowboys vs High Society vs New Redemption
Nothing to see here.
Predators vs NME vs Skill Set
I like Skill Set. While their promos can sometimes be a little long-winded, the unique story behind Paladin and Kensai has made them fresh and unique. Them winning the titles is all fine with me, and I expect a long, successful run if they continue what they've built so far.
4CW Heavyweight Championship - Rhysus vs Carstein
Compy wrote every bit of this and deserves all the credit for a fantastic main event to the 10th Revival. Entrances were well done and creative and the appearance of Wilcutt was pretty cool. Compy told the story well in the match and it was pretty brutal too which is great to see. Overall, a great end to a great show.
If we can produce a show this good with a handful of active guys then that shows only good signs to me. Hopefully, with the new guys, we can improve even more for Revival 11.
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!
* Michael Carson welcomes us to the Revival X pre-show.
The camera opens up in a dark locker room. J.J. Blaze, Renfield and Marie Dubois all stand in a line, in their ring gear. Facing them is the Midnight Aristocrat.
Carstein: Tonight is our night. Tonight’s the night the Midnight Court takes control of 4CW.
Carstein stands in front of J.J. Blaze.
Carstein: Blaze, you’ve got that gnat who’s been annoying us, Rhys’ brother Zephyris. Take him out, destroy him. Make Rhysus an only child.
Blaze smiles and nods. Carstein then faces Renfield.
Carstein: Renfield, only three men have won the Sole Survivor tournament. Tonight is your chance to gain immortality. Make yourself the fourth man, win that Custom Cup Championship. Steven Penance belongs to 4CW’s history. Send him back there.
Carstein then faces Marie Dubois.
Carstein: Marie, my dear Marie. You’ve beaten Divyne. You can eliminate Spice. End them both, and end Spice’s title reign. Work your magic, and be the new Women’s Champion.
Marie smiles.
Marie: They’ve got no chance in hell.
Carstein smiles and nods, and addresses all three.
Carstein: Tonight, we make history, for tonight belongs to us. 4CW will be ours. 4CW will be saved.
Loveless: Ladies and gentlemen, this contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, weighing in at 320lb, from Barry Docks, South Wales, Brian 'the Freight Train' Whiiiiiiiiite!
Wherever I may Roam by Metallica comes on over the PA and a slightly bruised Freight Train comes out onto the stage, looks around at the quickly filling up hall and strides towards the ring, a number of fans cheering just because a wrestler has emerged from the back.
Loveless: And his opponent, Weighing in at 210lb, Leoooo Baaaaaaaaannkss!
I Come from the Money blasts over the PA and Leo Banks makes his entrance, trying to gain some sort of reaction, but as it's generally the same people cheering Leo as for White, and for the same reasons, a look of consternation crosses his face and he stalks towards the ring.
The Ref calls for the bell and the match starts.
Pre-show match - Brian White v Leo Banks
Both wrestlers come out for the attack, though Leo gets the upper hand to begin with. It seems White is still a little groggy from the beating the week before. Leo comes in with a punishing opening salvo of forearms, clotheslines and finally a dropkick to the knee that sees the slower White fall to the mat. Leo tries to capitalize by dropping elbows and knees to the back of Whites head and neck, trying to increase his disorientation, but Brian rolls to the outside, shaking his head.
Brian climbs back to the apron as Leo winds up for a hard clothesline, but White catches him around the shoulders and slams him the the mat, It seems the adrenalin has finally de clogged the Freight Trains head. Leo Gets back up, but not before White has climbed back into the ring and starts dishing out a series of strait arm punches and smashes the leave Leo reeling and backed into a corner. He tries to fight out but finds himself slammed back in just in time to receive an open handed chop that reverberates around the auditorium and finally brings some notice to the match, as with the second, the crowd join in with a 'WHOOOOOO!'
After a third strike White allows Leo to escape towards another corner, but White stalks him like the dock fighter he was trained as and flips him over his head with a violent vertical suplex.
White, now very much in control begins to ramp up the speed and the punishment as he swings Banks into the ropes and catches him with a sidewalk slam before dropping his elbow across Banks' chest and scooping his leg up for a pin.
ONE...
TWO...
KICK OUT!
With not so much as a grimace, White Get's up and drag Banks with him. Banks elbows White in the ribs, releasing the grip on hi hair and Banks runs for the ropes, hoping for a forearm smash, but instead is met by Whites size 14 boot and crashes down. Again, White Lifts Banks up, and this time drops him down in a punishing bodyslam. Banks kicks out before the ref even manages to get into position for a count and rolls away before White can get his hands on him again. The separation doesn't last long as The Freight Train of back on him landing boot and elbow onto him, forcing him to his feet, and irish whipping the smaller man to the oppsite corner, before smashing himself into the back of Banks with a Stinger splash.
This drops Banks to the mat and White retreats to the opposite corner again, apparently fist bumping the air before dropping his stance and starts rhythmically lamming his rear foot.
The crowed start to get a little excited at this, many sensing the end of the bout was upon them. Banks slowly gets up, using the ropes to help him and turns towards his opponent, just in time to see tree hundred plus pounds of humanity driving his shoulder into his midsection at high speed. The crowed cheer as Banks is taken completely off his feet and the Freight train hooks both legs.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE...
Winner: Brian White
DING DING DING!
Banks rolls out onto the floor, whilst White takes the cheers and applause of those that could be bothered to offer it.
Loveless; Here is your winner, Brian 'the Freight Train' WHIIIIIITE!
The camera cuts to the back, where we see Michael Carson in a tux with a mic. Carson's standing in the arena lobby, with a line of cheering fans behind him.
Carson: I’ve been talking to the 4CW fans all week here in Las Vegas, asking who they are supporting between Carstein and Rhysus.
We cut to a montage of various fans, talking into a microphone and looking at the camera.
Male Fan #1: Rhysus man, Carstein’s been messing with him all year and tonight’s payback time!
Male Fan #2: Tonight, Carstein’s getting his assed kicked!
Male Fan #3: Carstein all the way baybay!
High school Goth chicks: Carstein!
5 year old kid: Rhysus, because Carstein’s a poopy-head!
Male Fan #4: Tonight’s Carstein’s night, yeah!
Female Fan #1: Carstein, he’s hot!
Female Fan #2: Rhysus, woo woo!
Group of 20 year old-something guys: Let’s go Carstein!
Male Fan #5: They call him the Bruiser for a reason and tonight, Carstein finds out why!
Female Fan #3: *Points at “I Heart Rhysus” on front of t-shirt* Rhysuuuuuus!!!!
We cut back to Michael Carson.
Carson: Seems Las Vegas is split down the middle! And before we go, let’s talk to some fans right here!
Carson heads over to a line of fans cheering. Carson stops next to a group of guys.
Carson: Hey guys, who do you think’s winning tonight, Carstein or Rhysus?
Group of guys: Rhysus!
Carson: Alright, and how about you gals?
Carson addresses a group of 20 year old girls. One of them turns around to show the back of her t-shirt, saying “Carstein, the Night’s Dark Master”. Two of her friends point at the shirt.
Group of girls: Carstein’s saving 4CW tonight Mike, no doubt about it!
Carson: Well there we have it! Scott, Ray, back to you guys!!
"Shepherd of Fire (Instrumental)" by Avenged Sevenfold hits the PA system and the crowd give a respectable pop for the 4CW rookie, Zephyris. He comes out in black and green tights, custom made with "Revival" printed down the side of his left leg.
Loveless: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, residing from Orlando, Florida, weighing in at 215lbs, ZEPHYRIIIS!!!
He sprints down to the ring, slides in and springboards off the ropes and does a backflip just to show off a bit.
Phoenix: Zephyris is here for his Revival debut and he looks excited and motivated!
Jeffrey: Well, his opponent - well, I'm not sure what the hell he is anymore, but JJ Blaze has been here a long time and experience means something.
Real Solution #9 by White Zombie hits the PA system.
Loveless: And his opponent, from Colombus, Ohio, weighing in at 210lbs, J J BLLAAAZZZEE!!
Heat as soon as JJ Blaze gets out from the back. He eats it up, laughing off his haters as he makes his way confidently to the ring.
Jeffrey: Blaze thinks he's on his way to a sure-fire victory here.
Phoenix: If he underestimates Zephyris, he could live to regret that.
Blaze gets in the ring and stands in the opposite corner to Zephyris, warming up as the referee tells both guys what he expects from the match. Then we're all set as the bell rings and the two start to circle the ring.
Pre-show match - JJ Blaze v Zephyris
We start the match with Blaze and Zephyris getting into a grapple. Blaze locks in the headlock, which is quickly escaped by Zephyris as he sends Blaze to the ropes. Blaze comes back with a clothesline but Zephyris ducks and springboards from the ropes. He jumps over Blaze and lands behind him, tapping him on the shoulder before landing a nice uppercut. He sends Blaze into the corner and hits a dropkick, following it up with a Bulldog.
Phoenix: Zephyris off to a flying start!
Zephyris repeats the spot, sending Blaze into the corner again. He runs at Blaze, but Blaze gets a foot up, hitting Zephyris clean in the face. Blaze runs at Zephyris to counter but Zephyris takes him out with a running forearm smash. He hooks the leg. 1...2... no! Blaze kicks out.
Jeffrey: Forget about it, Zeph!
The match continues with Zephyris picking up the 4CW veteran, only to be hit in the face as Blaze regains his composure, before taking out Zephyris with a clothesline. Blaze grabs Zephyris and takes him out with a nice suplex. Blaze jumps to his feet and starts to shout the odd derogatory comment at Zephyris, slapping him about a bit. He then picks up Zephyris and takes him out with a second suplex and follows it up with a Northern Lights Suplex which he holds in a bridge position for the pin. 1...2... NO! Zephyris kicks out!
Phoenix: Zephyris is still fighting!
Blaze is a little frustrated at the kick out and so he picks up Zephyris and sets up for another suplex, but Zephyris reverses with a suplex of his own! Zephyris gets to his feet as Blaze does and they both run at eachother. Blaze gets the advantage with a nice dropkick. As Zephyris gets to his feet, Blaze runs to the corner, sets up and executes the Whisper in the wind!! BLAZE HOOKS THE LEG!! 1...2... NO!! Zephyris is still in this!
Jeffrey: This is exactly why Blaze is awesome! That Whisper in the wind comes out of nowhere!!
Blaze's frustrations continue to mount as he grabs Zephyris' left leg and locks in the Crab Blaze (single leg Boston Crab) and applies the pressure in the middle of the ring. Zephyris yells in pain and tries to stretch for the ropes, but Blaze has him locked in good.
Phoenix: Can Zephyris hang on? He's nowhere near the ropes!
Blaze pulls on the leg and Zephyris tries with all his might to pull himself up on to his hands, making harder for Blaze to apply pressure. Zephyris crawls forward slightly before suddenly turning and throwing Blaze off of him. Blaze recovers quickly and takes out Zephyris with a clothesline. He picks up the rookie and double underhooks him!
Jeffrey: Here it comes! Blaze is going for the Michinoku Driver!!
Blaze lifts Zephyris up for the double underhook brainbuster but Zephyris fights him, wriggling his legs to get back on the mat - and then Zephyris uses all his strength to pull up Blaze on HIS back, reversing into an INCREDIBLE GRINGO KILLA!!
Phoenix: What an incredible move from the rookie!!
Zephyris drops and hooks the leg!! ONE...TWO... NOOO!!! JJ Blaze kicks out, incredibly! A "holy shit" chant breaks out while Zephyris gradually gets to his feet. Zephyris feed off the energy of the crowd as he gets to his feet. He raises his arms as Blaze slowly crawls to his feet. When Blaze does eventually get to a standing position, he turns around and WALKS RIGHT INTO THE SHINE FROM ZEPHYRIS!!
Phoenix: Zephyris with his finisher! An incredible C4 which he calls "The Shine"!
Zephyris' arm is draped over Blaze's chest as the ref counts the pinfall! ONE... TWO... THREE!!!
Winner: Zephyris
Loveless: Here is your winner, ZEPHYYYRRIIISSS!!!
Zephyris rolls away from Blaze as the crowd cheer his victory. Blaze drops out of the ring while Zephyris uses the ropes to get up.
Phoenix: Credit where it's due, Zephyris brought it on his Revival debut!! And he has a win over Blaze because he did!
Jeffrey: That Gringo Killa reversal was out of this world! Zephyris showed he is worth something I guess.
Zephyris climbs the turnbuckle and celebrates with the fans while we get a panned shot of the crowd. We then cut to another segment...
* Pyro/Ballyhoo
Loveless: The following contest is scheduled for one-fall, and it is the final round of the Sole Survivor Tournament to crown the new 4CW Custom Cup Champion! This round will be contested under lumberjack rules!
Jeffrey: A lumberjack match! I wonder who’re the lumberjacks?
Loveless: Please welcome tonight’s lumberjacks, the legends of 4CW!
Ten 4CW legends emerge from the back, heading down towards the ring. The crowd goes nuts cheering for them.
Loveless: “Main Event” Mike Nichols! Supreme! “Showtime” John Krone”! “The Killer Bee” Chris Shaolin! S&M! “The It Factor” Phil Duncan! Roman! Drunken Janitur! And Dave Phoenix!
The legends surround the ring, ready for the match.
