Storm Front (May 11th, 2014)

We open the show with the usual pyro and ballyhoo. Scott Phoenix tries to introduce us to Storm Front but the lights cut out and a fire starts up on the stage. Angel floats down to ringside in the middle of a spotlight from the heavens as the stage flames die down leaving the enraged, black-eyed Demon where they once were. The partners reunite in the ring, opposite two unknown victims.

Match 1 - Afterlife v Jayson Blayde & Sammy Trenton
The bell rings and Angel shakes the referee's hand, then Jayson's. They lock up and Blayde starts to overpower Angel only to be judo tossed onto his back and double stomped. Angel wrestles rings around this guy, leaving him unsure of where he is, tagging in Trenton for similar treatment. This is all the starter though, and the main course is just about ready. Demon is tagged in and starts throwing wild clotheslines, knocking each man down in turn. Then a big boot, a Beell toss and a big back body drop get Demon's fires burning. His rage builds with each powerful move, until he lets out a huge roar and is ready to get this thing over with. The illegal man, Blayde, is military pressed over Demon's head and dropped to the floor, leaving Trenton all alone. Angel makes the blind tag to Demon's giant shoulder as Demon hoists Trenton up into powerbomb position. Angel springboards into a knee lift...

Phoenix: Heaven sent!

...as Demon slams him down to Earth with a sitout powerbomb.

Jeffrey: Hellbound!

Angel takes his time making the cover, knowing this one is all over.
Winners: Afterlife

Demon is still pacing the ring like a wild bull, until Angel can catch his eye and calm him down. Only when he looks to be a little less dangerous does the referee raise the arms.

* Run down of tonight's triple-header main event. First up the Skill Set defend the tag titles against former champions the RockStarrs, then "The Icon" Mark Redman defends the universal championship against the first ever universal champion Dredrick Kincaid. And tonight's main event segment will be the returning Rhysus, talking about losing the 4CW championship.

Loveless; And introducing first, weighing in at 322lb, from Barry Dock, Wales; BRIAAAN, The Freight Traaain, WHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITEEEE!

Metallicas 'Wherever I may Roam' comes over the PA, and as the full band kicks in, Brian White bounds out, fist bumping and shouting WOOO! as if sounding the whistle on an old steam train.

Loveless: And his opponent, being accompanied by his tag team partner, EL CONQUIIIIISSTADOOOOOOOOOR!!

Jeffrey:  Nothing to say this week then eh?
Phoenix:  After last week I doubt there's much more to be said.  The freight Train's on a mission here and El Conquistarod's next in line.
Jeffrey: Let's see if he can do better than his partner last week.

Match 2 - Brian White v El Conquistador (w/ Cyber Dragon)
Reff calls for the bell and El Conquistador is immediately on the attack, using his superior speed to his advantage dodging White's attachs and landing a many of his own as he can, but the smaller mans attacks seem to just come off as annoying.

White finally manages to land a huge clothesline that brings the momentum firmly back in his corner and starts applying damaging wrestling holds mixed in with several hard strikes, before putting him down with a massive side slam.

El Conquistador initially dodges the spear attempt but as he goes for a hurricanranna White instead catches him and drops him with a huge Train Crash (running powerbomb pin) for the win.
Winner: Brian White

Jeffrey: Well the Freight Train had to work harder that time but I still can't see much sweat there.  This man's a machine!
Phoenix: Yes, and well done to El Conquistador, he had a game plan and he stuck to it.
Jeffrey: And lost.  Remind me to never have those two write up my game plans for the future.

The camera opens up to the lockerroom of the Skill Set; Paladin Wells & Kensai Lee. Already changed into their ring gear, the two men strap the 4CW World Tag Team Championships belts to ther respective waists. After a knock on the door, Courtney Frost walks into the room.

Courtney, turning to Paladin: Those championship belts look good on you.

Paladin, smiling: Yeah, and that’s not all.

Courtney: What?

Paladin reaches into his bag and pulls out three OTHER championship belts.

Courtney: What are THOSE?

Paladin: The AJPW, UW:Pro & WSF Tag Team Championships.

Courtney: What?... Why?

Paladin smiles: Well, because we’re the Tag Team Champions of AJPW, UE:Pro & WSF as well as the Tag Champs of 4CW. And we’ve got o few more Feds interested in booking us versus their champs.

Frost: Wait, wait, wait, I go away fo a few weeks and you guys are the champs of 3 leagues HOW exactly?