The arena lights dim and a light green mist glides across the stage and ramp. Alice Cooper’s “Feed my Frankenstein” plays from the PA. From behind the curtain emerges the repulsive Renfield.
Loveless: Making his way to the ring, from New York City, weighing in tonight at 228 lbs, RRRRRRREEEEENFFIIEEEEEEEEEELLLLDDDD!
Renfield scuttles and scurries down the ramp, always looking away from the crowd towards the ground, almost as if he were trying to hide his face. He climbs into the ring, takes off his filthy battered overcoat and stands ready for his match.
Steven Penance then makes his entrance, casually walking down the ramp towards the ring.
Loveless: And his opponent, representing the Cowboys From Hell, STEVEEEEEN PEEEENAAAAAAANCE!!!
Ding, ding, ding!
Match 1 - Renfield v Steven Penance
Custom championship - Sole survivor final
Renfield gets ready to pounce at Penance, who just stands laughing. He points at Renfield and looks at the crowd.
Penance: Is this for real?
With Penance laughing and looking at the crowd, Renfield dives at the veteran, taking him down with a spear. Penance crashes down onto his back, and Renfield throws vicious lefts and rights all over the place: Penance’s face, thighs, waist, and stomach.
Penance struggles a bit, and then uses Renfield’s unfocused attack to his advantage, pushing off the smaller man. Penance sits up and backs off into one of the ring corners, completely shocked and surprised by Renfield’s assault.
Phoenix: Penance shouldn’t be too surprised; he’s been in the ring with Renfield throughout the Sole Survivor.
Renfield gets to his feet and slides into Penance with a baseball slide. Penance grimaces, but manages to pull Renfield towards him. Keeping Renfield on the mat, Penance stands up, and stomps away. Penance pushes Renfield over onto his stomach, pulls up his arms, and stomps on the back of his head.
Phoenix: Ooh, good Lord!
Penance looks out at the 4CW Legends.
Penance: You want some of this, huh!
Laughing to himself, Penance drags Renfield to his feet, then knocks him back down with a clothesline. Penance sits down next to him.
Phoenix: Penance really enjoying himself here.
He looks at the Legends, then down at Renfield. Penance shrugs, and slides out of the ring.
Phoenix: What’s going on now?
Penance shoves “Showtime” John Krone to the ground.
Phoenix: Hey c’mon! That’s uncalled for!
The other Legends approach Penance. He superkicks Dave Phoenix, then rolls into the ring, where a now standing Renfield’s ready and waiting with a drop kick. Renfield’s boots make contact with Penance’s face, and the former leader of the Cowboys from Hell falls down. Renfield rolls him onto his stomach, and locks in a camel clutch.
Penance powers out, climbing to his feet with Renfield clutching to his back. Then Penance drops down onto his back, squashing Renfield. Renfield let’s go, and Penance rolls away. He looks at the Legends again and points at Renfield.
The Legends decide they have had enough. They climb into the ring, and all rush over to attack Penance, with the exception of Drunken Janitur, who remains on the outside arguing with one of the cameras.
Phoenix: Penance has been asking for this throughout the match!
But Penance isn’t going down with a fight! He smashes Nichols, then Supreme. He clotheslines Dirk Meyer, punches Shaolin. He superkicks Senecca, he flies into Phil Duncan. Supreme’s back up, and Penance throws him over the top rope to the outside. He grabs Dave Phoenix and throws him out too.
Nichols gets up and charges at Penance. Penance moves out of the way, and Nichols misses, running straight into Chris Shaolin. The two fall through the ropes and land next to Supreme and Phoenix. Duncan and Roman both charge at Penance, but fall victim to his double clothesline. Penance keeps running, and smashes Senecca in the face with a running knee. Senecca rolls out of the ring, as does Duncan and Roman.
Penance looks at Meyer and Krone, the last remaining Legends. Rather than face him, they both climb out of the ring. A look of smug satisfaction crosses Penance’s face. With the Legends dispatched, Penance turns his attentions to Renfield. But he turns to face the entrance way as the crowd cheer the appearance of WH Storm.
Jeffrey: What does that pipsqueak want?
Storm runs down the ramp and jumps onto the ring apron. He climbs to the top rope, leaps off, lands on Penance’s shoulders and hits a hurricanrana. Renfield watches on, not sure what to do.
Penance down, Storm climbs up to the top rope of one of the ring corners. He points at the fallen Penance.
Phoenix: Oh no, what’s Storm got planned here?
Storm leaps into the air again, landing a shooting star press on Penance, laying in the middle of the ring. Penance grunts in pain as Storm lands on him. Storm, clutching his stomach, leaps up, the crowd cheering. He looks at Renfield and points down at Penance.
Storm: Finish this son of a bitch!
Renfield grins, and covers Penance.
1!
2!
3!
Winner: Renfield, new custom champion!
Ding, ding, ding!
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of the 2014 4CW Sole Survivor Tournament and new 4CW Custom Cup Champion! RRRREEEEEEENNNNNFFFIIIIEELLLLLLDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!
The camera cuts to the back, to a locker room to be precise, where we see the 4CW World Heavyweight Champion. Rhysus is standing up wearing a t-shirt and track suit trousers, taping up his wrists and fists. Finished, Rhys throws the roll of tape over at his bags and throws some punches.
Phoenix: And there he is folks, the World Champ, looking determined as ever!
Jeffrey: I think he's going to need more than just those fists to defeat Carstein though!
The camera then cuts to a different locker room. Carstein’s sat crossed legged on the floor, meditating in the middle of a red pentagram.
Jeffrey: And speak of the Devil, there he is himself!
Surrounding Carstein are little candles, their flames creating flickering shadows across the walls and Carstein’s face.
Phoenix: And you couldn’t get a clearer picture showing the differences between these two men.
* Video package refreshing the Belly v Drake feud.
Phoenix: Ok, lets get on with the show. Up next is the Everlast Championship match between the former 4CW owner Chris Drake and current 4CW owner Chris 'Belly' Marks!
Loveless: Introducing first, hailing from London, England. He stands
6’ tall and weighs in at 220lbs, he is… CHRIS DRAKE!!!
Stricken by Disturbed hammers over the PA system and the crowd erupts as Chris Drake strides through the curtain and onto the top of the ramp. He's dressed ready for his match and is wearing dark blue jeans and is shirtless. Drake raises one hand into the air to acknowledge the deafening cheers as he moves down the ramp and climbs into the ring, producing a microphone from his back pocket as he gets ready to address the crowd.
Drake: Sarah, before you introduce my opponent, I'd like to say a few words.
The crowd erupt again, chants of "Let him speak" echo around the arena. Sarah Loveless takes her microphone away from her mouth and motions for Chris to continue.
Drake: Thank you. And...
Chris Drake motions out to the audience.
Drake: ...thanks to all of you.
Drake paces the ring, in thought for a few seconds.
Drake: You're cheering for the wrong person though. I'm not deserving of the raise you have reigned down on me over the past year. I'm no role model, and I'm no hero. I'm just a man standing in the middle of a ring trying to make his way through the world.
Drake walks the ring again, looking out to the crowd.
Drake: Everyone here today is very aware that I haven't wrestled properly since 2009. If we fought this match tonight a hundred times Belly would win 99 of them. But, Belly, not tonight. Not this one.
Drake pauses and stares out to the crowd, a bead of sweat slowly trickles down the side of his face. When he speaks next his voice has risen, become stronger.
Drake: This match, right here, right now, is my time. This is my 100 to 1 shot, and I'll take it. I was born for this moment, I was born for this night.
He pauses again, calming himself and collecting his thoughts once more.
Drake: Belly, I know why you hate me. I know why you torment me. You talk about wanting to help me, wanting to get me back on top, wanting to bring back the real Chris Drake. The truth is very simple. Belly, you want to be me, you want everything I've had. I've never denied that I got all the breaks. Sure Chris Crow paid S&M for a title shot in my debut match, NME boosted me to a Custom Title win, and then protected me for months whilst I held it. I'm aware that Wolfbaine was carrying an injury when I faced him for the World Title at Revival in 2009. But, you know what the difference is between us? I grabbed those opportunities. I took the ball and ran with it. Every single opportunity I was handed I took full advantage of and went home with the title.
Drake again walks the ring, allowing the audience to keep up with him.
Drake: What about you Belly? When you were in NME and fighting Stevie Evans for the tag titles, did you take advantage, or did you get beat? When you put yourself into the world title match against Rhys recently, did you take advantage, or did you get beat? And that's always been the difference between us. You've had the exact same opportunities as me, but I took home the gold, and you ended the night looking up at the lights. That's why you've always harboured all that anger and hatred, I get opportunities and have won every title I've challenged for, and you haven't. I got the gold and the glory, and you didn't. I am the most decorated wrestler in 4CW history, and you're not. You've been an active competitor in this federation for about 7 of the ten years it's been in existence, and you have a four month reign with the Universal title to show for it. I was under contract here for three years, and held the tag titles for a week, the Custom championship for eight months, the Universal championship for 12 months and the World title for 12 months. When you add up the amount of time I spent without a title here, its the same length as you held your universal title. That's a sobering thought Belly. The combined dry spell of my entire career is the same length of time as the best time in your career. And that's why I'll beat you tonight. When the chips are down, when it really matters, I always come thru. Always. And the realisation should be starting to dawn on you right about now, Belly, that you never will.
He stop and walks around the ring again, breathing heavier now. His eyes narrow as his mind races through thoughts of what he has to achieve tonight.
Drake: But in the end, this is all just stories. The stories of my championship reigns, the stories of your battles with Senecca. Stories we'll tell each other, stories we'll tell ourselves and stories we want to share with the world. Editing and post production will do more to tell the story of Chris Drake that I ever could in this ring today. Five years ago I was the most hated man in 4CW, I was booed everywhere I went, I won the 4CW World Heavyweight title and every single person in attendance jeered. I became the most successful title winner in 4CW history, and was booed out of the building. But still I came back. Still I hope that my story will be THE story. Still I arrive at arenas to lace up my boots and walk to the ring in the hope that you, the fans, with actually GET it. Will actually understand the point to all this. This isn't about winning another title, this isn't about becoming the only true Grandslam Champion in 4CW history. This is about Chris Drake being more that just another legend. This is about Chris Drake stepping beyond the accomplishments of Supreme, of chux, of Fish, of Senecca, of Mike Nichols. This is about Chris Drake etching his name in the record books and achieving a feat no one else has ever done before, and will probably never do again. This match, here, tonight, is about Chris Drake becoming immortal.
Drake's eyes flash brightly in the arena lights, glinting and sparkling as passion pours through him.
Drake: This match will finally define Chris Drake as not just a God, but THE God!
He throws his microphone to the canvass and looks up at the curtain, waiting for his opponent to be announced and arrive.
Loveless: Introducing the 4CW owner and current Everlast Champion, hailing from somewhere in England. He stands 6’6” and weighs in at 373lbs… CHRIS 'BELLY' MARKS!!!
The lights in the arena briefly turn to black before a blue glow emanates around the arena and ‘By Myself’ begins to play through the PA system as the crowd all rise to their feet looking towards the entrance way. Through a midst of smoke, through the curtains steps the large frame of Chris ‘Belly’ Marks wearing his black bottoms and his sleeveless denim top covering his black tshirt with his trademarked skull embroided on the front, a bandana wrapped around his head he steps onto the stage to a very mixed reaction from the crowd as he raises one arm high into the air, the small silver belt clutched in his fist, before continuing his walk down the aisle towards the ring.
Once at ringside, Chris Marks walks around the ringside area until he reaches the far set of steel steps of which he climbs slowly, removing his bandana as he stands on the top step as he paces it on the steel ringpost in front of him before making his way onto the ring apron and through the ropes into the ring where he once again raises a single arm to another mixed reaction from the on looking crowd.
Phoenix: This guy is not well liked.
Jeffery: I like him…
The referee take the belt from Belly and holds it aloft, signifying that the match is for the belt.
Phoenix: This ones for all the marbles. If Chris Drake wins, then he becomes the only outright Grandslam Champion in 4CW history.
Match 2 - Chris "Belly" Marks v Chris Drake
Everlast championship
Drake steps towards The Belly and grins at him. Belly stands his ground and looks down at his smaller opponent.
Phoenix: Drake attempting to intimidate Belly here, he's never backed down from a fight in his life!
Jeffery: There’s the bell and we’re underway here.
Both men continue to square up in the middle of the ring, neither showing fear to the other. Belly starts talking trash to Drake, Drake retorts with words of his own.
Belly throws a high punch, towards Drake head and connects squarely with his jaw. The power surprising Drake and causing him to staggering backwards. Belly throws another punch causing Drake to stager again. Drake shakes his head and grins, as if to say “didn’t hurt”. Belly throws a third punch, this time Drake sees it coming and sways backwards, just out of Belly's reach. Drake fires a punch of his own over, Belly ducks it, grabs Drake arm and twists it around into a hammerlock. Drake grimaces in pain and struggles to get free. Belly cranks the hold, making Drake call in pain again. He struggles towards the ropes, reaching out and grasping them with his free hand. The referee forces a break up of the hold. Drake shakes his arm in an attempt to regain feeling and does not notice Belly head off in the opposite direction, bounce off the ropes and begin hurtling back. Drake turns and faces Belly just as he begins extending his right arm.