Paladin: It’s the Tag Champs of FOUR leagues, actually, and, well, we’ve been underutilized in 4CW, and we have free range to book anywhere as long as it doesn’t interfere with our 4CW schedules... so, we took a booking versus the AJPW Tag champs, and, well, one thing led to another, and, the WSF Tag Champs called us, and then the UW:Pro Tag Champs called for a match, and, well... here we are.

Those ‘Tag Team Champions’ didn’t last three minutes... much like NME... and the Unnatural Predators... and The Brittons... and Sery... and Rog Roddick... and...

Courtney: Okay, we get it.

Paladin: So, we’re here to defend our 4CW Tag Team Championship against Los Dragonquistadores, and then go off and collect a few more Tag Team Championships before next Stormfront.

Courntey: Well... that’s very... CONFIDENT... of you.

Kensai cuts in, with a look of disapproval toward Paladin: Bù zìxìn... Zìfù.

Paladin smiles: It’s not bragging if you back it up.

Kensai, turning to Courtney, snidely comments: Wǒ rènwéi yǎn tì de yīdiǎn diǎn yǐjīng dàole tóu..

Frost: He says that he ‘thinks a little bit of success has gone to your head.’

Paladin, a bit upset: I KNOW what he said, I SPEAK Chinese.

Frost looked at Paladin with a bit of concern on her face: Anyway, after your match tonight, how about we get some din din. We’ve been busy with our projects, and we’ve been playing phone tag for almost two weeks, and... I... miss you.

Paladin smiles as he straps the AJPW Tag Team Championship belt around his neck, followed by the laying the UW:Pro & WSF Tag Team Championships on each shoulder. He looks over to see Kensai doing the same.

Paladin: Sure, babe. Dinner is on the champ.

Paladin puts a hand on her shoulder and the two walk out the lockerroom door.

Kensai asks to the empty room: What about me?

Match 3 - Jenna Divyne & Vie Valhalla v Lorelei Spice & Jada Mynx
There's still clear tension between Jenna and Lorelei, each believing they should be right at the top of the title shot list. Vie and Jada are out to make names for themselves though and go all out to get noticed. Unfortunately for them it's a short match and they're not the focus, so Vie only gets a little offence in on Jada before Lorelei tags in and things swing to her favour. Jenna is a good match for Lorelei and they get the majority of the match time, until Lorelei and Jada work some illegal double team moves putting Jenna at a severe disadvantage. Jenna hits a desperation DDT counter, then has to decide whether to keep fighting or make the risky tag to the unproven Valhalla. Vie urges her to tag out and she knows she's weak so she takes the plunge and Valhalla explodes into the ring and nails Mynx with some Polish hammers and then a big spear out of nowhere, hooking for the pin before Spice can do anything about it.
Winners: Jenna Divyne & Vie Valhalla

Jenna is surprised that the win came from her partner instead of herself, but isn't going to complain. Spice is pissed though, losing the match without being pinned. She warns Jenna that this isn't over.

* Jenny Loveless interview with Jack Valentine, announces he wishes to challenge for the 4CW championship

We head back to the arena with the RockStarrs; Carlos "BA" Starr and T-Rock 4000 in the ring with Candi at ringside, and Gulmira by Ramin Djawadi playing, and The Skill Set; Kensai & Paladin Wells on their way down to ringside wearing their 4 Tag Team Championship belts on thier shoulders, around their necks, and around their waists. Courtney Frost is only a few steps behind them. The 4CW Tag Team Champions slide into the ring, and then start to de-strap, handing Coutrney their combined 8 Tag Team Championship belts as the RockStarrs look on.

Match 4 - RockStarrs v Skill Set
Tag team championship
The bell rings and BA Starr starts out against Paladin Wells, charging with a clothesline. Paladin ducks under, and catches Starr as he turns with a Gorilla Press Slam! As Starr recovers, Paladin Wells comes off the ropes and hits a bone-crunching SPEAR that almost  break Starr in two. Wells picks up Starr and tosses him to T-Rock for the tag. Rock charges Paladin Wells and  wells steps to the side and catches Rock with a BLACK HOLE SLAM!!! Wells smiles to the crowd as he pulls T-Rock up and then back down into THE HOLY AVENGER (Jackhammer Powerslam)!!!

The crowd goes wild with cheers as Paladin looks to Kensai, but then, instead of making a tag, just hooks the leg and covers Conquistador.