Phoenix: HUGE CLOTHESLINE!!!
Drake is lying on the mat, shaking his head slowly, and attempting to clear his cobwebs. Belly drops straight on him for a pin attempt.
1…
2… Kick out.
Jeffery: Belly’s looking to finish this early.
Phoenix: You can almost see the ring rust on Drake here...
Drake rises to his knees, and then moves to a crouching position. Belly again runs to the ropes, hits them and returns. This time he goes low and chop blocks Drake in the back of his leg. Drake goes down to one knee again. Belly again runs to the ropes, this time raising a big boot on the return journey and nailing Drake in the face with it. Drake head snaps back, sending an arc of blood into the sky as his top lip bursts under the pressure.
Drake slumps back to the ground, breathing hard. Belly runs to a ring post and climbs quickly to the top rope.
Phoenix: Belly looks impressive here, he’s dominated the offensive exchanges in this match.
Belly launches himself from the top rope, looking to connect with a flying elbow. He lands sweetly with Drake chest, forcing more blood from his mouth. Belly hooks the leg and holds for the pin.
1…
2… No, shoulder just up!!
Jeffery: Belly is destroying Drake here. He’s that confident of victory he’s willing to fly to show just how superior he is!
Phoenix: You have to admire the resilience of Drake, he’s not giving up the title opportunity that easily.
Drake rolls to the outside of the ring, hoping to recoup and reassess his plans. Belly follows him to the outside; giving Drake little time to recover.
Belly grabs Drake by the wrist and whips him towards the steel steps, Drake is forced to charge towards them, colliding knees first with a sickening thump. Drake is back on the floor again, holding his legs and rolling in pain. Belly walks across to Drake prone body; he grabs Drake legs and twists them into a figure four-leg lock. Drake again squirms in pain as Belly cinches the hold tighter. Drake tries to roll over and reverse the hold, but Belly grips the bottom of the ring to maintain supremacy.
Phoenix: Brilliant from Chris Marks here, he knows that if Drake can't stand, then he can't hit the Icebreaker Superkick.
Jeffery: Belly is showing his superiority here tonight, looks like Drake was all talk before this match...
In the ring the referee has begun a 10 count,
1!!
2!!
3!!
4!!
Belly releases the hold and rolls back into the ring
5!!
6!!
Drake tentatively back to his feet
7!!
8!!
Drake rolling slowly back into the ring
Belly rolls Drake over onto his stomach, straddles him, and then links his fingers under Drake neck before wrenching back.
Phoenix: Camel Clutch! Belly has worked Drake legs. Now he has started to work his back.
Jeffery: Belly is systematically destroying Drake piece by piece. This is a superb strategy!!
Belly continues to pull back on Drake's neck and back, Drake again calling out in pain, but refusing to give in. Drake manages to work his way forward towards the ring ropes, reaching out and clasping a hand around the bottom one, forcing Belly to release the hold. Belly jumps to his feet, and then drops a quick elbow into the small of Drake back, forcing more blood from his mouth.
Belly helps Drake back to his feet and then whips him towards the ropes. Drake collapses before he hits them, continuing to hold his back. Belly again goes to the turnbuckle and climbs the ropes. He sizes Drake up on the mat and launches himself for another flying elbow. His 373lb frame once more crashes into the body of Drake, causing Drake to roll over and over, trying to escape the punishment in the ring. Belly grabs him by the ankle and drags him back to the centre of the ring before dropping for another cover.
1…
2… No, shoulder up, just.
Belly stands and stomps Drake chest, before covering again.
1…
2… Shoulder up again.
Belly stands again, grasps Drake by the back of the head and helps him to stand again. Belly takes Drake towards the turnbuckle, slamming his head against it when they get there. Belly continues to hold Drake by the neck as he climbs the turnbuckle. When he reaches the second rope he tries to lift Drake into the air.
Jeffery: He’s trying to hit a chokeslam on Drake from the second rope!!
Phoenix: Belly is 6’6”, Drake wont survive the impact of a chokeslam from so high!
Belly holds Drake in one hand and starts climbing the ropes. He keeps his grip on Drake, reaches the second rope and then continues to the top rope. Then he begins to lift Drake into the air.
Phoenix: He’s trying a top rope chokeslam now!! This will kill Drake, without doubt!
Jeffery: Belly's gonna do it. Drake is going up!!
Drake starts leaving his feet as Belly lifts him. Belly gets him up and extends his arm, holding Drake in mid air, dangling for a second or two and then jumps from the top rope driving Drake crashing to the mat.
Jeffery: Fuckkk!!
Phoenix: It’s over! Belly is nearly seven feet tall, so that chokeslam was from about 15 feet in the air!
Belly moves across for the pin, slumping over Drake body.
1…
2… NO!! Drake again manages to get his shoulder up!
Phoenix: Drake refuses to lose here!
Belly again stands, shaking his head as he does.
Jeffery: Belly must be wondering what he has to do to put Drake away here.
Once more Belly helps Drake to his feet, and then stoops to lift him up onto his shoulders. Belly effortlessly raising Drake body onto his shoulders and into the Torture Rack position. Belly holds the move for a second, and then drops backwards into a Samoan Drop, driving all the air out of Drake body. Belly once more hooks the leg for the pin attempt.
1…
2… NO!! Drake kicks out again!
Belly punches the mat in frustration. Then stands and stomps Drake again. Drake rolls to the outside, again hoping to recuperate for a few seconds.
Belly moves to the centre of the ring, raising his hands in mock victory, getting a resounding round of boos for his efforts. He turns and faces Drake and beckons him to get back into the ring. Drake slowly rolls back into the squared circle and stands ready to fight again.
Jeffery: Drake is in a bad way here. He still hasn’t hit one offensive move!!
Phoenix: Well, this is Drake's first actual match since 2009, it's a miracle he's still in this match.
Belly sends his boot into Drake face, and again the Challenger crumples to the floor. Belly pins again.
1…
2… No, another kick out!!
Belly shows his frustrations again with further stomps to Drake body, then drops and pins again.
1…
2… NO!! Drake still refuses to be beaten.
Belly moves across to the referee and begins to remonstrate with him. Accusing him of slow counting.
Drake slowly, using the ropes, regains his feet. Belly moves towards him, grasps his wrist and whips him towards the turnbuckle. Drake collides and stumbles backwards. Belly comes towards Drake and again chop blocks him to his lower leg causing Drake to crumple once more. Belly drops and pins.
1…
2… No, shoulder up!
Belly jumps up again and stomps. Then helps Drake to his feet and whips him to the ropes, Drake hits the ropes and holds onto them, stopping his momentum. Belly sees this and charges towards Drake in an attempt to clothesline him from the ring. Drake ducks and back drops Belly to the outside provoking a huge pop from the crowd.
Phoenix: Finally some offence from the Challenger!!
Belly is on the outside of the ring, laying on the floor and holding his back. Drake slumps to the mat again, pain racking through his body. The referee starts a ten count due to Belly being on the outside.
1!!
2!!
3!!
4!!
5!!
6!!
Belly back to his feet.
7!!
8!!
Belly rolls back into the ring breaking the count.
Drake has regained his feet and the two big men square up in the middle of the ring. They exchange lefts and rights, with Belly coming out on top. Drake sends a kick into Bellys groin region, forcing the bigger man to stumble backwards. Drake unleashes more rights and lefts to his head and body. Drake grips Belly's wrist and attempts to whip him towards the ropes, Belly reverses and Drake is moving towards the ropes at speed. He hits them and returns, Belly is waiting with a clothesline. Belly swings his clothesline at Drake neck, Drake ducks and hits the opposite ropes at speed, bending and hitting a spear into Bellys midriff.
Jeffery: SPEAR, SPEAR!!
Belly rolls on the mat in agony from the high impact move. Drake is also down, holding his back again. Slowly Drake moves across for the pin.
1… Strong kick out.
Drake rolls away, still holding his back, before slowly standing. Belly also makes his way to his feet. The two men dive into a collar and elbow tie up, struggling back and forth for a few seconds before Drake outthinks Belly and manoeuvres him into a front headlock. Drake then drops Belly down for a DDT, making Belly bounce on the mat.
Phoenix: Hard DDT there from Drake.
Drake helps Belly to his feet and positions him for a suplex. A loud pop goes around the arena as Drake grips the much larger athlete and tries to get Belly into position for the move.
Phoenix: There is no way Drake can manoeuvre Belly up into a suplex!
Belly fires quick elbows to the side of Drake head as he fights the move, making Drake release his hold. Belly fires a big right hand into Drake face, staggering the challenger, before running off towards the ropes. He returns and extends his arm for a clothesline, Drake ducks and Belly connects with the referee who collapses in a heap. Belly spins round, to see Drake foot flying towards him.
Phoenix: ICE BREAKER, ICE BREAKER, ICE BREAKER!!!
Jeffery: FROM NO WHERE!!
Phoenix: Can Drake finish this...?
Drake lands his version of the super kick, felling Belly and then immediately he runs to the corner of the ring. Climbing the post, and launching himself into the frog splash, scoring with a direct hit across Belly's chest.
Phoenix: My God!! Drake hit the Grandslam! It's the same move he used to win the World Title back in 2009!! That’s got to be it!!
Jeffery: But the ref is down and out!!
Drake puts his body over Belly and waits for the count.
Audience: 1…2…3…4…5…6…7…
Drake looks around and sees the prone body of the referee. He stands and grabs the referee by the back of the shirt, lifting him slightly. Belly has begun to come round and seeing the referee unconscious, crawls towards the corner of the ring.
The referee slowly gets back to his feet as Belly once again rushes Drake with a clothesline, Drake again ducks, allowing Belly to hit the ropes and for the second time, Drake flashes his boot up and onto the jaw of the bigger man.
Phoenix: ICE BREAKER!! Drake's hit a second Ice breaker!
The force of the kick makes Belly slump to his knees, before falling forwards and crashing, face first, onto the mat. Drake looks at his opponent, then at the ref, then out to the crowd. Huge shouts of 'pin him' race around the arena.
Drake grabs Belly's tree stump like arm and pulls the 373lber over onto his back, Drake drops to pin.
1...
2...
Gasps, cheers, jeers, shrieks, applause, approval all cascading from the audience before a sledgehammer slams into Drakes stomach.
Winner: Chris Drake by disqualification, Chris Marks retains the Everlast championship
Drake rolls away, crying out in pain. Stunned silence from the crowd as Mike Nichols stands over Chris Drake and lifts the hammer high into the air, thinking of the pain this weapon can cause.
Nichols helps Drake to his feet; he drives his sledge hammer into Drake solarplexes, doubling him up, then bringing his weapon down over Drake back dropping him to the mat again.
Phoenix: Someone stop him, he’s gonna kill Drake with that thing!
Jeffery: What the hell is Nichols doing??
The referee starts calling for the bell, and tries to stop Nichols rampage, but is unable to stop a fourth hammer shot hitting Drake. Nichols throws the hammer to the mat, staring at Drake, hatred burning in his eyes. He shouts one word at Drake. One word to explain it all.
"Grandslam"
Nichols exits through the crowd, to resounding jeers, leaving Belly looking confused in the ring, and Drake a bloody mess in the corner as the EMT‘s arrive and help him out of the ring.
Phoenix: Drake took four big hammer shots, he should be dead!!!
Jeffery: Well, officially, Drake takes the victory here, but it wont feel like it!
Drake is moved slowly and carefully onto a stretcher and quickly removed from the ring as the show goes to a commercial break.
Phoenix: No time to stop here folks, I'm getting word that Michael Carson is in the back with some breaking news. Over to you Mike.
We head backstage to some generic area where Carson is standing by with a mic in one hand and the other hand pushing his earpiece in to block out the noise. He speaks loudly because the fans are deafening.
Carson: Thanks Scott. We've been following the progress of the Unnatural Predators' return following the brutal assault at the hands of NME a few weeks ago. I have just been told that Lord Skywolf and Eddie Wofbaine have been seen here tonight!
Phoenix: They're in the building?!
Carson: That's right Scott. Th- In fact, here they are now! Eddie! Eddie, Skywolf, do you have a minute?
The camera swings around to show the Unnatural Predators in their street clothes with their bags and title belts. They don't look happy to be interrupted.
Wolfbaine: Make it quick.
Carson: Guys, we're yet to hear whether or not you've been medically cleared to compete. Does your appearance tonight mean you're good to go?
Wolfbaine: Do we look hurt?
Carson: No.
Skywolf: Neither do NME. Yet.
Wolfbaine: Look, we're here to defend these belts. We still need to be checked out one last time before they'll clear us, but I'll be damned if I'm letting my title be taken from me without a fight. Cleared or not, I'm going out there.
With that, the Predators leave. Carson is thrilled to have been able to break some news.
Carson: Skywolf, Eddie, thank you. Back to you Scott.
Back to the ring now, where the RockStarrs get their first full entrance in forever. Candi proudly leads her guys down the ramp, T-Rock and BA Starr should probably be a little more nervous than they are considering they don't know who or what they're about to meet. They both rock out down the long entrance ramp, letting the big event atmosphere get to them. Starr poses on a turnbuckle and does a little backflip down into the ring just to show off. The guys are eager to find out who is behind all the weird things that have been happening to them lately.
Phoenix: I guess we're about to find out what Afterlife is.
Jeffrey: I'm not sure I want to know. I'm pretty sure where I'm going when I die, and I'm not in any rush to get there.
"It's time for your reckoning."
The lights fall to total darkness, until a fire starts up on the entrance stage. it crackles away slowly at first, but soon grows to five, then ten feet high. Meanwhile a spotlight hits the floor at the bottom of the ramp, just in front of the ring. A figure of a man slowly descends through the beam of light on a harness, a smallish man in white tights with gold designs. He has his arms out to his sides and his head bowed, impressively calm given his method of entry. He lands on the floor and unhooks himself from his wire, then dramatically looks up to the fire on the stage. The flames die down to reveal a great monster of a man, musclebound and red from the heat. He's bald with a rough goatee, wearing red trunks and boots, stomping powerfully down towards the ring. Starr and T-Rock take a good look at the men, realising they're familiar. And they're not the only ones who see it.
Phoenix: Hang on, I know them!
Loveless: And their opponents at a combined weight of 495lbs, Angel and Demon, the Afterlife!
Phoenix: Angel and Demon? That's Scotty Angel, Ray!
Jeffrey: It is? And that must be "The Demon" Dom Stone?
Phoenix: Exactly! But he looks different.
The camera gets a good close up on Angel and Demon, showing that Angel's eyes are pure white and Demon's are pure black. Very creepy. Angel climbs into the ring first to kick things off, while Demon takes a spot on the apron. Starr decides he'll start things for his team, waving T-Rock and Candi away.
Match 3 - RockStarrs v Afterlife
Angel offers a handshake to Starr, who is cautious and refuses to accept. Angel doesn't take it personally, he seems detached from the situation somehow. They circle each other and lock up, Angel grabbing a side headlock and snapping Starr over to the mat before following up with a low dropkick to the back.
Phoenix: Oh man, I didn't think we'd see these guys again.
Jeffrey: When did we last see Demon?
Phoenix: Nearly two years ago. Demon has a notoriously bad temper, he loses control of his actions and the only person capable of calming him down is Angel. It's been like that ever since they were kids. BA Starr knows this, he and Angel were a tag team. Demon was suspended due to a relentless attack on his then-partner Tony Rock, one that left Rock hospitalised.
Jeffrey: He raged out when Angel and Starr beat them, right?
Phoenix: Exactly. When Rock came back, he and Starr formed a tag team and won the 4CW tag titles. We haven't seen Angel or Demon until now.
With that exposition out of the way, we can get back to this match. Angel has worked Starr over and is setting him up for his finisher, one of many kinds of knee lift. This time he's looking for a springboard version, with Starr groggy in the ring Angel bounces from the apron and flies at his former partner, only to miss as Starr ducks and jabs a thumb to Angel's eye as he turns. Starr dives to make the tag to T-Rock, who fires up and powers through Angel with a couple of stiff clotheslines.
Jeffrey: That's what we needed! Get the big man in there. Fancy entrance, I'll give them that, but this one is all RockStarrs.
Rock crushes Angel with a powerslam, then turns to Demon who is breathing smoke on the apron. He's not the same guy T-Rock used to know, he looks possessed. To avoid meeting him Rock covers Angel for a two count and quickly keeps up the assault. He applies a bear hug to squeeze the life out of the cruiserweight, lifting him up off the mat to increase the pressure. Angel struggles to get free, kicking his feet and trying to apply a guillotine choke. He throws some weak knees to Rock's midsection and can't break the hold but is able to loosen it enough to reach the ropes.
The referee breaks the hold and backs T-Rock away while Angel catches his breath by the ropes. Rock doesn't want to lose his momentum so he charges Angel only to be low bridged to the outside. Angel slowly heads to his corner to tag in the big man. Starr scrambles into the ring to stop the tag being made, grabbing Angel's hand to pull him back. Angel turns to Starr and shakes his head, then jumps up into a step-up enzuigiri to flatten Starr before tagging Demon.
Phoenix: Uh oh. This can't be good.
Jeffrey: Hey, ref! We give up, ok? That totally counts.
Demon roars as he enters the ring, leaning back and shouting his rage to the skies. His arms bulge and his veins pop, he sends Starr flipping 450 degrees with a clothesline.
Jeffrey: Welp.
Phoenix: That's freakish. How do you stop this man?
T-Rock sneaks up behind Demon and clubs him in the back. Demon barely sells, so Rock keeps hammering away with forearms. Bang, bang, bang. Demon hunches over and takes the shots, not going down. Rock backs off into the ropes for momentum, but Demon turns to meet him head on and delivers a huge rotating spinebuster. This seems to fire Demon up even more, now he's breathing heavily and looking around for anything that moves, including the referee who has to roll out of the ring to avoid being attacked. Starr is up, so he takes a big boot, then Rock is scoop slammed. Starr takes a big gorilla press slam right on top of his partner before being tossed clean over the top rope to the floor by the ramp.
Phoenix: Have you ever seen power like this?
Jeffrey: Yeah, one time.
Phoenix: You mean Synder?
Jeffrey: Obviously.
Phoenix: That guy was a total gimmick.
Jeffrey: Sure, and this is legit.
T-Rock is dizzy, but gets to his feet as Demon's rage reaches its limit. He boots Rock in the gut and sets him up for a huge seated powerbomb. Rock lands with a splat and is covered for the three count.
Winners: Afterlife
Loveless: Ladies and gentlemen here are your winners, Angel and Demon, the Afterlife!
Angel rolls back into the ring, getting in front of Demon to make eye contact and calm him down. Demon's rage is subsiding anyway after the demon bomb, so Angel regains control without any trouble. They have their hands raised by the referee, who clearly wants nothing to do with touching Demon. Angel congratulates his partner, and then shakes the referee's hand for a job well done.
We get a little recap video of tonight's pre-show match, with Brian White squashing the man he's been brawling with lately, Leo Banks. This leads into the camera catching up as Brian White as he knocks on the office door of Hugh Knowles
Knowles 'Come in! Ah, Brian the Freight Train' White, I was hoping to see you before you left tonight'
White 'One of the backstage guys said you wanted to see me...'
Knowles 'Yes yes, it's about your contract. With you and Banks trying to kill each other every time you see each other, we've not managed to sort this all out yet. What happened between you two anyway? No, save it for Storm Front, I'm sure it'll make an interesting story.'
White 'Hmph'
Knowles 'Okay... Just sing here and we'll officially add you to the roster. Oh, by the way, you won't have to worry about Leo Banks here anymore. When I offered him his contract earlier he told me in what dark hole to shove it. Something about letting any old riff raff in to compete... I don't know, his loss.'
White sings the contract and slides it back over the desk.
Knowles 'Wonderful, see you in a fortnight
We head back to the arena now, as "The Icon" Mark Redman makes his entrance. He has Symphony X at the side of the stage to play Iconoclast live.
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Redman gives very little acknowledgement to the band, this is all about him. He has a new long ring jacket, black leather with various silver designs embedded. He hops up to the apron and poses, then climbs into the ring to pose a little more on the turnbuckles until the band is finished. Redman gives them a little applause for a job well done. Smoke's entrance is nowhere near as dramatic, he simply walks out from the back and heads down the super long ramp to the ring. He slaps a load of hands on his way, and looks ready for action. Redman dumps his ring jacket over the ropes to the timekeeper, revealing his new t-shirt, which he takes off and holds up in the air as a bit of last-minute advertising.
Loveless: Ladies and gentlemen this bout is scheduled for one fall and is for the vacant 4CW universal championship...
...and so on.
Match 4 - "The Icon" Mark Redman v Smoke
Universal championship
The bell rings and Redman tells Smoke to wait while he chooses a fan to throw his t-shirt to. He points at a few potential recipients and decides none of them is worthy, so he keeps looking. He eventually decides to ball it up and throw it into Smoke's face, where it unravels and covers him so he can't see Redman's flurry of right hands coming. Redman backs Smoke up into the ropes and delivers repeated punches and a couple of knees to the ribs before the referee can separate them.
Phoenix: This is how we're going to start the match that will crown a new universal champion?
Jeffrey: Yep! The Icon is willing to do whatever it takes.
Phoenix: Including cheating.
Jeffrey: Of course! It shows passion.
Phoenix: It shows cowardice.
Jeffrey: It shows he wants it more. Smoke could cheat too if he wanted to.
Phoenix: But he doesn't want to. He wants to win that title fairly.
Jeffrey: So does Redman, but not so much that he's going to risk not winning it. Like I said, he wants it more.
Redman spends the next few minutes working Smoke over. Smoke gets a few shots in here and there, but nothing big enough to swing the momentum. Redman chokes Smoke on the middle rope for a long four count, then applies a rear chinlock on the mat. Smoke refuses to give up his dream of winning the universal title though, he fires up and backs Redman into the ropes with some elbow strikes, then whips him across the ring into a clothesline. Redman pops back up and is taken down again, but a third clothesline is countered into a side effect. Redman covers for one, two, but Smoke kicks out.
Phoenix: Near fall for The Icon there.
Jeffrey: It's coming Scott. Smoke can't hang on forever.
He doesn't have to hang on forever, just for long enough to get his opening. Smoke takes a reverse DDT for another two count, a facebreaker into a discus lariat for another, leading Redman to get pissed that he's not staying down. The Icon delivers a scoop slam to set Smoke up, then climbs the turnbuckles. He takes a second to find his balance, not used to going up high, then leaps off into a big diving leg drop. Smoke takes the move hard across the throat, but still manages to kick out at two!
Jeffrey: Gah! I thought for sure he had it that time!
Phoenix: I'm a big believer in Smoke, but it's really not looking good for him right now.
Jeffrey: Hey, we've seen guys fight through a lot more than they usually can at Revival, but everyone has a breaking point. The Icon just has to keep this up and that belt is his!
Redman isn't happy about how things are going, but isn't losing his temper just yet as he's still firmly in control and he still has his big move left to try. He drags Smoke over to a corner and lifts him up into a seated position on the top.
Jeffrey: Here it comes! No one kicks out of the iconoclasm. This is it right here!
Redman stands under Smoke and turns back to face the ring, grabbing his opponent under the arms. He tries to pull Smoke down with a flip slam, but Smoke is fighting it. Redman pulls again, but isn't getting his way. Smoke wraps his legs around Redman's neck, trying to choke him with a triangle-style hold. Redman pulls Smoke down from the turnbuckle but ends up carrying him around on his shoulders! Smoke delivers a few punches to the top of Redman's head as he staggers around the ring.
Jeffrey: What?! What is this?
Phoenix: It's a version of a triangle choke, and it's effective!
Redman has had enough of this, and tries to break out by falling back into an electric chair drop. Smoke takes the hit hard, but keeps his leg lock applied. Both men are struggling, one to break the hold and the other to keep it applied. Redman's arm strength isn't enough to pull the legs apart, especially when Smoke grabs his ankle to add further pressure to it. Smoke twists his body to lay Redman down on the mat, his shoulders staying down for a cover.
One!
Two!
Shoulder up, but Redman is fading. He fights to crawl towards the ropes, trying to get his foot hooked around them, but Smoke overpowers him. The Icon is close to passing out, so he flips over off his back and tries to push up to his knees to relieve some of the pressure. It's only partially successful, Smoke keeps the hold firmly locked in. Redman lifts Smoke as high as he can and stacks him up on his shoulders, trying to pin him from inside the hold.
One!
Two!
Smoke releases the hold to escape the pin. Redman collapses to the canvas, struggling to regain his breath. Smoke doesn't let up, he dives right back into a headlock and tries to postion himself above Redman to apply maximum pressure. Redman quickly scrambles to the ropes before the hold can be fully locked in. The Icon rolls to the outside for a breather, but Smoke is right on him with a big torpedo dive between the ropes to take his man out. Smoke is all fired up now, hurting but finally in control of this contest. He tries to pick Redman up to roll him back into the ring but Redman counters into an Irish whip towards the ring steps. Smoke leaps over the steps, quickly turns and uses the steps as a springboard into a big diving lariat to flatten Redman again.
Jeffrey: Wah! This isn't good!
Smoke rolls Redman into the ring, sensing he's nearly finished. He's about to follow him in when he notices the D'Amico brothers at the top of the super long ramp. Smoke has enough time to look under the ring and pull out a kendo stick before the D'Amicos arrive, cracking Tommy with it before he can do anything. Smoke ducks a right hand from Frankie and nails him in the ribs with the stick, then across the back to take him down too.
Jeffrey: Oh, well that was a great run in right there. Just excellent work.
Phoenix: Don't get all pouty just because your boys didn't get to cheat.
Jeffrey: It's not cheating if you don't get caught.
Phoenix: In what way is that relevant here?
Jeffrey: In what way are you relevant here?!
Phoenix: Good one Ray, you got me. Now I'm going to keep calling this match, and when you want to start acting like an adult you're welcome to join me.
Smoke dumps the stick on the floor and rolls into the ring to get back to work. Redman explodes off the distraction with a discus lariat, dropping to cover Smoke for one, two, but Smoke kicks out. Redman pounds the mat in frustration, then goes for another cover. One, two, Smoke kicks out again. The Icon drags Smoke up by the hair and throws him into the corner again, then uses a double leg takedown position to hoist him up onto the top turnbuckle. Smoke grabs Redman's head with a headlock and pushes off the ropes into a tornado DDT, crashing into the ring hard. Smoke now covers for...