The ref drops and counts.

1... 2... THREE!!!
Winners: Skill Set, to retain the tag team championship

The crowd erupts even more as the announcer shouts: The winners of the match... and STILL 4CW Tag Team Champions... the... Skiiiiiiiiiiiill Seeeeeeet!!

Gulmira by Ramin Djawadi starts to play in victory. Kensai slides into the ring with a bewildered and confused look on his face. The ref raises the hands of Kensai and Paladin Wells as Courtney Frost slides into the ring beside her team, holding their belts.

* Penance returns to shout at the Cowboys From Hell, angry that they lost a match, claims that he'll drag this group back to winning ways. Descent stands up for the guys, reminding Penance that they won the faction war at Revival.

* An angry Mike Nichols calls out Belly, challenges him to an Everlast championship match. Belly agrees.

The 4CWtron hisses and crackles into life, showing the still bruised face and upper torso of Chris Drake.  He has a white plaster cast on his right arm and his face grimaces in pain every time he moves.

The crowd burst into life at the sight of Drake and a chant starts up.

Drake:  Thank you, and I'm sorry I can't be there in person tonight.  Unfortunately the attack by Mike Nichols at Revival has left me in quite a bad way.

He glances at the cast on his right arm.

Drake:  There's been some nerve damage in my right elbow, as well as my wrist being broken and four of my ribs being cracked.  My doctors and I have been monitoring that for the last couple of weeks fairly regularly.  But before Mike Nichols starts patting himself on the back for ending the career of Chris Drake, well I've come back from worse than this.  When I left 4CW in 2009 I needed knee surgery, and needed two vertebrae fused in my neck.  I was told I'd never wrestle again, but two weeks ago I pushed Belly to his absolute limit.  I had that match won until Nichols took the cowards route and stopped me getting my hands on the one title that has evaded me in this federation.

Boos from the crowd at the mention of Belly's name.

Drake:  So, the deal is this.  Later this week I have a re-evaluation with my doctors, and at next weeks Storm Front I intend to publicly come to the ring and announce what my future holds.  After the injuries I've suffered in the past I've decided that for the first time in my life, I'm going to listen to what the doctors say.  I'm going to heed their advice.  If they tell me I'm fit to compete, then that's what I'm going to do, but if they tell me their is a risk to my neck or my back then I'm prepared to walk away from 4CW.

Lots of booing from the crowd now.

Drake:  I've had a great run in 4CW, but if my body can no longer do what I need it to do, then it might be time to hang it all up.

More booing from the crowd.

Drake:  I'll see you all in one weeks time, and will hopefully have the all clear to carry on.

The 4CWtron fades back out, taking the audience back to the announce table.

Phoenix:  Well, Chris, we've all enjoyed what you've brought to our federation, and now's the time when you have to do what's right for you.  I hope it's good news!

Match 5 - "The Icon" Mark Redman (w/ D'Amico Brothers) v Dredrick Kincaid (w/ High Society & Smoke)
Universal championship
Redman acts like he has this one in hand and starts the match off pretty strongly against the veteran, but it soon becomes clear that High Society - especially Victor Kincaid - is in his head. He breaks from the match a couple of times to warn Victor not to get too close to the ring, giving Dredrick openings to get back into the contest. Redman is thrown with more suplex variations than he can count, most of them chained together in inventive ways.
Dredrick has Redman locked up in the crossface and looks to have the match won, but the D'Amicos hop up to the apron to cause the distraction. Dredrick drops the hold to knock them down, but Victor and Smoke get their first. All the corner men start to brawl on the outside until they all get ejected. Redman uses the distraction to schoolboy Dredrick up for a long two count and is furious when the referee tells him it wasn't three. Dredrick blocks a DDT attempt and tries to drag Redman back down into the crossface only to be countered into a side effect. Redman then drops three super quick leg drops and covers for another two count. Kincaid is putting up a good fight, knocking Redman back with a European uppercut that sends Redman bumping into the referee, and hopping up to the middle ropes for something. Redman seizes his chance to catch Kincaid with a low blow and lifts him up to the top to hit the iconoclasm for the three count.
Winner: "The Icon" Mark Redman, to retain the universal championship

The Icon is handed his title belt and he hugs it closely, his first defence a successful one. But High Society and Smoke are back on the stage, and they're not going away that easily.

* Announcement for "King of the Cruiserweights" battle royal next week

Korn’s “Narcissistic Cannibal” plays, and out comes the “Bruiser”!