Phoenix: One! Two! Wehaveanewchampion-NO! Kick out.
Smoke is fine with it, he simply gets to his feet and stalks Redman looking for a superkick. He locks his eyes on his target, readying the strike. Redman sees something coming and pulls the referee between him and Smoke, making something up to complain about to keep himself safe. Meanwhile, the D'Amicos use the kendo stick to swipe Smoke's leg out from under him, sending him stumbling into a huge Drew McIntyre style DDT from Redman. Sensing his opportunity, Redman foregoes the cover in favour of a third attempt at the iconoclasm, lifting Smoke onto the top turnbuckle and flipping him over into the ring, holding his shoudlers down for the cover.
One!
Two!
Three!
Winner: "The Icon" Mark Redman, new universal champion!
Redman is handed the universal title belt and kneels in the ring clutching it. He looks more relieved than happy, finally his quest for 4CW gold has been successful. The referee raises his hand in victory as the D'Amico brothers join him in the ring to celebrate. They lift him onto their shoudlers and he holds the belt high into the air.
Jeffrey: Yes! What a Revival moment!
Phoenix: A total screwjob! Those damn D'Amicos couldn't stay away!
Jeffrey: What did I tell you, Scott? He wanted it more!
Phoenix: Well he got it. I hope he's proud of himself.
Jeffrey: He is! Look at him! Hahahahaha!
* Video package refreshing the Valentine v [chux] feud.
Match 5 - Jack Valentine v [chux] McCool
Winner: ???
Phoenix: Well folks, it's time for a very special announcement. It's my honour to reveal the return of the 4CW hall of fame.
Jeffrey: It's been three years since anybody has been inducted into the hall, but tonight three more names will be added to the elite club.
Phoenix: And without further ado, let's see the first inductee.
A short video package is shown featuring the highlights of Sery's career. Tagging with the monster Synder, winning the custom championship and a load of wacky skits in between matches with some of 4CW greatest superstars.
Phoenix: Yes, congratulations to Sery! Unfortunately Sery can't be here tonight, but we hope to see the master of the seryous senton back in 4CW very soon.
Jeffrey: As for the remaining inductees...well, they kinda have to be inducted together.
Another video package plays, this time we see a very young Carstein debuting in 4CW nine years ago. More recently, we see "The Bruiser" Rhysus in his debut match. We see Carstein winning the tag team championship with Inferno, twice, and then Rhysus capturing the 4CW championship. Carstein is shown with Marie Dubois and Renfield, while Rhysus is shown with his family. Their paths cross and we get a few shots of their feud, going back and forth, and ending with a shot of them face to face.
Phoenix: Congratulations and welcome to the 4CW hall of fame, Carstein and Rhysus!
Jeffrey: It's only fitting that the main eventers of Revival X go into the hall of fame together. Tonight, two men enter that ring, and two legends will leave.
Phoenix: Very poetic, Ray. But while both men will leave that ring as hall of famers, only one man can leave as the 4CW champion.
Back in the arena, Within Temptation's "The Howling" kicks up.
Loveless: The following contest is a triple threat match for the 4CW Women’s Championship and is scheduled for one-fall! Introducing first, the challenger, JENNAAAAAAAA DIIIIIVVYYYYYYYYYYYYYYNNNNNNEEEE!!!!!!!
Jenna Divyne appears from the back looking strong and stoic. She makes her way down to the ring whipping her hands a little to loosen up her wrists. Jenna poses on the turnbuckle, moving her arm diagonally across her throat in a nearly-slashing motion.
The lights slowly dim, and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Hell Raiser” screams from the PA. The hooded and robed figure of Marie Dubois appears from the back, clutching a skull in both hands.
I’m living on an endless road
Around the world for rick and roll
Sometimes it feels so tough
But I still ain’t had enough.
Loveless: And the second challenger, from New Orleans, Louisiana, the Maiden of Darkness, MARIEEEEEE DUBOOOOIIIIIISSSSSS!!!!
Almost as if she were gliding, Marie walks down the ramp towards the ring.
I keep saying that it’s getting too much
But I know I’m a liar
Feeling all right in the noise and the light
But that’s what lights my fire!
From outside the ring, she places the skull in ring corner nearest the steel steps, the grinning face looking towards the middle of the ring. She climbs up the steps, removes her hood, and climbs into the ring.
Hellraiser, in the thunder and heat
Hellraiser, rock you back in your seat
Hellraiser, and I’ll make it come true
Once in the middle of the ring, her robe falls off like water, revealing her wrestling attire of black boots, purple wrestling shorts and a cropped New Orleans Saints football jersey, with “Dubois 13” on the back.
Hellraiser, I’ll put a spell on you!
The lighting barely changes but the music switches to After Forever's "Equally Destructive."
Loveless: And their opponent, she is the 4CW Women’s Champion, LOREEELEEIIII SSSPPPIIIIIIIIICCCCEEEEE!!!!
Lorelei Spice emerges from the back wearing a black and gold cape with shoulder pads to make her look like a Disney villain. Spice has the 4CW Women’s Championship belt around her waist, but doesn't look or touch it at all, like she's so used to it being there that she doesn't even notice it anymore. She slowly makes her way down the ramp, never taking her eyes off her opponents, and climbs into the ring. She poses with the belt on a turnbuckle, then drops down and hands it to the ref.
Ding, ding, ding!
Match 6 - Lorelei Spice v Jenna Divyne v Marie Dubois
Womens championship
Lorelei doesn’t give Marie or Jenna a chance to react. She rushes at them, knocking them both down with a double clothesline. She stomps on Marie, then on Jenna. Jenna gets to her feet first, but Lorelei grabs her and hits a DDT.
Marie springs to her feet, but Lorelei, who’s still sat down from hitting the DDT, grabs her leg and pulls her down to the mat.
Phoenix: Lorelei really showing dominance here early on!
Jeffrey: There’s a reason why she’s been the Women’s Champion since 2012, and this is why!
Still holding onto Marie’s legs, Lorelei gets up and locks in a figure four leglock. Marie cries out in pain as Lorelei has the hold locked in. Jenna doesn’t want Marie tapping out here, so she kicks Lorelei to break up the hold. Jenna backs away as Lorelei gets to her feet. Marie too gets up, using the ropes for support. The three back away from each other, and stare each other down.
Lorelei’s and Jenna’s eyes meet, and they both give a small nod towards each other. In perfect unison they both run at Marie and knock her down to the mat with a double-clothesline. Lorelei grabs a hold of Marie’s legs and drags her to the centre of the ring. Jenna jumps into the air and lands on Marie’s throat with a leg drop.
Phoenix: Lorelei and Jenna showing shades of last year’s Gallows End working together here.
Jenna gets back to her feet, and Lorelei gives the fallen Marie a few kicks for good measure. She picks Marie up and Irish whips her into the corner. As Marie lands in the corner Jenna runs at her and crashes into her with a vicious spear. Marie falls into a sitting position, still in the corner. Jenna rolls out of the way and this time Lorelei flies from nowhere and smacks Marie in the face with a leg drop.
Jenna grabs Marie by the wrist and heaves her up to her feet. She pulls Marie towards her and stretches out her arm for a clothesline, but Marie quickly sees what’s going on and ducks, managing to not only escape Jenna’s clothesline but also her grasp. Now behind Jenna, Marie grabs a hold of the back of Jenna’s head, pushes her into the corner and starts ramming her head on the top turnbuckle.
Lorelei wraps her arms around Mare’s waist and hoists her up into the air, slamming her back down with a German suplex. Lorelei gets back up to her feet, as does a groggy Marie. Lorelei kicks Marie in her mid-section, and grabs a hold of her into a suplex position. Though slightly dazed, Jenna joins in and the two lift Marie into the air. They both delay the double-suplex for a moment, letting the blood rush to Marie’s head. Then they bring her back down to earth, her back slamming into the mat.
Jenna and Lorelei get back to their feet. Jenna starts to roll Marie out of the ring using her feet. They reach the ropes and Marie grabs a hold of Jenna’s ankle and pulls her to the mat. Jenna crashes to the mat. Lorelei goes to lay some lefts and rights on Marie, but the Mistress of Magic sticks a thumb in Lorelei’s eye, temporarily blinding her. The Champ staggers away trying to regain her sight, and Marie, using the ropes, gets back to her feet.
Marie’s groggy and slightly dizzy from the attacks by Jenna and Lorelei, and once on her feet she falls back down again, but managing to land on top of Jenna. With both of Jenna’s shoulders down the ref sees this as a pin and starts to count.
1!
Kick out!
Lorelei regains her sight and makes her way over to Jenna and Marie. Jenna kicks Marie off her which sends her into Lorelei. Lorelei grabs a hold of her and plants her head on the mat with a DDT. Jenna gets back up as Lorelei pins Marie.
1!
2!
Kick out!
Phoenix: One, two and no. Marie Dubois somehow manages to kick out!
Lorelei bangs the mat in frustration and Jenna gives a small smile of satisfaction. Lorelei drags Marie to her feet and hits a massive power bomb. Lorelei again attempts to pin Marie.
1!
2!
But Jenna kicks Lorelei in the back, stopping the pin.
Phoenix: Uh oh, looks like this alliance is over.
Lorelei slowly gets to her feet, turns around and goes eye to eye with Jenna. Marie crawls away to the outside of the ring to regain her senses. As quick as a flash Jenna dives into Lorelei, knocking her down.
Jeffrey: The alliance is definitely over now, every woman for herself!
Lorelei crashes to the mat and Jenna pounds away with some lefts and rights. Jenna attempts to lock a submission hold of some sort on Lorelei; however the Champ grabs a hold of the bottom rope and the ref tells Jenna to get off, which she does.
Jenna Divyne stands in the middle of the ring as Lorelei gets back to her feet. Jenna runs into the ropes, using them to bounce into Lorelei. But, unfortunately for Jenna, Lorelei catches her into a bear hug position.
Phoenix: Uh oh! Jenna is in trouble now!
Jenna squirms in Lorelei’s arms, trying to escape. But Lorelei continues to hold Jenna and tightens the hold, causing Jenna to scream in pain. The referee comes over to check on Jenna, asking if she wants to submit. Jenna shakes her head, showing her determinism. Instead of tightening the hold again, Lorelei alters her grasp on Jenna, walks towards the middle of the ring and does a belly to belly suplex.
Jenna falls limp to the mat. Lorelei gets to her feet, grabs Jenna by her right wrist and drags her over to a corner. She grabs her head, lifts her up and sits her on the top rope.
Phoenix: What’s Lorelei Spice doing here?
Jeffrey: Well she’s signalling that it’s the end for Jenna tonight!
And sure enough, Lorelei faces the crowd with her back to Jenna, points at Jenna and draws her thumb across her throat. Lorelei climbs to the top rope, and locks Jenna into a suplex position. She then lifts up her opponent and the two fall down to the mat.
Phoenix: Wow! What a monster super-plex!
Jenna lay motionless where she landed whilst Lorelei climbs to her feet. Just as Lorelei stands Marie Dubois collides into her with a vicious clothesline.
Phoenix: Good grief Marie almost took Lorelei’s head off!
The force of Marie’s clothesline causes the two to tumble through the ropes and land outside. They both get up and start trading some rights. Back in the ring Jenna gets to her feet. She regains her senses and notices Lorelei and Marie brawling outside the ring. She looks around then runs towards the ropes and leaps into the air, crashing into her opponents. Lorelei bears the brunt of Jenna’s dive and Jenna’s knees smack into her face.
Crowd: Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
Jenna gets back up, as does Marie. Jenna knees Marie in the stomach, causing Marie to keel over. Jenna grabs a hold of her hair and marches her over to the commentator’s table. Jenna bashes Marie’s head on the table.
Phoenix: Some retaliation from earlier on there.
Jenna then pushes Marie onto the table. Jenna climbs up and picks up Marie, putting her into a piledriver position. But before she can lift her to hit the devastating manoeuvre, Marie fights out and knocks Jenna over. Jenna loses her balance and falls onto Jeffrey, knocking him down.
Phoenix: Ray! Ray! Are you ok?
Jeffrey: Don’t touch me Phoenix! This is the greatest moment of my entire life!
Lorelei makes her way towards the commentator’s table. Marie leaps off and Lorelei catches her. Marie struggles, trying to escape. Lorelei obliges, throwing Marie over her head. But rather than crashing to the ground, Marie manages to land on her feet. She pushes Lorelei into the commentator’s table, then dashes into the ring.
Lorelei heads to the ring, and Marie slides under the bottom rope, kicking Lorelei square in the chest, sending her backwards back into the commentator’s table. Marie gets up and stands on the ring apron. With Lorelei resting on the table, Marie leaps off the ring apron and hits a leg drop onto Lorelei’s chest, arching her back on the table.
Marie slides to the floor and lands on her feet whilst Lorelei howls in pain. Marie climbs back into the ring, and Lorelei stands up straight, cursing under her breath and follows Marie into the ring. Jenna finally gets back up and follows suit.
Marie climbs onto the top rope just as Lorelei gets into the ring. Lorelei turns to face Marie, and Marie jumps from the top rope, grabs Lorelei’s head and pulls her down backwards, hitting a neckbreaker of sorts.
Phoenix: That’s gotta be it!
Lorelei crumples to the ground, and the tired and hurt Marie covers her. The ref hurries over and starts the three count.
1
2
Before the ref can count to 3 Jenna pulls Marie off Lorelei. Before Marie can realise what’s going on Jenna kicks her hard in the back of the head. Jenna drops down to her knees to pin Marie.
1
2
Kick out!
A look of disbelief crosses Jenna’s face.
Phoenix: How did Jenna kick out of that?
Jenna seems to think never mind as she lifts Jenna up. She drags her to the corner and hoists her up into a power bomb position.
Phoenix: This is gonna be ugly.
Before Jenna could bring Marie crashing down, Marie regains her senses. She drops down, her legs still on Jenna’s shoulders. Using her legs, Marie then pulls Jenna’s head into the top turnbuckle. Jenna’s face smacks into the turnbuckle and she drops Marie. Jenna staggers backwards into the middle of the ring. Marie sprints at Jenna, knocking her down with a spear. She then lifts her, and sets her up for her finishing move, the Crowley Driver. Up goes Jenna Divyne, and what goes up must come down. Marie covers Jenna.
1
Lorelei stirs and starts to get up.
2
She notices Marie pinning Lorelei, and dives towards the pin. But it’s too late.
3!
Winner: Marie Dubois, new womens champion!
Ding, ding, ding!
Loveless: Here’s your winner, and the new 4CW Women’s Champion, MAAAAAARIE DUUUUUBOOOOIIIIISSSSSSS!!!!!!!
Phoenix: Lorelei’s year and a half long reign as Women’s Champion is over!
The ref hands the championship belt to Mare, and raises her arm in victory. Marie is in shock, and looks at her new championship belt.
Phoenix: Marie Dubois has been in 4CW since late 2007. Just imagine how much this moment means to her!
We head backstage to Jenny Loveless in her interview area. She's looking especially glamorous tonight in a sparkly blue dress.
Jenny: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time...unfortunately, is "The Icon" Mark Redman. Mark, here we are again.
Redman: Here we are again.
Jenny: You're here fresh off a big victory tonight, you are now the new 4CW universal champion. And I don't mean fresh literally. Have you showered yet?
Redman: Not yet, no. But if you want to come scrub my back, I'll let you.
Jenny: Thanks, but I'm busy. How does it feel to hold the prestigious universal championship?
Redman: Jenny, usually I complain that you're an idiot and that your questions are stupid. Tonight, I'm in a good mood. I'll assume you know those things, and I'll give a simple answer to a simple girl. It feels good, Jenny. Very good.
Jenny: You don't have to be an asshole, you know.
Redman: Those who don't sugar coat will always be considered bitter.
Jenny: What is that, like an Oscar Wilde quote or something?
Redman: Psh. Wilde wishes he could quip like me.
Jenny: He's dead.
Redman: I know. Look, I have plans for this title, I have things to say about what it took to get here and things to say about where I go next. But the fact is, my job for tonight is done. I can't do any more for two weeks, so I'm going to go eat a steak, I'm going to drink as much as I can get my hands on, and I'm going to party until I can't stand up anymore.
Jenny: Shower first. Please shower first.
Redman: Of course. And because I'm in such a good mood, Jenny...I want you to be there with me.
Jenny: You what?
Redman: I know you annoy the hell out of me and I'm an asshole to you, that's kinda our thing, right? You always hurt the one you love. But tonight we can put all that aside and just have a good time.
Jenny: Did you just say you lov-
Redman: Let me take you out, see the town, buy you some drinks, dance, all that good stuff. It'll be a good time, I promise.
Jenny: Well, I...I guess I don't have any more interviews...
Redman: Excellent! Now, first I need you to do one thing for me.
Jenny: Err...what?
Redman: Scrub my back. Come on, let's go.
Redman drags Jenny off camera by the hand.
Jenny: Woah! Woah, hang on! I didn't agree to that!
Match 7 - Cowboys From Hell v High Society v New Redemption
Winners: ???
Phoenix: Folks, we are moments away from our main event tonight.
We cut to the back and there, walking down the corridor surrounded by about six security guards, is Rhysus.
Phoenix: And here comes the champ, and he’s not alone!
Jeffrey: Are those guards to protect him, or to protect us from him?
Wearing his ring gear and the 4CW World Heavyweight Championship belt around his waist, Rhysus as a steely focused look on his face.
Phoenix: I don’t know Ray, but one thing’s for certain, this is the biggest match in Rhys’ career. Main eventing the biggest show in 4CW history. There is no way he will allow himself to lose. And with that look on his face, you have to believe that he won’t.
We then cut to another camera, and see Carstein, also in his ring gear, walking down a different corridor, alone.
Phoenix: And what a night so far it has been for Carstein. He has seen Marie Dubois win the Women’s Championship, Renfield win the Sole Survivor Tournament and the Custom Cup Championship. And now he’s taking his steps towards destiny, to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
Carstein walks down the corridor, then bumps into a familiar face.
Jeffrey: It’s Inferno!
Phoenix: Lords of Salem reunion right here!
The two men look at each other, and then smile. They grasp hands, and embrace.
Phoenix: As a team, the Lords of Salem have a 2-0 record at Revival! I wonder if this luck will stick with Carstein tonight!
Inferno: Good luck out there man!
Inferno claps Carstein on the shoulder, and the Lord of the Night carries on down the corridor.
Jeffrey: This is for the 4CW Tag Team championship. The UnNatural Predators have been kind of MIA since winning the tag titles. This is their first title defense.
Phoenix: There was no one worthy of a title shot. After this blow out, you’ll see why they don’t NEED to defend their titles. They’re going to run through these guys.
Jeffrey: Well The Skill Set won the number one Contender’s match a few months ago, and finally get their shot. And NME worked their way into the match with a sneak attack on the Predators. This will be interesting.
The music for the Unnatural Predators; Lord Skywolf & Eddie Wolfbaine (accompanied by his wife Gwendolyn Wolfbaine) and they walk down to the ring with the tag team championship over each of their shoulders. The crowd boo them mercilessly.
A moment later, the music for NME hits as Kurtis Raymond and Jacob White come down to ringside with Siddney Black. The crowd give them a mixed reaction.
Finally, as the music for the Skill Set hit; Paladin Wells and Kensai run down to ringside, with Courtney Frost a few steps behind.
Match 8 - Unnatural Predators v Skill Set v NME
Tag team championship
The crowd erupts in cheers as all three sets of teams immediately start throwing punches at each other and the bell rings to start the match. The managers, Black, Frost & Wolfbaine keep their distances.
Phoenix: It’s already broken down!
Jeffrey: This is a slobberknocker!
Phoenix: I think that phrase is copywrited.
Kensai and Jacob White square off exchanging right and lefts and chops. Lord Skywolf and Kurtis Raymond exchange an eye poke for a face rake, followed by blocks and a reciprocating series of jabs to each other’s faces. Eddie Wolfbaine and Paladin Wells keep landing bone-crunching rights, one after the other after the other, but neither back down from the exchange.
Phoenix: Lefts and rights and lefts and rights. This is ugly.
Jeffrey: I didn’t expect a clinic on chain wrestling from these guys.
Jacob White goes off the ropes and nails Kensai with a flying elbow. Skywolf whips Raymond off the ropes and hits a big back body drop. Wolfbaine pokes Wells in the eye and follows up with a drop kick, leveling the big man. Wolfbaine picks up Wells and gorilla presses him to the outside of the ring. Skywolf waits for Raymond to get up and super kicks him in the face, and Raymond falls to the outside of the ring. Jacob White runs Kensai’s face on the ropes, and goes to toss him out of the ring, but Kensai reverses the toss, and White is the one to tumble out of the ring. Kensai is alone in the ring with the Unnatural Predators!
Phoenix: Predators are thinning out the herd. It’s all over but the paperwork!
Jeffrey: Don’t count out the Skills Set yet.
Skywolf and Wolfbaine charge the remaining opponent in the ring with a double clothesline, but Kensai ducks under it and and catches Skywolf coming off the ropes with a SUPERKICK, knocking Skywolf over the top rope and to the outside floor! Wolfbaine turns just in time to see Paladin Wells back in the ring, coming off the ropes with a bone-crunching SPEAR! The crowd goes wild with cheers as Paladin looks to Kensai, and then Kensai nods as she scoots to the corner and hops to the top rope.
Paladin Wells pulls Wolfbaine up and then back down into THE HOLY AVENGER (Jackhammer Powerslam)!!! An instant later, Kensai launches off the top rope and nails the downed Wolfbaine with THE RISING SON (Top Rope Corkscrew Moonsault Pin)!!! Paladin slides out of the ring, and the ref drops to make the count.
Phoenix: OH MY GOD!!! NOOO!!!
Jeffrey: The Skill Set hit their finishers! Is it enough?
NME try to recover and get in the ring to break up the count, but it is too late.
1...
2...
Phoenix: NOOO!!!
THREE!!!
Winners: Skill Set, new tag team champions!
The crowd erupts even more as the announcer shouts: The winners of the match... AND NEEEEEEEEW 4CW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS… the... Skiiiiiiiiiiiill Seeeeeeet!!
Gulmira by Ramin Djawadi starts to play in victory. The crowd erupts in deafening cheers! The ref raises the hand of Kensai and Paladin Wells as Courtney Frost slides into the ring beside her team, and assist in putting the 4CW Tag Team Championship around the waists of Paladin Wells and Kensai!
* Video package refreshing the Rhysus v Carstein feud.
Phoenix: Well here we are. After a year of mind games, a year of brawling, a year of kidnaps, beat downs and twists and turns, we are finally here. Rhysus vs. Carstein. This match has been building for a year, since Revival of last year, and has seen both men pushed to their limits.
Jeffrey: Oh man, I can’t wait for this! Rhys has been waiting for such a long long time to destroy Carstein.
Phoenix: And he will get his chance big time tonight, because this is a Swansea Death Match. Let’s talk about tactics Ray; what do these men have to do to win tonight?
Jeffrey: You can only win by pinfall or submission in the ring. There are no DQs, no count outs, hell even no rope breaks! So you have to literally destroy your opponent with whatever you can find. Your fists, with wrestling moves, steel chairs, baseball bats or barbed wire!
Phoenix: So we can expect a bloody brutal match?
Jeffrey: A bloody brutal fight! These kind of matches are hardcore anyway, but when you add the tension and heat between Carstein and Rhysus? This is going to be a war!
Phoenix: Well let’s go to Sarah Loveless in the ring!
The camera cuts to Sarah, standing in the middle of the ring.
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome at this time, our special guest commentator!
Jeffrey: Wait what? Since when were we having company?
Loveless: James Roberts!
Jeffrey: Aww man!
The fans cheer as former 4CW commentator James Roberts appears from the back. Roberts waves at the fans as he makes his way down to the commentators’ table at ringside.
Loveless: And our second special guest commentator!
Jeffrey: Oh come on, more! Surely they know I’m enough!
Loveless: Tyler Smith!
The fans roar as Tyler Smith comes onto the stage. Like Roberts before him, he waves at the fans and heads down to the commentators’ table. He joins Roberts and the pair sit down, putting on their headsets.
Phoenix: James, Tyler, welcome back!
Roberts: Thanks Scott!
Smith: Thanks Scott, it’s amazing to be here tonight!
Jeffrey: Yeah, welcome guys.
We go back to Sarah in the ring.
Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome at this time the special guest ring announcer for our main event, the owner of the 4W Network, Mr. Keith Wilcutt!
Jeffrey: Wilcutt’s here?
Wilcutt walks onto the stage, waving at the fans. He walks down the ramp and climbs into the ring. Sarah Loveless hands over the microphone and she steps out, going to sit down by the timekeeper.
Roberts: It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Keith Wilcutt in a 4CW ring!
The crowd cheer as Wilcutt stands in the middle of the ring, mic in hand. Wilcutt smiles as he looks out at the crowd.
Wilcutt: Thank you, thank you! 4CW, please welcome at this time, the award-winning Alice Cooper!
Jeffrey: Alice Cooper? What’s he doing here?
Phoenix: Haha, only at Revival! Who’s gonna turn up next?
The arena goes black, and a single spot light shines down near the stage. And there, is Alice Cooper. His band starts to play “Prince of Darkness”.
Jeffrey: Sweet, a free concert!
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An angel fell one stormy night
From Heaven’s Glory
He split the earth to reign in Hell.
White mist begins to flood the stage. A group of hooded individuals appear carrying flaming brands. In the front is Marie Dubois, and behind her are eight men, in an arrow formation with four either side.
He fears the light, He fears the truth
He fears what’s going to be
He spits on life, He spits on God
He spits up death for you and me
In the middle of the arrow formation is a large black horse, and sat on top is the Night’s Dark Master, the Midnight Aristocrat, the Lord of the Night, wearing a long black cloak and carrying a large medieval sword.
Prince of Darkness, studies the world with hungry eyes
Prince of Darkness, ready to baptize you in lies
Heart of evil, soul of blackness
Prince of Darkness
The horse rears up on its hind legs, and Carstein points the sword down at the ring.
He’s not a man, he’s just a boy
With a baby’s mind
This poor damnation of God’s creation.
Jeffrey: It’s like a general leading his troops into battle!
He lives for hate, He lives for tears
He lives up to his name
He knew the light, He knew the one
Who was crucified in pain.
Marie Dubois leads the hooded druids down towards the ring, with Carstein riding his horse behind.