Loveless: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the 4CW Hall of Famer, the “Bruiser”, Rhyyysuuuuussss!!

Only it’s not the usual Rhys that we’re used to.

Phoenix: Look at Rhysus, he looks terrible.

Rhys is pale, his eyes bloodshot and face covered in stubble.  He looks as if he hasn’t slept in days.  Standing on the ramp, he stares at the ring, and slowly shuffles down the ramp way.  He reaches the ring, and rolls in under the bottom rope.  He takes the microphone from Sarah, and stands in the middle of the ring, slightly wobbly.

Rhysus: Three weeks ago was Revival X, the biggest show in this company’s history.  I was in the main event of that show.  I walked in the champion.  I walked in a man, a role model, a hero. 

Rhysus takes a few steps backwards, and leans against the ropes.

Rhysus:  And I left the loser. 

Rhysus looks down at his feet.

Phoenix: Just imagine how hard it must be for Rhysus to say that.
Jeffrey: The truth hurts.  He should just man up and get on with it.

Still looking at his feet, Rhys continues to speak.

Rhysus: It wasn’t just the 4CW World Championship I lost that night.  I lost my humanity.  I almost lost all control and attacked Marie Dubois with my bare hands.  Then I did lose control, and almost killed Carstein with barbed wire.

The memories of how he lost all control at Revival seem to hurt Rhysus, as he clings to the rope with his free hand for support.

Rhysus: For months Carstein’s being going on about how I’m a monster.  I’ve denied that, but after Revival I –

Before Rhysus can say another word, the arena’s plunged into darkness.  “Lords of Salem” plays.

Jeffrey: Uh oh.
Phoenix: Uh oh’s right Ray, this could get nasty quick.

Rising from the thick mist is the Lord of the Night, dressed in his black shirt, trousers and boots, black crushed velvet frock coat, his 4CW Hall of Fame ring on his finger and the 4CW World Heavyweight Championship around his waist.

Rhysus looks up at the Champ as he walks down the ramp, then he falls to the mat, sat in the corner.  Carstein climbs into the ring, and looks at Rhys.  He unstraps the belt and leaves it down on the mat.  He walks up to the sitting Rhysus, and crouches down in front of him.

Carstein tilts his head slightly as he looks at the crestfallen Rhysus.  Then he plucks the microphone from Rhysus’ hand.

Carstein: Rhys, Rhys, Rhys.  What have I done to you?  Is this the Bruiser?  The man who retired Rasheed Evans?  The man who held the Custom Cup Championship longer than anyone?  The man who defeated Mike Nichols at Gallows End?  The man who defeated Belly in a steel cage?  The man who main evented the biggest show in 4CW?

I barely recognise you.  You’ve become nothing more than a gibbering wreck.  Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!  I really have killed you! 

But I’m not here to gloat and rub salt in your wounds.  Oh no.  Rhys, I’m here to make you an offer.

Phoenix: An offer?

Carstein: For the last year, Rhysus, I have been trying to destroy you, trying to show everyone the monster that lurks inside of you.  I announced to the world that you’re a threat, that I had to save 4CW from you.

But do you really think I wanted to destroy you?  Rhysus, I don’t want to destroy you.  I never did.  For as long as I have known you, I’ve wanted you here beside me.

You see, I’ve long desired to dominate this company, this entire industry.  Every waking moment I have wanted to hold this World Championship.  I have wanted complete control and domination.  And once I finally achieve that, I needed to be able to maintain control. 

To that end I joined with Mike Kim in 2006 to form Vampiric Embrace.  Alas, control of the tag division eluded us.  Kim became a hindrance so I disposed of him.  Then I joined with Jon Viper and the Wolfbaines in the Snake Pit.  That went south, and I lingered and wandered around the 4CW roster.

That is, until I forged my alliance with Inferno.  Together, we became the Lords of Salem, the greatest tag team ever to grace this company.  We decimated everything in our path.  We held the tag championships twice.  Some of the biggest names in 4CW fell to our combined might: Supreme, Mike Nichols, chux, Fish, S&M.  We were well on our way to achieving full domination of 4CW.  Then Inferno took his eyes off the ball.  He started to feel a bit beat up, and thoughts of retirement entered his head.

As soon as you start to think about your retirement, you lose focus.  You start to play it safe, no more risks.  No longer was Inferno interested in dominating 4CW.  He wanted to wind down and leave.