Prince of Darkness, studies the world with hungry eyes
Prince of Darkness, ready to baptize you in lies
Heart of evil, soul of blackness
Prince of Darkness
Marie and the druids remain at the foot of the ramp, whilst Carstein rides his horse around the ring. Once he made his lap, he stops the horse by the ring steps, climbs off the horse and steps into the ring.
He fears the light, He fears the truth
He fears what’s going to be
He spits on life, He spits on God
He spits up death for you and me
The druids grab the horse’s reins, and leave the arena.
Prince of Darkness, studies the world with hungry eyes
Prince of Darkness, ready to baptize you in lies
Prince of Darkness, studies the world with hungry eyes
Prince of Darkness, ready to baptize you in lies
Prince of Darkness
The lights come back on as Alice finishes his song. Marie, standing outside the ring, takes off her robe, and she’s wearing a black Metallica t-shirt with a picture on the front and tour dates on the back, blue jeans, trainers and the 4CW Women’s Championship belt over her shoulder.
Carstein removes his cloak, and throws it to the outside, along with his sword. He heads over to one of the ring corners and sits down crossed legged, watching the entrance way.
Then, up on the stage, an all-male choir looking very smart in suits appear.
Jeffrey: A choir? What is this, church?
The choir begin to sing “Hen Wlad fy Nhadau”, the Welsh National Anthem.
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Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Glwad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwye, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
Rhys appears from the back on the stage, wearing a Welsh rugby jersey and carrying the Welsh flag in one hand, a trashcan full of weapons in the other, the 4CW World Heavyweight Championship belt around his waist.
Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
Tram or yn fur i’rbur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
Rhys puts the trashcan down and, holding the flag staff in both hands, Rhys waves the flag in the air, the Red Dragon flying over the stage.
Phoenix: Coming from Swansea, Rhysus is very proud of his Welsh heritage!
Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bard,
Pob dyffren, pob clogwyn, i’m golwyg sydd hardd;
Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.
Rhys, still holding the flag up high, picks up the trashcan and heads down the ramp towards the ring.
Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
Tram or yn fur i’rbur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
He climbs into the ring, drops the trashcan and walks over to one of the ring corners. There he climbs up to the second rope, and waves the flag at the crowd.
Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad tan ei droed,
Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed,
Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.
Rhys hops off the rope, and heads over to the middle of the ring. He passes the flag to the ref, and takes off his rugby top. He throws the top to the outside, and takes off his championship belt. The ref passes the flag over to the crew outside the ring.
Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
Tram or yn fur i’rbur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
The ref takes the belt from Rhys. Carstein gets up and stands in the middle of the ring, facing Rhysus. Wilcutt and the ref stand between them.
Wilcutt: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is your main event for this evening, and it is for the 4CW World Heavyweight Championship!!
The ref holds the belt up for all to see.
Wilcutt: Scheduled for one-fall, it is to be contested under Swansea Death Match rules. There are no count outs, no disqualifications, no rope breaks, no time limits and no holds barred. The only way to win is to pin or force your opponent to submit in the ring.
To my left, he is the challenger. Being accompanied by the new 4CW Women’s Champion Marie Dubois, weighing in tonight at 231 lbs., the Midnight Aristocrat, the Lord of the Night, CCCAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRSSSSSSSTTTTTEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!
And to my right, his opponent. From Swansea, Wales, the United Kingdom, weighing in tonight at 220 lbs., he is the 4CW World Heavyweight Champion, “THE BRUISER” RRRRHHHYYYYYYYYYYSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
Ding, ding, ding!
Match 9 - Rhysus v Carstein
4CW championship - Swansea death match
Carstein drops down to his knees and spreads his arms out by his side.
Smith: What’s Carstein doing?
Carstein: C’mon Rhys, hit me!
Rhysus shakes his head. He doesn’t want any part of this.
Carstein: Do it, Rhys! Strike me down! Now!
Rhys shakes his head, and closes his eyes.
Rhys: Not like this! Get up!
Carstein laughs, seeing the torment in Rhys’ face. Memories of everything form the past year flash before Rhysus. His anger rising, Rhysus screams as he gives in. He charges at Carstein, who simply smiles as he watches the Bruiser hurtling towards him.
Jeffrey: Umm, this doesn’t seem like too good an idea.
Rhys lifts up his foot in order to kick Carstein in the face. Like a flash of lightning, Carstein reaches out and grabs Rhys’ foot. Carstein rolls over onto his back, pulling Rhysus down to the ring mat. Rhys crashes down, and Carstein springs to his feet, then leaps onto Rhys with an elbow drop.
Phoenix: Wow, talk about speed!
Carstein and Rhys both spring to their feet, and run away towards the opposite ropes. They bounce, run back, miss each other and bounce off the ropes again. Rhys leaps into the air and lands a Lou Thesz Press on Carstein, rights hammering away on the Lord of the Night.
But Carstein’s not down and out. He wraps his arm around Rhysus’ head and pulls it down towards him, locking in some sort of sleeper hold.
Rhys bangs the mat, then punches Carstein hard in the waist. Carstein gasps and let’s go of the champion. Rhysus leaps up, and hits a leg drop. He goes for a cover.
1!
Kick out!
Jeffrey: It’s gonna take more than that to keep him down!
Rhys shrugs, knowing it was a long shot. He gets up, only to be met with a spinning heel kic from Carstein. But Rhys catches Carstein’s foot and grins. Carstein grins back, and hits Rhys in the back of the head with the other foot.
Smith: A nicely executed enzugiri!
They both fall. Carstein pounces on Rhys, and locks in a crossface.
Roberts: A crossface!
Rhys waves his arms around, trying not to tap. Carstein adjusts slightly, keeping the move locked in with one hand, and pummels Rhys’ lower back a bit. Then he brings his arm back, locking in the hold with both arms. Rhys rolls over, pushing Carstein down onto his back, and more importantly, his shoulders! The ref notices.
1!
2!
Kick out!
Carstein kicks out just before the 3 count, realising what’s happened. He rolls forward, bringing Rhysys back into the crossface.
Roberts: Imagine if Carstein lost right there and then!
Rhys reaches out for the ropes, but he’s too far. Then he notices his trashcan full of weapons. He stretches out. Not yet! He crawls. Still not quite there! Just a little further! A little bit more! There! Rhys grabs the trashcan and pulls it down towards him. Dozens of weapons fall out all around the pair. Carstein let’s go of the hold, and rolls away to avoid being hit by something.
Jeffrey: It’s play time!
Carstein thinks the same, as picks up a fallen stop sign, and goes nuts on Rhys. He smacks the sign over Rhys’ lower back, bruising the champ. Rhys, crawls away, and picks up a bin lid. He rolls over onto his back and uses the lid as a shield to defend himself. Carstein furiously smacks the bin lid, the clanging and clanking echoing throughout the arena.
With Rhys unable to see hiding underneath the bin lid, Carstein sneakily kicks him hard in the right thigh. Rhys drops the lid. Carstein capitalises, jumping into the air. He puts the stop sign underneath drives it onto the lid and Rhys with a leg drop.
Carstein rolls off, and Rhys crawls away. He finds a baseball bat. He grabs it, and uses it as an aid to get to his feet. He swings it at Carstein. Carstein backs away into the ropes.
Rhys: Nowhere to go now!!
Carstein leaps onto the second rope and bounces off, hurtling towards Rhys. But Rhys swings the bat, swatting Carstein away. Carstein falls to the mat and clutches his legs in pain.
Smith: He could’ve broken his leg or dislocated his knee with that!
Jeffrey: I think that’s the point!
Rhys swings and smacks the fallen Carstein with the baseball. Carstein cries out in pain as the wood hits him.
Escaping from the blows, Carstein rolls out of the ring, and crawls underneath.
Jeffrey: Where’s he going?!?!
Rhys drops the bat and heads over to the ropes, and pokes through under the second rope to grab at his foe. Carstein appears from under the ring with a kendo stick, and cracks Rhys over the head. The crowd let out a loud “ooooh” as the kendo stick splinters on the impact.
Smith: Wow, what a shot!
Rhys falls backwards into the ring, clutching his forehead. Carstein looks at the splintered kendo stick, and throws it away. He ducks back under the ring to get a new weapon. He pulls out a wrench, and rolls back into the ring.
With Rhys still on his back, Carstein swings the wrench to smash Rhysus. But Rhysus has Carstein scouted, and rolls out of the way. The wrench thuds on the mat. Rhys sits up, and backs away to the ring corner. He grabs the ropes, and pulls himself up.
Carstein charges at Rhysus, swinging the wrench. Rhys ducks, and punches Carstein in the stomach. Carstein drops the wrench and Rhys throws him into the ring corner. Rhys rips Carstein’s shirt, and smacks him with a vicious chop.
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Carstein grunts at the impact. But Rhys isn’t done. He hits another chop.
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
And again!
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
And again!
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
And again!
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
And again!
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
And one more for luck!
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Carstein’s chest is bright red from the impact. Carstein grimaces, trying not to let the pain get to him. He then pokes Rhys in the eye, and throws him into the corner. And now it’s Carstein’s time to chop!
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
And again!
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
And again!
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
And again!
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
And again!
Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Carstein takes a few steps backwards, and smacks Rhys hard in the face with a roundhouse kick.
Roberts: Wow jeez!
Phoenix: There go Rhys’ teeth!
Blood dribbles from Rhys’ mouth. He touches his mouth and looks at his fingers, seeing the blood. He spits, and looks up at Carstein who has the wrench in his hands again. But Rhys sees it too late. The wrench smacks him in the forehead, and goes down like a sack of potatoes.
Smith: He’s got to be dead! There’s no way anyone can survive a shot like that!
Blood spills from Rhys’ forehead, and oozes down his face onto the mat. Carstein smiles a chilling smile. He swings the wrench again and hits Rhys’ stomach. Rhys cries out, and rolls away. He reaches the bottom rope, and slides out. Carstein raises the wrench, and the crowd boos.
He throws the wrench away, and follows Rhys to the outside. From behind, he grabs Rhys by the head. But Rhys elbows Carstein in the stomach. Carstein keels over, and Rhys clotheslines him to the floor. Holding onto the ring apron for support, Rhys stomps on Carstein, and kicks him viciously in the waist and stomach.
Rhys: GET UP!
Phoenix: Uh oh, Rhys is starting to lose it.
Carstein slowly gets to his feet, and looks up at Rhys grinning like a mad man, blood all over his face.
Rhys throws a right, but Carstein ducks it. He pushes Rhys into the ring apron, his back bending over the edge of the ring.
Smith: You can only imagine how much damage that’s done to Rhys’ back.
Rhys falls down to his knees, and Carstein backs off towards to the commentators’ tables.
Jeffrey: Hey don’t come over here! Stay there with the Spanish and French guys!
The Spanish and French announcers look nervous as Carstein leans against the French commentators’ table to catch his breathe. Rhys is back up, and rushes at Carstein. He smacks Carstein hard with a right, and the two trade blows, smacking each other around. Rhys gains the advantage, and clotheslines Carstein onto the French commentators’ table. He grabs Carstein’s hair, and punches him repeatedly in the face. He bangs Carstein’s head on the table, and leaves him slumped.
Rhys walks over to the ring, and climbs up onto the ring apron.
Roberts: I don’t like the look of this.
Rhys points at Carstein still laying on the table. The crowd cheer.
Smith: Oh no.
But Rhys shakes his head. The then climbs up the ring pole, right up to the top. He stands up straight, balancing on the top rope. Marie Dubois, who so far has been keeping her distance, rushes over and pleads with Rhys not to do it.
Phoenix: Rhys don’t do this! You could seriously end your career right here, Carstein’s not worth that!
Marie screams at Rhys to stop, but her manic pleading just encourages him further. He points at Carstein, and leaps into the air. The crowd gasp as the Bruiser soars through the air towards the Lord of the Night.
But Rhys’ hopes turn sour. Carstein’s up, and just as Rhys reaches him, Carstein jumps up, grabs Rhys’ head, and the pair smash through the table as Carstein uses Rhys’ momentum to hit a picture perfect Diamond Cutter. Bits of the French Commentators’ table go everywhere, and the crowd goes wild.
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
Jeffrey: Holy shit’s right! Wow!
Phoenix: My God, a Diamond Cutter right through the table!
Smith: Where in hell did Carstein get the energy to hit that?
The ref hurries over to check on the pair, as does Marie. She kneels down to make sure Carstein’s ok.
Jeffrey: Man I can’t believe that!
Clinging onto Marie’s t-shirt for support, Carstein crawls over to the ring. Then he stops. He turns around, looking at the fallen Rhysus. He gets an idea, and a huge wide smile crosses his face.
Smith: It’s like watching the Grinch!
He crawls back over to Rhys, and starts laying some punches into him. But the champ was playing possum! Barely awake, Rhys takes the punches, and throws some cable from the destroyed table around Carstein’s throat! Rhys pulls, choking Carstein.
Carstein falls onto the floor, grabbing at the cable, trying to loosen it to breathe. Marie screams at Rhys.
Marie: LET HIM GO! YOU’RE KILLING HIM!!!
Rhys smiles a sick grin, and pulls harder.
Marie decides she’s had enough. She dives at Rhysus with the Women’s Championship belt, the gold colliding into Rhys’s face. The Bruiser let’s go of the cable and falls backwards, Marie landing beside him.
Gasping for breath, Carstein scurries away. Rhysus sits back up, fuming. He sees Marie.
Phoenix: Oh God no. Rhysus, no!
He goes to punch Marie, but stops himself at the last minute. He closes his eyes and breathes. Pale, and shaking slightly, Marie backs away towards the French commentators for safety. Rhysus meanwhile staggers to his feet, groggy slightly from the Diamond Cutter.
He looks around and sees Carstein sat up against the ring steps. Rhys approaches him, but Carstein pulls out a 2x4 wrapped in barbed wire from underneath the ring. The crowd roar! Rhys stops in his tracks. Carstein holds the barbed wire out in front of him, almost as if he were daring Rhys to come closer.
Rhys darts at Carstein, and snatches the wood from his hands. Rhys looks at the barbed wire, and down at Carstein. Carstein smiles.
Carstein: C’mon Rhys, finish me off! Destroy me! And show everyone here tonight that I was right about you all along!
Rhys throws the barbed wire away, and walks away from Carstein.
Rhysus: Not like this!
Carstein: Is this how you’re going to defend your honour Rhys? Your family’s honour? You know Rhys, when I kissed your girlfriend Serena, the first thought that popped into my head was that she tastes like a peach. All sweet –
Rhys screams, and charges at Carstein. He smashes his knee into his face. Carstein slams against the steel steps. Rhys dives onto Carstein, blood and spit flying everywhere, and smashes him with his fists. He reaches out for the barbed wire. Rhys, breathing quickly, grabs the barbed wire and whacks Carstein in the face with it.
Smith: Oh God.
The barbs rip at Carstein’s skin, causing blood to gush everywhere. It drips out all over the floor.
Jeffrey: I said this was going to be bloody, but this is beyond!
Rhys swings the 2x4, repeatedly hitting Carstein across the back and belly with the barbed wire. Having enough, he throws the barbed wire away. He walks to the ring, and sits down in the corner furthest from Carstein. Rhys slumps to the mat, shaking with anger, and a bit of fear over what he had just done.
Smith: Maybe Carstein was right all this time. Maybe Rhys is unhinged, and Carstein is trying to save 4CW from him.
Jeffrey: Maybe? Did you just see what I saw? Of course he’s unhinged! He’s a monster, and needs stopping!
Marie cautiously walks over to Carstein, keeping her eyes on Rhysus in case he dives at her again. But he stays in the corner, not moving save for his shaking. Marie checks on Carstein. She helps him up, and helps him in the ring.
Phoenix: Marie Dubois must want to end this match right here and now. It must be torture for her seeing Carstein getting ripped up like that with barbed wire. But there’s nothing she can do.
Carstein clings onto the rope for support. Blinking, with blood trickling down his face, he sees Rhys. He smiles as he sees the mental damage he’s done to him. Rhys, suddenly infused with energy as seeing Carstein, gets up. From opposite sides of the ring, their stare each other down.
Rhys points at the Revival sign hanging from the rafters.
Rhys: No more bullshit. No more mind games. Just you and me in this ring, until one of us is the champion.
Carstein nods, and the two rush at each other. Rhysus, with speed like a cheetah, goes for a superkick. In the nick of time, Carstein dodges, falling down on his back. Rhys stomps down with the missed kick, then capitalises. He grabs Carstein’s legs, going for a figure four leg lock.
Smith: That was some fast thinking from Rhys there, countering the counter.
Rhys is just about to set up the move, when Carstein grabs Rhys, adjusts his legs and locks in a gogoplata.
Phoenix: Wow, we haven’t seen this from Carstein before!
The move catches Rhys by surprise, who frantically waves his arms around, trying not to tap out. He breathes, and suddenly lifts Carstein up off the mat. Rhys spins around, and brings Carstein down hard onto a steel chair with a devastating power bomb.
Roberts: Wow, check out the strength of the champion!
Carstein, smashing into the chair, let’s go of the hold. Rhys falls into a sitting position, and regains his breathe.
Carstein, staggering, walks right into Rhys’ hand. Rhysus wraps his fingers around Carstein’s throat, choking him. He then lifts him up into the air, and throws him into the ring corner with a corner chokeslam. Carstein bounces off the turnbuckles right into Rhys, he hits him with another chokeslam, though this time onto the mat.
Roberts: It’s all over!
1!
2!
Kick out!
Rhysus can’t believe it!
Rhys brings Carstein to his feet. He goes for another chokeslam, but Carstein kicks him in the delicate area. Rhysus keels over, and Carstein plants his face onto the mat with a Blood Drinker.
Phoenix: Blood Drinker! Blood Drinker! That’s got to be it!
1!
Smith: We’ve got a new champion!
2!
Kick out!
Jeffrey: How?
Shock crosses Carstein’s face. He shakes his head, almost in disbelief. He gets up, bringing Rhys with him. He goes to kick him to set up another Blood Drinker. But then has an idea. Instead, he grabs Rhys by the throat, and plants him onto the mat with a chokeslam of his own.
Phoenix: Carstein going for his own chokeslam, using Rhys’ move against him!
Satisfied that that’s enough, Carstein goes for a pin.
1!
2!
Kick out!
Crowd: Ooooooooooooooohhhhhh!
They can’t believe it! Carstein rolls off of Rhysus, laying on his back to get his breathe back. Rhys rolls away, too getting his breathe back. They both slowly get to their feet. They stagger and rush at each other, Rhys kicking Carstein in the stomach. He grabs Carstein, and sets him up for a Blood Drinker of his own!
Roberts: Wait a minute!
Rhys jumps backwards, and Carstein eats ring canvas as Rhys hits the Blood Drinker!
1!
Jeffrey: This has to be it!
2!
Kick out!
Phoenix: It’s not over yet!
Rhys bangs the mat in frustration.
Jeffrey: Careful Champ, the ref might think you’re tapping out!
He looks around frantically, thinking of what to do next, looking for a weapon to use. He spots the wrench from earlier. He rolls over onto his knees and climbs to his feet, slowly walking to the wrench. He picks it up, turns around and sees Carstein also getting up.
Smith: How the hell are these two men even standing?
Rhys clumsily swings the wrench, only to miss, allowing Carstein to go for another Blood Drinker. But Rhys battles out, kicks Carstein and sets him up for a jackhammer. Carstein slams to the mat, with Rhys on top of him.
1!
2!
Kick out!
Marie’s mouth just drops open in surprise.
Roberts: This man is super human!
Smith: They both are! They keep kicking out of everything.
Rhys looks as if he’s about to cry! But he doesn’t. Instead, he groggily gets up, bringing Carstein with him. The two find it hard to stand up, and lean against each other, exhausted. Rhys punches Carstein. Then Carstein punches Rhys. And they go back and forth. The kids and parents in the crowd start to cheer on Rhys, the teenagers, students and 20 year olds cheering on Carstein.
Crowd: LET’S GO RHYSUS! LET’S GO CARSTEIN! LET’S GO RHYSUS! LET’S GO CARSTEIN!
Rhysus swings his arm for a clothesline, but misses as Carstein ducks beneath the arm, appears behind Rhys and hits a neckbreaker. The two slump on the mat, exhausted and unable to move. The ref checks on them both.
Jeffrey: C’mon Carstein! You can’t pin him unless you move!
Minutes pass, before Carstein stirs. He gets up onto his knees, and crawls over to Rhysus. Carstein sits Rhys up and goes behind him. He wraps his right arm around his neck, drives his right knee into Rhys’ lower back and, with his left hand, grabs a hold of the nerves and muscle in Rhys’ left shoulder.
Roberts: The Lahmian Clutch! The Lahmian Clutch!
Phoenix: Not many men have managed to fight their way out of this move! In fact, [chux] McCool even passed out from it back in 2008!
Carstein has Rhys locked in the Lahmian Clutch.
Smith: Will Rhysus tap out here? Will we see a new Champion?
Rhysus grunts in pain as Carstein’s knee drives deep into the bruises on his lower back.
Phoenix: Carstein’s been working on that lower back region all night, and this is why! Carstein wanted to soften Rhysus up for the Lahmian Clutch!
Rhys reaches out for the rope, but it’s too far away.
Jeffrey: Idiot, there are no rope breaks. You’re trapped Rhys!
Rhys breathes furiously, and makes a fist. He clubs at Carstein, trying to fight out. Carstein flinches as the blows hit him, but he refuses to let go. Instead he locks the move in tighter. Rhys screams out in pain, but he doesn’t tap. He just keeps trying to reach the rope, breathing harder and harder.
Carstein: TAP! DAMMIT, TAP!
Rhys holds on, doing his best to ignore the pain. He won’t tap, he won’t! Instead he screams out again.
Carstein: TAP!
Rhys: AAAAAAARRRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!
With whatever energy and strength he has left, Rhys slowly starts scuttling over to the ropes.
Phoenix: He’s fighting back! It’s not over yet!
He stretches his arm out, reaching for the rope. Almost there! Centimetres! Millimetres!
He stretches out some more, the finger tip of his middle finger just brushing the bottom rope!
Jeffrey: There’s no rope breaks! What’s he trying to do!
Smith: He wants the rope for support! If he can grab the rope, he can use it to help break out of the Lahmian Clutch!
But it’s for nought. Carstein pulls him back, his spine bending and creaking over the knee.
Rhysus: AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Phoenix: That must be frustration as well as pain!
He tries reaching out for the rope again, but it’s too far. Millimetres become centimetres.
Carstein: TAAAAP!!!
Carstein squeezes Rhys’ throat harder, and harder. Rhys’ breathing becomes ragged.
Roberts: He’s cutting off his air! He can’t breathe!
Rhys starts gulping.
Smith: He’s choking him!
His eyelids become heavier and heavier. His outstretched arm starts to drop.
Phoenix: Dammit Rhys, just tap! It’s not worth this!
Smith: What are you talking about Scott? This is the main event of the biggest show in 4CW history for the biggest prize in this company! Winning this match guarantees immortality! Of course Rhys thinks it's worth it!
Rhys shakes his head, flicking blood everywhere. He’s not tapping! He tries one last gasp, one last burst of power to break free from Carstein. Rhys’ eyes almost bulge from his skull. His breathing becomes deeper and quicker. Blood oozes from the gash on his forehead.
Slowly but surely, Rhys’ breathing slows down. It becomes shallower and softer.
Roberts: Rhys is beginning to tire.
Rhys’ face, beneath all the blood, stars to turn blue. Then purple. His breathing starts to stop.
The ref checks on Rhys, and decides Rhys can’t continue. The ref stands up, but just before he can call for the bell, a small movement in the corner of his eye catches his attention.
It’s Rhysus! His right arms starts twitching, and he lifts his right hand.
Phoenix: Rhysus is coming to! I don’t know how, but Rhys is not down and out yet!
Carstein can’t believe it. He pulls Rhys back, bending his back almost to snapping point on his knee, the knee going even deeper into the bruised spine.
Carstein: TAP YOU SON OF A BITCH! TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!
Rhys’ arm stops twitching. He drops his arm.
Then, slowly, he gently and softly taps the ring mat. The ref notices, and calls for the bell.
Winner: Carstein, new 4CW champion!
Jeffrey: Wait, is Rhysus tapping?
Ding, ding, ding!
Roberts: He’ done it!
Phoenix: My God Carstein’s won!
Wilcutt: Ladies and Gentlemen, here is your winner by submission, and the NEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWW 4CW World Heavyweight Champion, CAAAAAARRRRRSTEEEEEEEIIIIINNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carstein releases the hold and falls backwards onto his back. Rhys falls forward into a crumpled heap, furiously gasping for air. Rob Zombie’s “Lords of Salem” plays from the system, heralding Carstein’s victory.
Phoenix: Carstein’s the Champion! Carstein’s the Champion!
Carstein closes his eyes and laughs. He’s done it!
Roberts: After 8 years, 8 long years, Carstein has finally won his first singles championship!
Smith: And what a championship to win! The World Heavyweight Championship!
Rhys, barely conscious, rolls out of the ring from under the bottom rope. Marie Dubois grabs the World Championship belt from the crew by the ring bell, and climbs into the ring.
She drops to her knees by Carstein, and gives him the belt.
Carstein opens his eyes and lifts his head, and sees the gold belt glittering on his chest. He laughs again, barely able to believe it.
Marie grabs a hold of Carstein, and pulls him to his feet. The belt slides from Carstein, but the Lord of the Night catches it. Carstein wobbles, exhausted and battered from his match. Carstein leans against Marie, and the ref raises his arm in victory.
Renfield and J.J. Blaze appear on the stage, and come running down to the ring. They slide in, clapping Carstein.
Phoenix: What a clean sweep for the Midnight Court here tonight! Renfield is the Custom Cup Champion! Marie Dubois is the Women’s Champion! And now Carstein is the World Champion!
Carstein, Marie and Renfield all raise their championship belts into the air.
Roberts: And what a sight that is! For weeks Carstein’s talked about how he was going to end Rhysus tonight. He has. He’s talked about how the Midnight Court is going to take over. It has!
The lights dim, and the three champions remain silhouetted in the ring.
Phoenix: What a night! Join us for Stormfront in two weeks’ time! This is Ray Jeffrey, Tyler Smith, James Roberts and Scott Phoenix saying goodnight!
4CW