It was during this time you joined 4CW Rhysus.  And I saw Inferno’s replacement.  As I saw you beat opponent after opponent with no mercy or remorse, I knew I had found my new ally, a man who would help me achieve full domination.

You might have claimed to have been the grinning, smiling babyface, standing up for truth and justice, but your actions in the ring showed me something else.  It showed me that there was a dark side.  It showed me that deep down there was a monster lurking.

But how to draw it out? 

I had to anger you Rhys.  I had to tease and torment you to bring that monster out.  I had to attack you; I had to go after your family.  I had to turn your fans against you, turn your family against you, and take the World Championship from you, rob you of your legacy.  I needed you to want to destroy me, for at that point you will have unleashed the beast. 

And unleash it you did!  You became something greater than I could ever possibly imagine!  You’ve felt that monster inside you stir.  You’ve let it out.  And don’t deny it Rhys, it felt good.  It felt amazing.  Knowing people feared you felt good.  Being able to feel the raw power flow through you.  Rhysus, to us, to people like me and you, this is ecstasy. 

For we are alike Rhysus.  We are both feared by many.  We are monsters.  We are creatures of darkness and shadow.  We belong to the night.  I have embraced the darkness that dwells within me. 

And so I make my offer.  Join me Rhysus. 

Phoenix: What?

Carstein: Join me, and let that monster out.  Let it flow through you, let it become one with you.  Join with me Rhys, and let me teach you how to master it.  Rhysus, together, we can dominate this company.  Look what we did as enemies!  Imagine what we can do as allies.

What say you Rhysus?  Do you continue to wallow in this depression?  Do you let your world be consumed by misery?  Or do you take my offer?  Stand by my side, and dominate 4CW.

Rhysus looks over at the crowd, and his eyes are caught by a small boy, no older than 5.  He’s wearing a Rhysus t-shirt and is screaming at Rhys.  “Don’t do it Rhysus!  Don’t do it!”

Carstein: Don’t listen to them Rhysus!  You’re not one of them!  You’re a monster, like me.  You’re a creature of the night. 

Rhysus continues to stare at the crowd, and the other children telling him no.

Carstein: Look at me, Rhys.  Look at me!

Rhysus turns to look at Carstein.

Carstein stands, and holds his hand out.  Rhysus sits and stares at it.  Shouts can be heard from the crowd, people yelling no. 

Carstein: This is your destiny Rhysus.  People like us are meant to stick together.  Join me Rhys, and together we will rule this company.  No one can stand against us.  They will all fall, and we will be masters of all we survey.  Join me Rhysus, and attain complete immortality!

Rhysus looks over at the other side of the ring, and again members of the crowd shout at him to say no.

Carstein: What have they ever done for you Rhysus?  You saw how fickle they can be when you became Champion.  You displayed a darker side, became more powerful, and they booed.  They have done nothing for you.  Nothing!  Cast them aside Rhys, you don’t need them!

Rhysus turns his head back to look at Carstein.  He stares at the cold grey eyes piercing through him, the feeling that Carstein’s reading his soul.

Carstein: Join me Rhysus.  Join me.  Become who you were meant to be.  Let that monster out.  Let it become you.

Slowly, Rhys lifts his hand.  The crowd goes nuts, screaming at Rhys not to do it.  He grabs Carstein’s hand.  He squeezes.  Maybe he’s going to pull Carstein down towards him!  Maybe he’s going to attack him!

But instead he nods.  Carstein smiles, and pulls Rhys up.  Still grasping Carstein’s hand, they both shake.

Phoenix: No.

Carstein: Now feel your senses surge, Rhys, and surrender to your urge.  Listen to me now, let the darkness take you!  Feel its breathless pull; let it take you past the world you think you know.  Let the darkness underneath unfold its wings; let it show you its primal might.

You’ll accept it.

You’ll embrace it.

Rhysus smiles and nods.  The two raise their arms up.

Phoenix: My God, Rhys has joined Carstein.  Rhysus is in the Midnight Court.

Rhys looks over at the 5 year old boy, and sees he’s in tears.  But that doesn’t matter anymore, for the Bruiser is now one with the night.

Phoenix: I – I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now.  Carstein and Rhysus standing together in an alliance.
Jeffrey: Even I’m lost for words.
Phoenix: I’ve seen some things in 4CW, but this is beyond.  After everything that’s happened over the last year, how can Rhys even listen to Carstein, let alone join him?